During 1945 there were up to one million Jews living in the Middle East and North Africa outside modern-day Israel— many living in communities dating back more than three millennia. Their mass-exodus in the 20th century occurred due to extreme antisemitism with the rise of Arab Nationalism.
DOWN WITH THE DICTATORSHIP IN IRAN
Neda Agha-Soltan was shot and killed by the Islamic Regime of Iran during the June 2009 protests in Tehran. Neda was killed while exercising her fundamental human rights. All she wanted was to support her friends and to advocate for freedom.
1,000,000 MIDDLE EASTERN JEWS
ETHNIC CLEANSING?
Martin Luther King Jr.
“Peace for Israel means security, and we must stand with all our might to protect its right to exist, its territorial integrity. I see Israel as one of the great outposts of democracy in the world, and a marvelous example of what can be done, how desert land can be transformed into an oasis of brotherhood and democracy. Peace for Israel means security and that security must be a reality.” -Martin Luther King, on March 25, 1968
FAVORITE QUOTES
"Along with the rise of Arab nationalism and Arab independence, life for Jews in Egypt and other Arab countries became intolerable. All this started happening years before Israel was established. Within a 20-year period starting in 1945, nearly a million Jews were forced out of Arab countries. Being Jewish was criminalized in Egypt in the late 1940s. Other Arab states such as Iraq, Libya, and Syria, passed similar laws. Jews began facing iron walls of discrimination and harassment by the authorities. Most of us were dispossessed. Our schools, homes, synagogues, businesses, farms, and hospitals, were all confiscated by Arab governments. Our rich, 3,000-year-old culture and heritage was decimated. No trial, no jury, no justice." -Joseph Wahed
“Let us all hope that the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away, and that in some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty.” -Martin Luther King, Jr.
"My parents came from Iran and Tunisia, but nobody is going to give our property back to us. It's all been confiscated ... We have this little sandbox we call Israel. We give our hearts and lives to make it a proud country." -Kobi (Subliminal) Shimoni
"There are things in this world a man does well to carry to extremes." -Cyrano de Bergerac
"Am Israel Chai! / !עם ישראל חי"
"Peace for Israel means security, and we must stand with all our might to protect its right to exist, its territorial integrity." -Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Even though I'm not Jewish...Israel is one of the few causes I feel good about supporting." -Ray Charles
"The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who didn't do anything about it." -Albert Einstein
"!כל הכבוד לצה"ל / Kol Ha'kavod Le'Tzahal!"
"Today, the Middle East is a cauldron of chaos and change. What is not known is that Jews lived in what are now Arab states for over 2,500 years. Their communities pre-date the rise of Islam 1,400 years ago in the 7th century. Jewish communities from North Africa to Iraq date from the Babylonian destruction of the first Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, 500 years before the birth of Christianity. All of this is long before the establishment of today’s Arab Muslim countries." -Natalie Zeituny
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue." -Barry Goldwater
"I know we are the 'chosen people' but, once in a while, can't you choose someone else?" -Tevye (Chaim Topol)
"And disgusted by the anti-Semitism of many Italians, of many Europeans, I am ashamed of this shame that dishonors my Country and Europe. At best, it is not a community of States, but a pit of Pontius Pilates. And even if all the inhabitants of this planet were to think otherwise, I would continue to think so." -Oriana Fallaci
"It is better to have an Israel the whole world hates than an Auschwitz the whole world loves." -Rabbi Meir Kahane
"Jerusalem has been our capital for 3000 years. We were here when your forefathers were drinking wine, burying their daughters alive, and worshiping idols." -Mordechai Kedar
"It has been our belief that the Jewish state must be, and indeed, will be, one wherein there will be equal rights for all its citizens regardless of race, nationality and origin." -Menachem Begin
"Once we have a war there is only one thing to do. It must be won. For defeat brings worse things than any that can ever happen in war." -Ernest Hemingway
"To avoid criticism do nothing, say nothing, be nothing." -Elbert Hubbard
"We, Jews from the Arab/Islamic countries, want to tell the world our story. But there is one problem: our generation is getting old and we don’t have much time left. The media doesn’t care much about us, neither does the UN." -Joseph Wahed
"When people criticize Zionists, they mean Jews. You're talking anti-Semitism." -Martin Luther King, Jr.
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." -Edmund Burke
"Do not pass up a chance to express your views on important issues.... If a dictatorship ever comes to this country, it will be by the default of those who keep silent." -Ayn Rand
"I do not reject peace, but I am afraid of war disguised as peace." -Cicero
“My philosophy, in essence, is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute.” -Ayn Rand
"Please do your best to get me out of here, because Lebanon is no place to be, and I really want to see you all -- no one should have to remain in captivity when there are other alternatives... Yom Kippur is approaching and I will be praying together with you. Let’s hope that He will help the leaders make the right choices. But you can also help." -Ron Arad in a letter to his wife, Rosh Ha'Shana 1987
"The Egyptian, the Babylonian, and the Persian rose, filled the planet with sound and splendor, then faded to dream-stuff and passed away; the Greek and the Roman followed; and made a vast noise, and they are gone; other people have sprung up and held their torch high for a time, but it burned out, and they sit in twilight now, or have vanished. The Jew saw them all, beat them all, and is now what he always was, exhibiting no decadence, no infirmities of age, no weakening of his parts, no slowing of his energies, no dulling of his alert and aggressive mind. All things are mortal but the Jew; all other forces pass, but he remains. What is the secret of his immortality?" -Mark Twain
"We make war that we may live in peace." -Aristotle
The following is a live performance of an original song called "Remembering" by Avishai Cohen (no relation). He performs here with fellow band members.
I think any jazz lover will appreciate the lovely rhythm and Avishai's talent. It's great easy listening.
His website has additional details about tour dates and discography.
Details are emerging regarding the cases of Mohammad Reza Alizamani and Arash Rahmanipour, who were executed yesterday in Iran on trumped up, vague charges. As if the initial details of the cases weren't despicable enough, the lawyer for one of the men now says her client's family was not even aware that their son would be hanged.
Rahmanipour's lawyer, Nasrin Sotoudeh, told Reuters that the indictment against her client was political. CNN also reports that Sotoudeh's client was forced to give a confession of attempting to overthrow the government. In order to persuade the young man to "confess" to crimes he didn't commit his pregnant sister was allegedly put in front of him during questioning, alluding to psychological torture.
Below is a report from CNN on this terrible story:
These sort of actions should not take anyone by surprise. The Islamic Republic of Iran's Basij militia have shot and killed student protesters and have possibly sexually violated prison inmates. The Khomeinist regime has no respect for human life whatsoever and needs to be eradicated.
The Israeli keffiyeh isn't anything new, but now it is more accessible in the West. Groups like the Zionist Freedom Alliance have been seen sporting the blue and white keffiyeh for years. The garment is also available in some outdoor marketplaces in Israel.
I have broached the topic of the keffiyeh in the past. I think the garment is practical in the Middle East, particularly among Bedouins and anyone traveling in the desert. For that reason, it makes perfect sense that some in the U.S. military utilize it.
However, in the West the keffiyeh is more often than not a political statement. For the most part, it is sported by rebellious youngsters who buy their "anti-woven war scarf" (keffiyeh) from Urban Outfitters. People in America and Europe often wear the traditional black/white keffiyeh for the same reason they wear those offensive Che Guevara t-shirts or walk around with ridiculous Mao handbags. It's cool-- it's revolutionary and rebellious. And people can't think for themselves for a moment to recognize the homicidal nature of individuals like Che or Mao. Palestinian organizations which popularized the garment to people in the West are also homicidal-- with genocidal goals against an ethnic group in a tiny country in the Middle East.
The keffiyeh, in the black and white checkered design, will also be seen during rallies which call for the destruction of Israel and demise of the Jewish people. For that reason the garment, at least in the West, has come to represent solidarity with groups like the genocidal leadership of the Palestinian Liberation Organization.
“Jews indigenous to the [Middle East], such as my family, have worn some variation of the kefyah [cap/kippa] and keffiyeh [head/neck scarves] for thousands of years,” he said.
“The original purpose of the scarves was to provide protection from the sun and sand. When it comes to religious observance, the Muslim tradition of head covering originates from the Jewish tradition,” Safar said.
However, he is not oblivious to the fact that this new “Israeli keffiyeh,” which has been selling fairly well, has already engendered controversy among some who feel it might be inappropriate for Jews to use it as a pro-Israel symbol.
“We have had some Arab friends take offense to our new scarf-remix,” acknowledged Safar. “We have some Muslim rappers who have taken part in our Hip Hop Sulha series, which is a Jewish and Muslim reconciliation concert series featuring Hip Hop groups from around the world. We are having a concert in February and one of the performers has actually backed out because of these scarves.”
In an attempt to put people’s minds at ease, Safar this week released a press statement to clarify the historical facts and to provide some context.
“As a Jew, I am not offended by the pope who wears a ‘kippa,’ and in the same respect, I don’t feel there is any reason for anyone to take offense to a Jewish person wearing a version of the keffiyeh, which they also identify with,” he said in the statement.
Mr. Safar's idea to make a pro-Israel keffiyeh readily available is a neat one. I do disagree with Mr. Safar's characterization of Jews of the Middle East as Arabs, something he discusses with the Jerusalem Post writer in the beginning of the article. Jews from the East, despite their indigenous roots, were hardly treated as equals and considered Arab. My family from Damascus and Iraq, moreover, never characterized themselves as Arabs because they were first and foremost identified by their religion and persecuted against as a result. With the Arab Nationalism movement having so much blood on its hands, including the blood of innocent minorities like Jews, Baha'i, Zoroastrians, Kurds and even atheists, identifying as an Arab doesn't make much sense to most Jews of the Middle East.
By now many are probably familiar with the controversy in June 2006 surrounding Google Earth and the replacement geography, or blatant historical revisionism, associated with the application. Israeli cities were renamed and linked back to a “Palestine Remembered” site, thereby erroneously rendering Israel a colonial oppressor and occupier. Israel’s historical landmarks and villages were re-named in a blatantly politically motivated Palestinian narrative which erases the Jewish and Israeli heritage from the region. Unfortunately, Google Earth allowed various organizations and individuals to create overlays and present mistruths without any apparent oversight.
My brother, whose medical rotations mean he’s been in many cities in recent months, uses the “My Yahoo!” page, owned by Yahoo, to keep track of news and weather across the United States and Israel. Last night he called me to tell me that Ariel, Israel, which is an Israeli town near Jordan’s west border, had been renamed on the service. Rather than seeing the weather for Ariel, he saw “Jenin, Palestinian Occupied Territories” listed in its stead. He was obviously befuddled, as he has been using the application for many months. It is unclear why the change was made, but it is clear that those who deny the right of Israel to exist consistently refer to all of Israel—not just Ariel, Israel—as occupied territories.
I have relatives in Ariel and have been there on several occasions. It’s a multi-ethnic, bustling city and quite lovely. A quaint city, if you will, built upon rocky and barren hills that had never been built on or inhabited. There is, of course, an arbitrary cease-fire line which refers to many Israeli cities in parts of Judea and Samaria as “settlements,” a term that attempts to diminish their legitimacy. Nonetheless, these are arbitrary lines which have no founding in history and no authority when one considers the wars initiated by Arab governments and repeated violence from all major Palestinian factions. The Israelis living in Ariel reside in their historic homeland that happens to be outside that line—in a city, moreover, that they built that had no “Palestinian” history of prosperity or civilization. Jordan lost that land following the Arab League’s initiated Six Day War.
It’s this sort of blatant political revisionism of renaming Israeli cities that we are up against. Not only was there never any “Palestinian” city in the area of Ariel, but there was never even a Palestinian country. It was during the uprising of Bar Kochba around 70 A.D. that the Romans, when quelling it, killed hundreds of thousands of Jews, destroyed the Temple, banished the Jews from the entire area, renamed the area Palestinium and erected one of their own temples on the site of the Temple Mount. There were never any indigenous “Palestinian” people. Modern day “Palestinians” are often descendants of Arabs of the region, some of whom converted from Judaism to Islam under Ottoman rule for either political, social or personal reasons. The Ottomans held dominion over a part of the world in which people were basically squatters in a particularly inhospitable and arid region. Jerusalem and Hebron were two places with more settled populations, including significant Jewish and Christian populations.
When it comes to historic revisionism, the so-called myth of tolerance and acceptance of Middle Eastern Jewry is a perfect example of history re-written to suit the agenda of Arab Nationalists and/or Islamic Totalitarian organizations. We rarely hear of the atrocities committed against Middle Eastern Jewry and only hear about the poor Palestinian refugees. Indeed the Palestinian refugees are a poor people, a scapegoat for oppressive Islamic governments who despise Israel and who will not allow these Arabs to become immersed and absorbed in Islamic countries.
My family is also indigenous to the Middle East. They are from communities that lived in dusty tents for years following their exodus from their native lands to a modern Israeli state. They helped to build a country that was poor and barely habitable. They were victims with a plight that has been unrecognized for decades despite the fact that these refugees outnumbered the Arab refugees. Perhaps most important to note is that both the Jewish and Arab refugees suffered as a result of the nefarious Arab League initiated wars. Rather than engaging in despicable and senseless violence like the Arab refugees, Middle Eastern Jews persevered and built their new lives and a bustling civilization in a hostile and dry region.
It may surprise some of my readers to know that philosophically I support the notion of one state in which all people living in the so-called “disputed territories” are all declared citizens of Israel and given full rights irrespective of their religious background. That includes the Arabs in the region who are perpetual refugees. But there is idealism and there is realism. The never-ending violence, predominately inspired from a homicidal and hateful Palestinian leadership, is the reason that such an idealistic view of peace is terribly unrealistic. Any society which sends children and Palestinian mothers to blow up Israelis in buses or shopping malls is a society that rejects the notion of freedom, thereby demonstrating that they care more for their perverted ideals than living in dignity. It is this type of fanatical hatred, driven by Islamists and Arab Nationalists, which continues to propagate more animosity and makes attaining peace impossible. It is the reason that security fences and checkpoints are necessary in an Israeli society that must protect its civilian population.
Iranian news agencies have confirmed that two men, both protesters against the oppressive regime in Iran, were hanged on Thursday. The latest two executions put the number of individuals executed in Iran thus far in 2010 at 13 people, according to the Abdorrahman Boroumand Foundation.
Mohammad Reza Alizamani and Arash Rahmanipour were charged with attempting to overthrow the Iranian government. The official conviction against the two individuals is that they were being Mohareb, or enemies of God. There were even allegations that the men, who protested along with others against the rigged re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, planned to assassinate government officials. As expected, the trials were rushed and the lawyers for the two victims were not given the opportunity to defend their clients against the alleged bogus charges.
Rahmanipour's lawyer, Nasrin Sotoudeh, said the indictment against her 19-year-old client was political, asserting that the verdict is illegal and unjust. Under the circumstances of a hasty and unfair trial, the lawyer said she could not adequately aid her client. "An execution with this speed and rush has only one explanation... the government is trying to prevent the expansion of the current (opposition) movement through the spread of fear and intimidation," she said in a statement to Reuters.
In June 2009 dissidents in Iran launched massive protests against the Islamic Totalitarian regime. The dissidents began utilizing tools like camera phones and social networking sites to get information across to people here in the United States and abroad. Journalists from the mainstream media were unable to enter Iran, and thereby relied on the information from young protesters. Even in light of abuse, including murder of Iranians, demonstrations against the Khomeinist regime persisted. This situation is very much a present, on-going quandary and young dissidents have resolutely stood up to mullah-backed regime in their country.
Today's hangings of Alizamani and Rahmanipour mark the first executions of dissidents since protests were launched during June 2009. It is truly a sad day for Iranians who comprehend the greatness of their Persian heritage and wish to live in dignity.
This past Saturday, January 23rd, would have marked Neda Agha-Soltan's 27th birthday.
Neda was murdered on the streets of Tehran by Basij militia. She was present during an opposition protest on June 20, 2009.
People close to her said that she wanted to be there to support her friends who advocate for freedom. Her horrifying death was captured on a mobile phone and broadcast around the world.
Neda's fiancé, Kaspin Makan, spoke about the young woman's death to the world media and was imprisoned shortly thereafter. Following his release from prison he fled Iran.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is beginning to pack up to return to Israel. In the following clip Dr. Itzik Kryce delivers a powerful speech to his crew about the purpose of aiding the nation of Haiti.
While the IDF is returning to Israel, they have promised to continue aiding the country during this tough time. According to the IDF Spokesperson's Unit, Israel will be leaving 30 tons of medical equipment, including bandaging gear, surgery equipment, and incubators. The IDF is also leaving 1150 blankets, 30 tents, 500 mattresses, 200 sleeping bags and kitchen equipment.
During their time in Haiti, the Israeli delegation treated 1,111 patients, 10 of which are currently hospitalized. 317 surgeries were performed and 16 births were successfully made in the Israeli field hospital.
Israel has repeatedly demonstrated a fierce willingness to aid people in need across the world following such horrible disasters. It is something that all Israelis can be extremely proud of.
"Debka Abaya" is one of my favorite songs from Ofra Haza's classic "Shirei Moledet" records. "Shirei Moledet" refers to folk songs of Israel. The lyrics of "Debka Abaya" are by Emanuel Zamir. A loose translation is available here.
The song is from the perspective of a male, but Ofra's voice lends a beautiful and unique quality to the song. The music and lyrics are based on Middle Eastern or Arab folk, which I think demonstrates the shared culture of the many groups of the Middle East.
The Israel Defense Forces field hospital is known as the most advanced facility offering medical services in the area. The Israeli team maintains 40 doctors and 25 nurses, paramedics, a pharmacy, a children's ward, a radiology department, an intensive care unit, an emergency room, two operating rooms, a surgical department, an internal department and a maternity ward. The makeshift facility has the capabilities of treating approximately 500 patients in need a day. The United States, European Union, Israel, United Kingdom, Brazil and many other countries have offered financial and material support to the people of Haiti. In comparison aid from oil rich Islamic countries and from Venezuela has been comparatively less.
Tonight I was interviewed on the "BIBI report liveshow" on Blog Talk Radio. Topics covered included Israel-Turkish relations, George Mitchell's recent threats of sanctions on Israel, the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians Arabs, and more.
You can listen to the interview by clicking the play button below. My interview begins at about 33 minutes and 40 seconds (following the Uzi Chitman song "Noladti L'Shalom").
Yesterday a devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit the Caribbean nation of Haiti. Thousands are feared to be dead and infrastructure has been destroyed in the country. Haiti's president was quoted on CNN stating that he fears over 100,000 people have been killed.
If you want to contribute to earthquake relief, you can contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-REDCROSS or donate at RedCross.org. You may also consider contributing to Doctors Without Borders, an organization providing emergency health services.
Israel, which is well-trained in these kinds of situations, has been administering human aid to Haiti as well. In the past Israel's well-trained rescue units have come to the aid of nations such as Turkey, Mexico, El Salvador, Italy and Indonesia following similar disasters. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also ordered humanitarian aid, including medical supplies, to be sent to Haiti in the wake of the natural disaster. Israel's Foreign Ministry, Home Front Command and the IDF Medical Corps personnel went to Haiti on Wednesday noon (IST).
Here are some details from the Jerusalem Post (1/13/2010):
Led by Daniel Saban, head of ministry's Latin America department, the delegation will also include members of the IDF Search and Rescue Unit. The IDF Medical Corps plans to set up a field hospital in Haiti.
Brig. -Gen. Shalom Ben Aryeh, commander of the Home Front Command's Search and Rescue teams, said the contingent consists of 50 IDF officers trained in rescue operations as well as giving emergency medical treatment.
Experience from previous cases, Ben Aryeh said, teaches that the first few days are the most critical for finding survivors trapped under the rubble.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry said it had received the details of four Israelis who have not made contact since the quake. The ministry was in constant contact with the missing people's families. One of those missing was Sharona Elisye, daughter of the late peace activist Abie Nathan, who has been living in Haiti with her husband.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu instructed the professional echelon in the Defense Ministry to urgently act in order to send humanitarian aid to the country, according to a statement issued by the PMO....
Many of Haiti's 9 million people are very poor. Tuesday's earthquake is a terrible thing to occur after so many years of political strife and natural disasters which make it difficult to build a prosperous nation. Hopefully survivors are found and people are able to rebuild their lives.
The following clip is from a highly propagandized, anti-Israel Turkish television drama which portrays Israelis as child killers. This is exactly the sort of garbage tactics that Nazis and Arab Nationalists utilized to vilify Jews. My family members in the Middle East were tortured and killed because of such nonsense propaganda.
This televised propaganda drama is currently the most popular Turkish program. It is reminiscent of Nazi films of the 1930's and 1940's which portrayed Jews as rapists and baby-killers.
So-called moderate Turkey is one of the biggest human rights violators on the face of the earth. The human rights record of Turkey on the Kurdish minority is despicable. Kurds don't have a real representation within Turkish government and are not even considered an ethnic group by Turkey. Turkish strikes on the Kurdish minority have led to the demise of young, innocent Kurdish children. The fact that Turkey continues to deny that it systematically murdered about a million and a half Armenians is downright offensive. Starving and murdering Armenian children was most certainly a despicable Turkish tactic against the Christian-Armenian minority.
Moreover, Fatah and Hamas, organizations that send Palestinian mothers to commit acts of so-called "holy war" against Israel, have murdered Israeli children in the most barbaric and gruesome ways imaginable. Anyone with an understanding of the Israel-Arab conflict would wonder whether Fatah and Hamas attacks on Israeli children serves as the inspiration behind the garbage Turkish drama. After all, it was Fatah-linked terrorists that massacred Israeli mother Tali Hatuel, who was eight months pregnant, and her four young daughters. It was Fatah terrorists from the Popular Resistance Committees, who continue to launch rockets into Sderot, Israel, that killed these five people in May 2004 (an incident celebrated by Palestinian-Arab civilians). Abu Mazen of the Palestinian Authority is the head of the Fatah organization— the group that the international community continuously tries to push Israel to compromise with in order to create a Palestinian state. Never mind that this will, in effect, be another oppressive Islamic Totalitarian state in the Middle East.
While Turkey would have undoubtedly continued to benefit from good relations with Israel, Israel does not need Turkey. In fact, it is to Israel's benefit not to ally itself with a nation like Turkey which massacred 1.5 million innocent Armenians and continues to oppress a Kurdish minority while the world remains deafeningly silent. Ataturk envisioned a modern and secular nation-state. However, Turkey is moving from secular modern values to Islamic Totalitarianism. Turkey continues to associate itself with Iran's mullahcracy and Syria's Assad who allows his people to starve while he and his wife live it up.
Israeli tourists, who make up a large majority of travelers to Turkey, should continue to boycott the nation and opt to visit Italy, Greece or Cyprus on their yearly Mediterranean holidays. No Israeli in their right mind should visit Turkey, which has proven itself to be a morally bankrupt nation.
Sheikh Abdul Hadi Palazzi, who heads the Italian Muslim Assembly, visited Israel in late December.
Palazzi visited Sderot and Hebron, showing solidarity with the people of Israel. He also visited Judea and Samaria to show support for Israeli sovereignty. During his trip Palazzi expressed sadness about the fact that Gush Katif, which is now under Hamas rule, was ethnically cleansed of the Israeli civilians living there.
In the past Sheikh Palazzi has organized protests outside Iran's embassy in Rome, Italy against Iran's mullahs for their genocidal statements regarding the State of Israel.
During discussions with Jewish leaders, Palazzi explained that Saudi Arabia is largely responsible for Islamic radicalism. He asserted that Saudi funding to mosques in Europe and the United States is extremely harmful, suggesting that the Saudi interpretation of Islam is invalid.
Every once in a while I like to share a piece of Israeli culture with my readers. Ofra Haza was easily the best Israeli female singer— rising to fame around the world for her pure sounding voice and charming personality. Although her international fans may not realize it, one of Ofra's biggest fan base were young Israeli children. I grew up listening to her music at home and also watched her appearances on popular Israeli children television shows on VHS while growing up in the United States.
"Be'Cherem Teyman" is from Ofra Haza's critically acclaimed "Shirei Moledet" records. "Shirei Moledet" refers to folk songs of Israel.
Increased rocket fire from Gaza over the past few days has contributed to a more tense atmosphere between Israel and Gaza. Earlier on Thursday the Israeli Air Force (IAF) dropped thousands of notes along the Gaza border. According to Arabs in Gaza the message warned not to come within 300 yards of the border fence. The IAF has dropped similar messages in the past when there has been increased terrorist activity.
Following a katuysha attack on Ashkelon, the IAF struck terror targets within Gaza. There have been no reports of injuries. However, the international media is now mentioning the story following Israel's response. I noted this only a little while ago in a previous post about the katuysha rocket attack today on Ashkelon. The international media doesn't always report stories when Israel is attacked, choosing instead to cover stories when Israel responds to provocation. Israel has every right— and the moral duty— to annihilate terrorist factions in Gaza. Unfortunately, they appear reluctant to do so. It has been theorized that international attitude contributes to this mentality. While this may be true, Israel also shares the responsibility as it is a sovereign country with a duty to protect its civilians.
Here are some details about the IAF response, courtesy of Y-Net (1/7/2010):
Israeli Air Force jets struck several targets in central and southern Gaza Strip Thursday night, Palestinian sources reported. There were no immediate reports of casualties. The IDF confirmed a strike was mounted.
According to the report, the IAF struck targets in Gaza City and echoes of the explosions were heard throughout central Gaza.
Hamas and Palestinian radio stations said the explosions heard were the result of an Israeli air strike, adding that flames and smoke were spotted in the strike zones.
Israeli media reports said Israel had targeted a weapons factory in Gaza City.
Hamas, an Islamic militant group that rules Gaza, said an Israeli warplane bombed a building in Gaza City that witnesses said appeared to belong to the Islamic Jihad militant group.
Earlier this week Hamas riots on the Gaza-Egypt border left an Egyptian soldier dead. He was killed by sniper fire. Nine policemen were injured and dozens of Palestinian Arabs were hurt in the riots.
A katyusha rocket landed in Ashkelon, Israel today, the first to reach the city since Operation Cast Lead ended. Last month rockets hit Sderot, Israel. And yet people still suggest that there is a ceasefire between Israel and their Arab neighbors in Gaza.
The Israeli media reports no casualties so it's unlikely that the mainstream international media will report on this story unless a terrorist in Gaza dies if Israel decides to respond to such provocation.
The perpetrators of the attack are the Popular Resistance Committees, made up predominately of former Fatah and Tanzim terrorists. This is the same despicable organization that fought "holy" jihad against Israelis by massacring unarmed and pregnant Tali Hatuel and her four daughters in 2004.
Here are some details, courtesy of the Jerusalem Post (1/7/2010):
Just after Defense Minister Ehud Barak said that the Iron Dome missile defense system would not be enough to solve all the problems in the South, the scale of those problems was all too clear to see Thursday night when, for the first time since Operation Cast Lead, a Katyusha rocket landed south of Ashkelon.
The rocket landed in an open field, causing no casualties or damage.
Air sirens sounded throughout the area, causing panic among the residents, who for the past year have enjoyed a period of quiet.
Earlier Thursday, terrorists in Gaza fired an anti-tank missile at IDF troops near the periphery fence.
In late December 2009 protesters pulled down banners featuring Ali Khamenei. Khamenei is the supreme leader of Iran— a theocratic goon who oppresses the people of his nation. He is hugely supportive of barbaric terror groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, both of which are proxies of the mullahcracy.
As a Middle-Easterner I feel a deep affinity with people from the East, including Iran. The people of Iran who took to the streets to protest against the Islamic Regime and a rigged election are some of the bravest individuals I have ever seen and, in some cases, had the privilege of meeting. It is crucial that we continue to support the brave people of Iran even while the international community remains silent in the face of the human rights disaster going on in the country. By sharing information, including amateur video and news from activists, we can make others aware of what is truly going on.
Amateur video from late December 2009 shows the Iranian police attempting to physically harm Iranian protesters who are in opposition to the government. Protesters have included young students and teenagers.
The images in the video are violent and viewer discretion is advised.
You can watch my interview with him, which was released today, by clicking this link.
During the interview many topics are covered, including the author's personal reasons for choosing to show his face in public and what initially caused him to speak out against his faith.
Although we did not have time to cover it during the interview, Ibn Warraq is the author of a thorough and scholarly text in defense of western society. His book, Defending the West, which I would highly recommend to my readers, refutes the inconsistent ideas and lofty generalizations in Edward Said’s book, Orientalism. Said's text is almost always on the reading list in Middle Eastern departments in North American and European campuses. Said's book disregards other native and indigenous groups in the Middle East and Asia, and places blame on Europeans and Americans for problems within Islamic communities. Orientalism also suggests that colonialism is a phenomenon unique to Europe despite identical attitudes in the Middle East and Asia. In short, the author of Orientalism is Pan Arabist who believes in Arab Nationalism at the expense of other indigenous peoples of the East, such as Kurds, Jews, Armenians, Druze, Copts, Christians and Baha'i. Warraq's text is a scholarly antidote to Said’s work.
The following is an excerpt from Joel Leyden of the Israel News Agency (12/31/2009) about the event:
The peace rally was coordinated with the Israel Ministry of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs, WUJS, World Jewish Congress, Im Tirzu and the Sderot Municipality.
The Sderot Israel Peace Rally for Hope was a counter-response to the Gaza Freedom March, which took place in Egypt today.
The Sderot rally featured a number of speakers including the presidential candidate for the 2011 elections in Zambia, the Honorable Dr. Saviour Chishimba, Former Member of Parliament-National Assembly of Zambia and founder of the Zambia-Israel Alliance.
In a recent visit to Sderot, Israel Dr. Saviour Chishimba stated: “Now is the time for Africa to stand up and fight terrorism wherever it emerges. The threat against Israel and the Jewish people is the same threat against all the peoples of the world.”
The Sderot Israel Peace Rally began at Kibbutz Nir Am, located between Kibbutz Erez and Nir Am. Leading the protesters were Sderot Mayor David Buskila and Information Minister Yuli Edelstein. Hundreds then marched to Givat Yanchik (Givat Ha’Oranim).
Following the peace march, the Israel peace activists released hundreds of balloons with messages from Sderot, Israel children to the children of Gaza.
Moshe Amar, a Sderot boy whose home was destroyed in a Hamas terror rocket attack and was visited by US President Barack Obama during his 2008 election campaign, spoke to the peace protesters.
"Try to imagine that everything you love, the things that are supposed to be the most secure in your life - your home and your family are directly terrorized," said Amar. "For almost a year, we were left homeless. To this day, that Hamas terror Qassam attack still traumatizes my family - we will never be the same."
"Try to imagine that everything you love, the things that are supposed to be the most secure in your life - your home and your family are directly terrorized," said Amar. "For almost a year, we were left homeless. To this day, that Hamas terror Qassam attack still traumatizes my family - we will never be the same."
The Israel marchers sang peace songs as they were photographed and interviewed by journalists coming from dozens of nations including the US, UK, France, Israel, Spain, Canada, Brazil, Denmark, Sweden, Japan, China and Russia.
"I believe that these people bring a message of peace. The children of Sderot have sent messages to the children of Gaza. Israel doesn't want war; it wants to live in peace with its neighbors – the launching of rockets into Israel must cease," said a Zambian member of parliament.
"We come to Sderot with a message of peace, one year after the war," Edelstein said. "Sadly, the shooting continues, but we seek peace."
It is crucial to remember that in return for turning over Gaza to the Palestinian Arabs in a misguided gesture of peace and reconciliation, Israel made it easier for Islamic extremists to launch thousands of rockets at a civilian population.
This incident reminds me of the idiotic uproar we witnessed in 2007 when Israeli archaeologists wanted to fix a walkway to the Temple Mount. Clerics throughout Middle Eastern countries, including among Arabs living in the West Bank, alleged that Israel was planning to destroy Al Aqsa mosque. Protests and violence ensued despite the fact that Israeli officials are extremely careful about preserving Jerusalem.
It is unlikely we will witness any protests following a recent vile decision to destroy a piece of Babylonian and Jewish history.
Islamic leaderships have totally ethnically cleansed native Jewish populations from the Middle East. My father's family is from Baghdad, so I should know. Ironically enough, my father's family identified as Iraqis first and foremost. Arab Nationalistic leaders and their fanatical followers from Iraq to Yemen to Tunisia resorted to maiming their indigenous Jewish populations which ultimately lead to an exodus of up to one million people, many of which settled in Israel as refugees.
Early reports that Iraq plans to retain the Jewish nature of the Tomb of the Prophet Ezekiel are apparently false. Sources in Baghdad say that the government plans to turn it into a mosque and erase all Jewish markings.
Iraq announced earlier this year that it would revamp the ancient burial site, which is located in Al-Kifl, a small town south of Baghdad. The U.S.-backed government announcement implied that its Jewish nature would continue to be emphasized.
Since then, however, reports have surfaced that the government is actually planning to build a mosque there, including removing the ancient Hebew inscriptions that adorn the site. Some reports say that all or some of the lines of Hebrew script have already been erased.
Many synagogues and Jewish cemeteries have been desecrated in the Middle East. For example, my maternal great-grandparents graves were bulldozed in Damascus, Syria. Destroying Jewish heritage and eliminating it from sight is another vile tactic to brainwash populations of Middle Easterners into believing that Jews have no place in the Middle East. Baha'i shrines and Christian sites have also been destroyed in the Middle East and North Africa.
David Benjamin of the Jerusalem Post has an excellent editorial regarding Israel's initiative that is currently under review. The initiative would review actions the IDF took during Operation Cast Lead despite the standard and thorough investigations taken following the the military campaign against Hamas which occupies Gaza.
The initiative reportedly under discussion to establish a judicial investigative committee to review the IDF's investigations relating to Operation Cast Lead would amount to confessing under duress to a crime we didn't commit.
One of the aims of this initiative is to deflect the criticism leveled in the Goldstone report at Israel's investigation process. The word Goldstone used in an interview to describe the investigation process was "pusillanimous" ("lacking courage or resolution" - Webster).
However, the establishment of a special review committee would only serve to vindicate Goldstone's disparaging comments about our legal system.
Goldstone says our investigations should be conducted in conformity with "international standards." We shouldn't have a problem with this demand, since it means, in effect, that we can drop our standards. The fact is that Israel probably has the highest level of accountability of the military under the law in the world....
There is a morality in war when the goals are to eliminate a tyrannical, theocratic force. In the case of Israel, Hamas needed to have been completely destroyed. This was what Israel had every right—and the capabilities—of doing. However, it appears that Israel continues to bend to international whims, no matter how suicidal, at the expense of Israeli civilians in southern Israel who live in perpetual fear. Additional land compromises, in which Israel does all the capitulation, will not bring about a true peace. We witnessed the effects of such a fruitless negotiation in 2005 when Israel withdrew from Gaza and turned over the territories to Palestinian Arabs who continuously choose war over peace. Those same civilians elected a brutal leadership in Gaza which persecutes not only Israelis but Arabs as well. No other country in the world would agree to such asinine negotiations as Israeli politicians continue to enter, which include prisoner exchanges involving brutal terrorists like the psychopath Samir Kuntar who became famous by bashing in the skull of an Israeli toddler.
I am a journalist and researcher, and have written several research and investigative pieces on various anti-American, antisemitic and anti-Israel groups. My work has been published with several notable organizations, including CAMERA on Campus, FrontPageMagazine, the Investigative Project on Terror and Pajama's Media.
I have worked to raise awareness about issues concerning the Middle East, including the lack of attention to the plight of Mizrahi Jewry and the discrimination of other minorities.
I graduated from the University of California, Irvine with distinguished honors, earning a Bachelors of Arts in English. I can be reached at Reut AT reutrcohen DOT com. While I will endeavor to respond to every e-mail, I am not receptive to antisemitic and anti-Israel propaganda.
