We all have our appointed tasks in life; perhaps, instructed from Above through our intuition, we feel compelled to go forward with courage to accomplish, what no one else can in our place. All, who are part of K’lal Yisrael are of one body, metaphorically speaking, inasmuch that our well-being depends not only our Source of Life, rather, also, on our connection to each other.
Category: Israel
Myths and Facts 2
I am not ignorant of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, nor the extreme Leftist positions that are posited upon propaganda that created the Palestinian Myth. I encountered these claims years ago, and have been countering them even moreso since October 7th. Here are some more refutations of false claims:
Regarding the checkpoints, these are in place to prevent the infiltration of terrorists. For every successful terrorist act in the past over the years, there have been at least ten others that have been foiled. Who is to blame for the check points? It is necessary for the safety and the protection of Israelis, two-million whom are Arab. Incidentally, case in point, there is no apartheid in Israel. Jewish, Christian, Arab and Druze Israelis all live side by side with each other, work together, and eat together. There are Arab members of the Knesset. The Israeli-Arabs are not second-class citizens.
Regarding the Palestinians, consider the following: Palestinian workers in the kibbutzim – the southern communities, that were decimated by Hamas on October 7th gave strategic information to the terrorists, concerning the Israelis. The very same Israelis who were peace activists and some of these Palestinians worked for them on the Kibbutzim, others were given rides by the Israeli peace activists to work inside Israel, and hospitals when necessary. Additionally, these past two years, before October Seventh Israel was pressured to permit more Palestinian workers to enter Israel. It has been discovered that this was a ruse; they were in Israel collecting information.
Furthermore, there is no genocide on the part of Israel toward the Palestinians. This is easily refuted in consideration of the treatment that has been shown to Palestinians over the years, prior to October Seventh. Truckloads of humanitarian aid had been entering Gaza over the years. No country intent on the destruction of another people would also give them humanitarian aid. Nor, would that country warn civilians by dropping leaflets, making calls on phones (texts), or dropping warning signals that make a loud noise, yet, do not harm – all done before targeting Hamas operative in the area. Yet, Israel has been approaching the situation in this manner for years.
Israelis treat Palestinian men, women, and children in Israeli hospitals, when they can not get treatment elsewhere. Incidentally, Jews and Arabs work side by side with each other in the hospitals. Yet, it is Hamas who uses its own people as human shields. It is Hamas who calls for genocide against Israel, and its supporters in the streets who shout out the slogans. A recent study done by the Arab world for Research and Development found that only 13% of Palestinians opposed the massacre on October 7th.
Shame on those who spread lies. There are both ideologues, who deliberately promote false claims, and distorted viewpoints. Then, there are the naive person on the fringe of the pro-Palestinian movement, as well as the wider social justice movement that includes the former cause. May the truth about the Israel be brought out into the light for all to perceive.
Myth and Facts
October Seventh changed everything for most people with a conscience and some semblance of humanity. Israel is united against an existential threat; many Leftists are disillusioned; they realize that peace is not favored by most Palestinians. Yet, if it has made less of an impression on Jewish Leftists outside of Israel, and even less on non-Jewish social justice warriors.
I write extensively on the intersectionality of the Pro-Palestinian cause within the social justice movement. Progressive Jews are being marginalized by their peers because they are Jewish; this serves as factual evidence of the equation: anti-Zionism equals antisemitism. (The Woke movement is not about the individual; it is about the ideology; individuals who differ are cast out).
Israel is under existential threat from five fronts: Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria; in addition, the social-media “front” promoted by organizations such as I.M.E.U. (Institute for Middle Eastern Understanding). The Leftist propaganda incites others to parrot the lies and slogans that many do not even understand. This furthers the invective and vitriol against Jewish people. Yet, when confronted, the naïve have changed their position, that had been based on ignorance.
One of the big lies rests upon colonialism; yet, the Jewish people are indigenous to Israel for several thousand years. There were no Arabs referred to as Palestinians until after 1967, when it became convenient for them to use the name for nationalistic reasons. There has never been a so-called Palestinian state. They are intransigent; they rejected every partition and peace plan from the Peel Commission to the Oslo Accords and continue to do so to this day.
There is graffiti on a wall in Ramallah, wherein David is depicted with a slingshot aiming at IDF soldiers. So, the Palestinians are the oppressed who were resisting their oppressors? This turning around of the narrative began years prior. Israel was attacked in 1948 by the greater powers of five Arab armies. Not until 1967, did the narrative shift as a deliberate ploy, by Yaser Arafat’s KGB advisors, who instructed him to present his cause in light of resistance of the oppressed versus the oppressor.
This is also part of the larger narrative, promoted by the so-called social justice movement today, that decries the ills of Western society. Many Leftist activists are pro-Palestinian, because it is one of the many causes raised up against the establishment of Western values. It is about the revolution for them, not the cause; so, facts don’t matter to them, as long as their lies support the revolution.
Most people in the Woke Movement that divides all peoples into only two categories, the oppressed and the oppressor do not know of its origins or deep-rooted Marxist ideology. They are being lured into an oversimplification of issues. And, the indigenous Jewish people of Israel, who have suffered oppression for 2 thousand years, are still suffering.
Beyond Confidence
I have become the greeter at the synagogue. This means that I stand by the door, waiting for people to arrive. I open the door, on the right side of a double doorway, so that if the person(s) entering choose, they have opportunity to kiss the mezuzah on their right side, before they enter.
The door has been locked ever since the tragic events of October Seventh, when 1300 Israelis were massacred by Hamas terrorists, as well as the Palestinian civilians who we now know joined with them on this sick-minded, inhumane attack of innocent Israeli civilians, men, women, children as well as babies and the elderly.
Many in the Jewish community where I live are alarmed by what has happened and what is currently happening around the world. Even the relatively quiet city where I live has its share of Pro-Palestinian protests that are essentially pro-Hamas and anti-Israeli. These are organized by a chapter of the Students for Justice for Palestine on Campus as well as local Leftist activists.
I have been asked several times what I would do, if there was an issue at the synagogue. That depends on the nature of the circumstances. However, if I see someone who looks suspicious, rather than open the door and greet him, I intend to step outside and let the door close behind me. I have no fear.
Several months ago, some non-Jewish friends expressed concern for my safety in general, where I live, since I often walk here, there, and everywhere. I told them that I have changed nothing in my (very religious) appearance or attitude, except that I feel even more confident about who I am as a Jewish person, and will not let anything deter me from expressing the nature of my identity.
On the contrary, if I let fear take hold to the slightest degree, then a slow compromise would begin to take effect, and I would slip back into the metaphorical shell of a turtle that I used to hide under, when I was younger. I cannot let fear take root in my consciousness at all.
Not everyone is like this; and, I respect that people need to meet the circumstances from where they are at with themselves and G-d. The point being, that the more we place our trust in G-d, the more of a security He will be to us. Therefore, I have no confidence in myself, beyond the trust that I place in G-d. I will make an effort to stand up for my belief, practice, and identity; however, I will never leave G-d out of the equation.
Intersectionality of Causes
The intersectionality of causes within the social justice movement allows for any cause to gain attention when brought to the forefront of the movement. The Pro-Palestinian cause has been one of the many human rights causes amongst activists going back several decades; this should not fall upon deaf ears. What we are seeing in the streets at the Pro-Palestinian (pro Hamas) protests is the current mainstream manifestation of a cause that has been supported by Leftist ideologues, years prior to the mainstream support for the social justice movement.
This cause is the tip of the iceberg of a movement that had previously been limited to ideologues, yet has now gained adherents from the mainstream, especially with the onset of the BLM protests in the summer of 2020. It is the manifestation of a cultural revolution, construed for the purpose of undermining the established norms of society that began to crumble in 1960’s America.
Wokism is cultural Marxism, designed for the sensibilities of Americans with compassionate hearts, yet no clear principles to guide their compassion. For those with a conscience, yet no specific moral framework to inform their conscience. It is a shame when people with good intentions have compassion for the oppressed, yet, incite hatred toward others. Real compassion freely flows to all peoples, not only the designated oppressed identity groups defined by the Woke Movement.
The current proliferation of anti-Israel sentiment is largely fueled by the underlying Woke mentality of dividing the world into oppressed and oppressor categories. The social justice movement is the catalyst; it views Israel as an oppressor; as such, Jewish people receive the fallout. The false ideology of the social justice movement must be defused, by addressing the misinformation and perpetuation of lies, as well as the naivete of the fringe followers. It is better to make the effort now to change people’s minds, before the ideology becomes concretized.
Israel Matters
Israel Matters: G-d’s Presence on Earth
Because the understanding of the Deists limited G-d to His role as Creator, without acknowledging His continual Presence in the world, mankind was designated as the sole manager of earth, without G-d’s intervention. Thus, a vast separation between G-d and mankind resulted, conceptually, within their faulty logic. Yet, G-d is not only present in the world, He continually interacts with the world. He maintains Creation through His hasgacha (guidance) over the affairs of the natural world and even every individual on the face of the planet.
He is a very present G-d, Who, within the framework of Judaism is both transcendent and immanent. So, although G-d is said to reside in Seventh Heaven, He is also present in this world, and His presence may be felt within a human being. At any given time, he may feel as if he is further away from or closer to a person who has a relationship with Him. Thusly said, we are active partners with Him in regard to His divine plan when we accede to His will.
Israel is the apple of G-d’s eye, a treasure that He always has in mind. Israel will never be abandoned by G-d. Despite the nisyanos (trials) both as a nation and as individuals, we may rest assured that He is there with us in the midst of our challenges. When Israel fought against Amalek, Moses held up his hands in prayer the whole time, bringing strength from Above to Israel in its battle. In like manner, those of us who are not directly involved in combat or material support for I.D.F. may offer their prayers for the sake of the defeat of evil.
We will triumph; light will prevail over darkness. As Chanukah approaches, we may reflect upon the preservation of the Jewish people, despite great odds at that time. Again and again we have succeeded in the face of great challenges; will continue to do so in anticipation of the Geulah.
©2023 all rights reserved
Truth Must Prevail
In regard to the Understanding Israel presentation, the event went well. At least two people, who had been leaders of the protest in town over the weekend, were at the presentation; they each identified themselves, while asking a question, during the question and answer part of the event. One of them did try to make his own points, before asking a question; however, he was reminded that it was questions only.
There were two moderators, and six panelists: five were Jewish, one was a Christian pastor. After the panelists answered the questions, a news video was shown of an interview with the Son of Hamas, who is an ex-member of Hamas that speaks out against Hamas. He is very pro-Israel, as well as concerned for the Palestinian people.
As soon as the video started, the two activist leaders got up, as well as about a dozen people sitting in the back of the lecture hall (also identified as activists by their talk amongst themselves) who walked out. Although, three of the activists remained, including one of the leaders. It’s like they know that the Son of Hamas, who spoke in the video, speaks the truth that they did not want to hear.
At least, none of the activists disrupted the presentation. (There had been 3 or 4 police officers there, as well as a security detail just in case). Since the activists were there for the entire presentation, before the video, I hope something that was said may have made an impression on some of them.
After the presentation this evening, I reflected more on what occurred. I asked myself why did several activists remain? Two of the activist leaders got up as soon as the video began, as well as about a dozen activists sitting in the back. Yet, three activists remained, including one of the leaders.
I think that this was planned ahead of time, inasmuch that the leaders signaled the others to leave, perhaps, seemingly as a walk-out protest against the video; yet, more likely, so that the regular activists – underlings – who left, would not be influenced by the words of the Son of the Hamas. In other words, the leaders had the other members of their group leave to prevent them from hearing the truth. That is my analysis.
Yet, there were at least several people in the audience who asked more sincere questions that were responded to by the panelists with the truths that revealed the overall reality of the conflict. I think these, apparently Non-activist students in the audience are more likely to have their hearts changed by the truth.
The following video is the complete panel discussion:
Catalyzing Change
In the film Bonhoeffer, the German anti-Nazi pastor, who founded the Confessing Church that opposed Nazism, is being compelled to join the German military resistance against the Nazis. He is hesitant at first, until he is shown secret documents and photographs detailing the atrocities committed against the Jewish people. This evidence catalyzes his conscience to accept becoming part of the resistance against Hitler. And, it is the continued documentation of the horrors of the Holocaust that serve as a testimony to the horrendous crimes of the Nazis.
Flash forward to the current cultural climate, wherein the atrocities of Hamas are being ignored, denied, and overlooked in favor of ideological deception. What will it take to compel others to see the ugly truth? As awful as the evidence is to view, if this is what it takes to incline others to reconsider their support for Hamas, and vilification of Israel, then it may be a necessary step, in order to promote moral clarity.
If the Leftist ideologues and pawns are able to still have their conscience twinged, then, perhaps there is hope for some of them. They are awash in a sea of inhumanity, perhaps, without realizing that their own inhumanity is seriously at risk. Change starts within a person, inasmuch that his or her beliefs can be challenged. This is a must, to make the effort to bring the truth to those who have been deceived, as well as challenge the deceivers (read: “ideologues”).
In regard to intervening, when attempting to compel someone in a cult to “wake up to the agenda” and lies of the group, it is necessary to present the evidence that will serve as “disconfirming information,” in that person’s belief system, in order to compel that person to see the light. That is what must also be done for those who are caught up in the cult of the so-called social justice movement commonly referred to as Wokism.
©2023 all rights reserved
Pray for the Captives
Thus saith the L-RD: even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered; and I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.”
– Isaiah 9:25, JPS 1917 Tanach
Some Things Never Change
Claims of genocide in Gaza? I addressed this lie, about a decade ago, in a letter-to-the-editor at a campus newspaper, wherein an OpEd writer made the claim:
The Tree of Life 