It was only 73 years ago that my Jewish mother was asked to wear a yellow star on her clothes and was forced to stand in the last car of the Paris Metro train with the other “Jews”.
It was about 50 years ago when African-Americans were forced to sit at the back of the bus, drink at “colored people” water fountains or use different entrances to public places.
Thank God that we live in the “wonderful” post-modern age of tolerance when human beings are all equal under God or “mother nature” (I can’t leave out atheists lest I am accused of the same crime I am about to expose). For me, it is clear that our equality (under God) is a given and should dictate our behavior as we interact with others regardless of race, creed, sex and/or origins.
So we are all equals right? Absolutely! Except if you have to book a ticket on Saudia Airlines (the official Saudi Arabia airline), and you happen to be holding an Israeli passeport. No entering the plane through a different gate and no seating in a separate section either. In fact, YOU CURRENTLY CANNOT BOOK A FLIGHT ON SAUDIA AIRLINES TO OR FROM ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD IF YOU ARE JEWISH. PERIOD!
Israel is not even on the list of countries that Saudia Airlines partners with. Just visit their site and try to book a flight from anywhere in the world to Israel and you will be looking for a long time trying to find the link in the sub-menu because it is just not there.
The question arises: Why should Israelis even care about Saudia Airlines since they most likely would never use that company? In our day and age, there are plenty of options to fly around the world without being forced to use one particular airline, so why the big fuss?
Well if this is your only issue, I think that you might be missing the point.
IT IS A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE AND NOT PRACTICALITY. Sure, it might be a while before you spot an Israeli on a Saudia flight, yet it shouldn’t be because they are banned from them but because they chose another venue on their own volition.
Considering that it is a federal offense to ban anybody from flying on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex or ancestry, Saudia Airlines discrimination shouldn’t be allowed and this is why I think that New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio’s decision to challenge the Saudi airline is absolutely on target and is a great demonstration of righteous chutzpah.
It is interesting to note that the FAA has passed several regulations and/or restrictions against specific airlines flying to and from countries that can clearly be a threat to America’s safety such as Libya, Syria, Iran. Iraq and others. Mind you, when looking at the countries on that list, we clearly see that the reason(s) for such restrictions are usually safety issues because of politically unstable governments and NEVER BECAUSE of race, color, national origin, religion, sex or ancestry.
What bothers me the most is not that Saudi Arabia doesn’t let Israelis or Jews board their planes or deplane any other aircraft on their land, because frankly I expect it from a country who so clearly hates Israel and the Jewish people. No, what bothers me is that until now, nobody really cared to say anything. Is it antisemitism on the part of Saudi Arabia? maybe! Is it antisemitism on the part of those who chose apathy instead of involvement, probably not, BUT IT GREATLY FACILITATES THE ACTIONS OF THOSE WHO ARE ANTISEMTIC!
Mr. De Blasio had enough chutzpah to call the Saudi Airline on the carpet, and frankly, those who have the most to lose are the Saudis who for many reasons still enjoy travelling to the USA.
In our age of tolerance, the Saudi’s policy is a slap in the face of our postmodern society. Is it the fear of the “price at the pump” that dictates America’s silence or is it what I call “complacent antisemitism” or “antisemitism by proxy”? hard to say.
In the meantime, as a Jew and a follower of Yeshua of Nazareth (the Jewish Messiah who clearly teaches about the equality of all human beings), I applaud Mr. De Blasio’s display of chutzpah. It remains to be seen if his desire to not compromise, based on human decency and fairness will be taken seriously. I have my doubts.
The Day the FBI Caved In!
Late last month, a series of 46 ads were placed on Seattle transit buses, listing 16 of the FBI most wanted terrorists. The banner showed a mug shot of each of the 16 terrorists with the heading: FACES OF GLOBAL TERRORISM: Stop a Terrorist. Save Lives. Up to $25 Million Reward.
The original ad placed on 46 Seattle buses. (click here for bigger banner) |
I applaud the move by the FBI to expose some of the most dangerous terrorists to the masses. Apparently, Seattle was picked as a test market based on its geographical location and international connections. More cities were to be added soon after.
While the chances of spotting one of these terrorists at a local supermarket or at the mall are slim to none, we should be bold about exposing them, letting them and other terrorists worldwide know that the United-States is relentless when it comes to fighting terror.
We are relentless, but that is until somebody in the community complains about the offensive nature of our deeds and/or words, and sure enough, these ads became an issue with the Muslim community. But they also generated the outrage of U.S Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) who on June 25 was quoted saying:“ When you start saying that this is the face of terrorism, you are really stigmatizing a whole group of people”. King County Metro received the “enormous load” of a grand total of 6 complaints that prompted the removal of the ads. Of course, CAIR (the Council on American-Islamic Relations) had to get involved, not to mention the local support they also received from the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Some within the Muslim community fear for their lives as a result of what they call unnecessary profiling. The ad apparently paints the erroneous picture that all Muslims are terrorists and thus stigmatizes the vast majority of the peaceful Muslim community and puts them at risk, further fueling our Islamophobia. But does it?
I do not understand the efforts made by those who oppose the ads to downplay the background of these murderers. The reality is that over 90% of the FBI most wanted terrorists are Muslims. WHEN 10% OR 20% ARE MUSLIMS THIS IS PROFILING, BUT WHEN OVER 90% ARE MUSLIMS, THIS HAS BECOME A FACT!
Additionally, if the FBI had used actors and/or models to depict the terrorists and said something to the effect of: “If you see someone who look like these people, call us!” Now that would be profiling and utterly wrong. The reality is that the pictures used on the ads are those of the real terrorists. NO PROFILING THERE!
I do feel sorry for the rest of the Muslim community who are suffering from the actions of some radical Islamists, but let’s be realistic, while not all Muslims are terrorists; it is not xenophobic to say that most terrorists of the last three decades were Muslims. They were not Jewish. They were not Christians. They were not Hindus. They were not Buddhists. They were not Mormons. They were not Jehovah’s Witnesses, and on, and on, and on…You get the idea! Most of them came indoctrinated by the totalitarian ideology of the “Religion of Peace”.
I believe that the Muslim community’s outrage and energy would be much better spent at exposing terrorism and Islamism, than ignoring it in the name of political correctness. As a Jew of French origins, I wouldn’t hesitate to expose a French Jew for crimes committed against humanity, and I would certainly not accuse anybody else doing likewise of Antisemitism. The accused would be guilty of a crime but also happen to be French and/or Jewish. WHY IS THIS SO DIFFICULT TO GRASP?
If the Federal Bureau of Investigation caves in under pressure from the Muslim community, it won’t be long before those of us who actually have enough chutzpah to call at terrorist a terrorist, will be the ones breaking the law. How can political correctness possibly dictate the actions of the FBI? Well actually it is not political correctness but “Islamic Correctness” and it has a name, it is called dhimmitude!
I do not believe that Islam is a cause worth dying for because I do not believe that the Qur’an teaches the truth about God. I have been a student of the Bible for 30 years, since I found my Messiah in the person of Yeshua of Nazareth and I am convinced beyond the shadow of a doubt that not only He is the Jewish Messiah (Isaiah 52:13-53-12) but He is also the Savior of the world, and that of course includes all Jews and Muslims who would put their trust in His death and resurrection. THAT IS WORTH DYING FOR BUT THAT WILL NEVER BE WORTH KILLING FOR!
Why is this Pope different from all other Popes?
Every year on Pesach (Passover) Jewish families worldwide gather around the dinner table for the Jewish ritual of remembrance known as a Seder (order). On that night, at some point, a young child will get to ask “the four questions” to the leader, in the form of a beautiful Hebrew song known as the Ma Nishtanah. The song’s theme revolves around the question: “Why is this night different from all the other nights?” The Father or grandfather then proceeds to explain why the night of Pesach is so different.
He attended Rosh Hashanah services in Buenos Aires in 2007 and has been seen supporting the Jewish community of Argentina for more than a few decades. This Pope appears to be a genuine friend of the Jews, which is a novel concept in 2000 years of papacy. At least this is the consensus amongst the broader Jewish community.
But if history is our witness, we have seen a plethora of Popes, one after the other annul and reinstate anti-Jewish laws. So I say that even though the new pontiff shows good faith towards the Jewish community, it is too early to tell the ramifications that his relations with our people will have.Only time will tell!
2000 years of persecution vastly at the hands of the Catholic Church cannot be erased by a couple of statements or even a couple of community partnership between the pontiff (then cardinal) and a few rabbis and/ or synagogues. Last monday, he was quoted saying:“Because of our common roots, a true Christian cannot be anti-Semitic.” I applaud that statement on the basis of its biblical veracity but I will await more action on the part of the Catholic Church and this new Pope. Only time will tell!
In an age of renewed anti-Semitism worldwide from all fronts, I remain skeptical. I really pray that this Pope would be different from all the other Popes. If he takes his Bible seriously, he can only come to the conclusion that God loves the Jewish people and is not done with Israel (Romans 9, 10, 11). Additionally, if he really searches his heart and the Scriptures, he will realize that he is just another sinner saved by God’s grace. NOW THAT WOULD MAKE HIM A POPE DIFFERENT FROM ALL THE OTHER POPES!
#antisemitism #newantisemitism #popeandthejews
The Fallacy of “Moderate Extremism”!
The man that Western civilization had learned to hate has finally been relegated to the chronicles of history. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who had been president of the Islamic Republic of Iran since 2005, has now been replaced by the newly elected Hassan Rowhani who will take office on August 3, 2013.
Mr. Rowhani by his own admitting and by his worldwide reputation is a “moderate” and a “reformist”, two words that will undoubtedly attract the West, if no detract them from pursuing sanctions and boycott of Iranian oil as a result of the recent arrogance displayed by the previous government. How convenient!
Hassan Rowhani is an Iranian cleric who started his activities during the Iranian revolution of the mid-70s when he was closely following exiled leader Ayatollah Khomeini. Rowhani’s education has garnered him several degrees in judicial law, philosophy and psychology with a thesis on “The Flexibility of Sharia” (sounds somewhat oxymoronic to me!). His dealing with Western culture and civilization has allowed him to paint himself as less of a hardliner than Ahmadinejad, and more of a diplomat. Sounds promising coming from a country that vows to eradicate the “Little Satan” (Israel) and the Great Satan (America) to make room for the advent of the Twelfth Imam and establish the Caliphate under sharia law (Islamic rule from the Q’uran). SO WHY AM I NOT EXCITED ABOUT THIS?
• Rowhani was one of the 8 candidates chosen by Iran’s supreme leader Sayyed Ali Khameini (who has held his position since the death of Khomeini in 1989). Ali Khameini is no friend of the West and even lesser of a friend of Israel. He is a member of the “Combatant Clergy Association” which is a conservative clerical party promoting sharia. Incidentally, Mr. Rowhani is also a member of the same party and he was the only cleric in the presidential race. I have yet to see ANY MUSLIM GOVERNMENT RULED BY SHARIA AND BEING FRIENDLY TO THE WEST LET ALONE ISRAEL AND THE JEWISH PEOPLE.
• Rowhani knows a lot about nuclear energy for a cleric. He was the on the Supreme National Security Council for 16 years until he resigned under the newly formed government of Ahmadinejad. His knowledge and leadership in nuclear negotiations have earned him the nickname of “Diplomat Sheik”. The whole world will be watching him as he navigates between the iron-fisted decisions from Khameini and the expectation of a worried West, facing a nuclear war. He has been known as a shrewd but smooth master negotiator. I FIND IT EASIER TO DISSIMULATE THE TRUTH WHEN YOU KNOW MORE ABOUT THE GIVEN TOPIC.
• Rowhani’s position appears to be antithetical to that of Ahmadinejad in terms of diplomacy, politics, nuclear energy and even Israel. He is very understated yet very connected. Ahmadinejad was an “in-your-face” anti-Semite while Rowhani is more evasive about Israel and appears more open to Iran/US relations. His soft approach is extremely appealing to the West and will very possibly be Iran’s new asset in global diplomacy, SO WHY AM I STILL NOT EXCITED ABOUT THIS?
The reason is quite simple, as a westerner, a follower of Yeshua of Nazareth and a Jew (that’s three strikes against me from the perspective of radical Islam), I’d much rather be running the risk of being stabbed in my face than being stabbed in the back. As much as I loathed Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s venomous boldness and his ideology of hatred (yet I still pray for his salvation), I am fearful of a man who under the cloak of smooth talking and international compromise is nothing but the next puppet used by Supreme leader Ali Khameini who ultimately makes all the final decisions.
I believe that Rowhani’s win equates to a corporation (Iran) changing approach in a product development (Nuclear program) by using a different ad campaign (Rowhani) to replace the old campaign (Ahmadinejad) that was not selling very well lately.
Rowhani has been labelled a pragmatic but I fear that this might be a bit of false advertising. Iran is at a crossroad on the international scene and could use a break to regroup economically, politically and even ideologically. This break of course would also buy them time to complete and fulfill their nuclear agenda under the nose of the West without sanctions and appearing to be in full cooperation. Seing the way that the West in general and America in particular have been buying this new approach hook, line and sinker, this might turn out not being such a hard sell after all!
The Islamic Republic of Iran is lead by a team of Imams who seek to destroy the West and Israel and usher in the twelfth Imam. THAT MAKES THEM EXTREMISTS and you cannot be “moderately extremist” just like according to the movie “The Princess Bride” you cannot be “mostly dead”.
I am not looking forward to the coming of the Twelfth Imam but to the Second Coming of Yeshua the Messiah, the Son of God to establish His Kingdom and bring real peace in the world to all Jews, Christians and Muslims who put their trust in Him.
The Combined Threat of the Three Intifadas!
There is nothing positive attached to the word Intifada. In fact, since the first Palestinian Intifada of 1987, the word has been known to mean the “violent revolt of the people”. The word itself is Arabic for “shaking off” and has commonly become synonymous with “uprising”. There is a connotation of resistance against oppression that of course, in the case of the Palestinian intifada would be referring to the “Israeli oppression”; if indeed the accusation was factual.
I fear, not for Israel that God has promised to never forsake, but her enemies that He has promised to destroy. Yet it is never too late to return to God and His truth.
MAYBE IT IS TIME FOR A FOURTH INTIFADA, AN UPRISING AGAINST ANTISEMITISM. THAT ONE, I WOULD DEFINITELY SUPPORT!
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