Thursday, June 25, 2009

1. Gilad Shalit - Today is three years since Gilad Shalit was captured by Hamas. As noted in this article, "[t]he Hamas terrorists who have been holding him hostage have allowed no one to see or contact him, including representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). It is impossible to know whether Shalit is even alive, although Israeli officials have stressed they believe he still is."

It is unbelievable that the wonderful humanitarians in Hamas have been permitted to deny Shalit even the most basic rights of a prisoner of war. And in my opinion, if they do not treat Shalit as a POW, it is because that they know themselves what all their apologists seem unable to fathom - that they are terrorists, plain and simple, and that he is a kidnap victim, not a POW. And the world has said nothing. We must all remember Gilad and push for his freedom - I think that in some small way, and at least until he is freed, every Jewish person has a part of Gilad in them.

2. Speaking of the World's Hypocrisy - Here is a very apt editorial from Israel's Maariv newspaper on the silence of the Western leftists over Iran - “Where is Everyone?”.

I know from first-hand observation that during the recent Gaza incursion, there were numerous noisy anti-Israel rallies in Halifax, as well as outraged letters to the editor and the like. These events were well attended by leftists who supported Hamas - think about the contradiction of that for a second, but not too long because you will hurt your head - and who were vehemently anti-Israel.

So during the events in Iran, where are they? The only protest I have seen here is a small gathering of Iranian émigrés in front of the Public Gardens. I do not believe that I have even seen one earnest, anguished letter to the editor.

And in case you are thinking that things are getting better in Iran - think again. And again:

Oh - it's that double standard thing again.

3. By The Way, Here's What the Leftists are Doing - They are continuing to push to boycott Israel, for sanctions and divestment. Like Scottish Trade Unions have nothing better to do....

4. Hilary Was Wrong! - It turns out that the Secretary of State was wrong in her assertion that no understandings had been reached between the US and Israel on settlements. Elliott Abrams, who handled Middle Eastern Affairs for the National Security Council from 2001-2009, has written a strong op-ed piece in today's Wall Street Journal that completely contradicts Mrs. Clinton's statements Of note in particular was this concluding comment:

"Regardless of what Mrs. Clinton has said, there was a bargained-for exchange. Mr. Sharon was determined to break the deadlock, withdraw from Gaza, remove settlements -- and confront his former allies on Israel's right by abandoning the "Greater Israel" position to endorse Palestinian statehood and limits on settlement growth. He asked for our support and got it, including the agreement that we would not demand a total settlement freeze.

For reasons that remain unclear, the Obama administration has decided to abandon the understandings about settlements reached by the previous administration with the Israeli government. We may be abandoning the deal now, but we cannot rewrite history and make believe it did not exist."

Oh, and by the way - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton fell and broke her right arm yesterday. The same day she was telling Israel, yet again, how they will accept nothing less than a complete cessation of construction in the settlements. - If I forget thee O Jerusalem, let my right hand wither... אם אשכחך ירושלים תשכח ימיני. And also, this story should not come as a surprise.

5. Here's a Shocker! - The New York Times reports that Documents Back Saudi Link to Extremists. This gets today's coveted "Captain Renault Award":

6. Today's Smile - one of my favorite commercials of all time: