Comments for Rabbibrian's Blog

Comment on Gaza by Humaira

Humaira — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 07:07:47 +0000

Griwung up I have always been taught that Jews &Muslims are cousins, we share the same root. We were sharing the land without borders or aggression and protected each other. It’s truly unforgivable and unfortunate that so many innocent people have died on both sides. I pray that people open their eyes and realize more oppression equals increased hatred and plants more seeds of hatred, free Palestine, lift trade so they can start rebuilding, get food, and medication. Stop the genocide, stop this slow Holocaust

Comment on Civil Rights Delegation to Obama: We cannot be silent, and neither can you. by Will Fudeman

Will Fudeman — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 13:10:22 +0000

Good to address this to President Obama. For what it’s worth, it might be useful to send to Hillary Clinton’s State Department address, too. But, it’s really up to Obama to show the courage to confront Netanyahu’s choice of war rather than a truce.

Comment on Gaza by Martina Lauer

Martina Lauer — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:34:45 +0000

The death toll says a lot about the power imbalances between Gaza and Israel. From 2001 to 2011 around 25 Israelis were killed by Hamas missiles, over 4500 Palestinians in Gaza were killed by Israel. In the West Bank, the PA is stopping Palestinians from peacefully demonstrating and tortures Hamas representatives, a prime example of political submissiveness. What did the PA get in exchange? More illegal Jewish settlements, more house demolitions etc. As long as Israelis do not see the indigenous population, the Palestinians, as rightful owners of the land they live on, there will be no peace. Unless it’s the peace of the graveyard.

Comment on Gaza by Mary

Mary — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 21:34:11 +0000

I think you sound do more research before taking a side in this conflict. Did you know that 400 missiles have been launched at Israel this year? Most of them have been destroyed before causing any harm. Israel has to act or it will never stop. You can’t just look at the deaths and base your opinion on that. So many attempts for peace have been neglected by the palestinians, all they want to do is take israel for themselves (4 million jews were killed to have that land given to them from the UN). If palestine would just stop attacking, israel would stop to. You see Israel as the offence and palestine is just defending themselves, its actually the other way around.

Comment on Gaza by travellinginternationally

travellinginternationally — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 05:46:27 +0000

I disagree, there is no moral outrage and if there is an moral outrage it should be directed towards the Arabs states and Hamas. In 1917 the Balfour Declaration was proposed creating a Jewish State Israel and a Palestinian State. The First Zion Congress accepted it but the Arab states rejected it. It was not until the UN declaring Israel was a state that it became clear, the Arab states where set on destroying Israel. From 1948 until 1973 many wars were started by the Arab states in order to destroy Israel but every time Israel won plus they were able to take more territory.

To some it may seem like an outrage that Israel gained territory from the origin 1948 UN declaration. However, the US gained territory from fighting the Spanish and Indians. Plus many European borders changed due to the wars. No one has asked the US or European countries to return territory captured, so why should Israel?

For some it may appear that Israel is trying to strong-arm Gaza. However Hamas has refused to recognize Israel and has vowed to destroy Israel. In essence, Hamas is continuing the fight of destroying Israel and refusing to live in peace. Israel has the right as a sovereign country to defend itself and protect its citizens. Personally I would prefer Israel to enter Gaza, topple the Hamas led terrorist government, and reclaim Gaza in order to secure peace for itself.

Comment on We are Building Up a New World: Civil Rights Delegation on the West Bank by Martina Lauer

Martina Lauer — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 17:34:25 +0000

Good lessons are mutual: When Emad Burnat recently showed his film about the resistance in his village of Bil’in, West Bank in Ottawa, we praised him for his courage afterwards. But we learned about the bravery of holding on to the hope for a better future as we learned about the struggle of these Palestinian farmers against the Israeli Apartheid wall from 2005 on. Finally, in the summer of 2011, the village was given back a small part of its land. Davis vs. Goliath with David having to live under a crushing military occupation. But they did not give up – nor can we!

Comment on We are Building Up a New World: Civil Rights Delegation on the West Bank by Ellen Levine

Ellen Levine — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 16:53:09 +0000

Brian–
I love that you sang your way through the trip and especially when things got rough….Let’s keep singing out!!!

Comment on We are Building Up a New World: Civil Rights Delegation on the West Bank by Guest Post By Rabbi Brian Walt: We are Building Up a New World « Shalom Rav

Guest Post By Rabbi Brian Walt: We are Building Up a New World « Shalom Rav — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 03:09:31 +0000

[...] Cross-posted with Rabbi Brian’s Blog [...]

Comment on On Rabbinic Integrity: “Principles, truth and justice before ethnic or group loyalty” by mandella coins

mandella coins — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 02:22:32 +0000

Thanks for a marvelous posting! I seriously enjoyed reading it,
you will be a great author. I will make certain to bookmark your
blog and will often come back sometime soon. I want to encourage that you continue
your great writing, have a nice day!

Comment on Op-ed in Haaretz: Christian leaders cannot be cowed into silence over Israel’s abuses of human rights by Mordechai Liebling

Mordechai Liebling — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 19:13:47 +0000

Wonderfully written piece. Thank you for telling us what you saw and experienced. It is important for moral leaders of all faiths to stand up for human rights and rabbis are not excluded. Our Christians colleagues must be supported in their calling for the U.S. to live up to its human rights obligations. Rabbi Mordechai Liebling