----------------

MrBagel Funny: Latest Joke Listed

MrBagel News: Hottest News Stories

Bodgey Bagels Latest Caption Contest

Mr Bagels Latest Cartoon

Mr Bagel Latest Videos

Friday 13 April 2007

Jews more intelligent than others: Study


From the Indian Times:

JERUSALEM: The average IQ score of the Jews is seven to fifteen points higher than other communities, a British social theorist has claimed.

Left: Mr Bagel makes a Peace offering to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Social theorist Charles Murray, in his study points to "the high rate of Nobel Laureates in the Jewish community and mentions that from the birth of monotheism to the medieval philosopher Maimonides, 17th-century rationalist Spinoza and the scientists, artists and intellectuals of the modern world, Jews have shown a rare affinity with scholarship".

Since the second half of the 20th century, Jews have received 29 Nobel prizes, Murray wrote in 'Commentary', a neoconservative journal.

"These figures are significant particularly as Jews constitute about two-tenths of one per cent of the world's population," the researcher said.

References:
Times of India: Jews more intelligent than others: Study

Read More...

Thursday 12 April 2007

JPix 5 is Up!!!


The Amazing Baleboosteh has just posted
JPix 5 the Jewish Photo Carnival

Manhattan In Winter- Golden Path by New York Minute




Submit a post to the Next JPix Carnival


Read More...

Tuesday 10 April 2007

Just an coincidence that the Arab league makes a Peace offer and there's a flurry of planning for terrorist attacks?

The discovery of a truck laden with one hundred kg's of powerful explosive and considerable shrapnel was a absolute blood bath in the making. That the truck exploded in Kalkilya due to a 'work accident', is fortunate to say the least. There is little doubt that it was destined to be used to create a terrible scene of death and carnage during Passover in the Tel Aviv area.

Its discovery just before passover brings back the horrific murders of 22 people and 140 injured on March 27 2002. This suicide attack was executed in the midst of a Passover Seder with 250 guest. It happened at the Park Hotel in Netanya. [More Details]

It unfortunately also bares a connection to the previous terror attack at the Dolphin Disco in Tel Aviv in 2001. Hamas's Kalkilya infrastructure was responsible for this attack as well.

21 people were killed and 120 were injured. The most shocking aspect of this suicide bombing was the deliberate targeting of Israeli Children. Of the 21 People killed, 11 were aged 16 years or younger, the average age of those killed was barely 18 years old. [ More Details]
It is known the suicide bomber was assisted by the Hamas's Kalkilya infrastructure.

There was a massive increase in terrorist attacks in the months leading up to passover in March of 2002, unfortunately there is evidence that Hamas may be preparing for another series of suicide attacks.

Coincidentally where the truck exploded, in Kalkilya there was another suicide bombing on Mar 28 2001.

Probably the hardest thing to stomach about this latest development is that in 2002 on March the 28th The Arab league announced a declaration for peace ( historically referred to as The Beirut Declaration), which was partially based on what was touted as a Saudi peace plan.

Immediately before this so called offer of peace there was a major escalation in terrorist attacks and suicide bombings, these increased in intensity even further. In fact the very day before the this 'momentous declaration of a peace plan' the murderous attack on the Park Hotel occurred.

In the preceding two weeks before the Beirut Declaration there were 8 major terrorist attacks.



Mar 2, 2002 - Eleven people were killed and over 50 were injured,
in the ultr orthodox Beit Yisrael neighbourhood from a suicide bomber
Mar 5, 2002 - Maharatu Tagana, 85, of Upper Nazareth was killed and a large number of people injured, most lightly, when a suicide bomber exploded in an Egged No. 823 bus as it entered the Afula central bus station.

Mar 7, 2002 - A suicide bomber blew himself up in the lobby of a hotel in the commericial center on the outskirts of Ariel in Samaria. 15 people were injured, one seriously.

Mar 9, 2002 - 11 people were killed and 54 injured, 10 of them seriously, when a suicide bomber exploded at 22:30 PM Saturday night in the crowded Moment cafe at the corner of Aza and Ben-Maimon streets in the Rehavia neighborhood in the center of Jerusalem. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack.

Mar 17, 2002 - A suicide bomber exploded himself near an Egged bus no. 22 at the French Hill junction in northern Jerusalem. 25 people were lightly injured.

Mar 20, 2002 - Seven people, four of them soldiers, were killed and about 30 wounded, several seriously, in a suicide bombing of an Egged bus No. 823 traveling from Tel Aviv to Nazareth at the Musmus junction on Highway 65 (Wadi Ara) near Afula. The Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack.

Mar 21, 2002 - Three people were killed and 86 injured, 3 of them seriously, in a suicide bombing on King George Street in the center of Jerusalem. The terrorist detonated the bomb, packed with metal spikes and nails, in the center of a crowd of shoppers. The Fatah al-Aqsa Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack.

Mar 27, 2002 - 30 people were killed and 140 injured - 20 seriously - in a suicide bombing in the Park Hotel in the coastal city of Netanya, in the midst of the Passover holiday seder with 250 guests. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack. The terrorist was a member of Hamas from Tulkarem, on the list of wanted terrorists Israel had requested be arrested.

Mar 28, 2002 Arab League announces Peace Plan

Mar 29, 2002 - Two people were killed and 28 injured, two seriously when a female suicide bomber blew herself up in the Kiryat Yovel supermarket in Jerusalem. The Fatah Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack.

Mar 30, 2002 - One person was killed and about 30 people were injured in a suicide bombing in a cafe on the corner of Allenby and Bialik streets in Tel-Aviv. The Fatah Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack.

Mar 31, 2002 - 15 people were killed and over 40 injured in a suicide bombing in Haifa, in the Matza restaurant of the gas station near the Grand Canyon shopping mall. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack.

Mar 31, 2002 - An MDA paramedic was very seriously injured along with three other people at 17:00 Sunday afternoon in a suicide bombing at the emergency medical center in Efrat, in the Gush Etzion bloc south of Jerusalem.

Apr 1, 2002 - A police officer was killed in Jerusalem when a Palestinian suicide bomber heading toward the city center blew himself up in his car after being stopped at a roadblock. The Fatah al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack.

Apr 10, 2002 - Eight people were killed and 22 injured in a suicide bombing on Egged bus #960, en route from Haifa to Jerusalem, which exploded near Kibbutz Yagur, east of Haifa. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack.

Apr 12, 2002 - Six people were killed and 104 wounded when a woman suicide bomber detonated a powerful charge at a bus stop on Jaffa road at the entrance to Jerusalem's Mahane Yehuda open-air market. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack.


In the next two weeks, Between the 28th of March Peace Plan declaration and April 12th there were 7 further major incidents of terrorism.

Isn't it remarkable that another peace proposal has just been iniated by the Arab league, and almost simultaneously there is what looks like the beginnings of an escalation in terror attacks.

Does this start to make you question the sincerity of the 'Peace gestures' and overtures the Arab League are making? Isn't it more akin to a powerful League of Arab nations, placing demands on Israel and threatening that this will be the last 'chance of peace'.

Exerting all the pressure it can to place the Israeli leadership under pressure by an orchestration and increase of terrorist attacks.

The offer of Peace by the Arab league should be seen exactly for what it is. Unreasonable demands and expectations which will never be agreed to, in an attempt to marginalise the State of Israel whilst at the same time, appearing to be legitimately seeking peace and making overtures of peace.

This action hoping to win favor with the International community so as International funding for the Palestinians will re commence.

Why is it every time the Arab league says they are offering a 'chance of peace' Israel is attacked with increased intensity by suicide bombers and acts of terrorism?

For an organisation that puts forward that it desires peace why is there so much sabre rattling going on and threats of 'the last chance of peace'. Does this sound like a organisation legitimately wanting peace?

If this is what the Arabs call 'gestures of peace', I preferred it when they weren't gesturing.

The reality of the situation is, acts of aggression by States have to come at a price. When the Arab States fought a war against Israel in 1967, there wasn't any talk of peace then, they were trying to destroy the state of Israel. Their aggression backfired and they lost territories, this is the price the initiator of aggression, who loses pays.

If the Arab states involved in the 1967 war had won the war would they now grant territory back to Israel? We both know the answer to that.

See this link for an extensive list of: Fatal Terrorist Attacks in Israel since 1993

Read More...

IDF and ISA foil major Terrorist attack

(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Office)

Nineteen Hamas terrorists from Kalkilya were arrested last month in a joint ISA-IDF operation. They were planning to explode a vehicle laden with approximately 100 kg. of explosives in the greater Tel Aviv area during Passover.

In the context of a wave of arrests that was carried out recently in Kalkilya, it has become clear that Hamas is working to immediately perpetrate serious attacks, including against the Israeli home front, following a period in which the organization built up its strength and its capabilities.

From ongoing ISA investigations, it is evident that the terrorists intended to perpetrate a series of various attacks including the aforementioned. A commercial vehicle had already been prepared and loaded with approximately 100 kg. of powerful explosives and considerable shrapnel. The suicide-terrorist drove the vehicle to the central greater Tel Aviv area; however, the attack was not carried out and the vehicle was returned to Kalkilya. During the aforesaid wave of arrests, the vehicle exploded in a "work accident."

The designated suicide-terrorist, a resident of Kalkilya who married a resident of Taibe, carried an Israeli identity card that he had received in the context of family unification. His identity card enabled him to leave and enter Kalkilya in order to collect intelligence, while his vehicle's temporary Israeli license plate facilitated its use by the Hamas terrorists.

Kalkilya's proximity to central Israel facilitates the movement of Israelis for both commercial and criminal purposes. In order to avoid harming the quality of life of Kalkilya residents, those holding Israeli and Judea and Samaria identity cards are allowed to enter and leave the city relatively freely. The foregoing is yet another instance in which terrorists have exploited those who receive Israeli identity cards in the context of family unification in order to plan attacks, gather intelligence, transport terrorists, etc.

Hamas's Kalkilya infrastructure was responsible - inter alia - for the 1 June 2001 suicide-bombing at the Tel Aviv Dolphinarium in which 21 people were murdered and 120 were injured. The abovementioned wave of arrests shows that it has succeeded in rebuilding itself and has reached a high level of operational readiness. It is still planning to perpetrate major attacks, including in the immediate term. ISA and IDF counter-terrorist operations are continuing.

Read Mr Bagels Analysis of this in the next article

Read More...

Monday 9 April 2007

JPix 5 Last call for Submissions..Hurry!

JPix 5 is going to be at
the wonderful Baleboosteh blog!
Get you Photo Posts in Now!
Last call for Submissions for JPix5
Read more about where and what is JPix ...
Submit your photo post: Here



Untitled
[Image Copyright: Me-ander , 2007]

If you didn't visit Life of Rubin blog and check out the photos of JPix 4 the Jewish Photo Carnival then you missed a good carnival. Chaim presented a selection of some really good photos from the JBlogging community.

This is the last call for submissions to JPix 5

Don't forget to get in your submissions for the JPix 5 carnival
which will be hosted by Danielle at baleboosteh.

Last Submissions by Early April 11th at the latest,
The Jpix 5 Photo carnival opens on the 12th April.

If you have any questions you can email:

danielle at

JpixcarnivalATgmailDOTcom

________________________

The upcoming JPix 6 and JPix 7
are
looking for someone to host, so step up and help this carnival
(and get a significant boost to both your traffic and links)

_______________________

Here's a little badge to put on your side menu. Point it to go to:

http://blogcarnival.com/bc/latest_987.html

If you would like to have the submit buttons and
archive buttons there on the side bar of Bagelblogger.

Dont forget the only criteria to entering your photos is:

What is JPix
JPix is a carnival for Jews and their pictures, it doesn't necessarily have to be that 'joyous expression of art' which photography can capture, it doesn't have to be just about photos of Eretz Israel, though they are most welcome, its not even about communicating some deep spiritual meaning in a long photo essay, although that's alright too, its about two things.

You're Jewish and you have photos you want to share, wether they be family, historical, artful, funny, quirky its about sharing, so get your submissions in for the next JPix.

Thank you to all those that submitted their wonderful photos to:

JPix 1 , JPix2 , JPix 3 Part 1 , Jpix3 Part2 , JPix 4
I look forward to seeing some great photos in the next carnival JPix 5

If you have any questions you can email Danielle via
JpixcarnivalATgmailDOTcom

Bagelblogger Get those entries into JPix5..!
Jpix4 * Jpix3 * Jpix2 * Jpix 1* Jpix * Jewish Photography * Jewish Photography Carnival * JPix CarnivalJ Pix Carnival * Jewish Art * Jewish Photos and Blogs * Jewish Photo BlogsJewish Photo Essays * Israel and Photos * Jewish Creativity * Jewish * Israel * BagelBlogger * Bagel Blogger *

Read More...

Sunday 8 April 2007

Israel doesn't want peace...

I actually really enjoy some of the writers in the Haaretz stable. They're willing to put forward ideas which don't always follow the most 'popular' path at the prevailing moment.

In reading this latest article Israel doesn't want Peace by Gideon Levy I can't help but think the alternative path Gideon has plotted has, well finally caused him to lose the plot.

I've looked at his latest article and it would seem on the basis of some of the hypotheses he puts forward and writes about, there's little I can agree.



Article from Haaretz.com

Israel doesn't want peace
By Gideon Levy
The moment of truth has arrived, and it has to be said: Israel does not want peace. The arsenal of excuses has run out, and the chorus of Israeli rejection already rings hollow. Until recently, it was still possible to accept the Israeli refrain that "there is no partner" for peace and that "the time isn't right" to deal with our enemies. Today, the new reality before our eyes leaves no room for doubt and the tired refrain that "Israel supports peace" has been left shattered.

I read this introductory paragraph by Gideon and beyond its apparent Journalistic hyperbole I get the sense Gideon has a great 'secret' to reveal to us. Something that will put strength to his rather grand claim Israel does not want peace, mm seems Dan Guillermans previous postion has been filled by Gideon. I'm never comfortable when I see an individual, especially a journalist assume they have the clarity of vision to make statements on behalf of the entire State of Israel.

Following Gideon's rather haphazard thought process is like walking the track of a blind mountain goat. Lets assume Gideon is actually on to something. Israel does not want peace. mm that seems to fly in the face of logic? If Israel doesn't want peace then why the cease fire? You know the cease fire we had when the Palestinians started actually firing more rockets than before at us whilst we chose to act like a soldier suffering from battle fatigue. I can easily envision Olmert wandering around the battle field with an arm blown off saying quietly to his follow soldiers its alright they really actually do love us.

Gideon would like to put forward that there really is a partner for Peace. I'm really wanting to see this partner. Is it the partner that refuses to accept the state of Israel? Or rather is it the one that has a charter in which its primary objective is the total destruction of Israel. Or perhaps its the partner that has sponsored an 8 month all expenses free holiday for three of our brave soldiers. You see, we really are just not understanding their intentions. Its us, the Jews which are at fault.

It's hard to determine when the breaking point occurred. Was it the absolute dismissal of the Saudi initiative? The refusal to acknowledge the Syrian initiative? Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's annual Passover interviews? The revulsion at the statements made by Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, in Damascus, alleging that Israel was ready to renew peace talks with Syria?

The Saudi initiative. That was quite a piece of gamesmanship. Invite Israel to a peace conference but before you can accept, there's just one little requirement; openly make a statement in which you are going to return all the debated territories half of your capital City as a starting point, on the pretense that these points will somehow become debatable as the conference proceeds.

Excuse my cynicism towards the Saudi's, you know I'm not really an expert on peace negotiations but if I was going to buy a used car and the car salesman said, tell me the highest price your willing to pay and then we'll negotiate, I might think I was revealing information that might not be to my advantage. But don't worry about that Gideon, Tel Aviv should be safe, shouldn't it?

As for Nancy Pelosi's revelations that Israel is all too eager to begin peace negotiations, well that just ranks of political opportunism on behalf of Nancy, don't you think? Its not like Nancy might try to 'summarize' the Israeli position in a favorable light to try to bring a glow to her ' peace seeking mission' to Syria. Lets look at that in a little context Gideon, the opposition party whip goes to a country that her very own country would prefer she hadn't gone to and then proceeds to pronounce Israel's intentions, and you have a beef because the Prime Ministers office refutes her claim? I'm sorry its just I never realized that Nancy was acting purely in the interests of Israel let alone the United States.

Who would have believed it? A high-ranking U.S. official says Israel wants peace talks to resume and instantly her president "severely" denies the veracity of her words. Is Israel even hearing these voices? Are we digesting the significance of these voices for peace? Seven million apathetic Israeli citizens prove that we are not.

Your quite right Gideon who would believe it? That's why I would put it to you, you might want to read the article which appeared in Haaretz, U.S. Republican meets Assad day after contentious Pelosi visit just a little closer before rounding of the conclusion you give.

It would seem Gideon your summation isn't quite accurate, the Haaretz article includes this quotation from Haaretz sources:

"...The Prime Minister's Office was quick to issue a denial, stating that "what was discussed with the House speaker did not include any change in Israel's policy, as it has been presented to international parties involved in the matter."

In a special statement of clarification, the bureau stressed that Olmert had told Pelosi that Israel continued to regard Syria as "part of the axis of evil and a party encouraging terrorism in the entire Middle East."

According to sources at the Prime Minister's Office, "Pelosi took part of the things that were said in the meeting, and used what suited her." ..."

So it would seem Nancy was well, giving Israel 'the Nancy' when she started talking on behalf of Israel, of Israel's intentions.

How dare any Prime Minister of Israel, correct a member of another countries parliamentary system, when it comes to them misrepresenting Israel's Foreign policy. The sheer Chutzpah!

Why when are we going to recognize all other countries politicians always act in the interests of the State of Israel! That US partisan politics is some what behind the motive of the Prime Ministers office announcement isn't likely to be disputed, but It's time that Israel started representing its self and its own intentions in any peace process rather than 'elder statesmen' who rarely have Israel's real interests at heart.

I see any tendancy for the PMO or the State of Israel to correct misleading or factually incorrect statements by International Politicians as decidely a sign in the right direction.

Entire generations grew up here weaned on self-deception and doubt about the likelihood of achieving peace with our neighbors. In our younger days, David Ben-Gurion told us that if he were only able to meet with Arab leaders, he would have brought us peace in his time. Israel has demanded direct negotiations as a matter of principle and Israelis have derived great pride from the fact that their daily focus on "peace" has concealed their state's lofty ambitions.

This has to be the most nonsensical part of your article Gideon, is this ''weaning process' done whilst be subjected to endless attacks of suicide bombers? I wouldn't call it a weaning process, I would call it facing a situation with clarity and resolve.

You cast aspersions on Israel's 'lofty ambitions', well we have no doubt of our potential peace partners 'ambitions' do we, Gideon. You're quick to criticise Israel, do you use the same measuring stick when looking at Israel's 'pontential peace partners' ? Is it officail Israeli policy to teach its students to kill Arabs in Israel's schools yet?

We were told that there was no partner for peace and that the ultimate ambition of the Arabs is to bring about our destruction. We burned the portraits of "the Egyptian tyrant" at our bonfires on Lag Ba'omer, and were convinced that all blame for the lack of peace lied with our enemies.
Do you think Arabs actually wish us good health and prosperity Gideon? Is it just an over sight they refuse to trade with the state of Israel? Is it just an administrative glitch that Jews can't by properties of Arabs. Yes I think you're on to something Gideon, feel free to have a chat in Gaza over a coffee and a hookah, of your lofty idealism with you're peaceful Arab friends..
After that came the occupation, followed by terror, Yassir Arafat, the failed second Camp David Summit and the rise of Hamas to power, and we were sure, always sure, that it was all their fault. In our wildest dreams, we wouldn't have believed that the day would come when the entire Arab world would extend its hand in peace and Israel would brush away the gesture. It would have been even crazier to imagine that this Israeli refusal would have been blamed on not wanting to enrage domestic public opinion.

The entire Arab world extends its hand in peace? Please, your misrepresentations are appalling. The entire Arab world is unified in acting like a bully and forcing its real agenda on Israel. How many of these Arab peace makers have made gestures of any real peaceful intent?

Why is it that Israel must clearly state a huge list of concessions it is willing to make before it even gets an invite to the negotiating table? That doesn't sound like negotiation to me, it sounds like rank bullying and political opportunism.

What gestures of reconcilliation have the Arab countries made? Sorry I must have missed those gestures. Why is it that Israel must be seen to contiunually be the compromiser?

Has Jordan telegraphed they are willing to accept some responsibility for the Palestinian refugee problem?

Has Saudi Arabia withdrawn teaching aids that encourage the killing of Jews? Tell me Gideon when are the three soldiers coming home? Now that the Arabs have 'clearly signalled a willingness for peace', thats not too much to ask surely?

The world has been turned upside down and it is Israel that stands at the forefront of refusal. The policy of refusal of a select few, a vanguard of the extreme, has now become the official policy of Jerusalem. In his Passover interviews, Olmert will tell us that, "The Palestinians stand at the crossroads of a historic decision," but people stopped taking him seriously a long time ago. The historic decision is ours, and we are fleeing from this crossroads and from these initiatives as if from death itself.

I'm only thankful the historic decision isn't 'yours' Gideon. Stating the obvious, almost all Israeli's hope one day for peace, the difference is the majority of Israeli's aren't buying the lies any more. The deceptions are exactly that, political maneuvering to gain advantage and squeeze concessions out of Israel with little in return from its Arab neighbors.

Neighbors who can't even honor previous peace agreements. These are the peace partners you so willing recommend?

Once Israel gives all these concessions you so quickly advocate, what will you do when the Arabs, having an unassailable territorial, geographic and geopolitical advantage find a pretense to actually attack Israel and fulfill their ultimate and singular goal. The destruction of the State of Israel?

Terror, used as the ultimate excuse for Israeli refusal, only helps Olmert keep reciting, ad nauseum, "If they [the Palestinians] don't change, don't fight terror and don't adhere to any of their obligations, then they will never extract themselves from their unending chaos." As though the Palestinians haven't taken measures against terrorism, as though Israel is the one to determine what their obligations are, as though Israel isn't to blame for the unending chaos Palestinians suffer under the occupation.

I find your observations laughable. To actually suggest that the Palestinian authority is actually actively pursuing terrorists, and doing all it can to stop terrorism? Measures? What measures?, extending the range of its rockets fired into Israel? Or perhaps measuring how many more civilians a terrorist can kill with their new improved suicide bombs.

Please point me to a country that is unable to stop the firing of hundreds of rockets into another countries teritory. How many hundreds of arrests have been made this year for firing rockets into Israel Gideon?

Blaming Israel for the 'unending chaos Palestinians suffer under occupation', yes you're right that 140 Palestinians killed in intra factional fighting is completely Israels fault. The collapse of the sewerage levy, that too is completely Israel's fault. Yes and did you know the Jooz are poisoning the wells as well? and they've got uranium bombs, and are blowing chemicals into the air to stop Palestinian women having babies and ....

Israel makes a point of setting prerequisites and believes it has an exclusive right to do so. But, time and time again, Israel avoids the most basic prerequisite for any just peace - an end to the occupation. Of all the questions asked during his Passover interviews, no one bothered to ask Olmert why he didn't react with excitement to the recent Arab initiatives, without preconditions? The answer: real estate. The real estate of the settlements.

Israel does have the right to set prerequisites, as do the Arabs, and acceptance or refusal of those prerequisites is an option availble to both parties too. To infer that Israel has an exclusive right to set prerequisites is simply not true and thus very unconvincing as an arguement. You state 'the most basic prerequisite for any just peace - an end to the occupation' doesn't that actually bring up questions of which areas are areas under dispute and hence 'occupied'?

By making this statement your simply stating your belief in what suitable peace concessions would be in your eyes, that Israel does not follow your specific example this is because this is under dispute, and thus needs to be negoiated at the negioation table not at the table of sevitude of one, Gideon Levy.

Yes the Settlements, its the Settlers fault. Every one knows it, if we just get rid of this settlement, and that settlement and that settlement, then it will all be ok. Look at Gaza, that withdrawal has really paid dividends hasn't it Gideon.

The Arab penchant of claiming Settlements as being unjust is simply a progressive step towards getting rid of all Jews.

There's one question no one bothers to ask. Its a fact Israel has a large Arabic population, why is it so unfeasible that if Isarael has a large Arab population why any Palestinian territory concessions can't have Jewish Settlements? Surely your not advocating that Jews couldn't live safely with their peace loving neighbours? You wouldn't want to uproot these settlers from their historic homes now Gideon.

There's no logistical reason, except any Jews that chose to stay in any future Palestinian state would be simply murdered.

Israeli Arabs speak of equal opportunity and political representation, yet the irony is that in any Palestinian country there could never be any Jews. Why? Because the Palestinians don't just want a state, they want a state with no Jews, and they would commit the most horrible acts of genocide if the situation was reversed.

It's not only Olmert who is dragging his feet. A leading figure in the Labor party said last week that "it will take five to 10 years to recover from the trauma." Peace is now no more than a threatening wound, with no one still talking about the massive social benefits it would bring in development, security, freedom of movement in the region and by establishing a more just society.

Like a little Switzerland, we are focusing more these days on the dollar exchange rate and on the allegations of embezzlement leveled against the Finance Ministry than on the fateful opportunities fading away before our very eyes.
Not every day and not even in every generation do we encounter an opportunity like this.

It's simply naive to talk of peace between Israel and the Palestinians. The Palestinians have spent the best part of 50 years teaching their fellow citizens to hate Jews, to Despise Jews, to wish Jews dead. Now through some magical act the Palestinians, who have indoctrinated their youth since birth to hate Jews are all of a sudden able to come to the peace table with open loving arms and no hidden agendas.

As for fateful opportunities fading away before our eyes, your right the chances of peace are fading away, and its not on account of a lack of Desire from Israelis.

Its from the gut wrenching realisation there can never be peace, ever, when one side is adamant on the destruction of the other. Jews are no longer fooled by false promises, when you do business with some one and they swindle you of your money, would you really be so stupid to do business again?

No more lies, no more strategic hudna's, no more stages towards the ultimate goal of 'getting rid of the Jews in all of Palestine'.

Some of us have waited 2 millenia to return to our homeland , we can wait another two for peace especially the kind of peace you talk about.

Although it's not for sure if the initiatives are completely solid and believable, or if they are based on trickery, no one has stepped up to challenge or acknowledge them. When Olmert is an elderly grandfather, what will he tell his grandchildren? That he turned over every stone in the name of peace? That there was no other choice? What will his grandchildren say?

What will the average youthful Israeli say when they are grandparents. I have a pretty good idea Gideon.

"You know we were stupid to think the Palestinians wanted to peace, they made gestures of peace, they won concessions in the name of peace. Then they changed leadership and had no sense of respect for any of the agreements they had previously entered into and reached agreement with. "

Yes fifty years from now, the Palestinians will still hate the Jews, and use this hate to justify their lack of achievements or progress in society.

But there's one thing Palestinians wont be able to say in fifty years time...

We fooled those Jews, we wanted to trick them, make out we wanted peace, when our real agenda was genocide, we killed them all, ... something most Palestinian Grandparents would no doubt be proud to say to their offspring.

Except Israelis have started seeing with clarity, what really is the truth, its a hard and somewhat distressing realization for people who so desire peace, it seems Jews have had to learn the hard lessons of the past.

That's what we will pass on to our children the ability to see the brutal truth with clarity not with the cloudy sense of leftist idealism you Mr Levy, would like to be our legacy.

Peace? Peace is achieved when two sides desire it, not when one pretends it because it happens to suit them politically in the short term.

You are right about one thing Gideon Israel isn't interested in a Peace, based only on the terms of its Arab neighbors.

And for that I am thankful for.

References:
Haaretz: Israel doesn't want peace

Picture Credits:
Cartoon original author unknown
Cartoon has been adapted and modified, original is located: here

For another same old same old,
Arab News: Peace With Israel: Arab Position Is Straightforward

Read More...

Whoops theres a little typo showing bias?

Sometimes an article is more interesting for what it doesn't say or even better what it accidently says!

Captors of Israeli soldier hand demands to Israel

2007/4/8
By KARIN LAUB,RAMALLAH, West Bank, AP


After months of deadlock, the captors of an Israeli soldier handed Israel the names of Palestinian prisoners they want freed in exchange for the hostage, a senior Palestinian official said Saturday.

The release of Israeli Cpl. Gilad Shalit is seen as a precondition for any possible progress in Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts. A swap could also help the new Palestinian unity government, a coalition of the Islamic militant Hamas and the moderate Fatah movement, in its quest for international acceptance.
[ Got to love how Fatah are now the 'moderates', gee I'd rather be killed by a moderate Fatah terrorist than a Hamas terrorists anyday... ]

Palestinian Information Minister Mustafa Barghouti did not say how many names were on the kidnappers' list, which he said was forwarded to Israel by Egyptian mediators. Barghouti said the next move is up to Israel and that he hopes the swap will be carried out quickly.
[Is this an oxymoron? Palestinian Information Minister Mustafa Barghouti did not say... ]

Israeli officials declined comment.

Shalit was captured 10 months ago by Hamas-allied militants who tunneled under the Gaza-Israel border, attacked an army post in Israel and snatched the soldier.

His captors initially demanded the release of 1,400 Palestinian prisoners, including women, minors and dozens of the longest-serving inmates. In all, some 9,300 Palestinian security prisoners are being held by Israel, one of the highest totals in 40 years of military occupation.
[Captured? Kidnapped would be just a little more correct]
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said he is willing, in principle, to release prisoners. However, the swap has been held up by disagreement over who should be freed. Israel balks at releasing those involved in attacks that killed or wounded Palestinians.
[Whoops.. move along folks, no bias showing here... ]

In recent weeks, there had been repeated reports that a list of names was handed to Israel. However, Barghouti's comments marked the first public confirmation. "If the Israeli government is serious, there is now a very good opportunity to end this chapter," Barghouti said.

Barghouti spoke after a special Cabinet meeting on reform of the Palestinian security services. He said the new interior minister presented a reform plan, but that another meeting would be held in a week.

Wrangling over control of the 85,000-strong security forces was a key reason for months of factional fighting that killed more than 140 Palestinians. Hamas and Fatah put off the thorny issue when they formed their government last month. At the center of the dispute is the fate of a 5,600-strong Hamas militia, formed a year ago as a counterweight to the security forces loyal to Fatah.
[ ... killed 140 Palestinians, where's the world out rage now? Lets just make it a little clearer the Palestinians killed 140 Palestinians, and these are the people we are supposed to negioate peace with? ]

Also Saturday, an Israeli airstrike in Gaza killed a Palestinian militant and wounded two. The Israeli military said it launched the strike after spotting the militants trying to plant a bomb. It said militants had planted explosives in the same area two days earlier.

The army said militants have planted more than 40 bombs along the border since Palestinian militants in Gaza and Israel agreed on a cease-fire in November.
[There's that word again Cease Fire, Israel ceases Fire and the Palestinians shoot hundreds of rockets, and plant bombs , where's the world outrage now?.. ]

The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a small militant group, said the militants were "on a holy mission" when they were hit by the Israeli force.

Israel says militants have been exploiting the lull to smuggle explosives, missiles and other weapons into Gaza through tunnels from neighboring Egypt.

During the truce, Palestinian militants have fired some 200 rockets into Israel, the army said, including two on Saturday. One of the rockets caused light damage to a building in the border town of Sderot, a common target of the militants. The army said there were no injuries.
Egypt's foreign minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit urged both sides to calm, condemning Israel's Saturday airstrike, and called on Palestinians to refrain from firing rockets.
[ Condemning : Israel ..... Refrain : Palestinians
Some one notice more bias from the Egyptian Foreign Minister? ]

Also Saturday, the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, a violent Fatah offshoot, said one of its most well-known gunmen, Zakariya Zubeyd,i was shot in the shoulder during a gunbattle with Israeli forces in the northern West Bank city of Jenin. The group said Zubeydi was being treated at a private residence.

Israel's army confirmed it fired at a gunman in a battle in Jenin's refugee camp overnight, but said it did not know the identity of the target. Israel says Zubeydi has been involved in numerous attacks against Israelis, including deadly roadside shootings.

Zubeydi, a fluent Hebrew speaker, is often interviewed by the Israeli media. He is best known for his friendship with an Israeli woman, Tali Fahima, who was jailed for more than two years on charges she shared classified information with Zubeydi.

Somehow I think
"Israel balks at releasing those involved in attacks that killed or wounded Palestinians."
might be a rather revealing typo, what do you think?

Reference:
The China Post via AP:
Captors of Israeli soldier hand demands to Israel


Read More...

Does Olmert stand to make $400,000??

One time when you hope yours isn't the one!

LOS ANGELES - An Air Force veteran has filed a federal claim after an operation at a Veterans Administration hospital in which a healthy testicle was removed instead of a potentially cancerous one.

Benjamin Houghton, 47, was to have had his left testicle removed June 14 at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center because there was a chance it could harbor cancer cells. It also was atrophied and painful.

But doctors mistakenly removed the right testicle, according to medical records and the claim, which seeks $200,000 for future care and unspecified damages. He still hasn't had the other testicle removed.
"At first I thought it was a joke," Houghton told the Los Angeles Times. "Then I was shocked. I told them, 'What do I do now?'"

Houghton, his wife, Monica, and their attorney, Dr. Susan Friery, said they hoped to get the VA's attention by going public with the situation.
Dr. Dean Norman, chief of staff for the Greater Los Angeles VA system, has formally apologized to Houghton and his wife.


"We are making every attempt that we can to care for Mr. Houghton, but it's in litigation, and that's all we can tell you," he said. The hospital changed practices as a result of the case, he added.

Mr Bagel: Ouch!

Article From Yahoo


Read More...