Is Hell Freezing Over?

I don't know if its a coincidence but it is snowing in Jerusalem and Olmert just got handed the final Winograd report. Didn't he say he would stay in office till hell freezes over? I guess its just wishful thinking on my part. Anyway on the news they have spent the past hour talking about what they are going to talk about once they actually get a copy of the report. So I think I'll watch American Idol instead. I'd vote for Simon as prime minister if I could.

Submitted by Carol

Why Do I Bother

I should really stop reading anything that has to do with the UN. The security council still can't hammer out a resolution concerning the events in Israel and Gaza which is not worth the paper its printed on in any case. The Arab league version only asked for the blockade of Gaza to be ended. Maybe if they say pretty please with a cherry on top. No mention of the constant rocket fire hitting Sderot, Ashkelon and the Negev. You would think fair is fair. The UN is all about making a secure world to live in. No country comes with any agenda do they? So now that a demand to stop the rocket fire has been added to the resolution Libya suddenly has to phone home for more instructions. The other 14 members of the security council have all signed on. Libya stands alone unwilling to sign on. No Arab country is going to sign something that says rockets fired at Israel is wrong. As far as they are concerned any violence toward Israel is justified. And they say the US is biased toward Israel. I need a 12 step program.

Submitted by Carol

The Lions Den

I found something good in the newspaper. His name is Ron Prosor. He is the new Israeli ambassador to the UK. He recently spoke at the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies. It was organized by the British Zionist Organization. Students arrived in kafiyyeh headresses and questions at the ready. So I loved that at the opening an announcement was made that the ambassador said that the tougher and harder hitting the questions the better.

They asked the usual questions. Questions accusing Israel of war crimes. Questions that put Menachem Begin and the Irgun on equal ground with Hamas. The article did not give his replies. A shame. But I guess he was able to answer because someone asked him if he actually believed what he was saying. That is a question that comes from frustration. I hope it was frustration because he was able to answer the questions without hesitation.

Most of those students see it in over simplified terms of David versus Goliath. They like to put it in terms they already know so they make the conflict fit the apartheid of South Africa. Its easier that way but it is way off the mark. Hopefully they will take with them one thing that Prosor said. He said "Israel is a democracy under attack that is dealing with difficulties that no other country is facing."

You have to love the guy who in the lions den did not back down as he also told his audience that Jerusalem shall remain the capital of Israel forever. I only can hope that more ambassadors will take his cue and fill the void by meeting with people who don't support Israel. As the article said, if we don't than our place will be filled by speakers against Israel.

Submitted by Carol

My Dark Side

I just want to preface that what I am about to write is not my usual way of doing things. I am in real life hard pressed to harm any living thing.

I read that the gentleman from Hamas in charge of Gilad Shalit, the soldier that was kidnapped, has said that what is happening in Gaza now could cause them to make Gilad Shalit disappear forever ala Ron Arad. They would simply sever all ties. You see we are getting pounded by Qassams and we have hit back. We have also hit back for the death of an innocent volunteer on a kibbutz in the Negev. When I read the headline I wanted to reach into my computer screen and kill "the gentleman from Hamas" with my own two hands. Being an oncology nurse I felt that an overdose of several different chemotherapies would be appropriate.

I pray that Gilad's family will find peace and that his captors will know hell here on earth and in the world to come.

The Back of the Bus

I was cheered up this morning as I read in Haaretz that the state is being taken to task in court over the mahedrin bus lines. Egged which runs these lines is a PUBLIC transportation provider. These bus lines are meant for Haredim who want separate seating for women and men. Of course the women have to sit in the back. These bus lines should be illegal. The state doesn't see a problem. They say the seating is strictly voluntary. Tell that to the three women that have been beaten and verbally abused for not sitting in the back of the bus. Kudos to Naomi Ragen, well known author and the IRAC ( Israel Religious Action Committee) for taking up the cause. Naomi Ragen was one of the women abused by the Haredi men. All of the women were religious. So its not a case of some upstart secular women out to cause trouble. Until women will be wearing burkas they won't be religious enough for these Haredi bullies.

While we're on the subject of women I had to chuckle about a small article in the paper. The American Jewish Congress wanted to place an ad in Ms magazine promoting Israeli women. Our Foreign minister Tzipi Livni, our Supreme Court President Dorit Benisch and Knesset speaker Dalia Itzik would have been in the ad with the caption that reads This is Israel. Ms refused saying it would create a firestorm. Do you remember when they used to have balls?

Israelisms...The Blog 2.0

I haven't blogged in a few weeks and I started to feel guilty. With that I also started thinking about why I wasn't blogging. For me the podcast is my number one priority. It gives me joy. I love podcasting. I decided to start the blog with Charley because I felt I had more to say than what I could fit on the podcast. I still do. The reality is that writing a political piece is hard work. Life keeps getting in the way. I don't want to give up the blog but I can't expect people to keep coming here and finding nothing new. To remedy the situation I decided to change course. I'm going to write about how I feel. So I'll be writing about frustration and also pride and whatever else I feel. Living here is dynamic so it should be interesting. Some posts may be really short. When truly inspired I may write a political piece. Of course Charley will continue to write his analysis when he is able. Lets see where this takes me. I hope the ride will be worthy of your time.