Scorched Earth in the South

Israel fiddles while the south burns! This is what is really happening on the southern Israel-Gaza border. Israel has no plan of action - just threats of retaliation and the sporadic attacks on Hamas positions which seems to be ineffective. Israel seems to be moving closer to a military conflict with Hamas in Gaza that according to reports “neither side wants”.

If this was not the case then Hamas would not be so involved with its ingenuity in sending young teenagers to the border launching incendiary kites with explosives to cause havoc and destruction of agricultural lands and natural habitat including wholesale slaughter of natural fauna as if they are to blame for the situation of dire straits of the Gazan Palestinians! Viewing burnt carcasses of defenceless wild animals exhibits the barbarity of Hamas in its motivation for the destruction of everything in its path. Nothing can justify this Palestinian epidemic of destruction, which in the long run will rebound on them. The Gazan youngsters are faced with a bleak future and Hamas exploits this - not to improve their situation but to entrench itself in power even more. They must be held accountable for the Gazan suffering and this has also resulted in Israel's stranglehold on Gaza's border to prevent terrorism coming into Israel.

The fantasy in the DNA of Hamas of Israel’s total destruction is as strong as ever. This mantra is the reason why there is a stalemate in any form of even initiating peace negotiations. Israel has the power to destroy Hamas and take over Gaza but it has no desire to achieve this. It would be costly in human lives on both sides. It is a case of “better the devil you do know than the devil you do not know”. Israel is satisfied giving Hamas a bashing militarily here and there in order to bring them to heel.

The last few days, it seems that the motivation of the Palestinian youngsters to send incendiary kites is decreasing. Even the Israel media is not making headline reports over it anymore.

A kite with a Molotov cocktail is flown by Palestinians on the Gaza Israeli border, April 20. (Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash90)

The damage to agricultural fields and natural habitat is enormous and rehabilitation will cost millions of shekels.

Hamas will lick its wounds for a while, re-arm under the auspices of Iran and possibly Turkey for the next round of terror and destruction and both sides will continue to bleed. The Palestinians will bleed more as Israel employs effective measures to neutralise rocket fire from Gaza and soon they will have the know-how to neutralize the incendiary kites launched into Israel. Raphael Technologies are working round the clock on a laser system to destroy these kites and they will succeed.

The solution to the problem with the Gaza Palestinians lies in their rehabilitation. Israel needs to loosen the noose over Gaza and allow the people of Gaza to work in Israel as starters. This, of course, has to be accompanied by strict security checks in the beginning.

Money from financial sources in the International Community is essential to help rebuild Gaza and improve the quality of life of the Gazan People. There must be a means to prevent the money from landing in the pockets of the Hamas leaders, who have enriched themselves because of lack of transparency as well as allowing much of the world donations being transferred to the building of tunnels for infiltration into Israel to carry out terrorist acts.

Above all, there should be an initiation of secret channels of negotiations between Israel and Hamas through a third party. In order to get there, there must be mutual agreement to negotiate either directly or indirectly. Unfortunately, both sides have no desire to end the conflict and this is the crux of the problem.

What is Bad for Gaza is Bad For Israel

Gaza Strip

There is no doubt that what is bad for Gaza is bad for Israel as well. I wrote about Israel’s blame for the creation of the Hamas terrorist group and if this is the case then Israel must be held accountable for the Hamas increase in power and influence in the Gaza Strip because of its “divide and rule” policies in the 1970s.

How different life in Gaza was in the mid-1970s when I arrived in Israel from Cape Town, South Africa in 1974. In those days I was a hospital pharmacist in Barzilai Hospital, Ashkelon. I travelled to Gaza quite often to do my shopping in the "shuk" in the main street of Gaza City. The vendors were helpful and pleasant. I never felt that my personal security was compromised. I had become friendly with the Arab nursing staff of Barzilai Hospital and we used to eat together in the restaurants in Gaza. I used to take the Gaza bound sherut to Gaza from Ashkelon. The sherut from Tel Aviv to Gaza always stopped in Ashkelon to take passengers to Gaza. 

Over the weekends, Gazans used to come freely to Ashkelon and spend time on the beautiful beaches and parks there. There were no restrictions or permits, nor was there any danger of terrorist attacks during that period. Many worked in Barzilai Hospital. Doctors from Gaza used to work alongside their Israeli counterparts and I remember we even had a lady pharmacist from Gaza, who worked with us. She even was a guest at my wedding. Barzilai Hospital even had cooperated with Shifa Hospital in Gaza in the treatment of patients. Unfortunately, this was not to last. A decade later, with the first Intifada in 1987 and the rise of Hamas, everything changed for the worse. The second intifada with its suicide bombings in buses, public places and restaurants had created a situation that became intolerable for both Israelis and Palestinians. 

Today the living and economic conditions, as well as the suffering of the people of Gaza, are enormous. Gaza has no fresh drinking water and many people rely on sporadic supplies that are sold. Electricity cuts are enormous and Gazans suffer from lack of electricity most of the time. There is no future for the young people, There is no work and most of the people live in dire poverty. The health services are inadequate and on the verge of collapse.1.

Adding insult to injury is the total blockade by Israel that isolates Gaza from the outside world. Nobody can leave the Gaza Strip 2. that has become a total cesspool of human suffering. The overcrowded conditions are intolerable in many areas of the Gaza strip. What will happen if an epidemic of typhoid and dysentery break out? These epidemics have no borders and it could threaten Israel as well.

Both Israelis and Palestinians are in a deadlock of hate with no signs of any solution. 

Children wander around the streets in dismal poverty. Young people loiter around, unemployed, listless and with no motivation for anything. They are fodder for the hate propaganda of Hamas that blames Israel for their woes. While the people of Gaza suffer 3, the strength and influence of Hamas increases. They fill the poverty-stricken youth with hateful propaganda and encourage demonstrations against Israel such as we witnessed over the last couple of weeks reaching a climax on 14th May when 64 Palestinians were killed by IDF sniper fire. They goad the Gazans that by their actions and tearing down the fence they will be able to liberate themselves from the Israeli Occupation and that the establishment of a Palestinian State replacing Israel is just around the corner. 4

A solution to the Gaza tragedy is very complicated and Israel must also play its part in finding a solution as it is a matter of urgency and it is not in the hands of Hamas, who remain adamant in their non-recognition of Israel. Hamas’s strength lies in maintaining the poverty of the Gazan People and filling them with lies and propaganda against Israel in order to hasten its total destruction. There is no accountability or transparency under Hamas nor is there any human dignity and democracy under Hamas rule. Hamas exploits the Palestinians in order to maintain power. Financial donations for the rehabilitation of Gaza is used for arming Hamas militants (terrorists) and the building of infiltration tunnels for them to infiltrate into Israel to carry out terrorist attacks. Other donations also land in the pockets of the wealthy leadership of Hamas. The Gazans do not benefit and the UN does not even care a damn nor are there any international inquiries into this tragic situation.

It appears that the only way, despite the security risks involved, would be to lift the strangling blockade on Gaza.5 Israel should allow work permits for Gazans to enter Israel to obtain work under very stringent security checks. The world community must also play their part in donating money for the rehabilitation of Gaza thus ending its isolation. The financial donations must be transparent with controls so that the monies are not used for military purposes or financing terrorism against Israel, nor for the personal enrichment of the Hamas leadership at the expense of the Gazans' welfare as has been happening since Hamas has been in power in Gaza. This also means reconstructing a harbour and airport These measures are not without risks. However, Gazans, who find meaningful employment in Israel and elsewhere as well as education, will cease to be monopolized by Hamas and this evil monstrous organization will weaken eventually. 

We must remember that an impoverished Gazan population is where the strength of Hamas rule lies. An economically strengthened Gaza that can be productive is bad for Hamas.

It will probably be unlikely that this evil Hamas organization would allow Gazans to seek work in Israel if Israel removes the blockade as this is where Hamas strength lies - in Israel’s blockade! They use this blockade as an excuse to encourage hatred for Israel and in this, they have succeeded.

The removal of the blockade would also weaken Hamas and hopefully, the Gazans will rise and finish these savages once and for all! Of course, the lifting of the blockade will also be accompanied by stringent security checks on those who enter Israel.

These ideas of a solution may seem unrealistic at this stage or maybe far-fetched to many but perhaps the solution to the Gaza tragedy lies in this direction.

References:

1. Life in the Gaza Strip BBC 15 May 2018
2. Harsh Living Conditions in Gaza fuel little-to-Lose Mentality PBS News Hour
3. World Factbook - Gaza Strip CIA
4. Israel TV: Confident Hamas planned victory rallies for its leaders inside Israel 
5. Hamas under pressure to deliver Improvements in Gaza Al Jazeera

Israel Must Bear the Responsibility for the Creation of Hamas

The situation in Gaza has become intolerable for Gazans. Israeli pundits, including the Israeli Government, have laid the blame for this inhuman situation on Hamas and its allies. If this is the case then we must widen the blame game even further.

All fingers must point to Israel. Prior to the establishment of Hamas, Israel had been playing dirty politics by adopting a policy of “divide and rule” (הפרד ומשול) in order to weaken the Palestinian Liberation Organization under Yasser Arafat. Hamas rose as an offshoot of the Gaza Mujama al-Islamiya branch of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, which had been actively encouraged by Israel to expand as a counterweight to the influence of the secular Palestine Liberation Organization. 1 Israel had ruthlessly given its support to the predecessors of Hamas:

“Israel's military-led administration in Gaza looked favourably on the paraplegic cleric, who set up a wide network of schools, clinics, a library and kindergartens. Sheikh Ahmed Yassin formed the Islamist group Mujama al-Islamiya, which was officially recognized by Israel as a charity and then, in 1979, as an association. Israel also endorsed the establishment of the Islamic University of Gaza, which it now regards as a hotbed of militancy. The university was one of the first targets hit by Israeli warplanes in the [2008-9 Operation Cast Lead]”. 2.

‘The Islamic associations’, the Israeli weekly magazine Koteret Rashit observed in October 1987, ‘have been supported and encouraged by the Israeli military authorities’ who were ‘convinced that the activities [of the Islamists] would weaken both the PLO and leftist organizations in Gaza.’ While most of these activities were funded largely by contributions from the Gulf states, some former Israeli intelligence officers claim that money also came covertly from Israel itself. 3.

The Muslim Brotherhood had been founded in Egypt in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna to reclaim Islam’s political dimension lost with the abolition of the Ottoman Caliphate in the wake of the First World War. ‘Allah is our objective’, the Brotherhood declared in its founding statement. ‘The Prophet is our leader. Qur’an is our law. Jihad is our way. Dying in the way of Allah is our highest hope.’

Surveying the wreckage of a neighbour's bungalow hit by a Palestinian rocket, retired Israeli official Avner Cohen traces the missile's trajectory back to an "enormous, stupid mistake" made 30 years ago.

"Hamas, to my great regret, is Israel's creation," says Mr. Cohen, a Tunisian-born Jew who worked in Gaza for more than two decades. Responsible for religious affairs in the region until 1994, Mr. Cohen watched the Islamist movement take shape, muscle aside secular Palestinian rivals and then morph into what is today Hamas, a militant group that is sworn to Israel's destruction. 4.

In retrospect, Israel had a huge hand in the creation of Hamas as a balance to combat the PLO under the leadership of Yasser Arafat in the 1970s. We all see how they had helped to create this monstrous organization that had backfired against Israel to this very day and it will remain so for many years to come.

The decision by Israel in those days can be viewed as one of the gravest errors that Israel had made. It had bounced back at Israel with a vengeance and together with Israel’s right-wing has dealt a death blow to any peace agreement in the foreseeable future.

The lowest common denominator that links the right-wing Israel Government to Hamas is their opposition to the Two-State Solution. The former is in favour of a One-State Solution with a certain amount of autonomy being given to the Palestinians to run their own affairs. This is similar to the old Bantustan Policy of apartheid South Africa that will ensure the inferiority and powerlessness of the Palestinian People. The latter wishes to replace Israel with a Palestinian State that is ruled by Hamas that today does not recognise Israel's right to exist nor is it even prepared to negotiate any form of a peace agreement let alone a solution to the conflict. The newly revised Hamas Charter of 2017 makes this perfectly clear.

One does not have to be an expert on the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict to conclude that there is no common ground between the two sides to even initiate negotiations on a solution to this festering conflict. The Palestinian Authority under the failing leadership of Mahmoud Abbas is becoming irrelevant.

The present unrest in Gaza with its demonstrations and rioting that has cost the lives of 62 Palestinians over the past week is a terrible tragedy. On the one hand, Israel has a right to defend itself against this unrest that threatened to break the security fence and create havoc and bloodshed on the Israeli side of the border. The moral dilemma that has arisen as to whether Israel's Defence Force was justified to use sniper fire to kill these demonstrators (many of whom, though certainly not all were armed). The answer to this is not all that clear-cut. Bearing in mind that the death of any human being is a tragedy, it would have been more justifiable to use non-lethal methods of violent riot control and arrest those responsible for the damage caused to property as well as injury to innocent people.

References:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamas. Accessed 14 May. 2018.
2. The monster Israel Helped Create Pandemonium
3. How Israel Helped Create Hamas Washington Post.
4. How Israel Helped to Spawn Hamas WSJ

PANDAEMONIUthe monster that israel helped create

The Demonstrations of Gazans on the Israeli Border

 The Gazan Palestinians have been demonstrating for a number of weeks now. There is no doubt that these demonstrations are being orchestrated by Hamas. Only this time they have changed their tactics. They want to give the international media the false impression that it is a popular, peaceful uprising against the occupation and that Hamas is not responsible for this unrest but rather the will of the Palestinian People to fight the occupation. Note that there are no Hamas flags near the border.

This is a big lie and it is obvious that Hamas is behind these “peaceful” demonstrations and there have even been attempts by some Palestinian demonstrators, including children to breach the security fence and infiltrate into Israel. The purpose of this infiltration IS NOT to have “kumbaya” with Israelis. It is rather to carry out acts of terror and murder of innocent Israelis under the facade of “peaceful protest”. The scenario of unarmed, peaceful protest makes for great propaganda by Hamas against Israel and it appears to be working posing Israel as the heartless oppressor not allowing the Palestinians their right of protest. It may be argued that the use of sniper live ammunition is not justifiable. The use of non-lethal ammunition against demonstrators, who have breached the security fence, is an acceptable option. Live ammunition should be reserved only for life-threatening situations which do not appear to be the case here. The use of live ammunition strengthens Hamas in its resolve to use of women and children as human shields. This, of course, does not help Israel in its attempts to stop the violence. Hamas tactics somehow create more international antagonism towards Israel including in the UN. They have been warned by Israel not to infiltrate into Israel but to no avail. We must remember that Hamas terrorists are indiscriminate when it comes to murdering Israelis.

Many people, who view the scenario of sniper-fire, view Israel as the evil Goliath and the Palestinians armed with slingshots and Molotov cocktails as the David. This is the impression that Hamas behind the headlines portrays to the foreign media. Even the UN shows a bias towards Israel as it usually does when there is Palestinian unrest.

The Hamas mantra of seeking Israel’s total destruction as well as its refusal to recognize Israel’s right to exist is the slogan behind these demonstrations. The exploitation of young children and women is a well-known tactic of the evil Hamas terrorist organization that tolerates no opposition to its tactics and Palestinians, who do not agree with Hamas are arrested and even put to death in a kangaroo court system.  Hamas is not interested in Palestinian human rights or democracy, let alone human dignity. They are fighting for a Palestinian State to replace Israel. It has nothing to do with the occupation of territory after the June Six Day War of 1967. As far as they are concerned, Israel has occupied territory since the Day it was established in May 1948.

When Israel has to deal with the Hamas Palestinian Leadership with its mindset on Israel’s destruction and using the impoverished Palestinian people to riot and kill Israelis, how can any form of negotiation even be initiated?

The tragedy in Gaza has been wrought on the Palestinians by Hamas and their multi-millionaire leadership that have pocketed all the monies donated by various countries for rehabilitation of Gaza. It is not in the interests of Hamas for the Palestinians to be rehabilitated or having a decent future. By weeping crocodile tears they enrich themselves even more. Many countries in the free world fall for this ploy which is what makes the situation in Gaza so untenable. Hamas feed their people with hatred and their religious leaders constantly preach sermons of hate against Israel and the Jewish People.

It appears that the unrest at the Gaza border is not going to subside for a while and it will continue until the Palestinians are tired of demonstrating and it will just decrease in numbers of participating demonstrators over time.

The question one should ask is: How would other countries react to demonstrations on their borders by hostile elements, who wish to achieve unrest and destruction of their respective countries as well as having a bloodlust to kill innocent people?

The cause of Israel’s total destruction and its replacement by a Hamas-ruled Palestinian State is the mantra behind all these demonstrations. Those people, who sympathise with  Hamas and its portrayal of their cause are not aware of what Hamas hopes to achieve. It is definitely not for the freedom of a democratic Palestinian State but another ISIS (Daesh)-like state slated to replace Israel. If we bear these factors in mind, Israel has the full right to defend itself by any means the IDF seems feasible under these circumstances.  

On the other hand, the Palestinians are deserving of a state that is democratic, promotes human values and dignity. Israel must recognize that an end must be made to the occupation that is eroding Israel’s democracy and human values. This can only be achieved if there is an honest desire on both sides to negotiate an end to the conflict. A desire to destroy Israel is not negotiable. Under the present circumstances, it is obvious that there is no motivation on either side to reach any form of agreement.

Occupation has Two Faces - Israeli and Palestinian

The occupation mantra has two faces. We are all familiar with the Israeli Occupation that is opposed by many Israelis, (including Yours Truly,) and the world. The big question is how do we end it when partners on both sides have no interest in negotiating ending the occupation.

On the Israeli side, there is PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s lip service to a Two State solution but in reality, this is not the case. This would mean the demise of many illegal settlements in the occupied territories. The heavy pressure of his extremist right wing flank would never support uprooting these settlements under any agreement.

On the Palestinian side, there is no partner to negotiate with Israel on ending the occupation. President Mahmoud Abbas is weak and has very little support from his people and Hamas will not recognize Israel’s right to exist and refuses to negotiate with Israel. As mentioned many times in my articles, Hamas views the occupation as Israel’s establishment in 1948. Only Israel’s demise is acceptable in the Hamas Covenant (Revised Version 2017). This revised version has not negated  Israel’s demise as many people believe.

Abbas can never sign any agreement with Israel as he knows that his life will be endangered and he will be viewed as a traitor by Hamas. Apart from that, the PA and Hamas are at loggerheads. The Palestinian territories are divided into two entities, Gaza 1. and the West Bank. The former is ruled by Hamas 2. and the latter by the Palestinian Authority (PA) 3. Both Hamas and the PA are “occupying” their people. Both rulers have not had general elections for over 10 years. Both parties are not democratic and rule their people with an iron fist.

Opposition to the PA and Hamas is not tolerated or permitted in the territories where they rule. The Palestinian authorities in the West Bank and the Hamas de facto administration in the Gaza Strip continue to restrict freedom of expression by arresting and detaining critics and political opponents 4.

There is no press freedom, transparency, and accountability in the occupied territories. Both Hamas and the PA are corrupt and their leaders are extremely wealthy. Funds earmarked for rehabilitation of Palestinian needs in Gaza have landed in the pockets of the corrupt Palestinian leaders, who have foreign bank accounts and live the good life. Their lifestyles are reminiscent of the deceased Communist dictator of Romania, Nicolae Ceausescu, who was assassinated by the Romanian opposition in 1989.

Bearing all this in mind, apart from complaints and international PA antics of Palestinian suffering, the occupation is a source of enrichment for the Palestinian leadership. If the occupation ends and the international community starts monitoring for transparency in funding the fledgling Palestinian State-To-Be, if by some miracle does occur, the Palestinian leaders will not be able to enrich themselves at their peoples' expense as is the case at present.

The Hamas and PA leadership are responsible for hate propaganda against Israel and the Jewish People in their education systems, poisoning the minds of young, impressionable schoolchildren. This is their strength as a new generation of Palestinians will grow up with their minds full of hate for Israel and Jews generally. These corrupt and wealthy leaders of the Palestinians will continue to cry crocodile tears over Palestinian suffering under Israeli occupation while at the same time pocketing money donated to Palestinian rehabilitation projects by the EU, USA and other world bodies. Transparency, checks, and balances are not in the lexicon of the two divisive groups ruling the Palestinians today. Is this not also “occupation” by Hamas and the PA?

                                        
Its members were briefed by senior intelligence officers about the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, which will be greatly exacerbated by the Palestinian Authority's decision to stop paying Israel for the power it sells to Gaza. The Palestinian Authority (PA) in the West Bank and Hamas in the Gaza Strip may be at war with each other, but the two rival parties seem to be in agreement over one issue: silencing and intimidating their critics 5.

Both sides to the conflict are demonizing each other. The stabbing attacks against Israel's Security Forces continues. This clip will give some idea as to the source of motivation of Palestinian terror.

1.  (n.d.). Does Israel actually occupy the Gaza Strip? - The Washington Post. Retrieved June 16, 2017, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/07/02/does-israel-actually-occupy-the-gaza-strip/
2.  (n.d.). Debunking Israel's 11 Main Myths About Gaza, Hamas and War Crimes. Retrieved June 16, 2017, from http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/mehdi-hasan/gaza-israel_b_5624401.html
3. (n.d.). President of the Palestinian National Authority - Wikipedia. Retrieved June 16, 2017, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_the_Palestinian_National_Authority
4. https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/middle-east-and-north-africa/palestine-state-of/report-palestine-state-of/. Accessed 16 Jun. 2017.
5. https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/. Accessed 16 Jun. 2017.

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Islamist Terrorism and its Allies

Over the last two weeks, London and Manchester have been subjected to Islamist terrorism, which appears to be escalating. The terrorist tactics involved are similar to Hamas and their Islamist allies’ tactics against Israel. Vehicle ramming of innocent people, stabbings and the use of fake explosive belts, followed by cries of “Allahu Akhbar!” (!الله أكبر) as their evil deeds are committed. There seem to be more similarities between Hezbollah, Hamas and ISIS than so-called Palestinian terrorist organizations wish to admit. While Daesh has suffered a humiliating defeat in Mosul and other parts of Syria and Iraq, they still have active cells operating in Europe and Great Britain waiting for an opportunity to strike.

What is it that makes mostly second generation sons and daughters of immigrant parents of Middle Eastern origin so susceptible to the propaganda of Daesh (ISIS)? What is it that even attracts non-Moslem European youth into the ranks of Islamist terror?

There are so many theories causing this attraction for many wayward youths, who somehow are failures within their societies and environment in which they grew up. They somehow, never “fitted into” what is considered acceptable norms of behaviour. They seek another way to prove themselves and are very susceptible to social media propaganda, the sources of which come from Daesh and affiliated hatred spewing Islamist terrorist organizations.

Another brainwashing source of hatred and glorification of destroying “the infidel”  which they refer to us non-Muslims is the racist, hate- spewing, charismatic Imams that deliver hateful sermons in mosques in their adopted countries in Europe and the US as well as in education. They issue calls to use any means to kill the non-believer. This definition of “infidel” also, includes many Muslims who do not hold radical Islamist views and this happens to include most Muslims, who are law-abiding citizens in their adopted countries.

The Manchester and London Bridge terrorist attacks provide further proof that Daesh terrorist cells are alive and kicking in London and Manchester as well as in various cities throughout Europe. The tactics that they have adopted are very similar to the tactics used by Hamas lone terrorists infiltrating into Israel. These tactics are the result of the brainwashing in the social media as well as appeals from radical imams as mentioned earlier.

When the UK PM claims that, Islamic terrorism “is a perversion of Islam”, that's cowardice after an attack in which the Islamic killers made a point of proclaiming, “This is for Islam” and “This is for Allah”.1.

No matter where you look, you will find that the strongest association between Muslims and terrorism is one in which Muslims are victims of it. 2.

Christians must, therefore, recognise that while some Islamist terrorists use Qur'anic verses calling for violence as a theological justification for terrorism, many orthodox Muslims and Islamists totally reject this way of interpreting the Qur'an. 3.

The attitude in the EU countries, including Great Britain, over the years, is to show sympathy and understanding towards those immigrants embracing Islam, by being “politically correct and tolerant” and taking this attitude towards extremes. Sweden even went to so far as to forbid journalists reporting the religious background of criminals involved in rapes and theft in order not to insult the sensitivities of Muslims in their country.

It appears that this tolerant attitude towards Islam has not achieved the integration of Muslim immigrant communities. Non-Muslim countries are paying a heavy price in blood from lone Islamist terrorist cells scattered all over Europe.

Ways of fighting this form of terrorism are:

1.   Arresting those in the social media responsible for creating and glorifying potential terrorists as well as encouraging it.

2.   Expelling those imams, who preach racial hatred, to their countries of origin.

3.   Demolishing places of worship where racist sermons and propaganda encouraging terror is preached.

We must not lose our sense of proportion even during these times of Islamist terror and remember that most Muslims are law-abiding citizens and loyal to their countries of adoption. European governments should heed the advice of British Imam, Abdul Arif, who travels in Britain speaking out against terrorism, said there were “no words” to express how he felt when he learned the attackers screamed “this is for Allah” as they hit on Saturday night.

1.  (2017, June 5). Retrieved June 8, 2017, from http://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/266896/run-hide-and-deny-london-daniel-greenfield (n.d.). 
2. Retrieved June 8, 2017, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/omar-alnatour/why-muslims-should-never-have-to-apologize_b_9526296.html
3. (n.d.). Retrieved June 8, 2017, from http://www.jubilee-centre.org/christian-responses-to-islam-islamism-and-islamic-terrorism-by-colin-chapman/

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The Israel Fire and Ramifications

The last few days we in Israel we have witnessed the greatest series of fires ever. The greatest culprit is the weather with its strong, gusty winds and severe drought conditions that have not been witnessed for many years. This has created a great environment for fires. The amount of rain has been negligible over the last couple of months. These two factors contribute to making firefighting extremely difficult, even with the best equipment available. 

Unfortunately, Israel is behind in its capability of firefighting, not because of the skilled firefighters, who are really dedicated and motivated, but because of the failure of the government to learn the lessons of the previous Carmel Forest Fire six years ago and improve the capabilities of the Israeli Firefighting Brigade by purchasing more modern equipment. Israel had appealed to many countries to send resources to help put out the ever raging fires.

The cause of the large number of fires is not the weather which is just the catalyst feeding the fire’s capability. It is a macabre mix of negligence of people, including pyromaniacs of many kinds who come out of their holes and enjoy the opportunity to destroy.

It just seems to be more than a coincidence that so many fires were started in many parts of the country almost simultaneously. It began in Zichron Yakov, south of Haifa, Haifa, Jerusalem, Shaar Hagai, and other towns which were not even close to each other. It is obvious that arson must have been involved. The word “arson” is a hot potato and according to reports from the police and  Israeli Intelligence, Palestinian terrorism is involved. A number of Palestinian suspects have been arrested according to reports and it is still not clear as to whether this new form of “eshtifada” ( a word coined by Ehud Ya’ari, TV Channel 2 correspondent and expert in Arab affairs. It is a combination of the word “esh” which is “fire” in Hebrew and “intifada” which is the “uprising”) is intifada taking on a new trend, replacing the lone stabbings and cars ramming of Israelis. This is not proven.

The Palestinian lone wolves carrying out these acts of arson do not have the support of the Arab Community in Israel or even the Palestinians in the West Bank. the Palestinian Authority have even sent four contingents of firefighters to help put out the blaze that is engulfing many parts of the country. Apparently, the Arab social media praising these acts of arson are from outside Israel and Palestine with the exception of Hamas that encourages this form of terror. The condemnation of these acts came from all sectors of the political spectrum including the Joint List in the Knesset. The Arab Knesset Members condemn those responsible just as much as everybody else and demand severe punishment for those responsible . It is unfortunate that the extreme racist, right wing are making political capital out of this tragedy that affects all Israel’s peoples.

It has been encouraging to us all that the Arab Communities of many Arab towns have offered their hospitality to all Israelis, whose homes have been destroyed by the fire, irrespective of whether they are Jewish or Muslim, to stay in their homes until they have somewhere to live. It is a disgrace for many people to come to the conclusion that the Arab citizens of Israel are responsible for the arson collectively. We must condemn this attitude entirely! It is morally unacceptable!.  Many Israeli Arabs are also fighting the fires heroically in the Israeli Firefighting Brigade as well as being members of the Police Force. The implications of collective guilt on the minority groups in Israel are a terrible outcome of this massive fire. The oversea response to Israel’s call for help has been remarkably positive in the response, including from neighboring Arab states.

Having said all this, we cannot overlook the fact that the government has been negligent in retrospect for the inability of the Israeli Fire Brigade to be more effective in putting out the massive blaze that has affected so many parts of Israel. As mentioned earlier, the Carmel Forest Fire six years ago cost the lives of 44 people; in this case, about 150 people were mildly injured mostly because of smoke inhalation and shock. There was fortunately no loss of human lives. This is a great consolation of course. Nevertheless there was tremendous loss of property and homes. The evacuation of over 75 000 people from their homes saved their lives.

The Israeli Government is to blame and Netanyahu should resign. This brings to mind the spending of money on four extra submarines for the Israeli Navy, which according to the previous Defense Minister, Moshe Yaalon, was not necessary. If this money went to the purchase of more firefighting, state of the art equipment, including firefighting aircraft for the Fire Brigade, the loss of property and destruction would have been minimised.substantially and it may not have been necessary for Israel to appeal for help from other countries, which resulted in delays until the firefighting aeroplanes arrived.

Fires in Israel: Thousands evacuated amid row over 'arson intifada'

The submarine deal fiasco and the large amount of money involved in purchasing submarines for the IDF is cooking in the background. A strong suspicion remains as to whether the deal was organized by lawyers close to the coalition hierarchy had superior motives to make a profit out of the deal. The Israeli Press including Channel 10 has raised a suspicion as to the illegal element involved. Many of us feel that whether this is true or not there was definitely misappropriation of the tax payer’s money for closing a deal with a German shipbuilding enterprise. This remains to be proved after a police enquiry.

To date, the massive fires raging all over the country are under control and 1700 families have lost their homes in the blaze. Our hearts go out to the victims who have become homeless and hope that they will receive compensation for the loss of their homes.

According to latest reports, Israeli Arabs and Palestinians are responsible for arson attacks.

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