It's amazing how many cars are still sporting the orange strips of cloth in protest of the "disengagement." The Jewish communities in Gush Katif and Northern Shomron were destroyed over a month ago by the Israeli government. The government knowingly trampled on our Torah, the Torah that states unequivocally that we are obligated to settle these places: "...for I have given you the land to possess it."(Numbers 33:53) More than a month has gone by since these areas have been ethnically cleansed of Jews by other Jews, to the great applause of the "civilized" nations of the world. In spite of the time that has passed, the orange can still be seen on the backpacks of many as well as on numerous automobiles.
Are the people sporting the orange strips just too lazy to remove them? Are they living in denial of the tragedy that has befallen the nation? Do these people believe that displaying orange will spare the communities have been bulldozed into a pile of rubble by the IDF or salvage the synagogues that have already been torched by Islamofascist beasts?
I can only speak for myself. The orange symbolizes my solidarity with those who were unjustly driven from their homes and deprived of their livelihoods. It is my way of showing to them and to the whole world that I was not part of this despicable act, and that I actively protested against it. It is my way of showing the criminals that took part in the expulsion that I have not forgotten what they have done. "The day after" that they spoke about is here, but their reprehensible acts have not been forgotten. They will not be swept so quickly under the rug. The wound is open, it is festering, and it will not heal until the settlers are returned to their homes and livelihoods, and those that ravaged the democratic process and defiled the IDF are held responsible for their deeds.
So if you see Cosmic X walking or driving through Jerusalem, still sporting anti-expulsion-orange, you'll know why.
12 comments:
CosmicX: Excellent post. I still wear my orange wristband for exactly the same reason. The problem is, that the orange streamers are turning black (could that be coincidental?) and new ones are getting harder to come by. I can't see kids giving them out at intersections anymore...though that could be a interesting idea.
The one thing I'm desperately looking for is an Orange TZ plastic holder (instead of the State-issued blue one). It has an embossed map of Israel on it, a BS'D in the top corner and on the bottom reads; "Toshav Eretz Yisrael"
Being Orange - its a real eye opener, (which used ot be the color for Yesha Arab TZ's till the PA started issuing their own instead of Israel after Oslo started). If anyone knows where to get this, PLEASE let me know!
I should really put the following on my blog, but if I'm already here: I had a "vision" as I was walking to the old city towards the massive atzeret tefilla before Tisha B'Av. As I walked up towards Shaar Yafo, I looked up at the walls and had a vision (sort of like a photoshop image in my brain) of the walls of the old city festively bedecked with huge Orange scalloped fabric -- hanging between the crenelations (bonus SAT word). It seemed to me that on the day of rebuilding/additional Geula (final - be'zrat Hashem) -- the color orange will be synonymous with Geula and Binyan HaAretz.
May we merit the end of a year of destruction, and begin a year of rebuilding, rebirth, and redemption.
Jameel:
crenelations - A rampart built around the top of a castle with regular gaps for firing arrows or guns (courtesy of WordWeb, http://wordweb.info/). My English has not improved since coming to live here (understatement) and this program helps me a lot, especially when reading C&R. Seems to me that Patrick is a master of the English language.
"May we merit the end of a year of destruction, and begin a year of rebuilding, rebirth, and redemption."
Ken Yehi Ratzon!
I don't know about you guys, but methinks that despite all of Sharon's denials today, we're in for "Hitnatkut Bet, Gimmel, Daled, etc." I think it's more important than ever that we have the orange going everywhere. I haven't taken it down from my car either. With Sharon in power, don't be surprised if "din Netzarim k'din Tel-Aviv" becomes a reality - with the disengagement, piece by piece, of Eretz Yisrael, Yerushalayim, Tel-Aviv, Haifa included!!! That's the only "piece process" I know of, and I'm sure that most of the "pals" would agree with me!
So let's keep the Orange awareness going - it might be the only thing that can save us! But next time [may it not come, but I fear it is coming, and soon!] we need to march on the Knesset and surround it, not Kfar Maimon or some other out-of-the-way and "unimportant" [in the eyes of the Memshala] place!!!
Cosmic - do you have a better word for the dips and rises on the walls of the Old City? Maybe "battlements"? Its very difficult to keep your English up to par in Israel. Wished I could write the way I used to, but Hebrew has taken a toll on my diction and vocabulary. Worse things could happen.
Yitz: If we march around the Knesset 7 times blowing shofarot, will it fall down?
Hmm - thats why I need to keep posting under my nom de plume, to keep the kochot hachoshech away.
Yitz,
I have a feeling that you are right about bet, gimel, dalet, etc. but let's hope not.
Jameel,
I don't have a better word but I would have understood "battlements" without resorting to WordWeb.
I'm pretty sure that our brothers from the GSS know who you/we are, and that they couldn't care less. After all, we are upstanding law abiding citizens exercising our right to free speech in a democratic country. [ahem]
CosmicX: They are on their way to pay you a "visit" after your last comment.
In my opinion, the "Orange" is in "incubation. What is going to develop from this will hopefully be something that will make Kefar Maimon look parocial in comparison.
They better come out of incubation with full force!!! Hey seven times around the Knesset with shofarot, sounds good to me. If that don't work, why don't we [100K of us, that is] just stay there for a few weeks - worked pretty well in the Ukraine!
Today the lefty radio analysts sized up Sharon's "roadmap" speech with leaving him plenty of room down the road for Hitnatkut Bet, etc. - so we better be planning. There feeling is after he's - chas v'chalila - re-elected that if the "piece" plan is stalled, another you-know-what.
Jameel, where are you living these days! Love your blog, and yours too, Cosmic.
Hey, YBA, if your into Zemirot, check out my blog too!
Yitz: North of Al-Quds, South of Jenin, West of Yericho, East of Qalqilya...no better place!
But I work daily in Al-Quds, when the machsomim aren't that bad (this morning in Hizma was a drag, so I had to go through Atarot (near A-ram/El-Bireh)
Where you be living, holy brother?
Great Blog!
Orange is still seen in my neighborhood. http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2005/09/orange.html
Batya: We're still totally orange in the Muqata-land. Our home has on it:
a black/orange Israeli flag
Moetza Azori Chevel Aza flag
Gush Kaitf/Shomron flag
flag on it
I just went to our local Gush Katif supply store today and filled up on fresh orange streamers and orange TZ holder.
At least the gush katif vegetables are back in our supermarket (albeit, not from gush katf) and we will buy their produce any time its available instead of the other stuff.
What stuff does Bassi's Mehadrin company make? Worth knowing so we can boycott it.
Shabbat Shalom!
CX, et al:
A very interesting take on the Orange Aftermath, from a most unusual source -the Chareidi "Cross Currents" blog. Rav Feldman is very sensitive, and was very supportive of the Orange cause. I think it's VERY IMPORTANT to dialog with that part of the Chareidi community that does identify with the Orange cause. Please see:
http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2005/09/30/451
Jameel - if your still there, Holy Brother: I live in Dir Yassin al Quds, awaiting the Binyan Bayit HaShlishi across town!!!
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