Stand With Us

[Mediocrates]

http://www.standwithus.com/

http://www.standwithus.com/campus/

Welcome to standwithus.com

We are a grass roots organization encompassing all branches of Judaism, Jewish organizations, and friends of the Jewish people. We are not part of any religious or political organization, and we will not attempt to influence Israel's government policies.

It is our goal to educate at all levels, balance the media, help expose militant Islamic groups and leadership, expose the Palestinian-Arabic apparatus of hate and violence, improve public relations for Israel, perfect our Christian-Jewish-moderate Muslim alliance, and promote key charities that directly affect these efforts. StandWithUs will stand in support of any bill that inhibits or interferes with terrorism.

Stand with Israel in solidarity, and support causes that align with our mission statements and goals.

We are picking up the support of major religious and nonreligious institutions that will help multiply our efforts.

We need your help now. Working together we will make a difference.

If you register with us, we will send you important alerts two to three times weekly, so that you can stay informed and help advocate for Israel and democracy.

[minusthejihad]

Thanks for posting links like these Mediocrates.

[RichardP]

Originally posted by minusthejihad
Thanks for posting links like these Mediocrates.

Just wanted to reply to say, keep up the good work... I am interested in your work... however, I find little cohesiveness in the North American Pro-Israel movement. I am certain this is not always the case, perhaps I have been looking in the wrong places.

[Lowell]

Originally posted by RichardP
Just wanted to reply to say, keep up the good work... I am interested in your work... however, I find little cohesiveness in the North American Pro-Israel movement. I am certain this is not always the case, perhaps I have been looking in the wrong places.

If by North America you mean Canada, you've been looking in the wrong place. Not exactly a hotbed of pro-Israel support but no matter. Welcome to this fine Forum, RichardP. :)

Here's a good site:
Petition to prosecute suicide bombers (http://www.petitiononline.com/bombings/petition.html)
Sign the petition!
And thanks for the links, Mediocrates.

[Belgium]

I have signed that petition because I believe that the bombers have to be punished. However I think that what Israel sometimes does (bombing a house of family with family inside) is not the best way to say "stop the violence".

[RichardP]

Originally posted by Belgium
I have signed that petition because I believe that the bombers have to be punished. However I think that what Israel sometimes does (bombing a house of family with family inside) is not the best way to say "stop the violence".

I must sign the petition - thanks for the reminder! Israel is not beyond reproach, errors and the death of innocents is unfortunate (an understatement). Yet there is a difference. You don't hear about an Israel bomber strolling into a cafe, throwing the switch and blowing up innocent Palestinians.
Palestinian terrorists are not brave nor courageous; they hide like rats amongst innocent Palestinians... thus, when Israeli forces retaliate, these innocents become victims. The world press never or seldom ever makes mention of this "tactic".
I am sure there are individual Israelis who would like to retaliate, sort of tit-for-tat, but I am sure Israel's security agencies work hard to prevent it from ever occurring.
There have been attacks by individual Israelis but the majority of their fellow citizens do not condone this in any way! But you will see great celebration by most Palestinians, when a suicide bomber extinguishes the lives of innocent Israelis having a pizza, on their way to work, or school.
The distinction being a civilized society, versus a non-civilized society. The "good" Palestinians have to reject this mass-murder mandate of Arafat and his cowardly thugs; until they assume this responsibility, they will continue to suffer... not only by the hands of Israel but by the vile leadership which drags them willingly down the road to ruin.
Sorry Belgium: I didn't mean to go on so... I hope it starts to cool down for you folks!
Ric

[Belgium]

Off course Belgium also condemns these murders by the Palestinian terror-groups, but I have to say they make an effort (unless the Belgian media lies) to stop violence, I know there have been some new attacks, but I think they are on the good road.

[RichardP]

Originally posted by Belgium
Off course Belgium also condemns these murders by the Palestinian terror-groups, but I have to say they make an effort (unless the Belgian media lies) to stop violence, I know there have been some new attacks, but I think they are on the good road.

There are no doubt Palestinians like you and me, who want peace. It's hard to know who to believe at times, re: the press.
I guess, we have to read as much as we can, and then attempt to filter out those with "toxic-agendas".
Your country, Belgium, has tasted its own ashes and blood... as has all of Europe. That is why, I sometimes get confused with the anti-Israel, anti-Semitism which seems to be on the uprise in Europe. Not that it isn't happening elsewhere... here in Canada it is much the same.
Europeans should be more aware of the ramifications as they have their history to reflect upon.
I pray you are right and that they are on the road to peace or at best resolving something out of this quagmire! Perhaps, I should take a page from your book and attempt to be more positive!
Cheers!!

[Belgium]

The reason I believe in peace is because there is alot of preisure coming from the White House.
Well, I haven't taste my own blood, and I don't want to :s.

[RichardP]

Originally posted by Belgium
The reason I believe in peace is because there is alot of preisure coming from the White House.
Well, I haven't taste my own blood, and I don't want to :s.

Blood. I was speaking historically, as you know - I'm not too keen on it either. I have mixed feelings about George Bush. Although, he should be given some credit... and I do believe, he is the best of what has been around in the White House for some time. It must be like playing poker, whilst showing your hand - I played poker once, and that was enough.
I do believe he is sincere, though I question his strategy and tactics. But it is easy to be an armchair critic. I don't envy his task.
You are right... if we lose hope, we lose it all. We are approaching sixty years since the end of World War Two... like you I pray it continues; I have had my shot at the brass ring, and I want to see the same for the young people of today and subsequent generations. Take care...
Ric

[Belgium]

Mr. Bush is a good president, but not very popular in Europe, I don't like him and I don't like Mr. Rumsfeld in special.

[RichardP]

Originally posted by RichardP
Blood. I was speaking historically, as you know - I'm not too keen on it either. I have mixed feelings about George Bush. Although, he should be given some credit... and I do believe, he is the best of what has been around in the White House for some time. It must be like playing poker, whilst showing your hand - I played poker once, and that was enough.
I do believe he is sincere, though I question his strategy and tactics. But it is easy to be an armchair critic. I don't envy his task.
You are right... if we lose hope, we lose it all. We are approaching sixty years since the end of World War Two... like you I pray it continues; I have had my shot at the brass ring, and I want to see the same for the young people of today and subsequent generations. Take care...
Ric

Sorry! Someone mentioned to me in the forum, that perhaps Bush's hardline approach with Israel is a strategy... more or less, to give the Palestinian leadership enough rope... to use it positively or eventually to hang themselves. Realistically, Arafat, and Abbas are playing with the "Road Map" to benefit themselves and their power-base!! They, I believe, will be at the end of their rope one day in the not too distant future!
Cheers!
Ric

[RichardP]

Originally posted by Belgium
Mr. Bush is a good president, but not very popular in Europe, I don't like him and I don't like Mr. Rumsfeld in special.

Bush isn't too popular here in Canuckistan either, but we are so far left politically, we hold Castro in high esteem! Go figure! Rumsfeld comes across smarmy and smug, I know what you mean. I believe he has caused much friction with others in the Bush administration. That said, I think he is very capable but if you're not a yes-man/woman, watch out!!
Cheers!

[Mediocrates]

Our wonderful adventure continues…

SHABBAT IN JERUSALEM:
We began Shabbat at the Kotel (Western Wall). If you have never been there
on a Friday night, you owe it to yourself to do this. Imagine every kind
of Jew, standing together, singing, praying, dancing, watching… taking it
all in. One cannot help but be affected by the environment. Keep in mind
that StandWithUs is an eclectic organization, reflected on our Board, our
membership, and in the participants of our trips to Israel. Yet each
person takes in the inspiration of the Kotel in their own very personal,
meaningful way. Our group members described it as "breathtaking," "awe
inspiring," and "indescribable."
We thoroughly enjoyed the majestic grounds of the King David Hotel on
Shabbat. The lobby was filled with a tapestry of people. The array of
food was endless, the quality superb. As we were packing our suitcases to
leave, we noticed that in the drawer next to the bed, there was even a
copy of the Old Testament.

THE MEDIC IN JENIN WHO KISSED AN ARAB CHILD:
We met with Teddy Gross, a combat medic who served in Jenin during
Operation Defensive Shield. Teddy began his story of Jenin by making the
following point: When he and others were called up for reserve duty, there
was a 110% response to the call. This response can be compared to the
usual 65 – 70%. He went on to tell us many stories,
including the use of children as human shields, terrifying exchanges, his
role as medic, etc, but the following two were unforgettable:
They arrived in Jenin and prepared for battle in silence, during dusk.
Suddenly, the silence was broken by the sound of a car motor being turned
on. They looked towards the sound, and there was a van facing them, with
its lights on. At this point, Teddy felt like he was in a movie. He
noted that Israeli soldiers are under the strictest of orders never to
shoot unless they are 100% certain that their lives are at risk. But all
of them knew that this had to be a car bomb, and that this car was about
to come towards them. Obviously, nobody knew for sure. So they waited.
And then the car came towards them, picking up speed. The soldiers shot
the tires, and the van veered off the road, into some trees. Within 30
seconds, the van exploded and the soldiers were showered with shrapnel and
long nails. Teddy made the point that the terrorists pack their bombs
with nails that are two to three inches in length. A couple of soldiers
were hurt, but not badly.
The second Jenin story involved an eight year old Arab boy who was very
sick. His parents asked the army personnel for medical attention. It was
Teddy who went to look at the child. As Teddy approached the family, the
boy began to cry and tremble with fear.
Based upon all that he had been taught, this eight year old boy was
convinced that the Israeli soldier was going to hurt him badly. As Teddy
came closer, the boy became more hysterical, thrashing and screaming. It
was a horribly sad situation, and there was no way that Teddy would be
able to use his equipment to diagnose this child. So Teddy slowly leaned
over and kissed the child on the forehead, just as he regularly does with
his own children, in order to take their temperature. And the child
immediately stopped crying. It turned out that the child had a sever case
of Steppe throat. The child said nothing during the entire exam, he just
looked at Teddy. At the end of the exam Teddy held up his hand to connect
with this child in a "high five" gesture. The child waited, smiled, then
"high fived" Teddy. Teddy had made a friend.

THE MINISTRY OF DEFENSE:
We met with Colonel David Chacham, who is the Advisor for Arab Affairs.
He speaks many languages, including Arabic. He has met with Arafat. He
gave us a briefing regarding current issues and concerns. He spoke with
us for some time, and we found him to be
dynamic and enlightening.

BEN YEHUDA AND THE GERMAN COLONY:
When we return, we will load up pictures for you to see Ben Yehuda, busy
and crowded and happy. Full of teens and tourists. The ice cream parlors
and cafes are filled with people, there is music, and of course…great
shopping.
The same is true of the German Colony.

THE NEW PALESTINIAN TEXT BOOKS:
We met with the director of the Center for Monitoring the Impact of Peace,
Dr. Arnon Groiss. He gave us all copies of the most recent reports
regarding the Palestinian textbooks. You can learn more about this agency
at www.edume.org. StandWithUs has referred to their work in the past,
because we are very concerned about a lasting peace, an end to state
controlled incitement to hate and murder. We are also concerned that
those who fund the textbooks (including America) know the truth about the
contents and the implications to a lasting peace. Peace begins with the
children. This is not simply about "not teaching tolerance." This is about
teaching dangerous misconceptions, mistrust, and a continuation of
violence. It should be noted that these texts are indeed better in many
ways than the previous texts. For example, they don’t refer to Jews as
"tricksters."
Dr. Groiss reviewed some of the conclusions reached after translating the
new books for the third and eighth grades:
• The maps of Israel are still labeled Palestine, not Israel.
• There is no mention of Jewish holy places. Moslem and Christian holy
places appear in the texts and on the maps.
• Jews are mentioned unfavorably in a historical context.
• Jerusalem is presented as an Arab city, and as the capital of Palestine.
• Israel is referred to as an aggressive state. Tolerance is advocated
towards followers of other religions, but not for those who are Jews.
• Peace with Israel is not mentioned, even though peace is discussed.
• The liberation of Palestine is mentioned 3 times, two of which refer by
implication to the territory of Israel within the pre 1967 borders.
• Jihad is praised and encouraged. "Jihad makes the Muslim nations
strong, and is dreaded by its enemies." In one place, "martyrdom" is
portrayed as a wedding party.

These are serious areas of concern, and should be an issue for the EU and
the UN, and obviously the US. But we are not hearing anything about this
now. Why?

We are headed for the Bet Levenshtein Rehabilitation center, (where we
will be delivering more of your gifts), we are meeting with the IDF at the
security fence today, and then off to Sfat where we hear that there is a
music festival.

Please read Carolyn Glick's article below, regarding the threat to Israel
of the Kassam rocket.

Regards to each one of you, from all of us on this amazing StandWithUs
mission to Israel. Join us next time, when we will return. You can
already begin to sign up for that trip. As soon as we return, we will
tell you how.




Rockets Galore, By Caroline B. Glick

Aug. 7, 2003


Aside from suicide bombers, the weapon most emblematic of the Palestinian
terrorist war against Israel that began three years ago in September, is
the Kassam rocket.

The Kassam, a crude rocket that contains between 10-15 kilograms of
explosives, made its debut in Gaza during the first months of the war.
Ever since, Kassam rockets have been fired extensively, if sporadically,
at the town of Sderot, as well as at smaller Israeli towns abutting the
Gaza Strip that fall within its 6-8 kilometer range.

As an imprecise weapon, the Kassam rocket has no military value. It cannot
target tanks or aircraft. It is an indiscriminate weapon of terror aimed
against civilians for the purpose of killing and hitting random targets.

During Operation Defensive Shield, IDF forces uncovered workshops with
lathes for Kassam rocket production in Jenin and Nablus. These were shut
down, and to date, the Palestinians have not deployed Kassam rockets in
Judea and Samaria.

This may soon change.

Testifying before the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, a
senior IDF intelligence officer explained last Monday that Hamas is now
assembling Kassams in Nablus and receiving assistance from Hizbullah in
developing the rocket.

Moreover, Hamas members in Gaza are now working intensively to increase
the range of the Kassam to 15-17 kilometers. Over the past few weeks,
several rockets with extended ranges have been test-fired into the
Mediterranean. This would bring Ashkelon within rocket range.

According to former IAF commander Maj.-Gen. (res.) Eitan Ben-Eliyahu,
"Increasing the range of the Kassam from 6-8 kilometers to 15-20 does not
present a great technical challenge. The problem is that the longer the
range is extended, the less precise the rocket becomes."

[Mediocrates]

For Israeli leaders as well as for military planners and commanders, the
advent of a Kassam threat in Judea and Samaria can easily change the
calculus of the war. Ben-Eliyahu explains, "When the Palestinians are
limited to fielding Kassams in Gaza only, the question of precision is
important. Sderot is the only relatively large target they can reach. In
Judea and Samaria, on the other hand, if you make a 20-kilometer circle
around a Kassam, you see that Kfar Saba, Ra'anana, Netanya, Petah Tikva
and Jerusalem, as well as Ben-Gurion Airport, are all within range. The
concentration of populated areas is much, much higher, and so the
probability that an imprecise weapon like a Kassam rocket will hit
something is much greater."

Former head of Military Intelligence and commander of the War College,
Maj.-Gen. (res.) Ya'acov Amidror, views the extension of the Kassam range
and its development in Judea and Samaria as symbolic of the trap that
Israel has fallen into by accepting the hudna.

"Today, by accepting the hudna, the government has enabled three processes
to take place in the PA that could not have taken place beforehand," he
says.

"First, it has enabled the Palestinians to acquire and develop new and
more sophisticated weapons systems. Before the hudna and the IDF's
curtailment of counter-terrorist operations, we would destroy the weapons
smuggling tunnels and the weapons workshops. Today, we are not doing this,
and of course, the PA under Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas is doing nothing
against these activities.

"Second, they are rebuilding their terrorist cadres. Because of the
limitations we have placed on our operations - like the cessation of
targeted killings - we have no ability to thwart their mobilization. The
recruitment and training of new cadres is taking place intensively
everywhere that the IDF is not deployed. Again, the PA is doing nothing to
stop this.

"Third, both Islamic Jihad and Hamas are using the respite from IDF
operations to revamp and strengthen their political leadership and
influence over the PA areas and Palestinian society. The fact that both
the EU and the Egyptians met officially with Hamas leaders in the talks
that preceded the hudna has transformed Hamas into a partner of equal
weight with the PLO in the Palestinian leadership."

In sum, Amidror notes, "in accepting the hudna, Israel has not only taken
away its ability to act against the terrorist infrastructure, it has
transferred the initiative of when the fighting will restart to the
Palestinian terror organizations. And all the new weaponry they will be
able to field will be a direct consequence of the hudna."

AS FOR the Kassam, both Amidror and MK Dr. Yuval Steinitz, chairman of the
Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, define the threat of
Kassam rockets in Judea and Samaria as a "strategic threat" to the state.

Steinitz explains, "With the Kassam rockets in Judea and Samaria, the
Palestinians will be able to attack strategic targets at will. Everything
from the Knesset to major highways to Ben-Gurion Airport will be within
range."

Amidror adds, "Can you see British Airways continuing its flights to
Israel after the first Kassam falls on a runway at the airport?" Then too,
"Because the Kassam is a weapon of terror, the Palestinians don't even
need to fire off that many to completely change the fabric of life in the
country. It will be enough for them to fire one rocket every two weeks
into Ra'anana or Kfar Saba and one rocket every few weeks into Jerusalem
to make life unbearable for all Israelis."

Amidror points out that in using the hudna to rebuild and improve their
terror capabilities, the Palestinians are simply following the same
strategy they have used since the PA was formed in 1994.

"Consider the fact that in the Palestinian uprising in 1987-1993, the
deadliest weapon Israel deployed against the Palestinians was a jeep. We
never used tanks or aircraft to fight them. Our resort to those weapons in
the current war is simply an indication of how much deadlier their
abilities have become over the last decade.

"Since the PA's establishment, they have worked steadily to build a
deterrent against Israel to force Israel to erase any red lines it has in
negotiations. In this, they are following the exact strategy used by
Hizbullah to such great effect in Lebanon. They believe that through
terror they will be able to get Israel to leave without an agreement. With
the Kassam they are telling us that they can commit terror attacks against
us without actually having to deploy terrorists to our cities to carry
them out."

From Israel's perspective, Steinitz says, "The next two or three weeks
will be critical for the country. If, over the next few weeks, Abbas
continues to take no action against the Kassam rockets and the rest of the
weapons build-up in the PA, we will have to end the cease-fire. No country
can accept a rocket or artillery threat that can target 70 percent of its
population. That is what the Kassam involves. Non-action is not an
option."


This article can also be read at
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/A/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1060230919334

[RichardP]

Originally posted by Mediocrates
For Israeli leaders as well as for military planners and commanders, the
advent of a Kassam threat in Judea and Samaria can easily change the
calculus of the war. Ben-Eliyahu explains, "When the Palestinians are
limited to fielding Kassams in Gaza only, the question of precision is
important. Sderot is the only relatively large target they can reach. In
Judea and Samaria, on the other hand, if you make a 20-kilometer circle
around a Kassam, you see that Kfar Saba, Ra'anana, Netanya, Petah Tikva
and Jerusalem, as well as Ben-Gurion Airport, are all within range. The
concentration of populated areas is much, much higher, and so the
probability that an imprecise weapon like a Kassam rocket will hit
something is much greater."

Former head of Military Intelligence and commander of the War College,
Maj.-Gen. (res.) Ya'acov Amidror, views the extension of the Kassam range
and its development in Judea and Samaria as symbolic of the trap that
Israel has fallen into by accepting the hudna.

"Today, by accepting the hudna, the government has enabled three processes
to take place in the PA that could not have taken place beforehand," he
says.

"First, it has enabled the Palestinians to acquire and develop new and
more sophisticated weapons systems. Before the hudna and the IDF's
curtailment of counter-terrorist operations, we would destroy the weapons
smuggling tunnels and the weapons workshops. Today, we are not doing this,
and of course, the PA under Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas is doing nothing
against these activities.

"Second, they are rebuilding their terrorist cadres. Because of the
limitations we have placed on our operations - like the cessation of
targeted killings - we have no ability to thwart their mobilization. The
recruitment and training of new cadres is taking place intensively
everywhere that the IDF is not deployed. Again, the PA is doing nothing to
stop this.

"Third, both Islamic Jihad and Hamas are using the respite from IDF
operations to revamp and strengthen their political leadership and
influence over the PA areas and Palestinian society. The fact that both
the EU and the Egyptians met officially with Hamas leaders in the talks
that preceded the hudna has transformed Hamas into a partner of equal
weight with the PLO in the Palestinian leadership."

In sum, Amidror notes, "in accepting the hudna, Israel has not only taken
away its ability to act against the terrorist infrastructure, it has
transferred the initiative of when the fighting will restart to the
Palestinian terror organizations. And all the new weaponry they will be
able to field will be a direct consequence of the hudna."

AS FOR the Kassam, both Amidror and MK Dr. Yuval Steinitz, chairman of the
Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, define the threat of
Kassam rockets in Judea and Samaria as a "strategic threat" to the state.

Steinitz explains, "With the Kassam rockets in Judea and Samaria, the
Palestinians will be able to attack strategic targets at will. Everything
from the Knesset to major highways to Ben-Gurion Airport will be within
range."

Amidror adds, "Can you see British Airways continuing its flights to
Israel after the first Kassam falls on a runway at the airport?" Then too,
"Because the Kassam is a weapon of terror, the Palestinians don't even
need to fire off that many to completely change the fabric of life in the
country. It will be enough for them to fire one rocket every two weeks
into Ra'anana or Kfar Saba and one rocket every few weeks into Jerusalem
to make life unbearable for all Israelis."

Amidror points out that in using the hudna to rebuild and improve their
terror capabilities, the Palestinians are simply following the same
strategy they have used since the PA was formed in 1994.

"Consider the fact that in the Palestinian uprising in 1987-1993, the
deadliest weapon Israel deployed against the Palestinians was a jeep. We
never used tanks or aircraft to fight them. Our resort to those weapons in
the current war is simply an indication of how much deadlier their
abilities have become over the last decade.

"Since the PA's establishment, they have worked steadily to build a
deterrent against Israel to force Israel to erase any red lines it has in
negotiations. In this, they are following the exact strategy used by
Hizbullah to such great effect in Lebanon. They believe that through
terror they will be able to get Israel to leave without an agreement. With
the Kassam they are telling us that they can commit terror attacks against
us without actually having to deploy terrorists to our cities to carry
them out."

From Israel's perspective, Steinitz says, "The next two or three weeks
will be critical for the country. If, over the next few weeks, Abbas
continues to take no action against the Kassam rockets and the rest of the
weapons build-up in the PA, we will have to end the cease-fire. No country
can accept a rocket or artillery threat that can target 70 percent of its
population. That is what the Kassam involves. Non-action is not an
option."


This article can also be read at
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/A/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1060230919334


Mediocrates, I am envious - but appreciate you sharing your experiences and observations with us all! It shakes my onions when I hear more about "Kassam Rockets" and the impact it has on the brave Israeli citizens... Non-action as you said is not an option. One gets weary of of the rhetorical B.S. one gets from the international community regarding Israel.

I do not comprehend the peaceniks and their "give peace a chance".... when Israel has turned itself inside out and back again doing just that! Whilst, rebuild their arsenal of murder with the intent of murdering Israelis!

I look forward to reading more!
Thanks!