Pyro-Terror in Israel
A friend emailed me from America: Are you anywhere near the eruption of wild fires?
Israel is the size of New Jersey and hundreds of fires have raged nationwide. Everyone is close to the fires! Men were caught with gasoline-soaked rags about a half-mile from my home.
The source of these fires? In many cases, terror. Israeli police released footage from drones and security cameras showing arsonists in action – using Molotov cocktails to set fire to an open field. Fires were even set on the Lebanese side of the border so the wind would carry flames into Israel.
Media Coverage
From a pure news standpoint, the arrest of Palestinians with gas-soaked rags is highly significant. Yet the New York Times downplayed the "pyro-terror" aspect. Readers of the Times report had to wait 318 words before hearing anything about gasoline or other evidence. (And it took days for them to post anything related to the news, despite the evacuation of 75,000 citizens from Haifa.)
In the meantime, Reuters' bureau chief in Israel, Luke Baker, tweeted a sensationalist Palestinian claim that the fires were set by Jewish settlers trying "to destroy as much as possible of the Palestinian agricultural land."
Go now to your favorite news outlet, and if the terror aspect is being downplayed, write the editor to complain.
Social Media Incitement
Arab language social media networks are ablaze with incitement for more arson attacks – with hashtag #IsraelBurns" trending in Arabic.
Meanwhile, prominent Arab singer Ahlam al Shamsi – with over 7 million Twitter followers – tweeted dancing emojis and the hope that flames "rip Israel to shreds."
First-hand Account
One horrific fire in Beit Meir destroyed at least a dozen homes including the lifetime work – thousands of paintings – of Yoram Raanan, a dear friend and spectacular Jewish artist.
At around 2 am Thursday night, terrorists set fire to my small mountain village of Beit Meir. They lit multiple blazes, surrounding the only exit from our moshav with a gulf of flames.
As you can imagine, this made it exceedingly difficult for myself, my pregnant wife, and two kids to escape to safety. We, along with our neighbors, were trapped.
After about an hour of harrowing confusion, firefighters managed to clear a path for the 100 families of Beit Meir to flee the inferno. I watched as dozens of righteous firefighters and police faded into the smokey distance of my rear view mirror.
We fled to Beit Shemesh, and were warmly taken in at 3:30am by an unceasingly kind family.
The forest is a sea of fire. I don't know if I will have a house to return to.
Pray for us.
The Talmud describes fire's tremendous power to both build and to destroy. May Israel be protected from the Islamic Fireball seeking to foment destruction.
(27) Anonymous, November 30, 2016 4:56 AM
He ain't heavy he's my brother...
He ain't heavy he's my brother.
It's a long long road
doesn't weigh me down at all.
Shalom.
(26) Jessica, November 30, 2016 1:46 AM
No surprise that the world media is hardly reporting this disaster
They rarely do when the Jewish people are at risk. Just wait until Israel takes measures to punish the arrested suspects. Then the media will cry foul.
It enrages me how the media treats our land. It enrages me that far too many people are so biased against us - as always.
I am all for Israel to defend its borders, to punish the arsonists and attackers severely. Their hatred is appalling.
We need to applaud Israel for being able to take care of itself as well as it does! I love Israel. I love our people.
(25) Dorothy Blaustein, November 29, 2016 9:26 PM
Had no idea there were such terrible fires in Israel. And it is terrible that these fires have been set by Palestinians. I don't think the NY Times wrote about this.
(24) Anonymous, November 29, 2016 9:25 PM
Where's the Moral Compass
Israel should be held as an example. A slip of desert becomes fertile. Potable water is abundant etc. That this event has gone unreported and our precious country once again unaided only proves that our planets moral compass doesn't really exist.
(23) Judith Miles, November 29, 2016 2:28 AM
My heart and prayers are with the people of Israel! Of course you all show such extreme courage and faith! May He bless you all and keep you safe!
(22) Tom rainwater, November 28, 2016 10:27 PM
I pray for Isreal all the time
As a Christian we are commanded to take care of isreal
(21) Deborah, November 28, 2016 1:35 PM
Read this straight from Jewish sources
Knowing media hatred of Israel, read this straight from Jewish sources. So sorry to hear of your friend's artwork! There are no words! I hear that a yeshiva was also burnt and hundreds of Holy Books burnt. This is terrorism. Pray for Israel!
(20) Minna Markowitz, November 28, 2016 3:52 AM
Absolute bias and total disgrace !!!!!
I live in Toronto Canada and if it wasn't for the internet we would almost be unaware of the devastation of our beloved Israel..Any other country in the world, the media would be all over it explaining every detail..
However I shouldn't be surprised as we only have access to left wing bias news reports on tv and there has been almost nothing mentioned, not even in passing?????? Not aware of assistance being offered by our "wonderful" government either..I'm embarrassed and ashamed..
Pray that the perpetrators of these hideous acts be punished by the full extent of the law..
May Hashem bless the people of Israel forever !
(19) Anonymous, November 28, 2016 3:43 AM
Self Defense
If the Palestinians or other terrorists persist in using arson and incendiary methods to attack Israel, perhaps it is about time to show them what it feels like by strafing their country with napalm.
(18) TammyKluck, November 28, 2016 3:15 AM
Where are info for "Israel on fire" ?
I looked for information about he fire in Isreal on snopes.com, and they had nothing. Where can I find information on this arsinal event.?
(17) Kelly Rebekah ben Maimon, November 28, 2016 2:55 AM
Reported extensively on BBC1
In response to Alison Dollow's contribution, I'd like to know when and where this story has been reported extensively on BBC 1? Tend not to watch TV on Shabbat, if that is when it was reported. Previously, there has been a case of lack of reporting, according to some, when it comes to Israel regarding this particular broadcaster, so concerns raised are equally justifiable. London, England
(16) jim, November 28, 2016 2:01 AM
took a while to go thru comments
all i had for news was emailed to my phone, i have had no problem keeping up over the weeks/ month, even the many new fires in usa were called arson but not terrorism, i think it has all been terror related here and in israel.
(15) Virginia McCorkle, November 27, 2016 9:43 PM
wish i could do more than send prayers--but--will trust it will suffice
Rabbi Simmons--I survived a fire [wasn't there at time] in '76 on New year's eve; returned to walk in ice-crusted water, digging for what could be salvaged . . . was so grateful for all the help i received, in so many forms. Know I'm praying for you & your family & sending many, Many blessings on you individually & collectively to you/your family & community that all your needs may be wondrously met w/great abundance & that you will find a way to recover, find peace w/what is. I do not understand the media's treatment of this--& wonder if there isn't some way to use this in positive ways to educate, inform media, offer change in how reporting is handled. Israel is always there, first, to help others, & I wonder how, who is there to help you? I sense this is part of an effort to draw Israel into the greater conflagration sweeping nearby . . . hope I'm wrong. I wish I were there, had a way to offer assistance, or at least tell you to come here--stay w/me, but all I can offer is my heart-felt prayers for you, your community & Israel. Somehow, this, too, shall pass. Do you sense it's in response to Trump's attitude toward settlements? The timing bothers me on many levels--in meantime, hold each other & know I'm holding all of you in my heart of hearts w/loving compassion, praying for best possible outcome for all concerned & justice for those who have caused this to happen. May they have opportunity to correct the errors of their thinking/actions in ways that offer resolution in best possible way. Again--many, many blessings on you & your family, community, & Israel.
Sincerely,
Virginia
(14) Shrree, November 27, 2016 9:13 PM
PRAY for ISRAEL!
(13) Regina Harley, November 27, 2016 8:33 PM
Disgusting
Protect Israel at all cost!
(12) Anonymous, November 27, 2016 6:28 PM
Here's coverage
Oh wait, here's one http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/26/middleeast/israel-wildfires/
(11) Marsha Wernick, November 27, 2016 5:56 PM
The world automatically assumes that Jews are at fault whenever any crime occurs. We as Jews have known that for centuries so this dishonest reporting is not surprising. No matter how well we appear to have been accepted by American society, these biases still run strong and deep. If it were not for Aish, I would not have known these massive fires had occured.
(10) Gods fury will come up in his face Ezekiel 38:18, November 27, 2016 4:39 PM
Thanks
(9) Cheryl Hathaway, November 27, 2016 4:08 PM
Hitler in a hijab? Animals. Surrounding countries, and the whole world, had better help Israel quickly, or they could be next. What a nightmare.
Alex, November 28, 2016 5:22 AM
I agree, but.......
......please don't compare them to animals: animals would not do this, act in this way.
Please note......I agree with you! It's just a comparison that I really find so wrong. Hoping you take this in the spirit it is intended.....solidarity......
Davening for rain, contacting Mt Scottish .mP, wishing ?I could do more.......
Nancy, November 28, 2016 12:01 PM
To commenter Alex
I understand what you are saying and I applaud your sensitivity. I happen to be a dog lover from way back. Perhaps we need to come up with a better adjective to describe individuals & groups who even have it on their radar to commit arson.
(8) Judith A Herzog, November 27, 2016 3:24 PM
Why would they ...
Why would the media give coverage to anything that might ever benefit Israel, or any Jew, for that matter?...OH! ... Because they might then have to tell the truth! This way, they can tell any lie they think will benefit the enemies of Israel or further the cause of antisemitism!
(7) Ben (Ben's Tallit Shop), November 27, 2016 8:49 AM
Where are the editors?
What really makes the lack of coverage surprising, odd, startling, brow-raising etc. is that this kind of story is what editors call "good copy."
When the daytime editors sit down to decide which stories are worth pursuing, i.e. "newsworthy," this is the type of thing they would normally leap at. So as Rabbi Simmons points out, you have to really wonder what's going on in their heads.
And it's interesting to do a search for "Israel arson" to see who's willing to use that word in their headline -- and who's not.
(6) sara klein, November 26, 2016 4:20 PM
I agree 100% ,the American Media did not say one thing about the fire in Israel ,only Fox News,I'm hard broken that the fire In my country was over looked and even of the American Government send help.
pjbodager, November 26, 2016 9:09 PM
Praying
I am so sorry for what your country is going through. You are God's people and he will save you and his people. I am praying for your country. I am also saddened that the American news media is so worthless in reporting this and I am so embarrassed as an American that I only found out about this from a friend today. God Bless Israel.
Anonymous, November 28, 2016 5:01 PM
Look at it in perspective
when did you last hear about the war in Ukraine (yes ist still going on) or in Jemen?
I will be a bit prejudiced now, but from my experience, many US Americans don't know that there are any countries save Japan, China, Russia, UK. That's it.
(5) Anonymous, November 26, 2016 3:25 PM
God chooses to work threw people
God chooses to work through people so yes God will help them through godly people
(4) Anonymous, November 26, 2016 1:25 AM
Israel Burning
Why isn't this on the local news in Chicago
(3) SONIA kAUFMAN, November 25, 2016 4:20 PM
I worry about Israel and pray for its continued existence.
(2) Anonymous, November 25, 2016 1:57 PM
SEcond item in the News
in the local Radio in Germany this morning, and in every serious paper at least in the Internet editions. So perhaps ist a US issue, but certainly not worldwide. But then US/english speaking world fails to report on so many things n- be it due to the language barier or simply arrogance of the English speaking world. Pray that the fires will be quickly controlled!
(1) Nancy, November 25, 2016 11:32 AM
Aish is my news source for events in Israel
If one were to poll 10 people (Jewish and non-Jewish), I wonder how many of them would be aware of the fires. The mainstream media does a TERRIBLE job when it comes to the coverage of events in Israel.
Anonymous, November 28, 2016 5:05 PM
Only Israel?
You are probably only Aware of Events that go unreported if they occur in Israel. If you speak different languages and check different countries media, you might discover it happens to many countries. Sorry, but US media /TV has a very bad Reputation.