Posts Tagged ‘Israel’
Posted on May 19, 2009 - by Frank
Obama/Netanyahu Press Briefing
There are many stories out there now about the first meeting between Obama and Netanyahu as President and Primie Minister, most are based on the press briefing. You can read all the conjecture from reporters, but it is also good to see the thing they are reporting on for yourself, so here is the press briefing for you to watch.
Posted on April 3, 2009 - by Frank
up:link Podcast 3 – Steve Tollestrup
There is a book coming out in New Zealand that looks at 5 Christian perspectives on the Palestinian/Israeli issue and puts them in conversation with each other. One of the 5 contributors is Steve Tollestrup, the Executive Director of TEAR Fund. In this edition of the Podcast we chat with Steve about the book, the Christian perspective of the issue and TEAR Fund’s involvement in the West Bank and Gaza.
Click here for instructions on how to subscribe to the Podcast.
up:link - The TEAR Fund Podcast
To support the work of TEAR Fund, visit www.tearfund.org.nz or call us on 0800 800 777
Posted on February 18, 2009 - by Drew
Waltz with Bashir – Review
Even when a movie scores rave reviews and a truck load of awards there’s still no guarantee you’re going to enjoy it… and you probably won’t enjoy Waltz with Bashir. It’s a grueling watch, not for the faint hearted.
Waltz with Bashir is a 90 minute animated documentary, recorded in modern Hebrew and subtitled, made in Israel last year by Ari Folman. Folman was a 19 year old conscripted soldier in 1982 when Israel invaded Lebanon. He was a witness to massacres in the Beirut Palestinian refugee camps of Sabra and Shatila. This experience was so traumatic that Folman blocked the memory from his mind until in 2006 when he met with another former soldier, still suffering nightmares from this nasty war. As Folman researched events and spoke with other Israelis who had fought in Beirut his memories gradually returned and he made the film based on these painful revelations.
Posted on February 12, 2009 - by Frank
Update on Israel’s Election
A couple of days ago, I mentioned that Israel’s election was drawing near. With the election now concluded, how has it played out?
Kadima (Israel’s centrist party) narrowly got the most votes with the right wing Likud party just behind. The win doesn’t mean much for Kadima though as the whole thing is about coalitions and it looks like the right wing block got more seats in the Knesset (parliament).
Now both Tzipi Livni (Kadima leader) and Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud leader) will frantically try and exert their ability to form a coalition as it is now up to the President (Shimon Peres) to determine which has first right to form a government.
Posted on February 10, 2009 - by Frank
Israeli Election Draws Near
Israelis are set to go to the polls in what is a hotly contested election race that sees the party leading the current coalition, Kadima, and the opposition Likud party running very closely to each other in the polls.
Kadima is lead by Tzipi Livni, the current Foreign Minister. Likud is lead by Benjamin Netanyahu. Both people have very interesting backgrounds and family history.
The Israeli government is about coalitions. To quote Al Jazeera:
Posted on February 5, 2009 - by Frank
Genesis 17:8 and the Two State Solution
God speaking to Abraham - “And I will give to you, and to your offspring after you, the land where you are now an alien, all the land of Canaan, for a perpetual holding; and I will be their God.” Genesis 17:8 (NRSV)
Before we go any further, it is important to point out that many English translations of this passage use phrases such as “everlasting posession” indicating a gift that is in place eternally, rather than the phrase employed by the NRSV – “perpetual holding”. We’ll come to this very soon, because it is extremely important to this discussion.
Posted on January 17, 2009 - by Frank
New Zealand Church Leaders’ Statement on Gaza
The leaders of New Zealand churches are deeply concerned about the dire situation in Gaza and support the call for an immediate ceasefire in the region
The escalation of violence and associated increase in civilian casualties is intolerable. It is time for concerted action to end the suffering of the 1.5 million people trapped within the 360 square kilometers of Gaza with little food, water and medicine, and under almost continuous attack from the land, sea and air.
Posted on January 13, 2009 - by Frank
The Arab Peace Initiative
In private conversations and in various places online where the Israeli/Palestinian conflict has been discussed, I have voiced my personal support for the Arab peace initiative that was adopted by the Arab League at the annual Arab summit in Beirut in 2002. Many people have expressed little awareness about what it actually is, so I thought I would put the English translation of the initiative here.
Posted on January 8, 2009 - by Frank
Urgent: Support Families in Gaza through TEAR Fund
With reports saying that 46% of Palestinian deaths in this assault on Gaza are women and children and the humanitarian crisis there now being seen as a catastrophe, I would urge you to consider supporting this appeal.
TEAR Fund New Zealand has launched an emergency appeal for Gaza in the wake of mounting civilian casualties and internal displacement caused by Israel’s response to Hamas’ rocket attacks.
Executive Director of TEAR Fund, Stephen Tollestrup said: “The Israeli response to Hamas militants lacks any sense of proportion and as a result, the ordinary Palestinians of Gaza are facing a large-scale humanitarian crisis. Much of the civic and municipal infrastructure of the strip has been destroyed and essential resources such as water, medicine, fuel, clothing, emergency rations and shelter are needed immediately.”
The appeal working through TEAR Fund’s non-militant Christian partners will give special attention to children and aged caught in the conflict.
“The attacks have come after months of what can only be described as a blockade of Gaza, leaving the people there already under-resourced and in poor condition.”
TEAR Fund calls on both Israel and Hamas to immediately end hostilities.
Donations can be made through TEAR Fund’s emergency appeal by clicking here, or by phoning 0800 800 777.
Posted on January 4, 2009 - by Frank
Israel & Israel in the Bible
I have decided to write this after my latest post about the Israel/Palestinian conflict led to a conversation that probably needs me to fill out some of my theological/biblical studies thoughts a little more. This is a very long article (over 4500 words) so feel free to not bother reading it if this stuff doesn’t interest you. If it is something you are interested in, happy reading.
Posted on December 30, 2008 - by Frank
Israel vs Hamas – the Latest Violence
I’m on holiday at the moment, but I could not sit comfortably without saying anything about the latest violence that has erupted against Gaza.
Israel is now in it’s third day of air-strikes in the densely populated Gaza strip. The first nine hours of the strike saw 100 tons of bombs dropped and the death toll at the time of typing stands in excess of probably 250 Palestinians and the number of wounded is somewhere upward of 400. There are Israeli ground forces amassing on the border of Gaza with artillery strengthening as well. The government has passed an order for a call up of reserves, bolstering the number of troops significantly and Israel’s defence minister, Ehud Barak, has called this an “all-out war” on Hamas, stating that this is just the beginning.
Posted on October 25, 2008 - by Frank
Palestinians and Christian Reductionism
Warning – this post may offend many. The situation I am about to address is a firebrand that causes high emotion for many people. I am not seeking to make any friends with this, I have just decided that for the first time, I wish to air publicly, some of my privately held opinions on this matter and I believe it entirely relates to the point of this site. I cannot, in good conscience, remain silent on this issue only to protect my own reputation. If it ruins this site and my reputation, I will walk away with a clear mind and heart. Peace.
Let’s be clear from the outset that when I use the term “reductionism”, I am not using it in the sense of scientific inquiry where reductionism refers to investigating something by reducing it to the study of the components within it. I am instead referring to the reduction of complex situations and arguments to oversimplifications that simply heighten and negatively feed already volatile situations.
Allow me to also be clear that when I approach the situation, my Christian faith and position as a Christian Minister is one large part of me that informs my approach to the problem – I am especially interested in the many varied factors of religion playing out.
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Posted on May 22, 2008 - by Frank
Syria and Israel Have Entered Indirect Peace Talks
Wednesday, 21 May 2008, 9:36 pm
Press Release: Israel Government
Prime Minister’s Office
Syria And Israel Have Started Indirect Peace Talks
Syria and Israel have started indirect peace talks, under the auspices of Turkey.
The two sides stated their intention to conduct these talks in good faith and with an open mind. They decided to pursue the dialogue between them in a serious and continuous way, in order to achieve the goal of comprehensive peace in accordance with the Madrid Conference terms of reference for peace.
Both sides thanked the Prime Minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Turkey, for their role in this process and their generous hospitality.
ENDS
Note: For many this came as an unexpected announcement last night. Israel and Syria have not been engaged in peace talks for eight years, though statements suggest they have been in contact for the last year. A comprehensive agreement could be advantageous for both sides for many reasons, though there are many hurdles to be overcome, including control of the strategic Golan Heights that many Israeli’ citizens wish to retain under their administration. Syria’s place as a home base for many radical militant groups is seen as problematic as well.
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