Live broadcast: JNF Toronto Negev Dinner - paying tribute to Canadian Prime Minister the Right Honorable Stephen Harper. Proceeds will build a special project: The Stephen J. Harper Hula Valley Bird Sanctuary Visitor and Education Center.
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70 years since the Jewish rescue action in Denmark, and the tragic end of 68 Jews in Gilleleje.
As a tribute to the commemoration of the 70th year since the 'Jewish Action' in Denmark, in which the Danish people worked to rescue their Jewish fellow countrymen from the clutches of the Nazis, KKL Denmark contributed a gift to the city of Gilleleje.
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Most of Gilleleje's Jews were rescued and shipped to safety in Sweden, but the little fishermen's town is also the place of a tragic failed escape, where 68 Jews hiding in the attic of the local church were discovered by the Nazis and sent to the Theresienstadt concentration camp.
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KKL-JNF’s gift was coordinated with the local authorities, the Gilleleje Church parish council, artists and landscape architects. Seven memorial-stones with Hebrew inscriptions, words and symbols will be placed in several locations in Gilleleje; near the church, by the harbor and at several of the original hiding places.
A number of 'Peace Trees' have been planted near the church. After careful deliberation and discussion regarding the trees' placement maintenance, resilience and growth-patterns, it was decided to plant American Ash and Malus Crab Apple trees.
KKL Denmark's donation to the project was funded by a bequest of Gerhard Herzog, a German Jew who himself was rescued in Denmark and shipped to Sweden in October 1943.
The gift from KKL-JNF was dedicated on October 6th at a beautiful memorial service in Gilleleje.
A number of 'Peace Trees' have been planted near the church. After careful deliberation and discussion regarding the trees' placement maintenance, resilience and growth-patterns, it was decided to plant American Ash and Malus Crab Apple trees.
KKL Denmark's donation to the project was funded by a bequest of Gerhard Herzog, a German Jew who himself was rescued in Denmark and shipped to Sweden in October 1943.
The gift from KKL-JNF was dedicated on October 6th at a beautiful memorial service in Gilleleje.
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- Written by KKL
KKL-JNF Dedicates Outdoor Exercise Area in Memory of Hila Betzaleli.
KKL-JNF dedicated outdoor exercise area in Sataf Springs, in memory of Lieutenant Hila Betzaleli, who was killed while rehearsing for an Independence Day ceremony at Mt. Herzl last year. The new exercise area in Sataf, an ancient agricultural area popular with Israelis, is a perfect tribute to Hila, who was full of life, and loved nature and sport.
"Sataf is Hila, it symbolizes everything beautiful in Israel. Hila loved nature and the land, this is the perfect place to remember her. Sometimes life hits you like a sudden storm on a clear day, and when that happens, you know that nothing will ever be the same again. Gestures like this give us the strength to go on." Sigalit Betzaleli, Hila's mother, was speaking at a ceremony that took place on Wednesday, November 27, dedicating an outdoor exercise area at KKL-JNF's Sataf Springssite in the Judaen Hills. The audience included family, friends and soldiers who served with Hila.
L-R: Sigalit and Yaron Betzaleli, with KKL-JNF's Meir Spiegler,
at the newly unveiled memorial for their daughter Hila Z"L. Photo: KKL-JNF Photo Archive
Lieutenant Hila Bezaleli served as an IDF officer in the Medical Division of the Jordan Valley Brigade until her tragic death on April 18, 2012. Hila had dreamed of becoming a doctor, and since she was one of the most outstanding medics in the army, she was chosen to participate in the Independence Day ceremonies at Mount Herzl. On that fateful day on Mount Herzl, during preparations for the ceremony, a faulty light fixture snapped and fell, killing Hila and injuring many others.
Sigalit spoke straight from her heart: "A few days after Hila was so senselessly killed, there was a ceremony in her memory on Mount Herzl, and when it was over, someone I never met before came up to me and introduced himself as KKL-JNF World Chairman Efi Stenzler. He said that he wanted to do something to commemorate Hila. We didn't have to do anything, KKL-JNF took care of everything. There isn't so much light in our lives now, but the many kind people who embrace us from every direction are like beacons of light for us."
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 Left: Sigalit Betzaleli, mother of Hila. Right: The newly inaugurated outdoor exercise area in memory of Hila. Photos: Tania Susskind |
KKL-JNF Director General Meir Spiegler said that KKL-JNF decided to commemorate Hila at one of its most-visited sites. "Sataf is a nature site, and nature is eternal - it was here, it is here and it will be here. It is an honor for KKL-JNF to be a partner to remembering such a unique person, and I can assure you that we will make certain that this site will always be a maintained in a manner that honors Hila," Spiegler concluded.
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The ancient agricultural site of Sataf, which has been reconstructed and cared for by Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund over past years with the help of its friends from many different countries, is located in the heart of a forest that begins southwest of Jerusalem and climbs up to Mt. Eitan from the Nahal Sorek streambed.
The location of the ancient agricultural terraces, fruit tree orchards and springs that flow the entire year, have made Sataf into a favorite recreation and leisure spot for Israelis, and it attracts thousands of visitors, primarily on weekends, but also during the week. The site includes a many elements of historical, agricultural, settlement, geological, and biological value.
Yoram Shimon, the newly-elected head of the Mate Yehudah Regional Council, said that Hila, who lived in Mevasseret Tziyon, was killed when she was about to realize a dream – "to participate in the Independence Day ceremony, a dream that turned into a tragedy. Hila played basketball, loved swimming and worked out here, at Mount Eitan, in order to be in shape for her upcoming officers' course, so there really couldn't be a better place or way to remember her."
Shalom Eisner, outgoing deputy commander of the IDF Jordan Valley brigade, recalled that his father had said that there were three things that determine how a person lives their lives – "the person, the place and the time. Sataf is the perfect place, with its view of Mount Herzl and the many trees around it. Hila is like a tree that was cut down in its prime. The time is the holiday ofHannukah, when we light candles, just like Hila was a candle of hope."
The ceremony, which was conducted by KKL-JNF Director of the Israel Fundraising Department Michael Ben Abu, concluded with the a KKL-JNF honorary certificate to Hila's parents, Sigalit and Yaron.
The location of the ancient agricultural terraces, fruit tree orchards and springs that flow the entire year, have made Sataf into a favorite recreation and leisure spot for Israelis, and it attracts thousands of visitors, primarily on weekends, but also during the week. The site includes a many elements of historical, agricultural, settlement, geological, and biological value.
Yoram Shimon, the newly-elected head of the Mate Yehudah Regional Council, said that Hila, who lived in Mevasseret Tziyon, was killed when she was about to realize a dream – "to participate in the Independence Day ceremony, a dream that turned into a tragedy. Hila played basketball, loved swimming and worked out here, at Mount Eitan, in order to be in shape for her upcoming officers' course, so there really couldn't be a better place or way to remember her."
Shalom Eisner, outgoing deputy commander of the IDF Jordan Valley brigade, recalled that his father had said that there were three things that determine how a person lives their lives – "the person, the place and the time. Sataf is the perfect place, with its view of Mount Herzl and the many trees around it. Hila is like a tree that was cut down in its prime. The time is the holiday ofHannukah, when we light candles, just like Hila was a candle of hope."
The ceremony, which was conducted by KKL-JNF Director of the Israel Fundraising Department Michael Ben Abu, concluded with the a KKL-JNF honorary certificate to Hila's parents, Sigalit and Yaron.
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- Written by Duygu Atlas Moshe Dayan Center at Tel Aviv University
The Gezi Park protests this past summer demonstrated the extent of popular dissatisfaction with the ruling Justice and Development Party (Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi, AKP) and its unilateral mode of governance. Paradoxically, the street protests also illustrated the lack of a viable political alternative to the AKP. Turkey’s leading opposition parties - the Republican People’s Party (Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi, CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (Milliyetçi Hareket Partisi, MHP) - have failed to present a credible alternative to the AKP, which has won overwhelming electoral victories in each of the last three general elections. The People’s Democracy Party (Halkların Demokratik Partisi, HDP), endorsed by none other than the Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (Barış ve Demokrasi Partisi, BDP), has stepped forward and is now attempting to fill the void in the Turkish opposition. The BDP has decided to run under the HDP banner in western Turkey in the upcoming local elections as part of its strategy to extend its electoral base into areas that are not limited to the Kurdishdominated east and southeast. As Turkey readies itself for a busy election schedule with local and general elections on the horizon –in March 2014 and June 2015, respectively –the question that is repeatedly voiced is whether the HDP, with its leftist outlook and close association with the Kurdish political movement, can be a viable alternative to those disenchanted by both the AKP’s conservatism and Turkey’s main opposition parties.
Although the HDP held its first extraordinary congress in October 2013, its roots lie in the pre-2011 general elections period, which was marked by the BDP’s efforts to find a way of bypassing the ten percent electoral threshold. At that time, the BDP had formed the Labor, Democracy and Freedom Bloc (Emek, Demokrasi ve Özgürlük Bloğu) and eventually succeeded in sending 36 representatives to the Turkish Parliament as independents. Following the elections, the Bloc continued its activities as the People’s Democratic Congress (Halkların Demokrasi Kongresi, HDK; also known as Kongre Girişimi). The HDK was established at the behest of imprisoned Kurdish leader, Abdullah Öcalan, as part of his plans to transform the Kurdish political movement into a ‘party of Turkey’ in order to become a legitimate political actor by shedding its ethnic-based politics. As such, the HDK attempted to incorporate the Kurdish question into the general politics of Turkey and bring together a variety of political organizations under one banner. The HDK includes a variety of minority groups, including Alevis, Armenians, Circassians, Laz, Arabs and Assyrians, as well as feminists, socialists, far-leftist parties, environmental movements, communities for the disabled, and lesbian and gay communities (LTGB). From the very beginning, the HDK has acted as a platform for the political unification of these underrepresented groups and eventually founded the People’s Democracy Party (HDP).
The HDP’s diverse membership is a clear indication of the plurality that the party claims to represent. If plurality is one central aspect of the party, the emphasis placed on the disadvantaged and oppressed groups, a reflection of its leftist orientation, is another. Four members of the BDP, who transferred their membership to the newly formed HDP, are known for their left-wing positions. For instance, the HDP’s co-chair, Ertuğrul Kürkçü, was the president of the socialist Turkey’s Revolutionary Youth Federation (DEV-GENÇ) during the 1970s. Women also play a central role in the party administration in the same fashion as its sister party, BDP. This reflects Kurdish women’s high level of political activism. The HDP has adopted a co-chairmanship leadership system, which is shared by prominent Kurdish politician Sebahat Tuncel and Ertuğrul Kürkçü. The party has also allocated a ten percent quota for LTGB individuals.
Despite the HDP’s diverse appeal, there are a number of obstacles that may stand in the way of its ability to broaden its constituency and challenge the AKP in the coming election cycle. First, it will be difficult to get around the fact that the party is the brainchild of PKK leader Öcalan. His role in the party may be too unpalatable to Turkish liberal voters, whom the party aims to reach. Second is the leftist/socialist tone of the HDP. Leftist parties in Turkey have long been virtually irrelevant in Turkish domestic politics. They have never fully recovered from the state of inertia that followed the Turkish Left’s peak during the 1960s and the 1970s. An overemphasis on its leftist underpinnings may prove detrimental to the HDP, as the Turkish public traditionally tends to vote for center-right parties.
Although the HDP aims to unite the Kurdish and Turkish left, the historical resentment of these groups towards one another may also reduce the prospects of the HDP’s future success. Nevertheless, it may be worth remembering that the Kurdish nationalist movement had emerged out of Turkish leftist organizations during the 1960s. Modeled after the world youth movements during that period, these organizations became an important venue for Kurdish political participation. The Turkish Workers Party (Türkiye İşçi Partisi), founded in 1961, whose Marxist message of equality resonated well with the Kurds, quickly became their first choice. The party’s inactiveness on the Kurdish issue, however, soon led the Kurds to form their own parties and organizations. The first was the Kurdistan Democratic Party in Turkey (Türkiye Kürdistan Demokrat Partisi, TKDP), which was founded in 1965. The Turkish Left distanced itself from the Kurdish nationalist movement, often remaining ambivalent towards the Kurdish issue. Therefore, there may be those on both sides who are unwilling to be lumped together in the same group. Lastly, it should also be noted that despite having been generally well received by the Kurds, the HDP has caused some divisions within the BDP. For the conservative and Islamist elements within the party, the HDP represents too strong of an integration with the “marginal” Left, and therefore runs the risk of alienating itself from its Kurdish constituency.
Notwithstanding its shortcomings, the HDP may still be able to produce electoral gains, for two reasons. The first is the Gezi Park factor. Although the protests have lost steam and the protestors have thus far failed to become a credible political force that challenge the AKP government, the source of popular dissatisfaction which generated the protests in the first place, and the concomitant need for a competitive opposition party remains an issue. Sırrı Süreyya Önder, who became a highly popular figure during the Gezi Park protests in a manner that transcended ideological affiliation, has been discussed as its potential leader, and is now part of the HDP. His name is mentioned as the HDP’s candidate for the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, a point especially worrisome for the main opposition party, the CHP. The latter hopes to snatch the Istanbul municipality from the incumbent AKP with its strong candidate for the position, Mustafa Sarıgül, who enjoys significant popularity in the city. It is feared in opposition circles that two potent opposition candidacies will ultimately play into the hands of the AKP by splitting the vote and thus guaranteeing another AKP victory in Istanbul. A second factor that may draw voters to the HDP is its discourse that articulates the demands for individual and collective rights, rather than simply relying on the force of nationalist sentiments, as in the case of the MHP, or feeding off of secularist fears, as in the case of the CHP.
The HDP’s first test is just a few months away, and its success will ultimately depend on its ability to convince a wide range of ideologically split Turkish and Kurdish voters that its message and policies offer a real alternative to the AKP. Despite the hurdles it faces, the HDP has already injected some new life into the heretofore feeble Turkish opposition.
Duygu Atlas is a junior researcher and the program coordinator of the Süleyman Demirel Program for Contemporary Turkish Studies at the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies.
The Moshe Dayan Center publishes TEL AVIV NOTES, an analytical update on current affairs in the Middle East, on approximately the 10th and 26th of every month, as well as occasional Special Editions.
To republish an article in its entirety or as a derivative work, you must attribute it to the author and the Moshe Dayan Center at TelAviv University, and include a reference and hyperlink to the original article on the Moshe Dayan Center's website,http://www.dayan.org.
10th and 26th of every month, as well as occasional Special Editions.
To republish an article in its entirety or as a derivative work, you must attribute it to the author and the Moshe Dayan Center at TelAviv University, and include a reference and hyperlink to the original article on the Moshe Dayan Center's website,http://www.dayan.org.
Previous editions of TELAVIV
NOTES can be accessed at http://www.dayan.org/tel-aviv-
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- Written by Office of the President
President Peres began his state visit with a diplomatic work meeting with the President of Mexico
Under the auspices of the two presidents a series of economic and diplomatic cooperation agreements were signed between Israel and Mexico including in the fields of water technology, trade relations, assistance to exporters from both countries, tourism and others
President Nieto to President Peres:
We see in Israel a true friend of Mexico. Today we sign a series of strategic agreements which will expand the relations between Israel and Mexico
President Peres to President Nieto:
"Israel attaches a deep strategic importance to the relations with Mexico in particular and Latin America as a whole"
The President of the State of Israel, Shimon Peres, began the diplomatic part of his state visit to Mexico today at a welcome reception at the Presidential Palace which included a guard of honor of Mexican soldiers and the playing of the anthems of Israel and Mexico. After the ceremony President Peres and President Enrique Pena Nieto conducted a diplomatic work meeting during which they discussed strengthening the strategic, diplomatic, economic and defense relations between the countries. In particular they focused on the response of Latin America to the Iranian threat and the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians. At the end of the meeting the two presidents delivered joint statements to the press and oversaw the signing of a series of diplomatic and economic cooperation agreements.
President Nieto of Mexico thanked President Peres for his visit at the head of a delegation of Israeli companies and said it was a great honor to welcome him and the delegation to Mexico. President Nieto described the visit as a symbol of the strengthening relations between the countries which always shared positive dialogue. He continued and described the signing of the deals as the beginning of deeper economic cooperation between the countries. The Mexican president addressed the diplomatic meeting and said that the two presidents had discussed the major challenges faced by the two countries. He ended by saying that Mexico saw in Israel a true friend.
President Peres thanked President Nieto for his warm welcome and warm words and said, "I want to thank you for the warm reception and for our friendly and constructive conversation. I am impressed by your vision to move Mexico into the new age. The reforms initiated by your administration have been inspired and inspiring. Israel shares a deep friendship with Mexico. But also a common vision, based on our mutual values, and a strive towards a bright future. Your call to "Mover a Mexico" also fits the Middle East which can fly to new heights. Like Mexico, Israel strives to be a contributing member of our region. Israel is interested in seeing a prosperous and stable Middle East. We have reopened the peace negotiations with our Palestinian neighbors in the hope to achieve a peace agreement based on the two state solution. Two states for two peoples, living side by side in peace and security. Peace is possible and urgent. There is no alternative for us and no alternative for the Palestinians. Peace is not just a strategic decision but a moral call from the depth of our heritage. We appreciate Mexico's support for our efforts towards peace. Ending the conflict will only serve to benefit us and the Palestinians."
President Peres addressed the large business delegation travelling with him and said, "I have come to Mexico with a delegation of 80 heads of Israeli companies. These entrepreneurs have spearheaded the most modern and cutting-edge technologies which Israel has developed. They have come to further strengthen the important relations with Mexico. To learn from you and share our experience."
President Peres ended by inviting President Nieto to visit Israel, "On behalf of the people of the State of Israel, I want to extend an invitation to you to visit Israel. I will be delighted to receive you as an honorable guest and a true friend of the State of Israel.
Photo Credit: Mark Neiman/GPO
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- Written by KKL
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Save the Date! LIVE JNF Toronto Negev Dinner with Canadian PM the Hon. Stephen Harper!
Stay tuned for live broadcast right here: Canada/USA: December 1, 2013 - 4:30 PM |
A Tribute to Canadian PM and World Leader the Right Honorable Stephen Harper
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Stephen Harper was sworn in as Canada's 22nd Prime Minister on February 6, 2006. Among his many accomplishments, Prime Minister Harper steered Canada through the worst recession in 50 years by supporting job creation and long-term prosperity for all Canadians through pro-growth initiatives. He rebuilt Canada’s military, has staunchly defended victims of crime and restored Canada’s strong voice on the world stage.
Under the direction of Prime Minister Harper, Canada is now a leader in the international fight against anti-semitism and raising awareness of the heinous crimes of the Holocaust. At the UN, Canada stands tall as a nation of principle by defending the freedom and dignity of all people.
JNF Toronto is honoured to have this extraordinary world leader as our 2013 honouree.
Under the direction of Prime Minister Harper, Canada is now a leader in the international fight against anti-semitism and raising awareness of the heinous crimes of the Holocaust. At the UN, Canada stands tall as a nation of principle by defending the freedom and dignity of all people.
JNF Toronto is honoured to have this extraordinary world leader as our 2013 honouree.
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For more information,
including evening program and donation opportunities, visit |
Special Project: The Stephen J. Harper Hula Valley Bird Sanctuary Visitor and Education Center
Proceeds from the 2013 Negev Campaign will support the building of the Stephen J. Harper Hula Valley Bird Sanctuary Visitor and Education Centre.
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Images of the exterior and interior for the planned center. Images: Courtesy of JNF Toronto |
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KKL-JNF's Hula Lake Nature and Bird Park is located along a major global migration route. Every year during spring and fall, close to 500 million birds rest in Hula Valley on their way to warmer climates in Africa.
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Through your support, KKL-JNF is establishing a 4,000 square meter state-of-the-art visitor center at this unique site. JNF Toronto will help transform a vision into a reality.
The Stephen J. Harper Hula Valley Bird Sanctuary Visitor & Education Centre will benefit the environment and become a major source of income for the residents of the area. With your help, the planned visitor and education centre will undoubtedly become the pinnacle of KKL-JNF’s major project, restoring the Hula wetlands to their former glory.
