Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Cordoba Project Imam on Israel: Favors one-state solution in comments made in 2005

Again, whether you support or oppose placement of an Islamic Center near Ground Zero, 
you should know that  Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, the leader of the project ( The Cordoba Initiative,)
 appears to favor positions that can be characterized as anti-Israel. 
 
A win-win solution to the Palestinian/Israel conflict requires a two-state solution:  A safe and secure Jewish state and a safe and secure Palestinian Arab state.
 
 In 2005,  Imam Rauf  publicly advocated for a one-state solution, in which no separate State of Israel will exist.   
 
 Rauf said he does not favor the plan to establish a Palestinian state along with Israel.
 
 "The differences, perhaps, may lie on whether the solution lies in the two-state solution or in a one-state solution. I believe that you had someone here recently who spoke about having a one land and two people's solution to Israel. And I personally - my own personal analysis tells me that a one-state solution is a more coherent one than a two-state solution. So if we address the underlying issue, if we figure out a way to create condominiums, to condominiamise Israel and Palestine so you have two peoples co-existing on one state, then we have a different paradigm which will allow us to move forward."
 
Source:  http://www.investigativeproject.org/2121/rauf-lecture-reveals-radicalism  ( Steve Emerson)   Audio documentation  
 
 
 As you may already know, Imam Rauf declines to repudiate the terrorist organization Hamas.
 
 When asked to acknowledge Hamas as a terrorist organization, Imam Rauf refused, saying, in part:
"I am a peace builder. I will not allow anybody to put me in a position where I am seen by any party in the world as an adversary or as an enemy." 

Souce : http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/imam_terror_error_efmizkHuBUaVnfuQcrcabL 

In writings translated from Arabic, Imam Rauf states that he sees Hamas, Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad -- organizations identifed by the U.S. State Department as terrorist organizations -- as organizations seeking 'justice."  

 
//Mark Finkelstein    jcrc@dmjfed.org
 

Monday, August 23, 2010

Imam should have no role in Cordoba Project because of his support for Hamas

 
Whatever your opinion about the Islamic Center proposed for construction near Ground Zero in Manhattan, you should be aware that the imam of the Cordoba Project, Imam Faisal Abdul Rauf has refused to acknowledge Hamas as a terrorist organization.  
 
 In my opinion, this is unacceptable, no matter the rationalization.   If the imam cannot clearly repudiate Hamas, the imam should have no role in the project.
 
 Hamas is listed by the U.S. State Department as a terrorist organization.  Hamas regularly and intentionally targets Israeli civilians.  Hamas both conducts and plans military attacks while embedded among Palestinian civilians, and its Charter embraces the hope that Jews will be subjected to genocide.
 
When asked to acknowledge Hamas as a terrorist organization, Imam Rauf refused, saying, in part:
"I am a peace builder. I will not allow anybody to put me in a position where I am seen by any party in the world as an adversary or as an enemy." 
Given the deeds and intentions of Hamas it is surely in American interests, in Israel's interests, and in Jewish interests to stand against Hamas as an adversary. 
 
To go further into the matter,  go beyond what individuals, such as Imam Rauf, say in English and attend to what they say in Arabic.
 
The following is from Walid Shoebat, an anti-Islamist [ not anti-Muslim, but anti-Islamist] activist.  The text suggests that Imam Rauf is not 'neutral' towards Hamas ( as he would claim) but indeed embraces Hamas.
 
//Mark Finkelstein    jcrc@dmjfed.org
 
 
Imam Faisal Abdul Rauf. In his translation  from the Arabic in an article “Sharing The Essence Of Our Beliefs” by Feisal Abdul Rauf, published in the  Al-Ghad Newspaper in Jordan, 5/9/2009, Shoebat noted:

In it, Imam Rauf reveals his views to Muslims right after the 9/11 attacks that Hamas, Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad were born as a result of the Muslim hunger for Islamic law and justice. 

The words of Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf:

(Translated from the Arabic by Walid Shoebat)

If someone in the Middle East cries out, “where is the law”, he knows that the law exists. The only law that the Muslim needs exists already in the Koran and the Hadith. People asked me right after the 9/11 attack as to why do movements with political agendas carry [Islamic] religious names? Why call it ‘Muslim Brotherhood’ or ‘Hezbollah (Party of Allah)’ or ‘Hamas’ or ‘Islamic Resistance Movement’? I answer them this—that the trend towards Islamic law and justice begins in religious movements, because secularism had failed to deliver what the Muslim wants, which is life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. 

Source: http://redcounty.com/content/walid-shoebat-translation-ground-zero-mosque-imam-faisal-abdel-rauf-%E2%80%9Cafter-911-%E2%80%9Chamas-hezbol

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Clarification: Pro-Israel event in Des Moines, August 19

Neither JCRC nor the Jewish Federation endorses candidates for elective office. No endorsement of any candidate is implied.

CUFI Standing with Israel Events
 

Keynote Speaker: Senator Charles Grassley

Greetings from the Israel Consulate to the Midwest, Robert Schwartz, Senior Policy Advisor

Thursday, August 19th  7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Location:  Christian LIfe Church, 2000 NW 100th St, Clive

  The significant effort that Christians United for Israel has made to educate about Israel and to develop support for Israel in its quest for peace is endorsed by JCRC. 

For additional information, contact the Iowa Chapter of Christians United for Israel.  E-mail: IowaCUFI@cleavelandinsurance.com

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

JCPA: Food Insecurity Rising in America

JCPA: In a Newsweek interview, Bread for the World President Rev. David Beckmann highlights the terrible prevalence of hunger and food insecurity in the United States. This shows the urgent need for the House to pass a robust child nutrition bill when they return in September.
www.newsweek.com
Food insecurity is on the rise. In 2008, 14.6 percent of U.S. households fell into the food-insecure category at some point during the year—the highest rate since the Department of Agriculture started recording stats in 1995. At the same time, legislation to improve childhood nutrition is now making...

Hagee: Why Christian Zionists Really Support Israel

Why Christian Zionists Really Support Israel 

By Pastor John C. Hagee,  founder and chairman of Christians United for Israel.

 

 Given the history of Christian antisemitism, I am not at all surprised that many in the Jewish community are skeptical of Christian support for Israel. Some worry that our efforts are motivated by a desire to convert Jews. Others posit that our Zionism is tied to an effort to speed the second coming of Jesus. Both of these allegations are flat wrong. All we ask of our Jewish friends is that they get to know us before they judge us harshly on the basis of myths such as these. ...  Another concern that some individuals have expressed is that Christian Zionists will use our influence to stand in the way of efforts to advance a two-state solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict. Such a claim shows a complete disregard for our record. ... We have never, and will never, oppose Israeli efforts to advance peace.  

Source: The Forward  http://www.forward.com/articles/127965/

Mayor Cownie proclaims Weed Out Hate Day in Des Moines

 
Mayoral proclamation acknowledges contributions 
of Ross Daniels (grandfather of Ross Daniels from
Temple B'nai Jeshurun and DMARC)
 
" Weed Out Hate Day" is August 28, 2010
in Des Moines, Iowa. 

Pro-Israel event in Des Moines, August 19

CUFI Standing with Israel Events
 

Keynote Speaker: Senator Charles Grassley

Greetings from the Israel Consulate to the Midwest, Robert Schwartz, Senior Policy Advisor

Thursday, August 19th  7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Location:  Christian LIfe Church, 2000 NW 100th St, Clive, Iowa 

Endorsed by JCRC

For additional information, contact the Iowa Chapter of Christians United for Israel.  E-mail: IowaCUFI@cleavelandinsurance.com

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

U.S. State Dept: Lebanese army's fire on IDF "totally unjustifie...

US State Department spokesman condemns incident of Lebanese fire on IDF troops

AFP and Ahiya Raved

 

The Lebanese army's fire on IDF troops working on Israel's northern border was "totally unjustified and deliberate," US State Department Spokesman Philip Crowley said Wednesday.

 

Crowley spoke after a statement released by the UN Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) declared that the trees troops were uprooting Tuesday, before shots fired by Lebanese soldiers killed Lieutenant Colonel Dov Harari and wounded Captain Ezra Lakia, were located the "Israeli side".

 

"UNIFIL has established... that trees chopped down by the Israeli army are located south of the Blue Line, the Israeli side," UNIFIL said Wednesday in a statement.

 

The Blue Line was drawn by the UN following the withdrawal of the IDF in May 2000 from southern Lebanon after 22 years of occupation to act as a border.