GREAT IDEA.  GOING ON OFFENSE RATHER THAN JUST DEFENSE

“The opposite of anti-Semitism is Philo-Semitism, the appreciation, respect, and affection for Jewish values and the Jewish community.”

By Ron Kampeas, JTA

Elan Carr, the State Department’s anti-Semitism monitor, wants to get people in other countries to love their Jews more as a means of countering anti-Semitism.

In a press call Monday to mark Jewish American Heritage Month, Carr outlined steps the United States was taking worldwide to advocate for defending Jews as violent anti-Semitism spikes, including security measures, prosecuting hate crimes and condemning anti-Semitic speech.

“In addition to all of those important defense measures, we are determined also to work with our allies in developing and driving Philo-Semitic narratives for their country, in the hope that we can reach the day when every society dedicates itself, as the United States has, to embrace and to treasure its Jewish community,” he said.

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by Jonathan Spyer, MEFORUM

Anti-government protesters scuffle with Lebanese army soldiers near the Central Bank in Beirut on May 1. (AP)

One of the immediate effects of Covid-19 on the Middle East has been to clear the streets of the mass demonstrations which had filled the public squares of a number of regional capitals in the preceding months. The virus has no political preferences, and its generalized assault has led to cooperation in some arenas between bitter rivals.

In certain Middle East countries, however, the virus has provided a boon for authoritarian regimes. Specifically, Iran, Iraq and Lebanon had all witnessed widespread protests against economic mis-management and corruption in the first months of 2020. In Iran, brute force dispersed the demonstrations. In Iraq and Lebanon, the virus brought them to an abrupt end.

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A close examination of today’s HIAS’ work leads to the conclusion that HIAS knowingly promotes policies that endanger Jews, as well as aligns with those linked to Islamist terrorism.  Jewish community should begin discussing how to show HIAS the door, just as it would for any other organization that enabled dangerously racist communities.

The Conference of Presidents has an ostensible aim of promoting the interests of the Jewish people. HIAS, which has played a leading role in threatening these interests, not only has no place in such an umbrella organization, but no room for it in the Jewish community at all.

by Matthew Mainen, JNS | May 1, 2020

HIAS, formerly known as the Hebrew International Aid Society until 2014, is in the news following a firestorm over the prospects of Dianne Lob, formerly the chair of its board of directors, becoming the chair-elect of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.

The increased attention on HIAS provides an opportune time to scrutinize its work in resettling refugees. Unfortunately, a close examination leads to the conclusion that HIAS knowingly promotes policies that endanger Jews, as well as aligns with those linked to Islamist terrorism.
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By Lloyd Marcus,  AMERICAN THINKER

America! “I want you to get up right now and go to the window…open it and stick your head out and yell, “I’m as mad as hell and I’m not gonna take this anymore!” That is from the 1976 movie, Network.  It is the appropriate response to totalitarian governors, hellbent on keeping their constituents in lock-down bondage to further their anti-Trump agenda.

Folks, I am sick of seeing Dr. Fauci and Dr. Birx promise that if we are good, they will feed us teaspoons of our constitutional freedoms at their discretion. I am sick of TV commercials designed to frighten and shame us into obeying tyrannical governors. I am sick of TV images of exhausted health workers to sell the lie that hospitals are overwhelmed with coronavirus patients. I am sick of well-meaning people ending conversations with “Stay safe” as if a unique monster is lurking outside. I am sick of pundits saying we need to reopen America safely and responsibly as if going back to normal life is unthinkable and dangerous. Dr. Ben Carson announced that 98% of people who get coronavirus recover.

Despite all our social distancing, research shows far more people were infected than officially confirmed. This means coronavirus is no way near as lethal as we were told. Health experts say herd immunity is the best way to fight the virus. And yet, stating this scientific truth will get you branded a dangerous nutcase by the media. God designed us to deal with viruses. As usual, arrogant men (typically leftist) believe they know better than God. Meanwhile, doctors are ordered to lie about the numbers by labeling practically all deaths coronavirus. This will keep federal funding coming and Americans panicked.
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By Dr. James M. Dorsey, BESA

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: It is early days, but first indications are that the global coronavirus pandemic is entrenching long-drawn Middle Eastern geopolitical, political, ethnic, and sectarian battle lines rather than serving as a vehicle to build bridges and boost confidence. Gulf states are taking contradictory approaches to the problem of ensuring that entrenched conflicts do not spiral out of control as they battle the pandemic and struggle to cope with the economic fallout.

The coronavirus crisis is changing the political landscape of the Middle East as non-governmental organizations and militants in countries like Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon fill gaps where governments have failed to cater to populations’ social and health needs.

The empowerment of NGOs and militant groups, particularly in cases where they act without coordinating with a government, raises potential security issues as militants capitalize on their ability to show up states’ lack of capability at a time of crisis.

The expanded role of militants takes on added significance as states like Saudi Arabia and the UAE use the pandemic to entrench many of the Middle East’s fault lines, if not widen them to their advantage.

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Murderer of victim of the Sbarro suicide bombingis living it up in Jordan. I beseech King Abdullah to do the right thing. Opinion.

By Joseph Frager, INN

Malki Roth

On August 9, 2001 Malki Roth who was 15 at the time and 14 others died at the hand of a suicide bomber at the Sbarro Restaurant in Jerusalem. The mastermind of one of the most horrific of terrorist acts in the annals of history is Ahlam Ahmad al-Tamimi. She plead guilty in an Israeli court for her pivotal role and received 16 life sentences and an additional 250 years behind bars. Tamimi admitted she selected the Sbarro Restaurant because it was a known favorite for families and expressed her “delight“ that so many children were killed.

A 16th victim who also is an American citizen remains in a vegetative state. The other American killed was Shoshana Yehudit Greenbaum who was five months pregnant at the time.
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Controversy swirls around TV production, screened amid warming Jerusalem-Riyadh ties; head writer says he wants to send message that societies used to be much more tolerant

By AGENCIES and TOI STAFF

This undated publicity photo shows a scene from ‘Umm Haroun,’ a Saudi-made television series aired during Ramadan that has sparked controversy by offering a positive depiction of a Jewish community in the Gulf that existed before the creation of Israel. (MBC Group via AP)

A television series aired by a Saudi broadcaster during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan has sparked controversy by offering a positive depiction of a Jewish community in the Gulf at the time of Israel’s creation.

Critics say it and another series aired on the network promote normalization with Israel even as the Palestinian cause is under threat by US President Donald Trump’s Mideast plan, which heavily favors Israel and would allow it to annex large parts of the West Bank.
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By The Associated Press, NYT

JERUSALEM — An Israeli court has ordered the Palestinian Authority to pay nearly $150 million in damages to the families of people killed in militant attacks.

The decision comes following a lawsuit brought by Shurat Hadin, an Israeli legal advocacy group, on behalf of relatives of victims from a number of attacks, mostly carried out during the second Palestinian uprising in the early 2000s. A previous court ruling from last year found the Palestinian Authority to be liable for those attacks, along with other actors.

In its decision Friday, the Jerusalem court ruled that the funds would come from tax money that Israel collects on behalf of the Palestinians. Shurat Hadin had asked that more than $2 billion be paid in compensation.

The court gave Israel until next month to request that the order be annulled. Israel might consider appealing if it fears the freezing of the funds could destabilize the cash-strapped Palestinian government.
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Weak, starved, battered in body and mind, they still chose to risk their lives to save others

By Yoel Yaari, HAARETZ

Alexander Hermann, Ruth Elias and Bela Hazan. National Archives in Prague

“We took the sick from the beds, dressed them and moved them to the forest, and covered them there with branches. We waited until it was dark. Then we set out on a march by the light of the moon to the Americans. We carried the seriously ill in our arms. For hours we worked on this, because we were tired and weak… The old German [who showed us the way] gave us a piece of white cloth. My friend and I waved it and shouted to the soldiers. One of the soldiers came down and walked toward us. He was obviously taken aback by the sight of us – we looked like a group of Musselmänner [a slang term for prisoners near death from starvation]. He gestured for us to sit down on the grass…”

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www.verygoodnewsisrael.blogspot.com

In the 3rd May 20 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

• Six coronavirus patients are improving thanks to a new Israeli treatment.
• Israeli-Arabs lit three of Israel’s 12 Independence Day torches.
• Volunteers from Israel’s IsraAID are delivering food to needy Californians.
• New Israeli kiosks allow safe and fast coronavirus testing.
• The EU is financing half of the development of Israeli coronavirus stem cell treatment.
• An Israeli app allows Israel’s President to visit your home.
• During the pandemic, 40 Jews make Aliya from Ukraine and Brazil.
• The Israeli Air Force saluted medics with an Independence Day fly-past over Israeli hospitals.

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The former prime minister told Maariv that the late Ariel Sharon was very clear when he told ministers Israel’s end goal was to drive PLO into Jordan but they “didn’t understand or pretend not to.”

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF  MAY 2, 2020 04:32

Ehud Barak speaks at a press conference with his Israel Democratic Party.  (photo credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/MAARIV)

Former prime minister Ehud Barak gave an interview to Maariv, the sister publication of the Jerusalem Post, and explained that the goal of the First Lebanon War was to drive the PLO out of Lebanon and into Jordan.

The Israeli hope was that the PLO would have “learned the lessons of Black September (1970)”, when it clashed with Jordanian forces and was forced to leave Jordan – turning Jordan into the de facto Palestinian state, he said.

Israel is currently marking 20 years since the IDF pulling out of south-east Lebanon, a decision taken and carried out by Barak when he was prime minister.

The First Lebanon War is usually seen as Israel’s attempt to aid Lebanese Christians in that country’s Civil War in order to gain a regional ally. The plan being that a Christian-dominated Lebanon would have been supportive of the Jewish state as two minority-countries in the region.
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By Dr. Manfred Gerstenfeld, BESA .. January 16, 2020

BESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 1,408, January 16, 2020

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The International Criminal Court (ICC) at the Hague has an abysmal record. It has few convictions, yet in the 17 years of its existence has spent more than $1.5 billion. The ICC’s decision to investigate supposed Israeli war crimes is a largely political ruling. Israel should confront the court by exposing that its multiple deficiencies far exceed its merits.

In 1998, a group of world leaders adopted the Rome Statute, which established the International Criminal Court (ICC). This independent court was intended to judge and convict those responsible for war crimes. In 2002, the ICC started its activities in the Hague, Netherlands.

In March 2014, Forbes reported that in the 12 years of the court’s existence, it had obtained a grand total of two convictions. Both were Congolese warlords. The second of these was acquitted of the most serious charges against him.

By that point the ICC had accumulated expenditures of $1 billion. Read more…