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Peres: Hamas will pay for firing rockets at our children – The Jerusalem Post

 Israel  1 Response »
Aug 272012
 
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Peres: Hamas will pay for firing rockets at our children

08/27/2012 16:03

As over two million Israeli children open school year across the country, president visits embattled Sha’ar Hanegev, says “if they fire, we will fire”; 3 rockets fall in South, 7 in recent days.

President Shimon Peres [file photo]Photo: REUTERS

President Shimon Peres said Monday that he could not understand the stupidity of the ongoing rocket campaign being waged by Palestinian terrorists, which has escalated in the lead in to Israel’s 2012-2013 school year.

“If they fire, we will fire,” Peres said at the opening of the Sha’ar Hanegev Technological High School. “Hamas and all terrorist organizations affiliated with Hamas in Gaza will pay the price for trying to harm innocent people and disrupt the opening of the school year in communities surrounding the Gaza Strip.

Seven rockets have been fired into southern in recent days, including three on Monday. No civilians were injured in the attack, but two rockets fell quite close to the rocket-protected educational facility Peres was visiting.

“Hamas needs to know that there will be strong repercussions from Israel if it persists in firing rockets at Israeli children,” said the president.

Peres praised the students, and residents of the South in general, for their stoicism in the face of the onslaught of rockets from Gaza. “The State of Israel is proud of you,” he said.

Peres, who loves to be in the midst of young people, sat down at a desk in a grade nine classroom and happily joined in the student activities, even to the extent of raising his hand when seeking permission to say something.

Alon Shuster, head of the Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council, commended Peres for visiting the embattled area instead of a school much closer to home in the Jerusalem area.

 Posted by at 6:16 pm

Is Obama the best President to help Israel ?

 Creating Life Style  No Responses »
Aug 232012
 
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These are facts, not opinions.

BY COLIN H. KAHL

As the Defense Department official with primary responsibility for enhancing Israel’s defense capabilities and deepening joint military cooperation with the United States from 2009 to 2011, I can attest to the reality: No president in history has done more for Israel’s security than Obama.

The case for Obama’s Israel policy begins with record-high levels of Foreign Military Financing (FMF). The Obama administration has increased security assistance to Israel every single year since the president took office, providing nearly $10 billion in aid—covering roughly a fifth of Israel’s defense budget—over the past three years…

Under Obama’s direction, the United States has also deepened defense cooperationaimed at helping Israel address its most pressing security concerns, including rocket and missile threats emanating from the Gaza Strip, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran. When then-Senator Obama traveled to Israel in 2008, it wasn’t for a political fundraiser. Instead, he visited Israeli victims of Palestinian rocket fire in the southern town of Sderot, declaring ‘I came to Sderot with a commitment to Israel’s security.’ These were not just words. As president, Obama has championed efforts to provide Israel with $275 million over and above its annual FMF to help finance Iron Dome, an anti-rocket system that has already saved Israeli lives by intercepting approximately 90 percent of projectiles launched against protected areas in the country’s south in the past year…

providing Israel with advanced technology, such as the fifth-generation stealth Joint Strike Fighter, to which no other state in the Middle East has access.

This assistance is part of a comprehensive package<http: crs=”" mideast=”" rl33222.pdf=”" sgp=”" www.fas.org=”"> that underwrites Israel’s multitiered rocket and missile defense. The package includes U.S. aid for the development of the David’s Sling long-range rocket defense system and the Arrow ballistic missile defense (BMD) systems. It also involves maintaining an advanced U.S. X-band long-range radar <http: 0,8599,2115955,00.html=”" article=”" time=”" world=”" www.time.com=”"> system in Israel’s Negev desert, positioning U.S. Aegis BMD ships in the eastern Mediterranean, and conducting the largest joint military exercises in history to improve U.S.-Israel missile defense cooperation.

Beyond efforts to build Israel’s military capabilities, Obama has attempted to shape a regional and international environment that enhances Israel’s security over the long haul.

Time and again, Obama has mobilized the diplomatic might of the United States to protect Israel, even when doing so generated substantial criticism abroad. Obama has consistently defended Israel at the United Nations, rejecting the unbalanced Goldstone report, defending Israel over the Gaza flotilla incident with Turkey, and blocking Palestinian attempts to circumvent direct negotiations with Israel and impose an outcome through early recognition of statehood. In doing so, Obama has repeatedly shown his willingness to shield Israelis from international efforts aimed at isolating and delegitimizing the Jewish state.

Even as Obama has pressed all sides to make peace, he has stood shoulder to shoulder with the Jewish state in the face of mounting international challenges. As uprisings swept over the Arab world, the administration made clear to Egypt’s new leaders that U.S. aid was conditioned on Egypt continuing to abide by its peace treaty with Israel. And when an angry mob stormed the Israeli Embassy in Cairo last September, Obama personally and directly intervened with Egypt’s military to ensure the safety of Israeli diplomats.

I remember sitting in my Pentagon office that night when the phones started ringing off the hook from the White House. “You have to get Secretary [of Defense Leon] Panetta on the phone with [Egyptian Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein] Tantawi, now,” a senior National Security Council staffer urged. “We may only have 20 to 30 minutes before it is too late.” The call was part of a five-alarm fire drill orchestrated by the president to ensure that every possible avenue of communication and influence was directed at the Egyptian military. And it worked. Afterward, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahusaid<http: apps=”" content.aspx?c=”keJNIWOvElH&amp;b=5772823&amp;ct=11213247&amp;notoc=1″ nlnet=”" site=”" www.hadassah.org=”">, “I requested his [Obama's] assistance at a decisive — I would even say fateful — moment. He said he would do everything possible, and this is what he did. He activated all of the United States’ means and influence — which are certainly considerable. I believe we owe him a special debt of gratitude. This testifies to the powerful alliance between Israel and the United States.”

Obama has also taken aggressive action to counter the threat Israeli leaders describe as their No. 1 national security concern: Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Obama has repeatedly stated that an Iranian nuclear weapon is ‘unacceptable,’ and he has committed to using all instruments of U.S. power—economic, diplomatic, intelligence, and military—to prevent, not contain, this outcome… These sanctions—which have cut Iranian oil exports in half, have cost the Iranians billions of dollars in revenue every month, have increased inflation, and have caused the value of Iran’s currency to plummet—have finally pushed the regime back to the negotiating table…

Obama clearly prefers a diplomatic outcome to the crisis, seeing it as the most sustainable solution. But he has also made clear that all options, including military force, remain on the table to prevent Iran from crossing the nuclear threshold should diplomacy fail. Both the defense secretary and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have stated that the United States possesses a viable military plan in the event of a conflict with Iran. And the president has authorized additional military deployments to the Persian Gulf to ensure the option is credible…</http:></http:></http:>

 Posted by at 10:51 am

Israel to Arabs: No Recognition of Israel? No Entry

 Israel  No Responses »
Aug 102012
 
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Israel to Arabs: No Recognition of Israel? No Entry

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Date Posted: 2012-08-06 21:37:55

Israel is getting tough with Arab countries that do not recognize Israel and bars them from crossing Jordan to Ramallah.jordan border

The Foreign Minister explained that diplomats from Cuba, Indonesia, Malaysia and Bangladesh are not being allowed to attend a mini-Non-Aligned Movement conference in the Palestinian Authority headquarters because their governments do not have diplomatic ties with Israel.

A delegation from Algeria was to be barred, but the country told its officials to return home before Israel could bar therm.

The conference was to be held to back PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas; renewed attempt to win recognition from the United Nations, this time as an observer state, but the PA said it will cancel the meeting because of Israel’s action.

Other countries that were to attend include those who have ties with Israel, such as Egypt, Jordan, India, Colombia and South Africa.

Abbas is expected to have no trouble winning a virtually guaranteed majority in the General Assembly, unlike last years’ failed bid for full membership, which requires two-thirds approval from the United Nations Security Council.

The Non-Aligned Movement of 120 countries still is scheduled to hold a meeting in Iran at the end of this month.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is expected to ask the conference for a resolution recognizing the right of developing countries to enrich uranium and develop nuclear power, regardless of limits set out in the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

via israelnn.com

 Posted by at 9:49 am

Longing for a Level Playing Field

 Creating Life Style, Israel  No Responses »
Aug 062012
 
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Rabbi’s Commentary

Longing for a Level Playing Field

Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein

August 3, 2012

Dear Friend of Israel,

For the past week, the world’s attention has been focused on London, where the world’s top athletes are gathered to compete in the 2012 Olympic Games. The pomp and pageantry of the opening ceremonies is always impressive, as is the spectacle of seeing teams from every nation enter the Olympic stadium with their countrymen in the stands cheering them on.

Throughout history, the Olympics have been a forum for the nations of the world to celebrate and marvel at the athletic feats humans can accomplish through discipline and hard work. Despite what’s happening off the playing fields, the athletes pledge to engage in the games “in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honor of our teams” (from the Olympic Oath). And they do so in the shadow of the Olympic flag, with the colors of its five rings capturing at least one color from each of the worlds’ flags, and its interconnectedness symbolizing the friendship these international competitions are intended to foster.

The Olympics are meant to showcase our best — our best athletes, our best achievements, our best spirit of honor, fair play, and brotherhood. Unfortunately, where Israel is concerned, even this international celebration has become politicized.

The most extreme and terrifying example of this use of the games to advance a political agenda occurred at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, when members of the Palestinian terrorist group Black September kidnapped members of the Israeli Olympics team, demanding the release of more than 200 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. Eventually, the terrorists killed 11 Israeli athletes and coaches. This year, the 40th anniversary of the Munich Massacre, countless individuals and world leaders petitioned the Committe International Olympic  (IOC) to observe a minute of silence to honor those who were murdered. But, bowing to pressure from Arab nations, the IOC refused.

Less tragic examples of the collision of sports and radical politics at the Olympics are nonetheless disturbing. The British media giant BBC refused to acknowledge Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on their website coverage of the Olympics. Members of the Lebanese judo team demanded that IOC officials erect a barrier between the Israeli judo squad and themselves during training, a request the IOC promptly met. An Iranian judo champion mysteriously became “sick” and was unable to come to the Olympics when it was discovered that he was the one member of the Iranian team slated to face an Israeli in competition. (Iran has a longstanding policy of not allowing its athletes to face Israeli opponents). The Israeli athletes, meanwhile, remain willing and eager to compete against anyone.

This treatment at the Games is a microcosm of how Israel is treated in the political sphere: She is routinely excluded from gatherings of nations, with the recent U.N. conference on terrorism in Madrid and an international counterterrorism forum in Istanbul serving as just two of many examples. Apparently, some nations have such distaste for Israel that they’d rather not gain from her vast experience in matters of security expertise she is more than happy to share that could help save the lives of their citizens.

Over the coming week, as the Olympic Games continue to inspire us with their displays of strength, discipline, and skill, may they also inspire the world with their spirit of unity and brotherhood. And let us pray and work toward a world where all nations, including Israel, are on a level playing field.

With prayers for shalom, peace,


Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein
President

Stand for Israel

 Posted by at 7:18 am  Tagged with: , ,

Israel’s Unique Hope

 Israel  1 Response »
Aug 062012
 
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Israel’s Unique Hope

August 2, 2012

Shalom,

Being in America for the summer to visit family and Fellowship friends is so wonderful, and there have been many stark reminders that life here in the U.S. is so different from life in the Holy Land. It’s the little things that make Israel so unique, and I’m sadly realizing that much of what defines life in Israel is a byproduct of the terror we have faced for the past 64 years.

In Israel, there is a security guard checking bags at the entrance to every store, restaurant, and building to ensure terrorists and weapons do not enter. After seven years of living in Israel, security checks are something that I have gotten used to. But I’m always reminded that they represent the scary reality that terror can strike anywhere, at any time.

These security checks are so ingrained in my psyche that when I entered a mall in Chicago last week with my best friend, I naturally opened my purse and looked around for a security guard to check my belongings. But there was no security guard in sight. “In America, we enter stores without fear of terror attacks,” my friend reminded me. “Wow, thank God,” I replied, and I meant it with all of my heart. “Land of the free, home of the brave,” was the phrase that repeated in my head and suddenly those words held a deep meaning.

Despite the routines of daily life that are affected by the threat of terror in Israel time-consuming bag checks at the entrance to stores, traffic being halted while the army identifies a suspicious object left on the side of the road, or sending our husbands to an army refresher course for one month each year the Israeli people do not let anything extinguish our hope of eventually living in peace. Every day we beg God to send the peaceful times that our prophets envisioned, when “the wolf will live with the lamb” (Isaiah 11:6).

When I visited Texas last week, I realized that, despite the huge percentage of Spanish-speaking residents, the street signs were only written in English. It suddenly gave me a new appreciation, that in Israel the street signs are all written in Hebrew, English, and Arabic. Despite the terror that we face from our Arab neighbors, the Israeli people take unprecedented steps toward building a lasting trust and peace, which I believe is God’s will. “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1).

As I say my prayers each morning, I beg God to continue blessing America with peace and freedom. Although I am immensely enjoying my time here in the great U.S., it is still crystal clear to me that Israel is my true home, and I yearn for the day when all Jews can enjoy a true and lasting peace in their homeland.
With Blessings,

Yael

 Posted by at 7:06 am

Will the people ever learn

 Creating Life Style  2 Responses »
Aug 042012
 
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“This is the war to end all wars!”  Winston Churchill referring to the start of WWII.

Well, here we are in 2012, 67 years after the war end and just how many wars have we had since then? Has anyone bothered to count? Or is it too much to think about?

Man seems bent on the desire to own and control. Hate and greed have jostled `love your neighbour’ into a poor second place and created a new breed of power and wealth obsessives. And I don’t mean just our world leaders; the introduction of TV reality shows and an increase in magazines, touting the rich and famous alongside the wannabes who seem prepared to do just about anything to get their names in lights and on newspaper banners and magazine covers.

It seems that while technology is running its exponential race, faster and faster, higher and higher, bigger and better, civilised behaviour has taken a massive step backwards.

It makes one think, `Will we ever become civilised?’
Not in my time, or yours, I’d wager.

The United Nations Organisation was created with the belief that world unity would bring peace, or at least stability, to its member countries. Unfortunately, it has instead become no more than a political football with East playing off against the West and poorer countries, with little sway, often being the losers.

Certainly, the UN has its successes. World peace-keeping missions have achieved some worthy outcomes and its refugee work has provided critical support to countries experiencing famine and the aftermaths of civil war and horrific dictatorhip regimes.

One has to wonder what could be achieved in the world if all members of the UN agreed to put their political differences aside and instead worked towards saving our planet and its people. The money saved would go a long long way towards fixing what is wrong with the world.

Imagine if you can the perfect world, where self-interest is put aside and replaced with a desire to help. Deserts would become green food-producing land, much like Israel has created out of huge tracts of dry barren desert land. In African countries, where water shortages constantly threaten the lives of millions, money saved from governments no longer going to war could be used to increase  spending on health, education, environment and welfare.

Unfortunately,  this hope is but a dream for, until man can learn to replace his basic self-interest and lust for power with love for  his neighbours, nothing is going to change.

“Who are my neighbours?”  asked Jesus, 2000 years ago.
The following story reflects his own answer to the question.

`One evening a man was driving from his suburban home to his downtown office. Because he was pressed for time he decided to drive the most direct route, which led right through the roughest part of the inner city. Now, it just so happened that while driving through this mostly black part of town, one of his car tyres blew.
Because he knew that his white face stuck out like a sore thumb in this part of town, he was tempted to continue driving on the flattened tyre but decided it would only take a minute to change it.
While he was changing the tyre, a gang of black youths attacked him, stripped and beat him, and left him for dead.

Some time later, a preacher on his way to evening service also had to drive through this part of town. When he saw an expensive car up on a jack with all its wheels missing, he slowed down. The beaten man, who had managed to pick himself up and get back into the car, was slumped over the steering wheel. The preacher hurried on his way, deciding that it would be too dangerous to stop.

Shortly after, another man, who had been a Christian all his life and was well respected in his community, also saw the injured man, but he too decided it would be too dangerous to get involved.

Finally, an old black man driving a beat-up pickup truck drove up and stopped. He pulled the injured man from the car, laid him in the back of his truck, and drove him to the hospital. After paying the hospital bill he continued on his way and never saw the injured man again.

Which of these three, do you think, proved a neighbor to the injured man?

If you answered, “The one who had mercy on him and stopped and took care of him,” you would be right.

Jesus says to you: “Go and do likewise.” (See Lk 10:25-37 for the original version of this story).

Before we can begin to change we need a lot more, `Love thy neighbour,’ in our hearts. All it takes is the first step from each of us.

Do you think we can do it?

 Posted by at 1:57 pm

Bulgaria attack a cowardly act

 Israel  No Responses »
Jul 222012
 
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Rabbi’s Commentary

Another Senseless Attack

Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein

July 20, 2012

Dear Friend of Israel,

The bus was full of families and teenagers eager to embark on their beach vacation. They arrived in Burgas, Bulgaria yesterday from Israel, part of a tour group headed to a nearby resort. Shortly after they boarded the buses, a loud explosion interrupted their happy chatter — ending six lives and injuring at least 30 more.

Oren Katz, who was on a bus adjacent to the one that was bombed, described the fiery scene to CNN: “The moment we got on (the bus), we heard a very loud explosion… Everyone started running in all directions. There was a big chaos.” Katz, who was on vacation with his wife and their three children, none of whom were hurt, said gravely, “I cannot forget the sight of body parts scattered around the bus.”

While the investigation into the attack is ongoing, after the bombing Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu issued a characteristically blunt statement: “All signs point toward Iran. Over the last few months we have seen Iran’s attempts to attack Israelis in Thailand, India, Georgia, Kenya, Cyprus, and other countries.” In fact, the Israeli government had requested that Bulgaria increase security measures following a bomb scare on a bus full of Israelis traveling to Bulgaria from Turkey in January.

The attack in Bulgaria fell on the 18-year anniversary of the terrorist bombing of the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association building in Buenos Aires, Argentina. That attack — orchestrated by Iran, and carried out by the Hezbollah terrorist group — killed 85 people, and injured hundreds more.

It is as yet uncertain whether this anniversary is a coincidence. Regardless, what happened in Bulgaria, and what happened in Argentina 18 years ago, serves as a painful reminder of why Israel takes security measures so seriously — and why The Fellowship remains committed to supporting projects that improve security not just in Israel, but in Jewish communities around the world, including in Bulgaria. Israel knows all too well that there is no placating terrorist groups like Hezbollah, or terrorist-promoting nations like Iran, that are driven by ideological hatred. They will attempt to strike again and again, and occasionally, tragically, despite the best efforts of security forces, they will succeed. The sooner the rest of the world faces up to this harsh reality, the better we will be able to confront the Islamist terrorists who threaten not only Israel, but the entire free world.

Please pray today for the victims of the attack in Bulgaria and their loved ones, and for all those whose lives have been permanently scarred by terror. And say a prayer, too, for the men and women who put their lives on the line confronting the terrorist threat around the world. May we all see the day when God blesses us with His most precious gift — the gift of shalom, peace.


Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein
President

 Posted by at 6:56 pm

Religious Liberty

 Israel  No Responses »
Jul 082012
 
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Religious liberty: Obeying a higher court

Photo: Cheskel Dovid

Late last month a German court banned circumcision of young boys – even for religious purposes. Last year, the City of San Francisco briefly had a circumcision ban on the ballot before a judge forced its removal from consideration.

But Genesis 17:11-12 commands us:

You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin and that shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. And throughout the generations, every mal among you shall be circumcised at the age of eight days.

Jews continue to circumcise our sons on the eighth day as we have since the time God commanded Abraham. Even in the darkest times in Jewish history – through crusades, expulsions, and inquisitions – and in the darkest places – in ghettos and death camps – we have followed this commandment. Rabbi Ephraim Oshry, a Lithuanian rabbi who survived the Holocaust and was able to write down and recover his answers to the horrifying, painful Jewish legal questions that arose in the ghettos and the camps, published a book called Responsa from the Holocaust.  In it, among the heart-rending stories, he tells of a woman who asked if she could circumcise her son before the eighth day because, though he was born healthy, she knew she could not keep him warm and nourished enough to live out a full week.

Leaving aside the disgraceful imagery of a German court (of all countries) attempting to impose such a ban, those who would try to stop Jews from circumcising our sons should understand that our people have performed the commandment of milah (ritual circumcision) in far worse conditions than under threat from a court.

Author: Rabbi Jonathan Greenberg | July 6, 2012

What do you think?

  • Denis
    July 6, 2012
    2:36 pm
    Nazi-ism certainly is on the rise again – in Germany. Will they never learn?
    Reply to this comment »
  • Aliza
    July 6, 2012
    2:29 pm
    I think that German need to butt off and not control anybody, especially the jews. Even the Christian are circumcised. What’s the different? I think that German and Iran needs to shake hands.
    Reply to this comment »
    • Margaret
      July 6, 2012
      3:04 pm
      I am not surprised about anything the Germans or any enemy of the cross of Christ do. God’s word has prepared us for much worse and it is coming right at us. We just need to study it in more detail.The Enemy is very busy and when we cannot be reached in one way, then it tries the other. Hold fast. Jesus is coming soon. God Bless the people of Israel. Love.
      Reply to this comment »
    • Debra
      July 6, 2012
      3:09 pm
      Germany and Iran shook hands before and during the Holocaust, so it wouldn’t be the first time.
      Reply to this comment »
  • Bonnie
    July 6, 2012
    1:39 pm
    The Government, needs to back off! They are WAY over-stepping their boundaries when their DICTATING how to raise our children! America is just as bad-if not worse! Government is to be subject and submitted to God…not trying to be God!!! The Peoples in this case, are going to obey God! Hands down…I would too. Even though through Jesus, circumcision is no longer necessary, but circumcision I think is good anyways-Just ignorant and way out there!!! Shame on Germany period! I am only sorry I have German blood most of the time. Thank-you LORD that the precious blood of Jesus takes away the sin of the world… We only need to ask Jesus to forgive our sins, and come into our Hearts to live within us. He is a gentle, loving, caring more than all-God!!! Jesus you are all in all and everything good and just!
    Reply to this comment »
  • fran
    July 6, 2012
    1:33 pm
    I am embarassed for the German’s and for thei court. Who or what got to these Justices and why was there a ruling anyway. Did somebody sue. Better a circucision after 8 days than the Moslem 13 years.
    Reply to this comment »
  • Tom
    July 6, 2012
    1:22 pm
    Men are healthier when circumcised. Blood coagulates on the 8th day better than any other time of life. Circumcision prevents smegma (sp). The wives of circumcised husbands have far less cervical and uterin cancers. What more can you ask for. Obey God! It’s always best.
    Reply to this comment »
    • Bonnie
      July 6, 2012
      1:41 pm
      Well said!!! I truly did not know about the Cancer-yes, always better to obey God! Great post! God bless you…
      Reply to this comment »
  • JON
    July 6, 2012
    1:20 pm
    i continue to learn more and more about the ways of G_d and i am stunned at the beaty and infinate wisdom hidden in this ritual. i would definately defy any decision against it! a german court is again on the wrong side of our creator. does germany shake its fist at the all mighty??
    Reply to this comment »
  • Katie
    July 6, 2012
    1:16 pm
    The Gentiles circumcise too. My family does it!! I remember when my little brother, who is 11 years younger than me, was born, and I asked what’s circumcision? So, I learned at an early age. Katie.
    Reply to this comment »
  • Noreen
    July 6, 2012
    1:15 pm
    But he is a Jew, who is one inwardly; and circumcission is that of the heart, inthe Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but that of God,(Romans2:29). 1 corinthians7:19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters.
    Reply to this comment »
    • fran
      July 6, 2012
      1:54 pm
      I am sure you are quoting correctly but our Halacha is to circumcize the foreskin on the boys 8th day and that is our covenant which we follow
      Reply to this comment »
    • Denis
      July 6, 2012
      2:34 pm
      Yes, obeying the commandment is what matters, and Genesis 17, 11-12 is that commandment. Further your greek/westernised interpretation of Paul`s teaching on this matter is wrong. Allgentiles have misunderstood what paul was aiming at here. Paul never, repeat never forbade or disobeyed the shomering of Torah!.
      Reply to this comment »
  • Deborah
    July 6, 2012
    12:51 pm
    the Government should not be able to make that decision for anyone….
    Reply to this comment »
  • Robert
    July 6, 2012
    12:35 pm
    Although governments may pass laws as they deem proper, a free society must respect harmless religious convictions. God’s moral law will always trump human laws. This decision is a travesty.
    Reply to this comment »
  • thomas
    July 6, 2012
    12:34 pm
    maybe we should all get together and ban all courts from interfering with our contitutional rights,and our god given rights,any court that goes against us is in judgement by god himself.
    Reply to this comment »
  • Bill
    July 6, 2012
    12:27 pm
    We are told to obey the authority of those set over us. For ADONIA has set them in place to rule.having said that, we are to obey G-D over man when it is contrary to G-D’s law.Obey G-D!
    Reply to this comment »
  • Anna
    July 6, 2012
    12:25 pm
    Utterly wrong to impose a ban. I hope and pray that there will be sufficient outcry to cause these misguided people to reverse their decision.
    Reply to this comment »
  • sandra
    July 6, 2012
    12:22 pm
    The German Court should mind their own business! What gives them the right to dictate to Jews on the matter of circumcision. It’s simply none of their business!
    Reply to this comment »
  • Patricia
    July 6, 2012
    12:17 pm
    Obey God rather than men.If Jews succumb to this threat from an earthly court it will be the beginning of the undermining of your faith.
    Reply to this comment »
  • Mihai
    July 6, 2012
    12:14 pm
    I’m not a Jew, but the decision of that court from Germany is a brutal offense to God who orders to the Jews people to do that.
    Reply to this comment »
  • Dennis
    July 6, 2012
    12:02 pm
    Gods knowledge is far above any ignorant or sane judge.
    Reply to this comment »
  • Linda
    July 6, 2012
    12:02 pm
    I think that the Government needs to butt out – This proceedure is not just a covenant practice, but it also has tremendous health benefits to both male and female.
    Reply to this comment »

 Posted by at 10:59 am

Hamas continues to harm

 Creating Life Style  1 Response »
Jun 242012
 
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Hamas continues to harm

According to the Times of Israel, since Monday, ”over 120 missiles have been fired into Israel, including more than 70 fired on Wednesday alone.”

But, as a poignant and personal article in the UK’s Telegraph notes, this, the latest in a never-ending series of rocket attacks on southern Israel, has barely made a scratch on international headlines, or on the agendas of world leaders. The loss of life and terror Hamas has caused has largely been ignored by those who do not live in daily fear of it.

A young Israeli’s home is destroyed by a Hamas rocket (Photo: Edi Israel).

Authors and respected heads of Israeli regional councils in southern Isreal, Haim Yellin, Alon Shuster and Yair Farjun, write from experience on the matter:

Another week and another volley of deadly rockets have landed on our communities. As heads of the three Israeli regional councils which skirt the border with Gaza, the 130 rockets that were fired on our region over the last few days constitute a sad but all too familiar scenario. Imagine, rockets were falling on your family, your home, your community? Protecting our children from daily Hamas terror has sadly become our top priority.

The toll from this week’s attacks from Gaza includes several wounded civilians, injured when an apartment building was hit. Ominously, taking advantage of instability in Egypt and an increase in arms smuggling by terrorists in Sinai, rockets were launched from Sinai as well as neighbouring Gaza. The city of Ashqelon, home to 113,000 people, and the capital of the south, Beersheba, were a particular focus for the onslaught. Hamas, backed by Iran and the sole authority in Gaza, proudly took responsibility for many of these attacks on our civilian centres. But none of this is news. Our small region has been the target of 13,000 rockets fired from Gaza in a decade. More than one million Israelis are in range, living under a cloud of constant fear.

Read the entire article, Stop the Hamas rocket assaults on…
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Friday, June 22nd, 2012 at 12:40 PM | Stand for Israel
Hamas claims responsibility for rocket attacks

Six rockets were fired at southern Israel overnight. No injuries were reported. Hamas has taken responsibility for three of the rockets, claiming they were fired in retaliation for Israeli strikes that claimed the lives of four Palestinian terrorists killed during attacks against Israel earlier this week. The other rockets were the handiwork of Islamic Jihad, an Iran-backed terror organization operating in the Gaza Strip.

Lately, Hamas has refrained from firing rockets, preferring to “outsource” terror activity to Islamic Jihad (as was the case in March, when Islamic Jihad and the IDF clashed while Hamas stood on the sidelines). Monday night’s attacks showed a clear departure from Hamas’ policy of restraint and might signal that the terror group’s appetite for violence has surfaced once again.

Following last night’s attacks, the Israeli Air Force struck a terror cell planting explosives along the Israeli-Gaza border. Two Islamic Jihad terrorists were killed in the strike.

Rockets fired from Gaza

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Tuesday, June 19th, 2012 at 10:40 AM | Amichai Farkas
Hamas officials sheltered by Red Cross in Jerusalem

Photo by Chameleons Eye / Rex Features

It appears that, for the better part of the last year and a half, officials at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) office in Jerusalem have been sheltering two wanted Hamas officials.

Hamas, you’ll remember, is a designated terrorist organization that controls the Gaza Strip and which unabashedly calls for the destruction of Israel and the destruction of the Jewish people. When not engaged in genocidal anti-Semitism, they also like to endanger their civilian population, degrade and subjugate women, and commit violence against their political enemies.

Israeli police arrested the two men this morning.

Funny…even with that level of cooperation, the ICRC still couldn’t manage to get into Hamas-controlled Gaza to visit with kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit during his captivity. Or, perhaps because of that level of cooperation, they just weren’t trying all that hard. Kind of makes it tough for Israelis to trust them, huh?
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Tuesday, January 24th, 2012 at 10:17 AM | Stand for Israel
Terrorist on Tour

Senior Hamas leader Haniyeh surrounded by his bodyguards (Photo: Reuters)

A telling sign of the times in the wake of the Arab Spring:

Buoyed by the rise of the Islamists to power in the Arab world, Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh is planning a tour of Arab and Islamic countries – the first of its kind since his movement came to power in 2006.

Yusef Rizka, political advisor to Haniyeh, said that the emir of Qatar has invited the Hamas prime minister to visit Doha, but no date has been set yet.

According to Rizka, Haniyeh is currently considering visiting not only Qatar, but also Turkey, Bahrain, Tunisia and a number of Arab countries. He pointed out that Turkey had also invited Haniyeh.

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Monday, December 19th, 2011 at 4:15 PM | Stand for Israel
Protecting Israel from terror

Responding to the recent escalation of rocket fire stemming from the Gaza strip, IDF Chief Benny Gantz addressed the Israeli Knesset’s Defense Committee and stated that the Israeli army will eventually have to “launch a major offensive in Gaza,” in order to restore security to the southern Israeli cities that are under constant attack.

If and when the IDF launches a military offensive in the Gaza strip it would be the second of such operations since Israel’s disengagement from Gaza in 2006, which ended all military presence in Gaza and uprooted thousands of Israeli residents from the Gush Katif settlements.

While many in Israel thought that quiet would prevail as a result of the disengagement, the exact opposite has been true.

Since Israel’s evacuation of Gaza, Hamas has violently taken control of the strip and has launched a campaign of terror against the Jewish state. Islamic Jihad – which like Hamas receives support from Iran – has flourished in the Hamas ruled Gaza and is now responsible for many of the rocket attacks against Israel.

Israelis understand the necessity of launching a military offensive in Gaza to diminish the power of Hamas and Islamic Jihad and to deter terrorists from continuing to fire rockets into southern Israel. However, there is a great concern that anything short of retaking control of the strip and establishing the IDF as the sole power in Gaza will not lead to long term security in southern Israel.

Therefore, the more hawkish Israeli citizens believe that the army should reassert its power in Gaza to permanently root out Hamas and Islamic Jihad. However, realistically speaking Israel is not going to retake control of the Gaza strip in light of the political and diplomatic consequences that would ensue. Hence, any future operation in Gaza will be limited to destroying smuggling tunnels and terrorist training bases, confiscating or obliterating all weapons that are found, as well as capturing or killing Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists.

Unfortunately, a limited operation will only lead to temporary security for southern Israel. Even a highly…
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Conflict Sorrow of Syria

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Jun 012012
 
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Rabbi’s Commentary

The Sorrow of Syria

Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein

May 31, 2012

Dear Friend of Israel,
The carnage in Syria continues. Earlier this week, forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad slaughtered more than 100 people, including women and children, in the city of Houla. It was the latest violence in a conflict that has, by some accounts, left more than 10,000 Syrians dead since the uprising against Assad’s regime began in March 2011.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who has been outspoken in his condemnation of Assad’s murderous rule, expressed his “revulsion over the ongoing massacre being perpetrated by the forces of Syrian President Bashar Assad against innocent civilians.” He also made clear the connection between Syria and other forces that are key perpetrators and promoters of terrorism: “Iran and Hezbollah are an inseparable part of the Syrian atrocities and the world needs to act against them.”
The White House reacted strongly to the Houla massacre as well, calling it “a vile testament to an illegitimate regime that responds to peaceful political protest with unspeakable and inhuman brutality.” Meanwhile, a State Department spokeswoman, speaking in uncharacteristically undiplomatic language, called the attack “absolutely indefensible, vile, despicable,” adding that the slaughter was “aided and abetted by the Iranians.” The U.S. also joined several European countries in expelling Syrian diplomats.
Syrian leadership presents a serious threat not just to its own people, but to stability in the entire Middle East. As the violence escalates, the world is forced to contemplate: What would action against Syria look like? In this as in every case, the costs of military action need to be carefully weighed. An intervention in Syria could quickly spiral into a regional war that would undoubtedly involve Iran. It is a grave move that cannot be taken lightly.
War is indeed a terrible thing, and Israelis know this as well as anyone. Nearly every Israeli serves a compulsory term in the military, and almost everyone in the country knows someone who has died in battle, or whose life has been in some other way touched by war. This isn’t because Israelis are a warlike people. It’s because the state of Israel has been forced to fight for its existence from its very inception.
But there is, in the words of the Bible, “a time for war and a time for peace.” (Ecclesiastes 3:8). And there is a time when even those who love and earnestly seek peace must take up the weapons of war to help those who are oppressed and protect the innocent against violence. Whether or not the horrific situation in Syria is such an occasion is a question that will be answered by world leaders. While they consider this, we people of faith, both Christians and Jews, offer prayers that God will grant them wisdom. And we pray for the safety of the people of Syria, remembering the promise of Psalm 103 that “The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.”
With prayers for shalom, peace,
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein President

 Posted by at 12:04 pm

Visiting Israel with Insight Vacation

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May 262012
 
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This past week I travelled to Israel. I found it incredible that I felt so safe, no matter where I went or the time of day.

Arriving at Ben Gurion airport, I began my travel at Tel Aviv and spent two days touring the city and coastline. The beaches were beautiful, weather fantastic, and people everywhere enjoying themselves; walking and swimming; cafes nd restaurants spilling over with life, people making the most of the evening hours. It seemed like a typical fun city with activity from dusk to dawn.

The next day it was off to the ancient city of Jaffa then on to Caesarea where Roman and Crusader ruins are plentiful. On to Haifa and Israel’s northern port of Acre; great views from the coach as we travelled high up in the hills.

Early the next morning we enjoyed a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. The weather was beautiful and the sea calm and  restful. I would willingly have stayed longer had time permitted but there was much more to see and do in my limited time so after landing it was back on the coach and off to Capernaum and the Mount of Beatitudes then along the Jordan Valley to the Dead Sea. It is quite something to learn that the salt content of the Dead Sea is 10 times greater than normal sea water. What was most amazing to me was the sheer beauty of this so-called `dead’ sea. I’d expected something dark and murky, certainly not the brilliant blue striking its contrast against the white salty sand.

The following day we set off early to see the ancient fortress/palace of Masada. The cable-car ride up the steep cliff face to the site of this amazing place was thrilling – the butterflies gathered in my tummy were flapping their wings with great gusto as I watched the people below reduce to the size of ants. The views from the top were spectacular and our guide, Svika, with his relaxed knowledgeable commentary, able to transplant us 2000 years back in time.  It was here from 73 A.D. that 967 Jewish Zealots managed to hold out against the Romans for four years, until they finally chose mass suicide rather than murder and slavery when the Romans finally found a way to breach the walls.

On day six of the tour e visited Yad-Vashem, the museum commemorating the victims of the WWII Holocaust. I learned from a fellow tourer that Washington DC also has such a museum and, like Yad-Vashem, can bring tears to the eyes of the hardest hearts. Moving through the halls of Yad-Vashem it is almost impossible to understand the inhumanity of a few to so many. Surely such a horror can never be allowed to happen again.

Day seven dawned and we spent it wandering the streets of old Jerusalem, the Christian and Muslim Quarters and a maze of street markets. I found the lack of pressure and hassle from the stall holders pleasantly surprising and the same in the Jewish  and Armenian Quarters.

An optional excursion was a visit to Bethlehem. A change of guide here as we entered an area under Palestinian authority and again, I felt completely safe. I’m not sure why, just a sense of security and peace in the midst of all the hustle and bustle of locals, guides, and tour groups. It was a worthwhile day.

The concrete wall, erected by the Israelis to keep out the suicide bombers is a bit of an eye-sore. On the Palestinian side the graffitti artists have created some great artwork.

The end of my tour came all too quickly – there was a lot to pack in, in such a short time but I learned a lot and came away pleased that I had taken a guided tour for my Israel visit. Without a guide (and ours was extremely learned, passionate and sincere) I would never have managed to see as much. In this part of the middle east you really do need to be with someone who knows the ropes.

Israel has about 4.2 million Jews and 1.5 million Palestinians and Arabs living peacefully in Israel. The West Bank under Palestinian authority also seems peaceful and controlled. We didn’t approach the more militant Gaza Strip for obvious reasons but I can’t help feeling for both the Israelis and the Palestinians. People are people the world over; it’s only a tiny minority tthat want to hurt the rest.

 Posted by at 1:55 pm

The terrorists did their worst — this young man does his best

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May 042012
 
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The terrorists did their worst — this young man does his best

Asael Shabbo

Last week, The Fellowship’s offices in Chicago had an extraordinary visitor. Asael Shabbo is a young Israeli man who is an accomplished basketyeball player and swimmer. Nothing extraordinary there – until you find out that Asael has only one leg.

Along with other members of The Fellowship staff, I got to meet Asael and hear him tell his story, which begins as a tragedy. When he was just nine years old, a terrorist entered his home in Itamar, in the West Bank. (You may remember that this was the same Israeli town where, last year, terrorists murdered five members of the Fogel family). “He came with a gun,” Asael remembers, “and shot and killed my mother and three brothers. I lost my leg.”

When Asael speaks about the attack, it’s clear he is filled with many difficult emotions. But it’s also clear that he made the decision early on that he would not allow this devastating attack to stop him from living his life. “After something like this happens to you, you have two choices,” he told us. “One is to destroy your life and do nothing, and just to be down all the time. The second one is to do what you love, and do the best.” Asael, obviously, chose the second path.

Asael credits much of his success not only to his choice, but to the Israel Sports Center for the Disabled, where he ended up six months after the tragic murder of his family. For Asael, the Center proved to be a place of positive focus, encouragement, and support. It was there that he began swimming, which, much to the surprise of his doctors, was so therapeutic that he no longer needed surgeries to correct his injuries.

Today Asael is training other young people to overcome their disabilities, as well as training for the upcoming Paralympics games in swimming and wheelchair basketball. After that, though his disability exempts him from compulsory military service, Asael is choosing to serve a two-year stint in the IDF. “All those years they give you something, and you need to give back something,” he says, when asked about his decision to join up. “That, for me, is what’s important.”

Leaving work the day of Asael’s visit, I thought a lot about him and how he had triumphed despite tragedy. I thought – it was impossible not to – about the terrible day of the attack nine years ago, and how those memories would stay with him all his life. But, most of all, I marveled at his positive outlook, resilience, and resolve. The terrorists did their worst. Asael courageously chooses to do his best.

In many ways, Asael’s response to terrorism mirrors the response of his nation. While terrorists choose to kill innocents in order to further their ends, Israel extends humanitarian care around the world, even to the Palestinians, whose leaders are sworn to Israel’s destruction. While terrorists choose to destroy, Israel acts as a creative force for good, making great strides in the fields of science, technology, and medicine, and exporting these innovations to the world.

It is amazing that, after what happened to him, Asael chose the path of life, creativity, and compassion, rather than the path of hatred. And it is a great gift to all those around him, and to everyone he meets, that he did.

Author: David Kuner | May 1, 2012
Posted in:  People of Israel
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