The national phenomenon called ?The No Spin Zone? is associated with Long Island native Bill O'Reilly, who joined the Fox News Channel as the anchor/host of The O'Reilly Factor in 1996. Today, he is the most-watched cable news program in the USA and the powerful in America duck for cover as the rigidly enforced "No Spin Zone" deals with issues in a straightforward, analytic and provocative manner. Both of O'Reilly's nonfiction books, The O'Reilly Factor and The No Spin Zone, were No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list.



The format of the ?No Spin Zone? has gained popularity due to O?Reilly?s hard-hitting questions and civil discourse, which is the O?Reilly trademark.



I cannot say the same about Israeli news and television. On a recent visit to Israel, I was jolted by the level of derision and cynicism on the part of journalists directed towards their interviewees. This was especially true if the hapless interviewee was opposed to ceding land to the PLO.



The above is indicative of a deeper malaise that Jews world-wide are confronted with post-Disengagement. The word "disengagement" is a sanitized term that was utilized to legitimize throwing people out of their homes and communities. The destruction of Gush Katif must serve as a clear and present warning to the rest of world Jewry as to what happens when fascism in Israel parades as democracy and nationalism.



More importantly, and of immediate concern, is that we must respond to the muted cry of the thousands of uprooted men woman and children of Gush Katif, whose lives were shattered by a barbaric and cruel political leadership. Now, everything must be done to alleviate their immediate suffering and wretched homelessness.



The deliberate silence and disinterest being shown to the Jews of Gush Katif by the elected government of Israel and by the majority of communal organizations in the USA and their leadership mirrors the world-wide silence on the pronouncements of the new Iranian Hitler and his cohorts from Saudi Arabia.



During Chanukah, it is a custom to play with the sevivon, which is a four-sided spinning top. The four Hebrew letters etched on the sevivon represent the words ?a great miracle happened there?. In Israel, it reads ?a great miracle happened here?.



The horrific events that unfolded this past summer with the unheard of debacle of Jews persecuting Jews must serve as a clarion call to all who believe in the message of Chanukah. Its time for the Presidents' Conference and the ADL, AIPAC, AJC, RCA, OU, Agudah, Lubavitch, JTA, etc. to get out of the "spin zone" of ignoring the halacha of Pikuach Nefesh, and the Torah imperative of speaking out against the compromising of security.



It's time to enter the "Know Spin Zone" and clearly acknowledge the debacle of abandoning Gaza, which now sees S'derot and Ashkelon being bombarded daily with exploding missiles being launched with impunity from what was once the flourishing communities of Gush Katif .



Chanukah is the moment for all who believe in justice and equality to get out of the spin zone of fantasy and unrealistic expectations. It's time to enter the "Know Spin Zone". To let the world know that we love and support the people of Israel, and that we are united as a people who refuse to accept the spin of political access and money to silence our voice and that we will never allow Israel to be dismembered and cannibalized.



Each day of Chanukah, we should think about the pain and suffering Ariel Sharon and his administration have brought upon the people of Gush Katif and the state of Israel. Through prayer, Torah study and tzedakah for the Gush Katif expellees (to help them reestablish their lives) we will merit the light of redemption and the kindling of the Menorah in the rebuilt and restored Beit HaMikdosh, in our beloved, united Jerusalem



As in the days of yore, we will yet witness the Al-mighty?s miracles and salvation. But first, we have to be willing to enter the "Know Spin Zone".