Is there anything worse than the Zionists blind support of Israel?

 

Zionists, and supporters of the State of Israel, have long been accused of blindly supporting Israel. Around the world, Zionists have long been accused of supporting Israel, blindly.

In South Africa, COSATU has accused Israel’s supporters and governments of the world who “turn a blind eye to these injustices”. The BDS movement in South Africa has rallying calls against “right wing groups’ blind support for Israel”. There are even some Jews, and people of Jewish descent, who proudly declare that they distance themselves from South African Jewish organisations and their “blind support for Israel's disproportionate actions” when Israel addresses the threat from Hamas.

I am a Zionist. I support Israel. And, to COSATU, BDS, a handful of Jews, and many people around the world, I am considered a “blind supporter of Israel”.

When I consider the term “blind”, I think of an individual who cannot see, or of someone whose eyes are closed. I think of someone who cannot discriminate between two, or more, options. I think of someone who is unable to evaluate options and consider alternatives.

When I think of the word “blind”, images of someone blindfolded are conjured up in my mind. “Blind” reminds me of someone driving in the dark, with no street lights or car lights. When I think of the word “blind” I imagine someone who is directionless, who cannot deliberately turn in a direction they wish to go, since they really cannot see which way is best to turn.

When I consider my support for Israel, I would never have thought that my support was a “blind” support. I always thought that my support for Israel was deliberate and intentional. I did not ever think that my support was blind, as some people would have me think. I would never have thought that I was blind when I read Israel’s declaration of independence that states that the State of Israel:

“...will be based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel; it will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex; it will guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and culture; it will safeguard the Holy Places of all religions”.

I have never considered myself “blind” when on all my visits to Israel, I see churches, mosques and synagogues, all standing, and operational, within Israel’s main cities.

I have never thought of myself as being “blind” when I researched the history of Jerusalem. I did not consider myself as being blind to the fact that between 1948 and 1967, 57 ancient synagogues, libraries and Jewish religious centres were ransacked and destroyed. I did not think I was “blind” for being proud of Israel’s capturing of Jerusalem in 1967, and granting access to all holy sites for members of all religions.

I have never considered myself as being “blind” to Israel’s social issues, and the way she deals with those issues. I have never thought of myself as being “blind” when I see Israel prosecuting individuals who violate people’s human rights. I have not been “blind” to the widespread condemnation from the Israeli government, and within Israeli society, to the murder of Mohammad Abu Khieder, an Arab teenager.

 I have never thought of myself as being “blind” when I acknowledge the social dysfunction that exists in some of Israel’s communities. I have never considered myself as being “blind” when I sympathise with the suffering of Israelis and Palestinians, and long for a peaceful coexistence between the two people’s.

When Israel defends itself against an existential threat, I did not think I was “blind” when I read the Hamas charter attitude towards Jews that states:

“The time will not come until Muslims will fight the Jews (and kill them); until the Jews hide behind rocks and trees, which will cry: O Muslim! There is a Jew hiding behind me, come on and kill him!”

I was not “blind” when I saw Israel’s call to all people of all religions to help build the nation. I also did not consider myself “blind”, when reading, in the Hamas charter, that peace with Israel is not an option:

“Peace initiatives, the so-called peaceful solutions, and the international conferences to resolve the Palestinian problem, are all contrary to the beliefs of the Islamic Resistance Movement. For renouncing any part of Palestine means renouncing part of the religion”

I am, as a Zionist, referred to as "blind". People who accuse me of being blind, can, as opposed to me, clearly see. And I call on you to use that facility of sight and indeed see.

I expect people to continue calling me “blind”. But I want you to see that it’s easier to accuse me of being “blind”, than to possibly consider that my support for Israel is deliberate and well thought through. You see, it’s difficult for Israel’s detractors to acknowledge that Zionists support Israel because Israel, despite its social and political issues, is a country and society that is founded on pluralism, equality before the law and respect for all religions. Israel’s detractors expect me to abandon Israel when a racist attack takes place on an Arab teenager. But, you see, I refuse to abandon Israel simply because of some perverted racists, in the same way I refuse to abandon South Africa when some perverted South African attacks an Afrikaner farming family, or some other perverted South African attacks a Malawian shop-owner.

I am not “blind” to Israel’s dark lights and sad flaws, and am certainly not “blind” to the brilliance and brightness of what Israel stands for.

You see, I am willing to forgive you, people who accuse me of “blindly’ supporting Israel. I forgive you for your deeply offensive suggestion, that my support for Israel is not thought through, or deliberate. I forgive you for your proposition that my support for Israel is not based on my belief in mutual respect and pluralism and my appreciation of Israel as a fascinating, and flawed, beautiful country. I forgive you for your derogatory assumption, that my support for Israel is not based on reason and fairness. I forgive you for your baseless hypothesis that my intellectual brain and my sympathising heart are not fully engaged when I consider my support for Israel, and when I acknowledge the suffering of Palestinians.

You see, there is one thing that is far worse than the Zionists blind support of Israel...

And that is people’s blind hatred of Zionists


 

Hamas tells the BDS movement to F-Off

(Important Note: All quotes below, from the Hamas Charter,  are REAL)

Zionist Propaganda

The Zionist regime has presented a one-sided, propaganda filled narrative of the Hamas movement and its intentions.

Zionists claim that Hamas wants Israel destroyed

The Zionists claim that Hamas wants to destroy the State of Israel. To this end, the Zionists quote the following from the Hamas charter (click on quote to see more Hamas charter details):

"Israel will exist and  will  continue  to  exist  until  Islam  will obliterate it, just as it obliterated others before it."

The Zionists claim that Hamas wants all Jews to be killed

The Zionists also claim that Hamas wants all Jews dead. They support this absurd claim, by citing another passage from the Hamas charter:

"The Day of Judgment will not come about until Moslems fight Jews and kill them. Then, the Jews will hide behind rocks and trees,  and the rocks and trees will cry out: 'O Moslem, there is a Jew hiding behind me, come and kill him"

The Zionists claim that Hamas is not interested in a peaceful, negotiated 2 State solution

While the world believes Israel is being oversensitive, and encourages Israel to negotiate with Hamas, the Zionists claim that Hamas are not interested in negotiation. To support this claim, the Zionists cite the following passage from the Hamas charter:

"Peace  initiatives,   and   so-called   peaceful   solutions   and international conferences are in contradiction to the  principles  of  the Islamic Resistance Movement... Those conferences are no more than a means to appoint the  infidels  as  arbitrators  in  the  lands  of Islam... There is no solution for the Palestinian problem  except  by Jihad. Initiatives, proposals and international conferences are but a waste of time, an exercise in futility."

Zionists claim the tunnels are aimed at committing terror attacks

The Zionists also claim that the Hamas tunnels are aimed at committing widespread terror attacks. The Zionists go on to say that Hamas has used the tunnels, and still intends to use the tunnels, to murder civilian Israeli children

The Zionist propaganda machine

The Zionist propaganda machine continues to mislead the world. The Hamas charter appears to be anti anti-Israel, anti-peace and anti-Jew. But the world must not be misled by the Zionists. When Hamas calls for the end of Israel, the murder of Jews and the terminating of any peace initiatives or negotiations, Hamas really mean it allegorically. The simple-minded, hate-filled Zionists, take all these Hamas charter statements far too literally.

What about the tunnels?

The Zionists are concerned about the tunnels. They are extremely paranoid and believe that the tunnels will be used to conduct terror raids on Israeli towns and villages. Contrary to the propaganda (spewing from the mouths of Netanyahu, Regev and Lerner) the tunnels are not intended for terror or to enable the killing of innocent children and women. The tunnels are not tools that will enable the fulfilment of the Hamas charter principles (some of which are noted above).

Rather...

In the biggest snub to the Anti-Israel BDS movement, Khaled Meshaal and Ismail Haniya have declared Hamas' true purpose for, and intentions behind, the tunnels:

The tunnels enable Hamas agents to buy high-quality Israeli-made products, direct from within Israel.

After all, just like the Zionists, Hamas also doesn't like paying retail

I respect the Taliban: The only true supporters of the BDS campaign

BDS.


Boycott. Divestment. Sanctions.


The BDS campaign aims to drive consumers, NGOs and political bodies away from any type of support for Zionist, or Zionist aligned, businesses.


For example, the BDS movement calls for a boycott of Soda Stream, a business owned by Zionists, and based in, what is often referred to as, Occupied Palestine.


The Taliban are at the forefront of the BDS movement. The Taliban have recognized that, to a larger or lesser degree, modern cellphones, computer processors, Internet applications and GPS navigation systems are all reliant on Zionist technology. The Taliban have decided to shun most of these devices and technologies.


The Taliban have also realised that modern medical science has been influenced by the Zionists, and for this reason too, modern medical science is not tolerated within Taliban controlled areas.


The Zionists have also penetrated the industry of agriculture. Here too, the Taliban have avoided all use of modern irrigation systems, since the Zionist enterprise has helped develop such systems.


The noble Taliban have taken the BDS campaign very seriously. They have decided to shun all cellphone and computer based technologies. They have outlawed the use of modern medical science and modern farming techniques in all the towns and villages that they control.


The Taliban are the only true supporters of the BDS campaign. They acknowledge that the Zionist enterprise pervades all aspects of modern technological, medical and agricultural scientific development. To that end, they have gone all the way, to the point where they live simple lives within the caves of Afganistan's mountains.


I call on every self respecting, true and honest supporter of the BDS movement:


Go and join them!

What was there, before the Jewish Occupation of Palestine?

Palestine. Israel. The Land of Israel.


These are just some names given to a piece of land that, in this world, is small in size but large in impact. The names of this piece of land are disputed. It would be a blessing to mankind if only the name was disputed.





The land itself is disputed. Many parties claim the land to be theirs. Many people are willing to die for the land, and many more are willing to kill for the land.



Religious Jews, claim that the land was promised to them by God. Their Torah describes how God promised the land to Jews, to be their spiritual homeland for eternity. They go even further than quoting verses from their Torah. To these Jews, their religious practices, dating back more than 2000 years, are intertwined with the land. Daily prayer services require these Jews to face Palestine. These Jews go on to say that according to their religious dictates, many religious services and practices can only be practiced in Palestine.





These Jews believe that their two Temples, representing God's home on earth, were located in Jerusalem. To them, Jerusalem has not only been sacred for thousands of years, it is, to them, the centre of the universe. Remnants of that second temple still stand in Jerusalem today, one wall of which is referred to as the Wailing Wall.





There is a small group of religious Jews, numbering a few hundred, who oppose the current form of Jewish governance of Israel. They want the Jewish Messiah to return, before Jews govern the land of Palestine. Despite their opposition to the current State of Israel, make no mistake that the belief is indeed universal among all religious Jews: Palestine is the physical and spiritual homeland of the Jews.





However, not all Jews are religious. Most Jews, from a religious practices perspective, are non-practicing Jews. Most of these Jews claim that Palestine is the homeland for the Jews for other reasons. These Jews cite multiple, differing, reasons for their support of the homeland for the Jews. Some cite the historical archeological evidence, dating back thousands of years. These people claim that the archeological evidence in Palestine shows a long history of rich Jewish culture and practices. Other non-religious Jews cite the long history of Jewish settlement in the land of Palestine. While Jews have not ruled over the land since the Roman destruction of Jerusalem, these Jewish supporters of the Jewish homeland claim evidence of unbroken, albeit at times limited, Jewish settlement within the land of Palestine.




There are other Jews, who cite the long history of anti-semitism, as being a reason for Jews to have a homeland of their own. And there are Jews, who from a cultural and social perspective, acknowledge the deep connection of the Jewish people to the land.





There are Jews who do not see a religious, social, historical or cultural connection of the Jews to the land of Palestine. For these Jews, they believe that Jews have no claim to the land of Palestine. I live in South Africa, and there are some Jews, or people of Jewish descent, who oppose Jewish claims to the land of Palestine. These Jews are vocal, and some of them are prominent members of government, business or the entertainment industry. While the group gains attention with 'not in our name' campaigns, they number approximately 200 individuals. The rest of the 75, 000 South African Jews, or people of Jewish descent, unashamedly support the concept of the land of Palestine being the homeland of the Jews.




Mecca is central to Islam and Moslems. A Moslem, for example in Jerusalem, faces Mecca during prayer. Likewise, a Jew, anywhere in the world, faces Jerusalem during prayer. There are indeed many people around the world who oppose Jewish settlement of the land of Palestine. Jews have been accused of 'Judaizing' Jerusalem. To most Jews (not the 200 'not-in-our-name' South African Jews and their ilk), the accusation of 'Judaizing' Jerusalem or 'Judaizing' the land of Palestine, would be akin to accusing Moslems of 'Islamizing' Mecca, or Catholics of 'Catholicizing' the Vatican. From a religious perspective, or a cultural perspective (or both), Jerusalem, and the land of Palestine, is central to Judaism and Jews.





So, what was there before the Jewish Occupation Of Palestine?




The Jews' Pre-Occupation With Palestine

I can no longer defend Israel

I can no longer defend Israel

At 5 years old, I went with my family on my first trip to Israel. That trip, and every subsequent trip, has left me with a sense of pride and love for the State of Israel.

Despite Israel’s social issues (for example the integration of immigrants, and the influx of illegal migrants) and despite the lack of progress being made with the ‘peace process’, I have always admired Israel for its pluralistic, multi cultural society, and it’s socially sensitive policies.

Coming from South Africa, and growing up in Apartheid South Africa, Israel has represented for me, everything that Apartheid South Africa was not.

If the State of Israel was West, Apartheid South Africa was East. There was no link, connection or association between the two. And I loved that about my visits to Israel.

Despite knowing that they will probably be deported as illegal immigrants, I have long admired the black Muslim refugees who have risked their lives, trying to make their way to Israel.

I respect people like Simon Deng, a black Sudanese former slave, and leading human rights activist, who despite the opposition to his views, rallies in support of Israel as a free, democratic state, where all religions are protected, and racial, as well as religious, discrimination is outlawed.

I have loved the State of Israel as a country where members of parliament included Muslims, Jews, Christians and Druze. Members of parliament are light skinned and dark skinned. Members of parliament speak Arabic, Hebrew, English and Yiddish.

Israel’s Declaration of Independence makes it clear that the State of Israel:

“will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex; it will guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and culture; it will safeguard the Holy Places of all religions.”

The Declaration of Independence goes on, to call on all inhabitants of the State to help build the State, as equal members of the State. This is stated as follows:

“WE APPEAL - in the very midst of the onslaught launched against us now for months - to the Arab inhabitants of the State of Israel to preserve peace and participate in the upbuilding of the State on the basis of full and equal citizenship and due representation in all its provisional and permanent institution”.

This diversity was not what I grew up with in Apartheid South Africa.

Since Jerusalem’s re-unification in 1967, Israel has guaranteed access to all holy sites for all religions. Further, the Israel government embarked on multiple projects aimed at restoring Muslim, Christian and Jewish holy sites.

I have always loved the fact that Israel is a melting pot of races, nationalities and religions. In many ways, for me, Jerusalem represented the light that could combat Pretoria’s darkness.

 Jerusalem’s many faces, with its plethora of Mosques, Churches and Synagogues has been, for most of my life, an inspiration. I have long felt that Jerusalem is a city where one can experience the true nature of the State of Israel. A state where religious freedom is enshrined. A state where citizens are equal before the law, irrespective of race, gender or religion.

I love travelling on Jerusalem buses. I love seeing an Ultra Orthodox man, decked out in his typical garb, hat, long coat, long side curls and all. And opposite him, a devout Muslim woman, decked out in her beautiful, colourful hijab and both travel together peacefully, sometimes engaging in conversation, sometime sitting quietly, as both cultures and religions value the beauty of modesty.

They sit on that same bus, as equal citizens of the State of Israel. Free to associate. Free to practice their religions. Free to travel on public buses.

I love that sight

But Israel’s detractors have highlighted the ‘Apartheid’ nature of the State of Israel. While Israel endeavours to find a peaceful solution and settlement with the Palestinians, Israel’s detractors continue to maintain the stance that Israel is an Apartheid state.

The BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanction) campaign has its supporters wearing T-shirts with the words 'Israeli Apartheid Stinks'.

Israel’s detractors use the failures of the peace process as weapons against a State that claims to enshrine human rights and protect all citizens.

Despite the State of Israel’s declaration of independence, and the laws that govern the land, the BDS movement states that:

 “Israel was established by the Zionist movement over 60 years ago with the intention and effect of achieving the permanent removal en masse of the indigenous, predominantly Arab population of Palestine for the purpose of Jewish colonization and development of a “Jewish state.””

The anti-Israel lobby is strong. That lobby makes use of emotive terms like ‘Apartheid Israel’. They confuse issues and they confuse the public. They use the lack of progress in the peace process as a basis to mislead the public about Israel’s value and respect for human rights. Those values and respect are inherent not only in Israeli law, but in large parts of Israeli society too. The anti-Israel lobby dismisses these facts, and promotes fallacies. The BDS movement draws attention away from pressing issues in the world, and demonizes Israel.

Simon Deng, a black Sudanese former slave, has said:

“The people who suffer most from the UN anti-Israel policy are not the Israelis but all those people who the UN ignores in order to tell its big lie against Israel: we, the victims of Arab/Muslim abuse: women, ethnic minorities, religious minorities, homosexuals, in the Arab/Muslim world. These are the biggest victims of UN Israel hatred”

When talking about and debating the issues that face Israel, I try and take as an objective a stance as possible. I review the facts, the figures, the comments, the realities.

Sadly, my love of Israel is challenged. When I see refugees being beaten in Tel Aviv, I am saddened by the way some Israeli thugs can act. That makes an impression on me. But what makes an even greater, positive impression on me, is seeing how the Israeli authorities deal with those thugs, and ensure that any person challenging another’s human dignity gets severely punished.

When I see slow progress on the peace process, and the difficulty in finding a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, I am saddened. Then I recall the great sacrifices Israel makes to achieve peace, like its willingness to dismantle settlements in Gaza, and expel all Jews living there, in the hope the Palestinians will make bold moves too, towards peace.

I make my best effort to view Israel’s policies and existence in an honest, open and fair manner. The same way a true and upright judge would treat proceedings in a court case.

A judge would review facts. A judge would listen to both arguments. A judge would review the prosecution’s case and the defense’s case equally, with an open mind, and an eagerness to ensure that justice prevails. A judge does not rely on conjecture, false accusations, weak analogies and wild associations. A judge does not get swayed by emotive language, but keeps his mind sharp, focusing on what is presented before him, challenging all lines of reasoning.

Israel has many detractors. For years, people have been making claims against the State of Israel. Israel has been pursued in legal courts, as well as in the courts of public opinion.

And in those courts of public opinion, I have always been willing to defend Israel. To present the facts. To tell my stories. To share my experiences. To be honest about Israel’s flaws, and to be proud of its accomplishments.

I have treated the court of public opinion as I would a court of law.

Sadly, the prosecution fails to do the same. The prosecution fails to bring facts and relies on conjecture and false associations. Like a skilful magician’s sleight of hand, Israel’s detractors focus the public’s attention solely on Israel’s negative aspects, while ignoring the good that far outweighs the bad. The BDS, and others, use of emotive language, like “Apartheid Israel” ignores the facts on the ground, and misleads in the most disgusting of ways, making a mockery of those who suffered under the atrocities of Apartheid South Africa.

When presenting its case, the anti Israel lobby continues to ignore the intellectual and honest debate that the topic requires. Facts are replaced with fallacies, ignorance is exploited and all the good that Israel does is disregarded.

Such a position does not make for an open and honest debate. Such a method of argument does not make for an environment where mutual respect is guaranteed, and where the focus is on positive resolutions to conflict.

I used to enjoy defending Israel. I used to love presenting my case in an objective, respectful and courteous manner.

I like being open to debate. Presenting facts. Defending Israel. Acting like a defence team in a court of law. Defending with a measure of dignity, decorum, and rationality.

But when the prosecution, the anti Israel and BDS lobby, prosecutes Israel by presenting its case in a salacious, unsavory and repulsive manner, I can no longer defend Israel.

There is no point in even trying  

Israel and Gaza's Civilians

I fully support Minister Rob Davies: Clearly Label products from Israeli-Occupied Palestine

I would like to express my gratitude to Trade and Industry Minister, Rob Davies, Open Shuhada Street and the MJC, for pushing forward with a plan to label products from the disputed territories in Israel/Palestine.

These areas go by many names, including The West Bank; Disputed Territory; Occupied Territory; Occupied Palestine

I am not concerned with the name that will appear on the label. I just want to know where the goods come from. After all, a territory by any other name...

As a South African who supports democracy, human rights and freedom of religion, I have long prayed for a peaceful resolution to the Arab-Israeli conflict.

A peaceful co-existence is a goal the Israelis, Palestinians and international community need to push for, and assist with in achieving.

Alas, while that dream for the peaceful co-existence remains just that, a dream, the West Bank is littered with security checkpoints, security walls and lots of army patrols. This is after all still disputed territory, and some people don’t want some other people there.

Despite the security threat that Israel faces, and the measures it takes to protect its citizens, since taking over control of the ‘West Bank’, from Jordan in 1967, the disputed territories have been transformed. Where Jews were once forbidden to live or visit, freedom of religion for Jews, Moslems and Christians is now guaranteed. The West Bank, once a desolate area with many poor Arab villages, is now not only littered with security barriers to protect people, it is also littered with productive settlements, farms and factories.

While Palestinians were at best ignored, and at worst brutalised, under Jordanian rule, Israel’s occupation of the West Bank has brought unprecedented development to that area in terms of roads, infrastructure, agriculture, education and healthcare.

I have always wanted to support Israel in a manner that would strengthen that country and its citizens. More specifically, I have always wanted to support Israel, in its geographic areas that would benefit Jewish, Moslem and Christian Israelis, as well as the Arab populace.

Through the proposed introduction of labelling*, that would identify products made in the disputed/occupied territories, I will now be in a position to better identify, and purchase, products that are made by pioneers.

I will be able to clearly and easily identify and purchase products that are made by Israeli pioneers who are bringing development, democracy and freedom of religion to a region of the world that sorely lacks all three


*

My label proposals:

“made in Palestine”

“made in Israeli-occupied Palestine”

“made in areas from where Jews were forcibly removed in 1948”

“land liberated in 1967 and where freedom of religion is now enshrined”

The Jews have forgotten, but Desmond Tutu remembers

Desmond Tutu, the outspoken critic of Israel and longtime ‘defender’ of human rights continues to highlight the ‘injustices’ and violations of human rights that Israel continues to display


The Archbishop, still remembers to continue his support of the ‘Israel-is-an-Apartheid-state’ claim

He remembers to support the Boycott, Divestment and Sanction campaign

Just this week, he remembered to remind the world that:

“They (the Jews) have forgotten their own history. They have forgotten what their own prophets have said about our God,"

Of the ongoing situation in the Middle East, he remembered to tell the world:

"There is a great deal of preventable suffering being caused by people who themselves suffered so deeply

His memory, and his effort in reminding the world of evil, apartheid Israel, is not a short one.

In 2009, he remembered to remind the Jews that they have forgotten about their own suffering. In reference to Israels’ actions, he said: "But who pays the penance? The penance is being paid by the Arabs, by the Palestinians. I once met a German ambassador who said Germany is guilty of two wrongs. One was what they did to the Jews. And now the suffering of the Palestinians."

In 2002, he remembered to inform the world of the atrocities committed by Jews. He said: "My heart aches. I say why are our memories so short. Have our Jewish sisters and brothers forgotten their humiliation? Have they forgotten the collective punishment, the home demolitions, in their own history so soon? Have they turned their backs on their profound and noble religious traditions? Have they forgotten that God cares deeply about the downtrodden?"

In 1989, in a visit to Jerusalem, he remembered to draw comparisons between apartheid South Africa and Israel, when he commented that he is a “black South African, and if I were to change the names, a description of what is happening in Gaza and the West Bank could describe events in South Africa”

In 1988, he remembered to demonise Zionsim, and told the world that Zionism has "very many parallels with racism”

There are approximately 27,000 refugees and asylum seekers in Israel today. These are mostly Africans, Muslim and Christian, from countries such as Eritrea, Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Ivory Coast. Every year, thousands of refugees attempt to cross, via Egypt into Israel. These African, black, Muslim and Christian, refugees, come from Sudan, Eritrea and Ethiopia. These refugees are fleeing genocide and persecution.

They are trying to get to one country that they believe will help them.

They are not trying to get to Egypt or Libya. They are not trying to get to Syria where 3,500 Muslims have been killed by their own government in the past 6 months

Desmond Tutu remembers.  That I am sure of

They are not trying to get to Saudi Arabia, where Christians cannot express their religious beliefs openly, or where women cannot drive cars.

Desmond Tutu clearly remembers this

They are not trying to get to the Palestinian Territories under the Palestinian Authority or Hamas control, where political freedoms and freedom of the press is curtailed, summary executions practiced and where persecution of gays and lesbians is rife

Desmond Tutu, I am sure, remembers to fight those injustices

Thousands of black, African Muslim and Christian, men and women, desperate refugees, looking for a better life, are trying to get to Apartheid Israel

They are trying to get to the evil, Apartheid Israel, country of the insensitive Jews, that Desmond Tutu has, for over 20 years, remembered to remind us about

I am sure that the desperate, black, men and women, Muslim and Christian refugees are upset, because with all of his remembering about Apartheid Israel, Desmond Tutu clearly forgot to send these people the memo


Video: Is Israel and Apartheid State?    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0DJBrO5ux8&feature=player_embedded

Israel’s response is ALWAYS disproportionate

Israel has long been accused of its ‘disproportionate response’, when confronting terror, or attacks on its populace

In Israel’s last war in Lebanon with Hezbollah, Israel was blasted for its disproportionate response when dealing with Hezbollah’s terror/military infrastructure

During Israel’s last incursion into Gaza to stop rocket fire into its territory, Israel was widely accused of using excessive force. The press, international community and ‘humanitarian’ organizations fell in love with the term: "disproportionate use of force"

Last week saw the Hamas release of Gilad Shalit, along Israel’s release of 1,027 Palestinians

Once again I witnessed Israel’s disproportionate response to violence and terror in the prisoner ‘exchange’ that took place

Gilad Shalit was taken captive while sitting on Israeli territory, defending Israeli lives. Many of the Palestinian prisoners were arrested after committing murder, or for plotting attacks on civilians. Attacks that included the bombing of restaurants, clubs and busses and the stabbing of teenagers.

Everyone now knows of Gilad Shalit. But what about Nasser Yataima who killed men, women and children in a bombing attack on a Netanya Hotel. Or Yussuf Dhib Hamed Abu Aadi and Na'el Barghouti who stabbed Israelis to death

Israel’s release of 1,027 prisoners for one Israeli is pretty darn disproportionate. But the figures are not the key driver of Israel’s (once again) disproportionate dealing with the situation

Calling the proceeding a prisoner ‘swap’ is a disservice. It was no ‘swap’. A swap is regarded as an exchange of equal value.

But in this situation, the value is indeed disproportionate.

A defender of human life was exchanged for takers of human life

This is not my twisted, right wing view of the situation. Israel and its enemies have disproportionate/unequal values, disproportionate/unequal ideologies and disproportionate/unequal world views

After a prisoner deal between Hezbollah and Israel, Hezbollah's Hassan Nasrallah said the following:

"We have discovered how to hit the Jews where they are the most vulnerable. The Jews love life, so that is what we shall take away from them. We are going to win, because they love life and we love death."

Chief Palestinian Authority cleric Mufti Sheikh Ikrimeh Sabri has stated:

"We tell them, in as much as you love life, the Muslim loves death and martyrdom. There is a great difference between he who loves the hereafter and he who loves this world. The Muslim loves death and [strives for] martyrdom."

I followed the prisoner exchange closely. I watched ‘Western’ channels – BBC, Fox, CNBC, France 24 and I watched ‘Arab/Islamic’ channels, including Al Jazeerah and Iran’s Press TV

It was clear from the all the interviews with Palestinian prisoners, the one with Gilad Shalit, as well as from all the footage, that once again, Israel showed it’s disproportionate response to terror and violence.

• Israel disproportionately fed the Palestinian prisoners – they looked nice and plump, vs Gilad’s gaunt look

• Israel disproportionately gave Palestinian prisoners access to sunlight – they looked good, vs Gilad’s deathly white complexion form the lack of exposure of sunlight

• Israel disproportionately gave the Palestinian prisoners access to humanitarian organizations – They had access to the Red Cross, Red Crescent and United Nations representatives, vs Gilad’s access to NONE OF THESE

• Israel disproportionately gave the Palestinian prisoners access to legal representations – vs Gilads’ access to NOTHING

• Israel disproportionately allowed the Palestinian prisoners to have contact with their families (even if only telephonic at times) – vs. Gilad’s contact with NOBODY

• Israel disproportionately gave the Palestinian prisoners access to education (in Arabic, their mother tongue), with many earning Masters and Doctoral Degrees while in prison – vs. Gilad’s periodic access to a radio and TV (also in Arabic, his captor’s mother tongue)

I’m reminded of Israel’s disproportionate response, following the devastation of the earthquake in Haiti.

At the time, Peggy Shapiro noted:

“Despite its small size, Israel sent a large contingent of highly-trained aid workers to quake-stricken Haiti. Two jumbo jets carrying more than 220 doctors, nurses, civil engineers, and other Israeli army personnel, including a rescue team and field hospital, were among the first rescue teams to arrive in Haiti. In fact, they were the first foreign backup team to set up medical treatment at the partially collapsed main hospital in Port-au-Prince.

The international agencies that condemn Israel for its "disproportionate response" when it is attacked are not mentioning Israel's disproportionate response to human suffering. The U.S. has pledged 100 million and sent supplies and personnel. The U.K. pledged $10 million and sent 64 firemen and 8 volunteers. China, a country with a population of 1,325,639,982 compared to Israel's 7.5 million sent 50 rescuers and seven journalists.

The 25 Arab League nations sent nothing.”

Israel continues to be regarded as a ‘rogue state’ and a ‘violator of human rights’ whose response to fighting terror is always regarded as ‘disproportionate’. This latest ‘prisoner swap’ has once again made it clear to me, that in an effort to achieve peace, Israel will always demonstrate its disproportionate value for human life and human dignity

The rise of the Jewacide Bomber

It has long been asked: Why?

Why are there no Jewish suicide bombers?

Why has Judaism not created extremists, fundamentalists, and (dare I say) lunatics, the kind of which have brought disgrace to Islam and embarrassment to Moslems the world over?

Why is there no Taliban style movement in the Jewish world, where women are degraded and people attacked, in order to maintain a system of religious control?

Why are there no Jewish martyrs?

Is it because followers of the Jewish faith are less extreme? Is it because ‘religious’ Jews place a higher value on human life? A greater significance on human dignity? A greater respect for fellow human beings?

The people who dispatch suicide bombers, and most of the bombers themselves, believe that they are in a war. A war between Islam and the West. A battle between the infidels and those that submit to the will of the Almighty God. A fight between good and evil.

The people who dispatch suicide bombers and the bombers themselves are willing to die for, and kill for, the values that they believe are true, the system they ‘know’ is right, the religion they trust, the people they trust, and the God they serve

These people have passion. They have anger. They have desperation. And they are willing to do something about it

They are willing to martyr themselves, and take a few sacrificial lambs with them in the process

And there are always the majority of Muslim leaders who condemn these actions as ‘non-Islamic’ and the perpetrators as not representing ‘true Islam’

And there are always the minority of extremists who defend the actions, and claim it’s a battle between Islam and the West, Good and Evil

Why are things different for the Jews?

Do religious Jews feel no passion? Do they have no anger, or desperation, or a willingness to protect the faith they believe in. Are religious Jews not willing to defend and fight for what they ‘know’ is right? Do they not have the same passion that would drive them to defend their principles and values at any cost?

Would religious Jews not do anything to protect themselves and their communities from the onslaught of ‘western’ values and the threat it poses to their religious system?

Are religious Jews not keen to become martyrs for their cause, and take a few sacrificial lambs along for the ride?

Well, the concept of martyrdom is not alien to ‘religious’ Jews.

Judaism has cardinal sins which should be avoided at all costs. A person must give up their lives, rather than transgress these sins. And over the millennia, famous Jews have given their lives for far less than the cardinal sins, and in the Jewish world, these people are considered saints and heroes

But there have also been people that not only martyred themselves, they took other with them

Baruch Goldstein was deeply concerned about the threat to Israel’s existence and the deligitmisation of so-called ‘settlers’. He believed he had a religious duty to do something about that threat. And that religious duty demanded action, sacrifice and martyrdom.

On 25 February 1994, Baruch Goldstein martyred himself. It was after all, for the cause. For the defense of Israel. For the protection of Judaism. And it was perpetrated in the name of Almighty God

And in the process of martyring himself, Baruch Goldstein took 29 sacrificial lambs with him

The majority of Jewish leaders condemned the massacre, and called it a misrepresentation of Judaism.

A minority of extremists defended the actions and view Baruch Goldstein as a defender of the faith

Yigal Amir was frustrated with the concessions Prime Minister Rabin was making to the Palestinians. He was concerned about the future of the Jewish Promised Land. He was worried about the safety and security of Jews, and the relinquishing of land, promised to the Jewish people, by God

Yigal Amir martyred himself. He gave up his ‘life’ (of freedom), for the cause. He was willing to be imprisoned for the rest of his life, in the defense of the people of Israel, the land of Israel and God. In fact, he would have been more than happy to give up his life (in this world) for the cause. If secret service agents, or the Prime Ministers body-guards had killed Yigal Amir, Yigal Amir would have still succeeded in his plans to halt the ‘peace process’ and defend the values he believed in

And in the process of martyring himself, he took a sacrificial lamb with him

And again, most of the Jewish world condemned the assassination. A few praised it

These two examples are of two individuals. They could be considered truly ‘fringe’. Is a sample of 2 big enough to generalize, despite the support and admiration that both these individuals received in certain circles?

Are there no communities, or larger grouping of extremist Jews? Entire schools of Taliban style thought? And again, the question is asked: Why?

Why is there no Taliban style movement in the Jewish world?

This week, the BBC ‘exposed’ the extremist, ‘ultra-Orthodox Jews’ who are defending their value system in Beit Shemesh, Israel. They are fighting the threat that is posed to their lifestyle, their beliefs and their practices. For these ultra-orthodox Jews the young school girls from the adjacent neighbourhood are a threat. The school girls’ sleeves and skirts don’t meet the same religious criteria imposed by the ultra-orthodox Jews. The ultra-orthodox Jews feel that their sensitivities are being ignored, and the Jewish value that is placed on modesty is being threatened.

These ultra-orthodox Jews are willing to martyr themselves. They are willing to be beaten by police officers, arrested, and imprisoned, all for the sake of protecting their value system and defending God.

They are even willing to a few sacrificial lambs with them. Not through the murdering of Jewish school girls, but by subjecting them to abuse, taunts, rock throwing. They even throw feces at the school children

These ultra-orthodox Jews have staged similar protests in the past, violently clashing with police and local communities, protesting what they call “the evil regime”. There have many incidents too, of women being beaten, spat at and taunted for sitting on the men’s side of segregated busses. They believe that these Taliban style actions are required in the battle of good and evil. And martyrs and lambs are required too

Some in the ‘religious’ Jewish world condemn such attacks, beatings and public humiliations. Many, do nothing. These ultra-orthodox Talibani Jews belong to a value system that the religious Jewish world relies on for religious rulings, conversions, marriages and even the certification of Kosher products.

Most of the religious world turn a blind eye to the growing number of attacks on women, on secular Jews and even on other religious Jews (as is the case in Beit Shemesh)

The real number of Jewish extremists is low, but that low real number is merely a factor of the size of the Jewish population, which is, sadly, low. There are many in the religious Jewish world (whether ultra orthodox, or ultra-nationalistic or ultra-anything) that are feeling frustrated and threatened.

And these people have shown a willingness to martyr themselves and take a few sacrificial lambs with them.

Just as the majority of Moslem leaders denounce martyrdom operations, these Jewish extremists are widely condemned in the Jewish world. But condemnation does not make an extremist’s frustration and fear disappear. Neither does condemnation make an extremist’s willingness to be a martyr fade away. And condemnations will not stop an extremist from taking some sacrificial lambs along for the ride, as long as the cause is justified

And it always is

The number of incidents perpetrated by ‘Jewish extremists’ will continue to rise. And the methods employed will continue to escalate. Martyrdom operations will move from a willingness to be subjected to teargas and imprisonment to a willingness to die. And the throwing of feces at sacrificial lambs will simply not be sufficient in the war between good and evil

The question of :WHY are there no Jewish Suicide Bombers? is irrrelevant

The question is: WHEN will the first one strike?

Israel's best piece of Public Relations: The Goldstone Report

Since the Six Day War, I don't think the State of Israel has had a better piece of PR than the Goldstone Report.

Let me more precise: The Goldstone Report was a PR disaster. However, The Goldstone Report and it's subsequent 'press' has been the best thing that has happened to Israel since winning the Six Day War

Ofcourse there is debate as to whether Judge Goldstone should have accepted the role in the first place. However, his acceptance of the role was a coup for the State of Israel

Judge Goldstone, an internationally respected jurist, well known defender of human rights, and  a Jew, was best suited to take up the role.

Judge Goldstone's credibility within the international community is (now, possibly: was) extremely high

In taking up the role, Judge Goldstone had to prove to the world that, despite being Jewish, he was able to 'objectively' assess the human rights violations, and the fall-out of the Gaza conflict

If a non-Jew, or a 'real' anti-semite (not the Judge Goldstone type, as portrayed by Jewish Extremists) had accepted the role, the report would have had zero credibility within the Jewish world, and limited credibility within the rest of the world

The fact that Judge Goldstone, a respected jurist, defender of 'human rights' and JEW took up the role, gave the Goldstone report the highest levels of credibility within the non-Israel/non-pro-Israel/non-Zionist world (i.e. 99% of the worlds population - rounded down to the nearest percent)

Judge Goldstone and his colleagues released a report that was accepted by 99% of the world as credible, accurate and objective. Israel and it's supporters viewed the report as biased (and anti-semitic)

Judge Golstone's op-ed in the Washington Post (click on the link to read) revealed the true nature of a man who went into the process, with his eyes open (despite what Israel's 'defenders' initially claimed). Israel was not forthcoming with information (and they never should have been). However, that was seen as a pity by Judge Goldstone, since he knew that impartiality could not be guaranteed.

Regarding Israel's refusal to cooperate in the fact-finding mission,  Judge Goldstone expressed his regret back then, when the report was published, and he expressed his regret last week, when he said: "I regret that our fact-finding mission did not have such evidence explaining the circumstances in which we said civilians in Gaza were targeted, because it probably would have influenced our findings about intentionality and war crimes"

The op-ed noted the following crucial points (actual quotes from Judge Goldstone's op-ed):

• That the crimes allegedly committed by Hamas were intentional goes without saying — its rockets were purposefully and indiscriminately aimed at civilian targets
• Indeed, our main recommendation was for each party to investigate, transparently and in good faith, the incidents referred to in our report. McGowan Davis has found that Israel has done this to a significant degree; Hamas has done nothing
• Regrettably, there has been no effort by Hamas in Gaza to investigate the allegations of its war crimes and possible crimes against humanity

Judge Goldstone's most telling, important and powerful statement is the following:

• I had hoped that our inquiry into all aspects of the Gaza conflict would begin a new era of evenhandedness at the U.N. Human Rights Council, whose history of bias against Israel cannot be doubted

When the Goldstone report was released, it was hailed for it's objectivity and it's open criticism of Israel. It's acceptance was widespread in particular because of who headed the fact finding mission: Judge Goldstone

And now, that Judge Goldstone has been honorable and just, and dealt wisely (and bravely) with the new evidence that he has before him, does that make him less credible?

Do the 99% of the world who accepted the Goldstone Report and used it to violently attack Israel now see Judge Goldstone as a sell-out?

Possibly

But that would speak of those peoples' own fallability and flaws in their arguements against Israel. Arguements that are based more on hatred and vitriol. than on facts and objectivity

For those people, Judge Goldstone's (or any report) would not have changed their postions/mindsets anyway

Whether Judge Goldstone should have taken up the position is debatable.

However, the fact that Judge Goldstone did take up the role, could not have worked out any better for Israel. Any other person leading that Gaza mission would never have resulted in such a positive outcome for Israel

It was Judge Goldstone's credibility and objectivity then that still holds true today.

And that has resulted in a wake-up call to Israel's detractors

The freight industry strike got me thinking....Is this country the next Zimbabwe?

The freight industry strike that started yesterday saw truck drivers take the streets, with the (usual) airing of grievances through initimidation, violence and vandalism

The scenes on Joburg's streets probably got the dinner table discussions quite heated, with debates about whether South Africa was headed for doom...with the standard arm chair analysis...

'South Africa is the next Zimbabwe'

The images of violence on Joburg's streets got me thinking about other, similar, images

The events of the past several weeks have presented the world with remarkable images.

Some of those images are inspiring

Many of them, scary

Egypt's (still pending) 'transition' has seen mostly peaceful protests, with footage of tens of thousands of people, united in song, united in prayer, united in celebratory exuberance

There has also been footage of destruction, looting, and murder

Over 300 people have died

The violence in Egypt, while tragic, was, in many circles, anticipated.

Expected

A given

The violence, some say, can easily be explained away

After all, Egypt is an Arab country

An African country

Some argue that Egypt is not a civilised, westernised, country

Backward Egypt is no civilised Europe

Egypt is going to the dogs

The images in Egypt remind me of other, recent, violent clashes. Clashes that took place in other parts of the world

In October 2010, France was gripped by terror.

This terror initiated was initiated by protestors who opposed the increase of the retirement age from 60 to 62

City centres bacame war-zones. There were violent clashes between protestors and police. Many people were injured.

Shops were looted.

Property was destroyed

The rule of law.....non-existent

 

This kind of behaviour was not expected. France is a westernised, developed country, and thriving democracy

The violence and destruction was an anomoly, wasn't it?

Surely this is not the behaviour of civilised Europeans

France is doomed

In November 2010, university students in the UK took to the streets to protests increased tuition fees.

The authorities struggled to control the crowds.

The protests turned violent. Public and private property was vandalised and destroyed.

Police men and women were attacked

Scores were arrested.

   

The images were disturbing

Frightening

And then, in December 2010, Prince Charles and Camilla's car was attacked. 20 demonstrators attacked their vehicle, while chanting 'Off with their heads'

Surely the people in that country must feel ashamed? I doubt they can explain away their behaviour, considering the UK is a civilised, a westernised, and above all, a moral society

How could things have gone so wrong?

Clearly, the UK has no future

The year ended a little quieter in that part of the world. But, still a little disturbing

In late December 2010, thousands of homes in Northen Ireland had no water supply. Around 40,000 people were left 'water-less' after pipes burst during the freezing weather

People had to collect water from distribution centres, with limits on how many litres each citizen could take

That begs the question: How could a developed, western country, not plan sufficiently for aging water pipes? How could the wise Europeans not anticipate the problem, and ensure that the water system was capable of enduring extreme water conditions.

It's apparent, Northen Ireland is on the brink of collapse

The images from Egypt, France, England, Northern Ireland clearly present societies that are in disarray with no clear leadership, or vision.

How could people turn so violent?

How could grievances spur such tragic a violent behaviour?

How could protestors destroy public property and bring countries to a standstill?

How could the police be targeted by these thugs?

How could a prince of a nation be attacked, in public?

I do not know the answer to those questions.

However...

When seeing the scenes of violence, intimidation and vandalism on their streets and on their TV screens, the liberated Egyptian citizens, aggrieved French workers, disenfranchised English youth and thirsty Northern Irish probably didn't say:

''Our country is the next Zimbabwe''

And neither should we