In this podcast episode I read an opinion letter published by Adv. Shlomit Ravitsky Tur Paz (The Israel Democracy Institute) repudiating claims made by South Africa in their Application Letter alleging that the Biblical prescription to 'wipe out the memory of Amalek' was providing ideological inspiration for commanders of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) to pursue a "genocide" against Palestinians in Gaza.

Source document:

https://en.idi.org.il/media/22672/%D7%94%D7%90%D7%921_240110_165601.pdf

Read by:

Daniel Rosehill

According to a report in the Jewish News Syndicate (JNS), much of East Jerusalem was shuttered on January 3rd in a show of mass solidarity with killed former Hamas co-chief Saleh al-Arouri.

Can we draw from this the worrying conclusion that Hamas enjoys widespread support in Israel's capital city?

Article quoted:

https://www.jns.org/arab-shop-owners-in-eastern-jerusalem-strike-over-al-arouri-killing/

Poll cited:

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/poll-shows-palestinians-back-oct-7-attack-israel-support-hamas-rises-2023-12-14/

Reading and episode: Daniel Rosehill.

Thanks to the magic of YouTube I've finally discovered how to cross post my podcast episodes to YouTube without having to manually generate video audio files!

In this episode of The Daniel Rosehill Podcast I share a contrarian opinions about why I think the pro-Israel community should refrain from selectively highlighting friendly Arab voices.

If we object to anti-Israel voices who spotlight fringe anti-Zionist Jews in a disproportionate manner - thereby denying the Zionist of the mainstream - is it fair that we do the exact same thing to Muslims and Arabs?

== Timestamps ==

Intro - 00:00
'Good Arabs' and 'Good Jews - 10:00

Moving to Israel - making aliyah - is often celebrated with much fanfare. But plenty of immigrants - including me - sometimes thing about leaving ... and many take the ultimate step of relocating to other geographies. In this podcast/video, I set out a few of my thoughts about the subject of post-aliyah, life as an oleh (Jewish immigrant in Israel), and staying committed to this choice.

== Timestamps ==
Intro - 00:00
My move to Israel (aliyah) - 01:00
The Law of Return - 01:10
Why I moved here - 01:30
Most Jews don't live in Israel - 02:00
Different perceptions about Israel - 02:20
Challenges to living in Israel - 03:20
Immigrant exploitation - 03:40

Planning how my YouTube channel and podcast will evolve during 2024.

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQlDtEQGQA0&ab_channel=DanielRosehill

Look at any map of Jerusalem and you may notice the existence of several unusual dotted lines throughout the city and - most peculiarly - one circumscribing the Mount Scopus campus of Hebrew University.

These lines reflect the so-called green line / 1949 Armistice Agreement boundaries and served as the basis for the Kav Ironi (Municipal Line) that ran through Jerusalem as a physically demarcated border between Israel (west) and Jordan (east) for a 19 year period.

Today, and following the 1967 Six Day War, the borders are entirely invisible on the ground, although they mark the symbolic divide (the so-called 'seam') that divides Jerusalem along political and demographic lines.

The Museum on the Seam (MOTS) is located on the seam where the Mandelbaum Gate once provided exceptional passage between West Jerusalem and the Mount Scopus Enclave.
Why two lines? These reflect the former No Man's Land that was created in the gaps between the ceasefire lines demarcated by Moshe Dayan (for Israel) and Abudallah a-Tell (for Jordan).

The gaps created a large enclave in the area that is now populated by Armon HaNatsiv and around the Old City of Jerusalem. During the time when the border was physically in place, this area was extensively covered in barbed wire and other fortifications.

Australia recently made international headlines - but especially here in Israel - when it decided to recognize (West) Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel. Before, not so long thereafter, changing its mind.

Why is the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital such a thorny issue for world governments and their foreign policy? Where IS West Jerusalem? And what factors might have prompted Australia to backtrack?

Script and presentation: Daniel Rosehill.
Graphics: Canva and public domain resources.

Why does Jerusalem - a city of only about one million residents - have two separate bus networks?

Jerusalem has historically had two bus systems - one operated by Egged serving mostly destinations in 'West' Jerusalem. And another operated by two Palestinian companies - one serving destinations in the south of East Jerusalem (as well as the checkpoint leading into Bethlehem) and the other reaching destinations to the north of Damascus Gate in East Jerusalem (such as Beit Hanina. There are also bus services to Ramallah and back).

The situation is a hangover from the days when Jerusalem was split in half between Israel and Jordan (between 1948 and 1967). In the 90s, Israel brought the situation under control and the bus companies are now fully licensed and operated under the aegis of Israel's Ministry of Transport.

Israeli diplomats are said to regard Ireland as the most anti-Israel country in Europe. But is the reputation well-deserved?

Were ties between Dublin and Jerusalem (or should we say: Tel Aviv) always this sour? And how have Israel and Ireland managed to maintain a relatively fruitful commercial relationship in light of the fact that they don’t see eye to eye on politics?

This video contains opinions and interpretation of facts that may stimulate disagreement and differences of opinion. Please feel free to leave civil comments that are in compliance with the YouTube comment policy.


== Timestamps ==
Intro - 00:00
Simon Coveney frustrated by Ireland - Israel ties - 00:41
When world governments recognized Israel - 02:50
Did Vatican ties affect Ireland's recognition of Israel? - 03:50
"Why The Irish Support Palestine" by Rory Mill - 04:50

== Articles mentioned: ==
https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/arid-20457456.html
https://foreignpolicy.com/2010/06/23/why-the-irish-support-palestine-2/
== Videos mentioned:==
Why Did Australia Recognize Jerusalem As Israel's Capital - And Then Change Its Mind? (Explainer)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJiazOqLtQA&ab_channel=DanielRosehill

King George Street in downtown Jerusalem (officially: King George V St) is a street in downtown Jerusalem adjacent to Ben Yehuda street.

It was commemorated in 1924 and is named for the British monarch King George V (reign: 1910-1936) — and specifically to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the British conquest of Jerusalem (prior to the advent of the British Mandate the street, city, and country were formally part of the Ottoman Empire).

Today it is a busy pedestrian and vehicular street that is also home to the building that housed the first Knesset as well as the office buildings of the KKL.

Read more:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_George_Street_(Jerusalem)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_V
#jerusalem #jerusalemstreetnames

Patterson Street is an inconspiuous alleyway running between Emek Refaim Street and Derekh Beit Lekhem (Bethlehem Road) abutting the modern luxury Orient Hotel.

It is named after John Henry Patterson, an Irish-born non-Jewish Zionist who had a storied career serving in the British Army where his escapades included fighting off man-eating lions in Kenya.
Patterson's Jewish connection came when he served as the Commander of the Jewish Legion - a group called 'the first Jewish fighting force in 2,000 years.'

Patterson was friendly with Prime Minister Netanyahu's late father, historian Benzion Netanyahu, as well as Jabotinsky and other notable Zionists.

He sacrificed his upward promotion in the British Army for threatening to resign over the mistreatment of his Jewish troops.

Patterson died in California at the age of 79. Following a lengthy process, his remains were re-interred in Israel, at the Avihayil Cemetery, thereby fulfilling his lifelong wish to be buried alongside the troops he once commanded.

His story, and that of many other non-Jewish Zionists, is told in more detail at the Friends of Zion Museum in central Jerusalem.

Three Hollywood movies have been made about his escapades in Africa:

Much more about John Henry Patterson:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Henry_Patterson_(author)

Noga Levzion Nadan is the Managing Partner of Value 2 - The Responsible Investment Fund and the Founder and CEO of Greeneye, a responsible investment consultancy based in Israel.
In this interview, Noga offers some insights on the state of play of ESG and impact investing in Israel and offers some updates as to where legislation intended to allow pension companies to begin offering Israeli savers the first sustainable savings vehicles currently stand.

Mentions:
Value2 (value2.co.il)
Greeneye (greeneye.co.il)The Israeli Forum for Impact Economy (ifie.org.il)
Fossil Free Israel (fossilfree.org.il)

Connect with Noga on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nogalevtzionnadan/

Jerusalem has eight international consulates and consulate generals within its boundaries ... however (the weird part) .... they're not actually there to provide diplomatic representation to the State of Israel.

More detail: "Jerusalem Has Plenty Of Embassies - Just Not To Israel":

http://www.thetower.org/article/jerusalem-already-has-plenty-of-embassies-just-not-to-israel/

Information about the treatment of ADHD, anxiety, and depression in Israel.

Israel has one of the most advanced and developed healthcare systems in the world, but for new immigrants (olim hadashim) accessing it can be another item on the list of things about life in Israel to figure out.

== Timestamps ==
Intro - 00:00
Health maintenance organizations (HMO)s / kupot cholim - 03:35
Which kupa to choose? - 05:00
Switching between kupot - 05:50
Health fund (kupa) pharmacies - 09:00
Private medicine in Israel - 09:30
Sharap - 09:54
Sal HaBriut / healthcare basket - 11:30
Prescription medication cost and copays - 11:40
Health fund / kupa subscription price list - 12:20
Mental healthcare in Israel - 13:30
Psychotherapy / talk therapy - 14:00
Psychiatry - 15:00
Private prescriptions - 16:00
Urgent care / Terem - 17:00

How did Israel end up with a Star of David set on two horizontal stripes as its national flag and what is the symbolism behind the state symbol?

In this video, I explore the history of Israel's flag as well as that of its state emblem - a menorah surrounded by olive branches - which were both agreed upon shortly after the declaration of the state.

== Timestamps ==
Intro - 00:00
Flag symbols - 00:55
Flag colors - 01:00
Israeli flag law - 01:38
Flag protocol - 02:00
Flag dimensions - 02:48
Tekhelet / talit = 03:12
WZO template 04:09
First proposals - 04:40
State symbol adoption timeline - 05:50
Rejected state emblems - 06:34
Emblem selection process - 07:45
The Shamir Brothers - 08:00
Other official flags of Israel - 08:59
Israeli presidential standard - 09:18
Marine presidential standard - 09:29
Israeli Prime Minister's standard - 09:35
Marine standard of Israeli prime minister - 09:44

With a population of more than 9 million residents crammed into a country barely bigger than New Jersey, Israel has a population density that places it in the mid-30s globally ... and which is actually slightly higher than India's.

Where does everybody live?

Beyond Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, there are 14 more cities in Israel with a population of 100,000 residents are more - a remarkably high level of urbanisation in such a small country.
Israel's dense population makes it a massive headache for car owners - and with the population set to rise to 20 million by 2065, the country is set to only get more crowded!

Timestamps
=
Intro - 00:00
How densely populated is Israel? - 00:20
Jerusalem vs. Tel Aviv populations - 00:36
The demographics of Jerusalem - 00:54
Gush Dan / metropolitan area population - 01:40
Israel's population at end 2022 - 02:02
Population density per square kilometre - 02:37
Traffic congestion in Israel - 02:56
Israel's national population density - 03:43
Israel 2065 population projections - 04:13
Haifa - 04:40
Smaller cities in Israel - 05:15
Comparison Israel to Ireland - 05:49

Speedify CEO Alex Gizis chats with Speedify user Daniel Rosehill about using Speedify for connection bonding to make poor internet connections so much better.

Israel was famously described in the Bible as 'a land flowing with milk and honey.' Today - that description might be 'a land of skyscrapers and newfound tech wealth.'

While Israel's vaunted technology sector has created vast fortunes, Israel also has one of the highest rates of poverty in the developed world - while 22% of its population sees its bank account lingering in a near constant state of overdraft.

How can these two conflicting dynamics be reconciled?

Are socioeconomic gaps in Israel widening or narrowing? And what can be done to ensure that the fruits of Israel's rapid economic growth are distributed more evenly among its citizens?

== Timestamps ==
Intro - 00:00
Israel's economic transformation - 00:20
Israeli companies on the NASDAQ - 00:37
2021 foreign investment in Israel 00:44
Poverty in Israel - 01:35
Latet Alternative Poverty Report - 01:49
Overdraft statistics - 02:10
Millionaires in Tel Aviv - 02:20
Per capita rate of millionaires - 03:05
Gini coefficient - 03:30
Israel's Gini coefficient - 03:58
Israel vs OECD - 04:10
Israel vs USA income inequality - 04:45
Income inequality trend in Israel - 05:00
2 ways to reduce income inequality - 05:45
Common suggestions in Israel - 06:05
Increase high tech participation - 06:15
Cost of living - 06:35

Video and narration: Daniel Rosehill

Jerusalem is at the center of international news currently amidst claims that Israel is acting "heavy handedly" and imposing tough "restrictions" on Orthodox Christian worship at Jerusalem.
The media coverage is referring to a crowd control limit which Israel has decided to impose on worshippers at the famous Church of the Holy Sepulchre where Orthodox Christians hold a Holy Fire Ceremony on Easter Saturday every year.

Has this issue been covered fairly in the media? Why are church groups so opposed to the measures? And how many Christians live in Jerusalem anyway?

News coverage (Times of Israel via AP):
https://www.timesofisrael.com/church-israel-infringing-on-freedoms-by-limiting-attendance-at-holy-fire-event/

== Timestamps ==
Intro - 00:00
My basis - 01:00
Church groups in Jerusalem - 01:30
Vatican in Jerusalem - 01:41
Credits - 02:13
Church of the Holy Sepulchre - 02:12
Easter in Jerusalem 2023 - 02:30
Palm Sunday - 02:50
Churches in Jerusalem - 03:00
Jerusalem's Christian population - 03:12
Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center - 03:45
The Russian Compound - 03:58
Non Jewish populations in Israel - 04:20
Ireland vs. Israel demographics - 04:33
Challenges to Christians in Israel - 04:50
Church of Gethsemane assault - 05:00
Pilgrim tourism to Israel - 05:40
Holy Fire ceremony - 06:20
Orthodox Easter Dispute 2023 - 07:05
Jerusalem Police response - 07:37
Meron Disaster / crowd crush - 07:52
Greek Orthodox Church - 08:23
Joint church statement - 08:50
Festivals in Jerusalem - 09:06
Temple Mount ban - 09:15