Packing it in Israel

Here in Israel we have just completed the Holiday of Shavuot, commemorating the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.  For various reasons that will not be expounded at length here, it is celebrated one day in the Land of Israel and two days outside of the Land of Israel (which means that the holiday is still in progress in the USA).

Israel is still reeling from the terror attack at the Sarona Market complex in Tel Aviv.  Much has been written and reported and punditized about the incident; I have little to add at this time, but gratuitously note that (1) Israel Police, along with military personnel carrying their weapons, have shown a higher profile these past few days; and (2) during this coming week I expect to ride a bus that passes within 2 blocks of Sarona. 

What I will mention, though, is that during the past two days at my Shul worship services (Saturday, of course, was Shabbat, and today was Shavuot), I saw a heretofore unprecedented number of individuals packing heat.  Two I know to be law enforcement officers, but that did not explain the others.  Turns out that word was informally passed that those licensed to carry should carry to shul during the holiday.

Before we departed from the USA I had a discussion with my rabbi.  He had made the decision to enlist armed security for Rosh Hashanah services, and was considering asking some congregation members who are licensed to carry (including two retired police officers) to carry on a regular basis.  Another rabbi of another congregation caught some heat (pun intentional) from his resident leftards for doing that.  With the strong encouragement of the Rebitzin, my Rabbi told everyone that they would be welcome to carry.  Most of the congregation members backed him on it.

In Israel everyone seems to understand the need for defensive measures, but these days it must be difficult to be a Jewish hoplophobe in America.

Where has Everyone Gone?

I've been doing more than my normal amount of travel within Israel during the past 3 weeks, and within a broader geographical area than usual (including but hardly limited to an overnight in the Holy City of Jerusalem).  These are difficult times in Israel.  There is a wave of terror that impacts not only Israelis, but also American visitors who are not even Jewish.  Falling into that category is Taylor Force, a West Point grad who was one of America's best and brightest.  [RIP, Taylor.].

These Muslim attacks hit very closely and intimately.  Just a few days before one of the Jerusalem attacks I had passed by the very spot where it occurred.  A neighbor of mine had passed very close to the situs of another one of the attacks less than 24 hour before the event occurred.  The situation is worrying my friends and relatives back in the States.

Note that life continues here in a normal fashion, including the streets of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem (and, for that matter, the town where I live).  Note also that most of the organized tours obtain armed military protection for visits to the critical areas.

On the positive side, I have been pleased and privileged to meet many Americans and people from other nations who have come in friendship to visit Israel.  To them, I give my thanks; your support means much to me (and many other Israelis no doubt agree with me 100%).

Many of the foreign visitors I have met (and will no doubt continue to meet) are not Jewish.  Of this I am most appreciative, while, at the same time, more than a little bit disgusted that so many American Jews are hesitant to come and visit Israel.  The liberal-leaning upbringing of so many Jewish baby-boomers has morphed into a disconnect from their Jewish heritage, and from the land G-d gave them.

Worse yet are the American Jews who have replaced their Jewish faith with a worship of the leftist political agenda, and who proactively oppose Israel.

When there are more American Christian groups at the hotel than American Jewish groups, it is a cause for at least a mild degree of concern; the Jewish groups should be flocking here in droves.

Something is definitely amiss when so many of our non-Jewish friends are more supportive of us than so many of our Jewish brethren.

So if you have traveled to visit us here in Israel, we I thank you.  And if you have not, then come visit us already!

[My travels have ended, but something big may well be in the works; if so, then it will likely inhibit postings to this Blog.]

America, Read the Warning Labels!

Here in Israel, the past few days have seen a troubling trend in terror attacks:  Assailants going into public areas, pulling knives, and stabbing, sometimes fatally, people who have gone out into public places.  Much appreciation is now extended to all of you who have expressed concern for my well-being and that of my family.

Are we concerned for our safety?  Yes, obviously we are.  How has this impacted our normal routines?  The answer is that we are still following our normal routines.  G-d gave this land to the Jewish people, and we must behave as though it is indeed ours.

When I was in Tel Aviv this morning, all normal routines seemed to be operative (though there was heightened discussion regarding the situation).  More security guards are to be seen in buildings and public places, and more soldiers are to be seen visibly carrying their weapons in public areas.  And, if an old friend of ours is any indication, more people who are licensed to carry firearms are carrying them when they go out.

My wife and I are here for what likely will be an extended period.  And yes, we are concerned about our safety here; but we are even more concerned about what public safety will be when we return to the USA.  I hope that my fears prove unfounded, but it does not take a long stretch of the imagination to envision similar shtick being pulled in the USA.  Nor need such bloody tactics be necessarily confined to America's increasing Muslim population; it is quite possible that deadly carnage from knife-wielders in public crowds may turn into a color-based thing;  if so, then there is little room for doubt as to how the professional oddsmakers will paint which boxes which colors.

America, don't you see the implications?  You have already had ample warnings!  You have been ill-stanced to deny the possibilities ever since September 12, 2011 came around.  As the U.S. Constitution becomes increasingly mutilated, so will the governmental functions, including the function of prosecuting violent criminals.  Once that gets significantly underway, it will be a signal to the domestic terrorists and their inciters and enablers to start with the stabbings.

You in America can no longer say that you have not been warned!

Are Rahsaan and Chris the Names of Terrorists?:

The Chris Roberts item is now going viral.  Chris, for those of you whose internet access has been down for the past few days (mine went down for a few hours yesterday, but the cable company came around and fixed it; was some sort of pedestal box by the driveway a few houses down the street), is a security expert who was removed from a United Air Lines flight by the FBI for tweeting about a potential flaw in the airline security system.   He was en route to give a talk about airline security vulnerabilities.

Turns out that the FBI has, as of this posting, yet to produce the search warrant that was predicate to their seizing his laptop and other equipment.

It's gone viral, so I have little to add regarding the Constitutional and Due Process issues.   The stupidity of UAL and the FBI speaks for itself, and does not need any further expounding.

My comment: 

"Given Mr. Roberts' claims regarding manipulating aircraft systems, we've decided it's in the best interest of our customers and crew members that he not be allowed to fly United,' airline spokesman Rahsaan Johnson told The Associated Press. "

I note that the name Rahsaan, which, contrary to some websites that will not be linked to this posting, is of Arabic origin and not from the Hebrew.  It suggests some Muslim influence.  Mr. Johnson has more inside connections to UAL than Chris Roberts.

Would placing Rahsaan Johnson on the No-Fly List be any less rational than placing Chris Roberts on it?

Terrified of Terrorism

Seems that accused cop killer Eric Frein has now had some terrorism charges lodged against him by the authorities in Pennsylvania.

Most appropriate, I daresay.

Query:  What is holding back the authorities from classifying the Fort Hood "workplace violence" incident perpetuated by Soldier of Allah Nidal Malik Hasan as an act of terrorism?