Elder Of Ziyon - Israel News

Monday, July 06, 2009

Its official. The world doesn't care about "Free Gaza."

The Free Gaza website and mailing list asked people to protest at Israeli embassies in Europe on Saturday.

Nobody showed up.

They asked people to go to a press conference in London today for the six members who arrived there after being deported from Israel.

Nobody showed up.

Their last "tweet" about the press conference was nine hours ago, and there are no news stories nor even followups on their own website about it.

Which could mean one of two things. Either the Jewish domination of the press is so all-encompassing that it can even shut up the Free Gaza website itself, or the world simply doesn't care about a group of self-centered hypocrites who deliberately try to get into confrontations with Israel and then whine when Israel treats them like irritating gnats.

They prefer the former explanation. When their website went down for a couple of hours last week they darkly implied they were "hacked." Until their system administrator said it was only a traffic spike that they couldn't handle.

Last year, the boats to Gaza were novel and interesting. Now, the world sees that Hamas has no interest in peace with Israel, peace with the PA nor in taking care of their own people and sympathy for Gazans have gone way down. The world sees that the moonbats are not saying a simgle bad word about rockets or Hamas abductions and torture. The world sees that hundreds of millions of dollars go to Gaza and no progress is made. The world sees that aid to Gaza gets taken over by Hamas.

Even the Israel-haters of the FGM are starting to realize that their Gaza message is getting stale. Now they are pushing a video about prisoners in Israeli prisons, an entirely different focus and one that dilutes their message about Gaza (but stays consistent with theie anti-Israel theme.)

Now they are begging for money, for volunteers, and for people to show up at their publicity stunts.

They're losing the battle that they themselves created the rules for.

And it couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of people.

UPDATE: Dov has pictures of the tiny turnout.

"Mazel Tov" and "L'Chaim!" in Black Eyed Peas song

A coworker just informed me that a song by the Black Eyed Peas includes the lyrics "Mazel Tov" and "L'Chaim."

Sure enough, they are there, horribly misspelled in various lyrics sites.

Fill up my cup (Drink)
Mozolotov (Lahyme)
Look at her dancing (Move it Move it)
Just take it off

Not exactly bubbe-friendly lyrics!

This song has been noticed by the Jewish Journal blog.

The song is pretty catchy, although the lyrics themselves are a bit more raunchy than the music I normally listen to. The video is borderline NSFW, at least in my prudish opinion.

But I acknowledge that I am ancient. I am the Elder, after all.

UPDATE: For a more bizarre use of Yiddish by pop stars, check out the Jackson brothers' (sans Michael) take on Bei Mir Bis Du Schoen (introduction starts around 2:22, song at 3:00)

More on Hamas' latest "martyr"

From Ma'an:

The militant wing of the Hamas movement on Monday announced the death of one of its fighters, Saleem Yaser Abo-Shenar, 18.

In a statement, the Al-Qassam Brigades said the young man from the As-Sabra quarter of Gaza City "was killed in the line of duty and jihadi preparation and training."

The group also said that he died following a long career of resistance in the brigades.

An 18-year old with a "long career" in terrorism?

I wonder at what age he began his illustrious career before ignominiously offing himself.

Also, I seem to have missed another Hebron clan-clash murder from last week, so the 2009 PalArab self-death count is now at 114.

A peek behind the Free Gaza hypocrisy

Today, yet again, Hamas was accused by the PA of torturing many of the Fatah prisoners, beating them and depriving them of sleep.

No one seriously doubts that Hamas, and the PA, torture prisoners. The evidence - and body count - is testimony enough to that.

However, the Free Gaza group is utterly silent about that. To them, only Israel tortures anyone. This despite the fact that the Red Cross routinely visits Arab prisoners in Israel, as opposed to any Hamas or Fatah prisoners in the territories.

A Free Gaza email that was sent today by leader Greta Berlin again ignores Arab torture, instead accusing Israel of torturing 11,000 Palestinian Arabs and saying "Israel outdoes the U.S. in torture, imprisonment and brutality. Where do you think the U.S. learned how to torture?"

Another member accidentally responded to the entire list saying "I recommend to drop the last sentence."

After all, FGM is trying to put world pressure on Israel, not to reveal their anti-American feelings to the world. Saying bad things about the Obama-led US might impact their fundraising efforts.

And, of course, they have no interest in protecting the Palestinian Arabs they pretend to care about from the real torture that they receive from their own people.

So Free Gaza goes on its merry way, pretending to be a humanitarian organization while shielding real terrorists from scrutiny.

Today's PalArab news roundup (7-6-09)

There are reports that Israel approved the PA receiving 1000 Kalashnikov assault rifles.

An 18-year old Hamas man was killed "while doing an act of jihad" in Gaza City. Work accident!

A 22-year old man was stabbed to death in Khan Younis. A suspect in another murder was caught trying to escape through a smuggling tunnel.

Hamas continues to arrest Fatah supporters in Gaza (just as Fatah is doing to Hamas members in the West Bank.)

On Saturday, PA "Prime Minister" Fayyad disingenuously said that the PA is willing to give rights to Jews who choose to live in "Palestine." Another leading PA figure who is negotiating with Hamas in Cairo, Dr. Abu Samhadana, responded that the Fatah position is not to allow a single Israeli to live in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

The Neturei Karta wrote a letter to Hamas giving them advice on how to destroy Israel.

The 2009 PalArab self-death count is now at 113.

Egyptian sheikh in trouble again

Remember last December, when there was an uproar in Egypt over published pictures of Al-Azhar Sheikh Tantawi shaking hands with Shimon Peres?

Reactions were furious that such an awful thing could have happened. Even the Western media soon took notice as Tantawi was advised to decontaminate his hands.

Well, Tantawi is in hot water again, this time for sitting near the same Shimon Peres at an interfaith conference in Kazakhstan.

Here is the incriminating picture. Tantawi is separated from Peres merely by the human mechitza, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Of course this is unacceptable, for as we all know Muslim clerics must be separated from unclean Jews by 30 kilometers.

The reaction in Egypt mirrors that from late last year.

Egyptian MP Mustafa Bakri described what happened as "a scandal in every sense of the word." He said that Tantawi should have withdrawn from the conference as soon as he knew that Peres was going to attend.

A deputy minister, Hazem Farouk, said that Tantawi "sat next to the blood-stained butcher of Arabs and Muslims."

Can't you feel the love?

Fayyad talks of Jews' rights in "Palestine"

From the Aspen Daily News:

Palestinian National Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said Saturday that Jews would enjoy freedom and civil rights in a future Palestinian state.

Fayyad addressed the subject in response to a question from former CIA director James Woolsey at the Aspen Institute’s Aspen Ideas Festival, which included a day of panels on different aspects of the current state of the Middle East.

Woolsey said there are a million Arabs in Israel, accounting for one-sixth of the Israeli population, and that “generally they enjoy the guarantees that Americans look for in the Bill of Rights.”

“Now, if there is to be the rule of law in a Palestinian state, and if Jews want to live in someplace like Hebron, or anyplace else in a Palestinian state, for whatever reasons or historical attachments, why should they not be treated the same way Israeli Arabs are?” Woolsey asked. “That would be, there could be a sixth of the population consisting of them. They could vote for real representatives in a real Palestinian legislature, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and most importantly, be able to go to the sleep at night without worrying someone is going to kick down the door and kill them.”

Fayyad responded by saying, “I’m not going to disagree with you. And I’m not someone who will say that they would or should be treated differently than Israeli Arabs are treated in Israel.

“In fact the kind of state that we want to have, that we aspire to have, is one that would definitely espouse high values of tolerance, co-existence, mutual respect and deference to all cultures, religions. No discrimination whatsoever, on any basis whatsoever.

“Jews to the extent they choose to stay and live in the state of Palestine will enjoy those rights and certainly will not enjoy any less rights than Israeli Arabs enjoy now in the state of Israel,” Fayyad said.

The crowd at the Greenwald Pavilion applauded enthusiastically.

Anyone with eyes will see that the "equal rights' given to Jews would be the same "equal rights" that dhimmis have had in Muslim countries for centuries - meaning, they would be clearly second-class citizens with nothing close to equal rights.

But let's look at the Constitution of "Palestine" and see exactly what kinds of equal rights we are discussing here:

ARTICLE 1

Palestine is part of the large Arab World, and the Palestinian people are part of the Arab Nation. Arab Unity is an objective which the Palestinian People shall work to achieve.

Meaning that non-Arabs are clearly excluded from being member of the "Palestinian People."

ARTICLE 2

The Palestinian People are the source of all power, which shall be exercised through the legislative, executive, and judicial authorities, based on the principle of separation of powers, and in the manner set forth in this Basic Law.

And if you are not a "Palestinian" by their definition - meaning, you are not an Arab - then you do not share in being the "source of all power."

ARTICLE 4

Islam is the official religion in Palestine. Respect and sanctity of all other heavenly religions shall be maintained.
The principles of Islamic Shari’a shall be the main source of legislation.
Arabic shall be the official language.

Well, that's pretty clear.

ARTICLE 9

All Palestinians are equal under the law and judiciary without discrimination because of race, sex, color, religion, political views, or disability.

Not "citizens of Palestine" but "Palestinians." Meaning, again, if you are not a "Palestinian" by their definition you do not enjoy these equal rights. Since we've already defined "Palestinian people" as being Arabs in Article 1, it is clear that Jews would not fit under this definition.

ARTICLE 18

Freedom of belief and the performance of religious rituals are guaranteed, provided that they do not violate public order or public morals.

And the definition of these public morals was given in Article 4 - Shari'a. Meaning that public shows of any religion besides Islam can be shut down according to this pretend-pluralistic constitution.

ARTICLE 24
4. Private school and educational institutions shall comply with the curriculum approved by the Palestinian National Authority, and shall be subject to its supervision.

So the chances that the Palestinian Authority would allow Jewish schools to teach Talmud, for example, are pretty much zero.

ARTICLE 27

Establishment of newspapers and all media means is a right for all, guaranteed by this Basic Law. However, their financing resources shall be subject to law.
Freedom to audio, visual, and written media, as well as freedom to print, publish, distribute, transit, together with the freedom of individuals working in this field, is guaranteed by this Basic Law, other related laws.
Censorship on media shall be prohibited. No warning, suspension, confiscation, cancellation, or restrictions, shall be imposed on media except by law, and in accordance with a judicial order.

We've seen dozens of examples of how this applies in practice, most recently with an Al Jazeera reporter whose videotape was erased by the PA because they didn't like what he was reporting.

ARTICLE 35

Before assuming the office, the President shall take the following oath before the Legislative Council, and in the presence of the Speaker of the Palestinian National Council, the Chief of Supreme Court “ I swear to Allah Almighty to be faithful to the Homeland and to its sacred places, and to the people and its national heritage, and to respect the Constitutional system and the law, and to safeguard the interests of the Palestinian people completely, as Allah is my witness “.

Sounds like a non-Muslim cannot become president of Palestine.

ARTICLE 49

Before taking on any responsibility, every Member [of the Palestinian Legislative Council] shall swear the following oath before the Council: "I swear by Allah Almighty to be faithful to the Homeland, and to preserve the rights and interests of the people and nation, and to respect law and perform my duties in the best manner, as Allah is my witness".

Sounds like a non-Muslim cannot become a member of the Legislature.

ARTICLE 97

The Judiciary branch shall be independent, and shall be assumed by the different types and level of courts. The structure, jurisdiction, and rulings of the courts shall be in accordance with law. The rulings shall be announced and executed in the name of the Palestinian Arab People.

Sounds like a non-Arab cannot become part of the Judiciary.

So even if Fayyad is only saying that Jews in "Palestine" would have rights similar to those of Arabs in Israel, the Palestinian Constitution shows him to be a liar. After all, Israel has had Arab members of Knesset, Arab Supreme Court justices and even, for a short time, an Arab President.

And the constitution is an idealized vision of the most liberal an Arab Palestine ever could be. In reality, such a state would not come close to anything resembling the Western concepts of freedom that it attempts to approximate, and history shows that any Jews who try to gain any political power in an Arab Palestine would be more likely to be massacred than accepted.

Today's PalArab news roundup 7-5-09

Hamas Vice: A female Arab journalist was arrested in Gaza for laughing in public and dressing immodestly. Hamas has a vice squad patterned after the religious police in Saudi Arabia.

Violence in Hebron, not a Jew in sight: Two unrelated murders in Hebron bring the self-death count up to 111. (There was also a clan clash in the Jerusalem, with one dead, but I don't count Arab murders in areas under Israeli control.)

Tit-for tat PalArab accusations: Hamas accused the PA of arresting 14 of its members, the PA accused Hamas of smuggling arms, cash and explosives to the West Bank.

UNRWA summer camps accused of being too tolerant: A Hamas official slammed UNRWA-run camps in Gaza, saying that they were attempting to corrupt an entire generation of Gaza children into accepting Israel as well as teaching boys and girls together.

Gaza cafe torched: Returning to the days before Cast Lead, Islamists in Gaza destroyed a cafe which presumably did not meet their standards for morality.

"Pro-Palestinian Paris bookstore attacked" - Al Arabiya reports a French Arab bookstore was "trashed" by Jewish extremists, possibly from the French Jewish Defense League. The photo of the store shows no damage at all.

Iranian woman flips off Ahmadinejad? UPDATE: No.

I just saw this photo in a Palestinian Arab newspaper:

I didn't see this anywhere else, the source is not given and it might very well be Photoshopped, but it is worth investigating.

UPDATE: Miriam from the Shearim blog knows the scoop - it is Photoshopped, and here is the original picture from FARS next to the altered one:

Free Gaza protests fizzle

Both the Free Gaza movement and the pro-terror ISM from whence it came called for protests outside the Israeli embassies in various European capitals on July 3.

I cannot find a single mention of any protest happening at any Israeli embassy worldwide on that day. Even their own websites don't have stories about any protests.

Which goes to show yet again that they are great at getting publicity, lousy at finding real supporters.

Yup - Bahrain did make a state visit to Israel

Looks like I had a scoop this morning. From Ma'an:

In the Gulf nation's apparent first state visit to Israel, Bahraini officials arrived in Tel Aviv on Friday to accompany five nationals awaiting deportation.

"[T]he Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior sent a mission to Ben Gurion Airport to receive the Bahrainis detained," according to the Bahrain News Agency.

All 21 crew members of an aid ship bound for Gaza, including the five Bahraini citizens, a Nobel laureate and former US congresswoman and the ship itself, were seized and towed to the Israeli port city of Ashdod on Tuesday afternoon.

Friday's official visit was arranged by Bahrain's Foreign Affairs Ministry, according to the news agency, which "contacted several organisations and international bodies along with friendly countries to secure the release of people detained in Israel."

"The efforts resulted in the approval of the Israeli authorities to hand over detainees to the representatives of the Kingdom of Bahrain," the agency reported, adding that its recently returned citizens "were received by the mission from the Israeli authorities and are safe and in good health."

Israel and Bahrain share no formal relations, although the predominately Shiite Muslim Gulf state does have a small but thriving Jewish population, of which one woman is the country's current ambassador to the United States.

So the Free Gaza people actually accomplished something in advancing the relationship between Israel and an Arab nation.

Of course, this is the last thing they wanted to do!

UPDATE: More from the Gulf News:

The extraordinary development marked the first time that Bahraini activists, three women and two men, were held by the Israeli navy and also the first time that a Bahraini official delegation sets foot in an Israeli airport.