Elder Of Ziyon - Israel News

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Alternate reality: Syria congratulates Iran on anniversary

President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday sent a congratulatory cable to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran on the anniversary of the Victory of the Iranian Islamic Revolution.

In his cable, President al-Assad expressed, on behalf of the Syrian people and on his own behalf, heartfelt and best wishes to President Ahmadinejad and the friendly people of Iran.

Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister Dr. Fayssal Mikdad said that the Iranian revolution was a great event in the region.

The remarks came during the celebration of the victory of the Iranian Islamic Revolution held in the Iranian Embassy in Damascus.

The event was attended by the Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi, Speaker of the People's Assembly Mohammad Jihad al-Lahham, in addition to ministers and partisan figures.

Mikdad stressed that the Iranian revolution converted all equations in the region as the USA and other countries were trying to make it a servant to Israel and the Shah of Iran.

He stressed that the bright image of the Iranian revolution is embodied in its support to the Arab issues, hailing the Iranian political and economic support to Syria.

He said that Syria is fighting a war on behalf of all honest Muslims against the enemies of Arabism and Islam.

Dr. Mikdad highlighted that the Syrian-Iranian relations will remain strong despite all plots, stressing that the political program symbolize the ambition of the Syrian leadership to reach a solution to the crisis in Syria through dialogue and reconciliation.

For his part, Iranian Ambassador in Damascus Mohammad Riza Shebani stressed that Syria's enemies were broken in front of the resistant Syria.

He stressed that solving the crisis in Syria can be achieved only through ending violence and preventing gunmen from receiving funds and weapons.

This must be what reading Pravda was like in the 1970s.

Latest horror: Israel provides too many high quality goods to Gaza!

First, everyone used to complain about that "siege" that Israel supposedly had on Gaza? And how somehow Gazans managed to still get lots of consumer items anyway? And how the media tried to spin it?

Then they moved the goalposts, saying that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza that had been a media meme since at least 1993 was not really a humanitarian crisis per se, but more a crisis of "dignity."

Now that Gaza has far more consumer goods, exports are going up dramatically and the tunnel trade has been hurting because of the amount of aid coming from Israel, the Israel-haters need to find another theme - another reason to hate Israel. After all, we all know Israel is evil, so they must be guilty of something.

Al Monitor uncovers the latest nefarious Israeli crime:

Walking into a supermarket in Gaza might come as a great surprise for a person visiting the coastal enclave for the first time. At first glance, the visitor would be amazed by the level to which the shelves are packed with all kinds of products, ranging from basic food supplies to expensive chocolates and Coca-Cola. A father pushing a heaped stroller, or a toddler restlessly pulling her mother's hand and pointing at a lollipop, are scenes one is likely to encounter.

A closer look into the shelves, however, reveals a paradox that finds a manifestation in almost every aspect of life in Gaza. On the surface, everyone seems to be normally going about their daily lives, but even purchasing behaviors are controlled by Israel. The Israeli government brags about the truckloads it allows into the Strip through the Karem Abu Salem commercial crossing point, but it always forgets, deliberately or not, to mention that the products that enter the Strip through this very crossing are mostly marked with 729, the made-in-Israel barcode.

First-time visitors are usually lured by this façade of normalcy. Many wonder how a territory under siege can have all that it has, and the supermarket example is often cited to prove that the blockade is not as bad as is often publicized in the media.

This simplistic view of the terms "siege" and "occupation" make it necessary to clear out some of the common misrepresentations of what it means to force a population of 1.6 million to live under a military siege and occupation for more than five and sixty years respectively.

First, it is important to note that life under siege does not mean that the population in question is necessarily starving. However, it necessarily means that this population constitutes a huge consumer market to its jailer — Israel in this case.

The Palestinian people in Gaza are forced to import and buy Israeli goods. With Israel's restrictions on local production and its more-than-once bombardment of Palestinian factories, it has become almost impossible for the besieged population to use available resources for local production.

Prior to Israel's deadly assault on the Turkish aid flotilla in late May 2010, Israeli products barely reached the Strip. But after a massive wave of criticism that was hailed on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he vowed to "ease" the blockade. Netanyahu fulfilled his promises. What followed was a tremendous inflow of Israeli goods that continues to be pumped in to this day.

The problem associated with consuming the goods of the occupying authority has two faces at least. Israeli products are high-priced, and, with few alternatives in place, Palestinians are forced to pay more for products that could be much cheaper if produced locally....

This means that 38.8% of Gazan people cannot afford the prices charged for the goods. [Yes, the author, a student of Business Administration in Gaza, claims that people classified as "poor" in Gaza cannot afford Coke. - EoZ] For them, the siege is more than whether the supermarket shelves are crammed; it is the fact that it makes them poor and causes difficult life conditions.

Due to the higher quality of Israel's exports to Gaza, combined with restrictions on domestic production, local businesses can hardly compete and rapidly lose market share to their Israeli counterparts. With limited amounts of money going for domestic production, Palestinian factory owners do little to enhance the quality of their output.

Notice the theme of Israel somehow restricting local Gaza businesses from producing locally sourced products. How exactly Israel controls local Gaza businesses is unexplained.

The more complex face of the problem lies in that Palestinians not only boost Israel's economy, but also make the occupation less costly. Israel, which denies the Palestinian people in the occupied territories the right to vote in the country's elections, controls what they eat and how they furnish their houses. Palestinians are made to fund the illegal settlements in the West Bank and deadly assaults such as that waged against Gaza in November, to name only two.

Gaza has a number of furniture factories that have, this season, exported goods. which means they are in business. Which means that they are selling in Gaza as well. Which means that the author is, simply, lying.

Living under siege does not result in a famine such as that in Somalia and other parts in Africa. It results in deteriorated living conditions and forced consumerism of the besieged population.

Today's Gaza crisis: is now "forced consumerism." Not quite as sexy as "starvation" but when you hate Israel, you take what you can get.

This is similar to the laughable argument that Noam Sheizaf of 972 once made about a post of mine noting Israeli goods in Gaza markets, saying that Gazans were "forced" to buy them. I wondered if that included Chanukah coins, ice cream and snacks that were prominently displayed in these supermarkets, complete with Hebrew signage. Somehow, people who are "forced" to buy Israeli - whom Sheizaf claimed demanded that the world boycotts Israeli goods - couldn't find it in themselves to boycott non-essential snacks.

He never answered, of course.

By the way, outside of the flooding, nothing is stopping the tunnel trade from resuming and bringing quality, low cost Egyptian goods into Gaza to tap that huge market of people who cannot afford the expensive Israeli items. The free market is a powerful force, and the tunnel trade proved that Gazans can get what they want despite Israeli restrictions.

The entire article is a jumbled set of pseudo-facts intended to push the "Israel is bad" theme, without making a coherent argument. Of course, the fact that Gaza is run by a government sworn to utterly destroy Israel remains unmentioned in this nonsensical screed demanding, well, I'm not sure what. Cheaper potato chips? Unlimited imports and exports through Israel without any charge?

Egypt, which shares a border with Gaza, is also remarkably absent in this article.

And no wonder. The writer is also a contributor to Electronic Intifada, where truth is a far lower priority than anti-Israel propaganda.

(h/t Arnold)

Sunday links

From Ian:

Missing Peace: Report: Arab countries withheld donor money because of PA refusal to negotiate with Israel

"According to Palestinian media, several ‘heavyweight’ Arab countries have been pressuring PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas to step down because of his firm stances towards negotiations with Israel.
Abbas and other PA officials have criticized Arab countries who pledged to donate $ 100.000.000 a month to alleviate the severe financial crisis in the Palestinian Authority. Until now that money has not arrived.
Palestinian sources now reveal that the refusal to transfer these funds to the PA is connected to Abbas’ refusal to enter negotiations with Israel."

US may up Iran pressure in return for progress with Palestinians

White House said open to deal being worked out by Netanyahu aides ahead of Obama visit next month, Sunday Times reports
US President Barack Obama will reportedly offer to up pressure on Iran in exchange for Israeli concessions toward the Palestinians when he visits Israel next month.

Hamas blames Abbas after unity talks falter By Khaled Abu Toameh

Abu Marzouk, a senior Hamas member, holds Abbas responsible for the failure of the Egyptian-sponsored Cairo reconciliation talks.
"Hanna Amireh, member of the PLO Executive Committee, said that differences erupted between Hamas and Fatah as soon as they started talking about the details regarding the formation of a unity government and holding new presidential and legislative elections. He said the two sides also failed to reach agreement on holding new elections for the PLO’s parliamentin- exile, the Palestine National Council."

Ayalon: J'lem should recognize Palestine at UN
Outgoing deputy FM: Israel should give Palestinians sovereignty, for recognition of Israel as Jewish home, security arrangements.

"Israel will give the Palestinians sovereignty and independence and in return, they will recognize Israel as the national homeland of the Jewish people and will guarantee security arrangements," he said.
Ayalon called on Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to say to the Palestinians: "I am prepared to recognize you, but you have to recognize me."
Ayalon also said Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas must state in Arabic - rather than in Hebrew or English - that he recognizes Israel as the national homeland of the Jewish people. He opined that such a statement would have a huge impact on generations to come.

Liberman says peace with Palestinians impossible
Ahead of Obama's visit, former foreign minister says "tsunami" shaking Arab world makes solving conflict "impossible."

"Liberman ticked off in a Channel 2 interview the assassination last week of the opposition leader in Tunisia, the terrorist murder last week of dozens of people in Iraq, and the killing of 117 people in Syria on Friday, and said it was not realistic to think it possible in this environment to reach a comprehensive peace accord with the Palestinians.
“Anyone who thinks that in the center of the diplomatic, political and social tsunami that is shaking the Arab world it is possible to get a magical solution of comprehensive peace with the Palestinians does not understand,” he said."

Preachers of hate who spread their violent word on British TV channels
Muslim fundamentalists have used British television channels to preach in favour of violent crime and killing “apostates”.

"The communications watchdog, Ofcom, has made a series of rulings against channels which allowed “inflammatory” material to be broadcast in breach of rules which forbid extreme opinions gaining a platform on British television.
The cases, disclosed today, include examples of an imam telling viewers that those who disrespect the prophet Mohammed should be killed, and another broadcaster saying homosexuals should be beaten and tortured."

"Message from Saddam" shoes hurled at US diplomat in UK Parliament
US diplomat Paul Bremer was pelted with shoes at a meeting in the British Parliament this week - exclusive footage

"As the shoe-thrower was bundled out of the room, Mr. Bremer insisted, "If he had done that while Saddam Hussein was alive, he would be a dead man by now," a statement which was met by a large round of applause."

BBC Watch: ‘Hardtalk’ presenter gets reality check from Khaled Masha’al
On February 7th and 8th 2013, BBC Two and BBC News broadcast an edition of the flagship interview show ‘Hardtalk‘ from Doha with Khaled Masha’al as its guest.

At 04:31 Sackur interjects:
“But I just want to nail down what your current position is on the question of a two state solution to provide a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians. The Saudi newspaper Al Sharq reported just the other day that you are now prepared to accept a two state solution. You have told this, according to the newspaper, to King Abdullah and you’ve asked King Abdullah to…of Jordan…to relay this message to President Obama. Is that true?”Masha’al replies unequivocally:
“This is not true.”

Karnei Shomron Residents Demonstrate Against Arab Attacks
Dozens of residents of the Samaria community of Karnei Shomron protest against ongoing rock-throwing and firebomb attacks.

"Dozens of residents of the Shomron (Samaria) community of Karnei Shomron protested at the entrance to their community on Saturday night.
The residents were demonstrating against the ongoing rock-throwing and firebomb attacks on nearby Highway 55."

Cairo court orders YouTube banned for a month
Egypt blocks video-sharing website for 30 days for showing parts of controversial amateur film denigrating Muhammad

"Judge Hassouna Tawfiq ordered YouTube blocked for carrying the film, which he described as “offensive to Islam and the Prophet (Muhammad).” He made the ruling in the Egyptian capital where the first protests against the film erupted last September before spreading to more than 20 countries, killing more than 50 people.
The ruling, however, can be appealed and, based on precedent, might not be enforced."

Yemen's interior minister says seized weapons were exported from Iran, headed to insurgents

"Yemen's interior minister said Saturday that his country was disappointed to find that a large and diverse cache of weapons seized on a ship last month had been exported from Iran, a finding Washington said underscores Tehran's ongoing evasion of U.N. resolutions.
Speaking in a press conference in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa, Interior Minister Abdel-Qader Kahtan said a Yemeni investigation found that the weapons were destined for armed insurgents. He did not elaborate, saying only that an investigation is ongoing."

Rockets Kill 5 Iranian Dissidents in Iraq
A report whose credibility is unclear says Iranian forces will enter Iraq to suppress rebellion, take over U.S. embassy.

“There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack on the transit camp, a former American military base known as Camp Liberty, adjacent to Baghdad's international airport.
"At 5:30am around 18 Katyusha rockets landed in the camp, west of Baghdad, killing five people and wounding 42," an Iraqi policeman at the base said, speaking to AL Jazeera on condition of anonymity. A spokesman for the interior ministry, however, said only one person had been killed.
Meanwhile, a story that appears on an Iraqi web portal titled "Voice of Iraq" claims that Iraqi and Iranian leaders have agreed that Iranian Basij forces will enter Iran and suppress riots there. The plan reportedly includes the occupation of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.”

Iran says its English channel dropped by satellite
Galaxy 19, which serves US and Canadian audiences, accused of dumping news station Press TV as part of sanctions imposed on Iran

Iran reportedly to recall ambassador to Bulgaria
Tehran mulling downgrade of ties in wake of report on Burgas bombing that fingered Hezbollah

Waldorf in Israel Shows Hotel Investors Defying Security Threats

"In downtown Jerusalem, a new hotel managed by Hilton International under its premiere Waldorf Astoria brand is finishing construction just months after air raid sirens warned residents of rocket attacks from Gaza."

Let them eat hummus, with a Hebrew U breakthrough
More lutein, less need for irrigation makes for a chickpea that may help feed millions better

"Now, a breakthrough in chickpea breeding by Hebrew University Professor Shahal Abbo and his team promises to raise chickpea crop yields, lengthen their growing season, make more land available to farmers for crops, and even produce a more nutritious pea.
And unlike many crops improvements today, the Hebrew U breakthrough did not use genetic manipulation to create a better chickpea."

Not sure why I'm in so much of a mood for graphics today....

Pro- and anti-Syrian journalists almost fight on Hezbollah TV

Al Arabiya reports:

A political talk show about the crisis in Syria on Hezbollah’s television channel turned into an exchange of insults, profanities and almost developed into a fist fight on Friday.

The show brought together two men, each of whom holds starkly different opinions, to debate the Syrian crisis. The result is a nasty verbal fight that highlights the bitter divisions in Lebanon as a whole when it comes to neighboring Syria.

Salem Zahran, Director of the Media Focal Center (Irtikaz) is one of the guests. He is an avid supporter of the Syrian regime. The other guest is Asaad Bishara, a political writer and journalist for Lebanon’s al-Joumhouria newspaper. Bishara supports the Syrian revolution and insists that Bashar al-Assad must be removed from power.

The debate began to heat up when Zahran accused Bishara of working as a “spy” for Israel and called him a “foul.”

Bishara hit back with profanities against Zahran and his family. This was live on the screen of the radical Islamist group Hezbollah.

Deeply provoked and unable to take it, Zahran lashed out against Bishrara with insults and splashed a glass of water at him.

Imad Mirmil, the show host, held Bishara to protect him from the furious Zahran. Seconds later, al-Manar TV suspended the broadcast.

However, the show was back on the screen minutes later and the discussion resumed, this time in a respected manner. The show host apologized, and the two “enemies” shook hands at the end.

MEMRI has the video:

Egyptian homeless children are also being raped

Unreal.

From Egypt Independent:

I read the papers and online testimonials of group attacks on women in the streets. If I had not read the titles, I would have thought the authors had suddenly taken an interest in the daily lives of street children. I would have assumed they had become avid observers who had taken to the street to highlight this prevalence, and its normality in the street culture that very young children live every night.

But no. The titles indicate these testimonials are about younger and older “welaad naas” women of the middle class — because, remember, street kids are the excluded class. These articles are written because “citizens” have been struck, “citizens’” honor has been violated, and “citizens’” human rights have been wronged.

But street children? They aren’t citizens — they don’t even hold IDs. When they arrive, raped, shot or dead in front of the shelter doors, there hasn’t been a crime because a citizen hasn’t been involved. So, no, this flood of articles about harassment, sexual attacks and gang rape on the streets is not about street kids.

But this is the everyday reality for these children, and I have come to know these streets in the way that they have been recently discovered by others. So I thought that maybe by writing this, I could shed a different light — a look from a different angle — on a phenomenon that so many are horrified by and so unfamiliar with.

I am arguing here that this is just one of the ugly faces of the street, just as each human, each friend, has an ugly face, which you get to see, know and get scorned by once you have spent a long enough time with it. Its reality and its crudeness cannot hide forever. The euphoria of the imagined utopia of solidarity that the street brings during revolutionary times begins to crack, and the street and all its non-citizen inhabitants become a reality that you cannot escape.

Talking about scarring — a lot of attention and horror has been expressed following the attack in which a blade was used on one victim of these assaults. I wonder about the irony of the timing of this. Just last month, I took one of my street girls to a generous plastic surgeon who had offered my girls free reconstructive surgery for the scars they suffered during such attacks on the street.

The scarring is part of the street rape culture; any boy or girl who has been raped on the street will be “marked.” This mark, usually a curve under the eye of the victim, will mean they are no longer virgins. Subsequent sexual attacks — and there will be many — will lead to smaller marks anywhere else on the body.

One girl, who none of us at the shelter will ever forget, was lucky. She escaped the scarring on the face but needed 16 stitches on her lower back, where she was knifed as she escaped her rapists.

I am not an expert in conspiracy theories, but I am a consultant on street kids and the risks of the street. And so, when I read the musings that the National Democratic Party, the Muslim Brotherhood or someone else is organizing these mob sex attacks, my better judgment makes me tentative.

I remember that no one paid the four men in their 30s and 40s to gang rape 7-year-old Maya who had been living in the street for just four days before that. The younger the child, the attackers think, the smaller the risk of contracting HIV.

Awwww.

Nine years have lapsed since the death of former Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat, and his widow revealed that she attempted to divorce him over 100 times, but that he prevented her from doing so.

"I loved Arafat, but the marriage to him was a big mistake on my part," said Suha Arafat to the Sabah Turkish newspaper.

“I know there were a lot of women that wanted to marry Arafat. However, it was my fate," said 49-year-old Suha who married Arafat in 1990 when she was 27, and he, 61.

"I was engaged to a French attorney and then I met Arafat. I secretly married him in Tunisia, I didn't even wear a wedding dress then. My mother was against the marriage and later, I understood why. Had I known what I would endure, I clearly wouldn't have married him. True, he was a huge leader, but I was lonely," said Suha.

She revealed that in their 14 years of matrimony, until his 2004 death, she tried leaving him time and again – but to no avail. "I tried to leave him hundreds of times, but he wouldn't let me.”

She described herself as as a "weak link" and claimed that her husband's war with Israel led to the gossip.

“It (gossip) actually all began due to the uprising (intifada) against Israel. Yasser was fighting against the strongest lobby, media and nation, in other words Israel. I was the weakest link,” she said.

More J-Street Memes!

Some great stuff was posted in response to my request to counter J-Street's call for memes.

From c03x1s7:

From Eric J.

And I made one more:

Keep them coming!

Egyptian Islamic Jihad threatens violence

From Egypt Independent:

Sheikh Osama Qassem, a prominent Egyptian Islamic Jihad member, has said that violence is an option to defend President Mohamed Morsy, while also supporting a hardline cleric's recent fatwa allowing the assassinations of NSF members.

Qassem said in an interview with Al-Masry Al-Youm published on Saturday that Islamists would carry weapons to defend Morsy if "saboteurs" continued to attack state establishments.

Qassem is considered the mufti for the once violent Egyptian Islamic Jihad, and spent 25 years in prison after being accused of assassinating the late president Anwar Sadat.

Asked about the latest statement by hardliner cleric Mahmoud Shaaban, Al-Azhar University professor, who had earlier issued a fatwa allowing the killing of NSF leaders, Qassem said that secular figures "deserved" to die.

Qassem added that Sharia allowed the killings, saying that people who protest violently against a ruler were guilty of "Haraba," a Quranic term defined as committing grievous crimes that "sow corruption and chaos on earth." Perpetrators are subject to severe punishment such as amputation and, in some cases, execution.

“The front deserves Haraba punishment,” he added, describing it as a head of sectarianism.

Qassem also said that the organization would return to its former violent ways as a last resort if security forces were "reluctant" to confront opposition members.

He also said some stuff against the Salafis, saying that they were supporters of Mubarak.

Egypt is like a slow-motion train wreck that cannot be stopped.

Saturday night links

While I do some shoveling...
From Ian:

How Israel’s Enemies Misrepresent the Geneva Convention

"Critics and enemies of Israel, including members of the UN and organs such as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) have come to use the Geneva Convention as a weapon against Israel, even when statements by authoritative analysts, scholars and drafters of the document contradict everything said by those who distort history for politically motivated reasons.
It is common knowledge that from its birth, Israel customarily follows international humanitarian law without being told or forced to do so by outside authorities."

Sarah Honig: Another Tack: That unwitting indecency revisited
Such rants may well have been inspired or intensified by unfair and unbalanced media coverage.

"Ever since my column, “That unwitting indecency,” saw light two weeks ago, I’ve needed to occasionally consult the mirror to make sure I hadn’t morphed into a hideous monster that feeds on Irish tots.
The column recounted my encounter in Cahersiveen, a tiny Irish township, with pupils hoisting “Save Palestine” placards and soliciting funds for supposedly oppressed Palestinians – all on a school-day morning, as part of an organized school event. Their familiarity with Israel’s ongoing struggle to avoid annihilation can safely be judged as less than minimal."

Report: Hagel Received Funding From “Friends of Hamas”

"According to a senate aide, senators have “specific concerns with regard to foreign contributions to the Atlantic Council by Saad Hariri (or the Hariri family), Dinu Patriciu, Kazakhstan, and Bidzina Ivanishvili.” But according to a senate source who spoke to Breitbart News, Hagel has also received money from an organization called “Friends of Hamas.”

British MP Summoned by Party Bosses for his Continued Slander of Jewish Community

"David Ward, the Liberal Democrat MP, has been summoned by party bosses for his continued verbal assault on Israelis and Jews. The party was quoted by the BBC as saying that “further decisions” would be taken about David Ward."

BBC does yet another makeover on Ward remarks

"Obviously, the BBC just does not ‘get it’ – despite the subject having been addressed by
numerous commentators in recent weeks. This is at least the fourth occasion upon which the BBC has tried to distort Ward’s original statement by claiming that he was referring to “the Jews in Israel”.

CIF Watch: Harriet Sherwood neglects to mention one large Arab state bordering Gaza

"In 2011, it took Guardian editors nearly a month to correct Sarah Irving’s omission relating to Rafah, upon which they added the following text:
This article was amended on 15 December 2011. The original said the Israeli border authorities controlled all routes into the West Bank and Gaza. This has been corrected.We look forward to observing how long it takes them to correct Harriet Sherwood’s latest error about Gaza’s southern border."

Efforts to Shut Down Dissent at Anti-Israel Brooklyn College Event Reported

"Melanie Goldberg, an Israel Campus Coalition intern says she and three other students were escorted out by security because they would not relinquish BDS fact sheets that were in their possession.
“One of the SJP (Students for Justice in Palestine, which organized the event) members came over and got really close to my face and told me to give him the sheets, or he would call security. I told him I would not. We were simply taking notes so we could ask informed questions like we were encouraged to do by the school and Political Science Department,” Goldberg told The Algemeiner."

Hamas: We'll send aid money to PA if necessary

Hamas official says Gaza has achieved self-sufficient economy, would send emergency aid to PA "if West Bank policies changed."

One dead, over 100 injured as police, protesters clash in Cairo
Tens of thousands of anti-Muslim Brotherhood protesters take to the streets across Egypt

“Egypt’s opposition is demanding Morsi form a new coalition government, open an investigation into the killings of protesters over the past months and give guarantees that upcoming parliamentary elections will be fair and free. They also want him to form a commission to amend the country’s newly adopted constitution, which was drafted by an Islamist-led panel and approved last December in a contentious referendum.”

Egypt Slams US Senator's 'Morsi Is Our Enemy' Comments
Egypt’s Foreign Minister harshly criticized Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) on Thursday for calling President Morsi an “enemy” of the US.

"Egypt’s Foreign Minister harshly criticized Sen. James Inhofe, the top Republican on the Armed Services Committee, on Thursday for calling President Mohammed Morsi an “enemy” of the United States."

Jewish cemetery desecrated in Tunisia
Human skeletons reportedly found outside their graves in Kef, second vandalism incident in a month

"On Feb. 4, unidentified individuals smashed and overturned ten gravestones in Kef in Western Tunisia, according to the Tunisia News Network.
An earlier incident in the coastal Tunisian town of Sousse left more than 68 Jewish graves ransacked and looted on Jan. 23, according to the Tunisian Shems FM radio station."

Jewish FM of Argentina Accuses Israel of Causing Anti-Semitism

"In a recent meeting with Israel’s ambassador to the country, Argentina’s Foreign Minister, Hector Timerman, who is Jewish, told Dorit Shavit that Israel’s demand for an explanation into a recently formed Argentina-Iran probe commission “gives ammunition to anti-Semites.”

EU and Israel research crime-stopping drones
The EU and a large Israeli military contractor are co-funding research to build drones that can stop moving boats and cars.

"Launched in January, the three-year-long Aeroceptor project, according to its own literature, aims to help law enforcement authorities to stop "non-cooperative vehicles in both land and sea scenarios by means of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles."

Samsung to Invest in Israel for Product Innovation

"Samsung Electronics has opened a $100 million fund dedicated to innovative applications of product systems and components of its various digital gadgets. Part of the fund will be directed to projects in Israel."

J-Street wants memes? Let's give them some memes!

J-Street is starting a contest for their people to make those irritating lolcats-type memes. Here are a couple of their examples:

So I spent three minutes to make a couple starring J-Street's Jeremy Ben-Ami:

I know you guys can do better...

(h/t RL)

Friday links

From Ian:

Latma: Iranians in Space

Analysis: Arab daily praises Israel, gets bashed
Dr. Amal al-Hazzani receives flood of hate mail for his article published in 'Asharq al-Awsat'

“The popular Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat published two articles recently that presented a relatively positive view of Israel compared to the usual strongly negative image of the country in the Arab media.
Dr. Amal al-Hazzani, an assistant professor at King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, wrote an article about a week ago titled “The Israel we do not know ” – and received a flood of hate mail. He went on to write another article, published Thursday, responding to the harsh reaction.
A look at the two articles, as well as the public response, is telling of where the acceptable boundaries in Arab culture lie when it comes to discussion of Israel."

The Hamas-Egyptian Alliance by Khaled Abu Toameh

"During last week's street clashes in Cairo, anti-Morsi demonstrators torched Hamas and Qatari flags. They also chanted slogans condemning Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood organization for bringing Hamas militiamen to suppress Egyptian protesters.There is no doubt that Hamas is prepared to do its utmost to help Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood organization stay in power, even at the cost of killing and torturing Egyptian civilians. The downfall of the Mubarak regime has been a great blessing for Hamas, which has since emerged as a major player in the Palestinian and regional arena.
Thanks to Morsi, an Egyptian prime minister visited the Gaza Strip for the first time ever last November to express solidarity with Hamas during Israel's "Pillar of Defense" military operation. Such a visit would have been unthinkable under Mubarak, who did everything he could to weaken Hamas and stop it from meddling in the internal affairs of Egypt."

CIF Watch: The Guardian takes note of a Middle Eastern country not involved in “rendition”

"On the other hand, it does not take much effort to see other countries, frequent critics of Israel, with well-organized, well-funded groups constantly threatening it with boycotts, decrying its policies and so forth, and even supporting its enemies with weapons and money.
There was a February 5th, 2013 column in the Guardian about this, too: CIA rendition: more than a quarter of countries ‘offered covert support’ . To my surprise, the Guardian managed to take note of Israel’s absence from the list of 54 countries:
"Other countries are conspicuous by their absence from the rendition list: Sweden and Finland are present, but there is no evidence of Norwegian involvement. Similarly, while many Middle Eastern countries did become involved in the rendition programme, Israel did not, according to the OSJI research."

Jordan: Cartoonist rejects award over ‘Zionist links’

“The cheque I received was signed by Lurie himself. Then I did some research about him and asked colleagues in the profession about him and discovered that he has connections with the Zionist entity [Israel],” Jafari told The Jordan Times.
“I refused to accept the award because it is funded by Lurie who is known for supporting the Zionist entity and has a history of dealing with the Zionist movement. I cannot accept an award from such a person,” the cartoonist said, adding that “Lurie has never condemned any of Israel’s practices against the Palestinians”.
“Although this is a UN award that is judged by international experts, when I realised it is funded by someone who is pro-Israel, I decided to refuse it,” Jafari added."

Syria denies Israel hit arms convoy
Assad’s UN ambassador reiterates claim that the IAF struck a research facility, killing civilians

Daniel Pipes Is Turkey Leaving the West?

"Turkish steps toward joining the Shanghai group highlights Ankara’s now-ambivalent membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, starkly symbolized by the unprecedented joint Turkish-Chinese air exercise of 2010. Given this reality, Erdoğan’s Turkey is no longer a trustworthy partner for the West but more like a mole in its inner sanctum. If not expelled, it should at least be suspended from NATO."

Will we listen to the new Coptic Pope?
Pope Tawadros, and the flock he leads, need the support of his co-religionists and human rights activists in the West. Will he get it?

"In a widely broadcast interview with journalists from the Associated Press, Tawadros condemned Egypt’s recently approved constitution which many believe will be used as a tool to justify the oppression of Coptic Christians and women in the Arab world’s most populous country. He also criticized Egyptian President Mohammad Morsi for failing to protect the rights of Coptic Christians."

Egypt opposition heads get more security post-fatwas
Ultraconservative cleric goes on TV to justify sexual assaults on female protesters

"One hardline Muslim cleric on an Egyptian TV station justified sexual assaults on women protesters. Others issued religious edicts saying opposition leaders must be killed. Television screeds by ultraconservative sheiks are raising fears of assassinations here a day after a top anti-Islamist politician was gunned down in Tunisia.
Egyptian security officials on Thursday beefed up security around the homes of Egypt’s main opposition politicians, citing the possibility of a Tunisia-type killing after the edicts, or fatwas. The office of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi and his prime minister denounced the edicts and the top prosecutor began an investigation into one of the clerics.
Two well-known ultraconservative clerics sparked an uproar with their edicts several days ago saying Sharia, or Islamic law, required the killing of opposition figures. A third fanned the flames by justifying a string of mob sexual assaults on women protesters in Cairo’s Tahrir Square."

MEMRI: Egyptian Salafi Cleric Mahmoud Shaaban Calls to Kill National Salvation Front Leaders VIDEO

Iran’s supreme leader rejects direct talks with US
‘We will not be frightened by the threats,’ says Khamenei, calling sanctions a gun held to his country’s head

Iranians support nuclear program despite sanctions
Gallup survey calls into question effectiveness of sanctions regime as US urges renewed talks with Iran over its nuclear program.

"Asked whether or not Iran should continue to develop its nuclear power capabilities, 63 percent of Iranian adults responded in the affirmative, while only 17% said the country should stop. 19% either refused to answer or responded that they did not know.
The data is particularly striking considering that most Iranians believe that sanctions are indeed greatly affecting the livelihoods of ordinary citizens.

Japan inaugurates statue honoring Israeli tsunami aid

"Two years after a massive tsunami ravaged the eastern seaboard of Japan, the people of one of the hardest hit towns, Yanmei-Sanriku, have inaugurated a statue honoring the assistance that Israel provided in their darkest hour.Titled "Rebirth and Resurrection", the statue was produced by Israeli artist David Susanna, and was installed in front of the municipal offices and temporary Israeli hospitals established in Yanmei-Sanriku."

Segway’s out; Israel’s Muve a new way to move around
Car designer-inventor meets 3D software company to produce a cleantech ‘backpack on wheels’ that eases congestion

"Where the Segway failed, the Muve will succeed. Thus predicts Amir Zaid, inventor, with the help of design software company Autodesk, of what he hopes will be the next big thing in urban transportation."

Barry Rubin: Important Announcement: 13 Books full Text Free on our Site

"Today, we are launching a new and innovative project, which you might find of interest. The GLORIA Center is putting 13 of my published books on our site, free and full-text to be read online or easily downloaded. The books are available in HTML and PDF and will soon be available for download in all other formats."

Today's fake PCHR "civilian"

As I had noted already last November, Hamas drags its feet in publishing many of its "martyr" obituaries. This way, in the initial aftermath of an Israeli operation, the reports are filled with reports of "civilian" casualties, often by media relying on PCHR or the Hamas-controleld gaza Health Ministry to determine whether someone is a civilian or not.

Then, when Hamas finally admits quietly that some of these so-called "civilians" are really Hamas jihadists, no one notices.

Here are the latest examples.

From PCHR:

At approximately 15:30, Israeli warplanes fired 2 missiles at 2 cars that were traveling near the Future Club in al-Sabra neighborhood, in which 5 civilians, including a pair of twins, were traveling. As a result of this attack, 5 civilians were killed:
1- Subhi Nemer Mohammed Dughmosh, 29;
2- Salah Nember Mohammed Dughmosh, 29;
3- Ahmed Jameel Hamdan Dughmosh, 30;
4- Zaki Saeed Mohammed Qadada, 42; and
5- Mosab Mahmoud Rushdi Dughmosh, 25.

Hamas' obituary for Mosab Mahmoud Dughmosh says that he joined the al-Qassam Brigades terror group in early 2010. He participated in many "jihad missions" and that he participated in hostilities.

According to the Terrorism Info report from Israel, two of his brothers were members of the Army of Islam and two were in the PRC. Meaning that every single person in both cars targeted by Israel was a terrorist, and not one was civilian.

Israelis saving the world, again

From Technion:

(h/t Ruchie)

"Palestine" in line to become vice chair of UN Arms Trade Treaty talks

From Inner City Press, which often has the best UN coverage of any media outlet:

Palestine is seeking to be a vice chair of the upcoming Arms Trade Treaty talks at the UN, Inner City Press has learned, one of three from the Asia Group along with Japan and South Korea.

...After the General Assembly's November 29, 2012 vote granting Palestine non-member State status at the UN, Palestine is currently on a so-called “clean slate” to be come a vice chair. There will be three from the Asia Group, for now there are only three candidates.

The article notes that the US is not happy:

There is not surprisingly some opposition.

When US Ambassador Susan Rice came out of the Security Council Thursday morning, Inner City Press asked her about "Palestine as a vice chair of the ATT?"

Ambassador Rice told Inner City Press, exclusively, "I don't think it's going to happen. They're not a member state."

During the Security Council's last Middle East debate, Ambassador Rice opposed even the use of the phrase “State of Palestine” on the placard used in the Council.

This is worth watching.

Of course, "Palestine" has great experience in the arms trade. Even this very moment, arms are being imported into Gaza from Libya, Iran and Sudan.

Peaceful Abbas meets Islamic Jihad terror leader for "unity"

From Ma'an:

President Mahmoud Abbas met the leader of Islamic Jihad on Thursday evening, as part of talks on national reconciliation taking place this week in Cairo.

Abbas, the head of Fatah, sat down with general-secretary of Islamic Jihad, Ramadan Shalah and his deputy, Ziad al-Nkhaleh and discussed implementation of the stalled unity deals, official PA news agency Wafa said.

They also discussed Friday's PLO reform meeting, according to Wafa.

This week, a Jihad official said the group might run in elections for the PLO's parliament, the Palestinian National Council.

The PNC is the legislative body of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, which represents Palestinians in exile as well as those in the West Bank and Gaza.

The parliament is presently mainly composed of appointees, and has so far excluded Hamas and Islamic Jihad, which were formed since the PLO's establishment in 1964.

The reconciliation deal between Hamas and Fatah included an agreement to reform the PLO, which has been criticized for failing to represent the whole Palestinian polity.

Remember that the PLO controls the PA (or, from the UN's perspective, the "State of Palestine." Yes, a "state" is controlled by an organization.) So this is a way for a terror group to join the leadership of "Palestine" without elections.

Both Islamic Jihad and Hamas have made it crystal clear that their intentions on joining the PLO are meant to make the organization go back to its original principles of utterly destroying Israel.

Time for a quiz. Will the mainstream media:

Ignore this proof that the "moderate" PLO is moving towards a more explicitly terrorist agenda,
Look at this as a sign that Islamic Jihad is now embracing peace with Israel, or
Tell the truth for once?

The odds are now 70:30:0. So far, the MSM has ignored this meeting.

"Moderate" PA jails young man for insulting Abbas on Facebook

From Ma'an:

A Palestinian court has sentenced a man from the Nablus area to a year in prison for insulting President Mahmoud Abbas on Facebook, officials said Thursday.

The Nablus magistrates court sentenced Anas Saad Awwad, 26, of Awarta village, in absentia to a year in prison after convicting him on charges of criticizing the government, an official said.

Khalil Assaf, the director of the public freedoms committee within an unimplemented unity deal, called the sentence itself an insult to the president, not the supposed crime of criticizing him.

Assaf called on the court to reverse the ruling.

The defendant had been detained previously on similar charges, but was released after paying a fine, according to his father.

"My son only commented on Facebook. You know how young people comment," he said. "He didn't mean to insult the president. I ask the president to intervene personally to cancel the court's decision."

Awwad's lawyer, Rima al-Sayyed, said her client has been accused of photo-shopping of Abbas wearing a Real Madrid shirt with the caption: "A new striker."

She declined to comment on the sentence, saying it was not final.

Last year Palestinian security forces jailed at least three people accused in separate incidents of criticizing the government on social networking websites.

Amazing how a "moderate" government that does this gets ignored by the Western media, while a certain "hawkish" government next door would be the subject of wall-to-wall headlines if anything remotely similar happened.

Does this mean I could be arrested for insulting Abbas if I step foot in Ramallah?

Roundup of crazy Egyptian news

For the second day in a row, a new weapons stash was found in the Sinai.

Another person tried to assault Ahmadinejad in Egypt.

An Al Azhar scholar issued a fatwa to murder members of the political party national Salvation Front:

Lawyer Alaa Eddin Bazzaz filed a complaint accusing the scholar of inciting violence through statements he made during a program broadcast on the Al-Hafiz religious channel on 6 January.

According to Bazzaz, ONTV and Dream channel rebroadcast the statement, in which Shaaban ordered the murder of NSF leaders Mohamed ElBaradei and Hamdeen Sabbahi. Bazazz contends that Shaaban's fatwa misinterprets an Islamic Hadith.

On Thursday the Interior Ministry assigned security to ElBaradei's home as a precaution.The Council of Ministers is also considering legal action against anyone who seeks to incite violence.

The comments were widely condemned by liberal political factions. Al-Azhar's Islamic Research Academy also denounced the fatwa and warned that such statements drive sedition and bloodshed.

But not everyone agrees. Osama Qassem, a Jihadi leader, said he supports the fatwa issued by Shaaban.

Qassem said the NSF is behind weeks of unrest following the 25 January revolution's second anniversary, and should be subject to serious punishments under certain Sharia regulations called Had al-Haraba. The term refers to offenses punishable by death, crucifixion or severing of hands or feet.

A new protest:

Members of the April 6 Youth Movement blocked the road in front of the Giza municipality headquarters on Thursday, declaring Giza an autonomous governorate. They denounced police brutality and the beating of Hamada Saber outside the presidential palace last Friday.

The protests come just hours before Friday’s mass demonstration called for by the National Salvation Front and other revolutionary forces in Tahrir Square. The demonstrators demand the departure of President Mohamed Morsy, the formation of a national salvation government, the trial of the interior minister and the annulment of the Constitution.

Why are so many Egyptians acting so strangely?

Maybe because of this:

There are 22 psychiatric hospitals across the nation operating without a license, National Council for Mental Health (NCMH) Director Hesham Ramez announced on Monday.

The hospitals are illegally treating patients for conditions from addiction to other psychological illnesses, Ramez said. The council has notified the Health Ministry about the problem, as the NCMH itself does not have the power to shut them down.

Ramez said he saw a video clip of patients being stripped, beaten and tortured at one of the illegal hospitals in the Moqattam area.

Thursday links: Hagel wants "reverse optics" on Israel, Zionists banned from hate speech event, BBC still calls Hezbollah terrorists "militants"

From Ian:

Douglas Murray: Paying People to Hate You

"And so it was that I found myself once again in a meeting in the twilight world of Brussels -- an ugly city filled with ugly buildings, ugly overpriced food and overpaid officials. The objective of any visit must always be a hit-an-run: to get in and get out as swiftly as possible, The only reason to go is to try and inject some sense into a city so starved of it. When, therefore, asked to address the matter of what the European Union might do to tackle anti-Semitism, the answer is easy: "Stop funding anti-Semites." What is hard is that this is Brussels, where words are meaningless and nothing makes any sense."

Michael Coren with Douglas Murray: The new anti-Semitism in Britain VIDEO

Britain's PM hasn't visited Israel in seven years
Isn't it about time you hopped on a plane to the Middle East, Mr Prime Minister?

"Britain has a long and somewhat embarrassing history with regard to the Middle East conflict. Our politics is easily misled, our media is often overtly biased and public opinion is apathetic at best, and hostile to the Jewish state in most cases. These are, of course, symptoms of the long-peddled untruths by those that refer to themselves as the 'pro-Palestinian' lobby. These groups masquerade as peaceniks yet insist upon their logos being Palestinian flags draped across Israel in its entirety, and their unofficial anthem remaining, "From the river to the sea".

Hagel Vote Postponed; New Audio Surfaces

"Breitbart News Editor-in-Chief Joel B. Pollak reported today that audio of a 2007 speech--just outside the five-year timeframe of the committee's request--recently surfaced. Hagel, speaking to a conference of the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, said that the U.S. needed to "reverse optics" in its relationship with Israel. "

Richard Millett: Middlesex University bans concerned public from Free Palestine Society hate speech event.

"The event was the Free Palestine Society’s The Case for Boycotting, Divesting, and Sanctions against Israel held last night. The speakers were Lauren Booth, John Rees and Asghar Bukari. The location was Middlesex University in Hendon, a highly Jewish populated suburb of London."

BBC still describing Hizballah as “militants” after Bulgarian announcement

"When a terror attack took place on a bus-load of newly arrived Israeli holiday-makers in Bulgaria last July, some of the BBC reporting on the subject was fairly dismissive of Israeli assessments of the involvement of the Iranian-backed terrorist organisation Hizballah."

UN cuts ties with official tied to false Gaza tweet
De facto firing comes after probe into Kulhood Badawi's tweeting of photo of dead Palestinian falsely attributed to IDF shelling.

"Kulhood Badawi, a veteran public affairs officer in the Jerusalem branch of the United Nations Office of the Coordinator of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), has been "separated" from the UN, say officials in New York.
The de facto firing, publicly explained as a contract non-renewal, comes shortly after the conclusion of an internal investigation lasting almost a year.
The investigation conducted by the UN Development Program centered on a February 2012 Twitter post containing the photograph of a dead Palestinian girl, who Badawi insisted was killed by the IDF during its shelling of Gaza.
Subsequent investigations revealed that it was in reality an archived Reuters photo originally taken in 2006."

New US report shows excessive spending on PA security services

"Nevertheless Palestinian Security services took up over 31% of the Gross Domestic Product in the PA for 2011. On a population of just over two million (Hamas in Gaza has its own security apparatus) the PA maintains 64.687 security employees. That means one member of the security services for every thirty civilians. This must be a world record."

PA gives man 1 year prison for criticizing leaders By Khaled Abu Toameh
The PA sometimes uses a 50- year-old Jordanian law that bans “extending one’s tongue” against the monarch to suppress critics.

Israel Closes Haifa Airport Amid Growing Tensions in the North
The Israel Defense Forces has ordered the closure of Haifa Airport amid growing tensions with Syria and Hezbollah.

"The closure may be related to “mock raids” the Israeli air force has been conducting over Lebanon, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Information.
But the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit told Israel Hayom that the “security needs relating to the air space in the area have been addressed.”

Burgas bombers planned to blow up full bus remotely, officials say
Report blaming Hezbollah continues to make waves, with France saying it will look into possibility of declaring Shi’ite group as terrorsts

Germany warns Hezbollah of ‘consequences’
Bulgarian investigation finds terror group responsible for bombing that killed six

Reporter sorry for suggesting Israel bribed Bulgaria
Financial Times correspondent calls tweet saying Israel could have paid off Sofia to blame Hezbollah ‘ill-conceived’

Egyptian Official: Sinai Will Not Be Used to Threaten Israel
US secretary of defense Leon Panetta spoke to Egyptian counterpart, who affirmed Egypt's commitment to maintaining peace treaty with Israel.

Coptic Pope Tawadros II criticises Egypt's Islamist leadership, new constitution
In interview with Associated Press, Egypt's recently-enthroned Coptic patriarch dismisses country's new national charter and questions efficacy of President Morsi's calls for national dialogue

Making Freud Proud: Abbas Confuses Mohamed Morsi for Mubarak (VIDEO)

Abbas thanks Ahmadinejad for Iran's support By Khaled Abu Toameh
PA president chides leaders over visits to Gaza Strip, calls on Islamic countries to end financial crisis, "Judaization" of J'lem.

CAMERA: Where's the Coverage? Iran, #1 Worldwide in Executing Children, Elected to UNICEF Leadership

"According to its Web site, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) “is the driving force that helps build a world where the rights of every child are realized.” On January 23, the organization issued a press release announcing that its Executive Board had elected a five-member leadership Bureau to include the Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran. You read that right.
Iran leads the world in executing child offenders, those convicted of crimes committed when they were under the age of eighteen."

Iranian Conference Decries 'Zionist' Influence on Hollywood
A rogue’s gallery of conspiratorial anti-Semites gathered in Tehran for a government-sponsored conference on “Hollywoodism.”

Pakistani Nationalist Group Describes All Enemies Including US and India as ‘Zionist’
MEMRI explained, “the organization does not differentiate among Jews, Zionism, Israel, the U.S., or India, all of which it sees as threats to Pakistan and to the cause of Islamist forces.”

Anti-Semitism in France Update
There are too many troubling things to keep up with

"Speaking of Toulouse, a woman wielding a knife was arrested out the Ohr HaTorah school–the site of last year’s shooting–after threatened a 16-year-old boy who was walking out of the school.
“According to Direct Matin, a news website and daily newspaper, the woman shouted anti-Semitic slogans and “appeared mentally unstable.”

Marmara Commission: IDF Investigations Meet Int'l Standards
The Turkel Commission, which was formed in the wake of the deaths of nine Turks on the Mavi Marmara, submits its second report.

"Netanyahu told the Commission’s members upon receiving the report, "I welcome the Commission's determination that, in general, the investigation mechanisms in Israel operate in accordance with the standards set in international law. We will consider the areas in which the Commission has made recommendations regarding changes and improvements."

Moderate Muslims in Canada stand up to fight anti-Zionism, anti-Semitism
TORONTO - If left unchallenged, anti-Israel and anti-Zionist propaganda being spread in Canada will result in violence, warned Sohail Raza, director, Council for Muslims Facing Tomorrow.

“We have a very poisonous situation at hand,” said Raza. “I have no reason not to believe that it’ll turn violent one day: it’s just a matter of time and numbers.... The Muslim population is growing and, with that, are people bringing in their issues: those numbers are growing.”
Last month, speakers at a protest outside the Pakistani consulate in Vaughan blamed Israel, Zionists and the US for terrorist attacks that killed and injured Muslims in Pakistan. A protest across from the American embassy last September featured many of the same speakers blaming Zionists and Americans for an online video, Innocence of Muslims, deemed blasphemous by some Muslims."

Say ‘Hola’ to faster Internet
Program from Israeli startup can get you to your requested page faster, even if it’s a site that is blocked in your country.

“...Hola’s Media Unblocker has turned out to be quite popular, with 7,500 downloads in just its first 10 days. The unblocker app is available as an extension to the Chrome browser – including on the Mac – and is immune to getting re-blocked, Vilenski claims.
Right now, three big US sites are available to Hola users everywhere – Hulu, Netflix and Pandora – but the rest are on their way. Vilenski tried the unblocker in China and was able to access Facebook, normally not available in that country.“The Internet was supposed to be an open platform, where everyone could communicate and anyone could see any content. This restores democracy. We’re opening things up again.”

Also, the opening of an EU-Israel air transport market (h/t Zvi)

How the textbook study whitewashes Palestinian Arab hate (part 2)

Earlier this week, I looked at the report by the Council of Religious Institutions of the Holy Land from the report comparing the textbooks of the Palestinian Authority and those used in Israel.

One section of the report shows, clearly, how biased it is and how the authors bent over backwards to find something positive to say about the Palestinian Arab textbooks and negative things about the Israeli textbooks.

Here is a very telling section of the report:

Examples of positive descriptions of the acts of the other from Israeli books:

One example from an Israeli State school book when discussing the pogrom in Hebron in 1929:

“If not for the brave stand of a British police officer and moderate Arabs who physically defended their Jewish neighbors, the slaughter would have been more awful” (State secular schools, National World 2 - Building a State in the Middle East [התיכון במזרח מדינה בונים - 'ב לאומי עולם], Grade 10, Part 2, p.30, LP345).
Another example:

“‘I saw it as my obligation as a Muslim Arab to offer help to an Israeli soldier injured in an accident’ said Abdullah Yusef Yunes…who offered help and drove an Israeli soldier in his vehicle” (State secular schools, Through the Words: Book D [כנרת .'ד ספר :המילים דרך], 2009, Grade 4, Part 4, p.203, LP1892).

“Abu Salah had long been our friend and neighbor. Only a low stone fence separated our cemetery and his house. In the summer, Abu Salah would bring us coal for the bakery oven, and in the winter, when our car got stuck in the mud, he would bring the milk on his camels” (State religious schools, Open the Gate: Anthology for 6th Grade,[ו לכיתה מקראה :השער את פתחו '], Grade 6, p. 304, LP1254).

As illustrated in two of these examples, positive characterizations of Arabs or their actions in Israeli State books typically refer to individuals rather than to Arabs as a whole or as a nation.

An example of positive description of the act of the other from Palestinian books

The following divine books: 1 - "The messages of Abraham (peace be upon him) and Moses call for belief in God Almighty, worshipping Him, and following noble morals". 2 - The Torah: Was revealed to Moses (peace be upon him) to guide the children of Israel. 3 - The Zabour: Was revealed to David (peace be upon him) with sermons and guidance for the children of Israel. 4 - The Gospel: Was revealed to Jesus (peace be upon him) to guide the children of Israel, and to reaffirm what Moses (peace be upon him) had brought”. Islamic Education part 1 grade 3 p. 17

When it comes to the Israeli textbooks, they denigrate the positive messages by saying they were about individual Arabs and not Arabs as a whole. But humanizing the other side is of course much more effective and has greater impact than only referring to the other side as a nameless mass of people. If the researchers were not biased to find "balance" they would have praised the Israeli books' representation of Arabs.

But more egregious is the single example that they bring of a supposedly positive characterization of Jews in Arab textbooks. They don't refer to Abraham, Moses or David (or Jesus) as Jews - in Islam, they are considered Islamic prophets!

In other words, from what we can tell, there was not a single positive characterization of contemporary Jews in any Arab textbook, while there were quite a few positive characterizations of contemporary Arabs in Israeli textbooks!

Does that sound equivalent to you?