עוד שטויות מנפתלי בנט / More Nonsense from Naftali Bennett

כ"ג לחודש העשירי תשע"ט

English follows the Hebrew.

הקול היהודי עוצמה יהודית: "אין כל חדש ב'ימין החדש'"
בעקבות הודעת בנט ושקד אמש מגיבות מפלגות האיחוד הלאומי ועוצמה יהודית: "בנט חושב שיעשה אקזיט על הגב של הציונות הדתית"

מערכת הקול-היהודי כ"ב טבת תשע"ט - 30/12/2018

בעקבות הודעתם של נפתלי בנט ואיילת שקד על הקמת מפלגה דתית-חילונית, פרסמה אמש מפלגת עוצמה יהודית קריאה לחבר הכנסת בצלאל סמוטריץ' והשר לשעבר אלי ישי לחבור לבלוק טכני שיהווה מפץ ימני שיאחד את כל המחנה הדתי לאומי למאבק על ארץ ישראל ועל זהותה היהודית של המדינה. (המשך)

עשר אגורות (2¢):

נפתלי בנט

אנשי מפלגת עוצמה יהודית מפרשים את זה חי טוב: "אין כל חדש ב'ימין החדש.'"

האסטרטגי של בנט פשוט שטות פוליטי מעוצבת כדי לקחת קולות מהליכוד. בע"ה מפלגת דתי לאומי [מפד"ל], מה שקראו לבית היהודי בעבר, סוף סוף תיקרס.

במקביל הודיעו אלי בן דהן, סגן שר הבטחון וח"כ מוטי יוגב כי ישארו במפלגת הבית היהודי שניהם אף הודיעו כי יתמודדו לראשותה של המפלגה.

ח"כ שולי "מתקיפת זכויות להורים" משולם רפאלי גם עוזבת את הבית היהודי ותצטרף ל"הימין החדש."

גורמים בעוצמה יהודית אמרו בתגובה להחטת בנט ושקד כי "נפתלי בנט איכזב בגדול והיה שותף לחוסר מעש מתמשך שכלל את הפקרת הדרום, השתלטות הבדואים על אדמות הנגב, גירוש יהודים מבתיהם בעמונה ובנתיב האבות, וההתקפלות בחאן אל אחמר חרף החלטת בג"צ כי יש לפנות את המקום". ניסיון של בנט להתנער מאחריותו לממשלה שאמרה ימין ועשתה שמאל, היא פתטית".

מנגד קרנו של ח"כי בצלאל סמוטריץ' שהודיע על התמודדות לתפקיד יו"ר האיחוד הלאומי, צפויה לעלות והוא הודיעה כי יפעל לגיבוש הציונות הדתית סביבו. 

אפשר לראות את ח"כ סמוריץ' מדבר עם נוצרים אבנג'יליקלים (בתמונה למטה). אני שלחתי הודעה למייל שלו בכנסת לשאול אותו על האירוע הזה. עד כאן. אני לא קיבלת שום תגובה. אני מקווה שחברי עוצמה יהודית יכולים לתקן את ההשקפה של סמוריץ' , או שהוא פשוט לא ירצה להצטרף איתם במפלגה שלהם.

זאב אלקין

(YNET) השר להגנת הסביבה ולענייני ירושלים זאב אלקין (הליכוד) תקף הבוקר (א') את נפתלי בנט ואיילת שקד על הקמת מפלגת "הימין החדש". בריאיון שערך באולפן ynet אמר אלקין כי המהלך מסכן את הימין ואת ניצחון הגוש. ח"כ דוד ביטן (הליכוד) התראיין אף הוא בנושא ואמר: "הם בגדו בבוחרים שלהם ובגדו בבית היהודי". 

אלקין אמר שהוא הופתע מפרישתם של שר החינוך ושרת המשפטים ממפלגת הבית היהודי, ואמר כי "זה קצת מתחיל להזכיר לי את 1992. הרבה ראשי מפלגות רצו, ובסוף הימין קיבל הרבה קולות והפסיד בבחירות". הוא דחה את הביקורת של בנט ושקד על מערכת היחסים של נתניהו עם הציונות הדתית, ואמר כי "בסופו של דבר מקימים מפלגה עם אותו ההרכב: בנט, שקד ומועלם-רפאלי. מה השוני מהבית היהודי המקורי? הם פשוט לקחו מפלגה של שמונה מנדטים וחילקו אותה לשתיים. בסופו של דבר אחד משני החלקים יכול להישאר מתחת לאחוז החסימה ולשרוף מנדטים לגוש הימין".

אז יש הבדל בין "הימין החדש" לבית היהודי?

בככל לא.

היא פשוט עוד שטויות של בנט.

המפד"ל לא היתה דתית ולא ימינית.

הבית היהודית לא בית ובכלל לא יהודית.

ועכשיו יש מפלת "הימין החדש," והיא לא ימינית וגם לחדשה בכלל.

התכנית של בנט
The Bennett Plan

The Jewish Voice: Otzmah Yehudit Party: "There is Nothing New in the 'New Right'"
Following Bennett and Shaked's announcement last night, the parties of the National Union and Jewish power react: "Bennett thinks he will make an exit on the back of religious Zionism" 

December 30, 2018 

Following a statement by Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked on the establishment of a religious-secular party, the Jewish Power Party yesterday called on MK Bezalel Smotrich and former Minister Eli Yishai to join a technical block that would constitute a right-wing blow to unite the entire national religious camp for the struggle for the Land of Israel and the Jewish identity of the state. (cont.)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):

Naftali Bennett

The Otzmah Yehudit Party says it best... "There is nothing new in the 'New Right'"

It's just some political shenanigans, design to pull votes away from the Likud. Hopefully, the National Religious Party will finally implode.

Eli Ben Dahan, Deputy Minister of Defense and MK Moti Yogev, announced that they would remain in the Jewish Home Party, and that they would both run for the party's leadership.

MK Shuli "chip away at parental rights" Meshulam Refaeli is set to join Bennett and Shaked.

Betzalel Smorich

"Sources in Otzmah Yehudit said in response to the Bennett and Shaked attack that "Naftali Bennett was a big loser and was a partner to continuous inactivity, including the abandonment of the south, the Bedouin takeover of Negev lands, the expulsion of Jews from their homes in Amona and the path of the Patriarchs, the place". Bennett's attempt to shake off his responsibility for the government that said right and did left is pathetic. 

Betzalel Smotrich announced that he is running for the chairmanship of the National Union. He also announced that he will work to consolidate religious Zionism around him.

MK Smorich can be seen here (left) speaking to Evangelical Christians. Let's hope that Otzmah Yehudit either sets him straight, or fails to recruit him.

(YNET) Meanwhile, Likud minister Ze’ev Elkin on Sunday slammed Bennett and Shaked for their decision to split, saying that it would weaken the right-wing camp.

"This moves jeopardize the right-wing bloc and an electoral win," Elkin told Ynet. "This reminds me of what happened in 1992. Many heads of parties popped up, the right gained a lot of voices, but lost in the general elections."

Elkin also rejected the claim by Bennett and Shaked that Netanyahu only appealed to the religious-Zionist bloc.

"How is this new party different from Jewish Home? They just took an eight-seat party and divided it in half," Elkin said. "One of the parties might not pass the the electoral threshold (of four seats) and squander the right-wing bloc's seats."

He added: "This is a dangerous move. Those who want a niche party, should vote for the old Jewish Home. Those who seek a party for both religious and secular rightists should vote for the Likud," he said.

How IS it different that The Jewish Home Party?

It isn't.

This is just more Bennett nonsense.

The National Religious Party was neither national nor religious.

The Jewish Home Party was neither Jewish nor a home.

And, now, the "New Right" Party is neither "new," nor "right."

רק לא ברקוביץ! / Don't Vote for Berkovitch!

כ״א לחודש השמיני תשע״ט
יום הבחירות מועצות המקומיות

English follows the Hebrew.

המועמדים לראש עיריית ירושלים:

משה ליאון, ח״כ זאב אלקין, עופר ברקוביץ׳, יוסי דייטש
Yossi Daitch, Ofer Berkovitch, MK Ze'ev Elkin, Moshe Leon

כל הסקרים מגלים שאם עופר ברקוביץ׳ (התעוררות) לא מנצח בסיבוב הראשון אז אין שום ספק שהוא כן יהיה מועמד בסיבוב השני.

איזה חבל שהמפלגות הדתיות לא הסתדרו ביחד מספיק כדי למנוע את ברקוביץ׳ מלהיות ראש עיריית ירולשים. בע״ה יהיה סיבוב שני עם ברקוביץ׳ נגד משה ליאון (ש״ס), ח״כ זאב אלקין (ליכוד), או יוסי דייטש (אגודת ישראל, ירושלים מאוחדת, יחד).

שמעתי שיש כמה חרדים שמצביעים לברקוביץ׳. יש אפילו כמה תומכי אריה קינג למועצת העירייה שמצביעים לו. ואין צריך לומר יש דתיים מודרנים המצביעים לו.

למה? או נמאס להם מהמנהיגות החרדית או הם עולים חדשים מצפון אמריקה וראשים שלהם עדיין חיים שמה, כאילו מנטליות גלותית, או הם פשוט השתגעו לגמרי.

אני מתפלל שיהיה סיבוב שני, וכך הזדמנות שנייה להביע למועמד ראש עיריית ירושלים שאכפת לו מה הקב"ה רוצה, דרך התורה שלו, ולא רק על מה המיעוט החילוני והדתיים המודרנים רוצים.

All polls show that if Ofer Berkowitz (Hirorerut) does not win the Jerusalem Mayoral race in the first round, then he will definitely be a candidate in the second round.

What a shame that the religious parties did not get their act together to prevent Berkovitch from becoming the mayor of Jerusalem. The second round will be with Berkovitch against Moshe Leon (Shas), or MK Zeev Elkin (Likud), or Yossi Deitch (Agudath Israel, United Jerusalem, Yachad).

I heard that there are a few Haredim who are voting for Berkovitch. There are even a few Aryeh King supporters who intend to vote for him. And, of course, there are modern orthodox who are voting for him.

Why? Either they are fed up with the Haredi leadership or are new immigrants from North America and their minds are still in North America, in other words an exilic (Diaspora) mentality, or they have just lost it completely.

I pray there is a second round, and thus a second chance for us to have a mayor of Jerusalem who cares about what The Holy One, Blessed Be He wants, vis-à-vis His Torah, and not just about what the secular minority and misguided modern orthodox want.

ראש העיר ברקת תופל חרדים? / Does Jerusalem Mayor Barakat Discriminate against Haredim?

כ"ז לחודש השליש תשע"ח

אריה קינג
Arieh King

במשך שנים כתבתי,התראיינתי,הזהרתי על התנהלותו השמאלנית והמסוכנת של ניר ברקת, ראש עיריית ירושלים!

הרוב הסכימו עמי ותמכו בעמדתי,אך עדיין נותר קומץ שהלך והצטמצם של פעילי ימין וליכוד שהאמינו לאיש השמאל שהתחפש לאיש ימין.

לצערי הרב,למדיניות המסוכנת של ניר ברקת היו שותפים, אנשי התעוררות בירושלים שבועדה המחוזית והמקומית ייצגו את מדיניותו של ברקת ושכחו את האינטרס של הציבור הירושלמי.

המדיניות של ברקת וחבריו מהשמאל החילוני בעיר,היא שגרמה לתחלואי העיר שעימה בכוונתי להתמודד בקדנציה הבאה של מועצת העיר ירושלים.
1. עליית מחירי הדיור.שנבעה מהמדיניות שזאב אלקין מתאר.
2. הרעה במאזן הדמוגרפי בין ערבים ליהודים שנבעה ממדיניותו הקלוקלת של ברקת.
3. יצירת מוקדי חיכוך בשכונות מעורבות, בשל הגירה חרדית מסיבית לשכונות מעורבות. הגירה שנובעת מהמדיניות ש זאב אלקין תיאר.

מכובדיי, לא עוד!

בעוד שישה חודשים, המצב ישתנה ובלי נדר, תוקם קואליציה ימנית/דתית/חרדית שלא תפלה אף ציבור בעיר.

יתחיל בע"ה, עידן חדש בירושלים של מדיניות: זה נהנה וזה לא חסר.

שבת שלום
אריה קינג
חבר מועצת עיריית ירושלים
31.05.18

עשר אגורות (2¢):
"...וְאֵין כָּל-חָדָשׁ, תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ.." (קהלת א,ט)

פעם, היתה חברת מועצת עיריית ירושלים שהציעה [או משהו כזה] להקים ערים חדשות לקהילה החרדית. לדעתי, הכוונה שלה היתה למנוע מעליית האוכלוסיה החרדית בעיר. לפי מהמדיניות שח״כ אלקין (ליכוד) מתאר, ניר ברקת פועל למען אותה המטרה, אבל בישירות יותר מחברת המועצת הזאת.

בבחירות לקראת עלית ברקת לתפקיד ראש העיר, השמאלנים הסתובבו בעיר לדבר עם הדתיים הלאומים כדי לשבנע אותם להצביע לברקת ולא למנחם פרוש (יהדות התורה).

הם היו שואלים שאלות כאלה:
אתם רוצים שיגידו לנשים שלהם לכסות את ראשיהן?
להגיד להן איך להתלבש?
באמת, אתם לא מפחדים לגור בעיר חרדית??
 
כבר ברור שאריה קינג צודק. ברקת בכלל לא איש ימיני, וצריכים להתעורר לעובדה הזאת. אבל לא להתבלבל ולא להתעורר בטעם האירגון ״התעוררות ירושלים״ שבכלל לא קבוצה במרכז הפוליטי, אלא היא שמאלנית.

בבחירות הקודמות, היו חסידים משוכנעים להצביע לברקת בגלל סיבות אחרות. אני מקווה שהחרדים האלה גם לא יטעו עודה פעם בבחירות הבאות.

Translation of above post:

זאב אלקין
Ze'ev Elkin

This week Minster Ze'ev Elkin (Likud) tells me: The building of new neighborhoods in Jerusalem during the last decade has been lagging, not because of American pressure, but rather because of Nir Barakat that Haredim (ultra-orthodox) will move into them. He promises to build for Haredim and the non-religious.

Translation of Arieh King's comments:
For years I wrote, and was interviewed, warning about Mayor Nir Barkat's dangerous, leftist conduct!

The majority agreed with me and supported my position, but there were still a handful of right-wing and Likud activists who believed that this leftist had actually disguised himself as a right-winger.

ניר ברקת
Nir Barkat

Unfortunately, Nir Barkat's dangerous policy was shared by members of the Hitorarut Yerushalayim organization, who served on local and regional committees regional and local division represented Barkat's policy, forgetting the interest of the Jerusalem public.

The policies of Barkat and his colleagues from the city's secular left are the cause of the city's problems on which I intend to run for re-election to the city council:
1. The rise in housing prices, which motivated by the policy MK Ze'ev Elkin describes.
2. A deterioration in the demographic balance between Arabs and Jews, which stemmed from Barkat's flawed policy.
3. Creating friction in mixed neighborhoods, due to massive Haredi migration into these neighborhoods, which stems from the policy NK Ze'ev Elkin describes.

My distinguished friends, no more!

In six months, the situation will change and bli neder, a right-wing / religious / ultra-Orthodox coalition will be formed which will not discriminate against anyone in the city.

With HaShem's help, a new era of policy will begin in Jerusalem.

It will be beneficial and not lacking.

Shabbat Shalom
Arieh King
Jerusalem City Councilmember
May 31, 2018 / 24 Sivan 5778

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
"...and there is nothing new under the sun." [Qoheleth (Ecclesiastes) 1:9]

Once, there was a Jerusalem City Councilwoman who, "suggested" [or something like that] that more Haredi towns be established. In my opinion, her intention was to prevent the rise in Haredi population in the city. According to the policies which MK Ze'ev Elkin (Likud) describes, Nir Barakat is working toward the same goal, but more directly than this City Councilwoman.

In the elections leading up to Barakat's ascension to mayor, leftists were go around the city speaking with the Religious Zionist and Modern Orthodox sectors in order to persuade them to vote for Barakat, and not for MK Menachem Porush (Untied Torah Judaism).

They would ask questions like:
Do you want your wives to be told to cover their hair?
To tell them how to dress?
You really aren't afraid to live in a Haredi-controlled city?

It is already clear that Arieh King is right. Barakat is not at all a right-wing politician, and we must wake up. But not to be confused by the organization of Hitorarut Yerushalayim the "Awakening of Jerusalem" organization, which is not at all at the political center. But rather is leftist.

In the previous elections, there were Hasidim who were convinced to vote for Barakat for other reasons. I hope that these ultra-Orthodox will never make mistakes again in the next elections.

Saturday-Sunday Weekend for Israel?

ג׳ לחודש השביעי תשע״ו

Well, the proposed law to create a two-day weekend in Israel has reappeared, yet again.

Arutz 7: New Bill to Make Sunday a Day Off in Israel
Jewish Home MK Yinon Magal suggests making up lost man-hours throughout the week, says extended weekend grants religious equality.

Ido Ben-Porat, 9/9/2015

Jewish Home party MK Yinon Magal has tabled a bill that would make Sunday an official day off in Israel, in a move that is likely to reignite debate over the somewhat controversial topic.

This is not the first time it has been suggested to extend the weekend to Sunday, with previous attempts being shot down by opponents who contend adding to the weekend would seriously harm the Israeli economy.

Currently, weekends in the Jewish state are from Friday-Saturday, the latter of which is the Jewish Sabbath. But while having Fridays off enables religiously-observant Jewish families to adequately prepare for Shabbat, it also means there is no "day off" as there is in other countries, since Shabbat-observant Jews are prohibited from performing many activities such as driving or otherwise traveling long distances, and spend Fridays preparing for Shabbat as opposed to spending time with their families.

Some have also argued that making Sunday a day off would boost the domestic tourism and leisure sector, with Shabbat-observant families freer to enjoy attractions throughout the country. Others have suggested it could even boost Shabbat observance among "traditional" Israelis, who would in theory observe the holy day if they had more time to engage in leisure activities on Sunday.

In a statement, Magal - who is a non-observant Jew - emphasized both the social and economic benefits of his bill, further noting it would provide "equality" between observant and non-observant Jews.

Addressing the question of how the lost working hours to the Israeli economy would be made up - given that observant Jews cannot practically work more than half a day on Fridays - Magal's bill suggests half a days'-worth of hours be made up by extending working hours Monday-Thursday, with the remaining made up by a half-day on Fridays.

"In a state which sanctifies the Sabbath and limits public transportation and sporting events, it is important to advance a day-off on which no citizen feels that their freedom is limited," Magal said.

Jewish Home Anglo Forum Chairman Jeremy Saltan praised the proposed bill.

"Many of us olim miss our Sundays off," he said. "I want to thank Yinon for moving forward with this important issue. I think there is a real chance this time to get it done."

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
Standing next to Jewish Home Party Leader Naftali Bennett, wearing his ever shrinking kippah, MK Yinon Magal claims to "love the Torah."

Well, someone needs to remind MK Magal that the Torah includes the commandment to keep Shabbath.

It is not an option; it is a COMMANDMENT,...as in you HAVE to do it.

Yinon Magal with Naftali Bennett
טבת תשע״ה/December, 2014
Where exactly IS Naftali Bennett's kippah?

Is MK Yinon Magal perhaps suggesting that one may be creative as to how one keeps Shabbath?

Um,...no.

The Oral Torah is quite specific as to what is required of Jews to keep Shabbath. Sorry, Yinon Magal, but you cannot say you "love the Torah," and then ignore half of it.

Besides Shabbath, there are mitzvoth such as eating only kosher food, family purity, tefillin, and countless other non-optional commandments, such as not putting a stumbling block in front of other Jews, and even more so, not actively leading them to sin.

When the government allows stores to be open and transportation to run on Shabbath, non-kosher food to be sold in stores and in restaurants, those in the government supporting these policies, such as MK Elazar Stern (Yesh Atid) who should know better, with that kippah on his head, are violating the Torah.

Calling such policies "pluralistic" or "democratic" do not magically make them OK.

And if that was not clear enough for MK Magal, there is no such thing as religious fairness in the Torah. There is truth, and there are lies. Jews are to keep the entire Torah. Non-Jews are to keep seven mitzvoth. There is no in betweens, no compromises. The only pluralism in Torah-observance may be found in our customs alone.

Quite frankly, it also seems that making it easier for Israel's "Christian citizens" to observe their day of rest. That couldn't possibly be because of their "love" for us and their validation of our, could it? What about their money pouring into Israel?

As I recall, the last time this proposal reared its ugly head was in תשע״א/2011, by none other than MK Yariv Levine and kippah-wearing MK Ze'ev Elkin (Likud).

MK Levine explained that the law would enhance Israel’s integration into the global market and synchronize Israel’s trade days with the international standard. The move will also increase private consumption and assist the tourism sector and other services. (Arutz 7)

Another reason which was given for the addition of Sunday as a non-workday was to "help" the religious community.

The initiative would allow Israelis to have a holiday from work on Sundays, while also being able to shop and travel on that day. These things are not possible on Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath, on which Jewish religion forbids all forms of work. They are possible in a limited way on Fridays, because shops and transportation close down early in preparation for the Sabbath. (Arutz 7)

In actuality, though, the above reasons are just code for "let's be more like the goyim." This is in ignorance, or perhaps even in spite of, the countless mandates of the Torah to remain separate from the goyim, when we are talking about the prohibition against marrying them or the prohibition against wearing their clothing, we are to remain separate and distinct, and that includes the observance of goyshe feast days..

המשנה תורה הלכות עבודה זרה פרק ט,ד
הנוצריים עובדי עבודה זרה הן, ויום ראשון יום אידם הוא. לפיכך אסור לשאת ולתת עימהן בארץ ישראל, יום חמישי ויום שישי שבכל שבת ושבת; ואין צריך לומר יום ראשון עצמו, שהוא אסור בכל מקום. וכן נוהגין עימהן, בכל אידיהן.

Mishneh Torah, Laws of Avodah Zarah and Goyim 9:4
The Christians are practitioners of foreign worship. And Sunday is their feast day. Therefore, it is forbidden to negotiate with them in the Land of Israel, any Thursday, Friday, or Shabbath. And there is no need to say Sunday itself, which is forbidden in and out of Israel. And thus we accustomed on all of their feast days.

Even in the U. S., Jews make a point of opening their businesses on Sundays to demonstrate that they are not showing regard for the Christian holiday.

And by the way, not that it matters, but will businesses have to pay their employees Shabbath salaries on Sunday? I hate to think what that will do to Israel's economic growth.

Olim miss their two day weekends, huh? Well, all I can say to that is that you can take the Jew out of Galuth (exile), but you cannot away take the Galuth out of the Jew.

With regards to MK Magal, it is apparent that you can say that you love the Torah of Israel, but not have any clue what Torah really means.

No Need for a Referendum on Sovereignty over Judea and Samaria. The Issue has Already been Decided.

ערב ראש החודש האחד עשר תשע"ה

While some support putting sovereignty to referendum to voted on by Israel citizens, I was referred to this recent video (Hebrew/English subtitles), put out by Women In Green, promoting candidates which support sovereignty over Yehudah and the Shomron (Judea and Samaria).



Esser Agaroth (2¢):
No.

We must not make a referendum on sovereignty over Yehudah and Shomron.

We must not vote, in anyway, shape, or form, on sovereignty over Yehudah and Shomron.

This issue has already been decided, and by a higher authority than men.

We must stand behind this truth, declare it, and act upon it. That truth is stated in the Torah.

Eretz Yisra'el (Land of Israel), ALL of Eretz Yisra'el, belongs to Am Yisra'el! There is nothing to vote on. It is not our decision. The decision has already been made. It is an embarrassment that some of these "religious" Zionists support a referendum.

It is important to take a closer look at the figures, included in this video. Do they, themselves really support sovereignty over Yehudah and the Shomron, like Women In Green?

Yisra'el Katz (Likud): The "Green Line?" Why to we insist on even using, let alone acknowledging such ridiculous terminology? Nowhere in the Torah is there a green line. This is a term made up by goyim, and accepted by co-dependent Jews. It is ridiculous, and should by expunged from our vernacular immediately.

The "Territories?" If we are to speak of "territories," then we should speak of the territories of the Tribes of Re'uven and Gad, the Northern segments of the territories of the Tribes of Asher and Naftali, and how have those returned to their rightful owners: Am Yisra'el.

Forget where those are? Here's a map:

Naftali Bennett (Jewish Home)? Here's Bennett's plan...

Bennett's Plan vs. Oslo "Death" Accords
Find the difference.

Doesn't look like the above map, based on the Torah, does it?

'Nuff said.

Uriel Ariel (Jewish Home) and outgoing Speaker of the K'nesseth Yuli Edelstein (Likud) and Yariv Levin (Likud) present an approach much more compatible with Torah principles than Bennet.

Ze'ev Elkin (Likud) those "pieces of Eretz Yisra'el over which we all agree belong to us." What's that on his head? A kippah? HaShem has already decided that it does not matter which pieces over which we agree belong to us nor which pieces that the "international community" of goyim agree belong to us. It is not up for discussion. All of those "pieces," agreed upon or not belong to us. Which Torah has he been following, as a "religious" Zionist?

Miri Regev (Likud) means well. The main flaw in her reasoning stated in this video is that she actually expects her own party to follow its own rules. Good luck!

Ayelet Shaqed (Jewish Home)..Hmm...So far, the women are two for two. And the men? Don't ask. And, those MK's not identifying as "religious" also adhere more to Torah principles more so that those who identify as "religious."

Moshe Feiglin (Likud) would actually like to Israel as a Jewish State. Already think it is? Guess again. Then either you don't actually live here, or haven't been taught that the Torah touches every aspect of our lives, not just what we put into our mouths and we so or do not do on Shabbath.

With the opinions by some of the so-called "Religious" Zionists, presented here in this video, there should no longer be any doubt that the State of Israel is from it.

Rabbi Eli Ben-Dahan (Jewish Home) also presents a position, compatible with Torah. But, don't think that this him Ben-Dahan off the hook for the various, silly remarks he has made in the past.

Zevulun Kalfa, Orit Struk, and Shuli Mualem (Jewish Home) , at least in this video, also express views from a Torah based reasoning. Unfortunately, this by far not always the case, at least not for Kalfa, let alone from their other, fellow Jewish Home Party MK's.

Moti Yogev (Jewish Home), wants to adopt the Levy Report, and apply sovereignty to Yehudah and the Shomron. Gee, MK Yogev, ever thought of adopting the Torah Report? Nope, probably not. What's that on his head? A kippah?

Hmm... No mention of Tzippy Hotovely (Likud)? I'm very surprised,...but pleasantly so.

She, like the other Religious Zionist "hero," Naftali Bennett, allow room for granting Arabs citizenship. This position is only a tad better than Danny Danon's ridiculous friendship with Christians, who have been slowly, but steadily sneaking in through the back door of "volunteering," bot out in the field with non-profit organizations, and through serving in the Israeli Defense Froces [IDF] themselves.

But, I digress...

After the 2:45 mark in the video, a bunch of endorsements are thrown in, from various other famous, and infamous people, over whom we are supposed to be impressed. If you would like to sit in front of your computer screens are weed through them, be my guest.

Then, after that, the video becomes even more worthless than you thought it already was. International Law, History, Western logic from the mouths of not only Israeli lawyers, but from non-Israeli, non-Jews, and who knows who else.

The only, I repeat, the only justification for Jewish claims to Eretz Yisra'el is because HaShem says that it belongs to us, and He tells us so via His Holy Torah. This is the only relevant document we need as a people.

Even the anti-Zionist, Neturei Karta believe that Eretz Yisra'el belongs to Am Yisrael. They simply believe that we are not yet to take possession of it, and not to do so in the manner in which we have already attempted to do so.

I may not agree with their position, but I do not ever remember anyone from Neturei Karta calling for a vote on the Torah (חו"ח).
Now what are we going to do about it?

Vote? By voting, we are saying that there is an alternative to the Torah position.

There is not.

Getting to Know Renowned Israeli Author Amos Oz

י"ג לחודש השני תשע"ד

Amos Oz, one of Israel's most renowned authors, had this to say...

YNET: Yes, there are Hebrew neo-Nazi groups

Amos Oz

Op-ed: After sparking a row with his verbal attack on 'price tag' vandals, author Amos Oz explains why he stands behind his comments.

Amos Oz, May12, 2014

I have been talking about the occupation and the settlements from the moral aspect for almost 50 years now. On Friday, during an event at Tzavta (a cultural center in Tel Aviv), I wanted to say something about it from the godly aspect.

If there will not be two states very soon, there will be one state – and it will be an Arab state. And if there is an Arab state, I feel no envy for the Jews who will live in it. It will be one of the most difficult exiles.

Get off Benjamin Netanyahu's case. He is not in control of the government. The Likud's Knesset faction is a faction of radical settlers. Netanyahu is nearly the most leftist person in the Likud's Knesset faction.

The real government in Israel is controlled by the rabbis of the territories, and there is one person to blame for this situation. His name is Yair Lapid, and he has the power to bring this government down whenever he pleases.

The names "price tag" and "hilltop youth" are embellished names. We must look the monster in the eye and call it by its name. We wanted to be a nation like all nations. We hoped that one day there would be a Hebrew thief and a Hebrew prostitute.

We also have Hebrew neo-Nazi groups. There is nothing the modern neo-Nazis in Europe are doing that these groups are not doing here.

The only difference may stem from the fact that our neo-Nazi groups enjoy the support of quite a few nationalistic, perhaps even racist, lawmakers, as well as a few rabbis who provide them with a foundation which I see as pseudo-religious. This is, in my opinion, the great difference between the Jews and the Jews' words.

I considered the comments I made at Tzavta carefully. When I address an audience, I plan for hours and think about every word. I am a man of words. This is my profession.

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
Let's examine some of the statements of Amos Oz, point by point, in order to get know this renowned, Israeli author...

"The Likud's Knesset faction is a faction of radical settlers."
I only wish this were true!

"Netanyahu is nearly the most leftist person in the Likud's Knesset faction."
Possibly, but irrelevant. Like most politicians, I believe that Netanyahu is neither Leftist nor Rightist, but Netayahuist.

"The real government in Israel is controlled by the rabbis of the territories..."
 Once again,... I wish this were true! ...well,...some of these rabbis, the ones who put Torah before the State, and no, not all of them do.

"We wanted to be a nation like all nations." 
Not I! However, Oz does state quiet accurately, the unfortunate truth regarding the Western, assimilationist, Labor Zionist, Ashkenazy, secular elite, a proud segment of the Erev Rav.

"We also have Hebrew neo-Nazi groups. There is nothing the modern neo-Nazis in Europe are doing that these groups are not doing here."
Hmm...if Jews who write graffiti on buildings and other structures, then I wonder what Amos Oz calls the Arabs who murder Jews, and call for the annihilation of Israel?

PA President Mahmud Abbas and his fantasy map!

Friends?

Could Allowing Israeli Settlers to Fend for Themselves be a Good Idea?

כ"ז לחודש האחד עשר תשע"ד

Rumors of "abandoning" settlers in Yehudah and Shomron (Judea and Samaria) have been for years. The following reports are nothing new, save for confirmations,...of the existence of the rumors.

Certainly, one must be careful with rumors, or even slips or open statements of unreliable politicians. Nonetheless, let's have some fun speculating about these rumors, slips, and statements, and see if we can formulate an reasonable hypotheses about what could, would, or should happen.

Times Of Israel: PM would let all settlers remain in West Bank, official says
Netanyahu will not force any Jews living in what would become ‘Palestine’ to leave, and would insist they get the option to stay where they are under peace deal
Raphael Ahren January 26, 2014

PM Netanyahu

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not intend to uproot Jewish settlements anywhere in the West Bank, and will not force any settlers to leave, even under a permanent peace deal with the Palestinians, a well-placed official in the Prime Minister’s Office told The Times of Israel on Sunday. Rather, the prime minister will insist that settlers be given the free choice of remaining in place and living under Palestinian rule, or relocating to areas under Israeli sovereign rule, the official said.

That requirement seems certain to constitute a significant obstacle in Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts, since Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has categorically rejected the idea of any Israeli — soldier or civilian — remaining in a Palestinian state. (cont.)

...Netanyahu was and remains a fierce critic of the 2005 disengagement from Gaza, under which prime minister Ariel Sharon forced the evacuation of all Gaza settlers and the demolition of their settlements.

(Tip: Tomer Devorah)

Netanyahu's coalition partner Naftali Bennett (Jewish Home) does not seem to like this plan...

Times Of Israel: Bennett on Netanyahu’s plan for settlers: ‘Never’
PM’s vision of a ‘Jewish minority’ staying in place in ‘Palestine,’ first reported by Times of Israel, draws furious response from right-wingers, Palestinian officials
Marissa Newman January 26, 2014

Naftali Bennett
Minister of Religious Affairs,
Commerce, and Druze?

Senior coalition politicians — including Economy and Trade Minister Naftali Bennett, Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon, and Deputy Foreign Minister Ze’ev Elkin — slammed comments made Sunday to the Times of Israel by an official in the Prime Minister’s Office, who indicated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing to allow Israeli settlers the choice to remain in situ under Palestinian sovereignty as part of a future peace plan. (cont.)

MK Danny Danon

MK Danny Danon (Likud) said something interesting...

”Where there is no military presence and responsibility, there will be no security for any Jew,"

Hmm... I am not so sure about that. But let us move on for now, and read what the Hag of the East had to say about the proposal...

Times Of Israel: Palestinians: Yes to Jews, no to settlers in our state

Hanan Ashrawi
PLO Executive

Netanyahu raised issue of settlers remaining in a future Palestine during recent talks with John Kerry, Palestinian official says
Elhanan Miller January 27, 2014

The Palestinian refusal to accept Israeli settlers in their future state does not stem from anti-Jewish sentiment, Palestinian officials said on Monday. Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the PLO Executive Committee, told The Times of Israel that Jews and members of all religions would have the right to apply for Palestinian citizenship. But “Palestine” could not accept “ex-territorial Jewish enclaves” where residents maintained their Israeli citizenship status, she said. (cont.)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
I thought this might happen, and I actually have somewhat mixed feelings about it.

On one hand, I'm afraid for them. On the other hand, how do we know that this will be the route to the new Kingdom of Israel?

I can see the suburbanites running away, and the warriors from Yitzhar sticking around, with the "10's chasing after the 100's."

It is too complicated, costly, and traumatic for the IDF, and for that matter, the Israeli Government itself, to be involved in any mass expulsions of Jews. I believe that most Israelis across the political and religious spectrum can see the logic in this statement, in agreement with it or not.

And so, if the IDF and the government itself limit their involvement as much as possible, what, then are the options?

1. Have some other entity, like the U. S., with its troops, do the Israeli Government's dirty work.

2. Find a way to convince the settlers to move out on their own,...perhaps by scaring the heck out of them.

3. Let the settlers "take their chances." Many will even want to do just that. And then, if they are annihilated (God Forbid!), the Israeli Government can "I told you so!" and "Look at how barbaric the Palestinians really are!" both in the same breath. And, of course, those pesky settlers will no longer be around to "cause problems," such as follow the Torah, instead of Israeli law.

Leaving Israeli settlers to fend for themselves would be an easy and relatively cheap way to get rid of them, just like another certain, former, Israeli prime minister tried to "get rid of" the pesky settlers of Hevron, back in 1994/תשנ"ד, by letting the Arabs do the job for him. Reprehensible, but true.

Before Purim of that year, posters in Arabic read, "We will finish the job Haman started!"(See Esther 3:5-11)

But, then a certain physician became the ultimate glitch in his plans.

You can call this a 1994 "conspiracy theory" if you insist,...as long as you look at the writing on the wall of 2014.

However, I do not see such negative, end results occurring. Just as Israeli President Shimon Peres has said that he is an optimist, in a way, so am I.

I cannot help but recall the images evoked by the following passage from the Torah, the end of Parashath Behar into the beginning of Parashath Behuqotai:

ויקרא כו
א לֹא-תַעֲשׂוּ לָכֶם אֱלִילִם, וּפֶסֶל וּמַצֵּבָה לֹא-תָקִימוּ לָכֶם, וְאֶבֶן מַשְׂכִּית לֹא תִתְּנוּ בְּאַרְצְכֶם, לְהִשְׁתַּחֲו‍ֹת עָלֶיהָ: כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה, אֱלֹהֵיכֶם. ב אֶת-שַׁבְּתֹתַי תִּשְׁמֹרוּ, וּמִקְדָּשִׁי תִּירָאוּ: אֲנִי, יְהוָה. ג אִם-בְּחֻקֹּתַי, תֵּלֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִצְו‍ֹתַי תִּשְׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשִׂיתֶם אֹתָם. ד וְנָתַתִּי גִשְׁמֵיכֶם, בְּעִתָּם; וְנָתְנָה הָאָרֶץ יְבוּלָהּ, וְעֵץ הַשָּׂדֶה יִתֵּן פִּרְיוֹ. ה וְהִשִּׂיג לָכֶם דַּיִשׁ אֶת-בָּצִיר, וּבָצִיר יַשִּׂיג אֶת-זָרַע; וַאֲכַלְתֶּם לַחְמְכֶם לָשֹׂבַע, וִישַׁבְתֶּם לָבֶטַח בְּאַרְצְכֶם. ו וְנָתַתִּי שָׁלוֹם בָּאָרֶץ, וּשְׁכַבְתֶּם וְאֵין מַחֲרִיד; וְהִשְׁבַּתִּי חַיָּה רָעָה, מִן-הָאָרֶץ, וְחֶרֶב, לֹא-תַעֲבֹר בְּאַרְצְכֶם. ז וּרְדַפְתֶּם, אֶת-אֹיְבֵיכֶם; וְנָפְלוּ לִפְנֵיכֶם, לֶחָרֶב. ח וְרָדְפוּ מִכֶּם חֲמִשָּׁה מֵאָה, וּמֵאָה מִכֶּם רְבָבָה יִרְדֹּפוּ; וְנָפְלוּ אֹיְבֵיכֶם לִפְנֵיכֶם, לֶחָרֶב. ט וּפָנִיתִי אֲלֵיכֶם--וְהִפְרֵיתִי אֶתְכֶם, וְהִרְבֵּיתִי אֶתְכֶם; וַהֲקִימֹתִי אֶת-בְּרִיתִי, אִתְּכֶם. י וַאֲכַלְתֶּם יָשָׁן, נוֹשָׁן; וְיָשָׁן, מִפְּנֵי חָדָשׁ תּוֹצִיאוּ. יא וְנָתַתִּי מִשְׁכָּנִי, בְּתוֹכְכֶם; וְלֹא-תִגְעַל נַפְשִׁי, אֶתְכֶם. יב וְהִתְהַלַּכְתִּי, בְּתוֹכְכֶם, וְהָיִיתִי לָכֶם, לֵאלֹהִים; וְאַתֶּם, תִּהְיוּ-לִי לְעָם. יג אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, אֲשֶׁר הוֹצֵאתִי אֶתְכֶם מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם, מִהְיֹת לָהֶם, עֲבָדִים; וָאֶשְׁבֹּר מֹטֹת עֻלְּכֶם, וָאוֹלֵךְ אֶתְכֶם קוֹמְמִיּוּת. 

Deuteronomy 26
1. You shall not make yourselves any idols, neither shall you raise up for yourselves a graven image, or a pillar, neither shall you place any figured stone in your land, to bow down to it; for I am the LORD your God. 2 You shall keep My Sabbaths, and revere My sanctuary: I am the LORD. 3 If you walk in My statutes, and keep My commandments, and do them; 4 then I will give your rains in their season, and the land shall yield her produce, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. 5 And your threshing shall reach to the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time; and you shall eat your bread until satisfied, and dwell in your land safely. 6 And I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none shall make frighten you; and I will cause evil beasts to cease out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land. 7 And you shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword. 8 And five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall chase ten thousand; and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword. 9 And I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you; and will establish My covenant with you. 10 And ye shall eat old store long kept, and ye shall bring forth the old from before the new. 11 And I will set My tabernacle among you, and My soul shall not abhor you. 12 And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be My people. 13 I am the LORD your God, who brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bars of your yoke, and made you go upright.

I included this extensive passage here, in order to remind all of us that the so-called "settlers" living in highly ideological towns and hilltops are known for keeping to all of the above.

I envision many, but by far not all, of the suburbanites in Yehudah and Shomron pick up and leave, leaving Yitzhar, some from K'far Tapu'ah and Elon Moreh, Havath Gilad, Eish Qodesh, Havath Ma'on, and like minded towns to fend for themselves, something which many of us have wanted to do all along.

I can easily imagine Arabs running away in fear from these "crazy settlers," who will receiving the prosperity which accompanies their great emunah (faith) in the above passage.

And, just like it only took one from Israel, Nahshon ben Aminadav, to enter the Sea of Reeds, before it split, perhaps it will only take a few hundred "settlers" to keep a hole on the precious gift of a Divinely granted Homeland, before The Almighty will take care of the rest for us.

Jordan Valley Settlement: Winners and Losers

ב' לחודש האחד עשר תשע"ד

Jordan Valley must remain part of Israel 'for all eternity,' Gideon Sa'ar says

Times Of Israel: Hours before Kerry visit, senior minister helps build settlement
Accompanied by entourage of parliamentarians, Sa’ar says Israel must maintain its civilian, military presence on eastern frontier

Raphael Ahren, January 2, 2014, with Mitch Ginsburg and Times of Israel staff 

Gid'on Sa'ar
Interior Minister

A top Israeli minister on Thursday led a delegation of parliamentarians to the Jordan Valley, where he helped inaugurate a new neighborhood in a settlement and vowed to maintain a military and civilian presence in the territory “for all eternity.” Gideon Sa’ar’s statement came mere hours ahead of the arrival in Israel of US Secretary of State John Kerry, who is slated to present a “framework” for a peace deal to Israeli and Palestinian leaders, including a proposal for security arrangements in the valley, which borders Jordan.

“We are here in the Jordan valley out of a recognition that during these days one of the most crucial issues to Israel’s future is at stake,” Sa’ar, the interior minister, told journalists at a lookout over the Jordan Valley named for the late IDF general and Labor Party politician Yigal Allon.

Sa’ar was accompanied by an entourage of deputy ministers and other MKs, including Likud’s Ze’ev Elkin, Tzipi Hotovely, Yariv Levin and Reuven Rivlin [and Miri Regev]; the Jewish Home party’s Eli Ben-Dahan, Orit Struck and Ayelet Shaked; and Yesh Atid’s Dov Lipman and Ronen Hoffman.

The “crucial” issue is where Israel’s border is going to be drawn: whether it will be the Jordan River or, “God forbid,” somewhere near Netanya and Kfar Saba, Sa’ar said, noting that Israel would become a “state with no strategic depth” if it withdrew from the valley.

“The presence of the IDF in the Jordan Valley can’t be a temporary thing; it needs to be for all eternity,” he added, linking Israel’s military presence to the ongoing presence of settlers in the area.

Sa’ar noted that all Israeli governments since the 1970s had built settlements in the Jordan valley, including Labor-led governments, and added: “It needs to be entirely clear that where there will be no settlements, there will be no IDF. Where there will be no IDF there will be no security and there will be terror instead.”

Ze'ev Elkin
Foreign Affairs
Deputy Minister

After the impromptu press conference at the lookout, the group continued to the Jordan Valley community of Gitit, where Sa’ar and his companions lent a symbolic hand to efforts to construct a new settlement neighborhood, taking turns hoisting buckets of cement and pouring them into the foundations of a new building.

Thursday’s event was “the right action at the right time,” said Elkin, the deputy foreign minister, evoking the late diplomat Abba Eban’s comparison of the 1967 lines to “Auschwitz borders.” He added that in light of Kerry’s visit and the security arrangements proposed by the Obama administration, the ministers were presenting to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Israel’s “sole possible response” to the demands made of it.

MK Dov Lipman

Lipman, the MK from the centrist Yesh Atid party, told The Times of Israel that his presence and the presence of his fellow party member Hoffman was no indication that Yesh Atid was in favor of recent efforts by some Likud ministers to legislate the annexation of the Jordan Valley. Rather, he said, he was there to “discuss the issues.”

The event was organized by the Caucus for Eretz Israel, a Knesset caucus dedicated to fortifying Israel’s presence in all parts of the West Bank. The minister and the other MKs are also to visit other communities in the Jordan Valley, including a meeting with farmers in the settlement of Tomer.

Israel's "Fearless Leader?"
(Photo Credit: YNET Archives)

The West Bank border region has become a sticking point in negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, with Jerusalem demanding the long-term presence of Israeli troops in the area, a proposal the Palestinians reject.

On Sunday, a bill to annex the Jordan Valley passed a key ministerial committee, drawing condemnations from both Palestinians and Israelis, who said it threatened the future of the talks. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) is expected to thwart the bill becoming law. (cont.)


Esser Agaroth (2¢):
OK. Whatever....

...Symbolic settlement cementing supposedly signifies something.

I won't knock the MK's who went out to pass cement and plant trees, symbolically or not. Interestingly enough, this event took place on the first of the Eleventh Month in the Hebrew calendar, Sh'vat, the day which Beth Shammai believed was the New Year of the Trees, which, of course, we celebrate on Tu (15) b'Sh'vat.

...באחד בשבט, ראש השנה לאילן, כדברי בית שמאי; בית הלל אומרין, בחמישה עשר בו. (משנה ראש השנה א,א)

...on the first of Sh'vat, the new year of the tree, according to the school of Shammai; the school of Hillel says on the fifteenth. (Mishnah Rosh HaShannah 1:1)

Another significant event occurred on this day, and is mentioned in our Holy Torah.

But, the big loser today is Rb. MK Dov Lipman, whom I have already declared is a spy,...in the Book of Numbers sense. There to “discuss the issues,” huh? And, when the annexation of the Jordan Valley becomes law, then you can say that you were there?

If we have to wait for Mashi'ah, in order to conquer the Land thoroughly, then what are you doing, sitting in the government of a conquering force? Next, we will start hearing the "O" word out of your mouth?

Likud vs. Likud

מוצש"ק פר' נח תשע"ד

Arutz 7: Bibi Boots Elkin from Plane for Embarrassing Him
Prime Minister tells deputy foreign minister to fly El Al to New York, after Elkin embarrasses him with old quote against PA state.

Gil Ronen, September 25, 2013

MK Ze'ev Elkin
(Likud - Beteinu)

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has punished Deputy Foreign Minister, MK Ze'ev Elkin, by barring him from joining the prime ministerial flight to New York's UN General Assembly as was planned, reports Yisrael Hayom. The decision is reportedly Netanyahu's way of disciplining Elkin, after Elkin embarrassed Netanyahu politically.

Elkin will have to take a regular El Al flight that leaves Saturday night. He will be replaced on the prime minister's plane by Minister Gilad Erdan. Both Elkin and Erdan are members of Likud.

According to the report, Netanyahu is upset because of a speech Elkin delivered at a Likud event ten days ago, and also because of a petition he co-signed with about 30 other MKs, calling on Netanyahu to cancel any further releases of terrorist prisoners.

In the speech, Elkin quoted Netanyahu's own words, 11 years ago, regarding the possible establishment of a Palestinian state. “The Palestinians will enjoy all of the rights,” Netanyahu said then, “except for one right – the right to annihilate Israel. Self rule – yes. A state – no.”

Netanyahu added, then: “They tell us that the Palestinian state is a vision for the future. Well, our nation also has a vision for the future. 'And the wolf will dwell with the sheep. When that vision is realized in the Middle East, we will go back and reconvene the Likud Central Committee and discuss the issue again.”

By quoting Netanyahu, Elkin was showing that he has backtracked on his stated principles. Netanyahu now favors a "demilitarized" Arab state inside Judea and Samaria.

Israel's "Fearless Leader?"
(Photo Credit: YNET Archives)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
I just LOVE this picture of Bibi! Don't you?

So now, do we applaud MK Zev Elkin for getting up to the plate, and declaring the truth?

Do you Likudniks out there condemn him for embarrassing your precious prime minister, and working in the opposite direction of Party unity?

Do the "pragmatists" out there condemn him for not choosing his shots in a terribly efficient manner?

Do those of us on the sidelines ask whether MK Elkin really thinks he has the backing to get on the next Likud list of candidates without Bibi's rubber stamp, especially now that he has stepped on even more toes?

Should we even care?

Well, in between yawns, I applaud MK Elkin for not only speaking up, and calling the prime minister on his shenanigans, but for also not second guessing himself. At least, that's my take on what happened.

You are more than welcome to leave a comment suggesting that I've got this all wrong, and that I do not know MK Elkin as well as you do. I'll probably publish it. I do not have enough emotional investment in the Israeli governmental regime to care, and you'll only be doing me a favor by providing me with some additional insight.

But, until then, MK Elkin if one of the few MK's and even fewer Likud MK's who still have my attention, and positive view.

In case you are wondering who the other Likud MK's are still on my "smiley face" list (for lack of a better term), they are MK Moshe Feiglin, of course, and MK Yariv Levin.

Nope, not Christian lover MK Danny Danon, who was never on said list, and MK Tzippy Hotovely recently revealed her true colors, and so was immediately removed.

It's Broken Record Time: "Esau Hates Ya'aqov!" עשו שונא ליעקב

צום החמישי תשע"ג

 Fast of the Fifth Month (Tisha b'Av) 5773

Arutz 7: EU Redraws Israel Borders to 1949 Lines
For the first time, the EU formally forbids trade with bodies located beyond 1949 Armistice lines, including Golan.

Gil Ronen, July 16, 2013

The European Union [EU] has issued orders forbidding its member states from cooperating, transferring funds, giving scholarships or research grants to bodies in Judea and Samaria, eastern Jerusalem , and even the Golan Heights, Haaretz wrote Tuesday.

The new instruction, promulgated by the European Commission, which is the operative arm of the EU, sets parameters for cooperation between the EU and its members states, on the one hand, and Israeli governmental and private elements on the other. The instructions are for the years 2014 – 2020 and will go into force on Friday, July 18.

The decision also states that any future agreement signed with Israel must include a section that says the “settlements” are not part of sovereign Israel and therefore not included in the agreement.

A senior source in the Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that the new EU decision is dramatic, and can be called “a true earthquake.”

"This is the first time in which a explicit and formal instruction like this is issued. Until now, there were silent understandings and agreements that the EU does not work beyond the Green Line” – as the 1949 Armistice Line is known – “but this is an official and binding prohibition.” (Official to whom? Binding to what?)

Deputy Foreign Minister Ze'ev Elkin said that the EU decision is “very worrisome” and will make it difficult for the state of Israel to conduct contacts with the EU regarding cooperation agreements.

(Tip Credit: Jews News)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
What's all the uproar? What's all the shock and surprise about?

The State of Israel made its own bed back in תשכ"ז/1967, by not annexing Yehudah, Shomron, and Azza (Judea, Samaria, and Gaza), and by not retaining Har HaBayith (Temple Mount), and by not at least beginning to tackle the Arab problem. Now, it appears, it is going to have to sleep in it.

Besides the shock and surprise, the only problem I see here is that the Israeli Government, and those of its citizens who have successfully completed their indoctrination into undying loyalists, actually care about what the EU sees as being Israel, and what it does not, and how that will affect business.

(SIGH)

If we do not say that all of Eretz Yisra'el is ours, if we do not demonstrate with appropriate actions that all of it is ours, then why should anyone else in the world believe that all of it is, in fact, ours??

Eretz Yisra'el in the time of Yehoshu'a bin Nun

Unfortunately, those who suffer are the people, and those in Yehudah and Shomron who still rely on the Israeli government, as its "stand-in" for a king.

Q: When will the Israeli government finally stop being so concerned with what the goyim think?

A: Quite possibly when it ceases to be the Israeli Government.

Rabbi Me'ir Kahane hy"d Vindicated?

7 of the Second Month 5771

Like many of you, I received this in an e-mail from Women In Green. I have yet to find a link to it on the web, and so I will post it here, in its entirety, followed by my comments.

Yom ha-Atzmaut 5771
Israel Independence Day 2011
MK Ze'ev Elkin at Netzer:

"There Is No Room on the Hills of Judea and Samaria for Two States. It's Either Us or Them"

Hundreds of people came from throughout Israel last night for the independence celebration at the Netzer hill, organized by Women for Israel's Tomorrow (Women in Green), out of solidarity with those who are struggling there to rescue the state lands from a takeover by the Arabs.

To the cheers by those present, MK Ze'ev Elkin said:

"In the struggle for Gush Etzion in 1948, the Jews fought for a Jewish Jerusalem. In the present struggle for the hills of Judea and Samaria, and also for this hill [Netzer], the struggle is for the future of the Jewish state, no more and no less. For there is no room on these hills for two states. It's either us or them. And so, each hills says 'We are here' - and if us, it's us, and not them."

The Israel Prize laureate former MK Geula Cohen recited the Shehekhiyanu ("... who has brought us to this time") blessing for the Holy One, blessed be He, having enabled her to be part of the struggle for Eretz Israel, from before the establishment of the State of Israel to the present. And here, too, at Netzer, the struggle for Eretz Israel is taking place, Cohen pointed out.

Rabbi Gideon Perl, the Gush Etzion regional rabbi, greeted those present. He related that in every generation there are pioneers who go before the camp, and this is how they act at Netzer, to save the lands.

The happening at Netzer began after the fireworks from all the communities of Gush Etzion had fallen silent. Dozens of cars filled the parking places at the foot of the Netzer hill- parking that had been prepared the preceding day for the convenience of the celebrants. The entire hill was illuminated by torches and spotlights. Looking from below, this seemed to be a settlement that had been established in a day. And indeed, within 24 hours the hill became a place brimming with life. Automobiles and jeeps unloaded equipment for the event: generators, chairs, a stage, a sound system, gravel to improve the paths. The place wore a festive appearance with the dozens of Israeli flags that blew in the wind of the Judean hills.

Guides directed people to the top of the hill. For those who had difficulty in climbing up, a jeep stood in readiness to shuttle them to the top.

Already on the way up, the smell of felafel filled the air, and when the celebrants reached the hill top, they could enjoy hot, fresh felafel that was prepared on the spot, hot coffee and cookies, and the Eretz Israel music of Udi Gefen and the Israelim band. The children enjoyed the balloons in all different shapes by Elazar Brandt.

When Geula Cohen arrived, she asked, amazed: "How did you manage to bring so many people up here?"

The dancing kept everyone physically warm, and the words by the speakers warmed people's hearts, and kept alive the fire of the fighting spirit.

Yes, this was a breathtaking sight at Netzer on Yom ha-Atzmaut 5771. Hundreds of people, men, women, and children, took the hills of Netzer with their feet. On the way they saw the hundreds of trees that have been planted in the past two years by the members of Women in Green and the Netzer Group.

This was a moving evening at Netzer - an evening of growth, thanksgiving, and Eretz Israel.

The following day, Tuesday, Yom ha-Atzmaut, dozens of hikers and families filled the hills of Netzer in order to increase the Jewish presence and to enjoy this enchanting picnic site. Thank G-d, Netzer is on the map of awareness as a place that continues the pioneering spirit of the redemption of the lands of Eretz Israel.

Yom ha-Atzmaut Sameah!
Happy Independence Day!

Correct me if I am wrong, but a Member of K'nesseth is advocating the transfer of Arabs out of Israel, or at least Gush Etzion?

Is that not what Rabbi Me'ir Kahane ztz"l hy"d was saying in his book They Must Go!?

Funny how former MK Ge'ulah Cohen (Techiya) was standing right there.

It was Ge'ulah Cohen's Techiya Party which advocated annexation of Yehudah & Shomron (Judea & Samaria), yet would never think of "transfer."

In fact, it was not Ge'ulah Cohen's Techiya Party which was behind the legislation banning Rabbi Kahane's Kakh Party. That's right. It was a right wing party, not a left wing party which was in the forefront of Kakh's demise in the K'nesseth. (Photo: Rabbi Tzvi Yehudah HaKohen Kook and Rabbi Me'ir Kahane)

Could it be that Ge'ulah Cohen's Techiya Party was concerned over the surveys, suggesting that Rabbi Kahane's Kakh Party was expected to receive 14 mandates in the next elections?

Could it be that Techiya Members of K'nesseth were concerned that those mandates would be taken from them, and not from a left wing party?

All of this is speculation, of course. Yet, it is ironic that former MK Ge'ulah Cohen was a party to such "Kahanist" rhetoric, given her history and apparent negative attitude toward Rabbi Kahane and Kakh.

The following story I was told by one his closest talmidim, illustrates what I mean:

A day in K'nesseth, someone came running up to Rabbi MK Kahane to tell him that MK Ge'ulah Cohen was being attacked by an Arab MK in the K'nesseth cafeteria (I do not recall his name).

Rabbi MK Kahane ran out to the cafeteria to MK Cohen. Whatever ensued, I do not recall. However, it is my understanding that MK Cohen told Rabbi Kahane, "I do not need you to defend me."

Rabbi Kahane replied with something like, "Who said I did it for you. It is a mitzvah to defend a Bat Yisra'el."

MK Cohen stormed away in a huff.

Ah, but alas! The lack of clarity in the translation of MK Elkin's speech concerns me.

Experience has taught me to be a pessimist when such words are being spouted off by MK's at Women In Green events.

MK Elkin most likely was referring to the "one-state" solution, and never intended anyone to think that he would consider the transfer of Arabs out of Yehudah & Shomron.

And, so, it appears that former MK Geulah Cohen was simply hearing someone mention her Techiya Party line, and perhaps even reminiscing about it, without any notion at what a failure it was.

The Techiya Party is dead and gone, B"H.

But saying I told you so, even if these Jews had a clue,would be no vindication for Rabbi Kahane hy"d, who loved Am Yisra'el dearly.

As long as Jews continue to be killed, as long as Jews continue to make the same mistakes, expecting different results, as long as Jews repeat the mistake of negotiating with the Yishma'elim (Arabs) in the way that they do, as long as Jews repeat the mistake of encouraging assimilation among goyshe (non-Jewish) cultures, and as long as Jews repeat the mistake of discouraging aliya (immigration to Israel), even by religious Jews, Rabbi Kahane's memory will not achieve any vindication.