Click for Sderot - Israel Activism, Ynetnews

Think Facebook is only for keeping up with friends or the latest gossip? Now the popular social networking website is being utilized as a powerful tool, taking the protests against the Qassam fire on Sderot to a global level.

Groups of students from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom are using Facebook to organize mass oversees rallies in support of Sderot’s weary residents, calling on the world to aid the battered town.

This web-based activism initially started with a Facebook forum launched by two Israeli friends: Udi Ben-David (25) from Ashkelon, and Yonatan Saban of Jerusalem. In their forum, the two Israelis called on web surfers across the world to hold rallies in support of Sderot’s long suffering residents.

At first the two friends assumed that no one would heed their request, but they were pleasantly surprised. A few days later a deluge of websurfers from England, the US and Canada began to contact them and show interest in their Sderot campaign. More than 3,000 individuals confirmed their attendance at world-wide rallies, and an additional 20,000 surfers were invited to attend.

“I was shocked at how many people signed up for our campaign,” said Ben-David. “The people who signed up are mainly Jews who also got their friends to sign up. I think that hundreds of additional people will also hold and attend such rallies. We have had tremendous backing and it’s just amazing. It might serve to change things.”

The first of these worldwide demonstrations will be held on February 25th in Toronto Canada. A rally is planned for the 2nd of March in Manhattan, New York, followed by an additional rally the next day in Queens. A final New York demonstration will be held on the 5th of March in Brooklyn.

Three additional US demonstrations will be held on the 8th and 9th of March in Maryland, followed by a rally in Santa Barbara California on the 20th of March. A demonstration will also be held in London, but a date has not yet been set for this rally.

One person in each city is responsible for organizing and managing these rallies for Sderot. Benjy Davis, a 20 year-old New York college student, will be organizing the Manhattan rally. Davis has visited Sderot before, and knows all about the incessant Qassam attacks on the town first hand.

“I want the world to know that Sderot is not a Jewish problem, but the world’s problem,” said Davis. This is a humanitarian crisis which the world must act to resolve, especially as today we are all part of one global village. We plan to activate the Color Red alert system during the rally to show people just how frightening it really is.”

Max Salzmann (21), a fellow New York college student, wholeheartedly agrees. “People in Gaza are walking around normally and feeling safe, while people in Sderot live in fear. Sderot’s suffering is the world’s suffering," he said.

"The Qassams continue to land and it will not let up anytime soon," added Salzmann. "We do not oppose the Israeli government. On the contrary, we support it, and demand that it do more to help Sderot and its battered residents.”

It appears that now help for Sderot just might be a mouse-click away.

Click for Sderot - Israel Activism, Ynetnews

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Frankly, Mr. Morrissey

Last night me and some of my good friends went to T.A. to special party made out mostly of Smiths songs,it was fun but dancing while listening to lyrics such as "hung by his pretty white neck" or Real Poetry (no sarcasm here) like
"but when you are tied to your mother's apron,no-one talks about castration",while seeing pretty girls moving her hips and smiling really makes the whole situation surreal,but maybe things like these makes such parties so special.

Morrissey is such a unique songwriter (at least during his tenure with the band) that he has the ability to make me feel he's singing especially to me,understanding the way I fell,my pains,my sorrows,and even the small moments of joy in my life,although he might sing about being misunderstood from an homosexual point of view,and while I'm not,suffering intolerance and rejection only for being myself really made me identify with his plight,showing that no matter of age,place or sexual orientation,what we all really need is a bit of love and understanding in this harsh and cold world we live in.

Oh,and by the way after the party I've made two conclusions:

1. Mika (the one that sing Love Love Me,and Grace Kelly) makes the Scissor Sisters sound like Led Zeppelin and Freddy Mercury like Axel Rose.

2. The song "Let's Dance to Joy Division" by The Wombats just SUCKS!

Today's Song : Australia - Shins (I asked the DJ to play this and he didn't had this so this is a nice opportunity to play it)


Today's Quote: It is easier to get forgiveness than permission.

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(Free) Music That Matters:The Prague Spirit EP - 1000000 a.d.

Well,as a way to avoid the common blackouts I suffer while updating this blog (not to mention the long periods between updates...) I'm stretching the features of this blog towards the inclusion of more music,I'm a big music lover so I'd like to help spreading music I personally like,and being in financial strides it's also a way for me to find full albums for free (and legally),and so,unashamedly borrowing (if not copying) from the great Free Albums Galore blog I'll show here my personal choices of free albums every now and then.

1000000 a.d.,is,according to their label "a loosely knit collective of musicians" and their only constant member is e-Thrice Manwerd.

This collection of songs is,stylistically,a mixture of lo-fi aesthetics,acoustic rock and crude electronic effects,interesting tunes and unusual rhythms,the lyrics doesn't mean much to me but the music here is too good to ignore.

Here is a link to download the full album legally.

Homosexual activity cause of earthquake, Shas MK says - Israel News, Ynetnews

Homosexual activity cause of earthquake, Shas MK says'The Gemara mentions a number of causes of earthquakes, one of which is homosexuality, which the Knesset legitimizes,' Benizri says regarding last Friday's tremor The recent earthquake that was felt across Israel was the result of the "homosexual activity practiced in the country", Knesset Member Shlomo Benizri said Wednesday.

"But I no of another way to prevent earthquakes; the Gemara mentions a number of causes of earthquakes, one of which is homosexuality, which the Knesset legitimizes," Benizri said.

During a special Knesset session on Israel's preparedness for the possibility of another earthquake hitting the region, the Shas member said "the Gemara refers to earthquakes as disasters, but you are searching only for the practical solutions how to prevent and repair.

Last month fellow Shas member Nissim Ze'ev stirred controversy when he referred to the local gay movement as a "plague that could destroy Jewish Israel," adding that it should be treated "just as the Health Ministry dealt with the bird flu epidemic."

Mike Hammel, chairman of the Israeli Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Association commented on Benizri's remarks saying "it is sad that a religious MK in Israel doesn't think earthquakes are God-made.
"On the other hand, I suppose we should be flattered he attributes us with such magical powers," he added.

"One must wonder why Shas MKs are so obsessed with the gay community… we can all recall the case of the American senator who fiercely spoke out against gays until it was found he himself was gay."

Homosexual activity cause of earthquake, Shas MK says - Israel News, Ynetnews


I wonder what Prof.Benizri thinks about reasons for other natural disasters,I'm waiting for other "pearls" of his "wisdom".

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Negev residents demand secured rooms - Israel News, Ynetnews

Southern residents demand security: Residents of the southern Negev desert will be holding a demonstration outside the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem on Sunday. Local residents, headed by regional council head Alon Shuster, will be protesting while a ministerial committee headed by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert convenes in order to rule on fortifying Sderot and Gaza-region homes.

Shuster said that more than a year after PM Olmert promised immediate fortification for area residents, "we hope that proper decisions will be taken tomorrow and that the ministerial committee will adopt the IDF Home Front's decision to set up secured rooms, rather than all sorts of partial fortification solutions."

"We will not accept any solution except for secured rooms," Shuster said

Negev residents demand secured rooms - Israel News, Ynetnews

Alon Shuster happens to live in my kibbutz so it's nice spreading his word from time to time.

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Valentine's Syndrome

It's already after 3 AM and one of the weirdest days of the year had begun,to be honest,I'm not supposed to celebrate Valentine's Day,but every opportunity to celebrate this funny-but-frustrating feeling called Love,is welcomed in my calendar.

I'm getting sentimental in days like these (must be my Latin side) so sometimes days like these bring me down,felling a bit lonely,and thinking about the love of my life,when and how I'll meet her,what will she look like,and so on...
And until that'll happen,all I need is two things: Patience and Hope...

Today's Song: Please,Please,Please Let Me Get What I Want - The Smiths


Today's Quote: The sooner you fall behind the more time you'll have to catch up.

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SDEROT...and the (not-so-sexy) rest...

While reading the English edition of Ynet I stumbled upon this:

A group of tourists from the United States and Australia who recently arrived in Sderot, found the visit to the police station to be "an eye-opener," and vowed to spread the word of what they saw, heard and experienced in Israel back in their home states.

Tourist says Sderot visit 'an eye opener' - Israel Activism, Ynetnews

It's a nice thing that people from abroad are interested in what's happening around here,but couldn't them (and the media as well) take a little more time also to visit the rest of the region as well?
You know,the western negev is not only Sderot,but also lots of kibbutzim and moshavim suffering too,kassam rockets hurting livestock,barely missing playgrounds and kindergartens,but I guess we're not that important for them because: a.we're too humble to mention it and b.Sderot,being a city,gets hit almost daily in houses and public places while the rest of the region,composed of small communities,get mostly hit in open grounds or agricultural fields,with the occasional casualty every now and then.

When the media will to recognize us too and how it's still a mystery to me...

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Milkin' Cash...

One of the hardest things about being a student is the lack of time for work,with only two free days,and living relatively far from any major cities (Sderot and Ashkelon don't count),finding a job is no easy task,so in my despair I turned to a common solution: milking cows in my Kibbutz's stable.

For a long time I've tried to avoid doing such work but my present situation left me with little other choice,and besides my old folks insisted almost hourly I should do it,but in the other hand,the thought of cows defecating and\or urinating over my head,the kicks,the hours...

Well,yesterday I had my first shift and it wasn't that bad,the manager was supportive and I managed to go home relatively dry and clean,I guess I've exaggerated my bad memories and maybe I've found a way to earn money with flexible shifts and very close to home while I study.

Today's Song: Only You - Portishead

Today's Quote: Fight Hunger and Poverty: Eat the Poor!

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AG: Single-sex couples may adopt child not biologically related to them

Same-sex couples can adopt children who are not biologically related to either partner, according to a recent ruling by Attorney General Menachem Mazuz. advertisement the decision means that homosexual and lesbian couples will be able to adopt children through the department of child welfare or a third party.

Mazuz's decision marks a watershed in granting equal rights to gays and lesbians in the sphere of family law. Until now, Mazuz had confined his activities to social and financial areas only.

In a discussion of the issue initiated by Welfare Minister Isaac Herzog and reported in Haaretz two months ago, it was determined that the term "ben zug" (partner, or spouse) in the Adoption Law includes a partner of the same sex and that it follows from this that a same-sex partner can be permitted to adopt the biological or adopted children of his or her partner.

AG: Single-sex couples may adopt child not biologically related to them - Haaretz - Israel News


May this be another small step forward towards a more tolerant and understanding Israel.

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2 brothers injured in rocket attack on Sderot

"Eight-year-old boy sustains serious injuries to his legs, 19-year-old adolescent light-to-moderately hurt when rocket fired by Palestinians in north Gaza lands near residential building in western Negev town; Islamic Jihad's Al-Quds Brigades claim responsibility"

Taken from Ynet

Oh,the irony...

This morning I went to the clinic of the kibbutz to receive the results of a blood test i took some days ago,and i received a surprising result: I have a deficiency of vitamin B12,how did I got and what symptoms it may cause? well,apparently I'm not eating enough red meat,me,a native Argentinian,being told that he's not eating enough red meat,it's like a Chinese being told he's not eating enough rice,and it may cause attention disorders,mood swings and problems in the nervous system,the doctor actually recommended me to increase (albeit slightly) the quantities of red meat I consume,and I suggested my family to help me follow the recommendations :) but my mother insisted I'll get my vitamins from brown bread and other boring and weird other sources...oh well.

Today's Quote: Ambition is a poor excuse for not having enough sense to be lazy.

Musical Censorship

Today,whilst I was reading the news in Ynet I stumbled upon an article announcing the commercial release of the long awaited film "Control",which is a dramatized version of the life (and suicide) of Ian Curtis,singer of Joy Division,Poet,Icon,Genius and officially Tortured Soul.
The article itself was informative but I couldn't help notice a small,but annoying mistake,you see,the folks @ Ynet portrayed the movie as a documentary,which wasn't the case as people who really like the band (or at least it's genre) know that it's a drama,and so I wrote a comment informing about the mistake and expressing my enthusiasm of seeing the movie in the near future,and i checked the website hours again only to found they deleted the word "Documentary" and didn't publish my comment,the bastards,I guess the biggest news website in Israel didn't wanted to be portrayed as a bunch of musical know-nothings...or that I'm just a smartass with too much free time...

Now i have a semester holiday and some spare time for my musings and rants to match...

Today's Song: Atmosphere - Joy Division

Today's Quote: The only reason people get lost in thought is because it's unfamiliar territory.

Finally...

Finally...after long months of waiting,I'll start the photography course in Sapir college,in order to make time for studying I had to quit my mind numbing and soul wrecking job (why do you think there wasn't any activity in this blog for half a year?) as a customer service clerk in HOT,the cable TV company. I do feel a little scared and nervous but I guess it's a natural thing when you start something new in your life,I hope that I'll make some progress in the way I portrait life and the way I look at it and develop new perspectives,in photography as well as in life.

Today's Song: I Turn my Camera On - Spoon

Today's Quote: Creativity is Great, but Plagiarism is Faster.

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Postcard from Mefalsim

Combining art protest and an "alternative" sense of humour,a resident of mefalsim made a very...how to put it...unique statement about the current state of affairs in the region:

(note to gentile and\or non-hebrew readers:the sticker reads "shalom" which means "peace")

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Postcard from Mefalsim

A lone,slightly ripped,but firm Israeli flag waving,facing the sunset (and gaza)

Sabra Republic

Until recently,Israel held proudly the title of "Only Democracy of the Middle East" but now we are steadily becoming the "South America of the Middle East",with numerous cases of corruption,the top of the police on trial,a rapist President,a pervert Minister of Justice and now Arcadi Gaydamak,a billionare with a more-than-shady past announcing the formation of a movement ironically called "social justice" and a recent poll gave him 14 MK's,should he turns the movement into a party.
what's next? a military coup? oh,wait a minute...

Today's Song: The Drowners - Suede

Today's Quote:There is light at the end of every tunnel...just pray it's not a train!

New Hasbara Strategy: The MySpace Diplomacy

In yet another "brilliant" and "bold" move made to boost our Hasbara (the art of improving Israel's image in the world,mainly in the western media) policies,the Israeli consulate in NY opened a space for "the state of Israel" in MySpace,when i saw the headline,I thought it was a joke,maybe not a funny one,but still a joke,but no,an Israeli official,acting on behalf of the state made this stunt seriously thinking it would make the slightest contribution to the ailing "media war" with the Palestinian side,and what we have in the page,pretty girls,touristic photos,and photos of local celebrities,and some Hollywood stars in the friends list,Leonardo DiCaprio,George Clooney,Natalie Portman,and Regina Spektor (who?) among others,while the Palestinian side uses people with high IQ's and impeccable speech and manners to act on their behalf,and brilliantly,we are only left with trying to appeal to the lowest common denominator of the world's youth.

When i thought the image of our country was cheapened enough i saw that the same people responsible for the bizzare idea mentioned above also opened a blog called isrealli,which has,among it's very "Zionist" content,a video of Bar Refaeli posing in bikinis for Sports Illustrated,it seems that people are trying to win support for Israel through the hormonal activity of young men.

Now look,don't get me wrong,if a private person would make his own space making his own effort of showing another side of Israel,like I try to do for my kassam-stricken region,it would as understandable as welcomed,but in this case,the government,and it's representatives at home and abroad,should refrain from pathetic attempts like this which only degrades and cheapens our already deteriorating image to the world.

Today's Song: Pretty Vacant - Sex Pistols

Today's Quote: Whoever said nothing is impossible,never tried slamming a revolving door...

Ophir Pines-Paz in Kibbutz Be'eri

Labor Party MK and former Minister Ophir Pines-Paz came to nearby Kibbutz Be'eri and yours truly,with a small group from Mefalsim,went to see him and listen to what he had to say,about the Party,the state,and his plans,should he be elected Party Chairman in the Party's primary elections that will take place next may,it was very interesting and he made very good points,the most important is that he's looking forward mainly to the chairmanship,and not to any certain ministry or portfolio,unlike our current chairman who took a portfolio incompatible with his own qualities...

Some photos from the event:

Ophir was very polite and he was very kind to have a picture taken with yours truly:

(oh,i forgot to comb my hair in advance...)

Our region,being a Labor Party stronghold,will be visited by notable members of the party in the next months,looking for support in their respective campaigns for chairmanship.

Today's Song: Suedehead - Morrissey


Today's Quote: War does not determine who is right, war determine who is left.

IDF Chief Halutz resigns

An earthquake in the military and political echelon: IDF Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz resigned Tuesday night. This was reported by the IDF Spokesperson's Office. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert expressed deep sorrow over the decision. Olmert, who knew beforehand that Halutz was going to resign, asked him to reconsider, but according to the PM's Office, Halutz's decision was decisive and as such, Olmert has no choice but to accept it. Despite vast pressure exerted on Halutz recently, pursuant to the second Lebanon war, the general originally seemed poised for the opposite action. In a press conference presenting the post-war investigation findings, Halutz said "I haven't heard calls from my superiors for me to leave. When they tell me to, I'll respond." Halutz addressed the imminent report by the Winograd commission, expected in February, and stated that if the commission took a different stance, he would comply "as it required." "I chose to take responsibility," said Halutz. "There are those who interpret responsibility as running away. I chose to deal with the investigation and a nation demanding a solution. That is responsibility."

IDF Chief Halutz resigns - News from Israel, Ynetnews

Postcard from Mefalsim