First in Our Hearts but Only Sixth Place in Monopoly

Remember back in February all the hollering around the campaign to put Jerusalem on the Monopoly World Edition board and the controversy of why Israel was the first country name removed from the contest?

APRPEH Monopoly posts

Well all the effort has paid off. Well almost. Last I recall, Jerusalem was in the top three in the vote count before the tally board was hidden in the final voting period. Hasbro finally announced the winning cities and here they are:


While yellow is not too shabby, I was hoping for Boardwalk's position. Who is ready to believe that our own Yerushalayim would have been given the top position even had she received the most votes?

A few observations with others remaining unspoken:

• Only one US city on the board - politically correct I guess


• Three Canadian cities with Montreal in the top spot - which leads you to question if Hasbro has Francophilia since Montreal probably ranks as one of the top 5 most obnoxious cities in North America, if not #1 (no offense implied)


• No Arabian cities - no suicide bombers


• Only 1 Muslim city - speaks for itself


• No Russian Cities (Ukrainian Kiev made it - Bogdan Khmel'nitsky would be proud)


• A Polish city - Gdynia - in your face with a NATO missile shield for Vlad Putin


• Riga formerly enslaved by the USSR is #2 - Putin now with steam coming out of his ears


• London ahead of New York keeps the Brits happy but is a little 19th century


• Rome - a tip of the hat to Edom


• Athens - if Rome is on the list, Athens must be too


• Three Chinese cities - could have been an all Chinese board I guess so I shouldn't complain


• No India cities? Istanbul - not Constantinople

Anti Jews Exposed - Hasbro Comes Clean

Hasbro pulls countries from Monopoly site after Israel flap

PROVIDENCE (AP) — Monopoly, the iconic game of capitalism, has been drawn into the dispute over Jerusalem.
Hasbro issued an apology Thursday after an employee, responding to complaints from pro-Palestinian groups, eliminated the word "Israel" after the city in an online contest to select names for a new Monopoly board game: Monopoly Here and Now: The World Edition.

The company also pulled all country names from other cities on the site when even more people complained because Jerusalem was listed as the only city without a country.

The Pawtucket-based company is asking people to vote at the Monopoly website on which cities will be included in the new edition. Until Tuesday, every city on the site listed a country, including Paris, France; Cairo and Jerusalem, Israel.

But an employee based in London decided on her own without consulting senior management to pull "Israel" from Jerusalem after hearing complaints from pro-Palestinian groups and bloggers who argue that the city is not a part of Israel, Hasbro spokesman Wayne Charness said Thursday.

The issue has been a sensitive one for decades: Israel captured the eastern part of Jerusalem — home to Jewish, Muslim and Christian holy sites — in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it. The Palestinians want east Jerusalem to be the capital of a future independent state.

Hasbro management was alerted to the change Wednesday when its London office saw a spike in traffic on the site and figured out what happened, Charness said. The company then pulled every country name, so Paris and Cairo also are now listed alone, he said.

"It was a bad decision, one that we rectified relatively quickly," he said. "This is a game. We never wanted to enter into any political debate. We apologize to our Monopoly fans."

He added that the game, due out in the fall, was never meant to include countries. The countries were added to the website to make it easier to vote.

Voting in the contest ends Feb. 29 for the Top 20 cities and March 9 for two wild card cities nominated by voters. The top vote-getting city will get the prime Boardwalk spot: as of Thursday, it was Istanbul, Turkey.

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Well well, an employee in London working for an international corporate giant made an individual decision to bow to arabian pressing threats and thus plung the company into a PR nightmare. Possible, I suppose. Not likely. It is hard to process both “the employee did it" answer and "we were going to remove them anyway" answer.

But maybe with the political correctness that is found in the article, and presumably on the mind of the London employee, one can't be too hard on Hasbro. Note how, according to the story Israel captured the eastern part of Jerusalem — home to Jewish, Muslim and Christian holy sites — in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it. The Palestinians want east Jerusalem to be the capital of a future independent state.

While factually accurate there is a question unanswered. Captured from whom? Palestine? the PA? None of the above. Jordan was in control of Jerusalem. Why? The results of the 1949 armistice. Jerusalem in UN General Assembly Resolution 181 was to be a Special International Regime for the City of Jerusalem. Jordan did nothing to show any support for the open city plan or for sharing the wealth. For background purposes, this resolution originated in the General Assembly of the UN and therefore carried little weight. All this means is that legally, Jerusalem's status was left TBD at that time, which the UN sought to "correct" numerous times but only after the Old City's liberation in June 1967. I couldn't find references to any UN resolution condemning Jordan for holding the Old City or for denying equal religious rights there (not to mention destruction of holy sites). Silence, as they say equals consent.

Well anyhow, as it turns out, no country references will be on the Monopoly board so Hasbro says, unless a rogue employee in London has a different idea. So, as of now, keep voting in the contest. Register as many email addresses as you wish and vote from each one. Drive Jerusalem (Israel) to the top. That will really give the palis something to whine about.

Jewish Virtual Library Jerusalem History

Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs Jerusalem History

Bring Back Israel

Having previously urged readers to vote in Hasbro's Monopoly Here and Now World Edition competition to select cities around the world for the World Edition game board, I must now follow up with that post to report that Hasbro has gone the way of political correctness or kowtowing to the arab lobby/boycott by removing "Israel" as the country in which Jerusalem is found.

As you can see from the current leaderboard, the OneJerusalem campaign has been very effective moving Jerusalem, Israel from around 15th when I first discovered the competition to 4th and climbing. How embarrassing it would be for Hasbro if Jerusalem should actually climb up to first and with cowardice at least and malice at worst, "Israel" is left off the game board. Please consider contacting Hasbro using the contact information below to demand that "Israel" be returned to its rightful place with Jerusalem. Below is my email to the Monopoly team. A world of encouragement can also be left at OneJerusalem.



The Monopoly team at Brazen PR on +44 (161) 9234994, +44 7974 323047
peter@brazenpr.com

Dear Monopoly team

Thank you for your interesting contest to place cities on the global edition monopoly board. I am, however, disappointed in your decision to not list Jerusalem as a city in Israel. With all politics aside, one need merely look at a map to determine the geographic boundary. It is a shame that you have let politics slide into a worldwide game board selection competition. Please show Jerusalem correctly as a city in the nation of Israel.

best regards


ED note - 21 Feb: as of sometime yesterday afternoon, all country labels had been removed from the leaderboard at the Monopoly site.

Jerusalem Is Not For Sale

Is Olmert secretly negotiating with the terrorist PA the "future" of Yerushalayim? Will he give away Har Habayis forever? Is it illegal to negotiate with the arabians the future of Yerushalayim? The news is filled with stories of this nature. He is, he isn't, the government is stabile, the government will fall, etc.

Likud MK Saar to Shas: "You Promised, Now Quit"

UTJ Rejects Possibility of Joining Olmert Gov't

Atias says Shas believes 'Post' report

Olmert Government Negotiating Away Jerusalem

Is there a hint of things to come in Parashas Tetzaveh? In the middle of a section of Torah which describes in fine detail the construction plans of Mishkan along with all the holy items contained therein, and the wardrobe of the Kohain Godol one could ask "what could this section of Torah possibly offer as chizuk for these times"? I'll step aside and let Rabbi Bogomilsky explain the Kli Yakar. It is good to keep in mind that politics are politics and Torah is the reality.

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Vedibarta Bam

"They should take for you pure olive oil, crushed for illumination, to kindle a lamp continually." (27:20)

QUESTION: Would it not have been sufficient to just say, "They should take for you pure olive oil for the light." Why are the words "katit" — crushed — and "leha'alot neir tamid" — to kindle a lamp continually needed?

ANSWER: The first Beit Hamikdash existed for 410 years, and the second lasted 420 years. During the entire 830 years the menorah was kindled every day. We all hope to merit speedily the third Beit Hamikdash, which will last forever. The elaboration in the pasuk is a remez — hint — to this.

The word "katit" — "crushed" — has in it the letters "kaf" and "taf", whose numerical value is 420, and the letters "yud" and "taf", which has a numerical value of 410. The oil should be "kasis" — for 830 years of lighting the menorah. Afterwards, will be "leha'alot neir tamid" — the third Beit Hamikdash — in which the candles will be lit forever.
Kli Yakar

Ed note, Feb 14: the citation should be Baal Haturim and Toldos Yitzchak, not Kli Yakar.

Vote Jerusalem on the Monopoly Board!

Vote Jerusalem on the Monopoly Board!
[02. 6.2008]
UPDATE (Feb 7): Keep Voting! Thanks to you, Jerusalem is now #18!
The makers of Monopoly are inviting fans worldwide to vote in an on-line contest to determine which 22 cities will be etched in the collective memory for a new global edition of the 75-year-old game.
The contest, which got under way this week and will continue through February 28, will allow Monopoly fans the world over to cast their ballots for the 10 best cities out of a pre-selected list of 68, including Jerusalem, Israel.
The 20 cities with the highest number of votes will make it onto the new board.
Please ONLY vote for Jerusalem. Voting for other cities will reduce Jerusalem’s relative scoring.
You can vote EVERY DAY up to Feb. 28.
Here are step-by-step instructions. Please VOTE NOW!

VOTING INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Go to Hasbro's site.
2. In the right-pane, click ‘Sort By: Cities’ (see our diagram)
3. Scroll down to ‘Jerusalem, Israel’ > Click it.
4. A pop-up appears, click ‘Add to My Cities’
5. A small picture of Jerusalem should appear in lower section of the screen. (Please do not select any other cities. This would reduce Jerusalem’s scoring.)
6. Click Vote.
7. Click ‘Create your login now.’
8. Enter a desired Username and Password > Click Save.
9. You will receive a confirmation email at the entered address.
10. Click the link in the email.
11. Once a day until Feb. 28, repeat Steps 1 through 6.
12. Forward this message to others.

click to enlarge

Who Speaks For the Rebbe?

"The Rebbe would never tolerate Wolpe's actions"

The Forward: In a major blow to a decade-long campaign to play down divisions within the Chabad-Lubavitch ultra-Orthodox movement, the movement's Israeli leadership appears ready to publicly distance itself from a significant messianic strand within the movement.

Nathan Jeffay/The Forward
Rabbi’s Incitement Against Olmert Threatens To Split Apart Chabad
Lubavitch Messianist: Prime Minister Should Be ‘Hanged From the Gallows’
In a major blow to a decade-long campaign to play down divisions within the Chabad-Lubavitch ultra-Orthodox movement, the sect’s Israeli leadership appears ready to publicly distance itself from a significant messianic strand within the movement.

The unexpected development has been forced on the Chabad leadership by a spreading tide of anger toward the movement this week, after a rabbi from the messianic strand declared that, were Israel properly run, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert would be “hanged from the gallows.”

Rabbi Shalom Dov Wolpe, a Chabad educator and author, launched into a tirade about Israel’s negotiations with Palestinians at the conference of a right-wing organization he runs, S.O.S. Israel.

“The terrible traitor, Ehud Olmert, who gives these Nazis weapons, who gives money, who frees their murderous terrorists, this man, like Ariel Sharon, collaborates with the Nazis,” Wolpe said on Wednesday, January 2, in remarks that were shown on Israeli television news.

A Chabad spokesman in Israel, Moni Ender, lashed out at Wolpe for his comments.

“This is not Lubavitch. Rabbi Wolpe is talking by himself. We have nothing to do with him. He makes dirt for Chabad,” Ender said.

Wolpe is the most popular leader of the messianic strand of Chabad, which holds that the 1994 death of the Lubavitcher rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson did not challenge the belief held in parts of the sect that he was the messiah. Wolpe was the first rabbi to go public with this position in 1994. A conflict has festered since then between followers of this belief and others, who present themselves as the mainstream and who reject such overt messianic claims.

Leaders on both sides have struggled to honor a ruling of a Brooklyn-based rabbinical court, issued immediately after the rebbe’s death, that said the movement should not split in two and the factions should not publicly undermine each other. This week, though, Ender told the Forward that Wolpe’s comments are doing such damage to the sect’s reputation that it could become necessary to publicly declare that the messianists cannot act or speak on its behalf.

“If we are needed to make it black and white we are different to [the messianists],” Ender added. “We never talk about politics. If necessary, I will do that.”

Some Chabad leaders in America also directed strong words at Wolpe. Rabbi Levi Shemtov, the Chabad representative in Washington, told the Forward that Wolpe’s comments “contravene the most basic tenets of Chabad philosophy” and are “beyond the pale of what the rebbe would tolerate.”

Mainstream Chabad newsletters did not reference the matter.

Wolpe’s outburst is so problematic because incitement to violence by rabbis has become the ultimate taboo, since rabbinical injunctions were blamed for inspiring Yitzhak Rabin’s assassin in 1995.

In the past, mainstream Chabad leaders have been on the right side of the political spectrum in Israel. During the 1990s, a number of leading Chabad rabbis in Israel were involved in the opposition to the Oslo peace process.

During that time, one messianist rabbi, Yitzhak Ginsburgh, was put in administrative detention for incitement to violence. But at that time, few observers connected Ginsburgh to the Chabad movement.

This time around, the backlash to Wolpe’s comments is taking on Chabad more generally, even resulting in calls to stop it from engaging in its trademark task — taking Judaism to secular Jews. Meretz party Knesset member Chaim Oron has urged the Knesset to issue a blanket ban on all Chabad activists from Israeli army bases. Other politicians have also responded angrily.

Chabad occupies a privileged position among Israel’s ultra-Orthodox groups, being the only major Hasidic group whose members serve in the army. Its rabbis are also regarded as informal chaplains.

It is the threat to this activity that could force Chabad to declare the messianists separate from the movement, Ender said. The sect would “prefer to get to every soldier and every Jew wherever they are, rather than pay the price of Rabbi Wolpe’s comments.”

In America, Shemtov said that Chabad would not comment on whether it would back such a move “unless or until such a situation arises.” He did say that as a rule, Chabad headquarters back Israel: “In general, when the Chabad rabbinate in Israel makes a decision, you don’t find opposition to them in America or around the world. They have a force of authority.”

Wolpe went beyond criticism of Olmert. He claimed that if justice were done, Israeli Vice Premier Haim Ramon, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Ehud Barak would hang, as well as Olmert. In an interview with the Forward last Tuesday, Wolpe stood by his comments, adding that they were an acceptable way to “show how far [Olmert] has gone.”

The determination of Wolpe and other messianists to make political statements is integrally connected to their belief that the rebbe is the messiah. Working from statements that Schneerson made, opposing land for peace and calling for expansionist policies for Israel, the messianists have tended to promote hard-line right-wing positions.

As to the heat he is feeling from other Chabad leaders, Wolpe said: “What is embarrassing Chabad is that we don’t do anything to stop the Holocaust Olmert is bringing to Israel. What are they doing?”

Statements of condemnation have come from American Jewish organizations, including the Orthodox Union, which has been critical of the Olmert government but said the comments were “beyond the pale of legitimate democratic protest and have no basis in Jewish law or hashkafa (philosophy).”

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APRPEH in an earlier post stated that ChaBaD had at the time of the post not officially distanced itself from the comments of Rabbi Wolpe. According to the Forward article reprinted by Shturem, an effort may be under way to do that. Whether or not it can be considered official is another matter. It seems that Rabbi Wolpe has moved away from suggesting the death of Olmert to suggesting that the time for martyrdom on behalf of the land of Israel may have come. Most recently his rhetoric has lent an opinion that Bush and Olmert are "bringing another Holocaust".

Now clearly I am against concessions to barbarians whether political or territorial. But to suggest that Bush and Olmert want or are proposing actions that will lead to "another Holocaust" is merely outlandish. The end result of an ill-advised deal with the arabs will likely result in bloodshed but a "holocaust"? Is such imagery really productive?

Yes, it is important that a strong opposition be mounted against any arrangements with the arabians, especially with Olmert in charge and even more so as it impacts Jerusalem. But in order for that opposition to be effective, such leaps to the ridiculous must be shunned. Rabbi Wolpe has his right to an opinion. His opinion however, must never be considered the voice of the opposition to deals with barbarians.

Rabbi Wolpe and Permissible Political Expression

Knesset Members and OU Condemn Rabbi Wolpe's 'Gallows' Remark

26 Tevet 5768, 04 January 08 03:41by Nissan Ratzlav-Katz (IsraelNN.com) Members of Knesset, ministers and a major US-based Orthodox Jewish organization condemned Rabbi Shalom Dov Wolpe on Thursday for his statements likening Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and other ministers to collaborators with the Nazis, saying that by law they should be executed. Rabbi Wolpe made the remarks on Tuesday, at a gathering of activists and supporters of SOS Israel, a rabbinic organization he heads, which focuses on preserving Jewish life throughout the Land of Israel.

During the meeting, Rabbi Wolpe called Olmert a traitor, accusing him and others of aiding the the modern-day "Nazis" in the Palestinian Authority by giving them weapons and releasing terrorist killers from prison. According to Israeli law, the rabbi elaborated, Olmert, Vice Premier Chaim Ramon, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, and others should be "hanged upon the gallows" for collaborating with and aiding "Nazi" terrorists.

"This gathering is intended to make it clear to the public that we are facing a serious danger due to the government's actions," said Rabbi Wolpe on Tuesday. "We have a government that collaborates with the enemy, the Palestinian enemy that wants to destroy Israel. The government of Israel is supplying them with money and weapons, releasing murderers.... We came to warn and discuss how we can prevent this, G-d forbid, holocaust that the government is bringing on us."

Rabbi Wolpe also said that his organization will be calling for IDF soldiers to refuse orders to remove Jews from their homes anywhere in the Land of Israel, if such orders are issued. Also addressing the emergency conference, called in response to US President George W. Bush's upcoming visit to the region, was MK Aryeh Eldad (National Union).

Rabbi Wolpe Clarifies
Rabbi Shalom Dov Wolpe said Thursday that the comments he made at the Tuesday conference were twisted and taken out of context. In calling for the execution of state leaders by legal means, he was not calling for vigilante violence, he explained, but rather calling on the police to implement the law.

Rabbi Wolpe wrote that he believes violence against a fellow Jew is unacceptable, but that law enforcement has the right and responsibility to enforce the law. One of Israel's laws prohibits providing assistance to Nazis, he explained, and Muslim terrorist groups are the Nazis of our day. If the government provides terrorists with aid, he reasoned, then the government has violated the law and its members must suffer the consequences, which include the death penalty. Rabbi Wolpe emphasized that he was calling for any such punishments to be carried out in a legal manner.


'Beyond the Pale'
Minister Yaakov Edery (Kadima) called for an urgent government session to discuss Rabbi Wolpe's speech. He expressed concern that a "calamity" might occur as a result of the rabbi's comments. Members of the leftist Peace Now organization expressed outrage and called for Rabbi Wolpe to be indicted before the Supreme Court. %ad%

Opposition leader MK Binyamin Netanyahu harshly criticized Rabbi Wolpe as well, saying there is no place for violence in a democracy.

MK Chaim Oron (Meretz) went a step further. Noting that SOS Israel was founded by a sect within Chabad-Lubavitch Chassidim, of whom Rabbi Wolpe is one, Oron called for a blanket ban on all Chabad activists entering IDF bases. IDF commanders often grant Chabad volunteers access to military bases and outposts so that the Chassidim can distribute holiday-related items and perform certain religious rituals with soldiers who are interested.

The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America (OU), the largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization in the United States, released a condemnatory statement Thursday. OU President Stephen J. Savitsky and Executive Vice President Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb said that Rabbi Wolpe's remarks were "beyond the pale of legitimate democratic protest and have no basis in Jewish law or hashkafa (philosophy)."

The OU leaders added the admonition, "We call upon all God-fearing Jews to act in a manner that brings praise to God, his People, Land and Torah."

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Rabbi Wolpe: My Words Were Twisted

(IsraelNN.com) Chabad rabbi and political activist Rabbi Shalom Dov Wolpe said Thursday that a speech he gave at a recent “SOS Israel” event was twisted and taken out of context. When he said that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Vice Premier Chaim Ramon, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, and other members of the government would be hung, he was not calling for vigilante violence, he said, but rather calling on the police to implement the law.

Rabbi Wolpe wrote a clarification, explaining that he believes violence against a fellow Jew is unacceptable, but that law enforcement has the right and responsibility to enforce the law. One of Israel’s laws prohibits providing assistance to Nazis, he said, and Muslim terrorist groups are the Nazis of our day. If the government provides terrorists with aid, the government has violated the law, and must suffer the consequences, which include the death penalty. Rabbi Wolpe emphasized that he was calling for any such punishments to be carried out in a legal manner.

Members of the leftist Peace Now group expressed outrage after Rabbi Wolpe’s speech, and called on the Supreme Court to put him on trial. MK Chaim Oron (Meretz) went a step further, saying all activists belonging to the Chabad chassidic group should be banned from IDF bases.


Rabbi Wolpe on declaring independant Judea

Yeshiva World News version

OU Press Release

Shturem's Version (Chabad site)

Chabad.info version (ChaBaD meshchist site)

Shamis Search page on articles involving Rabbi Wolpe

arab exploitation of the story

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A recent post at APRPEH contained an underlying theme of needing unity amongst the Orthodox. Then, this story explodes. The OU throws a fit and by doing so, throws ChaBaD on the tracks. Rabbi Wolpe's comments went way too far, granted, but the reaction from the left is to associate all ChaBaD with Rabbi Wolpe. I have included a number of article links above some of which are from ChaBaD news services for greater perspective. So far, I haven't seen any attempts to distance ChaBaD from Rabbi Wolpe's comments.

Much of what Rabbi Wolpe said is not out of bounds contrary to the quote "OU President Stephen J. Savitsky and Executive Vice President Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb said that Rabbi Wolpe's remarks were "beyond the pale of legitimate democratic protest and have no basis in Jewish law or hashkafa (philosophy)." ". The calls to investigate the government and the dangerous policy it is pursuing are indeed legitimate political expression. This is especially true given the nature of the Israeli electoral system. Polls consistently show very little public support for Olmert or his policies. Calling for public hangings is clearly not legitimate political expression and for those comments Rabbi Wolpe should be brought to task. His justification that the Arabians are today's Nazi's and using the Nazi execution law as a crutch while pleasing to the emotion as a just analysis is insulting to the intellect in it's over-simplification. Rabbi Wolpe's remarks as was pointed out in a Jpost article may be investigated for incitement. The Israeli anti-Jews always looking for a pretext to make reference to the Rabin assassination have flipped in conniptions in the wake of Rabbi Wolpe's unfortunate comments. Why not jump at the chance to garner support for their disengagement policy of self-destruction by shaming the opposition into the belief that any and all debate will be illegitimately linked to Rabbi Wolpe. Why not squelch the voice of and weaken the power of the nationalists when the opportunity arises? And what is all this anti-Semitic talk libeling all of ChaBaD due to the comments of one Rabbi affiliated with ChaBaD? Who could stretch to such ridiculous lengths without having true anti-religious feelings? But is Rabbi Wolpe alone?

MK Aryeh Eldad of the National Union/NRP has called for civil disobedience to protest the halt of construction in east Jerusalem.

“These days we hear that a ministerial committee is gathering to redefine the term ‘blood on their hands’,” Eldad continued, “And I say – there is blood on the hands of Olmert and members of his government, the blood of these precious soldiers are on the hands of those who released terrorists, gave them weapons and armored vehicles as goodwill gestures!” MK Eldad Calls for Civil Disobedience .

Others have come close to suggesting Olmert's actions are treasonous for the same reason: Shiloh Musings running Ruth Matar of WIG coming close to Rabbi Wolpe's views on traitors. So why focus only on Rabbi Wolpe? Could it be the unpopularity of his brand of ChaBaD? Didn't he clarify his statement thereby reinforcing the rule of law and reiterating his belief of not committing "violence against a fellow Jew". It seems that Rabbi Wolpe is on more solid ground than MK Eldad?

And maybe in an unexpected way, Rabbi Wolpe and MK Eldad are not too far off the reservation.

Olmert is Warned: 'Talk About Jerusalem - Break the Law'
28 Tevet 5768, 06 January 08 07:53by Hillel Fendel
(IsraelNN.com) Two Jerusalem organizations have sent a letter to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, reminding him that discussions with US President Bush or PA Chairman Abbas regarding a possible division of Jerusalem are in violation of Israeli law.
A prominent lawyer for the Victims of Arab Terror (VAT) and Twenty-Four Shifts organizations penned the letter, warning Olmert that if he does not announce an end to all talks over the future of Jerusalem, he will be considered in violation of the law.
In his letter, Attorney Baruch Ben-Yosef makes the point that Clauses 5 and 6 of one of Israel's cardinal laws - Basic Law: Jerusalem, Capital of Israel - mean that Jerusalem's status as the united and sole capital of Israel may not be compromised.
The first clause of the law in question, passed in 1980 under Prime Minister Menachem Begin and President Yitzchak Navon, states, "Jerusalem, whole and united, is the capital of Israel." Clause 5 stipulates the precise area of Jerusalem, while Clause 6 states, "No authorities relating to the area of Jerusalem and that is in the legal purview of the State of Israel or the Municipality of Jerusalem shall be transferred to any foreign political or governmental element, whether permanently or for a set period."
Clause 7 states that Clauses and 5 and 6 may not be changed except if another Basic Law is accepted by the majority of the Knesset.
The Warning to Olmert
"According to frequently-published statements by you and some of the ministers in your government," the letter to Olmert states, "you intend to negotiate with Israel's enemies - including Mr. Abu Mazen, the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority - regarding the re-division of Jerusalem and the ceding of parts of the city - in violation of Clauses 5 and 6 of this law."
"The very mention of dividing the city and giving up parts of it, while the Basic Law on Jerusalem is still in effect and/or Clauses 5-6 have not been nullified, is a violation of the Basic Law. If you wish to hold negotiations with a foreign element, and especially with an enemy of Israel such as Abu Mazen, then you must act in accordance with the law's Clause 7 - i.e., nullifying and/or changing [Clauses 5 and 6] via a majority vote in the Knesset."
Attorney Ben-Yosef explains why his warning is timely: "Given that you and/or ministers in your government are liable to wage such negotiations during and after the visit of US President Bush, you are hereby required to declare immediately that you will observe the Basic Law and that you will not wage any negotiations over the future of Jerusalem while the above law and/or its clauses are still in effect."
"If by next Sunday, the 28th of Tevet 5768 (January 6), I do not receive this declaration by return email, my clients will act immediately to obtain a court order preventing you from waging such negotiations."

more: Caroline Glick

Olmert the Forsaken

Olmert to World Jewry: Israel Makes Sole Decision on Jerusalem
17 Kislev 5768, 27 November 07 05:33
by Hana Levi Julian(IsraelNN.com)

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert informed American Jewish leaders Monday that Jews outside of Israel have no right to intervene in any decision regarding the status of Jerusalem.

Olmert declared at a news conference Monday following his meeting with leaders of U.S. Jewish communities that "the government of Israel has a sovereign right to negotiate anything on behalf of Israel," making it clear that Jews outside of Israel had no right to participate in decisions about the future of Jerusalem. The prime minister told reporters that the issue had "been determined long ago."

His remarks were seen as a slap to American Jewish leaders who oppose tentative plans by the Olmert administration to put Jerusalem on the negotiating table.

Rabbi Pesach Lerner, Vice President of the National Council of Young Israel, told hundreds of Jews in Chicago Monday night that "Yerushalayim is not for discussion, Yerushalayim is not for sale, Yerushalayim must remain undivided forever." Participants at the prayer vigil were led by the rabbis of the community in chanting tehillim (psalms) and speaking out against the division of Jerusalem and the Land of Israel. A statement sent to the media noted that "for at least one night both the Religious Zionist/Modern Orthodox and Aguda communities stood side by side to pray for what most matters."

The prime minister's statement also did not seem to take into account a declaration that was made decades ago by his predecessor, a founding father and the first Prime Minister of the State of Israel, David Ben Gurion during a session of the first Knesset in Tel Aviv.

"The attempt to sever Jewish Jerusalem from the State of Israel," warned Ben Gurion in 1949, "will not advance the cause of peace in the Middle East or in Jerusalem itself. Israelis will give their lives to hold on to Jerusalem, just as the British would for London, the Russians for Moscow and the Americans for Washington."

The Orthodox Union (OU) immediately responded to the prime minister's remarks with a statement saying it did not intend to dictate policy to Israel, but expressed its "resolute stand" that all Jews in the world have a share in "the holy city of Jerusalem." %ad%

Agudath Israel of America adopted a resolution Sunday at its 85th national convention in Connecticut bluntly stating "Israel should not relinquish parts of Jerusalem to Palestinian sovereignty, and the American government should not pressure the Israeli government into doing so."

Both statements echoed an assertion published on the website of the Coordinating Council on Jerusalem which states unequivocally that "World Jewry opposes Israeli negotiations which would include any discussion of ceding sovereignty over part or all of Jerusalem."

The group soberly notes in its statement that this is "the first time since the establishment of the State of Israel that a significant group of American Jewish organizations have created a broad united front to pursue a policy directly involving Israel that is based on an explicit principle that supercedes deference to the sitting Israeli government."

American Jewish and Christian leaders met Monday with White House officials to discuss their concerns about the events taking place in Annapolis Tuesday.

Nathan Diament, public policy director for the Orthodox Union, led the group of American Jewish and Christian leaders who met with Stephen Hadley, the National Security Advisor for U.S. President George W. Bush and other senior White House officials.

Included in the delegation was Jeff Ballabon, head of the Coordinating Council for Jerusalem, as well as representatives from Agudath Israel and the National Council of Young Israel, David Brog of the Christians United for Israel, the Southern Baptist Convention and former presidential candidate Gary Bauer.

"We had a constructive and meaningful conversation…." said Diament following the meeting, adding "We were happy to share with them the perspective of Americans who in their synagogues and church pews regularly pray for the peace of Israel and the rebuilding of Jerusalem."
www.IsraelNationalNews.com© Copyright IsraelNationalNews.com

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Where Olmert is technically correct is that the government of Israel will eventually be the party to negotiate and ratify any treaty. He is wrong in that his government will not be the one to do so. Olmert is also wrong if he believes that Israel, under the terms to which he is limiting her decision-making to a mere secular consideration, will have any say on her destiny. Olmert, by denying a stake in Jerusalem to the diaspora doesn't weaken the diaspora but empowers it to pursue separate and distinct policies as to Israel's future, provided a unified front of Orthodox associations can be mustered. By Olmert's very unthoughtful remarks, he is setting a dangerous precedent where well-trained and thoughtful political action by diaspora Jews and their friends are cut lose from Israeli government priorities and actions. Then again, given the history of Israeli government, this may not be a bad thing and could result in better policy making in Israel.

The reality is, that outside the unity of Jerusalem, there are few issues which will result in a unified front by diaspora Jewry. But for Olmert to show his hand and his ignorance answering the call of the State Department which undoubtedly helped him contrive this comment, leaves Jewry in a quandary. Not supporting Israel is unthinkable. How to support Israel is another matter. The best situation would be for the immediate collapse of this government and new elections if for no other reason than to unify Israel and ease the nerves of diaspora Jewry.

It is likely not recognized in Israel how important the role of American Jewry in particular is to Israel and the delicate balance needed to demonstrate the connectivity between the US and Israel and why the close relationship is important. In the US, American priorities in policy making must be stressed. Making the case that US priorities and those of Israel is not always as clear as some might think but usually demonstrable. No trickery is needed, the two nations indeed share so many interests. But this balancing act is probably not so appreciated in Eretz Yisrael. Olmert's comments triangulate the equation, adding State Department professional diplomatease interests (which are not necessarily America's best interests) leaving a three legged table.

To make the case that the US is on the wrong track in middle east negotiations is an easy case to make. Differing with Israel which is in agreement with America's not yet enlightened middle east understanding is much harder. Olmert has turned the table upside down and not to Israel's benefit.

As pushed and shoved as he is, Olmert may have had no choice but to go to Annapolis. However, he could have come locked and loaded to make the best case that Israel could make, pointing out for instance that Abbas is useless and has done nothing in terms of his previous responsibility's nor does he carry and authority in the PA areas. Olmert could make Benny Elon's case or even that of a larger transfer, all for the sake of peace. He could make the case that Al-Qaeda is strenghtened by the creation of PA terror state, not weakened and that Syria will be emboldened to more aggressive actions as a result of a PA state. Olmert though brought with him the only thing of value that he can offer, Jerusalem, city of gold.

When Is a Mountain not a Mountain?

Muslims Declare Jewish Temples Never Existed In Jerusalem

Posted by The Editors on Sunday, November 18, 2007 at 7:37 PM

On the day that archaeologists announced discovering on the Temple Mount fragments of table vessels and animal bones dating back to Solomon's Temple in the eight century B.C.E. -- the former Mufti of Jerusalem and Fatah's adviser on Jerusalem declared "There was never a Jewish Temple on al-Aqsa (The Temple Mount) and there is no proof that there ever was a temple. Because Allah is fair, he would not agree to make al-Aqsa if there were a temple there for others before hand."

He went on to comment on the Western or Wailing Wall. He said, "The wall is not part of the Jewish temple. It is just the western wall of the mosque. There is not a single stone with any relation at all to the history of the Hebrews."

These sentiments were echoed by a Waqf (Muslim Religious Authority) archaeologist.

These are the current opinions of the Muslims Israel is going to "negotiate" with at Annapolis. They do not recognize the existence of Jewish history in Jerusalem, and President Abbas agrees with them.

The Bush Administration and the Olmert government are legitimizing these people by talking to them.

Stop this madness.

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Well of course the Temples didn't exist. Al aqsa has been on al-quds since the time of Ibrahim. Everyone knows that Islam pre-dates all known religions and that allah chose al aqsa and al-quds as holy places to supplement Mecca and the Ka'bah.

The religious myth that Islam cares a hoot for Yerushalayim is built on the wobbly foundation of Islam's cultural and structural under-pinning. Jerusalem is holy to Islam and Christianity too for that matter ONLY because it is holy, now and forever to the Jews. That HaShem chose Jerusalem for the Jewish capital is fodder for all the replacement ideologies that we still see today. Yoshka walked the streets of Jerusalem because it was the Jewish center of life. It was holy before him, not made holy because of him. The conquering arabic hordes didn't make Jerusalem holy nor was this a goal. To the contrary they arrived there because the Christians were there and blocking their way of Islamic suppression of infidels. The whole Islamic claim is based upon a dream of Mohamed recorded in the Koran, not mentioning Jerusalem by name. In fact, Al-Aqsa was built after the death of Mohamed. At the time of Mohamed's "dream", Jerusalem was under full Christian Byzantine control.

Only the Jewish people can truthfully claim Jerusalem from a religious and national perspective. "World peace" whatever that actually means, will only be achieved when Muslims learn the truth and seek forgiveness from the Jews. But don't hold your breath. It takes humility to admit an error. Humility to the arab in particular means not stepping back but being stepped upon: humility = humiliation. Judging by the claims in the article above, the time for peace has not yet arrived.

On the other hand, the madness that is Islam's claims plagues us today and could be a punishment for not having cleared Har HaBayis in 1967. The yissurim of Israel are self-imposed. HaKodesh Baruch Hu strengthen the faith of your children to do your will.

Jerusalem, the Eternal Capital

Knesset Majority: ‘Don’t Divide Jerusalem!’

by Hana Levi Julian
7 Cheshvan 5768, October 19, '07

(IsraelNN.com) More than half of Knesset Members from both the opposition and the coalition factions have signed a petition against plans to hand over parts of Jerusalem to the Palestinian Authority.

The document rejects plans to relinquish Israel’s sovereignty over holy sites in the Old City and the City of David, just outside the Old City walls, as well as possible intentions to give eastern Jerusalem’s Arab neighborhoods to the PA.

Likud MK Yisrael Katz and other Likud MKs spearheaded the drive, and they were quickly joined by nearly 30 coalition MKs, including thirteen members of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s own Kadima party and all of Shas.

Two Yisrael Beiteinu (Israel Our Home) MKs, David Rotem and Esterina Tartman, signed the petition, as did Yoram Marciano of Labor - the only Labor MK to do so. Four ministers also signed the petition, including Yaakov Edry and Ze’ev Boim of the Kadima party, and two others from the Gil Pensioners’ party.

“It is possible that Olmert could divide Jerusalem and we would have to face that reality, but it’s illegitimate, especially since he’s putting Jerusalem on the agenda to distract from his other problems,” said Likud MK Reuven Rivlin.

Olmert: Knesset Not Necessary
The prime minister asserted earlier this month that he does not need the Knesset’s approval to reach a joint declaration with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, including one that might include an agreement to hand over parts of Jerusalem to the PA. He has said that Jerusalem is not currently on the negotiating table, but several plans to divide the capital have emerged from Olmert’s close associates.

Prime Minister Olmert denied reports earlier in the week that his government planned to give away parts of the sacred capital, but avoided specifically defining the city limits, giving rise to speculation that he indeed intends to give up Israel’s control over some of Jerusalem.

Summit Still Not Certain
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said she would meet again today (Friday) with PA negotiators in an attempt to come to a pre-summit agreement. Abbas said this week that the PA's participation in the US-sponsored summit was not a certainty, and that the PA would not retreat from its demands for a joint detailed pre-summit declaration with Israel. Israel insists on only a general declaration, with details to be ironed out later.

additional references

Jpost story

Israel Hasbara Committee

JTA

Ynet

Interesting David Bedein analysis

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from Jewish Virtual Library

Who actually trusts Ehud Olmert anymore? I do not engage this discussion lightly with the implications for loshon hara, but really? What does Olmert think of when he says "Jerusalem"?. Is it merely the Jewish communities held after 1949 but not those post 1967? Does it include the Kosel? Har HaBayis? Har Zesim? Har HaZofim? In his mind he clearly distinguishes between dividing as in down the middle, and separating out areas he considers non-vital.

'What is Jerusalem' is a question which will be a significant one in future debates over agreements which Olmert might bring to the Knesset and world Jewry. One can expect that Olmert has already had detailed discussions with Abu Mazen as to what part of Jerusalem he is willing to give away and what parts for political expediency he is unwilling to transfer.

The opposition to "dividing" Jerusalem is not as strong as the above articles might portray. The nationalist side and the left who are now signing on to "no division" have different interpretations of what that means as outlined above. Olmert probably has more support than the media is portraying. Shimon Peres, for his part, the President of Israel, expresses Olmert's position better than Olmert, being "Jerusalem must retain its Jewish majority" (see the Ynet article above).

This is of course a red herring for the socialist Peres who cares little about the Jewish majority deferring to the politics of ethnicity as defined by Israelism. What is more or less "Jewish" about any specific area of Jerusalem, he might say, is less important than what we are politically able to explain from a tactical perspective.

Nationalists and significant majorities of Jews world-wide understand that cities grow or shrink due to population change. As the population of Jerusalem has grown, housing must be added. To presume that a municipality cannot expand is ludicrous. After Israel gained control over Jerusalem in 1967 the city was proclaimed the eternal capital, never to be divided (see The OU position). And that proclamation is merely a modern stamp of approval on what is clearly declared throughout TaNaKh.

It is indeed the atheism of Peres and Olmert which obfuscates the truth of united Jerusalem. It is the same lack of faith which stands by and watches the Waqf tear through what appears to be remnant walls of the Beis HaMikdash today, overturning dirt which has covered ruins for thousands of years. On a side note, I have wondered about the Halachic implications (if there are any) of the Arabian desecration of the Temple ruins. Within approximately the last 10 years, Jews have been exposed to actual ruins of the Beis HaMikdash, areas unseen since the days the Rabbis of the Gemara were living. I wonder if additional mourning rituals might apply, as if a grave were to be exhumed? If not, maybe we should?

Digression over.

Jerusalem has been portrayed as a politically divisive and therefore, an off the table point of discussion from the beginning of the era of negotiations with the Arabian palis. It was shoved away to the end of the negotiation period thinking that, if all the other issues can be resolved, surely we will not let Jerusalem get in the way?

Wrong. Jerusalem will never be negotiable and if it means throwing out an end of conflict agreement, so be it. Judaism cannot justify a hand over of Jerusalem.

This could be a test for today similar to the tests we are now returning to in the parashios of Bereshis facing Avraham Avinu. Jews may indeed grow from this test as is the implication of the test itself, an opportunity to release the pintele Yid inside. We ask HaShem for a return to and growth in Yiddishkeit by all Jews, hanging on until now if only for the memory of Jerusalem, the focal point of our prayers and where heaven and earth touch with a kiss. The alternative could be too devastating to consider.

End the Olmert Occupation of Israel

PA Demands Kotel as Failed Taba Accords Revived

by Hana Levi Julian

(IsraelNN.com) Israel and the Palestinian Authority have agreed to take a second look at the principles discussed during the January 2001 Taba Summit between then-Prime Minister Ehud Barak and then-Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said this week that he has accepted the principles reached during the negotiations but that had not been formalized in a final document, as a basis for current negotiations, according to an unnamed PA official quoted by the Maariv newspaper.

The source said that the PA has also agreed to the same principles as a basis for talks but has not formulated that in a formal manner.

“The problem is that Olmert has internal opposition from Barak,” said the source referring to the former PM who recently returned to politics and became Defense Minister.

“The gaps between Olmert and Abu Mazen are not large,” he said. “In one-on-one talks with Abu Mazen, Olmert has already agreed to Taba but he has not announced this formally.” He predicted that an agreement of principles would be reached by the time of the Mideast summit scheduled for November 26 in Annapolis, Maryland.

PA “Accepts”, but Demands Jews Throw on ‘Kotel’
PA negotiator Adnan Husseini, a senior advisor the PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, said the PA now accepts the Taba agreement that Arafat turned down six years ago, according to Voice of Israel government radio.

However, he rejected Israeli sovereignty over the Western Wall as well as the Jerusalem neighborhoods of Givat Ze’ev and Ma’aleh Adumim.

Husseini said Thursday night that the Western Wall “is part of Islamic heritage that cannot be given up, and it must be under Muslim control.” He also insisted that the entire Old City belongs to the Muslims.

Abbas earlier had agreed that a land swap would allow Israel to retain sovereignty over the Jewish Quarter and the Western Wall in the Old City.

Summary of Taba Accords:

The concessions by Israel in Taba six years ago included:
• Jerusalem would be designated as an open city, with Israeli sovereignty over the Western Wall and Jewish neighborhoods in Jerusalem and PA sovereignty over Arab neighborhoods in the city. Each side would define their part of Jerusalem as its capital. The issue of the Temple Mount had not been resolved and the PA has now demanded the Western Wall as well.
• Israel agreed to withdrawal from Judea and Samaria over a 36-month period and withdrawal from the Jordan Valley over an additional 36-month period, to be replaced by an international force. Arafat rejected these ideas.
• Israel proposed handing over blocs of land occupied by Arab residents, and retaining so-called “settlement blocs” within Judea and Samaria.. Arafat rejected this.
• Israel agreed to withdraw from 97 percent of its territory restored in the 1967 Six-Day War. Arafat rejected this too.
• Israel agreed to a limited so-called Right of Return, which would allow some 5,000 foreign Arab descendants of those who fled the country during the 1948 War of Independence. Barak proposed that the Arabs be allowed to immigrate (a) to Israel, (b) to Israeli swapped territory or (c) to the PA state. A second proposal offered to Arafat included (a) rehabilitation and relocation within the current Arab host country or (b) relocation to a third country. Arafat rejected these proposals.
• Both sides agreed to phase out the UNRWA agency that administered internationally-funded programs among the PA population, within five years.
• Both sides agreed the PA state would have sovereignty over its airspace.
• Both sides were willing to make a commitment to fight terror and cooperate on security issues.
• Both sides agreed to abide by United Nations Security Council Resolution 242 and that the June 1967 lines would become the basis for permanent borders between Israel and the new PA state.

background story from One Jerusalem: PA Advisor Wants More Of Jerusalem

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I guess in the eyes of the main-stream or as Rush calls it the "drive-by media", acceptance of the ridiculous conditions for "peace" set at Taba represents further evidence that the PA is the moderate negotiating partner vis a vis Hamas which would never accept such "limited" conditions.

The provisions of the Taba plan would leave Israel hardly stronger or strategically better off but with an arab terror organization in control of 97% of Samaria, Judea and Gaza (not mentioned directly) including control of the airspace. Why the insistence of maintaining seemingly endless talks with these people raises questions as to the sanity of the Israeli side?

Jerusalem will always be, not a point of contention as the conventional wisdom crowd would have you believe, but a beacon of hope and strength for the Jews. Jerusalem is indeed the single issue which SHOULD unite all Jews and will prevent any major accord with the arabians, unless the arabians give up claims to the Jewish holy city. Organizing to oppose the government's negotiating strategy and to remind these wayward and rebellious Jews that in the words of MBD "Jerusalem is not for sale" is underway drawing heavy weights such as Rav. Elyashiv (see story).

The pali cause, for what its worth will not be advanced when their liars negotiators go one record stating the phony islamic claims to the Kosel or any of Jerusalem for that matter. (see the sidebar link "Islam's Temple Mount").

The Jewish people must unite over the issue of Jerusalem. The Israeli electorate must unite over the disposal of the morally and spiritually failed Olmert government. Shas and Yisroel Beitenu are the empowering and enabling Olmert to continue this reckless abandonment of the land and thereby ancient Jewish dreams and both parties' leaderships should be held accountable.

In closing, here are some comments by the late Lubavitcher Rebbe ZTL, in response to a letter he received from 1970 concerning Jerusalem. Olmert is very lucky he didn't have to contend with the Rebbe.

Jerusalem Is Only For Am Yisrael
November 20, 1970
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Concerning your letter dealing with my words regarding Jerusalem, which were challenged, saying that there is no basis for what I said ... I only wish it were true. But to my sorrow, the present situation clearly refutes the contention that there is no basis for my words. What aggravates this impression is that they (the Israeli Government) are numbing public opinion — with the usual slogans. I warned about this also, and they know that the only thing which is holding them (the Israeli leaders) back now is lack of convincing propaganda, which will satisfy the Jewish masses. Now with regard to the politicians, they have already toyed with many different phraseologies, among them one which I mentioned (they want to turn The City of the Great King[112] into “The City of Three Kings”).

There is presently “no King over the Jewish people, and each man does according to what is right in his eyes,”[113] since we are, after all, living in a democratic society. [They will then decide the issue of Jerusalem] as “three partners,” in order of quantity, of course, which is the deciding factor in a democracy; first come the Christians, then the Muslims, and only then ... (Yesterday, the most important newspaper here, the New York Times, printed the latest approach, which was taken from the words of the Foreign Minister in the name of the Government: “It is the desire of the Israeli Government to retain “political control” over Jerusalem, and not to compromise on places upon which Israel’s security depend, like the Golan Heights and certain other points on the West Bank of the Jordan.” This is sufficient evidence for whoever understands.)

May it be G-d’s Will that in approaching the month of redemption,[114] the month of Kislev, we should be saved — even before the coming of Moshiach — from the modern-day Hellenists.[115] Through the spreading of the wellsprings of Chassidus, which is the central theme of the holiday of redemption Yud-Tes Kislev, each individual will light flames using pure oil, which has not been tampered with by the hand of a stranger, or even lit by one, illuminating both the house and the outside world simultaneously, in an increasing and illuminating manner.


Respectfully, with blessings for true health
and good news in all mentioned here
and with blessings of Mazal Tov
on the birth of your grandchild,
may he live and be well,

/Signed: Menachem Schneerson/

Follow up to Madness on Mt. Moriah

Remnants of the Second Temple Being Destroyed by Islamic Wakf

20 Elul 5767, 03 September 07 05:11by Hana Levi Julian and Alex Traiman

(IsraelNN.com) A large trench being dug on the Temple Mount is destroying a never before uncovered section of the outer wall of the Second Temple. The construction is being supervised by the Wakf—the Muslim Authority acting as custodians to the Temple Mount.

Archeologists have been calling for construction to halt on the trench, which is approximately 1,300 feet long and five feet deep. The Wakf claims the trench is being dug to replace 40-year-old electrical cables for nearby mosques.

New photos of construction debris from the Temple Mount show carved stones casually dumped in a pile that appear to be a section of the outer wall of the Second Temple, according to archaeologist Eilat Mazar.

According to Rabbi Chaim Richman, International Director of the Temple Institute, the Wakf is intentionally digging in areas where "undoubtedly the Temple once stood." "For the first time since the Temple's destruction, a section of the Temple Wall itself has been exposed," Richman said. "And the Wakf under the guise of laying down electrical pipes has dug a trench, destroying the most important holy artifact ever found to date."

Richman contends that the Temple remains are being "purposely destroyed with no supervision," calling the government's tolerance of the construction "complicit cooperation."

According to a report by WorldNetDaily, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert personally gave permission for bulldozers, steam shovels and other heavy equipment to be used to dig the trench.

"This is an extraordinarily serious offense," Richman states. "A corrupt, spiritually bankrupt government is allowing Judaism's holiest site to be trashed because of political agreements to officially hand over the Temple Mount to the Palestinian Authority. Jews in Israel and abroad are asleep, and have not awakened to the importance of the Temple in Judaism or the desecration of this holy site being performed daily by the Wakf."

The Israel Antiquities Authority approved the construction despite archaeologists’ concern that precious artifacts are being destroyed. The Authority, which digs for religious artifacts across the State of Israel, has not inspected construction on Judaism's holiest site even once since the work began, despite continuous calls for the construction to be supervised and halted.

English spokesman for the Israeli Police, Mickey Rosenfeld asserts that the police stationed on the Temple Mount will not prevent the construction because the Antiquities Authority approved the dig.

The Wakf has denied that any Jewish artifacts have been discovered during the dig, but new photos of work on the Mount belie the claim, clearly showing what is likely to be an ancient piece of carved wall.

The wall in question is from the outer wall of the Temple itself, as opposed to the Western Wall, which is a remnant of the retaining wall around the larger Temple platform.

Mazar, a member of the faculty at Hebrew University and a member of the Public Committee for Prevention of the Destruction of Antiquities on the Temple Mount, says it is "crucial this wall is inspected." She explains that the current ground level of the Temple Mount is slightly above the original Temple Mount platform, “meaning anything found is likely from the Temple itself.”

Mazar insists that she must personally inspect the stones to confirm their status, and attempted to inspect the site last week. She was stopped by Israeli police who are protecting the construction.

"The only hope is for Jews and non-Jews from across the world to stand up and start putting pressure on the religious, political and archeological communities to immediately halt this process," Richman concludes. "The whole world is wondering what the Jews are doing, allowing their most precious site, the Holy of Holies to be destroyed right before their eyes."

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What is worse than arabian callousness to antiquities? Olmert's callousness to yiddishkeit.

Whether it is in Israel or Afghanistan with the Taliban destroying Buddhist art treasures from the 14th century, the islamo-facists (really islam in general) has composed a record of historical destruction unparalleled in the world today.
Some of this record of destruction can be examined here. Olmert will not prevent this destruction since it is his policy to give over Jewish holy land to the islamo-nuts. Who will stop the Muslims? Probably no one will. No one in the world today has the moral authority or courage to stand up to this destruction except for the Jews ourselves but without unity, nothing will happen.

Maybe the suggestion that I made in the earlier post is closer to being correct than I would wish it be. Maybe the actions of the arabians in some way known only to HaShem is for our benefit. Please HaShem, reveal to your people Your will.

Madness on Mt. Moriah

Israel archaeologists fear damage at Jerusalem dig
Published: 08.29.07, 16:01 / Israel Jewish Scene
Reuters

From


Archaeologists says priceless relics could be damaged by mechanical digger being used by Muslim caretakers to carve out utility trench at one of capital's holiest shrines.

Israeli archaeologists said on Wednesday they fear priceless relics could be damaged by a mechanical digger being used by Muslim caretakers to carve out a utility trench at one of Jerusalem's holiest shrines.

The work is being carried out on the plaza revered by Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary) and by Jews as the Temple Mount.

"It is appalling that in one of the most important archaeological sites in the country, heavy machinery is used in a barbaric way to dig a ditch 120 meters long and 1.5 meters deep," said Gabriel Barkay, an archaeologist at Bar-Ilan University near Tel Aviv.

He and other members of the Israeli-based Committee Against the Destruction of Antiquities on the Temple Mount, have criticized Israel's Antiquities Authority for allowing the Waqf, the Muslim caretakers of the site, to conduct the work.

Dalit Menzin, a spokeswoman for the Antiquities Authority, an Israeli government agency, declined to comment.

Sheikh Abdel al-Azeem Salhab, president of the Waqf Council, which is charged with day-to-day administration of the compound, denied the digging would cause any archaeological damage.

Pottery shards

The trench is being dug to replace decades-old electric wiring at the complex, which now houses the al-Aqsa and Dome of the Rock Mosques and was the site during biblical times of two Jewish Temples.

The future of the compound, on land Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war, is at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"I assure you that the area where the electrical cables are being extended was excavated in the past and there is nothing of value in it that can be damaged or destroyed," Salhab said.

Barkay said earth from the trench contained pottery shards dating to the Byzantine period. He cautioned that more relics still underground could be harmed.

Christian, Muslim and Jewish heritage could "fall victim to this heinous act", Barkay said.

The site is in East Jerusalem, which Israel annexed in a move that is not recognized internationally. Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the capital of the state they hope to establish in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

In Febuary, an Israeli dig intended to salvage ancient artifacts before construction of a new walkway leading to the holy complex sparked worldwide protests by Muslims who said they feared the two mosques would be damaged.

Israel's Jerusalem municipality denied any harm would come to the shrines but scrapped its original construction plan and ordered a committee to prepare new blueprints and hold public hearings on the project.

related from INN

Archeologists: Waqf damaging Temple Mount remains (YNET backgrounder February)

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When will the historical record of the Jews in Jerusalem be valued? When will the Jewish world care enough to produce an outcry loud enough to bring to bear pressure on these callous barbarians and their on-going desecration of the Temple Mount?

The Jewish world must unite on this issue. Ah, but Jewish unity is no easy achievement. First, Jewry must decide what is the main priority? The answer is somewhat pragmatic and problematic. Archaeological destruction of historically relevant sites is a theme upon which everyone can agree. However, this position does not carry with it the same moral outrage as the religious or cultural arguments both of which carry significant emotional and moral power but are "heard" by fewer concerned people.

In comparison, the Arabians held up Israel's digs in the Western Wall plaza related to the bridge construction by claiming that the mosques on the Mount would be destablized.

The dig, which began in February, touched off Arab violence in Jerusalem following assertions by Islamic leaders that the work, which is taking place dozens of meters outside the Temple Mount, could damage the mosque inside the ancient compound. Israeli law requires such an archaeological excavation in advance of any construction in the Holy Land.

A UNESCO report on the dig concluded that the excavation is not damaging the holy site but called on Israel to stop the dig nonetheless to allow for international observation of the work. Jpost on the dig

An informed observer might conclude that the best approach is to proclaim to the world that the Jewish people will no longer tolerate the destruction of it's holy sites with impunity. However, the Government of Israel holds the key to such a program. And in this reality, world Jewry can merely be a vocal albeit, toothless protagonist.

World Jewry's struggle is not with the arabians on this point but with the Israeli Government proper and specifically the Antiquities Authority which refuses to enforce the existing law as it applies to the arabians but is all too willing to surrender to complaints from the islamic loud mouths. Is it with such disregard of the diaspora does the Israeli government, the caretaker of Jewish historical sites treat the interests of Jews worldwide? It is interesting that on this single issue, the most ardent supporters of Israel (despite the government of Israel) are similarly positioned with the Charedi not too friendly to Israel crowd. This is not the way I expected to experience Jewish unity.

Now, trying to be optimistic, and recognizing that in this month of Elul especially, Jews must recondition ourselves to the annual judgment by and acceptance of the divine will, what can we make of the on-going destruction and desecration of Jerusalem's historic and Jewish legacy? Maybe HaShem is actually seeking to protect the Temple Mount for the Jews? Is it impossible to think so? Is it possible that we must see no semblance of Jewish existence on the Har HaBayis before the ultimate claim to Har HaBayis is made by Moshiach Tzikaynu (bmhay'ra v'yamenu)? It would be consistent with Torah and Jewish history would it not? The miracles of Jewish existence have always been dramatic and undeniable (mostly, all failures to see it being our own). "Now you will begin to see what I will do to Pharaoh. Shemos 6:1"

May it be Your will HaShem that the Jewish people will return to You in teshuva and complete acceptance of Your Kingship. Establish Your people in Your land and return us to Your service and bring Your Divine presence to the Third Beis HaMikdash forever.

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Source information on the islamic destruction of the historic treasures buried in Har HaBayis.

A new, very long trench to the North and East of the Dome of the Rock plateau.

The digging of a new trench, which began only yesterday, has already reached a length of more than 150 meters. The purpose of this trench is to facilitate the installation of new electrical and plumbing infrastructure. The trench is being dug with heavy machinery, and reaches a maximum depth of 1.5 meters.

The work begins at the Northern edge of the Dome of the Rock plateau, connecting this new trench to a previous trench that was recently dug here. It abuts the North edge of the plateau, turns South, and continues along the plateau’s Eastern edge, in an area that is considered by most scholars, to be the location of the Second Temple "Courts of the Women". Back in 1970, in this very same place, a section of an Herodian wall was exposed and completely destroyed by Waqf workers during a similar dig. Some scholars ascribe that wall to the Second Temple Courts of the Women.

No archaeologist, under any circumstances, would have approved the use of a tractor in such a sensitive archaeological location. When brutally unearthed, earth strata and archaeological finds, totally loose their context, and delicate relics are destroyed. It doesn't matter at all if there is or isn't an archaeological supervisor present in such a dig. Under such conditions, there is absolutely no possibility of conducting any sort of professional supervision, which naturally would include: section drawings, registration of loci and finds and sifting samples of the soil.

In certain sections of the trench, some engraved stone fragments were seen in the soil that had been dug up and cast aside. Dig info, video and photos

This myth of Jerusalem as Islam"s third holiest city based upon the mythical ascension of Mohammed from Al-Aksa to Heaven has grown exponentially in the recent telling since 1967. When you tell a Big Lie and repeat it often, it achieves credibility and legs of its own. In Islam, telling a lie to infidels for the sake of enlarging your own believers" faith or defeating the infidel is acceptable, even desirable. Emanuel A. Winston -Gamla Website

"Architectural engraved stones that were removed from the trench"



The trench

Har-HaBayt.org - documenting destruction of antiquities on the Temple Mount from recent and current Waqf ordered digs

Destruction of the Temple Mount - Hershel Shanks

One Jerusalem - Temple Mount Destruction July

One Jerusalem - Temple Mount Destruction Continues

Temple Institute - Moslem Destruction

THE DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE MOUNT ANTIQUITIES

He Told The Truth!!!!! Amazing....

Abbas Admits Palestinian Arabs Not Original Inhabitants Of Israel

June 26, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Morton A. Klein, 212-481-1500
New York - Palestinian Authority (PA) president Mahmoud Abbas, in a speech denouncing the murder and violence committed by Hamas forces in their take-over of Gaza, stated that Hamas had looted and set on fire a church which was older than the Palestinian Arab presence in the Holy Land, thereby admitting that Palestinian Arabs are not the original inhabitants. In a speech on Wednesday to the PLO Central Council, Abbas stated that Hamas has been “murdering, executing people on the street, throwing fighters from tall buildings, and looting security headquarters, public facilities and Christian houses of worship. [Indeed,] even the churches were not spared. One of the oldest churches in Palestine, which stood long before our arrival [in the region], was looted and set on fire. There are Christians among us, and they are our brothers, and now we discover that [according to Hamas] they are enemies and must leave [ Palestine]?!” ( Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), June 22).

The Jewish connection to the land of Israel goes back to biblical times and two Jewish commonwealths existed during biblical and post-biblical times. The original Christians were a breakaway from Judaism and date from Jesus’ time. The Muslim Arabs, in contrast, arrived in the land only centuries later, in the seventh century, occupying Jerusalem in 638. Despite the wealth of historical knowledge existing of Jewish and Christian life in Israel, the PA officially asserts that there is no Jewish connection to Jerusalem, that the Jewish Temple never stood in Jerusalem, that Jesus was a Palestinian, and that Palestinian Arabs are descendants of earlier, Phoenician inhabitants of the land. Yasser Arafat declared once that Palestinian Arabs are descended from a non-existent Canaanite king named Salem, who supposedly preceded the Jewish settlement in the land:

“Those of you who lit the intifada fire must now act as defenders of this young state, whose capital is Jerusalem. It is Bir Salem [the fountain of Salem]. Salem was one of the Canaanite Kings, one of our forefathers. This city is the capital of our children and our children’s children. If not for this belief and conviction of the Palestinian nation, this people would have been erased from the face of the earth, as were so many other nations” (Arafat in an address in Jericho, August 18, 1994, cited by historian Martin Gilbert, New Republic, November 14, 1994).


At the time of the 2000 negotiations, then-Israeli Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami recounted that when Israel was offering to concede sovereignty over the Temple Mount to the Palestinian state, the PA was not prepared that the agreement should mention a historical connection between the Jewish people and that place ( Haaretz, July 7, 2004).


ZOA National Chairman of the Board, Dr. Michael Goldblatt said, “Although Abbas undoubtedly did not intend to let slip a statement that the Palestinian Arabs are not the original inhabitants of the land, he did just that in his speech. This is an important admission because it gives the lie to the Palestinian Arab claim that Jews are purely new arrivals whereas Palestinian Arabs are natives from time immemorial. Despite Abbas’ admission, it is clear from recent events, like the destruction of churches and attacks on Christian institutions in Gaza in recent days that extremism, violence and chaos lies in store for all non-Muslims residing in a Palestinian Arab state, should one be created in the near future, a goal supported by so many governments, including the Bush Administration.”

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Abu Mazen must have veered off the script. Certainly he remembers as Arafat used to claim that the Palestinis were one of the nations that were conquered by the Israelites (even though they are not mentioned in the Torah). Or maybe, in an emotional fit forgot the lie that the Palis were the Canaanites with whom the children of Israel fought for many years?

The very idea that the Xtians had built churches in the land and were in the land "which stood long before our arrival" is directly in contrast to the official history of the big lie nation. Why Edward Said (Y'Shm), one of the authors of the pali myth, if he were around would be challenged by this Abu Mazen declaration to create a new myth to justify both stories and still claim that the palis were in the land first. Because everyone knows that the Jews were in the land a millennium and a half before the appearance of Yoshka.

Now if Abu Mazen were to be questioned by the liberal MSM as to his statement (which will never happen because the lack of journalistic curiosity) what would he say? Probably blame Israel for changing the status quo of history, for everyone knows the truth. Tis the never ending humiliation of the arabians.