The Day In Israel: Tuesday Mar 16th, 2010
Police are bracing themselves for violence after Hamas announced a “day of rage” in response to Israel’s latest outrageous outrage – the dedication of the restored Hurva synagogue, which was destroyed by the Arab Legion in the War of Independence.
Large forces will continue to be deployed throughout the city, with 3,000 police and border police officers stationed in East Jerusalem and neighboring villages.
Limitations on access to Muslim prayers on Temple Mount will continue for the fifth day. Members of the Higher Arab Monitoring Committee are set to hold a procession in the east of the city on Wednesday.
Jerusalem on Monday was tense but quiet. Around noon, Palestinians began throwing stones near the Mount of Olives cemetery, but no injuries were reported.
At 6 P.M., scores of youths hurled stones at Border Police troops from the Palestinian side of the Qalandiya crossing, north of Jerusalem. The youths were dispersed, and the crossing closed.
Some stone throwing was also reported in the Silwan neighborhood. A general strike called in the Old City for noon largely failed to materialize, as most businesses remained open as usual.
Police on Monday attributed the relative quiet to the limitations placed on entry to Temple Mount and to the extensive police work. Palestinian commentators said Monday the general Palestinian public seems to disapprove of the leadership’s attempts to fan the flames.
Actually, I shouldn’t blame it solely on Hamas. Our “peace partners” of Fatah are also inflaming the situation, not to mention the Egyptians and Jordanians (also “peace partners”).
The quiet does not appear to have been affected by attempts of senior Hamas and Fatah officials to ratchet up the violence. On Sunday, Fatah’s Mahmoud Dahlan and Hatem Abdelkader called on residents of East Jerusalem and Israeli Arabs to arrive and defend the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount.
Palestinian Liberation Organization Executive Committee chairman Yasser Abed Rabo called on Israel to refrain from dedicating the Hurva synagogue. Hamas, too, warned of bloodshed if the synagogue is dedicated, and similar warnings have been made by Egyptian and Jordanian diplomats.
Meanwhile, Israel has been trying to defuse the situation.
At Monday’s dedication ceremony, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used his prerecorded video message to reach out for reconciliation with the Muslim world.
“I know many are moved by this moment, and rightly so. But we’re not the only ones moved by our faith. We have enabled adherents of other religions to restore their places of worship as well. We proudly uphold our heritage, we have returned to our cities, and we also give the same freedom of worship to other religions,” Netanyahu said. “The people of Israel maintain their heritage and through that maintain the heritage of others.”
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Mayor Nir Barkat, who spoke at the ceremony, also attempted to ease Palestinian anxiety, saying that “I want to send a message of peace to all religions. I believe that precisely because we have twice experienced the pain of seeing our holy place destroyed, we, the sovereigns, know and will know to preserve and respect the places of worship of other faiths. We will remember to be sensitive to their fears and needs.”
We may be in physical control of Jerusalem, but the Arabs are still trying to prevent freedom of religion for the Jews. Unfortunately, they have much of the world on their side.
Updates (Israel time; most recent at top)
11:38PM: Introducing the PA television show Chicks.
No, it’s not what you think.
A new children’s show on official Palestinian Authority television is using a map of “Palestine” that teaches kids that Israel doesn’t exist.
The program, Chicks, includes a regular segment that introduces viewers to a particular area of “Palestine.” The map that PA TV has chosen for this educational program includes all of Israel, yet is labeled “Palestine.” A second heading in English and Arabic next to the map reads, “Explore Your Country.”
[PA TV (Fatah), March 14, 2010]Maps showing all of Israel as “Palestine” are an important element of the PA’s campaign that reinforces the message to Palestinians not to recognize Israel.
11:00PM: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said Israel must prove its commitment to peace.
US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Tuesday that Israel must prove it is committed to the Mideast peace process with actions, but brushed aside suggestions that US-Israeli relations were in crisis and reaffirmed America’s steadfast commitment to the security of the Jewish state.
Clinton said US and Israeli officials were in intense talks about how to repair the damage caused by last week’s Israeli announcement of new Jewish housing in east Jerusalem while US Vice President Joe Biden was visiting the country. She said the goal was to relaunch stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.
“We are engaged in very active consultations with the Israelis over steps that we think would demonstrate the requisite commitment to the process,” she told reporters at a joint State Department news conference with visiting Irish Foreign Minister Michael Martin.
Funny, but I don’t seem to recall her – or any other White House official for that matter – stating something similar regarding the palestinians, despite the regular terror attacks and incitement against Jews.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Prime Minister has responded.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Tuesday that Israel had proven its commitment to peace before both in words and actions, after U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged Jerusalem to do more to prove it was serious about the Middle East process.
“The State of Israel appreciates and respects the warm words said by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton regarding the deep bond between the U.S. and Israel, and on the U.S.’ commitment to Israel’s security,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.
“With regard to commitments to peace, the government of Israel has proven over the last year that it is commitment to peace, both in words and actions,” said the statement.”
The statement cited as examples Netanyahu’s inaugural foreign policy speech made at Bar Ilan University, the removal of hundreds of roadblocks across the West Bank, and its decision to freeze temporarily construction in West Bank settlements. The latter, said the statement, was even called by Clinton an “unprecedented” move.
Netanyahu’s office added in its statement that the Palestinians were continuing to thwart the political process by demanding preconditions before the resumption of peace talks. “They are orchestrating a de-legitimization campaign against Israel in international institutions.”
“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu again calls on the Palestinians to enter the tent of peace without preconditions, because that is the only way to reach a settlement that will ensure peace, security and prosperity for both nations,” said the statement.
4:40PM: Scene from The Rage: That’s Some Kids Protest edition.
An armed Palestinian militant holds a national flag in front of a huge model of Jerusalem's Dome of the Rock mosque during a protest by Palestinian school children in the Ain al-Helweh refugee camp near the southern Lebanese port of Sidon on March 16, 2010, againt recent Israeli measures in Arab east Jerusalem. Israel's announcement last week of plans to build 1,600 new Jewish settler homes in the Arab sector of Jerusalem and the reopening of the twice-destroyed Hurva synagogue in its walled Old City on March 15 have sparked outrage among Palestinians, many of whom view Israeli projects near the flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound -- Islam's third holiest site -- as an assault on its tense status quo or a prelude to the building of a third Jewish temple there. AFP/Getty
4:15PM: Scene from The Rage: Not Impressed edition
AFP/Getty Images
3:25PM: Statement from another Hamashole:
“This policy is nothing short of ethnic cleansing, and it constitutes a strong motive for the launch of a third intifada, even more than Sharon’s visit to the al-Aqsa mosque.”
Just kidding. This was said by an Arab member of the Israeli Knesset – MK Haneen Zoubi (Balad) – who should know better than most how there is no such ethnic cleansing.
3:20PM: Scene from The Rage: Where’s Waldo edition.
AFP/Getty Images
3:12PM: Hamashole Dr. Ahmed Bahar has called on the palestinians to strike Israel with terrorist attacks in response to the “desecration of al-Aqsa.”
1:15PM: It’s rage time.
The day dubbed “the day of rage” by Hamas and extremist Islamic groups opened with riots – both in the holy city and on the way to it. Hundreds of Arabs burned tires and hurled stones at Border Guard officers at several locations throughout the city Tuesday morning. At least three officers and 11 rioters were lightly injured, and eight were detained. Meanwhile, in the North, a bus full of Muslim passengers on their way to al-Aqsa Mosque was stopped and turned back. Police said the bus was inspected following tip-offs of possible plans to riot in Jerusalem.
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Dozens of masked rioters hurled stones at Border Guard officers near the Shuafat refugee camp in Jerusalem, and set fire to tires. The force dispersed the rioters using stun grenades. Two policemen were lightly injured and seven Palestinians were arrested.
In another incident, at the northern entrance to the Isawiya neighborhood in Jerusalem, masked protesters also burned tires and hurled stones at Border Guard officers. The rioters were calmed and dispersed by the village’s elders. Security forces also dispersed masked rioters hurling stones near the Temple Mount’s Majlis Gate.
In Abu Dis, some 50 Palestinians hurled stones at security forces. Police and Border Guard officers responded with teargas and stun grenades. One of the rioters was detained and taken in for questioning. Riots were also noted at the Qalandiya checkpoint.
Meanwhile, dozens of Palestinian youths threw stones in Maale Mota Gur in the Old City and near the wholesale market. Similar riots ensued in Wadi Joz and Silwan. In total, thousands of police officer were deployed throughout the city.
Buses to capital inspected
Meanwhile, at the Achihod junction in the western Galilee, police stopped a bus containing Arab Muslims who were making their way from Majdal Krum in the north, to Jerusalem. The Bus driver was forced to turn back. During an inspection of the bus, a 38-year-old passenger allegedly assaulted a Traffic Police officer and was detained.
9:20AM: US Special Envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell has postponed his visit to the region, and may even cancel it entirely, as the US-Israel crisis deepens.
Although not all see it as a huge crisis.
However, American sources told Times magazine that core security issues between the two countries were not at risk, and that the current crisis is more like a lovers quarrel than a couple on the verge of divorce.
Except unlike many lovers quarrels, this one is about preventing erections instead of an inability to sustain them.
6:08AM: Speaking of palestinian threats of violence..
PLO executive committee member Ahmed Qureia warned Monday that if Israel continues to build Jewish neighborhood in east Jerusalem and raze Arab homes “another intifada will break out.”
Speaking to reporters in Abu Dis, Qureia, a former prime minister of the Palestinian Authority, said, “If matters remain at this level, regardless of whether we take the decision or not, it is coming. If Israel continues these practices, it is coming,” he said.
I think he just admitted 1) The PA retains the right to decide on the violent approach to achieve their goals and 2) it lacks control. Either way, it makes them eminently unqualified to be peace partners of any kind.
Meanwhile, the Ma’an news report contains this interesting section:
“Jerusalem is exposed to an unprecedented danger which targets its land, people, holy sites, heritage and history,” Qrei’a said, adding that determining the fate of the city is paramount, without which a comprehensive solution cannot be attained.
Revealing a 1882 map of Jerusalem showing intended Israeli settlements, the PLO official said it proved the considerable risk faced by Palestinians in the city.
And proves there was a Jewish presence in Jerusalem at least as far back as 1882.
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About the Author
An Australian immigrant to Israel, Aussie Dave has been blogging since early 2003.Filed Under: General
Do people realize what is going on here? The Arabs blew up an historic synagogue, and the outrage is that we are rebuilding it. (Well, rebuilding it better. We already fixed it.)
I thought Jews would be welcome in a "Palestinian state"?
I've always said the main justification (to me) for the State of Israel is that the Jews of the Middle East need a safe place to live, that they are not safe under Moslem rulers. If this doesn't show it…
Well said.
I think I'm going to faint….
And people say Anti-Zionism is not Anti-Semitism…HA.
I give Netanyahu credit by pointing out that Israelis have been very good about respecting religious sites of Muslims and Christians giving those of other faiths full access. I doubt that if Amman or Rome were responsible for the administration of Jerusalem you could say the same thing.
I find you can't take anything at face value in the Middle East. I think the Hamas leadership would proclaim a "day of rage" if they got the wrong toy in their kids' Happy Meal this afternoon.
Amman was. Who do you think blew it up in the first place?
Is it too much of a fantasy to hope that Netanyahu will say, you know what the current American administration is making an international incident out of something that was agreed upon in good faith, thus they cannot be trusted to be involved with peace talks, especially since Clinton, Biden & Obama's comments are pretty much directly responsible for the violence in Jerusalem today (?) Shouldn't people that want to host peace talks be held to a first do no harm rule, and if their inexperience and bias leads them to provoke violence, shouldn't they have the decency to take a step back, rather than doubling down? Over here in the states, many people are outraged at the backwards-world logic of Obama on Israel i.e. amongst other things saying the Israeli's need to make a big concession as if the original settlement freeze and previous pull out wasn't just that. They are disgusted that the Palestinian's anti-semitism is continually ignored and never cited as the reason peace talks have broken down. And they are saddened that their gut-level suspicion that Obama despises Jews (other than self-hating-into-the-"culture"-not-the-religion-proud-atheist-types) and would like nothing more than to serve up Israel as an appetizer for the jihadists is being given more and more credibility daily.
We can't; we will look like brawlers. If Americans don't like it, they need to go to the White House and protest. The press will black it out, of course, but it will make an impact.
Well I called both my senators this morning — the receptionists sounded grateful to be taking a comment about something other than health care.
Hahaha nice. I should do that.
I liked some of what you had to say, Simona. We on the Left do give the Palestinians a pass far too often. And sometimes the Left finds reasons to criticize Israel and ignore the difficult issues Israel is confronted with daily. You don't name the Obama critics who think he despises Jews, is fundamentally anti-semitic and actively seeks an American foreign policy which at its heart seeks the destruction of Israel. I don't doubt that such American critics do exist, but they are what we call "Nuts." They would be people like John Hagee, Pat Robertson and the avid readers of the "Left Behind" series of novels which they think is based in some kind of factual reality. I'm sorry, but these people are nuts.
Those “nuts” you refer to also include a wide variety of educated students of history, who despite their education at the hands of Marxist radicals, have actually learned to think for themselves, look at and weigh evidence, and come to the conclusion that Islamic intolerance is aided and abetted by the same “intelligencia” who would be the first people after the Jews to suffer the wrath of fascist Islam as it spreads its despicable brand of anti-culture across the globe. The Jews are and always will be God’s people, and the land is theirs to fight for.
I mostly agree with what you have to say, Mike. My main argument with Simona (and perhaps you as well) is regarding President Obama's attitude towards Jews. Obama does not despise Jews, he is not anti-semitic nor does he have as a policy of the US to seek the destruction of the Jewish State of Israel. He has policy differences with the State of Israel and Netanyahu to be sure. Let's just be reasonable in our criticism is all I ask.
At least, Obama and his people have been silent on the Hurva Synagogue. Thank God for small favors.
Dont jinx it now.
SETTLER HOMES?
ARAB JERUSALEM?
Remember Israel is a settlement itself.
Shas isn't fundamentalist in the American religious sense of the word, but it's very religious (slightly less than the Haredi parties) and right now very Rightist (it used to support Oslo until 1999-2000 or so). Also, Obama has quite a few reasons to want a more plaint Israeli government (e.g. Iran).
That said, this news suggests Obama (or more likely, Rahm Emmanuel) doesn't understand Israeli politics all that well. First, Livni doesn't want a partnership with Nethanyahu, she wants to be PM (either via elections or maybe she'll accept "rotation"). Nethanyahu has no intention of giving her "rotation" (bad idea politically and he probably thinks it's bad for Israel). Second, Likud and the Right have been gaining in the polls, and have good chances in a second election, especially if they're fought over Jerusalem.
"Livni doesn't want a partnership with Nethanyahu" should be "Livni doesn't want to be enter a coalition headed by Nethanyahu"
Sorry for responding to myself. Some more thoughts:
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3863757…
Habayit Hayehudi starts the threats.
I wonder if Obama is OK or not with a new Israeli election. If the motive is the "peace process", he is bound to be disappointed regardless of the result. If the motive is Iran, a new election might work for him though.
Mightnt a new election be further to the right?
I think it's likely to end up like that.
PM Lieberman!
Nah it would still probably be him or someone more to the right challenging him in a primary. Although I may be messing up the technical stuff since I'm not as knowledgable as I'd like to be.
I think Israel took enough risks already with a woman PM. Call me sexist, but the evidence is in the pan.
sexist! (Sorry). I wouldn't mind an Israeli woman PM. However, Livni seems to me like a nonentity motivated by raw ambition with few redeeming qualities.
Maybe a Likud or YB PM. Although wasnt Livni Likudnik herself? Even so, Islam and Arabs wont have any respect for a woman. Bibi should grow a beard. Seriously, compare Lieberman to Netanyahu: who would scare them more?
Israel has had no lack of idiot male prime ministers.
And I say this as a proud male chauvinist pig:
[youtube bZA1Q_1t1E0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZA1Q_1t1E0 youtube]
You mean Golda Meir (Myerson) from Milwukee Wisconsin?
If it wasn't so tragic, it would be funny reading all the ways the news media has avoided describing who destroyed the Hurva Synagogue..
I was thinking the same thing
It's even sad here in an area with a lot of Jews, the local paper is acting like national media.
Jeffrey Goldberg is reporting that, "people near the President say that, for one thing, Obama doesn't think that Netanyahu is very bright" and that really the WH just wants to produce a centrist coalition with Kadima.
What isn't explained is why this is necessary when a large proportion of Palestinians are governed by a group that is far more -er 'rejectionist' than Shas. Jeffrey describes Shas as 'fundamentalist' btw, I'd like the Israelis to comment on that.
http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/…
Dave, nice link about the map there. Good to show people who just dont understand who we're dealing with. Obama could use an email with that link in it.