שר החינוך רפי פרץ ושר התחבורה בצלאל סמוטריץ׳: מה ייצא ממינום? / Education Minister Rafi Peretz and Transportation Minister Betzalel Smotrich: What will come of this?

כ״א לחודש השלישי תשע"ט

English follows the Hebrew.

בצלאל סמוטריץ' עם ראש "המתנדבים" הנוצריים
לפני התנצלותו על המיסיונריות

Betzalel Smotrich with head Xian "volunteer"
before his apology for Xian missionizing

YNET: נתניהו הכריע: תיק החינוך לרפי פרץ, סמוטריץ' - שר התחבורה וחבר בקבינט
ראש הממשלה הודיע לרפי פרץ על ההחלטה למנותו לשר החינוך ולמשקיף בקבינט המדיני-ביטחוני. בצלאל סמוטריץ' מונה לשר התחבורה ולחבר בקבינט. נתניהו סיכם עם השניים לשמור על הסטטוס קוו בתחום הדת והמדינה. ישראל כץ בירך את מחליפו ומסר כי ביום ראשון ייכנס לתפקידו החדש (המשך...)
מורן אזולאי 17.06.19

עשר אגורות (2¢):
אפשר לבקר את נפתלי בנט בקלות (אני מבקר אותו כל הזמן), אבל לפי מה שאני שמעתי ממורים מכל מיני מגזרים ומכל רחבי הארץ, בנט לא היה נורא בתור שר החינוך. אני לא שמעתי הרבה תלונות על העדפה או על אפליה.

ועכשיו, הרב רפי פרץ בתור שר החינוך? בעיקר אני מפחד מהחינוך הממלכתי חזק שאני מצפה שהוא ידגיש בכיתות של הילדים שלנו. כלומר נאמנות של המדינה שווה לנאמנות של הקדוש ברוך הוא. אני מצפה שהעניין של סירוב פקודות צה"ל הנוגדות את התורה יימחק לחלוטין מהראשים שלהם. את הרעיון שאין דבר כסתירה חוקי התורה לחוקי מדינת ישראל יאכילו לילדים בכוח.

למתנחלים (מתנחלים אמיתיים, לא תושבי הפרברים), המעיזים לפתוח בית ספר פרטי חדש או אפילו בית ספר מוכר ולא רשום יהיו יותר אתגרים וקשיים מהיום. הישיבות הנותנות שיעורים על ענייני התורה נוגדי נאמנות שלמה למדינת ישראל אפילו באופן תאורטי יהיו בסיכון לכיבוש על ידי הממשלה ולהסגר, כמו שעשו לישיבת עוד יוסף חי שביצהר בשומרן. ענייני התורה כגון הל׳ עבודה זרה וחוקי הגוים והל׳ חוקי מלכים ומלחמותיהם של הרמב״ם ז״ל ימשיכו להסלף או להמחק לחלוטין מלימודים בישיבות. ההסכם על "הסטטוס קוו בין דת למדינה" רק גורם לי לפחד עוד יותר.

אם אתם מזדהים "אנשי ימין דתיים", שמפרשים או מסלפים בקלות את התורה, או אפילו מתעלמים מהלכות כשנוח לכם או מרוויחים לכם תרומות מהגוים, כגון מצוות לא תעשה לא תחנם (דברים ז, ב), אז לא אכפת לכם מהחברות (מה שנראה לי) של ח״כ בצלאל סמוטריץ' עם הנוצרים ״המתנדבים״ בשומרן (הוא עדיין מתיחס להם כחברים?). לדעתי המטרה של הנוצרים האלה היא חניה בקרקע ​​הארץ שלנו כאילו ״חניה בקרקע״ (לראות את משנה תורה, הל׳ עבודה זרה וחוקות הגוים י,א-ט). למעשה, יש מכם שמעודדים את זה. לעומת זאת, אולי (הדגש על המילה "אולי") אתם יכולים לראות את האפשרות שמשתמשים בח״כ סמוטריץ כמו שעיר לעזאזל.

בימים אלה, שר התחבורה הוא כנראה התפקיד הגרוע ביותר לשרת בו. שביתות העובדי רכבת ישראל, המחלוקת של בניית תשתית דרך חילול שבת, והבעיות הממשיכות במסלול "רכבת מהירה" בין תחנה המרכזית בירושלים לנתב״ג, הן רק כמה מן הסיבות נראה לי שמכינים את הדרך לסמוטריץ' לכישלון שלו. או שסמוטריץ' מאמין שהוא יכול להתמודד בתפקיד הזה כולל כל הקשיים והמכשולים,או יש לו כמה טריקים פוליטיים וסודיים הוא עוד גילה לנו (לא נראה לי), או שהוא באמת לא כל-כך חכם כמו שחשבתם.

הרב רפי פרץ לקראת גירוש היהודים
מעזה בשנת תשס"ה
Rabbi Rafi Peretz during the expulsion
of Jews from Gaza in 2005

YNET: Netanyahu gives education ministry to Peretz, transportation to Smotrich 

Moran Azoulay, Yuval Karni, 06.17.19 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu allocated MK Bezalel Smotrich the transportation ministry and MK Rafi Peretz the education ministry, both from Union of Right-Wing Parties.

The two will hold temporary positions, until the September 17 elections. Both sides discussed and agreed on keeping the current status quo between religion and state.

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
Say what you will about Naftali Bennett (...and I say plenty about him), but from what my sources tell me, he wasn't half bad as Minister of Education. For the most part, neither secular, State religious, nor Haredi communities claimed favoritism, and no one claimed to have been pressured or ignored.

נפתלי בנט
Naftali Bennett

Now, Rabbi Rafi Peretz as Minister of Education? The first fear which pops into my mind regarding Rafi Peretz as Minister of Education is the strengthened indoctrination of our children into diehard State loyalty. I believe that the concept of refusing IDF orders which violate the Torah will not be increasingly demonized. Rather this concept will be erased from memory completely. The idea that there can ever be a conflict between the Torah and Israeli State law will become a mantra drilled into kids' heads, even more than it already is.

Settlers (real settlers, not suburbanites) daring to open semi-private schools will be increasingly scrutinized. Yeshivas even thinking about teaching anything controversial, such as the Mishneh Torah's Laws of Avodah Zarah or Laws of Kings and their Wars, will be taken over, or simply shut down. The agreement on "status quo between religion and state" only strengths my fears.

If you're one of these quasi-"religious right-wingers," who conveniently interprets away, or simply ignores halakhoth (Torah laws) when convenient or lucrative (A-hem!) to do so, such as the negative commandment of Lo Techonem (Deut. 7:2), then you're not going to care about Betzalel Smotrich's apparent chumminess with Christians, who are, in my opinion, attempting to gain a foothold on our Land. In fact, you may even cheer it on. However, you might (emphasis on the word "might") be able to see how Smotrich is possibly being set up as a scapegoat.

These days, the Minister of Transportation is the probably worst position to hold. The recent workers' strikes, Shabbat violation controversy, and the incessant problems with the not so new Jerusalem - Ben Gurion Airport "speed train" are only a few of the reasons why Smotrich looks like he is being set up for failure. Either Smotrich believes he can handle this position with all of its volatility anyway, has a few political tricks up his sleeve (I doubt it), or he really is that clueless.

Good News From The Galilee!

כ"ח לחודש האחד עשר תשע"ג

Arutz 7: Pressed to Create Arab School, Mayor Gives Definitive No

Mayor Shimon Gapso

“Upper Nazareth was founded to make the Galilee Jewish and must preserve this role,” the mayor said amid pressure to open an Arab school.

Annie Lubin, January 17, 2013

In a definitive response to an appeal to create an Arab school in Upper Nazareth, the city's Mayor rejected the proposal and vowed that no Muslim establishment would be erected on his watch - whether it be a mosque, a Muslim cemetery or an Arab school. (cont.)

In 2010, Mayor Gapso forbade the display of Christmas trees in Upper Nazareth, in order to prevent harming the Jewish character of the city (Ahiqam Moshe, Ma'ariv, Dec. 22, 2010, p. 12).

The year 2010 also saw Upper Nazareth's opening of a Yeshivah High School, a Hesder Yeshivah, a pre-IDF religious study program (mekhinah), and a new Religious Zionist oriented neighborhood. (Wikipedia)

Said Mayor Gapso,...

"I do not keep the 613 Mitzvot (Torah commandments), but there is one mitzvah I fulfill with all of my strength, this is the mitzvah to settle the Land.  Fortunately, I have many participants in this mitzvah - MK Uri Ariel, Minister Silvan Shalom, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, and more, and many people who wish Upper Nazareth well" (Upper Nazareth Newsletter).

Gee.  Where can we get a mayor like that?

Who Is Voting For The Jewish Home Party?

ט"ז לחודש התשיעי תשע"ג

This guy is...

The Jewish Home/The New National Religious Party

One person commented on a string on Facebook that he intended to vote for Bayit Yehudi (Jewish Home Party).  He was concerned about making sure that Religious Zionist institutions receive necessary funding. He also suggested that Prime Minister Netanyahu does not care about what Religious Zionist institutions looked like.

Esser Agaroth:

1. Funding: 
Anyone who ends up joining the government will have its funding determined by the government.  In other word, the current, and probably continuing, Prime Minister Netanyahu's government will be making those determinations.

It does not matter if you call it...

Getting your rightful piece of the pie

Preferred budgetary distribution

They are all the same thing.

So, if you are concerned about solely with your community receiving funding for its institutions, then all you have to do is to make sure that your community's representatives join whichever government gets into power.

Take a lesson from some other Israeli political parties from 1993 (Oslo Death Accords) and 2005 (Jewish Expulsion from Azza), which shall remain nameless for now.

2. Religious Zionist Institutions:
I am absolutely positive that whoever is truly calling the shots IS interested in what the Religious Zionist institutions look like.

Why?

To make sure that undying State-loyalism is held above Torah.  Worse yet, to make sure that Religious Zionist children are brainwashed into believing that undying State-loyalism = Torah! (חו"ח)

After all, the government believes that there is a limit as to how far its Mamlakhti "rabbinic" puppets can be trusted.

3. The Jewish Home Party:

Naftali Bennet

Newly chosen party head Naftali Bennet may turn out to be a helpful Member of K'nesseth.

We will see. 

But most of the rest of them, are Mamlakhtim (undying, don't refuse orders to throw Jews out of their homes, State=Torah) "Religious" Zionists. 

This is why my fellow Torah Nationalist friends either home school their, fund their own schools, like in Yitzhar, or send their kids to Haredi schools such as Boston, and concern themselves with hashqafah when they arrive home. 

What does that tell you about the state of Religious Zionist institutions?

They don't want their kids indoctrinated into the undying State-loyalist, system of brainwashing education. 

Thus, there are at least Two Religious Zionist Camps, Not One.

One is The Real Religious Zionist, being both Religious and Zionist, BOTH concepts having been born exclusively from the Torah.

The other is...., well, confused and misguided.

Which one do you belong to?
 

"No Loyalty, No Justice" Found In The Israeli Supreme Court

Erev Shabbath Qodesh Parashath Emor 5772

YNET: MK To Be Held In Contempt For 'Defamatory' Posters? 

Courts administration seeks investigation against MK Ben Ari for distributing posters depicting judges wearing keffiyehs. MK Ben Ari: 'Keffiyeh isn't an insult'

Aviad Glickman, May 9, 2012 (with Itamar Fleischman)

An adviser to the courts administration urged Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein on Wednesday to launch an investigation against Knesset Member Michael Ben Ari (National Union), who was responsible for the distribution of posters that allegedly disparaged the High Court of Justice.

In a letter obtained by Ynet, Attorney Barak Lazer claimed that the posters, which were hung across Jerusalem, depicted High Court justices wearing keffiyehs and featured the slogan "If there is no loyalty, there is no justice."

Lazer posited that the ads were made in protest against the court's decision to deny the State's petition to postpone the eviction of the residents of Ulpana, a neighborhood built on contested land in the West Bank settlement of Beit El.

Contested, huh?  I wish, for once, that an MK would stand up in the K'nesseth, and say, "The Land is not contested.  It is ours, and we are commanded to maintain sovereignty over it," and then quote halakha (Jewish Law).  I'm not holding my breath for this to happen again.

MK Uri Ariel has mentioned similar ideas in the K'nesseth, but it just seemed to fall on deaf ears.  Actually, Rabbi Me'ir Kahane did quote halakhah and verses from Tana"kh, and they banned him soon afterwards for being a racist, simply because he chose not to play with Jewish Law, like the puppets of the Israeli government like to do, yet another example of how the system is not a Jewish system of government, let alone not even a democratic one.

 הכרזה. שופטי בג"ץ עם כאפיות 'No loyalty, no justice.'

The poster Lazer wrote that the posters appear to incite mutiny, and could warrant a contempt of court charge. "The leveling of such defamatory statements and incitement against the Supreme Court – the institution and the judges – is outrageous and intolerable," he wrote. "(…) An attempt to delegitimize the courts system and its judges, and to ascribe inappropriate intentions while slandering judges due to a decision that was made at their professional discretion, must be viewed gravely – all the more so when it is done by a public official." 

What is considered to be "incitement against the Supreme Court" in Israel, would be considered an expression of freedom of speech in the U. S. A., the poster child for modern day democracy.  Still think Israel is a democracy? (See MK Ben-Ari's final quote below)

It really frustrates me that my fellow Israelis continue to think that anything is going to change, that anything can change, with the current system of government.  More and more the true colors of the Israeli Supreme Court are being revealed.  Sure.  We've always known them to be biases toward the Left.  But, now, anytime the elected government of Israel proposes to change the manner in which supreme court justices are appointed, the Israeli Supreme Court justices have tantrums, threaten political warfare, or both.  

Without getting into whether the Israeli Supreme has any authority at all, according to Jewish Law, and whether democracy has any place in a truly, Jewish Government, I thought that the K'nesseth was supposed to be the voice of the people, empowered by the people.  Thus, if the K'nesseth wants to reform the Israeli justice system, and justice commited to the execution of democracy shouldn't have a problem with it.

Instead, justices sitting on the Israeli Supreme Court, decry various issues to be un-Constitution, simply because they do not approve of them.

How do I know this?

It's simple.  Israel doesn't have a Constitution; therefore, nothing can really be un-Constitutional.

Clearly, Israeli is a deMOCKracy, not a democracy.

'Courts are racist'
MK Ben Ari dismissed the accusations.

"I don’t understand what's wrong with putting a Keffiyeh on a judge," he said. " The thought that a keffiyeh is some kind of an insult indicates that the spirit of racism has reached the courts administration.

"I wish the police would open the investigation; it would allow me the opportunity to teach the courts administration a lesson in democracy," he added. "It's funny that the same court officials who fight for the freedom of expression are seeking silence when it comes to legitimate criticism of judges." 

Well, MK Ben-Ari has got them here.  Just there's one problem.  The Courts have yet to demonstrate the application of normal logic.  The will undoubted have no clue as to what Ben-Ari is talking about, nor care.  In their minds, if it doesn't fit in with Western (so called) progressive sensibilities, then it must be wrong.  Because, after all, they [think that they] know better than everybody else.

Our only hope is that their own gaivah (pride) will bring themselves down, sooner rather than later.  Various prophesies suggest that's what will happen to the non-kosher birds [temporarily] in power over the Land of Israel (Em HaBanim S'meicha).

I'm just impatient.

The Battles Between The Torah And The State Of Israel Continue

27 of the Third Month 5771

The Religious Zionist community has been outraged by yesterday's arrest of Rabbi Dov Lior shlit"a (Hevron-Qiriyath Arba) for questioning.

Rabbi Zalman Melamed (Beth El) condemned the arrest, saying...

“Rabbi Lior Shlita’s arrest, more than it affects his dignity or that of Torah, detracts from the dignity of the State of Israel and even more so, of the police and prosecution,” he said, adding “A police force that arrests a great rabbi because of his agreement with a book – an arrest that in no way helps the police gain any new knowledge – is a shameful and despicable act that besmirches the police, the prosecution, and all who had the ability to prevent it and did not do so, be they in the Ministry for Public Security or the Ministry of Justice.”

“I have two words for these people: for shame!”

Known mamlakhti (undying State loyalist) Rabbi Ya’akov Ariel (Ramat Gan) stated that this was not a matter for the police.

(IsraelNN.com) “It is no secret that I oppose the book and I think Rav Dov Lior should not have given the approbation [to it]," Rav Ariel told Arutz Sheva in Hebrew, but that is another plane: an internal Halakhic one. Even if this or another Halakhic edict is wrong, it is no police matter. [The authorities] could have turned to the Chief Rabbinate and it could have published an opinion disavowing the Halakhic soundness of The King’s Torah"

Mamlakhti rabbis from the Tzohar organization joined in condemning the arrest, even though they too often disagree with the rulings of rabbis like Rabbi Lior.

Members of K'nesseth (MK) from the National Union, Jewish Home,and Sha"S Parties also condemned the arrest.

Yesha Council Chairman Danny Dayan pointed out the double standards at play here.

(IsraelNN.com) “Did the police arrest the lecturer from Ben Gurion University who called to break the necks of the celebrants of Jerusalem Day? Are there investigations against other leftists who incite against the State of Israel on a daily basis?”

It seems as though the mamlakhtim are concerned about rabbinical autonomy, even though they are often the defenders of the Israel Government's policies which contradict Torah Law.

Members of the Sha"S Sefardi Religious party must also be wondering who will be next andc how long their spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef shlit"a's ties with members of the politically-correct Labor Party will continue to keep him insulated from similar persecution.

But, with all these illusions of Ahduth Yisrael (Jewish Unity) presented before us, many in the Religious Zionist camps have still missed the point.

The Federation of Higher Yeshivas, an organization not unwilling to criticize the government, chimed in.

(IsraelNN.com) “a sage and yeshiva head has been publicly shamed.” It decried attempts “to block freedom of opinion and rabbinical halakhic rulings.”

The Hesder Yeshivas Federation expressed shock at the arrest and called it “an offense to the Torah and its students and an attempt to block rabbis’ freedom of expression through severe, unacceptable and anti-democratic means.”

The Rabbi Melamed, Rabbi Ariel, the Tzohar rabbis, and the Federation of Higher Yeshivas all avoid the most important point in the conflict. They use "democratic"/Western logic to defend their position, not Torah logic.

Their same logic also defends the rights of the left to call for removal of Jews from their homes, and the turning of Jewish land over to Arabs. Their logic also defends calls from the Left to use violence against the residents of certain Jewish towns in Yehudah & Shomron (Judea & Samaria).

There is a right and a wrong. Why are they so afraid to say it? They afraid of frightening Jews away from Torah, so they hold back. They "good intentions" cause them to use logic which they believe the masses can understand and accept better than the ultimate truth, the Torah.

Yigal Walt comes much closer to understanding the real conflict here, more than the Federation of Higher Yeshivas, or any of the other community leaders who have condemned the arrest of Rabbi Lior.

(YNETNEWS.com) The hundreds of religious rightist protesters who blocked the entrance to Jerusalem, burned tires in the capital’s streets and raided the Supreme Court, made their views clear: The Torah, as they interpret it, takes precedence over law and order. Israeli courts have sent a former president to jail and are currently hearing a case against our former prime minister, but a rabbi is above the law, we are now told.

The true conflict emerging in Israel is the conflict between the Torah and the State.

Walt may come closer to understanding this, but he still misses the boat.

The Torah does not take precedence over law and order; the Torah IS law and order.

"as they interpret it" - is Walt's way of denigrating Torah interpretation according to halakhic sources. He appears to be more comfortable Torah interpretation according to feelings and the sentiments of Western Golah (exile). There is just one problem with this. That kind of Torah "interpretation" is not Torah, and thus not Jewish.

I have written this so many times, I will no doubt sound like the broken record of the beating of a dead horse.

We Jews must make up our minds. Do we want to live in a Jewish State? Or do we want to live in a State where the Torah, and thus Judaism, is being continually picked away?

When are we Religious Zionists finally going to accept that we cannot have our cake and eat it, too. We can have the Torah or an anti-Torah state, but not both.

The conflict between the two becomes greater with the passing of everyday. I pray that we make up our minds soon, before it is too late.

Should We Apply Israeli Law To Judea & Samaria?

18 of Twelfth Month (Alef) 5771

JPost.com: Panel To Consider Applying Israeli Law To Settlements

Ron Friedman & Tovah Lazaroff, February 20, 2011

Removal of military law would make it near impossible, to impose a freeze on West Bank Jewish construction, approve construction.

The Ministerial Committee for Legislation is set on Sunday to debate a bill that would apply Israeli law to West Bank settlements which are now under military rule.

It would also make it difficult, if not impossible, to impose a freeze on West Bank Jewish construction.

Such a move would automatically strip Defense Minister Ehud Barak of the ability to authorize Jewish construction in Judea and Samaria, as such activity would then be determined by the Ministry of Housing and Construction in a manner no different from what happens with construction projects within the Green Line.

(Read the entire article...)

Sounds like a good idea, right? This is what settlers want, to enjoy the full rights of their Israeli citizenship, right? This would correct the current lack of fairness, and double standards involved here, right?

I wouldn't be too sure.

Many people, both in and outside of Israel, do not realize that those Jews living in Yehudah & Shomron (Judea & Samaria) do not enjoy the full rights of all other Israeli citizens. The fact that JPost.com mentions this, is a good thing.

Residents can be removed from their homes at any time by order from the IDF Central Command. At minimum, this is an annual event, during the fall, olive harvest.

Some in Yehudah & Shomron have entertained the idea of some form of autonomy. After all, many communities in Israel hold varying degrees of autonomy. The non-Jewish, Druze, Bedouin, and even the Black Non-Hebrews enjoy some forms of autonomy which Jewish communities do not.

The Israeli government even looks the other in regards to polygamy in the Bedouin and Black Non-Hebrew communities. The Black Non-Hebrews allow their men to marry up to seven wives. Black non-Hebrew also import members of their communities into Israel, from Chicago, New York, and elsewhere, at will, without ANY interference from the Israeli government. Visiting Jews can be deported from Israel for their religious and political beliefs. Yet, African-Americans, who have NO connection to Israel, are granted Israeli residency status, simply because this community threatened mass-suicide several years ago.

Secular Jews in Tel-Aviv sleep with whomever they want, whenever they want without fear of prosecution. But, if a Yeminite Jew were to apply for a marriage license with a second wife, he would not only be turned down, but brought in for evaluation and "re-education."

Even foreign workers, who happened to have given birth in Israel, are on the road to enjoying greater rights than settlers.

Settlers, even those who live in towns approved and supported as much as 30 years ago incur "stay-away" orders at the will of a military general, administrative detention (jail for up to six months without due process), and countless other forms of harassment, even though they are Israeli citizens.

The report on this bill continues to blabber away about its history of failures in the K'nesseth, its current support in the Likud and National Union parties, and about rights for all citizens.

What is buried between the lines of this pure, Jerusalem Post, right of center, anti-Torah report, is the pronouncement of support to the "moderate settlers" (of Ofra, Alon Sh'vut, and Elqana, etc.) , who know how great this new law would be for them, to be like, and to be treated like all other Israeli citizens.

Those settlers who hold to a higher authority had better tow the line, or lekh l'Azazel (go to hell).

The desire of any "settlers" to be the same as every other Israeli else is only a reflection of the Israeli Government's desire for Israel to be the same as every other country.

The article then brings in a few words from National Union Secretary Uri Bank (one of the few Israeli politcos to whom I still actually give the benefit of the doubt).

The bill regarding applying Israeli law to West Bank settlements is ... to guarantee its residents full rights under the law.

Assuming that Uri Bank, and others, really believe this, let me them, and you, what this really all about.

Allowing the settlers to believe in the illusion that they are "like everyone else," is just another part of the Eruv Rav-controlled government's on-going plan to indoctrinate all citizens into secular, Israeli society, and stamp out the Torah (and Israel's borders) once and for all.

Let's stop trying to be the same as everyone else. "Everyone else" believes in a unified, robotic, obedient, secular Israeli flock of sheep to be controlled.

Let's start trying to be a light unto our own people, by getting our priorities straight, setting a proper, Torah example, and being concerned about HaQadosh Barukh Hu (The Holy One, Blessed Be He) thinks, and not what our mamlakhti and secular neighbors think.

It does not look like we will have to worry about this bill anymore for now. Prime Minister Netanyahu has declared his lack of support for it. Say what you will about Netanyahu (I say plenty!). Unlike a lot of these so-called Religious/Torah-observant settlers, he is at least being consistent.

The Jewish Unity Which Threatens The Left

20 of the Tenth Month 5771

Who was at the rally in Jerusalem last Thursday, in support of holding on to the entire Jewish Homeland?

(Click On The Images To Enlarge)

I received these photos only tonight.

Look closely.

Granted there are plenty of Chabbadniks out there. But besides them, the rally is pretty "black," as they say. No?

There were gathered here to hear several musicians play, and speakers like MK Micha'el Ben-Ari (National Union) speak.



Haredim and MK Micha'el Ben-Ari?

This may be news to you, but not to me.

This kind of Ahduth Yisra'el (Jewish Unity) has always been around in one shape or form.

Much of the Haredi leadership moans and groans one way about the "Tzi'enim" (Zionists), and waiting around for Mashi'ah to do all the work, and many of the Religious Zionist leaders are not to happy about their marching off to war, when others do not.

But, that is the leadership. The Jews in both camps, unsatisfied with answers to questions posed to their rabbis, are a completely different story.

How much of this kind of unity is out there? How much has it been growing over the years?

That is hard to say, due to the distorted media coverage over the years. It is also hard to say if that is changing, or if it is an illusion, or a put up job.

This is exactly the kind of unity that the Left does not want you to know about. It is one of the most frightening things occurring in their eyes. When they talk about "unity," what they really mean is either "unity" with what they believe or successful indoctrination into anti-Torah, secular Israeli society. Hmmm...I guess that's a redundant, isn't it.

Fortunately, sites like Rotter.net are out there to give us the scoop, as it were.

Imagine...

Hilltop youth praying, spending Shabbath, and protesting along side disenfranchised, Haredi youth...

Throw in secular youth (e. g. Betar Jerusalem soccer fans), searching for answers as to why their government sends them off to wars it never finishes, gives more rights to Ethiopian and Ukrainian Christians than to them, and does not do anything to prevent Arab men from marrying Jewish women...

...and you have a massive amount of power, the Left simply does not want you to know about.

The Left is afraid,...very afraid.

National Union: "I Told You So"

Erev Shabbath Qodesh Parshath Re'eh 5769

My commentary is in blue italics....

National Union: Katz vs. Netanyahu, Ben-Ari vs. Ministers
Hillel Fendel, 24 Av 5769/August 14, 2009, 12:53 PM

(IsraelNN.com) In letter to the Prime Minister, MK Katz decries Netanyahu's persecution of Jews in Judea and Samaria (Yesha), while MK Ben-Ari castigates Cabinet ministers for going along with him.

MK Yaakov Katz (Ketzaleh), head of the National Union Party, has written a sharp letter to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in light of the ongoing decrees against the Jews of Judea and Samaria, entitled, “A Last-Gasp Call to Return to Your Declared Path in the Merit of Which You Were Elected.”

Excerpts from the letter:

“You were elected by loyalists and lovers of the Land of Israel on the basis of your promises that you will protect it and expand its construction. However, ever since you took office, you and your men – chiefly [Defense Minister] Ehud Barak – harass and torment the Jewish of Judea and Samaria simply because they are Jewish. Your decision to freeze only Jewish construction in our capital of Jerusalem, and in Judea, Binyamin, the Jordan Valley and Shomron, is joined by very frequent persecution campaigns and destruction operations against Jewish housing. Every morning we hear of an initiative to destroy yet another Jewish presence in Judea and Samaria.

“Instead of trying to find solutions, you are preventing these pioneers from growing and expanding. I beg you to stop this campaign of destruction and oppression.

“None of the ministers that you appointed to your government are able to explain your strange actions, and the large majority of them stand ashamed and humiliated when they are asked to look their voters in the eye and explain to them. None of them know how it happened that your approach towards the pioneers is much more extremist than your predecessors, Sharon and Olmert. None can explain how it is that you are fulfilling the same policies that you vowed during the election campaign to fight against.

“I wish to warn you that if you continue along this path, it will, without a doubt, lead to your political downfall.

“The public that you are constantly persecuting – they, their parents and relatives – should be the first ones to feel your warm embrace and support. Instead, they receive only empty words and constant persecution and humiliation.

“As in the past, you are unable to identify the true will of the people, and its absolute love for this land, and its disgust with those who destroy it.

“As in the past, you will blame us, the ‘extreme right-wing,’ for the your downfall. (YeSh"A residents were the force behind bringing down Netanyahu, back in 1999, the last time he was in power.) But this doesn’t change the facts; you, with your own two hands, are leading to your government’s fall, by acting in opposition to your own platform.

“We, for our part, will not break, and will continue to build, expand and multiply, even if you continue to torment us. There is a G-d in heaven. You act as if there is no law and no judge – but you should must take to heart what your grandfather knew but you have forgotten: The Nation of Israel is the nation of holiness, the Land of Israel is the land of sanctity, and the Torah of Israel is the Torah of holiness. G-d keeps an account, and He will make an accounting with those who humiliate His people, just as he did with you 13 years ago. In the end, He will remove you from your seat of power, and replace you with the worthy leaders that Israel so deserves.

“I make this call from the depths of my heart and from the depths of the pain of the nation that you are mocking and disgracing: Return from your evil path, and return to the original path you promised to follow and for which you were elected.”

A large percentage of residents in Yehudah and Shomron voted for Likud instead of their usual choice, the National Union Party. Many reported voting for the Likud for the purpose of strengthening a Netanyahu government. The National Union could have gained anywhere from one to three additional seats in the K'nesseth, if these "nationalists" had not voted for the man they put into power who has now turned against them.

In a nice and roundabout way, I believe that MK Katz is basically telling all those of you nationists, "I told you so."

Ben-Ari: Barak Acts, Ministers are Silent
Katz’s party colleague, MK Michael Ben-Ari, says that Barak and the other Cabinet ministers share the blame with Netanyahu. Speaking with Arutz-7’s Hebrew newsmagazine on Friday, Ben-Ari said, “The residents of Israel should know that at present, we don’t have a Defense Minister. Ehud Barak is busy with political matters; that’s what interests him.”

As evidence, Ben-Ari cites Barak’s decision to approve a 50% addition to the number of construction inspectors in the Yesha Civil Administration. “Unfortunately, the unit that he has just enlarged is not charged with dealing with illegal Palestinian construction – only with Jewish building.....”

(SNIP)

Ben-Ari decried the lack of public protest: “It’s an absurd situation, no one is protesting, and we don’t know where it will end. (I have previously suggested to the phenominon of "learned helplessness" found amongst all Israelis these days, whether hit by rockets in the north or south, or by bombs and bullets in the central region.) But I hope that with the passage of the Mofaz Law [making it easier for MKs to split off from an existing party – ed.], some MKs from Kadima and the Likud will quit and will join us instead. I am building on the MKs’ straight thinking and national responsibility; it won’t hurt if seven or so Likud rebels join us in the true nationalist party.”

Is this the solution? We will have to wait and see. In the meantime I will compliment MK Ben-Ari on his courage to speak out, and for his refusal to compromise his principles.

Only The Likud Can?

5 of the Third Month 5769

Unlike the sometimes boring and sometimes Christian-loving, English version of Arutz 7 (Israel National News), the Hebrew weekly "b'Sheva" sometimes has an interesting headline worth mentioning.

(Click To Enlarge)

"Yamit, Gush Qatif, Strongholds
Only The Likud Can?"

The headline refers to the Jewish strongholds, recently demolished, such as Ma'oz Esther near Kokhav HaShahar, Mitzpeh Avihai and Federman's Farm near Hevron, or set for demolition, such as Havath Gil'ad, not too far away from Qarnei Shomron.

Menahem Begin was in power when Yamit was destroyed. Ari'el Sharon was behind the destruction of Gush Qatif and the rest of Azza. And now, Binyamin Netanyahu is at the plate. What will the extent of his damage be?

Of course, the underlying message from this Nation Union Party cheerleader is...

"We're still angry that enough residents of Judea and Samaria voted for the Likud to rob us of one or two seats in Kenesseth. So, we're going to rub their noses in it ever chance we get!"

And speaking of the National Union Party...

MK Aryeh Eldad announced that Jordan already is a palestinian state, calling to mind his former colleague Rabbi Benny Elon's The Right Road To Peace plan.

Yet, his current colleague MK Michael Ben-Ari corrected him, stating that Jordan is actually part of Israel:

“The people of Israel have no right to give up our claim to any part of the Land of Israel,” he said, adding, “Both banks of the Jordan River are ours.”

MK Aryeh Eldad should take a lesson from the Jewish strongholds in Judea and Samaria. One of their underestimated uses was pointed out to me today: While the focus is on them, the focus is off all the other building taking place within established towns, albeit much of it was approved years ago.

If the world thinks that we are getting ready to take control of the ancestral territories of Re'uven and Gad, the western portion of modern day Jordan, perhaps the focus will be taken off of Judea and Samaria,...a strategy not very likely to be adopted anytime soon, not even by the Nation Union Party.

After all, like the headline says, "Only The Likud Can?" Here's a snippet from the Likud Party Platform:

The Jordan River as a Permanent Border

The Jordan Valley and the territories that dominate it shall be under Israeli sovereignty. The Jordan river will be the permanent eastern border of the State of Israel. The Kingdom of Jordan is a desirable partner in the permanent status arrangement between Israel and the Palestinians in matters that will be agreed upon.

Either PM Netanyahu is playing games with the U. S., or the Likud's platform will be changed or just ignored, just like former PM Sharon ignored the voice of his constituents.

Of course, if you believe that Netanyahu is really in charge, then I have some swampland to sell you in Salfit.

Shifty Shimmy is the one really calling the shots....

New Balad MK Praises Iran's Nuke Quest

7 of the First Month 5769

My friend and fellow blogger Shmu'el Sokol obtained an exclusive interview with freshman Israeli MK Hanin Zoabi (Balad).

New Balad MK Praises Iran's Nuke Quest
Queried regarding Iran's quest to manufacture nuclear weapons, Zuabi stated that having Israel as the region's sole nuclear power was disadvantageous. "It would [sic] be more supporting me to have a counter-power to Israel," she said. "I need something to balance [Israel's] power."

Written for the Philadelphia Bulletin, this story has made the Jerusalem Post, Arutz 7, and the Huffington Post. Daniel Pipes sums up the story here.

Arab Knesseth Member shenanigans are certainly nothing new. Former MK Bishara is on the run, due to charges of treason. MK Ahmed Tibi is in Qatar, speaking with Syrian, Lybian and Yemenite officials about who knows what. And...

The Knesset Central Elections Committee disqualified the Balad party from running in the recent elections due to its members' refusal to recognize Israel as a Jewish state and reported calls for violence against it. The ban was overturned by the Supreme Court.

Fortunately, MK Micaha'el Ben-Ari (National Union) is pressing for an investigation into MK Tibi's activities. Perhaps he will do the same regarding MK Zoabi.

*********

Send this Jerusalem Post Edition Francaise link to your French-speaking friends.

Typical Left-Wing Rant And Rave

22 of the Eleventh Month 5769

This morning on the bus, I was held hostage by the bus driver's choice of radio listening pleasure.

I don't know who it was. All of the leftists in Israel pretty much sound the same.

The host was ranting and raving about the elections, and how horrible the results were, and how much worse the country is going to be under a right-wing, nationalist government.

"Don't worry," he began sarcastically. "Katzeleh (National Union leader Ya'akov Ka"tz) will make sure that the government will implement what the Torah says, keeping all lands under Israeli control," all the while, making degrading distortions of the MK-elect's nickname.

He really made it sound like this was such a grave and horrible thing. It's one thing not to know what the hell you're talking about. It's another to know what the Torah says, and then to fight against it actively.

Amaleq knew the power of HaQadosh Baruch Hu (The Holy One, Blessed Be He) They knew of his actions for the sake of Israel, and at the expense of the Egyptians. They knew of the parting of the Red Sea. Yet, they attacked nonetheless. In a way Amaleq's role is to attempt to undo the work of The Almighty, regardless of the impossibility of such a task.

Later on in the program, the host continued his rant.

"Now we have Baruch Marzel and Itamar Ben-Gvir, KAHANISTS, as advisers to a member of Kenesseth [Dr. Micha'el Ben-Ari]! KAHANISTS! KAHANISM is illegal! Look what's happening!"

The fact that Ya'akov Ka"tz and Micha'el Ben-Ari were democratically elected, that Baruch Marzel was deemed "kasher" years ago by the leftist, Israeli high courts, are unimportant.

In the words of The Kalashnikover Rebbe,

"You are allowed to vote, but only from the options they allow you to choose from."

I think that sums up the left-wing in Israel, and elsewhere, pretty well.

YeSh"A Council Non-Political? Yeah, Right!

16 of the Eleventh Month 5769

Yesha Council Remains Non-Political
February 9, 2009

(IsraelNN.com) The Judea and Samaria Council emphasized Monday that it is a non-political body and will not endorse specific parties in Tuesday’s elections. The council also explained that although some council members have made their personal views public, they do not reflect an official council policy....

Maybe not technically, but c'mon! YeSh"A Council head Danny Dayan is a candidate on the Jewish home Party list.

And then, of course,...


...Last week Council CEO Pinhas Wallerstein publicly endorsed the Jewish Home party. He explained that he could not vote for the Ichud Le’umi (National Union) party since it contained elements which did not respect the authority of the state.

Um,...yeah, like "elements" which violate Torah Law.

You may recall that Pinhas wallerstein was a long time council member, and Head of the Binyamin Regional Council, before "retiring." He then mysteriously popped back on the scene as executive director. I wonder if they had to beg him to come back.

(Click to enlarge)

When the YeSh"A Council's Head and its executive director publicly endorse political parties, how can it get away with making such an outrageous statement like "it is a non-political body?"

And why shouldn't it be a political body?

The YeSh"A Council is supposed to be encouraging settlement of Yehudah and Shomron, and for that matter Azza (Judea, Samaria and Gaza), not making deals to give up or trade this piece for that, and certainly not collaborating with the [almighty] State to expel Jews from their homes in these areas. Respecting authority is one thing; actively helping is another.

There is no question that the YeSh"A Council should be endorsing the Ihud Le’umi (National Union), the ONLY party which has been clear that it is against land giveaways to our enemies (The Jewish Home Party is not.), thus the only party which comes even close to supporting the YeSh"A Council's supposed goals.

But, what do you expect from a "non-political body" which received its budget directly from the Office of the Prime Minister.

The Jewish Home Party: A Lesson In Hypocrisy

Erev Shabbath Qodesh Parshath Beshalah 5769

Unity and education appear to be at the top of the Jewish Home Party's list of priorities. This party's ideas regarding unity and education are exactly why you should not vote for them. In actuality, it is not unifying nor educating anyone.

Unity

MK Zevulun Orlev has accused the National Union of causing disunity and breaking apart the Religious Zionist camp. This claim was based on the resignations of factions from the nacent Jewish Home Party. MK Aryeh Eldad had already left to join HaTikvah. Later, Moledet and finally Tequmah left the party. (And, of course, no mention was ever made regarding Effie Eitom's Ach"i Party breaking away and joining up with the Likud.)

When the Jewish Home Party announced its list of candidates for Kenesseth, it was obvious that something was not kosher. Granted, the number 3 position was given to Tequmah's Uri Ariel, yet the next spot reserved for a Tequmah member was number 12. Worse yet, Moledet Party head Rabbi MK Benny Elon was "granted" spot number 17!

Which party in history has ever had such disparity amongst its equal faction partners? None.

Now you know why the Tequmah and Moledet factions took their leave.

Remember it was the National Religious Party [NRP] which was absorbed into the National Union, not vice-versa. NRP head Orlev was given a top level spot. MK's Smolienski and Yahalom were treated to spots higher than number 12. They had no complaints. Yet, how is it that the NRP gets away with shoving "equal" partners Tequmah and Moledet down to numbers 12 and 17?

Tequmah, Moledet (which includes some religious and traditional members), the Land Of Israel Is Ours, and HaTikvah factions are the unifying forces, bringing together religious, traditional, secular, and some Haredi Jews. The National Religious Party attempted the same thing (having the audacity to continue calling itself the National "Religious" Party), but failed miserably. The only Jews the National Union left out were the wishy-washy ones who refuse to address the increasing number of conflicts between Torah and Israeli law. Even so, they might have stuck with the Jewish Home Party, if their unfair treatment by the NRP chronies had not been so blatant. Look at the National Union list. It is relatively diverse. Now, look at the Jewish Home Party list. They are all clones. (Even four of the top ten on the list have mustaches!)

Now you tell me, which of these two parties is more reflective of the diverse population which is the nationalist camp, and the supporters of unity?

Here's the cover of this week's edition of the Religious Zionist [Hebrew] newspaper b'Sheva.

You know the old adage "A picture is worth a thousand words," right? Unfortunately, this reduced image of Rabbi Daniel Hershkovitz (Jewish Home) and Ya'akov Ka"tz (National Union) does not do justice to the sour face on Hershkovitz, easily apparent to all on the actual cover. How he allowed them to use this photo, in the age of digital "easy redo" cameras, I'll never know, unless he wants us to know that he doesn't really want to be there.

So much for "unity."


Education

Education At The Top

"Education is at the top of the list, as it is the most agreed-upon uniting common denominator of the multi-faceted religious-Zionist public and the broad traditionalist public.”

Translation: pluralism. Where is pluralism to be found in the Torah? Nowhere. For that matter, neither is undying loyalty to the "almighty" State found in the Torah, especially when the State passes laws contradictory to Torah Law.

That doesn't seem to matter to the so-called Jewish Home Party. How can it be Jewish without a clear allegiance to Torah over apikoursuth (gross distortions in Jewish belief) and kefirah (denial of various aspects of Jewish belief)? How can it be a home without Torah?

There is a mahloqeth (disagreement) in the Torah Zionist community. Is such undying State-loyalism amongst so-called Torah-observant Jews avodah zarah (foreign/inappropriate worship), like that of the Golden Calf, or just plain ol' fascism?

Take your pick. Either way, it's what the recycled National Religious Party (Jewish Home) supports in the so-called state religious schools. (Sounds like a contradiction to me....)

It's no wonder why members of the Torah Zionist community are sending more and more of their children to state religiou "Torani" schools, semi-private schools, and Haredi schools, such as Zilberman's, Sha"s, the Bostoner Talmud Torah, and others.

So much for "education."

Conclusion

More and more, religious Jews just aren't buying the State's agenda for them.

Years ago, Arutz 7 (Israel National Radio) was founded, as it was clear that Israeli State operated radio stations were insufficient for religious communities.

More and more, religious Jews have been waking up to the fact that what the State has in mind for us in other areas of life, such as diplomatic policy, "Israeli" Arab policy, army service, and public education are not sufficient for us either.

We are no longer willing to remain "numbed-out" and accept the status quo, which no matter how you slice it or call it, is exactly what the Jewish Home Party wants to maintain.

MK Aryeh Eldad (National Union) is right. The Jewish Home Party is just the Kadima Party with a kippah.

Confusion On The Right

4 of the Eleventh Month 5769

A7: "Confusion On The Right"
Apparently, YNET left out a sentence, when it published this article. So, I have changed the link to the Arutz 7 (Israel National News) version which published the article in its entirety. The sentence in question is marked in red.

Yoel Meltzer
3 Shevat 5796/January 28, 2009

Following the disengagement from Gaza in the summer of 2005 and the complete negligence on behalf of the government to properly handle the forced evacuees, the subsequent war in Lebanon one year later, the endless missiles fired upon the south and the recent war in Gaza, many good-minded Israelis are clearly against the establishment of a Palestinian state, in any shape or size, in Judea and Samaria.

The direct threat that such a state would impose against Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, as these two large population centers become incredibly vulnerable to missile attacks, is quite obvious. In addition, in light of the disastrous handling of the disengagement refugees, it is inconceivable to think that Israel would succeed with the much larger Jewish population currently residing in Judea and Samaria.

However, despite the opposition of many Israelis to the “two-state solution,” it is quite clear and understandable that the United States has a different agenda. As a result of both an economy in disarray and widespread dissatisfaction with the continued participation of American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, the new president will likely do his utmost to bring the American troops back home and “turn inward” in order to deal with the faltering economy.

It is also just as clear that Israel will likely be required, as usual, to “pay the price” for American appeasement with the various Arab and Muslim countries. Moreover, this is not something that theoretically might happen a few years down the road, but rather, something which will most likely happen within the coming year. Once again, from an American perspective this is quite clear and understandable, since America needs to do what it must do in order to preserve its teetering empire.

Just as clear, however, is the relentless and intense pressure that will be applied to Israel within the coming year in order to agree to the creation of a Palestinian state in either all or part of a Jewish-free (or somewhat Jewish-free) Judea and Samaria.


Don’t be fooled
Having said all this, and in light of the quickly approaching national elections, it is truly amazing to see that the confusion on the Right is once again rearing its all too familiar head. Although there are several political parties that define themselves as “national” or “right-wing” - Likud, Yisrael Beiteinu, The Jewish Home, The National Union – only one of these parties says, in clear and straightforward terms, that it is 100% opposed to the creation of a Palestinian state, in any shape or size, in any part of the Land of Israel.

This party, The National Union, speaks clearly and directly with a real Jewish soul without worrying about political correctness. Moreover, its message, which is correct from a security perspective, is correct from a Jewish perspective as well. On the other hand the Likud, including several of its key members who recently cried “we told you Gaza would turn into Hamastan”(while conveniently forgetting to mention that these same key members voted in favor of the disengagement!), speaks about a demilitarized Palestinian state with Israel controlling the border security.

Yisrael Beiteinu, although different than Likud, also supports a two-state solution and suggests the trading of large population blocs (for example, Umm Al-Fahm and the “triangle” would be transferred to the Palestinian Authority in return for Israel officially annexing some Jewish areas in Judea and Samaria.) Finally, there is The Jewish Home, which is basically a reincarnation of the increasingly parve and boring National Religious Party. Some nice people, but not the type of party I would turn to when the future of the country is literally on the line.

It should be obvious then that anyone who truly cares about the future of this country should be voting for The National Union on Election Day, since it is the only party that is 100% dedicated to trying to stop the madness here. For this reason I am alarmed to hear of many good intentioned right-wing voters who are ready to place their vote with either the Likud or Yisrael Beiteinu, either because they are unaware that both these parties support a two-state solution or because they think that strengthening these parties will somehow “provide the answer.” Please don't be fooled. The future of our country is at stake.

Yoel Meltzer lives in Israel and works in the finance department of a non-profit organization. More of Yoel's articles can be found by clicking here.

The Esser Agaroth Guide To Israeli Political Parties

2 of the Eleventh Month 5769

First off, the National Union Party is the only party which opposes the establishment of another Arab state bordering Israel. Second, here's a look at the individuals on the party list: #1 Ya'akov Ka"tz was one of the founders of Arutz 7 (Israel National News Radio), sending the message that state-run radio was not sufficient for the Religious Zionist public, that a more independent voice was needed. When #2 Uriel Ariel has spoken in front of the Kenesseth, not only has he stated very clearly that all of the Land of Israel belongs to the Jewish People, but also why: HaShem has promised it to us, as stated in the Torah. #3 Aryeh Eldad does not identify himself as religious, but has a strong Jewish identity. He does not mince words, and puts his money where his mouth is, demonstrated by his moving to a Northern Shomron community before the 5765 (2005) Kadima Expulsion of Jews. #4 Michael Ben-Ari's views, as well as a demonstration of his integrity, can be found in this recent YNET article. #5 Uri Bank made aliyah (immigrated to Israel) with his parents at the age of 12 from the U. S., served as a lone soldier in the IDF, and has some very great ideas about encouraging aliyah from western countries. #6 Ron Breiman serves on the executive board of Professors for a Strong Israel.

The Likud Party is the current front-runner in the polls, with Kadima in close second. There was an expression going around a number of years ago, "You voted for Ariel Sharon; you got Shimon Peres." Let me be the first to adapt this expression for the day after the impending elections. "You voted for Bibi Netanyahu; you got Shimon Peres." If Netanyahu's pandering to the left, his henchman Dan Meridor whispering into his ear that he should give away the Golan Heights, and plan to make a government with either Kadima or Labor isn't enough to convince you to vote for another party, then take a look at the last time he was prime minister. He adhered to Israel's commitment to the Oslo Death Accords. He complied with the agreement signed by Peres, and released Hevron into Arab hands. Under Sharon, he supported the expulsion of Jews from Gaza. To those of you who are voting for the Likud in order to secure a place in the Kenesseth for Moshe Feiglin, even though you KNOW he's only going to get screwed over, I know I'm just wasting my breath. But, I hope you KNOW that he's just going to get screwed over. Next time around, convince Feiglin, an admirable man, to join the National Union, and see a small party transform into a not so small party after all. (There are only two good things about Bibi Netanyahu: 1. His English, and his ability to convey his Prime Minister's intentions to the International Community, and 2. His economic policies, hard in the short-term, good for the Israeli economy in the long-run. Please don't throw too many rocks at me. Bibi, go back to being U. N. ambassador or Finance Minister where you belong. Your sneakiness and self-interest will serve Israel well in one of those capacities.) Um,...and did I mention that the World Likud wants to help Christians come settle here? It's hared to believe, and crazy, I know. But it's true. (Click here to learn more.)

The "Sharon doesn't get all that he wants, and his sons are threatened with prison, so he'll make up a new party by teaming up with his arch political nemesis Shimon Peres" party - Kadima's political ideology is the quintessential Israeli political party ideology: It has none. Its only interest is maintaining power, and it attempts to cover that up with its slobbering kushen tuchus of the goyim. Some of you disagree with this description, and believe that the party name kadima which can mean "moving forward" or "let's go" indicates the urgency this party has in giving away land and caving into other demands of the West. (To those of you who believe this, I think that you are giving Kadima party members way too much credit. Kadima was a way for MK's who were concerned about losing their seats to keep them. Other MK's gambled on Sharon, gaining ministerial portfolios when they gambled correctly.)

The Labor "Let's make a war to get votes" Party. (Now where have I heard that one before? "Wag the dog..." Of course, Kadima shares the guilt in this election ploy.) It is led by Ehud "allegedly sent religious and Ethiopian soldiers into an ambush in Lebanon" Baraq. (No, I don't think we need to hear anymore about the Labor Party, do we?)

Avigdor Lieberman's Israel Our Home Party is certainly more of a home than the "Jewish Home Party." Even just by living in Yehudah (Judea), south of Jerusalem, Lieberman has done more to support the settling of Yehudah and Shomron (Samaria) than the likes of Zevulun Orlev. Unfortunately, Lieberman has also stated on more than one occasion a proposal which supports the creation of yet another Arab terrorist state, side by side with Israel. Not only would this entail the secession of land in Yehudah and Shomron, but also the "trading" of additional lands in exchange for the maintaining of control over blocks of Jewish towns. Lieberman is also,...well,...let's just say he's not known for always thinking carefully before he opens his mouth. On the other hand, former Likud MK Uzi Landau is his number 2 man on the Israel Our Home list. Hopefully, he will be there to keep him in line. I'll say one thing for Lieberman, though. He is no friend to Arabs. Lieberman to Arab MKs: "We'll handle you as we dealt with Hamas." But, personally, I wouldn't take any chances by voting for them. (By the way, has anyone bothered to ask Lieberman his stand on "civil marriage" and Shabbath laws?)

The Jewish Home Party is neither Jewish, a home, nor even a party. Discuss amongst yourselves.... The most positive outcome of this election will be that the Jewish Home Party (the "new" National Religious Party) will not make into the Kenesseth. barring any tricks up the sleeve of the Israeli Supreme Court, which would be happy to have these do-nothings in Kenesseth, and could find away to get them in, at the expense of the National Union. Stay tuned.... Nonetheless, we will not have seen the last or MK Zevulun Orlev yet who will no doubt try to claw his way back up from the gutter to the top of the hill of losers and manipulators, and Uri Orbach who will no doubt continue his Haredi-bashing and rants against "extremists." (You know what an extremist is, don't you? Someone who follows the Torah, without making it up as he goes along.) Good riddance to bad rubbish! What really bugs me about the Jewish Home Party is their hypocrisy, yep, even more so that its wishy-washiness and its "I'll do anything for you" love for its seats in Kenesseth. I provide a more detailed post about the Jewish Home Party's record here. In a nutshell, it's just Kadima with a kippah.


Meretz, or what I like to call sheretz (Morfix.co.il: insect, bug; vermin) has included such illustrious members as Shulamit "I'll walk through Me'ah She'arim in a halter top if I want to" Eloni, Yossi "Cancel the reading of Megillath Esther because it's racist" Sarid, and Yossi "I'll illegally negotiate the Oslo Accords in secret, because I know what's good for Israel better than anyone else" Beilin. ("Ba'al Gaivah" Beilin negotiated the Oslo Death Accords while he was a member of the Labor Party, but sneakily worked on the Geneva Death Accords while a member of Yachad, now part of Meretz.) Now, and this will surprise most of you, say what you will about Sheretz, but at least this party is relatively clear about its message, as well as consistent. It is evil, of course, but clear and consistent, nonetheless. The Sheretz message includes the destruction of Torah and all things Jewish, the encouragement of apikoursian teaching in the Israeli school system, the indoctrination of religious children into contemporary Israeli society. and the list goes on. Issues such as so-called "civil marriage" and peaceful coexistence with Yishmaelim (Arabs) through dialogue and land giveaways are only details in it plan of suicide and destruction of the Jewish People. Two words: Eruv Rav. (Hey, I am all for peace. I am a big "peace-nik." It's just that my vision of peace looks very different than Sheretz's version. The Jewish People already have a peace plan. It's called the Torah.)

One other interesting note, MK Zahavah Gal-On actually crossed party lines, as it were, to oppose the administrative detention of Land of Israel activist No'am Federman, as she believed that such action is not appropriate without due process. Although halachah dictates that we assume she had ulterior motives in doing so, this was certainly an eye-catcher.

Too bad the feminists were silent while female residents of Yehudah and Shomron sexually harassed while being held in the Tirtzah Prison. Allegations of such treatment have spanned over the past four years. Many believe, and studies on such abuse tend to suggest, that many such incidents have gone unreported. Sheretz represents the quintessential, elitist philosophy of the "progressive" Left-wing: All Jews are equal, but some Jews are more equal than others (alla George Orwell's Animal Farm).

Led by current Vice-Mayor of Tel-Aviv Pe'er Visner, The Greens gained several seats on city and on other local councils in the latest elections, this past fall. As you might have guessed, their focus is on the environment. They see Israel as a Jewish state, and as "our natural right which does not allow for any objection." They see the Israeli - Arab conflict has one of the causes for damage to the environment, and security often used as an excuse for its neglect. I should probably do some research on Visner, which give me some insight into this party. Their website's "education" section, the section about which I was most curious, was not up yet. The Greens like trains, which gains them a few more points in my book. As a self-proclaimed "right-wing extremist tree-hugger," I certainly hope that those making it into the Kenesseth will consider some of the policies of The Greens, and be open-minded enough to cross party lines to implement some of them. You can check out their party's platform in Hebrew here.

Even with fellow blogger Asher's help, I couldn't figure out what the difference between this Green Movement party and the The Greens. According to Israel National News, this party has associations with green movements in Europe. On the other hand, I am all too familiar with Meimad, the Green Movement's partner. Meimad was the left-wing party faction of the National Religious Party which broke away to form its own party. For years now, Meimad had been running together with the Labor Party. They have since left Labor, and considered several options before joining up the Green Movement. If you have more information about either of these parties, you should feel free to mention it in the comments section. (If for no other reason, do not vote for them because of Meimad. In a nutshell, its hypocrisy and stupidity puts that of the Jewish Home Party to shame.)

RA"M - TA"L is the "new and improved," [unified] Unified Arab List (RA"M) and the Arab Renewal Movement (TA"L), both euphemisms for "We're more patient than Hamas, Hezbollah, and Islamic Jihad, regarding the destruction of Israel,...but we're happy to be of help." Periodically, the respective "loyalties" of party members like [gynecologist] MK Ahmed Tibi* are called into question, but the Israeli Supreme Court never fails to come to their rescue. (*Seriously, what Jewish woman in her mind would let this man touch her?)

Bala"d (National Democratic Assembly) more careless about their support for terrorists and their sponsors. The visits to Syria without wavers from the Interior Ministry are a dead giveaway. Former MK Azmi Bishara recently escaped persecution for treason, and is living in Syria or Dubai or who knows where. The Israeli Supreme Court and Israeli Attorney General also came to Bala"d's rescue, clearing the way for them to run in national elections.

Blank Ballot OK. This is not a political party, but it is a political option, if you do not want to participate in the Hellenist process of democracy, or in Israel deMOCKracy, where the Supreme Court [or Kenesseth or party leaders] just change the rules whenever they believe that power is beginning to slip away. I prefer to vote this time around, if nothing else to do my part to prevent an additional leftist or Arab from entering the Kenesseth. The current system is the one we have,...for now. I can understand not wanting to give legitimacy to the current, non-Torah system of government. But, until I see anyone begin to get serious about changing the system, I cannot sit by while leftists and Arabs freely enter the government.

I did not mention Unitied Torah Judaism nor Shas here. Chances are that you have already decided whether you will vote for one of these religious parties or not. Perhaps I will write about them later.

Conclusion:
After all of the above, the conclusion is fairy simple. The "right-wing" has does it again, shooting itself in the foot. Fasten your seat belts, ladies and gentlemen, it's going to be a bumpy ride....