THERE ARE TWO STANDARDS IN THE WORLD ONE FOR ALL AND ONE FOR THE JEWS
By Diane Weber Bederman
Remember
In order for there to be peace in the Middle East, both sides must first agree on the definition of the term. As long as Israel defines peace as the absence of war, and the Arabs define peace as the absence of Israel, there can be no peace.
I had the honour of attending the Yom HaZikaron, Memorial Day Ceremony on the Mount of Olives in Israel, honouring soldiers who have died to protect Israel from invasion.
This year it was particularly solemn: October 7 and the hostages remain heavy in the heart. The first thing we were told was “in case of a siren, drop to the ground, and put your hands over your head.” In all my years, and I have lived many, I have never gone anywhere where I have been told what to do in case of a missile threat. Yet, for most, this was normal. In Israel, the sound of a siren, today, means run to a safe space when possible.
I knew about safe spaces on our campuses: for those who feel threatened. When Trump was elected there were safe spaces for students to cry. Today, if called by the wrong pronoun and feel unsafe, there is a safe space for you, too.
Safe spaces take on a whole new meaning in Israel. Walking down the street and you hear a siren, a warning of incoming missiles, there are signs directing you to the nearest safe space. Not close enough to a safe place, you lie down on the ground and cover your head with your hands. I thought it would be safe to go into a store. No, I was told. If the store has glass windows, it is not safe as you could be harmed by the splintering glass.
I learned about safe spaces when I was in the Gaza Envelope – the place of the BARBARIC Muslim attack on the Jews October 7. Just about to get back into our car, a siren went off and the soldier to whom we were speaking, a 23 year old female soldier screamed to me, run, run, run as she pointed to the bomb shelter by the road.
We saw the missiles fired and then we saw Israel’s response.
Despite the run for cover, I never felt unsafe anywhere in Israel. It is a proud, bustling, busy, growing country.
Sadly, Canadian and American youth have no understanding of the real meaning of a safe space. They have no idea how sheltered they are. I met soldiers all over Israel; many called Lone Soldiers, who returned to Israel to fight for her right to exist. And to me, they are still children, young, early 20’s, younger than one of my grandchildren; some wearing braces on their teeth, in charge of protecting Israel from destruction. And they are proud. Far from being children, Israelis become adults at a very early age. To read the full article, click here.
BIDEN’S ABUSE OF THE JUDICIARY HAS EXTENDED TO ISRAEL’S PRIME MINISTER
This article must be read twice over from A to Z -- and saved for posterity
By Laurie B. Regan
Every once in a while, there is a seminal article written that elucidates political calculations not obvious on their surface. In particular, foreign policy matters tend to be complicated to the point that most Americans focus little attention on understanding the motivations of presidents’ foreign policy decisions despite their broad national security implications.
One of the most important columns that comes to mind is Michael Doran’s brilliant essay from 2015 entitled Obama’s Secret Iran Strategy in which Doran explains Barack Obama’s motivation for empowering Iran as a regional hegemon at the expense of U.S. national security and regional alliances. Read more.
EQUATING ISRAEL WITH HAMAS ISN’T THE WORST OF THE ICC’S TURPITUDE
Even without the comparison, the decision by Karim Khan is an antisemitic abomination.
The only thing surprising about the decision by International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Karim Khan on Monday was that it included Hamas, alongside Israel, as deserving of target. Otherwise, it shouldn’t have come as a shock to anyone who’s been paying attention.
Given the ongoing harassment of the Jewish state by the similarly named International Court of Justice, also situated in The Hague, it was just a matter of time before the ICC would spring into abhorrent action. Read more here.
A BRAVE DISSENTING VOICEJULIA SEBUTINDE
Julia Sebutinde, vice president of the ICJ—the principal United Nations judicial arm located in The Hague—raised in her dissenting opinion on Friday.
“This directive, which could be erroneously misunderstood as mandating a unilateral ceasefire in part of Gaza, amounts to micromanaging the hostilities in Gaza by restricting Israel’s ability to pursue its legitimate military objectives, while leaving its enemies, including Hamas, free to attack without Israel being able to respond,” For the full article, click here.
AND THE SUN ALSO RISES
THE SILVER LINING—WE ARE NOT ALONE
House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik delivered an address to members of the Israeli Knesset in Jerusalem following an invitation from Speaker Amir Ohana highlighting how America stands with Israel and House Republicans’ fight to protect Jewish students on American college campuses.
Rep. Stefanik is the highest ranking member of the House of Representatives to visit Israel since the October 7th terrorist attacks. For the full article, click here.
NIKKI HALEY FORMER U.N AMBASSADOR’S MESSAGE TO ISRAEL
You are fighting U.S. enemies— "You must win this war"
Former U.S. presidential candidate and former UN ambassador Nikki Haley visited Israel's northern border on Tuesday, emphasizing the importance of Israel's victory in its ongoing conflicts.
Accompanied by former Israeli ambassador to the UN and current Knesset member Danny Danon, Haley expressed strong support for Israel, stating, "America stands by Israel. Israel is fighting the enemies of the U.S. today. “Don't stop until you win."
During their visit, Haley and Danon met with Sheikh Mowafak Tarif and other dignitaries of the Druze community. They then proceeded to Ras al-Naqoura, where they received a security briefing from Colonel Yuval Bezek. Read more here.
The new version of Hatikvah includes the voices of thousands of people from around the world combined in a virtual choir.
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