1. The Palestinian Authority led by Mahmoud Abbas refuses to recognize Israel as a Jewish State - refers to it as a provocation - even when President Obama spoke in Turkey about the two state solution, he referred to "a Palestinian state and a Jewish state”.
2. The Durban II farce is almost upon us. A group of true human rights advocates has gathered in Geneva to protest the charade that is about to unfold. (though true to form, a group of the usual suspects has gathered to counter-protest). Meanwhile, back in the real world, it is indeed encouraging that Holland and Australia have decided to boycott Durban II. Israel and Canada decided to do so long ago, and the US has finally decided not to attend.
3. Victor Davis Hanson writes about the lessons to be learned from President Obama's recent European trip
4. David Horovitz reflects on what now passes for free speech on campus - to which I can add my own experience from last month, when Dr. Yossi Olmert was treated by shocking rudeness and antagonism while speaking at St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
5. Hypocrisy Alert - from Jihad Watch - Islamic scholars will meet to discuss religious tolerance under sharia in Mecca, where non-Muslims cannot enter
Britain seems to be taking the lead in permitting people to say anything - well, not all people, but certain radical Muslim groups - at a rally in London, Dr Imran Waheed of Hizb ut Tahrir, told followers that there could be "no peace" with Israel and urged them to "fight in the way of Allah".
Hizb ut-Tahrir, which has been banned in Saudi Arabia, also distributed leaflets calling for the elimination of Israel. The reaction from the Brits has been politically correct nonsense - Patrick Mercer, the Tory chairman of the Commons Counter-Terrorism Subcommittee, said Dr Waheed's comments appeared to represent "incitement to violence" - pardon me - "appeared to represent"?
Also - a bureaucrat stated that "the group's status was being reassessed in light of the latest remarks but said that the decision to proscribe an organisation must be "proportionate"...." - whatever the heck that really means.
And, in my humble opinion, observing the right of free speech is not the same as allowing people to say whatever they want. I am pretty sure that if someone were to present the directly opposite view (not that I advocate it), the reaction would be much more vigorous.
Understandable (?)
(turn on sarcasm meters) - I mean, they do have an obligation to throw a big wedding bash for friends and family - shooting them for not doing so only seems fair! (reset sarcasm meters)
Doublespeak at its Best
I can't even figure out the mindset that gives rise to saying this with a straight face.
I'm not really surprised
I must say that this does not surprise me very much - the US is reconsidering attending Durban II
Is the the start of the anticipated (in some quarters) Obama slide from Israel?
Is the the start of the anticipated (in some quarters) Obama slide from Israel?
Riots over Lego Depiction of Jesus
Riots, threats, violence - this has it all
Well, not really. But it isn't hard to imagine if the circumstances were different.
And a Lego Jesus beats the heck out of seeing an image on a ceiling or a muffin.
IMHO
Well, not really. But it isn't hard to imagine if the circumstances were different.
And a Lego Jesus beats the heck out of seeing an image on a ceiling or a muffin.
IMHO
Someone disagrees with Hitchens on Galloway
and apparently Hitchens now concurs - see this blog entry
J Street Lobby Group - what do they stand for?
"The creation last year of J Street was, at first glance, a laudable embodiment of this penchant. Unlike established pro-Israel organizations that see their role as supporting Israel in a hostile world, J Street has been forthright about its intention to criticize the Israeli government from a dovish perspective. That's fair and welcome. But in such perilous times for the Jewish state and world Jewry in general, it's appalling that an ostensibly "pro-Israel" organization like J Street would transmogrify the worthy Jewish tradition of self-criticism into a farce of self-loathing."
Check out the full opinion piece
Check out the full opinion piece
The Der Spiegel interview with Ahmadinejad
Here is the actual interview of Ahmadinejad from Der Speigel
Ahmadinejad wants badly to meet the mystical 12th Imam - personally, it would not bother me if he went (by himself) on an all-expenses paid trip, the sooner the better.
Ahmadinejad wants badly to meet the mystical 12th Imam - personally, it would not bother me if he went (by himself) on an all-expenses paid trip, the sooner the better.
Column from Jerusalem Post
When you're talking missiles, the world can become a small place in a hurry - maybe people will sit up and take notice once they understand that Europe, Asia and North America are vulnerable.
A person who I took to have pretty good inside info once told me that the easiest thing about missile development is making it go further - the hard part is making it go boom when and where you want. So yet again, Israel is the canary in the coal mine.
A person who I took to have pretty good inside info once told me that the easiest thing about missile development is making it go further - the hard part is making it go boom when and where you want. So yet again, Israel is the canary in the coal mine.
Say it ain't so!
A bomb factory under a mosque - couldn't be....and uncovered by the Palestinian Authority no less.
Hezbollah's at it again
Maybe Nasrallah's plan will backfire and he will have provoked Egypt - either way, (the victorious?) leader of Hezbollah may want to stay underground and out of sight for an awfully long time...or risk lead poisoning......
Peace with Syria?
A lot of people have suggested that peace with Syria may be the next easiest thing to achieve - on the basis that there are not the same land and religious issues - well, this interview suggests otherwise.
Noteworthy comment - "A peace agreement,” he said, “is a piece of paper you sign. This does not mean trade and normal relations, or borders, or otherwise.”
Noteworthy comment - "A peace agreement,” he said, “is a piece of paper you sign. This does not mean trade and normal relations, or borders, or otherwise.”
Signing Off for Passover
Trying to end on a happier note - here is the story of "My Seder with Brando"
Will not be posting again until Sunday the 12th due to the first 2 days of Passover and Shabbat.
Chag Kasher V'Sameach to my Jewish friends, and wishing my Christian friends a happy Easter celebration.
Will not be posting again until Sunday the 12th due to the first 2 days of Passover and Shabbat.
Chag Kasher V'Sameach to my Jewish friends, and wishing my Christian friends a happy Easter celebration.
Worrisome Articles
Here are three admittedly alarming articles by Melanie Philips, Cliff Thier and Stuart Schwartz.
One can say that they are the canaries in the coal-mine, or that they are Chicken Little prophets of doom - but I think that the articles need to be read and considered. (The reader comment debate under the Philips article is very interesting).
It worries me to see how the interpretation of anti-Semitism, the Shoah and Israel can shift gradually and gradually until it is entirely changed, by which time it may be too late. Whether or not one likes the historical comparison, look how the Nazis gradually and gradually pushed Jews to the edges of German society before embarking on the extermination phase of the Shoah - the preparation was extremely important, especially with respect to the German population at large.
One can say that they are the canaries in the coal-mine, or that they are Chicken Little prophets of doom - but I think that the articles need to be read and considered. (The reader comment debate under the Philips article is very interesting).
It worries me to see how the interpretation of anti-Semitism, the Shoah and Israel can shift gradually and gradually until it is entirely changed, by which time it may be too late. Whether or not one likes the historical comparison, look how the Nazis gradually and gradually pushed Jews to the edges of German society before embarking on the extermination phase of the Shoah - the preparation was extremely important, especially with respect to the German population at large.
Seems like a strange thing to say
“We will convey,” said Barack Obama to the Turkish Parliament Monday, “our deep appreciation for the Islamic faith, which has done so much over the centuries to shape the world — including in my own country.”
I thought that I knew a lot about American history and culture, but obviously, I've missed something important.
Robert Spencer, an authority on Islam and the publisher of Jihad Watch wrote this commentary
Naturally - it's Jewish Conspiracy!!
Last week brought us this terrible story from Pakistan. But now everything is clear - it's Jewish conspiracy
Disgraceful Comment of the Day
It seems that no day passes without someone saying something utterly disgraceful about Jews, Israel or the Holocaust.
Infamous French Fascist Jean-Marie Le Pen has duly obliged with this vile utterance
I hope that he can stand the possible punishment - "Next week the European Parliament will determine whether Le Pen will be sanctioned for his remarks, with a possible maximum penalty of a 10-day suspension." After all - the guy was only exercising his right of free speech!
Infamous French Fascist Jean-Marie Le Pen has duly obliged with this vile utterance
I hope that he can stand the possible punishment - "Next week the European Parliament will determine whether Le Pen will be sanctioned for his remarks, with a possible maximum penalty of a 10-day suspension." After all - the guy was only exercising his right of free speech!
While cozying up to Hezbollah, the UK has problems of its own
Whatever you do, do not offend Muslims. If necessary, even throw Christians to the lions. Jews are a given.
Ending the Conditional Legitimacy
Caroline Glick has an detailed article about Israel's growing diplomatic isolation and the cozying up of various countries, especially in the EU, to Hamas, Hezbollah, etc.
Much of the current controversy stems from comments made last week by new Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman. Glick asserts that what he really said was:
"...that the Netanyahu government will not accept a Palestinian terror state. That is, all he said was that Israel's support for Palestinian statehood is contingent on Palestinian behavior. Additionally, Lieberman correctly pointed out that Israel's own international position has been harmed rather than advanced by its willingness to compromise its positions and accept those of its Palestinian adversaries..."
If her interpretation is correct, then it seems to me that what he said made sense. IMHO.
Much of the current controversy stems from comments made last week by new Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman. Glick asserts that what he really said was:
"...that the Netanyahu government will not accept a Palestinian terror state. That is, all he said was that Israel's support for Palestinian statehood is contingent on Palestinian behavior. Additionally, Lieberman correctly pointed out that Israel's own international position has been harmed rather than advanced by its willingness to compromise its positions and accept those of its Palestinian adversaries..."
If her interpretation is correct, then it seems to me that what he said made sense. IMHO.
There are so many things to call this post
How about - "Bitter Irony"? Or "What Goes Around, Comes Around"? There are others that are more tasteless, but I will skip them.
In any event, the Taliban have threatened to execute a Canadian female convert to Islam - who runs a controversial pro-Islamic web magazine. See also - Ottawa Citizen article
When you go to some of the worst areas on earth, do not be surprised if bad stuff happens. And please do not be surprised if Canada does not do anything to rescue you.
In any event, the Taliban have threatened to execute a Canadian female convert to Islam - who runs a controversial pro-Islamic web magazine. See also - Ottawa Citizen article
When you go to some of the worst areas on earth, do not be surprised if bad stuff happens. And please do not be surprised if Canada does not do anything to rescue you.
The Devil is in the Detail
Not that I condone the defamation of a religion - any religion - (which by the way is separate and distinct from legitimate criticism of a religion), but The Economist has an important piece on why freedom of speech must include the right to do so.
The young face of radical Islam
Each and every day, this type of hate is on television - targeted at the youngest and most vulnerable.
If Hamas and Fatah and Hezbollah were really interested in peace, wouldn't they be showing something else? How can the Israelis ever expect to make peace with that type of leadership?
Israelis long for life - the Palestinian leadership wants their people to long for death.
Absolutely tragic.
If Hamas and Fatah and Hezbollah were really interested in peace, wouldn't they be showing something else? How can the Israelis ever expect to make peace with that type of leadership?
Israelis long for life - the Palestinian leadership wants their people to long for death.
Absolutely tragic.
Radical Islam rears its ugly head
The latest from Afghanistan - kowtowing to the "powerful Shia minority" - does not bode well, and makes a mockery of the incredible sacrifices of Canadian soldiers (and others) who have fought and died to liberate Afghanistan from the repressive Taliban regime, and then protect it from the insurgency.
Fatwa du jour
...and this is from the chief cleric of the Palestinian Authority - supposedly Israel's partner in peace. Wow.
Background on Israel's New Government
Here is a very useful backgrounder prepared by the Canada-Israel Committee
Here's tolerance....
I am not going to wait for the anguished cries of shame and remorse - here's today's new high in low.
There are no words
But I will try - sickening, disgraceful, abomination - come to mind.
Terrorist attack (with an axe) in Bat Ayin
Terrorist attack (with an axe) in Bat Ayin
Louis Farrakhan
Check this out - and I don't think it was an April Fool's Day prank.
It's just open season on Jews, I guess. There won't be any backlash, no apology, nothing. DISGRACEFUL.
Not sure Louie would like it much if we revised the history of slavery.....that Amistad stuff was all made up, and there were maybe just a few hundred slaves who were well cared for - no big deal.......
It's just open season on Jews, I guess. There won't be any backlash, no apology, nothing. DISGRACEFUL.
Not sure Louie would like it much if we revised the history of slavery.....that Amistad stuff was all made up, and there were maybe just a few hundred slaves who were well cared for - no big deal.......
Christopher Hitchens on George Galloway
As usual, outspoken Christopher Hitchens has an interesting take on an issue - this time it's toxic clown George Galloway.
I tend to agree with a lot of what he says, but I do have a problem with the notion that when these guys show up to give a lecture or whatever, there is an opportunity to challenge them on their views.
I have personally attended these types of meetings, and my personal experience is that the last thing the organizers allow is anything amounting to a challenge - the appearances I am familiar with are very tightly scripted and dissenting points of view are simply not tolerated.
I tend to agree with a lot of what he says, but I do have a problem with the notion that when these guys show up to give a lecture or whatever, there is an opportunity to challenge them on their views.
I have personally attended these types of meetings, and my personal experience is that the last thing the organizers allow is anything amounting to a challenge - the appearances I am familiar with are very tightly scripted and dissenting points of view are simply not tolerated.
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