David Mark, Author at Israel Rising

June 26, 2017June 26, 2017

WAR ON THE TRUTH: Why Did Israel Ban UNESCO From Hebron?

Israel’s ambassador to UNESCO, Carmel Shama-Hacohen said the following concerning Israel’s refusal to allow UNESCO to come to Hebron on a fact finding mission:

“As a matter of principle, Israel will not provide legitimization to any Palestinian political move under the guise of culture and heritage.”

UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee is set to meet from July 2-12 in Krakow, Poland, for its annual assembly. Listed on the agenda is Hebron as ‘Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town, Palestine.’ Given the fact that UNESCO has already denied the connection between the Jewish people and the Temple Mount and Western Wall area, there is little doubt that the international body would not refrain from continuing to rewrite history.

Shama-Hacohen described the Palestinian request as “tainted by politicization, lies and libel against the State of Israel and against the Jewish people’s connection to the site… the Palestinians have opened another front in the religious and cultural war they are trying to impose on us.”

Jewish Connection to Hebron is Ancient

From the time Abraham bought the double cave from the Ephron as a family burial site in Hebron, the city has served as the foundational place for Israel and the Jewish people whether in the Land or exiled. From King David’s time onward, the burial cave became a site of increased pilgramages. By the Second Temple period, King Herod had to build a giant structure above the cave to service the many Jews who came to visit. This monument/building is the oldest Jewish still standing free structure in the world and can be seen by all who come to Hebron. It was built 650 years before a single Arab stepped foot in Hebron.

Long before the Arabs came to Hebron, the Jewish community thrived and grew and existed in the city well after the Muslim conquest of Israel in the 7th Century. In fact a groups of Jews who had fled the Spanish Inquisition settled in Hebron and revived the failing community.

There they lived until 1929 when the Arabs went on a rampage massacring the Jews of the city, effectively rendering Hebron Judenrein. Jews tried returning after the massacre but were pushed out completely in 1936 as part of a series of Arab riots across Israel. It was not until 1967 when Israel liberated the city that Jews began to come back to their ancient residences.

Today the city is thriving, with young couples and children spread throughout multiple neighborhoods.

The idea that Hebron is a “Palestinian” city is presposterous, but then again when it comes to Jews UNESCO believes in fake history.

So Why Do the Palestinians Insist on Claiming Hebron?

The Palestinians being an amalgamation of various people who migrated into Israel at different times, have no collective or historical national experience. There only long term chance at winning a war against the rightful indigenous nation is to deny that nation (Israel) a connection to the Land. Hebron is key for this strategy as it is part and parcel of Israel’s claim to the entire Land of Israel. Afterall, not only Jews agree that Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob, and Leah are buried there, but Christians and many moderate Muslims do as well.

So the Palestinians must attack the roots of our nation and Hebron is the ultimate place to start. Afterall, if we are denied a connection to our patriarchs and matriarchs, then who are we?

Israel banned UNESCO from Hebron, because the upcoming vote has nothing to do with creating peace or ensuring the Palestinians have individual rights (national rights would be a farce), it has only one aim and that is an assault on a very clear historical truth.

David Ben Gurion said the following about Hebron:

“However, don’t forget: the beginnings of Israel’s greatest king were in Hebron, the city to which came the first Hebrew about eight hundred years before King David, and we will make a great and awful mistake if we fail to settle Hebron, neighbor and predecessor of Jerusalem, with a large Jewish settlement, constantly growing and expanding, very soon. This will also be a blessing to the Arab neighbors. Hebron is worthy to be Jerusalem’s sister.”

Just two weeks I went with my son and his class to the Cave of the Patriarchs. On the side of the Herodian structure was a place that marked the furthest Jews were allowed to go when the site was run by Arabs. There, as if marking the place where Jewish tears yearned for centuries to have full regained access to our second holiest site is a hole, which was blocked up until after the city was liberated 50 years ago. This hole leads into the cavern containing the tombs of our patriarchs and matriarchs.

Our connection to Hebron is beyond historical or political or even religious. We are bound to Hebron by way of eternal deed. No UNESCO vote can change that. In fact our deed will long outlast UNESCO or any other international body that warps history and seeks to sever the connection between the Jewish people and their Land.

June 21, 2017

From North Korea to Syria, Is Chaos the New Norm?

From threats of nuclear war on the Korean peninsula to a Syrian crisis that appears to be spiralling out of control, the world as we know seems to collapsing and with it the sense of security. Not since World War Two has the world experienced such turbulence. All of us who remember the fall of the Soviet Union and the rise of the post Cold War global regime felt that we were finally moving past the grievances of old. We believed that hi-tech would usher a new and more perfect world.

2017 has proven the above assumptions wrong.

Lurking within us and within society is a beautiful Divine potential to do good. We feel it and we want it. However, another force is there waiting in the shadows and whispering in our ears to do evil.

Each one of us can bring a new light into the world. We can ignore the daily bombardment of negativity and allow events to unfold the way Almighty wants them to.

The world as we know it, is collapsing. Chaos is reigning supreme. But this will not last forever. Another world is coming and it is our responsibility to make sure it is a world where our capacity for good outweighs the lust to do evil.

Rebbe Nachman of Breslov makes it clear that before the Messiah comes there will be a great flood of non-blief throughout the world. It will seem as if there is no hope, the forces of anti-G-dliness will win and yet, there will be a great yearning for the true and simple faith. “The Redemption rests on the faith of the simple believer,” he told his followers.

Yes the world is out of control and no one can put the breaks on it. We of simple faith know that there will be a far better world after this if we learn to just hold on.

June 20, 2017June 21, 2017

Home Near Lions Gate Now Fully Returned to Its Jewish Owners

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

The downstairs courtyard of the lone Jewish property near the Lions Gate has now been fully restored to Jewish hands. Over the past year the Jewish residents there had to share a courtyard with an Arab family. This made everyone in the building very uncomfortable. The Arabs in the building suffered every time n explosive was thrown at the compound. More than that, the elderly Arab woman was constantly threatened for living with Jews.

Today, the Arab family moved out and activists from the Heritage House entered to clean up.

Rabbi Ben Packer of the Heritage House said the following: “When the entire Jewish world is looking for an appropriate way to respond to the horrific terror attack of this past Shabbat night, we are privileged to have the merit to give them just that – another Jewish residence reclaimed near the Lions Gate, near the site of the terror attack. In response to violence and terror, we will only further strengthen the Jewish Presence.”

The Lions Gate property has been one of the most important properties in securing the neighborhood known as the Gypsy Quarter, considered one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the Old City of Jerusalem. The residents of the compound suffer near daily threats from the Arab gangs in the area. With the Arab family now fully evacuated and duly compensated, real renovations can continue in order for more residents to move in.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”5223″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”5222″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”5221″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

June 8, 2017June 8, 2017

Jewish House Near Lions Gate Firebombed [Again]

Last night the front door to the Jewish property near the Lions Gate was firebombed again. This is now the second time in one month the property was attacked. The area near the Lions Gate is known as a dangerous area. The Jewish property is isolated and its residents often times have to fend for themselves.

Simcha Rosen, manager of the Heritage House said the following over the incident:

“It is ridiculous that Jewish property is still getting attacked even as we have just celebrated 50 years since the liberation of Jerusalem. It’s time for the government to take our safety seriously.”

The compound near Lions gate continues to be a flash point between radical Islamic thugs and pioneering Jews who have moved back into an old Jewish property. The hope of Jewish activists is that the property is the first of many in the neighborhood and its habitation will solidify Jewish control over the area.

June 4, 2017June 5, 2017

[WATCH] Newest Jewish Owned Store in Jerusalem Brings Israel to the Foot of the Temple Mount

In a short and poignant ceremony David Wiseman, spoke about his connection to the Land of Israel the desire to make a real difference in Israel’s struggle to build in Jerusalem that led him to buy a small storefront steps from the Temple Mount. With a small group of activists on hand, including Rav Aviner and City Council Member and head of the Israel Land Fund, Aryeh King, the storefront felt alive.

“Everyone is supposed to own a piece of Israel,” Wiseman said. “So I decided to buy this small place to make a real difference here.”

The strategic importance of the storefront, while small in size is vital as it provides a Jewish presence on a major thoroughfare to the Kotel and the Temple Mount. The South side of Shalshelet Street known as the “Arab Shuk” was traditionally Jewish. Most of the stores while currently occupied by Arabs had been fully owned and operated by Jews until the final expulsion by Jordanian forces in 1948. The reclamation of this area and return of these properties to Jewish hands is part of a larger struggle to ensure a Jewish Jerusalem. Although Wiseman bought the storefront from a Jewish educational institute, it had been previously unused due to the location.

Rabbi Ben packer of the Heritage House, who has been an integral part in preparing the property for use said the following:

“Today at the dedication of another Jewish store in the “arab shuk” of the Old City we strengthened the Jewish Presence both physically and spiritually. This is the correct formula for total victory, may it come soon.”

The Heritage House has been increasing its role in the past two years by providing young Land of Israel activists a platform to help secure and renovate returned Jewish property in Jerusalem and Hebron.

Watch the event below: