Berkeley's Bartavelle closing. Bye, Felicia.

 If you plant ice, you're going to harvest wind.

Bartavelle in Berkeley- a local Israel hating cafe ( 1621 San Pablo Ave ) will be going out of business, effective Sept 15. The cafe first came to the attention of the local Jewish community with their parroting of Hamas propaganda, resulting in an informal boycott by Jews and their allies. The San Francisco Chronicle reported Bartavelle sales were down 40 % since the summer, and that they were struggling to make payroll.

Here's hoping the informal boycott by Jewish families hastened their demise.

Batavelle: Ever think your politics might have something to do with it?

Apartheid Fail in Israel

 In "apartheid" Israel, Beduoin soliders are willing to fight and die for their nation.

During the holy month of Ramadan,  the Beduoin soldiers of the IDF's Desert Reconnaissance Battalion - 585th Regiment break their fast with an IDF-provided Iftar.

IDF Beduoin soldiers Iftar

IDF Beduoin soldiers Iftar

This is the real Israel where diversity is cherished and embraced, not the cartoonish villian portrayed by Amnesty International or Human Rights Watch.

(Photos via Uri Gobey)

A major terror attack was thwarted in Israel

A major terror attack was thwarted in Israel, leaving 3 terrorists dead, and 4 Israelis hospitalized.

Early Saturday morning, information was received from Shabak regarding a terrorist cell traveling by car from Jenin to Tulkarem, with the intention of committing a large-scale terror attack

At 1:30 am, Israel's Yamam forces located the cell and attempted to carry out arrests.  The terrorists opened fire. Israeli forces returned fire, killing the three terrorists.  Guns and grenades were found in their car.

A will was also found in the car, encouraging the continuation of terror attacks against Israelis.

  The terrorists have since been identified as belonging to Islamic Jihad.

Islamic Jihad terrorists

Islamic Jihad terrorists

Several hours later, in a joint IDF and Shabak operation troops from the IDF's Duvdevan Unit and Shabak apprehended the last terrorist suspected of being a member of the cell.

Islamic Jihad has vowed revenge for the deaths.

11 Israelis murdered in terror attacks

This week:

The Knesset approved permits for 20,000 workers from the Gaza Strip to work in Israel.

A 40 million shekel investment to modernize Gaza crossings was announced.

Increased water sales to Gaza were also announced.

“Our government is working very hard to improve the lives of the Palestinians in the West Bank and in Gaza,” Bennett stated. “We are going to be investing almost 40 million shekels in improving the crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip to allow smooth and dignified movement between Gaza and Israel.”

“While we can’t solve everything, we can improve the lives of people on ground and thanks to your help, this is happening,” he added.

Blinken commended Bennett and the Israeli government for efforts to address challenges facing Palestinians, citing the increase of Israeli water sales to Gaza and legalizing the status of thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank.

In return?

11 Israelis have been killed in terror attacks this week.  

March 22 : Knife and vehicle attack in Beersheba, 4 killed. Claimed by ISIS. 
March 27: Shooting in Hadera, 2 police officers killed, 6 injured. Claimed by ISIS. 
March 29: Shooting spree east of Tel Aviv, 5 killed. No claim yet.

BDS Fails, Great and Small

Shhhh. Its a clip show, er, post.

Where are we after 21 years of BDS?

Well, there's this. According to a Gallup poll released this week as part of its annual World Affairs poll, Israel ranks seventh on list of countries rated favorably by Americans.

After multiple attempts to rid our port cities from the scurge of the Israel-affiliated Zim Shipping line, whats the net result of Block the Boat, and Block the Boat, the sequel?

*  ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd  stock has risen 226.06% over the last 12 months, and the average rating from Wall Street analysts is a Buy.

* ZIM generated $10.7 billion in revenue and $4.64 billion in net profit, also growing shareholders' equity to $4.6 billion.

*  For 2021, Zim saw a 787% profit rise. 

Maybe that celebration party was a bit premature, eh, Lara?

But, But, But you say, Ben & Jerrys!  Thats was a BDS victory.  Right?  Right?  

Maybe its a Pyrrhic victory at best.   Since the Unilever owned business made the decision to stop selling ice cream over the Green line,  seven states have taken action against  the company.  Most recently, Colorado has joined New York, New Jersey, Illinois and Arizona divesting state pension funds from the company. Florida and Texas have also taken action against Ben & Jerry’s.   Other states are likely to take action as well.

Unilever’s stock has plunged in the last six months.  Its been estimated that the boycott  has led to a $26 billion loss.

Unilever- this is your stock on BDS.

Israel tech continues to thrive. Total funding in 2021 reached a new peak of $27 billion — more than doubling the amount raised in 2020. Israel consistently produces more "unicorns" per capita than any other nation, with 48 last year alone.  Israel's exports reached a record high of $140 billion in 2021, up 18% from last year.

Perhaps the biggest BDS fail are the Abraham accords, and the expansion of Israeli  diplomatic relations across the Middle East and North Africa. The BDS movements goal of isolating Israel has failed.  The expansion of social, political and economic ties across the region has laid the foundation for a real and lasting peace.

When a second tier liberal arts college removes Sabra hummus from the school cafeteria, or a B list performing artist cancels a trip to Israel, the BDS holes shout their  "victories" from the rooftops.   Its all they've got.    Remember the big picture.

Economist Intelligence Unit ranks Israel as one of the most Democratic Nations in the world

In a stunning rebuke to Amnestry International recent slander, the Democracy Index from the Economist Intelligence Unit has ranked Israel in 23rd place in the out of 167.    The index ranks Israel as the most democratic country in the Middle East, placing it ahead of even the United States.  Israel's overall  score has been improving steadily over the years.

Israel scored 7.97 points out of a maximum of ten, just behind France (7.99 points) and Britain (8.1 points). Nations are rated on a variety of factors, including electoral process and pluralism, civil liberties, functioning of government, political participation and political culture.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Zionist

 Via Emunah:

To Linda Sarsour, who once angrily proclaimed that you cannot be a feminist if you are a Zionist, meet  our fearless Jewish feminist champion, Ruth Bader Ginsburg z"l.

Proud and unapologetic Zionist.

“I am sometimes asked ‘Who were your role models?’” Ginsburg said. “The term role model was not yet in vogue in my childhood,” she added, with a Hermione Granger-ish glint. “But thinking back, I recall two Jewish women both raised in the USA whose humanity and bravery inspired me in my growing up years.”

“Emma Lazarus was a Zionist before that word came into vogue,” Ginsburg said, praising the 20th century Sephardic writer. “Her poem ‘The New Colossus,’ etched on the base of the Statue of Liberty, has welcomed legions of immigrants including my father and grandparents — people seeking in the U.S.A. shelter from fear, and longing to find freedom from intolerance.”

Letting this swipe at anti-immigration politics — or, depending how you look at it, accurate representation of US history — hang in the air, the Justice went on. “My next inspirer: Hadassah-founder Henrietta Szold.” Szlold, who was apparently gifted with the same bottomless energy as Ginsburg, was a university lecturer, a prolific writer and editor, and an organizer who helped save thousands of Jewish children during the Holocaust. She also started night schools to educate Jewish immigrants who arrived in America in the late 19th century, the same kind, the Justice added, that educated Ginsburg’s father when he first arrived in America.

Additionally, as Ginsburg proudly added, “She was a Zionist even before Theodore Herzl came on the scene.”

Read the whole interview here:

Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Feminist Role Models Are Two Jewish Women

Asa Winstanley bugs out

Asa Winstanley is a self described " investigative journalist" and a writer for the agitprop Electronic Intifada.  The Electronic Intifada  according to Media Bias Fact Check has a "strong pro-Palestinian and anti-Israeli bias",  citing their "lack of transparency regarding funding, as well as strongly loaded emotional wording that may be misleading."

Likely Asa Winstanley fits in quite well with the EI  "stretch the truth to the breaking point" crowd.

This morning the acclaimed author Einat Wilf linked to an article in Haaretz regarding the eradication of malaria in Israel, writing  

"And once and for all (I wish!): The only ones that Zionism displaced were mosquitos. The lands Zionists acquired to establish themselves were malaria ridden, and they reclaimed those lands. Those were the lands then allocated to them in the partition map."

Apparently reading comprehension skills are not required to be an "investigative journalist" at the EI. Asa went buggy, writing "Former Israeli MP calls 800,000 Palestinians "mosquitoes" -- genocidal rhetoric from a "left-wing" Zionist."

Feedback on Twitter was swift and merciless.

But 12 hours have passed, and Winstanley's tweet is still up.  Its never been about truth for Asa Winstanley and his comrades.  Its about advancing an agenda.

Palestinian Car Dealership, not Covid-19 Testing Center, demolished in Hebron.

Lately,  it seems that any Palestinian structure that has been demolished has been retroactively claimed to be  a "Covid-19 treatment center" or a  "Coronavirus Testing Center".

Even when its a car dealership.

Last week,  an unlicensed structure built in Area C(under exclusive Israeli control) was demolished and immediately after, sources on social media claimed it was a Coronavirus testing center.

No, the computer generated picture of a building with English lettering didn't seem to be a red flag to the "Israel is always wrong" cru.

Here's what the building actually looked like

And again, the lie went half-way across the world before the truth was done with its coffee.

.

From an article written by Palestinian journalist Khaled Abu Toameh in the Jerusalem Post:
Israel demolished Hebron car dealership, not 'COVID-19 center'

Civil Administration inspectors, who first noticed the structure on July 12, issued an order banning the continuation of the work. The car dealer, however, ignored the warning.

Palestinians working at the site told the inspectors that they were building a car exhibition for a Palestinian businessman from Hebron. The inspectors also spotted a sign with the name of the new car dealership business.

On July 21, Civil Administration bulldozers arrived at the site and demolished the illegally built structure.

Do some Palestinians and their Western enablers attempt to exploit a global pandemic for personal gain?

Yes they do.

“Contrary to the false claims, this was not a center for coronavirus testing,” a Civil Administration spokesman told The Jerusalem Post. “Also, it was not a health clinic. That’s a total lie.”

The unlicensed structure was being built for personal use, the spokesman said, adding that the Israeli authorities had not received any request from the PA or any international organization to build a coronavirus center.

“We condemn the cynical use of a global crisis at the expense of the Palestinians in Hebron,” he added.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health was also unaware of any pending plans to build a coronavirus testing center in Hebron.

Anti-Israel activists groups were quick to spread the lies-  but not so quick to update them.  Most accounts on social media have not been updated to reflect this new information. 

For more information on this latest blood libel, check out Palestinian Media Watch
The birth and spread of a new anti-Israel libel: The claim that Israel destroyed a COVID-19 testing center in Hebron is false!

What are American Police Learning in Israel?

What are American police learning in Israel?   We've heard the lies spread by groups such as JVP and If Not Now.   CAIR also ran with the lies, and went as far as recommending that city governments:

"End police exchange and training programs with Israel and other foreign governments
that engage in human rights violations, including violence against protesters, choke
holds and other forms of police brutality"

in their publication "Ending Racist Police Violence in America"

Has anyone thought to ask American police what they learned from visiting Israel?

In 1992, in an effort to secure the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia State University and the law enforcement community established the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange (GILEE).

There were three objectives:
*  To enhance inter-agency cooperation between State of Georgia law enforcement agencies and the police force of the State of Israel
*  To offer an educational professional program to senior Israeli law enforcement officials in Georgia, primarily in the area of community policing
*  To offer an educational professional program to senior Georgia law enforcement officials in Israel, primarily in the areas of counter-terrorism and drug interdiction

The participants from Georgia did not mince words describing their experiences in Israel.

Kimberly Payne, Major, Atlanta Police Department (2018)
The GILEE experience was one of the highlights of my career. This enriching and impactful experience enhanced my professional development as a leader. The experience with the Israel Police reaffirmed the need to create diversity within the agency so that it is a clear representation of the community served. This then helps gain public trust.”

Ricky Rich, Deputy Commissioner, Georgia Dept. of Driver Services (2017)

“I was most impressed with the intensive training programs for the Israel Police. Integrity, professionalism, determination, and courage, protecting human life, and patriotism are among their core values"

John P. Quigley, Captain, Atlanta Police Department (2016)

“A clear priority, evident to all of us during our visit, was the sensitivity, awareness and commitment of the Israeli National Police Leadership toward ensuring every meeting with citizens, and every police/citizen encounter was focused on earning the trust of the community...Our pride in the brotherhood of Law Enforcement could not have been more inspired by those we met in the Israeli National Police. They are the pinnacle of professionalism, devotion to duty, and commitment to all people and religions. "

Rodney Bryant, Major, Atlanta Police Department (2014)
“One of our greatest challenges in American policing is serving a community that is vastly more diverse than the local police department. Comparatively, the Israeli police are responsible for serving a variety of demographics. I was impressed by the level of community policing efforts employed by the Israeli Police to build relationships and maintain peace among such diverse populations.

Steven D. Heaton, Chief, Fayetteville Police Department (2009)
“I think I can speak for the entire delegation when I say that this program was the highlight of many of our careers. The information learned and shared with our Israeli counterparts was invaluable. The Israel Police are one of the best trained, professional, warm, and accommodating group of people I have met"

The truth is out there. You just need to ask the right people.

Eco-terrorism from Gaza

At least 11 arson fires have been started this week in southern Israel.  This craven eco-terrorism has destroyed crucial habitats and farmland, risked human and animal lives and squandered precious limited resources.  These fires were deliberately set by terrorists in Gaza, in an act of terrorist intimidation directed towards the civilians of southern Israel.

The eco-terrorist attacks have been widely encouraged by the Arab mass media, and through social media.

There have been no injuries reported within Israel but there has been appreciable damage to  both crops and wildlife. 

Eco-terrorism.  Does anyone really believe that the Palestinians are doing this because of their love for the land?

Instructions for keeping safe in Israel: English, Russian, Hebrew and Arabic

Lies about Israel's Ministry of Health's handling of the Coronovirus are spreading faster than .... well...you know what.

One common trope is that instructions to insure the safety of the populace are only given out in Hebrew. 

Um.  No.

Israel Coronavirus instructions in English

Israel Coronavirus instructions in Russian

Israel Coronavirus instructions in Arabic

Israel Coronavirus instructions in Hebrew

The truth is out there...in many languages.  You need only look.

Hatem Bazian's BDS feta fail at Trader Joes

Berkeley Peace and Justice Commissioner Hatem Bazian has issued a call-out on his Facebook page to boycott Trader Joe's for daring to stock Israeli feta cheese.

Hatem writes 
"Trader Joe’s is having Israeli Feta on its shelves! One more reason to stop shopping at the store. "

Hatem has tagged a short list of friends and colleagues to help promote the boycott of the beloved Trader Joes  grocery chain.

Hatem may not remember the 2009 BDS action against Trader Joes.  Trader Joes refused to be bullied and promoted the products with floor to ceiling displays.  Consumers followed with a "buycott' that ultimately lead to Israeli products sold out from stores coast to coast.   In their zeal to be supportive,  people bought cases of Israeli couscous. They began asking  "what is this small grain and what do I do with it?"  Shortly after, recipes began appearing in the blogsphere.

It was, as they say, a BDS fail of epic proportion, and a triumph of community led-grassroots activism.

The BDS cru retreated rapidly, sipping their kombucha and plaintively whimpering for their moms.

Since 2009, Trader Joes has added many more Israeli products to their shelves.

Hatem's little Facebook post may have sparked another  "run" on Trader Joes.  As of now, there are over 800 comments, on his post, with the vast majority supportive of Israel and Israeli feta. 

Hatem, don't you know this by now?   Never, ever get between a Jew and their food.

And as of today, there is no Israeli feta left in stock in the area.  A new shipment is expected next week.  Thanks Hatem, for another BDS fail  feta accompli.

The death of terrorist Sami Abu Diak

Sami Abu Diak was convicted in 2002 of carrying out a terror attack near Jenin that led to the deaths of three Arabs who had been suspected of collaborating with Israel. Sentenced to 3 consecutive life sentences for voluntary manslaughter and kidnapping he recently succumbed to intestinal cancer. The Palestinians have declared a "Day of Rage" in this memory.

The lies surrounding Abu Diak's life and death are proliferating across social media.

Abu Diak underwent several surgeries at Israeli taxpayer expense (confirmed by the Arab propaganda site Jadaliyya) and had been hospitalized for four years
Abu Diak is currently suffering from advanced stages of bowel cancer, as well as renal and pulmonary failure. In 2015, he was urgently transferred to Israel’s Soroka Medical Center where he suffered poisoning as a result of misdiagnosis and a medical error. This medical negligence led to the removal of 80cm of his intestines and he was consequently diagnosed with kidney and pulmonary failure.

Palestinian agitprop sites are evenly divided as to whether Sami Abu Diak died alone and in prison, or alone while in the hospital.  They are in unanimous agreement however, that his death of  colorectal cancer was Israel's fault.

Israel remembers 9/11

"I can say with absolute certainty the United States would not be safe without Israel as a partner.”

The U.S. Embassy, the Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) and the Jewish National Fund USA hosted a 9/11 ceremony at the KKL-JNF 9/11 Living Memorial in Jerusalem. Department of Homeland Security Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis and Chief Intelligence Officer David J. Glawe attended the ceremony. 

The Under Secretary stated:

“We best honor the memory of those we commemorate today by recommitting ourselves to the same selfless sacrifice of the first responders, the brave passengers who struggled against the terrorists, and the countless men and women who have given their lives to keep us safe.  A visit to Israel provides the opportunity to affirm our commitment to never forget and to have the United States stand with Israel and our global partners against the current manifestation of terrorism. I can say with absolute certainty the United States would not be safe without Israel as a partner.”

A wreath was laid on the memorial, emblazoned with the words “for all who endeavor to keep us safe.”   A “Tribute in Light”, similar to the one at Ground Zero in New York City featured the  illumination of beams of light that shined 1000 feet over Jerusalem.

Read  the full story here

Good Sports: Israeli Lacrosse team buys cleats for their Kenya rivals.

Sport, music and art have a way of bringing people together- of reaching across national borders and finding common ground.

In the 2019 Women’s Lacrosse U19 World Championships in Peterborough, Ontario Israel women played against the Kenya team,  defeating them 13-4.

During the match, the Israeli team realized that their opponents didn’t have cleats.  The next day, the Israelis brought the Kenya team brand new cleats.

Kenya, sporting their new cleats,  went on to defeat Belgium 16-9, earning its second win of the tournament.

Israel. Small Country. Big Ideas

The 2019 Nature Index Annual Tables are out, highlighting  the worldwide institutions that produce cutting edge scientific research. The Nature parameters are based on the share of articles published in 82 prestigious scientific journals, tracked by the Nature Index database.

In the Middle east and North Africa one tiny country stands ahead of the others in scientific output in chemistry, environmental science, life sciences and the physical sciences.

Israel.  Small Country.  Big Ideas

Direct flights from San Francisco to Israel .

Tourism to Israel is at record levels.  The tiny state- the size of New Jersey- entertained over 4 million visitors last year.  To accommodate this huge demand, airports across the globe are adding more flights to Israel.

Check out this beauty, courtesy of El Al:

The El Al dreamline is adorned with pictures of the Golden Gate bridge, and San Francisco's iconic cable cars. The artwork is by illustrator Shay Vadel and Amir Assayag. Its maiden flight will be May 13.

If you hurry.....

h/t  From San Francisco to Tel Aviv in style meet the new Haifa dreamliner

Freedom House: Israel is the Only Free Country in the Middle East

According to the 2019 report by the human rights group Freedom House, Israel is the only free country in the Middle East.

Founded by Eleanor Roosevelt and Wendell Willkie, in 1941, Freedom House is non-profit, independent watchdog dedicated to "the expansion of freedom and democracy around the world." Its 2019 report on Freedom across the world describes Israel as "a multiparty democracy with strong and independent institutions that guarantee political rights and civil liberties for most of the population".

Again, we must ask why is the only nation in the region that is ranked as free subject to such vitriolic rhetoric across the media, in the UN and on college campuses?

Could it be because it is the only Jewish state, not only in the region, but in the world?