Omar and Tlaib rightly blocked from visiting ‘non-existent’ country Palestine

https://nypost.com/2019/08/17/omar-and-tlaib-rightly-blocked-from-visiting-imaginary-country-palestine/

At first blush, Israel’s decision to bar Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib looked like a mistake. My gut reaction was that the move would simultaneously make Israel appear weak and allow critics to claim the incident proves the Jewish state has no interest in peace with the Palestinians.

It didn’t help that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had initially signaled the two Democrats could visit despite their support for the BDS movement, which Israel has outlawed. When it became clear that Net­anyahu reversed his decision at President Trump’s urging, the situation appeared to go from bad to worse.

Both the United States and Israel looked to have blundered. Or so I thought.

Then facts and history had their say. Now, I believe Trump and Netanyahu made the right move.

They had no good options and chose the lesser of two evils.

Trump Fat-Shames His Own Supporter

Ben Shapiro: Israel made a 'big mistake' barring Omar and Tlaib from visiting

https://www.foxnews.com/media/israel-omar-tlaib-ben-shapiro-trump

Daily Wire Editor-in-Chief Ben Shapiro claimed Thursday that Israel made an error in judgment by barring Rep. Ilhan Omar D-Minn., and Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., from visiting the Jewish state and said the Israeli government played right into the lawmakers' hands.

"Is this a smart move by Israel? No. It is a very not smart move by Israel," Shapiro said on his eponymous radio program Thursday.

"If Omar and Tlaib had just gone to Israel and then they had done their little propaganda tour about how Israel is evil and shouldn't exist -- then their ten fans would cheer and everybody else would sigh and roll their eyes," Shapiro said. "This is actually giving Omar and Tlaib what they want in terms of PR so they can falsely claim that Israel doesn't tolerate dissent."

How Trump Bullied Israel Into Punishing His Political Opponents, to the Jewish State’s Great Detriment

https://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-news-and-politics/289728/trump-bullied-israel-into-punishing-his-opponents

On July 19, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Ron Dermer, announced that Israel would permit entry to U.S. Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, despite their support for boycotting the Jewish state: “Out of respect for the U.S. Congress and the great alliance between Israel and America, we would not deny entry to any member of Congress into Israel.” Dermer, Netanyahu’s closest confidant and colloquially known as “Bibi’s Brain,” had reportedly recommended this course to his boss. As Haaretz correspondent Amir Tibon later reported, the decision was made to focus on this past week’s pro-Israel visit of 41 Democratic representatives, led by House Whip Steny Hoyer, rather than give more oxygen to an anti-Israel trip by just two Democratic congresswomen.

That entire plan, however, was detonated by Donald Trump for his own political purposes, to Israel’s great detriment. The president’s effort to undermine and alter the Israeli government’s approach began in early August, when Axios’ Barak Ravid reported that Trump was privately signaling that Israel should bar both Omar and Tlaib—personal antagonists who he had repeatedly assailed, often in bigoted terms. “Trump’s private views have reached the top level of the Israeli government,” Ravid reported.

Trump’s complaint put Netanyahu and his government in a bind—between their own original judgment that banning members of Congress would create a major rift with American Democrats and an erratic president who could be alienated by the smallest slight. Netanyahu himself, facing a tough reelection fight, could not afford a spat with Trump—the man whose face he had festooned on giant campaign posters. In an effort to buy time, the government announced on Thursday morning that it was “reconsidering” its position. Then Trump forced the issue:

Editorial: The Omar and Tlaib ban from Israel is a disgrace. True democracies aren’t afraid of critics

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2019-08-15/ilhan-omar-rashida-tlaib-israel-ban-trump-netanyahu

Last we checked, both the United States and Israel were democracies — and allies. Yet on Thursday the leaders of both countries sounded more like crazy autocrats with a penchant for silencing their critics. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to prohibit U.S. Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) from entering Israel on an official congressional visit not only smacks of tin-pot authoritarianism, it elevates his critics.

Netanyahu justified this shameful decision by citing a recent bit of daft legislating, an Israeli law prohibiting foreign nationals who back boycotts against Israel or its West Bank settlements from entering the country. That’s bad enough. Even more outrageous is that President Trump appears to have goaded Netanyahu into making this decision.

Not content to call for Omar and Tlaib (and their two progressive Democratic colleagues on the so-called “squad”) to leave the United States, Trump has been pressing Israel publicly not to let them into that country. To quote his tweet Thursday: “It would show great weakness if Israel allowed Rep. Omar and Rep. Tlaib to visit. They hate Israel & all Jewish people, & there is nothing that can be said or done to change their minds.” He added, “They are a disgrace!”

The only disgrace here is Trump’s behavior.

Israel Bans Reps. Omar and Tlaib From Entry Over Support for Boycotts

https://time.com/5652989/israel-bans-omar-tlaib-representatives/

Israel said Thursday that it will bar two Democratic congresswomen from entering the country ahead of a planned visit over their support for a Palestinian-led boycott movement, a decision announced shortly after President Donald Trump tweeted that it would “show great weakness” to allow them in.

The move to bar Reps. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota from visiting appeared to be unprecedented. It marked a deep foray by Israel into America’s bitterly polarized politics and a sharp escalation of Israel’s campaign against the international boycott movement.

The two newly-elected Muslim members of Congress are outspoken critics of Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians and have repeatedly sparred with Trump over a range of issues. Tlaib’s family immigrated to the United States from the West Bank, where she still has close relatives.

Trump accuses news media of trying to crash the economy

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/08/15/trump-economy-recession-stock-market-media-1464577

President Donald Trump on Thursday baselessly accused the press of trying to tank the American economy, shrugging off any blame for a prospective economic slowdown and possible recession heading into his reelection next year.

“The Fake News Media is doing everything they can to crash the economy because they think that will be bad for me and my re-election,” he said in a tweet. “The problem they have is that the economy is way too strong and we will soon be winning big on Trade, and everyone knows that, including China!”

The president offered no evidence to support his claim that the media, a frequent target of his ire, is working to weaken the U.S. economy.

Donald Trump Grapples With Self-Inflicted Economic Wounds As Markets Plunge | The Last Word | MSNBC

‘Keep the Hasidic Out’: A Small-Town Housing Showdown

In a peaceful corner of the Hudson Valley, a broad expanse of land sits at the ready for hundreds of homes ranging between 2,500 and 3,400 square feet, with views of the surrounding hills. There will be a recreation center and tennis courts, and nearly half of the development’s 117 acres will be kept as open space.

they most have read Joe Orlow's comment

Let's put this in perspective.

If I gave you a choice to take a walk at night unescorted through an American neighborhood filled with an overwhelming majority of White people, or through a neighborhood in any inner city neighborhood in America with a minority of White people, which would you choose?

RenameFifthAvenueinfrontofTrumpTower:"PresidentBarackH.ObamaAvenue"

https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/rename-fifth-avenue-in/?source=search

To be delivered to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, New York City Council

We request the stretch of Fifth Avenue between 56th and 57th Streets be renamed "President Barack H. Obama Avenue." Any addresses on that stretch of Fifth Avenue should be changed accordingly.

(v.3) Travel Advisory to All Draft-Age Girls With Israeli Citizenship Traveling to Israel, & other news from Israel

IMPORTANT International Travel Advisory to All Draft-Age Girls With Israeli Citizenship - INCLUDING DUAL US/Foreign - ISRAELI CITIZENSHIP - Traveling to Israel:

In light of a harrowing experience of an American Bais Yaakov girl with DUAL US-Israeli citizenship last Thursday at the Tel HaShomer Draft Office, ALL religious girls - of whatever religious affiliation [Mizrachi; Dati-Leumi; Chardal; Modern Orthodox; Chareidi; et. al., and especially Sefardi] - should remember to secure their religious exemption from IDF military service by sending their "Tatzhir Dat" ("certification of religiosity") to the IDF by CERTIFIED MAIL. By NO means should a girl ever venture into any draft office IN PERSON, regardless of any "advice" to the contrary.

Important: A "Tatzhir Dat" (available through a Bais Din) is not to be confused with a "Rayon Dat" (a Test of Religiosity," see below), which is to be totally avoided. Additionally, make sure to obtain a full service "Exemption," not merely a (temporary) "Deferment."

Last Thursday, one particular American Bais Yaakov girl, as reported by an eyewitness, ignored warnings to avoid entering the Draft Office, naively thinking (like anyone who deal with government offices in western countries) that she'd be "in and out." Like other girls seeking an exemption, she entered the building alone, inasmuch as they don't even allow parents in. Additionally, on entering, the girl lost all contact with the outside world (cellphone reception was blocked).

After an unexpectedly long period of waiting outside, her mother started saying Tehillim for her. After a tense 45 minutes, the girl exited, drained and tense. Her mother was shocked to hear that that if she'd not been so adamant about her refusal to enlist, her Bais Yaakov Seminary daughter would have actually been enlisted in the IDF.

° We just received another eyewitness report today of a similar scenario narrowly averted this Monday (Aug. 12), outside the Draft Office on Rechov Rashi. A 20 y/o American (Bais Yaakov type- appearing) girl, whose family recently made Aliyah, almost walked right into the Lishkas HaGiyus, where should could have easily been arrested. Bereft of basic information, she was clearly naive about the process and the dangers of entering the Draft Office premises, initially thinking she'd be out in five minutes. When she was properly informed, she B"H took care of her exemption process without entering the building, by obtaining her Tatzhir Das to send it in by registered mail. (She didn't even know she needed to a have a credit card to pay the 55 shekel for the tatzir. B"H one of the volunteers helped her out.)

° On Tuesday, Aug. 13, a emergency call went out to come to the Lishkas haGiyus to demonstrate to help free yet another religious girl who entered the building and got stuck inside. B"H she was freed.

This all highlights the critical need to support the lifesaving work of the volunteer sentinels stationed outside some of the various draft offices. Moreover, who knows how many girls are being drafted - or arrested, incarcerated, physically and emotionally abused, and even broken - without us even knowing about it? This is literally a matter of pidyon shevuyim and haztolas nefashos.

For individual girls, following proper procedures should not be taken lightly, especially now that the government is becoming much more resistant to providing religious exemptions. Another draft-age girl, recently visiting Israel for Pesach, was reportedly compelled to expend much time and effort before Pesach, during Chol HaMoed, and after Pesach, all just to ensure she'd be allowed to leave Israel without being stopped due her draft status.

Unlike in the past, even the most religious background and appearance may not shield girls from extensive attempts to prevail on them to enlist in the IDF. Ever since 5773, the government has made it a goal to recruit religious girls into the IDF. Consequently, draft office personnel are well trained to employ all types of techniques to pressure or maneuver even fully religious girls into signing up.

°°°

IF IN TROUBLE:

If ever confronted with such a situation, some useful advice for girls being pressured to enlist in the IDF is:

(1) firmly provide an unwavering and unequivocal response ("NO, by no means whatsoever will I ever enlist, no matter what the consequences (pursuant to the psak din of Torah authorities from across the spectrum).");

(2) don't give any more information than the Tatzhir Dat process requires;

(3) cut off all further communications (this also helps avoid being harassed by the varied threats often employed to break girls' resistance);

(4) You're not legally obligated to agree to submit to a "Rayon Dat" - "Test of Religiosity," nor should you. It can (and frequently does) hurt exemption prospects immensely. It is often merely a tool to trip up girls and make them feel like phonies, to break their resistance.

(5) If you're ever in trouble, feel free to contact the Israeli organization "Shalhevet" for immediate assistance (free of charge):

For emergency assistance:

Shalhevet:

v: 03-958-4048 ext 2

Or 3192 * to leave a message

e: 6202300@gmail.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

information on Giyus Banos available online at the site of Chotam, an Israeli Dati Leumi organization: