The Front Page Cover
2016 The turth is the gold of today
Featuring:
Glick: Hope is Not a Strategy
Caroline Glick
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Finally, a Debate Without Petty Insults
For the first time this election cycle, last night featured a Republican debate with only Republicans on stage. Yet it was the "elephant" not in the room that dominated pre- and post-debate coverage. As for those on stage, we have two primary observations.
First, as Mark Alexander predicted yesterday, Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz were baited into attacking each other, especially on immigration. That was Donald Trump's strategic play. By not being present, he pitted his chief rivals against each other without getting caught in the crossfire just ahead of the Iowa caucus. That said, Cruz began the night by humorously pretending to play the part of Trump: "I'm a maniac and everyone on this stage is stupid, fat and ugly. And Ben [Carson], you're a terrible surgeon. Now that we've gotten the Donald Trump portion out of the way..."
In fact, many of the questions were negative attack bait, roughly following the formula: You or someone else said something awful or outrageous... explain why your remark wasn't terrible, or attack the other candidate. The questions were largely designed to generate fratricidal arguments between the Republican candidates rather than focus on how each Republican would approach policy matters different from Democrats.
Second, the Google/YouTube/ advertising sponsorship, as with the Facebook sponsorship in the last debate was at best, grating. As they previously did with Facebook "mentions," the efforts to incorporate "search words" and videos into the debate — including one YouTube question from a Bernie Sanders supporter (seriously!) — was ridiculous and little more than cross-platform advertising.
Finally, the quote of the night might just go to Rubio, because he managed to pack so much about himself and why he'd be a formidable general election candidate into one answer: "[L]et me be clear about one thing. There's only one savior and it's not me. It's Jesus Christ, who came down to Earth and died for our sins. ... As far as the polls are concerned, Iowa, on Monday night you're going to go to a caucus site and you'll be the first Americans that vote in this election. You will be the first Americans that get to answer a fundamental question: 'What comes next for this country after seven disastrous years of Barack nObama?' Let me tell you what the answer better not be: It better not be Bernie Sanders. Bernie Sanders is a socialist. I think Bernie Sanders is good candidate for president — of Sweden. We don't want to be Sweden. We want to be the United States of America. And Hilly Clinton — Hilly Clinton is disqualified from being the commander in chief of the United States. In fact, one of her first acts as president may very well be to pardon herself because Hilly Clinton stored classified information on her private server and Hilly Clinton lied to the families of those four brave Americans who lost their lives in Benghazi, and anyone who lies to the families of Americans who have died in the service of this country can never be commander in chief of the United States." -The Patriot Post
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Trump Didn't Want to Be at His Own Veterans Benefit
As with his 9/11-card play in the last debate, Donald Trump's veteran-card play is nothing more than a crass political charade. While seven GOP candidates had a policy-focused debate Tuesday night, Trump eschewed questioning from Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly and instead held an event cross town that was supposedly to benefit veterans. But Trump admitted the event really wasn't for the men and women who risked their lives for the country. It was all about him. "I didn't want to be here, I have to be honest," Trump said. "I wanted to be about five minutes away. ... But you have to stick up for your rights. When you're treated badly, you have to stick up for your rights."
Trump was betting that he was the only reason the large broadcast news organizations were getting good ratings during the televised debates. But viewer estimates and the number of people searching Google for live streams of the debate versus Trump's event show that the debate was still more popular than the frontrunner's stunt. As for the event, it was as phony as Hilly Clinton's email security. His staff quickly posted a webpage, "Donald Trump for Vets," asking visitors to "Honor their valor. Donate now to help our Veterans." But the proceeds go to Trump's personal foundation, which has given more than $100,000 to draft-dodging Bill Clinton and his wife — far more than to veterans' causes.
Oh, and if Trump showed up for the debate, perhaps Kelly could have asked him why he wanted veterans, who are doing their best to make ends meet as street vendors, kicked off of 5th Avenue. Trump wrote a letter to his leftist friend, former mayor Michael Bloomberg, complaining of the vendors, "Whether they are veterans or not, they should not be allowed to sell on this most important and prestigious shopping street. The image of New York City will suffer." He concluded, "I hope you can stop this very deplorable situation before it is too late." The same could be said of his candidacy. -The Patriot Post
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Oregon's Social Agenda Has No Moral Basis
Oregon is so politically correct it's wrong. Harmony Daws used to work at Sparkling Palaces, a cleaning business based in Portland. But when her boss learned that she was recently elected as president of a pro-life group, she fired her, saying Daws' pro-life beliefs caused her to discriminate against other employees. In a statement, Daws said, "Firing someone based on their religious or political beliefs is a civil rights violation. I'm a libertarian and I support my former employer's right to hire and fire as she chooses. … [Fifty]-eight million children have lost their lives since 1973. Losing a job in my stand for their right to life was a small price to pay."
Last July, Oregon's Labor Commissioner ordered a small bakery pay $135,000 to a lesbian couple after the bakery refused to bake a cake for the couple's state-sanctioned same-sex wedding. But Oregon isn't just holding the line on the Left's social agenda. Heck, even Martin Luther King Jr. isn't "diverse" enough for some of the "enlightened" liberals in the state. At the University of Oregon, the Oregon Student Union discussed removing MLK's quote — "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character" — from the wall of the student center because the definition of "diversity" is, oh, so much more complex today than it was back then. The state is using its power to force an agenda that lacks any moral basis, ties to history or even rational thought. -The Patriot Post
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European Governments
Ignoring Security Warnings?
Judith Bergman
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Swedish Security Service chief Anders Thornberg recently said: "The Islamist environments have grown considerably in the past five years and tensions are growing between various population groups. We need all of society to help fight the radicalization, there are limits to how much faster a security service can run."
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{gatestoneinstitute.org} ~ These are sentiments that are rarely, if ever, voiced by official Norway or Sweden. Apparently, the fear of offending Muslim sensitivities has thus far overridden security concerns... But even Sweden, which sees itself as a "humanitarian superpower," and up until recently had sworn to keep its doors open to all migrants and refugees, has had to reassess its policy. At the end of November 2015, Sweden's Deputy-Prime Minister Asa Romson, reluctantly and in tears, said that the government had been "forced to take reality into account," given the huge number of migrants that entering the country. Sweden and Denmark tightened their border controls a few weeks ago. It is questionable, however, whether the warning cries of the Scandinavian security services will have any noticeable impact on the fundamental political course of their political leaders, especially if the latest statements by Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven are anything to take into account. Prime Minister Stefan Löfven is a complete idiot and is totally wrong on the sexual harassment by immigrates..
Sessions: Choose carefully America,
2016 is 'THE LAST CHANCE'
PAUL BEDARD
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Is a secret sniper killing off Isil's
high command in Libya?
Colin Freeman.
Mystery gunman: nobody knows who the Libyan sniper is
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{telegraph.co.uk} ~ As befits all the best practitioners of his shadowy trade, no-one is quite sure whether he is one man or many, or even simply an urban legend... But after a string of assassinations of its local henchmen, the Islamic State's new "Caliphate" in the Libyan city of Sirte is abuzz with talk that an anti-Isil sniper is at work. In recent weeks, no fewer than three Isil commanders in Sirte have been shot dead from long range, according to local media. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/12129837/Is-a-secret-sniper-killing-off-Isils-high-command-in-Libya.html
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WH says Hilly will get away with email scandal,
based on what they know
Carmine Sabia
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{bizpacreview.com} ~ In case anyone thought Hilly Clinton might finally face justice White House spokesman Josh Earnest all but ended those thoughts... During his daily briefing Earnest was asked by a reporter if he could “say with certainty and confidence that Secretary Clinton will not be indicted because of this email scandal.” Earnest was careful with his answer but indicated prosecution was unlikely. “That will be a decision that is made by the Department of Justice and prosecutors over there,” he told the reporter. “What I know that some officials over there have said is that she is not a target of the investigation, so that does not seem to be the direction that it’s trending. But I’m certainly not going to weigh in on a decision or in that process in any way. That is a decision to be made solely by independent prosecutors but again, based on what we kn from the Department of Justice, it does not seem to be headed in that direction.” This is a crime and a cover up for sure. http://www.bizpacreview.com/2016/01/30/white-house-says-hillary-will-get-away-with-email-scandal-based-on-what-they-know-300213.
Islam and Islamism in America in 2015
Soeren Kern
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Left: In June 2015, the New York Police Department issued parking tickets to more than 100 Muslim cab drivers parked illegally outside a mosque on the Upper West Side during Ramadan. Right: In January 2015, after complaints from Muslim students at the University of Minnesota, the university ordered that posters depicting a caricature of Mohammed be taken down. The ban was later rescinded.
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{gatestoneinstitute.org} ~ April 1. Ahlam Ahmed, an 18-year-old year-old from Queens, said she wanted to become the first female Muslim firefighter in New York City... Ahmed stands five feet tall and weighs just 105 pounds. In an interview with the Village Voice, Ahmed expressed more concern over the dress code than the physical requirements for the job. "I have to be covered," she said. "I love wearing the scarf. It's for protection." FDNY press officer Elisheva Zakheim said: "We try to accommodate religious practices, but safety is our first concern, be it male or female. We approach a lot of these questions on a case-by-case basis." April 2. A study by the Washington, DC-based Pew Research Center forecast that, if current trends continue, there will be more Muslims in North America than Jews by 2035. The study, "The Future of World Religions: Population Growth Projections, 2010-2050," states that in the United States, Muslims will comprise 2.1% of the population in 2050, up from 0.9% in 2010. Jews, meanwhile, will fall to 1.4% of the U.S. population from 1.8% in 2010. April 2. A newsletter distributed by the Republican Central Committee in Bonneville County,Idaho, included an article, "Islam in Idaho," which warned that Muslims are "infiltrating" the state, and that Muslims have been taught to "be ready to rise up and kill" non-Muslims. The article called on readers to "demand that our lawmakers and law enforcers pay attention and ascertain whether or not there is a potential threat.".
The Merkelites, Johnsonites, And Obamanistas
Are Here – Who Are They?
Rick Wells.
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Hilly Project on track 'to take her out'
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The scandal-prone Clintons
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{wnd.com} ~ The Hilly Clinton Investigative Justice Project has reached its first threshold, having raised sufficient funds to continue its investigative series into the presidential candidate for illegal activities... and to prepare a series of hard-hitting reports for WND that will lead to criminal charges being filed against her at the state level, if the Justice Department fails to indict her. The investigative research began with a series of more than 20 articles written by WND senior staff writer Jerome Corsi beginning in April 2015 portraying the Clinton Family Foundation as a vast, criminal enterprise, designed to enrich the Clintons personally as well as their close friends. “In the coming weeks and months, WND plans to present undeniable and irrefutable evidence of actual crimes, gross Internal Revenue Service violations, as well as national security breaches by Hilly Clinton currently under investigation by the FBI,” said Joseph Farah, editor of WND. “Though Barack nObama’s U.S. Justice Department appears unwilling to indict her for these crimes, we believe there is a strong likelihood that one or more state attorney generals will do so if provided with the evidence. That’s what the Hilly Project is all about.” http://www.wnd.com/2016/01/hillary-project-on-track-to-take-her-out/?AID=7236.
SOCOM Wants Quiet!
American Lives in Danger
Dan De Luce
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Mideast Christian Suffering, U.S. Denial
Raymond Ibrahim
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Terrorists Likely Hiding in Un-Policed
'Jungle' Camp in France
Joe A. Gilbertson
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Tented migrant camp called the Jungle, near Calais France
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{punchingbagpost.com} ~ Former Chief of Counter Terror in London visited the "Jungle" migrant camp near Calais, France, a tented city completely un-policed, where crime is flourishing... According to the Daily Mail, he was told there are definitely Jihadists in this camp. He later stated this is a 'potential hiding place'for ISIS supporters who can wait here for a chance to be smuggled in the UK. Kevin Hurley, who is Surrey’s police and crime commissioner and a former head of counter-terrorism at City of London police, went with a BBC documentary team to visit the ‘Jungle’, the tented city on the edge of Calais that has become a magnet for migrants trying to sneak into Britain. Calais, at the northern tipe of France, is a major historical transportation route between France and Britain. http://punchingbagpost.com/terrorists-likely-hiding-in-un-policed-jungle-camp-in-france.
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Glick: Hope is Not a Strategy
Caroline Glick
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On Wednesday Chaim Levinson reported in Haaretz that for the first time in nearly two years, last week the Civil Administration of Judea and Samaria approved new building plans for a small number of Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria.
On Wednesday Chaim Levinson reported in Haaretz that for the first time in nearly two years, last week the Civil Administration of Judea and Samaria approved new building plans for a small number of Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria.
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Levinson also reported that last month Jerusalem’s municipal planning and building commission gave final approval to plans to build nearly 900 housing units in the southern neighborhood of Gilo. Initial approval was granted back in 2012.
Levinson also reported that last month Jerusalem’s municipal planning and building commission gave final approval to plans to build nearly 900 housing units in the southern neighborhood of Gilo. Initial approval was granted back in 2012.
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But in the intervening three years, the commission refused to allow them to go forward.
But in the intervening three years, the commission refused to allow them to go forward.
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From the report, we learn that the government’s critics in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria who claimed that it was barring Jewish building were right all along. Despite the government’s denials, the fact is that for at least the last year and a half, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his ministers maintained an undeclared freeze on construction for Israeli Jews in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria.
From the report, we learn that the government’s critics in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria who claimed that it was barring Jewish building were right all along. Despite the government’s denials, the fact is that for at least the last year and a half, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his ministers maintained an undeclared freeze on construction for Israeli Jews in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria.
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During this period, Jews have only been permitted to build in these areas either on the basis of plans that had received final approval before the unofficial freeze took effect, or in cases where refusal to approve building would have involved admitting that a freeze was in effect. So, for instance, in areas where the rights of Jews to their property in Judea and Samaria have been challenged before the Supreme Court by EU-financed Israeli NGOs like Yesh Din, the government has defended those rights and so given permission for Jews to exercise their property rights.
During this period, Jews have only been permitted to build in these areas either on the basis of plans that had received final approval before the unofficial freeze took effect, or in cases where refusal to approve building would have involved admitting that a freeze was in effect. So, for instance, in areas where the rights of Jews to their property in Judea and Samaria have been challenged before the Supreme Court by EU-financed Israeli NGOs like Yesh Din, the government has defended those rights and so given permission for Jews to exercise their property rights.
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The government opted to enact this unofficial building freeze, and so trample the civil rights of hundreds of thousands of Israeli citizens, in the hopes of convincing the nObama administration to protect Israel from Palestinian efforts to pass anti-Israel resolutions at the UN Security Council.
The government opted to enact this unofficial building freeze, and so trample the civil rights of hundreds of thousands of Israeli citizens, in the hopes of convincing the nObama administration to protect Israel from Palestinian efforts to pass anti-Israel resolutions at the UN Security Council.
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It might have been possible to justify the government’s behavior – or at least to understand it – if it had brought about the hoped for benefits.
It might have been possible to justify the government’s behavior – or at least to understand it – if it had brought about the hoped for benefits.
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If President Barack nObama had responded to Netanyahu’s radical concession by burying the hatchet and supporting Israel at the UN and on the international stage more generally, then perhaps the move would have been worth it.
If President Barack nObama had responded to Netanyahu’s radical concession by burying the hatchet and supporting Israel at the UN and on the international stage more generally, then perhaps the move would have been worth it.
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But that didn’t happen. Over the past 18 months, the administration – backed by much of the Israeli Left – has escalated its anti-Israel policies and rhetoric. Even as the government curtailed the property rights of Israeli Jews in the hopes of appeasing him, nObama along with Secretary of State John hanoi-Kerry has led the charge in wrongly blaming Israel for the absence of peace with the Palestinians.
But that didn’t happen. Over the past 18 months, the administration – backed by much of the Israeli Left – has escalated its anti-Israel policies and rhetoric. Even as the government curtailed the property rights of Israeli Jews in the hopes of appeasing him, nObama along with Secretary of State John hanoi-Kerry has led the charge in wrongly blaming Israel for the absence of peace with the Palestinians.
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nObama and hanoi-Kerry have engaged in acts of deliberate libel by falsely accusing Israel of institutional racism against the Palestinians in Judea and Samaria.
nObama and hanoi-Kerry have engaged in acts of deliberate libel by falsely accusing Israel of institutional racism against the Palestinians in Judea and Samaria.
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As for the UN, both nObama and hanoi-Kerry – along with their advisers – have repeatedly threatened to allow anti-Israel resolutions to be passed in the Security Council.
As for the UN, both nObama and hanoi-Kerry – along with their advisers – have repeatedly threatened to allow anti-Israel resolutions to be passed in the Security Council.
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The message the administration is sending through its continued aggression is plain to see. It has no interest in being appeased by Israel, and as a result, no concessions Israel makes will satisfy it or diminish its desire to downgrade the US-Israel alliance and weaken Israel diplomatically.
The message the administration is sending through its continued aggression is plain to see. It has no interest in being appeased by Israel, and as a result, no concessions Israel makes will satisfy it or diminish its desire to downgrade the US-Israel alliance and weaken Israel diplomatically.
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nObama’s beef is not with building for Jews beyond the 1949 armistice lines. Attacking Jewish building is merely a means for attacking Israel.
nObama’s beef is not with building for Jews beyond the 1949 armistice lines. Attacking Jewish building is merely a means for attacking Israel.
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In the absence of such building, nObama and his advisers have been quick to make up new excuses for condemning Israel.
In the absence of such building, nObama and his advisers have been quick to make up new excuses for condemning Israel.
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The undeclared and unrewarded building freeze isn’t the only policy the government has implemented to the detriment of Israel’s national interest in the unfounded hope of satisfying hostile foreign governments.
The undeclared and unrewarded building freeze isn’t the only policy the government has implemented to the detriment of Israel’s national interest in the unfounded hope of satisfying hostile foreign governments.
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There is also its policy in regard to Israeli-registered NGOs that operate as agents of foreign governments in their efforts to subvert the government and harm the state.
There is also its policy in regard to Israeli-registered NGOs that operate as agents of foreign governments in their efforts to subvert the government and harm the state.
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According to a report published earlier this month by NGO Monitor, between 2012 and 2014, foreign governments transferred a whopping NIS 169,728,500 to 27 organizations registered as Israeli nonprofits. Foreign government funding comprised 65 percent of overall funding for these highly political, anti-Israel groups.
According to a report published earlier this month by NGO Monitor, between 2012 and 2014, foreign governments transferred a whopping NIS 169,728,500 to 27 organizations registered as Israeli nonprofits. Foreign government funding comprised 65 percent of overall funding for these highly political, anti-Israel groups.
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Twenty of the 27 groups in question receive the majority of their funding from foreign governments either directly or through third party organizations. Since these groups are registered as nonprofits, the funds they receive from foreign governments are tax exempt. In other words, Israeli taxpayers are subsidizing agents of foreign governments.
Twenty of the 27 groups in question receive the majority of their funding from foreign governments either directly or through third party organizations. Since these groups are registered as nonprofits, the funds they receive from foreign governments are tax exempt. In other words, Israeli taxpayers are subsidizing agents of foreign governments.
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These groups, which include the likes of B’Tselem, Breaking the Silence, Yesh Din, Machsom Watch, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, and Adalah, work together and separately in a bid to make it impossible as a practical matter for Israel to defend itself against terrorist groups or to respect the civil rights of its Jewish citizens, including their rights to property and self-defense. Moreover, they work to criminalize Israel’s leaders and soldiers internationally while promoting BDS.
These groups, which include the likes of B’Tselem, Breaking the Silence, Yesh Din, Machsom Watch, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, and Adalah, work together and separately in a bid to make it impossible as a practical matter for Israel to defend itself against terrorist groups or to respect the civil rights of its Jewish citizens, including their rights to property and self-defense. Moreover, they work to criminalize Israel’s leaders and soldiers internationally while promoting BDS.
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Given their activities and goals, it is self-evident that these groups are a threat to the national interests of Israel. They cause it great harm both domestically and internationally.
Given their activities and goals, it is self-evident that these groups are a threat to the national interests of Israel. They cause it great harm both domestically and internationally.
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As the public’s awareness of the threat posed by these foreign government-funded groups has grown in recent years, Knesset members have repeatedly introduced legislation geared toward curbing their activities.
As the public’s awareness of the threat posed by these foreign government-funded groups has grown in recent years, Knesset members have repeatedly introduced legislation geared toward curbing their activities.
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Not surprisingly, given the fact that foreign governments – principally from the EU and its member states – are funding and so directing the actions of these groups, each time the Knesset tried to rein them in, those efforts have been immediately and viciously attacked by the governments of Europe, the EU, the nObama administration, the groups themselves, the international media and the Israeli Left.
Not surprisingly, given the fact that foreign governments – principally from the EU and its member states – are funding and so directing the actions of these groups, each time the Knesset tried to rein them in, those efforts have been immediately and viciously attacked by the governments of Europe, the EU, the nObama administration, the groups themselves, the international media and the Israeli Left.
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Each time, the attacks have been the same. The foreign governments and their allies in the media and the Israeli Left, including their employees, have insisted that any move by the Knesset to restrain, regulate or otherwise expose their hostile activities constitutes nothing less than a deadly assault on Israeli democracy.
Each time, the attacks have been the same. The foreign governments and their allies in the media and the Israeli Left, including their employees, have insisted that any move by the Knesset to restrain, regulate or otherwise expose their hostile activities constitutes nothing less than a deadly assault on Israeli democracy.
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The criticism is absurd on its face, and represents pure projection. After all, it is hard to imagine a more direct assault against a nation’s democratic system than foreign governmental funding of domestic groups whose goal is to delegitimize and vilify their government and country.
The criticism is absurd on its face, and represents pure projection. After all, it is hard to imagine a more direct assault against a nation’s democratic system than foreign governmental funding of domestic groups whose goal is to delegitimize and vilify their government and country.
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These ridiculous attacks on government attempts to regulate the actions of foreign-funded anti-Israel groups beg for an unapologetic counter assault from the government. Distressingly, rather than strike the necessarily blow, time after time the government has crumpled.
These ridiculous attacks on government attempts to regulate the actions of foreign-funded anti-Israel groups beg for an unapologetic counter assault from the government. Distressingly, rather than strike the necessarily blow, time after time the government has crumpled.
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One after another, NGO bills have been abandoned or watered down to the point of fecklessness.
One after another, NGO bills have been abandoned or watered down to the point of fecklessness.
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Today Israel is being subjected yet again to the coordinated assault of the phony “champions of democracy.” As in the past, the nObama administration has joined forces with the EU, the Israeli Left and the Western media to attack the government for its support for Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked’s NGO Transparency Bill.
Today Israel is being subjected yet again to the coordinated assault of the phony “champions of democracy.” As in the past, the nObama administration has joined forces with the EU, the Israeli Left and the Western media to attack the government for its support for Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked’s NGO Transparency Bill.
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Given the unhinged nature of the attacks, one could reasonably assume that this time, the government is serious. But alas, as in the past, one would be wrong.
Given the unhinged nature of the attacks, one could reasonably assume that this time, the government is serious. But alas, as in the past, one would be wrong.
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There is nothing in Shaked’s bill that will do significant damage to either the Israeli groups or their foreign governmental funders. For instance, Shaked’s bill does not remove these groups’ nonprofit status. Under the Shaked bill, foreign government- funded groups that vilify the IDF and its soldiers like Breaking the Silence will continue to enjoy the same tax exemptions as real nonprofits like the IDF’s widows and orphans fund.
There is nothing in Shaked’s bill that will do significant damage to either the Israeli groups or their foreign governmental funders. For instance, Shaked’s bill does not remove these groups’ nonprofit status. Under the Shaked bill, foreign government- funded groups that vilify the IDF and its soldiers like Breaking the Silence will continue to enjoy the same tax exemptions as real nonprofits like the IDF’s widows and orphans fund.
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Shaked’s bill only treats as foreign agents organizations that receive the majority of their funding from foreign governments. But the distinction between Yesh Din, which receives 93% of its funding from foreign governments, and Machsom Watch of which Yesh Din is a spinoff, which receives 47% of its funding from foreign governments, is entirely arbitrary. Both groups are beholden to foreign governments. Both are foreign agents.
Shaked’s bill only treats as foreign agents organizations that receive the majority of their funding from foreign governments. But the distinction between Yesh Din, which receives 93% of its funding from foreign governments, and Machsom Watch of which Yesh Din is a spinoff, which receives 47% of its funding from foreign governments, is entirely arbitrary. Both groups are beholden to foreign governments. Both are foreign agents.
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Like its decision to freeze Jewish building projects, the government’s decision to water down the NGO Transparency Bill was clearly motivated by its hope of winning points with hostile governments. It is hard not to sympathize with this hope. But the fact that it comes from an understandable impulse doesn’t make the government’s behavior rational. As the unhinged criticisms directed at the bill from the US and EU make clear, they are not impressed, indeed they couldn’t care less about the government’s attempt to mollify them by advancing a bill devoid of substance.
Like its decision to freeze Jewish building projects, the government’s decision to water down the NGO Transparency Bill was clearly motivated by its hope of winning points with hostile governments. It is hard not to sympathize with this hope. But the fact that it comes from an understandable impulse doesn’t make the government’s behavior rational. As the unhinged criticisms directed at the bill from the US and EU make clear, they are not impressed, indeed they couldn’t care less about the government’s attempt to mollify them by advancing a bill devoid of substance.
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The lesson from these miserable experiences is clear enough. Since Israel is going to be attacked no matter what it does, we might as well do things that advance our interests.
The lesson from these miserable experiences is clear enough. Since Israel is going to be attacked no matter what it does, we might as well do things that advance our interests.
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Since we will be vilified for building “settlements” even when the government freezes construction, we might as well build settlements.
Since we will be vilified for building “settlements” even when the government freezes construction, we might as well build settlements.
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Since the price for expanding existing buildings is the same as the price for building new neighborhoods and communities, there is no reason to pay full price for a fraction of the benefit. Indeed, since the nObama administration and the EU plan to attack us no matter what we do, we might as well go ahead and apply Israeli law to the Jordan Valley and Gush Etzion.
Since the price for expanding existing buildings is the same as the price for building new neighborhoods and communities, there is no reason to pay full price for a fraction of the benefit. Indeed, since the nObama administration and the EU plan to attack us no matter what we do, we might as well go ahead and apply Israeli law to the Jordan Valley and Gush Etzion.
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Likewise, since the same forces will viciously condemn us for advancing legislation that will do nothing to curb their funding for Israeli agents or curtail the hostile actions of those agents, we might as well get viciously attacked for doing something to curb their funding and curtail their actions. Given the ferocity of the criticism Israel is enduring over the Shaked bill, it makes sense to redraft the bill and turn it into something useful.
Likewise, since the same forces will viciously condemn us for advancing legislation that will do nothing to curb their funding for Israeli agents or curtail the hostile actions of those agents, we might as well get viciously attacked for doing something to curb their funding and curtail their actions. Given the ferocity of the criticism Israel is enduring over the Shaked bill, it makes sense to redraft the bill and turn it into something useful.
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We get it. The nObama administration and the EU aren’t attacking Israel because we did something wrong. They’re attacking us because they want to hurt us. That is their goal. Recognizing this sorry truth, the public elected the Likud and its coalition partners to defend our interests and our rights. Hope is not a strategy. Building new communities and neighborhoods, expanding the writ of Israeli law and curtailing the activities of subversive foreign agents is a strategy. And a good one.
We get it. The nObama administration and the EU aren’t attacking Israel because we did something wrong. They’re attacking us because they want to hurt us. That is their goal. Recognizing this sorry truth, the public elected the Likud and its coalition partners to defend our interests and our rights. Hope is not a strategy. Building new communities and neighborhoods, expanding the writ of Israeli law and curtailing the activities of subversive foreign agents is a strategy. And a good one.
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