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To be misunderstood

 Creating Life Style  No Responses »
Mar 252013
 
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To be Misunderstood

Lately I’ve been taking an interest in reading articles online. The source varies like The New York Times, Linkedin and a range of blogs.

What interests me most is the wide range of opinions, which often tell another story and give a wider picture of thinking and perception in the readers’ minds.

Let me you give an example or two.

The first was a promotional video put out by an American society promoting a ‘World without Hate’ philosophy. Running with it was  a song by John Lennon, ‘Let it be let it be.’ Photo’s included Martin Luther King and others who gave their lives for the cause they believed in.

I thought the video was well balanced, told its message fairly, and many of the comments agreed and thought it was promoting a good concept. But the article came under fire for several reasons; 1) for using John Lennon’s song (permission was sought and received); 2) some thought it a disgrace to mention Martin Luther King in this concept; and 3) immigration – some commenters completely raved on about it. I saw no mention of immigration in the video and was hard pressed to understand where their thinking was coming from.

Another New York Times article talked the pros and cons of investing in renewable energy for vehicle running. The article received over 130 comments. Basically there were  two schools of thought; those who argued that America has an abundance of oil and gas so why bother; and those who argued that solar power panels only work in some areas so how was the problem of charging batteries elsewhere going to be resolved?

Solar energy panel

Solar energy panel

What surprised me most was that out of 130 comments, no-one mentioned what research and development of solar energy could do for the future.

Imagine if you can, a solar panel far more advanced than today’s units. One that won’t require recharging; one that’s built into the roof as part of the vehicle and that will also act as its own battery.

Impossible you say!

Well, think back 10- 15 years when the iPhone and iPod; and digital cameras and recorders were mere pipe dreams – at least to those of us who were not involved in this type of research and development; and that is most of us.

Who would have thought that you could expand a picture on a screen by simply widening it with a spread of the fingers?

Nothing is impossible; given time, imagination is destined to become reality.

Just think for a moment – if the vehicles on our roads were not ejecting poisonous fumes into the atmosphere, polluting the air that we breathe – how much healthier our cities would be. Perhaps that alone is worth the investment.
Resources Blogs
Resources online blogs

 Posted by at 2:55 am  Tagged with: , , ,

The Moral Bankruptcy of Europe by Kevin Zdiara

 Israel  No Responses »
Feb 052013
 
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At the general Assembly the Czechs stepped out of the European indifference and accomplice ship. The Czech Republic’s political weight is negligible, but the moral weight is invaluable.

The vote in the United Nations General Assembly on the upgrade of the status of the Palestine Liberation Organization, commonly known as “Palestine”, reveals more than anything else the moral bankruptcy of Europe. While, on the one hand, the attitude of many European countries towards Israel has moved in the direction of open hostility since the early 1970s it seems, on the other hand, a significant change that more than half of the European Union members i.e. 14 countries, chose many of the most brutal regimes in the world like North Korea, Iran or Syria as their allies instead od Israel and the United States.

Another worrisome fact was that 12 more European countries decided to abstain from the vote, as if they weren’t able to make up their minds, incapable to decide whether to grant Mahmoud Abbas more privileges at the United Nations or not. how, for example, was it possible for one of the allegedly closest allies of Israel in Europe, Germany, to switch its position only hours before the vote from ‘No’ to ‘We don’t know’? How was it possible that Germany couldn’t come to a decision on this vital issue?

Only the small  Czech Republic had the courage to stand up and say ‘No to Abbas’s UN face. The same country that was abandoned by Europe in the 1930s and handed over to Nazi Germany stood by Israel’s side without wavering. The Czech government obviously understood what was at stake, that once again there was an international roundup going on. This time the victim was not Czechoslovakia but the Jewish state. Unlike the rest of the world, the Czech Republic takes the lessons from history seriously: in the face of injustice and evil one must not remain silent.

To understand why the Czech Republic voted as it did, it helps to take into consideration one of the most important books by the former president of the Czech Republic Vaclav Havel, called “Living the Truth”. There, Havel elaborated on the idea of truth as the most important value in order to stay human in a totalitarian society. Havel wrote: “Living within the lie can constitutes the system only if it is universal. The principle must embrace and permeate everything. There are no terms whatsoever on which it can co-exist with living within the truth, and therefore everyone who steps out of line denies it in principle and threatens it in its entirety.

At the General Assembly the Czechs stepped out of the European line of indifference and accompliceship , and thereby threatened the Palestinian-European alliance against Israel. Of course, the Czech Republic’s political weight is invaluable. they made it clear that there is a difference between ‘No’ and ‘Abstain”, and there certainly is a difference between ‘No’ and ‘Yes’ in the case of Abbas’s UN bid. Right now, it is not clear that Havel’s words would eventually help dismantle the communist dictatorship in Czechoslovakia.

Furthermore, the brave decision by the Czech government revealed the total lack of morality and the backbone in the other European capitals. The continent that witnessed and participated in the German genocide against European Jews once again turned a blind eye to injustice committed against Jews.

The General Assembly in it’s last session adopted 21 resolutions concerning Israel  and only 4 on the rest of the world combined. No European diplomat dared to speak out against this bias at the UN. Not one of the European countries which on a regular basis claim to be interested in a lasting peace in the Middle East voiced it’s opposition when the chairman of the PLO, Mahmoud Abbas, spread his vicious lies about Israel.

He called Israel a “racist and colonialist” state compared it with South African Apartheid and blatantly told the General Assembly that Israel had conducted “ethic cleansing” against the Palestinians and continues to do so. European diplomats sat there and in some cases even applauded Abbas’s vitriolic speech. and they did so because they lack the moral compass, they don’t care whether Israel exists or not, although they wouldn’t say so in public.

In Europe where a post-modern ideology of relativity of historical facts and moral values has taken over, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that those receive acclaim who shout the loudest and spread the most fantastic lies.

Given this situation it seems as is the Jewish state and the Jews have lost a cold-hearted Europe.

But one shouldn’t take the example of the Czech Republic and it’s 8 fellow dissenters for granted. In a world and an age of lies, it is incredibly daring to speak the truth, and one should keep in mind the national motto of the Czech Republic: “Pravda vitezi” or “Truth prevails”

The writer is a doctoral candidate in philosophy, writing on the Jewish-American philosopher Horace M. Kallen. He is a frequent contributor to the German blog “Die Achse des Guten” (www.achgut.com ) Article taken from ‘Israel & Christians’ Today New Zealand Feb 2013 www.c4israel.org www.whyisrael.org

 

 

 Posted by at 10:41 pm  Tagged with: , ,

Possibilities and Opportunities

 Creating Life Style  1 Response »
Jan 092013
 
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Possibilities and Opportunities

Everyone at some stage or other gets fed up with the work they are doing, or the people they work with.

The unfortunate ones may have an awful employer or a troublesome employee. Either way, it can be a difficult situation to extract from. School students may consider their teachers unfriendly or worse still, not good teachers. So what is the answer? What can a person do to create the lifestyle they want?

As a past employer I wanted five things from my staff.

→           Be good ambassadors for the company’s image

→           Be reliable

→           Be honest

→           Do a good professional job

→           And be helpful and courteous towards our clients

If they failed consistently in any of these areas, they were encouraged to seek other employment opportunities.

For my part I wanted staff to enjoy the work and I did this by having a good attitude towards them. I wanted them to be happy working for my company, I really did. I paid and rewarded them well and treated them as equals. To me they were part of the company, I was no more important than they and, for the most part, I was very fortunate with the people I hired.

Unfortunately, we do not live in a perfect world. Employees and employers do not always work out together. Sometimes a person simply has to move on.

I personally believe that all of us, employer and employee alike, are entitled to enjoy the hours we spend doing our job and, if we don’t, then we need to consider either moving on or, if you are the employer, moving the employee on.

This was rarely a problem for me, I was fortunate with 95% of my staff, but I know for many employers it can be both costly and stressful. In this country, employers need to follow an explicit set of rules before actually laying a staff member off but still it can backfire if an employee decides to sue for unfair dismissal.

In an instance like this, my advice would be to avoid that situation at all costs. It is far better to dampen any bad feelings and try to come to a mutual and amicable end of the road with the employee.

Life is too short not to enjoy it

In http://creatinglifestyle.com   we discuss the endless opportunities and possibilities that surround us all. My wife and I were fortunate in 2012 to visit Israel and I found it incredible that so much originally barren and desolate land has been turned thousands of hectares of high producing crops. Most would have looked at that land and dismissed it as worthless

land of Israel

Masada Israel

but the Israeli people saw an opportunity and brought the land to life. Sure, it would have been very hard work and a huge investment over many years, but they kept at it and made it their own. Having seen it for myself, I hold great admiration for these masters of irrigation.

Israels land

Israels Oasis

Opportunities are everywhere

We know that, just like the millions of radio, mobile, and TV signals that are constantly passing through the atmosphere. We can’t see them or feel them and subsequently don’t know which direction they are heading, but my mobile, my radio, my laptop and my TV can pick up those signals. I just have to turn the appliance on.

Opportunities are like that – you can’t see them until you tune into them, and part of that tuning in is to be constantly searching and investigating possibilities. By subscribing to our newsletter you will receive one or two emails a month, pointing out numerous opportunities, tips, and ideas on how to go about creating a new lifestyle for yourself.

Simply sign into the subscribe box in the top right hand corner and you will receive a welcome letter then emails outlining all the newest opportunities we have come across and researched for you.

 

 

 Posted by at 5:43 am  Tagged with: ,

Deepak Chopra MD (official) Deepak Chopra MD

 Creating Life Style  No Responses »
Dec 122012
 
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video with Deepak Chopra MD (official)Deepak Chopra MD

 Posted by at 2:14 am  Tagged with:

White house refers to Christmas trees as holiday trees?

 God  1 Response »
Dec 102012
 
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shared Mike Cooke‘s photo.
Very insightful and very true....Take a second to read this:</p><br /> <p>Apparently the White House referred to Christmas Trees as “Holiday Trees” for the first time this year which prompted CBS presenter, Ben Stein, to present this piece which I would like to share with you. I think it applies just as much to many countries as it does to America . . .</p><br /> <p>The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.</p><br /> <p>My confession:</p><br /> <p>I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejewelled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are, Christmas trees.</p><br /> <p>It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, “Merry Christmas” to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a crib, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.</p><br /> <p>I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.</p><br /> <p>Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.</p><br /> <p>In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.</p><br /> <p>Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her: “How could God let something like this happen?” (regarding Hurricane Katrina). Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said: “I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?”</p><br /> <p>In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbour as yourself. And we said OK.</p><br /> <p>Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said okay.</p><br /> <p>Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.</p><br /> <p>Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'</p><br /> <p>Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.</p><br /> <p>Are you laughing yet?</p><br /> <p>Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.</p><br /> <p>Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.</p><br /> <p>Pass it on if you think it has merit.</p><br /> <p>If not, then just discard it.... no one will know you did. But if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.</p><br /> <p>My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,</p><br /> <p>Ben Stein
Very insightful and very true….Take a second to read this:Apparently the White House referred to Christmas Trees as “Holiday Trees” for the first time this

year which prompted CBS presenter, Ben Stein, to present this piece which I would like to share with you. I think it applies just as much to many countries as it does to America . . .The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.

My confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejewelled trees, Christmas trees. I don’t feel threatened. I don’t feel discriminated against. That’s what they are, Christmas trees.

It doesn’t bother me a bit when people say, “Merry Christmas” to me. I don’t think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn’t bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a crib, it’s just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don’t like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don’t think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can’t find it in the Constitution and I don’t like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren’t allowed to worship God? I guess that’s a sign that I’m getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it’s not funny, it’s intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham’s daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her: “How could God let something like this happen?” (regarding Hurricane Katrina). Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said: “I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we’ve been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?”

In light of recent events… terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O’Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn’t want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbour as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn’t spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock’s son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he’s talking about. And we said okay.

Now we’re asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don’t know right from wrong, and why it doesn’t bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with ‘WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.’

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world’s going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send ‘jokes’ through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing yet?

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you’re not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.

Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.

Pass it on if you think it has merit.

If not, then just discard it…. no one will know you did. But if you discard this thought process, don’t sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.

My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,

Ben Stein

 Posted by at 10:51 pm  Tagged with: , , , , ,

New book Release

 Creating Life Style  No Responses »
Dec 072012
 
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‘How to’ Books from the creating lifestyle series

More often than not this blog is used for articles relating to Israel amd its purpose is to create some sort of balance with the media whose reporting, I fear, tends towards  anti Israel.

Today’s article is instead about  books of the `How to’ genre from the creating lifestyle series, short but packed with helpful tips and ideas for people seeking assistance on a number of subjects. These books form part of the  http://creatinglifestyle.com site whose main purpose is to provide  information on a whole range of lifestyle activities.

To start it off, let me give you an idea of what each booklet has to offer.

The first to be published, by the author A. Rose, is called:    How to Write something interesting 

How to Write something interesting

Rather a catchy title, I thought. To give a brief description, I’ll short-circuit and use the same as on the Amazon site from where it can be purchased.
Description: The aim of this book is to get you, the reader, writing – now. Learning the finer points of putting together a well-crafted piece of prose can come later, after you have achieved a written piece in a diary, a letter to the editor, a personal blog, or a short story and have decided that yes, you definitely want to write some more.
Call it a practice run if you like.

We have had a few reviews on this booklet. Here are some:

Inspiring (5 Stars),November 20, 2012
This review is from: How to Write – something interesting (creating lifestyle) (Kindle Edition)

This book has really got my imagination flowing and my fingers twitching to get typing… let the masterpiece commence. Thank you Amelie Rose for inspiring me.

A Well Read Book Lover 5 Stars),November 16, 2012
This review is from: How to Write – something interesting (creating lifestyle) (Kindle Edition)

For someone who has been wanting to become a writer I thought How To Write Something Interesting was very worthwhile. It was informative and helpful with some humorous touches and lots of good links for further information.

Want to be a writer? Read this book! (4 Stars),November 13, 2012
This review is from: How to Write – something interesting (creating lifestyle) (Kindle Edition)

This short book is exactly what it reveals in the introduction. It isn’t pretentious or convoluted, just an honest assessment of the tools we all need to begin writing. So easy to read, it’s as if Ms. Rose was giving me this advice in person. Worth the price!

The next two booklets have not had enough time to have reviews, I’m sure they will soon.

Next to be published:

How to Succeed on a Shoestring by Mike C. Smith

How to Succeed on a Shoestring

One of the aims at Creatinglifestyle is not to make things expensive for our readers, and this booklet give tips and ideas that are within budget for many of our readers on how to be successful in whatever field you choose to go to. I found that as I required more information about SEO’s, backlinks, setting up web sites etc that the cost can sky rocket and I ended up paying many more hundreds of dollars than I should have. This booklet gives you tips and ideas that avoid many of these costs.
As with all our creatinglifestyle series, it’s only available as an e-book through Amazon

Direct link to purchase this book : How to Succeed on a Shoestring

 

 

The most recent in the creating lifestyle series is:

How to Find a Hobby and Make Money by Mike C. smith

How to Find a Hobby and Make Money

The title tells it all. Why this topic? Well, I think it’s a timely one. We are still in a recession and many people are feeling the pinch.
For those who have been made redundant, have retired early, are otherwise unemployed, or just wanting to earn some extra money, this booklet gives you ideas on making money from the things you like doing best, your hobbies. Following its pointers should also increase your confidence and self esteem.

Direct Link to purchase How to Find a Hobby and Make Money

 Posted by at 4:07 am  Tagged with: , , ,

Hamas steps up it’s terrorist attack on Israel

 Israel  No Responses »
Nov 132012
 
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The Palestinian State’s Rocket Offensive

Jonathan S. Tobin | @tobincommentary
11.11.2012 – 11:15 AM

Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas said today he wasn’t backing down from his plan to try and get the United Nations to recognize an independent state without it first having to make peace with Israel. Abbas believes that if the UN General Assembly votes in the coming months to recognize the PA as a nonmember observer state — an upgrade from its current status — it will give him more leverage with the United States as well as make it easier for the Palestinians to harass the Jewish state in forums like the International Criminal Court. But the leaders of the real independent Palestinian state aren’t interested in helping Abbas get a make believe one.

More than 80 rockets were fired from Gaza into southern Israel over the weekend as Hamas unleashed a barrage that wounded several Israelis and damaged buildings in Sderot and the Sha’ar Hanegev area. The motive for the escalation from the normal volume of fire over the border (more than 600 missiles have been fired at Israel from Gaza in 2012 up until Saturday) from the Hamas-run enclave is a matter of speculation. But the most logical explanation is a desire on the part of the terrorist group that exercises sovereignty in Gaza to remind the world that it is they, and not Abbas and his Fatah, that are in control of events. This latest surge in terror from the place that is an independent Palestinian state in all but name also is a heads-up to even those inclined to be sympathetic to the Palestinian cause of the nature of that state and what would happen if they had the same freedom of action in the West Bank alongside Israel’s main population centers.

One of the main reasons the PA’s first attempt to get UN recognition failed last year — why the so-called “diplomatic tsunami” never materialized — was the understanding even on the part of Israel’s critics that such a move was rendered impossible by the fragmented nature of Palestinian politics. Abbas not only doesn’t control Gaza, the government there is, for all intents and purposes, the sovereign over the area. Even if Israel withdrew tomorrow from the West Bank, it would mean the corrupt and incompetent Fatah ran part of a state of “Palestine” while Hamas ruled another with an iron fist. That is a formula for chaos and more violence, not independence.

Despite off-and-on negotiations for a unity government, Hamas is carefully biding its time as it plots an eventual West Bank takeover. It certainly has no interest in seeing Abbas, who is currently serving the eighth year of a four-year presidential term, win a victory at the UN. The recent surge in terror attacks on Israeli targets serves to bolster Hamas’s popularity since in the upside-down world of Palestinian politics, parties gain ground by violence against Israel and the Jews rather than doing something for their own people. But it also helps to undercut Abbas’s pretensions to leadership over a unified people seeking redress at the UN.

Some may wonder whether Hamas terrorism, like the recent kind words directed at former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert by Abbas, are intended to influence the January elections in the Jewish state. That’s doubtful, but even if true it is a futile gesture. The vast majority of Israelis long ago gave up on the Palestinians. They understand that a sea change will have to take place in their political culture before a leader or a party willing to actually end the conflict with Israel can be produced. That’s why the notion that Olmert or anyone else could put together a coalition to defeat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by running on a platform seeking to revive the peace process is about as likely as Fatah and Hamas competing peacefully in a democratic election and then working together to ease the plight of their people

The reality of life in southern Israel is brutal and will, no doubt, create more pressure on Netanyahu to eventually act decisively to clip the wings of the growing military threat in Gaza. The Iron Dome anti-missile system has had some limited successes, such as the interception this weekend of rockets heading for the cities of Beersheba and Ashkelon. But the towns along the border like Sderot are still getting pasted. Above all, the near-daily assault from Gaza brings home to Israelis the real meaning of Palestinian independence.

Topics: Fatah, Gaza, Hamas, Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian Authority, Palestinian statehood

 Posted by at 2:45 am  Tagged with: , , , , ,

Surprising Facts About Israel tour

 Creating Life Style, Israel  2 Responses »
Nov 012012
 
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Israel and It’ People

Recently I had the good fortune to visit Israel, something I’ve wanted to do for many years. This year I finally got around to it.

We all experience unexpected moments from time to time and, for my wife and me, it started at Heathrow Airport. Most airlines servicing Heathrow can be seen in one long row in Departures but, for the Israel EL AL airline we went down a long corridor with police fully armed at the checkpoint. When we reached the end we were greeted by friendly security people in plain clothes who asked a number of questions before allowing us to proceed to the check-in counter. I have to admit, the high level of security certainly gave me confidence in the airline. On board the we experienced excellent and friendly service and the flight was smooth.

Our tour began in Tel Aviv, a very modern western style city of high-rise buildings, great shopping, great night life and lovely beaches.

Tel Aviv Israel

The weather was gloriously sunny and warm and our hotel first class.

From Tel Aviv we moved onto Caesarea, exploring several ancient crusader sites before travelling on to Haifa in the north, a distance of about 90km from Tel Aviv. The history and places of interest in this region are well worth the visit. From Haifa we moved on to Nazareth to see the village and Temples of Jesus’ time and after this on to Tiberias. The following day we took a boat trip out on the Sea of Galilee. It was early morning on a fine day and the whole experience was one of immense peace and beauty. Before we returned to shore the crew taught us an ancient Jewish dance which was one great workout.

A highlight of the tour, and one not to be missed, was a visit to Masada where 2000 years ago the Romans spent four years trying to conquer 960 Jews who had holed upin the fortress. By the time the Romans eventually got over the walls all 960 Jews had committed suicide rather than be taken prisoner, murdered or used  in the arena for Roman entertainment. (Peter O’Toole played the Roman General Flavius Silva in a 1981  TV series.  Prior to thie the Romans had ransacked Jerusalem, killing over a million Jews and taking many into captivity (read The Dove Keepers by Anna Hoffman).

Masada Israel

Moving south we reached Jericho then onto the Dead Sea for an afternoon float where the water’s salt content is ten times more than normal sea water. Take my advice, take some rubber footwear to wear in the water, the salt crystals are killing on the feet, like stepping on broken class. I was surprised at how big the Dead Sea was and its salts and minerals have a  substantial commercial value, providing soaps, perfumes and other body treatments besides use in agriculture.

The next day we visited the capital of Israel, Jerusalem,

Jerusalem

where we spent a couple of days. The history is overwhelming with so many historic places to visit. The old city is made up of four quarters – Christian, Muslim, Armenian and Jewish and strolling through their markets is a wonderful experience.

During this time we took a side trip to Bethlehem, which is controlled by the Palestinian authorities. Here we visited the birthplace of Christ

Soldiers praying over the tomb of King David

and other ancient buildings, some dating back more than two thousand years.

Day 8 saw us heading back to Tel Aviv to catch our plane out to Athens.

We were surprised at how safe we felt the whole time we were in Israel. The people were    business-like but friendly and it was overall an exciting and wonderful experience. The roads were excellent, hotels some of the best we’ve experienced and the food, well you have to try as many different dishes as you can. I loved it.

Our weather was perfect and we can’t wait to go again. I highly recommend putting a tour of Israel on your trip list.

 

 Posted by at 6:15 am  Tagged with: , , ,

Abbas: Israel’s Necessary Enemy

 Israel  1 Response »
Oct 022012
 
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Abbas: Israel’s Necessary Enemy

Although Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas has proven bad for peace, the alternative is much worse, Jonathan Tobin writes in Commentary.

The notion of a “Palestinian Spring” in which West Bankers would rise up and throw out a corrupt Fatah would not lead to either democracy or peace, but a Hamas government that would be a formula for further instability and violence.

The best scenario they can hope for is a continuation of a situation where terrorism is under control. For that, as [Defense Minister Ehud] Barak argues, they need Abbas and Fatah. He may be an enemy, but under the current circumstances, he appears to be a necessary one. That’s a hard truth that both left-wing Israel-haters and Israeli right-wingers must make their peace with.

Author: Stand for Israel | October 1, 2012
 Posted by at 3:52 am  Tagged with: , , ,

PM: Attack shows importance of the border fence

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Sep 242012
 
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By HERB KEINON, REUTERS, JPOST.COM STAFF

09/23/2012 13:11

Islamist group says attack a response to anti-Islam film; Gantz meets soldiers who thwarted attack, including female shooter.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu at cabinet meetiPhoto: Pool/ Emil Salman

Friday’s clash on the Israeli-Egyptian border that left one IDF soldier and three terrorists killed just proves how important the decision was a couple years ago to build the 240-kilometer fence along the Egyptian border that is now nearing completion, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Sunday.

Netanyahu, speaking at the weekly cabinet meeting, said the fence – and the IDF activities along the fence – prevent not only the entrance of illegal migrants, but also the infiltration of terrorist cells.

Netanyahu pointed out that the soldier who fell, Corporal Netanel Yahalomi, did not have a combat medical profile, but through stubborn determination fought to be a combat soldier. Netanyahu also praised the soldiers of the Caracal unit, which includes both men and women in active combat positions, for their role in preventing the terrorist cell from infiltrating.

“I want to praise the actions of the fighters, men and women, in preventing an attack that could have been much more deadly,” he said. “I think this also illustrates again the importance of the government’s decision to erect the security fence on the Sinai border.”

Terrorists in the Sinai Peninsula opened fire on IDF soldiers on the Israeli-Egyptian border on Friday, killing Corporal Netanel Yahalomi and wounding another soldier, before the gunmen were killed in return fire.

While it was initially reported that the soldiers had left a fortified position to give water to a group of migrants when they were fired on, Colonel Guy Biton, commander of the IDF brigade which patrols in the area along the border where the incident happened, later said “there is no connection between the presence of the infiltrators at the border and the incident with the terrorists.”

The attack occurred along a 17-km. stretch of the border where the fence has not yet been completed, in the Har Harif area.

Gantz meets soldiers who thwarted attack

During a visit to the site of the attack on Sunday, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen Gantz said that the completion of the Israel-Egypt border fence will not mean an end to the threat from the Sinai peninsula.

“The Sinai border will continue to pose a challenge for us,” Gantz said.

“We have made a great effort over the past two years to seal the border with Egypt and it will be sealed, but even when that happens, the threat won’t be eliminated,” he continued.

Gantz met with soldiers of the Artillery Corps and the Caracal Battalion who thwarted the attack. Among the soldiers of this force was a woman who was shot in the line of duty – yet rushed forward and struck one of the terrorists, according to the IDF Spokesman’s Unit.

An Islamist terrorist group based in Egypt’s Sinai claimed responsibility for the attack.

The group Ansar Bayt al-Maqdes said the attack was in response to the anti-Islam film that has sparked worldwide protests and violence.

Netanyahu to meet Clinton, Ban in New York

Netanyahu also told the cabinet he will be leaving immediately after Yom Kippur for the UN to address the General Assembly.

Referring to Iran, Netanyahu said he will “say again that it is forbidden for the most dangerous nation in the world to get the most dangerous weapons in the world.”

Netanyahu told the cabinet he would meet during his three day stay with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, whom he criticized sharply last month for attending the Non-Aligned Movement’s summit in Tehran; with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, whom he praised earlier this month for taking a “moral stand” and cutting ties with Iran; and with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, whom he indirectly criticized two weeks ago for not willing to put down “red lines” on Iran.

JPost.com staff contributed to this report.

 Posted by at 2:25 am  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

IAF strikes Gaza targets in retaliation to rockets. The Jerusalem Post

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Sep 102012
 
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IAF strikes Gaza targets in retaliation to rockets

By JPOST.COM STAFF
09/10/2012 02:13

Aircraft bomb weapons sites, smuggling tunnels in north, south Gaza; Palestinians report helicopter strike in east Gaza City.

Smoke rises after an IAF strike in Gaza [file] Photo: REUTERS

The Israel Air Force struck targets in the Gaza Strip overnight Sunday in retaliation to rocket fire Saturday which lightly injured seven Israeli civilians in Netivot and Beersheba.

Aircraft struck weapons manufacturing facilities, a terror activity site and a terror tunnel in the northern Gaza Strip, as well as a smuggling tunnels in the southern Gaza Strip, the IDF Spokesman’s Office stated. IAF helicopters also hit targets east of Gaza City, according to Palestinian news agency Ma’an.

The IDF confirmed its aircraft registered direct hits on their targets.

In a statement released following the bombing, the IDF stated that the attack was in response to Palestinian rocket fire, and added that it “will not tolerate any attempt to harm Israeli citizens and IDF soldiers.”

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Sunday vowed retribution for rocket fire into southern Israel from the Gaza Strip overnight Saturday, saying, “I am entirely obligated to make clear to the terrorists that they cannot fire rockets at Israel with impunity.”

Palestinian terrorists from the Gaza Strip fired two Grad rockets into Israel overnight Saturday, damaging two buildings in Netivot and lightly injuring seven civilians. The attacks came just days after an escalation along Israel’s southern border which resulted in the killing of six Palestinians the IDF said were plotting terrorist attacks against Israelis.

On Wednesday night, IAF aircraft targeted a terrorist squad in the central Gaza Strip during final preparations to fire rockets at Israel. Palestinian sources said at least three men were killed in the air strike, and one wounded. The cell had been involved in rocket fire on southern Israel in the past, according to the IDF.

On Thursday morning, the IDF attacked a terrorist cell attempting to place a bomb on the Gaza border. Infantrymen from the Givati Brigade along with tanks and aircraft successfully struck the cell. Palestinian sources said that three people were killed by IDF fire in the incident.

Towards the end of August, Palestinians fired several rockets at Israel, one of which struck and damaged a home in Sderot.

 

 Posted by at 6:20 pm  Tagged with: , , , ,

Prosor: Roar of Gaza rockets fall on deaf ears to UN

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Sep 012012
 
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Prosor: Roar of Gaza rockets fall on deaf ears to UN

08/30/2012 03:58

Israeli Ambassador to the UN pens letter to UNSC president in response to report stating that Gaza won’t be “livable” by 2020.

Ron Prosor addressed UNSCPhoto: Screenshot

A group of researchers on the moon could have produced a more accurate and balanced report on Gaza than the one the UN produced this week, Israel’s ambassador Ron Prosor wrote Wednesday in a blistering letter to Security Council President Gerard Araud.

“This week, Israel’s children started their school year with the all-too-familiar sounds of sirens and explosions, as terrorists in Gaza fired six more rockets into their communities, Prosor wrote.

“While Israel’s schoolchildren were taking cover in bomb shelters, the UN released yet another biased report about Gaza. Apparently, the roar of rockets flying out of Gaza has not reached the deaf ears of the UN agencies that produced this report.”

What raised Prosor’s ire was a report, billed as the UN’s most comprehensive one to date on the Gaza Strip, that concluded that the region will not be “livable” by 2020 unless urgent action is taken to improve fundamental infrastructure such as health, electricity, water, sanitation, municipal and social services.

A report on the document on the UN website stated that “Gaza remains subject to severe restrictions on imports, exports and the movement of people, by land, air and sea, as a result of the blockade Israel imposed on the area for what it called security reasons after the Hamas group, which does not recognize Israel’s right to exist, ousted the Fatah movement in the Strip in 2007.”

Prosor said the officials who wrote the document “conveniently failed to mention that Hamas has brutally hijacked Gaza and deliberately targets Israeli civilians in relentless rocket attacks.”

The truth, he wrote, was “plain and simple: Hamas is responsible for the suffering in Gaza.”

Prosor said it was “high time” for the Security Council and other UN bodies to speak out loudly and clearly “against the violence that Hamas and other terrorists in Gaza continue to unleash on the children of our region, Israelis and Palestinians alike.”

Israel, Prosor concluded, will continue to hold Hamas responsible for all attacks emanating from Gaza, and will continue to “exercise its right to self-defense, as appropriate, and will take all necessary measures to protect its citizens.

 Posted by at 4:34 pm
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