3 May 2023 Update: Ok now we know the reason. A convicted terrorist committed suicide in Israeli prison and the Arabs blame Israel. However, it is clear that the “administrative detention” is criticized internationally.
Jerusalem Post, 3 May 2023 pg 1.Jerusalem Post, 3 May 2023 pg 1.Jerusalem Post, 3 May 2023 pg 1.Jerusalem Post, 3 May 2023 pg 1.
2 May 2023, Israel: Out of the blue, at least six rocket attacks against Jewish civilians in Israel:
1 May, 2023, Israel: Thousands of protestors in the streets regarding the proposed judicial change bill. And yet polls show that the high cost of living is the big issue–by a long shot–for Israelis. As for the judicial reform issue, I’ll post my take below:
Update 2 May, 2023: Judicial reform: Most Western nations which aim for liberty-based self-governance seek for balance between three centers of power: Namely, the Legislative branch, the Executive branch, and the Judicial branch. The three-way tug-of-war ideally results in a fair situation for the benefit of The People.
The Legislative branch – chosen by The People – writes the laws.
The Executive branch implements policy and takes action according to the laws.
The Judicial branch judges transgressors of the laws.
In Israel, for many decades this has not been the case. The Judicial branch has possessed an outsized power to strike down laws which were written by the Legislature (the Knesset). In short, right now the Knesset has debated a bill which would make the process more fair by balancing out the committee which chooses judges: a portion of the committee would be made up of duly elected Knesset members.
Similar systems already exist in recognized Western governments such as Ireland, for example. And yet the global media has castigated Israel for departing from democracy. Actually, the Judicial branch has had too much power for all this time, and the proposed bill would merely reduce that power down to an equal footing with the other branches.
So that’s the main issue. The Left has been in control of the selection process for judges. Meanwhile, ever since the Yom Kippur War of 1973, the populace has been steadily moving from the Left to the Right. Thus, the Knesset has also moved rightward. And yet, the High Court and the court system at large has remained frozen in a leftward position.
Two other issues on the side: First, Israel’s Jewish population has a bitter divide between the Religious minority which trends toward the Right, and the Secular majority which is mainly on the Left. As I wrote, the secular majority has been giving up its voters as the nation moves toward the Right, as can be seen by the distribution of the Knesset’s 120 seats since the 1970’s. This long-standing rift complicates the issue a bit.
Secondly, over the years, Israel has successfully judged several politicians for crimes and placed them in jail, including Arye Deri, former Minister of Interior (which oversees immigration, visas, and citizenship issues), Ehud Olmert, former Prime Minister, and several others. Current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has several court cases in proceedings, and he certainly would be highly motivated to reduce his chances of guilty verdicts–by any means necessary. I don’t see this as a deciding factor in the issue. The main issue is the current Knesset members goal to build a democratic system with a better balance between the three Branches.
Let us pray and contend for righteousness to prevail in Israel.
Pray about your support for our work here in the Land.
24 April, 2023, Israel: Have you ever made yourself vulnerable, to share your struggle with another, only to have them say “Well, you think THAT’s bad…” You’re not alone. I’ve experience the same thing often, when I’ve expressed what are the needs. This kind of response also seems to belittle the need, as if I ought to feel guilty for bringing it up.
Whenever I speak of a need, my request is that people will pray about it. It’s never for manipulation: “Not under compulsion,” 2 Corinthians 9:7.
Today, one of JTOD’s monthly Partners sent me the below article, to encourage me. I’m so thankful that they show the time and care to understand my challenges and heartbreaks in this work.
It’s such a blessing, that I decided to feature it as a special insert below: “Don’t Tread on My Suffering,” from sufferwell.org:
24 April, 2023, Israel: Two articles: Peaceful demonstrations, and what American Jews think of Israel protecting its citizens by law. First, a brief summary with excerpts from both articles; full articles below the fold.
Day of Remembrance ’23: Sunset 24 April until Sunset 25 April.
Independence Day ’23: Sunset 25 April until Sunset 26 April.
Sixteen consecutive saturday nights of demonstrations in Tel Aviv and other Israeli Jewish cities, and the world is wondering what is happening over here. Mind you, these demonstrations are peaceful, a bunch of flag-wavers, and it’s having an effect. The Israeli politicians know that they cannot just ignore it, and they have made adjustments to their plans.
Why haven’t the Palestinians, with their list of grievances, turned to peaceful demonstrations? Worse yet, why doesn’t the world demand they do so?
Excerpt from “Change through non-violence.” Jerusalem Post, 24 April 2023 pg 9.
Certain powerful American organizations seem to have such a problem with Israel enforcing its laws against terrorists, that they have lobbied for HR 2590 – a bill by Rep. Betty McCollum which would officially criticize and sanction Israel for exercising its laws against terrorists in Israel. So – when Jews are attacked by antisemites in the USA – it’s fine for the police to arrest them. But when antisemites attack Jews in Israel – that must be sanctioned. Who are these organizations? “Americans for Peace Now” (that’s the Quakers), and “J Street,” (that’s Jews).
19 April 2023, Israel: Iran recently reconciled with Saudi Arabia, and feels confident with its rising regional power base. Two religious Jewish men, age 48 and 50, were shot in their car in Jerusalem while returning home from morning prayers.
Jerusalem Post, 19 April 2023 pg 1.
In a tweet, Israeli Opposition Leader, Yair Lapid wrote: “Two Jews were shot in Jerusalem on Holocaust Remembrance Day just because they were Jews. Security forces will get the shooter and bring him to justice. This is the reason we have a state, we have the IDF and the Jews have the ability and power to protect themselves. I wish a speedy recovery to those wounded.”
18 April 2023, Israel: The International Humanitarian Law (IHL) has clear, strong, language which shows that civilians cannot be considered militants for spurious reasons. This is a hot topic now, as Israel’s opponents have argued that the Dee sisters and their mother were armed, dangerous, and involved in military aggression. They were murdered while driving to a family vacation. This was during Pessach (Passover) in 2023. So today let’s take a look at an analysis of the relevant portions of the International Humanitarian Law.
18 April 2023: Each year, the 27th of Nisan on the Jewish (Hillel II) calendar, marks the remembrance of the Shoah (Holocaust) in Israel. As such, at sunset yesterday, restaurants marked the start of the day of remembrance by closing their doors early.* This tradition makes it difficult for anyone to be seen in public in a celebratory mood on the eve of such a sober day. In addition, in the morning at 10 am, the air raid sirens blast for 2 minutes all around the country, as people stop what their doing to stand in silence in remembrance. Think of it as a moment of silence, without the silence. Cars also pull over on the highways while drivers soberly stand on the roadside.
Below are excerpts of two articles on this subject.
Jerusalem Post, 18 April 2023 pg 9.
Jerusalem Post, 18 April 2023 pg 9.
And yeah – I realize that many countries don’t use air raid sirens anymore. Israel still uses them at unpredictable times during rocket attacks, and also at predictable times, such as 10 am every 27th of Nisan, for example.
* Hebrew days traditionally begin and end at sunset rather than midnight, for as Genesis 1:5+ wrote, “evening and morning were the first day.” Thus, Shoah Remembrance day 2023 began on 17th April towards the end of the day, at sunset.
Continue to pray, as Israel’s Shoah Survivors are an important part of society.
16 April 2023, Israel: A minority segment of Israeli society has loudly and violently protested the loss of leftist power in the judicial branch, as is proposed by new legislation in the Knesset. There have been problems; some protestors have crossed the line beyond “peaceful resistance,” and some police have been heavy-handed with brutal tactics to beat and jail the demonstrators.
Meanwhile, the discussion continues in the Knesset and the bill is being edited. All these are signs of thriving democracy with the voters represented in the parliament.
16 April, 2023 Israel: Chaim Topol, the late Israeli film and stage actor who played the lead in “The Fiddler on the Roof,” worked for Israeli secret service (Mossad) during some of his international trips:
Jerusalem Post, 16 April 2023 pg 4.
Chaim is survived by his wife Galia, daughter Adi and son Omer.
Israeli ingenuity is necessary for self-defense on the international stage.
