יום חמישי, 27 ביוני 2013

Elder of Ziyon Daily News

Elder of Ziyon Daily News

Link to Elder of Ziyon

WaPo's senior editor is clueless. Serially clueless.

Posted: 26 Jun 2013 09:30 PM PDT

Weymouth is turning 70 next week
Lally Weymouth is Senior Associate Editor of the Washington Post. Her interview with Yair Lapid was
published in last Sunday's paper.

This section indicates that Weymouth, and probably most Western journalists, simply do not understand why many Israelis want to hold onto their biblical land, nor the value of the settlements from a defense and negotiating standpoint, nor even how coalitions work in  Israel.

The depth of that cluelessness can be seen in this exchange:

LW: Both the Israelis and the Palestinians seem to feel that if something doesn't happen soon and settlement construction continues, there won't be anything left to discuss.

YL: Yes, everybody's afraid that there will come a point of no return. Therefore, I don't think we have limitless time. It's always complicated because when you negotiate about anything, whoever seems to be more anxious about the timetable is going to lose the negotiations.

LW: But why doesn't the prime minister freeze the settlements?

YL: He needs to know why is it that he's freezing the settlements. This is a big move for this government.

LW: Why is it such a big move?

YL: Because the Likud is not even the most right-wing party in this coalition. To ask an Israeli prime minister to jeopardize the existence of his own government without knowing what the end results will be is a lot to ask.

LW: I don't see why.

YL: Well, the former government froze the settlements for 10 months, and the Palestinians didn't come to the table for those 10 months.

LW: So why not do it again?
Yeah, why not keep repeating a failed strategy where you make concessions that tear at the very soul of your country and get nothing in return except more demands? I don't see why not. Really, why not? Why would anyone be against it? It makes no sense to me. Can you explain why again? And then again? And a few more times? Because while I'm sure it makes no sense for any Israeli to want to have a connection with the Biblical land of their forefathers, I need to ask again and again because you are so handsome so maybe you can break through my thick skull.

Nope, no such luck.

(h/t Irene)

Saudi foreign minister describes Jewish letter writing campaign as "intellectual terrorism"

Posted: 26 Jun 2013 05:00 PM PDT

This article was written by Saudi bigwig (member of the Shura Council, and seemingly a member of the royal family) Abdullah Yahya Bukhari and published in Okaz: I found it amusing:

During my PhD studies in one of the famous universities in the United States, when I would go from my home to eat, or lectures, or the library and back, my attention was drawn to large numbers of students and young people entering and leaving a small building on campus at different times of the day and evening. I knew a few of those students who walked in or out of a small building which was built at the end of the nineteenth century, and they were Jews.

One day I decided to sate my curiosity and find out what's going on inside the building at whatever cost. During my walk home on campus after the end of lectures of the school day, I wandered into the small mysterious building, to see inside a large hall surrounding a huge oval-shaped table in the middle, surrounded by a large number of ergonomic office chairs. The hall was filled with students sitting around the table, engrossed in writing and in front of each and every one of them I could see Time magazine, Newsweek, or daily newspapers, or a book.

My curiosity increased as I watched these students engrossed in reading and writing, with complete silence hanging over the area, like a public library. I left after a time and stood in front of the building a bit until I saw someone come out of the building, who was a classmate of mine, and I asked him innocently and very curious, what are you doing in this building, and what are you writing so enthusiastically and with such concentration?

My colleague, who was a student and was also one of the Jews, replied that all of the students inside are doing volunteer work, to respond to each article or news item published in major U.S. magazines or newspapers, such as Time, Newsweek, The New York Times, Boston Globe, Philadelphia Inquirer, and others, if any of those articles or news items affects Israel's policy and offends them, or offends the Jewish leadership, or could cause harm in general to Jews in America and the world, and so on!! Then these Jewish students volunteer to respond to these articles, and write to the media, or attack any senator or US official who says or does anything anti-Judaism or against the State of Israel, and write the senator or U.S. official which represents the state where they have the right to vote, expressing discontent, protest, or asking him to intervene immediately to stop such statements or articles or news, otherwise he will lose their vote in the upcoming elections.

This voluntary collective action is influential and effective and orderly, but at the same time can be described as intellectual terrorism and psychological intimidation, with the implicit threat.
A letter writing campaign is "intellectual terrorism"?

The article goes on to complain about a recent organized Saudi complaint campaign , so this idea should not be too surprising for a member of the royal family. Yet it reveals that even after Bukhari lived in the US for years he did not grasp the idea of democracy at all.

By the way, a little research shows that Bukhari attended the University of Pennsylvania and received his PhD in architecture and urban studies in 1978. The Hillel building on campus at the time fits this description.

I spoke to the person who was executive director of all Hillels in Philadelphia at the time and he was not aware of any such initiative (if it was funded, he would know about it.)

But doesn't it sound like a good idea? (Except for writing to senators to pressure newspapers; he probably made that part up even if the rest is true.)

6/26 Links Part 2: UNESCO Rewrites History, UK Jewish Patrol Protects Mosques

Posted: 26 Jun 2013 03:00 PM PDT

From Ian:
Op-Ed: How the U.S. gains from Israel alliance
Naysayers suggest the alliance with Israel has not been cost-free for the United States, particularly in the Muslim and Arab world. But measured in empirical terms, Arab ties with the United States, at both the official and popular levels, have boomed in the past decade. Arabs are coming as students or visitors in record numbers; anti-American street protests have fallen dramatically since the start of the Iraq war in 2003; and defense cooperation with most Arab countries is closer than ever.
Just as important, public opinion in every Arab or predominantly Muslim country polled has turned sharply against al-Qaida, notwithstanding the tight U.S.-Israel connection. Finally, Israel has been at most a very marginal factor in all the recent Arab uprisings. Even the new Muslim Brotherhood government in Egypt is maintaining the peace treaty with Israel and decent working relations with Washington.
Douglas Murray: Lying and Getting Away With It
To study the history of extremist activity on UK campuses is to come to a number of irrevocable conclusions. Among them is the realization that there is a serious problem, and that British universities are breeding-grounds of the most appalling hatred against America, the UK, Israel, free-thinkers, "apostates" and religious and sexual minorities. It also spurs a realization that terrorism is never enough steps away from student Islamic societies as it is from, say student Labour Party clubs or any chosen sports society.
'We've got to stand for what is right… We don't worship at the altar of consensus'
In characteristically straightforward terms, Canada's Foreign Minister John Baird explains why his country is so supportive of Israel, and why others aren't
The woman Britain's left loves to hate
The book chronicles her evolution from the one-time darling of the British left to one of its most hated figures – "she-devil of the Western world," as Phillips puts it.
From her platform in Britain's second-largest newspaper, The Daily Mail, she has become famous for stinging attacks on the establishment, accusing it of deliberately destroying the fabric of British life by promoting multiculturalism and denying the religious nature of Muslim terrorism. She is Israel's staunchest defender in the British press, a global warming "denier" and an opponent of gay marriage.
IDF Captain Breaks the Silence on Smear Campaign
In an exclusive interview with Tazpit News Agency, Raz explained that he had had "enough with the nonsense that this organization [Breaking the Silence] represents."
"Breaking the Silence is an immature and unprofessional organization," he told Tazpit News Agency. "At the IDF we deal with many organizations that hold counter views, but they communicate with us – there is an open e-mail and phone exchange, and verification of issues that come up. Breaking the Silence does not engage in any of that and prevents the IDF from properly addressing any of their claims."
Ex-Soldier: Since Jenin, We've Been Fighting for Our Names
The "Jenin, Jenin" law, which would defend IDF soldiers from slander, continues to make its way through Knesset. This week it gained the support of a former elite soldier who fought in the battles that sparked the vicious anti-Israel slander which ultimately led to the proposed law.
Yet Another Enemy of Israel Poised to Join US Foreign Policy Team
Robert Malley is so offensive, he was actually kicked off (despite the lipstick smear called "resignation") the Obama election committee in 2008 for meeting with the terrorist organization Hamas, although he had been one of Obama's closest advisors for Middle East issues until his affinity for Hamas became public.
Israel hits back at UNESCO in wake of condemnation
Israel has lambasted UNESCO over the passage of a Palestinian-sponsored resolution condemning Israel over its activities in Jerusalem, saying that such moves will eventually destroy the organization.
"This is a dark day for UNESCO, a day the organization will want to erase from its history as it demonstrates that it is acting outside the boundary of reality," Israel's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
FBI's bus ads taken down over Muslim/terrorist stereotyping
The 16 men in the ad are affiliated with extremist groups around the world. Seven are from African countries, four are from the Philippines, one each is from Malaysia and Chechnya, and three were born in the United States.
Dutch rabbi says it's Israel's fault he was beaten up
A spokeswoman for the Amsterdam police told JTA that police are investigating but are not certain the attack was anti-Semitic.
"Currently we are assuming it is an argument about traffic that got out of hand," she said.
Jewish Patrol Group Aids Wary Muslim Community in London Borough
A local British chapter of the Jewish patrol group Shomrim have offered up their services to mosques in their community, in a sign of solidarity, the Hackney (UK) Gazette reported Monday.
Israel Tied for Second Most Educated Country
According to Canadian newspaper The Windsor Star, Canada was ranked the most educated country in the world, with 51 percent of its population aged 25-64 possessing a college or university degree. Tied for second place are Japan and Israel, both with 46 percent. The United States, with 42 percent of its population holding college degrees, was ranked third.
Threat of rocket barrage pushes Israel's largest hospital underground
With the Syrian civil war threatening almost daily to spill over the border into Israel, there is a quiet tension in the air at Rambam Health Care Campus.
Northern Israel's largest hospital was at the heart of a month-long Hezbollah rocket barrage during the bloody 2006 conflict with the Lebanese militia and would undoubtedly be in the thick of action again if the Syrian regime or its Hezbollah allies turned their weapons south.
Israeli researcher helps alcoholics stay on the wagon
If you know someone who's suffering from alcohol or drug addiction, a little amnesia might be just the thing to get them back on the wagon, researchers at Tel Aviv University have shown.
"One of the main causes of relapse in alcoholics are memories linking objects and places connected to alcohol consumption, such as shops, liquor bottles, and of course the smell and taste of alcohol," said Dr. Segev Barak of Tel Aviv University, who is leading a team studying ways to prevent recidivism in addicts. By "disengaging" the memories associated with alcohol, Segev's team found, it was possible to significantly cut the return rate for alcoholics.
Prince Charles attends ceremonies for Kindertransport
Prince Charles hosted a reception in honor of the 75th anniversary of the Kindertransport and attended a ceremony honoring Britain's outgoing chief rabbi.
Sunday's Kindertransport reunion was likely the last large gathering of its kind due to the age of the survivors. Some 10,000 Jewish children from Nazi-occupied Europe entered Britain in 1938 during the Kindertransport rescue mission. The British Parliament agreed to waive immigration restrictions.
'We will sing to the Nazis what we cannot say'
In a concentration camp designed by the Nazis to eradicate Jewish cultural life, among 120,000 of its inmates who would ultimately be murdered, a rising young musician named Rafael Schachter managed one of the miracles of the Holocaust.
Assembling hundreds of sick and hungry singers, he led them in 16 performances learned by rote from a single smuggled score of one of the most monumental and moving works of religious music — Giuseppe Verdi's Requiem Mass.

Reuters quotes anonymous "activist" lies

Posted: 26 Jun 2013 01:00 PM PDT

Nidal al-Mughrabi at Reuters has a good sized article about Gaza's water woes.

A tiny wedge of land jammed between Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean sea, the Gaza Strip is heading inexorably into a water crisis that the United Nations says could make the Palestinian enclave unliveable in just a few years.

With 90-95 percent of the territory's only aquifer contaminated by sewage, chemicals and seawater, neighborhood desalination facilities and their public taps are a lifesaver for some of Gaza's 1.6 million residents.

But these small-scale projects provide water for only about 20 percent of the population, forcing many more residents in the impoverished Gaza Strip to buy bottled water at a premium.

"There is a crisis. There is a serious deficit in the water resources in Gaza and there is a serious deterioration in the water quality," said Rebhi El Sheikh, deputy chairman of the Palestinian Water Authority (PWA).
There's nothing wrong with this topic, and this is accurate. But when the question comes up as to what is causing the problems, we read (paragraph 11):

Further complicating the issue is Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip, which activists say has prevented the import of materials needed for repairs on water and waste facilities. Israel says the blockade is needed to prevent arms from reaching Hamas, which is opposed to the existence of the Jewish state.
Notice how the second sentence seems to support the first, as if Israel's blockade is aimed at water infrastructure.

Has Israel ever stopped any water projects in Gaza?

Not that I am aware of.

COGAT's list of projects from 2010-2012 lists a Rafah wastewater treatment plant, pumps for a sewage station, re-activation and upgrading of Deir al Balah desalination plant, improving capacity of CMWU to monitor quality water supply, building the Tel Sutlan sewage pumping sttaion, sewage projects in Deir Balah, replacement of Beit Lahia water network, a solid waste management system for all of Gaza, complete wastewater networks installed in the Khan Yunis area, installing pipelines in Khan Yunis, reservoir construction - dozens of such projects approved by Israel and implemented by NGOs like UNDP, USAID, UNRWA, the ICRC and others.

Israel used to ship metal pipes directly into Gaza - which were promptly turned into rockets and shot back into Israel. Since then, Israel only sends in materials like that through recognized agencies that can oversee their proper use. But that doesn't mean that Israel is stopping life-saving water infrastructure from reaching Gaza, and Reuters indirect, anonymous quote claiming they are is simply not journalism.

So who are these "activists" that say that Israel has been preventing water infrastructure materials into Gaza, and what was not allowed? Reuters won't tell us, because it is simply repeating anti-Israel rumors with the assumption that they must be true.

Much later on in the article, in paragraph 28, after most readers have moved on to the next item, we find out that the "activists" are full of it:
Israel is trying to drum up aid for the territory, the senior security official said, alarmed at the prospect of a looming water catastrophe and possible humanitarian crisis on its doorstep in a few years.

"We have talked to everyone we know in the international community because 1.4 million people will be without water in a few years," he said, asking not to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue.

He said Israel, a leader in the desalination industry, was helping to train a handful of Gazans in the latest water technology, which the Palestinian Water Authority confirmed.
You mean, instead of Israel blocking projects to address Gaza's water woes, it is actually in the forefront of trying to fix it?

If that's the case, then why did Mughrabi quote the unnamed Israel-haters at all, let alone so much earlier?

This is a perfect example of how anti-Israel propaganda gets inserted by reporters with an agenda.  They have the conventional wisdom of Israel as the oppressor, and it is assumed to be true without any fact-checking.

But when an Israeli says the opposite, note that Reuters then runs to the Palestinian Arabs to confirm it!

(h/t Dan)

6/26 Links Part 1: An International Law Quiz, UNRWA Textbooks, Turkey Reneges on Flotilla Deal

Posted: 26 Jun 2013 11:45 AM PDT

From Ian:
Netanyahu tells troops northern training is 'not theoretical'
The exercise came as an increasingly skittish Israel is preparing for the possibility of the Syrian civil war spilling across its borders. Earlier this month, rebels briefly took control of the Quneitra border crossing, bringing the two-year civil war to the Jewish state's doorstep.
While stressing that he was not challenging anyone, the prime minister warned that "no one will attack the State of Israel without a strong and decisive response."
Yaalon: Combat Units 'Likely to Be Called Up Soon'
Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon hinted Wednesday that Israel may call up its combat soldiers for a major operation in the near future.
Yaalon spoke as he and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu observed a Golani Brigade drill in the Golan.
A quiz for BBC journalists and editors
Seeing as BBC journalists are rather fond of telling their audiences what is or is not legal according to international law – at least in relation to Israel – they will surely all get top marks in this quiz on the subject of the application of international humanitarian law during wartime over on the Jerusalem Centre for Public Affairs website.
Knesset Review Reveals: Israel Does Not Exist in PA Textbooks
The textbooks used in UNRWA-funded schools never acknowledge any Jewish rights in "Palestine", nor any Jewish past in the Land of Israel, said Dr. Arnon Groiss, a respected expert in the promotion of Tolerance in Education at a briefing in the Knesset reviewing the Palestinian Authority Textbooks used in UNWRA schools.
Israel is almost never shown on any map and no city is ever identified as a Jewish city, he said, reiterating the extensive history of Anti-Israel propaganda in Arab textbooks.
Majority of Israeli Arabs Reject Israel's Right to be Jewish
70% of Israeli Arabs do not accept Israel's right to have a Jewish majority, a new poll conducted by Haifa University and the Israel Democracy Institute has revealed.
The poll, which posed questions to 1,400 Jewish and Arab Israelis over a ten-year period, revealed that, despite the overwhelming rejection of Israel's Jewish character, 55% of Arab Israelis would prefer to live there than anywhere else, though a large majority, 68%, say they fear being transferred out of the country.(h/t zozosophie)
Hamas Publishes Photos of Shalit Release
The Hamas terrorist group has released a new video on kidnappings in honor of the seventh anniversary of the kidnapping of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. Shalit was released in late 2011 in exchange for the early release of more than 1,000 terrorists imprisoned in Israel, giving rise to much controversy on the possible precedent set and the expected - and already proven - return to terror of those freed.
IDF Blog: Seven Years Since Shalit Kidnapping: Motivation to Kidnap Still High
Earlier this year the IDF, in collaboration with the Israel Security Agency (ISA or Shin Bet), uncovered extensive Hamas terror infrastructure in Hebron. The infrastructure was part of an attempt by Hamas to establish a regional headquarters in Hebron. Approximately 20 terrorists affiliated with Hamas were arrested and their large cache of illegal weapons was seized. The terrorist network had plans to kidnap an IDF soldier to use as a bargaining chip for the release of more Hamas prisoners.
MEMRI: PA Religious Affairs Minister Habbash: Hamas "More Dangerous Enemy" than Israeli Occupation VIDEO

The Guardian and a tale of two hooded 'Palestinian prisoners'
The imagery above does not represent leftist theatrical agitprop, but a genuine photo of one of two Palestinians just before they were hanged to death on Saturday on charges of 'collaborating' with Israel – two of at least 16 Palestinians who have been executed in Gaza for spying since Hamas seized the territory in 2007.
Haniyeh: PA Arabs Won't Recognize Israel
Haniyeh said Israel's "blockade" on Gaza aimed to limit the influence of the Islamic model outside Gaza and to isolate "Palestine" in an attempt to force PA Arabs to recognize Israel and accept the conditions of the Mideast Quartet.
The premier thanked activists who came to Gaza, describing solidarity visits as a holy duty and urging more supporters to come.
Rice slams UN Security Council's failure on Syria
"The Council's inaction on Syria is a moral and strategic disgrace that history will judge harshly," Rice chided the UN.
She also reasserted America's past and continued support for Israel. "We've forcefully opposed unbalanced and biased actions against Israel across the UN system, standing shoulder to shoulder with Israel on principle - regardless of whether such actions were popular in these halls."
Syrian death toll tops 100,000
It said a total of 100,191 had died over the 27 months of the conflict. Of those, 36,661 are civilians, the group said.
Minors wounded in Syrian fighting brought to Israel
The two boys, 9 and 15 years old, were transferred to Ziv Hospital in Safed for treatment. The 9-year-old suffered moderate injuries from shrapnel wounds across his body and lost his right eye, according to a report by Maariv. The 15-year-old was listed in serious condition, according to the report.
Nigeria ups charges of 3 suspected Hezbollah men
Nigeria's military said in May that the weapons were to be used in attacks on American and Israeli targets.
Osagie said, "We have proofs that the applicants belong to the military wing of Hezbollah which is a terrorist organization and in the coming days, this country will know more about them."
Egypt protesters look to army for support
Just a year ago, Egypt's liberals and pro-democracy youth movements were demanding the military, which took over from the ousted Hosni Mubarak, leave power. But after a tumultuous year under a freely elected Islamist president, many of them are hoping for the army's protection as they try to force out Mohammed Morsi with protests this weekend.
Morsi's opponents calculate they can push him to go through the sheer number of people they bring into the streets Sunday — building on widespread discontent with his running of the country — plus the added weight of the army's backing.
Turkish PM lashes out at protesters, BBC reporter
He targeted a Turkish BBC reporter who tweeted about a forum held by protesters, where participants reportedly suggested a six-month boycott of goods that they said would help slow down the economy. Without mentioning her by name, Erdogan accused Selin Girit of being "part of a conspiracy against her own country."
"Their aim is to prevent democracy, to harm Turkey's economy, to hit tourism," Erdogan said.
Officials: Turkey humiliating Israel
However, following Netanyahu's apology, the Turks appeared to be in no hurry to fulfill their end of the deal. Israel agreed to pay $5 million in restitution, while Ankara demanded $40 million. During talks held over the past few days the Turks have expressed their agreement to receive $24 million from Israel, while the Israeli side raised its offer to $14 million - a regular Turkish bazaar.
And if this wasn't enough, the Turks announced they could not guarantee that IDF soldiers and officers who were involved in the raid, including former IDF Chief Lt.-Gen. (res.) Gabi Ashkenazi, would not be prosecuted, claiming that in Turkey the "executive branch cannot influence the judicial branch."
According to the Turks, Erdogan cannot act to stop the legal proceedings while anti-government protests are taking place because he does not want his constituents to view him as being pro-Israeli.

Anti-Islamist bloggers banned from entering UK

Posted: 26 Jun 2013 10:05 AM PDT

From BBC:
Two prominent US bloggers have been banned from entering the UK, the Home Office has said.

Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer co-founded anti-Muslim group Stop Islamization of America.

They were due to speak at an English Defence League march in Woolwich, where Drummer Lee Rigby was killed.

A government spokesman said individuals whose presence "is not conducive to the public good" could be excluded by the home secretary.

He added: "We condemn all those whose behaviours and views run counter to our shared values and will not stand for extremism in any form."
The specific letters they sent to Geller and Spencer are most interesting. Here is Geller's:
I am writing to inform you about the British governments measures for excluding or deporting extremists under the Unacceptable Behaviour policy. The list of unacceptable behaviours covers any non-UK national whether in the UK or abroad who uses any means or medium including:
• writing, producing, publishing or distributing material,
• public speaking including preaching,
• running a website,
• using a position of responsibility such as a teacher, community or youth leader

to express views that:

• foment or justify terrorist violence in furtherance of particular beliefs,
• seek to provoke others to terrorist acts,
• foment other serious criminal activity or seek to provoke others to serious criminal acts,
• foster hatred which might lead to inter-community violence in the UK.

The list is indicative and not exhaustive.

The Home Secretary has considered whether, in light of this list, you should be excluded from the UK. After careful consideration on 25 June 2013 she personally directed that you should be excluded from the United Kingdom on the grounds that your presence here is not conducive to the public good. The Home Secretary has reached this decision because you have brought yourself within the scope of the list of unacceptable behaviours by making statements that may foster hatred which might lead to inter-community violence in the UK.

The Home Secretary notes that you are a prolific blogger, author, political activist and commentator, You co-founded Stop Islamization of America', an organization described as an anti-Muslim hate group. You also operate a number of websites including Jihad Watch and Atlas Shrugs.

You are reported to have stated the following:

• 'Al-Qaeda is a manifestation of devout Islam...it is Islam.'

• 'If the Jew dies, the Muslims will die as well: their survival depends on their constant jihad. because without it they will lose the meaning and purpose of their existence.'

The Home Secretary considers that should you be allowed to enter the UK you would continue to espouse such views. In doing so. you would be committing listed behaviours and would therefore be behaving in a way that is not conducive to the public good. You are therefore instructed not to travel to the UK as you will be refused admission on arrival. Although there is no statutory right of appeal against the Home Secretary's decision. this decision is reviewed every 3 to 5 years.

In accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 the Home Office treats all personal information in confidence. However, such information may be disclosed to other government departments. agencies. local authorities, the police, foreign governments and other bodies for immigration purposes or to enable them to perform their functions.
Spencer's letter has a different example of his writing:

"...it [Islam] is a religion and a belief system that mandates warfare against unbelievers for the purpose of establishing a societal model that is absolutely incompatible with Western society because media and general government unwillingness to face the sources of Islamic terrorism these things remain largely unknown."

Whether or not you agree with Geller's and Spencer's statements on Islam, there is no way that these writings reach the defined  level of "unacceptable behaviours" listed in the beginning of the letter.  To say that these opinions can incite people to terror acts is simply not defensible. To compare their statements with the hate speech and clear incitement that radical Islamic clerics spout in the UK against Jews, infidels and gays is a perversion.

Will Human Rights Watch and Amnesty defend Geller's and Spencer's right to enter Great Britain and to speak there?

Moreover, will the people who complain when Israel bans people from entering (on "flytillas") for the express purpose of combating Israel's existence and causing disturbances act equally outraged that England has a much looser standard for banning anyone who might act in a way that "is not conducive to the public good"?

After this disgraceful decision on the part of the UK we can expect a wave of hypocrisy from all the "liberals" who pretend that Israel is far worse.

This decision proves that a powerful nation, not under any direct threat from anyone,  is far more restrictive of basic freedom of expression than Israel is. Not that anyone from the Left would ever, ever admit it.

Egypt charges 9 with spying for Israel

Posted: 26 Jun 2013 08:50 AM PDT

From AFP:

Egypt's public prosecutor on Wednesday referred nine people, including six foreigners, to trial for allegedly spying for Israel, the official MENA news agency reported.

Three Egyptians and six Israelis were referred to a criminal court, though it was unclear if any of them were in the country.

Four of the Israelis are said to be intelligence officers and two are Arab Israeli citizens, MENA said.

Investigations by the state security prosecutor showed the defendants had "passed on information to Israeli military intelligence services to harm Egypt's national security and the country's higher interests," MENA said.

The information pertained to the security situation in the Sinai peninsula and the presence and movements of extremist Islamist groups there, the agency reported.
Given Egypt's incompetence in figuring out who is a spy, I doubt highly that Egypt caught any real spies.

The names of the alleged spies have been published in Arabic; the ones I figured out are Danny Ovadia, Aharon Danone, David Jacob, Shlomo Sofer, Israeli Arabs Abdullah Salim Ibrahim Darokheeba and Omar Harb Abu Jarad, and Egyptians Salameh Hamed Abu Jarad and Mohammed Ahmed Abu Jarad.

My guess is that the Abu Jarads of Rafah are related (or assumed to be related) to the Israeli Abu Jarad, and Egypt built a "case" based on that.

One also cannot discount the idea that Egypt is trying to divert attention from the upcoming June 30 anti-government demonstrations by trying the tried-and-true "unite around hating Israel" card.

Terror-supporting Islamist visits the White House

Posted: 26 Jun 2013 07:00 AM PDT

The Investigative Project on Terrorism reports:
Radical Egyptian cleric Yusuf Qaradawi is considered so radical that the United States bans him from entering the country.
Qaradawi, considered the spiritual leader of the Muslim Brotherhood movement, has called for the killing of Jews and Americans.
That history makes the June 13 White House meeting with Sheik Abdullah Bin Bayyah all the more inexplicable. Bin Bayyah is vice president of the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS), a group founded by and headed by Qaradawi. The IUMS has a long history of supporting Hamas –a top Hamas leader is an IUMS member – and of calling for Israel's destruction.
Bin Bayyah's website claims that he met June 13 with senior Obama administration officials at the White House.
Nonetheless, it was the Obama administration which sought the meeting with Bin Bayyah, his website's account said.
"We asked for this meeting to learn from you and we need to be looking for new mechanisms to communicate with you and the Association of Muslim Scholars (another name used for the IUMS)," Gayle Smith, senior director of the National Security Council, reportedly said.
Bin Bayyah's June 13 account placed other senior officials in the meeting, including:Rashad Hussain, the U.S. special envoy to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), National Security Adviser Tom Donilon and White House spokeswomanJennifer Palmieri. But the account was later changed to delete the reference to Donilon's presence at the meeting.
Smith also thanked Bin Bayyah for "his efforts to bring more understanding amongst humanity" during the meeting, the Bin Bayyah account said.
The White House did not respond to repeated requests for comments between June 14 and Tuesday.
This was reported in Arab media, including Al Jazeera. There is no way to verify whether his report on what happened at the White House is accurate without the administration verifying or denying it.

Here's the largest photo I could find so people can identify who was there (click to enlarge):


While the major topic seems to have been Syria, Bin Bayyah is simply not someone the White House should be speaking with.

Interestingly, on his website Bin Bayyah seems to be a big advocate of Muslim dialogue with Western non-Muslims, as long as it can bring advantage to Muslims. He doesn't say that Muslims can learn anything from this dialogue; but rather they can speak to Westerners using the language of human rights and diversity to help the Islamic agenda, as well as to teach Westerners that issues like human rights and equality are Muslim values as well - but not absolute values, rather they must be interpreted within Islamic ideas of "justice."

(h/t Dennis)

Muslims warn that Jews plan to build, um, second Temple

Posted: 26 Jun 2013 05:20 AM PDT

From Saudi Gazette:
Israeli authorities on Monday began new excavations near Al-Aqsa Mosque Complex in occupied Jerusalem, a Palestinian foundation said.

The Al-Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage said that the Israeli authorities began the excavations in the southern part of Al-Magharebah Gate, the eastern part of the Umayyad palaces and at the entrance of the Wadi Hilweh neighborhood. The three sites are located in Jerusalem's Old City.

The foundation said that its inspection teams documented the new excavations in the three sites. It added that these excavations take place at night and are covered with tents and plastic sheets.

It warned that the use of huge machines in the excavation work in the area puts in serious danger the foundations of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. It added that the Israeli will build in the sites several facilities, including synagogue for women, restroom facilities, police station, tourists' centers, a network of bridges and iron stairs.

The foundation stressed that goal of excavations "is to Judaize Jerusalem and the collapse of Al-Aqsa Mosque to build the so-called second temple on ruins of it."
Hate to break it to ya, Aqsa Foundation guys, but if you want to prevent Jews from building the Second Temple, you are a tad late.

If this story seems familiar, that's because it is an evergreen story in the Arab media. Israel's imminent plans to destroy the Al Aqsa Mosque have been a weekly staple in Arabc media, even though coverage seems perfunctory nowadays. I mean, it is hard to maintain rage when all the previous predictions have been wrong.

Only last spring, we were warned that Israel planned to demolish the mosque ahead of Obama's visit to the region.

My favorite was the prediction that Israel would build the Third Temple on March 16, 2010, based on a completely stupid report from Haaretz. That was in the Arab headlines for months!

In fact, those crafty Jews keep faking out the Al Aqsa Foundation so that when they really are ready to build the Temple, no one will believe it. It is called Operation Cry Wolf. Working like a charm.

(h/t Gidon Shaviv)

Arab Idol star: "I am a son of the camp." Why is that?

Posted: 26 Jun 2013 02:41 AM PDT

From Ma'an:
Mohammad Assaf declared himself a "son of the camp" on Tuesday as he returned to the Gaza
Strip, where thousands of jubilant fans awaited the arrival of the Arab Idol star.

Flag-waving crowds waited for several hours at the Rafah crossing on Egypt's border for 23-year-old Assaf, three days after he was crowned the winner of the popular regional singing contest.

Assaf bent over and kissed the ground as he crossed the border, an AFP correspondent reported, before holding a news conference alongside Hamas officials.

"I thank you for your wonderful welcome and hope the celebrations won't feature gunfire," Assaf said, alluding to the shots in the air that sometimes accompany celebrations in the Middle East.

Assaf said he was the son of Palestine and "son of the (refugee) camp," and told reporters he would continue to sing nationalistic songs and raise the Palestinian flag.
So the newest Palestinian Arab hero is a "son of the camp."

Will any reporter ask why these camps still exist in territory that is ruled by Palestinian Arabs?

Why can't Hamas or the PA dismantle the camps and mainstream the residents into more normal society? There is nothing stopping that from happening. They are not "refugees" by any definition because even the ones who are over 65 years old are living in the land they came from. (At worst, they are "internally displaced persons.")

So why do these camps, often hotbeds of terror, exist?

Netty Gross, in The Jerusalem Report in July 1998, asked an official why the camps there hadn't been dismantled. She was told the Palestinian Authority had made a "political decision" not to do anything for the more than 650,000 Palestinians living in the camps until the final-status talks with Israel took place. (quoted here.)

Keeping the people crammed into these "camps" is a violation of their human rights, but no human rights organizations are calling for Hamas or the PA to dismantle them and end the discrimination that exists even within Palestinian Arab ruled territory.

Indeed, the UN has condemned Israel for attempting to do just that!

Where are the human rights activists demanding that the camps be demolished and the people given normal housing and services in line with everyone else, to live in their land as normal citizens? Why did Assaf have to grow up in such miserable conditions?

The sad fact is that the camps exist for one reason only - to purposefully keep hundreds of thousands of people in misery to make Israel look bad, even though Israel does nothing to keep a single person in a "refugee" camp.

Don't believe me? Then look at this quote from Palestine's ambassador to Lebanon, Abdullah Abdullah, in 2011, quoted in Lebanon's Daily Star:
The ambassador unequivocally says that Palestinian refugees would not become citizens of the sought for U.N.-recognized Palestinian state, an issue that has been much discussed. "They are Palestinians, that's their identity," he says. "But … they are not automatically citizens."

This would not only apply to refugees in countries such as Lebanon, Egypt, Syria and Jordan or the other 132 countries where Abdullah says Palestinians reside. Abdullah said that "even Palestinian refugees who are living in [refugee camps] inside the [Palestinian] state, they are still refugees. They will not be considered citizens."
Mohammad Assaf is part of the long tradition of anti-Israel propaganda where ordinary Palestinian Arabs are used as pawns and discriminated against even in places ruled by their leaders until Israel is destroyed. And that is the long-term plan - a plan that is apparently endorsed by the UN as well as by so-called "human rights" organizations who never say a word against the existence of these outdoor prisons for thousands of people.
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