Wednesday, November 29, 2023

November 29th, 2023

Einat Wilf Tells The Truth: Everyone - or, at least, every Jew of a certain age - knows why there are streets named "29th of November" all over Israel. 

What happened on that day? In 1947, the UN General Assembly voted to partition Mandatory Palestine at the end of the British Mandate.

November 29th

How was this to be accomplished? Through the creation of independent Arab and Jewish States and a Special International Regime for the city of Jerusalem. 

And how did this turn out? The Plan was accepted by the leaders of the Jewish community in Palestine. 

The Plan was rejected by leaders of the Arab community, who were supported by the Arab League. The Arab leadership (in and out of Palestine) opposed partition and claimed all of Palestine.

Gazaq Flood

Which - somehow, amazingly - brings us to today. On November 29, 2023, anti-Israel protesters plan to throw the beloved Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony into disarray by "flooding the tree lighting for Gaza."

Macy's Parade

And why not? They tried it during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, chanting and singing and gluing themselves to the street along the parade route.

Ypsilanti

And they tried it during a Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Ypsilanti, Michigan, obnoxiously drowning out the children's choir with chants of "America is a terrorist state."

Has the world gone mad? Was the world ever sane?

Einat Wilf

Which - somehow, amazingly - brings Abq Jew to the writing and speaking of Dr Einat Wilf, whose website tells us:

Dr. Einat Wilf is a leading thinker on Israel, Zionism, foreign policy and education. She was a member of the Israeli Parliament from 2010 to 2013, where she served as Chair of the Education Committee and Member of the influential Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

Born and raised in Israel, Dr. Wilf served as an Intelligence Officer in the Israel Defense Forces, Foreign Policy Advisor to Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres and a strategic consultant with McKinsey & Company.

Dr. Wilf has a BA from Harvard, an MBA from INSEAD in France, and a PhD in Political Science from the University of Cambridge. She was the Goldman Visiting Professor at Georgetown University and is a lecturer at Reichman University in Israel.

Dr. Wilf is the author of seven books that explore key issues in Israeli society. “We Should All Be Zionists“, published in 2022, brings together her essays from the past four years on Israel, Zionism and the path to peace; the co-authored “The War of Return: How Western Indulgence of the Palestinian Dream Has Obstructed the Path to Peace”, was published in 2020.

Abq Jew thinks that Dr Einat Wilf's voice is one of sanity and clarity. You know - reason! and good thinking!

Here is one recent example, which appeared on Dr Wilf's Twitter. Abq Jew is thrilled to report that - more than 50 years after his time at the Technion - Dr Wilf's writing (בּעברית) is so clear that Abq Jew can understand it all (mostly)!

If you can, too - here's a treat! If you can't - an English translation will follow.

בואו עכשיו ניפרד יפה מהאגדה המנחמת ש״חמאס לא מייצג את הפלסטינים״. מעבר לעובדה הפשוטה שחמאס נבחר בבחירות בעזה וידוע שינצח בבחירות בגדה (ולכן אין שם בחירות), חמאס מייצג באופן עמוק את האתוס הפלסטיני הרחב ביותר לפיו ליהודים כעם אין זכות לקיים מדינה חופשית בגבולות כלשהם במרחב שבין נהר הירדן לים התיכון. 

לחמאס יש אולי ״רק״ כמה עשרות אלפי רוצחים מאומנים, אבל הם כולם פועלים בידיעה ברורה וגאה שהם עושים זאת למען ״שחרור פלסטין״. הרעיון שיש ״לשחרר את פלסטין מן הנהר ועד הים״ הוא הרעיון המכונן של הזהות הפלסטינית, והוא המכנה המשותף הרחב ביותר לפלסטינים כולם. במובן זה אין הבדל בין חמאס לפתח או כל פלג אחר. ההבדל הוא באמצעים שהם חושבים יהיו היעילים ביותר ל״שחרור פלסטין״, אבל לא במטרה עצמה.

במשך שנים כשהצגתי את הרעיונות הללו למשלחות מכל העולם נתקלתי תמיד בהתנגדות בסגנון ״את מכלילה, כמו שיש ישראלים ויהודים עם דעות שונות, בוודאי יש פלסטינים עם דעות שונות״. תשובתי היתה ונותרה שדווקא האמירות הרחבות שלי הופכות את עמדתי לקלה להפרכה. כל מה שצריך הוא להביא לי פלסטיני האומר בפומבי ובשמו באופן ברור ומפורט: ״לעם היהודי כעם יש זכות שווה להגדרה עצמית ולמדינה משלו במולדתו ההיסטורית. ברור לי שהמשמעות היא שאין לפלסטינים ׳זכות שיבה׳ לתוך מדינת ישראל. הרצון שלנו הוא לקיים מדינה עבורנו לצד מדינת ישראל, שהיתה ותהיה ביתו הלאומי של העם היהודי, ולא במקומה.״ 

כן, תמיד יש מי שיסבירו לי ש״יש פלסטינים כאלה״, אבל למדתי שאנשי המערב כל כך רוצים לעצום עיניהם בפני המציאות, שהם תמיד יפרשו מה שפלסטינים אומרים באופן הנוח להם או לחילופין יתנו תירוצים למה אי אפשר לצפות מפלסטינים לומר זאת. אבל זהו לב העניין. לכן אני מתעקשת שכל אמירה תהיה פומבית, מפורטת (לא אמירות כלליות על ״רצון בשלום וקץ לסבל״) ובשמו של הפלסטיני שאומר זאת.  

אני עדיין מחכה לקולות האלה מצד פלסטינים. 

ולכן אין דבר כזה ״למוטט את החמאס״. גם אם מחר כל הנשקים וכל המנהרות בעזה מושמדים, יקום ארגון חדש, בשם אחר וידאג שכל דולר ויורו של כספי ״שיקום״ שיועבר לעזה ישמש לבנייה מחדש של כח שמטרתו תהיה - שוב - ״שחרור פלסטין״. זו הסיבה שעזה אף פעם לא ״משתקמת״, כי תושביה אינם רואים בעזה ״בית״, ״מולדת״ או שטח שנותן להם הזדמנות להקים מדינה פלסטינית משגשגת. להיפך - הם רואים בעזה כן שיגור (תרתי משמע) ממנו הם יכולים לקחת ״בחזרה״ את ״פלסטין״, ובזה הם משקיעים את משאביהם - הכסף, הזמן והכישרון של אנשיהם. 

אז מה כן אפשר לעשות?

בראש וראשונה, יש להכיר בכך שזהו האתוס הפלסטיני שמגדיר את עצם הזהות הפלסטינית בכל מקום בעולם, ולהבין שזה לא קשור למה שישראל עושה (לא כיבוש, לא התנחלויות, לא מצור - אלה דברים שאפשר לעסוק בהם מהזווית הישראלית, אבל הם לא משנים לאתוס הפלסטיני), אלא למה שישראל הינה - מדינתו של העם היהודי החופשי.

לכן, רק שינוי יסודי של האתוס הפלסטיני יכול להביא שלום. 

וכן, אתוסים של עמים משתנים בהיסטוריה אבל זהו תהליך ארוך שתמיד כרוך בזה שהאתוס הקודם נתפס כלא לגיטימי באופן עמוק וככזה שאינו מתאים עוד לזמן.

ומראייה מפוכחת זו יש לגזור שני כיווני פעולה:

.1
לפעול באופן נחרץ לייבוש כל מקורות התמיכה המדיניים, הכלכליים והפוליטיים באתוס הפלסטיני של ״שחרור פלסטין״, החל ממדינות ערב והמשך בסוכנות אונר״א שנתמכת על ידי המערב ומאפשרת לפלסטינים לשמר את מלחמת 1948 כתיק פתוח שיבוא יום והם ינצחו בה, וכלה בכל ״סיוע״ שמוגש לפלסטינים מבלי לדרוש מהם את ההצהרה שלמעלה. ככלל, צריך לדרשו שכל סיוע מדיני, כלכלי, פוליטי שניתן לפלסטינים ילווה בדרישה ברורה להצהיר את ההצהרה שלמעלה, ושלא יינתן בלעדיה.

.2
ועד לשינוי האתוס הפלסטיני? להבין שאלו הם שכנינו ״המתפללים חולשתנו כי תבוא, כדי שיוכלו לקרענו לגזרים״ וש״על מנת שתגווע התקווה להשמידנו חייבים אנו להיות, בוקר וערב, מזוינים וערוכים״ (מתוך ההספד של משה דיין לרועי רוטברג בנחל עוז). עד לשינוי ישראל תצטרך להיות חברה מגויסת. כל אזרחי ישראל, יהודים וערבים, חרדים וחילונים, יצטרכו להתגייס להגנת המדינה שהיא מדינתם.

Let's now say goodbye to the comforting legend that "Hamas does not represent the Palestinians." Beyond the simple fact that Hamas was elected in the elections in Gaza and is known to win the elections in the West Bank (therefore there are no elections there), Hamas profoundly represents the broadest Palestinian ethos according to which the Jews as a people have no right to have a free state within any borders in the space between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea.

Hamas may have "only" a few tens of thousands of trained killers, but they all act with the clear and proud knowledge that they are doing so for the "liberation of Palestine." The idea that "Palestine should be freed from the river to the sea" is the founding idea of ​​the Palestinian identity, and is the broadest common denominator for all Palestinians. 

In this sense there is no difference between Hamas and Fatah or any other faction. The difference is in the means they think will be the most effective for the "liberation of Palestine", but not in the goal itself.

For years, when I presented these ideas to delegations from all over the world, I was always met with resistance along the lines of "you are generalizing, just as there are Israelis and Jews with different opinions, surely there are Palestinians with different opinions." 

My answer was and remains that precisely my broad statements make my position easy to refute. All that is needed is to bring me a Palestinian who says publicly and in his name clearly and in detail: 

"The Jewish people as a people have an equal right to self-determination and their own state in their historical homeland. It is clear to me that the meaning is that the Palestinians do not have a 'right of return' to the State of Israel. Our desire is to have a state for us alongside the State of Israel, which was and will be the national home of the Jewish people, and not in its place."

Yes, there are always those who will explain to me that "there are Palestinians like that", but I have learned that the people of the West want so much to close their eyes to reality, that they will always interpret what Palestinians say in a way that is convenient for them or alternatively give excuses as to why Palestinians cannot be expected to say it. 

But this is the heart of the matter. That is why I insist that every statement be public, detailed (not general statements about "the desire for peace and an end to suffering") and in the name of the Palestinian who says it.

I am still waiting for these voices from Palestinians.

Therefore there is no such thing as "collapsing Hamas". Even if tomorrow all the weapons and all the tunnels in Gaza are destroyed, a new organization will be established, with a different name, and will make sure that every dollar and euro of "rehabilitation" money transferred to Gaza will be used to rebuild a force whose goal will be - once again - the "liberation of Palestine". 

This is the reason why Gaza never "restores", because its residents do not see Gaza as "home", "homeland" or a territory that gives them an opportunity to establish a prosperous Palestinian state. On the contrary - they see Gaza as a launch pad (literally) from which they can take "back" Palestine, and in this they invest their resources - the money, time and talent of their people.

So what can be done?

First and foremost, it must be recognized that it is the Palestinian ethos that defines the Palestinian identity everywhere in the world, and understand that it has nothing to do with what Israel is doing (no occupation, no settlements, no siege - these are things that can be dealt with from the Israeli perspective, but they do not change the Palestinian ethos), but for what Israel is - the state of the free Jewish people. 

Therefore, only a fundamental change of the Palestinian ethos can bring peace. 

And yes, the ethos of nations change in history, but this is a long process that always involves the previous ethos being seen as profoundly illegitimate and as no longer appropriate for the times.

And from this sober view, two courses of action must be derived:

  1. Act decisively to dry up all sources of political, economic and political support for the Palestinian ethos of "liberating Palestine", starting with Arab countries and continuing with the UNRA agency which is supported by the West and allows the Palestinians to preserve the 1948 war as an open case that one day they will win it, and ending with all " Aid' that is provided to the Palestinians without requiring them to make the above statement. As a general rule, it should be required that any political, economic, and political aid given to the Palestinians be accompanied by a clear requirement to declare the above statement, and that it not be given without it.

  2. Until the change of the Palestinian ethos? To understand that these are our neighbors "who pray for our weakness that it will come, so that they can tear us to pieces" and that "in order for the hope of our destruction to die out we must be, morning and evening, armed and prepared" (from Moshe Dayan's obituary for Roy Rothberg in Nahal Oz). Until the change, Israel will have to be a mobilized society. All citizens of Israel, Jews and Arabs, orthodox and secular, will have to mobilize to defend the state that is their state.
Blue Line

RWY

Abq Jew's father, Richard W Yellin, of blessed memory, certainly chose an already memorable day on which to pass on to the World to Come. Sixteen  years later, it's the civil date (the Hebrew yahrzeit is still a few days away) that Abq Jew recalls. 

Am Israel Chai


Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Hear May-May Roo

For Forever: It is with great sorrow that Abq Jew confirms that his beloved greyhound May-May has passed over to the Rainbow Bridge, at the age of 14 years, 9 months, and 10 days. 

May-May

That is indeed an amazingly "ripe old age" for a greyhound. And although it sounds like May-May had many wonderful years with us - in fact, we were together for only seven years.

Retired racing greyhound May-May was found by the side of an Albuquerque road sometime in 2015; her owner could not be identified or located. 

She was rescued by New Mexico Greyhound Connection (as was Belle), adopted by an elderly lady who surely loved her - but who had to return May-May when she moved to assisted living.

That was about a year after Henry passed (August 10, 2015; See Henry Run). On September 26, 2016, Belle welcomed May-May as her slightly older sister. They were together (and later, with Ziggy) until Belle passed (September 10, 2020; see See Belle Run).

Where, oh where, was May-May during her first six-and-a-half years? She never told us. Her ear tattoos seemed to be for a different dog, most likely from the same litter. And most certainly male.

Yes, May-May was assuredly raised with boys. She was the only bitch (that's a technical term) Mr & Mrs Abq Jew have known who lifted her leg to pee. She loved rubbing the side of our house; getting her butt scratched; and barking. And rooing. And just being with us.

And yes, May-May required special treatment - which Mr & Mrs Abq Jew knew when we adopted her. She was seven and a half then - our oldest rescue. And we planned things so that May-May was never the only dog in our home.

May-May Of Blessed Memory

Above all else, May-May was sweet and gentle. All she asked for was a little bit of love, every now and then - too much was too much. To sleep right next to Mrs Abq Jew's bed every night, and to awaken there, happy, every morning.

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

The 2023 March for Israel

Best Moments: Like many of his fellow New MexiJews, Abq Jew was not able to attend this week's March for Israel at the National Mall in Washington, DC.

Goin to The Mall

But - also, like many of his fellow New MexiJews - Abq Jew was there in spirit, and was able to follow the livestreamed speakers, music, and events from the Land of Enchantment.

2023 March for Israel

Here is what Marcela Homsany and Amy Klein wrote in the Jerusalem Post today:
Close to 300,000 march for Israel in Washington, decry antisemitism

According to the organizers, this has been the largest pro-Israel rally in the history of the United States.

WASHINGTON – Close to 300,000 demonstraters gathered in Washington on Tuesday for the March for Israel, to demand the release of hostages under Hamas captivity, and demonstrate their determination to combat the increasing levels of antisemitism since October 7.

According to the organizers, this has been the largest pro-Israel rally in the history of the United States. At the rally, the humming of Hatikvah carried throughout the crowd for what seemed to be miles, while Israeli flags painted the multitude of attendees in blue and white.

The rally was organized by the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations (CoP) and the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA). Estimates early in the day named the rally as the biggest one in support of Israel in the US to date.
March for Israel

One of the best speeches of the day was by Deborah Lipstadt, United States Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Anti-Semitism. Here is what Jacob Magid reported from the March in the Times of Israel:
Biden envoy at pro-Israel rally: Those chanting ‘glory to the martyrs’ are inciting hatred

“As a representative from President Biden and Vice President Harris and the United States government, I can tell you without hesitation, regardless of party or political persuasion at the White House or in the Congress at home, and abroad. This government stands shoulder to shoulder against Jew hatred,” [Deborah Lipstadt] says to cheers.

“Today in America we give antisemitism no sanction, no foothold, no tolerance, not on campus, not in our schools, not in our neighborhoods, not in our streets or the streets of our cities. Not in our government. Nowhere. not now, not ever,” Lipstadt declares.

“When protesters chant ‘Peace and glory to the martyrs,’ that incites more hatred, more deaths.”

“It is a danger to the values and underpinning of the stability and decency of any society anywhere in the world. Hate is not a zero-sum game, hate and violence directed at any member of our society because of who they are is un-American and wrong."


Another great speech was by Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15), whose district includes heavily-Jewish Riverdale. Torres told the crowd

Not everyone calling for a ceasefire wants Israel
to cease to exist. But everyone who wants Israel
to cease to exist is calling for a ceasefire.

The best sign (and there were a lot of very good ones) seen at the March?

We Go Chai

And let us all say -

Am Yisrael Chai


Wednesday, November 8, 2023

At the End of the Rainbow

And They're MarriedMr & Mrs Abq Jew are thrilled, thrilled to announce the marriage of our wonderful daughter Alex to the equally wonderful Jake.

Under Chuppah

We wish you mazeltov! Long life, love, happiness, and prosperity!

First Dance

Dance Lift

Red Maple Vineyard West Park, New York November 5, 2023


A kiss at the end of the rainbow more precious than a pot of gold!

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

For All These Things 5784

Singing Is Believing: In April 2018, at the time of Israel's 70th anniversary of independence, the social-musical initiative known as Koolulam (see For All These Things: Israel @ 70) showed us how Yom HaAtzmaut should be done. 

Two Color Giraffes

Ah, the spirit! the love! the music!
Abq Jew thinks we need this now.

As Abq Jew pointed out last week (see The Story Continues), in Israel, there are weddings - many, many weddings - taking place. Acts of resistance. And here, too, in America. 

Simcha - joy - takes precedence over mourning. 

Simcha

Back in 2018, Abq Jew was tipped off to the Koolulam project by The Times of Israel, which reported

Koolulam, the social singing initiative that’s taken Israel by storm, started celebrating earlier when it gathered 12,000 people, including President Reuven Rivlin, musician Shlomi Shabat, Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai and MK Gila Gamliel at Tel Aviv’s Menora Mivtachim Arena to sing Naomi Shemer’s iconic “Al Kol Eleh,” “For All These Things,” in preparation for Israel’s 70th. 

על כל אלה - על כל אלה
שמור נא לי אלי הטוב
על הדבש ועל העוקץ
על המר והמתוק
אל נא תעקור נטוע
אל תשכח את התקווה
השיבני ואשובה
אל הארץ הטובה

Over all these things, over all these things
Please stand guard for me my good God 
Over the honey and the stinger
Over the bitter and the sweet
Don’t uproot a sapling
Don’t forget the hope
May you return me, and may I return
To the good land  

LeChaim