Monday, September 26, 2011

Arab Acts on Abbas's "Palestinian Spring"
Nadene Goldfoot

After Friday's speech at the U.N., Abbas returned to Ramalla and launched his Palestinian Spring-of non-violence which lasted for about 5 minutes.  One of his people in was on highway 60 and picked up a rock and aimed it at a passing car.  it went through the windshield of 25 year old Asher Palmer and hit him right in the face, which caused him to lose control of the car.  He crashed and he and his 10 month old baby son, Jonatan, were killed.  This occured in Jerusalem. 

Why the "Palestinian Spring?"  Abbas thinks that is how you cement your claims to land, and he is claiming Judea, Samaria, East Jerusalem and Gaza.  Evidently he can't bring himself to discuss the matter with Netanyahu.  Force is his only way. 

Resource: http://yourjewishnews.com/11528.aspx

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Turkey's Gambit of Challenging Israel
Nadene Goldfoot

Turkey's threatening Israel with their navy has resulted in the USA telling them that they can forget receiving the US Drones they want till they lift the threat on Israel.  I haven't heard support like this for some time.  NATO  can also step into the arena if they don't watch their threatening.  Turkey is not acting like a reliable NATO partner and has not yet achieved final acceptance status.  Both Canada and the USA belong to NATO besides 26 European states including Turkey (almost). 

Turkey is just impressing the Arabs about who is boss.  It's said that they're really a loose cannon by showing that they are the neighborhood bully.  Actually, their showing off their new colors is only a worry to  their Arab allies who had enough of the Ottoman Empire.  Again, Israel has become the scapegoat in Turkey's bid for power. 

Leaked sources tell us that 3 Turkish frigates aren't waiting for another flotilla confrontation but are already sailing for the Eastern Mediterranean Sea hoping to disarm Israeli warships.  That would be an attack on Israel, who is not a part of NATO.  NATO is a group that means that if one of their members are attacked, the others would come to their aid.  How will they behave when one of their members is the aggressor? 

August 17th was the start of a war in Northern Iraq that has not been on the scene between Turkey and the Kurds who are rebelling.  Kurdish people have been repressed by Turkey in a big way and have desired their own homeland since the 20's when the Ottoman Empire broke up.  Lately their group, the PKK, have been attacking Turkey.   Israel had sold Turkey 10 Herons (amazing modern looking jets) when they were friendly neighbors along with technicians to care for them, but of course Turkey had to expell these Israelis in their recent tantrums and now they are faced with technical problems with them and the situation has crippled the Turkish army.  These were going to be  used against the Kurds. 

Reference: http://www.debka.com/article/21297/
http://www.todayszaman.com/news-256510-report-turkish-frigates-to-confront-israeli-ships-in-mediterranean.html
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/09/08/us-turkey-israel-gamble-idUSTRE7871WZ20110908
http://www.uasvision.com/2011/09/06/turkey-israel-political-situation-jeopardises-heron-maintenance/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Member_states_of_NATO
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl/daily/feb99/kurdprofile.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/middle_east/02/iraq_events/html/chemical_warfare.stm

Friday, September 09, 2011

Egyptian Sinai's Future of Maintaining Contracts with Israel and Jordan
Nadene Goldfoot
According to the Jewish "Tanakh" or bible, the Israelites crossed the Sinai Peninsula during the Exodus in 1313 BCE.  Since then it has been in Egypt's hands, and then became part of  the Ottoman Empire.

In 1948 Egypt invaded Israel from the Sinai.  In 1956 Egypt nationalized the Suez Canal and stopped Israeli ships from entering.  Israel, Britain and Franced then invaded the Sinai and occupied the peninsula.  This led to the U.N. Emergency Forces to take over the area.

In 1967 Egypt blockaded Eilat and ordered the UN forces out.  This was the beginning of the Six Day War where Egypt's army was defeated by Israel who then took over the peninsula.  A Peace treaty was signed in 1979 and Israel withdrew totally by 1982.  Since then from Sadat to Mubarak's rule, there has been peace between Egypt and Israel, even allowing tourism to happen.  Two of my friends from the Ulpan were tourists in Egypt from 1980 to 85. 

Now we have the "Arab Spring" where Mubarak, dying, has been on trial where Egyptians have taken over his helm of rule.  With the Muslim Brotherhood being the best organized group, I see them taking over.  Their charter is strickly anti-Israel, anti- Jewish so this is not a welcome to Israel.  Already their gas supplies have been sabatoged that service both Israel and Jordan.  The first time was February 5th, then there was a foiled attack in March. There was an explosion at the pumping station along the pipeline at Nagah.  Armed men with machine guns came in a small truck and forced the guards to leave.  Then they planted explosive charges.   The second attack was April 27th and the 3rd was Saturday, May 2nd. Egypt said it was done by a big terrorist operation. 

40% of Israel's natural gas comes from this source which is used to create electricity.  A contract was signed in December 2010 by four  Israeli firms to import gas for the next 20 years.   Jordan also imports enough to service 80% of their needs.  In May Egypt backed down in their contract with Jordan and demanded high prices from them.  Gasco is the company operating the pipeline

Both Jordan and Israel are affected economically by these terrorist attacks.  Egypt needs to do a better job of guarding their money-making industry.  Hopefully the time is not too distant that Israel can enjoy its own natural gas that has been discoverred.  With continued peace between Jordan and Israel, Jordan can also benefit from Israel's holdings.  Then neither will be dependent on Egypt's sources.  Right now both states have reserves to rely upon so as not to disrupt service to their people. 

Update: 9/9/11 Israel's ambassador has been forced to leave the embassy which was attacked by people with hammers.  docments and the flag were thrown out of the window.  He is flying back to Israel. 

The source of any peace right now with Egypt seems to be in the hands of their military who are abiding by the peace treaty.  There doesn't seem to be any serious collapse of the cold peace as yet, although I wouldn't travel to Egypt now as a tourist.  A cousin of mine did a few years ago from South Africa.  They're going to find that their tourism industry is hurting. 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinai_Peninsula#History
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/07/2011740176861868.html
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/egypt-holds-gas-supply-to-israel-and-jordan-after-pipeline-explosion-1.341368
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/28/world/middleeast/28sinai.html
update on Egypt and Israel's embassy in Cairo 9/9/11 : http://israel-nadene.blogspot.com/2011/08/israels-embassy-and-ambassador-to-egypt.html
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/0811/glick083011.php3
Turkey and Sour Grapes on the Table with Israel:  Challenging UN Report
Nadene Goldfoot
Turkey wants an apology from Israel even though it was Turkey who was defying their law.  By their being stubborn and showing how brave they were in defying the measely Israelis' rule of  breaking the blockade, they lost a few of their men by their own aggressive actions.  Prime Minister Erdogan claims that his botched blockade run resulted in losing 8 Turks and 1 Turkish citizen and expects Israel to pay reparations for them as well.

I think they want to play a big part in the "Arab Spring" now that Egypt has lost Mubarak and may be in the hands of the Muslim Brotherhood.  They can't be told that they erred  as shown in the UN report which revealed that Israel was in the right and their blockading ships entering was legal as they acted in self defense.

Turkey is going to the International court of Justice and will challenge the ruling.    Turkey has now also expelled the Israeli ambassador and has severed military ties with Israel, though Israel's militry attache may still be there.   They want an apology from Israel and Israel isn't about to give it.  Such a statement is necessary between children but holds a different meaning among countries, especially ones with alterior motives such as Turkey.  In doing so Israel would be bending to the will of Turkey, showing the Arabs that this can be done and that Turkey is powerful. 

Turkey's prime minister is Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a Sufi Muslim of 57 years who became prime minister in 2003.  He belongs to the Islamist AKP party which is not moderate.  He finds the adjective "moderate" about him offensive.  He is friends with Iran and Sudan and himself is very anti-Jewish. 

Whereas Israel would like Turkey to treat them with respect, the results of this break of relations will only lead Israel into issuing a travel advisory to not travel to Turkey which will affect planes that may be stopping there on their routes.  Israel will cooperate with Armenians.  Armenia went through a holocaust with Turkey and they are still arguing over Mt. Ararat.  They will help promote an anti-Turkish  attitude in Congress.  Israel will be able to contact Kurdish groups like the PKK in Europe.  Turkey has been guilty of many illegal moves against minorities like them and Israel will provide some cooperation with them. 

Update: Even knowing that it was illegal to bring ships into Gaza to break the flotilla, Turkey is planning on sending the Turkish navy on the next flotilla.  There is none planned right now. 

http://news.yahoo.com/turkey-says-challenge-gaza-blockade-123453603.html;_ylc=X3oDMTNqMHFrY21qBF9TAzIxNDMzMzQ2NzQEYWN0A21haWxfY2IEY3QDYQRpbnRsA3VzBGxhbmcDZW4tVVMEcGtnA2FjNDBiYzFlLTQwMjItMzU4Yy1iMjc4LWRiMDNiOGIzNjAwNwRzZWMDbWl0X3NoYXJlBHNsawMEdGVzdAM-;_ylv=3
http://navonsblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/erdogans-dhimmi-problem.html
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/09/06/israel.turkey/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recep_Tayyip_Erdo%C4%9Fan
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4119984,00.html
Update: 9/10/11http://news.yahoo.com/analysis-turkey-complicate-life-israel-avoid-war-144058002.html;_ylc=X3oDMTNnMjNocmQ4BF9TAzc2NjUxNTQEYWN0A21haWxfY2IEY3QDYQRpbnRsA3VzBGxhbmcDZW4tVVMEcGtnA2RjZTA3ZTM1LTc2ZGYtMzBlOC1hYWE2LWUwZjMyNjE2YTAzMgRzZWMDbWl0X3NoYXJlBHNsawMEdGVzdAM-;_ylv=3

Tuesday, September 06, 2011

Iran's Missile Threat To America
Nadene Goldfoot
Today it's not just Israel that could be hit in a missile attack from Iran.  The U.S. troops and other U.S. allies are also at risk.  Iran has ballistic missiles that are capable of carrying nuclear or chemical warheads 1,500 miles.  Tehran is developing missiles that could reach the USA.  Countries that underestimate a dangerous country are at risk.

Iran is in competition with Saudi Arabia and Turkey in gaining power in the Muslim world.  Turkey is a neighbor of Iran and Syria.  Years ago in the 80's Iran was fighting against Iraq, another neighbor, but that has been attacked and almost disarmed by the USA due to 9/11. 

Lebanon is a small country that is a neighbor both of Israel, Syria and Turkey, but under domination of Syria.  The Hizballah terrorists come out of Lebanon and have more than 55,000 rockets along Israel's border that can reach almost all of Israel's major population centers.  They have Katyusha rockets with a range of 12 miles and longer range ones that reach out 24 miles.  the Fajr-3 has a range of 28 miles and the Fajr-5/Syrian reaches 45 miles.  Considering places of Israel are 9 miles wide, this is a lot.  One rocket recently overshot and went into Jordan and killed an Arab there, injuring another.  They have rockets with the capacity to go 130 miles and 155 miles. 

Since 2005 there have been 7,000 rocket attacks against Israel.  Palestinian terrorists took control of Gaza in 2007.   Hamas has been in control and the Strip is used to launch thousands of attacks against Israel.  Northern Gaza is used to fire rockets at Israeli towns and cities.  Sderot has been attacked constantlly and now Ashkelon is in danger.  Massive amounts of weapons are smuggled in by sea routes and tunnels.  They also use these tunnels to infiltrate into Israel and carry out attacks.  They are the goal of Israeli air attacks after Israel has been hit. 

The Arab nations outnumber Israel more than 650 to 1 in land and 56 to 1 in population.  Israel has been threatened many times by Iran.  Egypt, Libya, Syria, Yemen and Jordan are in revolution where the Muslim Brotherhood is the most organized and dangerous group that is ready to take over. Iran's revolution failed.    Their citizens are rising up against their dictator leaders who have created enemies with lies to keep their people repressed.  Chances are slim for them to become democracies but face the possibility that they  will be dominated by Sharia law which includes hatred and destruction of Israel and the United States.  Egypt and Israel signed a peace treaty in 1979.  Now that peace is shaky with a new group taking over who may not honor this.  32 years of peace has been good for Egypt as well as for Israel. 

Palestinians must not seek and receive statehood now without negotiating with Israel. New sanctions have to be passed on Iran.  Security assistance has to be maintained with Israel in order to help with their Iron Dome missile defense system.  This is not the time to give up and appear weak. 

Egypt has 220 F-16s.  Saudi Arabia has hundreds of the most sophisticated combat aircraft.  They plan on spending $60 billion on more aircraft.  Turkey has the 3rd largest air force in NATO with the US and UK leading.  They plan on buying 100 of the most advanced American fighter jets, the F-35.  Israel can only afford 25.  What is sad to me is that the USA will most likely sell these weapons to them for the sake of the economy.  This is why Israel needs support.  Somebody is in the business of producing these weapons and Israel must remain strong. 

Reference: AIPAC