יום שישי, 19 ביולי 2013

Elder of Ziyon Daily News

Elder of Ziyon Daily News

Link to Elder of Ziyon

Poster: Who are the haters?

Posted: 18 Jul 2013 05:00 PM PDT


(h/t Zev Jabotinsky/Yad Yamin for the idea that turned into this)

7/18 Links Part 2: Is Islamist Era Over?, IDF Protects Civilians in Gaza, Dr. Oz Comes to Israel

Posted: 18 Jul 2013 03:00 PM PDT

From Ian:

Ben Cohen: Is the Islamist Era Over?
The notion that the era of Islamism has come to an end is not as outlandish as it seems. While the faith of Islam crystallized in Arabia 15 centuries ago, the ideology of Islamism—which aims to place the imperatives of sharia law at the heart of a coercive and all-powerful state—is a product of the last century.
Like its totalitarian cousins—fascism, communism and national socialism—Islamism's point of departure is a visceral loathing of the political liberties that are integral to liberal democracies. All these monstrous political systems were convinced that, once empowered, they would stay empowered.
IDF Blog: Seminar Teaches IDF Officers How to Protect Gaza's Civilian Population in Combat Situation
These officers are tasked with an enormous responsibility: to protect Palestinian civilians on the ground, no matter how difficult that may be.
"During an operation, these officers are in charge of evacuating the wounded, finding shelter for refugees, coordinating representatives of international organizations who want to visit a specific area, and assisting and treating innocent bystanders," Maj. Dror said. He explained that the officers work with the understanding that taking care of the civilian population also contributes to the IDF's operational effort, and gives IDF forces the legitimacy to continue their operations.
Anti-Semitic Group Uses Celebrities to Promote 'Youth March'
[Nick] Cannon, an American actor and rapper, appears in an online video being promoted by the New Black Panther Party (NBPP) through its web site and social media. In the video, Cannon invites people to attend the September 7 march in Harlem, New York, which it recently renamed "Millions for Trayvon" in the aftermath of the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of an unarmed black youth, Trayvon Martin, in Sanford, Florida.
"While it is unclear if these celebrity and business leaders realize exactly who and what they are promoting, their endorsements of the Million Youth March only help to legitimize the virulently anti-Semitic and racist message of the New Black Panther Party," said National Director of the ADL, Abraham Foxman.
Anti-Semitism at Anti Zimmerman Protest; 'You Ashkenazi Crafted Devil' Proclaims T-Shirt
A man leading a demonstration against the recent acquittal of George Zimmerman in a murder trial that mesmerized the United States, was caught on camera wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with anti-Semitic language
Berlin Hotel Bars Infamous British Holocaust Denier
Berlin's hotel and restaurant association has announced that it will not host infamous British Holocaust denier David Irving, who is planning to visit the German capital in September.
Irving, who was banned from entering Germany until last March, is set to address guests at a Sept. 10 dinner event with a $120 cover charge, according to reports.
Iranian activists back 'brave filmmaker' who made Israel visit
A group of 80 Iranian academics and activists sent an open letter to The Times of Israel Wednesday supporting an Iranian director who came under fire for appearing at the Jerusalem Film Festival last week.
The signatories, describing themselves as "members of opposition groups, scholars and human rights activists," lauded exiled filmmaker Mohsen Makhmalbaf's "bravery for breaking the taboo of visiting the state of Israel and conveying the message of friendship between Iranian people and people of Israel."
The Guardian's coverage: Iranian director Mohsen Makhmalbaf defends Israel visit after outcry

Archaeologists say one of King David's palaces found
Professor Yossi Garfinkel of the Hebrew University and Saar Ganor of the Israel Antiquities Authority have announced that they found a palace and royal storehouse that belonged to King David. The two buildings are the largest structures standing during the tenth century BCE that have been found in the territory of the Kingdom of Judah.
The discovery was made at Khirbet Qeiyafa near Beit Shemesh. For the past year, the researchers uncovered the two buildings at the site, which is believed by some to be the fortified Judean city of Shaarayim. According to the biblical record, after David smote Goliath, the Philistines were slaughtered on the road to Shaarayim as they fled. Shaarayim means "two gates," and Khirbet Qeiyafa has two gates in its walls.
Singapore vs. Israel: Who's the better role model?
But is Singapore the right role model for Israel? According to Singaporean entrepreneur Lee, "the government has been spending a lot of money setting up incubators and accelerators for entrepreneurs, but the program has been less successful than they hoped it would be." While Singapore has the "form" of a start-up nation, Singaporeans "don't have the chutzpah you need to buck trends and come up with something truly innovative. We are taught to listen to our elders," he said, "and of course to teachers." Whereas stories about Israeli or American tech heroes who were dropouts are not uncommon, said Lee, no Singaporean in his or her right mind would drop out of college, much less high school, for fear they would be frozen out of jobs at large corporations.
Ron Prosor: Boycotting A Better Future
Ironically, few regions could benefit more from entrepreneurship than the Arab world. According to the World Bank, roughly 20 percent of the population of the Middle East and North Africa lives on less than $2 per day, and income inequality is widening. The Middle East is dripping in oil wealth, but millions of people are starved of basic sustenance -- to say nothing of basic rights and freedoms.(h/t Norman F)
Prosor: It's Easier for Journalists in Israel
Speaking during a discussion at the UN Security Council about protecting civilians in war zones, Prosor noted that many journalists from around the world prefer to come to Israel to cover the conflict in neighboring Syria from there, knowing full well they would be much safer in the Jewish State.
"It's easier to cover Israel from Tel Aviv than to face live fire in the suburbs of Damascus," he said, adding, "The Middle East is undoubtedly the most dangerous place for journalists. In the first half of 2013 alone, 26 journalists lost their lives. Instead of being the ones to tell the story, the journalists have become the story itself. Torture, rape, and executions have become the lot of journalists in war zones."
BreathID Hp device can detect H. pylori in a breath
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some two thirds of the world's population is infected with H. pylori — bacteria found in the stomach. Most of those infected are completely unaware and thus develop peptic ulcers and increase the risk of stomach cancer. A new diagnostic system called BreathID Hp has hit the market and the Israeli makers of the device say it can detect gastrointestinal and liver conditions through a patient's breath.
Exalenz Bioscience, the Modi'in-based company behind the device, says the BreathID Hp test is the "fastest, easiest and most accurate Urea Breath Test (UBT) for diagnosing H. pylori infection in the office or clinic."
Israel eager to update air accord, expand trade with PH
Encouraged by Europe's lifting of its ban on Philippine Airlines, Israel hopes to establish direct flights to Manila and back to boost exchanges between the two countries, particularly in the areas of trade and tourism.
Israeli diplomats disclosed this week that Israeli and Philippine aviation officials were in an advanced stage of discussions to update a 60-year-old air services agreement, with the goal of launching direct flights to link the two nations. (h/t Zvi)
America's most famous doctor to visit Israel
Dr. Oz is expected to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit.
The renowned doctor is convinced that the warm and deep bond between Israel and Turkey will persevere. In the interview that will be published in full this weekend, Oz speaks of his father, also a doctor, who still lives in Turkey, about his father's mentor who was Jewish, and about his friend, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and how his appearance on TV helps his viewers improve their health no less than the heart surgeries he still performs.

Mahmoud Abbas and top officials honor the murderer of 15 people

Posted: 18 Jul 2013 01:00 PM PDT

On July 4, 1975, while busy crowds were preparing for Shabbat, a refrigerator filled with explosives was detonated in Zion Square, Jerusalem.

15 people were killed. Among the Jewish victims were Meir Zimmerman, 35, his wife Rosa, 28 and their 11-year-old daughter, Ahava; Michael Ben Yitzhak and his wife Rifka, American immigrants who left behind two small children; Yosef Amar, 28; David Cohen, 46; and Yoram Aivovi, 41. An eleven year old boy was also killed and his father was badly injured; he may have died (two victims died a few days afterwards.)

There were Arab victims as well. Nahiza Mohammed Hamed, 25, was about to get married; her aunt Fatima and a cousin Mohammed Abu Khadija from Amman who was in town for the wedding were also killed. Also Daoud Khoury, 50, a Christian from Nazareth, was murdered in the attack.

The architect of that attack was an Arab-American named Ahmed Jabara, whose terrorist name was Abu Sukkar. The Shin Bet managed to track him down more than a year after the attack, and he eventually confessed and sentenced to life. He was released from prison in 2003 in one of those "goodwill gestures."

Jabara died this week.

Palestinian Media Watch reports:

Yesterday, the Palestinian Authority honored terrorist Ahmad Abu Sukkar with an official military funeral. In a written eulogy Abbas referred to Abu Sukkar's life as: "A journey of struggle full of exceptional giving and devoted activity for Palestine and for the freedom and honor of our people."

Secretary-General of the Presidential Office Tayeb Abd Al-Rahim represented PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas at the funeral and laid a wreath from Abbas on the coffin.

In an interview at the funeral, Al-Rahim said: "We miss this man. He will remain in our minds and veins. His memory and his good and wonderful deeds for this nation and for this nation's cause will always remain an example for us to emulate."

In his eulogy Abbas referred to Abu Sukkar's "pure soul" and described him as "a righteous son and loyal fighter": "With the death of this fighter, Palestine and its people have lost a righteous son and loyal fighter, devoted wholeheartedly to protecting our people's rights. He dedicated most of his life to this people's independence and paid with many years of his life in the occupation's prisons so that the dawn of freedom will break over the pure land of Palestine."

Member of Fatah's Central Committee Jibril Rajoub praised Abu Sukkar as as "a tough patriotic fighter" and "the caring father of generations of struggle." In his condolence telegram Rajoub vowed to keep the terrorist's "principles and goals" and follow in his path:
"We emphasize our adherence to the principles and goals he dedicated his long life to protect… We commit to continue his way of struggle" [Ma'an News Agency's website, July 17, 2013 and Jibril Rajoub's Facebook page July 16, 2013]

Referring to Abu Sukkar's bombing that killed 15, PA representative to Lebanon and member of Fatah Central Committee Abbas Zaki said: "He [Abu Sukkar] started [out] with a wonderful and high quality operation (i.e., terror attack) using a refrigerator, that made the enemies lose sleep."

Fatah's spokesperson Ahmad Assaf stated to PA TV News:
"Abu Sukkar is an example of the brave, patriotic, loyal and honored fighter who dedicated his life to his people's cause and to his nation's cause." [Official PA TV, July 17, 2013]

Fatah's youth movement Shabiba remembered Abu Sukkar as the "hero of the heroic 'refrigerator' operation" and "the living conscience of the Palestinian people," mourning his death as a loss "to free men of the world and to all of humanity."

Many PA and Fatah officials attended the funeral, among them:
Secretary-General of the Presidential Office Tayeb Abd Al-Rahim, representing PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas
Minister of Prisoners' Affairs Issa Karake
Deputy Minister of Prisoners' Affairs Ziad Abu Ein. (spoke at the funeral)
District Governor of Ramallah and El-Bireh, Laila Ghannam (spoke at the funeral)
Members of Fatah Central Committee: Mahmoud Al-Aloul (spoke at the funeral), Azzam Al-Ahmad, Abbas Zaki and Tawfiq Tirawi,
Deputy Secretary-General of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), Qais Abd Al-Karim, (Abu Laila)
I also found an Arabic site that says Jabari was known as - get this - "The Palestinian Mandela." And Greek Orthodox Bishop Attalah Hanna also eulogized him, saying he had spoken to him only a few hours before.

I wonder if John Kerry would, in passing, even think to mention to Abbas that normal people would consider his words to be morally depraved and utterly perverted. Or is it in the interests of "peace" to ignore that fact that one of the parties celebrates the murders of his " "peace partners"?

US envoy to OIC slams "Khaybar"

Posted: 18 Jul 2013 11:00 AM PDT

A nice op-ed by Rashad Hussain, U.S. special envoy to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation:
During Ramadan, Muslim communities around the world experience a month of fasting, devotion and increased consciousness of their faith. ...

In recent years, as Muslim communities have dealt with hateful depictions and inflammatory actions, American interfaith coalitions have come together to strongly reject such bigotry. It is this backdrop that makes the reported Ramadan release of the television drama "Khaiber" in some Muslim-majority countries particularly disturbing.

The new drama purports to provide a historical account of the Prophet Muhammad and the Arabian-Jewish town of Khaiber. But its producer has said that "the goal of the series is to expose the naked truth about the Jews and stress that they cannot be trusted." The series also will reportedly focus "on the social, economic and religious characteristics of the Jews, including politics and conspiracies and how they dominate and control tribes."

Rather than emphasizing Muhammad's efforts to establish peaceful relations among religious communities, "Khaiber" does just the opposite. And it does so at a time when a number of religious groups, including Christians, face discrimination and violence in countries where the series will air.

Communities that were outraged at negative depictions of Islam must condemn this divisive and anti-Semitic effort. They should also understand that in many ways, this type of programming is also a disservice to Muslims and the legacy of the prophet. While censorship is not the answer, communities must come forward to counter such depictions with more informed views to prevent the spread of stereotypes and hatred that can dehumanize entire groups of people.

...Addressing Holocaust denial is an important step, and I raise this issue when I travel to meet government and civil society leaders in Muslim countries. Efforts also must be made to ensure that textbooks and television programming in the Muslim world are free from the types of dehumanizing ideas and images that breed intolerance and hate.

In doing so, honest and courageous voices must step forward, particularly during Ramadan, to condemn not only negative depictions of the Prophet Muhammad, but also a television series that uses a slanted historical narrative of his life as a facade for sowing discord, division and hatred.
It will be interesting to see if there is any reaction to this. So far, Arab media that discussed Jewish objections to the series tended to justify the hate.

By the way, JTA did have another article on Khaybar, which I missed because they choose to spell it differently.

(h/t Niklas Bergman)

7/18 Links Part 1: The Guardian Calls Judea and Samaria “right-wing” terms, The PA Honors Another Terrorist.

Posted: 18 Jul 2013 09:30 AM PDT

From Ian:

Wall Street Journal: Netanyahu Has Red Lines, Obama Doesn't
The article then went on to criticize Obama, who has in the past said that use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime would be a red line that "would change my equation." The editorial quoted two similar statements by Obama, one dated August 2012 and another one from this past March.
"As everyone—most especially Bashar Assad—now knows, Mr. Obama has no red lines regarding Syria or chemical weapons," the editorial charged. "Even his belated policy change to deliver small arms to the opposition is bogged down in bureaucratic inertia and congressional resistance. Readers may or may not think the U.S. should involve itself in Syria, but serious powers cannot issue empty threats and not expect consequences."
New US envoy says she'll defend Israel at the UN
The Irish-born Power, who has been criticized by some groups for past comments considered critical of Israel, said that the US has no "greater friend" than the Jewish state. She criticized the UN for its "disproportionate" focus on Israel and said she would fight to have Israel admitted as a member of the UN Security Council, a post that the Jewish state has been vying for.
CIF Watch: Guardian refers to 'Judea and Samaria' as a "right-wing" terms
As Elder of Ziyon noted, official UN documents routinely used "Judea and Samaria" until the end of the British Mandate, and in fact didn't begin capitalizing the words "West Bank" until after the Six Day War. Further, before there were any settlements all, the Israeli government led by the left-wing Labor Party (under Levi Eshkol) called the area "Judea and Samaria" – as this 1968 UPI article, to cite but one example, shows.
Papers: EU 'Earthquake' Directive Underscores Europe's Irrelevance in the Region
While Israeli officials reacted to the news with disappointment and confusion, today, the global news media weighed in on its significance.
Jennifer Rubin at the Washington Post wrote that she wasn't surprised by the EU's position. In an Op-Ed, Rubin writes that the EU has a clear anti-Israel bias–a bias that makes it an otherwise insignificant player in the Middle East peace process: "This is an old story for the European Union — it strives for relevance but its anti-Israeli tendencies make it particularly unsuited to play any constructive role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."
The EU's Broken Mideast Compass
If this is how the EU chooses to spend its limited diplomatic and political resources "to help" the Middle East, then its moral compass is badly broken. The EU still hasn't even mustered the clarity or courage to join the USA, Canada, and six Gulf states (led by Bahrain) in designating Hezbollah a terrorist organization, even though Hezbollah has committed terrorist acts on EU soil that killed an EU citizen, and has supported Basher Assad's butchery in Syria. The EU has also failed to take any decisive action to address the urgent crises in Lebanon, Syria, and Iran (which marches ever closer to nukes, and imports ore for armor and missile production from Germany and France). And where is the EU's boycott of Mideast governments that persecute women, execute homosexuals, and condone the slaughter of Christians?
Israel moves to quit flagship EU project over restrictions
Israel is a major contributor to the EU's €80 billion Horizon 2020 project, which aims to create new growth and jobs in Europe by the end of the decade. According to Hebrew daily Maariv, Israel is meant to contribute upwards of €600 million to the project over the next seven years, while receiving even larger sums in research grants.
'Europe wants to erect new Berlin Wall in the middle of Jerusalem'
In an interview with German magazine Die Welt, which will be published on Sunday, Netanyahu said that the EU was "trying to impose permanent borders by applying financial pressure on Israel rather than pursuing negotiations. That is an unfair move at any time, not just now, when U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is trying to get the parties back to the negotiating table."
Netanyahu told the German publication that Brussels "wants to erect a new Berlin Wall in the middle of Jerusalem, but anyone who has ever visited Jerusalem knows that you cannot turn back time and divide neighborhoods that would clearly remain under Israeli control as part of any peace agreement."
Conflicting reports surround possible imminent renewal of peace talks
Jerusalem on Thursday denied a Reuters report that Israel has agreed to a proposed formula for new peace talks with the Palestinians under which the border of the future Palestinian state would be along lines that existed before the 1967 Six-Day War with agreed land swaps.
Kerry closes in on resumed peace talks
Gaps between the Israeli and Palestinian positions have narrowed substantially after US Secretary of State John Kerry met with PA President Mahmoud Abbas Wednesday in Jordan, a senior Palestinian Authority official told the Lebanese newspaper Al-Mustaqbal. The official said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to a partial settlement freeze and is willing to negotiate on the basis of the 1967 lines. The freeze would not apply to Jerusalem and the major settlement blocs, the report said.
Report: IDF preparing to remove West Bank checkpoints
According to Army Radio, IDF commanders are examining alternate security measures in the southern Hebron Hills region that would allow for the removal of a major roadblock near the settlement of Beit Hagi, which is adjacent to the entrance to Hebron.
In Feud Over Unpaid Bills, Palestinian Hospitals Refusing Care to Palestinian Govt Personnel
Observers have long feared that financial mismanagement by Palestinian officials – a function of endemic corruption, and coupled with political illegitimacy – would prevent the emergence of a stable Palestinian economy. A functioning economy is considered a critical prerequisite in efforts to achieve a viable Palestinian state, lest that state fail.
PA holds military funeral for former Fatah terrorist who murdered 14, injured 60
The Palestinian Authority on Wednesday held a military funeral for Ahmed Abu al- Sukkar, a former Fatah prisoner who was involved in the 1975 "refrigerator bombing" in Jerusalem's Zion Square.
Fourteen people were killed and more than 60 injured in the terror attack.
Egypt intercepts 19 Grad rockets, military equipment
The Egyptian military intercepted a shipment of 19 Grad rockets concealed in a truck bound to Cairo from the port of Suez, Egyptian media reported on Wednesday. The driver of the vehicle was apprehended in possession of an automatic rifle and ammunition.
An army spokesman confirmed the seizure to the Daily News Egypt website. The military believes the discovery is related to the ongoing violence in Sinai.
Egypt: Morsi Supporters Protest Outside Cabinet
Egypt's new 34-member Cabinet was sworn-in on Tuesday. It features several prominent figures from the country's liberal and secular factions, as well as three women and three Christians.
There are no ministers from Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood or other Islamist groups.
Copts Face Violence After Morsi Ouster
"What is disturbing is the failure of the security apparatus to act — which at times looks like collusion — to protect citizens and their property who are being targeted on the basis of their religion, Ishak Ibrahim of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) told Agence France Presse (AFP). "Copts are paying the price of the inflammatory rhetoric against them coming from some Islamist leaders and supporters of the former president, who accuse Coptic spiritual leaders of conspiring to foment army intervention to remove Dr Morsi."
EU foreign policy chief floats plan to blacklist Hezbollah
The European Union could blacklist Hezbollah's military wing while stressing it is open to talking to the militant Lebanese movement's political faction, under a proposal by the EU's foreign policy chief, EU diplomats said on Wednesday.
European governments have been deadlocked over the issue since May when Britain asked for the Shi'ite Muslim group's military wing to be put on the EU terror list, citing evidence it was behind a deadly bus bombing in Bulgaria last year.
Gulf States Pursue Collective Ban on Hizbullah
Arab nations in the Gulf are apparently ahead of Europe in their readiness to concede the Lebanon-based Hizbullah group is a terrorist organization.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), comprised of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman, announced Wednesday they are willing to blacklist Hizbullah as a terrorist entity.
New Burgas bombing evidence points at Hezbollah
Bulgaria's interior minister says new evidence has bolstered its case implicating Hezbollah in a deadly July 2012 bus bombing, but investigators still do not know the specific identities of the suspects.

The Nakba that no one mentions: 315,000 Pal "refugees" lost their homes in Syria

Posted: 18 Jul 2013 07:30 AM PDT

UNRWA's statistics show that in Syria there are some 235,000 "Palestinian refugees" who have become displaced in that country.

Over 71,000 of the "refugees" became real refugees in Lebanon, and 8000 more in Jordan. Thousands more have fled to Egypt, Gaza, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.

44,000 homes of Palestinian Arabs in Syria have been damaged or destroyed.

In total, more than half of Syria's Palestinians have been displaced.

Palestinian Arabs in Syria are still being killed daily. A UNRWA employee was killed last week, becoming the 7th UNRWA employee killed in Syria. The total number killed is above 1500.

Yet no one is calling this a "Nakba." In fact, hardly anyone is talking about this at all.

While the UN has numerous committees and events and days and meetings dedicated to helping Palestinian Arabs who are perceived to be victims of Israel, this year (besides UNRWA press releases) there has been only one semi-official statement on the matter listed in the UNISPAL archives, from January. Here it is:

Asked about reports that the Secretary-General may be acting as an intermediary between Israeli and Palestinian officials over the fate of Palestinian refugees in Syria, the Spokesperson said that the Secretary-General has expressed his deep concern on the plight of Palestinians displaced and uprooted by the violence in Syria. He has called for countries in the region to help the refugees.

That's it. A half-baked statement only made as an answer to a question. Nothing - zero- being done pro-actively by the UN to help them (again, besides UNRWA.)

The UNHRC has had nine anti-Israel resolutions since the beginning of 2012 - and not one about Syrian Palestinians.

600,000 people who left their homes in 1948 - most not forcibly but out of fear - have generated tons of papers, dozens of resolutions and thousands of man-days of obsessive attention. Over half that number are suffering much more today, and are being ignored by that same body - even among the specific committees that are ostensibly meant to help Palestinians!

Even the Palestinian Arab media have far more articles about Jews walking on the Temple Mount than about their fellow Palestinians being murdered, injured and made homeless daily.

Gaza fishermen get more attention from the media, NGOs, the EU and the UN than hundreds of slaughtered Syrian Palestinians.

It is more than a double standard. It is proof that the only reason people pretend to care about Palestinian Arabs is because they really want to demonize Israel rather than to lift a finger to actually help any Palestinian Arabs.

"Khaybar"-like antisemitic cartoon on PA TV (video)

Posted: 18 Jul 2013 05:30 AM PDT

Palestinian Authority TV has been showing a cartoon to kids on Ramadan that is thematically very similar to the antisemitic "Khaybar" series being broadcast to adults.

In this case, instead of Khaybar, it shows how the Jews of Medina broke agreements with Muslims and tried to cause infighting among them. Again, the Jews are shown as deceitful, scheming and (in this case) in league with the Devil himself.

From MEMRI:


Following are excerpts from "Raids of the Prophet," an Egyptian animated series which aired on Palestinian Authority TV on July 15-17, 2013:
Jews of the Qaynuqa' tribe conferring
Nawfal, member of the Qaynuqa' tribe: The Muslims have grown stronger and have become mighty.
Another member of Qaynuqa': You are right, Nawfal – especially after their victory at Badr.
Another member of Qaynuqa': We, the Jews of the Qaynuqa' tribe, are now on a par with the Muslims, after we used to have the power and the final say in Al-Madina.
Older member of Qaynuqa': But we will not let them sit back and enjoy that. We will show them what the Jews of Bani Qaynuqa' are made of.
Devil jumping up: How can they enjoy it while I'm around? I am responsible for them.
Devil's helper: You are responsible for your followers only, but you have no authority over those who are God-fearing."
Devil: I know that, you idiot, but I have followers, whose hearts are filled with animosity, hatred, and envy towards Muhammad and his companions. This, in itself, can accomplish a lot.
Qaynuqa' member: The Aws and Khazraj tribes are having laughs together, after their enmity used to fill the land from east to west.
Another member of Qaynuqa': Muhammad brought harmony to their hearts, and what you see is the outcome. My heart rages with fire whenever I see Muslims who love one another. Utility means power and success in everything. We will not allow this.
[…]
"The Muslims besiege the Jews of Qaynuqa' having foiled their plot to pit the Aws and Khazraj tribes against one another."
Muslim fighter: This is the fortress of the Qaynuqa' tribe.
Another Muslim fighter: The gates are locked. How are we to get in?
[…]
Muslim fighter: Masoud, we will lay siege to them.
Masoud, a Muslim fighter: Only besiege them? No fighting?
First Muslim fighter: These are the orders of the Prophet Muhammad.
[...]
Giant spiders jump around in the devil's den
Devil: You idiot, where were you, when everybody abandoned the Qaynuqa' tribe?
Devil's helper: I did what you told me to do.
Devil: Shut up. You are worthless. All you can do is play and have fun. However, we still have a chance.
Devil's helper: What chance?
Devil: Ibn Saloul.
[...]
Muslim: How can you possibly ask us to defy the order of Allah's prophet?
Ibn Saloul: I'm just reminding you of your old pact with the Qaynuqa' tribe, before Muhammad came to Al-Madina, before Muhammad came to Al-Madina.
Other Muslim: We kept that pact until they breached it themselves.
Ibn Saloul: Um… Um… They didn't mean to.
Muslim: Inciting the Aws and the Khazraj tribes against one another, violating agreements harassing our women, making fun of the Muslims, affronting the Prophet of Allah – they did all this by accident?
[...]
Member of Qaynuqa': Everybody has abandoned us. We are here alone.
Another member of Qaynuqa': We have been here for 15 days, and nobody has saved us.
Older member of Qaynuqa': We are imprisoned here. If things don't change, we will die of hunger. Our supply of food and drink is almost finished.
Member of Qaynuqa': I don't want to die. No, I don't want to die.
Older member of Qaynuqa': Neither do we. We don't want to die either.
Member of Qaynuqa': Do something then.
Member of Qaynuqa': There is only one thing to do.
[…]
Narrator: So they left Al-Madina, and the Prophet made sure no harm would be done to them on their way out. He sent a group of the Ansar to protect them.
Muslim: The Jews of the Qaynuqa' tribe did not honor their pact with us. They persisted in their evil until it turned against them.
[…]
The "human rights defenders" of the EU and HRW and Amnesty don't have a problem with showing this. Antisemitism is bad, of course, but only when it is done by white right-wing bigots. Arabs and liberals and Muslims get a free pass with their brand of hate and incitement to violence. That's "free speech."

Egypt says helicopter over Gaza was "to protect our sovereignty"

Posted: 18 Jul 2013 02:51 AM PDT

Last week I noted Arab reporters that an Egyptian helicopter hovered over Gaza for about an hour. The Times of Israel quoted Israeli sources as saying it accidentally strayed over Gaza for only a few minutes.

Now, an adviser to the interim Egyptian president is saying it was deliberate.

Al Ahram reports that Dr. Mustafa Hijazi, a political adviser to the president, said that the Egyptian overflights over the Gaza Strip comes as part of a security framework for the protection of Egyptian sovereignty. At a news conference Wednesday afternoon he said that there are military operations to clear the Sinai cleared of terrorists and to defend its "sovereignty of the homeland."

Clearly, Egypt is still regarding Gaza as a major threat to its own security, even though Hamas stresses that it has no desire to hurt Egypt.

Israeli moves to defend its own territory from threats from Gaza are a bit more likely to result in UN condemnations, though.

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