Fisting Syria

Israel is a vital country. I do not deny this. I am not among the fanatics who call for its abolishment, its destruction, nor do I approve any Islam-inspired pogrom against it. Last week I found myself pouring over the musings of Theodor Herzl. Mr. Herzl is oft misunderstood because, in light of the ethnocentric perspective that he had, that perspective was wholly justifiable in light of his particular slice of the European Zeitgeist. He had it right! Had there been no state of Israel created it was very likely that additional violence be visited upon European Jews after WWII. In fact, the creation of the modern State of Israel gave to Jews a sense of rooted nationhood; connection to land, and this was no small thing indeed.

Allow me to reveal my politics further; I for one am happy that the Jewish State exists in the demarcation set out by the American and British cartographers. I don’t think that the Uganda initiative sought by many, including Herzl, would have worked out – indeed the history of the Ismali (who in some extreme Islamist circles hated even more than Jews) and their flight from Uganda demonstrates clearly that political stability around and within a country is necessary for that nation’s long-term hope and happiness especially for immigrant populations.
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Nathalie Morin (right), with husband Al Bishi and eldest son Samir.

The Canadian government has decided not to repatriate a Quebec woman living in Saudi Arabia who claims her husband is not allowing her to leave the country. Nathalie Morin, who married a Saudi Arabian man over eight years ago, is subject to the Saudi law that women and their children cannot leave the country without the permission of their husbands. Morin has three children and claims to have been trying to come to Canada for almost three years – but her husband refuses to allow her the necessary permission.

Nathalie Morin met her Saudi husband, Samir Said Ramthi Al Bishi, in Montreal at the age of seventeen. They later moved to Saudi Arabia after the birth of their first son. Morin’s mother claims her daughter’s marriage and family life was strong until they left Canada. It is claimed that Al Bishi is regularly physically abusive and that his refusal to let Moran and her children come to Canada is not out of love but out of spite. Although an amendment to the Saudi law allows foreign wives to leave without their husbands’ permission, it does not apply to Morin as she was married before the law was changed. Desperate to have her daughter home, Morin’s mother Johanne Durocher has been pleading that the Canadian government repatriate her daughter. Foreign Affairs minister Lawrence Cannon met with Saudi officials on the weekend to discuss the situation and announced afterward that the matter was to be privately dealt with by the family. Durocher says Cannon’s press secretary, Natalie Sarafian, sent her an e-mail explaining that Morin’s husband would allow Morin to come home – if the government paid him a sum of $300,000. Durocher claims this exorbitant request was passed onto her. “You don’t buy your children” says Durocher.
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In a move many are calling a breakthrough in the negotiation process between Israel and Hamas, Israel released 20 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for a short video of Gilad Schalit. The video shows Schalit holding a Palestinian newspaper dated September 14th and provides proof that he is indeed alive. All 20 released prisoners were females, most of whom were charged for attempted murder and who were nearing the end of the prison sentence. The deal paves the way for further negotiations between the two sides. Hamas is demanding the release of 1000 prisoners in exchange for Schalit. The released video can be seen below.

Since Israel’s January 18th ceasefire, there have been numerous Hamas attacks on Israelis, with multiple rockets fired into Israel. Israel has been tolerant so far but it is coming to the point that they must once again take action against Hamas to protect Israeli citizens. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said, “The cabinet’s position from the outset was that if there is rocket fire at southerners, there will be a response that will essentially be disproportionate.”
Disproportionate was a word that was used to describe Israel’s recent offensive in headlines across the world. It has been my position that Israel’s recent offensive has been very peaceful compared to most offensives in world history. In such a densely populated area, I was actually impressed by the low casualty toll. But many people would disagree with me… I can not even begin to fathom the response of these people when Israel takes disproportionate action.
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At 7 p.m. eastern time today, a unilateral ceasefire will begin in the Middle East. Israeli troops will suspend their offensive against Hamas. For the full story, click here.

Will this ceasefire help bring peace to the Middle East? Only time will tell.