Not a Fish either
But very beautiful.
posted by Imshin 23:58

God Bless America (I'll say anything to get your attention)
In the deep silence of early afternoon in our desert home away from home (two minutes walk away from one of the most breathtaking views in Israel) I sat reading the article in Haaretz (it’s from Thursday, the article’s no longer on their site and their archives aren’t working, sorry) about the Amnesty International report.

You know, the desert has a pace of it’s own, and even when you come for a short while, the sleepiness soon becomes a part of you. All the bad things seemed so far away. This place is probably too far away from anywhere to be interesting to any terrorists. Even at rush hour in the middle of town, seven people on the street at one time is a crowd. A large scale massacre would therefore be difficult.

So there I was sitting reading the paper in the kitchen. Bish was asleep, the girls playing, and we’d all forgotten that we’d planned to go on a hike in the crater. Everything was so peaceful and I’m reading that even Amnesty International has come to their senses…
I felt a surge of amazement and gratitude. I know everyone’s so cynical about this, and why it took them so long, but at that moment I just felt very moved that this should happen.

It’s quite a surprise when out of the blue, an organization we thought was totally against us suddenly notices that what we’ve been going through is wrong, and that we don’t have it coming to us.

Bish says all these changes in the attitude towards us of late are because of the Bush speech. Isn’t that strange? Everyone ridicules George Bush and America, but he just has to say “boo!” and everyone jumps to attention!

Well, I’ll drink to that.



However…
Soon out – two Amnesty reports being prepared about IDF activities in Nablus and Jenin during “Defensive Shield” (according to the same Haaretz missing link).

posted by Imshin 23:07

This is IT. And that's final!
Yesterday, I forgot to say that Interior Minister Uzi Landau explained the closure of Nusseiba's Offices on Israeli T.V. on Tuesday saying that there are things (about Nusseiba? about the university?) not known to the public. They must have information about either goings-on in the university or something Nusseiba's been saying or doing. My guess is the former, which is not necessarily in his power..
posted by Imshin 18:01

Just One Thing More
Jonathan Freedland explains to UK Guardian readers why an academic boycott on Israelis is a mistake.

Do you know, writing this blog is like psychotherapy. I used to hate reading the Guardian. Everything I read used to infuriate me. Now it's one of my favorite reads because I know I can always make nasty remarks about it on the blog.

O.K., O.K., I'm going.
posted by Imshin 23:43

Weekend Break
We're off to our desert hideout in the Negev town of Mitzpe Ramon for the weekend.
Don't know if I'll have time to post again before I go tomorrow. If I don't, have a nice weekend and I'll see you Sunday.
posted by Imshin 22:49

"Arafat appoints Mohammed Dahlan as National Security Advisor"
posted by Imshin 22:40

Sari and Jibril
Israeli Interior Security Minister Uzi Landau closed down the Al-Quds University administrative offices in East Jerusalem, and the office of its president, Dr. Sari Nusseiba, yesterday, which he said were being used as a representative office of the Palestinian Authority. This is not allowed within Israel without a proper permit (and no one’s rushing to give out any permits to Palestinians these days!).

Dr. Nusseiba is known for his moderate views. He has shown courage by publicly condemning suicide bombers and acknowledging that the Palestinian right of return will never become a reality.

Nusseiba has strong connections with Jibril Rajoub, who Arafat deposed at the beginning of the week from the all powerful job of Head of the Preventative Security Forces in the West Bank. Col. (res.) Shalom Harrari, a former member of the Jerusalem security committee and expert on Arab affairs, explained, on Israeli radio on Sunday, that Nusseiba understands that he needs a strong military backing (he has none of his own), in the event of Arafat being out of the picture.

Nusseiba belongs to a wealthy old Jerusalem family, which, along with the Al-Husseini and Al-Nashashibi families, had a lot of power in Jerusalem in the days before the State of Israel. He obviously sees himself as an alternative to Arafat. Maybe we should, as well. Of course, a lot of people see themselves as alternatives to Arafat, but they'll never say it out loud. But maybe with Nusseiba we'd have more chance for real reform.

Unfortunately, I think he’s rather regarded among Palestinians as Yossi Beilin (oops! I mean Dr. Yossi Beilin) is regarded in Israel, (and has as much chance being chosen by the Palestinians as their leader, as Beilin has for being voted PM here). He really doesn’t have any popular following to speak of – another reason for aligning himself with Jibril Rajoub.

But isn’t Rajoub going to lose a lot of his clout, now he’s not Head of Preventative Security, You ask. I wouldn’t bet on it.

Rajoub’s power is much more than a position given him by Arafat, and it’s not so easy to get rid of him. His thousands of underlings in the Preventative Security are extremely loyal to him personally. This has three reasons:

A. He was head of the committee of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons for years. He therefore has very strong bonds with his fellow ex-prisoners, now in the Preventative Security, and many of them are his top officers.

B. Many of those under his command are blood relations. As you probably know, family loyalty is very strong in Arab society.

C. The Preventative Security in the West Bank is a strong economic power in the PA. For instance, they operated the successful Jericho casino, that closed with the onset of the “Intifada” war (they were shooting from the roof, we reltaliated, and so on...and it became too dangerous and later illegal to go there for Israelis).

So you see, the attempt to depose Rajoub is a direct threat to many officers’ honor, and pockets. If that is not enough, the guy they’ve brought in his stead, Zuheir Manasrah, is one of the “Tunisians” that came with Arafat. The Preventative Security in the West Bank is made up of local Palestinians. To say there is tension between these two groups would be a huge understatement. Manasrah has been strongly “advised” not to take up his post and word on the Palestinian street is that Rajoub will continue to be the boss, regardless.

Erm, how does this sound?
Israel is giving Nusseiba a hard time in order to make him more popular on the Palestinian “street”, and lessen his image as a collaborator. Thus we intend to “groom” him for leadership.
No? Oh, well. Just a thought.

posted by Imshin 22:34

The British Guardian seems to think that the only one who wants to attack Iraq (U.S. included) is George Bush. And he only wants it to save face.
posted by Imshin 16:27

Al Qaeda spokesman explains 9/11
Fred also sent me this.
posted by Imshin 16:24

This (sent me by Fred Lapides) is consistant
with a story on Israeli media, yesterday or the day before, that the head of the Mossad went on a secret mission to Europe to try and persuade EU heads to stop funding PA.


posted by Imshin 16:20

Not perhaps the best article to reprint
WSJ yesterday tried to show that the enemy seeming formidable doesn’t mean it’s unbeatable. They reprinted an article first published in 1966, which, if taken out of its original context, can be helpful in evaluating the upcoming war against Iraq, while making us feel good about ourselves (I say “us” because the war in Iraq is just as much ours as yours).

But given the path the Vietnam War took after this piece was written, and the final outcome of that war, I found it less than reassuring.

posted by Imshin 23:38

Dear Diary
14:45 Oh! Oh! Boss says Policeman and civilian shot near Gate of Flowers entrance to the old city in East Jerusalem. O.K. Turn on the radio*. Nothing. Frank Sinatra singing “My Way” on Reshet Bet; some idiot caller arguing with presenter on Galei Zahal. I suppose I’ll have to wait for news on the hour. Fresh news obviously not important enough to break into Sinatra. Good sign.

15:00 The news… Here it is…a Policeman checking I.D.s in East Jerusalem, Palestinian opened fire, wounding Policeman. Then fled, pursued by Police. Gunfight ensued, killing Palestinian passerby. Right. Leave radio on, maybe there’ll be more.

15:10 … Police announces possible congestion on Shitreet St. corner of Rokach Bvd., Tel Aviv, because of burning bus. Advises to use other routes.

Burning bus??


*Only internet connection at end of corridor. Keyboard and mouse in terrible state, detrimental to users mental health. But after all, small price to pay for job permanence.


Another good one (they had a good day yesterday, over at the Wall Street Journal)

posted by Imshin 23:25

Have you seen this fatal foetus?

Toda Bish.
posted by Imshin 22:58

Man of the People
Yesterday I heard Yossi Beilin*, self-professed popular leader, with my own two rather large ears, ticking off an Israeli radio presenter, “It’s Doctor Yossi Beilin!”
Well, excuuuse me!


*this link is a bit outdated. He's no longer a Knesset member.


Welcome to the Club
Brendan Miniter shares his heightened sense of danger since 9/11. It all sounds awfully familiar.


"Vegetarians don't live longer, they just look older."
Courtesy of my James (sigh). Originally from ranchers.net.

posted by Imshin 22:20

Someone was kind enough to take the time to point out to me that N.G. is not shy of publicity, meaning, I think, that I should give her full name.

My reply: I know this. My decision.

Although I do know her personally, what I have written is my attempt to come to terms with what's going on in me with regard to what she did during "Defensive Shield" that brought out very strong feelings in me at the time and still does. Therefore her identity is not the point. She does what she believes in and that's her business. I was writing for me, not for her.

And now I'll be off to the pool, if you don't mind. I'm full to burst with things to say, but they will have to wait.


posted by Imshin 16:35

Take a look at this
Things are looking up vis a vis the security room that's full of our neighbor's stuff. We refused to pay our dues to the building till it's emptied. Just your regular blackmailers, that's us. So the chairman of the house committee came up with a brilliant innovative suggestion that we approach our neighbors and ask them to move their stuff. Now why didn't we think of that?

Anyway it appears the room is also a fire escape and the building has had demands from the Fire Service to empty all the security rooms, so maybe there'll be some pressure on them besides ours.
posted by Imshin 06:04

Talk About Cathartic
Last night I laughed so hard while reading File 13’s Amish Tech Support, Bish had to come and tell me to shut up, because I was waking the kids.


Typical discussion at work today
Where is it safer to live these days? In a Gaza settlement or in a city within the Green Line?


Never So Relevant
Well, the neighborhood bully, he's just one man,
His enemies say he's on their land.
They got him outnumbered about a million to one,
He got no place to escape to, no place to run.
He's the neighborhood bully.

The neighborhood bully just lives to survive,
He's criticized and condemned for being alive.
He's not supposed to fight back, he's supposed to have thick skin,
He's supposed to lay down and die when his door is kicked in.
He's the neighborhood bully.

The neighborhood bully been driven out of every land,
He's wandered the earth an exiled man.
Seen his family scattered, his people hounded and torn,
He's always on trial for just being born.
He's the neighborhood bully.

Well, he knocked out a lynch mob, he was criticized,
Old women condemned him, said he should apologize.
Then he destroyed a bomb factory, nobody was glad.
The bombs were meant for him. He was supposed to feel bad.
He's the neighborhood bully.

Well, the chances are against it and the odds are slim
That he'll live by the rules that the world makes for him,
Cause there's a noose at his neck and a gun at his back
And a license to kill him is given out to every maniac.
He's the neighborhood bully.

He got no allies to really speak of.
What he gets he must pay for, he don't get it out of love.
He buys obsolete weapons and he won't be denied
But no one sends flesh and blood to fight by his side.
He's the neighborhood bully.

Well, he's surrounded by pacifists who all want peace,
They pray for it nightly that the bloodshed must cease.
Now, they wouldn't hurt a fly. To hurt one they would weep.
They lay and they wait for this bully to fall asleep.
He's the neighborhood bully.

Every empire that's enslaved him is gone,
Egypt and Rome, even the great Babylon.
He's made a garden of paradise in the desert sand,
In bed with nobody, under no one's command.
He's the neighborhood bully.

Now his holiest books have been trampled upon,
No contract he signed was worth what it was written on.
He took the crumbs of the world and he turned it into wealth,
Took sickness and disease and he turned it into health.
He's the neighborhood bully.

What's anybody indebted to him for?
Nothin', they say. He just likes to cause war.
Pride and prejudice and superstition indeed,
They wait for this bully like a dog waits to feed.
He's the neighborhood bully.

What has he done to wear so many scars?
Does he change the course of rivers? Does he pollute the moon and stars?
Neighborhood bully, standing on the hill,
Running out the clock, time standing still,
Neighborhood bully.

****************Bob Dylan
A new Hebrew version has just come out, sung by Ariel Zilber.


Oy Vey!
Hospital mix up.


To N.G.
It’s been four months now and I’m not any nearer to understanding.

I had always respected what you were doing. You were trying to help ordinary people. You took their suffering on as your own with great compassion and you did your utmost to alleviate it, at personal risk and sacrifice. By letting these people get to know you and by showing your love and concern you hoped to show them that we’re not all bad.

Not all bad.

Don’t you see how condescending that is? You’re underestimating us and them. Us because we really aren’t all bad or even nearly all bad. And them because you don’t think that they have the capacity to grasp that.

I shifted uncomfortably in my chair when I watched you on T.V. fighting Israeli policemen. My stomach turned when I read the article you wrote about a certain “wicked” Israeli soldier.

But when I saw you jauntily marching into Arafat’s compound with other “peace” activists, I knew you were no longer a go-between seeking to further peace between us and them.

You had become them.

posted by Imshin 22:58

U.K. Observer Says U.S. to Attack Iraq from Jordan
I hope this means they'll get to the missile launchers, before the Iraqis have time to do us some serious damage.

When will those pesky neighbors of mine empty their stuff out of the security room????
posted by Imshin 23:27

Wind Rider, of LGB fame wrote me this moving e-mail (I've edited out some paragraphs that are not of interest to the "general public"):

"I believe you've seen some of my comments over at Little Green Footballs. Hopefully it came across that I believe the current situation is one we share. Americans can be very, very shortsighted, and too often, in focusing on the baseball pennant race, or some movie star's hairstyle or love life, they loose sight of what is going on around them. I don't mean on the next street over, or the next small town over. They loose sight of the earth as a finite space, and miss the parallels or possibilities that the things they see and find occasionally distressing or distasteful on the evening newscasts fall in to the "there, but by the grace of G*d go thee" category.

I don't feel extraordinary that I see these things. It is my job to see them. My career is military […] (and) From this perspective, admiration for the IDF, as they perform daily small acts of heroism under the most trying circumstances a military can face, comes very easily. Even more easily comes my admiration of people […] who maintain hope, faith, optimism and humour in the face of daily life or death uncertainty.

[…] When I first joined the military, it was simply for the boyish dream of wanting simply to fly. I was fortunate enough to be able to realize that, and along the way, as I began to grow into my profession, I came to have a sense of larger purpose to it all. This (and quite a bit of procrastination, actually) have kept me at the profession for this long. Not to impose or to conquer and take. But to stand the wall, so that behind me, no harm will come in the night. Bluster and arrogant gushing, sometimes I'm not even sure; but I do know that my sense of it is that Israel and her people are about the best representation in the world today of what it is I am moved to protect.

I sense a bigger storm is coming, and its fury will be mighty. My hopes and prayers that we live to see the sunrises of the days that follow."




posted by Imshin 22:47

Not a Fish
A jelly.
posted by Imshin 20:28

Palestinians Arrest Human Rights Activist
Palestinian “Btselem” (Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories) activist, Khaider Ghanem from Rafiah, was arrested by the Palestinian Preventative Security Force in Gaza, last Wednesday. No reason has been given for the arrest.

Considering Btselem’s main function is looking out for Israeli human rights violations in the West Bank and Gaza, this is rather strange, unless someone had something serious to hide.

posted by Imshin 18:59

Still Trying to Understand
Let me get this “hate crime” business straight. This means its being regarded on a par with a homophobe killing a homosexual, right? Not that killing a homosexual is not an abhorrent, horrendous crime. It is. But it’s not the same as the attack on the El Al counter in the L.A. Airport.

posted by Imshin 18:34

It’s not really a question of right or wrong
Uncertainty is a part of life there’s no getting away from. But it’s difficult to live with it staring you in the face all the time. The belief or hope that your children and grandchildren will have lives that are not living nightmares is helpful in keeping you from going mad.

The fear of a repetition of the horrifying not so distant past has been hounding me since the final collapse of Oslo in September 2000. (I know a lot of people are fed up of the “H” word, well, f**k them). I know it's not just me who feels this way.

Some here still stubbornly clutch on to the belief that an end to occupation will magically solve all. Some are just as adamant that we have a divine right to all of the historical land of Israel and that this right is holier than living peacefully with the people we share this land with.

Most are somewhere in the middle, awoken from false hopes of easy solutions, but realistic enough to understand the need for painful compromise to make a future possible here.

This fear of what the future holds in store for me and my descendants in this accursed part of the world is, I think, stronger and deeper than the everyday fear of terrorist attacks. I look at other Israelis around me and try to see how they are affected. Some have hardened their hearts and others have become remarkably compassionate for the other side. Compassionate to a degree that causes them to belittle and disregard the dangers we face.

The other side seems to sense our fear and they also seem to observe our compassion with puzzlement. In their eyes we are weak, easy prey. They see us as European colonialists. But we’re not European. Not really. Not even that percentage of us whose forefathers spent the last ten or twenty centuries there, never accepted, never wanted, sometimes tolerated.

They don’t seem to understand that we can’t “go back to where we came from”. We came from nowhere and we’ve nowhere to go.

This is it. This is our chance for a little corner to call our own. And we have no choice but to fight for it.




Phew!
I feel quite cathartic after writing all that emotional, self-pitying prattle.

Bish says I think too much and worry way too much and should just concentrate on living each day as it comes, grateful for what I have. I know he’s right.

I used to meditate everyday until the thoughts finally completely took over.

posted by Imshin 18:09

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