The Allies: Hezbollah and the EU

Guest post by Peter Mullen - Christian supporter of the state of Israel.
 

I imagined when the other day I suggested that the West’s proposal to arm the Syrian rebels is a mistake, my words would be universally welcomed as a useless statement of the obvious. Well, the same day the EU announced that it would indeed give assistance to the assorted secularist, Sunnis, Salafists and Al Q’aeda fighters, the Russians exhibited newsreel of their firing of advanced SS300 surface-to-air missiles. The next day Russia declared it would supply these weapons to Assad to deter “hotheads” who might be tempted to intervene on Assad’s side. These hotheads are the foreign ministers of the EU.

Grant that the EU’s apparent willingness to supply weapons which will soon fall into the hands of local terrorists is potentially catastrophic, is there nothing that the EU might do which would actually be useful? There is, but they have repeatedly refused to do it. Why don’t the EU ministers declare the Iranian Revolutionary Guard to be what it is, a terrorist organisation, and add it to the their list of proscriptions? There is proof of the IRG’s meddling in Syria where it defends what the EU describes as “the brutal and murderous regime of Bashar Al Assad.” The IRG have been providing fighters, weapons and training to the Assad regime and to Hezbollah, the Iranian proxy terrorist organisation created by the IRG in the 1980s. Hezbollah ,“The Party of Allah,” has helped perpetrate many massacres during the Syrian civil war.

As distinguish between one terrorist organisation and another, we might as well try to judge between a louse and a flea. But this is precisely what the EU does as its policies will greatly assist the Sunni, Salafist and Al Q’aeda terrorists currently waging was in Syria. By refusing to proscribe the IRG, EU foreign ministers are lending the strongest support possible to the dictator Assad whose removal they claim to desire. Thus, their left hand does not know what their right hand is doing. But then, of course, in the EU both hands are Left.  

THE IRG HAS BLOOD ON ITS HANDS IN SYRIA

Recent research carried out by the ZF, as part of our campaign calling on the EU and UK Government to proscribe the IRG (Iranian Revolutionary Guards) as a terrorist group shows definitive proof that the IRG has been active in Syria, defending the brutal and murderous Syrian regime of Bashar Al Assad. You can read our 'IRG in Syria' briefing sheet research here.

The IRG have been providing fighters, weapons and training to the Assad regime and the Iranian proxy terrorist organisation created by the IRG in the 1980s, Hezbollah. This has played a major role in the massacres Assad has carried out against his own people during a bloody civil war and has also led to Assad using groups like the IRG and Hezbollah to attack Israel.

The EU and UK must proscribe the IRG as a terrorist organisation. This would weaken the chances of Syria becoming a place for Iran to launch terror attacks on the UK, other EU nations and Israel. If the EU and UK did this they would be protecting the security of its citizens, standing up to terrorism and choking off funding to the IRG, its supporters and the terrorist groups it aids.

Chairman of the ZF, Paul Charney stated ““We must prevent Syria from becoming a terrorist training camp for Iran and the IRG. This would allow for extremism and violence to spread worldwide especially across the UK and EU. Proscribing the IRG as a terrorist organisation would be a great step towards protecting our national security and would send a firm message in standing up against terrorism”.

You can learn about the ZF campaign here http://www.zionist.org.uk/?page_id=2604 , view our overall campaign briefing sheet calling on the IRG to be listed as a terrorist organisation here, read our press release on the campaign here, like our facebook page here and see our petition here.

BOYCOTTING ISRAEL HARMS THE WORLD

Professor Stephen Hawking has pulled out of a commitment to give a lead lecture at a major international science conference in Israel next month.  The event is also a celebration of the 90th birthday of President Peres. 

Hawking has visited Israel four times. Most recently, in 2006, he delivered public lectures at Israeli and Palestinian universities as the guest of the British Embassy.

Boycotts of Israel like this are discriminatory and demonise the only stable and mature democracy in the Middle East, where the rights of minorities are protected.

Additionally, Israeli expertise is leading to productive partnerships that are helping to change the world for the better. For instance, The Hanquing Foundation, that provides scholarships for outstanding Chinese students, will be providing scholarships of up to $35,000 a year for Chinese students to go to the world leading technological university, Technion in Haifa, Israel. This shows how Israeli expertise is bringing nations worldwide together to the benefit of all. Boycotts endanger this.

Chairman of the ZF Paul Charney said, “Boycotts of Israel are based on hatred and lies, which harm the prospects of peace that are based on dialogue. Much of what we take for granted, like our computers, medicinal drugs or mobile phones are made or designed in Israel, the same products that the BDS movement wants to boycott.”

The ZF and all its UK members will always speak out against these boycotts that delegitimise and would deprive the world of Israel’s significant contributions.  

46TH ANNIVERSARY OF JERUSALEM DAY MARKED IN THE PRESENCE OF CHIEF RABBI ELECT AND SENIOR MUSLIM CLERIC

To celebrate the 46^th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem, The ZF in conjunction with Edgware United Synagogue and the Springboard Trust marked Jerusalem day with a special event.

Over 125 guests saw the first showing of the film produced by the Springboard Trust called ‘Jerusalem and the Temple Mount’. A major person in this film was the renowned historian Martin Gilbert. This short documentary film examines the 3,000 year old connection between the Jewish people and Jerusalem. 

This event took place in the presence of the Chief Rabbi-elect, Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, who said “Jerusalem is the eternal city, the beating heart of the Jewish people”.

Our special guest for the night who came all the way from Rome was Sheikh Imam Abdul Hadi Palazzi, the Secretary General of the Italian Muslim Assembly. He is also the co-chairman of the Islam-Israel Fellowship that seeks to promote a positive Muslim relationship towards Jews and Israel. His speech showcased his strong support for the State of Israel and its sovereignty over Jerusalem.

Alan Aziz, Executive Director of the ZF said “This event reminded us of the importance of Jerusalem. The 46^th anniversary of the unification of Jerusalem reminds us of the age old connection of Jerusalem to the Jewish people and how it is central to the state of Israel”.

Edgware United’s Synagogue Chairman, Carroll Raphael said “On 28th Iyar 5727 the city of Jerusalem, previously divided, became one.  Edgware United Synagogue was proud to host this important event for the 46th anniversary of re-unification and wish Jerusalem and its inhabitants Hatzlacha raba”.

The ZF and all its UK members will continue to highlight the centrality of Jerusalem to the Jewish people.

More photos available upon request.

Stephen Hoffman

Campaigns Officer, Zionist Federation UK
020 8202 0202 / www.zionist.org.uk

Paul Charney Letter on the ZF'S Iranian Revolutionary Guards Campaign

Dear Sir,

In light of the recent judgement and conviction of key members of the IRG (Iranian Revolutionary Guards) for its plot in targeting the Israeli Embassy in Kenya, it is clear that the IRG is acting with impunity and freedom in its terrorist activities worldwide.

Considering its major role in assisting Hezbollah in the 2012 attack in Burgas, which killed five Israelis and one Bulgarian, it’s clear that the IRG is an active and dangerous international terrorist organisation. Further, considering its supply of weapons to the Taliban, used to target British servicemen in Afghanistan, one cannot ignore the threat the IRG poses internationally.

Recently the ZF launched a campaign calling on the UK Government and the EU to formally label the IRG as a terrorist group. If the EU and UK refuse to act to proscribe the IRG then this will send a clear message for them to continue to spread terror across Europe and the world.

If you want to take part in our campaign we urge you to write to your MP and MEP on this important matter, as well as sign our petition here http://tinyurl.com/cfgtcvc and read our research on the matter here: http://www.zionist.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IRGbriefing.pdf

Yours sincerely 

Paul Charney

ZF CHAIRMAN 

46TH JERUSALEM DAY TO BE CELEBRATED IN THE UK

The Zionist Federation together with Edgware United Synagogue and the Springboard Education Trust will proudly celebrate Jerusalem Day on Tuesday 7^th May at 7.30pm in fine style to mark the 46^th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem with an evening in Edgware of film, music and food.

The event will be with speakers Chief Rabbi elect Ephraim Mirvis who will stress the centrality of Jerusalem in Jewish life, and Sheikh Abdul Hadi Palazzi the Secretary General of the Italian Muslim Assembly who will say that Jerusalem is the capital city of the Jewish state of Israel. Guests will also see the first showing of Springboard’s new film ‘Jerusalem and the Temple Mount’ featuring historian Sir Martin Gilbert.  This short documentary film examines the 3,000 year old connection between the Jewish people and Jerusalem. 

Alan Aziz, Executive Director of the ZF said “this event is a fitting way to mark the 46^th anniversary of the re-unification of Jerusalem, its significance to the Jewish people and why it should never be divided”.

Edgware United’s Synagogue Chairman, Carroll Raphael said “On 28th Iyar 5727 the city of Jerusalem, previously divided, became one.  Edgware United Synagogue is proud to host this important event for the 46th anniversary of re-unification and wish Jerusalem and its inhabitants Hatzlacha raba”.

The ZF and all its UK members will continue to highlight the importance of Jerusalem to the Jewish people.

Photos will be available upon request.

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SHEIKH  Prof. Dr. ABDUL HADI  PALAZZI

In 1987, Sheikh Abdul Palazzi, after completing religious and secular education in Rome and Cairo has served as Imam to the Italian Islamic Community in Rome.   Holds Ph.D in Islamic Sciences from the Grand Mufti of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

He has lectured on the History of Religion and wasco-producer of reportages from Middle East for Italy’s public television. He was secretary-general of the Association of Italian Muslims and nowadays he is president of the Italian Muslim Assembly.

Apart from his websites he has published numerous papers and articles and addressed international conferences on a variety of issues on peace in the Middle East and the relations of Muslims and the State of Israel.

Sheikh Palazzi is not only a “Muslim Zionist”.   He also denounces Muslim extremists - the PLO, the Al Aqsa Brigade and their like as perverting authentictraditional Islam.

In 1998, Sheikh Palazzi and Dr. Asher Eder (Jerusalem) co-founded the

Islam-Israel Fellowship which promotes a positive attitude towards Jews and

Israel based on what Sheikh Palazzi believes are the authentic teachings of

Muhammed as expressed in the Koran and Hadith (Muslim oral tradition).

Sheikh Palazzi serves as Muslim co-Chairman of the Fellowship.  Dr. Eder

is the Jewish co-Chairman. 

It is thanks to the Springboard Education Trust that Sheikh Abdul Hadi Palazzi was able to come to the UK and see the film on Jerusalem that the Springboard Education Trust put together.