Liverpool Israel Support Team - LISTliverpool@live.co.uk
Friday, July 09, 2010BETWEEN THE LINES The phony Mid east debate Exclusive: Joseph Farah clears up historical myths meant to cast Israel as Goliath Posted: July 09, 20101:00 am Eastern By Joseph Farah
Israel has lost its best friend and ally in the world – the United States of America.There's no denying the fact that Barack Obama has dramatically shifted U.S. policy toward the Middle East in a way that favours the so-called "Palestinian" cause at the expense of the Jewish state.Back in 1967, the world was stunned and amazed as the underdog state of Israel, surrounded by Arab armies, seemingly on the verge of annihilation, routed its enemies in six days.
There was no talk of a "Palestinian state" in 1967.
The Arab states were determined to destroy Israel and claim the territory for themselves. There had been no state of Palestine before – not in the entire history of the world.But after that stunning military victory by Israel, a new strategy was developed by Yasser Arafat, with the support of the Arab countries, to change tactics and reframe the terms of the debate over the conflict.Instead of a war of conquest by numerically superior Arab armies, Arafat, with the help of the Soviet Union, began a long campaign to redefine the struggle as one by indigenous people, the Palestinians, to liberate their land from foreign occupiers.Never mind that Arafat himself was an Egyptian or that most of the so-called "Palestinians" had actually been citizens of Jordan or other Arab countries and had freely emigrated to Israel because of its economic boom over the previous decades, coinciding with Jewish immigration and ingenuity. The historical narrative had been successfully rewritten.
And historical narratives are powerful propaganda devices.Do you believe in miracles? Learn how Israel has persevered despite its many enemies, in the DVD chronicle: "Against All Odds: Israel Survives"Today, billions of people all over the world actually believe that the "Palestinians" are just in their quest for a homeland they never knew, a homeland that never existed, a homeland that is as fictitious as their rewritten historical narrative.Myths can be powerful. Myths can be difficult to overcome. Myths are what shape the Middle East debate and conflict today.
The talk of "justice" for Palestinians resonates in the ears of the world. Israel, once seen as David, has been successfully recast in the public's mind as a Goliath.Obscured amid all the mythmaking has been the actual title deed to the land of Israel.To whom does it actually belong?Historically, there is no question about that.The Jews were largely driven out of the land in the first century, dispersed throughout the whole world. But the Jews, unlike perhaps any other people in the history of the world, maintained their Jewish culture and identity – always longing for a return to their one and only homeland as promised by God in their holy Scriptures.Once conquered, the land of Israel was neglected and remained largely uninhabited. A Jewish presence was always maintained there.
At the beginning of the 20th century, this was still the case – with the majority of the population of Jerusalem and surrounding areas being Jewish.The world watched in the 1930s and 1940s as Adolf Hitler began his extermination campaign against the Jews. The world prevented Jews from escaping to the U.S. and to the land now known as Israel. Half the world's Jewish population was killed.Even after that horrific Holocaust, there was international resistance to the Jews returning to their one and only homeland, still largely unpopulated, untamed, undeveloped.But, just as the prophet Isaiah foretold (Isaiah 66:8) in the Jewish Scriptures, the nation of Israel was, in 1948, reborn in a day.
This is not occupation, as the world suggests. This is a people defending their one and only homeland against the most vicious and unjustified attacks imaginable.Is it any wonder Barack Obama would be on the wrong side of this conflict?Let me suggest that being on the wrong side of this conflict is, definitionally, being on the wrong side of history and on the wrong side of God's plan for all humanity.
Israel has lost its best friend and ally in the world – the United States of America.There's no denying the fact that Barack Obama has dramatically shifted U.S. policy toward the Middle East in a way that favours the so-called "Palestinian" cause at the expense of the Jewish state.Back in 1967, the world was stunned and amazed as the underdog state of Israel, surrounded by Arab armies, seemingly on the verge of annihilation, routed its enemies in six days.
There was no talk of a "Palestinian state" in 1967.
The Arab states were determined to destroy Israel and claim the territory for themselves. There had been no state of Palestine before – not in the entire history of the world.But after that stunning military victory by Israel, a new strategy was developed by Yasser Arafat, with the support of the Arab countries, to change tactics and reframe the terms of the debate over the conflict.Instead of a war of conquest by numerically superior Arab armies, Arafat, with the help of the Soviet Union, began a long campaign to redefine the struggle as one by indigenous people, the Palestinians, to liberate their land from foreign occupiers.Never mind that Arafat himself was an Egyptian or that most of the so-called "Palestinians" had actually been citizens of Jordan or other Arab countries and had freely emigrated to Israel because of its economic boom over the previous decades, coinciding with Jewish immigration and ingenuity. The historical narrative had been successfully rewritten.
And historical narratives are powerful propaganda devices.Do you believe in miracles? Learn how Israel has persevered despite its many enemies, in the DVD chronicle: "Against All Odds: Israel Survives"Today, billions of people all over the world actually believe that the "Palestinians" are just in their quest for a homeland they never knew, a homeland that never existed, a homeland that is as fictitious as their rewritten historical narrative.Myths can be powerful. Myths can be difficult to overcome. Myths are what shape the Middle East debate and conflict today.
The talk of "justice" for Palestinians resonates in the ears of the world. Israel, once seen as David, has been successfully recast in the public's mind as a Goliath.Obscured amid all the mythmaking has been the actual title deed to the land of Israel.To whom does it actually belong?Historically, there is no question about that.The Jews were largely driven out of the land in the first century, dispersed throughout the whole world. But the Jews, unlike perhaps any other people in the history of the world, maintained their Jewish culture and identity – always longing for a return to their one and only homeland as promised by God in their holy Scriptures.Once conquered, the land of Israel was neglected and remained largely uninhabited. A Jewish presence was always maintained there.
At the beginning of the 20th century, this was still the case – with the majority of the population of Jerusalem and surrounding areas being Jewish.The world watched in the 1930s and 1940s as Adolf Hitler began his extermination campaign against the Jews. The world prevented Jews from escaping to the U.S. and to the land now known as Israel. Half the world's Jewish population was killed.Even after that horrific Holocaust, there was international resistance to the Jews returning to their one and only homeland, still largely unpopulated, untamed, undeveloped.But, just as the prophet Isaiah foretold (Isaiah 66:8) in the Jewish Scriptures, the nation of Israel was, in 1948, reborn in a day.
This is not occupation, as the world suggests. This is a people defending their one and only homeland against the most vicious and unjustified attacks imaginable.Is it any wonder Barack Obama would be on the wrong side of this conflict?Let me suggest that being on the wrong side of this conflict is, definitionally, being on the wrong side of history and on the wrong side of God's plan for all humanity.
THE ISRAEL INFORMATION CENTRE
TOGETHER WITH
KING DAVID SCHOOLS
INVITE YOU TO A VERY UNIQUE MEETING WITH
MR MATTHEW GOULD MBE
NEWLY APPOINTED
BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO ISRAEL
ON WEDNESDAY 21ST JULY 2010 AT 8.00PM
Mr Gould was, to date, Principal Secretary to Foreign Secretaries, David Miliband and William Hague
During the course of his distinguished career in the Foreign Office, he has served in both Islamabad as Political Counsellor and in Tehran as Deputy Head of Mission.
Due to security measures the venue will be provided on application
To apply for seats, please contact the Israel Information Centre on
0161 721 4344 or Email iicmcr@clara.co.uk
142 Bury Old Road, Manchester, M8 4HE Tel: 0161 721 4344
Mobile: 07850 296809 E-mail: iicmcr@clara.co.uk www.london.mfa.gov.il
TOGETHER WITH
KING DAVID SCHOOLS
INVITE YOU TO A VERY UNIQUE MEETING WITH
MR MATTHEW GOULD MBE
NEWLY APPOINTED
BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO ISRAEL
ON WEDNESDAY 21ST JULY 2010 AT 8.00PM
Mr Gould was, to date, Principal Secretary to Foreign Secretaries, David Miliband and William Hague
During the course of his distinguished career in the Foreign Office, he has served in both Islamabad as Political Counsellor and in Tehran as Deputy Head of Mission.
Due to security measures the venue will be provided on application
To apply for seats, please contact the Israel Information Centre on
0161 721 4344 or Email iicmcr@clara.co.uk
142 Bury Old Road, Manchester, M8 4HE Tel: 0161 721 4344
Mobile: 07850 296809 E-mail: iicmcr@clara.co.uk www.london.mfa.gov.il
Statement from Board of Deputies and the Jewish Leadership Council: Methodist Conference 30 June 2010
This is a very sad day, both for Jewish-Methodist relations and for everyone who wants to see positive engagement with the complex issues of Israeli-Palestinian relations. The Methodist Conference has swallowed hook, line and sinker a report full of basic historical inaccuracies, deliberate misrepresentations and distortions of Jewish theology and Israeli policy. The deeply flawed report is symptomatic of a biased process: The working group which wrote the report had already formed its conclusions at the outset. External readers were brought in to give the process a veneer of impartiality, but their criticisms were rejected. The report’s authors have abused the trust of ordinary members of the Methodist Church, who assumed that they were reading and voting on an impartial and comprehensive paper, and they have abused the goodwill of the Jewish community, which tried to engage with this issue, only to find that our efforts were treated as an unwelcome distraction. This outcome is extremely serious and damaging, as we and others have explained repeatedly over recent weeks. Israel is at the root of the identity of Jews and of Judaism, and as an expression of Jewish spiritual, national and emotional aspirations, Zionism cannot simply be ruled as illegitimate in the way that the Methodist Conference has purported to do. This smacks of breathtaking insensitivity, as crass as it is misinformed. That this position should now form the basis of Methodist Church policy should cause the Conference to hang its head in shame, just as surely as it will cause the enemies of peace and reconciliation to cheer from the sidelines.
This is a very sad day, both for Jewish-Methodist relations and for everyone who wants to see positive engagement with the complex issues of Israeli-Palestinian relations. The Methodist Conference has swallowed hook, line and sinker a report full of basic historical inaccuracies, deliberate misrepresentations and distortions of Jewish theology and Israeli policy. The deeply flawed report is symptomatic of a biased process: The working group which wrote the report had already formed its conclusions at the outset. External readers were brought in to give the process a veneer of impartiality, but their criticisms were rejected. The report’s authors have abused the trust of ordinary members of the Methodist Church, who assumed that they were reading and voting on an impartial and comprehensive paper, and they have abused the goodwill of the Jewish community, which tried to engage with this issue, only to find that our efforts were treated as an unwelcome distraction. This outcome is extremely serious and damaging, as we and others have explained repeatedly over recent weeks. Israel is at the root of the identity of Jews and of Judaism, and as an expression of Jewish spiritual, national and emotional aspirations, Zionism cannot simply be ruled as illegitimate in the way that the Methodist Conference has purported to do. This smacks of breathtaking insensitivity, as crass as it is misinformed. That this position should now form the basis of Methodist Church policy should cause the Conference to hang its head in shame, just as surely as it will cause the enemies of peace and reconciliation to cheer from the sidelines.
Statement from Board of Deputies and the Jewish Leadership Council: Methodist Conference 30 June 2010
This is a very sad day, both for Jewish-Methodist relations and for everyone who wants to see positive engagement with the complex issues of Israeli-Palestinian relations. The Methodist Conference has swallowed hook, line and sinker a report full of basic historical inaccuracies, deliberate misrepresentations and distortions of Jewish theology and Israeli policy. The deeply flawed report is symptomatic of a biased process: The working group which wrote the report had already formed its conclusions at the outset. External readers were brought in to give the process a veneer of impartiality, but their criticisms were rejected. The report’s authors have abused the trust of ordinary members of the Methodist Church, who assumed that they were reading and voting on an impartial and comprehensive paper, and they have abused the goodwill of the Jewish community, which tried to engage with this issue, only to find that our efforts were treated as an unwelcome distraction. This outcome is extremely serious and damaging, as we and others have explained repeatedly over recent weeks. Israel is at the root of the identity of Jews and of Judaism, and as an expression of Jewish spiritual, national and emotional aspirations, Zionism cannot simply be ruled as illegitimate in the way that the Methodist Conference has purported to do. This smacks of breathtaking insensitivity, as crass as it is misinformed. That this position should now form the basis of Methodist Church policy should cause the Conference to hang its head in shame, just as surely as it will cause the enemies of peace and reconciliation to cheer from the sidelines.
Letter to the World from Jerusalem by Eliezer ben Yisrael ( Stanley Goldfoot)
I am not a creature from another planet, as you seem to believe. I am a Jerusalemite-like yourselves, a man of flesh and blood. I am a citizen of my city, an integral part of my people.
I have a few things to get off my chest. Because I am not a diplomat, I do not have to mince words. I do not have to please you or even persuade you.
I owe you nothing. You did not build this city, you did not live in it, you did not defend it when they came to destroy it. And we will be damned if we will let you take it away.
There was a Jerusalem before there was a New York . When Berlin, Moscow, London, and Paris were miasmal forest and swamp, there was a thriving Jewish community here. It gave something to the world which you nations have rejected ever since you established yourselves- a humane moral code.
Here the prophets walked, their words flashing like forked lightning.
Here a people who wanted nothing more than to be left alone, fought off waves of heathen would-be conquerors, bled and died on the battlements, hurled themselves into the flames of their burning Temple rather than surrender, and when finally overwhelmed by sheer numbers and led away into captivity, swore that before they forgot Jerusalem, they would see their tongues cleave to their palates, their right arms wither.
For two pain-filled millennia, while we were your unwelcome guests, we prayed daily to return to this city. Three times a day we petitioned the Almighty: "Gather us from the four corners of the world, bring us upright to our land, return in mercy to Jerusalem, Thy city, and swell in it as Thou promised." On every Yom Kippur and Passover, we fervently voiced the hope that next year would find us in Jerusalem.
Your inquisitions, pogroms, expulsions, the ghettos into which you jammed us, your forced baptisms, your quota systems, your genteel anti-Semitism, and the final unspeakable horror, the holocaust (and worse, your terrifying disinterest in it)- all these have not broken us.
They may have sapped what little moral strength you still possessed, but they forged us into steel. Do you think that you can break us now after all we have been through? Do you really believe that after Dachau and Auschwitz we are frightened by your threats of blockades and sanctions?
We have been to Hell and back- a Hell of your making. What more could you possibly have in your arsenal that could scare us?
I have watched this city bombarded twice by nations calling themselves civilized. In 1948, while you looked on apathetically, I saw women and children blown to smithereens, after we agreed to your request to internationalize the city. It was a deadly combination that did the job-British officers, Arab gunners, and American-made cannon. And then the savage sacking of the Old City - the willful slaughter, the wanton destruction of every synagogue and religious school, the desecration of Jewish cemeteries, the sale by a ghoulish government of tombstones for building materials, for poultry runs, army camps, even latrines.
And you never said a word.
You never breathed the slightest protest when the Jordanians shut off the holiest of our places, the Western Wall, in violation of the pledges they had made after the war - a war they waged, incidentally, against the decision of the UN. Not a murmur came from you whenever the legionnaires in their spiked helmets casually opened fire upon our citizens from behind the walls.
Your hearts bled when Berlin came under siege. You rushed your airlift "to save the gallant Berliners". But you did not send one ounce of food when Jews starved in besieged Jerusalem. You thundered against the wall which the East Germans ran through the middle of the German capital - but not one peep out of you about that other wall, the one that tore through the heart of Jerusalem .
And when that same thing happened 20 years later, and the Arabs unleashed a savage, unprovoked bombardment of the Holy City again, did any of you do anything?
The only time you came to life was when the city was at last reunited. Then you wrung your hands and spoke loftily of "justice" and need for the "Christian" quality of turning the other cheek.
The truth - and you know it deep inside your gut - you would prefer the city to be destroyed rather than have it governed by Jews. No matter how diplomatically you phrase it, the age old prejudices seep out of every word.
If our return to the city has tied your theology in knots, perhaps you had better reexamine your catechisms. After what we have been through, we are not passively going to accommodate ourselves to the twisted idea that we are to suffer eternal homelessness until we accept your savior.
For the first time since the year 70, there is now complete religious freedom for all in Jerusalem. For the first time since the Romans put a torch to the Temple , everyone has equal rights (You prefer to have some more equal than others.) We loathe the sword - but it was you who forced us to take it up. We crave peace, but we are not going back to the peace of 1948 as you would like us to.
We are home. It has a lovely sound for a nation you have willed to wander over the face of the globe. We are not leaving. We are redeeming the pledge made by our forefathers: Jerusalem is being rebuilt. "Next year" and the year after, and after, and after, until the end of time- "in Jerusalem"!
Stanley Goldfoot
Founder Editor
The Times of Israel
Prime Minister's Office - Statement
Following the Israeli Security Cabinet Meeting (June 20th 2010)
Israel’s policy is to protect its citizens against terror, rocket and other attacks from Gaza. In seeking to keep weapons and war materiel out of Gaza while liberalizing the system by which civilian goods enter Gaza, the Government of Israel has decided to implement the following steps as quickly as possible:
1. Publish a list of items not permitted into Gaza that is limited to weapons and war materiel, including problematic dual-use items. All items not on this list will be permitted to enter Gaza.
2. Enable and expand the inflow of dual-use construction materials for approved PA-authorized projects (schools, health facilities, water, sanitation, etc.) that are under international supervision and for housing projects such as the U.N. housing development being completed at Khan Yunis. Israel intends to accelerate the approval of such projects in accordance with accepted mechanisms and procedures.
3. Expand operations at the existing operating land crossings, thereby enabling the processing of a significantly greater volume of goods through the crossings and the expansion of economic activity.
4. Add substantial capacity at the existing operating land crossings and, as more processing capacity becomes necessary and when security concerns are fully addressed, open additional land crossings.
5. Streamline the policy of permitting the entry and exit of people for humanitarian and medical reasons and that of employees of international aid organizations that are recognized by the GOI. As conditions improve, Israel will consider additional ways to facilitate the movement of people to and from Gaza.
6. Israel will continue to facilitate the expeditious inspection and delivery of goods bound for Gaza through the port of Ashdod.
Israel welcomes cooperation and coordination with its international and regional partners in implementing this policy and will continue to discuss with them additional ways to advance this policy.
The current security regime for Gaza will be maintained. Israel reiterates that along with the U.S., EU and others, it considers Hamas a terrorist organization. The international community must insist on a strict adherence to the Quartet principles regarding Hamas.
Hamas took over Gaza and turned it into a hostile territory from which Hamas prepares and carries out attacks against Israel and its citizens. The Israel Defense Forces will continue to prevent the flow into and out of Gaza of terrorist operatives, weapons, war material and dual use items which enhance the military capability of Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza. Israel calls on the international community to stop the smuggling of weapons and war materials into Gaza.
Gilad Shalit is approaching four years in captivity. The international community should join Israel in strongly condemning those who hold him captive and in redoubling their efforts to secure his immediate release.
Following the Israeli Security Cabinet Meeting (June 20th 2010)
Israel’s policy is to protect its citizens against terror, rocket and other attacks from Gaza. In seeking to keep weapons and war materiel out of Gaza while liberalizing the system by which civilian goods enter Gaza, the Government of Israel has decided to implement the following steps as quickly as possible:
1. Publish a list of items not permitted into Gaza that is limited to weapons and war materiel, including problematic dual-use items. All items not on this list will be permitted to enter Gaza.
2. Enable and expand the inflow of dual-use construction materials for approved PA-authorized projects (schools, health facilities, water, sanitation, etc.) that are under international supervision and for housing projects such as the U.N. housing development being completed at Khan Yunis. Israel intends to accelerate the approval of such projects in accordance with accepted mechanisms and procedures.
3. Expand operations at the existing operating land crossings, thereby enabling the processing of a significantly greater volume of goods through the crossings and the expansion of economic activity.
4. Add substantial capacity at the existing operating land crossings and, as more processing capacity becomes necessary and when security concerns are fully addressed, open additional land crossings.
5. Streamline the policy of permitting the entry and exit of people for humanitarian and medical reasons and that of employees of international aid organizations that are recognized by the GOI. As conditions improve, Israel will consider additional ways to facilitate the movement of people to and from Gaza.
6. Israel will continue to facilitate the expeditious inspection and delivery of goods bound for Gaza through the port of Ashdod.
Israel welcomes cooperation and coordination with its international and regional partners in implementing this policy and will continue to discuss with them additional ways to advance this policy.
The current security regime for Gaza will be maintained. Israel reiterates that along with the U.S., EU and others, it considers Hamas a terrorist organization. The international community must insist on a strict adherence to the Quartet principles regarding Hamas.
Hamas took over Gaza and turned it into a hostile territory from which Hamas prepares and carries out attacks against Israel and its citizens. The Israel Defense Forces will continue to prevent the flow into and out of Gaza of terrorist operatives, weapons, war material and dual use items which enhance the military capability of Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza. Israel calls on the international community to stop the smuggling of weapons and war materials into Gaza.
Gilad Shalit is approaching four years in captivity. The international community should join Israel in strongly condemning those who hold him captive and in redoubling their efforts to secure his immediate release.
A Quote from Ehud Barak
"There are 1.5 million people living in Gaza and only one of them really needs humanitarian aid,” Defense Minister Ehud Barak said. “Only one of them is locked in a tiny room and never sees the light of day, only one of them is not allowed visits and is in uncertain health – his name is Gilad Shalit, and this month four years will have passed since he was kidnapped.”
Gaza Facts 1 - Click Here
Conservative Friends of Israel Special Briefing - Click Here
9 June 2010
VIVIAN WINEMAN, PRESIDENT, BOARD OF DEPUTIES, BRIEFS THE COMMUNITY: FLOTILLA EPISODE
Although a week has passed since last week's tragic Flotilla episode our emotions are still raw. As a community we have felt impotent as the rights and wrongs of this affair have been disingenuously played out on the world stage with one clear, propaganda narrative emerging - the now in-vogue, prejudiced narrative demonising Israel as a rogue state which has lost its moral compass. Once again we see the disproportionate attention paid to Israel while larger more significant conflicts, some involving far greater loss of life, are virtually ignored. The community, Jews throughout the Diaspora and in Israel ask why there is such selective outrage against Israel and such demonisation of the State and its citizens. There is no doubt that Israel has taken a beating to her already declining reputation. It is not within this communication that I seek to explore just how, where and when this occurred. Rather, to offer a reminder that irrespective of that, as Jews, Israel resides at the core of our concerns whatever we make of her policies, actions and Government. The Board of Deputies of British Jews is not a mouthpiece for the Israeli government to defend Israeli policy, but the Board is committed both by its Constitution and by the intense commitment of its leaders and members to “take such appropriate action as lies within its power to advance Israel’s security, welfare and standing”. We do so within a framework that acutely recognises the divergent views that comprise the unique fabric of this community. At this time of crisis we are here to make sense out of a situation that is complex, difficult, controversial and confusing. But it is not just because of this moral obligation. Events in the Middle East impinge directly on our community through antisemitism – both verbal and physical - as we sadly saw in last year’s CST statistics. The level of disbelief and misunderstanding of Israel’s predicament permeated not only most of the media but was reflected in the Parliamentary exchanges in the House of Commons last week, and the views articulated suggest a worrying shift both in policy and approach towards Israel.
To combat those trends we need your direct help and that of as many of those in your community. We call on the entire community to join us in our huge undertaking by doing what we can to set the record straight and to assist opinion formers and policy makers, media and Government alike, with the facts – helping them differentiate between fact and fiction, and between fact and propaganda. Amid all the calls for enquiry some facts are undoubted:
VIVIAN WINEMAN, PRESIDENT, BOARD OF DEPUTIES, BRIEFS THE COMMUNITY: FLOTILLA EPISODE
Although a week has passed since last week's tragic Flotilla episode our emotions are still raw. As a community we have felt impotent as the rights and wrongs of this affair have been disingenuously played out on the world stage with one clear, propaganda narrative emerging - the now in-vogue, prejudiced narrative demonising Israel as a rogue state which has lost its moral compass. Once again we see the disproportionate attention paid to Israel while larger more significant conflicts, some involving far greater loss of life, are virtually ignored. The community, Jews throughout the Diaspora and in Israel ask why there is such selective outrage against Israel and such demonisation of the State and its citizens. There is no doubt that Israel has taken a beating to her already declining reputation. It is not within this communication that I seek to explore just how, where and when this occurred. Rather, to offer a reminder that irrespective of that, as Jews, Israel resides at the core of our concerns whatever we make of her policies, actions and Government. The Board of Deputies of British Jews is not a mouthpiece for the Israeli government to defend Israeli policy, but the Board is committed both by its Constitution and by the intense commitment of its leaders and members to “take such appropriate action as lies within its power to advance Israel’s security, welfare and standing”. We do so within a framework that acutely recognises the divergent views that comprise the unique fabric of this community. At this time of crisis we are here to make sense out of a situation that is complex, difficult, controversial and confusing. But it is not just because of this moral obligation. Events in the Middle East impinge directly on our community through antisemitism – both verbal and physical - as we sadly saw in last year’s CST statistics. The level of disbelief and misunderstanding of Israel’s predicament permeated not only most of the media but was reflected in the Parliamentary exchanges in the House of Commons last week, and the views articulated suggest a worrying shift both in policy and approach towards Israel.
To combat those trends we need your direct help and that of as many of those in your community. We call on the entire community to join us in our huge undertaking by doing what we can to set the record straight and to assist opinion formers and policy makers, media and Government alike, with the facts – helping them differentiate between fact and fiction, and between fact and propaganda. Amid all the calls for enquiry some facts are undoubted:
- Israel, like any other sovereign state, has an inherent right of self defence and a duty to protect her citizens especially against ongoing rocket attacks from Gaza.
- The rocket attacks against towns and cities in southern Israel have continued throughout the last months, four were fired last Thursday night and one reached Ashkelon on Friday evening.
- The maritime blockade of Gaza has to a considerable degreeprotected Israel’s citizens from recent lethal rocket attacks launched from Gaza but does not stop them entirely .
- While not ideal, Israel not only offers and continues to provide other routes through which humanitarian aid can reach Palestinian civilians in Gaza, but all of the aid taken off the flotilla last week has lain in Ashdod port simply because Hamas has refused permission for its delivery.
- Israel is delivering truck loads of supplies on a daily basis – mostly in conjunction with various aid agencies to ensure it is made available to those most in need. Details of the items and quantities are regularly published disproving the wilder and often false claims by some of those quoted last week.
- Despite reports to the contrary, building materials are sent in from Israel but only given to agencies such as UNWRA to ensure they do not get misappropriated by Hamas for protecting their fighters and rocket launching sites.
- Last week’s flotilla episode was nothing to do with delivering humanitarian aid and everything to do with making a propagandist political statement. The fact that there was a violent outcome is regarded by Hamas as a victory.
- Whatever the wisdom ofthe operation mounted by the Israeli Navy, the extreme violence displayed towards the commandos including the kidnapping of three of them and the attempted murder of one of them left the remaining commandos in an impossible position in which clearly their lives were in grave danger.
- It was revealing that on none of the other five boats in the flotilla were there any similar incidents, but those on the Turkish vessel were armed and ready to create an incident, knowing full well that it would gain the world’s attention.
- Those passengers on the Marmara who engaged the commandos were reportedly not human rights activists but hard line Islamists, many ofwhom have close links with or are members of the IHH, which itself allegedly has links with Hamas. And at least two of whom it is known had left behind notes wishing for martyrdom.
- If Hamas desires an end to the blockade, it must cease all terrorist activity and declare an intention to live in peace with Israel.
Dear Friends,
Israel is standing again in the centre of a vicious propaganda battle. Once again our opponents are using distorted and deceptive information in order to present Israel as a country of cruelness and terror.
The violent incident occurred on Monday early morning proved to us what we knew for long time- that the international media tries to create a negative image of Israel regardless of the actual facts.
I have no doubt that the responsibility of this incident and its tragic outcome is lying on the shoulders of the flotilla organisers - Turkish IHH organization, which besides its legitimate philanthropic activities is also, according to the Intelligence and Terrorism Information Centre, a supporter of radical Islamic networks, including Hamas, and at least in the past, even global Jihad elements . Instead of making this flotilla a humanitarian act, IHH turned it into a cause to censure Israel and confront the IDF.
A group of people who collect weapons, attack and tries to lynch soldiers cannot call themselves “peace activist”. Unfortunately, we have seen almost non of this perspective, Israel's perspective, in the international media.
I am asking each and everyone of you to join the advocacy effort and to help spread the truth among your families, friends and colleagues.I am not saying that everything Israel did wasright (and I am sure Israel and the IDF will investigate and draw conclusions out of this incident) but I am saying that the truth is definitely not what is seen on the BBC.
Whenever you see a biased or wrong report – write or call the station/newspaper. Don’t let them think they can get away with it and show them we care! I attach to this email links showing the flotilla incident in a more balanced way as well as information about Israel’s humanitarian aid to Gaza.
You can also join the Jewish Agency Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/jafiuk) or email me for more information. I would like to use this opportunity to express my regrets over the loss of lives and to wish quick recovery for all injured from both sides.
Aviv
Aviv Avni
UJIA and Jewish Agency Liverpool Shaliach
Liverpool | United Kingdom
t: (+44) 0151 722 3303
m: (+44) 07956 259203
aviv@live.co.uk
Video Clips:
Navy Warns Flotilla
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6jDIQr59Sk
Flotilla Members Attacking Israeli Boarding Party
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzGiSpXmnQ0
Close-Up Footage of Mavi Marmara Passengers Attacking IDF Soldiers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LulDJh4fWI
IDF Transfers Humanitarian Aid From Gaza Flotilla to Gaza Strip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVrhQTiAJxM
Written Information:
Israel in Gaza
http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/About%20the%20Ministry/Behind%20the%20Headlines/Seizure_Gaza_flotilla_31-May-2010.htm
http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/About+the+Ministry/Behind+the+Headlines/Israeli_humanitarian_lifeline_Gaza_25-May-2010.htm
Portrait of IHH
http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/hamas_e105.htm
Facts about the Flotilla
http://www.standwithus.com/app/iNews/view_n.asp?ID=1444
Israel is standing again in the centre of a vicious propaganda battle. Once again our opponents are using distorted and deceptive information in order to present Israel as a country of cruelness and terror.
The violent incident occurred on Monday early morning proved to us what we knew for long time- that the international media tries to create a negative image of Israel regardless of the actual facts.
I have no doubt that the responsibility of this incident and its tragic outcome is lying on the shoulders of the flotilla organisers - Turkish IHH organization, which besides its legitimate philanthropic activities is also, according to the Intelligence and Terrorism Information Centre, a supporter of radical Islamic networks, including Hamas, and at least in the past, even global Jihad elements . Instead of making this flotilla a humanitarian act, IHH turned it into a cause to censure Israel and confront the IDF.
A group of people who collect weapons, attack and tries to lynch soldiers cannot call themselves “peace activist”. Unfortunately, we have seen almost non of this perspective, Israel's perspective, in the international media.
I am asking each and everyone of you to join the advocacy effort and to help spread the truth among your families, friends and colleagues.I am not saying that everything Israel did wasright (and I am sure Israel and the IDF will investigate and draw conclusions out of this incident) but I am saying that the truth is definitely not what is seen on the BBC.
Whenever you see a biased or wrong report – write or call the station/newspaper. Don’t let them think they can get away with it and show them we care! I attach to this email links showing the flotilla incident in a more balanced way as well as information about Israel’s humanitarian aid to Gaza.
You can also join the Jewish Agency Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/jafiuk) or email me for more information. I would like to use this opportunity to express my regrets over the loss of lives and to wish quick recovery for all injured from both sides.
Aviv
Aviv Avni
UJIA and Jewish Agency Liverpool Shaliach
Liverpool | United Kingdom
t: (+44) 0151 722 3303
m: (+44) 07956 259203
aviv@live.co.uk
Video Clips:
Navy Warns Flotilla
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6jDIQr59Sk
Flotilla Members Attacking Israeli Boarding Party
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzGiSpXmnQ0
Close-Up Footage of Mavi Marmara Passengers Attacking IDF Soldiers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LulDJh4fWI
IDF Transfers Humanitarian Aid From Gaza Flotilla to Gaza Strip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVrhQTiAJxM
Written Information:
Israel in Gaza
http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/About%20the%20Ministry/Behind%20the%20Headlines/Seizure_Gaza_flotilla_31-May-2010.htm
http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/About+the+Ministry/Behind+the+Headlines/Israeli_humanitarian_lifeline_Gaza_25-May-2010.htm
Portrait of IHH
http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/hamas_e105.htm
Facts about the Flotilla
http://www.standwithus.com/app/iNews/view_n.asp?ID=1444
Special Analysis: Fauxtography
Reuters Caught Again
Reuters is once again exposed doctoring photos to change the images of the Gaza flotilla "peace activists".
http://www.honestreporting.com/articles/45884734/critiques/new/Special_Analysis_Fauxtography_-_Reuters_Caught_Again.asp
Hamas refuses to allow aid supplies into Gaza
This article can be found at: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3901662,00.html
Tzrifin warehouse overflows with supplies (Avi Mualem)
Goods brought by flotilla pile up in army warehouses because Hamas rejects their entrance by land
Hanan Greenberg
Published: 06.07.10, 19:05 / Israel News
Despite international criticism against Israel following a calamitous IDF raid on an aid flotilla to Gaza, it appeared Monday that Hamas was the one preventing the goods brought by the flotilla from entering the Strip.
The army announced Monday that the humanitarian aid brought by the ships had been mostly unloaded, and estimated that the task would be completed in the next few days.
However Hamas continues to insist that the shipment not be brought in through the land crossings, and in the meantime the goods continue to pile up in the army's warehouses.
Major Or Elrom, of the office of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the (Palestinian) Territories, said there was nothing on board the flotilla's ships that Gaza's residents did not already have.
"All of these goods have been previously conveyed there, and we hope we can do the same in this case," she said.
A Defense Ministry facility adjacent to the Tzrifin army base has been turned into a temporary warehouse over the past few days, containing beds, mattresses, couches, medical supplies, shoes, clothing, and medicine – some of which has reportedly expired.
Eitan Kosto, who heads the Defense Ministry's logistics corps, said the cargo had not been loaded onto the ships according to professional guidelines and therefore some of the goods were damaged during the unloading.
"We had to work for a long time and devote many resources to unloading it all," he said. "The fact that it wasn't properly organized caused damage to some of the goods, but finally we succeeded in organizing everything so it could be transferred to the Strip."
Much of the equipment so far unloaded from the ships – mostly shoes and electric carts – was secondhand, while other products were apparently donated by various organizations and civilians, Kosto said.
He added that his personnel had not yet unloaded the cement and building materials on board, which would have to undergo security checks before entering the Strip.
However it remains unclear whether Hamas will allow the materials to enter. Last week the group kept out eight trucks carrying humanitarian supplies, which were attempting to enter through the Kerem Shalom crossing.
IDF Photo Gallery - http://www.flickr.com/photos/israel-mfa/sets/72157624179998488/
| Embassy Statement |
| Gaza Flotilla |
| Gaza/Famine P.R |
| CST Security Notice |
