"An Evening with Yehudah and Shomron" - Video - Part 3

An Evening with Yehudah and Shomron, Part 3 from josephinejosephine on Vimeo.

Part 3 of Dutch's video features the conclusion of Marc Prowisor's excellent speech and includes the question and answer period.

Watch the beginning of Marc's speech here.

One of the most gripping moments of his speech, for me, was when he referred to, "These gallows that people call peace." He also dismisses the notion of a Palestinian ethnicity.

I'm still awaiting approval to post Part 4 with the concluding remarks by a member of the community.

"An Evening with Yehudah and Shomron" - Video - Part 2

An Evening with Yehudah and Shomron, Part 2 from josephinejosephine on Vimeo.

In Part 2 of Dutch's video, Marc Prowisor talks about his life and work in Judea and Samaria.

From 1996-2006, Marc was head of security in Shilo, Israel. During that time, he responded to more than 100 terrorist attacks. He works now as a consultant and adviser on security and terrorism issues around the world.

This man knows what he's talking about. He has a unique perspective and he's not a politician, so he doesn't pull any punches: he tells you what he really thinks.

Marc's speech concludes in Part 3, which I will post as soon as it is uploaded.

Note: Although it says Part 2 of 3, there might be a Part 4. I realized I hadn't obtained permission from the man who made the concluding remarks of the evening, so I'm waiting for that before I upload his speech.

"An Evening with Yehudah and Shomron" - Video - Part 1

An Evening with Yehudah and Shomron, Part 1 from josephinejosephine on Vimeo.

Marc Prowisor, director of security projects for the One Israel Fund and former head of security for Shilo, Israel, was the featured speaker at "An Evening with Yehudah and Shomron" at Shaarei Tefillah Synagogue, Toronto, on October 18, 2009.

In Part 1 of Dutch's video, Rabbi Moshe Stern and Rabbi Gary Zweig introduce Marc Prowisor.

Note: Although it says Part 1 of 3, there might be a Part 4. I realized I hadn't obtained permission from the man who made the concluding remarks of the evening, so I'm waiting for that before I upload his speech.

"An Evening with Yehudah and Shomron"

Dutch and I had the pleasure and privilege of hearing Marc Prowisor speak at the Shaarei Tefillah Synagogue last night about his experiences as the Chief Army Security Coordinator for Shilo, Israel from 1996-2006 and his current work as Director of Security Projects for the One Israel Fund. He spoke of the thriving Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria (a.k.a. the West Bank), the fact of Jewish ownership of the land of Israel and the challenges and joys of living there.

Marc has a blog called Yesha Views. I'll be reading it.

Before Marc spoke, we were treated to a lovely photo presentation by Ezra Ridgley. It was interesting and refreshing to see photos of the homes, neighbourhoods and residents of so many towns in Judea and Samaria. The people we saw depicted were not religious zealots: they were normal people. They are not "settlers". The homes, neighourhoods and beautiful terrain reminded Dutch of a city in California. They are not "settlements".

I was expecting to see overcrowded areas with houses or shanties at least as close together as they are in the old city of Toronto. And homeless Muslim people forced to live in cardboard boxes. But no: it looks like there is a lot of room for growth in the area. I don't know what all the fuss is about over allowing young Jewish couples to build homes near their parents so they can keep their families together.

Ezra has written a book called, Judea and Samaria; The Land of G-d. We bought a copy (part of the proceeds of his book sales last night went to the One Israel Fund) and I am looking forward to reading it.

I was not familiar with the One Israel Fund before last night. They are doing good work.

I'm pretty sure I was told that Marc was interviewed by the Jewish Tribune, so I'll be looking for it in this week's issue.

Correction: Marc's interview with the Jewish Tribune has already appeared and you can read it here.

Dutch videotaped the speeches. We'll put the video up as soon as we can. Marc is a dynamic speaker; I know you'll enjoy it.

Another Friday, another protest against Israel - Part 1

"End stealing land. End oppression."

A handful of people stood in front of the Israeli consulate in Toronto for about an hour last evening to protest against Israel. What was it about this time? Let's see: they're against the Dead Sea Scrolls, they're for the BDS* (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) Movement, and someone named Mohammad Othman is supposedly in prison in Israel merely for speaking out against "Israeli apartheid". That's all he's done, really.

A young man handing out flyers told me that something like 200 innocent Palestinians have been imprisoned in Israel for the sole act of speaking out. I said, "They'll be putting Richard Goldstone in jail next," and he answered seriously that he doubted it but if Goldstone were Palestinian, then for sure he'd be jailed. I asked the young man how he knew for certain about Mohammad Othman and he said he'd read it on a website.

I'm in a hurry this morning but the only results I get from a quick internet search are blog posts on anti-Israel blogs. I'll look later for real documentation on this person. Suffice it to say that I highly doubt that anyone has been imprisoned in Israel merely for speaking publicly against the country.

*Am I the only person who remembers when BDS stood for Bush Derangement Syndrome?

Update: From the comments:

"The young man handing out flyers (me) told you about around 500 (not 200) administrative detainees (including women and children) who are held in Israeli jails indefinitely and without charge. Mohammad Othman was put in administrative detention after returning from Europe where he was speaking about BDS."

Another Friday, another protest against Israel - Part 2

(The lone dissenter across the street.)

Word on the Street 2009 - Part 12 - Vote from Abroad

If you click on the bottom photo, you should be able to read this woman's sign, which says:

Democrats Abroad
U.S./Dual Citizens
Living in Canada
Register to Vote in
U.S. Elections
www.votefromabroad.org

She passed by me a few times during the hour that I was at Word on the Street. I don't know if she had or needed permission to walk around with her sign or if anyone can just show up with a sign there. Maybe I'll show up next year with a sign that says "Jesus is the only begotten Son of God" and walk around and see what happens. Or maybe I'll advocate the political positions of Charles Manson, since it's okay to promote the cold-blooded killer Che Guevara. Just think of the possibilities...

Word on the Street 2009 - Part 11 - Pathfinder Books

Pathfinder Books: presenting Malcolm X, Che Guevara, Thomas Sankara, the Communist Manifesto and The Jewish Question.

(Click to enlarge.)

Word on the Street 2009 - Part 10 - Pathfinder Books

This is the other side of the Communist League flyer that was given to me at the Pathfinder Books booth at Word on the Street.

An excerpt:

"The working class needs to answer this war on our class by organizing a revolutionary struggle to take state power out of the hands of the rulers. We must reorganize the economy and all social relations, from top to bottom, in the interests of workers and farmers."

Click to enlarge and read it all.

My interpretation: Let's fire the rulers so we can rule over you. Let's throw out all the laws because our laws are better and we know best. Because Communism has always worked so well for the people.

Note: "All social relations" means they'll even dictate the correct way to conduct your relationships with friends and family.

Word on the Street 2009 - Part 9 - Pathfinder Books

This Communist League flyer was given to me by the folks at the Pathfinder Books booth.

Some of their demands:

"Nationalization of the land and housing stock. This is the only way to guarantee working people inexpensive, attractive, and quality housing without fear of eviction by a landlord or foreclosure by a bank...

"Guaranteed lifetime medical care and retirement pensions for all...

"End all income taxes on workers."

Click to enlarge and read the rest.