Ben Zygier

A lot is being said about Ben Zygier at the moment.

Whilst Israel's enemies will state it as an example of some kind of "oppresive regime", completely ignoring the behaviour of neighbouring states Syria and Iran.

Realists will be concerned and saddened at the tragedy.  Realists will also know that Israeli National Security is a serious business.  If indeed he leaked things like the passport issue, then he would have been in some serious trouble.

Kennedy Graham's latest whinge

Kennedy Graham has again singled out Israel in a post.  This will largely go unnoticed, except to appease a hardcore group of anti-Israel Green voters

Recent actions by Israel show a concerning disregard for the fundamentals of international law.

Coming on top of the air raid on Syria, Israel have now carried out a sweeping series of raids, resulting in the arrest of around a number of Palestinians including three members of the Parliament.

The arrests are targeting members of Hamas which Israel regards as a terrorist organisation. Despite Israel’s concerns Hamas is widely supported and is the elected government of Gaza. Hamas tends to perceive the IDF in similar fashion.

Arresting politicians is never going to be a way to bring peace and stability to the region.

Except if that politician is in the process of organising terror, and oppressing their own people

I intend to raise my concerns about recent Israeli actions with Israel’s ambassador.

What an exciting  meeting that must have been.

Just as I shall raise concerns about military-style action against Israel with the Palestinian representative whom I shall be meeting shortly.

Yes, I'm sure you would have been equally vocal.

Good Tom Scott cartoon

Would you believe it, Tom Scott has actually produced a cartoon which appears to acknowledge Israel's right to self defence!

This is very refreshing.  Many cartoonists such as Malcolm Evans usually show the opposite - they deplore the criticisms of Syria, and suggest it should be diverted to Israel.  Tom Scott is lampooning exactly that attitude here.  Well done!

Australian Election annouced for Yom Kippur

Julia Gillard has annouced the Australian election for 14th September 2013, which is Yom Kippur

Personally, I don't have an issue with it.  The election always falls on a Saturday, which observant Jews will not vote on anyway.

The fact is that most Jews will observe Yom Kippur, but not every Shabbat.  Michael Danby was not happy, and stated he would not campaign.  Mark Dreyfuss announced a similar message also.  Some Jewish people that would usually campaign on election day were disappointed.  Kelly O'Dwyer wrote a long letter to the Jewish News to campaign.

As mentioned, I have no issue with it.  I think that anyone who can't vote should register for a Postal vote now, and why not register for every year while you are at it.  The link to register for a postal vote is here.

Did you know - Animal testing banned in Israel

A fact I did not know, via Israel in New Zealand and Israel21c - Testing on animals has been banned since 2007

Now, all imports which have been tested on animals are banned.

A new Israeli law has made animal welfare a top priority by officially banning the import, marketing and sale of any toiletries, detergents or cosmetics whose manufacturing process involves animal testing. The new regulations took effect January 1, 2013.

“Animal testing in the Cosmetics Industry inflicts horrific suffering on these animals. Each product requires between 2,000-3,000 tests, and animals die in agony,” said MK Eitan Cabel.In 2007, Israel banned animal testing for cosmetics and other products. This new law focuses on products that are imported from other countries.“The end of animal testing for cosmetics has come a step closer today,” Troy Seidle, director of research & toxicology for Humane Society International, told Care2. “Whilst we commend Israel for taking this truly historic action, strict enforcement of the law alongside active assistance from cosmetic companies, will now be vital.”

This means a few things:

1) Israel is leading the way in strides against animal cruelty
2) This contradicts what SAFE had to say about Kosher Meat
3) If Israeli imports are blocked, you may be increasing cruelty against animals

Mohammad Morsi: "The Jews distorted by Anti-Semitic comments"

This is the kind of stuff you can't make up.  From Honest Reporting:  Mohammad Morsi blames the Jews for distorting his Anti-Semitic comments

At first, the Egyptian president defended himself by saying he did not harbor negative feelings about Judaism or Jewish people.

He then launched a diatribe about Israeli policies against the Palestinians, Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) told Foreign Policy. “He was attempting to explain himself … then he said, ‘Well, I think we all know that the media in the United States has made a big deal of this and we know the media of the United States is controlled by certain forces and they don’t view me favorably,’” Coons told the magazine’s The Cable blog.

Asked if Morsi specifically named the Jews as the forces that control the American media, Coons replied that all the senators believed the implication was obvious. “He did not say [the Jews], but I watched as the other senators physically recoiled, as did I,” Coons said. “I thought it was impossible to draw any other conclusion.”

So let’s get this straight. According to Morsi, the Jews distorted his anti-Semitic comments.

Indeed!

Ahmed Meligy has been freed

It appears that after a mysterious abduction by the Egyptian government, Ahmed Meligy has been freed. 

He is also writing a good opinion piece on his detention with more to come

I know that all of you are very anxious to know the details and the day to day experiences of my detention. InshaAllah I will write all about it and publish it someday.  In the meantime, I am asking you please be patient because I need time to gather my thoughts and recover from the experience.

All I can say right now that during my detention there was a very strong quotation by Martin Niemoller that kept my sanity intact and pushed away any doubts or regrets about choosing this path of mine.

I really wish that Mursi and his regime would understand why we activists will never be silenced no matter what they do to us.

There is now a strong pro democracy movement in Egypt.  So much for Arab spring - it appears to have made things worse!