http://trailfire.com/dewlev/trails/23205dewlev/trails60http://trailfire.com/dewlev/marks/44632]]>Israel report Jan dewlevFri, 19 Jan 2007 14:01:27 -0800trailfire:markId:44632http://trailfire.com/dewlev/marks/44637Israel report Jan dewlevFri, 19 Jan 2007 12:53:07 -0800trailfire:markId:44637http://trailfire.com/dewlev/marks/44642Israel report Jan dewlevFri, 19 Jan 2007 12:53:33 -0800trailfire:markId:44642http://trailfire.com/dewlev/marks/44655New topic: occasionally someone in that labyrinth of lies, the press that is,  comes out with a pearl of wisdom and an acceptance of responsibility. Reuters have accepted culpability both on the altered Lebanon photographs which deeply embarrassed them and on the choice of photograph for their calendar]]>Israel report Jan dewlevFri, 19 Jan 2007 12:58:32 -0800trailfire:markId:44655http://trailfire.com/dewlev/marks/44699World on Want was always a noble charity whose aim was to wipe out world poverty. Today they simply want to wipe out Israel. In this Tom Gross report we learn that Israel has enough enemies outside the country who spread lies and accusations.]]>Israel report Jan dewlevFri, 19 Jan 2007 13:58:52 -0800trailfire:markId:44699http://trailfire.com/dewlev/marks/44706I don't know if it is an Israeli epidemic of it is pandemic – judging and proclaiming sentence when a mere whiff of suspicion is publicly announced before the facts are investigated. Trial by tabloid reigns and the most important words in the democratic legal process "Innocent until proven guilty" have gone by the wayside. We live in a world where rumour and gossip rule and truth is merely a bystander. While PM Olmert was Minister of Trade and Industry he encouraged overseas investors to bid in the sale of Bank Leumi. Several large investors were involved in the bidding, all of whom brought in by the Minister. The suggestion is that the Minister favoured one of the investors, however each of them has been declared the favourite at any given moment depending upon the newspaper!  This untethered finger pointing undermines the confidence of ordinary people and the confidence of the biggest investors in Israeli industry who are deeply concerned that their names will be dragged through the muck rather than lauded for their support of the Israeli economy. Political maneuverings and self-interest are master of this game. I do not know what the truth is but I do know that something is not right whether it be in the zenith of politics or the nadir of political journalism. If there is a genuine question over the legality of a public figures actions it should be investigated and proven before being released to a hungry press. I do not wish to be part of an end game which Israel loses, we have far greater battles to fight.

]]>Israel report Jan dewlevFri, 19 Jan 2007 13:33:39 -0800trailfire:markId:44706http://trailfire.com/dewlev/marks/44711Member of Knesset Dr. Yuri Stern died this week. Yuri and I never saw eye to eye on politics but he was a real mensch who cared deeply about people and upheld the principles on which he was elected to the Knesset. Yuri made Aliya from Moscow and became a much respected and loved member of Israeli society. Admiration for his work in the Knesset came from right, left and centre parties. Yuri worked with the Knesset Christian Caucus to bring together Jews and Christians from all over the world in love for Israel. My last memories of him were at a party, just a few months ago, when he danced with and hugged his wife all night. Please read the eulogies and fond memories.]]>Israel report Jan dewlevFri, 19 Jan 2007 13:42:15 -0800trailfire:markId:44711