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	<title>FrontPage Magazine &#187; Moshe Dann</title>
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	<link>http://www.frontpagemag.com</link>
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		<title>Hezbollah and the Future of Syria</title>
		<link>http://www.frontpagemag.com/2013/moshe-dann/hezbollah-and-the-future-of-syria/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=hezbollah-and-the-future-of-syria</link>
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		<pubDate>Fri, 01 Mar 2013 04:16:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Moshe Dann]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Daily Mailer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FrontPage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[goal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hezbollah]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Islam]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jihad]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Syria]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://frontpagemag.com/?p=179542</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Jihadi geopolitics in a powder-keg. ]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://frontpagemag.com/2013/moshe-dann/hezbollah-and-the-future-of-syria/hez-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-179572"><img class="size-full wp-image-179572 alignleft" title="hez" src="http://cdn.frontpagemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/hez.jpg" alt="" width="259" height="195" /></a>Despite Hezbollah’s proven record of terrorism, the European Union and most of its member states refuse to designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. The reason is that they are afraid of provoking terrorist attacks against themselves and their interests around the world. Their fear is realistic and understandable, although morally and strategically questionable.</p>
<p>Those who believe that Hezbollah – at least its “political wing” &#8212; can be pacified and even reconciled fail to comprehend that this is not a case of buying off the bad guys. Hezbollah is an ideological organization; they have a goal and they are committed to it. They may agree to shift, if convenient, but they will not abandon their Jihadist vision and plan.</p>
<p>So far the US and EU have decided to back the radical Sunni-led Islamic opposition. But Hezbollah’s support of President Assad in the Syrian civil war makes that decision problematic, since Assad is fighting not only for himself but for the Alawites and others who would likely face slaughter and/or expulsion under Sunni rule.</p>
<p>As long as Hezbollah supports Assad, and behind them stand Iran and Russia, defeating them would be difficult without foreign intervention and the risk of a wider conflict. Assad knows this and he also knows that he can’t win; he is fighting for a draw, one that will allow him and his followers to survive. Hezbollah is probably the only group that can offer some kind of reliable guarantee.</p>
<p>Hezbollah is fighting not only for a role in any future Syrian government, but also for its status in Lebanon and a wider Iranian presence in a Syrian-Lebanese format. It is not seeking to take over a state, but for a foothold in Syria.  Unlike its presence in Lebanon, Hezbollah is not a Syrian entity; it is protecting Assad and the Alawites.</p>
<p>The question is how much Hezbollah and its patron is willing to invest in order to sustain its position in Syria. Even with a political settlement, non-Sunnis (Alawites, Shiites, Christians and others) will remain a minority; the Kurds will take care of themselves. Despite deep and reasonable mistrust and animosity, however, the stand-off is an opportunity to end the fighting.</p>
<p>Hoping for Assad’s downfall, therefore, is wishful thinking and bad policy. The alternative is to accept Hezbollah as the key to a negotiated settlement. That acceptance would require a change in US policy. It also means giving Hezbollah legitimacy and recognition, at least de facto.</p>
<p>The civil war in Syria may end on the surface, but it will continue underneath. Either Syria will break up into autonomous regions, or it will remain under a divided central government.  Alawites and other minorities may be tolerated, meanwhile, but that seems unlikely in the long run as radical Sunni Islamists become more powerful and depending upon Hezbollah&#8217;s role.  Regardless of the final configuration, one issue looms over everything else: the vast stores of chemical and biological weapons.</p>
<p>As long as WMD remain in Syria, there is a potential for enormous tragedy.  Those weapons must be eliminated as a prerequisite for any political settlement.  Ending the civil war must be linked to eliminating stockpiles of those weapons.</p>
<p><strong>Moshe Dann is a PhD historian, writer and journalist living in Jerusalem.</strong></p>
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		<title>Israel Policy Forum: The Network of Intrigue</title>
		<link>http://www.frontpagemag.com/2012/moshe-dann/israel-policy-forum-the-network-of-intrigue/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=israel-policy-forum-the-network-of-intrigue</link>
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		<pubDate>Fri, 10 Aug 2012 04:47:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Moshe Dann]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Daily Mailer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FrontPage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Center for American Progress]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Clinton]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[George Soros]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Israel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Israel Policy Forum]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Netanyahu]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://frontpagemag.com/?p=140051</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Exposing the wealthy donors working against the Jewish State. ]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://cdn.frontpagemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Picture-1.gif"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-140055" title="Picture-1" src="http://cdn.frontpagemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Picture-1.gif" alt="" width="375" height="247" /></a>A recent letter to PM Netanyahu opposing the Levy Report organized by the Israel Policy Forum (IPF) and signed by 40 critics of Jewish communities built in Judea and Samaria (“settlements”) received wide media attention. With perhaps a few exceptions, those who signed the letter did not read the report, since it was only in Hebrew at that time. This was a typical hit-job by a marginal, tiny elite organization that promotes the “two-state solution,” a second or third Arab Palestinian state and evacuating Jews from the area.</p>
<p>Touted as “American Jewish leaders,” the individuals who signed, except for those associated with the Reform Movement, Eric Yoffee and David Saperstein, represent no organizations or constituencies. They are mega-bucks “philanthropists,” very wealthy businessmen like Charles Bronfman, Lester Crown, Marvin Lender, owner of Lender’s Bagels, and Richard Pearlstone, financier and real estate mogul, who bought their way into Jewish communal organizations, Susi Gelman (heiress to the Levi Strauss fortune), Edith Everett who runs a family foundation, some corporate lawyers, a few academics, a former Clinton advisor, and two former US ambassadors to Israel.</p>
<p>IPF was founded in 1993 with PM Rabin’s blessing to support the Oslo Accords and counter AIPAC – and to carry out <a href="http://www.haaretz.com/israel-policy-forum-revived-to-rise-above-partisan-fray-as-a-pragmatic-pro-israel-voice-1.439722">propaganda campaigns</a> as part of a network of American organizations with a similar purpose, like Americans for Peace Now, and New Israel Fund, and left-wing Israeli NGOs like ACRI, B’Tselem, etc, think tanks like INSS and the Peres Center for Peace.</p>
<p>IPS’ first president was Jack Bendheim, a wealthy businessman (Phibro and PAHC holdings) and philanthropist living in Riverdale, NY with a home and social and business contacts in Israel.  Jonathan A. Jacoby, IPF’s founding executive VP, worked for Credit Suisse and UBS and is currently Policy and Campaigns Manager at Oxfam America. NGO-Monitor’s research documents that Oxfam is an anti-Israel organization that supports BDS campaigns.</p>
<p>According to Prof Ofira Seliktar (Divided We Stand) in 1996 the IPF, led by Bendheim, along with billionaire S.Daniel Abraham (SlimFast), and Sara Ehrman (Americans for Peace Now) played a major role in convincing then-President Clinton and Secretary of State Albright to apply more pressure on PM Netanyahu for further withdrawals, halting settlement activity and concessions to Arafat as part of the Wye Agreements.</p>
<p>In 2010 IPF collapsed and was <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/center-for-america-progress-group-tied-to-obama-accused-of-anti-semitic-language/2012/01/17/gIQAcrHXAQ_story.html">absorbed into the Center for American Progress</a>, a controversial organization that has been accused of being anti-Israel and anti-Semitic.</p>
<p>CAP was started in 2003 by Herb and Marian Sandler, California mortgage/banking tycoons who are generous funders of the anti-Israel NGO Human Rights Watch. CAP also receives funding from George Soros and his Open Society Institute (OSI). Mort Halperin is on the board of CAP and IPF also heads OSI. Daniel Halperin is the program director at IPF.</p>
<p>MJ Rosenberg, a severe critic of Israel, was IPF’s policy director until 2009, when he moved to Media Matters (until fired after referring to Israel supporters as “Israel firsters,” a term widely regarded as anti-Semitic) and was a frequent columnist for the Jerusalem Post during David Horovitz’s tenure as senior editor.</p>
<p>The current president of IPF, Peter A. Joseph, runs Palladium Equity Partners and JLL, large private investment firms. Joseph is on the Board of Governors of the Reform Movement’s Hebrew Union College and local civic organizations.</p>
<p>Chairing IPF is Larry Zicklin, retired chief of Neuberger Berman, the largest asset management company in the world (over $200 billion) and former president of the NY Federation. Although lacking wide support, with access to enormous wealth, Joseph and Zicklin and friends try to wield political influence.</p>
<p>For example, IPF holds an annual Leadership Event to support their agenda, inviting former President Clinton, Vice President Joe Biden, former PMs Ehud Olmert and Ehud Barak, and assorted failing left-wing Israeli politicians like Haim Ramon and Isaac Herzog.</p>
<p>The IPF helped <a href="http://www.pjvoice.com/v43/43062lori.aspx">convince newly-elected President Obama</a> to adopt its Middle East Roadmap, basically the Saudi Initiative (Israel’s return to the 1949 Armistice lines, evacuation of all settlements, and the incorporation of Arab refugees and their descendents into Israel – in return for “normal relations”).</p>
<p>Peter Joseph funds Israel-basher Peter Beinart through the New America Foundation, one of George Soros’ beneficiaries. The head of the NAF’s Middle East Task Force is Daniel Levy, who also directs the Prospects for Peace Initiative at The Century Foundation. He was one of the key people in the Geneva Initiative, which proposes broad Israeli withdrawal and concessions, and is on the advisory board of J Street. Levy was close to Gideon Meir, an opponent of Israeli settlements who ran Israel&#8217;s embassy in London and Levy worked for Peres confidents Yossi Beilin and Haim Ramon (architects of the Oslo Agreements) and DM Ehud Barak.</p>
<p>Daniel’s father, Sir Michael Levy, one of Portland Trust&#8217;s senior officers, is a major fundraiser for the British Labor Party, has extensive business and political connections in Israel, like Pres. Shimon Peres, and is a staunch opponent of settlements.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/22/AR2009112202106.html">The Portland Trust</a>, one of the largest private equity groups in the world, is run by Sir Ronald Cohen, a close friend of Shimon Peres; it sponsors projects intended to advance another Arab Palestinian state, in addition to Jordan.</p>
<p>Cohen supported Ariel Sharon&#8217;s policy of retreat from Gaza and Northern Shomron, as the beginning of a more extensive withdrawal. Shimon Peres, who was Foreign Minister at the time, was their direct link to policy makers. Cohen &amp; friends did little or nothing to help the Jews who were expelled, however, as they were more interested in investing in building casinos and resorts in Gaza, and helping the Arab sector. They were assisted by James Wolfenshonn, then head of the World Bank who arranged massive loans to the PA. The Portland Fund&#8217;s CEO, Brig.Gen (ret) Eival Giladi, a close Sharon advisor, along with Dov Weisglass, and Gen (ret) Dan Halutz, former COS, organized and carried out Israel&#8217;s retreat from Gaza and Northern Shomron – and were handsomely rewarded.</p>
<p>Working with Shimon Peres and the PCP, the Portland Trust, with EU assistance, helps Arab and Israeli businessmen and NGOs advance a Palestinian state. They organized the &#8220;Israeli-Palestinian Chamber of Commerce&#8221; to finance Arab building and business projects in the West Bank. In addition, Cohen runs Apax, a large private investment firm with projects in Israel, which supports the British Labor Party and former heads Tony Blair and Gordon Brown and thus, wields influence in the British government.</p>
<p>These organizations and individuals were enthusiastic supporters of Israel’s unilateral withdrawal from southern Lebanon (which gave Hezbollah its base) and the Gaza Strip (which became Hamastan) and they continue to support Israeli withdrawal from Judea and Samaria.</p>
<p>This connection may help explain why then-PM Ehud Barak in 2000 granted the PA oil and gas rights off the Gaza coast, in which British Gas (BG) – represented by Tony Blair &#8212; was awarded sole exploration and recovery rights. This strange and mysterious deal – which was never approved by the government &#8212; was never examined or investigated.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.meforum.org/blog/obama-mideast-monitor/2009/03/why-is-the-israel-policy-forum-supporting-chas-freeman">IPF supported a vicious anti- Israel critic</a>, Charles Freeman to head the US National Intelligence Council.</p>
<p>Nick Bunzl, Executive Director of IPF has held a range of leadership positions in the Jewish community, most notably for the JCC in Manhattan from 1997-2006, including interim executive director and president; he continues to sit on their Board of Directors. Bunzl worked in investment management and international trading, and was Chairman and Managing Director of BTH Ltd, a London-based international group of companies – connected to Sir Michael Levy.</p>
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		<title>First Amendment for Jihad?</title>
		<link>http://www.frontpagemag.com/2012/moshe-dann/first-amendment-for-jihad/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=first-amendment-for-jihad</link>
		<comments>http://www.frontpagemag.com/2012/moshe-dann/first-amendment-for-jihad/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 22 May 2012 04:00:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Moshe Dann]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Daily Mailer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FrontPage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[First Amendment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jihad]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Massachusetts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tareq Mehanna]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Terrorism]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://frontpagemag.com/?p=132329</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The outrageous story of Tareq Mehanna.]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://cdn.frontpagemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/20111026_Mehanna.gif"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-132330" title="20111026_Mehanna" src="http://cdn.frontpagemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/20111026_Mehanna.gif" alt="" width="375" height="248" /></a>Two months ago, Tareq Mehanna, an American-born citizen from Massachusetts, was convicted of conspiracy to provide material support to al Qaeda, providing material support to terrorists (and conspiracy to do so), conspiracy to commit murder in a foreign country, conspiracy to make false statements to the FBI, and two counts of making false statements. He traveled to Yemen to get training in order to fight against American troops in Afghanistan, but failed. His use of the Internet to propagate Jihad, however, was defended by civil libertarians as “free speech,” protected by the First Amendment.</p>
<p>But Jihad is not philosophy. It is a call to action, not meditation or self-examination. A central tenet of Islam, it can mean helping others and self-improvement. But for most Muslims it means a divinely mandated war against “infidels” – non-Moslems. It can take many forms: piloting planes into buildings, blowing up planes with hidden bombs, murdering people who are accused of insulting Mohammed and the Koran, and urging others to engage in violence – that is, incitement.</p>
<p>It is also incumbent on Muslims anywhere, anytime, and for any reason they personally feel applicable. Since Islam does not have a hierarchy of authority, although some leaders are more acceptable than others, one can pick and choose. There are basically no rules or restrictions. One can follow a local sheikh collecting charity, or a preacher exhorting homicidal attacks.</p>
<p>Had Mehanna succeeded in being trained to kill, and if he and his friends who accompanied him had survived and returned to America, they might have opened a 7-11, or they might have plotted another 9-11.</p>
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		<title>The UN Branch That&#8217;s Sabotaging Peace</title>
		<link>http://www.frontpagemag.com/2011/moshe-dann/the-un-branch-thats-sabotaging-peace/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=the-un-branch-thats-sabotaging-peace</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 12 Dec 2011 04:10:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Moshe Dann]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Daily Mailer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FrontPage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Israel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[palestinians]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[UN Relief Works Agency]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[United Nations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[united nations high commissioner for refugees]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://frontpagemag.com/?p=115442</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Why do Israel and the US continue to support it? ]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://cdn.frontpagemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/a25c289cec14e52dc788c6a5b134_grande.gif"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-115538" title="a25c289cec14e52dc788c6a5b134_grande" src="http://cdn.frontpagemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/a25c289cec14e52dc788c6a5b134_grande.gif" alt="" width="375" height="246" /></a></p>
<p>In a bold move, Israel’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Danny Ayalon, appealed to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) meeting in Geneva this week to end the UN’s decades-old support for the UN Relief Works Agency (UNRWA).</p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_3A6_qSBBQ&amp;feature=channel_video_title">A video</a> presenting Israel’s new position on the issue assumes PM Netanyahu’s approval.</p>
<p>Despite widespread criticism of UNRWA, however, it’s doubtful that efforts to reform the agency or eliminate it will be successful.</p>
<p>Ironically, one of the main obstacles is the Israeli government &#8212; especially the Ministry of Defense and some in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs &#8212; which continue to support it.</p>
<p>Moreover, the US State Department opposes any changes. All fear an explosion of violence that would result. Rather than deal with the issue creatively and realistically, most would rather avoid it, pass it on and hope it will go away, thus compounding the problem.</p>
<p>And as long as UNRWA exists the issue of Palestinian refugees cannot be resolved and will continue to sabotage efforts towards peace.</p>
<p>UNRWA’s population has grown from an initial half-million or so to over 5 million, and growing daily, along with its billion dollar budget. UNRWA-supported schools teach hatred of Jews and Israel, memorialize &#8220;The Nakba&#8221; (catastrophe, the establishment of the State of Israel), and advocate &#8220;the Palestinian right of return&#8221; – the most contentious and passionate issue in negotiations.</p>
<p>Although it might be possible to deal with UNRWA facilities located in Judea, Samaria and Gaza (“the West Bank”) separately from those in Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan, a comprehensive plan appears impossible, leaving the issue to fester.</p>
<p>Flooding Israel with millions of hostile Arabs dedicated to Israel&#8217;s demise would be suicidal. Palestinian leaders and host countries refuse to compromise, assisted by UNRWA which has a vested interest.</p>
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		<title>&#8216;One Voice&#8217; Too Many</title>
		<link>http://www.frontpagemag.com/2011/moshe-dann/one-voice-too-many/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=one-voice-too-many</link>
		<comments>http://www.frontpagemag.com/2011/moshe-dann/one-voice-too-many/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 22 Nov 2011 04:06:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Moshe Dann]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Afternoon Edition]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Daily Mailer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FrontPage]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://frontpagemag.com/?p=113183</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Jewish celebrities help embolden the Arabs' genocidal cause. ]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://cdn.frontpagemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Screen-shot-2011-10-11-at-11.19.05-AM1.gif"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-113225" title="Screen-shot-2011-10-11-at-11.19.05-AM" src="http://cdn.frontpagemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Screen-shot-2011-10-11-at-11.19.05-AM1.gif" alt="" width="375" height="248" /></a></p>
<p>Last month, One Voice, an American/European-based organization promoting peace arrived in Israel led by TV-star Jason Alexander. Supported by foundations like Rockefeller, Ford, and Cummings (which have histories of funding anti-Israel activities), with offices in Los Angeles, New York, London and Tel Aviv, and boasting personalities like Sir Paul McCartney, Mohammed Ali, Natalie Portman and Brad Pitt, One Voice got the red-carpet treatment, visiting with President Shimon Peres and hosted by MK Yoel Hasson&#8217;s Knesset committee.</p>
<p>The Knesset meeting with about 30 members of the group was attended by representatives from Kadima, Meretz and Labor parties. The discussion lamented the demise of the two-state solution, castigating Jewish &#8220;settlers&#8221; who lived over the 1949 Armistice lines (&#8220;Green Line&#8221;), dumping on Prime Minister Netanyahu and his coalition, and promoting the work of Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas/Abu Mazen.</p>
<p>Founded by Daniel Lubetsky, president of Peaceworks Foundation in New York, One Voice is dedicated to establishing a Palestinian state on the 1949 lines, including a division of Jerusalem; its position on the &#8220;Palestinian right of return&#8221; is ambiguous.</p>
<p>One might think that their efforts on behalf of peace would include condemning PA incitement. Asked if the group raised this issue during their meeting with the PA in Ramallah, Howard Sumka, the organization&#8217;s CEO, replied, &#8220;We oppose all forms of violence and incitement on both sides.&#8221;</p>
<p>But how does this translate into a dialogue with Arab leaders?</p>
<p>Asked about a recent anti-Semitic cartoon that appeared in the official PA media, Sumka added: &#8220;I am not about to engage in a defense or condemnation of every real or imagined offense of the Palestinians against Israel.  No point to that.  I am aware of most of the accusations (although I had not seen this cartoon before).&#8221;</p>
<p>One Voice&#8217;s media reps did not reply to queries concerning why the organization did not raise the issue of PA incitement, nor would they explain their position on specific issues of dispute between Israel and the Arabs. MK Hasson, a seemingly enthusiastic supporter of One Voice, refused to answer any questions concerning his involvement with the organization, or its positions.</p>
<p>The moral dilemma of groups like One Voice is that in their desire to find a peaceful solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict they ignore the fundamental reason that has prevented peace: Jew-hatred.</p>
<p>PA incitement is clearly documented by PMW and MEMRI, open and officially sanctioned. Pretending that it doesn&#8217;t exist because one is feted in Ramallah and Gaza might delude one into thinking that peace is possible.</p>
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		<title>UN Prolongs Palestinian Problem</title>
		<link>http://www.frontpagemag.com/2011/moshe-dann/un-prolongs-palestinian-problem/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=un-prolongs-palestinian-problem</link>
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		<pubDate>Thu, 29 Sep 2011 04:20:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Moshe Dann]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Afternoon Edition]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Daily Mailer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FrontPage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gaza]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ministry of foreign affairs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[palestinian refugees]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Palestinian Statehood]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[region]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[resolution]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sixty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[support]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[universal declaration of human rights]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[universal declaration of human rights 1948]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://frontpagemag.com/?p=106798</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[How a UN body fuels the fire of terror. ]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://cdn.frontpagemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Unrwa.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-106934" title="Unrwa" src="http://cdn.frontpagemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Unrwa.jpg" alt="" width="375" height="395" /></a></p>
<p>Supporters of Palestinian statehood prominently display &#8220;194&#8243; next to their flag. That number refers not only to its proposed place in the UN next-in-line, but their goal.</p>
<p>Citing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) as guarantor of the right to leave and return to one&#8217;s country, they use that to justify the &#8220;Palestinian right of return.&#8221;</p>
<p>But there is no such “right.” UNGA Resolution 194 (1948) refers to all refugees, Jewish as well as Arab, and does not confer automatic rights to return. Repatriation (or return) was suggested as one option, but this is based on conditions that Arabs have never fulfilled. Resettlement was also recommended in this and subsequent resolutions. All were rejected by the Arabs.</p>
<p>What to do with millions of Arab &#8220;refugees,&#8221; most of whom are cared for by UNRWA, is one of the most difficult and contentious issues that snarls any resolution of the dispute between Israel and the Arabs. UNRWA is at the core of the problem.</p>
<p>For sixty years, this agency has promoted an anti-Israel agenda that supports the &#8220;Palestinian right of return,&#8221; holds Israel alone as responsible for the plight of Arab refugees, and refuses to resettle them anywhere except in Israel.</p>
<p>Why, then, does Israel&#8217;s Ministry of Foreign Affairs support it?</p>
<p>Citing agreements, the MFA acknowledges that it cooperates with UNRWA&#8217;s humanitarian efforts, albeit with &#8220;reservations about [its] political aspects.&#8221; But making this distinction practically is impossible.</p>
<p>UNRWA&#8217;s humanitarian work can be assumed by the UN High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR), which assists all other refugees. Why continue to support a separate organization only for those who claim to be Palestinian refugees and their descendants?</p>
<p>Israel&#8217;s support for UNRWA, moreover, prevents donor countries from insisting on change and reducing or restricting funds, thus enabling one of the most anti-Israel organizations to flourish.</p>
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		<title>Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions: A Strategy for Israel&#8217;s Destruction</title>
		<link>http://www.frontpagemag.com/2011/moshe-dann/boycott-divestment-sanctions-a-strategy-for-israels-destruction/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=boycott-divestment-sanctions-a-strategy-for-israels-destruction</link>
		<comments>http://www.frontpagemag.com/2011/moshe-dann/boycott-divestment-sanctions-a-strategy-for-israels-destruction/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 10 Jan 2011 04:00:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Moshe Dann]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Daily Mailer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FrontPage]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://frontpagemag.com/?p=81521</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The most unique -- and dangerous -- campaign against the Jewish State. ]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://cdn.frontpagemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/3951316794_0eb5af255c.gif"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-81528" title="3951316794_0eb5af255c" src="http://cdn.frontpagemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/3951316794_0eb5af255c.gif" alt="" width="375" height="270" /></a></p>
<p>Anti-Semites around the world have found a new and more subtle form of attack: Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (<a href="http://www.ngo-monitor.org/article/ngo_leadership_in_boycott_and_divestment_campaigns">BDS) campaigns</a>.</p>
<p>The Ramallah-based Palestinian <a href="http://www.spme.net/cgi-bin/articles.cgi?ID=7559">BDS National Committee</a>, an umbrella organization for dozens of Palestinian organizations supported by the Palestinian Authority, is a global movement. Behind anti-Israel actions by churches, unions and student groups, it is aided by the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood, with branches in 70 countries, and hundreds of campus and civic/social organizations and anti-Israel NGOs.</p>
<p>Wielding clichés like &#8220;apartheid,&#8221; &#8220;war crimes,&#8221; &#8220;stealing Palestinian land,&#8221; &#8220;oppressing Palestinians,&#8221; and &#8220;end the occupation,&#8221; these groups seek to delegitimize and isolate Israel as part of their program to destroy Israel.</p>
<p>No need for swastikas and terrorism, Arab and Muslim countries and organizations have developed a sophisticated propaganda campaign, in which they are joined by Christians, atheists, socialists and anarchists dedicated to Israel&#8217;s demise. Bedecked with ethics, law and justice, they insist that Israel withdraw to the 1949 Armistice lines, or 1947 UN-proposed boundaries, which would leave Israel vulnerable to terrorists. Their weapon is non-violent resistance, which appeals to a sense of idealism and fair play, and to civil and human rights.</p>
<p>Focusing BDS attacks on Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, opponents of Israel can also include pro-Israel leaders in the Jewish establishment, like Abe Foxman (ADL), prominent Jewish artists, and left-wing Israeli politicians, jurists, and academics.</p>
<p>Backed by European governments, the UN, and Arab and Muslim organizations and countries, a host of NGOs condemn Israel as a pariah state, unworthy of existence. Their hate-campaign is currently focused on the Conference on Racism, to be held at the UN in New York City this summer.</p>
<p>If this were just a handful of Islamist fanatics, one might be able to dismiss them; but they have lined up diplomatic and organizational support from many non-Muslims. That&#8217;s why the campaign to delegitimize Israel is so unique and dangerous.</p>
<p>Anti-Israel campaigns overlap with anti-Jewish sentiments, bringing together diverse groups that are otherwise ideologically, philosophically and theologically incompatible. Hatred of Israel seems to be the single overriding issue that unites fascists and communists, anarchists and fundamentalists, religious leaders and atheists, rich and poor.</p>
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		<title>War of Words: Israel&#8217;s Fight Against Delegitimization</title>
		<link>http://www.frontpagemag.com/2010/moshe-dann/war-of-words-israels-fight-against-delegitimization/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=war-of-words-israels-fight-against-delegitimization</link>
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		<pubDate>Tue, 14 Dec 2010 04:05:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Moshe Dann]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[FrontPage]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://frontpagemag.com/?p=78426</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The battlefield in the coliseum of public perception. ]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.frontpagemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/israel1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-78522" title="PALESTINIANS-ISRAEL/" src="http://cdn.frontpagemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/israel1.jpg" alt="" width="360" height="231" /></a></p>
<p>Israel&#8217;s  struggle to defend herself and survive is not only on the battlefield; it is  also in the coliseum of public perception. Thrown into the same dungeon as  South Africa 30  years ago, threatened with extinction by Arab countries and terrorist groups,  Israel is  portrayed as a racist, &#8220;apartheid&#8221; country, illegitimate, a threat to  civilization and world peace. Failure to take this incitement seriously and  criticism of  Israel&#8217;s actions  in self-defense are applauded by the crowd, thumbs-downed by international  community.</p>
<p>Denounced for &#8220;violating human rights,&#8221; on the rack for  defeating terrorists, and subjected to double-standards,  Israel&#8217;s very  existence is anathema. Unacceptable in polite, cultured societies, however,  Jew-hatred has been replaced by attacks on the Jewish state,  Israel. A  convenient proxy,  Israel is  condemned for &#8220;illegally occupying (stealing) Arab/Palestinian land,&#8221; &#8220;injustice  towards and oppression of Palestinians,&#8221; etc. &#8220;Zionism is Racism&#8221; echoes  throughout the world. The goal is isolation, as a prelude to destruction; the  means, delegitimization, BDS – boycott, divestment and sanctions – and media  bias.</p>
<p>Delegitimization, the refusal to accept the legitimacy of  a nation, a country and its founding ideology, is applied only to  Israel.  Hundreds, if not thousands of NGO&#8217;s, many with government funding, and promoted  by major media, relentlessly attack  Israel.  Hundreds of millions of euros are  splurged by EU governments, like <a href="http://www.ngo-monitor.org/index.php" target="_blank">Holland, Ireland and Switzerland,</a> on anti-Israel <em>political</em> organizations.</p>
<p>Israel  is the only democratic country whose right to exist is questioned. Nuanced by  demanding a second Arab Palestinian state, there is no need to call  <em>directly</em> for  Israel&#8217;s  destruction; it&#8217;s enough to demand withdrawal to 1949 Armistice lines which will  render Israel  indefensible. &#8220;End the occupation,&#8221; a mindless slogan that short-circuits  thinking is a subtler way of calling for  Israel&#8217;s demise.</p>
<p>These calls come not only from Arabs and the  international community, but from Israeli leftists who believe that withdrawal  from Judea and  Samaria (the West  Bank) will bring &#8220;Peace Now,&#8221; hoping the Arabs will accept and that  Israel will be  accepted and protected.</p>
<p>These critics of  Israel, even  those that are well-meaning, ignore their contribution to campaigns to  delegitimize  Israel. One  might forgive their motives as naive, were it not for obvious threats from Hamas  and Hezbullah, Palestinian terrorists,  Iran,  Syria and other  terrorist-supporting countries.</p>
<p>Many of these critics of  Israel, however,  both domestic and foreign, refuse to defend  Israel&#8217;s right  to exist as a Jewish country within secure, recognized, and defensible borders.  Parading as &#8220;humanitarian,&#8221; their efforts, because they are biased and often  false, serve to delegitimize  Israel.</p>
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		<title>Palestinian Violence and a President&#8217;s Blindness</title>
		<link>http://www.frontpagemag.com/2010/moshe-dann/obamas-palestinian-misread/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=obamas-palestinian-misread</link>
		<comments>http://www.frontpagemag.com/2010/moshe-dann/obamas-palestinian-misread/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 07 Sep 2010 04:06:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Moshe Dann]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[FrontPage]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://frontpagemag.com/?p=70863</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[How will peace talks succeed if Obama fails to denounce Arab terror?]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://cdn.frontpagemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/aaaaaaobama_m_m.gif"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-70901" title="aaaaaaobama_m_m" src="http://cdn.frontpagemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/aaaaaaobama_m_m.gif" alt="" width="375" height="307" /></a></p>
<p>In response to the murder of four Israelis by Arab  terrorists, President Obama said the following: &#8220;[In this] tragedy&#8230;people were  gunned down on the street by terrorists who are purposely trying to undermine  these [Israeli-Palestinian peace] talks.&#8221;</p>
<p>The aim of the terrorists, however, was not to  stop peace talks. The attack occurred  close to the same place where an Israeli policeman was shot in his car several  months ago when there were no &#8220;peace talks.&#8221; Israelis are  frequently attacked on roads throughout  Israel by rocks  and fire bombs, sometimes by snipers. These attacks are not connected to any  political or diplomatic process. Framing this attack as politically motivated distorts the nature and meaning of Arab terrorism against  Jews.</p>
<p>President Obama went on to say:</p>
<blockquote><p>The message should go  out to Hamas and everybody else who is taking credit for these heinous crimes  that this is not going to stop us from not only ensuring a secure Israel but  also securing a longer-lasting peace in which people throughout the region can  take a different course.</p></blockquote>
<p>One might have expected him to say: &#8220;Those who  commit such murders, and those who support them, will be brought to justice and  punished to the fullest extent of the law,&#8221; or &#8220;Unless the PA [Palestinian Authority] acts to eliminate terrorism and  incitement there can be no progress in political, diplomatic or military  cooperation. Actions speak louder than words.&#8221;</p>
<p>But he did not, and he won&#8217;t; because no matter what Arab  terrorists do, the PA knows it has the support of many in America,  Europe and the general international community.</p>
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		<title>A Nation of &#8220;Illegals&#8221;?</title>
		<link>http://www.frontpagemag.com/2010/moshe-dann/a-nation-of-illegals/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=a-nation-of-illegals</link>
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		<pubDate>Fri, 14 May 2010 04:01:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Moshe Dann]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[FrontPage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[authority]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://frontpagemag.com/?p=60228</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[U.N. "law" makes the Israeli people the perennial "illegal immigrants." ]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://cdn.frontpagemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Israelis-protest-Obamas-settlement-policy.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-60238" title="Israelis-protest-Obamas-settlement-policy" src="http://cdn.frontpagemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Israelis-protest-Obamas-settlement-policy-300x296.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="296" /></a></p>
<p>Although many substantive legal arguments support the right of Jews to build in Judea, Samaria (the West Bank) and the eastern part of Jerusalem, Israeli communities are accused of being &#8220;illegal&#8221; according to &#8220;international law&#8221;. But, what is this &#8220;law&#8221; and who decided that Israel was guilty?</p>
<p>UN resolutions are not laws, or sources of laws. The UN&#8217;s primary judicial organ, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issues advisory opinions which are only recommendations, and, although they are influential, are not proper legal decisions. Unable to get a fair hearing before the ICJ, Israel does not appear there.</p>
<p>In fact, the UN Charter (Article 10) does not grant the General Assembly, or the ICJ the authority to determine the ownership of <a href="http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2751/is_n33/ai_14538698/">disputed territories</a> – although it does so anyway.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.mythsandfacts.com/media/user/documents/Eli%20Hertz%20Reply%204-21-05D.pdf ">&#8220;The law&#8221;</a> is the Fourth Geneva Convention (GC IV)  – one of the most important sources of conventional international and humanitarian law. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the official &#8220;guardian&#8221; of the GC IV, met secretly at their headquarters in Geneva in 1971 and unilaterally decided that Jewish communities built in areas acquired after the Six Day War were actually “illegal” because they &#8220;violated&#8221; GC IV. Because ICRC rulings are considered authoritative, they are used by the international community to condemn Israeli &#8220;settlements,&#8221; and &#8220;occupation.&#8221;</p>
<p>The legal status of Palestine, designated as the &#8220;Jewish national homeland,&#8221; was established by the League of Nations (1920), the San Remo Agreements (1920) and the British Mandate (1922), and endorsed by the US Congress; that was &#8220;the law,&#8221; and remains so today, despite the ICRC.</p>
<p>ICRC and UN Resolutions declared that &#8220;Israeli settlements are illegal.&#8221; They didn&#8217;t say, however, to whom this territory belongs. Palestinian leaders have said they will declare sovereignty and ask for UN recognition. But, with the Palestinian Authority (PA) divided between Fatah and Hamas, its leadership shaky, who rules? And who will rule in the future?</p>
<p>Arab leaders themselves can&#8217;t decide about a second Arab Palestinian state (the first was Transjordan, established in 1921, two-thirds of whose population is Palestinian) since that means accepting Israel. However, none are willing to give up the &#8220;Palestinian right of return,&#8221; in other words, the control of eastern Jerusalem and the elimination of settlements.</p>
<p>UN recognition of the PLO, beginning in 1974, six months after it massacred school-children in Ma&#8217;alot, provided legitimacy, but the PLO – &#8220;the sole representative of the Palestinian people&#8221; &#8212; has rejected the &#8220;two-state-solution&#8221; as an end-of-conflict. Its charter, calling for the elimination of Israel by force, remains unchanged.</p>
<p>The Oslo Accords (1993), Hebron Agreement (1997), Wye River Accords (1998) and Gaza Disengagement (2005), which gave the PA large areas of Judea, Samaria and all of Gaza and placed nearly all Arab residents of these areas under PA rule, provided the basis for self-government, and eventual statehood.</p>
<p>Legal questions regarding Jewish presence in Judea, Samaria and eastern Jerusalem remain; the ICRC&#8217;s decisions, therefore, are crucial. Since ICRC deliberations and protocols are secret, however, there is no way of knowing how they arrived at their decisions, nor is there any possibility of appeal.</p>
<p>The ICRC&#8217;s unique interpretation, contrary to the obvious intent and purpose of GC IV, was designed specifically to thwart Israeli settlements. It was never applied in a comparable situation elsewhere.</p>
<p>Opposing Jewish communities in Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem may be politically expedient, a convenient charge to indict Israel, but assaulting their legality is baseless. <a href="http://www.2nd-thoughts.org/id160.html">Many prominent jurists</a> and the Israeli government have rejected charges of &#8220;illegality&#8221; and &#8220;occupation,&#8221; arguing that the provisions of GC IV do not apply, and that, at best, these areas should be called &#8220;disputed,&#8221; subject to negotiations.</p>
<p>Despite the ICRC&#8217;s refusal to open its archives and explain itself, in defiance of all democratic and judicial norms of conduct, accountable to no one, and deliberately distorting facts, their decisions are widely accepted as law. We need to know how and why the ICRC made those decisions. What are they hiding, and why?</p>
<p><em>Moshe Dann is a writer and journalist living is Israel. He can be contacted at </em><a href="mailto:moshedan@netvision.net.il"><em>moshedan@netvision.net.il</em></a></p>
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		<title>Obama’s Two-State Delusion</title>
		<link>http://www.frontpagemag.com/2010/moshe-dann/obama%e2%80%99s-two-state-delusion/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=obama%25e2%2580%2599s-two-state-delusion</link>
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		<pubDate>Fri, 02 Apr 2010 04:15:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Moshe Dann]]></dc:creator>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://frontpagemag.com/?p=56899</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Never before has the United States sought to dictate the terms of Israeli surrender. ]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://cdn.frontpagemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/obama-arafat-terrorists.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-56901" title="obama-arafat-terrorists" src="http://cdn.frontpagemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/obama-arafat-terrorists.jpg" alt="" width="375" height="323" /></a></p>
<p>Let there be no mistake: President Obama&#8217;s attack on Israel&#8217;s right to govern in eastern Jerusalem has nothing to do with American national interests, and nothing to do with a &#8220;peace process.&#8221; Other American leaders may have disagreed with Israeli policy, but none of them made it a <em>casus belli</em>.</p>
<p>No other prominent politician sought to impose the &#8220;two-state solution,&#8221; based on 60-year-old cease-fire lines with Jordan, instead of a negotiated agreement. Obama&#8217;s move leaps beyond all previous &#8220;accords,&#8221; plans and &#8220;road maps.&#8221; Never before has the United   States sought to dictate the terms of Israeli surrender, thereby undermining its only reliable ally in the region.</p>
<p>Obama&#8217;s obsession with the establishment of a second Arab Palestinian state might be understandable if it were based on a realistic appraisal of conditions as they are, instead of what they might be. The warning signals are there.      <strong> </strong></p>
<p>Two dramatic shifts have made the &#8220;two-state solution&#8221; irrelevant: the stand-off victory of Hezbollah in Lebanon and the hegemony of Hamas in Gaza and many areas of the West Bank, nominally under the Palestinian Authority, controlled by Fatah. One has to be ignorant, and/or blind not to appreciate what these situations mean – especially given the threats from Iran.</p>
<p>The developments have led to the widespread recognition, especially among Israelis, that the so-called “Oslo process” (“land for peace”) has failed, that Israel has no &#8220;peace partner,&#8221; and, therefore, that a second Arab Palestinian state is no longer relevant.</p>
<p>Today, unilateral withdrawal from Yehuda and Shomron (&#8220;the West Bank&#8221;) and the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state is a “clear and present danger,” not only to Israel, but to the entire region.</p>
<p>Refusing to consider any alternatives to the &#8220;two-state&#8221; model, however, the United   States and EU countries focus on an &#8220;end to the conflict,&#8221; without necessary pre-requisites.</p>
<p>During the last 40 years, Israeli leaders conveyed the message that “the Palestinian problem” is ours and we can fix it. This was the motivation behind various proposals: Labor&#8217;s offers to exchange &#8220;land for peace,&#8221; Likud&#8217;s autonomy plan, confederation with Jordan, the First Lebanese War against the PLO, Rabin&#8217;s recognition of the PLO and the establishment of a Palestinian state, Barak&#8217;s offers at Camp David, Sharon&#8217;s unilateral withdrawal from Gaza and Northern Shomron, and the current government&#8217;s failures in Lebanon and Gaza.</p>
<p>All of these policies failed because they were <em>not reality-based</em>, but clung to a desperate Israeli desire for an end to the conflict. Each time Israel paid the price and made concessions, however, the price rose, and the conflict continued.</p>
<p>The &#8220;two-state&#8221; proposal based on Israel&#8217;s 1949 borders is also doomed to fail for several reasons:</p>
<p>(1) Palestinians’ opposition to <em>any</em> solution; their refusal to recognize authentic Jewish rights and claims and their refusal to accept Israel&#8217;s existence.</p>
<p>(2) A negotiating process confounded by terrorism. Israel demands an end to terrorism before making broader concessions; the Palestinians demand concessions first and reducing terrorism later – perhaps, if that is at all possible or their plan (which all evidence suggests it isn’t).</p>
<p>(3) Political/demographic reality is that Israel cannot return to the 1949 Armistice lines.</p>
<p>(4) UNRWA continues to support the &#8220;Palestinian right-of-return;&#8221; it is part of the problem, not a solution.</p>
<p>(5) Even if all of the above could be resolved, a stable Palestinian state is unlikely.</p>
<p>Rather than abandon vital national interests, the only practical and rational policy for America, the region, and Israel, is one based on security and reality: Islamic terrorism, Jihad, is and will be a persistent threat. That should be Pres. Obama&#8217;s main concern.</p>
<p>In comparison, issues such as definitions of Israel&#8217;s borders and demographic predictions are irrelevant. &#8220;Political horizons&#8221; can only have meaning when there is a stable government that is accountable and responsible. Otherwise, such proposals are recipes for disaster.</p>
<p>At the least, the Obama administration must present not only a realistic, coherent policy, but an explanation of how and why it will work. Slamming Israel is not a substitute for reason.</p>
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		<title>Obama&#8217;s Hardened Heart</title>
		<link>http://www.frontpagemag.com/2010/moshe-dann/obamas-hardened-heart/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=obamas-hardened-heart</link>
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		<pubDate>Tue, 30 Mar 2010 04:01:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Moshe Dann]]></dc:creator>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://frontpagemag.com/?p=56263</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[How it reminds us of the meaning of Exodus. ]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://cdn.frontpagemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/obamai.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-56377" title="obamai" src="http://cdn.frontpagemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/obamai.jpg" alt="" width="375" height="281" /></a></p>
<p>As if Jews needed a reminder about what a modern rendition of &#8220;Pharaoh&#8217;s  heart hardened,&#8221; President Obama is providing an example, emphasizing an  important lesson: the Egyptian dictator/king was part of the process of  liberation and, ultimately, of God&#8217;s will and the destiny of the Jewish People.</p>
<p>Despite Obama&#8217;s nasty treatment of Israel&#8217;s Prime Minister and  unreasonable demands, Hillary Clinton&#8217;s condemnations  and suggestions that Israel is responsible for war crimes, human rights  violations and hindering America&#8217;s war efforts in Pakistan and Afghanistan;  despite Israel&#8217;s demonization at the UN and Arab/Muslim boycott and isolation,  the Israeli government and the Jewish People are stronger and more united.</p>
<p>In Egypt,  three millennia ago, Hebrews (as Jews were then called) not only suffered as  slaves, but believed that slavery was their lot. Not yet a people, they had  descended to the lowest rung of human existence, spiritually as well as  physically; they lived in a state of unconsciousness.</p>
<p>Moses and Aaron awakened Jewish awareness; but it took ten plagues to  convince Pharaoh to allow the Jews to leave, a process of realization that  involved suffering and destruction, especially for the Egyptians. Had Pharaoh  allowed the Jews to leave immediately, there would not have been a revelation of  divine power, in contrast to Pharaoh&#8217;s phony ego-trip.</p>
<p>Not only was it necessary for Jews to understand that Pharaoh was not  God, it was also important for Egyptians. Only when the Egyptian army was  engulfed and destroyed was the meaning of The Exodus revealed. But that was only  the beginning of freedom.</p>
<p>The great Jewish Liberation Movement that inspired countless others to  resist subjugation and oppression was connected to two objectives: the Covenant  at Sinai, which was the beginning of the Jewish People, and the conquest and  settlement of the Land of  Israel as the fulfillment of divine  commandments, the struggle towards Jewish destiny.</p>
<p><em>Galut</em> (exile) is part of <em>Geulah</em> (redemption); both are necessary parts of the process of developing  consciousness. Without a vision of <em>Geulah</em>, <em>Galut</em> is meaningless  tragedy.</p>
<p>Obama&#8217;s hard-heartedness towards  Israel and the  Jewish People is now obvious to all. As difficult as that seems, however, it is  yet another omen of good things to come. That does not mean that there won&#8217;t be  hard times; there will be – for sure. But this is only a test.</p>
<p>It would have been more comfortable if Obama and Pharaoh had treated the  Jewish People more kindly. But that would have obstructed the process of  spiritual awareness.</p>
<p>Jewish liberation is not only physical, but is a creative process of  self-discovery, as an individual, as part of a family, a nation and a People.  The historical episodes are markers on a path towards a grander purpose. With  miracles and tragedies along the way, we need to be attuned to both.</p>
<p>Pharaoh became obsessed with destroying the Jews, and, in the process  destroyed his own country; many other tyrants followed his example. And the  Jewish People are still around.</p>
<p>The story of The  Exodus reminds us that there are no easy roads to self-discovery – as  individuals and as a People. We eat &#8220;the bread of affliction&#8221; in comfort,  thinking we are free and independent, yet, hesitant to be committed; full of  accomplishments, we are paupers of responsibility.</p>
<p>Obama puts it to us: what rightfully belongs to the  Jewish People in the Land of  Israel?</p>
<p>Obama and his friends may not like  Israel, and it&#8217;s  disappointing, but it may also be a way of clarifying what is important for us,  and for finding our integrity.</p>
<p>Passover/Pesach – the celebration of freedom – begins  with an act, but evolves into an ongoing drama of immense proportions. Obama&#8217;s  wrath turns us back to meaning of The Exodus: we are in God&#8217;s hands.</p>
<p><em>The author is a writer and journalist living in </em><em>Jerusalem</em><em>. </em></p>
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		<title>Why Palestinians Riot Over Jewish Heritage Sites</title>
		<link>http://www.frontpagemag.com/2010/moshe-dann/why-palestinians-riot-over-jewish-heritage-sites/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=why-palestinians-riot-over-jewish-heritage-sites</link>
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		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:00:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Moshe Dann]]></dc:creator>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://frontpagemag.com/?p=52789</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The affront that "equal access" poses to Muslims. ]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://cdn.frontpagemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/riot.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-52792" title="riot" src="http://cdn.frontpagemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/riot.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="382" /></a></p>
<p>Last week saw an <a href="http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/ipc_e074.htm">upsurge in Palestinian riots and attacks</a> against Israeli vehicles in Gaza and the West Bank. What crime did Israel commit to invite the wave of violence? Israel’s government simply <a href="../2010/03/01/israel%E2%80%99s-latest-sin%E2%80%94honoring-its-heritage/">announced</a> that it intended to honor the country’s heritage by including the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron, and Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem in a list of Israeli national “heritage” sites.</p>
<p>The violence-fueled Palestinian reaction may seem entirely disproportionate to Israel’s offense. But a look at the historical background shows that it is not without grim precedent.</p>
<p>For several decades, Palestinians have been attacking  Jewish worshipers at the   Temple   Mount in   Jerusalem, the Tomb of Rachel near   Bethlehem, and the Tomb of  Patriarchs and Matriarchs, <em>Machpelah</em>, in   Hebron. After the   Oslo and Hebron Agreements in the  1990&#8242;s, attacks intensified.</p>
<p>To protect visitors to Rachel&#8217;s Tomb, a fortified  building was built around the tiny, 19<sup>th</sup> century building that had  been built over the tomb. That wasn&#8217;t enough, since getting to the building from  the closest Israeli checkpoint, a few hundred meters away, exposed Jews to  sniper fire and bombs from adjacent buildings along the road. A new road was  built, therefore, surrounded by high cement walls.</p>
<p>Palestinian riots against the rights of Jews to  visit holy and historic sites are nothing new. In   Jericho and   Gaza,  ancient Jewish synagogues from  the Talmudic period have been destroyed and are off limits to Jews.</p>
<p>In Shechem,   Nablus , the site of Joseph&#8217;s Tomb,  was attacked by Palestinian mobs in 2000, fire-bombed and destroyed. A wounded Israeli  soldier inside bled to death while Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and his  Defense Minister, Shaul Mofaz, negotiated with the Palestinian Authority.</p>
<p>On the Temple   Mount , the Palestinians have been  systematically destroying Jewish artifacts and antiquities from the   Second   Temple period.</p>
<p>Why is attacking and destroying Jewish heritage sites so  popular among Palestinians?</p>
<p>Arabs claim their own heritage sites. Their claims go back about 1,300 years, when the  Al-Aksa mosque and golden Dome of the Rock were built on the   Temple   Mount. These buildings exist today  under Muslim authority (<em>Wakf)</em>; Jews are prohibited by Israeli police from  praying, carrying holy books, or ritual objects on the   Temple   Mount, in deference to Muslim  restrictions.</p>
<p>During the Muslim occupation of   Israel, with the  exception of about two centuries of Christian Crusader occupation, various  public buildings, palaces, mosques and bridges were built. Remains of Crusader  fortresses are popular tourist sites, along with Nabatean (pagan) sites in the   Negev, many of which are UNESCO-designated.</p>
<p>All are part of the history and heritage of the   Land of   Israel. Except for their buildings on  the Temple   Mount, however, Muslims do not  consider the Land of   Israel, Judea  and Samaria,   Palestine, sacred in any way. During  most of the Muslim occupation, these sites were neglected because they held  little significance. The main focus, for Muslims, was   Mecca and   Medina, in   Saudi Arabia.  Muslims do not make <em>aliyah</em> to   Palestine.</p>
<p>Christians and Muslims venerated holy sites in the   Land of   Israel,   Palestine, but after visiting, or  conquering, they went home. Their heritage was local, tribal, and familial. The   Land of   Israel was not part of their  heritage. It was a heritage for Jews.</p>
<p>This explains why Palestinians are opposed to the  designation of Jewish heritage sites. If it is important to Jews, what does that  mean for Muslims? Indeed, what is their heritage?</p>
<p>Heritage is a legacy that connects generations; it&#8217;s not  politics, but history. For Palestinians, however, the two are entangled – which chokes  off rationality.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s not the Muslim significance of historical  sites that inspires Palestinian riots; it&#8217;s that Jews claim it at all. Equal access to  historical and holy sites is considered an affront by Muslims, as it questions  their exclusivity and authenticity.</p>
<p>Under Muslim rule, for example, Jews were denied entrance  to Machpelah, since, if Muslims don&#8217;t have exclusive control of the site, then  no one else should, or will. Any attachment of Jews diminishes that of  Muslims.</p>
<p>This deadly Arab zero-sum game is exacerbated by  President Obama, whose opposition to the right of Jews to live beyond the 1949  Armistice Lines fueled Palestinian riots in eastern   Jerusalem. Recently, State  Department spokesman Mark Toner said &#8220;the administration viewed   Israel &#8216;s move as  provocative and unhelpful.&#8221;  He did  not deplore Palestinian riots.</p>
<p>If you agree with President Obama and Mark Toner, no need  to do anything. If you disagree, however, let your voices be heard. Silence is  acquiescence.</p>
<p><em>The author is a writer and journalist living in  Israel.</em></p>
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