Thursday, July 26, 2018


Politics – July 2018 – it is Hot!

Your children make haste; your destroyers and those who made you waste shall go forth from you.
~ Isaiah 49


Streets named after people I knew, with whom I spent valuable time, evoke memories and remind me of different and possible politics.

~Raphael Cohen-Almagor


This was not a relaxed month. I would describe it as warm. Hot. Boiling. As the temperatures that ranged from 32c to 42c.

This has been the hottest summer in England since we arrived here in 2007. We had a long and cold winter and now a beautiful hot summer, just as I like it. Going out in shorts, seeing the sun, enjoying its warmth, shining to the worried British people as they hear time and again about the mess they prepared for themselves by leaving Europe.

Hot in the south of Israel. Hamas has an interest to create havoc. As we could imagine, as soon as the Mondeal finished, its activists have more time to engage in violence. Pity we do not Mondeals all the time. We should go from one tournament to another, making people engage in sport than in killing and in setting fires.

And it was boiling in the Knesset. What productivity! So many laws! Knesset members truly excel themselves. More below. I wish them also to be preoccupied with football rather than legislation.

Hot in the north. Desperate Syrians seek refuge in the border with Israel but denied entry. Now, with all the fences in the Golan, it is difficult to infiltrate into Israeli territory. I did a tour of the south of the Golan. Fences upon fences, with advance alert systems. More technology, less patrols needed.

Israeli democracy cries “HELP!” in a loud and clear voice, to no avail. In the Bible we read: מהרו בניך מהרסיך ומחרביך ממך יצאו. Your children make haste; your destroyers and those who made you waste shall go forth from you.


Blog News

Why Avi Gabbay?

Iran
Congratulations – Israel Champion of Europe!
Royal Visit
Shabtai Shavit
Aharon Barak
Living in Denial
Haredi People on Flights – A Proposal
Did You Know?
Basic Law: Israel - The Nation State of the Jewish People
Israel Passes Law to Ban Groups Critical of Israeli Policies from Schools
Legal Advisors Bill
1982 Lebanon War
Camp David
Post Abu-Mazen
Facebook
Exercise in Logic
My New Article - "Taking North American White Supremacist Groups Seriously: The Scope and the Challenge of Hate Speech on the Internet”, International Journal of Crime, Justice, and Social Democracy, Vol. 7, No. 2 (2018): 38-57.

Cambridge University Press

Gem of the Month – Berkeley
Gem of the Month - Guy's Bar Mitzvah
Gem of the Month - Kinneret 
Gem of the Month - Golan Heights
Gem of the Month - Tel Aviv
Gem of the Month - Jerusalem
Gem of the Month - Herzliya
Gem of the Month - Mondeal
Frustration
Surreal
Ariel
Movie - The Olive Tree (Spain, 2016)
Monthly Poems

Light Side - The Most UNEXPECTED Auditions EVER!




Blog News

A publisher is interested to publish parts of this Blog as a book. An interesting proposal. This issue has risen in the past but never materialized. This proposal is more serious and concrete. It requires some thinking. This monthly newsletter has been in existence since 2000. Yep. Eighteen years.

Ideas as how to translate this idea into action are welcome. Always happy to learn from your fantastic, creative minds.

I will keep you posted.


Why Avi Gabbay?
I said time and again that Israel deserves and needs new leadership. I voiced hope that the leader will be Avi Gabbay. Dr. Michael Rodeh explains why:


First, we need a trustworthy leader to dialog with the Palestinians.
Second, given that the Israel population is rather fragmented (President Reuven (Rubi) Rivlin described this very well in his speech about the tribal Israeli society), democracy is more critical to us than ever. It is under attack these days.
Third, the political structure in Israel forces the formation of coalitions. The current coalition is led by extremists -- both from a nationalistic perspective as well as from a religious perspective. This would have never happened during the Ben-Gurion times, which excluded extremists from his government.
Forth, Israel strives on innovation. Current forces at play squelch pluralism, which is key to innovation.
Fifth, the ethical standards of our leadership are poor, giving a bad personal example to the population as a whole.
Sixth, from a management perspective, the government is deteriorating. In particular, people are nominated based on political bias more than their qualifications.
Seventh, it is rather obvious to me that Israel needs unity. Right now, the political forces at play are sectorial in nature and encourage confrontations to serve their political base rather than the interests of the country as a whole.
We believe that Avi Gabbay, with his background, experience, and proven management accomplishments can help heal the country and put it on a much more positive trajectory.


Iran
I was asked what do I think of the controversy surrounding the Iran deal.
We should listen carefully to what enemies are saying.
We should believe their threats.
We should do our best to avert the threats.
No country can represent the best interests of country X than country X.
Existential threats should be taken most seriously.
Iran poses a problem not only for Israel but also for the Middle East and for the world at large.
Congratulations – Israel Champion of Europe!
Israel won the 2018 European Under-20 Basketball Championship for the first time ever. In the final, Israel crushed the undefeated Croatia squad 80-66. The Israeli team led for the entire game. In the decisive final quarter, at one point the Israelis led by 21 points
The superiority of the Israeli team was evident throughout the tournament. In the group stage, Israel defeated the greatest teams in Europe, including Greece, Spain and France in the semis.
The team has some excellent players who are expected to have great career ahead, both nationally and internationally. One or two of them may reach the greatest league in the world, the NBA.
Royal Visit
Prince William visited Israel and the Palestinian territory. The tabloids noted in their headlines that the Prince was greeted at the reception in his honor by PM Netanyahu and by Bar Refaeli. 


Bar Refaeli is the beautiful face, and figure, of Israel.


The visit was of a symbolic value. The prince is well liked by Israelis for his humanity and charitable work. Many of the Israeli public fondly remember his mother, Diana.
Prince William met Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, telling Abbas that he is committed to a two-state solution, and that that stance will not change. Britain’s royal family does not set the UK’s political policy, but his views fall largely in line with Parliament.
Shabtai Shavit
Former head of Mossad Shabtai Shavit granted me an interview about the peace process, Gaza, the SHABAC affair and other matters that are of interest to me. Fascinating and full of insights.
Shavit is a man with immense experience and sharp insights about peace and security. A mensch
I will report details in due course.
Aharon Barak
For many years, I asked Aharon time and again to speak to me about Camp David 1978. For many years, he refused. Until recently.


On July 8, Barak granted me the very first interview on his experience at Camp David. Listening to him I understood why he refused to speak about it. The interview was sharp, full of insights that are not written in any place in the literature. Barak spoke of Camp David and about ways and means to advance the peace wagon. Time and again, interviews prove themselves as an excellent way to gather information. 
We were unable to cover all issues. I hope to complete the interview during my next visit to Israel.
Association for Israel Studies and BDS
The board of the Association for Israel Studies deliberated the motion proposed by several past presidents to refrain from organising conferences in Israel as long as Israeli legislation enables prohibiting entry to those who support the BDS movement.


As you know, I have been fighting the BDS movement since its inception. I said that I’d oppose banning Israel also if I was a member of the Terrier dog association, more so as a member of the Association of Israel Studies. Opposing an unjust and problematic law should not sway us to join the BDS movement and ban Israel. You do not fight bad law by bad actions.


The Board voiced its disappointment that we need to discuss this issue as democracies should promote freedom of thought and discussion; voiced its concern that the Israeli government wishes to constrict freedom of thought and academic freedom; opposed the motion of refraining from convening conferences in Israel, and proposed to contact the relevant ministries to explain the association position.
Living in Denial
The Israelis live in denial. Discussion with two Israelis about the BDS. I am asked why people wish to sanction Israel. My conclusive answer: the occupation. Yes, there are anti-Semites who hate Jews and Israel no matter what. But the people I know who support the BDS are not anti-Semite. Many of them are Jews. Some are Israelis. Old fashioned hatred is not the answer.
The people I know in England, USA and other parts of the world who support BDS are academics, liberal, with social-democratic values, who developed sympathies to the underdog. They perceive Israel as the neighborhood bully, together with another bully, Iran. Israel denies the Palestinians basic human rights and these liberals do not like it. As they think the Israelis are not going to change internally, they think that only an external pressure will do.
The two Israelis listened to my explanation and then said: “We do not call it 'occupation'”.
“So what is it?”, I asked?
“Hamatzav” (The situation), they said. This is the situation. The Palestinians are at fault. They brought it on themselves. Israel has no choice but to limit and control them in order to protect its citizens. It is not occupation. It is the situation.
They also think that only Israelis can criticize Israel. Only people who live in Israel fully understand the situation, understand the Matzav, and thus only them can criticise the Matzav.
I explained that in academia, many specialists do not live in the country they criticize. Sometimes, people who reside in certain countries are not free to criticize the regime. They are repressed. Thus only outsiders can be vocal in expressing criticisms. I asked the Israelis whether they are free to voice critique. Of course. Sure. This is democracy. But it must come from us. From the inside.
There is a lot of chilling effect in Israel. People who criticize Israel for its policies pay a price. The Israeli left is almost voiceless. Yes, there is MERETZ, civil rights associations, and certain peace NGOs. But they have limited power. All the TV channels and most of the newspapers sing the nationalistic chorus. Israel Today, the free daily newspaper, feeds the public with national patriotism, right-wing agenda, and security discourse. Hardly no one speaks for human rights for the Palestinians on these forums. The major exception is Haaretz which is read by a certain cluster of the population, die-hard liberals, who are more and more disillusioned with the frustrating reality. These die-hard liberals advocate equality and human rights for all because this is the right thing to do, and also because this is the right thing to do for Israel. They think that the occupation, discrimination, and no peace undermine the best interests of Israel. But these people lack numbers, visibility and power. The mainstream does not wish to be troubled by the Palestinian issues. Let them live their lives in comfort, and leave them alone. The government deals with the greater issues. The Israelis take care of themselves and their families. And many Israelis believe that the best person to lead the country and address the bigger problems is Bibi Netanyahu because he is experienced, astute and clever.
Haredi People on Flights – A Proposal
There were further incidents in which arguments erupted and flights delayed due to Haredi passengers who discovered upon boarding that they were allocated to sit next to women, something they find it difficult if not impossible to do.


The solution is simple. El Al, and possibly other air companies, should include an optional rubric in the check-in document, “Special Characteristics”. Passengers could simply write Haredi, and this will tell the company that these men should sit together.


It is not THAT complicated, and these confrontations that humiliate women and put the entire plane under stress would be avoided.
Did You Know?
47% of first graders in Israel are either Haredi or Palestinian. Meaning almost half of first graders are non-Zionist. The majority of them tend to be poor and do not wish to be drafted to the army. In 40 years-time, Israel will be a very different country.
Basic Law: Israel - The Nation State of the Jewish People
Israel's laws should be committed to the values expressed in the Declaration of Independence and the nation’s basic laws.


On July 10, 2018, I was at the home of Dan Meridor when he granted a radio interview and spoke about the proposed Basic Law. He said that he resides in a mix city, where two thirds are Jews and one third are Arabs. This city is called Jerusalem. The proposed law wishes to bar this reality. Meridor spoke of discrimination, where Druze who are willing to give their lives on the defence of the country will become second class citizens whereas the haredim who do not serve in the army and contribute little to its economy are first class only because they are Jews. This is against the spirit of Judaism, of Zionism, of socialism and revisionism. His words should be listened to. Israel should not opt to adopt blatantly racist laws. Herzl, Ben-Gurion, Jabotinsky and others roll in their graves.
President Reuven Rivlin wrote a letter addressed to the Knesset and members of the law-making committee criticizing a section of the nation-state bill. The Jewish nation-state bill would anchor in law the state’s menorah emblem, Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, national holidays and the right of all Israeli residents to preserve their heritage without consideration of religion and nationality. Future components of the bill, which are subject to omission and revision in future readings of the bill, include that Hebrew will be the official language of the state, with Arabic demoted in importance from official language to a unique status. The proposed legislation also contains a clause that would legally sanction segregated communities in Israel, enabling discrimination against various groups, including non-Jews. 
On July 18, in a 62 to 55 vote the Knesset passed Basic Law: Israel - The Nation State of the Jewish People. You can read the law in English at https://www.timesofisrael.com/final-text-of-jewish-nation-state-bill-set-to-become-law/

The controversial parts are the following:

1 — Basic principles
C. The right to exercise national self-determination in the State of Israel is unique to the Jewish people.

The word “unique” should be uniquely used, when it is of absolute necessity. This phrase ignores the non-Jewish minorities in Israel. Democracy is about majority rule while respecting the rights of minorities.


2 — The symbols of the state
E. Details regarding state symbols will be determined by the law.

Here is a proposal: Israel has no official national motto and here is an opportunity to introduce something new that reflects Israel of today, a motto that celebrates the mosaic of Israeli cultures, that celebrates diversity and pluralism, and that would unite all citizens around one unifying slogan with which all could identify. The motto should preferably be selected from pertinent Arab proverbs, along the lines marked above regarding the beauty of pluralism and the need to create bridges and emphasize unity. United we stand. United is our strength. Any of the following values -- peace, tolerance, power, freedom, truth, justice and righteousness -- may also be accentuated.

3 — The capital of the state
Jerusalem, complete and united, is the capital of Israel.

I would have no problem if the wording was: Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.


4 — Language
A. The state’s language is Hebrew.
B. The Arabic language has a special status in the state; Regulating the use of Arabic in state institutions or by them will be set in law.
C. This clause does not harm the status given to the Arabic language before this law came into effect.

Of course it does. See above.


7 — Jewish settlement
A. The state views the development of Jewish settlement as a national value and will act to encourage and promote its establishment and consolidation.
Development of Jewish settlements is fine. Development of Jewish settlements in the occupied territories is not.
Israel Passes Law to Ban Groups Critical of Israeli Policies from Schools

Israel's parliament passed a law that could see groups critical of government policies toward the Palestinians banned from entering schools and speaking with pupils. Critics of the law, which passed with 43 votes in favour and 24 against, said it was a blow to core democratic values such as free speech, and that is part of the Israeli government's effort to delegitimize human rights groups and NGOs. The amendment to the education act grants new powers to Education Minister Naftali Bennett to order schools to bar certain groups (Breaking the Silence, for instance) from giving lectures to students.
Source: REUTERS
Legal Advisors Bill

The proposed bill seeks to change the manner of appointing legal advisors in government ministries, so that instead of being selected in tenders, as is the case with all civil servants, they will be appointed by a completely political search committee. The proposed bill may undermine the independence and professionalism of the civil service, as well as the rule of law. It is unlikely to help in the struggle against government corruption. The proposal was brought before the Constitution Committee, despite widespread opposition from senior jurists, retired government legal advisors, the current attorney general, organizations and others.


Former Legal Advisor to the Government Itzhak Zamir invested a lot of his time to fight against the bill which he perceived as political and anti-democratic. Minister of Justice Ayelet Shaked is well aware of all the objections. Shaked and her people listen, say “Thank you very much” and continue with their way. She continues to undermine the rule of law and Israeli democracy by tabling and legislating such bills in accordance with her political agenda. Democracy is not a priority for the people in The Jewish Home Party.


1982 Lebanon War
I had a discussion with former Deputy PM Dan Meridor about the 1982 War and the SHABAC Affair. I certainly hope that Israeli government will not be misled again by its generals.
Camp David


Elyakim Rubinstein is the only person who was at Camp David 1978 and Camp David 2000. In the past, he was willing to speak about the peace talks in general terms without entering into details. Now, retired from his position as Deputy President of the Supreme Court, Elie was willing to speak about the discussions in Washington and Camp David, about Oslo and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at large.


I hope to bring Justice Rubinstein to a lecture tour in Britain. Elie is sharp, with learned insights and astute reasoning. People will surely appreciate his candid and responsible worldview.
The SHABAC Affair
For a number of years, I have been researching the SHABAC affair. Recent discussion with former Deputy Head of SHABAC Reuven Hasak and former Attorney General Itzhak Zamir confirmed why the SHABAC (Bus 300) Affair, is the most troubling episode in Israel's history.
Hasak preferred to remain loyal to his conscience than to become Head of SHABAC. Zamir lost his job as Israel's Attorney General because he insisted on full and exhaustive inquiry of the SHABAC Affair.
Post Abu-Mazen
Marwan Barghouthi, a Palestinian uprising leader jailed for life by Israel, would win most votes if an election were held to find a successor for 82-year-old President Mahmoud Abbas, a survey found. Thirty percent of respondents named Barghouthi, a member of Abbas' Fatah faction whom an Israeli court handed five life sentenced for murder in 2004, as their favorite to replace the president. Israel accuses Barghouthi, 59, of masterminding attacks by Fatah's armed wing, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades. Seen as a pragmatist, he enjoys strong grassroots support and has good relations with all factions, including with Islamist group Hamas. The next most popular candidate was Ismail Haniyeh, head of the Islamist faction Hamas, with 23 percent support.
Facebook
Facebook received a £500,000 fine for the Cambridge breach of privacy. This is an invitation to do it again. Ridiculous fine.
Exercise in Logic
A person (Ehud Barak) writes in his Twitter account that he is a father of three daughters, therefore he is also a feminist. https://twitter.com/barak_ehud
Does this mean that if you are a father of three boys, therefore you are also a chauvinist?
Does this mean that every father of three or more daughters is, by definition, a feminist?
My New Article - "Taking North American White Supremacist Groups Seriously: The Scope and the Challenge of Hate Speech on the Internet”, International Journal of Crime, Justice, and Social Democracy, Vol. 7, No. 2 (2018): 38-57.

This article aims to address two questions: (1) How does hate speech manifest on North American white supremacist websites and (2) Is there a connection between online hate speech and hate crime? Section I defines hate speech and explains the research methodology upon which the article is based. Section II analyses the ways that hate groups utilise the Internet and their purposes in doing so, examining the content and the functions of hate sites as well as the agenda of hate mongers. Section III explores the connection between hate speech and hate crime. It is argued that there is sufficient evidence to suggest that speech can and does inspire crime. The article is based in the main on primary sources: a close study of dozens of hate websites, and is informed by more than 50 interviews and discussions with experts in the field.
Keywords: bigotry, hate crime, hate site, hate speech, racism, violence
The paper is available at https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3102682


Cambridge University Press


I am delighted to continue my cooperation with CUP, the publisher of my last book, Confronting the Internet's Dark Side. I signed a contract with CUP for my next book and hopefully this book will evoke same or more interest as Confronting.


Gem of the Month – Berkeley

The Annual conference in Israel studies is the only conference I strive to attend each and every year. It is for me the most important conference of the year. Berkeley was hosting the conference this year, and I was happy to return to this great to return to this great university. A place of scholarship and learning.

 

it is always good to see friends and colleagues who care passionately about the future of Israel and who contribute to its understanding. And it was lovely to spend time with the locals Rafi and Chris.


Gem of the Month - Guy's Bar Mitzvah
We were invited to a Bar Mitzvah of a close family member in Raanana. The celebration was held at Beit Shmueli, a Reform Synagogue and Community Center. It reminded me of our son Gilad's Bar Mitzvah in Beit Daniel some years ago. Egalitarian, relaxed, full of joy and freedom, accentuating liberal and universal values. We all very much enjoyed the festivities and the family unity. Mazal Tov Guy! May life continue to shine your way as you deserve. Such a wonderful lad.
Gem of the Month - Kinneret 
Lake Kinneret is beautiful. Opening the day with a swim in the lake felt special, magical. Ofer was the perfect companion to explore the lake.
Gem of the Month - Golan Heights



The Golan is dotted with monuments in memory of soldiers who gave their lives in the defence of Israel, especially during the Yom Kippur War. One of the places I visited is Tel Saki. We remember the soldiers.
Gem of the Month - Tel Aviv
My home town is bustling, growing in beauty, incredible world-class city. The beach was, is and will be my favourite place on earth. I enjoyed waking up in the morning, and go for a swim. Before going to bed, walk on its long promenade, enjoying the scenes and smells. Tel Aviv is a must see.
Gem of the Month - Jerusalem
I spent one day in Jerusalem, mostly in meetings, interviewing people for my research. The contrast to Tel Aviv is vast, as if you visit a different country. Jerusalem is uniquely unique.
Gem of the Month - Herzliya
The beach and marina in Herzliya are beautiful. Excellent place to spend your vacation. Israel keeps on growing and developing in good taste and excellent standards.




It was good to see Sharon, Hadar and Jordan, Haim, Ofer, Noam, Keren, Aharon, Mira and Yizhar, Itzhak, Reuven, Irit, Amos, Elie, Dan, Asa, Ariel and Eyal. Thank you all. You made my visit memorable.


Gem of the Month - Mondeal

This World Cup was full of excitement and wonderful football. Celebration of colours, surprises, tension, and some memorable moments of wonderful football. 


In the first stage, 4-time world champion Germany was out. In the first knock out stage, former World Champion Argentina, and former World Champion Spain were ousted.
We wanted England to succeed. The first stage went well. Colombia was tough but doable. The came Croatia.

I saw some terrific games. The world cup is always a very exciting event. Here is my team:
Thibaut Courtois, Belgium
Mário Fernandes, Russia
Toby Alderweireld, Belgium  Yerry Mina, Colombia
Jan Vertonghen, Belgium
Eden Hazard, Belgium
Paul Pogba, France
Ivan Rakitić, Croatia
Denis Cheryshev, Russia
Harry Kane, England
Kylian Mbappé, France


I’d love Spurs to sign Mário Fernandes and Denis Cheryshev.


Frustration

Who was the most frustrated person during worldcup? Donald Trump. Whatever he did, Football was still at the centre of attention. The problems of a narcissist.

It feels good to read headlines dominated by football. May people and their leaders continue to engage in sports and other peaceful activities.


Surreal



Two Haredi singers play Pink Floyd on the Tel Aviv promenade. They were so good that I stopped to listen. 


Ariel
A chance meeting with my friend from primary school, Ariel. We instantly recognised each other. It was good to see him and learn about his success. Ariel is managing a big ward in Ichilov, Tel Aviv main Hospital. Lovely conversation out of the blue. I was fortunate to study in Bar Kochva Primary School, with excellent people.
Movie - The Olive Tree (Spain, 2016)

A young woman loves her ailing grandfather. She thinks that if she will be able to retrieve the family olive tree, maybe he will find value in life, the old spark will return,  maybe she could save him.

The tree is said to be 2,000 year-old. Her grand-dad did not want to sell it. But his sons needed money. Succumbing to pressure, he agreed. The tree was sold for 30,000 Euros. It was uprooted and moved elsewhere. The young woman was 8-year-old when it happened. She climbed on the tree, trying to save it. Her grandfather came to take her down. He hugged her, comforted her, and took her home. Now he is in his sick bed.

The young woman started to look for the tree. She finds it. It is in a lobby of an office building in Dusseldorf, Germany. She lies to two of her-loved ones, convinced them to travel with her to Germany and bring the tree back home.

This is a beautiful film. It is a film about love: love between family members, between grand daughter and her grandfather, between young man and a young woman, between people and trees, between people and land. It is a film about hope. Not a realistic hope, but still important. The film’s messages are universal. Olive trees symbolize so many things to so many people. Olive trees are of immense importance in Israel, in Palestine, in Spain, and in many other places.

The acting of the three main characters is superb. The music is wonderful. The movie is funny at times, and sad at times. Like life. It is very humane, beautiful, sensitive, touching.

Director:

 Icíar Bollaín (as Iciar Bollain)

Writer:

 Paul Laverty (screenplay)

Stars:



****1/2 on Rafi’s scale.


Monthly Poems

A Calendar of Sonnets: July
Some flowers are withered and some joys have died;
The garden reeks with an East Indian scent
From beds where gillyflowers stand weak and spent;
The white heat pales the skies from side to side;
But in still lakes and rivers, cool, content,
Like starry blooms on a new firmament,
White lilies float and regally abide.
In vain the cruel skies their hot rays shed;
The lily does not feel their brazen glare.
In vain the pallid clouds refuse to share
Their dews, the lily feels no thirst, no dread.
Unharmed she lifts her queenly face and head;
She drinks of living waters and keeps fair.


Helen Hunt Jackson
Summer 

See what delights in sylvan scenes appear! 
Descending Gods have found Elysium here. 
In woods bright Venus with Adonis stray'd, 
And chaste Diana haunts the forest shade. 
Come lovely nymph, and bless the silent hours, 
When swains from shearing seek their nightly bow'rs; 
When weary reapers quit the sultry field, 
And crown'd with corn, their thanks to Ceres yield. 
This harmless grove no lurking viper hides, 
But in my breast the serpent Love abides. 
Here bees from blossoms sip the rosy dew, 
But your Alexis knows no sweets but you. 
Oh deign to visit our forsaken seats, 
The mossy fountains, and the green retreats! 
Where-e'er you walk, cool gales shall fan the glade, 
Trees, where you sit, shall crowd into a shade, 
Where-e'er you tread, the blushing flow'rs shall rise, 
And all things flourish where you turn your eyes. 
Oh! How I long with you to pass my days, 
Invoke the muses, and resound your praise; 
Your praise the birds shall chant in ev'ry grove, 
And winds shall waft it to the pow'rs above. 
But wou'd you sing, and rival Orpheus' strain, 
The wond'ring forests soon shou'd dance again, 
The moving mountains hear the pow'rful call, 
And headlong streams hang list'ning in their fall! 
But see, the shepherds shun the noon-day heat, 
The lowing herds to murm'ring brooks retreat, 
To closer shades the panting flocks remove, 
Ye Gods! And is there no relief for Love? 
But soon the sun with milder rays descends 
To the cool ocean, where his journey ends; 
On me Love's fiercer flames for every prey, 
By night he scorches, as he burns by day. 

Alexander Pope 


Light Side
 
The Most UNEXPECTED Auditions EVER!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vwKMmqSzsg


Peace and Love. Yours as ever,

Rafi

My last communications are available on http://almagor.blogspot.com/
People wishing to subscribe to this Monthly Newsletter are welcome to e-mail me at r.cohen-almagor@hull.ac.uk
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