David Wolpe
Rabbi of Sinai Temple in Los Angeles

David Wolpe

Named the No.1 Pulpit Rabbi in America by Newsweek magazine, Wolpe is the Rabbi of Sinai Temple in Los Angeles and currently teaches at UCLA.

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What would you do about Gaza?

Q: In a statement Monday, Vice President Biden said the U.S. is consulting with other nations "on new ways to address the humanitarian, economic, security, and political aspects of the situation in Gaza." What are the religious and moral considerations in determining those "new ways," especially in light of Israel's raid on an aid flotilla from Turkey bound for Gaza.

What do you suppose America would do if Khomeini had taken over Texas? What might we do if Hezbollah, having conquered Quebec, lobbed thousands of missiles over our northern border?

I ask these questions not because the analogy is perfect but because Hamas, the current elected power in Gaza, not only has a charter repudiating Israel's right to exist, but one endorsing the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, the most pernicious anti-Semitic forgery in history. When Israel first withdrew from Gaza there was no blockade. The result was a continual flurry of missiles, thousands of them, fired into Israeli territory. When during the barrage I visited S'derot, an Israeli town that absorbed much of the fire, the Mayor explained to me they knew when the missiles were likely to come - at 8 in the morning, since the attackers figured out that was when children left their homes to go to school.

Forget the reality that the sinking of a South Korean boat has gone virtually unremarked by the international community; that Egypt's blockade of Gaza and murder of human rights activists arouses no anger in the international community; in other words, let us forget the wild disproportion. The question is - what is the world to do about the genuine suffering that is Gaza?

While Gaza has ample stocks of food in some places, in others there is genuine and painful deprivation. It is no answer to say (truly) that there have been billions, literally billions, of international aid given to the Palestinian ruling oligarchs and theocrats over the years. It is also no answer to say, truly, that Israel has at times behaved callously and even brutally. What can one realistically do?

Should Israel trust the international community to monitor what goes into Gaza? From the moment that Nasser ordered UN troops out of the straits of Tiran - where they had been stationed since 1956 - Israel became acutely aware that international forces are not certain guarantors of anything. Can the U.S. conduct inspections? Do we as Americans really want the United States to be inspecting cargo going from one foreign country into another?

Does anyone believe, can anyone say with a straight face, that Hamas would never smuggle weapons into Gaza? We know that they have done so. Egypt also blockades, although one must search the press pretty carefully to find that fact so widely known in the Middle East. All of this is not to deny that the blockades and related measures cause real hardship amongst those who are its victims.

For those who believe that Israel does not really want peace, it becomes difficult, at best, to explain why they returned the Sinai Peninsula (the only source of oil they possessed) and achieved peace with both Egypt and Jordan. When one side has made peace at great cost, there must be a presumption that it wishes to do so again. Those who believe Israel is imperialist, a foolish, ignorant charge, must explain how, almost uniquely among victorious powers, they returned valuable territory to those who had sought to destroy them.

I am not myself a fan of much of the Israeli political preening; I think many of the settlers and settlements are misguided and wrongheaded and incendiary. But - they are not the cause of war. The nations surrounding Israel swore to strangle it in its crib in 1948, and that aim has remained largely unshaken. Now there is a clamor to return to 67 borders. Before 1967, when the often invoked borders existed, there was no peace.

Right now Israel has a preponderance of weapons, and an uneasy truce obtains in Gaza. (The West bank as well, although there life has been steadily improving, a fact mostly unreported in the western press.) But what would happen if tomorrow the preponderance of force was with the Arabs living in Gaza? What if Israel were disarmed -- would there be peace or slaughter? Coexistence or genocide?

I have no patience for those who see solid uniformity in Islam, as though there were no meaningful distinctions between Libya and Indonesia and Qatar. Part of promoting an ideology of peaceful Islam is taking it seriously when such an ideology is absent. There are voices in the Palestinian camp that wish to build a working civil society, that want peace. Right now, however, Hamas is ascendant. The charter, easily available online, is rife with statements such as the following: "Israel will exist and will continue to exist until Islam will obliterate it, just as it obliterated others before it." (The Martyr, Imam Hassan al-Banna, of blessed memory).... "The Islamic Resistance Movement believes that the land of Palestine is an Islamic Waqf consecrated for future Muslim generations until Judgment Day. It, or any part of it, should not be squandered: it, or any part of it, should not be given up."

Something clearly went terribly awry in the attempt to stop the flotilla. But -- if you were the government responsible for people opposed by fighters nourished on a poisonous, unremitting hatred for you, wouldn't you want a peek? If you lived next to a man holding that toxic charter aloft, would you inspect the boat?

By David Wolpe  |  June 7, 2010; 7:48 PM ET Save & Share:  Send E-mail   Facebook   Twitter   Digg   Yahoo Buzz   Del.icio.us   StumbleUpon   Technorati  
Previous: Religious and secular entitlement plus stupidity in the Middle East | Next: Gaza solution begins with Hamas

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European Jews are in the minority of Israeli Jews. Before any returned, in the eighteenth century, Sabras were living in Israel. At the same time European Jews came, there came Middle Eastern and African Jews.

It is a pity that people who know nothing of Israel feel so free to present "information."

Israel is incredibly diverse religiously and ethnically. Also, it is diverse with respect to that which the Christians call "race."

Posted by: farnaz_mansouri2 | June 14, 2010 11:46 PM
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Oooopppsss: In Arabic "SHURAT" means 'The Buyers".

Question: HOW MANY MOSQUES are there? (those already standing/Built & those requesting such & the ones being converted from previous Non-Islamic place into islamic)

If The Islami-Scare, Creep, Spread is real or imagined (or Over); Then It will still be Good to know. So how many 150, 3000? and Which States (all 50?) Can someone please tell me. I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

Important: Containing Islami Proliferation creep In America & elswhere must be monitored carefully (Europe is waking-up); because As long as "KAFIR"S (non-Believers, aka 2ndary Citizens on the Islamics mind set) are considered "DIHHIMI" and can face death or severe punishment in AEGYP; or Saudi Arabia et al; then They should not be Too-Free to Build as many mosques [HERE] as they want.

FREEDOM TO 'NOT-WORSHIP' in a Predominantly ISLAMIC-Nations 54 of them; see OIC) = NO FREEDOM for islami's to Worship in KAFIR Nations [Here].

Until that day I, or when future folks can proudly wear a Magan-David (Star-David) openly (not Gay) or a Jesus On Cross openly (not gay) or be able to organize in a Church, Synagogue or even on a beach etc.. In Saudi Arabia & Elsewhere (w/out Fear or Public Citizen Persecution & local cops or Religious-Police therein turning heads) THEN Islami's can Build [here] & we can build [there]. Note: Woman Rights from religion constraints & Freedom to roam is another, but NOt separate Issue. Islamic-Macho-hood must also be liberalized. Or 'Moderately' Adjusted.

Hint: key word; "RECIPROCAL'. So RELIGION, not only Trade; is a Two Way Street. Be 'FAIR' to "MY-RELIGION" (believer on non-believer Community) & in turn be 'FAIR' to "MY-RELIGION" (Islami Ummah). So

No fairness = No Democracy! Sharia or even Chalaka for example; are UN-[SECULAR]American. And Religio 'Fundamentalism' (craving to live like it was in the Past?; instead of Now & the Future) needs mental taming; Else They will never ASSIMILATE.?! Hence Why More Mosques; means Less Assimilation.

Imagine More Mosques than Yahudi Churches Here? Or xrstian Churches? That's will will happen if ye let it. remember 911? Please America; stop being Nice Guys instead of wise guys, aye!?

U.S. Islamic Religionists CAN undermine U.S. Values

Posted by: shaheed-yahudi | June 11, 2010 2:14 PM
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B-R-E-A-K-I-N-G -- N-E-W-S: ....

.... "The Gaza flotilla ship's captain, Mehmet Tubal, said while being investigated in Israel that he and other members of the Mavi Marmara's staff {2 hours before attack] did all they could to prevent the activists from confronting soldiers, even throwing some of the IHH member's metal pipes and chains overboard." AND

"Another senior member of the ship's staff said that that 40 IHH activists took control of the Mavi Marmara and dictated the rest of the passengers' movements."

MUTINY BY TURKISH HIRED Mercenary/THUGS (aka Enemy Combatants; includes the Turkish citizen kid who got himself killed, who went from U.S.A. to become a martyr).

http://www.businessinsider.com/house-of-the-day-check-out-this-seized-mexican-cartel-villa-complete-with-exotic-animals-and-weapons-cache-2010-6#so-heres-a-shot-of-the-villa-1

This proves that it was All 'Calculated' & like a play-Script; That it did not matter if the Israeli (secular AUTHORITY's) embarked the Flotilla in "International-Waters?" Or National Boarders; the Boarding party would have faced worse or similar or lighter beatings, aka Boarder-Line-Murder on Israeli Police.

Beware of imported Religion & their "ELDERS of "AL TAQIYAH" {the real [Islami]Zionism} tricks, distractions & ventriloquisting such conspiracy's around the Globe & in "KAFIR"-nations for injecting selves via "MY RELIGION" for future world domination or Conquest.

Hint: As a PATTERN; In the Last Month Alone there have been 3 separate Islami Issues involving islamic-Creep tactics for mass "MOSQUE BUILDINGS" {via Foreign WAHHABi & Ayatollah laundering financings}. All in New York City.

1)On Voorhese Avenue Brookly; 2)On World Trade Center around Broadway NYC; 3) On converting a xrstian school into a Mosque & Madrassa, in Staten Island.

Note: THANK G-D (if any) That Islami-TURKEY {having SECULAR-FRONT; thus abusing our-Secularanity-Religion) was not Accepted into the EURO! And They Never Shall!

Note: Islami-TURKEY, as Member of NATO, should be Kicked-out for Orchestrating the AL TAQIYAH motivated "MUTINY" debacle {Murder & Asault against Israeli Police by Turkish Agents} ; And since ISLAMi -Turkey is (1 of 15), a temporary Member of the "U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL" that Islamic-Turkey Should Also get Kicked-Out; or forced to Recuse Self from such int'l ORG for "MUTINY" by Proxy. And other overdue Punishings.

Note: The Turkish LIRA is the most worthless Currency on Earth. Please Add 6-Zero's to it (000,000). This FACT (of Worthlessness) is What TURKEY is trying to Hide from the WORLD but Also from it's own People. Shame On ERDOGEN, FETULAH GULLEN, AKP , WAHHABI Arabia Zionists (Al Taqiyahists & AYATOLLAH IRAN Zionists (AL TAQIYAHists)!

Posted by: shaheed-yahudi | June 11, 2010 1:31 PM
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Continued


Muslims and Arabs stop sulking, you know you have been beaten. Don't whine constantly, you tried by gosh you guys did try for the last 63 years. From Gamal to Saddam, with Mommar and Yasser in between you tried and have gotten a bloody nose each and every time. So this thing you have against dhimmi rule, is hogwash. You know in your hearts that this nonsense about Judgment day, is just that nonsense. It is nothing but ramblings of an epileptic bedouin from 1400 years ago. A billion of you have been humiliated time and time again by mere few million Israelis. Cant you guys see the writing on the wall. You want to change the situation on the ground, first take look at your socio-political framework within your Dar-ul-Islams. It is pathetic guys. You keep your women in bee-keeper suits, you guys cannot say anything in dissent. Theocratic and the nominally secular (yes only nominal secular, there is no secular) OIC countries are barbaric in their social and political makeup still in the same state as in the heyday of Islam say 12th century AD. It is as though zeitgeist hasn't visited your lands. You guys look inwards and try to get into at least the 20th century AD. Then you may try again to oust Israel, until then work on your internal stuff. What you guys need is at least another 25 Kemal Ataturks to get you into the present day. One way back in 1900s is definitely not enough, even for Turkey. See where that good-for-nothing country is heading with Ergdon's rule.

Palestinians, you know very well rest of your cultural arab brethren are really not interested in you. You have seen how they treat in their counties - toilet paper comes to my mind. So in this big bad world, really no body cares about you. So learn to live and let live make peace and make lives better for your next generations.

Posted by: Secular | June 11, 2010 9:39 AM
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This story has been going on for past 63 years and will not stop any time soon. Lets face it state of Israel is a conquering state, albeit done by British in their waning days of glory. Then they gave it to the European Jews to rules, an expiation of European sins against their Jewry. One analogy that comes to my mind is Norman conquest of British isles. How long did it take for the Saxons, its previous conquerors, to reconcile to the Norman rule. How long did Normans put up with saxon terrorism, and how long did Saxons bear the Norman hegemony, at least a few hundred years. There was no intervention from the rest of the world, but they settled. Likewise Israelis and Palestinian will settle down and simmer down probably in a few hundred years, hopefully sooner. The best thing the international community can do is to ignore the morons on both sides. Give no attention. I already hear you all saying, "but Secular, people are dying. Living in apartheid conditions". To that my answer is are we making any difference? No. Idiocy is repeating the same actions, when results are well known - nothing changes.

To the Israeli supporter, I say stop the nonsense about God gave the land ti Israel. This is bunch of horse-poop. The Muslims also claim that god had given any land they conquered to them till eternity. Do you see the utter stupidity of both sides. Besides, even back then say 30 centuries ago, according to the fables of OT, that land was not god's to give. it was already possessed by Canaanites, Jebusites, etc, etc. So back then it was conquered, and now it is conquered, so get of that high horse. You want your children not to be living like you and your parents' generation try to make honest peace with them Palestinians. To the fundies amongst you tell then to go take a hike, if needed kick them where it hurts by telling them you are not going to extend any protection to them, in engaging their loony adventures.

Posted by: Secular | June 11, 2010 9:38 AM
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Yasseryousuf, you speak for me. The Zionists and their apologists are all liars.

Posted by: barnabytwist | June 10, 2010 1:24 PM
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I speak for myself. The Islamists and their apologists are all honor killers, wife killers, acid throwers, gay beheading, two-faced, murdering lunatics.

Posted by: farnaz_mansouri2 | June 10, 2010 4:47 PM
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Yasseryousuf, you speak for me. The Zionists and their apologists are all liars.

Posted by: barnabytwist | June 10, 2010 1:24 PM
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Credit to "jj" .... http://onwapo.com/

Posted by: shaheed-yahudi | June 9, 2010 7:21 PM
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Rabbi,

Interesting essay. I would like to know your thoughts on the soon-to-be-sailing Israeli Freedom Flotilla to Cyprus.

And on the following:

Turkey has stolen one half of Cyprus.

Lisa Buttenheim, new UN envoy to Cyprus,
will never succeed until the Turks return that HALF of Cyprus that they have stolen.

Ending the Kurdish genocide would also be salutary. The TURKS have killed FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND Kurds to date, thirty-two in the last week.

The Israeli Freedom Flotilla to free Cyprus will be interesting to watch.

Still, I wish the Israelis would HELP the KURDS.

In 2008, the UN issued a report declaring the US an APARTHEID State.

This was not rhetoric. According to the UN, the Native Americans are among the world's poorest developing nations.

The average life expectancy of a NATIVE American is FIFTY-EIGHT years old.

Of an Israeli Arab, seventy-six. Of a Gazan, seventy-three.

WHERE is the OUTRAGE?

Instead of sending a FREEDOM Flotilla to Cyprus, Israel should send it to Apartheid Amerika.

Posted by: farnaz_mansouri2 | June 9, 2010 5:40 PM
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Rabbi Wolpe there is nothing I can say about your post except that you are so emotional now that you have forgotten yourself.

Posted by: safiyah111 | June 9, 2010 2:21 PM
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K E Y -- W O R D S:

"Resistance", "Humanitarian Aid", "Human Rights". QUESTION::

What did the Islamic-Ummah (Global Community; wherever they may be or hiding or AL TAQIYAHing)DO to other People & Nations, Before/Prior/Latter 1948? Like wise {on Comparing 'Actions" not comparing-ative Religion(s}? Hint: History is our Jury (witness & judge). Now,

What did the Yahudi/JEWish-Ummah (Global Community maybe or hide) ever DO to Non-Jews (Goys);Before 1948? Hint: History is our Jury. So,who smell like a rose & who smells like shiiat?

RECOMMENDATION: 2-Options:

1) Since Aegypt & Gaza now have reciprocal ingress & egress privileges restored (for an indefinite time) because of some 9-Dead Provocateurs/saboteur's aka, "Enemy Combatants" & who illegally Came to MOSES (not to Muhammad) uninvited that is, & disguised under "Human-Rights" & "Humanitarian Aid" front/pretexts via 'Attentions-Syndrome' with bad intentions (hence result & Cause of an avoidable incident); THAT

Since Egypt's old Prez NASSER regime & includes SADAT {pbuh}, created the "PLO" Arafat & Co., Monsters via "Resistance" pretexts lalala THAT; It is ripe for Israel IDF to Re-Invade Gaza-stan Today, for it's own-good; thus pushing-out ALL The HAMAStani's, includes Hezbollah & Co into Aegypt while boarders are still open. Then, as a "Project" Flatten All Structures in Gaza in order to create a WILD LIFE PRESERVE (uninhabited of course) for at least another 62+ years, maybe indefinite?

Note: Before the invasion of Gaza (not to re-occupy to Live-On) It was once suggested that Israel Charter 100+ flotilla of Ocean Liners in order To Evacuate Gaza, by force if need be {What a great Cartoon that will make?} & load/embark them on-board each ship,with family's together. But 50 Ship goes to Islami Turkey, No ships to Lebanon, 40 to Islami Iran, one to islami Libya, 5 to Islami Pakistan, one to Malaysia, Indonesia etc.. (see NGO & 'OIS" of 56 Islami Umah).

2) But but eventhough Aegypt is the Most Populated of the "OIS" the Best Solution is for AEGYPT to Merge/absorb GAZA with Aegypts People/Provinces&Land. This means that The Peace-Accord will remain intact & Gazan's become is Aegyptian, thus obeying Aegyptian Laws, not Sharia! Please Note: that the "Over Population Scare of the Palestinians is real. And in 25 Years; JORDON will be 65% Majority. And WEST-BANK will be Annexed/absorbed into it. Don't Be Fooled about the Future Via Today's ISLAMIC ELDERS OF Al Taqiya WAHHABi's & Ayatollahs Tricks & Scripts; Especially Agent Big-Mouth Instigator Mr. ERDOGAN & his Islamic TURKS Army; who "used" (al Taqiyah'd) Israel both Technologically & Strategically & more!.

Posted by: shaheed-yahudi | June 9, 2010 11:44 AM
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"But -- if you were the government responsible for people opposed by fighters nourished on a poisonous, unremitting hatred for you, wouldn't you want a peek?"

That "poisonous, unremitting hatred" is the not illogical outgrowth of 40 years of forced exile in a hellhole next door to where they used to live. These people need food, medicine, shelter, and jobs. Instead, they are stranded in a hideous limbo that is eerily reminiscent of the Warsaw Ghetto.

Posted by: haveaheart | June 9, 2010 11:02 AM
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Posted by: yasseryousufi1 | June 8, 2010 4:06 PM
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"When Israel first withdrew from Gaza there was no blockade"

The shameless soldiers of Zion must reaaly think the world exist for them to make a fool out of it. Here's and excerpt of Ariel Sharob's original disengagement plan from B'Tselem the Israeli Human Rights organization.

{The disengagement plan states: "Israel will hold sole control of Gaza airspace and will continue to carry out military activity in the waters of the Gaza Strip." Therefore, Israel continues to maintain exclusive control of Gaza's airspace and the territorial waters, just as it has since it occupied the Gaza Strip in 1967.

Control of the airspace enables Israel, among other things, to monitor the actions on the ground, and to interfere with radio and TV broadcasts. Control of the waters enables Israel, for example, to limit the activity of Gaza fishermen.

Due to Israel's control of Gaza's air and sea space, the Palestinian Authority cannot, on its own initiative, operate a seaport or airport. This situation infringes the right to freedom of movement to and from Gaza and impairs the ability of Gazans to carry out foreign trade.}

Its all self explanatory. Israel NEVER DISENGAGED FROM GAZA. No amount of demagoguery will wash away your lies. And then you punished the entire population of GAZA for using their universal right of chosing a government of their own. Israel is regarded as an evil, racist aparthied state in the whole world outside US and Israel.

Posted by: yasseryousufi1 | June 8, 2010 3:33 PM
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