Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Japanese Wives... or Knives?

Police: Arrested Palestinian planned on carrying out shooting attack

An interrogation of an Palestinian arrested in Hebron in possession of tear gas and a Japanese wife (pardon me? - KIC) found that the suspect planned to overcome a soldier with the teargas, snatch his weapon, and use it to carry out a shooting terror attack. The investigation continues. (Efrat Weiss)

Click here for more Israel news from Ynetnews.com

(Best media muddle of the week, surely! - KIC)

Saturday, February 18, 2006

Kiwi-Israeli Group Established

Even though we've lost Conrad Smith for the season, NZ rugby fans in Israel can still ghold their heads high after the new INZFA (Israel-New Zealand Friendship Assocation) established last week. There was a launching event in Ra'anana covered by the Jerusalem Post and though the rain (which Israel needs) caused many to decide aginst the drive north, it was still a successful event which saw Kiwis, their families and ex-shlichim reunite.

The INZFA's main goals are to establish cultural and sporting exhanges between the land of the long white cloud and the land of our longing. G-d willing we'll see artists, musicians and sportspeople climbing on board the INZFA initiative.

My only hope is that next time we can get some younger faces there. In my role on the INZFA committee I hope to bring in those younger faces, encourage Aliyah and build a support network for New Zealand olim/immigrants. This is something Nefesh b'Nefesh and the like do well. We might not have the same money but we can still set up a supportive environment for the Kiwi olim. I'll also be looking to encourage Israel year programs of Habonim, Bnei Akiva and AUJS and help to provide Kiwi support and open homes for those participants too. I also hope to encourage and work towards the sending of more educators and support toNew Zealand Jewry from Israel.

There are a lot of bridges to be built and rebuilt between New Zealand and Israel. To get involved with the INZFA in New Zealand or in Israel contact Yitzchak Treister.

Sunday, February 12, 2006

Petition Against 'Paradise Now'

A petition worthy of your consideration - from an Israeli who justifiably can not see any benefit from giving an award to 'Paradise Now'.

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

Responses to the Guardian

Here are some reactions to the article by Chris McGreal:

1. A Response to the Guardian's G2 Supplement

2. Why Depict Israel Like A Chamber of Horrors?

I'm sure there will be other responses like these seeing as it is so simple to see the inaccuracies in the first article.

London Sightseeing

Let's go for a little trip and take in the sights and sounds of London. Ahhh... Europe. Wonderful spot for a vacation or an escape from reality.

Tuesday, February 07, 2006

Letting Tzahal Win

Suddenly the Israeli government is behaving like any Western democracy should. Now we are starting to see the operational ability and intelligence brilliance of the IDF as they have FINALLY been given the green light to respond to missile fire on Israeli homes inside Israel proper.

Maybe there was hesitation because such military responses leaves the comment "Oops maybe Disengagement didn't separate us as well as we had expected" etched in to the sands of Gaza. Of course it iss election time and no doubt Kadima need to strike a balance between striking at illegal Jewish communities and striking at Islamic terror. It appears Israel will not be deterred by the cartoonist terror gangs of this neighborhood. Or maybe, just maybe, the Qassam-inflicted fracturing of a baby boy's skull on Friday was what was required to jolt Kadima forward - (excuse the too often repeated play on words).

It's peculiar isn't it that in a week that we've faced a barrage of missile fire in the north and the south, witnessed a murderous stabbing attack and stopped numerous suicide bombers, that Shin Bet security chief Yuval Diskin should come out against land gifts when there is in fact noone on the other side to ensure secure and responsible administration of those gifts. Chief-of-Staff Yaalon lost his job basically by saying similar things prior to Disengagement.

Amazing really then that most Israelis still back the Kadima unilateral borders approach to peacemaking and security. Amazing really and yet hardly surprising. Is there any other country in the world that boasts 6 million Prime Ministers?

Monday, February 06, 2006

Land of Israel Lovers

Arutz-7 came across a very important piece of commentary - important enough in my opinion that it be posted to the KICblog. It made me think... and think again.

Yehoram Gaon Decries War Against Land of Israel Lovers

They call them, justifiably, law-breakers. But... law-breakers are those who fire Lau missiles at their competing gangsters' homes and kill people along the way, and drug-dealers and pimps. So with all the due respect that you do not give them, at least agree with me that the law-breakers in Amona have a different type of motivation.... Why are they, of all people, being persecuted?
Do you realize how many building violations there are in Israel? Why specifically them, and why specifically now? And who wants to prove what this time, and to who, and why specifically at their expense? Like Hillel the Elder, I sandwich in this matza not only the establishment, but also the leadership of the settlers... But it appears that the youth no longer have leaders other than this land. The land is leading and directing and forcing its will, and sending them to fight for it, and they agree to do so - like a lover for his loved one, with great truth and without compromise. Zionism '06.
I know it's not popular today to say nice things about the settlers. All my colleagues in radio and television are very, very angry at them - but what to do? Only one who fights for his land, cities and fields, and for every caravan and every clod of earth, acquires it, by virtue of his love and dedication.

Read this important opinion IN FULL at Arutz-7 (Israel National News)

Friday, February 03, 2006

Can You Smell Something?

I will never have a great deal of time for Btselem (the Israeli Human Rights Organization) - not because the work they do is not important but because their valuable goals come soaked in bias, misleading statistics and one-sided advocacy.
For that reason, I was surprised to see them issue a demand to Attorney-General Menachem Mazuz in which they request an investigation into police abuse of non-violent protestors at Amona.

I've been unable to decipher the truth from the various Amona reports. I can't fathom how anyone could have succeeded in doing so. Anyone who bellows about facist settlers deserving a beating or about Nazi Jewish soldiers or politicians aren't helping me in my personal analysis.

For me, video coverage helps me to understand what went happened. Look, there might be more than meets the eye but frankly this footage from Amona sits uncomfortably in my mind and in my soul (to be honest).

I don't know what was going on outside this camera frame or whether police and soldiers had been abused physically prior to this, but as far as I can see this is an unprovoked baton beating of non-violent protestors. As Btselem (Defender of National-Zionist Rights too!) will verify, that such action is against human rights and international law.

As for the horse riding over people - you be the judge. Send this post to others and let them judge too.

Concerns have been raised by the President, political parties (even the lefter-wing) and rights groups. The Knesset is being recalled for a special session on the confrontation itself. Kadima MKs however accuse the protestors as provoking the harsh response.

I'm against lawlessness and I'm against illegal building whether by Arab or Jew. Regardless - something smells here. It reeks of politics and electioneering.

Tell me I'm wrong... please.

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

Trouble

UPDATE (1133): Israeli policewoman hurt seriously

UPDATE (1119): Radio coverage LIVE from Amona. (KIC takes no responsibility for opinions or content provided in that coverage)

It's not looking like Disengagement at all. The extent of confrontation and violence at Amona in Samaria (today being shut down by the Israeli government) seems to already be spiraling well beyond the Gush Katif experience. In respect of internal Israeli unity, Disengagement #1 was difficult enough. Now, we see a determination by protestors that is further increased and was expected to be so when it came to the West Bank areas, much of which is holy land as far the Jewish people are concerned.

MKs wounded (including broken bones) and dozens of other injuries to protesters and forces. Rocks, batons, oil, horses... once again, today is a tough day for most Israelis, regardless of political opinion.

Get reading those English Israel news sites - all of them. Haaretz, Arutz-7, Ynet, Jpost...
(You'll see the media playing to its perceived audience). How is the media in your country covering this confrontation?

How do you see it? A blatant campaign move by Olmert or the upholding of the Rule of Law in a democratic society?
Let us know - leave a KICcomment.