It's possible to be pro-Israeli without being anti-Palestinian

I don't know when terrorism will erupt in full force — my hope is that it won't ever. But I am convinced today that the disengagement [withdrawal from Gaza] will eventually aggravate terrorism instead of reducing it. The security establishment also expects an increase in terrorism. The withdrawal endangers Israel's security, divides its people and set the standards of the withdrawal to the '67 border.

—Benjamin Netanyahu, 2005

Although he was not Prime Minister during the withdrawal from Gaza, Netanyahu saw the writing on the wall in 2005. Since then, there has been a lot of international controversy over how the people in Gaza have been treated including the highly publicized "flotilla incident." A quick look at the facts brings light to some issues not commonly talked about in the media:

In the video below, Calev Myers of the Jerusalem Institute of Justice (www.jij.org.il/) is speaking to the European Union. Here are a few of the highlights:

• Since the Oslo Accords in 1993 until today the amount of international aid to the Palestinian Authority is 25 times per person larger than the amount of money spent on the Marshal Plan that rebuilt Europe after WWII (taking into account currency value inflation).
• Today, 60% of Palestinian economy is dependent upon foreign aid.
• Large amounts of the money go into the pockets of Palestinian leaders and to stockpile weapons used against Israel.
• This money has not been used to eradicate poverty or to create a sustainable economy for Palestinians.
• The Palestinian Authority is the primary abuser of Palestinian human rights, not Israeli settlers or the IDF.

It's not about discontinuing funds to the Palestinian people, but asking the Palestinian Authorities to be accountable about where all of the money is going. There is currently no accountability!

 

Update from Jerusalem & Bomb Shelter Info

More air raid sirens in Jerusalem yesterday [Tuesday] meant more rockets in the Jerusalem area and then today a terrorist attack on a public bus in Tel Aviv injured 23 people! The last terrorist bomb blast in Tel Aviv was in 2006. The situation is escalating and a ground war seems more likely even as Secretary of State Hilary Clinton has traveled to Egypt to supposedly help negotiate peace talks. Additionally, Iran has urged Arab nations to send military assistance to Gaza.
 

Bomb Shelter

You may remember the story about when we first moved to Jerusalem in February. We had a very generous donation by some of our partners specifically to allow us to rent a bigger and nicer apartment to ease our cross-global transition and to be able to host friends/family from the US. Because the apartment is newer, we actually have a bomb shelter in our apartment--in fact, my study doubles as the bomb shelter. Many apartment complexes have a shared bomb shelter or people go into the hallways or something during an attack. So come to find out, we have even MORE to be thankful for in renting this place as we have very little time to get into the bomb shelter when the air raid sirens are sounded [indicating an incoming rocket/missile]. This reality has given us way more empathy for the Israelis living in the south of Israel who have been living with this reality pretty much ever since Israel gave Gaza away in 2005.

However, we are doing well and comforted with the fact that the safest place in the world is to be in the middle of G-d’s will for your life! 
  

Here is an example of how effective safe rooms are in Israel. This is an apartment in Rishon LeZion that was directly hit from a rocket fired from Gaza.

And to those who don’t have Facebook: Here is a “Day in the Life” morning conversation:

Tom: How'd you sleep Cass?
Cass: Really good.
Tom: Why's that?
Cass: No rockets or anything!

Remember to pray for the shalom of Jerusalem and all of Israel!

Pillar of Cloud

(For more details about what's currently happening in the south please see our previous post).

Israel’s current operation against the Islamic terrorists in Gaza has been translated into English as “Operation Pillar of Defense.” This is a poetic translation which fails to convey the true meaning and purpose of Israel’s military operation.

The original Hebrew is עמוד ענן, “Amud Anan”, a phrase taken directly from the Torah.

When the children of Israel sojourned through the desert, a divine cloud, “a pillar of cloud” went before them in order to shield them from harm.

And the angel of G-d, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. —Exodus 14:19-20

Rashi, Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki (1040–1105 CE), a French rabbi who wrote commentaries on the Torah, the Prophets and the Talmud, explains:

They [the Egyptians] shot arrows and catapult stones at them, but the angel and cloud caught them.

Thus, the name of this operation is particularly appropriate as Israel defends itself from terrorist rockets and mortars — modern arrows and catapults.

Here is the prayer for the State of Israel that is appropriate at this time:

Our Father in Heaven, Rock and Redeemer of the people of Israel; Bless the State of Israel with the beginning of the blossoming of our redemption. Shield it with Your love; spread over it the shelter of Your peace. Guide its leaders and advisors with Your light and Your truth. Help them with Your good counsel. Strengthen the hands of those who defend our Holy Land. Deliver them; crown their efforts with triumph. Bless the land with peace, and its inhabitants with lasting joy. And let us say: Amen.

(adapted from an email from ulpanor.com)

It's not war...technically

Thank you for your prayers; we are safe here in Jersualem. I wish I could say as much for those living in the south of Israel but Hamas and Islamic Jihad have been continually terrorizing the area with rockets launched from the Gaza Strip (which Israel gave to the Arabs in 2005 in a supposed "land for peace" deal). To end the non-stop rocket attacks, Israel has decided to increase the defense of their citizens, as I'm sure you've heard (although perhaps not in those terms). Can you imagine Mexico launching hundreds of rockets at the US? Something important to note is that Israel is targeting Hamas' missiles and the terrorists involved, being careful to avoid Palestinian civilians (many available videos give evidence to this fact), but Hamas is specifically targeting Israeli civilian population areas.

Here are some of the facts (thanks to CUFI):

      In the week preceding the launch of yesterday's operation, over 120 missiles were fired from Gaza into southern Israel.
•    Since the beginning of 2012, over 760 missiles have been fired from Gaza into Israel's southern communities.
•    Since Israel launched this operation yesterday, an additional 245 missiles (probably more by the time you read this) have been fired into Israel, killing three Israelis and injuring many more.
•    These missiles target Israeli civilians, and have forced over one million Israelis into bomb shelters.
•    In recent years, Hamas has acquired an arsenal of long range Fajr-5 missiles from Iran capable of hitting Tel Aviv, and now Israeli media outlets are reporting that two rockets have landed in the outskirts of Tel Aviv.
•    Operation Pillar of Defense is a limited operation targeting Hamas' missile stockpiles and the Hamas terrorists responsible for firing them. 

Israel has once again exercised enormous restraint and waited until over 760 rockets had been fired into its territory before launching Operation Pillar of Defense. 

Please keep Israel, it's leader, soldiers and civilians in your prayers. He is a G-d of truth and mercy -- to all who call on His name. Please spread the truth to those less informed. Blessings to you, friends.