UN Racism Conference is Anti-Semetic by Default

A UN racism conference is scheduled to take place in Geneva in the near future, and Israel is not going to go. The last time something like this happened, the Muslims nations joined together with their automatic majority to turn it into an Israel bashing conference.

Because Islam has hijacked the UN, Israel has a very tough time there. So many participating groups will just use the event as an excuse to delegitimise Israel that it is not worth having a Jewish presence there.

Israel Fights Aqsa Tube Hasbara Style

Aqsa Tube did not go unnoticed by the Israel Foreign Ministry. They have responded in kind with what Ha'aretz is calling "Al-Hasbara".

The Israel YouTube channel posts contraversial news stories in Arabic. They work to bring the truth to light, and this often is a perspective that the Arab world is sheltered from.

I hope Arabic speaking people bypass Al-Jazeera on the way to the Israel channel. It is a great opportunity to make a difference.

Newest Polls Puts Likud on Top

Both Ha'aretz and Yediot Ahronot have released new polls predicting the future of the Knesset, and Likud has gained ground since the last polls, which put Likud and Kadima in a dead heat.

The polls give Likud 34 or 32 seats respectively, with Kadima winning 28 or 26 seats. The biggest loser in the new numbers is Labor, receiving only about ten mandates.

This is a big gain for Likud with only 12 seats in the 120 member legislative body today.

It is good to see Israel's voters come to their senses. Kadima had their chance and blew it. A failed war with Lebanon and stagnant peace process with the Palestinians have left Israelis in the path of rocket and mortars with no way out. Likud would handle things a bit differently.

Olmert and Barak Take Secret Trip to Jordan

Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Ehud Barak took a secret trip over the Jordanian boarder to Amman for a meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah.

Abdullah has been one of Israel's best friends in the region for many years, which is all relative as the countries have been at war many times, most famously in 1948 and 1967.

The meeting was to discuss the escalating fighting in and around Gaza. As Hamas launches a constant barrage of rockets and mortars at Israeli citizens, Israeli leaders cannot be expect to sit on their hands. That, however, is exactly what Abdullah expects.

According to Abdullah, regional stability is focused on calm between Israel and the Palestinians. The recent tensions and military operations around Gaza have apparently caused tension around the Middle East, and Abdullah is looking to ease that tension.

On a related note, PA President Abbas met with Abdullah in Aqaba (next to Eilat) to discuss progress in the peace plan and relations between Hamas and Fatah.

A Reason Why Living In Israel Is Better Than North America

Agriprocessors has made big news around the Jewish world. The largest Kosher meat processing plant in the world is now closed. After filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, Agriprocessors, located in Postville, Iowa, stopped meat production. Aaron's Best and Rubushkin brand meats are gone.

It seems that the owners were greedy and got into trouble. That happens to companies around the world all the time. I wouldn't even care that they were gone after what has happened there if it were not for the shock wave that it sent into the Kosher keeping world.

I noticed the last time that I went to the supermarket for Kosher meat that the stock was lower than usual, but did not realize the full scale of the problem. Kosher restaurants, grocery stores, and Kosher households are struggling to keep meat on the menu.

Here in Denver, where Kosher meat is always a luxury, the shelves at the one Kosher grocery store and deli are less full than usual.

If you are a Jewish entrepreneur in the US, here is your opportunity. Open a Kosher slaughtering house and meat packing plant. Your list of customers is already there, just look at the shelves in your town.

Israel, on the other hand, has lots of Kosher meat. I am jealous.

Should Israel Open the Gaza Boarder

The UN is pleading with Israel to re-open the Gaza-Israel boarder crossings. Apparently a food shortage is starting to mount in Gaza. I remember when there were beautiful greenhouses that could grow food and flowers in Gush Katif, but those are gone now, smashed by the Palestinians.

I remember hearing Hamas say that they will never recognize Israel and will work to be independent. All I see is corruption and hatred. Why would I help someone who hates me?

I remember a truce shattered by rocket fire. You can't blame someone from shooting back at terrorists.

I remember a time when there were literally buildings on the Gaza-Israel boarder creating Gaza jobs and economic growth on both sides of the fence. Where are they now?

I remember a time when we were not worried about rockets hitting Sderot. Now rockets are hitting cities as large and far as Ashkelon.

The UN needs to stop worrying about a boarder, they need to worry about the cause of the problem. The Palestinian leaders are corrupt, and I guarantee you not hungry. Terrorists are building tunnels to smuggle weapons from Egypt and Israel, but care little about the kids in the schools they hide weapons in. The problem is not a fence, the problem is hatred. The entire world is quick to blame Israel for Gaza's problems, but we left just like they wanted. It is their problem now.

A Deep Look At Israeli "Occupation"

The word occupation is often thrown around in the Middle East. Specifically, people call Israel an occupying force in the West Bank and Gaza. However, in order for a territory to be occupied, it had to have been a state at some point.

The West Bank, by that regard, was "occupied Jordan" for a while, but Jordan said they don't want it anymore. Gaza was never really part of Egypt, who also does not want the territory.

Here is an in depth look at the word occupation in relation to Israel and the Middle East courtesy of the J-Post. It might make you think twice about what exactly is "occupied" in the world.

Iran Announces Nuclear Plant Opening in 2009

Iran made an announcement that nuclear fuel has been delivered to Iran from Russia as the radical Muslim nation steps closer to a nuclear plant in Bushehr opening in 2009.

This is not acceptable. Not because it would not be good to have a nuclear power plant in Iran. I don't care about Iranian electricity. One of the byproducts of nuclear power is WEAPONS GRADE PLUTONIUM. The input uranium is enough for a dirty bomb.

This has to be stopped. I don't care if it is Bush or Obama, Olmert, Livni, or Bibi. Someone has to do something before it is too late.

Real Life Mob Wars in Tel Aviv

Mob boss Yaakov Alperon was killed in a car bomb assassination in Tel Aviv. Sounds like something out of the Godfather, right?

Tel Aviv police are out in force now protecting the funeral of the mobster. Israel has serious mafia problems. This is largely related to prostitute trafficking from the former Soviet Union to Israel and other parts of the world. Not a Kosher industry by any standard.

A special police unit, known as Unit 443, has 1,000 dedicated officers working to fight organized crime in Israel.

Bibi's New Army

Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu is building up a strong political army of supporters in his bid to bring Likud back to the top of Israeli politics.

Bibi will announce Tuesday that Moshe Ya'alon (former IDF Chief of Staff) has signed up for the Likud list. Also recently on board are former Science Minister Benny Begin and former Finance Minister Miri Regev. Bibi is also working on bringing the retired Natan Sharansky back into the game with Likud.

These are some big names and some big moves by Likud. Bibi was Prime Minister from 1996-1999 and is working on his latest bid for Israel's biggest job.

Israel to Release 250 Prisoners

Olmert is releasing 250 Palestinian prisoners affiliated with Fatah as a goodwill gesture. Israel is making those they release sign a form saying that they will not return to terror. I think the Israelis forgot that Islam allows lying to non-Muslims for the purposes of expanding Islam. These Jihadis will lie all day to Israel. What is the form? A joke.

Olmert is trying to show that he blames Hamas for the escalating situation in Gaza, not PA President Abbas or Fatah. I say Fatah are the less bad terrorists. Either way, a terrorist is a terrorist.

Ask The Readers: Hasbara Moments

Hasbara literally means "explanation." In modern Israel, however, this has been adopted to mean explanation of the truth in Israel, or doing Israel activism.

Do you have a Hasbara moment when you were speaking with someone ignorant about the real Israel situation? If so, what was it about? Tell the world (or at least a small part of it) in the comments.

Hamas Does Not Care About the Truce

Fawzi Barhoum, a Hamas spokesman, said that they made no promise to enforce the truce and that any "Zionist aggression" will be met with a response.

Hamas has made it clear that they will only hold to a truce as long as it is beneficial to them. Anything else is just a delay in inevitable violent conflict.

The comments come on the heels of dozens of rocket attacks and an Israeli air strike on rocket terrorists in Gaza.

Motsei Shabbos Blog of the Week

I just found an interesting blog post about gun control in Israel. I am a big advocate of gun control (you don't need an M16 to hunt), but this is an interesting perspective.

Check out the Israel NRA update at Israel Jewish News.

Anti-Semites in Michigan Try to Cancel Orchestra Concert

A group of anti-Semites in Ann Arbor, Michigan, working under the name Middle East Task Force of Ann Arbor, wrote a letter to the University of Michigan urging them to cancel an upcoming concert by the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra.

The letter says that any performance by the orchestra will show Israel in a good light, and that such a cultural event should not be allowed. He goes on to say that "the truth about the Israeli occupation of Palestine becomes suppressed, and its institutionalized attacks on Palestinian cultural heritage are ignored. Any attempt by the US hosts of the tour to develop ties with this Orchestra, therefore, amounts to condoning Israeli apartheid."

I have not heard anything that repulsive in a while. It is disgusting that such anti-Semitism goes on in the United States. Anyone who calls the letter "anti-Israel" and not anti-Semitic is either in denial or stupid. Either way, it is important for people to stand up to this type of action and fight for Israel.

Maybe the author does not know what apartheid is. In apartheid, Black South Africans were not allowed to vote or participate in society. Israel has multiple Arab parties in the Knesset. They are small, but the Israeli Arabs are a minority. It is proportional representation. They vote for who they want, they have a party, and they have rights to health care and schooling. That is not apartheid, that is freedom.

Rahm Emanuel's Father is Even More Contraversial Than Rahm Emanuel

Rahm Emanuel's father, an Israeli, made a statement that pretty much pissed off the entire Arab world. The former Irgun fighter made a racist, anti-Arab comment.

"Obviously he'll influence the president to be pro-Israel. Why wouldn't he?... What is he, an Arab? He's not going to be mopping floors at the White House."

Israelis were never known for being discreet, they are known for being bold and blunt. Kind of an interesting thing to say. Rahm did make a public apology for the statement.

I think it was definately a bad thing to say, but it made me laugh.

Hasbara Is Comming to Town

The new Midwest coordinator for Hasbara Fellowships is coming to town next week to meet with me. If you are a college student in North America and interested in promoting Israel on your campus, send me an e-mail to eric at theisraelsituation.com.

Hasbara Fellowships is an organization dedicated to helping students work to promote Israel's image on campus. They offer a heavily subsidized trip to Israel for two weeks to learn about how to make a difference. Check out their website at israelactivism.com.

I had an amazing experience on my Hasbara trip and took what I learned to heart. That trip was an influence in starting this very website!

5 Rockets Hit Ashkelon

Hamas has shown a development in rocket technology. Larger rockets are able to hit targets farther away. 5 Grad rockets landed in Ashkelon's city center (another hit the outskirts of town) following 11 rockets landing in Sderot.

There is no truce any more. Israel has had to go in and defend itself. It is unfortunate that Israel looked the other way for months while Hamas was rearming using tunnels along the Egypt and Israel boarders.

PA Says Jerusalem Holy to Muslims and Christians Only

At the UN Interfaith Conference headed by Saudi King Abdullah, PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said that Jerusalem is a holy city to two world religions, Islam and Christianity. Like his predecessors, Fayyad is trying to remove Judaism's connection with the holiest city in the world for Jews.

It is deeply offensive that Fayyad would say such a thing at an interfaith conference. This is supposed to be an event to bring us all together, not for political warfare.

I have said many times, these are the people we are supposed to make peace with? How can we work together when they tell blatant lies to the world and try to de-legitimize our cause? Jews don't go around saying the Dome of the Rock is not holy to Muslims (even though the history of the claim is very shaky). No one says that Mecca and Medina are not holy to the Muslims. Why do they say that Jerusalem is not holy to us? They were the ones who recently took out archaeological evidence of our history in the Old City. They saw it themselves.

How do you all feel about these statements made by Fayyad? Post it in the comments.

Jerusalem's New Mayor Supports Jewish Interests Around the City

I was a bit worried to see the religious candidate lose the election to be Jerusalem's next mayor, but I was just impressed with the new one.

Mayor elect Nir Barkat said that the housing prices are a problem for young Jewish couples and new, less expensive options would be built on the east side of the city. While the eastern side of Jerusalem is often fought over, Barkat intends to keep it for the Jewish people.

"These are areas that are controlled by the government, they are owned by Jews, they are not owned by Arabs,"Mr Barkat said. "I see no reason why current neighbourhoods should not be expanded [by building] more apartments for people who want to stay in Jerusalem and don't have the right solutions."

In addition, he pledged to fight poverty and unemployment in the city. He also said that he will help work on better planning and building for Jerusalem's Arabs, which make up about one third of Jerusalem's population.