Posted on June 10 at 10:01 p.m.

Hi, betty -

Thank you for your comments. I appreciate your pointing out the large number of NGO's, some of which I had not been aware of. There are lots of good guys there!

I hope that you have a chance to go to Palestine sometime. Look, learn, and see for yourself, as I did. It's not what you may think.

Until then, Shalom, and Salaam.

On Ads Anti-Semitic

Posted on June 5 at 8:43 a.m.

"Israel has not carried out housing demolitions for many years...." Oh?

betty, please see http://icahd.org/eng/news.asp?menu=5&... for a slightly different view of recent history. Incidentally, this organization has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.

How many suicide bombings took place in Israel in 2007? Just one. In Elat.

Why are suicide bombings down? Not because of the wall, according to B'tselem, the respected Israeli human rights organization. The wall is still porous. Suicide bombings were down by 50% when the wall was only 30% built, according to B'tselem. The reasons are (1) Palestinians realized that suicide bombings are not effective means of influencing Israel's actions; and (2) Israeli and Palestinian intelligence have been working more effectively together to prevent such bombings.

The reality is that fear of terror, not the terror itself, is necessary for Israel to continue its undemocratic oppression.

Perhaps the best analogy, although painful, is the way the Americans treated the American Indians.

Neither Israel not Palestine has lived up to all terms of any agreement they have signed.

The best approach to peace in the Middle East is for BOTH sides to stop provocative actions - something that NEITHER is willing to do at this point. Palestinians need to stop the rocket attacks (actually, Israel has a new defense system scheduled to be deployed later this year that is designed to be 98+% effective), and Israel needs to stop expanding the wall and the settlements. Then, and only then, will there be an opportunity for peace in the region, which so many people on both sides, truly desire.

On Ads Anti-Semitic

Posted on June 4 at 10:29 p.m.

The above post is a word-for-word lift from the 2002 article by Sharon Nader Sloan (copyrighted) as shown here: http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?A.... It was quoted (and copyright acknowledged) at the virulent web site www.masada2000: http://www.masada2000.org/been-had.html. I did not see any acknowledgement from the previous poster.

"The long-term goal is a state which includes all of 'historical Palestine,' including Jordan." I would be interested in knowing the source for this statement.

Have you been to Palestine ("The West Bank," if you will) recently? Are you aware of the many non-democratic means that Israel exerts over Palestinians (yes, some even being its own citizens) regarding freedom of movement, second-class citizen status, access to public highways, intimidation and harrassment, among other non-democratic actions? Are you aware that over 500 Palestinian towns have been wiped from the face of the earth by the IDF? Are you aware that 20,000 Palestinian homes are under demolition orders? Hardly the actions that one would expect from a democracy!

Don't forget, one can be pro-Israel and not support all of Israel's actions. Do not fall into the trap of assuming otherwise.

Shalom and Salaam

On Ads Anti-Semitic

Posted on June 3 at 5:47 p.m.

I agree that I saw nothing anti-semitic about the ads Mr. Feldman referred to. I was in Israel and Palestine in April. Professor Pappe's book was on sale in bookstores just blocks from the Old City of Jerusalem.

Pappe is recognized as a legitimate historian (the preferred Israeli term is "new historian"), along with a number of others. He has authored at least six books, and many articles. He is Israeli-born, Israeli-educated, and the son of German-Jewish immigrants to Israel.

While Pappe has recently moved to England, as Professor of History at the University of Exeter, he remains controversial. However, those who disagree with him, even in Israel, can do so without the vituperative calumny exhibited by Mr. Feldman.

On Ads Anti-Semitic

Posted on August 11 at 3:34 p.m.

Even though inciweb is back in operation, this is by far the best source of good, accurate, and useable information. Thank you, Indy, and thank you, Ray!

On Zaca Fire Team Meets with Mission Canyon Residents