MK Tibi, The Truth Hurts, Doesn't It?!

25 of the Twelfth Month (Beth) 5771

IsraelNN.com: Tibi Slams Syria Over 'Palestinians' Remark

23 Adar II 5771/March 30, 2011

MK Ahmed Tibi (Ta'al Party) expressed outrage Tuesday over remarks made by a senior Syrian adviser. The adviser accused “Palestinians” of fomenting unrest in Syria; the reference was apparently to the descendants of Arabs who fled pre-state Israel during the War of Independence, more than 60 years ago.

“How long will the Palestinians be the peg that Arab regimes hang their failures on?” Tibi asked.

If the shoe fits...

Palestinians: a made up identity, stemming from the Roman attempt to call the Land of Israel "Philistia;" a mish-mash of Arabs from Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, most of whom only migrated to Israel, when they saw that the Jews were succeeding in transforming a small strip of desert into someplace livable and economically viable.

Even their fellow Arabs do not like them. "Palestinians" are trouble makers.

Q: What's one of the first things the Kuwaiti government did, after being liberated from Iraq in 1991?

A: They kicked out the "Palestinians."

Some say this was due to the Palestinian support of Saddam Hussein ysh"u, a prudent move on the part of the Kuwaitis.

Even some leftist-sponsored, Jewish-Arab youth programs were disrupted in Yaffo, by the Arab youths' cheering, every time a scud did any damage in Israel. The Jewish youth changed their minds about participating.

But, this was not the first time, not by a long shot.

Q: King Hussein of Jordan killed how many Palestinians in a single day?

A: 3,000 (almost as many who were killed on 9/11).

That's one way to take care of an uprising!

When Israeli Prime Minister Begin and Egyptian President Sadat were negotiating the return of the Sinai Peninsula, Sadat made sure to have the Egyptian portion of Rafi'ah (Egypt-Gaza border town) included in Egypt's territory. When Begin suggested he also take the other half of the town of Rafi'ah, Sadat refused, saying, "No, that's Palestinian Rafi'ah. We don't want it."

Of course, only Israel gets criticized for putting them in their place.

No surprises here.

Affirmative Action Comes To Israel?

24 of the Twelfth Month (Beth) 5771

IsraelNN.com: New Equal Opportunity Law for Ethiopians

Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu, 24 Adar II 5771/March 30, 2011

The Knesset has passed a law requiring government agencies and private companies to guarantee a "reasonable amount” of job openings for Ethiopians.

The new law is aimed at helping Ethiopian immigrants find work in areas where doors have been closed to them despite many instances where they have academic and professional qualifications. However, it does not specify a specific number of job openings to be reserved for Ethiopians. (Read the entire article...)

Sounds like a good idea, huh? After all Ethiopians have been treated as "less than," ever since they first started arriving. They deserve much better than what they have been getting.

There is just one problem.

Most of the Ethiopians arriving now are goyim gemurim, just like the majority of those arriving from the Former Soviet Union.

They should not be allowed to settle in Israel, let alone get any special benefits whatsoever (Ramba"m, Hil. Avodah Zara 10).

But, what does the Israel government care about halakha (Jewish Law)?

Israeli Police Continue To Target "Dangerous" Jews

24 of the Twelfth Month (Beth) 5771

The residents of Giv'ath Ronen are some of the nicest, most learned, and most amazing Jews I have ever met!

Many of the residents refrain from wearing goyshe, Western clothing. Some hold to the Ramba"m in custom. Some delve into the teachings of Rabbi Nahman of Breslov. Some are maqpid on the misswah of tefillin, wearing them all day.

...the precise kind of Jews of which the Israeli government is most afraid.

Windmill generated electricity, compost piles, organic agriculture,...all very "dangerous" and subversive activities.

But, the most "dangerous" thing of all,...holding HaQadosh Barukh Hu (The Holy One, Blessed Be He) and His Torah in higher regard than the State.

How dare these "dangerous" Jews demand to see identification!

These residents of Giv'ath Ronen refrained from handing over a kosher Jew over to the government's evil minyons, and did so with mesiruth nefesh (self-sacrifice).

Yes. These Jews from Giv'ath Ronen are examples of the most dangerous Jews around.

*********

IsraelNN.com's report on last night incident of police harassment and brutality is followed by a video about life in the Shomron, and its "dangerous" Jewish residents.

IsraelNN.com: Violent Police Raid On Outpost, 5 Arrested

Elad Benari, 24 Adar 5771/March 30, 2011

At least five people were arrested on Tuesday night during a violent police raid on the Samaria outpost of Givat Ronen (Ronen Hill).

The raid occurred just before midnight when plainclothes police detectives arrived at the outpost wanting to arrest a reserves officer who lived there.

The residents demanded that the detectives show them badges and in response, the detectives alerted Yasam (Special Patrol Unit) forces who mercilessly beat residents and entered their homes through the windows.

Givat Ronen residents told Arutz Sheva’s Hebrew site that the police detective vehicle was damaged by residents who were protesting the violence used by police during the raid. The police forces subsequently threw stun grenades, broke into houses and arrested five men. Three residents were injured during the violence.

The reason for the arrests remains unclear, but according to residents, the police used tear gas. “It looked like a battleground,” said one of them.

Last July, dozens of special Yassam and Border Guard policemen, accompanied by Civil Administration personnel, swooped down on Givat Ronen and demolished a large house as well as a goat pen and a caravan. Four Jews were injured during the violent raid, including one in serious condition.

A month ago police raided the Samaria outpost of Havat Gilad (Gilad Farm) in order to demolish an “illegal” home. The forces wounded 15 of the outpost’s residents when they used plastic bullets during the raid.

MK Dr. Michael Ben-Ari (National Union) responded to the violence used by police in Givat Ronen on Tuesday and said: “The police conduct in Givat Ronen is reminiscent of the days of dark regimes. [Internal Security Minister] Aharonovitch must remember that he is not Qaddafi and that any regime which exercises violent behavior towards its citizens – its days are numbered.”

Noteable Scenes:
Itai Zar, Havath Gil'ad (1:16)
Q'laf Factory, K'far Tapu'ah (1:48)
View of Qever Yosef (Joseph's Tomb) (5:22)
Organic Agriculture, K'far Tapu'ah (3:38, 5:55)
Moshe Hershkovitz, Giv'ath Ronen Windmill (6:48)

Nachas! A Former Student Of Mine Declares Intention To Refuse Anti-Torah IDF Orders

24 of the Twelfth Month (Beth) 5771

I wish I could take credit for the actions of this former student of the yeshiva high school where I used to teach. But, I cannot. Before he came to us, he already had several positive, influential people in his life.

Translated from HaKol HeYehudi (The Jewish Voice):

Protest On Ammunition Hill: "Our Rabin Is Not A Traitor"

Elhanan Gruner, 23 Adar II 5771/March 29, 2011

Aharon Rabin, resident of Jerusalem, was supposed to enlist in the Israeli Defense Forces [IDF] today. Rabin, who has explained a number of times that he would refuse any orders to expel Jews from their homes, and will behave according to guidance from the book Torat HaMelech, arrived together with friends who waved signs, and called, "Our Rabin Is Not A Traitor." In the end, the IDF refused to enlist Rabin.

The truth is that the IDF does not want young men like Rabin in its army. They are not to be duped into carrying out anti-Torah orders, and like the Haredim (whom the IDF also does not want), they will expect strict kashruth and shabbath observance. Shabbath will only be broken for life-saving measures or matters truly involved with the guarding of Israel's borders.

If young men like Rabin were to be enlisted into the IDF, dependence on the State to determine Torah observance would be under scrutiny. The IDF Chief Rabbinate which stood by while almost 10,000 Jews were thrown out of their homes, and their land handed over to enemies of the Jewish People, would not be considered the ultimate authority on matters of halakha (Jewish Law). Rather, Gedolei HaDor and other Hakhamim would be consulted.

The numbers of soldiers expecting time for prayer three times per day would increase dramatically. More and more, secular kids from Tel-Aviv and Haifa would be asking about the origins of tzitzith and tefillin, and asking to try them on.

Young men like Rabin would encourage fellow soldiers to follow in refraining from carrying out any anti-Torah orders. Haredim would surely follow, and even a few mamlakhtim (undying state-loyalists) would be thrown into a state of cognitive dissonance, unable to defend the position of the IDF on such matters with halakhic sources, since they have always been told that obeying IDF orders, no matter what, IS the halakha.

In a word, young, Torah-observant men like Rabin are considered "dangerous," for they might actually have an influence on the other soldiers, encouraging them to beewish soldiers, and not simply Israeli ones.

Aharon Rabin is the antithesis of the other Rabin.

Our Rabin is not a traitor.

New Israeli General Security Services Chief Named

24 of the Twelfth Month (Beth) 5771

YNET: Yoram Cohen Named New Shin Bet Chief

Prime Minister Netanyahu names intelligence organization's 12th director Monday, opts for religious candidate. Cohen to replace Yuval Diskin, who will end six-year term in May

Ronen Medzini, March 28, 2011

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu named Yoram Cohen the next Shin Bet director Monday evening.

Cohen will take over for Yuval Diskin, who has served in the position for the past six years.

In Monday's announcement, which was televised for the first time in Israel's history, Netanyahu said that Cohen "joined the Shin Bet over 30 years ago and has served in a variety of positions. (Read the entire article...)

From YNET Hebrew (translated):

Far Right-Wing Activists On Yoram Cohen: "A bitter experience with the religious Jews."

"The feeling is that the Shabba"k (Shin-Bet/General Security Services) Chief will be worse than all of his predecessors," leaders told YNET, following the announcement of the new chief [who is to begin in May]. Meir Bartler Hilltop Youth [activist] said, "Usually when there is a kippah-wearer in a position like this, he is only destructive to us, because they need to show that they are not taking sides.

Yair Altman & Aviel Migazini, March 29, 2011

(Read the entire article...)

The article continues to recount the concerns of the right over Cohen's appointment, and over the activities of the Shabba"k, in general.

MK Michael Ben-Ari, who also participated in the [K'nesseth Foreign Affairs & Security Committee] discussion with outgoing Shabba"k Chief Yuval Diskin, said, "When I asked him which resouces the Shabba"k was investing in the standing response to the anarchists, he replied that they were investing in the 'Kahanist Terrorists.' What has happened is that Yuval Diskin wanted to fill the position in his image, and continue to be in the Shabba"k, even after he leaves. There were similar pressures from the Shabba"k itself. On the other hand, I know that inside the Office of the Prime Minister they have been dragging their feet on this issue for quite some time."

More statements from Land Of Israel activists:

MK Michael Ben-Ari: "We do not know who this Cohen is."

No'am Federman: "It is known that he hates settlers."

And now, a final word from Yuval Diskin himself:

"Yoram's appointment, a candidate who grew within the organization will allow the Shin Bet to fulfill its destiny – the security of the State of Israel in the best possible way."

"...fulfill its destiny?" Here's one possible translation: Acting as the special police force to assist its holy government to fulfill its ultimate goal of reining in all citizens under its control through anti-Torah indoctrination.

And another final word, this one from another former Shabba"k Chief, Avi Dichter:

Cohen "[Cohen] is a true professional, who knows things from top to bottom. I have no doubt that this is a tough day for terror groups.

These "Defenders of the State" often call Jews who hold HaQadosh Barukh Hu (The holy One, Blessed Be He) and His Torah in higher authority than anything else, including anti-Torah, Israeli laws, "dangerous," "seditious," "inciters," even "terror groups."

I am not optimistic about the appointment of Yoram Cohen as the new Shabba"k Chief.

These only reason not to expect immediate pogroms against [real] religious settlers, is the possible strategy employed to lulling settlers into a false sense of security.

Be vigilant.

The Latest On The Social Workers' Strike

23 of the Twelfth Month (Beth) 5771

I passed by the National Labor Court today, and saw a demonstration. It was not really clear to me what they were protesting, except that I saw Histadrut signs, and there was something about comparing their salaries to something really low. I saw several, visibly religious men and women in a crowd of not apparently religious Jews. Such mixtures of Jews, uniting for a common cause, are usually a good sign in my book.

At times, the protesters were really loud, but not out of control. The police eventually came to rope off areas for them, and to keep people away who were not involved.

There were 50 to 70 people there, at most. Yesterday, in Tel Aviv, their numbers were significantly larger.

As I crossed the street next to a police officer, I asked her what the demonstration was about. "It is about getting a raise in pay," she responded, and then asked, "That's good isn't it?"

I said I have would have to check the details of what they were asking for, but that it probably was a good thing.

Upon arriving back at work, I looked up the protest. It was not so easy to find, either. YNETnews.com was malfunctioning. I finally found a blurb about it, buried in IsraelNN.com's new flashes:

IsraelNN.com: Social Workers Protest Outside Labor Court

22 Adar II 5771/March 28, 2011

Dozens of social workers and students are rallying opposite the National Labor Court, demanding that the Treasury re-negotiate their salary agreement.

The Labor Court is expected to relate to the State's request for injunctions against the workers, now on strike for 23 days.

Well, I had heard about the social workers' strike. The first thing which came to mind was:

1. Cry babies, this is what you get for harassing religious Jews, Haredim and [ideological] settlers included.

The next thing that came to mind was:

2. That's odd. Aren't social workers the front line soldiers of the Israel government's plan of mass indoctrination into anti-Torah society? Why would the government treat them this way?

A rouse perhaps? I don't know. Sounds like an awful lot of trouble, unless something big is up.

Curiouser and curiouser...

3. Furthermore, how much do you want to bet that a cop would never get away with expressing open support for demonstration by Haredim or settlers.

Leftists Tour Samaria: So What?

22 of the Twelfth Month (Beth) 5771

My commentary is interspersed in blue italics.

IsraelNN.com: Haaretz Reporters On Samaria Tour

Maayana Miskin, 22 Adar II 5771/March 27, 2011

The Samaria Regional Council and Samaria Residents Council achieved another goal for their successful "see for yourself" tours program this week, getting the staff of the radically left-wing Israeli newspaper Haaretz to tour Samaria, the biblical heartland. Haaretz staff join the staff of many other papers, as well as politicians, radio broadcasters, world leaders and more, who have taken part in the tour.

The one-day tour includes stops in Ariel, Itamar, and at viewpoints from which visitors can see the densely populated coastal region spread below them, giving them an immediate sense of the region's strategic security value.

I have mixed feeling about this, as you will soon see. Showing these reporters just how tenuous the security situation is, first hand, may be helpful. Yet, we have already learned from past experiences that many of these un-Jews actively work toward Israel's destruction. Thus, some of these journalists and "VIP's" may actually use this information to manipulate what does or does not get publicized about the current, security situation, as well as anything else which serves to further their global, assimilationist agenda (ie. Jews are just like everybody else!).

Travelling the roads in the Shomron, the visitors saw the vast expanse of unpopulated and uncultivated land that fills most of the region, making it obvious that Israelis are not encroaching on Arab living space.

What Arab space? This is Eretz Yisra'el (Land of Israel), and it ALL belongs to us. When are Jews going to finally wake up, and smell the humous? How have the Yishma'elim (Arabs) "known" that Eretz Yisra'el does not really belong to the Jews? Because we Jews have continuously shown the willingness to auction it off to false promises, as opposed to fighting for it.

The visitors were shown Samaria's rich Jewish history, when they toured an archeological site from the times of Joshua son of Nun.

They saw the industrial complex in Barkan adjoining the city of Ariel, which provides employment for thousands of local Arabs.

This is absolutely not something to be proud of. Not only is this funding and supporting our enemies, and in my humble opinion, a violation of the negative commandment "Lo Tehonem," but it is also classic, Ashkenazi classism. "Let the rif-raf do the work. I am above manual labor."

They also got to sample some of the residents' products, tasting organic cheeses and yogurts made in Itamar and sampling wine made from the vineyards of Har Bracha.

By the way, where did they hide the Christian missionaries in Har Bracha?

Rabbi Nitzan Yemin, principal of the school in Itamar, met with the visitors from Haaretz, as did Benny Katzover of the Samaria Residents Council.

No doubt, Itamar was chosen to gain sympathy from the leftists. We don't need their sympathy. We don't need them to like us, to validate our existence. This is just the same old co-dependent strategy which has been employed by various councils and communities in Yehudah & Shomron (Judea & Samaria).

We must stop playing the victim!

And, where did THEY hide THEIR Christian missionaries, who have infiltrated Itamar, thanks to Moshe and Leah Goldschmidt?

At the end of the trip, several of the editors and journalists said they would be interested in taking part in a second tour in the future.

The Samaria tours began more than a year ago as part of an outreach program aimed at making Israeli and international journalists, politicians and other opinion-shapers, many of whom are politically left-wing, less hostile to Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria. Among those to take part in the tours so far are former Justice Minister Professor Daniel Friedman, the staff of Yediot Acharonot and of Walla, Time Magazine's Jerusalem Bureau Chief Karl Vick, and popular broadcaster Avri Gilad.

Watch the publications listed above. No doubt the Shomron Residents Council (whoever the heck they are) will get stabbed in the back, for their "good intentions."

So, was it all worth it? Was all the money spent on the co-dependent, PR campaign worth it?

I think not. The money would be better spent at the local level, supporting housing improvements, new schools, and agricultural projects.

Let the tourists pay for their own trips!

How Spicy Do You Like It?

22 of the Twelfth Month (Beth) 5771

Probably the best falafel I have had in Israel comes from Shalom Falafel on Betzalel Street (Jerusalem Rabbinate - Pareve - Mehadrin). Only a few toppings are available: tehinah, pickles, salad, peppers, and, of course, harif. Actually, it is s'hug, the Yemenite version of a spicy sauce. Like most Israeli restaurants, they use the generic word for something spicy, harif. The limited toppings enhance the falafel; they do not overpower it. And, the falafel is always made fresh. It is also vegan (pareve without eggs or fish), and avodah ivrith.

The owners recently renovated the place, one of the results of which was the addition of a chart painted on swinging double doors leading into the back. The chart includes 32 responses to the question, "Would you like harif on your falafel?"



I thought it was pretty funny. So, I attempted to photograph it with the web cam on my laptop. It's a horrible set of pictures pasted together. You can click on it if you want. Instead I recommend looking at the chart I typed up, and translated. If you know Hebrew, you will see what I mean about how funny it is.

Please feel free to critique my translations, by leaving a comment. Figuring out how these terms should be translated into English is half the fun!

Spicy

Meanwhile In The Arab World...

18 of the Twelfth Month (Beth) 5771

Reports, like the one below, always seem to come up, right when we Jews are glued to the Internet, television, or radio, waiting for any bit of detailed information to come along regarding something much more, immediately pressing in our lives,...like today's terrorist attack in Jerusalem.

We must try not to overlook such stories, for they, too, play a significance in our lives.

I am reprinting the entire article here, something which I almost never do, as I believe it to be worth the read.

While we Jews are focused on investigating, cleaning up, mourning, and getting angry about the second terrorist attack in the couple of weeks, there is tension in the Arab world.

Along side the cheering over the "successful" terror attack today in Jerusalem, and old thorn in the Arabs' side continues to rear its ugly head.

Why is this significant to us?

As we Jews in Israel become increasingly frustrated with our government's lack of sufficient action against our enemies, the Arabs may end up saving our proverbial tuchus (back side), yet again. In other words, we save parts of our homeland from being auctioned off, not because we have been standing up and saying, no, it's not for sale. But, rather it has been the Arabs who haven't like the various deals the Israeli government has been offering them.

Years, Baraq offered Arafat over 90 percent of Yehuda & Shomron (Judea & Samaria). But he would not take the deal, because Jerusalem was not on the table.

Abbas caught wind of a "temporary borders" plan in works from Prime Minister Netanyahu, and he gave it a resounding "NO!"

Now, Arabs may [eventually] get so caught up in their Sunni-Shi'ite conflict, they may not have the resources to focus as much on us. I smell a burgeoning Caliphate in the works, and someone will have to rule it. My guess is that it will be the Sunnis, of course. But, the Shi'ite will not be taking that lying down.

There is a catch, though. They may still be able to use Israel as an excuse for a temporary alliance.

Just how long will we Jews "luck out" (have God intervene for us through the Arabs), before we take matters into our own hands, and finally do what needs to be done to maintain an Israel which is safe for Jews?

Let's not wait too long.... You never know when it will be the last time the Arabs will be bailing us out, by sticking to their principles.

IsraeNN.com: Sunni-Shiite Tensions Impact Relations Across Mideast Region

Gavriel Queenann, 18 Adar II 5771/March 23, 2011

Growing tensions between the oil-rich Sunni-ruled Arab countries and Shi'ite Iran, which is Persian and not Arab, continue to affect relationships throughout the Middle East, Reuters reports.

Following sharp criticism of Bahrain's harsh crackdown on mainly Shi'ite demonstrators last week by Iranian-proxy Hizbullah in Lebanon, the small island kingdom issues a travel advisory for its citizens instructing them not to visit Lebanon "for their own safety."

"Due to the threats and interference that Bahrain has faced from terrorist elements, it warns and advises its nationals not to travel to Lebanon because of the dangers they may face that may affect their safety, and it advises nationals in Lebanon to leave immediately," Bahrain's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The crackdown on anti-government protesters came after Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa declared a state of emergency and requested Saudi soldiers, attached to the Gulf Cooperative Council's Peninsula Shield force, to help in suppressing mass protests that threatened his regime in the tiny island kingdom.

The crackdown inspired sympathy protests in nations with Shi'ite populations, including Lebanon, where Hizbullah's leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah accused Arab states of what he described as hypocrisy for backing Bahrain's rulers while supporting the rebels in Libya.

Following Nasrallah's comments, Lebanese residents in Bahrain who were abroad found themselves banned from returning to the island Kingdom. The Lebanese ex-patriot community in Bahrain, who issued a statement distancing themselves from Nasrallah's position, is about 1,500 strong.

The ferocity of the crackdown, which banned protests, imposed martial law and called in forces from Bahrain's fellow Sunni-ruled neighbors, has shocked the more than 60 percent of Bahrainis who are Shi'ites, most of whom are campaigning for reforms leading to a constitutional monarchy.

However, calls by some hardliners for the overthrow Bahrain's monarch have alarmed the nation's Sunnis, who believe such a move serves Iran's revolutionary machinations in the region. For its part, Iran, which backs Shi'ite revolutionary proxies in Iraq and Lebanon, complained to the United Nations and has begun a campaign urging Saudi Arabia to withdraw its troops from Bahrain.

In response, Bahrain withdrew its senior diplomats from Tehran as a sign of protest.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, whose nation has become increasingly cozy with Iran in recent years, said in a joint news conference in Ankara Tuesday with Bahrain's foreign minister, said, "It is very important that the civilian population is protected and that the civilian population and security forces do not confront one another ... A sectarian clash would harm the intense process of change in the region."

Meanwhile, Bahrain's Foreign Minister Sheikh Khaled bin Ahmed al-Khalifa said: "Foreign forces are only there to protect state organs" and would be there for a "very limited" time.

Western nations, heavily reliant on the six oil-exporting members of the GCC who control half of the world's oil reserves, have issued canned responses without taking a firm position on the crackdown in Bahrain – or the involvement of foreign troops therein.

England's David Cameron said Bahrain's approach "needs to be based on the principle of reform to address the legitimate aspirations of the people of Bahrain."

Bomb Attack In Jerusalem!

18 of the Twelfth Month (Beth) 5771

Latest Report:

The 74 bus was hit by a bomb from outside of the bus, across the street from the Binyanei HaUmah (Jerusalem Convention Center). The bus connects the Har Homah neighborhood with the Har Nof neighborhood by way of the center of town. This bus was traveling in the direction of Har Nof.

34 people are reported to be injured, 4 seriously. No reports of fatalities, at this time.