Money talks even at the UN

Even as extremists from Gaza fire rockets and mortars at civilians in southern Israel and cause death and destruction, we must not forget about another danger facing Israel: a unilateral campaign by Palestinian leaders to secure recognition from individual foreign governments and from the United Nations for a self-declared Palestinian "state." This anti-Israel, anti-peace scheme must be stopped.



U.N. actions would severely undermine opportunities for a negotiated peace between Israel and the Palestinians. They would provide implicit recognition and legitimacy to a self-declared "state" and reward and reinforce the unilateral, rejectionist policies of the Palestinian leadership. 



Fortunately, we are not helpless in the face of this dangerous challenge. There is a historical precedent for how to stop it. In 1989, Yasser Arafat's PLO also pushed for membership for a "Palestinian state." The PLO's strategy looked unstoppable until the George H.W. Bush administration made clear that the U.S. would cut off funding to any UN entity that upgraded the status of the Palestinian observer in any way. The UN was forced to choose between isolating Israel and receiving U.S. contributions, and they chose the latter. The PLO's unilateral campaign was stopped in its tracks.


This example demonstrates a simple but needed lesson: At the UN, money talks, and smart withholding works. It is time to use all our leverage to stop this unilateral Palestinian scheme - for the sake of our ally Israel and all free democracies, for the sake of peace and security, and for the sake of achieving a UN that upholds its founding principles.

U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), is Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee
(Ileana Ros-Lehtinen - Miami Herald) 


Originally posted by Israel Alert.

Rebirth: written from a Jewish or Christian perspective?

Since this questiion is asked frequently, from time to time, I like to answer this legitimate question for those who are new to this blog site.


Rebirth is actually written for ALL faiths to enjoy, which was not easy to do. We all know, no book will please everyone. With that said, Rebirth is 100% Jewish and Christian friendly. Personally, I'm Christian and I fully understand that many Jews do not want to be "preached at" about Jesus. I respected that when I wrote Rebirth.

Based on the Torah and the Prophets (Leviticus chapter 26, Ezekiel chapters 36, 37, and 38, and my favorite, Amos 9:14,15) both faiths will be able to read, enjoy, learn, laugh and cry about this compelling story which nicely highlights many great stories in the making of Israel—all while supporting America's strongest ally in the Middle East—Israel. I love, appreciate and marvel at God's handywork in this nation! I don't know a single Jew or Christian who does not embrace the above mentioned scriptures. So personally, at a time when both faiths need to unite more than ever for the good of Israel and America, I look at what we DO have in common, rather then what we don't.

PLEASE comment on this. I love your feedback and use them to put the final last touches on the book.

If you read other blog posts in the archive section to the right side, hopefully you will see evidence of this writing style. Please, feel free to share the links with confidence of Rebirth's strong ability to transcend differing faiths, while still not watering down the magnificent prophecies that foretold this miraculous event.

Here's the video trailer link for convenience—will you help me make it go viral?

Watch Rebirth's exciting 90 second book trailer at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTxfmUeEJeM

Israel: Still open for aid while under attack

This news brief is very consistent with Israel's history accounted for in the compelling novel Rebirth: Jews were known back then (in 1948)  to help the innocent, even while under attack. Today, they still honor that tradition. Why isn't this part in the mainstream media?


Over 130 rockets and mortar shells were fired at Israel since Thursday (August 18). But the Gaza land crossings, Kerem Shalom and Erez, continue to operate.

On Sunday (August 21) over 60 patients and their chaperones crossed into Israel for medical treatment. Approximately 150 truckloads of goods, food products and fuel gas were delivered from Israel into the Gaza Strip on Monday (August 22).

(IDF Spokesman)

Bottom portion originally posted by Israel alert.

U.S. Marines excited to train with IDF (Israeli soldiers)

I was excited to see the eyes of U.S. Marines opened to the similarities of the U.S. and Israel--our greatest Middle East ally. Rebirth is filled with eye opening insights like this one below, and will also open more hearts to understand the great need for our support:


A company of the U.S. Marine Corps force stationed in Europe came to Israel for a month of intensive training alongside IDF soldiers in urban warfare, reconnaissance, and target shooting. "We've never been to a mock town like that of the IDF," said Platoon Sgt. Robert Hattenbach, referring to the Urban Warfare Training Center. The Marines were thrilled to train at the facility, raving about its realistic feel.

"This trip was a serious wake up call," said Sgt. Hattenbach. "We realized that Israeli people are just like us. We now better understand what Israel really is and when we go back to the U.S. we can tell people that." 
(Rotem Eliav - Israel Defense Forces)

Bottom portion originally posted by Israel Alert.

Hamas mimicking Hitler

Rebirth (the novel) has numerous examples of how Arabs in Palestine and abroad have imitated Nazi techniques of teaching children to hate Jews, Americans and any other group that opposes Islam.


In June-August 2011, nearly 50,000 children and adolescents took part in Hamas-run summer camps in Gaza, as they do every year.
In addition to social activities, the camps offered Quran lessons, indoctrination with Hamas' political ideology, and paramilitary training.
The core values are radical Islam, "the liberation of Palestine," jihad, and death for the sake of Allah.
The older children use real rifles in paramilitary training, which also includes hand-to-hand combat.
At the summer camp graduation ceremony in Al-Zeitoun on July 29, teenagers in military uniform reenacted the abduction of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit and blew up a cardboard model of an Israeli tank.
(Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center)

Bottom portion originally posted by Israel Alert.

Palestinian State?

One of the biggest problems my novel Rebirth points out for Palestinians: they were not ready to govern a state in 1948 and they're not ready now. A Palestinian state today would draw even more aid that it is now to govern themselves. If they can't govern their people without land today, how are they going to run a country tomorrow? The American government (among many others) still gives millions every year to Palestinians and much of that money is UNACCOUNTED FOR.  

• In a few weeks, an overwhelming majority in the UN General Assembly will likely vote for collective recognition of a Palestinian state. But the purely imaginary state that the assembly will endorse has neither a functioning government nor meets the requirements of international law.

• The PLO does not seek statehood for the West Bank. Its minimum demand is a state that includes Gaza and the eastern part of Jerusalem, demanding title to lands and authority over populations it does not control.

• Mahmoud Abbas is presenting himself as the president of the Palestine that is pressing the claim in the UN, but he is not considered to be the president anymore by Hamas, the largest political party in the putative state. Abbas' term expired in January 2009.

• The Palestine that the General Assembly will recognize also will have two rival prime ministers pursuing incompatible policies. Hamas denies that Abbas has the authority to appoint Salam Fayyad as prime minister. This putative state also has a legislature that never meets. Elected on Jan. 25, 2006, for a term of four years, the PLC has enacted no laws, and conducted no meetings since 2007.

The writer served for 23 years as a senior official of AIPAC and is now the director of the Washington Project of the Middle East Forum.
(Steven J. Rosen - Foreign Policy)

Bottom portion originally posted by Israel Alert