Seattle blogger Richard Silverstein calls for protest at an Oakland synagogue

Seattle blogger Richard Silverstein has called for protest at  an Oakland synagogue, and has led a letter writing campaign directed towards local community leaders. Why he thinks our local community is his business is a mystery. He is spurred on, no doubt, by little more than his own elevated sense of self-importance and his own humorless existence.

In his cross-hairs is comedienne Roseanne Barr, who is scheduled to appear at Congregation Beth Abraham later this month.

Such criticism is particularly  rich coming from Richard Silverstein who openly shills for the terror-supporting International Solidarity Movement (ISM)

Roseanne Barr's long journey of self discovery has led her back to Judaism and Israel.   We wrote about it last year, before an earlier Bay area appearance was cancelled

How seriously should we take Roseanne's Twitter outbursts? Roseanne Barr is a public figure, but she is not an academic or a journalist. She's a comedienne- essentially a shock jock , who uses the literary tools of exaggeration and hyperbole to drive home her points. 

Does it make us uncomfortable? Yes- but its meant to....

What can we, as a community, learn from Roseanne Barr's personal journey?   One thing is certain. Human beings are capable of much more nuance and subtlety when not restricted to 140 characters or less.

Famed Palestinian entertainer DJ Khaled endorses Sabra for an epic BDS fail

With Super Bowl fever gripping the Bay Area, a colossally smooth and creamy BDS fail almost went unnoticed.

Although Sabra is made in America, its been an object of hate for the BDS holes for years, because of its Israeli roots 

Palestinian record producer and personality DJ Khaled  was in the Bay Area at a variety of Super Bowl events,  sponsored by Sabra, the "official dip of Super Bowl 50".  Khaled has over 2.7 million followers on Twitter, all of whom were able to watch his repeated shout out to Sabra on social media and in local meet-ups.

Did DJ Khaled knowingly and deliberately violate the Palestinian civil society call to boycott anything that kinda sorta reminds them of Israel?   The regressive left certainly thought so.

Social justice warriors responded furiously to this slight on social media, vacillating on whether they should consider DJ Khaled  a sellout or an exploited victim.

Ignoring the controversy of his initial appearance at San Francisco's Super Bowl City,   he gave another Sabra-sponsored free concert in Palo Alto. DJ Khaled ,  the "King of snapchat" shared the secret location with his social media fans who joined him at the free concert.  Thousands showed up.

Palestinian entertainer DJ Khaled endorses Sabra products.  Tastes like BDS fail to me.

Grape Expectations. BDS Wine club

This will have the BDS holes ...whining....

In fighting boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel,  truth and history are the most important weapons in our arsenal. The Buycott is also a hugely effective technique- the collective economic power of the pro-Israel community  made short work of the campaign against Trader Joes, and the specialty grocer was never bothered again.

Buycotts empower consumers, and enable us to support our families and friends in Israel, without resorting to the ugliness of our opponents tactics.

In that spirit, check out the BDS Wine Club, featuring fine wines from the biblical heartland of Israel- Judea and Samaria. In spite of the BDS battle cry of "Occupation", Jews have been making wine in this area for thousands of years.  Regardless of your feelings regarding "settlements", the issue is a red herring. The organizers of the BDS movement have repeated admitted that they will not accept a Jewish state within any borders.

Order now and have your wines delivered before Pesach. Like 'em on Facebook

Online Guide to BDS

Planning on boycotting the worlds only Jewish state?  If you are going to boycott Israel, do it right. Check out the new online BDS Guide- just not on Google Chrome

Don't use Facebook, either.

 

Are you using Google or Bing for your searches? Stop that right now.

Be sure to take the BDS quiz. Just how much do you know about BDS?

My score ?

Your Ranking: BDS IQ: Amazing

JVP: Climate Change? Its Israel's fault

Great find from Rabbi Danny Gordis:

Jewish Voice for Peace has just come out and blamed Israel for climate change.

Speechless. Just speechless.

UPDATE: (from the Elder of Ziyon)

Actually, note the subtle cynicism: they aren't saying directly that Israel is responsible for climate change - they are saying that they made that absurd connection during a "Tu B'shevat seder" so that the idiots that attend their events would draw that conclusion. 

Because if climate change - like racism, homophobia, and genocide - is bad, then the Jewish state must be blamed for it!

And it is more cynical that that. This one paragraph proves that to the haters at "Jewish Voice for Peace," Jewish ritual - indeed, Judaism itself -  is meaningless except as an excuse to attack the Jewish state. 

Buy a United Church of Christ Mini Security Barrier for that special someone in your life

Are you still looking for that perfect gift for the special child in your life?

The United Church of Christ has the perfect gift.

"Breaking Down the Wall" is a 10-inch olive wood replica of the Israel's Security Barrier which has saved countless lives.

Five pieces, Mom and Dad.  Its educational. It comes with prayers and stories.  And stickers. Such play value for only $25. 

I know you've had your heart set on the plush Ahmed the terrorist doll, but the "must have " toy of the season is just so hard to find.

In Which Ryan Bellerose observes the local fauna

Via Emunah:

Ryan Bellerose is visiting Northern California.  A well-known member of Canada’s first nations, Ryan is active in promoting and strengthening indigenous solidarity , and defines Zionism as  the Jewish’s peoples'  indigenous solidarity movement   As part of an ongoing anthropological study of  anti-Israel asshats in their native environment, Ryan attended a protest in front of San Francisco’s venerable Westin St. Francis hotel.  The protest was promoted by assorted  local extremist groups including  International ANSWER, the Arab Resource Organizing Center and Jewish Voice for Peace. Inside the hotel, hundreds had gathered at an AIPAC dinner in support of friendship between the US and Israel.  That’s simply not allowed in San Francisco.

However, the protest was only peripherally about the AIPAC dinner, with the promotional posters proclaiming instead “Protest Israel”

Ryan’s observations about the event have been published at Israellycool

Monday nights protest featured the usual hateful elements we’ve come to expect from the local “progressive” community.   Activists expressed their support for the intifada- the violent uprising that has left hundreds dead and wounded.  Israel was blamed for everything from Ferguson  to the death of transsexuals in the Philippines.   Richard Becker’s ANSWER hit may have hit rock-bottom by commandeering a wheelchair to transport their sound system- tacky, even by ANSWER’s low standards. 

No, Dick. Using a wheelchair for your sound system does not entitle you to a disabled placard.

Vitriolic racist attacks were directed towards Ryan, both during and after the event

UC Berkeley graduate student and SJP organizer Kumars Salehi took to social media to insult the Metis activist. Yes, he called  Ryan a cracker 

There was more repulsive racism on Instagram courtesy of Kevyn Noodleman  using the account @leduviolet  

Ryan handled  it all with characteristic good humor

One hundred of them. A dozen of us on the street, with hundreds more inside the hotel celebrating the friendship between Israel and America.

It counts as a win

Landmark UAW International Ruling Rejects Local BDS Resolution

Excellent news from the civil rights activists at Informed Grads 

Landmark UAW International Ruling Rejects Local BDS Resolution 

In a landmark decision yesterday, United Auto Workers (UAW) International Union granted an appeal filed by a member of the University of California student group Informed Grads, thereby striking down a Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) resolution adopted by UAW Local 2865 last year. UAW 2865 represents graduate student workers at all of the University of California campuses. UAW International, the body that oversees all UAW locals in the United States, set national precedent by denying the local organization the right to adopt such a divisive and alienating measure. 

Over the past year, certain members of UAW 2865 championed a one-sided, counterproductive BDS referendum that limits academic freedom and promotes discrimination based on national origin. Rather than focusing on the needs of the student workers they were elected to represent, these activists promoted an effort that seeks to undermine peaceful dialogue and coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians. 

“All workers represented by UAW International can now rest assured that their union will not support BDS tactics or endorse an extreme political agenda that is discriminatory, alienating, and stifles academic freedom,” said Informed Grads member Karra Greenberg, who testified at the appeal hearing. “The anti-Semitism and active promotion of hate that ran rampant throughout this BDS campaign cannot and must not be tolerated. We applaud UAW International for taking a firm position against BDS and discrimination based on religion or national origin.”

 “We are very pleased by United Auto Workers (UAW) International Union’s forceful rejection of BDS, which sets a powerful precedent for other labor unions and national organizations” said Scott Edelman, a partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, the international law firm that represented Informed Grads in its appeal. “This result was due to a real team effort between our firm and Informed Grads, and I want to pay tribute to my colleagues Jesse Gabriel, Lauren Eber, Neta Levanon and Will Brien for their dedication and hard work.” 

From the International UAW:

"...it is our unanimous belief that the notion of BDS, credibly, espouses discrimination and vilification against Israelis and UAW members who are of Jewish lineage. From this perspective, we find that the BDS Resolution is systematic in its decrying orations about Israel and its stated atrocities against Palestinians. Conversely, as emphasized earlier, the local union’s critique of any other ethnicity or victimizer outside of the Israeli and /or Jewish population is not present in its arguments. Thus, the local union’s platform is apparent in its unfavorable stance against the state of Israel, Israelis and , invariably, Jewish union members.”

For more information on the International UAW's repeal of  BDS , see
BDS resolution overturned by UC grad students’ national union: It discriminates against Jews

UAW, San Jose State foundation reject BDS measures

United Auto Workers International Overturns Local Union’s BDS Vote

Public Art in Gaza

Public art is often a reflection of a societies values.

Mural  in Gaza glorifying the murderers of Jews

New monument to the stabbing intifada, again glorifying attacks on Jews

What message does the public art of Gaza give us?

Hamas celebrates 28 years of terror in Gaza

The Hamas terror group held a parade to celebrate 28 years of terror.   Much fun was had by all.

There was face painting

Fun costumes

Cute girls

Fun activities for the kids

And healthy snacks.

Over in Nablus, like minded participants from the PFLP Terror group played "Burn the Jew'

Does anyone still believe we have a partner for peace?

Gaza's Dr. Basem Naim exploits image of disabled child

Its Pallywood at its nadir and its nothing less than shameless exploitation of a disabled child, by an official of the Hamas government in Gaza. 

Someone who ought to know better- Dr. Basem Naim,  the Former Minister of Health of Gaza has sent out a photo of a disabled toddler, claiming the boy was a victim of "Israeli terror". 

Nothing could be further from the truth. The child in this photo is Mohammed Al-Farra., who is living in Israel's Tel Hashomer hospital after being abandoned by his family.

From the Huffington Post

Born in Gaza with a rare genetic disease, Mohammed's hands and feet were amputated because of complications from his condition, and the 3 1/2-year-old carts about in a tiny red wheelchair. His parents abandoned him, and the Palestinian government won't pay for his care, so he lives at the hospital with his grandfather.

"There's no care for this child in Gaza, there's no home in Gaza where he can live," said the grandfather, Hamouda al-Farra.

This cynical, exploitative and fraudulent image has been retweeted 179 times.

Here is the photo in its original context  from the Times of Israel

This isn't the first time Mohammed's image has been used to demonize Israel,  but to have the Former Minister of Health of Gaza spreading the lie makes it particularly egregious.

Counter Anti-Israel Rally for December 14th

From our friends at San Francisco Voice for Israel

Action Alert: Counter Anti-Israel Rally for December 14th
Monday, December 14, 5pm
The Westin St. Francis
335 Powell St, San Francisco

According to the New York Times, AIPAC is the most important organization affecting the US’s relationship with Israel. AIPAC works to lobby for pro-Israel legislation and to educate legislators on issues related to the US-Israeli relationship.

Every year, AIPAC holds gala events throughout the Bay Area. This year, the enemies of America and Israel, including extremist groups ANSWER and the Arab Resource Organizing Center (AROC) are planning on protesting the event, and harassing event attendees. They are calling for an end to the “unbreakable bond” that link our democracies.

San Francisco Voice For Israel will be there to be sure the pro-Israel voice is represented and to help ensure attendees will be able to enter the hotel unmolested.

Please come join us. The protests typically are only nominally about AIPAC and mostly about demonizing Israel.

Keep in mind that those who will be demonstrating against Israel excuse stabbings and car assaults on Israeli civilians. Many openly support such actions.If you are going back to a parking garage after our counterprotest, please travel in groups.

As always, feel free to make your own signs but please no signs or graphics offensive to any racial or ethnic group including but not limited to Arabs, Islam, or Palestinians.

Sweet. More dispatches from "Starving Gaza"

Just like the Warsaw ghetto?

Al-Gayyar chocolate store, Gaza, Nov. 25, 2015. (photo by Mohammed Nehro)

In September, Gaza celebrated the grand opening of the al-Gayyar chocolate mall selling chocolate from around the world.

Owner Deeb al-Gayyar, in an interview with Al-Monitor said

“Specific [chocolate] types used to enter Gaza through the tunnels. After allowing them to enter through the Karam Abu Salem [Kerem Shalom] commercial crossing, we started importing more types of chocolate from various countries. Because of the improved trade relations with Turkey, traders find it easier to import Turkish chocolate [brands], such as Solen, Ulker, Bifa, Alpella, Elit, which now dominate the [Gaza] market.”

The Al-Gayyar Chocolate Company alone imports an average of 150 tons of chocolate a month for the Gaza market.  Its not the only confectionery in the territory.

From Al- Monitor

Many new shops have specialized in chocolate for years, such as Bonboniara, which opened in 2011 on al-Wahda Street in central Gaza City. Its owner, Ahmed al-Muzaini, said, “My father was impressed with the idea of chocolate shops that spread in the West Bank during his visit there. So we decided to open this shop [in Gaza], which was met with great demand because of our unique innovation in packaging chocolates at various prices. … The economic situation affects demand, which increases during special events. Despite that, the prices are affordable, but still some people don’t visit such shops, while others visit three times a week to buy chocolate.”

Khaled Subeih, the owner of On the Line, which opened in March on Al-Jalaa Street in central Gaza City, believes that “specialty shops selling chocolates have changed the culture of the people in Gaza, who like new things. Chocolate has become a key commodity for people of all ages, economic status, and for various social occasions.”

After all, nothing says "open air prison" quite like gourmet chocolates.

Breaking the Silence.Confessions of an IDF soldier

"For the last year, I have served with the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories. A military unit within the Ministry of Defense, COGAT is responsible for driving Israel’s civil policy in Judea and Samaria and towards the Gaza Strip. Our mission was simple, yet complicated: help Israel by helping the Palestinians. Improve the quality of civilian life as much as possible to create a positive dynamic of hope and progress. "

Eylon Aslan-Levy, a British-Israeli political commentator writes about his stint in COGAT for the Times of Israel

We worked with international partners to promote four new industrial estates in Judea and Samaria. We connected Rawabi to water. We signed a deal with the very generous Dutch to install a new cargo scanner at Kerem Shalom. We enabled the transfer of more than 2.5 million tons of construction materials to Gaza, virtually tripling the number of trucks entering the Strip. Just last week, we signed a deal with the PA for Palestinian cellular operators to develop 3G services. I wish I could discuss more, but alas, national security and secrecy prevent me.

Sometimes I felt like I was working for the Israeli branch of an international aid organization. But this is a real unit in the Israeli army, acting in clear accordance with the political directives of the democratically elected government. Israel knows that whatever the fire holds, it needs foundations; we worked with the PA and international community to build them.

Read it all here

JVP has suggestions to make family Thanksgiving just a little more awkward

The "proud to be ashamed to be Jewish" activists at Jewish Voice for Peace have published some suggestions for making your family Thanksgiving dinner just a little more uncomfortable.

Try throwing some international politics into the mix.

Bring up the conflict in the Middle east, but "don't make it a history lesson", JVP admonishes its readers.  If you do, you'll lose.

JVP, sounding even more cult-like than ever,  suggests you "validate their fears", and  "model vulnerability."

And most of all, reframe, reframe , reframe!

Fred Maroun at the Times of Israel summarizes the JVP argument with this handy flowchart

Just can't beat JVP for talking points as dry as mom's turkey, and as indigestible as Aunt Muriel's stuffing.

Black Friday False Claim "BDS is Working"

On Black Friday, local anti-Israel groups Jewish Voice for Peace and Berkeley Women in Black are organizing a vigil in the San Francisco Union Square Shopping center. Their theme "BDS is working".

Its wishful thinking, on their part.

The Israel economy continues to show exceptional growth.

Israel's Gross National Product

Israels Gross National Income

Tourism to Israel is equally unaffected by the BDS movement

Out of 3.3 million visitors in 2014, 2.5 million arrived by air (78%) About 400,000 came through the land borders (12%)  Tourism from the USA continued to represent the largest country of origin for incoming tourism to Israel, with 626,000 visitors arriving in 2014, (representing 19% of all incoming tourism), 1% more than 2013. In second place is tourism from Russia with 567,000 visitors, a decrease of 6%. Tourism from France takes third place, with about 301,000 visitors, followed by Germany (196,000) and the United Kingdom (179,000).

58% of tourists were first time visitors, and 42% returning visitors.

Since the  Boycott, Divestment and sanctions movement was introduced in Durban in 2001, the Israeli economy has grown dramatically.  Moodys continues to rate Israeli bonds A1.  In spite of  a variety of toothless student resolutions directed against Israel, not a single university has divested a penny from Israel- with many reaffirming and strengthening their relationships instead.

After nearly 15 years of BDS, Israel's reputation as the start-up nation remains unassailable. Senior representatives from leading multinational companies including AVG, Ford, GE, Tyco, GM, ProSieben, Mail.ru, Bloomberg, Yahoo are set to come to Tel Aviv on December 16 for the Axis Tel Aviv Corporate Edition 2015, aimed at connecting companies looking to invest in Israeli Big Data, Cloud, CyberSecurity, ICT, IOT, Mobile, and e-Commerce startups. Israeli startups had their best year ever in 2014, with exit deals totaling $15 billion, a dramatic increase from $7.6 million in 2013.  2014, 18 Israeli companies going public raised nearly $10 billion.

By any objective standards, BDS is a failed enterprise  Any claim by the anti-Israel activists converging in Union Square that "BDS in winning" is just wishful thinking on their part.

Palestinians and Jesus: A Very Jewish Voice for Peace Hanukkah

Hanukkah is coming up. Its the first war fought for religious self-determination-a  celebration of light over darkness- of right  over might.  The tiny band of Maccabees fought to achieve religious self-determination from the Greeks, who had plundered and desecrated our holy Temple. Ultimately, the Maccabees triumphed over the strongest army in the world, and our Temple was rededicated.

At its core Hanukkah represents the struggle to remain Jewish in a non-Jewish world, a struggle we still face even today.

For 8 days we light candles, to celebrate the triumph of light over darkness.

This poses a quandary for  the "proud to be ashamed to be Jewish" folk at Jewish voice for Peace.  The Syrian-Greek ruler Antiochus  took control of our land in 170 C.E.  To celebrate Hanukkah would be to acknowledge an ancient Jewish  presence in the land.  Whats an anti-Zionist to do?  

This, apparently.

From Jewish Voice for Peace

Join your favorite rad Jewish friends to celebrate liberation and maybe learn a little?

We'll light Shabbat AND Hanukkah candles, eat latkes and sufganiyot, talk about how we could reclaim the Hanukkah story for justice in Israel-Palestine. Also maybe we could talk about Jesus, another rad Jew that gets celebrated this time of year.

There you have it.  Latkes and donuts and Jesus.  A very Jewish Voice for Peace Hanukkah.

UPDATE

JVP Rabbi Lynn Gottleib has written the Jewish people out of the Hannukah story. After all, having Jews fighting for autonomy and religious freedom in the Holy land  over 2,000 years ago is in direct opposition to the Palestinian narrative.

Native American Zionist Activist Ryan Bellerose will be in the SF Bay Area

For Immediate Release
Media Advisory / Interview Opportunity

Native American Zionist blogger Ryan Bellerose will be in the SF Bay Area
Available for events, meetings, interviews

Who: Ryan Bellerose, Native American Advocate for Israel

When: November-December 2015

Where: San Francisco Bay Area

Why: Ryan is an outspoken advocate for Israel, offering an indigenous perspective on the Jewish homeland and Jewish peoplehood. He confronts anti-semitism and anti-Israel bigotry with well-researched information. Ryan is working toward promoting Israel as the model for an indigenous people reclaiming their ancestral homeland and establishing a nation-state. Ryan is empowering both Jewish and North American indigenous peoples by explaining the commonality of indigenous struggles worldwide, and specifically Jewish struggles for self determination and how it applies to the global indigenous struggle.

Bio:

Ryan Bellerose is a Métis from Northern Alberta. His father, Mervin Bellerose, co-authored the Métis Settlements Act of 1989, which was passed by the Alberta legislature in 1990 and cemented his land rights. Ryan founded Canadians For Accountability, a Native rights advocacy group, and he is an indigenous rights activist. He has been active in the Human rights community in Canada for several years as well as working with youth both as a volunteer and in paid positions. Some of the advocacy work he has done involved assisting to remove corrupt tribal governments and he has been heavily involved in several groups advocating for indigenous rights around the world. Ryan has worked as a drug and alcohol counsellor at a recovery centre in northern Alberta, a youth counsellor in his hometown, building ice bridges in the far north of Canada, a substitute teacher for elementary, junior and senior high schools, a heavy machine operator, pipeline worker, a Security contractor, a wildfire firefighter, a GPS/GIS consultant, and as a business analyst and account rep at a major telecom. He is an avid athlete who plays semi pro tackle football during the summer for a team that has won 9 provincial and 3 national championships in 12 years. Ryan believes that effective advocacy is the key to making tangible changes and that maintaining culture is imperative for indigenous people even while getting more education. He is also a founding member in the Calgary United with Israel (CUWI) organization. Ryan is a self-proclaimed Zionist. Ryan has had several articles published in newspapers around the world on the subject of indigenous rights and their importance and has been blogging on a wide array of websites including Indian Country Today Media Network,Isreallycool.com, TimesofIsrael.com, Israel National News, CIJNews.com, and has appeared in Jerusalem Post, Toronto Sun, and many more.

Some of Ryan's publications:

History Matters: 5 Myths About Israel

Israel Palestine: Who’s Indigenous?

Indigenous Status Matters: Here’s Why

The Proud Tradition Of Antizionism

Sheikh Raed Salah's Islamic Movement declared illegal

According to a press release issued Tuesday morning by the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, the northern branch of the Islamic Movement has been declared "an illegal organization."

From the J Post
"The practical significance of this decision is that any entity or individual belonging to the group from hereon out and any individual who grants this organization services or operates under its auspices will have violated a criminal statute and is subject to imprisonment," the government statement read...

"For years, the Islamic Movement's northern branch has been waging a campaign of deceitful incitement under the banner of 'al-Aksa is in danger,' which blames Israel by falsely accusing it of intending to harm the al-Aksa mosque and to violate the status quo there," the government statement read."

"As part of these efforts, the northern branch formed groups of activists (Murabitun and Murabatat) whose job was to ignite provocations on Temple Mount," the government said. "These activities led to a significant rise in tensions on Temple Mount. A significant portion of the attacks that have been carried out recently were committed against the backdrop of this incitement and propaganda."

The northern branch of the Islamic Movement is led by Sheikh Raed Salah, who, according to UK Media Watch has

...endorsed classic anti-Semitic conspiracy theories about 9/11, reportedly advanced the Medieval blood libel against Jews, acknowledged providing funds to Hamas, has often used his authority as leader of the Islamic Movment’s Northern division to incite thousands of his followers to riot (and begin a Third Intifada) under the pretense that the Al-Aksa was in danger of being destroyed by Israeli authorities. 

And, as an interview in 2003 made clear, Salah’s views on the rights of women and gays (and the virtues of Jihad) represents a classic example of his religiously inspired extremism. 

More broadly, The Islamic Movement, which he leads, has clear goals of indoctrinating Israeli Arabs with his Islamist ideology (an effort the Movement calls da’wa).

In short, Raed Salah is an Islamic extremist  – and an unrepentant antisemite, misogynist and homophobe – who associates with terrorist movements and encourages his followers to engage in violence.

Elder of Ziyon has visited Raed Saleh's Facebook page and confirms these observations, noting that Saleh

...celebrated the murder of Jews praying a year ago with the Koranic quote "'How terrible will be the mourning of those who were warned'" - The heroic operation of Jerusalem 2014/11/18"

The smiley face is a nice touch

The Elder has more information on Saleh here

Although Sheikh Raed Salah celebrates and incites the murder of Jews, Bay Area member of Jewish Voice for Peace Hassan Fouda fawns all over him, proving again that JVP is neither Jewish, nor for peace

JVP member Hassan Fouda and Raed Saleh