Category: Frontlines

Posted on

New Report: This is How European Governments Defend Terrorists in Israel’s Supreme Court

Im Tirtzu CEO Matan Peleg: “Foreign government-funded lawfare is a dangerous subversion of democracy”

A new report released by the Im Tirtzu movement exposes the industry of foreign government-funded lawfare that works to provide protection for terrorists in court. The report focuses on the NGO “HaMoked: Center for the Defence of the Individual,” which submits dozens of petitions to the Supreme Court on behalf of terrorists and their families.
The report surveys the activities of HaMoked over the past two and a half years, during which the NGO has submitted nearly 60 petitions to the Supreme Court on behalf of 48 families of terrorists responsible for the murder of 50 people.
According to Im Tirtzu, the report aims to raise public awareness about the phenomenon of foreign-government backed NGOs operating in Israel’s Supreme Court in order to alter Israeli policy, specifically in regards to state-sanctioned home demolitions as a means to deter terrorism. The flood of petitions submitted to the Supreme Court hampers the ability of the IDF and Defense Ministry to operate.
This sentiment was echoed in 2016 by Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman: “There is currently a war of legal attrition being waged by international bodies funded by other international elements, including European countries.”
According to the report, from 2012-2016 HaMoked received over 15,500,000 NIS from the European Union, United Nations, and 11 European governments: Belgium, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, Holland, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, Spain and the United Kingdom.
In addition, from 2008-2012 HaMoked received nearly 3,000,000 NIS from the New Israel Fund, and in 2014, HaMoked received 3,300,000 NIS from a Palestinian foundation based in Ramallah.
In the most recent wave of terror, HaMoked petitioned the Supreme Court against the home demolitions of the murderer of the Henkins, the murderer of Malachi Rosenfeld, the murderers of Danny Gonen, the murderer of Yeshayahu Krishevsky, the murderers of Aharon Banita-Bennett and Nehemia Lavi, the murderer of Baruch Mizrahi, the murderer of Taylor Force (an American tourist), the murderer of Shlomit Krigman, the murderers of Hadar Cohen, the murderer of Hallel Ariel, and the murderer of Rabbi Miki Mark.
HaMoked has also filed petitions against the home demolitions of the terrorists who murdered Eyal Yifrach, Gilad Shaar and Naftali Fraenkel in Gush Etzion, and the terrorists who murdered Rabbi Moshe Twersky, Rabbi Calman Levine, Rabbi Aryeh Kupinsky, Rabbi Avraham Shmuel Goldberg, Chaim Rotman and Zidan Saif in the attack on a Harnof synagogue.
Devorah Gonen, the mother of Danny Gonen who was murdered by a terrorist while hiking near the village of Dolev in 2015, said: “We feel as if our loved ones were murdered a second time. This is a dangerous snowball; today they are defending terrorists in court and I fear that the next step will be even more extreme. It is sad that we need to beg in order to end this absurdity in which an Israeli organization defends, and at times justifies, those who murdered our loved ones.”
Im Tirtzu CEO Matan Peleg said that the findings of the report highlight the need for the Israeli judicial system to adopt a new approach in dealing with political NGOs that serve the agendas of foreign governments.
“The judiciary needs to toughen its stance against foreign government-funded organizations that utilize their extensive bank accounts to harm the State of Israel,” said Peleg. “Increasing transparency and applying heavy court fees on these organizations, which for all intents and purposes act as foreign agents in the Supreme Court, are only some of the measures that need to be taken in order to protect Israel’s legal system.”
Peleg concluded: “European governments should stop undermining the sovereignty of the State of Israel – the sooner the better. Providing assistance to terrorists and their families not only encourages terror, but poses a real threat to democracy.”
Posted on

Arab Squatters in Jerusalem Leave Evidence That Their Apartment Originally Belonged to Jews

On el Khaladiya, the heart of Northern Jewish Quarter, another former Jewish home has been restored to Jewish hands.  The Supreme Court shot down the claims of the Arab occupants that the home had been theirs.  For the time being only the store front which covers over the former home behind it has been returned.  The older Arab woman who tried to defend her right to live there can remain above for the next ten years if she really does move in.

El Khaladiya street was once known as Hebron Street and was the main street of the Jewish Quarter in pre 1948 Jerusalem’s Old City.  Starting in 1920 and until the Jewish residents of Jerusalem’s Old City were expelled by the Jordanians in 1948 a series of Arab pograms allowed byt the British pushed the indigenous Jews into small quarter of the Old City.

Now with the recent reacquisition of the latest property, El Khaladiya feels more and more like another Jewish Quarter.

Despite the claims of the squatters, Jewish students from nearby Yeshivas that have started renovating the property found a piece of evidence that proves Jews were the original occupants of the building, a hole for fastening the mezuza to the doorpost of the apartment, which was covered up by the squatters.

“This entire street was once Jewish.  What we see here is the court righing an historic injustice,” Rabbi Ben Packer said as he pointed out other properties about to be handed back to the original Jewish owners.

Mezuzah Hole, once covered to hide the original Jewish presence
Volunteer pointing out the mezuza hole.
Posted on

Let’s Dissect Trump’s Statement on Communities in Judea and Samaria

With all of the uproar concerning Donald Trump’s supposed about face concerning Jewish communities in Judea and Samria (collectively known as “settlements”) it is important to look at the entire statement from the administration’s press secretary Sean Spicer.

“The American desire for peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians has remained unchanged for 50 years. While we don’t believe the existence of settlements is an impediment to peace, the construction of new settlements or the expansion of existing settlements beyond their current borders may not be helpful in achieving that goal. As the President has expressed many times, he hopes to achieve peace throughout the Middle East region. The Trump administration has not taken an official position on settlement activity and looks forward to continuing discussions, including with Prime Minister Netanyahu when he visits with President Trump later this month.”

Although the elite media seems bent on misreporting the above statement as opposition to “settlements,” the Trump administration seems to be indicating the opposite.

“…we don’t believe the existence of settlements is an impediment to peace…”

This line is pretty explicit, President Trump does not believe “settlements” are the reason why there has been no peace agreement. It is true the administration then goes on to dictate the extent of Israeli “settlement” construction it deems permissible, however the contours of this are so vast, it would include all government building tenders in the foreseeable future.

Some explanation is needed.

Each community has what is called a blue line or community border.  This is far larger than the built up areas within the communities.  Many communities would be able to double or even triple and in some cases quadruple in size before they were maxed out. The statement does not make a distinction between “settlement blocks” or “isolated settlements.”  Essentially the Trump administration is saying to Israel, don’t make a big deal every time you build some houses and we won’t make a big deal back.

This approach allows President Trump to continue support for Judea and Samaria without disturbing the growing alliance of Sunni Arab states and Israel in opposition to Iran.

Eessntially, what the elite media is reporting is nothing other than fake news.

[huge_it_share]

Posted on

In the Middle East “News” Has Become “Opinion”

When we watch, listen or read news are we entitled to get objective reporting? To such a question most might say yes news should be objective. In other words it should be unbiased, neutral, non-partisan. Yet is that what we are getting?

In far too many situations we are not.

A glaring example of lack of objectivity is coverage of the conflict between Israel and those identified as “Palestinians.”

Let’s take a closer look at this situation and drill down a bit on some popular terms used by media.

Palestinians

It may surprise some to know that prior to 1967 the term “Palestinians” referred to Jews who lived in their ancient biblical homeland, which the Roman Emperor Hadrian renamed “Philistia.”  This term is Latin for “Philistine,” which became transformed to Palestinian. Contrary to rumor there is no connection between the ancient Philistines and today’s so-called “Palestinians.”

So who are todays “Palestinians?”

After Israel’s rebirth in 1948 many Arabs became displaced due to a variety of circumstances, not the least of which was their desire to destroy the fledgling Jewish state. After Israel defeated the surrounding Arab nations who conveniently ignored UN resolution 181 calling for one Arab and one Jewish, many Arabs ended up nationless in no-man’s land.

Subsequently, Israel successfully staved off another attempt to annihilate it in the Six Day War of 1967. As a result victorious Israel took control of additional land, and the plight of these Arabs became more visible, thanks in part to widespread media coverage and a campaign waged by the leader of the recently  formed PLO- Yasser Arafat.

After the Six Day War the defeated Arab nations refused to repatriate their Arab brethren. In his effort to gain exposure and empathy Arafat renamed these displaced Arabs “Palestinians.” A revisionist cottage industry was born and took root, without regard to its accuracy.

In point of fact there has never been an indigenous people known as “Palestinians.” It’s “fake news.”

Occupation or Occupied Palestinian Territories

This typically refers to the land west of the Jordan River, up to the so-called “green line,” which includes the eastern portion of Jerusalem.  

For anyone familiar with the Bible this land is known as Judea & Samaria. It is part of the ancient homeland of the Jewish people. The Bible also makes clear in several places the land was given to Abraham and his descendants- the Jews. In an attempt to delegitimize the Jews, some say both Arabs and Jews are children of Abraham. However, twice in the Bible (Genesis 17:20/21 and Romans 9:7) the promises of God are specifically confirmed through Isaac.

Yet, in spite of Scripture’s historical account, the so-called “Palestinians,” claim Israel is illegally occupying their land. In point of fact, Israel fought defensive wars in 1948 and 1967. During the 1967 war Israel captured the land west of the Jordan River, which had been illegally occupied by Jordan since 1948. Yet where were the cries of “occupation” during this 19 year period? International law states that any territory captured in a defensive war belongs to the victor. In this case that means Israel.

Thus it is factually incorrect (“fake news”) to define this land as “occupied Palestinian territories.”  Using such terminology is not news, its opinion. Many refer to this same area as the West Bank. This also delegitimizes Israel’s’ right to the land. I understand why some may refer to it as such, however using terms such as “Occupied Palestinian territory,” can be seen as offensive to many, and renders any media outlet referring to it as such from being seen as objective.

East Jerusalem

First off, there is no such city as “East Jerusalem.” Jerusalem has a 4,000 year history. During this time it has always been known as Jerusalem. “East” Jerusalem is yet another example of a term used to delegitimize the rightful claim the Jewish people have to their ancient and eternal capital city. The Old City is located in the eastern part of Jerusalem, which the Arabs wish to steal from the Jews as capital of their presumed Palestinian state.  In their revisionist narrative the Arabs (so-called Palestinians) have gone so far as to suggest there has never been any proof of a Jewish connection to Jerusalem. (again- “fake news”)

The UN has even gotten into revising history by passing resolutions stating Temple Mount and the Western Wall are Muslim holy sites, rather than Jewish.  Shame on them.

It has been said “….a lie told often enough becomes truth.”

As an institution media has an obligation to distinguish between news and opinion. There is no question opinion pieces have a legitimate role to play within media. However, when media outlets report news by using terminology reflecting personal bias, (or opinion) they cease being a credible news source.

Terms such as “Palestinians,” “Occupied Palestinian Territories,” and “East Jerusalem,” belong in opinion pieces, not objective news.

Posted on

The Most Heroic at Amona – the “Violent” Youth

In the aftermath of the expulsion and upcoming destruction of the Jewish Community of Amona, r”l, I think its important to reflect a bit. It just happened and it will take time to analyze mistakes made and by whom, but there are a few observations that can already be conclusively drawn.

1. Not speaking against the families of Amona, they are suffering terribly and deserve our support, but their major handicap in this struggle was their hashkafa – their blind trust in the Government and their “leaders”. No other community in Israel, including the secular, ascribe to such rigid beliefs of support for the “authorities”.

2. When “leaders” promise something very bad won’t happen just because they don’t want it to, DO NOT BELIEVE THEM!!!

3. The most heroic are those Jewish youth who made it to the mountain in the extreme cold and difficult conditions AND AGAINST THE ORDERS OF THE POLICE!!! Following police orders is not a mitzvah and often is likely an aveirah, One doesn’t have to live in the Old City of Jerusalem (although it helps) to realize how terribly awful the Israeli police are. They are not all evil, but most are and the leadership is even worse. No one is doing anything about this and yet the Religious Zionists continue to pray for these wicked people every Shabbat in Synagogue. It truly makes no sense. It reminds of battered wife syndrome. Its not a religious philosophy, its an unhealthy mental condition.

There seems to be a difference of opinion as to who instigated violence at Amona. WHY WOULD ANY NORMAL PERSON BELIEVE THE POLICE?!!! Even Betzalel Smotrich has criticized the wonderful youth, after comparing the situation to rape. How pathetically sad and more proof of a disfunctional hashkafa! You take the side of the police over the Jewish kids attempting to save a SYNAGOGUE in Israel!! Read that again. Its insane!

4. Those heroes from the Synagogue should strongly consider joining the Haredi world. Nobody in the Haredi thinks what they did was bad. Gilad Erdan thinks it was bad. He is not a religious leader, putting it mildly. He’s a jerk. And so are his henchman that beat Jewish kids and now are going to destroy an entire community and synagogue in Israel, r’l.

I once heard a rabbi say, “its one thing to be willing to die for something, its another thing to be willing to fight for it.”

Right now, the people of Amona deserve our sympathy and support, the heroic youth deserve our praise.