The entrance of Prodi as the new left Italian Prime Minister and his block of commies, ever troubling.

Two incidents from Ynet on the resulting mood change that results when left wing Jew haters take command.. I was worried about it, and I still am as this important relationship between Israel & Italy, ranging from technology and military cooperation, to previous vocal support for Israel sadly seems likely to be on the wane.

Italy apologizes for Holocaust cartoon

Israeli, Jewish pressures cause Italian Lower Chamber speaker to apologize for caricature published by Communist Party, which showed separation fence with welcome sign paraphrasing Auschwitz’s ‘Work Liberates’ - Yossi Bar

ROME - Israeli and Jewish pressures have led the Italian Lower Chamber Speaker Fausto Bertinotti, leader of the Communist party, to apologize Monday evening for the publication of a cartoon perceived as anti-Semitic printed in the communist newspaper Liberazione.

The official apology noted, "In these hard times, satyr which can harm the Jewish community should be avoided." [...]

Commie bastards.. Of course, the love doesn’t end there, radicals always feel emboldened when they feel the swell of support which results from other radicals coming to power via official elections.

Milan: Gravestones damaged in Jewish cemetery

About 40 tombstones knocked over after cemetery closes Monday night; ‘I believe Milanese will know how to act to this cowardly act,’ city’s deputy mayor says - Associated Press via Ynet

About 40 tombstones in Milan’s Jewish cemetery were knocked over during the night, a city official said Tuesday.

The damage occurred sometime after the cemetery was closed Monday evening and before it was re-opened Tuesday, and authorities are investigating, said Giorgio Colombo.

The vandalism - along with the burning of Israeli flags during a recent march to commemorate Italy’s liberation from fascism - has raised concerns about anti-Semitism in Italy’s financial capital.

"I believe that the Milanese will know how to react to this cowardly act," said Milan Deputy Mayor Riccardo De Corato, denouncing "Anti-Jewish vandalism." [...]

At least the Mayor of Milan who is a tolerant fellow is taking the matter seriously, unfortunately these incidents and the ones linked previously here at the Hashmonean since the Italian elections, are merely symptoms of more left wing hatred to come.

I miss you already Mr. Berlusconi.

Tags: Italy, Milan, Anti Semitism

Comments(2) | Go to top

British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his French counterpart Dominique de Villepin, right, address the media during a joint press conference at 10 Downing Street in London, Wednesday May 10, 2006. Both leaders were planning to discuss the European Union, as well as Iran and the general situation in the Middle East, Blair said. - AP

Comments | Go to top

Like a dumb parrot I’ve been harping on the cash aspect of the convergence plan. More than anything else I’ve felt that money and paying for the construction of new settlements, security, and compensation will be the number one factor of difficulty for Olmert’s plan.

There’s only one thing that can stop a unilateral move, cash

Unilateral by definition means undertaken by one side only. In the area of support, if Israel were to shrug Europe off and proceed without the EU (and they will never support the plan in any case) and relied solely on US support it still would not solve the cash riddle.

Before Gaza the Israelis had banked on about a billion plus dollars from the US to aid in offsetting the costs, that money was allocated in talks but has not materialized. The US is spending hard and heavy these days, the reluctance to toss out more is natural. Olmert’s advisers got a bit of a rude shock this week when they were advised themselves to not even consider tabling any requests when the two leaders meet in Washington, for a potential 10 Billion dollars in aid to help for the convergence should it roll out.

The notion that this was newsworthy for Olmert’s adviser’s is a little scary, it speaks to a real disconnect by withdrawal supporters to realities. I want to secure the major blocks, I don’t think it is realistic to think Israel can hold all the territories and as such under different circumstances I would support a unilateral move if a referendum in Israel called for it.

But handing the territory to Hamas, not having anyone recognize the borders as legitimate, and lastly not being able to fund this initiative in the time frames laid out by Olmert mean convergence will simply have to wait.

One parrot is more than enough, two becomes highly annoying

It’s find and dandy for me to repeat myself like a parrot, but Olmert is the Prime Minister of the State of Israel. He can’t merely stick to this repeating record he’s in about convergence, he should be assessing the realities and changed facts on the ground since last year and be formulating policy for the betterment of the State. It has now become in some sense, converging just for the sake of converging, but I have news for you Olmert, the US is not going to pay.. just for the sake of paying.

Tags: Israel, USA, Olmert, Bush, Convergence

Comments(2) | Go to top

I’m starting to wonder about the conservative blogs lately. All of my favourite blogs are taking yet again a harsh tact against Bush.

The speech last night on immigration was good, and the policies seem pragmatic and conservative to me.

He’s looking to deal with catch & release which is not a Bush invention, it is common across Democracies and a terrible policy.

No amnesty, reinforced borders, calls for both houses to work together with the White House, and a realistic look at what to do regarding the illegals in the US already, and frankly you cannot deport 10 million people just as you cannot grant them amnesty. A workable solution that is realistic and somehow implementable is needed.

It’s not about policy anymore in my view, now it’s all about disillusionment with the President and many Conservatives are acting like the Liberals imho just waiting to pounce.

There’s little anger against employers hiring the illegals, without work there wouldn’t be workers, Bush mentioned that as well. I’m not in the US but I’m a conservative and I’m starting to feel embarrassed at how the President is getting zero support.

Pre-Emption is catchy apparently..  

The big conservative blogs were ready and worked up well before the speech, too little too late.. Give me a break. No matter what he said, or what policy he laid out it wouldn’t be enough.

All these problems are coming to a head, but Bush didn’t create them, he’s trying to solve them and he’s not an emperor, he works inside the overall system which is already paralysed by a partisan split down the middle across the great USA.

I’m also disillusioned; by the conservative blogs in general this past year where it seems it’s always all or nothing, which is not conservative, it’s simply day dreaming.

Meanwhile there are elections coming and candidates lining up for 2008 as well, and troops need Iraq support, the US needs anti Iran support, the president needs someone to stand with him too or these hugely important issues (all of them) will simply roll the other way leading to a real disaster.

Malkin on fox news last night was a prime example, I’m crazy about her and I can’t say I supported her position last night one bit. Bush has literally turned the economy around, engaged not one but two hostile regimes in offensive wars, changed American foreign policy for the better to protect America, challenged the UN, I could go on and on.. What do you want from this man? He leads the whole country not just a 20% sliver of it.

He’s been the best since the Gipper but it’s not enough. Today there is a need to rip the leaders to shreds, I’m starting to think it’s a sickness that is infecting both sides of the aisle.

Updated: I’m listing some blogs I enjoy and their dissenting opinion, which has caused me the heartache above.

• All Things Beautiful with the Numbers Game was not pleased
• Michelle Malkin with Same old same old is clearly not satisfied
• The Ladies at Euphoricreality who’ve been adamant about this issue seek comment from their readers, my comment is above
• Powerline is also not very gungho and wondering if immigration will split the Republican party, and hoping it won’t, amen to that.
• Sister Toldjah hasn’t had an opportunity to comment much yet, but is frustrated and links to memorandum with more views.

Tags: US Immigration, President Bush, Conservative, Blogs

Comments(5) | Go to top

David Horowitz’ Frontpage Magazine is making it happen this week.

Melanie Philips doing Londonistan in America.
Touring to promote the book frontpage caught up with her in a great interview on the current state of the UK, I’m a big fan of her clear vision of the ills facing Europe, check it out.

Noam, you’re an idiot
Horowitz, who’s copy of the Anti Chomsky Reader I pulled out this week in honor of Noam Chomsky whoring himself in Lebanon with Hezbollah, takes the unholy to task in Noam Chomsky’s Love Affair with Nazis.

Comments(2) | Go to top

Add it to the ever growing list of European style diplomatic appeasement failures

AP via MSNBC: Iran rejects incentives to end nuke enrichment

TEHRAN, Iran - Iran’s president said Sunday it was pointless for Europe to devise an incentive package if it required Tehran to stop enriching uranium - effectively thwarting the latest international diplomatic effort before it even began.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad spoke on state television after returning from Indonesia, where he was warmly welcomed and won developing nations’ support for the peaceful production of nuclear energy.

The hard-line leader said proposals for a political and economic package being shaped by the European Union were "invalid" if "they want to offer us things they call incentives in return for renouncing our rights." [...]

Those silly Europeans, how can Assmad ever agree to enrichment being done outside of Iran, you can’t build dozens of nuclear bombs very easily that way, astounding we are still in this appeasement mode and people are talking about the price of gas.

Other guys dream about supermodels, I had a dream that Europe was the World’s superpower, that’s almost as scary as a Nuclear Iran! I need to cut back on the iced tea..

Comments | Go to top

Defense Minister initiative to transfer cash and support to PA not tabled

Polls in Israel show disillusionment already with the results of the elections from every corner, not very surprising since nobody won. In such a situation a party like Labor or any other that is crafty can seize upon the vaccum, push its own agendas to the fore and dominate the slate of affairs.

Want some candy?

The revelations of Israel’s new defense minister of ideas and plans regarding the Hamas and Palestinian fronts seem insane to me. All this lovey dovey Kadima Laboring has resulted in a government leaning way too left. Labor has been effectively using spin, media and the natural chaos of the recently formed Kadima party and new government to prop up their end of the deal nicely, they’ve overshadowed Olmert despite the numerous crisis issues brewing in Labor, despite the fact that Peretz has not secured himself in his own party.

Kadima’s support in Israel is equally fickle, this isn’t a grass roots party. Made up of the center the right and left, the feeling I’ve been getting is that the right portion has been marginalized (both in the coalition, and out) and it’s enough to already have me questioning kadima personally. The responsibility lays at Olmert’s feet as the party leader, and PM of Israel. Unless Olmert acts as such, his coalition will walk all over him and its no secret that coalition is far reaching to the left. It seems this thought may have dawned on Mr. Olmert..

Ynet: Olmert shows Peretz who’s boss

Government deliberately refrains from discussing Peretz’s initiative to transfer NIS 50 million (USD 11 million) in humanitarian aid to Palestinian Authority, this after defense minister’s statement that Olmert should meet Abbas - Ronny Sofer

Olmert’s exercise in leadership: The government deliberately refrained from discussing Sunday Defense Minister Amir Peretz’s initiative to transfer NIS 50 million (USD 11 million) in humanitarian aid to the Palestinian Authority.

The decision to remove the issue from the government meeting agenda follows a meeting between Olmert and Peretz last Thursday scheduled after Peretz said Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert should meet after Olmert returns from his expected visit to Washington. [...]

If things roll as they have been until now, where the left rules the roost while the electorate didn’t mandate such, and Olmert can’t seem to flex any center right muscle this government won’t last through 2007. I don’t see good news coming out of Olmert’s Washington visit, not on Iran, not on convergence, and not on Hamas.

Olmert best not just apply brakes in an occasional slowing action, but make judicious use of the steering wheel as well.

Without the support of the right which helped bring Kadima a total of almost 30 seats, they get 5 in the next election, and that’s if the party doesn’t implode before. When you have no grass roots, it helps to at least lay some sod in your most fertile region, so far Kadima’s grass laying skills are sorely wanting to me. The seeds of this government were sown by Ariel Sharon, but the flowers so far have been coming up looking like Amir Peretz. I don’t like the smell, I don’t think the majority of Israel’s electorate does too.

When the hard right starts making noise and clashing over settlements and they will, if Olmert doesn’t have the center right with him - Sharon’s center right, he doesn’t stand a shot in hell and I’ll be frank, over the last 4 months those voters are being alienated in droves, if there’s one thing they can’t stand, it’s weakness.

Humantarian ‘Crisis’ - Billion and billions of dollars later..

If they are thirsty in Gaza, let them drink the blood of the martyrs as Hamas suggests until they realize that peace, security, Israel and coca cola taste a whole lot better. Its enough already dedicating entire UN organizations to the Palestinians, billions of dollars, numerous peace initiatives, all for nought. The last thing we need is the Defense Ministry of Israel pandering to them while they call for Israel’s destruction. The PA has plenty of money, plenty of people still buying guns and bombs, it’s enough with this we’re suckers syndrome. (Friyers)

Europe has their panties in a bunch? Let them send food, like in Africa, what kind of international aid pays salaries, the salaries of tens of thousands of affiliated terrorist gunmen on top of it all!? Drop in food and medicine if you’re such a humanitarian, anything else is plain jane support for a terrorist government and that is EXACTLY what the PA is.

Comments | Go to top

The latest carnival of juicy links is up hosted at Soccer Dad, the originator of the HH (and it’s quite supersized)

There’s a lot of political links, fantastic! Big thanks for the HH and the links to the hashmonean.
Looks like this Mother’s Day we’re giving props to some of the dads lol, have a great day out there to all the Moms who deserve our thoughts, my own included : )

Tags: Haveil Havalim, Carnival, Jewish Blogs, Israel

Comments | Go to top

Europe running out of options, staring years of total diplomacy failure in the face and facing difficult realities is spasming in my opinion

Check out the Eurabian assault, not on Iran but on the USA courtesy of the likes of the french AFP, all in the last few hours alone.. (Via Yahoo News)

EU MULLING NEW SECURITY GUARANTEES TO IRAN AFP

PARIS, May 12, 2006 (AFP) - The European Union is considering offering Iran regional security guarantees if it agrees to abandon sensitive nuclear activities, the French foreign ministry said Friday.
Spokesman Jean-Baptiste Mattei said a package under consideration would include security guarantees together with economic measures and other steps intended to assure Iran it would have access to nuclear power for peaceful purposes if it renounced activities suspected of creating a nuclear weapon capability.

These ideas are being given shape by three EU members — France, Britain and Germany — which have conducted past fruitless negotiations with Iran over its controversial nuclear programme [...]

US must talk directly talk to Iran: Annan AFP
 

VIENNA (AFP) - The United States must talk directly to Iran about its disputed nuclear programme because Tehran will not negotiate seriously if Washington is not involved, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said.

"As long as the Iranians have a sense that they are negotiating with the Europeans ad referendum (needing referral for a final decision), and what they discuss with them will have to be discussed with the Americans, and then come back again to them, I am not sure they will put everything on the table," Annan told reporters in Vienna on Friday.

European Union efforts since 2003 to win guarantees that Iran is not making nuclear weapons have foundered, with Iran pushing ahead since April on enriching uranium for what can be nuclear reactor fuel but also nuclear bomb material. The United States has refused to talk directly to Iran but backs the EU diplomacy. [...]

Russian Security Chief Warns Iran Could "Explode" if Military Action Launched

Any military action against Iran could cause the regional situation to "explode", according to the head of Russia’s Security Council Igor Ivanov quoted by AFP.

Ivanov called for a diplomatic solution to the international standoff over Iran’s nuclear program.

"Any military action in Iran will lead to consequences that could seriously explode the situation in the region and beyond," he was quoted as saying Thursday by ITAR-TASS and Ria Novosti.

The United States and their European allies fear Iran is hiding a secret military program behind the building of a civilian atomic power capacity. [...]

There are more..
The results of this European failure and subsequent focus on the USA instead of Iran where the situation is only growing worse?

Iran unmoved by UN’s ‘carrot & stick’ AFP

TEHRAN (AFP) - Iran on Thursday appeared unimpressed by a new UN Security Council attempt to wield carrot and stick in the crisis over its nuclear ambitions, with a top official ruling out any halt in sensitive fuel work.
The influential head of Iran’s hardline parliament also repeated a warning that the regime could quit the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) if it felt its "right" to have an atomic energy programme was being violated.

"The Islamic republic of Iran refuses to lose time and will in no way accept a suspension of enrichment," Gholam Ali Hadad-Adel was quoted as saying by Iranian news agencies.

"The Islamic republic’s policy is not to leave the NPT," asserted the official, who is close to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

"If our relationship with the IAEA (International Atomic Enegy Agency) is one of both obligations and rights, we will stay in the NPT. If that is not the case, staying in the NPT would be of no interest to us," he warned.

Iran insists it only wants to enrich uranium to make nuclear fuel, but the process can be extended to make weapons - hence Western demands for a moratorium. Hadad-Adel’s comments came as the United States, unable to win support for sanctions against Iran, gave its European allies "a couple of weeks" to draft a fresh approach to persuade Tehran to drop its disputed nuclear programme. [...]

Of course, the strategy is doomed to failure because Iran has no intention of giving up the nuclear weapons drive, but that doesn’t preclude the AFP coup de grace..

US shrugs off pressure for direct talks with Iran AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Despite growing pressure at home and abroad for direct talks with Iran, the United States is pointedly staying behind the scenes in efforts to rein in Tehran’s suspected nuclear arms program.

The Americans have resisted calls they sit down with the Iranians even as European efforts to negotiate a solution were stalled and a drive for tough UN action appeared to be going nowhere.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan was the latest world figure to call for greater US involvement in negotiations to head off Iran’s uranium enrichment research and alleged bid to build a nuclear bomb. [...]

All this in a few hours, part & parcel of the deflection of responsibility from Iran, to the USA in the media. Assisted in great part by a slime filled corrupt UN (Michelle Malkin Hot Air Vent Video) and European appeasers left holding their irradiated testicles in their hands.

Tags: Iran, UN, Europe, USA

Comments | Go to top