Switzerland is not so Neutral After All. Surprised?

ערב שבת קודש פר'כי תבא תשע"ג

JPost: Switzerland Nominates Hezbollah Advocate For UN Human Rights Council 
Posted on 8/16/2013 by admin Share Swiss candidate defended French Holocaust denier; UN Watch official says he has “extremist anti-Western and anti-Israel” views.

Benjamin Weinthal, August 16, 2013

The Swiss government has nominated Jean Ziegler–-a former Social Democratic MP who has praised Hezbollah as a legitimate national movement–- to serve as an adviser to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

The formal notification of Ziegler’s nomination to UN diplomats took place last week, sparking sharp criticism on Monday from a UN watchdog group.

Speaking Tuesday to The Jerusalem Post via phone, Hillel C. Neuer, executive director of the Geneva-based UN Watch, said Ziegler has “extremist anti-Western and anti-Israel” views and a long history of attacking the Jewish state. UN Watch urged the Swiss government to rescind its nomination of Ziegler.

In 1982, Ziegler sought the expulsion of President Shimon Peres, then head of Israel’s Labor Party, from the Socialist International association.

In an interview with the Hezbollah publication Al-Akhbar in 2006, Ziegler said “I refuse to describe Hezbollah as a terrorist group. It is a national movement of resistance.”

The 28-member EU designated Hezbollah’s military wing a terrorist organization last month. Switzerland is not a member of the EU.

Ziegler’s support for the late French Holocaust denier Roger Garaudy was expressed in a 1996 letter, amid controversy over allegations of Holocaust denial in Garaudy’s book, The Founding Myths of Modern Israel: “I am outraged at the legal case they are making against you… All your work as a writer and philosopher attests to the rigor of your analysis and the unwavering honesty of your intentions. It makes you one of the leading thinkers of our time… It is for all these reasons that I express here my solidarity and my admiring friendship,” wrote Ziegler.

Ziegler’s Social Democratic party has been embroiled in Holocaust controversies over the years. The former Social Democratic foreign minister, Micheline Calmy-Rey, proposed seminars on different perspectives of the Holocaust back in 2006, when meeting with an Iranian delegation on the nuclear crisis.

Neuer chastised Ziegler for his role in serving as promoter of the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi. Ziegler played a key role in the founding of Gaddafi’s International Prize for Human Rights. He told the Post, “While Gaddafi was raping women and girls, Ziegler was portraying him as a hero of human rights.”

Annick Cojean’s new book, Gaddafi’s Harem: The Story of a Young Woman and the Abuses of Power in Libya, details the graphic sexual violence and criminality during Gaddafi’s regime.

Ziegler along with Garaudy was a recipient of the Gaddafi prize.

Responding to the UN Watch criticism on Tuesday, the news outlet Swissinfo quoted Ziegler a saying, “This is total defamation, due to a severe report I published in 2002 on the right to food in the occupied Palestinian territories.”

The Swiss government defended Ziegler in a letter to the UN: “As a renowned expert with an excellent knowledge of economic, social and cultural rights, Prof. Jean Ziegler has always shown an acute independence of thought. He is a figure that has the ability to actively promote human rights both in the civil society and in the international community.”

(Tip Credit: Jews News)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
So, is anyone really that surprised here?

I mean this on two counts:

1) A European nation's pandering to and/or utter blindness of the blood thirsty nature of the children of Yishma'el (Arabs) is something we have already seen in the U. K., Denmark, The Netherlands, Sweden, and in France. Nothing new here. Also, the last time I heard, the Israel-bashing, attempted Armenian genocide perpetrator, Turkey pines for a place in the "European" Union.

2) The United Nation's pandering to and/or utter blindness of the blood thirsty nature of the children of Yishma'el is something we have already seen countless times through its history.

As far as Ziegler's attempt (which failed - no surprises there) to expel Shimon Peres from some Socialist club, if he tries something like that again, I doubt that he would be around relevant for much longer after that.

Regarding Ziegler's 2002 "report" on the right to food in the "occupied Palestinian territories,” I would like to ask him, "What about the right of not to be the target of bus bombings, shootings, rockets from Hezbollah (Ziegler's non-terrrorist group) in the north, and rockets from Hamas in the south?

I guess, according to Ziegler (and the United Nations and Switzerland) those rights do not apply to Jews.

And, speaking of Jews, why ARE there still Jews in Switzerland??? Forget the synagogue buring in Lugano. All I hear about from Swiss Jews is how expensive everything is. Kosher slaughter is forbidden. So meat must be imported from France, and elsewhere.

It is way passed time for Jews to get out of Switzerland.

How a Friendly Barbecue Started the Syrian Rebellion

י"ז לחודש השישי תשע"ג

What's all this I have been hearing about Bassar Al-HaAish (Heb.: "meat on the fire"/barbecue)?

And, why are the Syrian people trying to overthrow their government over it?

This is an outrage!

How dare the Syrian people accuse Bassar Al-HaAish of releasing chemicals on them!

It was probably their own flatulence from eating all of that Bassar Al-HaAish!

And why did they all go to a Bath Party anyway?! All those naked people and bubbles together were bound to cause problems!

Oh,... you mean it's not Bassar Al-AaAish, but Bashar Al-Assad from the Ba'ath political party?

Oh, well, then that's different.

What could happen to a Rabbi who does his job?

ט"ו לחודש השישי תשע"ג

כיפה: פקחי הרבנות הראשית תפסו בשר טרף במסעדה כשרה באשקלון

משגיח הכשרות במסעדת "ויסטה" בחוף דלילה שלל את תעודת הכשרות של המסעדה, לאחר שבעל המקום נתפס כמוכר ללקוחותיו בשר שאינו כשר

יונתן אוריך, י"ג אלול תשע"ג, 19/08/2013

בעל מסעדה הנמצאת בהשגחת הרבנות אשקלון ניסה למכור ללקוחותיו בשר טרף. המשגיח במקום תפס את הסחורה והרבנות אשקלון שללה את תעודת הכשרות של המסעדה. מדובר במסעדת "ויסטה" בחוף דלילה. (המשך)

Translation:
Kippah: Chief Rabbinate Inspectors Caught Non-Kosher Meat at a "Kosher" Restaurant in Ashqelon
Yonatan Orich, 13 Ellul 5773 / 19 August, 2013

The Kashruth supervisor at the Vista restaurant on Delilah Beach revoked the restaurant's kashruth certificate, after the owner was caught selling non-kosher meat as "kosher" to its customers....

(Tip Credit: Life In Israel)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
So, this inspector did his job? Yep. He sure did.

Now, we have to wait and see what the consequences of the performance of his duties properly will be.

Consequences? That's right. Consequences.

As the saying goes, "No good turn goes unrewarded unpunished." (attributed to Oscar Wilde)

Remember when the Chief Rabbinate in Ashdod refused to give a te'udah (certificate) to a bakery owned by an apostate?

What about when the Chief Rabbinate refused to give a te'udah to a a meat company which froze the meat before melihah (salting)?

And, finally, who could forget what happened when there was a disagreement between to major rabbis regarding the conversion process and the kashruth (fitness) of certain rabbinical courts for conversion?

In each and everyone of these cases the secular State of Israel  Justice system told, instructed, or commanded rabbis to follow the courts' rulings. The questions of whether these rulings were in the least bit connected to Torah, and whether these courts were even remotely "kosher" to make such rulings or to order Torah scholars around were never addressed.

Why? Because not only could the courts care less about Torah. The Israeli Justice System finds the Torah to be a threat to its authority.


Out of fear and desperation, it is attempting to chip away at it, hoping one day to destroy it, or to facilitate its "creative interpretation" to such a point of unrecognizablity, that it would be as good as destroyed. May God forbid!

And so, what do you suppose with happen to this rabbi, the one who did his job?

Will, he, and by extension, the Rabbinate be accused of discriminating against the individual's citizen's "right" to define kashruth for him or herself?

Will the Rabbinate be forced to compensate this restaurant for loss of business, because it caught the owner lying and cheating?

Better yet, will the Rabbinate be sued for the violation of the owner's "freedom of religious expression," or some other "democratic" crap like that?

Stay tuned!

Top Ten Hidden Gems of Jerusalem

 ט"ו לחודש השישי תשע"ג

I wrote this positive and upbeat piece to balance out the more smarmy Top Ten Pretentious Hangouts in Jerusalem.

10. Cafe Neto, Central Bus Station, 3rd Floor
Most of you know how much I try to avoid "chains." According to my mother['s halakhah], the chain stores one is allowed give ones patronage are Nordstom and Neiman-Marcus, and when she is in a charitable mood, Macy's. But, I digress... Not to be confused with all of the other Cafe Neto's around the country, this Jerusalem institution for natives, students, and tourists, makes an awesome "toast" with salad dressings added onto to the skillet at the end of "toasting" for that gourmet, fast food taste! But, the super friendly service and efficiency are Cafe Neto's trademark. Remember, speed is crucial when you have to catch a bus! I remember very clearly a young, mentally disabled lady, who asked for, and got a hug from one of the coffee jockeys. It was very touching to see, and it was clear that it was given from a genuine place. I had been going there for years already, but I was won over even more by that gesture. This internet cafe (ie. "neto") also has a printer for those urgent situations when pen and paper just won't cut it. Cafe Neto is certified kosher by the Jerusalem Rabbanuth-Mehadrin division (Dairy), with a meat satellite on another part of the floor.

9. Martziano's Baguette Giv'ath Sha'ul, is another Jerusalem institution for big sandwiches with fresh shnitzel, shwarmah, qabbab, and cold cuts, soups, a large variety of salads, and Thursday night chollent, open late, and crowded after any Beitar Yerushalayim football (soccer) match. Certified kosher by the Jerusalem Rabbanuth-Mehadrin division (Meat), the manager will tell you which meats have which heksher, for those who are maqpid.

8. Allo Teiman! (Hello, Yemen!) is at the main entrance to the modern City of Jerusalem, coming in from the coast. Open late, authentic Yemenite food is served here. In addition to three or four different kinds of meat on a spit, the soups are a big hit here. Kashruth supervision by Rav Shlomo Mahpud.

7. T'mol Shilshom, Nahalath Shiv'ah
Named after the novel by Shai Agnon (1945), this choice for my list of gems may surprise you, as some think this place, overlooking Yoel Solomon Street is way too trendy, and maybe it is. But, the homey feel to the interior design and the standard, but strong dairy and vegetarian menu, and the semi-hidden away location gives this restaurant my vote. I remember when it was primarily coffee and books, with a burgeoning English language, poetry slam on Wednesday nights. Now, it is a Jerusalem institution. Try the velvety carrot soup. You might like it, even if you do not like carrots. Jerusalem Rabbanut (Dairy).

6. The Shuq-Mahaneh Yehudah
There are all kinds of eateries and pubs open at night, all through the Shuq, and on some the neighboring side streets, including live music a couple nights a week. Many of the restaurants are also open during the day. Nu? Who knew? Enjoy!

5. Navah Cafe, Center City
Sit and have coffee in the trendy part of town, without being trendy! Navah is an old school, Israeli coffeehouse, with a facelift. It serves great salads, pasta dishes, desserts, and is one of the few places which actually serves a decent cup of coffee. I suppose I am spoiled. Kashruth certification is from the Jerusalem Rabbanuth (Dairy).

4. HaFinjan, Agrippas St. 149
A favorite of my friends Pini and David, HaFinjan is THE place for Israeli home cooking. Qubeh, lamb stew, ful, soups, vegetables, and, of course, humous. You name it! Meet Hayim, the owner, and you will feel right at home. Incidentally, a finjan is basically any vessel used for making coffee, with a handle. But, the one pictured right is what one might traditionally consider a finjan.

3. Sushiya, Nahla'oth
This traditional sushi bar, where your order is prepared right in front of you, is located off the main drag, where only locals, and their friends, and now you, can find it! (Trumpedor & Betzalel) A friendly, and unpretentious staff serve you and your friends at the bar, at the single booth, or outside at this very small, but cozy venue. The religious, Israeli-American supplier fish supplier eats there himself. There are vegetarian options, miso soup, and booze for those of you whom imbibe. Kosher (pareve) - Jerusalem Rabbinuth.

2. הסלון בשבזי | Hasalon Beshabazi, Nahla'oth
I haven't been here, yet, but I can tell it is one of the places to go, and be seen. Couches on the inside and plenty of seating on the outside, with occasional events such as music, discussions, and a vintage fashion.

1. Y-Coffeebar, Nahla'oth
I feel ambivalent about revealing my secret hang-out, on Nissim Bechar Street. It's mostly locals, their friends, and the occasional tourist who accidentally finds us, usually someone with a backpack, or at least an interesting story to tell. So far, this is where I have had the best cup of coffee in Israel, after mine made from a $2,000 Italian machine, at the Internet cafe where I used to work.

Now, it's your turn. Please leave your suggestion for a Jerusalem gem as a comment below!

More Proof that Israel's Chief Rabbinate isn't Jewish

מוצש"ק פר' כי תצא תשע"ג

(l-r) Dep. Religious Affairs Minister  Rabbi Eli Ben-Dahan (Jewish Home), Chief Sepharadi Rabbi Yitzhaq Yosef,
President Shimon Peres (Kadima), Chief Ashkenazy Rabbi David Lau, Justice Minister Tzippy Livni (The Movement)
(Photo: Walla Live! screen shot)

(Tip Credit: Life In Israel)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):

"Anointing?" Was that really the verb used, or was it a mistranslation for "installing?"

I am too afraid to check it out for myself. No, not afraid,...disgusted, really.

I have already posted about how the Israeli Chief Rabbinate is not Chief, a Rabbinate, nor even Israeli. Now, I am afraid that I will have to point out that the Israeli Chief Rabbinate is not even Jewish. Puppets with conflicts of interest, chosen by deMOCKractic voting, to fill roles created by the British, glued onto the foundation of something Turkish can mean only one thing: NOT JEWISH.

But, that's not all!

The fact that Shimon Peres is involved with this non-Jewish ceremony, erases ALL doubt whatsoever that the Israeli Chief Rabbinate is not in the least bit Jewish.

Silly, absurd, paradoxical, nefarious, and diabolical are just a few of the words which come to mind upon seeing Shimon Peres presiding over the non-Jewish ceremony to appoint men to non-Jewish roles on a non-Jewish body.

"Keep your friends close; keep your enemies closer." So, since the Torah is Shimon Peres's enemy,...well, you get the picture.

The only question I have about the so-called Israeli Chief Rabbinate is who will succeed in getting their strings wrapped around them first.

P. S. Minister Livni gets the most points here. She dresses more modestly than women in certain Jerusalem, "religious" neighborhoods. Sure, she didn't cover her hair. But, hey, no one's perfect.

We should be patient with our fellow Jews, struggling to find their way back to Torah, even if they do not yet know that is what they are trying to do, and even if un-Jews like Shimon Peres stands in their way.

Rabbi Druckman Throws Students to the Dogs

ערב שבת קודש פר' כי תבא תשע"ג

YNET: Top Rabbi Backs Elon Despite Conviction

Rabbi Chaim Druckman

Shortly after Rabbi Mordechai Elon is found guilty of indecent acts, prominent religious Zionist Rabbi Chaim Druckman invites him to deliver weekly Torah lesson at his yeshiva. 'Rabbi Druckman is throwing students to the dogs,' says former member of Takana forum

Kobi Nachshoni, August 14, 2013

Less a week after he was found guilty of indecent assault by force on a minor, Rabbi Mordechai Elon is receiving significant support from one of the most prominent religious Zionist rabbis. Ynet has learned that Rabbi Chaim Druckman, one of the leaders of the national-religious public, invited the convicted rabbi to deliver his weekly Torah lesson at his yeshiva of Or Etzion.

In the past few days, Rabbi Druckman has avoided voicing a public opinion in regards to Rabbi Elon or repeating his past statements in favor of the man or against those who accused him of committing sex offenses – likely for fear of creating a public row.

Druckman has been criticized in the past for innocently backing Ze'ev Kopolevitch, the former head of Jerusalem's Netiv Meir Yeshiva, who was convicted of indecent acts against his students, thus hurting the victims once again.(cont.)

(Tip Credit: Tomer Devorah)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
I am not sure how much I need to add to this self-explanatory report.

I am usually suspicious of the objectivity of any State-controlled leftist newspaper, or Christian-collaboating, right of center or so-called right-wing news source, such as the Jerusalem Post or Arutz 7.

And this report is no exception. Clearly Yedioth Aharonoth [YNET]'s mouth waters over every opportunity to condemn a rabbi, or bend over backwards in an attempt to make him look bad.

Yet, try as I may, I cannot find anything in this report with which I am able to disagree. This report does mention the feminist "orthodox" organization Kolech ("Your Voice"). And, although I cannot disagree with this organizations comments either. Even a broken clock is right once or twice a day, depending on the kind of clock, and in which country you happen to be at the time. I absolutely no reason why Kolech was quoted over another organization, other than YNET's agenda to provide it with publicity at any and every possible opportunity.

In conclusion, I would like to suggest to Rabbi Druckman that during this month of Ellul, the month before Rosh HaShannah and Yom HaKippurim, he reflect upon his public statements and actions, and do teshuvah (penance) for them,...publicly.

More Racism In Israel

ט' לחודש השישי תשע"ג

Barch Marzel

Activist Baruch Marzel does it again!

This poster publicizing a protest two days ago at the Ayalon Prison for the release of Jewish prisoners, in light of the Israeli government's cave into demands for the release of Arab murderers of Jews,...all for the sake of "peace," or rather, for the sake of "piece," to BEG the Arabs, and the U. S. to ALLOW Israel to give up pieces of the Jewish Homeland which is has no right to hand over (mesirah) in the first place.

Murder = Murder
Punishment = Punishment
Release = Only Arabs
Protest for the Release of Jewish Prisoners
WHY?!!

See the list of recently released Arab murderers, the details of their crimes, and their victims on The Torah Revolution.

So, if the release of Arabs with Jewish blood on their hands is going to happen,...is ALREADY happening, then why not be fair, instead of being what the leftists should call RACIST, and release Jewish prisoners, too?

Answer?

The Israeli government cares only about what the West wants and expects.

The Israeli government does not care about what its constituents want and expects, the Jewish People, let alone what The Almighty wants and expects.

Bibi Caves In, Just Like Chocolate. Well, Not Quite.

ט' לחודש השישי תשע"ג

I acquired the following image from Baruch Marzel's Official Page. Baruch Marzel is a leading Land of Israel activist, and up until the last K'nesseth was sworn in, he was assistant to MK Micha'el Ben-Ari (Power To Israel).

"Bibi Mequpal" = Bibi has folded
...as in "caved in."

The image was inspired by a popular chocolate treat by the Elite Company. It is made with strings of chocolate folded and twisted together, giving it a unique consistency, and thus the name "Mequpelet" (folded up). It also happens to be one of my favorites.

"Mequpelet" = folded

On the other hand, Bibi Mequpal tastes disgusting, and makes me want to vomit profusely.

The U. S. Finds Israeli "Settlements" te be Illegitimate

ח' לחודש השישי תשע"ג

Arutz 7: U. S.: "Settlements" Are Illegitimate

President Obama
disapproving

The United States says it disapproves of construction in Judea and Samaria, after Israel approves construction of more than 800 units.

Elad Benari, August 9 ,2013

The United States said on Thursday that it was against Israeli approval of new Jewish homes in Judea and Samaria.

The comments were made hours after it was reported that the Civil Administration has authorized construction of 878 housing units in Judea and Samaria. The units were approved for towns in the Binyamin region, the Jordan Valley, and Gush Etzion.

Secretary Kerry
disapproving

Speaking to reporters, State Department Spokeswoman Jen Psaki responded when asked about the new construction, "The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued settlement activity and opposes any efforts to legitimize settlement outposts."

She added that Washington had taken up the issue with the Israelis.

"The Secretary [John Kerry] has made clear that he believes both the negotiating teams are at the table in good faith and are committed to making progress," said Psaki.

In the same press conference, Psaki confirmed that peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority will resume next week and will be held in Jerusalem, followed by another meeting held in Jericho.

President Peres
smiling?

She stated that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry "does not expect to make any announcement in the aftermath of this round of talks." Kerry was the host of the last negotiation meeting in Washington.

Israel has agreed to release 104 terrorist prisoners as a gesture to the PA for its willingness to resume talks.

Water and Energy Minister Silvan Shalom revealed this week that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was prepared to offer the PA a building freeze in Judea and Samaria instead of the terrorist release, but the PA rejected that offer.

Israel previously froze construction in Judea and Samaria for ten months in 2009, when PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas demanded a freeze so talks can resume. At the conclusion of those ten months, however, Abbas refused to come to the negotiating table, demanding instead that the freeze continue and adding more preconditions to talks.

(Tip Credit: Jews News)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):

PM Netanyahu
backbone?

Think that Israel is successfully defying the U. S.'s authority by building any housing units at all, against Big Brother Obama and Big Brother Kerry's wishes?

Guess again.

It is only an illusion propped to up in an attempt to fool people into thinking that Israel's government actually has its manhood in tact a backbone.

The reality is that Prime Minister Netanyahu is getting bitch-slapped,...yet again.

All the while, the U. S. demands that Israel...


And while everyone in Israel is in an uproar over what the U. S. thinks, and mourning the loss of "our best friend," for the umteenth time, "our best friend" is meddling a heck of a lot more in Israel's affairs than you think, with its Not So Secret Millitary Involvement, what the Israel government seems to be trying to distract us away from.

Believing that the U. S. is our friend, that the U. S. will stand by us, that the U. S. will protect us, and even that an alliance with the U. S. is our divinely expected hishtadluth (best efforts on the ground), are only some of the mistakes we continue to repeat over and over and over again, expecting different results, in other words, insanity.

Time for us Jews to stand on our own feet,...again, with The Almighty at our side, as in times of old.

A Sexual Predator is Much More than a Shanda

ח' לחודש השישי תשע"ג

Tzedek-Tzedak wrote a good piece on the disturbing topic of  Rav Motti Elon: Not Too Big To Fail. It focuses on Forum Takana:

"Forum Takana" had been established by a group of religious leaders, together with mental health and legal experts, with the mission of obtaining and investigating reports of alleged sexual abuse by VIPs, such as rabbis and teachers, in national religious ("dati-leumi") institutions."

What I picked up on, based on the page's URL (web address), was that the original title of this post must have been Rav Motti Elon: Powerful Predator.

I have to say that "predator" may, in fact, be a good word to describe him.

Elon has no complaints. He was taken down by his peers: Mamlakhtim, such as Rabbis Cherlow, Lichtenstein, and Drori. No one can claim that this was a "political attack" as Shlomo Aviner's people have repeatedly tried to do regarding the accusations of his shenanigans, ruling on matters of Tohorath HaMishpahah (family purity) .

Now that former Chief Rabbi Avraham Shapira, former Chief Rabbi Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, and Rabbi Ya'aqov (son of R' Ovadiah) Yosef, may the memory of these tzadiqim be for blessings, Rabbi Dov Lior (Hevron-Qiryath Arba), more or less, stands alone in taking him on.

Back to Elon, what about all of those men "over the age of 18," coerced into something they did not want to do by the overwhelming presence of an authority figure, and to some, their idol? ...and that's being too kind, and not nearly graphic enough.

What appears to be the clever  well-thought out targeting of victims, makes the word "predator" stick to him pretty well.