Elder Of Ziyon - Israel News

Tuesday, March 08, 2011

As many as 6 Copts killed in Egypt

Conflicting reports are coming out of Egypt on Tuesday evening concerning violence and death in a Cairo neighborhood between Coptic Christians and religious conservatives who allegedly attacked a peaceful demonstration.

According to eye witnesses in the Manshiyet Nasr area – a poor shantytown on the outskirts of the city – at least 6 people have been killed, and over 200 injured from live ammunition and blasts that caused bricks to fall on people.

One eye witness, Talaat Ibrahim, told Bikya Masr that the army was responsible for the shooting and killing of Coptic demonstrators.

However, Masrawy news website, reported that the military intervened to end the clashes, which are still ongoing, between what they called “Salafist young people” and the Copts.

The exact details remain murky, but the violence and deaths have been confirmed.

The army has been reported to say that the situation is “under control.”

“At least 12 vehicles and four homes have been burned, all Coptic homes, by the angry Muslims,” said Ibrahim.

Egypt’s Copts took to a main thoroughfare that connects downtown with suburbs late in the afternoon, blocking the road. The army then arrived and told them that they could not block the Autostrad.

The Coptic demonstrators agreed to the order and unblocked the road to allow millions of Egyptians passage. The protest, however, continued.

“In less than 45 minutes a group of young people from areas such as Abagiya, the Cairo Citadel, Sayyeda Aisha and Basateen, began arriving,” Ibrahim continued.

These groups of young people, he said, began with around 500 people, but within an hour had grown to nearly 3,000. They began to attack the Copts with glass and bricks, forcing the military to intervene.

While the army was closing in on the protesters, it began attacking the protesters with live ammunition, Ibrahim said he witnessed.

As CAMERA asks, how long will it take before these escalating attacks start getting real coverage?

Update on my "Apartheid" posters

I've been getting good feedback for my "Apartheid?" posters (and the video I made from them.)

I had an interesting phone call yesterday with a director of the Northwest branch of Stand With Us, which is probably the best organization anywhere for teaching people about Israel's point of view. He really loved the posters, which was very nice to hear.

But he had never heard of this blog.

I like to think that I am well-known, but in fact, outside the Jblogosphere and a tiny slice of the Internet, this blog is still small potatoes. Certainly the 4000-5000 hits I've been receiving daily is nothing to sneeze at, but that is still really minuscule compared to the audience I need to reach. And the thought that even a well-known hasbara organization had never heard of me (the exact words were "Okay, first, who the heck are you? The posters are great!") is sobering, and a reason to think about how I can more effectively get the message out. The blog goes only so far.

Anyway, I just spent an hour doing something slightly unethical. I went to the Hillel site and figured out a way to harvest the email addresses of every officer at every Hillel on North America. I then spammed them all with a link to the posters, so they could use them during these Israel Hate Weeks. We'll see what the feedback is from that, and if some pro-Israel activists will then use my blog as a resource for their own programs and initiatives. After all, while it is not as well organized as I like (it is a blog, after all) I do have a lot of material at this site - enough to fill an encyclopedia.

Early indications are that the recipients of the email are clicking; I just got about 100 hits on that page in the past half hour, and so far it has received over 3300 hits and climbing fast.

Oh, I also got some rare hate mail today. I don't usually get them probably because I tend to write in a low-key, non-confrontational manner, but someone did take the time out to call me an "imbecile." He then gave the links to two sites that couldn't be more different, but were both anti-Israel (a Neturei Karta site and a hip-hop radio station.) I was amused.

Might as well make this an open thread....

Maldives opposition says government is "implementing Jewish policy"

From Minivan News (Maldives):

The opposition’s coalition partner, the People’s Alliance (PA), has publicly accused the Maldivian government of trying to implement the agenda of “Zionist Jews”.

In a statement published in Dhivehi on the party’s website, the PA, led by the half brother of the former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Abdulla Yameen, claimed that “the UK, France and the US are selecting individuals from Islamic countries, whom they want to be the ruler, and are training them to implement Jewish policy.”

Unfortunately, I do not have a translator for Dhivehi to see if the actual document (presumably this) is worse than what is being reported.

NPR gets stung by fake Muslim Brotherhood "donors"

From NPR:

NPR's then-senior vice president for fundraising Ron Schiller is seen and heard on a videotape released this morning telling two men who were posing as members of a fictitious Muslim Action Education Center that:
— "The Tea Party is fanatically involved in people's personal lives and very fundamental Christian — I wouldn't even call it Christian. It's this weird evangelical kind of move."
— "Tea Party people" aren't "just Islamaphobic, but really xenophobic, I mean basically they are, they believe in sort of white, middle-America gun-toting. I mean, it's scary. They're seriously racist, racist people."
— "I think what we all believe is if we don't have Muslim voices in our schools, on the air ... it's the same thing we faced as a nation when we didn't have female voices." In the heavily edited tape, that comment followed Schiller being told by one of the men that their organization "was originally founded by a few members of the Muslim Brotherhood in America." There's no sign in the edited tape that Schiller reacted in any way after being told of the group's alleged connection to an Islamic group that appeared to be connected with Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood.
— That NPR "would be better off in the long run without federal funding," a position in direct conflict with the organization's official position.
Schiller is also heard laughing when one of the men jokes that NPR should be known as "National Palestinian Radio."
NPR, as you'll see below, has called Schiller's comments appalling.
The video comes from Project Veritas, and is another in political activist James O'Keefe's undercover exposes (he most prominently took on ACORN — the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now). In the video, Schiller and NPR institutional giving director Betsy Liley are at lunch in Washington with two Project Veritas "investigative reporters" identified as Shaughn Adeleye and Simon Templar, who posed as "Ibrahim Kasaam and Amir Malik." They were allegedly interested in having their organization donate $5 million to NPR. O'Keefe's organization says the recording was made on Feb. 22.

The video is fascinating, as the NPR executives joke about how racist Republicans are, how newspapers are owned by Jews, and lots of other similar stereotypes.

Commentary has more.

Ben-Dror Yemini's open letter to Roger Waters

Washed up rocker Roger Waters from Pink Floyd has been obsessed with Israel's separation fence, perhaps thinking that his album "The Wall" was somehow prophetic.

Anyway, Waters has come out in favor of BDS, using the usual pretentious and absurd arguments we are all too familiar with.

Ma'ariv's Ben Dror Yemini has a nice rejoinder:

Support for the boycott campaign against Israel in effect is support for the prolonging of the occupation and suffering of the Palestinians. An open letter to the rock star who is calling for a boycott of Israel.

To Roger Waters, Greetings.

Look Mr. Waters, the Jewish People is already used to blood libels. From using the blood of children for baking Passover matzah, to directing world Communism, to directing world capitalism, to controlling the media, and in the last generation, committing genocide, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity. A generation passes on and a generation arrives, and the number of blood libels forever exist.

Israel, Mr. Waters, is not exempt from any criticism. We're the world champions of self-criticism. There isn't another nation in which, in every field - not just the Israel-Palestinian conflict - there is so much biting, roiling criticism - often false and vicious. But even to this we've grown accustomed. Usually we're proud of our democracy, even when it's biting. But sometimes, Mr. Waters, we're fed up. We've simply had it. Not from the criticism; it's essential for every community, every society, every nation, like air to breathe.

We're fed up with the lies. For most of us - if you can read a little beyond the slogans - were fed up with the occupation. So if that's your thing you would find lots of partners in Israel - most Israelis. But that's not the story - not for BDS, of which you've become a great supporter, and not for the Hamas in Gaza, which only a year ago you announced your support for those who went there to cheer them - another campaign of useful idiots.

Let's start with the occupation. Only in the last decade Israel announced its willingness to end it, again, again and again. Completely. This began with the Camp David talks. The Palestinians backed away from a serious discussion. Then Clinton offered his proposal, which would have granted the Palestinians a state on 95% of the territory. They decided to say"no". Right after that, at the Taba talks all the giants of the the Israeli Left showed up. They went another big step towards the Palestinians, but even that didn't help. Two years ago another generous offer was made by Prime Minister Olmert. He didn't even get a reply from Abu Mazen.

Back to the BDS. Listen to the leaders of the campaign. Read their manifesto. They don't want two states for two peoples. Not the end of the occupation, but the end of Israel. You can hear it in their own voices. Yes, there are Israels among us who support this campaign. That's how we are. Runaway democracy. Everything goes. So instead of marvelling at our unparalleled democracy, you take advantage of the fact that Israeli democracy allows demonstrations like this, and you go and join the gang that is fighting against the very existence of the national home of the Jewish People. That's the position of Ahmadinejad, Al Qaida and Hamas. Is that your position? Have you gone crazy?

Are you in the peace camp, Mr. Waters? Here's a simple test for you. Very simple. Ask your friends in the BDS one question: "Do you support an agreement of two states for two peoples?"

We've got news for you: They oppose it. They don't want a Palestinian state alongside Israel, they want a Palestinian state in place of Israel. That's what's written in the manifesto of BDS. Read it, it's in English. They write in it, "Right of Return", which, loosely translated means "Destruction of Israel". To remove any doubt, they have the right of return--to a Palestinian state alongside Israel, not in place of Israel.

You and your ilk, Mr. Waters, are simply prolonging the suffering of the Palestinians. You are encouraging the peace refuseniks among them. You are encouraging their illusions.You are creating a new chapter of the Palestinian disaster. Who knows, if it were not for this support - by so many useful idiots - the Palestinians would have emerged from their position of refusal. But when they see you, and you join up with them, they continue to refuse peace.

So this is an opportunity for you, Mr. Waters, to prove that you're a humanitarian and human rights activist. It's not complicated. Tell the Israelis and Palestinians and BDS people one thing: the end of the conflict will come only if the two sides recognize the two-state solution. The side that refuses is the side that must be pressured, even boycotted. Only when you say this simple thing to both sides will you truly be in the peace camp. If you continue to support BDS, you are supporting refusal and the continuation of occupation and suffering.

A reply from you Mr. Waters, will be greatly appreciated.

(h/t אורי פלג)

"Eighth International Conference on Al Quds" - FAIL

The Eighth International Conference on Al Quds took place on Sunday and Monday in Khartoum. I had posted about Khaled Meshal's opening speech, calling for Jihad against Israel.

The Director of Information at Al-Quds International Foundation, Hashim Yagoub, said in a press conference held at SUNA regular news forum that representatives of 28 countries would take part in the conference along with representatives of the civil society organizations.

As lofty as this sounded, in reality it appears that the conference was a bust.

The keynote speaker was supposed to be Yusuf al-Qaradawi, the popular Qatar-based sheikh - but he bowed out at the last minute. Hurriyet Sudan noted this, saying his snubbing of the conference "raises questions."

As far as I can tell, only three speakers have been publicized: Meshal, Sudanese president Bashir (who said "What is going in the region is a prelude to the battle for Jerusalem"" and Gaza Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar who gave the closing speech.

This is not a very big room for an international conference.

And it appears that a lot of the participants were reporters, based on the ridiculous number of microphones on the dais:

Where are all the representatives from the Arab world?

Perhaps they have other things on their minds lately besides Palestine.

How Gazans celebrate International Women's Day

Today is the hundredth anniversary of International Women's Day.

Naturally, Palestinian Arabs are celebrating along with the rest of the world. For example, the Guardian published an article about how a Gaza women's advocate marks the day:

Women in Gaza love life as much as other women across the world. Although we lack basic rights, partly due to the blockade and unfair policies, we are strong. We hope the world will pay extra attention so that Gaza's women can help rebuild Palestinian society.

The celebrations have a bit of a different flavor in the Arabic media, however.

Palestine Today marks the occasion by profiling a woman, Mrs. Dadhouh (not sure of her first name), whose main claim to fame is the fact that three of her children were Islamic Jihad terrorists that were killed by Israel.

Mohammad Al Dahdouh was a senior Islamic Jihad member killed in May, 2006. His brother Khalid Al Dahdouh, also known as Abu Walid, was killed three months earlier, and a third brother Ayman was killed in 2005.

Mrs. Dadhouh is, of course, proud of her sons:

I do not regret that three of my children are martyrs; we all must have the Certificate [of martyrdom], and be ready to continue on this path for Palestine and for the redemption of Jerusalem and the Aqsa Mosque....Palestinian women are willing to sacrifice and give all that they possess for Jerusalem and to walk on the path of the martyrs.

I wonder why the Guardian didn't interview Mrs. Dadhouh?

UNRWA youth facility names sports event after suicide bomber

The Al-Amari youth center, an UNRWA youth facility in the West Bank, has announced a football tournament for youth to be held later this week, named after the first Palestinian female suicide bomber Wafa Idris, Palestinian Media Watch reports. The Al-Amari youth center was established in 1953. Since its creation the center has been a subsidiary to the UNRWA youth club centers system.

Wafa Idris was the first Palestinian female suicide bomber. She blew herself up in Jerusalem, killing one and injuring more than 150 on Jan. 27, 2002. She was a volunteer for the Palestinian Red Crescent and as such, she was able to bypass Israeli security and enter Jerusalem in a Palestinian ambulance. Since her bombing, Israel has been forced to delay Palestinian ambulances entering Jerusalem at security check points.

The official PA daily, Al-Hayat Al-Jadida of March 6, 2011 the following announcement of the Wafa Idris Tournament was made:

Headline: "Al-Amari plans to launch the 'Shahida (Martyr) of Honor, Wafa Idris' youth tournament."
"The administration of the Al-Amari youth center has announced its plans to launch a youth tournament (for 19-year-olds) to be named 'Shahida (Martyr) of Honor, Wafa Idris [tournament].'

The Al-Am'ari administration is maintaining contacts with the Palestinian Football Association for permission. [The tournament] will commence on March 10. Twelve teams will be participating."

Moreover, Palestinian Media Watch lists some more samples of how the Palestinian authority repeatedly presents Idris as a hero and role model in the past.

And the UNRWA continues to see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil....

Gaza park called "dangerous" because it is near Israel

Palestine Today has a photo essay of a park where Gaza kids can get away from the city and enjoy themselves:

But the article warns that the park "constitutes a real danger to their lives," because this area is close to the Gaza border with Israel.

The assumption is that IDF soldiers are going to start picking off Arab kids for fun, any day now.

Not that the article can find any examples of any kid being attacked, ever.

WaPo says Egypt's new FM will keep peace treaty, minister not so sure

From the Washington Post on Sunday:

Egypt on Sunday got its second new government in less than six weeks, including a new foreign minister who is expected to take a tougher line with Israel than the government of the ousted president Hosni Mubarak did.

In one of the most significant shifts, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Egypt's foreign minister since 2004, was replaced by Nabil Elaraby, a career diplomat who won plaudits from demonstrators for joining the crowds in Cairo's Tahrir Square shortly before Mubarak resigned.

As a member of the team that negotiated the Camp David peace treaty with Israel in 1978, he can be expected to abide by all of Egypt's existing commitments to Israel, analysts and former colleagues said. But he is renowned for having voiced reservations about some of the treaty's clauses to then-President Anwar Sadat, and "will not be willing to accept Israeli excesses in the occupied territories," said Mustapha Kamel al-Sayyid, a professor of political science at Cairo University.

However, Elaraby wrote an article in Egypt's Shorouk News about this topic a couple of hours later:

It is time to review our foreign policy

International law allows states to re-consider its international obligations in two cases:

1 - If there was a fundamental change in circumstances. This has happened in Egypt twice in recent history.

First: when the Government of El-Nahhas Pasha in October 1951 to cancel the 1936 Treaty. And second: in March 1976, when President Sadat decided to cancel the Treaty of Amity, which he concluded with the Soviet Union in 1971.

2 - If there was a fundamental Material Breach one of the provisions of the Treaty [by one party,] the other party is entitled to suspend or terminate the treaty according to the severity of the violation of the other party of its provisions. This applies to all Egypt's international obligations, including obligations arising from the peace treaty with Israel if it is found that there is a breach of the provisions of this Treaty on its side.

Here's a textbook case of Western analysis coloring facts to reflect wishful thinking rather than reality.

In the end, it is possible that Elaraby will be forced to keep Camp David, for legal as well as practical reasons, but the fact that his first major statement is laying the groundwork to abrogate it is of more than a little concern.

Khaled Meshal: Any unity between Fatah and Hamas must be based on Jihad

From The Australian:

HAMAS political leader Khaled Meshaal yesterday praised the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia and expressed the hope that they would pave the way for a more militant stance towards Israel.

The Damascus-based Hamas leader urged that his organisation and the secular Fatah Party unite on the basis of jihad towards Israel.

"The first step (towards liberating Jerusalem) is refusal to negotiate with Israel and to establish a new, reconciled Palestinian position based on jihad."

I'm sure he means the peaceful, internal kind of Jihad.

ElderToons for the Iranian mission megillah reading

A brilliant idea: this Purim, people will read the Megillah outside the Iranian mission in New York.

So in honor of this event, here's my poster for the occasion:

(For those who don't get this at all, a beginning of an explanation can be deduced here.)

Newest "Apartheid?" poster

Omar Barghouti makes a wonderful subject for the poster series.

All "Apartheid" posters available here.

Hat tip אורי פלג on Facebook.

The irony of Viva Palestina

From Viva Palestina:

The Summer University of Palestine: The New Middle East - People power, democracy and Palestine

Viva Palestina Arabia is organising a seven day summer university in Beirut at the end of July with internationally known academics, writers, political figures and activists to discuss the unfolding revolutionary events in the Middle East and what they mean for Palestine and the international solidarity movement.

A message from George Galloway

"The great Egyptian people have spoken. Egypt is back and the winds of change are blowing through the Middle East and beyond, threatening to knock down the imperial architecture that has robbed the people of the region for so long. And chief among the outstanding injustices from the colonial epoch is Palestine. Now the struggle for a free and dignified Palestine takes place in the epic battle for a new Middle East and wider Muslim world that meets the hopes of its people.

"Viva Palestina Arabia gathered together academics, politicians and activists last year in the Bekaa Valley in our first Summer University of Palestine to discuss and coordinate the struggle for Palestinian rights. Now, after the heroic Egyptian revolution has overthrown the pharaoh Mubarak, this year's Summer University of Palestine has been reorganised to address the questions thrown up by the extraordinary events in Tunisia and Egypt, which are now rolling through the region.

"Book your time off work or college now - 23 to 30 July, just before Ramadan. The university will be in Beirut, upgraded and bigger than last year. It will again have world renowned speakers. This advance notice is to ensure that if you are making plans for summer now, you know to be in Beirut from the 23 July." The university will be hosted by the Palestinian social and cultural society at the American University of Beirut.

Yes, Viva Palestina will be holding a "university" conference this summer to berate Israel about its treatment of Palestinian Arabs - in the very country where Palestinian Arabs are massively discriminated against under Lebanese law! A country where the Palestinians are not allowed to own land, where they are essentially barred from leaving "refugee" camps, where they are abrred - by law - from many professions, where the nation would never consider naturalizing even the Palestinians who want to follow the laws and become citizens.

Once can be sure that Lebanon will not be criticized one bit at this conference. After all, one must be polite to one's hosts.

Afternoon links

Translating Jihad gives us the full Qaradawi speech in ahrir Square, ending with:

A message to our brothers in Palestine: I have hope that Almighty Allah, as I have been pleased with the victory in Egypt, that He will also please me with the conquest of the al-Aqsa Mosque, to prepare the way for me to preach in the al-Aqsa Mosque.

May Allah prepare the way for us to preach in the al-Aqsa Mosque in safety!

Not in fear,

Not in haste.

May Allah achieve this clear conquest for us.

Michael Weiss in The Weekly Standard writes what is so far the definitive critique of Human Rights Watch's treatment of Libya.

Christopher Hitchens is not too optimistic about the success of the Egyptian revolution.

The epic 9 hour Holocaust documentary, Shoah, is being translated into Farsi and will be broadcast via satellite to Iran.

Another moderate Egyptian Brotherhood leader is calling for Israel to be wiped off the map.

IsraeliGirl has another set of Facebook users who should be reported for hate.

There are reports in the Arab world that Gaddafi's wife owns some 20 tons of gold, which would make her (by my calculations) worth some $900 million. (corrected)

Swords and Molotov cocktails in Tahrir Square. Things are going swimmingly in Egypt.

More awful Israeli apartheid!

Meet the happiest man in America.

(h/t Silke, a tweeter whose name I lost, a Mere Rhetoric tweet, Zach N., Dave Bender.)

Meanwhile, in Qatar...

From the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information:

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information, condemned the continued arbitrary detention of human rights activist and blogger Sultan Khulaifi , owner of the blog “http://binkhaleefa.blogspot.com” without trial early this month.

Security stormed Khulaifi’s house in Doha on March 1st , 2011 , they searched the house and car and then took him by force to an unknown location They informed his his wife that this was the decision of the Attorney General, despite the absence of any decision . So far, reasons for arresting Khulaifi were not announced.

However, it is expected that Khulaifi was arrested against the backdrop of his human rights activities in support of freedom and democracy on his blog . Arresting the blogger is a flagrant violation of the right to freedom of expression and an unacceptable breach to national legislations, treaties and international obligations.

The blog they refer to has a mere 4 posts, and has not been updated in over a year. I see no indication that posts have disappeared from it, so this does not look like it was a major or influential blog in the least.

The blog seemed to criticize Qatar from an Islamist perspective.

Now Israel is behind the Arab revolutions!

It gets so confusing. The Arab revolutionaries accuse the authoritarian governments of being in Israel's pocket, the governments are accusing the rioters of being Zionists, the liberals accuse Israel of not being supportive of these revolutions, others accuse Israel of sending mercenaries to fight the rebels.

It's time to get some clarity.

So here is Hesham Tillawi, an American of Palestinian Arab origin and host of a Muslim TV show called "Current Issues," being interviewed by Iran's PressTV:

The real problem is in the West Bank. The real problem is where Israel is building the settlements. By the time all this chaos in the Middle East settles down, which might take about five or ten years before the dusts settles down. Israel will have the whole of Palestine. Israel will have 1.5mn settlers in the West Bank. This is where the problem is. This is what all this distraction is. And is it worth it for Israel? Yes it worth it for Israel to have this chaos. It's not that they don't talk about it. They talked about it. They have a huge plan. These are people who have been under oppression and have been under these regimes for many years. The Arab world is waiting for a huge revolution.

But what are the aims of these revolutionaries in the streets? Is there a total liberation program with all these revolutions? I have not heard one. So who is going to benefit out of these revolutions? The only one that will benefit out of these revolutions is Israel. They will have the whole of the West Bank with another million settlers in the West Bank. In my opinion that is where we need to look at. If these powers can stop Muammar Gaddafi and say he is a war criminal and he's killing his people, just look what Israel did today. Isn't building settlements in the West Bank illegal under the international law? Yes it is. But we don't see anyone talking about it. We see them talking about this. Of course what Muammar Gaddafi is doing is definitely illegal under international law. But let us not take our eyes off of what Israel is doing, and Israel is choosing this timing when the world is looking the other way to basically do what it needs to do.

When the Arab revolution part I stopped, and they woke up to see what was really happening Israel was on the map. Israel was not on the map before. When this dusts settles, the West Bank which is supposed to be part of the Palestinian state, will be on the map of Israel. This is what the whole story is. You have to look at all the players and see what they will get out of it.

So now you know that Israel was behind the Tunisian guy who set himself on fire and with all the Tahrir Square protesters. It's all so clear, as long as you listen to this guy in Louisiana who got his doctoral degree in international relations from world-renowned Bernelli University in St. Kitts.

Take that, Roger Cohen!

Then again, a leader of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood is more aligned with Cohen:

I say to every Muslim, Christian, and human being in these places: Protect your unity, your nation, and your honor, and do not let yourselves be humiliated. Get rid of the control of the US and Israel. This is a conspiracy aimed at destroying this region, starting with Afghanistan, and continuing with Iraq, Lebanon, Sudan, and so on. Everybody must treat this matter seriously.

We must know who our enemies are and who our friends are, and we must all stand as one against the American-Zionist tyranny, which has penetrated our region and destroyed its foundations.

YNet needs to learn how to read polls

From YNet:

Israel is one of the least popular countries in the world, according to a survey conducted by Globescan for the BBC in 27 different states.

More than 28,000 people were polled between December of 2010 and February of this year in a survey designed to gauge attitudes towards various countries worldwide.

Just 21% of those polled expressed a positive opinion of Israel, while 49% expressed a negative attitude towards the Jewish state. However dismal, the numbers are still an improvement from last year, when just 19% were pro-Israel.

Of the 17 countries included in the survey, only three were found to be less popular than Israel – Pakistan, North Korea, and Iran – with 17% and 16% of those polled supporting them, respectively. More than 55% of those polled expressed a negative attitude towards these states.

When looking at a poll, it is critical to know the question being asked.

And the question being asked in this poll was not "how much do you like country X?" as YNet seems to imply. It was:

Please tell me if you think each of the following countries is having a mainly positive or mainly negative influence in the world:

That is a completely different question and it is not a popularity question (although some of the surveyed will of course think of it that way.)

Also, since the poll started, Israel's numbers have been generally rising! Amongthe bottom of the list, only Israel's ratings went up this year, while Pakistan, North Korea, and Iran went down.

The one troubling part is that while Americans who were positive about Israel's influence stayed the same, the number who were negative increased by 10%.

I'm not trying to say that Israel's numbers would be great if it was a popularity poll, but reporters need to learn to understand basic English.

One other thing: The poll only asks people about 17 countries. No Arab countries are on the list. How would Saudi Arabia, or Libya, or Syria, or even Egypt rank in this list? Who knows? But I would guess that the world does not have warm feelings for those countries' influence either. So when Arab news outlets trumpet this report that Israel is ranked so low, it makes one wonder how they would perform.

And how come the BBC doesn't think that they should be included.

Thousands of Muslims attack Christian homes, church in Egypt

From CBN News:

At approximately 3A.M. Saturday, a mob of several thousand Muslims attacked, burned and looted Christian homes and the Virgin Mary and St. George Church. Sources tell CBN News police did not respond to calls for help. Firefighters were reportedly turned away and an Egyptian Army unit nearby was slow to respond. When soldiers riding in three tanks finally arrived on the scene, some village elders insisted that everything was under control and they turned the soldiers away.

The Assyrian International News Agency reports that the Muslim mob chanted “Allahu Akbar” as it destroyed the church. No Copts were killed in the incident. The number of homeless Christians is unknown at this time.

And some background - the riots happened because of Muslims killing Muslims over whether they should perform an honor killing of a Muslim woman who had a relationship with a Coptic man:

Coptic contacts told CBN News, the Muslim mob that attacked the Christians did so at the urging of Mullah Ahmed Abu El-Dabah. They said during noon prayers at his mosque last Friday, March 4th, the imam told attendees the “kaffirs” (infidels) had caused a lover’s dispute that led to the death of two Muslims the day before. He allegedly incited Muslims to rid the town of all Christians.

40-year old Coptic Ashraf Iskander was reportedly in a relationship with a Muslim woman. Village elders— Muslims and Christians agreed that Iskander needed to leave the village. CBN News has learned that the woman’s father entered into a heated argument with his cousin and the cousin demanded that more be done. He insisted it was not enough for Iskander to leave the village—the woman had dishonored the family and should be killed. The woman’s father argued that his daughter not be killed; only Iskander should be required to leave. Guns were drawn and the cousin killed the woman’s father. The woman’s brother then killed the cousin to avenge the death of the father.

Muslims killing Muslims over whether they should kill another Muslim - and the Christians get attacked.

The latest Ma'an-fueled anti-Israel protest: EPIC FAIL

Ma'an once again is publicizing an otherwise marginal protest against Israel.

Just like last week's breathless story about a "million man protest" at Israeli embassies that was based on a tiny Facebook group that had only a few dozen followers, Ma'an yesterday reported on another way to fight Israel:

Young Palestinians have started a campaign on Facebook, encouraging others to write "Free Palestine" on Israeli currency in a new bid to spread the message.

According to the campaign's Facebook page, the initiative stems from the organizers' "firm belief in non-violent national resistance."

Israeli shekels are used in the West Bank and Gaza, and organizers say by writing on the bank notes Palestinians can advocate change and play a role in resistance to Israel's occupation and its unjust policies towards Palestinians.

This Facebook group is also minuscule, with 123 members - hardly newsworthy for anyone who knows anything about Facebook.

Alas, today Ma'an is forced to reveal that its latest attempt to help fuel protest rather than report real news is a bust:

The Palestinian Banking Society warned Sunday, against a new protest-tactic that would see Palestinians pen the phrase "Free Palestine" on Israeli bank notes, in a plan designed as a non-violent resistance tactic.

The plan, warned the society, could prompt Israeli banks to refuse the bills, making what a statement said would be a "costly protest."

On account of the problem, the statement said, Palestinian banks would not accept notes with the slogan written on them.

"With all appreciation due to the good intentions of the organizers if the initiative, the society urges all citizens to understand the negative impact the act could have on the Palestinian economy," the statement said.

Oops.

Not to worry. Maybe some 12-year old will come up with an idea to scrawl "Free Palestine" on all license plates, and Ma'an will be right there to report on this groundswell and make its audience think that it is a brilliantly new, innovative, major initiative.