On May 15, Palestinians and their supporters around the world commemorate the "Nakba" ("catastrophe" or "disaster" in Arabic) in memory of the day they rejected the UN Resolution to form a Jewish state and a Palestinian state between the Jordan river and the sea. The Palestinians, along with 7 Muslim/Arabic countries decided, instead, to attack the new state of Israel, were defeated - and Israel gained lands it couldn't hope to have.
63 years later the Palestinians insist on reminding the world that it was not the "occupation" that started any war - it was the inability of the Arabic countries to accept the idea of a Jewish state in the Middle East. 63 years later the Palestinians insist to remind us that not only they were cruel and possesive - they were also a failure - and as long as they insist on "commemorating failure" - they will remain a failure.
For the best interest of the world, and the Palestinians themselves, it's time for the world to remember: when you attack someone and find yourself defeated, that is not a "Nakba", a "disaster" or "catastrophe"; it is a failure, nothing to be proud of, and it is a lesson for you to learn.
Obviously, failing to learn - is just another type of failure... and that is the real disaster.
May 15, 2011
February 14, 2011
Why is it always about Israel?
Recently I was often asked what is my opinion about the revolution in Egypt, to which I answered that I believe this is a risk to the Western world in general, and obviously to Israel specifically. This answer often resulted in a following question, asking, basically, "why is it always about Israel? Why can't you be happy with what is good for the oppressed Egyptions, and care more about Israel?"
The answer is simple: the Egyptions revolted because it was good for them, not because it was good for anyone else. The same Egyptions, or their forefathers before them, decided to cooperate with the Egyption governments when they decided to attack or threaten Israel in 1948, 1956, 1967 and 1970 through 1973. They didn't care about what was good to Israel, and honestly - it doesn't seem like they cared about what's good for the Egyptions - they all blindly followed the cruel regime - which it was that rule Egypt at the given moment.
Mubarak, it is said, was bad for the Egyptions, maybe even very bad, but in a world of insane Islamic terror, Mubarak was an island, or should I say Oasis, of political stability in the Arab world. It was Mubarak who restrained the terrorists, led a tough approach to terrorists, and overall - restrained other unstable countries. Mubarak, it is said, and it is sad, was bad for the Egyptions, but Mubarak kept the Egyptions from going to another pointless against Israel, a war which would probably push Egypt into a much worse condition than it is today. And yes, it is possible, and yes - that risk or threat is back on the table, with people like Ayman Nur, saying there is a need to "revise" the Peace Treaty between Israel and Egypt in the name of "Egyption Rights".
When a revolution is intended to give people a better life - no one can condemn it, but if we end up with a scale which has a dictator on one side, and free people who use their freedom to declare war - I'm with the dictator.
So to summerize: if you ask me "why it is always about Israel?" the answer would be clear: "because for Islamic extremists - it is always an opportunity to attack Israel".
The answer is simple: the Egyptions revolted because it was good for them, not because it was good for anyone else. The same Egyptions, or their forefathers before them, decided to cooperate with the Egyption governments when they decided to attack or threaten Israel in 1948, 1956, 1967 and 1970 through 1973. They didn't care about what was good to Israel, and honestly - it doesn't seem like they cared about what's good for the Egyptions - they all blindly followed the cruel regime - which it was that rule Egypt at the given moment.
Mubarak, it is said, was bad for the Egyptions, maybe even very bad, but in a world of insane Islamic terror, Mubarak was an island, or should I say Oasis, of political stability in the Arab world. It was Mubarak who restrained the terrorists, led a tough approach to terrorists, and overall - restrained other unstable countries. Mubarak, it is said, and it is sad, was bad for the Egyptions, but Mubarak kept the Egyptions from going to another pointless against Israel, a war which would probably push Egypt into a much worse condition than it is today. And yes, it is possible, and yes - that risk or threat is back on the table, with people like Ayman Nur, saying there is a need to "revise" the Peace Treaty between Israel and Egypt in the name of "Egyption Rights".
When a revolution is intended to give people a better life - no one can condemn it, but if we end up with a scale which has a dictator on one side, and free people who use their freedom to declare war - I'm with the dictator.
So to summerize: if you ask me "why it is always about Israel?" the answer would be clear: "because for Islamic extremists - it is always an opportunity to attack Israel".
July 16, 2010
Hamastan
Israel's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Avigdor Lieberman, plans to perform a second "disengagement" from the Gaza strip, says the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth. The plan, we is to be presented to Catherine Ashton, the European Union commissioner for foreign affairs, during her scheduled visit to Israel next week, accompanied by six European foreign ministers.
This disengagement will include the complete removal of the naval siege on one hand and on the other will include the removal of all the Palestinian dependencies on Israel. This means that the Palestinians will need to produce their own drinking water, electricity, handle waste water, and so on - or in other words: they'll need to start acting as an independent country, which - everybody presumes - this is what the Palestinians are aiming for.
This plan - which should be considered as a major step in the process of establishing an independent Palestinian country - was already rejected by Hamas officials, saying "This is an (Israeli) attempt to evade its responsibility for the siege. The removal of the siege is a legal right according to international and human rights law, and we must separate between the removal of the siege and the disengagement of the Strip from the rest of the homeland".
... Or in other words: removing the siege from Gaza is nice, establishing an independent state in Gaza is good, but this will not end the conflict, and war will continue until the "rest of the homeland" - commonly known as the State of Israel - is "freed from the Jewish occupation".
So, again in other words, Hamas once again declares that it does not aim for peace or freedom within the borders set in 1967 - Hamas is aiming for the destruction of Israel.
And Israel is the aggressor?
This disengagement will include the complete removal of the naval siege on one hand and on the other will include the removal of all the Palestinian dependencies on Israel. This means that the Palestinians will need to produce their own drinking water, electricity, handle waste water, and so on - or in other words: they'll need to start acting as an independent country, which - everybody presumes - this is what the Palestinians are aiming for.
This plan - which should be considered as a major step in the process of establishing an independent Palestinian country - was already rejected by Hamas officials, saying "This is an (Israeli) attempt to evade its responsibility for the siege. The removal of the siege is a legal right according to international and human rights law, and we must separate between the removal of the siege and the disengagement of the Strip from the rest of the homeland".
... Or in other words: removing the siege from Gaza is nice, establishing an independent state in Gaza is good, but this will not end the conflict, and war will continue until the "rest of the homeland" - commonly known as the State of Israel - is "freed from the Jewish occupation".
So, again in other words, Hamas once again declares that it does not aim for peace or freedom within the borders set in 1967 - Hamas is aiming for the destruction of Israel.
And Israel is the aggressor?
July 15, 2010
Queen of Hypocrisy
Rania, queen of Jordan recently publised a children's book, along with an American writer - Kelly DiPucchio, and an American illustrator - Tricia Tusa.
The book is called "The Sandwich Swap
" and it speaks about two girls who come from different cultures: Salma has pita and humus, representing the Arabic "world", and Lily has a sandwich with peanut butter and jelly, obviously representing America. At first, the two girls don't get together, but later - as the story "evolves" - they become friends and they share their lunch with each other.
As a kids, educational, story - this is all very nice. The problem is when this comes to "real life", and that is where the queen failed: when offered to translate her book to Hebrew - Her Highness refused.
As far as the Jordanian queen - who is originally a Palestinian - is concerned - it's okay to share, trade, become friends - all of this is very nice, but doesn't apply to Israelies, and the only way the queen could make this any clearer was to say that Lily and Salma become friends only to join forces against Sara and her Matzo bread...
The book is called "The Sandwich Swap
" and it speaks about two girls who come from different cultures: Salma has pita and humus, representing the Arabic "world", and Lily has a sandwich with peanut butter and jelly, obviously representing America. At first, the two girls don't get together, but later - as the story "evolves" - they become friends and they share their lunch with each other.As a kids, educational, story - this is all very nice. The problem is when this comes to "real life", and that is where the queen failed: when offered to translate her book to Hebrew - Her Highness refused.
As far as the Jordanian queen - who is originally a Palestinian - is concerned - it's okay to share, trade, become friends - all of this is very nice, but doesn't apply to Israelies, and the only way the queen could make this any clearer was to say that Lily and Salma become friends only to join forces against Sara and her Matzo bread...
July 12, 2010
It's in our Teva
Teva, in Hebrew, means "nature", but when people speak of Teva this days, it is usually in the context of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, the known Israeli pharmaceuticals company. That's why I was surprised to see the name Teva among Amazon's 100 Best Selling Shoes. Only then did I find that Teva Naot is selling shoes over Amazon, Zappos, and other known websites.
In fact, item #4 in Amazon's best selling shoes, in Teva's Women's Olowahu Sandal. As item #11 you can find Teva again with Women's Mush Flip Flop, and again with item #16, #22, and #25.
I didn't go over Amazon's list beyong the Top 25, but 5 items out of 25 is a very impressive "status" for a small Israeli company, standing equal among world's famous shoes brands.
With Teva Pharmaceutical keeping people healthy, and Teva Naot making shoes, I guess you can really say these Israeli guys keep the world on the move - but that's not surprising - it's in our nature!
In fact, item #4 in Amazon's best selling shoes, in Teva's Women's Olowahu Sandal. As item #11 you can find Teva again with Women's Mush Flip Flop, and again with item #16, #22, and #25.
I didn't go over Amazon's list beyong the Top 25, but 5 items out of 25 is a very impressive "status" for a small Israeli company, standing equal among world's famous shoes brands.
With Teva Pharmaceutical keeping people healthy, and Teva Naot making shoes, I guess you can really say these Israeli guys keep the world on the move - but that's not surprising - it's in our nature!
April 17, 2010
You're grounded!
Some may see this is stupid, some as petty, and who knows - some may share my feelings about this, but when I think of how Britain forbade Jews from entering Israel (foremerly, "Palestine") as they were fleeing from the Nazis and their supporters, and how Israeli officials can't enter Britain, and how they kicked out a Mossad representative, it does kind of puts a smile on my face, knowing that thanks to volcano Eyjafjallajoekull, Britain is as grounded as it hasn't been, let say, since the days of World War II...
I'm only thankful that this happens only now. I don't want to think what would have happened if they cancelled the Beatles' flight to the USA back in 1964!
I'm only thankful that this happens only now. I don't want to think what would have happened if they cancelled the Beatles' flight to the USA back in 1964!
April 4, 2010
Sabra and Shatila - Iraqi Style
In September 1982, Muslims murdered the Lebenese president-elect Bachir Gemayel, and in response, his supporters - the Christian militia - stormed the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps, killing an unknown number of people. The Red Cross counted 400 bodies, "International Sources" speak of 800, and the Palestinians speak of 3500.
Israel took heavy political fire for this, as this was done under's "Israel's shift". Israel conquered Lebanon a couple of months earlier, and was held responsible for this horrible act of violence.
Now, nearly 30 years later, Sunni Muslims kill Shiite Muslims (and vice versa) under American occupation. Will America be requested to pay the price for such acts? Will General Petraeus - the commander of the U.S. Central Command, who is personnaly responsible for Iraq - will he be requested to pay the price?
Or is it that it's okay for everyone to kill everyone, as long as they don't wear Israeli uniforms?
Israel took heavy political fire for this, as this was done under's "Israel's shift". Israel conquered Lebanon a couple of months earlier, and was held responsible for this horrible act of violence.
Now, nearly 30 years later, Sunni Muslims kill Shiite Muslims (and vice versa) under American occupation. Will America be requested to pay the price for such acts? Will General Petraeus - the commander of the U.S. Central Command, who is personnaly responsible for Iraq - will he be requested to pay the price?
Or is it that it's okay for everyone to kill everyone, as long as they don't wear Israeli uniforms?
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