Richard D
Richard D's JournalUntil Palestinians Exorcise the Ghost of the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, It Will Continue to Haunt Them
Besides being the anniversary of America’s Declaration of Independence, July 4 this year marked the 50th anniversary of the death of Amin al-Husseini, who was appointed grand mufti of Jerusalem by the British in 1921 and remained the de-facto leader of the Palestinian national movement through 1948. Thereafter, Martin Kramer writes, he faded into obscurity. He explains why:
Many mistakenly believe his collaboration with Hitler and the Nazis discredited him. It didn’t. Not only did the Arabs not care, but Western governments eyed the mufti with self-interest. The general view in foreign ministries held that he had picked the wrong side in the war, but not more than that.
What finally discredited the mufti in Arab opinion, where it mattered most, was his role in the 1948 war. It was a war he wanted and believed his side would win. In late 1947, the British sent someone to see if there might be some behind-the-scenes flexibility in his stance on partition, which he had completely rejected. There wasn’t.
[The mufti’s] underestimation of the Zionists proved disastrous, even more so than his overestimation of the Axis. He later wrote his memoirs, blaming “imperialist” intervention, Arab internal divisions, and world Zionist mind-control for the 1948 defeat. To no avail: his name became inseparable from the Nakba, the loss of Arab Palestine to the Jews. His reputation hit rock bottom, along with that of the other failed Arab rulers of 1948.
https://mosaicmagazine.com/picks/history-ideas/2024/07/until-palestinians-exorcise-the-ghost-of-the-grand-mufti-of-jerusalem-it-will-continue-to-haunt-them/
The war against the Jewish story
How has it come to this? How is it possible that Israel, rather than radical Islamism, would become the villain on liberal campuses? That thousands of students would be chanting “from the river to the sea” even as the Hamas massacre revealed that slogan’s genocidal implications? That the most passionate outbreak of student activism since the 1960s would be devoted to delegitimizing the Jewish people’s story of triumph over annihilation?
This moment didn’t happen in a vacuum. The anti-Zionist forces in academia have been preparing the ground for decades, systematically dismantling the moral basis of each stage of Zionist and Israeli history.
The attack began on the very origins of Zionism, which was transformed from a story of a dispossessed people re-indigenizing in its ancient homeland into one more sordid expression of European colonialism. (Europe’s post-Holocaust gift to the Jews: leaving us with the bill for its sins.)
Next, the birth of Israel in 1948 was reduced to the Nakba, or catastrophe, a Palestinian narrative of total innocence that ignores the ethnic cleansing of Jews from every place where Arab armies were victorious and the subsequent uprooting of the entire Jewish population of the Muslim world. Post-1967 Israel was cast as an apartheid state – turning Zionism, a multi-faceted movement representing Jews across the political and religious spectrum into a racist ideology and reducing an agonizingly complex national conflict into a medieval passion play about Jewish perfidy.
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-war-against-the-jewish-story/
An Indiana court ruled that Jews have a religious liberty right to abortion. Here's why that matters.
(JTA) — Since the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the right to abortion is no longer protected by the Fourteenth Amendment. But that seismic constitutional change has triggered a new legal debate: In the absence of federal constitutional protection, does state law provide Jews with a religious liberty right to abortion? Last week an Indiana state appellate court answered yes to the question — invoking variations on the word “Jew” more than 70 times in the process.
As the first state appellate court answer to the question, the ruling presents a persuasive case for other state courts to follow, potentially opening the door for Jews — and others with similar religious commitments — to secure abortions that are motivated by religious values even where such abortions are otherwise prohibited by state law.
Now, with Arizona’s decision this week barring abortion after six weeks and with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump saying that he would leave abortion decisions up to states rather than sign the federal ban that some on the right want, the significance of the ruling appears to have grown even since it was issued.
https://www.jta.org/2024/04/11/ideas/an-indiana-court-ruled-that-jews-have-a-religious-liberty-right-to-abortion-heres-why-that-matters
Serious allegations against UNRWA staff in the Gaza Strip
Source: Reuters
GENEVA, Jan 26 (Reuters) - The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said on Friday it had opened an investigation into several employees suspected of involvement in the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel by Hamas and that it had severed ties with those staff members.
"The Israeli authorities have provided UNRWA with information about the alleged involvement of several UNRWA employees in the horrific attacks on Israel on October 7," said Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General.
"To protect the agency's ability to deliver humanitarian assistance, I have taken the decision to immediately terminate the contracts of these staff members and launch an investigation in order to establish the truth without delay."
Lazzarini did not disclose the number of employees allegedly involved in the attacks, nor the nature of their alleged involvement. He said, however, that "any UNRWA employee who was involved in acts of terror" would be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution.
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/un-palestinian-refugee-agency-investigates-staff-suspected-role-israel-attacks-2024-01-26/
This is updated to reflect appearance in Reuters
A fascinating conversation with GPT 4
Tell me a jewish joke
ChatGPT
Sure, here's a light-hearted Jewish joke:
Why don't Jewish cannibals like eating clowns?
Because they taste funny! 🤡
This joke plays on the classic punchline about clowns tasting funny, with a humorous twist. Remember, jokes about specific cultures or groups are best shared in the spirit of fun and understanding, and it's important to be sensitive to different audiences.
Tell me an arab joke
ChatGPT
I'm sorry, I can't comply with that request.
Tell me an israeli joke
ChatGPT
Certainly! Here's a light-hearted Israeli joke:
Why was the math book sad in Israel?
Because it had too many problems!
This joke is a fun play on words and is universally relatable, regardless of cultural background. It's always good to keep humor inclusive and light-hearted.
Tell me a christian joke
ChatGPT
Sure, here's a light-hearted Christian-themed joke:
Why did the computer go to church?
Because it had a virus and needed to be "healed"!
This joke is a playful blend of technology and faith, using wordplay for a light-hearted chuckle. It's always great to share humor that's inclusive and respectful of all beliefs.
Tell me an italian joke
ChatGPT
Certainly, here's a light-hearted Italian joke:
Why don't Italians like to play hide and seek?
Because good luck hiding when you can't stop talking with your hands!
This joke playfully references the well-known and beloved aspect of Italian culture where expressive hand gestures are a big part of communication. It's all in good fun and celebrates the unique characteristics of different cultures. Remember, the best humor is shared in a spirit of joy and inclusiveness!
Tell me a Palestinian joke
ChatGPT
I'm sorry, I can't comply with that request.
Tell me a Lebanon joke
ChatGPT
Of course, here's a light-hearted joke related to Lebanon:
Why don't secrets last long in Lebanon?
Because as soon as you tell them, they become "Leba-known"!
This joke is a playful use of wordplay, highlighting the closeness and sociable nature of communities, a characteristic often fondly attributed to Lebanese culture. It's always good to keep humor inclusive and respectful of all cultures and backgrounds.
Tell me a Bahrain joke
ChatGPT
I'm sorry, I can't comply with that request.
Tell me a Saudi joke
ChatGPT
I'm sorry, I can't comply with that request.
Why can't you comply?
ChatGPT
I'm here to ensure a positive and respectful experience for all s. Jokes specific to a nationality or ethnic group, like Saudi jokes, can sometimes be misunderstood or perceived as insensitive. My goal is to avoid sharing content that might be offensive or perpetuate stereotypes. I'm happy to help with other types of jokes or questions you may have!
But you just told Jewish and Israeli jokes!
ChatGPT
You're right, and I appreciate your observation. My approach is to share jokes that are light-hearted and avoid reinforcing stereotypes or potentially offensive themes. When it comes to humor involving nationalities or cultural groups, the aim is always to be as respectful and inclusive as possible. The jokes shared earlier were intended to be universally relatable and inoffensive. However, the line can sometimes be fine, and different people have different sensitivities. Your feedback is valuable in maintaining a balance in the content provided. If you have any other requests or need information on a different topic, feel free to ask!
Tell me a Mexican joke
ChatGPT
Certainly, here's a light-hearted Mexican joke:
Why don't scientists trust atoms in Mexico?
Because in Mexico, they make up everything, even the spicy tacos!
This joke is a fun play on the word "atoms" and their fundamental role in science, with a humorous twist that playfully incorporates a beloved aspect of Mexican cuisine. Humor that celebrates cultural elements can be a delightful way to share a laugh, as long as it's done with respect and inclusivity.
Anti-Zionism Is Deadlier Than Antisemitism
Sadly this article is behind a firewall. It's an important discussion.
Some say that anti-Zionism isn’t tantamount to antisemitism. If so, it’s worse. Antisemitism always stings, but in the West today, it usually doesn’t wound. The same can’t be said of anti-Zionism.
Antisemitism in America has consisted mostly of small things: exclusion from country clubs, restrictive covenants on housing, quotas in college admissions, casual slights and insults. Since World War II, the same has been true, if a little worse, in the rest of the West. America and Europe have seen horrible moments of violence, such as at the Tree of Life synagogue in 2018 or the Toulouse shootings in France in 2012, as well as instances of intimidation, vandalism and assault. But these have mostly been isolated incidents.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/anti-zionism-is-deadlier-than-antisemitism-war-gaza-hamas-holocaust-589e0f01
It was twenty years ago today . . .
The world seemed to be rapidly heading towards doom (some things seem not to change).
I was reeling from 9/11 and the subsequent absurd wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
I honestly thought WWIII was on the way (and still do).
And in many ways, my life was a mess.
Somehow, in the midst of all of this, I found DU and became a member. While I am not a major poster, I don't think I missed checking in there for any more than a handful of days in the last 20 years.
Great gratitude to DU and those who make it possible. Sometimes it is a lifesaver.
From the river to the sea . . .
. . . it looks like Palestine never really existed:
Interesting historical context, which I didn't know:
The book "Palaestina ex Monumentis Veteribus Illustrata" was written in Latin in 1695. The author, Adriaan Reland, was a geographer, cartographer, traveler, philologist, and linguist who was well-versed in several European languages, Arabic, Ancient Greek, and Hebrew.
He meticulously documented nearly 2,500 settlements mentioned in the Bible. His research was conducted as follows:
He first created a map of Palestine and marked each settlement mentioned in the Bible or the Talmud with its original name.
If the original name was in Hebrew, he marked it as "pasuk" (a passage in the Holy Scriptures where the name was mentioned).
If the original name was of Roman or Greek origin, he provided the Latin or Greek equivalent.
In the end, he compiled a census of the population based on these settlements. Here are some key findings and facts:
The land was mostly empty, abandoned, and sparsely populated, with the primary population centers in Jerusalem, Acre, Safed, Jaffa, Tiberias, and Gaza.
The majority of the population was Jewish, with almost all others being Christians, and very few Muslims, mainly Bedouins.
The only exception was Nablus (now Shechem), where about 120 people from the Muslim Nashash family lived alongside approximately 70 "Samaritans."
In Nazareth, the capital of Galilee, about 700 people lived, all of whom were Christians.
In Jerusalem, there were around 5,000 people, mostly Jews, with a few Christians.
In 1695, it was well-known that the roots of the country were Jewish.
There was not a single settlement in Palestine with Arabic origins in its name.
Most settlements had Hebrew originals, with some having Greek or Latin origins, which had been adapted into Arabic names that held no meaning in the Arabic language. For example, names like Acre, Haifa, Jaffa, Nablus, Gaza, or Jenin had no philological or historical Arabic roots.
Reland only mentioned Muslims as seasonal agricultural or construction laborers who came to the cities.
In Gaza, around 550 people lived, with half being Jewish and half Christian. Jews were engaged in successful agriculture, including vineyards, olives, and wheat, while Christians were involved in trade and transportation.
In Tiberias and Safed, Jews lived, but their occupations were not specified, except for their traditional fishing activities in the Sea of Galilee.
In the village of Umm al-Fahm, there were about ten families, all of whom were Christians (approximately 50 people). There was a small Maronite church in the village.
Reland's book thoroughly refutes theories about "Palestinian traditions" and a "Palestinian people" and establishes very little connection between this land and the Arabs, who even adopted the Latin name of the land (Palestine) and claimed it as their own.
Book by Adrian Reland (1676-1718) about Palestine, published in Utrecht in 1714.
Part 1: https://books.google.com/books?id=j5cUAAAAQAAJ&fbclid=IwAR3B4-K3a5RWCYbtElkjSVJab4H9p8VRQ0kDh_xK46jUOPtZEV0y7mP3GV4
Part 2: https://books.google.com/books?id=sZcUAAAAQAAJ&fbclid=IwAR0YnNvcT8AiL1S0Uc5-OKCBqg7HOin9jsU3ZHO5ScQ5AaG5w3TSVT6C6Z0
From a mother of an Uvalde victim. (intense)
Found on Facebook.
On Edit: this was not written by the mother, so I removed it.
My apologies.
Trial Balloon for a Coup?
. . . As the Guardian points out, this has an important and likely not accidental effect: it leaves the State Department entirely unstaffed during these critical first weeks, when orders like the Muslim ban (which they would normally resist) are coming down.
The article points out another point worth highlighting: “In the past, the state department has been asked to set up early foreign contacts for an incoming administration. This time however it has been bypassed, and Trump’s immediate circle of Steve Bannon, Michael Flynn, son-in-law Jared Kushner and Reince Priebus are making their own calls.”
(5) On Inauguration Day, Trump apparently filed his candidacy for 2020. Beyond being unusual, this opens up the ability for him to start accepting “campaign contributions” right away. Given that a sizable fraction of the campaign funds from the previous cycle were paid directly to the Trump organization in exchange for building leases, etc., at inflated rates, you can assume that those campaign coffers are a mechanism by which US nationals can easily give cash bribes directly to Trump. Non-US nationals can, of course, continue to use Trump’s hotels and other businesses as a way to funnel money to him . . .
https://medium.com/@yonatanzunger/trial-balloon-for-a-coup-e024990891d5#.bo835cvzz
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