Readers’ reactions to a report on the website of the leftist Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz Monday were instructive - and should sound a loud and arresting alarm to Jews and all those who care about the well-being of the Jewish state.
Headlined: ‘Surviving hiker recounts Friday’s shooting attack in Hebron Hills,’ the report communicated details of the horror experienced by a young Israeli woman who witnessed armed Arabs shoot to death two friends she was out hiking with in the Judean wilderness last week.
Naama Ohion, a first-year law student, was walking not far from Hebron with Ahikam Amihai and David Rubin when a jeep with four armed Arabs drove up and “sprayed them with bullets.” The two men were hit but returned fire while Ohion managed to hide in the bushes.
“When she heard the shooting die down and the terrorists’ vehicle drive away, she came out of her hiding place,” wrote the paper.
“Ohion saw her friends’ bodies riddled with bullets. After her attempts to resuscitate them failed, she climbed out of the wadi to a high point where she could use her cell phone, and waited there until help came.”
A volunteer with the regional rescue services reported that the young woman had been crying hysterically when the search party reached the scene after a 1.5 mile walk from the central path.
Her unfamiliarity with the terrain meant she had waited for nearly an hour with the bodies of her dead friends before help arrived.
The responses of a number of Ha’aretz’s readers - most of whom were too cowardly to identify themselves - were shocking, not only because of their lack of humanity, but also because they demonstrated how effectively the fabrications, perversions and twisted accounts of Middle Eastern history and the Arab-Israeli conflict have been swallowed by people “out there.”
One anonymous person from Fairbanks, Alaska, opined that “an occasional tragic death hopefully will remind the Israelis of what the Palestinians go through each day. … It’s always blame the Palestinians for everything, but funny how Israel never takes responsibility for the thousands of deaths it causes.”
Another reader claiming to hail from Perth, Australia, wrote: “Ah Those perfidious Arabs. Is nothing sacred? How low can they go..? Those correspondents are two-faced hypocrites when one considers IDF tactics against the Palestinians. … When settlers kill Palestinian villagers are the settlers described as terrorists in the articles? Why is this a terror attack and not a murder? Not much difference when compared to gang related drive-by shootings in the States really. Ohion and her fellow (Zionist/settler) gang members did not stay on their turf and ‘kerpow!’ Why am I not surprised?”
“One group of terrorists attacking another group of terrorists” wrote someone who identified him/herself only as an “Anti-racist.”
Ben Othman, writing from Florida in the US, wrote: “Stupid idiots … You [Israelis] are dying for something that you are trying to steal for someone else, that land will return to their rightful owners sooner or later; hundreds of Israelis are dying for nothing, and life goes on, just a road kill and no one cares, no one will remember you, at the end of the day, you are not a hero but just another thief.”
Another mocked: “Ahhh such a touching story from the little terrorist squatter and land theif (sic). Where did she think she was? They [the Jews] are making war on the Palestinians and thought they would be safe hiking on Palestinian land? Where are they from, Mars? Oh no, thats right Kiryat Arba the incestuous squatter colony for land theives [sic] and IDF targeted assassins; good riddance to bad rubbish.”
Natallie Durson from Los Angeles had this to say: “The only thing that Israel can do is to make a good faith attempt at peace with the Palestinians. This will minimize the violence. This is certainly not happening now. This is the age of Israeli expansion and Israel is satisfied to let peace wait. When you are at war, you will suffer casualties. You should be thankful that Israel’s casualties have been quite low lately.”
Even Jews were among the ugly respondents: The two men were “killed on a hike which should never have taken place,” wrote “Fed Up” from Jerusalem. “No heroes! Just carried away by fanaticism and lack of respect for the right of Palestinians to their land. Enough is enough- let us get out from the West Bank [sic] ASAP!”
Dana, from Sunnyvale, Florida drew this immoral equation: “Murders are murders, whether Israelis send rockets from the air or the jihad guerillas fire them from the ground. It`s all exactly the same - one crime begets another.”
And from Sussex, England: “These men were IDF soldiers, out rambling in Occupied Territory. They weren’t “heroes” - “heroism” involves exceptional courage, typically in the service of others. … In the brutal, nightmare logic of Israel, these men were legitimate targets. There are no similar moist-eyed threads when Palestinians are butchered by the IDF, just whoops of triumphant glee. Dead Jews bad, dead Palestinians perfectly acceptable.”
It must have been something like this in Germany’s towns and cities by the time news began filtering through about what the final solution really meant, what the Nazis were doing to the Jews that had been rounded up, herded into ghettoes, then loaded on the transport trains for “resettlement” and “labor camps.”
By then the media – Nazi influenced magazines, books, newspapers, movies – which carried the centuries of antisemitism that had gone before to their logical conclusion, had done its work. To the “ordinary” Germans the Jews had been thoroughly dehumanized. Killing them had become, if not obligatory to everyone, at least widely acceptable. There was no outcry of any effective significance from the Germans. They applauded, ignored, or chose to disbelieve what they heard their own countrymen were doing.
Every day I get hate mail in my in tray; emails from antisemitic individuals who appear to sincerely believe that Israel’s Jews are an insidious, blood-thirsty people, a nation of war criminals who have murdered the Palestinian Arabs and stolen their land; who believe they have the right to pillage and destroy; who deliberately shoot and blow up men, woman and children; perpetrating massacres, penning people behind walls, formulating dark designs on peoples homes and lands.
While individuals are, of course, responsible for their own choices and actions, journalists are largely to blame for the growing worldwide antipathy toward, and often downright hatred of, Israel, a great deal of which is sowed and nurtured by their bias and prejudice, not to mention the God-hating secular-humanist world view so many subscribe to.
God-fearing men and women would be well advised not to take at face value news about Israel coming to them via secular media organs.
Neither CNN or the BBC, not even Fox News will give them God’s perspective on the unfolding events in the Middle East.
Reports concerning the vicious attack in Hebron Hills by Arabs against Naama Ohion, Ahikam Amihai and David Rubin is another example of what is wrong in the Middle East. Jews and Arabs are enemies and will remain so until God intervenes!
“Peace,†because of those who oppose the true God, is no more possible than teaching a snake how to walk, a rock how to talk or a fish how to bark like a dog.
Shalom Stan .
Anti-semitism is escalating so rapidly worldwide that it is a certainty our blessed Messiah shall return soon. This tragic murder and these people’s ruthless and heartless responses indicate the 2nd coming . Meanwhile Omert is to be likened unto a character worse than Ahab or Mannaseh. Whereas both these evil kings showed some repentence Omert is utterly void of any . Ahab humbled himself and Mannasseh actually repented of his evil deeds. Ohmert , proud and evil is determined to destroy Israel. However he will never succeed. Thank you Stan for keeping us informed
Shalom Jeremy
Dear Stan, This is so tragic. All the nations and even Israel’s own leaders may be against Israel, but God and His children are not. I pray the people of Israel will turn to God for all their needs. Come Lord Jesus , come. God bless you and help you keep us informed. Pat
The World’s ignorance of the facts is nauseating and sickening…I trust that Yehweh is going to bless only those who care enough to find the truth…”I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse those who curse you”… to hell with the rest!
It doesn’t look like it’s going to get any better soon. Neither the “situation” nor the media coverage of the same. It takes a lot of time too sort through it all, and I’m thankful for your perspective. We know what the ultimate finish is going to be, but it’s very difficult to witness the actions in the meantime. Keep up the good work, anti-semitism is most certainly on the rise.
God bless you Stan, for continuing to report the truth. As you now receive hate mail, you will receive glory and a well done thou good and faithful servant from our King Jesus when we are received up to meet Him in the clouds. God loves Israel and she will not be destroyed, but glorified. He will reign from Jerusalem. God help us all endure until that time comes.
I totally agree with Jeannette and may I add,my wife Svetlana and I pray constantly for Israel. The God of Abraham Issac and Jacob bless you and keep you safe in His love. Shalom.
Thank you Stan for your faithfulness. It will be rewarded.
During my recent visit to Israel I noticed a lack of interest in the future of the Jewish state by the people in the street.
Will the enemy win by defualt?
Stan I am thankful that you are “Good enought to tell the truth !” I think you feel exactly the same way I do , “Horrow hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law” Psalm 119:53,( the wicked according to the bible in Daniel 12:10) is an unwise person that doesn’t have understanding of Gods ways. .
I am so sad to see and read about what is going on in Israel, and so ashame of my county and what our Pr.Bush is doing againest Israel and I do pray for all Israel and Jerusalem and all Judah & Israelites that the HOLY FATHER WILL BRING THEM ALL BACK TO THE HOLY LAND
BS’D
S-HALOM Stan,
‘AS IT GOES WITH THE JEWS…SO IT GOES WITH THE WORLD’.
LET THEM PLOT THEIR PLOTS…AND PLAN THEIR PLANS…
FOR IN THE END…G-D ALWAYS WINS!!!
With love of G-D and Eretz Yisrael
SHIFRA HOFFMAN
Founder
VICTIMS OF ARAB TERROR INT’L (VAT) website:victimsofarabterror.com
Executive Director SHUVA (Return) THE ISRAEL EMERGENCY
ALIYAH MOVEMENT website:www.shuva.net
Stan, Thank you and Jan Willem for your uncompromising boldness to “take the heat” for speaking out against Israel’s enemies, sadly including America and our rush to have a “Bush Legacy”, which portends a disasterous and ominous 2008. If we thought Katrina was bad after the Gaza disaster, wait till Bush & company get through with the attempt to give away Israel’s heartland. I’m praying for Bush’s trip to Israel & “Palestine”, that he will not be assassinated, especially with his visit to Ramallah where the Alaqsa Martyr’s Brigade will cover some of his “security” backup. May God have mercy on all those who would seek to, “divide My Land.”
Last week, I mentioned the title “Big Satan” (as the Muslims describe the USA)
to a Christian friend in the States. He blistered me for saying such a thing as a
Christian brother. Apparently, he had never heard the terminology “Little Satan” - as pertaining to Israel (by the enemy) and “Big Satan”. I sincerely apologised for offending him but suggested he catch up on some foreign affairs’ learning. I love the USA and its people but I fear for the people who are being represented by
Pres. Bush and sidekick Condo Rice in their efforts to destroy Israel; I pray that
the judgment will come against the perpetrators and not the citizens as a whole.
Is there anyone else out there in blogland who has NOT heard the aforementioned terms in relation to Israel and the U.S.? Stan is one journo who can be trusted - for which we praise and thank our God.
Alan the Aussie, with love.
God bless Israel and all the Jews everywhere. May they repent and turn to Jesus ASAP as it may soon be too late. Satan is working feverishley to destroy Israel.
I think pres Bush is very Ignorant about God’s Word and so he blindly works against Israel. I think the angry little Rice girl should go home and wash dishes. She too stumbles about blindly.
Thank you Stan for all your updates.
This is travesty, the way the world is coming against the Jewish nation. According to Bible, there is to be no dividing up of the land. Please know that there are many standing with you in prayer, that cannot do anything else. Bless you for keeping us on top of this so tht we can pray effectively. I have started sending money to the desperate Jews who are starving in Russia, that were displaced. I am on disability and do not have much , but I will bless Israel as long as I draw breath in my body. G-d says “comfort ye my people”. Shalom, Karen
STAN GOD SAID HE WOULD CURSE THOSE THAT CURSE HIS PEOPLE, WE AMERICANS ARE IN FOR A BUMPY RIDE I FEAR. PRESIDENT BUSH I HOPE YOU READ THIS, MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON YOUR SOUL. YOU CALL YOUR SELF A CHRISTIAN I CAN’T AND WONT SAY YOU ARE OR YOU AREN’T, BUT YOU KNOW IN YOUR HEART IF YOU ARE OR NOT AND GOD KNOWS AS WELL, GOD IS THE ONE YOU HAD BETTER FEAR PRESIDENT BUSH. GOD’S POWER IS MANY MILLIONS OF TIMES STRONGER THAN ANY WEAPON AMERICA HAS OR EVER WILL HAVE.
ISRAEL KEEP THE FAITH GOD IS WITH YOU HIS CHOSEN PEOPLE!!!!
Thank you for your excellent reporting on reality. It truly is tragic how the mainstream media distorts the truth, vilifies Israel and misinforms whilst influencing the majority. We are surely living in a time of woe when evil is called good and good evil by the ignorant and foolish majority. Once again thank you for your stand for truth and your exposing of the insiduous lies and misrepresentations. I would sooner read your reports than watch or read the mainstream medias lies and bias. Come quickly Lord Jesus and until then may you continue to fight the good fight, to stand and continue to inform despite the opposition. Shalom
Charlene, County Durham England
There could have been a better title for this piece of work. How many more years of Anti-semitism must go on? Truly the world is blinded by their hatred of a proud people. My heart bleeds for the Israeli’s and their suffering. When, O Lord, will you come to rescue your people from the blind, arrogant hatred thrust upon them?
If you are looking for “fair and balanced” reporting on Cable you might want to consider contacting Glen Beck.
These comments are disgusting but not surprising. Peoples’ love has grown cold.
Matthew 24:9 - 13 (NASB) 9“Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. 10“At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. 11“Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. 12“Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. 13“But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.
I believe it, but it’s so hard to believe the people’s comments being so anti Zionist and/or totally uninformed or, should I say, informed falsely by today’s secular humanist media.
Thanks Stan, for making this information known. It gives us more insight as how we need to pray. I am still furious with “Mr. Landau, Editor of Haaretz.
As desparate attacks from the lying enemies of God grow more intense, that is a sure sign that the enemy is running scared. Stand firm! Ignore their invitations to verbal conflict. BLOW your trumpets of truth LOUDER!! Sound the alarm!! The TRUTH will be heard! ISRAEL WILL STAND! It’s a PROMISE!!!