A welcome break from...
A photo from the West fjords. That's where my mom comes from. People there have been asked to leave their homes due to danger of avalanches. A few years ago an avalanche struck the town my mother was born and raised in, killing 10% of the inhabitants (not that we're talking about high numbers here, but it's still a disaster).
That's terrible I know, but boy am I glad I'm leaving today!
So cya folks, off to Israel for 2 weeks, and I promise to bring back hundreds of photos. I am certain I will blog a few times in Israel since I'll have internet access, so please stay tuned.
I wanted to tell you about something quite unusual that happened to me today. It may be a small, simple event, but it really, truly touched me.
This is what happened:
The weather today was terrible. I don't mean in the sense that it was that particularly cold, but the ground is covered with thick layers of snow that has been soaked by rain, and the wind keeps blowing wind and snow in one's face. I broke through the wind and piles of snow, and entered the building where I work. I was greeted by the store manager (not the boss, but the manager of the store). A middle aged lady, that I don't really know that well. We've chatted a bit the few times we've worked together, but that's pretty much it.
I tell her that I have come to buy some souvenirs, since I'm going abroad tomorrow. She asks where I'm going, and I say Israel. When hearing I am going to Israel (or that I have been to Israel, not to mention that I volunteered in the Israeli army), most Icelandic people will look horrified and ask if I'm gonna get blown up.
But not this woman. When I said "Israel", this middle aged Icelandic woman said: Ohh, my country my country.... With a nostalgic look on her face.
I thought she was just kidding or something. Then she tells me that she went to Israel many years ago, and she loved it. She then said something quite interesting:
"Everybody, the travel agency and everybody, told us to be careful. They said that Israel wasn't safe. But I didn't get that. There were armed guards everywhere! I felt very safe! I felt far less safe when I was in London and we had a bomb threat incident at our hotel".
Then her co worker left, and became more honest, and she said:
I had a religious experience in Israel. I just felt just like I was coming home. I went all over, to Jerusalem, Masada, everywhere. There is just something about that country that other countries don't have. I've always wanted to go back.
So I pointed out to her that Israel really isn't as dangerous as people think, and we started talking about media, palestinians, etc. And she said "there is just so much propaganda". She said that she has always "worshipped" that country (Israel). I was so happy to hear somebody say that in Icelandic, for a change. Some one else than myself.
She told me about her tour guide who was a holocaust survivor from Auschwitz, and she said she's disgusted by people who deny or belittle the holocaust.
I asked if I could bring her back anything from Israel, and she said she'd love a stone. Just a stone from Israel.
When I left she kissed me and said she sends her very best regards to everybody in Israel.
This little incident really put a smile on my face, and in my heart. The fact that I am not the only one here in the middle of the cold and wet snow on a remote island, who actually loves Israel.
yiddishe-kop's post on Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon
I was extremely impressed by yiddishe-kop's new post on Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon. Here are some quotes:
"ilan's mission gave israel a much needed escape from the daily reality of suicide bombings and intifadas and lifted their spirits literally to space."
Wow yiddishe, you didn't come up with that yourself, did you?
Ronald Reagan (search) changed history with his tough-minded stance on the Soviets and his insistence on the importance of tax cuts.
His influence rings throughout the White House, the Congress and the nation's state capitals, and seemed to sound even louder this election year.
Yasser Arafat (search) was a hero to the Palestinian people, bringing their cause to the world stage, but was a terrorist to many. It could be years before we learn whether his long-term influence will be for the good or ill.
Uhm yeah whatever. Call me nuts, but refusing to accept peace and instead ordering increased terrorism, encouraging jihad, stealing, lying, and everything else he did... How can it be the public opinion that something, anything, good can come out of it? I mean really. I'm open to suggestions here.
I have been wanting to do this for some time now, and what better time than one the first day of the year. (At least according to one calendar).
I want to tell each and every one (well, lets say almost each and every one, but hey, the majority!) of my blog-readers, that I have very much enjoyed the many intelligent comments and e-mails I have received from you during the past year, as well as having enjoyed reading your websites. I do a lot of reading, but I do admit that I am very selective when it comes to what I read. So in other words, I think you are all outstanding represententatives of the Israeli cause.
I would like to pay a little tribute to those of you that I have spent the most time reading.
A Jewish Perspective: A great writer. A Jew, but certainly a true American, who tells things like they are. I hope to read many of your insightful posts this year.
Clarity and Resolve: This man is like an oracle. If you read his blog, you will become smarter. That's just the way it is. Patrick you rock ;)
Geviha: Always the mysterious Geviha Ben Pesisa. I suppose I have wondered more about him than about most others. Very intelligent, but the more you read, the less you know about him. Everything he writes is perfection. Hasidic Gentile: Like the name suggests he is the spiritual non-Jew, seeking answers in Judaism. His website is a mixture of spirituality, and an extraordinary way of sheding light on the Israel-palestine conflict. Israellycool: The first pro-Israel blog I ever read. Don't try to compete with him, he will outblog anyone. I read his page several times a day. His mixture of humor, intelligence and truth is unmatched by anyone (no offense, people). I get frustrated when he goes on blog-breaks. I need to work on that. My Obiter Dicta: A rabbi who teaches Jewish and Talmudic studies. A very intelligent & interesting blog, and a very sweet person, who I am happy to have gotten to know, even if it is only "virtually". Neither Here Nor There: Unusual, intelligent blog, that takes on a variety of things, written by a couple of lovely people. Nice Jewish Boy: The weblog of a Jewish guy from California who writes interesting thoughts about life, Israel and whatever comes to mind. On the Face: Absolutely priceless. Along with Treppenwitz one of the 2 blogs where I spend the longest time reading. It was love at first sight when I first read this blog. I laughed and cried at the same time. The author, Lisa, hypnotizes her readers with her amazing talent and writing skill, and hilarious, sweet, sad and obscure stories about daily life in Israel. Smooth Stone: THE Super Blogger. Smooth is incredible, unbelievably informative and brilliant. How could someone not love Smooth. The Daily Spork: The Spork is a pro-Israel Arab. Need I say more? The Education Wonks: Ed Wonk takes on far more than Israel and palestinians, but he is a very clever & cool guy, with an intelligent, informative and interesting website. Go Wonks! The Pirate's Blog: I used to think that the Pirate was at least not more than mediocre where intelligence is concerned. Perhaps that has to do with the fact that I wasn't particularly impressed with his slogan "no friggin in the riggin". But after having a few discussions with him I've learned that he is actually a very smart guy! Treppenwitz: Words cannot describe how much I love this blogger! I read every single word he has to say slowly, to enjoy his delightful stories properly. David had a gift when it comes to writing, and I am really glad he had chosen to share it with the world. yiddishe-kop: Well Miri, you know I think you're great! I am extremely addicted to this excellent website of a super-cool and exceptionally intellligent young girl from Chicago.
There are also other people I'd like to mention:
Alice: You're cool! You should start a blog. I promise I'll hang out there. Scott in New Zealand:
I don't really know you who are, but you've left intelligent and nice comments on my website, and you're on the other side of the planet (I am not the one who is on the other side of the planet, it is YOU, haha), so don't stop visiting! Jack Schiller: Ok I really have no idea who you are either, and I don't even know if you read this. But you left such a friendly message on my guestmap, and that was sweet, thanks. Adam: You're a smart guy and I like you. You should start a separate blog, a pro-Israel one. I'd read it far more often than I read the one you have now. I lack motivation when it comes to poetry and stuff. The other people on my blogroll:
I do still read you, but not as often, and you certainly wouldn't be on my blogroll if you didn't kick butt. The Israeli who reads my blog around 30-50 times a day: I don't know who you are, but get a life!
And this is acceptable? It must be, because I am certain that it would not take long to find at least a thousand similar examples. For it is a fact that Israel has frequently and repeatedly helped nations that would not only never help Israel, but wish to see Israel destroyed, and the Jewish people with it.
What does the fact that the world condones it actually tell us?
All major media outlets ignore Israel's massive humanitarian aid to South Asia - an indication of a national ethos of caring.
When disaster strikes anywhere in the world, Israelis can be counted on to help. So it's no surprise that within hours of the devastating tsunami in the Indian Ocean, the following humanitarian missions all departed from the tiny Jewish state:
IDF rescue team on its way to Sri Lanka
œ The Israeli organization Latet ('To Give') filled a jumbo jet with 18 tons of supplies.
œ A medical team headed by four doctors from Jerusalem's Hadassah Hospital arrived in Sri Lanka on Monday night (Dec. 27), carrying medicine and baby food. The doctors specialize in rescue operations, trauma and pediatrics.
œ An IDF rescue team is now on its way to Sri Lanka with 80 tons of aid material, including 10,000 blankets, tents, nylon sheeting and water containers, all contributed by the IDF.
œ A ZAKA rescue-and-recovery team arrived in the disaster areas Monday night, armed with its specialized equipment for identifying bodies.
œ A Health Ministry contingent left for Thailand on Monday night to aid in rescue efforts. The group includes doctors, nurses and four members of the IDF.
œ Israel has also offered its assistance to India \ a search-and-rescue team from the Home Front Command, as well as consignments of food and medicine.
Yet, with the exception of UPI (as of this writing - Tues. 4pm EST), none of the major news outlets have dedicated an article to this remarkable Israeli humanitarian effort. This, despite the fact that the IDF sent all Israel-based journalists a press release Monday evening (Dec. 27), inviting them to the airport to cover the departure of one IDF group.
This is all the more surprising given the fact that the major news agencies have entire teams of reporters in Israel, who submit at least one 'Israel-article' each day.
So what did the Associated Press send out today to its 15,000 subscribing news agencies? A dreary story about the construction of a new IDF base near Jenin. AP sarcastically remarked in this 'news' story that the base's 'elaborate color scheme and landscaping shows that the army is not planning to pull its forces out of the area anytime soon.'
The lack of media interest in this Israeli humanitarian effort means that Israeli benevolence toward other peoples is not fairly conveyed to the western world. Perhaps if it were conveyed, observers would come to understand something else \ that Israel's response to Palestinian violence is also motivated by the highest ethical concern for all human life, and is not (as the media so often portray it) driven by an oppressive, mean-spirited national ethos.
Over 50 thousand people have lost their lives. That's nearly a quarter of Iceland's population. I am incapable of even getting anywhere near understanding the death, sorrow and pain this is causing. Not much to say. I can only pray that it will end. Unfortunately, death tolls are expected to continue rising.
We are experiencing a great tragedy in history. For once, it is not by the hand of human beings.
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 as Vito Corleone in %5C%27The Godfather.%5C%27','AP',450,350);)
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