Saturday, January 30, 2010
Third Day in Haifa
So wonderful to be in Haifa on Shabbat - I had the opportunity to go down to Zamir Beach and watch all the spirited beautiful circle dancing on the beach. The Israelis have so much "ruach" and zest for life in spite of all the difficulties they face on a daily basis. The hospitality of the people here is overwhelming- they invite us into their homes to share Shabbat dinners and today being "TuBishvat" makes this a very special Shabbat. Tonite we will be participating in a TuBishvat" seder!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Arrival in Haifa
Arrived in the beautiful port of Haifa today- so feels like a second home to me- friends waiting to greet me outside the Dan Panorama Hotel which sits at the top of Carmel. Looking out from my bedroom I watch the sunsetting over the Mediterranean and feel so blessed to be here. More to come!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Spanish Journalist Article about Media and Israel
NOT EVERY LEFT WINGER IS ANTI-ISRAEL
Pilar Rahola
Pilar Rahola is a Spanish politician, journalist and activist and member of the far left. Her articles are published in Spain and throughout some of the most important newspapers in Latin America.
Why don't we see demonstrations against Islamic dictatorships in London, Paris, Barcelona?
Or demonstrations against the Burmese dictatorship?
Why aren't there demonstrations against the enslavement of millions of women who live without any legal protection?
Why aren't there demonstrations against the use of children as human bombs where there is conflict with Islam?
Why has there been no leadership in support of the victims of Islamic dictatorship in Sudan?
Why is there never any outrage against the acts of terrorism committed against Israel?
Why is there no outcry by the European left against Islamic fanaticism?
Why don't they defend Israel's right to exist?
Why confuse support of the Palestinian cause with the defense of Palestinian terrorism?
An finally, the million dollar question:Why is the left in Europe and around the world obsessed with the two most solid democracies, the United States and Israel, and not with the worst dictatorships on the planet? The two most solid democracies, who have suffered the bloodiest attacks of terrorism, and the left doesn't care.
And then, to the concept of freedom. In every pro Palestinian European forum I hear the left yelling with fervor: "We want freedom for the people!"
Not true. They are never concerned with freedom for the people of Syria or Yemen or Iran or Sudan, or other such nations. And they are never preoccupied when Hammas destroys freedom for the Palestinians. They are only concerned with using the concept of Palestinian freedom as a weapon against Israeli freedom. The resulting consequence of these ideological pathologies is the manipulation of the press.
The international press does major damage when reporting on the question of the Israeli-Palestinian issue. On this topic they don't inform, they propagandize.
When reporting about Israel the majority of journalists forget the reporter code of ethics. And so, any Israeli act of self-defense becomes a massacre, and any confrontation, genocide. So many stupid things have been written about Israel, that there aren't any accusations left to level against her.
At the same time, this press never discusses Syrian and Iranian interference in propagating violence against Israel; the indoctrination of children and the corruption of the Palestinians. And when reporting about victims, every Palestinian casualty is reported as tragedy and every Israeli victim is camouflaged, hidden or reported about with disdain.
And let me add on the topic of the Spanish left. Many are the examples that illustrate the anti-Americanism and anti-Israeli sentiments that define the Spanish left. For example, one of the leftist parties in Spain has just expelled one of its members for creating a pro-Israel website. I quote from the expulsion document: "Our friends are the people of Iran, Libya and Venezuela, oppressed by imperialism, and not a Nazi state like Israel."
In another example, the socialist mayor of Campozuelos changed Shoah Day, commemorating the victims of the Holocaust, with Palestinian Nabka Day, which mourns the establishment of the State of Israel, thus showing contempt for the six million European Jews murdered in the Holocaust.
Or in my native city of Barcelona, the city council decided to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the creation of the State of Israel, by having a week of solidarity with the Palestinian people. Thus, they invited Leila Khaled, a noted terrorist from the 70's and current leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a terrorist organization so described by the European Union, which promotes the use of bombs against Israel.
This politically correct way of thinking has even polluted the speeches of president Zapatero. His foreign policy falls within the lunatic left, and on issues of the Middle East he is unequivocally pro Arab. I can assure you that in private, Zapatero places on Israel the blame for the conflict in the Middle East, and the policies of foreign minister Moratinos reflect this. The fact that Zapatero chose to wear a kafiah in the midst of the Lebanon conflict is no coincidence; it's a symbol.
Spain has suffered the worst terrorist attack in Europe and it is in the crosshairs of every Islamic terrorist organization. As I wrote before, they kill us with cell phones hooked to satellites connected to the Middle Ages. An yet the Spanish left is the most anti Israeli in the world.
And then it says it is anti Israeli because of solidarity. This is the madness I want to denounce in this conference.
Conclusion:
I am not Jewish. Ideologically I am left and by profession a journalist. Why am I not anti Israeli like my colleagues? Because as a non-Jew I have the historical responsibility to fight against Jewish hatred and currently against the hatred for their historic homeland, Israel. To fight against anti-Semitism is not the duty of the Jews, it is the duty of the non-Jews.
As a journalist it is my duty to search for the truth beyond prejudice, lies and manipulations. The truth about Israel is not told. As a person from the left who loves progress, I am obligated to defend liberty, culture, civic education for children, coexistence and the laws that the Tablets of the Covenant made into universal principles.
Principles that Islamic fundamentalism systematically destroys. That is to say that as a non-Jew, journalist and lefty I have a triple moral duty with Israel, because if Israel is destroyed, liberty, modernity and culture will be destroyed too.
The struggle of Israel, even if the world doesn't want to accept it, is the struggle of the world.
Pilar Rahola
Pilar Rahola is a Spanish politician, journalist and activist and member of the far left. Her articles are published in Spain and throughout some of the most important newspapers in Latin America.
Why don't we see demonstrations against Islamic dictatorships in London, Paris, Barcelona?
Or demonstrations against the Burmese dictatorship?
Why aren't there demonstrations against the enslavement of millions of women who live without any legal protection?
Why aren't there demonstrations against the use of children as human bombs where there is conflict with Islam?
Why has there been no leadership in support of the victims of Islamic dictatorship in Sudan?
Why is there never any outrage against the acts of terrorism committed against Israel?
Why is there no outcry by the European left against Islamic fanaticism?
Why don't they defend Israel's right to exist?
Why confuse support of the Palestinian cause with the defense of Palestinian terrorism?
An finally, the million dollar question:Why is the left in Europe and around the world obsessed with the two most solid democracies, the United States and Israel, and not with the worst dictatorships on the planet? The two most solid democracies, who have suffered the bloodiest attacks of terrorism, and the left doesn't care.
And then, to the concept of freedom. In every pro Palestinian European forum I hear the left yelling with fervor: "We want freedom for the people!"
Not true. They are never concerned with freedom for the people of Syria or Yemen or Iran or Sudan, or other such nations. And they are never preoccupied when Hammas destroys freedom for the Palestinians. They are only concerned with using the concept of Palestinian freedom as a weapon against Israeli freedom. The resulting consequence of these ideological pathologies is the manipulation of the press.
The international press does major damage when reporting on the question of the Israeli-Palestinian issue. On this topic they don't inform, they propagandize.
When reporting about Israel the majority of journalists forget the reporter code of ethics. And so, any Israeli act of self-defense becomes a massacre, and any confrontation, genocide. So many stupid things have been written about Israel, that there aren't any accusations left to level against her.
At the same time, this press never discusses Syrian and Iranian interference in propagating violence against Israel; the indoctrination of children and the corruption of the Palestinians. And when reporting about victims, every Palestinian casualty is reported as tragedy and every Israeli victim is camouflaged, hidden or reported about with disdain.
And let me add on the topic of the Spanish left. Many are the examples that illustrate the anti-Americanism and anti-Israeli sentiments that define the Spanish left. For example, one of the leftist parties in Spain has just expelled one of its members for creating a pro-Israel website. I quote from the expulsion document: "Our friends are the people of Iran, Libya and Venezuela, oppressed by imperialism, and not a Nazi state like Israel."
In another example, the socialist mayor of Campozuelos changed Shoah Day, commemorating the victims of the Holocaust, with Palestinian Nabka Day, which mourns the establishment of the State of Israel, thus showing contempt for the six million European Jews murdered in the Holocaust.
Or in my native city of Barcelona, the city council decided to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the creation of the State of Israel, by having a week of solidarity with the Palestinian people. Thus, they invited Leila Khaled, a noted terrorist from the 70's and current leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a terrorist organization so described by the European Union, which promotes the use of bombs against Israel.
This politically correct way of thinking has even polluted the speeches of president Zapatero. His foreign policy falls within the lunatic left, and on issues of the Middle East he is unequivocally pro Arab. I can assure you that in private, Zapatero places on Israel the blame for the conflict in the Middle East, and the policies of foreign minister Moratinos reflect this. The fact that Zapatero chose to wear a kafiah in the midst of the Lebanon conflict is no coincidence; it's a symbol.
Spain has suffered the worst terrorist attack in Europe and it is in the crosshairs of every Islamic terrorist organization. As I wrote before, they kill us with cell phones hooked to satellites connected to the Middle Ages. An yet the Spanish left is the most anti Israeli in the world.
And then it says it is anti Israeli because of solidarity. This is the madness I want to denounce in this conference.
Conclusion:
I am not Jewish. Ideologically I am left and by profession a journalist. Why am I not anti Israeli like my colleagues? Because as a non-Jew I have the historical responsibility to fight against Jewish hatred and currently against the hatred for their historic homeland, Israel. To fight against anti-Semitism is not the duty of the Jews, it is the duty of the non-Jews.
As a journalist it is my duty to search for the truth beyond prejudice, lies and manipulations. The truth about Israel is not told. As a person from the left who loves progress, I am obligated to defend liberty, culture, civic education for children, coexistence and the laws that the Tablets of the Covenant made into universal principles.
Principles that Islamic fundamentalism systematically destroys. That is to say that as a non-Jew, journalist and lefty I have a triple moral duty with Israel, because if Israel is destroyed, liberty, modernity and culture will be destroyed too.
The struggle of Israel, even if the world doesn't want to accept it, is the struggle of the world.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Media Coverage of Israel's Aid to Haiti
Israel: Bringing Hope Amidst Haiti's Rubble
Some of the positive stories emerging from Israel's remarkable aid effort.
Many of you have asked for sources of information on Israel's role in aiding the victims of Haiti's devastating earthquake. While Israel is one of many nations operating in Haiti, the IDF's field hospital and search and rescue team have caught the attention of some media outlets. Here are just some of the positive stories emerging from Haiti's tragedy:
Fox News (17Jan): Israeli doctors in Haiti
Sky News (17 Jan): Sky reporter spends a day in the rubble with Israeli rescue team
IBA News (17 Jan): Israeli rescue team in Haiti
LA Times (17 Jan): Israel: Sending soldiers of peace to Haiti
CBS News (18 Jan): Israeli IDF hospital the "Rolls Royce" of medicine in Haiti
ABC News (18 Jan): Miracle birth amid Haiti's rubble
WABC News (18 Jan): Brother of Queens NY resident rescued from rubble by Israeli rescue team
U.N. MINUSTAH (Jan 18): Haiti: Israeli field hospital working around the clock
CNN report (18 Jan): Patients desperate for better medical care
Some of the positive stories emerging from Israel's remarkable aid effort.
Many of you have asked for sources of information on Israel's role in aiding the victims of Haiti's devastating earthquake. While Israel is one of many nations operating in Haiti, the IDF's field hospital and search and rescue team have caught the attention of some media outlets. Here are just some of the positive stories emerging from Haiti's tragedy:
Fox News (17Jan): Israeli doctors in Haiti
Sky News (17 Jan): Sky reporter spends a day in the rubble with Israeli rescue team
IBA News (17 Jan): Israeli rescue team in Haiti
LA Times (17 Jan): Israel: Sending soldiers of peace to Haiti
CBS News (18 Jan): Israeli IDF hospital the "Rolls Royce" of medicine in Haiti
ABC News (18 Jan): Miracle birth amid Haiti's rubble
WABC News (18 Jan): Brother of Queens NY resident rescued from rubble by Israeli rescue team
U.N. MINUSTAH (Jan 18): Haiti: Israeli field hospital working around the clock
CNN report (18 Jan): Patients desperate for better medical care
Monday, January 18, 2010
Israel's Contributions to Haiti Disaster
ISRAEL' DISPROPORTIONATE RESPONSE
Many countries and world leaders have accused Israel of responding disproportionately to aggression from Hizballah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.
However, it is time that the world press and media speak of another disproportionate response from Israel.
The terrible disastrous earthquake in Haiti has generated responses from many nations. The US has sent supplies and personnel, Britain sent 64 firemen and 8 volunteers, France sent troops for Search and Rescue. Many large and wealthy nations of the world sent money. The Arab and Moslem world nothing.
Israel, a nation of 7.5 million people has sent a team of 220 people that include Medical personnel and will establish the largest field hospital in Haiti, treating up to 5000 people a day, an experienced Search and Rescue team and medical supplies. As in previous earthquake disasters, such as in Gujarat India in 2001 and in Turkey, in the bombings in Kenya, Israel has been one of the most generous givers of aid and assistance
Turkey seems to have forgotten this help as its extreme Moslem Government is cozying up to Iran.
Judge Goldstone, where are you now? Eating your heart out and hanging your head down in shame I hope.
The favorite occupation in the UN is Israel bashing. More resolutions have been passed condemning Israel than all the so called democratic nations such as Sudan, China, Russia and others for their crimes against their minorities.
I think it is time that the world should know about Israel's disproportionate response.
.
Many countries and world leaders have accused Israel of responding disproportionately to aggression from Hizballah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.
However, it is time that the world press and media speak of another disproportionate response from Israel.
The terrible disastrous earthquake in Haiti has generated responses from many nations. The US has sent supplies and personnel, Britain sent 64 firemen and 8 volunteers, France sent troops for Search and Rescue. Many large and wealthy nations of the world sent money. The Arab and Moslem world nothing.
Israel, a nation of 7.5 million people has sent a team of 220 people that include Medical personnel and will establish the largest field hospital in Haiti, treating up to 5000 people a day, an experienced Search and Rescue team and medical supplies. As in previous earthquake disasters, such as in Gujarat India in 2001 and in Turkey, in the bombings in Kenya, Israel has been one of the most generous givers of aid and assistance
Turkey seems to have forgotten this help as its extreme Moslem Government is cozying up to Iran.
Judge Goldstone, where are you now? Eating your heart out and hanging your head down in shame I hope.
The favorite occupation in the UN is Israel bashing. More resolutions have been passed condemning Israel than all the so called democratic nations such as Sudan, China, Russia and others for their crimes against their minorities.
I think it is time that the world should know about Israel's disproportionate response.
.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Israel's Help in Haiti Disaster -Contributed by Lawrence Siskind
As I imagine all of you are doing, I’ve been following the horrific news from Haiti. One aspect struck me as noteworthy, though I haven’t seen any mention of it in the mainstream media.
Israel has been particularly energetic in helping Haiti. Its Foreign Ministry just announced that Israel will send a delegation to establish a field hospital there. The hospital will include 40 doctors and 24 nurses, and is scheduled to leave Thursday evening. Capable of treating 500 patients, it will include an intensive care unit, two operating rooms, a pharmacy, and an X-ray lab. Search and rescue agents from the Homefront Command will also be sent. Diaspora Jewish groups are also rushing to get aid workers, supplies and money to the disaster zone. An advance five-member IDF-Foreign Ministry team left for Haiti on Wednesday, including experts in engineering, medicine, logistics and rescue operations from the IDF's Home Front Command. A team of four ZAKA volunteers (which is known for collecting body parts from terrorist bombing for proper burial), which was in Mexico to recover body parts of victims of a helicopter crash that killed Jewish businessman and philanthropist Moises Saba Masri and three of his family members, was now moving onto Haiti to help there. An Israeli coalition of humanitarian groups, IsraAID, is sending a 12-man search-and-rescue team, which includes emergency medical staff.
Last November, Haiti was one of 114 UN members to vote in favor of adopting the infamous Goldstone Report, condemning Israel for “war crimes” and “crimes against humanity” for defending itself against rocket attacks from Gaza.
Apparently, Israel does not hold grudges.
(By the way, I haven’t noticed a single reference to any of Israel’s oil-rich neighbors sending a single volunteer or spending a single petro-dollar to help Haiti. I guess they’re too distracted by the Palestinian “refugee camps” which they’ve allowed to fester in their territory for the past 60 years.)
Lawrence J. Siskind
Harvey Siskind LLP
Four Embarcadero Center, 39th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94111
Tel: 415.354.0100
Fax: 415.391.7124
siskind@harveysiskind.com
Israel has been particularly energetic in helping Haiti. Its Foreign Ministry just announced that Israel will send a delegation to establish a field hospital there. The hospital will include 40 doctors and 24 nurses, and is scheduled to leave Thursday evening. Capable of treating 500 patients, it will include an intensive care unit, two operating rooms, a pharmacy, and an X-ray lab. Search and rescue agents from the Homefront Command will also be sent. Diaspora Jewish groups are also rushing to get aid workers, supplies and money to the disaster zone. An advance five-member IDF-Foreign Ministry team left for Haiti on Wednesday, including experts in engineering, medicine, logistics and rescue operations from the IDF's Home Front Command. A team of four ZAKA volunteers (which is known for collecting body parts from terrorist bombing for proper burial), which was in Mexico to recover body parts of victims of a helicopter crash that killed Jewish businessman and philanthropist Moises Saba Masri and three of his family members, was now moving onto Haiti to help there. An Israeli coalition of humanitarian groups, IsraAID, is sending a 12-man search-and-rescue team, which includes emergency medical staff.
Last November, Haiti was one of 114 UN members to vote in favor of adopting the infamous Goldstone Report, condemning Israel for “war crimes” and “crimes against humanity” for defending itself against rocket attacks from Gaza.
Apparently, Israel does not hold grudges.
(By the way, I haven’t noticed a single reference to any of Israel’s oil-rich neighbors sending a single volunteer or spending a single petro-dollar to help Haiti. I guess they’re too distracted by the Palestinian “refugee camps” which they’ve allowed to fester in their territory for the past 60 years.)
Lawrence J. Siskind
Harvey Siskind LLP
Four Embarcadero Center, 39th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94111
Tel: 415.354.0100
Fax: 415.391.7124
siskind@harveysiskind.com
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
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