Chanukah Flash Mob

When 150 people start 'spontaneously' dancing in the street, you've got to take notice. Great video. Check it out below. Also, keep your eyes peeled at 1:13 for the Jays cap:

Two State Solution?

My friend Nathan recently wrote to me and asked, "Do you think that a two state solution is possible?" in reference to the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Below is my personal response:

I definitely think 'two states' are possible, but I don't see it as a 'solution'. I believe that external pressure from outside governments and internal demographic growth (lots of Palestinians and Israeli Arabs having babies) will make this a reality within our lifetime. I just don't see it as a means of ending incitement against Israel from within the Palestinian community or the Arab world. It won't bring recognition of Israel as a legitimate country let alone a Jewish state. When the Arab League, and likeminded 'Pro-Palestinian' groups in the West advocate for an end to occupation, they don't mean a reversion back to pre-1967 lines. They want a reversion back to pre-1948 lines - they seek the end of Israel.

I've sat in lectures at U of T where activists referred to the city I'm writing this from (Herzliya), as a 'settlement'. In a delicious twist of irony, a 'hawkish' leader like Netanyahu stunned the world when he began using the term 'two state solution' and referred to it favourably. If it becomes a reality, activists will not lose their raison d'etre, but in the eyes of the less informed mainstream public, they will. That is because they will have 'gotten what they wanted' - an end to occupation of the Palestinian territories. (Sadly, in the eyes of extremists, all of Israel is Palestinian territory.)

So, yes, a 'two state' existence is possible, but a 'two state solution' is not.

That is, unless Palestinians unite under new leadership and choose to end incitement, rewrite their school textbooks, shut down propaganda television stations, and embrace real coexistence. Gaza could be a mini-Singapore if it wanted to be. There is great economic potential in the territories.

Afterword:

Just don't get me started on a three state solution. Dershowitz proposed that one. Why wait for Hamas to give up arms when we can solely negotiate and make a contiguous state within the West Bank? That's the idea there.

What do YOU think?

The Smell of Home

Ugly jacket (not mine)

I've been living in Israel for two months so far, working on an MA degree. It got chilly tonight, so I pulled out an old plaid jacket which usually stays stuffed in the back of my closet. It's ugly, but incredibly warm - a redeeming quality for some jackets as well as some people.

It hadn't been worn since it was washed two months ago in Toronto, and the second I put it on, I could smell home. It still had the scent of the detergent I used back in Toronto, and I was struck by a wall of thoughts and memories which took me back to the family and friends I left behind.

Oopsies!

A Syrian just got stopped at the Canadian border with $880,000 in cash, a ring with a Hezbollah insignia, a Palestinian scarf AND some videos glorifying the 9/11 attacks.

Yes, some people are just that stupid.

His name is Khaled Nawaya and he is 34. Also, did I mention that he is a fully accredited flight instructor?

If Nawaya can't prove the money is legit, it will go to the Canadian government. Thanks pal!

Shabbat Herzliya - שבת הרצליה

Are you a student in Herzliya? At IDC Herzliya perhaps?

Do you want to be part of something great?
You don't have to be religious. You don't even have to be Jewish. Just be open to meeting new people and eating good food.

This is a forum for students in Herzliya to organize potluck Shabbat meals (Friday night dinner and Saturday lunch). If you don't have a kosher kitchen, you can still contribute by bringing wine, challah, etc.

Go to our public Facebook group and join up today! Your tummy will thank you.