Israel – Mirta Ines Trupp~ Author

I Stand with Israel!

October 11, 2023October 15, 2023 Mirta Ines Trupp

Last week, I was prepared to share some happy news with this audience. Last week, I was going to reveal my latest project with all the enthusiasm and (anxious) hope typical of a would-be author. However, last week, we were trying to absorb the horrific news coming from Israel. We were trying to understand how these barbaric acts were taking place—after we Jews had pledged NEVER AGAIN. I typed the words “we Jews”— not the world. That was not a typographical error. That was intentional, because apparently “the world” hasn’t joined us in pledging NEVER AGAIN. The world doesn’t seem to understand the history of Eretz Israel (the Land of Israel).

I’ve decided to share some history today. I don’t consider myself an academic and I’m certainly not a professional historian. The information I’m sharing comes from various sites found on the Internet. I encourage you to do your own research, but this is what I believe to be true.

Nearly 3,000 years ago: The people known as the Philistines had become extinct. This Aegean (Cypriot) tribe had no connection to the modern-day Arabs that call themselves Palestinian. They have different ethnicities, different languages, different culture.

Around 1000 B.C.E: King David ruled the region known as Canaan.

Around 931 BCE: King Solomon built the first holy temple in Jerusalem. The kingdom was divided: Israel to the North, Judah in the South. “Ninety-two percent of the Bible place names are in the mountains of Israel in what the Bible calls Judea and Samaria and the world calls the West Bank.” ~B. Brim, scholar at Elon Moreh.

The Book of Genesis shows that Abraham entered Israel through Shechem, and that the hills of Judea and Samaria were the stomping grounds for his descendants through Isaac and Jacob.
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were buried in Hebron, a bustling city in the Judean hills.
Joseph, who lived and died in Egypt, was buried in Shechem, in the hills of Samaria (Joshua 24:32)
The book of Exodus shows that the ark of the covenant, before being placed in the temple in Jerusalem, rested in the Samarian city of Shiloh

Around 722 BCE: The Assyrians invaded the region.

568 BCE: Babylonians conquered Jerusalem, destroying the first temple

132 CE: The Romans exiled Jews from their homeland; and, in an attempt to discourage patriotism, renamed the region Syria-Palaestina, combining the names of two ancient kingdoms long since dead: Assyria and Philistine.

Future conquerors (Persians, Greeks, Muslims, Arabs, Turks, Egyptians, etc.) would refer to the area by the name of Palestine (Philistia, Palestina, Filastin, Mandatory Palestine, etc.), but it always denoted a place and not a people.

1517-1917: The Ottoman Empire ruled the Holy Land.

1917: The British offered the “Balfour Declaration” in support of the establishment of a Jewish homeland. Over 80 % of the region’s population were Muslim/Arab. “Before the Balfour Promise, Palestine’s political borders as we know them today did not exist, and there was nothing called a Palestinian people with a political identity as we know today,” historian Abd Al-Ghani.

1918 (after WWI): The region becomes known as British Palestine.

1922: The League of Nations approved the Balfour Declaration. The Arabs who lived in the area opposed it. These people were from, or were descended from, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, etc. Very few Palestinian Arabs were indigenous. Most arrived with the Muslim conquests of the 7th century.

1937: The Peel Commission offered a plan for peace. The Arabs rejected it. “There is no such country as Palestine! ‘Palestine’ is a term the Zionists invented! Our country was for centuries part of Syria.”~ Arab leader, Auni Bey Abdul-Hadi.

1944: President Roosevelt opposed a pro-Zionist resolution in Congress in fear of provoking Arab nations. He had previously showed his disdain for Jewish refugees, referring to their pleas as “Jewish wailing” and “sob stuff.”

1947: The United Nations approved a two-state plan. The Arabs rejected it.

1948: Israel was officially declared an independent state. The following day, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon invaded. A temporary armistice agreement gave Judea and Samaria to Jordan (now called the West Bank) and the Gaza Strip to Egypt.

1967: Six-day War: Egypt, Jordan and Syria attack. Israel takes control of Gaza, the Sinai Peninsula, the West Bank and the Golan Heights.

“Why is it that on June 4th 1967, I was a Jordanian and overnight I became a Palestinian?”~Walid Shoebat, a former PLO terrorist
“The Palestinian people have no national identity. I, Yasser Arafat, man of destiny, will give them that identity through conflict with Israel.” ~ Yasser Arafat
“There is no such thing as a Palestinian people, there is no Palestinian entity, there is only Syria. You are an integral part of the Syrian people, Palestine is an integral part of Syria. Therefore it is we, the Syrian authorities, who are the true representatives of the Palestinian people.”~ Syrian President Hafez Assad

1973: Egypt and Syria attacked Israel on Yom Kippur.

1979: Militant Islam ousted the shah of Iran and the Pahlavi dynasty. The U.S. embassy and 52 American were held hostage for 444 days. President Carter’ s belated response ended in disaster. Since then, the Islamic regime has ruled Iran.

1979: President Carter set up the Camp David Accords with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin. Israel began to withdraw from Sinai. Sadat was assassinated by Islamic militants for working with the Israelis.

1981: Israel annexed the Golan Height. Although the area was deemed essential to security and national defense, the action was condemned internationally. The United Nations Security Council suggested that Israel withdraw from territories occupied during the Six-Day War, in exchange “of the termination of all states of belligerency and recognition of Israel as a sovereign state by the Arab states.”

1987: Hamas was established by members of the Muslim Brotherhood and factions of the PLO at the beginning of the intifada.

2000: President Clinton met with Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat. The negotiations were rejected by the Arabs. In December of that same year, a proposal called The Clinton Parameters was presented to both parties. The document suggested, among other points, that a Palestinian state would be created, comprising between 94–96% of the West Bank and the entire Gaza Strip. Israel would annex land, including settlements. The PLO rejected the proposal.

2005: Israel disengaged from Gaza. They offered it to Egypt They did not want to accept responsibility. They offered it to Jordan. They did not want to accept responsibility. After the withdrawal, the “Palestinians” were given control over the territory, except for the borders, the airspace and territorial waters.

2006: President Carter published a disturbing and controversial book entitled, “Palestine: Peace not Apartheid.” Years later, Carter apologized for his views.

2006: Terrorists infiltrated the Israeli side of the border through a tunnel they dug near the Kerem Shalom land crossing. During the attack, tank commander, Lieutenant Hanan Barak, as well as Staff Sergeant Pavel Slutsker, were killed. Wounded, Gilad Shalit was taken hostage to Gaza. He would remain there until 2011.

2007: Hamas was elected as the Palestinian government. The population of Gaza is now under their control. Hamas began storing weapons, tunnels, etc. under homes, schools, hospitals, and mosques. Israel approved a series of sanctions that included power cuts, restricted imports, and border closures in self-defense.

2008: Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s plan included placing Jerusalem’s Old City under international control and would cede almost 94% of the West Bank for the establishment of a Palestinian state. The Arabs reject it.

2008: The IDF began dropping leaflets, making phone calls, and commandeering local radio and TV stations. They called for civilians to evacuate buildings where weapons were stored and/or where tunnels have been dug. They were instructed to the center of towns and to not act as shields for Hamas. This was not the first, or the last, time the IDF would take these measures.

2009: President Obama met with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan. He embraced the hard line Islamist as a “friend” and “partner.” Obama traveled to Egypt and condemned Israeli “occupation” of the West Bank (Judea and Samaria). “The situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable.”

2011: President Obama formalized ties with Egypt’s once-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.

2012: President Obama bypassed Congress and sent $1.5 billion to Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood.

2014: Three Israeli teenagers disappeared in the “West Bank” (Judea and Samaria). Prime Minister Netanyahu accused Hamas. On June 30, 2014, the boys were found dead outside of Hebron.

2015: President Obama struck a deal with Iran. “We released seven terrorists who had helped Iran with their nuclear program, and we agreed not to prosecute another 14 terrorists for doing the same thing,” said Senator Ted Cruz. “That’s 21 terrorists helping Iran develop nuclear weapons that they intend to use to try to murder us.”

2016: On his last day in office, President Obama’s administration approved $221 million for the Palestinians.

2018: Protestors and supporters in the Gaza Strip attempted to cross the border into Israel, sending incendiary kites and balloons into the area.

2021: Tensions in Jerusalem boiled over and led to the greatest escalation of violence since 2014. After clashes between Israeli police and Palestinian protesters left hundreds injured, Hamas launched rockets into Jerusalem and southern and central Israel, prompting air strikes from Israel in response.

January 2023: A Jerusalem synagogue was attacked, leaving numerous dead.

April 2023: A woman and her two daughters were killed in a “West Bank” (Judea and Samaria) attack.

September 2023: President Biden sanctioned giving $6 billion to Iran. The following month, Deputy national security adviser Jon Finer would say, “that the United States believes Iran is “broadly complicit” in Hamas attacks in Israel.”

October 2023: Biden’s administration deleted the president’s post calling for restraint after Hamas viciously attacked Israel. The president later denounced the attacks, but American congressional representatives continued to put pressure on Israel, insinuating that they were to blame.

Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar called Israel’s response to the attacks “war crimes.”
Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib said that U.S. aid to Israel was akin to “funding to support the apartheid government.”
Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez focused on the “oppression and occupation” more than the barbaric attacks of Hamas

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Israelis and Jews around the world with decisiveness and with a clear vision. “The enemy will pay an unprecedented price. In the meantime, I call on the citizens of Israel to strictly adhere to the directives of the IDF and Home Front Command. We are at war and we will win it.”

כן יהי רצון

Ken Yehi Ratzon ~ Let it Be So

Amen

New Post

A Salute to Mothers~ With Love, a Jewish Regency Author

May 13, 2022 Mirta Ines Trupp

It’s been a while since I’ve added to the blog. I thought long and hard on what I could present to this group of well-informed and clever people. In keeping with my modus operandi, I knew that I needed to combine my cultural heritage with my love for all things Austen; and so, I looked to the calendar and found my mark.

It’s May, and here in the United States, we just celebrated Mother’s Day—but not so in other parts of the world. Let me persuade you to take a turn about the globe with me. It’s so refreshing!

Naturally, I will begin in England! Jane Austen would have been familiar with the festive occasion known as Mothering Sunday. Usually occurring during the season of Lent, it was a day for church, as well as acknowledging one’s matriarch. Even servants were given the day off, so that they could visit with their own mothers and perhaps share a token of their love. I did a little research on Jane Austen’s mother and found that Mrs. Austen was considered witty and quite talented herself with a quill and a bit of foolscap. It is generally acknowledged that the Rev. Austen supported his daughter’s love for reading and writing. However, it appears that Jane might have inherited her talents from her mother. I can easily imagine Mothering Sunday in the Austen household. After church, our dear girl would very likely read from her latest scribblings to honor her mother. Then perhaps, they would have tea with iced cakes or some such. They certainly didn’t head out for brunch or to the nearest salon for a mani-pedi!

In the United States of America, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May. It is considered a secular holiday; but when first established by Anna Jarvis on May 10, 1908, it was celebrated during church services—at St. Andrew’s Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia, to be exact. I read that Jarvis was critical of the commercialization that quickly took over the occasion and continued to encourage all to reflect upon and honor the important contributions of mothers.

In my native country of Argentina—where Catholicism is the State religion—Mother’s Day originally coincided with the Feast of the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, celebrated in October. The feast day was later moved to January, which coincided with summer picnics and family gatherings at the beach. Argentines, however, decided that Mother’s Day would continue to be celebrated on the third Sunday of October. Needless to say, there is a plethora of spring flowers, cards and gifts to help celebrate the occasion.

In Israel, the commemoration of Mother’s Day came along with its own brand of controversy. It all began when the newly founded country couldn’t decide on which day to celebrate the occasion! The Ezra Society, headed by Sarah Herzog, the mother of then-president Chaim Herzog, established the first Mother’s Day on April 6, 1947. However, the city of Haifa initiated its own version when the mayor proposed that the day be linked to the Maccabean matriarch, Hannah. The mayor’s wife was also named Hannah. Hmm? In any event, Haifa celebrated Mother’s Day for many years during the Hanukkah season. Towards the end of 1951, the newspaper Ha’aretz Shelanu declared its own Mother’s Day initiative—perhaps hoping to settle the issue definitively. The editors asked its young readers to suggest a date to honor all Israeli mothers.

Side Note: Sorry! My mind took an unexpected detour. I was suddenly reminded of two other times when young writers responded to newspaper editorials. In October 1860, eleven-year-old Grace Bedell of Westfield, New York, wrote to presidential candidate, Abraham Lincoln. She urged Mr. Lincoln to grow a beard because “all the ladies like whiskers” and believed he would have a better chance at winning the election! In 1897, eight-year-old, Virginia O’Hanlon wrote to The Sun and asked whether Santa Claus was real. The newspaper’s response was published anonymously in September of that year. Due to its popularity, it was republished every year during the Christmas season until 1950, when the paper ceased publication. Now back to my story in Israel…

Eleven-year-old Nechama Frankel, responded to the newspaper query and suggested a date to honor the memory of Henrietta Szold, founder of Hadassah. Although childless, Szold had run an organization that rescued 30,000 Jewish children from Nazi Europe. The suggestion was easily accepted; but on a final note, Mother’s Day recently became known as Family Day. At 72 years of age, Nechama Frankel (now Biedermann) didn’t appreciate the change in the name and wrote her local newspaper—again! She asked that the “lost dignity of Mother’s Day be restored.” Sounds very much like her American counterpart, Anna Jarvis, don’t you think?

All these meanderings have brought me to this point: Words have the power to effect change, to stir passions, and to alter the paths of women and men who otherwise might not take action. The importance of a well-written missive is not lost on us Janeites, whether it comes from a loved one across the ocean or a gentleman across the room.

My own mother, of blessed memory, wrote more letters than I can recall. They crossed back and forth from Argentina to our home here in the United States. They were filled with every possible emotion, from the simplest piece of gossip to the greatest despair. But these letters kept us united with our family half way around the world and that was her life-long goal. I am grateful to my mother for the many lessons she taught me. I miss her, and think of her, every. single. day.

In my novel, Celestial Persuasion, Miss Abigail Isaacs also receives a life-altering communication. I hope you enjoy the following excerpt.

“Might you share the letter?” Mrs. Dashwood enquired. Long accustomed to having her young friend’s housekeeper-cum-companion present in times such as these, she handed Mrs. Frankel some tea and cake.

Abigail nodded slowly and proceeded to read her letter aloud. She had no wish to hide the contents of Captain Wentworth’s message; and in fact, she was curious to hear the ladies’ opinions. “And there you have it. Papa and Jonathan are gone from this world.”

“Whatever shall you do?” Mrs. Dashwood asked.

“I am a woman alone, with little means of support and head full of impractical aspirations. In truth, I have no idea at present.”

“You might do well to follow Jonathan’s example,” murmured Mrs. Frankel, setting down her plate of seed cake. “You might apply to the Royal Navy.”

“Never say so!” Mrs. Dashwood cried. “Has the Crown gone through all our fine men and boys, that we are now enlisting young ladies to battle the French?”

“No, no.” Abigail shook her head in gentle reproach. Mrs. Frankel ought to have known better than to mention such a radical scheme.

“For some time now, Miss Isaacs and I have been following the news of an extraordinary woman by the name of Mary Edwards,” Mrs. Frankel, now a little recovered, continued unabashed. “The London paper had a full story on her work as a computor for the British Nautical Almanac. She is one of a very few women paid by the Board of Longitude.”

“But what is her work?” insisted Mrs. Dashwood.

“It is rather intriguing,” supplied the housekeeper. “With her mathematical talent and computational skills, she is tasked to calculate the position of the sun, moon, and planets at various times of day. I have no doubt that our dear girl could do the same.”

“Whatever for? I am sure I have never heard of such a thing!”

However sensible Abigail was to her own sad mental state, it did not follow that the dear lady ought to be left to feel bewildered, so she provided further explanation.

“They use the information for nautical almanacs, Mrs. Dashwood. According to The Times, Mr. Edwards took on piecework to supplement the family’s income. After his death, it was revealed that Mrs. Edwards had done most of the calculations. It all came out into the open when she asked that they continue supplying her with work. She had to support herself and her daughters, you see, and they happily complied. This is what Mrs. Frankel was referring to when she suggested that I apply to the Royal Navy.” Abigail saw at once that her friend was aghast at the mere suggestion and waited patiently for her reply.

“I have always thought your education seemed rather …excessive,” offered Mrs. Dashwood. “As your poor mother was no longer with us and able to voice her concerns, I daresay your father was pleased to provide you any pleasure.”

Abigail smiled at the memory of her father’s affection and shrugged her acquiescence.

“You were the light of his life, and I told him so many a time. He was quite amused at my observations and went so far as to explain that your name, Avigail, means a father’s joy in the language of your ancestors. I must say, my dear, they chose your name wisely.”

“Avigail Yehudit—such noble names!” Mrs. Frankel exclaimed. “Such fine examples of female wisdom and valor.”

“Papa prevailed with his first choice,” said Abigail, “but Mama was appeased with the second. Judith was her favorite biblical heroine— or so I have been told. But it was all for naught, for Jonathan had wished for a brother and thought the names too feminine! I simply became Avi to him. But it is of no consequence. Whichever name I choose, be it the English version or that of my ancestors, Isaacs will remain the same.”

Mrs. Dashwood would not have any of it. “But my dear, you are young yet. Might you not consider marriage? Mr. Green has shown great interest in you…”

“Mr. Green, ma’am, is a widower with three children. His only interest in me is knowing that I would make a proper physician’s wife, and I have begun to believe that I am not meant for love. I am intelligent and have received an excellent education, thanks to my doting father and my…my brother’s enthusiasm.” Abigail paused and sipped her now-tepid tea while she attempted to compose herself.

“You might apply to Sarah Guppy and ask for her advice,” Mrs. Frankel insisted. “She too has worked for the Royal Navy. You have yourself informed me of her numerous creations and inventions. Of course, the patents were secured through her husband—”

“My dear…” Mrs. Dashwood set down her tea things with trembling hands.

“Pray forgive Mrs. Frankel. I believe she is merely attempting to call my attention to various alternatives, unconventional though they might be,” Abigail quickly added. “In truth, ma’am, the day’s events have taken their toll. I am pained knowing that Jonathan will not return to us. He was my beloved brother, but he was also my partner, my teacher and confidant. My friends, I am lost. I am drifting at sea without the North Star to guide me.”

“Might you not receive a pension for your poor brother’s service? What would your good mother have thought?”

I’ll sign off now with an amended version of my mother’s famous salutation: With Love, A Jewish Regency Author~