An Israel Awareness Publication
eHillel.org Kislev 5774/November 2013
ISRAEL TODAY
Peace Talks Start and Stop By Joseph Wolf, Grade 10 New peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians started earlier this year, but have since been quickly suspended. Both sides have come out saying, “tangible progress remains elusive.” Simply put, nothing has been done. The United States and United Nations urged Israel and the Palestinians to resume talking in early July, but both the Israelis and Palestinians were skeptical and had low expectations. Many assume that the main obstacle to peace is the settlements, but according to Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Ron Prossor, the “real obstacle” is the Palestinians’ insistence on the right of return to Israel for millions of Palestinian refugees: basically a euphemism for the destruction of the State of Israel. As well, the Palestinians are asking for the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. Yet, all Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted on is for Palestinians to recognize Israel as the homeland for the Jewish people. Israel is trying to make peace with people who deny their right to exist. How can peace talks be expected to move forward, when Israel is negotiating with people whose goal is to see their annihilation? This is why no progress has been made, and none will be made until this basic prerequisite is met. Not even the push by the United States and United Nations will overcome this impediment.
Picture credit: Associated Press
Rabbi Uri Pilichowski - Faculty Advisor President - Sarah Angress Editor - Daniela Hanono Writers - Joseph Wolf & Jonathan Allen
Picture credit: Reuters
Negotiations with Iran By Jonathan Allen, Grade 11
Over the past few weeks, Iran has entered into intense negotiations with the United States and other powers around the world. The most recent round of negotiations was held by the P5+1 in Geneva in mid-October. P5+1 is a group of six world powers, five of which are permanent members of the U.N. Security Council. Iran, led by recently elected President Hassan Rouhani, has entered these talks with a new approach. Unlike his predecessor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Rouhani has come into these talks with the goal of acquiring peace. This is the first time Iran has entered direct nuclear talks with the United States since
2009. This has raised hope that Iran would be able to mend its 30-year-long tumultuous relationship with the United States. Although details from these talks have been kept a secret, senior officials reported that Iran proposed to halt its enrichment and open its nuclear facilities to unannounced inspections in exchange for the easing of sanctions. Recently, a 15-minute call was held between Rouhani and President Barack Obama during U.N. General Assembly. These new strides show tremendous progress in nuclear talks with Iran. Hopefully a conclusion will be made, calling for Iran to give up its enriched uranium and for sanctions to be revoked. Not only would this eliminate a potential nuclear country, but it would decrease the price of oil around the world.
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Israel Today is a publication of Scheck Hillel Community School. It is written by the school’s Israel Advocacy Club, a group committed to educating and raising awareness about news and issues connected to Israel. With passionate spirit, vast knowledge and clear vision, club members train to become articulate spokespeople and advocates who meet with politicians and other community leaders to make a difference locally and globally. eHillel.org/IsraelToday.
Dvar Torah & Advocacy
The True Colors of Rouhani By Sarah Angress, Grade 11
By Rabbi Uri Pilichowski, Faculty Advisor The story of Esav selling his first-born position to his younger brother, Yaakov, is well known to all. The first-born position was an enviable one, for it brought a double portion of the inheritance at the death of their father Yitzchak. By selling his birthright, Esav gave up his chance of double inheritance. Photo Credit: Jpost.com
On June 14, Hassan Rouhani was elected President of Iran. He replaced the controversial President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Photo Credit: Hatem Moussa/AP
In his commentary on this episode, the Ramban explains that Esav figured that he would die hunting. So what was the point of the first born position? After all, the only advantage it presented was years away, after his father would pass. Esav had chosen a lifestyle that didn’t allow for future planning. As a hunter and murderer, Esav knew the odds of a long life were against him. Esav didn’t value life as much as he valued the fulfillment of his instinctual desires. In Gaza today, Hamas is making the same choices as Esav. They have the choice of improving their land, building infrastructure, and helping the people they rule. Instead they choose to buy weapons and terrorize the Israeli people. Lately we have witnessed both Israeli and Egyptian security forces discover tunnels, terrorist activity and rockets throughout Gaza. Hamas has made so many bad choices and involved itself in terrorist activity to such an extent that Israeli and Egyptian security forces have begun cooperating in neutralizing threats from Gaza and Hamas. For the first time, Israeli forces allowed Egyptian military helicopters to cross into Israeli airspace and fly over Gaza in their pursuit of Hamas terrorists. By living the life of terror, they deny their people the right to the free and productive life they richly deserve.
Rouhani has called himself a moderate compared to his predecessor, Ahmadinejad. While it was evident what kind of man and politician Ahmadinejad was -“a wolf in wolf’s clothing”, as Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu said-Israel has warned that Rouhani is “a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” and that the world must beware. While Iran’s leadership may have changed, the goal of the regime has not been replaced. Just prior to giving his speech at the U.N. General Assembly on October 1, Rouhani took part in his country’s military parade, which included trucks carrying Shahab-3 missiles with signs that read in Farsi, “Israel must cease to exist.” This information was provided by Dore Gold, former Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations and current President of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. According
America and Israel: Shared Values By Daniela Hanono, Grade 10
Contrary to popular belief, America’s interest in Israel has nothing to do with the so-called Jewish lobby but, rather, has everything to do with the shared values of the two countries: often referred to as Western values. Individuality, self-responsibility, freedom to choose things for one’s self and civic duties are all examples of such values. These characteristics contrast with “Eastern values”, which are about uniformity and that
to Gold, “The fact that Rouhani is presenting positive messages in New York, and at the same time taking part in an event that called for the destruction of Israel, should raise a red flag to the West.” Rouhani has been quoted as saying, “The Zionist regime has been a wound on the body of the Islamic world for years and the wound should be removed.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by pointing out that Rouhani’s true colors have been revealed earlier than expected. Netanyahu goes on to say, “Even if they will now rush to deny his remarks, this is what the man thinks and this is the plan of the Iranian regime.” At this point, we still do not know what Rouhani is capable of, but we can only imagine. He is hiding behind an innocent facade, waiting for the perfect opportunity to take action on Israel. Heis toying with the emotions of his people, the Israeli government, and the world.
all people should be on an equal level, rather than all should be given equal opportunity. Western values are the basis of democracy, while Eastern are the basis of Communism. Israel’s location has for centuries made it of immense significance. This is also true today. The Middle East is a region made with mostly Islamic, unstable countries, Israel being the exception to the previous statement. America being able to strategically place itself in the Middle East is an amazing privilege that has contributed to America’s influence around the world. Israel, like America, also offers its citizens freedom of religion along with other freedoms. By supporting Israel for its democratic values, America sends a message to the rest of the world that practicing these shared values is advantageous to them.
From early childhood through Grade 12, Scheck Hillel Community School inspires students to become exemplary global citizens with enduring Jewish identity through an innovative curriculum enriched by co-curricular experiences. All of this is set within a nurturing, international community united by core values. Hillel is one of the largest Jewish day schools in the nation.