By Danny Danon

The unfortunate incident which took place in the Jordan Valley on Saturday where an IDF officer was forced to fight off an anti-Israel activist has proven once again that we are not dealing correctly with this latest attack on the very legitimacy of our existence.

We witnessed this regrettable phenomenon again this week with the ludicrous internal debate that has surrounded the “flytilla” attack on Israel. Our society is busying itself with an absurd internal debate that includes calls from the extreme Left to welcome these anti-Israel activists and open a dialogue with them.

This is not only misguided, but actually endangers the foundations of our society.

Attempts to explain the rationality behind the Zionist dream of building a state in our historic homeland will simply not work with those who are attempting infiltrate Israel’s borders only to attack us from within.

It is time that we recognize the reality we are faced with. The State of Israel is at war. This war is being fought on a completely different battlefield than in the past, one in which the word de-legitimization has replaced bullets and provocative actions such as the flotilla have replaced tanks and fighter planes.

Nevertheless, we must not be confused by this new type of warfare. Just as we did not hesitate to confront to violent acts perpetuated by our enemies in the past, we cannot waver in our resolve against this new threat.

Would we allow a suicide bomber into our country so that we could attempt a “dialogue” with him? Of course not.

Here, too, we must not be naïve and bury our heads in the sand. While the “delegitimization battle” may be sometimes confusing and seem less dangerous then actual acts of war, the implications of capitulation will be just as dire for Israel’s future as a military loss would be.

TO COMBAT this new form of warfare we must be just as creative now as we have been in the past on the traditional battlefield.

We must immediately implement a three-pronged approach to keeping these terrorists out of Israel: prevent, arrest and deport.

Our diplomats and envoys abroad must work with our allies around the world to ensure that these troublemakers never make it on a plane in the first place, and our security and immigration officials here in Israel should ensure that those who do get through are arrested and then either jailed or deported.

During this past week Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his ministers prepared well for the current onslaught and the results of having a well thought-out policy are evident in the fact that the “flytilla” we were warned so much about ended relatively quietly. They should be commended for their vigilance.

Still, as we saw with the Jordan Valley incident these steps must be further strengthened and stringently implemented.

The militant activist from Denmark who attacked the IDF officer should have never been in a position to do so. He never should have been allowed entry into Israel. Once he was allowed in, he should have been arrested and tried at the first sign of illegal activity. Even now, it is unacceptable that he is walking free in our country after violently attacking an officer. He must be arrested and deported immediately.

The State of Israel must defend itself against anarchists and all those who openly state that their only reason for entering the country is to work from within to ensure its destruction. We have seen what has happened in the past when we allow such activities to go on unchecked. What began as “non-violent” protests against our right to build a security fence to defend against suicide bombers has turned in to weekly riots in places like Bil’in where rocks, concrete blocks and firebombs are regularly hurled at our soldiers.

Theses so-called activists not only take part in these violent attacks on our security forces, but also gather intelligence against Israel and donate to organizations that bankroll terrorism against our citizens.

While I am a fervent advocate of hasbara (public diplomacy) outreach – I have personally spent countless hours, days and weeks traveling around the world speaking out on behalf of our legitimate rights – we must also know when the time for talk has ended. In dealing those who openly call for the destruction of the Jewish state, it is a waste of time to make “the case for Israel.” Instead, we must meet this challenge as we have similar threats in the past, with creativity and determination, to ensure that the interests of the State of Israel and the Jewish people are safeguarded against those who seek to hurt us.

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Dr.Gerardo Stuczynski

More than half a year has gone by since September 2011. But for long months the sole uttering of this word was full of significance and dark omens. September was the key month, the month in which Palestinians had announced they would present before the United Nations their claim to be recognized as an independent state.

The aim of this diplomatic offensive was to skip the essential negotiations with Israel in order to obtain benefits without being obliged to any compensation. They expected to be recognized as a State without having to grant in exchange recognition and peace to Israel.

In spite of how evident these intentions were, there was strong criticism to the government headed by Netanyahu. Countless journalists and intellectuals held the Prime Minister responsible for the imminent and crushing diplomatic defeat Israel was to suffer in this traditionally hostile international forum.

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By Liron Milbar

As disagreement arises over ways to handle the Iranian threat of nuclear proliferation, several facts must first be acknowledged before a decision is made.

Fact number one. Iran hid its uranium enrichment program for 18 years. Such covert behavior indicates a level of unlawful activity that is subject to scrutiny.

Fact number two. Iran has been uncooperative with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The IAEA’s latest report from November 2011, highlighted several areas of concern, raising suspicion that Iran was in fact pursuing production of nuclear weapons. The report mentioned over ten suspicious areas including weapons testing and experimenting with nuclear weaponry, weaponisation, and in depth intelligence on ballistic warheads. This led the IAEA to conclude that Iran had carried out activities “relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device.” Moreover, the UN Security Council has approached President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to conduct meetings on the nuclear issue with an official letter sent in October. It is still awaiting Tehran’s reply. Previous talks held a last year in Turkey ended without progress.

Fact number three. Iran has continuously refused to comply with Security Council resolutions. Under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), a signatory state has the right to enrich uranium to be used strictly as fuel for civil nuclear power. Any such activity must be conducted under the supervision of the IAEA. While Iran is under inspection, it maintains its prerogative to enrich uranium claiming that it is doing so for power station fuel and other peaceful purposes. It goes as far as to say that the UN resolutions are politically motivated and unjustified. UN Chief Ban Ki-moon has said that the responsibility is on Iran to prove its good intentions.

Recent meetings between the IAEA and Iran have collapsed, leading Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to declare that no “Pressures, sanctions and assassinations will bear no fruit. No obstacles can stop Iran’s nuclear work.”

Fact number four. There is a nuclear reactor plant at Bushehr. This reactor was originally built in the 1970s but only recently finished with help from the Russians. Russia intends to replace the reactors spent fuel with raw fuel, which could potentially be used to make a plutonium-based nuclear bomb. While the Bushehr plant does not enrich uranium, Russia’s involvement in the development of the facility, alleviates Iran from conducting its own enrichment program. Read more…

The World Zionist Organization hosted the 2012 Young Zionist Leadership Conference attended by nearly two hundred students and on-campus professionals. The topic of Zionism and its relevance was the main issue of the conference. Participants had the opportunity to express their views on what it means to be a Zionist in North America. The conference included three days of educational seminars, hands-on workshops, and respected speakers.

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As part of Tu B’Shvat celebrations, World Likud, along with the Shomron Regional Council, took more than 1,000 members on a tour of biblical Samaria including a tree planting ceremony in Itamar.

Participants enjoyed a visit to a farm where they tried fresh milk, cheese and olive oil, sampled wine at a winery, and stopped off at various lookout points of historic landmarks in Samaria. Members also were given the opportunity to visit the archeological site at the Sebastia national park which was opened up for this special event.

At the conclusion of the tour, members arrived at the Mishkan Ehud Beit Midrash compound of Itamar, where they planted over 1,500 trees near a synagogue commemorating the Fogel Family. World Likud Chairman MK Danny Danon and fellow World Likud members came to this particular location to emphasize that the Jews who live in this region are here to stay and will continue to prosper. Danon stated that we were here to send a very clear message to our neighbors; that “we will be here forever, we will plant trees, we will build Jewish homes, we will build synagogues” and nothing will stop us from living here. Gershon Masika, Head of Samaria Regional Council and Rav Avichai Ronsky, Head of the Itamar Yeshiva, also attended the tree planting ceremony.

Hundreds of World Likud Members from the center and North Israel attended a gathering in Haifa aimed to garner support for the Likud party.  World Likud Chairman, MK Danny Danon reinforced the importance of remaining a strong united party and true to our Zionist ideology.  Danon spoke about his latest proposed legislations including social justice, women’s rights and global anti-Semitism, and many other important issues relating to the strengthening and productiveness of Israel both internally and internationally.  Also in attendance were World Likud Turkey Chairman Moris Levi as well as mayors   and deputy mayors from cities in the North.

When and how did you start your activity in the Jewish Community?

At first, when I was still attending the Jewish School in Rome, later on when I was Hanich and then Madrih in the Benè Akivà. In 1988 I became president of the Cultural Movement of the Jewish Students as it was necessary to do Hasbarah for Israel in schools and public Universities.  In 1993, for the first time I was elected Councillor of the Rome Jewish Community with a list called “For Israel” founded by me and from 1997 to 2008 I was Vice President of the Community. In that year I was elected President for two consecutive terms.  All was on the wake of the commitment to support Israel.

What was the event that affected you most?

Certainly it was the 9^th of October 1982 attack on Rome Synagogue, when the child Stefano Gaj Tachè was murdered by a Palestinian commando and my father Emanuel was seriously injured by fragmentation bombs.  He remained between life and death for three months and underwent several surgical interventions. It was the year in which I was supposed to spend the year of Achsharah with the B. A. and maybe making Aliyah. Instead I remained in Rome to help my parents in the work but I promised myself that I would achieve my “Aliyah” in Italy getting involved with Hasbarah, devoting myself every day to Israel and to my Community.

Another event was the first Gulf War and the various Demonstrations among which one with 2000 Israeli flags in January 1991 in Saint Peter Square.  However, the event of which I am most proud was the siege to the Rome Tribunal Palace following the infamous absolution of the nazi criminal Erik Priebke.  It was the afternoon and then the night between the 1^st and 2^nd of August. My friends and I physically prevented the nazi criminal to exit the Law Courts and negotiated with all the institutional authorities until the arrival – demanded by me – of the then Minister of Justice Mr Giovanni Maria Flick. In that hot August night we obtained his re-arrest. After a few months the infamous no-guilty verdict  was cancelled and after a second trial he was sentenced to life imprisonment for “crimes against humanity”.  Justice was carried out and in my and our small way from Rome we had avenged the victims of Nazism. One of the last opportunities of my generation.  It was a fact that allowed me to dedicate that victory to my grandparents killed at Auschwitz.

Do you think the relations between Israel and the Diaspora have changed in the last few years?

Unfortunately they have. Indeed, the fault is to be recognized on both sides. The true and genuine zionist ideals have been lost. The official representatives of the State of Israel in too many cases behave as simple bureaucrats and don’t put any longer their hearts into it. On our part as Jews of the Golah we lack that zionist education thanks to which Israel is Israel irrespective to who is at her government. That spirit is missing that made the Jews who survived the Shoah cry at the miracle, by which for the first time in our generation we had our own State that made us no more feel like “guests”.  We should both feel the humility to understand how to retrieve that spirit which was of the founding fathers of the State of Israel. Is a scandal to witness Sochnut officials discourage people to make Aliyah. We hope that an inquest will be open on that affair which will put a stop to that shame.
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JERUSALEM (JTA) — The State of Israel has always prided itself on being not only a home to its native citizens but a haven for Jews from across the globe. For years the Ministry of Immigration Absorption has successfully focused on attracting Jews from around the world to make aliyah and reconnect with their homeland. This past year alone, more than 19,000 Jewish people chose to leave their countries of residence to start life anew in the Jewish state.

With so much effort spent on welcoming Jews from abroad, the ministry runs the risk of losing sight of another pressing concern: the deflating number of our own citizens.

Despite Israel’s ever-growing economy, some of our citizens choose to leave Israel in search of a more prosperous future. While they more often than not retain their Israeli identities by living in areas populated by other sabras, these mini-Israel communities abroad can never really live up to the real thing.

In an effort to remind our Israeli emigrants of the unique qualities of their homeland, the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption launched a series of television and billboard ads. Though controversial in nature, the ads were meant to remind Israeli expatriates that no matter where they currently reside, there’s no place like home.

Some American Jews were offended by the ads. Admittedly, like any successful campaign, the commercials were intended to get people talking; however, they certainly were not meant to offend.

Israeli and American Jews have shared an extremely tight relationship that is not to be taken for granted. Legions of Zionist supporters abroad have ensured Israel’s continued survival, and their tireless support has helped many an Israeli sleep easier.
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Hundreds of World Likud Members attended the Hanukkah Toast held in Netanya. The event was highlighted by the various speakers including Yaakov Haguel, World Zionist Organization’s Head of Department for Activity in Israel and Countering Anti-Semitism, and World Likud Chairman MK Danny Danon, who emphasized the significance of national loyalty as well as raising international support for Israel.

Danon spoke about the importance strengthening Likud ideology and maintaining a strong voice as part of empowering Israel. He mentioned that as part of his international advocacy activities has was the first Israeli Knesset representative to meet with the newly created South Sudanese President and managed to garner further support for Israel.

Danon also announced his plans to run for President of the Likud Central Committee.

A caucus to battle international anti-Semitism was founded in the Knesset this week by MK Danny Danon (Likud) and activist Calev Myers.

“Today, anti-Semitism disguises itself as anti-Israel and denying Zionism, and we must put an end to it,” Myers, founder of the humanitarian group Jerusalem Institute for Justice, said.

“Hatred of Israel has become common in the world,” Danon told the group. “We have formed this caucus so that, together with our Christian friends, we can fight this phenomenon.”

Republican South Carolina State Sen. Alan Clemmons, who authored the “South Carolina Stands with Israel Resolution,” along with leaders of Christian-Zionist organizations gathered in the Knesset for the caucus’ opening ceremony.

David Parsons, head of media for the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem echoed Myers’ statement, saying that “anti-Israel and anti-Semitism is the same thing.”

“Unlike some Christians have in the past, we have decided not to stand silent and fight,” he said.

The caucus is in the process of joining the Inter-parliamentary Coalition for Combating Anti-Semitism, which is led by Public Diplomacy Minister Yuli Edelstein, along with parliamentarians from the US, Great Britain, Canada, Germany and Italy.

In addition, Myers is producing a video meant to fight anti- Semitism, which he plans to post on the Internet and hopes will become a viral hit.

jpost.com