Israeli soldier suspended for gun-butt attack

Footage posted online showed officer striking pro-Palestinian activist in face during West Bank cycling rally.

http://www.aljazeera.com/mritems/Images/2012/4/16/20124169130938734_20.jpg

An Israeli soldier has been suspended after video footage showed him hitting a foreign pro-Palestinian activist in the face with his gun during a bicycle rally in the occupied West Bank, according to the Israeli military.

Footage of the incident posted on YouTube was picked up by Israeli television on Sunday, prompting condemnation from Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister.

"Lieutenant-Colonel Shalom Eisner has been suspended until the conclusion of the inquiry which has been opened," a military spokesman said on Monday.

The assault took place on Saturday during a bicycle ride in the Jordan Valley near Jericho involving Palestinians and foreign activists.

The footage shows a soldier smashing a male demonstrator in the face with the butt of a rifle in an apparently unprovoked attack as soldiers confront protesters.

The demonstrator, reported to be a Danish national, falls to the ground and is then carried away by others at the scene.

"Such behaviour is not characteristic of the soldiers and commanders of the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)," Netanyahu said in a statement released on Sunday. "It has no place in the IDF and the State of Israel."

Benny Gantz, Israeli military's chief of staff, also condemned the attack which he said would be "thoroughly investigated and treated with the utmost severity".

The military described the incident as "very serious" and said it was looking into "the circumstances leading up to this incident as well as on its repercussions", a spokeswoman said.

Quoting a military source, Israel's Channel 10 television said the officer apparently lost his patience as he and his troops tried to turn away cyclists shouting anti-Israeli slogans and waving Palestinian flags from an area defined as a closed military zone.

'Flytilla' activists barred

In another development, Israel has barred nearly 80 foreign activists from flying into the country on grounds they were linked to a pro-Palestinian campaign, police said on Monday, with 60 of them still awaiting deportation.

As of midnight, police at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv had detained 78 people, more than two-thirds of them French nationals, spokeswoman Luba Samri said.

Among those detained were 51 French nationals, 11 Britons, six Italians, five Canadians, two Spanish nationals and three others from Switzerland, Portugal and the US.

Officials had already sent 18 people back to their ports of origin, while another 60 had refused to leave voluntarily and had been taken to two facilities near Tel Aviv, she said.

Hundreds of Israeli police were deployed at the airport from Saturday night in a bid to prevent the arrival of a wave of foreigners taking part in the "Welcome to Palestine" fly-in campaign, also known as the "flytilla."

Organisers of the campaign, now in its third year, had been expecting to welcome up to 1,500 people, but Israel vowed to prevent them from entry, warning airlines they would be forced to foot the bill for the activists' immediate return home.

Most of Europe's main airlines quickly fell in line, cancelling the tickets of at least 300 Israel-bound passengers, and sparking angry protests in several European capitals.

Police at the airport also arrested nine Israeli activists who had come to support the visitors.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/04/201241682449825487.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uL-GmYBNDqY&feature=player_embedded

KAPOW!!!!

Nice hit.

Why the hell has this made news?

Note to all soldiers: Shave before smashing faces it gets better press.

I bet you could survey that, I bet it is a thing.

Video captures Israeli soldier's attack on Danish protester with rifle

A SENIOR Israeli military officer's seemingly unprovoked assault against an unarmed pro-Palestinian activist has drawn sharp condemnations, raising questions in Israel over whether the country's heavy-handed approach to non-violent protesters was exaggerated and causing damage to Israel's image.

Denmark's ambassador to Israel had demanded authorities provide a report on the incident, which appeared to show a soldier smashing a protester in the face with an M-16 rifle.

The incident was captured on video and has featured in all major newspapers and TV broadcasts in Denmark.

It follows Israel's high-profile interception at its main airport of dozens of international activists who had planned a solidarity mission with Palestinians in the West Bank. Adding to the sense that Israel may have gone too far, officials said today that nearly 500 people were erroneously blocked from visiting...

...Israel feels it is unfairly singled out internationally and is obsessed about its international image.

Leaders often complain about what they say are unfair efforts to "delegitimise" the country with boycotts, divestment calls and other campaigns. The country even has a ministry of public diplomacy that aims to promote the country's image overseas.

But critics say that Israel's policies, not its public relations efforts, are the problem, particularly when it comes to its actions in the occupied West Bank. Saturday's beating of the foreign activist, filmed by another demonstrator as soldiers blocked them from riding bicycles near the West Bank town of Jericho, gave new ammunition to its detractors.

"Any reasonable viewer who sees the clip asks himself how many such incidents take place where there is no documentation, and how the army responds when there is no conclusive and public proof of unjustified violence," wrote Ofer Shelah, a military columnist for the Yediot Ahronot daily...

...The activist, a 20-year-old man from Denmark, said the event was "completely non-violent." In an interview with The Associated Press, he said he required stitches to his lip from the blow. He refused to be identified, fearing retribution from Israeli authorities.

In Denmark, Foreign Minister Villy Soevndal said the Danish ambassador to Israel had asked authorities for a report on what had happened...

...Over the weekend, Israel prevented hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists from entering the country to participate in a solidarity mission drawing attention to Israeli travel restrictions on Palestinians in the West Bank. Some were detained upon arrival at the airport, while others were prevented from boarding flights in their home countries.

While Israel declared victory, some commentators have questioned whether the action simply drew attention to the policies targeted by the protesters.

In another sign that the crackdown might have backfired, the Foreign Ministry said that about 470 of the 1,200 people who were barred from the country should not have been on the list. "We don't know why they were there," said spokesman Yigal Palmor...

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/video-captures-israeli-soldiers-attack-on-danish-protester-with-rifle/story-e6frg6so-1226329787607

Where is Avram ... i want to hear how justified the Isreali soldier was ... tell me how he was defending himself because he was in mortal danger of a paper cut from this suspected terrorist  .....

LOL, don’t get in someone’s face unless your ready to cop a smack in the mouth.

Too funny.

FriYAY wrote on Apr 18^th, 2012 at 4:51pm:

LOL, don’t get in someone’s face unless your ready to cop a smack in the mouth. Too funny.

So Israel shouldnt comlpain about Hamas and similar groups?

Johnsmith wrote on Apr 18^th, 2012 at 8:17am:

Where is Avram ... i want to hear how justified the Isreali soldier was ... tell me how he was defending himself because he was in mortal danger of a paper cut from this suspected terrorist  .....

I do not comment on incidents of which I do not know about.

Avram Horowitz wrote on Apr 18^th, 2012 at 7:41pm:

Johnsmith wrote on Apr 18th, 2012 at 8:17am: Where is Avram ... i want to hear how justified the Isreali soldier was ... tell me how he was defending himself because he was in mortal danger of a paper cut from this suspected terrorist  ..... I do not comment on incidents of which I do not know about.

LIAR ....you spend all your time on here commenting on Australian politics .... something of which you know nothing about ...

You comment on Australia's asylum seekers.

What do you know about them?

Johnsmith wrote on Apr 18^th, 2012 at 7:44pm:

Avram Horowitz wrote on Apr 18th, 2012 at 7:41pm: Johnsmith wrote on Apr 18th, 2012 at 8:17am: Where is Avram ... i want to hear how justified the Isreali soldier was ... tell me how he was defending himself because he was in mortal danger of a paper cut from this suspected terrorist  ..... I do not comment on incidents of which I do not know about. LIAR ....you spend all your time on here commenting on Australian politics .... something of which you know nothing about ...

I do not make comment on internal Australian politics.

Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 18^th, 2012 at 7:44pm:

You comment on Australia's asylum seekers. What do you know about them?

They are not 'Australia's asylum seekers' (nobody will fall for this sort of sleight of hand).

They are asylum seekers that you find practically everywhere - Iraqis, Afghans, Iranians, assorted other middle easterners, Chinese, Sri Lankans and a smattering of other Asian nationalities.

There is nothing particular about these people that in any way links them to Australia - not any affinity, culture, language, history, custom - except that they happened to turn up here rather than in any number of other countries.
Anyone can comment on them as they turn up almost everywhere.

bobbythefap1 wrote on Apr 18^th, 2012 at 4:57pm:

FriYAY wrote on Apr 18th, 2012 at 4:51pm: LOL, don’t get in someone’s face unless your ready to cop a smack in the mouth. Too funny. So Israel shouldnt comlpain about Hamas and similar groups?

They are not complaining. They are shooting back. ANd then explain hy they shot back. That's not a complaint, that's a response.

Soren wrote on Apr 18^th, 2012 at 8:20pm:

Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 18th, 2012 at 7:44pm: You comment on Australia's asylum seekers. What do you know about them? They are not 'Australia's asylum seekers' (nobody will fall for this sort of sleight of hand). They are asylum seekers that you find practically everywhere - Iraqis, Afghans, Iranians, assorted other middle easterners, Chinese, Sri Lankans and a smattering of other Asian nationalities. There is nothing particular about these people that in any way links them to Australia - not any affinity, culture, language, history, custom - except that they happened to turn up here rather than in any number of other countries. Anyone can comment on them as they turn up almost everywhere.

People seeking asylum in Australia.

Better?

Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 18^th, 2012 at 8:23pm:

Soren wrote on Apr 18th, 2012 at 8:20pm: Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 18th, 2012 at 7:44pm: You comment on Australia's asylum seekers. What do you know about them? They are not 'Australia's asylum seekers' (nobody will fall for this sort of sleight of hand). They are asylum seekers that you find practically everywhere - Iraqis, Afghans, Iranians, assorted other middle easterners, Chinese, Sri Lankans and a smattering of other Asian nationalities. There is nothing particular about these people that in any way links them to Australia - not any affinity, culture, language, history, custom - except that they happened to turn up here rather than in any number of other countries. Anyone can comment on them as they turn up almost everywhere. People seeking asylum in Australia. Better?

Anyone can comment on them. That's the point. SO if your sleight of hand is disallowed, then yes, better.

Soren wrote on Apr 18^th, 2012 at 8:20pm:

Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 18th, 2012 at 7:44pm: You comment on Australia's asylum seekers. What do you know about them? They are not 'Australia's asylum seekers' (nobody will fall for this sort of sleight of hand). They are asylum seekers that you find practically everywhere - Iraqis, Afghans, Iranians, assorted other middle easterners, Chinese, Sri Lankans and a smattering of other Asian nationalities. There is nothing particular about these people that in any way links them to Australia - not any affinity, culture, language, history, custom - except that they happened to turn up here rather than in any number of other countries. Anyone can comment on them as they turn up almost everywhere.

Except for a small thing... may not mean much to you .. BUT THE FACT THAT THEY COME TO AUSTRALIA MAKES THEM AUSTRALIAS ASYLUM SEEKERS ...

Every country has a transport system as well .... doesn't make ours any less unique ...

Avram Horowitz wrote on Apr 18^th, 2012 at 7:59pm:

Johnsmith wrote on Apr 18th, 2012 at 7:44pm: Avram Horowitz wrote on Apr 18th, 2012 at 7:41pm: Johnsmith wrote on Apr 18th, 2012 at 8:17am: Where is Avram ... i want to hear how justified the Isreali soldier was ... tell me how he was defending himself because he was in mortal danger of a paper cut from this suspected terrorist  ..... I do not comment on incidents of which I do not know about. LIAR ....you spend all your time on here commenting on Australian politics .... something of which you know nothing about ... I do not make comment on internal Australian politics.

Thats as internal as anything else... you often comment on where we spend our taxes and how they are wasted on asylum seekers ... Are Australias taxes now a global concern?

Soren wrote on Apr 18^th, 2012 at 8:20pm:

There is nothing particular about these people that in any way links them to Australia - not any affinity, culture, language, history, custom - except that they happened to turn up here rather than in any number of other countries.

So kind of like British settlers arriving in Australia 200 years ago then.

Johnsmith wrote on Apr 18^th, 2012 at 8:42pm:

Avram Horowitz wrote on Apr 18th, 2012 at 7:59pm: Johnsmith wrote on Apr 18th, 2012 at 7:44pm: Avram Horowitz wrote on Apr 18th, 2012 at 7:41pm: Johnsmith wrote on Apr 18th, 2012 at 8:17am: Where is Avram ... i want to hear how justified the Isreali soldier was ... tell me how he was defending himself because he was in mortal danger of a paper cut from this suspected terrorist  ..... I do not comment on incidents of which I do not know about. LIAR ....you spend all your time on here commenting on Australian politics .... something of which you know nothing about ... I do not make comment on internal Australian politics. Thats as internal as anything else... you often comment on where we spend our taxes and how they are wasted on asylum seekers ... Are Australias taxes now a global concern?

What about when you idiots comment on Israeli politics?
You're allowed to comment on his country, but he's not on ours? Sounds like leftard logic.

Postmodern Trendoid III wrote on Apr 18^th, 2012 at 10:03pm:

Johnsmith wrote on Apr 18th, 2012 at 8:42pm: Avram Horowitz wrote on Apr 18th, 2012 at 7:59pm: Johnsmith wrote on Apr 18th, 2012 at 7:44pm: Avram Horowitz wrote on Apr 18th, 2012 at 7:41pm: Johnsmith wrote on Apr 18th, 2012 at 8:17am: Where is Avram ... i want to hear how justified the Isreali soldier was ... tell me how he was defending himself because he was in mortal danger of a paper cut from this suspected terrorist  ..... I do not comment on incidents of which I do not know about. LIAR ....you spend all your time on here commenting on Australian politics .... something of which you know nothing about ... I do not make comment on internal Australian politics. Thats as internal as anything else... you often comment on where we spend our taxes and how they are wasted on asylum seekers ... Are Australias taxes now a global concern? What about when you idiots comment on Israeli politics? You're allowed to comment on his country, but he's not on ours? Sounds like leftard logic.

It is not Avram's commentary on Australia which is most odd but, rather, his silence on Israeli soldiers' brutality. Afterall, he claims to have been an Israeli soldier himself.

It is not Avram's commentary on Australia which is most odd but, rather, his silence on Israeli soldiers' brutality. After All, he claims to have been an Israeli soldier himself. [

I remember your comments on the thirty guards called on an extra shift to evacuate a prison in Israel that was threatened by bush fires, all of the thirty were burnt to death.

You wet your pants at the thought of those JEWS being burnt to death.

The people that the ABHORRENT JEWS were trying to save were of course dirty filthy disgusting murderous scum muslim terrorists.

But Hey falah who is the biggest racist bigot on this forum, you, jan or abu?

Many times people will comment with not know the whole story.

That is why you have people on here get so many things wrong.

I has no comment on this particular incident because I do not know it well and also that is why we have investigations in the IDF.

Soren wrote on Apr 18^th, 2012 at 8:33pm:

Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 18th, 2012 at 8:23pm: Soren wrote on Apr 18th, 2012 at 8:20pm: Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 18th, 2012 at 7:44pm: You comment on Australia's asylum seekers. What do you know about them? They are not 'Australia's asylum seekers' (nobody will fall for this sort of sleight of hand). They are asylum seekers that you find practically everywhere - Iraqis, Afghans, Iranians, assorted other middle easterners, Chinese, Sri Lankans and a smattering of other Asian nationalities. There is nothing particular about these people that in any way links them to Australia - not any affinity, culture, language, history, custom - except that they happened to turn up here rather than in any number of other countries. Anyone can comment on them as they turn up almost everywhere. People seeking asylum in Australia. Better? Anyone can comment on them. That's the point. SO if your sleight of hand is disallowed, then yes, better.

If Avram said the sky was green, you'd fall over yourself trying to prove him right. It's pretty funny considering your offensive and contrary attitude to everyone else. You are predictable, Enid. I understand though - collective fear is a powerful bond.


Using Aram's own logic, he is not qualified to comment on Australian political matters that he knows nothing about.

Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 19^th, 2012 at 10:45am:

Using Aram's own logic, he is not qualified to comment on Australian political matters that he knows nothing about.

But as it has been clarified for you, asylum seekers arriving in Australia are not merely Australian political matters (even as they may be that as well) as these people arrive pretty much everywere that is not like the hell-hole they had created and are pleased to call 'home'.

What has Australia's asylum seeker policy got to do with Israel and Israelis?

Unless of course you agree with Avram that Australia is Israel.

What am I thinking? Of course you do.

Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 19^th, 2012 at 11:03am:

What has Australia's asylum seeker policy got to do with Israel and Israelis? Unless of course you agree with Avram that Australia is Israel. What am I thinking? Of course you do.

Israel kills the parents of the children that have to come here.

Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 19^th, 2012 at 11:03am:

What has Australia's asylum seeker policy got to do with Israel and Israelis? Unless of course you agree with Avram that Australia is Israel. What am I thinking? Of course you do.

You do not think people who come to Australia for some time can have opinion on what they see when they are here?
You do not think they have input to give Annie?

If you want to have an opinion about what Australia is and does, then you need to stop trying to shoot debate about Israel down by saying none of us understand what's really happening.

Because that's bullshit, and I'm pretty sure you know it.

Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 19^th, 2012 at 11:19am:

If you want to have an opinion about what Australia is and does, then you need to stop trying to shoot debate about Israel down by saying none of us understand what's really happening. Because that's bullshit, and I'm pretty sure you know it.

I did not say that.
Here as an example i can see from my own experience that this incident i can not comment because many things may have happened on this incident that we do not know.

Just saying 'bad behavior by Israeli soldier' is easy to do - it need to be investigated and then what will happen we will see.
I know from my own time that often Palestinians and non Palestinians (even your own Aussie people before has annoy me in the west bank) provockes situations deliberate.

So i do not comment on this story.

Also I say that you make many comment on a situation where you do not know all of it.
You has said before Operation Cast Lead.
Annie, I was in this Operation. I was a soldier in the ground forces infantry that advance into the Gaza.
I was shot at by Hamas, from apartment building and from teenage boys has rocks come to us.
Yet you think we just go in and shoot. No, i tell you we do not. We first fire over the heads as warnings - we also from armored vehicle give warning - in both Hebrew and in Arabic - that if the street is not clear in 2 minutes there will be tear gas and the soldiers will be instruct to return fire.

You did not know any of this - that is my point. You hold opinion sitting in a country the other side of the world to us and yet you makes opinions knowing little of this all.

See what I am saying?

You know what I see?

"One shot, two kills."

Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 19^th, 2012 at 11:27am:

You know what I see? "One shot, two kills."

I already have told you about this.

Adamant wrote on Apr 19^th, 2012 at 2:42am:

It is not Avram's commentary on Australia which is most odd but, rather, his silence on Israeli soldiers' brutality. After All, he claims to have been an Israeli soldier himself. I remember your comments on the thirty guards called on an extra shift to evacuate a prison in Israel that was threatened by bush fires, all of the thirty were burnt to death.

It has nothing to do with them being Jews. They were Israeli soldiers who are invaders, occupiers and oppressors.

If a Nazi guards were killed while on their way to a concentraion camp how would Jewish prisoners in the concetration camp feel?

Less Nazi oppressors in the world is a good thing.

Less Israeli oppressors in the world is also a good thing.

bobbythefap1 wrote on Apr 19^th, 2012 at 11:04am:

Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 19th, 2012 at 11:03am: What has Australia's asylum seeker policy got to do with Israel and Israelis? Unless of course you agree with Avram that Australia is Israel. What am I thinking? Of course you do. Israel kills the parents of the children that have to come here.

Oh yeah? Name one.

Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 19^th, 2012 at 11:03am:

What has Australia's asylum seeker policy got to do with Israel and Israelis? Unless of course you agree with Avram that Australia is Israel. What am I thinking? Of course you do.

You have never been to Israel yet you are not short of opinions about it. Avram is in Australia now. Yet you pull him up on commenting on boatpeople coming to Australia.
And you do not even see your double standard.

bobbythefap1 wrote on Apr 19^th, 2012 at 11:04am:

Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 19th, 2012 at 11:03am: What has Australia's asylum seeker policy got to do with Israel and Israelis? Unless of course you agree with Avram that Australia is Israel. What am I thinking? Of course you do. Israel kills the parents of the children that have to come here.

Palestinians kill the children.....

Fatalities of the Shmuel HaNavi suicide bomb attack

Avraham Bar-Or, 12, of Jerusalem.
Binyamin Bergman, 15, of Jerusalem.
Yaakov Binder, 50, of Jerusalem.
Feiga Dushinski, 50, of Jerusalem.
Miriam Eisenstein, 20, of Bnei Brak.
Lilach Kardi, 22 (eight months pregnant), of Jerusalem.
Menachem Leibel, 24, of Jerusalem.
Elisheva Meshulami, 16, of Bnei Brak.
Tehilla Nathanson, 3, of Zikhron Ya'akov.
Chava Nechama Rechnitzer, 19, of Bnei Brak.
Mordechai Reinitz, 49, of Netanya.
Issachar Reinitz, 9, of Netanya.
Maria Antonia Reslas, 39, of the Philippines.
Liba Schwartz, 54, of Jerusalem.
Hanoch Segal, 65, of Bnei Brak.
Goldie Taubenfeld, 43, of New Square, New York.
Shmuel Taubenfeld, 3 months, of New Square, New York.
Rabbi Eliezer Weisfish, 42, of Jerusalem.
Shmuel Wilner, 50, of Jerusalem.
Shmuel Zargari, 11 months, of Jerusalem.
Fruma Rahel Weitz, 73, of Jerusalem – died of her wounds on August 23.
Mordechai Laufer, 27, of Netanya – died of his wounds on September 5.
Tova Lev, 37, of Bnei-Brak – died of her wounds on September 12



But you probably applaud this attack yes?

Soren wrote on Apr 19^th, 2012 at 11:50am:

Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 19th, 2012 at 11:03am: What has Australia's asylum seeker policy got to do with Israel and Israelis? Unless of course you agree with Avram that Australia is Israel. What am I thinking? Of course you do. You have never been to Israel yet you are not short of opinions about it. Avram is in Australia now. Yet you pull him up on commenting on boatpeople coming to Australia. And you do not even see your double standard.

You're not usually so stupid.

My comment about Avram's opinions on Australia was a response to his attempts to shut down debate about Israel. I was pointing out his double standards, but yet again you come out half-cocked in a rush to his defense.

Why are you involved? You can't even answer the questions that are actually directed at you.

Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 19^th, 2012 at 12:12pm:

Soren wrote on Apr 19th, 2012 at 11:50am: Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 19th, 2012 at 11:03am: What has Australia's asylum seeker policy got to do with Israel and Israelis? Unless of course you agree with Avram that Australia is Israel. What am I thinking? Of course you do. You have never been to Israel yet you are not short of opinions about it. Avram is in Australia now. Yet you pull him up on commenting on boatpeople coming to Australia. And you do not even see your double standard. You're not usually so stupid. My comment about Avram's opinions on Australia was a response to his attempts to shut down debate about Israel. I was pointing out his double standards, but yet again you come out half-cocked in a rush to his defense. Why are you involved? You can't even answer the questions that are actually directed at you.

You comment to Avram would have been equivalent to his stance if he had commented on the treatment of Aborigines. But he hasn't commented on that.

Your sleight of hand of equating his comments on boat people as being equivalent to your comments on Israel's response to attacks on its sovereignty is what I responded to. In short, to your naivety or dishonesty, take your pick.

Questions directed at me? What questions are directed at me?

Soren wrote on Apr 19^th, 2012 at 11:50am:

Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 19th, 2012 at 11:03am: What has Australia's asylum seeker policy got to do with Israel and Israelis? Unless of course you agree with Avram that Australia is Israel. What am I thinking? Of course you do. You have never been to Israel yet you are not short of opinions about it. Avram is in Australia now. Yet you pull him up on commenting on boatpeople coming to Australia. And you do not even see your double standard.

The fact that I visit a country does not give me a say in the politics of that country .. if I don't like it, I leave ... which is what I suggest Avram does.

Quote:

You comment to Avram would have been equivalent to his stance if he had commented on the treatment of Aborigines. But he hasn't commented on that

Perhaps if criticism of Israel was purely about its treatment of Palestinians, but it's not.



Quote:

Questions directed at me? What questions are directed at me?

Surely you know.  Think soldiers on trains. I asked you once, I won't bother again.

Johnsmith wrote on Apr 20^th, 2012 at 11:15am:

Soren wrote on Apr 19th, 2012 at 11:50am: Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 19th, 2012 at 11:03am: What has Australia's asylum seeker policy got to do with Israel and Israelis? Unless of course you agree with Avram that Australia is Israel. What am I thinking? Of course you do. You have never been to Israel yet you are not short of opinions about it. Avram is in Australia now. Yet you pull him up on commenting on boatpeople coming to Australia. And you do not even see your double standard. The fact that I visit a country does not give me a say in the politics of that country .. if I don't like it, I leave ... which is what I suggest Avram does.

I am not a visitor.
My visa says temporary resident for education purposes.

and i always has said i like Australia, i find it very interesting country and nearly all people i have met in Sydney are polite and nice too.

I have also met very good friends at my university who are also Israeli like me.

Avram Horowitz wrote on Apr 20^th, 2012 at 11:22am:

Johnsmith wrote on Apr 20th, 2012 at 11:15am: Soren wrote on Apr 19th, 2012 at 11:50am: Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 19th, 2012 at 11:03am: What has Australia's asylum seeker policy got to do with Israel and Israelis? Unless of course you agree with Avram that Australia is Israel. What am I thinking? Of course you do. You have never been to Israel yet you are not short of opinions about it. Avram is in Australia now. Yet you pull him up on commenting on boatpeople coming to Australia. And you do not even see your double standard. The fact that I visit a country does not give me a say in the politics of that country .. if I don't like it, I leave ... which is what I suggest Avram does. I am not a visitor. My visa says temporary resident for education purposes.

You are a visitor you twat ... i often have house guests that come and stay sometimes for months ... it does not entitle them to have a say in how I run my house ... anytime they don't like my policies, they can leave ....no one will get upset if you leave before the visa says you have to ...

bobbythefap1 wrote on Apr 18^th, 2012 at 4:57pm:

FriYAY wrote on Apr 18th, 2012 at 4:51pm: LOL, don’t get in someone’s face unless your ready to cop a smack in the mouth. Too funny. So Israel shouldnt comlpain about Hamas and similar groups?

I don't give a flying bugger about Israel, hamas or any similar groups or countries for that matter.

Avram Horowitz wrote on Apr 19^th, 2012 at 11:55am:

bobbythefap1 wrote on Apr 19th, 2012 at 11:04am: Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 19th, 2012 at 11:03am: What has Australia's asylum seeker policy got to do with Israel and Israelis? Unless of course you agree with Avram that Australia is Israel. What am I thinking? Of course you do. Israel kills the parents of the children that have to come here. Palestinians kill the children..... Fatalities of the Shmuel HaNavi suicide bomb attack Avraham Bar-Or, 12, of Jerusalem. Binyamin Bergman, 15, of Jerusalem. Yaakov Binder, 50, of Jerusalem. Feiga Dushinski, 50, of Jerusalem. Miriam Eisenstein, 20, of Bnei Brak. Lilach Kardi, 22 (eight months pregnant), of Jerusalem. Menachem Leibel, 24, of Jerusalem. Elisheva Meshulami, 16, of Bnei Brak. Tehilla Nathanson, 3, of Zikhron Ya'akov. Chava Nechama Rechnitzer, 19, of Bnei Brak. Mordechai Reinitz, 49, of Netanya. Issachar Reinitz, 9, of Netanya. Maria Antonia Reslas, 39, of the Philippines. Liba Schwartz, 54, of Jerusalem. Hanoch Segal, 65, of Bnei Brak. Goldie Taubenfeld, 43, of New Square, New York. Shmuel Taubenfeld, 3 months, of New Square, New York. Rabbi Eliezer Weisfish, 42, of Jerusalem. Shmuel Wilner, 50, of Jerusalem. Shmuel Zargari, 11 months, of Jerusalem. Fruma Rahel Weitz, 73, of Jerusalem – died of her wounds on August 23. Mordechai Laufer, 27, of Netanya – died of his wounds on September 5. Tova Lev, 37, of Bnei-Brak – died of her wounds on September 12 But you probably applaud this attack yes?

7 Israelis under the age eighteen killed.

How does that stack up against the 300 Palestinian children killed in an military operation that you admit to being part of?

I find the idea of a whole nation supporting an army killing 300 children far more abhorrent than one lone crazed suicide bomber acting on his own.

falah wrote on Apr 20^th, 2012 at 4:39pm:

I find the idea of a whole nation supporting an army killing 300 children far more abhorrent than one lone crazed suicide bomber acting on his own.

Attacking on his own while hundreds of Muslims like you are ululating.

Fancy that.

Johnsmith wrote on Apr 20^th, 2012 at 11:15am:

Soren wrote on Apr 19th, 2012 at 11:50am: Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 19th, 2012 at 11:03am: What has Australia's asylum seeker policy got to do with Israel and Israelis? Unless of course you agree with Avram that Australia is Israel. What am I thinking? Of course you do. You have never been to Israel yet you are not short of opinions about it. Avram is in Australia now. Yet you pull him up on commenting on boatpeople coming to Australia. And you do not even see your double standard. The fact that I visit a country does not give me a say in the politics of that country .. if I don't like it, I leave ... which is what I suggest Avram does.

WTF!!


You numpties are not even visiting Israel yet reserve the right to comment on what it does.

Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 20^th, 2012 at 11:15am:

Surely you know.  Think soldiers on trains. I asked you once, I won't bother again.

Shurely shome mishtake.
No idea what you are gesticulating towards.

Soren wrote on Apr 20^th, 2012 at 5:49pm:

Johnsmith wrote on Apr 20th, 2012 at 11:15am: Soren wrote on Apr 19th, 2012 at 11:50am: Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 19th, 2012 at 11:03am: What has Australia's asylum seeker policy got to do with Israel and Israelis? Unless of course you agree with Avram that Australia is Israel. What am I thinking? Of course you do. You have never been to Israel yet you are not short of opinions about it. Avram is in Australia now. Yet you pull him up on commenting on boatpeople coming to Australia. And you do not even see your double standard. The fact that I visit a country does not give me a say in the politics of that country .. if I don't like it, I leave ... which is what I suggest Avram does. WTF!! You numpties are not even visiting Israel yet reserve the right to comment on what it does.

My comments are on him, and he is in Australia dragging his racist views into an australian politics forum ... I don't tell Israel what to do ....

Soren wrote on Apr 20^th, 2012 at 5:50pm:

Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 20th, 2012 at 11:15am: Surely you know.  Think soldiers on trains. I asked you once, I won't bother again. Shurely shome mishtake. No idea what you are gesticulating towards.

Is this your way of conceding that I am being neither dishonest nor naive (I think that's what you said) in my argument with Avram?

And gesticulating? Please. I couldn't be bothered to lift a single finger to point you in the right direction anymore.

Annie for my opinion, i do not think you are dishonest on your opinions.

I think you do believe in what you say.

What I say to you is that you do not know the real situation and miss many things that you can not know from a country other side of this world.

Thanks, Avram. I think Soren meant dishonest in the way I was arguing with you. It doesn't matter though, does it?

You and I know exactly what we're doing. He is just getting involved because he doesn't think you can handle it on your own. We both know that's not true.

No i am fine.

It is funny - you know apart from some not nice looks from some people who may be arab i think in the immigration office - my Israeli friend and i at the university in Sydney has faced no bad or nasty comment about Israel or we people.

Most - maybe all - Aussies i have met and spoke to are mainly interested in Israel and what it is really like.

It was funny that one morning i has on the tee shirt of the IDF to go to gym and a orthodox Jew comes to me on the sunday morning and shake my hand with his comments in Hebrew "thank you so much for what you do"

That was nice. He was Aussie too.

Annie just so you know, it is not the tee shirt you has seen. I would not wear this.

It is this official one that i has which you get on services for free.

---

Avram is this you?

GIYUS joins Web propaganda war

The Middle East conflict is taking place on the Internet as well with one of the propaganda sites calling on supporters of Israel to voice their opinion on polls and other websites.

GIYUS.org, which stands for Give Israel Your United Support, is one of the newest websites to join the fight. Created in July by the World Union of Jewish Students (a group of 50 national independent Jewish student unions from around the world), the website is an outlet for supporters of Israel to praise pro-Israeli sites and condemn anti-Israeli ones.

Creators say the website is for the purpose of balancing anti-Israel sentiment expressed on the web...

GIYUS.org asks people to show their support in three ways: 1) Download a free tool called Megaphone that will allow users to receive news alerts every time it finds an article, poll or forum on the internet about events happening in the Middle East 2) write letters of approval to editors of sites that feature pro-Israeli articles, and 3) make others aware of anti-Semitic websites and articles by reporting them.

To attract users from around the world, GIYUS translates polls into English, French and Hebrew, and soon, Spanish.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/article847312.ece

Zionists Manipulate Public Forums on the Internet

The Israeli government's Foreign Ministry is involved in efforts to influence public opinion on the Internet. Israel's Foreign Ministry orders Internet propagandists, so called "trainee diplomats," to skew online polls and public forums to conform with the Israeli line. This is an organized effort, using "special 'megaphone' software," to alert "hundreds of thousands of Jewish activists" so they can manipulate Internet websites and chatrooms to conform with the slant that already permeates mainstream media.

Yonit Farago in Jerusalem reports: "Israel's Government has thrown its weight behind efforts by supporters to counter what it believes to be negative bias and a tide of pro-Arab propaganda. The Foreign Ministry has ordered trainee diplomats to track websites and chatrooms so that networks of US and European groups with hundreds of thousands of Jewish activists can place supportive messages.

In the past week nearly 5,000 members of the World Union of Jewish Students (WUJS) have downloaded special "megaphone" software that alerts them to anti-Israeli chatrooms or internet polls to enable them to post contrary viewpoints. A student team in Jerusalem combs the web in a host of different languages to flag the sites so that those who have signed up can influence an opinion survey or the course of a debate.

Jonny Cline, of the international student group, said that Jewish students and youth groups with their understanding of the web environment were ideally placed to present another side to the debate.

"We're saying to these people that if Israel is being bashed, don't ignore it, change it," Mr Cline said. "A poll like CNN's takes just a few seconds to vote in, but if thousands take part the outcome will be changed...."

Doron Barkat, 29, in Jerusalem, spends long nights trawling the web to try to swing the debate Israel's way. "When I see internet polls for or against Israel I send out a mailing list to vote for Israel," he said. "It can be that after 15 minutes there will be 400 votes for Israel."

"It's very satisfying..."

Israel's Foreign Ministry must avoid direct involvement with the campaign but is in contact with international Jewish and evangelical Christian groups, distributing internet information packs.

Amir Gissin, the Israeli Foreign Ministry's public relations director, said: "The internet's become a leading tool for...shaping the world view of millions..." - Israel backed by army of cyber-soldiers

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/09/06/giyus_megaphone/



Pro-Israel lobby targets BBC online poll

BBC History Magazine was forced to remove an online poll after it was targeted by a project aimed at influencing internet opinion in Israel's favour.

The Give Israel Your United Support (GIYUS) website hosts a downloadable desktop tool called Megaphone. The program alerts users to opinion polls and "talkback" features on news sites so they can respond with pro-Israel views. In turn, users can alert GIYUS operators to any opinion polls they think should be targeted.

The Jerusalem-based World Union of Jewish Students launched GIYUS and Megaphone on 19 July, a week after Israel launched air attacks in Lebanon.

The long-running BBC History Magazine poll posed the question: "Do you think holocaust denial should be made illegal in Britain?" Soon after it was targeted by Megaphone, the poll was pulled. The magazine declined to speak to The Register about the episode.

Prior to contacting The Register, our source corresponded with the magazine. Staff writer Robert Attar wrote at the end of August: "I am aware about this situation. I had a look at their site and all they have done is encouraged their members to vote on the polls which seems legitimate to me. It would also be extremely difficult to prevent groups of people voting in this way. As our polls are not used for any scientific or academic purpose I don't see the problem."

Three days after the launch of Megaphone, Amir Gissin, public affairs director of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote to pro-Israel or "Hasbara" organisations to urge them to back the new tactic.

    Dear friends,

    Many of us recognize the importance of the Internet as the new battleground for Israel's image. It's time to do it better, and coordinate our on-line efforts on behalf of Israel. An Israeli software company have developed a free, safe and useful tool for us - the Internet Megaphone.

    Please go to www.giyus.org, download the Megaphone, and you will receive daily updates with instant links to important internet polls, problematic articles that require a talkback, etc.

    We need 100,000 Megaphone users to make a difference. So, please distribute this mail to all Israel's supporters.

    Do it now. For Israel.

    Amir Gissin
    Director Public Affairs (Hasbara) Department

GIYUS currently claims 24,000 Megaphone users.

Comparing Megaphone to pro-Palestinian blogs designed to rally support, in comments to the Jerusalem Post on 31 August, Gissin said: "Why can they do it, but we need to sit quietly? The Internet is the communications medium of the future. The government is not behind this initiative, but I can only be happy it exists."

One Megaphone alert dispatched in August said: "Ask the UN to re-examine its position on the Qana incident. Remind the UN that Reuters admitted some of the Qana photos are faked, and that Hezbollah manipulates and uses innocent Lebanese civilians as human shields."

Qana was the scene of a devastating airstrike which killed dozens of civilians, including many children. Israel was widely condemned and the UN security council expressed "shock and distress" at the action.

Other interested parties have called for the initiative to try and stay under the radar. Former Israeli consul-general in New York Alon Pinkas told the Jerusalem Post: "Once it is out there that these are organized talkbacks, then anytime anything positive appears on the web, people will say it is manufactured in Israel."

While the loss of the BBC History poll is relatively inconsequential in the grand scheme, it points to a new highly organised mass manipulation of technologies which are supposed to be democratising and encouraging free expression by individuals.

Megaphone has no registration or identity check, so nothing would stop those opposed to Israel downloading Megaphone and using its alerts to voice opinions against its activities, however. Inevitably, a hacked version already exists which replaces Israeli flags with Palestinian ones and alters some of the text.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/09/06/giyus_megaphone/

No.
I do not work for the Government in any way.

I did not even vote for this Government, i voted for Labor.

No. I am just happy to be a student for a year now and has done my part to help defend the country against terror.

falah wrote on Apr 20^th, 2012 at 4:39pm:

7 Israelis under the age eighteen killed. How does that stack up against the 300 Palestinian children killed in an military operation that you admit to being part of? I find the idea of a whole nation supporting an army killing 300 children far more abhorrent than one lone crazed suicide bomber acting on his own.

So tell me - if there are so many war cimes, why do the UN Resolutions always be rejected by the Security Council??

If we behave so bad as you say then the UN would criticise and condemn Israel yes?

But no the UN can not agree or sanction the Resolutions because countries do not agree to this.

Seems you are wrong.

And yes I was in Cast Lead and this operation was a success. We stopped the Hamas rocket fire into our country.

Avram Horowitz wrote on Apr 21^st, 2012 at 12:50pm:

falah wrote on Apr 20th, 2012 at 4:39pm: 7 Israelis under the age eighteen killed. How does that stack up against the 300 Palestinian children killed in an military operation that you admit to being part of? I find the idea of a whole nation supporting an army killing 300 children far more abhorrent than one lone crazed suicide bomber acting on his own. So tell me - if there are so many war cimes, why do the UN Resolutions always be rejected by the Security Council??

Because the Zionist government of the USA holds a veto vote in the UN security council.

The Jesus lover is right, Avram. US veto power is saving your bacon.

The USA does not take lessons from the bias barbaric Arab world Annie that is why

Avram Horowitz wrote on Apr 21^st, 2012 at 1:15pm:

The USA does not take lessons from the bias barbaric Arab world Annie that is why

Do all the other members of the security council take lessons from the barbaric Arab world, Avram?

Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 21^st, 2012 at 1:28pm:

Avram Horowitz wrote on Apr 21st, 2012 at 1:15pm: The USA does not take lessons from the bias barbaric Arab world Annie that is why Do all the other members of the security council take lessons from the barbaric Arab world, Avram?

You know MOSSAD calls the uk capital Londonistan?

Avram Horowitz wrote on Apr 21^st, 2012 at 1:29pm:

Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 21st, 2012 at 1:28pm: Avram Horowitz wrote on Apr 21st, 2012 at 1:15pm: The USA does not take lessons from the bias barbaric Arab world Annie that is why Do all the other members of the security council take lessons from the barbaric Arab world, Avram? You know MOSSAD calls the uk capital Londonistan?

So Mossad is run by racist bigots?

Mossad recognises that London is home to muslim extremists.

But the good thing for this is we know where to find them if Israel want them.

Avram Horowitz wrote on Apr 21^st, 2012 at 1:36pm:

Mossad recognises that London is home to muslim extremists. But the good thing for this is we know where to find them if Israel want them.

Think you have let the cat out of the bag there Avram.

falah wrote on Apr 21^st, 2012 at 1:45pm:

Avram Horowitz wrote on Apr 21st, 2012 at 1:36pm: Mossad recognises that London is home to muslim extremists. But the good thing for this is we know where to find them if Israel want them. Think you have let the cat out of the bag there Avram.

Haha no kidding.
Funny that Mossad also knows Iran wants nukes even tho there is absolutley no evidence to say so

falah wrote on Apr 21^st, 2012 at 1:45pm:

Avram Horowitz wrote on Apr 21st, 2012 at 1:36pm: Mossad recognises that London is home to muslim extremists. But the good thing for this is we know where to find them if Israel want them. Think you have let the cat out of the bag there Avram.

We = Israel.

You are crazy if you think I am Mossad!!

Avram Horowitz wrote on Apr 21^st, 2012 at 1:48pm:

falah wrote on Apr 21st, 2012 at 1:45pm: Avram Horowitz wrote on Apr 21st, 2012 at 1:36pm: Mossad recognises that London is home to muslim extremists. But the good thing for this is we know where to find them if Israel want them. Think you have let the cat out of the bag there Avram. We = Israel. You are crazy if you think I am Mossad!!

Yeah, Mossad would probably be a bit smarter

bobbythefap1 wrote on Apr 21^st, 2012 at 1:48pm:

falah wrote on Apr 21st, 2012 at 1:45pm: Avram Horowitz wrote on Apr 21st, 2012 at 1:36pm: Mossad recognises that London is home to muslim extremists. But the good thing for this is we know where to find them if Israel want them. Think you have let the cat out of the bag there Avram. Haha no kidding. Funny that Mossad also knows Iran wants nukes even tho there is absolutley no evidence to say so

You will find Mossad and Shin Bet is the best security agents in the world.
Everyone knows this.

Avram Horowitz wrote on Apr 21^st, 2012 at 12:35pm:

I did not even vote for this Government, i voted for Labor.

So if this is an Israeli Labor voter, can you imagine what kind of crazies they have voting for the more right-wing parties?

bobbythefap1 wrote on Apr 21^st, 2012 at 1:49pm:

Avram Horowitz wrote on Apr 21st, 2012 at 1:48pm: falah wrote on Apr 21st, 2012 at 1:45pm: Avram Horowitz wrote on Apr 21st, 2012 at 1:36pm: Mossad recognises that London is home to muslim extremists. But the good thing for this is we know where to find them if Israel want them. Think you have let the cat out of the bag there Avram. We = Israel. You are crazy if you think I am Mossad!! Yeah, Mossad would probably be a bit smarter

I am just a student in Sydney and guest in your country.
Just a Israeli and US citizen.

falah wrote on Apr 21^st, 2012 at 1:51pm:

Avram Horowitz wrote on Apr 21st, 2012 at 12:35pm: I did not even vote for this Government, i voted for Labor. So if this is an Israeli Labor voter, can you imagine what kind of crazies they have voting for the more right-wing parties?

I told you. I support a two state solution to allow Palestinians some territory.
I have never vote for Netanyahu or Olmert

Avram Horowitz wrote on Apr 21^st, 2012 at 1:50pm:

bobbythefap1 wrote on Apr 21st, 2012 at 1:48pm: falah wrote on Apr 21st, 2012 at 1:45pm: Avram Horowitz wrote on Apr 21st, 2012 at 1:36pm: Mossad recognises that London is home to muslim extremists. But the good thing for this is we know where to find them if Israel want them. Think you have let the cat out of the bag there Avram. Haha no kidding. Funny that Mossad also knows Iran wants nukes even tho there is absolutley no evidence to say so You will find Mossad and Shin Bet is the best security agents in the world. Everyone knows this.

Yeah, they are experts on spying on the US.


Phil Giraldi Spills Beans on Israeli Espionage in America

“Over 125 investigations into Israeli Espionage in America… stopped due to political pressure.”…FBI Counter Intel Officer John Cole


http://www.veteranstoday.com/2011/06/08/phil-giraldi-spills-the-beans-on-israeli-espionage-in-america/


Fox News Series On Israeli Spying In America


BRIT HUME, HOST: It has been more than 16 years since a civilian working for the Navy was charged with passing secrets to Israel. Jonathan Pollard pled guilty to conspiracy to commit espionage and is serving a life sentence. At first, Israeli leaders claimed Pollard was part of a rogue operation, but later took responsibility for his work.

Now Fox News has learned some U.S. investigators believe that there are Israelis again very much engaged in spying in and on the U.S., who may have known things they didn't tell us before Sept. 11. Fox News correspondent Carl Cameron has details in the first of a four-part series.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CARL CAMERON, FOX NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Since Sept. 11, more than 60 Israelis have been arrested or detained, either under the new patriot anti-terrorism law, or for immigration violations. A handful of active Israeli military were among those detained, according to investigators, who say some of the detainees also failed polygraph questions when asked about alleged surveillance activities against and in the United States.

http://www.rense.com/general31/fnews.htm

Mossad linked to 9/11 attacks: Report

Israeli connections to 9/11, according to the New York Times, can be traced back to the five 'dancing Israelis' who were witnessed jumping and high-fiving with shouts of 'joy and mockery' as Flight 11 and Flight 175 slammed into the World Trade Center in New York.

The Israelis were reportedly held in custody for 71 days before being quietly released after they were suspected of being Mossad agents.

Citing two former CIA operatives, the Forward weekly then reported that at least two of the detained Israelis were found to be members of a Mossad surveillance team.

"There was no question but that [the order to close down the investigation] came from the White House. It was immediately assumed at CIA headquarters that this basically was going to be a cover-up so that the Israelis would not be implicated in any way in 9/11," the weekly stated.

At least 2,970 people died on the morning of September 11, most of whom were civilians.

Former Italian prime minister Francesco Cossiga has touched on the issue, suggesting that the events of 9/11 were none other than a CIA-Mossad inside job.

"All the [intelligence services] of America and Europe ... now know well that the disastrous attack has been planned by the CIA and the Mossad in order to put under accusation the Arabic countries and in order to induce the western powers to take part ... in Iraq [and] Afghanistan," the Italian ex-premier was quoted by Corriere della Sera as saying.

His argument was further strengthened by leaked reports that employees of Israeli telecom firm Odigo -- which provides instant messaging services -- received a warning two hours before the attacks on the World Trade Towers and forewarned Jews to stay away from work that day.

Odigo headquarters is situated 2 blocks away from the former location of the World Trade Towers.

http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&Id=152591

Avram Horowitz wrote on Apr 21^st, 2012 at 12:08pm:

No i am fine.

I know you can handle yourself, you know you can handle yourself. It's only Enid who doubts your ability.

IDF’s Religion Problem Displayed in Assault

http://cdn1.tabletmag.com/wp-content/files_mf/eisnerbig.jpg

On Saturday, 250 Israeli and Palestinian peace activists got together for a bike ride in the Jordan Valley. Somewhere between Jericho and the village of Jiptlik, they were stopped by IDF soldiers. What happened next was caught on tape. You can watch it here. If you’re not one for violence, the takeaway is simple and bloody: After yelling at the activists to move, the regional commander, Lt. Col. Shalom Eisner, lifts his weapon and slams it into the face of a young man standing peacefully nearby. The man falls to the ground.

Although thankfully there were no deaths, this should be Israel’s Trayvon Martin moment. Like the recent case in Florida, this brutal attack is larger than the sum of its parts. The Martin case was about race in America; the Eisner case is about religion in Israel.

Eisner, who has been suspended, is the son of the late Rabbi Benny Eisner, a close disciple (and the former chauffeur) of Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda Kook, the spiritual father of the settler movement. Eisner is part of a cadre of younger religious officers climbing their way into the IDF leadership. As Amos Harel has reported, in 1990, only 2 percent of the cadets enrolled in officers’ course for the infantry corps were religious. By 2007, that number had skyrocketed past the 30 percent mark. “In some of the infantry brigades,” Harel wrote, “the number of religious company commanders has passed the 50 percent mark—more than three times the percentage of the national religious community in the overall population.”

Many of these soldiers, it’s reasonable to assume, are motivated by patriotism and see as their supreme goal the defense of Israel and its people. But others see their mission as divinely tinged. We know this because they were the ones who eagerly read the pamphlets distributed by official army chaplains during the 2009 war in Gaza calling the military operation a holy war; who recently left an official ceremony to avoid listening to female soldiers sing, violating direct orders; who cheered when Avichai Rontzki, the IDF’s former chief rabbi, argued that women shouldn’t be allowed to serve in the IDF.

Just as the shooting in Florida facilitated a discussion about bigotry and legislation, so should the attack in the Jordan Valley. Eisner must be more than suspended; he must be fired immediately. And that’s not enough. The army, Israeli society, and all who care about both should carefully consider the consequences of an increasingly ideologically driven senior command tasked with goals that, increasingly, pertain to the very ideology they espouse. In 2005, most IDF soldiers followed orders and participated in the withdrawal from Gaza. When the next order for large-scale evacuation is given—when it’s time to end the occupation and abandon Migron, Beit El, and the other monuments to religious zeal and folly—we may not be so lucky.

http://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/96923/in-assault-israels-religion-problem-bursts-through/

Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 21^st, 2012 at 5:35pm:

Avram Horowitz wrote on Apr 21st, 2012 at 12:08pm: No i am fine. I know you can handle yourself, you know you can handle yourself. It's only Enid who doubts your ability.

Yes annie I have been in real situations of trouble.
This is no problem!

Why in Operation cast lead when we go into Gaza the Arabs run run run away from us?

Cowards yes?

Israel's army is full of cowards

http://i.huffpost.com/gen/211924/thumbs/r-GAY-ISRAELI-SOLDIER-large570.jpg

http://www.palestineremembered.com/images/dailymail_humanshield.jpg