Wednesday, July 19, 2006
from a former resident of Neve Dekalim
This was a comment to http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2006/07/cannon-fodder.html
Like the early immigrants from North Africa, there wasn't any permanent housing for the Gush Katif expellees and a very inadequate number of temporary "caravillas". Hence the hotel solution. Certainly the conditions of the caravillas are far superior to the maabarot camps of the 50's reflecting the relatively small number of expellees to house and the economic advancement of the country. Regarding location, Gush Katif expellees don't particularly live in dangerous areas: Nitzan, Ashkelon, Yad Benyamin, Eshchol region, Bustan Hagalil, Eastern Lachish. For the most part, the expellees chose these central locations. That they have become dangerous areas is a result of arab missile development and an impotent Israeli government response to arab attacks from both Gaza and Lebanon. In fact, nearly a third of Israeli Jews are under missile attack, matching the proportion of Gush Katif expellees under the same threat.
Regarding the expellees, the government should be blamed for lack of permanent housing, lack of community solutions, and lack of employment. Regarding the third of Israeli Jews under missile attack the government should be blamed for valuing arab "non combatants" over our own soldiers and civilians.
--Yossi Shomron
Like the early immigrants from North Africa, there wasn't any permanent housing for the Gush Katif expellees and a very inadequate number of temporary "caravillas". Hence the hotel solution. Certainly the conditions of the caravillas are far superior to the maabarot camps of the 50's reflecting the relatively small number of expellees to house and the economic advancement of the country. Regarding location, Gush Katif expellees don't particularly live in dangerous areas: Nitzan, Ashkelon, Yad Benyamin, Eshchol region, Bustan Hagalil, Eastern Lachish. For the most part, the expellees chose these central locations. That they have become dangerous areas is a result of arab missile development and an impotent Israeli government response to arab attacks from both Gaza and Lebanon. In fact, nearly a third of Israeli Jews are under missile attack, matching the proportion of Gush Katif expellees under the same threat.
Regarding the expellees, the government should be blamed for lack of permanent housing, lack of community solutions, and lack of employment. Regarding the third of Israeli Jews under missile attack the government should be blamed for valuing arab "non combatants" over our own soldiers and civilians.
--Yossi Shomron
EUROPE - THY NAME IS COWARDICE Commentary by Mathias Dapfner CEO,
Axel Springer, AG
A few days ago Henry Broder wrote in Welt am Sonntag, "Europe - your
family name is appeasement." It's a phrase you can't get out of your
head because it's so terribly true.
Appeasement cost millions of Jews and non-Jews their lives as England
and France, allies at the time, negotiated and hesitated too long
before they noticed that Hitler had to be fought, not bound to
toothless agreements.
Appeasement legitimized and stabilized Communism in the Soviet Union,
then East Germany, then all the rest of Eastern Europe where for
decades, inhuman suppressive, murderous governments were glorified as
the ideologically correct alternative to all other possibilities.
Appeasement crippled Europe when genocide ran rampant in Kosovo, and
even though we had absolute proof of ongoing mass-murder, we Europeans
debated and debated and debated, and were still debating when finally
the Americans had to come from halfway around the world, into Europe
yet again, and do our work for us.
Rather than protecting democracy in the Middle East, European
appeasement, camouflaged behind the fuzzy word "equidistance" now
countenances suicide bombings in Israel by fundamentalist
Palestinians.
Appeasement generates a mentality that allows Europe to ignore nearly
3,000,000 victims of Saddam's torture and murder machinery and,
motivated by the self-righteousness of the peace-movement, has the
gall to issue bad grades to George Bush... Even as it is uncovered
that the loudest critics of the American action in Iraq made illicit
billions, no, TENS of billions, in the corrupt U.N. Oil-for-Food
program.
And now we are faced with a particularly grotesque form of
appeasement. How is Germany reacting to the escalating violence by
Islamic fundamentalists in Holland and elsewhere? By suggesting that
we really should have a "Muslim Holiday" in Germany?
I wish I were joking, but I am not. A substantial fraction of our
(German) Government, and if the polls are to be believed, the German
people, actually believe that creating an Official State "Muslim
Holiday" will somehow spare us from the wrath of the fanatical
Islamists.
One cannot help but recall Britain's Neville Chamberlain waving the
laughable treaty signed by Adolph Hitler, and declaring European
"Peace in our time".
What else has to happen before the European public and its political
leadership get it? There is a sort of crusade underway, an especially
perfidious crusade consisting of systematic attacks by fanatic
Muslims, focused on civilians, directed against our free, open Western
societies, and intent upon Western Civilization's utter destruction.
It is a conflict that will most likely last longer than any of the
great military conflicts of the last century - a conflict conducted by
an enemy that cannot be tamed by "tolerance" and "accommodation" but
is actually spurred on by such gestures, which have proven to be, and
will always be taken by the Islamists for signs of weakness.
Only two recent American Presidents had the courage needed for
anti-appeasement: Reagan and Bush.
His American critics may quibble over the details, but we Europeans
know the truth. We saw it first hand: Ronald Reagan ended the Cold
War, freeing half of the German people from nearly 50 years of terror
and virtual slavery. And Bush, supported only by the Social Democrat
Blair, acting on moral conviction, recognized the danger in the
Islamic War against democracy. His place in history will have to be
evaluated after a number of years have passed.
In the meantime, Europe sits back with charismatic self-confidence in
the multicultural corner, instead of defending liberal society's
values and being an attractive center of power on the same playing
field as the true great powers, America and China.
On the contrary - we Europeans present ourselves, in contrast to
those arrogant Americans", as the World Champions of "tolerance",
which even (Germany's Interior Minister) Otto Schily justifiably
criticizes.
Why? Because we're so moral? I fear it's more because we're so
materialistic so devoid of a moral compass.
For his policies, Bush risks the fall of the dollar, huge amounts of
additional national debt, and a massive and persistent burden on the
American economy - because unlike almost all of Europe, Bush realizes
what is at stake - literally everything
While we criticize the "capitalistic robber barons" of America
because they seem too sure of their priorities, we timidly defend our
Social Welfare systems. Stay out of it! It could get expensive! We'd
rather discuss reducing our 35-hour workweek or our dental coverage,
or our 4 weeks of paid vacation... Or listen to TV pastors preach
about the need to "reach out to terrorists. To understand and
forgive".
These days, Europe reminds me of an old woman who, with shaking
hands, frantically hides her last pieces of jewelry when she notices a
robber breaking into a neighbor's house.
Appeasement? Europe, thy name is Cowardice. God Bless America
thanks RG
A few days ago Henry Broder wrote in Welt am Sonntag, "Europe - your
family name is appeasement." It's a phrase you can't get out of your
head because it's so terribly true.
Appeasement cost millions of Jews and non-Jews their lives as England
and France, allies at the time, negotiated and hesitated too long
before they noticed that Hitler had to be fought, not bound to
toothless agreements.
Appeasement legitimized and stabilized Communism in the Soviet Union,
then East Germany, then all the rest of Eastern Europe where for
decades, inhuman suppressive, murderous governments were glorified as
the ideologically correct alternative to all other possibilities.
Appeasement crippled Europe when genocide ran rampant in Kosovo, and
even though we had absolute proof of ongoing mass-murder, we Europeans
debated and debated and debated, and were still debating when finally
the Americans had to come from halfway around the world, into Europe
yet again, and do our work for us.
Rather than protecting democracy in the Middle East, European
appeasement, camouflaged behind the fuzzy word "equidistance" now
countenances suicide bombings in Israel by fundamentalist
Palestinians.
Appeasement generates a mentality that allows Europe to ignore nearly
3,000,000 victims of Saddam's torture and murder machinery and,
motivated by the self-righteousness of the peace-movement, has the
gall to issue bad grades to George Bush... Even as it is uncovered
that the loudest critics of the American action in Iraq made illicit
billions, no, TENS of billions, in the corrupt U.N. Oil-for-Food
program.
And now we are faced with a particularly grotesque form of
appeasement. How is Germany reacting to the escalating violence by
Islamic fundamentalists in Holland and elsewhere? By suggesting that
we really should have a "Muslim Holiday" in Germany?
I wish I were joking, but I am not. A substantial fraction of our
(German) Government, and if the polls are to be believed, the German
people, actually believe that creating an Official State "Muslim
Holiday" will somehow spare us from the wrath of the fanatical
Islamists.
One cannot help but recall Britain's Neville Chamberlain waving the
laughable treaty signed by Adolph Hitler, and declaring European
"Peace in our time".
What else has to happen before the European public and its political
leadership get it? There is a sort of crusade underway, an especially
perfidious crusade consisting of systematic attacks by fanatic
Muslims, focused on civilians, directed against our free, open Western
societies, and intent upon Western Civilization's utter destruction.
It is a conflict that will most likely last longer than any of the
great military conflicts of the last century - a conflict conducted by
an enemy that cannot be tamed by "tolerance" and "accommodation" but
is actually spurred on by such gestures, which have proven to be, and
will always be taken by the Islamists for signs of weakness.
Only two recent American Presidents had the courage needed for
anti-appeasement: Reagan and Bush.
His American critics may quibble over the details, but we Europeans
know the truth. We saw it first hand: Ronald Reagan ended the Cold
War, freeing half of the German people from nearly 50 years of terror
and virtual slavery. And Bush, supported only by the Social Democrat
Blair, acting on moral conviction, recognized the danger in the
Islamic War against democracy. His place in history will have to be
evaluated after a number of years have passed.
In the meantime, Europe sits back with charismatic self-confidence in
the multicultural corner, instead of defending liberal society's
values and being an attractive center of power on the same playing
field as the true great powers, America and China.
On the contrary - we Europeans present ourselves, in contrast to
those arrogant Americans", as the World Champions of "tolerance",
which even (Germany's Interior Minister) Otto Schily justifiably
criticizes.
Why? Because we're so moral? I fear it's more because we're so
materialistic so devoid of a moral compass.
For his policies, Bush risks the fall of the dollar, huge amounts of
additional national debt, and a massive and persistent burden on the
American economy - because unlike almost all of Europe, Bush realizes
what is at stake - literally everything
While we criticize the "capitalistic robber barons" of America
because they seem too sure of their priorities, we timidly defend our
Social Welfare systems. Stay out of it! It could get expensive! We'd
rather discuss reducing our 35-hour workweek or our dental coverage,
or our 4 weeks of paid vacation... Or listen to TV pastors preach
about the need to "reach out to terrorists. To understand and
forgive".
These days, Europe reminds me of an old woman who, with shaking
hands, frantically hides her last pieces of jewelry when she notices a
robber breaking into a neighbor's house.
Appeasement? Europe, thy name is Cowardice. God Bless America
thanks RG
TAKE ACTION - Show Your Support for Israel
CAMERA
Unity Coalition for Israel - July 18, 2006
We encourage everyone to organize and/or participate in Solidarity With Israel Rallies. Rallies are an important tool to help educate both the media and the public.
How to Organize or Maximize the Effect of a Rally
Call the media to cover the rally, in an effort to bring awareness to the key issues involved. Work to get pro-Israel government reps and community leaders to speak. If that's not doable, it's also okay to just do a simple street corner demo, with no speakers, just placards, but do try to have at least 10 participants.
Prepare at least 3 people to speak to the media, each with a different soundbyte (see talking points below). These people should not wait to be approached by the reporter, but should approach the reporters on their own, as soon as they see them.
Particularly if the media do not show up for your rally, arrange for someone going to the rally to bring a digital camera . Take photos of people holding pro-Israel signs. Tell them you want to send the photo to their local paper. Ask for their name, town, phone number (so newspaper can verify the photo caption) and the local newspaper's name. That same day, put a caption on the photo, send it to the person's local newspaper and urge that the photo be published.
PLACARD MESSAGES
Placard messages of all sizes are available to download at www.standwithus.com (click on Signs )
You can also display these signs in the windows of your home and car or tape them onto your T-shirt or backpack to wear.
Examples include:
Lebanon, Disarm Your Terrorists Or Israel Will
Lebanon, Stop Hezbollah Rockets
Israel Left Gaza for Peace, Not 800 Rocket Attacks
Hamas is Destroying the Palestinian Future
Hamas, Stop Racist Terrorism, Start Peace
Israel Wants Peace, Hamas Wants War
Israel Offered Peace, Arabs Gave Them War
Stop the Rockets
Stop the Terror
Iran Won't Take Peace for an Answer
Israel is on the Map to Stay
Iran Funds Hamas
Iran Funds Islamic Jihad
Free Gilad, Eldad, and Ehud
We Support Israel
Free Lebanon From Hezbollah Terrorists
With thanks,
Lee Green
Director, National Letter-Writing Group
http://www.camera.org/
MEDIA CONTACT INFO
Reliable@cnn.com, viewer@c-span.org, booktv@c-span.org, comments@foxnews.com, oreilly@foxnews.com, hannity@foxnews.com, foxreport@foxnews.com, special@foxnews.com, beltway@foxnews.com, hemmer@foxnews.com, mailto:feedback@foxnews.com, generalcomments@feedback.msnbc.com, letters@msnbc.com, hardball@msnbc.com, countdown@msnbc.com, joe@msnbc.com,
abramsreport@msnbc.com, newshour@pbs.org, jdvorkin@npr.org, onthemedia@wnyc.org, Monica@wabcradio.com, suggestions@lauraingraham.com, rush@eibnet.com,
janet@jpamerica.com, dennisprager@dennisprager.com, letter@globe.com, ombud@globe.com, jsmith@globe.com, letters@suntimes.com, ctc-tribletter@tribune.com, publiceditor@tribune.com, alipinski@tribune.com, cmcmahon@tribune.com, letters@plaind.com, dclifton@plaind.com, letters@star-telegram.com, letters@latimes.com, readers.rep@latimes.com, marjorie.miller@latimes.com, heralded@herald.com, editor@nysun.com, newsdesk@nysun.com, letters@nytimes.com, public@nytimes.com, foreign@nytimes.com, executive-editor@nytimes.com, insight@orlandosentinel.com, mpynn@orlandosentinel.com, editor@orlandosentinel.com, inquirer.letters@phillynews.com,
editor@phillynews.com, foreign@phillynews.com, forum@newsobserver.com, msill@newsobserver.com,
oquarles@newsoberver.com, letters@uniontrib.com,
david.smith@uniontrib.com,letters@sfchronicle.com,
readerrep@sfchronicle.com,letters@sun-sentinel.com,
letters@post-dispatch.com,eletters@starledger.com,
readerrep@starledger.com,charrison@starledger.com, editor@usatoday.com, etinsley@usatoday.com,
wsj.ltrs@wsj.com, letters@washpost.com,
ombudsman@washpost.com,foreign@washpost.com, letters@newsweek.com, Editors@newsweek.com, letters@time.com, letters@usnews.com, info@ap.org, editor.reuters@reuters.com,levine.joanne@gmail.com
CHRISTIAN LEADERS AND PUBLICATIONS
(We welcome suggestions for this section.)
Anglican Communion News: clare.amos@anglicancommunion.org
Clare Amos in charge of Anglican Holy Land website
Catholic World News URL: http://www.cwnews.com/about/contactus.cfm
Christian Broadcasting Network's Newswatch URL: http://tinyurl.com/84crl(click on "suggested topic for a feature story")
Christian Century magazine email: main@christiancentury.org
Christian Science Monitor URL: http://www.csmonitor.com/cgi-bin/contactus.pl
Christianity Today email: letters@ChristianityToday.com
Episcopal Life editor: jhames@episcopalchurch.org letters@episcopal-life.org
Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, The Most Rev. Frank G. Griswald
pboffice@episcopalchurch.org Fax #:(212)490-3298
God's Learning Channel: info@ptcbglc.com
Leadership Journal (of Christianity Today magazine): ljeditor@leadershipjournal.net
Janet Parshall radioshow: janet@jpamerica.com 1-800-343-9282
Presbyterians Today URL: http://tinyurl.com/e2lnc
To find your local Presbyterian USA church: http://pcusa.org/search/churches/default.jsp
Presbyterian News Service Director: Rev. Jerry Van Marter
fax: 502-569-8073
email: jvanmart@ctr.pcusa.org
Alexa Smith, International News: AaSmith@ctr.pcusa.org
Today's Christian: tceditor@Todays-Christian.com
United Church of Christ leaders: thomasj@ucc.org, guffeye@ucc.org, jacksonb@ucc.org, malayanj@ucc.org, copel@ucc.org
UCC Ecumenical Officer Lydia Veliko: velikol@ucc.org
United Methodist News Service email: newsdesk@umcom.org
Worthy Ministries Newstip URL: http://contactus.worthyministries.com/
Zola Levitt Ministries' "Levitt Letter" email: staff@levitt.com
Government Contact Info:
president@whitehouse.gov
Find your congressional rep at: http://www.house.gov/
Find your senators at: http://www.senators.gov/ Click on "Find your Senator" at top right.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Who We Are: Unity Coalition for Israel
Founded in 1991, we are the largest worldwide coalition of Jewish and Christian organizations, with more than 200 groups representing millions of people dedicated to Israel. Though we have many different backgrounds, we have one common goal: A Safe and Secure Israel.
Israel is not just a Jewish issue. Millions of Christians resolutely endorse the principle of peace with security for the state of Israel. Because we work closely together and speak with a united voice, our message is being heard!
Unity Coalition for Israel - July 18, 2006
We encourage everyone to organize and/or participate in Solidarity With Israel Rallies. Rallies are an important tool to help educate both the media and the public.
How to Organize or Maximize the Effect of a Rally
Call the media to cover the rally, in an effort to bring awareness to the key issues involved. Work to get pro-Israel government reps and community leaders to speak. If that's not doable, it's also okay to just do a simple street corner demo, with no speakers, just placards, but do try to have at least 10 participants.
Prepare at least 3 people to speak to the media, each with a different soundbyte (see talking points below). These people should not wait to be approached by the reporter, but should approach the reporters on their own, as soon as they see them.
Particularly if the media do not show up for your rally, arrange for someone going to the rally to bring a digital camera . Take photos of people holding pro-Israel signs. Tell them you want to send the photo to their local paper. Ask for their name, town, phone number (so newspaper can verify the photo caption) and the local newspaper's name. That same day, put a caption on the photo, send it to the person's local newspaper and urge that the photo be published.
PLACARD MESSAGES
Placard messages of all sizes are available to download at www.standwithus.com (click on Signs )
You can also display these signs in the windows of your home and car or tape them onto your T-shirt or backpack to wear.
Examples include:
Lebanon, Disarm Your Terrorists Or Israel Will
Lebanon, Stop Hezbollah Rockets
Israel Left Gaza for Peace, Not 800 Rocket Attacks
Hamas is Destroying the Palestinian Future
Hamas, Stop Racist Terrorism, Start Peace
Israel Wants Peace, Hamas Wants War
Israel Offered Peace, Arabs Gave Them War
Stop the Rockets
Stop the Terror
Iran Won't Take Peace for an Answer
Israel is on the Map to Stay
Iran Funds Hamas
Iran Funds Islamic Jihad
Free Gilad, Eldad, and Ehud
We Support Israel
Free Lebanon From Hezbollah Terrorists
With thanks,
Lee Green
Director, National Letter-Writing Group
http://www.camera.org/
MEDIA CONTACT INFO
Reliable@cnn.com, viewer@c-span.org, booktv@c-span.org, comments@foxnews.com, oreilly@foxnews.com, hannity@foxnews.com, foxreport@foxnews.com, special@foxnews.com, beltway@foxnews.com, hemmer@foxnews.com, mailto:feedback@foxnews.com, generalcomments@feedback.msnbc.com, letters@msnbc.com, hardball@msnbc.com, countdown@msnbc.com, joe@msnbc.com,
abramsreport@msnbc.com, newshour@pbs.org, jdvorkin@npr.org, onthemedia@wnyc.org, Monica@wabcradio.com, suggestions@lauraingraham.com, rush@eibnet.com,
janet@jpamerica.com, dennisprager@dennisprager.com, letter@globe.com, ombud@globe.com, jsmith@globe.com, letters@suntimes.com, ctc-tribletter@tribune.com, publiceditor@tribune.com, alipinski@tribune.com, cmcmahon@tribune.com, letters@plaind.com, dclifton@plaind.com, letters@star-telegram.com, letters@latimes.com, readers.rep@latimes.com, marjorie.miller@latimes.com, heralded@herald.com, editor@nysun.com, newsdesk@nysun.com, letters@nytimes.com, public@nytimes.com, foreign@nytimes.com, executive-editor@nytimes.com, insight@orlandosentinel.com, mpynn@orlandosentinel.com, editor@orlandosentinel.com, inquirer.letters@phillynews.com,
editor@phillynews.com, foreign@phillynews.com, forum@newsobserver.com, msill@newsobserver.com,
oquarles@newsoberver.com, letters@uniontrib.com,
david.smith@uniontrib.com,letters@sfchronicle.com,
readerrep@sfchronicle.com,letters@sun-sentinel.com,
letters@post-dispatch.com,eletters@starledger.com,
readerrep@starledger.com,charrison@starledger.com, editor@usatoday.com, etinsley@usatoday.com,
wsj.ltrs@wsj.com, letters@washpost.com,
ombudsman@washpost.com,foreign@washpost.com, letters@newsweek.com, Editors@newsweek.com, letters@time.com, letters@usnews.com, info@ap.org, editor.reuters@reuters.com,levine.joanne@gmail.com
CHRISTIAN LEADERS AND PUBLICATIONS
(We welcome suggestions for this section.)
Anglican Communion News: clare.amos@anglicancommunion.org
Clare Amos in charge of Anglican Holy Land website
Catholic World News URL: http://www.cwnews.com/about/contactus.cfm
Christian Broadcasting Network's Newswatch URL: http://tinyurl.com/84crl(click on "suggested topic for a feature story")
Christian Century magazine email: main@christiancentury.org
Christian Science Monitor URL: http://www.csmonitor.com/cgi-bin/contactus.pl
Christianity Today email: letters@ChristianityToday.com
Episcopal Life editor: jhames@episcopalchurch.org letters@episcopal-life.org
Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, The Most Rev. Frank G. Griswald
pboffice@episcopalchurch.org Fax #:(212)490-3298
God's Learning Channel: info@ptcbglc.com
Leadership Journal (of Christianity Today magazine): ljeditor@leadershipjournal.net
Janet Parshall radioshow: janet@jpamerica.com 1-800-343-9282
Presbyterians Today URL: http://tinyurl.com/e2lnc
To find your local Presbyterian USA church: http://pcusa.org/search/churches/default.jsp
Presbyterian News Service Director: Rev. Jerry Van Marter
fax: 502-569-8073
email: jvanmart@ctr.pcusa.org
Alexa Smith, International News: AaSmith@ctr.pcusa.org
Today's Christian: tceditor@Todays-Christian.com
United Church of Christ leaders: thomasj@ucc.org, guffeye@ucc.org, jacksonb@ucc.org, malayanj@ucc.org, copel@ucc.org
UCC Ecumenical Officer Lydia Veliko: velikol@ucc.org
United Methodist News Service email: newsdesk@umcom.org
Worthy Ministries Newstip URL: http://contactus.worthyministries.com/
Zola Levitt Ministries' "Levitt Letter" email: staff@levitt.com
Government Contact Info:
president@whitehouse.gov
Find your congressional rep at: http://www.house.gov/
Find your senators at: http://www.senators.gov/ Click on "Find your Senator" at top right.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Who We Are: Unity Coalition for Israel
Founded in 1991, we are the largest worldwide coalition of Jewish and Christian organizations, with more than 200 groups representing millions of people dedicated to Israel. Though we have many different backgrounds, we have one common goal: A Safe and Secure Israel.
Israel is not just a Jewish issue. Millions of Christians resolutely endorse the principle of peace with security for the state of Israel. Because we work closely together and speak with a united voice, our message is being heard!
English Orange Bulletin, July 19, 2006
1) Women's Mass Prayer Rally TODAY
2) Erev Rosh Chodesh Av, Prayer at Kotel
3) Donations for Northern Citizens
4) Psalms/ Tehillim Rav Elyashiv
5) Kidnapped soldiers - Petition
6) Names of children on critical list
7) Blood banks need filling!!
8) Prayers in the U.S. and around the world
**************************************************
1) Emunah ( www.emunah.org.il) and the Council
for the Advancement of Women in Jerusalem are organizing a mass rally of
prayer by women from all over the country. Students from midrashot, Sherut
Leumi girls, and Emunah members will join with women from the north and
south in saying Tehilim/ Psalms for the safe return of the kidnapped soldiers, for
the speedy recovery of the wounded, to strengthen the soldiers on all fronts
and the residents living in the present danger zones.
Date: Wednesday, July 19, 2006 (23 Tamuz )
Time: 5 p.m.- 7 p.m.
Place: Yeshurun Synagogue
King George Street
Jerusalem
Program: Songs of Prayer by Adi Arad
Reading of chapters from Tehilim
The Force of Women's Prayers- Malka Pitrakovski
Women's prayers have always been a source for inspiration, strength and
hope.
This event is for women only. Please join us.
**********************************************************
2) Mass Prayer Rally at the Kotel
Next Tuesday, Erev Rosh Chodesh Av, at 18:00 PM, (6 in the evening), by declaration of the Great Rabbi's.
********************************************************
3) Dear Friends,
I have something urgent and needs your attention !!
The Golan youth, is visiting the people in their bombshelters in the Upper Galilee , mainly Kiryat Shemonah.
What they discovered there is almost unbelievable. The ones still in the shelters, the ones who have nowhere to go, often new olim, elderly or incapacitated people, they are simply hungry. Their money run out, they cannot help themselves, they are in urgent need for food.
The Golanners spent their pocketmoney, the youth-budget of their yishuv (for holiday activity which is not taking place in any case right now) and they are asking for contributions so they can go on buying and distributing food.
They gave me the following bank account:
Bank Mizrachi (swift: MIZBILIT), Bank nr 20, snif -Department - 462, account nr 166 492 , name of the account holder: Moshav Aloneh Habashan. Please mention: "Food/Bombshelters".
Friends, as the youngsters said, "this is a situation where also 25 cents is money".
I am very proud of our youth, and call to the Guardian Angels to please, please, guard them everywhere.
With Prayers and Love.
Lea.
0523 802 533 (if you need more info).
************************************************
4) Rav Elyashiv asked if we could say these 4 short tehilim, Psalms, for Am Yisrael: 13, 70, 125, 128
thank you for your time may we all see the Redemption soon!!!
***************************************************
5) Please take one minute to fill in the petition for our kidnapped Israeli soldiers.
http://www.kidnappedsoldiers.com
The names of the soldiers missing in Lebanon are:
GILAD ben AVIVA
EHUD ben MALKA
ELDAD ben TOVA
Please send this out to your e-mail list.
***************************************************
6) The public is asked to pray for 4 children, some
unconscious, critically injured in Tsfat:
Michal bat Revital
Bat-tzion bat Revital
Avraham Natan bat Revital
Odel Hannah bat Revital
****************************************************
7) The Israeli blood banks are running low on blood supplies, and have asked that a blood drive be organized to meet the country's needs
***********************************************************
8) Organize prayer groups in your own communities wherever you are, around the world.
2) Erev Rosh Chodesh Av, Prayer at Kotel
3) Donations for Northern Citizens
4) Psalms/ Tehillim Rav Elyashiv
5) Kidnapped soldiers - Petition
6) Names of children on critical list
7) Blood banks need filling!!
8) Prayers in the U.S. and around the world
**************************************************
1) Emunah ( www.emunah.org.il
for the Advancement of Women in Jerusalem are organizing a mass rally of
prayer by women from all over the country. Students from midrashot, Sherut
Leumi girls, and Emunah members will join with women from the north and
south in saying Tehilim/ Psalms for the safe return of the kidnapped soldiers, for
the speedy recovery of the wounded, to strengthen the soldiers on all fronts
and the residents living in the present danger zones.
Date: Wednesday, July 19, 2006 (23 Tamuz )
Time: 5 p.m.- 7 p.m.
Place: Yeshurun Synagogue
King George Street
Jerusalem
Program: Songs of Prayer by Adi Arad
Reading of chapters from Tehilim
The Force of Women's Prayers- Malka Pitrakovski
Women's prayers have always been a source for inspiration, strength and
hope.
This event is for women only. Please join us.
**********************************************************
2) Mass Prayer Rally at the Kotel
Next Tuesday, Erev Rosh Chodesh Av, at 18:00 PM, (6 in the evening), by declaration of the Great Rabbi's.
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3) Dear Friends,
I have something urgent and needs your attention !!
The Golan youth, is visiting the people in their bombshelters in the Upper Galilee , mainly Kiryat Shemonah.
What they discovered there is almost unbelievable. The ones still in the shelters, the ones who have nowhere to go, often new olim, elderly or incapacitated people, they are simply hungry. Their money run out, they cannot help themselves, they are in urgent need for food.
The Golanners spent their pocketmoney, the youth-budget of their yishuv (for holiday activity which is not taking place in any case right now) and they are asking for contributions so they can go on buying and distributing food.
They gave me the following bank account:
Bank Mizrachi (swift: MIZBILIT), Bank nr 20, snif -Department - 462, account nr 166 492 , name of the account holder: Moshav Aloneh Habashan. Please mention: "Food/Bombshelters".
Friends, as the youngsters said, "this is a situation where also 25 cents is money".
I am very proud of our youth, and call to the Guardian Angels to please, please, guard them everywhere.
With Prayers and Love.
Lea.
0523 802 533 (if you need more info).
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4) Rav Elyashiv asked if we could say these 4 short tehilim, Psalms, for Am Yisrael: 13, 70, 125, 128
thank you for your time may we all see the Redemption soon!!!
***************************************************
5) Please take one minute to fill in the petition for our kidnapped Israeli soldiers.
http://www.kidnappedsoldiers.com
The names of the soldiers missing in Lebanon are:
GILAD ben AVIVA
EHUD ben MALKA
ELDAD ben TOVA
Please send this out to your e-mail list.
***************************************************
6) The public is asked to pray for 4 children, some
unconscious, critically injured in Tsfat:
Michal bat Revital
Bat-tzion bat Revital
Avraham Natan bat Revital
Odel Hannah bat Revital
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7) The Israeli blood banks are running low on blood supplies, and have asked that a blood drive be organized to meet the country's needs
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8) Organize prayer groups in your own communities wherever you are, around the world.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Christian / Jewish Rallies for Israel Producing “Standing Room Only” Audiences
PRESS RELEASE
Christian / Jewish Rallies for Israel Producing “Standing Room Only” Audiences
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Arlene Bridges Samuels Media Liaison 843-452-3356 www.IsraelAlways.org
ISRAEL ALWAYS Charleston, South Carolina Jerusalem, Israel
AUGUSTA, GA – Unprecedented attendance at “An Evening for Israel” rally in Augusta, Georgia Monday evening had organizers scrambling for seating to accommodate Christians and Jews who turned out to express support for the nation of Israel. The “Evening for Israel” rally, the fifth in a series being held across the Southeastern United States by international Christian broadcasters Earl Cox and Ben Kinchlow, brought together the Jewish and Christian communities to hear the latest news from the Holy Land. The event attracted a long list of dignitaries to include representation from the Consul General of Israel for the Southeast, local area pastors and rabbis and numerous local civic and business leaders. A proclamation from the Governor of Georgia was read which declared Georgia’s support for Israel. A highlight of the event was a live telephone hook-up with Spokesperson for the nation of Israel, Daniel Seaman. The Augusta event was co-sponsored by the Jewish Federation and Whole Life Ministries. The next rally is scheduled for Thursday evening, July 20th in Atlanta, Georgia where reports indicate another sold out crowd is expected. Joining Cox and Kinchlow will be Dr. Yossi Olmert, brother of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. To review an expanded news release and to view pictures of last evening’s event in Augusta, log on later today to www.IsraelAlways.org.
Christian / Jewish Rallies for Israel Producing “Standing Room Only” Audiences
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Arlene Bridges Samuels Media Liaison 843-452-3356 www.IsraelAlways.org
ISRAEL ALWAYS Charleston, South Carolina Jerusalem, Israel
AUGUSTA, GA – Unprecedented attendance at “An Evening for Israel” rally in Augusta, Georgia Monday evening had organizers scrambling for seating to accommodate Christians and Jews who turned out to express support for the nation of Israel. The “Evening for Israel” rally, the fifth in a series being held across the Southeastern United States by international Christian broadcasters Earl Cox and Ben Kinchlow, brought together the Jewish and Christian communities to hear the latest news from the Holy Land. The event attracted a long list of dignitaries to include representation from the Consul General of Israel for the Southeast, local area pastors and rabbis and numerous local civic and business leaders. A proclamation from the Governor of Georgia was read which declared Georgia’s support for Israel. A highlight of the event was a live telephone hook-up with Spokesperson for the nation of Israel, Daniel Seaman. The Augusta event was co-sponsored by the Jewish Federation and Whole Life Ministries. The next rally is scheduled for Thursday evening, July 20th in Atlanta, Georgia where reports indicate another sold out crowd is expected. Joining Cox and Kinchlow will be Dr. Yossi Olmert, brother of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. To review an expanded news release and to view pictures of last evening’s event in Augusta, log on later today to www.IsraelAlways.org.
Night to Honor Israel
Over 3,400 delegates from all fifty states and Puerto Rico will begin to gather today in Washington DC for the Night to Honor Israel banquet on Tuesday evening, for the Press Conference on Capitol Hill the following morning and finally for the Congressional meetings through the day on Wednesday.
If you wish to watch the banquet on Tuesday night, you may do so on Daystar at 7:30 PM EST or on the internet by logging on to www.cufi.org.
If you wish to watch the banquet on Tuesday night, you may do so on Daystar at 7:30 PM EST or on the internet by logging on to www.cufi.org.
Rally for Israel
SUBURBAN ORTHODOX CONGREGATION TORAS CHAIM
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Rally for Israel: A solidarity rally with Israel (sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and the Jewish Community Relations Council) will be held this Wednesday, July 19, at 12 Noon, at the Freedom Plaza in Washington, DC (Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 13th & 14th Street). For more information about the rally, contact jweingrad@jcouncil.org or see the attached flyer.
If you plan to attend, please contact Howard Friedman at 443-850-4975 or ahfried@verizon.net to coordinate travel arrangements.
Thank you.
Eileen B. Creeger
Executive Director
Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim
7504 Seven Mile Lane
Baltimore, MD 21208
410-484-6114
410-484-0018 (fax)
execdirector@suburbanorthodox.org
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Rally for Israel: A solidarity rally with Israel (sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and the Jewish Community Relations Council) will be held this Wednesday, July 19, at 12 Noon, at the Freedom Plaza in Washington, DC (Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 13th & 14th Street). For more information about the rally, contact jweingrad@jcouncil.org or see the attached flyer.
If you plan to attend, please contact Howard Friedman at 443-850-4975 or ahfried@verizon.net to coordinate travel arrangements.
Thank you.
Eileen B. Creeger
Executive Director
Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim
7504 Seven Mile Lane
Baltimore, MD 21208
410-484-6114
410-484-0018 (fax)
execdirector@suburbanorthodox.org
Pro-Israel Rally in Australia
Here's a wonderful and beautifully illustrated report about a Pro-Israel Rally in Australia in Australia!
Thanks to Ralph Zwier and Ronit Fraid
ORTHODOX SYNAGOGUES CALL FOR NIGHT OF PRAYER AND TORAH STUDY IN SUPPORT OF ISRAEL THIS WEDNESDAY EVENING
ORTHODOX SYNAGOGUES CALL FOR NIGHT OF PRAYER AND TORAH STUDY IN SUPPORT OF ISRAEL THIS WEDNESDAY EVENING
Responding to the urgent need of American Jews to do whatever they can in support of Israel and her people at this time, the Orthodox Union and the Rabbinical Council of America, together with the National Council of Young Israel and the Young Israel Council of Rabbis, have announced the convening of a nationwide Night of Prayer and Torah Study this Wednesday, July 19.
The organizations are asking Jews to gather in their synagogues throughout North America beginning at 9:00 pm E.D.T. (6:00 pm Pacific) for the simultaneous recitation of tehillim (Psalms) and other designated prayers. While many congregations are already adding extra tehillim to their regular services, Jewish tradition places great value in having an entire community raising their voices in unison. With the expectation that several hundred synagogues will participate, many, many thousands of Jews will be united in their prayers at this time. The program’s second segment will be Torah study, also a key means of spiritual support, for which study materials on relevant topics such as the Jewish response to terror, Tehillim, and the mitzvah of pidyon shevuyim, rescuing captives, will be provided on the OU website www.ou.org.
A central service and study session, to be led by OU Executive Vice President Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb at OU headquarters in downtown Manhattan, will be webcast and may be viewed by any synagogue, family or individual who wants to participate in this way at www.ou.org.
The OU has also produced a Seven Point Action Plan, entitled “Israel Under Siege—What You Can Do,” which may be read here .
Further plans for special round-the-clock Torah learning programs with the involvement of OU member synagogues, Young Israel synagogues, the batei midrash and learning programs of Yeshiva University, and the rabbis of the RCA and of YI, will be announced shortly.
To participate or request more information, please email MBleicher@ou.org
Responding to the urgent need of American Jews to do whatever they can in support of Israel and her people at this time, the Orthodox Union and the Rabbinical Council of America, together with the National Council of Young Israel and the Young Israel Council of Rabbis, have announced the convening of a nationwide Night of Prayer and Torah Study this Wednesday, July 19.
The organizations are asking Jews to gather in their synagogues throughout North America beginning at 9:00 pm E.D.T. (6:00 pm Pacific) for the simultaneous recitation of tehillim (Psalms) and other designated prayers. While many congregations are already adding extra tehillim to their regular services, Jewish tradition places great value in having an entire community raising their voices in unison. With the expectation that several hundred synagogues will participate, many, many thousands of Jews will be united in their prayers at this time. The program’s second segment will be Torah study, also a key means of spiritual support, for which study materials on relevant topics such as the Jewish response to terror, Tehillim, and the mitzvah of pidyon shevuyim, rescuing captives, will be provided on the OU website www.ou.org.
A central service and study session, to be led by OU Executive Vice President Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb at OU headquarters in downtown Manhattan, will be webcast and may be viewed by any synagogue, family or individual who wants to participate in this way at www.ou.org.
The OU has also produced a Seven Point Action Plan, entitled “Israel Under Siege—What You Can Do,” which may be read here .
Further plans for special round-the-clock Torah learning programs with the involvement of OU member synagogues, Young Israel synagogues, the batei midrash and learning programs of Yeshiva University, and the rabbis of the RCA and of YI, will be announced shortly.
To participate or request more information, please email MBleicher@ou.org
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Some very good questions by David Frankfurter
From Gruner to Gruner By Shifra Shomron
From Gruner to Gruner
By Shifra Shomron
20 Tamuz 5765 /16.July.06
Nitzan Caravilla site
Dov Gruner. Ariel Gruner.
Past and present merge in a surname, in an imprisonment, in a stance.
Dov Gruner – he gazes shyly at me and smiles gently. Is his smile a bit crooked? Perhaps. After all, his jaw was busted by a bullet during the Irgun Tzvai Leumi (I.Z.L.) 1946 attack on the Ramat Gan police station. Dov was wounded severely during this, his second and last attack. And the British captured him. After seven months of imprisonment he was finally brought before a military court. Did it matter that Dov had served five years in the British army, that he had served bravely and been wounded in combat? Did it matter that he'd fought with them on the dangerous Italian front? Of course not. And after the judge pronounced that Dov was to be hung until dead, the court was silent. Dov rose and proudly declared: "In blood and fire Judea fell, in blood and fire Judea will rise again." [A quote from a poem by Ya'acov Cohen, 1903, after the Kishinev pogrom]. He then spent the next 103 days in a small cell waiting to be hung. He refused to beg for clemency, and wrote to I.Z.L. leader Menachem Begin – thanking him and saying that if he could choose again he would do the same thing. Such was Dov Gruner. Today he is a national hero.
And now let's take a look at another Gruner – Ariel Gruner. He hails from the Shomron, wears a large kippa and a beaming smile. Has been arrested and placed with hardened criminals in Shikma prison – yet he hasn't been tried and hasn't committed any crime! That is, if you don't think that being a religious and nationalist Jew is a crime.
Today he is being taken to the Be'er Sheva court in order to increase his administrative detention term. The government can imprison his body, but his spirit is free. The same spirit that brought Gush Katif evacuees last night to sing and dance in front of the Shikma prison in order to uplift him and show our solidarity.
The spirit that can topple governments.
The spirit that can save our land.
The merging of a busted jaw and a big kippa.
By Shifra Shomron
20 Tamuz 5765 /16.July.06
Nitzan Caravilla site
Dov Gruner. Ariel Gruner.
Past and present merge in a surname, in an imprisonment, in a stance.
Dov Gruner – he gazes shyly at me and smiles gently. Is his smile a bit crooked? Perhaps. After all, his jaw was busted by a bullet during the Irgun Tzvai Leumi (I.Z.L.) 1946 attack on the Ramat Gan police station. Dov was wounded severely during this, his second and last attack. And the British captured him. After seven months of imprisonment he was finally brought before a military court. Did it matter that Dov had served five years in the British army, that he had served bravely and been wounded in combat? Did it matter that he'd fought with them on the dangerous Italian front? Of course not. And after the judge pronounced that Dov was to be hung until dead, the court was silent. Dov rose and proudly declared: "In blood and fire Judea fell, in blood and fire Judea will rise again." [A quote from a poem by Ya'acov Cohen, 1903, after the Kishinev pogrom]. He then spent the next 103 days in a small cell waiting to be hung. He refused to beg for clemency, and wrote to I.Z.L. leader Menachem Begin – thanking him and saying that if he could choose again he would do the same thing. Such was Dov Gruner. Today he is a national hero.
And now let's take a look at another Gruner – Ariel Gruner. He hails from the Shomron, wears a large kippa and a beaming smile. Has been arrested and placed with hardened criminals in Shikma prison – yet he hasn't been tried and hasn't committed any crime! That is, if you don't think that being a religious and nationalist Jew is a crime.
Today he is being taken to the Be'er Sheva court in order to increase his administrative detention term. The government can imprison his body, but his spirit is free. The same spirit that brought Gush Katif evacuees last night to sing and dance in front of the Shikma prison in order to uplift him and show our solidarity.
The spirit that can topple governments.
The spirit that can save our land.
The merging of a busted jaw and a big kippa.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
MEMORIAL PROTEST FOR ISRAELI VICTIMS OF DAMASCUS-DIRECTED HEZBOLLAH TERROR
MEMORIAL PROTEST FOR ISRAELI VICTIMS OF DAMASCUS-DIRECTED HEZBOLLAH TERROR
This Sunday, July 16th 11 am
Syrian UN Mission
43rd Street & 2nd Avenue
Then walk with us across the street to the Israeli Consulate as we offer prayers for the safety of Israeli soldiers in captivity and combat.
Coordinated by AMCHA-Coalition for Jewish Concerns, 3700 Henry Hudson Parkway, Riverdale, NY 10463, (718) 796-4730; Rabbi Avi Weiss, national chairman.
This Sunday, July 16th 11 am
Syrian UN Mission
43rd Street & 2nd Avenue
Then walk with us across the street to the Israeli Consulate as we offer prayers for the safety of Israeli soldiers in captivity and combat.
Coordinated by AMCHA-Coalition for Jewish Concerns, 3700 Henry Hudson Parkway, Riverdale, NY 10463, (718) 796-4730; Rabbi Avi Weiss, national chairman.
RALLY FOR ISRAEL
1st Ave at 42nd St, across from the UN, in NY
Monday, July 17, at 12:00 noon
Support Israel!
Take a stand for Israel's right to protect its citizens!
Rally against terror and in solidarity with Israel.
Demand the immediate and unconditional release of kidnapped IDF soldiers Gilad Shalit, Ehud Goldwasser, and Eldad Regev!
This event is sponsored by the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York in cooperation with The United Jewish Communities UJA-Federation of New York.
Campus Activism Network
Zionist Organization of America
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
email: campus@zoa.org
phone: 212-481-1500
web: http://www.thecollegezionist.org
1st Ave at 42nd St, across from the UN, in NY
Monday, July 17, at 12:00 noon
Support Israel!
Take a stand for Israel's right to protect its citizens!
Rally against terror and in solidarity with Israel.
Demand the immediate and unconditional release of kidnapped IDF soldiers Gilad Shalit, Ehud Goldwasser, and Eldad Regev!
This event is sponsored by the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York in cooperation with The United Jewish Communities UJA-Federation of New York.
Campus Activism Network
Zionist Organization of America
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
email: campus@zoa.org
phone: 212-481-1500
web: http://www.thecollegezionist.org
Friday, July 14, 2006
WORLD-WIDE COMMEMORATION OF EXPULSION FROM GUSH KATIF
AMERICANS FOR A SAFE ISRAEL/AFSI;
1623 Third Avenue, Suite 205, New York, NY ;
Tel: 212-828-2424; Fax: 212-82;
E-mail afsi@rcn.com
Website; http://www.afsi.org;
Contact: Barry Freedman, Executive Director
WORLD-WIDE COMMEMORATION OF EXPULSION FROM GUSH KATIF
TUESDAY, AUG. 1 -- 8 P.M.
NYC- FIFTH AVE. SYNAGOGUE
5 E. 62nd Street, east of Fifth Ave.
Be there for an evening of remembering the past, examining the present, and planning for the future.
Speakers include:
AFSI's Chairman Herbert Zweibon, former AFSI Director HelenFreedman
ZOA President Morton Klein
Batya Medad, resident of Shilo
Song and film will be featured.
Humanitarian Concerns highlighted:
Report submitted to Knesset committee reveals severe problems of Gush Katif and northern Shomron expellees.
Questions? Comments? Contact :
AFSI: 212-828-2424; afsi@rcn.com
Dror Vanunu - gkatif@netvision.net.il
Laurence Beziz - help4@katifund.org
gifts to soldiers ,Tehillim/ psalms and Friday Tsahal Support
בעקבות ההסלמה בגבולות הארץ-
ארגון משולחן לשולחן יצא במבצע איסוף חבילות שי למען החיילים בגזרת הצפון והדרום.
ארגון משולחן לשולחן,ארגון ארצי להצלת מזון שעוסק באיסוף אוכל לא מנוצל מחברות הסעדה,אולמי שמחות וחברות מסחריות ומחלק לאוכלוסיה נזקקת ,יצא החל ממחר ועד ליום חמישי -20.7מבצע איסוף ממתקים וכלי רחצה לעידוד מורל החיילים השוהים בגזרות גבול הצפון והדרום. הציבור הרחב מוזמן להביא מוצרי היגיינה וממתקים למשרדי ארגון משולחן לשולחן ברחוב הסדנה 11 ברעננה בשעות 8:00-17:00 או למחסני הארגון אשר ברחוב קצין ברעננה (סוף הרחוב,לא מצויין במספר) בימי חמישי ה- 13/7 או ביום א' ה-16/7 בין השעות 9:00-12:00
ארגון משולחן לשולחן עובד על פתיחת מוקדי איסוף חבילות שי נוספים גם באזור ירושליים והדרום בימים הקרובים.משאיות הארגון יובילו את החיבלות והמוצרים שיאספו לבסיסי צה"ל בגזרות הרלוונטיות.
ג'וזף גיטלר, מנכ"ל ארגון משולחן לשולחן: " כארגון שמתעסק בהצלת ואיסוף מזון ביום יום לאוכלוסיה נזקקת,חשוב לנו בנוסף,בימים קשים אלה, להביע תמיכה באותם חיילים שנאלצים לעמוד בחזית למען שלום כולנו.אני קורא לכל אזרחי ישראל להראות את התמיכה והאמפתייה הגדולה פיזית.החיילים הללו זקוקים ללא מעט חום ותמיכה בהתחשב במצב".
טלפון לפרסום ולבירורים לציבור המעוניין לתרום במשרדי משולחן לשולחן: 09-7441757
אודה לך לפרסום האינפורמציה הזאת. לפרטים (לעיתונאים בלבד): אלמוג גולד-054-8158858
Following the escalation of tensions on Israel’s borders, Table to Table will be distributing gift packages to soldiers defending our northern and southern borders.
Table to Table, a national food rescue organization, will distribute gift packages to soldiers stationed on Israel’s northern and southern borders to help bolster their morale.
From today (13/7) until Tuesday, Table to Table is inviting the public to bring donations of candy or personal hygiene products to any of the following sites:
1. Raanana: Table to Table’s office – Rehov HaSadna 11, 2nd Floor (8:00 – 17:00).
2. Raanana: Table to Table’s warehouse – Rehov Katzin, Thursday, 13/7 or Sunday, 16/7, 9:00 – 12:00.
3. Jerusalem: Israel Center, Rehov Keren Hayesod 22; 13/7, Thursday, 8:30 – 22:00; 14/7, Friday, 8:30 – 12:30; 16/7, Sunday, 8:30 – 22:00; or 17/7, Monday, 8:30 – 22:00.
Table to Table will collect all the donated candies and distribute it to soldiers.
Joseph Gitler, the executive director of Table to Table: “As an organization that focuses on rescuing food and distributing to amutot that serve individuals in need, it is important to Table to Table, during these difficult days, to express support for our soldiers, who are forced to protect us. I call upon all the citizens of Israel to show their support for soldiers in a tangible way, as they defend our nation during this very difficult time.”
For more information, please contact call Table to Table at 09-744-1757. Table to Table would greatly appreciate if you would publicize this program.
For media inquiries only: please call Almog Gold – 054-815-8858.
***************************************************
TEHILLIM/PSALMS
In light of the grave situation in Israel, I would like to
suggest to each of you to take the initiative and/or turn to
your local Rabbi or community and set up local Tehillim
(Psalms) sessions. It takes almost no effort and the
cumulative effect of our Tefillot (prayers) can only do good!
Please pass this forward.
With love from the Holy Land!
Chaviva
התבקשתי לפרסם איזה פרקי תהילים לומר היום לאור המצב:
כ', ו', ט', י"ג, ט"ז, כ"ב, כ"ג, כ"ה, ל',ל"ג, מ"א, נ"ה,ס"ב (לפי הודעה ברדיו), ס"ט, צ"א, ק"ב, ק"כ, קכ"א, קמ"ב, ק"ל
+ אבינו מלכנו כולל לתענית ציבור היום, י"ז בתמוז
יהי רצון שיתקבלו תפילותנו!
* לרפואת הפצועים
* להחזרתם הביתה בריאים ושלמים של חיילנו החטופים
* לשמירת ולהצלחת שליחי הקב"ה בפעולתם להגן על העם והארץ
*** לגאולה שלמה במהרה בימנו!
אמן. כן יהי רצון!
Please say the following Psalms for the speedy recovery of the injured, the safe return of the hostages, the safety of our soldiers doing God's bidding by protecting the nation, for the safety of our citizens and for Peace in Israel.
It is best to say it in groups, but saying them on your own is fine too
According to announcements over the radio, please say chapters: 20, 6, 9, 13, 16, 22, 23, 25, 30, 33, 41, 55, 62, 69,91, 102, 120, 121, 142, 130
May we be worthy to experience the Redemption very soon. Amen!
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WOMEN CALLED TO UPSTAGE THE WOMEN IN BLACK'S MEDIA EVENT
Women in Black", have invited the int'l media to cover a special vigil against the Israeli Army that will take place tomorrow Friday, 14 July, at
1:00 pm at
Hagar (Paris) Square, Jerusalem - in front of the Kings Hotel
________________
Women from around Jerusalem are therefore asked to come at 12:30 PM with hidden signs and, at precisely 1:00 PM, to wave Israeli flags and signs and to chant:
*We support the IDF
*Jail Dana OImert
*Win the War in Gaza and Lebanon!
"Women in Black", funded through contributions to "Bat Shalom" through "The New Israel Fund", should be thanked for working so hard to bring the international media to meet concerned women in Jerusalem
Sunday, July 09, 2006
More about the Gush Katif Summer Basketball Movie
New News:
Screenings currently being arranged abroad in Australia, England, and the United States.
This whole initiative is supported by local people around the world who care to have this movie screened in their communities as well.
If anyone is interested in arranging a showing in their community (Israel or abroad) they can contact info@homegamethemovie.com
WORLD-WIDE COMMEMORATION FOR GUSH KATIF, AUGUST 1, 2006
Remembering the Past, Building the Future
Tuesday, August 1, 2006, will mark the first annual world-wide Commemoration for the 21 destroyed communities of Gush Katif, and its 10,000 Jewish inhabitants, now refugees seeking relief from their staggering losses. The focus will be on remembering the past, educating people as to the painful conditions still prevalent in regard to the refugees, preventing the repetition of such events, and raising funds to help rebuild the communities.
10,000 displaced Jews are still in temporary homes, tent cities and kibbutz rooms, without jobs, without farms, without local schools, and without facilities for young people. These people want to rebuild their broken lives. The world-wide community is asked to remember the Biblical connection and the legacy of the unforgettable thriving communities of Gush Katif and respond with emotional and financial support
We are calling upon congregations ,communities and to all of our supporters throughout the USA and world wide to mark this event either in parallel to the event which will take place in Israel or on Shabbat "Chazon" or on Shabbat "Nachamo" or at any time during this month.
The Gush Katif Committee is planning to send in the next days thousands of Kits to heads of communities. They will contain the necessary information about Gush Katif such as films, personal testimonies of the evacuees, photographs from Gush Katif, flyers and special Divrei Torah.
In Manhattan, the Commemoration will take place at the Fifth Avenue Synagogue, 5 E. 62nd Street, between Fifth and Madison Avenues, on Tuesday, August 1, from 8-10 PM. A film, along with educational material prepared by the Gush Katif Committee, will be on the program, along with a roster of distinguished guest speakers from Israel and from the New York community.
This event is taking place in parallel to the major event that will be held in Jerusalem on August 1. On this day the Gush Katif Committee is organizing a series of events for the expellees and the public and expecting hundreds of thousands to participate. During the first part of the day we will be able to attend lectures, debates, to view movies and artistic photograph exhibit at the Binyanei Ahuma Convention Center. Following will be a gathering at the Atsmaut Park, where each one of the communities will be represented in a pictorial exhibition. At the park we will finish the writing of the Gush Katif Sefer Torah that will be brought in a procession to the Kotel Ama'aravi where it will be kept until B'H Am Israel returns to Gush Katif. For contributions to the Sefer Torah click here or send checks directly to Friends of Gush Katif, P.O Box 1184, Teaneck, NJ 07666.
As plans begin to unfold, we hear of daytime “street theater” events, an extensive email fund-raising campaign that has already been launched, and newspaper ads being prepared for release on August 1. Schools and summer camps are being enlisted, and synagogue events are being scheduled throughout the country. Details will be released in a few weeks, so that plans still in the works can be formalized. In the following days we will inform you about additional events
There is still time for communities everywhere to plan events, both big and small. The activities can take many forms. Use your imagination. Get involved. To give or get information, contact the following:
Barry Freedman, Americans For a Safe Israel/AFSI – 212-828-2424; afsi@rcn.com
Helen Freedman, AFSI 917-886-0729; ghfree@aol.com
Dror Vanunu, Friends of Gush Katif – gkatif@netvision.net.il
Laurence Beziz, Friends of GK – help4@katifund.org
Tuesday, August 1, 2006, will mark the first annual world-wide Commemoration for the 21 destroyed communities of Gush Katif, and its 10,000 Jewish inhabitants, now refugees seeking relief from their staggering losses. The focus will be on remembering the past, educating people as to the painful conditions still prevalent in regard to the refugees, preventing the repetition of such events, and raising funds to help rebuild the communities.
10,000 displaced Jews are still in temporary homes, tent cities and kibbutz rooms, without jobs, without farms, without local schools, and without facilities for young people. These people want to rebuild their broken lives. The world-wide community is asked to remember the Biblical connection and the legacy of the unforgettable thriving communities of Gush Katif and respond with emotional and financial support
We are calling upon congregations ,communities and to all of our supporters throughout the USA and world wide to mark this event either in parallel to the event which will take place in Israel or on Shabbat "Chazon" or on Shabbat "Nachamo" or at any time during this month.
The Gush Katif Committee is planning to send in the next days thousands of Kits to heads of communities. They will contain the necessary information about Gush Katif such as films, personal testimonies of the evacuees, photographs from Gush Katif, flyers and special Divrei Torah.
In Manhattan, the Commemoration will take place at the Fifth Avenue Synagogue, 5 E. 62nd Street, between Fifth and Madison Avenues, on Tuesday, August 1, from 8-10 PM. A film, along with educational material prepared by the Gush Katif Committee, will be on the program, along with a roster of distinguished guest speakers from Israel and from the New York community.
This event is taking place in parallel to the major event that will be held in Jerusalem on August 1. On this day the Gush Katif Committee is organizing a series of events for the expellees and the public and expecting hundreds of thousands to participate. During the first part of the day we will be able to attend lectures, debates, to view movies and artistic photograph exhibit at the Binyanei Ahuma Convention Center. Following will be a gathering at the Atsmaut Park, where each one of the communities will be represented in a pictorial exhibition. At the park we will finish the writing of the Gush Katif Sefer Torah that will be brought in a procession to the Kotel Ama'aravi where it will be kept until B'H Am Israel returns to Gush Katif. For contributions to the Sefer Torah click here or send checks directly to Friends of Gush Katif, P.O Box 1184, Teaneck, NJ 07666.
As plans begin to unfold, we hear of daytime “street theater” events, an extensive email fund-raising campaign that has already been launched, and newspaper ads being prepared for release on August 1. Schools and summer camps are being enlisted, and synagogue events are being scheduled throughout the country. Details will be released in a few weeks, so that plans still in the works can be formalized. In the following days we will inform you about additional events
There is still time for communities everywhere to plan events, both big and small. The activities can take many forms. Use your imagination. Get involved. To give or get information, contact the following:
Barry Freedman, Americans For a Safe Israel/AFSI – 212-828-2424; afsi@rcn.com
Helen Freedman, AFSI 917-886-0729; ghfree@aol.com
Dror Vanunu, Friends of Gush Katif – gkatif@netvision.net.il
Laurence Beziz, Friends of GK – help4@katifund.org
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Rally to Save Gilad Shalit
Rally to Save Gilad ShalitMonday, July 10, 2006
In front of theSyrian Mission to the U.N.
820 Second Avenuebetween 43rd & 44th Streets12:00 noon /
Rain or Shine
Subways: 4, 5, 6, 7 to Grand Central Station
Join the Ad Hoc Coalition for Justice in front of the Syrian Mission to the United Nations to send a message to Bashar al-Assad and Palestinian leaders.
Demand the immediate and unconditional release of Cpl. Gilad Shalit, and an end to Syrian support for the terrorists of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah.
We encourage everyone to participate in this important event.
For more information contact the RJC at (212) 922 -0839 / newyork@rjchq.org or
The Conference of Presidents at (212) 318-6111 / info@conferenceofpresidents.org.
http://us.f538.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=newyork@rjchq.org
http://us.f538.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=newyork@rjchq.org
www.rjchq.org
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Look who lives in chelm!
wouldn't that be something...
Monday, July 03, 2006
from Eye on the Post
Eye on the Post
Sunday, July 2, 2006
Why Hasn't The Washington Post Reported The Announcement By Fatah's Terrorist Branch That It Has Developed Chemical And Biological Weapons and Will Use Them Against Israel?(click here to read our alert online)
******************
Saturday, July 1, 2006
Post Correspondent Falsely Reports That Israel Used Kidnapped Israeli Soldier As Pretext To Invade Gaza And Remove Hamas Government - Post's Own Editorial Contradicts Him, Saying It Was The Hamas Leader Who Made Such A Claim And That The Claim Appears To Be False(click here to read our alert online)
*******************
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Post Reporter Fancifully Elevates Fatah-Hamas Agreement Into Major Policy Shift - Claims Hamas Now Recognizes Israel - Virtually Ignores Hamas's Denials of Recognition of Israel and Affirmation of Its Goal to Eliminate Israel(click here to read our alert online)
*******************
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Post Minimizes Impact Of Daily Kassam Attacks On Sderot - Says "Real Problems" In Sderot Are Economic, Social And Israel's Fault(click here to read our alert online)
************************************
These alerts are distributed to many thousands of people both within and outside of the Washington Post's immediate print distribution area. Those of you who live outside the Washington DC area are just as important to us as those within this area. The Post is proud of its reputation worldwide as a leading news source and will not make an effort to improve its reporting about Israel unless it knows that its reputation is in danger. You can help us by spreading the word of the Post's effort to slant the news about events in Israel and the disputed territories and by continuing to forward our Alerts to as many people as you know who are interested in seeing that Israel is treated fairly by the press.
You are welcome to provide the Post with your opinion of the quality of its reporting about Israel. In doing so, please do not copy our "Alerts" or even portions of our "Alerts," because we often share our analyses with the Post, and the language will be recognized. Even if you send only a two or three sentence original _expression of your opinion to the Post, it will count. Be polite and be temperate in your letters so that you will not give The Post an easy excuse to ignore you.
Letters can be sent to: Bo Jones, Publisher & Chief Executive Officer, The Washington Post, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, DC, 20071 (email: JonesB@washpost.com).
Donald Graham, Chairman, same street address (email: GrahamD@washpost.com).
Leonard Downie, Executive Editor, same street address (email address: DownieL@washpost.com)
Philip Bennett, Managing Editor, same street address (email address BennettP@washpost.com)
David Hoffman, Assistant Managing Editor for Foreign News , same street address (email address HoffmanD@washpost.com)
Keith Richburg, Foreign Editor, same street address (email address: RichburgK@washpost.com)
Deborah Howell, ombudsman, same street address (email address: ombudsman@washpost.com)
Please BCC feedback@eyeonthepost.org with your letters and email.
Sunday, July 2, 2006
Why Hasn't The Washington Post Reported The Announcement By Fatah's Terrorist Branch That It Has Developed Chemical And Biological Weapons and Will Use Them Against Israel?(click here to read our alert online)
******************
Saturday, July 1, 2006
Post Correspondent Falsely Reports That Israel Used Kidnapped Israeli Soldier As Pretext To Invade Gaza And Remove Hamas Government - Post's Own Editorial Contradicts Him, Saying It Was The Hamas Leader Who Made Such A Claim And That The Claim Appears To Be False(click here to read our alert online)
*******************
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Post Reporter Fancifully Elevates Fatah-Hamas Agreement Into Major Policy Shift - Claims Hamas Now Recognizes Israel - Virtually Ignores Hamas's Denials of Recognition of Israel and Affirmation of Its Goal to Eliminate Israel(click here to read our alert online)
*******************
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Post Minimizes Impact Of Daily Kassam Attacks On Sderot - Says "Real Problems" In Sderot Are Economic, Social And Israel's Fault(click here to read our alert online)
************************************
These alerts are distributed to many thousands of people both within and outside of the Washington Post's immediate print distribution area. Those of you who live outside the Washington DC area are just as important to us as those within this area. The Post is proud of its reputation worldwide as a leading news source and will not make an effort to improve its reporting about Israel unless it knows that its reputation is in danger. You can help us by spreading the word of the Post's effort to slant the news about events in Israel and the disputed territories and by continuing to forward our Alerts to as many people as you know who are interested in seeing that Israel is treated fairly by the press.
You are welcome to provide the Post with your opinion of the quality of its reporting about Israel. In doing so, please do not copy our "Alerts" or even portions of our "Alerts," because we often share our analyses with the Post, and the language will be recognized. Even if you send only a two or three sentence original _expression of your opinion to the Post, it will count. Be polite and be temperate in your letters so that you will not give The Post an easy excuse to ignore you.
Letters can be sent to: Bo Jones, Publisher & Chief Executive Officer, The Washington Post, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, DC, 20071 (email: JonesB@washpost.com).
Donald Graham, Chairman, same street address (email: GrahamD@washpost.com).
Leonard Downie, Executive Editor, same street address (email address: DownieL@washpost.com)
Philip Bennett, Managing Editor, same street address (email address BennettP@washpost.com)
David Hoffman, Assistant Managing Editor for Foreign News , same street address (email address HoffmanD@washpost.com)
Keith Richburg, Foreign Editor, same street address (email address: RichburgK@washpost.com)
Deborah Howell, ombudsman, same street address (email address: ombudsman@washpost.com)
Please BCC feedback@eyeonthepost.org with your letters and email.
Summer was basketball in Nezer Hazani...
From Anita Tucker.
Movies about the summer and basketball in Nezer Hazani.
Dear friends, we are getting close to the year memorial of the cruel destruction of my home of 29 years, Netzer Hazani, Gush Katif . As that date gets closer and closer it becomes more and more difficult for me to absorb and to understand what happened in Gush Katif and how it happened .Time has not been a healing factor.
I was so pleased to receive this link from Avi Abelow who camped out in Netzer Hazani the weeks before the expulsion and helped me cope and coordinate all the media that came to cover this "horror"story.
It was really refreshing for me to open this four minute preview to the upcoming movie that Avi Abelow and his friend Yaron Shane have prepared for us all, for you and for me . You too will feel their refreshing new angle of seeing and understanding what happened that summer in Gush Katif when you open this site and see the sneak preview.
http://www.homegamethemovie.com/trailer_eng.htm
I know that all of you who care will help Avi bring his special movie to our public by ordering tickets and telling your friends to do the same. http://www.homegamethemovie.com/trailer_eng.htm
Eretz Yisrael's pain is still so real ,Am Yisrael's pain is still so real --but the most agonizing pain of all is that of our youth who loved their home so much and gave all they had to try and save it--for them it is a wound that is still very open.
Please open preview and also forward to all your acquaintances who care.
anita
http://www.homegamethemovie.com/trailer_eng.htm
Movies about the summer and basketball in Nezer Hazani.
Dear friends, we are getting close to the year memorial of the cruel destruction of my home of 29 years, Netzer Hazani, Gush Katif . As that date gets closer and closer it becomes more and more difficult for me to absorb and to understand what happened in Gush Katif and how it happened .Time has not been a healing factor.
I was so pleased to receive this link from Avi Abelow who camped out in Netzer Hazani the weeks before the expulsion and helped me cope and coordinate all the media that came to cover this "horror"story.
It was really refreshing for me to open this four minute preview to the upcoming movie that Avi Abelow and his friend Yaron Shane have prepared for us all, for you and for me . You too will feel their refreshing new angle of seeing and understanding what happened that summer in Gush Katif when you open this site and see the sneak preview.
http://www.homegamethemovie.com/trailer_eng.htm
I know that all of you who care will help Avi bring his special movie to our public by ordering tickets and telling your friends to do the same. http://www.homegamethemovie.com/trailer_eng.htm
Eretz Yisrael's pain is still so real ,Am Yisrael's pain is still so real --but the most agonizing pain of all is that of our youth who loved their home so much and gave all they had to try and save it--for them it is a wound that is still very open.
Please open preview and also forward to all your acquaintances who care.
anita
http://www.homegamethemovie.com/trailer_eng.htm
IMRA Commentary: Why has Israel launched "Operation White Flag?"
Commentary: Why has Israel launched "Operation White Flag?"
Aaron Lerner
Date: 2 July 2006
Unless COS Halutz, DM Peretz, PM Olmert and the rest of the team are engaged
in a perfectly choreographed operation to trick the Palestinians into
dropping their guard it would appear that instead the team is preparing the
Israeli public for a prisoner exchange with the Qassams continuing to rain
down until one manages to kill enough people that action might be taken - or
not.
No. Israel won't trade Palestinian prisoners in return for Gilad Shalit.
But what if a week or two after Shalit's return Israel should decide - in a
move to bolster Mahmoud Abbas' status - to release hundred of prisoners with
this having absolutely nothing to do with the return of Shalit? (wink
wink).
That's the plan that Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak has been trying to
work out. And Israel is praising him for his efforts. The catch appears to
be that Hamas doesn't want to rely on Mubarak's guaranty that Israel with
fill their side of the bargain.
With COS Halutz saying that IDF operations alone can't free Shalit, DM
Peretz explaining that there is no "magic solution" to fighting terror and
the assessment carefully leaked from the meeting of the Olmert Government
that the whole mess could take months to resolve, Israel sends a clear
message to Hamas that it is, indeed, preparing the public to accept a
prisoner exchange - subject of course to it being carried out under a
face-saving label.
Yes, DM Peretz fired off yet another 3 ton warning - saying that Israel
considers all the Hamas leadership to be fair game. But with Israel Air
Force chief Maj.-Gen. Eliezer Shkedy proudly explaining that even a
terrorist about to fire a Qassam won't be stopped if he holds his son's hand
while he launches the rocket, the Hamas leadership hardly has a reason to
fear as long as they keep a child or two within arm's reach.
How did this happen? How did Israel lose its momentum?
It isn't just that PM Olmert and DM Peretz are no longer able to procreate.
Part of the problem is that Olmert, Peretz and many of the professionals
involved in handling the situation genuinely believe that retreat to the '67
border would herald an era of peace and tranquility. The problem isn't the
Arabs but instead the Israeli public that must be taught, step-by-step, that
all alternatives to full retreat are futile.
Yes, Hamas says they won't accept such an Israeli retreat. Yes, the
National Conciliation Document makes it clear that both Fatah and Hamas
insist on destroying Israel via the exercise of the right of return. But
the retreat to the '67 border crowd is convinced that they know better than
the Arabs. Even if the retreat initially promises only a few months of
quiet, they argue, the Palestinians will be overwhelmed with joy with their
new situation during the lull and abandon their demands as they channel all
their energies into building the new Palestinian state.
Or so the argument goes.
Given that the team is ambivalent about the importance of an Israeli victory
in this episode, they then readily embrace the favorite excuse for a lack of
intestinal fortitude: fear of sanctions.
The spinners in the Olmert team set up this situation by first making it
known that Israel can only act if Uncle Sam gives the nod, thus making it
clear to Washington that it should pressure the Jewish State not to act
decisively as the White House may find itself sharing the blame in Arab eyes.
It was then only a matter of time before the fear of UN sanctions would be
raised by those in the know to justify inaction.
But does Israel really risk sanctions any more than it did when it carried
out Operation Defensive Shield (which included a media circus over the Jenin
"massacre")?
With elections coming up in November would the Bush administration really
not impose a veto at the UN if Israel took the kind of decisive action that
many Americans are frankly puzzled Israel isn't carrying out already given
the circumstances?
No. It simply isn't true that Israel needs to be able to show rows of
bodies shredded by a Qassam hit in order to "sell" decisive action to the
American public.
And if the Olmert team honestly feels that that is the case, then they are
in the wrong profession.
Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA (Independent Media Review & Analysis)
(Mail POB 982 Kfar Sava)
Tel 972-9-7604719/Fax 972-3-7255730
INTERNET ADDRESS: imra@netvision.net.il
Website: http://www.imra.org.il
Aaron Lerner
Date: 2 July 2006
Unless COS Halutz, DM Peretz, PM Olmert and the rest of the team are engaged
in a perfectly choreographed operation to trick the Palestinians into
dropping their guard it would appear that instead the team is preparing the
Israeli public for a prisoner exchange with the Qassams continuing to rain
down until one manages to kill enough people that action might be taken - or
not.
No. Israel won't trade Palestinian prisoners in return for Gilad Shalit.
But what if a week or two after Shalit's return Israel should decide - in a
move to bolster Mahmoud Abbas' status - to release hundred of prisoners with
this having absolutely nothing to do with the return of Shalit? (wink
wink).
That's the plan that Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak has been trying to
work out. And Israel is praising him for his efforts. The catch appears to
be that Hamas doesn't want to rely on Mubarak's guaranty that Israel with
fill their side of the bargain.
With COS Halutz saying that IDF operations alone can't free Shalit, DM
Peretz explaining that there is no "magic solution" to fighting terror and
the assessment carefully leaked from the meeting of the Olmert Government
that the whole mess could take months to resolve, Israel sends a clear
message to Hamas that it is, indeed, preparing the public to accept a
prisoner exchange - subject of course to it being carried out under a
face-saving label.
Yes, DM Peretz fired off yet another 3 ton warning - saying that Israel
considers all the Hamas leadership to be fair game. But with Israel Air
Force chief Maj.-Gen. Eliezer Shkedy proudly explaining that even a
terrorist about to fire a Qassam won't be stopped if he holds his son's hand
while he launches the rocket, the Hamas leadership hardly has a reason to
fear as long as they keep a child or two within arm's reach.
How did this happen? How did Israel lose its momentum?
It isn't just that PM Olmert and DM Peretz are no longer able to procreate.
Part of the problem is that Olmert, Peretz and many of the professionals
involved in handling the situation genuinely believe that retreat to the '67
border would herald an era of peace and tranquility. The problem isn't the
Arabs but instead the Israeli public that must be taught, step-by-step, that
all alternatives to full retreat are futile.
Yes, Hamas says they won't accept such an Israeli retreat. Yes, the
National Conciliation Document makes it clear that both Fatah and Hamas
insist on destroying Israel via the exercise of the right of return. But
the retreat to the '67 border crowd is convinced that they know better than
the Arabs. Even if the retreat initially promises only a few months of
quiet, they argue, the Palestinians will be overwhelmed with joy with their
new situation during the lull and abandon their demands as they channel all
their energies into building the new Palestinian state.
Or so the argument goes.
Given that the team is ambivalent about the importance of an Israeli victory
in this episode, they then readily embrace the favorite excuse for a lack of
intestinal fortitude: fear of sanctions.
The spinners in the Olmert team set up this situation by first making it
known that Israel can only act if Uncle Sam gives the nod, thus making it
clear to Washington that it should pressure the Jewish State not to act
decisively as the White House may find itself sharing the blame in Arab eyes.
It was then only a matter of time before the fear of UN sanctions would be
raised by those in the know to justify inaction.
But does Israel really risk sanctions any more than it did when it carried
out Operation Defensive Shield (which included a media circus over the Jenin
"massacre")?
With elections coming up in November would the Bush administration really
not impose a veto at the UN if Israel took the kind of decisive action that
many Americans are frankly puzzled Israel isn't carrying out already given
the circumstances?
No. It simply isn't true that Israel needs to be able to show rows of
bodies shredded by a Qassam hit in order to "sell" decisive action to the
American public.
And if the Olmert team honestly feels that that is the case, then they are
in the wrong profession.
Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA (Independent Media Review & Analysis)
(Mail POB 982 Kfar Sava)
Tel 972-9-7604719/Fax 972-3-7255730
INTERNET ADDRESS: imra@netvision.net.il
Website: http://www.imra.org.il
