The Day In Israel: Monday Mar 15th, 2010
After waking up this morning, I was greeted with this sobering report:
‘U.S.-Israel relations at their worst in 35 years’
Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Michael Oren, has told the country’s diplomats there that U.S.-Israeli relations face their worst crisis in 35 years, despite attempts by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office to project a sense of “business as usual.”
I hate Mondays.
Updates (Israel time; most recent at top)
11:10PM: Quote of the day:
“You who are opening Hurva are heading towards ruin. Wherever you have been you’ve been sent to your destruction. You’ve killed and murdered your prophets and you have always dealt in loan-sharking and destruction.”
- Head Hamashole Mahmoud al-Zahar demonstrating that Hamas is not antisemitic, just anti-Israel
8:45PM: BREAKING NEWS: Backbone sighted.
8:32PM: The palestinians have gotten their panties in a bunch over the latest Israeli “provocation.”
Rededicating a synagogue destroyed by the Jordanians 60 years ago.
AP
Personal status courts in the West Bank and Jerusalem will strike Monday and Tuesday in protest over the rededication of the Hurva Synagogue, officials announced.
The ceremonies at the synagogue, 330 meters away from the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, have been called a “provocation” in the wake of an Israeli raid on the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the declaration of two Palestinian mosques as “Israeli heritage sites” on 21 February.
“The synagogue is not located near the Temple Mount compound,” an Israeli government news release replied to the accusations.
—-
The Palestinian Higher Judicial Council, headed by Supreme Judge Sheikh Tayseer Tamimi, released a statement calling on “Palestinian people everywhere, especially those who live in Jerusalem and in other cities inside Israel,” to head to Jerusalem to protect the Al-Aqsa Mosque from Ultra-Orthodox Jewish groups, which the statement said planned a raid on the compound following the synagogue rededication.
Tamimi accused Israeli leaders of plotting to lay the cornerstone of the “Third Temple,” following the rededication, in what he called the first move in the planned destruction of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger responded to this accusation.
“Pay no attention to malicious slander. All we are doing is resurrecting the ‘Hurva,’ which was destroyed 60 years ago. We have no intention of rebuilding the temple, not this week – unless the Almighty God descends it from the heavens,” said the chief rabbi during the inauguration ceremony.
“All the rumors that suggest we will later march on Temple Mount are just that – rumors. A media spin by anti-Semites that wish us harm.”
5:26PM: Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin and Brazilian President Lula da Silva embrace during the latter’s visit to the Knesset today.
Reuven Rivlin: I can’t quite get my arms around you.
Lula da Silva: I know the feeling.
4:25PM: Wall Street Journal op-ed on the latest US-Israel crisis (via Ynet):
In response, the Wall Street Journal op-ed wrote that the Obama administration “has endorsed ‘healthy relations’ between Iran and Syria, mildly rebuked Syrian President Bashar Assad for accusing the US of ‘colonialism,’ and publicly apologized to Muammar Gadhafi for treating him with less than appropriate deference after the Libyan called for ‘a jihad’ against Switzerland.”
However, when it comes to Israel, “the administration has no trouble rising to a high pitch of public indignation,” wrote the article entitled “Obama’s Turn Against Israel.”
“Repeated apologies from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prevented Secretary of State Hillary Clinton—at what White House sources ostentatiously said was the personal direction of President Obama—from calling the announcement ‘an insult to the United States,’” stated the opinion piece.
“Since nobody is defending the Israeli announcement, least of all an obviously embarrassed Israeli government, it’s difficult to see why the Administration has chosen this occasion to spark a full-blown diplomatic crisis with its most reliable Middle Eastern ally… If Israel senses that the Administration is looking for any pretext to blow up relations, it will care much less how the US might react to a military strike on Iran.’
The financial newspaper took an opposite stance on West Bank settlements than that adopted by the Obama administration: “As for the West Bank settlements, it is increasingly difficult to argue that their existence is the key obstacle to a peace deal with the Palestinians. Israel withdrew all of its settlements from Gaza in 2005, only to see the Strip transform itself into a Hamas statelet and a base for continuous rocket fire against Israeli civilians.”
“This episode does fit Mr. Obama’s foreign policy pattern to date: Our enemies get courted; our friends get the squeeze. It has happened to Poland, the Czech Republic, Honduras and Colombia. Now it’s Israel’s turn,” quipped the Wall Street Journal.
12:25PM: What I did last night.
12:10PM: Oh, the horror of the treatment of palestinians in Israeli prisons!
Dr Evil
Jailed Fatah official Marwan Barghouti, who is serving five life terms in prison for his role in attacks that killed and wounded several Israelis during the second intifada, has completed his doctorate in political science, his supporters said over the weekend.
Barghouti, 50, is one of several hundred Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons who enroll in studies at universities around the world, including in Israel.
According to his supporters, Barghouti was accepted by the University of Cairo and the Arab Academy for Research and Studies in the Egyptian capital back in 1999, three years before he was arrested by the IDF.
Barghouti’s doctoral thesis is titled “The Legislative and Political Performance of the Palestinian Legislative Council and its Contribution to the Democratic Process in Palestine from 1996 to 2008.”
The 341-page document will be brought on Tuesday for discussion before a special panel headed by Prof. Ahmad Yussuf, dean of the Arab Academy for Research and Studies.
Barghouti was able to complete his thesis with the help of hundreds of books and documents that Israeli authorities allow inmates to bring into prison.
Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners are currently enrolled as students with the Open University of Israel, which facilitates their studies by allowing them to sit exams in jail.
Barghouti, who is also a Fatah member on the Palestinian Legislative Council, completed his high school exams while in Israeli prison in 1980. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history/ political science and in international relations, respectively, from Bir Zeit University, north of Ramallah. His master’s thesis dealt with Palestinian-French relations from 1967 to 1997.
On May 20, 2004, he was convicted of five counts of murder – including authorizing and organizing the Sea Food Market attack in Tel Aviv in which three civilians were killed. He was acquitted of 21 counts of murder in 33 other attacks for “lack of sufficient evidence.” On June 6, 2004, he was sentenced to five life sentences for the five murders and 40 years imprisonment for the attempted murder.
The only doctorate I wish he had completed in prison is his doctorate in Bubba science (specialization in soap retrieval from prison shower).
11:50AM: Here’s the report mentioned in my previous update, which refutes every claim of the Goldstone report and proves Hamas’ use of children as human shields (hat tip: Barry).
6:06AM: According to a new report being released by the Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center (Malam), Hamas used children as human shields, and established command centers and Qassam launch pads in and near more than 100 mosques and hospitals during Operation Cast Lead.
Ok, nothing new there, but it contains hundreds of declassified photographs, videos, prisoner interrogations and Hamas-drawn sketches as part of an effort to counter the criticism leveled at Israel in the Goldstone Report. In essence, it is “the first real, aggressive Israeli response to the Goldstone Report, taking it apart piece-by-piece and explaining the true nature of the conflict against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.”
Israel already released its preliminary response to the Goldstone Report over a month ago.
5:45AM: Australia’s ABC news deals with this latest US-Israel rift. Notice how White House Official David Axelrod calls the timing of Israel’s announcement of new housing units “calculated,” clearly not accepting Israel’s explanation it was accidental.
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About the Author
An Australian immigrant to Israel, Aussie Dave has been blogging since early 2003.Filed Under: General
This would have been a very healthy long-term experience for Israel to show some self-respect in the fact of never-ending US taunting and bullying.
Unfortunately, our current prime minister and his cohorts have turned out to be our greatest national cowards.
So you really think we're an independent country?
We could be much more independent than we've not allowed ourselves to be.
Furthermore, a whimp will never seen an end to being bullied.
Maybe it's the Chareidi in me, feeling that outside of religious matters, Jacob cannot fight Esau (the Evil Empire of Edom, when they act that way) in this world. I differ only in that I think that perhaps this only applies to the West, not to our neighbors.
I appreciate Yom HaAtzmaut (what day are they moving it to this year?), but I think it is misnamed. Perhaps Yom HaMedina or something would be more appropriate.
Acatai Avdei Achashveirosh Anan. Unfortunately.
Dear golus yid (which is not limited to the "Chareidi" in you),
What are you talking about, "Jacob cannot fight Esau"? Where did you get such nonsense from?
There's the surefire method of defeating Eisav: Kabalat Ohl Torah U'Mitzvot (Genesis 27:40).
Then there's the fallback method of being prepared for war (Genesis 32:9, last Rashi on the verse), among other things.
As for Yom Ha'atzmaut, I have never linked the name, any more than I like the words "Am Chofshee" in Hatikvah, but that is regardless of Achashverosh or his current representative.
Dear golus yid (which is not limited to the "Chareidi" in you),
What are you talking about, "Jacob cannot fight Esau"? Where did you get such nonsense from?
There's the surefire method of defeating Eisav: Kabalat Ohl Torah U'Mitzvot (Genesis 27:40).
Then there's the fallback method of being prepared for war (Genesis 32:9, last Rashi on the verse), among other things.
As for Yom Ha'atzmaut, I have never linked the name, any more than I like the words "Am Chofshee" in Hatikvah, but that is regardless of Achashverosh or his current representative.
Check out the original words, the the way Imber wrote them:
Still is not lost our hope
The ancient hope
To return to the land of our fathers
The city in which David encamped (best I can do)
Cannot fight him: physically. The fallback method, is just that, a fallback method. A last resort. You noticed he paid him off.
It's the American in me that wants to fight.
Sorry, I don't believe there are two types of Jews. I don't think we've been redeemed yet. And if there was any doubt that the rules haven't changed, our experiences since 1973 have resolved those. I wish it were otherwise.
But as you say, the real solution has not changed.
The part that really, really bothers me, is that we, we Israelis, we Jews, are referring to the neighbourhood as being in "East Jerusalem". The neighbourhood is in Jerusalem, my capital city, which is not up for negotiation. There is no way we will be returning to the 1949 armistice line in Jerusalem, with a wall dividing my Holy city.
Why does the world seem to assume that this is the "solution" to the Palestinian's demands? When was Jerusalem ever holy to Muslims? Why does the world think that Palestinians will become all peaceful and friendly if we tear our heart in two and give half of the Jewish Holy City to the Palestinians? Why try and re-create a transient travesty from the past? 43 years ago, Jerusalem was reunified after 19-years of Jordanian partial-occupation – and we want to go back there?
I believe in Democracy, I believe in my elected officials. But if they demand that I give up my holiest places to placate Palestinian Outrage – well, I may have to rethink my allegiances. I may even become Outraged myself. I pray that day never, ever comes.
ירושלים שלנו לנצח
Does anybody know who actually made this decision? I keep on hearing conflicting things.
A friend of mine (who, by the way, is on the religious left, politically) said looked at the AMrican sites and did not see much discussion.
Honestly, the main thing that really bothers me about all this is that they might cancel the project.
Bibi tries to buy some times before november elections
At that time,the obamination in disarray would grant him some room for moving against Iran
Meanwhile, U95 is piling up in natanz and still no F16Is over it ….
You are probably right. That sword over our heads kind of overrides everything.
I just feel bad for those poor people who were hoping for reasonably-priced apartments. Unfortunately, I see a trend here towards building bigger apartments, even out of my reach. If only this country would accept the concept of rental housing!
Obama makes another move on his chessboard, and the poor pawns have to suffer.
I think this applies to the palis and the big zero (obama) in this situation: "If you say something with sufficient hysteria it becomes the truth."
And the press doesn't help.
While we have our differences, Michael, I still see your basic cause as righteous. To me you're kind of like the spunky, beleagured Ewok alligned with the Rebellion fighting the Evil Empire in the last of the original Star Wars trilogy: "Return of the Jedi." May the force be with you.
I believe that's the first time a commenter on here has been referred to as an Ewok. Another first for Israellycool.
If Michael K is an Ewok, can I be a Wookie?
Yes, Michael, but only if you have back hair.
Interesting proposition. I'll get back to you on that.
In the mean time, I believe this image exemplifies the Obama foreign policy perfectly, keeping in line with the Star Wars theme:
http://www.tamaleaver.net/wordpress/wp-content/up…
He looks a bit more like Carl Rove if you ask me, Michael.
You need to do some separated at birth star wars style.
Honestly, sometimes you sound like some redneck yahoo, "those furriners had better do what us Amuricans say if they know what's good for them".
You know what they say–you can take the bumpkin out of the country but not the country out of the bumpkin. Also, how can you keep them down on the farm after they've seen Israellycool?
Aren't you from Maryland? Or do I misremember your background?
Born and raised in Iowa. Lived in Maryland for 15 years while working for the federal government. I liked it there, but it never felt like home. Prefer Iowa Pork Chops to Maryland Soft Shell Crabs.
when someone is holding a sword over your head then maybe it's time to whup out the nuclear umbrella .. when the sands of iran are running green as glass then the sword will no longer be held high .. and obambi will need a fresh diaper ..
The last thing Israel would want to do is nuke Iran.
You buy apartments there? That isnt even a concept to me. I see an apartment as a small house attached to other houses that you rent. A townhouse is sort of like a bigger apartment that you buy..
Everything here is townhouses, or condos, whatever you want to call them. An apartment here is about what a house costs in the U.S., just the condo fee is almost nothing. If you have more money or live in a smaller place, you can buy a real house, sometimes called a villa.
If you rent, like me, then you sign a draconian contract with the private owner of the apartment. If at the end of the year he wants it for his son-in-law, you're out in the street. You are billed directly for utilities AND real estate tax (arnona, a good Talmudic word), which admittedly is cheaper than in the U.S., generally (the government is more centralized).
Another unfortunate remnant of our socialist past.
Sorry,it is U235 ..
I am so upset about this obamination
Type Ramat shlomo on google earth and look at the huge problem:
A typical rather small Jewish hareidi neighbourhood, NE of Jerusalem
The huge discord for that ????
Where may t all new couples settle down,mr obama ?????
A problem with the "president"would have occurred anyway given the huge gap between the cause and the outroar !
Well, think of the advantages for Netanyahu (or Barkat). Now the Charedim will have to bargain again for the same thing, like they have to do every time the BaGa"TZ overturns something (no wonder no one ever does anything about that; not too different, really, from Israel's postion vis-a-vis the U.S.). Plus he may get that postponement he wanted (although not of the primaries?)
Not that any of this is big enough a reason, at least I don't think so.
Perhaps the administration is trying to break up the coalition? That I could believe.
sorry uproar
All spelling intentional, for once.
Last night on the bus, I heard what sounded like religious music. I said something to mytraveling companion (a young Chareidi Yeshiva bucher), and he said – that's Yerushalaim Shel Zahav (Jerusalem of Gold). It was nice; it's always bothered me that you never hear it any more.
And it was written BEFORE the Six Day War (except for the fourth stanza).
well, it’s been about a year and a half since i warned this board about the consequences of electing obambi .. so let me just humbly say : i told ya so, i told ya so, i told ya so !!! .. our (the u.s.) president is a practicing anti-semite, anti Israeli extreme liberal .. he has bowed before and apologized to all countries muslim but has he even visited Israel ? has he had any kind words for Israel since his election ? i certainly hope all his jewish voters are truly proud of what they’ve done not just to Israel, but to the United States.
Lets start this by wishing that every Jewish voter in the USA vote republician enen though POS like JAmes BAker the SoS under Bush 1 was as anti semitic as Oslima, is a repub. Most are not like thBAker and are ardent suorters of ISrael. We have another 2.6 yrs to go before this POS is out of here. Aside from nuking Iran there should be no issues. Wasn't it Iranians who paid for his education?
in Nov. of 2008 i heard that Israel would take care of iloon before obambi took office .. then it was in the spring, then summer, then in a few months .. how much longer Oh Lord before the pestilence of iran is burned from the face of the earth ??
Dont be so sure that he'll be a one termer.
"Wasn't it Iranians who paid for his education?"
Youre no better than an Arab when you make up lies.
I was looking at the Nefesh B'nefesh website, and it reminded me as to how unlike its stereotype this country is. One of my neighbors' kids was – atypically for a religious girl – in the Navy. Her Mom called up her commander to make sure she got a uniform skirt (as opposed to trousers). I understand it is not unusual here for this to happen, and not only for girls or religious issues.
Can you imagine how a Marine non-com would react to something like that?
Jpost says "European Parliament's March 11 resolution demanding the immediate release by Hamas of abducted soldier Gilad Schalit, and the granting of all the rights to which he is entitled according to the Geneva Convention, including doctor's visits and communication with his parents".
Now then, if you tools are demanding the immediate release, why the frack would you also demand these visits?
Just another example of blowhardedness where nothing will happen. Why not just gather a few brigades around Gaza and search every inch, every hole, and uncover the militants and their supplies, and bring Gilad back home in the process?
Dumbarses. If you are going to do something, do it right the first time!
Why you ask? Because where they are holding Schalit is so thoroughly rigged with explosives that it would be a fool's task to attempt a rescue.
Both Hamas and Israel know this and it is why no attempt was made to rescue him because the expense of lives would have been too great.
Undoubtedly.
At least the Australian military is showing some smarts:
http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=17106…
[...] Israellycool: The Day In Israel: Monday Mar 15th, 2010 van 15 maart 2010; Israelinsider: 5 Israelis killed in attacks on Tel Aviv restaurant, Afula bus [...]
You are nothing but a bunch of terrorists.
And now you think you can go Dissin our Prez. You think you can go dogging da U S of A.
This is OBAMA Baby. O Bomb ya!
You bet da Check it out.
We are about to go Regime Change on you, that's right!
We'll get off the gate!
You think you can go messing around with the most important country on the earth with no consequences? This is O bomb Ya man. He is going to regime change you.
USA, USA, USA. We will bomb you day and night. And then we will send our tanks in and kill you and you mama!
Regime Change ya!
It sucks to be you man! Now that you have messed with the Obaman!
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