Elder Of Ziyon - Israel News

Saturday, December 29, 2012

400 killed in Syria on Saturday. Oh well.

Nearly 400 people were reported dead in Syria Saturday, including some 150 charred corpses that were found in Deir Baalba in Homs, according to activist media.

In Aleppo at least 20 people were killed amid flaring clashes between the regime's forces and members of the Free Syrian Army (FSA).

The Syrian Media Center reported that surface-to-surface missiles were launched on Mar'ea in the suburb of Aleppo.

Sana Revolution reported that a “massacre” took place in Khamsya town near Aleppo. The fighting in Aleppo forced Syria’s national airline to cancel a flight into the city.

3 or 4 Palestinian Arabs were among those killed.

The number of people killed in Syria over the past 18 months is now over 45,000.

Friday linkdump

From Ian:

LATMA: "Wonderful Country's" new season on Channel 2 and Nissim Mishal’s alter ego speaks

Iran Fears May Be Compelling Saudi Arabia to Begin to Tell the Truth About Israel

"If there were a prize for the Arab country that has done most to promote Arab-Israeli peace recently, I'd seriously consider nominating Saudi Arabia. Admittedly, that's a counterintuitive choice: Riyadh doesn't even recognize Israel and shows no signs of doing so anytime soon; moreover, it finances the spread of extremist Islamic ideology. But Saudi-funded papers have been doing something that may be far more important than another handshake on the White House lawn: providing a platform for Arab journalists and public figures to challenge the dominant Middle Eastern narrative of Israel as the root of all evil."

Wiesenthal ranks top 10 anti-Semites, Israel-haters
Muslim Brotherhood’s rise in Egypt catapults two religious figures into No. 1 spot on Simon Wiesenthal Center's year-end list.
Report: 2012 Top Ten Anti-Israel/Anti-Semitic Slurs: Mainstream Anti-Semitism Threatens World Peace

Why a two-state solution will never work
Original Thinking: What will happen when you have pressured Israel into allowing a Palestinian entity to take hold on the 1967 borders, an entity that is taken over by a radical Islamic force bent on Israel’s destruction?

Senior Hamas Official: Reconciliation Efforts With PLO to be Based on Rejection of Israel’s Right to Exist

"A Senior Hamas official said that his organization wants reconciliation efforts with the PLO to be based on the Palestinian Arab demand for a right of return, a demand that if implemented would effectively bring about the end of Israel as a Jewish state, as well the absence of recognition of Israel’s right to exist."

The True Face of Hamas and the Five Myths That Obscure It

"Indeed, the world must move beyond the media-driven myths above and recognize Hamas for what it really is: an Islamist terrorist organization dangerously allied with Iran in its mission to destroy Israel. Hamas states this goal in its charter and Iranian leaders declare their genocidal intentions publicly. These forces must be stopped before the doomsday described in my novel leaves the realm of fiction."

Arab MK Sarsour Meets Terrorist who Killed 30 Israelis

Arab MK Ibrahim Sarsour (Ra’am) met with several jailed terrorists, including one who was involved in the Park Hotel massacre in 2002.
"In the past Sarsour has called to establish an Islamic Caliphate centered in Jerusalem and has met with senior Hamas terrorists.
He recently chose to condemn Israel for responding to Hamas rocket attacks from Gaza, while failing to condemn Gaza terrorists for firing the rockets."

IDF Personnel Pelted With Rocks, Molotov Cocktails in West Bank as Unrest Persists

"Protesters near Yitzhar descended upon IDF soldiers, throwing stones, and in some cases even Molotov cocktails, before they were dispersed as well. There were other reports of stones being thrown at buses and Israeli vehicles. A security officer’s vehicle was stoned by dozens of Palestinian Arab rioters adjacent to the West Bank outpost of Horsha in the Binyamin Regional Council. Palestinian Arabs also hurled stones at IDF soldiers near the West bank outpost of Ein Kodesh, south of Nablus; there were no injuries"

Pollard’s Catch-22 By Esther Pollard

"While this travesty of justice may not have originated on President Barack Obama’s watch, it has been fully revealed under his tenure. It is precisely for cases like this, where the US justice system is unwilling or unable to correct itself that the American Constitution grants the president virtually unlimited powers of clemency. Justice requires that Obama use his powers of executive clemency to release Jonathan Pollard now."

Iran is in social and economic meltdown
With unemployment soaring and the advent of hyperinflation, the plight of ordinary workers just gets worse and worse

"Workers' strikes and protests are gathering pace in Iran. In 2012, there were more labor protests than for longer than many can remember. Vast numbers live below the poverty line. Non-payment of wages for months at a time is a fact of life for millions. Inflation is soaring. Beggars in veils line the streets.And this is not merely a product of sanctions, though they are certainly biting. Gross mismanagement by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's government is doing terrible damage to the social fabric all on its own."

Ahmadinejad Sacks Cabinet's Sole Woman
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has sacked Health Minister Marizeh Vahid Dastjerdi, the sole woman in his cabinet, state television reported on Thursday.

"The minister had proposed price hikes for a number of medications due to the plunge of the Iranian rial against the US dollar and Western sanctions imposed on the country over its disputed nuclear program, AFP reported."

Preacher in Iran re-arrested on Christmas

"Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani was first arrested on October 19, 2009 for protesting against Iran's decision to force all children including his two sons to read the Quran in schools.
He was at that time charged with apostasy and evangelism to Muslims. He spent three years or 1,062 days in prison.
Nadarkhani was released in September of 2012 after Christians around the world prayed for his release."

Christian Politician Quits Egypt Upper House as Tensions Persist

"A Christian member of Egypt's upper house of parliament quit on Thursday, reflecting persistent political tensions just a day after the Islamist-dominated chamber took over legislative authority under a contentious new constitution."

CAIR Protests Saudi Radical's Exclusion From U.S.

"He belittled Muslims who failed to take action, including "harming the Jews." He invoked Israel's targeted killings of Hamas leaders Ahmed Yassin and Abdel-Aziz Rantisi, saying he prayed that Allah "will destroy the Jews and their helpers from among the Christians and the Communists, and that He will turn them into the Muslims' spoils. I praise the Jihad, the sacrifice, and the resistance against the occupiers in Iraq."

Hitler statue placed outside Warsaw Ghetto stokes outrage
Italian artist’s depiction of the Nazi dictator, previously shown in New York, draws condemnation after being moved close to site of mass murder

Israel grants scholarships to 66 outstanding Indian scholars

"Sixty-six post-doctoral scholars from India will travel to Israel in the coming months to pursue research at top universities. The researchers will be sponsored by the government of Israel which has announced three-year scholarships grants for Indian scholars.
According to officials from Embassy of Israel, this is the first programme of its kind, bringing advanced Indian researchers to Israel in a wide range of topics."

Who Was the 19th Century American Preacher Mendenhall John Dennis?
Actually, He Was a Jerusalem Watchmaker Named Mendel Deniss, Jerusalem's First Photographer

Jewish War Heroes comic book #3

This completes the series of vintage 1944 comic books from the Canadian Jewish Congress I have been posting for the past three weeks.

Jewish War Heroes 3

Two more Syrian generals defect

From Naharnet:

Two Syrian air force generals have defected from the regime of President Bashar Assad and joined opposition forces in Turkey, a diplomat said on Friday.

The generals, commanders of the Regional Air Force, have crossed the border and arrived in the town of Reylanli in southern Turkey, the Turkish diplomat told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The generals and dozens of lower-ranking officers and their families were taken to a separate camp where army defectors take refuge.

Turkish officials refuse to give an exact number of Syrian generals currently on Turkish soil as some are returning to Syria to join the active fighters inside the conflict-wracked country.

The latest defections come as Syrian rebel forces besiege Menagh air base northwest of Aleppo after months of clashes with loyalist troops.

Saudi authorities break up nefarious Christmas celebration plot

From Al Akhbar:

Saudi religious police stormed a house in the Saudi Arabian province of al-Jouf, detaining more than 41 guests for “plotting to celebrate Christmas,” a statement from the police branch released Wednesday night said.

The raid is the latest in a string of religious crackdowns against residents perceived to threaten the country's strict religious code.

The host of the alleged Christmas gathering is reported to be an Asian diplomat whose guests included 41 Christians, as well as two Saudi Arabian and Egyptian Muslims. The host and the two Muslims were said to be “severely intoxicated.”

The guests were said to have been referred to the "respective authorities." It is unclear whether or not they have been released since.

The kingdom, which only recognizes Islamic faith and practice, has in the past banned public Christmas celebrations, but is ambiguous about festivities staged in private quarters.

Saudi religious police are known to detain residents of the kingdom at whim, citing loose interpretations of Sharia and public statements by hardline religious leaders to justify crackdowns.

Saudi Arabia's head mufti Sheikh Abdel Aziz bin Abdullah had previously condemned “invitations to Christmas or wedding celebrations.”

A member of the Higher Council of Islamic scholars in Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Mohammed al-Othaimin recently prohibited sending holiday wishes to "heretics" on Christmas or other religious Christian holidays.

The story goes on to show that in Saudi Arabia, there is no big stretch from amusing "Oddly Enough"-type stories to real abuse of human rights:

On Thursday, the Beirut-based Gulf Center for Human Rights reported that Saudi human rights defender Raef Badawi is at risk of execution on apostasy charges.

Badawi is co-founder and editor of the Liberal Saudi Network. When he first appeared before the district court in Jeddah, he was charged with “insulting Islam through electronic channels” and “going beyond the realm of obedience.” The Judge then referred the case to the higher Public Court on an apostasy charge, which carries the penalty of death.

The General Court in Jeddah proceeded with apostasy charges on December 22.

Badawi was arrested this June after the Liberal Saudi Network called for “a day of liberalism” in Saudi Arabia, which included a conference that was later canceled after a warning from authorities.

Earlier this week, controversial Saudi novelist and political analyst Turki al-Hamad was arrested for criticizing Islam and the royal family in a series of tweets.

Al-Hamad is an outspoken liberal who writes about sexuality issues, underground political movements and religious freedom. The offending tweets suggested that Islam be rectified in the same way that the Prophet Muhammad is said to have revised earlier Abrahamic religions.

(h/t Ian)

A "Saddam Hussein" party wants to run in Jordanian elections

From Ammon News:

The Board of Commissioners in the The Independent Elections Commission (IEC) rejected the name of a national list which chose former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's name, although it accepted the applications of the candidates provided that they change the name of the list.

The IEC in its meeting Wednesday decided not to accept the naming of the lists that contain personal names, or any name could spark sectarian, racial or political strife or contrary to public order or that could affect national unity and security of the nation.

The surprise did not stop at the name of the list, but the second surprise was that one of the candidates at the head of the list was named Saddam Hamdan Hussein.

He added that he will fight in the upcoming parliamentary elections, saying that "Saddam Hussein's name was chosen because people in Jordan loved him."

Muslim Brotherhood leader says Jews have the "right to return" to Egypt

Essam el-Erian, vice president of the Freedom and Justice party of the Muslim Brotherhood, called on Egyptian Jews to return to their "homeland" in Egypt - in order to give their Israeli homes to Palestinians.

On a Cairo TV show on Thursday, Erian said "that the right of return, especially if that leaves a place for a Palestinian [to move in], can not be denied and can not be waived at all," saying he calls for "Jewish Arabs and Egyptians, who Abdel Nasser expelled, to return once again to their country."

It sounds like Egypt really needs cash, and the jizya tax on dhimmis is the best way for them to raise it.

In response, Hafez Abu Saada, head of the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights, called Erian's remarks "catastrophic" because it would allow Egyptian Jews to sue for the properties that were stolen from them when they were forced out of Egypt.

How is this position consistent with "human rights?"

Simple. Jews are obviously not human, so they have no rights.

Deja vu: Abbas keeps lying and threatening

From Ha'aretz:

If diplomatic stagnation continues after the Israeli election and construction in the settlements doesn't stop, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will dismantle the PA and return responsibility for the West Bank to the Israeli government, he told Haaretz in an interview on Thursday.

"If there is no progress even after the election I will take the phone and call [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu," Abbas said. "I'll tell him, 'my dear friend, Mr. Netanyahu, I am inviting you to the Muqata [the PA presidential headquarters in Ramallah]. Sit in the chair here instead of me, take the keys, and you will be responsible for the Palestinian Authority."

"Once the new government in Israel is in place, Netanyahu will have to decide -- yes or no," Abbas said.

Now look at this other report:

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas threatened to dissolve the Palestinian Authority (PA) if Israel does not stop building settlements on occupied Palestinian land.

"If Israel does not stop settlement building ... I will strive to end Palestinian self-rule in the occupied territories," he said.

"I cannot be the president of a non-existent authority as long as Israeli occupation of the West Bank continues," he said.

That quote is also from December - December, 2010.

Does this sound like a leader of a state? Abbas' idea of "leadership" is to keep threatening - threaten resignation, threaten to dismantle the PA, threaten to go to the ICC.

He said he would be willing to renew talks with Netanyahu immediately after the election, but would demand that Israel freeze construction in the territories for the duration of the talks, renew the transfer of tax proceeds that Israel collects on the PA's behalf, and release some 120 Palestinian prisoners who are imprisoned in Israel since before the 1993 Oslo Accords.

"These are not preconditions, these are commitments Israel already took upon itself in the past," said Abbas, and hinted that he needed some kind of gesture from Israel. "If Netanyahu will do these things, it would help [restart talks]. I only ask of him not to build [in the settlements] during the negotiations."

Abbas, as usual, is lying. Israel may have made gestures to restart talks in the past - but now Abbas is claiming that they are "commitments."

Once again, one has to ask: how can Israel negotiate in good faith with a person who lies as easily as he breathes?

The Redacted Iraqi Jews

An amazing article at Gatestone Institute by Nabil Al-Hadairi:

The recent Conference of Religions and Sects in Sulaymaniyah, organized under the supervision of Iraq's president, Jalal Talabani, was an important milestone: The first such conference to take place in Iraq that seriously covered the defense of religions and sects after the collapse of the dictatorial regime of Saddam Hussein.

Present at the conference were Christians, Muslims (both Sunni and Shi'a) and other, smaller, minority groups. What was surprising was that there was not a single representative of Iraqi Jews to relate their glorious history, so full of great accomplishments for the glory of Iraq and its constitution. In their absence, they could not tell of the calamity that befell them when their citizenship was withdrawn, their money and property confiscated, their rights denied, and when they were subjected to being imprisoned or murdered while ethnic cleansing was committed by forcing the best of my Iraqi Jewish friends to emigrate.

At the conference, it was apparent that no one was available to represent them or mention this sensitive subject. Therefore, to balance the debate, I decided that this was going to be my discussion subject, as my solemn duty to repay some of our debt to them.

The Presidential Council, the ruling party, and Iranian agents in Sulaymaniyah all warned me not to raise such a subject and speak about it, and tried to forbid it. They claimed that it is too sensitive and dangerous, and that due to the current public mood, it should not to be spoken about in public.

...Despite the uncivilized methods used in attempting to suppress my presentation, the audience responded with full support and a standing ovation The address apparently caused considerable embarrassment to the conference's organizing committee, which then was forced to take the topic seriously.

Results were achieved when three paragraphs were adopted in the text of the final communique: The seventh paragraph states the importance of correcting the constitution to add Judaism as an official religion alongside Islam, Christianity and others, and restoring the Jews' citizenship. The ninth paragraph consists of ten points, of which article nine recognizes the rights of Jews in nationality and national belonging. Article five recognizes the crime of expulsion and its effects, and article five calls for Jewish heritage sites to be cared for, without tampering.

It is great to see one person making a difference.

(h/t Ian)

An Israeli car, sort of, gets ready for the EU market

From CarBuzz:

New automakers from China seem to be popping up left and right these days, but only a few will actually survive to export cars from the (ironically) decentralized local automotive industry. One of the new brands that's showing potential is Qoros, a joint venture between Chery Automobile and Israel Corporation. And now it has revealed initial images and details of its first model, the GQ3 compact sedan. Set for a live debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, the GQ3 is sized to compete with the likes of the Ford Focus and Honda Civic.

The GQ3 will be the first of a broader model lineup that will later include larger family cars. Along with a host of hi-tech safety features, the GQ3 seems like it may be one of the few Chinese-built cars that may have a realistic future outside of its native country.

Globes adds:

Israel Corp. has set up a company to manufacture mainstream gasoline cars and become "more European than Europe." While Israel Corp's partners are Chinese, car manufacturer Chery, and the factory is located in the Yangtze delta, but to all intents and purposes this is a standard development project that could have been implemented by Volkswagen or Hyundai. The engineers, designers, and even media strategists were hired in Europe. A large part of the basic engineering planning of the car was put in the hands of Austrian company Magna Steyr - an independent systems contractor for the European car industry. The gearbox and navigation systems and many other car components were purchased from known international manufacturers, and the car was planned to meet the most stringent European collision and emission standards and so on. Major effort was even put into the car's interior and exterior design to meet European consumer preferences with an unconcealed likeness to the Volkswagen Jetta.

The highly effective campaign to unveil Qoros is focused on Western Europe and especially the German market, which is a rock on which many previous Chinese cars have floundered.

"Shirley Temper" gets a "bravery" award in Istanbul

Remember Shirley Temper?

Her parents (who are, of course, well-known anti-Israel activists themselves) are now trotting her around the world so she can talk about her "bravery":

A 10-year-old girl who was featured in a video angrily punching an Israeli soldier has arrived in Turkey as a guest of the Başakşehir Municipality of İstanbul.

Ahed Tamimi has become a hero to many in Turkey after a video showing her hitting Israeli soldiers -- who remain nonchalant, possibly due to the presence of cameras at the scene, after her brother's detention -- was posted online on Nov. 28. She arrived in İstanbul on Monday. Her first words were “I am very to be happy to be in Erdoğan's country,” referring to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, a beloved figure in Palestine for his staunch opposition to Israeli policies in Gaza.

Tamimi arrived in Turkey on a Jordan Air flight at 2 p.m. on Monday, accompanied by her mother, Neriman Tamimi. She was greeted by primary school students holding flowers and Palestinian flags. Ahed made a victory sign, posing at journalists' cameras, and said after her initial statement at the airport: “I didn't fear the Israeli soldiers at all. I showed them the courage of Palestinians.”

Tamimi will be presented the Hanzala Bravery Award by the Başakşehir Municipality. The 10 year old, who appeared to be shy during her interviews, will also attend a panel on Palestine.

Since Ahed is so brave, maybe she should start taking on the soldiers in Syria. Or even the Turkish soldiers as they attack Kurds. I'm sure they will be overcome by her natural charm and wouldn't hurt her when she yells at them and hits them.

(h/t Vandoren)

Thursday links

From Ian:

Barry Rubin: The Schoolmarms Tell the Terrorists to Play Nice

“The entertainment director on the ship of fools that constitutes so much mainstream analysis of the Middle East—I refer, of course, to Thomas Friedman—has produced a wonderful paragraph that beautifully characterizes the problem, exquisitely expressing a Western mentality that not only makes it impossible to understand the Middle East but even to set up the question in a way people that could help people even begin to confront the truth. So perhaps it is worth disassembling. Sound like fun? Let’s go!”

Egyptians want peace, says blogger visiting Israel
Maikel Nabil Sanad, an Egyptian blogger hosted by Hebrew University in Jerusalem says 'There is a peace-seeking community in Egypt'

"Egyptian blogger Maikel Nabil Sanad, 27, carried an unusual speech at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and was interrupted by pro-Palestinian activists who broke into the hall and shouted at him "Shame on you, this is Palestine."
Sanad has been known to express views about Israel, which caused him to be heavily criticized in Egypt."

In Israel-US relations, settlements are entirely beside the point

"Most American legislators and policy makers understand that the strategic cooperation between Israel and the U.S. does not hinge on the Palestinian issue nor on the settlement issue not even on the overall conflict between Israel and the Arab nations. Rather, it is based on mutual and common interests in the Middle East and the world over such as Iran’s nuclear threat, counter- terrorism, missile defense, intelligence-sharing, battle tactics, defense and commercial industrial research, where Israel has a competitive edge over any other country in the world.”

With eye on Sinai, IDF establishes brigade to defend Eilat
Southern Command head says soldiers represent final piece of security puzzle for Red Sea resort town

"In recent years, several attacks on Israel originated from the neighboring Sinai peninsula, targeting the large desert region to the north of Eilat. Rockets have also been fired at the town from Egypt, though most have landed in Jordan or in the sea."

Smugglers Galore
How Iran arms its allies.

"Israel’s next war with Hamas—a further confrontation is almost inevitable—may well feature not only Iranian missiles smuggled through Sudan, but NATO-quality small arms and shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles that come by way of Hamas’s most recent weapons supplier, post-Qaddafi Libya."

PMW "Jesus is a Palestinian par excellence" - PA Mufti Muhammad Hussein

"The Palestinian leadership’s falsification of history by presenting Jesus as an ancient Palestinian increased in regularity as Christmas approached this year. In the last month alone, the PA media has transmitted six additional PA misrepresentations of Jesus as a Palestinian"

Barghouti predicts he’ll be president of Palestine, says right of return is ‘sacred’

Most popular West Bank leader, serving multiple life terms for murder, tells Israeli TV Abbas would have been ‘finished’ had he not pressed ahead with UN membership move

Israel not renewing VIP cards of PA officials By Khaled Abu Toameh
Palestinian official tells 'Post' move a response to Ramallah's successful bid to upgrade UN status to non-member state.

"One of the PA officials affected by the new policy is Nabil Sha’ath, a member of the Fatah Central Committee and a former negotiator with Israel.
Sha’ath’s card was revoked after he visited the Gaza Strip to participate in Hamas’s “victory” celebrations in the aftermath of Operation Pillar of Defense."

Israel to boost Gaza imports under truce deal
Israel to begin allowing 20 trucks with construction materials enter Gaza daily; blockade easing part of ongoing ceasefire dialogue.

"Guy Inbar, of the Defense Ministry’s civil administration, said the changes came as a result of Egyptian mediation, and the ongoing calm in the South.
“As long as the quiet will remain in the South, our civilian policy and assistance to Gaza’s residents will continue,” he said."

US preparing attack option in Syria, top minister implies
Moshe Ya’alon says Washington would interfere to keep chemical weapons from falling into ‘irresponsible hands,’ hails Israeli cooperation with Jordan

Netanyahu visited Jordan with plans to destroy Syrian chemical weapons
Senior officials confirm visit; Israel’s neighbor said to oppose air strike or ground assault

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently held top-secret talks in Jordan regarding possible methods for destroying Syria’s sizable chemical weapons stockpiles, including air strikes or a ground assault, but so far Amman is reluctant to put its weight behind such action."

Syrian minister flees Beirut for fear of arrest
Meanwhile, top general in Assad regime switches sides, says he has joined ‘the people’s revolution’

"Syria’s wounded interior minister cut short his treatment at a Beirut hospital Wednesday and returned home for fear of being arrested by Lebanese authorities, while Syria’s chief of military police defected to the opposition, becoming one of the highest-ranking officers to switch sides.
The twin developments reflected the deepening isolation of Syrian President Bashar Assad’s government, which has suffered a number of setbacks on the battlefield as well."

SWC Issues Travel Advisory for Copenhagen Amid Warnings
The Simon Wiesenthal Center issued a travel advisory for Denmark in wake of warnings by Israel’s ambassador.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center issued a travel advisory last week for Denmark in wake of warnings by Israel’s ambassador advising Jews and Israelis to refrain from wearing kippot, religious symbols, and speaking Hebrew on the streets of Copenhagen.

The Redacted Iraqi Jews
"Despite the uncivilized methods used in attempting to suppress my presentation, the audience responded with full support and a standing ovation The address apparently caused considerable embarrassment to the conference's organizing committee, which then was forced to take the topic seriously.
Results were achieved when three paragraphs were adopted in the text of the final communique: The seventh paragraph states the importance of correcting the constitution to add Judaism as an official religion alongside Islam, Christianity and others, and restoring the Jews' citizenship. The ninth paragraph consists of ten points, of which article nine recognizes the rights of Jews in nationality and national belonging. Article five recognizes the crime of expulsion and its effects, and article five calls for Jewish heritage sites to be cared for, without tampering."

Walking on Heroes’ Ground in Poland

WARSAW—“Zegota,” the official unit of the Polish Underground Army tasked with helping Jews in German-occupied Poland from 1942-1945, was commemorated on the occasion of its 70th anniversary earlier this month in Warsaw.

Notable EoZ blog posts of 2012 (part 2)

April:

Thomas Friedman and Ha'aretz whitewash a terrorist

Hamas leader: "Half of Palestinians are Egyptian, the other half Saudi"

Poster: Homocrites (and the post it was inspired by on "Homonationalism and Pinkwashing")

The "As-a-Jews" of the New York Times

How to misuse statistics: Israel accused of jailing too many journalists

Mike Wallace interviews Abba Eban, 1958

May:

Ben White proves the hypocrisy of the anti-Israel crowd (may be the post of the year)

Latest nonsense from Shlomo Sand - "The Land of Israel is a myth"

Purpose of J-Street is not to reflect US Jewish opinion, but to change it

June:

Arab political cartoons on the eve of the Six Day War (later turned into a video)

Gaza's kindergarten jihadist wannabes

Hilarious boycott of Israeli goods by tiny cafe in Olympia

Debunking the "Bride is beautiful, but she is married to another man" myth

Reuters vs. the truth about the Temple Mount

The Euro-Mid Observer for Human Rights, a Geneva-based NGO, has released a 72-page report (Arabic-only) detailing the names, photos and details of 41 children they claim were killed in Gaza by Israel.

Some of the "children" listed were, in fact, adults.

Some were Hamas terrorists.

And at least one was killed by a Hamas rocket.

Here are some details:

Muhammad Hani Ibrahim Hani Al-Kaseeh was - according to Euro-Mid! - born on July 29, 1994, making him 18 years old when he was killed on November 14, 2012. PCHR admits that he was a terrorist, as the motorcycle he was on together with Essam al-Meiza was targeted.

Ahmed Taqfiq al-Nassasra was identified as a member of Hamas by the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terror Information Center. He was 17.

Muhammad Kamel Salame Abu Udwan was born in March of 1994, making him 18 years old. I could not find him in the known lists of people killed.

Abdallah Tal'at Ahmad Ibrahim was also born in March 1994, making him 18 years old as well. I could not find him either.

Ouda Arafat al-Shindi was 17 years old, according to Euro-Mid. PCHR notes that he was a terrorist, but does not mention his age.

And Mahmoud Sadallah, 4, was killed by a Hamas rocket, a fact admitted even by HRW.

These are only the ones I could identify. But it shows a pattern.

These are not simply mistakes. The inclusion of all these names in this glossy, professional report is meant to serve only one purpose - to demonize Israel as much as possible. Very few people would question a report that looks as slick as this one does, replete with photos of the dead, and even fewer would bother doing research to see if it is accurate. The prestigious-sounding name of the NGO, its Geneva address, and the trappings of professionalism, together with an audience that is already predisposed to believe the worst of Israel, together creates a culture where anti-Israel "researchers" can lie with impunity and with little worry about being exposed.

The NGO itself is more than sketchy. I could not find out the sources of funding for the Euro-Mid Observer for Human Rights, and its webpage doesn't even list the names of its founders or leaders. A press release mentions Dr. Ramy Abdu as the chairman of its board of directors, and he is also the head of the Council for European Palestinian Relations, which exists purely to pressure Europe to pressure Israel. The Twitter account of Euro-Mid says explicitly that the purpose of this report is to kick off an international campaign against Israel.

In any sane world, finding out that an NGO is purposefully fabricating its data should be enough to get it disbanded, to get its donors to cut off all funding, and to force the leaders to answer for their lies. But we don't live in a sane world.. Anti-Israel NGOs will continue to proliferate and attract attention with lying reports that convince those who want to be convinced.

(h/t Al Gharqad and CHA)

Egyptian secularists turn to satire

Now that the Egyptian constitution has become law, secularists in Egypt have turned to satire in order to keep their sanity.

At least, for as long as it lasts.