Remembering Israel's "Tentifada"~Part II

On 15 January 2018, we re-posted part I of a film on the 2011 "Tentifada" Protests that took part across Israel.

David and Daniel Rawlings traveled from Be'er Sheva to Tel Aviv and on to Kiryat Shmona to speak to Israelis of all ages who had set up an impromptu protest against the government.

In locations from north to south there were tents, lawn chairs, snacks, drinks and Bar-B-Qs set up. There were many complaints. One of the biggest was the fact that rents were so intolerably high and wages so intolerably low.

In Part 1~David spoke to protesters in Be'er Sheva and Tel Aviv. In Part II the traveled to Kiryat Shmona and back to Jerusalem. The overall mood was surprisingly mellow. Yes, people were frustrated~they camped out in protest, but they did it peacefully!

Israel is not a perfect country, her citizens are not shy about making their frustration known, but for the most part they remain steadfast and loyal.

Remembering Israel's "Tentifada"~Part II

Remember the Tentifada in 2011?

“Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the ends of the earth.

Among them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and the one who labours with child together,A great throng shall return there. They shall come with weeping…”Jeremiah 31:8,9a.

In spite of her neighbours with their ongoing lies and continuous attacks, paradoxically, Israel IS Noah's Arc for Jews according to the Almighty. They began to return home in the 1880's. No nation wanted Jews. If you doubt this, do a little checking, (Canada included!) The situation only grew worse during WWII. Poor Jews returned to Biblical Zion with weeping weakened by disease and malnutrition just as the Prophets perceived and faithfully penned. This is what makes Israel absolutely unique! Oh, how we love to work to encourage any we meet, to come and take their rightful place here in history...this has always been an underlying goal of our original call, which sent us to Jewish Communities world wide.

Wanting now to focus on inside of Israel, we at Israel Vision are re-posting this production from the summer of 2011. Israelis of all ages were out in protest, locally known as the Tentifada, living in tents and trying to tell the government that they must keep their promises to their citizens. Did these protests bring significant change?

Israel is not a perfect country, but it is the only Democracy in the Middle East and our people for the most part remain steadfast and loyal. However, many people, young and old alike, have reached the breaking point. Today, in 2018 is again one of those times.

Anyone who has lived in Israel can attest to the fact that the rents and cost of living are extremely high, and wages are low. Compared to the USA, we pay 23% more in our "cost of living index".  At the same time, the wages are disgracefully low...so low in fact that a large sector of society can barely afford to rent the meanest of places. The idea of owning an apartment is now, "pie in the sky”, to say nothing of ever owning a house.

To buy a very small apartment will cost about 1.5 to 2 million shekels (between 4-5 hundred thousand dollars). The banks do not give mortgages easily. You must have at least 25% down, and an income of about 20,000 shekels per month, (US 6,000). The long and short of it is: most ordinary people barely earn above minimum wage of 5,000 shekels or US 1,500 dollars per month.

As for rentals, if you live around Jerusalem you will be lucky to find something for under 5,000 shekels (about $1,500) per month. In Israel you must also add property taxes (yes, the renter pays the taxes), building upkeep, and Insurance in addition to the on going monthly expenses of electricity, water, gas and phone/internet/cable. All this for a tiny place with no closets, cupboards, appliances and in most cases no light fixtures. Of course, there are always "good deals" but they are few and far in between and there will be dozens of people wanting them. No wonder people are up in arms. We are a hungry country with 1 in 3 children in Israel living in poverty. Can you believe that? Its a shocker!

So…in frustration and desperation people set up tents and protest. Today, almost seven years on we must ask, "are things any better?" To be honest, there have been improvements for the disabled which everyone is happy about, but the high cost of living~as in most countries~continues and more and more Israelis are falling through the cracks.

Tentifada in Israel (2011) Part I

Left-wing, Anti-Israel Canadians Arrested in Egypt~Oh Dear!

Michael Coren Presents Some Facts~Why Should Tax-Payers Have to Bail Them Out?

The IDF Soldier vs The Anarchist (Some Facts)

The Danish Anti-Israel Zealot~Yes, that is exactly what he was~made headlines around the world and started yet another round of Israel bashing. 

He Was There To Provoke A Confrontation! Sure enough, when a clip was posted showing him being struck by an IDF soldier, the main stream media (even in Israel) jumped on the story like a bunch of piranhas. One person however, took the time to investigate...

Do Watch and Listen to what Michael Coren has to say~This is Very Good!

The Occupy Crowd vs. The Nativity Scene

There are just no words...

Protests in Israel~A Jewish Summer?

The Protest Tour (A to E)

The week before the attacks on southern Israel, David and Daniel decided to visit the various protest sites around the country. Leaving Jerusalem (A), early in the morning their first stop was in Be'er Sheva (B), located on the northern edge of the Negev desert, 115 kilometres south-east of Tel Aviv and 120 kilometres south-west of Jerusalem. 

Be'er Sheva Tents

Initially, there was a local population of refugees from Arab countries. A wave of immigrants from Russia followed.  In 1982, when Israel airlifted a large part of the Ethiopian Jewish community to Israel, many were settled in Be'er Sheva. Add to this an assortment of native Israelis and immigrants from around the world and you have the general population of about that today numbers about 195,000.

The protesters in Be'er Sheva, like the rest of the country have real concerns about being able to afford a basic existence. For some, the thought of buying an apartment will never be an option, while for others the concern is whether they could afford any kind of a roof over their heads at all. Make no mistake, their issues are very real, as is their desire to have meaningful dialogue towards finding a solution to these problems.

After speaking to some of the tent city residents, David and Daniel headed off to the bustling city of Tel Aviv (C).

With a population of about 404,000 Tel Aviv is second only to Jerusalem in size. Located on the sea,  and boasting high-rises, big business and hi-tech, Tel Aviv tends to attract the secular section of the population, and is considered (by some) to be the New York of the Middle-East.

Rothschild Boulevard, Tel Aviv

The protesters chose one of the poshest areas in the city center~the elite,  Rothschild Boulevard. This is where the protests began and surely where the largest number of tents are to be found.

It is no surprise that the residents, who are living in some of Israel's most expensive real estate, were less than enthusiastic to see a "tent city" spring up in their front yard, complete with kitchens and porta-potties!

Just like in Be'er Sheva, the people David spoke with  had varied, yet similar reasons for their "tent city".  One man mused that people had become "bored with life"...You are born~you die~and unless you are a genius there is nothing in between.

In the Streets of Tel Aviv

Those who came out to protest and live in the tents varied in age. Many were young adults who were struggling to find their way through the education system in hopes of building a future.

High university fees and sky rocketing rents, combined with an almost complete lack of available housing is their main concern. Add to that a wage system that has remained stagnant while  prices continue to rise, and you have the problem.

But, it is not only the young who are out in force! 

Everyone is Participating!

Those who are well past middle age see little hope of ever retiring~even with the most modest lifestyle.

For years salaries have stayed unreasonably low, while the cost of living has risen at a frightening pace. This combination means that many are forced to work well into their seventies (or until they die), with no chance of a reprieve~They cannot afford to stop working!

This is not a sudden phenomenon, rather, it has been brewing for years, until finally, the  middle class citizens of Israel decided to take to the streets. Some claim that the Arab Spring spreading throughout the middle east was a catalyst, but there is a big difference between Israel and the Arab protests. Israel is a peaceful, democratic state, whose citizens are free to select their government via voting. Israel's protesters want a peaceful dialogue that will bring about a reasonable solution. They only ask that the government fulfill promises made over the years.

Kiryat Shmona

From Tel Aviv, the next stop was the northern town of Kiryat Shmona (D), named for the "eight" men who died defending the area during the 1920 Arab revolt. The population is  about 23,100~of which one third are under the age of nineteen.

One young girl told David that she was a student and worked two jobs~yet she had nothing. She reiterated that she was "fine" but she was only existing, nothing more. She worried that future children would question why nobody acted to change things for the better.

Galilee

After a quick stop in the Galilee (E), it was time to head for home and try to digest what was taking place across the country.

Simply put, Israeli wages are abnormally low, and prices unusually high~with the gap widening. The average citizens across the country, work long hours, to barely put food on the table and  have a roof over their heads. Anything more, any future hope, is slim~and for the most, almost impossible.

People need salaries that are in line with the cost of living. The (almost) total lack of affordable living space means that up to 80% of one's earnings  will only pay for a tiny room. There is no hope in this situation!

Yes, there are those with hidden agendas, and some who want a free ride, but the majority of Israelis ask only for a fair wage for an honest days work and the chance to build a future.

It's time...Hopefully the Israeli government is listening.

Protests in Israel~Part 1


Protests in Israel~Part 2

Bus With Hamas Families Stopped by Shalit Protesters

Hamas Mocks Kidnapped Gilad Shalit

The world news is not publishing this one! The friends and supporters of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit staged a "hi-jacking" of a busload of Gazans returning from visiting Hamas prisoners. The event was six weeks in planning and was executed peacefully and perfectly. After a couple of hours the police arrived and the bus continued on its way~there were no arrests. The people aboard were very frightened even though all that took place was conversation~they knew full well that if the situation had been reversed there would not be one Israeli left alive...

The reason? Gilad Shalit was kidnapped on 25 June 2006, by Hamas terrorists, on a raid inside Israel. During the attack two soldiers were killed and another wounded.  Since that day, Gilad has been held without contact, most likely in an underground bunker~not even seeing the light of day! To date, the only contact between Shalit and the outside world has been three letters, an audio tape, and on 02 October 2009, a DVD that Israel received in return for releasing 20 female Palestinian prisoners. Since then there has been "no sign of life".

Meanwhile, Hamas murderers in Israeli prisons lay around getting fat watching Colour TV,  earn Masters Degrees, and much more~including Regular Visits With Their Families! Hamas will not even allow the Red Cross to send a package to Gilad or confirm he is even alive. Yet the world wants Israel to free thousands of murders for his release?? 

For all the countries who combined donations send billions of dollars to the "PA" you should know that from your money, murderers and terrorists in Israeli jails receive hefty stipends every month, as do their families. The more Israelis killed~the higher the stipend they receive. When the Free Gaza people came to town, Gilad's father asked them to take a single letter and request it be given to his son~they categorically refused~scum that they are.

Next week David will be on-site filming an event for Gilad Shalit, We will post it here, among other places. If you want to help, Spread the News to everyone you know. Write your officials and demand that funds to terrorists be stopped! It is time we bring Gilad home. Stay tuned...

Bus of Hamas Families Stopped

Swedish Welfare is Abusive~Somalians Protest

This article was posted by Tundra Tabloids about a demonstration of new Swedish immigrants that took place in front of the Social Welfare Office. It is obvious that these people from Somalia know how to protest and state their demands, but they do not seem to want jobs.

If there is anyone from Sweden reading--I would be very interested in printing your comments...

Protest in the Canadian Parliament

A 21-year-old girl became an instant celebrity Friday after she silently disrupted the Speech from the Throne by holding up a “Stop Harper” sign she had smuggled in under her skirt. She was escorted out and fired from her job in the Senate, but says she is elated by the positive reaction to her 20-second act of civil disobedience. I will not print the name, but you can read the article HERE.

The key point is not the protest. She was hired as a page, then abused her position. Her grievances are not the issue--she  has every right to protest, but she should do it on her own time, not while on the job--even if that job is in parliament.

She now claims to have received job offers, but her focus is on building a strong “resistance movement” and she is looking forward to some coming rallies. According to the article she says the Conservative Government policies on the environment, especially climate change, are destructive. She wants Ottawa to spend less on fighter jets and corporate tax cuts and more on social programs. It would be interesting to know how she plans to fund her resistance movement--with help from corporations or perhaps by government grants?

So, here is yet another young person, not interested in finding a job to earn a living, but  in protesting--and for what? The climate change issue is a book series in itself,  however, the area of social programs is interesting. Is she campaigning for more jobs for the unemployed, help for business start ups or things like not shipping jobs abroad? Does this mean she wants more handouts for those who will spend the majority of their lives living off the  taxpayer's purse? Here is another example of the socialist mindset that the schools are embedding in our youth--to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars. 

The idea of working hard for your pay, earning what you want, seems to be long gone. Now, the new mantra is social programs, and protests to make the government pay. Sadly, not one of them is asking just how they expect the government to pay when the number of people  putting money into the tax system will soon be surpassed by the number drawing it out.

In Syria~You Protest and We Kill You

This film shows how Syria deals with those who do not toe the party line. What is interesting is that around 1:45 a man says in Arabic "We're not Israelis--Why are they shooting us like we are Israelis?". You see, in the Muslim world, shooting Israelis is like swatting a fly. That in itself is disturbing. Even more so is that the USA, UN and EU have remained steadfastly reserved on issuing any condemnations or taking actions--except for Libya where they are assisting the rebels--who are backed by and include Al Quaeda. 

Compare this milk-toast reaction to the world outcry that went up when Israel announced that it had approved "one stage" of a plan to build apartments for Jews--plans which had begun many years before, to build in areas that are part of and will remain part of Israel. I'll bet the UN is right now busily drafting up more sanctions against Israel.

Defending Israel against Hitler Youth Week

Do you live in the USA? Are you aware of what your colleges and universities are promoting? The hate and lies have gone beyond youthful hi-jinks. They carry the words of Hamas:  There is no place for you (Jews) among us. You are headed toward annihilation...Mahmoud Al-Zahar. They use student funds to put up "walls of lies" showing totally false information demonizing Israel and painting murderous terrorists as victims. They follow the  ideals of Mein Kampf--what started as an Arab war, then became a Muslim war, is now being brought to  western university and college campuses. It is not only the USA--this campaign of hate is taking place all over the free world.

I urge you to watch this film--and think about what the schools of today are teaching. The time to choose is now--Do you want to follow the lies of Muslim terrorists who fight for  world domination under Sharia Law--that will annihilate our Judeo Christian life, values and belief system? or Do you  stand for freedom and democracy...

Egyptian Army Demolishes Fence Protecting Coptic Christians

I urge you to go to Vlad Tepes HERE and read the entire story HERE.  Egyptian armed forces this week demolished fences surrounding ancient Coptic monasteries, leaving them vulnerable to attacks by armed Arabs, robbers and escaped prisoners, who have seized the opportunity of the state of diminished protection by the authorities in Egypt to carry out assaults and thefts.

What follows is the details of the deliberate move on the part of Egyptian armed forces to render the monks defenseless. Around 2:45 you see and army vehicle coming through the break, hear gunshots, and see at least one man who has been wounded. With the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood be prepared for more terror.

Auzie Burka Rally Turns Violent

Redegalli and His Mural

Some time ago artist Sergio Redegalli painted a mural on the outer wall of his studis and it has caused riots (literally) in Australia. The mural saying "No" to Burkas was intended as a point for debate, but it immediately caused an uproar and a complaint was lodged by a woman with the Anti-Discrimination Board, saying: ''It's Islamophobic; it's feeding the racist and sexist attitudes we have in our society.'' 

Perhaps the complainant needs reminding that if she is going to make her home in a country such as Australia, and benefit from all the freedoms on offer in an open and democratic society, she can't dictate how those freedoms are applied. The right to begin debates and even to be disrespectful and insulting, is among those freedoms that people in democratic countries have fought for over the years. We may not always like it, but that's the way freedom goes.

On a personal note, telling a woman  she Must wear a Burka or she will be raped,  because Muslim men can't be expected to control themselves, is--in my humble opinion--Extremely Sexist!

Redegalli said: "This mural has come from frustration...You can't say anything about Muslims without getting in trouble. There's a problem about the right to free expression, the loss of the ability to say something without instantly being branded a racist--There's thousands that can say we don't actually feel comfortable about this and that's not being taken seriously''

Christians, Jews, Buddhists or other religions basically do not object to anybody practicing their own faith. But the Burka is not about religion--it is about security in a free country and it is a political statement by those who would oppress us. Consider--there is no way to identify who is under it--or even if it is a male or female! Suicide bombings, robbery and other crimes have been carried out under the cover of the Burka. The debate over whether this covering is oppressive to women or not, is not oppression any more than is the requirement for a nudist to wear clothing into a grocery store.

Sadly, as the video below shows, the "religion of peace" will never allow freedom of opinion unless it agrees with their world view.

Christians Under Attack~This Time it is The Pope!

Pakistani Muslims are protesting in support of the murderer of the Minister of Justice and against the comments by Pope Benedict XVI for the repeal of the blasphemy law. The protests took place in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi. Hafiz Saifullah Masoor, criticized the Pope for his support of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death in 2009 on charges of insulting the prophet Muhammad.

Once again the religion of peace shows what they will be bringing to the western world,

Pakistani Muslims Protest Against the Pope (15 January 2011)

"Peaceful" Protestors in Israel

The IDF has maintained the view that Jawaher Abu Rahma, did not die from inhalation of tear gas during a "Peace Protest".  

The news reported that  Jawaher Abu Rahma, 36, had inhaled tear gas fired by the IDF and died as a result. The story was further played up with the claim that she was the sister of an Arab who was killed in Bilin in 2009 after being struck by a tear gas canister. Once again the Palestinians and their anarchist, anti-Israel groupies have managed to pull off another hoax on the world at large. Nothing says publicity like a grieving mother holding her dead daughter's photo. 

What is particularly disgusting is the continuous abuse of grieving families. Any death is horrendous, but to use a tragedy to spin anti-Israel lies is just plain vulgar.

Although the Palestinians claim the protest was peaceful, photos of the scene have shown just the opposite. Below is a film of the riot that took place at Bil'in on 07 January. This is the scene that takes place week after week, without fail. Listen to the warnings, the IDF  gives in English and Hebrew, and the warnings not to cross the yellow gate, all of which are totally ignored. Watch  the soldiers who do not show any signs of aggression as they are being pelted with stones. These are the Peace Activists you hear about in the news.  This is what they call "peaceful protests".  Think about it--these are the peace-makers...

Bil'in Riot, January 7, 2011

MK Danny Danon to 5th Column~Be Very Afraid

MK Danny Danon told Arutz Sheva that he will be the Knesset member heading the committee of inquiry into ultra-leftist groups' sources of funding. The Israeli parliament recently voted to establish this committee to look into the funding for the groups who are acting against the state of Israel

MK Danon is optimistic: "I hope we can stop these groups, which received 40 million shekels from the European Union in the last five years alone... We will try to discover the truth and in the end we will recommend changes in legislation as well."

For years there has been a fifth column operating from within Israel. They work against the state and have been (filmed) on more than one occasion instigating riots and attacks against Israelis while claiming to be pro-peace. Among the organizations and persons Danon intends to invite to the committee, he lists:

• B'tselem--director, Jessica Montel
• The Center for Defense of the Individual--director, Dalia Kirstein
• Yesh Din--director, Roi Maor
• Ir Amim--director, Yehudit Oppenheimer
• The Public Committee against Torture in Israel--director, Yishai Blanc
• Adallah--director, Mahmoud Yazbek
• Peace Now--director, Yariv Oppenheimer
• Gisha--director, Kenneth Mann
• Association for Civil Rights ion Israel - President, Sami Michael
• Mousawa--Anwar Jamal, Tariq Bashir, Jafer Farah; as well as
•  Breaking the Silence, Machsom Watch, The Israeli Committee against Home Demolitions and the Center for Alternative Information.

Danon said that he "recommends to Yariv Oppenheimer [Peace Now Director] and the other directors of the NGOs that are a fifth column within Israel to start sprucing up their CVs, because soon they will be unemployed...it is time to find the sources of the monies for these groups that act without letup against the state of Israel." He added: "We will try to find out who are the ones who arrange the riots at the Bil'in checkpoint, who funded the legal motions in the matter of Highway 443. We will reveal the bodies that roam the Galilee and purchase private lands with Saudi money. The leftists seem afraid and they must have a reason for fearing this committee."

Hooray--It is about time!

IDF Accused of Murder by Gas--Another Hoax!

Mother of Abu Rahma with Photo

Once again the Palestinians and their anarchist, anti-Israel groupies have managed to fob off another hoax on the world at large. On Friday, 01 January the weekly riots took place at Bilin, Samaria. The news reported that  Jawaher Abu Rahma, 36, had inhaled tear gas fired by the IDF and died as a result. The story was further played up with the claim that she was the sister of an Arab who was killed in Bilin in 2009 after being struck by a tear gas canister.

From the beginning the IDF had reservations about this case for several reasons, not least among them being that the initial facts surrounding the case were suspicious, and the PA medical authorities refused to allow accesss to any medical documents. In addition the IDF found that:

     1) The IDF used the same method of riot control for the past five years without incident
     2) Abu Rahma died at her home--After being released from hospital
     3) Abu Rahma was chronically ill with leukemia
     4) Abu Rahma was not event at the riot!

According to this report in Arutz 7, the IDF found that she did not die of tear gas inhalation but of cancer, and had been lying in a hospital bed for ten days prior to passing away.

Funeral Procession--Incitement?

Chief PA negotiator, Saeb Erakat had told AFP (and most likely anyone else with a camera): "We condemn this abominable crime by the Israeli occupation army in Bilin against people taking part in a peaceful demonstration and consider it an Israeli war crime against our people". Of course he does. What better way to incite even more hatred towards Israel. He does conveniently leave out the fact that photos  show this was an especially violent riot--but he probably did not stay around for the real action...see no evil...

Any death is a tragedy, and we do not downplay the grief in the loss of a loved one. But we do condemn the world press for  encouraging faulty, false reporting and incitement.  To allow the tragic death of a young woman to be used in this manner is unforgivable. But, after all, Peace does not sell nearly as many papers as riots, terror attacks and death--especially if Israel can be blamed.

Now, I urge you to pay attention to world news. Compare volume of the outcry  was when Israel was accused of murdering this woman--a war crime. Now listen for the outcry as the hoax is exposed--the silence is deafening...