One Of Nine Girls Not Accepted Into Lakewood High School writes Diary

The following was sent to the OnlySimchas inbox. 

Dear OS!

My neighbors 14 year old daughter is one of nine girls not accepted into high school in Lakewood. Her mother discovered today that she has been keeping a diary. Here is today’s heart wrenching entry:

Today is 56 days since school started here in Lakewood. It is now 56 days of me being rejected. I have no more tears to cry and I promised on Shabbos that I would try not to cry again.

In the summer when I realized that this was really serious, my father told me that it was a nisayon from Hashem. When school started and my sisters went off to high school leaving me behind, my father said it was a nisayon from Hashem.

When my parents saw me crying on Hoshan Rabba and asked me why. I said I didn’t understand why Hashem doesn’t answer my teffilos. My father said I promise you that Hashem will answer your tefillos.

It is now 56 days since school started and more then four months since this nightmare started. My parents are the frumest people I know. My mother works so hard and never complains. My father learns every free second he has. When he is home he is always looking into a sefer.

When school started without me my father told me that if I keep my faith in Hashem and hold myself together it will be a tremendous zechus for Klal Yisroel. I still don’t understand why I am rejected. I always got good marks and was never a problem child.

I did well in school and never dreamed that I would have a problem getting into high school. My parents keep telling me that it has nothing to do with me and it’s only because the school owner doesn’t like my father. It makes no sense. My father is the nicest person I know. There were months that he gave away so much tzedakah, we were worried that he would leave nothing left for our family. My parents would give their shirt off their backs to help someone else.

What could the school owner have against my father that he would hate me so much.

I can’t even look at my tehillim anymore. Even if I get into school I have no idea how I will catch up on all the material. When I walk into class everyone will be thinking here is the rejected girl, there must be something wrong with her.

I haven’t seen my mother smile in such a long time. I sometimes wish we didn’t live in Lakewood. I wish we lived in a place where everyone got into school. I am so bored, how many times can I go food shopping with my mother?

Maybe today the school owner will call up my parents and let me into school.

Does he even ever think about me sitting home? I wonder if he has daughters in school.

I wonder if he understands what he has done to me and my family. My parents say don’t have tainos. I don’t know how I could ever forget this. I wonder if his wife knows that I am home crying while everyone is in school. I hope Hashem hears my cries. 56 days is way too long. Here I start crying again and have to stop writing.

Dying of modesty

Haredi women are dying of modesty and living in a ghetto of silence.

Shoshanna Keats JaskollShoshanna Keats Jaskoll is an American Israeli, mom, branding consultant, lover of chocolate and seeker of truth. Love my people enough to call out the nonsense

The death rate among Israeli Haredi women from breast cancer is 30% higher than in the general population. This, despite the fact that the rate of haredi women diagnosed with breast cancer was 70% lower than secular women, according to various studies.

In Haredi society, speaking of breasts and other female body parts is immodest.

So they aren’t spoken about.

This means thatHaredi women have fewer breast exams and mammogramsare not routinely done and too many women do not learn that they are ill until they are dying.

Ruth Colian of B’zchutan, the Haredi women’s political party says:

I cannot bear that there are women feeding their children, cooking, working, cleaning, etc. going through life, unaware that they will be dead in a month. And for no reason! Early detection gives options and saves lives. We deserve better. My daughters deserve better.”

When being interviewed on a Haredi radio station, she began to speak about breast cancer awareness. The interviewer raised his voice and said. “If you speak of immodest things, I will end the interview!”

Ruth is raising funds to print posters in the Haredi style and distribute them in neighborhoods where women do not know that they can save their own lives. The posters will be a modest call to women to be aware of the disease, to get informed and have mammograms.

She is convinced they will save lives.

I myself have written about this before. At the Knesset hearing on women’s health, not one Haredi MK (all men) showed up. Haredi women are not represented, and they are not receiving the vital information they need to save their lives. Thus, Haredi women have the lowest life expectancy in Israel.

This campaign is vital. 

Please help us break the Ghetto of Silence and keep mothers alive for themselves and their children.

THIS WILL TAKE YOU TO THE PAGE TO DONATE.

The amount needed is small — the impact will be huge.

Earlier this year, we raised $11,000 on this blog for one family in need.

Please help me raise $2,000 for thousands of women in danger.

Islamic invasion pulls trigger: Europe now scrambles for guns

Austrians are arming themselves at record rates in an effort to defend their households against feared attacks from Muslim invaders.

Tens of thousands of Muslim “refugees” have poured into Austria from Hungary and Slovenia in recent months on their way to Germany and Sweden, two wealthy European countries that have laid out the welcome mat for migrants. More than a million will end up in Germany alone by the end of this year, according to estimates from the German government.

Obtaining a working firearm and ammunition in Germany, Britain, Denmark and the Netherlands is practically impossible for the average citizen. Germany, for instance, requires a psychological evaluation, the purchase of liability insurance and verifiable compliance with strict firearms storage and safety rules. And self-defense is not even a valid reason to purchase a gun in these countries.

The laws in Austria, while still strict, are a bit less overbearing.

A Czech TV report confirms that long guns – shotguns and rifles – have been flying off the shelves in Austria, and Austrians who haven’t already purchased a gun may not have a chance to get one for some time. They’re all sold out.

And those arming themselves are primarily women.

“If anyone wants to buy a long gun in Austria right now, too bad for them,” the Czech newscaster says. “All of them are currently sold out.”

He cites the Austrian news outlet Trioler Tageszeitung as the source of his report.

“We cannot complain about lack of demand,” Stephen Mayer, a gun merchant, told Trioler Tageszeitung.

He claims the stock has been sold out for the last three weeks and that demand is being fueled by fears generated by social changes.

“People want to protect themselves,” Mayer said. “Nonetheless, the most common purchasers of arms are primarily Austrian women.”

They are also buying pepper sprays, which Mayer said are in big demand among those who can’t get a gun.

Alan Gottlieb, executive vice president of the Second Amendment Foundation, said he recently returned from a gun rights event in Europe, where he sensed a change in attitude toward firearms.

“I just returned from a gun rights meeting in Belgium, and I can attest that all over Europe people now want the means to defend themselves,” 

Gottlieb told WND. “Self-defense is no longer a dirty word. In countries like Austria, where it is still legal to own a firearm, gun sales are at record levels. I can tell you first-hand that people in Europe now wish they had a Second Amendment.”

More potential new customers are entering the market than ever before, according to the Czech report.

Until the refugees started flooding Europe, it was mostly hunters and sport shooters who purchased firearms. Now, people are seeking weapons for self-defense because they are worried about their personal safety. Most have never used a gun before.

So-called "projectile weapons" are available in Austria under two classifications, C and D, which are rifles and shotguns. Every adult Austrian is legally able to apply for a weapons permit but must disclose to the government their reason for wanting to own a gun.

The Czech station cited an interview with a sociologist and an Austrian journalist, both of whom said the weapons purchases were based on unfounded fears about foreign migrants.

'Something is very wrong here'

The Viennese sociologist, identified only as Mr. Gertler, said no such fears about migrants should ever be published by any Austrian news outlet.

A journalist named Wittinger said "something is very wrong here" if Austrians are buying guns to protect themselves against migrants.

"Shotguns will not, after all, solve any immediate problems, quite the contrary," he said.

The Czech TV station then reported that Islamists are promising: "We will cut the heads off unbelieving dogs even in Europe."

"Look forward to it, it's coming soon!" the Czech newscaster said.

ISIS-trained jihadists are now returning as European citizens or they are trying to infiltrate as migrants. In one propaganda video an ISIS operative informs his comrades back home in Germany to slit the throats of unbelievers in Germany, Czech TV reports.

"Overall, the ministry of interior stated that Germany is in the cross-hairs of Islamic terrorists but that he does not have any indications of specific threats," he said.

Bracing for another Islamic invasion

The Czech site reflects awareness of a major event in Western history, said Larry Pratt, executive director of Gun Owners of America.

"Polish King John Sobieski defeated the Muslim invaders at the gates of Vienna in 1683. Another Muslim invasion is underway and Austrians are alarmed, hence their run on gun stores," Pratt told WND. "Women are right to be concerned in view of the Muslim view of women that they are good for raping and little else."

The Czech TV report cited the Arab Spring as the root cause for the flood of Muslim migrants into Europe.

"More and more, the whole thing is turning into the situation that we will experience the much-touted Arab spring from very close up – right here at home," the reporter said. 

"What's more, many European are alienating large part of their own populace with unfortunate social and multicultural politics, merciless removal of children, unfair seizures and trading on traditional European values and with policies which are usually less friendly toward conservative and traditional native inhabitants and leans toward that portion of inhabitants who have little trouble with globalization and nonchalant liberalization, removal of traditions and Islamization. 

Yet we will not be able to rely on it, that portion of (population) once the Arab Spring comes here. And that will probably be, as they say, closing the barn after the cows are gone."

Gila and Moshe David Marciano Killed in Car Crash in Israel

Gila and Moshe David Marciano

Courtesy of the family

Kibbutz Rosh Tzurim in the Gush Etzion region of Judea is in mourning on Tuesday night, over the death of the couple Gila (Rosenblot) and Moshe David Marciano who were killed in a lethal crash at the entrance to Elazar earlier in the day.

"Gila and Moshe who were married a number of years ago opened their home to the entire community and added a special spirit of kindness and holiness to all residents," read a statement from the community.

The funeral of the two will take place on Wednesday at 1 p.m., leaving from the kibbutz's dining hall to the Kfar Etzion cemetery.

Gila arrived in Rosh Tzurim back in 1982 as part of her national service, after studying dairy farming at an agricultural school in Pardes Hanah. She was one of the most veteran residents of the kibbutz, according to the town's statement.

She worked in the dairy farm on the kibbutz and quickly became the manager, leading the farm to great success and even international accolades. Gila played a central role in helping women in the town celebrate events such as weddings, arranging their make-up and accompanying them.

Moshe David arrived on the kibbutz after marrying Gila, and took part in the work in the town. He was a great Torah student, and arranged charity activities for the entire community.

"The Rosh Tzurim community mourns their sudden death and embraces her (Gila's) son Ilon and his wife Sharon, Shani and her husband Shalom Nachman, and her daughter Or, as well as the children of Moshe David; Yosef, Dolev, Hodaya, Atara, Shalom Moshe Meir and Yonatan, and all of their families."

Davidi Perl, head of the Gush Etzion regional council, eulogized the couple as well.
"The Gush Etzion community has taken a critical blow today. Gila and Moshe Marciano, residents of the community Rosh Tzurim, were killed in a serious traffic accident at Elazar Junction, a junction that is so dangerous that the delayed resolution (of it) has again claimed victims."
"We embrace the family and the Rosh Tzurim community, and on this difficult day I again call on the transportation minister to act personally and immediately to prevent the next tragedy," said Perl.

New Square Firebomber Shaul Spitzer To Be Released From Jail Following Change In Sentencing Status

In a surprise twist, New Square resident Shaul Spitzer was granted “youthful offender” status at a re sentencing hearing today, which will trigger his release from jail.

State Supreme Court Justice William Kelly said though he was initially against allowing the change in status, he was convinced by Spitzer’s comments that he had, in fact, matured, and would not commit such a crime again, much to the satisfaction of some 40 Spitzer supporters who attended the hearing.

Spitzer, a former aide to New Square Grand Rabbi David Twersky, had been serving a seven-year prison term at the East Correctional Facility for an assault on Aron Rottenberg, 48, an alleged “dissident” who did not adhere to Rabbi Twersky’s dictates. A then 18-year-old Spitzer attempted to burn down Rottenberg’s house in the early morning of May 22, 2011 with a firebomb, leaving Rottenberg burned over 50 percent of his body.

The married father and grandfather needed skin grafts and months of intense rehabilitation. He says he still cannot use his right arm or work as a plumber.

An appeals court returned the case to the lower court for resentencing because of the “youthful offender” issue, noting that the lower court judge did not consider whether Spitzer should have been considered for the status.

News of the possibility of Spitzer’s impending release was met with anger by Rottenberg, who told The Journal News (http://lohud.us/1LAi7E4) last week, “If they succeed in getting Spitzer out early, it will prove to them they have the power. They have what they call the bloc vote. They are very good at working politicians.”

“I am the victim,” he added. “Why should I have to compromise? I did once. They broke their promises. I can’t trust them.”

Belzer Chusid goes on the Har Habayis just like many Rishoinim did!

A protest was held outside home of Yosef Elbaum, who is counted among the regular visitors to Har Habayis despite being a member of Belz chassidic community, that does not condone visiting the holy site. 

The protesters shouted “murderer” and waved signs stating Gedolei Yisrael forbid visiting Har Habayis, though there are Gedolei Yisrael that say that we must be a presence at the Har Habayis.The Gedoilim like the Arabs  blame the Jews who visit Har Habayis for the recent wave of Islamic terror and harsh shift in international opinion against Israel.

It appears the protest was prompted by a report released by Reuters, which shows Elbaum visiting Har Habayis along with other Jews. The report shows how a chareidi rabbi is among those visiting the site.

When confronted, Elbaum denied he was on Har Habayis. His response is attributed to his fear of protests against him for his actions. However, the video shows a different story and a protest was organized outside his home within a number of hours. 

As a result, Elbaum told leaders of the Belzer Chassidus that he will refrain from such actions until such time the situation calms down.

The Elbaum family has been counted among the visitors to Har Habayis for a number of years.

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Double Standards and Doublespeak Pits the US Against Israel

About midnight, on October 21st, a man wielding a knife lunged at a border patrol officer. The assailant was shot four times.

Did you hear about this incident? 

Probably not. 

That’s because the incident took place took place not somewhere in Israel, where all incidents of this type are recorded and broadcast around the world, but at the border crossing in Calexico, California, just across the border from Mexicali, Mexico.

The reason the man was shot by a Border & Patrol Protection officer and, subsequently, died from his wounds, should be obvious. People wielding knives and lunging at police—or anyone else, intend to injure or kill and it is essential to stop those attacker immediately—before they do their harm and people are killed.

This incident did not make international headlines. There was no outcry and no rage for the poor guy even after details emerged and we learned that he was on a bicycle and jumped off it to perpetrate his attack and that he was denied entry into the United States and that was why he went on his rampage.

There is a double standard here.

If this incident would have happened in Israel, the country’s many critics would be screaming about the murder of innocent people riding their bikes. The Palestinian propaganda machine would have turned the truth upside down to convince the world that the killer was the victim.

These are some of the lies that were told to the United Nation Security Council by PA UN Representative Riyad al Malik on Thursday, October 22nd. In describing the tension between the Palestinians and Israel, he said:

“Our Palestinian people, particularly our children, are being killed, targeted by the Israeli occupation forces.”

“They are denied fundamental right to life because of their national and religious identities. Their legitimate rejection of illegal occupation is being faced with killing and destruction.”

“Incitements and provocations continue in al-Haram al-Sharif (the Noble Sanctuary, as the Temple Mount is known by Muslims) and the al-Aqsa Mosque – attacks, incitement by the Israeli extremists and the officials against Palestinian civilians. Day after day we watch this.”

They believed every word. They gobbled up every untruth.

When Israel’s new Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, had his turn to speak, the damage was done. This is a war where lies and false rumors are the ammunition of the propagandists. And Israel is losing.

And it doesn’t stop. If the Palestinians speak untruths  it’s one thing. But when the United States delivers falsehoods, it’s something else entirely. On Monday, October 19th, three days before the UN Security Council heard from al Maliki and Danon, Secretary of State John Kerry had this to say about Israel and the Palestinians:

“Security and diplomacy go hand in hand. There is not a time for one and then the other, really there is an importance to both. We want to see calm restored and we want to see the violence stop. And I think everybody in Israel and in the region would like to see both of those things happen.”

He starts out fine. Then Kerry made a terrible mistake:

“We continue to urge everybody to exercise restraint and restrain from any kind of self-help in terms of the violence, and Israel has every right in the world to protect its citizens, as it has been, from random acts of violence.”

I don’t get it—and that’s probably because the secretary of state doesn’t really get it. Can the Israelis defend themselves or not? And why can’t Israeli be vigilant and help fight the terror spreading throughout their country. That is what Nir Barkat, the mayor of Jerusalem, advised when he asked that citizens who are trained marksmen and have licenses and permits and weapons carry their weapons with them wherever they go.

And what about this idea of restraint on both sides? Israel is showing great restraint—especially because they are the people being attacked. The vast amount of Palestinians who have been injured during this terror spree were the terrorists themselves. And they were injured or killed in the midst of the act of terror. Israel is killing terrorists—not innocent teenagers.

This is not, as Kerry erroneously stated, a question of “protection” but rather one of self defense. It baffles the mind that even now the United States is still attempting to put forth an agenda of impartiality. How could the US see things in such a warped manner as to confuse those who are the terrorists with those who are the victims? Why does the United States administration continue to persist in their desire to put both sides on an equal playing field?

Sometimes, a man’s got to do what a man—or woman—has got to do. And shooting someone who wants to take your life is as correct and appropriate a response at the border between California and Mexico as it is in the clash between terrorist Palestinians and Israeli citizens.

Should Israel go for a decisive or partial victory?

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed

The writer is Head of Yeshivat Har Bracha and a prolific author on Jewish Law, whose works include the series on Jewish law "Pininei Halacha" and a popular weekly column "Revivim" in the Besheva newspaper. His books "The Laws of Prayer" "The Laws of Passover" and "Nation, Land, Army" are presently being translated into English. Other articles by Rabbi Melamed can be viewed at: www.yhb.org.il/1

How to Win the Struggle

Israel can emerge from the current struggle victorious, provided we thoroughly understand the ambition and goal of our enemies. The merciful among our enemies are willing to settle for the destruction of Israel, killing the Jews who oppose them, while leaving the remaining ones to be humiliated dhimmis forced to pay high taxes to the Muslim rulership – according to the tradition of moderate Islam.

\The cruel ones hope to murder most of the Jews, according to the militant Islamic tradition. That’s what the leading Sunni and Shiite leaders in the world are saying, including the Muslim Brotherhood, ISIS, Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Iranian rulers. They have no reason to lie, so it can be inferred that they speak the truth.

In contrast to honest and candid Muslim leaders, Palestinian Authority leaders do not speak about abolishing the State of Israel because they fear that if they reveal their cards too early they will lose their status in Israel and the world. But this truth crops up in their statements from time to time.

The War on Faith and the Land

Clearly, from our enemies’ point of view, the war is not about one piece of territory or another, but over the very existence of a Jewish state in the Land of Israel, a reality radically opposed to the fundamentals of their faith. Therefore, anything weakening the State of Israel is considered a victory for them and defeat for us; anything strengthening the sovereignty and Jewish identity of Israel is considered a defeat for them, and a victory for us.

Strengthening the Jewish Identity of the State

Today, the majority of the elected representatives of Israeli Arab citizens are conducting a war of incitement and provocation against Israel and gnawing at its strength. If as a result of the wave of terror, the government changes the situation in which Israeli Arabs have rights without obligations; if it denies the residency status of over 100,000 Arabs who infiltrated the State of Israel under the cover of the law of ‘Family Reunification’; if it encourages the emigration of those hostile to the State of Israel – then, the results of the current struggle will be a great victory, transmitting a clear message to all our enemies that we are the victors and becoming stronger.

The War is Over Sovereignty

If out of this struggle the government of Israel approves plans for expansion of Jewish communities in Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria, and annexes the territories on which Jewish towns exist in Judea and Samaria - it will be clear to all the Arabs that the war against us led them to defeat, and their urge to fight us will diminish.

Political Commentators and Analysts

Political commentators and analysts and their mentors in academia, are confident that mankind’s sole ambitions are democracy, freedom, and economic prosperity. Thus, in their opinion, the motive for terrorism is the "occupation" the Arabs are subjected to, and the despair gripping them in the absence of a political process that will bring an end to the "occupation".

Surprise! Each additional hint of sovereignty given to the Arabs only increases their hatred and assaults against us. The “experts” are confident that the more money and education the Arabs have, the less they will want to engage in terrorism and wars. But once again – surprise! The majority of the current and past killers do not come from poor and uneducated families – on the contrary! Bin Laden was not a poor and uneducated person either.

It is no wonder that all the predictions of the “experts” were proven false. They fail to understand what a nation is all about, what religious belief is all about – and in fact – what human beings are all about. That's how they plunged the United States and Europe into a mistaken Middle East policy, as well as causing European countries to accept Muslim immigrants without integrating them and in consequence, leading their countries to disaster.

The Weakness of the Government and the Courage of the Public

Unfortunately, since the government and its leader lack the faith and determination required to act boldly to strengthen Israel’s sovereignty and settlement, it is difficult to expect a clear victory. But with God's help, we may be able to take comfort in a partial victory – thanks only to the devotion and determination of men of faith and action within our midst.

Our nation has a weak government with good intentions. The same holds true for the majority of the public, who indeed would prefer that all of Judea and Samaria remain in our hands, and who side with the settlers in their hearts, but lack the faith and courage to demand an outright victory over our Arab enemies.

It could be said that in their worldview, the public and government are captive to the erroneous assumptions of the majority of academics and political analysts, namely, that if we compromise and don’t offend the Arabs’ feelings we will achieve peace, security, and a good life. On the other hand, in their hearts they aspire to victory, the expansion of settlements, sovereignty and Jewish identity, and feel that no compromise will bring peace.

The public, bearing no responsibility, is willing to express patriotic and faith-based positions, whereas the leadership, which does bear responsibility and is exposed to international pressures, does not dare give expression to these views, because it lacks an alternative policy to present to the world rationally, confidently, and with conviction. Only at election times is the country’s leadership more attuned to the mood of the public, for example, the Prime Ministers’ pledge before the elections to amend the law of citizenship and expand "settlements".

The Struggle Can Go Either Way

The struggle can go either way – for better, or for worse. If we listen to the failed political commentators and world leaders – we will decide to withdraw and bring a catastrophe upon ourselves, as we did with the tragic Oslo Accords. If we follow our instincts – we will press forward, settle the Land, and achieve victory.

A Cautious Evaluation: Partial Victory

Since the Jewish residents of Judea and Samaria already number hundreds of thousands and in the words of the Left "is stuck like a bone in [Israel's] throat" hindering plans of further withdrawal, it is difficult to promise the Arabs further withdrawals. Even the freezing of settlements is difficult, because the life-force within the communities pulsates so strongly. Our own bodies are obstructing the “throat of the devil” who wishes to swallow us.

Since ordinary citizens are unwilling to give-in to terrorism and demand the government retaliate, it is difficult for the government to appease the Arabs with money or further erosion of Jewish identity in the State of Israel. 

The only remaining option for the government is to mobilize the police and the army, strike the terrorists and their infrastructure, and weaken the ability of our enemies.

And since many Arabs support the terrorists, there is no choice but to exercise caution and suspicion towards the entire Arab population – within the “Green Line” and beyond it – a measure that embitters the lives of the good Arabs and the bad ones alike, and in practice, encourages the continuation of Arab emigration abroad.

People of Faith and Deeds

The believers and men and women of action – the rabbis and educators who strengthen Jewish identity, the settlers of Judea and Samaria, and the various dedicated security personnel who refuse to surrender to terrorism – they are the determining factor. Thanks to them, we will hopefully continue defeating our enemies, expand settlement in Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem, our holy and glorious city – specifically in the areas surrounding the Temple Mount, where “the precious sons of Zion, as precious as fine gold” reside – men of faith and action alike.

Through the steadfastness of all the good Jews from the left and the right, who advance the State of Israel both morally, socially, and economically, the State of Israel marches forward and new immigrants continue to knock at her doors - nearly 30,000 last year.

Jewish immigrants from prosperous Western countries bend down on the tarmac of the airport and kiss the ground of Israel, and thus, the words of the Prophet are realized: "I will also allow the House of Israel to ask me to do this for them: that I increase them like a human flock.  Like the holy flock, like the flock of Jerusalem at its festivals…Then they will know that I am the Lord" (Ezekiel 36: 37-38).

Therefore, strengthening of the Torah and Jewish faith, building and settling the land, strengthening of society, the army, economy, sciences and arts related to Jewish culture, draws us closer to victory over our enemies.

Optimistic Fertility Figures

This is the time to share the important summation of the notable researcher, Yoram Ettinger, regarding our demographic state of affairs.

By the grace of God, the Jewish fertility rate in Israel is rising from year to year. Fifteen years ago it stood at 2.6 children per woman, and is now 3.11. This rate is far higher than the fertility rate in all developed countries. It is also higher than all Arab countries, except for three.

In contrast, the fertility rate among Muslim women who have Israeli citizenship is steadily declining. Fifteen years ago it was approximately 4.5 per woman, and last year declined to 3.15.

The Arab fertility rate in Judea and Samaria dropped to 2.76 births compared to 5.0 births fifteen years ago (according to the annual report of the C.I.A.).

The reason for the high birth rate among Israeli Arabs as compared to Arabs of Judea and Samaria are the child allowances and other social benefits that Israeli Arabs receive from the state – not that they show any gratefulness for these benefits, quite the contrary

.

The Status of the Population

The Arab population in Judea and Samaria numbers approximately 1,700,000 and the number of Arab citizens of Israel is also 1,700,000 – though the Palestinian Authority publishes false demographics, for example, counting people who were born 170 years ago, and more than 400,000 people who emigrated abroad.

In conclusion, 6.6 million Jews currently reside in Israel, alongside 1.7 million Arabs within the “Green Line”, and 1.7 million Arabs in Judea and Samaria - a majority of 66%, also benefiting from the impetus of new births and immigration.

The Aging of the Arab Population opposed to Jewish Rejuvenation

The future continues to bode well for the nation of Israel. In contrast to the Jewish population which is getting younger on account of increased fertility and the absorption of many young immigrants, Arab society in Judea and Samaria is aging rapidly: the average age rose to 22.7, compared with 17.0  fifteen years ago (C.I.A. annual report).

The average age is rising because in addition to a decline in fertility, there is a constant negative emigration of Arabs from Judea and Samaria abroad (20,000 in 2013, 25,000 in 2014, etc.). The waves of terror resulting in the closure and blockade of cities and villages and the other I.D.F. actions that follow in their wake, continue to encourage emigration. Since the majority of those emigrating abroad are young, the Arab population in Judea and Samaria will continue to age and decrease.

The Present Leadership

The Prime Minister and the majority of his administration are aware of these optimistic facts. From their point of view therefore, as long as we continue progressing, the situation is acceptable. However, if we had a leadership that could generate a substantial victory from this struggle, we would spare ourselves a lot of blood, sweat and tears, and the State of Israel would progress and flourish spiritually, demographically, socially and economically at an even faster pace.

This article appears in the ‘Besheva’ newspaper, and was translated from Hebrew. Other interesting articles by Rabbi Melamed, and all of his highly acclaimed books in the ‘Peninei Halakha’ series of Jewish Law and Thought (in Hebrew, and in the meantime, a few in English) can be found at: http://en.yhb.org.il/