Atlas Shrugs

Israel/Pali Conflict: KNOW YOUR HISTORY!

Not that it's about truth, history or right and wrong. It's about Jew hatred plain and simple. Even so, know the truth.

Who Caused the Arab Refugee Problem? Refugee: Arab Leaders Told Us to Flee in 1948 - Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook
In another corroboration by an Arab refugee that it was Arab leaders who were responsible for the flight of Arabs from the new State of Israel in 1948, an elderly woman, Asmaa Jabir Balasimah Um Hasan, told the PA newspaper Al-Ayyam on May 16, 2006, that it was Arab leaders and not Israel who told her and her neighbors to flee, for tactical military reasons. "They told us: 'The Jews attacked our region and it is better to evacuate the village and return after the battle is over.'"
    This confirms earlier statements that have appeared in the PA press. On April 30, 1999, an Arab viewer called PA TV and quoted his father and grandfather, complaining that in 1948 the Arab District Officer ordered all Arabs to leave Palestine or be labeled traitors. On March 19, 2001, columnist Fuad Abu Higla wrote in the official PA daily Al Hayat Al Jadida of Arab leaders "in the year of 1948, who forced us to leave, on the pretext of clearing the battlefields of civilians." It is well-known among Palestinians that Arab leaders bear responsibility for the mass flight of Arabs from Israel in 1948, and were the cause of the "refugee" problem. (Palestinian Media Watch)

"World War III"

Verbal fisticuffs as the forces of good and evil went at it at the United Nations yesterday. The groundwork is being laid for the coming bloodshed. If the papers and networks ignore it, it won't make it go away.  This is war;

New York Sun (Paid Only):A verbal brawl erupted at the Security Council yesterday as it debated the subject of terrorism. During the skirmish, Syria accused Israel of starting World Wars I and II, as well as “contemplating” a third world war.

    The anti-Semitic outburst by the Syrian representative, Ahmad Alhariri, as well as allegations by his Iranian colleague, Ahmad Sadeghi, countered comments from Israel’s U.N. ambassador, Dan Gillerman, who said both Syria and Iran are part of an “axis of terror” that would pit them against a group of anti-terrorism “allies” in a “World War III.”

    Secretary-General Annan released a statement on the exchange after Lebanon requested a cease-fire. Diplomats considered the statement even-handed, but it failed to mention a Security Council resolution that called on all Lebanese militias, including the most well-organized, Hezbollah, to be disarmed by the Lebanese government.

Spineless Annan

    “Iran uses Hezbollah to fight its war by proxy,” Mr. Gillerman told the council yesterday, speaking during a speech at a periodic session evaluating international counterterrorism efforts. “We hold not only the government of Lebanon fully responsible for all terrorist activity initiated from its territory,but also hold responsible the governments of Iran and Syria for harboring and supporting Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations.”

truth teller

    The “axis of terror is alive and active,” Mr. Gillerman said. “Leaders of Hamas meet regularly with, and have been offered financial assistance by, the president of Iran. The very same president who calls for the annihilation of another member state denies the Holocaust and is attempting to develop the nuclear capabilities to perpetrate the next one.”

    The world “is no longer divided between rich and poor and north and south,” Mr. Gillerman added. “It is divided between those who join in this fight and those who do not.”

Mr. Gillerman [...] said, the council was able to “hear lectures about terrorism from two of the greatest experts on that subject.”

UPDATE: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad discussing the Holocaust with Der Spiegel, a German news magazine.;

"One group of scholars or persons, most of them politically motivated, say the Holocaust occurred. Then there is the group of scholars who represent the opposite position and have therefore been imprisoned for the most part. Hence, an impartial group has to come together to investigate and to render an opinion on this very important subject, because the clarification of this issue will contribute to the solution of global problems. Under the pretext of the Holocaust, a very strong polarization has taken place in the world and fronts have been formed. It would therefore be very good if an international and impartial group looked into the matter in order to clarify it once and for all. Normally, governments promote and support the work of researchers on historical events and do not put them in prison"

There's more on the whole vile interview here.

The Jerusalem Post has an excellent piece on the UN dogfight (actually,  make that man-fights-dogfight) here

Suspected Collaborators Executed in the Street by Palestinians

Where is the outrage? Where are those voices screaming out about Haditha without knowing anything but hyperventilating  to blame our soldiers (but remember the accusations of a "rush to judgement" with OJ?)

Where is The New York waste of  Times on this story?

Suspected Collaborators Executed by Palestinians

Masked Al Aksa Martyrs' Brigades gunmen on Tuesday publicly executed a Palestinian man and woman they suspected of having spied for Israel.

The man was shot dead in the main street of a refugee camp, with a large crowd looking on. The woman was later shot to death by her relatives in the courtyard of the West Bank's largest hospital.

The Aksa Martyrs' Brigades, an offshoot of Palestinian Chairman Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah movement, accused Jafal Abu Tzrur, 24, of having informed the IDF where to find three of its members. The three were killed by IDF troops during a raid on the Balata refugee camp near Nablus earlier this year.

Al Aksa gunmen interrogated Abu Tzrur, claimed he confessed and then dragged him into Balata's main street. As a large crowd looked on, the gunmen threw Abu Tzrur to the ground, witnesses said. When he tried to get up, the gunmen killed him with several shots, the witnesses said.  Read the whole article here

New Species Found in Israel

Fascinating. Scientists at Israel's Hebrew University in Jerusalem say they have discovered a new species of invertebrate animals. Wonder of wonders........ here I thought all the invertebrate animals were in the Palestinian Arab territories;

New invertebrate species found in Israel
UPI -- Scientists at Israel's Hebrew University in Jerusalem say they have discovered a new species of invertebrate animals. The researchers say the discovery was made in a cave that was uncovered as a result of excavations in a quarry near Ramle, Israel

Summabitches Vote to Boycott Israel Universities

Academic Anti-Semitism In Britain According to The National Review Online , the leading scholars at Britain's most prestigious universities are boycotting the work of Israeli academics in an attempt to lobby peace in the Middle East.

More than 4,900 of you answered our call to protest an anti-Israel boycott proposed by NATFHE, a British teacher's union.

I'm sorry to say that despite this overwhelming show of support for the Jewish state, NATFHE this weekend passed a resolution recommending that its members boycott Israeli academics. It is a bigoted measure that violates every principle of fair play and academic freedom. From Stand with Israel, mobilizing Christian support for Israel - bless these folks.

May they burn in hell. Really.

Phyillis Chesler writes a devastating essay on Academic Anti-Semitism,  Boycotting Israeli scholars in Britain’s universities here at the NRO;

The British have a marred history in their relations with the Jews. They murdered and expelled them from their island in the 13th century, and they refused to allow ships filled with Jews in flight from Hitler to land in British “Palestine” in the 20th century.

Although Britain once colonized the entire Arab world, British poets and adventurers romanticized Arab men as nobly and sexily savage. British diplomats and businessmen overlooked Arab barbarism for the sake of oil. Politically correct British intellectuals romanticized Arabs in another way, as the “victims” of European colonialism—for which they blamed, you guessed it, the Jews and the Jewish state. Sometimes, such Stalinized and Palestinianized British thinkers managed to note that Arabs were ruled by cruel despots who impoverished and terrorized their own people—but they blamed it on the American CIA.

In 2000, the Arab League, Iran, and the Palestinians unleashed a savage and lethal intifada against Israeli civilians, 80 percent of whom are Jews whose parents and grand-parents survived pogroms, the Holocaust, mass expulsion from Arab lands and at least five or six wars of self-defense in Israel. From the fall of 2000 until the late spring of 2003, Israelis experienced something akin to 9/11 almost every month, sometimes every other week. This is why they built the security fence, called by some the “apartheid wall.” Allegedly civilized “chatterers” characterized Israelis under siege as “worse than Nazis” whose “genocidal policies” justified the rash of Palestinian serial suicide killings. Such academics did not condemn the exterminationist Islamist propaganda which turned countless adolescents into brainwashed, brutal killers.

British academics responded to the military, terrorist, and propaganda war against the Jews by launching divestment and boycott campaigns against Israel in general and against Israeli academics in particular. Thus, in 2002, 123 British academics published an Open Letter in the London Guardian calling for a “moratorium” on all cultural and research links with Israel. In 2004-2005, the British Association of University Teachers (AUT)—which has never moved to boycott academics from countries such as China, Iran, or Sudan—voted to boycott two Israeli universities for their alleged complicity in their government's military policies. After a tremendous struggle, that vote was overturned.

Similar divestment and boycott campaigns against Israel—and only against Israel—were launched elsewhere. Ford Foundation-funded organizations took part in conferences that demonized Israel and America from the Palestinian point of view. In 2005, the Association of American University Professors (AAUP) found that “the Zionist lobby” exerted a “pernicious” influence against Arabs and Muslims on American campuses. Early in 2006, two professors, Harvard’s Stephen Walt and the University of Chicago’s Charles Mearsheimer heartily agreed. Their shoddy position paper was comprehensively and effectively critiqued, which, in the view of their supporters, proved that the “Zionist lobby” really does rule the world.

A “silent” boycott has already begun in which some British academics have refused to write for Israeli journals and refused to publish or review the work of Israeli academics and creative artists in British journals. In my view, those who do so have effectively cut themselves off from the international community of scholars. According to the president of SPME, Ed Beck, “this boycott offends tolerant and fair-minded people from across the political spectrum.”

The NATHFE boycott motion passed by a vote of 106 to 71 with 21 abstentions.T  This is a very small number, and it may be that they speak for a minority of obsessively like-minded academics. In addition, next week, NATHFE will dissolve and merge with another British union (AUT). At that point, this boycott may no longer legally “count.”

It counts as a propaganda victory for intolerance nonetheless. And it appeases Islamism and bring Europe one step closer to becoming Eurabia—which endangers both America and Israel. Read it all

I have covered Chesler's work extensively in the Atlas sphere, listen to my interview with her here.

—Phyllis Chesler PhD is an emerita professor of psychology and women’s studies and the author of 13 books including Woman’s Inhumanity to Woman and The New Anti-Semitism. Her forthcoming book is titled The Islamization of America. She is on the board of Scholars for Peace in the Middle East. She may be reached through her website www.phyllis-chesler.com.

UPDATE: Amber, The War in America  weighs in here

UPDATE: More Jew hating boycott;

CUPE on Israel: The Echoes of Dark Evils

The next time labour leaders in Canada want to know why there is such antipathy to their agenda in many quarters, they need look no further than the Canadian Union of Public Employee’s Ontario wing. This past weekend some 896 delegates representing 200,000 workers voted in convention to pass a resolution boycotting Israel, a social democracy with the most unionized political jurisdiction in the world.

With all of labour’s supposed grievances, why the urgency on this issue? Because according to CUPE(Ont.) Israel does not " recognize the Palestinian right to self-determination." Let us put aside the fact that Israel was the only country to recognize the future Arab state of Palestine after partition in 1947; put aside the fact that within one week of the 1967 war when Israel defended itself from invasion by five Arab states and still offered total withdrawal and recognition in return for peace and was greeted with the Arab states’ Khartoum resolution of “No negotiation; no recognition; no peace”; put aside the fact that Israel has recognized Palestinian self-determination at Oslo, at Madrid and at Camp David and been refused each time by Palestinian leadership; what makes this resolution so egregious in nature - such an affront to truth and transparency - is that it comes at a time when the Palestinian Authority’s own President has challenged the Hamas government to renounce violence and recognize Israel or face a referendum. President Abbas’ own actions put the lie to the pretense that this CUPE (Ont.) initiative was done in the tradition of labour’s fight for universal social justice. The Palestinians don’t question Israel’s acceptance of their right to self-determination. They question only their own capacity to manifest it.

It’s time to call a spade a spade. CUPE (Ont.)’s action is, at worst, a primordial example of a hypocrisy unmasked revealing the true face of anti-Zionism as anti-Semitism, and, at best, a knee-jerk Canadian antipathy to any American ally. An antipathy that at its heart is fuelled by a self-doubt driven by a jealousy of others self-belief.

 

US Congressmen Propose Resolution to Recognize Jewish Middle East Refugees

It's about time, I can't imagine what took so long............. all those good folks in Pennsylvania - vote Santorum. Get off your asses and get out the vote for him, he is a mighty mighty man. And Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida? A warrior. Sorry, I can't stand Nadler, too leftarded but I salute him and Lantos on this.

(IsraelNN.com) Four US Senators and four Congressmen, representing both Democrats and Republicans, have introduced landmark resolutions on Middle East refugees in the United States Senate and in the House of Representatives.

The resolutions urge President George Bush to ensure that in all international forums, when the issue of "Middle East refugees" is discussed, representatives of the United States should ensure "that any explicit reference to Palestinian refugees is matched by a similar explicit reference to Jewish and other refugees, as a matter of law and equity."

This bi-partisan effort is being spearheaded by Senators Rick Santorum (R-PA), Norm Coleman (R-MN), Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ). On the House side, supporters include Congressmen Tom Lantos (D-CA) , Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Michael Ferguson (R-NJ). Hat tip Robert D

UPDATE: Listen up! Reader EJ from Pennsylvania writes

. Thanks for putting out the word for PA to re-electMr. Santorum.  I like him and will vote for him, but Ibelieve Casey is going to defeat him.  I hate to sayit.  There are a great deal of senior citizens who think the (D) and the (R) still mean something in Pgh. I know better.

Anybody that spent 15 minutes studying the issues knows better, ej.

2. Try to put out the word about Diana Irey as well. She's running against John "leave Iraq now" Murtha for Congress.

Murtha, the traitor? Casey, member of the lucky sperm club? C'mon people! Get involved! Santorum and Irey  -- you are lucky to have such fine candidates.

Culture of Life vs. Culture of Death

Why do they hate us? Because we love life. Why do they hate us? Because we are all of us in the gutter, but so many of us in the West are reaching for the stars. Why do they hate us?  Because we live for life and they live to die and fuck 72 virgins.

In Jewish life, the toast when drinking, the toast when saluting those getting bar/bat mitvahed or married...........the toast of life is L'Chaim (to life.) This is our mantra - our manifesto. To life. Everything the Jew does is to better life. Tikun Olam (repair the world.) In Jewish life, there is an exurberance for life. A joie, a passion, a wild happiness...........we do not exalt death. We study medicine, science, technology so that life will be better, healthier longer. Michaya! Recent developments at Israel 21c here;

UPDATE: Westbankmama sent along this disgusting, inhumane story here, read it

MONEY QUOTE: PA's Minister of Health decided that it would be better to see this little girl die than allow contact on any level with the 'Zionist Entity'.

Israeli breakthrough shortens the window of HIV detection    
Over a million Americans are living with HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C, and many of them are unaware of it, even though they've been tested. That's because the antibodies for both diseases don't show up initially on tests, and take weeks or months after infection to develop in the body. This gap can give the patient a false impression that he or she is healthy... and puts others at a lethal risk. But now, a breakthrough technology called the SMARTube developed by Israeli scientist Dr. Tamar Jehuda-Cohen and her company Smart Biotech can do what no other test does: detect each disease at its earliest stage. More...

Israeli researchers stem the tide of desertification   
05/21/06 - A growing global problem, desertification leads directly to a loss of the biological and economic productivity of land, and can cause famine. Israeli scientists are at the forefront of the global effort to help preserve valuable drylands, and prevent them from becoming deserts. Whether through technologies that will enable farmers to water their crops with recycled waste water or repopulating forests through plant genetic modification, the researchers from Hebrew University's Agricultural faculty are honoring World Environment Day next month and its slogan 'Don't Desert Drylands' - by providing the tools the world will need to preserve its arid land and make the desert bloom. More...

Culture | Congressmen and senators raise a glass to Israeli wine

Global Democracy | Israeli researchers stem the tide of desertification

Health | Jellyfish that can get under your skin

Technology | Spelling and grammar mistakes go up in smoke - WhiteSmoke

Global Democracy | Protecting Israel's coastlines with Zalul

Culture | Israel's 'electric' fashion springs to life

Culture | Israeli dates at forefront of shift in market trends

Continuous streaming therapy gets under your skin
Israeli 'virtual patient engine' designs safe clinical trials, and saves lives
Drug trials on mice are 'almost human' thanks to new Israeli technique 
Giving heart to cardiac patients 
Israeli mini-camera achieves a painless view of the colon 
Israel's 'slimming' potato a hit abroad 
Israeli researchers regenerate torn ligaments and tendons with adult stem cells 
Fresh lemon grass fields in Israel become mecca for cancer patients -
Israel leads world in stem cell research papers per capita -
A new Israeli solution for a weighty problem 
Israeli and North American specialists have a 'heart to heart' -
Israel concocts a delicious new therapy
Relieving the pain of arthritis with snake venom 
Israeli researchers close in on vaccine for autoimmune diseases 
Johnson & Johnson looks to the future with Israeli science  A healing place for children 
Israeli device lengthens the stem cell cord that save lives 

Global Democracy | Israeli doctors deliver new smiles    
A dedicated team of Israeli plastic surgeons are giving the invaluable gift of a new smile to children in the developing world free of charge. Under the banner 'Operation New Smile', the doctors from Sheba Medical Center have traveled as far as Peru, Nepal and Vietnam, bringing their high-quality medical expertise to correct a devastating and disfiguring birth defect that can also affect eating, speech, and hearing: cleft lip/palate disorder. Each 'Operation New Smile' trip brings new hope and a new smile to 30-50 children in the Third World.  More... Health | Michael J. Fox Foundation finds promise in Israeli Parkinson's treatment   
The celebrity spotlight is shining on a small Israeli company working on a better way for Parkinson's disease patients to receive their medication. The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research has granted nearly half a million dollars to startup NeuroDerm, which is working to develop a transdermal skin patch, used to maintain steady levels of Levodopa - the drug that Parkinson's patients depend on to control their symptoms. The Fox Foundation grants its highly selective award to technologies it believes have a significant chance of greatly improving the lives of patients with Parkinson's disease. More.....

Culture | When Ahmed met Avshalom   
In a small village near Haifa, 15 Arab and Jewish children are quietly making history.The Ein Bustan kindergarten is the first in the world in which children of both backgrounds learn together in a Waldorf educational setting. On Fridays, the children light candles and bake challah in preparation for the Jewish Sabbath, but they also recite a blessing in Arabic speaks of 'kneading the dough together, Arab and Jew,' and of 'living in peace, with God's help.' More...  More...

And then there is the  Culture of Death that worships death.

• Iranian group announced the creation of a new "battalion" of "suicide murderers"
• Gaza's Culture of Violence
• Hamas in its own words
• Teaching Children to Aspire Death for Allah
• Teaching Hatred via Music Videos and Culture
• Children are Combatants in PA Ideology
• PA inciting to Genocide of Suicide Terror
• Denying Israel's Right to Exist and Anticipating its Destruction
• Understanding Shahada - Death for Allah & Jihad
• Mothers Express Joy at Son's Death for Allah
• Clarifying History
• Holocaust Denial
• Teaching Hatred of Jews, Israel and the USA in Arab world TV
• Hatred of the United States and the West
• PA Promoting & Glorifying Terrorism
• Denying Israel's Right to Exist and Anticipating its Destruction
• Libels, Lies & Distortions Pre Oct. 2000 War
• Libels,Lies & Distortions Since Oct. 2000 War
• Hatred of the USA
• PA Holocaust Denial
• Palestinian Leaders
• Palestinian Society
• Indoctrinating Children & Adults to Aspire Death for Allah (Shahada) and to Violence
• PA Promotion of Racism and Anti-Semitism
• US, Britain and Israel "murder" children in surreal PA TV hate video 
• Planting the Seeds of the Next War: The truth about the Palestinian schoolbooks 

Hey Israel, It's About Time

Israel finally responds to numerous Katyusha rockets fired into Israel. This time? Northern border. But rocket attacks from the West Bank have been common place. Qassam rockets have been  fired from the north of the Gaza Strip  toward the northern Negev and Palestinian rockets hit an Israeli Classroom.

In other related acts of war, the Iranian-sponsored Hizbullah has been smuggling instructions on the production of bombs to agents in the West Bank. In early May, a Palestinian operative of Hizbullah was arrested on charges of seeking to smuggle instructions on producing and assembling advanced bombs here.

Battles at the Northern Border

120mm Katyusha rockets were fired into Israel on Sunday, striking Mount Meron west of Tzfat (Safed) followed by more widespread fire during the day. The air force retaliated, striking PFLP bases in Lebanon.

Gunfire broke out for a second time Sunday afternoon as IDF troops and Hezbollah terrorists battled on the northern border with residents ordered into shelters and a soldier injured by sniper fire.

Foreign Ministry officials on Sunday announced Israel will turn to the United Nations Security Council with an official complaint.

Lying cowards.............

Islamic Jihad denies claim it attacked Israel Reuters
Islamic Jihad denied that it had claimed responsibility for a rocket barrage on Sunday that wounded an Israeli soldier in northern Israel.

UPDATE: But we knew this, Hzbollah, Hamas are Iran

Syria, Iran directed rocket barrage against Israel WND
The rocket attacks that targeted the Jewish state yesterday, prompting cross border clashes and Israeli Air Force retaliation, were carried out by "agents" working on behalf of Syria and Iran, Lebanon's Druze leader Walid Jumblatt said in an interview.

IDF: If Hizballah Wants Escalation, We'll Give It to Them
A senior commander in the Northern Command defined the most significant day of battles with Hizballah since Israel pulled out of south Lebanon six years ago as highly successful. "We awaited their attack, were ready, and the moment they made a move - they absorbed a lot of damage to infrastructure and forces." He revealed that during the battles, Hizballah sent dozens of children toward the border to throw stones, and even fired from inside a UN building. [savages -Atlas] 

UPDATE: May 30th: Vital Perspectives has the best coverage of Hezbollah's weekend operation against Israel. Maps, images, and reportage on what really happened.

 

Negative Contingent at Olmert's Speech

Another email asking after that gruesome group here;

In reporting on Israeli PM Olmert's speech to Congress, you noted the presence of a contingent who sat there with their hands folded, refusing to applaud.  You said you would follow up and try to identify them.  Have you made any progress in this yet?

Just for knowing, I have been all over this and still have not come up with any answers. Apparently there was no seating for Olmert's speech, though I think it strange that this six to eight rows of like minded Israel haters all sat together. I have been unable to track down a seating diagram of any kind.

I have not forgotten - many of you have emailed me regarding this question. If there is anyone out there that can assist me I would greatly appreciate it .......... cspan may be my only hope. Buying a copy of their video and zooming in.............

" Our Strength is the Willingness to Sacrifice Our Blood & Children"

Hizbullah Secretary-General Sheikh Nasrallah Speech on Al-Manar TV: The Zionist Entity's Weakness is "Their Strong Adherence to This World"... Our Strength is the Willingness to Sacrifice Our Blood & Children... They Will Leave the Land

MEMRI provides the following  excerpts from a speech delivered by Hizbullah secretary-general Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, which aired on Al-Manar TV (Google news provider) on May 23, 2006.

TO VIEW THIS CLIP GO HERE

Hassan Nasrallah: "This [Zionist] entity, which has many strengths - I don't have time now to list them all - has weaknesses as well. One of its most important weaknesses is the fact that it is an extraneous entity. It is not deeply rooted.

"Another weakness of this entity is that its people came because they were promised security, peace, and a life in the land of milk and honey. But if they encounter something else, they will leave this land.

"Another weakness is that both as individuals and as a collective, they are described by Allah as 'the people who guard their lives most.' Their strong adherence to this world, with all its vanities and pleasures, constitutes a weakness.

"In contrast, our people and our nation's willingness to sacrifice their blood, souls, children, fathers, and families for the sake of the nation's honor, life, and happiness has always been one of our nation's strengths."[...]

"A year ago today I said, in Bint Jbeil, that the resistance has more than 12,000 missiles. When I say 'more than 12,000 missiles,' it doesn't mean 13,000. It doesn't mean 13,000... I acknowledge that for many years - since 1992, to be precise - the resistance has had a significant and respectable missile capability, both in quantity and quality. Therefore, I can tell you that the north of occupied Palestine is entirely within the range of the missiles of the Lebanese resistance.

"This, of course, is the minimum. As for reaching beyond the north - the less said the better. We have no reason to say whether or not we have such capabilities. Let's keep quiet about this.

"Today the north is within the range of the missiles of the resistance - their ports, their bases, their factories, everything... This creates a balance between the north of Palestine and the south of Lebanon and Lebanon in its entirety."[...]

"Today, if I appear on TV... If I am talking to you and it is aired on TV, and I say to the people of the settlements in the north of occupied Palestine: "On behalf of Hizbullah, I recommend that you go down to the bomb shelters within two hours," they would all go to Tel Aviv." More here at MEMRI

Celebrating JERUSALEM DAY!

Israelis Celebrate Jerusalem Day

Thousands of Israelis marched through the streets of Jerusalem, celebrating the 39th anniversary of the reunification of the city during the Six Day War in 1967.  They waved national flags, as they marched to the Western Wall in the disputed Old City, the last remnant of the biblical Temple.

Fireworks explode as the Dome of the Rock Mosque, also known to Jews as the Temple Mount, is seen during Israel's Jerusalem Day celebrations

PMO: PRIME MINISTER SPEECH AT JERUSALEM DAY CEREMONY AT AMMUNITION HILL

 

Heads Up to Joseph Farah: "Why I'm Not Giving Up on Israel"

I ran Joseph Farah's article "I give up on Israel" here on the 16th of May,  where he wrote that despite being a great friend and staunch supporter  to Israel, I am through defending Israel – at least the regime currently in power in Jerusalem, this useless coalition seemingly hell-bent on committing national suicide. The rest is here.

Jonathan Tobin has run an excellent counter point to Joseph Farah's argument and deserves fair hearing.  Tobin's piece "Why I'm Not Giving Up on Israel" makes salient points (even though none of us is ever really giving up on Israel)

Last week columnist Joseph Farah told his readers on the Internet that "I give up on Israel."

Farah, founder of the popular conservative WorldNetDaily. com site, is, as he puts it, of "Arabic descent," yet counts himself as one of "Israel's staunchest supporters."

But Farah writes in a piece that has been widely circulated beyond his usual readership that he has had it with the Israelis because they have elected a leader whom he considers a "coward." Farah has no use for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's "convergence" plan because he considers it a "compromise with evil," which will create a terrorist state. This "suicidal" plan is, in his view, not merely wrongheaded, but a sin.

"Israel has made the mistake many times throughout history of turning away from their God," writes Farah. "Israel has made the mistake many times throughout history of putting faith in kings and men over the promises of Heaven."

Though critics of Olmert's "convergence" plan have salient points to make about the consequences of withdrawal from Gaza, what comes through here the loudest is the tone of disgust with what Farah - and those who agree with him - consider to be Israel's lack of fighting spirit.

On the other side of the ideological spectrum, the continued rumblings of the so-called post-Zionists is also troubling. Those on the left who no longer believe in the justice of Israel's cause have helped to fuel not only an academic assault on the Jewish state's legitimacy, but have given cover to the campaigns to disinvest from firms that do business with Israel or to boycott Israeli scholars.

Add these trends together, and you can paint a picture of trouble that has given heart to Israel's foes and discouraged its friends.

But for all of the gloom and doom you can hear or read about Israel these days, there is a very different story that can be told. It's something that I saw in a few different places while attending the International Conference of Jewish Newspaper Editors there earlier this month. It's one of idealism and dedication to the country's values.

I saw it in a Jerusalem classroom run by the Jewish Agency for Israel, where I met five young immigrant soldiers serving in the Israel Defense Force.

What the five had in common was the fact that none of them were considered Jewish under religious law, but all wanted desperately to be considered part of the Jewish people.

'Non-Jews' Who Love Israel . Read it

Hat tip to March whose further comments I find more insightful than Tobin's or Farah's;

I beliEve that much of the support in Israel for retreat (to use an accurate word) is based on an Israeli perception that they're trapped in a sucker's game.  If Israel were to conduct a full-blown multi-year counter-insurgency campaign in the Judea and Samaria/West Bank and Gaza to destroy terrorist cells and their networks of "legitimate" fronts and supporters (including dismantlement of the UN camps, expulsion of those Palestinians who support terrorism, etc.) they would risk the treatment received from the U.S. and world community by Taiwan, apartheid South Africa and Milosevic's Yugoslavia.  On the other hand, the "Roadmap to Peace" is a Saudi inspired plan that leads (at a minimum) to the 1967 "Auschwitz" borders. 

The Sharon/Olmert disengagement strategy was, I believe, devised as a way to get a better result than the Road Map while avoiding the South Africa/Yugoslavia treatment.  The Sharon/Olmert strategy tries to choose the least worst alternative.  It's kind of like a man who is gradually being pushed off the ledge of a building  choosing to jump and hopefully make a better landing than if he allowed himself to be pushed.   

For the record, I think Israel should tell the world to go to hell and pursue the counter-insurgency strategy.  It might actually inspire the world to fight Jihad.  But, I sit here in Philadelphia and don't have the awesome responsibility of the PM of Israel.

Who is, IMAO, a clerk. Ducks/runs.

And while we are on the subject - to converge or not converge, that is the existential question --  check out Israel Matzav's "Why Americans Jews should not back the Convergence" here.
 

Iran: An Historic Nuclear Smackdown

While Olmert was making history in the Joint session of Congress yesterday, Ahmadinejad was making a different kind of history. Clearly Tony Blair is meeting with Bush now regarding this very thing. It is soooo not about Iraq, we done won Iraq. Sectarian violence is part and parcel of this global war on Islamic violence. Iraq is so yesterday. Blair is here to war game, right on the heels of Olmert. Coincidence? Hardly. I will try to liveblog the Bush Blair press conference tonight, but I am not home and the day is not my own. Meanwhile, get thee over to Kobayashi Maru here;

Yesterday Iranian President Ahmadinejad was widely reported as having said that the West would "receive an historic slap" if we so much as waved an unloaded BB gun in the direction of Iran. (In the American media it was "a historic slap". We prefer the British: "an historic".)

According to Google News, 56 stories contained that phrase, while a total of 1074 were 'related' to it. By contrast, the rest of Ahmadinejad's remarks - and, we would argue, the most relevant part that sets "historic slap" in its proper context - appeared in only seven, with a total of 619 'related' to it. What is the context of those remarks?

"Today, Iran has mastered the entire nuclear fuel cycle, from start to finish, thanks to young Iranian scientists. The enemies are looking to plot and want to create differences among Iranians to stop us getting our rights. But if they do the slightest damage to the Iranian people, if they commit the slightest aggression, they will receive an historic slap." [emphasis added]

A little different, no? Mastery of "the entire nuclear fuel cycle" and "historic slap" are clearly linked ideas... the fuel cycle that's going to be used entirely for generating electricity...

But let's not be too quick to judge. With Ahmadinejad's straight-faced assurance that Iran's nuclear capability is only for the peaceful purposes, we can all relax. (Never mind that Iran could have done the nuclear-generated electricity thing sans all the sturm and drang had it simply abided by the obligations it signed onto under the NPT and remained open to IAEA inspections. Never mind that an investment in petroleum refining capacity could have generated far more energy at far less cost than a nuclear program.)

Never mind all that. Let's give them the benefit of the doubt - again.

Perhaps "slap" is really a typo. What Ahmadinejad probably really meant to say was "zap". Of course. That's it. How could we have been so bellicose and arrogant in our interpretation of the nuance of their unique language, culture and customs? When the nuclear power grid goes on-line and Tehran's Sharia-compatible toasters and state-censored televisions get all the domestically generated, CO2-free, Kyoto-compliant juice they need, it will be a metaphorical 'zap' to the ego of insensitive, planet-stomping, war-mongering theocrats like Bush.

Back to reality for a second. Let's go deeper. Another version of the remarks, over at Iran Focus raises even more pointed questions that most of the MSM have chosen to ignore:

"Today we can proudly announce that Iran has at its disposal the nuclear cycle from zero to 100... Any thought of aggression against the rights of the Iranian nation will be met with a lasting and historic slap from the people of Iran. The enemies of Iran know that they are not capable of harming the Iranian nation in the slightest bit from the outside. The enemies failed to prevent the Iranian nation from obtaining [nuclear capabilities] through political pressure, plots, and use of international organisations and today are plotting and trying to create [ethnic] divisions and despair to prevent the realisation of all of the Iranian nation’s rights." [emphasis added]

What's interesting about this longer excerpt is the introduction of a third concept: the West (aka, 'the enemies') have failed - past tense. This is important in that it implies either facts on the ground (nukes already built and maybe already loaded onto missiles on container ships en route to Western capitals) or perceived empowerment - we'd guess both. Unfortunately we can't find a transcript of the full remarks. It would appear however, that the sequencing of the key sound bytes is consistent across many media outlets, as is the gist of the translations.

The idea that Iran believes the West to have already failed in stopping their nuclear ambitions is reinforced by the recent actions (or rather, non-actions) of pretty much everyone in the international community, including the U.S. Although Iran has not rolled its armies across any borders recently (a technical, though hardly meaningful, point of departure from literal Hitlerian analogies in light of Iran's outsized influence in Syria and elsewhere), the state of mind that Ahmadinejad appears to be in is the same that possesses any leader when his aggressive actions have gone unopposed. If they didn't stop us from doing 'x', he thinks (and quite logically) then why would they stop us from doing 'y'? And if that's true, then why should we believe them when they say that 'z' is really truly their bottom line and it "will not stand"?

In short, they are on a roll and they know it.

Olmert Speech to Joint Session of Congress: Witnessing history

And a reliable witness am I.

Ehud Olmert  became the first Israeli prime minister in more than a decade to address a joint meeting of both houses of Congress. Before I describe this most impressive speech and the historic moment in US/Israel relations, a little background first.

What a day. I was honored to have been invited. The experience more than exceeded my expectations. DC, itself, was glorious. Just beautiful. Crisp, sharp and regal. Such a great town, wonderful people. My favorites are the cab drivers, they are from all over the world and so happy to be here. Free, working, you know -- the American thang.

I arrived at the south door, opposite the Longworth building where a small press contingency had congregated. I started chatting with an elegant gentlemen, and coincidentally the only other blogger invited to cover the historic speech, Paul Mirengoff of Powerline. I liked him, he gave good conversation and was equally surprised and pleased to be in attendance.

Arriving at 8:40 am for an 11 am speech, gave me an opportunity to survey the press. Broadcast went off to a different designated area. The Israeli press was very clique-y, stayed very much to themselves. I  had the enormous pleasure of  extraordinary company. Uri Dan of The New York Post ((whose column I seldom miss), Paul and erudite Ed Lasky, The American Thinker (you could say Ed's a blogger too.). Uri Dan is a funny, funny guy and smart -- which makes him funnier. Of course the crux of the conversation particularly with Uri was the bonecrushing impact the blogs (no one likes that word anymore but I still think its cool. They prefer website, I say anything but that dirty word media) have had on the media and jihadi organs (my term) like the New York Times.

Had a short chat with the reporter from al arabiya. His take on recent events was amusing --  referring to the violence between Fatah and Hamas as "not important," like a "family fighting," and that 'it certainly will not lead to civil war." Whatever, my family doesn't fight like that, but hey.........what do I know? It must be a cultural thing.

Entering chambers was the great satisfaction. I looooved it. It was thrilling. Watching the Senators and Representatives mill about was wildly interesting. The wannabees working the higher ups on the food chain, the higher ups deigning who they would reward with their attention and conversation. I sat next to Dina, from Israeli TV (for Russian Israelis) and we shared the same politics. Not a suicidal lefty, of which Israel has many (too many.) She was as surprised by my politics as I hers. And so we dished.

Kerry came in looking haggard (think Ray Milland in The Lost Weekend), spent and depleted (think Nicholas Cage in Leaving Las Vegas without the bravado.) Watching that man gave me great pause . That someone as incompetent and worthless as he might have been President, made me shudder. Slumbering, slobbering Ted Kennedy came in late and scribbled notes and nodded off during the speech. What a yutz.

Hillary Clinton dashed (not quite but it was what she attempted to project - she can't really do dash) in at the last moment – very red carpet, very I am the star, a real diva moment. She thinks she’s President, or at least soon to be. Watching her watch the speech, she too was lackluster in her response and when she would bring herself to applaud it was almost in slow motion. As if her hands were weighted down with iron shackles. She has her agenda.And it ain’t pretty although her pink overcoat was rather stylish.

Santorum came in, shook hands,  as did Corwyn, affable.... ..you know, plain, decent rational folks. It was most interesting to see the play, the dance, of the power players.

Finally Vice-President Cheney (woo hoo) preceded Ehud Olmert into the chamber. A long, wonderful standing ovation greeted Olmert. It was good. And then he began.

Distinguished members of Congress, I come here – to the home of liberty and democracy – to tell you that my parents’ dream, our dream, has only been partly fulfilled. We have succeeded in building a Jewish homeland. We have succeeded in creating an oasis of hope and opportunity in a troubled region. But there has not yet been one year…one week…. Even one day… of peace in our tortured land.

The confrontation has become even more violent, the enemy turned even more inhumane due to the scourge of suicide terrorism. But we are not alone. Today. Israel. America, Europe and democracies across the globe, unfortunately, face this enemy.

Over the past six years more than 20,000 attempted terrorist attacks have been initiated against the people of Israel. Most thankfully, have been foiled by our security forces. But those which have succeeded have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of innocent civilians…and injury of thousands --- many of the children guilty ONLY of being in what proved to be the wrong place at the wrong time. [Although I differ with Olmert here, they were guilty of being Jewish.]

Olmert began to speak of the recent American victim of of this brutal and unremitting terror, Daniel Cantor Wultz, the 16  year old student from Weston, Florida, who went  to Israel to spend the Passover holiday with his parents in Israel.

Sitting with Olmert’s wife in the chamber was Daniel’s parents and sister, Yekutiel, Sheryl, and Amanda. Daniel’s mother had her hands covering her face, weeping weeping weeping. It was anguish, the utter despair, is beyond my poor description. The heart breaks.
Photo right:  Top row Elie Wiesel, Sheryl Wurtz- second from left. Bottom row, Gray haired woman weeping Aliza Olmert (Ehud's wife).

Olmert went on, defiantly;

Let me state this as clearly as I can: we will NOT yield to terror. [Wild applause]. We will NO surrender to terror… and WE WILL WIN the war on terror and restore peace to our societies.

The Palestinian Authority is ruled by Hamas – an organization committed to vehement anti-Semitism, the glorification of terror and the total destruction of Israel. As long as these are their guiding principles, they can never be a partner [wild applause]

Now there was a group of sour faced nasty looking attendees, all seated together, they would applaud nothing, instead they grimaced and sat like  lemmings, lovers of evil.. I don’t know who they were, I suspect they are the same savages that voted against the terror bill, here but I will investigate further. It is frightening to know that people like this exist, people that would scowl at fighting terror-- and be legislators in what is the ‘greatest deliberate body in the world’.

Olmert commended the Congress for initiating the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism act which “sends a clear message that the United States of America” will not tolerate terrorism in any form.”

When Olmert spoke of Sharon, he met with thunderous applause. Dina and I were surprised but wildly gratified that the Lion got the much deserved respect and admiration.

Ariel Sharon is a man of few words and great principles. His vision and dream of peace and security transcended time, philosophy and politics. Israel must still meet the momentous challenge of guaranteeing the future of Israel as a democratic state with a Jewish majority, within permanent and defensible borders and a unified Jerusalem as its capital – that is open and accessible for the worship of all religions.

Amen to that.........I am sure he ran that by Bush.

But Olmert 's official visit was dominated by Iran and the controversy over its nuclear potential. Iran's nuclear ambition "is hanging over this visit like a black cloud," said David Landau, editor in chief of the Israeli daily Haaretz . But he added, "Maybe this black cloud could have a silver lining."

The silver lining would be a package linking Iran's nuclear threat and Israel's defense needs to the sea change in Israelis' attitudes toward occupation, which could spell further unilateral withdrawals from Palestinian lands after last year's pullout from the Gaza Strip. I asked Dina what the Israelis thought of further pullouts. She said they want it, they voted for it. They want to get out of there and stop the fighting and be done with it. Enough. But, I said, that won't stop the fighting. That won't stop the Palestinians. They'll never stop.  And Dina replied "that's what Sharon said."

With the vision of Ariel Sharon guiding my actions, from this podium today, I extend my hand in peace to Mahmoud Abbas, elected President of the Palestinian Authority. On behalf of the State of Israel, we are willing to negotiate with a Palestinian Authority.This authority must renounce terrorism, dismantle the terrorist  infrastructure, accept previous agreements and commitments, and  recognize the right of Israel to exist.

Let us be clear: peace, without security, will bring neither peace nor security.

We will not, we cannot, compromise on these basic tests of partnership.

Amazing statement............extending his hand to Abbas, too bad Hamas won the election. Terrorists are now the government. Sharon is in a coma. The realities on the ground have changed considerably since Sharon envisioned his disengagement plan. The funny thing is, now no one wants Israel to leave those lands, the "territories"  unilaterally. So afraid are they of the result.  al qaedastan perhaps.

Olmert also spoke to "global warming." Hokey I thought, but I guess he knows his audience and he had to throw the leftards a bone. But even to that sour faces were stonefaced.

A land with limited resources, eager to facilitate cooperation with the United States, Israel devotes its best and brightest scientists to Research and Development for new generations of safe, reliable, efficient and environmentally friendly sources  of energy. Both our countries share a desire for energy security and prevention of global warming. Therefore, through the United States - Israel energy cooperation act and other joint frameworks, in collaboration with our US counterparts, Israel will increase  its efforts to find advanced scientific and technological solutions, designed to develop new energy sources and encourage conservation.

On Iran, Olmert spoke forcefully, unequivocally;

Allow me to turn to another dark and gathering storm casting its shadow over the world…

Every generation is confronted with a moment of truth and trial From the savagery of slavery, to the horrors of World War Two, to the gulags of the Communist Bloc. That which is right and good in this world has always been at war with the horrific evil permitted by human indifference.

That for me was the quotable quote - the proverbial 'money quote,"

Iran, the world's leading sponsor of terror, and a notorious violator of fundamental human rights, stands on the verge of acquiring nuclear weapons. With these weapons, the security of the entire  world is put in jeopardy

A nuclear Iran means a terrorist state could achieve the primary mission for which terrorists live and die: the mass destruction of innocent human life. This challenge, which I believe is The Test of Our Time, is one the West cannot afford to fail

The radical Iranian regime has declared the United States its                 enemy. Its President believes it is his religious duty and his destiny to lead his country in a violent conflict against the nfidels. With pride he denies the Jewish Holocaust and speaks   brazenly, calling to wipe Israel off the map.

For us, this is an existential threat. A threat to which we cannot  consent. But it is not Israel's threat alone. It is a threat to  all those committed to stability in the Middle East and the well  being of the world at large.

Mr. Speaker, our moment is NOW. History will judge our generation  by the actions we take NOW…by our willingness to stand up  for peace and security and freedom, and by our courage to do what  is right.

The international community will be measured not by its intentions       but by its results. The international community will be judged  by its ability to convince nations and peoples to turn their backs on hatred and zealotry.

If we don't take Iran's bellicose rhetoric seriously now, we  will be forced to take its nuclear aggression seriously later

Thundering applause, but still the lovers of evil sat stoic. The speech was a great one. The moment, enormously important. Cementing the bond. Olmert's address to Congress followed Tuesday meetings with President Bush that Bush said "reaffirmed the deep and abiding ties  between Israel and the United States. View the whole speech here. I understand the speech was broadcast live on all three Israeli television networks. Thirty eight outbursts bursts of applause and 18 standing ovations - the Israelis must have been kvelling.

Photos: Getty, we were allowed no cameras, no cells, no blackberries, etc .

UPDATE: The Wall Street Journal's take from their evening wrap;

Should Israel conclude it has no legitimate negotiating partner in a Hamas-led government that refuses to acknowledge Israel's right to exist, his government would be forced to unilaterally impose a border in the West Bank. "We cannot wait for the Palestinians forever," Mr. Olmert told a receptive gathering of senators and congressmen, adding that "our deepest wish is to build a better future for our region, hand in hand with a Palestinian partner, but if not, we will move forward, but not alone." Israel won't be "alone" because of Mr. Bush's unexpected support for Mr. Olmert's border-drawing plan should the current "road-map" peace plan founder. Mr. Olmert's ideas "could lead to a two-state solution if a pathway to progress on the road map is not opened in the period ahead," Mr. Bush said. That came as a surprise to Israeli politicians and others who didn't expect any explicit statement of support from Mr. Bush.

The prospects for further progress on the road map aren't encouraging. The Palestinian leadership has fractured since Hamas quite unexpectedly prevailed in recent parliamentary elections. Mr. Bush encouraged Mr. Olmert to negotiate with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, affiliated with the Fatah party, but Mr. Abbas has shown little ability to tamp down militants in the past and Fatah loyalists are engaged in an increasingly bloody struggle with Hamas militants that some fear could trigger a Palestinian civil war. Late today in Gaza City, Nabil Hodhod, a Palestinian security official with ties to Mr. Abbas, was killed when his car exploded. It was the second attack on security commanders in a week. Meanwhile, masked gunmen kidnapped and shot three Hamas militants, killing one. Hamas blamed the incident on Fatah. The developments are symptomatic of a struggle that has been building and building ever since Hamas assumed power and is unlikely to end either quickly or tidily. Israel and other nations have placed sanctions on the Hamas-led government, and as the inflow of resources slows, the fighting in the streets stands a good change of getting worse. A civil war could also be a humanitarian disaster for the already poor region, and would deal another destabilizing blow to the Middle East that could send shockwaves far beyond the tiny Palestinian territories.

Meanwhile, Mr. Olmert was also discussing Iran's nuclear ambitions with U.S. officials. He spent 35 minutes yesterday talking to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld about the issue, and told lawmakers today that "if we don't take Iran's bellicose rhetoric seriously now, we will be forced to take its nuclear aggression seriously later."

UPDATE: In related news;

• Israel launched a series of actions against Palestinian terrorists, including the arrest of the head of the Hamas Military Wing in the West Bank and the targeted killing of Islamic Jihad's most senior militant in Gaza. [Full Story]

UPDATE: Israpundit has insightful analysis from Belman here

UPDATE: Remembered these folks later on. Harry Reid was very low key. Sullen.....almost clinically depressed, but, hey, I am not a doctor. Maybe he was still licking his wounds over his 'friend's'  editorial in his state's flagship newspaper, Las Vegas Review Journal. Or perhaps, that's just his look, Laurel (as in Laurel and Hardy, but with the reid doofy frown replacing Laurel's doofy smile.) McKinney got her old hair back - Heidi goes to Washington. Whattup with the braids girl? Next thing you know she'll be yodeling.

UPDATE: The Israeli press did not see things quite as optimistically as I did. I will not back or deride OLmert's plan because I do not live there. I do not sit in the front row, on the front lines of violent extremism everyday. All I will say is he was not my pick here and to this very day, I didn't undertsand the Israeli election here and here. Sharon or no Sharon, he was quite out of the picture and Hamas was quite in the picture when the Israelis made their bed choice. They must live with it.

UPDATE: Ed Lasky of The American Thinker wrote a brilliant, insightful piece on Olmert, the speech, America, the Jews, and world history  here. Read it all. Having met Lasky I can vouch for his take on world affairs. I loved the historical context of Lasky's piece.

God Bless America: Olmert speaks to Congress

Who should be surprised about the welcome extended by America? Since America’s inception, America has had a special place in its collective heart for the Jewish people, and now, for Israel.

deep and widespread. The Founders believed they owed a debt to the Jews for providing many of the basic precepts that the nation was founded upon and for inspiring them in their efforts to create a nation. This was only the genesis of a long history of friendship and partnership.

Many view this support as biblically ordained, for in the Bible it is written that God “will bless those who bless the Jews and curse whoever curses the Jews” (Genesis 12:3) and for the last two hundred years, America has indeed blessed the Jews. The Jewish people were the progenitors of Judeo-Christian civilization that has reached extraordinary success – whether measured in prosperity, justice, freedom or liberty – in the fertile soil of America. Had Prime Minister looked upwards from the podium when he deliver his address he would have seen directly facing him a relief of Moses. Moses, the founder of ancient Israel and the man who brought forth The Ten Commandments, the foundation stone of Western civilization.

The United States has more than returned the favor. America has provided a haven for terrorized Jews from around the world, has protested pogroms under the Czar, facilitated the creation of Israel, crafted the Jackson-Vanick Amendment that was vital in permitting Jews to emigrate from Russia, interceded to facilitate the escape of Ethiopian Jews to Israel, replenished Israel military supplies after the surprise attacks by its neighbors in 1973, and in a myriad of other ways America has truly been a blessing for the Jewish people.

In the concluding words of Prime Minister Olmert, “God Bless America.”

G-d bless America, indeed. I gotta tell you. Standing in those chambers yesterday, I can not articulate how proud I was /am to be an American.

Bush Backs Olmert

President Bush comes out swinging for Israel. He gave Olmert the thumbs up;

President Bush yesterday gave a strong boost to Prime Minister Olmert’s plans, praising his guest’s ideas on redrawing Israel’s borders and dealing with the terrorist group Hamas.

   Mr. Olmert’s “bold ideas” are “an important step toward the peace we both support,” Mr. Bush said. While the two leaders said they preferred diplomacy in dealing with the Palestinian Arabs, both said that, in lieu of a credible partner, Israel might advance the process by taking unilateral steps.    On another issue, Mr. Bush vowed to defend Israel against an Iranian threat, saying the mullahs are refusing to negotiate “in good faith.”

   America is “on the cusp” of going to the U.N. Security Council, where sanctions could be set in motion, he added. But although the world shares “a common goal” — preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons — it is hard to “get anything out of the Security Council” without Russian and Chinese consent, he acknowledged. More at The New York Sun 

Aligning ................. against the common enemy.

President Bush throwing the weight of his office and of America behind a free and democratically elected Middle Eastern leader

Mr. Bush made clear he wasn't going to force Israel into a "peace" with a terrorist group, Hamas, that is launching terrorist attacks on Israel and has not accepted Israel's right to exist. "No country can be expected to make peace with those who deny its right to exist and who use terror to attack its population," the president said. He committed himself to Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state in peace and security. He endorsed incorporating large Jewish population blocks in the West Bank as part of Israel's permanent borders, referring to his April 14, 2004 letter to Prime Minister Sharon.

In that letter, Mr. Bush said, "In light of new realities on the ground, including already existing major Israeli populations centers, it is unrealistic to expect that the outcome of final status negotiations will be a full and complete return to the armistice lines of 1949." Yesterday Mr. Bush noted, drily, that he believed that letter when he wrote it and he still believes it. It was an encouraging moment for the many Americans, us included, who support a strong relationship with Israel and who have been hoping that the new premier and the second-term president start off on the right foot, especially at a time when that relationship is under attack on American college campuses and by some church groups. More here

 

Who is really afraid of Iran?

Lee Smith, a Hudson Institute visiting fellow based in Beirut, is writing a book on Arab culture, writing in this week's Weekly Standard here;

U.S. MIDDLE EAST policy is undergoing an identity crisis.
The giddy days of roll-back seem like a distant memory now, as a president who staked his historical legacy on Arab democracy grants Gamal Mubarak an audience at the White House while his father's government is beating and arresting protesters in the streets of Cairo. Is regional transformation rolling up its tent? Have all the sticks turned into carrots? And why is Washington so thrilled at reestablishing full diplomatic relations with Libya? If it is to illustrate what benefits are in store for another prominent power in the region should it abandon its own nuclear program, then maybe there should also be a counterexample of what happens to dangerously intransigent Middle Eastern regimes. Because     Iran is looking increasingly unimpressed by the posture of the Bush White House.

The White House has pointedly explained that Iran's nuclear program is a threat to     Israel, but Tehran is perhaps a more pressing problem for Gulf Cooperation Council members Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and especially Saudi Arabia. Speculations by Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad about post-Zionist geography are alarming, to say the least, but Israel has a nuclear deterrent. The Gulf countries, which in the past have shown neither the ability nor desire to protect themselves, depend entirely on the United States for their security. Read it all.............

Atlas Goes to Washington

Posting will be sporadic as I make my way to the nation's capital to cover Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's speech to the Joint session of Congress. Woot! I am going as press, ain't that a kick in the head.
Despite all ink and punditry I do not believe for one second they are talking convergence I don't think theWest Bank is the top of Olmert's U.S. Agenda Uh uh, they are war gaming Iran, IMAO.

There is considerable concern that an American attempt to blow up Iran's nuclear reactors - like Israel's destruction of Saddam Hussein's reactor in 1981 - would be answered by Iranian reprisals against Israel.

"Israel should know in advance if the United States is planning military action," the newspaper wrote.

Olmert arrived in Washington on Sunday and was set for a working dinner last night with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. He is scheduled to see Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld this morning and Bush in the afternoon. New York Post

Evil is made possible by the sanction you give it. Hats off to Congress for withdrawing their sanction
House of Representatives Set to Pass Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act

 

REJECT THE BOYCOTT OF ISRAELI UNIVERSITIES

As you know, in just a few days Britain's largest university teacher's union will vote on a proposed resolution to boycott Israel. The NATFHE (National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education) is telling its members that Israeli policies are "apartheid policies," calls Israel's security fence an "exclusion wall" and accuses Israel of "discriminatory educational practices."

Last year, when another group of British academics proposed an Israel boycott, your emails to leadership helped turn the tide in Israel's favor. And we need your help again today.

More than 2,100 people already have sent emails to NATFHE leadership telling them to reject the boycott. But we want to raise that number to 5,000 to send a clear message that this unfair and bigoted measure against Israel cannot stand!

Help us send NATFHE leadership a message they can't ignore. Time is critical! Please take action today ... and thank you for standing with Israel and the Jewish people.

Suing Iran: Me of Little Faith

Israelis to Sue Ahmadinejad over "Plotting Genocide"
Israeli Diplomats to Sue Ahmadinejad at International Court of Justice in The Hague

The Hague?

Stop Giving Territory to Terrorists

The Center for Security Policy today began a television advertising campaign concerning Israel's proposed surrender of most of the West Bank and parts of Jerusalem to terrorists like al Qaeda, Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. The ad [VIDEO HERE] recalls the consequences for Israel and for U.S. interests of previous Israeli retreats from southern Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, and urges Americans' representatives in Washington to oppose further territorial concessions to our enemies.

The Center's ad campaign is timed to coincide with the visit to Washington next week by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Mr. Olmert will be pitching his so-called "Convergence Plan" for the West Bank to President Bush in an Oval Office meeting on Tuesday. Among other activities during his U.S. visit, he will also be holding meetings at the Pentagon on Monday and addressing a joint session of Congress on Wednesday.

The ad draws on an analysis of the convergence plan authored by the Center's Senior Mideast Fellow, Caroline Glick. A summary of its main findings can be found by clicking here. Ms. Glick is also the Deputy Managing Editor of and a columnist for the Jerusalem Post.

Pali Savages Firing Rockets at Classrooms

Give' em a State

2-3 Gaza-fired rockets hit the Negev city of Sderot this morning. One hit an empty classroom while the students were praying in a different room, and another caused two women to go into shock.

The first rocket was fired by Palestinian terrorists from northern Gaza shortly after 7:30 AM, landing at the Gevim Junction just south of Sderot. Two women were treated at the site for shock.

Give 'em Jerusalem, shell zahov.

And still the Jews are Benevolent to their Murderers

Israel Will Buy Supplies for Gaza Hospitals

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel said Thursday that Israel would buy drugs and medical equipment urgently needed by Palestinian hospitals in Gaza out of funds Israel is withholding. In an interview in Jerusalem, Olmert vehemently denied that there was any Palestinian "humanitarian crisis," calling it "for the time being total propaganda." "We will pay if necessary out of our own pockets," he said, and get what is needed directly to the hospitals "as soon as possible," circumventing the Hamas government. "We wouldn't allow one baby to suffer one night." The Palestinians, Olmert insisted in his excellent English, "are the victims of their own extremist, fundamentalist, religious, inflexible, and unyielding leadership, and we will do everything in our power to help these innocent people."

Israel to Free Funds for Palestinian Health Workers

Iraq Backs Israel Boycott

Iraq backs Israel Boycott
The US-backed Iraqi government sent an official representative to this week's meeting of the Arab League Boycott Office in Damascus, The Jerusalem Post has learned, prompting criticism from members of Congress and the Bush administration.

"Prompting criticism"? Uh uh. President Bush, you can not realpolitik on this. Put your foot down, now. The message you send now is the consequences we will have to live with.

 

Iran: "A Dark Cloud is Looming"

While the thumbsuckers up on Capital Hill analyze their sphincter muscles (anyone else watching Ron Wyden citing Newsweak when questioning Hayden?), evil marches apace here;

Iran Enlists Axis Of Evil in Nuke Battle

Iran is enlisting     Syria and the militant Palestinian Hamas group — both also deeply at odds with the United States,     Israel and some in western Europe — as allies in the battle over its disputed nuclear program.

The move has prompted Israel's U.N. Ambassador Dan Gillerman to declare that "a dark cloud is looming above our region, and it is metastasizing as a result of the statements and actions by leaders of Iran, Syria and the newly elected government of the     Palestinian Authority."

Syria and Iran have historically close ties dating back to 1980, when Damascus sided with Iran against     Saddam Hussein in the Iran-     Iraq war. But ties have become far cozier since hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was elected last summer.

"Do you think you are dealing with a 4-year-old child to whom you can give some walnuts and chocolates and get gold from him?" the Iranian president said Wednesday.

Parpahrasing Hirsi Ali the West, the free world is making a mistake if it thinks the choice in Iran is between peace and war, the choice is between war with Ahmadinejad who does not have a nuclear weapon and war with Ahmadinejad who does have a nuclear weapon.

Melanie Phillips:"Disintegration not Integration"

Made my way into town today to meet and listen to  Melanie Phillips, author of the most compelling book on Islamic fundamentalism, violence and intimidation in the West, Londonistan.

It was a small elegant lunch given by the Middle East Forum. I was secretly pleased to be meeting a great intellect and truth teller, a woman  I greatly admire,  in  the most magnificent edifice in all New York - The majestic Chrysler Building. Mmmmm.........pure, brilliant,  style.

When I worked at the Daily News, another glorious monument to man's aesthetic, I would walk that block to admire Chrysler's beauty, never tiring of it. And still, it rises seductively, gorgeously, singularly into that competitive Manhattan sky, and you have to pause and bask in its unabashed exquisiteness. I love that building.

It is a beautiful day in Manhattan and there is  a wistfulness in my joy. Always the same sadness. These beautiful days are eerily reminscent of September 11th, and I never shake that feeling. Never.

The terrorist attacks in July 2005 exposed the UK's role as the European epicenter in the promoting, recruiting, and financing of terrorism - and explains why those in the know have given London the moniker "Londonistan."

In her book Londonistan , Melanie Phillips exposes the scandalous appeasement of radical Islam by the British government, media, and the Church of England, and demonstrates how their actions have paved the way for radical Islam to set up shop in the UK’s capital city. She further explains how the dangers of "Londonistan" apply not just to Britain, but also to the United States.

A prominent British journalist and author of six books, Melanie Phillips has written extensively on British politics and culture. Educated at Oxford, her writings have appeared in such venues as the Guardian, the Observer and the Sunday Times, and she is the recipient of the Orwell Prize for journalism. She currently writes a weekly column for London’s Daily Mail.

I was fortunate enough to ride up that wonderful art deco elevator with the erudite Deputy Consul-General for the British Consulate and so we chatted, dined and debated the impending ramifications of Radical Islam gone wild. Jon does not appear to be quite as worried as yours truly. Sweet, but denying. I am sure we will continue to debate.

The Heritage Foundation hosted Melanie Phillips on the 10th of May and there is a video and live stream if you want more of Melanie (which you do do.)

View Event | Streaming MP3

The suicide bombings carried out in London in 2005 by British Muslims revealed an enormous fifth column of Islamist terrorists and sympathizers. Under the noses of British intelligence, London had become the European hub for the promotion, recruitment and financing of Islamic terror and extremism – so much so that exasperated European security agencies mockingly dubbed Britain “Londonistan.”

Melanie Phillips posits that the advance of the global jihad is being facilitated by a wholesale collapse of western values and national identity within Europe and in which Britain is taking the lead. Paralyzed by minority rights and the terror of Islamist violence, Phillips argues that the British establishment is even now failing to confront the religious fanaticism in its midst and is choosing instead to appease it. Meanwhile, the post-modernist onslaught upon the concept of truth itself has produced such confusion that, instead of standing up to the ideas that threaten democracy, many in Britain now subscribe to the false narrative of those who are laying siege to their society. This disorientation of the once-implacable British bulldog has major lessons and warnings for America as well.

Daniel Pipes hosted and wasted no time introducing Phillips to speak. Phillips is tall, lithe, beautiful. She was angles and edges, no fleshiness.She started right off in the political context. Here are some of her notable remarks (although all of it was notable):

Tony Blair: "He has said he will stand down before the next election. The question for the United States and for others also is whether the succeeding Prime Minister will  be as staunch a friend to America as he [Blair] has been and as staunch in the alliance in the defense of the West. I am suggesting to that is the very important question that is now troubling me.

Clearly the special relatonship between Britain and America is very much in Britain's interests.  From the point of view America being its great protector, but it's also important to what we mean to America -- the kind of moral, psychological support that Britian gives along with everything else.

I am suggesting to you that there are now very powerful trends in Britain that are making that alliance increasingly problematic.

People in America will think that because Blair is such a staunch supporter of America that Britian is very much on her side. I am afraid this is absolutely not the case.

I am saying Britian is actually a weak link in the alliance because of  a cultural enfeeblement that has taken place.

This should be of particular concern to us here in the States.

Britian is more important [to America than Europe] because of its central role in the alliance

So what has happened that is causing me such concern

[...] There has been over the past 20 to 30 years an evisceration of British National identity and values which has created a cultural and moral vaccum being exploited by Radical Islamism which has come to fill that vacuum.

It gets worse

Download melaniephillips.wav (if anyone wants to transfer to MP3...........?)

"Britian has lost belief, really, in itself as a nation and furthermore in the idea of the nation itself. The nation itself is seen as the cause of all ills in the world from prejudice, discrimination to war. Legitimacy resides instead in super national institutions, values and laws. So institutions such as the United Nations, the European Union, the International Criminal Court and values such as the doctrine of International  human rights and minority rights are considered to be more legitimate because they are not rooted in the particular. The particular is discriminatory by defintion. The particular is rooted in a majority culture. The majority culture is by nature exclusivist and therefore discriminatory. They're essentially racist."

Wild.

Much of Britain's rot is the grave consequence of unregulated immigration. Turning a blind eye to the jihadis flooding that country in the 1990's was a great blow to the proverbial head. Once Britain lost control of its borders, it could not maintain security. Why were they so hospitable? Partly it was Britain's excessive deference to freedom of speech and the pragmatic (some would say cynical) point of view that in Britain, today's dissident is tomorrow's Prime Minister.

"Immigrants are coming into a culture which no longer cares to integrate them because to integrate minorities into a culture you've go to believe there is a culture for them to be integrated into. Instead Britain believes the majority culture -- the definition of it -- is illegitimate. Therefore it's a multicultural country, for there is no culture for them to be integrated into."

 "Instead of doing integration, Britain now does disintegration in every sense."

Phillips dissection of Britain's cultural collapse is clinical, surgical, scary. I found the most devastating examination to be the following;

"The deconstruction of TRUTH. Postmodernism, if you like, in which the whole idea of objectivity is regarded a an unsophisticated and ignorant construction. And that therefore all that  is relative. And if you go down that road, and you open the way to lies taking the place of truth, and you open the way to, through the minority rights situation, a moral inversion."

That is truth to power, read that again. (Toohey lives). This madness taking place.

[...] truth and lies - in which because minorities can do no wrong even when they are committing mass murder through suicide bombings, because they are essentially victims of the majority. It is the majority's fault.

"The inherent disintegration of the culture of the country has meshed in a disatrous way with the deformation of thought at the heart of Islamic radicalism."

The governing class response? Appeasement.

If you ride a tiger, you must expect to get eaten and Britain is in the process of being eaten."

Essentially what England needs is a "counter counter revolution."

And while Phillip's blames Britain's church for the appeasement, she sees hope in the rise of the evangelical, Black evangelical churches, as a counterweight;

" I believe the churches that are most robust are Evangelical churches, which are very largely Black churches, and in a way that's the strength almost the potential salavation here, that the rise of evangelicalism in Britian, which is at the moment at a fairly low level, but it's increasing."

If you can't listen to it all, tune in at the end and listen to the Q&A.

The good news? This woman with such a clear idea of the present danger is "insanely optimistic" and doesn't wish to go off the cultural cliff. The problem of course is Britain hasn't realized yet (!) how dangerously close to the cliff Britain is.

After she spoke, Phillips graciously chatted with us and signed copies of her brilliant new book Londonistan. The crowd was smart, wary, concerned. And for those who attended that are Atlas readers, I say................keep reading!

UPDATE: More thoughts, on worldwide terror, Phillips cited Dershowitz

Controlling the world through this sort of blackmail. It preys on weakness, and it preys on weakness which doesn't  confront lies, and it doesn't show that it's prepared to when attacked, are not prepared to defend themselves.

Until the West starts to undo this appeasement culture that it's been in,  then that is going to continue. I am very taken bythe argument put forward  by Alan Dershowitz in his book I've forgotten the title, his book  about terrorism in which he made a devastating point that right from the very beginning of the hijacking epidemic by Palestinians back in the early sixties, late fifties even, the very first plane that was hijacked. The reaction of the world set the tenor for what was going to come and sealed the world's fate. The reaction of the world was not, this act is completely unsupportable and these people therefore are pariahs.It was 'oh my goodness, we must address the root causes of this.'

UPDATE: Additional thoughts before I give the kids dinner. Phillips was reluctant to discuss Iran and issues she was not completed immersed in (Britain is her expertise) but she was struck by what Ayann Hirsi Ali said last week while she was still a Dutch politician;

Parpahrasing Hirsi Ali, Phillips said, the West, the free world is making a mistake if it thinks the choice in Iran is between peace and war, the choice is between war with Ahmadinejad who does not have a nuclear weapon and war with Ahmadinejad who does have a nuclear weapon. I think that's a very realistic way of putting it.

<p> Made my way into town today to meet and listen to&nbsp; Melanie Phillips, author of the most compeeling books on Islamic fundamentalism, violence and intimidation in the West,<a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=800,height=1066,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/melanie_phillips_011_1.jpg"><img width="200" height="266" border="0" src="http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/images/melanie_phillips_011_1.jpg" title="Melanie_phillips_011_1" alt="Melanie_phillips_011_1" style="margin: 0px 0px 5px 5px; float: right;" /></a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1594031444/sr=8-1/qid=1147897191/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-3137498-7183938?%5Fencoding=UTF8">Londonistan.</a> </p> <p>It was a small elegant lunch given by the <a href="http://www.meforum.org/">Middle East Forum</a>. I was secretly pleased to be meeting a <strong>great intellect and truth teller,</strong> a woman&nbsp; I greatly admire,&nbsp; in&nbsp; the most magnificent edifice in all New York - The majestic Chrysler Building. Mmmmm.........<em>pure, brilliant,&nbsp; style. </em><br /> </p> <p>When I worked at the Daily News, another glorious monument to man's aesthetic, I would walk that block to admire Chrysler's beauty, never tiring of it. And still, it rises seductively, gorgeously, singularly into that competitive Manhattan sky, and you have to pause and bask in its unabashed exquisiteness. I love that building. </p> <p>It is a beautiful day in Manhattan and there is always a wistfulness in my joy. These beautiful days are eerily reminscent of September 11th, and I never shake that feeling. <em>Never.</em></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The terrorist attacks in July 2005 exposed the UK's role as the European epicenter in the promoting, recruiting, and financing of terrorism - and explains why those in the know have given London the moniker &quot;Londonistan.&quot;</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/melanie_phillips_013.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=800,height=600,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false"><img width="250" height="187" border="0" alt="Melanie_phillips_013" title="Melanie_phillips_013" src="http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/images/melanie_phillips_013.jpg" style="margin: 0px 5px 5px 0px; float: left;" /></a> In her book Londonistan , Melanie Phillips exposes the scandalous appeasement of radical Islam by the British government, media, and the Church of England, and compellingly demonstrates how their actions have paved the way for radical Islam to set up shop in the UK’s capital city. She further explains how the dangers of &quot;Londonistan&quot; apply not just to Britain, but also to the United States. The stories make one gasp; the implications make one cry. <o:p></o:p></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">A prominent British journalist and author of six books, Melanie Phillips has written extensively on British politics and culture. Educated at Oxford, her writings have appeared in such venues as the Guardian, the Observer and the Sunday Times, and she is the recipient of the Orwell Prize for journalism. She currently writes a weekly column for London’s Daily Mail.</p><br /><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I was fortunate enough to ride up that wonderful art deco elevator with the erudite Deputy Consul-General for the British Consulate and so we chatted, dined and debated the impending ramifications of Radical Islam gone wild. Jon does not appear to be quite as worried as yours truly. Sweet, but denying. I am sure we will continue to debate.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The Heritage Foundation hosted Melanie Phillips on the 10th of May and there is a video and live stream if you want more of Melanie (which you do do.)</p> <div align="right"><nobr><a href="http://multimedia.heritage.org/content/wm/Lehrman-051006.wvx">View Event</a> | <a href="http://multimedia.heritage.org/mp3/Lehrman-051006.m3u">Streaming MP3</a> </nobr></div> <blockquote><p>The suicide bombings carried out in London in 2005 by British Muslims revealed an enormous fifth column of Islamist terrorists and sympathizers. Under the noses of British intelligence, London had become the European hub for the promotion,<a href="http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/melanie_phillips_014.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=800,height=600,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false"><img width="200" height="150" border="0" alt="Melanie_phillips_014" title="Melanie_phillips_014" src="http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/images/melanie_phillips_014.jpg" style="margin: 0px 0px 5px 5px; float: right;" /></a> recruitment and financing of Islamic terror and extremism – so much so that exasperated European security agencies mockingly dubbed Britain “Londonistan.”</p> <p>Melanie Phillips, columnist for London’s <em>Daily Mail</em>, pieces together the story of how Londonistan developed. She posits that the advance of the global jihad is being facilitated by a wholesale collapse of western values and national identity within Europe and in which Britain is taking the lead. Paralyzed by minority rights and the terror of Islamist violence, Phillips argues that the British establishment is even now failing to confront the religious fanaticism in its midst and is choosing instead to appease it. Meanwhile, the post-modernist onslaught upon the concept of truth itself has produced such confusion that, instead of standing up to the ideas that threaten democracy, many in Britain now subscribe to the false narrative of those who are laying siege to their society. This disorientation of the once-implacable British bulldog has major lessons and warnings for America as well.</p></blockquote><p>Daniel Pipes hosted and wasted no time introducing Phillips to speak. Here are her remarks</p> <p>What struck me was the grave consequence of unregulated immigration. Turning a blind eye to the jihadis flooding that country in the 1990's was a great blow to the proverbial head. Once Britain lost control of its borders, it could not maintain security. Why were they so hospitable? Parlty it was Britain's excessive deference to freedom of speech and the pragmatic (some would say cynical) point of you that in Britain, today's dissident is tomorrow's Prime Minister.</p> <p>Britian has lost belief in itself as a nation and furthermore in the nation itself.</p> <p>That and Britain relinguishing </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p>Morality privatized. Multiculturalism pays lip service to morality.

Arafat used foreign aid to buy weapons

Expect Hamas to do the exact same thing. Expect nothing less.

Ex-PA paymaster: Arafat used foreign aid to buy weapons

Former Palestinian Authority chairman Yasser Arafat ordered millions of dollars, taken from international aid funds, tax money transferred by Israel and from Arab countries, to be used to purchase weapons and ammunition, it was revealed on Wednesday

These weapons were then provided to Palestinian terrorists from the Tanzim and al Aksa Martyrs' Brigades.

The information came from the interrogation of Fuad Shubaki, the Palestinian official who was arrested by the IDF two months ago in a raid on the Jericho prison where he was held together with the assassins of former tourism minister Rehavam Ze'evi. Prior to his imprisonment, Shubaki served as the finance chief in the Palestinian security forces.

[To read an archive interview the Post had with Shubaki, click here]

He revealed that several senior Palestinian officials were involved in the allocation of the money to military purposes. Among them were, Jibril Rajoub, Amin al-Hindi and Ghazi Jibali, who all received payments for their part in the weapons purchases.

Shubaki informed his investigators that when the Intifada broke out in 2000, Arafat ordered the establishment of several bodies, consisting of PA officials in various Arab countries, who were in charge of purchasing large amounts of arms.

Remember this is just after Clinton and Barak offered that murderer his own state (97%) and Jerusalem. He walked away and declared war, the intifada. It's not about a state and it's not about a tiny strip of land called Israel. That piece of beach holds no oil, gold, or any other valuable resources. It however, holds the Jewish people. The world knows that getting the land is meaningless, it is getting the Jew that will be the victory for the forces of evil.

He noted that the members of those bodies presented Shubaki with the deals and he would then go to Arafat for approval.

Iran was one of the most generous donors, Shubaki said, offering to assist the Palestinians by training fighters, providing weapons and weapon-producing know-how and funding the establishment of installations that could generate arms.  Read it allHat tip Andrew

Fight the UK Boycott of Israeli Universities

As Atlas readers already know, a second British academic union, Natfhe (National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education) is about to consider a motion for the boycott of some or all Israeli universities. Since Natfhe is a more stridently left-wing union than the >Association of University Teachers (who last year overturned their notorious vote for a boycott), there is every possibility the motion may be carried, allowing other unions internationally an excuse for deepening Israel's isolation. A number of letter-writing campaigns have now started, and we hope you will distribute this as a request to your subscribers to write as we are doing. The primary individuals to address are:

John Wilkin, PRESIDENT

president@natfhe.org.uk

 

Dennis Hayes, VICE PRESIDENT

d.hayes@canterbury.ac.uk

 

Paul Mackney, GENERAL SECRETARY

pmackney@natfhe.org.uk

Please write these snakes, evildoers, and savages. Oh yeah, be polite (channeling CAIR)

HAMAS HATE COMICS FOR KIDS

Palestinian Media Watch is reporting the current edition of the Hamas website for children (www.al-fateh.net) includes short comic strips teaching children to hate the "Zionists".

      

In a story called "dangerous games" two children find toys in the street, however "...these are not toys but bombs that explode in the hands of those who touch them. The evil Zionists place them here to kill the innocent children of Palestine". More here.

Hamas website addresses:

             

http://www.al-fateh.net/fa-75/luab.htm
http://www.al-fateh.net/fa-75/gadab.htm

 

Hamas: "No Peace Ever"

Hamas: ´No Peace, Ever, Without Return of Millions of Arabs´(in other words, Goodbye Joooooooooos")

While worldwide attempts continue in an effort to moderate Hamas and have it agree to negotiate with Israel, Hamas issues a bellicose "Nakba Day" proclamation rendering all such efforts moot.

The Arabs of the Palestinian Authority commemorate May 15 - the date of the end of the British Mandate in 1948, which made room for the formation of the State of Israel - as their "Nakba Day," or Day of Catastrophe. The Hamas terrorist movement, which now controls the Palestinian Authority after an overwhelming popular election victory earlier this year, issued its Nakba Day proclamation yesterday, effectively putting to rest any chances for peace with Israel.

The Hamas announcement emphasizes the justness of terrorism against Israel, as well as the unyielding nature of its demand for the return of millions of Arabs to Israel.More here

Olmert, are you listening to Hamas? or your far left wife?

Give 'em a state! *SPIT*

 

"I Give Up On Israel"

This from Joe Farah, a man I admire and a great friend of Israel. I have felt this way since the elections. Having heard the the new cabinet's plant to split Jerusalem, I have seen the enemy....it's the Jews themselves. Read Farah's delaration here;

I have a reputation as one of Israel's staunchest supporters.

That reputation is due to several factors:

• As an American journalist of Arabic heritage, I have done my best over the last 20 years to shatter the myths surrounding the Arab-Israeli conflict – misperceptions based largely on effective lies, purposeful distortions and relentless propaganda efforts by Arab and Muslim regimes and their apologists among haters of America and Israel throughout the world.

• As a freedom-loving Christian American journalist who had the opportunity to put my own boots on the ground in the Middle East, it is obvious that the Arab and Muslim world is dominated by tyranny, fascism and anti-Semitism – hardly a world we should want to see expanded.

• As a journalist, I found that Israel was the only country in the Middle East that respected the free press. This again became obvious recently to us at WND when our own Jerusalem bureau chief, Aaron Klein, was prevented from traveling to Syria because he is Jewish.

• The Jews, a people who have survived the deaths of many empires that tried to destroy them – including but not limited to the Egyptians, Romans, Babylonians, Persians – have only one homeland, Israel, continuously occupied by them for 4,000 years and never a nation-state belonging to any others.

Yet, despite all this, I am through defending Israel – at least the regime currently in power in Jerusalem, this useless coalition seemingly hell-bent on committing national suicide. The rest is here.

Amen. Liberalism bespoils everything it touches.

Ahmadinnerjacket digs in his hooves

"Any offer requiring us to suspend our peaceful nuclear activities will be invalid," President Ahmadinejad said yesterday, according to a state-run Iranian news agency, after returning from Indonesia on a state visit where he told reporters he would be open to direct talks with America, or any other nation, except for Israel.

Take the midget down.

Hoagland just doesn't get it

EU-3 prepares for Iran incentives, Incentives?  Dhimmis, all.

Iran calls European incentives pointless Those Euro-putzes.

Daniel Wultz has Died, American Victim of Islamic Terror

No,  it is not mother's day after all. I am sick sick sick. Debbie Schussel just gave me the tragic news. Daniel Wultz has died. He died. We all thought he was going to make it here after that terrible suicide murder bombing in Tel Aviv;

Last week, we wrote about Daniel Wultz, an American teen-age boy from Miami, who was a victim of the Palestinian homicide bombing of a Tel Aviv restaurant and bus station, during Passover, on April 17th.

Miraculously, though losing massive amounts of blood, suffering massive internal injuries, losing a kidney, his spleen, and a leg, Danny survived and awoke from his coma. But the pain of his injuries was too great for the 16-year-old who wanted to become a rabbi, and Danny was put back into a coma.

Sadly, this morning, Danny died. He is the eleventh fatal victim of that Passover homicide bombing perpetrated by Islamic Jihad and Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, and one of many unsung American victims of Palestinian Islamic terror. As we noted, unlike Jill "Zeinab" Carroll, there was very little news or blog coverage of the story of Danny Wultz. As Americans, we should be outraged at the treatment of our fellow American, both by the Palestinians and by our media.

Daniel Wultz, Z"L, 16-Year-Old American Victim of Palestinian Terror

Danny's father Yekutiel (Tuly) was also injured in the bombing, where he and his son lunched together at Mayor's Falafel, a kosher for Passover restaurant. He is quoted in The Jerusalem Post:

"Unfortunately, I remember everything," he said. "Daniel was thrown into my hands, and asked me to pick him up. But when I saw the extent of his injuries, I laid him down to wait for an ambulance. I held his hand and told him I loved him, and he told me he loved me." Go over to Debbie's site and read it all.

Bottom photo: Classmates of Daniel Wultz praying for his recovering at David Posnack Hebrew Day School in Florida on Monday, April 24.

UPDATE: This is an outrage;

JAMES BESSER: U.S. SOFTENS STANCE ON HAMAS

UPDATE: Jihad official: Florida teen 'ideal target'

Terror leaders rejoice in injuries of U.S.-born Daniel Wultz, critical after Tel Aviv bombing. 'He is best target combination – American and Zionist,' Islamic Jihad official says Aaron Klein

Abu Ayman, a leader of the Islamic Jihad, which also took responsibility for the April 17 bombing in which Wultz was injured, threatened all Americans and Jews worldwide and expressed regret Wultz is still alive. hat tip Geoff

Yeah, go soft on these savages and they will tear you limb from limb. Get real.

Saturday Night Open Thread

Notice that America is already broken -- as Israel is about to fall. I first ran this here  back in October. Ahmadinnerjacket has been stoking the fires, his people  and turning up the heat. This is a war plan,  I kid you not.

UPDATE: Janine writes;

 

I've been looking at that graphic again also.  I've been trying to find someone who speaks Farsi to translate the bottom of that "World Without Zionism" graphic.  The top is in English - something Ahmadinejad appears to want us to be able to read but the bottom is in Farsi.  Do you know anyone that speaks farsi?

Well folks, does anyone speak farsi?...........here's another poster from that gathering

"Palestine belongs to Islam"

This is what is has been all along. All along. For Jew haters it will always be good old fashioned anitsemitism, they'll use any excuse. But Israel has always been about Islam (and good old fashioned Jew hating.)

Palestine is ‘property of Islam’: Qaradawi
HAMAS would be toppled quickly if it gave concessions to Israel “because nobody has the right to give up even a grain of sand that belongs to Palestine,” prominent Islamic scholar Dr Sheikh Yusuf Qaradawi said in his sermon yesterday.

Hamas is a tool. Iran's tool, so is Hizbollah. And this war on Israel is part of Islam's war plan to dominate the world, outlined  in The Muslim Brotherhood Project here,
Qaradawi is the Islamic Bostom spoke of here in my interview with him.

Another front of the Islamic assault on the West. Threaten the banks;

Qaradawi renews call to ‘confront’ banks over funds to Hamas govt
The Peninsula
doha • Renowned Islamic scholar Dr Yousuf Al Qaradawi, while delivering the Friday sermon yesterday, renewed his call to Muslims to "confront" those banks which refuse to transfer funds to the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority.

This all points to the grand Islamic war plan.

G-d Bless George W. Bush

Because he is not afraid call good, good and evil evil in a world gone to hell in a handbasket.

The Bush administration says it is unlikely to stray from its strategy of isolating Hamas until the militant group renounces violence, recognizes Israel, and agrees to previous deals between Palestinians and Israelis. "We want to address the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people, but we are not going to provide money to a terrorist organization," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.More here

Considering Hamas is an arm of Iran, this is in America's best interest.

 

British Academia's Rotting Soul

By their acts ye shall know them. And so we know them.

UK Academics to Back Sweeping Boycott of Israeli Universities
The largest university and college lecturers union in Britain is likely to decide shortly to recommend that its 67,000 members boycott Israeli lecturers and academic institutions that do not publicly declare their opposition to Israeli policy in the territories. The boycott motion will be brought to a vote at the annual conference of the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education (NATFHE) to be held May 27-29. (Ha'aretz)
    See also The Need to Boycott Israel - Bradley Burston
Specifics aside, the new boycott proposal tells us more than we want to know about the people who feel the need to propose it. More than anything, it tells us that for them, it doesn't really matter what Israel is, or does.
    There's now a democratically elected Palestinian government whose ruling party's platform endorses the extermination of the Jewish state and continued terrorism against Israeli civilians. The Palestinians are still shelling Israel with Kassam rockets, up to eight a day. They're still blowing up innocent people at felafel stands in Tel Aviv. But Israel must be punished. hat tip JCPA

 

BUSH: "America's commitment to Israel's security is strong, enduring, and unshakable"

If there was ever any doubt, it was never in Bush. Never.

America will never desert the state of Israel, President Bush said last night, sending an unambiguous signal to the ruling mullahs in Iran - who are developing a nuclear weapon capability in the teeth of international pressure - that their threats to destroy Israel will be fiercely resisted.

"America's commitment to Israel's security is strong, enduring, and unshakable," Mr. Bush said in a speech to the American Jewish Committee, which was celebrating its centennial at Washington's National Building Museum, and while sitting alongside the German chancellor, Angela Merkel.

He said America and Israel were "natural allies and these ties will never be broken."

In his first major foreign policy speech for some time, Mr. Bush made clear his words were intended to be heeded by the Tehran regime and its president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who declared in October that the Jewish state should be "wiped off the map."

America would be unflinching in its commitment to defend Israel's right to exist and to ensure that the mullahs would not gain possession of a nuclear weapon. Iran already has obtained missile technology from the North Korean communists capable of reaching the capitals of Europe.

Mr. Bush said he was concerned by the direction Iran is heading. "We are concerned because the Iranian regime is repressing its people, sponsoring terrorists, destabilizing the region, threatening Israel, and defying the world with its ambitions for nuclear weapons," he said. "America will continue to rally the world to confront these threats."

The president also reiterated his determination not to deal with terrorists, including the Palestinian Arab government dominated by the Hamas terrorist group. New York Sun

There is not a day, not a day, that goes by that I don't thank G-d this man is in the White House.

Israel to Divide Jerusalem?

Can Israel be saved from itself? I am still trying to figure out the election. But this? Jerusalem? Is nothing sacred to the Israeli leftists? Liberalism, as the US and most countries of the world,  bespoils everything it touches.

Israel's new government has outlined the clearest picture yet of how it plans to divide the holy city of Jerusalem and abandon much of the West Bank in its move to separate from the Palestinians.

The Jews are victims of their own "enlightenment." This road to hell may very well be paved with good intentions but leftist Jews are suicidal. The following proposal is TERRIBLE. I strongly urge my readers to campaign vigorously against dividing Jerusalem here. Woe is me.

Israel Offers Outline to Divide Jerusalem

JERUSALEM - Israel's new government has outlined the clearest picture yet of how it plans to divide the holy city of Jerusalem and abandon much of the West Bank in its move to separate from the Palestinians.

Otniel Schneller _ an architect of the plan _ said in interviews this week with The Associated Press that his blueprint would give most of Jerusalem's Arab neighborhoods to the Palestinians while keeping the predominantly Jewish areas for Israel.

"Those same neighborhoods will, in my assessment, be central to the makeup of the Palestinian capital ... al-Quds," Schneller said, calling Jerusalem by its Arabic name. "We will not divide Jerusalem, we will share it." hat tip Michael

Up his meds.

UPDATE: American Thinker has more on this land for foolish self delusion here;

Caroline Glick, columnist for the Jerusalem Post,  has written a serious paper  exposing the risks inherent in Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s “Convergence “ plan for the West Bank.  That plan calls for an Israeli withdrawal from most (90% or more) of the West Bank (all but the areas encompassed by the new security barrier), with some continued IDF presence in the Jordan Valley (at least in the short term).

Less clear is what Olmert plans to do in Jerusalem.

Glick argues in her paper published by the Center for Security Policy in Washington D.C., that the Gaza withdrawal has been a security disaster for Israel, and for its ostensibly pro-American neighbors (Egypt and Jordan, in particular). A terrorist final four of Al Qaeda, Hizbollah, Hamas and Islamic Jihad are now all operating freely in Gaza, and more advanced weaponry is pouring across the Egyptian/Gaza border crossing in Rafah.  The same scenario would almost certainly play out after an Israeli withdrawal from most of the West Bank, putting major Israeli population centers and its international airport within range of enhanced Palestinian rocket capability.

Glick argues that this second Israeli disengagement, from an area almost 20 times the size of Gaza, would be viewed and broadcast by the jihadist forces as a huge victory over both Israel and the United States. It would also serve as a major recruiting tool for their efforts to destroy Israel, overthrow Arab governments in the Middle East,  drive the US from Iraq, and undermine Western nations in Europe, and other continents.

The Gaza withdrawal was carried out in August 2005 by Prime Minister Sharon when the Palestinian Authority was led by Mahmoud Abbas, the hoped for Palestinian moderate who was hailed as  the Israeli peace partner that Yassar Arafat never was. Abbas, while still around, is more of a figurehead today in the Hamas-run Palestinian Authority regime, who can be trotted out to Western nation donors as evidence that the PA is still functional, and deserves new money. Sharon is in an irreversible coma, with Ehud Olmert having replaced him, and now heading a coalition government largely dependent on other parties, (Kadimah won fewer than a quarter of the seats in the recent Knesset election).

Unlike the removal of 8,000 settlers from Gaza, Olmert’s plan for a West Bank disengagement would require the destruction of dozens of settlements and the transfer of as many as 65,000 settlers to the area within the Israeli security barrier.

Read it all. It ain't good. But MarcH is, thanks for the tip. And Glick is a national treasure.

Hamas Chief: Suicide Murder "a Natural Right"

Give 'em a state!

Hamas Chief Says Suicide Bombings "a Natural Right"
Hamas supremo Khaled Meshaal has defended Palestinian suicide bombings as a "natural right" while denouncing what he called Washington's ambitions to dominate the Middle East. "Our enemies...don't understand that a suicide operation...is a natural right," he told students in Damascus. Hamas was responsible for the majority of suicide bombings in Israel during the past five years. (AFP/Yahoo)

Spare the Rod, Spoil the Peace
Legally and morally, neither the U.S. nor Europe owes the Palestinians any assistance - much less hundreds of millions of dollars worth on a continuing basis. There are plenty of needy causes to which to devote the scarce humanitarian resources of our overburden governments: Darfurians subject to a genocidal campaign by an Islamist government, Congolese trying to recover from "Africa's World War," Tibetans sitting in exile in India, etc. (TCS Daily)

Penn Censor Prof's Past Articles Condemned Art Censorship

So the Penn State professor who censored a student's artwork because of a perceived sympathy to Israel has a written history history of condemning censorship of the arts. Volokh is reporting it all here.
Hmmmm, what could have  motivated Garoian to censor Shulman's artwork then? I hazard to guess.

Ironically, Professor Garoian, responsible for censorship in this incident, previously wrote a series of articles condemning censorship of the arts, including at Penn State!]

A very strong statement by the director of the Penn State Hillel, Tuvia Abramson:

Following eight days of misinformation by the School of Visual Arts and the Penn State University spokesman, which resulted in misleading information, I have decided today to issue an official statement as the executive director of Penn State Hillel.

[...] In my 23 years in Hillel on three different campuses, I have not seen an act so blatant as the act of censorship, discrimination, and anti-Semitism like the one which applies to Joshua Stulman.

This was not a single act. This was systematic abuse and intimidation which was applied by the School of Visual Arts to coerce the student and force him to cancel his art exhibition all because of its political content.

The message of Joshua's exhibit was this: When you preach hate, teach hate, and indoctrinate children with hate, you will have terror. When you use the airways and the political system to reinforce hate, you create a mechanism by which these children will learn how and when to destroy innocent life.

This message was blocked by the director of the School of Visual Arts and its faculty without discussion or review of most of the artwork with the student Joshua Stulman. The director issued a statement canceling the exhibit stating the cancellation was based on Penn State's Policy AD42 about Zero Tolerance for Hate and that Joshua's work did not promote a democratic dialogue or cultural diversity.

The second reason stated for canceling the exhibit was due to the sponsorship of Hillel for the reception on opening night.

Both of these statements were false, misleading, and were never discussed prior to receiving the letter of cancellation. They were fake excuses to find justification to shut up the exhibit because of its political content, which did not go along with the political opinion or agenda of Professor Charles Garoian and art lecturer and advisor Robert Yarber.

Attached with this must read email here is a more detailed chronology of events, which Volokh has reprinted "beneath the fold" for those who are interested.(hat tip tOm P)

Jon Stewart Interview with Halevy

Did you see this video?  Halevy is the retired Head of Mossad. Want more of Halevy? Here.

Catch him on Charlie Rose (for a fee, your tax dollars to PBS aint enough).hat tip Jer

Church Divestment in Israel

By their acts he shall know them and so we know them.

Hatred of Judaism  is a virus that has infected Christendom for two millennia. It continues to stalk the world despite its most virulent outbreak in Nazi Germany. It should haunt decent Christians for generations to come.

[...] the 2004 GA instructing the church to apply shareholder pressure on corporations to change practices the denomination believes contribute to violence in Israel/Palestine.

If it adopts the GAC’s proposal, more than two dozen pending overtures on the issue of “selective, phased divestment” would be referred to the task force.

The targeted corporations either assist the Israeli military or support the infrastructure of Israel’s illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. [Murderers of Jews and freedom lovers everywhere are laughing with blood. But you are next my friend, you are next - Atlas.]

The moderator’s proposal will not stall the work of the PC(USA)’s Mission Responsibility Through Investment Committee (MRTI), which is already meeting with executives of some of the targeted companies, including Motorola, which provides cell-phone service to settlers and to the Israeli military. [G-d forbid it should shall such an egregious action, Jew haters can rest easier -Atlas]

The Assembly must vote on any MRTI recommendation to divest.

Ufford-Chase put a revised document before the council yesterday, altered only slightly from the four-page proposal he presented Wednesday. “We’ve not changed the sense of this, just tightened the language,” he said, referring to a group of GAC members who worked on the measure over the last two days. [I'm sure your hatred of the Jews is exactly as it was -Atlas]

Will Spotts, wrote the commentary pasted below in response to yesterday’s decision by the PCUSA General Assembly Council, please read it all.

No Not One

I lack the words to express my profound disappointment and sorrow at the actions of the General Assembly Council today, April 28, 2006. The Presbyterian News Service is carrying a story by Alexa Smith, “GAC approves suggestion of task force on Israel/Palestine”.

There are more than two dozen overtures on divestment (ranging from endorsement to revocation), providing an opportunity for General Assembly commissioners to actually do their jobs and deliberate on the issue, perhaps, God forbid, even requiring complete and fair information. (Yes, I know this would be a departure from time honored tradition when it comes to Middle East issues . . . but it might be time for a change). Instead of encouraging commissioners to fulfill their responsibilities, the GAC has decided to recommend yet another task force. (What shall we call this one? Perhaps The Juden Hass Task Force?) hat tip Larry R

Jew Hate, America Hate in Italy

LGF is reporting this story.

Enzo at hiddentruths has photographs from the anarcho-communist demonstration in Milan, April 25, 2006: hiddentruths: Le Due Italie Del 25 Aprile.

After the Berlusconi shocka nothing should surprise, but this sickness always stuns. Infected poison souls.

UPDATE: More here from the BBC. What a disgusting story;

ISRAEL CONDEMNS BURNING OF FLAG

Israel's ambassador in Rome has condemned the burning of two Israeli flags during a march to commemorate Italy's liberation at the end of WWII.

Ehud Gol said he was filled with "shame and rage" as a group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators set the flags alight on the fringe of Tuesday's march in Milan.

Protesters shouted "Intifada" and "Free Palestine", according to media reports.

Centre-left leader Romano Prodi, who narrowly won Italy's election this month, strongly condemned the incident.

Mr Prodi's centre-right rivals accused him of hypocrisy, saying his broad coalition included anti-Israel activists.

'Anti-Jewish resurgence'

The anti-Israel demonstrations were reportedly prompted by the presence of Israeli flags in honour of the Jewish Brigade, whose members died helping to liberate Italy.

"As a Jew and an Israeli, I was filled with shame and anger at the sight of the barbarous behaviour of the 'fascists' of the extreme left, who defiled the sanctity of the Liberation Day holiday," Mr Gol said in a statement.

[...] "Some hooligans brought up acts and words that appear to be anti-Israeli, but really hide an anti-Jewish resurgence,"

Hooligans? How quaint.........they're animals, but why split hairs?

The Philosophy of Death

Iran, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Russia and Qatar Seek to Fund Hamas

Philosophy of Death - Nazir Majali (Ha'aretz)

• There are no words to adequately condemn the despicable attack in Tel Aviv, not only because it is contrary to the interests of the Palestinian people, but, most importantly, because of the philosophy behind it that is destroying the Palestinian people.
• It is a racist philosophy that is based on the cruel principle of killing Jews because they are Jews, which characterized movements in history among which it is not a great honor to be numbered.
• It is a philosophy of war criminals, the goal of which is to murder innocent people walking down the street. And it is a philosophy of cowardice. If someone wants to fight occupation, let them go and attack the occupying army, not innocent people in the street.
• From the point of view of Palestinian society, this is a philosophy of self-destruction. Those who sent the young man to blow himself up in Tel Aviv foster in young Palestinians the culture of death instead of the culture of life. Therefore every patriotic Palestinian must condemn the attack and see it as anti-Palestinian terror.

  The writer is a commentator on Arab television stations and in the Arabic-language daily Asharq Al-Awsat.

Security Officials After Sinai Attack: "Global Jihad Is Closing In" -

Antisemitism at Penn State

First take a moment -  and write the good Professor a note. Don't be rude. Don't threaten. Be firm and respectful and forthright. And pass this on to as many people as possible.

Do not let this man have a moment's peace. My letter:

Dear Mr. Garoian,

   There are moments in life when one is so close to a situation they cannot see the forest for the trees. This, I fear, is the cause of your recent blindness.

   As a leader, role model and educator your actions are a template for our children. I think you have done a great disservice to yourself, your fine institution and the children you serve by canceling the young Master Shulman's exhibit "Portraits of Terror."

   It would be one thing, if Mr. Shulman was the murderer ( ie  John Wayne Gacy). But Shulman's retelling of history in his art is a noble, admirable undertaking. Why would an educator and role model attempt to stifle or shut down an aspiring artist?

    Please step back, take a deep breath and consider the dastardly path you have chosen. Moral compass notwithstanding, this is a bad decision. I implore you to please reconsider.

Best,

Pamela Geller Oshry

Charles Garoian( E-mail: crg2@psu.edu) Professor and Director of the School of Visual Arts.

Office: 814.865.0444   Fax: 814.865.1158

PENN STATE CENSORS EXHIBIT

For Penn State student Josh Stulman, years of hard work ended in disappointment yesterday when the university cancelled his upcoming art exhibit for violation of Penn State's policies on nondiscrimination, harassment and hate.

Three days before his 10-piece exhibit -- Portraits of Terror -- was scheduled to open at the Patterson Building, Stulman (senior-painting and anthropology) received an e-mail message from the School of Visual Arts that said his exhibit on images of terrorism "did not promote cultural diversity" or "opportunities for democratic dialogue" and the display would be cancelled.

The exhibit, Stulman said, which is based mainly on the conflict in Palestinian territories, raises questions concerning the destruction of Jewish religious shrines, anti-Semitic propaganda and cartoons in Palestinian newspapers, the disregard for rules of engagement and treatment of prisoners, and the indoctrination of youth into terrorist acts.

"I'm being censored and the reason for censoring me doesn't make sense," Stulman said.

Charles Garoian, professor and director of the School of Visual Arts, said Stulman's controversial images did not mesh with the university's educational mission.

How about killing babies in pizzerias? Does that mesh with the university's mission, tool?

The decision to cancel the exhibit came after reviewing Penn State's Policy AD42: Statement on Nondiscrimination and Harassment and Penn State's Zero Tolerance Policy for Hate, he wrote.

Garoian could not be reached by The Daily Collegian for further comment by press time yesterday.

"We always encourage those who are offended by free speech to use their own constitutional right to free speech to make their concerns known," Mahon wrote. "This is an educational institution and people should embrace opportunities to inform one another and the public. ... We don't have a right to hide art."

Stulman said the exhibit, which is sponsored by Penn State Hillel, aims to create awareness on campus about the senselessness of terrorism and drew inspiration from images that have appeared in the public through newspapers and television.

He said he was shocked at the university's decision to cancel the exhibit and that he has tried to meet with Garoian on numerous occasions to discuss his artwork.

"It's not about hate. I don't hate Muslims. This is not about Islam," Stulman said. "This is about terrorism impacting the Palestinian way of life and Israel way of life."

Stulman said advertisements for the event were defaced in the Patterson and School of Visual Arts buildings, one of which had a large swastika on it.

Stulman, who is Jewish, said he felt threatened and abused by the Nazi symbol and is concerned for his artwork and his personal well-being.

"We don't have a political agenda except to support the voice of Jewish students," he said.

Photo: Josh Stulman examines his artwork, previously scheduled for an art exhibit that was canceled by Penn State. The painting to the right, by Stulman, is titled “Ramallah.”

UPDATE April 26: Best letter I've read. hat tip Naomi Ragen

Dear Professor Garoian,

May I address you as a fellow academic, albeit one working in the United Kingdom, whose original field is Arabic, Persian and Islamic Studies? The reason for my writing is that I have just learned of your decision to ban an exhibition of art centred around Palestinian terrorism, the work of a Penn State student called Josh Stulman.

I understand that your decision to cancel Mr Stulman's exhibit was made on the grounds that it 'did not promote cultural diversity' or 'opportunities for democratic dialogue'. This seems perfectly bizarre to me. I believe that the exhibition was concerned with the social and cultural impact of Palestinian terrorism on two societies, Palestinian and Israeli. In what way would that not promote 'cultural diversity'? Israel, which is daily threatened and harmed by that terrorism is - and I say this on the basis of close knowledge of the situation - is one of the most racially, religiously, and culturally diverse nations in the world, and certain many times more diverse in all these respects than any of its neighbours for a long way round. To convey the nature of a singularly vicious form of hatred (both racially and religiously 'justified') that has corrupted Palestinian culture to a frightening degree and has damaged one of the world's most open and vibrant societies seems to me a very legitimate thing.

But I also have to ask why on earth a work of art, however didactic in intent, has to conform to a rigid doctrine that it should 'promote cultural diversity'. That sort of ruling sounds like something from a totalitarian system like China under Mao or Russia under Stalin, or, indeed, countries like Saudi Arabia or Iran today which, in case you have not noticed, not only hate Israel and Jews, but spend a lot of money to promote terrorism against her.

You say the exhibit would not provide 'opportunities for democratic dialogue'. First, how do you know whether this would be the case or not? Since the exhibition was to take place on university grounds, I have to assume that the normal rules of open dialogue would have applied. Was Mr Stulman in some way preventing other students or staff from debating the merits of his work, from holding meetings on campus, say, or from writing online comments, or anything else? Since I assume he was not doing this, it seems to me that your action in banning the exhibit is an abuse of academic standards. The academy, as you well know, is a place in which ideas are put forward and - sometimes strongly - debated and disagreed with. Or does Penn State now allow one side of an argument to be put forward? If so, I must tell the more opinionated of my students to enrol there.

Since you are in favour of cultural diversity, I take it you also approve of diversity of argument. American campuses (much more than ours in the UK) are repeatedly venues for anti-Israel speakers, meetings, and exhibits. Why, then, should one student exhibiting images about Palestinian terror rock the boat so much?

If this had been a Muslim/Arab/Iranian student who wanted to put up an exhibition on the evils of the 'Zionist entity', would you, I wonder, have banned the event?

I will ask you now to do some hard thinking. Reflect on the meaning of the academy, the open exchange of opinions, and the profound significance of Palestinian terrorism as a subject for artistic expression. If you disagree with Mr Stulman's take on the matter, please just argue with him. Do not, at the risk of losing all credibility and honour as a university teacher, censor him. You are living in America, a country that has, as one of its many claims to fame, rights to free expression that are enshrined in the First Amendment. Please confirm me in my opinion that Americans still live up to the high standards imposed by their remarkable Constitution. We don't have one over here: you have that privilege. Please honour it.

Yours sincerely,
Dr. Denis MacEoin University of Newcastle upon Tyne

Holocaust Remembrance Day

Holocaust Day (Yom HaShoah in Hebrew) is today Tuesday, April 25 (and began last evening). Holocaust Day commemorates the martyrs and heroes who died under the Nazis.
The State of Israel will take time out Monday evening to remember the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust, marking the start of Holocaust Remembrance Day.

The annual state ceremony will begin in Israel at 8 p.m. at Yad Vashem, Israel's Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority.

 

Never again.............Arab Islamic denial: Beyond the pale

The Mufti and Hitler

In 1941, Haj Amin al-Husseini fled to Germany and met with Adolf Hitler, Heinrich Himmler, Joachim Von Ribbentrop and other Nazi leaders. He wanted to persuade them to extend the Nazis� anti-Jewish program to the Arab world. 

Himmler: "Muslims responded to the call of Muslim leaders and joined our side because of their hatred of our joint Jewish-English-Bolshevik enemies, and because of their belief and respect for, above all -- Our Fuehrer."

Photo: Ilan Halimi

Iran Invoked at Holocaust Remembrance. Israel's consul general in New York said Sunday that the world needs to take a tougher stance with Iran and warned that a "strong" and "determined" Israel will never allow another Jewish Holocaust.

[...] pledged a commitment to keeping nuclear weapons out of the hands of the president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who denies the Holocaust and has repeatedly expressed his desire for Israel’s destruction.

   “This is not an Israeli issue,” the consul general of Israel, Arye Mekel, told more than 1,000 attendees at a Holocaust Remembrance Day event at Hunter College. “This is a world problem. The world must stop Iran.”

   Holocaust Remembrance Day, or Yom HaShoah, is observed worldwide tomorrow.    Mr. Mekel urged the U.N. to impose economic and political sanctions against Iran. “Let’s be clear,” he said. “That country cannot, cannot have nuclear weapons.”

Norbert Friedman, an 84-year-old Krakow native who survived 11 concentration and death camps, said yesterday that promises to prevent future holocausts are “only empty words unless they’re followed up with deeds.”

   Stressing the contemporary relevance of Holocaust Remembrance Day, UN ambassador Mr. Bolton said the potential for a “nuclear holocaust” looms as Iran pursues its nuclear program, despite international pressure.    “Holocaust remembrance is not simply for the past, but for the present and the future as well,” Mr. Bolton said. “I’m honored to be part of that struggle.”

   With its frequent condemnations of Israel, the U.N. has “disappointed the ideals” of those who established the transnational body after World War II, Mr. Bolton said. New York Sun here

And still Israel still helps her enemy --  those that vow here annihilation. Despite public wipe-Israel- off-the-map statements, Iran uses help of Israeli infrastructure consultants in rehabilitating earthquake-struck zones. Read it all here.

UPDATE: 'MUSHROOM CLOUD IS ON THE WAY!" "THE REAL HOLOCAUST IS ON IT'S WAY!"

Cartoon: Rooz hat tip Michael

VIDEO CLIP: Iranian President Ahmadinejad Elaborates on His Plan for the Jews to Leave Israel and Return to Germany and Austria

Iranian President Ahmadinejad: The greatest problem from which humanity suffers today, the main problem facing the countries of the Middle East, is the continuation of the process that took place during World War II[...]

Let's assume certain things did happen [in World War II]. Why should the people of the Middle East, for over 60 years, pay for it under it pretext [...]

The same people who claim to have saved humanity, and to have prevented further massacre in World War II, and who avenged the victims of that war - why have they killed over 100,000 innocent people in 60 years?[...]

Why do they grieve over some of the victims only? let's assume that the [Holocaust] was true - who should be punished for this? This is a serious question facing contemporary humanity.

Transcript here.

Words from a West Bank Mama here

UPDATE: Deans World does not like this post here, dedicated to the unmitigated horror that befell our lansmen.

STOP. Don't follow the link to Atlas Shrugs (below) unless you want to see the grisliest of Holocaust images.

Glenn Reynolds reminds us that today is Holocaust Remembrance Day, and links to a rather incongruous looking link at a blog called Atlas Shrugs. The link is distressing on more than one level; it starts out with a picture of an attractive woman's face pasted on a sexy Superwoman costume ... evidently the blog's proprietress (I for one can't find her name). And right next to it is the worst of the worst of Holocaust imagery. I suppose some people have not seen this, or perhaps need a reminder that not every bit of unpleasantness on God's earth is the same as the genocide that eliminated the Jews from Eastern, and most of Western, Europe half a century ago. Maybe the fact that the pictures essentially depict my extended family as rotting flesh makes me a little touchy about them and with Ms. Atlas's rather insensitive juxtaposition of her cartoonish visage (not to mention the questionable allusion to Ayn Rand, of all people, in this context) however.

I tried to leave a comment, but it was deleted because I have not been approved for commenting ..................so I shall leave  it here (paraphrasing - I didn't save it);

If  I may.

If I have offended your sensibilities it was not my intention. The terror depicted in these few photos are a mere glimpse at the sheer horror the Jews suffered during WW II.

Today the Holocaust is spoken of casually, dismissively and leaders of  nation states deny the Holocaust ever took place . Millions of people living under those brutal dictators believe it.

Those images may sicken you but they are happening now, just yesterday in the resort town of  Dahab, Egypt and last week Tel Aviv. Hamas offends me, Hizbollah offends me, Islamic Jihad offends me,  Jew hatred offends me, blowing up babies in pizzerias offends me.

We are living in a world where proclamations are made by the President of Iran to "wipe Israel off the map" and says it repeatedly as recently as yesterday.

We are living in a world where just this past Sunday, the Islamic Thinkers Society were chanting "THE MUSHROOM CLOUD IS ON ITS WAY," AND "THE REAL HOLOCAUST IS ON ITS WAY" on the streets of this great city.

These are dangerous, grave times for Jews and freedom loving peoples.

You "suppose some people have not seen this". Ron, these images and those oft hidden images of 9/11 must be seen, must be viewed or the stories become just that -- stories. The media has abandoned its role of public servant delivering the urgent news of the day and instead is wielding its power to advance its own agenda.

Why Atlas Shrugs? Given the global chess board, Atlas cannot, must not shrug, not now (not ever). I am sure Rand would agree.

"WHEN YOU HAVE CIVILIZED MEN FIGHTING SAVAGES, YOU SUPPORT THE CIVILIZED MEN," Ayn Rand.

I would give the greatest sunset in the world for one sight of New York's skyline. The sky over New York and the will of man made visible. I feel that if a war came to threaten this, I would like to throw myself into space, over the city, and protect these buildings with my body." Ayn Rand

As for my picture on the sidebar, that is me and was submitted by an Atlas reader roughly nine months ago. It has been on my blog ever since. If that too offends you, I am sorry.

UPDATE: Vandals Deface Jewish Cemetery

OMSK, Russia – The Jewish cemetery in Omsk was vandalized as tens of graves have been covered with Fascist swastikas taste of freedom.

UPDATE: Israel savages Iran President on Holocaust Day

Israel fell silent for victims of the Nazi Holocaust as leaders of the Jewish state accused Iran and its hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of following in the footsteps of Adolf Hitler, AFP reported.

As sirens wailed across Israel at the stroke of 10:00am (0700 GMT), the country stopped for two minutes in remembrance of the six mlnvictims of the genocide in World War II.

Cars pulled over on motorways and pedestrians were rooted to the spot as citizens paid solemn tribute to their ancestors who perished in concentration camps and gas chambers.

But the commemorations, which began on Monday evening at Jerusalem's Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial, were also marked by warnings about the intentions of Ahmadinejad who has called for the Jewish state to be "wiped off the map."

Shimon Peres, Israel's former prime minister, drew a direct comparison between Ahmadinejad and the leader of Nazi Germany in an interview from Poland where he was to lead the March of the Living.

"This is the first man since Hitler to stand up and say that the Jewish people must be exterminated," the Nobel peace prize winner told public radio.

There is more, much more here, and here- Bruce eloquently speaks to "never again," and Judith's, never say. Please visit these sites.

UPDATE: LGF reporting Israel thwarted a suicide murderer here. Give em a state!

Palestinians were apparently planning a mass murder for Holocaust Day: Officials: Holocaust Day attack foiled.

IDF soldiers detained Monday a terrorist planning to carry out a suicide bombing in Israel.

The would-be bomber was nabbed near the community of Adam, north of Jerusalem, without his explosive belt, which he was supposed to receive later on. Security officials later told Ynet: “A terror attack on Holocaust Day or the next day was prevented.” Hat tip Bruce H

UPDATE: Please stop and read Dymphna's Holocaust commemoration post  at  Gates of Vienna. This intimate, diary-like entry reveals the unceremonious lifting of childhood's veil of oblivion to abruptly face evil. First from afar, the Nazis -- and then up close, personal --> the apathy of her parents to such evil, the involvement in antisemitism that involves probably every person through his/her family at one point or another.

It gives a flesh and blood look into the struggle between good and evil and how each person makes their own choice deliberately, whether conscious or not.

It is a brutally honest account and must of took an enormous amount of courage to write. It could not have been easy. Thank you Dymphna, you have a yiddisha heart. You do wonderful work for Israel and freedom loving people everywhere. G-d bless you, righteous Gentile.

I confronted her at the door, tears streaming down my face. Her instant maternal alarm quickly dissolved when she learned the source of my distress.

“Oh, that thing about the concentration camps,” she said, waving it away. “I heard they were going to show that.”

I was stunned. “You mean you knew about it?”

“Oh, vaguely. Your father and I got the last boat out of Liverpool to come to America. I remember U-boats following us all the way through international waters. Down in steerage there were crowds of people. Most of them had tattoos. I knew they’d been in some prisons Hitler set up for the Jews. They were a sad lot.”

In my whole life this was the only time I ever wanted to hit my mother. How could she?

“How could you just ignore it? Why didn’t you do something?”

Mother looked at me as though as though I were speaking Greek, as though I were the alien. I hated her callous dismissal of a part of history that was up close and unspeakably inhuman.

Eventually I quit asking her questions. Later, as an adult, I realized how anxious and scared she’d been herself through those years. With the passage of enough time I even forgave her, as children do, though my whole-hearted respect never returned.

In the days following my discovery, it was hard to think of anything else. When I lay down at night, the images of those stacked bodies and the slack-jawed living skeletons would not permit me a luxury like sleep. If I slept, then I would be equally complicit with those who had permitted these atrocities.

Slowly, I became fiercely pro-Israel. I even considered converting to Judaism as a kind of reparation. Of course, I never said this out loud. I lived in a Catholic ghetto; though I never ever heard any anti-Semitic remarks, I was on an island of Catholics in a sea of Southern Baptists. Jews — as evidenced by Israel — were admirable but exotic.

As I matured and witnessed and cheered Israel’s survival, I learned more about the rich history of Jews in America. I read with a shiver of pride George Washington’s Letter to the Jewish congregation in Rhode Island. Heartened by Israel’s “Never Again”, I knew with certainty that “Never in America” was an absolute. I read Jewish biographies like Harry Golden’s For Two Cents Plain, books about urban Jewish childhoods. I envied the survival instincts of these, my religious forebears.

Read it all.

The Lobby

The problem with the fallacious study from the intellectually dishonest, anti-Semitic paper from those two Harvard academics is its veracity is irrelevant. The fact that it is out there, that it exists, that is written is all the Jew haters need.

Poison Passed like Candy  Benny Avi

The polemic against an entity so nefarious it’s mostly uppercased as “The Lobby” by Stephen Walt and John Mearsheimer has received insufficient attention in America, the paper’s fans say. They should feel better now that the tract against the American Israel Public Affairs Committee has been echoed by anti-Semites at Turtle Bay.

It happened during a debate at a U.N. body so insignificant that it only received attention recently because its makeup turned it into a joke. Like the Human Rights Commission, which embarrassed even Secretary-General Annan when it elected Libya as its leader and voted America off, the Disarmament Commission last week welcomed Iran as a vice chairman.

   Another vice chairman is Israel, which until lately was the only U.N. member state barred from joining any U.N. body. And so the stage was set for a confrontation between two armed foes charged with lowering armed tensions in the world.

   The Israeli diplomat, Meir Yitzchaki, voiced the concerns, the Jewish state, whose officials are rarely heard in Turtle Bay’s inner sancta. The commission might want to start by addressing Iran’s nuclear ambitions, he said. Reza Najafi of Iran countered with a call for the disarmament of Israel, which President Ahmadinejad threatened violently to wipe “off the map.”

   The predictable debate was mundane enough until Mr. Najafi pulled the secret weapon. According to Mr. Yitzchaki,his Iranian colleague said the Israeli argument is nothing but “Zionist propaganda of the Jewish lobby in the United States.” In a first for Turtle Bay, the Lobby was made to sound even more sinister than its Jerusalem alleged puppet masters.

SHARANSKY: HARVARD STUDY AKIN TO ELDERS OF ZION

THE HATE ISRAEL INTELLIGENTSIA

In other words, the hater of Israel doesn’t mind if Jews stick around, as long as they play the role they’re supposed to: the marginalized victim whose fate is to suffer and provide us with objects of pity. That’s why popular culture’s favorite Jew is the Holocaust victim. As such, the Jew can even keep his religious identity, as long as it is kept thin and reduced to a few charming folkways no more significant than clog-dancing or bagpipes. In other words, don’t be too observantly Jewish, and don’t take being Jewish too seriously. Actually taking religion seriously is the monopoly of Muslims, who especially in Europe are allowed all sorts of leeway in expressing their fanatical devotion to their faith, even when it conflicts with the foundational political ideals of their countries.

IRAN: "Israel is a Fake Regime"

Iran said their Nuclear program is irreversible' and that the  US will be humiliated if it attacks. In other unsettling (/tag) developments, the  Iraqi President is anxious of Iranian troops massing on its border.

Ahmadinejad reportedly has met in Syria with one of the world's most wanted terrorists, Imad Mugniyeh. The Lebanese commander of Hezbollah's overseas operations is plotting Iran's retaliation should U.S. President George Bush order a strike on Iranian nuclear sites.

Mugniyeh is reported to have traveled with Ahmadinejad in January to Damascus, where the Iranian president met leaders of Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad and Hamas, the newspaper said. Story here

Iran Recruits Hizballah Terror Master; Iranian Officers in South Lebanon Take Command of Hizballah Rockets Aimed at Israel

Iran is provoking, yes. Iran wants this war, yes. Iran wants to galvanize the whole of the Islamic world against the West -- America, and her proxy, Israel. Ahmadinejad renewed his criticism of Israel, calling it a "fake regime" that cannot continue to exist.

"We say that this fake regime (Israel) cannot not logically continue to live," Ahmadinejad said.

"Some 60 years has passed since the end of World War II, why should the people of Germany and Palestine pay now for a war in which the current generation was not involved," he said here.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) The Iranian president has long campaigned against Israel, saying in October that the Jewish state should be "wiped off the map." He has said Europe should find a home for Israelis, who should not live on Palestinian land.

"Open the doors (of Europe) and let the Jews go back to their own countries,"

  President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad hinted Monday that Iran was considering withdrawing from the worldwide Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and said he did not think the U.N. Security Council would impose sanctions on Iran.

A rocket scientist he, eh? Iran will demand more. They will "vex and boss us always more and more." So said Fallaci in The Rage and The Pride (pgs. 98, 99) when speaking of the Islamics. She continues, "till the point of subduing us. Therefore, dealing with them is impossible. Attempting a dialogue, unthinkable. Showing indulgence, suicidal. And he or she who believes the contrary is a fool."

"Those who speak about sanctions would be damaged more" than Iran, he told a news conference.

[...] His comments came four days before Friday's expiration of a Security Council deadline for Iran to suspend its enrichment of uranium, a process that can produce fuel for nuclear reactors material for nuclear warheads.

Iran has rejected the demand.

The IAEA, the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency, has accused Iran of failing to answer all questions about its nuclear program and reported the country to the Security Council for noncompliance with its demands

Israel is concerned that Iran's nuclear ambitions could tempt other, unidentified, Mideast countries to seek to develop atomic weapons.

Iran vows to ignore Security Council nuclear deadline. Behind every Islamic terrorist there is an Imam (Khomeini was an Imam, Osama his successor.) Fallaci said that many (too many) are spirtual guides of terrorism, thus morally speaking, terrorists themselves.

Iran's got it bad and that ain't good.

Bomber of American Marines Is Made Hamas Security Chief

Bomber of American Marines Is Made Hamas Security Chief

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The Hamas government yesterday named a Palestinian Arab whose group has attacked Israel and was blamed for bombing an American convoy to head a new security force made up of Islamic militants.

    The move is a direct challenge to the authority of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, and was quickly denounced by Israel and America.

    The Hamas interior minister, Said Siyam, issued a decree appointing the head of the Popular Resistance Committees, Jamal Abu Samhadana, as director general of his ministry.

   In Washington, a State Department spokesman, Sean McCormack, criticized the move. He said it showed “the true nature and the true tactics of this particular Hamas-led government,” and America would still hold the Palestinian Authority responsible for stopping terror attacks.    

An Israeli Foreign Ministry official, Gideon Meir, echoed that.     “If someone needed proof about the connection between the Hamas rule and Palestinian terror, this appointment is the ultimate proof,” he told the Associated Press. “It’s like allowing the fox to guard the chicken coop.”

It's only going to get worse.

 

HAMAS Friendly Arabs in Israeli Government

Only in Israel would you have Arabs in the Knesset. Can you see Jews in the governments of  Hamas, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Egypt or any Arab government? IT COULD NEVER HAPPEN, NEVER. Unbelievable. Zionism is racism my ass.

Now you have these same Arab MKs meeting with Hamas and demanding to see Israel nuclear facilities. No joke. This is all a result of the suicidal left wing in Israel. Shimon Peres is the number two man in Israel now right? Just how many Jews have to die?

The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Enlightened terrible policy is still terrible policy.

ARAB MK GOES TOO FAR

3 Arab MKs met with Hamas leaders, and one of the MKs now demands to visit the nuclear reactor in Dimona. His membership on the permanent Knesset Foreign Affairs & Defense Committee is now in doubt. Taleb A-Sana, now in his fourth term as a Knesset Member, was appointed earlier this week as a member of the interim Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. The committee will serve until a permanent one is decided upon by the not-yet formed government.

Israel is infected with the liberalism, the same disease as the US and most countries of the world. It bespoils everything it touches.

Remember

 

Hamas:Good is Evil and Evil is Good

Suicide murder rhetoric here;

Hamas' spokesmen quickly defended the sickening Passover attack at a Tel Aviv restaurant Monday. The result was to put the Palestinian government on record as an outlaw. Just before the bombing, Qatar announced a $50 million pledge, adding to $50 million already promised by Iran and an unspecified "emergency" grant by Russia. Both Russia and Qatar, as well as every other Arab League state, should have second thoughts. The Bush administration should use its leverage to stop both from paying up.

Jordan Accuses Hamas of Smuggling Weapons. Oh and a senior Jordanian official said that weapons allegedly smuggled into Jordan by Hamas came from Syria.

The world will choke on its own blood. For every action or inaction, the rules are rewritten, the line in the sand is moved yet again.Last week I wrote here of an Arab murdered in cold blood for selling his land to Jews. No one in the media gave a shit. Al Doura! Why Is Muhammad Abu al-Hawa Dead?

Muhammad Abu al-Hawa, 42, and the father of eight, was shot seven times last Wednesday night and his body and car were torched. He was tortured and murdered because he stood accused of selling an apartment building in Israel's capital city to Jews. He was buried in a makeshift cemetery because the Palestinian Authority's mufti in Jerusalem, Ikremah Sabri, has barred all Muslims accused of selling land to Jews from being buried in a Muslim cemetery.

Has the moral inversion become so much a part of the daily dialogue that we can't see what is right in front of us. Such danger. The horror of what awaits us.

The Horror of Hamas

'British foreign secretary Jack Straw has just declared he wants to normalize relations with Hamas.'Earlier on Thursday, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw had claimed that since Hamas now headed the PA government Britain wanted to maintain normal relations with them "as we did with the previous government."' This is the best the UK can do?........more at Zalmi blog

He makes this statement on a visit to Saudi Arabia, home to 15 of the 9-11 hijackers and principal banker to the Wahabbist Jihad. And within two days of the latest suicide carnage in Tel Aviv which Hamas were quick to justify as legitimate policy.

Saudi Arabia  ruled by an authoritarian regime that rely on coercion, violence, and terror to rule, and that demands from their citizens submission, obedience and conformity. And that includes "journalists," to whom, by now, responsibility to truth and logic has become irrelevant. More here.

Palestinian Rocket Fire Continues

'They called me Jewish garbage'

This should be interesting. The new anti racism (but Islam is a religion not a race!) rules written by FIFA were instituted to insure no one insulted the Religion of Peace but oh the Lord works in mysterious ways;

'They called me Jewish garbage'

Non-Jewish Chilean striker Rodrigo Goldberg mistaken for Jew during match with local team; fans hurl insults at former Maccabi Tel Aviv star and Israel supporter; Goldberg pushes for FIFA disciplinary action against abusive fans Miki Sagi

Only two weeks ago FIFA, the world soccer body, issued a list of new disciplinary measures as part of its efforts to fight racism in soccer stadiums. It seems FIFA did not expect that so soon it would needed to implement the new penalties.

Rodrigo Goldberg, the non-Jewish Chilean striker who starred with Maccabi Tel Aviv from 1997 to 2003, won two cups, and later movedback to Chile to play for Santiago Morning, is demanding the new penalties be used after being subjected to anti-Semitic abuse during a recent match.

Last Saturday, Goldberg made headlines in Chile after fans of Palestino, a Chilean team set up by Palestinian refugees in the South American country, mistook him for a Jew and hurled racist comments against him

They are such lovely dear people.

"I've heard many curses against me; people think I am a Jew because of my name, but what happened last Saturday broke all records," Goldberg told Ynet.

What did they shout?

A combination of every swear word you can think of and the word Jew. They called me "Jewish garbage," "son of a bitch Jew," many curses. As I said, it happened in the past but this time it crossed the limits.

For me the money quote from this ganser mensch;

People in Chile don't like the fact that I support Israel whenever the opportunity arises, but I don't care. I already said they called me a Jew on many occasions, although I am not, but it is not insulting. To the contrary, for me it's a compliment. I respect Jews and love the dearly.

Hey Rodrigo, I love you dearly. Let's see what FIFA does.

Bruce pointed out to me FIFA and the World cup's  history of  critcizing Israel.
Most recently here for bombing an empty soccer field in Gaza from which rockets were fired into Israel, but not criticizing Pals for firing into an Israeli soccer field, or the many similar incident elsewhere in the world I.E., just picking on Israel, and including a question as to what FIFA and Germany will do during the World cup to enforce its 'civility" rules.

Outrage and disbelief as world soccer body condemns Israel, not Hamas

FIFA has condemned Israel for an air strike on an empty soccer field in the Gaza Strip that was used for training exercises by Islamic Jihad and the al-Aqsa martyrs brigade. This strike did not cause any injuries. But at the same time FIFA has refused to condemn a Palestinian rocket attack on an Israeli soccer field last week which did cause injuries.

With the soccer World Cup, which takes place only once every four years, just weeks away, it is a time of mounting emotion for the hundreds of millions of people across the globe who passionately follow the game. As FIFA meets in the next few days to decide what action to take against Israel, the double standards involved could not be more obvious.
Photo: Iranian President Ahmadinejad (center) training with the national soccer team in Tehran on March 1

Should be most interesting how they handle the Goldberg Jew hate attack.
By their acts ye shall know them, and so we know them.

U.S ARMY CAN'T USE ISRAELI BULLETS IN IRAQ, SHAME ON US

Right Hand of G0d blog sent me this article and I fell off my chair. When are we going to stop bedning over to Islam? This is beneath America, beneath our nation and antisemitic. I am ashamed  of our lawmakers - weak knee mealy mouthed, spineless dung. The stench Abercrombie ...............

We are America, we stand up for what we believe in or is that passe?

ARMY TOLD NOT TO USE ISRAELI BULLETS IN IRAQ

[How reprehensible is that? Gutless and lily-livered. STAND BY YOUR ALLIES-Atlas]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Israeli-made bullets bought by the U.S. Army to plug a shortfall should be used for training only, not to fight Muslim guerrillas in Iraq and Afghanistan, U.S. lawmakers told Army generals on Thursday.

Since the Army has other stockpiled ammunition, "by no means, under any circumstances should a round (from Israel) be utilized," said Rep. Neil Abercrombie of Hawaii, the top Democrat on a House of Representatives Armed Services subcommittee with jurisdiction over land forces.

The Army contracted with Israel Military Industries Ltd. in December for $70 million in small-caliber ammunition.

The Israeli firm was one of only two worldwide that could meet U.S. technical specifications and delivery needs, said Brig. Gen. Paul Izzo, the Army's program executive officer for ammunition. The other was East Alton, Illinois-based Winchester Ammunition, which also received a $70 million contract.

*You remember Abercrombie here, lover of Hamas, right?

UPDATE: Tom P writes;

This story is actually from 2004  ....but policy may still be in place.... ask readers if they know if it still stands ...IT'S CRAZY See LGF

Ehud Olmert: WEAK, John Bolton: Strong

It's not what I would do. It's not what Bibi would have done.

Israel blames Hamas for bombing but limits response
Israel blamed the Hamas-led Palestinian government on Tuesday for a Tel Aviv suicide bombing but acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert decided for now against launching a military offensive against it.

But look to John Bolton as the role model of righteous;

John Bolton on Tel Aviv Bombing: Security Council Cannot Remain Silent

UN Ambassador John Bolton spoke briefly on Tuesday about the suicide bombing yesterday in Tel Aviv. Below are excerpts of his comments with  emphasis added:

"We meet in the aftermath of a vicious and despicable act of terrorism in Tel Aviv. We should first express our condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Israel, and also express our outrage.

The burden of responsibility for preventing terrorist attacks such as this one rests with the Palestinian Authority. The United States has noted reactions by several terrorist groups including Hamas that defend -- and even applaud -- the act of terror in Tel Aviv today, as we have noted President Abbas's quick denunciation of it.

Defense or sponsorship of terrorist acts by officials of the Palestinian Cabinet will have the gravest effect on relations between the Palestinian Authority and all states seeking peace in the Middle East.

[...]

Israel has a right to defend itself. To condemn Israel for defending itself while failing to acknowledge either the provocation of persistent Qassam rocket attacks or the Palestinian Authority's responsibility for taking action to stop the Qassam attacks is unworthy of the Security Council.

In light of today's terrorist attack in Tel Aviv, it is especially important to stress the responsibility of the Palestinian Authority to take action to stop terrorism. The Security Council cannot remain silent when Hamas, the ruling party in the Palestinian Authority, is supporting such attacks.

We also remain concerned about the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people. The United States has long been a supporter of the Palestinian people through substantial contributions of our foreign assistance funds.

On April 7, the U.S. announced that it would increase humanitarian aid to help Palestinians in need. Basic human assistance, including health, food, and education, will increase by 57 percent, to a total of $245 million. The United States will also provide $42 million to strengthen civil society and independent institutions. Assistance will be administered through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNWRA, and other non-Palestinian Authority actors, including local and international NGOs.

[...] A Palestinian Authority government which refuses to accept its responsibility to prevent acts of tenor and punish the perpetrators of such violence, and which by its unwillingness to condemn such attacks gives at least tacit approval and encouragement to terrorism, cannot be considered a partner in peace.

Read the whole statement over  at Vital Perspectives here

More from the formidable Bolton: Bolton Presses On With Plan To Halt Darfur Genocide

FRANCE 'REGRETS' HAMAS FAILURE TO CONDEMN TEL AVIV BLAST....."regrets", how quaint

 

UN Ambassador John Bolton spoke briefly on Tuesday about the suicide bombing yesterday in Tel Aviv. Below are excerpts of his comments with  emphasis added:

"We meet in the aftermath of a vicious and despicable act of terrorism in Tel Aviv. We should first express our condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Israel, and also express our outrage.

The burden of responsibility for preventing terrorist attacks such as this one rests with the Palestinian Authority. The United States has noted reactions by several terrorist groups including Hamas that defend -- and even applaud -- the act of terror in Tel Aviv today, as we have noted President Abbas's quick denunciation of it.

Defense or sponsorship of terrorist acts by officials of the Palestinian Cabinet will have the gravest effect on relations between the Palestinian Authority and all states seeking peace in the Middle East.

[...]

Israel has a right to defend itself. To condemn Israel for defending itself while failing to acknowledge either the provocation of persistent Qassam rocket attacks or the Palestinian Authority's responsibility for taking action to stop the Qassam attacks is unworthy of the Security Council.

In light of today's terrorist attack in Tel Aviv, it is especially important to stress the responsibility of the Palestinian Authority to take action to stop terrorism. The Security Council cannot remain silent when Hamas, the ruling party in the Palestinian Authority, is supporting such attacks.

We also remain concerned about the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people. The United States has long been a supporter of the Palestinian people through substantial contributions of our foreign assistance funds.

On April 7, the U.S. announced that it would increase humanitarian aid to help Palestinians in need. Basic human assistance, including health, food, and education, will increase by 57 percent, to a total of $245 million. The United States will also provide $42 million to strengthen civil society and independent institutions. Assistance will be administered through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNWRA, and other non-Palestinian Authority actors, including local and international NGOs.

[...] A Palestinian Authority government which refuses to accept its responsibility to prevent acts of tenor and punish the perpetrators of such violence, and which by its unwillingness to condemn such attacks gives at least tacit approval and encouragement to terrorism, cannot be considered a partner in peace.

Read the whole statement over  at Vital Perspectives here

More from the formidable Bolton: Bolton Presses On With Plan To Halt Darfur Genocide

FRANCE 'REGRETS' HAMAS FAILURE TO CONDEMN TEL AVIV BLAST....."regrets", how quaint

New Axis Of Terror

After Hamas defended a deadly suicide bombing Monday, Israel's U.N. ambassador warned that recent statements by the Palestinian government, Iran and Syria "are clear declarations of war, and I urge each and every one of you to listen carefully and take them at face value."

Ambassador Dan Gillerman cautioned that a new "axis of terror" - Iran, Syria and the Hamas-run Palestinian government - was sowing the seeds of the first world war of the 21st century.

"A dark cloud is looming above our region, and it is metastasizing as a result of the statements and actions by leaders of Iran, Syria, and the newly elected government of the Palestinian Authority," he said. More here.

Iran Reports Testing New Centrifuge
Iran's president has thrown a new wrinkle into the nuclear debate by claiming his country is testing a centrifuge that could be used to more speedily create fuel for power plants or atomic weapons.

Iran claim on nuclear plan raises new fears
Iran's advanced work with uranium suggests ties to a black market for nuclear technology.

Islamic Jihad Killing Jews Today

Hamas Leader Mashaal: We'll Never Recognize Israel
Speaking in Tehran, Hamas political chief Khaled Mashaal warned Saturday that "the Palestinians will never recognize Israel." Mashaal also congratulated the Iranian people on the progress in their nuclear ambitions

A16 year old teenage boy  [updated information] Arab suicide bomber, detonated a large explosive at a Tel Aviv fast food stand in the Neveh Sha’anan neighborhood Monday afternoon, killing at least nine civilians. Story here

At least 50 persons were wounded, with 15 sustaining moderate to severe injuries.

The Islamic Jihad terror group and the Al Aksa Brigades, the military wing of the Fatah party, have claimed responsibility for the attack. Fatah is the party of PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) leader Mahmoud Abbas, and his predecessor, PLO terrorist chieftain Yassir Arafat.

I am so tired of the name game. It's Radical Islamists. They change their name labels like I change La Perla. It's always the same murderers.

In 1993, Israel signed the Oslo Accords and ceded control of heavily populated Arab areas to the Palestinian Authority. When the accords were signed, the PLO and its largest component, Fatah, pledged in writing to refrain from carrying out terrorist attacks or from using violence of any kind against Israel.

Oslo was the biggest mistale Israel ever made. You can not negotiate a peace if you haven't beaten the enemy. Thoroughly. Negotiation only empowers the tactics of the savages. It didn't work in Paris with the Viet Cong, it won't work with these animals. Germany and Japan post war efforts were so successful because those countries were so thoroughly beaten. The Pali Arabs and their enablers must be thoroughly beaten.

The left wing in Israel will destroy that country much the same way they are destroying America. Israel is infected with the same disease (liberalism) as the US and most countries of the world. It bespoils everything it touches.

The Al Aksa Brigades and the Islamic Jihad have been cooperating extensively to carry out terrorist attacks against Israel, especially since Hamas won a pivotal parliamentary election in the Palestinian Authority last January.

Tehran Hosts Conference in Support of Palestinians

UPDATE: From Taranto here;

Terrorism and Trivial Truths
"A Palestinian suicide bomber blew himself up outside a fast-food restaurant in a bustling area of Tel Aviv during the Passover holiday Monday, killing eight other people and wounding at least 49 in the deadliest Palestinian attack in more than a year," the Associated Press reports. This is in Tel Aviv, not the disputed territories:

The Palestinians' new Hamas leaders called the attack a legitimate response to Israeli "aggression." Israel said it held Hamas ultimately responsible--even though a different militant group, Islamic Jihad, claimed responsibility--and would respond "as necessary." . . .

Witness Israel Yaakov said the blast killed a woman standing near her husband and children.

"The father was traumatized. He went into shock. He ran to the children to gather them up and the children were screaming, 'Mom! Mom!' and she wasn't answering, she was dead already . . . it's a shocking scene," Yaakov said.

Another witness, 62-year-old Sonya Levy, said she had just finished shopping when the blast occurred.

"I was about to get into my car, and boom! There was an explosion. A bit of human flesh landed on my car and I started to scream," she said. There's much more here.

"The Fateful Hour has Arrived"

The moment has arrived for President George W. Bush to make clear if he is, in the final analysis, the leader of the free world or its undertaker. Read all of Glick's latest here

Iran, the single greatest enemy of the US and everything it stands for, which has repeatedly stated its goal of destroying America and erasing Israel from the map of the world, is now on the verge of acquiring a nuclear arsenal. It already has delivery systems capable of launching nuclear strikes against Israel and most of Western Europe. Through its own Revolutionary Guards units, Hizbullah and its other terror clients, it has been actively warring against the US for 27 years.

Iran made its fastest leaps towards nuclear capabilities since the September 11 attacks. When in late 2002 Iran's secret nuclear facilities in Natanz, Arak and Isfahan were revealed to the world, the US reacted not by moving to destroy this emerging threat which it acknowledged to be the greatest threat to its own national security and to the security of the world. It reacted by backing Britain, Germany and France's attempts to appease the mullahs into giving up their nuclear weapons program.

To date, the US's official policy for contending with Iran is to seek redress in the UN Security Council. That is, the US has placed the responsibility for meeting what it has itself admitted is the greatest threat to global security in the hands of nations that do not share its assessment of Iran. By seeking Security Council action on Iran, the US has delegated the power for contending with the Iranian nuclear threat to China and Russia which have both assisted Iran in developing its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

After the September 11 attacks, George W. Bush was revered by Americans and lovers of liberty around the world. His soaring rhetoric and stated determination to fight for all that is good and sacred in this world won the hearts of millions and instilled in them the hope that the great battle for civilization had been joined by a force capable of defending it.

America is the greatest nation on Earth and it does have the ability to defend the world against regimes like Iran and its allies. It can prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. It can take those weapons out of North Korea's hands. It can bring Damascus to its knees and force it to cough up Iraq's arsenal of pathogens. And no, military might is not the only way for it to accomplish these tasks.

But America cannot, and it will not accomplish any of these goals if it continues to abide by strategies and frameworks that serve only to strengthen its enemies and permit its "allies" to behave perfidiously. It cannot and will not defend the world from evil, demonic regimes like Iran's if it continues to allow the likes of the EU, Russia, Egypt and China to undercut its will at every turn.

IRAN: "Israel Will Be Annihilated"

The midget must die.

The president of Iran again lashed out at Israel on Friday and said it was "heading toward annihilation," just days after Tehran raised fears about its nuclear activities by saying it successfully enriched uranium for the first time.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called Israel a "permanent threat" to the Middle East that will "soon" be liberated. He also appeared to again question whether the Holocaust really happened.

"Like it or not, the Zionist regime is heading toward annihilation," Ahmadinejad said at the opening of a conference in support of the Palestinians. "The Zionist regime is a rotten, dried tree that will be eliminated by one storm."

Ahmadinejad provoked a world outcry in October when he said Israel should be "wiped off the map."

On Friday, he repeated his previous line on the Holocaust, saying: "If such a disaster is true, why should the people of this region pay the price? Why does the Palestinian nation have to be suppressed and have its land occupied?"

The land of Palestine, he said, referring to the British mandated territory that includes all of Israel, Gaza and the West Bank, "will be freed soon." More here

John Boltom must have stepped out for coffee. And for the antisemites that don't give a rat's ass if Israel lives or dies, you'll be next in line. That's a sure thing.

Kick this little Napoleonic Islamofascist ass and take the heat. The rest of the world will whine and complain and scream"big, bad USA", but secretly do a jig of glee

Ahmadinejad's words are a declaration of war. Must we wait until the mad mullahs drop the bomb?

ElBaradei unable to sway Iranians / Atomic energy chief had sought a halt to uranium enrichment
A one-day trip to Iran by the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohamed ElBaradei, ended Thursday night with no agreement by the Iranians to halt their production of enriched uranium.

John Bolton vs. The Evil that savages Men do

I happily interrupt my Passover holiday to express my unabashed admiration for John Bolton. Yes, again. A fine man indeed. Intestinal and testicular fortitude in one giant of a man. The left hates him because he makes them look so positively small, spineless, petty and limp wrist-ed. Which of course they are.

- The United States on Thursday blocked a U.N. Security Council statement drafted by Arab nations and aimed at putting pressure on Israel to stop military strikes on Palestinian targets.

U.S. Ambassador John Bolton said the draft, even after three days of intense negotiations, "was disproportionately critical of Israel, and unfairly so, and needlessly so."

You go John.

When the American ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton, asked the members of the Security Council yesterday whether they thought it appropriate on Passover, a major Jewish holy day, to debate a motion denouncing Israel, most of the 15 ambassadors failed to grasp what was wrong, according to diplomats present at the meeting, held behind closed doors.

Israeli diplomats are always present during such consultations, but yesterday they were conspicuous in their absence. A diplomat, who asked for anonymity because Israeli officials are supposed to decline interviews during the first 24 hours of Passover, told The New York Sun that the council had been notified in advance that no Israelis would come to Turtle Bay during the holiday.New York Sun

Of course Israel would want to be present when such a matter, critical to her survival was being bantered about by her enemies. Israel can not be present on Passover which is why of course it was scheduled on Passover.

As consultations began, Mr. Bolton asked for what he later described as “consistency about observing religious holidays.” He said that he was told that “we work on everybody’s religious holidays.” From now on, he said, “never again can anybody say, ‘But it’s a religious holiday, therefore I can’t

John Bolton is dah bomb.

Washington does not have formal veto power when it comes to council statements. But it was nonetheless able to block the draft single-handedly because council rules require that statements be unanimous supported by all 15 of its members.

During Thursday's closed-door negotiations, the United States effectively killed the text by seeking amendment after amendment until Qatar, the council's sole Arab member, gave up the fight.

Asked by reporters to confirm that Washington alone had opposed issuing the statement, Bolton responded,

"If I were the only holdout, I'd be proud of that fact."

Ayn Rand would be proud. I am proud.

Qatar, acting on behalf of the Arab group at the United Nations, the 57-nation Organization of the Islamic Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement of 112 nations, immediately requested an open council debate on the Middle East, which was scheduled for Monday afternoon.

"I don't see that that meeting is going to be productive, because I don't think the Security Council is an exercise in group therapy," Bolton said.

I love  him. The ideal man. No bullshit moral ambiguity here. 

But Mansour predicted more than 150 U.N., member-nations would address the meeting, to demonstrate that the overwhelming majority of U.N. members were "on the side of justice and international law."

Translation: wipe Israel off the map

The draft statement, after three days of revisions aimed at toning it down, expressed grave concern both about rocket attacks on Israel launched from Gaza and the escalation of Israeli shelling of Gaza, which Israeli says was meant to end those attacks.

The UN is consistent. Israel has NO RIGHT to defend itself. Dogs.

It called on the Palestinians "to take a clear public stance against violence and to take firm measures to halt rocket attacks and suicide bombings." And it urged renewed action toward creation of a viable Palestinian state living side by side with Israel in peace and security.

Yeah, right.

Israel has increased deadly airstrikes and shelling of Gaza in what it says [note that, "in what it says"the rockets are a fact,  Al -Reuters has reported on them, calling the deadly rockets, "harmless" here- Atlas], is a response to militants firing rockets into Israel. The attacks have intensified since the militant group Hamas, which is sworn to destroy Israel, took over governing the Palestinian territories after winning a January election.

The Jewish state says it is not intentionally targeting civilians and has warned residents to leave parts of northern Gaza from where militants often launch makeshift rockets. Story here.

If it's not Cheney/Rice in '08, it's got to be Bolton, a warrior in the struggle between good and evil.

“What were these consultations about?” the Israeli diplomat said. “Were they on Israel’s response, or on the terror that led to it?” .....indeed

Photo: Child at Hamas rally 4-13-06

An Arab is Murdered

An Arab resident was murdered yesterday in East Jerusalem, a week after selling his house to a Jew.The Israeli Web site Y-Net reported from Palestinian Arab sources that the killing was claimed by operatives of the Al-Aqsa Brigades, which are the militant faction of Fatah.

U.S. $ to U.N.- Spitting into the Wind

United States Assistance to UN Relief and Works Agency

The United States is the largest bilateral donor to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), and second only to the European Community as contributor. [our first mistake....Atlas]
 

FY06 USG contributions to date include $84.15 million to UNRWA's General Fund, which supports the agency's core educational, health, and social programs for refugees in UNRWA's five fields of operation (West Bank, Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria), and another $51 million to its 2006 Emergency Appeal, which provides emergency food and health care to refugees in the West Bank and Gaza.

Since the second intifada erupted in September 2000, the United States has contributed $186 million to UNRWA's emergency appeals. Over the past seven years the US average annual contribution to UNRWA's General Fund has been $86.45 million.

USG Voluntary Contributions to UNRWA                                          
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+          
|Fiscal Year           |Regular Budget          |Emergency Appeal    |        
|----------------------+------------------------+--------------------|        
|2003                  |$88.00 million          |$46 million          |         
|----------------------+------------------------+--------------------|          
|2004                  |$87.40 million          |$40 million         |          
|----------------------+------------------------+--------------------|          
|2005                  |$88.00 million          |$20 million         |        
|----------------------+------------------------+--------------------|        
|2006                  |$84.15 million          |$51 million          |         
|                      |                        |(proposed)          |         
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+

Half of the annual U.S. contribution to , General Fund supports the agency's programs in the West Bank and Gaza, which are designed to promote economic self-sufficiency [self sufficiency - did I read that right? - Atlas] and prepare the refugee population for independent statehood in keeping with the President's vision of two democratic states Israel and Palestine   living side-by-side in peace and security. [That and the tooth fairy - Atlas]

Our contribution to UNRWA's General Fund ensures that the agency can educate    nearly 490,000 children who attend its 647 schools, 273 of which are in Gaza  and the West Bank. [Is anyone checking to see the HATE they are teaching in those schools. Let's teach them to be doctors, researchers, Senators, healers. Yes lets drop Islamokazee 101 from the curriculum...........Atlas]

The U.S. contribution to UNRWA's Emergency Appeal finances the provision of food parcels and mobile health clinic services to refugees in the West Bank and Gaza where unemployment has reached 30 percent, where 56 percent of the 3.8 million population lives below the World Bank poverty line of $2.10 per person per day, and where 40 percent of the population is "food insecure." This year's contribution will support UNRWA's creation of 38,787 temporary jobs.[This is so not the answer, stop enabling terror. That would be the best thing you could ever do for the Palestinian Arabs and their future victims - Atlas]

Abbas: Our Sons Will Fight the Jews

Abbas: Our Sons Will Fight Israelis
Mahmoud Abbas says Israel's plan to impose its final borders will lead to another war in a decade. "After 10 years our sons will feel it is unfair and they will return back to struggle," Abbas said. "Nobody will accept it. The struggle will continue." (Guardian-UK)

This is Israel's "partner in peace."  "Our sons will feel it is unfair," - maybe you should teach them to value life, education, make something of themselves.

Why should the U.S. pay for building all those schools and have nothing to say about the HATE they are teaching there. The is something really wrong with this picture. Fatally wrong.

U.S. Pulling or Suspending $411M in Palestinian Projects
Europe Mulls Path Forward with Hamas
Norway Freezes Aid to PA
France Denies Visas for Hamas Legislators

A Conversation with Interim Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert - Lally Weymouth (Washington Post)

• Q: How much time will you give the new Palestinian government?
  Olmert: I'm not expressing any ultimatum. If we reach the conclusion that the Palestinians are not prepared to meet the requirements that lead to negotiations, we will then move forward without a negotiating process. We are not prepared to wait forever.
• Q: What do you mean by "convergence"?
  Olmert: The idea is that most of the settlements that would have to be removed from where they are now will be converged into the blocs of settlements that will remain under Israeli control....The rest of the territories will not have any Israeli presence and will allow territorial contiguity for a future Palestinian state.
• Q: Will the army stay behind?
  Olmert: I will keep all military options to be able to combat terrorism effectively everywhere.
• Q: Would you want some kind of U.S. recognition of the borders you set?
  Olmert: I will seek such recognition, yes. But it's important to understand that if we reach the conclusion that the Palestinians - led by a Hamas government, which is a terrorist organization - are not prepared to meet the preliminary requirements of the roadmap, then we don't have to wait forever. We don't need to waste our energies and our resources. We can move forward to create a new reality on the ground congruent with the understanding that there should be two states existing alongside each other and that the Palestinians must have a contiguous territory where they can hopefully establish a credible state.

Reuters, Terrorist by Proxy

Forty rockets were fired from Gaza into Ashkelon which took a direct hit. More on rocket attacks here. Typical Reuters coverage here - nothing to see, keep moving.

The terror enablers over at Reuters wrote:

"The makeshift rockets fall harmlessly into Israel."

Naomi Ragen writes;

Thanks, Reuters for putting all our fears into perspective! I hope one of your reporters doesn't happen to be standing in a spot where that amateurish little bomb falls, because despite the lack of professionalism, he might actually find himself unprofessionally beheaded! But hey, that's unlikely.

Actually I hope and pray all of their reporters from the "harmless rocket" target zone.

Reuters doesn't usually send its reporters to places where they are likely to actually witness any news first-hand. They have their "sources" in "Palestine" call them on their cell-phones. I say this all allegedly, of course. Don't believe me if you don't want to. More here

But check out Al Reuters when when Israel defends her beseiged people;

Israeli warplanes pound Gaza after suicide bombing

WARPLANES! POUND! Suicide bomber? Islamokazee.

Israeli army kills Palestinian militant in Gaza

The terrorist (militant my ass) Israel killed was firing grenades into Israel from the northern Gaza Strip.

Believe me I could go on and on. Pay attention to who is editing your news. All the major media outlets get their news off the Reuters wire ......................ugh. These insidious media attacks are  fought daily, and free nations like Israel and America have no messenger for their message. Get the word out on the blogs.

Just look at the lengths Bush had to go to to get his Iraqi message across.

Reuters: U.S. propaganda magnifies Zarqawi threat - report

They appear to be on Zarqawi's payroll as well. Lying sack of dung (not use of the words PROPAGANDA. MAGNIFIES.)

AP is hardly better. Here AP rewrites history of Moroccan Jews.

A Mighty Righteous Pope Indeed

Pope Benedict XVI Hints He Will Visit Israel Next Year That would be something to see. I haven't been to Israel but once , well over 20 years ago,  but  this I really must see.

New Pope Approaches Islam with Caution

by Sylvia Poggioli

Morning Edition, April 7, 2006 · Pope Benedict XVI has not strayed much from the policies and ideas of his predecessor, John Paul II. But when it comes to Islam, Benedict takes a much less conciliatory approach.

ROME: In a rare moment of personal introspection, Pope Benedict has said it was the brutality of the Nazi regime in his native Germany that helped to persuade him to become a priest after World War II.

"The Nazi regime told us in a loud voice that in the new Germany there would be no priests, there would be no more consecrated life, we would no longer have any need for this, that we should look for other professions," the Pope said.

He made the comments during a meeting on Thursday with thousands of young people in St Peter's Square, during which he fielded questions from five students on issues such as the family, how to read the Bible and faith and reason.

The 78-year-old Pope was asked how he had discovered his vocation. "Precisely because I had heard those loud voices, I understood, in contrast to the brutality of this system and its inhuman face, that there was a need for priests," he said, speaking without prepared remarks.

"It was this very contrast, seeing this anti-human culture, that confirmed in me that the Lord, the Gospel, faith, shows us the right path. In this way the vocation in me to become a priest grew in me naturally." More here

I really love this Pope.

Danish Cartoon Jihad: Iran Blames the Joooooooooos

Iran Says Israel Behind Danish Cartoons Because of "Anger Over Hamas' Win"

The furious international row over the publication of cartoons satirising the prophet Muhammad intensified  when Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, claimed it was an Israeli conspiracy motivated by anger over Hamas's win in the Palestinian elections.

Huh? But but but, the toons ran in September 2005, the Hamas election was January 26th.
Why split hairs, right? Let's not let facts get in the way of incitement to kill Jews.

Photo:  student in Aceh looks at a mock-up of a Danish flag during a demonstration against the cartoons depicting prophet Muhammad. Photograph: Binsar Bakkara/AP

More Cartoon Related News: Radical Islamic Sudanese authorities refuse to allow the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)  to continue their humanitarian aid operation in the state of South Darfur in Western Sudan.

Monday this week, NRC was informed by the Sudanese authorities that the organisation’s cooperation agreement with the Sudanese authorities on camp coordination in Kalma camp would not be renewed. NRC was also informed that its presence in South Darfur was not wanted, and NRC was asked to leave the state. No reasons were given by the authorities as to why NRC had to leave the state of South Darfur.

NRC has been coordinating relief work in Kalma camp in cooperation with the local authorities in South Darfur since mid 2004. Kalma camp is the largest camp for internally displaced persons in Sudan with almost 100,000 people.

 

The Struggle Between Good and Evil

This story speaks for itself. The mainstream media will paint Israel in the most impossible, almost demonic light while tenderly, gingerly making love to killers and savages. But the following story really says it all;

On Thursday evening, an Israeli couple gave rides to three hitchhikers. One, disguised as a religious Jew, was a suicide bomber, who blew himself up in the car at the entrance to the community of Kedumim. Body parts were hurled dozens of feet. The car burned for an hour.

Unbowed, the International Herald Tribune cites a completely discredited, Jew hating study to prop up its antisemitic ravings here.

What is really at play here? A struggle as old as time. The struggle between good and evil. My dear, brilliant friend and soul mate, Dr. Helen, points to "the involvement in antisemitism involves probably every person through his/her family at one point or another.

What it represents is the struggle between good and evil. The traditional Jew-peaceful, studious, dedicated to procreation, family and life of worship and simplicity. He is concerned with being benevolent hence the Kosher way of killing animals-without suffering. He does not deviate from faith in God and belief that God, if he is good, will take care of him. On the other side is the trayf  - the more  likely to use physical force, have many wives, or at least does not stay with one family and may beget a few, less concern in procreation rather more concern in pleasure. Kills even for his faith or in the name of his faith. More physical than studious and much less faithful to family and religion.Inflicts pain without remorse and enjoys the disrespect for other living creatures.

Therefore for the strife between good and evil to continue and exist - the fundamental basis and core for this existence  the traditional Jew must survive. If he dies the good is gone and evil takes over the world. The struggle must continue as this is the setup and fabric of this world.

The conquering of Israel is in theory. That piece of beach holds no oil, gold, or any other valuable resources. It however, holds the Jewish people. The world knows that getting the land is meaningless, it is getting the Jew that will be the victory for the forces of evil. However, if the Jew dies they die too as their survival depends on this constant struggle because without it they will lose the meaning and purpose of their existence. And so it goes, a never ending struggle which is the very essence of life as we know it."

Hamas Foreign Minister: "I Dream of a Map without Israel"
Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahmoud al-Zahar, a senior Hamas leader who is the new Palestinian top diplomat, on Saturday defended Hamas' ultimate goal of destroying Israel and founding an Islamic state. "I dream of hanging a huge map of the world on the wall at my Gaza home which does not show Israel on it," he said. "Our dream [is] to have our independent state on all historic Palestine (including Israel)." "This dream will become real one day. I'm certain of this because there is no place for the State of Israel on this land," said al-Zahar. (Xinhua-China)

Here's another analysis you should  review. Augean Stables has a remarkable post here on Anti-Semitism: Medieval, Modern and Post-Modern. He has posted the final, Post-Modern.

 

Hamas Holds Israeli's Dhimmitude in Contempt

How appropriate - coming to us from Hades

Hamas: Israeli policies remain hostile

KHARTOUM, Sudan — The militant group Hamas on Wednesday dismissed Israel's election results as another face of Israeli policy designed to eliminate the Palestinian issue, while other Arabs warned the Jewish state about taking unilateral action.

Hamas Government Approved, Vows to Fight Israel - Nidal al-Mughrabi
"We cannot recognize Israel," Hamas' newly-approved Minister of Information, Youssef Rizka, told one cheering crowd in Gaza. "The land of Palestine is ours and not for the Jews."

What a joke.The Israelis never learn. I can't imagine what they were thinking but they have to live there and its their security that is at stake. It reeks of a Gore victory after 9/11.

I've been conversing with Doc Nancy and she writes;

The answer is that Israel is infected with the same disease (liberalism) as the US and most countries of the world. It bespoils everything it touches.

We spoke in the past of my concern for Israel's coalition government. I believe there has been a change in its structure in the last generation. It has become clear in recent years that no party leader is able to truly lead because he never has a mandate due to this. To me, this is the real story. And furthermore, by conventional wisdoms' definition, winning 29-32 seats does not a mandate make.

This is fascinating: Graphic (bottom left) shows projected results of Israel's parliamentary election.

If you collect all of the fractious right thinking votes, you get a lot more than 11 seats. The imperiled Sharon who created Kadima was responding to this coalition difficulty, but he never wanted to create a party Peres would approve of. Kadima seems to be much more leftward than he planned. Sharon and Netanyahu were on the same side for years, even competitors in their own party, that's why Bibi said we're "shattered" but the press acts like they were never on the same side. I could study this graph for hours, but I really feel they need to fix their governmental structure becaue what they need most is basically a TWO PARTY SYSTEM, a system that forces people to commit to a side and let the leader lead. THE ABOVE SORT OF LOOKS LIKE A REPEAT OF PEROT!

And lord knows without Perot there would have been no Bill Clinton - what a wonderful world it would be.

But seriously, the doc hits on the key problem. Israel needs an electoral college. Their system is broken, wherein after every election the tyranny of the minority kicks in.

Kadima won an underwhelming victory. Kadima received 28 seats, significantly fewer than predicted. Only once before in Israeli history has a smaller party formed a government - in 1999 - and it lasted only 18 months.

Lots of excuses being made for Likud's abysmal showing. Here is MK Uzi Landau, #14 on the Likud list

Another reason for the Likud's failure, Landau feels, involved the economic reforms led by party leader Binyamin Netanyahu when he served as Finance Minister. "What we were unfairly punished for was the economic policy," Landau said. "People told us that because their pensions decreased, they wouldn't vote for us." The Pensioners' Party in fact scored a totally unexpected success, jumping from oblivion to 7 Knesset seats.

Landau also blamed the media to a certain extent. "Look," he said, "I ran against Bibi [Netanyahu] for party leader, and I have some criticism of him - but what was done to him by some of the media, especially Channel Two and Yediot Acharonot, was simply a targeted killing. I believe the media should perform a self-reckoning of its role in the campaign; it did not act like the watchdog of democracy it is supposed to be."

Frankly, I am not buying it. The fact that the turnout was the lowest in Israeli history is counter intuitive. This, after Hamas, whose mission statement is to destroy Israel,  got elected? What am I missing here? This was a critical election - and the diaspora felt as I did. So yeah I am at a loss.

I think Israel gave Ariel Sharon the old tip of the hat: Sharon's Party Is Winner in Israel. But I also think the Israelis were wrong and will pay dearly for their cognitive dissonance.

Hamas is already dissing the election results ands vowing to destroy Israel. America should watch the unfolding events carefully. Israel's swerve to the left provides America with a snapshot of a similar fate if we do the same at the polls in 2006/2008.

Live Blogging the Israeli Electons

Israelly Cool is live blogging the elections.

3.10PM: More unrest in Ramat Beit Shemesh, literaly down the road from where I live, as "Charedim" (ultra-Orthodox) tried to block the polling stations. From the reports I have seen, these people are part of an anti-Zionist sect who oppose the State of Israel, much like the Neturei Karta who were recently seen visiting the President of Iran.

 

3.25PM: The low voter turnout has sparked Kadima to send out SOS SMS messages.

 

4.00PM: Speaking with work colleagues, the feeling is that Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu party is going to fair very well. The consensus is that he may get as many as 15 seats. This positive outloook is reinforced by this report.

 

If so, Kadima may well have to look to the Right bloc to form a coalition.

 

4.05PM: There have been 130 election-related "incidents" so far.

 

4.15PM: Now we know where all the voters are.

 

4.20PM: Ynet (Hebrew) reports that the turnout is 39%.

 

4.50PM:  You can now add "dummy bomb" to the reported election-related incidents.

 

5.00PM: 45 "right-wing" activists on a bus headed to the mostly Arab town of Nazareth have been detained. They claimed that they were election monitors headed for Nazareth polling stations; given that they did not have the requisite election monitor papers, no doubts hilarity would have ensued had they reached their destination.

 

5.10PM: Pollster Rafi Smith says that he expects polling to pick up between 5PM and 8PM, the so-called "hotter" hours for voting.

 

5.20PM: Kadima and Likud are trading barbs.

Kadima: Likud are conspiring to hide Kadima slips at the polling stations.

Likud: Kadima are a big bunch of liars.

Other sources:

Jerusalem Online's free video coverage
Jerusalem Post
YnetNews
Ha'aretz

Vital Perspective

Sustainable Apple Pie

UPDATE: Likud Chairman Binyamin Netanyahu:
"The path of the Likud is that of Menachem Begin: to seek peace from a position of strength, not of weakness. I know that many of you agree with our path: to fight terror firmly, not to collapse with further withdrawals, and not to pave, with our own hands, the road to the establishment of an Iranian-influenced Hamas state in the heart of the land. And I therefore believe that at the moment of truth, when you stand behind the curtain, you will not vote for the dangerous collapse of Olmert and Peres.

"I don't mind so much if you vote for Lieberman, Shas and the National Union - our natural partners, because they know that without the Likud, the nationalist camp is finished... "

UPDATE: UGH....... Kadima set for narrow victory in Israel election. It's their bed, they'll have to sleep in it (with one eye open). Me and the rest of the Diaspora Jews saw it differently.

Biggest loser? Netanyahu. Likud with maybe 14% of the vote. Hell, what do I know?  It goes against every tenet of my thinking - but hey, they have to live there. G-d bless.

VOTE BIBI!

Israelis, haul tuchus to the polls!  And vote for the only qualified man for the job;

PERETZ: Let's dismiss Peretz out of hand. He is a union boss, nothing more. The last thing Israel needs now is a complete leftard.

OLMERT: I think Olmert is a weak sister. His family's far left activities ought to raise a red flag.

His son Shaul, who lives in New York reportedly signed a petition belonging to the pacifist organization Yesh Gvul, and his other son, Ariel, who lives in Paris and did not serve in the IDF.

Likud officials have also openly attacked Olmert's wife Aliza for her left-leaning views and his daughter Dana, who is active in the Machsom Watch organization that monitors soldiers' treatment of Palestinians at IDF checkpoints in the West Bank.

"Olmert's sons and one of his daughters refused to serve in the IDF, and his sons live overseas and do not see their future in Israel," the ad said. "If Olmert's children who live abroad knew of his withdrawal plan, they would not return to Israel at all." More  here.

Kadima without Sharon.....? I don't think so. And Olmert's No. 2, Shimon Peres? Need I say more? OK, how about OSLO, now there's a word.

Vote like your lives depend on it. It does.

LOVE NETANYAHU. HE HAS MY ENDORSEMENT.

Check out Israelly Cool for Election Coverage  Live Blogging now!

Israeli Elections: Atlas' Endorsement

Si vis pacem, para bellum (If you want peace, prepare for war) -- Flavius Vegetius Renatus (ca 390 AD) in Epitoma rei Militaris 

Update Vital Perspective will be live blogging the Israeli Elections here. Readers in Israel get out the VOTE for Netanyahu. They also invite you to register with Jerusalem Online, which is providing a free video feed of its coverage - in English - of the developing Israeli elections.

Tomorrow Israel heads to the polls in what I consider to be  the most dangerous,  consequential moment in modern Israel's history. It is beyond me how the Israeli voter can be apathetic. Maybe they are just war weary to the bone. Too bad - snap out of it. Here's how I see it.
Photos: New York Sun
PERETZ: Let's dismiss Peretz out of hand. He is a union boss, nothing more. The last thing Israel needs now is a socialist leftard.

OLMERT: I think Olmert is a weak sister. Yes he will defend Israel but he lacks vision and great leadership qualities. His family's far left activities ought to raise a red flag.

His son Shaul, who lives in New York reportedly signed a petition belonging to the pacifist organization Yesh Gvul, and his other son, Ariel, who lives in Paris and did not serve in the IDF.

Likud officials have also openly attacked Olmert's wife Aliza for her left-leaning views and his daughter Dana, who is active in the Machsom Watch organization that monitors soldiers' treatment of Palestinians at IDF checkpoints in the West Bank.

"Olmert's sons and one of his daughters refused to serve in the IDF, and his sons live overseas and do not see their future in Israel," the ad said. "If Olmert's children who live abroad knew of his withdrawal plan, they would not return to Israel at all." More  here.

Kadima without Sharon.....? I don't think so. And Olmert's No. 2, Shimon Peres? Need I say more?

NETANYAHU: Netanyahu is my pick. You need someone hard - made  of steel for what's coming and Likud has Natan Sharansky and Edelstein. Yes, he may be  lesser of three evils but I love him.  There you have it. NETANYAHU HAS MY ENDORSEMENT.

Update: Oh my Gd, here it is 1:30 am New York Time and I have  had enough of the damn news so I start spinning and here is this film "Cast a Giant Shadow." I have never seen this film and yet it is shocking to me that Hollywood could produce such a warm, powerful, supportive piece on the birth of Israel.

Tagline: Outnumbered - unarmed - unprepared - they hurled back their answer in flesh and flame!

An American Army officer is recruited by the yet to exist Israel to help them form an army. He is disturbed by this sudden appeal to his jewish roots. Each of Israel's Arab neighbors has vowed to invade the poorly prepared country as soon as partition is granted. He is made commander of the Israeli forces just before the war begins.

Kirk Douglas as the testosterone ODed military adventurer and freedom fighter Colonel David (Mickey) Marcus  volunteers to join the fight for the liberation of Israel

Douglas, remarking on a military tactic to fool the enemy:  "This has got to be the biggest fake  since the invention of falsies." lol

John Wayne toasting "la' Chaim" (but pronouncing it luh kai im) to which Kirk Douglas replies "maybe you better stay off our side Mike, no one would ever believe it." So great!
Wayne is with the State government which is portrayed in a most unflattering light. Arabist! The depiction of State is so on the money.

Frank Sinatra (a great great friend of Israel, here)! Angie Dickinson! Yul Brynner! The cameos just keep on coming. It is done in a hokey fashion but with such earnest intent you can't help but love it. It's a B movie with ginormous stars, sort of a bad movie you love to love.

They are singing Hatikvah, I can't take this. Liveblogging Cast A Giant Shadow, I'm kvelling. Hollywood - oh how the mighty have fallen.

UPDATE 2:30 am: Kirk Douglas takes a bullet, holding a rose (it is Hollywood). Dies......ugh.

UPDATE: America Takes Side of Israel - Jeff Jacoby
A Gallup poll released last month puts American support for Israel at near-record levels. In short, solidarity with Israel is an abiding feature of American public opinion. (Boston Globe)

Arutz Sheva's All Night Election Coverage

Up-to-the-minute Election results
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All night radio coverage includes analysis and call-ins.

On Harvard, Barry Rubin Nails It

Harvard Paper on Israel Drew From Neo Nazi sites

Jew hate by any other name is uh.....Jew hate. Barry Rubin draws on equivalency, the left's favorite tool, here

[Editor’s Note: While walking on the Harvard campus, I saw a manuscript blow out of a dumpster and fall at my feet. Curious, I picked it up and read it thoroughly. This is the remarkable text you are about to read and which no doubt will soon be published by two prestigious political scientists who are so innovative and courageous that they understand one need not know anything about a subject in order to pontificate about it. --Barry Rubin]

All analysts agree, and it is not even a matter of controversy, that a powerful lobby has seized control of U.S. foreign policy and used it for another country’s interests. This manipulation has been very damaging to the United States and it is time that this cabal is exposed.

That is why it is necessary to analyze the pro-British lobby’s terrible effect in damaging U.S. interests and subordinating our beloved country to an evil alien state.

In fact, the United States gets nothing from its alliance with England, a country which has repeatedly undermined American interests and defied American leaders. Moreover, U.S. support for Britain has angered such important forces as the Irish, Argentinean, and French peoples. It is time that this mistaken policy is challenged and changed.

Meanwhile, did you know...?

Israel is the largest Middle Eastern investor in the United States.

The U.S. State Department published foreign investor rankings Wednesday. Israel was first from the Middle East, with $4.1 billion, followed by Kuwait, with $1.2 billion. [not that it matters- Atlas]

Iran orders attack on Israelis

Iran orders attack on Israelis before elections

Fear of large-scale bombing tightens security in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv

JERUSALEM – Iran has ordered Palestinian terror groups to carry out a large-scale bombing inside Israel before elections here next week, security officials told WorldNetDaily.

But but but they only want nukes for civilian peaceful kumbaya purposes.

Jihad backs Hamas bids over 'Israel' [note the quotes -Atlas]
"We reject the pressure and international provocation against Hamas to force it to recognise the Zionist state of Israel, recognise the humiliating agreements and abandon the resistance," Khader Habib, a leader of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, told reporters. "The recognition of Israel must be a red line," added Habid at a press conference.

UPDATE:

Al Qaida recruiting Palestinians in Jordan World Tribune
JERUSALEM — Palestinians have been joining Al Qaida and subsequently planning operations in the West Bank. Israel has tracked and captured several Palestinians charged with being recruited by Al Qaida and authorized to conduct major attacks in Israel.

 

Palestinian/Al Qaeda Plot foiled In Israel

Israel charges Palestinians with Qaeda attack plot

JERUSALEM, March 21 (Reuters) - An Israeli military court charged two Palestinians on Tuesday with membership of al Qaeda and plotting a suicide bombing and car bomb attack for the group.

Charge sheets published by the Israeli military spokesman said Azzam Abu-Alades and Balal Hafanawi, both 19 and from the Nablus area of the occupied West Bank, were recruited to al Qaeda last year in Jordan. Both were charged by a military tribunal in the West Bank with conspiring to commit murder, membership of an illegal group, illegal possession of weapons and military training with al Qaeda.

The charges say they had plotted a suicide bombing at a pizzeria in a Jewish neighbourhood in Jerusalem to be followed by a car bomb shortly afterwards. They are also accused of recruiting potential suicide bombers to carry out the attacks.

A terrorist by any other name (al qaeda, Hamas, Hizbollah,  Palestinian Islamic Jihad, whichever hat they choose that day) is still as evil. Connect the dots. This is one large global war on Islamofascism.

Bush Says United States Will Defend Israel
President Bush on Monday reaffirmed the United States' vow to defend Israel against attacks from Iran, which is pursuing nuclear arms and has threatened to destroy the Jewish state . "The threat from Iran is, of course, their stated objective to destroy our strong ally Israel," Bush said to an audience in Cleveland.  "It's a threat to world peace; it's a threat, in essence, to a strong alliance. I made it clear, I'll make it clear again, that we will use military might to protect our ally, Israel."  The U.N. Security Council is now considering how to stop Iran's quest for atomic weapons. Meanwhile, Congress is considering the Iran Freedom Support Act, legislation that would tighten American sanctions on Iran to choke off funds it could use for atomic work. Urge your lawmakers to support this legislation.

Thank Gawd ,the President gets it. Israel is, lke Iraq, like the Cartoon jihad, like Thailand, etc.  is another front, another "campaign" - a critical and strategic one albeit, in the war waged on the West by Islamofascists.

Jews: The More Things Change the More They Stay the Same

If it's not one murderer it' s another.
ARCHAEOLOGISTS IN ISRAEL FIND ANCIENT TUNNELS FROM JEWISH REVOLT

JERUSALEM — Underground chambers and tunnels used during a Jewish revolt against the Romans nearly 2,000 years ago have been uncovered in northern Israel, archaeologists said Monday.The Jews laid in supplies and were preparing to hide from the Romans during their revolt in A.D. 66–70, the experts said.The pits, which are linked by short tunnels, would have served as a concealed subterranean home.

Yardenna Alexandre of the Israel Antiquities Authority said the find shows the ancient Jews planned and prepared for the uprising, contrary to the popularly held belief that  the revolt began spontaneously.

"..probably the greatest single slaughter in ancient history."
ROMAN SIEGE AND SACK OF JERUSALEM

Photo: Updated but recent photo made available by the Israeli Antiquities Authority on Monday shows an aerial view of the archeological excavation site in Kfar Kana in northern Israel.(AP Photo/Israeli Antiquities Authority) 

May Be Too Late To Stop Iran

Ex-Weapons Inspector Says It May Be Too Late To Stop Iran

Washington (AFP) Mar 13 - A former top UN and US arms inspector on Iraq said Sunday it may be too late to stop a nuclear-weapons determined Iran, noting that there is no consensus on taking military action against Tehran.

"I'm afraid that we probably are past the point where there is any meaningful alternative other than military action to stop the Iranians if they are determined to go ahead. And I don't see that as a possibility," said David Kay, who led the US search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq following the 2003 invasion.

"My great fear is indeed we will have to learn to live with Iran, and all its terrorist connections, with the bomb," Kay told NBC television's "Today Show".

Calling the Tehran regime "toxic," Kay said on Sunday that the tensions over Iran's nuclear power program -- which the US believes masks an intention to develop atomic weapons -- differ from those which preceded the US attack on Iraq.

"This time we have a far more united multilateral coalition against Iran and we actually have the International Atomic Energy Agency condemning Iran for 18 years of cheating on its nonproliferation obligations," he said.

"When you've got in Tehran a regime that is toxic in the extreme, you really don't need to make the point that there are serious consequences. Everyone knows where we are moving," he said.
Source: Agence France-Presse Related Links

More from  David Kay's live remarks at AIPAC here

Iran Urging Islamic Jihad to Hit Israel Ahead of Election
Iran continues to urge Islamic Jihad to carry out terror attacks against Israel ahead of the Knesset elections. According to a senior source in the General Staff, the Islamic Jihad terror group seeks to confront Hamas with a dilemma - "whether to uphold the policy of calm toward Israel, as it has done until now."

Abbas, Hamas Reach Impasse

EU Hinges Further Aid on Moderate Hamas Stance [Moderate?  The destruction of Israel is their raison d'exister, what does moderate mean? Calling for Israel's destruction Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays?]

“I have been asking who the savior is and answering myself by saying it is me. My people are in the middle of nowhere lost and confused. Humanity’s caravan has passed them by and they are too far from catching it. By changing their way of thinking, I am changing their behavior and eventually their future.” Wafa Sultan

 

Hamas: Terror is Legit

Hamas Platform: Terrorism is Legitimate The Hamas movement, about to assume control over much of Judea/Samaria, presented its platform over the weekend - defining Israel as "the Zionist enemy" and approving continued terrorism.  Full Story

Give 'em aid!

Saudi Swill Sponsor Jewish Boycott

Despite a promise made to Washington last November to drop its economic boycott of Israel, Saudi Arabia plans to host a major international conference next week aimed at promoting a continued trade embargo on the Jewish state. Story here Hat tip Phil

America has to say what she means and mean what she says. This duplicity must end.
The power of evil is made possible by the sanction you give it - John Galt

Withdraw your sanction.

Israel Never Sleeps: Al Qaida in Hamastan

Atlas readers were on to this months ago here dring the disengagement, so who knows how deeper al qaeda has infiltrated into Hamastan. Considering 65% of Palestinian Arabs support A-Qaeda in the US, this continuing development is a natural. Dangerous for the Palis though, sleep with maggots - wake up eaten alive;

Palestinians Catch al-qaida Operative

A senior Palestinian source revealed on Thursday that Palestinian security forces located several operatives spreading al-Qaida ideology. The troops arrested one such extremist in Gaza.

Earlier in the day, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas told the Arab daily el-Hayat that he had proof that al-Qaida cells have infiltrated, and are operating in the West Bank and Gaza." I am very concerned about this," said Abbas.

"If they succeeded in infiltrating in such a way, and if no one watches over them, the result could be disastrous for the entire region. The last piece of information I received on the subject was three days ago, but we still have not been able to lay our hands on the operatives," he said.

A Hamas spokesman responded to Abbas's claim by saying that his organization has no intelligence information regarding al-Qaida cells in the West Bank or Gaza.

"If the things Abu Mazen (Abbas) said are true, then the matter must be handled immediately," he said.

Only last week OC Central Command Maj.-Gen. Yair Naveh revealed that global Jihad and al-Qaida cells based in Jordan have stepped up their attempts to infiltrate Israel and are in close contact with Palestinian terror cells based in the West Bank.

'We recently caught several local terror cells that were in touch with the international Global Jihad based in Jordan,' Naveh told a closed meeting at the Jerusalem Center of Public Affairs. He would not say for certain that the al-Qaida camp in Jordan worked under the direction of the movement's Iraqi leader Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, but he said 'al-Qaida was working to tighten its grip on the ground' in Jordan and Israel. hat tip Earl

More here;

Quote:
Not wanting to miss out on all the fun, Osama bin Laden's Al Qaeda terrorist network has set up camp in the Gaza Strip and possibly Judea and Samaria in order to better participate in the local anti-Jewish orgy of violence, admitted PLO chief Mahmoud Abbas in remarks published Thursday.

JCPA called it back on January 1st here.

PBS 9PM Tonight

Generally I despise the left wing bias of PBS and can't for the life of me understand why our hard earned taxpayer dollars still fund an enterprise that has 800 free market channels. That  notwithstanding, Madahar writes;

Because of the bias, I normally don't endorse PBS programming; however, WSJ goddess Dororthy Rabinowitz touts this as a fair and informative program about the 1970 hijackings of 4 airliners to Beirut airport.

3 planes were pirated to Beirut. The 4th plane was an El Al flight from Europe, whose pilot RESISTED THE HIJACKERS, threw the plane into a sharp dive, allowing onboard El Al security the chance to execute the Muslim animals on the spot. Yashir Koach! The plane landed safely in Tel Aviv.

A tourist shot video of the scene, and it will be shown tonight.

Sorry Sean, although a night without Colmes is a gift.

Iran: It's them or Us. Power is the Only Thing They Understand. That and Tom and Jerry

Iran: Russian, Chinese Officials To Discuss Nuclear Standoff In Tehran

This should  be good, the three evil doers, the three countries responsible for the nuclear standoff are getting to together to "discuss" - translation- to do a jig - to laugh out of their snouts. - Oh to be a fly on the wall at that little kaffe klatch.

So of course it's no wonder that  Russia Still Foresees Iran Nuke Resolution, Uh huh, keep stalling fellas. Got any bridges you wanna sell me?

Iran sets centrifuges to work on uranium Herald Tribune
PARIS:  International nuclear inspectors are expected to report next week that Iran has started producing enriched uranium,European officials said Friday.

Only a month after Tehran defied Europe and the International Atomic Energy Agency and declared that it would restart what it termed "research" on enrichment, it has put 10 centrifuge machines into operation at the vast uranium enrichment plant at Natan

There is no way you can deal rationally with savages. Nyet. So this means what? We have to wait for these barbarians to drop the first nuke? They have made their position perfectly clear. Are we deaf? They are the largest state sponsor of terror. Are we blind? They sponsor Hamas and Hizbollah? Can we not act? The Palestinian Arabs elected Hamas. Having read the Hamas mission statement, isn't the results of that election an out and out  declaration of war?

QUARTET MEMBERS: GIVE HAMAS TIME To do what? Complete Hamastan? Tigerhawk finds Iran's threats comforting, stabilizing in fact here, strangely enough I do too.

You can put any intellectual spin you want on that festering boil. It is what it is. A is A.

Cultural Adviser to Iranian Education Ministry and Member of Interfaith Organization Lectures on Iranian TV:

Tom and Jerry - A Jewish Conspiracy to Improve the Image of Mice, Because Jews Were Termed "Dirty Mice" in Europe here

On February 19, 2006, Iran's Channel 4 covered a film seminar that included a lecture by Professor Hasan Bolkhari.(1) In addition to being a member of the Film Council of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), Bolkhari is a cultural advisor to the Iranian Education Ministry,(2) and active on behalf of interfaith issues.(3)

The following are excerpts from Bokhari's lecture.

TO VIEW THIS MEMRI CLIP, CLICK HERE (uh can I nominate MEMRI for the Nobel Peace Prize? If not perhaps I can chip in for bodyguards...)
   

"Some say that this creation by Walt Disney [sic] will be remembered forever. The Jewish Walt Disney Company gained international fame with this cartoon. It is still shown throughout the world. This cartoon maintains its status because of the cute antics of the cat and mouse - especially the mouse.

"Some say that the main reason for making this very appealing cartoon was to erase a certain derogatory term that was prevalent in Europe."

[...]

"If you study European history, you will see who was the main power in hoarding money and wealth, in the 19th century.  In most cases, it is the Jews. Perhaps that was one of the reasons which caused Hitler to begin the antisemitic trend, and then the extensive propaganda about the crematoria began... Some of this is true. We do not deny all of it.

"Watch Schindler's List. Every Jew was forced to wear yellow star on his clothing. The Jews were degraded and termed 'dirty mice.' Tom and Jerry was made in order to change the Europeans' perception of mice. One of terms used was 'dirty mice.'

"I'd like to tell you that... It should be noted that mice are very cunning...and dirty."

Danish Cartoon Boycott: Boycott the Israeli Boycotting Danish Companies

Pay attention. Joyce writes and asks for clarification and rightly so;

Maybe you have already commented on this, but I have read on different websites about how the Danish swore off selling to Israel, and so now, being under attack, are getting their just desserts.   Is it true that they promised the arabs that they would not sell to Israel?   Is Denmark anti-Semitic?   I don’t want to support Denmark if they are against Israel.   Thanks,   Joyce

no no, thank you Joyce - we love Joyce  and her son in the Air Force and her son in Army ROTC in college. Joyce, you and your boys rock my world.

DANISH COMPANIES BOYCOTT ISRAEL? ARLA DENIES

Hodja blog reports and it is JP's lead story today about Danish boycott of Israeli goods.

To gain contracts in Middle-East countries danish firms may have signed contracts not to trade with Israel for several years.

(If danish firms have done so - which other firms from EU and the US?)

Arla - the danish dairy firm - says today - that such contracts are pure routine.

Maybe the time has come to check who you are dealing with - and who you are not dealing with.

Danish firms who may or may not have admitted to the above (see below):

(Some may be dealing with Israel anyway):

Arla: See here

Leo: Says that they trade with Israel anyway

 

Radical groups in Denmark sometime runs a hate-campaign against Israeli goods in the form of (all) 20-30 people storming into a supermarket to vandalize Israeli brands. But its been a few years since it happened last. I guess that is why some importers prefer to lay low. Sad really.

I didn't know there was a boycott against Israel now, or in other words, I think it is failing miserably if there is.

...By the way "Denmark" cannot order a manufacturer in any country to remove a label. Only the buyer can do that - and I wish they didn't. It kind of makes it difficult to return the favor and buy Israeli if we cannot see the label. What do they make other than fabulous oranges? (sorry for being ignorant)

David Gertzman, also known as soccerdad responds thus:

It's well and good to fight the recently organized Arab/Muslim boycott of Denmark, but there's been an organized boycott by the Arab world of Israel for 5 decades.

One way to fight it is to look for goods made in Israel. A particularly useful site in this regard BuyIsraeliGoods.org. Or just do a search on "buy Israel" and you'll get a number of other sources.

One unique such enterprise is Ahava products that features cosmetics made from the Dead Sea. Also if you are buying generic pharmaceuticals there's a good chance they were made in Israel because Teva is the world's largest manufacturer of generic drugs.

Here are some additional sites: Israeli products. and Shop Israel Online.  For information on cutting edge Israeli technology visit Israel21c.org

Betka asked my to highlight her favorite shoes, Naot. More here

HAMAS:"Before Israel dies, it must be humiliated and degraded,"

Youngsters and Jihad -Rachel Ehrenfeld and Alyssa A. Lappen

What would you like to be when you grow up? A Hamas children's magazine has a clear answer: a terrorist. A children's story it published calls upon small children and encourages them to commit terrorist acts and sacrifice their souls for Allah. Western politicians who delude themselves in the belief that Hamas will change have only to consider what Hamas leaders say. On Feb. 3, Hamas chief Khaled Mash'al declared in Damascus: "Before Israel dies, it must be humiliated and degraded."
    The children's magazine named Fatah in its last two issues carried an illustrated story about the heroism of a very young but courageous Palestinian child, who is determined to be a jihad fighter like his older brothers. The story demonstrates the indoctrination and "education" to which even the youngest of Palestinian children are exposed by Hamas in schools and publications. The story, translated by Jonathan D. Halevi of the Orient Research Group in Toronto, begins when the child Basaal (meaning the "brave," in Arabic) is exposed to jihad activities while watching television, reading newspapers, and at meetings his brothers hold with their friends to plan attacks on Israeli convoys. This is how "peaceful" Hamas brings the message of Khaled Mash'al alive for Palestinian children. (Washington Times)

As Israel (or the Jews go) so goes the rest of the free world. Remember that when you delude yourself  into believing that this is not your problem and your delicious cushy life is safe and unaffected --Atlas

Photo: Life Magazine 1970 [proof that the jihad indoctrination is working]

Russia and Hamas to discuss arm sales here

Hamas, We Don't Need no Steenkin' Plot

The latest piece of propaganda being thrown like so much chum to the leftist shark infested world press is this ridiculous gem here;

US, Israel Deny Claims

Hamas criticized the United States and Israel on Tuesday following reports they were exploring ways to topple the militants' incoming government unless they renounced their violent ideology.

In Washington, the White House and the Israeli ambassador to the United States denied there was such a plot.

Israeli security officials said they were looking at ways to force Hamas from power and were focusing on an economic squeeze that would prompt Palestinians to clamor for the return of President Mahmoud Abbas' ousted Fatah Party. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter with the media.

A Foreign Ministry official said Israel was threatening to dry up funding and isolate the Palestinians internationally in an effort to keep Hamas, which is committed to Israel's destruction, from taking power. The official would not address the issue of regime change, but ministry spokesman Mark Regev said ``there was no such plan.''

The New York Times, citing U.S. and Israeli officials it did not identify, reported Tuesday that the United States and Israel were considering a campaign to starve the Palestinian Authority of cash so Palestinians would grow disillusioned with Hamas and bring down a Hamas government.

In Washington, White House spokesman Scott McClellan said, ``There's no plot.''

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said he was ``puzzled'' by the report.

Plot? Why plot? The  Bush Doctrine is no secret. Freedom's stand against tyranny, America hate, Jew hate, repression is NO SECRET. We are transparent in our stand against terrorists and murderers. The Hamas objective to destroy Israel will not be tolerated. Bah dah bing Bah dah boom.

Kofi Annan backs Russia's plan to meet with Hamas here. Didn't Bush fire this terror enabler yet? I could swear that was why he was going to the White House - to get his long overdue pink slip. What is this life time employment? France?

In apparent disagreement with President Bush, Secretary-General Annan yesterday indicated he was in accord with Russia and the European Union, believing there is an "opportunity" to transform the terrorist organization Hamas, which recently won the Palestinian elections, into a legitimate peace partner.

Kofi Annan  has NO MORAL COMPASS. The only reason he is still there is that his replacement might be worse. Harry Reid anyone? Who'd a thunk Daschle (who was loathsome) could appear to moderate.?.........but that for another thread.

Speaking of the UN, that bastion of freedom, valor and unambiguous moral clarity

UN REWARDS DICTATOR: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Receives United Nations award for spreading "liberty." here

Hamas supporter and Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, an anti-American socialist who’s fond of posing for photographs with the world’s tin-pot dictators, has now been in power for eight years. Bolstered by high oil prices, Chávez has reinforced his regime—and added to its record of electoral fraud, human rights violations, property theft and political repression.

He’s been nothing less than a dictator while in office, Heritage’s Nile Gardiner and Stephen Johnson report:

Upon entering office in 1998, Chávez ordered the constitution rewritten to keep himself in power and established Cuban-style neighborhood spy committees, called “Bolivarian Circles,” to inform on citizens who harbor dissident thoughts. Chávez’s policies provoked protests that forced his temporary retreat from office and sparked strikes that shut down the state oil company. Dissidents were shot or incarcerated.

Chávez enacted new laws to seize private property, to close commercial radio and TV stations for airing content deemed “contrary to national security,” and to jail ordinary citizens for voicing criticism of public officials. He has consolidated single-party rule by stacking Venezuela’s courts with provisional, partisan judges, and won a 2005 referendum on his leadership only after padding the electoral rolls and intimidating his opponents.

So faced with this new threat to human rights, civil liberties and other basic values, what does the United Nations do? It gives him an award, of course. And just for good measure, the award was presented by Chávez’s mentor, Fidel Castro.

John Bolton must have had the day off.

UPDATE: Question of the day: If Hamas says : No Plan to Recognize Israel, then Israel should not , not "could  not" cut them off  -- Israel Could Cut Off Hamas' Allowance

Officials confirm they intend to stop $50 million monthly tax payments unless the new Palestinian government formed by Hamas recognizes Israel's right to exist. Israel expects the U.S. and Europe to cut off aid as well.

According to Hamas, Israel does not exist, so where should this nonexistent money come from? Hey Israel --- stop paying the extortion money already. Basta!

ISRAELINSIDER: US, ISRAEL AGREE: NO AID TO HAMAS--LED PA TILL IT QUITS DESTROY--ISRAEL STANCE

 

Never Underestimate the American People

Over at Vital Perspectives here:

According to a new Gallup Poll following the election of Hamas as the Palestinian Authority's ruling party, Americans have grown more pessimistic that peace will ever be achieved in the Middle East, and increasingly sympathetic toward the Israelis. By a 2-1 margin, Americans now say there will never come a time when Israel and the Arab nations will live in peace. The 65% to 32% split compares with a roughly 50-50 split last year.

On foreign aid, the poll also found that 57% of Americans oppose giving any financial aid to the Palestinians while Hamas is in power, while 30% would give aid if the Palestinians recognize Israel. A mere 5% say the U.S. should give aid even if the Palestinians do not recognize Israel.

The poll concluded that as a whole, Americans are much more likely to sympathize with the Israelis (59%) than with the Palestinians (15%).

By party affiliation, Republicans (77%) are significantly more likely to sympathize with Israelis than are Democrats (50%) or independents (50%).

Over at Vital Perspectives here:

According to a new Gallup Poll following the election of Hamas as the Palestinian Authority's ruling party, Americans have grown more pessimistic that peace will ever be achieved in the Middle East, and increasingly sympathetic toward the Israelis. By a 2-1 margin, Americans now say there will never come a time when Israel and the Arab nations will live in peace. The 65% to 32% split compares with a roughly 50-50 split last year.

On foreign aid, the poll also found that 57% of Americans oppose giving any financial aid to the Palestinians while Hamas is in power, while 30% would give aid if the Palestinians recognize Israel. A mere 5% say the U.S. should give aid even if the Palestinians do not recognize Israel.

The poll concluded that as a whole, Americans are much more likely to sympathize with the Israelis (59%) than with the Palestinians (15%).

By party affiliation, Republicans (77%) are significantly more likely to sympathize with Israelis than are Democrats (50%) or independents (50%).

War and Peace Through Strength

Freedom of Speech does not demand that private citizens provide a microphone for the man who advocates their destruction.

Major Iranian newspaper holds Holocaust cartoons competition
A prominent Iranian newspaper on Monday opened an international competition seeking cartoons about the Holocaust in what it said was a test of whether the West would be as supportive of freedom of expression over the Nazi genocide as it was with caricatures of Islam's prophet.

Zulubaby sent this to me. The Hitler/Frank cartoon here is as base and depraved today as both they (the Radical Islamists) and the Nazis were during WWII.

Feedback

Drafting Hitler - Ihr und wir
Sehr lesenswerter Text von David Brooks aus der NYT vom 9.2.o6:

You want us to know how you feel. You in the Arab European League published a cartoon of Hitler in bed with Anne Frank so we in the West would understand how offended you were by those Danish cartoons. You at the Iranian newspaper Hamshahri are holding a Holocaust cartoon contest so we'll also know how you feel.

Well, I saw the Hitler-Anne Frank cartoon: the two have just had sex and Hitler says to her, ''Write this one in your diary, Anne.'' But I still don't know how you feel. I still don't feel as if I should burn embassies or behead people or call on God or bin Laden to exterminate my foes. I still don't feel your rage. I don't feel threatened by a sophomoric cartoon, even one as tasteless as that one.

At first I sympathized with your anger at the Danish cartoons because it's impolite to trample on other people's religious symbols. But as the rage spread and the issue grew more cosmic, many of us in the West were reminded of how vast the chasm is between you and us. There was more talk than ever about a clash of civilizations. We don't just have different ideas; we have a different relationship to ideas.

We in the West were born into a world that reflects the legacy of Socrates and the agora. In our world, images, statistics and arguments swarm around from all directions. There are movies and blogs, books and sermons. There's the profound and the vulgar, the high and the low.

In our world we spend our time sifting and measuring, throwing away the dumb and offensive, e-mailing the smart and the incisive. We aim, in Michael Oakeshott's words, to live amid the conversation -- ''an  endless unrehearsed intellectual adventure in which, in imagination, we enter a variety of modes of understanding the world and ourselves and are not disconcerted by the differences or dismayed by the inconclusiveness of it all.''

We believe in progress and in personal growth. By swimming in this flurry of perspectives, by facing unpleasant facts, we try to come closer and closer to understanding.

But you have a different way. When I say you, I don't mean you Muslims.I don't mean you genuine Islamic scholars and learners. I mean you Islamists. I mean you young men who were well educated in the West, but who have retreated in disgust from the inconclusiveness and chaos of  our conversation. You've retreated from the agora into an exaggerated version of Muslim purity.

You frame the contrast between your world and our world more bluntly than we outsiders would ever dare to. In London the protesters held signs reading ''Freedom Go to Hell,'' ''Exterminate Those Who Mock Islam,'' ''Be Prepared for the Real Holocaust'' and ''Europe You Will Pay, Your 9/11 Is on the Way.'' In Copenhagen, an imam declared, ''In the West, freedom of speech is sacred; to us, the prophet is sacred'' - as if the two were necessarily opposed.

Our mind-set is progressive and rational. Your mind-set is pre-Enlightenment and mythological. In your worldview, history doesn't move forward through gradual understanding. In your worldview, history is resolved during the apocalyptic conflict between the supernaturally pure jihadist and the supernaturally evil Jew.

You seize on any shred -- even a months-old cartoon from an obscure Danish paper -- to prove to yourself that the Jew and the crusader are on the offensive, that the apocalyptic confrontation is at hand. You invent primitive stories -- like the one about Jews who kill children for their blood -- to reinforce your image of Jewish evil. You deny the Holocaust because if the Jews were as powerful as you say, they would never have allowed it to happen.

In my world, people search for truth in their own diverse ways. In your world, the faithful and the infidel battle for survival, and words and ideas and cartoons are nothing more than weapons in that war.

So, of course, what started in Denmark ended up for you with Hitler, the Holocaust and the Jew. But in your overreaction this past week, your defensiveness is showing. Democracy is coming to your region, and democracy brings the conversation. Mainstream leaders like Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani are embracing democracy and denouncing your riots as ''misguided and oppressive.''

You fundamentalists have turned yourselves into a superpower of dysfunction, demanding our attention week after week. But it is hard to intimidate people forever into silence, to bottle up the conversation, to lock the world into an epic war only you want. While I don't share your rage, I do understand your panic.

Sharon's Life In Danger on Shabot

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's life is in danger said Ron Krumer, spokesperson for the Haddasah hospital in Jerusalem where Sharon is being treated here

"A serious deterioration of his digestive tract was discovered after an examination and doctors decided to operate," Krumer added.Jerusalem's Hadassah Hospital where Sharon is undergoing an emergency surgery said ...  Check out Vital Perspectives all day.

His seventh operation since January, Israel get your house in order..........

Bush: "You Bet We'll Defend Israel" -

Bush: "You Bet We'll Defend Israel" - Glenn Kessler
In an interview with Reuters Wednesday, President Bush said he is concerned about Iranian President Ahmadinejad's "menacing talk" about Israel. "Israel is a solid ally of the United States. We will rise to Israel's defense, if need be. So this kind of menacing talk is disturbing. It's not only disturbing to the United States, it's disturbing for other countries in the world, as well." Asked whether he meant the U.S. would rise to Israel's defense militarily, Bush said: "You bet, we'll defend Israel."  (Washington Post)

Gd bless you President Bush. You are indeed a righteous man. No vacillating, no flip flopping. Two countries that share the same values.....life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Iran said to have bomb instructions
A document obtained by Iran on the nuclear black market serves no other purpose than to make an atomic bomb, the International Atomic Energy Agency said Tuesday.

Reason has all been but lost, Passion and Prejudice governs the world

Saddam ordered WMD strike on Israel [transferred to Syria]

he former deputy of the Iraqi air force, General Georges Sada, revealed on Saturday that that former dictator of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, ordered him during the first Gulf War to bomb Israeli population centers with chemical weapons.

Sada said he convinced Saddam to abort the mission by telling him that the Iraqi pilots could not complete the mission with the equipment at their disposal, and that the Israelis had radar that could detect them before they reached their target.

In his book, which was written four years ago, Sada also claims that Iraq's chemical weapons were taken to Syria aboard civilian Iraqi "Boeing" airplanes just prior to the US invasion.

The 65-year-old Sada said that 56 flights of this type took place, but went largely unnoticed because they were flying under the guise of humanitarian aid.

Prior to the second Iraq war Israel warned that Iraq was moving chemical weapons from its territory into Syria.

Why isn't this splashed across frontpages and TV screens everywhere? Sada is being ignored. You can't tell me a diabolcial agenda is not at work here.

Courage readers courage. All things beautiful has a great post up, read it here

Excellent extensive analysis from Rockets Brain here and Ground State here, read them both.

UN acknowledges Holocaust

Wonder of Wonder, Miracle of Miracles. I know John  Bolton has praised Gillerman for making this happen. It took 61 years..........NEVER AGAIN

Harry Truman said "It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit" and I believe John Bolton had more than a  hand in pulling this off.

Thank you John Bolton.

Harry Truman also said "I had faith in Israel before it was established, I have in it now. I believe it has a glorious future before it - not just another sovereign nation, but as an embodiment of the great ideals of our civilization".

Thank you Harry Truman

UN acknowledges Holocaust, first time in over 60 years

New York - The United Nations on Friday acknowledged for the first time the deaths over 60 years ago of millions of Jews and ethnic minorities in Nazi death camps.

For the occasion, ageing survivors of the death camps walked up to the podium of the 191-nation UN General Assembly in New York to deliver short speeches remembering the events that nearly destroyed their lives under Nazi Germany during World War II.

Gerda Weissmann Klein told the assembly she was 15 when she and her family were seized and sent to a five-year ordeal in the Jewish ghettos, slave labour and concentration camps. On January 15, 1945, she was forced into the infamous three-month 'Death March' at the hands of the Nazis as Allied troops were finally liberating Europe.

Her entire family perished in the Death March.

'Where will my thoughts be on this awesome occasion?' she said. 'As I stand before representatives of many nations, my mind's eye will recall the bitter cold of the winter Death March and the battered, rusty bowl I held in my hand, hoping that when I got to the front of the line there would be soup left in the kettle.

The designation marked a historic turnaround in the world organization.

Israeli UN Ambassador Dan Gillerman, whose grandparents and family died in the death camps, noted that since the Holocaust, the world has witnessed genocides in Cambodia and Rwanda in 1975 and 1994.

Gillerman said if the state of Israel existed in 1938 or 1943, the Holocaust would not have happened. Israel was established in 1949. More here

Iran to hold Holocaust conference despite furor

Hamas: Be Careful What You Wish For

Nobody is more surprised by Hamas'  landslide victory in the Pali elections then Hamas. I previously wrote here that they didn't want to win, they wanted power. They didn't want to run a "country", they wanted power. They don't want to pick up garbage, build roads, create jobs, take control over security, they want to be free to kill terrorize and destroy with impunity and the backing of the Palis.

Well they got more than they asked for, eh? Where are they going to get the money to fund terror, buy missiles, buy off their constituency? America? - uh uh. The EU - I don't think so.
The EU Funded Arafat's Corruption. It Must Not Finance Hamas Terrorism. Arafat spoke out of two sides of his ass, Hamas is unequivocal in its intent to destroy Israel. I can't see the EU taking such an unambiguous stand. And if they do, Israel can retaliate with impunity. Iran? Sure, they can give some money but they can't afford to give the kind of bucko bucks that the big swinging dick countries have beeen giving.. WE PROVIDE ALOT OF MONEY, THE US IS THE NUMBER ONE CONTRIBUTOR TO "PALESTINE".

Quartet: Hamas Must Recognize Israel
"The Quartet reiterates its view that there is a fundamental contradiction between armed group and militia activities and the building of a democratic state. A two-state solution to the conflict requires all participants in the democratic process to renounce violence and terror, accept Israel's right to exist, and disarm, as outlined in the Road Map." (United Nations)

Hamas needs to play ball. They will  want Abbas to stay, to put a face of "peace playing partner" on the new Hamasastan for the world. They must have Abbas. I wonder what price Abbas will demand.......right now Fatah and Hamas are fighting in the streets. Some are whispering "civil war".

Israel, meanwhile, is bracing for its neighbor to be ruled by a party dedicated to destroying the Jewish state and replacing it with an Islamic theocracy.

I don't think the results of this election is such a bad thing. Their enemy was elected, no more hiding under rocks or the veil of Fatah. All the better to carpet bomb. No more psuedo peace playing circle jerk. The truth has been , for all the world to see. This is what Israel has been dealing with all along. If sunlight is the best disinfectant, it's morning in Hamastan and the cockroaches are scrambling.

Essentially, for Israel, nothing's changed.

If you turn on your television sets check out what's happening in Hamasastan. The savages are setting fires, screaming, protesting, rampaging through the streets, bordering on violence, the crowds are refusing a coalition with Fatah. Ha!

......Poor Israel, this little jewel sits smack dab in the middle of the shithole of the world.

Iran says Hamas 'earthquake' will shake US

What Peace Process?

The Savages won. Essentially nothing's changed.

I am with Daniel on this one,Don't Deal with Terrorists - Daniel Pipes
An increasing number of voices are calling for Hamas to be recognized, arguing that the imperatives of governance would tame it. The historical record, however, refutes this "pothole theory of democracy." Mussolini made the trains run, Hitler built autobahns, Stalin cleared the snow, and Castro reduced infant mortality - without any of these totalitarians giving up their ideological zeal nor their grandiose ambitions. Like al-Qaeda, Hamas should be destroyed, not legitimated, much less courted.

They've got their mandate, eh?
Hamas: Recognizing Israel Not on Our Agenda
After Hamas won a decisive victory in legislative elections, senior Hamas official Mushir al-Masri said on Thursday, "Negotiations with Israel is not on our agenda....Recognizing Israel is not on the agenda either."

Photo: Hamas celebrating the old fashioned way.......with guns.

Ha...

Vital Perspective will be blogging the entire day - without exception - on Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. Breaking news, analysis, and updates from the internal Palestinian situation, the U.S. positions, Israel and the rest of the region. They will be using all of their contacts throughout the region extensively today.

History of Hamas Murderous Attacks (click below)

Iran Threatens to put Israel in "ETERNAL COMA LIKE SHARON"

Were Israel to attack Iran's nuclear facilities, Iran would respond so strongly that it would put the Jewish state into "an eternal coma" like Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's, the Iranian defense minister said Wednesday.

These savages are just disgusting. Intelligence suggests Iran might have already reached the point of no longer requiring foreign assistance to advance in its nuclear weapons program here.

Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz has said his country would not accept Iran's acquiring nuclear weapons under any circumstances. He stopped short of threatening a military strike against Iran - as Israel destroyed an unfinished Iraqi nuclear reactor in 1981 - but he said Israel was preparing for the possible failure of diplomatic negotiations with Iran.

A newscaster on Iranian state television read out a response from Iran's minister of defense, Gen. Mostafa Mohammad Najjar, on Wednesday.

"Zionists should know that if they do anything evil against Iran, the response of Iran's armed forces will be so firm that it will send them into eternal coma, like Sharon," Najjar said.

Bush: Israel Is Our Ally; We Won't Be Blackmailed by Iranian Bomb
President Bush said Monday, "I'm concerned when the country of Iran, their president, announces his desire to see that Israel gets destroyed. Israel is our ally. We're committed to the safety of Israel, and it's a commitment we will keep. Secondly, I'm concerned about a non-transparent society's desire to develop a nuclear weapon. The world cannot be put in a position where we can be blackmailed by a nuclear weapon." (White House)

Iran ready to send 'investigators' to Nazi death camps
Iran says it is willing to send a team of "independent investigators" to visit former Nazi deaths camps across Europe -- but not President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who has described the Holocaust as a "myth".

I have a better idea, let's send Ahmadjihadman to a death camp. I'll bring the Zyklon B...with pleasure.

UPDATE: Today, the Foundation for Democracy in Iran is launching the FDI Appeal to identify and freeze Iranian government assets around the world. Learn what you can do to help this effort below.

FDI believes that the ONLY way to seriously prevent the Islamic Republic of Iran from pursuing clandestine nuclear research is by hitting the regime and top regime leaders in the pocket book. By denying the regime access to international financial markets, the world community can cripple the regime’s ability to sell oil, buy weapons, and finance its terrorist networks around the world.

This is the single most effective sanction that could be imposed on the Islamic Republic.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
If you believe you have information that could help to identify foreign bank accounts, corporations, real estate and other material assets controlled by the Tehran regime or top regime officials overseas, join the FDI Appeal by contacting us at the following email: exec@iran.org. All replies will be kept confidential.
Read it all here

 

My Sharona

Sharon to be Removed From RespiratorAccording to Ra'anan Gissin, senior advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, doctors will take the comatose leader off his respirator by the end of the weekend. Sharon has been breathing independently but the respirator was used as a back-up, Gissin said.

MUNICH: Father of Israeli Athlete Slams Steven Spielberg

This says it all.Hate giving Speilberg any exposre on this but the families of the massacred must be heard. On A7radio: Father of Israeli Athlete Slams Steven Spielberg A7 Radio's "The Tovia Singer Show"

Father of Israeli Athlete Murdered at the Munich Olympics Slams Spielberg
Dr. Benjamin Berger's son David, an American-born Jewish weightlifter on the Israeli Olympic team in 1972, was one of 11 Israeli athletes taken hostage and subsequently murdered by the PLO at the Munich Games. Today, Dr. Berger slams Steven Spielberg's portrayal, in the movie Munich, of one of the most notorious terror attacks in Israel's history.

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Spielberg Relied on Airport Guard for 'Munich'

Yossi Melman, a specialist in intelligence affairs with Ha'aretz and Steven Hartov, editor-in-chief of Special Operations Report, have discovered that Yuval Aviv, whom director Steven Spielberg relied upon for the film 'Munich', never served in the Mossad or any Israeli intelligence organization. His nearest approximation to spy work was as a gate guard for El Al in New York in the early 1970s.

Sharon hospitalized

Sharon to undergo surgical procedure - hospital JERUSALEM, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, incapacitated by a massive stroke, will undergo a surgical procedure on Thursday to replace a drain in his brain and put a permanent intravenous drip in his arm.

Hadassah hospital, where Sharon is in what doctors described as critical but stable condition, also announced that a computerised scan of his brain would be carried out later in the day.

Regime Change: Syria

REGIME CHANGE is a plan. A very good plan indeed.

President Bashar al-Assad of Syria secretly incited Iraq's top Shia leader to declare holy war against US and British forces.

He has GOT TO GO. Assad has long been a tool for Iran. This is one revolution/insurrection/uprising the we ought to invest in, get in on the ground floor so to speak. Syria has been sponsoring,  fueling the terrorists in Iraq, is (most likely) the current home of Saddam's WMDs, has made Lebanon his evil playground for Hizbollah and Hamas, and fueled Radical Islamofascism against Israel.

Former Syrian Vice President Abdelhalim Haddam met with opposition representatives in Syria in order to conduct peaceful change.

Reportedly, Haddam expressing, “This call is a call to save Syria” has not determined any activities yet, but conducted “wide-scale consultations” on the issue together with Syrian leaders.

Accordingly, Haddam emphasized this enterprise is unique to Syria. Haddam, claiming the rise a popular movement is due to the development of recent events, reportedly criticized Syrian President Besar Asad, “He never reads, understand and assimilates.”

Haddam could be our man and he is in serious jeopardy. Remember this is the same guy that outed Assad to the world as Hariri's assassin and don't think for one second that the weak chinned dentist and Ajmadman wouldn't want to do a Hariri on Haddam..............but this is the West's best chance to disarm Iran  by surrounding it by free nations. Removing Assad, Iran's organ grinder's monkey is an excellent action plan.

UPDATE: Proof positive that this is a very good plan. The other thugocrats are trebling with fear.

Media fall silent on Khaddam
BBC News Saudi-owned Arab media outlets are not carrying statements by former Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam