Hamas Hit Inspired By Pop Culture? @11:30 AM
"Friendly nations who have been assisting in this investigation have indicated to the police in Dubai that the passports were issued in an illegal and fraudulent manner."
—Dubai's state media office issued a report saying that it now believes there were 26 people involved in last month's assassination of Hamas military commander Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, and that the suspects travelled on passports from England, Ireland, Austria, France and Germany. This time last year, M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes" was a top 5 hit in countries all around the world—including Israel. (As always, any excuse to watch that video.) 6
Great Moments In Jewish Comedy @2:18 PM
Ha, the folks at the Israeli embassy in the UK have a terrific sense of humor! They are actually talking about the results of a tennis match, but the joke is that you are supposed to think they are admitting to a highly controversial assassination that has caused a major diplomatic altercation. See, this is why everyone says the Jews are a funny people. 6
Neutral News and the 'Times' in Jerusalem @11:10 AM
This weekend's New York Times' public editor column was yet another doozy, covering the semi-recent news that the paper's Jerusalem bureau chief's son recently joined the IDF (before he traipses back to America to go to college). That the kid is going to great lengths to undermine his father's longstanding career is fascinating but we'll leave that for their family therapy sessions, about which: whew, good luck. Hoyt's column is unbearably dull until near the end, when he suddenly takes a side: "The Times sent a reporter overseas to provide disinterested coverage of one of the world’s most intense and potentially explosive conflicts, and now his son has taken up arms for one side." That's both rather stirring and accurate! Still it doesn't have too much meaning beyond emotional appeal. READ MORE 7
Elsewhere: Understanding Gaza @10:31 AM
On the off chance that reading up on the Afghanistan situation wasn't rough enough going for you, Lawrence Wright's Letter from Gaza, "Captives," in this week's New Yorker, is also very long and thoroughly a bummer, as well as excellent and even-handed and important. Short version: Hamas political victory. Kidnapped Israeli soldier. Last December's "Operation: Cast Lead," AKA the Gaza War. And: "There is very little for children to do in Gaza. The Israeli blockade includes a ban on toys, so the only playthings available have been smuggled, at a premium, through tunnels from Egypt. Islamists have shut down all the movie theatres. Music is rare, except at weddings. Many of Gaza's sports facilities have been destroyed by Israeli bombings, including the headquarters for the Palestinian Olympic team. Only one television station broadcasts from Gaza, Al Aqsa-a Hamas-backed channel that gained notice last year for a children's show featuring a Mickey Mouse-like figure who was stabbed to death by an Israeli interrogator. The mouse was replaced by a talking bee, who died after being unable to cross into Egypt for medical treatment. The rabbit who followed the bee passed away in January, after being struck by shrapnel from an Israeli attack." Things get worse from there! 4
Flying Rabbis Blow Horns To Prevent Pig Disease @9:50 AM
"About 50 rabbis and Jewish mystics have flown over Israel for an airborne prayer meeting in the belief it may stop the spread of swine flu… One of the rabbis says he is certain the danger to Israel has now passed because of the prayer flight." Okay! Insert your own treyf joke here. 5
Madonna's Op-Ed @11:50 AM
Madonna has contributed an opinion piece to Israel's largest newspaper on the subject of magical realism in the work of novelist David Grossman. Nah, just kidding, it's totally about Kaballah! She's a fan. 1
Musical Notes From All Over @10:06 AM
Palestinian Leonard Cohen fans can catch the singer on September 26th, when his world tour makes a stop in the West Bank city of Ramallah following a show in Israel two days prior. 2
The New York Stock Exchange's Sarah Palin Shrine @1:13 PM
On the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange, you'll find lots of fun things! (One of which you would have learned about this morning, if only you were a subscriber to our daily email, which you can sign up for over there —>.) But what takes the cake for fun is this shrine to Sarah Palin—which is actually right near the Fox Business Channel booth, by the way! READ MORE 11
Pope Not Sorry About Holocaust @10:47 AM
Joseph Alois Ratzinger—also known as "Joey The Hat," "Benny 10-6," and "The Pope"—is facing criticism from Israelis who are bothered by a speech he gave yesterday at Yad Vashem, the country's national Holocaust memorial. The Israelis are upset that the Pope did not apologize for the Catholic Church's role during the genocide.
"Something was missing," said Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau. "There was no mention of the Germans or the Nazis who participated in the butchery, nor a word of regret. If not an apology, then an expression of remorse." READ MORE 25
