Going Up To Jerusalem - We Are All Commando 13

We happened to go to Jerusalem yesterday. We began to wander toward the market. Suddenly we saw a mighty big procession, with singing, chanting, drum beating, and lots of flag waving. I found out that it was a yearly thing, Aliya le-Yerushalayim -- going up to Jerusalem.

Groups of youths paraded down the street in front of us. They were jubilant, waving flags and carrying signs. These were youths from the settlements. They were joined by tractors of more than 60 years ago. They all had a part in building up Israel as a Jewish state. They all see Jerusalem as the center of Israel life, the Jewish capital since the time of David.

The marchers all assembled in a huge park for an evening of music and fun. Some musicians were already playing music. There was a fast Chassidic piece -- klezmer music -- and then they went to more modern favorites.

This year Jerusalem Aliya carried an air of defiance. At a time when around the world there are rallies and protests against Israel . . . when there are new calls to boycottIsrael products, and condemn all of Israel in general, and its defense forces in particular . . . the settlement youth proclaimed solidarity with IDF. They carried signs saying "We are all Shayetet 13" (the commando unit that boarded the Gaza flotilla two days earlier.")

At the park, a woman explained to me the significance of going up to Jerusalem every year at about the time of Shavuot. Our holidays all carry messages of building up the land of Israel, and being a united people. The families of the settlements link their lives to the capital of the Jewish people, Jerusalem. When I told her that we came from Sderot, her eyes widened and she welcomed us as part of the cause - uniting and protecting the land of Israel.

There may not be much to be proud of, living in the Negev. But to live where enemies shoot rockets because they don't want you there is an act of defiance. To live in the settlements, where so much of the world believes you don't belong, is an act of defiance. To do your duty as a soldier and protect the borders even while much of the world calls you a criminal, is an act of defiance. It was good -- no, it was fantastic -- to see youths of all ages, despite all that the world is saying about them, marching in solidarity and with pride

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Technorati Tags: Commando Unit, Defiance, Enemies, Flotilla, Gaza, Jerusalem, Jewish State, Land Of Israel, Negev, Playing Music, Procession, Protests Against Israel, Rallies, rockets, Shavuot, Shayetet 13, Solidarity, Tractors, Waving Flags, Waxman

Of Fears, Scams and a Song

by Jerry Waxman

Sderot is known mostly for the kassams, the rocket attacks on a civilian population by Arab extremists in Gaza over the past 9 years. I have a thing about over-exploitation of victimhood. It doesn’t sit well with me that every visitor to Sderot is treated to a tour of how Sderot has suffered, while little if anything is ever said of how Sderot has overcome the difficulties. When every newspaper article about Sderot includes an interview or two with a suffering resident, somehow I think the newspaper is scamming the victims.

It has been months since there has been attacks of any consequence. People are enjoying the quiet. So it pisses me off a little when recent news articles emphasize only the “fear” and “apprehension” people feel in Sderot, not knowing when the next attacks will begin. BULL-ONEY!

Then again, there was an article that brought up a point I’ve overlooked. People ARE afraid. People have been affected by years of on and off rocket storms. Some kids still suffer attention deficit, and many people are still too afraid to sleep in their upstairs bedrooms, keeping their entire families huddled in safe rooms all night. Insomnia, nervous tension, job-loss due to disabilities — they are real in Sderot.

Looking back to when I said, “Shalom” to the cat lady, and she appeared unsettled and nervous. Certainly she has had enough to cause her chronic fear – and the kittens on her lap and sides bring her comfort. So, while I still think the newpapers overdo the victims angle, there really are victims who are not scamming us.

There are foreign workers in Sderot. Some work in factories. Sometimes you’ll see an Asian worker caring for an elderly person. My roommate – who often deals with volunteers – had a meeting in my home with one such foreign worker; a Filipina who cares for an old lady.

The Filipina was in a bind. She had borrowed money from a friend in Tel Aviv some time ago. She has already paid back half the money. Suddenly, her friend wants her to pay everything back plus interest – 10% per month. There is even a lawyer with an Arabic name calling her, and calling the old lady employer, threatening to have the naive Filipina deported.

After hearing the main parts of the story, I told the Filipina to pay her friend when she can, and don’t pay the lawyer – short and simple. Since the Filipina has a legal visa from her employer, the lawyer has no authority to have her deported. In other words, it’s a scam.

Foreign workers are another part of Israel life – and the life in Sderot. There are reports that many were scammed by agencies that bring them here and then extract usurious amounts from the workers’ paychecks every month. Apparently, some foreign workers are targets of scam artists. Of equal concern is that some scam artists may be related to extremists over in Gaza.

On Friday, I went to a popular bakery in the early afternoon to pick up bread before Shabbat. At the time I went there, half the shelves were already cleared, as Shabbat customers tend to come fast and furious in the morning. But there were still some little challot (little braided breads) and pitas.

A fellow with a knitted kipah was standing next to me, putting little challot in a plastic bag. He was a tallish, oblong man with a somewhat oversized pouch, and he was not in the least nervous or in a hurry. He hummed a tune as he filled his plastic bags.

I asked him what song he was singing. He said it was a song about “Avinu Shebeshamaim.” (G-d in Heaven). I said, “He has a lot of songs, but I’ve never heard this one before. It’s a nice song.” And I meant it. The fellow not only seemed to be calmly singing in anticipation of the Sabbath, he had a nice voice.

Later while waiting in line at the counter, I told him he should sing some more and they will give him a discount. So he started singing the same tune again. I was thinking of asking if he knew the Karaoke Guy – and would give him lessons in keeping a melody – but I refrained.

Instead, as I left, as I said, “Shabbat Shalom,” he extended his hand and invited me to his house for Shabbat.

I pause here for effect. . . . . What a Jewish thing to do! He had never seen me before, didn’t know me, I didn’t know him, and the only things we knew about each other were that we both liked the little challot, and both appreciated a good tune, and both were Jewish. Yet, in Sderot, where people have a right to harbor suspicions about strangers, and fears about everyday life, here was a man offering another man – a complete stranger – a place in his home for Shabbat.

The man’s name is Natan. I didn’t go to his house. But it’s nice to know such a man lives in this town.

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Technorati Tags: About Israel, About Sderot, extremists, fear, Gaza, Jewish, kassams, rockets, Sabbath, Shabat

Senator Menendez and the Truth About Israel

Senator Robert Menendez outlines the true history of Israel and the Jewish connection to this land.

Found at WeJew

Feel free to comment:
Talking points:
1. Was the state of Israel formed because of the Holocaust?
2. Why did some – not all – Arab people flee in 1948? Was it Jewish aggression or pressure from Arab leaders?
3. We hear much of the Palestinian refugees – for more than 60 years. Why don’t we hear of the Jewish refugees?
4. If Senator Menendez’s observations are true, how should it affect the U.S. stance on the current peace negotiations?
(Comments are monitored. You can agree or disagree, just keep it civil.)

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Technorati Tags: About Israel, Aggression, Arab Leaders, Gaza, History Israel, History Of Israel, Holocaust, Jewish Connection, Jewish History, Jewish Refugees, Palestinian Refugees, Peace Negotiations, Robert Menendez, Senator Menendez, Senator Robert Menendez, state of israel, Talking Points, True History, Truth About

Of Holidays and Heroes – Will the Red Sea Part Again?

by Jerry Waxman

Friday, 7:00 AM, Beit Haggai near Hevron:  In the early morning hours, a young Arab man came into the town. Armed with a knife and firearm, the first persons he met were two residents on the First Response team. There was a struggle, one of the first response members was wounded slightly.  The Arab infiltrator was eliminated. 

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Two days ago was a holiday in Israel, the last day of the Passover festival, the anniversary of the parting of the Red Sea. 

If you recall, some 3300 years ago, the Israelites left Egypt. Pharoah called upon the whole Egyptian army to chase the Israelites.  The Jews could not turn south for there were wild animals.  They could not turn north for the Phillistines were ready to pounce on them.  In back of them were the Egyptians with their chariots and horses.  And in front of them was the water.

If there was ever a time when the nation of Israel could see the world closing in on them, it was then and there at the edge of the Red Sea. The world would close in on the nation of Israel many more times in the next 3300 years. 

Somehow the Jewish people always survived.  And first response teams have always helped.

America’s got a new hero!  Captain Richard Phillips of the Maersk Alabama put his life on the line to save his crew.  He deserves praise not only for his bravery, but also for setting an example for everyone – particularly leaders of companies, leaders of cities, and leaders of countries. Until now we have seen too much of so-called leaders sacrificing the people under them for their own gain. Captain Phillips has turned it around.

And we should thank President Obama for taking swift action in authorizing the Navy to intervene in order to protect American citizens.  He has set a precedent for his administration.

Sometimes Israel uses its military to protect its citizens.  When it does, Israel gets criticized all over the world.  In Sderot, where we’ve seen the rockets’ red glare, and the news of the protests against us, we can feel the world closing in.

We’ve had our heroes, too. In the second Lebanon War, Major Roi Klein saved his soldiers by jumping on a grenade. (See video on this page.). Not long after, his bereaved family received an eviction notice.  Their home is on land that the Arabs want. 

We have another hero who was a commander of a bold rescue operation.  33 years ago, Yonatan Netanyahu, older brother of today’s prime minister, led Operation Thunderbolt. They stormed Entebbe airport in Uganda and brought more than 100 hostages to safety. 

Yonatan was killed. A collection of his letters were put in a book (“Michtavei Yoni” The English version is here. ) The book gives us a glimpse into a hero’s mind. And it shows us that 33 years ago and more, there were real concerns about preserving a Jewish state in Israel.  Then, as now, we needed first response teams to prevent the world from closing in too fast.

It’s been quiet in Sderot.  And sunny. And the people seem to have confidence enough to let their kids play outside. We know the weapons have been flowing into Gaza since January.  And we know that some people in Gaza are anxious to use them.  But what the heck, it’s quiet now….

A couple kassams were launched into open fields, supposedly to welcome the arrival of U.S. envoy George Mitchell.  Rather than respond to such activities, he spoke to Israel’s leaders about the creation of an Arab state in the West Bank, led by the Palestinian Authority, side by side with Israel living in peace.

Binyamin Netanyahu posed a correct question: He said that Israel would be willing to talk about a Palestinian state, so long as the P.A. recognizes Israel as a Jewish state. 

Mahmoud Abbas went ballistic.  A Jewish state?!  Never! 

Can we expect the U.S. and the European Union and the Quartet and the Arab League to put pressure on the Palestinian Authority to recognize the Jewish state?  Or is it more likely that Israel will be criticized for making impossible demands?

Durban II gets underway next week.  This is the U.N. sponsored conference on Human Rights and Anti-Racism to take place in Durban, South Africa..  At the head of the conference-Libya. Vice Chair-Iran. Rappoteur-Cuba.

The U.S. has yet to say whether or not it will be represented at the conference.  Durban I, in 2001, turned into an Israel-bashing frenzy.  Secretary of State Colin Powell walked out.  This year some countries, including Canada, are boycotting the conference.   Why is the U.S. vascillating on this?

Israel Defense forces have just determined that everybody in Israel is within missile range either from Gaza or from Lebanon.  Everybody.

So, here we are again. The Arabs have Gaza, we’re supposed to give them the West Bank.  So where are we supposed to go when the missiles start flying.  Can’t go north. The missiles are there.  Can’t go west; Gaza’s got that covered. Can’t go east, the P.A. will make sure of that.  Our best bet – south, to Eilat, back to the Red Sea. 

We can’t expect the sea to part again.  What we need are first responders to prevent  tragedy and injustice..  You see, today we don’t have heroes like Richard Phillips, or Roi Klein, or Yonatan Netanyahu in leadership positions. We really cannot expect much from today’s heads of state without proper advice from us.

Here is what our first responders should do:  They should talk with Obama and Clinton and George Mitchell. And show them a map of the Jewish homeland as described by the Balfour Declaration.  And show them that most of that land has already been partitioned and given to Arab leaders.  And show them how the Arabs have used Gaza since Israel evacuated 10,000 Jews.  And ask what are we to expect if we evacuate 100,000 Jews from Judea and Samaria.

First responders need to ask some very pointed quesions. 

1. If we are talking about human rights, why haven’t the Arabs sent Gilad Shallit home?
2. If we are talking aboutg human rightrs and civil rights, why doesn’t the U.S., release Johnathan Pollard.?
3. And finally, as you look over all the land we’re supposed to give to the Arabs:  IF we’re talking of  peace,  Why Can’t Jews Live There?

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Technorati Tags: Arab Man, Bat Ayin, Captain Richard, Chariots And Horses, Egyptian Army, First Response, Gaza, Haggai, Holiday In Israel, Infiltrator, Israel Defense Forces, Matzo, Middle East, Mitchell, Netanyahu, New Hero, Obama, Parting Of The Red Sea, Passover Haggadah, Pharoah, Phillistines, Red Sea, Response Teams, Richard Phillips, Sea The World, West Bank, Wild Animals

The civilian population of Sderot deals constantly with the attack of the Kassam rockets send into their homes by militant Islam from Gaza. The really horrific part of this is the Militants of Hizzbollah revel in their evil deeds. They know no humanity only evil deeds.

Duration : 0:7:16

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Technorati Tags: About Israel, About Sderot, attack, evil, Gaza, hizzbollah, kassams, rocket