You can follow the debate over whether or not to delete it here. Interestingly enough, the same Wikipedia user who was pushing for the article’s deletion also had this to say about Richard Silverstein’s blog:

Tikun Olam is highly notable (obviously) and it’s conceivable that Richard Silverstein’s pieces about Israellycool+JIDF activities will make it into the mainstream media in Israel and elsewhere as his stories often do, but it’s not relevant to this decision as others have said.

I’m somehow not buying his neutrality claim.

In any event, I am not overly concerned by the deletion. After all, the article was not really being updated with all the good work we are doing here (such as the pro-Israel blog-off, and the Silverstein sting).

But just so you all know, I did not create the Israellycool Wikipedia page. That honor goes to a female Arab blogger (note: in the draft version of this post, I identified the blogger. But she alerted me to the fact that if an Israel site cited her, it could compromise her safety). 

Here’s what she had to say at the time:

Wouldn’t it be kind of awesome to post a Wiki article on a pro-Israel site and actually praise it, despite my pro-Palestinian background? That way, it will be kind of impossible for the article to be labeled as biased. Seems as though a lot of people don’t really get Dave’s articles and mission at all. They will be surprised if I tell them that the author of this blog is actually one of the first people to support a website by Arab-Muslims, most of which are pro-Palestinian by default, because they will immediately assume that all pro-Israel blogs are racist, anti-Arab, un-Islamic, etc. But if anyone actually read this site’s content they won’t come to that conclusion so quickly.

I should give this Wiki thing a shot. I’ve been trying to help Israellycool by making more Arabs aware of it. I think it’s important for sites like these to be more exposed to those who need to educate themselves on where “the other” side is coming from. I was horrified when this site was blocked from our servers for a few days.

Supporting a site doesn’t mean agreeing with its content or sharing the author’s viewpoint. It’s more of a freedom of expression/need for dialogue thing. Sadly many Arabs don’t realize this, and if you call this blog excellent they immediately claim that you have a pro-Israel status.

Just like there are pro-Arab Israelis, there are pro-Israeli Arabs. You don’t hear their voices because they’re silenced. You will never find pro-Israeli Arabs who don’t receive death threats or are labeled as traitors and beasts. I’m not pro-Israel at all, but I have a lot of respect for Israelis in general. Especially those who were willing to work with me by trying to promote tolerance amongsts all kinds of Arabs, Israelis, religions, etc.

Just like I have a lot of Israelis supporting the mission behind my site, you need to remember that you have a lot of Arabs and Muslims supporting this site too.

At some point, this blogger and I lost contact over the years, but the fleeting existence of the Israellycool Wikipedia page is a reminder of her contribution to this site. Not to mention further proof that those like Silverstein, who claim I am Islamophobic, are way off base.

Here’s some reasons why:

• I don’t use free blogging software; I pay for the website and domain, as well as other things to enhance the Israellycool experience. So any donations help defray these costs
• While there are plenty of blogs – even of the pro-Israel variety – where else can you be kept informed on Israel, read about pop culture, and be entertained like you are here?
• Israellycool has been around for almost 9 years, making this one of the “longest serving” pro-Israel blogs around
• Israellycool is one of the most visited English-language blogs from Israel and has been cited a number of times by the mainstream media
• I have tried to give back to the pro-Israel blogging community by creating  the Pro-Israel Blog-Off and (now defunct) Jewish and Israeli Blog Awards.
• Even though I lack time to blog as much as I would like, I have endeavored to maintain the quantity and quality of posts to which you are accustomed by recruiting the knowledgeable and entertaining Brian of London and Zionist Shark as co-bloggers
• Richard Silverstein has earned weaseled people out of over $1500 in the past few days, even though he wants Israel destroyed and is thoroughly unlikeable. I love Israel and am somewhat likeable
• Antisemites really, really hate me

Brian of London notes: neither I nor Zionist Shark get paid (and nor do we seek to be) but Dave keeps a fine show running here and, from looking at the google searches of people who land here (other than the “sex with animals” crowd) I’d say Israellycool is pulling in people who aren’t in “our” choir and many of them stick around for a positive view of Israel. It’s a valuable site and much loved.

Remember: if you’re not paying for something, you can have no reasonable expectation that it will be around tomorrow.

In contrast, this page we reported over half a year ago is still up.

Since I am not willing to reveal my real identity on here (although my real life friends know who I am), I guess the Israellycool page is no more.

I don’t want to be overly dramatic, but there is war going on online, with people trying to shut up pro-Israel and pro-Judaism voices like mine.

If you want to support my activities – and shove it to our detractors – please contribute.

Yeah, I know. Been there, done that. When it comes to deciding whether or not to have a forum, I’ve had more flip-flops than John Kerry. But this time I’ve have decided to  reopen the forum for business.

Why?

For a start, I have noticed some comment threads going way off topic, which I interpret as a healthy sign that you have things you would like to discuss, and have not found a place to do so. The forum can provide you with that place.

Secondly, I would like us all to get to know each other better and develop a better feeling of community. The forum includes a Community sub-forum for that very purpose.

Finally, it is way easier to use than the old forum plugin I used. For instance, you needn’t be a member – you can simply post using your Twitter or Facebook account.

Of course, what will ultimately decide on the success or failure of the revamped forum  is you. If you find it useful, it will be a welcome addition to the Israellycool experience. If not, it will be relegated to the dustbin of history.

I have decided to run for the Knesset in the next elections.

Being a Likud member, I will be trying to influence the party from within, since I don’t believe being part of one of the smaller parties – with whom I may have closer ideological similarities – is going to get me very far.

Some of you may think I am aping another Jewish blogger, but I think I am the real deal. And I don’t consider myself to be a fool.

I don’t want to give away too much at the moment, since there is still much to organize. Needless to say, this means I will no longer be blogging  semi-anonymously.

More details to follow in the coming days.

If you are still experiencing problems, please let me know in the comments.

Not me

Hello.

I’m interested in purchasing your website.
I’m willing to offer 2500$ for it, payable through PayPal or by wire transfer.
As soon as we’ve detailed information about the site and come to an agreement, I’ll be willing to go through with the sale immediately.
I expect to get this done within 2-4 days.

I apologize if my proposal isn’t appealing, not timely or doesn’t correspond to the site’s current revenue.

Which begs the question: how much should I be willing to accept?

Yes, I know you must all be terribly impressed. Probably as impressed as I am by the auto-translation.

Any Romanian speakers want to take a stab (ahem) at providing a better translation?

• Follow my Tweets
• See how many visitors are currently online and recent visitor locations
• Join a chat room to talk with other readers
• Join the all-new Israellycool Facebook fan page
• Subscribe to the RSS feed
• Receive special announcements
• Play games (!)
• Donate!

And I’ll likely be adding new, cool stuff as time goes on.

Don’t thank me. I’m a giver!

Update: I just checked in Internet Explorer 7, and the toolbar did not appear, although it did work in Firefox.

Update: Now also works in IE 7.

Update: The registration link on the forum is not working. You can register at this link.