Israel’s News Blog Magazine: Daily Stories Video and Photos

It’s been 10 years since Mr. Ron Huldai was elected mayor of Tel Aviv - Israel’s second largest city, and the center of its economic and cultural life. It is a political position with a great public impact: It is a well known joke that there’s a stage in the life of every young secular Israeli, in which he (or she) finds himself moving to Tel Aviv, looking to absorb the urban lifestyle and to experience the “fast lane” of this Mediterranean metropolis; not to mention the scores of immigrants and the large Arab population of Jaffa — all of these under the administrative control of Mr. Huldai.

Later this year the people of Tel-Aviv will go to the polls to pick a new mayor. After two terms Mr. Huldai has spent in city hall, there are many who feel it is time for a change. Yet others adore the changes he brought to this dynamic city, sometimes pushing his projects through like a stubborn bulldozer despite the residents’ objections.

Ron Huldai was born in 1944, and spent twenty-six years in military service. He served as a fighter pilot, and later as the base commander of Nevatim Airbase in the Negev desert. He was chosen mayor in 1998 and very soon began a massive operation of infrastructure renovation across the city, as well as approving many new projects, that eventually completely changed the city skyline.

Among the many projects undertaken during his time in the mayor’s office, few are especially worth mentioning: The redecorating of many downtown venues, such as Rotchild Boulevard and Jerusalem Boulevard; the area of the old northern wharf had been turned into a stylish compound of designer warehouses, night clubs, and posh restaurants — preventing access to the sandy beach in this section of the shore line. A nearby park, the Yarkon River walkway, gradually regained a European look, with wooden decks and bicycle pavements.

Critics accused Mr. Huldai of not being sentimental, of turning Tel-Aviv into a pretty place with no soul. He himself was caught comparing the city to the military bases he had used to command, inspiring protesters who called out “We’re residents, not soldiers”. Another major complain directed toward him is the endless construction of newer and taller skyscrapers, all aimed at luring high-paying flat buyers.

Perhaps the greatest controversy involves the demolition of “Ussishkin” Basketball Hall — the aging home of the red team: “Hapoel Tel-Aviv”. It was a move accompanied by a loud public outcry; still, Mr. Huldai went ahead and approved the destruction of the building in 2006. Basketball fans were outraged, and the story culminated in the desecration of Huldai’s parents’ graves.

Personally I think that functionality, comfort and nostalgia don’t necessarily contradict each other. I find myself enjoying the new feel and look of the city much more than I used in the past. In any case, I am certain this debate is sure to continue and even to heat up as we’re approaching the municipal elections.

Source: Wikipedia

Today we’re informed that another major earthquake struck the surface of the earth. This time it’s the people of China who suffer the wrath of the planet. So far we’ve heard of 3500(!!) casualties, and the numbers are expected to rise.

Israel itself sits on top of the Great Rift Valley, also known as the Syrian-African Rupture. It is a distinct geographical trough that marks the junction of several geological faults. Over the years, many experts warn the Israeli public that they should be prepared for a mega earthquake hitting this tiny country, sooner or later. Now, it is true that several devastating earthquakes ran wild across the planet in the past few years, and that the countries afflicted (Turkey, Iran, Indonesia, to name a few) suffered heavy losses and great economical setbacks, and yet, they managed to recover, able to keep their heads above the tide. This wouldn’t be the case of Israel if such a disaster strikes unexpectedly.

Israel is a small state, only slightly larger than New Jersey, and most of Israel’s population is concentrated on the banks of the Mediterranean shore, in cities such as Tel-Aviv and Haifa. No wonder the Israeli government is so concerned about the Iranian threat — One nuclear bomb is enough to wipe out the state of Israel, and most of its population. Well, Prime Minister Olmert is definitely anxious with the Iranian A-Bomb, but what about the threat of natural disasters, such as earthquakes and droughts?

Numerous panel reports have been presented to the Israeli cabinet in the past decade urging the state authorities to take measures in preparation of a potential natural disaster. It was when the accumulating data persuaded news editors to feature this story prominently on TV and across the written media, that things “started to roll”. As we’ve been accustomed to in Israel, governmental agenda follows editorial agenda. Recently, we do hear about new protocols which the emergency services have prepared for such disasters, and even the government itself set up several web sites in order to educate the Israeli public as to what to do in such situations (so far, in Hebrew alone).

There is definitely much more to do, and I hope to see these official efforts taking one notch up. In the meantime, our prayers are aimed at the people of China.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert denies allegations for allegedly accepting bribes worth millions of dollars from US businessman, Moshe (Morris) Talansky. On Thursday, at the end of Israel’s 60th Independence Day, Olmert addressed the Israeli public during his post gag order press conference:

“I was elected by you, citizens of Israel, to be the prime minister and I don’t intend to shirk this responsibility. At the same time, and even though the law does not require me to do this, I will resign from my job if the attorney general decides to issue an indictment against me” , said Olmert.

Olmert says he will resign if indicted. Dramatic as it may sound, it would be impossible for any prime minister to stay in office if investigation continues.

“I was not born to be prime minister, and I’m not going to stay here until the end of my life. I’m too young for that. Right now, I think it will be a mistake (to leave), and I have a job to accomplish, a vision to realize. This is the great vision of peace which I think is possible this time more than ever”, he said to the American press during the weekend.

Moshe (Morris) Talansky, a key witness in the investigation, is now in Israel.

We will have to wait and see what happens next.

One thing you can say for sure while celebrating 60 years of statehood –there has never been a dull moment!

Sources: Ynet , Haaretz ; Picture by PM Office

Last Friday, May 2nd, a very interesting article appeared in the Weekend supplement of the Jerusalem Post, Israel’s oldest English language newspaper. The article, entitled Stigma of Surrender, and written by correspondent Larry Derfner, dealt with Israelis who had been taken prisoner in various wars, especially the Yom Kippur War of 1973 and the first Lebanese War of 1982. Former Israeli POW’s who had been taken prisoner and later released, recounted their experiences in the hands of the enemy, and what happened to them after being finally released. Many of them said that the treatment they received by IDF authorities who “interrogated” them afterwards was (from a psychological basis) almost as bad as when they were prisoners of war, or of terrorists.

With Israeli solders such as Gilad Schalit, Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser still not back home after nearly two years, this year’s Solder’s Remembrance Day and Independence Day celebrations will take on a special meaning for members of their families, as well as for many other Israelis.

Israel will be celebrating its 60th anniversary as an independent state this week; and the matter of captured and missing soldiers is an issue even more important, especially in light of recent offers to affect a prisoner exchange with the Hamas organization for captured soldier Gilad Schalit.

Many people in Israel feel that trading this young soldier’s life (assuming he’s still alive) for several hundred Hamas and other terrorists who will only go back to killing Jews, is not going by the old Rabbinical context of “he who saves one life has saved the entire world”. This time it’s entirely different.

I wouldn’t want to be in the shoes of either Mr. and Mrs. Schalit or the Prime Minister in regards to what to do in this situation. Israeli prisoners have mainly been repatriated in wartime - and that most were from the Egyptians who were only slightly more humane than their Syrian allies.

Regarding soldiers being captured or taken prisoner by terrorist groups, it’s nearly always been a death sentence - except for some like Elkanah Tannenbaum, an Israeli reserve officer who was captured while in Lebanon on a “business trip” and who may have had “connections” which enabled him to stay alive.

Some people feel that Israeli solders should be issued a cyanide pill, like Mossad people are, and if they have the opportunity, to simply swallow it. At least it prevents the suffering, including by such as Ron Arad, who may actually have died long ago (it was supposedly verified by Russian and other foreign diplomats who had received inside information).

That’s the sad reality of being captured as an Israeli soldier. So much for the “Pinchas Shevi” (POW ID Card) issued every IDF recruit. Many say that it’s not worth the paper it’s printed on!

Or is it?

I’m quite sure that if one talks to parents and relatives of the three young men mentioned here, they will definitely agree that Israeli soldiers should not only come back alive but should be given the honor that they truly deserve. In fact, I’m sure these relatives feel that Israeli leaders are not doing enough to ensure their loved ones’ release.

As Israelis celebrate 60 years of independence, they should also take time to reflect on these brave young men who so much deserve to come home – with honor – to their loving and waiting families.

I was at Jerusalem Beach today and the Air Show was amazing. 60 Paratroopers started the day, then a Naval parade and finally an air show. There are so many pictures to show that you’ll need to click to see more pictures…

Riding through the streets of Tel Aviv, the Yarkon Park was a great experience. Independence Day in Israel has become a BBQ day. The “Mangalistim” (Mangal=BBQ) were out in full force and if it wasn’t tied down - it was roasting on an open flame.

There is a special feel for the 60th, there is a nostalgic, dare I say it, patriotic feel. We are proud that our little Israel is 60 and there is a certain pride in the air. People were having a good time, smiling to one another and generally more polite to one another. It was nice to see…

Happy 60th Israel !!!!

This past Sunday, the Russian Basketball team CSKA Moscow won the Euroleague crown after defeating Israeli basketball team Maccabi Tel Aviv 91: 77.

Despite a difficult year, the Israeli basketball team made it to the finals. The game against the Russian team was very close in the first two quarters. Although Maccabi struggled to cut the deficit , during the second half of the game, the Russian team dominated the field.

Yesterday, the players came back to Israel. When they arrived at the airport, only 50 Maccabi fans welcomed their return.

Who did not forget to show up? 500 fans of rival teams came to the airport only to mock the loss of their rivals.

Is this what is all about? Winning the crown? Why can’t we support our players when they need some encouragement? True winners know how to lose.

Of course it’s disappointing to the championship, especially when victory seems at arm’s reach. Nevertheless, many Israelis take second place for granted. Some people forget that is a small country competing against some of the richest countries in Europe. So, how about showing some appreciation?

Although I am not a basketball fan, I watched the game on Sunday. I truly believe that the Maccabi has done its best on this game under these circumstances, and gave a real fight.

Congratulation on a great game and effort!

Israel’s largest family numbering 22,437 members, the family of grief and loss, is remembered today. This day of remembrance is dedicated to all those who lost their life fighting for Israel, trying to get to Israel, killed in terror attacks and hate crimes anywhere in the world.

It’s a very difficult day where you take a closer look at the lives of the families who are left behind, the young soldiers who never had a chance to grow up. A day to remember young fathers who never got to meet their children, young women who were killed by terror attacks and other heart wrenching stories.

We sit at home and watch these TV articles and personal essays about people from all walks of life and backgrounds and how they lost their life for Israel. Israel that with all the issued it has (and their are many) is our only home. When Israel declared independence 60 years ago it had 873,000 people. There are more then 8 times that amount today. There are 7,282,000 people in Israel today - 75.5% are Jewish and 69% of Israelis were born in Israel.

When this day ends today at 8:00 PM the celebrations for Israel’s 60th celebrations will begin. It’s always an extreme yet somehow perfectly logical shift from extreme sorrow and grief to happiness and celebration..
I guess after we remember the people who made the ultimate sacrifice we need to enjoy the gift they left us…Israel.

Image: Reuters

When you’re driving to and from Jerusalem, in a field in the Latrun area there is a huge flag recently laid out for the upcoming 60 Independence Day Celebrations

The flag was layed out by 40 volunteers and members of the Parks and Nature Department. its 100 meters by 200 meters and weighs 5.2 ton.

Check out the white bus in the corner to get an idea as to the size of the flag…
Pretty damn big !!!

We are at home watching the shows and stories of the Holocaust. A day dedicated to the stories and the survivors here in Israel. There are 80,000 survivors in Israel that can barely survive and leave below the poverty line yet when they ask for help they are put through hell. Insurance monies, property taken from these people, claims money that were awarded all went to a group called the Claims Conference on Jewish Material Claims in New York.

The Conference is the sole beneficiary of German compensation. Actually $1,070,000,000 worth of compensation. When properties were released after the fall of the Berlin wall in Germany it was this organization that collected the properties - a list that until today is not being revealed to survivors. This body is today one of the largest single property ownership groups in Europe.

Today when a survivor wants to get the money he is left, he needs to face a battery of lawyers controlled by this New York organization. Even today this organization refuses to provide a list of the properties that are held supposedly for the Holocaust survivors.

120,000 properties were received, worth $1,050,000,000. And this money is transfered to organizations and foundations that have nothing to do with the Holocaust and its survivors. Organizations that are in Brooklyn, Jewish Museums, and a whole network of organizations not related to the Holocaust in any way.

Not only that, in one case when the Conference received a property and then is faced with a claim from the actual property owner, the Conference demanded 50% of the money and threatened in writing the owner that they will take his house if he doesn’t pay up. Blackmailing Holocaust survivors!!! The CON gets worse and is aggressively covered up to the extent that employees are fired for asking the wrong questions.

There are 24 Jewish organizations that control the Claims Conference each having the same weight in decisions and allocations. And so Israel with its 80,000 survivors gets the same weight in deciding on the allocation of aid as for example South Africa with its 900 survivors.

The Conference allocates money for political favors and people on the board of directors are getting ridiculous salaries with administrative costs that are running in the millions. The term for this in the US is Self Dealing! It is Self Dealing that is now hopefully going to be investigated by the District Attorney of New York.

“Yirgon Uotzei Merkaz Europa”, an organization in Israel that received $9,000,000 from the Conference over the years, is managed by one of the guys close to the plate. That organization that supposed to help Eastern European jews is charging $4,000 a month for a room in their retirement home. It gives no breaks to Holocausts Survivors of course. The organization that received money and is supposed to help Holocaust education and support survivors has absolutely no such services or consideration to survivors. This year the organization will receive another $670,000.

To date 2,000 Holocaust survivors received assistance from the Conference.

Gideon Taylor the head of the Claims Conference on Jewish Material Claims makes $450,000 a year!

Good People…

Before you read the post below I have a couple of words about the Gorilla. Yes, he is eating Matza. He really doesn’t have that much of a choice. If he is anything like the rest of us though I suggest you stay away from the Ramat Gan Zoo in the next couple of weeks - it’s not going to be pretty…

Hat Tip: Tibor Yagar MSN GALATZ

Israelis have always had a “love-hate” affair when comes to the 7 day holiday known as Pesach (Passover) or Hag HaAviv (Festival of Spring) to secular folk. Pesach is one of Judaism’s most beautiful and important festivals as it commemorates the Jew’s freedom from slavery under the Egyptian Pharaoh, Ramsis II, more than 3,000 years ago. Like Thanksgiving in America, the Passover Seder is one of the best times for families to be together to enjoy this holiday and eat the foods that God commanded their forbearers to eat as they left Egypt for what turned out to be 40 years of wandering through the wilderness of Sinai.

For some Israelis, however, Pesach is not the joyous and meaningful festival that it should be, and many go abroad for the week to escape having to eat matzah or unleavened bread and other foods deemed Kosher for Pesach. Recently, more and more restaurants and stores have begun offering bread products, including pita, pizza, and even baguettes to those who want them. This now includes large supermarkets as well as small convenience stores, many of which are run by non-religious kibbutzim. Enforcing the existing law concerning the selling and eating of “hametz” (leavened bread and other non-kosher for Pesach products) has been difficult, and many businesses, including a large supermarket chain, simply pay fines as a “cost of doing business”.

Enter Pesach 2008. Due to objections in the existing laws by secular Israelis, a Jerusalem court judge issued a decree that in some instances the existing “Passover Law” will not be binding for private establishments who are not considered as “public arenas”. This means that breads and other “hametz” products will now be allowed to be sold in grocery stores, restaurants and pizza parlors, etc., and that beer will flow freely in all the pubs (as if it hasn’t already up to now!). While this has made a lot of secular people happy, religious and traditional Jews feel just the opposite as this edict clearly violates a very old and important tenet of Judaism.

Or does it? Those who intend to keep Kosher for Pesach wouldn’t eat or drink in most of the establishments who will serve “hametz” as many of them are already non-kosher and are open during the year on Shabbat and religious holidays; serving non-kosher foods, including pork and shellfish. This being the case, there’s really no reason for these types of establishments to have to be Kosher for Pesach anyway, since serving non-kosher pepperoni pizzas prepared on matzos instead of normal pizza dough is a bit superfluous.

The bottom line is the personal consciousness of people; and being forced to do something they really don’t care to do is not going to change them. Anyway, it’s been estimated that at least 70% of all Jews in Israel will forsake their pizzas and falafels for a week and be none the worse off for it. In fact they will do this proudly, out of respect for their faith and tradition.

As for the remaining 30%, hopefully some of you will get the message and join your Jewish brethren in observing a truly unique and wonderful religious tradition to celebrate our release from human bondage into freedom.

Chag Pesach Samech!