Qassam rockets didn’t fall from the sky on Tel Aviv. Don’t worry. They were brought from Sderot by a group of students from Sapir college to the heart of Tel Aviv – Rotschild Avenue.
The real live rockets are displayed on Rotschild avenue, between Nachmani and Bezalel-Yafe. While I was taking pictures, one of the organizers came up to me and explained about the initiative. Their goal is to gain solidarity between residents of Tel Aviv and the people of Sderot who suffer from these rockets for over 6 years already.
Besides solidarity, what do they really want? The answer to my question was: “We want the government to wake up and act for a solution?”. Pushing him a little more, I asked what solution are they aiming for? “A military solution”.
Since 2001, many incursions have been made into the Gaza strip. None resulted in a solution. Rockets fell before and after the implementation of Sharon’s Disengagement plan. Now, when Hammas is controlling the Gaza strip, things are more complicated.
I don’t think that this exhibition of real Qassam rockets will affect the urban crowd. It’s just another exhibition / phenomenon in the big city. This summer features lots of interesting things. This is just one of them. Tonight (Thursday. July 5th), they are having a happening. I might step out of my house and check it out…
Traditionally, the annual Gay Pride Parade in Israel is held in Tel Aviv. Last year, the GLBT community asked to hold it in Jerusalem, claiming that they have the same right to march in the capital city as any other community or public sector. Unfortunately, and some say shamefully, the parade was reduced to a rally, as a result of enormous pressure from the police, various politicians and the threats of the Haredim (Orthodox religious sector). Long before the designated day of the parade, they were blocking the roads, starting fires, rioting, throwing stones at police officers, and at the same time – accusing the GLBT community of “disturbing the peace” and “compromising public safety”. Apparently, being homosexual in itself is more offensive and harmful than any form of actual, direct, verbal or physical violence. Why, of course it is. What were we thinking?
This year, on top of the riots, the stone-throwing, the tire-burning and the road-blocking, the Haredim have recruited a new weapon to use against the GLBT community – the ancient art of hexing (or spell-casting, if you will). Just a few days ago, the leading Rabbis of the Haredi sector placed an official curse (!!) on the organizers and participants of the Gay Pride Parade. They distributed a message in hundreds of flyers that were plastered all over Jerusalem, saying:
“To all those involved, sinners in spirit, and whoever helps and protects them, may they feel a curse on their souls, may it plague them and may evil pursue them; they will not be acquitted of their transgressions from heavenly judgment.”
Silly me, I thought this was the 21st century, not the dark ages. Uh well. But other than the obvious repulsion at this childish and medieval-style response, I felt a sense of familiarity when I read the words of the curse… Where have I heard these things before?… Oh yes! Of course! Monty Python’s film, The Holy Grail! That memorable scene where King Arthur and his knights are fighting the murderous rabbit; they stand helpless until one of them remembers that there is a sacred weapon they can use – the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch! Here’s a
reminder:
Friar: “And Saint Attila raised the hand grenade up on high, saying, ‘O Lord, bless this Thy hand grenade that, with it, Thou mayest blow Thine enemies to tiny bits in Thy mercy.’ And the Lord did grin, and the people did feast upon the lambs and sloths and carp and anchovies and orangutans and breakfast cereals and fruit bats and large chu–”
Brother Maynard: “Skip a bit, Brother.”
Friar: “And the Lord spake, saying, ‘First shalt thou take out the Holy Pin. Then, shalt thou count to three. No more. No less. Three shalt be the number
thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shall be three. Four shalt thou not count, nor either count thou two, excepting that thou then proceed to three.
Five is right out. Once the number three, being the third number, be reached, then, lobbest thou thy Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch towards thy foe, who, being naughty in My sight, shall snuff it.’ ”
In short? Holy wars are stupid. There’s nothing holy or sacred about violence. Support the parade in Jerusalem – Israel is still and despite everything, a
democracy. And don’t forget to count to three!
Gaza is burning with a civil war between Fatah and Hamas militias. Tens are killed everyday. The small clashes have turned into gun fights between hundreds of people, an assassination attempt of the Palestinian PM Ismail Hania (Hamas) and very cruel cases, such as the Hamas gang throwing a Fatah member from tops of high rise buildings.
Of course, it could be worse. This war didn’t spread to the West Bank, where Israel holds a major portion of the land. The unity government that includes politicians from all parties hasn’t fallen apart yet.
But things are bad enough. The president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) has already called it a coup.
I’ve already mentioned that the fighting is bad for Israel. Not only did the situation deteriorate, but the wrong side is winning. A full takeover by Hamas means that there is absolutely no partner on the other side. The extremely sick peace process will officially die for many years.
So what can we do? At this point, nothing. Interference in this war, supporting Fatah, could deeply hurt Hamas’ military power, but would give Fatah a stamp as a cooperator with the enemy, making Hamas the only choice for most Palestinians.
I’m sure that we could do better in the past, by making the occupation softer, allowing the moderate Fatah side to show achievements for the Palestinians , thus making it stronger. We could also be more serious in peace negotiations. Israeli governments complained that there is no partner on the other side. Too many times, there was no partner on our side.
I think that only international intervention can save the day. But, I don’t see the international community doing anything to solve this bloody crisis. Gaza is not Lebanon. Palestinians are hated everywhere.
Well, we really like Tuna (and it has lots of healthy protein, very useful after going to the gym).
And in a more serious tone: I truly believe and I’m also very hopeful, that a war between Israel and Syria, or Israel and Hizballah will not happen this summer. I don’t believe that the talks about peace negotiations will materialize. I do trust the bit of common sense that the leaders in both sides still have, and that a chain reaction of misunderstandings that emerge out of mutual distrust will not turn into an open full-scale war.
Syria dirty deeds, and our corrupt and unpopular government won’t let the situation deteriorate to war. I’m optimistic (some may say – stupid).
No, this is not a scoop. It happens on s regular basis. Shiba hospital (near Tel Aviv) takes care of Palestinian people who are sick or injured. They even have an agreement with the Shifa hospital in Gaza. It’s been like this for years.
So why am I writing this? A group of British doctors published a letter in the Guardian, calling for an international boycott on the Israel Medical Association. The reason: Inhumane behavior towards the Palestinians.
You can blame the IDF for many things (as I did a few days ago), but not the doctors! Israeli doctors, under the medical oath, are doing their best to assist anyone.
An Israeli doctor that works in Shiba’s pediatric intensive care unit, uploaded a short movie to Youtube, where you can see how politics are not part of Israeli physicians’ routine.
If you want to help in showing a truly bright side of Israel, please rate this movie, and / or favorite it. If you want to take a further step, post it in your blog. That would be great 🙂
