Report from Israel th day of the war. I continue to stay and study in Jerusalem. Jerusalemis calm and life continues in its routine. However, we all know what is going on. The war continues to rage in the north. Hezbollah targets continue to be hit by the Israeli air force. There is a huge wave of refugees in the Lebanon along with many civilian casualties there since Hezbollah conducts its operations amidst a civilian population. The northern part of Israel continues to be hit by missiles and nearly two million people find themselves largely confined to shelters. Thousands of Northerners are in Jerusalem, staying with family, friends, welcoming strangers, and hotels. There are around a hundred in my hotel. A huge sign hangs in the on the Valley of the Healers Street (Emek Refaim), Inhabitants of the North, We are with you!
It is now the 12
It appears that this war will be long and will bring with it a high price in both human and material costs. Ultimately, there will have to be a political settlement, but that appears beyond the horizon for the time being. Israel continues to benefit from strong support from the United Statesand surprising tacit support from many other countries including several Arab states, which fear the power of Hezbollah and its Iranian and Syrian backers.
Israelis fighting a just war. No country could tolerate a dangerous terrorist force along its border, armed with thousands of missiles and ready to provoke and terrorize at will. Fighting such a force is very difficult and we are now beginning to see the costs that it involves. The determination of Israelis is impressive as they fight this war. More than ever Israel needs moral and material support. I call on you not to forget Israel during this new and dangerous trial.
Please give generously to organizations in the Jewish community that are raising funds to support Israelis who are suffering from the impact of this war. Educate yourself and others about Israels history to understand better what is happening in these times. Question the accuracy and depth of your media sources and seek out the best sources of information. Be in contact with Israeli family and friends and extend to them moral support. Join in uniting our community behind Israel during its time of need.
Amos Oz spoke in Seattle several years ago about the consequences of Israeldeciding to move back to its older boundaries in an effort to make peace. He argued that once Israel was fighting for its homes instead of occupied territories, the country would be united and determined in its defense. Ozs observation has come true and so Israel is in a war in defense of their homes.
While there is clarity in purpose there is still the enormous frustration and sadness about having to forced to fight again. Israelis are a very stubborn people, realistic about its enemies, and absent of apocalyptic obsessions. There are messianistsand apocalysts on the periphery, but their cultural and religious influence is minor. Last year it appears Israelgave up on its ideal of the settlers. Now Israel will have to give up on its hope of unilateralism. It is unclear what lies ahead, but it is certain that Israel will be in a defensive stance for years to come.
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tire of these wars, I tire of the Israelis, I tire of the PLO, I tire of Hama, I tire of Religious wars. I tire of Wars for colonialization.
I tire of having to watch Fools and their battles play out on my TV, I tire of grown men killing innoncent children, I tire of the leaders of thse men, I tire of the ugliness of humanity.
Mostly I tire of this battle of the 'God's, who's God is more correct, Whos GOD is more moral.
At one time before the Balfour declaration, 1923 Palestine, with its Jewish believers, were simply called Palestinians.
Today we have reversed the order of race, today many consider Judaiasm to be a race, and that Race must occupy this land. LUDICROUS!!
I suppose that we will also have to divide the United States in half and put the Christian Race on one side, And the Non-Christian race on the other.
Man came before religion, man does not come before GOD. WHEN WILL THE MIDDLE EAST COME TO SEE THAT?
I have acquired the VIS, I an not a practicing Jew, nor a Rebbe, My father was a man whom followed the Catholic religion. My Mother a women who follows a Christian Ideology.
The battle, against false prophets and against Satan himself very nearly did me in, I had considered suicide, people called me med.
I made it thru finally, and I say this unto the people here today;
I don't recognize mankind.
I am Son of man.
We are all son of man.
What has happened to the Virtous?
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"The above mention of Psalm 83 has led to misconceptions about the revealed wording and may be a source of concern for people who believe Psalm 83 deals with 'the wiping out of Israel'," the museum said in its clarification.
The confusion arose because the manuscript uses an old Latin translation of the Bible known at the Vulgate, which numbers the psalms differently from the later King James version, the 1611 English translation from which many modern texts derive.
"The Director of the National Museum of Ireland ... would like to highlight that the text visible on the manuscript does not refer to wiping out Israel but to the 'vale of tears'," the museum said.
TAU 7/27/06
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