Politics – August 2019
“The people of Scotland did not vote for this Tory government, they didn’t vote for this new prime minister, they didn’t vote for Brexit, and they certainly didn’t vote for a catastrophic no-deal Brexit, which Boris Johnson is now planning for.”
~Nicola Sturgeon
I will give a very clear message to
today - Brexit will be catastrophic for Wales – it will decimate our agricultural and manufacturing sectors & risks ripping the Union apart. The PM must stop playing fast and loose with our country.
30 July 2019
Brexit is another example for a man who makes an idiotic mistake and then thousands of people try to fix that which cannot be fixed.
~Raphael Cohen-Almagor
Reflections on the Last Newsletter
The End of the UK?
Texas Shooting
Israel’s Economy
Shtayyeh: Two-state Solution or?
Yoram Cohen: Settlements Compounds Problems for Israel’s Security
Canada Federal Court: West Bank Wines Cannot Be Sold Under “Made in Israel” Label
32 Parties Registered for Election
MERETZ
Black Cat between Netanyahu and Sheldon Adelson?
Israelis Discover Way to Prevent Melanoma Turning Lethal
Early Warning of TB danger
Israeli Team Wins Six Medals at Mathematics Olympiad
My New Article: “Keys for Peace in the Middle East: Interview with Ambassador Itamar Rabinovich”, Israel Affairs, Vol. 25, No. 4 (2019): 699-725.
Travels: Stockholm, Oslo and Washington DC
Gem of the Month – The Wallace Collection
Gem of the Month – London Lido
Monthly Poems
Light Side – Brilliant GOLDEN BUZZER Auditions On Ireland's Got Talent 2019! | Got Talent Global
Reflections on the Last Newsletter
Lord Professor Bhikhu Parekh sent me his speech at the House of Lords on Anti-Semitism (20 June 2019). He pointed out that India has no history of anti-Semitism. In the 11 Century, Jews arrived in India from Syria and since then they have been flourishing in India.
Jewish characters in Indian literature are always represented as decent, well-behaved, clean and tidy, good at making money and loyal to the country. Mahatma Gandhi’s closest friends were Jewish – Polak and Kallenbach.
Europe has a lot to learn from India.
The End of the UK?
Boris Johnson received a cold shoulder in Scotland and Wales, both opposed to Brexit. The above statements by the leaders of Scotland and Wales are very clear warnings. England might be left alone at the end of the Brexit process.
Texas Shooting
August 4, 2019, 09:00 Yet another deadly and senseless attack in the USA; yet again, American decision-makers have no intention to issue appropriate gun control regulations; yet again we hear that "The best way is to be prepared to defend yourself," meaning more guns on the streets, and potential for more killings. What price needs to be paid to bring about reasonable and responsible change? I wonder.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-49221936
August 4, 2019, 10:00 BREAKING NEWS
At least nine people were killed and 16 others wounded in a shooting in Ohio. It was the second mass shooting in the U.S. in less than 24 hours.
I published this on twitter with hashtag #GunControlNow and was invited to BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC2 TV News to speak on the connection between the First and Second Amendments; between hate speech, hate crime, and terror; President Trump’s language, and responsibility of Internet intermediaries to stop facilitating hate criminals and terrorists.
Israel’s Economy
The economist Yoram Ettinger compares Israel today to its economic position 30 years ago.
Shtayyeh: Two-state Solution or?
If a two-state solution is not achieved, Israel will suffer “demographic death” and will not be able to exist as a democratic state, Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said. “Israel stands today before a big challenge — either the two-state solution or a demographic death,” Shtayyeh said in a speech at a meeting of Socialist International, an organization that brings together socialist parties around the world. “For the first time since 1948, the demographic balance is in favor of the Palestinians. Between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, there are 6.8 million Palestinians — 3 million in the West Bank, 2 million in Gaza and 1.8 million in 1948 [Israel]. The Israelis are 6.6 million. The Palestinians are 200,000 more than them. “Either the two-state solution or a demographic death; either the two-state solution or no democratic or Jewish state; either the two-state solution or a racist regime in practice and law; either the two-state solution or no peace,” he declared.
Yoram Cohen: Settlements Compounds Problems for Israel’s Security
The former head of Israel’s Domestic Security Agency (SHABAC) (2011 to 2016) warned that if Jerusalem ever goes through with plans of annexing the West Bank the decision would lead to “needless bloodshed.” Yoram Cohen said that “Steps must be taken toward reducing the occupation or the visibility of the occupation in Judea and Samaria by improving transportation, improving work [opportunities]… by converting Area B to Area A”.
Cohen maintained: “The annexation of Judea and Samaria is the central topic that the Israeli public needs to discuss,” adding that the settler enterprise compounds problems for Israel’s security.
While Cohen said he favors, in theory, working toward a two-state solution, he asserted that the option was not currently relevant given the unstable nature of the Palestinian leadership.
“The only thing that we can do at the moment is [offer] ‘autonomy-plus’ because we’re concerned about… a failed state there”.
Cohen insisted that a withdrawal would benefit Israel most of all because it could prevent a future scenario in which it finds itself forced to govern an additional hundreds of thousands or even millions of Palestinians.
Canada Federal Court: West Bank Wines Cannot Be Sold Under “Made in Israel” Label
Canada’s Federal Court ruled that wines produced in the West Bank can no longer be labeled as “Made in Israel.” Challenging a previous decision by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Judge Anne L. Mactavish determined that labels describing wines made in the settlements as Israeli products are “false, misleading and deceptive.” In her ruling, she did not take a position on how exactly such wines should be labeled, saying this was for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to decide. Mactavish also noted that settlements are not considered part of the State of Israel, as Canada does not recognize Israeli sovereignty beyond the pre-1967 borders. While the judge’s decision is legal and not political in nature, it could potentially strain otherwise strong ties between Jerusalem and Ottawa.In 2015, the European Union said goods produced in the settlements must not be labeled as made in Israel. Many senior officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, denounced the union for the move, suggesting that it was comparable to the Nazi boycott of Jewish goods before World War II.
32 Parties Registered for Election
With 47 days to go until the September 17 national vote, 32 parties are set to run in the election. The total of 32 parties is down from the last election cycle, when a record 47 parties registered for the April 9 vote. The current trend is to run in larger blocs, if at all possible.
Polls forecast head-to-head competition between Likud and Blue-and-White. At present, it is difficult to know who will be able to comprise a coalition.
MERETZ
I am happy and relieved that Meretz merged with Ehud Barak and that Stav Shafir joined. Shafir is a real trailblazer. She is likely to be the party’s leader at some later point.
Black Cat between Netanyahu and Sheldon Adelson?
If this is true, then it is VERY significant.
Adelson has been Netanyahu’s greatest supporter. To a large extent, he paved Netanyahu’s way to the PM office. According to The Times of Israel, Adelson vowed to never meet again with his longtime confidant after learning that Netanyahu wanted to make a deal with Yedioth Ahronoth proprietor at the expense of Adelson’s free and most popular newspaper, Israel Hayom, a paper that helped to change the discourse in Israeli society and politics to negate the existence of the occupation and normalised Jewish-right-based discourse where minorities are ignored/discriminated/undermined/neglected, and justice means only Jewish justice.
In police parlour, this affair is known as Case 2000, which involves suspicions that Netanyahu agreed with Yedioth Ahronoth publisher Arnon Mozes to weaken Israel Hayom in return for more favorable coverage from Yedioth. Netanyahu faces charges of fraud and breach of trust pending an October hearing in that case.
Netanyahu, according to this report, failed to update Adelson.
Israelis Discover Way to Prevent Melanoma Turning Lethal
Melanoma is the stuff of cancer nightmares. While treatable when locked in the skin’s outer layer, once it penetrates deeper and metastasizes in vital organs it turns deadly.
Israeli researchers have now discovered that fat cells play a key role in this transformation and have come up with a way to block it.
“We have answered a major question that has preoccupied scientists for years: What makes melanoma change form, turning aggressive and violent?” said Prof. Carmit Levy from Tel Aviv University, who led the study together with her colleague Tamar Golan.
“Melanoma turns fatal when it ‘wakes up,’ sending cancer cells to the dermis layer of skin, below the epidermis, and metastasizing in vital organs. Blocking the transformation of melanoma is one of the primary targets of cancer research today, and we now know fat cells are involved in this change.”
Early Warning of TB danger
Some 2 million people die of Tuberculosis (TB) every year. Scientists at Israel’s Weizmann Institute have developed an algorithm that can predict those whose immune system response to TB infection would put them at risk. These people can then be treated while the level of TB bacteria is low.
Israeli Team Wins Six Medals at Mathematics Olympiad
A team of Israeli high school students won six medals at the International Mathematical Olympiad held during July in Bath, in the UK.
Ido Karshon won a gold medal; Lior Hadassi, Shvo Regavim and Roee Sinai each brought home a silver medal; and Shahar Friedman and Itay Yehuda won bronze medals.
The Israeli squad finished in 15th place out of 112 competing countries with an overall score of 156 points. The US and China took joint first place with 227 points.
My New Article: “Keys for Peace in the Middle East: Interview with Ambassador Itamar Rabinovich”, Israel Affairs, Vol. 25, No. 4 (2019): 699-725.
Abstract
This article records my interview with Professor Ambassador Itamar Rabinovich. We discussed the keys for successful peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians; the differences between Camp David 1978 and Camp David 2000; The Oslo Accords; the role of the United States as a mediator and the potential of other countries to become mediators; the viability of a two-state solution; peace with Syria; Taba; Annapolis; the Israeli evacuation of Gaza, and the rise of Hamas. The interview assesses the positive and negative lessons and implications of the peace process, and the likelihood of bringing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to a close.
Keywords: Itamar Rabinovich, Yitzhak Rabin, Camp David, Hamas, PLO, Israel, Oslo Accords, peace negotiations, Syria
Travels: Stockholm, Oslo and Washington DC
I am about to leave for Stockholm, followed by Oslo and then, on September 5, travel to beloved DC. The purposes are research for my book on the failed peace process between Israel and the PLO, interviewing people, visiting archives, delivering lectures, and taking part in a NATO workshop on terrorism.
As always, I am happy to see colleagues and friends.
Gem of the Month – The Wallace Collection
If you like art, this is not to be missed. Marvellous collection of Dutch and Italian paintings, including a few Rembrandts. The collection also includes statutes, armoury, furniture and… shoes. Highly recommended.
Gem of the Month – London Lido
For the first time I went to the open air swimming pool in London. This particular Lido was built during the 1930s, probably as people foresaw the prospects of global warming… It looks and feels 1930s… Still, the idea of swimming in London in the open air is phenomenal. There was a customarily drizzle when I was swimming but no one seemed to care. Highly recommended.
Monthly Poems
A Jewish Family In A Small Valley Opposite St. Goar, Upon The Rhine
GENIUS of Raphael! if thy wings
Might bear thee to this glen,
With faithful memory left of things
To pencil dear and pen,
Thou would'st forego the neighbouring Rhine,
And all his majesty--
A studious forehead to incline
O'er this poor family.
The Mother--her thou must have seen,
In spirit, ere she came
To dwell these rifted rocks between,
Or found on earth a name;
An image, too, of that sweet Boy,
Thy inspirations give--
Of playfulness, and love, and joy,
Predestined here to live.
Downcast, or shooting glances far,
How beautiful his eyes,
That blend the nature of the star
With that of summer skies!
I speak as if of sense beguiled;
Uncounted months are gone,
Yet am I with the Jewish Child,
That exquisite Saint John.
I see the dark-brown curls, the brow,
The smooth transparent skin,
Refined, as with intent to show
The holiness within;
The grace of parting Infancy
By blushes yet untamed;
Age faithful to the mother's knee,
Nor of her arms ashamed.
Two lovely Sisters, still and sweet
As flowers, stand side by side;
Their soul-subduing looks might cheat
The Christian of his pride:
Such beauty hath the Eternal poured
Upon them not forlorn,
Though of a lineage once abhorred,
Nor yet redeemed from scorn.
Mysterious safeguard, that, in spite
Of poverty and wrong,
Doth here preserve a living light,
From Hebrew fountains sprung;
That gives this ragged group to cast
Around the dell a gleam
Of Palestine, of glory past,
And proud Jerusalem!
Might bear thee to this glen,
With faithful memory left of things
To pencil dear and pen,
Thou would'st forego the neighbouring Rhine,
And all his majesty--
A studious forehead to incline
O'er this poor family.
The Mother--her thou must have seen,
In spirit, ere she came
To dwell these rifted rocks between,
Or found on earth a name;
An image, too, of that sweet Boy,
Thy inspirations give--
Of playfulness, and love, and joy,
Predestined here to live.
Downcast, or shooting glances far,
How beautiful his eyes,
That blend the nature of the star
With that of summer skies!
I speak as if of sense beguiled;
Uncounted months are gone,
Yet am I with the Jewish Child,
That exquisite Saint John.
I see the dark-brown curls, the brow,
The smooth transparent skin,
Refined, as with intent to show
The holiness within;
The grace of parting Infancy
By blushes yet untamed;
Age faithful to the mother's knee,
Nor of her arms ashamed.
Two lovely Sisters, still and sweet
As flowers, stand side by side;
Their soul-subduing looks might cheat
The Christian of his pride:
Such beauty hath the Eternal poured
Upon them not forlorn,
Though of a lineage once abhorred,
Nor yet redeemed from scorn.
Mysterious safeguard, that, in spite
Of poverty and wrong,
Doth here preserve a living light,
From Hebrew fountains sprung;
That gives this ragged group to cast
Around the dell a gleam
Of Palestine, of glory past,
And proud Jerusalem!
William Wordsworth
Light Side – Brilliant GOLDEN BUZZER Auditions On Ireland's Got Talent 2019! | Got Talent Global
Enjoy!
Peace and Love. Yours as ever,
Rafi
My last communications are available on Israel: Democracy, Human Rights, Politics and Society, 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
Twitter at @almagor35
