Tuesday, December 13, 2005
From Israel: Arlene Kushner, December 12, 2005
From Israel
Arlene Kushner akushner@netvision.net.il
December 12, 2005
[] I try to maintain a sense of humor in the face of happenings here, whenever it is appropriate to take that approach. It helps me stay sane, no small task these days.
The subject below offers the perfect focus for a bit of lightheartedness in spite of everything. Consider:
MK Omri Sharon, son of Prime Minister Arik Sharon, today asked that a Tel Aviv court wait to hand down his sentence for corruption charges until after the coming elections.
Why? you may wonder.
His attorney explained: the current court date for sentencing falls in the midst of the national election campagin. As Omri's father is running for prime minister as head of Kadima, the media will focus attention on the court sessions, which may be used by opposing political parties to unduly influence the election and bolster the public's perception of Kadima as a party riddled with corruption.
OK, everyone: LAUGH! The Kadima party IS riddled with corruption. Omri himself is in Kadima. The head of the party, Arik Sharon, looking for re-election as prime minister, is also under investigation. Besides which there is probably not a soul in Israel over the age of about 16 who doubts that Omri took the fall for his father. He has been convicted of taking huge campaign funds illegally, but claims his father had no idea he was doing this. And then there's Tsachi Hanegbi, a new convert to Kadima, who is under investigation now as well and will likely be charged with having made illegal appointments.
Chairman of the Knesset Ethics Committee MK Aryeh Eldad described Omri Sharon's request as "nauseating." Eldad added that, "Omri Sharon is a confessed criminal who committed a crime specifically in order to cheat the electoral system, in order to use funds acquired illegally to distort the electoral system…Sharon's crimes are punishable by between three and five years in prison and he is requesting that his case just be put on hold until after elections?"
I love it. I will not love it, however, if the court finds for Omri in this matter.
[] One other election matter for today: The Jerusalem Post this morning reported that Sharon was not happy that Mofaz jumped the Likud ship and came over to Kadima. Interesting... The Post says Sharon was considering refusing to accept him. Seems part of the problem is what posts to give all these people. This is a party with all cooks and no bottle washers. Everyone wants a promise of a specific major appointment if Kadima wins.
Myself, I think, Mofaz fits right in at Kadima. Seems that at the very same time he announced his resignation from Likud, a letter to Likud supporters was in the mail promising that he would not leave Likud, no matter what.
One further point here: Kadima is the epitome of non-democractic process. There has been no time to establish a rank and file membership for this new party. There is no Central Committee. Sharon himself will determine the list for the election.
[] We've had our laugh, and now it's time to get serious:
According to a report by Arutz Sheva, the Palestinian Authority’s Office for Religious Affairs claims that the Kotel (the Western Wall), the last structural remnant of the Second Temple, is Moslem property.
The PA office claims Moslem ownership of the Western Wall by referring to the wall on its website as the Al-Boraq Wall. According to Moselm legend, the wall is the place where Mohammed tied his horse, named Boraq, before ascending to heaven.
I have addressed this issue here before and undoubtedly will again. This is not an esoteric argument, but goes to the heart of our rightful place as Jews here in this land. There is a concerted Muslim effort to read us out of our own history and our own heritage.
[] The Palestinian Media Watch (www.pmw.org.il) reports that Hamas has a new campaign video in which it declares it will not give up the struggle until Israel is destroyed. It also celebrates their love of death as superior to the Israeli love of life.
Hamas is fast becoming a major political contender in the PA elections and setting the political agenda. In the face of their challenge, moderation is out.
Arlene Kushner akushner@netvision.net.il
December 12, 2005
[] I try to maintain a sense of humor in the face of happenings here, whenever it is appropriate to take that approach. It helps me stay sane, no small task these days.
The subject below offers the perfect focus for a bit of lightheartedness in spite of everything. Consider:
MK Omri Sharon, son of Prime Minister Arik Sharon, today asked that a Tel Aviv court wait to hand down his sentence for corruption charges until after the coming elections.
Why? you may wonder.
His attorney explained: the current court date for sentencing falls in the midst of the national election campagin. As Omri's father is running for prime minister as head of Kadima, the media will focus attention on the court sessions, which may be used by opposing political parties to unduly influence the election and bolster the public's perception of Kadima as a party riddled with corruption.
OK, everyone: LAUGH! The Kadima party IS riddled with corruption. Omri himself is in Kadima. The head of the party, Arik Sharon, looking for re-election as prime minister, is also under investigation. Besides which there is probably not a soul in Israel over the age of about 16 who doubts that Omri took the fall for his father. He has been convicted of taking huge campaign funds illegally, but claims his father had no idea he was doing this. And then there's Tsachi Hanegbi, a new convert to Kadima, who is under investigation now as well and will likely be charged with having made illegal appointments.
Chairman of the Knesset Ethics Committee MK Aryeh Eldad described Omri Sharon's request as "nauseating." Eldad added that, "Omri Sharon is a confessed criminal who committed a crime specifically in order to cheat the electoral system, in order to use funds acquired illegally to distort the electoral system…Sharon's crimes are punishable by between three and five years in prison and he is requesting that his case just be put on hold until after elections?"
I love it. I will not love it, however, if the court finds for Omri in this matter.
[] One other election matter for today: The Jerusalem Post this morning reported that Sharon was not happy that Mofaz jumped the Likud ship and came over to Kadima. Interesting... The Post says Sharon was considering refusing to accept him. Seems part of the problem is what posts to give all these people. This is a party with all cooks and no bottle washers. Everyone wants a promise of a specific major appointment if Kadima wins.
Myself, I think, Mofaz fits right in at Kadima. Seems that at the very same time he announced his resignation from Likud, a letter to Likud supporters was in the mail promising that he would not leave Likud, no matter what.
One further point here: Kadima is the epitome of non-democractic process. There has been no time to establish a rank and file membership for this new party. There is no Central Committee. Sharon himself will determine the list for the election.
[] We've had our laugh, and now it's time to get serious:
According to a report by Arutz Sheva, the Palestinian Authority’s Office for Religious Affairs claims that the Kotel (the Western Wall), the last structural remnant of the Second Temple, is Moslem property.
The PA office claims Moslem ownership of the Western Wall by referring to the wall on its website as the Al-Boraq Wall. According to Moselm legend, the wall is the place where Mohammed tied his horse, named Boraq, before ascending to heaven.
I have addressed this issue here before and undoubtedly will again. This is not an esoteric argument, but goes to the heart of our rightful place as Jews here in this land. There is a concerted Muslim effort to read us out of our own history and our own heritage.
[] The Palestinian Media Watch (www.pmw.org.il) reports that Hamas has a new campaign video in which it declares it will not give up the struggle until Israel is destroyed. It also celebrates their love of death as superior to the Israeli love of life.
Hamas is fast becoming a major political contender in the PA elections and setting the political agenda. In the face of their challenge, moderation is out.
