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1. PA Double Talk on Honoring Terrorist, Jerusalem Bombing
by Elad Benari
Palestinian Media Watch (PMW), a media watchdog group that monitors the media in the Palestinian Authority, reported once again on Sunday about the duplicity of the Palestinian Authority leadership.
Once such incident in the report revolves around the naming of a square in Ramallah after Dalal Mughrabi, the female terrorist who led the Coastal Road Massacre in March of 1978 which ended with 37 Israelis dead, including 13 children.
Abbas condemns: During an interview with Israel’s Channel 2 News last week, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas condemned the naming of a square after Mughrabi:
Abbas: “If there's incitement on my part, where is it?”
Israeli TV host: “On TV.”
Abbas: “No. I say, in Israel there's also incitement.”
Host: “I'll give you another example. When the Israeli public sees the PA glorifies terrorists, calling a square for [terrorist] Dalal Mughrabi, a street for [terrorist] Ayyash.”
Abbas: “These [namings] are not by the PA but by the municipalities. The municipalities have a degree of independence.”
Host: “Are you personally against those commemorations?”
Abbas: "There's no doubt, I'm against it... Whatever we must do, you must do as well, but I condemn this action [naming square for Mughrabi].”
Abbas commends: The above comments are the complete opposite of comments made by Abbas during an interview he gave just over a year ago to the Arabic language, PA-based Al-Hayat Al-Jadida newspaper.
“They [Israel] say about me that I carry out terrorist activities. What are those terrorist activities? That I search for those who sell land in Jerusalem and chase them. Of course I chase them, and I shall continue to do so. Is that a crime? [Israel says,] 'Does he [Abbas] not know that they [the PA] named a square after Dalal Mughrabi and he [Abbas] personally went [to the ceremony]?' - Of course I did not go myself, but I do not deny [the naming].
Of course we want to name a square after her. Okay, what about [murdered Israeli cabinet minister Rehavam] Zeevi? They [Israelis] named a road after him [in the Jordan Valley], near brother Saeb [Erekat, i.e, the chief Fatah negotiator], and so on. What is it [that Israel wants]? That we renounce our history? How? We... carried out a military activity; can I then later renounce all that we have done? No, I don't renounce it.” [Emphasis added.]
The PMW report also notes how Abbas personally glorified Mughrabi in the past, funded a computer center named after her, and sponsored a “birthday” celebration on what would have been her 50th birthday, with senior Fatah officials present and including a live performance of songs and poems.
Mughrabi is not the only terrorist glorified by the PA and specifically by Abbas, notes the report. Abbas took part in the official red carpet military funeral of Amin Al-Hindi who was one of the senior planners of the murder of 11 Israeli athletes in the Munich Olympics in 1972. Another planner of the Munich Olympics attack, Muhammad Daoud Oudeh, was referred to by Abbas as “a wonderful brother, companion, tough and stubborn, relentless fighter.”
Abbas' Prime Minister also guilty of double talk
A separate reported released by PMW showed that PA Prime Minster Salam Fayyad is no different when it comes to double talk. Fayyad, who on Wednesday afternoon condemned as “terror” the bomb at a Jerusalem bus stop, had, the same morning, honored PA women terrorists, including two who drove suicide bombers to terror attacks killing five.
Fayyad commends: “I will not fail to mention with honor and admiration the resolve of the female prisoners, the fighters, and of all the prisoners of freedom who are imprisoned in the Israeli prisons, experiencing indescribable suffering,” Fayyad was quoted by Arabic language Al-Hayat Al-Jadida as saying. “This requires that all of us intensify the effort to ensure their liberation from the occupation's chains and from the abuse of its [Israel's] executioners.” Among those terrorists he honored was also one who placed a bomb in a bus station, an act identical to the one he condemned just a few hours later.
The same newspaper, as well as Israel's media, also reported Fayyad’s condemnation of the terror attack in Jerusalem:
Fayyad condemns: “Prime Minister Fayyad condemned ‘harshly’ the explosion which took place next to the Jerusalem central bus station. He emphasized that such actions bring 'catastrophes' upon the Palestinian people. In an announcement, Fayyad said, ‘I condemn this terror operation in the harshest terms, no matter who stands behind it.’ Fayyad wished the injured a speedy recovery.
He said, ‘It is shameful that after all the catastrophes which such actions have brought upon our people, and the heavy damage which they have brought to our struggle and to the justice of our cause, some Palestinian party still insists on renewing these shameful operations and scenes, under hollow slogans which our people no longer believe, and which stand in complete contrast to its legitimate attempt to earn freedom through peaceful means and through its determination to stand resolute and to remain upon its land.’”
Confusing? Only if you understand Arabic or read the Palestine Media Watch translations. If you stick only to what the PA leaders say for Israeli and world consumption, you will feel better.
Comment on this story
by Elad Benari
Palestinian Media Watch (PMW), a media watchdog group that monitors the media in the Palestinian Authority, reported once again on Sunday about the duplicity of the Palestinian Authority leadership.
Once such incident in the report revolves around the naming of a square in Ramallah after Dalal Mughrabi, the female terrorist who led the Coastal Road Massacre in March of 1978 which ended with 37 Israelis dead, including 13 children.
Abbas condemns: During an interview with Israel’s Channel 2 News last week, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas condemned the naming of a square after Mughrabi:
Abbas: “If there's incitement on my part, where is it?”
Israeli TV host: “On TV.”
Abbas: “No. I say, in Israel there's also incitement.”
Host: “I'll give you another example. When the Israeli public sees the PA glorifies terrorists, calling a square for [terrorist] Dalal Mughrabi, a street for [terrorist] Ayyash.”
Abbas: “These [namings] are not by the PA but by the municipalities. The municipalities have a degree of independence.”
Host: “Are you personally against those commemorations?”
Abbas: "There's no doubt, I'm against it... Whatever we must do, you must do as well, but I condemn this action [naming square for Mughrabi].”
Abbas commends: The above comments are the complete opposite of comments made by Abbas during an interview he gave just over a year ago to the Arabic language, PA-based Al-Hayat Al-Jadida newspaper.
“They [Israel] say about me that I carry out terrorist activities. What are those terrorist activities? That I search for those who sell land in Jerusalem and chase them. Of course I chase them, and I shall continue to do so. Is that a crime? [Israel says,] 'Does he [Abbas] not know that they [the PA] named a square after Dalal Mughrabi and he [Abbas] personally went [to the ceremony]?' - Of course I did not go myself, but I do not deny [the naming].
Of course we want to name a square after her. Okay, what about [murdered Israeli cabinet minister Rehavam] Zeevi? They [Israelis] named a road after him [in the Jordan Valley], near brother Saeb [Erekat, i.e, the chief Fatah negotiator], and so on. What is it [that Israel wants]? That we renounce our history? How? We... carried out a military activity; can I then later renounce all that we have done? No, I don't renounce it.” [Emphasis added.]
The PMW report also notes how Abbas personally glorified Mughrabi in the past, funded a computer center named after her, and sponsored a “birthday” celebration on what would have been her 50th birthday, with senior Fatah officials present and including a live performance of songs and poems.
Mughrabi is not the only terrorist glorified by the PA and specifically by Abbas, notes the report. Abbas took part in the official red carpet military funeral of Amin Al-Hindi who was one of the senior planners of the murder of 11 Israeli athletes in the Munich Olympics in 1972. Another planner of the Munich Olympics attack, Muhammad Daoud Oudeh, was referred to by Abbas as “a wonderful brother, companion, tough and stubborn, relentless fighter.”
Abbas' Prime Minister also guilty of double talk
A separate reported released by PMW showed that PA Prime Minster Salam Fayyad is no different when it comes to double talk. Fayyad, who on Wednesday afternoon condemned as “terror” the bomb at a Jerusalem bus stop, had, the same morning, honored PA women terrorists, including two who drove suicide bombers to terror attacks killing five.
Fayyad commends: “I will not fail to mention with honor and admiration the resolve of the female prisoners, the fighters, and of all the prisoners of freedom who are imprisoned in the Israeli prisons, experiencing indescribable suffering,” Fayyad was quoted by Arabic language Al-Hayat Al-Jadida as saying. “This requires that all of us intensify the effort to ensure their liberation from the occupation's chains and from the abuse of its [Israel's] executioners.” Among those terrorists he honored was also one who placed a bomb in a bus station, an act identical to the one he condemned just a few hours later.
The same newspaper, as well as Israel's media, also reported Fayyad’s condemnation of the terror attack in Jerusalem:
Fayyad condemns: “Prime Minister Fayyad condemned ‘harshly’ the explosion which took place next to the Jerusalem central bus station. He emphasized that such actions bring 'catastrophes' upon the Palestinian people. In an announcement, Fayyad said, ‘I condemn this terror operation in the harshest terms, no matter who stands behind it.’ Fayyad wished the injured a speedy recovery.
He said, ‘It is shameful that after all the catastrophes which such actions have brought upon our people, and the heavy damage which they have brought to our struggle and to the justice of our cause, some Palestinian party still insists on renewing these shameful operations and scenes, under hollow slogans which our people no longer believe, and which stand in complete contrast to its legitimate attempt to earn freedom through peaceful means and through its determination to stand resolute and to remain upon its land.’”
Confusing? Only if you understand Arabic or read the Palestine Media Watch translations. If you stick only to what the PA leaders say for Israeli and world consumption, you will feel better.
Comment on this story
2. Haaretz Reporters on Samaria Tour
by Maayana Miskin
The Samaria Regional Council and Samaria Residents Council achieved another goal for their successful "see for yourself" tours program this week, getting the staff of the radically left-wing Israeli newspaper Haaretz to tour Samaria, the biblical heartland. Haaretz staff join the staff of many other papers, as well as politicians, radio broadcasters, world leaders and more, who have taken part in the tour.
The one-day tour includes stops in Ariel, Itamar, and at viewpoints from which visitors can see the densely populated coastal region spread below them, giving them an immediate sense of the region's strategic security value.
Travelling the roads in the Shomron, the visitors saw the vast expanse of unpopulated and uncultivated land that fills most of the region, making it obvious that Israelis are not encroaching on Arab living space.
The visitors were shown Samaria's rich Jewish history, when they toured an archeological site from the times of Joshua son of Nun.
They saw the industrial complex in Barkan adjoining the city of Ariel, which provides employment for thousands of local Arabs.
They also got to sample some of the residents' products, tasting organic cheeses and yogurts made in Itamar and sampling wine made from the vineyards of Har Bracha.
Rabbi Nitzan Yemin, principal of the school in Itamar, met with the visitors from Haaretz, as did Benny Katzover of the Samaria Residents Council.
At the end of the trip, several of the editors and journalists said they would be interested in taking part in a second tour in the future.
The Samaria tours began more than a year ago as part of an outreach program aimed at making Israeli and international journalists, politicians and other opinion-shapers, many of whom are politically left-wing, less hostile to Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria. Among those to take part in the tours so far are former Justice Minister Professor Daniel Friedman, the staff of Yediot Acharonot and of Walla, Time Magazine's Jerusalem Bureau Chief Karl Vick, and popular broadcaster Avri Gilad.
Comment on this story
by Maayana Miskin
The Samaria Regional Council and Samaria Residents Council achieved another goal for their successful "see for yourself" tours program this week, getting the staff of the radically left-wing Israeli newspaper Haaretz to tour Samaria, the biblical heartland. Haaretz staff join the staff of many other papers, as well as politicians, radio broadcasters, world leaders and more, who have taken part in the tour.
The one-day tour includes stops in Ariel, Itamar, and at viewpoints from which visitors can see the densely populated coastal region spread below them, giving them an immediate sense of the region's strategic security value.
Travelling the roads in the Shomron, the visitors saw the vast expanse of unpopulated and uncultivated land that fills most of the region, making it obvious that Israelis are not encroaching on Arab living space.
The visitors were shown Samaria's rich Jewish history, when they toured an archeological site from the times of Joshua son of Nun.
They saw the industrial complex in Barkan adjoining the city of Ariel, which provides employment for thousands of local Arabs.
They also got to sample some of the residents' products, tasting organic cheeses and yogurts made in Itamar and sampling wine made from the vineyards of Har Bracha.
Rabbi Nitzan Yemin, principal of the school in Itamar, met with the visitors from Haaretz, as did Benny Katzover of the Samaria Residents Council.
At the end of the trip, several of the editors and journalists said they would be interested in taking part in a second tour in the future.
The Samaria tours began more than a year ago as part of an outreach program aimed at making Israeli and international journalists, politicians and other opinion-shapers, many of whom are politically left-wing, less hostile to Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria. Among those to take part in the tours so far are former Justice Minister Professor Daniel Friedman, the staff of Yediot Acharonot and of Walla, Time Magazine's Jerusalem Bureau Chief Karl Vick, and popular broadcaster Avri Gilad.
Comment on this story
3. Earthquake Report Designed to Scare; Is It Working?
by Hillel Fendel
The State Comptroller’s report on Israel’s earthquake preparedness this month paints a dismal picture, expecting a 7.5 quake to kill 16,000 people and leave 377,000 homeless. Minister Benny Begin, a geologist and the minister responsible for earthquake preparedness, says it's impossible and illogical to prepare for the worst-case scenario.
The report was the subject of a debate at the Knesset Audit Committee today. Minister Begin did not accept the report’s conclusions, saying it simply is a way of “scaring the public.” He added, “Japan didn’t prepare for a 9.0 earthquake… If people were to prepare for the worst-case scenario before entering their car, they would either never drive, or else only if they had an armed personnel carrier.”
Selected quotes from Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss’ report: “Most earthquake experts feel that the eventuality of an earthquake in Israel that is liable to exact thousands of victims and cause significant damage to property and buildings is almost certain, and that such a quake will definitely come sooner or later…
“A quake of 7.5 on the Richter scale in northern Israel is expected to cause 16,000 deaths, 6,000 seriously injured, 83,000 lightly injured, 377,000 evacuated from their homes...
“Though it is vital that hospitals continue to operate after an earthquake, many northern hospital buildings are very old and not built according to contemporary standards. A Health Ministry survey found that most of them are liable to collapse during an earthquake.”
Minister Begin said at the session that money for reinforcing public structures has been allocated in this year’s budget, and that the planning regarding over 60 such buildings are in the final stages. He said that reinforcement work on 60 schools, three hospitals and some fire stations is expected to begin this year.
Other damages expected to be caused by a 7.5 quake in Israel, according to the Comptroller’s report, include 680 breaks in sewage pipes, breaks in the National Water Carrier and other water and gas pipelines, collapse of or damage to schools, electric outages, and the partial collapse of two overpasses near Haifa.
Comment on this story
by Hillel Fendel
The State Comptroller’s report on Israel’s earthquake preparedness this month paints a dismal picture, expecting a 7.5 quake to kill 16,000 people and leave 377,000 homeless. Minister Benny Begin, a geologist and the minister responsible for earthquake preparedness, says it's impossible and illogical to prepare for the worst-case scenario.
The report was the subject of a debate at the Knesset Audit Committee today. Minister Begin did not accept the report’s conclusions, saying it simply is a way of “scaring the public.” He added, “Japan didn’t prepare for a 9.0 earthquake… If people were to prepare for the worst-case scenario before entering their car, they would either never drive, or else only if they had an armed personnel carrier.”
Selected quotes from Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss’ report: “Most earthquake experts feel that the eventuality of an earthquake in Israel that is liable to exact thousands of victims and cause significant damage to property and buildings is almost certain, and that such a quake will definitely come sooner or later…
“A quake of 7.5 on the Richter scale in northern Israel is expected to cause 16,000 deaths, 6,000 seriously injured, 83,000 lightly injured, 377,000 evacuated from their homes...
“Though it is vital that hospitals continue to operate after an earthquake, many northern hospital buildings are very old and not built according to contemporary standards. A Health Ministry survey found that most of them are liable to collapse during an earthquake.”
Minister Begin said at the session that money for reinforcing public structures has been allocated in this year’s budget, and that the planning regarding over 60 such buildings are in the final stages. He said that reinforcement work on 60 schools, three hospitals and some fire stations is expected to begin this year.
Other damages expected to be caused by a 7.5 quake in Israel, according to the Comptroller’s report, include 680 breaks in sewage pipes, breaks in the National Water Carrier and other water and gas pipelines, collapse of or damage to schools, electric outages, and the partial collapse of two overpasses near Haifa.
Comment on this story
4. New York Rally: Israel has Rights Too
by Larry Dominitch
The Israeli Consulate on 2nd Ave. and 42nd Street in New York City was the scene of a major show of support for Israel on Sunday, March 27th.
Over 200 people attended the rally in support of Israel's right to protect its citizens against Arab terror. It was also held as a memorial to the victims of the most recent terror attacks - the five members of the Fogel family of Itamar, and UK citizen Mary Jane Gardner from Yad HaShmonah, who was killed in the Jerusalem bombing.
Israeli flags and posters declaring support for Israel were held high to cheers, well-wishers, and supportive honking of automobile horns from many passersby headed down 2nd. Ave.
The group was led by Rabbi Avi Weiss and joined by the mayor of Itamar, Rabbi Moshe Goldsmith, and his wife Leah. Many attended with their prayerbooks and Israeli flags.
The event was sponsored by a host of Jewish organizations working together, including Amcha: Coalition for Jewish Concerns, Americans For a Safe Israel, Zionist Organization America, Stand With Us, Z-Street, Russian American Jewish Experience, Human Rights Coalition Against Radical Islam, Dor Chadash, Jewish International Connection New York, Fuel For Truth, One Heart Global, AmbassaDor, and IsraAmerica.
Main rally organizer Hillary Markowitz of Amcha named those injured in the recent Jerusalem bus station attack, and asked, "Where is the outrage? Where is the outcry? Where is President Obama? ... We are here to say that the Jews will stay in Israel. And that we will not sit by quietly!"
Leah Goldsmith, the wife of Itamar’s mayor, stated, “We are at war when people come on Shabbat to slaughter men, women, and children. President Obama has asked the Israeli government to remove the soldiers from the Tapuach junction near us, which protected the Jerusalem-Shechem road. So you got the butchering of a family, then a bombing at a bus stop because the White House thinks that soldiers checking Arabs is a human rights violation."
"Itamar is on a mountain. To the west we can see the skyscrapers of Tel Aviv, and to the east, we see the Jordan Valley. Do you want us, or Hamas, on that mountain?”
Rabbi Avi Weiss, of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, addressed the Palestinian Authority: "Israel wants real peace. You must be a real partner. Don't speak with a forked tongue; one way to the western media, and one way to your own people." Rabbi Weiss demanded the PA "stop hate in the media."
He told President Obama that when US officials speak about the "illegality of settlements before negotiating, these kind of statements contribute in their own way to this kind of crime. If you strengthen Israel, you strengthen America. If you weaken Israel, you weaken America."
Itamar's Mayor Goldsmith spoke of the difficulty of leaving his community during these difficult moments, but stressed the need for every Jew to stand up and speak out. “Israel needs every Jew to stand with us. We have for a long time given our lives to build Itamar. The entire world knows G-d gave the land to the Jewish people. The deed to the land is in the Bible... For the sake of Zion, we shall not be silent. For every attack, we will build".
Jacob Kimchi, the son of 2002 terrorism victim Rami Kimchi, the co-founder of One Heart Global whose mission is to assist victims of terror, stated, “I’d like to know if the presidents of the US, Russia, or European countries would allow missiles to bombard their capitals, or suicide bombers to target their civilians.”
Rabbi Weiss led the group in the singing of the popular tune “Lema’an Achai,” whose words mean, “For the sake of my brethren and my friends, I shall speak of peace in your midst” (Psalms 122:7-9).
He also offered prayers for Jonathan Pollard, asking Obama to release him from prison. Prayers were also offered on behalf of Gilad Shalit, held captive for nearly five years by Hamas.
As some of the many measures that can be taken in support of Israel, Markowitz reminded participants to purchase B.I.G. (Buy Israeli Goods) products to counter the anti-Israel boycotts. He encouraged them to visit and support the mock art show on display in Washington Square Park this week.
Participants heard from Elana Benador, Goodwill Ambassador for the Shomron Liaison Office, who said that Israel has had 1,200 victims of terror attacks since the year 2000. "That would be an equivalent of 50,297 Americans, proportionately," she said. During that same period, there have been 8,342 Israelis wounded from terror attacks. "By American standards," she said, "that would mean roughly 350,000 wounded."
The one-and-a-half hour event concluded with prayers on behalf of the State of Israel, followed by the singing of the national anthems of Israel and the U.S.
Comment on this story
by Larry Dominitch
The Israeli Consulate on 2nd Ave. and 42nd Street in New York City was the scene of a major show of support for Israel on Sunday, March 27th.
Over 200 people attended the rally in support of Israel's right to protect its citizens against Arab terror. It was also held as a memorial to the victims of the most recent terror attacks - the five members of the Fogel family of Itamar, and UK citizen Mary Jane Gardner from Yad HaShmonah, who was killed in the Jerusalem bombing.
Israeli flags and posters declaring support for Israel were held high to cheers, well-wishers, and supportive honking of automobile horns from many passersby headed down 2nd. Ave.
The group was led by Rabbi Avi Weiss and joined by the mayor of Itamar, Rabbi Moshe Goldsmith, and his wife Leah. Many attended with their prayerbooks and Israeli flags.
The event was sponsored by a host of Jewish organizations working together, including Amcha: Coalition for Jewish Concerns, Americans For a Safe Israel, Zionist Organization America, Stand With Us, Z-Street, Russian American Jewish Experience, Human Rights Coalition Against Radical Islam, Dor Chadash, Jewish International Connection New York, Fuel For Truth, One Heart Global, AmbassaDor, and IsraAmerica.
Main rally organizer Hillary Markowitz of Amcha named those injured in the recent Jerusalem bus station attack, and asked, "Where is the outrage? Where is the outcry? Where is President Obama? ... We are here to say that the Jews will stay in Israel. And that we will not sit by quietly!"
Leah Goldsmith, the wife of Itamar’s mayor, stated, “We are at war when people come on Shabbat to slaughter men, women, and children. President Obama has asked the Israeli government to remove the soldiers from the Tapuach junction near us, which protected the Jerusalem-Shechem road. So you got the butchering of a family, then a bombing at a bus stop because the White House thinks that soldiers checking Arabs is a human rights violation."
"Itamar is on a mountain. To the west we can see the skyscrapers of Tel Aviv, and to the east, we see the Jordan Valley. Do you want us, or Hamas, on that mountain?”
Rabbi Avi Weiss, of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, addressed the Palestinian Authority: "Israel wants real peace. You must be a real partner. Don't speak with a forked tongue; one way to the western media, and one way to your own people." Rabbi Weiss demanded the PA "stop hate in the media."
He told President Obama that when US officials speak about the "illegality of settlements before negotiating, these kind of statements contribute in their own way to this kind of crime. If you strengthen Israel, you strengthen America. If you weaken Israel, you weaken America."
Itamar's Mayor Goldsmith spoke of the difficulty of leaving his community during these difficult moments, but stressed the need for every Jew to stand up and speak out. “Israel needs every Jew to stand with us. We have for a long time given our lives to build Itamar. The entire world knows G-d gave the land to the Jewish people. The deed to the land is in the Bible... For the sake of Zion, we shall not be silent. For every attack, we will build".
Jacob Kimchi, the son of 2002 terrorism victim Rami Kimchi, the co-founder of One Heart Global whose mission is to assist victims of terror, stated, “I’d like to know if the presidents of the US, Russia, or European countries would allow missiles to bombard their capitals, or suicide bombers to target their civilians.”
Rabbi Weiss led the group in the singing of the popular tune “Lema’an Achai,” whose words mean, “For the sake of my brethren and my friends, I shall speak of peace in your midst” (Psalms 122:7-9).
He also offered prayers for Jonathan Pollard, asking Obama to release him from prison. Prayers were also offered on behalf of Gilad Shalit, held captive for nearly five years by Hamas.
As some of the many measures that can be taken in support of Israel, Markowitz reminded participants to purchase B.I.G. (Buy Israeli Goods) products to counter the anti-Israel boycotts. He encouraged them to visit and support the mock art show on display in Washington Square Park this week.
Participants heard from Elana Benador, Goodwill Ambassador for the Shomron Liaison Office, who said that Israel has had 1,200 victims of terror attacks since the year 2000. "That would be an equivalent of 50,297 Americans, proportionately," she said. During that same period, there have been 8,342 Israelis wounded from terror attacks. "By American standards," she said, "that would mean roughly 350,000 wounded."
The one-and-a-half hour event concluded with prayers on behalf of the State of Israel, followed by the singing of the national anthems of Israel and the U.S.
Comment on this story
5. MKs to Discuss Anti-Jewish Racism on the Temple Mount
by Maayana Miskin
“There is basic, racist discrimination on the Temple Mount. Jews are discriminated against on the Temple Mount, period. That's the situation.” So says Michael Fuah of the Likud's Jewish Leadership faction, which recently compiled its own report on discrimination on the Temple Mount after a State Comptroller's report was censored.
The Knesset has taken an interest in the Jewish Leadership faction's report, and the Internal Affairs committee plans to discuss its findings in a special hearing on Tuesday.
The Temple Mount discrimination “deals a blow to the values on which the state of Israel was founded, as a Jewish, democratic state,” Fuah told Arutz Sheva's Hebrew-language news service. The situation has worsened in recent months, he added.
Fuah described the discrimination: “Everyone who has attempted to ascend the Temple Mount knows the reality, in which everyone with a 'Jewish look,' a beard and kippah, experiences discrimination. He is pulled aside for extra checks while everyone else passes by unimpeded.” In addition, Jews are prohibited to pray at the site.
“This discrimination is taking place at the place that is holiest to the Jewish people,” he noted.
In some cases, he said, individual Jews have been forbidden to ascend to the Temple Mount, which according to Judaism is the world's most holy place. “They simply got a phone call in which [the police] told them that they cannot visit the Temple Mount, with no reason given,” he said.
He recalled the case of Rabbi Yosef Elbaum, of the Belz chassidic sect, who was prohibited to visit the Mount following an interview with Arutz Sheva in which he mentioned his efforts on behalf of the Movement for Establishing the Temple. Members of the group study Jewish law regarding the Temple and the Temple Mount.
“Rabbi Elbaum is sixty, and he never hurt anyone,” Fuah said. “Among Arabs, on the other hand, anyone over the age of 40 can enter the Temple Mount freely.”
He expressed hope that Members of Knesset would set clear criteria for cases in which individuals may be barred from the Temple Mount – thus allowing the people in question to appeal the decision. MK Yoel Hasson of Kadima has already come forward in support of allowing Jews to pray on the Temple Mount, he stated, and there is hope that others will do the same.
“The time has come to stop discriminating against Jews because they are Jews,” he concluded.
Comment on this story
by Maayana Miskin
“There is basic, racist discrimination on the Temple Mount. Jews are discriminated against on the Temple Mount, period. That's the situation.” So says Michael Fuah of the Likud's Jewish Leadership faction, which recently compiled its own report on discrimination on the Temple Mount after a State Comptroller's report was censored.
The Knesset has taken an interest in the Jewish Leadership faction's report, and the Internal Affairs committee plans to discuss its findings in a special hearing on Tuesday.
The Temple Mount discrimination “deals a blow to the values on which the state of Israel was founded, as a Jewish, democratic state,” Fuah told Arutz Sheva's Hebrew-language news service. The situation has worsened in recent months, he added.
Fuah described the discrimination: “Everyone who has attempted to ascend the Temple Mount knows the reality, in which everyone with a 'Jewish look,' a beard and kippah, experiences discrimination. He is pulled aside for extra checks while everyone else passes by unimpeded.” In addition, Jews are prohibited to pray at the site.
“This discrimination is taking place at the place that is holiest to the Jewish people,” he noted.
In some cases, he said, individual Jews have been forbidden to ascend to the Temple Mount, which according to Judaism is the world's most holy place. “They simply got a phone call in which [the police] told them that they cannot visit the Temple Mount, with no reason given,” he said.
He recalled the case of Rabbi Yosef Elbaum, of the Belz chassidic sect, who was prohibited to visit the Mount following an interview with Arutz Sheva in which he mentioned his efforts on behalf of the Movement for Establishing the Temple. Members of the group study Jewish law regarding the Temple and the Temple Mount.
“Rabbi Elbaum is sixty, and he never hurt anyone,” Fuah said. “Among Arabs, on the other hand, anyone over the age of 40 can enter the Temple Mount freely.”
He expressed hope that Members of Knesset would set clear criteria for cases in which individuals may be barred from the Temple Mount – thus allowing the people in question to appeal the decision. MK Yoel Hasson of Kadima has already come forward in support of allowing Jews to pray on the Temple Mount, he stated, and there is hope that others will do the same.
“The time has come to stop discriminating against Jews because they are Jews,” he concluded.
Comment on this story
6. Itamar Youths Come to Strengthen Jerusalem
by Elad Benari
On Sunday, a group of teenagers from the Samaria community of Itamar, where the heinous murder of five members of the Fogel family occurred just two weeks ago, visited the place where last Wednesday’s terror attack in Jerusalem took place, near the International Convention Center. The purpose of the teens' visit was to strengthen the passersby and to convey a message of unity and shared destiny to Israel.
Itamar's youth coordinator, Pinchas Michaeli, spoke to Arutz Sheva’s Hebrew website about the initiative and the comments the teens received from passersby.
“We set up a stand near the site of the terror attack to greet passersby and give them a sweet treat for the road,” Michaeli said. “The passersby were surprised to see our youth happy and especially to see them handing out something sweet.”
Michaeli arrived in Jerusalem with about twenty boys from Itamar, all of whom carried signs and notes on which they expressed a message of unity and partnership with the people of Jerusalem. “The youth approached the people, gave them a treat, and if the other side wanted to, they started a conversation,” he explained. “The passersby were very intrigued by the act of giving, especially when it came from residents of Itamar.”
Michaeli noted that the Jerusalemites happily embraced the teenagers.
“They expressed sympathy and asked if they can help in some way,” he said and added that no political arguments took place between the youth and the passersby. “I do not think that there was anyone there who wanted to argue or avoided aproaching the teens. People just do not feel the need to argue. These terror attacks unified people. We saw this during the Shiva when people came from all over the country to offer condolences.”
The Shiva (the Jewish seven-day period of mourning following the death of a loved one) to which he referred is that of the Fogel family, the parents and three of their children who were brutally massacred in their home on a Friday night by terrorists just two weeks ago.
Michaeli told how he, as a youth coordinator in Itamar, deals with the difficulties and concerns of the youth in Itamar following the barbaric murders.
“We are assisted by the Samaria Regional Council as well as members of the trauma unit and psychologists,” he said. “The youth of Itamar was exposed to trauma. This is not simple to deal with, but things are slowly returning to normal.”
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by Elad Benari
On Sunday, a group of teenagers from the Samaria community of Itamar, where the heinous murder of five members of the Fogel family occurred just two weeks ago, visited the place where last Wednesday’s terror attack in Jerusalem took place, near the International Convention Center. The purpose of the teens' visit was to strengthen the passersby and to convey a message of unity and shared destiny to Israel.
Itamar's youth coordinator, Pinchas Michaeli, spoke to Arutz Sheva’s Hebrew website about the initiative and the comments the teens received from passersby.
“We set up a stand near the site of the terror attack to greet passersby and give them a sweet treat for the road,” Michaeli said. “The passersby were surprised to see our youth happy and especially to see them handing out something sweet.”
Michaeli arrived in Jerusalem with about twenty boys from Itamar, all of whom carried signs and notes on which they expressed a message of unity and partnership with the people of Jerusalem. “The youth approached the people, gave them a treat, and if the other side wanted to, they started a conversation,” he explained. “The passersby were very intrigued by the act of giving, especially when it came from residents of Itamar.”
Michaeli noted that the Jerusalemites happily embraced the teenagers.
“They expressed sympathy and asked if they can help in some way,” he said and added that no political arguments took place between the youth and the passersby. “I do not think that there was anyone there who wanted to argue or avoided aproaching the teens. People just do not feel the need to argue. These terror attacks unified people. We saw this during the Shiva when people came from all over the country to offer condolences.”
The Shiva (the Jewish seven-day period of mourning following the death of a loved one) to which he referred is that of the Fogel family, the parents and three of their children who were brutally massacred in their home on a Friday night by terrorists just two weeks ago.
Michaeli told how he, as a youth coordinator in Itamar, deals with the difficulties and concerns of the youth in Itamar following the barbaric murders.
“We are assisted by the Samaria Regional Council as well as members of the trauma unit and psychologists,” he said. “The youth of Itamar was exposed to trauma. This is not simple to deal with, but things are slowly returning to normal.”
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7. Western Offensive Helps Rebels in War for Qaddafi’s Home Town
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
Muammar Qaddafi’s soldiers have fled the Western allies’ bombing offensive, allowing rebels to re-take the oil port of Benghazi and fight for control of Qaddafi’s home town of Sirte.
The rebels are advancing westwards towards Tripoli as they take the advantage in the see-saw war, which a month ago came close to strangling Qaddafi’s forces until he unleashed a merciless aerial attack that pulverized the rebels and threatened to bury the revolution.
The “no-fly” zone implemented under the cover of a United Nations Security Council resolution 10 days ago grounded Qaddafi’s planes and bombed his army’s tank positions, allowing the rebels to take the upper hand.
Rebels in Benghazi, Libya’s second largest city and a seven-hour drive from Sirte, celebrated a report of the takeover of the luxurious city, but their celebration is premature. There has been no official confirmation of Qaddafi’s loss of control over his hometown, and most reports indicate that Qaddafi will unleash all his might to defend his home town, where he has local support.
Foreign media have reported seeing dozens of burned-out army tanks and trucks, and rebels believe the Western offensive, now under the lead of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), has weakened the morale as well as the capability of Qaddafi’s dwindling supporters.
Oil has become a key element in the war, with the rebels controlling oil installations in several coastal towns. Qaddafi continues to accuse the West of trying to take over the country’s oil resources.
The “no-fly” zone was officially imposed to “protect civilians,” but the fierce bombing of Qaddafi’s forces have led to criticism from some quarters that the offensive is a camouflage for helping the rebels.
U.S. President Barack Obama is scheduled to deliver an address on Monday night on the situation in Libya. He has won bi-partisan support for what some see as a belated move to defend rebels, who were subject to a massacre by Qaddafi’s soldiers at the beginning of the uprising last month. Other critics fear the United States will become embroiled in another war in a foreign country.
Despite the rebel’s regaining control of most of Libya, senior American officials warn that Qaddafi’s demise is not certain and that the rebels may have to settle for a negotiated compromise. The conflict “eventually is going to have to be settled by the Libyans themselves,” Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Sunday on NBC’s Meet the Press program. “Perhaps the U.N. can mediate.”
He added, “One should not underestimate the possibility of the regime itself cracking.”
Comment on this story
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
Muammar Qaddafi’s soldiers have fled the Western allies’ bombing offensive, allowing rebels to re-take the oil port of Benghazi and fight for control of Qaddafi’s home town of Sirte.
The rebels are advancing westwards towards Tripoli as they take the advantage in the see-saw war, which a month ago came close to strangling Qaddafi’s forces until he unleashed a merciless aerial attack that pulverized the rebels and threatened to bury the revolution.
The “no-fly” zone implemented under the cover of a United Nations Security Council resolution 10 days ago grounded Qaddafi’s planes and bombed his army’s tank positions, allowing the rebels to take the upper hand.
Rebels in Benghazi, Libya’s second largest city and a seven-hour drive from Sirte, celebrated a report of the takeover of the luxurious city, but their celebration is premature. There has been no official confirmation of Qaddafi’s loss of control over his hometown, and most reports indicate that Qaddafi will unleash all his might to defend his home town, where he has local support.
Foreign media have reported seeing dozens of burned-out army tanks and trucks, and rebels believe the Western offensive, now under the lead of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), has weakened the morale as well as the capability of Qaddafi’s dwindling supporters.
Oil has become a key element in the war, with the rebels controlling oil installations in several coastal towns. Qaddafi continues to accuse the West of trying to take over the country’s oil resources.
The “no-fly” zone was officially imposed to “protect civilians,” but the fierce bombing of Qaddafi’s forces have led to criticism from some quarters that the offensive is a camouflage for helping the rebels.
U.S. President Barack Obama is scheduled to deliver an address on Monday night on the situation in Libya. He has won bi-partisan support for what some see as a belated move to defend rebels, who were subject to a massacre by Qaddafi’s soldiers at the beginning of the uprising last month. Other critics fear the United States will become embroiled in another war in a foreign country.
Despite the rebel’s regaining control of most of Libya, senior American officials warn that Qaddafi’s demise is not certain and that the rebels may have to settle for a negotiated compromise. The conflict “eventually is going to have to be settled by the Libyans themselves,” Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Sunday on NBC’s Meet the Press program. “Perhaps the U.N. can mediate.”
He added, “One should not underestimate the possibility of the regime itself cracking.”
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8. Fischer Cheers Jump in Hareidi-Religious Work Studies
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
The number of hareidi-religious Jews learning professions has tripled to 6,000 over the last three years, the Bank of Israel announced, reflecting a continuing trend of the entry of the community into the job market.
Business management and law head the professions that most interest hareidi-religious Jews in Israel.
Earlier this month, Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer was on hand for the unveiling of a new business center in Bnei Brak, which hosted “The Manhattan of the Dan Region" conference. Bnei Brak is a predominantly hareidi-religious city adjacent to Tel Aviv, and a 15-building business center is expected to be built there.
"I am pleased that everyone emphasized that the employment situation and poverty need not exist in hareidi cities, and that there is no reason for this to continue,” Fischer said. "The mayor of Bnei Brak wrote me that he wants to make an important step to make Bnei Brak a major business destination and to increase revenue of the city and its residents. What the city will do with the extra revenue is very important - some of it should go to education, because the people need to obtain the tools for dealing with the new situation."
A Ministry of Industry study last year revealed that the overall employment rate of Israel’s hareidi-religious sector, including both men and women, is 43.2 percent, with 65 percent of unemployed men saying they would not work in a mixed setting with female or non-religious co-workers.
Israel’s hareidi community is reported to be roughly 650,000 people, comprising 8-9 per cent of the Israeli population. The number of the community's men and women of working age, between 20 and 64, is estimated at approximately 235,000 and is expected to grow by 7 percent a year.
Comment on this story
by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu
The number of hareidi-religious Jews learning professions has tripled to 6,000 over the last three years, the Bank of Israel announced, reflecting a continuing trend of the entry of the community into the job market.
Business management and law head the professions that most interest hareidi-religious Jews in Israel.
Earlier this month, Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer was on hand for the unveiling of a new business center in Bnei Brak, which hosted “The Manhattan of the Dan Region" conference. Bnei Brak is a predominantly hareidi-religious city adjacent to Tel Aviv, and a 15-building business center is expected to be built there.
"I am pleased that everyone emphasized that the employment situation and poverty need not exist in hareidi cities, and that there is no reason for this to continue,” Fischer said. "The mayor of Bnei Brak wrote me that he wants to make an important step to make Bnei Brak a major business destination and to increase revenue of the city and its residents. What the city will do with the extra revenue is very important - some of it should go to education, because the people need to obtain the tools for dealing with the new situation."
A Ministry of Industry study last year revealed that the overall employment rate of Israel’s hareidi-religious sector, including both men and women, is 43.2 percent, with 65 percent of unemployed men saying they would not work in a mixed setting with female or non-religious co-workers.
Israel’s hareidi community is reported to be roughly 650,000 people, comprising 8-9 per cent of the Israeli population. The number of the community's men and women of working age, between 20 and 64, is estimated at approximately 235,000 and is expected to grow by 7 percent a year.
Comment on this story
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