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Where Are Our Brave Maccabees?

Published: December 12th, 2007
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          In recent weeks, there has not been much good news from Israel. Many of us had expected Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to resign due to the police investigations against him, but he has brazened them out. We thought that HaRav Ovadia Yosef would have withdrawn Shas from the government when Olmert seemingly included Jerusalem to the negotiations with the Palestinians – but I guess funding for Shas projects is more important than Jerusalem. We had hoped that Member of Knesset Avigdor Lieberman would have quit the government when Olmert stopped all public building in Judea and Samaria and apparently added the settlements to the negotiations – but I guess a cabinet seat is more precious than Jewish communities.

 

         The fact that Olmert knew that the Palestinian police had been involved in the murder of Ido Zoldan, an Israeli, but kept it quiet for two weeks until after the Annapolis “peace” talks shows how desperate he is to “sell” parts of Israel to the Arabs at practically no cost. The guns used were likely Israeli guns given by Olmert to the PLO police a few short months ago. The combat training to the “peacekeeping” police murderers was provided by Israel. The fact that the PLO police were involved was hushed up so Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas could continue making empty statements in favor of peace at the Annapolis Conference.

 

         Where are our modern Maccabees? Instead, Israel has frightened politicians. Olmert, living in Jerusalem, can ignore rockets fired daily into Sderot and southern Israel. He doesn’t feel a thing. Maybe that is why Hashem is sending minor earthquake tremors to Israel. It is time for the Jews to wake up. Government by capitulation is not government. It is time to stand up for our people and our nation.

 

         Is it acceptable that the rocket attacks against Israel continue while over 770 Arab prisoners have been freed as “goodwill” gestures to Abbas and the terrorists? Many of these “peace loving” prisoners do not have blood on their hands because they bumbled their attacks against Jews. Now Olmert is giving them another chance, God forbid. These Arab “heroes” are welcomed home with song and dance. Actually these gestures often go unreported in the Arab press and therefore do little to bolster the “moderate” Palestinians. The Arabs often ridicule the gestures, permitting Olmert to further weaken Israel.

 

         When listening to our government spokesmen, we often wonder what the words “painful compromise” mean. Does it mean one-sided capitulation? The rocket attacks continue. The Arab murderers continue their heinous acts. The Palestinians express no remorse for their continued terror. What exactly does the word “compromise” mean? And even on Chanukah, we suffered what I believe is the painful treason of our own Jewish fifth column, namely Jews who hate Judaism and Jews. How long must we suffer?

 

         On a more cheerful note, Israel just celebrated Chanukah. Unlike outside of Israel, our news anchormen wish us a Happy Chanukah every hour and Chanukah candles are lit every evening on TV and radio. There is no daily countdown to Christmas, and even many non-religious families have Chanukah parties with candles and jelly donuts (sufganiyot). On the first night of Chanukah, a local bridge tournament opened with, as the non-religious tournament director pointed out, “our traditional Chanukah lighting ceremony.” There were only two religious people present, but almost everyone stood for the lighting and everyone joined in singing Maoz Tzur.

 

         Jerusalem celebrates with special events every day of Chanukah. Even our yishuv has a comedy night and a special teenager-organized Chanukah party for adults. Every family has a Chanukah party, and we enjoy all of our children and grandchildren as we celebrate.

 

         Living in Israel is better, from a Jewish perspective, for your children. The streets and stores celebrate Chanukah, not Christmas; Purim, not Halloween; Pesach, not Easter. And the only countdown (or up) is between Pesach and Shavuot.

 

         Come join us!

 

         Comments may be sent to dov@gilor.com.

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