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August 29, 2008
4:27
Mazal Tov!
» ‎ Israel Matzav

No, I did not disappear off the face of the earth. Our eldest son, Avraham Yaakov, got married tonight to Meira. It's 1:30 AM here and I am totally wasted, but I will hopefully post more in the morning (I did update my profile so it is accurate). May we all celebrate joyous occasions together.

August 28, 2008
22:58
The Blog Carnival Of Our Community
» ‎ The Muqata

Hi folks,

I am Jack and I am the admin for Haveil Havalim, the blog carnival of our community. Now that the dust has settled somewhat from the conference I wanted to take a moment to promote H.H. again.

If you are unfamilar a blog carnival is a sort of blog event in which a series of posts are highlighted/promoted about a particular topic. In respect to Haveil Havalim it is a weekly event that is hosted on various blogs within the JBlogosphere.

Each week the host serves a variety of different posts that deal with Israel, Judaism, Torah, Culture, Politics and Personal. If you are new to the JBlogosphere or interested in finding out what is going on it is a great way to gain some insight.

It is also a fantastic way to gain more exposure for your blog and to learn about other blogs that you might find to be of interest. One of the things that I like about it is that it is inclusive and not exclusive. It is one of the few places in the world where you will find all Jews interacting with each other.

Blogging has enriched my life and I have made some good friends through it that I probably never would have met otherwise. H.H. has been a valuable part of it.

I'd like to encourage you all to participate in it. Even if you choose not to host you can always submit posts. The best way to do so is through the Blog Carnival form. Please remember that we ask that you submit no more than three posts at a time.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at my blog or via email talktojacknow-at-sbcglobal-dot-net.

For a list of past editions of H.H. please click here.

Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד

22:54
Curious Targets
» ‎ Israellycool

It seems like almost every week that we hear of Israeli Arabs being arrested on charges of planning terrorist attacks against Israelis.

This week is no exception.

Galilee region police have recently arrested two Israeli Arabs they believe belonged to a cell of Islamic Jihad operatives that planned to kill Israeli pilots, scientists and university lecturers.

News of the arrests, which took place during August, emerged after a gag order was lifted Thursday. Police claim that the network also planned shooting attacks on checkpoints in the West Bank, and that it attempted to make contact with Islamic Jihad’s leadership in Syria.

The Shin Bet security service was also involved in uncovering the cell, in which three Palestinians from the West Bank town of Ramallah are also suspected of being members. According to the police, the cell possessed weapons, held training exercises and was in the advanced stages of preparation for a shooting attack on an Israel Defense Forces checkpoint near Ramallah.

The two Israeli Arabs are Shfaram residents Anis Safori, 20, and Hussam Khalil, 19. Safori is a communications student at Ramallah’s Bir Zeit University; Khalil studies electronic engineering in Jordan.

Ok, so there’s nothing weird about some Israeli Arabs biting the hand that feeds them. But what piqued my curiosity were their targets - Israeli pilots, scientists and university lecturers. At first I thought that pilots were targeted because of their operational importance, but when considering the inclusion of scientists and university lecturers, I discounted this as the reason.

Then it hit me.

Only the best of the best are able to become IAF pilots. As for scientists and university lecturers, you have to be rather intelligent (although in some cases, one could wonder).

So here’s my theory: the terrorist cell were specifically targeting highly intelligent Israelis, in an effort to deal a blow to Israeli scientific achievment and accomplishments, since the palestinians are seemingly unable to accomplish or achieve anything themselves. Beyond sinking to new depths of depravity, of course.

In other words, since we can’t achieve, we’ll stop you from doing so.

Update: I just noticed..one of the arrested Arabs is named Anis.

That’s the second Anis we’ve seen this week.

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22:33
Pollyanna Gets One Right in Gaza
» ‎ IRIS Blog

They told me that if Hamas took over Gaza, theyd turn their attention to routine stuff like public education. And they were right!

Hamas Backers Replace Gaza's Teachers

The ruling Hamas movement on Wednesday replaced hundreds of striking teachers with its own supporters, purging Gaza's education system of its political rivals and deepening its control of the coastal territory.

During the takeover, Hamas routed forces loyal to the rival Fatah movement. The local teachers' union, one of the last remaining Fatah strongholds in Gaza, called its strike this week to protest the transfers of dozens of educators to new schools. It said Hamas forced the transfers to give its supporters key posts in the education system.

Hamas denied this, but then installed hundreds of new teachers almost immediately after the strike began.

"Anybody who left their job will not be allowed to return," said the Hamas education minister, Mohammed Askoul. "They have become irrelevant and cannot be trusted anymore as educators." He estimated 2,000 teachers have been replaced. About 9,000 teachers work in Gaza's public schools.

The move ensures Gaza's education system will now be stacked with Hamas loyalists. While the group has said it would not impose its strict Islamic views on society, its control of the classrooms is likely to change the tone of instruction and create more sympathy for the group's ideology among the territory's 250,000 public school students.

Hat tip: Dan Friedman

18:34
The Case of the Disappearing Palestinian Students
» ‎ Israellycool

Free Gaza Press Release from Tuesday:

(GAZA CITY, 26 August 2008) – The SS Free Gaza and SS Liberty will leave Gaza for Cyprus on Thursday morning at 9:00 am. Several Palestinian students who have been denied exit visas by Israel will travel to Cyprus on the boats. One Palestinian professor will finally be able to go back to teaching in Europe and one young, Palestinian woman will finally be reunited with her husband. Several of the Free Gaza international human rights workers will remain in Gaza to do human rights monitoring.

Free Gaza Press Release from today:

(GAZA CITY, 28 August 2008) - After having shattered the Israeli blockade of Gaza earlier this week, the SS Free Gaza and SS Liberty will depart Gaza for Cyprus at 2pm today. Several Palestinians who have previously been denied exit visas by Israel will join international human rights workers on the journey. Among the Palestinians leaving are Saed Mosleh, age 10, of Beit Hanoon, Gaza. Saed lost his leg due to an Israeli tank shell and is leaving Gaza with his father to seek medical treatment. Also on board are the Darwish family, who will finally be reunited with their relatives in Cyprus.

“I can’t believe we’re finally able to leave for medical treatment,” said Khaled Mosleh, Saed’s father. “This is a miracle of God.”

Nine international human rights workers will remain in Gaza to do longer-term monitoring and accompaniment, and one, Dr. Bill Dienst of Omak, Washington, will attempt to cross over into Israel later today via the Erez crossing.

By freely traveling to Gaza, on Saturday, August 23rd, in two, small, wooden boats, the Free Gaza Movement forced the Israeli government to issue a fundamental policy change regarding their military and economic blockade of Gaza. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign affairs publicly announced that humanitarian and human rights missions to Gaza will no longer be stopped or threatened by Israel. With the end of the Israeli siege of Gaza, Palestinians should be free to exercise their rights without fear of being stopped or killed by the Israeli military.

Yvonne Ridley, a journalist and member for the Free Gaza Movement, summed up her experience in Gaza by saying, “I missed the start of the Berlin Wall coming down by just a few days, but now I know how people felt when they tore down those first few bricks. This has been a huge victory of people over power.”

Since the organizers of the Free Gaza Movement will not be entering Israeli territorial waters, and since they will request an inspection from both the Gaza Port Authority when they depart, and the Cypriot authorities upon their return, they expect no interference on the part of the Israeli authorities when they leave Gaza. By Israel’s own admission, it has no authority to inspect the boats or the passengers when they leave Gaza.

With the collapse of the Israeli blockade, the Free Gaza Movement will quickly return to Gaza with another delegation, and they would like to encourage the United Nations, Arab League and international community to organize similar human rights and humanitarian efforts. The Free Gaza Movement will continue to work to ensure that safe passage between Gaza and the outside world will remain free and open.
###

PALESTINIANS LEAVING GAZA ON THE SS FREE GAZA & SS LIBERTY
Maha M.S. Darwish, mother
Omar Darwish, age 5
Sami M.J. Darwish, age 14
Ayman M.J. Darwish, age 17
Tawfiq M.J. Darwish, age 18
Khaled Mosleh, father
Saed Mosleh, age 10

Notice how in Tuesday’s press release, the Free Gaza tools promised to take out some of the Fulbright scholars who were denied entry permits by Israel due to security concerns, whereas there is no mention of them in today’s press release. If the reason is that Israel will not allow it, I am sure the Free Gazan tools would be jumping up and down, and would certainly have used their press release to criticize Israel.

No, there must be some other reason.

I am only speculating, but could it be that there is clear evidence linking these students to terrorists, that even Free Gaza does not want to get involved?

Update: Palestine News Network reports:

The expected students are not on board as they had no visas for Cyprus and as Angela Godfrey-Goldstein told PNN this afternoon, “No one wanted to turn them into refugees.”

Hmm..

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16:52
Deal?
» ‎ Israel Matzav

Eventually resigning Prime Minister Ehud K. Olmert will meet on Sunday with 'moderate' 'Palestinian' President Mahmoud Abbas Abu Mazen amid what one news outlet calls 'signs' of a 'secret deal.' Palestinian Authority (PA) chairman Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will meet on Sunday amid growing signs that the Israeli leader is trying to complete the outline for a new Arab state

14:27
I'm Sorry
» ‎ The Muqata

-- Advertisement –

I am going to file this under totally unusual.

This advertiser doesn’t want money from you.

This advertiser doesn’t want you to buy anything.

And for that matter they don’t want to sell you anything.

All this advertiser wants from you, is for you to say you’re sorry.

Huh!

What did I do? You, I know, but me?

NJOP – the National Jewish Outreach Program, is running a program ahead of Yom Kippur. They want to collect the largest number of apologies in the world and post them on their blog. The apologies can be simple emails, videos, pictures, or postcards.

You make your apologies, they’ll post it.

And I went through their blog already, and there are some interesting, funny, weird, sad, serious and sorry apologies up there.

NJOP is calling it Project Forgiveness.

So please forgive this advertising intrusion, and go to the
ProjectForgiveness site and contribute – not money – but an apology.

Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד

14:20
Infrastructure ministry seizes 85 tons of natural gas heading for Gaza
» ‎ Israel Matzav

Inspectors from Israel's infrastructure ministry seized 1700 tanks (85 tons) of illegally manufactured natural gas from an unfortified warehouse in Ashkelon Wednesday night. The natural gas was headed for Gaza where the empty tanks would have been used to manufacture Kassam rockets. "The tanks were in a huge warehouse that is not suited for gas storage; it was filled with wooden platforms and had
11:57
McCain ad on Iran and Israel
» ‎ Israel Matzav

Just in case anyone has missed it, it's a must see. (Hat Tip: NY Nana via Little Green Footballs).
11:15
Norway would talk to Bin Laden, but opposition would move embassy to Jerusalem
» ‎ Israel Matzav

Norway's Aftenposten reports that Deputy Foreign Minister Raymond Johansen has announced that he agrees with Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey and would be willing to sit down and 'talk' with Osama Bin Laden. "You don’t make peace with your friends, but with your enemies," said Raymond Johansen, state secretary in Norway’s Foreign Ministry and deputy foreign minister, on Wednesday.

9:47
The Shame
» ‎ Israellycool
A palestinian couple had reportedly locked up their disabled son and daughter for four decades because of shame.

A Palestinian couple locked their disabled son and daughter in two stinking, urine-stained rooms for four decades out of fear they would ruin the marriage prospects of a healthy child if discovered, police said.

The case has highlighted the shame felt by families who have children with disabilities in Palestinian society - made worse because of poor services and the practice of first-cousin marriages in Arab communities.

“This is sad, shameful and awful,” said Imad Abumohr, a disabled rights activist.

Few people in the rural town of Beit Awwa knew of 38-year-old Basam Musalmeh and his sister Nawal, 42. They were kept since they were children in two dank, crumbling concrete rooms that stank of sweat and urine behind their family’s house.

Police found the siblings during a raid late last night, searching for Hamas loyalists and criminals in the village, said an official who asked not to be identified because the Palestinian Authority publicly denies it cracks down on the militant group.

Palestinian police commander Samih Saify said while police were searching the house, they heard unusual noises below and went to investigate. He said they found Basam Musalemeh naked, while Nawal wore a flimsy nightdress. Police photographed them.

Their father was arrested, although it was not immediately clear if he was detained for keeping his children locked up or because of his suspected loyalty to militant group Hamas.

Today, following media attention, the siblings appeared to have been bathed and freshly dressed, and their rooms tidied - but the smell was still overwhelming.

The siblings have not been diagnosed with any specific mental illness, said their uncle, Mohammed Musalmeh. They do not speak or recognise other people.

An Associated Press reporter walked into Nawal’s room, where she sat still on her metal-frame bed wearing a dress. She did not appear to acknowledge the presence of the stranger.

The facing rooms share a small sunny square, but the area is surrounded by a high wall and cannot be seen from outside. A door links the rooms to the main house, but it was apparently opened only rarely.

Abumohr, the rights activist, said there was a shortage of institutions caring for the disabled in the West Bank.

He said the Musalmeh case was dramatic but not unheard of. He said last year they were called on to rescue a 17-year-old youth with mental disabilities who was thrown into a large garbage bin. Abumohr said the boy had scars on his stomach, neck, hands and feet where he’d apparently been tied up.

“I’m sure there are other cases of hidden people in the rural areas,” Abumohr said.

The siblings’ father, Ibrahim Musalmeh, married his first cousin decades ago and had eight children - five disabled children who died in childhood, Nawal and Bassam, and another son, who has since married.

Arab communities often favour marriages between first cousins as a way of keeping inheritances within the family. It is not considered incest, and there is little awareness that marriage between close relatives increases the chances of having children with disabilities.

The siblings’ uncle, Mohammed, said the family kept them hidden away to avoid bringing shame on the family. Many Arabs stigmatise disabled children and refuse to marry their siblings, fearing they, too, will bear children with disabilities.

Mohammed Musalmeh said they also did not want the children to be the target of cruel village mockery - all too apparent when an AP reporter asked for directions from a bystander, who mocked the siblings, describing them as “sheep.”

“If they go outside, people will laugh at them,” said their 67-year-old uncle.

Mohammed said they could not find long-term care for them.

It is unclear what will happen to the siblings now.

Abumohr said it was unlikely the two would find professional long-term care in the Palestinian territories. Saify said he hoped an Israeli institution could take care of them.

Clearly, a tragic story and my heart goes out to these two human beings treated like animals.

A number of observations:
- Being disabled brings shame to a palestinian family, yet being a “martyr” brings honor. Who has the mental illness here?
- I am actually surprised the couple did not just strap explosives to their son and daughter, send them to the nearest checkpoint and have them blow themselves up.
- Note the almost throwaway line “..said an official who asked not to be identified because the Palestinian Authority publicly denies it cracks down on the militant group.” If the PA are really Israel’s peace partner, why are they not openly and proudly cracking down on terrorist groups? Why should they publicly deny it? Of course, the answer is because the terrorist groups enjoy a groundswell of support, which is something the mainstream media would rather you didn’t know.
- Note how the police commander says he hopes an Israeli institution could take care of these unfortunate souls. Hardly the talk of someone who believes Israel is the devil.
Update: The corresponding palestinian Ma’an News Agency report reveals a number of discrepancies with the above report:
- The two were imprisoned for over 20 years, not four decades
- The two were imprisoned in two caves, not rooms
- The two were found during a security sweep for drugs and weapons dealers, not Hamas loyalists
Why the discrepancies, I do not know. What I do know is that Ma’an has a history of distorting the truth to promote the palestinian agenda.

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2:05
Blind hubris
» ‎ Israel Matzav

For those who have forgotten what hubris means (shame on you), go here. This is Victor Davis Hanson's take on Barack Hussein Obama's acceptance speech (Hat Tip: Memeorandum): Let me get this straight: Obama goes to Europe, does a garish outdoor extravaganza before thousands, returns to find himself dubbed a publicity-seeking celebrity, analogous to Paris Hilton—and abruptly begins a tailspin in
1:57
Idol worship?
» ‎ Israel Matzav

More here, here, here, here and here. And as a bonus, let's go backstage to the videotape with SeeSwann.

1:35
Biden Threatened Cutting Off Aid to Israel
» ‎ IRIS Blog

Vice Presidential nominee Joe Biden sure has some interesting impulses with his famous temper. On Tuesday, we reported on his post-9/11 response of sending a $200 million "blank check" to Iran.

In a 1992 Jerusalem Post story, Biden threatened to cut off all aid to Israel unless all settlement activity was stopped:

In a conversation with Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, after a sharp confrontation in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the subject of the settlements, Begin defined himself as "a proud Jew who does not tremble with fear" when speaking with foreign statesmen.

During that committee hearing, at the height of the Lebanon War, Sen. John [sic] Biden (Delaware) had attacked Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria and threatened that if Israel did not immediately cease this activity, the US would have to cut economic aid to Israel.

When the senator raised his voice and banged twice on the table with his fist, Begin commented to him: "This desk is designed for writing, not for fists. Don't threaten us with slashing aid. Do you think that because the US lends us money it is entitled to impose on us what we must do? We are grateful for the assistance we have received, but we are not to be threatened. I am a proud Jew. Three thousand years of culture are behind me, and you will not frighten me with threats. Take note: we do not want a single soldier of yours to die for us."

After the meeting, Sen. Moynihan approached Begin and praised him for his cutting reply. To which Begin answered with thanks, defining his stand against threats.

August 27, 2008
23:54
Hezbullah sets up shop in Venezuela
» ‎ Israel Matzav

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that the Hezbullah terrorist organization now has a 'presence' in Venezuela. Given the warm relations between Hezbullah patron Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Venezuelan President Thuggo Chavez, I guess that shouldn't be all too surprising. But Western intelligence agencies are not pleased with Hezbullah's new base of operations. The Bush administration, Israel and
23:41
Biden called for cutting off aid to Israel?
» ‎ Israel Matzav

At Commentary, John Podhoretz posts an excerpt from a 1992 JPost article in which Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Joseph Biden threatened to cut off aid to Israel over 'settlements.' The confrontation between Biden and then-Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin occurred during the 1982 Operation Peace for Galilee (the 'First Lebanon War'). In a conversation with Sen. Daniel Patrick

23:22
Giuliani Rips Obama's Israel Policy
» ‎ IRIS Blog

Rudy Giuliani famously had Yassir Arafat ejected from a party he had hosted, while Barack Obama consorted with a paid PLO spokesman from its terrorist heyday in the 1970s. Rudy thinks we should be very worried about Obama:

"There's no question he's ambiguous about" his stand on Israel, Giuliani said, citing specifically that Obama said months ago before a Jewish political group that he supported an undivided Jerusalem, and later aides clarified it.

"I think that his position in dealing with the issues that are important to Israel, like they are important to me in America, is -- (the) best and kindest thing you can say is, ambiguity," he said, clearly referring to security.

Giuliani added it's "of grave concern. It either comes from deeply held views that he has or lack of experience, one or the other. But in either case he's too close to the presidency not to have formed views about this that don't require having to explain it two or three different times."

20:40
'Good terrorists' hack 'bad terrorists' web site
» ‎ Israel Matzav

Amid the growing animosity between the Fatah and Hamas organizations, the conflict is now spreading to the internet. On Tuesday, Fatah hackers brought down a website belonging to Hamas's military wing, precisely two months after the site was breached by an Israeli group called Fanat Al Radical. The hackers planted several messages on the Hamas site including one warning Hamas not to attribute the
20:14
Hezbullah 'bunker specialist' falls to his death
» ‎ Israel Matzav

Haj Jamil Salah, 51, a top Hezbollah operative who was in charge of the construction of underground bunkers in south Lebanese villages fell to his death on Monday while standing on the rooftop of a building in the village of Yaroun, close to the Israeli border. He was reportedly discussing with his men how far inside Israeli territory the rockets installed at the launch pads in the village could

18:42
Rachel Corrie - The Lyrics
» ‎ Israellycool

My blog had some excitement yesterday, as a Free Gaza moonbat named Anis threatened to sue me for my song parody of his Free Gaza absurdity that Dave blogged about here. I responded to Anis thusly:

I’m considering a parody of Simon and Garfunkel’s “Richard Cory” as “Rachel Corrie,” calling her an idiot and a tool of terrorists. Would that pass your muster or would you try to find a reason to take that one down as well? Just wondering what your definition of “free speech” includes, Anis!

His response was “This is your level.” I think he meant it as an insult.

Anyway, the idea stayed in my head, so this morning I wrote the song:

I hired Rachel Corrie to help bring Israel down
She was young, she was stupid, didn’t know her way around
She was the perfect patsy, do anything I asked
But even I didn’t know how well she’d perform her last task

Yes I – recruit peacenik wannabes
And I brainwash them for terror
Teach them to hate Israelis
And I wish they all could be
Oh I wish they all could be
Yes I wish they all could be
Rachel Corries.

“Peace and terror are the same” is the lesson that I taught
I told her that the underdog was right no matter what
Killing Jews in Israel is demanded by my god
The ISM is just another arm of my jihad

Yes I – recruit peacenik wannabes
And I brainwash them for terror
Teach them to hate Israelis
And I wish they all could be
Oh I wish they all could be
Yes I wish they all could be
Rachel Corries.

She learned to hate America, the freedom made her gag
She was thinking she was peaceful as she burned her country’s flag
The bulldozer came slowly but I’m glad she hadn’t fled
As good as Corrie was in life, she’s worth much more when she’s dead

And now she’s a propaganda factory
Her death has been the best thing since the SS Liberty
And I’m glad she didn’t flee
Her death was a victory
And I wish I had ninety
Rachel Corries!

If anyone wants to sing and record this, I will be happy to make an appropriate accompanying video.

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18:12
Coincidence?
» ‎ Israellycool

..I certainly hope so:

Israeli kidnapped in Nigeria

Iran, Nigeria seeking to boost bilateral ties

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17:00
Separated at Birth: Being John Malkovich Edition
» ‎ Israellycool

Iraq’s Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani, and Hollywood actor John Malkovich.

Thanks to Jacob for the suggestion.

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16:32
Giuliani rips Obama on Israel
» ‎ Israel Matzav

Former New York Mayor and Republican Presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani ripped Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Hussein Obama's ambiguity on Israel in an interview with the New York Post in Denver on Tuesday (Hat Tip: Memeorandum). "There's no question he's ambiguous about" his stand on Israel, Giuliani said, citing specifically that Obama said months ago before a Jewish political
16:14
Deployment of X-Band Radar in Israel
» ‎ Israel Matzav

Here's a video report on the deployment of X-Band Radar in Israel, which appears likely to happen by early 2009. As part of extensive, bilateral preparations against the growing threat from Iran, the Pentagon wants to deploy one of its powerful X-Band radars in Israel, along with personnel from U.S. European Command to operate the long-range early warning system. Once deployed and fully
14:07
Obama's Saudi connection
» ‎ Israel Matzav

At Townhall.com, Amanda Carpenter unearthed a video in which New York civil rights activist Percy Sutton, who was Manhattan Borough President when I was in college in New York City, claims that he was introduced to Barack Hussein Obama by Khalid al-Mansour and asked to get Mansour into Harvard Law School. What's more interesting is that Sutton implies that Obama has received moneys from a man to

13:30
sulha 2008 day 1..
» ‎ East Med Sea Peace

when will i learn that i love this shit?! every single time i resist.. what the fuck?! again - i didnt want to go.. and yet tucked into a tight little corner of heaven i found sulha.. sulha is sulhita's big brother.. different but the same..

within moments of arriving i joined a listening circle lead by the same lady that lead the ones i sat in at sulhita and many of the same faces greeted my late ass with warmth and familiarity that immediately confirmed that i had arrived home.. this was not the odd event in the midst of my life and routine but rather a crisp moment of truth in midst of the haze of fog that we are surrounded by day in and day out.. i cant count the hugs and kisses that landed my way in no time.. sure the memory of how loving everyone was last time was strong - but i was in fact overwhelmed..

after the listening circle the sulhita people got together to rehearse a song that we had put together at sulhita and then it all came bACk.. the magic and the vibe and the shared creation and shared delivery.. as much as it was getting dark outside it was getting real bright inside my heart and the next clip i think captures it perfectly.. the warmth oozing through the sound.. jew and arab - like brothers and sisters.. no frills no shit.. just love and friendship..

p>any so we sat around afterwards and listened to acts and stuff.. we ate.. we hung out and then i had an awesome surprise..

a reader of this blog who is studying in egypt and i knew was travelling through the region actually took up my recommendation to come along and appeared in the crowd.. entirely sweet she brought me a gift and we hung out enjoying the awesome buzz of the happening.. i felt very lucky.. made a lot of stuff seem very significant..

you watch these people around you celebrating our closeness rather than seeking reasons to turn it into a war and you get inspired.. as one girl from abu gosh (our undisputed humous capital mind you) said - she comes to these events for inspiration.. thank you for the tip.. im inspired too and cant wait to get back there tonight..

by the way - having now read about the town.. i would like to say sorry for what we did to you..

10:19
Free Gaza Tool Jeff Halper Visits Sderot
» ‎ Israellycool

It looks like Papa’s been smurfed.

Israeli pro-Palestinian activist Jeff Halper was arrested in Sderot on Tuesday for illegally entering Hamas-ruled Gaza, police said.

Halper reached Gazan shores on Saturday with dozens of Free Gaza Movement activists on two boats aimed at “breaking the siege” of the Strip.

Halper, who also heads the Israeli Committee against House Demolitions, crossed into Israel via the Erez border crossing, police said.

He was questioned at Sderot’s police station, and will be charged for violating the IDF’s Southern Command Front order which forbids Israeli citizens from entering Palestinian areas without permission, a Lachish police spokesman said.

“Halper will be taken to court tomorrow,” the spokesman said.

No doubt he didn’t plan on showing solidarity with the besieged people of Sderot while he was there.

He just better hope he gets out of there before the next Qassam attack. After all, there is a lot of Jeff Halper. He’s not that easy to miss.

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9:06
Silverstein on Hamas
» ‎ Israellycool

On Richard Silverstein’s anti-Israel blog Tikun Olam (link not provided, since he loves getting traffic), “Kane” asks a simple question in the comments:

# On August 26th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Kane said:

Richard,

I would be interested in hearing what you think of what Orgo said (Orgo had commented that there is no evidence connecting Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh to any terror attacks -ed.) Do you think Haniyeh is a terrorist or connected to terror attacks?

Thanks.

Silverstein responds:

# On August 26th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Richard Silverstein said:

@Kane: Haniyeh is less connected to terror attacks than Yitzchak Shamir was. Let me make clear that I’m no friend of Hamas. I wish there were another authentic, popular grassroots Palestinian political movement instead of it. I don’t like their politics or their willingness to embrace armed violent resistance. That being said, they ARE an authentic, grassroots popular movement. Until some other group can beat them in a legitimate election, they should be recognized as a legitimate government.

So there you have it, folks. Silverstein is clearly stating:

1. The leader of Hamas is less connected to terrorism than was a former Prime Minister of Israel.

2. Hamas engages in “resistance”, not terrorism.

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8:58
“Zionists develop diseases to sell drugs”
» ‎ Israellycool

From Iran’s ever-amusing Press TV:

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has blasted some ‘Zionist drug cartels‘ that develop new diseases to sell their pharmaceutical products.

“Some multinational companies and Zionist cartels produce new kinds of diseases to export their drugs to other countries,” Ahmadinejad said in a meeting with Iranian pharmacists arragned to mark the Pharmacy Day.

“Contrary to the commercial approach that is prevalent in the world drug markets, our approach towards the production and export of drugs is humane,” Fars news agency quoted the president as saying.

“We should try to produce drugs that are needed worldwide to help the humans,” he noted.

Earlier this year, Iran successfully mass produced Angipars, the world’s first herbal medication for the effective treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.

So you see, the Jews - oh, sorry, Zionists - are creating diabolical new diseases just so these capitalist pig Jews - oh, damn, I meant capitalist pig Zionists - can profit from the drugs that only evil Jewish minds - evil ZIONIST minds - can develop antidotes to.

(I cannot find a single non-Iranian reference to Angipars on the Internet. Must be really popular amongst those humans that Ahmadinejad says he cares about.)

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3:56
Women in Gaza Prepare to Become Suicide Bombers
» ‎ Israel Matzav

This TV report on female 'Palestinian' suicide bombers, aired on Al-Jadid/New TV (Lebanon) on August 19, 2008. As you watch this video, you will see a close-up of how a suicide bomb belt works. Unfortunately, it's all too simple to operate. Much simpler than learning to fly a plane into a building. Let's go to the videotape. A transcript follows and I will have some comments after that.

August 26, 2008
22:00
How NOT To Argue For Israel
» ‎ Israellycool

Al Jazeera English has interviewed ISM founder/terror enabler Huwaida Arraf and former advisor to Ariel Sharon Dr. Ra’anan Gissin regarding the Free Gaza “mission” to Gaza.

I am posting this as an example of what Israel is doing wrong with its hasbara. While Dr Gissin raised some good points, this was undermined by his aggressive demeanor.

(I suspect this is the reason Al Jazeera chose Dr. Gissin to represent the Israeli side).

Note: I have had the pleasure of meeting Dr Gissin, and he is absolutely charming in real life. I just think his obvious passion is more of a liability than an asset when it comes to televised debates.

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19:47
Did Reut read the wrong haftara?
» ‎ The Muqata
Guest post by Lurker
WARNING: Contains spoilers for Srugim episode 9 ("ניקוי יבש").

Last week, Jameel was too busy with flying to America and back to blog about that week’s Srugim episode, so I’ll pitch in to provide the obligatory post now. (It’s a week late, but better late than never…)
- When Yifat and Hodaya object to Reut’s plan to date both Yochai and Noam at the same time, Reut defends herself by asserting that Rav Shlomo Aviner paskened that this is allowed. Well, apparently this generated quite a hubbub, to the point that Rav Aviner himself has responded to Reut’s claim, as reported by YNet. (The Hebrew version has a bit more in the way of details.) At first glance, he seems to be denying what Reut said, but read to the end:
  
  Rabbi Aviner responded: "Certainly not," and proceeded to explain that dating two men simultaneously is generally a dishonest and immoral act. However, the rabbi admitted that there are some exceptions to the rule.
  
  "Only in unusual cases, when the woman is older and time is running out, and the guy takes his time making a decision," is it ok to multi-date.
  
  Rav Aviner’s exception would seem to imply, then, that it’s OK for the women in the bitza. (I’m not sure what he’d say about inviting two dates to the same Shabbat dinner, though.)
- The episode’s closing scene, where Reut read the haftara, was emotionally powerful and beautiful. I do have a nitpick, however:
  
  In episode 7 ("תפסיק לפחד"), when Yifat meets with the gabbai to plan her kiddush, he tells her that she can do the kiddush either that Shabbat or in another three weeks; and that the two intervening Shabbatot are Shabbat Mevorkhin (the Shabbat before Rosh Hodesh) and "the Kaufman bar mitzva".
  
  In episode 9 ("ניקוי יבש"), when Reut reads her haftara, it is a week later, on the following Shabbat. I.e., it takes place on the Shabbat that the gabbai had referred to as Shabbat Mevorkhin. But the haftara that Reut reads is the one for Shabbat Rosh Hodesh (Yeshayahu 66)! Therefore it wasn’t Shabbat Mevorkhin -- that would have been the previous Shabbat (episodes 7 and 8). So, if what the gabbai said was right, then Reut read the wrong haftara.
  
  Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד

18:49
Swiss foreign minister favors direct talks with Bin Laden
» ‎ Israel Matzav

Agence France Press is reporting that Switzerland's moonbat foreign minister Micheline Calmy-Rey (pictured here in the obligatory hijab at a meeting with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad) told a gathering of Swiss diplomats on Monday that she favors direct talks between her country and Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden (Hat Tip: Shy Guy via Dhimmi Watch). Micheline Calmy-Rey, who has raised
17:42
And another 'gesture'
» ‎ Israel Matzav

Less than a day after Israel released 198 'Palestinian' terrorists from Israeli jails, Israel is making yet another wrongheaded 'gesture' to 'moderate' 'Palestinian' President Mahmoud Abbas Abu Mazen. The Israeli government has granted 'amnesty' to forty-five more 'Palestinian' terrorists, who will now be free to plan terror attacks in quiet solitude without the hot pursuit of the IDF. A senior

17:14
ready willing and able..
» ‎ East Med Sea Peace

gilboa co-existence festival.. starts tonight.. joe cocker performing as part of the lineup..
sulha.. starts tonight too

both for three days.. both amazing!! dont miss out.. thousands of jews and arabs will be showing the world this week that we are willing able and ready to live together..

be a part of it or be apart from it.. (so witty)

will bring you photos and snippets later.. have a great day..

17:04
Bird Love
» ‎ Israellycool

Former Palestinian prisoner Mohammed Ibrahim Abu Ali (L) speaks with a smiling Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas as white pigeons are released at the Palestinian Authority headquarters in the West Bank. The United States and Israel have said Israeli-Palestinian peace talks were making progress despite what the Jewish state referred to as its small and limited settlement activities. (AFP/File/Jaafar Ashtiyeh)

Looks like the pigeons themselves released something as well. Check out the man at the bottom right. Could it be that the guy at center-left is laughing at him?

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16:28
Biden's Response to 9/11: Send $200 Million to Iran
» ‎ IRIS Blog

Senator Joseph Biden was ostensibly chosen by Barack Obama for his foreign policy gravitas. Get a load of this excerpt from the liberal New Republic in the wake of 9/11:

At the Tuesday-morning meeting with committee staffers, Biden launches into a stream-of-consciousness monologue about what his committee should be doing, before he finally admits the obvious: Im groping here. Then he hits on an idea: America needs to show the Arab world that were not bent on its destruction. Seems to me this would be a good time to send, no strings attached, a check for $200 million to Iran, Biden declares. He surveys the table with raised eyebrows, a How do ya like that? look on his face.

The staffers sit in silence. Finally somebody ventures a response: I think theyd send it back. Then another aide speaks up delicately: The thing I would worry about is that it would almost look like a publicity stunt. Still another reminds Biden that an Iranian delegation is in Moscow that very day to discuss a $300 million arms deal with Vladimir Putin that the United States has strongly condemned. But Joe Biden is barely listening anymore. Hes already moved on to something else.

Some facts seem to have eluded the foreign policy specialist:

-Iran is Persian, and is therefore not part of the Arab World.

-It is the leading sponsor of Global Jihad terrorism, which is the force that struck America on 9/11.

Far more serious than the bizarre 'brainstorming' idea is the paradigm it reveals--the universally held notion among Democrats that the proper response to the Global Jihad is gift offerings to Muslim countries to demonstrate goodwill. This is the definition of dhimmi behavior.

16:12
Morally Corrupt AND Tone Deaf
» ‎ Israellycool

The Free Gaza tools are on a roll when it comes to rotten ideas. If the whole sailing to Gaza idea - which currently has left them $300,000 in debt - was not bad enough, they have decided to launch a song contest.

Coincidentally, it is being held at Anis Online. You can’t make stuff like that up.

Here’s one entry that particularly amused me.

I guess it’s a combination of the German accent and the looks of the lead singer (if you can call him that). But I’m thinking Autobahn.

Damn nihilists.

Update: Elder of Ziyon gives the video his special treatment.

Update: Anis is now threatening to sue Elder.

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13:42
Moonbats to leave Gaza unhindered?
» ‎ Israel Matzav

The 'internationals' who arrived in Gaza on Saturday after the IDF was ordered to stand aside may leave the same way they arrived according to an al-AP report. One boat will leave Wednesday (will it have room for all the moonbats?) and the other will stay in Gaza 'for a while.' The question is what or whom they will take with them. According to al-AP, they want to take ten 'students' who have

12:52
Another Day, Another PETA Hypocrite
» ‎ Israellycool

Question: Why did the Monk cross the road?

Answer: To get to the chicken.

Australia’s sexiest Hollywood export Sophie Monk has been criticised for being two-faced, after she was snapped with food from a KFC restaurant - a fast food chain she has bagged in the past as a vegetarian.

Celebrity gossip websites have reported seeing Monk walking out a KFC in Hollywood, with photos that reveal her holding a take away drink and a bag filled with KFC fast food.

The contents of Monk’s KFC run are unknown, and if she was buying food for herself.

But gossip sites have already started speculating on what PETA’s stance is on her latest KFC run - and if they will remove her from their animal rights campaign.

Monk previously lashed out at KFC when she posed nude for the animal rights activist group PETA, in October 2007.

After doing the sexy photoshoot, she admitted she was a vegetarian and only ate at vegetarian restaurants as they have the “best food”.

She also criticised KFC eaters, saying: “I think the message to KFC eaters (is that) you should think about what you’re eating. If you’re eating deformed animals that are being induced by hormones, you know, it can not be good for you.”

Now there’s some finger-link’ good hypocrisy for you.

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12:07
Obama throws Cub fans under the bus! UPDATED WITH VIDEO
» ‎ Israel Matzav

This is way off topic but since Mrs. Carl grew up rooting for the lovable losers, and my son-in-law still roots for them, I couldn't resist posting this. Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Hussein Obama threw fans of the Chicago Cubs under the bus on Monday (Hat Tip: Hot Air). Obama joked about the stereotype of Cubs fans, who probably are tired of being described as partying
11:17
UN report: Syria-Lebanon border 'wide open' to 'smugglers'
» ‎ Israel Matzav

Lebanon's eastern border with Syria is 'wide open' to smugglers according to a report submitted to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon by a task force he appointed a year ago to study the issue. The report says that there has been no improvement in the situation over the last year despite promises from both countries to address the issue. It goes without saying that this violates UN Security Council
4:39
Jimmy the Dhimmi off the program?
» ‎ Israel Matzav

Last week, I reported that former President Jimmy Carter was going to be a featured speaker at the Democratic National Convention. Late Monday afternoon, The Hill reported that there has been a change in plans (Hat Tip: Hot Air). Officials at the Democratic convention initially declined to say whether Carter would speak or not, deferring to the published podium schedule, but a spokeswoman said

3:24
The JBlogosphere Community?
» ‎ The Muqata

Wikipedia's Defintion of Community: A number of ways to categorize types of community have been proposed; one such breakdown is:

Geographic communities: range from the local neighbourhood, suburb, village, town or city, region, nation or even the planet as a whole. These refer to communities of location.

Communities of culture: range from the local clique, sub-culture, ethnic
group, religious, multicultural or pluralistic civilisation, or the global community cultures of today. They may be included as communities of need or identity, such as disabled persons, or frail aged people.

Community organizations: range from informal family or kinship networks, to more formal incorporated associations, political decision making structures, economic enterprises, or professional associations at a small, national or international scale.
Dov "he wants you to buy his book" Bear paraphrased R' Gil Student from Hirhurim as follows:
When Gil said that he didn't think the Jewish blogosphere is a true community the angels cried (Disagree) (I think he's dead right. Lots of different communities may exist within the J-blogopshere, but the J-blogosphere is not a community itself: We don't have common interests, and no one views the blogosphere as a distinct segment of society. We speak of aliya-nics, or skeptics, or TorahTrue-niks, not of "Jewish bloggers")
What does it mean, "the J-Blogosphere is not a community itself?"

Is Judaism today a community itself? Is Israel a community itself? When R' Gil said he wouldn't want to expose his readership to the "Haveil Havalim" blog carnival, does that mean he is anti-community? Of course not.

The lowest common denominators of Judaism and Israel today have eroded down to close to zero. What do Neturai Karta and Humanist Judaism have in common? The Chadash political party and Tekuma? The Treppenwitz blog and Lisa Goldman? DovBear and the Muqata? Jewlicious and Netanyahu (well, we know one is much funnier than the other one) I'm honestly shocked that the "Who is a Jew" controversy didn't materialize over the past JBlogger conference, since the exact same controversy is applicable to "Who is a JBlogger", or more precisely, "What is the JBlogosphere 'community'?" It's rather silly for DovBear to say "the J-blogosphere is not a community itself: We don't have common interests, and no one views the blogosphere as a distinct segment of society." One could say the exact same thing about Jews. What common interest does a Neturay Karta Jew from Kiryas Joel have with a skeptic orthoprax Jew, a totally athiest Jew, and an aliya-minded minded Jew? Perhaps nothing, but they are part of the "Jewish Community" (even if some of them would hate the defintion, and would scream and rant that they have nothing to do with each other) -- and yet there was far more criticism of calling last week's event, a "JBlogger convention" than say, a UJA appeal. No organization, company, or event has a monopoly on the "JBlogosphere." No one owns it, runs it, manipulates it, or controls it -- JBloggers write what they wish. whenever they want, and however they want. It's open to pretty much anyone. To all those harping against the community aspect of it -- give it a rest. I found lots of new friends through it -- even though others think its insane to find friends through any sort of virtual "sphere." I found many new ideas through it, learned alot, and contribute my point of view. And I had a blast meeting so many of you in the US and at the convention Contribute to the KCC or Haveil Havalim, lurk around it, or ignore it -- it doesnt really change the "community" apsect of it. The JBlogosphere exists, just as the "Jewish Community" exists. Yet don't overdo it -- as CK from Jewlicious said at the convention, "maybe you should get out more often...get a bike or something."

Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד

August 25, 2008
22:36
'Palestinian police' kidnap children from Jerusalem to Ramallah
» ‎ Israel Matzav

The headline of this story is bad enough: Suspicion: East Jerusalem cell kidnapped kids to PA. But if you read between the lines of the story (and YNet has now updated it to make it a little more explicit than the original version was - you have the updated version below), it's far worse. The story claims that people who identified themselves as 'Palestinian policemen' kidnapped children from the
21:07
Mus'ab Hassan Yousef, Son of a West Bank Hamas Leader: Atrocities Committed by Hamas Led Me to Convert to Christianity
» ‎ Israel Matzav

Following are excerpts from an interview with Mus'ab Hassan Yousef, the son of West Bank Hamas leader Sheik Hassan Yousef, which aired on Al-Hayat TV (Cyprus) on August 19, 2008. Let's go to the videotape. A transcript follows and I will have a comment after that. Mus'ab Hassan Yousef: My name is Mus'ab Hassan Yousef. I am the eldest son of Sheik Hassan Yousef. I was born in the village of
21:03
Using television for terror
» ‎ Israel Matzav

It is no secret that Hezbullah is a well oiled propaganda machine and heavy Iranian funding allows it to produce an array of inciting programs on its Al Manar satellite television channel, encouraging its viewers to rise up against Israel and join the ranks of Hezbullah. Australia last week announced its intentions to block the channel because of its terrorist related content. Here's a sample.

20:49
Wanted: Har HaBayit guide
» ‎ The Muqata

From Lurker

My family and I are interested in visiting Har Habayit (the Temple Mount) this Wednesday morning, together with some friends. I know that this is short notice, but I am looking for someone familiar with Har Habayit, who would be willing to come and be a guide for us, both in terms of explaining what's what up there, as well as the halachic issues of where one may walk. You can contact me here.

UPDATE: Thanks to everyone who commented and who e-mailed me. (And to Anonymous -- clearly this was a far more reasonable quest than a tour guide for gehinnom...) However, it now looks like we won't be able to do this Wednesday morning. But if anyone out there has any suggestions for a good Har HaBayit tour guide, or is one him/herself, I'm still interested.

Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד

20:11
The Latest Insanity From Israel
» ‎ Israellycool

Yeah, stare at those hands as long as you like. It won’t make the blood disappear.

Palestinian Mohammed Ibrahim Abu Ali (R), known as “Abu Ali Yatta,” who was jailed in 1979 for killing an Israeli settler who was studying at a religious school in the flashpoint West Bank town of Hebron, Said al-Attaba (L), 56, the longest serving Palestinian prisoner who had been serving a life sentence since 1977 for killing an Israeli woman, pay their respects at the tomb of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in the Muqata, the Palestinian Authority headquarters in the West Bank of Ramallah on August 25, 2008. Israel freed 198 Palestinian prisoners today in a gesture to president Mahmud Abbas as US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was due in the region to spur US-backed peace talks (AFP).

These murderers are but two of the “prisoners” we freed today, as a “goodwill” gesture to PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. And he reciprocated with a goodwill gesture of his own - a threat that unless all the “prisoners” are freed, there will be no peace.

Speaking of gestures, this one made by the released prisoners does not mean “peace.” It means “V for victory”, and is basically a promise that the terrorism will continue.

Real winner move there, Israel.

By the way, there are a number of photos like this and this showing the Free Gaza folk protesting for the release of more palestinian “prisoners.” No doubt including those who have maimed and murdered Israelis - and will do so again.

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