Israel - country of refuge

Several friends have written asking how I felt about the wide publicity given to the Neturei Karta "Rabbis" who attended Iran's Holocaust denial conference.  Frankly, these people are so marginal that (as one Rabbi interviewed on army radio here put it) "they don't even represent their own wives".  They should just be ignored.  But I guess they got so much publicity that it's hard to dismiss them.  As Joel Stein said in the LA times in another context: "That controversy never would have happened if Gentiles simply realized that absolutely no one ever listens to rabbis. If we did, kids who went to Hebrew school would actually speak Hebrew."

Friend Joy Wolfe reported her community's reaction to one of the notorious "Rabbis" who went to shake Ahmadinejad's hand in Iran.  Her Manchester community has branded Ahron Cohen a persona non grata.  The burial society even returned Cohen's dues, refusing to guarantee him a Jewish burial.  A demonstration outside his home brought together Jews of all walks of life.  A historic day, with the Zionist Federation waving Israeli flags and singing Hatikva, while standing next to anti-Zionist Satmar Hassidim who were equally appalled by the antics of their offspring sect.  The Satmar community have made it clear that he is no longer welcome in the Synagogue he used to attend, and the local shopkeepers won't serve him.  

Joy reports that Cohen is seeking refuge overseas - and is considering Israel.  It's probably the only country where Cohen, now in his 80's, will be able to get a Jewish burial when the time comes.  Ironic, eh?

 

David

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Random checkpoints

Dear Friends,

 

I mentioned in October that the world is beginning to treat Palestinian complaints about Israel's security barrier as sour grapes over difficulties terrorists face in trying to murder Israeli women and children. But the fence is not complete, and used alone it is far from perfect.

Never dissuaded from duping naïve politicians and the media, I have seen many reports of pressure on Israel to stop what is presented by the Palestinian propaganda machine as "random checkpoints" in the West Bank. It is clearly true that when the IDF sets up a roadblock anywhere, it disrupts daily life. They are used when specific intelligence indicates a need to protect Israeli citizens.

Attached is a rare report where the IDF gives specific insight into its modus operandi. It is similar to the arrest of Israeli Arab Warud Qasem, caught in the West Bank transporting a bomb intended to blow up a restaurant in my home town.

I wonder what extra proof the world needs to admit that, like the security fence, Israeli patrols and roadblocks are a direct consequence of Palestinian terror attempts?

 

David

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December 3rd, 2006
IDF SPOKESPERSON UPDATE

Two terrorists planning a suicide bombing arrested yesterday near Jenin

Now released for publication: Two Palestinian terrorists involved in the planning of executing suicide bombing against Israel were arrested yesterday, December 2nd 2006, by an IDF force in a temporary checkpoint near the village of Qaffin, west of Jenin.

The two are Osmat Tsabah, 19 and Ahmed Tahama, 21