יום שישי, 25 בנובמבר 2011

Elder of Ziyon Daily Digest

Elder of Ziyon Daily Digest

Arab foreign ministers say all of Jerusalem is "occupied"

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 07:33 PM PST

From Kuwaiti news agency KUNA:

The Council Arab Foreign Ministers warned Thursday against Israel's plan to hold the first conference of the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe in occupied Jerusalem on November 28.

A statement issued by the Council at the conclusion their meeting here, said that move contradicts international resolutions that clearly states that the city is occupied territory.

The statement added that this is a dangerous precedent that should not be accepted.

The Arab foreign ministers urged the World Health Organization to immediately intervene to prevent Israel from holding the conference on occupied Palestinian lands, they cautioned against the process of this move on peace process.

They also asked United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and European countries to move the conference to another place.
I cannot find specifically where the conference is planned to place. However, most major conference hotels in Jerusalem are within the Green Line, and I am certain that a UN organization would not have allowed a conference to take place anywhere that was under Jordanian control for an anomalous 19 year period in the city's 3000 year old history.

We see that, according to Arab foreign ministers - which include those who represent countries with whom Israel is at peace - are claiming that all of Jerusalem is Palestinian Arab territory

Westerners who claim that the Green Line is an "internationally recognized border" are proven to be wrong once again. Arabs never accepted that, and they still don't.

(h/t Richie)

Non-story: School in Gaza named after a mass murderer

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 12:45 PM PST

Yesterday, in Rafah, Ismail Haniyeh was on had to dedicate a new school named after Sheikh Yassin, the terrorist who founded Hamas.


This is not surprising, of course. 

It is barely news that Palestinian Arab schoolchildren are brought up to learn that the most bloodthirsty terrorists are national heroes.

It is not worth mentioning that of the hundreds of NGOs in the territories, many funded by Western governments, none of them will say a word in public against such displays of support for murderers.

And the idea that this is how Palestinian Arabs think, every day of every year, is not even a blip on the radar of the so-called "progressive" Jews whose entire lives are dedicated to finding fault with the country next door.

It isn't interesting. It isn't news. It is a dog bites man story. So it is not worth mentioning.

And because no one mentions it, because wire services have tired of such stories years ago, because it is not being reported anywhere in English, people don't think about it. And over time, they don't even know about it.

There is a huge difference difference between what is newsworthy and reality. Unfortnately, most people don't grasp that...because they get all their information from the news, and the news media isn't interested in stories like this.

Hamas reiterates: It will continue to fight Israel, unity or not

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 11:45 AM PST

Salah Bardawil, a member of Hamas' political bureau who helped arrange today's much heralded "unity" meeting with Mahmoud Abbas in Cairo, has reiterated that no matter what, Hamas is not changing its attitudes towards Israel.

He said that that Hamas' attitude towards Israel is "fixed and will not change," emphasizing that Hamas will remain an enemy and will never recognize it, and will never give up on these principles.

Bardawil further said that Hamas does not require any approval from Israel, which will remain an enemy, and that the resistance will continue until the liberation of Palestinian land.

Just in case you think that "resistance" means anything other than violence, the newspaper illustrates the concept this way:



Hamas habitually refers to all of Israel as "occupied," a distinction lost on most credulous Western reporters who erupt every few months in waves of self-congratulatory ecstasy when Hamas says that they want an end of "occupation."


An alternative to the PA?

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 10:45 AM PST

From Makor Rishon, translated by Jameel at The Muqata:

Exposé: Israel's Plan to Replace the Palestinian Authority

Makor Rishon's illustration
The first exposure of Israel's contingency plan to replace the Palestinian Authority.

Under this plan, supported by some of the government's ministers, Israel will establish an autonomy or Arab autonomous regions in Judea and Samaria, in response to unilateral moves by the PA which breach existing agreements.

Possibilities [of breaching agreements] include [the PA] setting up a joint government with Hamas, or returning to the track of unilateral declaration, as threatened by the PA in September.

The linchpin of the plan is based on Hebron's Sheikh Mukhtar Abu-Khader al-Jabri, who had long challenged the PA and even controls security forces. In recent years, al-Jabari cultivated his contacts with Israeli officials, including settlers. In this context, three months ago, he participated in a secret meeting in Tel Aviv which discussed the possibility of alternative forces that could replace the PA. The meeting was held at the home of former minister Rafi Eitan, who has longstanding ties with al-Jabari clan and other independent forces in Judea and Samaria. Also in attendance were Cabinet Minister Yisrael Katz, a representative of the General Security Service, historians, experts in Palestinian society and figures close to al-Jabari.

At the meeting, Al-Jabri presented details of his worldview that rejects the establishment of a Palestinian State -- he outlined his support for the establishment of an autonomous region which would rely on the State of Israel, and would be free of terrorism. He clarified that he, his staff and especially the Palestinian population are interested in improving their financial situation which greatly deteriorated due to PA policy. As an example, he noted that the PA completely destroyed the Hebron-area marble industry, many of whom made ​​their living from it in the Hebron mountain area, by taxing marble exports. He clarified that in addition to him, there are other area leaders that support his approach against the PA, if they knew that Israel would agree to cooperate with them. "I am not your collaborator. I am not Antoine Lahad or Bashir Gemayel, but I need to know if we act together, you will agree to recognize us and cooperate." To this end he asked that Israel will agree to issue identity cards to him and the rest of the population.

At this stage of the meeting, he passed the ball to the Minister Katz, who is considered close to Netanyahu. Those present at the meeting imply that Katz was represented Netanyahu's position. Katz made ​​it clear that he would not in any way grant Israeli citizenship to residents because it contradicts the basis of the Zionist idea. However, he noted that in the event that the PA violated the agreements, Israel would be liberated from them. And so "if there will be a unilateral move, we will evaluate recognizing them."
Read the whole thing.

Australian dance festival organizer responds

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 09:29 AM PST

Yesterday I noted what appeared to be discrimination against an Israeli dance troupe in Australia.

An EoZ reader contacted the Multicultural Folk Dance Festival of High Country and asked them:
Dear Sir/Madam:

I am writing in regard to news reports that the Machol Israeli Dancing Club were required to drop any references to Israel as a condition of performing in the Multicultural Folk Dance Festival of High Country in Mansfield.

According to the reports I have read, the reason given to the club was that "the organizer would not be held responsible for consequences if the words "Israel" or "Israeli" were used to describe the group."

First of all, I request that an investigation be made and the statement either confirmed or denied, and the group be allowed to perform calling themselves whatever they wish. If this information is accurate, then I must protest in the strongest terms. What right have the organizers or anyone else to tell members of a culture how they must and must not define themselves? In looking over the festival programme, it seems clear that the organizers had no problem with groups calling themselves Chinese, Ukranian, and so on. Why was an Israeli group singled out and subject to conditions that apparently apply to no other group?

She received a "prompt and courteous response:"

Dear xxxxx,

Thank you for your question.

I am glad to be able to clarify: the answer is NO.

The conditions were: to perform traditional Jewish folk dances as old as possible, in traditional costumes, with authentic traditional music. Aiming for "1000 year old traditional music and dances with traditional costumes" was the very first conversation.

Later it turned out that it was not possible for us to get traditional Jewish dances from Machol or other Israeli dancing groups either that we have contacted. We are aiming to restore an authentic traditional Jewish cultural input for next time, which was promised by a former dancer of the Shalom group, which (sadly)stopped functioning 20 years ago, without a replacement.

Thank you for your help.

Kind regards,

Marta Balan

She wrote back:

Dear Marta,

Thank you for your prompt response and for your clarification.

I'm afraid that I'm still somewhat confused by what you are calling "an authentic traditional Jewish cultural input." How would this be different from what Machol or other groups offered?

Thank you in advance for your help

and received the following response:

Dear xxxxxx,

The difference is in the:

STYLE OF DANCING
ACCOMPANYING MUSIC
TYPES OF COSTUMES
ETHNIC PATTERNS PROJECTED between dances.

The Unity in Diversity Events promote ONLY TRADITIONAL FOLK DANCES, with TRADITIONAL MUSIC, PLAYED ON AUTHENTIC TRADITIONAL INSTRUMENTS (recordings accepted) AND WITH TRADITIONAL COSTUMES. (This was explained in the first conversation with the manager of Machol.)

The images projected between dance groups (the dances flow with only 15 sec in between) present patterns of folk costumes or other objects characteristic to that culture. For the Jewish input I contacted first the Jewish museum in Alma Rd, they only had one wedding dress from Yemen which was not digitised yet. So, I contacted the Museum of Jerusalem to seek permission to project some of the patterns on the objects they had (Yemenite clothes and jewellery, etc.). They were able to do that with a cost involved.

All that had to be postponed for next time, as the basic requirements were not satisfied: the Machol teacher clarified several weeks after they were accepted in the program (as it turned out, by miscommunication re the criteria) that their dances were not based on traditional dances, that their choreographies were less than 30 years old and they had no traditional costumes. Only the music was traditional, but that was not sufficient to match the style and quality of other groups' dances performed in a program which is presented as one artistic unit.

I think the problem started by me having to communicate to a manager first, without having a chance to clarify the detailes with their teacher.

The other Israeli dancing teachers I contacted, after the above explanation given by the teacher of Machol, pointed it out that Israeli dancing is an entirely modern style of dancing. I was asked to describe details about other dance groups in the program (how old choreographies, what kind of costumes, musical instruments, etc.) and was given an opinion that if we included Israeli dancing done by any club, it would only serve to the detriment of the Jewish community of Victoria, whom we wanted to be represented in the program the best possible way, as one of our aims is also to combat prejudices and stereotypes of various kind, apart from aiming people to bond through dancing and music.

One more aim in our work is to restore traditional folk dances, music and costumes which are to die out in Victoria. I had to agree with the other 2 Israeli dancing teachers that this was happening with the Jewish cultural tradition, as the Shalom group which was last able to perform the traditional Jewish dances and the costumes are perhaps still kept by Shefi Shapira, sadly stopped functioning 20 years ago and was not replaced.

We agreed that, enough of time given, perhaps a sample of those dances could be recreated and costumes restored for a next year performance. Also, there will be an attempt made by another Israeli dancing teacher to start a group of youngsters and bring them to a level of performers, as the other problem is that most Israeli dancing clubs are recreational and their level is not for performances.

All relevant parts of the above information were explained to Machol in emails. I have not had verbal communication after the very unpopular decision I had to make that best was to remove the Jewish input this year, with a plan that there will be an appropriate group next time to represent the Jewish cultural tradition and to achieve due appreciation by the mainstream public and media (the event was HD recorded for TV broadcasting, what increased the responsibility for the artistic side of the event).

To my surprise, I am getting feed-back from various sources - a complete misinterpretation of what I have put clearly in writing, WITH BEST INTENTIONS.

I am surprised that after 15 yrs of volunteer community work, both multicultural and multi-faith, I can be treated this way by a community I have served lovingly and with sacrifice.

That same day when the folk dance program happened, we had a wonderful Victorian symposium on values that are shared amongst faith communities, with the participation of Mr Walter Rapoport representing Judaism. So, him and his wife attended the folk dance event afterwards in another venue. Perhaps they could give you a description of the style and quality of dances performed and how could possibly Israeli dancing of Machol fit into that.

I was just informed that the Shepparton Interfaith network was sent an information re "Marta Balan excluded a Jewish group from an event", they did not even memorise what kind of event. I wonder what does the folk dance event have to do with the Interfaith Network? So, the intention is: without checking the TRUTH, to present Marta Balan as someone who will discriminate Jewish people. Well, my grandfather happened to be a Jew and a Zionist in 1933 and is burried in Bet Nekofa, I spent one month in Israel in a kibbutz in 1980, my mother went through the Holocaust and I was discriminated as a teenager for coming from a Jewish family in a small European town.

I have spent 15 years in volunteering community work to combat prejudices and enhance harmony in this society. This story is not about me. It is about people who are inclined to suspicion and hostility. I wonder is there an expectation that a Jewish group does not have to comply to requirements of an arts program like others do? And, if a Jewish group has to be excluded from a program is that necessarily antisemitism or perhaps protection?

Re the sad truth that the traditional Jewish dances almost died out, unless someone takes an action to restore them, I have made one more effort: I wrote to the Jewish Community Council of Victoria seeking them to take action for the restoration of traditional Jewish dances and costumes in Victoria.

This is how far I can go in helping the Jewish community at this point in time.

Just to mention, Mr Walter Rapoport was involved at the time in trying to explain the Machol what did not fit into our program.

After that the dancing teacher from Machol called the office oF Multicultural Affais and Citizenship to complain that he was discriminated by Marta Balan. Fortunately, my work and character are well known there for 15 years and the complaint was dismissed.

I am grateful to Mr Anton Block who took in his hands to deal with this matter, though it is obvious that some of the accusations against me already flowed out before he could stop them.

Now I will focus at the people who sent out news about me that were not confirmed as true and seek a correction in writing, as I still have some community work to do which should not be implicated.

Thank you for reading this email.

Kind regards,

Marta Balan
This sounds sincere, although the part of the story about the name of the group is still not cleared up. From the emails it sounds like the reason the Israeli group could not perform is simply because they do not do traditional Jewish dances.

There is a large disconnect between the two versions, but it does appear that the original story was lacking in many important details.

Agricultural exports to resume from Gaza in December

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 08:15 AM PST

Gaza's coordinator responsible for exports, Raed Fattouh, announced that agricultural exports from Gaza will resume on December 5.

On that day, two tons of goods will be shipped out of Gaza, and the number will gradually increase to 14 trucks a day.

The exports include peppers and other vegetables as well as flowers. They are sent to Europe.

The export season will end on May 10, 2012.

Don't tell Juan Cole, who still has not corrected his error-filled post saying that there are zero exports from Gaza. It upsets him when he is proved to be a liar.

Hamas sacks 1000 security forces in Gaza

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 07:15 AM PST

Palestine Press reports that the Hamas interior ministry has fired 1000 employees of its security forces, including 300 officers.

Those who are being downsized are those who are not members of Hamas itself. Interior minister Fathi Hammad made the decision personally.

This is coming a few months after Hamas was having problems meeting its payroll.

Meanwhile, Ramez Ismail al-Halabi, who was released 8 months ago after 11 years in Israeli prison, was in turn arrested by Hamas yesterday, right after returning from his Hajj in Mecca. Halabi had been critical of Hamas' efforts to enforce a cease fire with Israel, so, naturally, he had to be arrested.

The biggest BDS fail in history! (updated)

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 05:34 AM PST

The number of Palestinian Arabs working in Jewish settlements has increased since the PA announced they would ban such activity.

According to the head of the Federation of Trade Unions of Palestine, Shaher Saad, some 31,000 Palestinian Arab workers are now employed in Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria. This is a significant increase compared to the number of such workers in April, 2010 - estimated at 25,000 - when Mahmoud Abbas signed a law banning Palestinian Arabs from working in settlements. (Saad claims that it is an increase of between one and two thousand workers.)

At that time, the PA Economic Minister stated that anyone working in the settlements after 2010 would face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $14,000.

Saad said that some 70,000 others are working in Israel proper.

Workers in Jewish communities in the territories get paid at least double the amount that they get in PA-controlled areas.

While the BDS movement advocates boycotting everything Israeli, they especially concentrate on anything to do with settlements outside the Green Line. They claim that Palestinian Arab "civil society" is demanding such a boycott. Yet tens of thousands of Palestinian Arabs themselves choose to work in the supposedly illegal and despised settlements themselves, and more are joining them every day - a direct contradiction to what BDS supporters are claiming.

If so many Palestinian Arabs themselves choose to work in Jewish settlements, they are obviously ignoring BDS demands. And those same evil settlements are providing a good living for many thousands of ordinary Palestinian Arabs - something that no BDS proponent can come close to claiming.

In fact, if it was up to BDSers and no Palestinian Arab would work for any Israeli employer, the unemployment rate in the territories would skyrocket and the effect on the Palestinian Arab economy would be devastating.

Israelis - and even those evil "settlers" - are helping ordinary Palestinian Arabs to support and raise their families with dignity. BDS wants to take that away.

And Palestinian Arabs themselves have chosen which side they prefer.

UPDATE: Thillo reminded me of a story I didn't cover from Ha'aretz, describing a study that showed that Palestinian Arabs invest far more in Israel than in their own areas. So that might be a bigger BDS fail.

Ambassador Michael Oren's Thanksgiving message

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 04:45 AM PST

From Michael Oren's Facebook page:

Thanksgiving in Hebrew is called הוֹדָיָיָה. On Thanksgiving, Americans traditionally eat turkey, which in Hebrew is called הוֹדו, and comes from the word thanks. Many of the Puritans who celebrated the 1st Thanksgiving 400 years ago knew Hebrew and perhaps the reason they ate turkey during that holiday was because the words for thanks and turkey are the same.

With that in mind, the People of Israel wish all our dear friends in America a fulfilling and joyous Thanksgiving.
It is a nice message, although since turkeys are a New World bird, the Hebrew appellation of "hodu" postdates the Pilgrims.

But either way, I wish my American readers a happy Thanksgiving!



The irony of a "Palestine" tourism video

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 02:00 AM PST

Here's how the United Nations Development Programme describes its aims in the Palestinian Arab territories:
UNDP's assistance to the Palestinian people in all sectors, in both the West Bank and Gaza and in times of emergency and of peace, is aimed towards reducing poverty and rebuilding livelihoods. Since 1978, our Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People has been implementing projects in the occupied Palestinian territory worth over US$600 million, focusing on the areas vital to the Palestinian well-being and socio-economic development, such as water, health and education facilities, social services, infrastructure and rural and agricultural development.

All of these are worthy activities for people who are in desperate need.

Which makes the following video most interesting. Very professionally done, it was released by the PA Ministry of Tourism and it shows a place where you can get anything you want:



There is a bit of a disconnect between how "Palestine" is described in UNDP and other UN literature and how it is presented in this video. From reading the UNDP quote above, for example, you would believe that Palestinian Arabs are poor and in need of a lot of assistance from the outside.

Watching the video, one gets the opposite impression. "Palestine" is a place where businessmen and wealthy tourists do not have to compromise on their standards, where luxury is the norm:





The irony is that the video was funded by - the UNDP!

The UN has a vested interest in making the PalArab territories appear impoverished and oppressed, but it is funding a video that makes those same areas appear luxurious and trendy.

It is a bit hypocritical to claim poverty and a demand UN handouts in order to make a video that shows such apparent riches.

The UNDP does lots of impressive things - helping provide clean water, sustainable food supplies, medical infrastructure, microloans to help women in developing countries, and so on. Somehow I don't think that helping tourism is one of their core goals. (They do discuss eco-tourism on their site to help out impoverished countries and protect their natural resources, but this is nothing like that.)

The sad fact is that giving money to Palestinian Arabs is no longer even vaguely related to their need. It is trendy, not necessary. Their money train is now running on inertia.

No more proof is needed than the Hoping Foundation benefit "for Palestinian refugee children" held in England this week, where dozens of airhead celebrities dressed up and hung out - raising hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Look at their pictures. You can just feel how much they care about "Palestine."
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