Friday, July 19, 2013

  • Friday, July 19, 2013
  • Elder of Ziyon
Al Arabiya has a story about its newest Middle East news competitor:

Israel’s first global 24-hour broadcaster seeks to challenge established global networks on Middle Eastern news and fight “negative” stereotypes about the Jewish state by airing programs simultaneously in Arabic, French and English.

The channel, which has 250 employees, including 150 journalists drawn mainly from the United States and Europe, is headquartered in Luxembourg with studios in the Israeli port city of Jaffa.

The I24 officially launched last Wednesday and is “the brainchild of former French diplomat Frank Melloul with financing from French-Israeli entrepreneur Patrick Drahi,” according to a report by ANSAmed, which is part of the Italian news agency Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata.

Drahi is a Franco-Israeli businessman and telecommunications mogul.

“We want to add a new regional voice besides Al Jazeera, France24, the BBC and CNN,'” the report quoted Melloul as saying.

It remains unclear whether audiences, particularly in the Arab world, will tune in in large numbers to the Israeli channel.

Magda Abu-Fadil, a Lebanon-based media specialist and commentator, said local cable providers and even regional television satellites, such as Arabsat and Nilesat, are unlikely to carry Israel’s I24.

Abu-Fadil noted how in Lebanon some cable providers do not even carry channels belonging to rival political blocs, let alone carry a station that belongs to Israel.

Most Arab viewers who are interested in watching the channel may opt to watch it online, said Abu-Fadil.

..Israel’s I24 will reportedly receive no funding from the Israeli government and seeks to “debunk anti-Israeli prejudice by offering new perspectives,” according to ANSAmed.

A statement by I24 directors said the channel will not act as a “spokesman” for the Israeli government, according to the report.

The station hired Arab-Israeli reporters Suleiman a-Shafi and Lucy Ahrish who have experience in the Israeli commercial television networks.

ANSAmed quoted Shafi as saying that the station’s ambition “is to broaden the range of opinions and make room for human rights and positions both on the right and the left, as well as liberal ideas.”
I watched i24News for a while today. The production quality so far is about on par with what I would expect from a local news channel in a medium-sized market. There are lots of small mistakes, with the news presenters seeming hesitant, stuttering and a little lost at times. The graphics don't always match the story and I saw a misspelling in a caption.

In general, though, the content isn't bad, with interesting stories in the programs I watched. (There was a show called "Bloggers" scheduled for 5:10 PM Israel time today, but instead a show called "Defense" was shown.)

Unlike Jewish News 1, another 24-hour news channel, i24News is not aimed at Jews or even Zionists. Instead, it is meant to be watched by the world at large. As such it has many general programs on pop culture, high tech and so on.

All together, it is a worthy effort. I have no idea how it could possibly break even, but lets hope it survives.
  • Friday, July 19, 2013
  • Elder of Ziyon
Im Tirtzu put together a list of the worst examples of anti-Zionist activities in Israeli academia for people to vote on. Their sarcastic descriptions are well done. For example:

Story 1: Accepting the Other and the Different: ″No Entrance to Jews″, Tel Aviv UniversityOn a winter's night in January, ″Ikra″, Tel Aviv University’s enlightened student group held an event to award scholarships. Participating in the event was the deputy leader of the Islamic Movement, Sheikh Kamal Khatib, who is known – as his religion requires – as a man of peace and love towards his fellow man, who, in a devout display of humanism, declared that Jews are ″fleas trying to harm Al-Aqsa″, and throughout an hour of pure, undiluted good will explained that Israel is ″a flea nesting in the body of the Islamic world and sucking its blood″. His great tolerance was even spread to the masses when he shared his message of solidarity with a police officer who came from Ethiopia: ″An Ethiopian-Negro police officer will not arrest a Muslim!″ Well, in preparation for the arrival of such a tolerant man of religion, Im Tirtzu members wished to see this humanist wonder with their own eyes. The members were overjoyed and filled with happiness and glee to discover that an atmosphere of equality had spread over the event: Jews were forbidden to enter.
Story 2: Award for Ideological Pluralism: Prof. Shifra Sagi and Prof. Hanna Yablonka, Ben-Gurion UniversityAgainst all odds, the administration at Ben-Gurion University invited MK Haneen Zoabi to appear at a convention titled ″Talks about being Israeli″. Her presence must have been extremely necessary, so much so that despite repeated requests, pleas and appeals from the audience, the administration proved admirably resistant. Indeed, how else can the subject of being Israeli be discussed without the official spokesperson of the position claiming that ″the Jewish people have no right to live safely in the State of Israel″? In a show of pluralistic solidarity, Prof. Shifra Sagi and Prof Hanna Yablonka praised the guest of honor for ″having the courage to come to the university″, and in a display of sheer, authentic, intellectual openness, it was made clear to students that whoever argues or responds to Mk Zoabi’s words would win a valuable prize: a special summons to the university’s discipline board.

Story 4: Award for Interdisciplinary Studies: Dr. Ma'ayan Agmon, School of Nursing and Nakba, Haifa UniversityThis year it was proven that one could get around the well- known saying ″there is nothing to revive because everything has already been revived″, an incredibly popular concept among nursing experts. In an amazing display of extraordinary control of current historiographical dialogue, Dr. Agmon succeeded in asserting the presence the paralyzed memory of the Nakba even in an intellectual field that until now was ruled by denial: Nursing studies. In her lessons in the course ″Introduction to Sociology and Anthropology″, for the first time in recorded science, Agmon compared the Jewish ″Holocaust″ and the Palestinian Nakba. Due to the fact that she was ahead of her time, Agmon was forced to spend the rest of the lecture trying to enlighten her reactionary students regarding the nature of the innovation: ″You need to accept that they also went through a holocaust, and you had better respect that″. 
Story 5: Award for community involvement: Admissions Process in the Academy of Art and Design, BetzalelOn a spring day in Jerusalem, a young lady who wished to study in the Betzalel Academy of Art and Design arrived for an admissions interview, and who had prepared by learning the best classics in the history of art. However, the Betzalel Academy of Art and Design is not content with such technical and popular knowledge. After all, questions about art are so eighties. Instead of such vulgarity, the interviewer chose to discuss a heavyweight yet abstract concept in the field of the Philosophy of Art: ″Is the Gilo neighborhood part of Jerusalem?″ After the young interviewee composed her thoughts, she replied that indeed, it was. Of course, after such a serious mistake, the interviewer would have been remiss were she not to immediately and totally disqualify the interviewee from any contact whatsoever with any art studies in such an august institute as Betzalel.

Story 6: Award for Contribution to National Security: Hebrew University in JerusalemAfter security forces captured Adel Hadmi in 1992 and sentenced him to a prison sentence following his membership in a terror organization, the Shin Bet faced a hopeless situation. Indeed, they succeeded in capturing the dangerous terrorist, but something in his academic education was still missing. Thankfully, the Hebrew University in Jerusalem came to his aid, stepped up to face the national mission and accepted Hadmi to academic studies in the Chemistry Department. But the university insisted on shouldering even more of the burden. In 2002, already a doctoral student, and in accordance with the universal scientific ethos, Hadmi assisted in planning and organizing suicide bombings in Jerusalem. The scientific effort to blow up Jews was foiled thanks to the involvement of Zionist anti-scientific elements, and Hadmi was again forced to suspend his studies in favor of another visit to prison. It was only three years later when the scientist once again saw the light of freedom, and availed himself to diligently complete his scientific research on ″Throwing Compressed Nitroglycerin on Live Tissue″. It was only this past June when the security forces' anti-scientific farce was put on hold, and Adel Hadmi was finally granted the vaunted title of ″Doctor″.
Story 7: Solidarity and Coherence: Bala″d and Chadas″h operatives in Haifa UniversityMany Arab students in Haifa University are known as ″Peace, Love and Brotherhood″ activists. The majority of them, in solidarity with their Hamas brethren, chose to hold a moment of silence during Operation Pillar of Defense in memory of arch-terrorist Ahmed Jabari, the organization's former military commander. The students merely wished to express their ire over the Zionist aggressor's brazen interference with Hamas operatives' right to exercise their national culture - which included throwing exploding objects at Israeli citizens - and against the Zionists’ murderous terror operation that harmed the legitimate rights of many terrorists....

(h/t Uri)

From Ian:

Analysis: PA’s hesitance to jump at Kerry deal reveals Arab League’s loss of clout
The well-intentioned Kerry invested a lot of time and effort getting the Arab League on board and behind his initiative. He invited representatives of that body to Washington in April and made much of their willingness to adjust their 2002 peace initiative to include “moderate” land swaps.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Kerry gambled, would only move if he had backing, and who better to give that backing than the 22-member Arab League.
But that was yesterday’s thinking, or rather thinking from the last decade.
The “Arab Spring,” and the convulsions shaking the Arab world, have stripped the Arab League of its power and influence.
‘Palestinians will resume talks if US specifies goal is state based on ’67 lines’
Channel 2 news said Thursday evening that the Palestinians were dismayed that US Secretary of State John Kerry’s current framework for talks did not specify negotiations on the basis of the pre-67 lines or require a settlement freeze. The report added, however, that a possible path of compromise could involve Kerry inviting the parties to talks on the basis of principles set out by the US but not necessarily accepted by the two sides.
Palestinian media: Most PLO factions oppose new talks
Most Palestinian factions oppose the resumption of negotiations with Israel under the conditions outlined by US Secretary of State John Kerry, Palestinian news sources reported Thursday evening.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas debriefed Palestinian factions belonging to the PLO in Ramallah, as well as Fatah’s Central Committee on the content of his meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry in Amman Wednesday.
US bill threatens to cut PA funding if UN grants statehood
Moreover, US Secretary of State John Kerry can limit American funding if the PA doesn’t demonstrate “a firm commitment to peaceful co-existence with the State of Israel” or is not “taking appropriate measures to counter terrorism and terrorist financing in the West Bank and Gaza, including the dismantling of terrorist infrastructures, and is cooperating with appropriate Israeli and other appropriate security organizations.”
In addition, the bill puts new restrictions on aid if the Palestinians try to pursue actions against Israel at the International Criminal Court.
CAMERA: Teachers of Hate Obstruct Peace



The intoxicated anti-Zionist rants of Rachel Shabi
In addition to her dangerous flirtation with antisemitic narratives of so-called ‘Jewish Supremacism‘, the final passage represents the ultimate projection, and anti-Zionist leftist critics’ most pronounced deceit: their belief that they are uniquely equipped with the penetrating moral intelligence necessary to see through the racism which informs Israelis’ “belief” in their state’s moral advantages over reactionary Islamist extremists. Jewish anti-Zionist agitprop artists like Shabi, inebriated by post-colonial ideology, fancy themselves more sophisticated and politically enlightened than Israeli Jews, whose obtuse nationalism and ethnocentric loyalties, it is suggested, blind them to the dangerous folly of their path.
Misguided EU
Sites in Jerusalem’s Old City such as the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest place, would have to be recognized as territories not belonging to Israel.
The absurdity of the European position, and its complete failure to make distinctions based on demographics, religious significance – even Palestinian statements acknowledging that many Jewish neighborhoods built after 1967 in Jerusalem are here to stay – is made all the more untenable by the inclusion of the Golan Heights as territory illegally “occupied” by Israel.
EU restrictions will likely change nothing on the ground
“The European Union and its important members have been very careful not to invest or incentivize what they regard as Israeli settlements,” a senior Israel diplomat told JTA. “Territorial clauses exist in virtually all contracts between Israel and the union.”
The diplomat added, “This whole thing is much ado about nothing. I don’t know why they are making so much noise about it in Jerusalem.”
The Israeli outburst over the relatively marginal issue of grants is even more inexplicable considering the silence with which Netanyahu’s office has greeted similar and seemingly more consequential EU resolutions.
Gotta love that European Union
The EU is perfectly happy to continue lavishing funds on the most viciously anti-Israel “human rights” groups, including Al-Haq, LAW, Adallah, the Committee against House Demolitions, the Palestinian Jerusalem Media Communications Center (the PA’s main propaganda conduit to foreign journalists), and an outfit called the Middle East Center for Legal and Economic Research, which has received hundreds of thousands of euros “to identify and appraise Palestinian refugee real estate holdings in Israel.”
But don’t worry, the EU has crystal-clear ethical standards. It is determined not to indirectly fund any more scientific research or productive commercial activity by Israelis who live or work over the Green Line.
TIAA-CREF: Divestment from Israel Dismissed, Again
For the fourth year in a row, the TIAA-CREF Board refused to put divestment from Israel to a vote at its annual share holders’ meeting. TIAA-CREF, the leading provider of retirement services in the academic, research, medical, and cultural fields and a Fortune 100 financial services organization was supported by a recent ruling of the Securities and Exchange Commission in chosing not to plunge its four million investors into the controversial geopolitical issue of sovereignty of disputed areas in the West Bank/ Judea Samaria.
Gaza Terrorists Fire Two Rockets at Southern Israel
Terrorists from Hamas-controlled Gaza fired two Qassam rockets at southern Israel on Thursday evening.
Shortly after 10:00 p.m., residents of the Eshkol Regional Council heard the “Red Alert” siren, before the rockets exploded in the region.
The two rockets exploded in open areas, causing no physical injuries or damages.
Iron Dome battery deployed in Eilat
As tensions continued to rise in the Sinai Peninsula, the IDF on Friday deployed an Iron Dome air defense battery in Eilat, boosting the southern city’s protection for fear of rocket attacks.
The last-minute deployment was spurred by developments in Egypt, where the military continued its offensive against terrorist activities in the porous Sinai area, which borders the Gaza Strip.
Angry Refugees Tell Kerry: Impose No-Fly Zone
Angry refugees confronted US Secretary of State John Kerry during his landmark visit to the Zaatari camp in Jordan on Thursday, AFP reported.
The refugees demanded that Washington do more to end the war in Syria, and urged a no-fly zone to protect areas along the border and those held by rebel forces. (h/t MTB)
Russia eyeing Cyprus bases
RUSSIA appears to be inching closer to gaining a long-coveted military foothold in Cyprus, as the future of their naval port in Syria looks increasingly shaky.
The past fortnight has seen a surge in diplomatic activity between Nicosia and Moscow over Russian requests for military use of the Andreas Papandreou airbase in Paphos and Limassol port.
Cyprus to buy Israeli warships, reports local daily
The paper reports that the warships will cost 100 million euros, payable over a 17-year period. The agreement regarding purchase was taken during the term of the last government the paper adds.
  • Friday, July 19, 2013
  • Elder of Ziyon
The number of articles in Arabic pushing "Khaybar" over the past couple of days made me wonder whether the producers were desperately trying to jack up the ratings of the expensive antisemitic series.

The Wall Street Journal seems to say that the series is not doing well against its competition. And in a series/soap opera like this, if people don't watch from the beginning, they aren't likely to pick up on it in the middle.
A traditional mainstay of Ramadan TV has been programming depicting Jews as hook-nosed spillers of blood who want to enslave the world, starting with Muslims. Perhaps most memorably, the 2001 Ramadan show "Faris Bila Jawad" (Horseman Without a Horse) told the story of Israel's founding as a nation on the premise that the "Protocols of the Elders of Zion" were real and not, as they were, a vicious anti-Semitic forgery by the Russian secret police.

This year, one Qatari-backed historical drama does fit that bigoted bill: "Khaybar"—airing on networks in Algeria, Egypt, Iraq and elsewhere—shows why a Jewish tribe in seventh-century Arabia deserved to be slaughtered by Muslims and recreates the carnage. Egyptian screenwriter Yusri al-Jundi made his feelings toward Jews clear when he told an Al Jazeera television interviewer: "The series shows how the Jews' . . . nature endures. Despite the fact that hundreds of years have passed, they still spread corruption wherever they live."

But early ratings show "Khaybar" to be a commercial flop, as well as an outlier. This year's most popular shows don't focus on an external enemy but on current intra-Arab issues.

The nightly comedy sitcom, "Abu Al Malayin" (Father of Millions), airing on the Saudi-backed network MBC1, is about two rich brothers' zany adventures in capitalism. In one episode, the siblings predict that the Arab revolutions will boost demand for "tools of repression," and start importing tear gas and police dogs. The brothers want to earn a bad reputation among Western human-rights groups, so that Arab states will be more likely to do business with them. When I asked screenwriter Khalaf al-Harbi why he thinks the show is a hit, he replied: "All year long Arabs have been crying—about Syria, about Iraq. They need to laugh more than ever."

...Part of the reason such programming is dominating the airwaves is that the Syrian TV industry, which has long been the source of the most anti-Semitic and politically toxic shows, has been virtually put out of commission by the civil war. Battle scenes in dramas like "Khaybar" are costly, and these days are difficult to shoot outdoors in Syria, where the other kind of shooting is rampant.

The Brotherhood, for its part, hasn't nurtured the creative talent necessary to staff its own ideological productions. One halting attempt was ridiculed by critics earlier this year for its conspicuous lack of female characters. Meanwhile, Shiite Hezbollah's annual TV epic spotlights a non-Jewish adversary this year—the Sunni Ottoman Empire—in an apparent nod to the region's sectarian strife. It hasn't attracted a substantial audience.

Shifting political circumstances have conspired to alter the menu of shows this season. But viewers' choices are a sign that Arabs may be eschewing the fixation on an external enemy in favor of more introspective, even self-critical fare—as well as plain old escapism.

It looks like the Arab world isn't in the mood to watch antisemitic historical series.

  • Friday, July 19, 2013
  • Elder of Ziyon
From Now Lebanon:

European Union foreign ministers are set to decide Monday whether or not to add the military wing of Lebanon's Hezbollah to its black list of terrorist groups, diplomatic sources said Thursday.

A meeting of EU ambassadors broke up with no agreement on adding the powerful Shiite militia to the list as "a small number of member states" remained opposed, said an EU diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity.

"Ministers will discuss the issue on Monday," said the source, referring to scheduled talks in Brussels between the bloc's 28 foreign ministers.

Unanimity is required to add the Lebanese group to the dozen people and score of groups currently subject to an EU asset freeze -- including Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas and Colombia's FARC guerrillas.

Another diplomatic source told AFP that Ireland and Malta were holding out but that Austria appeared to have dropped objections to the push led by Britain, France and the Netherlands. The positions of the Czech Republic, which has changed government, and Slovakia were unclear.

"We are near a consensus," the source said.
This next sentence is telling:
Several countries have objected that it is difficult to separate Hezbollah's military and political wing, which is in government. They also fear destabilizing politically fragile Lebanon as the Syrian crisis across its border deteriorates.
Got that? Since it is obvious that Hezbollah is fully a terrorist organization, and that the distinction between "military" and "political" wings is nonsense, they are using that as a reason not to ban a terror group

Meanwhile, Lebanon is formally asking the EU not to place Hizballah on the terror list.
Lebanon President Michel Suleiman tasked caretaker Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour to Ask the European Union not to name the Shiite militant Hezbollah group a terrorist organization.

The presidency described Hezbollah as “one of the main components of the Lebanese society.”

On Wednesday, Al-Arabiya reported that the EU is leaning towards “unanimously” approving putting the military wing of the Lebanese Shiite party on the international terrorist list , a move it has long avoided despite U.S pressure.

The move was bolstered by Germany’s policy change after long resisting calls to list Hezbollah for fear it could destabilize Lebanon.

Germany said it was pushed toward declaring Hezbollah a terror group by the 2012 attack in the Black Sea resort of Burgas in Bulgaria.

On Wednesday, Bulgaria’s interior minister said new evidence has bolstered its case implicating Hezbollah in the bus bombing that killed five Israeli tourists, the bus driver and alleged attacker.
Now Lebanon has an excellent interactive web series that shows in detail Hizballah's terror activities worldwide.
  • Friday, July 19, 2013
  • Elder of Ziyon
If anyone has any doubt that hating Israel has nothing to do with any objective reality, check out this story from Ma'an:
Israel has granted thousands of Palestinians permits to enter Israel for the holy month of Ramadan, drawing shoppers away from West Bank markets, a Palestinian official said Thursday.

Palestinian youths were granted permits to enter Israel from Sunday to Thursday, but not on Fridays or Saturdays, even though worshipers seek to pray in Jerusalem on Fridays during the holy month.

West Bank markets have suffered as Palestinians head to Israel to go shopping.

Jamal Jawabreh, secretary-general of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said the Palestinian economy was already suffering from a lack of liquidity, while salaries have dropped and the cost of living has increased.

Jawabreh said Israel was granting Palestinians access on all days except the days of prayer to encourage them to shop in Israel.

He said Israel was trying to counter its own deficit. The Chambers of Commerce has discussed the issue but is unable to stop Israel granting permits, he added.
Preventing PalArabs from entering Israel is a human rights crime. Allowing them to enter Israel is an economic crime.

The hypocrisy doesn't end there. From JPost:
A group of Palestinians from Ramallah and Jerusalem, along with Arab citizens of Israel from Haifa, Nazareth, Jaffa, and Acre have planned an awareness campaign to encourage Palestinians to buy from only Arab-owned shops. They are compiling a list of shops, restaurants and coffee-shops in Israel owned by Arab citizens of Israel.

A group member told The Media Line that they believe that Israel profits from the permits economically.

”The economy in the West Bank is very restricted and Israel decides what it allows into our markets,” Shoabi said. “With such a strong Israeli market and economy, it is already hard for our market to compete. So the least we can do is not help Israelis further especially in the holy month of Ramadan”, Shoaibi told The Media Line.
Aren't Arab Israelis - Israeli? Doesn't buying from them still help the Israeli economy?

What Shoabi is really saying is that they want to boycott Jews!

But those evil Jews have their own schemes to hurt the Palestinian Arabs:
“I heard that Israeli shops granted special discounts for West Bankers last year and I want to use them,” [Jamal] Diab said.
They are cunningly putting goods on sale to take advantage of the imprisoned Arabs!

Will the Israeli abuses never stop?

Oh, and how does Ma'an illustrate a story about Palestinian Arabs being allowed to enter Israel? Witha photo of the security barrier!
  • Friday, July 19, 2013
  • Elder of Ziyon
Last April, the Dolphin Club and Resort opened south of Gaza City.

It's just like a concentration camp, just with a Facebook page.






(h/t Ahron S)

Thursday, July 18, 2013

  • Thursday, July 18, 2013
  • Elder of Ziyon

(h/t Zev Jabotinsky/Yad Yamin for the idea that turned into this)

From Ian:

Ben Cohen: Is the Islamist Era Over?
The notion that the era of Islamism has come to an end is not as outlandish as it seems. While the faith of Islam crystallized in Arabia 15 centuries ago, the ideology of Islamism—which aims to place the imperatives of sharia law at the heart of a coercive and all-powerful state—is a product of the last century.
Like its totalitarian cousins—fascism, communism and national socialism—Islamism’s point of departure is a visceral loathing of the political liberties that are integral to liberal democracies. All these monstrous political systems were convinced that, once empowered, they would stay empowered.
IDF Blog: Seminar Teaches IDF Officers How to Protect Gaza’s Civilian Population in Combat Situation
These officers are tasked with an enormous responsibility: to protect Palestinian civilians on the ground, no matter how difficult that may be.
“During an operation, these officers are in charge of evacuating the wounded, finding shelter for refugees, coordinating representatives of international organizations who want to visit a specific area, and assisting and treating innocent bystanders,” Maj. Dror said. He explained that the officers work with the understanding that taking care of the civilian population also contributes to the IDF’s operational effort, and gives IDF forces the legitimacy to continue their operations.
Anti-Semitic Group Uses Celebrities to Promote 'Youth March'
[Nick] Cannon, an American actor and rapper, appears in an online video being promoted by the New Black Panther Party (NBPP) through its web site and social media. In the video, Cannon invites people to attend the September 7 march in Harlem, New York, which it recently renamed “Millions for Trayvon” in the aftermath of the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of an unarmed black youth, Trayvon Martin, in Sanford, Florida.
“While it is unclear if these celebrity and business leaders realize exactly who and what they are promoting, their endorsements of the Million Youth March only help to legitimize the virulently anti-Semitic and racist message of the New Black Panther Party,” said National Director of the ADL, Abraham Foxman.
Anti-Semitism at Anti Zimmerman Protest; ‘You Ashkenazi Crafted Devil’ Proclaims T-Shirt
A man leading a demonstration against the recent acquittal of George Zimmerman in a murder trial that mesmerized the United States, was caught on camera wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with anti-Semitic language
Berlin Hotel Bars Infamous British Holocaust Denier
Berlin’s hotel and restaurant association has announced that it will not host infamous British Holocaust denier David Irving, who is planning to visit the German capital in September.
Irving, who was banned from entering Germany until last March, is set to address guests at a Sept. 10 dinner event with a $120 cover charge, according to reports.
Iranian activists back ‘brave filmmaker’ who made Israel visit
A group of 80 Iranian academics and activists sent an open letter to The Times of Israel Wednesday supporting an Iranian director who came under fire for appearing at the Jerusalem Film Festival last week.
The signatories, describing themselves as “members of opposition groups, scholars and human rights activists,” lauded exiled filmmaker Mohsen Makhmalbaf’s “bravery for breaking the taboo of visiting the state of Israel and conveying the message of friendship between Iranian people and people of Israel.”
The Guardian's coverage: Iranian director Mohsen Makhmalbaf defends Israel visit after outcry

Archaeologists say one of King David’s palaces found
Professor Yossi Garfinkel of the Hebrew University and Saar Ganor of the Israel Antiquities Authority have announced that they found a palace and royal storehouse that belonged to King David. The two buildings are the largest structures standing during the tenth century BCE that have been found in the territory of the Kingdom of Judah.
The discovery was made at Khirbet Qeiyafa near Beit Shemesh. For the past year, the researchers uncovered the two buildings at the site, which is believed by some to be the fortified Judean city of Shaarayim. According to the biblical record, after David smote Goliath, the Philistines were slaughtered on the road to Shaarayim as they fled. Shaarayim means “two gates,” and Khirbet Qeiyafa has two gates in its walls.
Singapore vs. Israel: Who’s the better role model?
But is Singapore the right role model for Israel? According to Singaporean entrepreneur Lee, “the government has been spending a lot of money setting up incubators and accelerators for entrepreneurs, but the program has been less successful than they hoped it would be.” While Singapore has the “form” of a start-up nation, Singaporeans “don’t have the chutzpah you need to buck trends and come up with something truly innovative. We are taught to listen to our elders,” he said, “and of course to teachers.” Whereas stories about Israeli or American tech heroes who were dropouts are not uncommon, said Lee, no Singaporean in his or her right mind would drop out of college, much less high school, for fear they would be frozen out of jobs at large corporations.
Ron Prosor: Boycotting A Better Future
Ironically, few regions could benefit more from entrepreneurship than the Arab world. According to the World Bank, roughly 20 percent of the population of the Middle East and North Africa lives on less than $2 per day, and income inequality is widening. The Middle East is dripping in oil wealth, but millions of people are starved of basic sustenance -- to say nothing of basic rights and freedoms.(h/t Norman F)
Prosor: It's Easier for Journalists in Israel
Speaking during a discussion at the UN Security Council about protecting civilians in war zones, Prosor noted that many journalists from around the world prefer to come to Israel to cover the conflict in neighboring Syria from there, knowing full well they would be much safer in the Jewish State.
"It's easier to cover Israel from Tel Aviv than to face live fire in the suburbs of Damascus," he said, adding, "The Middle East is undoubtedly the most dangerous place for journalists. In the first half of 2013 alone, 26 journalists lost their lives. Instead of being the ones to tell the story, the journalists have become the story itself. Torture, rape, and executions have become the lot of journalists in war zones.”
BreathID Hp device can detect H. pylori in a breath
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some two thirds of the world’s population is infected with H. pylori — bacteria found in the stomach. Most of those infected are completely unaware and thus develop peptic ulcers and increase the risk of stomach cancer. A new diagnostic system called BreathID Hp has hit the market and the Israeli makers of the device say it can detect gastrointestinal and liver conditions through a patient’s breath.
Exalenz Bioscience, the Modi’in-based company behind the device, says the BreathID Hp test is the “fastest, easiest and most accurate Urea Breath Test (UBT) for diagnosing H. pylori infection in the office or clinic.”
Israel eager to update air accord, expand trade with PH
Encouraged by Europe’s lifting of its ban on Philippine Airlines, Israel hopes to establish direct flights to Manila and back to boost exchanges between the two countries, particularly in the areas of trade and tourism.
Israeli diplomats disclosed this week that Israeli and Philippine aviation officials were in an advanced stage of discussions to update a 60-year-old air services agreement, with the goal of launching direct flights to link the two nations. (h/t Zvi)
America's most famous doctor to visit Israel
Dr. Oz is expected to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit.
The renowned doctor is convinced that the warm and deep bond between Israel and Turkey will persevere. In the interview that will be published in full this weekend, Oz speaks of his father, also a doctor, who still lives in Turkey, about his father's mentor who was Jewish, and about his friend, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and how his appearance on TV helps his viewers improve their health no less than the heart surgeries he still performs.
  • Thursday, July 18, 2013
  • Elder of Ziyon
On July 4, 1975, while busy crowds were preparing for Shabbat, a refrigerator filled with explosives was detonated in Zion Square, Jerusalem.

15 people were killed. Among the Jewish victims were Meir Zimmerman, 35, his wife Rosa, 28 and their 11-year-old daughter, Ahava; Michael Ben Yitzhak and his wife Rifka, American immigrants who left behind two small children; Yosef Amar, 28; David Cohen, 46; and Yoram Aivovi, 41. An eleven year old boy was also killed and his father was badly injured; he may have died (two victims died a few days afterwards.)

There were Arab victims as well. Nahiza Mohammed Hamed, 25, was about to get married; her aunt Fatima and a cousin Mohammed Abu Khadija from Amman who was in town for the wedding were also killed. Also Daoud Khoury, 50, a Christian from Nazareth, was murdered in the attack.

The architect of that attack was an Arab-American named Ahmed Jabara, whose terrorist name was Abu Sukkar. The Shin Bet managed to track him down more than a year after the attack, and he eventually confessed and sentenced to life. He was released from prison in 2003 in one of those "goodwill gestures."

Jabara died this week.

Palestinian Media Watch reports:

Yesterday, the Palestinian Authority honored terrorist Ahmad Abu Sukkar with an official military funeral. In a written eulogy Abbas referred to Abu Sukkar's life as: "A journey of struggle full of exceptional giving and devoted activity for Palestine and for the freedom and honor of our people."

Secretary-General of the Presidential Office Tayeb Abd Al-Rahim represented PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas at the funeral and laid a wreath from Abbas on the coffin.

In an interview at the funeral, Al-Rahim said: "We miss this man. He will remain in our minds and veins. His memory and his good and wonderful deeds for this nation and for this nation's cause will always remain an example for us to emulate."

In his eulogy Abbas referred to Abu Sukkar's "pure soul" and described him as "a righteous son and loyal fighter": "With the death of this fighter, Palestine and its people have lost a righteous son and loyal fighter, devoted wholeheartedly to protecting our people's rights. He dedicated most of his life to this people's independence and paid with many years of his life in the occupation's prisons so that the dawn of freedom will break over the pure land of Palestine."

Member of Fatah's Central Committee Jibril Rajoub praised Abu Sukkar as as “a tough patriotic fighter” and “the caring father of generations of struggle.” In his condolence telegram Rajoub vowed to keep the terrorist’s “principles and goals” and follow in his path:
“We emphasize our adherence to the principles and goals he dedicated his long life to protect… We commit to continue his way of struggle” [Ma'an News Agency's website, July 17, 2013 and Jibril Rajoub's Facebook page July 16, 2013]

Referring to Abu Sukkar's bombing that killed 15, PA representative to Lebanon and member of Fatah Central Committee Abbas Zaki said: "He [Abu Sukkar] started [out] with a wonderful and high quality operation (i.e., terror attack) using a refrigerator, that made the enemies lose sleep."

Fatah's spokesperson Ahmad Assaf stated to PA TV News:
"Abu Sukkar is an example of the brave, patriotic, loyal and honored fighter who dedicated his life to his people's cause and to his nation's cause." [Official PA TV, July 17, 2013]

Fatah's youth movement Shabiba remembered Abu Sukkar as the "hero of the heroic 'refrigerator' operation" and "the living conscience of the Palestinian people," mourning his death as a loss "to free men of the world and to all of humanity."

Many PA and Fatah officials attended the funeral, among them:
Secretary-General of the Presidential Office Tayeb Abd Al-Rahim, representing PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas
Minister of Prisoners' Affairs Issa Karake
Deputy Minister of Prisoners' Affairs Ziad Abu Ein. (spoke at the funeral)
District Governor of Ramallah and El-Bireh, Laila Ghannam (spoke at the funeral)
Members of Fatah Central Committee: Mahmoud Al-Aloul (spoke at the funeral), Azzam Al-Ahmad, Abbas Zaki and Tawfiq Tirawi,
Deputy Secretary-General of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), Qais Abd Al-Karim, (Abu Laila)
I also found an Arabic site that says Jabari was known as - get this - "The Palestinian Mandela." And Greek Orthodox Bishop Attalah Hanna also eulogized him, saying he had spoken to him only a few hours before.

I wonder if John Kerry would, in passing, even think to mention to Abbas that normal people would consider his words to be morally depraved and utterly perverted. Or is it in the interests of "peace" to ignore that fact that one of the parties celebrates the murders of his " "peace partners"?

A nice op-ed by Rashad Hussain, U.S. special envoy to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation:
During Ramadan, Muslim communities around the world experience a month of fasting, devotion and increased consciousness of their faith. ...

In recent years, as Muslim communities have dealt with hateful depictions and inflammatory actions, American interfaith coalitions have come together to strongly reject such bigotry. It is this backdrop that makes the reported Ramadan release of the television drama “Khaiber” in some Muslim-majority countries particularly disturbing.

The new drama purports to provide a historical account of the Prophet Muhammad and the Arabian-Jewish town of Khaiber. But its producer has said that “the goal of the series is to expose the naked truth about the Jews and stress that they cannot be trusted.” The series also will reportedly focus “on the social, economic and religious characteristics of the Jews, including politics and conspiracies and how they dominate and control tribes.”

Rather than emphasizing Muhammad’s efforts to establish peaceful relations among religious communities, “Khaiber” does just the opposite. And it does so at a time when a number of religious groups, including Christians, face discrimination and violence in countries where the series will air.

Communities that were outraged at negative depictions of Islam must condemn this divisive and anti-Semitic effort. They should also understand that in many ways, this type of programming is also a disservice to Muslims and the legacy of the prophet. While censorship is not the answer, communities must come forward to counter such depictions with more informed views to prevent the spread of stereotypes and hatred that can dehumanize entire groups of people.

...Addressing Holocaust denial is an important step, and I raise this issue when I travel to meet government and civil society leaders in Muslim countries. Efforts also must be made to ensure that textbooks and television programming in the Muslim world are free from the types of dehumanizing ideas and images that breed intolerance and hate.

In doing so, honest and courageous voices must step forward, particularly during Ramadan, to condemn not only negative depictions of the Prophet Muhammad, but also a television series that uses a slanted historical narrative of his life as a facade for sowing discord, division and hatred.
It will be interesting to see if there is any reaction to this. So far, Arab media that discussed Jewish objections to the series tended to justify the hate.

By the way, JTA did have another article on Khaybar, which I missed because they choose to spell it differently.

(h/t Niklas Bergman)

  • Thursday, July 18, 2013
From Ian:

Wall Street Journal: Netanyahu Has Red Lines, Obama Doesn't
The article then went on to criticize Obama, who has in the past said that use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime would be a red line that “would change my equation.” The editorial quoted two similar statements by Obama, one dated August 2012 and another one from this past March.
“As everyone—most especially Bashar Assad—now knows, Mr. Obama has no red lines regarding Syria or chemical weapons,” the editorial charged. “Even his belated policy change to deliver small arms to the opposition is bogged down in bureaucratic inertia and congressional resistance. Readers may or may not think the U.S. should involve itself in Syria, but serious powers cannot issue empty threats and not expect consequences.”
New US envoy says she’ll defend Israel at the UN
The Irish-born Power, who has been criticized by some groups for past comments considered critical of Israel, said that the US has no “greater friend” than the Jewish state. She criticized the UN for its “disproportionate” focus on Israel and said she would fight to have Israel admitted as a member of the UN Security Council, a post that the Jewish state has been vying for.
CIF Watch: Guardian refers to ‘Judea and Samaria’ as a “right-wing” terms
As Elder of Ziyon noted, official UN documents routinely used “Judea and Samaria” until the end of the British Mandate, and in fact didn’t begin capitalizing the words “West Bank” until after the Six Day War. Further, before there were any settlements all, the Israeli government led by the left-wing Labor Party (under Levi Eshkol) called the area “Judea and Samaria” – as this 1968 UPI article, to cite but one example, shows.
Papers: EU ‘Earthquake’ Directive Underscores Europe’s Irrelevance in the Region
While Israeli officials reacted to the news with disappointment and confusion, today, the global news media weighed in on its significance.
Jennifer Rubin at the Washington Post wrote that she wasn’t surprised by the EU’s position. In an Op-Ed, Rubin writes that the EU has a clear anti-Israel bias–a bias that makes it an otherwise insignificant player in the Middle East peace process: “This is an old story for the European Union — it strives for relevance but its anti-Israeli tendencies make it particularly unsuited to play any constructive role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”
The EU’s Broken Mideast Compass
If this is how the EU chooses to spend its limited diplomatic and political resources “to help” the Middle East, then its moral compass is badly broken. The EU still hasn’t even mustered the clarity or courage to join the USA, Canada, and six Gulf states (led by Bahrain) in designating Hezbollah a terrorist organization, even though Hezbollah has committed terrorist acts on EU soil that killed an EU citizen, and has supported Basher Assad’s butchery in Syria. The EU has also failed to take any decisive action to address the urgent crises in Lebanon, Syria, and Iran (which marches ever closer to nukes, and imports ore for armor and missile production from Germany and France). And where is the EU’s boycott of Mideast governments that persecute women, execute homosexuals, and condone the slaughter of Christians?
Israel moves to quit flagship EU project over restrictions
Israel is a major contributor to the EU’s €80 billion Horizon 2020 project, which aims to create new growth and jobs in Europe by the end of the decade. According to Hebrew daily Maariv, Israel is meant to contribute upwards of €600 million to the project over the next seven years, while receiving even larger sums in research grants.
'Europe wants to erect new Berlin Wall in the middle of Jerusalem'
In an interview with German magazine Die Welt, which will be published on Sunday, Netanyahu said that the EU was "trying to impose permanent borders by applying financial pressure on Israel rather than pursuing negotiations. That is an unfair move at any time, not just now, when U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is trying to get the parties back to the negotiating table."
Netanyahu told the German publication that Brussels "wants to erect a new Berlin Wall in the middle of Jerusalem, but anyone who has ever visited Jerusalem knows that you cannot turn back time and divide neighborhoods that would clearly remain under Israeli control as part of any peace agreement."
Conflicting reports surround possible imminent renewal of peace talks
Jerusalem on Thursday denied a Reuters report that Israel has agreed to a proposed formula for new peace talks with the Palestinians under which the border of the future Palestinian state would be along lines that existed before the 1967 Six-Day War with agreed land swaps.
Kerry closes in on resumed peace talks
Gaps between the Israeli and Palestinian positions have narrowed substantially after US Secretary of State John Kerry met with PA President Mahmoud Abbas Wednesday in Jordan, a senior Palestinian Authority official told the Lebanese newspaper Al-Mustaqbal. The official said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to a partial settlement freeze and is willing to negotiate on the basis of the 1967 lines. The freeze would not apply to Jerusalem and the major settlement blocs, the report said.
Report: IDF preparing to remove West Bank checkpoints
According to Army Radio, IDF commanders are examining alternate security measures in the southern Hebron Hills region that would allow for the removal of a major roadblock near the settlement of Beit Hagi, which is adjacent to the entrance to Hebron.
In Feud Over Unpaid Bills, Palestinian Hospitals Refusing Care to Palestinian Govt Personnel
Observers have long feared that financial mismanagement by Palestinian officials – a function of endemic corruption, and coupled with political illegitimacy – would prevent the emergence of a stable Palestinian economy. A functioning economy is considered a critical prerequisite in efforts to achieve a viable Palestinian state, lest that state fail.
PA holds military funeral for former Fatah terrorist who murdered 14, injured 60
The Palestinian Authority on Wednesday held a military funeral for Ahmed Abu al- Sukkar, a former Fatah prisoner who was involved in the 1975 “refrigerator bombing” in Jerusalem’s Zion Square.
Fourteen people were killed and more than 60 injured in the terror attack.
Egypt intercepts 19 Grad rockets, military equipment
The Egyptian military intercepted a shipment of 19 Grad rockets concealed in a truck bound to Cairo from the port of Suez, Egyptian media reported on Wednesday. The driver of the vehicle was apprehended in possession of an automatic rifle and ammunition.
An army spokesman confirmed the seizure to the Daily News Egypt website. The military believes the discovery is related to the ongoing violence in Sinai.
Egypt: Morsi Supporters Protest Outside Cabinet
Egypt's new 34-member Cabinet was sworn-in on Tuesday. It features several prominent figures from the country's liberal and secular factions, as well as three women and three Christians.
There are no ministers from Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood or other Islamist groups.
Copts Face Violence After Morsi Ouster
“What is disturbing is the failure of the security apparatus to act — which at times looks like collusion — to protect citizens and their property who are being targeted on the basis of their religion, Ishak Ibrahim of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) told Agence France Presse (AFP). “Copts are paying the price of the inflammatory rhetoric against them coming from some Islamist leaders and supporters of the former president, who accuse Coptic spiritual leaders of conspiring to foment army intervention to remove Dr Morsi.”
EU foreign policy chief floats plan to blacklist Hezbollah
The European Union could blacklist Hezbollah's military wing while stressing it is open to talking to the militant Lebanese movement's political faction, under a proposal by the EU's foreign policy chief, EU diplomats said on Wednesday.
European governments have been deadlocked over the issue since May when Britain asked for the Shi'ite Muslim group's military wing to be put on the EU terror list, citing evidence it was behind a deadly bus bombing in Bulgaria last year.
Gulf States Pursue Collective Ban on Hizbullah
Arab nations in the Gulf are apparently ahead of Europe in their readiness to concede the Lebanon-based Hizbullah group is a terrorist organization.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), comprised of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman, announced Wednesday they are willing to blacklist Hizbullah as a terrorist entity.
New Burgas bombing evidence points at Hezbollah
Bulgaria’s interior minister says new evidence has bolstered its case implicating Hezbollah in a deadly July 2012 bus bombing, but investigators still do not know the specific identities of the suspects.
  • Thursday, July 18, 2013
  • Elder of Ziyon
UNRWA's statistics show that in Syria there are some 235,000 "Palestinian refugees" who have become displaced in that country.

Over 71,000 of the "refugees" became real refugees in Lebanon, and 8000 more in Jordan. Thousands more have fled to Egypt, Gaza, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.

44,000 homes of Palestinian Arabs in Syria have been damaged or destroyed.

In total, more than half of Syria's Palestinians have been displaced.

Palestinian Arabs in Syria are still being killed daily. A UNRWA employee was killed last week, becoming the 7th UNRWA employee killed in Syria. The total number killed is above 1500.

Yet no one is calling this a "Nakba." In fact, hardly anyone is talking about this at all.

While the UN has numerous committees and events and days and meetings dedicated to helping Palestinian Arabs who are perceived to be victims of Israel, this year (besides UNRWA press releases) there has been only one semi-official statement on the matter listed in the UNISPAL archives, from January. Here it is:

Asked about reports that the Secretary-General may be acting as an intermediary between Israeli and Palestinian officials over the fate of Palestinian refugees in Syria, the Spokesperson said that the Secretary-General has expressed his deep concern on the plight of Palestinians displaced and uprooted by the violence in Syria. He has called for countries in the region to help the refugees.

That's it. A half-baked statement only made as an answer to a question. Nothing - zero- being done pro-actively by the UN to help them (again, besides UNRWA.)

The UNHRC has had nine anti-Israel resolutions since the beginning of 2012 - and not one about Syrian Palestinians.

600,000 people who left their homes in 1948 - most not forcibly but out of fear - have generated tons of papers, dozens of resolutions and thousands of man-days of obsessive attention. Over half that number are suffering much more today, and are being ignored by that same body - even among the specific committees that are ostensibly meant to help Palestinians!

Even the Palestinian Arab media have far more articles about Jews walking on the Temple Mount than about their fellow Palestinians being murdered, injured and made homeless daily.

Gaza fishermen get more attention from the media, NGOs, the EU and the UN than hundreds of slaughtered Syrian Palestinians.

It is more than a double standard. It is proof that the only reason people pretend to care about Palestinian Arabs is because they really want to demonize Israel rather than to lift a finger to actually help any Palestinian Arabs.
  • Thursday, July 18, 2013
  • Elder of Ziyon
Palestinian Authority TV has been showing a cartoon to kids on Ramadan that is thematically very similar to the antisemitic "Khaybar" series being broadcast to adults.

In this case, instead of Khaybar, it shows how the Jews of Medina broke agreements with Muslims and tried to cause infighting among them. Again, the Jews are shown as deceitful, scheming and (in this case) in league with the Devil himself.

From MEMRI:


Following are excerpts from “Raids of the Prophet,” an Egyptian animated series which aired on Palestinian Authority TV on July 15-17, 2013:
Jews of the Qaynuqa’ tribe conferring
Nawfal, member of the Qaynuqa’ tribe: The Muslims have grown stronger and have become mighty.
Another member of Qaynuqa’: You are right, Nawfal – especially after their victory at Badr.
Another member of Qaynuqa’: We, the Jews of the Qaynuqa’ tribe, are now on a par with the Muslims, after we used to have the power and the final say in Al-Madina.
Older member of Qaynuqa’: But we will not let them sit back and enjoy that. We will show them what the Jews of Bani Qaynuqa’ are made of.
Devil jumping up: How can they enjoy it while I’m around? I am responsible for them.
Devil's helper: You are responsible for your followers only, but you have no authority over those who are God-fearing.”
Devil: I know that, you idiot, but I have followers, whose hearts are filled with animosity, hatred, and envy towards Muhammad and his companions. This, in itself, can accomplish a lot.
Qaynuqa’ member: The Aws and Khazraj tribes are having laughs together, after their enmity used to fill the land from east to west.
Another member of Qaynuqa’: Muhammad brought harmony to their hearts, and what you see is the outcome. My heart rages with fire whenever I see Muslims who love one another. Utility means power and success in everything. We will not allow this.
[…]
“The Muslims besiege the Jews of Qaynuqa’ having foiled their plot to pit the Aws and Khazraj tribes against one another.”
Muslim fighter: This is the fortress of the Qaynuqa’ tribe.
Another Muslim fighter: The gates are locked. How are we to get in?
[…]
Muslim fighter: Masoud, we will lay siege to them.
Masoud, a Muslim fighter: Only besiege them? No fighting?
First Muslim fighter: These are the orders of the Prophet Muhammad.
[...]
Giant spiders jump around in the devil’s den
Devil: You idiot, where were you, when everybody abandoned the Qaynuqa’ tribe?
Devil's helper: I did what you told me to do.
Devil: Shut up. You are worthless. All you can do is play and have fun. However, we still have a chance.
Devil's helper: What chance?
Devil: Ibn Saloul.
[...]
Muslim: How can you possibly ask us to defy the order of Allah’s prophet?
Ibn Saloul: I’m just reminding you of your old pact with the Qaynuqa’ tribe, before Muhammad came to Al-Madina, before Muhammad came to Al-Madina.
Other Muslim: We kept that pact until they breached it themselves.
Ibn Saloul: Um… Um… They didn’t mean to.
Muslim: Inciting the Aws and the Khazraj tribes against one another, violating agreements harassing our women, making fun of the Muslims, affronting the Prophet of Allah – they did all this by accident?
[...]
Member of Qaynuqa’: Everybody has abandoned us. We are here alone.
Another member of Qaynuqa’: We have been here for 15 days, and nobody has saved us.
Older member of Qaynuqa’: We are imprisoned here. If things don’t change, we will die of hunger. Our supply of food and drink is almost finished.
Member of Qaynuqa’: I don’t want to die. No, I don’t want to die.
Older member of Qaynuqa’: Neither do we. We don’t want to die either.
Member of Qaynuqa’: Do something then.
Member of Qaynuqa’: There is only one thing to do.
[…]
Narrator: So they left Al-Madina, and the Prophet made sure no harm would be done to them on their way out. He sent a group of the Ansar to protect them.
Muslim: The Jews of the Qaynuqa’ tribe did not honor their pact with us. They persisted in their evil until it turned against them.
[…]
The "human rights defenders" of the EU and HRW and Amnesty don't have a problem with showing this. Antisemitism is bad, of course, but only when it is done by white right-wing bigots. Arabs and liberals and Muslims get a free pass with their brand of hate and incitement to violence. That's "free speech."
  • Thursday, July 18, 2013
  • Elder of Ziyon
  • ,
Last week I noted Arab reporters that an Egyptian helicopter hovered over Gaza for about an hour. The Times of Israel quoted Israeli sources as saying it accidentally strayed over Gaza for only a few minutes.

Now, an adviser to the interim Egyptian president is saying it was deliberate.

Al Ahram reports that Dr. Mustafa Hijazi, a political adviser to the president, said that the Egyptian overflights over the Gaza Strip comes as part of a security framework for the protection of Egyptian sovereignty. At a news conference Wednesday afternoon he said that there are military operations to clear the Sinai cleared of terrorists and to defend its "sovereignty of the homeland."

Clearly, Egypt is still regarding Gaza as a major threat to its own security, even though Hamas stresses that it has no desire to hurt Egypt.

Israeli moves to defend its own territory from threats from Gaza are a bit more likely to result in UN condemnations, though.

  • Thursday, July 18, 2013
  • Elder of Ziyon
In April, I briefly profiled Magda Haroun, the new head of the Jewish community in Egypt whois an avowed anti-Zionist, as was her father, who wanted to fight Israel in the Six Day War.

In a new interview at Al Masry al Youm, Haroun gives an interview that includes a shocking anecdote that shows that her father's sickening way of thinking.

In 1954, Magda's older sister Mona became sick with leukemia. Mona was 4 years old at the time. Magda says that her father, Chehata, was crazy about Mona; the only treatment available in Egypt for the disease was blood transfusions and Chehata gave as much blood as he could.

Things got worse, and doctors told him that the only way tosave Mona's life was to travel to France to receive treatment there.

Egyptian authorities told Chehata that, as a Jew, he would not be allowed to return to Egypt if he took Mona out of the country.

He refused to accept that he could never go home again. And Mona died.

Even after this incident, Chehata remained dedicated to Egypt - the country that didn't want him.

Now, Magda says that she refuses to travel to Israel, and to take any money from Israel to help preserve the remaining Jewish sites in Egypt.

She inherited her father's stubbornness - and fatal stupidity.

(h/t Ibn Boutros)

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

  • Wednesday, July 17, 2013
  • Elder of Ziyon
From Paul Rockower at HuffPo:
With just a bit of trepidation, I set off in early June last year for Iraq. I was to be there for five weeks, running performing arts academies in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. I was working as the Communications Director for American Voices, a nonprofit organization that conducts cultural diplomacy to countries emerging from conflict or isolation.....

In terms of religiosity, Kurdistan felt laid back. Islam was part of the social fabric and culture, but did not seem to dominate daily life. I met many Kurds who were quite secular. Like Israel (at times), religion felt to be part of the broader culture but not in an overbearing fashion. I happened to be there as Ramadan started, and there were still some restaurants open although they covered their entrance-ways in concealing cloth. Also to note, it was quite easy to find a liquor store to get a Turkish Efes or Danish Tuborg beer, or a bottle of arak named for the ancient Sumerian god of the harvest.

...On learning that I was Jewish, the Kurds I spoke with often mentioned their historic Jewish community, and shared about the Jewish history of Kurdistan. I heard over and over again that Kurdistan had so many Jews, and a sense of lament that they had left....

But what jumped out and shocked me was the support of the Kurds for Israel. I was aware of long-standing support for the Peshmerga (Kurdish fighters) from the Mossad . But I wasn't prepared for the actual sense of reverence that Israel held for the Kurds. Part of the support comes from the classic Middle Eastern dictum, "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" and as such the Kurds and Israel had a bevy of common enemies over the years such as the brutal regime of Saddam Hussein.

Another part of the support seemed to come from a similar identification. The Kurds are a nation divided with parcels of historic Kurdistan attached to Iraq, Turkey, Iran and Syria. They are the largest people in the world without their own state. The notion of being a stateless people, I believe, helped shape the Kurd's affinity and identification with the Jews and Israel. Like the Jews, Kurdish history has been peppered with heartbreak. There is a saying: "the Kurds have no friends but the mountains," a notion that reflects the Kurdish sense of longstanding betrayal and misfortune. Many of them mentioned feeling an affinity to Israel as another beleaguered outpost in the midst of bigger enemies.

Finally, another aspect of the affinity is drawn from the centrality of Iraqi Kurdistan for the rest of Kurdistan. Iraqi Kurdistan has taken on a Zion-like centrality for the rest of Kurdistan and the Kurdish Diaspora. I was sitting one night with a friend in a mountain café, waiting for our food, when one of the servers came to give us plates of salads. My friend Aram said something to him, but couldn't understand his response. Aram said he thought the server was likely a Turkish Kurd. Iraqi Kurdistan, Aram explained, had become a hub for Kurds in the region. He noted that Kurdistan's President Masoud Barzani had spoken of an open-door policy for Kurds of the region, and that many had flocked here for work and to live in freedom. Kani Xulam, the Director of the American-Kurdish Information Network once remarked to me a similar notion of Iraqi Kurdistan's centrality : "Five million Kurds in Iraqi Kurdistan have become a beacon of light for the 35 million Kurds who live in Turkey, Syria, and Iran. That beacon of light is keeping us awake at night and is filling our hearts with hope."

Trying to understand the sentiments better, I asked an Iraqi friend about Kurdish support for Israel. Paradoxically, he said that while the Kurds support Israel, they still saw "Zionism" as a taboo word -- as if Israel and Zionism were separate entities. He mentioned that while Kurds may hold affinity with Israel from a similar sense of isolated status, the term "Zionism" held a connotation of conspiracy that is often rife in the rest of the Middle East. He mentioned that while not everyone differentiates Zionism from Israel from Judaism, and hold some hostility to all three as an inseparable enemy, most Kurds see Israel within a similar beleaguered paradigm and with similar enemies, and harbor sentiments of support.
I briefly discussed Kurdish feelings for Israel in this 2009 post.
  • Wednesday, July 17, 2013
  • Elder of Ziyon
Al Ahram reports:
Hamas spokesman Ehab Al-Ghaseen said on Wednesday that the Egyptian army has initiated a campaign to close smuggling tunnels to Gaza.

"These campaigns were initiated for specific political reasons," added the spokesman.

Al-Ghaseen stressed the need for a formal commercial alternative before the tunnels are closed, saying that calls to Egypt have been made concerning the matter.

The suspension of smuggling activities has led to a serious gas shortage, added Al-Ghaseen, who underlined the tunnels' importance to the Strip.
Remember that Gaza can get much more fuel from Israel, but it is at market rates and not subsidized by the Egyptian government the way the smuggled fuel is.

Here is a video showing the Egyptians destroying a reservoir for fuel near the Gaza border that was meant to be pumped by smugglers into Gaza.



Meanwhile, the Palestinian NGO Network issued a joint press statement condemning Egyptian media incitement against Palestinians, aimed at "defaming Palestinian citizens."

A number of "unfortunate" decisions have been made regarding Palestinian mobility at border crossings and airports to and from Egypt, the statement added. The statement did not elaborate on the nature of these decisions nor the party responsible for them.

The Network expressed sympathy for Egyptian concerns given the recent political unrest, but called on Egyptian authorities and civil society organisations to limit incitement before it damages relations between Egypt and Gaza.
The Palestinian Arabs are the victims of incitement by the Arab media? That must be an awful feeling!

  • Wednesday, July 17, 2013
From Ian:

Jews Sue Police for Barring Them from Temple Mount on Tisha B’Av
The Babylonians and Romans destroyed the Holy Temples long ago. Since 1967, the site of the ruins returned to Jews, but Muslims have de facto rule. Police barred Jewish entry on Tisha B’Av and now face a lawsuit
Temple Mount activist groups are suing the police for “racist discrimination” and for tens of thousands of dollars in damages after the law enforcement agency closed the holy site to hundreds of Jews on Tisha B’Av Tuesday.
ANALYSIS: With Hamas Cooperation, Jihadists Turning Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula Into Key Battleground
The Sinai Peninsula is fast becoming the primary battleground between the Egyptian military and Islamist groups ranging from the Muslim Brotherhood and its Palestinian off-shoot Hamas, to Al-Qaida and Salafist groups. The peninsula’s always-tenuous stability has been further undermined by the successive falls of Egyptian presidents Hosni Mubarak in 2011 and Mohammed Morsi in 2013. Homegrown Islamists, Hamas, and foreign jihadis are now regularly attacking Egyptian and Israeli targets in the Sinai.
This time in Sinai, the Egyptians mean business
Egyptian security forces early Tuesday morning discovered and sealed another eight smuggling tunnels running from the Sinai Peninsula to the Gaza Strip. According to Palestinian media reports, the Egyptians also located 23 warehouses used for storing fuel and thwarted the imminent transfer of the fuel to the Hamas-run territory. These warehouses contained 140,000 liters of fuel, a rare commodity of late in the Strip.
Erdogan: Morsi Is Still “My President”
Erdogan was an early and consistent supporter of Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood-linked government, and Ankara reacted to Morsi’s removal with outrage. Cairo had already summoned the Turkish ambassador to Egypt last week after Ankara described Morsi’s removal as an “unacceptable coup.”
MEMRI: Egyptian Cleric Muhammad Zoghbi Calls on Allah to Annihilate Jews and Shiites in a Friday Sermon


UK Zionist Federation Slams Transport for London Deal Banning Sale to Israel
The United Kingdom’s Zionist Federation has sharply condemned Transport for London, the local government body responsible for most aspects of the transport system in London, England, for agreeing to an Israeli exclusion condition put forward by the United Arab Emirates. The condition was included in an Emirates Airlines sponsorship contract for Thames Cable Cars, a cable car link across the River Thames in London. Thames Cable Cars is also referred to as the Emirates Air Line.
Student BDS movement leader up for regent post in California
“While it would be an important milestone for a Muslim student to become the student regent, Ms. Saifuddin is an ill-advised choice because she promotes activities that marginalize a large group of students on campus, and she advances extremist positions,” StandWithUs wrote in an open letter to the Board of Regents.
“If you appoint a student who is prominently associated with the ‘BDS’ movement, you would send a message normalizing and even rewarding the very activities that are greatly harming the campus environment,” the letter said.
The Simon Wiesenthal Center also launched a petition against Saifuddin’s nomination.
Alice Walker evokes Che Guevera in post on Trayvon Martin at ‘Comment is Free’
Whether espousing explicit antisemitism, defending Palestinian suicide bombers and paying tribute to radical chic ‘anti-imperialist’ mass murderers, Walker is about the last person who should be taken seriously on the issues of race and bigotry. And, the fact that she was imputed with such moral authority by ‘CiF’ editors is a remarkable commentary on the continuing perversion of true progressive thought at a media group which, however risibly, still fancies itself the world’s “leading liberal voice”.
Kirchner to Skip Bombing Memorial Again
Jonathan Schanzer, vice president for research of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, points out to me that for the second year running, Argentine President Christina Kirchner is going to skip commemorations for the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires. Her snub to Argentina’s Jewish community comes after her refusal to allow the prosecutor in the case to testify in the U.S. Congress in recent hearings about Iranian activity in Latin America.
ADL ‘Applauds’ De Blasio’s Campaign to Highlight Saudi Arabian Airlines ‘Six-Decades of Discrimination’
“Saudi Arabia, along with numerous other Arab countries, have refused entry to people traveling on Israeli passports since 1948. As many travelers know, many of these countries will not allow entry even to individuals who have an entry stamp from Israel in their passport.
“Mr. De Blasio is attacking this old prejudice with a new approach, and seeking to change Saudi Arabian Airline’s policies through U.S. anti-discrimination statutes.”
Leonard Garment, Beyond Watergate
Leonard Garment, Richard Nixon’s law partner, adviser, and White House Counsel during the Watergate scandal, died in New York on Saturday at the age of 89. The New York Times’ obituary emphasized Garment’s exquisite success in defending his friend-president-and-client while preserving his own integrity and reputation–a daunting task. But this 2,200 word article overlooked Garment’s essential contribution to American, Jewish, and world history in working with Daniel Patrick Moynihan to denounce the UN’s Zionism is Racism Resolution. Garment, a trial attorney, carefully sought the right word to describe Resolution 3379, which the General Assembly passed in November 1975. His ultimate choice, “obscene,” brilliantly captured how this unfair, inaccurate libel sullied us all.
Orthodox Jewish Boxer Dmitriy Salita Featured in Documentary Series, Talks Jewish Roots (VIDEO)
Overshadowed in recent years by The Algemeiner’s other favorite film-friendly Jewish pugilist, Yuri Foreman, Salita was recently given his own chance to shine.
In the film, part of an ongoing series from Moonshot Productions called New Yorkers, Salita tells how coming to New York from Odessa, Ukraine, opened his eyes to his religion.
Israeli-Made ‘Pencil Sharpener’ Device Peels Carrots, Vegetables (VIDEO)
An Israeli has invented a tool that will shave time off of peeling carrots. The device? The Karoto, looks and works like a large pencil sharpener, and peels vegetables such as courgettes and carrots or any similar-shaped vegetable.
Designed by Avichai Tadmor for Monkey Business design studio in Israel, it is also touted for its safety. The Karoto’s creative team says it is a safer way to slice the skin off vegetables compared to using a peeler or knife.
Apple in Talks to Buy Israel’s PrimeSense for $280 Million
American tech giant Apple is in talks to buy Israel-based PrimeSense, a developer of chips that enable three-dimensional machine vision, for $280 million, Israel’s Calcalist website reported Tuesday.
The company has developed an integrated system which gives digital devices the ability to observe a scene in three dimensions. The technology has been used in Microsoft’s Xbox.
New clips, alarms and apps can stop parents forgetting tots in cars
Israelis have been saddened — and angered — by the deaths of three very young children, in the past two weeks, forgotten for hours inside vehicles on sweltering summer days, succumbing to dehydration and heat exhaustion.
But bad feelings notwithstanding, officials in recent days have come to realize that Israel has a major problem — and some are looking to technology to solve it.
  • Wednesday, July 17, 2013
  • Elder of Ziyon
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