15 replies to this topic

[ShadowTiger]

This was in The Daily Sport today - British version of New York Post

The View from Here

Subject: If you're going to boycott Israel - do it properly!

"OK. So I understand that you are ticked off at Israel and in love with the Palestinians. That's fine with me, as long as you have truly weighed up all the facts.

So, you want to boycott Israel? I'll be sorry to miss you, but if you are doing it - do it properly. Let me help you.

Check all your medications. Make sure that you do not have tablets, drops, lotions, etc., made by Abic or Teva. It may mean that you will suffer from colds and flu this winter but, hey, that's a small price for you to pay in your campaign against Israel, isn't it?

While we are on the subject of your Israeli boycott, and the medical contributions to the world made by Israeli doctors and scientists, how about telling your pals to boycott the following.....

An Israeli company has developed a simple blood test that distinguishes between mild and more severe cases of Multiple Sclerosis. So, if you know anyone suffering from MS, tell them to ignore the Israeli patent that may, more accurately, diagnose their symptoms.

An Israeli-made device helps restore the use of paralyzed hands. This device electrically stimulates the hand muscles, providing hope to millions of stroke sufferers and victims of spinal injuries. If you wish to remove this hope of a better quality of life to these people, go ahead and boycott Israel.

Young children with breathing problems will soon be sleeping more soundly, thanks to a new Israeli device called the Child Hood. This innovation replaces the inhalation mask with an improved drug delivery system that provides relief for child and parent. Please tell anxious mothers that they shouldn't use this device because of your passionate cause.

These are just a few examples of how people have benefited medically from the Israeli know-how you wish to block. Boycotts often affect research. A new research center in Israel hopes to throw light on brain disorders such as depression and Alzheimer's disease. The Joseph Sangol Neuroscience Center in the Sheba Medical Center at Tel HaShomer Hospital , aims to bring thousands of scientists and doctors to focus on brain research.

A researcher at Israel's Ben Gurion University has succeeded in creating human monoclonal antibodies which can neutralize the highly contagious smallpox virus without inducing the dangerous side effects of the existing vaccine.

Two Israelis received the 2004 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Doctors Ciechanover and Hershko's research and discovery of one of the human cells most important cyclical processes will lead the way to DNA repair, control of newly produced proteins, and immune defense systems.

The Movement Disorder Surgery program at Israel's Hadassah Medical Center has successfully eliminated the physical manifestations of Parkinson's disease in a select group of patients with a deep brain stimulation technique. For women who undergo hysterectomies each year for the treatment of uterine fibroids, the development in Israel of the Ex Ablate 2000 System is a welcome breakthrough, offering a noninvasive alternative to surgery.

Israel is developing a nose drop that will provide a five year flu vaccine. These are just a few of the projects that you can help stop with your Israeli boycott.

But let's not get too obsessed with my ducal research, there are other ways you can make a personal sacrifice with your anti-Israel boycott. Most of Windows operating systems were developed by Microsoft-Israel. So, set a personal example. Throw away your computer! Computers should have a sign attached saying Israel Inside. The Pentium NMX Chip technology was designed at Intel in Israel. Both the Pentium 4 microprocessor and the Centrum processor were entirely designed, developed, and produced in Israel. Voice mail technology was developed in Israel. The technology for the AOL Instant Messenger ICQ was developed in 1996 in Israel by four young Israeli whiz kids.

Both Microsoft and Cisco built their only R. & D. facilities outside the US in Israel . So, due to your complete boycott of anything Israeli, you now have poor health and no computer. But your bad news does not end there. Get rid of your cellular phone. Cell phone technology was also developed in Israel by MOTOROLA which has its biggest development center in Israel. Most of the latest technology in your mobile phone was developed by Israeli scientists.

Feeling unsettled? You should be. Part of your personal security rests with Israeli inventiveness, borne out of our urgent necessity to protect and defend our lives from the terrorists you support.

A phone can remotely activate a bomb, or be used for tactical communications by terrorists, bank robbers, or hostage-takers. It is vital that official security and law enforcement authorities have access to cellular jamming and detection solutions. Enter Israel's Net line Communications Technologies with their security expertise to help the fight against terror.

SO ALL THE NOISE ABOUT THE USA LISTENING TO OUR PRIVATE TELEPHONE CALLS, YOU SHOULD KNOW IT IS ISRAEL WHO IS DOING THE LISTENING FOR US.

A joint, nonprofit, venture between Israel and Maryland will result in a 5 day Business Development and Planning Conference next March. Elected Israeli companies will partner with Maryland firms to provide innovation to the US need for homeland security.

I also want you to know that Israel has the highest ratio of university degrees to the population in the world. Israel produces more scientific papers per capita - 109 per 10,000 - than any other nation. Israel has the highest number of startup companies per rata.

In absolute terms, the highest number, except the US. Israel has ratio of patents filed. Israel has the highest concentration of hi-tech companies outside of Silicon Valley. Israel is ranked 2 in the world for venture capital funds, behind the USA . Israel has more museums per capita. Israel has the second highest publication of new books per capita.

Relative to population, Israel is the largest immigrant absorbing nation on earth. These immigrants come in search of democracy, religious freedom or expression, economic opportunity, and quality of life.

Believe it or not, Israel is the only country in the world which had a net gain in the number of trees last year. Even Warren Buffet of Berkshire-Hathaway fame has just invested millions with Israeli Companies.

So, you can vilify and demonize the State of Israel. You can continue your silly boycott, if you wish. But I wish you would consider the consequences, and the truth.

Think of the massive contribution that Israel is giving to the world, including the Palestinians - and to you - in science, medicine, Communications, security. Pro rata for population we are making a greater contribution than any other nation on earth.

So what have the Muslim nations contributed to the world in the last 1,000 years?








Yeah, it was an interesting read. I knew most of this already, but it's a subject that I don't really like to even think about. Israel does so much for the world, while everyone hates it. I personally think that it's the Media's fault; one among many. I'm not even posting this because I'm Jewish. (Though it's obviously a huge contributor.) I just happen to side with the little guy most of the time. The little guy is more than likely right in this case. (And, once again, by "more than likely," I mean 99.99% correct, with a .01 percent margin of error.)

[Mitchfork]

Hey, hey, not everyone hates Israel! Israel is cool! Personally, I think they've been putting up with everyone else's crap for way too long now. "Land for peace." What a crock that turned out to be.

[ShadowTiger]

(What's with that "Hey, hey" thing?...)

Yep. Israel seems to have some fairly poor leadership though. I can understand wanting to yield something for the sake of peace, but when you give up some important, productive greenhouses for the sake of peace only to watch them demolish them and want more land again, you're supposed to start turning those gears in your head, y'know? ._o' Israel does take too much shyat from people.

[Mitchfork]

(What's with that "Hey, hey" thing?...)

I honestly don't know.

I guess, since you're quoting a British newspaper, you're British, right? Here in America, I've heard overwhelming support of Israel back when Hezz-balla attacked... of course, there were the extreme lefts that were against them because of their attacks near UN Peacekeeper facilities, but honestly, there was no peace to be kept.

[ShadowTiger]

I guess, since you're quoting a British newspaper, you're British, right?

Not at all. I'm Quite American. I just receive the filtered-down results of many of a lecturing from my local synagogue. It's only natural that I'll get my views from there, in addition to my nature predilection to taking the side of the little guy.

Here in America,

Sorry, couldn't resist.

[Snarwin]

Israel does so much for the world, while everyone hates it.

Eh? I guess that depends who you count as "everyone." I mean, sure, there are Islamic extremists who want it wiped off the face of the planet, but if you just take the people who don't have a direct religious interest in the conflict (ie, who wouldn't be for/against Israel regardless of its contributions), then I'd be surprised if the majority of them hated Israel. There's certainly a lot of disagreement as to what should be done about it, but that's a different thing altogether.

Also, as an aside:

So what have the Muslim nations contributed to the world in the last 1,000 years?

A hell of a lot, actually, including significant advances in medicine. (Source--Wikipedia)


Fake Edit:

[IN AMERICA]

How do I give high-fives over the internet?


Real Edit: Typos.

Edited by Snarwin, 10 July 2007 - 11:46 PM.

[ShadowTiger]

A hell of a lot, actually, including significant advances in medicine.

lol I know. I just didn't want to tamper with the article (That line.) aside from editing out the horrendous E-mail related spacing. (I mean my god, it was brutalized in the extraction!) I know they made tremendous advances in mathematics in their prime, as well as Medicine. I hope I haven't ratted on anything Islamic in this thread. I wouldn't have wanted to even if I did. >.>

How do I give high-fives over the internet?

Yes. It's quite a painful method unfortunately.

[Mr. Pimpy]

I'm for Isreal and always will be, despite what anybody else says.

Eh? I guess that depends who you count as "everyone." I mean, sure, there are Islamic extremists who want it wiped off the face of the planet, but if you just take the people who don't have a direct religious interest in the conflict (ie, who wouldn't be for/against Israel regardless of its contributions), then I'd be surprised if the majority of them hated Israel. There's certainly a lot of disagreement as to what should be done about it, but that's a different thing altogether.

It's not a matter of hate, it's a matter of them not supporting Isreal, despite the obvious fact that they should. When (and if) Isreal goes down, the US, UK, and other western nations are next on the list despite what people believe.

Hey, hey, not everyone hates Israel! Israel is cool! Personally, I think they've been putting up with everyone else's crap for way too long now. "Land for peace." What a crock that turned out to be.

Damn right. I'm sick of everyone's *****ing about "Isreal did this, Isreal did that".
They have a whole area of the world wanting them dead, yet nobody gives a damn about those facts, but Isreal retaliate and everyone wants to condemn her.

Edited by Mr. Pimpy, 11 July 2007 - 12:00 AM.

[Snarwin]

It's not a matter of hate, it's a matter of them not supporting Isreal, despite the obvious fact that they should.

Which is exactly what I said--it's not a matter of hate, its a matter of politics. That doesn't necessarily justify their lack of support, or make the issue any less important, but it isn't as black and white as hating one side or another.

lol I know. I just didn't want to tamper with the article (That line.) aside from editing out the horrendous E-mail related spacing.

That's what I figured; I just wanted to make sure that it was mentioned somewhere, for the benefit of anyone reading this. Can't have people thinking that all Muslims are violent nutjobs. (I exaggerate, of course, but you get the idea.)

Edited by Snarwin, 11 July 2007 - 12:30 AM.

[Mitchfork]

Actually, Islam is a pretty peaceful religion. Of course, you do get the violent basket cases every once in a while (Crusades, anyone?) and they're the only ones getting media attention. *Sigh...* The world is turning into a media fest, I tell you.

[Mr. Pimpy]

Which is exactly what I said--it's not a matter of hate, its a matter of politics. That doesn't justify their actions, or make the issue any less important, but it isn't as black and white as hating one side or another.

Umm...a terrorist group (Hezbollah) in Lebanon carrying out acts of terrorism against Isreal doesn't justify a reaction?
If other countries would take action for there own bussiness Isreal and company wouldn't have to do it for them.

Actually, Islam is a pretty peaceful religion. Of course, you do get the violent basket cases every once in a while (Crusades, anyone?) and they're the only ones getting media attention. *Sigh...* The world is turning into a media fest, I tell you.

Basic Islam has the same basic laws as Judaism and Christianity, but many Middle-Easterners are warped into believing what the extremists want them to hear, not what their holy books teach them.
Oh, and Islamic-based countries have been waging war with Isreal for years, not just during the crusades.

Edited by Mr. Pimpy, 11 July 2007 - 12:25 AM.

[Snarwin]

Actually, Islam is a pretty peaceful religion.

If I remember correctly, there's actually a passage in the Qur'an that places Jews and Christians slightly above "infidel" status because they all technically worship the same God; essentially, Judaism and Christianity are outdated versions of the same religion (or maybe beta versions...?). Or at least something like that. Historically, the Muslim empires allowed Chirstians and Jews to practice their religions freely as long as they payed a tax--which was actually much more convenient for everyone involved.

And then there's that whole bit that's in just about every religion ever that says not to, y'know, kill people.

Umm...a terrorist group (Hezbollah) in Lebanon carrying out acts of terrorism against Isreal doesn't justify a reaction?

By "their actions" (really, lack thereof), I was referring to the part in your earlier post about them "not supporting Israel"--more or less the exact opposite of what you must have read. Sorry about that; I'll see if I can edit it to make it a bit more clear.

[Mitchfork]

If I remember correctly, there's actually a passage in the Qur'an that places Jews and Christians slightly above "infidel" status because they all technically worship the same God; essentially, Judaism and Christianity are outdated versions of the same religion (or maybe beta versions...?). Or at least something like that. Historically, the Muslim empires allowed Chirstians and Jews to practice their religions freely as long as they payed a tax--which was actually much more convenient for everyone involved.

And then there's that whole bit that's in just about every religion ever that says not to, y'know, kill people.

I would have been naive not to have seen that coming.

Yeah, but you don't see Muslim babies being trained to fire shoulder-mounted RPGs, do you? I mean, outside of Al Quaeda. I know what the Quaran (or Koran, as it is in our textbooks) says (I'm sort of obsessed with world religion) and I know that it advocates violence against infidels, but 99% of Muslims are just regular people.

@Mr. Pimpy: sorry, I was really taking a shot at my own religion (Christianity) there. Stupid overly zealous Templars...

[Koopa]

"Interesting" read. Though I don't have a cell phone ... sorry, Israel.

Anyway, my first serious contact with the whole topic was during our middle east week back at our equivalent of high school. We had an excellent teacher (who was Jewish, by the way. And if all Jews were like that I'd consider moving to Israel) and spoke to some invited guests from Israel - some from Peace Now and similar, some from more "radical" religious groups.

What impressed me most is that there are, on both sides of the conflict, many who do want peace. Also the basic fact, though often forgotten, that Jew does not equal Israeli Citizen does not equal supporter of Israel.

If there's one thing that impressed me most it's the village of
Neve Shalom - Wahat al'Salam where Jewish and Muslim families live together in as peaceful a way as the situation allows and where the children all learn both Hebrew and Arabic, with the idea that you should at least be able to talk to the other side.

(The palestinian extremists of course consider those families "traitors to the cause of Islam". But there's also a lot of opposition from the Israeli far-right, interestingly enough with almost the same arguments.)

I think if peace is possible it'll be places and people like this that sow the seeds of peace. Back then our school organized (led by the teacher I mentioned and me) a sponsored run and raised around $25000 for NS-WAS as we called it. It's one of those few things in my life that I'm really really proud of.

[jimbob]

I'll try and stay out of this, but I should say that the Daily Sport is a bit of a joke newspaper, usually has more breasts than news articles, and makes its money on saying controversial things like this, especially after the two bodged terrorist attacks earlier this month. I feel that I should say this, as a British person - we're not all "black and white" like this.

Peace y'all