DIRECT LINK TO TODAY'S ARTICLES, IHC EDITORIALS AND RECENT ARTICLES

(Thursday, July 24, 2008)


Does a society, which unites to applaud and celebrate child-murderers deserve the sympathy of the West? (See IHC exclusive: “GOOD AND EVIL”)

One of the core issues being addressed by world leaders attempting to solve the Mid East crisis, is the problem of Palestinian ‘refugees’. On what basis do the Palestinians claim a Right of Return and is it grounded in myth or reality? (See: “The Evolving Palestinian Narrative: Arabs Caused the Refugee Problem”)

A prime minister who exploits his status for personal benefit is not suited for the position. Period. Why, after so many calls for his resignation, is Olmert still clinging on to power? (See: “End of the Olmert Regime”)

The citizens of Israel’s south are indeed, an admirable crowd. How are they managing to hold out for so long under such hostile and dangerous conditions? (See: “Western Negev Blues”)

Israelis are not fooled by the PA Chairman’s condemnation of Tuesday’s terrorist attack but is the President of Israel buying into Abbas’ show of hypocrisy? (See: “With Peres Abbas Condemns Bulldozer Attack after Sending Well Wishes to Kuntar”)

There is only so much sympathy the world can show towards the Palestinian cause especially as many are questioning the competency of a rulership that has done little to alleviate economic hardships even after receiving billions of dollars in aid. Are Western democracies fed up with the PA’s failure to accept responsibility for its economical and political climate? (See: “The Palestinians’ Time is running Out”)

It is worthwhile paying attention to Obama’s Middle East policies as he is likely to become the next US president. Can Israel rely on Obama’s support if indeed he does take up residence in the White House at the end of the year?(See: “Key Statements by Barak Obama on Issues Pertaining to Israel”)

The founding of new communities in some of Israel’s most strategic regions are part of government plans to reinforce its borders and prevent enemy infiltration. Are such settlements one of the secrets to Israel’s survival? (See: “Go Ahead For New Jordan Valley Homes Nearly Approved”)

The government has only itself to blame for Israel’s deplorable security situation which is deteriorating by the day. What can be done to re-instill public faith in Israel’s security establishment? (See: “Shin Bet Head: Israel’s Deterrent Suffered “Substantially” in Last 3 Years”)

Is the West finally stepping up sanctions against Iran in view of fresh threats emanating from the Islamic regime? (See: “US, England Slam Iran for Misleading World Over Nuke Program”)

Hamas is now cashing in on Israel’s weaknesses which culminated in last week’s prisoner exchange. Will anything prevent the Gaza-based terrorist organization from placing a higher price on Shalit’s head? (See: “Kuntar Release Opened Doors to Other Terror Leaders Being Freed”)

Did the first bulldozer rampage on 2 July set a precedent? An eye-witness account of one woman who together with her family was in the ‘valley of death’ and came out to tell the tale. (See: “Letters to the Chairman”)

How would the Palestinians and Hizbullah react if we gave them ‘tit for tat?’ (See: “Letters to the Chairman”)


***SEE NEW WEEKEND ROUND UP of selected articles for week
ended 24 July 2008. To locate this, scroll down to box titled
“Index to Direct Links.” In addition, at top of Home Page check icon “New
Postings” for all articles published over the last couple of weeks.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

Tuesdays attack highlighted the urgency to review the current trend of employing Arab labor. On one hand, there is no excuse for endangering the lives of thousands of civilians purely in the name of saving money. Yet on the other, dismissal of an enormous Arab workforce is unrealistic for a number of reasons not least because there is the strong possibility of retaliation. Only someone of the highest intelligence and with tremendous foresight can help the government escape this Catch-22 situation.

AN IHC WORD

Unless one lives in a bubble it is difficult to ignore the effects of an American economic downturn on US domestic politics. The downturn that began in the US is now spreading to Europe where it may be more severe due to the extremely high level of the EU currency. When you price yourself out of the market don't expect it to be 'business as usual'. This negative economic outlook will continue for many years as it is deep rooted. There is loss of faith and uncertainty in the marketplace. The real bombshell is how well what was really going on was so well concealed for so long. The next US president will certainly have his work cut out. Good luck to him.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but there are no children running around in the open streets, no youngsters on bicycles. To have a child riding around freely on a bicycle in Sderot is unheard of these days.” Mali Shnefer, Sderot mother-of-four addressing an audience of hundreds who came to show their solidarity with the residents of the southern city. (Source: Arutz Sheva)


All original material © copyrighted by Anthony David Marks, Chairman Israel
Hasbara Committee.

The IHC website is a reliable source of information about Israel
prepared daily in Israel. It is a thinking man’s website. It addresses
issues most other news sources do not and it does so candidly. The IHC
is a leader in ideas. Come to the source first.

Ideas expressed on this page are original to the Israel Hasbara Committee and only available on this website www.infoisrael.net. Please credit the source.

Today's IHC Articles

• With Peres Abbas Condemns Bulldozer Attack After Praising Kuntar
  
  By Amihai Zippor

  ([TERRORISM] IHC News Analysis, 24 July 2008) Speaking about the violence in Gaza the PA Chairman indicated he is opposed to the killing of innocent people, saying, "Killing one person is like killing all of humanity." If that is true why did he not condemn so many other heinous crimes? Will the real Mahmoud Abbas please step forward? Read more.

• Shin Bet Head: Israel's Deterrent Suffered "Substantially" in Last 3 Years
  
  By Amihai Zippor

  ([DEFENSE] IHC News Analysis, 24 July 2008) Should anyone be held accountable for the daunting security situation Israel finds itself in today? For many Israeli the answer is "yes" but with so little confidence in their leadership very few believe the politicians are willing to make the necessary changes, namely, with themselves. Read more.

• Key Statements by Barak Obama on Issues Pertaining to Israel
  
  By Amihai Zippor

  ([ISRAEL] IHC News Analysis, 24 July 2008) Since the charismatic politician may be the next US president, Jews in Israel and the US must understand which direction Obama will take on pressing issues that will affect the future of the Jewish people. Read more.

• Go Ahead For New Jordan Valley Homes Nearly Approved
  
  By Amihai Zippor

  ([ISRAEL] IHC News Analysis, 24 July 2008) The Jordan Valley is part of the Great Rift Valley that stretches from Syria to Mozambique in Africa. The region from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea, an area of 60 miles north to south, was controlled by Jordan from 1948 till 1967 and captured by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War. It is a strategic asset to Israel, as it acts as a natural buffer zone against an attack from the east, and Israeli settlement of the area is vital. Read more.

• GOOD AND EVIL
  
  By Victor Sharpe

  [TERRORISM] How can Western democracies continue defending societies that glorify murder and celebrate the return of a child-killer? The exuberant celebrations that marked Samir Kuntar's return sent out a stark message to the world that the majority of Lebanese and Palestinians are not the defenseless, victimized lambs they purport to be. No. They are the celebrants of evil, the victims of their own warped ideologies and the ultimate supporters of their blood-soaked leaderships. Read more.

• The Evolving Palestinian Narrative: Arabs Caused the Refugee Problem
  
  By Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook

  [PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS] Amongst the lies that circulate the west concerning the Arab-Israeli conflict, is the myth that Israel expelled thousands of Arabs in 1948. Not only has the Arab world succeeded in selling this story to the Palestinians but even western leaderships are prepared to buy into such ridiculous fairytales. In this eye-opening article by PMW, several distinguished Palestinian personalities openly admit that it was not Israel that forced them to leave in 1948, rather it was their own brethren who truly believed they would be successful in `pushing Israel into the sea.' Read more.

• The Palestinians' Time is Rrunning Out
  
  By Bradley Burston

  [PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS] The 60-year-old rhetoric that claims Israel is responsible for the misery of the Palestinians has grown rather stale over the decades especially in light of the millions of dollars in funding the PA has received over the years and its failure to improve the economic or social climate despite numerous opportunities. Read more.

• End of the Olmert Regime
  
  By Isi Leibler

  [ISRAEL] Sooner or later, Olmert will be making an extremely undignified exit from the political scene. Had the PM had a little more foresight and integrity, he would have been able to save his face months ago following the disastrous Lebanon War which prompted a huge public outcry for his resignation. How can Israel hope to gain any international recognition when its leaders' dirty laundry is being displayed in public? Read more.

• Thoughts on Parshat Mattot
  
  By Menachem Persoff

  [TORAH STUDIES] The Torah takes very seriously the power of the spoken word and considers it binding unless the proper nullification procedures are made. This is an exceptional way in educating mankind to the importance of proper and honest speech. When one honors one's word, it creates a basis of trust and faith thus encouraging strong and sound relationships which are the foundations of any stable society. Read more.

• Western Negev Blues
  
  By Steve Kramer

  [ISRAEL] The hardy residents of Israel's battered south have been enduring years of enemy hostilities and rocket fire. The unbelievable courage of these people, who battle to survive a single day in the shadow of terrorist threats with minimal government help is deserving of much admiration. A tour of these Negev communities instills a lot of hope into the hearts of those who despair of Israel's future, for as long as we remain stalwart and stubborn in the face of such danger, nothing can penetrate our unyielding spirit that is the key to our continuity. Read more.

IHC EDITORIALS

• Can Israel's Prime Minister Olmert Survive?
  
  By Anthony David Marks

  ([ISRAEL] IHC News Editorial, 11 May 2008) Once again, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is in the news but not about discharging his duties. Again it concerns irregularities that are considered sufficiently serious as to force him to resign. It is not possible for anyone to devote his full energies to running the country under these trying conditions. How long will this untenable situation last? Read more.

• Is Israel One Country?
  
  By Anthony David Marks

  ([ISRAEL] IHC News Editorial, 29 May 2008) Sometimes we report the news and other times we make the news. In this case we will no doubt be making the news. Read on. Read more.

• Chairman's Notes and Analysis
  
  By Anthony David Marks

  ([ISRAEL] IHC Editorial 24 June 2008) The objectives of the IHC are restated for the reader. They are not always apparent as one gets immersed in the many details of the Israel-Palestinian situation. The IHC stays focused and this should be internalized by serious readers. Read more.

WANT TO RECEIVE FROM GOOGLE DAILY IHC NEWS AND OPINION ALERTS?
You can now subscribe to and receive Israel Hasbara Committee daily Google Alerts directly from Google.

1. Click on this Google URL
2. About half way down the column on the left side of the page, locate “News Alerts” and click. Type in your email address in the “Google Alert” box where indicated and the rest will take care of itself.

• Be sure to check out the new Question of the Week!

• Be sure to read the new Burning Issues question

SHABBAT SHALOM As the Jerusalem sun sets gently on the morrow and a ray of moonlight manages to break through the clouds, the ushering in of another Shabbat is at hand. This is another opportunity to lay down the work tools and embrace the longed for period of rest. Who can deny that taking temporary leave of the mundane will create a little paradise on Earth? And will this inspiration not radiate to people both near and far?

Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem

Anthony David Marks

THE ISRAEL HASBARA COMMITTEE is an entirely independent media voice that brings you new and highly relevant news, opinions, issues and information every day, five days a week, which relates in some way to the defense of Israel and her image. The Israel Hasbara Committee continues to be the source of many original insights, comments and ideas. www.infoisrael.net is the leading website of its kind in the world.