A short editorial
My editorial is Daas Torah
and not my opinion. Yosef Stalin’s son who was a private was captured by the
Germans. They offered a prisoner exchange Field Marshall Paulus for Stalin’s
son. Stalin said a private for a private. There is a Mitzvah to Redeem Captives
but not at any price. The Maharam of Rotenberg was held for ransom. The price
was very steep the Jewish Community wanted to pay and he gave the Psak Din – no
for the price is too high and if they pay such a price now then in the future
the price will be the same or high for the next captive.
I said to myself, what I
would want if I or my Golani son was taken captive. I probably would have
fought to the death and if I was captured it was because I was unconscious or
my arms so badly injured that I could not fight back and probably the same with
my son. Would I want Israel to release 400 to 500 murderers for me – no the
price is too high. Fortunately for me it is in theory. My wife does not think
according to cold Halacha and the emotions over-ride all logic.
What the Prime Minister of
Israel did and the Cabinet is very popular and for his political career he made
the correct decision. This was probably the last chance to get Gilad Shalit
back home alive and despite my misgivings, I am happy for the Shalit Family
although I have no idea of what psychological and physical condition Gilad is
in and if he will ever be normal again.
The Torah agrees with
Minister Landau who says that it is a reward for terrorism and the prisoner
exchange only encourages more kidnappings for the future for prisoner
exchanges.
Since the deal is done
there is no sense of pouting about it. Let us rejoice that the young man is
free and not missing or dead and the families have no closure for Baumel, Katz,
Feldman, Arad and one or two more people missing.
Cold
Coffee His
mother ran directly to the Kozhnitzer Maggid and implored him to help. Connection:
Seasonal - Erev SUKKOT by Y. Tilles
In a town near Kozhnitz lived a widow
and her only child, Abraham, known affectionately as Avremeleh. As a young man
in his late teens, Avremeleh wanted to move to Kozhnitz to become a disciple of
R' Yisrael Haupstein, the Maggid of Kozhnitz. His mother could not bear
to be parted from her beloved son and decided to move to Kozhnitz too so that
she could look after him.
Everything went well for some time.
They settled in Kozhnitz and Avremeleh's mother took great pride in caring for
him and tending to his needs. Every day he would come home to a freshly cooked
meal prepared lovingly by his mother.
Their tranquil existence was brutally
shattered one day when the merciless Russian soldiers marched into the town,
enforcing the government's compulsory conscription order. Word spread
throughout the town that all eligible young men would be abducted, sending the
frightened Jews scurrying indoors to hide.
Avremeleh, however, was immersed in
his studies and remained unaware of the danger. Deep in thought, he proceeded
home, as usual, to enjoy the hot meal his mother had prepared for him,
oblivious to the ominous silence around him.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, two strong
arms grabbed him, and he looked up in horror at the sneering face of a Russian
soldier. He was quickly thrown into a waiting wagon which then left the town,
taking him to serve in the Czar's army.
Meanwhile, Avremeleh's mother was
waiting anxiously for him to come home. When his usual lunch hour had come and
gone with no sign of him, she began to worry. She reheated the meal again and
again, but still there was no sign of Avremeleh. It was not like her son to
keep her waiting and as time passed she became frantic. She realized that the
worst must have happened - he had been snatched off the street by the cruel
soldiers.
She ran directly to the Kozhnitzer
Maggid and implored him to help. The Maggid reassured her that Avremeleh would
return safely and all would be well, but this did not suffice for the
unfortunate woman. She insisted that the Maggid do everything in his power to
bring her son back immediately!
Just then the Rebbe's attendant
entered, bringing the Maggid a cup of coffee. The Maggid looked up at the
mother and declared, "I promise you, I won't drink this until Avremeleh
returns!"
The Maggid's disciples were
displeased, for they viewed his eating and drinking as spiritual acts, and they
did not want him to delay drinking his coffee until Avremeleh's return. They
tried to dissuade the Maggid, but he was adamant. "I said I would not drink
the coffee until Avremeleh comes, and I will keep my word."
The disciples had complete faith in
their mentor's powers, so did not doubt that Avremeleh would indeed be saved.
Wishing to inform the Maggid immediately upon the young man's return, several
of them took up positions at various points along the road leading to town,
with each one instructed to signal the next one as soon as Avremeleh was
sighted. The one closest to town would swiftly bear the good news to the
Maggid, thus enabling him to drink his coffee as soon as possible.
But time passed slowly for the waiting
students, as the minutes turned to hours and Avremeleh still had not returned.
Their concern mounted as they wondered why he was detained for so long.
Finally, after an agonizing wait, the
signal was given that Avremeleh had appeared. Jubilantly, the disciples ran to
tell the Maggid that Avremeleh was on his way, and he could now drink his
coffee. Much to their surprise and disappointment, however, the Maggid
insisted, "I will not drink it until Avremeleh is standing before
me!"
When Avremeleh at last arrived, the
Maggid told him with a twinkle in his eye, "Because you are so stubborn my
coffee turned cold!"
The Maggid's cryptic comment aroused
the curiosity of the disciples, and they begged Avremeleh to explain what had
occurred.
He related, "I was thrown into a
wagon along with another Jew. We quickly drove off, and as the wagon rumbled
on, I was distressed by many thoughts: 'How will my poor mother bear her
suffering? Who will look after her? What will become of me? Will I be able to
withstand the trials I will undergo with my faith intact? I must never succumb
to temptation! I am proud to be a Jew, and surely the Torah I study and observe
will protect me." These thoughts raced through my mind and I reassured
myself that with G-d's help I would surely be rescued.
"Suddenly I saw a tall man with a
long white beard running alongside the swiftly traveling wagon at superhuman
speed. I realized that he must be none other than Eliyahu HaNavi/Elijah
the Prophet. He knocked on the window and motioned that I should jump out. I
told Eliyahu, 'There is another Jew here. I will only leave if he can also
come.' The prophet replied, 'I was given permission to save only you.'
"Meanwhile the wagon drove on,
with Eliyahu HaNavi keeping pace alongside. Again he knocked on the window and
beckoned to me. Again, unswayed by his great holiness, I insisted that he take
the other Jew along with me, and after several pleas and heartfelt persuasion,
he finally relented and rescued us both."
Now the disciples understood the
Maggid's remark, "Because you are so stubborn, my coffee turned
cold!"
[Adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles from "Gut
Woch" (Mesorah) by Avrohom Barash]
Connection: Seasonal - 197th yahrzeit
on Erev Sukkot (For those that feel deprived of an actual Sukkot story, you can
retell it that the coffee was brought to him in the Sukkah -just remember
afterwards to confess your 'sin' before your listeners depart!)
Biographic note:
R. Yisrael Haupstein, 1737- 14 Tishrei 1814, 'the Maggid' of Koznitz, a major disciple of the Rebbe Reb Elimelech, and author of the chassidic-kabbalistic work, 'Avodas Yisrael' and other books. His miraculous birth is the subject of a popular Baal Shem Tov story. http://ascentofsafed.com/cgi-bin/ascent.cgi?Name=724-03
R. Yisrael Haupstein, 1737- 14 Tishrei 1814, 'the Maggid' of Koznitz, a major disciple of the Rebbe Reb Elimelech, and author of the chassidic-kabbalistic work, 'Avodas Yisrael' and other books. His miraculous birth is the subject of a popular Baal Shem Tov story. http://ascentofsafed.com/cgi-bin/ascent.cgi?Name=724-03
SJ Husak At Large
From Dr. Paul Eidelberg sometimes one must kill the enemy for peace. http://i-ari.org/kill-for-peace/
Anti-Semitism is in style near Wall
Street in the protest movement. http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_opinion.php?id=634
THE USA - BETTER UNIQUE ALLY THAN HONEST BROKER by Ambassador
(ret.) Yoram Ettinger
forwarded with 2 major commentaries by Gail Winston, Middle East
Analyst & Commentator [PLEASE NOTE LISTS OF ISRAELI MEMBERS OF
KNESSET & EMBASSIES/CONSULATES OF THE WORLD IN FOLLOWING ARTICLE]
JUST
IN!! ISRAEL HAS AGREED TO RELEASE 1027 JAILED ARAB MUSLIM TERRORISTS -
INCLUDING 400 SERVING LIFE SENTENCES FOR SOME OF THE WORST TERROR ATROCITIES IN
ISRAEL’S
HISTORY FOR HAMAS TO RETURN HOME HER SOLDIER, GILAD SHALIT, KIDNAPED & HELD
INCOMMUNICADO FOR 5 YEARS. HAMAS WINS?!!
Who
orchestrated this Faustian bargain? America? Egypt? Germany? Now Israelis (and
anyone caught in the Terror attacks, including Americans, Arabs, etc.) will be
in harm’s way
and at risk to 1027 known Terrorists. How much blood did capturing them cost?
How many did they already murder and maim? How much is too much?
Today
we also learned that threatened bombings of the Israeli and Saudi Embassies and
attempted assassination of the Saudi Ambassador in Washington, DC were
thwarted.
But,
Israel is still be pressured to abandon more historic Israeli land in what has
always been Eretz Yisrael.
Israel
is America’s only stable country in the Middle East and, IF SHE
REMAINS STRONG!! will always be America’s best ally against Terror.
Comments By Gail Winston [Erev Sukkot, Oct. 12, 2011]
#####
THE USA - BETTER UNIQUE ALLY THAN HONEST BROKER by Ambassador (ret.) Yoram Ettinger, "Second Thought"
"Israel Hayom" Newsletter, October 10, 2011 http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_opinion.php?id=631
All US
Administrations have displayed a split personality when it comes to Israel.
On the one
hand, US Administrations have been Israel's unique ally, implementing the will
of the American People and Congress since the 17th century, thus
forging a mutually-beneficial two-way street security and commercial alliance,
based on shared values, joint interests and mutual threats.
On the other
hand, US Administrations have played the role of an honest broker between
Israel and its Arab enemies. They usually follow the lead of the UN and
Europe-oriented State Department bureaucracy, which has generally been at odds
with the American People and Congress, opposing the establishment of the Jewish
State in 1948, still not recognizing even western Jerusalem as Israeli
territory, embracing Arafat, Saddam Hussein (until Kuwait's invasion) and
Khomeini (until the US Embassy takeover), and serving as Israel's harshest
critic in Washington.
The split
personality of US Administrations radicalizes Arab positions, undermines US and
Israeli national security, and impairs US-Israel relations. It attempts to establish
a false moral equivalence between Israel - a role model of counter terrorism,
democracy and unconditional alliance - and the Palestinian Authority - the role
model of terrorism, hate
education and alliance with America's adversaries.
education and alliance with America's adversaries.
In 2009, former
US Ambassador to Israel, Dan Kurtzer, cautioned Special Envoy George Mitchell
against pressuring Israel for an unprecedented long-term freeze of construction
in Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem. However, pressure was applied, Israel
succumbed and Abu Mazen intensified his demands, thus causing the current
impasse.
In August 1970,
Israel and Egypt concluded a US-negotiated cease-fire agreement, which was
summarily violated by Egypt by their construction of the most-advanced
Soviet-made anti-aircraft system. The US Administration pressured Israel to
tolerate such a dramatic violation, which played a key role in the devastating
Israeli losses during the October 1973 War.
In 1977, Israel
and Egypt launched a peace process, frustrating President Carter's pursuit of
an international conference and courting radical Arabs. In 1979, Israel and
Egypt concluded a peace treaty, overruling Carter's insistence to require
Israeli concessions on the Palestinian and Jerusalem fronts.
In 1994, Israel
and Jordan signed a peace treaty, totally independent of President Clinton's
involvement.
The deal-maker
of the only two Israel-Arab peace accords was the direct initiative and
dialogue between Israel, Egypt and Jordan. The deal-breaker of well-intentioned
Presidential initiatives was the undermining of the direct dialogue, thus
failing to produce a single peace accord.
Arab parties to
US-led negotiation with Israel cannot be more moderate than the US Department
of State. They consider Israel increasingly susceptible to pressure, thus
upping the ante, which constitutes a tailwind to extremism and a headwind to
peace.
The current
US-led initiative aims to produce a resolution of the 100 year old Arab-Israeli
conflict during the term of an incumbent President, subordinating long-term strategic
interests to short-term gains. The time factor renders the President more
vulnerable to pressure by Arab dictators who are not constrained by election
cycles. The President is at ease pressuring Israel- a democracy which is
susceptible to domestic and external lobbying - to assume more risks for peace,
while the boiling Arab Street mandates less risks and more security!
The
Arab-Israeli conflict has never been a top priority in domestic, regional, or
global politics, lagging behind - and unrelated to - the challenges of Iraq,
Afghanistan, Iran, the turmoil in all Arab lands, as well as Russia, China,
North Korea, Mexico, Columbia, Venezuela, nuclear proliferation, ballistic
missiles defense, etc. Presidential preoccupation with Israel-Arab negotiations,
while the globe is increasingly unpredictably
threatening, undermines vital US economic and national security interests.
threatening, undermines vital US economic and national security interests.
The more
significant the US role as an "honest broker," the less significant
is its role as a "unique ally," which has produced unique economic
and security benefits to the American People by Israel, "the largest
American aircraft carrier, which does not require a single American boot on
board, deployed in the critical eastern flank of the Mediterranean, saving the
American taxpayer $20BN annually."
The smothering
sandstorms emerging on the Arab Street behoove the US and Israel to enhance
strategic cooperation, which should be top heavy on "unique alliance"
and low on "honest brokerage."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
You may disseminate as widely as possible.
Speaking engagements may be scheduled per list of topics on my website (http://www.TheEttingerReport.com(.
Ambassador (ret.) Yoram Ettinger, "Second Thought"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
You may disseminate as widely as possible.
Speaking engagements may be scheduled per list of topics on my website (http://www.TheEttingerReport.com(.
Ambassador (ret.) Yoram Ettinger, "Second Thought"
CHAG SUKKOT SAMA'ACH!!!
"WE MUST ALL STAND STRONG AT THIS TIME" forwarded by
Gail Winston, Middle East Analyst & Commentator
You
say "We must all stand strong at this time".
I
presume that "We" does not include the members of the Israeli
government. For they seem to be controlled by Ehud Barak and the Left wing
commanders (plural) of the Army and the Police who are only too ready, and
anxious even, to make concession after concession to the Arabs, and go out of
their way to make sure that Israel is to be left completely defenseless.
The
Israeli government, whose leader, Bibi Netanyahu, makes wonderfully sounding
bold and brave speeches, but is as weak in action as the weakest politician ---
the Israeli government seems to be always most ready to make concessions to the
Arabs in order to bring them to the negotiations table.
What
the Hell is the matter with these people? Why do they want to talk with the
Arabs when it is as plain as a pikestaff, as clear as sunshine on the brightest
day of summer, that the only thing the Arabs want and are constantly and openly
declaring, is the complete elimination of the State of Israel and its replacement
by an Arab State to be called "Palestine". And as it is to be
declared "Judenrein", the only way that that can be achieved is by a
repetition of the Holocaust of 1940-45, but they won't be bothered to build Gas
Chambers, they will enjoy themselves blowing up the people inside the beautiful
buildings of Tel Aviv, Haifa, Netanya, etc.,etc., etc. or simply forcing the
Jews into the sea to drown.
The
only way for the Israeli population "to stand strong" is for them to
"stand up" and kick out this corrupt gang of self-seeking
politicians, led by their great orator Netanyahu.
"Stand
strong" ? That's a laugh. Israel today is as was once said:--
"Blind
lions led by neighing donkeys"
Michael
Sherbourne
On
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 at 10:54 PM, Chana of < > wrote:
Please read this, act, and forward it to others.
A short time ago, the Israeli news reported the hoped for release
of Gilad Shalit, the soldier who was kidnapped by Hamas and held captive for several
years without contact with his family or even the International Red Cross - a
breach of the rules of war.
The kidnapping was suggested by one of the Arab members of the
Israeli Knesset ; we have a fifth column in our midst. The cost to Israel for the
return of Gilad will be high- I believe, 1000 enemy prisoners will be released
- to return to terrorism against Israel - and maybe others. We can only pray
that Shalit's condition after imprisonment and, most likely torture, will
enable him to eventually resume a normal life with his family.
We have also just heard about the thwarted bombings of the
Israeli and Saudi Embassies in Wash. DC and the assassination attempt on the
Saudi Ambassador to the US. We must all stand strong at this time.
It is all the more important that democratic Israel not be
weakened by being harassed to give up territory. The country is tiny and there
are many reasons why she should not be made smaller; Israel is not an occupier
as the enemy would have the world think; we are being occupied on land that is
legally ours. The PA wants a state in the heartland of the country. Hamas could
easily take it over and we would have another Gaza-like haven for terrorism.
Israel is the only stable country in the ME and this is important for the US
and the West in general.
Chag sameach! Chana in
beloved Jerusalem Sent: 10/11/2011 !
"No Time to Stop!"
Word has come out that Prime Minister Netanyahu has
instructed Justice Minister Ya'akov Ne'eman to explore ways to legalize Jewish
communities in Judea and Samaria that are now considered
"unauthorized" and at imminent risk for dismantlement. I believe
Ne'eman will be putting together a committee for this purpose.
But please, do not confuse an order to explore with an
order to implement. Some newspaper reports have already projected this
confusion. Nothing has been decided yet, and at the end of the day the prime
minister could still reject what Ne'eman recommends.
Thus it continues to be our job to let Netanyahu know,
in strong and unambiguous terms, that we expect alternative measures to be
implemented so that the communities will not be dismantled.
What is clear is that his readiness to consider
alternatives is a bow to the protests he is receiving with regard to possible
dismantlement. In other words, protest by numbers of people does make a
difference.
~~~~~~~~~~
On the other side of the equation, there is solid
information that the army will be practicing maneuvers for dismantlement in the
coming week. Similarly, this does not mean that it's a sure thing, and that the
army will be commanded to move on this. What it means is that the army will be
ready if the political decision to dismantle is made.
This is not something we want to leave to chance.
~~~~~~~~~~
What particularly rankles is that this should even be
considered in the face of the PA's intransigence and overt hostility to Israel.
Now is surely the time to stand strong and stay put.
But of course, the powers on the left perceive this
exactly in reverse, arguing that we must show "flexibility" to
encourage moderation in the PA.
Today it made the news that Yesh Din -- "there's
justice," one of the Israeli organizations far to the left -- has just
released a report charging that government delays in dismantling
"unauthorized" settlements encourage construction of additional
"unauthorized" settlements. What this tells us -- in addition to the
fact that there is pressure from the left -- is that the government is a bit
schizoid on the issue, and will delay in acting if that's what is mandated by
the political situation.
~~~~~~~~~~
But, as I speak of the political situation, there is
another factor that works against our concerns for a Jewish Judea and Samaria:
That is our prime minister's practice of playing along with international
elements, notably the US, to some degree, to mollify. He doesn't cave
completely -- he hasn't frozen construction again, for example. Yet, as that
international community views our presence in Judea and Samaria as
"illegitimate," a few well-timed demolitions can serve to indicate
that Netanyahu is a "team player." Not too many demolitions, as that
would rock his coalition.
The bottom line is that we are facing an exceedingly
volatile situation that requires our constant vigilance.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am reproducing here the information on making contact
with the Israeli government that I provided yesterday.
If you are an Israeli citizen, contact PM Netanyahu. Fax:
02-670-5369.
If you have not yet
communicated your concerns about this issue, please! do so now.
Speaking as a citizen of
Israel, convey a sense of great urgency. But I implore you to keep your message
short, direct, clear and polite. No speeches, no history lessons.
Tell him that if he
allows communities in Judea and Samaria to be dismantled, he is betraying all
he has stood for. Insist that he over-rule the civil administration in Judea
and Samaria, and the position of Defense Minister Barak, and that he stop all
orders for dismantling of any Jewish communities.
Indicate that you expect
that a way to retain the communities -- by legalizing them -- will be worked
out, hopefully via the exploration of Justice Minister Ne'eman.
If you have already
written to Netanyahu, write again. Tell him it's a good first step, to ask
Justice Minister Ne'eman to explore ways to legalize "unauthorized"
communities. Let him know that you are watching and that you expect that a
solution will be found -- for anything less would be unacceptable.
~~~~~~~~~~
If you are in the US or
elsewhere, utilize the lists for the Embassies and Consulates below. Make sure
there is an outcry where you are, and Jerusalem will know about it.
If you have not yet communicated
your concerns, do so now. Keep your message short, direct, clear and polite. No
speeches, no history lessons.
Say that you are
protesting as a supporter of Israel (and, if it is the case, as a Jew).
Indicate that you are deeply disturbed by reports that Jewish communities in
Judea and Samaria might be dismantled. This would be a betrayal of what the
prime minister stands for. Say that you know the Justice Minister will be
investigating ways to legalize the communities, and that you trust that a solution
will be found -- for anything less would be unacceptable.
If you have already
written, write again. Say it's a good first step, that Prime Minister Netanyahu
has asked Justice Minister Ne'eman to explore ways to legalize
"unauthorized" communities. Indicate that you are watching and that
you expect that a solution will be found -- for anything less would be
unacceptable.
~~~~~~~~~~
In the US: Israel
Embassy, Washington DC http://www.israelemb.org/
Telephone: 202.364.5500 Fax: 202.364.5423
~~~~~~~~~~
Atlanta Consulate General of Israel
http://atlanta.mfa.gov.il/mfm/web/main/missionhome.asp?MissionID=69&http://atlanta.mfa.gov.il/ 404.487.6500Region: Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, North
Carolina, South Carolina
Boston Consulate General of Israel
http://boston.mfa.gov.il/http://boston.mfa.gov.il/ 617.535.0200
Region: Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
Region: Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
Chicago Consulate General of Israel
http://chicago.mfa.gov.il/mfm/web/main/missionhome.asp?MissionID=71&http://chicago.mfa.gov.il/ 312.297.4800
Region: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Michigan, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Kansas, Nebraska, Wisconsin
Region: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Michigan, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Kansas, Nebraska, Wisconsin
Houston Consulate General of Israel http://houston.mfa.gov.il/ 713.627.3780
Region: Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma
Region: Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma
Los Angeles Consulate General of Israel
http://www.israella.org/http://www.israella.org/ 323.852.5500
Region: Arizona, California (Southern), Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming
Region: Arizona, California (Southern), Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming
Miami Consulate General of Israel http://miami.mfa.gov.il/mfm/web/main/missionhome.asp?MissionID=74&http://miami.mfa.gov.il/ 305.925.9400
Region: Florida, Puerto Rico
Region: Florida, Puerto Rico
New York Consulate General of Israel
http://www.israelfm.org/http://www.israelfm.org/ 212.499.5400
Region: Connecticut, New Jersey (Northern), New York
Region: Connecticut, New Jersey (Northern), New York
Philadelphia Consulate General of
Israel http://philadelphia.mfa.gov.il/ 215.546.5556
Region: Pennsylvania, Delaware, Ohio, New Jersey (Southern), West Virginia, Kentucky
Region: Pennsylvania, Delaware, Ohio, New Jersey (Southern), West Virginia, Kentucky
San Francisco Consulate General of Israel http://www.israeliconsulate.org/http://www.israeliconsulate.org/ 415.844.7510
Region: Alaska, California (Northern), Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington
Region: Alaska, California (Northern), Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington
~~~~~~~~~~
If you live elsewhere,
you can locate your appropriate Embassy or Consulate here:
~~~~~~~~~~
Sukkot is coming. Please
act before the holiday begins. And please share this as broadly as you can.
~~~~~~~~~~
MK Yariv Levin (Likud) is
working on a bill that would compensate Palestinian Arab owners of land in
Judea and Samaria on which Jewish housing has been built.
I have no knowledge of
how this bill would spell out the means for verifying determining land
ownership -- but this seems to me an issue of some significance, as simply
"claiming" ownership should not be sufficient. The claimant would
receive funds or alternate land, but would not be able to demand a demolition
of homes on "his" property.
Said Levin in a statement
to the JPost :
"The current
situation in Judea and Samaria is intolerable. The judiciary is being used as a
tool to promote the extreme Left's political goals, such as harming settlers.
"We cannot accept a
policy in which we don't build, illegal Arab construction is not dealt with,
and Jewish homes are destroyed. The prime minister does not have a mandate from
the public or Likud MKs for this behavior.
"There is plenty of
illegal Arab construction, but in those cases the courts do not enforce the
law, because they say it's not a priority, or that it's a political and
diplomatic matter. Yet, when it comes to settlers, the courts are very
involved. This is a cynical use of the judicial system.
Levin wants to
"break the cycle of housing destruction. This removes the government's
excuse by solving the problems of court destruction orders.
"The government must
stop hiding behind court rulings as if they were inarguable, given by God at
Mount Sinai. There should be preference for Jewish settlement, or at least
equality."
~~~~~~~~~~
Whether it succeeds or
not, Levin's bill is a landmark effort as it would represent the first time the
Knesset was involved via legislation in what goes on in Judea and Samaria,
which is under military law.
Some of the objections to
the bill coming from the left may seem fairly far-fetched to many of us. But as
the Court tilts left, it might entertain some of them, and invalidate the bill,
should it pass. (Rest assured, if it does pass, there will be attorneys
challenging it in the Court.)
According to Attorney
Michael Sfard, who works with both Yesh Din and Peace Now, the proposed bill
would constitute a violation of property rights and the right to freedom of
expression -- both enshrined in the legal system's Basic Law. What I ponder
here, but have no answer to, is whether Israel's Basic Law (which serves as Israel's
constitution) applies to Palestinian Arabs who are not Israeli citizens and
live in Judea and Samaria, which is not governed according to Israeli civil law
in any event. But one can readily see the potentially problematic nature of
this bill.
Additionally, Attorney
Limor Yehuda, director of the Association for Civil Rights in the Occupied
Territories, claims that this amounts to confiscation of lands in
"occupied territory," which is illegal under international law.
Israel's position, however, is that the Fourth Geneva Convention is not
applicable to Judea and Samaria.
~~~~~~~~~~
Thirty-eight MKs have now
sent a letter -- drafted by the Land of Israel lobby in the Knesset -- to the
prime minister appealing to him not to demolish any further homes in Judea and
Samaria.
Fifteen of 27 members of
the Likud faction signed, as well as eight MKs from Shas; six from Yisrael
Beiteinu; four from National Union; and the three members of HaBayit HaYehudi.
Additionally, one MK from Kadima and one from United Torah Judaism signed. Five
of the signatories were ministers: Eli Yishai (Shas --Interior); Daniel
Hershkowitz (Habayit Hayehudi -- Science and Technology); Uzi Landau (Israel
Beiteinu -- National Infrastructure) and Likud ministers Yuli Edelstein (Public
Diplomacy) and Yossi Peled.
Said the letter: "We
urge you to protect the settlements in Judea and Samaria from those who use the
pretense of law and order to persecute them."
Concern is highest for
further demolitions in Migron, as well as in Givat Assaf and the Ulpana
neighborhood of Beit El. The prime minister is asked in this letter to use
every possible legal means to assure that no further demolitions will be
undertaken.
~~~~~~~~~~
I wrote the other day
that the inmates are running the asylum. True enough. But what it also turns
out is that the Palestinian Arab prison inmates are attempting to run Israeli
prisons. The whole story is enough to make your jaw drop:
Fairly recently, finally,
there was a decision to cut back on some of their incredible perks -- including
the right to matriculate for university degrees! -- because Gilad Shalit is
kept in horrendous conditions. So what's happening now is that more than 230
inmates have gone on a hunger strike until their demands are met. Are you
ready? Whole chickens, the return of satellite channels and the Palestinian TV
channel, a right to receive visitors while not handcuffed and permission to
walk between the cells. And, would you believe, negotiations on these items on
going on with the Prison Service. Negotiations? Let them starve. They are not
in prison because they are nice guys. And I do not believe the Geneva
Conventions cover satellite channels.
Oh, what Gilad would give
to have visitors, even if handcuffed!
So far, the Prison
Service has conceded only whole chickens, which have to be cut up by guards.
The Service has
instituted sanctions on these prisoners and says it is prepared for anything.
~~~~~~~~~~
I thought I had posted
the last yesterday, but found it necessary to write again today -- for obvious
reasons. Now, finally, I hope I am done and can turn my focus to family and
holiday.
There are many other
subjects that might be explored, but they will have to wait for another time.
As I will be focused elsewhere over the next few days, I implore my readers to
cut back on the number of e-mails they send me. I will not be checking my
computer daily.
Sukkot is called the
Season of Our Joy -- Z'man Simchateinu -- with good reason. It is a
quintessentially happy time. And a time of faith. As of tomorrow night observant
Jews will eat and sleep in their sukkot -- their temporary booths -- for a
period of a week. Their protection comes from the Almighty. Or let me put it
another way: Our protection always comes from the Almighty, but for this week
we are especially reminded of this fact.
To all who are
celebrating, I wish a Chag Sukkot Sameach!
~~~~~~~~~~
© Arlene Kushner. This
material is produced by Arlene Kushner, functioning as an independent
journalist. Permission is granted for it to be reproduced only with proper
attribution.
See my website at www.arlenefromisrael.info
Contact Arlene at akushner@netvision.net.il
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