Fred Teng Gets It

January 14, 2009 - 9:58 PM by DavidS · 1 Comment
Filed under: A New Reality, General, Life, Politics, Profiles, War, coexistence 

Given the avalanche of hate against Israel on the internet, at anti-Israel protests around the world, and in the media (of course!), it’s easy to believe that “nobody” likes us. By “nobody,” I mean, of course, folks from the wide world. And even if they are willing to overlook our “crimes” in Gaza (no, of course I don’t mean that), they still don’t “get it” – they just can’t understand what we’re up against. missile1

So I wanted to share with you a message I got from a friend who’s in New York right now. There was a big pro-Israel rally this past Sunday, featuring speakers from the Jewish and general community. According to the message I got,

“The most powerful speaker at Sunday’s massive rally for Israel was Fred Teng, president of the Chinese Community Relations Council of NY. His words would have been exceptional even coming from an Israeli — and how much more striking for having come from the heart of a New Yorker and a member of the Chinese community.”

Suffice to say Mr. Teng “gets it.” He’s got Hamas’ number – comparing them to the gangs of big American cities who get their jollies running drive by shootings against innocent people. In the words of Mr. Teng,

“Enough is enough”

“These Qassam Rockets and the people behind them are like Drive-by Shootings. We have to put every gang member away for good, not just the ones that did the shooting. These Qassam Rockets and the people behind them are like a Fire in the Forest, You can’t STOP only half of the fire in the forest, and thinking you will be safe. If your house is next to the fire, you won’t think so. It is not the Qassam Rockets; it is the people behind the Qassam Rockets that we need to go after. This is an epidemic threat to the entire world.

“In the last 60 years, every gesture of peace by Israel only met with escalated violence. Every peace proposal, whether it is multi-lateral, bi-lateral, or uni-lateral was never honored by the terrorists. However, in this time of extreme difficulties, we shall not lose hope. We shall say yes to Peace. We shall say yes to Life. And we shall forever say yes to an eternal Israel Am Yisrael Chai.

Maybe someone should tell this guy we have an election coming up? Sounds like he’d make a good prime minister!

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Live Webcam of Humanitarian Aid at Gaza-Israel Crossing

January 12, 2009 - 1:07 PM by Karin Kloosterman · Leave a Comment
Filed under: War 

Last week I interviewed Peter Lerner an IDF spokesperson working at the Kerem Shalom border crossing. This is the largest checkpoint/border crossing between Israel and Gaza, and it is where humanitarian aid is being transferred.

According to Lerner, no donation has been turned away, referring to the units of blood, ambulances, medical gases, food, and staples that have been donated from around the world to Gazans.

If you’re involved in debating about the Gaza-Israel conflict, and are curious to see what is happening for yourself (this one’s for you Annie Lennox), now you can watch humanitarian aid travel through the Kerem Shalom Crossing on your desktop.

The Israel Defense Ministry started operating a live feed of the cargo crossing point. The feed will operate during the 3 hour ceasefire every day, and includes three cameras showing the points of access and exit of the terminal.

It can be viewed at: http://www.mod.gov.il/pages/general/Maavar_Kerem_Shalom.asp

I personally find the Kotel Cam (live feed at The Western Wall) to be much more inspiring in these troubled times. You can read more of my commentary on the conflict (like it or not) on the post “The Israeli Palestinian Conflict Is An Ancient Story.”

::cross-posted on The Huffington Post

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What’s a nice girl like you, doing in a suit that small

June 25, 2008 - 1:22 PM by Nicky · 2 Comments
Filed under: General, Life, War 

60 Minutes is running a feature about women helicopter pilots in the Israeli air force, called What’s a nice girl like you…

All good stuff of course. Equal opportunities etc. etc. An opportunity to see a different side of Israel.

In the teaser for the program, we find out about 21-year-old Shira, who is about to graduate her class and become a pilot for Cobra helicopters, the IAF’s most lethal helicopter.

There were 17 girls in her cadet class, and she’s the only one that made it through.

So what does the 60 Minutes reporter ask her? About her commitment, her dedication, about why the other girls dropped out, and she managed to stay the course, about sexism, glass ceilings, the missions, what it takes to be a helicopter pilot for the IAF?

No, of course not, he asks: “Where did they find a suit that small?”

Oh good grief. Check out the teaser here, and look out for the program.

What’s A Nice Girl Like You. . .

In the meantime, in honor of the intelligent, courageous and ceiling-breaking women of the IDF, here’s a few pictures from the IDf for you to enjoy.

woman in idf2.jpg

woman in IDF.jpg

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