State of the Nation on Erev Shavuot

As we have watched the Judea/Samaria situation unfolding between the Netanyahu and Obama governments, it is apparent how much pressure is put on the Prime Minister...every Prime Minister and every government of Israel.

photo: www.israelity.com/tag/photo/page/2

While I abhor the antics and capitulations of the Olmerts, the Sharons, and especially the Tzipi Livnis, it isn't hard to understand why some buckle under and others try to fight it for a least a while.

I don't know if Bibi can withstand the pressure. I wish there was an easy answer to all of this, but there is not. The simplistic answers of many to just tell America to shove it sound noble and brave, but frankly to do that is neither practical nor feasible. We are, whether we like it or not, intertwined with America, much more so than with Europe. We have less trouble telling Europe to shove it... but America?.... that's hard, for a plethora of reasons.

If we cut the ties and the cords that bind us together, we really truly do stand alone. ALONE. For some, that is a really scary proposition, and for a nation that is supposed to always "stand alone", it can get a little wearisome... Have you ever tried to carry life's responsibilities completely alone? Ask any single parent how easy it is. Multiply that 1,000-fold for the nation.

We live in a global society. If we want to wipe out Iran's nuclear facility, we have to fly over US controlled air space. They have to give us permission to fly over and to re-fuel over those areas. We think we can tell America to shove it and then bomb Iran? How would we do that?

It just doesn't work that way, and the pompous and disgusting comments of the Clintons and the Obamas only emphasize that they know full well the vulnerable position we are in.

Bibi is counting on trying to meet a few of their demands to garner support against Iran. He is trying to give where he thinks it will do the least damage. He has remained firm on several issues, something NONE of his predecessors has ever done.

Netanyahu has stated the following:

• Jerusalem will NOT become an international City, and the UN flag will NOT fly over it.
• The PA and Abbas MUST recognize Israel as a JEWISH State
  
• Established towns and communities in Judea and Samaria will remain as they are and will grow. We will NOT tell the residents they cannot have babies and remodel their homes.

Where he has seemingly capitulated is with the outposts, agreeing to take down the ones deemed to be "illegal". Technically they are. They are homes and houses built without legal permits. To be fair, Netanyahu said in his campaign that the illegal outposts must come down as we are a "law abiding society." (uhmm, that's another story...or several)

But to our subject matter at hand, the obvious answer is, of course, two fold. If the Jewish "illegal" outposts and buildings come down, then so must the arab ones. Indeed, in Jerusalem we have recently seen increased orders to take down many illegal houses (most of which are built on archeological sites and national parks.) If Bibi's government will extend the demolitions to ALL illegal houses, the international community (and Hillary Clinton especially) will go slightly berserk...there are thousands and thousands of illegal arab buildings and houses.

Secondly, the Netanyahu can make the outposts "legal" thus avoiding altogether the need to tear them down. Recently, legalizing an arab town in the Jordan Valley has been discussed. What's sauce for the goose...is sauce for the gander.

This would be my hope. Whether or not it will happen is another matter. I still want to give Bibi the benefit of the doubt, and still believe, of all our choices, he is the only viable candidate to be our Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, we are preparing for a 3-day War Test called "Turning Point 3" with the total and complete involvement of the entire nation. This is not a "little" practice exercise. All the reserves are being called up for miluim (reserve)duty, the coffee shop discussion is on the missing gas masks and the state or location (or lack there of) of the miklot (bomb shelter). There are some odd things about this particular War Game....something's not quite right, but I can't put my finger on it.

Guess there's some serious stuff ahead.

We will move into our holiday, with all of this on our mind. Yet we will be studying Torah, learning, eating cheesecake and remembering that this is the first holiday we celebrated as a nation when we took back Jerusalem in 1967.

That Shavuot, at dawn, after a night of study (a tradition on Shavuot) thousands and thousands of individuals spontaneously began to make their way to the western wall. The preceding days had marked the first time in 2000 years that Jews were able to again pray at the Wall, and to be able to do so on this Shavuot was remarkable. The sight and the feeling and the oneness was beyond description to those who participated. And so each year at dawn on Shavuot, we repeat the experience and do it again...thousands stream toward the Kotel to finish the night of study and reflection and to thank G-d that we are here in Jerusalem. Some do it with their feet, some with their hearts....but for all of us, it is more delicious than the cheesecake.

Because in spite of the foreboding headlines, in spite of statements and threats, and in spite of the worrisome appearance of things to come ... today, 6 Sivan 5769, we can say

Jerusalem, still in Jewish hands.

And that's the true state of the Nation on Erev Shavuot.

Chag Sameach, Shabbat Shalom

Bibi's Strength & Destiny

Regarding the recent flurry of meetings between the key players of those wanting to fly the UN flag over Jerusalem and internationalize the City, and the sudden entrance of Bibi Netanyahu into those meetings (The Other Shoe Rewritten and Follow Up to the Shoe posts) I wrote .."I am hoping that he is being summoned - and like a diplomatic head of state, listens - but that his answer will be a resounding NO."
Photo unkown source

If Thursday's speeches by PM Netanyahu are any indication of his answer, it appears that, so far at leaset, it is a resounding NO.

Celebrating Yom Yerushalayim, Netanyahu spoke at Merchaz haRav Yeshiva (where so many young students were savagely gunned down in the spring of 2008), and earlier on Ammunition Hill, (the memorial site for those who died liberating Jerusalem in the Six Day War) he said the following: "The flag that flies over the Kotel is the Israeli flag... Our holy places, the Temple Mount -- will remain under Israeli sovereignty forever.”

The pressure will remain, and surely intensify, for Israel to buckle under. Let us hope and pray for Bibi's strength and courage to withstand such powerful forces. We need to undergird him and the most important thing we can say to him is "Yasher koach" (may you be strengthened, or congratulations or thank you for having the strength so that Torah may be upheld) In this case, the upholding of Torah that Jerusalem remains in Jewish hands.

What could be more to the point? Yasher koach, Bibi.

Follow Up to Recent Post

I ended Friday's blog with some concerns about Bibi and how involved he is with the issue of internationalizing Jerusalem. I hope we did not get our answer, but following his trail this past week looks pretty darn scary.

If you recall, the major players in internationalizing Jerusalem and wresting it from Israel are Jordan (King Abdullah), the Vatican (whichever Pope is in power), Shimon Peres, and now, the waited for catalyst, Barak Obama. There has been a flurry of recent activity between these players; Abdullah and Peres flew to meet Obama immediately preceding the Pope's visit to the Middle East, where he first met with Abdullah in Jordan before meeting with Peres in Israel.

However, on Thursday, Bibi entered the picture. Netanyahu paid a surprise (meaning unannounced to the media) visit to King Abdullah - in Jordan's Red Sea port city, Aqaba. Immediately following that meeting, he flew to Nazareth to meet with the Pope in the Franciscan convent where Benedict was holding court, so to speak. (Interestingly, Thursday was the day the heaviness in Jerusalem was so palpable you could cut it with a knife)

It has now been announced that Sunday (tomorrow), Shimon Peres will meet with Abdullah and of course, on Monday, May 18, Bibi meets with Barak Obama.

It doesn't look good.

I cannot wrap my head around any scenario that would cause Bibi to push for signing over parts of Jerusalem to the UN and/or the Vatican. Can it be possible that he will bend on Jerusalem for the "permission" to nuke Iran? I am hoping that he is being summoned - and like a diplomatic head of state, listens - but that his answer will be a resounding NO.

As Jews we are to put aside our cares on Shabbat, and I did successfully pack this away for the weekend, but I admit I had trouble sleeping peacefully. Maybe it was many things, but perhaps this disheartening news was peeking around the corner in the night.

Nonetheless, I am not ready to give up on Bibi....yet.

And, ultimately, thank G-d, the Tanach teaches that Jerusalem will remain...where she is...in Jerusalem. (the prophet Zechariah). But then again, that's long term.

The real question is...do we care enough about Jerusalem to fight for her? Our immediate future hangs in the balance.

The Other Shoe ...Rewritten

Reconstructing the article which twice disappeared from my computer screen has proven to be an exercise in futility. However, here is a summary of what I wished to convey along with additional information.

Things are supposed to be settling down to a normal routine here in Israel (an oxymoron if there ever was one) after our Memorial & Independence Days. The truth is there is a real uneasiness in the air. Some days that uneasiness makes us depressed, other days it makes us crazy. (That is - more than usual.) In my From the Hills of Jerusalem blog, I mentioned that it feels like we are waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Part of it has had to do with the anticipated arrival of the Pope and what was going on underneath the surface regarding his visit. (Neither was it so smooth on top of the surface once he arrived as there was much tension over his words - or lack of words - regarding the Vatican's role during the Holocaust in the various speeches). Most of the world has no clue why he was here, and certainly that’s true for Israelis as well. Nevertheless, because it is about us and specifically about Jerusalem, we felt the trembling whether it was understood or not. This past week has been shockingly oppressive in the City.

The shoe that we are waiting to hear drop is more than the mega ton neutron bombs that might be dropped ala Iran, but of course, they are hovering in the background. Each piece is part of a mounting and noticeable offensive building against us…from all sides.

Because the Pope’s visit was largely misunderstood by most observers, but is, in fact, one of the most serious events of the moment, it was primarily that topic I tried to address in my earlier article.

Yes, I was concerned that Netanyahu appointed a “two state, withdraw to the 1967 or beyond borders, abandon most all settlements” person as his US Ambassador (Michael Oren). That is, until I realized that the US Ambassador has no authority to act. He is a PR man, a figurehead. So, let him and Obama chat and babble away, while Netanyahu does what has to be done.

And I was concerned about what Assistant Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon had to say about the Road Map and other previous “commitments” (which the papers identifies as Annapolis) until I realized the media had “slightly distorted” the story. Annapolis was never ratified by the Israeli Government, thus is NOT a previous commitment, and the Road Map clearly requires total abstinence of terror from the Palestinian Authority, so there is less concern for Ayalon’s statements.

No, the real story is what has been going on for many years, and what is escalating now at such a rapid pace that it is dizzying. Every generation has its Hamans and Amaleks. In our generation, despite the powerful attempt, and despite the terrible anguish, the Shoah failed to destroy us as a People. Hence, the next attempt is to wrench the Land of Israel away from us. The hatred against us for having this special Covenant with the Almighty is so intense that the world will stop at nothing in their desire to destroy us and/or our coveted relationship with G-d. Anyone with a brain, whether religious or secular, can see how ludicrous it is for the entire world to go berserk when we build an addition on a house in Judea or Samaria, when we check incoming vehicles for weapons and bombs, when we respond to terror. That’s because this battle isn’t normal, isn’t natural, and is not new.

Part of the plan to remove Eretz Yisrael from Am Yisrael is to wrest Jerusalem from Jewish hands and this particular portion of it has been in the works since we heard the thrilling cry “the Temple Mount is in our hands” upon recapturing the Old City in 1967.

The way it is hoped it will be accomplished is by internationalizing Jerusalem. The key players to date have been Jordan, (the Kings Abdullah) the Vatican (the various Popes), and on the Israeli side to make sure it happens – Shimon Peres among others. It has long been in the works with details far too numerous to catalog here.

However, it is a matter of timing and the timing has not been right until now - for two reasons: 1) There is a simultaneous 4-prong thrust against Israel - Gaza, Judea & Samaria, the Golan, and Jerusalem. All of these fronts have been developing at their own pace, waiting until the time when they would reach their final stages together - or at the same time. 2) There needed to be a charismatic leader to demand and enforce the coalescence of events.

My words are not meant to engender Biblical prophecy, they are written solely from a position of strategic wisdom in battle.

The simultaneous final stages are being reached at this hour in history, and that charismatic leader, Barak Obama, has surfaced in the nation that can most easily put the screws to Israel – the United States. America’s people are with Israel. America as a nation is not. Her agenda is to regain a leadership role amongst the nations by putting the troublesome Zionist cause to rest at last.

You may have noticed a little stream of visitors to Barak Obama last month. First there was King Abdullah of Jordan, then Shimon Peres, both coordinated just before the Pope’s arrival in Israel.

Contrary to popular media reports and even astute Israeli pundits, King Abdullah’s meeting with Obama was not a pre-emptive snub to Bibi, and even Caroline Glick got it wrong regarding Pere’s visit with Obama. It was NOT an affront to Israel that the Peres/Obama meeting was held in semi-secret and not celebrated by the media. He was NOT there to smooth the way for Bibi. He was there for an intentional secret meeting about Jerusalem – it was simply held right under our noses.

Abdullah’s meeting? It certainly was for the same purpose. It is Jordan who still retains Islamic control over the Temple Mount. We did not take it from them in 1967; we left it “status quo”. Arafat’s men (and now Abbas’) seemingly took over the Islamic Wafq, but the Wafq in control is not that of the Palestinian Authority - it is Jordanian. The temporary PA appearance was useful to Jordan, who is biding its time for a purpose. That purpose is an International Jerusalem overseen by a Jordan-friendly Vatican.

Did anyone notice that immediately following the Abdullah/Obama meeting that Obama called for a “new arab initiative” which included raising the UN flag over the Temple Mount and in Jerusalem? Did anyone notice that immediately following the Peres/Obama meeting, the language got bolder? This time it was explicit: a new arab initiative trading the “right of return” of millions of arabs into Israel in exchange for “internationalizing Jerusalem” - taking its control away from Israel.*

Did anyone notice that these meetings preceded the Pope’s arrival in the Middle East– where Benedict first went to JORDAN, and then to Israel. The Pope was very clear about his liason with the Arab world, and his comfort with Islamic rhetoric. He called for a Palestinian State in Biblical Israel, he intimated that arab suffering was a result of Israeli oppression, he removed his shoes and entered a mosque, and met with the mufti on the Temple Mount.

The Pope's meetings with Israeli officials was selective, on both Israel's part and the Vatican's part. The internationalization plan was not mentioned in media coverage, but Benedict's first meeting was with Shimon Peres. In the earlier drafts of the agreements, the Vatican is to be the over-seer of the Holy Sites, something that Jordan is very comfortable with, as there is agreement between the two governements...the most revealing of which is the agreement to remove the Temple Mount and Old City Land from Israel.

I don't think a deal was finalized on this trip, but I do think the groundwork was exceedingly advanced. We are waiting for something else - and I don't know what it is - but something else to be the catalyst to implement the plan.

There is much more about this, but what makes me very uneasy is that Netanyahu paid a visit to King Abdullah in Jordan, in the midst of the Papal visit. How much is he (Bibi) involved in this? Is he a willing player, is he being coerced, or is he biding time himself?

I have enough personal experience with Bibi and reasons regarding him to think that, in the end, whether because of him, or in spite of him, he will be the right man at the helm of Israel, at this critical hour.

I surely hope I don’t have to eat those words.

Shabbat Shalom

*(Note: Early reports, of which I have copy, used this language...within 24 hours the phrase "internationalizing Jerusalem" was removed. Apparently, the language was a little too explicit, and the media decided to remove it.)

The Other Shoe

Twice I have typed a very long, very detailed article, with many references, regarding what is happening here in Jerusalem...regarding Jerusalem. Now. Imminent. I have worked on it for two days. It has been very meticulously saved, step by step, sentence by sentence, paragraph by paragraph. Twice when I got to the very end of the article, it just simply disappears from my screen -- all of it...and it's saved status has disappeared with it.

I cannot explain it. I am not sure I can reconstruct it a third time. But I will try. There is no time before Shabbat to do so... plus...after it just happened a second time....I'm feeling a bit sick in the pit.....

Very weird. Signing off for Shabbat...
marcia

(The only thing it didn't wipe out was the Title... it's the other shoe we're waiting to hear drop...) Look for it next week...maybe.