The new Macabees

In 1896, Theodor Herzl, the father of modern Zionism published a pamphlet,  The Jewish State, and concluded it with these following prophetic words:  "Therefore I believe that a wondrous breed of Jews will spring up from the earth. The Maccabees will rise again."




The dream of Herzl has become a reality, as the state of the Jewish people not only survives, but thrives. The life expectancy of an Israeli is 81.5 years- among the highest in the world. Israel's army is strong, and its people are as well.







  Read about more strong Jews, at Arutz Sheva:

Israel's judo team won two medals Sunday in the World Judo Championship games being held in Tbilisi, Georgia. Ori Sasson won a gold medal for his performance in the 100 kilo and under group, and Assaf Chen won a bronze medal for his performance in the 81 kilo group.

Chen beat competitors from Russia, Armenia and Hungary to get to his medal, but was unable to progress further; he had been scheduled to fight against an Iranian judo expert, who refused to enter the ring when he found out he was scheduled to fight an Israeli. Similarly, Sasson's award was marred by a another Iranian's intransigent refusal to have anything to do with Israel; an Iranian who was set to receive a bronze chose to forgo the honor, rather than get on stage with an Israeli to get the prize.
Also winning a gold medal in an earlier contest was Israel's Sagi Muki.

Speaking after the awards ceremony, Israeli team coach Oren Smadja said that “it is a shame that the Iranians mix politics with sports. Our team is prepared to face any challengers, any time and any place.” He added that he was very proud of the team. “Three medals at a world championship are a testimony to the hard work this team has put in. I am pleased with these results,” he added.

Dividing Nations At The Olympics

What is it about judo and the Middle East? First, Iran decided to leave their judo champion home, osenstibly because he had an iffy tummy, more probably because he was the only Iranian competitor in danger of facing an Israeli. Now, the Lebanese judo team has decided that they can't train while looking at the Israeli judo team. And the Olympic officials have decided to accomodate them, erecting screens across the gym.

This is, frankly, disgusting. It is part of an ongoing attempt to portray Israel as a uniquely transgressive nation, one which can be freely discriminated against, with accomodation from the Games themselves. And it is already being defended by anti-Israel voices such as Ben White's, and compared to boycotts against apartheid South Africa. The Olympics have made their message loud and clear this year, first through refusing to honor the memories of the Israeli athletes murdered in 1972, and now through giving in to the political posturing of Lebanon. At an event supposedly dedicated to allowing nations to meet without political burdens, in an open spirit of athletic dedication and competition, Israel, and no other nation, is being delegitimized by her enemies, with the cooperation of the IOC.