"When G-d will return the captivity of Zion, we will be like dreamers. Then our mouths will be filled with laughter and our tongues with glad song." Psalm 126
I thought I’d leave things on a positive note. This will be my last post for awhile (unless something major happens, which I pray it does not) as we will be leaving for 6 weeks in the UK and Netherlands visiting family and friends.
Israelsends humanitarian aid to Sudan. Israel has been sending humanitarian aid to Sudan as they face a severe shortage of resources needed to combat the cholera epidemic they are experiencing. Included in the pallets of aid are gloves, masks, sanitizing liquid, water purification systems, medicine, hygiene kits and food.
Israeli resilience. A fighter in the Netzach Yehuda battalion, Sagi D., had his leg ripped off when 3 RPGs were fired at his unit. His best friend was killed. Sagi was medivac’ed to Sheba Medical Center in critical condition where he was placed in a temporary coma. He survived his injury. He survived the coma and sedation. He survived the deadly infection that attacked his body. Yet he never broke. At Sheba’s shikum (rehab center) he continues to train…with one leg and the heart of a lion. He won’t give up. He never stops. He is the Israeli definition of a hero.
Answered prayers. Exactly one year ago, at the beginning of the Hebrew month of Elul, Agam Berger’s mother and sister (Agam was one of the 7 female soldiers abducted by Hamas terrorists into Gaza) prayed at the tomb of a famous rabbi for her release. Last Tuesday, Agam, her sister and her mother all gathered together at that same place to give thanks to G-d for her homecoming. They prayed for the safety and quick release of the remaining 50 hostages.
A True Nes/Neis (a nes is a miracle in Hebrew.
Another nes. Soldiers escape kidnapping attempt. A couple weeks ago, a squad of Hamas terrorists surfaced from two separate terror tunnels. They were dressed as civilians but carried guns and a portable missile launcher. It was all captured by Israeli drone footage. They were attempting to surprise and kidnap 15 IDF soldiers, but the group was alerted by intelligence and managed to to stave off their attackers. 12 terrorists were killed. 3 managed to run back to their tunnel. The plan to kidnap was foiled. One IDF soldier was lightly wounded.
Innovations in Medicine. There was a medical breakthrough at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv. On 21 July, surgeons performed the first ever minimally invasive brain surgery through the eye socket. They removed a rare skull base tumor without opening the skull. Thanks to the teamwork of neurosurgery, oculoplastics and ENT specialists, the young patient regained her health with minimal disruption to vision and appearance. (Credits, Jonny Daniel’s) It was a milestone in patient centered neurosurgery.
Prayerful and Powerful Beginning. Elul is the month where Jewish people examine their consciences and repent of their sins before the L-rd as a way to prepare for the upcoming High Holy Days. Israeli super superstar Omer Adam held a sold out concert last Wednesday. He began the concert by leading the entire audience in the Slichot prayers of repentance. That’s my country for you. Welcome to Israel. Absolutely everyone joined in.
Amazing announcement from an Israeli kid…. Get the hankies out. So eloquent!!!!
Long Awaited Wedding! American-Israeli citizens living on Kibbutz Kfar Aza were kidnapped on 7 October, 2023. Aviva was returned in December of 2023, but Keith lingered in the terror tunnels until this past April. Their daughter, Shifa, who was engaged at the time, vowed not to get married until both parents could be there to celebrate by her side. Last Monday, her dream was realized.
A Prayer for the Children. Some pop stars in other countries sing about breakups. About body shaming. About fast cars and drug use. There are cute songs and dance songs. In some cultures, they sing of war and death. But in Israel it’s quite different, poignant and refreshing, in fact. We went to a concert a couple weeks ago. Hanan Ben Ari. I wish I had recorded it, but I was able to find this piece with English subtitles. This YouTube upload is 3 years old, but Amen – For the Children remains a popular song today.
Two beautiful videos. Every Friday, Israeli singer, Omri Goren, sings with his little nine year old daughter. The first song in Hebrew is about waiting for (the hostages) to return home to their loved ones and the waiting arms
Here, Omri (also an IDF reservist) sings to his newborn son before the Shabbat starts. He sings Psalm , my favorite…I look towards the mountains from whence comes my help….
And one last absolutely adorable video. I just can’t stop watching it. It’s sooooo cute. My grandson was playing in my daughter’s garden. He took one of the mesh vegetable protectors as a knight’s helmet. He’s 16 months and trying so hard to speak. Enjoy…
To strive for accuracy in reporting. To write with moral clarity. To try to have empathy and to be able to see different sides of a story. To know history and to try to see a path forward. To be relevant and to “entertain” to a point. And to try to present hope and encouragement in a darkened world. It’s not always easy to bring it all together and to keep the proper perspective.
My parents lived (as first generation, full Americans) at the time of the Holocaust. My dad served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. My two uncles who spoke Yiddish helped liberate the death camps. My grandparents on both sides were able to escape the pogroms of Eastern Europe/Russia and the gas chambers and concentration camps of the Nazis in time. Many of my relatives “didn’t make it” and only their pictures remain. The older generation had firsthand stories to tell.
It was always “us” (the Jewish people) and “them” (everyone else). I don’t think it helped that I grew up in the South at the time of segregation, both racial and religious. I vividly remember signs on hotels and restaurants and on the gates of the country club/golf course/swimming pool that said “No Negroes. No Jews. No dogs.” True fact. Often I was the only Jewish kid in my class. Our was the one house in the neighborhood without Christmas lights. It was an area in the country where the KKK was present and active. Outwardly, we did not show any signs of Judaism for our own personal safety.
I grew up with a fear of Christians. They were the ‘other.’ I knew all the atrocities committed throughout history at the hands of the Christians. It wasn’t pretty. Forced exclusions. Blood libels. Ghettoes. Killings. Inquisitions. Expulsions and Holocausts. We were different. We were Jewish. We ate different foods and stayed away from certain foods altogether. We celebrated different holidays. Even spoke a different language (my parents, although well educated professionals, spoke mostly Yiddish at home).
As I grew older, left home and entered university and later the world, most of my friends were various denominations of Christian. The older I became the more I realized that not all Jews are good and not all Christians are bad. We are all human. We are all fallible. We have a good inclination and an evil inclination and are faced with temptation to do the wrong things every single day.
That said, and to be fair, I do not approve of the actions of all Jewish Israelis here. I understand many of the ultra Orthodox still carry a fear and dislike of the “other,” but this past week’s defacement of signage is wrong. Groups of Jewish teens spray painted in black over the highway signs pointing to churches like Capernaum and Tabgha here in the Galilee. The signs for the Mount of Beatitudes were defaced. As were other Christian holy sites signage. It is disrespectful. It is wrong.
I find it repugnant when some of the extremely religious Jewish youth spit on Christians or heckle priests and monks in Jerusalem. It is unacceptable behavior. Fear or no fear. Bad history or none. It does nothing to advance dialogue, community-building or peaceful living.
Many Bible believing Christians are the greatest friends and supporters of Israel. We share the same foundation. The same values, and many of the same Scriptures, prayers and roots. We cooperate in work to preserve the same freedoms, work ethics, education, culture and ideals that form Western civilization.
Here in the Holy Land all Israeli citizens have full rights according to the law. It matters not if one is Jewish, Christian, Druze, Muslim or Baha’i. We share the same benefits – access to health care and education and freedom to worship in the way we choose. Yet age old tensions exist and are very real.
I cannot begin to imagine the Catholic parishioners’ plight in Gaza at this time. At the very beginning of the conflict, the IDF encouraged them to leave for safer places. Several countries and parishes abroad offered to take them in, but for some reason, they decided to stay in their homes and their church. Even the women and children. In the middle of a war zone.
I have been asked why we chose to stay in Israel despite the war. John and I discussed our situation, which was completely different than the families in Gaza. We were not near a front or in a war zone. Israel has spent their money on multiple layers of defense to protect their citizens. Everyone has a fortified room in their home or apartment or nearby. There are concrete bunkers everywhere. Early warning systems and sirens alerting us of the trajectory of any incoming missile. Plus, John and I have extreme faith in G-d and have never once felt our lives were in danger. We do not have children or other family here.
The Holy Family Parish has been well stocked with all the supplies they need. They have received material help from Medical Mission Board, Aid to the Church in Need, Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Near East Welfare Association, Catholic Charities, the Vatican, and individual church donations. In addition to UN and international aid, there are warehouses in Jordan chock full of everything from dry goods to hygiene products, medicines to generators, water and fuel.
Yes. It is a war zone. Yes. They have made the choice to stay and not evacuate. Yes. They have been hit by an accidental IDF tank shelling which unfortunately and sadly killed three people and did minor damage to the outside roofing structure of the church. At the beginning of the conflict two women were shot just outside the church (despite what was originally reported) by snipers. That is a true tragedy. But if you look at their church services posted to social media and YouTube, the people are clean and fed. There is electricity. There is always incense and candles and fresh floral arrangements on the altar. That is a good thing. I am glad they have their immediate needs met.
I understand the need to be a light and to be strong in the face of adversity. Partially for this reason, and partially because they had supplies and protection, Holy Family Church has taken in hundreds of their non-Christian neighbors seeking sanctuary or shelter. The church offers a small bastion of security for these people because the IDF neither targets Christians nor their holy sites, despite what you might hear. I have received verifiable information from four separate and trustworthy sources, and I cannot reveal their names at this time for obvious reasons, that Hamas has not booby trapped or targeted this building because they have “protektzia.”
Living in the Middle East, I have learned the term “protektzia.” It is a known fact that there are Russian Mafia who control some of the Russian Israeli population and Muslim/Bedouin Mafia. If a targeted business or family refuses to pay the ‘protektzia money’ they can expect damage and harm to building, home and family…even leading to death. A prime example of this is in Bethlehem (and now Nazareth). Palestinian Muslim thugs demand high payment/graft from the Christian business owners in return for not having physical harm done. As a result, the Christian population has dwindled as they move to safer countries providing refuge.
One of the reasons the church in Gaza has not been hit is that they are paying large sums of money directly to Hamas for protection – the money they get from charitable donations. So, I’m hoping it is inadvertently, at least at first, that terrorism is supported. Also, I have heard directly from priests who have visited that their fresh fruits and vegetables and meat come at an exorbitant monetary price and from those who have been hoarding the stolen food to sell at Black Market cost. Directly from the terrorists. It’s a tangled web.
There is one particular Catholic aid organization run by an American man, that on the surface is slick and glossy and uses some great deception tactics to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars. The founder is extremely anti Israel and anti semitic to a degree I have not seen before. He has appeared on EWTN and many podcasts and religious sites making a plea for money. And he has disseminated blood libels like nothing I’ve ever witnessed from a Christian. Absolute dangerous falsehoods. I will not mention his name, but if you are Catholic, you have probably seen his appeal. I have no doubt his original intentions were to be an aid and lifeline for suffering humanity. But something is just not right.
He claims that “Israel had dropped a 2000 pound bomb on the oldest church in Gaza founded by James himself. These were the original believers and the church has stood for over 2000 years.” This is completely false. The IDF does not have a 2000 pound bomb (that’s why they called I the US to help with Iran’s nuclear sites) and they have not targeted and destroyed a Gaza church. He states that “Israel is purposely starving and targeting the poor Christians of Gaza.” Another falsehood. On his presentations he shows the horrific and absolutely pathetic (arousing pity and emotion) photos of the sick children that he says are starving. These are the photos that the BBC and New York Times among other outlets have had to recant as not telling the whole story. The children had preexisting medical conditions. He displays the photos of children lined up with pots and pans begging for food through a metal fence. That entire video has been proven to be a ‘Pallywood’ staged event. The videos and pictures are heart wrenching.
This man talks about the sordid living conditions. Not having fuel or access to clean water. He has reported that just last week Israel bombed two warehouses of diapers and cans of formula and baby supplies. Another falsehood. The warehouses in question were proven upon investigation to be weapons storage units for the Hamas terrorists. Lastly, he says that over 50 of his men were shot and killed while trying to deliver the aid trucks.
I have heard from my four sources who know this man that he has paid tens of thousands of US dollars and European euros to hire Hamas operatives, and sometimes these armed escorts have been shot by other Hamas terrorists who attempt to subvert the deliveries. His libels about the Israeli army have been picked up by Catholic outlets and podcasters and are leading to vast hatred of Zionists, Israel, Jews…and also Christian Zionists, who he also badmouths. His language is incendiary and he always ends his pitch with a plea for monetary donations.
At present the parish is in a vey precarious position. Last Thursday, the IDF started mass evacuations of Gaza City. They handed out tents, yoga mats, sleeping bags, food and hygiene boxes, water and had medics to care for any minor medical problems. The priest, Fr. Gabriel Romanelli, reported that they had received tents and directives and were preparing to leave against their will. They do not know what will be left when they return. It is war and it is not pretty.
The next day, the priest said he had not received any word of evacuation. They had not been given tents or supplies or any direction whatsoever. They were staying put. The IDF has plans to move in and completely clear out the area of terrorists. Because of the dignity and value of innocent civilian life, evacuations of women, children and elderly has already begun. It is mandatory. Yesterday Fr. Romanelli said they were evacuating. It is all quite confusing.
There is strong reason to believe that these poor parishioners are being used as human shields, as pawns by Hamas. That is their modusoperendi. If any of these poor people, G-d forbid, is hurt, the onus will be on the evil Israelis (Jews). The church is most likely going to be booby trapped by Hamas or brought down by the IDF as the neighborhood will be an active military zone. I pray that is not the case. I ask you to pray for the protection of these people. They are in an awful place.
The Catholic Church has called for a complete ceasefire and “end to the barbarity in Gaza.” There is no mention of the release of hostages or of the complete disarmament of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Daesh. They have also called for the establishment of a Palestinian state, which has rewarded Hamas and caused them to cease all negotiations. In their eyes, they have won international support and therefore are victorious.
It is the blood libel of targeted attacks, intentional starvation, genocide that have the power to incite violence and antisemitism. Three weeks ago I received an email from a subscriber who follows some of these well-meaning, but vitriolic religious pundits. I was shaken to my core. It was a picture of Crusaders with his message below:
Do you not think it is time for another Crusade? It is time to rid the Holy Land of the Jews and the Muslims. Deus veult. You cannot be both American and Israeli. It is time to make your choice.
I still have lots and lots of Christian friends and supporters from all denominations. I cherish them deeply. But this. THIS. It scares the hell out of me. This is why some Jewish people are still wary and have a fear of the other…..
In this photo, the child had leukemia and was flown on a special transport to Jesu Bambino Pediatric Hospital in Italy. Hassan died last week.
These next two features will be my last postings for the next couple months…unless something happens, which I pray it does not. John and I are going to England to be with our son as he graduates (I’ve never been to London!!). Then the three of us will head up to the beautiful English countryside to spend time with our daughter, son-in-law and their two little ones. We shall make day trips, a weekend in the Netherlands and an excursion to the Peak District in England. It should be fun. I can’t wait. Castles. Manor homes. Antique stores, charity shops, local farms. potteries and museums, tiny villages and giggling children whose tiny little hands fit into yours. And British accents. And afternoon tea. Hopefully, it will be a peaceful and welcomed respite from the troubles of the world.
For me and for my fellow Jews, it’s beginning to feel like history is in repeat mode. It’s 1935/36 Weimar (Germany) all over again. We have all heard the slogan, “Never again.” Never again to the antisemitism. To the exclusion from restaurants, hotels, shops. Never again will our jobs be restricted. Will our properties be defaced. Will our children and our own bodies be beaten up. Will we be hunted down. But it is happening all over again. Friends from California, New York and New Jersey and Boston are writing me that they no longer feel safe. My neighbor’s family has just made Aliyah to Israel from South Africa. Even in Praetoria they were beginning to feel the unsettling. The storm clouds are gathering. And history seems to be repeating itself with very few people standing up for the Jews.
Antisemitism is reaching a point of no return. Hundreds of thousands of haters are marching through the streets of Sydney, Melbourne, Berlin, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Vienna, Malmo, Bruges, Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester, Leicester, Dublin, Montreal, Los Angeles, New York, Minneapolis and Detroit…disguising themselves as human rights activists who just care about the plight of the poor Palestinians in Gaza. It seems to be becoming a daily occurrence.
In the grandest of all ironies, the media is pushing the line that the Jews have become the modern day Nazis. They feed the world lines about how Israel intentionally starves little children and drops 2000 pound bombs on the oldest church in existence. The IDF shoots civilians lined up for aid indiscriminately, as for sport. They burn down churches. The Jews target Christians.
They are all pedophiles. Like Epstein and Weinstein. As the Rothschilds, they control the world’s banks and they run Hollywood. It was the Jews that were responsible for 9/11….and they control your life. The Jews are behind the random canceling of certain news pundits, musicians and artists.
Netanyahu is Hitler. He is a Fascistic dictator who is prolonging the war. He does not seek compromise or negotiation. He just wants to hold onto power. He dictates to Washington. He will lead us into World War III. The Jews are bent on taking over the world in a grand cabal. Just look at their flag. The Jewish star is actually a satanic hexagram and it was invented in 1886.
Israel is merely a political state founded in 1948 by the British with no actual legitimacy. It has no right to exist. Israel is a colonial and apartheid state. The Jews claim Biblical basis for settling in ‘Isreal’, but actually the Church holds the claim since Christianity replaced Judaism when the Jews rejected and killed the Messiah. They lost their claim to land or people. They are the perfidious synagogue of satan.
Maybe this week I shall post some of the notes I have received personally.
These are all 100% claims I’ve been keeping track of. I seriously have them in files. Written files and video files. The articles and voices come from high up government and church officials. Prime Ministers. Ambassadors. Patriarchs and priests. World renowned pastors and evangelists. Pundits and news commentators. Rock stars and celebrities. Authors. Mayors. And then comments from the masses. I have thousands of them. Literally. It’s a documentation of history.
I spend a lot of my time paying close attention to politics and what is being said. I’m a watcher. Things are reaching a critical point. Jews are being openly assaulted with impunity in the streets. New York, London, Los Angeles, and throughout Europe. What we are seeing now is Germany, 1937. From Palestinians supporters. The pro-Gaza people. Not just Muslims and Islamist fanatics but progressively woke Europeans and Americans. Regular folk. University professors. School teachers. Even the LGBT2spirit+ crowd.
Last week, in Paris, an olive tree planted to commemorate the life of Ilan Halimi, was cut down. It was planted 14 years ago to remind the world of the Jewish man, kidnapped and tortured for 24 days in Paris. He was found naked, handcuffed to a railroad track and died on the way to the hospital. His body gave out. Now his tree is no longer.
Also, just this past week, the Jewish Community Center, Temple, and walls just off the Woodland Hills/Reseda, California (my old neighborhood!!!!) were spray-painted with swastikas, anti Israel and anti Jewish graffiti. Parents are afraid to walk their children to school. It’s in the Wilbur area, for those of you who are familiar…also, in Seattle, a synagogue was vandalized with swastikas and the word ‘gas’ in red spray paint.
Earlier this month, 50 Jewish children coming home from two weeks at summer camp were kicked off a Veuling Airlines plane for quietly singing. Their 22 year old counselor was handcuffed, thrown to the ground, kicked and arrested.
In Chatel, France, vacationing Jewish families awoke to find their cars graffitied with the words “Free Palestine” and other slurs painted across their vehicles. When the person who rented the 4 families their vacation homes found out that a Jewish group was “congregating” in one of the homes (there were 9 adults and 13 children having a Shabbat service), she evicted them all from the properties immediately, refusing a refund.
Just this week, a woman in Leeds, England was accused of striking a Jewish man with a metal pole and throwing hot coffee in his face. “This is because you killed babies in Gaza,” she was heard screaming.
My son was going to take his girlfriend to Athens in two weeks to propose to her. They have, thankfully, cancelled that trip. You see, in just the past weeks Israeli families have been forced out of their hotels for being Israeli. Young Jewish men wearing kippas (yarmulkes) have been severely beaten. Greece is no longer a safe vacation spot for Israelis or Jews. In several countries, soldiers who served in the IDF are being doxxed and ejected. A couple of former soldiers on vacation have been arrested for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Greece, Brazil and Malaysia.
So long as the Free Palestine movement refuses to denounce their violent tactics, and so long as government officials and peoples of the world stay silent, Jews will continue to be open targets of violence and hatred. Hamas, Hizbulla, ISIS and others are truly terrorist organizations. Praising these groups incites more violence against Jewish people.
Anti Zionist/antisemitic/proPalestine vandalism in France
This past Saturday, a Jewish man and his friend sat in a local pub in Manchester, England. discussing politics. The man was not visibly a Jewish, but was overheard defending Israel. Another man came up and spat on him. He then proceeded to punch the Jewish man in the face, leaving him with a black eye and two broken teeth. Also in Manchester, two men drove around “shooting” visibly Jewish families with a water gun. This is not just playful sport. It is targeting people because of their religion. The videos went viral online. Authorities interviewed the two and called it a “harmless joke.”
Six days ago, a London hospital was plastered with posters reading “Zionism is Poison.” They were only removed after one patient’s complaint. This was at University Hospital, and spokespeople say they acted quickly to dismantle the inflammatory protests in order to ensure the safety and feelings of well being for all patients. UK Lawyers for Israel are demanding a full investigation. UCLH Chief Executive, David Probert issued a swift apology, reaffirming the hospital’s dedication to inclusivity for all. Security personnel were instructed to remain vigilant in order to provide a safe atmosphere.
In Vienna, Austria, an Uber driver attacked a Jewish family last week. The occupants were the two parents and their children, ages 10 and 13, and their 76 year old grandparents. They were en route to a birthday party. When the driver heard their Israeli accents and found out they were, in fact, visiting from Israel, he began shouting “murderers” and “child killers!” He refused on the spot “to transport child killers,” forced the family out and physically beat the father. Uber temporarily suspended the driver and the family is filing criminal charges. “ If decisive action is not taken against this, by politicians and the rule of law, as well as by civil society, by individual activists on the streets or in social media, in editorial offices and by cultural workers, by teachers and others in our society, then there will soon be no place left for Jews in Europe,” Oskar Deutsch, president of the Jewish Community of Vienna wrote on Facebook.
On 8 August (this video has gone viral), Montreal multiple onlookers stood idle and filmed the incident as a Jewish man was severely beaten in broad daylight in front of his children. He was pushed into a fountain and his kippa kicked beyond reach. Antisemitism in Canada is out of control. For some, the anti Israel, anti Zionist rhetoric has spilled over into anti Jewish vitriol. In Canada, even the very conservative, Catholic author and podcaster, Mark Mallet, has fallen into this. I will address this particular case later in the week.
Three firebombs were thrown at a synagogue in Obninsk, Russia, just over a year after it was targeted in another arson attack. That was 12 August. Last month, a Melbourne, Australia synagogue was firebombed with 22 .families inside. Thank goodness the fire was contained at the door. It could easily have become deadly. Only over a mile away, that same evening, an Israeli restaurant was attacked as protestors stormed in, overturning tables and shouting “Death, death, to the IDF.”
Saturday, a 65 year old man wearing a kippa was brutally beaten by three men in Paris. He was on his was to synagogue at 10am when a car stopped in front of him. Two passengers got out pretending to ask for directions and began brutally beating him with kicks and punches and metal rods. His Star of David necklace was torn off his neck and he was doubled up on the sidewalk. The attackers are still at large.
Two months ago in Alexandria Egypt, a Canadian/Israeli dual citizen was gunned down as he was touring the land. Egyptian authorities claim it was a robbery gone wrong, but a militant group claimed responsibility. They claimed they “killed the Jewish man in retaliation for Gaza” and posted images of the shooting as proof (way too graphic to display here).
Yesterday, German activists were doused with red paint as they held up posters of Israeli hostages in a Frankfurt park. Sasha Stawski, a 55 year old real estate agent, and president of the antisemitism league was hosting a public demonstration to raise awareness of the 50 captives still being held by Hamas. 20-30 people, some wearing Friedrich Merz masks over their faces, pushed the germ up aside violently. Anti Jew and anti Israel chants erupted and four women doused the activists with cans of red paint. Frankfurt police were called in to disassemble the crowds. They said they would be increasing their presence in the area. No arrests were made. The Jewish community in Frankfurt and throughout Germany has been seeing an uptick in anti Jewish violence since 7 October.
Last Saturday in Cologne, Germany the wheel chair basketball championship was underway. The team from Great Britain all turned their wheelchairs around in protest of the Israeli team. One of the Israeli players stated, “It felt like they were humiliating us and bringing unrelated issues onto the sport court.” Antisemitic slurs are being hurled at football games across Europe. German Düsseldorf football league unsigned Jewish athlete Shon Weissman after fan backlash over his hiring. That was August 9 of this year.
These are merely a few of the hundreds of reports I’ve been keeping track of. All are downloaded or perinted out and filed away for safekeeping and documentation.
Qatar is funding the educational systems and universities (yes, along with China) in the U.S., across Europe, Canada, and the Middle East. Mufti Hamid Patel, head of the Office for Standards is the Chief Education Minister in Great Britain.
In New York, a new police patrol system has gone into effect complete with official squad cars and uniformed officers. It is the Salaam Aleikum Patrol of Muslim police. Mamdani, an anti Israel, anti Jewish, Communist Islamist is in the lead for New York mayor. Most of the mayors and regional council officials in England, France, Belgium and Sweden are Islamists. In the Belgian city of Antwerp, 26 Jewish homes were marked with red paint, red handprints and triangles. Just last week, a Muslim woman went out in the hot weather with her shoulders uncovered. A group of ‘Muslim brothers’ passing by, surrounded and brutally beat her. Many parts of London and Paris are now “no-go zones.” Enter at your own risk. Sharia laws strictly enforced. And it is coming to cities like Dearborn, Michigan.
So few people throughout the world are taking this seriously. Jews are being targeted globally. it is being proclaimed by protestors, political figures, pastors and pundits that Jews are genocidal thriving colonizing pedos with no claim to a homeland or history, who are hell bent on controlling the world. Then people cannot seem to figure out why in the world Jewish property is being defaced and Jews are being beaten and disembarked and refused service on the streets of Europe and America? The crimes are being ignored and normalized and the Jewish people are downright scared.
In my next posting on Wednesday or Thursday, I will be discussing modern day blood libels. These are actual complete fabrications, made-up stories against Jews in order to promote violence and eventual extermination of that ‘pernicious race.’ It is an article that traces the history from the early 400’s to modern times. It has resurfaced today through modern outlets and is a warning sign of things to come-
Tomorrow we are traveling down to the Gaza Envelope for a story I’ve been commissioned to write on the 3rd anniversary of 7 October. I will be also visiting one of the kibbutzim that was attacked as well as shelters and the Nova Festival site. We will conclude the trip by spending time at “Hostage Square” in Tel Aviv. I have four interviews set up and will do one special remembrance blog post on this. I will interview a member of the regional council, an IDF soldier in the reserves who has served five tours in Gaza, a resident of Nahal Oz Kibbutz, and a paramedic.
A friend recently reminded me of the goodness of the L-rd. Living here in Israel, John and I are a believing and praying people. We have seen so many prayers answered from large to small almost on a daily basis (We are still waiting for some to be answered. For some of you Special Ones who read this blog, know that your prayers are being lifted up by us on a daily basis.)
It’s really hard for us to be in a state of unbelief or disbelief as we encounter archaeological sites that absolutely prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that the words in the Scriptures are at the very least historically accurate. We have visited the oldest city gate in the world that has been uncovered. It’s from pre-Canaanite times and is the place where Abraham met with the kings to discuss the ransom of his nephew, Lot, who was taken captive. You can read the exciting story in Genesis 13. It’s in Dan, on the Lebanese Border. We׳ve visited so many places that attest to the veracity of the Bible, so…..
The ancient city has been closed off. Its sandstone walls were so delicate they began to crumble after excavation.This is the oldest fortified city ever found. It dates to around 1900 BCE !!The city gate where Abraham met with the 5 kings in Genesis 13. The gate has been sealed due to rapid erosion.
Anyway, one of our daily prayers is for the protection of all the IDF soldiers, wherever they are stationed. We pray this in the morning and at dinner. But we have added: protect them from every booby trap and every kidnapping attempt. We have received multiple answers to prayer on this one…
In yesterday’s news –
Yesterday in Khan Younis, Gaza, more than 20 Hamas terror operatives emerged from a tunnel in an ambush attempt on an IDF encampment.They approached firing machine guns and RPGs. Some terrorists actually breached the encampment, engaging in close combat with the Kfir Brigade troops. The IDF radioed for backup and airstrikes killed 15 operatives while 8 escaped back into the tunnel. A kidnapping attempt of 4 soldiers was narrowly averted. The IDF is actively pursuing the remaining operatives. An extensive investigation is underway to draw all necessary conclusions. Hamas has continuously tried to kidnap soldiers throughout the conflict. So far, all their attempts have proved unsuccessful. 3 Israeli soldiers were wounded and medivac’ed to local hospitals in Israel. – Hamal News
In other news, we all keep hearing about “settler violence.” It’s big news. “Settler violence” is the grossly over exaggerated stories of the Jewish families living in Judaea and Samaria (West Bank). Many are farmers and shepherds. The farmers have extensive vineyards and orchards. They grow dates, pomegranates, grapes, olives, and herbs and spices among other things. Many are artisans, making food, wine, ales, cosmetic products, candles, crafts and spice blends. Many are shepherds, grazing their herds of sheep and goats…and cows…across the fields to graze.
I’ve spoken with residents in Tekoa, Itamar, and Efrat. I have read police reports and incidents reports from the Binyamin and Yesha Regional Counsels. There are thousands of incidents of Arab gangs who pull up the plantings of the Israelis, who lie in wait for them in ambush. There are videos of gangs ambushing settlers, throwing large rocks at them and the livestock. There are videos of these marauding gangs setting fire to the grazing pastures of the Israelis. Yet all you hear about is settler violence.
These gangs are not ignorant. They stage attacks and wait for the shepherds to defend themselves, filming everything so that it looks like the settlers are the instigators, not the defenders. And it makes international news.
Today marks theone year yarzeit (memorial of a death) of the murder of Yonatan Deutch, a Maglan Unit soldier who was on his way to Ofra (community in Samaria) to see his fiancée, Emunah. At Mehola Junction on Route 90, just south of the West Bank border line, his car was ambushed and shot at by West Bank terrorists. His car veered off the road and he was shot multiple times.
In the exact spot where his life was cut short, his family and friends chose to respond not with despair, but with hope and strength. They opened a pop-up coffee shop, ‘Cafe Jonni.’ Here travelers can stop for refreshment and remembrance. It is a sign of Israeli resilience. It is a statement to the Arabs and to all the world that “Am Yisrael chai,” the People of Israel live.
Jonni and Emunah, above, Cafe Jonni belowMehola is a tiny Jewish village surrounded by Arab villagesYou can see Mehola, where the killing occurred is just past the border line
As of this morning, the Magen David Adom paramedics were called to the scene of another Arab attack on Israeli shepherds (settlers). One was injured very lightly by a bullet that strafed his head. The other shepherd was shot and is in fair condition in a regional hospital. They were driving in a semi protected ATV, called a Ranger, which overturned while herding their cattle. The pair were ambushed. This is the story from i24 News:
Because i was informed that my blogposts are just way too long, i shall end it here on a positive note.
In other news, just in time for the new school season and the fall holidays, a Nefesh b’Nefesh sponsored plane load of 225 new olim (immigrants) landed at Ben Gurion Airport yesterday morning. These families from the United States have decided to make the exciting journey to live in Israel. The youngest is 9 months old and the oldest is 82. There were also several Lone Soldiers, coming by themselves to enlist in the army. May their absorption and Aliyah experience be easy, joyful and smooth as they transition to their new lives as full Israeli citizens.
They were met at the airport with bands, balloons and crowds of well wishers
I haven’t written this week. I’ve been brooding. Despondent. Unsettled. There are days when I feel like my investigative reporting is getting me nowhere. Hitting a brick wall and bouncing back to me silent. Some of the news that I uncover makes me literally sick to my stomach. It contradicts the mainstream media and social influencers, the pundits and high profile international speakers. It’s not popular. And so many people just want fluff and niceties. An escape from the “depressing news” that I write. So thank you to my regular subscribers and readers who are sticking with me to know the truth.
I think my Jewish DNA makes me prewired to whine, murmur and complain, just like my ancestors in the wilderness. So indulge me for a paragraph or three.
I was awake and waiting news about the difficult labor and delivery (which led to an emergency cæsarian) of one of my daughters the morning of October 7, 2023. At 06:29am, I started getting the red alerts, which were scattershot all over Israel and incessant for over 30 minutes. Missiles and rockets were being launched from Gaza in a way that never happened previously and I knew something major was happening.
Because there was no coverage on any of the Israeli news sites, I had a hunch to switch to AlJazeera, MemriTV, TikTok and Instagram. And there it was in plain view. All of it. The Hamas terrorists were breaking through the border fences and going on a murderous rampage. I sat and watched glued to the screens for 6 1/2 hours. I forced myself to look, if only for the sake of history.
Trigger warning: sensitive material. You might want to skip this paragraph, but I do pray you will stick with me. I watched as terrorists threw grenades into shelters packed with young people. I witnessed Hamas operatives spray portapotties and ice cream freezer chests with bullets as kids hid for safety at the Nova Music Festival. I saw women being stabbed in the back multiple times as they were raped. Cars being set ablaze with people inside. Elderly women being kidnapped and brutalized by the civilian population as they entered Gaza. A mother and her two young children and the family dog being led, terrified, captive into Gaza. A young boy being made at gunpoint to go to his neighbors and speak to them in Hebrew that they would be safe if they opened the saferoom door….then shot. Little girls, young sisters shot as they tried to climb out the window of their house. Terrorists enjoying the food in the refrigerators of the people they were attacking. The laughter of the terrorists as they cut the breast off a young woman and started to play soccer/football with it.
I internalized it all. Numb for days as my son was called up to reserve duty along the Syrian border. Not knowing what would come next. Over the next few months, I attended six military funerals. My son lost several friends and classmates. We up here in the North endured two separate missile attacks from Iran. We ran to shelter as Hizbulla entered the war from Lebanon, forcing the evacuation of border communities, missile barrages coming at all hours of the day and night. I never cried. The numbness had worn off, and I was never fearful, relying fully on the Lord, but everything was internalized.
Even though it became more peaceful in the North, the rest of the country was still dodging missiles daily from the Houthis in Yemen, from Gaza, and then again from Iran in what is now called the 12 Day War. We were never in peril, but it was still unnerving. Neighbors with babies and small children had husbands serving in Gaza for repeated tours of duty, never knowing if they would see their loved ones again. Yet the Israeli people remained strong and determined to live as ‘normal’ lives as possible. And we did. But it wasn’t easy.
Through it all, my outlet was writing. We saw what was happening. We heard through soldiers and from people who were living through what would be turned into sick and twisted Anti-Israel propaganda. By the time the narrative reached the mainstream, it was pure fabrication. The world was relying on reporting directly from Hamas… that they were living in an open air prison; that Israel would not provide them with aid, fuel, electricity, clean water or food. It was reported that Israel was genociding the Palestinians, who were justified in resisting ‘the Occupation.’ That violent West Bank settlers were targeting Christians. The IDF was specifically raiding and demolishing churches. That they were starving the Gazans. And the world saw the carefully staged photographs and the world believed the lies.
The Hamas propaganda machine was working overtime. Demonstrations took place on university campuses throughout the Western world. No, it was just about the Zionists, they said. The evil Israeli army. Netanyahu was the satan controlling the world. And by the end of October, 2023, Jewish students were barred from even walking on their campuses and from attending classes. The encampments grew violent. There was destruction of property. Yet, no one in administrative power did anything to stop it.
In France, Jewish homes were marked with red swastikas and red triangles. IDF lone soldiers on leave to visit family in South Africa and Brazil were doxxed and arrested on trumped up humanitarian rights violations. Couples vacationing in Greece who were identifiably Jewish were beaten. An Israeli and American couple who worked for the embassy were murdered in D.C. A Jewish woman, Holocaust survivor, set on fire and killed in Colorado. A congressman’s home burned on Passover. Synagogues set ablaze worldwide.
This was more than just a stance against Israel. It was about the Jooooooz. There were angry demonstrations in London, New York, Paris, Madrid, Amsterdam, Berlin, Chicago and Los Angeles. Women in burkas, veiled from head to toe waving Palestinian flags. Young men spraying crowds with green and red smoke bombs. Young pink and blue haired youth with kheffiyahs wrapped around their bodies. Masked individuals shouting for Justice in Palestine and Free Palestine. From the River to the Sea, Palestine (all of Israel) will be free…. Of Jews. And much of the world stood with them. Or did nothing.
Just two weeks ago world leaders, Macron of France and Starmer or the UK followed by Australia and Canada and a few other countries including the Vatican, called for full recognition of a two state solution…a free Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital. And what was the result?
Hamas stopped negotiating for the release of the remaining 51 hostages. They have declared a victory. Terrorism and false propaganda has been rewarded by the worlds’ stance on the matter. The Gazans have continued to pump out staged photos of starving babies (despite the nourished mothers) and of children lined up behind a fence, rattling pans for ladles of watery soup. To add insult to injury, two six minute videos were released two weeks ago of truly starving and dying Israeli hostages. Taken from the music festival and from a bordering kibbutz, these two men have been living underground for nearly two years without access to food, clean water, clean air, light or medical treatment. And where is the Red Crescent (Red Cross has been changed to Red Crescent….in Israel Red Cross is Red Star of David, go figure, but I want to give equal information)? Yes. I am ranting. But there is grave injustice when the world only gives full coverage to only one side.
Last Friday I went to Jerusalem to interview some important figures in different denominations of Christian churches. I also spoke with “settlers,” actually very normal people with very normal lives and families in very suburban neighborhoods. The neighborhoods in small towns and cities just happen to be in Judaea, which some will call the Israeli Occupied West Bank. And I heard very conflicting stories.
Being active in Inter-Religious Dialogue in the United States, I inquired into the promise of dialogue. Both church officials told me that it was a thing of the past. “Dialogue is dead.” How disheartening. When I asked why, I was given the answer, “You can’t reason with these Jews.” How utterly heartbreaking.
I really am still going over my notes and debating if and what to write. I found the two people disseminating much of the lies: a doctor from Doctors Without Borders from North Carolina who was recruited to help in Gaza. He’s a very progressive secular Jew with no previous ties to Israel or Gaza. And he has told stories of the unbelievable atrocities against children and women at the hands of the “bloodthirsty and sadistic Israeli army.”
I know an aid worker, also from the States, who works to help the suffering Palestinians. Both people have spread absolute libels about what is happening. I have discovered verifiably that both work for Hamas. Both are asking for large sums of money to be donated to their personal charities. The aid worker has fed misinformation to the church officials and to the press. He has been featured by international media and has been interviewed by podcasters. I am reticent to mention his name or his foundation at this point, but he is asking (on each platform) to raise $400,000 U.S. dollars to get trucks to the starving civilians. He addresses Christian organizations he feels will spread the libels and be sympathetic listeners. If you recognize this, beware. He does nothing but talk of the targeted attacks on civilians by Israel and the forced starvation and genocide. He mentions that 50 of his men (he didn’t say they had Hamas ties) were killed in their attempt to deliver aid. And he wants your money.
I am not denying there are those that are going hungry in Gaza. I know there are hundreds of thousands of displaced people. It is horrible, but humanitarian aid is getting through. Even now, the terrorists that control the Strip hijack the trucks at gunpoint and take the food to their warehouses. They deliver the food to those who support them. It’s mob mentality: you work for us and we will take care of you. Don’t and you can starve. Then they sell off the rest of the goods at inflated prices in order to fund their war efforts.
In order to bring direct help, U.S. led Gaza Humanitarian Fund has been successfully controlling and distributing aid at set, reinforced sites. And now several European nations have joined in to airdrop or parachute pallets of food directly to the refugee camps.
The situation remains a huge mess. The IDF is still clearing out booby trapped homes and underground tunnels. The tunnels have been dug under residential areas, schools, mosques and hospitals, each with shafts leading outward to those buildings. They are heavily involved in house-to-house urban warfare, the most dangerous type of fighting. There are still plenty of heavily armed insurgents, not just from Hamas but from Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Al Nusra Front, Daesh and other smaller factions.
This week it was reported first from AlJazeera, then picked up worldwide, that the IDF purposely eliminated seven journalists, there just to document the news in real time. It was then discovered that five of them were upper level Hamas operatives, friends with Mohamed Deif and Yahya Sinwar. One was actually head of the propaganda division. Another was a senior Hamas member and terrorist who was wearing a press jacket and embedded in the press tent. There are photos to prove all this.
This morning, the news is that there was a targeted IDF attack on two of the aid distribution warehouses …. The ones that just happened to be filled with baby formula, diapers and bottles.
So I am dismayed. Disappointed when a news outlet has now refused to print my stories. Disappointed when I hear false narratives. Distraught when I see people in the West fall for it. Upset when I see Christians (and some Evangelicals) who once supported Israel and stood with Israel turn their backs and rebuke our government and our military and our civilians. When long time Conservative supporters buy into the libels of people like Tucker Carlson and revoke their friendship with the Jewish state.
This is causing a rift in the fabric of the West. To support the Islamists and welcome them in or to support Israel. To demand a cease fire or to demand the return of the captives and for the terrorists to surrender completely. To demand a two state solution or to grant Israel sovereignty over Judaea and Samaria. To hold the terrorists and their sponsors accountable or to tell Israel to back down.
There is an enemy who comes to sow mistrust and division where there once was truth and certainty. There is an enemy who comes to convince that evil is good and right is wrong. There is an enemy who comes to tell you that the oppressors are actually the victims. There is a culture of death and a culture of life. A culture of complete disregard for humanity and a culture that believes every person is created in the likeness of the Creator with dignity and worth. There is an enemy who comes to kill, steal and destroy. To spread chaos. The enemy is slick and convincing and powerful.
Sometimes it is all too overwhelming. I do not know what to do with some of the information I have. I do not want to be a whistleblower. I am not scared, but I don’t like to stir things up. Please pray for my wisdom and discernment and that some of the information I have can get into the hands of sincerely good people.
Again, thank you for your readership. I promise that in the fall, I will resume writing about fun places to visit. Lifestyles, foods and recipes, culture and nature hikes. I pray for moral clarity and better days ahead. Shabbat shalom.
I’ve ruminated about this post all day. Shabbat, the Sabbath, is supposed to be a holy, peaceful day of complete rest from all the world’s madness. Today was most fittingly Day 666 in the war, for any inclined to be superstitious or prophetic. The war rages on – not only for the civilians of Gaza, for the hostages and their families, or the soldiers fighting an evil enemy, but the war rages on for the minds of the spectators of the world.
Just before Shabbat began (with a very real bang from the interception of a Houthi missile over Yerushalayim), Hamas released two videos of captive Israeli men taken from the Nova Music festival on 7 October, 2023. But I will come back to that….
In the past week, three very professional photographs were circulated throughout the world. They were supposed to be stark reminders of the cost of war and the effects of the Israelis who were starving the children of Gaza. Two pictures featured mothers (not starving) holding emaciated children. These photos truly tugged at the heartstrings of the world. No one wants to see starving, suffering babies. It is nothing short of horrific. The other photo showed a young girl screaming through iron bars, begging for food.
All three photographs, while incredibly moving and evoking both pity and horror, were not telling the truth. The two emaciated children had pre-existing genetic conditions – cerebral palsy and spinal bifida. The one boy, featured on the Sunday edition front page New York Times as well as the UK Daily Mail, le Monde and other newspapers and media outlets, had been flown by Israel to a pediatric hospital in Italy. He was not even in Gaza. The photo of the beautiful screaming girl was a picture dredged up from 2014. She was a Yazidi girl being taken away as a sex slave by ISIS in northern Iraq.
Hamas is playing sick games with propaganda at this point in the war. There is a true Hunger Games occurring for many innocent civilians not associated with any of the terror groups in Gaza. While tens of thousands of tons of humanitarian aid sit undistributed in the sun within Gaza’s borders, the world is made to think there is a huge Israeli inflicted famine. On the other hand, videos of gangs of armed Hamas hijacking the few trucks of food that did make it in to Gaza are ignored and go uncirculated. The press refuses to pick up that narrative.
The world is being fed the diet that innocent Palestinians are risking their lives to paddle into the sea for airdropped aid. Which is it? The media only shows one side. So, I did my own sleuthing, working on a hunch. Unbelievably, I got an advert for a restaurant in Gaza that is open and serving food. Lots of food. Fresh food. They were even offering 20% discounts to those who paid digitally. I went on Yelp, Facebook, TikTok and Instagram actively seeking out restaurants and cafes in Gaza. I checked the dates of their last postings. They had to be within the past three months to be considered. I found scores. More than 60. I will share just a few with you.
This clip features all the cafes and restaurants and grocers still open for business in Gaza
There is a great deception taking place. These are the true Hunger Games. Because the truth has been hidden, people are falling for the lies. It is no conspiracy. And the lies are having their intended effect. Because no one wants to see starvation.
Last week, after a series of PR wins, Hamas cut off all further negotiations and contact with international mediators. This comes after President Macron of France, followed by Kier Starmer of the UK, Prime Minister Carney in Canada, Bolsinaro in Brazil, Australia, Spain…. all stated they would recognize an official Palestinian state. In addition, at the UN in New York, the Vatican called for a two state solution and recognition of a sovereign Palestine. It comes just after Israel made significant concessions allowing for humanitarian aid to be distributed. The vast majority of Israelis today understand that the ridiculous notion of “land for peace” is dead.
Hamas now feels there is absolutely nothing further to gain from hostage deals or ceasefire agreements because they are winning the war on the global stage. They are being validated by the international community. Recognition of a Palestinian state rewards Hamas for its October 7 attack on Israel. It is now incentivized to not agree to a ceasefire.
This mass international pressure on Israel has emboldened the terrorist regime who started the war. It neither brings anyone closer to peace nor does it bring the hostages home. To quote Winston Churchill, “ An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile hoping it will eat him last.” Former hostage, a dual British/Israeli citizen, Emily Damari, who survived Hamas captivity for 471 days states, “I am deeply saddened. This move does not advance peace. It risks rewarding terror. It sends a dangerous message that violence earns legitimacy. By legitimizing a state entity while Hamas still controls Gaza and continues its campaign of terror, you are not promoting a solution: you are prolonging the conflict. Recognition under these conditions emboldens extremists and undermines any hope for genuine peace. Shame on you.”
Recognizing Palestine as a sovereign state in hopes that it will bring peace is like saying ‘let’s give more heroin and free needles to junkies in hopes that it will get them off drugs or at least keep them safe from hepatitis and AIDS.’ This movement is demonically addicted to lies, propaganda and violence. In 2005 the Gaza Strip (once part of Israel) was emptied of all its Jewish population and given over to the Palestinians. The offering of land in hopes for peace gave way to violence and jihad and acts of infiltration into Israel. This, in turn, led to years of thousands of missiles launched into Israel – two decades of kidnappings and murder and the taking of global dollars to build an underground network of terror tunnels. While the world turns a blind eye.
Please watch this important explanatory video aired on Fox News earlier today- (it’s 14 minutes long, but by watching even a few minutes you can get the general idea…) Brian Kilmeade interviewed Ambassador Huckabee after he had just returned from being on the ground in Gaza.
Thanks to these weak spineless global governments, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and other terror organizations have grown even more emboldened and powerful. Just two days ago, after the recognition of a sovereign Palestine was announced, two more hostage videos were released. These are the real Hunger Games. Yet the photos are not to be found on the world’s leading newspapers.
The first video, released on Friday morning by the PIJ, shows 22 year old Ron Braslavski, kidnapped from the Nova Music Festival, tortured and starved for 666 days. He is visibly broken both physically and mentally. His family is shaken by the images. Ron was one of the heroes of October 7, a hired security personnel. He had stayed behind to help those injured, before being taken hostage himself.
Just one comment: in the video of Ron Braslavski below it is said he is an IDF soldier. He is being made to read propaganda by Hamas. Ron had finished his service and contracted out as a security guard when he was kidnapped from the festival.
You can see the poor man is in agony. If you can watch this footage and still call it justified resistance against an occupier, then you have buried your humanity long ago. Free Palestine is not a liberation movement, it is a murderous death cult. Built in underground tunnels, UNWRA schools and hospitals that hid missiles and weapons, they spew propaganda like Goebbels spewed Nazi propaganda…but today’s Islamonazis are much much worse, because they do not hide what they do…they take pride in their performance of evil and the world is silent.
Also, on Friday, Hamas released a new video of hostages Eviatar David. He is unable to see well without his glasses. His legs and hands had been shackled. He is being held in the dark with little food or clean water. He is only allowed to shower with a bucket of sea water once a month. We know this from previously released hostages who had shared a cell next to him.
Eviatar was seen for the first time since October 7 in another Hamas propaganda video released this past February. He is seated in a heavily guarded truck alongside Hamas-held hostage, Guy Gilboa Daniel. They were being forced to watch a group of hostages being released. This was an act of psychological torture.
In the video yesterday, we see Eviatar keeping a chart of what he was given to eat. Twice a week lentils. Beans once every two weeks. Many days there is no food for him at all. He is videotaped being forced to dig his own grave. This is reminiscent of the Nazis and of Stalin. Of the horrors of Babi Yar in Russia.
There is real hunger in the world. And real starvation: a hunger for the truth; a starvation for moral clarity. One side feeds and moves innocent civilians from harm’s way. The other side holds captives in conditions worse than animals. One side proclaims liberation and freedom. The other side fights evil terror regimes. One side treats the wounded. The other side starves, chains, mutilates, rapes and burns. The headlines scream “famine,” but not for the true victims whose cries go ignored. It’s not just a war of missiles and grenades, it’s a war of distortion and propaganda. Of appeasement dressed as diplomacy. Where suffering is justified. There is a true Hunger Games being played out right now. There is a famine right now – of integrity. Of courage. Of truth. The devil is in the details. Refuse to look away. Speak up. Share this post with as many people as you can.
Yesterday, John and I made a lovely day trip to Yerushalayim. We spent some quality time with friends in the Judaean Hills we don’t often see and I had an interview for a story I’ll be writing later. But the main reason we were there was for the Pulse of Israel Conference at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center.
We absolutely love Avi Abelow (founder of the Pulse and of 12 Tribes Films) for his straightforward and honest reporting of current events. Avi is a man of integrity and moral clarity, and is more than well informed and well connected than many. I can find background and details on the news that I don’t hear reported elsewhere. They are all very well verified and well backed up. A dual U.S./Israeli citizen, he has spoken both in Knesset as well as in the U.S. Congress.
Yearly, Abelow holds a panel discussion with such notables as Caroline Glick, President Isaac Herzog, Melanie Phillips, and members of Knesset and Ministers in Israeli government. This year, we were excited to hear the Ambassador from Panama, Ezra Cohen; social media influencer, Lizzy Savetsky; Knesset member, Amit HaLevi; MidEast scholar and professor, Mordechai Kedar; Rawan Osman and Ambassador Mike Huckabee. The line-up did not disappoint.
One of the panelists, Rawan Osman, a beautiful Syrian Muslim woman, raised in Lebanon, gave a short testimony of her awakening to the truth. She grew up under the specter of war and as a young adult, was a vehement hater of Zionists and Jews. Unfortunately, I did not video her talk, but I found her story on Prager U. So here it is for your viewing:
Rather than bore you with commentary, I will share my video highlights. At 8:32 pm, in the very middle of the evening’s program, everyone’s phones started ‘screeching’ with the Red Alert siren. The bombs were aimed at Jerusalem. Thankfully, the auditorium was also a protected area. Only in Israel! We sit calmly and make jokes as a Houthi missile is hopefully intercepted overhead.
The forum continued without a hitch- Lizzie Savetsky, advocate for Israel, now residing in NYC, is originally from Texas. She got her start as a country western singer, so Ambassador Huckabee insisted she do her cowboy yodeling song for the audience.
Now, without any further ado, I present Ambassador Mike Huckabee :
In addition to these speakers, the two ending addresses that were delivered were filled with optimism and gave such hope. A little over two years ago, a British Israeli family of 6 was traveling from their home in Judaea for a Passover vacation on the Kinneret/ Sea of Galilee. They took two cars. One held Rabbi Leo Dee and two younger children. The other held the mother, Lucy Dee and their two older daughters, Maya,20 and Rina,15.
Lucy, Rina and Maia Dee of blessed memory
Swiftly an ambush happened and the women’s car was sprayed with bullets by Palestinian terrorists lying in wait for passing cars. It forced the women to crash the car off the side of the road where the terrorists opened the doors, shooting the three. The two girls died before help came. Lucy, was medivac’ed to a nearby hospital where she succumbed to her wounds a few days later. It was horrific.
Rabbi Leo Dee
Rabbi Dee gave a wonderfully positive message about moving forward with the help of G-d. About overcoming. The fact that we are here in the Land of Promise, defeating our enemies around us, prospering and proud is a testimony to the Israeli spirit.
The last speech of the evening was by Avi Abelow. Also incredibly hopeful, he spoke about the open miracles that we have witnessed since the tragic day or 7 October, 2023. The fact that a country so divided and almost on the brink of civil war is now United and strong is a complete miracle. The fact that we are defeating our enemies and have relatively few casualties considering the length of the war and our opponents is miraculous. Despite the fact that we are in the middle of the war our economy is incredibly booming and our shekel is stable and strong is incredible. As antisemitism has reared its monstrous head and the persecution against Jews rages throughout the world, more Jewish people are deciding to make Israel their home. Aliyah is on the rise. This is an open miracle….along with all the Israelis living or vacationing abroad when the war started immediately deciding to return home. Who runs TO a war?? It’s the indomitable spirit of the Israeli people. This and countless other things points to G-d’s hand in all this. And we thank and praise and bless the Holy One, blessed be He.
Pulse of Israel CEO and friend, Avi Abelow
Parting shots of Yerushalayim, the walls of the Old City at night-
Addendum: I strongly recommend Pulse of Israel for correct reporting on current events in Israel. Clearly. Unapologetically and not at all worried about being politically correct, Pulse tells it like it is. Not only do they react to the darkeness, they shine a. Spotlight on it and are truly Lights of the World. In the chaos and through the pain, Avi Abelow is a witness to redemption and victory. Because he sees that through it all, a better world is being born through the hand of the Almighty.
His videos can be found on all social media, on YouTube and through Twelve Tribe Films.
To all those readers and old friends who have emailed and called us since Thursday out of concern for the plight of Christians in the Holy Land and for those who want further clarification, thank you for reaching out.
I know the news that does eventually make its way to your parts of the world comes piecemeal at best, and at worst, with twisted narratives. In the past two weeks there have been several different slanders, accusations and confusing stories from Judaea and Samaria (West Bank) and from Gaza. Of course, the international community seems to get involved before having all the facts, so once again….here we go.
First, leading newspapers around the world have headlined with dramatic photos of starving babies…the humanitarian aid crisis and mass starvation of the Gazan people. The above photograph appeared on the front pages of the NYT, the UK’s DailyExpress, and was picked up by Sky News, BBC, CNN and other media outlets. The young boy, Mohammad alMatouq suffers from a rare genetic condition and muscle disorders unrelated to starvation according to independent investigative journalist, David Collier. Mohammad’s mother as well as his younger brothers, who was photoshopped out of the picture is healthy. This is not to diminish the immense tragedy, but to give context. There is an undeniable humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.
But not for the reasons you’ve been told. This is a story that goes way back. I have covered it numerous times. No one wants to see people in a famine – especially innocent children. They deserve dignity as human beings, not suffering for political gain. Since the beginning of the war, there have been continual attempts made to get food, medicine and supplies into Gaza.
Unfortunately, the situation is a complete balagan or crazed mess. Hamas still rules Gaza. Despite Israeli attempts to get desperately needed supplies to the people, Hamas operatives dressed as civilians storm the trucks, kill the drivers and commandeer the goods. They pirate it for themselves and then sell it off at inflated prices to those willing to pay. It’s basic extortion. What was meant to be given away as free assistance is being sold on the black market at exorbitant rates. Also, Hamas operatives have been using the food as incentives for people to join up with them. Basically, you help us, and we’ll let you have food. Tragically, death and suffering are part of the terror group’s modus operendi. Victimizing the innocent civilians helps the cause of Hamas by provoking the outrage of the world. The truth, however, is essential.
The United States has subcontracted with the GHF (Gaza Humanitarian Fund) to set up heavily guarded independent aid centers at different marked locations throughout the Strip. Although it was reported falsely that IDF soldiers were firing on people waiting in line to receive their donations, it was actually Hamas operatives. So far 13 American contractors have been killed while attempting to distribute goods. Still, the endeavor is ongoing and seems to be helping many people who are in distress.
The UN is also involved. There are currently 1046 trucks piled high with assistance (food, hygiene products, baby formula and bottles, water, tents, medicine, sunscreen, diapers) millions of tons of supplies all waiting inside Gaza. Not outside. Inside the border of Gaza. It’s owned by the United Nations (UNICEF, UNaid, UNHumanitarian Relief) But they will not allow it to pass through to the people. Why?
The UN is following the orders of Hamas. They are using starvation as a negotiating tool with Israel. Israel has allowed the trucks in after inspection for weapons and contraband. The US has implored the United Nations to let it pass through to the people, but the UN has flatly refused. Hamas has insisted the UN escort the aid. Even Egypt has told the Washington Post that Hamas is stealing the cargo.
Ambassador Mike Huckabee traveled to Gaza last Friday to assess the situation for himself. He surveyed the area, saw the drone footage of the pallets and trucks in the parking lots and saw for himself the rotting produce.
Over 2 million TONS of aid sits rotting in the sun in Gaza
Israel has started parachuting aid packages directly into the tent cities and neighborhoods in which civilians are known to be residing. Whether that will fall into nefarious hands or not remains to be seen, but Israel and the U.S. are doing the absolute best they can to mitigate the dire circumstances. The global communities are imploring Israel (not Hamas) to sign a ceasefire agreement.
There is no ceasefire because Hamas will not acquiesce. They refuse to let the remaining 51 hostages go. They refuse to lay down their weapons. They have rejected ALL negotiations, deals or opportunities to end this. The onus lies on them.They refuse to give up power. Even if it means starving their own people. This is not about peace. It is about power. Despite all this, Israel has agreed to a pause in all military operations from 10am to 8pm “every day until further notice” in order to allow aid corridors to be established for safe passage of trucks to reach the civilians. Today, over 100 semis have been allowed free passage defended by the IDF, who seeks not only to protect its own people, but to protect those who are in opposition. Jordan and the UAE have air dropped 25 tons of aid into Gaza.
Backed by UN funding and Qatari billions, this entire war has been needlessly prolonged and the plight of the innocent civilians is turned inside out into victimhood for the sake of world sympathy. The IDF, the Israeli government and the Jews are the villains in this distorted propaganda war.
In other news, the so-called “visa crisis” addressed by Ambassador Huckabee has been completely resolved. The person who was holding up entry visas for Christian tour groups to come to Israel has been fired. It was discovered, upon investigation that a far right religious Jewish government worker was denying entrance visas to what he believed to be missionary groups. He’s gone. Paperwork expedited. Case closed.
Mike Huckabee has been one busy man lately. He was present at the scene of the “church burning” in the (West Bank) Christian town of Tayibe last week. His words were completely mangled once it reached the press to make it sound as if he was condemning Jewish setttler terrorist acts. He did not say this, only that the case should be completely investigated and anyone who causes damage to a religious or heritage site as an act of terror should come under full force of the law.
For complete clarification and visual proof -with some absolutely damning evidence – I refer you to Josh Waller and Luke Hilton:Please watch this short explanatory video and pass on the information.
In addition, a bit of a more lengthy video that fully explains the entire situation and the settler violence. It is fully researched and well presented.
No, Israeli citizens are not targeting Christians. And neither is the IDF. From everything I have witnessed since we have been in Israel over the past decade, is that Israelis (for the most part) treasure antiquities and historical sites. They preserve and not tear down. There is a respect for other religions (for the most part), as long as a person is behaving in a law abiding orderly manner. There will always be those outliers and extremists who cause trouble, however.
There are the ultra observant from all religions who look down upon and cause trouble for others. From the Haredim Orthodox Jews who shout out, harass and abuse Christian tourists to Catholic priests throwing rocks at Jewish settlers. From Muslim violence against Christians and Jews they consider infidels and occupiers to the extremely secular who dislike all super religious. It is evil. I in no way condone bad behavior. It needs to be examined, rebuked and prosecuted. But it is far and beyond the exception to normal life here.
Jews do not “target” Christians or their holy sites. Synagogues, churches and mosques, unless proof is given that they are being used for purposes of terror or criminal intent, are holy and to be respected. There is freedom of worship here. It is a sacred and basic human right. Any reports to the opposite are verifiably false and libelous.
Tourism is a huge source of revenue for Israel, so anything that would endanger it is discouraged. Besides Jewish people from around the world, Christians of all denominations have been our biggest supporters in our fight for truth and freedom. We share common ancestry and a common morality as dictated by the Scriptures.
From some of the calls we received, quite a few people had heard that the Jews were persecuting and killing Christians and the IDF was routinely demolishing churches as some sort of sick and twisted hate crime. Not true. This is propaganda. Please seek out the truth for yourself from reliable sources. These include Pulse of Israel; The Israel Guys; Israel Video Network the Philos Project, Shadi Khalloul and United With Israel.
In his article, Is Gaza Starving? Searching for Truth in an Information War, Matti Friedman writes, “ In a blizzard of ideological fiction, how are sane citizens in Israel, or anywhere else, supposed to know what’s true and to do the right thing? It’s not an exaggeration to say, as we’re seeing right now, that the answer to this question is a matter of life and death”
“…in those days oracles will see falsehoods, and dreamers speak lies (against Jerusalem/Israel); they comfort with meaningless speech.” -Zechariah 10:2
“ For from its origins, I see them rock-like and from the hills do I see it. Behold! It is a nation that will be relegated to dwell in solitude and not be reckoned among the nations.” – Balaam to King Balak in Numbers 23:9
“The burden of the L-rd for Israel: “ Behold! I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about…I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone forall people.” – Zechariah 12:1-3
For those readers who haven’t looked at yesterday’s post, I strongly urge you to do so as this is a continuation as current news flows in. I have worked hours last week contacting sources who know the events as they unfold, have records, or are eyewitnesses and participants. Some of the sources, I will gladly share; please understand some of the other sources I will give must remain secret as it can damage job security and security in general.
I will always try to bring you the truth. I will try to be fair and balanced presenting all sides, but I will call out fake news, lies and falsehoods and give evidence in its place. I will also feel free to add my own commentary and insights. After being asked many questions about what is actually going on here in Israel, I feel that by living here and being an observer, so to speak, I am more equipped than many to report on current events.
Please realize, Saul Alinski, the anarchist radical who with his cohorts (Cloward & Piven, Bill Ayers, Paolo Freire, and other radicals of the 1960s) wrote how to take down a system in Rules for Radicals. In this book he outlines steps to disguise your true purposes as good and altruistic; feed the target as many lies as they can handle and keep repeating those lies; divide the stronger population into smaller subgroups who fight among themselves; use blame and fear as a tactic to coerce a people into doing what you would have them do; use a top down/bottom up/inside out method of spreading chaos to break the system apart; beginning in the youngest grades of an educational system use academia to rewrite history to serve your purpose and create a new generation of civic activists; use the larger religious institutions to accept teachings of social justice (and liberation theology, my addition, but part of this Marxist/anarchist scheme.
The world has been unwittingly and sheepishly seeing these strategies unfold through the protests in the universities and spread of false narratives in the media (even spreading to the political realm) to divide and conquer once solid and reason-able groups. Class is turning against class. Generation is turning on generation in a way unseen before. Good is being labeled as evil and vice versa. And the masses are falling for outright lies in many spheres…today I will try to tackle Israel.
John and I once again stayed up late into the night, watching news as it came out of the United States. A particularly damning clip from the newer Conservative media outlet, OAN, had Matt Gaetz spouting much antiIsrael propaganda. I will try to right some of these falsehoods and to also add to yesterday’s story.
“ The U.S. tax dollars funds the IDF.” Unequivocally false. Israel has a 18% sales tax and a 100% import tax on all “luxury” items (every new car). The sale of technological and medical developments and the sales of defense technology generate massive income for the nation. Much of this gets sown back into the Israeli Defense from weaponry to salaries, from infrastructure to food and uniforms. Generous private donations make up the lack (in ceramic vests, helmets, drones, camera equipment, boots, medic kits and other needed equipment). The U.S. tax money funds the US armed services. Not Israel’s.
As for the Florida man who was killed. It was quickly labeled Jewish Israeli settler violence. The bodies of a Palestinian youth and of Sayfollah Musallet of Tampa, Florida were found hours after a rock throwing incident and broader skirmish broke out in Samaria (West Bank) near Ma’ale Levona. The one youth had a bullet shot. Musallet had a blunt force trauma to the head according to the persons who discovered the bodies. According to his uncle, who was not present at the scene, Musallet was “kicked and beaten up by a large gang of Jewish settlers for over three hours. He was gagging from the pain as he took his last breaths.” This is NOT reliable reporting.
CAIR and the Musallet family in Florida have demanded that the US step in and do an independent investigation “bringing the Jews who killed their son to justice.“ They have already ruled out any Israel involvement in an investigation. Sayfollah’s body was buried within 24 hours of finding him. He was buried as a martyr with the Palestinian flag draped over the stretcher. The family will not allow autopsy reports nor will they allow his body to be dug up and reexamined, calling it a “desecration of his honor.” We are to believe the narratives we are fed. I showed yesterday that he was a card carrying Hamas member which supports the martyr narrative. And the mainstream media and the world’s politicians run with the story pushed on them by CAIR and the family.
I still see no outlet coming out about Syria – not BBC, not Sky news, not American media – decrying the genocide against the Christians (now over 200 killed) and Druze (now over 560 massacred) or the kidnapping of the Christian and Druze children and young women to be sold as slaves. Israel is boots-on-the-ground fighting the Syrian army/Daesh/ISIS hell bent on ethnic cleansing. The American humanitarian group, the Nazarene Fund is boots-on-the ground elivering humanitarian aid and trying to airlift as many of the Christians out of the area as they can get emergency visas for as refugee status to other countries. A ceasefire was called, but now the Syrian army has adopted the Hamas tactic of dressing in civilian clothes to blend in with the general population.
Last night as we were walking the dog, 4 military helicopters passed overhead, flying low towards the East over the Golan. We found out this morning they were laden with food, baby items, medical supplies and water for the people of Suweida, Syria. It was reported that the Syrian terrorist army was poisoning their water supplies as well, so water drops were also necessary in the humanitarian package. Israel is doing this. Israel is funding this. Americans who donate to the Nazarene Fund are funding and expediting this needed help. Yet the rest of the world is silent.
Then there is the news about “even the most ardent Israel supporter, Ambassador Mike Huckabee has turned against Israel.” This is only partially true. Huckabee, a former Baptist minister, Arkansas governor and truly good-hearted human being is a strong supporter of Israel. He believes in the return of the Jewish person to inhabit and return to their ancient, Biblical and ancestral homeland as the indigenous population. A strong Christian, he fully loves and appreciates the land where Jesus walked and taught, lived and died. It truly is the birthplace of Christianity and he has led many Christian groups of pilgrims in the Holy Land.
Israel is not perfect by any means. We have a lot of serious problems. And one that I have witnessed personally while taking out own visitors to the Old City of Jerusalem. There are groups of ultra-Orthodox ‘Yeshiva Students’ that do heckle and spit on Christian tourists. They are both fearful (from centuries of Christian persecution and forced conversion by the Church in the name of Christ) and hateful of the “goyim.” This is absolutely horrific, disrespectful behavior that I cannot condone. I have witnessed the name calling. I have witnessed ultra Orthodox, Haredi Jews throwing stones at passing taxis on Shabbat (for those who keep Shabbat, it is a sin to drive). This behavior must stop. It is far from holy.
That said, I also know personally Christian groups that are missionary groups. My old California neighbors, Mike and Maureen, lovely people really, are devout non-denominational evangelical Christians. The last time I was back ‘home’ Mike was telling me of their last Holy Land trip and how he and the others took every opportunity to “witness” to their waiters, tour guides, bus drivers, hotel staff, all the Jewish and Muslim people they encountered along the way to tell them about the love of Jesus and the way of salvation.
I know many of these groups mean well and are acting from their heartfelt beliefs, but in Israel as in other countries, the culture must be respected. You do not witness or evangelize Jews, especially the young. It is just not allowed. In Saudi Arabia one must sign a non-proselytizing agreement as well as a modesty agreement before entering. In going to India, under the Foreigners Act, one signs a contract when getting an entrance visa that he/she will honor the Hindu and Sikh peoples. It is against the law there to proselytize. Here in Israel, the Mormons wanted to build a huge research and media center in Jerusalem (1986). Before they were granted that right by the State of Israel, they had to sign a contract saying they would not send missionaries out in any form to convert the Israeli peoples (Jews, Christians, Muslim or Druze) to the Latter Day Saints faith. It’s just the way it is here. Respect it.
Christian tourism provides our lifeblood here in Israel. We love the Christian pilgrims. Our service industry is geared towards tourism. The Israeli Antiquities Authority are tasked with the privilege of preserving both the Jewish and the Christian archaeological sites, and sites of historical preservation are cared for lovingly. It is part of our shared heritage. All places of worship whether synagogue, church or mosque are considered sacred and not to be touched (unless they are harboring terrorists or serving nefarious purposes).
Late last week, Ambassador Huckabee delivered a harsh warning to the Israeli government. It came out of the blue. He threatened in a letter to the Interior Minister, Moshe Arbel, (letter and response leaked to The Times of Israel) expressing “great distress” and “deep disappointment” over the way Israel handles its tourist visa applications for Christian organizations. (This is NOT every individual Christian tourist, but actual ministries who book large tour groups. This point is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT for Mr. Huckabee to understand). “Unfortunately, if the Israeli government continues to cause bureaucratic harassment, I will have no choice but to instruct our consular department to explore the possibility of reciprocal treatment of Israeli citizens applying for visa to the United States (clarification: this is NOT for US passport holders),” he stated.
The Interior Ministry launched investigation into several Evangelical groups, namely the Baptist Conference and the Christian Missionary Alliance because the trips were less about pilgrimage than evangelization to the Jews. I personally think this rebuke was very harsh of the Ambassador and could have been handled in a more discreet manner, and I also believe an amicable conclusion can be reached. Any visitor will just sign an agreement not to proselytize ‘the natives’ out of respect to the culture while on a trip to Israel.
Now for the headline, the one I am sick about having to report. I in no way want to come out against Catholics. Some of my closest family members and dearest friends and neighbors are Catholic. My bonds with people of the Catholic faith run very deep. Until very recently, I have remained silent. I have spoken extensively about this distressing matter with one of my best friends here in Israel who actually works in association with the Latin Catholic Patriarchate and Greek Orthodox Patriarch. So my information is more than reliable.
Since the onset of the war between Israel and Hamas, since 9 October, 2023, the Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa has been no friend to Israel. My husband and I have met him personally on several occasions and he seems like a genuinely nice man and a good listener (he had expressed interest in our Aliyah experience back when he was just a Bishop). I have interviewed him for an American magazine.
Yesterday, I wrote of how the Christians in ”Palestine” aka Judaea and Samaria and especially in East Jerusalem are surrounded by Muslims. They are inundated with hatred towards the Jews as killers of their Messiah and as occupiers of their indigenous land. The Greek Orthodox stand notoriously against the Jewish people, siding with Hamas, the Palestinian Authority and radical Islamists. On the other side of the coin, many of the religious Jewish people have both a fear and harbor an animosity against Christians, Catholics in particular. I discussed this yesterday. It is a huge fault and rupture here in what is supposed to be the Holy Land, and the City of Peace. And as I said, no country is perfect, and Israel surely has its share of problems and faults…. From all sides.
Cardinal Pizzaball’s closest aides and associates in the clergy come from the antizionism and extreme antisemitic ilk. He is ina political tight spot as he is the head of all Latin Rite Catholic Churches in the Holy Land, Jordan. and Syria, as well as being promoted to other positions of high honor within the church. He is surrounded by those who are not favorable toward the Israeli government or the Jews.
In his correspondence to the late Pope Francis and in his statements to the world, Cardinal Pizzaballa from the beginning has been hostile to Israel and to “the Israeli army.” Unfortunately, he has not called out Hamas or their atrocities. He has failed to recognize the delivering of humanitarian aid or the lengths that the IDF takes in order to prevent civilian casualties in a close-range, densely-packed urban war. Unfortunately, the Cardinal does not seem to recognize the fight between good and evil. Over the past two years (almost), when something bad happens in Gaza (and now in Judaea and Samaria), it is always the fault of Israel. Always. You can read all the press releases as well as see videos and transcripts of church services on lpj.org.
Cardinal Pizzaballa as well as the international media, both rely on the word and the statistics of the Gaza Health Ministry, a propaganda arm of Hamas. They often jump to negative conclusions and are quick to swallow and regurgitate news as it comes from the Islamist perspective. There is no reason, evaluation or investigation into many of the alleged accusations against Israel: a tank firing on Holy Family Church in the winter of 2024; the bombing by the IDF of a Catholic School – which was actually harboring four known Hamas commandos. They were all shot, but sadly the school (St. Joseph) was very badly damaged. No students or staff were present. I covered this last year.
This brings us to the Holy Family Church disaster just last week. To begin with, for weeks prior, the IDF had been calling upon all remaining innocent civilians to leave the area (Shejaya-Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City, a mixed Christian and Muslim neighborhood) which had the Greek Orthodox and a Baptist Church as well as a non-denominational church and the LatinRite Catholic church -Holy Family. The parishioners have never heeded the warning to evacuate . It had become an active war zone as announced. The Catholic parishioners and others had taken up shelter in the church as a place of sanctuary.
The Israeli army does no target or single out any place of worship to fire upon. This was suggested by Michael Knowles, Taylor Marshall, Candace Owens and others: that the IDF acts in retaliation or revenge against accusations of settler and IDF violence in “the Israeli occupied territories.” This, in itself, is ludicrous.
I am now going to purposely nitpick in order to show you how quickly a news story develops and how false information is propagated. Please bear with me as it is important to see and understand. Some of the news is true, others false, but nonetheless, there are reports without verification.
First, last Thursday morning, the Holy Family Catholic Church was hit by the IDF. Some news outlets were quick to call it an air strike. Other reputable sources classified it as a drone attack on the church that killed many people seeking refuge inside the church.
Vatican sources reported it, at first as “a raid on the church” then soon after as “the only Catholic Church in the Gaza Strip was hit by a tank this morning.” The news was quick to be disseminated without full knowledge of the facts. The loss of life and damage to the church is horrific and grievous. I am not trying to minimize it. The loss of innocent life is horrible. Three people died from their injuries.
In one of his first press releases, Pizzaballa stated “The Latin Patriarchate strongly condemns this tragedy and targeting (emphasis mine) of innocent civilians and of a sacred place.” This word is nothing short of incendiary. The word targeting carries with it implications that the mortar was fired purposely at the Christians.
emphasis. He also called the strike “humanly and morally unjustified.” In Vatican News Pizzaballa made the statement “What we know for sure is that a tank, the IDF says ‘by mistake’, but we are not sure about this, they hit the church directly, the Church of the Holy Family.” He makes assumptions about the validity of a mistake. This throws doubt on the entire situation and the many comments in the comment section below questioned the morality of the Israeli army and its government. Even more antisemitic vitriol followed in the comments.
Pope Leo also expressed his sympathy…and outrage…of the situation calling for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian aid/rescue mission. He spoke by phone on Friday with Netanyahu. He was right to call and to voice his “concern about the tragic situation and the urgent need to protect places of worship and, especially, the faithful and all people in Palestine and Israel.” Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his regrets and condolences, saying a thorough look at what led up to the morning’s events and the strike itself was under investigation.
Later, the IDF issued a release stating that there was stray mortar fire from a tank in the area and that it was a complete and tragic accident. Now for a very important clarification. It is a war. And not to make excuses, but to give viable explanations and alternatives, accidents do happen. Earlier last week there was another tragic tank accident in Gaza. 5 Israeli soldiers died inside their tank. They were burned to death, a most horrible way to go. It was first listed as an RPG strike from a Hamas terrorist. On closer inspection (reports are filed with every mission, every shot, every incident) it was discovered that there were no external tears, punctures or ruptures to the outer shell of the tank. The turret somehow misfired, causing the mortar to explode internally. It was an accident. Sometimes, parts don’t work the way they were designed. It is unfortunate, but accidents happen.
In a statement the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported: “An initial inquiry into reports regarding injured individuals in the Holy Family Church in Gaza City, suggests that fragments from a shell fired during operational activity in the area hit the church mistakenly. The cause of the incident is under review. The IDF directs its strikes solely at military targets and makes every feasible effort to mitigate harm to civilians and religious structures, and regrets any unintentional damage caused to them,” the statement added.
As I have said, any loss of innocent life is a tragedy, but think about this: Israel flew over 300 sorties in Iran in 12 days, hitting every single target. They have bombed Hizbulla strongholds I Lenpbanon, weapons depots in Syria, the Houthi port in Yemen. When Israel strikes a TARGETED area more than likely, they do not miss. If they were actually targeting the church, it would be obliterated today. Daily Mass has been held inside the church and Pizzaballa attended last Sunday’s Mass in Gaza City in solidarity. I’m glad the church was not destroyed (contrary to what Taylor Marshall, michael Knowles and other pundits have said)- the church bells still ring out and the interior is completely intact.
But admissions of regret have not satisfied the grieving Catholic community, which has amplified its calls for a ceasefire. President Trump as well as other world leaders (Italy’s Meloni, UK’s Starmer and Macron of France among other heads of state) called Netanyahu to express their concern and outrage, calling for an immediate”end to all hostilities.” I am reprinting an article that appeared first in The Pillar, a Catholic news outlet. It was then picked up by mainstream media as well as other Christian outlets.
Pope Leo XIV and the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem have strongly condemned the shelling Thursday of the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza.
While the Israeli government has said that tank fire on the Gaza parish on July 17 was not deliberate, Cardinal Pierrebattista Pizzaballa has expressed doubts.
Sources close to the patriarchate’s chancery told The Pillar Thursday that some officials believe the strike could be a deliberate act of retaliation, after Christian leaders recently condemned Israeli settler attacks on a West Bank Christian town.
Israel’s foreign ministry said in a social media post that “Israel expresses deep sorrow over the damage to the Holy Family Church in Gaza City and over any civilian casualty.”
“The IDF is examining this incident, the circumstances of which are still unclear, and the results of the investigation will be published transparently.”
Israel never targets churches or religious sites and regrets any harm to a religious site or to uninvolved civilians,” the statement said.
But Cardinal Pizzaballa expressed doubt.
“What we know for sure is that a tank, the IDF says by mistake, but we are not sure about this, they hit the church directly, the Church of the Holy Family, the Latin Church.”
“We don’t have complete information about what has happened in Gaza today because the communication in Gaza is not that simple,” the cardinal added.
Sources close to the Patriarchate chancery told The Pillar that internally Church authorities were considering the possibility that the tank attack was a direct response to a recent meeting of Christian leaders in the West Bank town of Taybeh on Monday, and a statement that accused the Israeli authorities of facilitating attacks on local Christians.
Taybeh has been the site of several recent attacks by Israeli settlers on local Christians, including a recent arson attack. In a joint statement during the visit, the cardinal and the Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III said that they “call for these radicals to be held accountable by the Israeli authorities, who facilitate and enable their presence around Taybeh.”
At the very best, giving the Cardinal the benefit of the doubt, this is careless and inflammatory wording. At worst it causes antiIsraeli…namely anti Jewish thought and in turn hatred. It is absolutely reckless to say this even after a report of stray shrapnel and cause as accidental and apologies issued. At worst, and I do dare say this, it is bearing false witness.
A joint conference will be held tomorrow at 11 am with the Cardinal/Patriarchate and Patriarch at Norte Dame Church in Jerusalem at 11:00 am.
One more additional bit of information. I contacted a Catholic priest in Beersheva (closest parish to Gaza) who said that even though some of the wounded went to a hospital within Gaza, “the IDF transported several of the wounded from the church in Gaza City to the hospital in Ashdod to treat them.” The father above and another parishioner from the Beersheva community who speaks Arabic went to visit the wounded in the hospital and to pray with them.” Where else is there an army that takes people from an enemy zone and treats them in their own hospitals, even if they are innocent civilians?
To wrap up, why all this? Why is this important? Because AlJazeera (Qatar) and CAIR among other Islamist organizations have taken this material and pushed it to the global media. They demand accountability and justice from the Israelis. The purpose is to cast doubt in the minds of not only political leaders, but the general public…most notably Christians, who have largely been the largest supporters of Israel outside the Jewish communities. And we see this unfolding at an alarming pace – from Colbert and Kimmel to Benny Johnson and Joe Rogan from Marco Rubio to Maat Gaetz. There’s a lot of false assumptions without digging for truth that are leading to loss of support for Israel and a rise in hatred of the Jewish people.
I know this has been a particularly long (but important) post. I do leave you with this very short, spot-on explanatory video of exactly what is happening. It is by my good friend, Avbi Abelow, who I will be meeting with in person next week.
It looks like the prophecy that Israel will be a nation that stands alone is coming to pass as support is waning and accusations rise.
If you find this informative or just interesting, please share this information with others – friends, neighbors, parishioners, church groups or anyone who seeks the truth. Thank you.
Last night I checked my email, my social media and my messages. Something I do right after Shabbat ends. And I had no less than seven people ask me “What the F*@% is going on with Israel?” And “Can you explain what is happening???” And “I used to think Israel was the good guys. I’ve now changed my opinion.” That last comment was from an old friend who was totally understanding and supportive. Now, not so sure. And six people sent me this one video (out of four video clips and several articles, I still haven’t opened some of the posts):
Pretty damning, no? Especially if you don’t know any of the background. (We subscribe to The Daily Wire among many other media outlets, just to let you know). When I listened to this the first time I was very shocked – and upset. My husband, John, who if you know him, is never wrankled, easy going, always joking, was hopping mad. HIS comments:
“ They never ever tell you what leads up to these stories.
There is never ever any reporting about the other side.
The stories are always piecemeal, ugly sound bytes without any context.
These so-called journalists and podcasters never seem to take extra time to research a story – they just parrot anti-Israel propaganda.
And some of Israel’s biggest supporters are Americans and the Christian community. If they can cast doubt with these people by throwing shade on Israel or the IDF, they can split and weaken the community and thereby win.”
First, let me start by saying I spent last week and this morning calling and talking to people who I know have expertise. Several don’t have a stake in the game, so to speak. They are foreigners who live and work here as observers, as aides, as clergy, as humanitarian aid workers. I also know soldiers serving in Gaza, in Judaea and Samaria and in the Golan. They have first hand information. And I speak with people living in Judaea and Samaria (West Bank) who see and guard and know about the area and what is happening. Some I can mention by name, others like specific soldiers, I cannot.
Let us start with what is happening in Syria. As you heard from Mr. Knowles, Israel is now “occupying Southern Syria.” No context. No backstory…please see my last post for the Syria story!! The IDF is in no way occupying Syria. The backstory:
Last Sunday, a Christian jeweler and successful businessman from Hasakah, Syria, George Ishoh, was shot in the back of the head outside his home as he was leaving for Church. Masked men came to his house to shoot him in front of family and neighbors as a warning sign. He had refused to pay the Jizya, a tax imposed upon ‘Infidels’ aka non-Muslims. He had been given the choice to convert to the Muslim religion or pay over $300,000 US dollars; he did neither. So he was assassinated. Mr. Ishoh died shortly after neighbors rushed him to the hospital.
Syrian Christian martyr, George Ishoh
His murder highlights the ongoing lawlessness, religious persecution and security collapse in Syria, especially in Christian and Druze areas. There is a dramatic escalation in violence since alJawlani/alSharaa came to power. Just the week previous, 27 young people were killed in the firebombing of the Mar Elias Church in Damascus. Last week the Mar Michael and Mar Charbel churches were looted and burned in southern Syria. The government is much to blame as it is the new army that is now leading attacks.
Last week a Druze elder was given the option to convert or die. A Syrian rebel in the armed forces posted a video in which he states:: “A message to the Druze pigs. Get out of Jeramana. Take your children out of the universities. Get out from among the Sunni Muslims. We are warning you for the second and third time. Leave from any place where there are Sunnis. Your problem is not only with the Syrian people. You have made two, three billion Muslims your enemies (The Druze support Israel, my clarification). You are outcasts. You are hated wherever you go. You will be trampled on. Let Israel save you, you thugs, inshallah. He who warns is excused. So you don’t say the Sunnis betrayed us. You are warned. Because we will not have mercy on you. You know what will happen when we catch a Druze in our hands. Your problem is huge with the Muslims. Let Israel save you. You pigs. We swear by Allah, the lord of all creation. Wherever we will see a Druze,we will chop his head off. A child will be burned like a Jew. You are no different from the Israeli dogs. All of your heads are wanted. Allahu ahkbar.” (This was interpreted for me and sent to me by a retired Arab Christian colonel in the IDF who could translate the Arabic.)
Last week, the Syrian forces with tanks, RPGs, guns and machetes raided Suweida province, made up mostly of minority Druze, Greek Orthodox, Latin Rite and Maronite Christians who have tried to live there peacefully for centuries. I have never shown any graphic footage on this blog, because I know some of my readers are easily offended. But last week over 130 Christians and over 350 Druze were massacred. Warning: SENSITIVE CONTENT!! I hope it was not already taken down.
The global media refused to cover this. This is the face of genocide. This is TARGETED killing. No one came to their help, but Israel. The IDF went in, boots on the ground after targeted warning airstrikes on the gates of the Defense Department building in Damascus. Also, the grounds of the royal palace was hit, causing alJawlani/alSharaa to run to Turkey. He then left his younger brother-in-law, an ‘ex’ ISIS (Daesh) commando. Supposedly a ceasefire was agreed upon, but the Muslims started attacking again with even more force. IDF airstrikes directly hit convoys of tanks and pickup trucks carrying RPGs, militants and weapons.
The Syrian forces under the new command were told to spare no one. The Bedouins and other Islamic splinter groups capitalized on this and started kidnapping young Druze and Christian children to sell as slaves on the black market. Women were beheaded. Christian men were ordered to jump from a building at gunpoint.
A hospital in Suweida was attacked. It was run by and serviced mostly Christians and Druze. Last Thursday, the ISIS come Syrian army invaded the grounds and shot everyone. Every patient in their bed. Every doctor, nurse and orderly. This from the Voice of Israeli Christian Eagles:
The U.S. got involved as intermediary, telling the Israelis to hold off, that there will be a ceasefire mediated in Turkey. Israel said in essence, “but they’re killing our Druze and Christian brothers in Syria. It’s a total bloodbath.” And Israel did not listen to US advice to stay apart and not get involved. The IDF and many Israeli Druze entered Suweida on Thursday evening to encircle it and cut off the Syrian army which still controls about 30% of the northern region. Supposedly a ceasefire has been reached. In the meantime, gross looting of the Christian and Druze property is occurring.
Israel is neither colonizing nor occupying territory. The IDF went in to stop the massacre. No other country would come to their aid. Israel does not want another 7 October with innocents to the East being mercilessly slaughtered by Islamic extremists, whether they be ISIS or Hamas. There is now talk of bringing these Druze and Christians into the north of Israel as refugees. It remains an ongoing story, but now you know the context.
Now for the “West Bank” balagan, also called by mainstream media and global politicians “settler violence.” I will try not to continually make excuses for Israel. We have good people who do good things, and thugs who are rabble-rousers, just like in any other country. This country is no different. There are myriad problems governmentally, religiously, societally, legally and militarily. First, the label settler. When you think of settler- primitive squatter and rustic pioneer comes to mind. Not permanence. Not modernity. Not civilized. Much of the ‘settlements are entire cities with full services, shopping malls, theatres and schools, sports facilities and synagogues.
Without going into too much detail of 100+ years of history, the West Bank occupies about 1/3 of the land mass inside Israel. It has been broken up into Areas A, B, and C. Area C is controlled by Israel and under IDF protection. Area B is mixed, Jewish and Palestinian (both Christian and Muslim) and area A is off limits to Jews under threat of death. It is completely governed by the Palestinian Authority. I cannot enter.
Much of Area C is made up of large thriving Jewish communities like Efrat, Maale Adumim and Tekoa. These areas make up the ancient Biblical area of Judaea (hence the word Jew…someone originally from Judaea and the tribe of Judah) and Samaria. The ‘settlements’ are scattered between Arab territory…Bedouin, Palestinian Muslims and Christian. Please watch this thorough explanatory video – it’s current and the best I’ve seen because it covers all sides. It’s 22 minutes, so….
About two and a half weeks ago there was an incident which involved Christians and the Jewish settlers in the area, a predominantly Christian city. I was sent the following article and asked for comments.
Priests of West Bank’s only remaining all-Christian town issue urgent appeal against Israeli settler violence
The three priests of Taybeh in the West Bank issued an urgent appeal for justice this week after Israeli settlers reportedly escalated their acts of violence and intimidation against Christians in the region’s only remaining all-Christian town.
“We, the priests of the three churches of Taybeh — the Greek Orthodox Church, the Latin Church, and the Melkite Greek Catholic Church — raise our voices on behalf of the people of our town and our parishioners to strongly condemn the ongoing and grave series of attacks targeting Taybeh,” the three pastors wrote in a letter.
Fathers Daoud Khoury (Orthodox), Jack-Nobel Abed (Melkite Catholic), and Bashar Fawadleh (Latin Rite Catholic) published the powerful letter just after alarming reports of a July 7 arson attack on the town’s most sacred holy site. The settlers “deliberately set fire near the town’s cemetery and the historic Church of Saint George (Al-Khadr), dating back to the 5th century — one of the oldest religious landmarks in Palestine,” the priests wrote.
“As priests, we bear a pastoral and moral responsibility toward our community,” the letter stated. “We cannot remain silent in the face of these relentless attacks that threaten our very existence on this land.”
The letter went on to call on “local and international actors — especially consuls, ambassadors, and church representatives around the world,” to support Taybeh in four ways:
1. Launch an immediate and transparent investigation into the incidents of arson and the ongoing assaults on property, agricultural land, and holy sites.
2. Apply diplomatic pressure on the occupying authorities to halt settler actions and prevent them from entering or grazing in Taybeh’s lands.
3. Dispatch international and church delegations to conduct field visits, document the damages, and bear witness to the deteriorating reality on the ground.
4. Support the people of Taybeh through economic and agricultural initiatives, and strengthen their resilience with effective legal accompaniment.
The priests also explained the great cultural significance the town ought to hold for Christians everywhere. Taybeh is not only the Holy Land’s “last remaining entirely Christian town” but is even mentioned in Scripture, the pastors pointed out. Taybeh is “known in the Gospel as ‘Ephraim,’ the place to which Jesus withdrew before His Passion (John 11:54).”
One resident told CatholicVote last month that his family’s roots in Taybeh go back at least five centuries. Others can trace their lineage much further back.
The town’s “wholly Christian population represents a unique presence in the region,” the priests’ letter asserted, “a living testimony that dates back to the time of Christ” and has been “preserved faithfully by the people of Taybeh across generations….”
That legacy “is now at serious risk of erosion and displacement due to the systematic targeting of land, sacred places, and the local community,” they warned.
Monday’s arson attacks were only the latest dramatic escalation in a series of aggressive actions on the part of Jewish settlers. As CatholicVote reported June 30, locals told CatholicVote that settler attacks have been occurring with increasing regularity, including physical violence against Christian residents and their homes. They also complained that Israeli soldiers often stand by passively, allegedly facilitating settler violence rather than policing it.
“These assaults threaten the security and stability of our town and aim at undermining the dignity of [Taybeh’s] residents and the sanctity of its sacred land,” the three priests stated.
The priests also confirmed what other locals have reported to CatholicVote: that Jewish settlements have encroached further and further into the Christian town, serving as bases from which settlers have worked to damage farmlands and destroy businesses vital to the local economy.
“In a scene that has become provocatively routine, settlers continue to graze their cattle in Taybeh’s agricultural lands, including family-owned fields and areas near residential homes, without deterrence or intervention from the authorities,” the priests pointed out. “These violations go beyond provocation; they cause direct harm to olive trees — a vital source of livelihood for the people of Taybeh — and prevent farmers from accessing and cultivating their land.”
The “illegal settlement outposts” in the eastern part of the town operate “under military protection,” the priests stated. “These outposts serve as a base for further assaults on the land and its people.”
“We believe that the Holy Land cannot remain alive without its indigenous people,” they concluded. “Forcibly removing farmers from their land, threatening their churches, and encircling their towns is a wound to the living heart of this nation. Yet we remain steadfast in our shared faith and hope that truth and justice will ultimately prevail.”
Fr. Fawadleh told CatholicVote over the phone in late June that “more than 140 families” have recently fled the West Bank in the midst of pressure from settler groups and local officials.
“In Taybeh we are also bleeding from emigration,” he said, noting that 10 families have left the town in the last two years.
“We have to stop this bleeding,” he said
I know there is settler violence, which I can in no way condone. I know there is a group of young, ultra religious and ultra nationalistic men called ‘The Hilltop Gang” whose acts I do not support at all. But I also know of first hand accounts from both Jewish people and Christians living in the area. Two things seem to be repeated in the stories. First, the instigators tend to be Bedouins and militant Islamists, Palestinians who wish to have the entire area free from Infidels, both Jews and Christians. They are usually funded and egged on by progressive leftists and communists (the free Palestine/From the River to the Sea folk) from the United States. Both Jewish leftist organizations and woke academia.
Second, there is no love lost between the Jewish population and the Christian population in the West Bank and Jerusalem. Neither group for the most part likes or supports the other. Many Jews lump all Arabs together as terrorists, which is not true. It is a stereotype and ignorance of ethnicities. On the other hand, many Christians (my husband and I have had long conversations with more than a few) believe the old libel that the Jews killed their Messiah. They have lived among the Muslims long enough to absorb their stories (one being ‘The Protocols of the Elders of Zion’) and believe all Jews are occupying their ancestral land. It is a real poverty.
In addition, the Christians who live among the Muslims are being persecuted, having to pay protection money on threat of death, the jizya tax as we saw above. THAT is the real reason why so many Christians flee to other lands which they feel are safer. Away from Israel. Apart from Islamic terror. The IDF won’t get involved because they cannot legally do so when the area is under control of the Palestinian Authority. It is easier for the Christians to blame “Israel” than to tell the truth. If they spoke out against the Islamists (not all Muslims are radicalized), they would be flying from a rooftop somewhere.
(This is footage from Syria. The Christian’s are being forced off rooftops at gunpoint. This is true ethnic cleansing. This is the face of true evil. Sent from the Israeli Christians)
On Thursday, I called Luke Hilton of The Israel Guys. The Waller and Hilton families are American Christians who have set up residence in Samaria (West Bank) to help the settlers living there agriculturally; to promote Israeli products; to bring volunteers from abroad to help with planting and harvest, especially now when many reservists have been called up; and to broadcast the news of what really happens.
Luke wrote in response to my email to him:
Hi Tamar,
Thanks for reaching out to me again. We would be happy to help you with any information that we can.
I think you are mixing two stories from this week – the Taybe story is that Jewish settlers set fire to a Christian cemetery – the real story is that an Arab Bedouin set fire to a Jewish farm near Taybe. The Jewish farmer and others came to put out the blaze, and called the police. Unfortunately, the fire spread to a nearby Christian cemetery near Taybe. There was recorded collateral damage. The international press picked up the story and again labeled it settler violence.
The other incident happened near Ma’ale Levona – I still don’t have a lot of information, but yes, it appears that the American who was killed was a card-carrying Hamas member. Your information was correct. I’ll get back to you when I know more.
Let me know what other information you’re looking for. Hope to see you again soon.
Luke
According to both police reports from the Binyamina area as well as an eyewitness account, a spokesperson from the Binyamina Regional Council, there were three organized groups of Arabs (Bedouin and Palestinian Muslims) were heckling a group of Jewish shepherds. Video evidence shows this to be true. A fire was set deliberately to farmland and grazing pastures owned by Jews. The farm owner and the young shepherds called for help while trying to extinguish the blaze. Unfortunately, high winds picked up and the fire spread until it reached a Christian cemetery at Taybe. This news story was exploited by the activists who were among the rabble rousers and by the various Christian clerics who were all too quick to blame the settlers. Police reports show the farm owner had filed three previous complaints regarding arson attacks on his fields.
The story from mainstream outlets and the Catholic media was grossly misrepresented, but it does not stand alone. Just a few days prior, Israeli sources uncovered what was reported as a violent clash between the settlers and the Palestinians in Sinjil an Arab village near Ma’ale Levona. In what was later confirmed as a carefully orchestrated ambush, Palestinian terrorists armed with large rocks and concrete cinderblocks, slingshots and Molotov cocktails staged a roadblock intended to the Jewish settlers to defend themselves. Of course, this did happen: Jewish settlers came out to defend the road and their properties. Calls for help were made, leading to the IDF stepping in (it took place in area B, a mixed area where the Israeli army is allowed to operate in cases of violence or acts of terror are reported). Unfortunately shots were fired. A Jewish teen was severely injured. In addition two Arab youth were later found dead. One was a young Florida man. His death resulted from a sharp blow to the head.
According to his mother living in Tampa, her son, a young man from the States was visiting his Palestinian relatives “to experience their culture and to learn what the Palestinians are going through.” His father recounted their last phone conversation when his son said he wanted to take over the family ice cream shop when he returned, and that he had plans to marry and start a family. 20 year old, Sayfollah Musallet, was “beaten to death by the Jews. Those settlers. He was killed in cold blood. He was just gagging because of the pain from the beating,” his uncle Hesam Musallet recalled. Hiba Rahum, the deputy executive director of CAIR (Council of American Islamic Relations) in Florida called on Gov. Desantis to “remove the curtain of deception from its (the government’s) eyes and demand a stance. A full investigation of the heinous murder needs to take place. Justice needs to be served.” So both Desantis and President Trump along with Secretary of State Rubio and US Ambassador to Israel became involved.
Here is the rest of the story from Luke Hilton’s Younger brother, now a reporter on “The Israel Guys.”
Musallet was a card carrying member of Hamas. I have verified this from four separate sources. He is now being hailed as a victim and a martyr killed by settler violence, when in fact, we don’t know the story in full.
This is just part of the story. It’s taken me over 6 hours to research and put together this blogpost. The rest of the story – what has happened in Gaza with the Holy Family Church incident and other news I shall cover in tomorrow’s post. I hope this answers some of your questions. Just remember, it is always reported that Israel is evil. Israel controls the world. Israel is the perpetrator of all the world’s problems.
Please don’t believe everything you read or hear. There’s a lot of fake news and you must really dig to uncover the truth. It gets hidden a lot. Please don’t fall for conspiracy theories. World War III was not started when Israel bombed Iraq. The States are not being dragged into endless wars where Israel is concerned. The IDF are not hell-bent genocidal monsters. Conspiracy theories are not always true. If Israel really did rule the world there would not be pumpkin spice hummus or blueberry bagels.
Israel Dreams 