IF THE PEOPLE OF GAZA TRULY WANT A BETTER LIFE THEY NEED TO REALIZE THAT THOSE GUILTY OF CAUSING THEIR MISERY ARE IN THE FIRST JET, NOT IN THE SECOND.
Tag Archives: Gaza
Which Jet is Really Hurting Gaza?
Liberalism Starts at Home
Liberalism, especially in this day and age is to some extent charitable. This coming from a long time self-proclaimed Liberal. However, when it comes to the situation in the world today and in particular to the targeting of Israel and the Jewish people, I am admittedly and proudly what would be considered a hawk as opposed to a dove. This is because when it comes to liberalism, I believe that just like charity, it starts at home.
The definition I found of Liberalism that best helps me illustrate my point is the following one.
I am comfortable with that definition and support it fully. What I don’t support is putting the civil liberties of others before the civil liberties of the Jewish people, especially when in doing so I believe it is being done at the expense of the Jewish people. When I see people showing greater concern for the plight of the people of Gaza than they do for the people of Ashdod it angers me. As someone who has called himself Liberal I make the following demand of those who call themselves Liberal as well. If you are going to be so concerned about human rights apply that same concern to the ongoing disregards for the human rights of the Jewish people. Don’t read a news report about the tragedy of 4 Palestinian children being killed, because their leadership insists on war, as your rallying cry for what is right and wrong. On August 9, 2001 a suicide bomber exploded a bomb in a Sbarro Pizza in Jerusalem. 5 of the dead were from one family. The couple, Dutch Jewish immigrants, and there 3 children ages 14, 4 and 2. This was no accident. This was an achieved goal by the same type of people who put these 4 Palestinian children in the position to die in this current conflict. If you want to fight for human rights, God Bless you. Just don’t leave out the Jewish people.
Human rights and civil liberties are not about what is the flavor of the day, it is about genuinely and sincerely recognizing which people are suffering unjustly and without bias identifying the source of that suffering. Those who speak of a human rights crisis in Gaza conveniently ignore the fact that Israel would have no need to control Gaza if it were not run by terrorists living large off of funds meant to help their very own people. You want to care about the difficulties they live in, I can respect that. Just don’t pin it on the Jews because you are too ignorant or too frightened to put the blame where it belongs.
Take heed. These enemies want the same for us that Hitler and the Nazis did, and the Nazis did not spare the ignorant and frightened. They either used them to further their goal or they killed them first. You want to be Liberal, be one that loves your own at least you love others. If your fight today is with a fellow Jew because they are angered that Jews continue to be attacked and killed as we have been for thousands of years, then you have lost perspective. Or worse, you have a misguided and dangerous perspective.
The fact that I do not cry over the death of 4 Palestinian children does not mean I am happy it happened. The fact that I use the murder of 3 Jewish boys doing nothing other than going home from school as a rallying cry that enough is enough, doesn’t mean I support the killing of innocent Palestinians. And the fact that I assign blame to the Arab world for fueling a war I know Israelis and Jews throughout the world do not want, does not make me racist. It also does not mean I am any less Liberal. It just means I recognize the truth. If we are to say “Never Again” we can’t in turn hide and pretend when it is starting to happen again. If we do that we are facilitating our own tragic destiny. Something I am not prepared to do.
The Reality of World War III
Let’s be honest. World War III is already under way. Since we are in the beginning stages there is no comparison as of yet to the first 2 wars that took millions of lives, but inasmuch as it is spreading and infecting the entire planet, this is a battle of global magnitude.
Everyone who knows me even somewhat knows that I am not a racist or bigot. It goes against everything I believe in to target one group of people. As the son of Holocaust survivors I find the persecution or targeting of any group to be as abhorrent as any other crime. I get no pleasure in the suffering of innocent people even if they are part of a society committing acts of evil. Indiscriminate murders, acts of terror and the killing of innocents is the behavior of all types of people from all societies and from various walks of life. Nevertheless, whether they want to admit it or not and despite their efforts to justify it, the Muslim world can not deny that the source of most civil unrest, acts of aggression, and terrorist activity are from within Muslim societies and nations. Let me repeat my personal sentiment. Attacking one group of people is contrary to my basic belief system. With that said, I believe the masses within these societies are victims as well. They are pawns and weapons in the war against civilization. An uprising within their midst may be the only thing that ultimately stands in the way of the death of millions, of which they will be included.
I don’t truly believe Islam is to blame. When you see Hamas leadership laughing it up on a private jet while Gaza gets bombed you realize that these leaders are no different from any other self-serving tyrants and murderers throughout the ages. They are in it for power and fortune and use their religion as a sickening way to rally the masses towards their way of thinking. The evil they commit against their own people is almost, if not as bad as the evil they commit against their so-called enemies.
If we don’t call it what it is, it will never get better. As difficult as that is, I truly believe we have no other choice.
Is it Immoral if they think they are Right?
Quick answer: morality in our eyes is not subjective, so therefore there is a clear distinction between right and wrong. During a recent conversation with my brother regarding the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, my brother made a statement that for me summed up the current situation as well as any statement I’ve heard or read till now. “Those who are attempting to keep a scorecard between Israel and Hamas have lost their moral compass.” He went on to say, “no country on earth should have to live under a constant barrage of missiles.” Although I agreed with him 100%, there was one aspect of the conversation that gnawed at my brain the remainder of the day. What exactly is morality?
1-a particular system of values and principles of conduct, especially one held by a specified person or society
2-the extent to which an action is right or wrong.
So yes, to many of us who will read this, there is no question that the actions of our enemies is wrong, therefore immoral. I’ll go as far as to say that the leadership that leads their people in these acts of aggression and terrorism also know that their actions are immoral and wrong. But people do what is wrong for personal gain every day in all parts of the world. The problem is, the one I consider to be the biggest problem facing us, is not in the leadership and their mentality. They could be eliminated much easier than the loyal followers they have created. The problem lies in the indoctrination of the masses and the fact that they have rallied around a manipulation of philosophies within Islam to influences millions towards a different morality. They have not actually lost their moral compass, they have done something far more sinister. They’ve reinvented it.
All parties that want a solution agree that a re-education is needed. What many do not agree on is how to conduct and start that re-education. But if we do not accept that this different morality exists and search for answers, we may be completely overrun by it with very tragic results.
How the term “Disproportionate Response” is becoming the latest anti-Semitic keyword
The latest argument, one that has no semblance of logic or decency, is that Israel’s response is disproportionate. Not because they are not being attacked, but because the majority of the recent attacks have not been successful. Jews have sat back and waited before. So now when a Jewish government refuses to sit back and wait for more Jews to die, many in the world throw out the term “disproportionate response.” For those who are unclear as to why the term “disproportionate response” is simply the latest catchphrase for the vehement anti-Semite, I offer you the following analogy.
Imagine you live with your family in a rough neighborhood. You know it is dangerous but since it is the house where your parents and grandparents grew up, and it is a beautiful house and one you call home, you have no desire to leave. Now imagine you are a law enforcement officer with a license to use a gun (this should take the politics of gun control out of this discussion) and that you have the ability and strength to defend your family by any means necessary. The neighbor right across the street takes shots at your family with whatever object they can find, rocks, stones, crude Molotov Cocktails, etc., and throws it at them at random times just because they want you to leave the neighborhood. Somehow you show restraint because you just want to live quietly and peacefully. But one day when being dropped off by the school bus your son gets attacked by the neighbor and gets critically injured. Mind you, this is not the first time actual damage has been done to your family, just the most recent time. Now, even though you have finally had enough, you don’t just rain bullets on the neighbor’s house, you take your guns and fire a shot at the neighbor’s house with a warning, a warning that leaves no margin for misunderstanding. You very simply say, “leave my family alone or I will destroy your home and anyone helping you.” What does the neighbor do? The neighbor gets more of whatever crude weaponry it can find and increases its attacks on your home and family. This time making it so bad that it limits your movement. You bring out the heavier artillery, know where they are attacking from and fire on that part of the neighbor’s house. What is the neighbor’s next move? A sick one. They put their kids in the room where they keep the weapons and then run to the police, incidentally police with no real jurisdiction in your neighborhood, just police they have a connection with, claiming they are being brutalized, you are targeting their children, and that they are being unjustifiably attacked by you. Here is where it gets totally bizarre. The police ask you to stop saying that it is unfair for you to attack them with such force because all they are doing is throwing stones and Molotov Cocktails that usually miss your home. They ask you to have a meeting with the neighbor, fully knowing you’ve made every attempt to speak with them already. The press comes out to report the ongoing situation, showing burning Molotov Cocktails on your front lawn and bullet holes in the neighbors bedrooms. They don’t tell the story, they just show what looks like one side having a burning lawn, and another side having a bullet ridden bedroom. Naturally they cause the public to feel sympathy for your neighbor since they very irresponsibly don’t state the facts leading up to what is seen on the screen. Sounds crazy doesn’t it? What makes it even crazier is that you are the best hope to keep the neighborhood safe, while your angry neighbor and his friends really just want to take it over, destroy it and then do the same to other neighborhoods.
You ask yourself one question. How does any sane individual not see this and want to help you? The undeniable and tragic answer is, they just don’t like you.
How Netanyahu’s Brilliant Leadership is Changing the Landscape
Anyone who has read anything I have written, particularly in the past 2 weeks will know that I am not naive or blind when it comes to the force of evil against Israel and world opinion, often one in the same. However, I have also watched in admiration as Israel has taken a tragic situation and not only taken constructive action but has simultaneously done a masterful job at Public Relations. Does it matter? Honestly it is too soon to tell, but it is a promising sign when you see a Reuters Headline that reads, “Thousands of Gazans flee after Israeli warning.”
http://news.yahoo.com/israeli-commandos-clash-hamas-gunmen-gaza-raid-030945712.html
With Israeli Prime Minister communicating with world leaders and outlining the Hamas strategy of “using their civilians to protect their missiles”, he has made it very difficult for those who claim to be neutral to oppose Israel’s operation into Gaza. The world is also hearing how Israel is allowing emergency supplies, including blood for injured civilians into Gaza from its border. Doesn’t do much to back the claim of Abbas that this is the same as Hitler’s genocide of the Jewish people during Nazi rule.
As I said earlier, I am not naive, but during a time where we’ve had mostly bad news, this may be a promising sign of better times ahead.
With Abbas it’s about Expediency, not Right and Wrong
Relatively quiet during this most recent crisis in Israel is the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Abbas once again has been presented with an unprecedented opportunity, and rather than make the most of it, he did what he usually does, willingly and cynically disregard it. The opportunity of which I speak was for him to make believers of even the most extreme skeptic as to whether or not he truly is a worthy peace partner. Instead, as always, Abbas chose to take the easy and corrupt way out.
There are two types of dangerous politicians. The evil ones whose intentions are to cause division or suffering, and the weak ones who make all their decisions based on their own personal standing and position. Abbas, now a politician with a terrorist resume, has traded in his militant status to become one of the most transparent politicians in the region, if not in the world. His every move is a calculated way of dancing between appearing willing to make a lasting peace with Israel and conning the world, while appeasing the hardliners not only within his ranks but with Hamas in Gaza as well. His comments generally are indicative of the poor character of the man, as he does what so many of those who are truly his partners, the ones who do not want peace do, fabricate statements because of their expedience. Case in point, his comparing Israel’s current military action to the Nazi death camps that killed 6 million Jews. The ridiculous dishonesty of the statement surely can not be based in ignorance. Does he not know that the Nazis openly stated their desire to wipe Jews off the planet? Does he not know the Germany’s campaigns and raids targeting Jews were not attempts to provide a safer non-violent Germany, but solely to kill them? Does he not know that the death toll of Palestinians is significantly lower than it could be because the Israeli Defense Forces make every attempt NOT to kill civilians, in sharp contrast to Hitler’s Germany that hunted down Jews and murdered them? Of course Abbas knows. But what good would it do politically for him to acknowledge that? Where does he gain by doing what is right? His place as head of the PA is dependent on motivating the angry mob and placating the ambitious terrorists in his midst. What better way to do this than to demonize Israel once again at what he sees as another opportune time. While Israeli politicians will speak out against and act against bad behavior of their constituency, Abbas makes excuses or distorts the facts for his. It may not be right, it may not be moral, but for a politician with a poor character such as Abbas, it certainly is expedient.
And here in lies one of the biggest problems facing Israel. Should by some miracle the terrorist organizations get eliminated from the equation they still have a major problem. They are left with a so-called peace partner who is nothing more than a terrorist turned self-serving politician. To put this in the harshest and scariest of perspectives, consider this point. He’s seen as the good one.
Back when I was a Moderate…2 weeks ago
Two weeks ago I would have been considered a moderate regarding the situation with Israel and the Palestinians. I even held hope that the Palestinian Authority would do the right thing in response to what then was the kidnapping of the 3 Israeli teens. However, like anyone else in life I have a breaking point. Mine was the moment it was clear that these 3 boys had not only been kidnapped, but murdered as well. Having reached that breaking point I have come to following conclusions. Any person who does not believe Israel is in its rights to use any manner of force necessary, be it in Gaza, Judea or Samaria (aka ‘The West Bank’) falls into one of the following categories:
Non Jew: Ignorant; Gullible; Anti-Semitic
Jew: Ignorant; Naïve; Flat-out stupid; Self-hating
As a Jew, two weeks ago I fell into the naïve category. That is a category with many different levels. My naiveté was rooted in the belief and hope that a peaceful solution was possible. I was a moderate. The 3 murdered Israeli teens are 3 among thousands killed by terrorists, but somehow it was their murder that destroyed my moderate status as well. Yes I questioned my moderation even then, but I was always open to the idea that there were enough people in power on their side who wanted peace more than they wanted the destruction of Israel to create an atmosphere of coexistence. Sadly that is not the case. As Golda Meir once said so eloquently, “Peace will come when the Arabs love their children more than they hate us.” It is with genuine pain that I say that day is further away from us than ever before.
First to the Non-Jewish people I make mention of, I say this. I respect anyone whose genuine desire is a world of peace. Even if you are ignorant to the truth or gullible as to the intentions of Israel’s Arab enemies, you may desperately cling to the hope that peace can break out. I admire your motivation and appreciate your decency. However, if you really take time to look at the situation you will come to the same tragic conclusion. They do not want peace. They want dead Jews. If you can show me any concrete evidence to prove otherwise I would be happy to see it, but I truly do not believe that evidence exists.
If you are anti-Semitic I have nothing to say to you. You live with hate in your heart and to make matters even worse, that hate is directed towards me and my family. You therefore are nothing to me other than disgusting and potentially dangerous.
To the Jews in these categories I say this. Please learn from the past. The Nazis set out to kill every last Jew. Not merely the Jew who opposed them, but even the Jew whose fear motivated them to work for them in concert in the hope that they would be spared. They were all targets. As we all are today. The naïve amongst you who believe in a peaceful solution, are making the mistake I so genuinely understand. You are applying rational thinking to irrational minds. These are people who are taught that the greatest honor they can achieve in life is through death. Not merely death, but death through murder and destruction. I am sure those of you who are applying your rational standards do not for one second relate to that way of thinking, but if you analyze it honestly and without personal prejudice you may see the sad truth.
To the self-hating Jew, the one who chooses to be extra vocal about criticism of Jews when they do things wrong but are only half as vocal, at best, when Jews are attacked and murdered, I say this. It is not just your fellow Jew you will bring suffering to, but to yourself as well. You are a pawn on a chessboard of evil, and those who play chess know that the pawns are the most expendable. My father, Rabbi Nardus Groen of Blessed Memory once wrote when referring back to his account of the Holocaust, “We may in the course of it meet people who, for whatever it’s worth,may be portrayed as heroes, while others are cowards, pacifists, or activists.They are all the products of mankind. For them, there will always be a place under the sun (with the exception of the traitor).” It is not my place to determine who are the cowards and pacifists and who are the traitors. God will know what is in your heart and I trust will judge you accordingly.
One may make the argument that every day a moderate turns radical Hamas has gained another victory. That may be true. But it is safer to be a realistic radical than a delusional moderate. Unfortunately I now believe those are the only two choices.
There’s a voice….by Hesh Meister
Apparently, according to some friends of mine, my voice is needed now.
What else can I add that has not already been expressed thousands of times?
Grief is beyond words. I cannot imagine the pain and loss that the families are going through. Or, perhaps I can imagine, having lost my brother at age 21 (albeit to Israel’s “other national curse”), and also because I am a father to two daughters and I worry about their health and safety constantly. But take that imagining and multiply it by millions. Those numbers boggle the mind.
Rage is abundant. I want the IDF and/or other security apparati to find the murderers, shoot them on sight without arrest or trial, and cremate the bodies. Neither they nor their families deserve the dignity. They deserve the Eichmann treatment. Or at the very least, the Bin Laden burial. I want to see the terrorist infrastructure – which at this point means any putatively “governing” Palestinian body – dismantled, destroyed, disintegrated, and deported. I want to see all the enablers of terror deported to Syria or Iraq – and those in the West to be struck down by all sorts of debilitating illnesses to ensure they will never open their mouths again. I want Israeli sovereignty to be proclaimed throughout all of Judea and Samaria and all residents who don’t declare and demonstrate unwavering allegiance to the State of Israel deported. I want to see Gaza retaken and Gush Katif reestablished. I want to see an Israel that does not bend over to Western overlords or cower at the sound of specious “world opinion.” Let Israel dictate the opinion the way it should have done and almost did in 1967 – not vice versa. Because then – AND ONLY THEN – will there be peace.
Frustration is intense. I want to see all these things happen and wish for them fervently – but feel powerless to do anything about it beyond posting here – which, in the scheme of things, does not mean a whole lot. I am no longer an IDF soldier and have no voice in Israeli politics. I am just a Jew and a human being currently in New York, trying to make a living and maybe pursue a few artistic endeavors. And even if I were in Israel, what else could I do but feel exactly the same?
http://www.reverbnation.com/theheshinc/song/99805-theres-a-voice
Holland’s Heroes would like to thank Hesh Meister for joining as a contributor. He will provide his own fresh and clear perspective within the mission of the site, which is to combat attacks against the Jewish people and Israel and to discredit those who try to claim the Holocaust never happened.
Why this Picture is Right
Of the over 17,500 hits I received from posting this picture, together with the article titled “A Beautiful Irony”, I have also received approximately 10 comments stating that this picture is indeed a fake one, with some claiming Lionel Messi is not pro-Israel or pro-Jewish at all. Let me address that. It is very clear to anyone who understands the timeline of the kidnappings and the current soccer schedule of Lionel Messi that this picture is a result of photo-shop. But the statements made in my article are accurate. Lionel Messi has indeed exhibited a pro-Israel and pro-Jewish sentiment and I will use his stance on the politics of the issue to make an important point. Not all people who show sympathy towards the Palestinians are anti-Israel. In fact, to show support for the development of the residents of the West Bank and Gaza while showing solidarity towards Israel makes the statement that the disadvantages that these people have are not the result of a mistreatment from the Israeli people and their government. If anything it makes the statement that it is not Israel’s fault at all, rather the result of corrupt leaders, terrorist regimes, and lack of concern and even worse, manipulation by their fellow Arabs in the region.
Most importantly, as a result of that last post, more people have seen the picture showing the 3 kidnapped Yeshiva students, with the slogan that we must make everyone hear or see till they are freed, “Bring Back Our Boys”. Not that I can speak for him, but from what I can tell, Lionel Messi has never shown anything other than behavior that would indicate that he would want the same. One of the reasons I loved seeing him score 2 more goals today against Nigeria.
Holland's Heroes 