JawsBlog

Early this morning, Israeli Naval Commandos boarded the “flotilla’ of ships bound tor Gaza.

Despite the claims that these were “peaceful protests”–the video shows otherwise

Yet the idiocy of the European Union and other Leftist Global Leaders (especially the UN) is already starting their usual condemnation of Israel.

The only language understood in the Middle East is that of force. Good for Israel.

Went to the annual Salute to Israel parade today over on 5th Avenue.
Nothing too different from years past–fewer solicitors/handouts this year and significantly increased security (helicopters, and dump trucks loaded with cement at the top of 5th).

Also went to the Concert in the park afterwords for a bit. It was okay. More of a combination of right-of-center political rally + concert. (Which is right up my alley). Didn’t stay for more than 2hrs because I had a bit of a headache (hypoglycemia again?)

I also happened to see the Conservative Button Guy on Fifth Avenue outside the Met again. (He’s ~at 80th and 5th) and he was wisely selling pro-Israel buttons in addition to his other accessories today. Smart marketing. Caveat though: I don’t think Conservatives use buttons as much as Liberals, but that’s an irrelevant discussion.

This has to be one of the stupidest ideas since, oh, say, the idea of “engaging” the “Hamas Moderates”.

U.S. wants to build up Hezbollah moderates

There’s so much stupidity written all over this–one doesn’t know where to start.

Major facepalm.

Netanyahu turns to Bible in tussle over Jerusalem

Question is–will Netanyahu stick to his religious tenets?

A brief recap of my experience at yesterday’s “Break the silence — Stand with Israel rally” which was held in Midtown outside the Israeli embassy. (2nd Ave between 42nd and 43rd streets).

First, as I anticipated there was quite a bit of whargarbl/derp from the crowd and some speakers (nu?) Also down a block (between 41st and 40th) were the Neturei Karta doing their thing. [Again--did you expect anything else].

I actually recognized some faces in the crowd from shul and it was a mixed group in attendance. A good turn out especially in light of the rain and the lack of major Jewish organization sponsorship (there’s one theory floating around as to why–I’m not sure I buy into it). The rain probably prevented a larger crowd, plus the space confines too.

The crowd tended to skew more to the religious side of the spectrum (a collection of black hats, but a large number of kippot) There also seemed to be quite a large contingent of older individuals–many of whom sounded like they were of Eastern European descent (based on the languages they used). There were also some youngsters (little kids thru high school age) and activists in the mix.

One of the most interesting speakers had to have been Guardian Angels’ founder and head Curtis Sliwa. He basically called things as they were and hammered the politicians on both sides of the aisle and called on them to actually stand up for Israel rather than merely posturing. Some of the speakers went all anti-Democrat, but Sliwa to his credit played it down the middle (okay, he was a bit more anti-incumbent–but towards both sides).

He’s some coverage from Arutz Sheva (Note: a right-of center new organization)

In all, I enjoyed the time I spent there–cold weather and rain not withstanding. I was very disappointed though by the lack of creative signs and/or giant inflatable figurines (I guess the far left has a monopoly on those).

The WJC’s president pens an open letter to the Obama Administration vis-a-vis Israel

it’s ironic that many Israelis like to spend their Passover vacation on the Sinai Peninsula. Sure it may be pretty–but crossing the Red Sea in the opposite direction on the holiday celebrating yetziat mitzraim?

Now the Israeli government is warning all Israelis to exit Sinai at once

Another recent memory from my recent trip.

On one small section of Emek Refaiim, there’s an Aroma Cafe on one side of the street and opposite it is a Tal Bagels and Max Brenner restaurant.

While The Sister and I found this to be extremely funny–the parents didn’t understand our laughter.

You see…here in NYC we’ve got a Max Brenner (Union Sq), Aroma Cafe (multiple).

Travel half way around the world and see the same restaurants! With the notable exception that in Jerusalem all of these places were Kosher.

Time for some Israel trip stories.

One of the highlights of my trips was to do something I’d never done before in Israel. Ride a public bus.

My previous trips to Israel with school and youth groups took place in the ’80s (’96 and ’99). For those who don’t remember, during that time there was a spike in terrorist attacks especially against public buses (a list from the Israeli MFA).

During those trips taking the bus was expressly prohibited. Not even to be contemplated.

This trip–I got to take the bus. Rode the bus around Yerushalaim in fact. Even rode a bus from Tel-Aviv to Yerushalaim at night (though I had to stand for that whole ride).

Sure it seems mundane–but it was the novelty of being able to do something I’d never done before on my previous travels.

Hooray for new experiences and adventures!

Politico: After [Obama-Netanyahu] meeting, deafening silence

This doesn’t bode well for either side….unless you’re one of the morons behind J-Street.

My email box was full today of emails (from a mailing list) about the apparent deterioration in US-Israel relations as of late. Even Ambassador Oren sees it: Israeli envoy sees “historic crisis” with U.S.-report

What does this all mean?

Muslim Cleric: Pepsi is “Zionist Plot”

What’s really ironic is that the cleric is obviously rather ignorant of Pepsi’s history vis-a-vis Israel (Pepsi wasn’t sold in Israel until 1992 if fear of Pepsi losing its market share in the Arab bloc)

Nothing too “earth shattering” within PM Netanyahu’s speech earlier today at Bar-Ilan

I sort of like the analysis over at AoSHQ on the speech.

Bibi scores some points for showing up Obama’s omission of the real historical origins of the (modern) State of Israel.

Otherwise, there was nothing in the speech that hadn’t been heard before.

Funny to read the Palestinian responses though. The “peace process” is once again DOA (though–was it ever “alive” to begin with?)

Israeli military developing battlefield robot snake.

Awesome! Killer Zionist Snakes! I love it!

Didn’t read all 6,000 words of it yet (nor do I really have any intention too)

But from all the articles I’ve read, I”m not pleased.

Israel is getting royally screwed over–and based on that alone, I don’t like it. Others can say more, but that’s my 2 cents.

Iran complains to UN about Israeli “threats”

Meanwhile, what has the UN done about threats to Israel from Iran?

Providing futher proof that he would’ve been a poor choice for Chairman of the National Intel Council–Charles Freeman Jr. decides to play the “blame the Israel lobby card”

Sort of funny though, that none of the usual suspects (e.g. AIPAC) had ever publicly stated a position on Mr. Freeman’s nomination. It was Freeman’s own writings/past quotes which sunk him.

No…this has nothing to do with the “Stimulus” plan.

Rather, it’s the jockeying that’s about to start over in Israel over forming a coalition government. (Assuming it hasn’t already started).

As of right now, Kadima has 29 seats and Likud has 27 (out of 120). It takes 61 votes to become the Prime Minister.
However, this years election has given the right-of-center parties more seats–so at first glance, it would appear Bibi may be in the drivers seat.

That is unless, Kadima can start making some deals with cetrain parties….

Let the fun begin!

THough they are excellent Hebrew literary wordsmiths, the likes of whom include Amos Oz, David Grossman, A.B. Yehoshua, and Meir Shalev–they are often dead wrong when it comes to security and politics.

I like their literary works a lot…but their politics couldn’t be more hopelessly wrong.

Islamic Jihad seizes IDF rocket, hotdogs

Two things that instantly come to mind:

1. The rocket has already been used (looks like a LAW)
2. How does one prepare hot dogs in the field?