Forty years ago today: Happy Birthday and Happy New Year

Forty years ago today: Happy Birthday and Happy New Year

         

It’s never pleasant visiting people in mourning. Especially when the deceased were victims of terror. It’s such a waste of life and such a disgrace to our people.

Yesterday I paid a condolence call to the Palmers. They sat, listened and discussed with high-ranking IDF officers the failure of the state of Israel to protect their loved-ones, and others on the road, who are stoned by Arab terrorists daily. They don’t have any excuses, except that their actions are limited by ‘political decisions.’ Unfortunately, some of those officers are no less political than their civilian boss, Ehud Barak, and their action or inaction in the field is proof.

One of the subjects spoken about by several of the people present was deterrence. In the past (albeit a long time ago) the army used numerous forms of methods to ‘deter’ continued terror acts. Such forms of ‘collective punishment’ were, when used correctly, quite effective and helped do the job. At a demonstration prior to the funeral on Sunday, Rav Dov Lior demanded that the IDF utilize collective actions, as is allowed by Jewish Torah law, to save lives. However, as was said during today’s discussion at the Palmer’s home, collective punishment is no longer considered ‘for reasons we all know.’

One of the other subjects directed at the officers present was the danger of driving on the roads. Any time a person drives between Hebron to Jerusalem, he puts his life on the line. Not only because of rock-throwing or shooting, but because Arab drivers use their cars as vehicles of terror. Driving on curvy, dangerous roads at speed fifty kilometers over the speed limit, at 150 kilometers an hour, passing four or five cars at a time, over white lines, speaking on cell phones and ignoring the road, keeping bright lights lit at night, not dimming them when a vehicle appears opposite them; these are but a few examples of the craziness on the roads.  It was asked why Israeli police are not stationed on the road, stopping the overtly reckless Arab drivers. This security access on the roads would also have a deterrent effect on our enemies.

There were no answers to these questions.
 

But there are answers to these questions. The first is continued, expanded Jewish presence on the roads, and specifically between Hebron and Kiryat Arba to the north, towards Jerusalem, and south, towards Beer Sheva. Yesterday a rock again was hurled from a moving Arab car at an Israeli vehicle, less than a kilometer south of the entrance to Kiryat Arba. A larger presence on the street will allow us a better opportunity to defend ourselves and apprehend terrorists attempting to kill Jews.
 

The other answer is quite simply to close the roads to Arab traffic. If they want to act like animals, treat them like animals, and don’t give them use of roads from which they continue to try to murder Jews.  This should have been done immediately following the murder, except for the fact that only yesterday was the family officially notified that their loved-ones were murdered as a result of Arab terror and did not die in an ‘auto accident.’ Today the family was told that they've been recognized as a 'terror-struck' family.

This is type of collective punishment Rav Lior discussed. And it is guaranteed, it  will be understood immediately. Closing road 60 from south of Kiryat Arba, to Jerusalem, would have a major effect on their economics. This street is packed with Arab trucks transporting produce. This would immediately hit them in their pockets, and could cause pressure stopping these continued rock attacks. And should the road be reopened, with the attacks continuing, it should be permanently closed to our enemies, who prefer dead Jews to a successful economy.
 

While at the Palmer’s, Michael, Asher’s father, told me that he prefer that people remember Asher alive, rather than dwell on his death. He told me, ‘he’s gone, and there’s nothing we can do about that, but we can remember his life, how much love he gave to all of us, his happiness, his family, his Torah.’ He requested that I pass this message on to others, so that they too can learn from him and thank G-d for the 25 years he had on this earth.


 

Today is the eve of Rosh HaShana, the Jewish New Year. By all rights, I shouldn’t be in the office writing this. However a short time ago we prayed afternoon prayers at the site of the murder. Following the service, Rav Lior spoke for a few minutes and I really would like to post the short video (in Hebrew) before the holy day.
 

That being the case, I think it essential, following Michael Palmer’s line of thought, to remember, to remember back exactly forty years today. It was the eve of Rosh HaShana in 1971 that the first Jews moved into newly built homes in the new community called Kiryat Arba.



Jews had come back to the Hebron region to live in 1968, but were forced to set up home in the Hebron military compound, outside of the city. The conditions there were awful, but they made do and refused to give up. As a result, the defense minister then, Moshe Dayan, finally allowed initiation of a new community, Kiryat Arba. And so it was that forty years ago today, families moved into those first buildings, and began renewal of a Jewish presence in Hebron and in all of Judea and Samaria.

These past four decades have been costly. Asher and Yonatan are the last in a long list of people who gave their lives to live here. But, never, ever, did Jews consider abandoning their homeland as a result of this deadly violence. Sure, it would be easier and much more pleasant not to have to face such tests. But our enemies will never again drive us out of our homes, our land, the roots and heart of our people.
 

This is the message I would like to leave you with, as we approach the new year of 5772, and wish all of us a happy and healthy new year, a year of spiritual prosperity, of personal and national growth, of building, expansion, of aliyah, and of tranquility.

                                                Happy Birthday to Kiryat Arba and a good, happy year to all.  Shana tova.

 

Killing Asher Palmer Twice

Killing Asher Palmer Twice

The Palmer family is very special. I don’t know many people whose ‘mesirut nefesh’ for Eretz Yisrael is greater than theirs. They came to Israel about 30 years ago. They moved because they wanted their children to grow up in a Jewish environment. Michael, the father of the family, has a special expertise and despite numerous, numerous attempts, was never able to find suitable employment in Israel. As a result, he works in the United States, coming home to his family in Kiryat Arba several times a year, celebrating with them various Jewish holidays and events.

Molly Palmer brought up her children with much love and care for Eretz Yisrael. She has worked for many years teaching English in Kiryat Arba and the Southern Hebron Hills region. I also seem to recall that she’s an excellent cook and baker. In the past she sold various pastries, of which I remember enjoying immensely.

On Friday afternoon Molly Palmer and her family were stunned, as were all that know them, by the terrible news that her 25 year old son Asher, together with his year old son, were killed in a ‘traffic accident.’ Police reported that as a result of speeding, he had lost control of his car not too far outside of Kiryat Arba. The car flipped over twice in the air, being totally destroyed as it crash landed.

Immediately, even before the victims were identified, the army released a statement that soldiers stationed in the area hadn ‘t witnessed any rock-throwing, or any Arabs fleeing from the area of the ‘accident.’

This past Friday was one of those times when no one had any idea what the day would bring. As a rule, when Arabs want to protest, Friday, after their prayers, is the time. Following Obama’s rejection of a UN-declared palestinian state, together with Abu-Mazen’s speech scheduled for Friday, tension was high. Bolstered security forces were stationed throughout Judea and Samaria, prepared for the worst.

Those fears were a double-edged sword. Media account over the past few weeks centered not so much on Arab violence, rather on Israel responses, and most particularly, those of ‘radical settlers.’ Normal, everyday Jews are so being labeled. For example, New York Times Bureau chief Ethan Bronner, in an article posted Friday, writes, “…Bat Ayin, a fenceless settlement near Bethlehem known for its radicalism.’  Known by whom?  Bat Ayin, a community of Hassidic Jews in the Gush Eztion area, is far from ‘radical’ as I would define the word.

The police/security establishment has one fear, and one fear alone. It is not dead Jews. It is dead Arabs. They are petrified of the thought that Arabs will attack Jews, on the roads or in communities, and that the Jews will respond, causing Arab casualties, resulting in Arab propaganda campaigns, similar to those following the Marmara debacle, leading to massive foreign pressure on Israel.

The area of the accident is quite prone to rock attacks. Cars are stoned daily, many times in areas known from their vulnerability. Unfortunately, very little, if anything, is done to prevent these attacks. Very high ranking officers, during instructions to lower-level commanders, have been quoted as saying that ‘rock attacks are sufferable.’ In other words, the IDF really doesn’t have any responsibility to stop such attacks or apprehend the terrorists hurling the rocks. The ‘settlers’ can and will just have to live with this reality.

However, lately, our enemies have begun using a new method in their continued attempts to kill Jews. Instead of standing on the side of the road and throwing a rock, they are heaving them from moving cars, coming at you from the opposite direction. They toss a rock out their window, in front of your car, just prior to passing you.

The impact is tremendous. The rock is flying at the speed at which the car was driving. When it impacts with the car moving in the other direction, the force is phenomenal.

I’ve been told of numerous such incidents in recent weeks, in the exact area where the ‘accident’ killing Asher and Yonatan Palmer occurred.

On Friday afternoon, this is exactly what happened. That’s why no one was seen fleeing on foot, because the rock was thrown from a moving vehicle. It hit the windshield, breaking it, hitting Asher in the face, causing him to lose control of the car. The rock was found in the wrecked car.  A hole, the type of which caused by a thrown rock, was also identified in the windshield.  Yet the police and army climbed up a very high tree, claiming that the ‘accident’ was Asher’s fault. They claimed that the rock entered the car as it flipped over in a rock-bed on the side of the road. All this in an effort to cover up the murder of two Jews by Arabs. According to my sources, the police have already concluded that the ‘accident’ was not an accident, that it was cold-blooded murder; the killing two Jews.

There are other details which have not yet been released, and I’m hesitant to fully publicize them for the moment. Some of Asher’s possessions seemed to be missing and have not yet been found at the scene of the crash. There are also signs of possible additional violence at the site. These details prove, without any doubt, that the accident was Arab terror.

The police, not yet weary of the additional pain they’ve already caused the Palmer family are continuing to torture them; they went to court to obtain an order allowing them to perform an autopsy on the two bodies. Jewish law, excluding unique circumstances, forbids autopsies. However all evidence, including examinations of the bodies, the car, and the scene of the attack are proof enough. Why continue to cause unnecessary suffering?!

The seriousness of this cannot be downplayed. Israeli security forces intentionally attempted to cover-up murder. The implications are mind-boggling. In order to prevent possible ‘disturbances’ between Jews and Arabs as the result of this terror, they killed Asher Palmer twice. First, Arabs killed him. But then Israeli police killed him again, blaming him for his own death, due to reckless driving, and being responsible for killing his one year old son, leaving his widow and family to live with this horrible reality for the rest of their lives.  

Of course, these facts would preclude having to search for ‘terrorists.’ And would also prevent Asher’s widow from receiving financial aid provided by the State to terror victims’ families.

Such lies, on the part of Israeli security forces, must be uncovered and dealt with to the fullest. It is unthinkable that Israeli security forces would lie about a terror attack in order to prevent ‘Jewish responses.’ Additionally, a  Jew cannot be blamed for crimes that he did not commit.  Blame where blame lies: with murderous Arab terrorists.

Asher and Yonatan Palmer will be buried tonight, Sunday, Sept. 25, in Hebron. The funeral procession will leave the Palmer home in Kiryat Arba at 18:00. May their memories be blessed and may HaShem Yinkom Damam.

'September' in Hebron

'September' in Hebron

מתוך הבלוג "Blessings from Hebron" - David Wilder

The long awaited 'September' is upon us. The so-called war for 'palestinian statehood' is being fought by teenagers, (and younger) throwing rocks (as seen in the video and photos below) in Hebron. These pictures and video (all filmed by myself) were taken behind Beit Hadassah, where I live, from one of our bedroom windows, looking north.

These scenes are not new or necessarily unusual. They are quite redundant, occuring any time the Arab leadership decides that the kids need a day off from school with something constructive to keep them busy and, no, not keeping them off the streets, rather, keeping them on the streets, out of their homes. Nakba Day and other such occasions are great excuses to allow Arab kids to get their arms in shape.

A week or so ago, rocks hurled from the same area, via slingshots, hit outside my daughter's window, on the top floor of the building. During the
'2nd intifada' aka the Oslo War, we were shot at from these areas, with bullets actually hitting inside the apartment.

From nearby rooftops, Israeli soldiers watch the action, occasionally shooting stun grenades or teargas at the attackers, chasing them away for a few minutes. And as can be seen in the first photo, the so-called 'palestinian police' are stationed nearby, standing around, watching the fun, probably wishing they too could participate. Unfortunately, experience has taught that all too often they do participate, but not with rocks. Bullets are much more effective.

This is democracy in action, a 'piece process' in motion, education at its highest levels, helping and assisting Abu Mazen create 'palestine' in the UN.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iqjONaxajM

 

  

  

  
 
  

Mezinka

Mezinka

מתוך הבלוג "Blessings from Hebron" - David Wilder

Last week I had a wonderfully pleasant experience.
Many years ago, more than I even like to think about, over 33 years ago, I began studying in a “Ba’ale Tshuva” Yeshiva in Jerusalem, called Machon Meir. This type of yeshiva institution is especially for those ‘new’ at religious Judaism.  I’d been sort of trying to be religious for a while, but wasn’t very well educated. I’d had a friend at Machon Meir, spent many Shabbats there, and decided to try it out, maybe for a year. (Actually, in the end I spent three years there, met my wifethere, and married after a year.)

My friend there, Shlomo, left back for the US as I arrived, so I moved into his room, inheriting his roommate, a red-head from Australia named David Bruce. No, I didn’t find any kangaroos in the room, although I looked, but, I had brought with me, as I recall, a turtle. He took one look at the turtle , and as far as he was concerned, it was at least a kangaroo. My turtle found a new home real fast.

However, somehow we overcame that first encounter, and became good friends. David was very amusing. I remember him literally climbing the walls, trying to get to the mosquitoes that were busy sucking our night-time blood.

But aside from that, he was quiet serious and spent most of his time studying Torah. And, getting ready to be married. His finance, Leah, had come to Israel, and they were preparing for their own special day. Eventually they left to tie the knot with their families, in Australia. (The night they married I first met Ora, my wife.)

After we were two couples, we lived in the same neighborhood, Mevaseret Tzion, just outside of the holy city, continuing to study at the yeshiva. One happy day David called to tell us that Leah had just given birth to their first children – twin boys, Yochanan and Binyamin. They were followed by two more brothers and a sister.

We went our own ways, David and Leah moving back to Jerusalem; we left Mevaseret for Kiryat Arba and Hebron. But somehow, over the years, we kept in touch. Not speaking every day; maybe a couple of times a year, meeting every once in while, and of course, inviting each other to our respective children’s weddings.  Whenever we got together it was a lot of fun.

Not too long ago we received such an invitation to another of their weddings, that of Moshe, the Bruces’ youngest son, with Shira. So, a few nights ago Ora and I, together with David’s first Machon Meir roommate, Shlomo, and his wife Gerri, drove into Jerusalem for the wedding.

As all weddings are, it was a delight. The couple was radiant, the dancing was invigorating, and the food was good too.
Usually, of course, the highlight of any wedding is the “Chupa,” the ceremony whereby the couple is actually married. However, at this particular ‘simcha’ (happy event) the Chupa had some stiff competition for ‘star of the show’ award.

Having finished dancing, and partaking in the meal’s second course, I found my friend David, to wish him one more Mazel Tov and bid him farewell. He asked, ‘you’re leaving now?’ ‘Wait, we’re going to do the ‘broom dance.’’

Ahh, the ‘broom dance.’ This is a very special event. Such a dance is performed when a couple marries off their last, and usually, youngest child. I’ve been to many many weddings, but I don’t recall ever witnessing such a performance. And before I knew it, David was holding a decorated broom, with Leah at his side, with a colorful dustpan.  The orchestra started playing and they started sweeping. The idea being, that they are ‘sweeping’ their youngest child out of the house. He, Moshe, was sitting with his Kallah,-  bride, Shira, in the middle, watching at the broom got closer and closer.

Then suddenly, all the Bruce grandchildren appeared on the dance floor, all with their own miniature brooms, sweeping away to the beat of the joyous music.
For about five minutes, they danced the ‘broom dance’ called in Yiddish, ‘Mezinka’, derived from the Yiddish word ‘mezinkal’ meaning ‘the youngest child.’


The Bruce Mezinka Wedding Dance on youtube

What fun it was!  I would wish all of you reading this, the same joy and happiness, as we approach the New Year in less than two weeks time.

And in conclusion it really should be pointed out, as I saw in a web posting about this particular dance, the parents of the bride and groom really don’t sweep them out of the house permanently. After all, they want them to come back and visit with all their children, so they can dirty up the house, allowing them to keep using those brooms, again and again.

Mazal tov.

Pseudo-Zionists

Pseudo-Zionists

מתוך הבלוג "Blessings from Hebron" - David Wilder

The abnormalities of Israel's current situation create domino aberrations, the likes of which, during any period of normal life, would never begin to be an issue.

I'm referring specifically to two concepts: the destruction of the homes in Migron, and the resulting 'price-tag' episodes, at Arab Mosques and at the Beit-El IDF base.

I speak of these as concepts rather than as events; they are both a conceptual approach to problem-solving.  But, there should be no mistake: one is the result of the other.

Migron is, without doubt, a catastrophe of the highest order.  Why so – it's only three homes? Migron comes directly on the heels of other major similar disasters, the most severe of which was Gush Katif. Hebron is also no stranger to black-uniformed forces, ominously reminiscent of eras past; stone-faced, then smirking, 'lawmen' belonging to the police, the border police and the IDF, using brute force against girls and women, separating mothers from their children, all dressed in pajamas, in the middle of the night, their belongs being tossed from a window by Arabs hired to do some of the dirty work, and then, finally, use of IDF bulldozers to plow down small family residences. As one of the young mothers cried, "Today was the first day of school - I don't even know where my children's school books are." When someone asked them where they'd sleep that night, one of the woman answered, "I don't know, I don't have anywhere to sleep, maybe we'll go to Tel-Aviv, to a tent, that's social justice."

They were promised: it wouldn't happen in the middle of the night; it wouldn't be a surprise. Lies, all lies.

It's not only what has happened, but how it happens, with a seeming appetite, a stark, sadistic pleasure at causing pain. Allowing Arabs to participate in such a feed-feast; one can only imagine their descriptive accounts to their family and friends. Permitting Arabs to assist in expelling Jews from their homes?!?!? Working for the police and the IDF? Disgusting is too pleasant a word to express the vulgarity of such behavior.

And this, before even discussing the anomaly of destruction and expulsion, destruction of Jewish homes and expulsion of Jewish, Israeli citizens, again.

It is only three homes, three families, coming on the heels of some 10,000 people, Jews, banished from Gush Katif. The big question is: what is next; who is next; where is next???

According to Itzik Wolf's article today in news1.co.il (Hebrew) (http://goo.gl/Px09R), the IDF and the 'Civil Administration' have already scheduled the next executions. By the end of the 2011 calendar years, three more sites are scheduled for capital punishment: Givat Asaf, next to Beit El, Ramat Gilad, in the Shomron, and several more buildings within Beit El. In March, 2012, the entire Migron community is to be put to death. Two other places are also on the chopping block, to be finished off within six months.

Who is the 'man with the black mask' pushing the button? None other than our very own Bibi Netanyahu, being pushed and shoved by Ehud Barak, with the tacit support of his ministers, including all the 'good guys' who supposedly are lovers of Eretz Yisrael. We didn't see any of them a few nights ago, while the bulldozers were plowing down houses.

Of course, the real problem with all of this is 'what's next?" A government as irresponsible as the present administration, with some experience under its belt, well, how much would it take to order the annihilation of Hebron's Jewish community, or Kiryat Arba, or Beit Haggai, or any other Jewish community in Judea and Samaria? Could they do it? Yes. Would they do it? That's a very good question, the answer to which I prefer not to put in writing.

So, that's abnormality number one.

The second: the reaction to this horror, today called, in Hebrew 'Tag Mechir' – meaning 'price tag,' meaning, if you do this, we are going to hit back. This too is an interesting concept.

I write the following in order to avoid being arrested and charged with incitement. As a rule, I don't believe in 'violence' as a means to a solution.' I'm considered to be one of the more 'moderates' here in Hebron.  But a month ago, watching videos of the expulsion from Gush Katif, I couldn't help but wonder why massive force wasn't used against expellers. It didn't make any sense. And again, while watching a 10 minute clip (http://goo.gl/2yvsR)  of the Migron migraine, there too, the obvious response to such barbarity was avoided.

For years, the left, propelled by the media, has discussed civil war, going back to the days of Yamit, thru Gush Katif.  (Actually one can trace this history to the Altelena – see 'Brothers at War' by Jerold S. Auerbach.) Would Jews – 'settlers' take up arms against their brethren, as a result of forced expulsions and destruction?  Of course, it never happened. Because people, just like me, even though they see it, live it and boil and broil inside, just don't do it. It's not the way we operate.

But – that having been said, what do they expect from us? We all saw the violence breaking out in Tel Aviv when the police came (with flowers) to take down the tents on Rothchild Boulevard. TENTS were the cause of violence against Israeli police. And what about houses, full communities, etc. etc. etc. Our 'leaders' expect us to sit back, or perhaps just lie down in the street, allowing them to bulldoze us over and be done with it?

Now, I'm not a great fan of wandering into Arab towns and burning down mosques, or painting graffiti on their walls. Not that they are are necessarily friends of mine; probably the contrary is more accurate. There's also an issue of cause and effect; what do those Arabs have to do with the viciousness of police and soldiers against their own citizens?

However, this week, the 'price-tag' policy took a wicked turn with the damaging of several jeeps, bulldozers and again, writing on the wall.

I saw an article (in Hebrew) saying that anyone who damages the IDF isn't a Zionist. Another article called such 'vandal's' terrorists.

I served in the army. I have two sons who have served in combat units. I fully believe that the IDF is an integral element of Israel. Not only for our security, but also for our national pride and esteem. For two thousand years we had no way to protect ourselves, defend ourselves. Now we do. Period.

But, when those same security bodies are turned against their own people, using their training, not against mortal Arab enemies, but rather, turning the tables, transforming normative Israelis into the enemy, as we've seen happen time and time again, well, something is going to break. 

I'm not a big fan of destroying army equipment, but I'm even less of a fan of the scenes witnessed at Migron, and what very well might happen again, and again, and again.

To ask, or expect, people to sit back quietly, watch it, weep, and then go to sleep, is too much to ask for. The reactions to Migron are the minimum of the minimum.  I agree, one hundred percent that they are not normal, and in any normal Israeli society, would never happen. And they shouldn't happen. Such perpetrators should be, and would be punished.

But what is happening at present is not normal. The IDF is preparing for a possible small war that may begin next week, as a result of the expected follies at the UN. And they have time to destroy Jewish homes, causing moral and motivation to plummet amongst certain sectors of the population?  Scenes of black-uniformed officers, without nametags, screaming at young women and children, is not normal.

The price-tag policies, as problematic as they are, should be seen as a strong warning, a red light flashing on-and-off, as notice being given. If the powers-that-be really want them to stop, let them set the example: stop destroying Jewish homes and communities, stop expelling Jews from their homes, stop being pseudo-Zionists. Because, not as Emily Arusi wrote (http://goo.gl/579Uj)  that anyone who touches the IDF isn't a Zionist, rather only a pseudo-Zionist can act as did the Netanyahu government at Migron.

The Answer to 'September'

The Answer to 'September'

מתוך הבלוג "Blessings from Hebron" - David Wilder

Well, it's finally arrived. Summer vacations are over. The kids are back in school. Autumn is approaching. Labor Day barbeques are in full swing.

September also witnessed the 'jovial' signing of Oslo, exactly eighteen years ago. And this year, we may be privileged to witness another international farce, this time, not on the White House lawn, rather in the hallowed halls of the United Nations. The signatures will not be of the US president, an Israeli Prime Minister, and an Arab terrorist dressed in a Kaffiyeh and a tie. Rather,  the nations of the world will raise their hands high in an attempt to erase the achievement of that same body on November 29, 1947. For, in reality, that is what the creation of a 'palestinian state' is all about. The deletion of the State of Israel from the world map.

That too, was the goal of Oslo. It is worthwhile to take a short glance behind us. Oslo was signed on September 13, 1993. On June 24, 2001, (six months after the outbreak of the 'Oslo War' aka the 'Second Intifada') the greatest of all Arab spokesman, Faysal el-Husseini granted an interview to the Egyptian newspaper Al-Arabia.  El-Husseini was internationally recognized as a true moderate spokesman for the Arab cause. In the interview(his last – he died of a heart attack a short time after the interview), this 'moderate' is very clear about the intents of Oslo:

"I now tell you all, all those to whom I spoke in a secret meeting during the days of Oslo:  'Climb into the horse and don't question what type of material the horse is made of. Climb into the horse, and we shall transform your climbing into that horse into a beginning of a building era rather than an era of the end of hope."'

"When we are asking all the Palestinian forces and factions to look at the Oslo Agreement and at other agreements as "temporary" procedures, or phased goals, this means that we are ambushing the Israelis and cheating them.

"In short, we are exactly like they are. We distinguish the strategic, long-term goals from the political phased goals, which we are compelled to temporarily accept due to international pressure. If you are asking me as a Pan-Arab nationalist what are the Palestinian borders according to the higher strategy, I will immediately reply: "From the river to the sea." Palestine in its entirety is an Arab land, the land of the Arab nation, a land no one can sell or buy, and it is impossible to remain silent while someone is stealing it, even if this requires time and even [if it means paying] a high price."

That was in 2001. Now let's jump to August, 2009 – the Fatah 6th General Conference:

"The goals, principles, and methods, as they are written in Chapter One of the charter, are the basic point of departure for our movement, and are part of the ideological and political identity of our people. They are also the identity of the movement and its fundamental charter, since they were the basis for the beginning of the Palestinian revolution of our time and for liberation from the imperialist and racist yoke..."
Fatah central committee member 'Azzam Al-Ahmad declared that the movement's charter remains as it was, without any changes.

Fatah's charter - posted on the website www.fatehmedia.ps, which describes itself as the movement's mouthpiece, as well as on the websites www.alkofianews.maktoobblog.com and www.palvoice.com, which are affiliated with Fatah - still includes the following:

Chapter One, Section 17: "Popular armed revolution is the imperative and only way to liberate Palestine."
Chapter One, Section 19: "Armed struggle is a strategy, not a tactic. The armed revolution of the Arab Palestinian people is a crucial element in the battle for liberation and for the elimination of the Zionist presence. This struggle will not stop until the Zionist entity is eliminated and Palestine is liberated."

Now, fast forward to May, 2011: Abu Mazen: 'Netanyahu, you are incidental in history. We are the people of history. We are the owners of history.'"

And so we arrive at the United Nation, September, 2011.

There is one item that must be mentioned:

It isn't yet clear that Abu Mazen will actually demand a UN vote for 'palestinian statehood.' There are those within the PA who realize that the General Assembly vote has little or no value without a stamp of approval from the Security Council. There the United States has veto power and has already stated that it will veto such a resolution.

However, as of today, he is declaring, loud and clear, that the vote will take place.

Then what?

Again, short background:

The case against such an Arab state has been spoken and written about numerous times. First and foremost, of course, the land area known as Judea and Samaria, aka the 'West Bank' (of the Jordan River) is the heart of Israel. Who can imagine an Israel without Hebron or Jerusalem, relinquished voluntarily to our sworn enemy (see above)?

Of course there are security reasons too. Mustn't we learn from the experience of the past eighteen years? As I try to explain to journalists: if you put your hand to me, and rather than shake it, I slap you in the face, what do you do? You might think, 'what happened to this guy!? Let's try again.' The next moment, when you extend your arm, I punch you in the nose. After that, do you dare try again to shake hands? Maybe next time I'll shoot you!

That is exactly what has happened to Israel since the advent of Oslo. Every time we 'reach out in peace' the only result are dead Jews. Thousands killed and tens of thousands wounded and maimed. Can over 10,000 missiles shot into Israel, launched from the very land we gave them, be ignored!? No other country in the world would even consider negotiating with such 'peace partners' or again concede 'land for peace.' This is nothing less than national suicide.

This brings us to the present, two weeks away from the fateful vote. Should it take place, and despite its insignificant legal status, very possibly the 'Arab spring' will transmute into the 'palestinian fall' in Israel, seeing major demonstrations throughout the country. Not only in Judea and Samaria, but attempts to protest all over Israel.

From reports I have, the IDF and all Israeli security forces seem to be taking this threat fairly seriously. In other words, they are aware that major disturbances may break out. Theoretically, they have the means to deal with them. The big question is: Will they? Will they use any and all tools at their disposal to protect Jewish life, and prevent disruption of daily, Israeli life?

So, you ask, what can you do?

September also usually ushers in the Jewish New Year, Rosh HaShana. So it is this year that September parallels the final month of the Jewish year. Less than two weeks after the UN vote, we will celebrate a New Year. Following days of prayers, beseeching G-d for a good year, a safe year, a healthy year, for the individual and for the public-at-large, we begin the Succot festivities. This is a time of joy, a spiritual uplifting following the previous introspective High Holy days.

Usually, we host tens of thousands of people in Hebron during the holiday period. This year, it is all the more vital that people from around the world visit Israel, including Hebron and other communities in Judea and Samaria on their agenda. We must continue to make a showing, strengthening our ties to our homeland, to our holy sites, such as Ma'arat HaMachpela, the Tomb of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs, and other such places throughout the land considered by others to be 'disputed territory.' The best way to reject such 'disputedness'  is to make it a point to show the world: Hebron is Israel. Shilo is Israel. Sussia is Israel. Beit El is Israel. We are here, supporting a strong Jewish presence in the land of the Forefathers.

In Hebron, as always, we celebrate with a two-day festival during the Succot holidays. This year the festival will take place on Sunday and Monday, the 16th and 17th of October, with the semi-annual music concert, outside Machpela, occurring on Monday afternoon, 17/10. Special tours are planned, and it is guaranteed to be a raving success. (For more information write to tour@hebron.com or call, in NY, 718-677-6886 or in Israel, 052-431-7055).

However, the real success will be that tens and hundreds of thousands will prove, once again, that they are not, and will not ever, turn their backs on the State of Israel and the people of Israel.

This is the authentic answer to the UN vote in favor of a 'palestinian state.'