Israellycool

For The Love of Metaphors

Aussie Dave

Iranian President Mahmoud “Gorilla Boy” Ahmadinejad continues to show that subtlety is not his specialty.

As for being a genocidal maniac, he’s real good.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Thursday that the state of Israel is a “stinking corpse” that is destined to disappear, the French news agency AFP reported.

“Those who think they can revive the stinking corpse of the usurping and fake Israeli regime by throwing a birthday party are seriously mistaken,” the official IRNA news agency quoted Ahmadinejad as having said.

“Today the reason for the Zionist regime’s existence is questioned, and this regime is on its way to annihilation.”

Ahmadinejad further stated that Israel “has reached the end like a dead rat after being slapped by the Lebanese” - referring to the Second Lebanon War in the summer of 2006.

I’m a bit confused. After all, I can understand how we can simultaneously be a “stinking corpse” and a “dead rat,” assuming the corpse is that of a rat. But how could we also be a “filthy germ” and “cancerous bacterium”?

Then again, us Zionists are mighty tricky.

Suggestion For Olmert

Aussie Dave

Yes, I’m aware it is part of Intel’s slogan, but the fact that only some of it is showing leads me to believe that this is another example of a subliminal message for Olmert.

Ok, maybe not so subliminal.

Jon Voight, Hollywood Mensch

Aussie Dave

Actor Jon Voight continues to be a beacon of light in the darkness that is Hollywood.

Oscar winner Jon Voight is coming to Israel next week for his first solidarity visit to salute the Jewish state in honor of its 60th birthday.

World-renowned for his roles in “Midnight Cowboy,” “Coming Home,” “Deliverance,” “Mission Impossible,” “Ali and National Treasure,” among others, Voight will welcome Chabad’s Children of Chernobyl’s (CCOC) 80th rescue mission airlifting children from irradiated regions in Ukraine, Belarus and Western Russia to Israel; visit Sderot, which has endured 7,000 Hamas missiles and numerous casualties; comfort terror victims; and, go to Yad Vashem.

“I’m coming to salute, encourage and strengthen the people of Israel on this joyous 60th birthday,” said Voight. “This week is about highlighting Israel as a moral beacon. At a time when its enemies threaten nuclear destruction, Israel heals.

“Israel is a haven from nuclear horrors for thousands of Chernobyl survivors who suffer the consequences of the worst environmental disaster in history. I personally want to welcome the youngsters aboard Chabad’s Children of Chernobyl’s 80th Rescue Mission—it is a great honor to help save a child’s life.”

Giving back to society has long been a priority for Voight, having volunteered with and contributed to numerous charities and causes at home and abroad. His deep humanitarian values direct him to Sderot and to Chabad’s Terror Victims Project (CTVP).

“I want to meet the people of Sderot,” said Voight. “I want to tell them: ‘Every day you have rockets falling on your city. We care about you. We have not forgotten you!’ And I want to underscore Israel’s magnificent contributions to mankind.”

Voight will also attend President Shimon Peres’ Presidential Conference: “Facing Tomorrow.”

CCOC, a non-profit organization established by the Lubavitcher Rebbe in 1990, has airlifted 2,500 children to Israel. The children live in Kfar Chabad, Israel, where they receive medical care, education, and support. Most CCOC alumni settle in Israel following the eventual aliyah of their parents.

And let’s not forget what he said a few months ago:

“There would be peace on Earth if all people would appreciate the Jewish people.”

If only the Jews in Hollywood had even half of Jon Voight’s love for Israel and the Jewish people.

Proud to be a Zionist (5768 Edition)

Elder of Ziyon

In prayers every morning Jews say a phrase praising G-d, describing Him as המחדש בכל יום תמיד מעשה בראשית - He who continually renews the act of Creation. In other words, the Jewish concept of G-d has him in an active role keeping the universe running, and as such it is appropriate to praise Him.

It is a little hard to conceptualize this idea, that the very laws of physics, of the world turning and revolving around the sun is not automatic, but only occurs due to the constant will of G-d. But perhaps it is easier to understand this phrase if we apply it to the modern state of Israel.

Every single day that the Jewish state continues to exist cannot be explained adequately with historical or social or military reasons. Which means that we are witnessing a miracle every day.

The most recent years have been very hard for Zionists, as well as for religious Zionists. Some have been having a crisis of faith in Zionism, given the actions of the current government. Yet when we step back and look at the big picture, Israel remains something to be very proud of.

Yes, I am a Zionist and I am proud of it.

I know that Israel has the absolute right to exist in peace and security, just like - and possibly more than - any other country.

I am proud of how the IDF is conducting itself during the current war on Palestinian terror. There is no other country on the planet, save the US, that would try to minimize civilian casualties in such a situation where innocent Israelis are being threatened, shot at, mortared, rocketed, and murdered in cold blood. We may argue whether the IDF’s moral standards end up being counterproductive, but what other army could one even have this discussion about?

I am proud of how the IDF is performing doing the most difficult type of battle, urban warfare, while maintaining amazing professionalism under fire and minimizing its own casualties. I defy anyone to find any other nation who has performed as well — and as ethically — under similar circumstances as Israel has done during the current conflict.

I am proud that Israel remains a true democracy, with a free press and vigorous opposition parties, while in a constant war situation. Any other nation, again besides the US, would have imposed martial law to maintain peace.

I am proud of how the IDF responded to the terror attacks of the early days fo the intifada, managing to bring deadly suicide attacks down from 60 in 2002 down to a single attack in 2007. The enemy has not stopped trying, and if Israel hadn’t acted decisively things would look like Iraq today. For every “successful” attack (if you can use such a term) there have been many failed attempts, and these are truly miraculous.

I am also proud of how ordinary Israelis responded to the dark days of 2002-2004. People who lost loved one created charities in their honor; responding to horror with amazing strength and selflessness.

I am proud that Israel will investigate any mistakes that happen on the battlefield and keep trying to improve its methods to maximize damage to the terrorists while minimizing damage to the Palestinian people. And over the years of the “intifada” we can see that the number of civilians killed accidentally by Israel has gone down dramatically. I challenge anyone to find an example of a country that was as restrained under these circumstances as Israel has been.

I am proud that Israel takes steps to stop vigilante actions from its own citizens living in impossible conditions.

And, of course, I am proud of Israel’s many accomplishments in building up a desert wasteland into a thriving and vibrant modern country, with its many scientific achievements, world class universities and culture. A tiny nation, under constant siege, with almost no natural resources besides breathtaking beauty, has used its brains - and strength - to build a modern success story. In a short period of time Israel made itself into a strong yet open nation that its neighbors can only dream of becoming.

I am proud that the vast majority of Americans support Israel as I do, and that the rabid terror-lovers we see on the Internet are the aberration.

There is a right and a wrong in this conflict, and I am proud that Israel is in the right.

Right after the Jewish prayer phrase I quoted above is this one: ‘ מה רבו מעשיך ה , “How great are Your works, O G-d.” It is easy to find faults but in the big picture, the accomplishments are remarkable and need to be highlighted.

The word “Zionist” is not an epithet - it is a compliment.

Happy 60th

Aussie Dave

Dear Israel,

Sorry I am not there to celebrate with you. But if it’s any consolation, I miss you like hell.

Love,

David

Reasons to Love Israel #467

Aussie Dave

Today is Yom Hazikaron (Remembrance Day) in Israel, the day on which Israelis remember and pay respect to those who gave their lives for Israel, namely 22,437 soldiers and terror victims.

At 11AM this morning, a 2-minute siren wailed and Israelis stood silently and remembered the fallen. While I was on the other side of the globe this year, I can tell you it is an unbelievable experience and something I am so proud of as an Israeli.

To fathom what it is like to have a country stop for 2 minutes and pay respects to its fallen, here is a video taken this morning in a town in central Israel.

Hamas’ War on Pepsi

Aussie Dave

I bet you didn’t know that Pepsi Cola was a tool of the International Zionist Conspiracy.

Actually, neither did I until Hamas MP Salem Salamah told us so.

Salem Salamah: There are companies established by the colonialists and occupiers - large companies with branches all over the world, like Pepsi, Pepsi Cola. This is a well-known company. Pepsi is an acronym. P-E-P-S-I - Pay Every Pence to Save Israel. Pay every pence - pence is one hundredth of a dollar – to save Israel. Pay every pence to save Israel. Shouldn’t the Muslims have a fund, a company, or a large project to save the Al-Aqsa Mosque?

I guess no-one told him about some of the other famous soft drink brands:

FANTA - F*ck ANTisemitic Arabs

SPRITE - Spend Pennies to Realize Israel’s Technical Edge

More Reuters Propaganda for Palestinian Arabs

Elder of Ziyon

Another one-sided story from Reuters, filled with half-truths:

While Israel celebrates its 60th birthday, Palestinian refugees mourn the 1948 Nakba (catastrophe) when they lost their homeland.

Perhaps the word “refused” would be more accurate than “lost”?

Often ignored in Middle East peace talks, they cling to a “right of return”.

Ignored? They have been held up as the major issue by Arab leaders for sixty years!

Alia Shabati was 12 when she fled Jewish attacks on her village of Kabri, captured a few days after Israel’s creation….

The fate of Kabri was part of what Palestinians — and some Israeli scholars — say was systematic ethnic cleansing ordered by Zionist leaders to clear the way for the Jewish state.

Israel rejects this, saying the refugee problem resulted from a war launched by Palestinians opposed to the U.N. partition plan adopted on November 29, 1947, and by Arab states which invaded as soon as the British Mandate expired on May 15, 1948.

Notice that Reuters cannot say that any historians agree with the Israeli version of history. No, all historians in the Reuters universe agree with the “ethnic cleansing” slander - even “some Israeli scholars,” and the only people who cling to a narrative where Israel is not completely evil is the Israeli government itself.

The bias is stunning, if not unexpected.

Israel firmly opposes letting any refugees return to their original homes, on the grounds that this would effectively destroy the Jewish state by threatening its Jewish majority.

And possibly because the Arabs who left are the ones who want to see a genocide of Jews in the Middle East.

In recent years, camp conditions have worsened everywhere as UNRWA, the cash-strapped agency that helps Palestinian refugees, becomes less able to provide adequate health and education.

“Palestinian refugees now, more than at any time in the last 60 years, face a serious decline in services,” said Sayigh.

Any chance that Reuters will mention that the word “refugee” has a completely different meaning that is unique to Palestinian Arabs, that UNRWA created?

Another day, another piece of garbage masking as “journalism” from Reuters.

Random Observations From Someone Who Just Travelled from Israel to Australia

Aussie Dave

1. Flying for over 20 hours is never easy.
2. Watching the film The Bucket List is not a good move for someone going to visit their terminally ill father.
3. Singapore Airlines usually rocks; especially so when half the plane is empty, you get the entire front bulkhead row to yourself, and one of the stewardesses takes a liking to you and goes out of her way to make sure everything is to your liking.
4. Sometimes when you imagine the guards at the Singapore Airlines counter are speaking Hebrew, they really are speaking Hebrew (I guess other airlines are employing Israelis because of their security know-how?)
5. Sometimes when you start speaking to one of the store owners in Zurich airport and you tell her you are from Israel, she will then proceed to explain how her good friend is Israeli and then point to her diamond earrings and explain how she bought them from Jews in one of the Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods.
6. Sometimes when you are on a fully booked flight from Singapore to Perth, and you imagine the people sitting right next to you are speaking Hebrew (including a woman with a really ocka Australian accent), they really are speaking Hebrew.
7. When you just start speaking in Hebrew to aforementioned people sitting next to you, the look on their faces is priceless.
8. Sometimes when you are sitting next to an Israeli who has been living in Broome for a good number of years, she will know a very good friend of yours.

Shire Network News: Happy Birthday Israel

Brian of London

Shire Network News has just released our show for this week. The interview is with Prof Barry Rubin, Director, Global Research in International Affairs (GLORIA) Center and Editor, Middle East Review of International Affairs (MERIA) Journal. This is the second part of his interview.

Both last week and this we make extensive reference to Israel’s 60th and this week’s show includes what I believe to be one of the finest recordings of Hatikva performed by the Israeli Philharmonic. You can find the full recording on an exceptional boxed set here.

This week’s show can be found here:

Podcast says Happy Birthday Israel

and here is a link to last week’s show:

Podcast says peace in Israel, are we there yet?

The First Refugees of the War of Independence Were Jews

Elder of Ziyon

We will be hearing a lot in the next couple of weeks about the “Nakba” and how hundreds of thousands of Arabs became refugees.

Probably the largest flight of Arabs occurred in Jaffa in April and May of 1948, and many websites have weepy articles about how the Jews drove the Arabs out of Jaffa, reducing its Arab population from 75,000 to less than 5,000.

What will not be mentioned is the fact that the first refugees from Jaffa were Jews.

In August, 1947, the Arabs started shooting at Jews in Jaffa. Since Jaffa was a predominantly Arab town, the lives of the Jews there were particularly precarious. Arab snipers shot from the minaret of a mosque in the Manshieh Quarter and forced 18 Jewish families to leave the city.

For three months, the families (except for the children) had to sleep outside, until accomodations were found for them in Tel Aviv.

The homes that belonged to the Jews were meanwhile occupied by Arabs.

From the Palestine Post:

Things quieted down in anticipation of the UN decision on partition, as the Palestinian Arabs used political means to make sure that the Jewish state would never come to fruition. But as soon as the UN voted to partition Palestine into Jewish and Arab nations, the Arabs attacked immediately, and once again the Jews of Jaffa bore the brunt.

This time, about 5000 Jews (mostly Yemenites) lost their homes, and the Jewish authorities scrambled to find accommodations for them.

Meanwhile, the Jaffa Arabs who left in November and December of 1947 were hardly “refugees.” They were upper-class Arabs who could afford to move to Amman and Damascus and Beirut, in anticipation of a repeat of the 1936-9 riots when they moved as well. Like in 1936, they expected to move back to their houses after things died down. By no stretch of the imagination can these people be regarded as “refugees” even though they are counted as such today.

Their move away from Jaffa affected the rest of the residents, though, as they closed their businesses and unemployment skyrocketed in the coming months. This was one of the major factors behind the mass flight from Jaffa in April and May, 1948.

But the first ones to be forced to leave their homes were not Palestinian Arabs, but Palestinian Jews.

Bret Stephens in the WSJ: Where Are The Dead Women?

Brian of London

Today in the Wall Street Journal Bret Stephens writes well as usual. And reminds us of a time when journalists actually did work for a living with some numbers he quotes from back at the start of the current war against Israel. Not that I need tell this audience Israel is not genocidally killing people, but perhaps it will help you all when talking to those who don’t get it.

Israel’s 60-Year Test - WSJ.com

… In May 2002, at the height of the so-called al-Aqsa Intifada, I reviewed Israeli and Palestinian casualty figures, sticking to Palestinian sources for Palestinian numbers and Israeli sources for Israeli ones. Much was then being made in the Western media of the fact that three times as many Palestinians as Israelis had been killed in the conflict – evidence, supposedly, that despite the suicide bombings, lynchings and roadside ambushes perpetrated daily against Israelis, Palestinians were the ones who really were getting it in the neck.

But drilling down into the data, something interesting turned up. At the time, 1,296 Palestinians had been killed by Israelis – of whom a grand total of 37, or 2.8%, were female. By contrast, of the 496 Israelis killed by Palestinians (including 138 soldiers and policemen), there were 126 female fatalities, or 25%.

To be female is a fairly reliable indicator of being a noncombatant. Females are also half the population. If Israel had been guilty of indiscriminate violence against Palestinians, the ratio of male-to-female fatalities would not have been 35-1.