Archive for ‘Israel’

Photos: Jewish Parents Let Kids Smoke Cigarettes On Purim

By LaVrai, 27 June, 2009, No Comment

I was surprised to just learn that this is a common way to celebrate Purim in this Ultra-Orthodox Jewish community in Israel.

These little boys sure look like they’re having a good time… I wonder if they sneak a smoke when it’s not Purim. Notice the little one on the left with several cigarettes in his hand.

: An ultra-Orthodox Jewish youth lights a friend’s cigarette during celebrations for the Jewish holiday of Purim in Jerusalem’s Mea Shearim neighbourhood March 11, 2009. (Reuters)

: (Reuters)

Purim is a celebration of the Jews’ salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther.

Photos: Day Life

Rome To Be Permanent Home Of Mideast Reconciliation Council (With Jews, Muslims & Christians)

By LaVrai, 2 June, 2009, No Comment

The mayor of Rome believes his city should be home to a council tailored toward reconciling the a partnership between Israelis and Palestinians. The opening of this council is tentatively April 21. 2010 — the birth date of Rome in mythology. Christians, Jews and Muslims would be members of this council reportedly, and it appears Pope Benedict XVI is invited to the opening ceremony.

Reported May 19, 2009:

Rome is to host a permanent council for Israeli-Palestinian reconciliation, the city’s mayor, Gianni Alemanno, announced on Tuesday.

Speaking after a meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres, Alemanno said the council would be located at Rome’s 2,000-year-old symbol of peace, the Ara Pacis.

”The idea is to set up a permanent office at the Ara Pacis, providing a permanent, complete council tasked with working towards reconciliation,” said the mayor.

On Monday he joined his Jerusalem counterpart Nir Barkat for a ceremony in which a small square near Jerusalem’s Italian synagogue was renamed ‘Piazza Roma’.

The traditionally Jewish quarter of Rome will soon see one of its squares renamed Piazza Jerusalem.

During his visit Alemanno also confirmed that the Palestinian National Authority is to get a permanent embassy in Rome.

The Palestinian embassy has moved around for the last ten years but will now be located ”in a prestigious
building” in the city’s San Giovanni neighbourhood, the mayor said.

The Ara Pacis, meaning Altar of Peace, was commissioned in 13 BC to celebrate peace throughout the Roman Empire under the Emperor Augustus.

It was completed in 9 BC, 23 years before Augustus’s death at the age of 76 in 14 AD. (Source)

From a second report on May 26, 2009:

As well as government officials, the foundation will include representatives from Christianity, Islam and Judaism, and will be launched on 21 April of next year, to coincide with Rome’s 2,762nd birthday. (Source)

Wikipedia – The Ara Pacis Augustae (Latin, “Altar of Augustan Peace”; commonly shortened to Ara Pacis) is an altar to Peace, envisioned as a Roman goddess. It was commissioned by the Roman Senate on 4 July 13 BC to honor the triumphal return from Hispania and Gaul of the Roman emperor Augustus, and was consecrated on 30 January 9 BC by the Senate to celebrate the peace established in the Empire after Augustus’s victories.[2] The altar was meant to be a vision of the Roman civil religion. It sought to portray the peace and fertile prosperity enjoyed as a result of the Pax Augusta (Latin, “Augustan peace”) brought about by the military supremacy of the Roman empire, and a visual reminder of the Julio-Claudian dynasty that was bringing it about.

Ominous: Blair Says New Israel-Palestinian Peace Deal Coming

By LaVrai, 7 May, 2009, No Comment

(2004)

Everytime I hear talk about a “new” peace deal for the Israelis and Palestinians brokered by some third entity, it raises my attention to a certain level. Add to that former British Prime Minister Tony Blair (an “international Mideast envoy” accountable to what country or entity I do not know) yapping up a new plan brokered by the U.S. and that will be reviewed by “The Quartet,” a term I have never heard before. The Quartet is said to be the U.S., the U.N., the E.U. and Russia — er, nevermind the leaders of Israel and PLO taking part taking part in this final stage. Considering the reports that have been floating around about President Barack Obama’s lukewarm behavior toward Israel and his plan calling for “the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel…. [saying] a two-state solution [is] the only way to solve the Mideast conflict” … I don’t believe there’s much hope for Israel (outside of GOD’s hands). The leader(s) of the E.U. are reportedly calling for the same 2-state “solution.”

Pope Benedict’s Planned Visit To Israel’s Wailing Wall Causing Storm

By LaVrai, 18 March, 2009, No Comment

UPDATE (3/21/09): Israeli Ambassador Confirms Benedict Can Wear Cross At Wailing Wall

h 26, 2000h 26, 2000
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
Izbrano poglavje ne obstaja!

WP-Bible plugin file photo Pope John Paul II is accompanied by Michael Melchior, an orthodox rabbi and former Cabinet minister at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem. (/Jerome Delay/AP)" width="549" height="366" />

While Pope Benedict XVI is currently touring HIV/AIDS-plagued Africa and causing a mess (Pope rejects condoms for Africa), folks in Israel are already in disagreement over his planned May visit to the Jewish state. The rabbi who oversees the Wailing or Western Wall, where Jewish faithful (presumably practicing) go to pray and leave their personal written prayers to GOD says Pope Benedict should not wear the cross (that usually hangs around the pope’s neck) to the Holy site (what remains of the second Temple). Also, security forces in the country are considering banning worshipers from the area during Benedict’s visit. Apparently, this rabbi has banned others from the site for the same reason… but as you can see in this photo, Pope John Paul visited the wall while wearing a cross.

Israeli Elections: Both Parties Claim Victory

By LaVrai, 10 February, 2009, No Comment

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and hardline rival Benjamin Netanyahu both claimed victory in Israel’s parliamentary election Tuesday, which early returns suggested was too close to call.

With 67 per cent of the votes counted, Livni’s centrist Kadima party had 29 seats in the 120-seat parliament while Netanyahu’s hawkish Likud party was right behind with 28, Israel’s Channel 1 television said.

However, soldiers’ votes on bases across the country weren’t being tallied until Thursday evening, which could shift the results by a seat or two.

Regardless of who gets the most votes, Netanyahu’s Likud party appeared to have the upper hand in forming a governing coalition thanks to a strong showing by other right-wing parties.

“With God’s help, I will lead the next government,” Netanyahu told a raucous crowd of cheering supporters chanting his nickname, Bibi, early Wednesday. “The national camp, led by the Likud, has won a clear advantage.”

I guess Mr. Netanyahu "took it to GOD" the night before the elections. (Baz Ratner/Reuters)

Soon after, Livni took the stage before a crowd of flag-waving supporters and flashed a V-for victory sign. “Today the people chose Kadima. … We will form the next government led by Kadima,” she declared.

Exit polls had earlier showed Livni with a slight lead, but strong gains by right-wing parties overall would make it difficult, and perhaps impossible, for her to form a government.

Even if Livni could overcome the formidable obstacles and become Israel’s second female prime minister after Golda Meir, the early results suggested she would have to rely on the participation of right-wing parties opposed to her vision of giving up land in exchange for a peace deal with the Palestinians.

Despite the uncertainties, both sides claimed victory.

We’ll see whom the LORD chooses…

Read the full article here…