ISRAEL (IINO)
“Foreign Aid” to Israel is bonanza for the US Yoram Ettinger
April 24th, 2023 – The U.S. does not give foreign aid to Israel [Emphasis added] — the U.S. makes an annual investment in Israel, giving US taxpayers a return of several hundred percent.
While Israel is a grateful recipient of U.S. military systems, it also serves as a battle-tested, cost-effective laboratory for the U.S. defense and aerospace industries, (employing 3.5 million Americans). This enhances U.S. performance on the battlefield and the U.S. economy, national security and homeland security.
Here are a few examples:
WATCH: Since Biden took power, over $1 billion transferred to Palestinian Authority [28:30]
In this week’s “Ask The Source”, host Josh Reinstein speaks with journalist and Gush Etzion Spokesperson Josh Hasten about the current state of affairs in the US-Israel relationship and what the future may hold.
“We are seeing now a complete reversal from the previous administration,” said Hasten. “The Trump administration recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, moved the embassy from Tel Aviv, recognized the Golan Heights as being a part of Israel and Judea and Samaria. We are going back to the days of Obama and President Clinton where there is pressure on Israel. The administration equates Israel, who is defending itself from a massive wave of terrorism, with the terrorists themselves.”
[Ed.; Josh Hasten is a chaver of mine, and I am very proud of him.]
WATCH: Judicial reform architect harassed at Jewish Federations General Assembly
April 24, 2023 – “People were shouting things that weren’t of any substance, just to disrupt,” says an audience member.
Member of Knesset Simcha Rothman, one of the key figures behind the government’s judicial reform initiative, was continuously interrupted by hecklers during a panel discussion at the Jewish Federations of North America’s General Assembly in Tel Aviv on Monday.
Although the panel discussion at the Expo Tel Aviv convention center was not on judicial reform but rather on issues related to the Law of Return, protesters, many identifying with Achim L’Neshek (“Brothers in Arms”), an extremist group made up of IDF reservists, chanted slogans as Rothman, who is chairman of the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, tried to speak.
“From the get-go, from the first word, people were standing up in the crowd, and it was an onslaught from beginning to end,” an audience member who preferred to remain anonymous told JNS.
“People were shouting things that weren’t of any substance, just to disrupt. They were shouting ‘Busha’—Shame. Liar—‘Shakran.’ To his credit, Avi Mayer, the moderator, editor of The Jerusalem Post, did try to quiet the crowd and tell them we’re trying to have a respectful discussion. That lasted merely a matter of seconds. It did not work.
[Ed.: FLASH! I just had a great idea! While we kick out the musloids from the Holy Land, we also kick out the golden calf worshippers (erev rav) as well! I must be a brilliant genius... That would solve it!]
Terror in Jerusalem: Five hit in car-ramming attack, one in serious condition
April 24, 2023 – Five people were wounded, one seriously, in an attack outside Jerusalem’s Mahane Yehuda market just hours before Yom Hazikaron. The terrorist was killed.
Five people were injured in a car-ramming attack in central Jerusalem Monday afternoon, just hours before Israelis marked the beginning of Yom HaZikaron – Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of terror.
The attack occurred on Jaffa Street, just outside the entrance to the Mahane Yehuda outdoor market, when a vehicle plowed into pedestrians, running down three people.
[Ed.: All that is going to happen now, is that the terrorist’s apartment will be demolished, while his family receives a monthly stipend for life. So it goes in IINO, ‘The Jewish State’, all day, day after day, year after year. Meir Kahane was absolutely right, after all…]
11th HOUR: Netanyahu pulls out of major summit with US Jews amid protests [3:57]
April 23, 2023 – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancelled his appearance at a conference of the General Assembly of Jewish Federations of North America, scheduled for Sunday evening, at the last minute.
Tears of heartbreak and joy Ruthie Blum
Baruch Ben-Yigal’s story is a perfect metaphor for the indelible link between death and rebirth that is Israel’s curse and blessing. Op-ed.
Apr 23, 2023, 7:04 PM (GMT+3) – (JNS) Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism, begins on Monday evening. When it ends on Tuesday night, cheer will replace mourning as the nation embarks on a 24-hour celebration of Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel Independence Day.
The pairing of the two dates was purposeful. The idea behind the juxtaposition of grief and gratitude in such proximity was that Israelis owe the birth and continued existence of the Jewish state to the men and women killed while living in and defending it.
Though this week marks the country’s diamond anniversary—at the young but ripening age of 75—internecine political battles are threatening to take center stage at the somber ceremonies and at the happy ones to follow. Thankfully, there are many Israelis who intend to treat Yom Hazikaron with the respect it deserves and then go on to enjoy Yom Ha’atzmaut festivities.
These citizens understand that Memorial Day isn’t merely for the loved ones of the fallen, who don’t need annual reminders of a loss always lingering. It is held, rather, to highlight the collective nature of a sacrifice made by individuals, each a world onto him/herself, with a name, a face and a grieving family left behind.
The same applies to Independence Day. Its message to all Israelis is that the wonderment around them is both a personal and a shared accomplishment, regardless of the issues that divide them.
It’s a tall order for people about whom it is aptly quipped: “Two Jews, three opinions.” But more than a handful manages to set aside the latter when called upon to do so, which helps to explain why Israel repeatedly ranks high on the happiness scale.
Making history: Why no votes were cast at a World Zionist Congress
Someone challenged the narrative about what the Jewish people want – and prevailed. Op-ed.
Apr 24, 2023, 6:50 AM (GMT+3) – The Eretz HaKodesh party of the World Zionist Organization was founded to fight for Torah values in the Holy Land, and that battle was on full display on Thursday in the plenary session of the World Zionist Congress. For the first time in history, the Reform and leftist movements who sought to pass resolutions against the values of Judaism, in what they claimed was the name of Diaspora Jewry, failed to do so. In a saga that lasted for many hours, the assembly adjourned without a vote taking place.
This was a significant blow to the leftist and liberal progressive movements in the World Zionist Congress, with the Congress dispersing without their proposals being approved.
About 700 members of the World Zionist Congress had gathered in Yerushalayim, as the Congress convened for a festive event for the first time since the last such meeting, held in 2020, took place via Zoom due to the corona restrictions at that juncture. Now, delegates from all over the world traveled to attend the Congress in Yerushalayim Wednesday thru Friday, April 19-21.
The real “busha”! Rabbi Yechezkel Moskowitz
As I stood amidst the shouting and flag-waving, I felt a profound sense of disappointment.at progressive-caused bckering. Op-ed.
Apr 24, 2023
As a delegate to the World Zionist Congress, I entered the halls of Jerusalem with hope and enthusiasm. I looked forward to engaging in healthy and constructive discussions on pressing issues that affect Israel and Zionism. Little did I know that I would soon find myself caught in the crossfire of a divisive and unproductive Congress, ultimately forced to take a side in a bitter ideological battle.
While the opposing factions roared out “Busha Busha” (Shame, shame) from above us, all I could think was that the real “Busha” (shame) lies in the fact that the same bloc, driven by its crusade for what it terms social justice, felt compelled to inject controversial topics into the discourse. These topics were not in line with the spirit of the Congress or the World Zionist Organization (WZO) charter and not what we were here for. In any event this situation left me, and many other delegates, in a challenging position, torn between our commitment to the core principles of Zionism and our desire to be respectful and accommodating of others’ views.
The World Zionist Congress has a storied history of debating relevant issues that concern Israel and the Jewish people. Established in 1897 by Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern Zionism, the Congress has always convened delegates from around the world, representing diverse geographic regions and ideologies. In the past, these discussions have been informative, respectful, and ultimately aimed at advancing the mission of the WZO.
However, this year’s Congress devolved into chaos as progressives pushed resolutions that were divisive and unrelated to the core objectives of the WZO. Never before had delegates been forced to vote on whether the WZO should condemn the Israeli government in its various platforms, as a result, we lost valuable time and opportunities to address pressing issues facing Israel and the Zionist movement and people like me were forced to act and vote with our conscience.
[Ed.: ‘Busha’ means embarrassment in Hebrew]
