UN Pumps Millions into anti Israel Agencies

The initiative represents a “collusion between UN agencies and radical anti-peace NGOs for political warfare.”

Numerous organizations targeting Israel will soon be receiving millions of dollars from a UN agency to bolster activities intended to “hold Israel accountable for its obligations under international law,” according to a fresh report published by a Jerusalem-based organization.

The 73-page document, entitled “United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) State of Palestine 2018-2022” details the various Palestinian causes to which funds will be allocated as part of an agreement signed with the Palestinian Authority (PA).

As part of the “Strategic Programming Framework” designed to “support Palestine’s path to independence” and other “pillars of the government’s National Policy Agenda,” the agreement lays out UN plans to dedicate $18 million to “support Palestinian institutions.”

It states that it will help these institutions to “effectively access international accountability mechanisms in order to hold Israel accountable for its violations under international law.”

Moreover, the report outlines that the purpose of the cash will be to augment efforts to “actively monitor, advocate and mobilize on human rights violations” in reference to Israel. (No reference to the human rights violations by the Palestinians or the incessant incitement in flagrant violation of signed agreements)

Indicating that the document’s raison d’être is itself hypocritical and anti-Israel, the watchdog group NGO Monitor, which published its findings on the report, highlighted, “There is no parallel support for ‘monitoring, advocating and mobilizing’ in response to Palestinian violations under the human rights treaties the Palestinian Authority has signed.”

In addition to the organizations that will be eligible to receive the streams of cash, the report sets out budgetary plans for other UN organizations which will provide support for “Palestine’s path to independence.”

Among those appearing on the list to promote that goal is UNESCO, from which Israel recently announced its decision to withdraw, along with the US, following a string of anti-Israel resolutions, including ignoring Jewish ties to Jerusalem and designating Hebron a “Palestinian World Heritage Site.”

According to NGO Monitor’s report, these “massive amounts of money (for these same organizations and UN agencies) for their ongoing anti-Israel political warfare campaigns… will do nothing to revitalize the ‘stalled peace process’ or the creation of a ‘peaceful and just Palestinian society.’”

Such UN initiatives, NGO Monitor added, only exemplify the “longstanding collusion between UN agencies and radical anti-peace NGOs for political warfare…Many of these organizations promote antisemitism, rejectionism, and BDS.”

Israel has long taken issue with international bodies such as the UN and the EU for pumping money into groups it believes have a political motive, often undermining the Israel Defense Forces and presenting a negative image of the country abroad.

Israel Arabs Prefer to Live Under Israeli Administration

 Palestinian leaders often claim that they would like to take a less confrontational stance against Israel but are afraid of “losing” the “Palestinian street.”

A new interview with a local Palestinian politician in an eastern Jerusalem Arab neighborhood indicates the opposite to be true: The average Palestinian wants to come home from work and eat dinner with his or her family rather than hearing that their child has become a “martyr” in a violent attack against Israelis.

It is the Palestinian leaders who destroy the chances for peace with non-stop incitement of Palestinian youth, diversion of funds to terror and a resultant lack of economic growth in Palestinian-controlled areas.

Jerusalem village head Ramadan Dabbash goes as far as to say that living under Israeli rule is preferable to living under the Palestinian Authority. Listen to what he says!

Christian Media Summit in Israel

Over 130 Christian media broadcasters from 30 countries and 5 continents met in Israel last week. These broadcasters are reaching over 1 billion people around the world.

The 4 day conference opened with a gala event attended by Prime Minister Netanyahu, who said “Israel has no better friends – I mean that – no better friends in the world than the Christian communities around the world. And Israel is the one country in a vast region where Christians not only survive, they thrive.”

“You know the truth about Israel's history and the truth about our commitment to freedom. Freedom is under a challenge all the time and I think it scored a big victory the other day. I want to thank President Trump for his courageous speech outlining a new course against Iran, the enemy of our free civilization.”

During the course of the conference, the Christian journalists had a unique opportunity to see, hear and interact with major Israeli politicians, academicians and other noted Israelis, who took part in various panel discussions.

The summit also featured personal encounters with members of Jerusalem’s bustling high-tech start-up world, as well as noted leaders within the city’s civic, cultural and religious community.

The summit coincided with the 50^th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem, the eternal capital of Israel. In this spirit of unity, the summit’s goal aimed to foster a better understanding and strengthen the friendship between Christians worldwide and the State of Israel.

Unnecessary Tragedy

This is probably the most difficult blog I have written since I started  12 years ago.

In the last few days one of our dearest grandchildren, Eitan, an 18 year old was killed in a car crash that also took the life of one of his friends.

The news was held from us and other family members for 24 hours due the Simchat Torah holiday (the holiday which celebrates the final readings of the 5 books of Moses, and immediate restart anew from the beginning.)

The children were on the way to bring songs, dances and an overall atmosphere of happiness to an elderly community but never made it. The driver and one other passenger were seriously injured. Meanwhile a bus carrying the younger members to the Bet Shemesh (where he lived, ) youth, did reach their destination without realizing the seriousness of the accident to the car behind.

Once the news of the death of the two children was announced to all, a dark cloud hung over the whole Bet Shemesh community. The whole youth of the town were due to go away for a special weekend and although our son and daughter in law told the youth leaders to go ahead with their plans, the youth with a single voice said “no”, we are staying to mourn with you.

The funeral was held at midnight and estimates of the attendance ranged from 1000 to 1500 people, and that in the middle of the night.

As is traditional, the 7 days of mourning were organized at the home of our son and daughter in law and each day we have spent the hours from early morning to late evening receiving hundreds to visitors, many of whom travelled long distances to show their respects to the family members. Visitors to meet our son or daughter in law or the siblings of the deceased ensured that the home and garden where full from morning to night.

The memories of Eitan will be in our minds forever.

Palestinian Refugees? Why Not Return

Much has been written lately about the need to accept the right of return of the Palestinian refugees. 

The word “return” in international law is very clear; it means going back to where one has been before. So it can apply only to the people who left Palestine, not to their descendants who were born in another country.

Today there are less than 100,000 survivors from the 700,000 Arabs who left Palestine and became refugees, and they could be allowed to come back to Israel if they wish to, with only one condition; that they are ready to live in peace with their Jewish neighbors, as is stated in the UN declaration about Palestine refugees, which mentions ONLY the refugees but NOT their descendants: “Palestine refugees wishing to return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbors should be permitted to do so at the earliest practicable date.” 

 There is no other example in history where descendants of refugees are still considered to be refugees, three generations later.

OVER 60,000 PARTICIPATE IN JERUSALEM ANNUAL MARCH

by Udi Shaham  October 10, 2017

The 3km march draws in people from all over the world, united in love for Jerusalem and the people of Israel.

We were part of over 60,000 people who participated iin the annual Jerusalem March on Tuesday. Delegates from organizations and countries from all over the world participated in the 3-km. walk.

Celebrants at the annual Jerusalem March 

MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST

The first groups marching represented large organizations such as the Israel Electric Corporation, El Al, military and police platoons, and several NGOs.

Following them was the delegation of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, composed of Christian pilgrims – the largest group, consisting of participants from more than 90 nations.

The pilgrims, visiting the capital to celebrate Sukkot and attend the Feast of Tabernacles celebration, were waving flags, chanting “we love Israel,” calling out “shalom,” and holding signs expressing support for the State of Israel.

Some groups played trumpets, shofars and drums, and presented traditional dances. Some handed out flags and candy to children.

The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem stressed in a statement that this year’s feast gathering has centered on the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem during the Six Day War. After the march, the embassy held a tribute in the capital’s Pais Arena for IDF soldiers who liberated the Old City of Jerusalem in June 1967.

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat said that he is excited to host this event, year after year.

“The Jerusalem March is a tradition going back over 60 years, and as time goes by it becomes even more exciting,” Barkat said.

“And in this year that we celebrate the reunification of the city, it is even more exciting.

During this holiday, Jerusalem is hosting hundreds of thousands of visitors and tourists who enjoy the magic of the city, its gorgeous sites and our unique attractions,” he said.