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?