The Portland Trust believes in the important role of economics in resolving the Middle East conflict, supported by evidence from other conflict situations. They believe the development of a thriving and sustainable Palestinian economy is a necessary condition for peace, and that the Israeli and Palestinian private sectors can be powerful forces for peace in the region. The Trust's Economic Bulletin for November 2010 highlights some of the material gains that have been registered in Gaza and the West Bank
Chief among the bulletin's findings are an increase in foreign investment between 2008 and 2009, from $1.34bn to $1.58bn, an 18% rise. However, Palestinian investment abroad is still three times more than the amount invested in the territories themselves: $5.43 bn. According to Dr. Jihad Al Wazir, governor of the Palestinian Monetary Authority political instability in the territories is the main cause of preferred overseas investment. The percentage of Palestinian banks that kept their assets abroad has dropped markedly a historic high of 65% to 47% today. Fascinating that overseas investment has historically taken precedent over building local infrastructure. Can we find a way to blame this on Israel?
Meanwhile, back in Hamasastan
Hamas has approved the construction of three high rise apartment buildings in Gaza that will be funded primarily by Iran. The funding for the new buildings comes mainly from Iran, but donations have also been received from Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Each building will be located on a complex that will have an adjoining shopping center, schools, a playground and a mosque. Apartments in the new neighborhoods will cost $25-40,000. First in line for the new units will be will be the families of 'shahidim' (martyrs), prisoners and casualties of war. Next in line will be young couples who have no apartment of their own, followed by families whose homes were destroyed by Israel, especially during Operation Cast Lead. The remaining apartments will be handed out according to a housing ministry raffle.
In addition to the apartments, international organizations operating in Gaza are supervising 70 projects to improve the health, education and sanitary conditions in the Gaza Strip. Yet on the streets in the Bay area, we still hear about starving Palestinians living in tents. Reality and fantasy are on a parallel track here- never actually intersecting.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Pay Attention to me! Pay Attention to ME! The BDS'ers get increasingly more desperate
The-Israel haters , having failed to get their message across though protests, vandalizing Israeli foods and harassing shoppers , are trying increasingly more bizarre tactics. The St. Louis Palestine Solidarity group is desperately trying to put together a flash mob to protest Motorola. As of today, a mere 8 people are attending, illustrating the organization’s failure at creating either “flash” or “mob” .
Their announcement:
Who's interested in being part of a flash mob? We will be meeting to learn dance moves for a December flash mob that is part of a coordinated effort to help bring awareness boycotting Motorola products.
Even if you can't dance, we will have other roles for people to assist with. However, we are desperately seeking dancers...or at least people who can move in some sort of simultaneous pre-organized and coordinated motions.
Please try to attend the Sunday November 28 Information/Rehearsal meeting at 3pm at the World Community Center (438 Skinker Blvd).
Its interesting that the BDS'ers will try and do anything, just anything to advance their cause, except of course open dialog, legitimate discourse and free debate.
The Motorola boycott , like many BDS ventures is failing, big time. The BDR'ers were apparently unable to convince the IHH terrorists on the Mavi Marmara to boycott Motorola. Each squad of mercenaries was equipped with a Motorola communication device so they could pass information to one another.
Their announcement:
Who's interested in being part of a flash mob? We will be meeting to learn dance moves for a December flash mob that is part of a coordinated effort to help bring awareness boycotting Motorola products.
Even if you can't dance, we will have other roles for people to assist with. However, we are desperately seeking dancers...or at least people who can move in some sort of simultaneous pre-organized and coordinated motions.
Please try to attend the Sunday November 28 Information/Rehearsal meeting at 3pm at the World Community Center (438 Skinker Blvd).
Its interesting that the BDS'ers will try and do anything, just anything to advance their cause, except of course open dialog, legitimate discourse and free debate.
The Motorola boycott , like many BDS ventures is failing, big time. The BDR'ers were apparently unable to convince the IHH terrorists on the Mavi Marmara to boycott Motorola. Each squad of mercenaries was equipped with a Motorola communication device so they could pass information to one another.
Human Rights Watch Founder, Robert Bernstein on the Moral Failures of HRW in the Middle east
Robert Bernstein, the 88 year old founder of Human Rights Watch has recently delivered a lecture condemning the organization he had established for moral failures in its treatment of Israel. These are excerpts from the Shirley and Leonard Goldstein Lecture on Human Rights, delivered November 10 at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
From the Jerusalem Post:
"I know we all believe in free speech.
We believe in equality for women. We believe in tolerance of each other’s religious beliefs and in an open campus. It seems to me that the State of Israel has all the values we just outlined. It is surrounded by 22 Arab states occupying 99 and a half percent of the land in the Middle East and these states do not share these values. Israel, which occupies less than half of one percent, does share these values.
There is a battle about two things: First, the size of the 23rd state, the new Palestinian state, which at present has many of the same values as the other 22 states. Secondly, the claims of many Arab states, Iran and its proxies Hizbullah and Hamas, about the very legitimacy of the State of Israel.
I don’t think human rights organizations alone can solve this mess but I do wonder about the discussions on many campuses, particularly about Israeli abuses, regardless of what you believe about them, and whether they are constructive.
I don’t see how discussions of Israeli abuses can take such precedence over the kind of state that will be next to Israel. That is, not only internally, although human rights advocates should care about that more than they do, but in its foreign policy toward its neighbor Israel.
He describes how HRW shifted its focus from basic freedoms to warfare:
"It seemed to me that if you talked about freedom of speech, the rights of women, an open education and freedom of religion – that there was only one state in the Middle East that was concerned with those issues. In changing the public debate to issues of war, Human Rights Watch and others in what they described as being evenhanded, described Israel far from being an advocate of human rights, but instead as one of its principal offenders. Like many others, I knew little about the laws of war, Geneva Conventions and international law, and in my high regard for Human Rights Watch, I was certainly inclined to believe what Human Rights Watch was reporting.
However, as I saw Human Rights Watch’s attacks on almost every issue become more and more hostile, I wondered if their new focus on war was accurate."
Describing the build up of arms in Gaza and in Lebanon, and the UN's inability or unwillingness to intervene, Bernstein says
"It is hard for human rights organizations to do anything when war starts. Can anything be more threatening to civilian life than the thought of another war in Gaza? Shouldn’t human rights organizations be talking to the Gazans about the wisdom of their government in rearming? Instead, there is a debate about the blockade of Gaza. The debate over the blockade and whether Israel is achieving the right balance in trying to keep Gaza livable while keeping Gaza unprepared for war is too complicated to discuss here. We do know that a ship, coming from Iran and loaded with sophisticated arms, was apprehended by Israel off the coast. Yet, many visit Gaza and call for a complete lifting of the blockade without mentioning arms.
Human Rights Watch believes the blockade is illegal based on their opinion that Israel and not Hamas controls Gaza. If one believes Hamas controls Gaza, a blockade is a legal way of trying to prevent rearmament.
Hamas’s irresponsible use of arms, even to the point of sacrificing its own citizens as a way to build world sympathy, is well known."
More here
From the Jerusalem Post:
"I know we all believe in free speech.
We believe in equality for women. We believe in tolerance of each other’s religious beliefs and in an open campus. It seems to me that the State of Israel has all the values we just outlined. It is surrounded by 22 Arab states occupying 99 and a half percent of the land in the Middle East and these states do not share these values. Israel, which occupies less than half of one percent, does share these values.
There is a battle about two things: First, the size of the 23rd state, the new Palestinian state, which at present has many of the same values as the other 22 states. Secondly, the claims of many Arab states, Iran and its proxies Hizbullah and Hamas, about the very legitimacy of the State of Israel.
I don’t think human rights organizations alone can solve this mess but I do wonder about the discussions on many campuses, particularly about Israeli abuses, regardless of what you believe about them, and whether they are constructive.
I don’t see how discussions of Israeli abuses can take such precedence over the kind of state that will be next to Israel. That is, not only internally, although human rights advocates should care about that more than they do, but in its foreign policy toward its neighbor Israel.
He describes how HRW shifted its focus from basic freedoms to warfare:
"It seemed to me that if you talked about freedom of speech, the rights of women, an open education and freedom of religion – that there was only one state in the Middle East that was concerned with those issues. In changing the public debate to issues of war, Human Rights Watch and others in what they described as being evenhanded, described Israel far from being an advocate of human rights, but instead as one of its principal offenders. Like many others, I knew little about the laws of war, Geneva Conventions and international law, and in my high regard for Human Rights Watch, I was certainly inclined to believe what Human Rights Watch was reporting.
However, as I saw Human Rights Watch’s attacks on almost every issue become more and more hostile, I wondered if their new focus on war was accurate."
Describing the build up of arms in Gaza and in Lebanon, and the UN's inability or unwillingness to intervene, Bernstein says
"It is hard for human rights organizations to do anything when war starts. Can anything be more threatening to civilian life than the thought of another war in Gaza? Shouldn’t human rights organizations be talking to the Gazans about the wisdom of their government in rearming? Instead, there is a debate about the blockade of Gaza. The debate over the blockade and whether Israel is achieving the right balance in trying to keep Gaza livable while keeping Gaza unprepared for war is too complicated to discuss here. We do know that a ship, coming from Iran and loaded with sophisticated arms, was apprehended by Israel off the coast. Yet, many visit Gaza and call for a complete lifting of the blockade without mentioning arms.
Human Rights Watch believes the blockade is illegal based on their opinion that Israel and not Hamas controls Gaza. If one believes Hamas controls Gaza, a blockade is a legal way of trying to prevent rearmament.
Hamas’s irresponsible use of arms, even to the point of sacrificing its own citizens as a way to build world sympathy, is well known."
More here
Friday, November 26, 2010
San Francisco and Haifa: Sister Cities
Haifa and San Francisco are sister cities- the reasons seem obvious. Both are cities on a hill, both have a diverse population, both are centers of high-tech, and both sit on an earthquake fault. Just as San Francisco functions as a "sanctuary" city, Haifa too provided a sanctuary for people of the Bahai faith, and today is the home of the Bahai World center. Last week, Haifa mayor Yona Yahav came to San Francisco, to celebrate and promote Haifa's 35 year old relationship with the "City by the bay".
While here, Yahav attended a screening at the Kabuki Sundance Theater of the Israeli film “The Matchmaker,” which was filmed in Haifa. He also spoke at the World Affairs Council discussing Haifa as a model of coexistence in the Middle East. Haifa, with a population of almost 600,000 is third-largest city in Israel. Haifa’s residents consist of Jews, Arabs, Christians, Bahai, and other communities living side-by-side. His theory as to why his city seems to be an island of Arab-Jewish cooperation. “In our city,” he said, “nothing is holy.”
Stronger relations are being promoted between San Francisco and Haifa, sister cities with much in common. How's that BDS movement going, btw?
Monday, November 22, 2010
Its a BIG deal: Buy Israeli Goods Nov. 30 and Always
It’s a BIG deal: Buy Israel Goods Campaign November 30
From the Israeli advocates at Stand With Us:
On Tuesday, November 30, anti-Israel activists in New York City plan to demonstrate and call for boycotts of stores that sell Israeli products. Their target is Ricky's because it carries Ahava goods. But this action in New York is just one of many. Boycotters have been energetically lobbying other stores across the country to drop Israeli products, from local co-ops to Costco and Trader Joe's.
The pro-Israel, pro-peace community urges you to join a counter campaign. We are making November 30 a BIG (Buy Israeli Goods) Day. Let us show anyone that calls for boycotts of even one or two stores, that it will always be met with a much larger counter-movement to buy Israeli goods.
StandWithUs and the America-Israel Chambers of Commerce calls on schools, college campuses, synagogues, community organizations, and individuals to designate Tuesday, November 30, as the day to actively Buy Israeli Goods. Go to your local stores and request Israeli products. Whenever a boycott is called, respond by purchasing the very Israeli goods that are being targeted and let store managers know they should keep them well-stocked on the shelves.
The holiday season is fast approaching. When you go holiday shopping, choose presents from the wonderful array of Israeli-made items, from fine Israeli wines to the high quality Ahava beauty products, Israeli jewelry, shoes and clothing lines, and of course, food. Select Sabra or Tribe hummus, great Israeli wines and Osem cookies to grace your holiday party.
We must defeat the boycotters who advocate destructive instead of constructive measures, who undermine hopes for peaceful co-existence, and whose only goal is to defame, cripple and damage Israel.
We can defeat them if we join together. The very date, November 30th, should encourage us. It comes the day after the 53rd anniversary of the UN Partition Resolution when the effort, against all odds, to restore the Jewish State was endorsed and recognized by the international community. It also comes just as Hannukah is approaching when we celebrate the Maccabees who also restored Jewish independence, and who were a few who triumphed over the many. We can do the same, and shine a light on Israel for all people of good will.
On November 30th, go shopping for Israel no matter where you live. Buy for Israel. Buy for peace. Be a big part of this BIG (Buy Israeli Goods) Day.
Where can you buy Israeli products locally?
Try here.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
JVP ATTACKS MIDDLE AGED DISABLED WOMAN
Jewish Voice for Peace attack news
http://grantpatel.blogspot.com/2010/11/jewish-voice-for-peace-attack-news.html
Excerpt: "Fellow bloggerstress Balabusta in Blue Jeans also weighs in on the cruel assault on a pro-Israel activist by the ever-venomous and vile Jewish Voice for Peace soldiers. She says: "The Balabusta will add that she has met this lady many times, and that she has also seen JVP's choice of 'nonviolent' friends at a number of demonstrations. Given JVP's inability to notice threatening and violent behavior carried out by those they choose to like, I'm not surprised they also fantasize violence by those they attack." "
Jewish Voice for Peace and bully tactics
http://proisraelbaybloggers.blogspot.com/2010/11/jewish-voice-for-peace-and-bully.html
Excerpt: "Yesterday evening there was a fracas at a Jewish Voice for Peace event, in which a middle-aged woman was victimized by several people. Jewish Voice for Peace has already come out with a press-release in which they desperately seek to put their spin on matters.
Truth, as is so often the case when JVP and similar groupings are involved, is not part of their narrative."
Jewish Voice for Peace and bully tactics
http://grantpatel.blogspot.com/2010/11/jewish-voice-for-peace-and-bully.html
Excerpt:
"Here’s the victim’s account:
"Jewish Voice for Peace" has issued a press release that I attacked several people attending one of their events with pepper spray. They also go on to make absurd allegations regarding my politics and intentions at the meeting.
This is completely bizarre. I am a DISABLED WOMAN (see the legal notice on my car). I carry pepper spray as my only means to defend myself. It IS true that on the evening of November 14, at a JVP meeting, I needed to defend myself. I was physically attacked.
The JVP meeting at Berkeley Senior Center was advertised to the public. I attended this meeting as an individual and not as a member of any organization, in order to deepen my understanding of their perspective on the Middle East conflict.
Ironically, a stated goal of the meeting was to HONOR activists that had recently PHYSICALLY DISRUPTED a speech by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Perhaps I should have understood that as a warning.
THE ATTACK: Around 20 minutes into the meeting, I tried to photograph a woman speaking in support of Israel. Almost immediately, several JVP members surrounded me and tried to take my camera from me. Then they attacked me. They took hold of my arms and would not let me go. They also pushed their chests into me many times and knocked me against a wall. I yelled at them 20 to 30 times to let go of me. They refused to let go of my wrists and forearms and continued to bang their chests into me. They banged me into the wall over a dozen times. Their faces were red from hatred and exertion. As a result of their violence, my wrists and arms are bruised and I am currently suffering serious pain in my lower back. I am unable to work this afternoon and I must take medication for pain relief.
I am a large woman but I am physically frail. As I said, I am disabled.
- I see a pain management physician regularly for chronic back pain. I am unable to move without severe back pain. I have had major surgery on my back. I am unable to stand for more than a couple of minutes without unrelenting back pain and sciatica pain.
- I also have had nine surgeries on my knees which are another main source of pain.
- I have asthma, and I use inhaled steroids daily; the anti-Israel activists’ attack on me exacerbated my asthma and I had to take medicine while at the senior center.
- I also have a serious blood disorder that weakens me. I am currently under treatment by a hematologist/oncologist, and I am on daily chemotherapy.
I am 58 years old. I have a Disabled Person’s license plate for my car. I am physically incapable of overpowering or attacking anybody! The people who attacked me were physically fit and at least 20 years younger than I;
While pleading with the attackers to let me go, I tried to get away but they followed me and kept grabbing my arms. At one point they knocked my camera out of my hand. I bent down to pick it up and tried to walk away. They followed me and continued to grab my arms and shove me into the wall. They isolated me from the rest of the crowd. Because they were beating me up and because I am disabled and could not defend myself otherwise, I sprayed pepper spray into one woman’s face. As soon as I did that, they all backed off from me and let me go.
I resorted to the pepper spray because I feared for my safety and my life!!! I believe that had I not used pepper spray, I would be in the hospital today suffering far more serious injuries. Pepper spray causes extreme discomfort but is unlikely to cause permanent injury. The purpose of pepper spray is to temporarily disable an attacker, to allow time for escape. It worked.
The JVP press release is an outright lie. I cannot and did not attack anyone. I was attacked!
[END CITE]
Jewish Voice for Whaaaa? Again?
http://balabustabluejeans.blogspot.com/2010/11/jewish-voice-for-whaaaa-again.html
Excerpt: "Over at Pro-Israel Bay Bloggers, the irrepressible Grant Patel writes up a recent encounter between the poorly named Jewish Voice for Peace and a local pro-Israel activist who was physically attacked and continues to be attacked in words by JVP."
Self-Loathing Jews & Leftists Assault Jewish Woman at JVP Meeting
http://brandishingbeets.blogspot.com/2010/11/self-loathing-jews-leftists-assault.html
Excerpt: "This is a repost from my fellow San Franciscan's blog, Pro-Israel Bay Bloggers:
Monday, November 15, 2010
Jewish Voice for Peace and bully tactics ... "
JEWISH VOICE FOR PEACE VIOLENCE
http://deathbynoodles.blogspot.com/2010/11/jewish-voice-for-peace-violence.html
Excerpt: "On Sunday night in Berkeley, members of Jewish Voice for Peace displayed all their worst character flaws, and ganged up on a middle-aged handicapped woman."
Jewish Voice for Peace - lies, distortion, and spin
http://infectiousasian.blogspot.com/2010/11/jewish-voice-for-peace-lies-distortion.html
Excerpt: "The following is an example of the lies told by Jewish Voice for Peace, which once again shows that ethical considerations and truth are not any part of their agenda."
JVP ASSAULT WITNESSED
http://atthebackofthehill.blogspot.com/2010/11/jvp-assault-winessed.html
Excerpt: "One of the people who was there witnessed the assault on Robin by the JVP’ers Sunday evening in Berkeley very clearly. This is what he wrote:
"I witnessed the assault on Robin Dubner on 11-14-10. I heard a fracas to my left and behind me. I turned and saw a blonde woman with short hair and a man with glasses pushing Robin backwards, toward a wall of windows and a plaster wall-- a corner, essentially. Robin had both hands above her head and the two JVPers were shoving her backward and grabbing at Robin's hands. Another two persons were behind the two assailants, all moving forward on Robin, who was retreating backward from them. Robin was screaming words to the effect of: "Don't touch me; let go of me." I didn't catch the JVPers' words, but several people were yelling at Robin at once.
I saw Robin's camera fly out of her hands and the attack on her let up for a moment. When Robin picked up her camera from the floor, the attack started again, with more pushing, grabbing and screaming at Robin by multiple people. Robin took out her pepper spray and sprayed the blonde woman; I didn't notice her spray the man but I understand he was also sprayed. At that time, Robin was able to move away.
I can testify in court that this was a brutal attack by multiple cowards on a disabled person (Robin) and that Robin was justified in protecting herself with pepper spray. The spray was used solely in self-defence. Even I feared for Robin's safety at the hands of these thugs who unjustifiably, physically attacked Robin."
[END CITE]
Another witness writes:
The chairs in the room were arranged in a big circle. We began by introducing ourselves and discussing our plans for Thanksgiving. Lots of JVP'ers are spending Thanksgiving day on Alcatraz. It was oh so very very Berkeley.
Someone (a pro-Israel person?) began taping. They actively tried to stop her. A spirited discussion ensued about if it was legal or not to tape in a public venue. Were they planning to engage in any illegal activity? Was that why they objected to taping?
Then JVP introduced the students who interrupted Netanyahu. Rae Abileah from Code Pink, Matthew Taylor, 3 others. Oh, they were so proud of their brave, brave, young people!
They set up the video from their disruption. And that is when a pro-Israel person started reading from Chaim Herzog's 1975 speech to the UN on Zionism. Someone else asked Matthew Taylor about the psycho-sexual nature of his (Matthew Taylor's) foreskin restoration crusade. Had he tried any of the do it yourself procedures?
Two loudly angry JVP'ers attempted to prevent someone else taping. I think they were waving their fists at her and trying to push her. It looked very threatening. The victim of the JVP bullying was shoved into a corner, a wiry blonde thing grabbed her wrist, and the camera fell to the group.
And at that point, the shit hit the fan. Chaos and screaming.
Cecilie Shuransky had brought her little boy to the meeting . The turmoil just fascinated him - I suspect he said to his mom on the way home "It wasn't as boring as it usually is".
Rae whined "it's not the same. We interrupted the head of a state. You are interupting...us...powerless young people."
I really hate sinking to their depths.
[END CITE]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLEASE ALSO NOTE MENTIONS ELSEWHERE OF JVP'S TENDENCY TO BEND THE TRUTH BEYOND ALL RECOGNITION, HERE AS WELL AS ON OTHER BLOGS.
http://grantpatel.blogspot.com/2010/11/jewish-voice-for-peace-attack-news.html
Excerpt: "Fellow bloggerstress Balabusta in Blue Jeans also weighs in on the cruel assault on a pro-Israel activist by the ever-venomous and vile Jewish Voice for Peace soldiers. She says: "The Balabusta will add that she has met this lady many times, and that she has also seen JVP's choice of 'nonviolent' friends at a number of demonstrations. Given JVP's inability to notice threatening and violent behavior carried out by those they choose to like, I'm not surprised they also fantasize violence by those they attack." "
Jewish Voice for Peace and bully tactics
http://proisraelbaybloggers.blogspot.com/2010/11/jewish-voice-for-peace-and-bully.html
Excerpt: "Yesterday evening there was a fracas at a Jewish Voice for Peace event, in which a middle-aged woman was victimized by several people. Jewish Voice for Peace has already come out with a press-release in which they desperately seek to put their spin on matters.
Truth, as is so often the case when JVP and similar groupings are involved, is not part of their narrative."
Jewish Voice for Peace and bully tactics
http://grantpatel.blogspot.com/2010/11/jewish-voice-for-peace-and-bully.html
Excerpt:
"Here’s the victim’s account:
"Jewish Voice for Peace" has issued a press release that I attacked several people attending one of their events with pepper spray. They also go on to make absurd allegations regarding my politics and intentions at the meeting.
This is completely bizarre. I am a DISABLED WOMAN (see the legal notice on my car). I carry pepper spray as my only means to defend myself. It IS true that on the evening of November 14, at a JVP meeting, I needed to defend myself. I was physically attacked.
The JVP meeting at Berkeley Senior Center was advertised to the public. I attended this meeting as an individual and not as a member of any organization, in order to deepen my understanding of their perspective on the Middle East conflict.
Ironically, a stated goal of the meeting was to HONOR activists that had recently PHYSICALLY DISRUPTED a speech by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Perhaps I should have understood that as a warning.
THE ATTACK: Around 20 minutes into the meeting, I tried to photograph a woman speaking in support of Israel. Almost immediately, several JVP members surrounded me and tried to take my camera from me. Then they attacked me. They took hold of my arms and would not let me go. They also pushed their chests into me many times and knocked me against a wall. I yelled at them 20 to 30 times to let go of me. They refused to let go of my wrists and forearms and continued to bang their chests into me. They banged me into the wall over a dozen times. Their faces were red from hatred and exertion. As a result of their violence, my wrists and arms are bruised and I am currently suffering serious pain in my lower back. I am unable to work this afternoon and I must take medication for pain relief.
I am a large woman but I am physically frail. As I said, I am disabled.
- I see a pain management physician regularly for chronic back pain. I am unable to move without severe back pain. I have had major surgery on my back. I am unable to stand for more than a couple of minutes without unrelenting back pain and sciatica pain.
- I also have had nine surgeries on my knees which are another main source of pain.
- I have asthma, and I use inhaled steroids daily; the anti-Israel activists’ attack on me exacerbated my asthma and I had to take medicine while at the senior center.
- I also have a serious blood disorder that weakens me. I am currently under treatment by a hematologist/oncologist, and I am on daily chemotherapy.
I am 58 years old. I have a Disabled Person’s license plate for my car. I am physically incapable of overpowering or attacking anybody! The people who attacked me were physically fit and at least 20 years younger than I;
While pleading with the attackers to let me go, I tried to get away but they followed me and kept grabbing my arms. At one point they knocked my camera out of my hand. I bent down to pick it up and tried to walk away. They followed me and continued to grab my arms and shove me into the wall. They isolated me from the rest of the crowd. Because they were beating me up and because I am disabled and could not defend myself otherwise, I sprayed pepper spray into one woman’s face. As soon as I did that, they all backed off from me and let me go.
I resorted to the pepper spray because I feared for my safety and my life!!! I believe that had I not used pepper spray, I would be in the hospital today suffering far more serious injuries. Pepper spray causes extreme discomfort but is unlikely to cause permanent injury. The purpose of pepper spray is to temporarily disable an attacker, to allow time for escape. It worked.
The JVP press release is an outright lie. I cannot and did not attack anyone. I was attacked!
[END CITE]
Jewish Voice for Whaaaa? Again?
http://balabustabluejeans.blogspot.com/2010/11/jewish-voice-for-whaaaa-again.html
Excerpt: "Over at Pro-Israel Bay Bloggers, the irrepressible Grant Patel writes up a recent encounter between the poorly named Jewish Voice for Peace and a local pro-Israel activist who was physically attacked and continues to be attacked in words by JVP."
Self-Loathing Jews & Leftists Assault Jewish Woman at JVP Meeting
http://brandishingbeets.blogspot.com/2010/11/self-loathing-jews-leftists-assault.html
Excerpt: "This is a repost from my fellow San Franciscan's blog, Pro-Israel Bay Bloggers:
Monday, November 15, 2010
Jewish Voice for Peace and bully tactics ... "
JEWISH VOICE FOR PEACE VIOLENCE
http://deathbynoodles.blogspot.com/2010/11/jewish-voice-for-peace-violence.html
Excerpt: "On Sunday night in Berkeley, members of Jewish Voice for Peace displayed all their worst character flaws, and ganged up on a middle-aged handicapped woman."
Jewish Voice for Peace - lies, distortion, and spin
http://infectiousasian.blogspot.com/2010/11/jewish-voice-for-peace-lies-distortion.html
Excerpt: "The following is an example of the lies told by Jewish Voice for Peace, which once again shows that ethical considerations and truth are not any part of their agenda."
JVP ASSAULT WITNESSED
http://atthebackofthehill.blogspot.com/2010/11/jvp-assault-winessed.html
Excerpt: "One of the people who was there witnessed the assault on Robin by the JVP’ers Sunday evening in Berkeley very clearly. This is what he wrote:
"I witnessed the assault on Robin Dubner on 11-14-10. I heard a fracas to my left and behind me. I turned and saw a blonde woman with short hair and a man with glasses pushing Robin backwards, toward a wall of windows and a plaster wall-- a corner, essentially. Robin had both hands above her head and the two JVPers were shoving her backward and grabbing at Robin's hands. Another two persons were behind the two assailants, all moving forward on Robin, who was retreating backward from them. Robin was screaming words to the effect of: "Don't touch me; let go of me." I didn't catch the JVPers' words, but several people were yelling at Robin at once.
I saw Robin's camera fly out of her hands and the attack on her let up for a moment. When Robin picked up her camera from the floor, the attack started again, with more pushing, grabbing and screaming at Robin by multiple people. Robin took out her pepper spray and sprayed the blonde woman; I didn't notice her spray the man but I understand he was also sprayed. At that time, Robin was able to move away.
I can testify in court that this was a brutal attack by multiple cowards on a disabled person (Robin) and that Robin was justified in protecting herself with pepper spray. The spray was used solely in self-defence. Even I feared for Robin's safety at the hands of these thugs who unjustifiably, physically attacked Robin."
[END CITE]
Another witness writes:
The chairs in the room were arranged in a big circle. We began by introducing ourselves and discussing our plans for Thanksgiving. Lots of JVP'ers are spending Thanksgiving day on Alcatraz. It was oh so very very Berkeley.
Someone (a pro-Israel person?) began taping. They actively tried to stop her. A spirited discussion ensued about if it was legal or not to tape in a public venue. Were they planning to engage in any illegal activity? Was that why they objected to taping?
Then JVP introduced the students who interrupted Netanyahu. Rae Abileah from Code Pink, Matthew Taylor, 3 others. Oh, they were so proud of their brave, brave, young people!
They set up the video from their disruption. And that is when a pro-Israel person started reading from Chaim Herzog's 1975 speech to the UN on Zionism. Someone else asked Matthew Taylor about the psycho-sexual nature of his (Matthew Taylor's) foreskin restoration crusade. Had he tried any of the do it yourself procedures?
Two loudly angry JVP'ers attempted to prevent someone else taping. I think they were waving their fists at her and trying to push her. It looked very threatening. The victim of the JVP bullying was shoved into a corner, a wiry blonde thing grabbed her wrist, and the camera fell to the group.
And at that point, the shit hit the fan. Chaos and screaming.
Cecilie Shuransky had brought her little boy to the meeting . The turmoil just fascinated him - I suspect he said to his mom on the way home "It wasn't as boring as it usually is".
Rae whined "it's not the same. We interrupted the head of a state. You are interupting...us...powerless young people."
I really hate sinking to their depths.
[END CITE]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLEASE ALSO NOTE MENTIONS ELSEWHERE OF JVP'S TENDENCY TO BEND THE TRUTH BEYOND ALL RECOGNITION, HERE AS WELL AS ON OTHER BLOGS.
If you Plant Ice You're Gonna Harvest Wind. Heckling the Hecklers at JVP
On Sunday night Nov 14, a group of pro Israel supporters attended a Jewish Voice for Peace meeting at the South Berkeley Senior Center. The Jewish Voice for Peace meeting was a celebration of a group of 5 activists who had heckled Netanyahu's appearance at the GA in New Orleans, a fact carefully omitted from subsequent JVP incident reports. The group, calling themselves "Young Jewish and Proud" is already inspiring parodies across the web.
Inspired by famed community organizer Saul Alinsky whose 1971 publication Rules for Radicals stresses “the difference between being a realistic radical and a rhetorical one.”, the pro-Israel activists used the meeting as an opportunity to heckle the hecklers- to give them "a taste of their own medicine".
From 'Rules for Radicals"
Rule 3: Whenever possible, go outside the experience of an opponent. Here you want to cause confusion, fear, and retreat.
Rule 4: Make opponents live up to their own book of rules.
Rule 5: Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon. It’s hard to counterattack
ridicule, and it infuriates the opposition, which then reacts to your advantage.
The activists succeeded. Frequent interruptions made it impossible to continue the meeting, and it was effectively shut down, with many people simply walking out. Conflicts over filming and photography escalated into a much publicized attack, followed swiftly by a cyber-attack directed towards the victim, a 58 year old disabled woman. Robin Dubner, an attorney, ethical vegetarian and animal rights activist who frequently speaks for the silenced voices in our community was physically isolated and attacked, and responded by pepper-spraying her assailants. JVP tweeted, spammed and mass marketed their version of the events across cyberspace in an effort to intimidate the pro-Israel activists into submission. It has failed. The truth can not be silenced.
How ironic that the group that claims to be "muzzled" celebrates the "muzzling" of people that don't share their point of view. How ironic that the group that claims to be "muzzled" refuses to allow comments on their blog.
JVP phoned the incident into the Berkeley police department as a " riot". 6 squad cars, 1 firetruck and an ambulance showed up at the scene. One assault. One pepper spraying. Two brief musical interludes reminiscent of the Titanic.
And hopeful a reminder to all (or at least to the smart ones) that the only real way to achieve peace is with dialog, mutual respect and compassion.
Inspired by famed community organizer Saul Alinsky whose 1971 publication Rules for Radicals stresses “the difference between being a realistic radical and a rhetorical one.”, the pro-Israel activists used the meeting as an opportunity to heckle the hecklers- to give them "a taste of their own medicine".
From 'Rules for Radicals"
Rule 3: Whenever possible, go outside the experience of an opponent. Here you want to cause confusion, fear, and retreat.
Rule 4: Make opponents live up to their own book of rules.
Rule 5: Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon. It’s hard to counterattack
ridicule, and it infuriates the opposition, which then reacts to your advantage.
The activists succeeded. Frequent interruptions made it impossible to continue the meeting, and it was effectively shut down, with many people simply walking out. Conflicts over filming and photography escalated into a much publicized attack, followed swiftly by a cyber-attack directed towards the victim, a 58 year old disabled woman. Robin Dubner, an attorney, ethical vegetarian and animal rights activist who frequently speaks for the silenced voices in our community was physically isolated and attacked, and responded by pepper-spraying her assailants. JVP tweeted, spammed and mass marketed their version of the events across cyberspace in an effort to intimidate the pro-Israel activists into submission. It has failed. The truth can not be silenced.
How ironic that the group that claims to be "muzzled" celebrates the "muzzling" of people that don't share their point of view. How ironic that the group that claims to be "muzzled" refuses to allow comments on their blog.
JVP phoned the incident into the Berkeley police department as a " riot". 6 squad cars, 1 firetruck and an ambulance showed up at the scene. One assault. One pepper spraying. Two brief musical interludes reminiscent of the Titanic.
And hopeful a reminder to all (or at least to the smart ones) that the only real way to achieve peace is with dialog, mutual respect and compassion.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Jewish Voice for Peace and bully tactics
Yesterday evening there was a fracas at a Jewish Voice for Peace event, in which a middle-aged woman was victimized by several people. Jewish Voice for Peace has already come out with a press-release in which they desperately seek to put their spin on matters.
Truth, as is so often the case when JVP and similar groupings are involved, is not part of their narrative.
Here’s the victim’s account:
"Jewish Voice for Peace" has issued a press release that I attacked several people attending one of their events with pepper spray. They also go on to make absurd allegations regarding my politics and intentions at the meeting.
This is completely bizarre. I am a DISABLED WOMAN (see the legal notice on my car). I carry pepper spray as my only means to defend myself. It IS true that on the evening of November 14, at a JVP meeting, I needed to defend myself. I was physically attacked.
The JVP meeting at Berkeley Senior Center was advertised to the public. I attended this meeting as an individual and not as a member of any organization, in order to deepen my understanding of their perspective on the Middle East conflict.
Ironically, a stated goal of the meeting was to HONOR activists that had recently PHYSICALLY DISRUPTED a speech by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Perhaps I should have understood that as a warning.
THE ATTACK: Around 20 minutes into the meeting, I tried to photograph a woman speaking in support of Israel. Almost immediately, several JVP members surrounded me and tried to take my camera from me. Then they attacked me. They took hold of my arms and would not let me go. They also pushed their chests into me many times and knocked me against a wall. I yelled at them 20 to 30 times to let go of me. They refused to let go of my wrists and forearms and continued to bang their chests into me. They banged me into the wall over a dozen times. Their faces were red from hatred and exertion. As a result of their violence, my wrists and arms are bruised and I am currently suffering serious pain in my lower back. I am unable to work this afternoon and I must take medication for pain relief.
I am a large woman but I am physically frail. As I said, I am disabled.
- I see a pain management physician regularly for chronic back pain. I am unable to move without severe back pain. I have had major surgery on my back. I am unable to stand for more than a couple of minutes without unrelenting back pain and sciatica pain.
- I also have had nine surgeries on my knees which are another main source of pain.
- I have asthma, and I use inhaled steroids daily; the anti-Israel activists’ attack on me exacerbated my asthma and I had to take medicine while at the senior center.
- I also have a serious blood disorder that weakens me. I am currently under treatment by a hematologist/oncologist, and I am on daily chemotherapy.
I am 58 years old. I have a Disabled Person’s license plate for my car. I am physically incapable of overpowering or attacking anybody! The people who attacked me were physically fit and at least 20 years younger than I;
While pleading with the attackers to let me go, I tried to get away but they followed me and kept grabbing my arms. At one point they knocked my camera out of my hand. I bent down to pick it up and tried to walk away. They followed me and continued to grab my arms and shove me into the wall. They isolated me from the rest of the crowd. Because they were beating me up and because I am disabled and could not defend myself otherwise, I sprayed pepper spray into one woman’s face. As soon as I did that, they all backed off from me and let me go.
I resorted to the pepper spray because I feared for my safety and my life!!! I believe that had I not used pepper spray, I would be in the hospital today suffering far more serious injuries. Pepper spray causes extreme discomfort but is unlikely to cause permanent injury. The purpose of pepper spray is to temporarily disable an attacker, to allow time for escape. It worked.
The JVP press release is an outright lie. I cannot and did not attack anyone. I was attacked!
------------------------------
PLEASE NOTE:
The event was open to the public, and advertised as such. Public, in JVP terminology, may mean people who agree with distortions and untruths. Or violent psychopaths.
They're rather picky.
Crossposted here:
http://grantpatel.blogspot.com/2010/11/jewish-voice-for-peace-and-bully.html
GP
Truth, as is so often the case when JVP and similar groupings are involved, is not part of their narrative.
Here’s the victim’s account:
"Jewish Voice for Peace" has issued a press release that I attacked several people attending one of their events with pepper spray. They also go on to make absurd allegations regarding my politics and intentions at the meeting.
This is completely bizarre. I am a DISABLED WOMAN (see the legal notice on my car). I carry pepper spray as my only means to defend myself. It IS true that on the evening of November 14, at a JVP meeting, I needed to defend myself. I was physically attacked.
The JVP meeting at Berkeley Senior Center was advertised to the public. I attended this meeting as an individual and not as a member of any organization, in order to deepen my understanding of their perspective on the Middle East conflict.
Ironically, a stated goal of the meeting was to HONOR activists that had recently PHYSICALLY DISRUPTED a speech by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Perhaps I should have understood that as a warning.
THE ATTACK: Around 20 minutes into the meeting, I tried to photograph a woman speaking in support of Israel. Almost immediately, several JVP members surrounded me and tried to take my camera from me. Then they attacked me. They took hold of my arms and would not let me go. They also pushed their chests into me many times and knocked me against a wall. I yelled at them 20 to 30 times to let go of me. They refused to let go of my wrists and forearms and continued to bang their chests into me. They banged me into the wall over a dozen times. Their faces were red from hatred and exertion. As a result of their violence, my wrists and arms are bruised and I am currently suffering serious pain in my lower back. I am unable to work this afternoon and I must take medication for pain relief.
I am a large woman but I am physically frail. As I said, I am disabled.
- I see a pain management physician regularly for chronic back pain. I am unable to move without severe back pain. I have had major surgery on my back. I am unable to stand for more than a couple of minutes without unrelenting back pain and sciatica pain.
- I also have had nine surgeries on my knees which are another main source of pain.
- I have asthma, and I use inhaled steroids daily; the anti-Israel activists’ attack on me exacerbated my asthma and I had to take medicine while at the senior center.
- I also have a serious blood disorder that weakens me. I am currently under treatment by a hematologist/oncologist, and I am on daily chemotherapy.
I am 58 years old. I have a Disabled Person’s license plate for my car. I am physically incapable of overpowering or attacking anybody! The people who attacked me were physically fit and at least 20 years younger than I;
While pleading with the attackers to let me go, I tried to get away but they followed me and kept grabbing my arms. At one point they knocked my camera out of my hand. I bent down to pick it up and tried to walk away. They followed me and continued to grab my arms and shove me into the wall. They isolated me from the rest of the crowd. Because they were beating me up and because I am disabled and could not defend myself otherwise, I sprayed pepper spray into one woman’s face. As soon as I did that, they all backed off from me and let me go.
I resorted to the pepper spray because I feared for my safety and my life!!! I believe that had I not used pepper spray, I would be in the hospital today suffering far more serious injuries. Pepper spray causes extreme discomfort but is unlikely to cause permanent injury. The purpose of pepper spray is to temporarily disable an attacker, to allow time for escape. It worked.
The JVP press release is an outright lie. I cannot and did not attack anyone. I was attacked!
------------------------------
PLEASE NOTE:
The event was open to the public, and advertised as such. Public, in JVP terminology, may mean people who agree with distortions and untruths. Or violent psychopaths.
They're rather picky.
Crossposted here:
http://grantpatel.blogspot.com/2010/11/jewish-voice-for-peace-and-bully.html
GP
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Hamas reveals IDF death toll from Gaza conflict was correct
British Hip Hop artist, LOWKEY, International Solidarity Movement member, Jody McIntyre, and former Princeton University political science professor , Norman Finkelstein spoke at Kresge College at UCSC on May 12, 2010 claiming " over 1400 Palestinians were killed in Gaza" and that “between 500 and 700 were civilians.” Photo by Becky Johnson.NOTE TO READER: In the Winter War of 2009 against Hamas, the IDF was accused of slaughtering innocent Palestinians. The IDF always proclaimed they took great precautions to protect innocent civilian life. I wrote about discrepancies in the Gaza death toll from that conflict on my blog, "Becky Johnson: One Woman Talking" in September of 2009 which you can read here: http://beckyjohnsononewomantalking.blogspot.com/2009/09/idf-reports-251-death-discrepancy-and.html. With this revelation by Hamas leaders in the Arab press confirm what I predicted all along.
http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=193521
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Amazon.com - Hijacked by haters. Its time to fight back
"First the Palestinians hijacked airplanes. Now they hijack agendas"
Anonymous comment on a blog
The anti-Israel forces have taken the web war to the world's largest online realtor. Following the lead of Code Pink, the US Campaign to end the Occupation has sent out a mass email urging their supporters to hijack the "Readers Comments" section of Amazon. Their email follows:
"This holiday season, join us to "save (the) amazon." Help us tell occupation-supporting companies exactly what we think of their products. By simply submitting an Amazon product review, you can let shoppers know that supporting companies who benefit from the occupation is wrong. Would you buy products tested on animals, or that you know to be environmentally destructive, or exploit child labor? If you know that a product harms others or violates international law, shouldn't you boycott it?Let Amazon.com shoppers know that Ahava products are "Stolen Beauty," that wearing CAT clothing is not cool, and to "hang up on Motorola!" We'll share the best reviews you write – or record on video – and bring media attention to the boycott movement.
Amazon, the largest online retailer, is home to virtually all consumer products, including Motorola gadgets, Ahava skin creams, and many other boycott-able goods that generate profit from the Israeli occupation.
To join "save (the) amazon," simply commit to writing a customer review on Amazon.com, telling shoppers it's wrong to buy products that generate profit from stolen resources. Amazon invites its shoppers to do just that. Here's the first line of their General Review Creation Guidelines:
Amazon wants your opinions to be heard
We want customers to get the information they need to make smart buying choices, and we'd love to have your help doing that. As an Amazon customer, you can submit written or video reviews for items listed on Amazon.com. We encourage you to share your opinions, both favorable and unfavorable."
Some companies and products that directly benefit from the occupation are: Caterpillar, Motorola, Ahava, Sabra and Osem. Do an Amazon search and comment on a product of your choice. There are thousands to choose from.
Comment with the fewest stars and most critical wording to draw attention to the inhumanity of stealing Palestinian resources and imposing apartheid."
Whats an Israel Supporter to do? Send Amazon Customer Service an email, requesting that they put a stop to the practice of hijacking the readers comments section to promote a hateful and one-sided agenda. Feel free to cut and paste the email from the US campaign. And rate down, down, down, the anti-Israel comments.
Anonymous comment on a blog
The anti-Israel forces have taken the web war to the world's largest online realtor. Following the lead of Code Pink, the US Campaign to end the Occupation has sent out a mass email urging their supporters to hijack the "Readers Comments" section of Amazon. Their email follows:
"This holiday season, join us to "save (the) amazon." Help us tell occupation-supporting companies exactly what we think of their products. By simply submitting an Amazon product review, you can let shoppers know that supporting companies who benefit from the occupation is wrong. Would you buy products tested on animals, or that you know to be environmentally destructive, or exploit child labor? If you know that a product harms others or violates international law, shouldn't you boycott it?Let Amazon.com shoppers know that Ahava products are "Stolen Beauty," that wearing CAT clothing is not cool, and to "hang up on Motorola!" We'll share the best reviews you write – or record on video – and bring media attention to the boycott movement.
Amazon, the largest online retailer, is home to virtually all consumer products, including Motorola gadgets, Ahava skin creams, and many other boycott-able goods that generate profit from the Israeli occupation.
To join "save (the) amazon," simply commit to writing a customer review on Amazon.com, telling shoppers it's wrong to buy products that generate profit from stolen resources. Amazon invites its shoppers to do just that. Here's the first line of their General Review Creation Guidelines:
Amazon wants your opinions to be heard
We want customers to get the information they need to make smart buying choices, and we'd love to have your help doing that. As an Amazon customer, you can submit written or video reviews for items listed on Amazon.com. We encourage you to share your opinions, both favorable and unfavorable."
Some companies and products that directly benefit from the occupation are: Caterpillar, Motorola, Ahava, Sabra and Osem. Do an Amazon search and comment on a product of your choice. There are thousands to choose from.
Comment with the fewest stars and most critical wording to draw attention to the inhumanity of stealing Palestinian resources and imposing apartheid."
Whats an Israel Supporter to do? Send Amazon Customer Service an email, requesting that they put a stop to the practice of hijacking the readers comments section to promote a hateful and one-sided agenda. Feel free to cut and paste the email from the US campaign. And rate down, down, down, the anti-Israel comments.
International ANSWER calls for Solidarity with Who???????
Iranian Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi said Monday that opposition to the Iranian government is growing, spurred by an increase in government violence, more human rights violations and deepening poverty
The human rights lawyer, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003 for her efforts to promote democracy, said in an interview with The Associated Press that she came to the United Nations to talk about the deteriorating human rights situation in Iran and seek support for a draft U.N. General Assembly resolution that would condemn the country's rights record.
read more here:
This must come as a surprise to the lovely Becker boys (Dick and Brian) at "International A.N.S.W.E.R." , who have recently emailed a "Solidarity with Iran " appeal
Initial signers joining the ANSWER Coalition in support of the International Appeal include former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark; Fr. Roy Bourgeois; peace activist Cindy Sheehan; Denis Halliday, former Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations, 1994-98; Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, civil rights attorney; Gloria La Riva, Coordinator of the National Committee to Free the Cuban Five; and Brian Becker, National Coordinator of the ANSWER Coalition, among many others.
In the midst of growing U.S. hostility, including the imposition of a new round of economic sanctions, a delegation of activists from the United States and Canada recently traveled to Iran to express solidarity with the people of Iran and to oppose U.S., UN, and European Union military threats and sanctions.
Yes, You read it correctly. ANSWER, always a bit of a joke, has moved into the ROFL category, supporting a medieval regime that stones women for adultery, hangs gays and bisexuals, and murders their political opposition. Way to go, International ANSWER. I can't imagine a gesture more indicative of just how out of touch you are with global reality
The human rights lawyer, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003 for her efforts to promote democracy, said in an interview with The Associated Press that she came to the United Nations to talk about the deteriorating human rights situation in Iran and seek support for a draft U.N. General Assembly resolution that would condemn the country's rights record.
read more here:
This must come as a surprise to the lovely Becker boys (Dick and Brian) at "International A.N.S.W.E.R." , who have recently emailed a "Solidarity with Iran " appeal
Initial signers joining the ANSWER Coalition in support of the International Appeal include former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark; Fr. Roy Bourgeois; peace activist Cindy Sheehan; Denis Halliday, former Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations, 1994-98; Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, civil rights attorney; Gloria La Riva, Coordinator of the National Committee to Free the Cuban Five; and Brian Becker, National Coordinator of the ANSWER Coalition, among many others.
In the midst of growing U.S. hostility, including the imposition of a new round of economic sanctions, a delegation of activists from the United States and Canada recently traveled to Iran to express solidarity with the people of Iran and to oppose U.S., UN, and European Union military threats and sanctions.
Yes, You read it correctly. ANSWER, always a bit of a joke, has moved into the ROFL category, supporting a medieval regime that stones women for adultery, hangs gays and bisexuals, and murders their political opposition. Way to go, International ANSWER. I can't imagine a gesture more indicative of just how out of touch you are with global reality
Truth is not Key in Al Awda Propaganda Ploy
Al Awda, the extremist organization that seeks the elimination of the world's only Jewish state by over-running it with the third and fourth generation of descendants of Palestinian "refugees" has a new project.
********
Al-Awda is working on an exciting photo project and your photos could be selected to be part of it (with photo credit of course). Here is what we are looking for:
1) Photos of actual doors to houses in Palestine.
If possible please list the name of the owner (if its a refugee please note that as well).
2) Photos of old house keys.
Again with the name of the owner if possible.
Blah, Blah, Blah....
Deadline: Please e-mail photos by November 19 to awdaphotos@gmail.com
For any further questions e-mail Mona Kadah or Alia Hasan at awdaphotos@gmail.com
*******
Notice that there is no requirement that the house or key actually belong to a refugee. Notice there is no requirement that the keys actually fit the door in the photos.
There are well over 2,000 bundles of old keys available on E bay right now. I suspect some of those very same keys wil be turning up in Al Awda's project, with a long tear filled story behind them.
Inventing a narrative, with or without rusty old props, has been a hallmark of Palestinian revisonist history for years. Edward Said repeatedly mentioned his forced exile from "my beautiful old house" in Jerusalem, and was eventually presented with a portrait of 10 Brenner Street by the Palestinian Heritage Association .
From American Thinker
In early 1992, Said paid a nostalgic visit to this house, a visit that was celebrated in a Harper's Magazine and eventually in a BBC documentary, In Search of Palestine. One scene in the film shows Said and his son in front of the house "my family owned" while Said angrily talks about getting the house back from the Israeli authorities.
By 1998, the year the documentary aired, an Israeli scholar named Justus Reid Weiner had already done two years of hard-nosed, boots-on-the-ground background research on Said's life, and he was about to deconstruct the heck out of it. "Virtually everything I learned," Weiner wrote, "contradicts the story of Said's early life as Said has told it."
The famed house, Weiner learned, belonged not to Said's parents, but to his Jerusalem relatives. During almost all of the years Said was alleged to be living there, the Said relatives rented the upstairs apartment to the Kingdom of Yugoslavia for a consulate's use. In a truly odd twist of fate, they rented the downstairs apartment of the renowned Jewish philosopher Martin Buber, who moved there after fleeing Nazi Germany in 1938. In 1942, the Said relatives forced Buber out in a rent dispute and occupied the apartment themselves.
One would think that in all his public recollections of this house, Said might have remembered sharing it with Buber or the Yugoslav consulate, but he did not. It is possible, in fact, that he never even stayed there.
Photos of doors. Photos of keys. Full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
********
Al-Awda is working on an exciting photo project and your photos could be selected to be part of it (with photo credit of course). Here is what we are looking for:
1) Photos of actual doors to houses in Palestine.
If possible please list the name of the owner (if its a refugee please note that as well).
2) Photos of old house keys.
Again with the name of the owner if possible.
Blah, Blah, Blah....
Deadline: Please e-mail photos by November 19 to awdaphotos@gmail.com
For any further questions e-mail Mona Kadah or Alia Hasan at awdaphotos@gmail.com
*******
Notice that there is no requirement that the house or key actually belong to a refugee. Notice there is no requirement that the keys actually fit the door in the photos.
There are well over 2,000 bundles of old keys available on E bay right now. I suspect some of those very same keys wil be turning up in Al Awda's project, with a long tear filled story behind them.
Inventing a narrative, with or without rusty old props, has been a hallmark of Palestinian revisonist history for years. Edward Said repeatedly mentioned his forced exile from "my beautiful old house" in Jerusalem, and was eventually presented with a portrait of 10 Brenner Street by the Palestinian Heritage Association .
From American Thinker
In early 1992, Said paid a nostalgic visit to this house, a visit that was celebrated in a Harper's Magazine and eventually in a BBC documentary, In Search of Palestine. One scene in the film shows Said and his son in front of the house "my family owned" while Said angrily talks about getting the house back from the Israeli authorities.
By 1998, the year the documentary aired, an Israeli scholar named Justus Reid Weiner had already done two years of hard-nosed, boots-on-the-ground background research on Said's life, and he was about to deconstruct the heck out of it. "Virtually everything I learned," Weiner wrote, "contradicts the story of Said's early life as Said has told it."
The famed house, Weiner learned, belonged not to Said's parents, but to his Jerusalem relatives. During almost all of the years Said was alleged to be living there, the Said relatives rented the upstairs apartment to the Kingdom of Yugoslavia for a consulate's use. In a truly odd twist of fate, they rented the downstairs apartment of the renowned Jewish philosopher Martin Buber, who moved there after fleeing Nazi Germany in 1938. In 1942, the Said relatives forced Buber out in a rent dispute and occupied the apartment themselves.
One would think that in all his public recollections of this house, Said might have remembered sharing it with Buber or the Yugoslav consulate, but he did not. It is possible, in fact, that he never even stayed there.
Photos of doors. Photos of keys. Full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
“ The Movement for One Democratic State in Palestine”
Having failing in their attempt to drive the Jews into the sea, the usual assortment of haters are trying a new tactic. Cynically and manipulatively drawing on the language of the civil rights movements, they call their movement “One Democratic State in Palestine” . Their conference was held Oct 23-24 in Dallas Texas
The stated objectives of the One Democratic State in Palestine Movement follow, in bold:
*The creation of a unified one democratic state in Mandate Palestine.
How are they going to break the news to Jordan?
*Repudiate Zionism and eliminate all forms of discrimination and segregation and end violence, militarism, and warfare.
Hmmmm . The Palestinian authority executes Arabs that sell land to Jews. Hamas remains a theocratic homophobic, misogynist regime. Any idea how to convince them to embrace democracy and equality? Any idea why the "One democratic state" organization does not repudiate the racist xenophobic Hamas charter?
*Unify Jewish Israelis and Palestinians in a shared non-ethnic democratic state in Palestine.
The question remains, how will you convince Hamas that this is a worthy goal? After all their very charter states:
"The Islamic Resistance Movement believes that the land of Palestine is an Islamic Waqf consecrated for future Muslim generations until Judgement Day. It, or any part of it, should not be squandered: it, or any part of it, should not be given up. " Not very democratic. The use of the term "non-ethnic" is also curious. Does this give them free reign to establish a religious, Islamic state in this region? After all, "Islam" isn't an ethnic identity, is it?
*Restore Palestinian inalienable rights in Palestine and to compensate Palestinians for their pain and suffering.
Reminder : UN resolution 194 mentions “the refugees”. That means ALL the refugees. There were 850,000 Jews refugees from Arab lands displaced at this time. When will their inalienable rights be acknowledged? When will they be compensated? Why does the "One Democratic state" group seem to think that only Palestinians are entitled to "human rights?
*Establish an international solidarity movement,composed of individuals and organizations, to organize and spearhead efforts to realize the objectives of one democratic state in Palestine.
They aren't off to a very good start. The speakers at this conference included several notorious anti-Semites, including Gilad Atzmon, a man so far off the grid that Tony Greenstein, UK Marxist anti-Zionist has even renounced him. Atzmon is so racist that sweet gentle Berkeley Unitarians left his talk in tears after his appearance in the Fellowship in 2009.
Lenni Brenner, author of Zionism in the Age of the Dictators also addressed the conference- A favorite of neo-nazis of all stripes, Brenner maintains that "Zionists" were in league with the Nazis during World War II and that this alliance was based on a desire by the Zionists to bring about a Zionist state by exploiting anti-Semitism in Europe.
"The Movement for One Democratic State in Palestine" is simply another wolf in sheep's clothing, using the rhetoric of civil and human rights to deny the Jewish people the right to self determination in their ancient homeland. But with the likes of Atzmon and Brenner in their corner, they won't be fooling anyone.
The stated objectives of the One Democratic State in Palestine Movement follow, in bold:
*The creation of a unified one democratic state in Mandate Palestine.
How are they going to break the news to Jordan?
*Repudiate Zionism and eliminate all forms of discrimination and segregation and end violence, militarism, and warfare.
Hmmmm . The Palestinian authority executes Arabs that sell land to Jews. Hamas remains a theocratic homophobic, misogynist regime. Any idea how to convince them to embrace democracy and equality? Any idea why the "One democratic state" organization does not repudiate the racist xenophobic Hamas charter?
*Unify Jewish Israelis and Palestinians in a shared non-ethnic democratic state in Palestine.
The question remains, how will you convince Hamas that this is a worthy goal? After all their very charter states:
"The Islamic Resistance Movement believes that the land of Palestine is an Islamic Waqf consecrated for future Muslim generations until Judgement Day. It, or any part of it, should not be squandered: it, or any part of it, should not be given up. " Not very democratic. The use of the term "non-ethnic" is also curious. Does this give them free reign to establish a religious, Islamic state in this region? After all, "Islam" isn't an ethnic identity, is it?
*Restore Palestinian inalienable rights in Palestine and to compensate Palestinians for their pain and suffering.
Reminder : UN resolution 194 mentions “the refugees”. That means ALL the refugees. There were 850,000 Jews refugees from Arab lands displaced at this time. When will their inalienable rights be acknowledged? When will they be compensated? Why does the "One Democratic state" group seem to think that only Palestinians are entitled to "human rights?
*Establish an international solidarity movement,composed of individuals and organizations, to organize and spearhead efforts to realize the objectives of one democratic state in Palestine.
They aren't off to a very good start. The speakers at this conference included several notorious anti-Semites, including Gilad Atzmon, a man so far off the grid that Tony Greenstein, UK Marxist anti-Zionist has even renounced him. Atzmon is so racist that sweet gentle Berkeley Unitarians left his talk in tears after his appearance in the Fellowship in 2009.
Lenni Brenner, author of Zionism in the Age of the Dictators also addressed the conference- A favorite of neo-nazis of all stripes, Brenner maintains that "Zionists" were in league with the Nazis during World War II and that this alliance was based on a desire by the Zionists to bring about a Zionist state by exploiting anti-Semitism in Europe.
"The Movement for One Democratic State in Palestine" is simply another wolf in sheep's clothing, using the rhetoric of civil and human rights to deny the Jewish people the right to self determination in their ancient homeland. But with the likes of Atzmon and Brenner in their corner, they won't be fooling anyone.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
"Divest this: How to Stop the Global Boycott Sanctions and Divestment (BDS) Movement Attack on Israel"
Jon, the brilliant, lucid voice behind "Divest this" has come up with a new weapon in the war against BDS. Jon's new handbook is "Divest this: How to Stop the Global Boycott Sanctions and Divestment (BDS) Movement Attack on Israel and ensure its Second Decade of Defeat".
The Handbook is a must read for any community, school or commercial institution dealing with the specter of BDS, drawing upon Jon's years of experience as a voice of light and reason in the BDS battleground
Jon's Top Ten Reasons to Defeat BDS:
1. BDS represents an attempt by narrow-interest partisans to stuff
their propaganda into the mouth of a third party.
2. BDS tries to make every civic organization a new battlefront in
the Middle East conflict.
3. BDS poisons and divides any community it enters.
4. BDS is based on falsehoods, such as the “Israel=apartheid” propaganda accusation.
5. BDS warps debate over the Middle East, making the quest for peace more difficult
6. BDS seeks to unfairly punish just one side in the Arab-Israeli conflict.
7. BDS activists frequently use manipulation or fraud to get their way with an organization.
8. BDS has been rejected by every organization where it’s been tried, including some of thenation’s most progressive communities.
9. Defeating BDS helps discredit the discreditable endeavor to de-legitimize Israel.
10. BDS is a loser.
When BDS invades a civic organization, divisiveness, hostility and chaos ensue. This new handbook gives supporters of Israel the tools we need to fight back.
Yascher Koach, Jon. May you go from strength to strength.
The Handbook is a must read for any community, school or commercial institution dealing with the specter of BDS, drawing upon Jon's years of experience as a voice of light and reason in the BDS battleground
Jon's Top Ten Reasons to Defeat BDS:
1. BDS represents an attempt by narrow-interest partisans to stuff
their propaganda into the mouth of a third party.
2. BDS tries to make every civic organization a new battlefront in
the Middle East conflict.
3. BDS poisons and divides any community it enters.
4. BDS is based on falsehoods, such as the “Israel=apartheid” propaganda accusation.
5. BDS warps debate over the Middle East, making the quest for peace more difficult
6. BDS seeks to unfairly punish just one side in the Arab-Israeli conflict.
7. BDS activists frequently use manipulation or fraud to get their way with an organization.
8. BDS has been rejected by every organization where it’s been tried, including some of thenation’s most progressive communities.
9. Defeating BDS helps discredit the discreditable endeavor to de-legitimize Israel.
10. BDS is a loser.
When BDS invades a civic organization, divisiveness, hostility and chaos ensue. This new handbook gives supporters of Israel the tools we need to fight back.
Yascher Koach, Jon. May you go from strength to strength.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Lonely Planet: Tel Aviv is one of the top three cities in the world
Tel Aviv is one of the worlds' top cities for 2011, according to Lonely Planet.
Ansd we all know Lonely Planet is objective. We've already read their glowing praise for Roots the elegant Gaza City restaurant
Roots is where important people dine on steak au poivre and chicken cordon bleu, though, since alcohol isn't served, there's no washing it down with a good vintage of anything other than Coke. .
From the Lonely Planet website
Tel Aviv is the total flipside of Jerusalem, a modern Sin City on the sea rather than an ancient Holy City on a hill. Hedonism is the one religion that unites its inhabitants. There are more bars than synagogues, God is a DJ and everyone’s body is a temple. Yet, scratch underneath the surface and Tel Aviv, or TLV, reveals itself as a truly diverse 21st-century Mediterranean hub. By far the most international city in Israel, Tel Aviv is also home to a large gay community, a kind of San Francisco in the Middle East. Thanks to its university and museums, it is also the greenhouse for Israel’s growing art, film and music scenes.
Beautiful vibrant Tel Aviv, founded in 1909 has always been a haven for cultural diversity in Israel. A center for music, theater and the arts, it offers something for everyone- from the fire dancers on Chinky beach to the upscale shopping on Sheikin Street.
Thank you Lonely Planet.
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