tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208253542024-02-07T04:53:49.373+02:00Richard Weider from Edgware to ModiinRichard Weiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13807524851098003091noreply@blogger.comBlogger163125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20825354.post-88804587546373023932012-01-18T01:23:00.000+02:002012-01-18T01:23:19.894+02:00My worries about the British Government's worsening support for Israel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I am worried about what appears to be a weakening of support for Israel by the British Government. As the <a href="http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/61836/uk-set-talk-tough-israel-abbas-visits">JC reports</a> due to the visit of Palestinian Leader Mahmoud Abbas, the British Government seems to be increasingly critical of Israel and the building of homes in the West Bank, with the <a href="http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=254073">Deputy Prime Minister calling these buildings 'vandalism'</a>.<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;">Settlements are of course an issue in any peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians, but definitely </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;">not the crucial issue as previous </span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;">negotiations which the Palestinians have rejected has shown before. </span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;">I certainly </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;">hope the negotiations which restarted a couple of weeks ago are eventually able to succeed.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;">The British Government should remember even current Government in Israel led by Benjamin Netanyahu </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;">which was supported (and probably is still supported) by more than a majority of the population, froze </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;">settlement </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;">building for more than 10 months, but still the Palestinians refused to negotiate.. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;">The Israeli Government is only continuing the established policy of the past 40 years where the settlements (or </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;">as I prefer to call them towns where ordinary people live) need to have further development as any town </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;">across the world requires.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;">This majority supported position in Israel a democratic decision (isn't that what the world is calling for across </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;">the </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;">Middle East) continues to support people living in and building their homes in existing towns, until the </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;">Palestinians agree to stop trying to kill Jewish people and recognise our State as the Jewish homeland. When </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;">that is achieved than peace will be possible. So the British Government should stop condemning house </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;">building and pressure the Palestinians to recognise that Israel is a Jewish State which they should accept and </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14px;">negotiate with. </span></div>Richard Weiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13807524851098003091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20825354.post-57320905470246302572011-11-02T12:52:00.000+02:002011-11-02T12:52:19.072+02:00Benjamin Netanyahu begins his election campaign<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">After more than two years attempting to be an internationalist Prime Minister and attempting to negotiate with the Palestinian Leadership Benjamin Netanyahu has clearly released that there is no hope of achieving peace with the existing Palestinian leadership and has instead decided to embark on ensuring he wins the next election.<br />
<br />
After basking in high popularity following the release of Gilad Shalit the Government appears to be again attempting to appeal to it's right wing supporters. The election results of the past decade have shown that the centre-right are the dominant force in Israel and with Israeli elections only about 1 year away. The Prime Minister has quite rightly therefore come to the conclusion that now is the time for him to again show that he will protect the security of Israel by starting to finalise plans to defend Israel against Iran by <a href="http://www.jpost.com/IranianThreat/News/Article.aspx?id=243954">attacking Iran's nuclear bomb reactors</a>.<br />
<br />
Equally importantly after realising that there is no hope of peace negotiations succeeding, as the Palestinians have continued its international battle again Israel, and so again supported <a href="http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=244014">Jewish growth in all of Jerusalem and the West Bank territory of Israel</a>.<br />
<br />
These two moves clearly show that Benjamin Netanyahu is preparing to win another term as Prime Minister with a stronger Likud Party by beating Avigdor Lieberman and Israel Beiteinu as the largest right wing part. Therefore expect to see more policies to support and protect Israel over the next months </div>Richard Weiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13807524851098003091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20825354.post-65869770202193300492011-10-29T22:40:00.000+02:002011-10-29T22:40:53.122+02:00Why are the Palestinians again firing rockets at Israel?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I have just posted an excellent article about how the release of Gilad Shalit has brought about a rediscovered goodness in Israel showing that most Israeli's are united together for a successful and peaceful future led by Jewish thought - even for the less religious.<br />
<br />
However, while Israel has been relieved at a peaceful outcome and the return of one it's young soldiers kidnapped for over five years, the Palestinian's have been declaring victory and celebrating the return from open prisons of their mass murdering terrorists. <br />
<br />
While it is sad enough that the Palestinian's are celebrating the freedom of mass terrorists, it is even more frightening that they are again <a href="http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=243626">firing rockets into Israel</a>. These rockets which have caused injuries and mental illness in addition to death's must be stopped. Let us hope now that international community have got their victory in Libya can turn their attention to stopping the Palestinian terrorists and tell them that if they want a successful future the only way to succeed is through peace negotiations. For now though I think sadly we will be seeing an upsurge in terrorism.<br />
</div>Richard Weiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13807524851098003091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20825354.post-63262977148889774742011-10-29T22:25:00.000+02:002011-10-29T22:25:23.352+02:00Gilad Shalit and Benjamin Netenyahu help Israel to rediscover its Goodness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Daniel Gordis is my favourite writer when I try to understand what is going on in Israel, and he again has written an excellent piece in the <a href="http://www.jpost.com/Magazine/Opinion/Article.aspx?id=243419&prmusr=y6MNb13JJuCMeuGkX0PeCTM8%2fQxIWAUpWH57JbzXOifhIao7SS8aAW81Z8%2bf8acD">Jerusalem Post which can be found here</a> but to make it easier I have reproduced in full.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: 12px;"></span><br />
<h1 style="clear: both; color: #3c6b8c; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_ArticleControl1_lblArticleTitle">Guest columnist: A rediscovered abundance of goodness</span></h1><div class="jp-writer" style="color: grey; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_ArticleControl1_lblDateAndHour">10/28/2011 21:13</span> <span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_ArticleControl1_lblAuthor"><span class=""><a href="http://www.jpost.com/Authors/AuthorPage.aspx?id=75" style="color: grey; font-size: 11px; outline-color: initial !important; outline-style: none !important; outline-width: initial !important; text-decoration: none;">By DANIEL GORDIS</a></span></span></div><h3 style="color: black; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_ArticleControl1_lblArticleTeaser">A letter to the Prime Minister regarding Schalit's release.</span></h3><div class="mainimage" id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_ArticleControl1_art_pic" style="font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px;"><img alt="Celebration after Schalit's release" id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_ArticleControl1_headerImage" src="http://www.jpost.com/HttpHandlers/ShowImage.ashx?ID=176996" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 187px; margin-bottom: 2px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: 311px;" title="Celebration after Schalit's release" /><br />
<span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_ArticleControl1_imgTitle">Photo by: REUTERS</span></div><span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_ArticleControl1_lblArticleBody">Mr. Prime Minister, Before the Schalit deal fades entirely from view, many of us are hoping that you have noticed what you unwittingly unleashed. I don’t mean the next wave of terror or the terrible decisions that Israel must make before the next kidnapping. We knew about those even before last week. But last Tuesday, all of us – those opposed as well as those in favor (and there were persuasive arguments on both sides) – rediscovered something magnificent about this country.<br />
<br />
It would be tragic if we returned to business as usual without pausing to take note.<br />
<br />
In addition to Gilad Schalit, we received one more thing that few of us could have expected; we got a reminder of the abundant goodness that still resides at the very core of this society. It could be seen everywhere.<br />
<br />
Compare the speeches on our side, celebrating life and freedom, to the bloodthirsty Palestinian harangues calling for renewed terror and additional kidnappings.<br />
<br />
Compare the respectful restraint of our press to newscaster Shahira Amin’s immoral and abusive interview in Egypt. But more than anything, we saw this reservoir of goodness in the streets – in the people so moved that they could hide neither the tears in their eyes nor the lumps in their throats. We saw it in the throngs in the streets, people who wanted Schalit to know that they, too, celebrated his long overdue freedom. And we saw it in the hundreds of people in his hometown of Mitzpe Hila who continued dancing long after he’d entered his house and closed the door.<br />
<br />
We all felt it. It was innocent, pure and thoroughly decent. We were witness that day to an entire country believing in something again. Those young people outside the Schalit home were singing not only about Schalit, but about this land, this people and about a future in which they still believe. Did you see them? Women and men, religious and secular dancing with abandon in celebration of freedom? Did you hear them singing <span style="font-style: italic;">“Anahnu Ma’aminim Bnei Ma’aminim…”</span> “We are believers, the children of believers, and we have no one on whom to depend other than our Father in heaven”? You didn’t miss it, did you? Hundreds of people from all walks of Israeli life, proclaiming without hesitation their belief in something bigger than themselves? The reason that the prisoner trade was so wildly popular, Mr. Prime Minister, wasn’t ultimately about Gilad Schalit. It was about Israel. About a country desperate to transcend the cynicism, that still wants to believe that it’s worth believing. Shouldn’t we – and you – therefore ask ourselves what can we do next to justify people’s belief in this place? What will it take to make this a country that its citizens can love even when we’re not freeing a captive?<br />
<br />
How about if we start by eradicating evil? Take but one example and deal with it.<br />
<div style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; float: right; font-size: 12px; height: 250px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 300px;"><span id="Zedo-Ad=1044417_1076_49_300_250;Domain=.zedo.com"></span><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,0,0" height="250" width="300"><embed src="http://d3.zedo.com/OzoDB/v/5/1044417/V1/300x250_hagsameach.swf?clickTAG=http://yads.zedo.com/ads2/c?a=1044417;x=2304;g=10;c=794001076,794001076;i=0;n=794;1=8;2=24;tg=1319899828;s=49;g=10;m=4095;w=7;i=0;u=XZAoTXguESYDK2cdj4ZyXpwV~010811;s%3D49%3Bu%3DXZAoTXguESYDK2cdj4ZyXpwV%7E010811%3Bz%3D0.23702034913003445;k=http://adclick.g.doubleclick.net/aclk%253Fsa%253DL%2526ai%253DBZiOY8V-sTvC0MobJkAXT_szDC_zV2foCAAAAEAEgADgAWOSRu-c1YKXAo4CkAYIBF2NhLXB1Yi00NjIzMzI4ODc2MTU3NDY2sgENd3d3Lmpwb3N0LmNvbboBCWdmcF9pbWFnZcgBCdoBiAFodHRwOi8vd3d3Lmpwb3N0LmNvbS9NYWdhemluZS9PcGluaW9uL0FydGljbGUuYXNweD9pZD0yNDM0MTkmcHJtdXNyPXk2TU5iMTNKSnVDTWV1R2tYMFBlQ1RNOCUyRlF4SVdBVXBXSDU3SmJ6WE9pZmhJYW83U1M4YUFXODFaOCUyQmY4YWNEmAKYdcACAuACAOoCGzY5NDMvMzAweDI1MF9ST1MvMzAweDI1MF9IUPgC8NEekAPkCpgDyAaoAwHgBAGgBhY%2526num%253D0%2526sig%253DAOD64_0HKvBLQDsOFdBvr_yYU7HvIMCCrQ%2526client%253Dca-pub-4623328876157466%2526adurl%253Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.afmda.org%2Fafmdapublic%2Findex.aspx" quality="high" allowscriptaccess="always" width="300" height="250" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></object></div>There’s a small but vicious group of kids living over the Green Line who bring inestimable shame on the Jewish people. They burn mosques, tear down olive trees and sow fear everywhere – all with the implicit support of their rabbis. And they make many young Israelis deeply ashamed of this entire enterprise. Last week you showed us that you know how to take decisive action. So do it again. Rein them in. Arrest them. Cut off funding to their yeshivot. If you show this generation of Israelis that your government stands for goodness even when that means making tough domestic decisions, you’ll unleash a wave of Zionist passion like we haven’t felt here for a generation. It wouldn’t be any harder to do than what you just did, and it would do even more good for Israel than getting one soldier back.<br />
<br />
And beyond goodness, there’s also Jewishness. No, we shouldn’t make too much of that<span style="font-style: italic;">“Anahnu Ma’aminim Bnei Ma’aminim”</span> song, but admit – it’s not what you expect to see lots of secular people singing. Yet they did. Because this is a strange and wondrous country; not so deep down, even “non-religious” people aren’t “non-religious.” Just like their observant counterparts, they’re searching, struggling, yearning – and at moments like that, they know that the well from which they hope to draw their nourishment is a Jewish well.<br />
<br />
That’s why it was wonderful that you quoted from Isaiah in your speech. It was your suggestion, I hope, that at its core, this society must be decent, but it must also be Jewish. You know what the main problem with the summer’s social justice protests was? It wasn’t the naïve embrace of high school socialism or the utter incoherence of the demands. It was the fact that there was simply nothing Jewish about their vision for Israel. Daphni Leef and her comrades could have given the same vacuous speeches at Occupy Wall Street. Or in Sweden, for that matter. Those inane speeches were testimony to the failure of our educational system and of Israel’s religious leadership. The Yoram Kaniuk affair and the court’s willingness to let him declare himself “without religion” is a reflection not on him, but on the appallingly uninteresting variety of Judaism that the state has come to represent. Can you – or anyone else – name even one single powerful idea that’s come from any of Israel’s chief rabbis in the past decade or two? Me neither.<br />
<br />
But lo and behold, it turns out that Israel’s young people still want to believe in something. We haven’t given them the tools to articulate it, but they still intuit that whatever we become, it’s got to be Jewish. So ride that wave, too, Mr. Prime Minister. What would it take to shape a country where the profundity at the core of Jewish tradition became once again the subject of discourse in our public square? Does Judaism in the 21st century suddenly have to become dull and backward, or can we restore the intellectual and moral excellence that once characterized it? Can you take this on, too? Appoint the right people? Build the right schools? Can you help make this a country that encourages those young people now searching for Jewish moral moorings? For or against the swap, hardly a single one of us is not thrilled that Gilad Schalit is home. He deserved his life back. But so, too, does this country. Schalit, hopefully, will now get better and stronger with each passing day. Israel must do the same. It needs to get better – we need to be honest about the evils lurking in our midst and we must exorcise them. And we must become stronger, which we can do only by engaging with the roots that brought us back home in the first place.<br />
<br />
Can you do this? Many of us hope so. Because if this fails, it will in the long run have made no difference that Gilad Schalit came home. But if it succeeds, we might just come to see his liberation as the turning point in our collective return to believing in ourselves.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">The writer is president of the Shalem Foundation and senior fellow at the Shalem Center in Jerusalem. His latest book, Saving Israel: How the Jewish People Can Win a War that May Never End (Wiley), won the 2009 National Jewish Book Award. He is now writing a book on the defense of Israel and the nation-state, and blogs at </span><a href="http://danielgordis.org/" style="font-style: italic; outline-color: initial !important; outline-style: none !important; outline-width: initial !important; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://danielgordis.org</a></span></div>Richard Weiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13807524851098003091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20825354.post-38465743841638837712011-08-17T10:27:00.000+03:002011-08-17T10:27:04.416+03:00September’s United Nations vote on a Palestinian State How can Israel win?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="http://img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" /> <style>
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</style> <![endif]--> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I remember coming home from school one afternoon almost twenty years ago and watching the signing of the peace agreement outside of the White House by Yitzchak Rabin and Yasser Arafat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also recall how continually through the 1990s despite the continued terrorist attacks, negotiations continued with the hope of achieving peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then even in the past decade with the intifada, and the Lebanese and Gaza wars, the international community together with the Israeli public hoped, even if not believing that a peace agreement could be achieved. Where the Arab world would recognise Israel as the Jewish State, which through direct negotiations would also see a new Palestinian State coming into being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">However, for the past couple of years Israeli’s have come to realise that the peace process with the Palestinian people is over, as Mahmoud Abbas has refused to negotiate a peace deal with Israel, and instead has set it’s sights on a unilateral declaration of a Palestinian State.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The end of the peace negotiations is only now coming to the forefront of international attention, in what could again spark a huge rise in anti-Israel hatred and anti-Semitic attacks throughout the diaspora.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">This is because in September – just one month’s time – the United Nations General Assembly will debate the proposal by the Palestinian Authority for unilateral statehood and full United Nations membership for the Palestinians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This initiative goes against all previous agreements over the past twenty years which have called for peace to be achieved through direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Israeli’s in the past two years have come to the realisation that a peace treaty with the Palestinians is not conceivable in the near future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, under the premiership of Benjamin Netanyahu, Israelis (and Palestinians) have enjoyed living in relative peace and security, while also benefiting from a period of strong economic growth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite the recent protests over the cost of living in Israel, Israeli’s seem to be broadly happy with the current Government’s philosophy and are benefitting from Benjamin Netanyahu’s maintenance of the status quo, while not chasing grand gestures being called for the opposition leader and international leaders. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">So the United Nations General Assembly which opens on 13 September, and will begin hearing on 20 September from world leaders, could be a dramatic moment in changing the status quo in Israel and have dramatic affects both for Israel and its supporters around the world. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">As in any democracy Israeli’s have differing views about whether the United Nations supporting the creation of a Palestinian State would be good for Israel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, while opinion polls suggest that a majority of Israeli’s would support a Palestinian State achieved through a negotiated peace deal with Israel, there is also a majority of the opinion that a United Nations mandated Palestinian State based on the pre 6 day war 1967 lines, would be just another in a long list of biased anti-Israel vote by the United Nations in favor of the Palestinians.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">There are many questions over what will happen if as appears likely the United Nations General Assembly votes to accept a Palestinian State.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Given that Israel is unlikely to recognise a Palestinian State based on the pre 6 day war 1967 lines as the Palestinians are demanding, what will the Palestinians do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a strong likelihood that there could be increased protests led by the Palestinian leadership and even an attempt to stop a new intifada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully, though with the steps that Israeli Government’s have taken since the last intifada the IDF will be able to stop these protests impacting on the general public.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Therefore, as has occurred during the conflicts over the past decade the main threat to Israel will not come from physical attack but by international protests and condemnation from the media, public and international governments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While this will been seen as criticism of Israel, Israeli’s are used to this and will not take it too personally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather Jewish communities are likely to be much worse affected with a rise in anti-Israel hatred and anti-Semitic attacks, as occurs whenever Israel comes under attack.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">As Jewish communities around the world come under attack, they will be looking for ways to defend Israel but will also be looking to the Israeli Government to help provide arguments and publicity to defend its cause.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already had a busy summer persuading Governments that they should not support a unilateral declaration of a Palestinian State.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Israeli Government are keen to make clear that they support a Palestinian State that is achieved through a peace settlement with Israel and that if the Palestinian’s step back from the brink that this is possible.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">However, with just a few weeks until the United Nations General Assembly, I see almost no campaigning by Israel and Jewish Communities to defend Israel’s position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a vote which could have a hugely negative impact on the Jewish Community around the world, similar in comparison to the Zionism equals Racism vote of the 1970s and yet there are no pro-active campaigns to defend Israel’s position and to explain why a United Nations vote to accept a Palestinian State would be harmful.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Yes, the Israeli Government is working with international Governments to persuade them not to support the vote, and some Jewish communities are lobbying their Governments to adopt this position, but a lot more needs to be done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">What are communities doing to persuade their domestic newspapers and news shows to report Israel’s position in a favorable light?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">What facebook, YouTube and twitter campaigns are Israel and communities setting up to promote Israel’s cause? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">What are groups and individuals doing to explain to their friends and colleagues about Israel’s position?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">After every crises there is a clear view that pro-active campaigns to defend Israel, and waiting for the action to occur before trying to play catch-up to defend Israel against criticism is too little too late.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So ahead of this latest United Nations vote let’s find a way to help Israel come out of it in a positive way.</span></div></div>Richard Weiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13807524851098003091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20825354.post-19176431002175191552011-05-31T08:38:00.000+03:002011-05-31T08:38:30.802+03:00Canada - A true friend of Israel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">While <a href="http://richardfweider.blogspot.com/2011/05/obama-finally-wrecks-peace-process.html">President Obama of America wants Israel to return to its 1967 borders and most European leaders want to recognise Palestine as a State this coming September</a>, Israel does have at least one good friend in Canada.</span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="line-height: 17px;" /></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">At last weekend's G8 meeting of the leading countries in the world, most of the leaders led by Barack Obama wanted to call for negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian's based on the pre 6 day war 1967 lines. However, <a href="http://www.cicweb.ca/scene/2011/05/canadas-principled-stand-at-the-g8-summit/">Stephen Harper the Canadian Prime Minister allegedly refused to allow their decision to include reference to the 1967 lines</a>, as he understood that these lines are indefensible for Israel and not workable.</span></div><div style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="line-height: 17px;" /></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Many leaders in the world say they are a friend of Israel but at the moment only the Canadian Prime Minister is the one that continually stands up for Israel in these difficult times. Mr Harper has previously said<br style="line-height: 17px;" /><div style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br style="line-height: 18px;" /></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> "When Israel, the only country in the world whose very existence is under attack, is consistently and conspicuously singled out for condemnation, I believe we are morally obligated to take a stand."</span></div></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br style="line-height: 18px;" /></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">So to Mr Harper and Canda, I say thank you for being a true friend of Israel.</span></span></div></div>Richard Weiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13807524851098003091noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20825354.post-79032826650726786862011-05-30T09:50:00.000+03:002011-05-30T09:50:05.942+03:00Obama finally wrecks the peace process<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">When President Obama stood started making his speech on the Middle East just over a week ago I am sure he believed that he was helping to advance the chances of peace between Israel and the Jewish world. Indeed <a href="http://www.jpost.com/Features/FrontLines/Article.aspx?id=222437">Herb Keinon in the Jerusalem Post</a> this weekend wrote an excellent piece what President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu were trying to achieve in their respective speeches in America this past week.<br />
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President Obama, who has already achieve the <a href="http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2009/press.html">Nobel Peace Prize</a>, was undoubtedly trying to move the peace-process forward, sadly he just doesn't get the situation. <br />
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As has been seen rather than moving the peace process forward, President Obama's speech seems to have ended once and for all any chance of an agreed peace negotiation between Israel and the Palestinians. Despite Prime Minister Netanyahu saying he wants to make peace, there is no chance of a peace agreement with a Palestinian Government that includes Hamas and does not recognise Israel as the Jewish State.<br />
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While, this weekend the <a href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4075066,00.html">Arab League</a> have confirmed that they will request the UN recognise a Palestinian State in September.<br />
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So in September it is looking increasingly likely that the world will vote for a new Palestinian State. Hopefully, if this occurs, there will then be a chance to negotiate a peace agreement between two states with mutually agreed borders.<br />
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However, sadly we all know that in 1947, the last time the UN voted to establish a Palestinian State alongside the future Israel, the Arab nations decided the Palestinian State was not enough for them and decided to attack Israel, sadly I fear the same could happen again.</div>Richard Weiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13807524851098003091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20825354.post-49129838376893887192011-05-23T11:15:00.000+03:002011-05-23T11:15:00.253+03:00Conservative MPs insist Hamas must respect the State of Israel's right to exist, and accept Quartet Principles<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">As well as usual supporters of Israel with the Conservative Party such as Matthew Offord MP for Hendon, Mike Freer MP for Golders Green and Lee Scott MP for Ilford, I was pleased to see that the Conservative Party in the British Parliament continues to have many supporters, as reported at <a href="http://conservativehome.blogs.com/parliament/2011/05/conservative-mps-emphasise-that-hamas-must-respect-the-state-of-israels-right-to-exist-and-accept-th.html">ConsevativeHome</a>.</div>Richard Weiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13807524851098003091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20825354.post-43077229444851061392011-05-23T08:03:00.000+03:002011-05-23T08:03:00.412+03:00Poor President Obama, no one in the Middle East listens to him any more<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">P<a href="http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=221726">resident Obama yesterday spoke</a> at the annual conference of the American Israel Political Action Committee (<a href="http://www.aipac.org/">AIPAC</a>) and attempted to explain his speech of last Thursday. In l<a href="http://richardfweider.blogspot.com/2011/05/president-obama-is-wrong-about-israel.html">ast week's speech President Obama </a>had made clear that he had accepted the Palestinian position that any peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians should be based on the 1967 pre-6 day war border between Israel and Jordan. Yesterday Obama explained that this was because wanted a peace deal and this policy would be required to get the Palestinians to agree to peace.<div><br />
</div><div>However, Prime Minister Nentanyahu made clear last week that Israel has no intention of agreeing to peace based on 1967 borders. This agreement would be unachievable and would result in an and indefensible Israel. We can now clearly see that while Prime Minister Netanyahu will continue to work with President Obama to ensure a stable Middle East and to continue to pressure Iran to stop its nuclear programme, he has no intention of intensively striving for peace in what is now an unstable region.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Obama has also called for the Palestinian's to completely reject a negotiated peace deal with Israel. The Palestinian's also are rejecting Obama's plea in this respect by forming a united government which includes the terrorist group Hamas, who continue not to recognise Israel. Abbas also reacted to the speech this weekend by rejecting the plea by Obama not to declare a Palestinian State unilaterally, by saying that he still intends to request that the UN in September recognise the Palestinian State.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Obama's plan for peace therefore seems to be going nowhere and after 20 years of failed peace negotiations based on a negotiated two state solution, it is clear that some new ideas are required. Hopefully Netanyahu will deliver these this week.</div></div>Richard Weiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13807524851098003091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20825354.post-73745498614029360362011-05-20T17:48:00.000+03:002011-05-20T17:48:49.444+03:00President Obama is wrong about Israel - we need a new solution<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Two year's after <a href="http://richardfweider.blogspot.com/2009/06/obama-calls-for-peace-in-middle-east.html">President Obama's last big speech on the Middle East</a> we again heard from the President of the USA about his vision for the region. During the speech while calling for the Palestinian's to recognise Israel - something Hamas still refuse to do - President Obama again said that Israel should give up all of the territories it occupied during the 6-day war of 1967. <br />
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I could understand President Obama having this idea, two years ago, when he believed he would be able to achieve a peace-treaty between Israel and the Palestinians. However, we are now two years on from this, during which time the Palestinian Leadership have refused accept Israel as a Jewish State and to even negotiate a peace deal with Israel. The Palestinians have also now formed a Government including Hamas the rulers of Gaza who continue to attack Israel with bombs and missiles, while they continue to call for the destruction of Israel. There therefore appears to be no hope of the Palestinian's agreeing to peace with Israel in the near future.<br />
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I was therefore hoping for the President to set out a new sensible solution for how Israel and the Arab world can live in peace side-by-side. This week where we saw Arab citizens from Syria, Lebanon and Gaza try to invade Israel to protest against the establishment and existence of Israel, it is clear that the Arab world is not interested in Israel just leaving the occupied territories we gained in the past battles but in destroying Israel completely. Therefore solutions need to be found so that Israel and the Arab world can live in peace side-by-side.<br />
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Following President Obama's speech yesterday, it is important that in the next few days Prime Minister Netanyahu in his meeting today with the President and his speeches next week in America, sets out a new agenda for how Israel will continue to be a peaceful and strong country here in the Middle East.<br />
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</div>Richard Weiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13807524851098003091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20825354.post-26433914507283819202011-05-07T22:25:00.000+03:002011-05-07T22:25:09.120+03:00The world can not support a Palestinian leadership encouraging terrorism and condemning the assassination of Osama Bin Ladin<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">This week's agreement between Fatah and Hamas to share the Palestinian leadership has once again shown that they prefer Arab dominance in the Middle East over peace with Israel. Not only is the Palestinian leadership rejecting peace negotiations with Israel and denying the right of Israel to exist as a Jewish State, but the Hamas leadership which continues to support war against Israel, also condemned the assassination of Osama Bin Ladin.<br />
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Therefore at a time when the West needs to continue to be aware of Arab and Islamic fundamentalism, and to support pro-democracy protests in the Arab world, it also needs to continue to support Israel as a bastion of democracy in the real world.<br />
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As we in Israel get ready to celebrate the State of Israel's 63rd birthday, and the Palestinian leadership's attempt to get the United Nations to support a Palestinian State, it is time for the world to show they support Israel a country that wants to live in peace. The world therefore needs to show that they do not support any kind of terrorist activity and say that they will they not support a Palestinian State with out a true peace deal with Israel. The world must also say that they will not deal with the Palestinian leadership while its includes Hamas, while it is embarked on a war with Israel, which it still does not exist.<br />
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Thankfully it appears the United States will continue to support Israel and not deal with the Palestinian leadership that includes terrorists such as Hamas. I hope Britain and the European Union can follow this lead.</div>Richard Weiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13807524851098003091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20825354.post-82599660116578119382011-03-05T21:14:00.000+02:002011-03-05T21:14:28.486+02:00British Prime Minister David Cameron begins to support Israel - Thank you<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">This week David Cameron, the British Prime Minister, as reported in the <a href="http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=210768">Jerusalem Post</a>, gave his most supportive of speech of Israel that I have heard him make as Prime Minister. Given that he has previously harshly criticised Israel for its defensive actions to defend us. I was pleased to see that he now acknowledges that Israel has a right to defend its citizens against rocket attacks from Gaza and also to search boats trying to enter Gaza, actions he has previously criticised.<br />
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I welcome this change and thank him for his increased support for Israel. This may because the UK now has an Ambassador in Israel, Matthew Gould, who better understands Israel. It maybe because that he is seen with the recent uprisings in the Middle East, that Israel the only real democracy in the Middle East should be Britain's most important friend in the region. Or it may be because of the growth in power of neo-cons in the British Government. <br />
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If his support is for any of these reasons, than I am thankful and hope that Israel again has a true friend in Britain and its Prime Minister.<br />
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The USA correctly understood that as a friend of Israel that wants to achieve peace it can not put all blame for the lack of a peace agreement on one party, while letting the Palestinian's to continue to get away with refusing to accept as a Jewish State that has a right to exist. The only way to get any peace agreement is to work with the Governments and people of both Israel and the Palestinian Authority in order to achieve a negotiated peace.<br />
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And yet Britain, which continues to claim to be a friend of Israel, voted to support this Palestinian people. This not only could put any peace agreement at risk but showed how little Britain and the world cares about Israel. This is because at a time when the Arab world is in turmoil, the world and Britain continues to criticise Israel a democratic country trying to live in peace, while the UN ignores the Governments of Libya and Bahrain massacring its own people. </div>Richard Weiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13807524851098003091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20825354.post-35067679839191617912011-02-09T11:41:00.000+02:002011-02-09T11:41:38.712+02:00Egypt - What do we want for it's future?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">It has been reported in the <a href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4025922,00.html">Israeli press</a> this morning that British Foreign Secretary <a href="http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/who-we-are/our-ministers/william-hague">William Hague</a> has warned Israel's Prime Minister <a href="http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Facts+About+Israel/State/Benjamin+Netanyahu.htm">Benjamin Netanyahu</a> to tone down his language about his worries about the current protests in Egypt.<br />
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William Hague is right to be concerned about trying to ensure stability in the Middle East and for peace to continue or be achieved between Israel and it's Arab neighbours. I do feel though that Hague has been again leant on by his Foreign Office advisers and not fully understood the concerns that Israel has as we watch the continued protests in Egypt.<br />
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As the only fully democratic country in the Middle East we in Israel should of course want to see greater democracy in our neighbouring countries, so that the will of the people can be fully achieved. However, sadly in Arab countries this does not often seem to be the case. Just as <a href="http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Editorials/Article.aspx?id=207252">David Cameron warned that Britain should not give into radical Islam</a> which has been on the rise, we in Israel are concerned about radical Islam next door to us on our borders.<br />
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That is why Israelis and our Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are concerned about seeing the current regime in Egypt be overthrown. This is because for the past 30 years Egypt has been one of the few countries that has been at peace with us. We therefore want to see fair elections occur in Egypt but we do not want a revolution with the Muslim Brotherhood taking over like in Iran 30 years ago where following the revolution led to a radical Islamic Government that now wants to destroy Israel. <br />
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</div>Richard Weiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13807524851098003091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20825354.post-28797539283473952502011-01-02T14:47:00.000+02:002011-01-02T14:47:09.483+02:00New Israel Transport website launchedI am pleased to announce the launch of the new <a href="http://www.israeltransport.blogspot.com/">Israel Transport website</a><br />
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The website is a one-stop-shop for information, news and comment on transport in Israel. Produced by Richard Weider a former employee of the British Department for Transport and a specialist on improving bus services and road pricing policy.Richard Weiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13807524851098003091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20825354.post-15868868635661438472010-10-26T11:14:00.000+02:002010-10-26T11:14:56.396+02:00What's going on?Having a a young baby has made it harder to blog as I haven't had time to write or to compose my thoughts over the past couple of months. Over the past two months I could have written about the great hope of the negotiations restarting but I am glad I didn't because it was always obvious that they would not lead anywhere. That was the case when the Americans were putting huge pressure on Israel and the Palestinians to restart negotiations, and yet there are no huge benefits to negotiating where there are no clear solutions.<br />
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In the Jerusalem Post two weeks ago the new British Ambassador to Israel said that it was a great job to have because in international diplomacy, the Israeli-Palestinian issue is the most important issue to solve.<br />
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However, for Israel what has 18 years of negotiation achieved. When peace was closest in the 1990's and then 10 years ago at Camp David,the result was continuous suicide bombs killing hundreds of Israelis. Living on Emek Refaim in Jerusalem, I am continuously reminded of this when I walk past the memorial signs on cafe's that were blown up during these terrible times. <br />
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However, now when we are living in relative tranquility (albeit with the threat of rockets from Hamas in Gaza and a nuclear bomb from Iran) what would be helped by having proper negotiations. At the same time the Palestinian's are benefitting from huge economic growth in the West Bank (and so probably the best standard of living the region as ever had).<br />
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That is why neither Israel or the Palestinians are shouting for peace negotiations to carry on. As Israeli's we don't want the threat of a return to the intifada where it was not safe to go outside, with the potential of having the West Bank turn into a terrorist state as in Gaza. While the Palestinian's don't want to have to give up anything to Israel. They don't want to have to give up any land in the West Bank to Israel and they certainly don't want to have to accept (for all-time) Israel as a Jewish state and the Jewish homeland.Richard Weiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13807524851098003091noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20825354.post-26527936002886456142010-08-04T13:43:00.003+03:002010-08-04T14:03:10.673+03:00David Cameron v Shimon PeresThis has been an interesting couple of weeks being a British and Israeli citizen, with the British Prime Minister David Cameron firstly commenting in Turkey that Israel had to stop making Gaza a ghetto. Shimon Peres Israel's President hit back in an interview last week that the Britain's leadership is again anti-semitic.<br /><br />I have been warning for the last couple of years that it has been increasingly difficult to be a supporter of Israel in Britain, with the dominant view being that Israel is punnishing the Palestinians, while the opposite is often the case. So this spat is no surprise to me.<br /><br />Since coming to power Benjamin Netenyahu the Israeli Prime Minister has continually tried to make it possible to have peace talks with the Palestinians but their leader Abbas continually comes up with new reasons to say he wont talk. He has even started saying that before making any decision he has to get the support of the Arab world. (So maybe it is time for Israel to negotiate peace with the whole Arab world rather than just the Palestinians. This may also show that Israel is the small country defending itself against the big Arab world that for the past 60 odd years has in the most part even refused to accept Israel as a country.)<br /><br />Israel has even had to again come under military attack from rockets from Egypt on Monday (in addition to the constant - if reduced rocket levels from Gaza) and yesterday from Lebanon. So this shows that Israel is still in a war with its Arab neighbours when we have to continue to defend ourselves.<br /><br />This may not suit the British foreign view that needs Middle Eastern business and oil, and as Shimon Peres highlighted virtually always has backed the Middle Eastern Arab's over Israel. However, I thought David Cameron was different. I thought he understood that democratic countries have to defend themselves against terrorists, this includes Hamas which is continually calling for Israel's destruction. That is why Israel needs to protect itself by controlling what goes into Gaza.<br /><br />David Cameron always likes to say he is a friend of Israel. So my message is that David - when you become Prime Minister you have to make clearer decisions - so you can't just be a friend in good times but also when we need your help. If you do this, life for everyone in Israel and the Jewish people of Britain will then again become easier.Richard Weiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13807524851098003091noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20825354.post-56761612472483711152010-06-07T09:23:00.002+03:002010-06-07T09:50:56.479+03:00I feel disgustedLast week's incident involving the flotila of boats trying to break into Gaza is continuing to dominate the news in Israel and around the world, and I really am shocked and disgusted at how the outside world appears to be viewing these actions. Israel is a very vibrant democracy and as a people we have many different views on most issues but the support for the army's actions has been virtually unanimous and shocked at how the world has viewed these actions.<br /><br />I can understand the general view of the majority activists and citizens around the world who I genuninely want to help the people of Gaza but sadly are not aware of the full picture. Are they aware though that the reason Israel and Egypt have the blockade of Gaza in place is because Hamas undemocratically overthrew the Palestinian Authority that was previously ruling in Gaza after Israel withdrew from the territory in 2005.<br /><br />Israel has continuously been told that the Palestinians will agree to peace with Israel if we withdraw from their territory, but are you aware that since 2005, Hamas and their supporters have been constantly firing thousands of rockets into Israeli towns to try and kill as many Israelis as possible. There have been more rockets again this week. This is another reason why Israel is not letting in material to Gaza that Hamas can be used to make rockets.<br /><br />The third reason that Israel is maintaining its blockade is because for over three years Hamas has been holding captive the Israel solider Gilad Shalit, who they kidnapped from Israeli territory. Since then no one has been allowed to meet with Gilad Shalit, not even the Red Cross. <br /><br />So I can understand that if you do not know about these issues you would want to let aid into Gaza. Something which Israel is constantly doing by sending food and aid into Gaza, so the people are not starving.<br /><br />Sadly though there were at least 50 people on one of the boats that were not interested in peaceful measures but wanted to attack Israel. On their journey they even recorded measures saying they wanted to die as martyrs in a fight with Israel, and told Israeli soldiers to go back to Aushwitz. These terrorist supporters were only interested in killing as many Israelis as possible which they tried to do. <br /><br />The Israeli soldiers therefore had to defend themselves and that is why the world seems to be so critical. This is because unlike in previous centuries where Jews who were attacked were unable to defend themselves. The Jewish State of Israel now has an army that knows how to defend itself and that is what the world does not like. <br /><br />That is why there is all this critism of Israel for defending itself, while there was no critisms of actions in Thiland, Chechnya, Sudan, the Congo and yes even by European troops in Afganistan. That is why I am disgusted because the world does not care about armies defending their citizens unless it is Israel, and I really don't know why that is.Richard Weiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13807524851098003091noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20825354.post-27159956781917771092010-06-01T11:09:00.003+03:002010-06-01T11:56:47.815+03:00Israel's response to the Gaza ShipsYesterday was a difficult day for all Israelis and those that care about Israel, as we all want to live in peace. Sadly though sometime when Israel's safety is put at risk, it has to take actions which are not always easy, especially when its citizens and soldiers are attacked.<br /><br />As whenever Israel is forced to defend itself it comes under huge international pressure and so we have to clearly state our argument about why Israel's actions were correct, below is my attempt at this.<br /><br /><ul><li>Yesterday was a tragic day which must be fully investigated and we must learn lessons for the future.</li><li>The events occured when activists were attempting to illegally enter Israeli borders on the way to Gaza.</li><li>Gaza is ruled by Hamas a terror organisation which calls for Israeli destroyed through violence and is illegally holding an Israeli citizen captive.</li><li>Israel does not have peaceful neighbours but neighbours which want its destruction and so needs to take actions to defend itself and Israel's citizens.</li><li>Israel has the right to ensure to check what passes its border into Gaza, as Egypt does. And Israel does allow humanitarian goods into Gaza.</li><li>The activists on the boat were told they could come to Israel and have their goods inspected before having humanitarian goods allowed into Gaza.</li><li>The activists on the boat refused to come to an Israeli or Egyptian port as requested and so Israeli soldiers were sent to six boat to persuade them to do this peacefully.</li><li>The Israeli soldiers were not armed for battle, only with pistols tucked into their backs.</li><li>On one of the six boats, the activists, many supporters of extremist-Islamist groups, were preparing for a battle, with knives and metal rods.</li><li>When the soldiers landed on the boat they were attacked and some had their guns stolen and shot at.</li><li>One soldier was even trampled on as they attempted to throw him overboard.</li><li>Therefore, the handful of soldiers were being attacked by a lynch mob of peace activists, and had to defend themselves</li><li>Only after fourty minutes of combat with this lynch mob did the soldiers have to use live-fire to defend themselves.</li><li>Luckily after hundreds of years of Jews being attacked by lynch mobs, the Jewish people now have a State and an army that is able to fight back and defend itself.</li></ul>Richard Weiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13807524851098003091noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20825354.post-47822701571678337192010-05-20T14:07:00.003+03:002010-05-20T14:21:57.091+03:00Am I now part of the British establishment?As I was watching the re-election of the Speaker in the British House of Commons on Tuesday, I was pleased to see that my three former colleagues on Barnet Council; Matthew Offord, Mike Freer and Jane Ellison had got themselves the best seats in the House, sitting right behind David Cameron. I would like to congratulate them on becoming MPs and hope they enjoy their new jobs and serve their communities well.<br /><br />I would also like to congratulate Luciana Berger a new Labour MP. I have known Luciana for about 10 years since our time at the University of Birmingham, where we worked well together to represent Jewish students both locally and nationally in NUS. I may even have helped Luciana on the first step of her political career, when I was her campaign manager for her successful election to NUS West Midlands Regional Council. It may not have been her most important election it has helped her to start what I am sure will be a very successful political career. Over the past few years we may not have agreed with each other on all issues but I am sure she will be one of Labour's few good MPs and one day could become their first female leader.<br /><br />So now that I know four MPs well am I part of the British establishment?Richard Weiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13807524851098003091noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20825354.post-79295022231174375162010-05-07T05:49:00.008+03:002010-05-07T08:02:44.578+03:00Election Results Part 2A new day has dawned in Israel, but it is not yet clear wha the new day will bring in Britain.<br /><br />As the results are coming in, it is increasingly clear that the Conservatives willbethe largest party but it is still unclear if they will have a majority. I congratulate my former colleague Jane Ellison the new MP for Battersea.<br /><br />What is shocking though is how so many areas couldnt allow everyone who chose to vote. Britain ismeant to be a leading democracy.<br /><br /><br />6am - what is happening in Hendon?<br /><br />6:12 the lib dems have again been all talk and lots of failure<br /><br />6:35 - Pleased to see Jaqui Smith has gone, possibly the worst Home Secretary ever.<br /><br />6:45 - It is too early for Conservative s to celebrate but according to BBC figures of seats in<br />Conservatives have 210 andy the others 213 so Conservatives are just under 50% at the moments and if they keep up the results could be just about able to have a majority in Parliament.<br /><br />7:50 appaently maathew offord has just arrived at the hendon count he probably wanted a good sleep<br /><br />8am - Labour twitterer says they are behind both in Finchley and HendonRichard Weiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13807524851098003091noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20825354.post-72021831986266626072010-05-06T23:29:00.012+03:002010-05-07T00:57:03.240+03:00Rolling Election BlogWith just half an hour to go until the polls close in the UK, I will try and provide information on what is going on both for UK and Israeli readers. As its already almost midnight here in Israel not sure I will stay up for the first few hours, but I will see how I go. All times below are Israel time.<br /><br />The first few interesting things I have seen is the Labour MP for Hendon desperately trying to persuade twitter followers to vote for him this evening, by saying that is supporters in Burnt Oak are flooding out to vote. If I was him I wouldnt be sure they are Labour voters anymore.<br /><br />23:30 - ICM are saying that Conservatives will have 39% of the vote. With Labour and Lib Dems together. I think therefore a Conservative majority.<br /><br />23:35 - The beginning of Sky new's election coverage is boring, why start an hour before anything happens?<br /><br />23:40 - <strong>I am predicting a Conservative majority of about 20 seats.</strong> The polls may have been quite close in recent weeks but I believe that all the hard work that the Conservative machine has put in over the past few years to identify and persuade their supporters to have voted today will pay off and see them get more of their supporters out than the other parties. Do the Lib Dems even know where their new supporters were and did they come out to vote today? I dont think so.<br /><br />23:50 - The Lib Dem candidate in Mill Hill has been recording high turnout in Mill Hill but not sure who is voting. This will be very interesting in the local Barnet election but as there have been no Labour tellers there how can Dismore even say he represented the whole constituency?<br /><br />00:00 - Exit poll says Conservative larges party 19 short of a majority, with Lib Dems having less seats than in 2005<br /><br />00:03 - According to the Exit poll Gordon Brown would not even have a majority with the Lib Dems in coaltion with only 314 seats. So looks like the end of Labour Government<br /><br />00:15 - Nick Robinson of the BBC says that based on exit poll Gordon Brown does not have to resign as Prime Minister until Parliament returns, given that he never wanted to go to the British public for a vote, will he try and hang on?<br /><br />00:20 - the first seat to announce will be interesting because we will see the change in the vote percentage from 2005, the exit poll does not show it, so the public cant make their own interpretation of todays vote.<br /><br />00:55 - the first seat announces Labour is down 11.7%, Lib Dems down 0.6% and conservaties up 5.2% a swing of 8% if this is the same across the Country would be a large majority for Conservatives.Richard Weiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13807524851098003091noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20825354.post-4117977690327209372010-04-20T10:16:00.003+03:002010-04-20T19:30:45.291+03:00Liberal Democrat Leadership continues its attack on IsraelHappy Israeli Independence day. It is great to be celebrating 62 years of Israeli independence and everything that our small country has achieved.<br /><br />Sadly though, according to the UK's <a href="http://http//thejc.com/news/uk-news/30643/lib-dem-lords-deputy-leader-causes-board-walk-out">Jewish Chronicle</a>, this week the Liberal Democrats are continuing to attack Israel and to even question our motives.Richard Weiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13807524851098003091noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20825354.post-87843407520239295852010-04-19T12:03:00.002+03:002010-04-19T12:31:44.495+03:00Remembering Israel's HeroesAs we come to the end of the 62nd year of independence for the modern State of Israel, today (Rememberance Day) is a chance for us to remember the 22,682 Israeli heroes who have died fighting to create and defend this wonderful country.<br /><br />I made aliyah after the age I was required to serve in the IDF and I do not know what it is like to service or to see a friend in action (and I hpe I never will). I have a huge gratitude for every soldier who has served in the Israeli armed forces working to defend our State of Israel. Sadly, this appears to be a duty which will not go away in the near future.<br /><br />However, defending Israel from enemy attack is not the only action that defenders of Israel currently have to carry out. Sadly we are also living in a world in which the deligitimisation of Israel's right to exist is become an equally important duty to defend. Over the past ten years like thousands of other Jewish people and supporters of Israel around the world, I have strived to defend Israel and this is something that we have to continue to do and to not give up in what is another battle that we must not lose.<br /><br />Just this week the British Advertising Standards Agency ruled that the Western Wall can not be used in Israeli tourism adverts, as they say this misleads the public about what is in Israel. This is just lunacy. Ask any person around the world about it's number one tourist site and the Western Wall will be virtually everybody's answer. However, the Advertising Standards Agency have fallen into the trap that this part of Israel is on occupied territory, and accept the Arab argument that there is no Jewish historical heritage in Jerusalem. This despite the Western Wall and the Temple which it is a part of, has been part of the Land of Israel for over two thousand years, but was occupied by Jordan for nineteen sad years from 1948 to 1967. This is just the latest fight in the battle to defend and save Israel.<br /><br />However, within Israel we have also had the shocking news, this past week which shames the memory of our fallen soldiers. It was reported this week that the officials and politicians including the two former Mayors of Jerusalem have allegedly been involved a bribery scandal to approve a planning application for the Holyland development. As someone who was a politician in London who decided on planning applications for developments I understood that when I made decisions I had to make these based on what was best for local people and the local area. The public trust politicians to make the right decisions and when they receive money to support a development they should feel ashamed. I hope as the investigation continues the alleged guilty officials and politicians admit they were wrong and apologise for these disgraceful actions. Our brave soldiers have given their lives for this country and when politicians and government officials brake the law for their own gain, they should hang their heads in shame.<br /><br />I hope as we enter Israel's 63rd year, we are able to experience the start of the beginning of peace, where Israel just like every country in the world is rightly accepted and that our leaders show the decency that we the public expect of them.Richard Weiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13807524851098003091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20825354.post-74863289701293440502010-04-18T09:03:00.003+03:002010-04-18T09:18:19.644+03:00Why Israel is important - an answer to anonymousThis Thursday Foreign Affairs will take centre stage in the British election when the Sky News Leaders Debate gives Cameron, Clegg and Brown the chance to give their views on political affairs.<br /><br />I am sure in view of this an anonymous commentator asked me the following two questions.<br /><br /><strong>Anonymous said...<br />I fail to see why "anti-semitic" and "anti-Israel" are concatenated into one criticism of Britain.And who was in Israel before the Jews? Can they have the whole land back, if they want it? (Of course not. And jolly lucky not one claims pre-ownership of England, as far as I know.)<br />11:53 PM<br />Anonymous said...<br />I should have made the last comment in more detail - I was, and am, angry at your question: "Who should Jewish people vote for in Hendon?". You are saying that it is most important (beyond anything else) for the election of a representative of one sovereign nation (Britain) to be purely on the basis of support for another sovereign nation (Israel).<br />12:12 AM</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />I have always said that the people of Britain should vote for the Conservative Party and Matthew Offord the Conservative candidate in Hendon because they will bring about the real positive change that Britain needs to improve the failing economy and ensure a Big improved society. However, in a seat like Hendon where there is a large Jewish community, the public should be aware of the canidates views on Israel and domestic Jewish issues, issues which are important to the Jewish community in Britain. On top of all that Israel should be an important ally to Britain in the Middle East, as the only truly democratic and peaceful country in the Middle East. For that reason in my view Israel should be an important (but for many not dissisive) issue in seats such as Hendon.<br /><br />Sadly, while anti-semitism has been around for thousands of years, in recent years in Britain there has been a sharp rise in critisism of Israel, which is also being used as a new excuse for carrying out anti-semitic attacks. Sadly, these attacks seem to be mainly carried out by left wing supporters who seem to believe that they can attack Jews because they do not accept the actions and even the existence of the State of Israel.<br /><br />In terms of who lived in Israel before it became a Jewish country, the Bible says it was land occupied by Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Jebusites, and Girgashites.Richard Weiderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13807524851098003091noreply@blogger.com0