Opuscula PLO consulates Should be in PLO cities, not J’lem

JOE BIDEN’S PIPE DREAM of dividing Jerusalem by opening a consulate for the PLO

✡ Violates a treaty between the U.S. and Israel

✡> Fails to benefit “Palestinians” in the PLO/PFLP-controlled areas and Hamas’ Gaza

✡ Promotes a two-state solution by fiat with Jerusalem as capital of both

✡ Is the U.S. “progressives” way to control Biden’s on-going attacks on Donald Trump’s progress toward peace in the Middle East.

 

 

TREATY: The US State Department has confirmed it cannot open a consulate for the Palestinians in Jerusalem without Israel’s authorization. ^{https://tinyurl.com/fkshkw}

Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee) this week proposed a bill to ensure that the only US diplfmatic entity in Jerusalem would be the U.S. Embassy. During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Wednesday, he asked Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Brian McKeon about the matter.

“President [Joe] Biden’s proposal to open a second US mission in Jerusalem would begin to reverse the recognition of Jerusalem, and it would divide Israel’s eternal and undivided capital city,” Hagerty said. “I just want to confirm something on the record. Is it your understanding that, under US and international law, the government of Israel would have to provide its affirmative consent before the United States could open or reopen the US consulate to the Palestinians in Jerusalem, or does the Biden administration believe it can move forward to establish a second US mission in the Israeli capital city of Jerusalem without the consent of the government of Israel?”

NO BENEFIT: Currently Muslim residents of Israel (vs. Muslim citizens of Israel) have a Muslim department in the U.S. Embassy. Prior to the relocation of the Embassy to Jerusalem — locating it in a capital city as are all other U.S. Embassies — there was a U.S. consulate in Jerusalem frequented by Muslim residents of Israel.

To open a U.S. consulate in Jerusalem fails to benefit the Muslims of the PLO/PFLP and Hamas-controlled areas. These people still need permission (from all entities) to enter Israel to do any business here, including visiting a U.S. consulate.

BETTER, if the progressives and Biden really want to support the Muslims in the PLO/PFLP and Hamas-controlled areas, place consulates in Ramallah and Gaza City.

It might be that the U.S. State Department is concerned about the safety of its personnel — the memory of the “spontaneous attack”on Benghazi is not distant — it might consider putting a Hamas consulate on the Egyptian side of the border, a border often closed to Gaza residents. Would Egypt accommodate a U.S. consulate for Gazans? Has it been considered by Biden’s handlers?

ONE CAPITAL FOR ONE COUNTRY Jerusalem is Israel’s capital.

Jerusalem is Israel’s historic capital, at least since the time of King David (c. 1035 - 970 BCE).

Jerusalem has been under the thumb of numerous foreign aggressors, but always was Israel’s capital when Jews controlled the country.

Jerusalem also is the focus for observant Jews who pray toward the city rather than, as Muslims do, turn their back on the city for prayer. (They face toward Saudi Arabia.)

Jews have been the dominant ethic group in Jerusalem since David’s time (ibid.)

Jordan illegally occupied Jerusalem (despite a UN resolution that it be a city open to all), and in the process destroyed many synagogues and holy sites. Allowing it to be divided again, with one part a “Palestinian” capital, would result in more destruction of Jewish sites.

Finally DESTROY TRUMP LEGACY: The U.S. Congress passed Public Law 104–45—NOV. 8, 1995 ^{https://tinyurl.com/5a5dr2x7} that authorized moving the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Every six months for more than two decades, U.S. presidents have had to decide all over again whether to move the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Since the Clinton administration, they decided each time to keep the embassy where it is, seeking not to throw a wrench into delicate Middle East peace talks. On Tuesday, however, after signing a waiver putting off the move in June, President Donald Trump informed the Palestinian Authority’s President Mahmoud Abbas that he’s going to recognize the contested holy city as Israel’s capital and begin the process of moving the embassy there. ^{https://tinyurl.com/yr33wnwm}

Despite U.S. presidential cowardice, the PLO/PFLP consistently refused to negotiate peace with Israel even when Israeli leftist politicians offered everything but the demise of Israel as a state. “Delicate peace talks” never were in jeopardy since there were, in fact, no serious effort on the part of the PLO/PFLP.

The incumbent president, in an effort to reverse all of his predecessor’s acts, is promoting a plan to push peace father away.

 

 

 

PLAGIARISM is the act of appropriating the literary composition of another, or parts or passages of his writings, or the ideas or language of the same, and passing them off as the product of one’s own mind.

Truth is an absolute defense to defamation. Defamation is a false statement of fact. If the statement was accurate, then by definition it wasn’t defamatory.

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Comment on PLO connsulate

Opuscula Perspective

This is keyed in Yavne, Israel.

Yavne is fairly close to an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) air base.

Consequently, the noise of IDF aircraft — and occasionally a single-engine civilian high wing — is common and, for this scrivener, of no concern.

Besides, I grew up with aircraft noise of all types.

 

BUT, I WONDERED TO myself: “What must the noises I find familiar sound like to Israel’s enemies, particularly those stuck in Gaza.”

Gaza’s despotic leadership — Hamas and Islamic Jihad, both Iranian proxies — stupidly make and break cease fire agreements with Israel, fire unguided missiles at Israeli civilian centers, knowing Israel will retaliate.

Hamas and Islamic Jihad use the locals as propaganda tools, hiding war materiel under UN schools, mosques, and other public facilities.

When Israel strikes back, some public facilities are targeted; rarely, civilians — that is, people who neither are aligned with Hamas or Islamic Jihad (IJ) — sometimes are injured or killed. All this makes for great anti-Israel pr in the world’s media. (Never mind that usually only one side of the story is promulgated.)

 

Two points that need to be abundantly clear.

1. Israeli civilians include not only Jews, but Muslims, Christians, Druze, and “others.” The missiles are indiscriminate.

2. A number of Hamas/IJ missiles fall short of the Gaza-Israel border, killing Gaza citizens, children, young adults, seniors: again, indiscriminately.

 

Hamas/IJ sympathizers whine that

a. Gaza lacks Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system

b. A “disproportionate” number of Gazans are injured or killed in Israel’s retaliatory strikes. Do they want Israel to kill its own citizens for “proportional” numbers?

It is a waste of effort reminding these sympathizers that if Hamas/IJ ceased firing missiles at Israelis, Israel would not be retaliating.

The leaders of Hamas and Islamic Jihad — a few ruling from distant countries — should be glad Israel has a relatively solid missile defense. If not for Iron Dome, it is possible Israeli casualties would be far higher, prompting a massive invasion of Gaza, with all the associated “collateral damage.”

 

If there was peace

Granted, peace with Gaza’s rulers is a pipe dream, but imagine if Hamas and Islamic Jihad actually wanted to benefit the people rather than kill or enslave Jews.

Gaza could have

* A deep water seaport

* A restored airfield (https://tinyurl.com/2j4767c7)

* Fresh water

* Fuel for electricity generating plants

* Increased exports to the region and the world

* Relatively unrestricted travel to Israel (employment, medical care) and Egypt (access to Europe)

However, peace won’t happen with Hamas/IJ in control of Gaza.

Gazans who want peace and a better life need to cast off the despots, admittedly a difficult task and one requiring outside help. Unfortunately, that does not mean the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (a/k/a UNRWA). UNRWA would be out of business if Gazans made and sustained a peace agreement with Israel.

The mindset “From the river (Jordan) to the Sea (Mediterranean)” espoused by Hamas and Islamic Jihad must be replaced by one of coexistence with Israel.

Such coexistence has proven beneficial to Egypt and Jordan as well as Israel, and indications are that this also will be true for the nations of the Abraham Accord; nations brought together by former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Could Gaza survive sans the PLO. Would an independent (from Iran and its proxies) survive as part of a “Palestinian” state or even as an independent entity?

When Israel controlled Gaza — Anwar Sadat refused Menachem Begin’s plea to take back Gaza as part of the Egypt-Israel peace agreement — Gaza had a thriving export business.

With a peace agreement with Israel, Gazans would have access to Israeli technology, technology freely shared with other Muslim (and non-Muslim) states.

But peace will not, cannot, happen while Hamas/IJ are in control and in turn are under the control of Iran.

But imagine.

No more missiles flying in either direction.

No more Israelis or Gazans injured or killed in conflict.

An economy that supports a livable income.

Fresh water and reliable electricity for the Strip.

And that is just the beginning.

 

Meanwhile, the planes keep flying about my abode. I’m used to the noise.

But I feel for the ordinary folks in Gaza.

 

 

 

 

PLAGIARISM is the act of appropriating the literary composition of another, or parts or passages of his writings, or the ideas or language of the same, and passing them off as the product of one’s own mind.

Truth is an absolute defense to defamation. Defamation is a false statement of fact. If the statement was accurate, then by definition it wasn’t defamatory.

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Comment on Perspective

Opuscula Gaza puts Israel Between a rock And a hard spot

WITH BIDEN, HARRIS-EMHOFF , and other “progressives” in control of the U.S., Hamas and its Iranian-backed crazies are again lobbing missiles at Israeli civilians.

Fortunately, Israel’s “Iron Dome” anti-missile defense prevents most of the “gifts from Gaza” from doing any physical damage to Israel. There IS psychological damage, especially to young children that the best defenses cannot prevent.

 

THERE IS NO QUESTION that Israel could reduce Gaza to ashes. The Israel Defense Force (IDF) has the capability, with enough resources left over to eliminate Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria, or, for that matter, to send Iran back to the dark ages.

So why does it tolerate the renewed attacks from Gaza?

Several reasons.
1. Because, despite what anti-Semites claim, Israel makes every effort NOT to injure or kill civilians
2. Because if it DID eliminate Gaza’s tyrants, who would, could, step in to fill the vacuum?

During WW 2, with the nazis in charge of much of Europe, many occupied countries had “governments in exile.”

When the allies — primarily the U.S. and the (then) USSR — defeated the nazis and their collaborators, the “governments in exile” filled the vacuum left by the departing nazis and their sycophants.

Gaza lacks such a “government in exile.

When Japan surrendered, the U.S. military became the defacto government, but the mentalities of the Japanese and the Arabs of Gaza are vastly different.

The Gazans have been indoctrinated for generations to hate Israelis — Israeli Arabs, Israeli Jews, and Israeli Druze. While there are some Gazans who may feel otherwise, there probably are too few to influence the population to accept Israeli rule, even if only on a temporary basis.

The terrorist PLO/PFLP is not acceptable to either Israel or Gaza; Hamas pushed out the PLO/PFLP from Gaza apparently with little, if any objection by the residents.

Sponsor

Governments in exile need a sponsor, a nation that will
(a) Recognize their authority
(b) Provide sanctuary for the exiles
(c) Provide financial support
(d) Provide leadership and mentoring

Israel could provide all of the above, BUT it likely would be resented.

Iran supports Hamas (and Hezbollah), so it is not a contender.

The U.S. is not trusted anymore by anyone in the Middle East.

European powers? No better than the U.S.

Aside from China — already buying control of the world — only the Muslim states in the region are candidates to host a Gazan government in exile.

Egypt and Jordan might be good options. Most Gazans have an “Egyptian connection.”

Jordan is, at best, “shaky.” It has its own “Palestinian” problems and fears for its monarchy.

Egypt has a fairly strong military.

Egypt also has an official peace agreement with Israel (as does Jordan).

Egypt borders Gaza; at one point, Gaza was an Egyptian territory. (https://tinyurl.com/ej28hpcc)

Other Muslim countries in the region might be considered by the Gazans, but there are issues with the other countries’ governments and the distance from Gaza.

Morocco, for example, has a fairly stable government, but it is somewhat removed from Gaza. Likewise Bahrain and then UAE. They might be less initially acceptable to Gazans since they have “normalization” agreements with Israel. Lebanon and Syria are not good candidates due to their own internal conflicts. Qatar is in bed with Iran.

Gaza and surrounding states (Gaza too small to be seen).

Israel had experience with Gaza.

At one time, Israel controlled Gaza and Israelis developed a substantial hot house export business.

When Ariel Sharon expelled Israelis from Gaza, the locals quickly destroyed the hot houses and infrastructure, and with it a potential national income.

(Blogger’s opinion: Sharon made two major mistakes: invading Lebanon and expelling Israelis from Gaza.)

Gaza could be close to self-sufficient — it has access to the sea, it has an airport for Boeing 737-type aircraft — but its government’s belligerent behavior toward its neighbors — Egypt and Israel — prevent full commercial development.

It has the potential; all it needs is a good government.

PLAGIARISM is the act of appropriating the literary composition of another, or parts or passages of his writings, or the ideas or language of the same, and passing them off as the product of one’s own mind. Truth is an absolute defense to defamation. Defamation is a false statement of fact. If the statement was accurate, then by definition it wasn’t defamatory.

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Comment on Gaza: Rock & hard spot

Opuscula Peace and the Ahmedah

A thought on the "normalization" agreements.

They are NOT "peace treaties."

They are, primarily, trade agreements.

A good start toward peace, but not peace.

Bahrani Foreign Affairs Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Donald Trump, and United Arab Emirates Foreign Affairs Minister Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan at signing of the Abraham Accords on September 15, 2020. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

 

In the weekday Ahmedah (אמידה) we — Sefardim — read

"ועושה לה תקוב טובה ואחרית שלום"

Give us good hope and afterwards peace.¹

What we have with the "normalization" agreements is hope.

Hope that the governments — as they stand now — won't make war on us or send troops against us.

It will be years before we have a true "peace" with these not-next-door neighbors.

"Peace" to this scrivener's mind means acceptance by all our neighbors, not just the governments.

Peace with governments AND people

We have a "peace" treaty with Egypt and another with Jordan.

But, except for officials, traveling to — or from — either country is less than casual; indeed, it can be dangerous.

An Israeli can travel to Jordan, but he must leave his sedur in Israel.

An Egyptian has difficulty LEAVING Egypt for Israel.

Once there was a direct flight between Cairo and Lod. A thing of the past.

There are flights from Amman to Lod, but via a third country, often Turkey. A half hour flight now takes about 18 hours.

It could be worse. Israelis are prohibited from entering the PLO/PFLA-controlled areas and entry into Gaza by a sane Israeli almost is suicide. (Hamas is holding two Israelis who voluntarily entered Gaza. Both are thought to be mentally deficient. Hamas refuses to return them to Israel.)

Long memories

The U.S. "civil war" was ended more than 150 years ago.

Yet, today — December 2020 — there are places where "damnYankees" still are not welcome. In the north, many Southerners still are automatically considered racists, bigots, even sans any evidence of this.

While it would be NICE to think that the people of Bahrain, the UAE, Sudan, et al will welcome us in friendship, the "man in the street" in the end counts more than those in the governments.

I did not include Morocco as it has a generally welcoming population, albeit there are those who oppose not only peace with Israel but the king as well.

Sad but true. A Jew may be

  ✡ Safer in Bahrain than in France.

  ✡ Safer in the UAE than in Germany.

  ✡ Safer in Morocco than England.

For now.

On the flip side, Israelis, particularly those whose parents came from Muslim lands, need to control their hate of Muslims, Israeli Muslims and visitors from the "normalized" countries. Again, government officials are one thing; the man in the street is altogether a different matter.

Notes

1 Ahmedah, winter prayer "ברך עלינו" which most Ashkenazim don't have.

PLAGIARISM is the act of appropriating the literary composition of another, or parts or passages of his writings, or the ideas or language of the same, and passing them off as the product of one’s own mind.

Truth is an absolute defense to defamation. Defamation is a false statement of fact. If the statement was accurate, then by definition it wasn’t defamatory.

Web sites (URLs) beginning https://tinyurl.com/ are generated by the free Tiny URL utility and reduce lengthy URLs to manageable size.

 

Comment on eace and the Ahmedah

Opuscula S T U P I D ! Israel government Gives, gets nothing

Allows Qatar to fund Hamas for a SIX MONTH ceasefire

Israel and Hamas are reportedly close to agreeing to a medium-term cease-fire that will include the transfer of $100 million in Qatari funds to the Palestinian terrorist group in the Gaza Strip.

 

According to I24 news (https://tinyurl.com/y6ej46z5)
Israel and Hamas are reportedly close to agreeing to a medium-term cease-fire that will include the transfer of $100 million in Qatari funds to the Palestinian terrorist group in the Gaza Strip. According to media, the coronavirus pandemic has put severe economic pressure on Hamas, which is therefore seeking financial assistance in exchange for a six-month truce.

Mossad chief Yossi Cohen (right, shown with Obama advisor Susan Rice) apparently is spearheading the indirect negotiations via Qatari intermediaries.

The matter of filling Hamas’ coffers has become somewhat contentious in Israel, given that the terror organization has for over five years been holding captive two Israeli civilians with psychological conditions who crossed into Gaza on their own accord. Hamas similarly has refused to return to Israel the remains of two soldiers who were killed in the Palestinian enclave during the 2014 war.

Israel needs a Gen. Geo. Patton

Patton never would allow his sworn enemy a six-month truce to rearm.

That’s STUPID. Patton was well known for saying that he thought.

Worse, this is hardly the first time Israel’s government has stupidly — “foolishly” is too kind a word — agreed to a temporary ceasefire that allowed Hamas (and Islamic Jihad) to rearm.

The results of a ceasefire with the despots of Gaza? More Israeli casualties and fatalities.

This is the Euro-Jew mentality.

This is the mentality of someone (or a government) that is crazy, at least if the definition of “crazy” is doing the exact same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome.

NOW IS THE TIME TO PUT AN END TO HAMAS AND ISLAMIC JIHAD.

Many of Israel’s Muslim neighbors indicate, with words and actions, that if Israel makes and end to Hamas and Islamic Jihad, these neighbors — while they might not openly applaud as they did on 9-11 (2001) — will not militarily object to Israel removing Hamas and Islamic Jihad from Gaza. (Iran undoubtedly will rattle its rockets and fire a few missiles from the safety of Lebanon and Syria, but so far, Iron Dome has proven capable to protect Israelis.)

QUANDARY. Interim government

Before Israel can eliminate Hamas’ and Islamic Jihad despots, it MUST have a caretaker government ready to fill the void left by the despots’ departure.

At the end of World War 2, the triumphant allies installed Chas. de Gaulle in France and Konrad Adenauer in (West) Germany. Japan was ruled by Gen. Douglas MacArthur, the Supreme Commander for Allied Powers (SCAP), until 1951.

Israel has proven it cannot govern Gaza.

Ariel Sharon forced out Israelis from the strip by 2007. The new owners largely dismantled the Jewish-built agricultural infrastructure, repurposing much of it to use again Israel.

While Israel cannot, should not, attempt to rule Gaza, it should — with assistance primarily from Egypt, but with other Muslim powers — prepare an interim government to rule until the Gazans can install a new government.

Democratic elections may not be in the future for Gaza. There are peoples — the Cubans, for example — that simply cannot function with a democratically-elected government. The U.S. should never force American-style democracy on any people.

Israeli captives in Gaza

I confess to having mixed emotions about the two Israelis Hamas holds in Gaza.

As I24 notes, the “two Israeli civilians with psychological conditions crossed into Gaza on their own accord.”

I have been given to understand that the Red Cross/Red Crescent cannot get information from Hamas regarding the condition of the “illegal immigrants (to Gaza)” — are they receiving treatment for their conditions? Do they WANT to be repatriated to Israel? Is there anyone in Israel to assume responsibility for their care?

It seems to this scrivener that blocking the Qatari funds until Israel has the answer to those questions — AND THE BODIES OF THE ISRAELI SOLDIERS RETURNED — is in order. The answers need to be provided by a truly neutral source; I’m not sure the Red Cross, and certainly not the UN, qualify.

Bottom line

Caving to Hamas and Islamic Jihad and allowing the Qatari money to flow to the despots of Gaza is, as the headline states,

S T U P I D

PLAGIARISM is the act of appropriating the literary composition of another, or parts or passages of his writings, or the ideas or language of the same, and passing them off as the product of one’s own mind.

Truth is an absolute defense to defamation. Defamation is a false statement of fact. If the statement was accurate, then by definition it wasn’t defamatory.

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Comment on S T U P I D

But PLO/PFLP won’t come to table Arabs want “Palestine” Issue settled before Signing peace pact

IT IS RIGHT OUT OF JOS. HELLER’S CATCH 22^{1, 2}

Several major Muslim neighbors, in particular Saudia and Qatar — the later being the “bank” for Hamas — are willing to “normalize” relations — that does not necessarily equate with “peace — with Israel

IF

Israel first makes a peace deal with the PLO/PFLP and Hamas/Islamic Jihad.

* * * * * *

Qatar: Normalization with Israel only after two-state solution with Palestinians³

* * * * * *

Normalizing ties with Israel linked to Palestinian statehood, Saudi king says⁴

On the other hand, President Trump’s son-in-law, possibly a Pollyanna,⁵ suggests that the “Palestinians will get peace 'as soon as they are ready'.”⁶

 

Given that the “leadership” of the terrorist groups (ibid.) refuse to negotiate with Israel, particularly when they are confident the pro terrorist Democrats may regain the White House and Congress in November, there is no way, short of a devastating attack unleashed by Israel on the terrorist-controlled areas to which “the world” would condemn Israel, that the terrorists’ “leadership” will send delegates to a negotiating table.

Hamas has accepted Egypt to mediate between it and Israel. (Hamas arranges a short-term cease fire to once again stockpile materiel to use against Israel — and Israel’s “leaders” stupidly fall for this again and again and again.)

IF, THEN, the Saudis and Qataris want a peace agreement between the terrorists and Israel, they must push the terrorists to the negotiating table and they must convince the terrorists that attacks on Israel must cease — permanently.

The question is, what country or organization can guarantee the peace?

Not the UN; it has proven both useless (UNIFIL) and in the pocket of the terrorists (UNRWA).

The U.S. is tired of sending its troops into danger.

The Europeans, save for Russia, likewise will not endanger their personnel.

China, perhaps. It sees itself as the next (of not already) major world power.

Since Israel has repeatedly made concessions to the terrorists, and since the concessions were accepted by the terrorists as a sign of Israel’s weakness — perpetuated by Israel’s “leaders” — someone needs to stand as surety that the terrorists will indeed forego attacks on Israel and is citizens.

No one on any side should expect that a “peace agreement” will bring any more than a cessation of hostilities.

If “normalization” is what members of EuroCom have — passport-free passage over national borders — or what U.S. and Canadian and U.S. and Mexican citizens have, then this is not a “normalization” that can be expected.

While there are peace agreements between Israel and Egypt and between Israel and Jordan, true normalization is far from being achieved. Travel to and from Israel by citizens of the three countries is difficult at best. (Tourists are another matter and have fewer handicaps.)

It would be interesting to know what the Qataris and Saudis expect Israel to concede. The terrorists make it clear that they will accept nothing less than an end to Israel. Even with the Democrats controlling Washington and Israeli leftist controlling the Knesset and Supreme Court, allowing the terrorists to drive Israelis — Christian, Jew, Muslim, and “whatever” into the sea — is not going to happen.

Everything the terrorists have lost they lost due to wars of aggression started by Muslim states.

Had Jordan accepted the UN partition in 1948 and had the Muslims not repeatedly attacked Israel, the “Palestinians” might have a state of their own, assuming Jordan would allow it.

Had Syria not attacked Israel in 1948 (and again later), it might have all of Mount Hermon.

If Grandma had wheels . . .

Sources

1. “Catch 22,” book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catch-22

2. “Catch 22,” expression: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catch-22_(logic)

3. Qatar: https://tinyurl.com/y3pqmvlg

4. Saudia: https://tinyurl.com/y43n3t8a

5. Pollyanna defined: https://tinyurl.com/yxhfortw

6. Kushner comment: https://tinyurl.com/y4et545j

PLAGIARISM is the act of appropriating the literary composition of another, or parts or passages of his writings, or the ideas or language of the same, and passing them off as the product of one’s own mind.

Truth is an absolute defense to defamation. Defamation is a false statement of fact. If the statement was accurate, then by definition it wasn’t defamatory.

Web sites (URLs) beginning https://tinyurl.com/ are generated by the free Tiny URL utility and reduce lengthy URLs to manageable size.

 

Comment on Catch 22

Opuscula A few thoughts About Israel-UAE Peace agreement

With a great deal of hoopla and self-congratulations, Trump’s son-in-law is taking bows for lining up the third Muslim country in the region to make a pact with Israel.

Peace almost always is a good thing.¹

The accord between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), regardless of what it actually entails, should be a good thing for the region. 

The Sunni-dominated UAE is a winner in the deal as it, like Israel, is threatened by Shiite-dominated Iran.

The UAE military is smaller (not being threatened by an immediate neighbor is helpful) than Israel’s Defense Force.

For 2020, United Arab Emirates is ranked 45 of 138 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review. ²

Always in a state of readiness, the nation of Israel fields one of the most capable military forces in the world - despite its size. For 2020, Israel is ranked 18 of 138 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review. ³

The UAE is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a political and economic alliance of six Middle Eastern countries—Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. The GCC was established in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in May 1981. The purpose of the GCC is to achieve unity among its members based on their common objectives and their similar political and cultural identities, which are rooted in Arab and Islamic cultures.⁴

 

Countries belonging to the GCC (Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc./Kenny Chmielewski @ https://tinyurl.com/y47oxzm5)

 

Because the UAE is a GCC member state, it is likely, albeit not assured, that the other member states will either follow UAE’s lead or at least use the UAE as a conduit to Israel.

Qatar currently is the main source of revenue for Hamas, until recently depositing US$15 million-a-month into the terrorists’ pockets. The funds were earmarked by the Qataris for humanitarian aid. Qatar also funds some PLO/PFLP activities.

Qatar recently sent two planeloads of medical supplies to the PLO/PFLP. Abu Mazen and friends rejected the aid since the supplies were landed in Israel sans Abu Mazen’s permission! (The PLO/PFLP lacks an airport to accommodate a modern jumbo jet.)⁵

Despite funding Hamas and the PLO/PFLP, Qatar apparently has, as do most of the GCC states, a pragmatic relationship with Israel. This is not new; as early as the 1970s Saudi were buying Israeli-made air conditioners; they worked better in Saudia’s climate than the European brands.

Israelis visit GCC states

Netanyahu visits Oman, Oct. 2018 ⁶

Communications Minister Ayoub Kara's trip to Dubai, Oct. 2018 ⁷

Sport & Culture Minister Miri Regev at UAE judo competition, Oct. 2018⁸ Regev, of Moroccan descent, also visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.⁹

 

Israeli Culture and Sport Minister Miri Regev, middle, shakes hands with Mohamed Bin Tha'loob Al Derai, President of UAE Wrestling Judo & Kickboxing Federation, after one Israeli player won the bronze medal during the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Judo tournament in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018. (AP/Kamran Jebreili @ https://tinyurl.com/y266oxes)

 

Some concerns

The rapprochement between Israel and the GCC is not without concerns.

For example, Qatar had been at odds with other GCC members and Egypt for some time. ¹⁰

Direct Flights Emirates and Etihad already overfly Saudia to deliver aid to the PLO/PFLP. Will Israeli airlines (El Al, IsrAir) be allowed to overfly Saudia? Saudia is a GCC member.

Iran is troublesome for ALL middle eastern countries (and beyond).

Will agreements between Israel and individual GCC states include mutual military assistance? Israel has the strongest and best trained military in the region. While there is military cooperation with Egypt, a mutual assistance agreement to defend against a belligerent state (e.g., Libya) is not part of the public peace deal.

PLO/PFLP & Hamas Will the GCC states abandon the “Palestinians” and would that be good for Israel.

Both the PLO/PFLP and Hamas, with Islamic Jihad at its side, have proven their dependence on Israel, yet all are bent on Israel’s destruction. If the GCC quits funneling funds to the terrorists, if the GCC quits supporting the terrorists politically to the rest of the world (primarily the EU), will the terrorists finally be driven to abandon terrorism and make a true peace with Israel? One that does not have an “expiration date.” Or will the terrorists continue to receive support from the EU, and — like Pharaoh — “harden their hearts” and continue their sworn goal of a Jewish-free “Palestine.”

---

Sources

1. Peace is not a good thing when it is faux pax^cq (see https://tinyurl.com/y4utkrv3) that allows a sworn enemy, e.g., Hamas or Hezbollah, to rearm and prepare for a new aggression.

2. UAE military: https://tinyurl.com/y45g4cy6

3. Israel military: https://tinyurl.com/ya9wppoa

4. GCC: https://tinyurl.com/y47oxzm5

5. Medical supplies to PLO/PFLP: https://tinyurl.com/y2dtsu37

6. Netanyahu in Oman: https://tinyurl.com/yd48z583

7. Ayoub Kara in Dubai: https://tinyurl.com/y6c9yput

8. Mimi Regev at judoka: https://tinyurl.com/yytd8buk

9: Miri Regev outside mosque: https://tinyurl.com/yarefvqx

10. Qatari conflicts: https://tinyurl.com/y4fd63ep

PLAGIARISM is the act of appropriating the literary composition of another, or parts or passages of his writings, or the ideas or language of the same, and passing them off as the product of one’s own mind.

Truth is an absolute defense to defamation. Defamation is a false statement of fact. If the statement was accurate, then by definition it wasn’t defamatory.

Web sites (URLs) beginning https://tinyurl.com/ are generated by the free Tiny URL utility and reduce lengthy URLs to manageable size.

 

Comment on Peace pact

Opuscula STUPID HEADLINE

THE JEWISH NEWS SYNDICATE, a/k/a “JNS” wins the award for stupidest headline of the week.

At https://tinyurl.com/y25echvv JNS asks What does Iran’s pivot to China mean for Israel?

It HAS to be kidding.

 

Consider:

  *  China owns Israel’s Haifa and Ashdod ports

  *  China is making attempts to build Israeli infrastructure

  *  China owns at least one major food supplier (Tnuva)

  *  China is notorious for stealing other counties’ secrets

  *  China is known to “play both ends against the middle” for its own benefit

  *  China has, largely through deception and spying, stolen military secrets from the U.S. and Russia and on those secrets it has built its modern military

That being the case, China’s “pivot” to Iran — a “pivot” that has been going on for at least a decade and includes trade with the ayatollahs banned by the U.S. and others — MUST be a concern for even the most leftist Israeli.

 

The enemy of my enemy . . .

The Muslims have an expression: The enemy of my enemy is my friend. That can be reversed in the case of Persia: The friend of my enemy is my enemy.

China is Iran’s friend — at least for the time being.

China has a goal — restore the trade route between China and Europe. It is making the effort over land and over water.

In itself, there is nothing inherently wrong with China’s ambition.

The problem is China’s abuse of its political and trade alliances.

China never has been known as a peacemaker, so any hope that China would mitigate the ayatollah’s goal to destroy Israel is no more than a pipe dream.

What China could do, and based on its history, likely will do, is to “sell” information about Israel to the ayatollahs who in turn will share it with their proxies in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza, and Jordan. Do they really care about the floundering PLO/PFLP? It may not be worth the ayatollah’s effort or funds.

China is offering — for a fee, of course — to dig tunnels in Israel for rapid transit, a la major cities’ subway (“tube”) lines.

Israel sits on a major fault — that’s how the walls of Jericho fell¹ — and quakes are known to happen throughout the country.

 

Dead Sea Fault line (FIU article & image @ https://tinyurl.com/y3orf9dl)

 

The Dead Sea Fault (DSF) has branches (below) toward the Mediterranean Sea that pass beneath some of Israel’s most densely populated areas.

 

DSF branches into population centers
Left: Maps of the World @ https://tinyurl.com/y2vgv3o5
Right: From FIU map (ibid.)

 

Although the fault and is branches are fairly well documented, the Chinese would, of necessity when digging tunnels, precisely locate the fault lines. Sharing this information with the ayatollahs and their proxies could result in a major earthquake destroying much of the country.

Would the ayatollahs risk destroying the Mosque-on-the-Temple? Would they risk endangering the lives of their friends under PLO/PFLP? Consider the Muslim desire to die in an intifada. Given that, what is the obvious answer?

 

Pay me now or pay me later

Israel must decide if it really is in its best interest to allow the Chinese to buy the country food companies, to take over the sea ports — U.S. ships visit Haifa; will that cease when the Chinese flag flies over the port? — to dig tunnels near a fault line.

Granted, there may be some financial benefits to selling the country to the Chinese — could it be worse than the Roman, Greek, Assyrian, or other occupations? — but in the long run, is it in Israel’s long-term best interests?

There was a Fram oil filter commercial many years ago² that told car owners: Pay me now, or pay me later.

If Israel sells out to the Chinese will it have to pay later?

TO BE HONEST, this scrivener heartily dislikes the Chinese government. It has sent the U.S. a long list of faulty and dangerous products, it has given the world more than one virus (COVID-19 being just the latest), it has proven it steals secrets, both government and commercial. In this scrivener’s opinion, China cannot be a trusted friend.

Sources

1. Joshua 6 2-17 (JPS ©1955)

2. Fram commercial: https://tinyurl.com/z2up2ug

עינים להם ולא יראו * אזנים להם ולא יאזנו

PLAGIARISM is the act of appropriating the literary composition of another, or parts or passages of his writings, or the ideas or language of the same, and passing them off as the product of one’s own mind.

Truth is an absolute defense to defamation. Defamation is a false statement of fact. If the statement was accurate, then by definition it wasn’t defamatory.

Web sites (URLs) beginning https://tinyurl.com/ are generated by the free Tiny URL utility and reduce lengthy URLs to manageable size.

 

Comment on Stupid Headline

Opuscula In bed with foes: U.S., Israel, China, And Iran: Foolish

RISING TO A NEW HIGH IN POLITICAL AND MILITARY STUPIDITY, three countries have climbed under the covers with China:

1. U.S.
2. Israel
3. IRAN!

While President Trump is trying, despite leftist Democrat opposition, to wean the U.S. from cheap Chinese products — somehow “goods” seems inappropriate for things from China —, Israel is surrendering its Haifa and Ashdod sea ports to the Chinese, and the Chinese are buying oil from Iran in exchange to technology — technology that may be used against the U.S. and Israel, the “Big Satan” and the “Little Satan” according to the ayatollahs.

The Chinese already own a number of companies in the U.S. and Israel, including major food processing companies.^{1, 2}

 

Enemies of Israel and U.S.: Chinese dragon, Iranian cat

 

The most prominent foreign acquisition of an American food company in the past few years was Chinese company WH Group’s 2013 purchase of Smithfield Foods for $4.7 billion. The combined company is the largest pork producer in the world. WH Group, formerly known as Shuanghui, allegedly has received subsidies from the Chinese government. The deal was the largest ever Chinese acquisition of an American company. Brazil may be an even bigger buyer of U.S. food companies.³

The Chinese are pervasive both in the U.S.⁴ and Israel,²

Is there a danger to U.S. and Israeli security from the Chinese invasion? The Rand organization seems to support this with its RAND_RR3176 report⁵.

The Chinese are known for stealing technology from any and every source.

Both Israel and the U.S. are leading technology countries; leading in defense, electronics, medicine, general science, agriculture, environmental sciences, and more.

Why would ANYONE invite a known thief into their home?

No one with an ounce of sense would do that.

Worse, why would ANYONE invite a known thief into their home when the thief is cozy with someone who wants to harm, to kill, them?

Yet, both Israel and the U.S. allow the Chinese thieves into their homes.

The old expression: “You get what you pay for,” while grammatically wrong is, still, sadly true. When you “buy cheap,” you get cheap.

People do it.

Governments do it.

The trouble with buying Chinese — or worse, letting the Chinese buy into the house — is that not only is the purchased product shoddy, but the thief in the house is stealing from his or her host.

China has proven it doesn’t care for its customers.

Despite U.S. laws to the contrary, China has sent to America

Contaminated food

Dangerous medicines

Drywall that gave off volatile chemicals and sulfurous gases

Faulty automotive parts

Flammable clothing

Toys painted with poisonous lead paint

and the list goes on.

Israel has allowed Chinese companies to dig tunnels for public transportation, and well as permitted it to build light rail systems.

Given that the Chinese are in bed with Iran, and that Iran repeatedly, almost continuously, threatens to “wipe Israel off the map,” the Iranians now know more about Israeli tunnels and infrastructure than is good for Israel.

The Chinese need Iran’s oil more than they need Israel — and America’s — money.

Common sense, a commodity the leaders of Israel in particular seem to lack, would caution against doing business with the friend of my enemy.

MEANWHILE, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that Tehran has been negotiating a 25-year accord with China, terms of which will be announced once a deal is struck, French news agency AFP reported Sunday.⁶

There is a famous saying in the Middle east: “An enemy of my friend is my enemy.”

Israel and the U.S. would be well advised to consider the implications of an Iran-China liaison.

 

---

 

Sources

1. China in US: https://tinyurl.com/y8tr7k32

2. China in Israel: https://tinyurl.com/y9e9pjrp

3. Foreign food companies: https://tinyurl.com/y7sujvfu

4. Chinese ownership in U.S.: https://tinyurl.com/yavhq6w6

5 Rand: https://rand.org

6. China-Iran Agreement: https://tinyurl.com/yay7dpnh

עינים להם ולא יראו * אזנים להם ולא יאזנו

PLAGIARISM is the act of appropriating the literary composition of another, or parts or passages of his writings, or the ideas or language of the same, and passing them off as the product of one’s own mind.

Truth is an absolute defense to defamation. Defamation is a false statement of fact. If the statement was accurate, then by definition it wasn’t defamatory.

Web sites (URLs) beginning https://tinyurl.com/ are generated by the free Tiny URL utility and reduce lengthy URLs to manageable size.

 

Comment on China and Iran

Opuscula“Palestinians” Would benefit If areas annexed

ANNEXATION OF “PALESTINIAN” TOWNS in the “Jewish” areas of Yehuda and Shimron would benefit the “Palestinians” as much as the Israelis.

How so?

If even HALF of what is reported is true, then the “Palestinians” will be better off.

   * Better policing; less corruption.

   * Better health care.

   * Better education.

It would not be a “perfect world,” but for the “Palestinians,” life would be better than it is under the heavy thumb of the PLO/PFLP.

 

 

A few quick words about the quotes around “Palestinians.”

   1. There is NO country currently called “Palestine.”

   2. “Palestine” was a name applied to a vast area that included what now is Israel and Jordan.

   3. Jordan, originally “Trans-Jordan,” was the Muslim part of the English Balfour Declaration; the area controlled by the English after World War 1. The English offered the Muslims everything but a small portion of the land known as “historic Israel.”

   4. There was never any push back against Jordan when Jordan controlled the area; no demand for a unique state. This occurred ONLY after Jordan lost the territory after a war of aggression against Israel.

   5. “Palestinians” are Jordanians, but Jordan wants nothing to do with them (after Black September when “Palestinians” attempted to overthrow the king).

   5. There is no “Palestinian “ political history.

   6. There is no “Palestinian” currency; never has been issued

In short, Palestine doesn’t exist except in the minds of Abu Mazen and others of his ilk.

Many people, including those living in the PLO/PFLP-controlled areas, believe that the government that controls their lives is corrupt.

There ARE many things wrong with the (President Donald) Trump “plan,” primarily in failing to recognize the wishes of the people in the area.

There are Muslims currently in areas designated for Israeli control who WANT to be Israelis. There are Muslims in the those areas who prefer to be under PLO/PFLP sovereignty.

There probably are some leftist Jews — in Tel Aviv — who claim they are willing to live in a PLO/PFLP-controlled non-state; knowing, of course, that non-Muslims — in particular, Jews — cannot, by PLO/PFLP law, reside in “Palestine.” Nor can Israeli-owned businesses operate in the PLO/PFLP-controlled area, thus assuring those Muslims who live under Abu Mazen’s controls are guaranteed to earn less than an Israeli company would pay.

According to one UN hand, Israel as an “occupier” is obliged to provide necessary services to the residents. That INCLUDES police protection.

Israel should immediately disband the PLO/PFLP police and collect their U.S.-supplied weapons. It should discharge some IDF soldiers, immediately draft them into the Israel Police, and station them in the “occupied” territories.

Israel already supplies electricity to the PLO/PFLP areas — and the electric company usually does NOT get paid. It shares water with the territories per agreement — except Abu Mazen has canceled all agreements with Israel, so Israel could, theoretically stop water flowing into the area. (It won’t, but …)

Israel could also take over the banks and put an end to Abu Mazen’s “slay for pay” program. In theory, Israel even could print “Occupation” currency so when, if, there ever IS a Palestinian state, it would be weaned from Israel’s shekels, new or otherwise.

Interesting that “Palestinians” deal in Israeli shekels rather than Jordanian dinars. In the early days of Israel, Jordanians who worked in Israel and were paid in lirot [before the new shekels] rushed to exchange the frequently devalued lira for the more stable Jordanian dinar.

While Europe and the Useless Nations whine over Israel assuming jurisdiction of Jewish communities in Yehuda and Shimron, they cannot seem to comprehend how much better off the non-Jewish Arab population would be under Israeli rule, either as occupied residents or as Israeli residents. It is too early to consider citizenship for the people who prefer the Blue and White flag of Israel to the banner of the PLO.

 

 

עינים להם ולא יראו * אזנים להם ולא יאזנו

PLAGIARISM is the act of appropriating the literary composition of another, or parts or passages of his writings, or the ideas or language of the same, and passing them off as the product of one’s own mind.

Truth is an absolute defense to defamation. Defamation is a false statement of fact. If the statement was accurate, then by definition it wasn’t defamatory.

Web sites (URLs) beginning https://tinyurl.com/ are generated by the free Tiny URL utility and reduce lengthy URLs to manageable size.

 

Comment on Annexation

OpusculaSend Sweden’s Ambassador Back to Jordan

SWEDEN HAS DESIGNATED ERIK ULLENHAG, a former minister of integration and leader of the Liberal People’s Party, as its new ambassador to Israel.

Israel needs to reject this man's appointment.

 

 

According to the Jerusalem Post (https://tinyurl.com/yae4lt4e), Ullenhag (right) publicly disassociated himself from support for Israel and opposed members of his party holding an event in the parliament in Stockholm with representatives of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party.

He has been Sweden’s ambassador to Jordan since 2016, and is slated to arrive in Israel in September.

He courted controversy last month when he announced his new posting by tweeting that he was appointed “ambassador to Tel Aviv,” as opposed to Israel. He later thanked people for congratulating him on becoming ambassador to Israel, using the country’s name.

Ullenhag has one other tweet mentioning Israel, and it is a denial that he supports it. In 2014, he defended his participation in a “Kippah March” – protests against attacks on people wearing Jewish symbols – by writing that he was protesting “against antisemitism, not in a manifestation of support for Israel.”

 

Insulting behavior

While any country can nominate anyone it wishes to an ambassadorship, most countries do not send people who have proven ill-will against the host country.

Israel can, and should, refuse to accept him.

It is a process not often done, but according to Mongolian Anand Nyamdavaa on Quora (https://tinyurl.com/y8lgbzh5), Before the Ambassador arrives to the host country, a Letter of Credence is sent to notify the arrival of the Ambassador. Once the host country receives the letter, it issues an Agrément. It is a French term for agreement to receive the ambassador-designate. This agreement takes several weeks. Once the agreement is received, the Ambassador presents Letter of Credence to the Head of State in the host country. She can now formally serve as an Ambassador in the host country.

If the host country doesn't want the particular Ambassador, it drags its feet in issuing the Agrément. After a while it becomes obvious that the Agrément is not forthcoming, so the country quietly withdraws the Ambassador back. This type of soft refusal does not happen often but it is not that rare. It is done quietly so that it doesn't cause embarrassment to the country where the Ambassador is from.

Nyamdavaa noted in his Quora post that Brasil refused to accept Dani Dayan as Israel's ambassador to that country.

The Times of Israel (https://tinyurl.com/ybrfj9uh) claims Brasil’s refusal to accept Dayan was because some left-leaning Brazilians and Israelis — including a group of former senior diplomats — started lobbying the government in Brasilia against accepting Dayan, arguing such a move could be understood as tacit approval for Israel’s settlement enterprise. Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff reportedly informed Jerusalem that she disapproves of Dayan’s appointment.

 

Go home!

An ambassador, indeed, all personnel with diplomatic status, may be ordered to leave a host country, usually within 72 hours.

In the case of Sweden and Israel, why bother to wait until Ullenhag unpacks his bags from the trip from Amman before tossing him out on his ear.

There is no reason, diplomatic or otherwise, for Israel — or any country — to welcome anyone who works against the interests of the state.

Posting Ullenhag as ambassador from Sweden is akin to posting Ilhan Omar or Rashida Tlaib as ambassador to Israel or Louis Eugene Walcott, a/k/a Louis Farrakhan, as ambassador to the UN from the U.S.

Ullenhag’s baggage must — it’s human nature — include Jordan’s current suspicions of Israel and the fact that Jordan’s king sits on a tottering throne thanks to both the true Palestinians (Jordanians) and imitation Palestinians, those living under PLO/PFLP control.

Bottom line: Ullenhag is NOT the person Sweden should be sending to represent it in Israel.

עינים להם ולא יראו * אזנים להם ולא יאזנו

PLAGIARISM is the act of appropriating the literary composition of another, or parts or passages of his writings, or the ideas or language of the same, and passing them off as the product of one’s own mind.

Truth is an absolute defense to defamation. Defamation is a false statement of fact. If the statement was accurate, then by definition it wasn’t defamatory.

Web sites (URLs) beginning https://tinyurl.com/ are generated by the free Tiny URL utility and reduce lengthy URLs to manageable size.

 

Comment on Send ambassador back to Jordan

Opuscula Chinese may cost Israel its best ally

AS THE CHINESE FLAG begins to replace the Blue and White, Israel may find itself losing its one military and financially strong ally, the United States.

THE CHINESE, who already hold enough U.S. debt to bankrupt the country, now are buying up Israel.

Tnuva now is Chinese.

Haifa Port is Chinese.

Ashdod soon will be Chinese.

What next?

What is known is that the Chinese buy or steal when they can from any source. Israel’s intelligence community must be a prime target.

What is known is that China is in bed with Iran, the enemy of both the U.S. and Israel.

Apparently Israel’s ”king for life” cannot see the reality in front of him.

If China buys more control of Israeli industry and services, the U.S. will be more and more reluctant to share anything with Israel, and Israel may be less inclined, or able, to share with the U.S.

Will Chinese flag replace Mogan David?

China not only BUYS Israeli industry and services, it also could SELL to Israel military hardware — aircraft, surface and submersible ships, missiles — all of which is said to be “world class.” A lot of the stuff IS “copy cat,” e.g. a Chinese version of the Russian AK-47, but they may have, as the Japanese have done since WW 2, improved on the original product (transistors, being a case in point).

What would be the U.S. reaction to Israel suddenly buying Chinese military gear in lieu of U.S. goods. (Would China “give” Israel military aid on the condition that it use the yens to buy Chinese products, the same “string” the U.S. uses to bolster its own “military-industrial complex?”)

Consider: Since China and Iran are in bed together, and since Iran has its forces in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and Gaza, what can Israel expect?

Israel should expect Chinese intelligence, a/k/a spies, to provide Iran and its proxies on Israeli defense plans, including available and “in-the-works” weapons, weapons and troop placement, and possibly plans to counter an almost certain attack from Iran and its proxies.

Buying Tnuva is one (unfortunate) thing; taking control of Haifa and Ashdod ports is another, and far more serious.

As long as China is doing business with Israel’s enemies, it should NOT be doing business in Israel.

עינים להם ולא יראו * אזנים להם ולא יאזנו

PLAGIARISM is the act of appropriating the literary composition of another, or parts or passages of his writings, or the ideas or language of the same, and passing them off as the product of one’s own mind.

Truth is an absolute defense to defamation. Defamation is a false statement of fact. If the statement was accurate, then by definition it wasn’t defamatory.

Web sites (URLs) beginning https://tinyurl.com/ are generated by the free Tiny URL utility and reduce lengthy URLs to manageable size.

 

Comment on China Buys Israel

Opuscula Anti-Semitism Is many things To many people

EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT CONSTITUTES “ANTI-SEMITISM.”

Yes ◻     No ◻

Perhaps the statement should be: Everyone THINKS they know what constitutes “anti-Semitism.”

IS IT “ANTI-SEMITIC” to criticize Israel? Israeli Jews do it all the time, even so-called “orthodox” Jews have issues with modern Israel and its government.

As with most criticisms, it is wise to have an answer to a situation other than “throw out the bast*rds.

Is it “anti-Semitic to criticize a Jew?

Jews criticize Jews all the time. If you consider Bernie Sanders a Jew, then politically conservative Jews almost constantly criticize the man. Politically conservative Jews are quick to criticize politically liberal Jews, i.e., Democrats. Most do NOT, however, refer to the others as “nazis” or racists, but it has been known to be said by leftists, both Jewish and non-Jewish..

Jews are not exactly xeonophobic, but sometimes . . .

Black hats look with disdain on clean-shaven and kippa-less Jews who look at bearded, kippa-wearing and tzit-tzit dangling Jews as “extremists.”

There ARE some crazies among us — the harideem who stand along a roadside on Shabat and throw rocks at passing vehicles and those who strung a chain across a major Bnai Brak thoroughfare sans warning; the chain decapitated a scooter driver on Shabat.

These are Muslim tactics and they are rare among most Jews in Israel and elsewhere.

There is much to criticize in Israel. Not all Jews are treated fairly; nor are all Israeli Arabs.

Legal immigrant integration

New legal immigrants are not as quickly integrated into society as possible; read: As quickly as leftists would like.

To be fair — but who wants to be fair? — there are new immigrant integration issues everywhere. But what other country makes as much of an effort to integrate legal immigrants as Israel? (Personal experience.)¹

Netanyahu seems, or perhaps now “seemed,” to be “King for Life,” taking cabinet positions (“portfolios”) for himself if the incumbent displeased him.

Is criticizing Netanyahu either anti-Semitic or anti-Israel or even anti-Likud? Today’s Likud is hardly Begin’s Likud.

Is it anti-American to criticize President Trump? The Democrats and other leftists have been doing that, relentlessly, since Trump took office.

Is it anti-American to criticize laws passed that impact one group’s rights in favor of another? Hardly.

Do Muslims complain of discrimination in the U.S.? Silly question. Muslims complain of discrimination everywhere that they are less than a majority.

Yet, there are many Muslims in Israel who prefer Israel to life in PLO or Hamas-controlled areas.

Two — or three — state solution

Is it anti-anything if a person is for — or against — a “two state solution?” How about a three state solution: Israel, Jordan,, and Egypt. It might work except that Egypt won’t absorb Gaza with its Hamas/Islamic Jihad crazies and Jordan has all the “Palestinians” it can suffer. Gaza once was part of Egypt and the so-called “West Bank” was controlled by Jordan, “back in the day.”

When “Palestine” was ruled from Amman, there was no talk of a state independent of Jordan. Likewise, does anyone recall the residents of Gaza seeking independence from Egypt?

That, of course, is conveniently forgotten. Likewise forgotten is that the PLO’s first leader (Mohammed Yasser Abdel Rahman Abdel Raouf Arafat al-Qudwa al-Hussein² ) was not “Palestinian” or even Jordanian, but Egyptian.

Also forgotten is the time when Lebanon “shared” Mt. Hermon and shelled Israeli civilians or the Katusha’s from Lebanon that fell on Zefat. (Personal experience.)

Critics can’t see own image

Perhaps the most interesting thing about the folks who criticize Israel is their blindness to all other countries less than ideal Human Rights practices.

One major talking point on which the anti-Israel groups harp is Israel’s so-called “occupation” of “Arab” lands.

Consider for a moment that no matter where an American lives in the U.S., he or she is on land taken — usually by force of arms — from the indigenous population, a population, incidentally, that was warehoused in ghettos, a/k/a reservations. America’s treatment of American Indians was far worse than anything Israel has done to Muslims.

The same applies for most countries. Russia recently took Crimea from the Ukraine as the world watched — and did nothing.

Ah, but Russia is not Israel.

Is it anti-Russian to remind the Russian government that it “stole” the Crimea?

Who does BDS hurt?

The anti-Israel folks who promote Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel hurt the people (residents of PLO areas) more than they hurt Israel.

They drove out Soda Stream, a company that employed Muslims from the so-called West Bank and paid them at the same rate as Jews. Sans Soda Stream, the former employees are financially worse off. (Arabs in southern Israel gained from the BDS effort; THEY now have jobs their kin in the north lost.)

Israel is training PLO-area residents in high tech so they can improve their communities’ economies.

BDS’ raison d'être, no less than Iran’s, is to destroy Israel.

If it did, the UN would have to close out at least two “Palestinian-specific” welfare programs: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and United Nations Development Programme's Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People.

Gaza, incidentally, with cooperation from the Israeli government, is shipping record amounts of strawberries to England as well as to the PLO territories.

When Israel, under Ariel Sharon, forced Jewish farmers out of Gaza in 2005, the Muslims destroyed most of the greenhouses and infrastructure left by the departing Jews. It has taken more than a decade of foreign funding to restore what was destroyed in 2005.

Palestinians harvest strawberries at their farm in the northern Gaza Strip, March 5, 2007. Photo: Reuters / Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

Bottom line

The bottom line is that most of the people who are anti-Israel have no first hand experience with Israel, Gaza, or the PLO-controlled areas. This includes the anti-Israel representatives in the U.S. House who, despite Israel allowing them entry to the PLO areas, declined the opportunity.³

People who DO know first hand what goes on in Israel can criticize the country’s government — but not the people; they are as diverse as the people in the U.S. — after taking a look at their own history and after looking at other countries around the globe.

People also can criticize Jews for being “clannish” or a bit “xenophobic” — and why not, given the centuries of persecution for their belief or ancestry — but tarring all Jews with the same broad brush is a sign or ignorance.

The true anti-Jew — Arabs also are Semites so “anti-Semite” is not accurate unless these people also hate Arabs — DOES know a Jew is a Jew is a Jew, regardless of level of observance, where the person lives, what he or she eats (or avoids), or with what political party the person affiliates (e.g., Democrat=Good Jew, Republican=Bad Jew — or maybe it is the other way around).

Ignorance.

The hallmark of a bigot.

Sources

1. Immigration: https://tinyurl.com/t5vgtmz

2. PLO leader: https://tinyurl.com/rrk2cdh

3. Rep. Tlaib: https://tinyurl.com/y6obleb2

עינים להם ולא יראו * אזנים להם ולא יאזנו

PLAGIARISM is the act of appropriating the literary composition of another, or parts or passages of his writings, or the ideas or language of the same, and passing them off as the product of one’s own mind.

Truth is an absolute defense to defamation. Defamation is a false statement of fact. If the statement was accurate, then by definition it wasn’t defamatory.

Web sites (URLs) beginning https://tinyurl.com/ are generated by the free Tiny URL utility and reduce lengthy URLs to manageable size.

Opuscula I was wrong, Arabs not ready For government

I CONFESS TO BEING, in this one instance, a Pollyanna. I’m over that now.

I had at one time considered that including the Arab parties in Israel’s government — giving them cabinet positions, they already have seats in the Knesset — that inclusion would temper their rhetoric and anti-Israel behavior.

But then I read comments from present and former Arab MKs and realized that ‐ for now — there is no place for the current crop of Arab MKs in the government’s operation.

In the U.S. it is unlikely that a Communist would (a) be elected to Congress or (b) be appointed to a cabinet position.

Granted, the U.S. House of Reprehensibles is on a witch hunt to find something, anything with which to pillory a president. (That it is unlikely any president would be removed from office following a trial in the U.S. Senate is another matter. The House voted impeachment for two Democrats — Andrew Johnson and Wm. Jefferson Clinton — but the Senate failed to muster enough votes to remove the incumbent president.)

Israel has had Arabs in its Knesset from 1949 when Amin-Salim Jarjora of the Democratic List of Nazareth (a Mapai-sponsored party) served in the first Knesset.^{2, 3, 4}. There have been many Muslims in the Knesset since, many from Arab-specific parties and others from left-wing, primarily Jewish, parties (e.g., Labor, Meretz). Several Druze won election on right-wing parties, including the Likud. At the last Knesset, there were 14 Arab MKs, of which three were Druze, two Christians, four Sunni Muslims, one Bedouin, one who claims to be “non-religious,” and three who don’t self-identify with a religion.⁵

There HAVE been Arabs in the Cabinet. Mohammad Barakeh, of the left-wing Hadash party⁶ was once deputy Knesset speaker.

The problem for Israel is that the leading Muslim party, the combined “Joint List”⁷ is composed of people such as Ahmad Tibi⁸. Tibi was a political advisor to Yasser Arafat who self-describes as Arab-Palestinian in nationality, and Israeli in citizenship. A OB-GYN, he was educated at Hebrew University.

In September, 2011⁹, he made headlines when he served as a member of the Palestinian Authority's UN delegation, headed by Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas, as it submitted its request for UN acceptance of "Palestine" as a full member state.

Haneen Zoabi was ejected from the Knesset for repeated anti-Israel activities.

Leftists Foreign Policy.com reported that Asked once by an Israeli TV interviewer whether she could say anything good about Israel, she laughed lightly and replied, "No, I can’t."¹⁰

The same source partially reported that on May 31, 2010, (Zoabi) as an Israel Arab activist aboard the Mavi Marmara, a ship chartered by a Turkish Muslim aid organization to lead the flotilla challenging Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip. After unarmed Israeli naval commandos rappelled onto the ship and were attacked with wooden clubs and metal rods. What Foreign Policy.com failed to report was that the Israelis several times tried to peacefully board and inspect the vessels contents for contraband war-making supplies.

According to Ynetnews.com¹¹, MKs (Azmi) Bishara, (Jamal) Zahalka, (Wasil) Taha visit Lebanon after controversial talks with President Bashar Assad of Syria; delegation members express solidarity with 'victims of war'; attorney General orders probe upon their return.

It is unfortunate

It is unfortunate that too many Arabs elected to Israel’s Knesset work against the state rather than work to improve their constitutent’s lives.

Why Zoabi was aboard a TURKISH vessel bound for GAZA — where war materiels are used against Israeli civilians — is proof to this scrivener that she was part of a provocation as much as Egypt’s massing troops at the Canal just before the “Six Day War” was sufficient for Israel’s pre-emptive attack to prevent its annihilation.¹²

There ARE Israeli Arabs — Muslim, Christian, whatever — who are in every respect loyal to Israel. These people need to be treated as Israeli citizens as equally as any Jewish citizen, haridi, heloni, and somewhere in between.

When the Arab parties send Muslims to the Knesset who put the good of their people and the State first, then they should be welcomed into the government (cabinet).

MKs don’t need to be of the same mind, but they need to have the same goals. What’s good for Israel should be good for ALL Israelis without any distinction.

Sources

1. Pollyanna: https://tinyurl.com/qlmevhj

2. Amin-Salim Jarjora: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amin-Salim_Jarjora

3. Democratic List of Nazareth: https://tinyurl.com/rvfem8y

4. Mapai: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mapai

5. Arab MKs: https://tinyurl.com/zsts3qh

6. Hadash: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadash

7. Joint List: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_List

8. Ahmad Tibi bio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmad_Tibi

9. Tibi at UN: https://tinyurl.com/qsfy574

10. Foreign Policy: https://tinyurl.com/ubthscn

11. Visits: https://tinyurl.com/rfq7j7h

12. Pre-emptive strike: https://tinyurl.com/suj8jew

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PLAGIARISM is the act of appropriating the literary composition of another, or parts or passages of his writings, or the ideas or language of the same, and passing them off as the product of one’s own mind.

Truth is an absolute defense to defamation. Defamation is a false statement of fact. If the statement was accurate, then by definition it wasn’t defamatory.

Web sites (URLs) beginning https://tinyurl.com/ are generated by the free Tiny URL utility and reduce lengthy URLs to manageable size.

 

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Opuscula Thoughts while Traveling about A small country

I RECENTLY SPENT ABOUT 10 days visiting kin in Israel: Yavne, Kiryat Atah (near Haifa), and Bet Shean.

RIDING THE ISRAIL (Israel Railways) started off with a surprise. The seniors’ (50%) discount is no more. Not for non-residents, anyway. Still, the ₪47 fare to travel between Yavne to a Haifa-area station wasn’t all that painful. 1

Along the way, in addition to the ubiquitous cranes putting up new high-rise buildings, I noticed that many — most? — older buildings had old-style barrel solar water heating units. This “style” dates back to at least the 1950s.

No big deal, except . . .

Except that adjacent to the 50 gallon or so tanks were the latest and greatest dishes for tv reception.

The Middle East being what it is, one of the most popular shows, a soap opera, is from Turkey. (Until Recep Tayyip Erdoğan took over the country, Israel and Turkey enjoyed a decent commercial relationship. Erdogan’s rule may be coming to an end; his party just lost control of Istanbul by a large margin.)

In “my day,” Israel had ONE tv station. Depending on where you lived and the antenna on the roof, you also could watch Lebanese, Jordanian, Egyptian, or Cypriot stations. (I used to watch, c 1976, news from Israel and from Jordan. Interesting.)

Israel now has multiple stations — my Haifa-area host insisted on constantly switching between Channels 12 and 13. I’m a “news freak” and that drove me nuts.

After several days in Haifa my host drove us to Bet Shean where most of the kin work and live.

Same scenario — tanks and dishes. Where you don’t see dishes, the cable guy had customers.

Almost every Israeli has a “smart phone” and most of my kin are hooked on WhatsApp. WhatsApp is to smart phones as pre-Microsoft Skype was to laptops. (WhatsApp is so far not on computers.)

Penguins

Everywhere I went I wished I had brought a jacket and heavy socks.

Air conditioning is in almost every home; certainly in every place I visited.

The standard setting is 24^oC; for me, that’s uncomfortably cold. ²

In Yavne: 24C

In Haifa: 24C

In Bet Shean: 24C

It was like being in a hospital where temperatures are germ-chilling low.

Traveling by train (Israil) was warmer.

I like trains even if a change (or two) of trains is necessary, but wait times between trains are brief.

The coaches are clean, have wi-fi and AC. The trains are, with rare exception, ON TIME.

I took the train from Bet Shean to Yavne; cost: ₪52.50¹ for the 4-hour trip. It might have been less time if I had changed trains when I should have, but all-in-all, not bad. (See route map, below.)

Getting on and off the trains can be challenging for the mobility impaired — which I am. On the other hand, most travelers are patient and helpful. They can be “pushy” — think about any metro rail system — but a person with an obvious disability is treated kindly.

 

Map of Israil routes and stations

 

Ethiopians

During my stay the cops shot and killed an Ethiopian youth.

Many in the Ethiopian community hit the streets, blocking traffic, burning tires.

TO BE FAIR, I lack all the information I need to properly report the incidents.

UNLIKE in the U.S., these people did not damage local merchants.

The Ethiopians were quickly joined by non-Ethiopian (read “white”) supporters.

The police promised to investigate the shooting and the actions that led up to it.

Two days later the police cleared their officer of any wrong-doing.

According to the Jerusalem Post,³ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on protestors to halt blocking the roads, saying that he knew there were “problems that still need to be solved” which he said would be addressed, but that the rule of law must be preserved.

Question to the politician: When? Perhaps blocking politicians’ access to the Knesset building or the PM’s residences (plural) might be more effective without aggravating the average Israeli.

The leftists were too busy holding internal elections to comment.

Meanwhile, some ignorant people are making sick anti-Ethiopian “jokes,” just as the Ashkenazim did about Sefardim and Mizrachim.

Israel goes from one integration difficulty to another.

Some of the local media tried to fan the flames by “selective” reporting … just like the rest of the world’s free press.

Sources

1. http://tinyurl.com/y334lmnd

2. http://tinyurl.com/dpc24

3. http://tinyurl.com/y5nzog2y

PLAGIARISM is the act of appropriating the literary composition of another, or parts or passages of his writings, or the ideas or language of the same, and passing them off as the product of one’s own mind.

Truth is an absolute defense to defamation. Defamation is a false statement of fact. If the statement was accurate, then by definition it wasn’t defamatory.

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