Comments on: American Jews Donate $33 Million for Settlements

By: Megat S. Merican

Megat S. Merican — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:47:48 +0000

Marilyn,

Able Muslims are commanded by Allah to give only 2.5% of their income towards charity or Zakat as it is known in Islam. Beyond that which is prescribed, is merely optional.

And as to the purpose of what the collected zakat is used for, it is important to note that their are 8 categories of persons who are entitled to receive them:

“1. Fakir – One who has neither material possessions nor means of livelihood.

2. Miskin – One with insufficient means of livelihood to meet basic needs.

3. Amil – One who is appointed to collect zakat.

4. Muallaf – One who converts to Islam.

5. Riqab – One who wants to free himself from bondage or the shackles of slavery. (In Singapore, zakat due to this category of recipients is spent on those who need help to pursue education or to improve their standard of living).

6. Gharmin – One who is in debt (money borrowed to meet basic, halal expenditure).

7. Fisabillillah – One who fights for the cause of Allah.

8. Ibnus Sabil – One who is stranded in journey.”

Source: http://www.zpub.com/aaa/zakat-def.html

By: Mary Rizzo

Mary Rizzo — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 10:14:24 +0000

Thanks Miles. Yes, unfortunately, there are many stories like this, including the event of the industrial sabotage in a Jewish cemetery in Rome, but they rarely get exposed. The Verano cemetery vandalism was an “inside job” but after 5 days of front page news, tv specials about how “Italians are anti-semites” and the like, once it was revealed that it was actually (Jewish) employees of the cemetery who did the damage to some graves, all of a sudden, SILENCE! Not even an apology to “the Italians”, nor public admission of what happened. It was reported on some tiny little angle in the papers. Quite some national hand-wringing… over nothing! And in the end, the victim spiel was promoted and the chance to say just how bad everyone was to Jews (untrue and they know it!) in Italy. This way, no one dares to challenge organised Jewish politics in Italy, which is extremely Zionist.

It seems as though every word these representatives say is gold, until it is exposed as manipulative. Then the story gets buried and the rectification simply does not get aired!

Just as it is so that the pro-Israel march in Italy got its 1500 strong “celebrities”, this story of “charity and being at the orders of Israel” got buried too.

Yet, we are attentive here.

By: Miles Stuart

Miles Stuart — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:51:48 +0000

Something like 80% of the Palestinian inhabitants of what became Israel now live in 0% of Israel. All of them have a right to have their property returned and to be compensated for its deliberate and wanton destruction.
If you are living in one of the settlements your residence breaches the domestic law of every civilised country on the planet, so travel carefully.

By: Miles Stuart

Miles Stuart — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 02:43:07 +0000

Many of those who have spent years languishing in Guantánamo were rounded up while fulfilling their Islamic charitable obligations. In at least one case I know of personally he was helping to build a girls school, about as clear an indication as you could get that he was an opponent not a supporter of Al Qaida and their ilk.

By: Miles Stuart

Miles Stuart — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 02:41:15 +0000

Now, I have no problem with that, because the Arabs started the war in 1948 with the express intent of driving the Jews into the sea.

If you really believe this you are among a rapidly dwindling band of seriously deluded people.

By: Miles Stuart

Miles Stuart — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 02:16:31 +0000

Thank you so much for the link Mary. We all know this kind of thing happens but it is rare to see it so amusingly exposed. I hope I do not offend anyone but I can hardly write this for laughing.

By: Richard Silverstein

Richard Silverstein — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 00:32:53 +0000

Thanks for the snotty snark. There are ways to compensate refugees for the loss of their homes & settlements. This will happen as part of any peace agreement.

By: bar_kochba132

bar_kochba132 — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 23:22:13 +0000

Richard, actually far, far more money than the amount you reported here goes to what many people, particularly supporters of the Arab side, consider “illegal” settlements. For instance, Tel Aviv University collects millions of dollars per year in donations. TAU is sitting on the land that belonged to the Arab village of Sheikh Munis. The Arab owners of the land of Sheikh Munis are now refugees, probably rotting away in a refugee camp in Gaza. TAU never paid them a cent for it, the Israeli government confiscated the land. Now, I have no problem with that, because the Arabs started the war in 1948 with the express intent of driving the Jews into the sea. Fortunately they failed and paid the price. However, there is no Arab anywhere who considers TAU to be a “legal” settlement. Thus, those who view TAU to be “illegal” should oppose donations going there no less than to Jewish communities in Judea/Samaria.