Howard Cohn http://www.jta.org/user/profile/22233 en-us zsilberman@washingtonjewishweek.com Copyright 2012 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 To Mr. Wedlund, peace often comes at the end of a barrel, when the barrel has been wielded defensively. Just look to WWII. Hezbollah, Hamas, Fedayeen, the PLO and Fatah were all formed to regain the land "lost" when Israel was reborn. The Palestinian refugees are the only refugees in the world to have their status legitimized by the UN. They are kept in camps by their fellow Arabs to keep the wounds open. Israel has been more than ready for a peace where Israel will survive but is not willing to go on the path of peace that leads to suicide. The advantage for Israel fighting Obama can be summed up in one word, survival. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 MinerDan has lost sight of the content of the article in his zeal to condemn President Bush, the Republicans and the right-wing. While 2/3s of Israelis may be willing to give up some of Judea and Samaria for Peace, the numbers are not accurate for Jerusalem. Much of what is now majority Arab parts of Jerusalem was not before the Jordanian conquest and occupation of what i referred to as "East" Jerusalem. Obama has long sought the ouster of Netanyahu for a government more to his liking. The rift while Biden was in Israel was caused and blown out of proportion by Obama. What was ended in the evening was rekindled in the morning by Hillary and continued by his administration. Contrast the conduct of Obama towards Karsai, whom the administration demonized just shortly before his visit (drugs, corruption, moves toward the Taliban, etc,) with the treatment of Netanyahu. Obama carefully screens who will be invited to the White House. He plays with a fixed deck. The rabbis invited could be counted on to give their support or very muted disagreements. Obama's speech in Cairo pointed to where he is headed. It is too bad that more Jews cannot realize it. Many have looking to what the polls are saying but they must not let their opinions by masked and hidden by his Court Jews. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 It is strange that the ambassador did not correct the "misinformation" the next morning when it was called to his attention. I wonder if Oren is afraid of getting a fish delivery from Rahm. This whole snub denial smells fishy. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 It is interesting that the MSU does not want to be represented. One wonders why some of it's members attend the meetings of the OTI. Is it to try to lessen tensions or to keep posted regarding what is going on, who is attending and how are they acting? The actions of the MSU appear to be causing gaps rather than building bridges between the various communities on campus. Their actions appear to be designed to polarize students rather than bring them together. I hope that the 11 arrested during the well planned interruptions of Oren are prosecuted to the full extents possible both in Criminal Court and within Academic Rules of UCI. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Netanyahu should stand firm and not bow before Obama. Obama is willing to use Israel to raise his stature in the Arab and Moslem world. His slights against the government of Israel and it's representatives are out there for all to see. Jerusalem was and is the capital of Israel. The only reason that the Arabs want it as their capital is because of the importance it has for the Jews. Not one Arab ruler except for the ruler of Jordan went to the Temple Mount to pray while it was under British or Jordanian control. Many of the "Arab" areas of Jerusalem are Arab because the Jews were forced to leave as a result of Arab riots during British rule and as a result of the conquest by Jordan. American Jews who voted for Obama are beginning to realize that he is not the wonder kid they thought he was. They are beginning to see him as he is. Listen carefully to his spokesmen and what they have to say. Listen also to what they do not say and how they don't say it. Can you imagine he loud condemnations of Israel if they dedicated a square to Baruch Goldstein? How loud were the shouts when the P.A. and their representatives dedicated a square to the terrorist who led the murder of 37 Israelis? To add to the silence, Hillary stated that the square naming was done by Hamas and then blamed the mistake on the State Department. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Leroy you are correct that one does not need a rabbi for a Jewish wedding, but as I wrote and K. Worrel stated, for a wedding to be a Jewish wedding, the two must be Jewish and follow Jewish ceremonies. As to Ben Gurion, he could not have been married in a City Hall in Israel because if the wedding took place pre-'48, it occurred in the British Administrated Palestine Mandate. Since his wife was Jewish, their offspring was also Jewish, thus no problem for an Jewish wedding for the grandchild as long as the grandchild's mother is Jewish. There is currently no Civil Marriage ceremonies taking place in Israel. To get married in a civil ceremony, Israelis must leave the country to get married. Their external marriage will be registered by the government. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 As long as she converts to Judaism, there is no problem about a Jewish wedding.. If she remains Christian, then a Jewish wedding cannot take place. One can call a chicken a duck but it will remain a chicken. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 If Ben-Ami and his J-Street are so Pro-Israel, why at their convention did they give their college groups permission to not use Pro-Israel as part of their slogan? J-Street and Ben-Ami (I cannot remember hearing anything from anyone except Ben-Ami re J-Street) are great at building "Straw Men" to point to in support of their positions. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Mr. Evans, your grasp of history leaves a lot to be desired. The "Mexicans" did not live in the areas you describe, except as conquerers. The Spanish came to the area now known as Mexico, an area their ancestors had no connection to, and later went in search of gold/silver to the areas you believe should be Mexican. Jews lived in the area of Eretz Yisrael as a free, self governing people until they were forced out by the Romans. Perhaps you will deny that there ever was an independent Jewish State in the area now known as Israel. Just go on ebay and you can buy coins minted by the Jewish rulers of Eretz Yisrael. Better the support of Gov. Palin than the promises of eternal support from Obama. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 The U.S. should not pull out of the UNHRC but should cancel all funding of this committee until it becomes a fair and balanced organization. The funding should be cancelled and not just withheld until in the future it can be donated once again. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Why should Israel have provided Goldstone with excuse that we spoke with representatives of Israel when publishing his "fair" report? It has been reported that when Israeli individuals met with Goldstone and his cohorts, they were treated discourteously and one woman who testified about the situation in Sderot, reported that Goldstone could not stay awake during her testimony. Goldstone should be treated as the pariah he is. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Heilman should not eat the mushrooms he collects. If it wasn't the mushrooms, the author should take a basic course in Journalism and one in Logic. His article would fit a lot better as a reply in Haaretz. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 It seems that, "What is good for the goose is good for the gander," is not an admonition followed by the NCJW among others. What is done ideologically against the Left is evil, against the Right, just. "As ye sow, so shall ye reap." 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 There is no doubt that almost all Jews want peace. It is just a matter of how the peace will take place, what the guarantees are that it will be a true peace actually happening or just false signatures on a piece of paper. As to the list of organizations supporting Obama and his vision of peace, there is an old Hebrew refrain, "Mah nishtanah?" The VAST majority of Israelis have little or no faith in Obama as one who can be trusted to preserve the State of Israel as an independent Jewish State. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 It appears that for 34 years no one has suffered with the cancelling of classes. It would also seem that the number of classes that students attended were not lessened because of the days off. This will not be the case now. If a Jewish student has a subject class on the days of the Holdays he/she will have to decide whether to miss the classes or practice his/her religion. This seems highly unfair and anti-Jewish. The fact that the professor making the complaint is Jewish leads me to believe that he is Jewish by circumcision only. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 It is interesting that no one has mentioned that it is a 15 YEAR OLD that has gone to the ICJ. She must either be one smart individual or else is a front for those opposed to Israel. I would say that I would allow the intelligence of those posting remarks to choose which one it is but this may be lacking in many of those writers. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Since it is a Catholic charity, why aren't they supporting the Christian Arab families who are increasingly being discriminated against by their Arab Moslem brothers? They are getting very little or no support from the Vatican because it will endanger Christians throughout the Moslem world. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 I am sure that the organizers will have more than enough films to replace those that are being pulled from the Festival. As the old saying goes, "Don't let the door hit you on your way out." I hope that Ha'Aretz is able to print a list of those boycotting and the films they are taking with them. Boycotts work both ways. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 The movement that freed the Blacks in South Africa would have had a far different ending had the Germans bee the colonizers. The hope of REFOUNDING a Jewish State in Eretz Yisrael proceeded the Holocaust by almost 2000 years. The rebuilding of the Jewish homeland began decades before the Holocaust. The Mandate given Great Britain by the League of Nations also predates the Holocaust. Arab population shifts into what would become Israel and nearby territories occured after the resettlement of the land by Zionists. Tutu should take a good look at those he is allying himself with. It is not Jews or Israelis who are slaughtering Blacks or enslaving them in the name of their religion. Hopefully one day you will wake up. This past week marked the 80th anniversary of the massacres of religious Jews in Hebron. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Obama's biggest problem is his lack of knowledge of the area. He must feel that the Middle East is just like Cook County. It seems that he is just overlooking the reality of the area. He refuses to believe and take as fact the many statements made by the leaders of the P.A. and other Arab states. He should start having translations of the speechs given in Arabic by these and his many Moslem and Arab friends. He should take seriously what the public opinion polls show how Israelis feel about him. He should stop believing all the feel good polls given to him about how Jewish Americans feel about his Middle East policies. One day he will get a reply from Netanyahu that will reflect the feelings of Israelis. I don't think he is used to hearing, "NO." The 80th anniversary of the Hebron Massacres has just passed. There is now a State and an army that will not stand for a repeat. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Not even Obama knows exactly what is in the proposed bills yet he attempted to rush them through Congress without adequate discussions and constituent feedback. I have yet to read in one paper the pros and cons of the bills that are proposed. A lot of the shrill screaming is coming from the left and Democrats. The newspapers are of little help, having already taken sides and slanting a lot of their stories in that direction. One needs to have excerpts of the more contentious parts of the many bills prionted for all to see and read. Why not have the Pelosis and Limbaughs choose the sections of the bills that they feel need to see the light of day printed? 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Since Obama just met with the king of Jordan, I have an idea of how to settle the Arab refugee issue. Let them all go into the land comprising about 78% of the Palestine Mandate given by the UK to the great-great grandfather of the current king of Jordan. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Where was Waters when the P.A. disbanded a group of child musicians, closed the school where they were taught how to play their instruments and dismissed their teacher, all because they went into Israel and played for an aged group of Holocaust survivers? 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Mr. Heinrich when I read the sentence about the big lie I thought and still think it was about Obama and his cohorts. As long as there is no completely honest rep[orting of both sides of the issue, there will be distortions of facts and what people are saying. It is too easy for one to raise an inflamitory sign and the condemnation of the holder and believed allies is quick to come. There was a report of a sign holder at a Town Hall meeting who was holding a sign comparing Obama to Hitler in opposition to the Congressman holding the meeting. The same sign holder was later seen passing out flyers for the Congressman after the meeting. One also remembers that the pictures of Rabin in a Nazi uniform, seen at a rally against Rabin's policies were printed by Avishai, an agent of Shin Bet. There is much confusion because there are several bills, many members of congress have not read them all and one has to listen very carefully not only to what ius said but what is not said. Many at the meetings believe that Medicare is free and a gift of the government. I worked for many decades without using a penny of what was taken from me to support the program. Claims were made that illegals would not be covered under the bill. This may not be true. If they report to an ER to be treated, where will the money come from? The Supreme Court has ruled that even if one is an illegal, he/she cannot be denied services given to citizens. The two issues of Tort reform and illegals were glossed over and pushed aside. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 It's amusing to read all of the "intellectuals" referring to Israeli genocide of the Palestinian Arabs. If the German genocide happened the same way, there would be about 30 million more Jews in the world today. Now the Palestinians can parade their Jewish Council member before the world in addition to their Neturai Karta supporters to show what wide spread support they have. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 It is easy for the Democrats and the media to take what Limbaugh out of context and misquote him because most people will not go back to read the context in which they occured. Some of the rantings of the likes of Pelosi and Reid have been way over board. She first called those who appeared at Town Hall meetings to voice their concerns or opposition to the Health Plan (one does not really exist, only several proposals) brownshirts. There was one sign with a crossed out swatstika and she used this to portray those opposing Obama as calling him a Nazi. One remembers the signs portraying Rabin in a Nazi uniform that were later traced back not to his opponents but to an informant for the Shin Bet. Obama's supporters were quick to get out unions, grass roots organizations and the infamous ACORN to attend these meetings to pack the audience and intimidate opponents. If we truly had a press that reported what happens without a bias things would be a lot different. They are able to define what has happened whether or not it did. Limbaugh is not a Republican leader like Pelosi, et. al. are regarding the Democrats. He has influence but is not an officer. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 It is interesting how this author and the JTA find it so hard to write the words "Left-wing" when describing organizations like J-Street. Liberal and progressive sound sooo much nicer and less threatening. Whether or not Netanyahu called Emanuel a "self-hating Jew" is unimportant to the media who want to isolate him or paint him as one not deserving support. In their minds if he did not say it, he meant to say it. Regarding the policies of Obama and his supporters on his staff, they will be among the first to offer condolences on the passing of Israel. Oren should reach out to left-wing Jews but this should be at meetings of their organizations and not just for their officers. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 It is obvious that those complaining about actions at the town hall meetings have not been to one. I must have missed the announcement of Obama's executive order regarding drilling for oil. I also missed the announcement by the Democrat controlled Congress to start drilling for oil. Perhaps the "unwashed masses" are being driven by a President who feels that he has been given the dictat to rule by decree. We had Congress pass the Stimulus package with very few reading the bill and attempts by this president to do the same with health care. He has learned that he is no longer operating in Cook County. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 It appears that Lewis is just one of a long line of individuals looking to undercut Jewish observance. He should have waited until charges were brought against him before he launched his attacks on Jewish observance. Dr. J.H. should check the posting at 1:32 using his name before complaing to Blackie about a comment he couldn't find. I hope your doctoring is better than your eyesight. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 At least Australia is consistent regarding who it awards Peace Prizes to. Will Nasrallah win next year? 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Why shouldn't these groups supprt her. "Birds of a feather flock together." 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 I hope and trust thaty this rep[ort is not true. If it is, perhaps Netanyahu will be invited into the White House for a beer. Nesher? 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 As stated the, agreement was never implemented, not that it never existed. If Obama and his allies wish to use this as a reason for negating the agreements, he must also negate the Road Map. It too was never implemented and following the above logic, it should pass as not existing. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 It's interesting that NIF complains about the NGOM oprganization for speading so-called false information about the NIF yet supports Breaking the Silence when it publishs and spreads so-called information about misdeeds of the IDF without naming names and giving information that can be checked. One must remember the rumors that were spread as concrete facts concerning actions of the IDF by soldiers who later were found out to neither witnessed actions they talked about or got their information from individuals who were. Why can't Left-wing groups be identified as Left-wing instead of Progressive? To those giving funds to NIF, get a list of the organizations receiving money and check how they are being used. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Their should be a powerful speaker to counter what Corrie's mother will say in defense of her daughter. Rachel was willing to die a martyr and got her wish. Viewing the ground from the drivers seat made it impossible to see her. The house was destroyed to prevent Israeli casualties. The actions against what the IDF was doing was just that, actions against the State of Israel. Let the Israeli side of the actions be defended by a speaker able to present the facts before and after the film. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 To start with Peter you should read the Charters of the PLO, Fatah and Hamas. A charade was committed many years ago to give the impression the the Palestine National Council removed parts of their charter stating that Israel should cease to exist. Read the current statements of members of Fatah and Hamas regarding Israel and negotiations with her. Look at their maps showing Arab Palestine. Areas in east Jreusalem where Israel wants to allow building for Jews, are owned by Jews or Israelis. The U.S. and others do not even recognize Jerusalem as being the capital of Israel. The U.S. does not even accept Birth Certificates of those born in Jerusalem if they state as the place of birth, Jerusalem, Israel. Israel should tell Obama that he governs the U.S. and not Israel. Peter, you and others should try reading the history of this area from all sources, not just those you agree with. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 NIF poses as a benign organization out to protect the rights of all Israeli citizens. In fact it is just another left-wing organization out to put forth it's left-wing ideology in any way possible. It's actions give fuel to those against the State of Israel. They create headlines that are used by those wishing to destroy Israel and only later if forced too, will apologize. The apologies come too late and the lies continue to be spread. Breaking the Silence can be compared to the pieces of paper held up by Sen. McCarthy when fighting against the Communists. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 The world doesn't need a nuclear umbrella. It needs for the nuclear capabilities of Iran to be destroyed at the earliest time. Clinton is the puppet of Obama, he pulls the strings and she jumps. When it reachs the point where there is too much negative reaction from any of her remarks, he will deny responsibility and say her comments were her own and not his or his administration. By destroying Iran's nuclear facxilities, those European nations who traded for monetary gain will lose their Euros when Iran can't or won't make payments. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 I don't understand the zeroing in on the religion of the accountant. This is pure bigotry. The target should be those who supposedly were/are in charge. How was it possible for so much money to go missing without it being noticed? Were there no reports at the end of the year made public about income and expenses? The fault lies not only at the feet of the accountant but the faculty advisor, the officers of Hillel and the institutions that donated money. More should be investigated in addition to the accountant. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Shaul, I would like to read your definition of bigot. From what I have read in newspapers here in N.J. a good sized group of Jews from Yemen are coming to the U.S.. Hopefully they will have the freedom of making contact with other Jews from Yemen who are currently in the states. Once they arrive here I hope that they will have the freedom to leave KJ should they desire to do so. A few years ago there was a family of Jews from Yemen who sought to leave KJ bhut were unable to do so because their papers, I believe, were not in their possession. Part of the family was able to sneak away to NYC and then once word got out about their treatment, the rest of the family was able to be reunited. I would also like to understand your definition of, "put Israel on a pedestal." It would be normal to learn about Israel in a class for those seekng to convert. It's part of the history of the Jews whether or not you recognize the State of Israel or are waiting for the Messiah to set it up. Please take your blinders off and see that some you don't agree with are not comp[letely wrong. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 To David Hicks, When a military installation or individuals are firing from a civilian populated area, those being fired on have the choice of doing nothing and taking fire or retaliating and causing civilian casualties. The fact that when firing back, civilians are hit does not mean that they were targeted. If one wants to state that when a civilian area is targeted because it is being used as an area to launch military attacks that = targeting civilians, It is a play with words. 2. Apartheid State? Walk down any street in the cities of Israel and look at the faces of the people. Go into the stores, schools, bus stations, train stations, clinics, look around and tell me about apartheid. The roads in Judea and Samaria that are used by Israelis only, were set that way because of attacks on cars with Israeli plates by the Arabs residing there. I am sure you noticed that I wrote Israeli plates not Jews only. Israeli Arabs have been shot along some of those roads because of the plates on the cars they drove. I am sure that you know that Israel is formally at war with every surrounding Arab state except Egypt and Jordan. The fact that the doors and borders are not open to them is a no brainer. But even this fact is at times suspended when Arabs from those countries are admitted and treated at many Israeli hospitals. Apartheid sounds good and is effective as long as the facts are not examined closely. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Since the Arabs States are so interested in promoting the welfare of their Arab Palestinian brothers, why aren't they being shipped to them? The only reason that they are loved is because of the hatred towards Israel. They supported and collaberated with Saddam, let them stay in Iraq and pay the price. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 By sidelining Lieberman the way he has, Netanyahu has down graded Israel to a Banana Republic. If foreign governments do not wish to deal with him, that is their problem. Israel has the right and obligation to appoint representatives to carry through policies that will promote Israel and its future. I don't believe that Egypt has declared Lieberman persona non grata. If they don't wish him to come to Egypt, then the Eguptians must come to Jerusalem. Either they want to deal with Israel as equals or not. As for Obama and his government, Netanyahu must be forceful and directly speak against U.S. policies that will hurt the future of Israel 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 It was interesting to read one poster commenting " that attacking sociologists for making pretty common comparisons in the academic field is rather weak...," If this is a common comparison, then it does not speak well for the integrity of those making them. History has a way of unveiling the truth. The comparison of Israel and the Nazis is obscene as well as a perversion of the truth. The condemning of Israel for causing hundreds ans hundreds of deaths has a way of turning out that excessive amounts of "0s" were used. I just wonder in what context the email was sent. Did his emails also contain material about various Arab and Moslem nations and there conduct of human rights. One only has to read where the school was located to get an isea of what the ruling would be. Perhaps this is a generalization but it is one based on past history. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Her use of certain terminology to describe those she is at odds with destroys any validity to the points attempting to make. It identifies her with a certain segment of the population. This identification was validified by her identification at the bottom of the article. In the U.S. loyalty oaths are not uncommon. Every elected or appointed official must take one The pledge of allegiance is one. It is the ultra-leftwing ideologes who revel in distorting and then condemning Lieberman. To compare him to some of the ultra-rightwing parties in Europe is perverse. If I remember correctly, the loyalty oath will be taken by all citizens of Israel. It will not be limited to those who are not Jewish. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 The author states that Obama has a clear vision for what he wants in the Middle East. This is news to me. He has shown that either he has little grasp of the history of the region or he does a good job of hiding it. His use of Rahm and others as a shield to portray himself as being surrounded by individuals out for protecting Israel will be short lived. The more Obama speaks, the weaker he will appear, especially with those who support Israel and know the history of the area. His carefully orchestrated press conferences will succeed in the short run but not for long. Once the general press stops fawning over him, he will be in big trouble. You can fool some of the people ... 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 I think it's quite ironic that the neo-nazis will be cleaning a highway named after a Jew. Congratulations to the ladies and gentlemen of Missouri. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 To Ari, you should try to make up better, more believable stories. Any middle school student could. Hours moving inch by inch? What nonsense! 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Netanyahu and Israel must begin to act as if they were sovereign and not puppets on strings played by Obama. While it may appear as if Obvama and his followers have everything under control, the future will prove this wrong. The emporer appears to be walking with wonderous clothes, but more and more are noticing that they are not there. Obama has to start producing policies and results. The slogans that won him election are just icing. The people are demanding to see the cake. Israel and Bibi must start saying "No" where it is called for and explain why without pulling punches. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 The vitriol of some of the posters is unfortunately not surprising (Weiss, Rowe). If one signs a contractr and one of the parties in that contract fails to fulfill the terms of the contract, then what should be done? Sue, negate the contract? The Palestinian Arabs have failed to carry through with their end of various "contracts." Does this mean that Israel must fufill its end with no reciprousity? If future leaders are not tied to the agreements made in writing with other leaders, then why believe any of them? Obama will hold Israel to those agreements he is in favor of and negate the others. Israel should state that it wants every proposal made by the U.S. to be in writing and voted on by Congress. Will this happen? Israel should also state that any agreement made by Israel and not ratified by the Knesset is null and void. There will be a lot of progresss made if these take place. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 It is soooo nice that Carter sees the Gush Etzion Bloc as remaining in Israeli hands. This bloc was reestablished on the land of the original Gush Etzion Bloc with many individuals being family members of the original founders of the Jewish communities living there. They were living on land bought and paid for by Jews and Jewish organizations. The area had been conquered by the Jordanians and remained in their hands until '67. Carter's main use is as a mailman to try to get mail to Shalit. His biases regarding Israel are well known and he doesn't even come close to being an Honest Broker. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 To Ari H and fellow thinkers, It would be better if the Christian leaders looked out for their fellow Christians throughout the Moslem world. They are endangered all over and the only thing that has to do with the Israel- Palestinian Arab situation is that if they don't keep quiet about their situations as more or less tolerated and give support to the destruction of Israel, they will preceed the Jews to their graves. Most western leaders including the pope will not give voice to the real conditions and treatment of their fellow Christians. They know that complaints of Moslem treatment of Christians in their lands will be met with more persecutions. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Since Clinton is a lawyer she knows that as long as one can prove that a verbal agreement exists, it has the same standing as a written agreement. Following her lead, Israel can state that any agreements not ratified by the Kenneset have no standing. Any agreements not followed by both sides are null and void. Netanyahu should state that any negotiations entered into by Israel and the P.A. will start off at square one. It seems that the old adage that one is never stabbed in the back by one's enemies appears to be very valid now. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 What Netanyahu should do is state that there already is a "Palestinian" state and it's name is Jordan. The U.K. was given the Mandate over the Ottoman territories known as Palestine and quickly gave about 78% of it to their ally the future King of Jordan. The majority of it's citizen's are "Palestinian." This will probably never happen because who would be willing to state that the emperor is naked? Haaretz is know for it's position on the political map I would not have been surprised if many of their staff sat Shiva, when it was seen that Netanyahu would be Prime Minister. It's two ace reporters; Hass and Levy are the source for innumerable quotes for anyone looking for anti-Israel ammunition, and they are not the only ones. Netanyahu must have the strength to tell Obama that Israel is not the vassel state of the U.S.. He must show by actions that the Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria will grow as needed. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 I am tired of hearing about Emanuel's father in the Irgun and uncle, who died. They are part of history but the present and future are what worries me. There is no doubt that Obama did not want Netanyahu and his allies to win and govern Israel. Obama and his gov't will do all they can to bring them down. Obama's main concern, it appears is to curry favor with the Arab and Moslem world. If Israel might be sacrificed, it's one that Obama can live with. Hillary will follow any policies of Obama, even denying agreements made between the U.S. and Israeli leaders. Netanyahu should publically state that the communities in Judea and Samaria will grow. He must also state that Israel is a sovereign nation and not a commonwealth of the U.S. Policies for and by Israel will come from Jerusalem. Any final decisions concerning Israel in the Middle East will be made in face to face meeting with Palestinian Arab representatives, or representatives of other states, not orders from the U.S. or anyone else. Obama must learn that Israel is not a Chicage Ward. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 I read Messingers speech then went to the AJWS website and looked for where she calls for or they sponsore help for Jews in need. It is up to us to assist our own first and sponsor programs that will provide that there will be Jews as Jews in the future and not individuals who had parents or grandparents who were practicing Jews. Walk the halls of various Jewish Federations ( those still open ) and hear the silence caused by lack of funds. It is not only those that used to walk and work in the halls that are suffering but those in the future who will not be a continuation of the past. It is fine to aid others but first support your own. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Unfortunately, you like others of your ideology, refuse to understand our enemies. They have time on their side. They are willing to wait generations for results, while the west wants "peace now" even though it will not bring peace now. Tough love may be fine if it doesn't put the "loved" one in mortal danger. Obama, his government and court Jews will place Israel in position to fight another war, except they will be at a worse disadvantage than the pre "67 armistice lines. The area may be the same but the arms they will face are different and much more lethal. Israel must tell Obama and the rest of the world that suicide is not on their agenda. Let the Arabs concede territory. Their first Palestinian Arab State was given 78% of the Mandate. Jerusalem has been open to worshippers from all religions except for temporary exclusions for security reasons. Internationalization will bring exclusion for Jews and Christians as happened from '48-'67. Don't let Obama rise in the eyes of the Moslems on the backs of Israelis. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Congatulations. It is unfortunate that the poems could not be translated and printed for all to read. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 It is interesting that Cannon is condemning the expansion of settlements and also stating that it is up to the two parties to negotiate what the end will bring. If it is up to the two parties, why is he condemning the settlements? It should be up to Israel and the P.A. to make this decision at the negotiating table. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Peter Wedlund makes some interesting comments. U.S. respect for private property and settlements. Some settlement land was built on land bought and owned by Jews before the State of Israel was declared. Other land bought after the '67 war. Other settlements built on state land, with no private ownership. Some on private land. As to his declaration that the U.S. bought land from France, Spain and Russia and therefore did not steal it from those originally living there, You buy stolen property from a thief and it is still stolen property. Israel was attacked in '67 and won a defensive war. The allies fought and won a defensive war during WWII. Border adjustments were made and remain to this day in parts of Europe and Asia as a result of the Allied victory. The same should be true for Israel. No rockets are raining down from Judea and Samaria because of the Israeli presence there. The first walls built between Israel and P.A. territory were built to prevent sniper attacks that were taking place against Israeli citizens. Israel should tell those U.S. members of Congress and B. H. Obama that the survival of Israel cannot and will not be based on promises from the U.S.. The settlement issue must be decided between Israel and Palestinian Arabs once they accept the fact that Israel will not fold or disappear and once their people want peace more than dead Jews. To rely on J-Street and A.P.N. for accurate polls and numbers of their supporters is like buying a "pig in a poke." Israel must look to it's own survival and make decisions on that. If Israel did not exist, the Arabs and Moslems would still be fighting each other and the infidels, without the excuse of we're doing it for the Palestinians. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 I'm waiting for the U.S. to prosecute with the same vigor the other plants and companies caught with illegal immigrants. Strange or perhaps not so strange that after seeing their other charges forced out by the courts that they issue even more. Couldn't be because they are Jewish, could it? 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 I hope that someone will be able to translate what Lida liQA wrote into English. Obama is threatening that after 6 months of talking to Iran, sanctions may be considered. That should really scare them. Stop the nonsense about linking what goes on with the PA and Israel with problems in the rest of the world. It looks good on paper as long as one goes little further than the headlines. The Palestinian Arabs did NOTHING to further statehood from '48-67. They have done little since "67 to put infrastructure in place to declare and run a state. As long as the money keeps pouring in, why work to being free and self supporting? 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 One of the last times that Israel gave in to U.S. urgings to not do something in order to keep the Arab "allies" happy was during the '91 Gulf War when Israel absorbed the attacks by SCUDS in order to keep the U.S. coalition together. Obama may very well be a friend to the Jews like FDR. Remember the St. Louis, all the Jewish refugees not allowed into the U.S., the bombings to stop the transportation and operations of the concentration camps? Oops, I forgot, there was no bombings to try to stop the slaughter and establishment Jews went along with FDR in keeping quiet about the mass murders taking place. There should be no tie between actions against Iran and peace with the Palestinian Arabs because there is none. Beware the ties being made by BHO and the Moslem world. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 This article was written with an ideological bias. To get the truth click on "study". You will read exactly what was asked and replied. It is not difficult to understand the meanings of the answers. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Ms. Clinton is following the lead of Obama while allowing him the ability to state that she is stating her opinions, not mine. As to the Arab support of the Palestinians, it is limited to words. Any more concrete support is dependent on how it will further the advancement of of policies of the donators. The Arabs are very hopeful that Israel will attack and destroy the nuclear capabilities of Iran. Remember that Iran is not Arab. Any damage to Arabs as a result of an Iranian or Iranian sponsored attack on Israel is of minor importance to them. If the Arab world were interested in Palestinians and a State of Palestine, they would be helping to build the infrastructure and physical well being of this state. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 I look forward to reading the list of those Ms. Shabazz are seeking reparations from and what she has done to combat the kidnappings for slaves that are currently going on. I would not be surprised if the nations that she will be seeking reparations from are all located in the West. I look forward to seeing the tape of her actions during Durban II. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 It is interesting how the so called liberal groups are willing to try to blackball speakers who disagree with them. It is also interesting that the national Hadassah group would not allow Steinlight to speak "solo" without an opposing speaker presenting their side. Will they do the same when a senator who approves of the granting of citizenship to illegal immigrants speaks? I think not, fredom of speech has it's limits especially when the speaker voices opinions against liberal views. I love the phrase liberal immigration policies, doesn't it sound so much better than leave the illegals alone? The left wing, oops, liberals really dislike allowing their more literate opponents the chance to speak in public. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Haaretz should be made to print the findings that the reports were hearsay and rumors in the same manner and frequency as the original and subsequent articles. Front page for front page, 3 days of coverage for 3 days and in the same prominance. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 It is too bad that the JTA will not give a full and honest report. The residents of Bat Ayin were attacked by rock throwing Arabs while being escorted by members of the IDF after they had coordinated their actions with government representatives. After incidents of this nature it is a given that there will be claims of Israelis entering villages, damaging homes and cars and shots being fired. Why not give a breakdown of the injured and what their injuries were? Only injuries personally seen by the reporters should be printed. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 The ramifications are supposed to go beyond the terrorist and his family. They are meant for the Arabs to think about what they are doing and what the results will be. Those who voted for Obama will reap his actions. He and his government will prove very bad for the survival of Israel if his ideas are followed. If the Arabs see what their actions will bring they may consider working toward coexistence and a real peace, not a peace while we build up for the next aggression. Since the U.N., the E.U. and a large portion of the world want proportionality, how would they like it if Israel started to retaliate proportionately. A terrorist kills and wounds a number of Israelis, Israel carries out an equal number of Arab casualties. An insane proposal? probably but Israel is condemned for taking a less proportional response. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 J street appears to be a very well funded organization, from where? They are the darlings of the left wing and thus get press far above their real importance and numbers. To many Jews, being labeled as belonging to the right wing is like being called a dirty name. Too many Jews are ignorant of anything not printed in the N.Y. Times and it's sister publications or has come over the air on PBS, CNN, etc.. Their lack of education must fall at the feet of their parents. Unfortunately it seems that a strong dose of anti-Semitism hitting close to home will be needed to wake them up. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Archie could use a good dose of reality. Your lack of knowledge is exhibited by your statement that members of the IDF have ,..."a great hate for Gentiles especially Palestinians." It is also the hatred spread by rabbis that add to their brutality according to you. You could do well writing for the Arab press. According to later reports, the soldiers that gave these statements were not on the scene, they reported what they heard. The man who organized the conference has his own left wing bias that he did well to put forth to a general press only looking for stories such as these to report. If the IDF was looking to inflict casualties on Arab civilians, the numbers would be far, far greater. The terrorists look to fight from civilian areas knowing that the IDF is reluctant to cause civilian deaths and that any deaths can be exploited to friendly media outlets. You should concentrate on the last few paragraphs instead of giving free wind to you preconcieved notions. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 What arrogance and chutzpah for a group of Jews to want to march in an Israeli town , flying the Israeli flag, It was the Arabs who prepared for the assaults on the marchers and police by stockpiling rocks in order to use them. This town is one that gives validity to Lieberman's call for a loyalty oath, for all Israelis. There is great support for the extremist Northern Islamist Movement, there was cheering during the bombardments of Israel during the last troubles with Lebanon, there is support for the actions of the terrorists from Gaza and there was loyalty shown to Saddam during the '91 war. The rioting and assaults against the police continued for hours after the marchers had left. The mayor had warned that the inhabitants would block entrance to the town with their bodies and that the street was "boiling" over. It is the actions of citizens of Umm el Fahm that is feeding the reactions against them. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 The story may not have been written as clearly as possible but it shouldn't have been too hard to figure out that it was the residents of Umm el Fahm and their left wing allies who were attempting to assault the marchers and the police. It is interesting that it is always reported that stones are thrown and not rocks. I guess that the use of the description stones has a less dangerous quality to it. It would be eye opening if one were able to see the films taken of the Arabs hurling the rocks at police. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 The author of this article could use some lessons in journalism. In other reports there were 100 marchers, not 50. The march lasted a lot longer than 15 minutes. About 12 police officers were injured by rocks hurled by the Arabs and their allies. Those Arabs and their left wing supporters were injured in conflicts with the police. I don't understand why the residents of Umm el Fahm are confounded by their bad reputation when the actions of many of their citizens during the conflicts against Hizbollah, Hamas, the PA have been against the State of Israel. Many stress their allegiance to the PA and other Arab organizations but become very indignant when people like Lieberman seek to give them what they want. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 I am awaiting the replies to these two priests from the Pope. This is their answer to his reaching out to bring them back into "the fold." It is up to the Pope to take actions to rebuke the beliefs and pronouncements of these two as well as any others. They are challenging one of the basic tenets of the church, the primacy of the Pope. It is up to Catholics to straighten out their church, Jews should stay away. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 One doesn't know if games are being played with words. What does not actively seeking Carter's advice mean? That he didn't directly ask for his advice, but asked an underling to have Carter give his advice? Which group is distorting the facts? Carter can be considered to be on the P.A. Team. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Israel's "..inability to transform the Palestinians (sic?) from enemies into friends," is due to the fact that the Israeli's desire to continue to live in the Land of Israel is paramount. The "sic" was written after Palestinian because it should read Palestinian Arab! All those living in the land of the British Palestine Mandate legally, had papers identifying them as "Palestinian." As examples of the use of Palestine in a non-Arab sense are the newspaper, The Palestine Post and the Palestine Philharmonic Orchestra. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 It is unfortunate that the organizations called for his exclusion. Allow him to participate and speak. If his remarks are inappropriate, comments can be made. Now he can claim that the Jews are using their power to silence him. It would be better to give him free speech so that he can condemn himself. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 I hope that when the artillery shells were inspected some type of GPS device was attached to some of them to track their journey. If they head for the Egyptian-Gaza border, air strikes should be called in. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 How can Hamas resume control when they never lost it? Israel should have warned those in danger of injury when the tunnels that housed the gas pipelines would be bombed so they could flee. To leave them intact was foolish, they should be bombed. The same for all other tunnels even now. There is little reason for Egypt to stop the smuggling. No foreign aid should flow through Hamas. Internation organizations should handle the rebuilding through out Gaza. This will prevent the constructing of tunnels and bunkers along with buildings to house civilians. Let he who pays the fiddler call the tunes. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Mr. Falk would make a better impression if he were mute. Then he wouldn't be heard making such foolish statements. An "unintentional seige"? It seems to be in vogue to bring up the Warsaw Ghetto to state the plight of the Palestinian Arabs. These fools have little knowledge of history. Better to investigate the use of civilians to shield military supplies, implacements, staging areas and military bases by the brave Arab warriors. They might also investigate the use of schools, mosques, hospitals and UN buildings under the watchful eyes of UN personnel. Unfortunately this will not progress the anti-Israel and anti-Jewish programs of those pushing for the investigations of the IDF and Israel. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 All who read this article should read "this short dispatch." It tells the mind set of the terrorists that Israel is facing and the wotld periodically faces. hose who don't read the dispatch will miss the admission of this martyr wannabe that they flee into houses when Israel strikes back too quickly. Why are there so many civilian casualties? Read the dispatch. It is only through the efforts of the IDF and their leaders that there are not far more. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 I don't understand why you did not tell the full story about the woman and child who were killed. According to the report, "Fighter Sees His Paradise in Gaza's Pain," N.Y. Times, 01/09/09, p.A1, Dr. Awni-al-Jaru, the husband of those killed, "...said Hamas militants next to his apartment building had fired mortar and rocket rounds. Israel fired back with force..." One must also take with a "grain of salt" the statistics put out by the U.N. operatives as well as Palestinian Arabs. Depending on whom one reads, 40% of those killed were "civilians." If this is accurate and the article is correct that 33% are children, that means that 7% were adult women and men. I imagine that the bodies of killed terrorists and where possible their wounded are removed to be treated or buried in private to keep down their casualty figures. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Mr. Rosenberg is wearing blinders when he seeks to separate the attack against the Chabad House as anti-Israel and not anti-Jewish. It was done to support the Palestinians according to the terrorist and Mr. Rosenberg. According to the terrorists all Jews and their institutions are Zionist and rightful targets. If Mr. Rosonberg is a student of history he will note that Pakistan was formed as a Moslem state and India predominently Hindu. A the time of the founding of both nations there was an exchange of populations. The unrest in Kashmir is a direct result of the clash of religions. Just because his political views rest on the separation of Jews and Zionists in his eyes does not make it true in the eyes of the Moslem believers. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 The "direct assault on the rule of law," could be directed at the Supreme Court. Instead of allowing the Jews to reside in the "disputed house" until the Jerusalem Court that was hearing the case regarding ownership ruled on who in fact owned the building, they ruled that the gov't. CAN evict those residing within it's walls. It did not rule that immediate expulsion should take place. The court ruled that the Jews moved into the building in violation of the law. It had nothing to do with ownership. One must remember that the Arab who sold the building to the Jews can face the death penalty if convicted of going through with the sale. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 The author should reread the decision of the High Court. It DID NOT rule that the house was not owned by the Jews. It ruled that the way the house was OCCUPIED by the Jews was against the law. It referred the deciding of the ownership of the house back to the lower court. The High Court ruled that the gov't CAN evict the Jews but did not say that they MUST do so IMMEDIATELY. I can only hope that Barak will also order such forceful actions against the terrorists bombing the south 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 The High Court DID NOT rule that an immediate evacuation must take place. It ruled that it COULD take place. There is a big difference. Once more the courts have worked with the government to give a legal cloak to political decisions. The evacuation could have waited for the lower court to decide if the ownership belongs to the Jews who purchased the house. One must remember that it is a capital offense under PA law to sell property to a Jew and this is why the Arab insists that no sale took place. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Mr. Rosenberg seems to have forgotten that the Saudi Plan was presented as a "Take it or leave it," plan. It is interesting that all of the 'settlers' must leave areas to be ruled by the Arabs without being offered the choice of staying under Arab rule. It seems as if there is no place for Jews in some Arab territory. Go back in time and read what was stated when the Saudi Plan was first presented. Suicide is not an option 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Lebanon is unable to control Hizbollah because it doesn't want to. If this is true Israel should call for a meeting of the U.N. Security Council and present it's evidence. If the UNSC refuses to call a meeting, Israel should arrange for a press conference and present the evidence to the world. At the same time Israel should declare that if the UN does not take actions against the violation of 1701 at a certain date, Israel will feel free to take any action against threats to Israeli security. howiej 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00