| Week ending Shabbat, February 18, 2006 |
Shevat 20, 5766 |
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Israeli Plants Flourish:
The Jewish National Fund reported that tens of thousands of Israelis from all walks participated in hundreds of planting ceremonies throughout Israel this week in celebration of Tu B'Shvat, which is the Jewish New Year for trees. Nearly seventy percent of the trees were planted in the Negev, which is a top priority for the JNF. All the 640,000 trees planted are species that are indigenous to the Land of Israel. Some forty-five percent of the young saplings planted were cypress, pine, and cedar. Another forty percent were carob, pistachio and oak trees. The remaining fifteen percent were fruit trees including olives, figs, pomegranates, and grape vines. Some 28,000 saplings were planted this past Friday by Israeli civilians and soldiers in the JNF's three main planting events. They took place in Gilon Forest in the north, Bareket Forest in central Israel, and Beit Kama in the south.
A total of 100 million Israeli flowers have been delivered over the past two weeks to primarily Europe in honor of Valentine’s Day. Twenty-seven cargo planes belonging to El Al, Cargo Air Lines and others handled the shipments. Israel Flower Growers Association secretary-general Chaim Hadad identified that Valentine’s Day is a peak export event for flower growers, who prepare for it months in advance. He estimated that with flowers costing double their usual price, export sales will total some fifty million dollars. Targeted markets are the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France, the UK, US, and Russia. Israeli flowers centers are the northern Negev, Lachish region, Sharon, Emek Hefer, Jezreel Valley, Arava, and the Jordan Valley.
The US Congress says "NO" to the "Palestinian" Authority:
The United States Congress passed a resolution this week urging that direct U.S. aid to the "Palestinian" Authority be stopped as long as Hamas calls for the destruction of the nation of Israel. Hamas will be sworn in Saturday and will form a new "Palestinian" government. The nonbinding resolution, which unfortunately is nonbinding, expresses the sense of Congress, and was approved 418-1 [I wonder who the "1" is!]. The United States Senate passed the same measure earlier this month.
The Bush administration is reassessing their aid program to the "Palestinian" Authority following the shocking victory of Hamas in the recent "Palestinian" elections. House Majority Leader John Boehner [Ohio Republican] said, "Until Hamas changes course, dismantles its terrorist organization, and agrees to work toward a peaceful settlement with Israel, no taxpayer money should be provided to support the 'Palestinian' government."
"Palestinian" Support from the US Plummets:
Now that Hamas has become the "Palestinian" Authority’s ruling party, most Americans have become pessimistic concerning the Middle East peace process and the hope that peace will ever be achieved in the Middle East. They also are becoming increasingly sympathetic toward the Israelis. Opinions of the "Palestinians" in the US had been improving over recent years, but currently are among the worst Gallup has ever measured. By a 2-1 margin, American citizens now say there will never come a time when Israel and the Arab nations will live in peace, according to the annual Gallup Poll on World Affairs [February 6-9, 2006]. The sixty-five to thirty-two percent split compares with a roughly 50-50 split last year. Most Americans do not believe the United States should give any financial assistance to the "Palestinian" Authority, no matter what its posture is toward Israel. Most also say the US should conduct diplomatic relations with "Palestinians" when they recognize Israel as a nation.
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