With all due respect for modern “art” and “culture”, the holy soil of Israel is not the proper venue for a mass nudity photo shoot. Just as the land of the bible is not the place for casinos and legalized houses of ill-repute. We must hold ourselves in Israel to a higher standard. Not to speak for the Big Guy, but I don’t he think that He likes this kind of stuff, especially in his home…

Israeli officials divided over mass nude photo initiative


Tamar Regional Council head strongly opposes initiative allowing renowned American photographer Spencer Tunick to shoot in Dead Sea, while Tel Aviv Municipality, Tourism Ministry embrace project

Reprinted from YNet News Merav Yudilovitch

A report published by the Yedioth Ahronoth daily Monday regarding the possible arrival of American controversial photographer Spencer Tunick to Israel sparked both excitement and harsh objection in the Jewish state. Despite the assertion of relevant parties that the initiative is far from being finalized, fierce opposition has been voiced.

Tunick, who is internationally renowned for his mass nude photographs in public areas in major cities around the world has submitted a request to shoot in the Tel Aviv Port and on the Dead Sea beach. The Tel Aviv Municipality, who received the request, embraced the initiative and an element at the municipal spokesman’s office said, “This is a wonderful way of telling the world about Tel Aviv and its modern and vibrant nature.”

However, not everyone is equally as excited. Dov Litvinoff, head of the Tamar Regional Council which is adjacent to the Dead Sea said, “I categorically object to this project and have no intention of supporting it neither logistically nor in terms of budget.” Litvinoff said that the initiative was a provocation which may offend many sectors in the Israeli society.

“I am a very liberal and open person but as a public official I don’t think that the council which I head should invest in a project so controversial. After all, the Dead Sea belongs to everyone. A nude display of thousands of nudists does not promote the Dead Sea, it promotes the whim of someone who calls himself an artist.”

Tourism Ministry supportive

Despite his fierce objection, Litvinoff said he does not intend on hindering the shoot, should Tunick decide to produce it independently. “I won’t set up a barrier on Highway 90 to block his arrival or that of all those nudists. If they want they can come to one of the Dead Sea’s open beaches.”

The Tourism Ministry stated in response, “One has to bear in mind this is an artistic display. Minister Stas Misezhnikov welcomes the initiative for its great potential in improving Israel’s image as an enlightened, safe, modern and liberal country. In allowing this, Israel will be joining a long line of respectable countries around the world where Tunick has shot in the past.”

The statement further noted that the photographer is slated to arrive in Israel in April in order to check out potential sites. “We believe that a solution will be found which will allow the implementation of the project while considering all sectors of society.”

Here, in Israel, we can’t just enjoy the opening of a wonderful new shopping outlet. No, it has to be accompanied by international protests and threats of boycotts and UN investigations, perhaps the shoppers are committing war crimes with their dress purchases.
But, thank G-d, it doesn’t seem to phase us Israelis…We just go right about our business of shopping in the beautiful new store, enjoying the fruits of our flourishing Israeli economy. Let the world storm on around us…Life in the Holyland goes on…

Shoppers storm Israel’s 1st H&M store


Anti-Israel groups in Europe to protest chain’s decision to open in Israel

Reprinted from JPost.com

Hundreds of enthusiastic shoppers waited outside the first local H&M store on Thursday, as the Swedish-owned fashion house opened their first store in Israel in Tel Aviv’s Azrieli Center.
Immediately after the count down, dozens of customers ran into the store, practically trampling two baby strollers in their rush to enter, Channel 2 reported. Passersby managed to save the babies while shoppers continued to flow into the store.

“This place looks like the site of a terror attack,” one shopper told the television station.

Meanwhile in Europe, anti-Israel organizations in Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, the UK, Austria, Canada and Ireland were planning to demonstrate on Thursday evening against H&M’s decision to open shops in Israel.

According to Army Radio, a young Jewish man named Jonathan Sanchek, organized the protests. “This protest is about H&M opening in Israel, while it continues the occupation and in settlement construction. The Goldstone Report was published recently, and we think that one cannot open a store in Israel until it starts obeying international law,” the radio station quoted him as saying.

A statement calling on Europeans to protest against the store’s opening in Israel was also published on the palsolidarity.org Web site. “The familiar red H&M sign will be visible in the Azrieli Mall in Tel Aviv and, a few days later, in the Malcha shopping center in Jerusalem, a city gradually cleansed of its Palestinian population to be replaced by Jewish-Israeli settlements,” the statement reads.

“H&M is thus investing in Israel at the same time as the UN Goldstone commission and international organizations that H&M is cooperating with, such as UNICEF and the UN, report about Israel’s crimes against international law and human rights,” it added.

Some countries would call this treason, like, for instance, any Arab country in the Middle East that Mr. Copti might choose to live in.(but he doesn’t…he chooses Israel) He is, in fact, a citizen of the State of Israel. Israel, by the way, helped fund this film which is giving Copti his 15 minutes of fame. He had no problem accepting the money and all the benefits of Israeli citizenship. He chooses to live in Israel, not anywhere else, as do all of the Arab citizens of the Jewish State. No one is keeping them here against their will.
How about a little grace? How about a little thankfulness for all the good you have received from your country?
You seem to be taking your freedom and human rights in Israel a bit for granted…
Copti says he doesn’t represent his home country,,the country that facilitated his advance in the movie industry and helped finance his film. I wonder just exactly who he DOES represent?…I guess just old selfish himself…

‘Ajami’ director: I don’t represent Israel


‘I cannot represent a state that does not represent me,’ Scandar Copti says just hours before Academy Awards ceremony

Reprinted from YNet News

“Ajami” co-director Scandar Copti said Sunday that he is not representing Israel at the Academy Awards ceremony in Hollywood, just hours before his film competes in the best foreign film category.

“I am not the Israeli team and I am not representing Israel,” Copti told Channel 2. “It’s a very technical thing. This is how it works at the Oscars. It says Israel because the money comes from Israel. You have an Israeli director, you have a Palestinian director, you have Palestinian actors and Israeli actors.

International Success
‘Ajami’ gets real, aims for Oscar / Reuters
None of Israeli film’s actors imagined low-budget drama would earn nomination for best foreign language film at Academy Awards. Directors’ strategy was to find first-time actors who shared similar backgrounds with characters and who would infuse roles with real-life experience
Full story

“The film represents Israel technically, but I don’t represent Israel. I cannot represent a country that does not represent me.”

Yaron Shani, the film’s other co-director, does not agree with Copti. “It’s an Israeli film. It represents Israel, it speaks in the Israeli language and it deals with Israeli problems. The representation question refers to problems of perspectives and political problems which need to be solved,” Shani said in the same interview.

Following the remarks, Science and Technology Minister Daniel Herkowitz (Habayit Hayehudi) called on Culture and Sports Minister Limor Livnat to launch an inquiry into the film’s funding by the State of Israel.

“The person who directed the film with Israeli funding may cover himself with Hamas flags tonight. If the film wins an Oscar, this may be a Pyrrhic victory for the State of Israel,” the minister said.

In response to Copti’s remairs, Minister Livnat said, “The film ‘Ajami’ was produced and received an Oscar nomination thanks to funds from the State of Israel, which Scandar Copti now tries to renounce. Without the State’s support, Copti would not be walking on the red carpet tonight.”

She added, “It’s sad that a director who was supported by the State is renouncing those that made it possible for him to create and express himself. Fortunately, all the others who had a part in the film’s creation consider themselves part of the State of Israel and are proud to represent it.”

The film’s directors and stars attended several Hollywood events over the weekend ahead of Sunday night’s ceremony. Copti told Ynet earlier that winning was not the most important thing for him.

“It would be nice to get the prize, but we don’t need it. It’s not a must,” he said.

“Ajami” will be competing in the best foreign-language film category against “El Secreto de Sus Ojos” from Argentina, “The Milk of Sorrow” from Peru, “Un Prophete” from France, and “The White Ribbon” from Germany. It is the ninth Israeli movie to be nominated for an Oscar in this category.

Click to view Video

No one want to bring visitors to Israel more than yours-truly…but NOT at any cost…
G-d’s mandate to the Jewish People, their “chosen-ness”, calls for us to be a “light unto the nations”. We are supposed to embody the moral standards set out in the Torah (Bible). It is encumbent upon the Jewish State of Israel to portray those moral ideals and proper Torah/Bible values to the world…this ad just doesn’t do it…

Israelis prove that size doesn’t matter

Canadian Council for Israel, Jewish Advocacy release 54-second ad depicting a couple in bed as part of campaign aimed at enticing Canadian university students to visit Holy Land. Not everyone seems to be pleased

Reprinted from YNet News/Shalom Life

VIDEO – If sex truly sells, then the Canadian Council for Israel and Jewish Advocacy just boosted tourism in Israel. In conjunction with the Israeli consulate in Canada, CIJA recently released a 54-second spot as part of the “Size Doesn’t Matter” campaign, which aims to entice Canadian university students to visit the Middle Eastern country.

The ad depicts a couple in bed, with the woman looking at the man’s crotch saying she can’t go there because “it’s too small.” The man replies, “I consider this a spot of worship. It may be small, but it’s brought the driest places to life. Baby, this is paradise.” The camera then pans to Israel maps and pocket guides placed strategically on the man’s lower body parts.

We’re Great!
Israelis recruited to PR Corps / Itamar Eichner
If reserve military duty wasn’t enough for them, Israeli tourists are invited to join efforts to improve State’s image abroad. Ministry of Information launches campaign, complete with training centers. Remember: Israel developed cherry tomatoes
Full story

The video attempts to promote the more attractive side of Israel, but not everyone seems to be pleased. Jewish blogger Richard Silverstein thinks the ad was made in “bad taste” and says it ignores the cultural complexities any tourist will discover while visiting Israel. He says, “I’m simply flabbergasted that Israel would use the promise of fellatio and cunnilingus to promote itself.”

Writer Neal Ungerleider, who is based in New York but spent a good amount of time in Israel, believes the ad was humorous but completely missed the mark in promoting the country itself. He says, “It is hard to believe even a single viewer will show interest in visiting Israel or have a higher opinion of Israel because of the ad. As even a first year employee at an advertising agency will tell you, associating your country with small genitalia isn’t the smartest move to attract tourism.”

This is not the first time, however, that Israeli governing bodies have opted for sex-themed promotional material. In 2007, four bikini-clad women from the Israel Defense Forces posed in sexy army-wear for Maxim magazine’s July issue.

David Saranga, consul for media and public affairs in New York, said to the New York Post that the spread was supposed to improve the image of Israel among men aged 18-38 years old. But the Maxim photos received a lot of backlash from critics and even Israeli female legislators who found the images to be pornographic. Fast forward to present times and Israel promotions continue to stir controversy with the Size Doesn’t Matter campaign.

It’s a part of life here, in Israel. You don’t really think about what it means, until you think about what it means! Looking at your kids or grandkids, not to mention your wife, trying on a gas mask is bizarre and scary…Welcome to Israel…

IDF to distribute gas masks today

Amid growing tensions, Home Front Command begins pilot program in Or Yehuda

Jerusalem Post online Yaakov Katz

Amid growing tension in the north, the IDF Home Front Command will begin a pilot program to redistribute gas masks in Or Yehuda on Sunday.

Under the plan – drawn up by Col. Yossi Sagiv, head of the Home Front Command’s Gas Mask and Protection Kits Department – the masks will be returned to private homes by the Israel Postal Company, which beat out seven other companies in a Defense Ministry-issued tender in late 2009. Gas masks were collected from private homes starting in 2007 by a private delivery company.

The distribution is slated to take three years. Officials said that after the distribution is completed in Or Yehuda, the IDF will review the operation, implement corrections and improvements and then start distributing the kits in other parts of the country, based on operational considerations of which area is under a more immediate threat.

The public will receive the same rubber gas mask that it had in the past with an improved filter – more effective against chemical and biological threats Israel faces – but without the syringe of Atropine that was in past kits.

Under the plan, Postal Company representatives will contact homeowners and schedule a time to visit and deliver the gas masks required by the family. Each family will be asked to pay a nominal sum of less than NIS 20. The courier will also help fit the gas masks to the family members and explain how to use them. People that prefer not to pay the fee can travel to a distribution center, that will be located in each city, to pick up their gas masks.

A classic post and podcast from the archives!!!

And when Adar comes, Joy is increased!…It is the season of Purim, Passover and the Holiday of the Giving of the Torah, Shavuot…And…The Final Redemption…Is it imminent?…Should we be expecting it any day?…Why?…
Also…A season for miracles…How should we be behaving?…What can we expect?…
Plus….Haman, Hamas and the Messiah…Where do the European Union and the United States fit in?…All this and MORE…

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The Jewish Month of Adar

“When Adar Comes – Joyfullness Reigns!”

(“MiShenichnas Adar, Marbim BeSimcha!”)

Purim

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I can’t wait to get another dose of one of my favorite comedy shows on TV, here, in Israel…I wonder how the flavor of the show will change?…The workplace here, in Israel, is nothing like that in America.

Waiting with baited breath…


Original cast of The Office: Ricky Gervais, Lucy Davis, and Martin Freeman.

Israeli version of hit TV sitcom The Office in the works

An Israeli version of hit TV show The Office is in the works and will feature both Arab and Ethiopian characters, according to reports in the British media.

By Haaretz Service

The show, created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, will be named Super Office and will be set in central Israel, near Tel Aviv. Actor Avi Meshulam will be stepping into the shoes of character David Brent, originally portrayed by Gervais.

The Office has been remade in France, Russia and the United States, where it has turned into a hit, starring Steve Carell.

According to reports, in the Israeli version Gareth becomes Yariv, and Tim and Dawn become Yossi and Dana.

The show also includes a character named Abed, described as “an intellectual Arab with a gentle soul,” and Abba, who is Ethiopian.

“I am thrilled and amazed that Israel is making The Office with local writers, directors and actors,” Gervais was quoted as saying. “I mean, who ever heard of Jewish entertainers?”

Naturally, all of Israel’s enemies, including our enemies within, (I’m talking about Israel’s own self-hating Jews and anti-Israel arab citizens) are in a tizzy fit over Bibi’s government decision to officially acknowledge Israel’s rich, ancient Jewish heritage. There can be absolutely no doubt about sited in Hebron and Bethlehem being essential, integral parts of Israel. The Jewish forefathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are buried in Hebron, with their wives, except, of course for Rachel. She is buried outside of Bethlehem. HER tomb was also officially acknowledged by Israel’s government. And don’t forget that King David ruled over the ancient kingdom of Israel from Hebron for SEVEN YEARS before the government moved to Israel’s present and eternal capital, Jerusalem.

It’s about time.

PM grants heritage status to West Bank religious sites

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced yesterday that the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron and Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem will be added to the list of the country’s national heritage sites.

By Fadi Eyadat and Jonathan Lis

Speaking at a special cabinet meeting in the northern town of Tel Hai, Netanyahu said that right-wing religious party Shas persuaded him to add the two sites to the list.

“Our existence depends not only on the Israel Defense Forces or our economic resilience – it is anchored in … the national sentiment that we will bestow on the coming generations and in our ability to justify our connection to the land,” Netanyahu said.

Tel Hai, which is part of the kibbutz Kfar Giladi, was the site of a 1920 battle between Zionist settlers and Bedouin. It was led by Joseph Trumpeldor, the one-armed soldier whose fall in battle is cited in Israeli military lore.

Read more »

A classic post and podcast from the archives!!!

Sharon Stone is in Israel

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Sharon Stone is in Israel

Sharon Stone

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An entry and show from the archives

Gay Pride Parade Through the Holy Streets of Jerusalem…Is THIS what we mean when we say, “Next Year in Jerusalem”???

Also…US President Bush Is Encouraged by the Arab Energy Plans…Why???

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Would YOU Trust Your Entire Economy to These Guys??? (especially the one in white!!!)

Bush seems satisfied with Arab promises of increased oil production to solve the world’s energy woes…

I don’t think that I would even want to buy a used SUV from that guy in the shmatta, would you???

What do YOU think???

Maybe You could Run This Thing on Nuclear??? (if the solar thing doesn’t quite cut it)

OR, you might think about a smaller one…

OR, you might think about some serious use of alternative, non-fossil fuels!!!

REAL Alternative Energy

Hey, guys, it’s the 21’st century!!!

How about some alternative energy sources, but FOR REAL, not just lip service???

You can do this stuff SAFELY, now!!!

REAL Alternative Energy

Hey, guys, it’s the 21’st century!!!

How about some alternative energy sources, but FOR REAL, not just lip service???

You can do this stuff SAFELY, now!!!

Coming Soon, to a Synagogue Near You (if you don’t put him away in prison first!!!)

At least in America, at least SOMETIMES, they arrest guys like this for hate crimes…

That’s more than we can say for Europe, or Russia, isn’t it???

Next Year in Jerusalem???

Since most (intelligent) people don’t really want this abomination in the Holy City of Jerusalem, why not be just a bit un-PC, and send their party to some OTHER city???

No one says they CAN’T put on their freak show, but it DOES NOT have to be in the holiest city on earth!!!

How about some “Jewish pride”???…

Or even some “Christian pride”???…

Or even some “Moslem pride”???…

Hey, that’s “Ecumenical Pride” happening here, in Israel!!!

I cannot wait to see this movie..

Firth to play Stern Gang leader

…I only hope that they do justice to the true Jewish heroes, like Stern, Menachem Begin and Yitzhak Shamir..

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When you come home to Israel….

Group Names Ben Gurion Best Middle East Airport

…you arrive to the very best…even if it’s just for a visit…now it’s even easier to come home..

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Yesterday’s murder was NOT an isolated incident…US and EU armed, trained and salaried palestinian police officers are increasingly responsible for terror attacks against Israelis…Plus…a Dear (Elton) John letter and other anti-Israel protest demonstrations…Can Israel fight back?…Also…Starbucks Beirut, Google Iran, The Gap Tel Aviv, Jewish fur hats, and the most beautiful camel in the Middle East…All this and more on “The Marty Roberts Show”…Listen to the show below…

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But we are working hard to keep our people warm…Like a military operation, Israel jumps into action to protect the needy when cold weather strikes…Plus…Rising anti-semitism in Europe…Rising home sales in Israel…And…Smoking against the (Jewish) Law?…Also…Fresh, frozen terrorists, university education for killers in Israeli prison, and Bible scholarship in the Prime Minister’s house…All this and more on “The Marty Roberts Show”…Listen to the show below…

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Do You Want to Know Why?…For such a tiny part of the population, we Jews sure are high achievers, and I can prove it!…The numbers don’t lie…And Israel’s achievements are nothing short of mind-boggling…What’s the deal?…What’s going on here?…Some theories, old and new…Plus…A new kind of Bar Mitzvah…For do-gooders only!…And…National Service in Israel is granting wishes…But only if you pay it forward…Also…New finds from the period of King David prove it…Jews have ALWAYS been good people…All this and more on “The Marty Roberts Show”…Listen to the show below…

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