| Dear Ms. Ticker (Sir/Madam), I am responding to your note of concern regarding reports of "PLO flags" displayed at our hotel during the last two days of May. Firstly, let me say directly that I am very sensitive to the concerns of our guests, and that I, too, felt uncomfortable when asked, even by the Israeli government, to fly the colors of the Palestinian Authority at the hotel. But that is exactly what happened. The Israel Minister of Public Security Avi Dicter chose the Inbal Jerusalem Hotel to be the venue for the International Security Forum, a conference on "Challenges to Homeland Security", of which MK Avi Dicter was the chairman. US Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertkoff and a dozen other internal security ministers from Europe and beyond were invited and Minister Dicter also invited the Palestinian Minister of Interior. We were instructed by the Israel Ministry of Public Security and the organizing committee to fly the flags of all those participating in the conference, including that of the Palestinian Authority. While not meaning to add to anybody's distress, I think it important for me to mention that other prominent hotels are often asked by the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs to host Israel-Palestinian negotiating sessions. Sometimes this also involves flags. I can assure you that I, as the General Manager of the hotel had no intent of making a political statement and have no desire of doing so in the future. I would like to apologize for placing the flag on the building. I have now since learnt how sensitive this issue is to the feelings of our nation and our people, but I believe I had no choice but to follow the request of the Ministry. Yours sincerely, Rodney Sanders General Manager From: FaigeRayzel@aol.com [mailto:FaigeRayzel@aol.com] To the Owners and Managers of the Inbal Hotel that have the Palestinian Flag represented in their Hotel, Dear Sirs, Why not open up an Inbal Hotel chain in the Arab countries like Syria and Iran who also support a Palestinian State. I imagine you would expect them to be as fair minded as the Inbal in Jerusalem and would allow you to display an Israeli Flag in their countries. Now that the Gaza is completely under Arab Sovereignty and it's population is as similar to a Palestinian State as you can get, open up an Inbal in Gaza and proudly display an Israeli flag. I imagine that their reaction would be far more progressive than ours and you wouldn't be bothered by nuisance letter writers complaining to you expressing deepest disappointment in your choice of flags you wish to display. They of course are much more civilized and open minded. They owe you one. I suppose all the money you amassed by promoting their flag will be helpful to you as well. Their local population will be much more tolerant of the Israeli Flag cause they will remember your kindness to them and to their cause. How very kind, benevolent and generous of you. Sincerely, Robin Ticker, someone that will choose a Hotel other than the Inbal when I come to Jerusalem. Izzy Kaplan responds: Dear List Please see copy of letter sent to the manager of the Inbal Hotel. I just received a call on my cell phone from Mr. Sanders who out of courtesy (perhaps necessity) called me to explain the progression of events that led up to the erecting of the PLO flag with all the many other friendly and democratic countries. Avi Dichter of Homeland Security in Israel invited many countries to attend this seminar at the Inbal Hotel and requested that the PLO flag be included. The Hotel had reservations but when they questioned the Minister regarding having the PLO flag, according to Mr. Sanders, the Hotel was not left with a choice since after all the seminar is about security. The wisdom of the hotel or the minister is not to be questioned according to Mr. Sanders since the hotel is open to all nations and all peoples be they white, black, orthodox, conservative, reform, gay, lesbian, etc. I am not paranoid but just maybe just maybe the shabak was listening to how he handled this call. It is quite regrettable that we are in this very low place today where our fellow Jews have become used to everyday terror and cannot discern between right and wrong. It is as well quite well established that in perhaps too many circles in Israel today that one becomes sensitive about his brothers orphaned children only when he becomes an orphan himself.
---------------------------------------------------------- IZZY KAPLAN 416 824 2858 416 256 2858 Check out my new blog http://israelonisrael.blogspot.com
From: Israel Kaplan <israelkaplan@yahoo.com> Sent: Sunday, June 08, 2008 3:55 PM To: Rodney Sanders Subject: Shame on you! Shame on you for having the audacity to fly the flag of the enemy. How many of your brothers and sisters have been killed by this flag your hotel is proudly displaying? Now more than ever we need to show unity and strength, your hotel is obviously not one of unity. Inbal will definitely not be the hotel of choice when my family visit MY Jerusalem this summer. Temima Kupfer, USA By the way, where will you be working when the murderous terrorists take control of your hotel? |
Letter from Ruth Matar (Women in Green) Jerusalem
Thursday, June 12, 2008
I think that I should start with the definition of "speaking with a forked tongue," according to Cambridge International Dictionary of Idioms, Cambridge University Press 1998: "to make false promises or to speak in a way which is not honest."
This definition fits Barack Obama to a "T".
On Wednesday, June 4, Obama pledged to a meeting of the powerful Washington lobby American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) his "unshakeable commitment to Israel's security" if he is elected president. "Israel's security is sacrosanct. It is non-negotiable… any agreement with the Palestinian people must preserve Israel's identity as a Jewish state, with secure, recognized, and defensible borders. Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel and it must remain undivided," Obama declared to enthusiastic applause from the 7000-plus attendees at the AIPAC policy conference.
Already on the very next day, Thursday, June 5, Obama completely changed his tune because of Arab opposition to his declaration of support for a united Jerusalem.
Without shame, Obama then hides behind his so-called "campaign advisors" to "clarify" his real thoughts:
"Jerusalem might also serve as the capital of a Palestinian state, or there might be Palestinian sovereignty over Arab neighborhoods…Well, obviously it's going to be up to the parties to negotiate a range of these issues. And Jerusalem will be a part of those negotiations… As a practical matter, it would be very difficult to execute [a policy of the capital remaining undivided.]"
In other words, Obama's speech to AIPAC is a prime example of his great skill in speaking with a forked tongue!
I am including here some of Obama's quotes from books that he wrote. I am grateful to my friend Sandy Martin for sending these revealing quotes to me. She points out that Barack Obama wants to be our President and control our government. She asks us to pay close attention to his last comment, which is certainly both revealing and frightening.
*In Obama's own words.......
*/From Dreams of My Father/: "I ceased to advertise my mother's race at the age of 12 or 13, when I began to suspect that by doing so I was ingratiating myself to whites." (Obama was born to a white American mother and a black Kenyan father.)
*/From Dreams of My Father/: "I found a solace in nursing a pervasive sense of grievance and animosity against my mother's race."
*/From Dreams of My Father/: "There was something about him that made me wary, a little too sure of himself, maybe."
*/From Dreams of My Father/: "It remained necessary to prove which side you were on, to show your loyalty to the black masses, to strike out and name names."
*/From Dreams of My Father/: "I never emulate white men and brown men whose fates didn't speak to my own. It was into my father's image, the black man, son of Africa, that I'd packed all the attributes I sought in myself, _the attributes of Martin and Malcolm, DuBois and Mandela_."
* /From Audacity of Hope/: "I WILL STAND WITH THE MUSLIMS SHOULD THE POLITICAL WINDS SHIFT IN AN UGLY DIRECTION."
[RM: An extraordinarily frightening comment by a person who aspires to be president of the United States!]
Barack Hussein Muhammad Obama is certainly not a friend of the Jews or Israel. G-d forbid that Obama's skill at speaking with a forked tongue should propel him into the presidency of Israel's long time ally and friend, the United States.
If you are a lover of Israel, please do not be tempted to let Barack Obama's charismatic speeches influence you. It is important that you listen carefully to what he says today! Then listen even more carefully to what he says tomorrow on the same subject! Most importantly, pay careful attention to what he says just before you pull the lever in November.
With Blessings and Love for Israel,
Ruth Matar
=============================================
Women For Israel's Tomorrow (Women in Green)
POB 7352, Jerusalem 91072, Israel
Tel: 972-2-624-9887 Fax: 972-2-624-5380
mailto:wfit2@womeningreen.org
http://www.womeningreen.org
3. Cruise and Shmooze. Hebron Fund
Thrill to our inspirational evening of song & story featuring
Chaim Dovid Sarachik & Rabbi Simcha Hochbaum!
Thursday, June 19, 2008 Boarding @ 6 PM, Departure @ 7 PM, Returning @10 PM
* Pier 40 , The Hudson River at West Houston Street *
Concert * Glatt Kosher Dinner Buffet * Open Bar * Dessert
Individual Tickets: $85 if paid in advance, $100 at door
Group discounts and sponsorships available
Celebrate the summer
& help support our children's summer activities in Hebron!
Grand Raffle Prize:
Trip to Israel & Hebron for Shabbat Chayei Sarah!
For more information and registration: www.hebronfund.com or hebronfund@aol.com or 718-677-6886
Co-Chairs: Lisa Mechanick & Bernie Thau
Co-Sponsors:
FutureSimchas, Saw You At Sinai, Frumster & Flakey "Jake"
This coming Motsaei Shabbat once again: Melave Malka in front of the Maasiyahu prison to give chizuk to the prisoners of
Itzik and Danny Halamish and Rivka Mayerchik.
(Rivka sits in the Neve Tirzah prison, some 500 meters from the Maasiyahu prison
Kati Cohen
03-5323472
Please Call The Military Attache at the Israeli Embassy in Washington. Israel is sensitive to public opinion, especially that of American Jews.
PLEASE TAKE A FEW MOMENTS TO CALL (202) 364-5500
For more information see: www.Israeljustice.com
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