February 22, 2013

Laura: Antisemitism in Europe has reached epidemic proportions. The situation is ugly throughout the continent. I implore the Jews of Europe to flee now. It is no exaggeration to say that the situation for Jews in Europe is just like that of the 1930′s. However unlike the 30′s, the Jews now have a country of their own. There’s no excuse to remain in Europe. Here are the latest headlines.

Czech musicians face trial for neo-Nazi concerts

Anti-Semitic mob attacks Tottenham fans in Lyon

German court drops charges against rabbi over circumcision

Greek Jews condemn Golden Dawn remarks on Holocaust memorial

Budapest University student council lists Jews

Polish football fans host anti-Semitic “game” in Lodz

Israel’s deputy ambassador forced to flee Essex University lecture

Maagar Poll(Maariv/Makor Rishon): Likud Beiteinu 28 Yesh Atid 24 Bayit
Yehudi 13 Shas 12 Labor 11

Dr. Aaron Lerner – IMRA 22 February 2013

The survey was conducted by Maagar – Interdisciplinary Research and
Consulting Institute Ltd., managed by Professor Yitzhak Katz. It was
commissioned by Maariv and Makor Rishon and published on 22 February.

Telephone survey of representative sample of adult Israelis (including
Arabs). The survey was carried out 21 February 2013

by Isi Leibler

Without doubt, many Israelis share my disgust as they observe the deceitful and cynical machinations of those we elected to represent us in the Knesset.

Understandably, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was disappointed with the dramatic erosion in support of Likud-Beiteinu at the recent elections. Yet he remained the unchallenged leader of the nation and was uniquely positioned to create a broad coalition which could have enjoyed the support of the vast majority of the nation.

Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid seemed an obvious partner. Contrary to depiction by much of the media, Lapid is no leftist and is committed to an undivided Jerusalem and retention of the major settlement blocs, including Ariel. His parliamentary team of newcomers was far superior to the prevailing Knesset members, many of whom were elected through corrupt and dubious primaries.
(Read more…)

Today I wrote to Naftali Bennett advising of my thoughts on “equal service”.

You are quite right to not stress the “equal sharing”. That is not the most important principal or one that is in the interests of Israel or the Hareidi.
But as you say we have to get them out of their cages. As you know, the army really doesn’t need them.  They are a pain in the ass for the IDF. Then there is whole problem of the arabs who refuse to be drafted. Keep in mind that the Tal law kept the Hareidi outside the IDF but there is or was no such law enabling the Arabs to avoid the Army. If Lapid is so interested in “equal service” he should start with them.
What is really important is to get most of them out of the Kollels and into the workforce. They should be given the choice of learning a trade of other useful skills rather than to enlist.
From a legal point of view, there may be difficulty passing laws which apply only to Arabs or only to the Hareidi..
I am more worried about Livni as Justice Minister than I am as peace negotiator. We must get more legislation passed regarding the SC and regarding the NGO’s and so on.  We must also approve the Levy Report. We also have to neutralize the Attorney General.
Good luck.

Hezbollah Goes All-In On Syria

by Avi Issacharoff, The Tower

Sources in the Free Syrian Army, the main armed group fighting to overthrow the regime of Bashar al-Assad, are announcing that its soldiers have bombed two Hezbollah compounds, one in Syria and another in the Lebanese town of Hermel. If confirmed the development may mark a critical turn in Syria’s two-year war, bearing out fears that the increasingly sectarian conflict would spill over across Syria’s borders.

Yesterday FSA Chief of Staff Gen. Salim Idris gave Hezbollah an unprecedented ultimatum: withdraw its forces from Lebanon within 48 hours or face attack.
(Read more…)