Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Fwd: JNS: ZOA Criticizes AIPAC/ADL/AJC Hypocrisy For Condemning Otzma, But Not Extreme Israeli Arab Parties

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Zionist Organization of America <info@zoa.org>
Date: Wed, Feb 27, 2019, 1:23 PM
Subject: JNS: ZOA Criticizes AIPAC/ADL/AJC Hypocrisy For Condemning Otzma, But Not Extreme Israeli Arab Parties
To: <faigerayzel@gmail.com>

Forward

JNS: ZOA Criticizes AIPAC/ADL/AJC Hypocrisy For Condemning Otzma, But Not Extreme Israeli Arab Parties
Amid American Jewish criticism over Otzma Yehudit Party, concern arises about language

By Sean Savage and Jackson Richman

(February 26, 2019 / JNS) The fallout over the recent merger of Otzma Yehudit with the Jewish Home Party—a bid by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to bolster his right-wing coalition ahead of April 9 elections—appears to have exacerbated already strained ties between Israel and several American Jewish organizations.

While prominent American Jewish groups, such as AIPAC, the American Jewish Committee and Anti-Defamation League, were outspoken in their criticism of Otzma Yehudit, describing the party as "racist" and "reprehensible" and having "hate-filled rhetoric," the groups did stop short of directly criticizing Netanyahu.

However, other American Jewish groups, such as Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, compared to merger to the "the equivalent in the United States of the KKK being welcomed into the corridors of power."

While the Conservative/Masorti movement refrained from the harsher language of its Reform counterparts, it did condemn Otzma Yehudit as a "racist" Israeli political party.

"Otzma Yehudit should not be further legitimized in any sense, and we hope and pray that the party returns to a place of irrelevance," it stated.

Yet T'ruah, a liberal rabbinic group, went a step further and not only condemned the merger, but also called on the Internal Revenue Service to investigate U.S. charities that allegedly support Otzma Yehudit.

"We call on Prime Minister Netanyahu to reject any coalition with [Rabbi Meir] Kahane's disciples, and we demand that the IRS ensure that American taxpayer dollars will no longer support these dangerous extremists."

On a related tangent, there has been concern that some of the criticism directed towards Netanyahu, and more broadly Israel, can be misconstrued and bolster arguments by critics of Israel, including the BDS movement.

Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, told JNS that both Israelis and Americans need to be more cognizant of language used, saying "Israeli leaders and Jewish groups need to be sensitive to how things are perceived that, even if not intended, can be subject to misuse by those who have been fighting against Israel."

Daniel Pipes, founder and president of the Middle East Forum, told JNS that terminology is subjective, and that he has a degree of skepticism in the use of terms such as "far-right" or "racist."

"As someone who studies nationalist parties in Europe that are routinely characterized as 'far-right' or 'racist,' I have learned to be wary of these terms. What I know of Otzma Yehudit suggests it advocates a tough policy toward the Palestinians, but I do not discern racism. This being the case, Likud's working to bring it into the Knesset looks legitimate."

Avoiding involvement in Israeli elections

The fallout over the Otzma Yehudit merger comes amid ongoing rankling between Israel and American Jewry in the last several years.

Similarly, demographics and politics have also played a role in exacerbating disagreements between the two largest Jewish communities in the world. Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump have formed a close relationship, with Netanyahu enthusiastically backing Trump's policies on Iran and the U.S. embassy move from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This comes as a large majority of American Jews oppose Trump, largely on his domestic agenda, and voted overwhelmingly for Hillary Clinton in 2016 and for Democrats in the 2018 midterm elections.

For its part, the Trump administration has refrained from commenting on the Israeli elections, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo telling CNN that "we're not about to get involved in an election, to interfere in an election of a democracy."

A number of American Jewish organizations echoed this approach and refrained from commenting on the election.

"B'nai B'rith traditionally refrains from commenting on Israeli elections. Ultimately, Israeli voters will have to make those judgments," said Dan Maraschin, CEO and vice president of B'nai B'rith International.

Likewise, NORPAC told JNS that "it does not get involved in Israeli elections."

The Republican Jewish Coalition also has "a long-standing policy of not commenting on Israel's domestic politics. Ultimately this is a matter for the people of Israel, not for US. organizations to weigh in on."

However, Democratic Jewish groups did criticize the merger.

The Democratic Majority for Israel said it felt "compelled" to speak out against "the possibility that followers of radical racist Meir Kahane could enter Israel's parliament."

"Making such individuals parliamentarians would be an insult to the ideals embodied in Israel's Declaration of Independence, and the principles espoused by every previous Israeli Prime Minister from every party.

"We cannot expect others to stand up against anti-Semitism if we do not oppose bigotry and extremism in all its forms. This development in Israel is inconsistent with its democratic tradition and our values," said the Jewish Democratic Council of America.

Why the silence on extremist Arab-Israeli parties?

While right-wing American Jewish organizations also refrained from weighing in on internal Israeli politics, they instead argued that there has been a degree of hypocrisy in some of the U.S. Jewish group's criticism.

In a statement, the Zionist Organization of America said that American Jewish groups were quick were to condemn the merger, but have not spoken out about mergers on the Israeli left, especially among Israeli-Arab parties, which oppose the existence of the Jewish state.

"It's strange, troubling and hypocritical that the Anti-Defamation League, AIPAC, the American Jewish Committee and the Israel Policy Forum condemned the technical merger of two small right-wing pro-Israeli political parties, Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Strength) and Bayit Yehudi (Jewish Home), but remained silent about mergers of anti-Israel Arab parties led by Arab Knesset members who oppose the Jewish state's existence and engage in outright treacherous conduct, including assisting Palestinian Arab terrorists and inciting anti-Jewish terror," the ZOA said in a statement.

"While harshly criticizing Otzma Yehudit, [they] have all been silent about the terror-fomenting, hatred-spewing anti-Israel, Arab party leaders and parties running for Knesset, including Ayman Odeh and Ahmed Tibi, and about P.A. dictator Mahmoud Abbas brokering the merger of the Arab Communist Hadash Party and Arab Nationalist Ta'al Party."

Similarly, the Coalition of Jewish Values said that Otzmah Yehudit's positions are "moderate" compared to "the statements, positions and outright support for terrorism of several Arab Knesset members. It is utterly unfair to deny a hearing to Otzma Yehudit voters on the appropriate response to that hatred."

"Our consistent view is that American Jews should not be telling Israelis how to run their country," stated Rabbi Yaakov Menken, managing director of the CJV. "In this case, the intervention of the AJC and AIPAC is both startling and deeply troubling. Considering the support for terrorism shown by multiple Arab [Knesset members], to uniquely criticize Otzma Yehudit seems to reflect bias against Jews, rather than a sincere desire for the elimination of hatred and bigotry on all sides."

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Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Fwd: ZOA Condemns NYU For Inviting Anti-Semite Linda Sarsour To Speak

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Zionist Organization of America <info@zoa.org>
Date: Tue, Feb 26, 2019, 12:01 PM
Subject: ZOA Condemns NYU For Inviting Anti-Semite Linda Sarsour To Speak
To: <faigerayzel@gmail.com>

Forward

ZOA Condemns NYU For Inviting Anti-Semite Linda Sarsour To Speak

The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) condemns New York University (NYU) for inviting the anti-Semitic Linda Sarsour, one of the leaders of the national Women's March, to speak on March 25 at an NYU program on immigration sponsored by NYU's Asian/Pacific/American Institute (APA). The event, one of NYU's Skirball Talks, is being co-sponsored by the NYU Sanctuary, the NYU Center for Multicultural Education & Programs, the Islamic Center at NYU, and the NYU Hagop Kevorkian Center for Near Eastern Studies. Sarsour will be delivering a lecture on "migration, refugees, and the politics of sanctuary." The ZOA has called upon NYU to rescind its invitation to Ms. Sarsour.

Neither the NYU news release of the event, nor the APA's notice of the event, refer to Sarsour's record, divisive views or anti-Semitic, Israel hating statements, nor to the fact that the Women's March has been losing large numbers of sponsors on account of the anti-Semitic views expressed, and toleration of anti-Semitism, by Sarsour and other figures in its hierarchy. Lost sponsors include the Democratic National Committee (DNC), the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), Emily's List and the National Organization for Women (NOW).

Click here for evidence of Linda Sarsour's despicable anti-Semitic and anti-Israel record.

ZOA National President Morton A. Klein said, "It is utterly appalling that NYU, despite an earlier outcry on account of her despicable record when she was invited in 2017 by the New School to speak, has invited Linda Sarsour to speak and participate in an NYU event.

"As her record indicates, Ms. Sarsour, put simply, is a bigot, a Jew hater, an Israel hater and a divider. She has neither explained, nor withdrawn, nor modified her past anti-Semitic statements or expressed remorse, or even second thoughts, for having publicly associated on platforms with a prominent anti-Semite like Louis Farrakhan or a convicted, blood-soaked terrorist like Rasmea Odeh.

"As the Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT) has rightly observed, 'Sarsour has not tried to explain or walk back her anti-Semitic comments. But she still is considered a worthy choice for an academic program at one of the country's most prestigious institutions.

"Ms. Sarsour's presence at the APA event could well have an adverse impact on Jewish students, many of whom may not attend because of a well-founded fear that their support for Israel will be held up by Ms. Sarsour as an act of hatred or bigotry.

"The ZOA calls upon NYU to immediately rescind its invitation to Linda Sarsour."

Fwd: Shalom Pollack. Elections - first thoughts.

Bsd

Sholom Pollock supports the inclusion of Otzma Yehudit the Kahanist party.

My added comments:

Please judge for yourself what Rabbi Kahane stood for. Listen to his words carefully.

https://shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com/2019/02/rabbi-meir-kahane.html?m=1

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Shalom Pollack <shalompollack613@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Feb 26, 2019, 9:47 AM
Subject: elections - first thoughts
To: <faigerayzel@gmail.com>

-I thought a lot before writing this post because I did not know where to start.

I am sure that this will not be my only writings about the upcoming elections and that there will be more drama before the polls close in less than two months but I would like to share some current thoughts as an "opening shot".

The dust finally settled upon the process of political party merges and the newest labels and personalities to take the stage

I doubt we will know what many of the actors really believe about major issues as I assume that they do not know themselves. The main thing is that they are in the ring and someone is watching.

Two big stories riveted us until today. One was the creation of a new party led by former chief of staff Benny Ganz ( he declared that he would rather endanger his soldiers than hurt enemy civilians). He called his party, "Hosen Israel". He now belongs to a newer party called "Blue and white" which merged with Yesh Atid" led by Yair Lapid.
As long as I can remember, every election cycle has seen the creation of a new "Centrist" political party that would challenge the traditional Right/Left competition and lead the pack.
These parties are always led by relatively popular personalities from without the political world. Generals are the usual candidates.
Until today most have been a one-term phenomenon. Their place is usually taken by another "great hope" in the next round. These generals turned politicians usually contribute nothing remarkable. Often they do real damage.

If in the past these cameo appearances were meant to challenge the establishment and bring clean politics to the field, lately it is all and only about unseating Netanyahu. They have become the "never Bibi parties". They will never call themselves Left, though most clearly are. Since the Oslo and Expulsion debacles, the word Left is one that most politicians won't touch. Israelis have very bitter memories of their promises and cliches. One never hears the phrases, "land for peace, the peace process, peace partner". These mantras have cost too much blood and many Israelis have woken up. We are witnessing the rapid shrinking of the Left parties. The Labor party of Ben Gurion, Dayan, Peres, and Rabin is no longer a player on the stage. It is dying This is a truly historical phenomenon; as much as the rise of the Likud and Begin for the first time in 1977.

No one knows remotely what this new political party's policies are. They are carefully keeping their mouths shut. Suffice it that they attract enough Bibi haters to energize their supporters.

I am no fan of Bibi. I can list many unforgivable sins that he has committed starting with his vote in favor of the Expulsions of 2005, pro-Palestinian state, releasing thousands of terrorists - to kill again. Giving away Hevron and more. The list is long.

He has chosen Left parties as his coalition partners ( such as Barak and then Livni) rather than those which his voters wanted - the smaller Right parties. He did this to have someone to blame when he broke his word to his voters. There is a very good chance he will do it again this time. He cannot be trusted.
I would hope that he is prevented from office due to his current legal problems and have someone take his place who hopefully has more of a backbone.

The other story that had us riveted was the merger of the "Jewish power" party of the students of Rabbi Meir Kahane of blessed memory with the" Jewish home" party. This was a merger of political convenience. They needed each other to reach enough votes to win seats in the Knesset.
With the union, the polls are showing a gradual rise.
During the negotiations, the "Kahane" party was treated by the establishment with scorn and hate not used for our worst enemies today. They are to be untouchables.
We are told that "American Jewry " is also disgusted with the Kahane followers. Are they the same 80% that supported the great friend of Israel - Obama?
Yes, they really care.

I know the men running in this party and I know that their number one concern, 24/7 is Am Yisrael. Their deeds prove it. I am familiar with them.

Just as their teacher and rabbi were treated by the media and establishment so were (are) they.
They, like the rabbi, are hated by the establishment but loved by far more Israelis than the media would have you think.

Why do the media and establishment hate these guys so?
Why does the name Kahane clearly send them into contortions?

They don't foam at the mouth when the name Arafat is mentioned. Heck , they wined and dined him, including Bibi...Why?

This is an excellent question for psychologists and such to ponder.
Interesting is all I can say.

We do what we can.
In the end, it's up to Him.

"The hearts of kings are in the Hand of God" (Proverbs)
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Reservations are being taken for our next two amazing tours:
Acco - Monday, March 11
Golan Heights - Sunday, April 7
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Monday, February 25, 2019

Evening Edition - February 25 - Latest News - Mike Huckabee

https://www.mikehuckabee.com/index.cfm?p=latest-news&id=BFBC096F-FE46-480C-92EA-0F92D7B250A8&s=1Y7I

Rabbi Meir Kahane

Bs"d

No, Rabbi Kahane Was Not A Racist
By Rabbi Yehuda L Oppenheimer - 23 Adar I 5779 – February 28, 2019
https://www.jewishpress.com/indepth/opinions/no-rabbi-kahane-was-not-a-racist/2019/02/28/

Rabbi Meir Kahane interviewed by CNN Hebrew subtitles
https://youtu.be/rIUOSd1G6uQ

Rabbi Kahana on Jewish Terrorism Hebrew subtitles
https://youtu.be/-SmHYYkbXxE

Rabbi Meir Kahane interview C-SPAN 1989
https://youtu.be/P2jYyy4Rfog

If what Rabbi Kahane says is according to Jewish law, why don't other famous rabbis agree with him?

אם רב כהנא פועל לפי הלכה, למה רבנים אחרים לא מסכימים אתו?

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10218784688828424&id=1236512407

Mike Wallace

https://www.facebook.com/lenny.goldberg.35/videos/10218584747030004/

Evans and Novack

https://www.facebook.com/lenny.goldberg.35/videos/10218559001626385/

"Isn't it a pleasure to see a Jewish speaker that isn't a wimp?" - Rabbi Kahane reaching out to Jewish Students at Minnesota University amidst harassment from Arabs and leftists.

הרב כהנא מקרב סטודנטים יהודים ולא נרתע כשערבים מנסים להפריע לו.

https://www.facebook.com/lenny.goldberg.35/videos/10218627273453138/

Rabbi Kahane destroys the callers, then the helpless hostess

חובה לצפייה: למה התקשורת הישראלית החרימה את הרב כהנא - כי הוא ידע איך לענות!

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10218665291243559&id=1236512407

Interview with Sandy Freeman

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=l6IIQubS9ZQ

Lenny Goldberg writes: Watch Rabbi Kahane change people's lives in three minutes. This is what I heard over 30 years ago, which inspired me to change the course of my life and live in Israel

Study Torah

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=363804164453837&id=100024727694204

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10218515959910369&id=1236512407

Watch "Rabbi Meir Kahane on the Morton Downey Jr. show" on YouTube with Rabbi Bernard Rossberg, Dr. Bishara Bahbah, Dr. M.T. Mehdi, discussing Middle East confluct

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Qtb4ZLt246I

Watch "RARE- Rabbi Meir Kahane HY"D on the Morton Downey Show FULL VERSION" on YouTube

https://youtu.be/KLg7WPLcctU

Demonization of Meir Ettinger by Libby Kahane

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10207806028283741&id=1236512407

Zev Brenner interviews Rabbi Kahane and Gandi (Yeruchum Zeevi)

https://youtu.be/8rhgkJ69Sao

Straight Talk, Wolf Blitzer with Rabbi Meir Kahane Christian Broadcast Network

https://youtu.be/rwwmzsqe6NA

Rabbi Yaakov Spivak interviews Rabbi Kahane 1984 debates Dr. Mahmoud T. Mechti

https://youtu.be/h0jlyF5NeR8

Rabbi Meir Kahane with Matt Lauer vs Rabbi Avi Weiss