 11 January 2012
ISRAEL: AN INTRODUCTION,
FORTHCOMING JANUARY 24th, 2012
Five Minutes for Israel doesn’t usually do recommendations but knowing the GLORIA Center and without yet reading a word I can definitely say that this will be something that every one serious about the Israel/Palestine/Arab/Muslim/Super Power conflict will want on their shelves or on their hard drive or e-book reader, or whatever. I was going to say every Israel advocate but I confidently predict that if you are not one now you will be (or too nutty to be reached). Knowing Professor Rubin, this will be a good read.
(Herzliya, Israel) – Israel: An Introduction, a project by the Global Research in International Affairs Center (GLORIA), of the Interdisciplinary Center of Herzliya, and published by Yale University Press will be in stores on January 24th, 2012.
“What’s unique about Israel: An Introduction,” said Professor Barry Rubin, the book’s editor and one of its authors, “is that it is the first book to provide a comprehensive picture of modern Israel including land and people, geography, society, economy, and culture, as well as its history and politics.
“This book is a milestone that, for the first time in the short history of the study of modern Israel, will act as a guide for readers to learn about the Jewish state. It is good for use in courses or for the general reader and also as a textbook for high school and college level courses.”
Edited by Barry Rubin, Director of the GLORIA Center, Editor of the Middle East Review of International Affairs Journal and a leading historian of the Middle East, Israel is organized around six major themes: Land and people, history, society, politics, economics, and culture. Finally, Israel: An Introduction provides useful reference lists by topic for those who may be inspired to read further.
The book is a significant contribution to Israel Studies at large. Its official publication date is January 24, 2012. Israel is already being pre-sold and promoted to hundreds of institutions in Israel, the United States, and worldwide.
GLORIA has launched a campaign to encourage the book’s use for Israel education by the Israeli government, Jewish community organizations, Jewish and Israel studies programs at major universities, and the general public.
It is available in paperback and in digital e-book format on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and the iTunes bookstore.
The GLORIA Center is open to receiving potential ideas for involvement or support from readers like you. If people are interested in purchasing copies of the book, writing a review, scheduling an interview with the editor or author(s), or have other general inquiries please contact Adam Briscoe or Gregg Roman.
The GLORIA Center invites people to inquire about inspection copies (for classes) and bulk orders.
Readers can pre-order the publication on Amazon.
The GLORIA Center is also on Facebook and on Twitter.
Readers can obtain updates on all the center’s articles and publications at http://www.gloria-center.org.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Gregg Roman
Director of Development
groman@gloria-center.org
+972-9-960-2736
Adam Briscoe
a.briscoe@gloria-center.org
The GLORIA Center is a research institute focusing on international affairs, combining traditional high-standards of scholarship, timely analysis, and new technology to produce the most accurate possible view of issues and events.
 2 January 2012
Review Palestine’s admission as a member of UNESCO
SIGN this petition
Nothing is more likely to lead to violence and bring a negotiated settlement even further away than the Palestinian Authority using the ‘authority’ of UNESCO to deny Jewish access to joint holy sites under the excuse that they are protecting them.
Why This Is Important
Palestine’s admission as a member of UNESCO on 31 October 2011 is illegal – since the two-thirds majority of members required to admit Palestine under articles II(2) and II (3) of UNESCO’S Constitution is 129 – not the 107 member States that actually voted for Palestine’s admission.
The decision will cost UNESCO over $100 million per annum in funding and seriously affect UNESCO’s ongoing programs for the universal benefit of humankind.
UNESCO has failed to rebut this claim or accede to my† request that it urgently obtain an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice
† The ‘my’ in this case is not Five Minutes for Israel but the creator of this petition Sydney lawyer, David Singer.
20 December 2011
Remove Syria Now
from Unesco Human Rights Committees
When the campaign reaches 10,000 “Likes,” this will be submitted as a formal petition to UNESCO director-general Irina Bokova.
Action items: Remove Syria Now from Unesco Human Rights Committees
Appeal for UNESCO to Cancel Its Election of Syria to Human Rights Committees
Shocked that the UNESCO Executive Board, on 11 November 2011, elected the Syrian Arab Republic to two committees dealing with human rights—the Committee on Conventions and Recommendations, which examines communications relating to the exercise of human rights, and the Committee on International Non-Governmental Organizations, which is charged with overseeing the work of civil society and human rights groups within UNESCO;
Having considered the recent findings of United Nations Human Rights Council investigators that the Syrian regime has in the past year committed crimes against humanity, including the murder of 5,000 of its citizens, the torturing of children and rape;
Recalling that earlier this year, after United Nations Watch revealed that Syria had cynically submitted its candidacy for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council, a global protest campaign emerged with the support of Human Rights Watch, the Syrian Human Rights Committee, the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, and numerous other NGOs and UN stakeholders, helping to successfully defeat the candidacy of the Assad regime;
Guided by the principled opposition expressed by the UNESCO Director-General herself, Ms. Irina Bokova, who has stated that she “does not see how the Syria can contribute to the work of the committees”;
Declaring that each day that the Syria continues to sit on the aforementioned UNESCO human rights committees constitutes an affront to the memory of the innocents who continue to be killed by the Assad regime, and casts a shadow upon the reputation of UNESCO, and of the United Nations system as a whole;
We, the undersigned Members of Parliament, human rights organizations, civil society representatives and pro-democracy dissidents and activists, do hereby appeal to the UNESCO Executive Board to urgently remove the Syrian regime from the aforementioned human rights committees, and to publicly apologize to the victims of the Syrian regime for having elected it in the first place.
19 December 2011
Dry Bones† – Out of the box thinking
We have often stated that the world doesn’t hate Israel. Most of it either doesn’t know we exist or doesn’t care as they have more immediate problems. Yaakov Kirschen, is calling for assistance in approaching 1.3383 Chinese … The Dry Bones Project (DryBonesProject.com) needs funding to carry out its unique strategic plan … a way to use graphic novels to engage and enlist the Chinese in a common struggle; the battle to reject the willful denial of history, and to strengthen China/Israel relations.
If you could be the fairy godfather/mother please contact. If you donate have thousands of dollars lying around but can donate to a unique ‘thinking outside the box’ project in Israel advocacy don’t be shy.
 Dry Bones China Project
† We are honoured that Israel’s iconic cartoonist Yaakov Kirschen of Dry Bones fame permits us to use the cartoons that embellish every Five Minutes for Israel.
  27 November 2011
Like for Israel: <Hackathon>
- What: Bringing developers and designers together to contribute their magic and creating pro Israel mobile and web applications.
- Where: The Junction, 32 Schocken St.,Tel Aviv.
- When: December 2-3,2011
- Who:
Guest Speakers
- Dr. Eitan Eliram, New Media Director Prime Minister’s Office
- Sacha Dratwa,Head of the New Media desk,Spokesperson’s Unit
- Enon Landenberg,Chief Interaction Officer,Publicis Incubator
- Tzvi Kopetz,Chief Operations,Applicasa
- How:More details at Like for Israel: Hackathon
- Why: Oh come-on. You know why!
Like for Israel,a new media initiative that made its first steps in June 2011 is producing a 48hr Hackathon in Tel Aviv. The purpose of this weekend is to build pro-Israel apps formobile devices (iOS,Android),mobile web and browsers (Firefox,Chrome).
The products need to be simple-but-great so they are used by people around the world,to help advocate Israel by making information,tools and ideas accessible to as many people as possible.
- Simple means they need to be ready for launch when the weekend is finished.
- Great means awesome. Read the full guidelines.
- By products we mean iOS and Android apps (mobile and tablet),browser plug-ins,toolbars and web-apps.
- Teams,individuals,ideas:
- Teams: teams will group two programmers and one designer total. The team needs to already knowhow to work with the technologies it’s going to use;there won’t be much time to learn in the weekend.
- Individuals:take into consideration that you won’t be working alone on this unless you’re a magician.
- Ideas: it’d be best if each group comes with a great idea for a product (great+simple). If you don’t have an idea,we’ll team you up with other people with an idea. Think simple,limit your idea to one or two features. We will run elevator pitches in the first morning to get immediate feedback from the otherdevelopers.
- Start cooking your ideas with user workflows,UX,mockup designs etc.
- Contact:Send your ideas to:likeforisrael@gmail.com (#subject:“like for Israel app idea”)
- Production and Media:Niv Calderon nivcalderon@gmail.com, +972-54-6969278
- Tech:Gil Megidish gil.megidish@gmail.com, Adi Avnit adiavn@yahoo.com
Two significant life-changing (?) events for me this week. It’s the 30th anniversary of my aliya to Israel AND my first SMART phone should arrive†. I’m stretching this dubious connection to put in a plug for the Hackathon. Geeks,nerds,activists,mobile developers,you are all invited.
My minor contribution is working on a database for all pro-Israeli blogs! Check it out on Five Minutes for Israel as a table when I’m done. Hopefully,never done –new and previously undiscovered blogs every day.
† Samsung Galaxy SII. Thank you for asking.
 
12 November 2011
France 24 recognises Palestine
France 24 advertises programs to viewers in the Middle East as Palestine Time. Not real states as Israel, Lebanon or Jordan†. Not even the Palestinian Authority. It has taken upon itself to pre-empt the United Nations and recognise Palestine. How many actual viewers it has among Abbas and Haniyah’s unfortunate population is not known but I doubt it’s enough to pander to them.
Five Minutes for Israel has often felt not nearly enough attention is paid to the foreign language (i.e. foreign to the broadcaster) transmissions, particularly on television. There are a number of ‘foreign’ channels broadcasting in English. They also frequently broadcast in other languages, particularly Arabic. Examples are Russia’s RT – Russia Today (see my post We’re back – in the USSR for my thoughts on why we shouldn’t ignore the little ones).
How influential these stations are, given that they fly under the radar of most analysts and critical blogs, can only be guessed. Given that France 24 is known for the hottest news readers the numbers could be much higher than we think.
Action item: France 24 doesn’t have a complaint department (if you know of one please contact me and I’ll revise the details.
Contact them at:
FRANCE 24
5, rue des Nations Unies
92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux France
Tel. : + 33 1 73 01 24 24
Fax : + 33 1 73 01 24 56
Mail : webdesk@france24.com
† Nor Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey or the United Arab Emirates which are at least real states.
10 November 2011
Katsav sentenced to 7 years
In Israel no one is above the law.
Supreme Court: Former president Katsav raped Aleph
About the only response we can and should make to this disgrace is to comment that in Israel no one is above the law.
Action items:
- Israel court upholds ex-president’s rape conviction, Reuters, 10 Nov 2011
- Israeli Supreme Court upholds 7-year-sentence for ex-President Katsav on rape conviction, Associated Press, Washington Post, 10 Nov 2011
- Israel top court rejects ex-president’s appeal, AMY TEIBEL, Associated Press, Seattle PI, 10 Nov 2011
- Israel court upholds Katsav’s rape conviction: media, The Daily Star, Lebanon, 10 Nov 2011
- Israeli Supreme Court upholds 7-year-sentence for ex-President Katsav on rape conviction, NewsOK, 10 Nov 2011
- Ex-Israeli president to serve 7 years for rape, AMY TEIBEL; ASSOCIATED PRESS, News Tribune, 10 Nov 2011
- Supreme Court: Former president Katsav raped Aleph, JOANNA PARASZCZUK AND JPOST.COM STAFF, Jerusalem Post, 10 Nov 2011
- Court: Katsav’s rape conviction stands, Aviad Glickman, Y net, 10 Nov 2011
6 November 2011
Not even a bandaid
Who says the Destroy Israel Lobby don’t learn? They learnt with the Mavi Marmara that aid boats don’t actually have to carry any aid but Israel will still be blamed for stopping humanitarian aid reaching Gaza
‘No humanitarian aid found onboard Gaza flotilla’
Action item: When any mention is made of Israel stopping two flotilla ships comment that the ships were purely for propaganda. They were carrying no aid not even a a bandaid. Link to the above article.
- Quilcene resident aboard Gaza-bound ship intercepted by Israel, Web reporter and Allyn Fisher-Ilan Q13 FOX News Online and Reuters, My Fox Spokane, 5 Nov 2011
- Israel Begins Deportation of Gaza Flotilla Activists, Voice of America, 5 Nov 2011
- Israel: Flotilla Challenges Gaza Blockade, Huffington Post, 5 Nov 2011
- Freedom Waves to Gaza Boarded by Israeli Military, Salem-News.com, 5 Nov 2011
- Israeli Forces Commandeer Gaza Boats, Kansas City InfoZine, 5 Nov 2011
- Crew of MV Saoirse Hope to Return to Ireland, 98FM, 5 Nov 2011
31 October 2011
UNESCO grants Palestinians full membership
To give the rights of a state to a group that fulfils none of the requirements for statehood is weird. To give Palestine full membership of UNESCO even before this failed state in the making has even received virtual statehood from the UN is a disgrace.
An essential part of the Palestinian narrative is that Jews have no connection at all to the Holyland. More than 3,000 years of tradition mean nothing. UNESCO has just agreed. The symbolism is devastating.
The Palestinians have continued the destruction and vandalism of any Jewish site without a Muslim connection they could reach, as did the Jordanians for the nineteen years they were in control. Where there is a Muslim connection or one can be fantasized they make it difficult and dangerous for Jewish worshippers. This, by itself, should have been enough to deny them membership.
I have said for years that Israel should leave the United Nations. Please explain to me why we are still there?
Action items: Comment on these articles
27 October 2011
Digging into the archives
The death or injury of an innocent human being is dreadful whether caused by accident, carelessness or malevolence – whether by friend or foe. That still doesn’t justify taking archival images and presenting them as evidence of a crime.
Asil Arara, four years old, of Anata, was shot yesterday. She may die. That much we assume is true. It is a fact of life that the shooting is immediately blamed as a deliberate act of depravity by Israel, before anything is really known. That is Palestine Reporting 101 and we’re used to it.
Not having a photograph to hand, archival shots have been used to illustrate many of the reports on the Internet. They are of injured children from other places and times. If you see the photographs below around, purporting to be Anata, October 26th 2011 point out they come from much older sources and cast disbelief on the story as a whole.
Fauxtography 101
 Click for 2006 original |
 Click for 2008 original |
Intriguingly the Palestine News Network covered the story, illustrated it with a photograph of hand holding a gun and a tear gas container and the honest possibility of an accident. “Arara’s grandmother Samiha spoke to PNN on Wednesday afternoon, describing her granddaughter’s condition as “between life and death” and said she was playing near the wall when the shot was fired. Samiha speculated it was a stray bullet, not aimed at Asil.”
It probably wasn’t the MSM who added the photograph but the Ma’an News Agency that declares itself to be ‘the main source of independent news from Palestine’. To be fair (or at least fairer than this page) Ma’an also publishes the IDF denial that the injury was in any way IDF related.
Just for the record. On Tuesday, 18 October 2011, 20 Palestinians, including 6 children and 3 women, were injured due to shooting in celebration of the release of Palestinian prisoners. Hat tip to Elder of Ziyon.
Action items: If these photographs are displayed as those of the shooting at Anata link to the originals and point out they are not. I use the word FAKE! in caps.
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