Peloni
It is with the greatest sadness that I have to report that Ted Belman, Editor of Israpundit for more than twenty years, has passed away at the age of 87. It was my very great honor to have worked so closely with Ted over the past few years. Ted was a visionary thinker, capable of thinking both inside and outside of the box, gaining insights into topics which he shared with his readers in the thousands of articles which he penned over the years and the innumerable posts which he posted and reflected upon. While focusing on topics relating to Israel and the Middle East specifically, and geopolitics more generally, he made Aliyah to Israel in 2009.
His studious dedication to this site provided his readers with a continuous array of intriguing articles and media, on which they were encouraged to comment and discuss. Ted’s own infamous essay, “Israel Should Declare Three Nos”, became the underlying theme of this site as noted below the top banner, but his articles span a number of topics, including Covid, the 2020 election fraud, the Ukraine War, Jewish History, Middle Eastern Geopolitics, Israeli politics and most profoundly, the Jordan Option. Notably, Ted was never shy about following the facts wherever they led him.
In 2017, Ted assembled a number of speakers at his Symposium for the Jordan Option. Sadly, the videos were mostly lost from that event. He also had a second Symposium which he organized, in 2023. The Jordan Option called for the voluntary migration of the Palestinians in Gaza and the Judea and Samaria to go back to Jordan, following the fall of the Hashemite Kingdom which would be replaced by the New Jordanian Republic under Mudar Zahran. Under Zahran, Jordan would control the Palestinians and provide for their needs in Jordan. The Jordan Option required that Islamists in Jordan would be permanently banned, and that any actions taken to support Islamist themes or views would be dealt with in a severe manner. It also provided for the terrorists in Israel to be exiled to Jordan where they would be carefully rehabilitated. The most significant sources of terror in Israel, in the refugee camps now in the territory controlled by the PA, would be a primary focus of the voluntary migration process. He was distressed to find that many on the Right objected to his premise, but was resolved that the Jordan Option was the only doable prospect for peace. The Jordan Option continued to be Ted’s greatest effort, and he was heartened to hear of Trump’s call for the movement of the Palestinians from Gaza to Jordan and Egypt as Mudar continues to call for the fall of the scandalous Hashemites. In our final conversation, Ted’s last question to me was to inquire into the latest news on this subject.
Ted’s contributions on the war in Ukraine was another subject which bore strong controversy as well. Though he was routinely condemned for sharing his views, Ted explained that Russia had a right to respond as it did during the Russian 2022 invasion. He explained that the US led coup of 2014 and the refusal of the US, and the West more generally, to negotiate a settlement which considered Russian interests was the real cause of the war, which was eagerly ignored by far too many. He also recognized early on that the Ukrainians had little chance of victory, something which has been recognized by many in the wake of Trump’s comments in recent months.
Ted’s insights into the 2020 election was extensive. He immediately recognized the gross evidence of malfeasance during the election which many chose to ignore as Biden was ushered into office. He also recognized the January 6 psyop as a vehicle by which to ignore the inordinate support for sending the US electors back to the relative states, thus completing the election theft of 2020. As he explained to one of those who challenged him on this topic, that there was just too much evidence demonstrating the election fraud to ignore, and those who did were either complicit or woefully ignorant of the relevant facts.
Regarding Covid, Ted recognized early on that there was something perplexing about the refusal of the govt to allow the use of known safe medications. He was asked to make contact with the Israeli govt regarding the use of Zelenko’s protocol, and initially found some interest, only to later be met with complete silence.
We will be highlighting some of Ted’s more profound works over the next weeks, though it will be difficult to choose between the best of them. His contributions have been profoundly important over the years, and his eagerness to increase this contribution never ceased, as he spoke to me some weeks ago about penning a new article describing Sisi’s position with regards to the Gazan issue. Sadly enough, this never came to be.
Over the years, he built a site where so people can come and openly share their views, and provide challenging contexts and arguments about the reports of the day. As my sister once told me, “I have learned so much from visiting his site and reading his articles.”
I hope his readers and friends will share any thoughts or comments they might have on these and other topics below, as Ted always rejoiced in the many thoughtful comments he received from his readers over the years, from which he gained many great insights.
Email received from Amb. Yoram Ettinger:
So sorry to hear. My deepest Sympathies to the Belman family. He truly was a visionary. I think I agreed with over 90%, maybe higher of his views.I recall in 2008 talking to him on the phone to apologize for my over zealous comments, and he was nothing but respectful! May he rest in peace.
I am very sad to hear of Ted’s death. I knew he had some health issues (who doesn’t in their 80’s) but he was posting good articles in places like American Thinker and here just a few months ago. We began emailing some two or three years ago. He took an interest in my counter jihad work and asked me to help administer the site, but as an elderly person myself, with health issues, I had to demur. I felt Ted’s heart in our brief exchanges, as well as his mind. Goodby Ted. You know you will be missed.
Madeline Brooks
HAS ANYONE-
Seen any mention of TED Olov HaSholom in Arutz7. I haven’t although I search each day from top to bottom.
EvRe1=
Ted didn’t create this site, but he DID work tirelessly to make it better and better. He did exactly what you have noted down…..and MORE..
It was created by Joseph Norland and a couple of others who drifted after a short while. Then Ted came along and interested himself in it.
Eventually he became the Co-Publisher and later sole Publisher and much more, also the gleaner of the best articles available.
After Joint-Hosting Israpundit with Ted, Joseph moved to “Think-Israel” an ultraright wing Pro-Israel publication. He is/was a gifted writer himself and very dedicated.
The journalist Nurit Greenger is very closely associated with THINK-ISRAEL.
Email received:
Email received:
Email received from Rabbi Barbara Aiello:
Email received:
Thank you, Ted, for giving me a voice.
I am saddened to hear that Ted Belman died. He worked tirelessly to create this website, to write articles, to hold conferences, and to communicate to the world that there is a path to peace between Israel and the Palestinians through the Jordan Option.
This website has been so informative to many people.
Israpundit was a labor of love and a very creative endeavor for Ted. He had many friends upon whom he could call for assistance including Vivarto, Linda Goudsmit, Peloni and many others.
I have learned a lot from all the articles and authors who shared their knowledge with us in the Israpundit community, notably Mudar Zahran, Linda Goudsmit, and so many others who know they contributed greatly to our common knowledge about Israel and the Jewish Community writ large.
Peloni deserves a special thanks for his kindness and generosity. He has graciously given unstintingly of his time for the Israpundit effort.
May Ted Belman reside in the arms of G-d for eternity. May his memory be a blessing.
Thank you, Ted. Happy journeys. My heartfelt condolences to your family. And Thank you, Peloni, for picking up the torch, and keeping it from falling to the ground as the heroic relay race continues. You are doing an outstanding job, by the way. Ted chose his successor well.
Ted was a Mensch. I hope he is in a better place. God rest his soul.
Condolences to Ted’s family and, I think, to all the visitors to this website who will miss him and who have been sharing their thoughts and opinions here for many, many years thanks to Ted Belman’s outstanding website.
May his memory be a blessing.
Thanks, Peloni, for your editorial work and, please, continue with the website.
I’m sorry to hear this news. I didn’t know Ted personally but I felt he was a friend and I certainly needed his articles and input on so many issue!
Peloni, I hope you keep up the good work like you have over the last couple of years- We need to keep this site alive!!
I am so sorry to hear this although I knew it was coming. Ted had asked me a couple years back, if I had any interest in keeping his site going due to his health issues. I politely declined for many reason but mostly because I couldn’t trust myself to keep up to Ted’s high standards. I was thrilled when he picked Peloni to take over. Peloni thank your for your efforts! I realize that it’s a thankless job but certainly heart warming.
I’m sure that most of us receive hundreds or more emails per day from various political sites. Yet Ted’s site stood up beyond the rest as very interesting, insightful and often went against the mainstream. I can honestly say that very few other people share the same outlook on geopolitics as I do. But Ted was the exception. We agreed on all the main points that you mentioned
Baruch Dayan Emmet
LeonKushner
Opinionated but open-minded Jew and a vision!
I appreciated very much what he did.
Condolences to the family if any.
Good luck Peloni.
Peloni has a first name?
I am deeply saddened that our dear friend Ted Belman has passed. Ted was a very good friend to me, to Israel, to freedom, and was a valiant warrior for peace. May he rest in peace knowing that his work and commitments continue under the excellent and capable leadership of his chosen successor, Peloni.
Most sincerely,
Linda Goudsmit
USA
Rest peacefully Ted. It was a pleasure coming to know you over your emails….
Jer
I am so sorry to hear of Ted’s passing. This world is diminished without him, while the next world is certainly enhanced.
Ted was a tireless and dedicated warrior on behalf of Israel, and for the causes of freedom and justice wherever the need appeared. He was a gentleman, who was able to express his opinions forcefully, but with tact and grace. Men like Ted are rare. May his memory endure, and his example be multiplied.
May HaShem comfort those who mourn him, and strengthen those who will pick up and wear his mantle, after him.
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Ted, was brave to make aliyah at a fairly elderly age and I admire this greatly. Also he took on the Israel haters with gusto and was a true living Zionist at heart.
His Three Nos: No Palestinian State, No Iranian Nukes and No to a bi-National State should be repeated and reinforced. This is spot on and needed for the survival of a Jewish Zionist State.
Same here. I’ve been here from the early days of the site.
I also thank Peloni for keeping Israpundit going. It is a valuable resource.
I am deeply saddened. Ted was part of my life for many years. His passing means a big void in my daily reading about Israel and the world. I so enjoyed the articles he published (although I never agreed to the way he structured his website!) I do hope someone will take over his baton and continue his work. BTW it’s Memoriam and not memorium…
I’m very sad to hear this. Condolences to Ted’s family. He will be greatly missed.
Ted was one of the best. We need more like him
So grateful for him posting my VeryGoodNewsIsrael weekly good news. Hope IsraPundit can continue to do this.
Wishing his family Hayim Aruchim – long life.
A great man, who will be sadly missed. May his memory be a blessing and may he rest in peace.
I miss Ted.
An eternal optimist and a fighter that would never give up.
A special friend who always spoke his mind.
A true Israelite, devoted to our country.
Ted left beautiful legacy: his daughter, two beautiful grand-daughters, and the Israpundit.
I am deeply saddened… I knew Ted from his days in Canada, and my wife and I met him in Jerusalem after he made Aliyah.
A great man…
I am devastated to read of Ted‘s passing. I was recently in Israel and had hoped to finally meet Ted face-to-face, but it unfortunately wasn’t meant to be.
I’ve been coming to Israpundit for more than 10 years. It’s routinely one of the top three sites I go to numerous times a day, with uniquely curated, highly informative articles and essays, as well as links to podcasts, videos, etc.
Ted created a place of excellence, a destination website in cyberspace, catering to a niche market of people with similar concerns and desires for information about Israel, Jewish matters, western civilization, politics, foreign policy, and so much more going on in this crazy world. Ted made a difference in his life, and the lives of so many others. Most people can’t say that. May Ted rest in peace and may his memory be a blessing. Amen