Lunatics Inc. (vol. 13)

1939 MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

February 19, 2021, <charming@eclipse.net>:

82 YEARS AGO WE DIDN’T HAVE A STATE OF ISRAEL LIKE WE HAVE TODAY AND EVERY JEW THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE WORLD SHOULD THINK HOW SAFE IS A JEW TODAY WHEN WE NOW HAVE OUR OWN HOMELAND A PLACE TO WELCOME US WHEN THE BASTARDS BEGIN TO THREATEN OUR SAFETY, SECURITY AND OUR LIVES

THERE ARE THOSE WHO SAY “IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN” THERE ARE THOSE WHO SAY “THAT’S CRAZY”

EITHER WAY, THANK G-D FOR THE REDEMPTION OF THE MODERN STATE OF ISRAEL. 

ISRAEL IS FIRST GOING TO TRULY APPRECIATE THE GREATNESS OF TRUMP AS OBAMA – BIDEN – BLINKEN TAKE FIRST STEPS TO MAKING IRAN GREAT AGAIN

SHABBAT SHALOM V’PURIM SEMEACH

I wrote:

On a factual basis, Israel is THE MOST dangerous place on earth for Jews (wars, traffic accidents, and now Covid-19).

You guys in the USA may be safer now - and it may be in part thanks to the state of Israel. But at the same time, you guys put Jews at risk everywhere, and mostly here in Israel, pushing for another political disaster. And this agenda of yours is based on false information and outright lies.

Cheers,

Avner E.

February 19, 2021, Isaac Barr MD <driheart@aol.com>:

                          Avner Efendowicz suggests Israel is THE MOST dangerous place on earth for Jews (wars, traffic accidents, and now Covid-19). But  Avner is a liar. I checked the numbers:  Covid mortality in Israel per million is a THIRD of US mortality and vaccination in Israel is 40% while in US is 10% and you cannot get a vaccine if you are 65 yo, Israel lost to Covid 5521 while US lost 494000. Israel Covid mortality corrected to 330 mil 3,7 times smaller.  And in Israel you do not have a criminal such as Cuomo who murdered about 10.000 in NY nursing homes.  Death rate in US due to motor vehicle accidents in Israel in 2019 was 314 died  about 3/1.000.000 In 2018 40.000 died in US due to MVA motility is 825/1 million.  Since 1948 Israel dead were 22684 soldiers and 3971 civilians. In about the same time US lost in Korea 33500  Vietnam 47500 in Beirut, Afghanistan and Iraq 6000 total in last 70 years US lost about 87000 soldiers or 4 times more than Israel. Avner is a liar, he always was and always be. I do not know what he does in hs personal life but I would not be his friend and certainly my friend. Be careful of this low life liar.

Isaac Barr MD

I wrote:

Israel is doing better - if you compare Apples to Watermelons (as you usually do). When you compare to 3rd world countries such as the USA, under Trump - yes, Israel is better.

But Israel must be compared to countries with similar conditions: a single (or few) entry gateway, quality medical system, population age.

* Israel has only one gateway (and a few minor land gates), so it could have been much easier to control (but Netanyahu chose to import Covid-19 in the form of Yeshiva boys from Brooklyn, for political reasons);

* Israel has the youngest population in the western world;

* Israel has high quality medical treatment.

When you compare to similar countries (New Zealand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Thailand, Iceland, Cypress) - Israel is LAST. It is ranked 62 out of 100, in a survey by Lowy Institute.

https://interactives.lowyinstitute.org/features/covid-performance

But what do you care - you guys have your fantasy world information.

Cheers,

Avner E.

Feb 20, 2021, Isaac Barr MD <driheart@aol.com>:

AVNER IS LYING AGAIN: NYT global vaccination score.  Better than Iceland Cyprus UK Taiwan etc.  40.000 Palestinians enter Israel daily for their employment.  Israel GNP  was 391,9 billions in 2019 or Israel GNP/capita. US is #7 is #23 or43.290 better than NZ, France UK Japan    US is#7 with65,760. Canada is #21 with 46,370. More Silicon valley is replaced by Haifa Israel.

Vaccinations by country:

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/world/covid-vaccinations-tracker.html

Shirley Lewis <slewis1667@gmail.com>:

No surprise that Avner is lying. Leftist always lie because there is no way to "sell" the Left's program without lying. Avner is a Leftist. When he lies he is practicing his craft. Another reason not to open a Leftist's e mail.

I wrote:

You guys are so stupid.

I was not referring to "Vaccinations by country", IDOITS!!

I was referring to "comparison of the performance of countries in managing the COVID-19 pandemic in the 36 weeks following their hundredth confirmed case of the virus, using data available to 9 January 2021."

Here is the link again, for you guys mentally and internet-challenged:

https://interactives.lowyinstitute.org/features/covid-performance

Plus - maybe I (Avner) am lying, but - why "Leftist always lie"?...

All leftists lie all the time?... Leftists are not humans?...

This is Leshon Hara!! You will burn in hell for that.

Cheers,

Avner

Feb 20, 2021, Isaac Barr MD <driheart@aol.com>:

Lying Avner. You cannot stop lying. I never ever said that "Leftist always lie" . I said that Avner is a liar and I proved that you are a pathological liar. What normal people feel is that president TRUMP did a lot of good things for America and Israel and these are flushed down the toilet by the politburo of Biden just because president TRUMP did it. Common sense expects that what is good for America is good for America even if president TRUMP was behind it. An agreement with a country which hanged last year 250 GLBT cannot be US partner even if Iran wants to destroy Israel.....AVNER, you are the most Lashon Hara that I ever corresponded with, but typically you blame others of having Lashon Hara.

Isaac Barr MD

I wrote:

Lying Avner. You cannot stop lying. I never ever said that "Leftist always lie"

I wrote this to Ms. Lewis. She said that.

So, you saved yourself from the hell (that you believe in), but Ms. Lewis is still at risk.

What normal people feel is...

We are not talking here about what people Feel, but about Facts.

If you were a real MD, then you were supposed to know the difference.

Any regard to the link that I sent? (in which Israel is number 62 of 100)?

As an MD, can you tell the difference between the sources?...

Cheers,

Avner

A dialog with Mr. Datsun, vol. 3

Datsun said, July 16:

https://www.facebook.com/calcalistonline/videos/2022461501379099/

I said:

Say no more...

God (or somebody) have mercy on all of us.

Cheers,

Avner E.

Datsun said, July 19:

I assume he was talking about Ehud or Olmert,

Politicians when they get to power they forgotten anything they’ve said.

I said:

Of course!

Here, we all hope that he is counting his last days in power.

Going to every protest, chanting "Bibi Habaita!" (what we really mean, is: Bibi to prison).

Take care!

Datsun said, July 20:

Avner I love you, 

You don’t wants to send anyone to prison without a due process. and let’s the court 

To decide his faith. Otherwise no different between you and Juntas in South America

Or Putin China.

I said:

Of course, due process, I'm all for it.

What is going on right now is not a due process, but - an absurd circus of a Mastermind in games of delays and dirty tricks, who hijacked an entire country hit by a pandemic and many other problems; and he is aided by the bunch of sore losers that he chose to be his company, just because any capable person is a threat to his one-man-show, from his viewpoint.

He eliminated any smart program to fight corona-virus, coming from all walks of politics (e.g. Naftali Bennet, not a left-winger) - just because he didn't want to share the credit. Example: everybody knows that swimming pools are not a source of infection. Even Netanyahu decided to order their opening, but - he removed this decision from Sundays cabinet set of resolutions, just in order to announce it on Tuesday, as "Netanyahu's" sole decision.

And all this is also aided by Mandelblit, a Netanyahu personal appointment (probably for expecting the guy to dissolve the criminal cases), who of fear from the real manager, Sarah, dismissed 6 of her 7 cases; reduced her reimbursement from 355,000 Sh. to 50,000 (if she has already paid that, then call me Corona-virus), and spent so much time dragging his feet, before he learned who Netanyau really was.

This week, for the first time, Netanyahu was facing due process: the head of the court, Friedman-Feldman, set the start of evidentiary stage to January (6 months from now), at a 3-days per week pace. She has still given him some "discounts", because a normal delay would be 3 months, and a normal pace would be 4 days; but now Netanyahu is really shivering and sweating, because he knows that he is in deep shit; that he led himself into, because had he listened to his good friend and advocate, the late Yaacov Weinroth - he would be set free.

Love you too!

My Dialogue with Abshalon, Part 5

Hello Avner

How is it going for you? I hope that you are well and happy and having a good time and enjoying the Eurovision!

How is your friend Netanyahoo doing? What do you think about his chanced to make and lead the next government? It looks like he will have to thread the needle?  I may be wrong but I wonder how he is going to manage. Lieberman is waiting with a big thorn in his hand!

It seems to me that the Qataries are really trying hard, but here is the riddle: The idea is not really new: like 50 years or so ago the Hamas was offered after the “election” about one Billion $ by the US, EU and the gulf states, and refused, because it did not agree to stop fighting Israel. Now, it will get the Qatary funding while still fighting? Does not it look likely that most of it will be ruined in the following fighting rounds? Which is likely to happen at least due to the Jihad at Al. guys that are motivated by Iran? Strange!

Here, in the US it seems to me that Trump status is in fact improving, mainly because it looks that he was right in few main issues:

His tax changes did improve the economy, even if he went too far, and he caters mainly to the rich.

He is right about to policy towards China: China’s policy towards the US is unacceptable, also because the IP steeling policy that is government supported, in addition to the tariffs.

He was right, as I wrote to you about the wall: it should have been build years ago, but now the situation is “post emergency”: it is too late to do much about it, and the south border is being swamped by immigrants: some of the immigrants are trying to get registered, just to get court orders for like 3-5 years ahead and released, but surely an unknown number pass  unrecorded. Many of them will be involved with the social services, and only future will tell what problems will arise.

Trump policy for Iran is also correct: he is determined to use any necessary means to stop the nuclear ambitions of Iran, and he is also right on that. I feel that this is very important.

Trump is also right on the North Korea policy, I think: since KJU has got the nuclear capability, (which should have been dealt with by former presidents), his only option now is to persuade KJU that he will be well treated, seeing the example of Japan and S. Korea.

So in summary, I feel that we have the best we can get now, and we have just to hope that it will not get too bad. It is unfortunate that he is not a nice person, but after the “do nothing” president, he is doing some very important things.

So I feel that I have written enough for one time, and I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Be well and have fun!

Absalon

Hi Absalon,

So it seems that you are quite happy with Trump's presidency. I'm glad that you are, and I wish you the best of luck with it, going forward.

The situation in Israel is very similar, I think. Israel has its own Trump (only much smarter) for PM; So, many people are quite happy with that, they feel that their lives have never been better. Good luck to them, too.

I am fine, but the Euro-vision has just started, so I felt a little sick and I had to flee to another room. Maybe I'll take Advil or something.

Take care,

Cheers,

Avner E.

Hello Avner,

I hope that you are OK now.

How did you like the Eurovision? I watched some of it, and it must have been a lot of fun. I wonder if the government could not have intervened to force the hotels et al to avoid gauging prices. As I understand this caused quite a lot of loss to the hotels owners, and subsequently to the country, but eventually it was very successful, and this is the important thing. Hopefully it will be done better next time. I think that clearly, the Israel song did not have enough rhythm, and you can not win just with a nice tune.

I have noticed an interesting phenomena about the connection between the weather in Israel and here: it looks like many times, the weather here is following the weather in Israel with a lag of about one day. It is not an exactly so, but many times is about right. Is there an explanation for this? I have been following this quite consistently recently. It seems also that the weather has become much more windy, which causes floods and sever storms, and probably is a main factor in the north pole worming. In some parts in the US, it is so bad, that I wonder how the people living there can cope.

My following riddle is in regard to what is happening in Israel about the elections: it looks like Netanyahoo is not popular in the Kneset, so he could not construct a government. However, he did have a lot of support when he wanted to disperse the Kneset, in order to prevent from the president to intervene, so he could have another chance. How come? If he failed to do this, then the president could have appointed another delegate to make the new government. So, it looks like the other  delegate can not decide whether they like him or not? Strange!, or am I missing something?

And the last one: what is happening with the “hasdara” at the Gaza border? Do you think it is working?

In the US, as you may know, the president is continuing to make news. The fight between him and Pelosi has reached new heights. The numbers of immigrants is getting to about 144,000 in the last month, and this includes only the legal ones. I wonder how many more, and maybe many bad people have entered illegally. So you can understand the magnitude of the disaster. I just can not believe that Trump could not have managed to find a way to have a more logical discussion to persuade the Democrats about the necessity of the wall.

So it seems to me that I have written enough, and I look forward for you to enlightening me.

Best regard

Absalon

Hi Absalon,

I did not watch the Eurovision. To be honest, for all I care, it could have been canceled due 

to Palestinian pressure, and I wouldn't mind. Actually, I would be glad if it turned out this way, since I think that it is cruel to celebrate in Tel-Aviv while the Palestinians are fighting their just war against Israel.

Netanyahu is still a magician to me, and he manages to turn all things around for his personal benefit. He doesn't care at all about the well being of the Stare, otherwise he would resign already. He is the worst Israeli prime minister ever, and this said while the competition for this title is VERY tough (meaning, most Israeli PMs were bad).

And his wife is a low-life bitch, who stole at least 375K Shekels form the state, and got away with only 55K. And they are still complaining about the verdict. I think that the Israeli judicial system is at an all-time low position, cooperating with this criminal couple, who are constantly working to take this country down.

So you think that the immigration is the US biggest challenge?... I think not. The fact that you guys have a stupid red-neck for a president, who can't tell his right from his left, will prove to be a colossal disaster. Let's see. I hope that I'm wrong.

Take care.

Cheers,

Avner E.

My Dialogue with Abshalon, Part 4

December 3, 2018

Hello Avner

Time goes by very quickly.

I wish first to wish you and your family a happy Hanukka, and all the best for the coming year.

I wonder how are you doing, and what is new?  I have started to watch the news for Israel from time to time, and it is quite interesting. Your friend Netanyahu is going to have a lot to do in the coming days. How do you feel about what is going to happen, and what do you expect to happen?  How is your job going? I suppose that most of the electronics to day is digital, but probably there are not many analog circuits designers, so you are in a good situation. By the way I am still getting swamped by Linked In with bogus invitations, when your names comes up from time to time. I am repeatedly surprised for there ability to spy after people. I wonder how they can do this.

As I can see, there is a lot of construction in Israel, and the country is looking more modern. I just wonder that there is so much money for construction while there is not enough for the lower income, older people and the very young. The situation at the border fence with Gaza is quite strange, and I wonder how it could be ended. I can not avoid seeing some resemblance between Trump and Netanyahu. Trump is also facing growing problems, and he will be soon be deeply involved in the fight for his political future. I think that for Israel it will be better if he stays. So it is going to be a hot time for Israel and the US. My feeling is that Israel enemies like the Hesbolla will be reluctant to attack Israel as long as Trump is in power. What do you think?

So I look forward to hear some interesting news from you, and wish you again a happy Hanukka.

Abshalon

December 23, 2018

Hi Abshalon,

The general feeling in the Israeli media is becoming more and more, that Netanyahu is going to face charges in court. If he wants to avoid that (and loosing his job disgracefully, due to losing support from his fellow criminals in the coalition) - he will have to agree to lose his job voluntarily.

I still don't share this prediction, since I give him a lot of credit (not for being a great leader - he is the Worst Israeli PM ever; and it's hard to win this title - competition for the worst is very tough...) - but for being a Genius politician and master of media and demagogy.

My job is great. Fortunately, I didn't become a teacher in the failing Israeli education system. The poor way that Math is being taught in Israel, and the stupidity of the department of education - were the reasons, among others. So I am very happy with my current job.

I have to disagree with you about Trump being good for the security of Israel. I think that he is Terrible for the well being of the US, as well as for Israel. I do agree, that Netanyahu has a lot in common with him - with one big difference: Netanyahu is smart, while Trump is a stupid red-neck. His latest decisions, which shoo-off his best and very few sane personnel, out of their positions - will prove.

So, in general, I think that both countries are on the way down, under these "leaders". The main difference is, that the US is bigger and more stable, and will survive even the worst of leadership. While Israel is more fragile.

As usual, I truly hope that I am wrong...

Best regards to you.

Cheers,

Avner E.

January 5, 2019

Hello Avner

I found your message interesting and glad to learn that you found a good job. As I understand in some schools you need to have a black belt to feel sate. Are you ready? I wonder if you may consider the option of tutoring? I think it can be very rewording, and I like the personal contact. The students may also come with interesting  questions that may surprise you, so you will be also learning while teaching. May be very rewarding.

Question: I have heard some time ago that Toyota started selling diesel cars in Israel. I have read that one of them was a commercial van. But since all the issue went quiet. Do you know anything about that?

Question: While watching the news from Israel some time ago, it was said that people In the town of Sderot near Gaza have been hearing a sound of digging in their houses, and were wondering. Do you know what was the conclusion of this?

As I can see, this time is quite hectic in Israel as well as in America. In the US it is mainly about building the wall around the south border to stop the illegal (few versions) to the US. The problem is really very bad, and as you may have heard it became a personal affair between the president to the democratic party leaders. The last “caravan” (the third) had swelled to about 5000+, and the rumors are that the forth, of about 15000 is going to start moving towards the us at the end of January. This is going to grow to a catastrophic proportions, because the border patrol guys are not able to control a 1900 mile border. and some barrier must be erected, preferably few years ago, but none of the former presidents would touch this “hot potato”. Now, that the democrats are ruling the House, they are blocking Trump from making any progress, and in my mind that is only for revenge. Trump is ready to go for a shutdown, and he is right in my mind. So it shows to what extent the US government has deteriorated. As I can see there are also some serious problems in the election process in Israel, and I hope it will end soon. I would be worried especially that Hamas in Gaza may think that this would be a good time for them to attack, since Israel may soon be with no prime minister and defense minister.

Changing subject:

Do you like Irish jokes? I hope you do, so here as an example: (I heard a lot of those when I was in the UK: there the Irish people are considered as excelling in physical strength but not very bright-not like in the US, where they are a very well respected minority).

An Irishman looking for a job. He sees a building site on his way, so he goes to talk to the manager. The manager is not very interested, since the job situation is bad. “there

is not much work here” he tells the Irishman. The Irishman does not give up: ‘”don’t worry” he says, “I would not do much”.

So here is another one which came to my mind when listening to the president explaining why he is going to take the US army out of Syria:   It is a rainy and stormy day at the beach, nobody dares to try the water. Suddenly a cry for help is heard-a person is drowning and calling for help. Here comes the Irishman, and he jumps into the waves with no fear, and soon comes out with the poor guy, both very wet. The person is very thankful and both depart to go home. The next day, the weather is very nice, and many people come down. However, suddenly, something is wrong: a crime had been committed, and the police are looking for clues. Here comes our man, and the policeman tells him that a dead person had been found hanging, and the police has determined a foul play. He shows a picture, and the Irishman is surprised: “don’t worry” he tells the policeman. “I met him yesterday and pulled him out of the water, and as we went home, I noticed that he was very wet, so I took him to one of the shacks on the beach, and hanged him so he would dry faster”. 

So, to conclude, I think that president trump is not always doing the right things, but I also feel that he is facing now a total and irresponsible attacks, even when he is doing a right thing for a change, like the border wall, and this is not good for the country.

I feel like I need to go to sleep.

I wish you all the best.

Abshalon

Jan 10 2019

Hi Abshalon,

I am totally ready for the energy and challenges of young students. What I'm not quite ready, is the opacity and stupidity of the Israeli Department of Education. They are the ones who took the whole energy and motivation out of me, therefore I abandoned the dream to be a teacher (at least in Israel).

I don't do tutoring. I totally agree with you about the personal contact, and especially about the learning from students. But I'm not willing to take a deal, where the parent pays me money, and I need to get the kid pass the exam. That's basically tutoring, at least in Israel, and that's not what I do.

I don't know about Toyota. I know that residents have been complaining for a long time about knocking and digging - they were probably right.

Regarding Trump and the Wall - I think that the illegal immigrants are the least of the US problems. In general, the USA is an immigration country, and it would never have become a superpower had it not for the vast immigration (both legal and illegal, mind you). As published recently, many of the residents in the South object the wall. It's just another spin, from a President who has nothing in his world but spins.

Take care.

Cheers,

Avner E.

February 11, 2019
Hello Avner

Good to hear from you, and the main  thing is that you are happy with your job, which is much better than being a teacher.

I do not think that this is that important. An important reason that I like tutoring is that you can do it “on the side”.

As I can read, it is a hectic time in Israel: the new parties and contestants, and it looks like the new government will be quite different than the last one. So the time around April and May there may be two shows: Netanyaho fight to survive and the Eurovision. So what do you think about the new contestants? It looks to me that Gantz ambition cooled off and he is now more realistic about how high he could go.

In the US, as you might have heard, the government is in a mess, and another shutdown looms. In particular, I think that on this one, Trump is right, and the wall is important. And here is why: first of all, the wall should have been build many years ago, when the illegal emigration from Mexico started. While it is true that there work was useful, it is important that they will come legally. It will be better also for them-and many people seem to forget this. With a wall in place it could be done, and it would be much more fair and humane. Many do not think about what happens to them when they can’t work any more, and can not have any benefits and health insurance. But the main emergency is coming now, when many is going to come from all the failed states in south-central America. Pelosi has a soft soothing voice that makes here sound very nice and caring, but in fact her drive is just vengeance. I can understand her, but I feel that the interest of the country comes first. I think that you know, that is nothing better than a wall to stop crossing, and all the surveillance systems only report, and a large force is necessary to do the work. I think that the main problem of trump is his style, and he could easily put a good set of arguments, while she has none. Again, the important thing is to do it legally, so the government can manage it properly. Those people are so desperate, that they think only on the immediate future. A lot of children are involved which makes      m it much worse. The real thing has not started yet, and it will be much worse than the emigration from Mexico, I suspect and this is going to be a mess, and a cruel one, worse than from Mexico.

So I hope I am wrong, and will not be so bad.

So I think I have written enough for one time, and I look forward to hearing from you what is really going now in Israel.

Wish you all the best.
Abshalon





March 6, 2019
Hi Abshalon,

so, you are saying that Mr. Trump has good arguments?... this is interesting. I have never heard this stupid red-neck racist make one argument, ever. But it's OK to disagree.

I don't think that the illegal immigration is the US' no. one problem. On the contrary, in a way, immigration is one of this country's great merits. Your country was built on the innovation of immigrants.
You want to make it legal - go ahead, let them in legally. But I think that Trump is not interested at all in solving this problem (and any problem, for that matter). He just wants to be in power, and needs some dramatic and sexy issue to draw the public attention and emotions towards it.

He is very much like Netanyahu in this sense. Only much less smart.

Good luck with living under this shaky government.


Take care,

Cheers,

Avner E.

April 15, 2019
Hello Avner

So what is new with you? As I know, you are happy with your job, which is very important and I hope that the same is true for the last developments in Israel .

So, what is new for me?

Well, not too much. As you know the Mueller report has come out. A lot of lightnings, thunder, and

no rain! President Trump is happy, but Democrats are not, and a 2nd  investigation, to investigate the first one will probably start. On the immigration status, not much surprise: the situation is becoming really bad, as I wrote you last time: the flood is now going to start, and the president is fuming. The situation can not be fixed any more: especially the eastern part of the border is wide open. Some numbers: the number of registered for court hearing is now more than 855,000 already, about 100,000 recorded last month, and clearly the number of unrecorded is much larger than all of these!  The real flood will now start, as the rumors of more caravans are coming. In addition, there are many who arrive in small groups, impatient to wait, many of them not recorded. The president is threatening to direct many of them to  cities managed by the Democrats, like LA and SF, but he could not do this since he cannot control the border! After all of this, he is accused, as expected, to be guilty again of all of this! The logic is so convoluted, that I can’t even remember how. I just can not believe that Pelosy, the Democrats majority leader does not feel bad about the damage that she has done!

So, it will be interesting.  In addition, the is a lot of bad weather, but not much where I live, so far.

So what is new in Israel? I do not know too much because you are not telling. I need more news. I have seen that the election have ended and I can not understand. Netanyahoo again?!  He was so intensely badmouthed by many, and still the winner? I can not avoid feeling that indeed, there are no good options. Many of the possible candidates for government positions do not look to me very exciting. So I look forward to get some explanations from you.

I think I have written enough for one letter, and I look forward to some interesting news.

Regards
Abshalon

April 18, 2019

Hi,

Yes, Netanyahu again, as I expected... the public has spoken.

Explanations? Here are mine (which are as bad as any other):

1. He is a Genius, in PR and campaigning that is. The can manipulate almost anyone, to do anything. He is a magician.

2. Almost all the poor people, those who suffer the most from his policy on foreign, security and economical matters - voted for him. This could be explained by either of, or a combination thereof, of the following: (1) they are sheer stupid (I'm not very fond of this one, but my wife is certain that it's true - together with thousands of people in the Left; (2) they (or at least some of them) are not stupid, but are willing to suffer for the benefit of being safe from the "real" threats - Iran, aliens from Mars, whatever; or (3) they are not stupid, nor they think that Netanyahu is good in security - but they have other interests than us, the "normal people": they want to feel the pride of being patriots. And they are willing to suffer for THAT.

OK, suffer it is. and will be. But I'm not part if this. I am no longer an Israeli, I don't belong here, I am an alien, a foreign worker; this is not my government nor my country, I am just a guest here.

It is more sane like this. Actually, when taken this way, life in Israel is not so bad (if you belong to the upper 10%, as we are...)

Cheers,

Avner E.

Hi Abshalon,

...and yet another explanation for Netanyahu's victory (and maybe the Major one): people prefer to stick to the Known; most people hate changes, and they punish those who offer them any change - even at times of peril. Netanyahu presents the Conservative, the Known, the things that people are used to. "Yes, he may be corrupt; but we are used to his corruption, we came to term with it, and we are terrified of anything different than what we know."

Just a thought...

Cheers,
Avner E.

Armageddon Days, or: Thoughts about Trump

I received this piece from my email-pal A***, who lives in California:

Hello Avner

It has been a long time since our last communication.

It looks like it has been a hectic time: a lot has occurred. Trump presidency has been full of action. I am sure that you are following the news. He had a lot of problems at the beginning but now it looks like his staff has somewhat stabilized. He has a lot of resistance from many parts of the government, and as you know he is still under investigation, but recently he has been involved in some bold decisions, like the bombing in Syria, and his last action in regards to the negotiation with N. Korea, and his bold act to exit the agreement with Iran. It looks to me that all of this could end very well, for the US and the rest of the world.

So what is new with you? How are you doing at your work? As I understand the feeling in Israel must be very good now. What did you do for the independence day? It appears that Israel economy has been growing very nicely and I wonder what effect this has in the living standard in the country.

In the US the economy has picked up quite nicely, and the employment situation has been better like never before. However, it looks odd, that the salaries  have not been growing, as one would expect, which is a riddle. What is the situation in Israel in this respect?

So I wish you well, and would like to know how are you doing and what is happening is Israel.

(signed)

A***

To which I replied:

Hi A***,

I don't quite share your views about Trump, as well as the situation in Israel. But of course, I may be wrong (note: this is a phrase which is NEVER said by any conservative speaker - which I think is a major part of the problem). If I'm wrong, then I will admit it and will be very happy. As opposed to the speakers from the Right - I'm willing to put specific metrics to this statement.

In brief:

Trump has not yet achieved anything. Iran can only gain from the US exit from the agreement. The improvement of the US economy is mainly thanks to Obama's policy. Economy of this size cannot be turned over by 1.5 years of being in office.

Trump did not really make any difference in Syria - his order to bomb it was very minor. Israel has bombed Syria heavily, but nobody really knows how this will end - but this doesn't prevent the cheer leaders of Netanyahu (who are, at this moment, the entire Jewish population, like a bunch of miserable WWF viewers) to pump his approval rate. I think that he will be remembered as the worst Israeli PM ever - and mind you, there is a tough competition there.

I can't say anything about the future (I live that to the smart asses of the Right), but I can point out the past. Too many times in this region, military campaigns started with great enthusiasm and anticipation - just to end up as catastrophes.

I am doing well at work. The economy is only good for the upper 10% - 20% of Israelis, which includes my family so I shouldn't care. But I do care, because I think that the other 80% also count.

So in short, I foresee a catastrophe, and if I'm proven wrong, I will be very happy.

Take care and hand in there.

Cheers,
Avner E.

The Demagogues Hit (Again)

Here is another thread of a discussion I had with a hard-to-get-it guy.

The conversation commenced with the following piece about a horrible terror attack in a Jewish settlement.

The scene of Friday night’s terror attack in Halamish. Photo Credit: Israel "Defense" (my quotes... A.E.) Forces

http://blogs.timesofisrael. com/the-world-must-see-this-2/

The world must see this

by Eli Rubenstein, JULY 22, 2017

The picture below is the scene of Friday night’s terror attack in Neve

Tzuf, a small Israeli town in the Judean Hills. What started as a

family Shabbat dinner left a father, son, and daughter dead and a

mother in critical condition after a teenage Palestinian terrorist

entered the home and began stabbing the family members while children

hid in a closet. Were it not for the miracle of an IDF soldier nearby

who neutralized the terrorist, the incident would have been much more

horrific than it already is.

The world must see this picture; a picture which, in another reality

at the same time and place could have shown a family enjoying their

Shabbat dinner. Instead, you see blood from terror victims covering

the kitchen floor.

The world must see how this terrorist will be venerated in Palestinian

society. When word broke of the attack in Gaza, celebrations took

place in the street. Soon, his family will start receiving payments

from the Palestinian Authority, which in 2016 payed $170 million to

terrorists and their families. Maybe, years from now, he will have a

square named after him, like Khaled Nazzal, who killed 26 Israelis

after taking schoolchildren and their teachers hostage in the Ma’alot

Massacre, or Dalal Mughrabi, who killed 38 civilians after hijacking

two buses and throwing grenades at cars passing by.

The world must realize how the terrorist, a young person who at one

point must have had hopes and dreams like everyone else, could lead

himself to murder an Israeli family in cold blood. The reason he did

this is not because of “occupation” or metal detectors at the Temple

Mount. The reason this attack occurred is because the Palestinian

leadership injects hatred into its citizens from the day they are

born. It is because the Palestinian leadership knows that such a

corrupt regime as itself can only survive by placing blame for their

problems on the Jews and perpetuating a cycle of violence. Palestinian

children learn in textbooks that they must grow up to be martyrs in

order to create a Palestinian state free of Jews. When they go home,

they watch shows like Pioneers of Tomorrow, where the hosts like

Nahoul the Bee and Assud the Rabbit die because of Israel. In Assud’s

debut show, his brother Nahoul died because he was sick and was unable

to get medical treatment. Assud and the child host pledge to “liberate

al-Aqsa from the filth of those Zionists,” while Assud tells a young

caller that he will eat Jews. In a later episode, Assud dies from an

Israeli airstrike, but not before being sentenced by viewers to have

his hand cut off for stealing.

The world must understand that Palestinian leaders have fostered a

culture of death. They have brainwashed their people to believe that

the source of their problems is the Jews, rather than their own failed

leadership. Instead of building a country, they have kept their people

living in a state of perpetual victimhood, encouraging their youth to

launch rockets and martyr themselves instead of building

infrastructure and creating jobs for their people.

The world must realize that they too are responsible for this. The

Arab countries have kept Palestinians in refugee camps and denied them

equal rights, while the United Nations has done nothing but perpetuate

this problem my making them the only group of refugees in the world

that passes down their refugee status to the next generation. This

helps them continue promoting the issue of a ‘Right of Return’ and

provides fuel to the anti-Israel cause. The Western World has largely

turned a blind eye to Palestinian extremism, instead preferring to

chastise Israel for building homes and demand Israel allow the

creation of a terror state within its borders.

The world must see this picture, the blood of a dead family covering

the floor of their kitchen, because it speaks volumes about the

current situation. It is time to stop pretending that Israel has a

partner for peace, because it does not. While this was done under the

guise of protesting metal detectors at the Temple Mount, it is much

more than that – it is the culmination of years of incitement by

Palestinian leaders and years of the world turning a blind eye.

The world must see this, because the world must see the truth.

(end of piece)

This was my reply:

On Mon, Jul 24, 2017 at 4:52 PM, Avner Efendowicz <avnerefe@yahoo.com> wrote:

Neve Tsuf is a settlement in the occupied territories. The Israeli occupation is the MOST violent action in the conflict. So it's not just an innocent "Shabbat Dinner" (still, the killing is horrible indeed).

What the world must see is the terrible conditions of the people living in Gaza and elsewhere under the Israeli oppression.

Cheers,
Avner E.

The state of Tel Aviv

When it suits them, Dershowitz is the Right-wing hero...

An email I got from one of the dear souls on the Web:

All human rights activists should appreciate and embrace this short speech by an esteemed former Harvard University professor.

Here is the link

A chat I had: Boycott Israel

I had a little chat with a scholar presented in an email to me, as a "non-Jewish Scottish professor". Dr. Denis MacEoin is an expert in Middle Eastern affairs and was a senior editor of the Middle East Quarterly. He wrote this letter to his students, of The Edinburgh Student's Association to boycott all things Israeli, in which they claim Israel is under an apartheid regime.

Dr. MacEoin's blog: http://mid-eastplus.blogspot.co.il/



TO: The Committee Edinburgh University Student Association.

May I be permitted to say a few words to members of the EUSA?  I am an Edinburgh graduate (MA 1975) who studied Persian, Arabic and Islamic History in Buccleuch Place under William Montgomery Watt and Laurence Elwell Sutton, two of Britain 's great Middle East experts in their day.  I later went on to do a PhD at Cambridge and to teach Arabic and Islamic Studies at Newcastle University .  Naturally, I am the author of several books and hundreds of articles in this field.  I say all that to show that I am well informed in Middle Eastern affairs and that, for that reason, I am shocked and disheartened by the EUSAmotion and vote.

I am shocked for a simple reason: there is not and has never been a system of apartheid in Israel .  That is not my opinion, that is fact that can be tested against reality by any Edinburgh student, should he or she choose to visit Israel to see for themselves.  Let me spell this out, since I have the impression that those members of EUSA who voted for this motion are absolutely clueless in matters concerning Israel, and that they are, in all likelihood, the victims of extremely biased propaganda coming from the anti-Israel lobby.

Being anti-Israel is not in itself objectionable.  But I'm not talking about ordinary criticism of Israel.  I'm speaking of a hatred that permits itself no boundaries in the lies and myths it pours out.  Thus, Israel is repeatedly referred to as a "Nazi" state.  In what sense is this true, even as a metaphor?  Where are the Israeli concentration camps?  The einzatsgruppen?  The SS?  The Nuremberg Laws?  The Final Solution?  None of these things nor anything remotely resembling them exists in Israel, precisely because the Jews, more than anyone on earth, understand what Nazism stood for.

It is claimed that there has been an Israeli Holocaust in Gaza (or elsewhere).  Where?  When?  No honest historian would treat that claim with anything but the contempt it deserves.  But calling Jews Nazis and saying they have committed a Holocaust is as basic a way to subvert historical fact as anything I can think of.

Likewise apartheid.  For apartheid to exist, there would have to be a situation that closely resembled how things were in South Africa under the apartheid regime.  Unfortunately for those who believe this, a weekend in any part of Israel would be enough to show how ridiculous the claim is.

That a body of university students actually fell for this and voted on it is a sad comment on the state of modern education.  The most obvious focus for apartheid would be the country's 20% Arab population.  Under Israeli law, Arab Israelis have exactly the same rights as Jews or anyone else; Muslims have the same rights as Jews or Christians; Baha'is, severely persecuted in Iran, flourish in Israel, where they have their world center; Ahmadi Muslims, severely persecuted in Pakistan and elsewhere, are kept safe by Israel; the holy places of all religions are protected under a specific Israeli law.  Arabs form 20% of the university population (an exact echo of their percentage in the general population).

In Iran, the Bahai's (the largest religious minority) are forbidden to study in any university or to run their own universities: why aren't your members boycotting Iran?  Arabs in Israel can go anywhere they want, unlike blacks in apartheid South Africa.  They use public transport, they eat in restaurants, they go to swimming pools, they use libraries, they go to cinemas alongside Jews - something no blacks were able to do in South Africa.

Israeli hospitals not only treat Jews and Arabs, they also treat Palestinians from Gaza or the West Bank.  On the same wards, in the same operating theatres.

In Israel , women have the same rights as men: there is no gender apartheid.  Gay men and women face no restrictions, and Palestinian gays often escape into Israel, knowing they may be killed at home.

It seems bizarre to me that LGBT groups call for a boycott of Israel and say nothing about countries like Iran , where gay men are hanged or stoned to death.  That illustrates a Mindset that beggars belief.

Intelligent students thinking it's better to be silent about regimes that kill gay people, but good to condemn the only country in the Middle East that rescues and protects gay people.  Is that supposed to be a sick joke?

University is supposed to be about learning to use your brain, to think rationally, to examine evidence, to reach conclusions based on solid evidence, to compare sources, to weigh up one view against one or more others.  If the best Edinburgh can now produce are students who have no idea how to do any of these things, then the future is bleak.

I do not object to well-documented criticism of Israel .  I do object when supposedly intelligent people single the Jewish state out above states that are horrific in their treatment of their populations.  We are going through the biggest upheaval in the Middle East since the 7th and 8th centuries, and it's clear that Arabs and Iranians are rebelling against terrifying regimes that fight back by killing their own citizens.

Israeli citizens, Jews and Arabs alike, do not rebel (though they are free to protest).  Yet Edinburgh students mount no demonstrations and call for no boycotts against Libya, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Iran.  They prefer to make false accusations against one of the world's freest countries, the only country in the Middle East that has taken in Darfur refugees, the only country in the Middle East that gives refuge to gay men and women, the only country in the Middle East that protects the Bahai's...  Need I go on?

The imbalance is perceptible, and it sheds no credit on anyone who voted for this boycott.  I ask you to show some common sense.  Get information from the Israeli embassy.  Ask for some speakers.  Listen to more than one side.  Do not make your minds up until you have given a fair hearing to both parties.  You have a duty to your students, and that is to protect them from one-sided argument.

They are not at university to be propagandized.  And they are certainly not there to be tricked into anti-Semitism by punishing one country among all the countries of the world, which happens to be the only Jewish state.  If there had been a single Jewish state in the 1930's (which, sadly, there was not), don't you think Adolf Hitler would have decided to boycott it?

Your generation has a duty to ensure that the perennial racism of anti-Semitism never sets down roots among you.  Today, however, there are clear signs that it has done so and is putting down more.  You have a chance to avert a very great evil, simply by using reason and a sense of fair play.  Please tell me that this makes sense.  I have given you some of the evidence.  It's up to you to find out more.

Yours sincerely,

Denis MacEoin



I wrote to Dr. MacEoin:

One can be a very well educated scholar, and yet be ignorant about the state of his own research.
Who said that Israel was a Nazi state? All we said was that there are some Judo-Nazis in Israel, which is true. Did the police manage to catch the (presumable Jewish) murderers of Ali (18 month old) and his father Saad Dawabsha? No. If the killers were Arabs, you can be sure they would have been caught in a few days.

Yes, PM Netanyahu visited the remaining of the Arab family, and promised to catch the killers. Being Israelis, we all know quite well what Netanyahu's promises are worth.

Israel is an apartheid state - I'm willing to be honest enough to admit that this is not a fact, but it's my own interpretation. But it's based on every reasonable standard. In my opinion, no counter-propaganda can refute this.

If this legitimate criticism of (not Israel, but the Israeli government) is regarded anti-Semitism, them I don't believe there is any anti-Semitism in the world, beyond the regular racism to any race other that the Jews.

I encourage Scottish students to go ahead and boycott everything Israeli, to save my country from its evil government. Thank you!

Cheers,
Avner E.