Posted: 2012/02/10
AFSI'S HERBERT ZWEIBON, Z"L, REMEMBERED AT YAHRZEITBy: Helen Freedman The Lisker Congregation, 163 E. 69th St., NYC, was filled on Tuesday night, Feb. 7, with members of Americans for a Safe Israel who had gathered to pay tribute to their much beloved Chairman of AFSI, Herbert Zweibon, z"l on the occasion of the first yahrzeit. Helen Freedman, AFSI's Executive Director, who acted as Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening, said, "TU B'Shevat, the holiday of the trees, is so appropriate a time for remembering this giant of a man who contributed so much over a period of 35 years to the safety of Israel. The idea of planting seeds, which would sprout into whole communities in Judea, Samaria, Gaza, and the Golan, was something that Herb supported whole-heartedly, and with which AFSI is endeavoring to continue." Helen warmly welcomed the steadfast AFSI family members who crowded into the synagogue. She introduced Rabbi Friedlander, Rabbi of the Lisker Congregation, who began the program with the reading of a Psalm. Chaim Silberstein, head of Keep Jerusalem (www.keepjerusalem.org) was the first speaker. He was returning to Israel that night, but it was important to him to make the stop at the synagogue in order to give praise to Herbert Zweibon whom he had met in Israel over twenty years ago. They had worked on a building project together, and Chaim had only praise for the gentle, firm, wise man he met as a stranger and with whom he became fast friends. Chaim concluded, "Not only did Herb embody the simple, modest, courteous manners of "Derech Eretz", but he also was concerned with its literal translation, the 'way of the land.' It was Herb's love of the land of Israel which was his guiding force." Ruth King, editor of AFSI's the OUTPOST, recalled her long association with Herb and the fact that her grandchildren called him the "candy man" because he was so playful with them. Along with being concerned with Israel's welfare 24/7, he also had the patience and humor and imagination to entertain young children. Mark Zweibon, one of Herb's three sons, spoke lovingly of his father with whom he worked on a daily basis in their real estate office, Z&R Management. He recalled how visitors from Israel were frequent guests at their home, and Herb's concern for Israel was always present, even though he did find time to enjoy watching the Giants play and win, and did find time to spend quality time with his wife, Sheila, his sons and his grandchildren. Rael Isaac, editor of OUTPOST, recalled Herb's introduction to Shmuel Katz, the man who spearheaded the need for AFSI, and who would become Herb's lifelong friend. It was at a meeting at the home of Rael and Erich Isaac that Herb first listened to the brilliant and passionate Katz outlining the need to defend a whole Israel. Herb was captivated, and that was the beginning of the long relationship and Herb's chairmanship of the organization that grew into Americans for a Safe Israel. Pearl Witkin, who had been the Executive Director of Pro-Israel, recalled Herb's willingness to nurture new Israeli organizations that upheld his ideology. His efforts on behalf of Moshe Feiglin and Shmuel Sackett, when they were leading the civil disobedience demonstrations of ZoArtzeinu, were considerable. Manhigut Yehudit grew out of that movement and Moshe Feiglin is now challenging PM Benjamin Netanyahu for leadership of the Likud party. Robert Muchnick, head of Manhigut Yehudit USA, spoke to us about what had prompted him to come to AFSI, offering his services as a volunteer, before he was recruited to work for Manhigut Yehudit. He described his attraction to AFSI as one that recognized the uniqueness of our message. Disillusioned by organizations such as AIPAC, which supported the Oslo "discords" , Rob was searching for our message - that of a whole Israel - and it is that message which he continues to support through Manhigut Yehudit. Charlotte Wahle, long-time volunteer at AFSI, spoke with great love and admiration for Herbert Zweibon, the man who became not only her 'boss', but her mentor in so many ways. Charlotte recalled that on her last visit to Herb in the hospital, his concern was not for himself, but for what was happening at the office. Charlie Bernhaut, a member of AFSI's Board of Directors for many years, and known to many as 'Mr. Soul Music' because of his ongoing promotion of Cantorial music (www.charliebernhaut.com), directed his remarks primarily to Mark Zweibon. He praised Mark for recognizing the fact that his father would want AFSI to continue as the leading organization regarding truth and clarity on Israel, and for continuing to support AFSI in upholding its mandate. Barry Freedman, who served for over two years as Executive Director of AFSI, recalled that working with Herb was inspiring and instructional. Barry said that " Herb believed that it was important to have "muscle." He developed that by creating strong ties with Members of Knesset and Members of the U.S. Congress. AFSI's missions to Israel, in which Barry took part, always developed close ties with Israelis in the government, and on the ground in Judea, Samaria, Gaza, and the Golan. It was Herb's personal associations with Congressmen and Senators that enabled him to bring the Israelis and Americans together so that both could benefit from their contacts. The evening continued with members in attendance recalling different experiences they had with Herb, all of them positive and admirable. Rabbi Friedlander then led the group in the recitation of Kel Mole and the formal part of the evening ended. Assorted fruits, in celebration of TU B'Shevat were served, as well as drinks and an assortments of tapes, books, and flyers, all promoting AFSI's activities and interests. Shaya Dear was thanked for his photography work at all AFSI events, including that evening, and Glenn Richter graciously oversaw the audio taping of the event and its preparation for distribution. The AFSI "family" members continued to greet each other with great love and enthusiasm. It was agreed that the evening had been a wonderful tribute to an exceptional man, Herbert Zweibon Z"L. | |||||||
Posted: 2012/01/13
Another Outpost Demolished: Mitzpe Avichai Residents Evictedby David Lev Police and Civil Administration personnel demolished homes in the new community ("outpost") of Mitzpeh Avichai, near Kiryat Arba, early Thursday morning. Residents said that the forces destroyed at least 10 temporary buildings. Nine families were kicked out of their homes in the raid. Residents told Arutz Sheva that the forces entered the homes and forced whole families - including mothers, infants, and small children - into the near-freezing cold rain that fell overnight Wednesday. Residents said they were not deterred, however, and would rebuild. "Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak are tough when it comes to pushing around the heroes that are building the Land of Israel, but not so tough when it comes to the Bedouin takeover of the Negev and the wholesale illegal Arab building," residents told Arutz Sheva. Speaking of the events, MK Michael Ben-Ari (National Union) said that "the demolition of Mitzpeh Avichai and the eviction of infants in the freezing weather is a further sign of the deterioration of Netanyahu's government, which destroys the homes of Jews but fears to enforce the law against Arabs. This is a policy of hopelessness and depression," he said. In response to the demolition, the Women in Green organization has organized an emergency appeal for funds to rebuild the neighborhood. The group also called on the Prime Minister "to emerge from behind Barak's apron and proudly build the Land of Israel. This will be the true response to the challenges of Yair Lapid and Shelly Yechimovich. If you want to ensure that the Arabs fear the power of the State of Israel, the only way to do it is by a clear policy of imposing Israeli sovereignty on Judea and Samaria, and building thousands of homes there." Our message to PM Benjamin Netanyahu is to annex Judea and Samaria so that there is no question about the legality of these biblical areas that have always been, and remain, the heartland of Israel. Contact PM Benjamin Netanyahu bnetanyahu@knesset.gov.il Contact MOD Ehud Barak http://minister@mod.gov.il - Tel: 011-972-3-697-6663; Fax: 011-972-3-697-6218. | |||||||
Posted: 2012/01/11
Who's threatening democracy?By: Aharon Pulver I believe that the best way to take on the issue of the Supreme Court is first and foremost to support those members of Knesset who have together with Justice Minister Ya'akov Ne'eman created a new format for electing Supreme Court Judges, which while not perfect is better than what we have had until now. Clearly more needs to be done, and hopefully will be done immediately after Dorit Beinish retires from the bench. The fact that Dorit Beinish is squealing over recent reforms reflects their greater balance and fairness and is reminiscent of HaAretz squealing over funding for patriotic NGO's. Tzippi Hotovely, Dani Danon, Yariv Levine, Ze'ev Elkin (all Likud)have been very active in formulating intelligent legislation that makes the court more reflective of the people it is mandated to defend. We need more defiant MK's. The greatest area of judicial injustice where we can have immediate impact now concerns the outrageous libel leveled at some residents of Judea and Samaria...espionage! Young men and women throughout Judea and Samaria have been arrested, held without bail for extensive periods, often causing personal financial implosion and untold familial stress, all on the same trumped up charges (that not surprisingly HaAretz has the temerity to level at other Zionists...see the pattern?): involvement in pro Jewish pro Zionist activities in Judea and Samaria is tantamount to trying to physically harm IDF soldiers and conduct espionage against the State of Israel. Great Bolshevik tactic being used effectively here: vilify with outrageous lies and calumny unending, spice with pompous righteousness and constant media indoctrination and presto: the lies and calumny become popular culture with a life of their own. It is clear that these blanket arrests are Ehud Barak's swan song....he struggles to remain in the headlines...desperate to curry favor with the press...hoping beyond hope that his pathetic Knesset faction can survive in some manner shape or form, or that Bibi will reward our very own drunk-with-power-Roman-Imperator with a safe seat. An outrage! Click link for: Israel Independence Fund Website | |||||||
Posted: 2012/01/07
Poll: Likud Base Backs Outpost BillA recent survey shows Likud voters back the Outpost Bill and could switch their allegiance if their lawmakers don't pass it into law. By Gavriel Queenann According to a recent poll, Likud voters overwhelmingly support the so-called 'Outpost Law' aimed at normalizing the status of threatened communities in Judea and Samaria. The bill, authored by Minister Zevulun Orlev (Jewish Home), would forbid eviction and demolition orders for Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria that have stood for four years and have at least twenty families. It also stipulates that all petitions disputing land claims must be proven through accepted evidentiary means in a court competent to hear the case. Should such a claim be found valid the court would be directed to order monetary compensation or alternative grant of land for the plaintiff. The results of the Smith Institute survey of a representative sample of Likud voters underscored the serious harm the party faces should it fail to back Orlev's bill and more demolitions ensue. According to the poll 67% of the Likud-base supported the Outpost Law, while only 26% opposed it and 7% held no opinion. When asked whether Likud ministers or faction members opposing the Outpost Law would cause them to vote against them in the coming Likud primaries 45% answered in the affirmative, 38% said it would have no impact, and 22% said they were unsure. However, more telling was that 32% of the Likud base said, were Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman to champion the Outpost Law, they would seriously consider transferring their support to his Israel Beiteinu faction in the next elections, if Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu opposes it and the threatened communities are uprooted. The results could prove to be a major thorn in the side of Netanyahu, who previously ordered the bill killed in committee, though it has made a sharp comeback in recent weeks. All of the faction heads in Netanyahu's ruling coaltion have pressured him to find a way to avoid further demolitions and evictions in Judea and Samara, while 20 of the 27 Likud faction members have told the Prime Minister that the destruction of Jewish homes in Judea and Samaria is unacceptable. The group Hamateh Hameshutaf (Joint Task Force), which is backing Orlev's bill, hailed the survey results. "Likud members know exactly what they want from their representatives: they seek equality between the residents of Migron, Kfar Saba and Tel Aviv. They demand Jewish families won't be evicted and that their homes won't be destroyed," the group said. "We rejoice that the Likud deputies recently expressed their support for the Outpost Law and hope that we can soon promote the return of the bill so as to save Migron and thwart the dreams of Peace Now," they added. | |||||||
Posted: 2012/01/05
MKs Slam Espionage Charges for Protest OrganizersIsrael's state prosecutors found themselves in the crosshairs after charging protest organizers were with espionage. By Gavriel Queenann Nationalist MKs lined up to criticize state prosecutors for charging residents in Judea and Samaria who revealed IDF troop movements pertaining to demolition orders of Jewish homes with espionage. MK Uri Ariel (National Union) told a Constitution Committee hearing on law enforcement in Judea and Samaria that the charges were an "immoral abuse" of power. "The police and the prosecution put a black mark on Yitzhar by accusing people of spying," Ariel said. "Who is the enemy here? The settlers?" "The criminal justice system that is actively working to destroy the homes of civil servants and army officers has now turned us into 'spies,' Ariel told the committee. Turning to representatives from the state prosecutor's office, Ariel said, "You embarrass the legal profession." Ariel also challenged the prosecutors to charge him with espionage. "I spy! I told about IDF movements in the evacuation of settlements. I am ready to stand trial." "This is an immoral abuse and criminal," he added. "This persecution must be stopped". MK Tzipi Hotovely (Likud) also railed against the decision to charge activists engaged in civil disobedience with espionage at the hearing, "You you are cheapening the term 'espionage.' Have you completely lost your minds? "What's next?" she asked rhetorically. "Will you be accusing them of genocide? Charging them with genocide is utterly shameful." Hotevely added, "Your behavior reminds us of dark regimes. Would you do it in Tel Aviv? Would you simply banish people? Distancing people from their homes, their wives, their children - are we in Soviet Russia?" MK Nissim Ze'ev (Shas) told the committee, "I suggest the law enforcement system to take stock of its soul. It has taken a hostile line and allied themselves with enemies of the State of Israel. To accuse these people of espionage is an outrage". "The police are arresting people without cause," Ze'ev added. "This is unacceptable. There is persecution and hatred toward the residents [of Judea and Samaria]." National Union party chairman MK Yaakov Katz told the committee, "I call on every Jew in Israel who sees a military vehicle headed to destroy Jewish homes to inform all their friends so we can go and protest. "We all received SMS messages about demolitions - are we all spies?" Katz asked. "When will you begin to execute people? The distance between accusations of espionage and shooting them is a short one." Israeli governments "already killed in the Altalena incident citing the Rule of Law. Indeed, Binyamin Ben-Eliezer called for hilltop youth to be shot. And now you make up dirty stories about us and accuse us of espionage?" Katz asked. "This blood libel will backfire on you," Katz added. "Your hatred may be the prevailing opinion of the prosecution, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) and the police. But when you make up dirty stories today, what will happen to you in the future? You won't be able to complain if the same is done to you." Shas faction chairman MK Avraham Michaeli said, "We are against administrative detention and distancing orders. Prosecute and the court will rule. There is selective enforcement against residents of Judea and Samaria. We live in a state of law and the law must apply equally to everyone." Rights observers noted that Anat Kam - who passed reams of classified documents to a Ha'aretz reporter - was charged with illegal possession of classified documents rather than espionage even though the materials she leaked contained sensitive information that could have compromised Israel's national security and future war fighting plans. A Reason to Call or Write Minister of Defense Ehud Barakby: Helen Freedman AFSI strongly condemns the demolition despotism of Ehud Barak, Israel's Minister of Defense - I have just called Barak's office and delivered the message that our membership, throughout the U.S.A., and in Canada, England, France, Germany and Israel, is outraged by the destruction of Jewish homes and synagogues in Israel. I stressed the point that there is NO CIVILIZED COUNTRY IN THE WORLD that destroys its own holy places and the homes of its inhabitants. It is disgraceful and shameful that Israel's Minister of Defense, Ehud Barak, can unilaterally decide to destroy Jewish homes that he deems "illegal." As was discovered in Migron, after three homes had been cruelly destroyed, when the case finally got to the courts the Arabs who claimed ownership had NO papers to prove their case, and indeed, did not even show up at the court to justify their claim. Barak's claim that he must uphold the law is laughable, since thousands of illegal Arab homes are left untouched, while he diabolically destroys Jewish homes. AFSI calls on Jews throughout the world, especially at this time of Chanukah, when courage and bravery are celebrated, to send emails, make phone calls, and send faxes to MOD Ehud Barak. Let him know that our band of modern day Maccabees will not stand by silently while these atrocities occur. Our message to PM Benjamin Netanyahu is to annex Judea and Samaria so that there is no question about the legality of these biblical areas that have always been, and remain, the heartland of Israel. memshala@pmo.gov.il; bnetanyahu@knesset.gov.il; pm_eng2@it.pmo.gov.il. Barak: Full Steam Ahead for Demolitionsby David Lev In an interview Thursday, Defense Minister Ehud Barak denied that he had acted on his own and ignored a deal to ensure that Ramat Gilad would not be demolished. "I can understand aiming for a compromise, but one way or another, illegal outposts will be taken down," Barak said. "Jews cannot settle on land whose ownership is disputed by Arabs." In its Friday edition last week, the Mekor Rishon newspaper reported that government minister had worked out a deal with Yesha Council chairman Danny Dayan to prevent the demolition of Ramat Gilad. According to the deal - which, reports this week said, is back on track - several structures on the Ramat Gilad hilltop would be moved several hundred meters to areas that are not claimed by Arabs; in return, the government would authorize the area as part of the city plan of Karnei Shomron, effectively turning the area into a new neighborhood for the town. The deal was also said to have been approved by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. Barak did not express a public opinion on the deal, but according to the report, he decided on his own to quash the deal, and sent the army in to demolish the site early last week. The forces gathered at the Jitt junction, about five kilometers from Karnei Shomron, where Ramat Gilad is located. As the forces were gathering, hundreds of protesters gathered on Road 55, intending to block the advance of the forces to the site, which is on a hilltop, several hundred meters above the road. As tension mounted, several protesters entered the Binyamin army base adjacent to the town. According to Mekor Rishon, Barak called off the forces only after getting a phone call from a fuming Netanyahu, who was said to have been shocked at Barak's actions. Barak, for his part, said that the story was inaccurate, although he did not deny receiving a call from Netanyahu asking him to stop the evacuation. Regardless, he said, as far as he was concerned, any deals to prevent the demolition of Ramat Gilad, or any other question, were not his concern. "Our democracy demands the rule of law, and until the Attorney General approves these deals, the IDF will enforce the law, which is to remove outposts built on land claimed by Arabs. I am all for compromise, but the IDF will carry out the law as it is supposed to," Barak said. | |||||||
Posted: 2011/12/30
HOW DOES ONE EXPLAIN OBAMA'S DELIBERATE DENIAL OF TRUTH?By: Helen Freedman As this year of 2011 draws to a close and President Obama pronounces his great friendship and support for Israel, one must wonder about the meaning of denial and truth. Is the President oblivious to the programs he's been implementing? Is the State Department detached from the executive branch? Is there a deliberate effort to destroy Israel while pretending otherwise? What is the mindset of Obama and his advisers? Today's papers carry the story of huge arms sales to Saudi Arabia, a $30 billion agreement to sell F-15 fighter jets and upgrade 70 others, with the assurance to Israel that this deal would benefit Israel's security because it strengthens a "moderate ally" in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia, the home of virulent Islamic Wahhabiism, is labeled "moderate"? This is denial and deception carried to extraordinary lengths. At the same time, there is concern about cutting back on America's naval resources which are necessary for protection in Mid-Eastern waters like the Straits of Hormuz. Does this make sense? Obama boasts that the Saudi sales will boost the American economy with jobs and money. What about the jobs, cash, and security lost by reducing our Navy? Then we read in Arutz Sheva that the PLO is "disengaging" from Israel as it forms its alliance with Hamas. It is finished with "negotiations" and declares all of Israel as "Palestine." Shouldn't this be a signal to any sensible person that "peace" between Israel and the PA is not possible? Despite this, the Obama administration is pushing for the release of Marwan Barghouti, murderer of countless Jews, so that he can become the new "moderate" leader of the PA, who will lead in the "two-state solution". In addition, the State Department is asking Congress to release more money to the PA for their "security" purposes. Are we living in an upside down, Orwellian world where black is white and good is evil and vice versa? How does one make sense out of these reports? We are coming into the New Year 2012 when many changes in American policy are possible. One of our resolutions should be to work very hard at impressing our elected officials with our concerns about truth and decency prevailing over denial and deception. The White House comment line is: 202-456-1111. The phone number for the State Dept. is 202-647-6575. Use these numbers to protest against U.S. tax money going to support the terrorist PA/Hamas organization, and to protest against programs that will be suicidal for Israel. See below for Arutz Sheva reports on the above concerns: 1. PLO Plans to 'Disengage' From Israelby Gavriel Queenann Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) officials said Friday their decision to return to 'popular resistance' is aimed at 'disengaging' from Israel. PLO Executive Committee member Tayseer Khalid said the new unified Fatah-Hamas strategy will be based on 'popular resistance' which will spread into PA enclaves in Judea and Samaria. "The popular resistance will reshape the Palestinian relationship with Israel... to reach total disengagement with Israel," Khalid said. "We will never accept to be an agent for the Israeli occupation," he added. Khalid's statements are only the latest in the intransigent unilateralist mantra coming out of Ramallah and have led analysts to suggest that Fatah has decided to turn the PA enclaves in Judea and Samaria into a second Gaza. Last week PLO officials officially adopted a strategy based on "continuous efforts along with the international community to secure full recognition and full United Nations membership, pursuing internal reconciliation, and keeping up the popular resistance." They have also threatened to end economic and security ties with Israel. Israeli officials have said the unilateral track adopted by their counterparts in Ramallah are a direct violation of the bilateral 1993 Oslo Accords - and warn unilateral moves on final status issues by PA officials will result in Israel making unilateral moves of its own. It remains unclear what PA officials believe is to be gained by cutting all ties with Israel and returning to an all-or-nothing unilateral path. PA security officials expressed concern earlier this year that a direct confrontation with Israel could have disasterous consequences, while Ramallah's senior economic advisers have warned discontinued Israeli participation in the PA economy would lead to fiscal insolvency. A recent and short-lived decision to halt tax revenue transfers to the PA by Jerusalem sent Ramallah into a fiscal tail spin. In addition, Israeli leaders have made it clear that attempts to realize territorial claims by force would result in Israel moving to secure its own communities in Judea and Samaria and could trigger Israel's annexing areas it prefers to retain in future negotiations. Israel provides all critical infrastructure to Ramallah's enclaves, including electricity, water, telecommunications, and Internet. Nonetheless, PA officials seem bent on confronting Israel while fomenting 'popular resistance.' While ostensibly non-violent, the so-called 'popular resistance' resulted in two violent Intifadas which and were accompanied by a spike in terror attacks that resulted in thousands of Israelis being killed. Regional observers note Article 9 of the PLO charter continues to assert, "Armed struggle is the only way to liberate Palestine. This it is the overall strategy, not merely a tactical phase." It also maintains "Palestine" is defined by the British Mandate and is "indivisible" - thus leaving no room for Israel to exist at all. With Israeli military leaders saying Israel can "not escape" a major operation in Hamas-run Gaza saying such a move is fast becoming "essential" - some observers say the PLO is making a dramatic strategic blunder. Report: US Pushing Israel to Free Barghoutiby Gavriel Queenann The Obama administration is trying to convince Israel to release arch-terrorist and mass-murderer Marwan Barghouti. According to the Hamas-aligned Al Quds daily, Washington views Barghouti as its preferred candidate for Fatah to field against Hamas in Palestinian Authority (PA) elections in May 2012. "A high-profile US delegation has regularly discussed with officials in Tel Aviv the option to free Al Barghouti to lead Fatah against Hamas in the next elections," the sources that the daily did not identify, said. The Al-Quds report comes as Arab capitals are abuzz with the news that PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas will not seek re-election, leaving Washington concerned Fatah has no one to field against Hamas. However, the release of Barghouti, who was sentenced to five life sentences for as many terror related murders in Israel, and who security services say is responsible for at least 21 other murders, is widely opposed in Israel. Indeed, even the suggestion that Barghouti might be released as a part of a deal to free 1,027 terrorists in exchange for kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit created a firestorm of outrage in the Jewish state. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has reportedly refused to Washington's request he release the 52-year old Barghouti, who is called the "Prince of Resistance" in Gaza, Judea, and Samaria due to his pivotal role in both Intifadas. "Netanyahu believes that Barghouti is an extension of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and that the pair had been involved in the death of dozens of Israelis during the second intifada (uprising)," the sources said. According to security sources, several Israeli officials, including Binyamin Ben Eliezer, former defense minister Amir Peretz, and top leaders from the security agencies do not object to releasing Barghouti, saying he is "committed to peace." But observers note that Washington's push to crown Barghouti king in Ramallah in the belief that secular Fatah is a "moderate" party willing to make peace is out of touch with the hard intransigent shift in the PLO ranks. In recent weeks the PLO has openly proclaimed a strategy based on "continuous efforts along with the international community to secure full recognition and full United Nations membership, pursuing internal reconciliation, and keeping up the popular resistance." It has also moved to induct Hamas and its Gaza terror confederates into its ranks as they surge in the polls leading to a prediction that, even with Barghouti in the race, Hamas will win a sweeping victory in may. Nor are the ideologies of Fatah and Hamas divergent. The PLO charter continues to state 'armed resistance' is the only path to an 'indivisible Palestinine' - which leaves no room for the Jewish state. 6. State Department: More Money Should be Freed to PAby Elad Benari The U.S. State Department welcomed on Thursday Congress' decision to release $40 million in aid to the Palestinian Authority, but said that additional funding should be released. "We have been working with Congress for some time, because we don't think it's in U.S. national interests to keep this money frozen," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland was quoted by AFP as having told reporters. She added, however, "We will continue to work with Congress when they come back in session to secure additional funding for these programs, because we think they're important. We think they aid in stability and security and development for the Palestinian people. That's in our interest, it's in their interest and we believe it's also in Israel's interest." On Wednesday, American lawmakers announced they have freed up a little more than 20 percent of $187 million in U.S. assistance to the Palestinian Authority, which was frozen after the PA submitted its unilateral bid for United Nations membership. Members of Congress have made available $40 million in economic and humanitarian funding for the PA, the State Department said. The money is administered by the U.S. Agency for International Development. The Obama administration had been urging lawmakers to release the money, claiming it contributes to the PA's stability and to Israeli security. | |||||||
Posted: 2011/12/23
 MEMBERS OF AFSI'S SEMI-ANNUAL CHIZUK MISSION, NOV. 13-24, 2011 gathered at a hilltop in the Shomron.
YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN US ON OUR SPRING MISSION
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Posted: 2011/12/22
CALL, WRITE, FAX MINISTER OF DEFENSE EHUD BARAK IMMEDIATELY!!by: Helen FreedmanAFSI strongly condemns the demolition despotism of Ehud Barak, Israel's Minister of Defense - minister@mod.gov.il - Tel: 011-972-3-697-6663; Fax: 011-972-3-697-6218. I have just called Barak's office and delivered the message that our membership, throughout the U.S.A., and in Canada, England, France, Germany and Israel, is outraged by the destruction of Jewish homes and synagogues in Israel. I stressed the point that there is NO CIVILIZED COUNTRY IN THE WORLD that destroys its own holy places and the homes of its inhabitants. It is disgraceful and shameful that Israel's Minister of Defense, Ehud Barak, can unilaterally decide to destroy Jewish homes that he deems "illegal." As was discovered in Migron, after three homes had been cruelly destroyed, when the case finally got to the courts the Arabs who claimed ownership had NO papers to prove their case, and indeed, did not even show up at the court to justify their claim. Barak's claim that he must uphold the law is laughable, since thousands of illegal Arab homes are left untouched, while he diabolically destroys Jewish homes. AFSI calls on Jews throughout the world, especially at this time of Chanukah, when courage and bravery are celebrated, to send emails, make phone calls, and send faxes to MOD Ehud Barak. Let him know that our band of modern day Maccabees will not stand by silently while these atrocities occur. Our message to PM Benjamin Netanyahu is to annex Judea and Samaria so that there is no question about the legality of these biblical areas that have always been, and remain, the heartland of Israel. memshala@pmo.gov.il; bnetanyahu@knesset.gov.il; pm_eng2@it.pmo.gov.il. Barak: Full Steam Ahead for Demolitions by David Lev In an interview Thursday, Defense Minister Ehud Barak denied that he had acted on his own and ignored a deal to ensure that Ramat Gilad would not be demolished. "I can understand aiming for a compromise, but one way or another, illegal outposts will be taken down," Barak said. "Jews cannot settle on land whose ownership is disputed by Arabs." In its Friday edition last week, the Mekor Rishon newspaper reported that government minister had worked out a deal with Yesha Council chairman Danny Dayan to prevent the demolition of Ramat Gilad. According to the deal - which, reports this week said, is back on track - several structures on the Ramat Gilad hilltop would be moved several hundred meters to areas that are not claimed by Arabs; in return, the government would authorize the area as part of the city plan of Karnei Shomron, effectively turning the area into a new neighborhood for the town. The deal was also said to have been approved by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. Barak did not express a public opinion on the deal, but according to the report, he decided on his own to quash the deal, and sent the army in to demolish the site early last week. The forces gathered at the Jitt junction, about five kilometers from Karnei Shomron, where Ramat Gilad is located. As the forces were gathering, hundreds of protesters gathered on Road 55, intending to block the advance of the forces to the site, which is on a hilltop, several hundred meters above the road. As tension mounted, several protesters entered the Binyamin army base adjacent to the town. According to Mekor Rishon, Barak called off the forces only after getting a phone call from a fuming Netanyahu, who was said to have been shocked at Barak's actions. Barak, for his part, said that the story was inaccurate, although he did not deny receiving a call from Netanyahu asking him to stop the evacuation. Regardless, he said, as far as he was concerned, any deals to prevent the demolition of Ramat Gilad, or any other question, were not his concern. "Our democracy demands the rule of law, and until the Attorney General approves these deals, the IDF will enforce the law, which is to remove outposts built on land claimed by Arabs. I am all for compromise, but the IDF will carry out the law as it is supposed to," Barak said. | |||||||
Posted: 2011/12/22
Israeli Knesset member informs community
Israeli Knesset member Tzipi Hotovely speaks at Chabad House in Miami Beach. (Photo/Sergio Carmona / December 20, 2011) 
The youngest member of the Israeli Knesset recently discussed Israeli issues with the local community. Tzipi Hotovely, a member of the 18th Knesset for the Likud Party who is also a lawyer and the head of the Committee on the Status of Women, provided locals with the message of Israel's problems and what's going on in the world at Chabad House in Miami Beach's Lunch And Learn session and at Young Israel of Hollywood-Fort Lauderdale. During her Chabad House discussion, sponsored by Americans for a Safe Israel, Hotovely remarked that the new war that the Israelis are facing with the Palestinians is no longer about negotiations. "This [negotiations] belongs to the 90s and the beginning of the 2000s," she added. "Now, this decade is about speaking on the delegitimization of the Jewish state." Hotovely stressed the importance on the need for the Jews to hold on to Judea and Samaria not only for security reasons, but also because it is the land promised to them in the Bible. She also added that for many people around the world, the fact that the Zionist movement happened is something that is seen as an immoral thing. She also emphasized that when it comes to international arguments, moral issues win out over security reasons. "For many years, right wing people in Israel were saying 'We need to be in Israel for security reasons' and what were the Palestinians saying instead? They said 'We need to be in Israel because it's our homeland and because you [Israelis] are stealing our houses," she remarked. "No matter how good and strong the security arguments will be, moral arguments will always win over security arguments." Carol Flatto, South Florida chairman of Americans for a Safe Israel, said "We were pleased to introduce a speaker of MK Hotovely's stature to South Florida, in co-sponsorship with the Israel Independence Fund." "MK Hotovely's legal credentials have enhanced her understanding of the various issues which complement AFSI's stance on a 'whole' Israel," Flatto added. Chabad House's Rabbi Zev Katz said about Hotovely's discussion, "It was very inspirational and it makes us realize how important it is as a Jew to do what we must do to support Israel." Young Israel of Hollywood-Fort Lauderdale's Rabbi Yosef Weinstock added, "I thought she was articulate and passionate about the State of Israel and also its role of politics as a positive force." Copyright © 2011, South Florida Sun-Sentinel | |||||||
Posted: 2011/12/17
CALL THE WHITE HOUSE TODAY: 202-456-1111; 202-456-1414; CALL YOUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES: 202-224-3121; LOG ONTO THE WHITE HOUSE EMAIL: Http://WWW.WHITEHOUSE.GOV/CONTACT - THE MESSAGE IS: PRESIDENT OBAMA MUST COMMUTE JONATHAN POLLARD'S SENTENCE TO TIME SERVED - OVER 26 YEARS IN PRISON.ARUTZ SHEVA News - 18 Former U.S. Senators to Obama: Free Pollard Elad Benari A group of eighteen prominent former United States senators recently wrote to President Barack Obama and asked that he free Jonathan Pollard, according to a report on Monday by Yeshiva World News. Pollard, who was convicted on a single count of passing classified information to an ally more than 26 years ago, is serving a life sentence for the crime, which usually carries a maximum prison term of two to four years. "We do not condone espionage, nor do we underestimate the gravity of Pollard's crime," the senators wrote in their letter to the President, dated October 26, 2011. "But it is patently clear that Mr. Pollard's sentence is severely disproportionate and (as several federal judges have noted) a gross miscarriage of justice." "After more than two decades in the harshest prison conditions, Mr. Pollard's health is declining," continued the senators. "He has repeatedly expressed remorse for his actions as has the State of Israel, and by all accounts has served as a model prisoner. Commuting his sentence to time served would be a wholly appropriate exercise of your power of clemency - as well as a matter of basic compassion and American justice." The senators also noted that "Religious leaders from all faiths and prominent national figures have publicly stated their support for Mr. Pollard's release." The signatories on the letter include Senator Steven Symms (R-ID); Senator Dennis DeConcini (D-AZ); Senator Alan Simpson (R-WY); Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA); Senator and Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham (R-MI); Senator Birch Evans Bayh II (D-IN); Senator Robert Bennett (R-UT); Senator Donald W. Stewart (D-AL); Senator Connie Mack (R-FL); Senator Joseph Davies Tydings (D-MD); Senator Conrad Burns (R-MT); Senator Timothy E. Wirth (D-CO); Senator Larry Pressler (R-SD); Senator Robert Burren Morgan (D-NC); Senator David Durenberger (R-MN); Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND); Senator Donald Nickles (R-OK); and Senator Larry Craig (R-ID). Yeshiva World News noted that this letter marks the first time that a group of senators have united to request clemency for Pollard. The report also added that some of the senators who signed the letter opposed Pollard's release in the past but now support an immediate commutation of his sentence to time-served. Earlier on Monday it was reported that a Nigerian clergyman has added his voice to the hundreds of others appealing to Obama to grant clemency to Pollard. The unexpected endorsement came from Enoch Adejare Adeboye, named in 2008 by Newsweek as one of the top 50 most powerful people in the world. U.S. Vice President Joe Biden recently told a group of 15 rabbis in Florida that if it were up to him, Pollard "would stay in jail for life." He later agreed prior to meet with a "small group" of American Jewish leaders about the issue of his release. The meeting, which was to be scheduled "soon" after the holidays were finished, still has yet to take place and Biden has yet to make good on his promise. Other well-known individuals who have publicly called for Pollard's release include former Vice President Dan Quayle, U.S. Middle East negotiator Dennis Ross, former U.S. Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger, former U.S. Attorney General Michael B. Muckasey, Co-chair of the President's Economic Commission, former U.S, Assistant Secretary of Defense Lawrence J. Korb, former CIA director James Woolsey, former Secretary of State George Shultz, and even Senator John McCain (who was once vehemently opposed to the idea). DO NOT DELAY. MAKE YOUR CALLS AND SEND YOUR EMAILS TODAY. ALERT YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND NEIGHBORS TO DO THE SAME. JUSTICE FOR JONATHAN IS LONG OVERDUE. THE TIME IS NOW!! The best way to send a message to the detractors of Israel in the media, the Administration, and the public is by joining AFSI and becoming active with AFSI's work. As a member, you will receive all our email alerts as well as email copies of our renowned monthly publication, The Outpost. See past editions. | |||||||
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Posted: 2011/12/17
Youtube video of Demonstration against demolitions | |||||||
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Posted: 2011/12/16
Despite the fact that the world now has been told that there are no "Palestinians" with a separate language, culture, history, etc., and that they are a conglomerate of Arabs from many surrounding Arab countries, including Egypt and Syria, Israel continues to act on the myth of "illegal" land in Israel. Instead of celebrating the entitlement of the Jewish people to the entire land of Israel, the Bibi/Barak government continues to harass and torture the good Jews who have reclaimed the rocky hills of Judea and Samaria. As AFSI has been reporting to you, the Israeli Destructo squads continue their dirty work undeterred by logic and common sense. Wouldn't it seem natural to suspend all demolition orders while Israel's citizens are under rocket attack from Gaza, and the threat of rocket attack from the north? These matters seem to be unrelated. The demolitions continue regardless of the fact that they ignore the realities on the ground. Arutz Sheva (www.israelnationalnews.com) reports on the destruction of homes in Mitzpe Yitzhar. Please see the link below and the heartbreaking photos of this useless, unwarranted, self-abasing, cruel and inhumane action. Other communities are also threatened, as we have reported before. Yesha Council Chairman Danny Dayan sent a letter to all of the ministers and MKs, noting that 150 homes, housing 1,000 Israelis who have lived in their homes for over ten years, are scheduled for destruction in the near future: Givat Assaf, Ramat Gilad, Migron, the Ulpana neighborhood of Beit El, and Amona are all on the list. Emails should be sent protesting against this despicable program. Write to: PM Netanyahu: memshala@pmo.gov.il, bnetanyahu@knesset.gov.il, pm_eng2@it.pmo.gov.il and Defense MInister Ehud Barak: pniot@mod.gov.il See the report below:
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/150742#.TumWByProf8
Border Police | |||||||
Posted: 2011/12/15
IF THERE ARE NO "PALESTINIANS", WHY IS THE WORLD SO INTENT ON CREATING THEM?How refreshing it was to hear former House Speaker Newt Gingrich affirm the fact "that there never was an indigenous Arab "Palestinian" people, race, or religion with their own language, flag, district culture, history, or national identity." He calls the "Palestinians an invented people who are in fact Arabs, and who were historically part of the Arab community." How distressing it is, therefore, to hear the chorus of voices from the United Nations, the EU, and the leaders in America, Israel, and the general world, calling for the "legitimate rights of the Palestinian people," which, if implemented, would lead to the end of Israel. Please see below the article by Ambassador Yoram Ettinger, former Consul General for Israel in Houston, TX, and Director of Israel's Government Press Office. Ambassador (ret.) Yoram Ettinger, "Second Thought" "Israel Hayom" Newsletter, December 14, 2011 Contrary to political correctness, Palestinian Arabs have not been in the area west of the Jordan River from time immemorial; no Palestinian state ever existed, no Palestinian People was ever robbed of its land and there is no basis for the Palestinian "claim of return." Most Palestinian Arabs are descendants of the 1845-1947 Muslim migrants from the Sudan, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, as well as from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Yemen, Libya, Morocco, Bosnia, the Caucasus, Turkmenistan, Kurdistan, India, Afghanistan and Balochistan. Arab migrant workers were imported by the Ottoman Empire and by the British Mandate (which defeated the Ottomans in 1917) for infrastructure projects: The port of Haifa, the Haifa-Qantara, Haifa-Edrei, Haifa-Nablus and Jerusalem-Jaffa railroads, military installations, roads, quarries, reclamation of wetlands, etc. Illegal Arab laborers were also attracted by the relative economic boom, stimulated by Jewish immigration. According to a 1937 report by the British Peel Commission (Palestine Betrayed, Prof. Efraim Karsh, Yale University Press, 2010, p. 12), "The increase in the Arab population is most marked in urban areas, affected by Jewish development. A comparison of the census returns in 1922 and 1931 shows that, six years ago, the increase percent in Haifa was 86, in Jaffa 62, in Jerusalem 37, while in purely Arab towns such as Nablus and Hebron it was only 7, and at Gaza there was a decrease of 2 percent." As a result of the substantial 1880-1947Arab immigration - and despite Arab emigration caused by domestic chaos and intra-Arab violence - the Arab population of Jaffa, Haifa and Ramla grew 17, 12 and 5 times. The (1831-1840) conquest, by Egypt's Mohammed Ali, was solidified by a flow of Egyptian migrants settling empty spaces between Gaza and Tul-Karem up to the Hula Valley. They followed in the footsteps of thousands of Egyptian draft dodgers, who fled Egypt before 1831 and settled in Acre. The British traveler, H.B. Tristram, identified, in his 1865 The Land of Israel: a journal of travels in Palestine (p. 495), Egyptian migrants in the Beit-Shean Valley, Acre, Hadera, Netanya and Jaffa. The British Palestine Exploration Fund documented that Egyptian neighborhoods proliferated in the Jaffa area: Saknet el-Mussariya, Abu Kebir, Abu Derwish, Sumeil, Sheikh Muwanis, Salame', Fejja, etc. In 1917, the Arabs of Jaffa represented at least 25 nationalities, including Persians, Afghanis, Hindus and Balochis. Hundreds of Egyptian families settled in Ara' Arara', Kafer Qassem, Taiyiba and Qalansawa. Many of the Arabs who fled in 1948, reunited with their families in Egypt and other neighboring countries. "30,000-36,000 Syrian migrants (Huranis) entered Palestine during the last few months alone" reported "La Syrie" daily on August 12, 1934. Az-ed-Din el-Qassam, the role-model of Hamas terrorism, which terrorized Jews in British Mandate Palestine, was Syrian, as were Said el-A'az, a leader of the 1936-38 anti-Jewish pogroms and Kaukji, the commander-in-chief of the Arab mercenaries terrorizing Jews in the 1930s and 1940s. Libyan migrants settled in Gedera, south of Tel Aviv. Algerian refugees (Mugrabis) escaped the French conquest of 1830 and settled in Safed (alongside Syrians and Jordanian Bedouins), Tiberias and other parts of the Galilee. Circassian refugees, fleeing Russian oppression (1878) and Moslems from Bosnia, Turkmenistan, and Yemen (1908) diversified the Arab demography west of the Jordan River. Mark Twain wrote in Innocents Abroad (American Publishing Company, 1969): "Of all the lands there are for dismal scenery, Palestine must be the prince.... Palestine is desolate and unlovely." Analyzing Mark Twain's book, John Haynes Holmes, the pacifist Unitarian priest, the co-founder of the American Civil Liberties Union and the author of Palestine Today and Tomorrow - a Gentile's Survey of Zionism (McMillan, 1929) wrote: "This is the country to which the Jews have come to rebuild their ancient homeland.... On all the surface of this earth there is no home for the Jew save in the mountains and the well-springs of his ancient kingdom.... Everywhere else the Jews is in exile.... But, Palestine is his.... Scratch Palestine anywhere and you'll find Israel.... There is not a spot which is not stamped with the footprint of some ancient [Jewish] tribesman.... Not a road, a spring, a mountain, a village, which does not awaken the name of some great [Jewish] king, or echo with the voice of some great [Jewish] prophet.... [The Jew] has a higher, nobler motive in Palestine than the economic.... This mission is to restore Zion; and Zion is Palestine." The Arab attempt to gain the moral high ground and to delegitimize the Jewish State - by employing the immoral reinvention of history and recreation of identity - was exposed by Arieh Avneri's The Claim of Dispossession (Herzl Press, 1982) and Joan Peters' From Time Immemorial (Harper & Row, 1986), which provide the aforementioned - and much more - data. Ambassador (ret.) Yoram Ettinger, "Second Thought: US-Israel Initiative" | |||||||
Posted: 2011/12/13
Why Are Jewish Homes, Synagogues, Communities Being Destroyed By The Israeli Government?By: Helen Freedman It is with a sense of disbelief and shock that we continue to hear about the program being conducted by the Bibi/Barack demolition crews in Israel. In the middle of the night, Destructo crews are sent in to small, hilltop communities, the inhabitants are thrown out of their beds, out of their homes, and into the cold night. Total disregard is paid to babies, nursing mothers, children, the elderly, and adults. Synagogues have been destroyed, private possessions thrown broken and littered along the ground, and lives are left in limbo. Teenagers who should be enjoying the carefree years of youth, are left embittered and bewildered by the scenes of the IDF, the police, and Arabs, destroying their homes. The love and trust placed in one's parents and government is shattered. Where does one turn for security and protection? The disillusionment and despair is devastating. Amazingly, there are those who are able to pick up the pieces and start all over again, and again, and again. It takes amazing physical and mental strength, but there are some who can do it. But where are our leaders? Why is Bibi groveling and scraping before the world, allowing people to see Israel's shame and degradation? Why is President Obama intent on making Israel the sacrificial lamb? Why does it take a Newt Gingrich to announce what any honest person must know, that there is no "Palestinian" people, language, culture, heritage, and therefore no "Palestinian" entitlement to any of the land of Israel? Below is the Arutz Sheva article by Fern Sidman, covering AFSI's Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011 protest against the demolitions. We have already lost Alei Ayin and Givat Aryeh. Slated for destruction are Ramat Gilad, Migron, Givat HaUlpana in Beit-El, and perhaps many more. All of this is intolerable. Please read the following article and contact AFSI with your ideas regarding ways in which you can help to stem the flow. We are desperate for your help. For Israel National News's (Arutz Sheva) coverage of the demonstration in NYC against the demolition of Givat Aryeh, see http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/150663 And for a general slide show of the demonstration, please see: | |||||||
Posted: 2011/12/12
Protest Rally At Manhattan ConsulateIsraeli’s safety was first and foremost on everyone’s mind today, as protesters with a Torah scroll joined AFSI director Mrs. Helen Friedman to rally Sunday Dec 11th in front of Israel’s consulate in Manhattan. Joining with Helen were Reverend James Manning and some of his congregants as well as Crown Heights Committee for Shleimus HaAretz and many others who came to voice their protest at Israel’s unfair actions to its own Jews. Givat Aryeh, a small hilltop village built and funded in memory of the martyred Fogel family killed so tragically earlier this year was destroyed this week. With it, was destroyed a synagogue and the villages pricey security system. The three Torah’s were taken into custody and “booked” by police and by morning the village was no more. One of the Torah scrolls was a very special gift of Mr. Jack Ross of Rochester, New York. Mr. Ross prays at the Chabad Center in Rochester run by Rabbi Nechemia Vogel the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s emissary there. The Torah donated had a story. A Polish sefer Torah, rescued from the Holocaust and restored at no small cost by a Lubavitcher sofer, was presented as a gift to the community of Givat Aryeh in November of this year. Located a bit North of Ariel and West, the windswept hill of Givat Aryeh overlooks the community of Itamar in the Shomron region of Israel. While there have been many “hilltop villages” destroyed over the last six years, none has so poignantly touched the nerves of Israelis and Jews around the world as this week’s midnight destruction of Givat Aryeh, named after the murdered Fogel father Mr. Aryeh Fogel by Israeli forces. It brought home the irony of Israel’s seeking to “dance at two weddings” on the world stage. On the one hand trying to keep its mission as the Jewish Homeland pure and at the same time seeking to make its foreign friends happy with gifts of Land. All the while trying to make peace somehow with Israel’s eternal destiny of G-d’s restoring His exiles to Tzion and somehow never succeeding. This week brought home more than ever, the losing battle, Israel’s government is waging against the fulfillment of its mission as a Jewish government over a Land that is not just the birthplace of mankind, but is uniquely gifted to its Jewish citizens. A mission the government has yet to come to terms with since its establishment in 1948. In another classic “we won a battle but are losing the war scenario”, the government proved itself to be once again the unpopular supporter of Arab rights over those of its Jewish citizens. A battle it cannot win. Speaking at the rally, Reverend Manning reminded the Jewish listeners of their sacred mission and his fervent wish to join them in preserving the Jewish face of the Land of Israel. Mr. Jack Ross joined with another torah scroll that he brought from Chabad of Rochester. Speaking in 40 degree winds, Mr. Ross described how his father survived untold suffering in the infamous Lodz Ghetto until his liberation in 1945. “A gun was held to heads of the Jews of Lodz forcing them to do what they did” (meaning to other Jews). “They had no choice.” Turning to the Israeli Consulate Mr. Ross pointed: “But Mr. Netanyahu has no gun to his head! Yet in 1992 he was the first in Likud to give away land (Hebron). Today, he still gives away land. But where is the gun?” Mr. Ross’s inference to Israel’s putting Jews in danger at the beck and call of foreign powers was not lost on the audience. Nor was his inference comparing the Lodz Ghetto’s infamous Jewish police who gave over Jews to be killed to Israel’s feigned excuses of “helplessness” as they legally clear Biblically Jewish land of Jews. Land that was bought or won in wars in which Israel was attacked and by miracles won. Israel’s rush to satisfy foreign entities appears to take clear precedence over its interest in the safety of Israel’s Jews. A point a number of speakers brought up. Today, Israel has still not rescinded its commitment to give away major parts of Jerusalem, keeping up building restrictions, recognizing new pre-1967 borders as “established” and refusing to reestablish the West Bank as a legal part of Israel. This is in spite of the West Bank’s warlike posturing that has not ceased and has in fact increased with each land concession. Gaza too, a little 7 mile wide by 15 mile long area is a constant source of missiles into Israeli areas. Facts, Israel conveniently ignores as it moves forward to continue the Peace Process. Yet to the ire of the Israeli public, these areas are not being reclaimed as part of Israel. Instead, they are allowed to continue being a source of murder and destruction for Jews. And will continue to be, until Israel finally listens to the clarion call of logic, good sense and the need to ensure the safety of Jews in Israel by retaking all the areas including Sinai that it so foolishly gave away like some lentils for a national heritage. In keeping with the theme of Chanukah, speakers pointed out the hard fight that the Maccabees had against the “political Jews” of that time. Jews who put their faith in the Greek nation first. Much like today, where Jews around the world look to the nations of the world for the very survival of Israel. Nations who historically caused the Holocaust. Yet from them, they seek salvation. And like the political Jews of days of old, this faith in the nations was to such an extent, that it was not beyond them to put Jews in danger and even joined the Greek legions in fighting against those heroes, the Maccabee’s. While this seems romantic looking back, we are each left with the question of whose side are we really on today? Have we unwittingly aligned ourselves with the “Political Jews”, those Greek Jews of the Chanukah story against the very hero’s we so revere? Today, the situation is so similar. It will only be with those people who are the “small jar of pure oil”. Those who feel the sacred mission of the Holy Land and its Jewish place in the destiny of the world, that Israel will again please G-d, regain its senses and begin to once again put the safety and necessity of Israel’s Jews first. Reporting from Manhattan Raanan Isseroff
Posted: 2011/12/12
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Posted: 2011/12/07
| On Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011 we protested near the Israeli Consulate The protest was triggered by the recent destruction of the synagogue at Givat Aryeh, and the confiscation of the Torah scrolls. We also protested additional planned demolitions about which we have been informed: in Givat HaUlpana in Bet-El, Givat Assaf, Amona, and additional demolitions of homes in Migron. The AFSI Chizuk group saw three demolished homes there on our recent November visit. The uplifting story of the creation of Givat Aryeh by a group of young, Jewish pioneers, led by YEDAYA SHOHAM, in response to the brutal butchery of five members of the Fogel family in Itamar, descends into a tragic tale of demolition and disgrace. AFSI was privileged to be part of the joyous creation of the synagogue, and the dedication, on Nov. 15, 2011, of a Torah scroll rescued from the Holocaust. On Dec. 1 we learned of the Israeli government's betrayal of its purpose and its people when it sent in a Destructo squad, including Arabs, to demolish the modest tent homes and the synagogue on the hilltop. 
Posted: 2011/12/05
| GOP Candidate: A Two State Solution is Already in Placeby Fern Sidman, A7 New York “A two state solution in the Middle East is already in place and that constitutes Israel and Jordan,” declared GOP congressional candidate Karen Harrington. Delivering her remarks on Saturday evening December 3 at the New York Hall of Science Museum on the occasion of the 23rd annual Hebron Fund Dinner, Ms. Harrington told the audience of over 500 stalwart supporters of a continued Jewish presence in the holy city of Hebron that, “President Obama is placing Israel at risk and his reckless foreign policy change concerning Israel retreating to 1967 borders must be adamantly rejected.” A south Florida businesswoman and a political newcomer, Ms. Harrington is challenging Deborah Wasserman-Schulz, the chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, for the congressional seat she holds in south Florida’s 20th congressional district which includes a sizable Jewish constituency in Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale. In a private interview with Arutz Sheva, Ms. Harrington responded to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta’s comments calling on Israel to prevent itself from growing ever more isolated in the international arena by getting back to “the damn table” and engaging in peace negotiations with the Palestinian Authority. “I find it very disturbing that those in the Obama administration who are clearly Palestinian sympathizers are calling on Israel to negotiate with terrorists,” she said. “Israel must be allowed to charter its own course and the role of the United States is to stand behind Israel and support them unequivocally.” Introduced by dinner coordinator and long time Jewish activist Dr. Joseph Frager as one of Israel’s staunchest supporters, Ms. Harrington stepped in for the evening’s intended keynote speaker, former Arkansas governor and FOX television host, Mike Huckabee, who was called away to host the Republican Presidental Forum which aired on FOX News on Saturday evening. In a special pre-recorded video message to the attendees, Governor Huckabee said, “There is no nation on earth that mirrors the values of the United States more than Israel. Our souls are intertwined as we celebrate our shared values of freedom, democracy and justice and ours is an organic relationship. There are a great many in the United States, especially Christians who, like myself, stand unapologetically with Israel.” Also appearing via a video presentation was Rep. Allen West (R), who represents the 22nd congressional district in Florida. Always an outspoken supporter of Israel, Congressman West spoke of his emotional visit to Hevron in 2009 and called Israel his “spiritual home.” Acknowledging the great devotion of this year’s honorees, West emphasized the Jewish right of ownership of Hevron by saying, “It was Abraham who bought Hevron as a resting place for his wife Sarah, and today it is the eternal resting place for our patriarchs and matriarchs that must never be relinquished. The survival of Jewish identity depends on a constant Jewish presence in Hevron where all religions can visit this holy site.” The Hebron Fund oversees various projects for the care, maintenance and security of the Jewish residents of Hevron, as well as Me’arat Hamachpelah. From building parks and playgrounds, to improving the security of the Cave of the Patriarchs, the Hebron Fund eases the daily challenges of life that residents face and provides the necessary assurances that they will never be alone in their struggles to ensure Jewish continuity there. By promoting visits and guided tours to educate people about the centrality of Hevron in the eternal Jewish destiny, the residents are shown a tangible solidarity which helps to inspire them in immeasurable ways. Welcoming the dinner guests were Daniel Lieberman, Hebron Fund dinner chairman, Teddy Pollak, President of the Hebron Fund and Rabbi Simcha Hochbaum, Director of Tourism for the Jewish community of Hevron. Serving as master of ceremonies was legendary Jewish radio personality Nachum Segal, who introduced the awardees. A special memorial tribute was held for Hevron benefactor and long time supporter Herbert Zweibon, A”H, the founder of Americans for a Safe Israel (AFSI) who passed away last year. Surrounded by Mr. Zweibon’s son Mark, his wife Sheila and indefatigable AFSI volunteer Charlotte Wohle, Helen Freedman, the executive director of AFSI, said, “Herb loved the city of Hevron with all his heart and all his soul and will be remembered for his exceptional devotion to those Jews living there. In order to perpetuate his legacy, we have raised the necessary funds to restore Jewish buildings in the center of Hevron on Hizkiyahu Street.” Noting that several weeks ago, Parshat Chayei Sarah marked Helen Freedman’s 15th visit to Hevron on this special Shabbat, Ari Lieberman, the executive director of the Hebron Fund presented Ms. Freedman with a specially designed framed picture of Me’arat Hamachpelah. This year;s honorees included Laurie Moskowitz Hirsch, who was the recipient of the Bonei Hebron Award. Mrs. Hirsch, of North Miami Beach, Florida is the daughter of famed Jewish philanthropists Irving and Cherna Moskowitz. “Just being in Hevron makes me feel like a real part of this city’s enduring legacy,” said Hirsch. “This award really belongs to the people of Hevron, who live there on a daily basis. This holy city is ours and when we behave as owners of this holy place then no one can take it away from us.” Former member of the Irgun Tzvai Leumi, Sam Schachter and his wife Malka of Hollywood, Florida were presented with the Magen Avraham Award for their long time support of a Jewish Hevron. Unable to personally attend due to health issues, the award was accepted by their son Tzvi Schachter. In a video message to dinner guests from their home in Florida with a picture of Revisionist Zionist leader Ze’ev Jabotinsky in the background, Mr. and Mrs. Schachter said, “Each day the brave Jews of Hevron sacrifice their lives for this special city and it is our duty to support the people who live there, who educate their children there. To the Jews there we say, you are all of our brothers and this is our home. We look forward to the day that all of Hevron will be truly liberated.” The prestigious Chasdei Avot Award was bestowed upon Chaim and Suri Boiangiu of Brooklyn, New York, whose son Ari served as the presenter. Thanking Hashem and their rabbi, Mr. and Mrs. Boiangiu said, “Our children have always felt a very special kesher (connection) towards Hevron as we watched then daven so intently there on so many occasions. The brave people of Hevron keep our connection to our past alive. They are today’s heroes, along with the tireless soldiers of the IDF who keep them safe. We are proud to celebrate with and salute these holy people and all honor goes to them.” In an emotionally charged and profoundly moving video tribute to Ayal Noked-Lourie, A"H, a young Hebron resident who lost his battle with cancer over the last year, the award in his name was presented to Sruly and Chaya Hersh of Brooklyn, New York. Ayal’s mother said, "My son’s entire life was Hevron. He davened at the Me’arat Hamachpelah every day and worked to help victims of terror attacks there.” Leaving this world just months before his 41st birthday, Ayal, the father of ten, was remembered as “a person with a beautiful smile and a deep love of the Jewish people.” In his own words on the previously recorded video, Ayal said, “This land and this place of Hevron was given to be by Hashem. If Hashem put me here there is a reason for it and Hashem protects us every moment. It is here in Hevron that you actually see the emunah (belief), because without it you just can't live here.” “We are truly humbled to receive this award in the name of Ayal Noked-Lourie," said Mr. and Mrs. Hersh. “Hevron is all about welcoming guests and we experienced that when we spent Shabbat Nachamu in Hevron. We went to Simcha Hochbaum, the director of tourism there and he opened up his home to us. 40,000 visitors descend upon Hevron on Parshat Chayei Sarah which clearly sends to the people of Hevron the message of cohesiveness and harmony. We are proud to have supported Hevron in the past and are committed to supporting Hevron in the future.” Posted: 2011/12/05 The presentation of a check to the Hebron Fund for the creation of the Herbert Zweibon Memorial Hall in Hebron. Present are – Charlie Bernhaut & Helen Freedman, Laurie Moskowitz Hirsch, awardee, Cheryl Jacobs Lewin, AFSI Chicago Chairwoman, and Ted Pollak, Chairman of the Hebron Fund.   Posted: 2011/12/05 AFSI ALERT FROM HELEN FREEDMAN Readers of our AFSI emails are aware of the fact that we have been decrying the craven, cowardly, destruction of the Jewish homes and synagogue at Givat Aryeh by order of the Bibi/Barak Israeli government. The community, built near Itamar, was created in reaction to the brutal murder of five members of the Fogel family by Arabs from the nearby town of Awarta. In an act of desecration, the Destructo squad was sent in to demolish the newly built synagogue and the small tent homes of the pioneers. The AFSI Chizuk mission had visited Itamar and Givat Aryeh in May/June 2011, when we had a picnic lunch in the barely framed out synagogue structure. We returned in November for a joyous celebration of a Torah dedication in the completed synagogue. You can imagine our disbelief and horror when we learned of the demolition on Dec. 1. Below, please find a letter written to PM Benjamin Netanyahu by one of our Christian members of the AFSI Chizuk mission, who joined us in May and again in November. Please feel free to copy this letter and send it out yourself to the media as an open letter to the Prime Minister. Dear Mr. Prime Minister: We are wondering where the man is that stood up to President Obama as we proudly watched him address our American Congress. A number of years ago we saw you, a man who simply wanted to start his day with a workout at the Anatole Hotel Gym in Dallas, Texas. Yet on that morning you were interrupted by a horrific phone call regarding yet another murderous bus bombing in Jerusalem. We personally watched your face and the pain that was evident in your heart. Where was that man December 1, that either directly or indirectly ordered the demolition of Givat Aryeh?. The week after the Fogel Family was butchered we took all our children and grandchildren to see Irving Roth, a survivor of Buchenwald. As we were discussing Eretz Israel and how to impart this to our family, Mr. Roth suggested, "a trip like no other trip would be with Americans For a Safe Israel". My husband suggested I take our 15 year old grandson, Matt. Mr. Prime Minister, Matt was at Givat Aryeh in June of this year. He saw Eretz Israel in the eyes and heard it in the voices of these people. He stood in the yet unfinished synagogue that would soon hold the holy Holocaust Torah scroll. Again,I went back to Givat Aryeh just a few weeks ago with Americans For a Safe Israel. As a Christian I cried as I watched the unmitigated joy of these Jewish people as they sang and danced up the hill to the synagogue at Givat Aryeh. My grandson rejoiced with me through email pictures, and video. Sir, respectfully, what do I tell him now? As Zionist Christians we have taught our children, our grandchildren, and will teach our great grandchildren Genesis 12:3. Mr. Prime Minister, G-d says, "I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse those who curse you". I have to ask you where that now puts you and the Israeli government this week? Of all times and people you and the government have to have G-d's blessings right now, this day, this month, this year! I told Matt that I had given a copy of his favorite child's book, I AM A HOLOCAUST TORAH, to the Mayor of Itamar, Rabbi Moshe Goldsmith. It is a little book written by Rabbi Alex Goldman about the 1564 Czech Torahs stolen by the Nazis. It is written in the first person through the mind, heart and words of one of these Torahs. Mr. Prime Minister, if this precious, holy Polish Torah scroll survived the Holocaust could talk, what would it say to you today? In this book the author says, "some scrolls live fortunate happy lives. They are carried around during services...rabbis dance, holding them aloft. Still other scrolls are unlucky, pushed to the back of the ark, unloved, silent. Still other scrolls suffer a tragic fate and go through fire and suffering, die, or survive in a damaged condition. Yet all contain the same sacred Words, all are holy in the eyes of the beholder". Prime Minister Netanyahu, has the last word been written over this particular Torah scroll, or will you allow it to return to its rightful and final home? G-d has given you the position to be able to change the ending of this story. Respectfully, Ann and John Stacy
Posted: 2011/12/03
| Life, Death and Rebirth In IsraelThe uplifting story of the creation of Givat Aryeh by a group of young, Jewish pioneers, led by YEDAYA SHOHAM, in response to the brutal butchery of five members of the Fogel family in Itamar, descends into a tragic tale of demolition and disgrace. AFSI was privileged to be part of the joyous creation of the synagogue, and the dedication, on Nov. 15, 2011, of a Torah scroll rescued from the Holocaust. On Dec. 1 we learned of the Israeli government's betrayal of its purpose and its people when it sent in a Destructo squad, including Arabs, to demolish the modest tent homes and the synagogue on the hilltop. Below, please see the photos and YouTubes illustrating the birth and death of a Jewish dream. The re-birth, of course, comes next. You can help with this. Please read to the end for instructions on how you can help.  The celebration of the new Torah Scroll in the new synagogue at Givat Aryeh goes well into the night, with men, women and children all participating THE CELEBRATION - NOV. 15, 2011 Youtube of Jack Ross, donor of the Torah Scroll, AFSI participants, and residents of Itamar and neighboring Shomron communities on Nov. 15 DEMOLITION - DEC. 1, 2011
Mayor of Itamar, Rabbi Moshe Goldsmith, in Youtube showing destroyed synagogue and community of Givat Aryeh The letter below was written by Oshri David, a member of the Shomron Liaison Council, along with David HaIvri, and headed by Gershon Mesika. All three attended the Torah dedication service on Nov. 15 and helped to create the celebration. Dear people of good will, Yesterday, Dec. 1st., during the night, at 3.30 A.M., the Israeli and Arab demolition experts arrived at the hilltop of Givay Ariye, attacking and demolishing the few little tents and two houses, expelling the residents after confiscating their telephones so they couldn't call for help, and destroying the modest, but beautiful synagogue that was contributed by Aharon Pulver on behalf of the Israel Independence Fund and with the big support of Helen Freedman on behalf of AFSI. Givat Arye was built in response to the brutal butchery of five members of the Fogel family by Arab terrorists from the nearby town of Awarta. Givat Arye was located exactly on the road that has been used by these terrorists in order to prevent future attacks on Itamar and in order to strengthen the security of Itamar. These pioneers , who built Givat Arye , have lost their homes and their property !! At this moment they are homeless!!!
Please read the following articles
Click links below:
The Israeli Demolition Derby Continues with a Vengeance
by Helen Freedman of AFSI Lets help these homeless pioneers rebuild their homes and purchase the furniture You can donate directly via PayPal: (click here)
Shuva Israel - The Return Israel Fund Inc.
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G-D bless you all for your support,
Shomron Liaison Office Posted: 2011/12/01 The Israeli Demolition Derby Continues With A Vengeance: Newly Built Synagogue Near Itamar Destroyed By Order Of The Bibi/Barak Duo, Using Arab Workers To Tear Apart The Holy Ark.By: Helen Freedman Readers of Arutz Sheva, and followers of AFSI, know that the AFSI Chizuk mission was in Israel, Nov. 13-22, with one of our express purposes being the dedication of a Torah scroll at Itamar, which had been rescued from the Shoah. We began the festivities with great joy and celebration, greeting young and old who had come to the social hall in Itamar at the invitation of Mayor Moshe Goldsmith, his wife, Lea, and heads of the Shomron Regional Council. With the help of the scribe, we completed the restoration of the parchment. Then, with musicians in the lead, we rejoiced in dancing and marching with the Torah scroll to the newly completed synagogue in Givat Aryeh, built in response to the brutal butchery of five members of the Fogel family by Arab terrorists from the nearby town of Awarta. The synagogue, on the hilltop in Givat Aryeh, was a simple, one-room building. People crowded into it to dance with the Torah scroll. Young children sat on the shoulders of their fathers as they circled happily, rejoicing in this life-giving response to Arab terrorist hatred. Night had fallen by the time we left, but the memory of that afternoon and evening was a bright fire that could never be extinguished. This morning, Dec. 1, I was alerted to the fact that during the night, at 3 A.M., the Israeli and Arab demolition experts arrived at the hilltop, attacking and demolishing the few little tents, expelling the residents after confiscating their telephones so they couldn't call for help, and destroying our modest, but beautiful synagogue. A wail of disbelief emerged from my heart. What purpose could be served by such senseless cruelty and self-abasement? Would this appease our Arab enemies? Our European enemies? Our UN enemies? Others? Will this bring us closer to peace? The answer is clearly, NO!! It empowers our enemies and strengthens the Zionist zeal. Below is an open letter to PM Benjamin Netanyahu, drafted by Glenn Richter, from the members of the AFSI Chizuk mission who were present at the Torah dedication. Anyone who chooses to write a similar letter to him, with a cc to Ehud Barak, is encouraged to do so. The email addresses are: memshala@pmo.gov.il; bnetanyahu@knesset.gov.il, pm_eng2@it.pmo.gov.il. Defense Minister Ehud Barak's email is: pniot@mod.gov.il. Dear PM Netanyahu: You weren't there on the late afternoon of Tuesday, November 15th when 25 members of Americans for a Safe Israel/AFSI, who had assembled from all over the U.S., joined the community of Itamar in dedicating a Sefer Torah in memories of Sam and Rita Ross, and of Ruth, Udi, Elad, Hadas, Yoav of Itamar, brutally butchered by Arab terrorists a few months ago. However, you were there in the Fogels' home at the time of the shiva, vowing to their surviving 12 year-old daughter that you would fight terror. How your recent actions have betrayed that promise!! You weren't with us when this special Torah,which survived the Shoah as did Sam and Rita, and was lovingly carried to Israel by their son Jack, a member of our Americans for a Safe Israel mission, was joyously danced down the hill from Itamar under a raised tallit and up the hill to a just-built synagogue in the new neighborhood of Gal Givat Aryeh. Gal Givat Aryeh was the classic Zionist response to Arab terror -- where they destroy, we build. You weren't with us when the Torah was kissed and placed with great care in the holy Ark of the synagogue, to accompany two other Torah scrolls. A photo taken shows that moment. Light is beaming out from the synagogue onto the darkened Gal Givat Aryeh hilltop and to the surrounding Jewish communities and hostile Arab villages. But somehow you managed -- through either your direct command or assent -- to be there exactly two weeks later, when your Israeli police and Civil Administration workers brutally bulldozed into wreckage the new synagogue and two other buildings on Gal Aryeh. You left two families and five singles homeless, and confiscated the Torah scrolls. You used Arab workers, possibly from the same village of Awarta which spawned the murderers of the Fogels, to gleefully destroy the synagogue and small tents, erected specifically to memorialize the Arab butchery. In some way you might have thought, Mr. Netanyahu, that this unconscionable act will encourage the Palestinian Authority towards peace. The opposite: this act of cowardice completes the work of the Fogels' murderers and only incites more terror. Mr. Netanyahu: hang your head in shame. And tomorrow, grow a spine; rebuild Gal Aryeh, remove the threat of demolition from other Shomron communities that you are menacing, and allow the Jewish communities of the Shomrom to thrive, as you had promised to do when elected.
Mournfully, Posted: 2011/11/30 The Demolition Derby DiseaseOn AFSI's recent CHIZUK mission to Israel, Nov. 13-22, we visited Givat Assaf. The community lies right off Route 60, just a short distance north of Yerushalayim. It can be identified easily because it is covered with banners decrying the orders for its demolition. The community was created over ten years ago in response to the terrorist murder of Assaf Hershkowitz. Tragically, only thirty days later, Assaf's father was killed in another terrorist attack. The community houses 25 families, with one hundred children, all living in trailers, or caravans. Across the road from this poor grouping of temporary homes, one can see the palatial illegal Arab homes sprawling over the countryside from Ramallah. It is truly hard to understand why the Israeli government is so intent on destroying Jewish homes, while illegal Arab homes are allowed to flourish, existing without fences or gates or restrictions of any kind. We also visited Migron, another Jewish community just a short distance from the PA capital of Ramallah. Here we actually saw the remains of three Jewish homes that were totally destroyed by the Israeli government. The community rallied around the displaced families and quickly found housing, household goods, and clothing for them. Amona, the site of brutal Israeli police attacks on Jews, where permanent homes had been destroyed, allowing only temporary caravans to remain, is once again threatened by the Israeli bulldozers, as is one of the neighborhoods in nearby Beit-El. The AFSI Chizuk group is used to these sights, having witnessed many destroyed communities over the years, as well as the total destruction of the 21 Jewish communities of Gush Katif, along with Sanur and Homesh in the Shomron. Our hearts break, and tears fill our eyes, as we see this wanton destruction. What can it possibly mean? Does any reasonable person believe that destroying Jewish caravans on the hilltops can advance the mordant "peace" process? If it's an attempt to destroy the Zionist zeal, there is a total misreading of the spirit and determination of the Jewish pioneers who persist in their belief in the biblical promise of the promised land for the Jewish people. Arutz Sheva, 11/27/11, reports that Christian tourists from Canada and America visited some threatened Jewish communities and reacted indignantly to the treatment they received at the hands of the IDF. The report follows below: Christian Tourists Angry at Discrimination at Outpost by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu Christian tourists, threatened by arrest during a solidarity visit at an outpost in Judea and Samaria, ask Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu why leftists at the site were not arrested. The 34 Canadians and eight Americans stopped by the Oz Tzion outpost during their recent two-week visit. "Your troops showed up and threatened to arrest the men of our group if we did not leave within 10 minutes," Alberta, Canada resident Al Dublanko wrote the Prime Minister. He revealed, "The colonel who came to arrest us, confessed that he has seen many busloads of foreigners come to his region, all in support of the Arabs against the settlers." Dublanko asked Prime Minister Netanyahu, "Why would you so easily let these confessed enemies of Israel wander around with immunity, and arrest us who support you? On a previous visit we went to Bat Ayin [in Gush Etzion], and the residents were visibly upset thinking us to be yet another busload of Peace Now activists coming to taunt them over the terrible slayings of their children." The Christian group had visited Oz Tzion shortly after Israeli police raided the community and destroyed most of it. Dublanko wrote, "The pathetic little outpost had already suffered the indignity of having 15 shacks torn down in a violent manner by your troops during the night, and they had succeeded in rebuilding only one.... "Mr. Netanyahu, you are confused. We are not your enemy. You do not seem to know who your heroes or your friends are. You move against your own people with the excuse of keeping rules and agreements, meanwhile ignoring the rules and even facilitating the rule breaking of your enemies. "You protect the most anti-Semitic leftist groups as they move around your country trying to foment anti-Israeli sentiments, and expel our little group because we agree with the settlers in their belief that G-d gave the Jewish people the land. "Mr. Prime Minister, your attempt at appeasement of world opinion is not working nor can it ever work. Jews are a chosen people and Israel is a special country, established not by a UN declaration, or Balfour Declaration, or any negotiations, not even by the might of the IDF, but by an ancient promise by G-d.... "We Christians know this, the Arabs know this, and you and every Jew in the world knows this. This is not to be debated....
"The European nations who support the Anti- Israel peace movements so generously, have the same hatred toward the Jewish people that they showed in WW2, and these groups are just their grandchildren trying to finish the task... Dublanko said he is planning to send his teenage children to Israel in the spring because "we want them to see the courage and faith of the settlers and the total commitment of the youth like those of Oz Tzion and Bat Ayin. We ask that you not arrest them." The best way to send a message to the detractors of Israel in the media, the Administration, and the public is by joining AFSI and becoming active with AFSI's work. As a member, you will receive all our email alerts as well as email copies of our renowned monthly publication, The Outpost. See past editions.
Posted: 2011/11/30
| One has to wonder why the United Nations must continue to exist? It has long ago outlived its purpose as a unifying successor to the League of Nations. It is now a den of vipers, controlled by the Muslim world, which sees as its main function the delegitimization of Israel. How can this be tolerated? Why should U.S. taxpayer money, and New York City's valuable real estate, be fed into this insatiable, destructive organization? See below the article on the UN's Nov. 29 travesty The UN's International Day of Solidarity Against the JewsPosted By Joseph Klein On November 29, 2011 There is no single issue on which the United Nations expends more time and energy than its advocacy of the Palestinian cause. It dominates the agendas of various UN bodies, supported by American taxpayer dollars, including the UN Human Rights Council, the Division for Palestinian Rights, the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Human Rights Practices Affecting the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories, the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees. The UN's obsession over Palestine has led to the world body's repudiation of its own original two-state solution, spurned by all of the Arab countries and the Palestinians themselves back in 1947. Beginning in 1977, the United Nations has sponsored the "International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People" on November 29th, the date in 1947 when the UN General Assembly approved its Palestine partition resolution. Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan called November 29th a "day of mourning and a day of grief." The event takes place every year at UN headquarters in New York and at the UN Offices at Geneva and Vienna and elsewhere. In other words, every November 29th, the United Nations publicly mourns the passage of its own peaceful solution to the Arab-Jewish dispute, which had called for the establishment of an independent Arab state and independent Jewish state. Every year the UN commiserates over the adoption by the General Assembly of the 1947 partition resolution under which the Palestinians could have been living in their own independent state for the last sixty-four years if the Arabs had only accepted it. Even Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has conceded that the Arabs' rejection of the partition resolution was a big mistake, but the day of mourning and grief over the Palestinians' self-inflicted wounds go on anyway at the United Nations. This year is no exception. In addition to a series of pro-Palestinian speeches denouncing Israel, the meeting is featuring an encore showing of the film titled La Terre Parle Arabe (The Land Speaks Arabic). The film purports to equate Zionism with Nazism. It depict the alleged "expulsion of the indigenous Arab population" and the alleged "ethnic cleansing of Palestine by the Zionist movement." The following is an excerpt from the film's script: Christians and Muslims alike...unite in their hatred of Zionism...I preferred to die as a martyr rather than be governed by the Jews ...The children cried ...The Hagana had no mercy, no pity. Zionists! They were Zionists!... The best way to send a message to the detractors of Israel in the media, the Administration, and the public is by joining AFSI and becoming active with AFSI's work. As a member, you will receive all our email alerts as well as email copies of our renowned monthly publication, The Outpost. See past editions.
Posted: 2011/11/29
| The AFSI Chizuk mission to Israel, this past Nov. 13-22, included a tour of Jerusalem given by Arieh King, head of the Israel Land Fund. During that fascinating and dismaying tour, we learned about eight neighborhoods in Jerusalem where no Jews are allowed. This outrageous situation within Israel's capital city defies understanding. When Arieh King took us to Har HaZeitim, the Mount of Olives, where land is zoned for Jewish burials, we were appalled to learn that despite his many efforts to alert the city officials, nothing was done to stop the building of an illegal Arab mosque on holy Jewish cemetery land. Below is the detailed story of the desecration of the cemetery, along with photos and documents detailing King's efforts to stop the building of the mosque. This is truly a chillul HaShem. The Law Is the Law - Except on Har HazeismBy Menachem Lubinsky It is no secret that the Waqf is waging a war on the territorial integrity of Jewish Yerushalayim. This was clear in the expansion and excavations near the Har Habayis and the fake graves planted in Romema in what was clearly a land grab. But most disturbing is the ongoing illegal expansion of the Ras al Amud mosque on Har Hazeisim. Despite a stop-work order that was issued by the Jerusalem Municipality in June, the Arabs continue to expand the mosque to within a few feet of Jewish graves, most notably those of the late former Prime Minister Menachem Begin and his wife Aliza. "It's not really contracting work," an official in the Prime Minister's Office told Avrohom Lubinsky, chairman of the International Committee for the Preservation of Har Hazeisim. "It's just minor touch-up work." But Arieh King, an activist and head of the Israel Land Fund, who lives just across the road in Maleh Hazeitim, sees things differently, as he documents below. King says the expansion continues, and if it is not stopped, a huge mosque will be functioning adjacent to graves of kedoshim and others that will deny access to Jewish mourners and visitors, and turn Har Hazeisim into a huge place of assembly for Yerushalayim's Arabs. He continues to document the gross violation of Jewish history and law. Of late, he says, the mosque has even become home to squatters. It is hard to fathom that the Israeli public is simply indifferent to this serious defamation of Judaism's holiest and oldest (3,000 years old) cemetery. Surely, if the memory of the kedoshim buried there is irrelevant to government officials, then at least they should preserve the honor of a former prime minister of Israel and the heroes Moshe Barzani and Meir Feinstein, who committed suicide rather than be hung by the British. It was because of his desire to be buried next to these martyrs that Mr. Begin chose Har Hazeisim instead of Mt. Herzl, where other Israeli officials are buried. His closest associates say that he wanted to be buried opposite the Har Habayis and with a view of Yerushalayim, which will be distorted should the mosque be completed. For that matter, Mr. Begin would no doubt have to apologize to Joseph and Caroline Gruss, whom the late prime minister urged to be buried next to him. The Grusses were major philanthropists who supported many Torah causes, and to this day the Gruss Foundation continues its support of Jewish education. Sources say that Mr. Gruss had all but decided on a burial plot in New York until Mr. Begin convinced him otherwise. There is the sense that the Jerusalem Municipality, and indeed, the government of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, would rather see this "problem" simply disappear. They are fearful that dismantling the mosque would provoke local disturbances and an international outcry. Never mind that, according to King, the area is zoned as a cemetery. In fact, while the city and the government install surveillance cameras, restore graves and upgrade security elsewhere on Har Hazeisim, they are avoiding enforcing Israeli law and making sure that the Arabs comply with the injunction forbidding building at the site of the mosque. It is as if they are saying, "Anything but the mosque." Avrohom Lubinsky is furious "at the lip service and double-talk" he has received from officials regarding the mosque. He says that even such prominent activists as Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, repeatedly raises the "shame" of the mosque at the highest level of government, to no avail. Indeed, the photos and documents revealed by Mr. King are indicative of a scandalous dereliction of duty and responsibility to Jews everywhere, not to speak of the desecration of the holy Har Hazeisim and the holy luminaries who are interred there dating back to our neviim (Zecharia, Chagai and Malachi are buried there). It is clear that if this major chillul of Har Hazeisim is not corrected promptly, it will stand as an eternal blemish on the record of those who governed Israel and Yerushalayim in our time. The material that follows has been presented to decision-makers and elected officials to shed light on the Jerusalem Municipality's negligence in enforcing planning and building laws on Har Harzeisim. It also exposes the problematic relationship between the Israel Police and the Muslim Waqf, whereby the law is not enforced when it comes to Arab criminal activity that harms Jewish interests in Yerushalayim. The following is the response of the city council member who is in charge of eastern Yerushalayim, Mr. Yakir Segev (dated June 11, 2011): Hello, Arieh [King] I'm familiar with the issue, but to my sorrow it is not being dealt with. We have great difficulty with enforcement, especially as regards sensitive sites. I can promise you that the problem is not a lack of will on the part of the municipality [to put an end to the illegal construction]. Yakir Segev 
Posted: 2011/11/03
| The AFSI Chizuk mission was one-half mile from the Egyptian border where we visited the very new communities in Halutza. We heard the stories of the Bedouin thieves and worse and can relate completely to the soldier's letter which follows. Israel is a safe haven not only for JewsA letter from a reserve Israeli soldier My name is Aron Adler. I am 25 years old, was born in Brooklyn NY, and raised in Efrat Israel. Though very busy, I don't view my life as unusual. Most of the time, I am just another Israeli citizen. During the day I work as a paramedic in Magen David Adom, Israel's national EMS service. At night, I'm in my first year of law school. I got married this October and am starting a new chapter of life together with my wonderful wife Shulamit. 15-20 days out of every year, I'm called up to the Israeli army to do my reserve duty. I serve as a paramedic in an IDF paratrooper unit. My squad is made up of others like me; people living normal lives who step up to serve whenever responsibility calls. The oldest in my squad is 58, a father of four girls and grandfather of two; there are two bankers, one engineer, a holistic healer, and my 24 year old commander who is still trying to figure out what to do with his life. Most of the year we are just normal people living our lives, but for 15-20 days each year we are soldiers on the front lines preparing for a war that we hope we never have to fight. This year, our reserve unit was stationed on the border between Israel, Egypt and the Gaza Strip in an area called "Kerem Shalom." Above and beyond the "typical" things for which we train - war, terrorism, border infiltration, etc., - this year we were confronted by a new challenge. Several years ago, a trend started of African refugees crossing the Egyptian border from Sinai into Israel to seek asylum from the atrocities in Darfur. What started out as a small number of men, women and children fleeing from the machetes of the Janjaweed and violent fundamentalists to seek a better life elsewhere, turned into an organized industry of human trafficking. In return for huge sums of money, sometimes entire life savings paid to Bedouin "guides," these refugees are promised to be transported from Sudan, Eritrea, and other African countries through Egypt and the Sinai desert, into the safe haven of Israel. We increasingly hear horror stories of the atrocities these refugees suffer on their way to freedom. They are subject to, and victims of extortion, rape, murder, and even organ theft, their bodies left to rot in the desert. Then, if lucky, after surviving this gruesome experience whose prize is freedom, when only a barbed wire fence separates them from Israel and their goal, they must go through the final death run and try to evade the bullets of the Egyptian soldiers stationed along the border. Egypt's soldiers are ordered to shoot to kill anyone trying to cross the border OUT of Egypt and into Israel. It's an almost nightly event. For those who finally get across the border, the first people they encounter are Israeli soldiers, people like me and those in my unit, who are tasked with a primary mission of defending the lives of the Israeli people. On one side of the border soldiers shoot to kill. On the other side, they know they will be treated with more respect than in any of the countries they crossed to get to this point. The region where it all happens is highly sensitive and risky from a security point of view, an area stricken with terror at every turn. It's just a few miles south of the place where Gilad Shalit was kidnapped. And yet the Israeli soldiers who are confronted with these refugees do it not with rifles aimed at them, but with a helping hand and an open heart. The refugees are taken to a nearby IDF base, given clean clothes, a hot drink, food and medical attention. They are finally safe. Even though I live Israel and am aware through media reports of the events that take place on the Egyptian border, I never understood the intensity and complexity of the scenario until I experienced it myself. In the course of the past few nights, I have witnessed much. At 9:00 PM last night, the first reports came in of gunfire heard from the Egyptian border. Minutes later, IDF scouts spotted small groups of people trying to get across the fence. In the period of about one hour, we picked up 13 men - cold, barefoot, dehydrated - some wearing nothing except underpants. Their bodies were covered with lacerations and other wounds. We gathered them in a room, gave them blankets, tea and treated their wounds. I don't speak a word of their language, but the look on their faces said it all and reminded me once again why I am so proud to be a Jew and an Israeli. Sadly, it was later determined that the gunshots we heard were deadly, killing three others fleeing for their lives. During the 350 days a year when I am not on active duty, when I am just another man trying to get by, the people tasked with doing this amazing job, this amazing deed, the people witnessing these events, are mostly young Israeli soldiers just out of high school, serving their compulsory time in the IDF, some only 18 years old. The refugees flooding into Israel are a heavy burden on our small country. More than 100,000 refugees have fled this way, and hundreds more cross the border every month. The social, economic, and humanitarian issues created by this influx of refugees are immense. There are serious security consequences for Israel as well. This influx of African refugees poses a crisis for Israel. Israel has yet to come up with the solutions required to deal with this crisis effectively, balancing its' sensitive social, economic, and security issues, at the same time striving to care for the refugees. I don't have the answers to these complex problems which desperately need to be resolved. I'm not writing these words with the intention of taking a political position or a tactical stand on the issue. I am writing to tell you and the entire world what's really happening down here on the Egyptian/Israeli border. And to tell you that despite all the serious problems created by this national crisis, these refugees have no reason to fear us. Because they know, as the entire world needs to know, that Israel has not shut its eyes to their suffering and pain. Israel has not looked the other way. The State of Israel has put politics aside to take the ethical and humane path as it has so often done before, in every instance of human suffering and natural disasters around the globe. We Jews know only too well about suffering and pain. The Jewish people have been there. We have been the refugees and the persecuted so many times, over thousands of years, all over the world. Today, when African refugees flood our borders in search of freedom and better lives, and some for fear of their lives, it is particularly noteworthy how Israel deals with them, despite the enormous strain it puts on our country on so many levels. Our young and thriving Jewish people and country, built from the ashes of the Holocaust, do not turn their backs on humanity. Though I already knew that, this week I once again experienced it firsthand. I am overwhelmed with emotion and immensely proud to be a member of this nation. With love of Israel, Aron Adler writing from the Israel/Gaza/Egyptian border. Posted: 2011/11/03 Shoah Torah Scroll Welcomed in Itamar, in Memory of FogelsA Torah scroll saved from the ashes of the Holocaust is placed in a new synagogue, in memory of slain family. By Gil Ronen
After the massacre, Jack Ross from New York connected with the community through Americans for a Safe Israel and offered to donate a Torah scroll that been rescued from Poland during the Shoah. He had the Torah repaired by a scribe and made kosher after 70 years of not being used and then donated it to a synogogue in Itamar in memory of the Fogel family. Ross came to Itamar accompanied by a delegation from the AFSI group and has spent the last week working as a volunteer builder and actually completing the work on the new synagogue and Ark where the Torah was placed. Hundreds of residents took part in the Torah welcoming ceremony Tuesday, writing the last letters of the Torah, as is the custom, and taking the Torah - in a dancing procession - to its new home on a hilltop neighborhood in Itamar. The building of the synagogue was made possible through grants provided by the Israel Independence Fund. At the ceremony, Shomron Liaison David Ha'ivri and Itamar Mayor Moshe Goldsmith gave certificates of appreciation to the friends of Itamar who assisted in this and other projects for Itamar and Samaria (Shomron). Aharon Pulver, Chairman of the Israel Independence Fund, and Helen Freedman of AFSI, were honored for their "tireless efforts" for Israel and for the communities of Samaria. At the ceremony, Shomron Regional Authority head Gershon Mesika compared the Torah, which is the heart of the Jewish people, to Itamar, which he said is the heart of the Land of Israel on the map. He said that just as the Jewish people could not exist without its heart, the Torah, so the Land of Israel could not survive without its heartland, the Shomron. Mesika thanked the donor Jack Ross and the directors of AFSI and the Israel Independence Fund for their ongoing relationship and support for the communities of the Shomron. 
Posted: 2011/11/03 A Rainy Confrontation in Netzer
When the AFSI and Women in Green activists arrived at the scene of the planting , the skies opened and blessed rain started pouring down. All of a sudden, a group of Arabs showed up and started a confrontation, with the Arabs trying to prevent the Jews from planting - by pushing and shoving the Jews and even uprooting the trees that had just been planted. After a few minutes, the Arabs brought reinforcement with some 12 Arabs working on a nearby field. One has to mention that the activists did not fear nor shy away from the conflict; at the contrary- they acted bravely, planted anyway, replanted the few saplings the Arabs had uprooted and defended the planted trees with their bodies till the IDF arrived. To the soldiers, the activists explained that on this piece of land there had already been a conflict months ago and the Civil Administration clearly stated then that these are State Lands and thus, the Arabs have no right to approach that area. And indeed, the soldiers did what they were supposed to and took out the Arabs from that plot of land. Luckily the police seemed to have had no manpower on that rainy Friday. One lonely policeman arrived at the scene and thus, this time, no situation arose in which Jews are detained and accused of attacking, like what happened a week and a half ago in another area in Netzer. The pouring rain and the determination of the Jews to stand firm in front of the Arabs, created an atmosphere of happiness, joy and spiritual elevation. The AFSI activists experienced a live report of the daily struggle for the land of Israel, dunam after dunam. It was moving to see the AFSI activists waving the Israeli flag and singing "Am Yisrael Chai" after having succeeded in planting tens of olive trees. Based on their experience of many years, it is clear to the activists that they might need to plant and replant the trees on this piece of land, till it will safely stay in Jewish hands. On the eve of Shabbat Chaye Sara, that is really the message we learn from Avraham Avinu. Eventhough the Land of Israel was promised to us by G-d, it will be redeemed and in our hands only after a lot of hard work, determination, tenacity and steadfastness. 
A short movie about the Netzer event will be posted soon. Yehudit Katsover 050-7161818 Nadia Matar 050-5500834 Posted: 2011/11/11 With great pride, AFSI announces two special events taking place during its November 13-22 , 2011 Chizuk mission to Israel: With great excitement and anticipation, AFSI is about to embark on its 32nd Chizuk (strength) mission to Israel this Sunday, Nov. 13. In addition to our usual all inclusive itinerary, geared to concentrate on the pioneering Jews of Israel, we are looking forward to two very special events. On Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 15, at 3:30 P.M., large crowds will gather in Itamar, in the Shomron, to celebrate the dedication of a Holocaust Torah scroll. Brought to Israel by AFSI member Jack Ross, the Torah scroll will be housed in the new synagogue in Givat Aryeh, a new community near Itamar, created in response to the murder by Arab terrorists of the parents and three children of the Fogel family. When Jack came up with the idea of the dedication at the new outpost, we all agreed it was a wonderful plan. Fortunately, some practical heads prevailed, with Israel Danziger of Mishmeret Yesha and Aharon Pulver of the Israel Independence Fund suggesting that the Torah scroll would need an Aron Kodesh, which would need a synagogue. Aharon went about raising funds for the synagogue, and the young men of Givat Aryeh then worked on the building. Rabbi Moshe Goldsmith, Mayor of Itamar, and his wife, Lea, have been of great help in moving the project along. The Shomron Regional Council has also participated. As a result, we are happy to invite all interested parties to attend the Torah dedication on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 3:30 P.M. Participants will gather in Itamar and, weather permitting, will proceed to Givat Aryeh for the celebration. The second special event occurring in direct response to AFSI's involvement, will take place in Hebron, Friday afternoon, Nov. 18, just prior to the welcoming of Shabbat Chaye Sarah. David Wilder, spokesman for the Hebron community, knew of AFSI's desire to dedicate a suitable memorial in Hebron to the memory of our beloved Chairman, Herbert Zweibon, z"l. David suggested that we create The Herbert Zweibon Hall in the Hezkiyah Quarter of Hebron, which lies between Beit Hadassah and the Avraham Avinu neighborhoods. Presently, the families living there are in mobile homes, or "caravanim". Plans include beautifying the area, beginning with the entrance, which will be transformed into The Herbert Zweibon Hall, featuring documents and photos, and other items tracing the history of the property, purchased by Chabad about 100 years ago. Hopefully, with the restoration of the entrance, the entire neighborhood can be restored, and the families living there can look forward to living in permanent homes. Thanks to all of the AFSI members who contributed to the Herbert Zweibon memorial fund who made this possible. We are very grateful. Residents of Hebron and Kiryat Arba, and visitors who will be in the holy city to celebrate Shabbat Chaye Sarah, are invited to join us at 2 P.M. for the special ceremony. We welcome your participation. The above is just a sample of the meaningful events that take place during an AFSI Chizuk mission to Israel. Mark your calendars now for our Spring, 2012 mission, April 22-30, being planned to coincide with Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel's Independence Day. Posted: 2011/11/07 Americans for a Safe Israel/AFSI is sponsoring its 32nd Chizuk mission to Israel, leaving this coming Sunday, Nov. 13, returning Tuesday, Nov. 22. On all of our missions, we have made it absolutely essential to include visits to threatened communities. We will be doing the same on this upcoming trip. It pains us greatly to walk/drive into communities where Jewish homes have been demolished and Jewish lives are left hanging in the balance. With so many external threats being leveled at Israel, it defies understanding that the government of Israel, itself, would issue such harsh and illogical decrees, destroying the lives of its most loyal and devoted citizens. We pray that sanity and decency will rule so that there will be an end to these senseless and cruel actions. The following article was taken from Arutz Sheva, Nov. 7, 2011 MK Levin Warns: Demolitions Could Split Likudby Elad Benari MK Yariv Levin (Likud) warned on Sunday that the planned demolitions in certain Jewish communities could cause a split in the Likud. Several communities - Migron, Givat Assaf, and the Ulpana neighborhood in Binyamin - are slated for demolition in the near future. At the root of the problem are several issues: Supreme Court Dorit Beinisch has ruled recently that land in Yesha (Judea, Samaria, Binyamin) that has no proven Arab owners but is not designated as state land is to beconsidered Arab land by default rather than state land; the court does not consider suggesting payment or alternate land in the rare cases of Arab landowner claimants whose claim is found to be justified; the state aided in the founding of certain communities without determining their final status and the court has ruled on demolitions without that final determination. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu recently ordered the formation of a government committee tasked with legalizing some of Judea and Samaria's outposts. However, Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein threw a wrench into the committee's work by determining that the committee will not be able to discuss communities on which there is already a court ruling. Weinstein's move means that the committee will only work to prevent future demolitions and will not discuss the communities already scheduled for demolition. Levin said that this is "not acceptable" and that solutions must be found for these communities as well. Levin also criticized the decision to appoint former IDF Judge Advocate General Avichai Mandelbilt as chair of the committee. Mandelbilt, a confidant of Defense Minister Ehud Barak who advocates destroying the communities the committee is intended to legalize, oversaw during his time in the IDF policies aimed at curbing Jewish land-ownership and construction in Judea and Samaria, which are considered both discriminatory and partisan by Mandelbilt's critics. "The committee cannot be headed by someone who came from the military and whose decisions are being reviewed by the same committee," Levin told Arutz Sheva. "A committee made up of the wrong people and not having a true mandate could be worse than not having a committee at all." He added that any demolitions would fundamentally undermine the coalition as well as the internal unity within the Likud party. "Further demolitions will create a rift," he said. "I do not how big it will be, but for me personally this is a red line that I cannot cross. I hope we don't get to that point. There is no international pressure to demolish homes right now. There is no reason to do it. The ball is in the government's court and everything depends on its will to stop these demolitions." Posted: 2011/11/03 AFSI has been writing about the UNESCO/PA gambit and warning about efforts on the part of the Obama administration to do an end run around the mandated cut-off of $80 million in U.S. taxpayer funds to any UN organization that admits "Palestine" as a member before it actually is a state. Just as we feared, the U.S. ambassador at UNESCO is looking for ways to "continue our efforts to support" the agency and the State Department is studying "options" so that the organization is not de-funded. The editorial in the New York Post, Nov. 3, 2011, tells us that "In fiscal year 2010, the US pumped an unbelievable $7.7billion into the UN and its many agencies." We agree with the Post that the U.S. should uphold the law and refuse funding to the UN agencies that support the PA. We also heartily support the Post's suggestion to use that money at home, and "cut out the UN." As AFSI looks ahead to its semi-annual Chizuk mission to Israel, Nov. 13-22, 2011, we mourn the loss of life and limb to all those innocent Jews in the Negev communities who were bombarded by rockets and mortars last weekend, and continue to be targets of Hamas terrorism. We also mourn the ongoing threat of demolition and actual destruction of Jewish homes in the Shomron. Threats to withhold funds from, and possibly demolish the Od Yosef Chai Yeshiva, which we have visited many times, and for which we once held an unusual street theater demonstration with a bulldozer, defy understanding. While brave Jews in Israel withstand unbelievable aggression from the enemy, we deplore the fact that they also have to live in fear of their own government's cruel, senseless, and shameful edicts. The enclosed article in ARUTZ SHEVA, Nov. 3, 2011, opens a brief window onto AFSI's many efforts on behalf of our beloved friends in Yesha: AFSI Head: 'Struggle of Yesha Residents is Our Struggle'by Fern Sidman and David Lev Speaking before an overflow audience at the Kingsway Jewish Center in Brooklyn on Tuesday evening, Helen Freedman, the executive director of Americans For A Safe Israel (AFSI) said that "the current political climate in Israel demands our active concern and our concrete participation. As the government of Israel acquiesces to world pressure and maintains a timorous posture towards the Arabs, as UNESCO sanitizes the Palestinian Authority, we are witnessing an all out assault against the intrepid settler movement." Relating incidents that she personally witnessed while leading the bi-annual AFSI Chizuk mission to Israel, Freedman said that "just today, we learned of the announcement that the Ministry of Education in Israel has decided to cut off funding for the Od Yosef Chai yeshiva near Yitzhar in the Shromron. That should serve as a clarion call to us all about which direction the government is taking in terms of the future of Jewish life in Judea and Samaria." Adding that Arabs she has spoken to in Israel have boastfully declared that every Jewish holy site really is a Muslim site that "belongs" to the Arabs, Freedman said that the UNESCO decision to grant recognition and admittance of the PA would further embolden the quest of PA Arabs to have complete control of all holy sites, including the Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old City. With pain in her asked the audience "when will our shamefully obsequious behavior in the face of our avowed enemies cease?" Freedman called on audience members to "be more than armchair activists". Exhorting them to show their support for Jewish residents of Judea and Samaria by writing and calling their elected officials and joining lobbying efforts in Washington, Freedman declared that "AFSI's objectives are very clear. Our Chizuk mission to Israel is not exclusively limited to providing moral and material support to our brave brothers and sisters in Judea, Samaria and the Golan, but it is also about realizing that it is incumbent upon every single one of us to stand up and speak out for our G-d given rights to the Land of Israel, even when the slings and arrows of our detractors are pointed in our direction." AFSI's next Chizuk Mission for Israel is scheduled for November 13th. Posted: 2011/10/31 Just as President Obama announced that he "cannot wait" for Congress to act, and will therefore take the powers of the Congress into his own hands, so we are very concerned that he will try to circumvent U.S. law regarding the funding of the U.N. and UNESCO. U.S. law is very clear about prohibiting appropriation of U.S. funds to the U.N. or any U.N. agency that grants the PLO the same standing as member states. Ten House of Representatives members have signed a letter warning that U.S. money to UNESCO would be endangered should that organization recognize the PA. American taxpayers must make it clear to the administration that we support the efforts of the Congress to abide by the law, especially when it would threaten all Jewish and Christian historical claims to the Land of Israel. The White House Comment line is: 202-456-1111. Fax: 202-456-2461 Email via: www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ Peggy Shapiro's article, printed in American Thinker, lays out the dangerous situation:
October 28, 2011 UNESCO and the Palestinian Authority: Will the Administration Circumvent or Uphold the Law?Peggy Shapiro The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)'s 36th General Conference is convening from October 25 to November 10 in Paris, where it is scheduled to take up the Palestinian bid for membership. Should it pass, the U.S., which contributes $80 million (22%) of UNESCO's budget, would be mandated by U.S. law to cut off funding. Although UNESCO has no power to confer statehood, Palestinian admittance to this U.N. body will be a launching pad to attack all Jewish and Christian historical claims to the land of Israel. UNESCO has already been complicit in Palestinian historical revisionism when it voted that two of Judaism's holiest sites, the Cave of the Patriarchs and Rachel's Tomb, are not Israel's heritage sites, but mosques. Palestinians will most likely leverage their UNESCO membership to claim the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and the Western Wall of the Temple as wholly Palestinian heritage sites. The Palestinian Authority has already issued a paper denying Jewish connection to the Western Wall. Palestinian claims to sacred Jewish sites can't possibly be based on religious connections. Consider that the Temple Mount is currently being used for picnics and soccer games by Palestinians, and when Palestinians gained control over Joseph's Tomb, they tried to burn it down -- twice. The purpose of laying claim to Jewish holy sites is to erase over 3,000 years of Jewish presence in the land. Denying Jewish history is a stepping stone to denying a Jewish future. Responding to the UNESCO executive board approval of the Palestinian bid earlier this month, the U.S. warned UNESCO that it could lose U.S. contributions. Meanwhile, a bipartisan group of ten House members issued a strong letter to UNESCO Executive Director Irina Bokova calling on UNESCO not to move forward with consideration of Palestinian membership. The letter, signed by the heads of the House Appropriations State and Foreign Ops subcommittee, Kay Granger (R-TX) and Nita Lowey (D-NY); Jerry Lewis (R-CA); Tom Cole (R-OK); Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL); Steve Austria (R-IL); Charles Dent (R-PA); Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL); and Adam Schiff (D-CA), states: We ... respectfully request that you do everything in your power to ensure that the Palestine Liberation Organization's application to become a Member State does not come before the UNESCO General Conference[.] ... Any recognition of Palestine as a Member State would not only jeopardize the hope for a resumption of direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, but would endanger the United States' contribution to UNESCO. U.S. law prohibits giving funds to the United Nations or any U.N. agency that grants the Palestine Liberation Organization the same standing as member-states. U.S. Code Title 22, Section 287e, states, "No funds authorized to be appropriated by this act or any other act shall be available for the United Nations or any specialized agency thereof which accords the Palestine Liberation Organization the same standing as member states" (P.L. 101-246, Title IV). Another law (P.L. 103-236, Title IV) bars U.S. contributions "to any affiliated organization of the United Nations which grants full membership as a state to any organization or group that does not have the internationally recognized attributes of statehood." Palestinian membership in UNESCO would also grant immediate membership in the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The PLO is expected to submit its application to other U.N. bodies, including the IAEA, WTO, WHO, World Bank, and others. The U.S. would be required to stop any funding of these agencies which accept the Palestinian bid. U.S. law is clear. However, recent reports indicate that the U.S. administration is looking for a way to circumvent the law. According to the New York Times, "[n]either the Obama administration nor Unesco wants the cutoff to happen, and diplomats are desperately negotiating with Congress, the Palestinians and other Unesco member states to find a resolution that will preserve the agency's budget." Again, U.S. law is clear. U.S. policy should be equally clear. The U.S. checkbook is closed to U.N. bodies which violate international agreements, sabotage historical rights, and undermine the possibility of peace. Posted: 2011/10/27 Once again PA president, Mahmoud Abbas, is trying to by-pass the UN Security Council on the subject of admitting "Palestine" into the body of nations. Using UNESCO, the UN organization responsible for overseeing cultural sites, the PA is hoping to declare all of Israel's holy sites as Muslim holy places. This is clearly part of the ongoing efforts on the part of the PA and the UN to undermine Israel. The best way to fight this action is to deprive UNESCO, and indeed the entire United Nations, the huge amount of money that America contributes to the UN budget. Write to your Representatives. Write to editors and media personalities protesting against this abuse of U.S. tax payers' money. Contact the: Senate Appropriations Committee: Tel:202-224-7257; Fax:202-228-0904. House Appropriations Committee: Tel: 202-225-2771; Fax:202-225-5078 See below the statement by the Simon Wiesenthal Center on the subject: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) General Conference opens today in Paris, where it is scheduled to vote to admit 'Palestine' as a member. Should it pass, US law mandates cutting off its $70 million contribution to UNESCO - 22% of the world body's total budget. Should 'Palestine' become a UNESCO member, it will surely seek to leverage its membership to gain international support to erase the history of the Jewish people in Eretz Israel and seek to have holy sites, like the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron, Joseph's tomb in Nablus, Rachel's tomb in Bethlehem, and the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, declared as wholly 'Palestinian' heritage sites. While we are fully aware of UNESCO's important role in promoting many important educational and social programs across the globe, there is more at stake here than budgetary issues. The Simon Wiesenthal Center, on behalf of its 400,000 constituent families, has informed UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova that we fully support the US move and other democracies that may consider similar actions. The Palestinian gambit at UNESCO is but a stepping-stone of an ongoing heavy-handed political campaign at various UN agencies for a state whose leaders, led by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, openly refuse to acknowledge Israel as a Jewish State and serially deny the 3,000 year connection of our people to the Holy Land. We must not stand by silently!
Those living in the Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, NY area are invited to attend a talk given by AFSI's Executive Director, Helen Freedman, at an open meeting sponsored by the Zionism Museum and Education Center, on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 7:30 P.M. The topic will be "Preserving the Land of Israel through Action programs." The location is: Kingsway Jewish Center's Fein lounge, 2810 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. Posted: 2011/10/18 A Mother's PainBy SHERRI MANDELL
Why are we against the exchange that allows murderers to go free? Because we know the suffering that they leave in their wake. Why is it that terror victims are seemingly the only ones against the prisoner exchange? While other Israelis are rejoicing, we are in despair. Arnold and Frimet Roth circulated a petition against the release of Ahlam Tamimi, an accomplice in their daughter Malki's murder at the Sbarro pizza shop. Tamimi says she is happy that many children were killed in the attack. Meir Schijveschuurder, whose family was massacred in the same attack, filed a petition with the high court and says he is going to leave Israel because of his feelings of betrayal. The parents of Yasmin Karisi feel that the state is dancing in their blood because Khalil Muhammad Abu Ulbah, who murdered their daughter and seven others by running them down with a bus at the Azor junction in 2001, is also on the list to be released. Twenty-six others were wounded in that attack. Why are so many of us against the exchange that allows murderers and their accomplices to go free? Because we know the suffering that these murderers leave in their wake. Yes, I want Gilad Schalit released. But not at any price. Not at the price we have experienced. My son Koby Mandell and his friend Yosef Ish Ran were murdered by terrorists 10 years ago when they were 13 and 14 years old. They had been hiking in the wadi near our home when they were set upon by a Palestinian mob and stoned to death. It was a brutal, vicious murder. We now run the Koby Mandell Foundation for terror victims' families. We direct Camp Koby, a 10-day therapeutic sleep away camp for 400 children who have lost loved ones, mostly to terror. We also run mothers' healing retreats and support groups. MOST PEOPLE don't understand the continuing devastation of grief: fathers who die of heart attacks, mothers who get sick with cancer, children who leave school, families whose only child was murdered. We see depression, suicide, symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder. You wouldn't believe how many victims' families are still on sleeping pills and anti-anxiety medication. We see the pain that doesn't diminish with time. We literally see people die of grief. Bereaved families face acute psychological isolation. Nobody understands us, they often complain. They mean that nobody understands the duration or the severity of their pain and longing. In the aftermath of a prisoner exchange, this isolation will only be exacerbated. So will the feeling that our children's deaths don't matter. When people tell me that my son Koby died for nothing, I always used to say: No, it is our job to make his death mean something. But now I am not sure. It seems that the government is conspiring to ensure that our loved ones' deaths were for nothing. Cheapening our loved ones' deaths only enhances the pain. If Israel is willing to free our loved ones' murderers, then the rest of the world can look on and assume that the terrorists are really freedom fighters or militants. If Palestinians were murdering Jews in cold blood without justification, surely the Israeli government wouldn't release them. No sane government would. When we were sitting shiva for Koby, a general in the army told us: "We will bring the killers to justice." I believed him. I took his words to heart. Today I am thankful my son's killers have not been found. So are my children. Of course, I don't want the terrorists to kill again. But if they were to be released in this prisoner exchange, I don't think I could bear it. We don't want other families to be put in our situation. We don't want terrorists to be free when our loved ones are six feet underground. Ten years after my son was beaten to death, the pain often feels like a prison. In many ways, I am not free. We don't want other terrorists to be emboldened because they know that even if they murder, they may not have to stay in prison. President Shimon Peres says he will pardon but he will not forgive.Terrorist victims' families will not pardon or forgive the government for this release. We have been betrayed. To pardon terrorists mocks our love and our pain. Furthermore, terrorism aims to strike fear in an entire society, to bring a whole populace to its knees. During the intifada, the terrorists did not succeed in defeating Israeli society. But to release prisoners now signals to Hamas that their strategy of terror was correct, effective. They will celebrate wholeheartedly because they have won. (Media Eye comment - they are - fireworks over Jerusalem for the last two hours) And as a result of prisoner exchanges, the Israeli justice system can only be seen as a joke, a mockery, even a travesty of justice. It provides no deterrent and no retribution. It's as if our government says to the killers: Come hurt us again. We'll be happy to release you one day. We'll let you go when you demand it. I want Gilad Schalit home. We need to protect our own soldiers. But not with a wholesale prisoner exchange. I wish that I could rejoice with the Schalit family. But I can't. The price is too high. The writer is the mother of Koby Mandell, who was stoned to death near his home in Tekoa in 2001. This appeared in the Jerusalem Post Posted: 2011/10/17 AFSI participated in the grass-roots protest at Columbia University on Sunday, Oct. 16. We joined others in trying to offset the three day teach-in to prepare Arabs and their sympathizers for the ISRAEL APARTHEID WEEK scheduled for colleges throughout the U.S. in early 2012. Our purpose in being there was to alert people to the horrible distortion of truth taking place in describing Israel as an apartheid country. As a democracy, Israel bends over backward, often to its serious detriment, to include Arabs in all the privileges accorded Israeli citizens. Visitors to Israel's malls, hospitals, cities, beaches, and parks can easily see that they are frequented by Arabs as well as Jews. The apartheid claim is absurd and dangerous. See Fern Sidman's report below as it appeared in Arutz Sheva. Pro-Israel Activists Take on SJP at Columbia Universityby Fern Sidman, A7 New York Tensions flared between dozens of pro-Israel demonstrators and members of "Students for Justice in Palestine" on Sunday afternoon outside of Columbia University. It was the third and final day of the 2011 National Students for Justice in Palestine "teach-in", organized by members to prepare for their upcoming Israel Apartheid Week events across college campuses throughout North America. Holding aloft both Israeli and American flags and signs saying, "SJP Brings Stealth Jihad to Columbia University", "Stop Hamas Terror Against Jews and Christians" and "Occupy Columbia With Truth and Justice - Not Lies and Anti-Israel Incitement", the pro-Israel supporters represented such organizations as Americans For a Safe Israel (AFSI), the National Conference of Jewish Affairs (NCJA), Amcha - Coalition for Jewish Concerns, and the Human Rights Coalition Against Radical Islam (HRCARI). Rancorous debates and raucous arguments broke out between the two sides as the Zionist contingent engaged the SJP members as they exited the university on the corner of 116th Street and Broadway. "Our conference is about advocating for human rights in Palestine. Our Palestinian brothers and sisters are being subjected to the most severe degree of oppression on a daily basis by the Israeli colonialists and occupiers and we are here to put forth our message that a Jewish state is a fundamentally racist concept as are the apartheid practices of that state," said Amina Fayyid, an SJP student organizer. According to the SJP web site, one of the objectives of the conference is to "facilitate and support the advancement of existing campaigns and the development of new campaigns with particular (but not exclusive) emphasis on Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) of Israel." Among the multifarious seminars and workshops taking place at the conference is one entitled "Indigenous Struggles: situating Palestine as a settler-colonial project", which ostensibly explores "understanding Palestine within comparative settler colonial framework while seeking to re-align the Palestinian movement within a universal history of decolonization, and imagining new possibilities for Palestinian resistance, solidarity and common struggle." Helen Freedman, executive director of Americans For A Safe Israel (AFSI), said, "Israel is the only stable democracy in the Middle East and these student activists know very well that Palestinians living in Israel have a much better lifestyle than they would in any other Arab country; yet their goal in organizing such a conference is perpetuate the myths, incessant lies and blatant distortions that they use in their quest to demonize Israel. What we are witnessing here today is nothing short of the most egregious form of anti-Semitism cloaked in the clever subterfuge of anti-Zionism." Taking aim at Columbia University for allowing their campus to be used for the conference, Glenn Richter, former chairman of the Student Struggle for Soviet Jewry movement and the current director of Amcha -CJC said, "This university has a long and shameful tradition of anti-Semitic policies, dating back over 70 years ago when brave students protested against the pro-Nazi policies of the institution's heavy-handed president, Nicholas Murray Butler. Butler then had a leader of the protests expelled. Today we are here protesting against a different form of racist ideology, commonly known as Islamo-fascism." Calling the members of SJP "Islamo-Fascists For An Arab Only Palestine", the Human Rights Coalition Against Radical Islam issued a flyer declaring that the motivation for the conference was predicated on "bigotry, violence and genocide against the Jewish people." Dr. Marvin Belsky, a retired New York City physician and spokesman for HRCARI said, "In Israel, Christians, Muslims and gays have full human rights, protection and dignity. Arabic and Hebrew are the official languages and Arabs who comprise over 1.2 million citizens serve in government, as well as assuming positions as judges, doctors, ambassadors and police and Israel remains a refuge for the world's oppressed from Asia to Africa." Larry Domnitch, a prolific author, academic and historian, said he came "to express my support for Israel in the face of so much misinformation that is being disseminated on this campus and others as well. In a few weeks will be the anniversary of the Balfour Declaration which expressed the inherent and historical right of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel. 94 years later that right is still being contested." Julian Rappaport, one of the demonstrators engaging with passers-by at the university's gate, contended that the anti-Israel conference inside was not an expression of free speech, but "to give only one, incorrect side of the picture. Columbia has the responsibility to be more critical of what's going on." During a heated confrontation with an SJP member who called for "the complete obliteration of the racist Zionist entity," Mr. Rappaport was arrested by police for allegedly kicking the student and was charged with disorderly conduct. He was released soon thereafter and returned to the demonstration. The best way to send a message to the detractors of Israel in the media, the Administration, and the public is by joining AFSI and becoming active with AFSI's work. As a member, you will receive all our email alerts as well as email copies of our renowned monthly publication, The Outpost. See past editions. Posted: 2011/10/17 NATIONAL ANTI-ISRAEL CONFERENCE AT COLUMBIA U. GETS AN EARFUL FROM PROTESTERSGlenn Richter Nearly 70 years ago, the larger-than-life statue of Columbia University, a graceful woman holding an open book at the main gate on Broadway, looked down on a rally by brave students. They were protesting the pro-Nazi policies of the institution's heavy-handed president, Nicholas Murray Butler. Butler then had a leader of the protests expelled. On Sunday, October 16th, under the gaze of the same statue, several dozen supporters of Israel demonstrated against a different form of racist ideology, often termed Islamo-fascism. Columbia University had permitted a three-day national conference on its campus of Students for Justice in Palestine, training for "Israel Apartheid Week" actions on campuses around the country. Organizers of the counter-action declared that "SJP demonizes and delegitimizes Israel as an 'apartheid', 'colonialist', 'oppressor' state and openly advocates and practices boycotts, divestments, sanctions (BDS) against Israel, creating an openly hostile environment for Israel supporters." They charged that the university would not be silent if a different student conference demonized minorities, Palestinians, or gays. Some protesters came independently, alerted by e-mails or social media. Others were members of groups such as Americans for a Safe Israel, Human Rights Coalition Against Radical Islam, Amcha-Coalition for Jewish Concerns, National Council on Jewish Affairs, and Liberals for Israel. Among the many signs they held up to passers-by were "Occupy Columbia With Truth and Justice, not Lies and Anti-Israel Incitement". "We're here because once again we have to fight against the lies and myths perpetrated by the Arab world," said Helen Freedman, executive director of AFSI. It's destructive not only for Israel but for America because 'Israel Apartheid Week' totally distorts the meaning of apartheid, justice and democracy. Columbia University, which hosted Ahmadinejad in recent years, should clean up its act. As one of the premiere higher institutions in America, it should promote positive things, not the negative and destructive ideas of radical Islam. We're here to enlighten students to the truth." Larry Domnitch, an academic and historian, said he came "to express my support for Israel in the face of so much misinformation that is being disseminated on this campus and others as well. In a few weeks will be the anniversary of the Balfour Declaration which expressed the inherent and historical right of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel. Ninety four years later that right is still being contested." Joseph Rapaport, one of the demonstrators engaging with passers-by at the university's gate, contended that the anti-Israel conference inside was not an expression of free speech, but "to give only one, incorrect side of the picture. Columbia has the responsibility to be more critical of what's going on." Retired physician Dr. Marvin Belsky said he helped organize the protest because "campuses are being open to delegitimize and defame Israel, and we have to fight back. It's a travesty that Columbia University, without taking away one's free speech, should not condemn the defamation of a democratic state in the Middle East which shows tremendous tolerance for many ethnic groups, and is a very important American ally." Under the watchful eye of police officers, the protesters spoke with pedestrians who streamed by and in and out of the campus. Exchanges with participants of the Students for Justice in Palestine conference grew prolonged and heated. At one point, words flew between a protester and a couple, and physical police intervention became necessary. Commenting on SJC members' taunts that the protesters were "fascists", Dr. Belsky pointed out that historically fascism was characterized by violence; in this generation, Hamas' firing of thousands of missiles into Israel, or the Palestinian Authority's goal of a "judenrein" state within Israel's borders. Under the gaze of Columbia University's statue, demonstrators protest national anti-Israel "Students for Justice for Palestine" conference on campus. A representative of protesters at the gate of Columbia University explains to passers-by the dangers posed by a national anti-Israel "Students for Justice for Palestine" conference taking place on campus. Posted: 2011/10/12 HOW MANY WILL DIE FROM THE SHALIT/TERRORIST EXCHANGE?By Helen Freedman We read of stoning deaths of Jews by Arab terrorists on the roads of Israel. We read of government orders to destroy Jewish homes. We read of blood libels against Jews deliberately set up by Arabs and accepted by Jews. We read of a mosque being built on the sacred Jewish cemetery, the Mount of Olives. We read of the desecration of Jewish holy sites and the desire of UNESCO to accept the PA claim to have these sites declared mosques. With each report, it as though we are being whip lashed by our enemies. Today we receive the news that the Israeli Cabinet has approved the deal with Hamas to release 1,027 terrorists, many with much blood on their hands, in exchange for Gilad Shalit. While the Shalit family rejoices, and we can certainly understand their joy at having their son returned to them, we cannot help but shed tears for all the families of the victims of Arab terrorism, who now have to deal with this new reality. Unrepentant murderers, who gleefully participated in the bombing of pizza parlors, discotheques, bars, streets, synagogues, homes, resulting in the murder and wounding of thousands of Israelis, will now be able to return to their chosen paths of murder and dismemberment of Jews. Hamas has won a great victory. Prisoners will be released before Shalit is returned to his family. We pray he will arrive whole and healthy. Israelis will rest less comfortably in their homes and in their communities as the Arab murderers return to do their dirty work. Woe is us. See below a listing of articles on the subject:
Israeli Cabinet Approves Shalit Deal
ISA Chief: Shalit Deal is Hard to Digest
Hamas Leader: Freed Terrorists Will Return to the Struggle
Sbarro Female Terrorist Among Those Freed for Shalit
Bereaved Son: Freed Terrorists Return to Terrorism
Landau: Shalit Deal is a Great Victory for Terrorism Posted: 2011/10/12 Tragically, Columbia University is once again partnering with the forces that would destroy America, Israel, and the free world. Once again, the mainstream Jewish organizations are remaining silent in the face of this subversive war. The voices of independent Jews and Christians, along with AFSI, are calling out against these operations. We need YOU to join with us on SUNDAY, OCT. 16, NOON-2 pm - 116th Street & Broadway Please feel free to be creative and bring your own hand made signs! The enclosed article describes the depth of the depravity waged against us. STEALTH JIHAD INVADES COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, AGAIN!!BY: Jan Suzanne Krasner Students' Training for 'Apartheid Week' Columbia University students, along with others on the campus, will be able to get a good look at "stealth jihad" in action as the 'Students for Justice in Palestine' (SJP) hold a 3-day training program next weekend on campus. The attraction being used to seduce the students to this event is a rapper named "Immortal Technique" who, according to claims made by the National Conference on Jewish Affairs (NCJA), is an entertainer "who extols and incites violence and criminality, spews brutal anti-American vitriol, and is a condemner of Israel...and a fan of the Nation of Islam, among other repellent views." The event is to take place on Oct.14-16. Organizers hope to raise $30,000 in preparation for the upcoming 2012 national campus event called "Israel Apartheid Week" that has been held the past seven years in February or March. When one enters their website (sjpnational.org/endorsements/) the most prominent message that appears alongside the face of Hatem Bazian, Professor at UC Berkeley and Chair of American Muslims for Palestine National, is "America's college students are at the cutting edge of the global free Palestine movement in the US and across the globe and they are making a difference." As you scroll the site one finds quotes from individuals and organizations that proudly attest to the success of the SPJ. The list includes several professors from highly acclaimed universities, lecturers, authors and journalists, founders and organizers of anti-Israeli movements like BDS, and a human rights attorney. Most striking is the endorsement by Free Gaza Movement that reads: "Organizations such as the student movement, SJP, are an integral part of the non-violent revolution now sweeping the world." Folks, it couldn't be any clearer as to what is happening on our college campuses. Under the guise of Israel bashing, it is really our country that has become the target of attacks at universities across the US, but most students don't realize that. The creation of the SJP organization at UC Berkeley in the early '90s has now grown to a national movement where anti-Israeli supporters argue "Israeli Apartheid" is analogous to the Anti-Apartheid student mobilizations some decades ago that were directed at South Africa. Their claim can't be further from the truth, but that is another subject. However, it must be said that the delegitimization of Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state (where Arabs are also permitted to be citizens) must be contrasted to the SJP's demand for a state for Palestinians (where 45% of its Palestinian residents will be denied citizenship), and where no Jews can live. It seems like SJP should be looking in a mirror to see what apartheid really looks like. (Link: www.commentarymagazine.com/2011/09/21/palestine-citizenship-palestinians/) In an effort to stop Columbia from allowing this event, the NCJA is asking in their recently released 'Action Alert' why "President Bollinger and the Board are turning Columbia, a university once known for its rigor and academic excellence, into one that instead is gaining the reputation of sell-out to ugly hatred and flaccid standards."Furthermore, the NCJA believes that the SJP event "violates Columbia University's own code of 'Civil Behavior and Community Standards' as written:" "It is expected that in and out of the classroom, on and off campus, each student in the School of General Studies will act in an honest way and will respect the rights of others. Freedom of expression is an essential part of University life, but it does not include intimidation, threats of violence, or the inducement of others to engage in violence or in conduct which harasses others. Conduct which threatens or harasses others because of their race, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or for any other reason is unacceptable and will be dealt with very severely. For all to benefit from the diversity to be found at Columbia, all must live up to these standards."(Link: (www.gs.columbia.edu/academic-integrity-and-community-standards) The NCJA is taking a lead to express the frustration felt by many about the excuses Columbia University's representatives have used in the past to explain the school's political activities. "Of course we will not be surprised to hear from President Bollinger and the Board that this is just a "student group" and the university is "not involved" and that this is "the free expression of ideas," intellectual freedom" or even "art." But we can no longer accept these excuses for what appears to be pure hatred and efforts to intimidate pro-Israel Jewish students and others who do not agree with SPJ's views. We need to know if Columbia University is providing any financial or other support to SJP and this event, including providing the building in which Immortal Technique is performing." American parents and alumni, not to mention all who believe in our democratic republic, it is time to recognize how Islamism is encroaching into our society with its patient, systematic plan to infiltrate from within and slowly end Democracy, as we know it. The Muslim Brotherhood actively supports and finances student organizations like SJP and the Muslim Student Association (MSA). Islamists have found invading Western culture through its educational institutions is an extremely effective strategy to spread the word of Allah. The Muslim Brotherhood's 3-stage blueprint for covert jihad written in the early 1920's still has the power to inspire many Muslims to continue their required participation in a 'non-violent jihad.' The first stage of this plan calls for the spread of the Islamic message thru propaganda, media, confrontation and character assassination of opponents, and the training of messengers of Islam in the form of professors and lecturers to reach schools, mosques, and public facilities. Keeping this in mind helps to put a clear perspective on this 'training event' at Columbia University, as well as appreciating the true mission of Islamists. The NCJA also questions Hillel, the organization for Jewish campus life, as to why "they are failing to stand up against hatred and the incitement of violence against Israel and Israel supporters." Considering all of the lack of interest or courage in the Columbia University's community towards this event, the NCJA is reaching out for public support. First, they are asking for individuals to contact the Office of the President Lee Bollinger in NYC by calling (212) 854-9970; by sending a fax to (212) 854-9973; or by sending an email to: officeofthepresident@columbia.edu. You can also call the university's chapter of Hillel at (202) 449-6500 and voice your anger that they are not protecting Columbia's Jewish and non-Muslim students. If people make their disapproval known, they will have the power to change the situation. In recognition that both the SJP and the SMA are making formidable strides to further an Islamic radical agenda on our American youth, the NCJA is also forming an 'Education and Campus Life Task Force' to address these concerns on campuses around the country. (Link:natlconference@gmail.com) Readers, now is the time to take action to prevent the "stealth jihad" that is disguised as "freedom fighting" from continuing to reach our children thru the hate-filled rhetoric promoted by these Muslim student associations and the professors and lecturers that carry their message of hate. Join the Demonstration this Sunday! 12 Noon 116 & B'way First published in The AmericanThinker:www.americanthinker.com/2011/10/stealth_jihad_invades_columbia_university_again.html Posted: 2011/10/07 Two reports in Arutz Sheva demand our attention : The first gives a stirring glimpse into the life of an extraordinary man, MK Raav Hanan Porat, z"l, who epitomized the courage and dedication of Israel's religious Zionists. He will continue to be a source of inspiration and pride to those who follow in his footsteps. We pray that the family will be comforted among the mourners of Zion and that they will know no more sorrows. The second report tells us about the Israeli, Daniel Shechtman, who won the 2011 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Interestingly, he had made his discovery while working in Washington, DC, but was asked to leave the research group because his discovery was considered so radical. He returned to Israel where he published his research. We congratulate him on his achievement, and also congratulate those who shared the Nobel prize in Medicine, and in Physics. Read the full details below: Rav Amar on Rav Porat: He Respected Everyone, Even Opponents by Elad Benari Israel's Chief Sephardic Rabbi, Rav Shlomo Amar, expressed his condolences on Tuesday for the death of former MK Rav Hanan Porat. Speaking at the Machon Meir Yeshiva in Jerusalem, Rav Amar said: "It was with great regret that I heard this terrible news of the loss of Rabbi Hanan Porat. In addition to his love of Torah, Rabbi Hanan was well-known in all parts of the country and this is no trivial matter." "When a person adopts a certain position and stays with it all his life, he usually ends up being an extremist who has many opponents," Rav Amar added. "But in the case of Rabbi Hanan - even though he stayed unwaveringly true to his principles all the way - he knew how to appreciate others with differing opinions and cherished them. This is what I heard about him from many people of all sectors of society." He said, "This is a very great loss. When such a gem is ripped from our lives it is a great loss. May his soul be bound up in the bond of everlasting life." Rav Porat passed away Tuesday after a battle with a terminal illness. He was 67 years old. A paratrooper who took part in the reconquest of Jerusalem's Old City, he spearheaded the return to Gush Etzion after the Six Day War, the area south of Jerusalem where his family had lived until the Jordanian Legion massacred the Jews who held out there during Israel's War of Independence. He was among the founders and the most charismatic leader of Gush Emunim, the movement which led the Jewish return to Judea and Samaria. Young, idealistic religious Zionist Israelis followed him to the bare hills and rocky valleys of their ancient homeland, willing to live in caravans without running water and other amenities to fulfill the dream he espoused. At the same time, he was considered a brilliant Torah scholar from a young age (an "iluy") and taught in several yeshivas, including Yeshivat Har Etzion, Yeshivat Hakibbutz Hadati in Ein Tzurim, and the Beit Orot yeshiva in Jeursalem, was a speaker in demand for public Torah lectures, published weekly Torah insights that were gathered into book form and founded a nationally active charitable organization to help needy families. He established the Techiya Knesset faction along with Rabbi Eliezer Waldman, Geula Cohen and Elyakim Haetzni, and served in the tenth Knesset. He later joined the National Religious Party (Mafdal) and was elected through that party to serve in subsequent Knessets, in which he held a variety of roles, including head of the Knesset's Constitution and Law Committee. The Israeli political establishment - from right to left - mourned his passing on Tuesday, with tributes pouring in from a wide array of political figures. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said that "Hanan Porat dedicated his life to the building of the Land of Israel, to the education of an entire generation of National Religious youth, and to fostering the love of the Land and People of Israel," adding that he and the government expressed their "deep sorrow" at Porat's passing. Knesset speaker MK Reuven Rivlin (Likud) said that "Rabbi Porat was a dedicated Zionist, a professional parliamentarian, and a dedicated builder of the Land of Israel." Defense Minister Ehud Barak said that "Hanan Porat was a veteran IDF parachutist, one of the founders of Gush Emunim, and a member of the Knesset. All this he did with a great inner drive, straightforwardly and with boundless dedication. He was loyal to the Land of Israel and loved the Jewish people. Throughout his life he sought to bridge the gap between religious and secular Jews, and between right and left." Rabbi Chanan Porat was laid to rest in the Gush Etzion cemetery at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 5. Israeli Daniel Schechtman Wins 2011 Nobel Prize in Chemistry by Chana Ya'ar Israeli scientist Daniel Schechtman has been awarded the 2011 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his discovery of quasicrystals. Schechtman is a distinguished professor at the Institute of Technology in Haifa. "This is a great day for me personally ... and it's definitely a great day for science," said Schechtman at a news conference held Wednesday. He added that the day was one of celebration for all scientists. "I'm sure the prize is also your accomplishment. It is because of you this field is successful." A number of Israelis have earned the honor in past years, including Professor Ada Yonath, who with two other researchers received the 2009 Nobel Prize in chemistry for her discovery of ribosomes. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said in a statement that Schechtman's research "eventually forced scientists to reconsider their conception of the very nature of matter." In 1982, Schechtman showed in Washington, D.C. that atoms in a crystal can be packed in a pattern that may not be repeated, in a discovery that ran contrary to previous belief in the field. He was finally asked to leave the research group - whereupon he returned to Israel. In November 1984, he published his research together with a colleague in Israel, instead. The 10-point pentagonal symmetry of the crystals was rejected at the time by crystallographers, who said that all crystals must have rotational symmetry. He was studying a mix of aluminum and manganese at the time when he saw a pattern, which he said was similar to Islamic mosaics, that never repeated itself. It appeared contrary to all the laws of nature, but the discovery has since been replicated in other laboratories around the world. Quasicrystals were first seen in nature in 2009, according to the Academy. A Swedish firm found them in one of the most durable kinds of steel, the citation said, used in thin needles specifically intended for eye surgery, and razor blades. The Nobel Prize for Medicine, awarded earlier this week, was shared by a group of three researchers,[Bruce Beutler of the U.S., Frenchman Jules Hoffmann, and Canadian born Ralph Steinman] two of whom were Jews. Tragically, one passed away just three days before his achievement was announced; however, the Nobel committee nevertheless made an exception and has agreed to award the prize to Dr. Ralph Steinman posthumously. [U.S. born scientists, Saul Perlmutter, Brian Schmidt, and Adam Riess won the Nobel Physics prize.] Posted: 2011/10/07 The Constitution or ShariaSponsored by the Sharia Awareness Action Network November 11, 2011 at the Hutton hotel in Nashville, Tennesee Confirmed speakers include:
The discussion will focus on: Sharia and Jihad -- Legal Action Against Sharia -- The Dehumanization of Women Under Sharia -- Fighting Islamist Propaganda In the Media -- The European Experience -- Grassroots Organizing Against Sharia and Mega-Mosques-- The Moslem Brotherhood In American -- Sharia and Religious Persecution – Legislative Action Sponsors: American Freedom Defense Initiative/Stop Islamization of America, Center for Security Policy, Religious Freedom Coalition, Tennessee Freedom Coalition, WorldNetDaily Co-Sponsors: American Center for Law And Justice, GrassTopsUSA, STAND America, Traditional Values Coalition, Vision America This is one conference you can’t afford to miss. For more information, go to http://www.shariafreeusa.org To register, go to http://www.preservingfreedomconference.org Posted: 2011/09/29 MYTHS & MURDER - by Helen FreedmanThese definitely are the times that try mens' and womens' souls. This past week we had to put up with the indecency of having the chief promoter of Iran's global nuclear warfare, Ahmadinejad, at the United Nations. We also had to tolerate the travesty of Mahmoud Abbas whose lies and distortions about who is "occupying" Israeli land, and PA entitlement to a state, are intolerable. We heard the unending offers of PM Netanyahu, almost begging Abbas to take his hand and make the "painful concessions" necessary to achieve the "two-state solution," knowing that the Arabs will never recognize Israel's right to exist. The icing on the cake was President Obama's "pro-Israel" speech, where he drew moral equivalency between the entitlements of the "Palestinians" and the Israelis. He sees no discrepancy in their claims. He sees them as mutually deserving. All of this occurred in the atmosphere of hatred created by Durban III. Did we expect anything different? Are we naive enough to think that somehow "peace" would be discovered hiding behind some unexplored corner? Did we think that the anti-Semitism, disguised as anti-Zionism, would somehow disappear? Of course not. Even those who rallied, made speeches, and even got arrested, as I did, understood that we couldn't remain silent, but our voices would go unheard. However, all of the above, and so much more, did not horrify me so much as the report I received from Arutz Sheva this weekend about the murder of 25 year old Asher Palmer and his one year old son, Yonatan, by rock throwing Arabs. Tragically, the deaths of Jews at the hands of Arab terrorists is an ongoing fact in Israel. What was different this time, was that the Israeli police covered up the crime, calling it a traffic accident caused by driver error. Their reason for doing so was not to cause a disruption in the speeches going on at the UN. When the roads were opened up to ease travel for Arabs, we knew that more accidents would occur. Arabs like to speed up to Israeli cars, jam on their brakes, pass them dangerously on the road, and conduct other menacing actions. However, drive-by shootings, and rocks thrown by Arabs from speeding cars at oncoming cars driven by Israelis, are attacks that have been on the increase. The critical difference this time is that the Israeli police covered up the truth so as not to enflame the Arabs. Can a country exist in such a manner? Can its people survive when they have to battle both the external and internal enemies? Please read David Wilder's report on the murder and the cover-up. Write to PM Netanyahu at all of the following email addresses. Express your outrage at this indecency and cowardice. Send AFSI any responses you receive: memshala@pmo.gov.il; bnetanyahu@knesset.gov.il; pm_eng2@it.pmo.gov.il Killing Asher Palmer Twice David Wilder September 25, 2011 The Palmer family is very special. I don't know many people whose 'mesirut nefesh' for Eretz Yisrael is greater than theirs. They came to Israel about 30 years ago. They moved because they wanted their children to grow up in a Jewish environment. Moshe, the father of the family, has a special expertise and despite numerous, numerous attempts, was never able to find suitable employment in Israel. As a result, he works in the United States, coming home to his family in Kiryat Arba several times a year, celebrating with them various Jewish holidays and events. Molly Palmer brought up her children with much love and care for Eretz Yisrael. She has worked for many years teaching English in Kiryat Arba and the Southern Hebron Hills region. I also seem to recall that she's an excellent cook and baker. In the past she sold various pastries, of which I remember enjoying immensely. On Friday afternoon Molly Palmer and her family were stunned, as were all that know them, by the terrible news that her 25 year old son Asher, together with his year old son, were killed in a 'traffic accident.' Police reported that as a result of speeding, he had lost control of his car not too far outside of Kiryat Arba. The car flipped over twice in the air, being totally destroyed as it crash landed. Immediately, even before the victims were identified, the army released a statement that soldiers stationed in the area hadn 't witnessed any rock-throwing, or any Arabs fleeing from the area of the 'accident.' This past Friday was one of those times when no one had any idea what the day would bring. As a rule, when Arabs want to protest, Friday, after their prayers, is the time. Following Obama's rejection of a UN-declared palestinian state, together with Abu-Mazen's speech scheduled for Friday, tension was high. Bolstered security forces were stationed throughout Judea and Samaria, prepared for the worst. Those fears were a double-edged sword. Media account over the past few weeks centered not so much on Arab violence, rather on Israel responses, and most particularly, those of 'radical settlers.' Normal, everyday Jews are so being labeled. For example, New York Times Bureau chief Ethan Bronner, in an article posted Friday, writes,"...Bat Ayin, a fenceless settlement near Bethlehem known for its radicalism.'Known by whom? Bat Ayin, a community of Hassidic Jews in the Gush Eztion area, is far from 'radical' as I would define the word. The police/security establishment has one fear, and one fear alone. It is not dead Jews. It is dead Arabs. They are petrified of the thought that Arabs will attack Jews, on the roads or in communities, and that the Jews will respond, causing Arab casualties, resulting in Arab propaganda campaigns, similar to those following the Marmara debacle, leading to massive foreign pressure on Israel. The area of the accident is quite prone to rock attacks. Cars are stoned daily, many times in areas known from their vulnerability. Unfortunately, very little, if anything, is done to prevent these attacks. Very high ranking officers, during instructions to lower-level commanders, have been quoted as saying that 'rock attacks are sufferable.' In other words, the IDF really doesn't have any responsibility to stop such attacks or apprehend the terrorists hurling the rocks. The 'settlers' can and will just have to live with this reality. However, lately, our enemies have begun using a new method in their continued attempts to kill Jews. Instead of standing on the side of the road and throwing a rock, they are heaving them from moving cars, coming at you from the opposite direction. They toss a rock out their window, in front of your car, just prior to passing you. The impact is tremendous. The rock is flying at the speed at which the car was driving. When it impacts with the car moving in the other direction, the force is phenomenal. I've been told of numerous such incidents in recent weeks, in the exact area where the 'accident' killing Asher and Yonatan Palmer occurred. On Friday afternoon, this is exactly what happened. That's why no one was seen fleeing on foot, because the rock was thrown from a moving vehicle. It hit the windshield, breaking it, hitting Asher in the face, causing him to lose control of the car. The rock was found in the wrecked car. A hole, the type of which caused by a thrown rock, was also identified in the windshield. Yet the police and army climbed up a very high tree, claiming that the 'accident' was Asher's fault. They claimed that the rock entered the car as it flipped over in a rock-bed on the side of the road. All this in an effort to cover up the murder of two Jews by Arabs. According to my sources, the police have already concluded that the 'accident' was not an accident, that it was cold-blooded murder; the killing two Jews. There are other details which have not yet been released, and I'm hesitant to fully publicize them for the moment. Some of Asher's possessions seemed to be missing and have not yet been found at the scene of the crash. There are also signs of possible additional violence at the site. These details prove, without any doubt, that the accident was Arab terror. The police, not yet weary of the additional pain they've already caused the Palmer family are continuing to torture them; they went to court to obtain an order allowing them to perform an autopsy on the two bodies. Jewish law, excluding unique circumstances, forbids autopsies. However all evidence, including examinations of the bodies, the car, and the scene of the attack are proof enough. Why continue to cause unnecessary suffering?! The seriousness of this cannot be downplayed. Israeli security forces intentionally attempted to cover-up murder. The implications are mind-boggling. In order to prevent possible 'disturbances' between Jews and Arabs as the result of this terror, they killed Asher Palmer twice. First, Arabs killed him. But then Israeli police killed him again, blaming him for his own death, due to reckless driving, and being responsible for killing his one year old son, leaving his widow and family to live with this horrible reality for the rest of their lives. Of course, these facts would preclude having to search for 'terrorists.' And would also prevent Asher's widow from receiving financial aid provided by the State to terror victims' families. Such lies, on the part of Israeli security forces, must be uncovered and dealt with to the fullest. It is unthinkable that Israeli security forces would lie about a terror attack in order to prevent 'Jewish responses.' Additionally, a Jew cannot be blamed for crimes that he did not commit. Blame where blame lies: with murderous Arab terrorists. Asher and Yonatan Palmer will be buried tonight, Sunday, Sept. 25, in Hebron. The funeral procession will leave the Palmer home in Kiryat Arba at 18:00. May their memories be blessed and may HaShem Yinkom Damam. Posted: 2011/09/19 Helen Freedman at AFDI/SIOA 911 Freedom Rally (2011) Posted: 2011/09/12 It was my privilege to participate in the outpouring of pain, memory, and truth at the profoundly moving Freedom Rally, organized by AFDI leader Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer of Jihad Watch. As we recalled the agony of that horrific day, Sept. 11, 2001, we stressed that it is important not to forgive or forget and to outspokenly name the enemy - radical Islam - which declared war on America and the world on that fateful day. The following report is from Fern Sidman, NY correspondent for ARUTZ SHEVA. Elul 13, 5771, 12/09/11 12:05 Over 500 at Defiant Freedom Rally Near Ground ZeroFern Sidman 
On Sunday afternoon, September 11th, over 500 people gathered at Park Place and West Broadway in lower Manhattan to mark the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon that left close to 3000 Americans dead. Organized by the American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI), a human rights organization headed by author and activist Pamela Geller, (who achieved notoriety for spearheading the campaign against the construction of a mosque at Ground Zero), the 9/11 Freedom Rally featured members of the clergy, New York City firefighters and police, 9/11 first responders, and 9/11 family members who were barred and/or not invited to the official ceremonies that took place earlier in the day.The decision to exclude religious leaders, rescue workers, police officers and other key first responders as program participants was defended by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg who said,:"We just don't have room for them", claiming space and security are the issues. In a tone of defiance AFDI Executive Director Pamela Geller declared, "While White House guidelines forbid official 9/11 ceremonies from mentioning who attacked the U.S. on that day or why, our 9/11 Freedom Rally features more honest speakers. We are here today to honor our war dead and stand for freedom and against the deception and lies being used to subdue us. We must show the jihadists we are unbowed in the defense of freedom." Joined by Robert Spencer of Jihad Watch, Ms. Geller introduced such speakers as George Demos, New York Congressional candidate, Anders Gravers of Stop Islamisation of Europe (SIOE); Sudanese ex-slave and freedom fighter Simon Deng; war hero and North Carolina Congressional candidate Ilario Pantano; popular radio host Joyce Kaufman; and Helen Freedman, Executive Director of Americans For a Safe Israel (AFSI), among many others.Speaking on behalf of the 9/11 family members were Rosaleen Tallon, sister of hero firefighter and reservist in the United States Marine Corps, Sean Tallon, who was killed in the 9/11 attacks; Nelly Braginskaya, who lost her son Alex; Sally Regenhard, mother of hero firefighter Christian Regenhard, killed in the 9/11 attacks (Regenhard is an American activist who has become one of the leading voices for the families of the victims of September 11); Maureen and Al Santora, who lost their hero fightfighter son 9/11 and Alan DeVona, 911 first responder. Reflecting on political realities that have been engendered over the last 10 years and taking aim at the current adminstration in Washington for its directives to whitewash the true motives of the 9/11 attackers, Helen Freedman of Americans For a Safe Israel said, "The Obama leadership today would still like us to be asleep. We are lulled with the myths of mindless multi-culturalism. Interfaith dialogues are encouraged to promote inter-denominational understanding. In today's modern world, there has been no lack of understanding amongst Jews, Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, and so forth. What the Obama world is promoting is engagement and understanding of Islam as a peaceful religion, deserving of having its mosques built throughout the United States; its chaplains preaching in our prisons, everyone respecting the sanctity of the Koran, while all along the war is being waged under our noses." 
Posted: 2011/09/11 Freedom Rally speech – 9/11/11Helen Freedman  We’ve come together today to witness and participate in this huge outpouring of love and memory on the part of all those who treasure life and freedom. The PAIN that prevails cannot and should not be put aside. It feeds our memories so that we cannot forget, and very importantly, we cannot forgive. The truth must be told over and over again – that even prior to 9/11/2001, America had been attacked by Muslim jihadists. The first attack on the World Trade Center was1993, and despite destruction and death, it did not serve to be a wake-up call to America. The Obama leadership today would still like us to be asleep. We are lulled with the myths of mindless multi-culturalism. Interfaith dialogues are encouraged to promote inter-denominational understanding. In today’s modern world, there has been no lack of understanding amongst Jews, Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, and so forth. What the Obama world is promoting is ENGAGEMENT and understanding of Islam as a peaceful religion, deserving of having its mosques throughout the U.S., its chaplains preaching in our prisons, everyone respecting the sanctity of the Koran, while all along the war is being waged under our noses. Even today – while we are standing here – all our security forces are focused on protecting us from yet another attack from Islam. Thankfully, President Bush’s counter-terrorism program has succeeded in foiling 40 plots, that we know of, since 9/11. Will Obama’s reluctant extension of these programs continue to protect us? President Obama is unable to name the enemy, RADICAL ISLAM. When he lists countries attacked by terrorism, he incredulously omits Israel, the country that has suffered endlessly from Islamic suicide bombers and terrorists. The toll of Israeli dead from Islamic terrorism is in the thousands with many more thousands injured. The numbers keep growing as the rocket attacks continue on a daily basis from Hamas, Iran’s surrogate in Gaza. Islamic terrorism has claimed the lives of over 6,000 U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan with 45,000 wounded. Just today, a Taliban bomb in Afghanistan claimed more American lives. We are at WAR!! Iran is undoubtedly the free world’s biggest enemy today, threatening us with nuclear WAR. Irrationally and dangerously, Obama has assured the enemy that there will be NO Military response from the U.S. So who is to stop them? And Iran’s Ahmadinejad is permitted on U.S. soil, allowed into NYC, applauded at the General Assembly where he will once again spew his hatred of the West and his intentions to wipe out Israel. The U.N. which is dominated by Islamic countries will accept this venom and continue with its condemnation of Israel at Durban III. The General Assembly will be asked to approve another Arab terrorist state, the “Palestinian” state, inside of Israel, and will undoubtedly welcome it with open arms. This will be the signal to the Arab world to attack Israel and will signal the lack of will on the part of the free western world to resist this additional declaration of WAR. What is the answer? Americans must be told the truth. Global Islamic terrorism is out to destroy Europe, the little Satan, Israel, and the Big Satan, America. The only answer lies in VICTORY – the eradication of the Islamist threat. Posted: 2011/09/01 The following article was written by a brilliant political scientist, Prof. Martin Sherman, whose opinion articles appear every Friday in the Jerusalem Post. I had the privilege of meeting Prof. Sherman on my last visit to Israel. I sat with him as he showed me his various power point presentations predicting so much of the unraveling of Israel that we see today. Below is his latest article. Beware. It is alarming, but should put us on alert, rather than cause us to hide from the truth. Let us hope the Israeli leadership takes notice. Into the Fray: White flag over Gaza...By MARTIN SHERMAN25/08/2011 Political correctness has precluded the pursuit of strategic imperatives; Israel can no longer credibly deter terrorists. We cannot go on as we are... to remain at peace when you should be going to war may be often very dangerous. The tyrant city... is a standing menace to all.... Let us attack and subdue her, that we may ourselves live safely for the future. - Thucydides, The History of the Peloponnesian War, Book I, paragraph 124, 431 BCE If you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly, you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with the all the odds against you and only a precarious chance of survival - W.S. Churchill, The Second World War (Vol. I - The Gathering Storm), 1949 The strategic wisdom encapsulated in these excerpts, straddling almost two-and-a-half millennia of human history, seems to have escaped both Israeli policy-makers and opinion makers alike. Reasons for restraint or excuses for inaction? True, the government's arguments for avoiding escalation have a ring of plausible prudence. The lack of international legitimacy, the limited number of deployable Iron-Dome batteries, relations with Egypt are all weighty considerations militating in favor of restraint. Those unburdened with responsibility for the fate of millions can make jingoistic demands for large offensive initiatives against Gaza with cavalier abandon. They will not be held accountable for the consequences of such decisions or the costs they entail. However, as weighty as the caveats are for refraining from wider military action, in today's realities they sound more like excuses than reasons. The nation's leaders should remember that history will judge them not only for what they do, but also for what they don't. Indeed, the government's position would be more convincing if it showed credible signs of being aware of the unavoidable necessity for wide-scale IDF action but merely biding its time for a more judicious opportunity to present itself. However, its penchant for restraint appears to be a regrettable reflection of permanent mindset, described by one prominent scholar as "the fundamental reorientation from deterrence to appeasement that took place in 1993." As Yossi Beilin once said- Indeed, just how far the Israeli leadership has "reoriented" itself can be judged by remarks made immediately after the signature of the Oslo Agreement by none other than one its principal architects, Yossi Beilin: "The ultimate test of this agreement will be a test of blood. If it becomes clear that [the Palestinians] cannot overcome terror, this will be a temporary accord and... we will have no choice but abrogate it. And if there is no choice, the IDF will return to the places it is about to leave in the upcoming months. (Ma'ariv, November 26, 1993) Sadly, neither Beilin - nor any other Israeli politician - has been held to fulfill this sensible prescription, which was also reflected in the long-forgotten pronouncement by Yitzhak Rabin that the Oslo process was "reversible" and if Israel's security was threatened, the pre-Oslo status quo would be reinstated. It is difficult to overstate the gravity of this "reorientation." It has stripped Israeli policy of credibility in the eyes of both friend and foe - undermining its value as a reliable ally on the one hand, and as a formidable adversary on the other. It has taken a devastating toll on Israel's deterrent capabilities - with far reaching operational repercussions, now rapidly beginning to unfold. Of course, in the public discourse, there is near wall-to-wall endorsement of the need "to reestablish Israel's deterrence." Sadly, such endorsements are invariably reduced to empty lip-service by the equally universal proviso calling for "proportionality" and "restraint" - the very reasons that deterrence was eroded in the first place and which virtually guarantee that it will never be reestablished. An inconvenient truth- Deterrence must by definition be "disproportionate." It entails instilling the belief in one's adversary that he/she will suffer unacceptable costs if he/she undertakes certain undesirable actions. To be effective, the scale of the threatened retaliation cannot be "proportionate" - i.e. limited by the scale/nature of the undesirable initiatives - since this would allow one's adversary to determine the scale of retaliation to be expected. Thus as long as Israel's adversaries expect retaliation to be limited to the "proportionate," they need not fear the prospect of unacceptable (i.e. disproportionate) losses. This is clearly a formula for a never-ending tit for- tat cycle of attacks and "proportionate" counterattacks, in which the aggressor can persist in unending attrition, secure in the knowledge that all he/she will face are losses he/she is prepared to absorb! This inexorable logic too seems to have eluded mainstream pundits. The mundane mélange of their proposals for dealing with the emerging situation on our borders has already been tried - and failed. Surgical strikes, enlisting the US and/or the EU to apply political pressure on Hamas, urging the Egyptians and other Arab "moderates" to restrain the terror organizations have all proven - jointly and severally - ineffectual. When confronted with this "inconvenient truth, the disdainful, almost Pavlovian-like retort is, "So what do you suggest? Retake Gaza?" The question is invariably posed rhetorically because the dismissive tone clearly indicates that an affirmative answer is considered inconceivable. And indeed, with a few commendable exceptions, even those allegedly representing more "rightwing" hawkish viewpoints, cringe and recoil from a positive response, usually hemming-and-hawing that "ways must be found that allow Israeli citizens to live normal lives." The dissipation of deterrence- But today Israel can no longer enable its citizens to "live normal lives" without retaking Gaza. Post- Oslowian "restraint" and "proportionality" have so degraded Israel's deterrence that it is not longer able to dissuade its adversaries from attacking them almost at will. Intermittent lulls in the North or the South should not deceive us. They do not reflect the efficacy of Israeli deterrence. Neither Hamas nor Hezbollah has been "deterred" in the sense that its will to fight has been broken. They have merely been forced to regroup - with manifest success. Unlike Germany and Japan after World War II, their appetite to engage remains undiminished. They are brazenly spoiling for a fight - albeit on their own terms, which Israeli pliancy invariably permits them. Indeed, there is good reason for their buoyancy. Both Hamas and Hezbollah have emerged from protracted conflicts with the IDF able to plausibly claim victory. Having withstood the might of one the world's most potent military forces for weeks, both were clearly able to retain their operational capabilities, and despite taking heavy damage, prevented the IDF from imposing its will on them - the fundamental objective of any military action. Accordingly, in many respects they now enjoy greater political prestige and military capabilities than before the military engagements with Israel. Expunging the concept of 'victory' - Cowered by the tyranny of political-correctness, Israel has abandoned the pursuit of military imperatives. The dread of being bogged down in a "quagmire" of a land operation has ensnared it in the quicksand of impotence, leading to a string of strategic failures that have left its adversaries stronger than they were before Israeli action. In effect, the post-Oslowian reorientation has expunged the notion of victory from Israeli strategic thinking, both as an admissible cognitive entity and as an attainable, even desirable, military goal. This was aptly expressed by Daniel Pipes in his 2008 analysis of Israel's strategic incompetence in Gaza. He laments that "...the worst news of all [is] that no one at the upper echelons of Israel's political life articulates the imperative for victory." Ominously, he concludes that "For this reason, I see Israel as a lost polity, one full of talent, energy... but lacking direction." Jewish blood will no longer be shed with impunity - Some might protest that the idea of victory over the Arab world is a dangerous, unattainable delusion. Perhaps - but imposing surrender on the enemy in specific theaters of military engagement is not. Surrender could have been imposed on Hezbollah in Lebanon in 2006; it could have been imposed on Hamas in Gaza in 2008. It can and must be imposed on Hamas today. Israel's leadership must acknowledge that decades of concession and capitulation have created a situation in which it cannot dissuade the Palestinians to forgo aggression without comprehensive "kinetic" coercion. It cannot diminish the Palestinians' will to attack by threats of punitive action. It can only protect its citizens by physically eliminating the Palestinian ability to attack. It can only defend its civilian population from Palestinian assaults by taking and keeping control of the territory from which they are launched. Yes, such measures with create severe difficulties - international outrage, collateral civilian casualties, IDF losses. These are all daunting problems and how they are to be addressed - and what resultant political paradigms should be pursued - must await elaboration elsewhere. But however severe the challenges, they must be met by the Israeli leadership - not embraced as justification for further ineffectual retaliatory restraint. A clear message must be burned in the collective Arab consciousness. Jewish blood will no longer be shed with impunity. White flag over Gaza - Hamas must be crushed by overwhelming force, from the land, sea and air. Its leaders must be seized or slain. It must be forced to admit defeat; it must be forced to hoist a white flag over Gaza as unambiguous acknowledgment of surrender. Now is the time to vindicate Yitzhak Rabin's claim that Oslo is "reversible"; now is the time to implement Yossi Beilin's warning that "if the Palestinians cannot overcome terror, the IDF will return to the places it evacuated." Any delay will make it more difficult and more dangerous. The best way to send a message to the detractors of Israel in the media, the Administration, and the public is by joining AFSI and becoming active with AFSI's work. As a member, you will receive all our email alerts as well as email copies of our renowned monthly publication, The Outpost. See past editions. Click here to Join Our Mailing ListVisit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AmericansForASafeIsrael Twitter: afsinewsPosted: 2011/08/30 August 29, 2011
Walking Behind The 'Pillars Of Fire' With Glenn BeckBy Helen Freedman
"And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night; the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people." Exodus 21/22 The inspirational gatherings that were part of the Glenn Beck mission to Israel occurred against a very grim backdrop. It was ironic that the subject of 'Restoring Courage', the theme of Glenn Beck's mission in Israel, was so starkly presented by the events that unfolded as I arrived in Israel on Thursday afternoon, August 18. A series of terror attacks on buses and private cars had just occurred on the road from Be'er Sheva to Eilat that left many Israeli civilians and soldiers dead and wounded. Israel "retaliated," followed by Kassam rockets and Grads falling all over Israel's south. My friends in the trailers in the Gush Katif refugee camp in Nitzan were forced to take cover in the huge sewer pipes that the government had given them for their safe rooms. Moshe Saperstein, having been expelled from his beautiful home in Neve Dekalim, Gush Katif, Israel, said he refused to die like a rat in a sewer and he would not take shelter in the "sewervilla." The red alert was sounded in Sderot, Nitzan, Be'er Sheva, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ofakim, and so many other Negev communities. Again, the Israeli government "retaliated." Israel also apologized to the Egyptians for shooting back at terrorists dressed in Egyptian soldier uniforms. As of this writing, the Egyptians are violating the peace agreement with Israel as they proceed with the demilitarization of the Sinai, bringing forces and weapons into the area, possibly preparing to march on Israel. What will Israel's response be if that happens? Will Israel's leaders have the courage to protect Israel's citizens? Glenn Beck would answer these questions by urging Israel's leaders not to fear world condemnation - to use the shields of courage and truth to banish fear - and not follow the path to surrender. He would encourage Israel to follow G-d's 'Pillars of Fire' to which he referred in his powerful address at the Davidson Center outside the southern wall of the OldCity in Jerusalem on Wednesday afternoon, August 24. Following the glorious kick-off event in Caesarea on Sunday night, August 21, with the theme of the 'Courage to Love,' the Glenn Beck express stopped on Monday night, August 22, at the Old Train Station, built in the 1890's in Jerusalem. The theme this night was the 'Courage to Remember'. Beck explained that the site was chosen - first because it was big enough to hold the crowd, but also because of the association with the trains of the Holocaust. This was the night to have the courage to remember that nightmarish time in Jewish history when Hitler's Nazi regime systematically worked at exterminating Jewish life in Europe.This was the night to confront the past and refuse to be silent - to vow to construct a better world in memory of those murdered. John Voight, who had joined us on Sunday night, was greeted enthusiastically by the crowd. He spoke of the new type of holocaust, where terror is used for political ends. Beck confirmed this by declaring, "If you stare evil in the eye, it backs down; it is a coward!" Beck declared, "This will be the generation that will say "Never Again" to the repeated holocausts against the Jews. We then saw a touching film tracing the return, after seventy years, of Holocaust survivor Kleiner Rudy Wolff to his boyhood home of Norden, Germany, from where he was deported and where his parents had been murdered by the Nazis. A commemoration dinner was arranged by the townspeople of Norden to welcome Rudy. At the ceremony he repeated over and over again that all the killing was only because the victims were Jewish. We learned that after the war, Rudy, at age 15, went to Palestine. He arrived penniless and without any family or support system. The story has a very happy ending as Rudy married at age 21 and became a proud father, grandfather, and great grandfather to 16 children. At the conclusion of the film, the entire family came on stage, including Rudy's granddaughter, Michelle, who was the filmmaker. Rudy had made peace with his past. That he had the courage to do so is remarkable. Tuesday night, August 23, the fortunate invitees to the Glenn Beck dinner at the BibleLandsMuseum gathered to enjoy the glorious setting and another extraordinary evening. The museum was at its best. Docents were available to provide insights into the ancient treasures. Dinner tables were set up in the beautiful garden. The mood was festive. Friends, old and new, were greeted warmly. We were there in support of Israel - of Jerusalem - and, as suggested by MK Danny Danon - in support of the annexation of Judea and Samaria. This proposal brought loud cheers from the crowd, as did Glenn Beck's declaration that "Israel is not the problem in the Middle East; it is the solution!" By 3 P.M. on Wednesday afternoon, August 24, the crowds began arriving at the DavidsonCenter, adjacent to the southern wall of the OldCity. Again, the setting was perfect. The stones were golden in the warm afternoon sun and radiated with the spirit of love, friendship, peace, harmony and courage around which these gatherings had been forged. Wonderful music was provided by the Jerusalem choir, orchestra, and renowned cantor, Dudu Fisher. Nir Barkat, Mayor of Jerusalem, held a beautiful ancient bell and declared, "Our past is our destiny in Jerusalem, and we will not be derailed from our vision." Glenn Beck then appeared, dramatically walking towards the stage, and proudly declared that this was the throne of the Lord, where G-d spoke to Abraham and where Solomon built the Temple. He confirmed Jerusalem's importance to Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Beautiful 'Restoring Courage' medals were awarded to honor Faith, Hope, and Charity. Leah and Rabbi Moshe Goldsmith, mayor of Itamar, received the medal for 'Faith', as the horrible details of the Fogel family massacre were retold. The 'Hope' award was given to the Jewish and Arab co-owners of the MaximRestaurant in Haifa that was attacked by a suicide bomber on Oct. 4, 2003, killing 21 and injuring 51. It was re-opened two months later. Rami Levi was given the 'Charity' award for his generosity in providing the distribution of free food from his chain of supermarkets. We know how quickly he came to the aid of the surviving members of the Fogel family. Glenn Beck took the stage and electrified the audience with stirring words of courage. The crowd roared in agreement when Beck declared, "There is more courage in one IDF soldier than all the bureaucrats at the U.N." He denounced that world organization for abusing the meaning of the term, "human rights." Beck spoke about the mounting threats and the evil that is growing. As for the ongoing condemnations of Israel, Beck believes the diplomats know the truth, but it doesn't matter because they are cowards. With rapt attention, the audience heard Beck assert that "Israel is here because G-d keeps his covenant...Fear is the pathway to surrender...Truth and courage will overcome...If we follow Him, G-d will lead us." Beck charged everyone with the Responsibility to alter the course of history by being willing to speak the truth. When the "human rights" organizations exercise their double standard, we must declare, "Not in My Name!!" He called for truth seekers to link arms with him - to stand with courage - and to walk behind G-d's 'Pillars of Fire' - to choose life - with no more lies. The dynamic gathering was closed by Beck asking us to remember - and to teach these lessons to our children - and to obey G-d's word. When we are asked, "Where were you when the world was on the edge again, when the West, Israel and the Jews were blamed again, we can say that "We stood with Israel." And so the 'Restoring Courage' events came to an end. Those who were privileged to be there with Glenn Beck will always remember and treasure this exceptional experience. For me it was an affirmation that it is the leadership that must restore its courage. The problem does not lie with the people, who turn out in masses in search of truth and honesty. It is our leaders who betray us. From the local Jewish organizational level, to many of our clergy, to the Israeli government that has conceded too much to the enemy, to the Obama administration that would have Israel cut itself in pieces to appease terrorist organizations, to the United (Arab) Nations, to the media and the academics who revise and distort history, the honest, courageous people have to deal with weakness, deception, and evil. It is therefore with a grateful heart that I heard Glenn Beck's message of Courage to Love, to Remember, to speak the Truth, to bear Responsibility and to trust in G-d's covenant with the Jewish people. To those who have difficulty accepting the fact that a Christian would care so deeply about Israel that he would create and finance such an amazing four day series of events in support of Israel, I can only recommend researching the facts oneself and not relying on the false media to relay accurate information. Go to www.glennbeck.com and read the reports on the website. Subscribe to GBTV. Once you read and hear Beck's words for yourself, I believe you will join me in thanking him for his extraordinary and courageous support of Israel. Posted: 2011/08/22 Restoring Courage with Glenn Beck in IsraelBy Helen Freedman I had made the deliberate choice to leave New York and travel to Israel this August in order to participate in the Glenn Beck RESTORING COURAGE events. The three part program would take place over a period of four days - Sunday night, August 21, in Caesarea, would support the Courage to Love. Monday evening, August 22, at the Old Train Station Plaza. would focus on the Courage to Stand, and Wednesday evening, August 24, would be the Courage to Declare." It would take place at the Davidson Center near the southern wall of the Old City and at Safra Square. At this writing, the Caesarea event has taken place. I joined a busload of people departing from our meeting place in Jerusalem to Caesarea. We arrived there at 6:30 PM on Sunday, as the late afternoon sun was spreading its rosy glow over the 2,000 year old stones. Throngs of people, mostly Christians, had already arrived and thousands more were being delivered by buses from all over Israel. The mood was one of excitement and high expectancy. People met friends, along with old and new acquaintances. The warmth and friendliness of spirit emanated from everyone. As the huge theater stadium filled up with about 3,000 people, we had to admire the production features. The stage was lit beautifully; the sound equipment was working perfectly; the glorious backdrop of moving color photos of Israel's deserts, cities, mountains, rivers and Sea, gave us a beautiful look at Israel's amazing topography. Dave Barton, President of Wallbuilders, proudly announced that eighty nations were represented in this demonstration of Standing with Israel. David Brog, Executive Director of CUFI, Christians United for Israel, spoke of the reality of shared Judeo-Christian values, having to do with loving thy neighbor as thyself. Venissa Mitchell and her choir of 23 men and women, along with a small orchestra, performed intermittently with some lovely inspirational songs. Glenn Beck appeared on stage, greeted with wild applause. He seemed genuinely touched by the outpouring of love and the fact that so many people had come from so many countries, traveling at their own expense, to join with him in making his mission, their mission. The opening benediction emphasized Isaiah's vision of nations not learning war anymore. Pastor Mike Evans told an amazing story about his Jewish mother and his anti-Semitic father who would beat his wife and threaten the boy whom he never called, 'son.' Evans has now spent forty years defending Israel. Pastor Tom Mullins spoke about G-d's divine love and the love of Nehemiah for the people of Jerusalem. He declared, "Have done with lesser things, and concentrate on doing great things together." Glenn Beck, who was clearly turning over most of the stage time to the procession of speakers, then interjected that loving Israel also meant loving Jews. They are inseparable. Rabbi Shlomo Riskin continued with the theme of love and expressed the need to applaud the differences of "others" while having the courage to love them. He evoked cheers when he declared, "The Jewish people has never been alone. We have always been together with G-d." Pastor John Hagee, leader of 750,000 Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and Pastor to 20,000 active members in his San Antonio church, electrified the audience by stating, "Our hope is not in Washington, but in G-d." He reaffirmed the belief of the Jews as the chosen people, pledged to always stand with Israel, and vowed that Israel's enemies were his. Affirming that "Israel is a tiny outpost of democracy in a sea of tyranny," he declared, "I am an Israeli," and led the crowd in chanting this over and over again. Glenn Beck again took the stage to remind us that "We have to get off at the exits...We're speeding along the freeway, heading to the cliff, and we must exit." He concluded by reminding us that "G-d is not running for re-election, and we are entering the age of G-d's miracles." The closing benediction was given by a Christian Arab from Bethlehem, Pastor Khouri. We listened to his words of love, recognizing that his appearance at this event, with Christians and Jews, in a demonstration of mutual love, took a great deal of courage on his part. Fireworks illuminated the sky as the program ended. Everyone seemed to be uplifted and exhilarated by this outpouring of love and brotherhood. The bar of expectation has been set at an extraordinarily high level for the remaining events. They should dazzle, if Sunday in Caesarea is a sample of what's to come. Posted: 2011/08/18 Is the world just plain stupid?An interesting questionnaire for Palestinian Advocates By Yashiko Sagamori If you are so sure that " Palestine , the country, goes back through most of recorded history," I expect you to be able to answer a few basic questions about Palestine : 1. When was it founded and by whom? 2. What were its borders? 3. What was its capital? 4. What were its major cities? 5. What constituted the basis of its economy? 6. What was its form of government? 7. Can you name at least one Palestinian leader before Arafat? 8. Was Palestine ever recognized by a country whose existence, at that time or now, leaves no room for interpretation? 9. What was the language of Palestine ? 10. What was the prevalent religion of the country of Palestine ? 11. What was the name of its currency? Choose any date in history and tell what was the approximate exchange rate of the Palestinian monetary unit against the US dollar, German mark, GB pound, Japanese yen, or Chinese Yuan on that date. 12. And, finally, since there is no such country today, what caused its demise and when did it occur? You are lamenting the "low sinking" of a "once proud" nation.. Please tell me, when exactly was that "nation" proud and what was it so proud of? And here is the least sarcastic question of all: If the people you mistakenly call "Palestinians" are anything but generic Arabs collected from all over -- or thrown out of -- the Arab world, if they really have a genuine ethnic identity that gives them right for self-determination, why did they never try to become independent until Arabs suffered their devastating defeat in the Six Day War? I hope you avoid the temptation to trace the modern day "Palestinians" to the Biblical Philistines: substituting etymology for history won't work here. The truth should be obvious to everyone who wants to know it. Arab countries have never abandoned the dream of destroying Israel ; they still cherish it today. Having time and again failed to achieve their evil goal with military means, they decided to fight Israel by proxy. For that purpose, they created a terrorist organization, cynically called it "the Palestinian people" and installed it in Gaza , Judea, and Samaria . How else can you explain the refusal by Jordan and Egypt to unconditionally accept back the "West Bank" and Gaza , respectively? The fact is, Arabs populating Gaza, Judea, and Samaria have much less claim to nationhood than that Indian tribe that successfully emerged in Connecticut with the purpose of starting a tax-exempt casino: at least that tribe had a constructive goal that motivated them. The so-called "Palestinians" have only one motivation: the destruction of Israel and in my book that is not sufficient to consider them a nation" -- or anything else except what they really are: a terrorist organization that will one day be dismantled. In fact, there is only one way to achieve peace in the Middle East . Arab countries must acknowledge and accept their defeat in their war against Israel and, as the losing side should, pay Israel reparations for the more than 50 years of devastation they have visited on it. The most appropriate form of such reparations would be the removal of their terrorist organization from the land of Israel and accepting Israel 's ancient sovereignty over Gaza , Judea, and Samaria . That will mark the end of the Palestinian people. What are you saying again was its beginning? Can this story be presented any more clearly or simply? Posted: 2011/08/15 Americans for a Safe Israel/AFSI deplores the actions of the White House in removing references to JERUSALEM, ISRAEL from its website. Americans born in Jerusalem, Israel have every right, and American law, to have their place of birth recorded correctly as Jerusalem, Israel, instead of just Jerusalem. The city, without a country, could be one of the twenty Jerusalems existing in the U.S.. There are Jerusalems in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah and Vermont. There are probably Jerusalems throughout the world. How despicable that President Obama cannot allow Jerusalem, Israel to stand proudly as a person's birthplace. Shameful!! White House, in Escalation of Jerusalem Controversy, Scrubs Its Web Site of References to the City Being in IsraelBy RICK RICHMAN, Special to the Sun | August 10, 2011 (source: http://www.nysun.com/editorials/white-house-in-escalation-of-jerusalem-issue/87450/) The White House, in an escalation of a closely-watched case the Supreme Court is preparing to hear on whether Congress or the President gets to decide American policy in respect of passports of American citizens born in Jerusalem, has quietly altered its website to remove the references to Jerusalem being in "Israel." The references to Jersualem had appeared in the cutlines of photographs on the White House Web site illustrating an account of the vice president's trip to Jerusalem last year. The references to 'Jerusalem, Israel' were first disclosed in The New York Sun's dispatch last week on Zivotofsky v. Clinton. The case asks the high court to rule on the constitutionality of the 2002 law that gives American citizens born in Jerusalem the right to have "Israel" entered on their passports as their place of birth. The Sun's report was titled "Jerusalem Case at Supreme Court May Pit White House Web Site Against the President," and noted that the pictures might be pivotal evidence contradicting the administration's claim that the 2002 law impermissibly infringes the President's power to "recognize foreign sovereigns." Since the White House had effectively acknowledged on its own website that Jerusalem is in Israel, as have other executive branch agencies, the report suggested there might not really be a constitutional issue in giving Zivotofsky a statutory right to have that fact noted on his passport. Yesterday afternoon Daniel Halper of The Weekly Standard posted one of the pictures, noting the reference to "Jerusalem, Israel" and contrasting it with the State Department press release issued earlier in the day stating the current administration policy to prohibit U.S. citizens born in Jerusalem from having "Israel" designated in their passports. The Halper posting went up at at 3:22 p.m. Less than three hours later, at 5:36 p.m. Halper noted that, at some time after he posted the picture, the White House had "apparently gone through its website, cleansing any reference to Jerusalem as being in Israel, including the pictures of Biden there last year." Throughout the past year-and-a-half that the pictures have been on the website, no one thought the captions affected the president's constitutional powers, but rather simply noted the fact that Jerusalem is Israel's capital. It may be the subject of future final status negotiations, if final status negotiations ever resume. But currently it is within Israel, and in particular no one expects control of West Jerusalem, where Master Zivotofsky was born, ever to change. This point is given considerable support by the amicus brief filed last Friday by Members of the U.S. Senate and House, including majority leader Sen. Harry Reid and 27 other senators from both parties, together with a bipartisan group of 11 House members, including the chair and ranking members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The amicus brief argues that the Constitution unambiguously places ultimate control over passports in Congress's hands and that Congress has regularly legislated in this area for more than two centuries without prior question. The 2002 legislation is "domestic legislation that merely references territory (Jerusalem) over which a long-recognized sovereign - Israel - exercises day-to-day political control," reflecting a basic legal distinction between a sovereign's effective control over territory and formal legal recognition of that sovereignty. Zivotofsky's passport designation would acknowledge the former without affecting the latter. In that sense, the cutlines on the White House photos were themselves not formal legal recognition of sovereignty but simply recognition of a commonly-accepted fact about the country in which Jerusalem is located. Master Zivotofsky, whose lawsuit was first covered by the Wall Street Journal, argues that under the 2002 law, Americans such as he have the right to choose the designation of their place of birth in their own passports, in the same fashion that American citizens born in Taiwan are given the right, pursuant to Congressional legislation, to list "Taiwan" on their passports, rather than the "People's Republic of China." Why can Congress not constitutionally legislate a similar right with respect to Jerusalem, Israel? Posted: 2011/08/07 Comment from Helen Freedman: Nidra Poller's immediate reaction mirrored mine. What was yours? July 28, 2011 Mayhem In Norway By Nidra Poller It seems indecent to analyze mass murder, and all the more so when perpetrated against young people. There are lessons to be learned from a national tragedy, a personal disaster. But an endless minute of silence runs like an undertow through all the words that follow. Because this story unfolded over a weekend in July, reports were sketchier than usual. This is why I choose to present my observations as they took shape, day by day. An update will be published next week. 25 July 2011: The media break big stories with a narrative framework that usually comes from one source and fans out across the globe. Once the initial impression that Norway, too, was hit by Islamic terrorists had been contradicted, the new narrative clicked into place. The perpetrator is a conservative Christian ethnic Norwegian Islamophobe; Norwegians are shocked; they don't understand...they don't understand how anyone could do such a thing...kill young people in cold blood...how this could happen in Norway, a peaceful country that awards the Nobel peace prize, where people of all origins and beliefs live together peacefully? The young people were gathered for their party's summer camp, to discuss, like young people everywhere, what's wrong with the world and how to set it right. We know that they enjoined their government to support the creation of a Palestinian state via a UN resolution this September. They were gathered -- about 600 of them -- on an island described as idyllic though currently cringing under an incessant chilly drizzle. On this island in the middle of a lake 35 kilometers from Oslo, a "Christian fundamentalist Islamophobe" proceeded, as if he were a real-life character in a 3-dimensional video game, to kill over 86 young people, perhaps more. Some are still missing. Blanket press coverage of the tragedy temporarily wiped out the Murdoch NewsCorp scandal, impasse in Libya, daily murder in Syria, drought and famine (and shababs) in Somalia, and DSK awaiting his next hearing. A skimpy stock of endlessly repeated images reinforced the sense of unreality. There were tearful scenes, interviews with one or two survivors, press conferences, memorial ceremonies, and the constant repetition of blond-haired Norwegians saying they don't understand. What I don't understand is how the man was able to shoot and kill to his heart's content for close to two hours. I was far less interested in his alleged political convictions than I was disturbed by the fact that close to 600 people with cell phones had not been able to get help. And I am even more disturbed by the fact that no one was asking that question. All the cockeyed ideas in the world don't explain why no one stopped the killer. He couldn't have 600 people in his sights at one time. I'm looking at this from a distance...why aren't any of the reporters who cover the story interested in this extraordinary element? They spoke to survivors, described the horror, the terror, the anguish. I don't expect them to pepper these grieving young people with sharp questions. But I can't be the only person who is thinking, "Why didn't you do something to save yourselves...something besides running? Why did you swim out into the open even when you saw that he was shooting at swimmers? When did you call for help? Did you ask your parents to call the police?" 26 July 2011: Further information reveals that the young people on Utoya Island had been playing the new version of cops and robbers, with some cast as innocent Palestinians blocked at checkpoints, blockaded in Gaza, languishing in the world's biggest open-air prison, and others playing wicked Israeli soldiers. We have a photo of some campers proudly displaying a handmade "Boycott Israel" banner. What happened, then, was a fatal clash between two fantasy worlds. The juvenile Socialists lived in an idyllic world where everyone gets along fine except for the big bad nasty Israelis. Anders Breivik lived in a fantasy world built on the writings of past and current freedom-loving thinkers that he piled one on top of the other like a child's building blocks and then brought crashing down with a furious kick. He thought he was so bright, reading anti-jihad authors, jabbering comments on websites, and constructing his evil project as if it were the logical extension of the works of my friends and colleagues, When, in fact, he was sucking up jihad-style murderous hatred and shaping himself into a Nordic shahid. The UK Telegraph has been forthcoming with interesting details on the killer's family life. A mother's boy, lived at home, no known girlfriends. He often visited his diplomat father -- who left the mother when Anders was a year old -- in Paris and London, but the father terminated this relationship when Anders was 15, because he was so unruly. His father belongs to the socialist party that owns the idyllic island where youths in their late teens were gathered to fight racism, reaffirm their legendary tolerance, and, lest we forget, vilify Israel. The fact that an evil man dressed his deep-seated anger and resentment in this or that package of ideas does not in any way reflect on the ideas. The stampede to prove the link is laughable. The same commentators who are scolding the authors of books read by Breivik would logically now demand that the Koran be banned throughout the Western world. They would call for the mosques to be closed. In short, they would become, in their own terms, Islamophobes. But don't expect logic from that direction. There will be endless clutter about how the extreme right is just as if not more dangerous than al Qaeda. On the other hand, there is no reason for anti-jihadists to find the slightest justification for the brutal mass murder of young Norwegian socialists. The idea that the Islamization of Europe is so oppressive that citizens have lost hope of influencing their governments and some, albeit fragile and deranged, turn to this type of violence is no less of a fantasy than the socialist's idyllic Norway and the killer's imagined Templars. There is no chemical purity of ideas or schools of thought. Any individual can take any idea and turn it into something totally alien. So, look at the individual, not at the ideas. And put the spotlight back on the essential question: where were the police? Where weren't the young people trained in self-defense? Where were the heroes that would tackle the killer and save their comrades? Anders Breivik committed mass murder because no one and nothing stopped him. Where were the police? An article in le Parisien sums it up with unconscious irony. Under the headline "The police explain...," we are told that the call for help came in at 17:30 -- one half-hour after the shooting began -- and the police arrived one hour later at 18:30 (approximate figures). Bruce Bawer has provided vital background information on the understaffed, underappreciated, sometimes bungling Norwegian police. We are not forgetting the IED attack against government buildings in the center of Oslo set off by the killer to give himself time to get to the island. But do we expect the police department of a modern European city to be able to handle only one incident at a time? The murderous impulse belongs to the killer alone. He is entirely responsible for his thoughts and acts. But the death toll must be shared out among all those who misconstrued the realities. Norwegian society seems determined to cling to illusions that left its youth like defenseless pawns before a killer. Or is it just the media that finds nothing but tolerance, pacifism, and upheld roses as signs of determination to remain standing in the face of terrible tragedy? This Norway that outlawed kosher slaughter is a victim of mass slaughter. Perpetrated by one of their own. The lessons that can be drawn from this outrageous attack are far too painful to push in the face of our Norwegian neighbors today. But someday I hope they will understand that these children of the Western world who were pointing the arrows of their indignation at Israel were in fact aiming at themselves. Nidra Poller is an American writer and translator who has lived in Paris since 1972. She writes often on issues relating to society and politics. Her work appears in many publications. This article was printed in The American Thinker. Posted: 2011/07/14 Once again, the so-called "leaders of American Jewry" have been leading us astray. Abe Foxman and others, often quoted by the left-wing media in regard to Israeli affairs, are questioning what they see as an infringement on "freedom of expression" in the recent Antiboycott law, passed in the Israeli Knesset on July 11. Israel is trying to protect itself from boycotts on its goods. The U.S. government has had such an act on its books since 1979. Why should Israel do less for itself than the U.S. will do? Thanks to Eli Hertz of Myths and Facts for clarifying the situation. Those concerned with constitutionality, please take note. For the record - if anyone wants to quote AFSI - We strongly support the Antiboycott law passed in the Israeli Knesset on July 11, 2011.
In Line with U.S. Antiboycott Laws to Protect Israel
The Antiboycott laws under the U.S. Export Administration Act of 1979 [as amended in August 1999] were written specifically to protect Israel from the Arab League and other Moslem countries. On Monday, July 11, 2011 the Knesset [the Israeli Parliament] passed an Antiboycott law against those who promote and call to boycott Israel. Israel's Attorney-General claims that the Israeli boycott laws' border on unconstitutionality. A look at the U.S. Antiboycott laws objectives, should be helpful in defending the Israeli law. "The [U.S.] Antiboycott laws discourage, and in some circumstances, prohibit U.S. companies from furthering or supporting the boycott of Israel sponsored by the Arab League, and certain Moslem countries, including complying with certain requests for information designed to verify compliance with the boycott. Compliance with such requests may be prohibited by the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and may be reportable to the Bureau." The U.S. Laws Prohibits among others: "Agreements to refuse or actual refusal to do business with or in Israel or with blacklisted companies. "Agreements to discriminate or actual discrimination against other persons based on race, religion, sex, national origin or nationality. "Agreements to furnish or actual furnishing of information about business relationships with or in Israel or with blacklisted companies. "Agreements to furnish or actual furnishing of information about the race, religion, sex, or national origin of another person." Acting against the U.S. laws is considered a criminal behavior and carry with it penalties of up to $1 million and 20 years imprisonment per violation. For the entire U.S. Antiboycott Compliance text see: http://www.bis.doc.gov http://law.justia.com/cfr/title48/48-4.0.4.34.40.2.1.10.html Posted: 2011/07/12 No More Dough For the PLO! Does the PA need or deserve American taxpayer money? The House Foreign Affairs Committee Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia will be meeting on Tuesday, July 12, 10 AM, in Room 2172 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The Department of State will be well represented. We know the State Dept. is controlled by Arabists. It is crucial to contact your representatives to urge them to use their influence with the members of the SubCommittee, so that they will ask the penetrating questions and reach the right conclusion: No More Dough For the PLO! The Republican members are: Chabot, Pence, Wilson, Fortenberry, Buerkle, Ellmers, Rohrabacher, Manzullo, Mack, McCaul, Bilirakis and Marino. The Democrats are: Ackerman, Connolly, Deutch, Cardoza, Chandler, Higgins, Schwartz, Murphy and Keating. We, at AFSI, have seen too many USAID signs in our drives through Israel, where the U.S. proudly announces its funding of PA projects. The article below, by Peggy Shapiro, which appeared in today's AMERICAN THINKER, tells us clearly why this is so preposterous. Call the Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121, for your representatives' phone numbers. AMERICAN THINKER July 11, 2011 Can we afford to pour more money down the Palestinian drain? Peggy Shapiro Dan Greenfield recently reported (click here) that the Palestinian Authority is facing another budget crisis and requesting additional funding from the West. Before we take out our overdrawn checkbooks, it might be time to look at some of the numbers and decide if we can afford to pour more money down the Palestinian Authority drain. Greenfield makes the point that the Palestinians are better off than some of the people who are footing most of the PA bills.
Percentage of the population who live below the poverty line: Source: World Bank (click here)
Palestinians are already receiving more money in international financial assistance than other groups who are struggling in far more dire circumstances. In fact, the Palestinians are the top per-capita aid recipients in the history of the planet. It's not just how much, but how long Palestinians have received international welfare that breaks all records. For 63 years, the U.S., European nations and the UN have been nonstop donors. While all refugees in the world receive assistance for a few years from the United Nations Refugee Agency, UNHCR, Palestinians have their own, seemingly eternal source of UN welfare under the auspices of the United Nations Relief United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (URWA). Set up in 1949 with a temporary, three-year mandate (UNGA Resolution 302IV) to provide aid and jobs for 700,000 Palestinian refugees, UNRWA has grown into a permanent institution for the only people allowed to hold refugee status for over sixty years. The number of "refugees" has inflated to 4,618,141 http://www.un.org/unrwa/publications/pdf/rr_countryandarea.pdf , since refugee status is an inheritance which is passed on to all descendents and their descendants no matter where they live. The Return on the investment to the Palestinian Authority is questionable at best. It certainly hasn't bought the peace it was expected to buy. In 2007, eighty-seven countries and international organizations pledged $7.4 billion http://www.meforum.org/1926/does-foreign-aid-fuel-palestinian-violence#_ftnref3 to the Palestinian Authority, an amount far in excess of any previous level of U.S. or European aid to the Palestinians for the purpose of strengthening "those Palestinians who favor peaceful coexistence with Israel. How much peace has $7.4 billion purchased? Not only has the Palestinian Authority formed a unity government with the terror group Hamas, it also passed a law in June which allows it to put imprisoned terrorists, even members of Hamas, on its payroll. Rather than quell violence, foreign assistance to the Palestinian Authority has shown to correlate to an increase in violent attacks against both other Palestinians and Israelis. The billions (click here) of dollars, francs, marks, shekels and euros in Palestinian aid are not producing the desired outcomes and have had some dire consequences for the Palestinian people, who live with the resulting government corruption and culture of resentment and dependency. The welfare does not bring peace or prosperity to its recipients and we cannot afford to throw any more money down the Palestinian drain.
Peggy Shapiro Posted: 2011/07/01 Is the Muslim Brotherhood Coming to Brooklyn? By: Erick Stakelbeck BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The proposed mosque at Ground Zero has sparked a heated national debate in recent months. But just a few miles away in Brooklyn, another mega-mosque controversy is brewing. Sheepshead Bay is "old school" New York. It's the kind of place where generations of Italians, Irish, Russians and Jews have settled, drawn by the quiet charm and waterfront view of the working class, south Brooklyn neighborhood. Voorhies Avenue -- with its tidy, well-kept row houses-- is typical of Sheepshead Bay, except for one major difference: a gaping hole where a very expensive mosque is planned to be built. Many of the residents of Voorhies Avenue were born and raised on the block. They brought up their families and planned to retire there. But now they say that's all up in the air, thanks to the proposed mosque construction, smack dab in the middle of their residential street. The Bay People "We're basically fighting for our quality of life. People invested in their houses, in their life here," resident Victor Benari told CBN News. Benari is a member of Bay People Inc., a local group opposed to the building of the three-story mosque on tiny Voorhies Avenue. "Why in this nice neighborhood?" he asked. "Why not in a commercial district?" The Bay People have expressed their concerns in several peaceful protests, only to be labeled as racists and "Islamophobes" by Muslim and left wing proponents. "They'll have the microphone and they'll mock us, curse us," Bay People Inc. member Patty Fatone said. "They'll condemn us for what we're saying." Freedom or Intrusion? CBN News recently spoke with members of the Bay People. They say their opposition is not based on religion, and that the mosque would cause traffic, parking and noise issues, including the Islamic call to prayer five times a day. "So a church or synagogue you would also oppose because of the potential quality of life issues?" CBN News asked. "Yes," they all agreed. "Not in this place," member David Meylakh said. "If there was a library here, we'd be against it," member Bob G. added. The Bay People wonder why a large mosque is planned for a residential street where no Muslim families reside. In fact, they say the small Muslim community in Sheepshead Bay is located several blocks away from the mosque site. "We welcome the Muslim families to build a house and to be a good neighbor," Benari said. "But we will not welcome this facility in the wrong place and backed up with the wrong organization behind it." Brotherhood Connections That organization would be the Muslim American Society, or MAS. The group's leaders admit the organization was created by members of the radical Muslim Brotherhood -- a jihadist movement founded in Egypt that seeks to establish Islamic Sharia law worldwide. MAS officials now attempt to distance themselves from the Brotherhood, at least publicly. But a 2004 exposé by The Chicago Tribune revealed that, "In recent years, the U.S. Brotherhood operated under the name Muslim American Society. It was incorporated in Illinois in 1993 after a contentious debate among Brotherhood members. Then, the group's leaders decided that Brotherhood members would call themselves the Muslim American Society, or MAS." Revelations like that have the Bay People worried about what their new neighbors might teach behind closed doors. So do Muslim Brotherhood documents uncovered by the FBI that identify Islamic centers as "the axis" of the Brotherhood's operations in America, where "batallions" are supplied for the movement. "How do you deal with people who embrace enemies of the United States? I cannot -- I don't think that anybody can," Bob G. said. Sharia in America In addition to the mosque in Sheepshead Bay, MAS recently attempted to purchase property in nearby Staten Island. Their bid was rejected after a huge public outcry. The group did succeed, however, in opening a massive mosque outside Boston in 2009 that boasted a price tag of more than $15 million. The Sheepshead Bay and Boston mosques follow a nationwide trend. In 2001, there were 1,200 mosques in the United States. In the past 10 years, that number has nearly doubled to more than 2,000 mosques. One recent study published by the Middle East Quarterly journal found that 81 percent of those U.S. mosques feature Islamic literature that advocates violence. The Bay People say New York City officials ignore all of their concerns about this and other issues. "You take out your mortgage, you work your two jobs, you try to raise your family. And then someone comes along that, they don't want to answer you," Fatone said. "You're just told, 'Well, you have to deal with this now. It's a house of worship,'" Fatone continued. "All the consideration is given to them. No one's met with us to hear our needs, hear our concerns." Shady Mosque Funding? The double lot that would house the MAS mosque went for a whopping $800,000, and construction on the facility will likely cost at least another million. Although the property owner, a Yemeni immigrant named Ahmed Allowey, has said the funds are all locally raised, the Bay People have their doubts. They note that Saudi Arabia has financed countless mosques across the U.S. and Europe. "The owner -- we never hear from him," Fatone said. "He'll come to the rallies and he'll hide behind children. He'll stand behind people. But you never see him at the front of the barricade." Allowey and MAS leaders in Brooklyn did not respond to CBN News' repeated requests for comment. Their Voorhies Avenue property already faces some $30,000 in fines for building violations. A Mosque in Your Backyard The Bay People say their best chance to stop the mosque would be to convince the city of New York to change zoning laws that they believe are outdated. They warn their fight has ramifications far beyond Brooklyn. "If it can happen here, it can happen anywhere," Bob G. told CBN News. "Believe me, it's coming to your neighborhood next." Posted: 2011/05/27 May 25, 2011 SWAPPING LAND by; Helen Freedman It was with great pride and pleasure that I listened to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu address the U.S. Congress on Tuesday, May 24. The applause that greeted him over and over, from Democrats and Republicans, reflected the genuine good feeling that Americans have in regard to Israel. Despite the distortions of the liberal left-wing media, most Americans understand that, as the PM said, "Israel is not what's wrong in the Middle East. Israel is what's right." They also understand that "the conflict has never been about the establishment of a Palestinian state. The conflict has been about the existence of a jewish state. " I also enjoyed hearing Netanyahu assert that there is no need to develop, democratize, nor defend Israel, since Israel is already a developed, democratic country in the Middle East,able to defend itself. Of course, when I hear the words, "painful concessions," I cringe. We know what that means and we know that the prospect of removing Jews from their homes is intolerable. However, since we also know from past "negotiations" that the Arabs will never speak those magical six words, "I will accept a Jewish state," we pray that no more token concessions and "sacrifices for peace" will be necessary to appease the enemy appetite. The New York Post, May 25, had a series of excellent articles and opinion pieces on PM Netanyahu's speech. I thought that the cartoon by Sean Delonas captured the absurdity of President Obama's demand that Israel retreat to the pre-1967 lines. The imagined exchange between Obama, now visiting in England, with the Queen Mother, says it all: 
Posted: 2011/05/14 Map Shows That Israel Is In Range Of RocketsBy Helen Freedman
Mark Langfan, http://www.MarkLangfan.com, has created a map of Israel showing the range of enemy attacks on Israel from what might have been the "Palestinian state." Please see that the creation of such an entity would be suicidal.
Posted: 2011/05/13 Youtube Video of Demolition of Settler HomeThis is really hard to believe. The you-tube of the first demolition is heartbreaking to watch and to listen to. We must do everything in our power to prevent this from happening again. Public opinion must be loud enough and strong enough to stop the tragedy. We need your help!! Mobilize to prevent the destruction of the Carlebach house in Tekoa Dalet!! We have received information from reliable sources that the IDF is planning to once again destroy the house of Yigal and Maayan Carlebach in Tekoa Dalet. Their first house was destroyed in the middle of a winter night this past December 2010. Yigal and Maayan, with steadfasness and determination, and with the help of many good Jews, rebuilt their home , exactly on the same spot. They decided there and then that the destruction of their first house will not destroy them but rather connect them even more to their land and to their home. Yigal and Maayan and their 5 month old baby, are strong and rooted in Tekoa Dalet like a rock. The public is asked to turn to the members of Knesset, ministers, local council heads of the area and others to put pressure-to avert the evil decree.
Link to a short movie about the first destruction of the Carlebach home
in English
Link to government offices: Posted: 2011/03/17 CHAVAT GILAD and ITAMARBy Helen FreedmanArab terrorist organizations, including the military arms of Israel’s supposed “peace” partner, the Palestinian Authority, led by Mahmoud Abbas, all read an open door policy in the actions of the Israeli government. In addition to releasing terrorists sentenced in Israeli courts for severe crimes, and removing check points from critical areas throughout Israel, PM Netanyahu has put the security of Israeli citizens in Judea and Samaria under the control of the Minister of Defense, Ehud Barak. The fact that Judea and Samaria have never been annexed to become legal parts of Israel, defies understanding. Holding this area as a military zone is admission to the Arabs that Israel really has no interest in keeping this biblical heartland as part of its nation. The implicit understanding conveyed by the Israeli government, as it works to delegitimize the Jews of Judea and Samaria, is that they don’t belong there and deserve to be removed. Even the Israeli left-wing media picks up this chant. It is therefore understandable that Arabs would attempt to take possession of what they perceive to be theirs. Just last week, we saw the Israeli police enter Chavat Gilad, a farm built on privately owned Jewish land in Samaria, and destroy Jewish homes citing them as “illegal.” Although no one was killed, plastic, rubber, and other types of bullets were shot, some at close range, at the residents of Chavat Gilad. Jewish police were shooting at Jewish citizens. Jewish homes were destroyed. We know the people at Chavat Gilad, having visited there many times, most recently this past November, and we saw the pride they took in the homes they had constructed with their own labor. But the Defense Minister, with the backing of PM Netanyahu, deems them illegal and sends in the destruction teams to demolish homes and threaten lives. Is it any wonder then, that Arab terrorists should jump a security fence in Itamar, enter a Jewish home, and brutally murder a mother, father, and three children? They are taking their cue from the Israeli government that stops at actually murdering its people, but doesn’t hesitate to shoot at them. The Arab mentality, subjected to early indoctrination in the hatred of the “Zionist occupiers” and the culture of jihad and suicide bombings, carries it to the next step, and butchers Jews in their beds. We are shocked and horrified, but should we be surprised? This has been the pattern of the reign of Arab terror for years, which accompanies Israel’s policies of appeasement, concession and destruction. As a sop to those who are crying out for justice, PM Netanyahu approved the construction of 400 units for Jews. That is a slap in the face to the murdered victims and to the devoted residents of Judea and Samaria who desperately need housing for their expanding families. Thousands of units of Jewish housing should be built as a normal process of life in Israel, but not as revenge for Jewish blood. At the same time, illegal Arab building goes on unchecked and the building of a new Arab city, Rawabi, continues with Israel’s approval. And what do we hear from U.S. President Hussein Obama? He believes that despite the slaughter in Itamar, and despite the total upheaval of the Arab world, Obama insists that Israeli “settlements are the obstacle to peace” that have prevented his intended “two-state solution.” He, and members of the international community will continue to strong-arm PM Netanyahu into weakening Israel. They refuse to understand that Arab terrorism and refusal to accept Israel’s right to exist, are the true obstacles to peace. |
A Torah scroll saved from the ashes of the Holocaust has been placed in a new synagogue in Itamar, in memory of the five members of the Fogel family who were murdered there earlier this year.
Under pouring rain, twenty AFSI members, headed by their leader Helen Freedman, arrived in Netzer on Friday for a tour and plantings, before continuing to Hebron for Shabbat Chaye Sara.
Mahmoud Abbas, our supposed "peace" partner, has now joined forces with Hamas, the acknowledged terrorist group. This is actually a declaration of war against the state of Israel since Hamas has never disguised its intentions of destroying Israel. The PLO has used the diplomatic track, hoping to delude Israelis and the world with its words of peace, while pursuing its terrorist ideology. The truth is now out. There is no more time for talk. Israel must pre-empt in order to save Jewish lives.