The Russian nationalist lawmakers who had signed a letter calling for an investigation into all Jewish organizations in the country – accusing Jews of inciting ethnic hatred and provoking anti-Semitism – have retracted their support for the letter, sources in Russia said.
In a letter dated January 13, nineteen members of the State Duma – the lower parliament house - asked Prosecutor General Vladimir Ustinov to investigate their claims and, if they are confirmed, to launch proceedings "on the prohibition in our country of all religious and ethnic Jewish organizations as extremist." Well helloooo Middle Ages! Ahh no sowwy, this is Russia (needs no further clarification).
Arguing that Jews were to blame for anti-Semitism, the authors of the letter want Jewish groups outlawed based on legislation against extremism and fomenting ethnic discord. Ehrm, I wonder how logically they're able to back that up?
The stunning call to ban all Jewish groups comes amid concerns of persistent anti-Semitism that continues to plague Russia. Jewish leaders have praised President Vladimir Putin's government for encouraging religious tolerance, but rights groups accuse the authorities of failing to adequately prosecute the perpetrators of anti-Semitic and racial violence.
Russia's chief rabbi, Berel Lazar, said the lawmakers were either insane or "quite sane but limitlessly cynical" and were hoping to win support "by playing the anti-Semitic card."
According to the rabbi, "The timing was not coincidental and was made on the same day in which the UN commemorated 60 years since the liberation of Nazi death camps. President Putin is slated to visit Auschwitz in the near future and they probably wanted to express their objection to the upcoming visit by sending this letter." That is what I call having no shame, no respect, and a cold heart.
Along with outlawing Jewish organizations, the lawmakers call for the prosecution of "individuals responsible for providing these groups with state and municipal property, privileges and state financing."
OMG. I think there's a big word for this. I just can't come up with it at this moment.
I am feeling a little lame about the fact that I don't know how to create an icon to the Jewish and Israeli Weblog Awards. But then I thought to myself that Lisa probably doesn't know how to do it either. I checked, and I appear to be right, and that made me feel better.
But anyways, go there and vote vote vote! (Not for me or anything...).
Other newsworthy tales would be that Imshin shamelessly confesses to having voted for herself! What a shame I didn't know you could do that, lol!
Why do people consider blogging "a waste of time"? People often ask me: "How much time do you spend doing this?" I have a friend who is a gardener in addition to his day job; he divides the universe into two categories – stuff he planted or will be planting and everything else. I don't think anyone ever asked him how much time he spends in his garden. It’s the same with people who have a hobby; they are immune from the charge. But blogging is associated with internet hence it’s wasteful. Somehow even the big bloggers who have left the traditional journalism in the dust are also wasting their time by virtue of the medium.
OK, let's agree that my blog is indeed "a waste of time" but what are your thoughts on this in general?
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I wrote a very lengthy answer to his post:
It is time consuming, sure. Unless a person wants to write only about what he/she did yesterday, etc. But a quality blog requires doing your share of reading.
I think I am speaking for MANY bloggers when I say that the reason why I blog is because I think it is worth it. I won't deny the fact that I have spent *countless* hours on tasks related to my website, but I have learned so much from it, and especially from the people I have gotten to know in the "world of blogs". I have even met two bloggers in real life, who both turned out to be amazing individuals, and I am truly grateful for having gotten to know them.
Some people might find spending time in their garden, and watching their plants grow to be a fulfilling hobby. I personally would have to say (although I certainly have nothing against gardening) that I would much rather spend my time taking atvantage of this wonderful opportunity the internet has given us to learn from a group of truly spectacular people. Learning interesting things, and getting to know new people is worth more to me than.. planting a tree in my backyard.
Also I would like to add that I believe that the reason why people have problems understanding blogging is because there are so many people who aren't "into" it, and because there is still a certain amount of prejudice towards all things virtual. The internet is a massively powerful phenomena, so this is something only time and experience can change.
"Many practices which are considered traditional are in fact quite recent inventions, often deliberately constructed to serve particular ideological ends."
I challenge readers to give me solid evidence proving a "palestinian heritage". Historical facts will prevent it.
Israellycool currently has polls open for JIB Awards - The Jewish and Israeli Blog Awards.
I actually have a nomination for "best Israel advocacy blog". Well isn't that something! It is especially nice when I take a look at some of the amazing blogs in the same category. I don't really think my little website with "thoughts on contemporary issues in the Middle East, as experienced in the northernmost capital of the planet" can be compared to Smooth Stone, or Israpundit, for example. But it's nice, nevertheless, so thanks to those who nominated me.
I am actually quite impressed by the article I read in today's online edition of The Jerusalem Post. It is rare to find such a nicely written article in a newspaper, such a quality read. Or at least I very much enjoyed reading it:
Elie Weisel addresses a special session of the UN commemorating the liberation of Auschwitz
In what Israeli ambassador to the United Nations Danny Gillerman called "an historical day for Israel and the entire Jewish nation," the UN is devoting a special session of its General Assembly Monday to the commemoration of the sixtieth anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.
This event marks the first time that the United Nations is dedicating a session to memorializing the victims of the Holocaust.
Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom represented Israel at the ceremony. France, Canada and Argentina are also sending representatives of equivalent rank to the assembly.
Speaking first in Hebrew, and then in English, Shalom said, "As the Foreign Minister of Israel, the sovereign state of the Jewish people, I stand before you in the name of the survivors and the Jewish people, to say to you: Never Again."
Afterwards, in an historical appearance which marked the first time a Holocaust survivor has appeared before the United Nations, prolific and esteemed writer and Nobel laureate Elie Weisel delivered a speech to the assembly.
Weisel said that he and others like him bear witness for the sake of the children. He said that the world must combat indifference, which always helps the aggressor. He concluded with the question, "Will the world ever learn?"
Earlier on Monday, Gillerman said today's memorial service is the most significant event for Israel in the United Nations since the international organization's establishment.
"For the first time in its history, the UN will memorialize the Holocaust and the liberation of the death camps in Europe. Israel's foreign minister will stand at the podium surrounded by ministers representing numerous countries, as well as the UN secretary general and Eli Weisel," Gillerman said on Israel Radio. "[FM Silvan Shalom] will speak not only in the name of the state of Israel and the Jewish nation, but also for the six million whose voices cannot be heard today."
In the first time a religious prayer will be sounded in the United Nations assembly hall, the ceremony will draw to a close with the sounding of the Jewish prayer "El Male Rahamim" [G-d Full of Mercy].
What about the whaa? Oh, you mean the people that died in war, mostly because of their tactics of using homicide bombings, human shields etc etc, and well, reluctancy to make peace??
British Muslims will boycott a state ceremony to mark the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz unless it also commemorates the "holocaust" of the Palestinian intifada.
The ultimatum was issued in a message to Home Secretary Charles Clarke from Iqbal Sacranie, secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Britain, which represents more than 400 Muslim organizations.
"We have expressed our unwillingness to attend the ceremony because it excludes ongoing genocide and human rights abuses around the world and in the occupied territories of Palestine," said Sacranie.
I could hardly believe this! I read about it several days ago, but I am only now grasping it, it seems. I got this both from Geviha, as well as from Iceviking
The assumption that Arabs in the West Bank and Gaza pose a demographic threat to Israel has to be radically revised. The 2004 Palestinian-Arab population was closer to 2.4 million than to the 3.8 million reported by Palestinian Authority (PA) officials. These findings should have a significant impact on politicians, policy makers and international aid agencies.
Arab Population
The claim that Jews will become a minority in the region are incorrect. Since 1967, Jews have maintained their 60% majority in Israel, West Bank and Gaza and since 1990, the Jewish population has grown by 2.5% a year, only a slight fraction below the growth rate in the West Bank. The declines in Palestinian Arab growth rates and the vitality of Jewish growth rates which are the highest among Western democracies, will preserve this ratio.
The Israeli Arab growth rate of 3.1% was augmented by the influx of 150,000 Arabs from the West Bank and Gaza. The Israeli Arab natural rate of increase remained at 2.1%. Additionally, many observers have misidentified all non-Jews as "Palestinian Arabs." Many groups, such as the Druze and non-Jewish immigrants, identify themselves as Israelis, not as Arabs. Israel is becoming more multicultural not more Arab.
By Israel Insider staff and partners January 22, 2005
U.S. Vice-President Dick Cheney noted that Israel "might well decide to act first" to eliminate any nuclear threat from Tehran. "You look around the world at potential trouble spots, Iran is right at the top of the list," Cheney said in an interview aired on MSNBC on the day that George W. Bush was sworn in for a second four-year term as president.
He warned that Israel might act against the Iranians "without being asked."According to the vice-president, "If, in fact, the Israelis became convinced the Iranians had significant nuclear capability, given the fact that Iran has a stated policy that their objective is the destruction of Israel, the Israelis might well decide to act first, and let the rest of the world worry about cleaning up the diplomatic mess afterwards."
Okay, is it just me, but... "diplomatic mess"? Exsqueese me? Baking powder?
All right, lets picture this. Okay, hypothetical example. Denmark decides to get some nukes in order to blow up Sweden. Like, all of Sweden, with all its inhabitants. For no particular reason, lets just say they were idiots and wanted to get rid of Sweden because they figure that way they'd serve "Gud" (Danish for G-d). Let's suppose Denmark would publically announce: Yes indeed we have the nukes, and we might be blowing up Sweden.
It is likely that Sweden would decide not to invade, because they wouldn't want the rest of the world to have to "clean up a diplomatic mess" afterwards?
I've gotta say, that I personally would not just sit around and wait until I might get blown up and destroyed. What about you?
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) on Sunday evening said that he was "very close" to reaching a 'hudna' (cease-fire with Israel) agreement with Palestinian factions, Israel Radio reported.
According to Abbas, who spoke with Palestinian TV, "Everyone feels that it is important to put an end to the current situation".
After three days of relative calm, a series of incidents were reported in Gaza on Sunday. In the afternoon, Palestinians opened fire at an Israeli convoy traveling on the Karni-Netzarim artery.
Armed members of the Al Aksa Martyrs' Brigades in Gaza leave after talking to the media in Gaza city.
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I don't really know what to say. A seizefire? Sounds great, but I'll believe it when I see it.
