Dear HillBuzz,
I’m really thrilled that the first Israel News Roundup got such a great reception. I’ve put together another few notes and also a couple of book recommendations based on topics that were raised in the comments. I’ll try to point you to a variety of sources and books so that your readers can make up their own minds about current events and consider historical precedents when forming their political positions.
Here is a nice story that I saw last week about Jesus’ baptism site being opened up to the visitors in Israel. Northern Israel is full of places of spectacular interest for Christians, as is Jerusalem. Israel’s religious minorities have full rights of worship.
Unfortunately, Jews have not fared as well under Muslim rule as is painstakingly documented in Andrew Bostom’s book, The Legacy of Islamic Antisemetism. Jewish holy sites also have a history of being desecrated by many different Islamic forces (Jordan in the pre-1967 West Bank, and Joseph’s Tomb, to name just a few recent examples).
Israel is generally a conservative country, with Jewish family values forming the bedrock of most people’s lives. Yet, the local gay community thrives in major urban centers with very few demonstrations of intolerence or prejudice, unlike in some other places in the Middle East.
This is a nice story about an initiative in Israel for the mentally handicapped. It’s nice to see mentally disabled people being assisted in their quest for a meaningful life, rather than being mocked and ridiculed by leaders of certain western countries.
The last item, concerns Israelis judgment regarding the current US administration. Not surprisingly, only 31% of Israelis consider the current administration “pro-Israel”.
Lastly, for those readers who questioned the Jewish democratic voting patterns, I would suggest that this is part of a larger, historical phenomenon of Jewish wishful thinking and belief in false messiahs from the Golden Calf, to Shabbtai Zvi, to communism/Marxism. The best reference for readers interested in this subject is Dr. Kenneth Levin’s fantastic book: The Oslo Syndrome-Delusions of a People Under Seige, which I highly recommend.
My last book recommendation speaks to readers who referred to America’s historical relationship with Islam, during the founding era. I would recommend Michael Oren’s fascinating study: Power, Faith, and Fatasy America in the Middle East from 1776 to the Present. It details American resolve against Mulsim piracy and barbarism and paints an enlightening picture of the roots of American Christian Zionism. It’s a fantastic read.
Until next time, this has been Israel News Roundup on HillBuzz. I invite your readers to please discuss the information I have provided in comments below.
Laura Rosen Cohen
Toronto, Canada
May 19, 2009 at 10:32 am
In the first Crusades in 1099, Christian “holy warriors” locked up the Jews of Jerusalem in their main synagogue and set it on fire. Arab Muslims were massacred by the forces during the conquest. Arab Christians were also murdered because of their sin of having the same skin color of Arab Muslims. The “Gesta Francorum”, a Crusader chronicle of their activities, proudly notes that the “the slaughter was so great that our men waded in blood up to their ankles.” In the town of Ma’arra in Syria, the crusader Radulph of Caen wrote: “In Ma’arra, our troops boiled pagan adults in cooking-pots; they impaled children on spits and devoured them grilled.”
But of course, historically, only Muslims are the evil ones.
How about this for a radical idea? Historically, religious forces, regardless of the label, commit unspeakable acts in the name of obtaining or holding on to power.
Now let the bashing begin!
May 19, 2009 at 1:28 pm
No bashing from over here, James. You are spot on and correct in your historical analysis. And for the record, you are also not “anti-Christian” or “Anti-Isreal.”
But of course, historically, only Muslims are the evil ones.
How about this for a radical idea? Historically, religious forces, regardless of the label, commit unspeakable acts in the name of obtaining or holding on to power.
This proves it.
May 19, 2009 at 1:35 pm
I appreciate that littleisis. I’ve been called anti-Semitic every time I make a post about this topic.
This accusation is very offensive to me. I’m just trying to be fair here.
May 19, 2009 at 1:45 pm
It is extremely offensive to me too, which is why I am going out of my way to defend you. So, you’re welcome. :p
I think people tend to get very passionate about these types of issues, usually because organized religion is involved.
Having Faith, and Religious beliefs, is a good thing. Faith is rooted in love and hope. You can’t prove love as an entity, but you know it exists because of how you feel.
Faith is a belief in something you can’t prove. I’ve found that people who are insecure in their faiths or beliefs tend to lash out at those who stoke that insecurity or cause them to doubt their own beliefs or convictions.
But talking down to someone or mistreating them because you unfairly or fairly perceive them to be threatening your beliefs is a perversion of faith. (something certain posters here should probably learn)
May 19, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Little Isis,
good point but I think James enjoys banters like this and thus welcoms “feedback”. At least that is my take. I do not think James is anti-semitic, he is just speaking what he was told. I went through a period of blaming Israel for everything then I started reading other peoples POV. Wake up call
I just question his stats. Jimbo, I cover the first pitcher, you have the second, ok?
May 19, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Kei,
Not really. I’m just replying to the main post. If people come back with negative posts at me, I’m going to reply. That doesn’t mean I live for the argument.
And I come to my own conclusions, thank you very much. No one “tells me” what to say.
May 20, 2009 at 12:14 am
James,
You end your comment “let the bashing begin” and you are upset that girlpower saw your comments as inflammatory and responded in kind?
I may be mistaken but it sounded like you were spoiling for a scrappin’.
Oh, which of the links compelled you to state that Jews were treated better by muslims than any of their other oppressors? You heard it or read it somewhere?
May 19, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Kei: I can’t speak for James but I know that I don’t blame Isreal for everything. I think the United States should support Isreal, but stop short of condoning everything Isreal does based on a personal belief in zionism. Does that make any sense? I don’t know how else to articulate how I feel about that, but I don’t believe I am an anti-semite and I don’t believe James is either. And I am just very offended by the insinuation that he is an anti-semite and I am an anti-semite because neither of us believe that Muslims are solely responsible for the terrible things that have been done to Jews over the centuries.
May 19, 2009 at 2:14 pm
This is my view. Thanks.
I don’t blame Israel for everything either.
People assume too often.
May 19, 2009 at 2:23 pm
and if James likes the banter, he is not alone. I enjoy it myself :p
May 19, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Isis,
I think you are great as you are. I don’t think you are anti anything, as least not as far as I can tell.
May 19, 2009 at 5:40 pm
Reality is what is happening now. Radical Islam is bent on destroying Israel, and taking over the west. They are on the verge of making huge gains, just look at the state of Westen Europe. Anti-semitism is at an all time high in Europe. Are you aware?
Muslims continue to teach their children to hate Jews, I don’t see Jews teaching their children to hate. Talking about “fairness” seems nonsensical to me when you have the crazy mullahs screaming for the destruction of Israel, Hamas has it in their charter to destroy Israel.
Really, what more proof do you people need to understand these loons say what they mean? As long as you continue to sit in the comfort of your chair and and try to be “fair” Islamic radicalism continues its march, and before soon will be at your front door. When they are at your door, ask them for “fairness” and see how they treat you.
Wake up people!
May 19, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Jay,
No offense, but you sound paranoid.
What an irrational post. And so incoherent you can’t make heads or tails of it.
May 19, 2009 at 7:36 pm
Jay, well I must really suck as a professional editor. I’d better call all those authors who thought otherwise and tell them to recall their books and give back their awards…because I find your post to be not only coherent, but true.
I’ll post a few vids about the situation in Europe:
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May 19, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Oops…I’ll try again:
May 19, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Jay, garlic, I am frightened for Israel. We all must be made aware of what is going on. Thank you.
May 20, 2009 at 12:22 am
James,
Jay’s post is no less rational nor less coherent than some of yours. What about that whopper you said last week about Israel being at fault for the Pali’s economic situation?
May 19, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Why don’t you explain to the people on this post how OBSESSED you are with bashing Ms. Cohen, a JEW?
I don’t care about history, I care about 1099, I care about today.
You are just as much of a Jew Hater as James.
May 19, 2009 at 11:28 pm
I meant to say that I DON’T care about 1099,
littlisis.
Or your vagina, either.
May 20, 2009 at 12:41 am
Tammy,
Isis is (I think) a fellow PUMA. I am pretty sure I remember her from No Quarter and TGW.
Anyways, I do not think she is anti anything. She was just sticking up for James who she thought was getting dog piled.
He wasn’t but sometimes I think he does this stuff to get a rise out of people.
May 20, 2009 at 11:09 pm
where in Goddess’s name do you get off knocking my vagina??? My vagina is FABULOUS, I’ll have you know!!!
And for the record, I was not talking about my own vagina (which is fabulous), but vagina voting, and a series I was thinking about doing on it. How sick are you that you have to comment on my lady business when it is completely un-called for and not relevant to what I was saying?
Yes, Kei is right, I am associated with the PUMA movement. And for goodness sakes, I am a Jew Hater because I think that the United States should support Isreal??? How does that make me a Jew hater??? Lady, you don’t know the first thing about me!!! How dare you???
I think you may need professional help. I’m sorry Kei, but Tammy just crossed a line and if she calls me any more names it is about to get UGLY up in here!!!
May 19, 2009 at 1:45 pm
James sweetie,
You fail to mention the Melkites, Jacobites and Maronites (to name a very few) who were protected by the Franks and other crusaders.
Sure, the crusades were particularly political as well as brutal, look what happened to Constantinople, but your generalizations are sweeping.
BTW, the muslim overlords were kindly to the Jews as long as they were Dhimmi, kinda like expecting them to “fall in line”, no? They didn’t like upitty, self sufficient, self reliant, self determining people regardless of their chosen religion (see Ahmadi, D’ruze, Shi’ia and Alawi). Let’s talk about the Hindu and Buddhists who were not people of “the Book” Thank God for the Marathas and the Sikhs.
Whenever a “state” religion is imposed it is disastrous. BTW, Ms Cohen, thank you for your input. I didn’t get to welcome you last week.
May 19, 2009 at 1:52 pm
I don’t give Muslims a pass as I said somewhere here. Just disputing the popular view that it’s only the Muslims who were mean to the Jews. They were treated better by Muslims than Christians historically in relative terms.
May 19, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Uh,
what? when you are oppressed by entities that are political in nature but “claim faith”, it is evil regardless. To say one is less bad than another is ridiculous. BTW, what did the Desi’s do to deserve the treatment they received?
May 19, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Uh,
You can do comparative analysis. There are things that are worse than others. Use your judgment.
May 20, 2009 at 1:07 am
No James,
Your statement that “Just disputing the popular view that it’s only the muslims who are mean to the Jews” is silly. No one here said that.
The article Ms Cohen linked to merely pointed out that Islamic aggression towards the Jewish people is not a recent phenomenon.
You took off with the “which was meaner”. historically in relative terms? Whatever are you talking about?
May 19, 2009 at 11:10 pm
Wow, I love that you live in the year 1099,
Truly a feminist.
Do you know that Muslims in many countries cut off the clit of women so that they cannot experience sexual pleasure?
May 19, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Ah, sweet moral relativism.
Speaking of the unspeakable acts to obtain or hold power:
Hitler
Stalin
Mao
Kim Jong Il (and his family)
Pol Pot
Che Gueverra & the Castro Brothers
May 19, 2009 at 10:56 pm
KKKJames= Jew haterJ
May 19, 2009 at 10:42 am
History shows that Jews and Muslims got along reasonably well over the centuries. Jews were better treated in Muslim lands than they were under Christian rulers. For example, in Spain, Muslim and Jews enjoyed a rich and friendly relationship. During the end of the Inquisition, the Jews of Spain fled Christian persecution and turned to Muslim countries for protection. Many Jews settled in the Ottoman Empire, where they thrived alongside their Muslim neighbors, and Jews even rose to the position of top government ministers under the sultans of Turkey.
No, not everything was perfect. There was tension. But the fact remains that Jews were treated better in Muslim lands than they were by Christian controlled lands.
The current tensions are due to the Israeli-Arab conflict, not antisemitism. Posts like this, from Ms. Cohen, are meant to be divisive and unhelpful.
May 19, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Isn’t there some anti semite, anti-christian, anti-anti, blog you can go hang out at? This one is for people who are tolerant. Yeah, I know you will come back with some comment about how YOU are the one who is really tolerant, and YOU are the only one who knows the truth. But the truth is, no one here really gives a damn what you have to say. Blah Blah Blah
May 19, 2009 at 1:30 pm
you are obviously very tolerant, girlpower. You have told a person who disagrees with you that their opinion does not matter.
You don’t have to be insulting to say that you disagree with someone.
May 19, 2009 at 1:47 pm
little isis,
I enjoy visiting your blog but you are coming across as a self imposed “hall monitor”. Relax, let James and girlpower work it out.
May 19, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Are you terminally stupid? What did I say that was anti-Semitic or anti-Christian?
Tolerance? I don’t know if you’re tolerant or not. You tell me. I don’t really care about political correctness, I’m just stating facts here.
Historically, the Jews were treated better by Muslims than Christians. That doesn’t mean either gets a free pass, the Jews have been treated like shit throughout history. But the widely held view that it’s ONLY the Muslims is what I’m disputing. What problem do you have that?
Take a history class. This is the consensus from historians of all races, religions, and nationalities.
May 19, 2009 at 1:35 pm
well said, James.
May 19, 2009 at 1:38 pm
I responded above, but it looks like the post will be delayed by the filter on wordpress.
I appreciate your defense littleisis. I’ve been called an anti-Semite every time I talk about this topic. The accusation is offensive and unwarranted.
May 19, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Well according to islamic history, I am sure everybody was peachy under the Caliphate. But I am sure the Jews (as well as the Orthodox) have a different set of records.
Did you read what happened to the Desis?
May 19, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Kei,
Did I say everything was “peachy”? NO.
May 19, 2009 at 2:07 pm
James,
Who are you calling terminally stupid? If you start a discussion, please refrain from inflamatory remarks.
In my comment, I am referring to your comment of how people fared much better under the caliphate than anyone else. Deduction, no?
May 19, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Kei,
I called girlpower stupid for making a very stupid post with baseless assumptions and negativity.
Did I go too far in calling her “terminally” stupid? Yea, I did. But did she go too far in calling me antisemitic and anti-christian? YES. Why don’t you ask her the same thing you asked me?
May 19, 2009 at 10:56 pm
KKK James=Jew hater
May 19, 2009 at 10:58 pm
KKK James= Nazi
May 19, 2009 at 1:51 pm
okay. I just though that James was being attacked unfairly and wanted to say something about it. But I will let him and girlpower work it out. I am just bored, really :p
May 19, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Heh,
I am SO going to get in trouble for not working right now, but i am addicted to HB. BTW, HB . . . YOU GUYS ROCK!
Lil Isis, I have visited your sight before (during the circus of ‘08 and more recently) and you have some compelling posts.
May 19, 2009 at 2:20 pm
thanks. :p I am thinking about starting a series on vagina voting. I’ll post links here. Today is my day off from school and work, so I get to hang around on Hillbuzz and shout my opinions at people until I go pick up my bestie for our sleepover :p
May 19, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Kei–I’m so glad you’re no longer hiding your light under a bushel. YOU ROCK!
May 20, 2009 at 1:10 am
Hey garlic,
You ROCK! How is AZ Treating you?
May 19, 2009 at 5:51 pm
James,
You are unbelievably ill informed. You clearly have chosen your side, but post here pretending to be “fair”. You sir, are a liar and are pushing false facts.
You are aware of the grand Mufti of Jerusalem and his connection to the Nazi’s?
Grand Mufti of Jerusalem Haj Amin el-Husseini reviewing Bosnian-Muslim troops – a unit of the “Hanjar (Saber) Division” of the Waffen SS which he personally recruited for Hitler.
Your posts are divisive and unhelpful.
May 19, 2009 at 8:47 pm
It doesn’t matter what you say, Jay.
James just waits all week for this posting, jumps on to comment, and goes into some historical bullshit that has nothing to do with the HERE and NOW.
He is an anti-semite, who poses as something else.
He’s got the Chompsky play book down to a tee.
I bet that he doesn’t even go to the links that Ms. Cohen submits(which are uplifting and wonderful) or any links posted here that show what is REALLY going on in the the muslim world.
His hatred for Jews is so obvious that it’s palpable.
Oh, and your writing was easy to understand, by the way. I understood every word.
It is James who is incoherent and idiotic.
Just ignore him, because he ignores reality. I’m sure he’ll be the first one to post the next time Ms. Cohen writes here.
But keep reading Ms. Cohen. Her links are great and show the positive things that are happening in Israel. She lives in 2009, not the 8th century.
May 19, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Tammy, you are utterly hopeless. One of the dumbest posts I’ve ever read. I replied to your unwarranted accusations on the other Israel thread, but you didn’t have the guts to respond.
History is important. Ignorant people like you, Tammy, think it can be done without. It’s impossible to judge the present without looking to the past events that shaped the future. But a bigot like you wouldn’t understand.
May 19, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Tammy, you’re right on the money, as usual.
James, why don’t you take your pro-Palestinian propaganda bullshit to some Obot worship site, where it will be appreciated? We Americans here are proud to stand with our FRIENDS in Israel.
May 19, 2009 at 11:00 pm
You haven’t even read anything that Ms. Cohen has written, you Jew Hater.
I’m sick of your Jew hating posts!
You are sick and need help.
Go away you KKK guy.
You make all of us on this site want to PUKE.
May 19, 2009 at 10:57 pm
KKK James= Jew hater
May 19, 2009 at 11:13 pm
They got along as long as they accepted dhummie status.
Like you: a complete Dhummie.
Allah Ackbarh, James.
Muslims in the middle East would whack off your pointy head TODAY.
Go to a KKK site, man. Ms. Cohen had links to beautiful sites.
You spread HATE.
May 19, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Ms. Cohen, thank you for another
great “Roundup”. It is sad, but true, that the current adminiatration does not appear to be pro-Israel. Your references are excellent; and I am especially looking forward to reading THE LEGACY OF ISLAMIC ANTISEMITISM.
May 19, 2009 at 1:15 pm
“administration”
May 19, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Laura, thanks for the roundup. I’ll get to reading the articles, but first, here’s a little something for you by my favorite Canuck, who’s in Cali now. Anyhoo, he’s an ex-boyfriend (my fave EVER!) whom I met in Toronto and who ended up working with me in NYC. I’m not Jewish by birth, and so, alas, Benson’s being a devout Jew…well, you know the story.
Here he is, singing a jazzy-bluesy hatikva. Hope you likee.
May 19, 2009 at 7:06 pm
That would be Hatikva (Hebrew National Anthem), with a cap aitch. These words were the last ones of many who were murdered in the Holocaust. God bless.
May 19, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Dear Tipper Gore:
For years, I have an idea for a ranch that would be similar to Kishorit, except that it’s based on the concept of cohousing as opposed to that of a commune, and in my case, it would feature only Down syndrome adults as its star residents.
Since you said, during your visit to Kishorit, “This is a good model for people to know about so they can make it in other countries. In the United States, we’d love to have places like this,” then I say, put YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS, AND CONTACT ME VIA HILLBUZZ. Don’t just pay lip service with empty statements–a la the Won–without any intention of following up.
Contact me.
Sincerely,
Juli Barbato
May 19, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Another vid. A panel discussion (in the UK) about the problems of multiculturalism and why there should be one law for all in the UK. No Shari’a law. It is about NOW, not about ancient history.
May 19, 2009 at 7:59 pm
The Islamicization of Europe is rampant. It’s not happening just in the UK. And closer to home…
May 19, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Wow. Garlic, Thanks. I knew they were coming over the southern border into the U.S. illegally; but it did not click with me that they were living and spreading their religion in Mexico. duh The problem with radical Islamists is they want to impose their radical beliefs and sharia law everywhere. No compromise.
May 19, 2009 at 9:10 pm
And here’s some more about the spread of the Islamic “tolerant”.
http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1338480?eng=y
May 19, 2009 at 9:14 pm
And if you want to see what Muslims are doing TODAY,
go to this link.
Beware: The video is REAL torture.
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/05/jihad-porn-this-is-our-mortal-enemy.html
May 19, 2009 at 11:31 pm
Makes me sick these coward bastard!
May 19, 2009 at 9:34 pm
MASS EXODUS FROM UNITED KINGDOM
New research has found that a whopping 11 million Brits are thinking of taking a job overseas within the next two years – a significant dent in the population – and a fifth of those would choose a new life down under… (Australia)
Britain is experiencing the greatest exodus of its own nationals in recent history while immigration is at unprecedented levels, new figures show.
In 2007, 207,000 British citizens – one every three minutes – left the country and currency specialist Foreign Currency Direct has revealed that one in four working Brits are now looking to leave the country for sunnier climes and better job opportunities.
link to rest of article:
http://www.themovechannel.com/news/841434e7-35a6/
May 19, 2009 at 11:00 pm
Reluctant to respond, since I can’t remember all the details…suffice it to say that a friend of my mom’s godaughter married a Brit. They had hoped to emigrate to the US–but to emigrate legally, you have to have some ridiculous amount of cash on hand and just are having a hard time trying to save that kind of $$ as newlyweds while meeting the usual expenses. For some reason $30,000 sticks in my mind. BUT we’re ready to declare amnesty for over 11 million illegals??? Good thinking…
May 19, 2009 at 11:18 pm
And I am done pointing out what a worthless piece of crap James is.
If spewing Jew hatred is accepted by Hillbuzz, I am very disappointed.
James seems to wait for Ms. Cohen’s post, and doesn’t even comment on her links, because he has obviously never read them.
I’m disgusted by this.
Truly disgusted.
I may get unruly on this site, because I am passionate about a few things, but this man James is truly disgusting.
May 19, 2009 at 11:18 pm
Did I say disgusted enough? LOL
May 20, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Tammy,
Yes, James posts lies and he is hiding his distaste for Israel under the guise of “fairness”.
On this open forum, the propaganda James spews will be exposed, so when someone of James’s ilk tries to push the same falsehoods out in the world or on another blog site, people who read here will be armed with facts and be able to counter the nonsense.
Don’t worry Tammy, the truth always wins out.