Thoughts on Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Memorial Day)

Today is no ordinary day. Israel will come to a standstill. The country, for two minutes, will literally stop.



The Jewish people around the world will also pause and remember the six million of their family that are the victims of the worst genocide in human history. Yes, Jews have always been persecuted for thousands of years; however, this stands out. The Holocaust was not something spontaneous that occurred at random. It did not occur in an instant and then stop all of a sudden. It was a long, calculated plan by the Nazis with the main goal to wipe out the entire Jewish nation.



We cannot forget. We shall not forget. We will never, ever forget.

Another report on college anti-Semitism

According to the school paper "The Dakota Student," there have been hate graffiti and other acts against Jewish students on campus! The article does not go into greater detail as to what happened; however, the President assured the paper that the matter is being looked into and appropriate actions are being taken.

A message from The Anti-Semitism Report

To all of our readers out there,
Come sundown Saturday evening, the holiday of Passover beings and the Jewish people will be celebrating their freedom from oppression, tyranny, and anti-Semitism. Below is a video that tells the story of the Exodus in about 6 minutes.

However, it is on this festival of freedom, where the Jewish people will sit at home and remember the story of their freedom, that we must remember those Israeli soldiers who are not free but remain in captivity.

	Yehuda Katz was born in Ramat Gan on 18 July 1959. He has been missing since the battle of Sultan Yaqub, on 11 June 1982.
	Zvi Feldman was born in Tel Aviv on 29 December 1956. He has been missing since the battle of Sultan Yaqub, on 11 June 1982.
	Zachary Baumel was born in Brooklyn, New York, on 17 November 1960. He hasbeen missing since the battle of Sultan Yaqub, on 11 June 1982.
	Ron Arad was born in Israel on 5 May 1958. He was taken captive by Amal, a Lebanese Shi'ite militia group on 16 October 1986, after parachuting from his plane which was shot down over Sidon in Lebanon.
	Guy Hever was born in Tel Aviv on 30 May 1977. He went missing from his army base on the Golan Heights on 17 August 1997.
	Gilad Shalit was born in Nahariya on 28 August 1986. He was abducted by terrorists during an attack on the Kerem Shalom command post on 25 June 2006. He is being held by the Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza.
	Eldad Regev was born in Kiryat Motzkin on 16 August 1980. He was abducted to Lebanon on 12 July 2006 after his army patrol was attacked by Hizbullah terrorists.
	Ehud Goldwasser was born in Nahariya on 18 July 1975. He was abducted to Lebanon on 12 July 2006 after his army patrol was attacked by Hizbullah terrorists.

At your seder table, please leave one chair empty for the Israeli soldiers who still remain captive. Also, click here for a copy of a prayer to say for the missing soldiers.

At this festival of freedom, I wish to say Happy Passover or Chag Kasher ve Samayach, and may we all be able to live in peace together in Jerusalem.

Leshana Haba BeYerushalayim!

- Greg

Thoughts on former President Jimmy Carter's book "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid"

With former President Jimmy Carter being in the news recently, I thought this would be a good time to release my report about Jimmy Carter's book "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid."



Over the course of two weeks in January, I had the chance to get a copy of the book (from the Bargain bin at a B. Dalton Bookstore at Union Station in Washington, DC). I decided to read it because of the heavy criticism this book has received regarding his depiction of Jews, Zionists, and Israeli's, essentially claiming they are the reason that peace has not been achieved.

The book itself is an easy and light read and is very thought provoking, but for all the wrong reasons.

The book makes one defense for Israel, in that he says that Israel's security must be guarenteed; however, that is all he says to "defend" Israel. He makes claims that Israel has not done anything to work towards a lasting peace with the Palestinians, a false claim. He also makes the claim of a "cycle of violence" where there really is no cycle. The only "cycle" is that of Palestinian terrorists blowing themselves up in public areas, killing innocent men, women, and children and Israel responds by either killing a high ranking terrorist in Hamas and/or destroying the home that the terrorist lived in. He also feels that Israel must comply with various resolutions and agreements, such as the U.N. resolutions and Oslo Agreements of 1993. The problem with this claim, as shown in various books ("Nations United: How the United Nations Undermines Israel and the West") and by looking at the original resolutions (UN Resolution 242 being the big one), among other ways (films such as "Relentless: The Struggle for Peace in the Middle East" being one example) show that Israel has been complying with international agreements. Also, that because the Palestinians voted Hamas into power in 2006 that the United States, Israel, and other countries are depriving the Palestinians of a working economy and better living conditions. A look at this "elected" party, Hamas, shows that they are not a political entity, but a terrorist organization. This is clearly best shown in the Hamas Charter when they say, "our struggle against the Jews is extremely wide-ranging and grave, so much so that it will need all the loyal efforts we can wield, to be followed by further steps and reinforced by successive battalions from the multifarious Arab and Islamic world, until the enemies are defeated and Allah’s victory prevails." The biggest claim is that the security fence is really an "Apartheid Wall" meant to separate Palestinian from Palestinian. The truth is that this "wall" is really a fence meant to separate Palestinian terrorists from Israel.

In the end, while the former President may not have had it in mind, his work comes across anti-Semitic, saying that the Jews and Israelis as the biggest obstacle to peace.

Classic Self-Hating Anti-Semitism in the Guardian

In this article, Seth Freedman, a commentator for Guardian, and former IDF soldier, shows us the worst form of anti-Semitism, the "self-hating Jew." Yes, he does say that he is anything but this category of anti-Semitism; however, his words paint a different picture. The main push of the article is that Zionism and Judaism are two separate entities and that Zionism itself is evil. He claims that Zionism is a "a racist, supremacist ideology." He also discusses some conversations he had with Palestinians in refugee areas, a man named Jihad said to him '"There is no other way [that will suffice]. A two-state solution will not bring peace - the fight will go on."' This person also does not have a problem "with those who chose to join the armed resistance." Another Palestinian told him why couldn't the Zionists (in which this person really meant Jews) feel they need to not only emigrate, but to control and conquest the land? Essentially, this article is meant to portray the majority of Jews (in which Zionism and Judaism are essentially one in the same) as the worst thing in the region and that the Zionists are colonialists and imperialists who are guilty of crimes against humanity.

Prior incidents of hate at Brooklyn College

The following article was published in one of the school's local newspapers "The Excelsior:"

Anti-Semitism at BC, Yet Again

Anti-Zionist Statements Exemplify "Ethnic Tensions"

By Daniel Tauber
2/22/05

The Assemblyman, Javier Genao’s statement is just another example of ethnic division on our campus, which for the past two years seems to be a one-way street toward Jewish students. Many may not recognize the linkage between this statement regarding Zionism and anti-Jewish sentiment on campus. So a short Jewish history lesson is in order:

Modern Zionism, as a political movement, begins officially with Theodore Herzl’s essay “The Jewish State” and his convening of the first World Zionist Congress. Herzl, an assimilated and secular Jew, was awakened to his Jewish identity while covering, as a journalist, the Dreyfus affair, in which a clearly innocent Jewish man, Alfred Dreyfus, was tried and convicted for passing military secrets.

The incident was driven by anti-Semitism. In the east, in Russia, anti-Semitic mobs formed and massacred Jews in Ghettos. Zionism – the idea that the Jews should be returned to their ancestral homeland where they can have their own state, was the solution to the Jewish problem of anti-Semitism.

Thus is not surprising that on many campuses and universities anti-Zionist rallies often turn anti-Semitic. Nor does it come as a shock that Palestinian terrorists often aim to kill Jews anywhere in the world, and are taught to kill Jews, rather than to just resist what they call “the occupation.”

Second, a campus history lesson is in order. In the past few years Jews on this campus have been painted negatively – as racists, rich, exclusionary, and as only caring about other Jewish - whether in regards to Jewish students in PHD or Jewish students involved in Jewish clubs. Here are just a few examples:

• On May 3 2004, The Kingsman, a student newspaper, reported that USL members told a student that PHD was “just for Jews” during elections.

• On April 28, 2004, a member of USL, named Saba Gilani (USL) accused Daniel Tauber (PHD) of racial profiling when he campaigned, even though Tauber had campaigned to her, a Muslim wearing a head covering, the day, before not knowing she was a USL member.

• After learning that a voter had voted for PHD, Gilani, a USL member, asked the voter, “Why would you vote for a bunch of kikes?”

• On September 6, 2004, The Kingsman printed a story in which a pro-USL student accuses PHD of having a “Jewish Agenda.”

• In February 2004, Robert Ramos (USL) called Yehuda Katz’s political platform a “racist political agenda” in response to a letter by Katz addressing USL’s repeated allegations that PHD was “a bunch of rich, white, Jews.”

• In Spring 2003, The Kingsman editorialized that PHD was racial profiling in its campaigning.

• In April 2003, Yehuda Katz (PHD) and Delano Aaron (USL) were campaigning to a group of African Americans. Aaron told to the group that “the Jews are taking over the school” and stated that a vote for PHD meant a vote for Jews taking over the school.

• In April 2002, USL members renamed Chuck Chigewe, PHD’s Black candidate for Vice President, to Chick Chigewitz, to make his name more Jewish sounding.
• In November 1999, Omar Killingbeck, a USL member wrote that Birthright Israel was racist.

• The November 8, 2004 editorial in The Kingsman entitled “A Sensitive Topic” discussed racial division on campus read, “to take this a step further, you can clearly see a division of these clubs here on campus: the majority of clubs are in the Barn; while certainly ethnically exclusive clubs are housed right as you enter campus. Is that fair? We don’t think so.” The majority of clubs refers to clubs like the Black Student Union, the Islamic Society, the Carribean Student Union, who have are badly situated in “the barn,” while the “certain ethnically exclusive clubs housed right as you enter campus” refers to Hillel and other Jewish clubs who are housed by a campus entrance on Campus Road off of Nostrand Avenue.

• While at the computer lab, a student who frequents Hillel, noticed that waiting to be printed was a word document entitled “F--- the Yahood.”

From reading the November 8, 2004 Kingsman editorial, we can see that everyone seems to understand that there is some sort of ethnic division on campus. But while no one can deny that in any group there are racists, I have not seen an upsurge of racism among Jewish students, nor have we witnessed members of PHD stereotyping Muslims or Blacks in USL, in flyers and opinion articles in order to win student government elections.

However, a huge amount of negative feeling is being generated towards Jews, especially by USL members. The problem is not simply an ethnic division on our campus. It is specifically the negative stereotyping of Jews, many times for political gain, but many times in addressing a variety of issues as well. This is known as anti-Semitism.

If people are serious about mending the divisions on campus, they are going to have to look deep within themselves and ask whether they are being as sensitive to the issues of the Jewish minority as well as other minorities.

People must come to understand that for every Jew, in one way or another, the existence of the State of Israel, as a political issue is the equivalent of the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or even the Fourteenth Amendment, because it means that they no longer have to fear anti-Semitism, because they will always have a refuge.

Even if one does not believe that they hate Jews, they must still strive for sensitivity regarding Jewish issues like Israel and anti-Semitic stereotypes. For it was not with a bloody hatred, but with negative stereotypes that students were told not to vote – and in the end did not vote for the bunch of rich Jews in PHD.

Presidental Candidates on Anti-Semitism from SWC Questionnaire

The following question was asked to the following three candidates for President of the United States:
Racism, anti-Semitism, xenophobia, and homophobia, fueled in part by religious demagoguery and manipulation of the Internet, are
a reality both here and abroad. What specific steps would your administration take to combat this rising scourge?

John McCain: I believe that a free exchange of ideas and open
dialogue contributes to the essential vitality of our
democracy, for which so many have fought and
died. But those who would exploit these ideals to
serve the causes of hatred and extremism offend
the traditions of freedom we cherish. I oppose
discrimination of any kind and have a long record
of fighting to ensure that every American has
an equal voice in the political process. I am pleased by the recent
advances in technology, which have had an undeniable impact on
politics, campaigns and governance more generally. The Internet, for
example, serves as a powerful tool, enfranchising and empowering
new voices, particularly among those who struggle to be heard in the
political arena. However, the promise that the Internet holds must be
balanced by forbearance at the potential for its abuse. Consistent
with our laws, intelligence agencies and law enforcement must
closely monitor the use of the Internet by those who would use it to
incite violence and take appropriate action to combat such activities.
Furthermore, we must always exercise our freedom of speech at home
and use our bully pulpit to denounce forcefully those who use the
Internet to spew extremist rhetoric.

Barack Obama: Throughout my career, I’ve spoken out against
intolerance and hatred, and have worked to bring
people together. In recent months, my campaign
has addressed these topics directly. I had the
honor of delivering a speech on Martin Luther
King Day from the pulpit of Dr. King’s church,
Ebenezer Baptist in Atlanta. During that speech,
I called on the congregation to be honest about
our own failings in living up to Dr. King’s Dream and creating a united
America:
And yet, if we are honest with ourselves, we must admit that none
of our hands are entirely clean. If we’re honest with ourselves, we’ll
acknowledge that our own community has not always been true to
King’s vision of a beloved community. We have scorned our gay
brothers and sisters instead of embracing them. The scourge of
anti-Semitism has, at times, revealed itself in our community. For
too long, some of us have seen immigrants as competitors for jobs
instead of companions in the fight for opportunity.
http://www.barackobama.com/2008/01/20/remarks_of_senator_
barack_obam_40.php
And recently, I gave a major address on race and American life
(http://www.barackobama.com/2008/03/18/remarks_of_senator_
barack_obam_53.php), partly to respond to and condemn offensive,
incendiary, and divisive remarks by my former pastor that denigrated
the goodness and greatness of our country, but also to give broader
context to some of the racial divisions that persist. But I also gave
that address to open up a wide and honest dialogue about racial
tensions and to challenge those listening to not let this overdue
conversation be reduced to soundbites and distract us from uniting
around a common purpose.
We’ve made considerable progress on healing many of these
tensions in our society; but it is undeniable that we have more work
to do. I do not believe that a single speech or a political campaign is
the answer to racism, anti-Semitism, homophobia, xenophobia and
all of the other divisions that plague our society. But I do believe
that until we address these issues in a manner that is open, honest,
respectful, and thoughtful, they will persist. As president, I will be
fully committed to continuing the dialogue that we’ve tried to start in
this campaign. And I will pursue policies that further seek to eradicate
discrimination from our society; that work toward closing the stubborn
achievement, wealth, and health care gaps; and that will help create a
society that is more equal and free, both domestically and abroad.

Hillary Clinton: I believe that we have all have a responsibility to
confront racial injustice and intolerance. When I
am President, I will make a strong commitment to
fully enforcing our anti-discrimination laws. I will
ensure that our laws and our policies reflect that
commitment by combating racism, anti-Semitism,
xenophobia, and homophobia.
My administration will restore the historic role
of the Department of Justice and return the civil rights division to
its original mission as a body that vigorously enforces people’s civil
rights, instead of ignoring them. I have put forth an agenda to fight
discrimination that includes increasing funding for the civil rights
division by $30 million; restoring professionalism and removing
politics from hiring, case deliberations, and policy decisions within
the Department of Justice; and combating ongoing racial and sex
discrimination in the labor market by improving laws and expanding
enforcement. I will also appoint an attorney general who cares about
the rule of law and Supreme Court Justices who understand and
respect our Constitution’s civil rights guarantees. And I will commit
to promoting diversity in our public institutions and our private
businesses. I will set an example by ensuring that my administration
recruits the best and the brightest of all backgrounds and walks of life.
My administration will be as diverse as is our great country.
I will sign the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) into law.
Throughout my Senate career, I have been an original co-sponsor of
ENDA. It is inconceivable to me that people who work hard and do
a good job every day can still be fired because of who they love. It’s
unfair, it’s un-American, and I will put a stop to it. I was proud to help
champion the New York state version – called the Sexual Orientation
Non-Discrimination Act – which was signed into law in late 2002, and
I look forward to addressing this important issue at the federal level.
I will also sign into law the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement
Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which I co-sponsored. I believe that hate
crimes undermine the fundamental principle upon which our
nation was founded, that all men and women are equal. And I will
end the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy. Courage, honor, patriotism and
sacrifice – the traits that define our men and women in uniform – have
nothing to do with sexual orientation, and I am concerned that the
military is discharging people with critical skills.
I believe it is vital to the health and future of our democracy that our
government protects and promotes the rights of all citizens equally.
For more than 35 years, I have been an advocate for Americans of
all backgrounds, cultures, faiths, and beliefs. In the Senate, I have
taken a leading role in spearheading initiatives to expand the circle of
opportunity and break down prejudices. As President, I will build on
these past efforts. I will promote equality for all through the policies I
champion, the appointments I make, the justices I nominate, and my
own words and actions.

South Korean Commercials with Nazi Symbols

In a report by CNN.com, a South Korean cosmetics company, Coreana Cosmetics Co., has put out an ad campaign for one of its products that uses Nazi symbolism in the ads. Did the costume designer who was responsible do this on purpose using the Nazi symbols in their ads (one of them is the Nazi's eagle symbol)? The answer is yes! "Seo Sang-hee, confirmed the ad was meant to invoke a Nazi soldier and Hitler, which she said symbolize "revolution" in keeping with the lotion's "revolutionary" dual functions. Seo said the commercial was not designed to promote Hitler, but rather the idea that the cosmetics will succeed in both East and West, which Hitler failed to do."

Here are the ads

.

More Hate Found on Brooklyn College Campus

Two weeks ago, I made the discovery of hate on our campus. Today, sources led me to another bathroom stall in Brooklyn College showing the worst symbols of hate.


This graffiti says "Cripples to the Lions." The upside-down "T" infers to the upside-down cross, a sign of the devil as well as the "O's" which is the Pentagram, an old sign of the devil.

This graffiti says "Male Supremacy." The "A" symbolism is unknown to me.


This picture has the "Star of David" enclosed in a circle and in the middle of the star is a Swastika and the number "6" a common sign of evil enclosed within the circle. On the top of the circle says "Die" and on the bottom says "Gays."

More of Hamas teaching Hate, this time involving the White House and President Bush

The following video appeared on Hamas TV March 30, 2008

Justice for Jewish Refugees!

Yesterday, as reported by Ha'aretz (an Israeli Newspaper), the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that will help reshape the peace process between the Palestinians and the Israelis/Jewish people. The bill, H. Res. 185, sponsored by Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) essentially states that "any comprehensive Middle East peace agreement must resolve all outstanding issues relating to the legitimate rights of all refugees in the Middle East, including Jews, Christians, and other displaced populations." The group Justice for Jews from Arab Countries helped provide the research that provides evidence that there are over 850,000 Jewish refugees from Arab countries who, essentially, threw them out because of the creation of Israel.

Finally, justice will be done to these forgotten refugees; however, the fight is not over. The U.N. at this time does not count these Jews as refugees following the War of Independence in 1948. Only recently did a refugee come speak to the United Nations, according to The Canadian Jewish News! Therefore, it is imperative that those of you who live outside of the United States call your local government officials and urge them to pass a bill similar to H. Res. 185! According to Canada.com, that is what is exactly being worked on in Canada.

Below, for your reference, is a list of all 40 co-sponsors of this bill:

Rep Berkley, Shelley [NV-1] - 4/20/2007
Rep Berman, Howard L. [CA-28] - 3/7/2007
Rep Bishop, Timothy H. [NY-1] - 1/28/2008
Rep Bordallo, Madeleine Z. [GU] - 12/19/2007
Rep Brady, Robert A. [PA-1] - 10/15/2007
Rep Burton, Dan [IN-5] - 2/27/2007
Rep Carnahan, Russ [MO-3] - 10/29/2007
Rep Chabot, Steve [OH-1] - 5/17/2007
Rep Cleaver, Emanuel [MO-5] - 10/3/2007
Rep Cohen, Steve [TN-9] - 9/5/2007
Rep Crowley, Joseph [NY-7] - 2/16/2007
Rep Engel, Eliot L. [NY-17] - 9/4/2007
Rep Eshoo, Anna G. [CA-14] - 5/9/2007
Rep Ferguson, Mike [NJ-7] - 2/16/2007
Rep Fortuno, Luis G. [PR] - 2/6/2008
Rep Frank, Barney [MA-4] - 1/16/2008
Rep Green, Gene [TX-29] - 1/17/2008
Rep Hastings, Alcee L. [FL-23] - 8/3/2007
Rep Honda, Michael M. [CA-15] - 3/5/2007
Rep Israel, Steve [NY-2] - 9/4/2007
Rep Kirk, Mark Steven [IL-10] - 3/1/2007
Rep Linder, John [GA-7] - 9/4/2007
Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [NY-14] - 9/17/2007
Rep McNulty, Michael R. [NY-21] - 10/16/2007
Rep Moran, James P. [VA-8] - 3/4/2008
Rep Pence, Mike [IN-6] - 6/12/2007
Rep Ramstad, Jim [MN-3] - 1/28/2008
Rep Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [FL-18] - 2/16/2007
Rep Rothman, Steven R. [NJ-9] - 3/5/2007
Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. [IL-9] - 3/5/2007
Rep Schiff, Adam B. [CA-29] - 7/27/2007
Rep Schwartz, Allyson Y. [PA-13] - 2/27/2007
Rep Sherman, Brad [CA-27] - 10/17/2007
Rep Towns, Edolphus [NY-10] - 2/6/2008
Rep Van Hollen, Chris [MD-8] - 1/28/2008
Rep Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [FL-20] - 10/29/2007
Rep Watson, Diane E. [CA-33] - 9/4/2007
Rep Waxman, Henry A. [CA-30] - 4/16/2007
Rep Weiner, Anthony D. [NY-9] - 2/27/2007
Rep Wexler, Robert [FL-19] - 9/20/2007