Chanukah Sameach!

Fires in Jerusalem Hills. Photo by DMY

The followers of Islam have set more than 100 fires in Israel during the past week and before Israel even tried to prove that fact, Muslims published  TV ads and many posts on social media networks rejoicing over their destruction of people, neighborhoods, businesses and forests such as this one below.

Courtesy of YNet News

In one of the many posts that YNet News discovered, they reported that Dubai security chief tweeted that Muslims started the fires because there is a proposal in the Knesset to ban the loud blasting of Muslim call to prayer in the middle of the night. To put that into perspective, we live a few miles from a mosque with a highway separating our community from theirs and they broadcast their call to prayer between 3:30 and 5 am (depending upon the time of the year) loudly enough to awaken most people through closed windows – and it can go on for 10 to 15 minutes (i.e., it’s not a quick bell or whistle). Their followers live within the neighborhood of their mosques, they don’t need to broadcast so loudly, they do it to disturb the peace and push their religion on others.

In this technological age in which they all use smart phones to broadcast their version of news, there is no need for a public broadcast of the call to prayer via stadium quality speakers – they could simply use an alarm clock app or the Muslim Pro Prayer Times app that’s available for iPhone and Android. Or they could employ some of their resources to create another solution that they and their non-Muslim neighbors would be happy with. But, since their goal is really not peace, they increase the volume.

Irrational Destruction

What might seem odd to normal people is that there were followers of Islam living in some of the communities that Muslims set fire to – in places such as Haifa, for example. So why destroy a place where your own people live?

The world famous restaurant in the village of Nataf “Rama’s Kitchen” destroyed in the fire. Photo by Oren Rosenfeld

In the Bible, in 1 Kings, Chapter 3 verses 16 – 28, there is a story about two women who were brought before King Solomon. They both claimed that a baby belonged to them (they had both given birth and one of the babies had died, so each was claiming that the living child was hers).

Wise King Solomon commanded “fetch me a sword” and then said “Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other”. Out of pure love for her child, the true mother told the King to give the child to the other woman. But the hateful, jealous other woman wanted the child divided! The King then knew who the real mother was.

How does this relate to peace in the Middle East? If even one centimeter of this beautiful, holy land belonged to the Muslims they would not destroy it. They would not burn, nor blow it up. Their actions are hateful and evil, just as the woman who wanted another mother’s baby murdered.

The USA: Israel’s Greatest Ally?

Haifa on fire. Photo by Avi ben Zaken

As an American living in Israel, I don’t wear the rose-colored glasses that many Israeli’s do regarding America being Israel’s greatest ally. Personally, I’m sickened by the US Administration’s treatment of Israel during the 8 years that I’ve lived here.  I believe that the number of individual Americans who are favorable toward Israel may be sizable, but the actions and behavior of those in power has not been representative of such support. My preference would be for the US to focus on tending to it’s own problems and staying out of Israel’s (and the rest of the world’s) business. In other words, if you must be involved but won’t/can’t be part of the solution, then you’re part of the problem.

It is an understatement to say that the lack of honest news media reporting about these fires and the efforts to help Israel have been disappointing.  One headline claimed that the US sent a Supertanker to help Israel fight the fires – the truth is that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu contracted with the company that owns the fire fighting plane to have it brought to Israel to help fight fires overnight because he feared that Israel’s fire fighting resources were being quickly exhausted.  US President Obama did not, to my knowledge, provide any positive assistance to Israel, however, some American individuals made contributions to Zaka (Israel’s volunteer rescue and disaster response organization) that are being used to help the people who have been injured or lost their homes and/or businesses.

Thanks go out to Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Russia, Turkey and the United Kingdom who all offered assistance in putting out the fires. And the Palestinian Authority even put forth an effort by sending a few fire trucks and men to fight the fires that their people started.

As the Smoke from the Arson Fires Clears

As the smoke clears, we return to the world’s interest in pushing their Middle East Peace agenda. This video was published a few months ago, but in light of the recent terrorist attacks in Israel and other places in the world I feel the message is important to share. Regardless of how you might feel about Prime Minister Netanyahu, or the country of Israel, please invest the few minutes to watch his message because it is one that affects every nation in which Islam has a presence.

If you study the history and spread of Islam, you will clearly understand that this problem is not exclusive to Israel – it is Islamic belief and culture, along with their ultimate goal that will change the future landscape of every nation on earth depending upon how each nation responds to their terrorist attacks and demands.

In light of the recent fake news scandal, I hope that every individual will investigate the facts before making inaccurate social media and blog posts go viral across the Internet.  Most people believe what they see – without thinking – and then spread the propaganda as though it is truth. And that is exactly what the twisters of truth are counting on. Take responsibility, the quality of your future descendants lives are at stake.

Journalism: “writing characterized by a direct presentation of facts or description of events without an attempt at interpretation”
Miriam Webster Dictionary
“Journalism is the activity of gathering, assessing, creating, and presenting news and information. It is also the product of these activities.”
American Press Institute

Every time I see an American or British “news” post about Israel online, I brace myself for an adventure in separating fact from fiction.  It seems that the professional journalist who conducts thorough research and prepares a factual presentation prior to opening his/her mouth on TV, radio or the Internet is a rarity today.  I suppose that’s because truth doesn’t sell like sensationalism does. And it really all boils down to the money trail – who is providing financial support to the station and what is his/her political bias.  In this climate, I believe that it is up to you and I to seek out the truth on our own (and don’t be lazy about it, actually do some research by comparing facts vs. claims and following the money trail… who is benefiting by you believing their version?).

Before judging Israel, I hope that you will watch and share this video so that next time you hear politicians, who have never walked in the shoes of an Israeli, demanding that (i.e., bullying and blackmailing) Israel make concessions and give up land for peace (which really translates to “give up pieces of land” that make it impossible to ensure civilian safety), or stop building homes for new and growing families (while the Muslims surrounding Israeli communities build at free will using oil and U.N. money), you will understand why such a move could lead to the brutal murder of every Israeli citizen. And please keep in mind that Israel is a country full of immigrants from all over the world (similar to the USA back when my ancestors immigrated to New York City). Israeli citizens include many Americans (like me who hold dual citizenship), as well as Brits, French, Canadians, Brazilians, South Africans, Swedish, Danish, German, Polish, Russian, Ethiopians, Iraqis, Italians, Argentinians, Venezuelans, etc. who simply want to live in peace in the Holy Land.

Please do your part and share this video.

Warning!  In addition to the tears of sadness, this video is filled with tears of joy so you may want to prepare yourself with tissues before viewing!  Those joyful moments have the power to invoke a choked up feeling that may lead to tears for anyone who has already made aliyah. It’s a short, but very emotionally powerful video. Kol Hakavod to  Nefesh b’Nefesh – I hope the organization has invested in Kleenex stock because this is one of many very well made videos available for viewing on the NBN YouTube Channel.

Please do your part to bring an end to the unnecessary tears of sadness, NBN is waiting to help you now…

Below this video on YouTube is an important message that I encourage you to read and respond to:

During these difficult times which are facing the Jewish people I thought it would be appropriate to convey the fact that we will not despair and that we are still happy.
The way in which we plan to perpetuate the memory of the 3 boys who were murdered in our neighborhood is by building a simcha hall in Efrat.
I strongly encourage you to take part in this important endeavor.

Donations are US tax deductible at:
http://www.razoo.com/story/Central-Fu…
Please add at the “Dedicate this donation” line:
Efrat Development Foundation