Stand for Israel

No Justice in Palestine?

Yesterday was Israel's 61st birthday, a day of joy and pride for the country that has been fighting for its existence since its inception.  I once had the privilege of meeting an Israeli soldier who spent her days meticulously watching the video screens that monitor the fence that is used to protect Israel's borders.  She had everything memorized; every rock, tree, and open space was cemented into her mind.  She rarely went on break, and spent hours in a little room staring at the screens. Any change of scenery was cause for alarm. It was an honor to know someone so dedicated to protecting her people. 

I wish the Palestinians were as dedicated to the welfare of their own people. Gruesome stories of "freedom fighter" terrorists using children as human shields were barely touched upon by the Western media during Operation Cast Lead in January.  One video taken by the IDF showed a school and children's zoo booby-trapped with explosives. 

So, it is no surprise to hear about the Palestinian man being sentenced to death for selling land to Israelis. 

The three-judge panel found the defendant guilty of violating PA laws that bar Palestinians from selling property to "the enemy." In its ruling, the court, which convened in Hebron, said that Brigith had acted in violation of a Palestinian "military law" dating back to 1979, which states that it is forbidden for a Palestinian to sell land to Jews.

The accused was also found guilty of violating a law dating back to 1958 that calls for a boycott against Israel, as well as another law from 1953 that bans trade with Israelis.

 This is not a new predicament:

In 1996, the Palestinian Authority (PA) Mufti, Ikremah Sabri, issued a fatwa (religious decree), banning the sale of Arab and Muslim property to Jews. Anyone who violated the order was to be killed. At least seven land dealers were killed that year. Six years later, the head of the PA’s General Intelligence Service in the West Bank, General Tawfik Tirawi, admitted his men were responsible for the murders (Jerusalem Post, August 19, 2002).

On May 5, 1997, Palestinian Authority Justice Minister Freih Abu Middein announced that the death penalty would be imposed on anyone convicted of ceding “one inch” to Israel. Later that month, two Arab land dealers were killed. PA officials denied any involvement in the killings. A year later, another Palestinian suspected of selling land to Jews was murdered. The PA has also arrested suspected land dealers for violating the Jordanian law (in force in the West Bank), which prohibits the sale of land to foreigners (State Department. Human Rights Report for the Occupied Territories, 1997, 1998).

How can the world look at Israel as the road block to peace when Palestinians have a law that refers to Israel as "the enemy"? And the anti-Semitic 1979 Palestinian law forbidding Jews from buying land from Palestinians is abhorrent. There are Muslim Israelis living peacefully along side Jews in Israel, but a Jew cannot even own land in Palestinan controlled areas? 

Oh, and a note to Western leaders who are placing peace in the hands of "moderate" Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas: He is the one who gets to approve the death sentence. 

Israel Independence Day!

The Declaration of Israel’s Independence was on May 14th, 1948. So why are we celebrating today?  May 14th of 1948 fell on the 5th of the month Iyar on the Hebrew calendar, and so Israel’s Independence is celebrated every 5th of Iyar, which is today.

The work done at IFCJ is so important and essential to Israel, a nation that blossomed in the desert only 61 years ago.  Please read this message from Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein about this very important day:

In her struggle for peace, security, and continued independence, Israel does indeed face formidable challenges. But I am reminded of the words of Golda Meir, Israel's first female Prime Minister, who said, "Zionism and pessimism are not compatible." As Israel enters her 61st year, let us take heart and remember that the God who watches over Israel "will neither slumber nor sleep." (Psalm 121:6) Let us continue to lift up Israel in our prayers. And let us celebrate the fact that, despite her challenges, the state of Israel still acts as a "light unto the nations" (Isaiah 42:6) a light that shines even brighter surrounded, as it is, by countries living under tyranny.

Join us!

For those of you looking to celebrate Israel's Independence day, you can join this event from your home computer!

Communities Around the World to Sing Israel's National Anthem on Wednesday (Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
    On Wednesday, April 29 at 10:50 p.m. Israel time (3:50 p.m. EST, 2:50 p.m. CST, 12:50 p.m. PST), communities around the world will join together to sing Israel's national anthem Hatikva in honor of the 61st birthday of the State of Israel.
    Live Hatikva will be broadcast around America and on the Internet streaming live at www.jltv.tv.

Clock running out on Yemen's Jews?

Increasingly, the conditions for Jews in Yemen have become hostile, and the longer they stay in Yemen the more dangerous the future looks. A large number of Yemen Jews immigrated to Israel in the 1950's, but a small community remained in the country, a place that remains home to one of the world's oldest Jewish communities.  The Jews of Yemen are a community rooted historically and biblically, as it is said that they travelled to Yemen on the trade routes of King Solomon. 

Today, Yemenite Jews are living in fear.  Yemen mosques are preaching anti-Semitism, and the government is doing little to protect the Jewish community.

In fact, the government has set a dangerous precedent. Haaretz reported that the government has mitigated punishment for the religiously motivated murder of a member of the Yemenite Jewish community: 

"We complain to the police about the more serious incidents, but they never investigate," Al-Qedeimi said. "Our fears have grown after Moshe's killing. The lenient sentence against his killer will encourage others to do the same."

By "Moshe" he means Moshe Yaish Youssef Nahari, who was gunned down on a December day near his home in Raydah. Compounding the Jews' shock and dread, the self-confessed killer was spared the death penalty, though it's usually mandatory in such cases.

According to witnesses cited by Khaled al-Anasi, the Nahari family's Muslim lawyer, al-Abdi confronted Nahari shouting, "You, Jew, convert to Islam so your life is safe." Nahari said something to the effect of "mind your own business" and al-Abdi pumped 11 bullets from a Kalashnikov assault rifle into the victim, killing him, the witness statements said.

The anti-Jewish sentiment has translated into a "witch hunt" for Israeli spies.  Three young men are currently on trial for spying for the Mossad, Israel's Intelligence agency. Women and children have been physically threatened, and the government's promise to safegaurd the Yemen in Jews in the capital city of Sana has yet to be fulfilled. One Yemenite Jew commented:

"How many generations can they hold on for? After all, it is clear that in the end they will immigrate to Israel because the Jewish community in Yemen has no future. Perhaps it will be necessary to bring only their remains to Israel," he said

The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ) has been working to bring these Jewish families to Israel, Yael Eckstein-Farkas of the IFCJ writes:

Yemeni Jews are called names, blamed for national problems, and even face physical violence simply for practicing their faith. In fact, just weeks before the Ben-Yisrael family escaped, a grenade was thrown into their backyard by Muslims who were trying to kill the entire family. Thank God none were hurt. Yet it was a harsh reminder of why coming to Israel, a safe and loving homeland, is critical for Jews living with the daily threat of anti-Semitism... Because of the dangerous and secret nature of this project we were only able to bring a few people to freedom at this time. The rest of the Yemenite Jews are waiting in a state of fear, continuously praying and pleading with God to receive the same blessing as the Ben-Yisrael family.

 

Yom Hazikaron

Today marks Yom Hazikaron, Israeli Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism Remembrance Day.

As Israel's Independence Day draw close, it is important for us to remember the soldiers that have fought and died to protect the State of Israel, a beacon of democracy in the Middle East and an unshakable ally to the United States.

Memorial Day commemorates the 24,293 civilians and soldiers who lost their lives in the fight for the Israel's independence since the year 1860. Joining the list in the past year were 13 Israelis who died in Operation Cast Lead and 13-year old Shlomo Nativ, who was murdered by an Arab terrorist in Bay Ayin just two weeks ago.

Israel has a siren that sounds at 8pm on Monday night, as all of Israel will stand in two minutes of silence.  We ask that the friends of Israel here in the U.S. find two minutes to remember those who have given their life to protect Israel, the Jewish people and freedom.  We will also remember American victims of terror, both at home and over seas.

Abbas sings the same song

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that the Palestinians must accept Israel as a Jewish state for any peace talks to continue. 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas isn't going to accept any description of the state as Jewish:

"A Jewish state, what is that supposed to mean?" Abbas asked at a speech Monday in Ramallah. "You can call yourselves what you want, but I don't accept it and I say so publicly."

This is not surprising. Abbas gave similar remarks back in 2007 when he met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.  Israel, the Jewish state, has helped Abbas thwart assassination attempts, as well as provided Fatah members refuge during the Hamas take over of Gaza.  Either he is trying to protect his image, or he is simply ungrateful.

U.S. and Israel to meet next month

If you have been following the dialog between the U.S. and Israel over the last few days, you have witnessed a masterful game of leverage between the two parties. The U.S. wants to pursue a two-state solution and is pushing to form an independent Palestinian state.  Israel's primary concern is Iran, which poses a dire threat to Israel's very existence.

Israel has made it clear that it wants the U.S. to put more pressure on Iran, and that it will not accept a Palestinian state that does not recognize Israel as a Jewish state.  The U.S. is standing strong, and Obama himself has mentioned that pressure will increase on Israel to agree to a two-state solution.

At the moment Israel is ready to discuss economic sovereignty for the Palestinian people as a step towards peace, it told the U.S. The U.S. is playing an important role as mediator not just between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, but between Egypt and its neighbors as well.  Egypt has been dealing with attacks on its tourists sites from Hezbollah, fueled by Iran, and has confiscated weaponry that was being smuggled into Gaza:

Egypt has arrested at least 25 suspected Hezbollah-backed militants. Hezbollah has said explosives and other materials seized by Egyptian authorities were destined for Gaza as part of Hamas' battle against Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton next month to discuss things further. Representatives from Egypt and the Palestinian Authority will be meeting in Washington as well. Skeptics doubt the dialog can go on much longer without action on either side, but the question is: Who will take the first step? 

Cruise ship repels pirates

How to effectively deal with Somali pirates? U.S. Navy Seals are one good solution. And, to that list, add Israeli security guards:

The captain of an Italian cruise ship with 1,527 people on board described yesterday how his ship fought a running battle with pirates.

Commander Ciro Pinto of the MSC Melody, carrying 991 passengers and 536 crew, said the ship was left with smashed windows and bullet holes on its port side after six pirates trying to board the vessel fired at least 200 rounds with assault rifles from their dinghy.

Israeli security guards on the ship responded by firing pistols into the air and spraying them with a firehose.

The pirates eventually fled. Of the guards' efforts, the managing director of the cruise line commented, “We use them because they are the best — and we have just had a demonstration of that."

Israelis in Europe on Alert

The Israeli government has issued a warning to its citizens abroad that Hezbollah has plans to kidnap Israeli businessmen in Europe to avenge the death of Hezbollah leader Imad Mughniyeh: 

Israel's defense establishment has issued a warning to several Israeli business people working in Europe to return to Israel due to a strong possibility that the Lebanese militia Hezbollah will attempt to kidnap an Israeli national abroad.

According to intelligence gathered by Israel, Hezbollah plans to kidnap an Israeli in order to avenge the assassination of the organization's second in command, Imad Mughniyeh, who was killed in a car bombing in Damascus in February 2008. Hezbollah has charged Israel with masterminding the assassination, but Israel has denied the allegations.

In memory of Orde Wingate -- "the friend"

Here's one we missed from last month -- a fascinating portrait of Orde C. Wingate, a great Christian friend of Israel and British military officer who has been called "the father of the Israeli army":

Daniel Nadel, a Jerusalem resident who for many years has chaired an annual observance in memory of Zionist hero Maj. Gen. Orde C. Wingate, asked a speaker not long ago to discuss the topic "Who Was Wingate?" Nadel had just encountered two Israelis who didn't know who Wingate was. One of those people worked at the Knesset, and the other for the army.

Israelis may know Wingate's name in connection with the Wingate Institute of physical education, the Yemin Orde youth village or various local streets and landmarks. Less familiar is the life story of this Bible-reading Christian who has been called the father of the Israeli army.

Prime minister David Ben-Gurion wrote that Wingate would have become Israel's first chief of General Staff, had he not been killed in World War II. Moshe Dayan and other Israelis who served in Wingate's Special Night Squads saw him as a leader who, as Dayan put it, "taught us everything we know."