I was away from my computer for a solid two weeks , and returned to issues that required immediate attention. But there are other matters of importance that have occurred recently which also require mention — and attention — here.
Of considerable significance is this: On June 15, when Condoleezza Rice came here for a brief visit, she was informed by IDF officials in no uncertain terms of the failure of the US initiative to bolster PA security forces. This plan is under the direct supervision of Lt.-Gen. Keith Dayton, the US Security Coordinator to Israel and the PA.
As part of Dayton’s plan, PA forces ostensibly received training by US defense contractors in Jordan to prepare them (I wrote previously about the weakness of that training) and were then deployed in Nablus and Jenin. The IDF is saying that these forces are not fighting terrorism, and that terrorism has increased since they’ve been deployed. Terror suspects that are arrested are released within days or even hours, as there is no effective judicial system in place.
In addition, weapons the US was providing to the PA force were finding their way to Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists in Jenin and Nablus.
So, not only is Dayton’s plan not successful , it is actually strengthening terrorists.
Some very hard questions must be asked. Not only should Rice and those functioning at her behest not be permitted to carry on without accountability here, the point must be made that the PA is not a partner for peace if it cannot function in this respect.
Please, if you are an American citizen, contact your Congresspersons and Senator about this, as well as the White House: fax 202-456-2461; comment line 202-456-1111; comments@whitehouse.gov.
The link for the full article detailing this information:
www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1212659734963&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
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Then there is the matter of positions being taken by Defense Minister Ehud Barak. MK Silvan Shalom (Likud) had been garnering support in the Knesset for a vote to dissolve the Knesset, which would have led to setting of early elections. That vote was to have occurred last week and it was anticipated that it would pass — and the Olmert government would finally be coming to an end — because Barak had said Labor was on board for this vote. A good deal was made about his obligation to listen to the people on this, etc. etc.
At the last minute, as a compromise gesture , Olmert agreed to call for a Kadima primary in September. It was said in some quarters that Barak actually initiated this compromise, because Olmert would have fired him immediately if he had voted to dissolve the Knesset — and after all, his holding his position is of critical importance.
Implicit in this was an understanding that Olmert would step down when the new leader of the party was in place, and based on this, Barak withdrew his commitment for Labor to support the vote to dissolve the Knesset.
Consequently, that vote was never taken , as it was clear it would fail.
However, Olmert subsequently made it clear that he had no intention of resigning as prime minister after a primary was held. In fact, he was thinking of running in the primary.
But Barak is sailing along , with business as usual. Is it necessary to say more about this man?
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In response to Barak’s refusal to withdraw from the governing coalition, MK Danny Yatom (Labor) has resigned from the Knesset.
Said Yatom:
"The leadership in Israel has made political survival its only goal. Moral and ethical codes that were once fundamental have been eroded.
"Olmert failed in the task of leadership in war and did not succeed in moral and public tasks, [but] he is not alone, and corruption standards and improper behavior continue. As a Knesset member in a coalition party, I feel as though I am a partner in the deterioration when I vote in favor of the government. I can no longer function in a reality in which political considerations fill the void of leadership and take precedence over basic values."
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Lest you think there’s nothing positive to report , allow me to share two happenings that are constructive:
MKs Zevulun Orlev (NU-NRP) and Estherina Tartman (Yisrael Beiteinu) have co-sponsored a bill that is based on Basic Law of Israel and states, in essence, that anyone who has illegally visited an enemy state cannot have his or her name placed on a party list for election to the Knesset for seven years. It passed 52-24.
This was inspired by the galling spectacle of Azmi Bishara (currently under suspicion for treason), who made several trips to Syria while sitting in the Knesset and it is long overdue.
Said Tartman, "This law will return some of our trampled honor as a nation and will give us a good reason to stand upright…From now on, Israeli citizens can be calm – enemies will no longer sit in the legislature."
While Orlev said, "From today onward, Arab MKs will have to decide – the Syrian parliament or the Israeli parliament. The law will put the brakes on the infiltration of Trojan horses into the Knesset. We must demand of the Arab leadership unconditional loyalty to the state of Israel."
I say Bravo!
Needless to say, the Arab MKs are screaming and intend to challenge this. The fact that this angers them, when they might simply accede, eager to show loyalty to Israel, tells the story.
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Another promising bill passed its first reading in the Knesset on Monday, 65-18. This is the Golan referendum bill that would require a national referendum before the Golan could be turned over to Syria. It further provides protection for other land surrenders — such as eastern Jerusalem, as it requires any concession of land under direct jurisdiction and administration of the State of Israel to pass both cabinet and Knesset approval, as well as a national referendum.
So, in the face of considerable insanity , we see that there are people who are motivated and sane and decent, and acting for the betterment of our nation. There is hope.
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https://41k.82b.myftpupload.com/current-postings/2008/7/1/july-1-2008-looking-back.html
