It is with extremely heavy heart that I write here today.
This morning inBnei Torah synagogue in West Jerusalem's district of Har Nof four people had been killed and eight wounded. They all have committed apparently the same crime: they were Jewish.
Two cousins from East Jerusalem - Ghassan and Uday Abu Jamal - have decided that their political views or faith or their nationalism requires them to slaughter others.
Just imagine going for prayer (if you sometimes go) to whatever place it is that you go and being attacked with axe or gun (both were used today) for the simple fact of being Hispanic/ African/ Asian/ Caucasian/ Christian/ Hindu/ Buddhist - you name it. Imagine somebody going for your child or family with an axe for this simple reason that you are who you are, no matter what your views are, they don't ask (of course killing for views is equally repulsive but here we don't even have this element). You are not human to your attacker, you are alien who needs to be killed with your women and children.
I want you to understand this and imagine the picture after such attack, and think how would you describe somebody behaving in this way.
There were times not long ago in Europe when Jews were killed simply for being Jews - in the streets of occupied cities, in ghettos, in gas chambers; 98% of them have been killed out of these living in Europe. I see no difference between gestapo or SS killing Jewish child for not stepping out of pavement on ghetto and such Palestinian terrorists. There is none.
And I see no difference between Hamas, Hezbollah or terrorists from West Bank covered often by Fatah and Nazi regime.
When Nazis entered Amsterdam and ordered Jews to wear Stars of David the next day big part of the population of Amsterdam appeared wearing them.
I wish and I dream (like Dr Martin Luther Jr had once had his dream) that we will all go in a march supporting these slaughtered for being Jewish.
As today all I wish to say except giving my condolences to families is this: I AM JEWISH!
chain of Israeli youth after the attack
Tuesday, 18 November 2014
Tuesday, 4 November 2014
Different standards
Do you remember Orwell's "Animal farm" with it's (somewhat changed from the original) law that: "All animals are equal. some are more equal."?
I have written here so many times about so called pro-Palestinian activists that they (in vast majority, I know there probably are exceptions) care nothing about Palestinians and all they really want is to demonize and destroy Israel. And so many times I pointed to the fact that if one can't blame Israel the fate of Palestinians is irrelevant to all these "activists" (apparatchiks sounds more like it to me).
Well, here is another story confirming it.
Egypt in the aftermath of terror attacks on Sinai is destroying homes in Gaza creating buffer zone.
But look at the article. Does it say anything about genocide? Hurting children? Terror against civilians? Heart-breaking stories? No, it is actually very up-to-date and factual and covers some minimum of the story.
Now imagine had it been Israel destroying buildings from which rockets are fired (last ones only this weekend, not reported) to create buffer zone. How much rage and hatred towards Israel, all her inhabitants and Jews everywhere would have been split? Well, I guess you can guess how much...
On Friday Hamas has broken cease-fire firing the rocket into Israel. Israel responded by closing the border pass after which it was accused of... breaking cease-fire. Apparently firing rockets on Israel is allowed. Rafah crossing (between Gaza and Egypt) remains closed since terror attacks on Sinai yet nobody is protesting.
But as I said, it is Orwellian. Thing is: nobody, but NOBODY is happy in Orwellian world. Let's protest against its creation (for example letting BBC know what we think about such double standards of reporting)
I have written here so many times about so called pro-Palestinian activists that they (in vast majority, I know there probably are exceptions) care nothing about Palestinians and all they really want is to demonize and destroy Israel. And so many times I pointed to the fact that if one can't blame Israel the fate of Palestinians is irrelevant to all these "activists" (apparatchiks sounds more like it to me).
Well, here is another story confirming it.
Egypt in the aftermath of terror attacks on Sinai is destroying homes in Gaza creating buffer zone.
But look at the article. Does it say anything about genocide? Hurting children? Terror against civilians? Heart-breaking stories? No, it is actually very up-to-date and factual and covers some minimum of the story.
Now imagine had it been Israel destroying buildings from which rockets are fired (last ones only this weekend, not reported) to create buffer zone. How much rage and hatred towards Israel, all her inhabitants and Jews everywhere would have been split? Well, I guess you can guess how much...
On Friday Hamas has broken cease-fire firing the rocket into Israel. Israel responded by closing the border pass after which it was accused of... breaking cease-fire. Apparently firing rockets on Israel is allowed. Rafah crossing (between Gaza and Egypt) remains closed since terror attacks on Sinai yet nobody is protesting.
But as I said, it is Orwellian. Thing is: nobody, but NOBODY is happy in Orwellian world. Let's protest against its creation (for example letting BBC know what we think about such double standards of reporting)
Sunday, 2 November 2014
Colonel Patterson (the story about Jewish Legion)
Have you seen the movie "The Ghost and the Darkness"? It is the story of two men-eaters that have stopped the building of trans-African railway in British Eastern Africa (today's Kenya) by the end of XIX century.
The movie is based on true story and these two lions were the only animals ever debated on by British Parliament (after all halting the building of prestigious railway and killing over 130 people was not common).
The hero of the story was British colonel John Patterson. He was colonel, engineer, writer (he has written few books about his work which still constitute great read) and Zionist.
How come the last? Well, he was British protestant believing in the cause of re-establishing Jewish state, but most importantly (from this viewpoint) he was organizer and commander of the Jewish Legion, first Jewish military force in Middle East since the Bar Kochba uprising. It was some 2,000 men strong with such personalities as Ben Gurion, James de Rothschield or Jacob Epstein. They took part in Allenby's assault on Meggido (Armageddon).
After the action the Legion was inspected by the brigadier known for his vicious antisemitic sentiments. Stalking the ranks he finally found what he'd been looking for - some minor infraction such as unpolished button or untied shoelace. He had dragged the offending private by the lapels screaming to his face: "You dirty little Jew!".
Colonel Patterson immediately ordered "fix bayonets". The battalion obeyed to the man. Another order to about-face and they have formed the classic hollow with very lonely brigadier inside the sea of steal. Patterson demanded apologies to the private. The brigadier didn't have it in him to object. He apologized. Colonels do not sic their battalions on brigadiers and had Patterson not had the reputation he enjoyed he might have been very well shot. As it was his case was partially upheld and he survived.
Colonel's wish, when he was dying in 1947, was to be buried alongside his soldiers from the Jewish Legion. He supported wholeheartedly the case of creating the State of Israel.
Many years later his wish was fulfilled. This November 10th, in presence of British and Israeli military delegations and Israeli president colonel's ashes together with his wife's ashes will be put to rest in Moshav Avichail, a village north of Netanya founded by Jewish Legion soldiers.
The movie is based on true story and these two lions were the only animals ever debated on by British Parliament (after all halting the building of prestigious railway and killing over 130 people was not common).
The hero of the story was British colonel John Patterson. He was colonel, engineer, writer (he has written few books about his work which still constitute great read) and Zionist.
How come the last? Well, he was British protestant believing in the cause of re-establishing Jewish state, but most importantly (from this viewpoint) he was organizer and commander of the Jewish Legion, first Jewish military force in Middle East since the Bar Kochba uprising. It was some 2,000 men strong with such personalities as Ben Gurion, James de Rothschield or Jacob Epstein. They took part in Allenby's assault on Meggido (Armageddon).
After the action the Legion was inspected by the brigadier known for his vicious antisemitic sentiments. Stalking the ranks he finally found what he'd been looking for - some minor infraction such as unpolished button or untied shoelace. He had dragged the offending private by the lapels screaming to his face: "You dirty little Jew!".
Colonel Patterson immediately ordered "fix bayonets". The battalion obeyed to the man. Another order to about-face and they have formed the classic hollow with very lonely brigadier inside the sea of steal. Patterson demanded apologies to the private. The brigadier didn't have it in him to object. He apologized. Colonels do not sic their battalions on brigadiers and had Patterson not had the reputation he enjoyed he might have been very well shot. As it was his case was partially upheld and he survived.
Colonel's wish, when he was dying in 1947, was to be buried alongside his soldiers from the Jewish Legion. He supported wholeheartedly the case of creating the State of Israel.
Many years later his wish was fulfilled. This November 10th, in presence of British and Israeli military delegations and Israeli president colonel's ashes together with his wife's ashes will be put to rest in Moshav Avichail, a village north of Netanya founded by Jewish Legion soldiers.
Tuesday, 28 October 2014
Museum of the History of Polish Jews
Today in Warsaw the main exhibition in the Museum of the History of Polish Jews is being opened. The museum itself has been organizing different events and temporary exhibitions for some time but only today it is opening its main exhibition.
Jews started arriving to Poland in XI century so it is really 1,000 years of common history. Main bulk of Jewish people arrived after the Black Death period in Europe as they were accused for causing the plague and often murdered and tortured for it.
Although the plague didn't pass Poland her king at the time (having himself Jewish mistress for years and being opened for people from different backgrounds) let them come and settle in Poland including in the vicinity of the capital (at that time) - Krakow.
Time were good (or excellent) and bad (sometimes, e.g. during Ukrainian revolt of XVII century - awful) for both nations but it was all manageable. Jewish people had their Parliament of Four Regions which meant quite a lot of self governing. Before II WW in Poland lived 3.5 million Jews (that's why it was in occupied Poland that Nazis built their death camps) and every third person living in Warsaw before the war was Jewish.
It was all destroyed during the war and the trauma of it and many things that took place at the time lasted till very recently.
But when I look at the newly opened museum - one dedicated to life not to death, to the history of living, working, worshiping, learning and not to dying I am very happy.
Last but not least I am specially happy that during opening celebration Presidents of both Poland and Israel were present (it was the very first foreign visit of Mr Rivlin - the newly elected President of Israel)!
And here is one of the places on main exhibition - fully reconstructed XVII century synagogue :)
Jews started arriving to Poland in XI century so it is really 1,000 years of common history. Main bulk of Jewish people arrived after the Black Death period in Europe as they were accused for causing the plague and often murdered and tortured for it.
Although the plague didn't pass Poland her king at the time (having himself Jewish mistress for years and being opened for people from different backgrounds) let them come and settle in Poland including in the vicinity of the capital (at that time) - Krakow.
Time were good (or excellent) and bad (sometimes, e.g. during Ukrainian revolt of XVII century - awful) for both nations but it was all manageable. Jewish people had their Parliament of Four Regions which meant quite a lot of self governing. Before II WW in Poland lived 3.5 million Jews (that's why it was in occupied Poland that Nazis built their death camps) and every third person living in Warsaw before the war was Jewish.
It was all destroyed during the war and the trauma of it and many things that took place at the time lasted till very recently.
But when I look at the newly opened museum - one dedicated to life not to death, to the history of living, working, worshiping, learning and not to dying I am very happy.
Last but not least I am specially happy that during opening celebration Presidents of both Poland and Israel were present (it was the very first foreign visit of Mr Rivlin - the newly elected President of Israel)!
And here is one of the places on main exhibition - fully reconstructed XVII century synagogue :)
Thursday, 23 October 2014
Another terror attack
In Jerusalem, yesterday, a terrorist with connections to Hamas has smashed with his car into the group of passengers awaiting Jerusalem light railway. Eight people were injured and a 3-month-old baby girl, thrown from her buggy, was killed. She was thrown with such a force that after flying through 20-30 meters (70-90 feet) in the air she fell headfirst into the pavement. Despite prompt medical action she succumbed to her injuries few hours later.
It was the first time for her in Jerusalem. She was American citizen.
It was her last time in Jerusalem.
Her parents tried for years to have a baby. One act of murderous antisemitism has taken them and her everything.
Pray for her please
It was the first time for her in Jerusalem. She was American citizen.
It was her last time in Jerusalem.
Her parents tried for years to have a baby. One act of murderous antisemitism has taken them and her everything.
Pray for her please
Thursday, 16 October 2014
Simcha Torah plus the good article
Today at sundown there will start the holiday of Simcha Torah culminating the week of Sukkot.
Simcha Torah means "the joy of Torah" and this day people are celebrating, dancing, and even small children are allowed to touch the Torah scrolls. It is a very joyful occasion!
I enclose some pictures below:
Also I would like to share with you the very interesting article by rabbi Jonathan Sacks who is the retired rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the British Commonwealth.
here is the link
I watch with growing not even uneasiness but slowly horror how antisemitism is returning to Europe. And it is a frightening perspective for all of us as it is absolutely not only about Jews - just as it is stated in the article. If you would like to share your thoughts on this article remember you are very much welcome to do so.
Hag Sameach!
Simcha Torah means "the joy of Torah" and this day people are celebrating, dancing, and even small children are allowed to touch the Torah scrolls. It is a very joyful occasion!
I enclose some pictures below:
here is the link
I watch with growing not even uneasiness but slowly horror how antisemitism is returning to Europe. And it is a frightening perspective for all of us as it is absolutely not only about Jews - just as it is stated in the article. If you would like to share your thoughts on this article remember you are very much welcome to do so.
Hag Sameach!
Thursday, 11 September 2014
Unexpected Egyptian offer
During last few days important though contradictory pieces of information considering Palestinians, Egypt and Fatah have been released in media.
According to the information first relieved by Palestinian Ma'an Service Agency (established on West Bank ruled by Palestinian Authority) Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has offered the great territory on Sinai Peninsula for the purpose of establishing - together with Gaza and parts of West Bank under Fatah control - state of Palestine. Ma'an quotes supposed words of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as “They [the Egyptians] are prepared to receive all the refugees, [and are saying] ‘Let’s end the refugee story.’” “But,” he insisted, “It’s illogical for the problem to be solved at Egypt’s expense. We won’t have it.” Thus - not for the first time - Abbas has effectively refused possibility of creating independent Palestine! It is not, after all, his goal.
Following release of this piece of news Israeli and than American media have claimed the story, here it is as appeared in Fox News.
The story caused some optimism though later on it was demented by both Palestinian and Egyptian sources; still, only after it has became the news.
Let's try to examine why would Egypt make such an offer, why would Abbas reject it and why would both parties insist on this never happening.
Facing the prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran, and the rise of jihadist forces from al-Qaida to the Islamic State to the Muslim Brotherhood, the non-jihadist Sunnis no longer believe that the prolongation of the Palestinian jihad against Israel is in their interest. Syria and Lebanon have already suffered and have been damaged probably beyond repair (at least when it comes to Syria) by jihadist, mostly shi'ia movements.
Hamas at this point poses the threat to both Egypt and Jordan (together with other terrorist movements dangerous for Jordanian Kingdom possibly no less than Black September in 1970). Egypt, involved in struggle with Muslim Brotherhood (whose child Hamas is) and touched directly by terrorist attacks by Hamas on its own territory (to the extend of helping Israel militarily in this last campaign) has to be specially cautious about guarding its border.
Egypt's offer is far from altruistic, neither does it want to make things much easier for Israel nor for Palestinians. It is coldly calculated, self-serving offer which - when it comes to geopolitics - is probably the best approach. It may be learned also from conditions Egypt has demanded to be met by Palestinians if the offer would have to be sustained. The future Palestine would have to be demilitarized and ruled by Fatah (under no condition by Hamas). Thus it would have allowed Egypt to answer some of its own security demands.
So, why would Abbas reject such an offer not only allowing for Palestine Autonomy to move to the stage of independent state but also guaranteeing him personally status of the first president of such entity?
The only logical answer is in the politics, economics and origins of PA authorities. Their narrative is totally based on blaming Israel for everything and they live on the legend of former Nazi perpetrator Haj Amin al-Hussaini - the man responsible to the great extent for 1948 war of independence. As generation upon generation of Palestinian children had been brought up on the rabidly antisemitic narrative, taught about "right of return" and hatred towards Jews was more important than Quran in their training Abbas is not prepared (and possibly does not believe that his subjects are) for changing of narrative and giving up some of it even for the price of giving up independent and larger Palestine.The fate of thousands of Palestinian refugees (specially those trapped in Syria in desperate situation) is obviously indifferent for him (as could be expected and was articulated by both Arafat and Abbas). Abbas may even be afraid of loosing both power and life if he changes narrative thus becoming hostage of his own myths.
Specially that independent state of Palestine wold have been trouble for him. Having a country to run means having to think about supplying it in electricity and water (something Israel is doing for them right now), caring about budget (something Europe and the USA are taking care of), education (for the moment UNRWA pays the bills) or medical care (again on more than basic level it usually is Israel that does the job). Fatah is for years a ruling party yet in its rhetoric and approach it acts as the opposition. Abbas, for very down-to-earth reasons is against creating the state of Palestine.
Why does Egypt deny making an offer is in this situation relatively easy to guess. Since it rejection it may not be counted as gain (solving refugee and security problems) and many in Arab world would blame Egypt for doing something - good for Palestinians and Egyptians as it would have been - which would help solve some Israeli problems.
Lastly - today's news shows that Saudi Arabia has had enough of Hamas as well.
And yet it is the first solution in the Middle East which could have brought lasting peace for so many. Is there anybody who could force Abbas to reconsider or accept offer? Yes, that would have been EU (the biggest donor of taxpayer's money to Palestinian Authority) and the USA. Abbas lives at their expense. If they really want (Europe specially, with its 500 million euro yearly donation to PA) to act towards peace and solving Palestinian problems it is time to put some pressure on their client. But will Europe overcome its anti-Israeli narrative, its prejudices and bureaucracy? Let's hope so as - if the offer was really made - it is the best chance in years to solve some problems.
According to the information first relieved by Palestinian Ma'an Service Agency (established on West Bank ruled by Palestinian Authority) Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has offered the great territory on Sinai Peninsula for the purpose of establishing - together with Gaza and parts of West Bank under Fatah control - state of Palestine. Ma'an quotes supposed words of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as “They [the Egyptians] are prepared to receive all the refugees, [and are saying] ‘Let’s end the refugee story.’” “But,” he insisted, “It’s illogical for the problem to be solved at Egypt’s expense. We won’t have it.” Thus - not for the first time - Abbas has effectively refused possibility of creating independent Palestine! It is not, after all, his goal.
Following release of this piece of news Israeli and than American media have claimed the story, here it is as appeared in Fox News.
The story caused some optimism though later on it was demented by both Palestinian and Egyptian sources; still, only after it has became the news.
Let's try to examine why would Egypt make such an offer, why would Abbas reject it and why would both parties insist on this never happening.
Facing the prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran, and the rise of jihadist forces from al-Qaida to the Islamic State to the Muslim Brotherhood, the non-jihadist Sunnis no longer believe that the prolongation of the Palestinian jihad against Israel is in their interest. Syria and Lebanon have already suffered and have been damaged probably beyond repair (at least when it comes to Syria) by jihadist, mostly shi'ia movements.
Hamas at this point poses the threat to both Egypt and Jordan (together with other terrorist movements dangerous for Jordanian Kingdom possibly no less than Black September in 1970). Egypt, involved in struggle with Muslim Brotherhood (whose child Hamas is) and touched directly by terrorist attacks by Hamas on its own territory (to the extend of helping Israel militarily in this last campaign) has to be specially cautious about guarding its border.
Egypt's offer is far from altruistic, neither does it want to make things much easier for Israel nor for Palestinians. It is coldly calculated, self-serving offer which - when it comes to geopolitics - is probably the best approach. It may be learned also from conditions Egypt has demanded to be met by Palestinians if the offer would have to be sustained. The future Palestine would have to be demilitarized and ruled by Fatah (under no condition by Hamas). Thus it would have allowed Egypt to answer some of its own security demands.
So, why would Abbas reject such an offer not only allowing for Palestine Autonomy to move to the stage of independent state but also guaranteeing him personally status of the first president of such entity?
The only logical answer is in the politics, economics and origins of PA authorities. Their narrative is totally based on blaming Israel for everything and they live on the legend of former Nazi perpetrator Haj Amin al-Hussaini - the man responsible to the great extent for 1948 war of independence. As generation upon generation of Palestinian children had been brought up on the rabidly antisemitic narrative, taught about "right of return" and hatred towards Jews was more important than Quran in their training Abbas is not prepared (and possibly does not believe that his subjects are) for changing of narrative and giving up some of it even for the price of giving up independent and larger Palestine.The fate of thousands of Palestinian refugees (specially those trapped in Syria in desperate situation) is obviously indifferent for him (as could be expected and was articulated by both Arafat and Abbas). Abbas may even be afraid of loosing both power and life if he changes narrative thus becoming hostage of his own myths.
Specially that independent state of Palestine wold have been trouble for him. Having a country to run means having to think about supplying it in electricity and water (something Israel is doing for them right now), caring about budget (something Europe and the USA are taking care of), education (for the moment UNRWA pays the bills) or medical care (again on more than basic level it usually is Israel that does the job). Fatah is for years a ruling party yet in its rhetoric and approach it acts as the opposition. Abbas, for very down-to-earth reasons is against creating the state of Palestine.
Why does Egypt deny making an offer is in this situation relatively easy to guess. Since it rejection it may not be counted as gain (solving refugee and security problems) and many in Arab world would blame Egypt for doing something - good for Palestinians and Egyptians as it would have been - which would help solve some Israeli problems.
Lastly - today's news shows that Saudi Arabia has had enough of Hamas as well.
And yet it is the first solution in the Middle East which could have brought lasting peace for so many. Is there anybody who could force Abbas to reconsider or accept offer? Yes, that would have been EU (the biggest donor of taxpayer's money to Palestinian Authority) and the USA. Abbas lives at their expense. If they really want (Europe specially, with its 500 million euro yearly donation to PA) to act towards peace and solving Palestinian problems it is time to put some pressure on their client. But will Europe overcome its anti-Israeli narrative, its prejudices and bureaucracy? Let's hope so as - if the offer was really made - it is the best chance in years to solve some problems.
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