a) “The PLO... has not changed its platform even one iota... to drive them [Jews] out of all of Palestine," - PLO ambassador to Lebanon told NBN TV in an interview
b) Muslims would soon overtake "Rome", which he charged had "planted the brothers of apes and pigs in Palestine in order to prevent the reawakening of Islam.” - Hamas MP
c) "In light of the weakness of the Arab nation and the lack of values, and in light of the American control over the world, the PLO proceeds through phases, without changing its strategy. Let me tell you, when the ideology of Israel collapses, and we take, at least, Jerusalem, the Israeli ideology will collapse in its entirety, and we will begin to progress with our own ideology, Allah willing, and drive them out of all of Palestine," - Abbas Zaki, the PLO ambassador in Beirut.
d) "The capital [Rome] of the Catholics, or the Crusader capital, which has declared its hostility to Islam, and which has planted the brothers of apes and pigs in Palestine in order to prevent the reawakening of Islam... is just like Constantinople," - Hamas parliamentarian Yunis al-Astal told worshipers in a televised sermon
e) “Rome will be an advanced post for the Islamic conquests which will spread through Europe in its entirety, and then will turn to the two Americas, and even Eastern Europe." - Yunis al-Astal
f) "I believe that our children or our grandchildren will inherit our jihad and our sacrifices, and Allah willing, the commanders of the conquest will come from among them. Today, we instill these good tidings in their souls, and by means of the mosques and the Koran books, and the history of our prophet, his companions, and the great leaders, we prepare them for the mission of saving humanity from the hellfire on the brink of which they stand," - Yunis al-Astal
Do we really understand the words that are used? And we closing our eyes and ears to what is going on around us? Are we not crazy to negotiate?
We have “peace treaties” with Jordan and Egypt at governmental level but certainly not with the man in the street. The average Palestinian man in the street, according to opinion polls, doesn’t seem to accept any type of peace with Israel and is for the continuation of violence but then with constant incitement via the media and through official channels, should we expect anything else?
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Row over Religious Dig
Sky News is running a story “Unholy Row over Religious Site Dig” in a prominent place on its broadcasts which is in fact a new version on an old theme, and one that always ignores the important facts which are available to any competent reporter.
http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30200-1312506,00.html
Any dig undertaken by Israel is always viewed with suspicion whereas the untold damage to antiquities, when the Palestinians undertake “development work” at the Temple Mount, is conveniently ignored.
From a contact who lives in the area reviewed in this story and travels around the neighborhood during her day to day business, she reports that :-
The main digs are taking place in what used to be the Givati Parking lot, which is almost directly across from the Dung Gate in the Old City. The other main digging area is right next to the City of David visitor’s center. The parking lot definitely had no houses on it before the digging, (as claimed by the Sky News reporter) and I'm pretty sure the area next to the visitor’s center was empty as well.
The digging is taking place tens or hundreds of meters underground, and is actually not digging out anything new, but they have discovered tunnels from Herod's time, and they are clearing them out. The tunnels were used by the pilgrims coming to the Temple on the three main holidays of Sukkot, Pessach and Shavuot). If the Arabs have qualms about these tunnels, they'll have to take it up with Herod.
As for home and businesses being destroyed, that is total nonsense. I drive through Silwan on a daily basis, and nothing has changed. The roads are certainly not cracking, and the businesses are all open and receiving customers.
Once again a reporter is led by the nose and disconnects his brain during the journey and consequently an ignorant public is being brainwashed by incompetent reporting
http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30200-1312506,00.html
Any dig undertaken by Israel is always viewed with suspicion whereas the untold damage to antiquities, when the Palestinians undertake “development work” at the Temple Mount, is conveniently ignored.
From a contact who lives in the area reviewed in this story and travels around the neighborhood during her day to day business, she reports that :-
The main digs are taking place in what used to be the Givati Parking lot, which is almost directly across from the Dung Gate in the Old City. The other main digging area is right next to the City of David visitor’s center. The parking lot definitely had no houses on it before the digging, (as claimed by the Sky News reporter) and I'm pretty sure the area next to the visitor’s center was empty as well.
The digging is taking place tens or hundreds of meters underground, and is actually not digging out anything new, but they have discovered tunnels from Herod's time, and they are clearing them out. The tunnels were used by the pilgrims coming to the Temple on the three main holidays of Sukkot, Pessach and Shavuot). If the Arabs have qualms about these tunnels, they'll have to take it up with Herod.
As for home and businesses being destroyed, that is total nonsense. I drive through Silwan on a daily basis, and nothing has changed. The roads are certainly not cracking, and the businesses are all open and receiving customers.
Once again a reporter is led by the nose and disconnects his brain during the journey and consequently an ignorant public is being brainwashed by incompetent reporting
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
The Name of the Game is "Green"
Green is the name of the game today and here in Israel from my perspective there is definitely an ever increasing awareness of the need to change our lifestyles in one way or another.
The use of plastic bags when shopping is a no-no particularly in the supermarkets and we now bring a number of fabric bags on our shopping expeditions in order to avoid the use of the plastic bag. Why the manufacturers of such bags cannot produce in biodegradable plastics beats me but then I suppose, as always, it is down to a question of cost. I remember using biodegradable plastics for packaging a product I was involved in the manufacture of way back in the 1970’s – it seems it has not developed much since then.
The government is being drawn into “Green” issues constantly and a comprehensive report released in March http://www.sviva.gov.il/Enviroment/Static/Binaries/ModulKvatzim/p0462_1.pdf highlights the following important changes:-
TRANSPORTATION
a) All light vehicles (up to 3.5 tons) imported into Israel comply with Euro 4 standards since January 2006 and all heavy vehicles (above 3.5 tons) comply with this standard since October 2006.
b) The sulfur content in 98 octane gasoline has been reduced to 10 ppm. and 10 ppm sulfur diesel fuel has been introduced into some 15 gas stations throughout the country.
c) More stringent air pollution checks were introduced into the annual car registration tests for gas-powered vehicles, beginning with 1995 models, since March 2006. More stringent regulations on smoke emissions from diesel vehicles, which apply to the annual car registration test, beginning with 2001 models, came into force in June 2007.
One component of the national plan is for the reduction of vehicular pollution relates to electric cars. This issue has been highly publicized in Israel and worldwide due to an initiative by Project Better Place to make electric cars available on the Israeli market. It is expected that the first electric cars to be available in Israel in 2011.
The most highly polluting vehicles will be subject to additional purchase taxes of up to 15,000 shekels while taxes on clean vehicles will be reduced. Taxes on hybrid cars were reduced to 30%, within the framework of a new policy that will link the external costs of air pollution
and tax levels.
AIR POLLUTION
Meanwhile reductions in the number of air polluting days per year continue a downward trend from 2007 to 2006:-
a) In Tel Aviv the number dropped to 45 days compared to 59 days.
b) In Jerusalem 33 high air pollution days to 32 days.
c) In Haifa 7 high air pollution days compared to 15 days. .
d) In Bet Shemesh 12 high air pollution days compared to 22 days.
e) In Modi’in n22 high air pollution days compared to 18 days.
EDUCATION
Such efforts cannot be maintained without a full education program and at least 30 hours of study at every age level are to budgeted, including out of classroom activities.
Further, instruction based on sustainable development guidelines is integrated with out of classroom activities and action in the environment.
Highlighting of the environment as a central subject is now carried out in the framework of science and technology and geography studies in the 2007/8 school year.
And finally, Initial training of some 100 leading teachers and assimilation of the subject on the regional level has been completed.
Let’s hope this can help to guarantee to improve the world and its climate.
The use of plastic bags when shopping is a no-no particularly in the supermarkets and we now bring a number of fabric bags on our shopping expeditions in order to avoid the use of the plastic bag. Why the manufacturers of such bags cannot produce in biodegradable plastics beats me but then I suppose, as always, it is down to a question of cost. I remember using biodegradable plastics for packaging a product I was involved in the manufacture of way back in the 1970’s – it seems it has not developed much since then.
The government is being drawn into “Green” issues constantly and a comprehensive report released in March http://www.sviva.gov.il/Enviroment/Static/Binaries/ModulKvatzim/p0462_1.pdf highlights the following important changes:-
TRANSPORTATION
a) All light vehicles (up to 3.5 tons) imported into Israel comply with Euro 4 standards since January 2006 and all heavy vehicles (above 3.5 tons) comply with this standard since October 2006.
b) The sulfur content in 98 octane gasoline has been reduced to 10 ppm. and 10 ppm sulfur diesel fuel has been introduced into some 15 gas stations throughout the country.
c) More stringent air pollution checks were introduced into the annual car registration tests for gas-powered vehicles, beginning with 1995 models, since March 2006. More stringent regulations on smoke emissions from diesel vehicles, which apply to the annual car registration test, beginning with 2001 models, came into force in June 2007.
One component of the national plan is for the reduction of vehicular pollution relates to electric cars. This issue has been highly publicized in Israel and worldwide due to an initiative by Project Better Place to make electric cars available on the Israeli market. It is expected that the first electric cars to be available in Israel in 2011.
The most highly polluting vehicles will be subject to additional purchase taxes of up to 15,000 shekels while taxes on clean vehicles will be reduced. Taxes on hybrid cars were reduced to 30%, within the framework of a new policy that will link the external costs of air pollution
and tax levels.
AIR POLLUTION
Meanwhile reductions in the number of air polluting days per year continue a downward trend from 2007 to 2006:-
a) In Tel Aviv the number dropped to 45 days compared to 59 days.
b) In Jerusalem 33 high air pollution days to 32 days.
c) In Haifa 7 high air pollution days compared to 15 days. .
d) In Bet Shemesh 12 high air pollution days compared to 22 days.
e) In Modi’in n22 high air pollution days compared to 18 days.
EDUCATION
Such efforts cannot be maintained without a full education program and at least 30 hours of study at every age level are to budgeted, including out of classroom activities.
Further, instruction based on sustainable development guidelines is integrated with out of classroom activities and action in the environment.
Highlighting of the environment as a central subject is now carried out in the framework of science and technology and geography studies in the 2007/8 school year.
And finally, Initial training of some 100 leading teachers and assimilation of the subject on the regional level has been completed.
Let’s hope this can help to guarantee to improve the world and its climate.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Honouring Life not Death
A letter I received from a friend working at a hospital in the north expressess very succinctly the difference between the efforts to build a State in accordance with the Israeli model of honouring life, whilst the Palsestinians, who honour death are not doing anything to build a State in spite of the millions of dollars being donated.
My friend writes "Israel is on a journey that began with a vision of Abraham, passed through the slave camps of Egypt, survived Nazi ovens and continues today in the land where it all began.
The paradoxes of life in modern Israel are as abundant as the multi-colored poppies that blanket the Jezre’el Valley fields after late winter rains. Here in our Medical Center in Northeastern Israel, we are surrounded by both flowers and enemies. We hear daily reports of how Hezbollah and Syria (armed and nourished by Iran) are once again threatening our lives and way of life, while we continue to heal those who step through our doors. “Israel seeks peace while preparing for war” is a slogan often heard. Our center does not seek peace – we live it.
After the long range missile bombardment of 2006, we are busy fortifying the facilities. Not as an act of war, but as an act of self preservation and humanity. While some of our neighbors are busy seeking ways to kill Jews, we are busy investing huge sums so that we may be somewhat protected while we heal others.
Despite the tangible threats vilifying the Middle Eastern atmosphere, Israel and ouir medical center thrive among the flowers. Every hour you may witness a Jew saving an Arab and vice versa, or wonder at the research being performed that will benefit all mankind, or listen to the sounds of construction while distant voices scream destruction. What is the center's answer to violence and the senseless premeditated taking of lives? 4,500 births each year and the planning of new Labor, Deliver & Recovery Suites that will serve all our region’s women.
While Islamic fanatics glorify death, we, in particular, and Israel, in general, sanctify life. What greater respect could we show to our Creator than by striving to heal all children and their families?
Our Medical Center is a creation of Israel and a luminous, vibrant house of healing that exemplifies the best of humanity. We have a long way to go as we accompany our people along this arduous path.
The road ahead is fraught with danger … and strewn with flowers."
My friend writes "Israel is on a journey that began with a vision of Abraham, passed through the slave camps of Egypt, survived Nazi ovens and continues today in the land where it all began.
The paradoxes of life in modern Israel are as abundant as the multi-colored poppies that blanket the Jezre’el Valley fields after late winter rains. Here in our Medical Center in Northeastern Israel, we are surrounded by both flowers and enemies. We hear daily reports of how Hezbollah and Syria (armed and nourished by Iran) are once again threatening our lives and way of life, while we continue to heal those who step through our doors. “Israel seeks peace while preparing for war” is a slogan often heard. Our center does not seek peace – we live it.
After the long range missile bombardment of 2006, we are busy fortifying the facilities. Not as an act of war, but as an act of self preservation and humanity. While some of our neighbors are busy seeking ways to kill Jews, we are busy investing huge sums so that we may be somewhat protected while we heal others.
Despite the tangible threats vilifying the Middle Eastern atmosphere, Israel and ouir medical center thrive among the flowers. Every hour you may witness a Jew saving an Arab and vice versa, or wonder at the research being performed that will benefit all mankind, or listen to the sounds of construction while distant voices scream destruction. What is the center's answer to violence and the senseless premeditated taking of lives? 4,500 births each year and the planning of new Labor, Deliver & Recovery Suites that will serve all our region’s women.
While Islamic fanatics glorify death, we, in particular, and Israel, in general, sanctify life. What greater respect could we show to our Creator than by striving to heal all children and their families?
Our Medical Center is a creation of Israel and a luminous, vibrant house of healing that exemplifies the best of humanity. We have a long way to go as we accompany our people along this arduous path.
The road ahead is fraught with danger … and strewn with flowers."
Thursday, April 3, 2008
How to Build an Artificial Image
In a report from London this week comes the news that Israel and Iran receive lowest ratings in the UK in a BBC poll, this for the second year running.
What a surprise!! With the attitudes of the media in the UK, is it any wonder. Published on Wednesday, the BBC World Service poll asked people to rate Brazil, Britain, China, France, Germany, India, Iran, Israel, Japan, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, the US and the European Union as having a mainly positive or negative influence in the world.
Negative views of Israel fell over the past year from 57 percent, to 52%, while negative views of Iran's influence held steady at 54%, giving it the worst rating of the countries tested. Pakistan followed Israel with the third worst rating.
A more expanded report can be seen at http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1206632388476&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
A further indication of the total lack of knowledge about the true facts of Israel can be seen in a recent Youtube video where some of the answers of the man in the street beggar belief. See following video
As one commentator on Israeli affairs, Lorna Fitzsimmons of BICOM in London pointed out "This BBC poll shows that viewers don't really understand the core issues within the Middle East conflict, even after watching BBC coverage. Israel has a big challenge. People have such a limited time to digest news - never mind foreign news - that they build up perceptions based on a snapshot. When Israel is only referred to in terms of conflict, this only exacerbates the problem."
The constant biased reporting of the BBC and a number of influential daily newspapers constantly builds up an unbalanced image and a society that does not have access to the real Israel, only the artificial image projected by the media.
What a surprise!! With the attitudes of the media in the UK, is it any wonder. Published on Wednesday, the BBC World Service poll asked people to rate Brazil, Britain, China, France, Germany, India, Iran, Israel, Japan, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, the US and the European Union as having a mainly positive or negative influence in the world.
Negative views of Israel fell over the past year from 57 percent, to 52%, while negative views of Iran's influence held steady at 54%, giving it the worst rating of the countries tested. Pakistan followed Israel with the third worst rating.
A more expanded report can be seen at http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1206632388476&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
A further indication of the total lack of knowledge about the true facts of Israel can be seen in a recent Youtube video where some of the answers of the man in the street beggar belief. See following video
As one commentator on Israeli affairs, Lorna Fitzsimmons of BICOM in London pointed out "This BBC poll shows that viewers don't really understand the core issues within the Middle East conflict, even after watching BBC coverage. Israel has a big challenge. People have such a limited time to digest news - never mind foreign news - that they build up perceptions based on a snapshot. When Israel is only referred to in terms of conflict, this only exacerbates the problem."
The constant biased reporting of the BBC and a number of influential daily newspapers constantly builds up an unbalanced image and a society that does not have access to the real Israel, only the artificial image projected by the media.
Monday, March 31, 2008
The Ecstasy and The Agony
The ecstasy surrounding the family over the weekend was the celebration of the barmitzvah of one of our grandchildren. Our daughter and husband took family and close friends to a kibbutz for the Sabbath and, although I cannot be truly objective, our grandson excelled himself, and a wonderful time was had by all.
The atmosphere was electric throughout the Sabbath as friends and family all contributed to the weekend each in their own way. Our contribution was the decoration of the dining hall with banners, streamers, balloons and two full walls of photographs of the barmitzvah boy from his birth to the present day in his passage through life. Another member of our extended family made a computer presentation about the life of the barmitzvah boy including incredible animation.
We arrived home in the early hours of the morning on such a high that it was difficult to get to sleep!
The agony came the following morning. While we were still going over the events of the weekend, looking at photographs and relating events of the weekend to friends who phoned, the news came through that the neighborhoods of Bat Yam (where our daughter lives) and Holon were closed due the “high risk” of terrorists roaming around the area. Families were advised to stay indoors. Traffic in the busiest area of the country was brought to a standstill with roadblocks set up to check everyone and everything - yes we have these in Israel not just in the Palesatinian areas
Thankfully the agony was short lived as the security personnel rounded up 4 suspects on a bus in the area within the hour. Although theses suspects didn’t have explosives on them, it turned out they were in Israel illegally but after what happened in Jerusalem the population in general is also in a high state of alert.
The atmosphere was electric throughout the Sabbath as friends and family all contributed to the weekend each in their own way. Our contribution was the decoration of the dining hall with banners, streamers, balloons and two full walls of photographs of the barmitzvah boy from his birth to the present day in his passage through life. Another member of our extended family made a computer presentation about the life of the barmitzvah boy including incredible animation.
We arrived home in the early hours of the morning on such a high that it was difficult to get to sleep!
The agony came the following morning. While we were still going over the events of the weekend, looking at photographs and relating events of the weekend to friends who phoned, the news came through that the neighborhoods of Bat Yam (where our daughter lives) and Holon were closed due the “high risk” of terrorists roaming around the area. Families were advised to stay indoors. Traffic in the busiest area of the country was brought to a standstill with roadblocks set up to check everyone and everything - yes we have these in Israel not just in the Palesatinian areas
Thankfully the agony was short lived as the security personnel rounded up 4 suspects on a bus in the area within the hour. Although theses suspects didn’t have explosives on them, it turned out they were in Israel illegally but after what happened in Jerusalem the population in general is also in a high state of alert.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Just How Much Can We Grow??
A review by the Central Bureau of Statistics this week gives an interesting picture of the future of the State of Israel (in total disregard of the ramblings of Ahmadinejad). It is suggested that Israel's population is expected to grow from around 7 million today to between 9.6 and 10.6 million by 2030.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1206446100926&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
The projection, based on 2005 population statistics, was also derived from three possible options - high, middle and low - differentiated by various assessments of differing components of population growth.
According to the middle option, the average annual growth rate between 2006 and 2030 will be 1.4 percent. 93% of the projected growth is estimated to be derived from natural growth, while the remaining 7% is expected to be the result of immigration.
The number of Jews in 2030 is expected to be 7.2 million, from 5.3 million at the end of 2005. The number of Arabs is expected to be 2.4 million of the population from 1.4 million in 2005.
The number of residents aged 65 years and over is expected to grow to 14% (693,000) from 10%.(1.4 million) and the percentage of children under age 14 will grow decrease from 28% to 25%. Nevertheless the numbers will grow from 2 to 2.5 million
The full statistical report is available at www.cbs.gov.il .
What this will mean for the community is a need for more cities, sheltered accommodation, more schools, more buildings, new towns, more infrastructure, more electricity, more water. How many more roads we can build in this tiny country? Transportation methods will have to change, the railway system is proving very successful but it needs to provide more access to the more remote areas of the country.
With growth rates in the economy forecast to be 3.5% next year in spite of the global downturn (lower than the 5- 5.5% we have achieved in the last few years) perhaps we can generate enough GDP to start these projects early rather than at the last minute as has been the case in the past.
It is going to be an interesting future!!
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1206446100926&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
The projection, based on 2005 population statistics, was also derived from three possible options - high, middle and low - differentiated by various assessments of differing components of population growth.
According to the middle option, the average annual growth rate between 2006 and 2030 will be 1.4 percent. 93% of the projected growth is estimated to be derived from natural growth, while the remaining 7% is expected to be the result of immigration.
The number of Jews in 2030 is expected to be 7.2 million, from 5.3 million at the end of 2005. The number of Arabs is expected to be 2.4 million of the population from 1.4 million in 2005.
The number of residents aged 65 years and over is expected to grow to 14% (693,000) from 10%.(1.4 million) and the percentage of children under age 14 will grow decrease from 28% to 25%. Nevertheless the numbers will grow from 2 to 2.5 million
The full statistical report is available at www.cbs.gov.il .
What this will mean for the community is a need for more cities, sheltered accommodation, more schools, more buildings, new towns, more infrastructure, more electricity, more water. How many more roads we can build in this tiny country? Transportation methods will have to change, the railway system is proving very successful but it needs to provide more access to the more remote areas of the country.
With growth rates in the economy forecast to be 3.5% next year in spite of the global downturn (lower than the 5- 5.5% we have achieved in the last few years) perhaps we can generate enough GDP to start these projects early rather than at the last minute as has been the case in the past.
It is going to be an interesting future!!
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