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.

 

As Chaos Grips Britain, Its Chickens Come Home to Roost

The fall of Theresa May and the rise of Jeremy Corbyn has thrown the British political system into chaos.  True, May could very well hold on with the help of a small Northern Irish party, but the undercurrents that led to Corbyn near victory are not going away anytime soon. Great Britain as a cultural and national entity is no more united than the former Yugoslavia.  Whether it is London, with its Muslim mayor, Scotland’s desire for independence, or the rise of the austerity craving multi-cultural youth that drove Corbyn’s election surprise. This is why the Conservatives who are trying to recruit Boris Johnson to take the reigns of their party are missing it, Britain as we know it, is finished.

In a sense the British empire has been repaid what it has dished out over the years.  Great Britain has over the years sowed chaos through much of its colonial holdings in order to ensure its continued control of these areas. Moreover, they encouraged Islamic forces in each colony to displace the rightful indigenous owners.

Nigeria, India, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Israel are perfect examples of Britain’s chaos strategy through the years.

In Nigeria, the British forced three independent areas together and gave the keys to the Islamic Hausa in the country’s north. The Hausa forced the Judeo-Christian Igbo to the south in Biafra into a subservient relationship in order to provide the oil located their to their British backers.

In India, the Hindu leaders and society suffered from the British backed Muslim minority until India became independent in 1947.

Iraq, is also a British construct, designed to produce oil for the empire.  Three groups were forced to share the colony together. The indigenous Kurds to the north, the Sunnis in the center, and the Shiites to the south.  The British always sided with the Arabs in the country, despite their late arrival and helped to keep down the country’s indigenous Kurdish populations.  Oil in the north was transferred to the country’s south by way of Arab control in a similar set up as Nigeria.

In Afghanistan, the indigenous Pashtun were displaced by the British created Durand Line, simply because the British wanted to drain the Pashtun of their power to exert control over the are through their willful servants in Kabul and in Pakistan.

In Israel, the Jews were the majority population of Jerusalem since the mid 1800’s.  Not only that, until the Turks pushed Arabs from Syria to migrate southward in the early 1900’s the Jews were on their way to fast becoming the majority of the entire Land of Israel. When the British created Palestine in 1917 as the Jewish Homeland, they did so out of confidence that a Jewish population who was indebted to them would act in subservience. When this did not happen they quickly returned to the policy of the Turks and encouraged Arab immigration to Israel while blocking the same for Jews. Furthermore, they encouraged Arab riots in 1920, 1929, the 1930’s and supplied weapons to the attacking Arab armies in 1948. In both Jerusalem, and Hebron where the riots took place, the Jews who were ancient residents in both places were driven from their homes.

The chaos in Britain is a long time coming. They allowed their country to be cannibalized from within. The irony that not only Israel and India are becoming global powerhouses, but Biafra and Kurdistan may soon gain their independence as oil producers while Britain descends into the netherworld of a once powerful empire should not be lost.

 

Hebron: Connecting to Our Roots

Today is called Yom Hevron (Hebron Day). It is the day where the Nation of Israel through one Rabbi, Rav Goren conquered an entire city during the Six Day War.  Hebron is the burial place of our Patriarchs and Matriarchs as well Ruth, Yishai, and many more ancient graves. It is our roots, our past, and the foundation for our future Kingdom. More than anything it is the testament that this Land is ours. The Cave of the Patriarchs is the oldest Jewish building stills standing dating back nearly 2000 years, built by Herod as a monument over the ancient cave where Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, and Leah are buried.

Hebron is a city of conflict.  It is a place where we the Jewish people have struggled, fought, lost, and now have returned.

Our roots are our source of strength and faith. These roots are what gives us our ability to push forward even at times where we have no strength.

When the 12 Spies entered the Land under the orders of Moses, Joshua and Caleb understood that they would be on their own. Joshua was given an extra letter to his name to strengthen him, yet Caleb had no extra protection.  He split off from the group and the midrash says he went to Hebron, to the Cave of the Patriarchs and laid upon their graves.  This gave him the faith and trust in his true purpose to not fall into the sin of the spies.  Caleb merited to inherit Hebron upon his entering into the Land years later.

We as a nation have come home.  The source of our amazing and miraculous return is the roots that dig deep into the Land.  When Abraham bought the Cave where he buried Sarah and where he himself would be buried, he understood that its acquisition is for perpetuity.  This is the strength of Hebron and this is why the war over it is fought so strongly by our enemies. Without Hebron there is no past and therefore no future, even in Jerusalem.

Over 15 years ago when I first went to Hebron, I was nearly gunned down. Most people would have never returned, yet I was drawn to the struggle, to be close to my ancestors. I returned over and over again and my family and I eventually made our home just South of the city. There has been both joy and pain over the years, but Hebron has been our divine motivation to hold on and build our path to Redemption.

I thank the Almighty for the merit to have returned to the place where my ancestors began their journey to connect with the Divine and where King David began his rule.

[watch] Huckabee: Trump should visit Hevron

Mike Huckabee continued his tour of Israel yesterday visiting the Tomb of the Biblical Patriarchs and Matriarchs in Hebron. He was emphatic of his support of the Jewish people’s connection and control of the 4000 year old site.

Huckabee said the site “one of the most unique places on earth” and said it is a tragedy that there are so many restrictions that exist on visiting various parts of the holy site due to Muslim objections. He believes that if we could access all of the caves it would be “one of the greatest archaeological opportunities in the history of mankind.”

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“And Yaakov Left…” A Year Since Rav Yaakov Litman and His Son Were Mudered

This past year since Rav Yaakov Litman and his son Natanel were brutally murdered, there has not been a week since our son who was in his first grade class last year brings him up.  Our two oldest sons both learned with him.  They like the rest of the students in their school spent the last year grieving and learning to grow past the pain of losing such a beloved teacher to a murderous terror attack.

It’s strange to find myfelf back at the same Torah portion as last year and see the exact same relevance as before.  I wrote last year the following in connection with the murder of Rav Yaakov and Natanel and the Torah portion:

So how do you tell your son that he will never see his Rebbe again? How do you tell your 1st grader that arab murderers gunned his Rabbi and son down for no other reason than because they are Jewish?  

Our son heard the news from us last night and processed it. In many ways kids are more resilient than we are.  “Who is going to be there tomorrow?” he asked my wife. Our older son seemed to wonder the same thing. Rav Yaakov taught him two classes a week as well. The three of us decided to learn together.  That was what Rav Yaakov would want us to do. We picked this week’s Torah portion to learn.

“And Yaakov left Beer Sheva…,”  it began. Yaakov left. Rashi tells us that when a tzaddik leaves a place the people feel his absence

A year has passed and in that year I have begun to understand in a different way what our sages meant when a tzaddik (righteous person) is alive even in their death. They live through their students. To understand the impact this one man and his son had on a school and community is impossible without looking at the students in the school. Everyone who met Rav Yaakov was touched and lifted up.

This is how the great Tzaddiks like Rebbe Nachman, the Baal Shem Tov, Arizal, and others live in both worlds.   Each student carries his life force with him.  I only met him briefly, but Rav Yaakov’s smile on meeting me still stays with me. Seeing both of our sons who had the merit to learn with him still talk about Rav Yaakov shows me that he is up there with the greatest.  His lifeforce is more than just a simple statement, he has given his strength and eternity over to his students and he lives on within them in a very real way.

To this end the entire school put together a video marking a year since he and his son were murdered. Watch and even without the translation you can easily see what impact Rav Yaakov is still having on his students and community.

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Arab Terrorists Burn Down Prayer Site and Memorial South of Hebron

Near the community of Pnei Hever/Maale Hever Arab terrorists burned down a prayer site and memorial known as Mitzpe Ziv dedicated to two young men killed 13 years ago mistakenly by the IDF.  

Once a week families of the fallen boys and local residents would spend the sunrise in prayer and rememberence at the very site where they were killed.  Activists and family members added olive trees, stone benches, and walls the site over the years.  Recently, the local government even built a stone pergula over the site for Sukkot.

This morning was set to start like all the others until family members and residents arrived and saw that local Arabs had burned down the site, including the large olive tree planted in the boys’ memory. The attack set back years of work and created intense anguish for the families that were present.

Destroyed interior of Mitzpe Ziv
Destroyed interior of Mitzpe Ziv Photo Credit: Akiva Ariel

 

“The families spent the morning contacting the army and police instead of spending time in prayer and remembering their sons.  This should not have happened,” said Gidon Ariel, a resident of the nearby community of Maale Hever and founder of Root-Source.

Listen to Full Interview with Gidon Ariel below:

Head of Maale Hever’s community council Yigal Klein said the following: “Maale Hever is shocked at the burning down of Mitzpe Ziv. We need to continue to strengthen the area and make sure that permanent buildings are put there.”

Break the BDS

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ON THE FRONTLINES: Jews Moving Back to Hebron Neighborhood Years After Their Removal

In 2008, then Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Ehud Barak colluded to remove a number of Jewish families living in the Mitkanim neighborhood next to the Avraham Avinu quarter in Ancient Hebron.

The Mitkanim neighborhood historically belonged to the ancient Jewish community in the city before the Jews were systematically massacred by the city’s Arabs in 1929. The Mitkanim neighborhood is an extension of Hebron’s market place known as the Shuk and was the site where Shalhevet Pass, an infant, was brutally killed nearly 16 years ago by Arafat led PA snipers.

Shalhevet Pass
Shalhevet Pass

The new buildings are a welcome development for the Jewish community in Hebron which has seen a real renaissance in the last few years.  The buildings would correct a historic wrong perpetrated by the British colonial forces that stood by while marauding Arabs wiped out the ancient Jewish community.

Rabbi Ben Packer of the Heritage House notes that it is actually private individuals that have pushed the government to act. “It seems the government policy is slightly changing. This could open the door too much more development! However, its important to point out that without the Yeshiva (Shavei Hevron) next door to this army base, this would be very unlikely,” Rabbi Packer says. “The Yeshiva has been developed through private donors and coupled with the recent legal purchases of Beit HaShalom, Beit HaMachpela, Beit Leah and Beit Rachel all exemplify the incredible power that private individuals have in strengthening the Jewish presence.”

Although Beit Machpela, Beit Leah, and Beit Rachel are all in dispute within the judicial system, history has shown that perseverance and patience are the best tools to secure and reclaim Old Jewish Hebron.

 

 

10 More Palestinians Arrested For Aiding in Murder of Rabbi Michael Mark

After last week’s killing of terrorist Mohammed Jabarah al-Faqih responsible for the murder of Rabbi Michael Mark in early June, the IDF arrested another ten Palestinians who are part of the same Hamas terror cell that aided al-Faqih.

Muhmad Amira, the driver of the terrorists’ car during the horrific murder of Rabbi Mark in front of his children, was arrested shortly after the attack and then revealed information to Israeli security forces during interrogations. His revelations led the IDF and security forces to the village of Dura where they located the terror cell, mostly made up of close family relatives.

The cell’s weapons supplier was also caught and three weapons factories were found in the town of Kalkilya.

The Elor Azaria Trial: A Test for Israel’s Soldiers

There is a sharp divide growing in testimony within the now widely publicized military trial of a young army soldier accused of needlessly killing a neutralized Arab terrorist in Hebron.  On one side stands his commanders who accuse him acting violently and radically in his actions.  On the other side are many supporters who believe Elor Azaria is being unjustly vilified in order to cover up for mistakes found higher up in the chain of command.

Help came today by way of surprise testimony of the army paramedic, a prosecution witness.

“Elor told me that there was a neutralized live terrorist who had a knife next to him. He said that when the terrorist moved his head and hand toward the knife, he felt threatened and shot him. I told Elor that lots of people will want to ask him about the incident. I was under the impression that he was disoriented, so I advised him to think a bit more about what to say.”

This directly contradicts the claims by Elor’s commanders and confirms initial reports that Elor Azaria was justified even while breaking orders.

The trial will have ramifications on the way soldiers deal with fluid situations in the battlefield.  One hopeful sign is that the newly appointed Defense Minister, Avigdor Lieberman has come out in support of Azaria and Lieberman’s son has donated to his defense fund. The question for the nation at the end of the day is whether soldiers will be backed up when putting their lives on the line to protect the Jewish Nation and its hold over the Land of Israel.

An End to Chaos

King David wrote in the Book of Psalms, “Sur meRa v’ase tov” – which means, “Veer from evil and do good” (Psalms 34:15).
This is an axiom whose purpose is to enable a framework of orderly life. That is, first prevent actions which are latently bad, and not only have no positive  benefit to any and all, but are negative and harmful.
Only after the deletion of wickedness can good prevail.
If and when this maxim is ignored, chaos reigns.
This pandemonium can be easily witnessed throughout the world today, including here in Israel.
Months ago, following an attempted stabbing of soldiers in Hebron, a number of residents conducted a lengthy discussion with the commander, (a full colonel) of the Judean Brigade (who fortunately is concluding his term, and will soon be replaced.) The gist of the conversation can be summed up in a few words. In his opinion, if he allowed the Arab residents to continue their normal way of life, they would leave us alone.

(Photo: Funeral at Hebron’s ancient Jewish cemetery. Credit: Yishai Fleisher)
We tried to explain/convince him that this approach was mistaken and would only lead to further terror attacks.
We were unsuccessful in our efforts. Only after the murder of Genadi Kaufman in Hebron, and the near killing of a soldier outside Beit Hadassah did he change his policies.
Our Colonel/Commander’s outlook is not his alone. Other high-ranking officers, including some of his commanders are of the same opinion.
The results are chaos, such as the indescribable slaughter of a 13 year old girl in her bed in Kiryat Arba this morning.
This isn’t the first time. The Litman father and son, Dafna Meir, the Fogel family, etc. etc.
This is chaos. Because it is the responsibility of the government, the Prime Minister, the Defense Minister, and all the relevant security forces to prevent such atrocities and maintain order.
The problem is that they are shirking their responsibilities and the results are slaughtered Jews. Cut to pieces, as was Hallel Yaffa Ariel, sleeping in her bed, this morning.
What can the Israeli government do to actualize the above-quoted verse?

(Photo: Signs outside Kiryat Arba read “Am Yisrael Chai”. Credit: Yishai Fleisher)
First, destroy the wicked. In one word, deterrence.  Ensure that evil suffers.
For instance, presently the Prime Minister glories in the aura of destroying a terrorist’s home (when the Supreme Court allows it.) However, as the terror continues, it is obvious that this measure in not effective. If though, the entire neighborhood where the terrorist lived was razed to the ground, with it inhabitants being expelled to Lebanon, Gaza, (Iraq or Syria), perhaps this might enhance the deterrent effect. (This, as opposed to paying Turkey twenty million dollars in damages to terrorists attempting to kill Israeli soldiers.)
If members of a community knew that immediately following a terror attack they would all suffer, it’s possible that they would take steps to prevent such attacks.
If this isn’t enough, than destroy the entire village or town.
One need not be a genius or expert military strategist to comprehend the logic. In my opinion, this would be somewhat more effective than today’s decision to surround the village of Boni Nayim, where the terrorist lived, and revoke work permits from the killer’s family.
Nu, big deal! So what!? Deterrence? No way. These measures will not prevent the next carving up of another Jew somewhere in Israel.
Real deterrence is the name of the game, the first step in fulfilling King David’s instructions to his People, 3,000 years ago. If they’re not afraid of you, they will continue down their murderous path of atrocity.

(Photo: Hundreds attend funeral. Credit: Yishai Fleisher)
Stage two – ‘do good.’
This can also be accomplished relatively easily. Our enemies understand two basic languages. The first as now described. The second language they understand is land.
Many years ago, when previous governments were less fearful of the US, the UN and the EU, they implemented the ‘true Zionist response’ to terror. Wherever an attack occurred, there was built a new community.
That policy has fizzled up and disappeared. It must be renewed.
The government must immediately announce and implement construction of thousands of new buildings throughout Judea and Samaria, including such ‘hotspots’ as Hebron. New communities must be initiated.
This is ‘doing good.’ And our neighbors as well as the rest of world, still trying to push a suicide piece plan down our throats, will know we mean business. Maybe they’ll even learn something from us about fighting terror.

(Photo: Family at the funeral. Credit: David Wilder)
How then, will these acts stop the chaos cold, and bring back some kind of order.
As King David teaches us, with the continuation of the verse, ‘Bakesh Shalom v’Radfeihu‘ which means, ‘search for peace and run after it.’
We can only hope for peace, we can only seek out peace, we can only run after peace, after evil is vanished, vanquished, eliminated, and ‘good’ is an accepted and accomplished fact. The lack of either of these two elements prevents any chance of reaching peace.
We know. We’ve been living this chaos for many many years.
The time has come to put an end to chaos and then achieve an authentic peace, preventing a mother’s tears, seeing her 13 year old daughter’s body looking like a flour sifter.
Article originally published here.