Tag: Israeli government

The Lies About the Death of Shireen Abu Akleh Will Only Lead to More Violence and Death

The basic purpose of journalism is to provide the public with the following answers to a specific news story: who, what, when, where, and how. After all of that information is provided, the viewing and listening audience should be allowed to make their own mind up about the story.

On Wednesday, Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was killed in a clash between IDF soldiers and Palestinian extremists. As usual, the worldwide mainstream press does not report the whole truth.

The truth is that she was likely killed by one of her own people. While the Israeli government promises a thorough investigation, there is the usual silence and lies from their Palestinian counterparts.

I am going to end this post with the truth from Bassam Eid and Noa Tishby. This is antisemitism, pure and simple. The sooner the world realizes it, the sooner that real peace is possible.

May the memory of Shireen and every journalist who has been killed in the line of duty be a blessing. Z”L.

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The Comparisons Between Israel and the Conflict in Ukraine is Both Wrong and Dangerous

Comparisons during any international conflict are inevitable. What we have to remember is to ask ourselves if this correlation is being backed up by facts or lies?

The war between Russia and Ukraine is nearly a month old. Too many have been killed, millions have been displaced, and a generation has been forever changed due to the ego of one man. Instead of doing what they can to stop Vladimir Putin from doing any more damage, some people have decided to distort the truth to fit their perspective.

Antisemitism is being used once more to twist what we know to be true. The claim is that Israel is to Russia as Palestine is to Ukraine. In other words, Israel is (again) the big bad and Palestine is the little person trying to defend themselves. As usual, the reality is being ignored. Not only is humanitarian aid being sent, but both the Israeli government and its citizens have welcomed refugees of all faiths and backgrounds.

Truth is powerful. It transcends disinformation and forces us to face facts. But, in order to do that, we must be willing to put aside our prejudices and what we think we know. The problem is that too many are unwilling or unable to see the truth.

I Wish VP Harris Had Pushed Back on the anti-Israel Comment Last Week

We are all entitled to our opinion on anything and everything. But, that does not mean that we can spout lies and half truths. Doing a little bit of homework and having all of the information goes a long way in presenting an educated vision of how we see the world.

Last week, Vice President Harris visited a political science class and responded to questions from several students. One of the topics was the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and the funds that the Israeli government receives from the United States. The student made the usual claim of ethnic genocide and displacement. Harris responded with the following:

“And again, this is about the fact that your voice, your perspective, your experience, your truth cannot be suppressed, and it must be heard. Our goal should be unity, but not uniformity,” Harris said. “And the point that you’re making about policies that relates to Middle East policy, foreign policy. We still have healthy debates in our country, about what is the right path. And nobody’s voice should be suppressed on that.”

This young lady has every right to speak her mind. The problem is that Vice President’s response could be interpreted as approval and/or agreement. I have a huge amount of respect for Harris, she represents so much of what this nation can achieve when we put the bullshit and partisanship aside. But I cannot help feel disappointed in her answer. She knows better.

The Palestinian’s Covid Vaccine Loss is South Korea’s Gain

At the end of the day, hate is foolish and wasteful. It blinds us to our common humanity and keeps us from supporting one another in challenging times.

Covid-19 has taken the lives of millions around the world. But while those people will never be forgotten, millions of others have been saved via the vaccine. In Israel, the government offered offered 1 million doses to the Palestinian authority. Claiming that the doses were too close the expiration date, the offer was rejected.

Instead of the shots going into the arms of the residents of the Gaza and the West Bank, 700,000 of them will sent to South Korea at at the end of this month. In return, the Israeli government will be receiving the same amount of doses sometime in the fall.

We have a common enemy here. It is this virus that takes no prisoners and has no respect for the cultural, religious, or national boundaries. Until humanity realizes this, we will continue to see our loved ones taken from us and the world as we know it to be changed for the worst.

Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth Book Review

The best way to learn about a new culture is to speak to a local. They have the insight and experience that an outsider would never have.

Earlier this month, Israeli actress/ producer Noa Tishby published her first book. The Tel Aviv native seeks to understand and explain Israel as it is, without relying on the flashy headlines or the half truths. Using her firsthand experience, she speaks of Israel, both past and present, as it is, and not how some see it or wish it could be.

What I love about this book is how down to earth and accessible it is. Tishby‘s voice is that of the average person, not the academic or historian who usually writes about this topic. That, I believe, provides an opportunity for a dialogue that should have happened long ago.

If you only read two chapters, I highly recommend chapters on BDS and the virulent anti-Israeli sentiment (which is really antisemitism). Even for those who are well versed on the topic, it was an eye opener.

Do I recommend it? Yes.

#BringBackOurBoys

Last week three young men, none of them older than twenty went missing in Israel. Naftali Frenkel, Eyal Yifrach and Gilad Shaar were kidnapped in the west bank.

They are not soldiers, nor are they employed by the Israeli government. They are simply three young men who were minding their own business. Like many civilians in this region, they have become part of a war that is not their own.

I cannot imagine their parent’s anguish and yet, this is not a new experience for the people that live in the Middle East.

These are boys, not professional soldiers and not adults who are employed by the Israeli government.  They deserve the enjoy the rest of the youth, before the reality of adulthood sets in.

#BringBackOurBoys #EyalGiladNaftali

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