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1. Hamas Woos Gaza Kids from UN Camps to Join 'Fun with Terror'
by Yehudah Lev Kay
Hamas has embarked on a massive campaign this summer to woo Gazan children away from UNWRA (United Nations Works and Relief Association) summer camps to its own camps. At Hamas summer camps, kids learned to wage war against Israel and were indoctrinated with Islamic ideology.
Hamas has run 700 summer camps throughout Gaza in 2009 at a budget of $2 million, which were attended by 100,000 children. according to a research report by the Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center. In contrast, UNRWA ran camps that wereattended by between 200,000 to 250,000 kids. Fatah, Islamic Jihad, and other Islamic groups also run Gaza summer camps.
Leading up to the summer, Hamas embarked on a massive advertising campaign which included a designated website designed to encourage parents to send their children to Hamas camps instead of the UNWRA camps.
Hamas council member Younis al-Astel repeatedly lambasted the UNWRA camps for being coeducational, and claimed that campers there used drugs, learned how to dance, and worst of all, were taught about reconciliation between Gaza and Israel.
“[There is barbaric attack on our children at the inferior summer camps whose objective is to corrupt their morals with drugs and other things,” as-Astel said at a Hamas camp ceremony. The religious leadership in Gaza generally took the side of Hamas and encouraged parents to send children to its camps, which combine intense study of Islam and the Koran as well.
UNWRA reportedly gave in to some of the Hamas pressure and separated the sexes in its camps. Karen Abu Ziyyad, UNRWA commissioner general, also emphasized to the Al Arabiya TV station that kids in UNWRA camps played games and engaged in various cultural and sporting activities which “have no relation to normalization [with Israe or anything like that.”
Besides learning about Islam and studying the Koran at Hamas summer camps, children also learn to fight in the Jihad against Israel. Children are taught weapons training, hand-to-hand combat, as well as the use of explosive belts for suicide missions.
In one incident in July, children in a Hamas summer camp reenacted the June 2006 kidnapping of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, in which two other Israeli soldiers were killed.
“In the war against Israel, there were more than 100 children trained to attack Israeli forces in Gaza,” a source in Gaza told Middle East Newsline. “Some of them ran away and many of them were killed.”
Children in Hamas summer camps also protested the “Israeli siege” of Gaza, some laying on the ground in rows, faking death from starvation.
2. US Jews Enraged by Catholic Document Urging Missionizing of Jews
by Malkah Fleisher
A June document issued by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), suggesting that interfaith dialogue conducted by Catholics with Jews should be used as an opportunity to missionize them, has disturbed and infuriated American Jews from all streams of practice.
Entitled "A Note On Ambiguities Contained In Reflections On Covenant And Mission", the document references a 2002 missive on the topic of interfaith dialogue with the Jews written in coordination with the National Council of Synagogues by an advisory group to the USCCB's Committee on Ecumentical and Interreligious Affairs.
The old document, although it affirmed missionary work in general and stated that interfaith dialogue could be "mutually enriching," specifically stated that Jews should not be sought for conversion, as they serve a purpose as "Jewish witnesses".
However, the "Note on Ambiguities" revokes these understandings. In the new document, USCCB Bishops assert the centrality of missionary work to Catholic doctrine and suggest a finite divine covenant with the Jews: "The long story of God's intervention in the history of Israel comes to its unsurpassable culmination in Jesus Christ, who is God become man." According to the document, "we also believe that the fulfillment of the covenants, indeed, of all God's promises to Israel, is found only in Jesus Christ."
The American Jewish world has erupted in response to the "Note on Ambiguities", with several organizations uniting to reply with "serious concern."
Signed on August 18 by the American Jewish Committee, Anti-Defamation League (ADL), National Council of Synagogues, Orthodox Union, and Rabbinical Council of America, a letter posted on the ADL website says the "Note on Ambiguities" "engendered both uncertainty and considerable disappointment with respect to the position maintained by the Church and its spokespersons," with "invitations" to become Christian making Jewish participation in dialogue with the Church "untenable".
While Pope John Paul II often spoke of a covenant "never revoked," the "Note on Ambiguities" seems to annul that position, with a harder-line stance on conversion being taken by new Pope Benedict XVI.
3. Lieberman Won't Resign Even if Settlement is Frozen
by Hillel Fendel
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman told reporters on Sunday, “I don’t see anything differently from here than from there. I see better from here than what I saw from there, only strengthening the opinions that I expressed during the elections campaign.”
Former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is famous for explaining the differences between his policies as Prime Minister and the opinions he long held before then by saying, “What you see from here, you don’t see from there.”
At a briefing for diplomatic correspondents at the Foreign Ministry, Lieberman said that one of the main errors made by the Foreign Ministry before he took over five months ago was that “it had become, for 90% of the time, the ministry for Palestinian affairs… I have acted to strengthen our ties with African and South American nations. There is no substitute for our relations with the United States, and we have to develop and nurture them – but we must also build up our relations with other countries as well.”
Responding to reports that U.S. President Barack Obama plans to have a Palestinian state established within two years, Lieberman said, “There is no single Palestinian Authority. Israeli policy must be based on reality, not illusions. Dramatic goals such as forcing an arrangement by a certain time are bound to fail, and will end in disappointment, frustration and even hostilities.”
“Mark my words: Even in 16 years from now, there will not be a comprehensive deal with the Palestinians. When I read the Fatah platform, I see there is no chance of bridging our differences. Even if a Palestinian state arises [in all of Judea and Sama, the Palestinians will continue to demand autonomy for the Galilee, and the like. Let’s not get stuck in unrealistic dreams; let’s improve the economic situation and the roadblocks, and keep the dialogue going.”
Minister Lieberman said that when he took office, “My staff and I invested a lot of effort and thought with the veteran Ministry officials in an attempt to find out what is the goal of the Ministry? What has been done? What should we do? At the end of the process, we formulated a document detailing and defining the goals and missions for Israel’s Foreign Ministry.”
Asked if he would resign from the government if Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu decides to freeze Jewish construction in Judea and Samaria, Lieberman said, “At this point, I don’t want to draw red lines. I’d like to give others a chance to prove that I’m wrong.” Lieberman is one of six ministers on a special committee tasked with making the decision regarding construction. The others are Netanyahu, Meridor and Barak, who are inclined to favor going along with the American demands for a freeze, and Lieberman, Yaalon and Begin, who oppose.
Regarding the Iranian nuclear threat, the former Strategic Affairs Minister said, “Israel has warned many times in the past, and must do much more. Iran is a cause of instability in the entire region, and not just for Israel.”
4. First-Person Account: Touring Israel with Mike Huckabee
by Helen Freedman
A first-person account of a US presidential candidate's trip to Israel by a prominent Jewish-American activist reveals a calm man with strong principles.
When I received the invitation from Shani Hikind at the Ateret Cohanim/Jerusalem Reclamation Project (JRP) to accompany Republican Presidential candidate and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee on a mission to Israel, I agreed immediately.
Having listened to Huckabee speak at the many debates held amongst the candidates, and being a fan of his Fox television show and his ABC radio shows, I knew that traveling with Mike would be a unique and extraordinary experience. It was all that and more!!
I trust that the messages he brings back, which are strong contradictions of the Obama policies, will help educate the general public about the true situation that exists in Israel today, and the necessity of keeping Israel a viable ally of America.
I arrived at Newark Airport late Saturday night, August 15, and waited at the gate to board my El Al midnight flight to Israel. An unassuming man walked into the area all alone. There was no entourage, no guards, no secretaries, and no press. When I looked again, I realized it was Mike Huckabee. I approached him, introduced myself, and told him I was part of the group with which he would be traveling. He was as gracious as could be, agreed to take some books and materials that I had for him, and posed for a photo with me. From that time on, he greeted me as Helen whenever we met.
He had that same warm quality with everyone in the group, remembering each one's name and greeting each one with a smile. This calm, affable, genuine quality about him continued throughout our three-day trip in Israel, despite the constant pressure of the media surrounding him, pushing their way forward, shouting out questions, and following him everywhere.
The trip was under the tireless guidance of JRP Representative in Jerusalem, Daniel Luria. Our first day was concentrated in Jerusalem, with a fascinating tour of the City of David, where ancient excavations dating back 3,200 years have been discovered. This was followed by trips through the former Yemenite village in Silwan, mostly Arab but with a renewed Jewish presence as there was decades ago, a visit to Maaleh HaZeitim, a flourishing Jewish development on the Mount of Olives, and a delightful stop at Kidmat Tzion, another Jewish development, adjacent to the ugly wall that cuts through Jerusalem and separates Abu Dis from the rest of Jerusalem.
While most of us enjoyed a picnic lunch in the lovely shaded forest area adjacent to Kidmat Tzion, Mike Huckabee sat in the strong sunshine, in front of a stunning view of the Old City, while he gave interview after interview to the omnipresent press.
Huckabee's remarks to the press have been well-recorded, but there were some particular comments that stand out in my memory. He insisted that his visit was not meant to be a provocation. He believes that two sovereign nations cannot control the same piece of territory, and that though the PA deserves to have a state, "it can't be in Israel." He affirms the unique relationship between the U.S. and Israel which he describes as "organic," with both having experienced the same struggle and victory. He also spoke about his experiences growing up in the deep South with segregated schools, which makes him very sensitive to issues of discrimination and prejudice.
When asked about the "occupation," Mike Huckabee responded brilliantly. He described Israel's government as one of "accommodation, not occupation." He spoke about Israel's efforts to bring all types of services to the Arab communities such as schools, infra-structure development, hospitals, and welfare payments.
The Moskowitz family, owners of the Shepherd Hotel in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of eastern Jerusalem, hosted a lovely cocktail reception on Monday evening at the hotel. Although the hotel is located near the National Headquarters of the Israeli police, near the tomb of Shimon HaTzadik, and adjacent to the Hebrew University and Hadassah Hospital on Mt. Scopus, the purchase of the hotel by a Jewish family, with the purpose of converting it to apartments for Jews, had set off a storm of protest. As we arrived at the hotel, we saw the protestors from Peace Now screaming their opposition to Huckabee's presence. Huckabee's reaction to their insults and noise was that their ability to behave in that fashion simply demonstrated Israel's democratic character, where free speech, even if ugly and unwanted, was fully tolerated.
On Tuesday, the former governor was given a tour of Maaleh Adumim and the E1 corridor to Jerusalem. The town's mayor, Benny Kashriel, explained that the population of nearly 40,000 people in the city provided 2,000 jobs to Arabs, and that freezing construction meant putting Arabs out of work. Huckabee agreed that Obama's policies are not in sync with either his campaign promises, or his assurances made to AIPAC of his continued support for previous understandings regarding Israel's settlement situation. Huckabee asserted that Israelis must be allowed to make their own decisions.
He continued along these lines as we toured Shomron/Samaria with David HaIvri. We visited Beit El, Mt. Gerizim overlooking Shechem (Nablus), Har Bracha, and Givot Olam. In each place he met hard-working, devoted people who love the Land of Israel and dedicate their lives to its preservation. Gershon Mesika, the head of the Shomron Regional Council, asked Huckabee to do what he could to encourage the Jewish people to love Israel and thus restore the Temple to Jerusalem.
Huckabee spoke about American Christians' very deep support for Israel. He believes there is more unity amongst Evangelicals for Israel than there is among Jews. He describes the Christian connection to Judaism as one that is totally genetic, "part of its DNA," and that because of this, Bible-believing Christians assert the right of the Jews to their homeland.
Huckabee suggested that Obama's positions on Israel have brought anxiety to Congress, and that Democrats don't want to be seen to be in conflict with Israel. He reminded us of Reagan's bombing of Libya, and stated, "Abandoning the Israel/U.S. relationship would be the undoing of both countries." Responding to questions about defensible borders for Israel, Huckabee maintained that there would be none if control were turned over to Hamas.
Referring to the years of peace processes, he reminded us of Einstein's definition of insanity, namely, "doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." Huckabee recommends starting with a blank slate and seeing what is realistically possible; "there is no point in talking about a plan that is a proven failure." Although he recognized that he is out of the mainstream in his beliefs, he says he prefers that to the position of always having to check the prevailing winds.
Asserting that Jews should have the right to live wherever they choose in their homeland, he commented, "If Arabs didn't want to lose land, they shouldn't have started wars." He reminded us that wars and history have caused so many lands to change hands and populations.
That evening, back in Jerusalem, there was a cocktail reception at the very beautiful home of Mr. Guma Aguiar in Yemin Moshe. The former governor was awarded photos and plaques for his deep devotion to Israel as the Jewish homeland. Many Members of Knesset and other dignitaries were there, along with the press of course, and once again Huckabee displayed his modesty, equanimity, and sincerity as he graciously accepted the awards and once again pledged his devotion to Israel.
(Pictured below:) Huckabee with Rabbi Wolpe at Gush Katif Museum
By Wednesday, August 19, work commitments began to intrude in the planned schedule. Though he did not make it to the Gush Katif "resettlement camp" in Nitzan (see below), Huckabee did get to the Gush Katif museum in Jerusalem, where he met Rivka Goldschmidt, an evacuee from the destroyed Gush Katif communities. He spoke to her earnestly, listening to her description of what it had been like to have led a useful and productive life in a beautiful home and community and then to have it all torn away and destroyed. Four years later, only 15 percent of the 400 farmers of Gush Katif have received proper compensation. There were 50 greenhouses in Gush Katif; today, the former residents have only three. People are still paying off the mortgages on their destroyed homes, and must pay rent for the caravans in which they live in the "refugee camps." Huckabee seemed deeply moved by what he heard, as well as by the vivid photos and powerfully emotional film of the expulsion.
He was unable to continue with us on our visit to Nitzan, the largest of the Jewish "refugee camps," where we met with Dror Vanunu and Rachel and Moshe Saperstein, former residents of N'vei Dekalim. After a lovely lunch at the visitors' center, we traveled on to Hevron to enjoy the spirituality always present in this city of our Matriarchs and Patriarchs. David Wilder once again served as our valuable guide.
At our farewell dinner at the "Between the Arches" restaurant in the Old City, Huckabee was there to greet each one of us. He shook hands with us individually, and posed for photos. I spoke to him briefly about his plans to visit Israel again in late January/February with a Christian group. I reminded him that Herbert Zweibon, chairman of my organization, Americans for a Safe Israel/AFSI, has always worked closely with the Christian community and would work with him on his planned visit. He indicated that he would look forward to discussing this further.
Mike Huckabee did not stay to dine with us; he fought the Jerusalem traffic that erev Rosh Chodesh Elul night simply to say farewell personally to each one of us who had accompanied him on this memorable trip. He then left for the airport and his return flight to New York. I look forward to watching his personal reports on Fox News and listening to his radio commentaries on Israel.
I trust that the messages he brings back, which are strong contradictions of the Obama policies, will help educate the general public about the true situation that exists in Israel today, and the necessity of keeping Israel a viable ally of America.
Helen Freedman is Executive Director of Americans For a Safe Israel/AFSI - 212-828-2424; afsi@rcn.com
5. MK Ariel: 'The Best Appointments We Could Have Gotten'
by Gil Ronen
The Judge Selection Committee agreed Sunday on the nominations of three judges to the Supreme Court: Neal Hendel, Yitzchak Amit and Uzi Fogelman.
Judge Nili Arad was selected as Deputy President of the Labor Court.
Justice Minster Yaakov Ne'eman and Supreme Court President Dorit Beinisch phoned the appointees and wished them success.
Judge Neal Hendel / Israel news photo: Courts.gov.il
MK Uri Ariel of the National Union told Arutz Sheva's Hebrew service Sunday that "these were the best appointments that we could have gotten. The procedure that determined that only judges who have been on the Supreme Court for one year [as temporary appointment has been changed. Out of the three who were chosen, two arrived directly from the District Court to the Supreme Court. In addition, this was the first time that a candidate nominated by Knesset Members was selected. Our proposal regarding Neal Hendel was accepted unanimously."
"We added a special session [nex Friday in order to continue and select the representatives of the District, Magistrates, Traffic and Family courts," Ariel added.
The Legal Forum for the Land of Israel hailed the appointments as "the beginning of a revolution" in the appointment of judges. The forum noted that this was the first time that a majority of the judges selected were not favored by the Supreme Court President, and that Judges Hendel and Amit are both independent thinkers, unlike the candidates usually favored by Beinisch. The forum also noted that President Beinisch wanted to adjourn the meeting Sunday without making the appointments but that Justice Minister Ne'eman insisted on a decision.
Neal Hendel, who dons a knit kippah (yarmulke), was born in 1952 in the United States. He studied at Yeshiva of Flatbush High School and New York University, and in 1973 studied Talmud with Rabbi Yoseph Dov Soloveichik at Yeshiva University. He completed his law degree at Hofstra University in Long Island, and came on Aliyah to Israel in 1983. He has been a judge since 1988.
Judge Yitzhak Amit was born in 1958 in Israel. He graduated from Zeitlin High School and served in the IDF. In 1985 he completed his law studies at Hebrew University. After working as a private sector lawyer for 11 years he was appointed to the Haifa Magistrates' Court.
Judge Uzi Fogelman was born in 1954 in Israel. He graduated from Aleph Municipal High School in Tel Aviv and served in the IDF's Nachal Regiment. He received his law degree at Tel Aviv University and became a lawyer in 1980. From 1982 to 2000 he worked in the Prosecution where he became a department head and a favorite of Beinisch's. He was appointed to the District Court in 2000 after receiving a Masters' Degree in Public Management at Harvard University.
6. Obama Plan: Temple Mount Under Arab-Muslim Sovereignty
by Gil Ronen
The Middle East peace plan that United States President Barack Obama will unveil soon involves the creation of a Palestinian Authority state by 2011 and the transfer of Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem [presumably including the Temple Mount – ed to Arab-Muslim sovereignty, Saudi newspaper Al-Ukaz has learned.
According to the report published Sunday in Al-Ukaz, the Obama plan also includes the following elements:Some parts of eastern Jerusalem [presumably Neveh Yaakov, Pisgat Ze'ev and the like - ed would be transferred to Israeli control. There would be an international presence in the Jordan Valley and other parts of Judea and Samaria. The Palestinian Authority terror organizations would be disbanded and turn into political parties. The large settlement blocs in Judea and Samaria would not be dismantled. The fate of smaller Jewish settlement areas would be decided in a three-month-long negotiation period.
A reporter for the Saudi newspaper received the information from Hassan Harisha, the Second Deputy Speaker of the Palestinian Authority Parliament. Harisha told him that the U.S. has handed over a draft of the peace proposal to the PA and other Arabs for their perusal.
The plan also calls for Judea and Samaria to be demilitarized and for its airspace to remain under Israel control. Israeli-Palestinian Authority security coordination would be strengthened, and the Palestinian Authority state would not be allowed to strike military treaties with other countries in the region.
An “agreed number” of Arab refugees would be absorbed in the Jordan Valley area and in other parts of Judea and Samaria – especially in the area between Ramallah and Shechem.
An international fund would support the refugees and Israel would release Palestinian Authority prisoners three years after a diplomatic accord is signed.
Will he lay out a blueprint?
The Saudi report notwithstanding, the Washington Post's Jackson Diehl estimated Sunday that Obama will not go so far as to present a blueprint for a peace settlement, despite being urged to do so by several Arab governments.
"As the U.N. General Assembly meets in late September, Obama aims to announce the opening of a new negotiating process between Israelis and Palestinians, along with 'confidence-building' steps by Israel, the Palestinian Authority and a number of Arab governments," the columnist wrote. Obama "will probably lay out at least a partial vision of the two-state settlement that all sides now say they support, and the course that negotiations should take. More significantly, he intends to set an ambitious timetable for completing the peace deal -- something that will please Arabs but may irritate Israel."
7. 'Find-a-Parking-Spot Contest' in Tel Aviv Highlights Car-Sharing
by Hillel Fendel
How to deliver 24 newly-arrived cars from the port to dealers in Tel Aviv? Have drivers take them there, competing along the way to be the first to find a parking spot!
The contest will be held this Friday and will be used to call attention to both the lack of parking spots in Tel Aviv and the advantages of car-sharing systems gaining in popularity around the world.
Israel’s car-sharing company is Car2Go, which was founded last year in the city of Ulm, Germany. The system's advantages are that the cars can be rented by the hour or day, picked up and dropped off almost anywhere, and can be reserved with almost no advance notice.
In addition, from municipal and national standpoints, the car-sharing systems offer considerable savings in traffic congestion, pollution, and parking availability. Car2Go reports that each one of its cars replaces 15 cars on the roads and frees up 14 parking spots.
Naom Margalit, who heads the Car2Go company in Israel, would like the Tel Aviv municipality to follow the example set by other cities around the world and designate – for a monthly fee - parking spots for his company. He explains: “The idea for the contest was born when we looked for an original and creative way to get 24 new cars from the importer to the dealers. The competition illustrates the parking problem in Tel Aviv and the daily race for a spot in which Tel Aviv drivers take part, and raises public awareness of the advantages of designating parking spots for us.”
The Tel Aviv municipality is reportedly interested in the idea, but no decision has been made of yet.
The system works roughly as follows: A fleet of vehicles is made available for Car2Go members, parked in specially-designated spots and available for use at any time. A car can be "hired" by flashing one’s driver’s license – equipped with special chips for the purpose – at the windshield, thus checking to see if the car is “taken” or “available.” If the former, the user will be informed of the nearest available car. The customer then gets in, types in his personal PIN number as well as other information, such as the condition of the car, and drives off. When he finishes – an hour, day or even a month later – he parks the car in another designated spot, logs out, and is billed monthly.
Car2Go reports that over 400,000 people currently take part in car-sharing systems in 600 cities in 18 countries around the world. The “Mobility” company is the largest of its kind in Switzerland, which has a population similar to that of Israel, and serves 70,000 drivers with an array of 2,000 cars.
Friday’s contest will be held in three stages. It will begin at the Reading Power Plant parking lot, where 24 pairs of contestants will get into freshly-arrived new cars. At the signal, they will dash off to find parking spaces, in accordance with special instructions they will receive via SMS and envelopes at various points along their trip. Points will be taken off for traffic violations. A vacation for two will be granted to the winner, and other prizes will be awarded to the other contestants.
