There is a growing controversy in Jerusalem’s Pisgat Ze’ev neighborhood where groups of Jewish men are regularly patrolling the streets to prevent Jewish women from dating and socializing with Arab men. The group called Eish L’Yahadut (Fire for Judaism) is composed of roughly 40 men who have been accused of some violent encounters as they seek to break up such socialization. They deny that they use force, but admit that sometimes confrontations have turned violent.
The suburb shares a security barrier with the Palestinian village of Anata and the scattered dwellings on the edge of Shuafat refugee camp. Many in the area find any such interaction with Arab men in the mall and public street unacceptable. One Jewish storeowner complained “Pisgat Ze’ev has turned into one gigantic whorehouse, please excuse the expression.”
One member of the Eish L’Yahadut (Fire for Judaism) named Moshe explained that “[o]ur goal is to be in contact with these girls and try to explain to them the dangers of what they’re getting themselves into. In the last 10 years, 60 girls from Pisgat Ze’ev have gone into the [West Bank Arab] villages. And most of them aren’t heard from after that.” He insisted that “[o]ur mission is not against Arabs. But it is for the protection of Jewish women, wherever they may be.”
Of course, those women probably have a notion of their own free will and just might not want to be protected by the Eish L’Yahadut — as opposed to going to a movie with a friend.
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“Mike spindell
“Israel, is not and never has been a theocracy. ”
“But it does seem to be heading that way.”
Frank,
You’re a little late to the discussion and show a propensity for quoting out of context.
“Israel, is not and never has been a theocracy. Saudi Arabia and Iran are. Israel’s leadership until the 1970’s was socialist/secular. Do religious fundamentalists play a big role, yes they do, but then Christian fundamentalists play a big role in US politics and I don’t think the US is a theocracy yet.”
That was the full quote, but you chose to leave out my reasoning and assertions. Speaking of assertions, with the understanding from your writing that you feel Israel is doing bad things, how does that make them a Theocracy, such as Saudi Arabia, Iran and other Muslim countries that declare themselves to be ruled by Sharia Law, i.e. theocratic?
Budda laughing
“But it’s not terrorism.”
so why exactly is it not terrorism?
It terrorises the kids of gaza.And the parents.
The number of suicidal kids in Gaza should be some indicator to the terror they live.
So how is it OK that they live in terror and how is it not terrorism to make them live in terror?
How many kids in Gaza and the west bank are deaf?
A lot Why? because of sonic booms used as sonic weapons on civilians.
The operation at Christmas. that sure as hell terrorised a few I suspect.
States can terrorise too.
Denying statehood to people then saying because you have no state you are a terrorist is fixing the game
Mike spindell
“Israel, is not and never has been a theocracy. ”
But it does seem to be heading that way.
Thank you.
I’m wondering what the definition of “Israel” is. As I researched the question, the answer that seemed truest to me is “one who struggles against god and man, and wins.”
I’m simply looking for a third party perspective.
“What is the true meaning of Israel?”
Nate,
For Jews it is our homeland, just as Ireland is for American Irish, Italy for Italian Americans, Greece for the Greek Americans, etc. Only to Jews it has more meaning because of our history as I explained in a post above. It represents the security that if things turn bad and anti-Jewishness rises in this world, we have a place to go finally. Lastly, it is a religious symbol, but that is the least of reasons, since the Jewish religion exists without the need of a homeland. The Jewish people, however, have been taught by experience that without a homeland they are forever vulnerable. I also deeply believe in the concept of “Never Again.”