Yaakov Kirschen's Blog, page 234

the Israeli Pesidency

The system could also be good for America. -Dry Bones- Israel's Political Comic Strip Since 1973

A U.S. Show of Force

The latest as I write this:

The United States is deploying an amphibious assault ship with about 1000 marines off the coast of Libya in case the US embassy has to be evacuated, a US defence official says.

The USS Bataan was to be in the area "in a matter of days," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, on Tuesday (local time).

The move was described as "precautionary" in case conditions in Libya, where militia battles have plunged the country into anarchy, worsen and require the embassy's evacuation. The State Department said last week the embassy in Tripoli was operating normally despite an offensive launched against Islamist militias by a dissident general, Khalifa Haftar.

In addition to the 1000 marines on board, the Bataan is equipped with several helicopters.

Read more:

-Dry Bones- Israel's Political Comic Strip Since 1973

The EuroVote

According to International Business Times:

EU Elections: Anti-Immigrant Wave Sweeps Europe

"The far-right National Front has topped polls in France as countries across Europe have turned to extremist and anti-EU parties.
The National Front led by Marine Le Pen has taken its largest share of the vote in its 40-year history with 25 percent of the votes, according to pollsters. The anti-immigration party has pledged to drastically cut immigration and reduce the influence of Islam. President Hollande's Socialist Party has been edged out into third place garnering just 13 percent of the vote." Read more:

-Dry Bones- Israel's Political Comic Strip Since 1973

Jewish Funders

FundingFor many years, Dry Bones was funded by an American Philanthropist.
He preferred to remain anonymous, and he funded our operation because he believed in what Dry Bones is and does.
Hint: he was not Sheldon Adelson and certainly not George Soros!
He kept Dry Bones and the blog going with a monthly stipend and by covering our expenses. * * * A few years ago this dear man passed away, but Dry Bones has become what it is today largely because of the support that this philanthropist provided.
If there is another angel philanthropist out there who understands and agrees with the Dry Bones attempt to make the world a better place, fight antisemitism, and express a Zionist love of Israel, please contact us. -Dry Bones- Israel's Political Comic Strip Since 1973

Attacks on Jews in Europe

According to Arutz Sheva:

Belgian Jews Blame Rampant Anti-Semitism for Shooting Attack
Is Anti-Semitism becoming a distinctly European phenomenon?
Locals say yes - and so does the ADL.
"Belgium's Jewish community is reeling from Saturday night's horrific shooting attack at the Jewish Museum, which left a museum employee and two Israeli tourists dead and other critically injured.
Locals say that the attack, rather than a shock, is the direct outcome of growing tolerance for anti-Semitism in Belgium.
"Anti-Semitism has grown. We see it on TV, in the media and in our newspapers," Betty Dan, director of the Jewish National Fund (JNF) in Belgium, told Walla! News Sunday.
"It is always against Israel and Jews," she lamented. "All the articles we see about what is happening in this country [to us] are always negative."
"All the politicians now say this is a tragedy, but we are not naive," she continued, stating that politicians "have not done anything" to stop anti-Semitism." Read more:

-Dry Bones- Israel's Political Comic Strip Since 1973

Academic Weakness

According to the Times of Israel:

BDS: Seeking Human Rights or Silencing the Truth?
"The current approach to fight Israel with economic boycotts is not a new phenomenon. Arab League official Mohamad Ali Allouba Pasha made the purpose of these boycotts clear in 1964: “[Israel] is not an easy thing to destroy by military means. But there is a force which is not steel and fire, with the aid of which we can win, namely, the economic boycott." Read more:

-Dry Bones- Israel's Political Comic Strip Since 1973

American Isolationism

Hang onto your hats, we're in for a wild ride in a post-American leadership world. -Dry Bones- Israel's Political Comic Strip Since 1973

The Pope's Visit

According to the Jerusalem Post:

Pope Francis's Jerusalem itinerary: Down to the minute
24-hour visit to the capital on May 25 has been planned by the Vatican to fit in a plethora of visits to landmarks, religious institutions and private meetings.
Pope Francis’s historic 24-hour visit to the capital on May 25 has been planned to the minute by the Vatican, with nothing left to chance Indeed, his itinerary has been streamlined to fit in a plethora of visits to national landmarks, religious institutions and private meetings within a very short time frame, before he returns to Rome Monday evening. For an hour-by-hour account of his journey to the Holy Land click on MORE.

-Dry Bones- Israel's Political Comic Strip Since 1973

Israel's Christian Community

Non-Jewish Israelis in the army of Israel:

"Since 1956 all male Druze (at their request), in Israel, must complete mandatory military service upon reaching the age of majority, while females do not. The same mandatory conscription law has applied to male Circassians since 1958. The conscription rate among the Druze is particularly high. Overall, 83% of Druze males are recruited to the army, of which 60% serve in combat units - The Bedouin have volunteered to the Israeli Army since the early days of statehood. The IDF maintains an all-Bedouin combat battalion and a reconnaissance regiment with several hundred Bedouin soldiers and officers." -- See more

Question: If Christians from Syria, Iraq, and Libya are called "Christian Arabs", why aren't Jews from those countries called "Jewish Arabs?" -Dry Bones- Israel's Political Comic Strip Since 1973

Bonei Zion Award

Above, the Award Ceremony

Below, intro from the Official Program:

The Nefesh B'Nefesh Bonei Zion Prize was established in September 2013 in order to formally recognize the achievements of outstanding Olim from English speaking countries and their contribution to the State of Israel.

As Aliyah from Western countries continues to increase, English speaking Olim are making a remarkable impact on the Jewish State - Economically, socially, and culturally- contributing to Israeli Society in all fields of endeavor. These awards represent an expression of support for Olim whose contribution has helped better Israel in a meaningful way, and acknowledges those who encapsulate the spirit of modern-day Zionism by contributing in a significant way towards developing the State of Israel.Below, The program entry about the Prize I was awarded
(Hint: It wasn't for Sports)

Yaakov Kirschen
Cartoonist "Dry Bones"
Culture, Sports and Arts:" Yaakov Kirschen (USA, 1971), Creator of “Dry Bones”. Since its inception in the Jerusalem Post in 1973, Kirschen’s beloved comic strip “Dry Bones” has provided a quintessentially Zionist, satirical and unique view of Israel to the world. Kirschen’s work speaks to Anglo Jews around the globe and has spread a deeper and stronger feeling for Israel and Zionism."

* * *

Below: a shot of yours truly and the LSW (Long Suffering Wife) who is holding the Bonei Zion Prize. We're at the Knesset, shortly after the award ceremony.

Some Links:
http://www.jpost.com/Jewish-World/Jewish-News/NBN-awards-outstanding-olim-at-Knesset-352427

http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/inaugural-bonei-zion-prize-awarded-in-knesset-ceremony/2014/05/15/

http://www.timesofisrael.com/western-immigrants-honored-at-knesset-award-ceremony/ -Dry Bones- Israel's Political Comic Strip Since 1973