KICing, Pinching and Pulling Hair

Like kids squabbling over a toy in the sand pit, Bibi and Arik (and their buddies) are behaving like only good (?) Israeli politicians can. Like two party leaders in two opposite corners of the forever elastic Zionist political spectrum, the two Likudniks are throwing sand in the eyes of the other and KIC-ing up and dreaming up every type of personal and professional insult possible. And when they take a few minutes for a diaper change and a snack of milk and cookies, they have plenty of sand pit buddies to maintain the destruction of the other sides' majestic sand castles.

But that's Israel for you. Political careers like Israeli life in general can be creative and strong one moment and seemingly sinking and crumbling the next.

One of the KIC educational policies is that my students need to have an understanding of the Israeli political sand pit before they can understand how Israel (and Israelis) go about trying to make peace and bring security. This last week of Likud bickering makes understanding Israel just a little trickier.

Look at all the permutations. Sharon behind Netanyahu among Likud members but ahead among Likud voters and the public. Peres losing in the polls against Sharon but ahead of Bibi. And then there's the possibility of the Sharon lone ranger scenario. Could a new Sharon-led party attract the Israeli center?

It certainly is peculiar that a ruling party is on the verge of deposing its widely popular leader. Even stranger is their willingness to 'risk losing their Volvos' for what they see as the good of the country. Maybe all this shows some selfless morality on behalf of the Likud rebels - and then again...

Frankly, all this worry about Likud leadership drags us away from where our focus should be. I am astounded (though not at all surprised) by Israel's apparent weakness in the face of the clear return (?) to terror by Palestinian elements since Disengagement. Where is the Arik Sharon who promised harsh measures if terror 'returned' after Israel's withdrawal? There have been rockets at Sderot, shootings at IDF forces even as they continue the Disengagement process, the murder of my father-in-law's cousin in the Old City, firebombing on the Gush Etzion Road and the homicide bombing in Beer Sheva. Where is Israel's response? Are we waiting for another Sbarro, Dolphinarium, Maxim or many bus horrors? Why do we always wait?

I know Sharon is about to be lauded with praise at the upcoming UN gathering and maybe he deserves it - at least as far as courage goes, Sharon has displayed a great deal, even in the face of much internal resistance. And yet, courage must be shown in all aspects of diplomacy and leadership. Sure Abbas needs time, but time is of the essence and delay costs lives - Israeli and Palestinian. Now that we have begun (what I see as) an unstoppable process of Disengagement from the Palestinian sand pit, the PA must be encouraged - no, forced - to show some reciprocity. That is what Israelis want to see most.

Nonetheless, rather than taking such action as required by the Road Map, the Palestinians are spending their time and money preparing their next UN campaign - to stop UN confirmation of an end to Israeli occupation in Gaza and to get the Security Fence condemned at the UN Security Council. Maybe a few more forthright court decisions like this one would help persuade the PA leadership to clean up its act. The Bush Admnistration should avoid putting its hands in the broth in this case. Justice should be allowed to take its course.

If Sharon wants a third term and polls suggest he could well achieve that, then he would be better advised to ignore the Likud tantrums and rather keep to one of those many promises that he made. Why? Because when it comes down to it, the non-voters may well decide his future if he allows them to remain untouched by PA or Israeli hand. We already know what kind of sand pit they are developing and Israelis know how much their sand stings the eyes.

Back from Chofesh

I've been away in Northern Israel on chofesh (vacation) and hence the KIC-less existence on the blog. Within hours though, we'll be up and going again. I've got a few stories from the last few days of relaxing in the Land. Tune in a little later...

Rejecting Israeli Mis-Leadership

As the last eggs and tomatoes are being thrown (and sadly the odd Israeli flag is ripped and burned) in the Northern Shomron, the deep inner reflection on this Disengagement operation has begun. The truth is that some Israelis are ignoring the whole matter and are not looking for any internal evaluation. (I have such friends!) That attitude I consider a great self-injustice indeed.

Whether for or against or simply upset and confused (like most of us), we as Israelis need to gather ourselves and do some honest soul-searching. It must start with individuals, include all segments of society and extend to the very edges of the Jewish world.

On this topic, I could blog and facilitate KIC sessions for hours. (Try me!) Certainly, if anything, Disengagement has made us think and given us lots to write about.

I want to start with the relationship between the Israeli government(s) and those residents of Yesha (Judea, Samaria and Gaza) and their supporters. A colleague said something quite intriguing yesterday and yet so blatantly brimful with morals and common sense. Basically, it's time for this or the next Israeli government to decide what past Israeli governments have been too weak, afraid or incapable of doing. In essence, it is time, according to my colleague, that our national leaders decide once and for all what will be our relationship with the territories and the Jewish towns that were established there with the approval, funding and encouragement of countless Labor and Likud governments.

Without a doubt and as it has been proven this last week, such a decision brings with it crushing of dreams, bursting of bubbles, challenges to unity, to democracy, to morality and to Israeli society as a whole.

I am not backing the taking of such major decisions because I am anti-settlement or pro-Palestinian or wearing any label for that matter. Simply, as I see it, it's time for Israelis and world Jews to lay it all on the line. How should I put this? Try this - if the Israeli majority (and the next government) plan to disengage from large segments of the Land of Israel, then have the decency to let us know NOW. As far as I am concerned, it is totally unacceptable for successive governments to lead the settlement movement and its supporters (religious and secular) down the slippery and winding road downwards towards despair, heartbreak and dream destruction. It's a rotten thing to do - immoral and painful.

I can not overlook the powerful role that Rabbis and righter-wing community leaders have to play in this. But when push literally comes to shove, the last week has shown that the IDF and the police (proxies of the Israeli government) will decide what remains in Jewish hands and what is given over to Palestinian ownership.

I was amazed as 20 new English-speaking immigrants watched silently, some with tears, as I showed them coverage of the Disengagement during my KIC session at Ulpan Etzion last night. I was struck by the South African 2-year oleh who told me on Shabbat that for the first time since his Aliyah (and probably in his life) he was now forced to re-evaluate his relationship with Israel and with the IDF.

Friends - now is the moment! Our leaders and our citizens must find the courage to face what is fast becoming policy - that is, Israel's abandonment of post-1967 lands. It might be a policy we reject and I personally hold great fears for Israel when we persist on giving without the existence of even a semblance of peaceful reciprocity from the Palestinians.

Clearly, neither the world nor the Palestinians will send us chocolates of any description nor show any inch of appreciation for the courage and risks taken this last week. (According to that columnist, we won't be the happiest little family ourselves either).

Yet, I never again wish to see such broken, distraught adults and children, whether soldiers or Yesha residents, fighting over a decision that was made somewhat hastily and without honest and brotherly consultation before execution.

Israeli leaders (politicians, Rabbis, community heads) and all of us must be willing to re-evaluate and embrace consultation. All Israelis should brush up on their listening skills a little.
Orange supporters must evaluate the major reasons behind their lack of representation in the courts, the Knesset, the academic world and the media. If their lack of influence bothers them so much, they must take this time to search for solutions.

We, voting citizens of this great country, must find the courage to elect leaders who stand ready to sit with the brother they disagree with and who show honest leadership, foresight and wisdom. For good or for bad, for the benefit of us all and for more enjoyable dreams, we must mislead no further.

I am proud to be an Israeli

by Ashley Perry (a friend of KIC and Michael Lawrence)

This and last week are perhaps the most internally traumatic in the history of the State of Israel. There were voices who warned of apocalyptic scenes, massive violence, large dissension and generally a tear in the fabric of Israeli society. None of these things have come to pass and through the sad events one can see something that lifts our spirits and makes us realise why we have chosen Israel as our home.
Forget the scenes on BBC, CNN, SKY and the other international news orgainsations. These organisations wanted to titillate their viewers with harsh scenes and violent imagery and of course there will always be a small minority that will provide this for them. They scraped the barrel of sensationalisation when they introduced scenes of passive resistance as 'violence and insurrection'. Those of us who live in Israel and saw the Israeli media feed will have been provided a more compassionate and true story.

We witnessed scenes of security forces coming to homes and being invited in for drinks and food. As these people were about to be taken out from everything they knew many could only think of the welfare of those who had been sent to perform this difficult task. Many of the residents asked the soldiers and police to sit patiently and listen to their stories and look through their photo albums, it was a scene from any normal household ay any time. But this was not a normal scene, it was heartwrenching for all concerned and the tears flowed from all directions.
There were the unforgettable scenes of residents and soldiers dancing and singing together as they made their way out of the schools and synagogues. There was compassion, each group for the other in what was a day none will forget.

The dignity and honour which both the residents and the security forces accorded each other could not be imagined anywhere else. There was no hatred in the air and very little recriminations. One story was that of a resident who asked of those who had come to evacuate him if they would do him one favour. The resident asked the soldiers if when they return to their homes if each will do at least one act of Hesed (loving kindness), of course they all agreed.

We must not forget that being evicted from ones home and community, whatever our political viewpoint, is one of the most traumatic experiences one can imagine. Even those who wished to passively resist did so without malice and with only love and affection for their fellow Israeli. One of the most frequently heard chants from the residents in Gaza as they were pulled away was 'Chayal, Shoter Uni Ohev Otcha - Soldier, Policeman I love you'.

Much time and words have been spent on the non-residents who 'infiltrated' Gaza and should not have been involved, but to get a true version of events one must go back in time a few weeks or months. When the non-residents started arriving in Gaza it was not to make trouble it was to help and uplift. Those who witnessed these mainly young people saw the reason they came. Suddenly there were adverts everywhere offering free help to clean, to babysit, to teach children and day and night these youngsters gave up their precious summer holidays to do any odd job that needed doing no matter how menial. However, perhaps the biggest aid they gave to the residents was with their spirit.

When the residents of Gaza were at a low and felt the whole country was turning their back on them in came these young people and showed them that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. On the last Sabbath before the evacuation these youngsters in each area took to the streets and danced and sung until all hours, the residents joined them and the atmosphere was a combination of sadness and joy but above all of strength.
Even when they knew the end was near and they would not prevail they did not give up their spirits and carried on singing and dancing. The famous scenes in the synagogues were more about what was not shown on the international networks. Beyond the focus of the camera shot were hundreds of men and women, girls and boys singing and dancing with smiles on their faces. When a soldier fell down in his duty he was lifted to his feet and offered a drink of water. It was inspiring to hear the passion and fervour of these people as the foreign correspondents talked about the 'hooligans'.

Of course a very special mention has to go to the soldiers and police, many of them not much still in their teens. They had a very difficult task to perform but never lost their humanity. Many of them wept with the protestors and while many will see this as a sign of weakness I prefer to see it as a sign of their humanity and their souls crying out for what was happening even when they knew it had to be done. There was a scene after all had been evacuated when the Torah scrolls were removed and taken past the masses of security forces. Many who were avidly secular rushed forward and kissed the Torah with tears in their eyes and knew what this scene represented to them and their ancestors.

So it is after a very heavy and sad week that I must say that I am proud to be Israeli. I am proud that no matter what our ideological and political differences are we came together for a very difficult rite of passage. It was not a matter of right or wrong it was a matter of one family disagreeing, but doing it in a manner that brought us closer together and made us feel the hardships of the other. We never ceased to refer to each other as brother or sister and our divisions can be what unite us. As another popular song that was sung all week goes 'Um Haneztuch lo mefuked b'derech urookah - The eternal people is not afraid of the long road'. This is how I know that Israel will win far more battles than she loses, because of the sum of its parts - its people.

Please link to this article and send it to as many people as possible so the truth may emerge... Ashley

Dumb and Dumber and Just Sad

Like the Jim Carrey 1994 movie, our little country is showing that while we're not all dumb, some of us are a little silly and stupid. But at the end of the day, it's just plain sad.

I sat with my wife last night and we watched Channel 10's review of Disengagement: Day One.
Frankly, I think I'll stick to the rugby week in review in future.

Sad is too lesser word to explain the feelings involved. For those of you who take interest in what is going on but live outside Israel, count your lucky beans (or stars) that you can not see all the coverage. Still, I imagine that those who are concerned are using the internet to experience the Disengagement pain. Have you seen the IsraelReporter? The site includes amazing video coverage from a personal video camera in Gush Katif. Ynet also has some difficult TV coverage - see here for confrontations in a Neve Dekalim synagogue on Thursday.

It hurts to see the residents in emotional pain and it hurts to see our IDF and police forces straining under the mental and physical trauma. Blue or orange, green or white - it hurts.

I'm not the only one who has been impressed with the restraint shown by all sides. For sure, there have been soldiers convicted of looting houses, there has been one stabbing of a soldier by a female resident and some pushing and struggling. At the same time though, we've seen soldiers sitting and singing Zionist songs with residents and at one time, police and residents stood and sang Hatikva together. Truly amazing.

Most of the more extreme actions that we are witnessing are reflections of fear, sadness, anger and a sense of betrayal. The burning of houses and yishuv gates, egg throwing and dangling children from windows. All of these represent people brimful with frustration. Could we expect any less from people who feel such pain? I encourage you to read the comment added by Ash to my last posting. The emotional but generally non-violent protests stand proudly in comparison to so many other world societies.

My hope is that the threats and emotions now being expressed at this hour in Shirat HaYam will not spiral out of control.

All that aside, I fail to fathom the actions
of Asher Weissganin in Shilo yesterday. I appreciate
(and many Israelis) appreciate his feelings. Still, killing innocent Palestinians, (let alone ones you are friends with) is simply dumb - dumber than dumb even. The photo in the Haaretz article reminds us how children and innocents on all sides suffer and in this case, there are really no distinctions to be made.

And yet, I continue to deplore the 'labelling' that exists in that Haaretz opinion piece and the ridiculous, naive suggestion that the blood of the Israeli victims of future attacks by Palestinian terror groups will fall on the heads Weissganin and Eden Natan-Zada. Yes, as if the Palestinian terror movements would refrain otherwise! The Jewish attacks simply boost Hamas eternal Palestinian effort to justify their attacks. Other than that, there is no logical connection.

Even if these Jewish attacks manage to spark Arab riots or a string of terror attacks, this probably would not succeed in halting the disengagement. When it comes down to it, it simply allows anti-Semites and anti-Israel folk the perfect opportunity to equate all settlers and orange flag bearers with Palestinian terrorists. It also reduces sympathy for those in orange and leaves his own children (in the case of Weissganin) without a father for the rest of their lives.

Here's hoping that they'll be no more violence and no more pain in this Land and that soon, the blood and tears will step aside again and be replaced by the sweet flow of milk and honey only.

X-Rated

I was a bit worried about adopting the title above. Who knows who will come visiting the KICblog as a result of a Google search with an entirely different kind?!!

So why am I infesting the KICblog with X-Rated material? Simply, just like pictures that depict pornography, child abuse or violence towards people or animals, I am not the only Israeli who currently feels violated by the pictures (moving and still) that we are receiving from the Gaza Strip and the Northern Shomron. This is by no means a criticism of one side or the other - rather a reflection of the incredible
heaviness, tension and sadness that has enveloped most of the country this week.




Just yesterday, a friend of mine, left-wing and secular explained to me how she would have waved goodbye to the settlements and the territories years ago if she were PM. And yet, she said quite seriously, she feels incredible pain for the Jewish communities of Gush Katif and every one of their inhabitants.
She is not alone in wearing the blue ribbon, but feeling blue too.

However, I have read the opinions of some Israelis, Diaspora Jews and non-Jews who speak deceitfully and horribly about right-wing opponents to disengagement. I was shocked that an IDF reserve soldier could write how "I wish we could take our riot gear, batons and bullets and teach those criminal settlers a lesson they'll never forget". Then he added a further comment about how "the settlers contribute nothing to the country and neither enrich or improve it".

A mother of a soldier rang her IDF son who is in Gaza and ordered him to open fire on the next group of settlers who surround them and their jeep or punctures their jeep tyres. Thanks Mum - maybe sign up for officer's course!

Sadly, there are others like them who are blinded by their own political opinions and use public forums to promote and incite against their brothers. At the same time, the leaders of the right wing must also show the maturity and responsibility that true leaders should show. They must stop violent tactics if they can. The red lines are thin and easily crossed - from both sides.

The photos in this blog represent (for me at least) the true essence of Disengagement. The international media (and some of their Israeli counterparts) are intoxicated with the joy of showing orange teenagers facing off with the IDF and the police.
As I have always seen it, intoxicated people do not really have full control of their faculties and there is no difference here.

For me and for the mainstream, this is no war. This is a tragic disagreement within our family and the photos I am providing here reflect the true brotherhood and the pain that exists at these moments. Some of these pictures are truely heartbreaking, as are those that depict violence and disunity. The sight of soldiers crying like babies and our IDF strong men and women (I mean boys and girls!) hugging those that they are forced to evict, makes the Jewish heart tremble.

That's not politics. That's love and honesty. G-d willing, as President Katsav pointed out, I too hope in the end and for all Israel, "we have love and that she will win" as predicted by those in orange.

So where's the X-Rated material? Those are the photos above. X-Rated because even if love does eventaully prevail, these photos and stories could scar this generation forever. Disengagement is not something that can be hidden from our children, nor our parents nor ourselves. In the heart of Tel Aviv however, some people recognize the difficulties involved and others do in fact try to sweep Disengagement dilemmas under the carpet.

I only pray and hope that we can find the inner strength to look at soldier hugging settler and see the pain but not the hate. Let's feel each other's hurt without hurting. Let's make these photos the X-Factor inherent in our unity as a people rather than the X-Rated material that some wish to make them.

On the Eve of the Future

As Shabbat quietly creeps into Jerusalem, we are almost at the climax of these Nine Days of Jewish mourning and disaster - nine days that complete the Three Weeks of Jewish mourning for many horrific events that have fallen upon the Jewish people across the ages. From Saturday night, we shall fast for Tisha B'Av - a time to contemplate, pray and for soul searching.

The Disengagement was delayed some time ago to allow for the Three Weeks to pass before beginning this painful operation. Yet, the irony of the timing (one day after Tisha B'Av) is not lost and many people see an inherent message and meaning in the date that is D-Day.

As I walked home from work in central Jerusalem on Wednesday, it was fairly obvious that something big and orange was going on. I had never seen anything like it - hundreds of private coaches and thousands of pedestrians travelling towards the Old City walls on their way to Judaism's holy site. The media says 70000 attended that last gasp appeal to the heavens. People I know who were there report the crowds flowing out as far as Dung Gate, also up the stairs towards Aish HaTorah and further up the road that leads up to the Jewish Quarter car park. There really was probably many more than 70000.

Tel Aviv turned orange last night too with what the media reports was 150000 people and orange supporters say was closer to 300000 in strong voice at Kikar Rabin. The truth probably lies somewhere in between.

Accurate numbers are not that important anymore. What these two very large protests signify however, is how great the country's opinion split actually is. Such large and powerful demonstrations of opposition do not appear every day. I was at the 300000-person "Jerusalem as One" protest in 2000 when Barak placed the city on the table at Camp David. Barak went on to be removed from office. The sight of two large protests within two days, about a little area called Gaza would suggest that Sharon will require the luck of the brave come the week ahead and the weeks and months to follow.

When a nation is so split and so torn, a leader of quality is required. On Wednesday night, President Katsav tried to fill those shoes. In Katsav's speech, he did what very few of our leaders have bothered to do up till now. Simply, he sympathized with the Gush Katif residents, he asked forgiveness and he praised their Zionist ideals. At the same time, he demanded tolerance, non-violence and respect for the law.

I heard some say this was a very cynical speech. I disagree. It was an honest and bridge-building expression of a man who spoke from the heart and addressed the people and the issues respectfully and with emotion. The Jerusalem Post agrees.

When I next post to the KICblog, it appears the initial stages of the Disengagement will be underway. Notwithstanding Bush's latest assurances of how good this pullout will be for Israel, we are in for a Tisha B'Av that will not fade from our collective memory easily.

But like we refrain from trying to interpret "why the Shoah happened" when we stand just 60 years after that murderous era, so now is not the time to add Disengagement to the list of disasters that befell the Jewish people in the month of Av. Similarly, we must avoid claiming the opposite - that it is not following the Av line of tragedies. No one knows the thoughts of the Almighty and we must not attempt to represent His thoughts. Only in time will we understand, one way or the other.

Wherever you stand on the political sidewalk, I ask you to acknowledge the pain and distress that many feel at this time. Brothers must remain brothers and support each other even when they disagree. (In that way, I am always heartened to see "We love Tzahal" banners at the orange protest events and to see people with orange and blue ribbons on their cars).

We know so well how great the challenges are that await us post-Disengagement. When the orange and blue ribbons are packed away for another day, we will need to stand united against common foes and challenges once again - whether they be Arab terrorism, assimilation, poverty or the grand task of continuing the success of the Jewish people who have returned home, after that day of Israel's destruction, in the month of Av, two thousand years ago.

Full of Surprises

Well, obviously Haaretz have been reading my blog and are taking a liking to my KICviews. They might have thought it up themselves, (no seriously!) but nonetheless yesterday's Haaretz editorial was a mirrior image of my opinion on the lynch which I posted on Monday and which attracted some interesting comments from readers (both public and offline).

I read Haaretz online a great deal, mostly because I find its site a lot clearer than some others. It reports breaking news speedily and its editing (also in its print version) is of much greater quality than other English publications.

Still, I have often found its editorials and opinion pieces disconcerting and periodically find them frightening to read. While their news is fairly similar to other sources, their contributors tend to turn Haaretz into far more than just a left-wing publication, in fact almost anti-everything that moves, breathes and makes decisions in Israel - especially if the thing wears a kippah, lives outside the Green Lines or votes more rightward than Labor (or maybe Meretz). I'm all in for freedom of press, speech and opinion but I've often questioned why Haaretz hosts contributors who persist on demonizing their own State without a whisper of constructive suggestions to accompany the criticism.

Hence my surprise (and that of others that I've spoken to) that Haaretz is calling for the investigation of the lynch of Eden Natan-Zadar. For once it appears, Haaretz can find no excuse for Arab misdemeanors. Like I do, Haaretz recognizes Israeli-Arab frustrations at their struggling status in the State, but rejects out of hand suggestions that the lynch should be swept under the carpet. Haaretz also specifically criticizes Arab MK Azmi Bishara who hinted that this could have all been planned by the Shin Bet and Sharon anyway.

The editorial concluded that "the investigation must be conducted without concessions and without extraneous considerations, with the understanding that it is unacceptable for such a serious act to take place in Israel without those who are involved paying the full price for their actions" - on that I could not agree more. Kol HaKavod Haaretz!

A few other surprises appear to be waiting in the wings. Iran has done the Bibi and put all its money on the table of the diplomatic poker game. Slowly, slowly, European patience is running out and as Iran restarts nuclear preparations, they have let us know that there is plenty riding on any move by the UN Security Council to order sanctions and they warn against any planned attack on their sites. I've posted about this previously and I repeat that there is a real need for the Europeans to continue their sudden awakening to the dangers and allow for tough diplomatic and other action to be taken. One thing's for sure, Israel will not sit back, eat shwarma and watch Iran reach the finish line.

Netanyahu might have surprised us, now Sharon might be in for a bit of a surprise too, a shock even! A poll of Likud members released today shows that Bibi's bailing has lifted his popularity and it predicts the end for the brave man of Disengagement. And yet, if the rumors can be believed, Israel's political landscape might be in for yet another bout of reconstructive surgery and Sharon might yet fight another day.

Whatever happens, one thing is for sure. Disengagement, love it or leave it, is arguably the biggest challenge to Israel's society that we have ever known and starting D-Day, the surprises will almost certainly keep on coming and increase in shock value.

Lynch of the Law

Sunday night's Channel 10 footage of the lynching of Eden Natan-Zada has re-confirmed what I had hoped would not be the case - the brutal murder of the Jewish terrorist who carried out the terror attack on Israeli Arabs last Thursday.

I have no reason to try to explain this Jew's horrific act of violence. He planned the attack and though I have sympathy for his family and him in regards the hate and brainwash that he was taught and fed, I reject and condemn such terror wholeheartedly.

At the same time, I will stand by him and his family in one sole respect - that is, that his human rights were taken away from him and that he was left to be pummeled and slaughtered to death by a crowd of angry people. He might well have deserved a death penalty or life imprisonment but where I come from and where I live now, this is not how honest, just people carry out justice.

Though I studied the subject at University as part of my law degree, I do not claim to be a human rights guru. But I do know that criminals have rights too. Yes, even rapists, even paedophiles, even murderers and yes, even terrorists - let's face it, the world and Israel civil rights groups remind the IDF and the Israeli government of that fact each and every day.

When the the car blew up in a West Bank settlement last month and the bomber survived, Israel rescued him and he is undergoing treatment in Israel. When the bomber sat at Kaffit (on Emek Refiam) and tried to set off a briefcase bomb, the waiter tackled him and he was arrested.
When the 16-year old arrived at a checkpoint wearing an explosive pack across his chest, IDF sappers sent a robot and scissors to assist the boy to cut his way out of explosives pack. Last week, an Australian friend working at Ein Karem Hospital told me about the Palestinian terrorist who has been in the burns unit there for months, as Israeli doctors treat him for horrific injuries. He blew himself up while building a bomb destined for Israel.
Whenever it can, Israel arrests and treats, even to the extent of endangering Israeli lives and adding great expenses to Israel's medical system.

My friends, he murdered innocents in cold blood, but Eden Natan-Zada had rights that demanded protection too. Israel failed to provide those, and our fellow Arab citizens of Shfaram brutally stripped him of those rights and of his life.

None of this excuses Eden's criminal and terror act. Nothing can justify it. But frankly, the Rule of Law, justice and morality requires that nothing be said or done to justify the actions of those Arab citizens of Israel who attacked and slaughtered him.

These Arabs are citizens of Israel. Israel (though its democracy struggles at times) does not and should not accept anarchy nor private, personal justice being laid out upon others. This is the kind of justice we witness and deplore in the Palestinian Authority, Iran and in other states, where suspects are placed in monkey court rooms, convicted and then shot, hung, dragged behind a car, decapitated or the like. We Israelis must reject any semblance of similarity to the Palestinian or Iranian 'justice' systems.

This AWOL IDF soldier come Jewish terrorist was handcuffed and under the supervision of two Israeli policemen on the bus. He was no further danger to anyone. The crowds attacked him and committed a grave crime.

These are Israeli citizens of Israel. I sympathize fully with their distress and anguish and I can imagine their frustration at seeing two policemen protecting the guilty person - all this in light of an Arab sector that still sees itself as the victim of Israeli discrimination.

But that is where my understanding ceases. As Israeli citizens who receive much (and much more than Palestinians receive from the PA), these Arabs must obey Israeli police orders and reject such violence and cruelty. I expect the same restraint from anti-Disengagement supporters and expect strong justice to be handed out to those who turn to violence during their orange battle.

It's not easy to defend a terrorist - and therefore I am not. I simply deplore the fact that his human rights were overlooked and destroyed - along with him.

Bibi's Double or Nothing!

Talk about leaving it late, Bibi has quit the government in the last hour in response to what he sees as Israel's surrender to terror and giving of land without reciprocal security. Four other senior Likud ministers have also raised their hands against the Cabinet's vote for implementation of the first stage of Disengagement.

Well, in a sign of his importance and influence, the TA Stock exchange is plummeting and no doubt this will send jitters through the entire political system. While this will almost certainly not block Disengagement (which has, nonetheless, been passed 17-5 in the Cabinet today), these five hands may well spell out the beginning of the end for Ariel Sharon who now appears to lack much support in his own Likud party for his policies and Disengagement. (The 'for' votes came mostly from the Labor party).

No one changes their mind more than an Israeli MK and none more than the former (resurrected future?) Prince of the Likud. He has swayed backwards and forwards on this issue for months and only recently said he would not leave his Finance Portfolio to which he attached so much importance. Many agree that he has done a reasonable job in jumpstarting the ecomomy again after some tough Intifada years. I think he thought he was doing a good job too.

Now we know where he stands. After months of pressure from the right-wing, he has nervously but clearly jumped from his (un)comfortable position on the fence. His reasons, (that we'll hear more about at 6pm in a Netanyahu press conference), seem to be based upon the environment that currently surrounds Disengagement rather than land for peace in general. He was of course the man to give over parts of Hebron to the Palestinian Authority.

Bibi says that he's concerned about the split that is being caused in the nation, the joyous, celebratory attitude of the terror groups and the Islamic base for terror that will be created. In addition, he criticizes the rejection of the voters policy choices at the last election. Maybe it was today's terror attack near Jerusalem after checkpoints were removed, that was the straw that broke the Bibi back.

When all is said or done at 6pm, Bibi will (or should!) know that he has gone for double or nothing. Sharon has won elections easily because of the center's perception of him as a strong but brave leader who would fight terror but compromise where needed.
Netanyahu's decision today may paint him in the opposite light and damage his ability to present himself as a moderate but strong leader - seeing as the majority (even if small) do still back Disengagement.

But Israel is a funny place, and there are more than just "50000 fanatics against all of Israel", contrary to Yoel Marcus' article. In fact, many (and that can't be just 250000 settlers) stand against this policy. And then there are those who currently wear blue and do so with a heavy heart and will not wear blue when it comes to Jerusalem and large West Bank settlement blocs. Gaza was always a different kettle of fish for many Israelis.

Bibi (and the other four 'against' voters) must be hoping that the minority today, become the majority tomorrow. There's every chance they will if the PA Territories are further transformed into a terror fun park following August 15th.

Leave your comment on Bibi bailing and the effects of this move...

The Week That It Became

On Monday, I blogged about "The Week That Might Be". It has sadly become the week that might well get worse yet!

In my shock, disappointment, anger and frustration, I sat with CNN, Fox, Sky News and BBC last night to wait for their reports on the terror attack against Arab citizens of Israel. The reports did not appear. There was plenty of al-Zawahiri to broadcast instead and only after 10pm did I finally catch full reports from Israel about the events of 4 hours earlier.

When the reports came, they were shining brightly with apparent media maturity for once. There was no immediate equating of this attack with Palestinian suicide bombings, no demonization of right-wing Israelis as a whole and not even a mention of the word terrorist. In fact the first time 'terrorist' was mentioned was from the mouth of the Israeli PM Ariel Sharon.

The UK Guardian did include this sentence: If the motive is as Mr Barakeh fears, the attack will be compared to several previous incidents where Jews indiscriminately killed Arabs, described by Israelis as "nationalist murders".
Such 'several previous incidents' number only very few in fact and do not involve murder except for Goldstein's massacre in Hevron and two or three incidents. These were of course acts of terror and inexcusable.
In most other respects, it was a fair account of the situation by the Guardian.

The immediate admission by Israeli leaders of a Jewish terror attack was important. In fact, to be fair to the victims, one might argue that the international TV reports should have labelled it terror too. Sharon's remarks were necessary and showed not only Israeli maturity and morality, but also a significant difference between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Sharon has called this AWOL IDF soldier "a blood-thirsty terrorist" and MKs across the board have condemned the act - yes, settler leaders too!
In response to Palestinian attacks on Israelis, their President and PM come out with "we condemn this act that damages Palestinian national interests" - hardly a condemnation and this phrasing has perturbed Israelis for years.

Let's pray that the Arab community (and the Palestinians) calm their people who rightfully are hurting at this time. They must realize however that this is a lone gunman who had, as was reported, a difficult background and who had been unstable in recent times. (None of that is an exuse by the way!)
Yes, he shouldn't therefore have had a weapon and that will be investigated.

The Arab-Israeli community has every right to be angry and distraught. But the anger must be directed correctly. This was not another case of official IDF action that saw 13 Arab rioters killed at the outset of the Intifada.

No Israeli, except those who are rejected by 99% of us, condone such action. The Israeli security forces are and will continue to take action to monitor and curtail similar plans. Thankfully, Israeli democracy and the rule of law still stand strongly in that regard.

We maintain that we are a major player in the global war on terror. We will not tolerate terror of any kind. Whether our neighbors follow that example is irrelevant.

Mates

Where I come from, a 'mate' is a genuine friend through thick and thin. (He's also the 6 foot 6 inch stranger who just poured beer on you at the rugby game - but I digress...)

So London Mayor Ken Livingston has found a mate - someone to have a beer with over a meeting about how to sympathize with suicide bombers (even those who kill British and USA soldiers). I'm not certain that MP George Galloway and Livingston will require any time to get acquainted either. They've both been outspoken critics of the war on terror and Israel for some time. It's really only that they're continuing the show after the July 7 London attacks that is a touch surprising. Still, mates who play together, stick together. Crooked but true brotherhood!
Yesterday's Galloway statements deserve a read and PM Blair will need to decide how to deal with this, seeing as these comments represent encouragement of and incitement to terrorism - undoubtedly!

Here at home, the week is still unfolding. I found it fairly difficult to watch the Israeli TV news last night. Though the confrontations between orange protestors and police were fairly calm and 'reasonable', there was some coverage of police dragging away kicking and screaming women and this did pull on the heart strings. It hurt to watch, not because of one's political leanings but simply because after decades of fighting off our enemies, it is hard work to watch mates (and the Jewish family) confronting each other in battle over the land.

It took its toll on IDF soldiers too. Young and old orange people are putting huge psychological pressure on soldiers - not through any demonic means, but by shmoozing and using personal contact and emotion. These tears I imagine are only a sign of the tears of all that are yet to come. Tears of pain between mates, peas of the same pod.

Legally, of course, the attempts (some successful) to reach Gush Katif last night are undesirable. It is a closed military area and the Knesset or Cabinet have voted in favor of Disengagement several times now. The road blocking of yesterday (which saw my wife stuck in traffic for 2 hours) is also not being tolerated by the legal system.
These actions are illegal because Parliament and the courts have decreed as such. Yet I remain satisfied with the relatively sound leadership of the Rabbonim, MKs and Yesha leaders who are leading the protests at Ofakim. There have been leaders who have not followed this example, but those who are the official mouthpieces are promoting steadfastness but a total rejection of violence.

We can only hope that when push literally comes to shove, the restraint from police and protestors will hold strong. It's not easy when you're standing eye-to-eye with your brother or your sister or your mate.

The Sand & The Hour Glass

"Like sands through the hour glass, so are the days of our lives..."

And so begins the infamous American TV soap. I haven't lost the plot - it's simply my analogy for the little Iranian soap opera that continues to be produced, episode by episode.

This week has seen some Iranian themes and episodes that closely match the story that has been evolving over the last few years. Iran, according to some, is only a few years from being "unstoppable" on their merry way to nuclear weapons capability. Some American experts now claim it might be as far as way as ten years. (Far away?)

Either way, the Europeans appear (at last!) to be losing patience with the Iranian double-talk and its new, less moderate leader. I am hoping that the sand in the Iranian hour glass has finally begun to flow at a quicker rate to the bottom half of the glass. No country can be more satisfied with the European threats of Security Council sanctions than Israel herself. Let's face it - only Israel and not the USA or the Europeans will be faced with an existential threat should Iran be allowed to play the "it's only for civilian use" game for much longer. While thousands of USA and allied troops are in range, their respective homelands are not in immediate risk - unless of course weapons of mass destrcuction are gifted to Osama and friends.

Israel to its credit has toned down its rhetoric of late. They have plenty to deal with already. Regardless, I did read an article some time ago that none of us should be surprised if we wake up one morning and hear that Israel has flown a mission to destroy Iran's nuclear facilities.
The truth be told - Israel could probably do it with at least some success. They've invested in longer range fighter jet technology with Iran in mind. But the consequences would be, at best, unknown and at worst... well, who knows?

Israel should sit tight for now and continue to provide intelligene and support to USA's determination to rid the world of terror supporters and pray that the Europeans continue to exhibit at least some semblance of understading of the threat posed by a nuclear Iran that is already up to its armpits in terror-related activity.

The British Fight Back

Leading by example - Kol Hakavod!

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The Week That Might Be

This is likely to be one of those posts where I paint a picture of the week ahead and then find myself re-reading this on Wednesday with red face embarrassment. As far as Israel is concerned, this is destined to be one of those 'as soon as you read the news, it's immediately out of date' kind of weeks. They occur fairly regularly around this neighborhood.

It's quite clear that this is do-or-die (unfortunate phrasing!) week for the orange crews across Israel. Both the anti-Disengagement thousands and the Israeli authorities remain steadfast. I am hoping that our brothers and sisters will exhibit patience, tolerance and understanding to one another as they did so well 2 weeks ago. Like the IDF however, I imagine that the orange brigades can not keep its 'army' standing for more than a few days. (Contrary to what it might appear, people do have other things to do). More importantly, we are now just over two weeks from D-day and it's not hard to imagine that emotions and tension on all sides will be overflowing after a short time in the hot Israeli sun.

Supporters of Gush Katif want to flood the area with orange. Sharon will want to avoid this at almost any cost.
I am just not too sure what to write at this stage. Politics aside, it is very difficult to watch this internal tension and distress evolve day-to-day and I can not see any solution to the dilemmas that will present themselves tomorrow - that is, beginning with whether to declare the protest as illegal.

Equally as difficult to read, is the chutzpadik requests coming from the Palestinian side. Look - I'm all for promoting peace and trying to build a level of trust but come on!!! Following on from Abbas' recent request for Armored Personnel Carriers, ammunition and weapons, now we are jolted by a PA request to have Palestinian armed soldiers situated around each Gush Katif settlement during disengagement.

Now, I'm not stupid. Sure, I can see the Palestinian desire to have the areas completely (?) guarded from Palestinian looting etc on 'the day after' but other than that, such a move would only slow the Disengagement process, risk enflaming emotions and massively increase the risk of serious violence between Israelis (civilians or soldiers) and Palestinian soldiers. And besides, whether you wear blue or orange, can you honestly say that Gush Katif residents deserve to be escorted out by a team of PA troops, many of whom have been known to get involved in deadly attacks on Israelis?
And of course, the PA wants Israel's plans for Disengagement. As has already been noted elsewhere, it would take about 34.5 seconds (or less) for those plans to be arrive to the hands of Hamas, Jihad & Brothers Co.Ltd.

I am a big fan of big Zionists and of those who have built this country from its roots. Shimon Peres is one those men who deserve some respect. Sadly, it appears he remains lost somewhere along the way. He is one who is currently in favor of giving weapons and ammunition to the PA. Sharon has rejected this (at least until terror ceases he says).
I just can't fathom the concept. We've spent 5 years trying to convince the world that the PA uses donated weapons for terror. Now we're looking at restocking the arsenal. You don't have to be wearing orange or vote rightwards to feel more than a touch bewildered by this scenario.

PM Rabin z"l said from the outset: "We're giving them guns. If they turn those guns on us, that will signify the end of the peace process".
Unless you can enlighten me, (feel free!) it seems to me that we want to be fair players and make it a better, more exciting contest. Aren't we nice!

More English and un peu francais

There are now reports filtering through that the unlucky Brazilian national did not in fact jump the barrier at the Tube station and was not wearing a heavy coat. The investigation may well come down to jittery police rather than silly behaviour by the man in question. UPDATE: He might well have run because his UK visa had expired.

In light of that whole story, I had this sad little photo (above) sent to me today. I'm just not too sure if it's real - you never can tell these days. Read what others are saying about it. (Make sure to find the comment that adds that there was a similar notice at Canary Wharf recently which read something like: "Do not leave bags unattended, especially if you are of Middle Eastern appearance".

I wanted to query you all about a related issue - that is, the footage being slowly released (or found) of the London bomb attacks on July 7th. Israel has had to do its own evaluation over the last 10 years or so about what 'bloody' footage and the like to show on TV (especially Israeli TV). Obviously (and sadly, but importantly) the blood and destruction does have its PR effect. The UK on the other hand, showed almost nothing of the train damage or injured people, people screaming, running etc. I understand that ABC (US) has now pubished some footage from inside the trains. UK Police are asking bloggers to stop republishing the photos (which include photos of the bombs found in cars) because of the interference it may have with their investigation. So you won't find a link from here at least... (what a good boy I am!)

Regardless, what do you think? Is there benefit from showing the dead, the injured, the body parts and the blood left behind? (Click 'Comments' below).

Et maintenant, un peu francais! The last few days of smiles and backslapping between Arik Sharon and President Chirac would make the world wake up and take notice - if only they could really believe that it was all with good intention. Frankly and frenchly, I am a big believer in maintaining and building strong allies and political friends even at the risk of sacrificing one's own priorities at home. I know how much some of you will be looking at me sideways right now. Maybe that's because we are talking about France who has been a traditional Arab ally for some time now and in that regard I can add my own scepticism.

It's fair to say though that Chirac is saying some very warming and comforting things. They come at a vital and testing time for Sharon. It feels good to hear it from the mouth of a European leader. And yet, I feel as do these analysts, that all this renewal of French-Israel relations has had a lot of sugar added to make it taste all sweet.

But why be cynical all the time? Israeli diplomatic achievements do continue to appear. After Israel's UN Ambassador was recently elected to position of Deputy Security-General of the UN General Assembly, it is very pleasing to see that another Israeli has been elected to an important UN position, this time to the deputy chairmanship of the United Nations Disarmament Commission (UNDC).

And that's a positive way to go into the weekend here in Israel. (Enjoy the Tri-Nations everyone).

Shabbat Shalom.

Double-Deckers & Deja Vu

As a public sign of what we have been seeing here for a while now, the double-decker Jerusalem tourist bus is back on the roads. This is the cherry on the cake of greatly improved tourism to Israel in general and Jerusalem in particular. I am not sure whether the return of tourists and students on programs has been simply due to the fairly step decline of SUCCESSFUL Palestinian terrorism. I prefer to believe (with some reason I think) that those truly supportive or intrigued by this Land have decided to stick with it and give it a go, in the knowledge that terrorism probably won't disappear for a while yet.

Regardless, it is a good sign that follows in the footsteps of new restaurants, ice cream parlours and clothes shops that seem to be popping up afresh around Ben Yehuda Street and so on.

Still, it's not all ice cream and smiles! I have had this peculiar deja vu feeling enveloping my thoughts lately. So often I've heard people greater than myself talking about how Israelis and Palestinians fail to make peace because they fail to understand eachother's cultures, electorates and expectations. Many commentators argue that this is indeed what ultimately led to the failure at Camp David in 2000.

Frankly, I do not think either side have learnt very much since then though it's not as if the 'classroom atmosphere' has been very conducive to learning.

But take a look at comments coming out this week and you begin to feel that the region's leaders barely understand their own electorate and its downfalls. President Abbas is demanding that Gaza's Disengagement be followed by others. And if not, Sharon will be to blame for any disturbances that occur subsequently in the region or worldwide. (Sounds like a badly hidden doomsday almost al-Qaida-like threat to me). And then there's PM Ahmed Qureia who has been keeping the people happy with "Today Gaza, tomorrow Jerusalem. Disengagement is only the first stage of a longer battle". Sound familiar? UPDATE: Qureia also quoted as saying: "a state will not arise without our achieving all the rights of our Palestinian nation and the right of return". And what is that about freeing of the entire homeland?

And while Israel is taking some steps in what many consider the right direction, I wonder what will come of Sharon's promises to Ariel this week, that it will always be a part of the State of Israel. Seeing as he said that about Gaza too, I question whether anyone on the left or the right would be moved by such comments. And yet, it might place expectations at a level which is unhealthy for Israel and its neighbors in the future.

At the end of the day, like in 2000, these comments - in particular those by Palestinian leaders who seem content on unfairly raising the expectations of their people - will come back to haunt us when such goals are not or can not be reached in one, two or ten years from now. We've seen the disappointment and incitement materialize into Palestinian terrorism and equally (but differently) we are now seeing how much damage misleading Israeli expectations can do to the unity of a people.

Whatever my political view and wherever you stand, we should be demanding a little more leadership and responsibility by the leadership. Abbas & Qureia will achieve nothing by providing false or at least difficult dreams. Sharon and friends too should learn to 'call a spade a spade' and not present reality to suit their political ends alone.

It's the way of the politician I know. Damn shame that!

Do You Speak English?

If it wasn't for al-Qaida, Livingston and friends, I would have thrown this spicy article at you a few weeks ago. Nonetheless, have a read now and and then come back here and keep KIC-ing on...

So I decided to present this article to the group at Ulpan Etzion last night to whom I facilitate a Current Affairs session each week. I was desperate to know whether it was just me, or whether this article is in fact incredibly out of place in a mainstream newspaper's website. Yediot is one of the big dailies in Israel. It is not a tabloid or a gossip magazine for sure, but this little piece makes it read like one.

Most of the olim at the Ulpan tended to agree with me - that such material should not be published in your local daily, taken home to millions of Israelis each day and that lies around for kids and teenagers to read. More than that, it is published in English on the Internet for everyone to say - "Hmmm that's the Israeli view on life then". Internet readers who would include the Jew looking for the latest Disengagement news, or the potential immigrant, the student doing research or the surfing anti-Semite.

There just seems to be something unhealthy and even unwholesome about the article. In a country where we hoped to be different and separate ourselves from Western society's fascination with sex and the like, I wonder whether we could at least let Israeli teenagers (and adults) discover temptations without providing provocative cheerleading from what is a respected news publication. Sure, it's a column on 'Singles' but still...

The English speaker might be gold according to Ram Gilboa but frankly his article fails to appear on my medal table of top opinion pieces.

Take a look at the feedback posted below his article and add a comment to this KICblog so we know what you think...

Away from picking up tourists, PM Sharon is off to President Chirac in Paris today for what is billed as more than a small warming of relations. As this article reports, Israel appears to be benefiting internationally as a result of Sharon's bold but controversial Disengagement Plan. The benefits were illustrated pointedly last week when the UN Security Council (including France!) rejected a Palestinian request to hold a session to discuss Israel's Security Fence. This was a very refreshing stance taken by 4 of the 5 permanent Council members who hold veto powers.

Yet, I am not convinved. We are all well aware that the Israeli media and world leaders are being 'kind' to Sharon's government right now in order to see off threats to the Disengagement Plan. We've unwillingly played this diplomatic game in the past and I imagine the rules of the game are going to return to normal come post-Disengagement. Israel will again be placed under pressure to concede and to surrender even in the face of terror even when other countries swear that they never will.

I'm never sure whether we should take too much notice of world leadership. Still, that leadership appears to hold great sway with Israel's leaders and therefore such a UN Security Council decision deserves some recognition (and sense of satisfaction) even if it might not be a sign of truly brighter diplomatic days ahead.

Orange Coincidence

"We are also against the expulsion" - obviously an imaginative

Israeli tourist on tiyul in Thailand making use of the locals

to boost orange morale back home.

Read the latest KICpost below...

Will they learn from Jean?

I prepared a non-terror related post for the KICblog last Thursday, only to have it placed on the backburner while the world continues its terrifying spiral towards who knows what. The families of Jean Charles de Menenez and 88 people in Sinai will tell you all about the spiral.

Jean became the lastest victim of terror on Friday morning when UK police shot him dead after he bolted and rushed for a train, having been followed from the residence he left in the morning. He was not the suicide bomber that they had assumed.

All this leaves me sad but still extremely frustrated! You see I can fully understand the pressure that UK security services are under right now. Terrorists roaming London and any number of others working on future attacks. It does not excuse or justify the killing of the innocent in any way but it helps us to sympathize and understand.

What frustrates me is the world's inability or unwillingness to understand the constant pressure and threats that Israeli forces face. Take the case of Mohammed al-Dura, shot dead by either the IDF or Palestinians early in this 5-year conflict. The world assumed Israel shot him purposely and abused us without ever taking a breath to consider other possibilities.
Then there's the foreign cameraman who darted out of an alley in the middle of a battle between IDF forces and Palestinian terrorists. The IDF shot him dead thinking that the camera he held at his shoulder was in fact a grenade launcher or similar. Sounds very Jean-like to me. What about countless such cases in Iraq? What then with Rachel Corrie?

The death of Jean in London can be and should be equated with the countless instances of IDF mistakes under pressure and stress that have occurred over the years. In addition, when Israel tries to eliminate terror heads by helicopter etc, there should be an understanding on the part of the world that Israel makes mistakes and that some innocents are sadly injured in error. Though we arrest rather than kill when we can, walking in to Jenin or Gaza to arrest terrorists is not particularly easy or safe. The suburbs of London or Leeds are not quite the havens of terror and warfare that we face. Had they been, the UK Royal Airforce would also be adopting helicopter tactics to stop 'ticking bombs', like they have done in Falluja or Baghdad at the cost of thousands of lives. What about Egypt's response to this weekend's atrocities in Sinai? What human rights rules will they be following?

None of this means Israel shouldn't take all steps to avoid civilian loss and this does not condone reckless or illegal actions, but the five bullets fired at Jean should help the world to see our situation in a different light. We don't always have to compare ourselves to the good and bad that exists elsewhere, but it would be nice to be treated equally for once.

Lastly, I can not expect media miracles overnight but when 2 Jerusalem residents were murdered by terrorists last night while driving home from Shabbat with family in Gush Katif, I wonder why that is not covered fully on the world news. Besides, that terror attack killed 200% more people than Thursday's failed attempts in London and caused 500% more injuries. What about the subsequent attack on emergency services who responded to the attack? Maybe I'm kidding myself...

Kidding? You have got to be kidding! Check out the ridiculous (are they serious?) statement by Fatah's al-Aqsa Brigades and Islamic Jihad after last night's murders. "We are still committed to the calm". (Shaking my head in disbelief). Well someone sees the humor in it all...

Kfar Maimon to London - really!

Confused and wild reports coming in from London about more tube explosions, bus explosion and shooting in various areas of the city.

Awaiting further updates and hoping for only better news.

As much as I would like the British people to have more sympathy for Israel's terrorism experiences, sadly Britain seems to be becoming very similar to Israel in the worst way possible.

UPDATE: "He said that a man was carrying a rucksack and the rucksack suddenly exploded. It was a minor explosion but enough to blow open the rucksack," McCracken said. "The man then made an exclamation as if something had gone wrong. At that point everyone rushed from the carriage."

Reports like this and a further hunt for a man with wires protruding from his shirt suggest that London is now up to its Livingston (!) in an Islamic terror campaign to bring the city to its knees. I feel for British citizens because, like all Israelis, I know the fear & anger that such evil campaigns can create.

Like Israelis, (now VERY like Israelis, Mr Livingston), the British will have to quickly adjust and learn to be vigilant and yet remain committed to defeating these people - that is, if you can find them.

Without trying to appear overly confident of our own (somewhat unstable) safety here, it does not take a genius (or a KICblog) to realize that it is going to be a great deal more difficult for the UK, US and friends to track down al-Qaida terrorists than it is for Israel to act against the Palestinian terrorists.
You see, not only is Israel much smaller and easier to defend generally, but the IDF also knows where most Palestinian instigators drink their coffee and smoke their nargila.

It hurts most when the terrorists are your very own born and breed British subjects. So where does Tony Blair start? Which country or should I say, which British city?

I am glad the casualty total is low this time. To what extent do you think that calms the nerves at Downing Street and Scotland Yard?

Your thoughts welcome below...

Kfar Maimon to London

How strange that a small yishuv like Kfar Maimon has suddenly become the center of world attention. London can I understand, even when there are no crocodiles displaying themselves there.

Things are moving so fast here in Israel. Politicians and national leaders have lots to say on the 10000-15000 orange protestors left in the company of a similar number of Israeli security forces. The Supreme Court (sitting as the High Court of Justice) will be sitting on the issue of 'bus blocking' that took place earlier and in the meantime the stand-off continues.

Now according to the media (Israeli and foreign), we are talking about right-wing folk who are getting involved in fisty-cuffs with their brothers and sisters in uniform. No doubt, there have been instances (and a few injuries so far) and there is a wide acceptance that some of the darker orange elements wish to (and do succeed to) promote or create confrontation.

But in essence, (as I type at least) there does seem to be a real sense of respect and brotherhood at Kfar Maimon. Sure it's tense and sure there's some verbal provocation and I can not condone tattooing ID numbers (Shoah-like) on one's arms and similar actions.
Still, the Yesha council is thinking and thinking hard as to the consequences of future actions. Many are now leaving but I understand other Anti-Disengagement crews are on the way.

It is all a little unclear and we will not know the intentions of the police, the government or the protest leaders until something significant happens. The orange crowd may try to march to Gush Katif tonight or they may go home for Shabbos to rebuild. Hard to know really.

What I do know is that we are not hearing it all through the mainstream media. People who were at the protest (you might judge them as lacking objectivity) report that some police and protestors prayed together this morning, that members of each side wish each other good night before bed and when orange teenage girls offered fruit and drink to the police and army staff, the reply was a simple "Lo Toda, Chamuda" - "No thanks, cutey".

You see, these stories re-emphasize the statements of Chief-of Staff Dan Halutz who maintains that we are not each other's enemies and we must not approach the protests and D-Day like that. I agree with him wholeheartedly and only wish all factions would follow that lead.

We have enemies however - some who are more obvious but are busy trying to miss another opportunity, and others who are clearly a few sandwiches short of a picnic or called Ken Livingston. His new statements (of yesterday) that equate Likud with Hamas and justify Palestinian suicide bombers are not so much horrendous as they are bemusing and hard to believe in light of the London attacks. He is clearly attracted to crocodiles and is speaking in complete contradiction to Prime Minister Blair, (although it also took him some time to recognize the Israel-London connection too).

Now that the Knesset has rejected a motion to delay the Disengagement, we should still continue to fulfil our collective responsibility. Let's keep our eye on the ball and not get distracted by placing the 'enemy tag' on our brothers and sisters.

Please Fasten Your Seatbelt

Things are moving so fast here that I'm not sure this KICblog will still be relevant by the time I've finished typing. Needless to say, we appear to be on the fast track to somewhere we may not like very much.

Today's actions by the government to stop the large anti-Disengagement protest threatens to boil over. Things have been boiling for a while now. But I'm talking about the pot falling off the stove and people getting badly burnt. That's not a threat (G-d forbid) - that's my fear!

I can sympathize with Sharon who is positioned between committed anti-Disengagement citizens and the new onslaught of terror rocket and suicide attacks. I appreciate his and the security establishment's desire to keep tens of thousands of protestors out of the range of Palestinian rockets. I understand the Sharon and colleagues wish to carry out these D-Days without the extra interference of thousands of non-resident Gaza dwellers. Some of the extreme right have done stupid and immoral things and democracy will deal with them.

And yet, maybe it's time for Democracy to stand up and shout: "Hey! Remember me?!!"

On an issue that possibly splits Israelis as close to 50-50 as possible, it does appear highly provocative to outlaw the orange people protest and then to take such measures as confiscating bus driver licenses, seizing buses and encircling the town of Netivot to stop the protest getting off the ground. I am therefore not surprised by the statements that are now appearing from Likud rebels and leaders of the anti-D team. It also does not come as a surprise to read in recent mintues of two female IDF soldiers refusing to block the roads to Netivot.

The Government and the Police/IDF on one side and the Orange team on the other - both need to take stock of themselves immediately and re-evaluate as to where they wish to lead their people and all of us for that matter.

Sad really that we are talking about "sides" when in fact we should be one. Whatever side you take, take your helmet with you and fasten your seatbelt.

Love, Hate & The Complete Jew

Olim (immigrants) to Israel often describe their new country as a place they hate to live in but could never bare living anywhere else. How many others can say the same thing about their own State?

Friday saw the continuing saga of our car (purchased 2001) that was in for its second full automatic gear replacement in the last 6 months. The car has been no end of trouble (and expense) since its purchase some 4 years ago. The well-respected (?) European car makers at first demanded we pay 13000 shekels for fixing the gear problem - that is, until we roped in a lawyer.

Anyway, two days ago we received our car back (with working gearbox) and a little extra gift - a ripped hole in the upholstery of the front passenger seat. Of course I immediately notified those in charge. Their reponse - "not our responsibility - of course it must have been there before - maybe your baby seat caused it - what do you want from me?"

Lovely! Just beautiful! What does one do with such people?

So why am I telling you this story? Well it's part of the KICview - that is, KIC sessions look at Israeli society as well as politics, disengagement and things that go bang in the night.
Tomorrow I am starting my weekly Current Affairs sessions with my fifth group of olim at Ulpan Etzion. In the past, I have raised these 'difficult Israeli experiences' with my students and it does help them integrate into society and to see Israel as it really is, outside the youth movement and the Aliyah brochure.

So what's the problem? The problem is that on Friday night I discovered the man from the car business sitting in front of me in shule. Having had a heated exchange 6 hours earlier, this raised some great discomfort.

This is Israel in its truest and most frightening reality! Israel does have a famous amount of opportunities for arguing and yelling at people in the street, in the government office, in your car, at the supermarket... everywhere! It's a horrific situation whereby the person you gave a quick abusive driving lesson to hours earlier, ends up being the mohel (person who circumcizes)at your nephew's brit milah (circumcision) or the man who runs the bakery down the street. And worst of all, the stresses and personalities in this country, lead you to unattractive and purely horrific confrontations with fellow Jews. (Not that confrontations with a non-Jew are any better but I'm sure you understand my feelings).

How do you separate between the man who is quite clearly misleading you at the car business and the man who sits with you in shule? I've always said that Israel might be a much better place if there were no Jews here. Ironic, crazy to say, but well...

I am not sure whether a solution to this dilemma exists but a recent article from A.B.Yehoshua gave me some direction and comfort. In essence he expressed his satisfaction with the fact that in Israel all Jews of all backgrounds are forced to interact one with the other. In his opinion, this positive phenomenon does not exist in the Diaspora.

That is, in most Diaspora comunities, Reform, Secular, Conservative, Orthodox and Chareidi communities barely ever interact. They have their shule, their families and their communities and that's where it stops. On the other hand, Yehoshua argues that Israel is brimful with such important interaction. Though the "most people are Jewish syndrome" can lead to absolute frustration (as I pointed out above), Israel allows for an opening of doors and a building of bridges. In light of this and the existence of a thorough Jewish reality here, he argues that the Israeli Jew is the "Complete Jew".

You see - in Israel (in most cases), the man giving you a parking ticket is Jewish and so is your dentist, your doctor, your optometrist, your lawyer, your accountant and your dog's vet. The policemen are Jewish, so are the local council representatives, the bank tellers, cafe waiters, taxi drivers, bus drivers and rubbish collectors. There is no avoiding interaction with Jews who identify differently with Judaism than you do. All those listed above come from all sectors of Jewish life - secular and religious (at all different levels), Ashkenazi & Sephardi (from all the different countries), left and right wing (in all different respects) and so on and so forth. Daily life makes Israeli Jews talk to one another and this helps to build a sense of acceptance and understanding.

Last week, I was in the Knesset for a Select Committee hearing on a new law. It was then that A.B. Yehoshua's words came flooding back to me. Here we had a Shinui MK chairing the meeting and around him sat Jews of all kinds - some with black or colored kippot and everything over and above and in-between. Only in Israel do Jews willingly come together every day to sit together, discuss and debate together and to enjoy humor together when it arises. At the end of the day, they make law together.

There is a great deal of tension in our homeland and alot of improvement to achieve yet. For sure, service (even of cars!) is lacking and at times unbearable. And yet, in Israel we do interact one with the other. We can not avoid the fellow Jew. He may not go to my shule (or any shule at all) but I'll still be interacting with him and talking to him. It's an Israeli fact to cherish and one well worth maintaining.

Any thoughts? Add a comment below...

When is a crocodile not a crocodile?

I wanted to fill the KICblog today with experiences from my first (and apparently last) trip to Gush Katif. Sadly, the Pale-croco-stinians have returned with a bang (or two or three or four) and so my trip report will have to go on hold.

Well, it does not surprise me. The Palestinians never lose an opportunity to lose an opportunity and it does appear they are willing to maintain that tradition, even at the risk of weakening their internationally sanctioned leader and further destroying their legitimacy. In addition, they will now be faced with blocked entry to Israel, extra checkpoints and some re-entry of the IDF to towns recently returned to PA control.

Whether the claim that Islamic Jihad, Hamas and others represent the Palestinian minority is correct or not, they do play a powerful role in the Palestinian mindset and in the education and direction of the people generally (and the youth in particular). Here's an updated reminder of the Hamas ideals and some broadcasted Palestinian satisfaction from the London attacks.

One would think (or dream, wish and hope, just maybe) that in the shadow of Islamic terrorism in London (now understood to be British suicide bombers), the world, led by Tony Blair and London Mayor Ken Livingston, would stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel who did indeed fully back the UK last Thursday. Livingston has often tried to explain or justify Palestinian terror. On the other hand, he used all kinds of phrases to explain the London events as murder, terrorism and the like.

Like it or not, the murdered Israeli teenagers and women and the many injured (including toddlers) are as innocent as any London victim. When you start to decipher and distinguish one from the other, in any way, then you are simply begging the crocodiles to bite off your other hand too.

I'm not stupid though. I know the distinctions will be made. (Sky News is already calling the Middle East crocodiles 'militants' rather than the London terrorists and manage to forget about the Netanya Park Plaza massacre of Pesach 2002 when they list past Netanya bombings).
And the New Zealand media with the most misleading headline I've ever seen!
The Sun and other world newspapers clearly do not value their bodily parts. No Islamic terrorism in Israel?

The two sets of attacks are so similar and yet treated so very differently. It's horrifying that only when Western cities are hit does the world (almost) acknowledge the notion and danger of Islamic terror, financed by countries like Iran and spreading ever so steadily across Europe and the world.

So when is a crocodile not a crocodile? Leave your answer below...