This Week's Teaching Moment

        Now, in the fear that your own neck may be at risk, it's time to take a crash course. You can begin by making a list of the inflamed areas of the Middle East: Syria, ISIS territory in Syria and Iraq, Iraq itself, Afghanistan, Somalia; and of course the West Bank, Gaza and Israel where four rabbis were tragically murdered yesterday in Jerusalem.  Watch Israeli Prime Minister Netanuahu closely who will surprise us all if he does not go out and immediately kill more people, Palestinians that is. It's one of his favorite remedies.

        First, monitor the news in order of public perceived impressions. Count the items about dead and injured in the Palestinian West Bank, Gaza, and Israel proper.  Do it for a few days, better for a week or so.

         Next, for the sake of everyone’s neck remind yourself of this Summer’s carnage in Gaza--that after the July-August 2014 war the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported

“2,189 Palestinians in Gaza had been killed, of whom 1,486 are believed to be civilians (513 children, 323 boys and 190 girls,70% under 12), 269 women, 557 identified as militants, and 146 of unknown status. The IDF calculates 2,127 killed claiming 55% were civilians and 45% militants. Israeli casualties consisted of 6 civilians (including 1 Thai national) and 66 soldiers, 5 of whom reportedly died from friendly fire.    

          Now read OCHA’s report for these two past summer months, just for the West Bank, not including Gaza.  It counts 39 Palestinians killed and hundreds wounded by Israeli live fire.  You can read it all at http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_the_humanitarian_monitor_2014_10_03_english.pdf

         Finally, take a look at the web site of the Israeli Human Rights organization, B’Tselem, at www.btselem.org     Click on “Updates” and read down a page’s length or so. Don’t miss this item:

Israel holding more than 470 Palestinians in administrative detention

In May 2014, B’Tselem cautioned that the number of Palestinians held by Israel in administrative detention was rising. At the end of August…there were some 473 administrative detainees – the highest number since April 2009. Administrative detention is detention without trial. The [Israeli] security establishment uses it extensively, in breach of the restrictions placed by international law. The government of Israel must release all administrative detainees or prosecute them, in accordance with due process.

Yes, you read it right, 473 Palestinians held in prison, the highest number in five years. Held without trial.

There is only one thing left to do: The U. S. government, including President Obama, Secretary of State Kerry, and Congress, must redefine their corrupt alliance with Israel. The whole world is watching, but they're not waiting.  Israel itself could perish if she does not become an honest woman. The same for the USA.

Too much reading for you?  It’s your neck, and your children’s and your grandchildren’s.