You call this a blockade? A blockade? You're telling me that the 'Palestinians' in Gaza are suffering and that they desperately need humanitarian aid? I'll tell you that if that's true, it's their own fault. Not only has Israel decided to let in just about anything the 'Palestinians' want, it has also decided to let them export - via Israel - anything they want except terrorists.
Let's go to the videotape.
Of course, you won't read about this in the New York Times. But you can read more about it here.
A parody ad in Israeli newspapers calls attention to the double standard on building construction in Judea and Samaria.
The Regavim organization has published fake want-ads in newspapers drawing attention to unauthorized Arab construction in Judea and Samaria. The ads read: "Security guards are needed to enforce court decisions on illegal construction in Judea and Samaria." Upon calling the phone number listed in the ad, a voice-mail recording announces:
"Shalom and thank you for calling. In Judea and Samaria there are now over 30,000 illegal Arab houses. You heard it right, 30,000. Recently, for example, the Court ordered the Civil Administration to handle the illegal building of a mosque in the village of Burin. But due to security problems, inspectors were not be sent to enforce the law. In the case of a petition against a synagogue, the courts ordered the building sealed immediately."
The Regavim organization claims that the Civil Administration is selectively enforcing the law by taking action against Jewish buildings without proper zoning permits and ignoring Arab buildings. Unlike in the rest of Israel, all buildings in Judea and Samaria must be approved by the Defense Ministry.
One shudders to think how much we are wasting in resources fighting 'illegal' Jewish construction in Judea and Samaria at a time when our defense expenditures are likely to rise to cope with a newly 'democratic' Egypt.
Here's another example of 'Israeli apartheid': 180,000 'Palestinians' (from Judea, Samaria and Gaza - that does not include 'Israeli Arabs') were treated at Israeli hospitals this year (Hat Tip: Daily Alert).
“Up until September 2000, a Ramallah resident could have taken his car and driven to Ichilov Hospital [in Israel],” began Commander of Judea and Samaria Division, Brig. Gen. Nitzan Alon. “But from September 2000 we’ve been in a state of terror. Hundreds were killed, Jews and Palestinians alike. The battles took place in the heart of the cities, in places where enemies stood side by side with civilians, with difficult conditions and limited ability to evacuate. We could not practice medicine beyond the minimum. In those days, we were on the verge of a humanitarian crisis.”
But today, he says, the situation is different. Thanks to many efforts on both sides, stability has been restored. “The political leadership is able to make decisions not in the context of buses exploding. And now, along with direct military activity – patrolling, arrests, crossings – we are starting a new kind of routine. Medicine is an integral part of it. In today’s reality, we are obligated to do a lot more than the minimum. Our addressing of the situation should be as wide ranging as possible,” said Brig. Gen. Alon.
Dalia’s full name is Dalia Basa, medical coordinator of the Civil Administration. In reality, she is the link to everyone who deals with medicine in the territories. In today’s lectures, her name has been mentioned repeatedly, always with respect. In an interview with IDF website, she says pleasantly, “A bond of mutual trust has been created between us. I always tell them the truth. When the Palestinians don’t do what they’re required, I don’t ignore their behavior; but with that, I will always listen. I hear them. I understand their problems.”
The work is twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. There will always be medical incidents. Health is not something one can impose a curfew on or demand to freeze. “I am available around the clock. Even on Shabbat, even at 3 a.m. if needed. There is a constant contact between me and the doctors on both sides, the ambulance drivers and the patients themselves.”
And, unbelievable though it may sound, because of desire and will, it is working. Last year, 180,000 Palestinian citizens entered Israel to receive treatment. 3,000 emergency patients were transferred from Israeli to Palestinian ambulances using the “back to back” method, without warning. “Ultimately, this is a rewarding experience. There is frustration, of course there is. But on the other hand, there are people who see me on the street or in hospitals, hear my name and say ‘You saved my son’s life’. When you get home in the end of the day and examine your life, you know that you saved lives. You know you did a lot of good.”
And keep it in mind the next time you hear someone call Israel an apartheid state. Ask them how many blacks were treated at white South African hospitals during the apartheid era, and under what circumstances. And then show them the picture above of Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv or of any of Israel's other hospitals and tell them that 180,000 'Palestinians' and thousands more 'Israeli Arabs' were treated at Israeli hospitals this year - many without payment.
I am an Orthodox Jew - some would even call me 'ultra-Orthodox.' Born in Boston, I was a corporate and securities attorney in New York City for seven years before making aliya to Israel in 1991 (I don't look it but I really am that old :-). I have been happily married to the same woman for thirty-five years, and we have eight children (bli ayin hara) ranging in age from 13 to 33 years and nine grandchildren. Four of our children are married! Before I started blogging I was a heavy contributor on a number of email lists and ran an email list called the Matzav from 2000-2004. You can contact me at: IsraelMatzav at gmail dot com
