Israel Stop Apologizing and Start Building!

Q: When does an ally cease to be an ally? 

This painful question is being asked by many Israelis after another blistering American attack on Israel’s sovereignty in its capital city, Jerusalem.

In a move certain to increase tensions between Israel and the United States, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest publicly criticized Israel for allowing the continuation of the planning process for homes in the Givat Hamatos area in south Jerusalem.

Jen Psaki

Not skipping a beat, State Department Spokeswoman Jen Psaki followed suit and sharpened the dagger, saying

“This development will only draw condemnation from the international community, distance Israel from even its closest allies, poison the atmosphere not only with the Palestinians but also with the very Arab governments with which Prime Minister Netanyahu said he wanted to build relations,” Psaki was quoted as having told a briefing.

This very public American disrespect of a reliable ally’s sovereignty is shocking, and it should be condemned by Israeli officials in the strongest language. 

There is absolutely no reason why Israeli officials should feel the need, as they apparently did, to justify their actions with apologetic statements about how the Givat Hamatos project was just a “technical step” taken at the local level on a plan approved at the regional level over two years ago.

Instead, Prime Minister Binyamin (Bibi) Netanyahu should immediately cease being apologetic and defensive in responding to this recurring, blatant assault on Israel’s sovereignty.

Yes, Bibi was correct to complain about the implication by American officials that Israel should discriminate against Jews, but he should also respond forcefully that if President Barack Obama was a true friend of Israel, he wouldn't criticize the granting of building permits for homes for Israeli citizens in Israel’s capital city, Jerusalem. 

Would Obama dare to criticize building approvals in Riyadh, in Amman, or in Cairo? This needs to be stated and stated clearly.

... We Israelis have nothing to apologize for and a lot to be proud of.

“ Let’s start being faithful to our statements about our deep roots in this land.”

“ Let’s take real action to advance the building process in our capital city.”

E-1 would be a very good start.

By David Rubin October 2, 2014
Read full article here

A Message from the PM Tony Abbott Published on Oct 3, 2014

A Message from the PM - Our Plan to Keep Australia Safe

Many of you are concerned about the threat of extremism.

Here in Australia we’re a peaceful democracy.

As Australians, we’re rightly reluctant to reach out to conflicts thousands of miles away but sadly these conflicts sometimes reach out to us.

In these uncertain times, I have three messages for the Australian people:

First, your government will do everything possible to keep you safe. 

Second, our security measures at home and abroad are directed against terrorism, not religion. 

And third, as Australians we should always live normally because terrorists’ goal is to scare us out of being ourselves.

The Government has a plan to keep Australia safe. 

We've committed $630 million more to our police, intelligence and security services.

There are now stronger measures at international airports, and many public buildings, to deter extremists.

And the Parliament has passed further measures to strengthen our counter-terrorism capability – with more legislation coming.

Our job is not just to deal with the symptoms of extremism, we must also deal with its origin.

In this case, it is the extremism of the ISIL movement in Iraq and Syria.

The beheadings, the crucifixions, mass executions, ethnic cleansing and sexual slavery that are occurring in northern Iraq and Syria, are only the beginning if ISIL has its way.

So Australia is supporting international operations against ISIL. It’s a decision the Government has made in Australia’s national interest.

We’re doing so in a way that is prudent and proportionate.

Our actions are supported across the political divide.

And we are responding in coalition with other countries from around the world, including from the Middle East.

Our goal is a safer Australia and a more humane world.

US Jewish Leaders Slam Obama Administration’s Attack on Israeli Residency in Eastern Jerusalem

Leading Jewish personalities in the United States  have reacted angrily to the Obama Administration’s blistering attack upon Israel’s announcement 

– based on a plan already approved by the Jerusalem Municipality two years ago – that it will construct 2,500 residential units in the eastern Jerusalem neighborhood of Givat Hamatos. 

Harvard University scholar: Professor Alan Dershowitz

“Anyone who thinks that Jews buying a few handfuls of homes in areas of Jerusalem in any way contributes to the problems in the Middle East just doesn't understand the reality of how deep the antagonism is to the nation state of the Jewish people,” said the former Harvard University scholar and influential political commentator, Professor Alan Dershowitz.

Dershowitz, who has been generally critical of Israeli settlement policies in the West Bank, was responding to White House spokesman Josh Earnest's comment about the “occupation of residential buildings in the Palestinian neighborhood of Silwan in east Jerusalem – this is near the Old City – by individuals who are associated with an organization whose agenda, by definition, stokes tensions between Israelis and Palestinians.”

“To focus on these events at a time when ISIS is beheading, when Iran is developing nuclear weapons, and when Hamas is preparing rocket attacks, is such a perversion of reality and such a false prioritization,” Dershowitz said in an interview with The Algemeiner.

Rabbi Marvin Hier, Dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center:

Rabbi Marvin Hier, Dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, slammed the criticism from the White House concerning Jews moving into homes in Silwan freely sold by the broker. Describing the sale as “legitimate commerce,” 

Hier told The Algemeiner: 

“What does this have to do with the government of Israel? This is free commerce between the citizens of a free country. It seems to me ludicrous and out of place.”

“Of all the things that are a provocation, and that have led to disastrous consequences for the Middle East, I don't think it’s the selling or exchange of apartments and homes,” Hier said.

Abraham H. Foxman, National Director of the Anti-Defamation League:

In a statement released on Thursday afternoon, Abraham H. Foxman, National Director of the Anti-Defamation League, questioned the administration’s “myopic, ill-timed and off the mark” intervention. 

“One need only to recall the complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005 and Israel’s unilateral ten month freeze on new settlement construction to understand that Israeli settlements are not and never have been the impediment to an Israeli-Palestinian agreement,” Foxman said.

Uri Ariel, Israel’s Housing Minister:

Uri Ariel, Israel’s Housing Minister, pointed out in response to the American criticisms that: 

around one third of the new homes in Givat Hamatos are intended for Arab residents of the city.

Full article Here

"The pot calling the kettle black" Obama & Civilian Casualties

Obama Hit With ‘Double Standards’ Accusation Over Iraq, Syria Civilian Casualties

As President Barack Obama meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, a storm is brewing over alleged double standards concerning civilian casualties incurred during the current US bombing campaign against the Islamic State terrorist organization in Iraq and Syria.

Writing in the National Review, pundit David French observed that only a few months after the Obama Administration used terms like “appalled” and “disgraceful” in reacting to supposed civilian deaths during Israel’s recent war against Hamas in Gaza, the president has now loosened the restrictions imposed last year to prevent civilian deaths arising from American military operations.

“I applaud the administration for loosening its absurd rules of engagement. When an enemy hides among civilians, the resulting civilian deaths are the enemy’s moral and legal responsibility, not ours,” French wrote, in a clear allusion to the fighting tactics adopted by Hamas in Gaza.

“Yet I can't help but notice the double standard. If Israel’s acts of self-defense are ‘disgraceful,’ then how does the administration describe our own strikes?”

Full article here

idiom: The pot calling the kettle black

PRIME Minister Tony Abbott says he finds burqas confronting and wishes they weren't worn.

But he insists the debate over a burqa ban at Parliament House should be treated as a matter of security.

Mr Abbott’s comments come after his Chief of Staff reportedly gave support to a push that would see the controversial Muslim garment banned at Parliament House.

“Frankly, I wish it was not worn but we are a free country, we are a free society and it is not the business of Government to tell people what they should and shouldn't wear.”

The Prime Minister said it was a matter for the presiding officers as to whether the burqa was banned in Parliament House.

But he stressed it is a “secure building”.

“It should be governed by the rules that are appropriate for a secure building and obviously people need to be identifiable in a secure building such as this.”

He urged against “making a big song and dance about a hypothetical”.

{Peta Credlin supports burqa ban in Parliament House on security grounds} OCTOBER 01, 2014 full article here

#RawIslam IS has effectively declared war on the world.

Back home ... Prime Minister Tony Abbott is back in Canberra
after UN talks in New York on the threat of ISIS.
Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Corp Australia

Tony Abbott says Islamic State is an ‘apocalyptic death cult’

Fresh from returning from UN talks on the escalating threat of Islamic State forces, the Prime Minister addressed his party room in Canberra this morning.

He told them IS has effectively declared war on the world.

Cabinet meets today with its National Security Committee to also gather this week ahead of a decision to formally commit forces to Iraq. Full Article here

#RawIslam Nigel Farage regarding Islam 2012 "We Need More Back Bone"

IN OUR Church , Police Force and Parliament

said 2012