Deputy foreign minister says new cooperation agreement 'doubles our power in the fight against the de-legitimization of Israel and anti-Semitism towards Jews around the world'
Ynetnews
Published: 07.22.10, 08:23 / Israel Jewish Scene
Former Knesset Speaker Dan Tichon, Chairman of the Task Force for International Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance, and Research (ITF) signed a cooperation agreement on Wednesday with Janez Lenarcic, head of the Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), which comprises the executive branch of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
The event took place in the presence of Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon.
"This agreement is a step that doubles the power of 87 states' cooperation in the fight against the de-legitimization of Israel and anti-Semitism towards Jews around the world," Ayalon said.
"There are those who deny the Holocaust and are preparing for the next Holocaust. We must remember the Holocaust so that the horrors will not return, and we will make the world a safer place."
"This is the beginning of a long-term cooperation" said Janez Lenarcic. "We have recently published a review and received lots of useful information from the ITF. We have to all send out a message that anti-Semitism is a problem, while the ODIHR together with the ITF will team up and work together to fight for this important cause."
The Task Force for International Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance, and Research (ITF) was established about a decade ago, upon an initiative of the Swedish government.
The Israeli task force delegation is led by Aviva Raz Schechter, who heads the Foreign Ministry's Department for Combating Anti-Semitism and by Avner Shalev, Chairman of Yad VaShem.
'Mazal tov' wishes
This year, Israel serves as chairman of the task force, pursuant to political measures initiated by the Foreign Ministry, with Mr. Dan Tichon, former Knesset Speaker, as chairman of the organization and Ambassador Yacov Rosen as its political coordinator.
As he closed the event, Tichon stated that "2009 was a year which consisted of the highest point of anti-Semitism across the world, while almost every country suffered from anti-Semitism."
The Israeli and European parties parted by wishing each other "Mazal tov", the Jewish traditional blessing.
The ITF, aiming to promote the remembrance of the Holocaust through education, research and memorial sites, currently comprises 27 member countries, mostly European, which consider this to be an important step.
The ODIHR is involved, inter alia, in educational programs and in monitoring instances of xenophobia and mainly anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. Therefore, the cooperation may help promote the remembrance of the Holocaust and its uniqueness with the goal of combating anti-Semitism.
Ambassador Janez Lenarcic is a senior diplomat who served as a senior advisor to the Prime Minister of Slovenia. The ODIHR joins 6 other organizations which take part in the task force and whose representatives serve as observers, such as: UN Department of Public Information (DPI), UNESCO, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), and the European Council.
source:http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3923304,00.html
Friday, July 23, 2010
IDF Force Prevents Infiltration to Israeli Community Barqan
22 July 2010 , 15:47
Overnight an IDF force identified a number of Palestinians infiltrating the Israeli community of Barqan
Overnight an IDF force identified a number of Palestinians infiltrating the Israeli community of Barqan. A night-watch that was set by the IDF because of numerous attempts made to infiltrate the community in the past few weeks identified last night's attempt. The force identified the infiltrators, one of them suspected to be armed and opened fire. One of the infiltrators died as a result, and the other escaped. IDF soldiers have been searching the area.
Following the incident, the Head of the Civil Administration in Judea and Samaria, Brigadier General Yoav Mordechai, contacted the commanders of the Palestinian organizations and called them to conduct a joint investigation into the incident. In addition, messages were delievered to senior Palestinian officials in order to avert tention in the region. The civil administrations' call for a joint investigation was accepted and a Palestinian representative has already arrived on site. Additional details of the incident are being reviewed.
source:http://dover.idf.il/IDF/English/News/today/10/07/2201.htm
Overnight an IDF force identified a number of Palestinians infiltrating the Israeli community of Barqan
Overnight an IDF force identified a number of Palestinians infiltrating the Israeli community of Barqan. A night-watch that was set by the IDF because of numerous attempts made to infiltrate the community in the past few weeks identified last night's attempt. The force identified the infiltrators, one of them suspected to be armed and opened fire. One of the infiltrators died as a result, and the other escaped. IDF soldiers have been searching the area.
Following the incident, the Head of the Civil Administration in Judea and Samaria, Brigadier General Yoav Mordechai, contacted the commanders of the Palestinian organizations and called them to conduct a joint investigation into the incident. In addition, messages were delievered to senior Palestinian officials in order to avert tention in the region. The civil administrations' call for a joint investigation was accepted and a Palestinian representative has already arrived on site. Additional details of the incident are being reviewed.
source:http://dover.idf.il/IDF/English/News/today/10/07/2201.htm
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Counterproductive boycott of Israeli goods is harming Israeli businesses and Palestinian workers alike
As Washington and the European Union maintain their policy of portraying the Middle East peace process as being on the brink of a breakthrough (a fantasy they have clung to for decades), the growing Palestinian boycott of Israeli goods is starting to take a toll, both on Palestinians and Israelis.
The boycott started to pick up steam in recent months as Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad - the "moderate" whom Western power brokers insist is the key to peace - instigated and supported a number of public burnings of Israeli-made goods.
Fayyad also implemented legislation making it illegal for Palestinian stores to stock Israeli goods, or for average Palestinians to shop at Israeli stores. A team of 66,000 volunteers have been tasked by the Palestinian Authority with inspecting stores across the Palestinian-controlled territories. Those approved by the inspectors are given a large sticker to display declaring to all that their store has no Jewish products.
The boycott is ostensibly aimed only at Israeli factories and stores in Judea and Samaria - the so-called "West Bank" - but has inevitably extended to all Israeli-made goods.
Even if it were confined to Judea and Samaria, the boycott is having a huge impact on the financial well-being of local Palestinians, tens of thousands of whom are employed by the very factories and stores being boycotted. The economy of the Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, the fastest growing sector of Israeli society, is also taking a major hit.
According to media reports, hundreds of factories have had to cut back production, and many have had to shut down. In the large industrial park outside the Jerusalem suburb of Maaleh Adumim, no fewer than 17 factories have closed their doors.
source:http://www.israeltoday.co.il/default.aspx?tabid=180&view=item&idx=2058
The boycott started to pick up steam in recent months as Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad - the "moderate" whom Western power brokers insist is the key to peace - instigated and supported a number of public burnings of Israeli-made goods.
Fayyad also implemented legislation making it illegal for Palestinian stores to stock Israeli goods, or for average Palestinians to shop at Israeli stores. A team of 66,000 volunteers have been tasked by the Palestinian Authority with inspecting stores across the Palestinian-controlled territories. Those approved by the inspectors are given a large sticker to display declaring to all that their store has no Jewish products.
The boycott is ostensibly aimed only at Israeli factories and stores in Judea and Samaria - the so-called "West Bank" - but has inevitably extended to all Israeli-made goods.
Even if it were confined to Judea and Samaria, the boycott is having a huge impact on the financial well-being of local Palestinians, tens of thousands of whom are employed by the very factories and stores being boycotted. The economy of the Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, the fastest growing sector of Israeli society, is also taking a major hit.
According to media reports, hundreds of factories have had to cut back production, and many have had to shut down. In the large industrial park outside the Jerusalem suburb of Maaleh Adumim, no fewer than 17 factories have closed their doors.
source:http://www.israeltoday.co.il/default.aspx?tabid=180&view=item&idx=2058
Obama Funds Vote on Abortion in Kenya -- Is This How He'll Fund Abortion in the U.S.?
by Staff
July 21, 2010
WASHINGTON, (christiansunite.com) -- New evidence reveals that the Obama administration has given up to $10 million to groups in Kenya that are campaigning for a "Yes" vote on a new constitution that would legalize abortion. Though officials denied the U.S. government is trying to influence the election, documents from U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) show funding agreements with organizations to target certain populations to "drum up political support" for the draft constitution.
The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi claims the U.S. is neutral on the constitution. But an investigation launched by U.S. congressmen unearthed documents showing how the Obama Administration is funding outside organizations to influence the vote.
This same week, the Obama Administration was caught giving $160 million to Pennsylvania to fund a plan under ObamaCare that will cover any legal abortion in the state. Federal officials claim that, despite what is written in the plan, it will be limited to abortions in the case of rape, incest, and life of the mother.
"We can learn how the Obama Administration will behave in our own country by its actions in Kenya. Despite a federal law banning the government from using foreign aid to lobby for or against abortion, the Administration has given up to $10 million to sway an election that would result in legalizing abortion. If President Obama is sincere in his promise to 'reduce the need for abortions,' then he must stop funding organizations -- internationally and domestically -- that are dedicated to increasing abortions," said Wendy Wright, President of Concerned Women for America.
Concerned Women for America is the nation's largest public policy women's organization.
source:http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion09512.shtml
July 21, 2010
WASHINGTON, (christiansunite.com) -- New evidence reveals that the Obama administration has given up to $10 million to groups in Kenya that are campaigning for a "Yes" vote on a new constitution that would legalize abortion. Though officials denied the U.S. government is trying to influence the election, documents from U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) show funding agreements with organizations to target certain populations to "drum up political support" for the draft constitution.
The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi claims the U.S. is neutral on the constitution. But an investigation launched by U.S. congressmen unearthed documents showing how the Obama Administration is funding outside organizations to influence the vote.
This same week, the Obama Administration was caught giving $160 million to Pennsylvania to fund a plan under ObamaCare that will cover any legal abortion in the state. Federal officials claim that, despite what is written in the plan, it will be limited to abortions in the case of rape, incest, and life of the mother.
"We can learn how the Obama Administration will behave in our own country by its actions in Kenya. Despite a federal law banning the government from using foreign aid to lobby for or against abortion, the Administration has given up to $10 million to sway an election that would result in legalizing abortion. If President Obama is sincere in his promise to 'reduce the need for abortions,' then he must stop funding organizations -- internationally and domestically -- that are dedicated to increasing abortions," said Wendy Wright, President of Concerned Women for America.
Concerned Women for America is the nation's largest public policy women's organization.
source:http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion09512.shtml
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
The high price of being a Christian in Pakistan
The number of Christians being accused of blasphemy in Pakistan has spiked in recent months and young Christians especially may not be able to take much more, warns Nasir Saeed.
The last two months have seen an intensification of the level of discrimination and persecution against Christians, particularly women and young girls. Kidnap, rape, forced marriage and forced conversion to Islam have sadly become everyday occurrences.
No one wants to hear about the degradation of innocent Christian girls, but to remain silent about it would be a greater crime. My hope is that, in sharing news of these crimes, you will not only be better informed of the harsh reality facing so many Christians in Pakistan every day, but also in a better position to help them win justice.
Christians and especially young Christian girls are paying a high price for being Christians in an Islamic society and the proliferation of attacks and accusations in recent months is reaching an unprecedented level. Christian girls are looked down upon with hatred, regarded as inferiors, and treated by men like ‘mal-e-ganimat’ (the term used to describe booty seized during the Islamic war).
In the last few months, three members of the same Christian family have been forced to flee their home because of charges of blasphemy against them, despite there being no evidence to support the claims, and in Faisalabad, the Christian community remains on high alert after two pastors were imprisoned on blasphemy charges and hundreds of Muslim extremists took part in a demonstration against Christians, burning car tyres and throwing stones at a local church.
My fear is that the prolonged suffering is only sowing a seed of rebellion in the hearts of poor and deprived young Christians. As things move from bad to worse, there is a very real danger that the sense of injustice among Christians will spill over.
Despite religious intolerance being at an all-time high, the Pakistani government, politicians and Muslim religious leaders are failing to take it seriously. The police rarely bother to investigate a case until it is pursued by an NGO, church leader or influential individual. Most of the cases are dropped because of pressure from influential Muslims or because the injured parties – very often being in remote and poor areas of Pakistan - lack the money or know-how to see their complaint through.
That being the case, it is difficult to identify the exact number of cases of persecution but it is likely to be much higher than we think because many cases are simply not reported in the media and oftentimes, victims do not come forward to report the injustices meted out against them.
It gives me no pleasure to bring news of persecution but by doing this, I believe you will be in a better position to identify what part you can play in supporting your brothers and sisters as they continue their struggle to receive the same fair treatment as every other Pakistani citizen. At a time when help is in short supply, pray for them, encourage them with letters and messages of hope, and, most importantly, be their voice where you are.
Nasir Saeed is Coordinator of the Centre for Legal Aid and Assistance, a ministry which provides free legal assistance and practical support to persecuted Christians in Pakistan.
source:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/the.high.price.of.being.a.christian.in.pakistan/26309.htm
The last two months have seen an intensification of the level of discrimination and persecution against Christians, particularly women and young girls. Kidnap, rape, forced marriage and forced conversion to Islam have sadly become everyday occurrences.
No one wants to hear about the degradation of innocent Christian girls, but to remain silent about it would be a greater crime. My hope is that, in sharing news of these crimes, you will not only be better informed of the harsh reality facing so many Christians in Pakistan every day, but also in a better position to help them win justice.
Christians and especially young Christian girls are paying a high price for being Christians in an Islamic society and the proliferation of attacks and accusations in recent months is reaching an unprecedented level. Christian girls are looked down upon with hatred, regarded as inferiors, and treated by men like ‘mal-e-ganimat’ (the term used to describe booty seized during the Islamic war).
In the last few months, three members of the same Christian family have been forced to flee their home because of charges of blasphemy against them, despite there being no evidence to support the claims, and in Faisalabad, the Christian community remains on high alert after two pastors were imprisoned on blasphemy charges and hundreds of Muslim extremists took part in a demonstration against Christians, burning car tyres and throwing stones at a local church.
My fear is that the prolonged suffering is only sowing a seed of rebellion in the hearts of poor and deprived young Christians. As things move from bad to worse, there is a very real danger that the sense of injustice among Christians will spill over.
Despite religious intolerance being at an all-time high, the Pakistani government, politicians and Muslim religious leaders are failing to take it seriously. The police rarely bother to investigate a case until it is pursued by an NGO, church leader or influential individual. Most of the cases are dropped because of pressure from influential Muslims or because the injured parties – very often being in remote and poor areas of Pakistan - lack the money or know-how to see their complaint through.
That being the case, it is difficult to identify the exact number of cases of persecution but it is likely to be much higher than we think because many cases are simply not reported in the media and oftentimes, victims do not come forward to report the injustices meted out against them.
It gives me no pleasure to bring news of persecution but by doing this, I believe you will be in a better position to identify what part you can play in supporting your brothers and sisters as they continue their struggle to receive the same fair treatment as every other Pakistani citizen. At a time when help is in short supply, pray for them, encourage them with letters and messages of hope, and, most importantly, be their voice where you are.
Nasir Saeed is Coordinator of the Centre for Legal Aid and Assistance, a ministry which provides free legal assistance and practical support to persecuted Christians in Pakistan.
source:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/the.high.price.of.being.a.christian.in.pakistan/26309.htm
Palin, Bloomberg Spar over NYC Mosque Plans
Plans to build a mosque two blocks from Ground Zero in New York City is stirring a heated back and forth between two prominent political figures.
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is speaking out against the project as New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is defending the plans against her comments.
Palin has joined the opposition against the Cordoba House mega mosque center set to be built in New York City.
This week on the social networking site Twitter, Palin charged the mosque plans were an emotionally slap to the 9/11 victims.
"Peace-seeking Muslims, [please] understand, [the] Ground Zero mosque is unnecessary provocation; it stabs hearts," she said.
The post brought a response from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who defended the project.
"Sarah Palin has a right to her opinions, but I could not disagree more. Everything the United States stands for and New York stands for is tolerance and openness," he said.
"And I think it's a great message for the world that, unlike in other places where they might actually ban people from wearing a burqa or they might actually keep people from building a building, that's not what America was founded on. Nor is it what America should become."
Since approval for the Cordoba House center passed, New Yorkers already had plenty of passion about the idea of a mosque at Ground Zero.
"This house of evil will be the birthplace of the next terrorist event," one New York resident said.
"Why should there be a Muslim place here? No, I don't support it," another added.
"In some ways it raises the very question of what is at the heart of all of this furor and that is ignorance," said Daisy Khan, spokeswoman for the Cordoba Mosque project.
Retired Gen. Jerry Boykin believes American ignorance about Muslim history could come back to haunt the U.S.
"When Mohammed conquered Mecca, he built a mosque on their most holy and prominent site. The message was Islam reigns supreme," Boykin said.
"When he conquered Jerusalem, he did the same thing [at] the most prominent site in Jerusalem, the most holy site," he said. "Now, we are going to build a mosque at Ground Zero, where once the Twin Towers were a great monument to America. Now there will be a mosque there."
"What's the message in that and what's the impact it's going to have on the Islamic world?" Boykin went on to ask. "It will increase the recruiting to the jihadist cause exponentially."
The Cordoba House is named for the city in Spain where Muslims began their conquest of the West in the eighth century.
source:http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2010/July/Palin-Bloomberg-Spar-over-NYC-Mosque-Plans/
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is speaking out against the project as New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is defending the plans against her comments.
Palin has joined the opposition against the Cordoba House mega mosque center set to be built in New York City.
This week on the social networking site Twitter, Palin charged the mosque plans were an emotionally slap to the 9/11 victims.
"Peace-seeking Muslims, [please] understand, [the] Ground Zero mosque is unnecessary provocation; it stabs hearts," she said.
The post brought a response from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who defended the project.
"Sarah Palin has a right to her opinions, but I could not disagree more. Everything the United States stands for and New York stands for is tolerance and openness," he said.
"And I think it's a great message for the world that, unlike in other places where they might actually ban people from wearing a burqa or they might actually keep people from building a building, that's not what America was founded on. Nor is it what America should become."
Since approval for the Cordoba House center passed, New Yorkers already had plenty of passion about the idea of a mosque at Ground Zero.
"This house of evil will be the birthplace of the next terrorist event," one New York resident said.
"Why should there be a Muslim place here? No, I don't support it," another added.
"In some ways it raises the very question of what is at the heart of all of this furor and that is ignorance," said Daisy Khan, spokeswoman for the Cordoba Mosque project.
Retired Gen. Jerry Boykin believes American ignorance about Muslim history could come back to haunt the U.S.
"When Mohammed conquered Mecca, he built a mosque on their most holy and prominent site. The message was Islam reigns supreme," Boykin said.
"When he conquered Jerusalem, he did the same thing [at] the most prominent site in Jerusalem, the most holy site," he said. "Now, we are going to build a mosque at Ground Zero, where once the Twin Towers were a great monument to America. Now there will be a mosque there."
"What's the message in that and what's the impact it's going to have on the Islamic world?" Boykin went on to ask. "It will increase the recruiting to the jihadist cause exponentially."
The Cordoba House is named for the city in Spain where Muslims began their conquest of the West in the eighth century.
source:http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2010/July/Palin-Bloomberg-Spar-over-NYC-Mosque-Plans/
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Gabi Ashkenazi Spoke Today at the Arch of Titus
19 July 2010 , 20:21
"We are here, at the Arch of Titus in Rome on the eve of Tisha B'av, the day the Jewish Temple was destroyed by Titus, and together with the Jewish Community we say: 'The people of Israel are alive!'" - Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi
This is a part of the address given by the IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, during a short ceremony that was held at the historical Arch of Titus in Rome this evening, on the eve of Tisha B'av [9th of the Jewish calendar month of Av – Jewish commemoration and fast day marking the destruction of the First and Second Jewish Temples in Jerusalem]. The Israeli Ambassador in Italy, Mr. Gideon Meir, the president of the Union of Italian Jewish Communities, Mr. Renzo Gattegna and the Chief Rabbi and Chief Cantor of Italy, were all present at the ceremony.
In his speech, Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi said, "despite all the misery and horrible tragedies that struck us since the destruction of the Second Temple and our exile, the Jewish People were able to re-establish their national independence in 1948. The Israel Defense Forces, which I'm proud to head, carries the responsibility for the security of this independence. The IDF, as a large, strong and deterring army which draws on its physical and morale strength, is the force that stands prepared against all of our enemies and those who seek to harm us. It is the force that when required, will prevent tragedies, like the one commemorated by this arch".
Earlier today, Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi met with his colleague, Chief of Defense Staff of Italy, General Vincenzo Camporini.
The Chief of the General Staff also met with the Italian General Staff. The two sides discussed the enhancement and expansion of cooperation between the two armies and the challenges that the armies face on various fronts. The IDF Chief of the General staff thanked his host "for the Italian government's assistance and support for Israel in light of the recent campaign to delegitimize the IDF and the Zionist movement".
Tonight, Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi will meet and address the Jewish Community of Rome.
source:http://dover.idf.il/IDF/English/News/today/10/07/1905.htm
"We are here, at the Arch of Titus in Rome on the eve of Tisha B'av, the day the Jewish Temple was destroyed by Titus, and together with the Jewish Community we say: 'The people of Israel are alive!'" - Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi
This is a part of the address given by the IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, during a short ceremony that was held at the historical Arch of Titus in Rome this evening, on the eve of Tisha B'av [9th of the Jewish calendar month of Av – Jewish commemoration and fast day marking the destruction of the First and Second Jewish Temples in Jerusalem]. The Israeli Ambassador in Italy, Mr. Gideon Meir, the president of the Union of Italian Jewish Communities, Mr. Renzo Gattegna and the Chief Rabbi and Chief Cantor of Italy, were all present at the ceremony.
In his speech, Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi said, "despite all the misery and horrible tragedies that struck us since the destruction of the Second Temple and our exile, the Jewish People were able to re-establish their national independence in 1948. The Israel Defense Forces, which I'm proud to head, carries the responsibility for the security of this independence. The IDF, as a large, strong and deterring army which draws on its physical and morale strength, is the force that stands prepared against all of our enemies and those who seek to harm us. It is the force that when required, will prevent tragedies, like the one commemorated by this arch".
Earlier today, Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi met with his colleague, Chief of Defense Staff of Italy, General Vincenzo Camporini.
The Chief of the General Staff also met with the Italian General Staff. The two sides discussed the enhancement and expansion of cooperation between the two armies and the challenges that the armies face on various fronts. The IDF Chief of the General staff thanked his host "for the Italian government's assistance and support for Israel in light of the recent campaign to delegitimize the IDF and the Zionist movement".
Tonight, Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi will meet and address the Jewish Community of Rome.
source:http://dover.idf.il/IDF/English/News/today/10/07/1905.htm
Hate laws leading to unfair prosecution of Christians, new report warns
by Jenna LylePosted: Tuesday, July 20, 2010, 12:57 (BST)
Christians are being unfairly targeted by laws intended to prevent religious hate crimes, a new report from Civitas warns.
The report, A New Inquisition: Religious Persecution in Britain Today, criticises the “oppressive oddity” of judicial attempts to regulate religious hatred.
The report was researched and written for the think tank by Jon Davies, former head of the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Newcastle.
He warns that although the Blasphemy Law was abolished in 2008, it has re-emerged in the guise of the hate laws.
The growth in accusations of hate crimes in recent years threatens freedom of speech by destroying the possibility of “open, sociable and critical” discussions on religion.
The difficulty in clearly defining when a hate crime has been committed has resulted in confusion and judges have become “surrogate theologians”, essentially establishing a “theocracy by the backdoor”.
“Are judges, even judges giving the ‘right’ verdict, so qualified in theology that they feel able to offer doctrinal guidance?” the report states.
“Is the Crown Prosecution Service so prudent in its understanding of ‘religious hatred’ that it should be free, with no penalty for error, to mobilise the power and resources of the state against ordinary citizens who make comments about religion?”
The foreword to the report claims that white Christians are being targeted by the hate laws more than other ethnic and faith groups.
“Some police forces and the CPS [Crown Prosecution Service] seem to be interpreting statutes in favour of ethnic and religious minorities and in a spirit hostile to members of the majority population, defined as ‘White’ or ‘Christian’,” it states.
Mr Davies cites the case of Ben and Sharon Vogelenzang, Christian hoteliers who were accused of a religiously aggravated hate crime by a Muslim guest at their hotel after a discussion about Islam over breakfast.
Mr Davies voiced concern at the “public presumption of culpability” – as opposed to the traditional custom of ‘innocent until proven guilty’ - revealed by the local NHS authority’s decision to cancel its bookings for patients there.
The couple were eventually declared innocent by a court last November, but The Christian Institute, which supported them throughout their ordeal, said the case has led to serious financial hardship as a result of the damage done to their reputation and lost business.
Mr Davies compared the charges laid against the Vogelenzangs with that of a Muslim man who sprayed ‘Islam will dominate the world – Osama is on his way’ and ‘Kill Gordon Brown’ across a war memorial. Although the war memorial carried Christian and national symbols, the man was charged with committing criminal damage, rather than a religiously aggravated offence.
He said the two cases were evidence of the “biased” application of the law, which has effectively created the conditions for more hatred, not less.
He said: “The hate laws are criminal laws operating under the police and the Crown Prosecution Service, and their parading of assorted ‘miscreants’ through the degradation ceremonies of the courts will create more abuse and hatred.”
source:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/hate.laws.leading.to.unfair.prosecution.of.christians.new.report.warns/26316.htm
Christians are being unfairly targeted by laws intended to prevent religious hate crimes, a new report from Civitas warns.
The report, A New Inquisition: Religious Persecution in Britain Today, criticises the “oppressive oddity” of judicial attempts to regulate religious hatred.
The report was researched and written for the think tank by Jon Davies, former head of the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Newcastle.
He warns that although the Blasphemy Law was abolished in 2008, it has re-emerged in the guise of the hate laws.
The growth in accusations of hate crimes in recent years threatens freedom of speech by destroying the possibility of “open, sociable and critical” discussions on religion.
The difficulty in clearly defining when a hate crime has been committed has resulted in confusion and judges have become “surrogate theologians”, essentially establishing a “theocracy by the backdoor”.
“Are judges, even judges giving the ‘right’ verdict, so qualified in theology that they feel able to offer doctrinal guidance?” the report states.
“Is the Crown Prosecution Service so prudent in its understanding of ‘religious hatred’ that it should be free, with no penalty for error, to mobilise the power and resources of the state against ordinary citizens who make comments about religion?”
The foreword to the report claims that white Christians are being targeted by the hate laws more than other ethnic and faith groups.
“Some police forces and the CPS [Crown Prosecution Service] seem to be interpreting statutes in favour of ethnic and religious minorities and in a spirit hostile to members of the majority population, defined as ‘White’ or ‘Christian’,” it states.
Mr Davies cites the case of Ben and Sharon Vogelenzang, Christian hoteliers who were accused of a religiously aggravated hate crime by a Muslim guest at their hotel after a discussion about Islam over breakfast.
Mr Davies voiced concern at the “public presumption of culpability” – as opposed to the traditional custom of ‘innocent until proven guilty’ - revealed by the local NHS authority’s decision to cancel its bookings for patients there.
The couple were eventually declared innocent by a court last November, but The Christian Institute, which supported them throughout their ordeal, said the case has led to serious financial hardship as a result of the damage done to their reputation and lost business.
Mr Davies compared the charges laid against the Vogelenzangs with that of a Muslim man who sprayed ‘Islam will dominate the world – Osama is on his way’ and ‘Kill Gordon Brown’ across a war memorial. Although the war memorial carried Christian and national symbols, the man was charged with committing criminal damage, rather than a religiously aggravated offence.
He said the two cases were evidence of the “biased” application of the law, which has effectively created the conditions for more hatred, not less.
He said: “The hate laws are criminal laws operating under the police and the Crown Prosecution Service, and their parading of assorted ‘miscreants’ through the degradation ceremonies of the courts will create more abuse and hatred.”
source:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/hate.laws.leading.to.unfair.prosecution.of.christians.new.report.warns/26316.htm
Monday, July 19, 2010
Son of Hamas - Zero Tolerance for “Ground Zero” Mosque
From Son of Hamas blog:
================================
The five-story building at 45-47 Park Place in Manhattan, two blocks north of “Ground Zero,” was built more than 150 years ago. The religion practiced within its walls, however, dates back nearly 1,500 years—and is directly responsible for the slaughter of nearly 3,000 Americans.
Last year, Soho Properties, a Muslim-run real estate company, paid $4.85 million cash for the property. Two of the investors—Cordoba Initiative and the American Society for Muslim Advancement—now want to turn it into what has been called a “mega mosque.”
According to its website, the “Cordoba Initiative hopes to build a $100 million, 13-story community center with Islamic, interfaith and secular programming.” In addition to the mosque, the project calls for a 500-seat auditorium, swimming pool, art exhibition spaces, bookstores and restaurants.
Please understand that I have no problem with buildings. But I have a very big problem with the politics and symbolism behind this building.
The proposed “Ground Zero” mosque, despite its humanitarian cocoon and politically correct marketing, would shout five times every day the contempt the American Muslim community has for thousands of innocent victims and their families. While Westerners who consider themselves chic and enlightened go to any lengths to avoid offending Islam, the Muslim community appears to think nothing of pouring acid in America’s open wounds.
Why was this particular site selected? Because the need for a $100 million mosque is so great? Because 45-47 Park Place is the only place left in Manhattan to put a mosque? No. Because it will make a powerful political and religious statement.
Americans need to understand that the soul of this so-called community center will be an altar to the god that justified and mandated the 9/11 massacre. If allowed to proceed unopposed, it will stand as a bold affirmation of the same Qur’an quoted on camera by 19 fedayeen as they prepared to kill themselves and thousands of innocent men and women. It will be a Petri dish for the virulent virus called Islam, a holy place where its dark god is honored and worshiped.
We need to remind ourselves where thousands of Muslims in America have come from. They came from mosques, just like the one the Cordoba Initiative wants to build up the street from the ruin of the World Trade Center. Mosques in Iran and Iraq and Afghanistan and Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. They came here to escape the corrupt systems and brutal regimes of their homelands.
From the oppression of these Quranic cultures, they came to America to enjoy the benefits of liberty and the protections of the Constitution. Now a growing number of Muslim organizations are using their precious freedoms of speech and religion as weapons against the freedoms themselves. They are using fine-sounding arguments to convince uniformed Westerners that Islam is peaceful, good and caring. And they shame others into feeling foolish and guilty if they dare to insist that the emperor is naked.
“I think this particular group of people in the Cordoba Institute can do a huge amount of good not only for Muslims in New York but also for interfaith relations throughout the country,” said Ibrahim Ramey, director of the Human and Civil Rights Division of the Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation, on CNN’s American Morning.
If Cordoba and other Muslim organizations in America would like to “do a huge amount of good,” let them build a hospital instead of a mosque. Build something that will help the families of the 9/11 victims. Do something productive for humanity in general, instead of challenging liberty and confusing people about the realities of Islam. This is how they can generate good will, not by building a rock of offense two blocks from Ground Zero.
source:http://sonofhamas.wordpress.com/2010/07/16/zero-tolerance-for-%E2%80%9Cground-zero%E2%80%9D-mosque/
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The five-story building at 45-47 Park Place in Manhattan, two blocks north of “Ground Zero,” was built more than 150 years ago. The religion practiced within its walls, however, dates back nearly 1,500 years—and is directly responsible for the slaughter of nearly 3,000 Americans.
Last year, Soho Properties, a Muslim-run real estate company, paid $4.85 million cash for the property. Two of the investors—Cordoba Initiative and the American Society for Muslim Advancement—now want to turn it into what has been called a “mega mosque.”
According to its website, the “Cordoba Initiative hopes to build a $100 million, 13-story community center with Islamic, interfaith and secular programming.” In addition to the mosque, the project calls for a 500-seat auditorium, swimming pool, art exhibition spaces, bookstores and restaurants.
Please understand that I have no problem with buildings. But I have a very big problem with the politics and symbolism behind this building.
The proposed “Ground Zero” mosque, despite its humanitarian cocoon and politically correct marketing, would shout five times every day the contempt the American Muslim community has for thousands of innocent victims and their families. While Westerners who consider themselves chic and enlightened go to any lengths to avoid offending Islam, the Muslim community appears to think nothing of pouring acid in America’s open wounds.
Why was this particular site selected? Because the need for a $100 million mosque is so great? Because 45-47 Park Place is the only place left in Manhattan to put a mosque? No. Because it will make a powerful political and religious statement.
Americans need to understand that the soul of this so-called community center will be an altar to the god that justified and mandated the 9/11 massacre. If allowed to proceed unopposed, it will stand as a bold affirmation of the same Qur’an quoted on camera by 19 fedayeen as they prepared to kill themselves and thousands of innocent men and women. It will be a Petri dish for the virulent virus called Islam, a holy place where its dark god is honored and worshiped.
We need to remind ourselves where thousands of Muslims in America have come from. They came from mosques, just like the one the Cordoba Initiative wants to build up the street from the ruin of the World Trade Center. Mosques in Iran and Iraq and Afghanistan and Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. They came here to escape the corrupt systems and brutal regimes of their homelands.
From the oppression of these Quranic cultures, they came to America to enjoy the benefits of liberty and the protections of the Constitution. Now a growing number of Muslim organizations are using their precious freedoms of speech and religion as weapons against the freedoms themselves. They are using fine-sounding arguments to convince uniformed Westerners that Islam is peaceful, good and caring. And they shame others into feeling foolish and guilty if they dare to insist that the emperor is naked.
“I think this particular group of people in the Cordoba Institute can do a huge amount of good not only for Muslims in New York but also for interfaith relations throughout the country,” said Ibrahim Ramey, director of the Human and Civil Rights Division of the Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation, on CNN’s American Morning.
If Cordoba and other Muslim organizations in America would like to “do a huge amount of good,” let them build a hospital instead of a mosque. Build something that will help the families of the 9/11 victims. Do something productive for humanity in general, instead of challenging liberty and confusing people about the realities of Islam. This is how they can generate good will, not by building a rock of offense two blocks from Ground Zero.
source:http://sonofhamas.wordpress.com/2010/07/16/zero-tolerance-for-%E2%80%9Cground-zero%E2%80%9D-mosque/
Pakistan: Christians fear more unrest after arrest of ministry leaders
Muslims in the Pakistani city of Faisalabad are threatening to torch the houses of Christians after the arrest of two Christian brothers over alleged blasphemy charges in the first week of July, ANS has learned.
Walter Naveed of Human Rights Focus Pakistan told ANS that Rashid Emmanuel, 32 and Sajid Masih, 30, had been running "United Ministries Pakistan" for the last two years in Daudnagar near the Warispura Christian colony of Faisalabad.
He said the pair was accused by Khurram Shahzad, a Muslim man, of pasting allegedly blasphemous posters in a truck station in Faisalabad.
"The arrests have provoked Muslims to take out agitation rallies across Faisalabad," Naveed told ANS.
He explained how they had been set up.
"They (Rashid Emmanuel and Sajid Masih) received a phone call a week ago. The caller told them that he would like to meet them in connection with their ministry's website," said Naveed.
When Rashid went to meet the caller at the nearby railway station, the appointed venue of the meeting, the police were already there waiting for him.
Mr Naveed said that the police took Rashid to police station and he was later charged with committing blasphemy against the prophet Muhammad.
"When Sajid, Rashid's brother, went to tell the police that his brother was innocent, he too was arrested by the police."
The two Christian men now could face the death penalty.
295-C of Pakistan Penal Code reads: "Use of derogatory remarks, etc; in respect of the Holy Prophet. Whoever by words, either spoken or written or by visible representation, or by any imputation, innuendo, or insinuation, directly or indirectly, defiles the sacred name of the Holy Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) shall be punished with death, or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine."
Naveed disclosed that Khurram Shahzad had lodged a police First Information Report (FIR) against Rashid Emmanuel and Sajid Masih and quoted him as stating stating that he read many posters containing "blasphemous content" in the Faisalabad Lorry Station and that details of the United Ministries Pakistan were present on the posters.
Naveed said that Khurram Shahzad stated in the FIR that he took the poster to the owner of the steel factory where he worked and quotes the complainant as stating in the FIR that the factory owner's eyes "welled with tears" as he read the poster so he accompanied with Khurram Shahzad to the police station.
Rashid Emmanuel and Sajid's family members have fled to safety, fearing more trouble, according to Naveed.
He described the situation in Warispura Christian colony in Faisalabad as "tense" and that the Christians there are hoping not to face a "Gojra-like situation".
Gojra, a small town in province Punjab of Pakistan exploded into international limelight last year when seven Christians were burned alive by angry Muslims over rumors that Christians had committed blasphemy.
Naveed said that the Christians of Warispura, a large Christian colony in Faisalabad, are feeling "highly insecure" after Muslims have held a string of rallies over the past week.
The local human rights activist said that a large number of enraged Muslims attended a rally in Warispura on Monday, and among those there were students of nearby Madrassas (religious schools).
Mr Naveed said that agitation rallies were taken out across Faisalabad city on Tuesday. He said these rallies headed towards Ghantaghar and Railway Road Faisalabad.
He quoted one of his friends, who had heard on mosque announcements provoking Muslims to protest at a rally and also to "burn the houses of Christians".
Neveed said that Muslims could not succeed in setting Christians' houses on fire on Friday but did not rule out this possibility in the days to come "as the situation on the ground stands tense and uncertain".
He said that Rashid and Sajid were imprisoned in district Jail Faisalabad.
Asked if the two Christian men could be attacked in prison, he referred to "extra judicial killings of Christians in police custody" in past and said that an attempt to kill the two men in prison "could not be ruled out."
According to media reports, the Christians of Daud Nagar, Warispura, Barkatpura, Bilal Town, Ibne Marriam and Jhandapir in Faisalabad are living under constant fear as a result of processions taken out by extremist Muslim organisations.
source:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/pakistan.christians.fear.more.unrest.after.arrest.of.ministry.leaders/26302-2.htm
Walter Naveed of Human Rights Focus Pakistan told ANS that Rashid Emmanuel, 32 and Sajid Masih, 30, had been running "United Ministries Pakistan" for the last two years in Daudnagar near the Warispura Christian colony of Faisalabad.
He said the pair was accused by Khurram Shahzad, a Muslim man, of pasting allegedly blasphemous posters in a truck station in Faisalabad.
"The arrests have provoked Muslims to take out agitation rallies across Faisalabad," Naveed told ANS.
He explained how they had been set up.
"They (Rashid Emmanuel and Sajid Masih) received a phone call a week ago. The caller told them that he would like to meet them in connection with their ministry's website," said Naveed.
When Rashid went to meet the caller at the nearby railway station, the appointed venue of the meeting, the police were already there waiting for him.
Mr Naveed said that the police took Rashid to police station and he was later charged with committing blasphemy against the prophet Muhammad.
"When Sajid, Rashid's brother, went to tell the police that his brother was innocent, he too was arrested by the police."
The two Christian men now could face the death penalty.
295-C of Pakistan Penal Code reads: "Use of derogatory remarks, etc; in respect of the Holy Prophet. Whoever by words, either spoken or written or by visible representation, or by any imputation, innuendo, or insinuation, directly or indirectly, defiles the sacred name of the Holy Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) shall be punished with death, or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine."
Naveed disclosed that Khurram Shahzad had lodged a police First Information Report (FIR) against Rashid Emmanuel and Sajid Masih and quoted him as stating stating that he read many posters containing "blasphemous content" in the Faisalabad Lorry Station and that details of the United Ministries Pakistan were present on the posters.
Naveed said that Khurram Shahzad stated in the FIR that he took the poster to the owner of the steel factory where he worked and quotes the complainant as stating in the FIR that the factory owner's eyes "welled with tears" as he read the poster so he accompanied with Khurram Shahzad to the police station.
Rashid Emmanuel and Sajid's family members have fled to safety, fearing more trouble, according to Naveed.
He described the situation in Warispura Christian colony in Faisalabad as "tense" and that the Christians there are hoping not to face a "Gojra-like situation".
Gojra, a small town in province Punjab of Pakistan exploded into international limelight last year when seven Christians were burned alive by angry Muslims over rumors that Christians had committed blasphemy.
Naveed said that the Christians of Warispura, a large Christian colony in Faisalabad, are feeling "highly insecure" after Muslims have held a string of rallies over the past week.
The local human rights activist said that a large number of enraged Muslims attended a rally in Warispura on Monday, and among those there were students of nearby Madrassas (religious schools).
Mr Naveed said that agitation rallies were taken out across Faisalabad city on Tuesday. He said these rallies headed towards Ghantaghar and Railway Road Faisalabad.
He quoted one of his friends, who had heard on mosque announcements provoking Muslims to protest at a rally and also to "burn the houses of Christians".
Neveed said that Muslims could not succeed in setting Christians' houses on fire on Friday but did not rule out this possibility in the days to come "as the situation on the ground stands tense and uncertain".
He said that Rashid and Sajid were imprisoned in district Jail Faisalabad.
Asked if the two Christian men could be attacked in prison, he referred to "extra judicial killings of Christians in police custody" in past and said that an attempt to kill the two men in prison "could not be ruled out."
According to media reports, the Christians of Daud Nagar, Warispura, Barkatpura, Bilal Town, Ibne Marriam and Jhandapir in Faisalabad are living under constant fear as a result of processions taken out by extremist Muslim organisations.
source:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/pakistan.christians.fear.more.unrest.after.arrest.of.ministry.leaders/26302-2.htm
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