Olmert Gives The Finger To World Jewry
Now, there are many times when I feel that non-Israeli Jews have no right to talk about Israeli policy. This is not one of those times. In response to American Jewish leaders concerns and objections over Olmert's plans to put the discussion of dividing Jerusalem on the table of any peace talks, he had this to say:
OK, Olmert must be on a crusade to burn every bridge and destroy any semblance of remaining support he has with the Jewish world. Maybe he's lobbying for a job with the Arabs. Who knows! But, is he kidding us with this stuff?!? I've given up questioning his moves or being surprised by anything that comes out of his mouth. They're all stupid, but this must take the cake!!
Why is Jerusalem such an important and volatile issue to every Jew on the face of the planet? Should I give those of you that have been living under a rock for the past 5,000+ years a short history lesson?!? Apparently, Olmert needs it. Without insulting any of your intelligence, let's leave it with one simple declaration:
Jerusalem is the single most important site in Judaism. We pray in its direction 3 times a day. On holidays, we declare, "Next Year in Jerusalem!" We actually don't say, Next year in Israel. We believe that G-d's essence resides over the city. What more do I need to add? Want me to stray away a bit from religion? Fine, Zionistically speaking, the movement for Jews to have the same self-determination as any other people is even named after one of Jerusalem's alternative names: ZION!! The whole goal is to return to Jerusalem. Hey, Olmert, heard our national anthem lately?
Olmert has officially reached rock bottom in order to justify his actions to stay in office one day longer. All I can say is pray...
Technorati Tags: Israel, Jew, Jewish, Olmert, Annapolis, Jerusalem, Judaism, Zion
(Source: Arutz 7)
Olmert to U.S. Jews: Jerusalem None of Your Business
(IsraelNN.com) Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Monday that the issue of Jerusalem is an Israeli issue and not a "Jewish issue." He made the statement as delegates from the Orthodox Union (OU) and pro-Israel Christians met with American National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley to express opposition to plans by the Olmert administration to divide the Jewish capital with the Palestinian Authority (PA).
The OU replied that it was not trying to dictate policy to Israel but added that Jews throughout the world have a share in "the holy city of Jerusalem."
OK, Olmert must be on a crusade to burn every bridge and destroy any semblance of remaining support he has with the Jewish world. Maybe he's lobbying for a job with the Arabs. Who knows! But, is he kidding us with this stuff?!? I've given up questioning his moves or being surprised by anything that comes out of his mouth. They're all stupid, but this must take the cake!!
Why is Jerusalem such an important and volatile issue to every Jew on the face of the planet? Should I give those of you that have been living under a rock for the past 5,000+ years a short history lesson?!? Apparently, Olmert needs it. Without insulting any of your intelligence, let's leave it with one simple declaration:
Jerusalem is the single most important site in Judaism. We pray in its direction 3 times a day. On holidays, we declare, "Next Year in Jerusalem!" We actually don't say, Next year in Israel. We believe that G-d's essence resides over the city. What more do I need to add? Want me to stray away a bit from religion? Fine, Zionistically speaking, the movement for Jews to have the same self-determination as any other people is even named after one of Jerusalem's alternative names: ZION!! The whole goal is to return to Jerusalem. Hey, Olmert, heard our national anthem lately?
Olmert has officially reached rock bottom in order to justify his actions to stay in office one day longer. All I can say is pray...
Technorati Tags: Israel, Jew, Jewish, Olmert, Annapolis, Jerusalem, Judaism, Zion
posted by Olah Chadasha @ 11/28/2007 04:18:00 PM
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7 Comments:
It's only b/c you agree with the OU on this that you are posting this. If you disagreed with them, you would think differently.
Also, the NY Jewish Week has a quote from Rabbi Jerry Epstein (exec VP of the USCJ) - At a meeting with 20 Jewish leaders after a long day at Annapolis, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was "pressed heavily on Jerusalem," said Rabbi Jerome Epstein, executive vice president of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.
Olmert told the group that while the status of Jerusalem wasn’t an issue at Annapolis, it will come up if follow-up negotiations move forward.
"He made it clear he isn’t just going to give it away," Rabbi Epstein said. "He also made it clear Israel will listen to the opinion of American Jews on Jerusalem, but will do what Israel believes is in its best interest. In my mind I think that is appropriate."
And, might I add, that in all this talk about "dividing Jerusalem" we are only talking about neighborhoods that were NEVER Jerusalem before 1967 but rather West Bank Arab villages. Really, the refugee camp is part of J'lem - give me a break.
Check out this Jewschool post that makes a point -- which you know well -- that Jerusalem already is divided. Of course, if you want to argue instead that we need to invest in equality for the Arab's infrastructure (and fine, that can include ensuring they pay taxes and the like providing they get equal services) - http://jewschool.com/2007/11/27/breaking-news-jerusalem-divided/
Am, sorry, I don't really understand what your point here is.
In any case, you know full well that the Palestinians are not just demanding the Arab Jerusalem neighborhoods. So, that's not just what we're talking about when discussing the "division" of Jerusalem. The Palestinians are demanding all of pre-1967 Jerusalem. That includes the entire old city, all Eastern Jerusalem neighborhoods; Jewish and Arab alike, and control over all historical sites; including the KOTEL. So, let's not kid ourselves here.
Olmert has no mandate or historical precedent for these decisions about Jerusalem. And, he will "just give it away". What exactly would Israel get in return for dividing its capital?
Regardless of how "divided" Jerusalem is culturally and economically at the moment, the vast majority of Jerusalem Arabs would rather live under the Israeli government than under Palestinian rule. I don't if you've read it, but applications from Jerusalem Arabs for permanent resident and citizen status has risen dramatically since Olmert first initiated the idea of putting the division of Jerusalem on the table.
Finally, my opinion has nothing to do with the OU. It has to do with respect and fact. The question of Jerusalem is a universal Jewish issue. Might I remind Mr. Olmert that the vast majority of ISRAEL'S Jews, secular and religious alike, are AGAINST any division of Jerusalem. So, when Olmert speaks about Israel deciding what's best for her, he's only referring to himself.
-OC
Olmert also said that if Annapolis fails, Israel may become an apartheid state:
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=3929618
I have no words.
Olmert will say and do anything to keep his job. Nothing he says surprises me anymore.
Olmert is a dickhead. And that's generous.
nice title
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