Ira Herson http://jta.org/user/profile/51035 en-us rcsillag@jta.org Copyright 2009 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 It shows that there is a chance for successful co-operation between all people. I hope that this is a beginning. This flies in the face of the stupidity of actors like Jane Fonda and Danny Glover. After all Jane Fonda has never been noted for brains. Many people protested the Viet Nam War but few went to support the people shooting their fellow countrymen. Ms Fonda and Mr Glover’s protest of a peaceful film festival shows that the press power of celebrities outweighs their contributions with few exceptions. Congratulations Scandar Copti and Yaron Shani. I hope that you do more together. 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 Throughly disgusting, I am supprised you could advocate for more nuclear wepons. Israel has never called for the distruction of its neighbours or threatened Iran. Israel has been hoping for peace. When a treaty was signed with Egypt there has been peace. Your comments are only to be provocitive and have no validity. Your friends in Iran have been caught in a lie and you are defending that. Your credibilty along with Iran's is shot and your opinions are worthless. 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 Will Edwards, Your comments are sound and I agree that we must be on guard. I did not know about the doctor that was convicted. Thank you. We are more effective if we stick to facts. I just wish to add, there are Arab hordes that want to destroy us. There are only 20 million of us worldwide and over 1.5 billion Muslims that are constantly exhorted to kill us. These are not good odds. We have to cultivate support in the wider world - part of that world is Muslim. Organisations like the Magen David Adom have worked in disaster recovery in Indonesia, the largest Islamic country in the world. We must become part of this larger world and look for support from non-traditional areas. Yes I agree that we need to be on guard but we must look for new ways to connect. The current policy of confrontation only is not working. One definition of insanity is “doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result”. I agree that repeating the mistakes of the past will only repeat the losses that we had. Having learned from history you know that only fighting will cause us to lose. This is a complex problem and is not going to be solved with a simple single solution. We must do more than build armies and defend against our enemies we also have to cultivate our friends. Do not think that I am arguing against your comments. You are correct it is libel and articles that are slanderous must be addressed but we have to be active in other ways as well. You may think what I write is for appeasement or tolerance to the violence and hate directed to Israel or us Jews. This is not true. I believe that we must stand up to any forms of attack verbal or physical. The fight must be on different fronts. We have to show more positive aspects of Israel. We have to show the world that we want peace with all our neighbours. We need better and more dynamic Public Relations. We must not just be fair we have to be seen to be fair. I also believe that if people want to post anti-Semitic statements on a Jewish web site they should be kicked off. However that is up to the management of the JTA and policies that they enforce. Good luck to us all Will Edwards 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 Wake up people - stop the name calling and get with the plot. The Swedish FM does not matter, He will not bring peace or war. He has nothing to add to or help the situation. The question is did organs get stolen? The newspaper does not know and you dont either. only an investigation will tell and if it happend, the people who were involved should be convicted and punished. Until then behave. This is a gown-up web site, for grown-ups. Stick to real issues. Israel is a fact - live with it. 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 What a wonderful start. When people feel they own somthing together they will protect it. It can only be a good move toward peace. People can disagree with the plan but the idea is good and should be pursued. - Good luck to all people of good will 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 In his own diary David Hicks wrote " after my training I am going to return to Australia and rob and kill Jews" Are you that David Hicks? David Hicks was in Pakastan on 911. WHen he heard about the attack he returned to Afganistan to join the Talaban to fight the northern alianance Are you that David Hicks? if not just say so Personally, I have never called for hate or killing in any posting, I have always called for understanding and dialog I am not worked up and the information is coming from Sydney Morning Herald and ABC. For your information I campaigned for Daivd Hicks to be released from Guantanimo Bay or tried for crimes. Even though I disagreed with David Hicks' actions he did require justice. Now he posts his views on a Jewish website and he feels that this is not a fair venue for his ideas and views, gosh I wonder why. I am sure he could open his own blog site and invite people to join him. Given his desire to rob & kill Jews I have no doubt that he will have like minded people - Neo Nazis and Al qaeda murderers. 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 David Matthew Hicks (born 7 August 1975) is an Australian who undertook terrorist training in al Qaeda-linked camps and served with the ruling Taliban regime in Afghanistan in 2001. He was then detained by the United States Government in Guantanamo Bay until 2007 when he became the first to be tried and convicted under the U.S. Military Commissions Act of 2006. 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 Are you the Australian David Hicks? The same David Hicks that trained with the Taliban in Afghanistan to make bombs. The David Hicks that supported the killing of women who did not cover up? Are you the same David Hicks that called for the death of all Jews before you were arrested and convicted of terror charges? Just wondering. If so, you have no credibility. You support murder. There are many Israelis both Arab and Jew who are looking for solutions that do not call for killing. No one needs you. There are many Jews and Arabs that support peace initiatives that support Palestinians. Then there are people like you who want to kill and are just looking for an excuse. Go away you wannabe terrorist. 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 Wow, a history book that teaches history. What a shock. Hamas will have one less tool to indoctrinate their youth to hate. 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 I have lived in Australia for many years. I came here from the USA. I can speak with experience about living in a country with and without universal health care (UHC). Prior to UHC people we encouraged to have health insurance. As private health cover was for profit money was taken from the health system for the benefit of shareholders. Patients would have to have the money up front for treatment then had to claim a refund. People would hesitate to go to the doctor and would only go when very ill or injured. Unless one was wealthly they would not seek preventative or therapies that would fix an illness before it became serious. After in the introduction of UHC child care was improved and general health of the population improved. Private health was still available and many people opted to have both so that they could take on the many increased benefits private health provided such as chiropractic and dental. Having a UHC system was not communistic or fascist but simply good medicine. The Australian model is good but it may not be the right system for a country with 300 million people where Australia is only 20 million. Details will be different but the concept is simple. It is not just a Democratic party initative, remember it was Nixon that introduced the Medicaid system and improved health care for the aged. Do not allow emotive rhetoric to stand in the way of the logical delivery of health care. Lets support people not politics 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 Great - The last thing Israel needs is a new chapter of the KKK in Tel Aviv. KKK are terrorists and shold be banned everywhere. The terrible thing is that when he is sent back the the US and goes to prison he will end up with his white ayrian brothers. 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 People are always quick to think that Israel would bomb a hospital or school. The people who partisipated in the telethon that accused Israel of this act should appologise. I will not hold my breath as I know that although they are quick to blame they would not assume responsibilty for slander. I hope the money does not end up being used for causing more deaths. 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 Quite right John Q, however it was important that King Abdulla did not walk out and others stayed. The UN is not the forum it was supposed to be. Regional forums like this one will create better relationships for Israel despite dishonest leaders like those in Iran. 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 I would put up my picture too but might scare you. On a serious note the use of the "Big Lie" is an old standard. The Jews did this the Jews did that. I think we are responsible for every porblem in the world. I did not know we had such power. The "Big Lie" works on several levels, it is subliminal, it works in the back ground of peoples thoughts and helps to maintain racism. It also is overt by diverting anger away from the real people at fault. One could call it a weapon of Mass Distraction. But it is also effective in that it causes the accused to waste time defending themselves and puts the innocent in the position of having to prove a negitive. Oh by the way I am still looking for an aplication form for the Jewish conspricy. - Regards to all 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 Congratulations Rabbi Stanton. 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 The passing of such a great man should not go without comment. I hope that he is found alive, but if their fears are reality I send my deepest condolences to the family. 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 There is no question that it is an act of anti-semitism. Gee lets see, a Jew is kidnapped by a group of muslem gangsters because he is Jewish. They say it is because all Jews are rich. (I only wish it were true). They did not kidnap and torture a muslem I guess there are no rich Sheiks to kidnap. Yes they are anti-smites as well as murderers and torturers. That they are so young only shows that they have been brainwashed and became racists by their parents. I am sure their parents are very proud. Christine I am sure that you are also correct - Education of immigrants is vital. If a person comes to a new country they should adopt the laws and customs of that county. Any proper immigration policy has to include it however these kids know that murder and torture is not allowed in any culture. Their trial should be public and all their crimes shown so other kids know that it is wrong. 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 Why was this man released at all? He should have had at least his 30 years and you would think that Piracy and terrorism & Murder would get life in prison. Anyone that can kill an elderly person in a wheelchair shows how depraved he is and should not be permited to be amonst any community. 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 You are correct, It is not news that terror groups use mosques to build and hide arms. What is news is that the Palestinian police are actually patrolling and reporting the discovery. THey have confronted and arested a group with powerful friends. These police should be praised for standing up and doing a job that will most likely make them targets. Their actions have saved many lives. If there is any hope of peace in the region it will be through the application of law not armies 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 Good on you Mr. President. 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 I have been reading the above and understand that passion runs high and people want to see agreement with their ideas. There is no single solution to such a complex series of problems. The problems require more than a unilateral approch. We need the help of many groups and countries as the forces are global. A simple beat the enemy into submission will not work. Egypt and Israel have had 30 years since the peace treaty was signed and although they are not as close as say Canada and the USA or Australia and New Zealand, there is trade and travel. The UN unfortunately has lost credibility though bias and ineptitude. What is needed is a coalition of interested parties and those that want peace. Israel, Egypt, Jordan, USA, is a start. More must be invited. Remember there are only 20 million Jews in the world today and 1.5 billion Muslims. Israel cannot over time stand alone. We need better relations with moderate Arab nations. We need better Public relations. We are already good at fighting. There can be no driving people out. Revisiting the past will only repeat it. It is the definition of insanity to keep doing the same thing and expect a different result. I do not profess to know the answer to such a complex series of problems but it is obvious that the above writers don't know either. Obama's efforts with Jordan are a good start. If anything comes of it great. If not then Israel is no worst off and if we support it we add to our public relations efforts. If I can quote the great philosopher Michele "when perception meets reality, perception always wins" We cannot let fear and passion cloud our view of reality. The way to defeat the hatred and animosity directed toward Israel is through education not rhetoric and posturing. It has been said that the Arab culture only respects strength. Not true the Arab culture also is market based. Dialog, trade, finding mutual activities, more real social contact and mutual respect will go a long way to ease tensions. We spend a fortune defending ourselves against our enemies. It is time to support our friends. Find the Arab peace movements, give them support and credibility, put them into a position of strength within their countries/communities and get their activists recognition. Produce more views of the real Israel. We cannot have only Hamas TV being the only view of Israel. Children are being trained to hate with pictures of Jews killing Mickey Mouse. It is time to put our efforts into a new direction. It is not a sexy solution. Shooting is so much easier and gratifying. Patients and understanding even with those that have wronged us is hard. 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 I hope that it is not true. It would be sad if Israeli soldiers acted in such a way. Even though Hamas and their friends use human shelds we expect that as they do not have a respect for life. I have conerns that this account may be like the other UN report that Israel shelled a school. That report turned out to be false. The UN is losing credibility and needs to make sure that its people are not biased in their reporting. The world needs an honest international body that can be trusted both for it's actions and it's words. 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 It is sad that there are still people like Kurt Williams and Rev Hamilton spreading lies to further their hatred for Jews and Israel. They obviously have no regard for the people of Gaza except to use them for their own propaganda. First of all, all the documentation required to prove the holocaust was compiled by the SS themselves during the war to show their bosses that they were doing their jobs. All the records are availble. Yes Native Americans were mistreated. I am sure that messers Williams and Hamilton spend lots of their spare time and money helping them. There were also terrible events in Pol Pot's Kambodia, Idi Amin's Uganda and of course the decimation of Australian Aboriginies and the stolen generation. But it only shows that people can be cruel. those events had nothing to do with Israel. Mr Williams cares so much about the people that work for the peace movment that he cannot get the facts right. The American Girl has a name it is Rachel Corrie. She was tragically killed when she was hit by a bulldozer not a tank. The driver did not see her. She should be remembered for her courage but not used to condemn a whole people. There are many Israelis that are also members of peace movements. yes there were Jews among the Bolshviks.However it was the Stalinists that took over and killed the bolshviks and millions of Russians. Jews were not responsible and they too were shipped off to gulags. Sorry you are wrong again. Also sorry the US State department did not list Israel as the no. one White Slavery country. That is a made up lie by Jew Watch an anti-Semitic website. To say Jews are child molestors is typical anti-semitisim. It ranks along side using baby blood for the tabernacle, Jews rule the world blah blah blah. I guess because Jesus was a Jew Kurt says that this mean Jesus was a child molestor? I do not think so. As to brothels in Israel, I sure there are some, but there I guess Mr. Williams is the expert on whore houses. Calling the military action in Gaza a holocaust is absurd. If the israeli people were as cold blooded as the HAMAS they would not have sent in ground troups but would have simply shelled Gaza like the HAMAS have been doing to the citizens of Israel since they took over in 2005. Mr Williams and Rev Hamilton think that a murderer like Kumpf is a hero and that he is responsible for the US Space program. I did not know that Racine Wis was the centre for the US moon program. To say he was on a holy mission to free europe from Jewish Slavery is just sick. The man was a murderer in his youth and although he will not be tried for his crimes he will be remembered as an evil dispicable criminal. Shame on you and Williams as lairs, hate mongers and anti-semites. 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 All nations that have pledged aid to Gaza after the latest encounter, should withhold it until HAMAS reaches a stable relationship with Israel. Continuing aid only increases the position that HAMAS can do what it likes and is not held responsible for it's actions while Israel is villified. Also it is a bit silly to rebuild a place that is still at war and will only be distroyed again if they keep firing missles. 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 I am grateful that president Obama has pulled out of the Durban II conference. However it is important that the President talk with all leaders even those that espouse hate. Only in this way can resolutions to problems be found. It is true that the leaders of Iran and Syria support terror, but so did the former USSR. Governor George Wallace of Alabama was a racist and grew beyond that. Anything is possible. Not likely, but possible. We must always be vigilant against attack but also for possibilities for peace. 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 Uriel makes Good Points - In all countries the people and the leadership are not the same thing. We all hope for the safety of the Jews in Iran. Remember Jews in Germany were part of the fabric of that country and things changed very quickly. 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 Great article, can I say that like others' comments it reflects much of what I feel and think. Hamas has shown that by placing their rocket factories and launching equipment in populated areas they have complete comtempt for the people of Gaza. I also agree that if Hamas wanted the best for the Gazans they would be building infrastructure instead of weapons. I think it was Golda Meir once said " there will be peace when they love their children more than they hate us" 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 I think Barak is correct, to attack without a plan is to invite failure. It may be wise to seek assistance from other countries that want to see moderates take control of Gaza. A new type of approach has to be considered. After all, repeating the same actions will only get the same result. 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 Neturei Karta cannot be a Jewish group. To say a terrorist attack on innocent people is g-d's plan is to condone murder. no true group that can calls itself Jewish could abandon the basic foundation of Jewish respect for all life be it anybody religious or secular. Neturei Karta shame on you. 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 I wonder who the "jews" are that are caroling at the church. Are these the same lunatics that call themselves Jews for Jesus? 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00