TIP: Arab Intelligentsia Strive for Better Relations with Israel despite Threats

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From: The Israel Project [mailto:press@theisraelproject.org]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 30, 2010 Contact: Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi: 202-857-6644 (office), 202-365-0787 (cell), jenniferm@theisraelproject.org Jennifer Packer: 202-207-6122 (office), jenniferp@theisraelproject.org www.theisraelproject.org Subscribe to The Israel Project's RSS Feed Arab Intelligentsia Strive for Better Relations with Israel despite Threats Arab actors, journalists and other intellectuals are defying their countries’ unofficial bans on working with Israelis and Jews – even amid threats – as they strive toward “normalized” relations with their counterparts. The efforts have divided Arabs into two camps: those who defend reconciling relations with Israelis and others who favor boycotts or violence to further political goals.[1] In the meantime, Israelis have pushed ahead with their longtime attempts to strengthen cultural ties with Arabs as part of their goal of mutual acceptance and recognition.[2] In recent months, Egyptian actor Khalid Al-Nabawy became an unwitting lightning rod in this struggle after participating in the American film “Fair Game” with Israeli actress Liraz Charhi. Although the actor said he didn’t participate in the movie for political reasons, he ultimately "realized he would pay the price" for acting alongside Charhi.[3] In other cases, however, Arab actors, authors and others are knowingly taking on roles that bridge cultural and political gaps with their Israeli and Jewish colleagues.[4] For example: Film star Omar Al-Shareef withstood threats for his participation in a Hollywood film with actress Barbara Streisand; for a time he was banned from Egypt because Streisand is Jewish. Al-Shareef also challenged the unofficial boycott by introducing Israeli pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim, who gave a concert at the Cairo opera house in 2009.[5] In April 2010, Egyptian film directors and stars withdrew from an annual French-sponsored festival in Cairo because it included a film by a Jewish director. Egyptian writer Sameer Farid criticized the pressure on France and defended Egyptians’ rights to see the film. "Every Egyptian is free to consider whether this is a matter of normalization or not. He or she is even free to accept or reject normalization … This is freedom. Anyone who sells freedom at any price would lose freedom and lose everything." Farid emphasized the festival’s importance to help achieve peace, saying, "People everywhere are open to inter-cultural dialogue and the importance of coexistence between ethnicities."[6] Speaking about the French-sponsored festival, Egyptian playwright Ali Salem, author of "School of Troublemakers" (Madrasat AlMoshaghebeen), said: "The reason behind the withdrawal of several directors and stars from the French Cultural Council is that they were under strong pressure, to the extent that they were threatened of being accused of normalization. This charge has long been used as a frightening tool against intellectuals." Salim, who drove his car to Israel in 1994 to write the book "A Journey to Israel," commented: "What benefits have been achieved so far as a result of the cultural boycott against Israel?"[7] Habib Bolus, an Israeli Arab academician, praised Sasson Somekh, an Israeli professor of Arabic literature at Tel Aviv University, for teaching Israelis about Egyptian author Naguib Mahfouz's legacy as well as Somekh's research and translations of Arab texts of poetry and prose. "This type of study would be enough to guide the eyes of the West towards our contemporary literature, particularly the fictional aspect, and make the world aware of Naguib Mahfouz, the leader of this genre," said Bolus, adding that Somekh’s role in introducing the world to Mahfouz helped Mahfouz become a Noble Laureate in 1988.[8] Somekh, who immigrated to Israel from Iraq in 1951, is preparing a study on Iraqi contemporary literature, including three stories written by Iraqi writers Ali Badr, Najm Wali and Jassim Al-Mutair, who chose Jewish characters as protagonists in their narratives.[9] In July 2009, Somekh supervised the editing of a special series of the Hebrew-language "Eton 77" journal on Arab literature, in which he compiled Arabic and Hebrew poems for Mahmoud Darwish, Suad Al-Sabbah, Adonis, Mohammed Al-Maghout, Abdul Wahab Al-Bayati, Iman Mersal, Suzan Elewan, Rita Odeh and Taha Mohammed Ali.[10] The first translation of an Israeli novel was curtailed following distribution in Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia. Al-Jamal publishing house owner Khalid Al-Maali, who translated "A Tale of Love and Darkness" by novelist Amos Oz, said "The demand was unbelievable. I only made a limited number of printed editions of the novel in case it didn’t attract the Arab reader, but the interest … was great." The 750-page novel earned significant attention from Arab critics. Ahmad Zein Eddin defended the translation of Hebrew literature, saying the availability of the Internet and easy access to information have rendered boycotts useless.[11] Debate over the translation of Oz’s novel continues on "Facebook," where the Web page "Translating Hebrew literature … freedom or normalization?" now has more than 300 members. Numerous Egyptian, Palestinian and Iraqi authors are openly advocating the need for complete cultural normalization with Israel. They include Ali Salem, Anis Mansour, Jamal Al-Ghitani, Najm Wali, Ahmad Matar. Iraqi-German novelist Wali Najm, who publicly visited Israel, stressed normalization as a historical need for Arabs. After visiting Israel, Najm wrote "A Report on A Non-Political Journey" detailing the harsh attacks against Arab intellectuals who have visited Israel. "The dilemma of the Arab intellectual is that he or she is part of the official institution,"[12] he said. Normalization, Mansour has said, serves the interest of a future Palestinian state. He also expressed regret over Arabs' "lack of readiness" for peace. "We still fear and mistrust each other,” he said.[13] In some cases, Arabs have been penalized for their efforts to work with Israelis and Jews. Among them are Hala Mustafa, editor-in-chief of the Democracy review issued by Al-Ahram, who hosted the Israeli ambassador in her office last year. Hussein Sarraj, editor-in-chief of October magazine, was banned from practicing his profession for three months after admitting to visiting Israel 25 times. Hala defended her right to meet the Israeli ambassador per the freedom granted by the constitution, while Sarraj said he will not stop writing and will appeal the decision against him.[14] Footnotes:   [1] Alaa Al-Saadany: "History Won't Turn Itself Back," Al Ahram, June 14, 2010, http://www.ahram.org.eg/197/2010/06/14/45/24146.aspx [2] Mohammed Abboud: "Israeli magazine: Unilateral Normalization," Al Masry Al-Youm, July 2, 2009, http://www.almasry-alyoum.com/article2.aspx?ArticleID=217358 [3] Roee Nahmias: "Egyptian actor accused of 'normalization with Israel," Yediot Aharanot, June 16, 2010, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3905814,00.html [4] Mohammed Abboud: "Israeli magazine: Unilateral Normalization," Al Masry Al-Youm, July 2, 2009, http://www.almasry-alyoum.com/article2.aspx?ArticleID=217358 [5] "Israeli newspapers," Youm 7, April 17, 2009, http://www.youm7.com/News.asp?NewsID=90048&SecID=228&IssueID=84 [6] Samir Fareed: "Absent Freedom Talk in Meet the Image Festival in Cairo," Youm 7, April 12, 2010, http://www.almasryalyoum.com/print/25865 [7] Ali Salem: "Ibraheem Is Turning Around Normalization," Roz Al-Yousef, April 23, 2010 http://www.rosaonline.net/Daily/News.asp?id=58670 [8] Habib Bolus: "Sasson Somekh, A Bride of Israel's Prize in the Field of Midwestern Studies for the Year 2005," Al-Jabha, April 11, 2005 http://www.aljabha.org/print.asp?i=10926 [9] The Israel Project e-mail conversation with Prof. Sasson Somekh, June 20, 2010 [10] Mohammed Abboud: "Israeli magazine: Unilateral Normalization," Al Masry Al-Youm, July 2, 2009 http://www.almasry-alyoum.com/article2.aspx?ArticleID=217358 [11] "A Novel by Amos Oz Translated into Arabic," Reuters, April 8, 2010, http://ara.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idARACAE6370YN20100408?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0 [12] Ahmad Zein: "There Are Pirate Arab Publishers … My Visit to Israel Affected My Books," Ahewar, April 24, 2010, http://www.ahewar.org/news/s.news.asp?ns=no&t=&nid=503603 [13] "Anis Mansour: Normalization With Israel Supports Palestine," Al-Moheet , Sept. 23, 2009, http://www.moheet.com/show_news.aspx?nid=299163&pg=8 [14] Ibraheem AL-Tayeb and Islam Abdul Kareem: "Journalists' Union Warns Mustafa … and Deprives Hussein of Career Practice for 3 Months," Al-Dostoor, Feb. 3, 2010, http://dostor.org/politics/egypt/10/february/3/5067   The Israel Project is an international nonprofit organization devoted to educating the press and the public about Israel while promoting security, freedom and peace. The Israel Project provides journalists, leaders and opinion-makers accurate information about Israel. The Israel Project is not related to any government or government agency. The Israel Project authorizes and welcomes use of any part or all of this release/statement free of charge and without attribution.

Op-Ed: Only Israel making the effort toward peace

Op-Ed: Only Israel making the effort toward peace

By Lee Rosenberg and Alan Solow · June 29, 2010

CHICAGO (JTA) -- Like the people and governments of Israel, the pro-Israel community in the United States has long sought a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through direct negotiations between the parties that would lead to a lasting peace agreement and Israel’s acceptance by all its neighbors.

The Israeli people dream of peace, and their governments have worked and sacrificed for it. As American supporters of Israel, we are committed to helping them make it a reality.

Since assuming office, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pursued peace with Israel’s neighbors. Netanyahu declared his vision for peace -- for two states -- last June in a landmark speech at Bar-Ilan University, saying he supported the establishment of a demilitarized Palestinian state alongside the Jewish state of Israel.

Underscoring Israel’s sincerity and willingness to make the most difficult choices in the pursuit of peace, a few months after his speech Netanyahu took another bold step, declaring a 10-month moratorium on all Israeli construction in the West Bank -- a concession that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called “unprecedented” in advance of negotiations.

Alongside political gestures, Israel also has taken significant steps to ensure that life improves for Palestinians in the West Bank, such as dismantling hundreds of West Bank roadblocks and checkpoints, and enabling greater freedom of movement between Palestinian cities. Israel’s cooperation also helped produce double-digit economic growth at a time of global recession.

While the current Israeli government, like its predecessors, has proven its desire for peace, the leader of the Palestinian Authority refuses to meet or even speak on the phone with his Israeli counterpart. Given Mahmoud Abbas’ refusal to even sit down to speak face to face about a shared future, how can there be a chance for peace?

During his recent visit to the United States, President Abbas made several public appearances in which he expressed his desire for peace. Many of his comments were significant and noted as such. But words alone are not enough. Abbas still refuses to talk peace directly with Israel’s prime minister, despite American demands that he do so. Abbas has said that his strategy is not to make concessions in negotiations but to encourage the United States, and even more the international community, to pressure Israel for unilateral concessions.

Abbas rebuffed then-Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s sweeping offer in 2008, and like Yasser Arafat before him, refused to even engage in more serious deeper discussions with Israel, which leads us to today, when new preconditions and further refusals to talk with Israel sabotage the dream of peace to which we all aspire.

It’s not just Abbas’ refusal to talk that is problematic. In recent months, the PA has intensified its efforts to delegitimize Israel in the international arena and increased the incitement against Israel. By endorsing the Goldstone Report, the PA has pushed for senior Israeli leaders to be charged with war crimes. The PA also lobbied forcefully but unsuccessfully against Israel’s admission to the prestigious Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

In addition, the PA continues to name schools and streets after terrorists, including Dalal Mughrabi, who killed 37 civilians, and Yahya Ayyash, a suicide bombmaker who is responsible for hundreds of deaths. The PA media carries outrageous programs portraying Israel and Jews in the most negative ways. Rather than seeking to isolate Israel in the international arena and to incite its population to hatred of Israel, the PA needs to prepare its people for genuine peace.

On a topic as complicated and emotional as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it is easy to get caught up in the day’s news cycle and forget the history of Israel’s actual effort, sacrifice and good will in the pursuit of peace.

As American friends of Israel we must, and we will, continue to remind our leaders about how badly Israel wants peace -- and how tragically the PA has only increased its demands and pulled away from the negotiating table.

In the interim, the United States and Israel are attempting to engage the PA through “proximity talks” -- a significant departure from direct talks of the past 20 years. The Palestinian leadership now is refusing to engage directly unless it gets Israel’s concessions in advance, and the PA pays no price for its obstinate stance.

Peace may be a dream, but it takes work and courageous leadership in real life to achieve it. Don’t blame Israel for the lack of progress.

(Lee Rosenberg is president of AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, and Alan Solow is chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish American Organizations.)

Source: http://www.jta.org/news/article/2010/06/29/2739821/op-ed-only-israel-making-the-effort-toward-peace

Hamas presents its plan.

June 15, 2010 Clip No. 2527 Hamas Leader Mahmoud Al-Zahhar: Our Plan Is to Establish a Palestinian State Without Recognizing Israel and Without Giving Up the Right of Return    video: http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/2527.htm   Following are excerpts from an interview with Hamas leader Mahmoud Al-Zahhar, which aired on Future News TV on June 15, 2010: Mahmoud Al-Zahhar: We have liberated Gaza, but have we recognized Israel? Have we given up our lands occupied in 1948? We demand the liberation of the West Bank, and the establishment of a state in the West Bank and Gaza, with Jerusalem as its capital – but without recognizing [Israel]. This is the key – without recognizing the Israeli enemy on a single inch of land. This is our plan for this stage – to liberate the West Bank and Gaza, without recognizing Israel’s right to a single inch of land, and without giving up the Right of Return for a single Palestinian refugee. [...] Our plan for this stage is to liberate any inch of Palestinian land, and to establish a state on it. Our ultimate plan is [to have] Palestine in its entirety. I say this loud and clear so that nobody will accuse me of employing political tactics. We will not recognize the Israeli enemy. As for the issue of a referendum – [the Palestinian Authority] is ready to impose its position on people by force. Whoever wants to hold a referendum, and believes that he can get all of Palestine for the Palestinians, can hold a referendum, but will not give up the platform of resistance, and the plan to liberate Palestine in its entirety. This is unequivocal. [...] If we could liberate the Negev now, we would continue [our military activity], but our capabilities dictate that after we got rid of the Israeli presence in Gaza, we must finish off the remnants of that occupation, and move on to the West Bank.  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From memri.org  . The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) explores the Middle East through the region’s media. MEMRI bridges the language gap which exists between the West and the Middle East, providing timely translations of Arabic, Persian, Urdu-Pashtu, and Turkish media, as well as original analysis of political, ideological, intellectual, social, cultural, and religious trends in the Middle East. Founded in February 1998 to inform the debate over U.S. policy in the Middle East, MEMRI is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization. MEMRI’s headquarters is located in Washington, DC with branch offices in London, Rome, Jerusalem, Baghdad, Shanghai and Tokyo. MEMRI research is translated to English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Polish, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, and Hebrew.

Congress passes new Iran sanctions [JTA]

Congress passes new Iran sanctions

By Ron Kampeas · June 24, 2010

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Congress overwhelmingly passed expansive new Iran sanctions.

The  sanctions passed Thursday in both houses: 99-0 in the Senate and 408-8 in the U.S. House of Representatives, and now go to President Obama for signing.

The sanctions expand existing sanctions targeting investment in Iran's energy sector to encompass trade with the energy escort and business with the banking sector.

"This legislation tells Iran and its trading partners that the United States means business about stopping Iran’s illicit nuclear activities,” U.S. Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.), the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee said in a statement.  "It greatly strengthens our nation’s overall sanctions regime regarding Iran, increasing the prospects that Iran will finally bear serious costs for its blatant defiance of the international community."

By adding tough new reporting requirements, the enhanced sanctions also considerably restrict the president's ability to ignore the sanctions; Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama each bypassed the earlier sanctions passage passed in 1996.

President Obama had sought an blanket exemption in the new sanctions bill for countries that have joined the United States in multilateral sanctions through the U.N. Security Council; Congress resisted, granting him a 12-month waiver, with the stipulation that he explain to Congress the reasons for waiving the sanctions and peridoically report whether the sanctions-busters are falling into line.

The new sanctions also incorporate language introduced by Reps. Ron Klein (D-Fla.), Steve Israel (D-N.Y.), Steve Rothman (D-N.J.) and Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) targeting businesses that contract to the U.S. government. Such businesses must now certify that they do not do business with Iran. The language drew support after revelations that the U.S. government had done at least $107 billion in recent years with contractors that do business with Iran.

The enhanced sanctions also target human rights abusers in Iran.
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The House okayed the package 408-8. Six Democrats and two Republicans voted nay. They were Reps. Ron Paul (R-TX), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Pete Stark (D-CA), John Conyers (D-MI), Brian Baird (D-WA) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) voted present.

AP: [Arab] Youths attack Jewish dance group in Germany

Youths attack Jewish dance group in Germany

  By KIRSTEN GRIESHABER, Associated Press Writer Kirsten Grieshaber, Associated Press Writer – http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100624/ap_on_re_eu/eu_germany_jewish_attack

[ June 24, 2010] BERLIN – Arab youths threw stones at a Jewish dance group during a street festival in Hannover, injuring one dancer and forcing the group to cancel its performance, German police and dance officials said Thursday.

The teenagers also used a megaphone to shout anti-Semitic slurs during the attack Saturday, Hannover police spokesman Thorsten Schiewe said.

"I don't remember such a dramatic attack in Germany in recent times," said Michael Fuerst, the head of the Jewish community of the state of Lower Saxony.

Six suspects have been identified — five Arabic immigrants and one German — and police are looking for the other three, police said. The six range from nine to 19 years old and have been questioned by police.

Hannover prosecutors are investigating those involved on suspicion of incitement and causing serious bodily harm, prosecutor Irene Silinger said.

Stephan Kramer of the Central Council of Jews in Germany condemned the attack.

"This latest incident shows something we have not experienced before: A growing radicalization of young Muslims, which affects not only the Jewish community but the entire German community," Kramer told The Associated Press.

The Central Council of Muslims in Germany could not immediately be reached for comment.

Alla Volodarska of the Progressive Jewish community of Hannover dance group said its members were still in shock.

"What happened is just so awful," Volodarska told the AP. "The teenagers started throwing stones the moment our dance group was announced, even before they started dancing."

Volodarska did not attend the event but talked to several members of the eight-person dance group. She said one female dancer was injured in the leg by the stones.

"There were many kids throwing stones, many of them, but we don't know the exact number," she said, adding that the group had often performed Israeli dances at festivals and never experienced this kind of hostility before.

The festival took place in Sahlkamp, an immigrant neighborhood in Hannover.

Fuerst blamed city festival organizers for not calling the police right away.

"The organizers tried to de-escalate the situation themselves instead of calling the police. That's just plain stupid," Fuerst said, adding he was meeting Friday with the interior minister of Lower Saxony about the incident.

The Association of Jewish University Students in Germany said Thursday the number of anti-Semitic slurs and death threats against Jews in Germany had increased in recent weeks due to the May 31 Israeli commando raid on a Gaza aid flotilla that left nine activists [sic]  dead.

Kramer agreed and noted that online threats especially had risen.

"The threats are mostly sent by e-mail or posted online on social networking sites like Facebook or MySpace," Kramer said.

Spanish Legislator,Vice-Mayor of Barcelona: The truth about Israel has not been told.

 

Pilar Rahola is a journalist, writer, and former politician....Vice-Mayor of Barcelona and member of Spanish Legislature)

 "To fight against anti-Semitism is not the duty of the Jews, it is the duty of the non-Jews.   As a journalist it is my duty to search for the truth beyond prejudice, lies and manipulations. The truth about Israel is not told. "

Pilar Rahola




Pilar Rahola is a Spanish politician, journalist and activist and member of the far left   Her articles are published in Spain and throughout some of the most important newspapers in Latin America. 


"Why don't we see demonstrations against Islamic dictatorships in London,  Paris, Barcelona ? 

Or demonstrations against the Burmese dictatorship? 

Why aren't there demonstrations against the enslavement of millions of women who live without any legal protection? 

Why aren't there demonstrations against the use of children as human bombs? 

Why has there been no leadership in support of the victims of Islamic dictatorship in Sudan ? 

Why is there never any outrage against the acts of terrorism committed against Israel ? 

Why is there no outcry by the European left against Islamic fanaticism? 

Why don't they defend Israel 's right to exist? 

Why confuse support of the Palestinian cause with the defense of Palestinian terrorism? 

And finally, the million dollar question:  Why is the left in Europe and around the world obsessed with the two most solid democracies, the United States and Israel, and not with the worst dictatorships on the  planet? The two most solid democracies, who have suffered the bloodiest attacks of terrorism, and the left doesn't care. 

And then, to the concept of freedom. In every pro Palestinian European forum, I hear the left yelling with fervor: "We want freedom for the people!" 

Not true. They are never concerned with freedom for the people of Syria, or Yemen, or Iran, or Sudan, or other such nations.  And they are never preoccupied when Hammas destroys freedom for the Palestinians. They are only concerned with using the concept of Palestinian freedom as a weapon against Israeli freedom.  The resulting consequence of these ideological pathologies is the manipulation of the press. 

The international press does major damage when reporting on the question of the Israeli-Palestinian issue.  On this topic they don't inform, they propagandize. 

When reporting about Israel, the majority of journalists forget the reporter code of ethics. And so, any Israeli act of self-defense becomes a massacre, and any confrontation, genocide. So many stupid things have been written about Israel, that there aren't any accusations left to level against her. 

At the same time, this press never discusses Syrian and Iranian interference in propagating violence against Israel; the indoctrination of children and the corruption of the Palestinians. And when reporting about victims, every Palestinian casualty is reported as tragedy and every Israeli victim is camouflaged, hidden or reported about with disdain. 

And let me add on the topic of the Spanish left. Many are the examples that illustrate the anti-Americanism and anti-Israeli sentiments that define the Spanish left. For example, one of the leftist parties in Spain has just expelled one of its members for creating a pro-Israel website. I quote from the expulsion document: "Our friends are the  people of Iran, Libya and Venezuela, oppressed by imperialism, and not a Nazi state like Israel ." 

In another example, the socialist mayor of Campozuelos changed Shoah Day, commemorating the victims of the Holocaust, with Palestinian Nabka Day, which mourns the establishment of the State of Israel, thus showing contempt for the six million European Jews murdered in the Holocaust. 

Or in my native city of Barcelona , the city council decided to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the creation of the State of Israel, by having a week of solidarity with the Palestinian people. Thus, they invited Leila Khaled, a noted terrorist from the 70's and current leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a terrorist organization so described by the European Union, which promotes the use of bombs against Israel .. 

This politically correct way of thinking has even polluted the speeches of president Zapatero.  His foreign policy falls within the lunatic left, and on issues of the Middle East , he is unequivocally pro Arab. I can assure you that in private, Zapatero places on Israel the blame for the conflict in the   Middle East, and the policies of foreign minister Moratinos reflect this. The fact that Zapatero chose to wear a kafiah in the midst of the Lebanon conflict is no coincidence; it is a symbol. 

Spain has suffered the worst terrorist attack in Europe and it is in the crosshairs of every Islamic terrorist organization.  As I wrote before, they kill us with cell phones hooked to satellites connected to the Middle Ages.  And yet the Spanish left is the most anti Israeli in the world. 

And then it says it is anti Israeli because of solidarity.  This is the madness I want to denounce in this conference. 

Conclusion: 

I am not Jewish.  Ideologically I am left and by profession a journalist. Why am I not anti-Israeli like my colleagues?  Because as a non-Jew, I have the historical responsibility to fight against Jewish hatred and currently against the hatred for their historic homeland,  Israel . To fight against anti-Semitism is not the duty of the Jews, it is the duty of the non-Jews. 

As a journalist it is my duty to search for the truth beyond prejudice, lies and manipulations. The truth about Israel is not told. As a person from the left who loves progress, I am obligated to defend liberty, culture, civic education for children, coexistence and the laws that the Tablets of the Covenant made into universal principles. 

Principles that Islamic fundamentalism systematically destroys. That is to say that as a non-Jew, journalist and lefty, I have a triple moral duty with  Israel, because if Israel is destroyed, liberty, modernity and culture will be destroyed too. 

 

Hamas: No to Red Cross -Shalit visit

June 23, 2010

JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Hamas has turned down another official request from the International Red Cross to visit a captured Israeli soldier being held in Gaza.

Israel Radio reported Wednesday that the request to visit Gilad Shalit, one of several made since his capture in a cross-border raid four years ago, was rejected by the terrorist group Hamas, which runs the Gaza Strip.

'Decoy Jews' used to stop anti-Semitic attacks in the Netherlands

Dutch police use 'decoy Jews' to stop anti-Semitic attacks

Dutch police are to use "decoy Jews", by dressing law enforcers in Jewish religious dress such as skullcaps, in an effort to catch anti-Semitic attackers.

 

Bruno Waterfield
Published: 2:36PM BST 22 Jun 2010

Photo: GETTY IMAGES

 

Lodewijk Asscher, Amsterdam's mayor, has ordered the new decoy strategy to cut the number of verbal and physical attacks on Jews, amid fears that anti-Semitic "hate crime" is on the rise.

"Jews in at least six Amsterdam neighbourhoods often cannot cross the street wearing a skullcap without being insulted, spat at or even attacked," according to local reports.

 

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/netherlands/7846704/Dutch-police-use-decoy-Jews-to-stop-anti-Semitic-attacks.html

AP produces misleading text. Local papers reprint it.

 1. The Associated Press (AP) puts online a video clip in which an al-Qaida spokesman issues 6 demands, the first two of which are:

"First, you must pull every last one of your soldiers, spies, security advisers...... and all other American personnel, ships and aircraft out of every Muslim land from Afghanistan to Zanzibar," the spokesman, Adam Gadahn, said.

"Second, you must end all support, both moral and material for Israel." 

2.  The AP  reports the above as follows:    Adam Gadahn set out al-Qaida's conditions for peace with the U.S., including cutting support for Israel and withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g_JBe70QtSzgxcmZWYlmjV7luvsgD9GF4GT00

 So, the AP cuts the 6 demands to two.  It places, first, the demand that the U.S. cut support for Israel -- boosting its relative importance -- and reduces al-qaida's demand that the U.S. remove all personnel from every Muslim land to the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.    This is bad and manipulative reporting.


3.  The local newspapers, such as ours in Des Moines, reprint the AP report, including the news that 

"Adam Gadahn set out al-Qaida's conditions for peace with the U.S., including cutting support for Israel and withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan."    

Is it true that al-Qaida's conditions for peace with the U.S. included cutting support for Israel?  Yes.          Was it the most important item listed by the al-Qaida spokesman?   No.   

What impact is made on readers when they see that demand listed first?  

Who bears primary responsibility for the inaccurate report?  The AP
The local newspapers that reprint the AP report depend on the AP for accurate reporting.  The local papers are not going to take responsibility for the content of the AP.  Yet the local newspapers are complicit in publishing inaccurate and damaging material, when they publish such demonstrably inaccurate work by the AP as exemplified here.  

//Mark Finkelstein    jcrc@dmjfed.org    

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYFqti9ssIQ&feature=player_embedded

Israel eases Gaza blockade on civiliams, tightens security blockade

Just hours after the dramatic decision  to ease the Gaza Strip blockade and lift various restrictions, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu  explained the significance of the decision Sunday night. In a closed conversation, Netanyahu said this is "no civilian blockade on Gaza, but only a security blockade."


"The security blockade is tightened now," the prime minister said, "because we have taken away Hamas' ability to blame Israel for harming the civilian population and because our friends around the world are backing us up on this decision and granting legitimacy to the continued security blockade against Hamas."

"We have taken the right decision for Israel from a security and political point of view," Netanyahu asserted.
 --ynetnews
 

Obama and Six Ways Israel is More Secure

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From: Aaron Keyak [mailto:aaron.keyak@mail.house.gov]
Sent: Friday, June 18, 2010 2:25 PM

Rep. Rothman has identified as "six hugely important developments that have happened in the last month that will provide extraordinary help to protect Israel’s security." Unfortunately, these events have been underreported in the media.

 

Israel's Security: What the Media has Underreported

By Representative Steve Rothman (D-NJ)

 

There are six hugely important developments that have happened in the last month that will provide extraordinary help to protect Israel’s security. Unfortunately, these events have been underreported in the media:

 

1.     On June 9, 2010,  the U.N. Security Council passed a set of new sanctions against Iran with Russia, China, the U.S. and nine others voting in favor, with Brazil and Turkey voting no, and Lebanon abstaining.  While these sanctions will have some additional effects, and are expected to result in even greater sanctions from the Europeans and the U.S., the most immediate, as well as long term benefit of the sanctions is that Russia has agreed not to sell its S-300 anti-aircraft system to Iran!  The S-300 system is extremely difficult to overcome, according to all knowledgeable military experts.  If delivered to Iran, it would be a game-changer in Iran’s military position vis-a-vis Israel.

(Russia now says Iran sanctions ban S-300 missiles)

 

2.     On June 12, 2010, Saudi Arabia agreed to permit Israel to over fly a portion of its territory, should Israel feel it necessary to undertake military actions against Iran.

(Saudi Arabia Gives Israel Clear Skies to Attack Iranian Nuclear Sites)

 

3.     On June 10, 2010, the Palestinian Authority President, Mahmoud Abbas, publically stated that Israel should not be forced to end its blockade of Gaza.

(Abbas to Obama: I'm against lifting the Gaza naval blockade)

 

4.     On June 9, 2010, Palestinian Authority President, Mahmoud Abbas publically declared in Washington, D.C. that he and the Palestinians were ready to recognize that the Jewish people have a right to some portion of Israel and the territories.

(Washington - Abbas Tells U.S. Jews: I Would Never Deny Jewish Right to The Land of Israel)

 

5.      On May 10, 2010, Israel was admitted, unanimously, to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). This enables Israel to join the world’s fellow economic powers as a co-equal, first class citizen for the first time.

(The State of Israel Joins the OECD)

 

6.      On May 13, 2010, President Barack Obama announced his intention to give the state of Israel $205 million so that Israel might purchase additional Iron Dome anti-missile defense batteries for deployment throughout the State of Israel.On May 20, 2010, the House of Representatives voted 410 - 4 to affirm President Obama’s decision. The Iron Dome Short Range Artillery Rocket Defense System is designed to intercept short-range rockets, missiles, and mortars launched by terrorists in Gaza and southern Lebanon. It can protect Israel from rockets within a range of 2.5 – 45 miles.

(Obama authorizes $205 million for Iron Dome)

 

All these six items have a major, positive impact on the security of the State of Israel!

 

Each of these six accomplishments was only made possible with the direct, powerful, and demanding insistence of President Barack Obama. In my opinion, the big picture for Israel’s security has improved!

 

There is, obviously, a long way to go, but progress such as this is important not to overlook, ignore, or belittle.

 

Congressman Steve Rothman (D-NJ) is in his seventh term in the U.S. House of Representatives.  He serves on the House Appropriations Subcommittees of Defense; and State and Foreign Operations, which appropriate all spending for the United States military, and all foreign aid, respectively.

 

---
Aaron Keyak
Communications Director
Congressman Steve Rothman (NJ-9)
2303 Rayburn HOB
o: 202/225-5061
c: 202/905-6361

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As the World bays

Who cares about Hamas's 'reign of terror'?

"The point Toameh constantly makes in one way or another is that it is hypocritical to say you desire a better life for Palestinians and look the other way at Fatah and Hamas abuses. Keep that in mind as the world mobilizes to force Israel to end its weapons blockade." 

By Stephanie Gutmann        June 14th, 2010   http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/stephaniegutmann/100043249/who-cares-about-hamass-reign-of-terror/

 

As President Obama gets ready to send an additional 400 million dollars in aid to “ordinary Palestinians” (most of which will probably end up with a small inner circle of Hamas weapons enthusiasts) it’s worth remembering who is causing the most misery to the people of Gaza.

The Palestinian journalist Khaled Abu Toameh has written a blistering essay for the Hudson New York blog headlined, “What About Hamas’s Siege of Gaza?“. He reminds us that while the world bayed about Israel’s naval blockade, “Hamas [has continued] its reign of terror on the local population in general and its critics in particular.”

What is that reign like? Well, here are some snapshots of life in Gaza under Hamas: on June 6, “A senior United Nations official… expressed deep concern at reports that Hamas has broken into the offices of [NGOs] in the Gaza Strip… confiscated materials and equipment, and forced the offices to shut down.”

In late May, masked gunmen raided a UN children’s camp, tearing down tents and burning storage buildings. It’s not known who was behind those masks but earlier what the Irish Times called “a previously unknown militant group, The Free of the Homeland, issued a statement criticising [the UN] for, ‘teaching schoolgirls fitness, dancing and immorality.’” Hamas often uses proxies and has been attempting to impose strict sharia law. In April, as the same Irish Times article points out, Hamas sent “police to break up the Gaza Strip’s first major hip-hop concert [because, it said,] organisers failed to get a permit.”

Toameh was born in the West Bank city of Tulkarm 45 years ago. He was thus able to observe Yasser Arafat’s rise to power and the accompanying loss of freedoms and prosperity as the dictator (who had hopped over from Tunisia) whisked foreign aid money into his personal bank account and took control of media outlets. When Toameh was slightly older, and to avoid Arafat rule, his family moved to Israeli-controlled East Jerusalem and Toameh was educated at the Anglican Church School in West Jerusalem. He went on to get a college degree at an Israeli university; nevertheless his first job out of college was at a Palestinian Liberation Organization newspaper. People are free to move around like that in Israel. I can assure you that you don’t see that kind of fluidity in the Palestinian territories.

Because he speaks English, Arabic and Hebrew fluently, he is one of less than a handful of Middle East reporters who is able to attend Israeli, Hamas and Fatah press conferences without dependence on poltiically-motivated fixers for translation. What I’m trying to say is that he is as good a window into real life as you can find.

It’s a shame there aren’t more Palestinian journalists who can write freely, but if they haven’t, in effect, escaped to become Israeli citizens, they live a life of constant harassment, jailings and beatings by both the Fatah and Hamas regimes.

The point Toameh constantly makes in one way or another is that it is hypocritical to say you desire a better life for Palestinians and look the other way at Fatah and Hamas abuses. Keep that in mind as the world mobilizes to force Israel to end its weapons blockade.

A pro-Hamas coordinator of the "Gaza Flotilla" speaks

This video is aimed at people who believe the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is about land and borders.
 

 
 
 
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=abd_1276623881

" [I]t is quite shocking to find Turkey’s Islamist government seemingly focused on joining the Hamas-Hezbollah-Iran resistance front against Israel. "  --Tom Friedman

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/16/opinion/16friedman.html

 

June 15, 2010   Op Ed,  New York Times

Letter From Istanbul

By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN

Istanbul

Turkey is a country that had me at hello. I like the people, the culture, the food and, most of all, the idea of modern Turkey — the idea of a country at the hinge of Europe and the Middle East that manages to be at once modern, secular, Muslim, democratic, and has good relations with the Arabs, Israel and the West. After 9/11, I was among those hailing the Turkish model as the antidote to “Bin Ladenism.” Indeed, the last time I visited Turkey in 2005, my discussions with officials were all about Turkey’s efforts to join the European Union. That is why it is quite shocking to come back today and find Turkey’s Islamist government seemingly focused not on joining the European Union but the Arab League — no, scratch that, on joining the Hamas-Hezbollah-Iran resistance front against Israel.

Now how did that happen?

Wait one minute, Friedman. That is a gross exaggeration, say Turkish officials.

You’re right. I exaggerate, but not that much. A series of vacuums that emerged in and around Turkey in the last few years have drawn Turkey’s Islamist government — led by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party — away from its balance point between East and West. This could have enormous implications. Turkey’s balancing role has been one of the most important, quiet, stabilizers in world politics. You only notice it when it is gone. Being in Istanbul convinces me that we could be on our way to losing it if all these vacuums get filled in the wrong ways.

The first vacuum comes courtesy of the European Union. After a decade of telling the Turks that if they wanted E.U. membership they had to reform their laws, economy, minority rights and civilian-military relations — which the Erdogan government systematically did — the E.U. leadership has now said to Turkey: “Oh, you mean nobody told you? We’re a Christian club. No Muslims allowed.” The E.U.’s rejection of Turkey, a hugely bad move, has been a key factor prompting Turkey to move closer to Iran and the Arab world.

But as Turkey started looking more South, it found another vacuum — no leadership in the Arab-Muslim world. Egypt is adrift. Saudi Arabia is asleep. Syria is too small. And Iraq is too fragile. Erdogan discovered that by taking a very hard line against Israel’s partial blockade of Hamas-led Gaza — and quietly supporting the Turkish-led flotilla to break that blockade, during which eight Turks were killed by Israel — Turkey could vastly increase its influence on the Arab street and in the Arab markets.

Indeed, Erdogan today is the most popular leader in the Arab world. Unfortunately, it is not because he is promoting a synthesis of democracy, modernity and Islam, but because he is loudly bashing Israel over its occupation and praising Hamas instead of the more responsible Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, which is actually building the foundations of a Palestinian state.

There is nothing wrong with criticizing Israel’s human rights abuses in the territories. Israel’s failure to apply its creativity to solving the Palestinian problem is another dangerous vacuum. But it is very troubling when Erdogan decries Israelis as killers and, at the same time, warmly receives in Ankara Sudan’s president, Omar Hassan al-Bashir, who has been indicted by the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity for his role in the bloodshed in Darfur, and while politely hosting Iran’s president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whose government killed and jailed thousands of Iranians demanding that their votes be counted. Erdogan defended his reception of Bashir by saying: “It’s not possible for a Muslim to commit genocide.”

As one Turkish foreign policy analyst said to me: “We are not mediating between East and West anymore. We’ve become spokesmen for the most regressive elements in the East.”

Finally, there is a vacuum inside Turkey. The secular opposition parties have been in disarray most of the decade, the army has been cowed by wiretaps and the press has been increasingly intimidated into self-censorship because of government pressures. In September, the Erdogan government levied a tax fine of $2.5 billion on the largest, most influential — and most critical — media conglomerate, Dogan Holdings, to bring it to heel. At the same time, Erdogan lately has spoken with increasing vitriol about Israel in his public speeches — describing Israelis as killers — to build up his domestic support. He regularly labels his critics as “Israel’s contractors” and “Tel Aviv’s lawyers.”

Sad. Erdogan is smart, charismatic and can be very pragmatic. He’s no dictator. I’d love to see him be the most popular leader on the Arab street, but not by being more radical than the Arab radicals and by catering to Hamas, but by being more of a democracy advocate than the undemocratic Arab leaders and mediating in a balanced way between all Palestinians and Israel. That is not where Erdogan is at, though, and it’s troubling. Maybe President Obama should invite him for a weekend at Camp David to clear the air before U.S.-Turkey relations get where they’re going — over a cliff.

Louie Sloven: Get the facts before you judge Israel

Louie Sloven has an excellent piece in Monday's Daily Iowan
http://www.dailyiowan.com/2010/06/14/Opinions/17472.html

Guest column: Mavi Marmara fight illustrates many complexities

BY GUEST OPINION | JUNE 14, 2010 7:30 AM

And even though you might disagree with me, I’m not going to call you an anti-Semite. Really!As a young Jewish American who recently finished an eight-month-long stint in Israel, where I interned for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, I’m writing to explain how I feel about the world’s reaction to the recent flotilla fiasco.

I’m aware that most Americans, indeed most people the world over, are livid with anger at the current Israeli decision-makers. They’re wondering why Israeli forces were ordered to rappel down from a helicopter onto the deck of the Mavi Marmara; they’re wondering why that operation couldn’t have been handled in a manner that didn’t result in nine Turks and one American dead.

Indeed, most analyses of the issue focus on the morality of the existing Gaza blockade that the flotilla was attempting to circumvent. Representatives from every international organization, with barely an acronym to their name, have rushed to blame Israel for the decrepit conditions in Gaza. In light of that, many outside Israel are wont to take the side of these nautical “activists,” as they’ve been popularly labeled.

I am not surprised because, by now, this has become the modus operandi: Disasters and atrocities happen all over the world, yet Israel remains on the front page and in the world’s collective consciousness. The Obama administration’s prudent efforts to remain “neutral” in the war of words between Palestinians and Israelis is depicted as submission to “the Israel lobby.” The Palestinians back a powerful narrative of victimhood and succeed largely in demonizing Israelis, portraying them as determinedly land-hungry oppressors.

The media, too, paint a picture in which it’s easy to pick out the heroes and villains. If only the real story were that simple.

The nature of the events that unfolded became contentious primarily because the Israelis had no way of knowing what sort of cargo was onboard the flotilla. (A ship called the Francop was intercepted on its way to Lebanon last year; as it turned out, it was full of Iranian weaponry headed to Hezbollah. And Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, the man assassinated in Dubai earlier this year, was discovered to be working as a Hamas-Iran liaison in the weapons-trafficking business.) It makes intuitive sense to me that Israel wants to keep close tabs on what goes in and out of Gaza.

Second, it’s not simple because Israeli troops probably did meet armed resistance aboard the Mavi Marmara. Even though video accounts of the actual conflict make the order of events difficult to discriminate, there are some YouTube videos of the “activists” aboard one boat chanting about the glory of jihad. I’m sure, like George Galloway’s recent “Viva Palestina” aid convoy, it was a mix of utopian peaceniks and Islamic extremists.

It’s not simple, third, because two ascendant nations — Turkey and Iran — seem to be writing the script behind the scenes and succeeding. It’s not surprising that a Turkish boat was where this scuffle took place; remember the recently aired Turkish TV series that portrays Israel Defense Forces soldiers indiscriminately gunning down unarmed civilians? Not to mention the slew of pictures featuring Turkish Premier Recep Erdogan warmly greeting Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who called this event “the nail in the coffin of the Zionist regime.”

And finally, it’s not that simple for me because I also believe that Israel could have handled the situation more prudently and that there are some fundamental problems with the implementation of the Gaza blockade.

All I want you to understand is this: If you judge Israel before you wade through some of the complexities of the situation, you do us an injustice and you unwittingly serve the agendas of real anti-Semites and anti-Zionists. Don’t believe it’s that simple. We want peace, I swear it.

Louie Sloven
UI graduate

Ghadry: Liberal Muslims allied with Israel based on shared values

http://ghadry.com/why-do-liberal-muslims-see-eye-to-eye-with-israel/

Why Do Liberal Muslims See Eye-to-Eye with Israel?
On June 13, 2010, in Blog, by Farid Ghadry  excerpt

 Some of us liberal Muslims are facing the toughest times in our struggle for common sense and peaceful co-existence as the Middle East rages with extremism and terror. Not unlike Israel suffocating today from exactly the same factors. The fact is that both liberal Muslims and Israel share the same enemies, the same aspirations., and some important common goals.

At the present time, traditional Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia and Egypt find themselves in agreement with Israel on Iran. But while Israel wants Iran defeated because it is a threat to its own existence, Saudi Arabia wants Iran contained because the country adheres to the Mazhab al-Shi’i. In other words, it is a short-term alliance timed by events very similar to the short-term alliance between extremist Sunnis and extremist Shias that ignores a history of conflicts these Islamists cannot but fight over should they divert their attention away, long enough, from the US and Israel.

But when it comes to liberal Muslims, who have a long-term vision for the region to openly embrace western knowhow and technological advancement aimed at lifting the standards of living of our own people, we find ourselves allied with the State of Israel based on shared values and common interests. Add to this the hope that one day we will open our borders for commerce and you understand why Israel is central to our success. We support Israel not because we are in love with Israelis or because we are taking a stand against our own religion. We support Israel because an alliance with this successful country bears all the hallmarks of protecting [our] interests ...

Top Senators urge Obama to stand by Israel

Top US senators: Obama, stand by Israel

Democratic majority, Republican minority leaders urge president to resist calls for international probe into Turkish ship incident

Yitzhak Benhorin 6/12/10   http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3903955,00.html


WASHINGTON – The top two US senators are urging President Barack Obama to stand by Israel in the face of recent global pressure following the lethal raid on the Gaza-bound Marmara ship.

Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid and Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell wrote a letter to the President, urging him to show strong support for Israel in international bodies, insist on the Jewish State's right for self-defense, and look into the terror connections of the Turkish organization that led the violent Gaza sail.

The letter constitutes a clear message to Obama, letting him know that both Democratic and Republican senators are united in their objection to an international probe of the sail, as well as any changes to the Gaza blockade policy.

The top senators will be circulating the letter among the other senators in a move expected to be completed by Wednesday, when the document will be handed over to the president.

The senators wrote that the US traditionally stood by Israel because this is an American security interest, and that this attitude must continue. They also noted that Israel is America's strongest Mideastern ally, a partner to the US on military and intelligence matters, and also a vital democracy.

As to Turkish aid group IHH, which organized the recent Gaza-bound flotilla, the senators recommend that it be included in the US list of terror organizations following a review by the intelligence community, State Department, and Treasury.
 

Syrian blood libel at UN Human Rights Council

On Wednesday at the UN's Human Rights Council meeting, Syrian diplomat Rania Al Rifaiy declared: “ Let me quote a song that a group of children on a school bus in Israel sing merrily as they go to school: ‘With my teeth, I will rip your flesh with my mouth I will suck your blood.’ ”      

 

Are you sure you understand the Middle East? // Mark Finkelstein, jcrc@dmjfed.org

 

 

American Jewish Committee's  UN Watch Testifies Against Syrian Blood Libel at UN Human Rights Council

June 9, 2010 – Geneva – Hillel Neuer, director of UN Watch, AJC’s affiliate in Geneva, testified today before the UN Human Rights Council on Syria’s grotesque accusation against Israel that was presented to the Council yesterday.

The full text of the UN Watch statement follows:

Mr. President, we had prepared a speech on violations the world over.  Instead, I am obliged to address a human rights violation that occurred here, in this chamber.

I am referring to remarks that violate the anti-racism prohibition of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

I am referring to the Syrian statement falsely accusing Israel of being a state that is not only “built on hatred…and a paranoid feeling of superiority,” but also one that glorifies the “ripping of flesh” and the “sucking of blood.”

Mr. President, this crude and coded language echoes the libel voiced by Syria on 8 February 1991 at the Human Rights Commission, when its delegate accused Jews of killing Christians to use their blood, whereupon she cited the book “Matza of Zion” by former Syrian Defense Minister Mustafa Tlas. That speech was condemned at the time by 29 countries.

We remind Syria that the EUMC working definition of Anti-Semitism includes, “Using the symbols and images associated with classic Anti-Semitism, e.g. [the] blood libel, to characterize Israel or Israelis.”

Mr. President, yesterday’s patently false and hateful remarks are historical incitements to prejudice and violence. They have no place in the United Nations, and we call on all stakeholders to condemn them.

Sadly, these words did not arise in a vacuum. For last week, during this council’s urgent debate on the flotilla, we heard similar motifs as Israel was speciously depicted as an attacker of innocent humanitarians—when in truth it was defending itself from violent Jihadists bent on martyrdom.

Once again, Israel was singled out by those seeking to delegitimize it. A resolution was adopted condemning Israel, creating yet another investigation where the guilty verdict was declared in advance.

Tellingly, many accused the Jewish state of being “inhuman,” including Pakistan for the OIC, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia and Nicaragua.

Mr. President, word is father to deed. History teaches that when nations turn to dehumanization and demonization, the world remains silent at its peril. 

Thank you, Mr. President.

AJC source:

http://www.ajc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=ijITI2PHKoG&b=849241&ct=8431271