Jerusalem Holds Day-Long War Drill

(Photo: Dave Bender, All Rights Reserved)

By Dave Bender

Israel's National Emergency Authority (NEA) on Tuesday held a comprehensive eight-hour war drill in Jerusalem to prepare the city's residents for an all-out war with the Jewish state's adversaries.

Read the rest: http://www.davebrianbender.com

Israeli Press Center Hosts Suicide Bombers as Madonna, Baby Jesus

One of the paintings at the exhibition.

From the "days I just love my profession" file:

From Ynet News:

"Art exhibition including seven paintings of female suicide bombers depicted as Madonna holding baby Jesus in their laps slated to open Thursday at Journalists' Association in Tel Aviv. Following protest, association considers removing paintings. Artist: Art is meant to ask questions"

That's right. At the Bet Sokolow Journalists' Association.

"On a personal level, the paintings bother me," said Bar-Moha to Ynet. "If I need to weigh freedom of expression against the outcry of the bereaved families, I prefer the terror victims. They are more important to me than freedom of expression in this case. But I can't determine this. I am turning to my colleagues, one by one, and asking their opinion. As of now, I have spoken with four of them, and all have authorized the removal of the exhibition."

"...There are pieces that won't be taken down, such as the one on clumps of earth collected from the site of the suicide terror act on the Maxim restaurant in Haifa. There is no reference or halo around this earth, as opposed to the pictures of the female suicide bombers," said Bar-Moha."

So where's the Israeli diplomat to reply in kind, with his own brand of "public art," like then Israel Ambassador Zvi Mazel in 2004 at an "art installation" in Sweden? Wait a minute, Sweden... Huh. Wonder why? Any ideas, readers?


'Snow White and The Madness of Truth'

"Israel's ambassador to Sweden was kicked out of Stockholm's Museum of National Antiquities after he destroyed an artwork featuring a picture of a Palestinian suicide bomber, news reports said.

The incident, widely reported in the Swedish media, occurred at the opening on Friday of the "Making Differences" exhibit, part of an upcoming international conference on genocide hosted by the Swedish Government and in which Israel is scheduled to participate.

"I was really looking forward to seeing what the artists had done. Instead, I was met by a picture of a smiling suicide bomber, the woman who killed 21 people in Haifa a few months ago," ambassador Zvi Mazel told Swedish news agency TT.

The art installation, located in the museum's courtyard, featured a fountain filled with red water, designed to look like blood.

A sailboat with the name Snow White floated on the water, and on it was a photo of a smiling Hanadi Jaradat, the female lawyer who blew herself up in the Haifa suicide bombing attack in October which killed 21 Israelis.

"For me it was intolerable and an insult to the families of the victims. As ambassador to Israel I could not remain indifferent to such an obscene misrepresentation of reality," Mr Mazel said."

Atlanta Man Turns Somali Pirate Fighter (Exclusive story - new website)

Just opened my new website for business, and am working on a fascinating audio profile about someone who has an extensive background in counter-terrorism:

Siegelman: Atlanta Man Turns Somali Pirate Fighter (Photo: Dave Bender)

At first glance, 30-year-old former Atlanta resident Ariel Siegelman doesn't strike you as someone who's used to facing off against pirates and gunmen. But then, the soft-spoken, observant Jew starts describing hair-raising experiences as a professional Israeli security chief guarding passenger vessels and freighters plying the treacherous waters of the Gulf of Aden.

"One day, his ship was in the sea lanes alongside the Maersk Alabama, and the pirates' motorboat first headed for him...

With some coaxing, the nominally taciturn Siegelman allows us into a secretive world on a little-seen front line, and how the violent contours of such daily skirmishes affect him, and his family.

We talk about his recent visit to the United States, primarily to train urban SWAT teams, and his heartfelt recommendations for the Jewish community, in the wake of recent terror threats.

I'll be posting excerpts from the story on my website soon, so make sure to bookmark it, and stop back there.

Editors: Contact me to get the full story on your website, radio station, or print publication.

The Pope in Israel: Great Live Radio Interview Wrap

Colleague Judy Lash Balint offers a great wrap-up on the Papal visit to Israel, and Palestinian Authority areas with veteran Seattle radio host Dave Ross on KIRO Radio, the CBS affiliate in the Pacific NW.

Listen here.

Dave Bender: Journalist Seeking Stories, Clients

I am a veteran radio and television broadcaster, and a professional, independent journalist equipped and ready to work in the field, on-site and on-line.

I'm interested in continuing in multimedia journalism and reporting in the US, Israel and elsewhere abroad.

Here are a few samples of original coverage about the Israel Defense Forces, living with terrorism, and life in Israel:

Inside the IDF: A Soldier's Story

Hear: Surviving a Suicide Bombing

Hear: Novelist Naomi Ragen: Writing in the Shadow of Terror

Hear: The mother of slain IDF soldier Nachson Waxman speaks out

I have a rich and varied background in all aspects of radio and audio production, as well as reporting and producing for tv, newspapers and magazines for a host of clients, both in the United States and abroad.

Links to more audio airchecks and published content are available along the left side of this page.

Contact me for more details, my resume' and recommendations at:
davebrianbender@gmail.com
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