Demonstrators at mass right-wing gathering in Jerusalem call to move ahead with judicial revamp following talks, deny societal rift is caused by suspended legislative push

Posted on April 28, 2023 by ArchitectGuy

TIMES OF ISRAEL
‘Minority can’t rule here’: In Jerusalem, pro-overhaul protesters stand by government
Lazar Berman and Staff
April 28, 2023

Tens of thousands of right-wing Israelis gathered in Jerusalem on Thursday evening for a mass rally in support of the government’s efforts to drastically overhaul the judiciary, a contentious bid that has drawn widespread opposition at home and abroad in weekly protests nationwide. Thursday’s event was the first rally of this magnitude by pro-overhaul activists, with organizers of the “March of the Million” hoping to draw as many right-wing supporters to the demonstration around the Knesset. Estimates of crowd size ranged between 150,000 and 200,000 people by news networks which cited figures from firms that specialize in estimating crowd sizes. READ MORE

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McCarthy was joined on the trip, his first as Speaker of the House, by a bipartisan delegation of Congressmen that included Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) the former House Majority Leader.

Posted on April 28, 2023 by ArchitectGuy

ALGEMEINER
‘Unbreakable Bond’: US Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy Addresses Knesset
Andrew Bernard
May 1, 2023

US Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) on Monday addressed the Israeli Knesset, becoming just the second US speaker to address Israel’s parliament in the country’s history. Speaking at the invitation of his counterpart, Israeli Speaker Amir Ohana, McCarthy stressed the importance of the 75-year-old bond between the US and Israel, the opportunities presented by the Abraham Accords, and the threats posed by Iran…McCarthy added that he and his colleagues would also continue to press the United Nations to cease its “outrageous” attacks against Israel on the world stage. READ MORE

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When the Nazis demanded at gunpoint that Edmonds identify personally which soldiers in his company were Jews, he refused. “We are all Jews here,” he said, saving up to 200 Jewish soldiers, whose identities he protected.

Posted on April 28, 2023 by ArchitectGuy

JNS
Congressional bills aim to give highest honor to ‘Righteous Gentile’ Roddie Edmonds
Mike Wagenheim
May 1, 2023

Both houses of Congress reintroduced legislation this week to honor the late Roddie Edmonds, who put his life in danger to save Jews during World War II and the Holocaust, and is one of five Americans Yad Vashem names as “Righteous Among the Nations.” Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) put the bill up again in the House after an unsuccessful bid last session. This time is different, he told JNS…Burchett noted that the two Jewish members of Tennessee’s congressional delegation, Reps. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) and David Kustoff (R-Tenn.), are among 15 co-sponsors of H.R. 2800, the Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds Congressional Gold Medal Act. READ MORE

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“When a culture rejects the humility and sense of greater purpose that faith sows in us, and turns instead to self-idolatry, it is headed toward ruin”

Posted on April 28, 2023 by ArchitectGuy

DOC EMET PRODUCTIONS
Lighting the Way in a New Dark Age
Marc Tapson
April 29, 2023

…It is not news to note that Western civilization, the freedoms and prosperity of which we owe to more than two millennia of Judeo-Christian virtues and values, is witnessing an accelerating decline of religion. The increasingly irreligious younger generations of today likely see this as a positive development: the waning of oppressive superstition and archaic traditions. But when traditional faith declines, the void is filled not by a liberating, utopian enlightenment, but by a wretched assortment of violently intolerant, cultish political religions and a religion of the self. That is exactly where self-destructive hubris has brought us in 2023. READ MORE

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FIDF honoring Israel’s fallen soldiers

Posted on April 25, 2023 by ArchitectGuy

The sacrifices of the many lives lost, and the agonizing pain of their families, were not in vain. Their legacies are indelibly etched on the history pages of the State of Israel and the Jewish people. The FIDF community is committed to keeping the torches of their memories alive. Israel’s soldiers and their families carry the heavy weight for our right to exist as a free and independent nation. Every mother with a child who courageously takes the IDF oath to protect the homeland lives with the fear of how fragile their fate is. Col. Varda Pomerantz knows this fear and pain all too well. As the founder of the Bereavement Division of the IDF, she dedicated her life to giving comfort and strength to grieving families. One day, she received her own unimaginable news. This is Varda’s story.

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Glick: “You cannot be pro-Israel if you view the lawfully elected leaders of Israel as illegitimate”

Posted on April 21, 2023 by ArchitectGuy

JNS
The Ruling Class Must Regain its Senses
Caroline Glick
April 21, 2023

…One of the most extraordinary aspects of their campaign to overthrow the government through insurrection and demonization is its international bent. In the past three months, Lapid, Barak, Olmert, Livni, Ya’alon and their powerful comrades have turned to Washington and other foreign capitals to convince them to boycott Israel. Last week, Lapid flew to New York and met with American Jewish leaders to mobilize them against the only democratically elected Jewish leadership in the world: the Netanyahu government. Lapid met with powerful lawmakers to draft them into the service of overthrowing the government. Three weeks ago, former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert called publicly for foreign governments to boycott the Israeli government. READ MORE

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Chicago-based Morningstar blacklists Israel in likely violation of boycott laws

Posted on April 21, 2023 by ArchitectGuy

FDD
Morningstar Blacklist May Violate State Anti-BDS Laws
Richard Goldberg
April 24, 2023

The Jewish News Syndicate last week reported that Sustainalytics — the environmental, social, governance (ESG) ratings arm of Morningstar, Inc. — imposes negative “controversy” ratings on “26 companies doing business in Israel-controlled territory.” This blacklisting of companies that operate in parts of Jerusalem, the West Bank, or the Golan Heights may violate several U.S. state laws related to boycotts of Israel-based companies. Much like the blacklist of companies published by the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2020, Morningstar’s ratings use anti-Israel assumptions and sources to convince investors that Israel-connected companies are at risk of violating international human rights standards simply because of where they operate. READ MORE

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US Hebrew school enrollment dropped by 41% between 2006 and 2020, according to study.

Posted on April 21, 2023 by ArchitectGuy

UNITED WITH ISRAEL
‘Wake-Up Call’: Hebrew School Enrollment in the US has Tanked, New Study Findsj
Ben Rappaport
April 20, 2023

A new study released Wednesday finds that Hebrew school enrollment in the US has decreased dramatically in recent years, ynet reported. According to the study, released by The Jewish Education Project, US “Hebrew schools” – after-school or weekend programs that supplement formal education with Jewish or Hebrew studies – have seen a 41% decline in enrollment form 2006 to 2020. In the 2006-2007 academic year, 230,000 students were enrolled in Hebrew school, but that number dropped to 135,000 by the 2019-2020 school year. The number of Hebrew schools in that same period declined from 2,000 to 1,398. READ MORE

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“As I reflect on the stories of these three extraordinary American-Israelis, I am reminded of the strength and resilience of this community, which proudly straddles two cultures and is dedicated to contributing to the success and safety of both nations”

Posted on April 21, 2023 by ArchitectGuy

MIDDLE EAST FORUM
Remembering American Heroes: A Reflection on Israel’s Memorial Day
Gregg Roman
April 21, 2023

As Israel’s Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism, Yom HaZikaron, approaches, Israelis pause to remember and honor the men and women who have given their lives in defense of the Jewish state and its people. This solemn day offers a moment of collective reflection, allowing them to express gratitude and admiration for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. It is also an opportunity to pay tribute to some of the extraordinary individuals who have left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of their fellow citizens. In this spirit, I would like to share the stories of three American-Israeli heroes who fought and died for Israel: Mickey Marcus, Michael Levin, and Steven Sotloff. These men, who each played a unique role in Israel’s history, represent the best of both worlds – a blend of American and Israeli cultures and values. READ MORE

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If you look at some of the entrenched Islamist groups in France, the ideology is hostile towards the civil Republic just as the ideology of Hamas is hostile to co-existence with Israel. They reject the French Republic as much as Hamas rejects the Israeli government

Posted on April 21, 2023 by ArchitectGuy

GATESTONE
Issues of Concern
Ayaan Hirsi Ali
April 23, 2023

Hamas is extreme in its ideology, which is radical Islamist. They have absolutely no desire to resolve their conflict with Israel in the ways that Western leaders hope and expect — which is settling the conflict by accepting what we have been calling a two‑part state for a very long time. That is not the objective of Hamas. The objective of Hamas is to destroy the State of Israel. Keeping the conflict going is, in a way, beneficial to them as a group even if it hurts normal people. As long as Hamas holds onto that stance, stays with that extreme position and remains intransigent, the problem will never be resolved. READ MORE

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