"We shall try to spirit the penniless population across the border by procuring employment for it in the transit countries,while denying it any employment in our own country .... expropriation and the removal of the poor must be carried out discreetly and circumspectly." -- Theodore Herzl (from Rafael Patai, Ed. The Complete Diaries of Theodore Herzl, Vol I) "
... it is the duty of the [Israeli] leadership to explain to the public a number of truths. One truth is that there is no Zionism, no settlement, and no Jewish state without evacuating Arabs, and without expropriating lands and their fencing off." -- Yesha'ayahuBen-Porat, (Yedi'ot Aharonot 07/14/1972) responding to public controversy regarding the Israeli evictions of Palestinians in Rafah, Gaza, in 1972. (Cited in Nur Masalha's "A Land Without APeople" 1997, p.98)
"I have learned that the state of Israel cannot beruled in our generation without deceit and adventurism."-- Moshe Sharett, Israel's first Foreign Minister and later a Prime Minister(p.51 Simha Flapan, "The Birth of Israel", 1987).
"The very point of Labor's Zionist program is to have as much land as possible and as few Arabs as possible!" --Yitzhak Navon ("moderate" ex-Israeli president and a leading labor party politician.) Cited on p.179 of Nur Masalha's A Land without a People who cites Bernard Avishai's The Tragedy of Zionism 1985 p.340
After the Palmach men left [Deir Yassin], the men of the [Irgun and Stern Gang] started a shameful massacre of the inhabitants...[The massacre] was carried out...when the village was in Jewish hands, and without the inhabitants having taken any provocative action..."Meir Pa'il, official Haganah observer on the scene, Yediot Ahranot, April 29, 1972)
"All of the killed, with very few exceptions, were old men, women or children. The dead we found were all unjust victims, and none of them had died with a weapon in their hands."--Eliyahu Arieli, Haganah member who arrived at Deir Yassin shortly after the massacre, O Jerusalem, Collins and Lapierre, 1972.
"There is no doubt that many sexual atrocities were committed by the attacking Jews. Many young girls were raped and later slaughtered. Old women were also molested."
General Richard Catling, British Army Assistant Inspector after interrogating several female survivors (The Palestinian Catastrophe, Michael Palumbo, 1987)
"Without them [the settlements] the IDF [Israeli Defense Force] would be a foreign army ruling a foreign population."-- Defense Minister Moshe Dayan (quoted in Geoffrey Aronson's Settlements and the Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations, Institute for Palestinian Studies.)
"Jewish villages were built in the place of Arab villages. You do not even know the names of these Arab villages, and I do not blame you because geography books no longer exist, not only do the books not exist, the Arab villages are not there either. Nahlal arose in the place of Mahlul; Kibbutz Gvat in the place of Jibta; Kibbutz Sarid in the place of Huneifis; and Kefar Yehushu'a in the place of Tal al-Shuman. There is not one single place built in this country that did not have a former Arab population."-- Moshe Dayan, addressing the Technion (Israel Institute of Technology), Haifa. Quoted in Ha'aretz, 04/04/1969
"... we have no solution, that you shall continue to live like dogs, and whoever wants to can leave -- and we will see where this process leads? In five years we may have 200,000 less people -- and that is a matter of enorous importance." -- Moshe Dayan encouraging the transfer of Gaza strip refugees to Jordan (from Noam Chomsky's Deterring Democracy, 1992, p.434, quoted in Nur Masalha's A Land Without A People, 1997 p.92).
"In 1948, we deliberately, and not just in the heat of the war, expelled Arabs. Also in 67 after the Six-Day War, we expelled many Arabs." -- Tzvi Shiloah, a senior veteran of the Mapai Party and a former deputy mayor of the town of Hertzeliyah. (Modelet, no.12, October 1989)
"We must use terror, assassination, intimidation, land confiscation, and the cutting of all social services to rid the Galilee of its Arab population." --David Ben-Gurion, May 1948, to the General Staff. From Ben-Gurion, A Biography, by Michael Ben-Zohar, Delacorte, New York 1978."Israel should have exploited the repression of the demonstrations in China, when world attention focused on that country, to carry out mass expulsions among the Arabs of the territories." – Benyamin Netanyahu, then Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister, former Prime Minister of Israel, speaking to students at Bar Ilan University, from the Israeli journal Hotam, November 24, 1989.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Thoughtful Israelis think of new pastime for caged Palestinian children...
Watching funeral processions.
Just because Israel has been busy in Lebanon...
Does not mean that they have been so busy that they don't have the time to bomb Gaza...
Israeli and Arab TV News Shows Different Sides of War
The following video is a compilation of news broadcasts from different points of view. The first clip from Israel's IBA News appears to be similar to an American news report. At no time is the legitimacy of military action or level of force questioned by the Israeli broadcast. Images of mild to moderate damage from Hezbollah attacks are also shown. Con'td
Israeli Terrorism
Vatican slams Israel
Arab League: Mideast peace 'dead'
Sadr hints at attacks over Israel actions
Ex-CIA blogger: Israel takes 'stupid pill'
Fleeing Lebanon villagers caught in Israeli inferno
EU: Israeli use of force 'disproportionate'
US plans $A280m jet fuel sale to Israel
Look who's been kidnapped!
'Israel Has Reached the End of the Road'
Road Block Removed in Izbat Tabib
A most unnecessary war
Man, a 7-month old baby, and one youth killed in Israeli air strikes in Gaza, Dir Al Balah
Israeli missiles hit house in Gaza
IOF Offensive Continues in Gaza: 3 Palestinians Killed and 10 Wounded, Infrastructure Destroyed
Palestinian factions call for swapping 3 captive soldiers
Israeli attack kills 20 fleeing civilians
Britain to send two ships to Middle East
Israel kills 32 civilians, including 15 children, in air strikes
Arab League: Mideast peace 'dead'
Sadr hints at attacks over Israel actions
Ex-CIA blogger: Israel takes 'stupid pill'
Fleeing Lebanon villagers caught in Israeli inferno
EU: Israeli use of force 'disproportionate'
US plans $A280m jet fuel sale to Israel
Look who's been kidnapped!
'Israel Has Reached the End of the Road'
Road Block Removed in Izbat Tabib
A most unnecessary war
Man, a 7-month old baby, and one youth killed in Israeli air strikes in Gaza, Dir Al Balah
Israeli missiles hit house in Gaza
IOF Offensive Continues in Gaza: 3 Palestinians Killed and 10 Wounded, Infrastructure Destroyed
Palestinian factions call for swapping 3 captive soldiers
Israeli attack kills 20 fleeing civilians
Britain to send two ships to Middle East
Israel kills 32 civilians, including 15 children, in air strikes
What they want is the head of the resistance movement
Talal Salman, As-Safir (Beirut)
"It's war again. As in the past, it's an Israeli war in terms of the men and material; a joint Israeli-American war in terms of its declared and implied political aims. We must prepare for a long, bitter, and costly confrontation because the first aim of the war is to change the rules of the game radically in Lebanon, for starters, then in its neighbor Palestine, then in the rogue state Syria and rebellious Iran."
"The real reason for the war is the presence of the resistance, and then its influential role, not only on Lebanese politics, but on the Arab level in general and the Palestinian level in particular."
"And in order for this American goal to be achieved, the resistance must fold its banners and withdraw from its land (Israel has already specified that it should be pushed 20km away from the borders) leaving the sovereignty, independence, and unity of Lebanon in the protective care of Resolution 1559 and the Israeli Defense Forces -- who are so well known for their total commitment to and meticulous observance of all United Nations resolutions."
"This is why the Israelis, and then the Americans, have emphasized what they call the responsibility of the Lebanese government for this war and the need for Lebanon to take matters in hand. In other words, they want to put the Lebanese government in the position of confronting the resistance and thereby transform the war into a civil conflict."
"The aim is a joint American-Israeli one. And the war is a joint American-Israeli one. What they want is the head of the resistance movement, that successful example of the ability to win, that beacon whose rays reached all four corners of the Arab land, and even beyond to the neighboring areas, most of which are Islamic and are also looking for their way into the future."
"It's war. The enemy has imposed it. But the potential for steadfastness is present. The resistance is there, confronting the enemy with the efficiency that we have come to trust. So, steady on."
"It's war again. As in the past, it's an Israeli war in terms of the men and material; a joint Israeli-American war in terms of its declared and implied political aims. We must prepare for a long, bitter, and costly confrontation because the first aim of the war is to change the rules of the game radically in Lebanon, for starters, then in its neighbor Palestine, then in the rogue state Syria and rebellious Iran."
"The real reason for the war is the presence of the resistance, and then its influential role, not only on Lebanese politics, but on the Arab level in general and the Palestinian level in particular."
"And in order for this American goal to be achieved, the resistance must fold its banners and withdraw from its land (Israel has already specified that it should be pushed 20km away from the borders) leaving the sovereignty, independence, and unity of Lebanon in the protective care of Resolution 1559 and the Israeli Defense Forces -- who are so well known for their total commitment to and meticulous observance of all United Nations resolutions."
"This is why the Israelis, and then the Americans, have emphasized what they call the responsibility of the Lebanese government for this war and the need for Lebanon to take matters in hand. In other words, they want to put the Lebanese government in the position of confronting the resistance and thereby transform the war into a civil conflict."
"The aim is a joint American-Israeli one. And the war is a joint American-Israeli one. What they want is the head of the resistance movement, that successful example of the ability to win, that beacon whose rays reached all four corners of the Arab land, and even beyond to the neighboring areas, most of which are Islamic and are also looking for their way into the future."
"It's war. The enemy has imposed it. But the potential for steadfastness is present. The resistance is there, confronting the enemy with the efficiency that we have come to trust. So, steady on."
What Does Israel Want?
Ilan Pappe, The Electronic Intifada
"And yet, the Israeli army’s main vision for the battlefield is today still that of ‘shock and awe’ rather than chasing snipers, suicide bombers and political activists. The ‘low intensity’ war questions the invincibility of the army and erodes its capability to engage in a ‘real’ war. More important than anything else, it does not allow Israel to impose unilaterally its vision over the land of Palestine – a de-Arabized land mostly in Jewish hands. Most of the Arab regimes have been complacent and weak enough to allow the Israelis to pursue their policies, apart from Syria and Hizballah in Lebanon. They have to be neutralized if Israeli unileteralism is to succeed. "
"It can still deteriorate into a full scale war with the hapless army of Syria and my ex-students may even push by provocative actions towards such an eventuality. And, if you believe what you read in the local press here, it may even escalate into a long distance war with Iran, backed by a supreme American umbrella. "
"Even the most partial reports in the Israeli press of what was proposed by the army to Ehud Olmert’s government as possible operations in the coming days, indicate clearly what enthuses the Israeli generals these days. Nothing less that a total destruction of Lebanon, Syria and Tehran. "
"And yet, the Israeli army’s main vision for the battlefield is today still that of ‘shock and awe’ rather than chasing snipers, suicide bombers and political activists. The ‘low intensity’ war questions the invincibility of the army and erodes its capability to engage in a ‘real’ war. More important than anything else, it does not allow Israel to impose unilaterally its vision over the land of Palestine – a de-Arabized land mostly in Jewish hands. Most of the Arab regimes have been complacent and weak enough to allow the Israelis to pursue their policies, apart from Syria and Hizballah in Lebanon. They have to be neutralized if Israeli unileteralism is to succeed. "
"It can still deteriorate into a full scale war with the hapless army of Syria and my ex-students may even push by provocative actions towards such an eventuality. And, if you believe what you read in the local press here, it may even escalate into a long distance war with Iran, backed by a supreme American umbrella. "
"Even the most partial reports in the Israeli press of what was proposed by the army to Ehud Olmert’s government as possible operations in the coming days, indicate clearly what enthuses the Israeli generals these days. Nothing less that a total destruction of Lebanon, Syria and Tehran. "
ممنوع ذكر القضية الفلسطينية في إعلام العراق المحتل
ممنوع ذكر القضية الفلسطينية في إعلام العراق المحتل
هيفاء زنكنة
نلاحظ من تغطية اجهزة الاعلام المذكورة لخبر العدوان الاسرائيلي علي الشعب الفلسطيني في غزة والغارات الهمجية علي الشعب اللبناني، انها جميعا بلا استثناء لم تكتب رأيا عن الحدث المهم الذي دفع العديد من الصحف العالمية الي تكريس صفحات الرأي للبحث في نتائجه. كما انها جميعا نقلت اخبارها مترجمة من وكالات اجنبية، مستعيرة صوت الآخر للكتابة عن واحدة من اكثر القضايا العربية والاسلامية مساسا بحياتنا. خشية ان تتجاوز خطوط الاحتلال الامريكي الحمراء التي تنص صراحة الا مكان في الاعلام الرسمي المتلقي للدعم المادي من المؤسسات الامريكية، خاصة، للقضية الفلسطينية. ظنا منها بانها ستنجح في اخفاء حقيقة الاحتلال وبربريته وجرائمه تحت رداء الحياد الصحافي. في الوقت الذي بات من المعروف، اعلاميا، بان البحث عن الحقيقة لايعرف حيادا. وان جرائم الاحتلال البشعة لاتعرف الحياد.
هيفاء زنكنة
نلاحظ من تغطية اجهزة الاعلام المذكورة لخبر العدوان الاسرائيلي علي الشعب الفلسطيني في غزة والغارات الهمجية علي الشعب اللبناني، انها جميعا بلا استثناء لم تكتب رأيا عن الحدث المهم الذي دفع العديد من الصحف العالمية الي تكريس صفحات الرأي للبحث في نتائجه. كما انها جميعا نقلت اخبارها مترجمة من وكالات اجنبية، مستعيرة صوت الآخر للكتابة عن واحدة من اكثر القضايا العربية والاسلامية مساسا بحياتنا. خشية ان تتجاوز خطوط الاحتلال الامريكي الحمراء التي تنص صراحة الا مكان في الاعلام الرسمي المتلقي للدعم المادي من المؤسسات الامريكية، خاصة، للقضية الفلسطينية. ظنا منها بانها ستنجح في اخفاء حقيقة الاحتلال وبربريته وجرائمه تحت رداء الحياد الصحافي. في الوقت الذي بات من المعروف، اعلاميا، بان البحث عن الحقيقة لايعرف حيادا. وان جرائم الاحتلال البشعة لاتعرف الحياد.
PHASE II OF "CLEAN BREAK?"
A Clean Break:A New Strategy for Securing the Realm
"Israel can shape its strategic environment, in cooperation with Turkey and Jordan, by weakening, containing, and even rolling back Syria. This effort can focus on removing Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq — an important Israeli strategic objective in its own right"
"Since Iraq's future could affect the strategic balance in the Middle East profoundly, it would be understandable that Israel has an interest in supporting the Hashemites in their efforts to redefine Iraq"
" Were the Hashemites to control Iraq, they could use their influence over Najf to help Israel wean the south Lebanese Shia away from Hizballah, Iran, and Syria. "
"Israel has a chance to forge a new relationship between itself and the Palestinians. First and foremost, Israel’s efforts to secure its streets may require hot pursuit into Palestinian-controlled areas, a justifiable practice with which Americans can sympathize."
"To anticipate U.S. reactions and plan ways to manage and constrain those reactions, Prime Minister Netanyahu can formulate the policies and stress themes he favors in language familiar to the Americans by tapping into themes of American administrations during the Cold War which apply well to Israel"
"Israel can shape its strategic environment, in cooperation with Turkey and Jordan, by weakening, containing, and even rolling back Syria. This effort can focus on removing Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq — an important Israeli strategic objective in its own right"
"Since Iraq's future could affect the strategic balance in the Middle East profoundly, it would be understandable that Israel has an interest in supporting the Hashemites in their efforts to redefine Iraq"
" Were the Hashemites to control Iraq, they could use their influence over Najf to help Israel wean the south Lebanese Shia away from Hizballah, Iran, and Syria. "
"Israel has a chance to forge a new relationship between itself and the Palestinians. First and foremost, Israel’s efforts to secure its streets may require hot pursuit into Palestinian-controlled areas, a justifiable practice with which Americans can sympathize."
"To anticipate U.S. reactions and plan ways to manage and constrain those reactions, Prime Minister Netanyahu can formulate the policies and stress themes he favors in language familiar to the Americans by tapping into themes of American administrations during the Cold War which apply well to Israel"
If They Had Democratic Arab Governments
This is a remarkable on-line poll by Al-Jazeera. In light of the coordinated statements by Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan that Hizbollah's confrontation with Israel is a reckless and irresponsible adventure that is "hurting the Arab cause," the question is posed as to whether this is true or that the confrontation is legitimate resistance. 91% of the 13,627 who took part said that it was legitimate resistance.
The chasm between the Arab people and their dictators has never been greater.
هل ترى في مواجهة حزب الله مع إسرائيل؟
مغامرة غير محسوبة
9.0%
مقاومة مشروعة
91.0%
إجمالي المصوتين
13627
نتيجة التصويت لا تعبر عن رأي الجزيرة وإنما تعبر عن رأي الأعضاء المشاركين فيه.
The chasm between the Arab people and their dictators has never been greater.
هل ترى في مواجهة حزب الله مع إسرائيل؟
مغامرة غير محسوبة
9.0%
مقاومة مشروعة
91.0%
إجمالي المصوتين
13627
نتيجة التصويت لا تعبر عن رأي الجزيرة وإنما تعبر عن رأي الأعضاء المشاركين فيه.
Friday, July 14, 2006
Viva Chavez
Chavez: U.S. support for Israel will end in a 'Holocaust'
By Haaretz Service and News Agencies
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Friday that U.S. backing of Israel is responsible for flaming tensions in the Middle East and putting the world on course toward another "Holocaust.""The fundamental blame falls again on the U.S. empire. It's the empire that armed and supported the abuses of the Israeli elite, which has invaded, abused and defied the United Nations for a long time," Chavez said in a speech during a military act in Caracas."I'll seize this opportunity to condemn categorically and fully the aggression that the Israeli elite is carrying out against innocents over there in the Middle East," he said.
By Haaretz Service and News Agencies
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Friday that U.S. backing of Israel is responsible for flaming tensions in the Middle East and putting the world on course toward another "Holocaust.""The fundamental blame falls again on the U.S. empire. It's the empire that armed and supported the abuses of the Israeli elite, which has invaded, abused and defied the United Nations for a long time," Chavez said in a speech during a military act in Caracas."I'll seize this opportunity to condemn categorically and fully the aggression that the Israeli elite is carrying out against innocents over there in the Middle East," he said.
Israel's monstrous legacy brings tumult a step closer
By David Hirst
"Lebanese apart, many Arabs, especially Islamists, are applauding Hizbullah's act, bring what it may - and none more so than its chief intended beneficiaries, the Palestinians, especially those doing battle in Gaza. As for its target, Israel, there could hardly be a more apt example of a nation reaping what it has sown. Israel took 18 years to extricate itself from the Lebanon morass - and only then at the price of leaving in place a triumphant Hizbullah of which, along with Iran and Syria, it justly ranks as a co-founder. Even as, on its new Gaza front, it is likewise turning Hamas and other Islamists into more formidable future foes than they already are, it suddenly finds itself confronted, in alarming and maddening fashion, with this monstrous legacy of an old one."
"Lebanese apart, many Arabs, especially Islamists, are applauding Hizbullah's act, bring what it may - and none more so than its chief intended beneficiaries, the Palestinians, especially those doing battle in Gaza. As for its target, Israel, there could hardly be a more apt example of a nation reaping what it has sown. Israel took 18 years to extricate itself from the Lebanon morass - and only then at the price of leaving in place a triumphant Hizbullah of which, along with Iran and Syria, it justly ranks as a co-founder. Even as, on its new Gaza front, it is likewise turning Hamas and other Islamists into more formidable future foes than they already are, it suddenly finds itself confronted, in alarming and maddening fashion, with this monstrous legacy of an old one."
تبرير عربي للعدوان علي لبنان
عبد الباري عطوان
المقاومة اللبنانية، وأيا كانت اجندتها، اقدمت علي عمل مشرف لم تقدم عليه اي حكومة عربية، خاصة تلك التي انفقت مئات المليارات من
الدولارات علي تسليح جيوشها بأحدث الاسلحة الامريكية والبريطانية، عندما هرعت لنجدة المحاصرين المجوعين المذبوحين في قطاع غزة.هذه المقاومة التي يتزعمها حزب الله وتعتبرها بعض الدول العربية غير شرعية وتصف عملياتها الفدائية بالمغامرات غير المسؤولة هي التي قصفت حيفا ونهاريا وعكا بالصواريخ وهو ما لم تجرؤ عليه اي حكومة او اي زعيم عربي.
المقاومة اللبنانية، وأيا كانت اجندتها، اقدمت علي عمل مشرف لم تقدم عليه اي حكومة عربية، خاصة تلك التي انفقت مئات المليارات من
الدولارات علي تسليح جيوشها بأحدث الاسلحة الامريكية والبريطانية، عندما هرعت لنجدة المحاصرين المجوعين المذبوحين في قطاع غزة.هذه المقاومة التي يتزعمها حزب الله وتعتبرها بعض الدول العربية غير شرعية وتصف عملياتها الفدائية بالمغامرات غير المسؤولة هي التي قصفت حيفا ونهاريا وعكا بالصواريخ وهو ما لم تجرؤ عليه اي حكومة او اي زعيم عربي.
"This is Going to Be A Big War"
by Dahr Jamail
"The fighting is everywhere, he tells me. Now that the U.S. military/Rumsfeld (who was just in Baghdad) and Khalilzad have declared war on the Shia Mehdi Army, accusing them of terrorism, all bets are off. Of course, the timing of this with Israelis attacks against Hezbollah couldn't be more perfect. Coincidence? "
"This is going to be a big war," Abu Talat tells me while we watch plumes of smoke billowing from locations within Lebanon, "This is even more important for us to cover than Iraq, and you know how much I love Iraq."
"The fighting is everywhere, he tells me. Now that the U.S. military/Rumsfeld (who was just in Baghdad) and Khalilzad have declared war on the Shia Mehdi Army, accusing them of terrorism, all bets are off. Of course, the timing of this with Israelis attacks against Hezbollah couldn't be more perfect. Coincidence? "
"This is going to be a big war," Abu Talat tells me while we watch plumes of smoke billowing from locations within Lebanon, "This is even more important for us to cover than Iraq, and you know how much I love Iraq."
BLASTING THE GHETTO WALL
Palestinians forcibly open Egypt-Gaza border gate
Palestinian militants forced open a border gate between Egypt and Gaza on Friday, wounding an Egyptian officer before letting hundreds of people who had been trapped on the Egyptian side of the border to get into Gaza.
Chomsky on the Current Invasion
NOAM CHOMSKY: Well, of course, I have no inside information, other than what's available to you and listeners. What's happening in Gaza, to start with that -- well, basically the current stage of what's going on -- there's a lot more -- begins with the Hamas election, back the end of January. Israel and the United States at once announced that they were going to punish the people of Palestine for voting the wrong way in a free election. And the punishment has been severe.
At the same time, it's partly in Gaza, and sort of hidden in a way, but even more extreme in the West Bank, where Olmert announced his annexation program, what’s euphemistically called “convergence” and described here often as a “withdrawal,” but in fact it’s a formalization of the program of annexing the valuable lands, most of the resources, including water, of the West Bank and cantonizing the rest and imprisoning it, since he also announced that Israel would take over the Jordan Valley. Well, that proceeds without extreme violence or nothing much said about it.
Gaza, itself, the latest phase, began on June 24. It was when Israel abducted two Gaza civilians, a doctor and his brother. We don't know their names. You don’t know the names of victims. They were taken to Israel, presumably, and nobody knows their fate. The next day, something happened, which we do know about, a lot. Militants in Gaza, probably Islamic Jihad, abducted an Israeli soldier across the border. That’s Corporal Gilad Shalit. And that's well known; first abduction is not. Then followed the escalation of Israeli attacks on Gaza, which I don’t have to repeat. It’s reported on adequately.
The next stage was Hezbollah's abduction of two Israeli soldiers, they say on the border. Their official reason for this is that they are aiming for prisoner release. There are a few, nobody knows how many. Officially, there are three Lebanese prisoners in Israel. There's allegedly a couple hundred people missing. Who knows where they are?
But the real reason, I think it's generally agreed by analysts, is that -- I’ll read from the Financial Times, which happens to be right in front of me. “The timing and scale of its attack suggest it was partly intended to reduce the pressure on Palestinians by forcing Israel to fight on two fronts simultaneously.” David Hearst, who knows this area well, describes it, I think this morning, as a display of solidarity with suffering people, the clinching impulse.
It's a very -- mind you -- very irresponsible act. It subjects Lebanese to possible -- certainly to plenty of terror and possible extreme disaster. Whether it can achieve any result, either in the secondary question of freeing prisoners or the primary question of some form of solidarity with the people of Gaza, I hope so, but I wouldn't rank the probabilities very high.
Click the title to read the rest
At the same time, it's partly in Gaza, and sort of hidden in a way, but even more extreme in the West Bank, where Olmert announced his annexation program, what’s euphemistically called “convergence” and described here often as a “withdrawal,” but in fact it’s a formalization of the program of annexing the valuable lands, most of the resources, including water, of the West Bank and cantonizing the rest and imprisoning it, since he also announced that Israel would take over the Jordan Valley. Well, that proceeds without extreme violence or nothing much said about it.
Gaza, itself, the latest phase, began on June 24. It was when Israel abducted two Gaza civilians, a doctor and his brother. We don't know their names. You don’t know the names of victims. They were taken to Israel, presumably, and nobody knows their fate. The next day, something happened, which we do know about, a lot. Militants in Gaza, probably Islamic Jihad, abducted an Israeli soldier across the border. That’s Corporal Gilad Shalit. And that's well known; first abduction is not. Then followed the escalation of Israeli attacks on Gaza, which I don’t have to repeat. It’s reported on adequately.
The next stage was Hezbollah's abduction of two Israeli soldiers, they say on the border. Their official reason for this is that they are aiming for prisoner release. There are a few, nobody knows how many. Officially, there are three Lebanese prisoners in Israel. There's allegedly a couple hundred people missing. Who knows where they are?
But the real reason, I think it's generally agreed by analysts, is that -- I’ll read from the Financial Times, which happens to be right in front of me. “The timing and scale of its attack suggest it was partly intended to reduce the pressure on Palestinians by forcing Israel to fight on two fronts simultaneously.” David Hearst, who knows this area well, describes it, I think this morning, as a display of solidarity with suffering people, the clinching impulse.
It's a very -- mind you -- very irresponsible act. It subjects Lebanese to possible -- certainly to plenty of terror and possible extreme disaster. Whether it can achieve any result, either in the secondary question of freeing prisoners or the primary question of some form of solidarity with the people of Gaza, I hope so, but I wouldn't rank the probabilities very high.
Click the title to read the rest
ISRAELI PLAN: ARABS, ON YOUR KNEES
Olmert to Annan: Operation will end after Hezbollah is disarmed
Israel will not end its military operation in Lebanon until the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559, which calls for disarming Hezbollah and deploying the Lebanese army in southern Lebanon, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Friday.
Israel will not end its military operation in Lebanon until the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559, which calls for disarming Hezbollah and deploying the Lebanese army in southern Lebanon, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Friday.
Israel Crosses the Line
By Justin Raimondo
"The United States is giving what appears to be unconditional support to phase two of the "Clean Break" plan, targeting Syria and Iran, albeit while cautioning the Israelis on Lebanon.
The Israelis, outraged by what they regard as foot-dragging in Washington, are forcing Uncle Sam's hand. If we won't fire the first shots of World War IV, then they are perfectly willing to do so – confident that we'll follow them blindly into the maelstrom.
As both parties fall into lockstep behind the Lobby, and American power and prestige are once again harnessed to Israeli interests, there is little hope that Congress will step into the breach and stop our headlong plunge into World War IV. Nor do any of the likely presidential candidates seem willing to take on the War Party when the question of war and peace is put in terms of Israel's interests – or, as the Lobby would have it, the Jewish state'scontinued survival. Here is a war they can sell by confronting critics with a simple question: What are you? some kind of anti-Semite?"
"The United States is giving what appears to be unconditional support to phase two of the "Clean Break" plan, targeting Syria and Iran, albeit while cautioning the Israelis on Lebanon.
The Israelis, outraged by what they regard as foot-dragging in Washington, are forcing Uncle Sam's hand. If we won't fire the first shots of World War IV, then they are perfectly willing to do so – confident that we'll follow them blindly into the maelstrom.
As both parties fall into lockstep behind the Lobby, and American power and prestige are once again harnessed to Israeli interests, there is little hope that Congress will step into the breach and stop our headlong plunge into World War IV. Nor do any of the likely presidential candidates seem willing to take on the War Party when the question of war and peace is put in terms of Israel's interests – or, as the Lobby would have it, the Jewish state'scontinued survival. Here is a war they can sell by confronting critics with a simple question: What are you? some kind of anti-Semite?"
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Isarelis target "terrorists" in Lebanon
My friends and family are going to tell me that this picture is morbid. It is. People should see what their tax dollars are paying for.
Lebanese citizens carry the body of a young girl who was killed after Israeli forces targeted a house in the village of Dweir near Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, Thursday, July 13, 2006. Israeli forces intensified their attacks in Lebanon Thursday, with airstrikes that blasted the country's only international airport and the Hezbollah TV station in what was Israel's heaviest air campaign against Lebanon for 24 years. The Israeli attacks in south Lebanon alone killed 26 civilians and wounded dozens more. A family of 10 and another family of seven were killed in their homes in the village of Dweir, the officials said. (AP Photo/Samer Wehbi)
Are they joking? Is this the way war criminals joke around?
According to Human Rights Watch, Gaza is one of the most densely populated areas in the world. Hmmm, but Israel keeps bombing this very densely populated area. And they keep killing kids there! Over 30 kids have been killed in this densely populated area in the last two weeks alone.
"Flechettes may not be banned outright, but they should never be used in areas where there are large numbers of civilians. The Israeli Army doesn't use them in the West Bank because of potential risks to civilians. It makes no sense to keep using them in Gaza, one of the most densely-populated areas on earth."
So Christian Sunni is really confused. Because today, the Israeli Prime Minister's office said this: "Those who fire into a densely populated area will pay heavy price"
Can you see why I am so confused?
"Flechettes may not be banned outright, but they should never be used in areas where there are large numbers of civilians. The Israeli Army doesn't use them in the West Bank because of potential risks to civilians. It makes no sense to keep using them in Gaza, one of the most densely-populated areas on earth."
So Christian Sunni is really confused. Because today, the Israeli Prime Minister's office said this: "Those who fire into a densely populated area will pay heavy price"
Can you see why I am so confused?
News from Palestine
Israeli Attacks Kills Women and Children
23 killed in Israeli attack on Gaza
Gaza Report In Pictures
Racism, Not Ignorance, Plagues the Media Covering Palestine
Evangelicals to push for more support for Israel
Report: Abbas threatens to resign
End this punishment of the Palestinians
Israeli use of poisonous material alleged
The Influence of Israel and its American Lobby over US Middle East Policy
Yesha rabbis call for 'extermination of the enemy'
23 killed in Israeli attack on Gaza
Gaza Report In Pictures
Racism, Not Ignorance, Plagues the Media Covering Palestine
Evangelicals to push for more support for Israel
Report: Abbas threatens to resign
End this punishment of the Palestinians
Israeli use of poisonous material alleged
The Influence of Israel and its American Lobby over US Middle East Policy
Yesha rabbis call for 'extermination of the enemy'
Iran warns of 'fierce response' should Israel strike at Syria
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Thursday an Israeli strike on Syria would be considered an attack on the whole Islamic world that would bring a "fierce response", state television reported.
Nasser Aruri Interview on Democracy Now
AMY GOODMAN: We're joined on the phone right now by Naseer Aruri, Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, author of the book, Dishonest Broker: America's Role in Israel and Palestine. And on the phone with us from Tel Aviv, we're joined by Uri Avnery, a well known Israeli peace activist. Naseer Aruri, your response to what's happening both in Gaza and now in Lebanon?
NASEER ARURI: Well, I think we can take the two situations as actually -- as an opportunity, I think, for Israel to reshape the strategic landscape in the region. I think that the Israeli invasion of Gaza and the incursion into Lebanon, which you just described very well, are considerably the product of the same strategic goals. And I would mention two main goals.
One is to forestall a diplomatic solution based on two states, for which Hamas has been more than ready. I think Hamas has really been on record since it was elected, in interviews with the Israeli press, that it is ready to accept a two-state solution. If that was not given explicitly, certainly it was made implicit. And two days ago, Ismail Haniyeh, the prime minister from Hamas, launched a peace offensive in an op-ed in the Washington Post. So it was made really very clear. And it seems that whenever Israel is threatened with a ceasefire or a peace offensive, it bombs its way out of a diplomatic settlement. I mean, the question of Hamas not accepting Israel is certainly not a valid one. So this is the first strategic goal that Israel would hope to realize.
And the second one, I think, is to try to realize objectives that remain unfulfilled since the ’82 invasion and made worse since 2000, since Israel withdrew from Lebanon. What I have in mind is that in 1982 the Israeli invasion of Lebanon carried three major objectives. One is to foreclose on the option of a Palestinian state, because I think the PLO came to be seen in Lebanon as a state in formation, a state in waiting. That's one. The second objective of 1982 was to redraw the map, the political map, of Lebanon in such a way that it would bring the rightwing Phalange, Israel's allies, into power. And the third one is to reduce Syria's influence to manageable proportion.
Well, if you look at the situation now, we find that only the first one was realized, not really realized -- I should say, postponed -- and that is the foreclosure on the option of a Palestinian state. It is still a state in waiting. So Israel calculates now that it has a chance, an opportunity to reshape the strategic landscape and to realize objectives that remain there pending, but not realized.
NASEER ARURI: Well, I think we can take the two situations as actually -- as an opportunity, I think, for Israel to reshape the strategic landscape in the region. I think that the Israeli invasion of Gaza and the incursion into Lebanon, which you just described very well, are considerably the product of the same strategic goals. And I would mention two main goals.
One is to forestall a diplomatic solution based on two states, for which Hamas has been more than ready. I think Hamas has really been on record since it was elected, in interviews with the Israeli press, that it is ready to accept a two-state solution. If that was not given explicitly, certainly it was made implicit. And two days ago, Ismail Haniyeh, the prime minister from Hamas, launched a peace offensive in an op-ed in the Washington Post. So it was made really very clear. And it seems that whenever Israel is threatened with a ceasefire or a peace offensive, it bombs its way out of a diplomatic settlement. I mean, the question of Hamas not accepting Israel is certainly not a valid one. So this is the first strategic goal that Israel would hope to realize.
And the second one, I think, is to try to realize objectives that remain unfulfilled since the ’82 invasion and made worse since 2000, since Israel withdrew from Lebanon. What I have in mind is that in 1982 the Israeli invasion of Lebanon carried three major objectives. One is to foreclose on the option of a Palestinian state, because I think the PLO came to be seen in Lebanon as a state in formation, a state in waiting. That's one. The second objective of 1982 was to redraw the map, the political map, of Lebanon in such a way that it would bring the rightwing Phalange, Israel's allies, into power. And the third one is to reduce Syria's influence to manageable proportion.
Well, if you look at the situation now, we find that only the first one was realized, not really realized -- I should say, postponed -- and that is the foreclosure on the option of a Palestinian state. It is still a state in waiting. So Israel calculates now that it has a chance, an opportunity to reshape the strategic landscape and to realize objectives that remain there pending, but not realized.
What Are They Fighting For
By Prof. Tanya Reinhart
The Israeli army is hungry for war. It would not let concerns for captive soldiers stand in its way. Since 2002 the army has argued that an “operation” along the lines of “Defensive Shield” in Jenin was also necessary in Gaza. Exactly a year ago, on 15 July (before the Disengagement), the army concentrated forces on the border of the Strip for an offensive of this scale on Gaza. But then the USA imposed a veto. Rice arrived for an emergency visit that was described as acrimonious and stormy, and the army was forced to back down (3). Now, the time has finally came. With the Islamophobia of the American Administration at a high point, it appears that the USA is prepared to authorize such an operation, on condition that it not provoke a global outcry with excessively-reported attacks on civilians.(4)
The Israeli army is hungry for war. It would not let concerns for captive soldiers stand in its way. Since 2002 the army has argued that an “operation” along the lines of “Defensive Shield” in Jenin was also necessary in Gaza. Exactly a year ago, on 15 July (before the Disengagement), the army concentrated forces on the border of the Strip for an offensive of this scale on Gaza. But then the USA imposed a veto. Rice arrived for an emergency visit that was described as acrimonious and stormy, and the army was forced to back down (3). Now, the time has finally came. With the Islamophobia of the American Administration at a high point, it appears that the USA is prepared to authorize such an operation, on condition that it not provoke a global outcry with excessively-reported attacks on civilians.(4)
"Christian" group to advocate more support for Israel
More than 3,000 pro-Israel evangelical Christians will be in town next week for a "Washington/Israel summit" to push the Bush administration toward stronger support for the Jewish state. Starting with a banquet July 18 at the Hilton Washington and visits to Capitol Hill the next morning, the inaugural gathering of Christians United for Israel (CUFI) will showcase a deeper cooperation between evangelical Christians and Jews in the face of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's suggestion in October, often reiterated since, that Israel "be wiped off the map."
American Policy in Middle East Caught In "A Perfect Storm"
by Rupert Cornwell
the Independent
Rarely can United States policy in the Middle East have been in such disarray as now.
the Independent
Rarely can United States policy in the Middle East have been in such disarray as now.
حزب الله: لن نفرج عن الجنديين الصهيوني إلا بتبادل أسرى
وجاء في بيان صادر عن حزب الله :"أن اسر الجنديين تم في تمام الساعة التاسعة وخمس دقائق بتوقيت بيروت, وأن أسر الجنديين جاء لتأمين إطلاق سراح الأسرى الفلسطينيين،واللبنانيين والعرب داخل السجون الصهيونية وأكدت أنه تم نقل الجنديين إلى مكان آمن".
الوعد الصادق
وقال حزب الله في بيانه :"إن العملية تأتي تنفيذاً للوعد الذي قطعته المقاومة على نفسها بتحرير الاسرى والمعتقلين الفلسطينيين واللبنانيين والعرب داخل السجون الصهيونية".
الوعد الصادق
وقال حزب الله في بيانه :"إن العملية تأتي تنفيذاً للوعد الذي قطعته المقاومة على نفسها بتحرير الاسرى والمعتقلين الفلسطينيين واللبنانيين والعرب داخل السجون الصهيونية".
Exclusive Uncensored Interview with Mordechai Vanunu
VIDEO: The Israelis have this very beautiful article about freedom and liberty but they want to destroy anyone who criticizes them for revealing the truth to the world. The world must look and see what kind of democracy Israel is when one speaks out the truth." - Mordechai Vanunu
DRAGGING IRAN INTO THE FIGHT
Israel: Hezbollah plans to move abducted IDF soldiers to Iran
Israel has concrete evidence that Hezbollah plans to transfer the two Israel Defense Forces soldiers abducted Wednesday to Iran, Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said Thursday.
Israel has concrete evidence that Hezbollah plans to transfer the two Israel Defense Forces soldiers abducted Wednesday to Iran, Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said Thursday.
Israeli use of poisonous material alleged
United Press Interntional
10 July 2006
http://www.upi.com/InternationalIntelligence/view.php?
StoryID=20060710-081624-7700r
GAZA, July 10 (UPI) -- The Palestinian health ministry
accused Israel of using a new type of banned explosives
containing poisonous material.
A ministry report released Monday said testimonies from
surgeons in Palestinian hospitals indicated that "all 249
casualties inflicted by the Israeli war machine during the
operation on Gaza which started on June 27 resulted from
shrapnel of new and developed shells and explosives which
cause amputation of limbs and burning of all the injured
parts."
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
"حماس" تدعو "حزب الله" إلى صفقةٍ فلسطينيّة لبنانيّة موحّدة لتبادل الأسرى
باركت حركة المقاومة الإسلاميّة "حماس" عمليّة "حزب الله" في جنوب لبنان، التي نفّذتها صباح اليوم الأربعاء (12/7)، ودعت بهذه المناسبة إلى صفقة موحّدة لتبادل الأسرى مع الكيان الصهيونيّ.
ودعتْ "حماس" خلال بيانها "حزب الله" إلى استثمار أسْر الجنديّيْن الصهيونيين في إطار صفقة فلسطينية–لبنانية شاملة وموحّدة لتبادل الأسرى، وقالت: "آنَ الأوان لصفقةٍ جدّية وحقيقية تنهي معاناة الكثير من إخواننا وأبنائنا الأسرى الفلسطينيين والعرب في سجون الاحتلال الصهيوني".
ودعتْ "حماس" خلال بيانها "حزب الله" إلى استثمار أسْر الجنديّيْن الصهيونيين في إطار صفقة فلسطينية–لبنانية شاملة وموحّدة لتبادل الأسرى، وقالت: "آنَ الأوان لصفقةٍ جدّية وحقيقية تنهي معاناة الكثير من إخواننا وأبنائنا الأسرى الفلسطينيين والعرب في سجون الاحتلال الصهيوني".
HERE ARE THE MARCHING ORDERS FOR ABBAS
THIS ARTICLE IS A BOMBSHELL!
Too Confused to Surrender
By Dennis Ross
Jerusalem Post, July 2, 2006
"From Palestinians I am speaking with—admittedly part of Fatah—the arrests of Hamas governmental and elected officials has had a shock effect on at least the internal Hamas. It is reeling right now. Many around Abbas believe that it is possible that a new government without Hamas in it will emerge out of this crisis. "
"For the near term, that argues for keeping them off balance and under pressure. Israel certainly should continue to weaken Hamas’s infrastructure. At the same time, Abbas should be encouraged to assume his role of responsibility for the well-being of the Palestinian public, emphasizing that Hamas and its external patrons, like the Syrians, must stop treating the Palestinian people as pawns and making them suffer. "
"For the longer term, there needs to be a strategy for altering the basic ground rules, and here Egypt and Jordan can play an important role. Collectively they need to work on Abbas to appoint an emergency government without Hamas or Fatah officials in it and to decide, finally, to create a professional security force that is led by a real commander who has his backing and blessing.
All the talk of restructuring never happened; a professional to run the force was never put in charge.
In current circumstances, Abbas—with Egyptian and Jordanian urging—might finally see that he has no choice but to act in this way. With international financing and backing, a new, professional security force could be constructed.
Even a force of 10,000 that acts professionally and is led by those who are committed to ensuring law and order would be sufficient—and the fact is that such a force could be constructed in time if Abbas acted decisively, picked the right leadership (read Dahlan) for it, entrusted them to fulfill this mandate and had the financing from the international community for it. "
"Interestingly, the Israeli defense establishment would also be supportive of such an initiative, seeing it as the only way to end chaos on the Palestinian side and to ensure that Hamas or al-Qaida don’t define the Palestinian future.
But one last element must also be put in place: In the aftermath of the crisis, a UN Security Council resolution should be adopted which declares that the Israeli occupation of Gaza is over and that all attacks and rocket fire out of Gaza against Israel must cease once and for all.
Israel left Gaza, and yet not for one day did the rocket fire into Israel cease. Without the Kassam rockets, there would not have been a train of events that produced the current crisis.
Even in terms of the Palestinian narrative, there is no conceivable justification for attacks out of Gaza once occupation had ended. If there is to be a more enduring basis for stability in Gaza when this crisis ends, the Security Council needs to adopt a resolution—much like it did after the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon—that delegitimizes all such attacks. And, assuming there is a new emergency Palestinian government without Hamas, the international community must also urgently provide a package of economic assistance to help this new government deliver. "
Too Confused to Surrender
By Dennis Ross
Jerusalem Post, July 2, 2006
"From Palestinians I am speaking with—admittedly part of Fatah—the arrests of Hamas governmental and elected officials has had a shock effect on at least the internal Hamas. It is reeling right now. Many around Abbas believe that it is possible that a new government without Hamas in it will emerge out of this crisis. "
"For the near term, that argues for keeping them off balance and under pressure. Israel certainly should continue to weaken Hamas’s infrastructure. At the same time, Abbas should be encouraged to assume his role of responsibility for the well-being of the Palestinian public, emphasizing that Hamas and its external patrons, like the Syrians, must stop treating the Palestinian people as pawns and making them suffer. "
"For the longer term, there needs to be a strategy for altering the basic ground rules, and here Egypt and Jordan can play an important role. Collectively they need to work on Abbas to appoint an emergency government without Hamas or Fatah officials in it and to decide, finally, to create a professional security force that is led by a real commander who has his backing and blessing.
All the talk of restructuring never happened; a professional to run the force was never put in charge.
In current circumstances, Abbas—with Egyptian and Jordanian urging—might finally see that he has no choice but to act in this way. With international financing and backing, a new, professional security force could be constructed.
Even a force of 10,000 that acts professionally and is led by those who are committed to ensuring law and order would be sufficient—and the fact is that such a force could be constructed in time if Abbas acted decisively, picked the right leadership (read Dahlan) for it, entrusted them to fulfill this mandate and had the financing from the international community for it. "
"Interestingly, the Israeli defense establishment would also be supportive of such an initiative, seeing it as the only way to end chaos on the Palestinian side and to ensure that Hamas or al-Qaida don’t define the Palestinian future.
But one last element must also be put in place: In the aftermath of the crisis, a UN Security Council resolution should be adopted which declares that the Israeli occupation of Gaza is over and that all attacks and rocket fire out of Gaza against Israel must cease once and for all.
Israel left Gaza, and yet not for one day did the rocket fire into Israel cease. Without the Kassam rockets, there would not have been a train of events that produced the current crisis.
Even in terms of the Palestinian narrative, there is no conceivable justification for attacks out of Gaza once occupation had ended. If there is to be a more enduring basis for stability in Gaza when this crisis ends, the Security Council needs to adopt a resolution—much like it did after the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon—that delegitimizes all such attacks. And, assuming there is a new emergency Palestinian government without Hamas, the international community must also urgently provide a package of economic assistance to help this new government deliver. "
Would You Trust This Toothless Laughing Cow?
Mubarak: Foreign elements thwarted likely prisoner swap deal
ANOTHER PALESTINIAN FAMILY OF NINE WIPED OUT
Israeli F-16 warplanes fired several missiles at a three-story building in the densely populated “Sheikh Radwan” neighborhood, a northern outskirt of Gaza city, killing nine members of the same family.
The victims include a professor at the Islamic University of Gaza, his wife and their seven children.
This is pretty basic but perhaps sums recent activity up
Many commentators have noted that the assault on Gaza occurred after Jewish settlers were removed and out of harm's way, and just as Fateh and Hamas had agreed on the terms of a document that, in effect, recognized Israel and suggested the possibility for renewed peace talks. It is not the first time that Israel has struck out to divert attention from diplomatic openings and forestall negotiations that would inevitably mean relinquishing territorial gains that it claims as its own.
Posted by Molly
Posted by Molly
ALL THE USUAL SUSPECTS LINE UP
Hezbollah strike draws int'l condemnation, calls for soldiers' release
"U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David C. Welch warned that the capture of the soldiers was "a very dangerous escalation" and demanded their release. He also accused Syria of impeding efforts to resolve Israeli-Palestinian tensions."
"This is a very dangerous but important moment, when the responsibilities of all those who are sincere about finding a path toward peace will be tested," said Welch, who was speaking from the Arab League's headquarters in Cairo"
"Syria, however, said that Israel had brought the attack on itself, by "provoking" the Palestinians and Lebanese."
---
I did not know that the U.S. was already part of the so-called Arab League.
"U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David C. Welch warned that the capture of the soldiers was "a very dangerous escalation" and demanded their release. He also accused Syria of impeding efforts to resolve Israeli-Palestinian tensions."
"This is a very dangerous but important moment, when the responsibilities of all those who are sincere about finding a path toward peace will be tested," said Welch, who was speaking from the Arab League's headquarters in Cairo"
"Syria, however, said that Israel had brought the attack on itself, by "provoking" the Palestinians and Lebanese."
---
I did not know that the U.S. was already part of the so-called Arab League.
THE WAY I SEE IT
By Tony Sayegh
There are several things that are related to each other and that are sending a certain message.
First, the tenacity of Hamas and its adamant refusal to release the Israeli prisoner of war without reciprocation by Israel, in the face of enormous pressure. Part of that pressure was applied on Syria and Israeli and American threats were delivered to Damascus. The Usraeli demands included expelling all Hamas leaders from Syria and even the capture of Mash'al (by Syria) and his delivery to Israel. John Bolton personally made some of these demands. Rumors floated that Syria was intimidated and that the Hamas leaders, including Mash'al, had already left Syria.
The shattering response came when Mash'al made his press conference in Damascus a couple of days ago. It was in a hotel (Four Seasons), in defiance to Israeli threats to kill him. In that press conference Mash'al was confident and he was unwavering in insisting on the demand of prisoners' exchange. It was obvious that Damascus was not giving in to pressure and was sticking by Hamas.
The other significant development was Iran's refusal to budge on the EU's demand to stop the enrichment process. Iran was acting from a position of strength. In addition, the Iranian president was the one defiant voice in support of the Palestinians and it was in sharp contrast to the deafening silence and cowardice of just about all Arab leaders. It may be just bluster, but Iran felt confident enough to at least bluster.
Now comes the attack by Hizbollah, the capture of two Israeli soldiers and killing of seven more. This was obviously a well planned operation and the timing was not an accident. Israel is responding with the same Nazi tactic that it is using in Gaza; the destruction of the infrastructure and punishing the Lebanese population in the south. Borrowing a page from the U.S. book, Israel relies on air power and maximum destruction to intimidate and to end the conflict on its terms. While this Israeli arrogance has worked with the Arab regimes in the past, it is not working against Hamas, and certainly will not work against Hizbollah.
The message is clear: if Usrael is planning to attack Syria and Iran, Hamas and Hizbollah are providing a preview of what it will be like, on a much larger scale. This will be a Fourth Generation War (4GW) like you have never seen. The alternative is for Usrael to get the message and to cut a deal with Iran and Syria. We have to always keep an eye on this potentiality.
There are several things that are related to each other and that are sending a certain message.
First, the tenacity of Hamas and its adamant refusal to release the Israeli prisoner of war without reciprocation by Israel, in the face of enormous pressure. Part of that pressure was applied on Syria and Israeli and American threats were delivered to Damascus. The Usraeli demands included expelling all Hamas leaders from Syria and even the capture of Mash'al (by Syria) and his delivery to Israel. John Bolton personally made some of these demands. Rumors floated that Syria was intimidated and that the Hamas leaders, including Mash'al, had already left Syria.
The shattering response came when Mash'al made his press conference in Damascus a couple of days ago. It was in a hotel (Four Seasons), in defiance to Israeli threats to kill him. In that press conference Mash'al was confident and he was unwavering in insisting on the demand of prisoners' exchange. It was obvious that Damascus was not giving in to pressure and was sticking by Hamas.
The other significant development was Iran's refusal to budge on the EU's demand to stop the enrichment process. Iran was acting from a position of strength. In addition, the Iranian president was the one defiant voice in support of the Palestinians and it was in sharp contrast to the deafening silence and cowardice of just about all Arab leaders. It may be just bluster, but Iran felt confident enough to at least bluster.
Now comes the attack by Hizbollah, the capture of two Israeli soldiers and killing of seven more. This was obviously a well planned operation and the timing was not an accident. Israel is responding with the same Nazi tactic that it is using in Gaza; the destruction of the infrastructure and punishing the Lebanese population in the south. Borrowing a page from the U.S. book, Israel relies on air power and maximum destruction to intimidate and to end the conflict on its terms. While this Israeli arrogance has worked with the Arab regimes in the past, it is not working against Hamas, and certainly will not work against Hizbollah.
The message is clear: if Usrael is planning to attack Syria and Iran, Hamas and Hizbollah are providing a preview of what it will be like, on a much larger scale. This will be a Fourth Generation War (4GW) like you have never seen. The alternative is for Usrael to get the message and to cut a deal with Iran and Syria. We have to always keep an eye on this potentiality.
American Policy: Better Hypocrisy Than Hamas
Better hypocrisy than Hamas
How many times has Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) failed to meet American expectations, how many times have they looked around in search of the next leader, "the real one" - and nonetheless stuck with him. They didn't do this out of love, nor out of hope, which had already faded. Abu Mazen, the president of the Palestinian Authority, is the default option. Without it there would remain only one of two options - chaos, or Hamas - which are respectively American policy's two most bitter fears today. Therefore the Americans will protect the leader everyone already agrees is incapable of providing any goods.
How many times has Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) failed to meet American expectations, how many times have they looked around in search of the next leader, "the real one" - and nonetheless stuck with him. They didn't do this out of love, nor out of hope, which had already faded. Abu Mazen, the president of the Palestinian Authority, is the default option. Without it there would remain only one of two options - chaos, or Hamas - which are respectively American policy's two most bitter fears today. Therefore the Americans will protect the leader everyone already agrees is incapable of providing any goods.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Mother, 4 children killed in strike; IDF cuts Gaza in half
A mother and four children were among the dead and at least 24 people were wounded, hospital officials said.
A spokesman for Iz al-Din al-Qassam, Hamas' military wing, denied Def had been wounded. Abu Ubaida, a spokesman for the Qassam brigades, said: "This is totally incorrect. We deny it. We deny it completely. This is only a cover-up for the massacre of Palestinian civilians committed by the Zionist enemy."
A spokesman for Iz al-Din al-Qassam, Hamas' military wing, denied Def had been wounded. Abu Ubaida, a spokesman for the Qassam brigades, said: "This is totally incorrect. We deny it. We deny it completely. This is only a cover-up for the massacre of Palestinian civilians committed by the Zionist enemy."
وين النخوة يا عرب؟
وين النخوة يا عرب؟
بقلم : الأسير رأفت ناصيف
أين نخوة العرب استفهام وتعجب؟! أين الملاين ؟ سؤال مع كل قطرة دم تسال على أرض القطاع... ألا يرى العرب ما يجري على أرض فلسطين ؟! ألم يشاهدوا دماء الدرة وإيمان حجو وروان حجاج؟! ألم يسمعوا صرخات هدى غالية؟!
هل تلبد الإحساس ؟! هل ماتت الشهامة ؟! هل تجمدت العواطف ؟! هل طفئت العيون ؟! أم هل وصمت الأذان ؟!!1 حقاً صدق الله تعالى إذا يقول " إنها لا تعمى الأبصار ولكن تعمى القلوب " صرخة كلها غضب والقلوب المكلومة المحزونة على أمة تقف تنظر إلى آهات ومعاناة أمة فلسطين، وبكاء رجالها وهم يحملون أطفالهم إلى مثواهم الأخير ويعدون شهدائهم الذين سقطوا جراء القصف الصهيوني على رؤوسهم وهم نيام من القذائف الأمريكية.
بقلم : الأسير رأفت ناصيف
أين نخوة العرب استفهام وتعجب؟! أين الملاين ؟ سؤال مع كل قطرة دم تسال على أرض القطاع... ألا يرى العرب ما يجري على أرض فلسطين ؟! ألم يشاهدوا دماء الدرة وإيمان حجو وروان حجاج؟! ألم يسمعوا صرخات هدى غالية؟!
هل تلبد الإحساس ؟! هل ماتت الشهامة ؟! هل تجمدت العواطف ؟! هل طفئت العيون ؟! أم هل وصمت الأذان ؟!!1 حقاً صدق الله تعالى إذا يقول " إنها لا تعمى الأبصار ولكن تعمى القلوب " صرخة كلها غضب والقلوب المكلومة المحزونة على أمة تقف تنظر إلى آهات ومعاناة أمة فلسطين، وبكاء رجالها وهم يحملون أطفالهم إلى مثواهم الأخير ويعدون شهدائهم الذين سقطوا جراء القصف الصهيوني على رؤوسهم وهم نيام من القذائف الأمريكية.
Palestinian prisoner's daughter to Shalit's mother: End suffering
(This is about a week old but I don't care... I think it needs to be posted everywhere.)
In personal letter to Gilad Shalit's mother, girl implores: 'You can take one step and we will take a matching step, in order to return our loved ones. Stop our suffering and yours'Ali Waked
When Iman was born, 14 years ago, her father Mohammad, along with 400 other Hamas leaders and operatives, was in the Maraj a-Zohar camp in Lebanon, where they were exiled by Israel after being accused of terrorism. She was made famous as the first baby born to an exile and today, with her father now imprisoned in Israel, she once again takes the stage as the daughter of a Palestinian convict: Her uncle, Abdallah, is also imprisoned in Israel for membership in Hamas.
Even before the press conference was expected to hold Sunday afternoon in Ramallah, Iman passed along to Ynet a letter she wrote to the mother of Gilad Shalit, the soldier kidnapped in the attack on the Kerem Shalom outpost.
The letter, published in full:
Madam, mother of the hostage soldier, Gilad Shalit:
I am one among thousands of children doomed never to enjoy a smile, a kiss on the cheek in the morning, a comforting hand to soothe our pain and encourage us to advance in life. I am a girl whose foundation stone was taken from her home, her father.
Madam, I am writing to you and waiting tensely to hear of the fate of your son who was in a tank, not to protect a cause or a principle, but rather to obey the instructions of his commanders without thinking if those instructions were right or not. Madam, it's your right to hurt, to be sad, to yell out loud, 'Return my son to me! What sin has my son committed?' But do you have it in you to think of the important issue? This is the issue of our prisoners in your prisons, whose only sin was picking up a stone or a pen to protect their faith and their homeland, to protect a cause and principles in which they believe and will continue to believe. Not out of a motivation to kill or terrorize, as your leaders claim, but in order to protect our land and our faith.
Madam, tens of thousands of prisoners are locked in cells of suffering (your prisons), under fire of murder and cruelty, in rotten cells that burned their youth, their hope and their ambitions. Our prisoners, Madam, do not receive humane treatment, but rather treatment that cannot be described in words; the sole purpose of the treatment is to bring them slow death, and this is after most of them did not even receive permission for us to visit them. Compare your suffering, which has only gone on for a few short days, to our suffering, which has lasted more than 20 or 30 years. I'm sure that your son is receiving treatment due to a prisoner of war, decent treatment as is demanded by our faith and our principles.
Madam, that's all I have to say and the choice, in the end, is in your hands and the hands of your nation and their leaders to put an end to this suffering. These things can only be understood by someone who suffers and hurts. Military and political leaders such as your leaders will not understand them; they have not experienced in their hearts what we are both experiencing, for everyone whose son is under their wing lives in ease and tranquility.
I call on Allah to protect our fathers and children. We are at a point where you can take one step and we can take a matching step in order to return our loved ones and hold them close to us. Stop our suffering and yours.
Iman, daughter of a Palestinian prisoner
In personal letter to Gilad Shalit's mother, girl implores: 'You can take one step and we will take a matching step, in order to return our loved ones. Stop our suffering and yours'Ali Waked
When Iman was born, 14 years ago, her father Mohammad, along with 400 other Hamas leaders and operatives, was in the Maraj a-Zohar camp in Lebanon, where they were exiled by Israel after being accused of terrorism. She was made famous as the first baby born to an exile and today, with her father now imprisoned in Israel, she once again takes the stage as the daughter of a Palestinian convict: Her uncle, Abdallah, is also imprisoned in Israel for membership in Hamas.
Even before the press conference was expected to hold Sunday afternoon in Ramallah, Iman passed along to Ynet a letter she wrote to the mother of Gilad Shalit, the soldier kidnapped in the attack on the Kerem Shalom outpost.
The letter, published in full:
Madam, mother of the hostage soldier, Gilad Shalit:
I am one among thousands of children doomed never to enjoy a smile, a kiss on the cheek in the morning, a comforting hand to soothe our pain and encourage us to advance in life. I am a girl whose foundation stone was taken from her home, her father.
Madam, I am writing to you and waiting tensely to hear of the fate of your son who was in a tank, not to protect a cause or a principle, but rather to obey the instructions of his commanders without thinking if those instructions were right or not. Madam, it's your right to hurt, to be sad, to yell out loud, 'Return my son to me! What sin has my son committed?' But do you have it in you to think of the important issue? This is the issue of our prisoners in your prisons, whose only sin was picking up a stone or a pen to protect their faith and their homeland, to protect a cause and principles in which they believe and will continue to believe. Not out of a motivation to kill or terrorize, as your leaders claim, but in order to protect our land and our faith.
Madam, tens of thousands of prisoners are locked in cells of suffering (your prisons), under fire of murder and cruelty, in rotten cells that burned their youth, their hope and their ambitions. Our prisoners, Madam, do not receive humane treatment, but rather treatment that cannot be described in words; the sole purpose of the treatment is to bring them slow death, and this is after most of them did not even receive permission for us to visit them. Compare your suffering, which has only gone on for a few short days, to our suffering, which has lasted more than 20 or 30 years. I'm sure that your son is receiving treatment due to a prisoner of war, decent treatment as is demanded by our faith and our principles.
Madam, that's all I have to say and the choice, in the end, is in your hands and the hands of your nation and their leaders to put an end to this suffering. These things can only be understood by someone who suffers and hurts. Military and political leaders such as your leaders will not understand them; they have not experienced in their hearts what we are both experiencing, for everyone whose son is under their wing lives in ease and tranquility.
I call on Allah to protect our fathers and children. We are at a point where you can take one step and we can take a matching step in order to return our loved ones and hold them close to us. Stop our suffering and yours.
Iman, daughter of a Palestinian prisoner
News from Palestine
Palestinians: PA forces told to quit their positions
In Israel: Kill a gay person, get $5,000 (I'm just sayin' don't talk about Muslims being intolerant when you guys are putting hits out on gay people...)
Muhammad Ibrahim Youssef Hassan Joudeh (83 years): "The land is my soul and it keeps our dignity"
Palestinian injuries suggest Israel is using chemical weapons in Gaza
Four Palestinians die at Rafah border awaiting entry into Gaza
Arab America Institute may sue US over Israeli decision to bar Arab Americans
Pax Christi Criticises Firms Backing Israel Occupation of Palestine
IOF Continue to Target Civilians in the Gaza Strip: 3 Children Killed and another Seriously
Factbox - Dangers facing children in worst 10 hotspots
In Gaza offensive, Israel hits Western aid projects
New bus route leaves Palestinian workers walking
Hamas rejects US initiative to form emergency govt
Hamas leaders: Meshal backs broad-based deal with Israel
Tel Aviv-Kiryat Shmona flights are still for Jewish passengers only
Zeese Urges Cardin Introduce Resolution Critical of Israel and Warning of Fund Cut-Off
Entry Denied: Deporting witnesses of Israeli Occupation and Unilateralism
Israel's aggression destroys any semblance of civic order
Six Human Rights Groups Petitioned Israeli High Court
Why Critics of the Israel Lobby Are Politically Homeless
Israeli Blood-sport in Gaza
‘Gaza is starving in the darkness’ (But the Israeli Knesset thinks this is funny, they call it a Palestinian diet)
In Israel: Kill a gay person, get $5,000 (I'm just sayin' don't talk about Muslims being intolerant when you guys are putting hits out on gay people...)
Muhammad Ibrahim Youssef Hassan Joudeh (83 years): "The land is my soul and it keeps our dignity"
Palestinian injuries suggest Israel is using chemical weapons in Gaza
Four Palestinians die at Rafah border awaiting entry into Gaza
Arab America Institute may sue US over Israeli decision to bar Arab Americans
Pax Christi Criticises Firms Backing Israel Occupation of Palestine
IOF Continue to Target Civilians in the Gaza Strip: 3 Children Killed and another Seriously
Factbox - Dangers facing children in worst 10 hotspots
In Gaza offensive, Israel hits Western aid projects
New bus route leaves Palestinian workers walking
Hamas rejects US initiative to form emergency govt
Hamas leaders: Meshal backs broad-based deal with Israel
Tel Aviv-Kiryat Shmona flights are still for Jewish passengers only
Zeese Urges Cardin Introduce Resolution Critical of Israel and Warning of Fund Cut-Off
Entry Denied: Deporting witnesses of Israeli Occupation and Unilateralism
Israel's aggression destroys any semblance of civic order
Six Human Rights Groups Petitioned Israeli High Court
Why Critics of the Israel Lobby Are Politically Homeless
Israeli Blood-sport in Gaza
‘Gaza is starving in the darkness’ (But the Israeli Knesset thinks this is funny, they call it a Palestinian diet)
Three children killed playing soccer
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) killed 3 Palestinian
children and seriously injured a fourth one yesterday
evening (10 July 2006) in Beit Hanoun, when an IOF plane
fired a rocket at them. This crime comes within the
context of the open war against Palestinian civilians in
the Gaza Strip since the capture of the Israeli soldier on
25 June 2006. It is part of the chain of collective
punishment, targeting civilians, and destroying civilian
property and infrastructure. With the death of these
children, the number of Palestinian casualties in the Gaza
Strip since the start of the Israeli military operation
rises to 51 dead, including 26 civilians, and 140 injured.
There are 7 children and a woman among the dead; and the
majority of the injured are civilians.
PCHR's preliminary investigation indicates that at
approximately 19:15 on Monday, 10 July 2006, and IOF plane
fired a rocket at 4 children who were near Hayel Abdel
Hamid Secondary School in northern part of Beit Hanoun.
They were in an area previously used as soccer field near
their homes. The rocket fell amidst the children. Three
were killed instantly; and their bodies were torn by the
blast. The fourth child suffered serious injures. The dead
children are: Mahfouth Farid Nuseir (16), Ahmad Ghalib Abu
Amsha (16), and Ahmad Fathi Shabat (16). The injured child
is Raji Omar Deifallah (16).http://pchrgaza.org/files/PressR/English/2006/74-2006.htmPosted by Molly
لقاء مع د. موسى أبو مرزوق نائب رئيس المكتب السياسي لحركة "حماس"
في برنامج ( خبر وتعليق )
على تلفزيون المجد
في برنامج ( خبر وتعليق )
على تلفزيون المجد
CARTOON OF THE DAY
A Palestinian Prayer: Lord, May Israel Be Abandoned One Day By The U.S., The Way The Arabs Have Abandoned Us.
ALI ABUNIMAH: I think if tomorrow Ismael Haniyeh and Khaled Meshaal and all the other leaders of Hamas get down on their knees and say, “We want to give up everything to Israel and accept a state on the West Bank and Gaza Strip and accept to cancel the rights of Palestinian refugees and to abandon our rights to resist the occupation in any form whatsoever,” it would make no difference whatsoever, Amy, because the stumbling block, the fiction, here is that it's the Palestinians who have rejected this. The Hamas leaders, like the leaders of Fatah, have said many times that they're willing to talk to Israel, they're willing to recognize Israel. The Hamas leaders have said, “Okay, we don't want to do that in advance, because the PLO did that in advance during the Oslo Accords and got nothing in return. So we do it on the basis of reciprocity.”
The problem, Amy, is that Israel is still completely 100% committed to colonialism. That is why Israel is continuing to seize land in the West Bank, to build new settler colonies every day, to pave Jewish-only roads in the West Bank, to build the apartheid wall, to treat Gaza as a giant prison. The reason that Israel pulled its settlers out of Gaza, as Shlomo Ben-Ami has said before, is to create the fiction that Israel is not ruling over a Palestinian majority, exactly as South Africa created the Bantustans to try and fool the world into thinking that Blacks had their rights within these so-called independent homelands and didn't need to have rights within the South African state. The same trick will not work in Palestine, as it did not work in South Africa.
And the world needs to recognize that. And I’m thrilled that there's a growing civil society movement for boycott, divestment and sanctions that does. This is what is going to put pressure on Israel to end the colonial practices, no matter what document is signed between Hamas and Fatah. That will make no difference if there is no active worldwide opposition and resistance to Israel's colonialism. That is what will make a difference.
Posted by Molly
The problem, Amy, is that Israel is still completely 100% committed to colonialism. That is why Israel is continuing to seize land in the West Bank, to build new settler colonies every day, to pave Jewish-only roads in the West Bank, to build the apartheid wall, to treat Gaza as a giant prison. The reason that Israel pulled its settlers out of Gaza, as Shlomo Ben-Ami has said before, is to create the fiction that Israel is not ruling over a Palestinian majority, exactly as South Africa created the Bantustans to try and fool the world into thinking that Blacks had their rights within these so-called independent homelands and didn't need to have rights within the South African state. The same trick will not work in Palestine, as it did not work in South Africa.
And the world needs to recognize that. And I’m thrilled that there's a growing civil society movement for boycott, divestment and sanctions that does. This is what is going to put pressure on Israel to end the colonial practices, no matter what document is signed between Hamas and Fatah. That will make no difference if there is no active worldwide opposition and resistance to Israel's colonialism. That is what will make a difference.
Posted by Molly
LATEST PHOTOS FROM GAZA BY DR. MONA EL-FARRA
visiting the injured at AlAwda Hospital -Jablia refujees camp (photos)
photos from my solidarity visit to north of Gaza after withdrawal of the israeli army
with the children of Attar family -Beit Lahia north of Gaza (photos)
my solidarity visit to Beit Lahia village (photos)
photos from my solidarity visit to north of Gaza after withdrawal of the israeli army
with the children of Attar family -Beit Lahia north of Gaza (photos)
my solidarity visit to Beit Lahia village (photos)
Israeli Blood-Sport in Gaza
Israeli Blood-Sport in Gaza
By Mike Whitney
“Israel’s conduct is indefensible”. U.N. Special-rapporteur John Dugard; assigned to investigate the Israel’s “disproportionate use of force” in Gaza.
"The bias has grown into such an impenetrable cloud of pro-Israeli rubbish that it’s laughable. In fact, you’re more likely to read someone lambasting Bush or Cheney than anything remotely critical of Israel.
Are we supposed to pretend this isn’t the case for fear of being smeared as anti-Semitic? "
"And, who’s the one guy who’s been calling for calm and restraint throughout the entire 14 day ordeal; Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh. In fact, Haniyeh has made repeated appeals to the militants to release the soldier unharmed even while Olmert the barbarian was rampaging through Gaza blowing up roads, electric power plants, water lines, and, yes, even schools.
Schools, for God’s sakes; schools! That’s just flat nuts! "
By Mike Whitney
“Israel’s conduct is indefensible”. U.N. Special-rapporteur John Dugard; assigned to investigate the Israel’s “disproportionate use of force” in Gaza.
"The bias has grown into such an impenetrable cloud of pro-Israeli rubbish that it’s laughable. In fact, you’re more likely to read someone lambasting Bush or Cheney than anything remotely critical of Israel.
Are we supposed to pretend this isn’t the case for fear of being smeared as anti-Semitic? "
"And, who’s the one guy who’s been calling for calm and restraint throughout the entire 14 day ordeal; Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh. In fact, Haniyeh has made repeated appeals to the militants to release the soldier unharmed even while Olmert the barbarian was rampaging through Gaza blowing up roads, electric power plants, water lines, and, yes, even schools.
Schools, for God’s sakes; schools! That’s just flat nuts! "
Editors, journalists and media executives condemn shooting of two Palestinian photographers
Editors, journalists and media executives condemn shooting of two Palestinian photographers
Report, IPI, 10 July 2006
The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists, strongly condemns the shooting of two Palestinian photographers by Israeli forces in Gaza.
Aggression Under False Pretenses
Aggression Under False Pretenses
By Ismail HaniyehTuesday, July 11, 2006; Page A17
Washington Post
GAZA, Palestine -- As Americans commemorated their annual celebration of independence from colonial occupation, rejoicing in their democratic institutions, we Palestinians were yet again besieged by our occupiers, who destroy our roads and buildings, our power stations and water plants, and who attack our very means of civil administration. Our homes and government offices are shelled, our parliamentarians taken prisoner and threatened with prosecution.
The current Gaza invasion is only the latest effort to destroy the results of fair and free elections held early this year. It is the explosive follow-up to a five-month campaign of economic and diplomatic warfare directed by the United States and Israel. The stated intention of that strategy was to force the average Palestinian to "reconsider" her vote when faced with deepening hardship; its failure was predictable, and the new overt military aggression and collective punishment are its logical fulfillment. The "kidnapped" Israeli Cpl. Gilad Shalit is only a pretext for a job scheduled months ago.
In addition to removing our democratically elected government, Israel wants to sow dissent among Palestinians by claiming that there is a serious leadership rivalry among us. I am compelled to dispel this notion definitively. The Palestinian leadership is firmly embedded in the concept of Islamic shura , or mutual consultation; suffice it to say that while we may have differing opinions, we are united in mutual respect and focused on the goal of serving our people. Furthermore, the invasion of Gaza and the kidnapping of our leaders and government officials are meant to undermine the recent accords reached between the government party and our brothers and sisters in Fatah and other factions, on achieving consensus for resolving the conflict. Yet Israeli collective punishment only strengthens our collective resolve to work together.
As I inspect the ruins of our infrastructure -- the largess of donor nations and international efforts all turned to rubble once more by F-16s and American-made missiles -- my thoughts again turn to the minds of Americans. What do they think of this?
They think, doubtless, of the hostage soldier, taken in battle -- yet thousands of Palestinians, including hundreds of women and children, remain in Israeli jails for resisting the illegal, ongoing occupation that is condemned by international law. They think of the pluck and "toughness" of Israel, "standing up" to "terrorists." Yet a nuclear Israel possesses the 13th-largest military force on the planet, one that is used to rule an area about the size of New Jersey and whose adversaries there have no conventional armed forces. Who is the underdog, supposedly America's traditional favorite, in this case?
I hope that Americans will give careful and well-informed thought to root causes and historical realities, in which case I think they will question why a supposedly "legitimate" state such as Israel has had to conduct decades of war against a subject refugee population without ever achieving its goals.
Israel's unilateral movements of the past year will not lead to peace. These acts -- the temporary withdrawal of forces from Gaza, the walling off of the West Bank -- are not strides toward resolution but empty, symbolic acts that fail to address the underlying conflict. Israel's nearly complete control over the lives of Palestinians is never in doubt, as confirmed by the humanitarian and economic suffering of the Palestinians since the January elections. Israel's ongoing policies of expansion, military control and assassination mock any notion of sovereignty or bilateralism. Its "separation barrier," running across our land, is hardly a good-faith gesture toward future coexistence.
But there is a remedy, and while it is not easy it is consistent with our long-held beliefs. Palestinian priorities include recognition of the core dispute over the land of historical Palestine and the rights of all its people; resolution of the refugee issue from 1948; reclaiming all lands occupied in 1967; and stopping Israeli attacks, assassinations and military expansion. Contrary to popular depictions of the crisis in the American media, the dispute is not only about Gaza and the West Bank; it is a wider national conflict that can be resolved only by addressing the full dimensions of Palestinian national rights in an integrated manner. This means statehood for the West Bank and Gaza, a capital in Arab East Jerusalem, and resolving the 1948 Palestinian refugee issue fairly, on the basis of international legitimacy and established law. Meaningful negotiations with a non-expansionist, law-abiding Israel can proceed only after this tremendous labor has begun.
Surely the American people grow weary of this folly, after 50 years and $160 billion in taxpayer support for Israel's war-making capacity -- its "defense." Some Americans, I believe, must be asking themselves if all this blood and treasure could not have bought more tangible results for Palestine if only U.S. policies had been predicated from the start on historical truth, equity and justice.
However, we do not want to live on international welfare and American handouts. We want what Americans enjoy -- democratic rights, economic sovereignty and justice. We thought our pride in conducting the fairest elections in the Arab world might resonate with the United States and its citizens. Instead, our new government was met from the very beginning by acts of explicit, declared sabotage by the White House. Now this aggression continues against 3.9 million civilians living in the world's largest prison camps. America's complacency in the face of these war crimes is, as usual, embedded in the coded rhetorical green light: "Israel has a right to defend itself." Was Israel defending itself when it killed eight family members on a Gaza beach last month or three members of the Hajjaj family on Saturday, among them 6-year-old Rawan? I refuse to believe that such inhumanity sits well with the American public.
We present this clear message: If Israel will not allow Palestinians to live in peace, dignity and national integrity, Israelis themselves will not be able to enjoy those same rights. Meanwhile, our right to defend ourselves from occupying soldiers and aggression is a matter of law, as settled in the Fourth Geneva Convention. If Israel is prepared to negotiate seriously and fairly, and resolve the core 1948 issues, rather than the secondary ones from 1967, a fair and permanent peace is possible. Based on a hudna (comprehensive cessation of hostilities for an agreed time), the Holy Land still has an opportunity to be a peaceful and stable economic powerhouse for all the Semitic people of the region. If Americans only knew the truth, possibility might become reality.
The writer is prime minister of the Palestinian National Authority.
(Thanks for posting this Tony, I think that the Palestinians under Hamas are much more PR savvy than Fatah.--christian sunni)
By Ismail HaniyehTuesday, July 11, 2006; Page A17
Washington Post
GAZA, Palestine -- As Americans commemorated their annual celebration of independence from colonial occupation, rejoicing in their democratic institutions, we Palestinians were yet again besieged by our occupiers, who destroy our roads and buildings, our power stations and water plants, and who attack our very means of civil administration. Our homes and government offices are shelled, our parliamentarians taken prisoner and threatened with prosecution.
The current Gaza invasion is only the latest effort to destroy the results of fair and free elections held early this year. It is the explosive follow-up to a five-month campaign of economic and diplomatic warfare directed by the United States and Israel. The stated intention of that strategy was to force the average Palestinian to "reconsider" her vote when faced with deepening hardship; its failure was predictable, and the new overt military aggression and collective punishment are its logical fulfillment. The "kidnapped" Israeli Cpl. Gilad Shalit is only a pretext for a job scheduled months ago.
In addition to removing our democratically elected government, Israel wants to sow dissent among Palestinians by claiming that there is a serious leadership rivalry among us. I am compelled to dispel this notion definitively. The Palestinian leadership is firmly embedded in the concept of Islamic shura , or mutual consultation; suffice it to say that while we may have differing opinions, we are united in mutual respect and focused on the goal of serving our people. Furthermore, the invasion of Gaza and the kidnapping of our leaders and government officials are meant to undermine the recent accords reached between the government party and our brothers and sisters in Fatah and other factions, on achieving consensus for resolving the conflict. Yet Israeli collective punishment only strengthens our collective resolve to work together.
As I inspect the ruins of our infrastructure -- the largess of donor nations and international efforts all turned to rubble once more by F-16s and American-made missiles -- my thoughts again turn to the minds of Americans. What do they think of this?
They think, doubtless, of the hostage soldier, taken in battle -- yet thousands of Palestinians, including hundreds of women and children, remain in Israeli jails for resisting the illegal, ongoing occupation that is condemned by international law. They think of the pluck and "toughness" of Israel, "standing up" to "terrorists." Yet a nuclear Israel possesses the 13th-largest military force on the planet, one that is used to rule an area about the size of New Jersey and whose adversaries there have no conventional armed forces. Who is the underdog, supposedly America's traditional favorite, in this case?
I hope that Americans will give careful and well-informed thought to root causes and historical realities, in which case I think they will question why a supposedly "legitimate" state such as Israel has had to conduct decades of war against a subject refugee population without ever achieving its goals.
Israel's unilateral movements of the past year will not lead to peace. These acts -- the temporary withdrawal of forces from Gaza, the walling off of the West Bank -- are not strides toward resolution but empty, symbolic acts that fail to address the underlying conflict. Israel's nearly complete control over the lives of Palestinians is never in doubt, as confirmed by the humanitarian and economic suffering of the Palestinians since the January elections. Israel's ongoing policies of expansion, military control and assassination mock any notion of sovereignty or bilateralism. Its "separation barrier," running across our land, is hardly a good-faith gesture toward future coexistence.
But there is a remedy, and while it is not easy it is consistent with our long-held beliefs. Palestinian priorities include recognition of the core dispute over the land of historical Palestine and the rights of all its people; resolution of the refugee issue from 1948; reclaiming all lands occupied in 1967; and stopping Israeli attacks, assassinations and military expansion. Contrary to popular depictions of the crisis in the American media, the dispute is not only about Gaza and the West Bank; it is a wider national conflict that can be resolved only by addressing the full dimensions of Palestinian national rights in an integrated manner. This means statehood for the West Bank and Gaza, a capital in Arab East Jerusalem, and resolving the 1948 Palestinian refugee issue fairly, on the basis of international legitimacy and established law. Meaningful negotiations with a non-expansionist, law-abiding Israel can proceed only after this tremendous labor has begun.
Surely the American people grow weary of this folly, after 50 years and $160 billion in taxpayer support for Israel's war-making capacity -- its "defense." Some Americans, I believe, must be asking themselves if all this blood and treasure could not have bought more tangible results for Palestine if only U.S. policies had been predicated from the start on historical truth, equity and justice.
However, we do not want to live on international welfare and American handouts. We want what Americans enjoy -- democratic rights, economic sovereignty and justice. We thought our pride in conducting the fairest elections in the Arab world might resonate with the United States and its citizens. Instead, our new government was met from the very beginning by acts of explicit, declared sabotage by the White House. Now this aggression continues against 3.9 million civilians living in the world's largest prison camps. America's complacency in the face of these war crimes is, as usual, embedded in the coded rhetorical green light: "Israel has a right to defend itself." Was Israel defending itself when it killed eight family members on a Gaza beach last month or three members of the Hajjaj family on Saturday, among them 6-year-old Rawan? I refuse to believe that such inhumanity sits well with the American public.
We present this clear message: If Israel will not allow Palestinians to live in peace, dignity and national integrity, Israelis themselves will not be able to enjoy those same rights. Meanwhile, our right to defend ourselves from occupying soldiers and aggression is a matter of law, as settled in the Fourth Geneva Convention. If Israel is prepared to negotiate seriously and fairly, and resolve the core 1948 issues, rather than the secondary ones from 1967, a fair and permanent peace is possible. Based on a hudna (comprehensive cessation of hostilities for an agreed time), the Holy Land still has an opportunity to be a peaceful and stable economic powerhouse for all the Semitic people of the region. If Americans only knew the truth, possibility might become reality.
The writer is prime minister of the Palestinian National Authority.
(Thanks for posting this Tony, I think that the Palestinians under Hamas are much more PR savvy than Fatah.--christian sunni)
Monday, July 10, 2006
News from Palestine
4 Children Killed By Israeli Occupation Forces
'Apartheid Israel' worse than apartheid SA
A Different Kind of Ballgame in Gaza Strip
Intervention to Member States of the UN Two Years after the ICJ Advisory Opinion
Army renews orders to close 1000 shops and businesses in the old city of Hebron
Israeli Army in Hebron Violates Israeli High Court Order - Again
UN warns of Gazans' struggle to survive
IDF strike kills 3 Gaza teens
The Wahbas' last meal
Army bulldozes Palestinan farm land east of Gaza
The Israeli Army hijack two civilian's cars from checkpoints near Jenin
Hamas-led government says U.S. veto won't solve crisis
Family barbecue in Gaza ended in tragedy
After 30 years, wife loses right to enter Israel
UN warns of Gazans' struggle to survive
Israeli attack kills child and parents
No longer afraid, Gazans shout back
One side of the picture
Author Mario Vargas Llosa: I'm ashamed to be Israel's friend
Report: Israeli settler violence against Palestinians on the rise
Channelling the resistance - By Azmi Bishara
Health catastrophe looms in Palestine
Elderly man dies at border crossing; thousands of Palestinians stranded on Egyptian side
New UNRWA chief says living conditions in Gaza 'at a new low'
Israel rejects Palestinian ceasefire call
Netanya: Arab youth shot; nationalistic motives probed
Israel kills six year old girl, her mother and brother
War crimes : Israel's offensive against peace
Haniyeh proposes ceasefire; Israelis say they aren't interested
'Apartheid Israel' worse than apartheid SA
A Different Kind of Ballgame in Gaza Strip
Intervention to Member States of the UN Two Years after the ICJ Advisory Opinion
Army renews orders to close 1000 shops and businesses in the old city of Hebron
Israeli Army in Hebron Violates Israeli High Court Order - Again
UN warns of Gazans' struggle to survive
IDF strike kills 3 Gaza teens
The Wahbas' last meal
Army bulldozes Palestinan farm land east of Gaza
The Israeli Army hijack two civilian's cars from checkpoints near Jenin
Hamas-led government says U.S. veto won't solve crisis
Family barbecue in Gaza ended in tragedy
After 30 years, wife loses right to enter Israel
UN warns of Gazans' struggle to survive
Israeli attack kills child and parents
No longer afraid, Gazans shout back
One side of the picture
Author Mario Vargas Llosa: I'm ashamed to be Israel's friend
Report: Israeli settler violence against Palestinians on the rise
Channelling the resistance - By Azmi Bishara
Health catastrophe looms in Palestine
Elderly man dies at border crossing; thousands of Palestinians stranded on Egyptian side
New UNRWA chief says living conditions in Gaza 'at a new low'
Israel rejects Palestinian ceasefire call
Netanya: Arab youth shot; nationalistic motives probed
Israel kills six year old girl, her mother and brother
War crimes : Israel's offensive against peace
Haniyeh proposes ceasefire; Israelis say they aren't interested
What Is The Puppet Abbas Up to?
افادت مصادر فلسطينية في مدينة رام الله ان مروحية ملكية اردنية هبطت في المقاطعة مساء اليوم حيث اقلت الرئيس محمود عباس ابو
مازن الى العاصمة الاردنية للقاء رئيس الوزراء الاردني معروف البخيت على نحو عاجل للبحث في تطورات الاوضاع في الاراضي الفلسطينية.وقال الطيب عبد الرحيم امين عام الرئاسة : ان هذه الزيارة المفاجئة جاءت عقب اتصال هاتفي بين الرئيس عباس والعاهل الاردني الملك عبدالله المتواجد في لندن حيث ناقشوا التطورات في الاراضي الفلسطينية .ودعا العاهل الاردني الرئيس عباس لاستكمال النقاش في عمان مع رئيس الوزراء الاردني معروف البخيت .ومن المقرر ان يعقد الرئيس عباس والبخيت لقاء هاما يوم غد قبل ان يعود الرئيس عباس الى الوطن .وكان الرئيس عباس اوفد كلا من عضو اللجنة التنفيذية لمنظمة التحرير الفلسطينية تيسير خالد وعبد الله الحوراني الى دمشق امس للاجتماع برئيس المكتب السياسي لحركة حماس خالد مشعل وقادة الفصائل الفلسطينية.
مازن الى العاصمة الاردنية للقاء رئيس الوزراء الاردني معروف البخيت على نحو عاجل للبحث في تطورات الاوضاع في الاراضي الفلسطينية.وقال الطيب عبد الرحيم امين عام الرئاسة : ان هذه الزيارة المفاجئة جاءت عقب اتصال هاتفي بين الرئيس عباس والعاهل الاردني الملك عبدالله المتواجد في لندن حيث ناقشوا التطورات في الاراضي الفلسطينية .ودعا العاهل الاردني الرئيس عباس لاستكمال النقاش في عمان مع رئيس الوزراء الاردني معروف البخيت .ومن المقرر ان يعقد الرئيس عباس والبخيت لقاء هاما يوم غد قبل ان يعود الرئيس عباس الى الوطن .وكان الرئيس عباس اوفد كلا من عضو اللجنة التنفيذية لمنظمة التحرير الفلسطينية تيسير خالد وعبد الله الحوراني الى دمشق امس للاجتماع برئيس المكتب السياسي لحركة حماس خالد مشعل وقادة الفصائل الفلسطينية.
Mahmoud Darwish: A State of Siege
From The Poem "A State of Siege" By the Palestinian Poet Mahmoud Darwish:
A woman asked the cloud: please enfold my loved one
My clothes are soaked with his blood
If you shall not be rain, my love
Be trees
Saturated with fertility, be trees
And if you shall not be trees, my love
Be a stone
Saturated with humidity, be a stone
And if you shall not be a stone, my love
Be a moon
In the loved one’s dream, be a moon
So said a woman to her son
In his funeral
....
During the siege, time becomes a space
That has hardened in its eternity
During the siege, space becomes a time
That is late for its yesterday and tomorrow
(A State of Siege)
A woman asked the cloud: please enfold my loved one
My clothes are soaked with his blood
If you shall not be rain, my love
Be trees
Saturated with fertility, be trees
And if you shall not be trees, my love
Be a stone
Saturated with humidity, be a stone
And if you shall not be a stone, my love
Be a moon
In the loved one’s dream, be a moon
So said a woman to her son
In his funeral
....
During the siege, time becomes a space
That has hardened in its eternity
During the siege, space becomes a time
That is late for its yesterday and tomorrow
(A State of Siege)
My life in Gaza
By Mona El-Farra
"As a physician, I fear for our patients. Twenty-two hospitals have no electricity. They have to rely on generators, but the generators need fuel. We have enough fuel to last a few days at most, because the borders are sealed so no fuel can get in. The shortage of power threatens the lives of patients on life-support machines and children in intensive care, as well as renal dialysis patients and others. Hundreds of operations have been postponed. The pharmacies were already nearly empty because of Israeli border closures and the cutoff of international aid. What little supplies were left have gone bad in the absence of refrigeration."
"Food too is spoiling without refrigeration, and food supplies are low. West Bank farmers threw away truckloads of spoiled fruit after sitting for days and then being denied Israeli permission to enter Gaza. Children grow hungry as we watch the food that could nourish them thrown into the garbage instead. More than 30,000 children suffer from malnutrition, and this number will increase as diarrhea spreads because of the limited supply of clean water and food contamination."
---
Dr. El-Farra's Blog
By Mona El-Farra
"As a physician, I fear for our patients. Twenty-two hospitals have no electricity. They have to rely on generators, but the generators need fuel. We have enough fuel to last a few days at most, because the borders are sealed so no fuel can get in. The shortage of power threatens the lives of patients on life-support machines and children in intensive care, as well as renal dialysis patients and others. Hundreds of operations have been postponed. The pharmacies were already nearly empty because of Israeli border closures and the cutoff of international aid. What little supplies were left have gone bad in the absence of refrigeration."
"Food too is spoiling without refrigeration, and food supplies are low. West Bank farmers threw away truckloads of spoiled fruit after sitting for days and then being denied Israeli permission to enter Gaza. Children grow hungry as we watch the food that could nourish them thrown into the garbage instead. More than 30,000 children suffer from malnutrition, and this number will increase as diarrhea spreads because of the limited supply of clean water and food contamination."
---
Dr. El-Farra's Blog
ATTACKS FROM INSIDE AND ATTACKS FROM OUTSIDE
By Tony Sayegh
In fighting national liberation movements, a colonial occupying power often uses one or both of two strategies: 1) direct massive attacks on the population, its infra-structure and on the resistance; 2) incitement and fueling of an internal civil war.
In Vietnam, the U.S. initially tried the second strategy by dividing the Vietnamese people into South Vietnamese and North Vietnamese and by preventing promised elections to unify the country. The U.S. set up a puppet government in the South, which it armed and supplied with training and American "advisers." When this puppet government proved to be too corrupt and too weak, and when the Vietnamese in the South fought both the puppet government and the initially small U.S. military presence, the U.S. shifted more towards the first strategy by massive increase in the military presence in the South and enormous escalation of attacks on the North. Not surprising, the external attacks, in spite of their savagery, unified the Vietnamese people behind their leaders and increased their determination to defeat the U.S. aggression. A defeat that the U.S. Empire had not been used to.
Shifting to the Middle East, the U.S. initially tried to topple the Iraqi government of Saddam Hussein by instigating and supporting internal rebellions by Kurds and Shiites. When these rebellions proved to be too weak and unreliable, the U.S. shifted to the direct external attack; first by economic strangulation and limited strikes and then by direct invasion. Now that the war in Iraq has been in a different phase (a fourth-generation war) for the past three years, and the U.S. military is facing a similar prospect of defeat as in Vietnam, the U.S. is shifting in favor of the attack from within. Unfortunately, the U.S. appears to be succeeding in this regard. Pundits (like Robert Fisk) who until recently dismissed the talk of a civil war in Iraq, are now openly writing and reporting on the raging civil war and ethnic cleansing going on.
Initially, the sectarian attacks on mosques and other targets were staged by Iraqi agents of Mossad and by Iraqi special operations units that report directly to the CIA. Given the fragmentation of the Iraqi resistance, the lack of a unified command and a clear political program and the sway of the Iran-backed ayatollahs on the Shi'a masses, this sectarian civil war has taken on a life of its own. If leaders of all communities and of the resistance do not rise to the occasion and put a stop to the senseless sectarian violence, Iraq will be split and the U.S. would achieve its goals by attacking from within.
Israel and the U.S. are operating along the same lines towards the Palestinians. First a puppet (Abbas) was found and built up. A "security" force was created for him, which was financed and armed by Usrael. The main function of this force is to ensure Israeli security and to crack down on all Palestinian resistance, primarily Hamas. The plan was to ignite a Palestinian civil war (the attack from within) so that Israel can finish colonizing the West Bank and impose unilaterally the borders that suit it; in other words impose a final solution on the Palestinians.It is no accident, that as soon as all the Palestinian factions reached agreement on a modified "prisoners document," and as soon as the attack from within failed (for the time being), Israel launched its massive attack on Gaza. Like all attacks from outside, this Israeli attack has increased support for Hamas, increased the steadfastness of the Palestinian and their determination to resist. In other words, the attack from outside has proved to be counter-productive from the Usraeli viewpoint. For this reason, it is only a matter of time before the first option is resorted to again. This is the reason why Abbas was allowed to return to Ramallah. One of his first tasks was to meet with the U.S. Consul in occupied Jerusalem. Abbas has again started making the same demands of the Palestinian resistance, which are the Usraeli demands. As long as the external attacks are going on, Abbas is marginalized and it would be very hard for him to implement what Usrael wants from him. However, if there is a cease-fire and calming of the situation, keep your eyes open for Abbas trying to implement a coup and an attack from within.
In fighting national liberation movements, a colonial occupying power often uses one or both of two strategies: 1) direct massive attacks on the population, its infra-structure and on the resistance; 2) incitement and fueling of an internal civil war.
In Vietnam, the U.S. initially tried the second strategy by dividing the Vietnamese people into South Vietnamese and North Vietnamese and by preventing promised elections to unify the country. The U.S. set up a puppet government in the South, which it armed and supplied with training and American "advisers." When this puppet government proved to be too corrupt and too weak, and when the Vietnamese in the South fought both the puppet government and the initially small U.S. military presence, the U.S. shifted more towards the first strategy by massive increase in the military presence in the South and enormous escalation of attacks on the North. Not surprising, the external attacks, in spite of their savagery, unified the Vietnamese people behind their leaders and increased their determination to defeat the U.S. aggression. A defeat that the U.S. Empire had not been used to.
Shifting to the Middle East, the U.S. initially tried to topple the Iraqi government of Saddam Hussein by instigating and supporting internal rebellions by Kurds and Shiites. When these rebellions proved to be too weak and unreliable, the U.S. shifted to the direct external attack; first by economic strangulation and limited strikes and then by direct invasion. Now that the war in Iraq has been in a different phase (a fourth-generation war) for the past three years, and the U.S. military is facing a similar prospect of defeat as in Vietnam, the U.S. is shifting in favor of the attack from within. Unfortunately, the U.S. appears to be succeeding in this regard. Pundits (like Robert Fisk) who until recently dismissed the talk of a civil war in Iraq, are now openly writing and reporting on the raging civil war and ethnic cleansing going on.
Initially, the sectarian attacks on mosques and other targets were staged by Iraqi agents of Mossad and by Iraqi special operations units that report directly to the CIA. Given the fragmentation of the Iraqi resistance, the lack of a unified command and a clear political program and the sway of the Iran-backed ayatollahs on the Shi'a masses, this sectarian civil war has taken on a life of its own. If leaders of all communities and of the resistance do not rise to the occasion and put a stop to the senseless sectarian violence, Iraq will be split and the U.S. would achieve its goals by attacking from within.
Israel and the U.S. are operating along the same lines towards the Palestinians. First a puppet (Abbas) was found and built up. A "security" force was created for him, which was financed and armed by Usrael. The main function of this force is to ensure Israeli security and to crack down on all Palestinian resistance, primarily Hamas. The plan was to ignite a Palestinian civil war (the attack from within) so that Israel can finish colonizing the West Bank and impose unilaterally the borders that suit it; in other words impose a final solution on the Palestinians.It is no accident, that as soon as all the Palestinian factions reached agreement on a modified "prisoners document," and as soon as the attack from within failed (for the time being), Israel launched its massive attack on Gaza. Like all attacks from outside, this Israeli attack has increased support for Hamas, increased the steadfastness of the Palestinian and their determination to resist. In other words, the attack from outside has proved to be counter-productive from the Usraeli viewpoint. For this reason, it is only a matter of time before the first option is resorted to again. This is the reason why Abbas was allowed to return to Ramallah. One of his first tasks was to meet with the U.S. Consul in occupied Jerusalem. Abbas has again started making the same demands of the Palestinian resistance, which are the Usraeli demands. As long as the external attacks are going on, Abbas is marginalized and it would be very hard for him to implement what Usrael wants from him. However, if there is a cease-fire and calming of the situation, keep your eyes open for Abbas trying to implement a coup and an attack from within.
Follow-up to Tony's link from yesterday
7/10/06-CFL ALERT: FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1967, ISRAEL IS BARRING ENTRY OF PALESTINIAN-AMERICANS INTO THE WEST BANK.
*Palestinian-Americans who have lived and worked in the West Bank for years are being prevented from entering Palestinian territories when returning from trips abroad. Because the Israeli Interior Ministry has not issued a formal statement Palestinian-Americans are learning of this new policy when they reach border crossings and are refused entry. This ban has affected thousands of American and European citizens who are currently unable to return to their jobs, schools and families by the Israeli government. Please take a moment to condemn the treatment of American citizens by the Israeli government and to ask your representatives what they will do to help American citizens in the Occupied Territories.
*Tell your representatives that you believe this extreme new policy is a form of ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian population. By creating these ridiculous obstacle courses through which Palestinians have to go through in order to go to work, to their homes or to visit their families, the Israelis are hoping to drive all Palestinians out of the Occupied Territories. Tell your representatives that not only are Palestinian-Americans being prevented from entering the territories, but Americans working for humanitarian organizations are also not being allowed into the West Bank. Ask your representatives to demand that the Israelis explain why they are preventing American citizens and humanitarian relief workers into the territories. Tell your representatives that you are outraged that Israel would treat American citizens this way considering that the U.S. gives that country $12 billion dollars in welfare a year.
*The U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv is stating that the United States cannot intervene in the decisions of a sovereign country, basically, the U.S. is unwilling to intervene and protect the interests of American citizens in the occupied territories because they happen to be of Palestinian heritage. Please tell your representatives that this statement by the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv is simply unacceptable considering that the U.S. has had no qualms in assisting the Israeli occupation government’s attempts to strangle and destroy the democratically elected government of the Palestinian people.
EMAIL AND OR CALL THE WHITE HOUSE
WHITE HOUSE COMMENTS LINE: 202-456-1111
WHITE HOUSE SWITCHBOARD: 202-456-1414
WHITE HOUSE FAX: 202-456-2461
==============================
Citizens for Fair Legislation
www.cflweb.org
*Palestinian-Americans who have lived and worked in the West Bank for years are being prevented from entering Palestinian territories when returning from trips abroad. Because the Israeli Interior Ministry has not issued a formal statement Palestinian-Americans are learning of this new policy when they reach border crossings and are refused entry. This ban has affected thousands of American and European citizens who are currently unable to return to their jobs, schools and families by the Israeli government. Please take a moment to condemn the treatment of American citizens by the Israeli government and to ask your representatives what they will do to help American citizens in the Occupied Territories.
*Tell your representatives that you believe this extreme new policy is a form of ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian population. By creating these ridiculous obstacle courses through which Palestinians have to go through in order to go to work, to their homes or to visit their families, the Israelis are hoping to drive all Palestinians out of the Occupied Territories. Tell your representatives that not only are Palestinian-Americans being prevented from entering the territories, but Americans working for humanitarian organizations are also not being allowed into the West Bank. Ask your representatives to demand that the Israelis explain why they are preventing American citizens and humanitarian relief workers into the territories. Tell your representatives that you are outraged that Israel would treat American citizens this way considering that the U.S. gives that country $12 billion dollars in welfare a year.
*The U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv is stating that the United States cannot intervene in the decisions of a sovereign country, basically, the U.S. is unwilling to intervene and protect the interests of American citizens in the occupied territories because they happen to be of Palestinian heritage. Please tell your representatives that this statement by the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv is simply unacceptable considering that the U.S. has had no qualms in assisting the Israeli occupation government’s attempts to strangle and destroy the democratically elected government of the Palestinian people.
EMAIL AND OR CALL THE WHITE HOUSE
WHITE HOUSE COMMENTS LINE: 202-456-1111
WHITE HOUSE SWITCHBOARD: 202-456-1414
WHITE HOUSE FAX: 202-456-2461
==============================
Citizens for Fair Legislation
www.cflweb.org
A One-Sided War
Uri Avnery: A One-Sided War
"The Israeli government asserts that it is facing not an enemy with rights, but "terrorists", "criminals" and "gangs". And those, of course, have no rights.
It seems that the Jewish brain is inventing new patents (as a popular Israeli song once said). After the Unilateral Disengagement and the Unilateral Peace, we have now a Unilateral War. A war in which one side (the stronger) enjoys all the rights of a belligerent party, while the other (weaker) side has no rights at all. "
"The Israeli government asserts that it is facing not an enemy with rights, but "terrorists", "criminals" and "gangs". And those, of course, have no rights.
It seems that the Jewish brain is inventing new patents (as a popular Israeli song once said). After the Unilateral Disengagement and the Unilateral Peace, we have now a Unilateral War. A war in which one side (the stronger) enjoys all the rights of a belligerent party, while the other (weaker) side has no rights at all. "
Hamas is here to stay
Hamas is here to stay
By Danny Rubinstein
"The recent developments have left only two players in the Israeli-Palestinian arena: Israel and Hamas. There are no others. The most notable non-player is Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, who has nearly no ability to influence events.
The damaging strikes in the Gaza Strip, the casualties and the destruction have stirred up frustration, rage and hatred, both in Gaza and the West Bank. None of these emotions is directed against the Hamas-led government. Everyone considers Israel responsible: for unemployment, the failure to pay salaries, the power outages. No one dares to criticize the Hamas government and no one considers it to be responsible for what is happening."
By Danny Rubinstein
"The recent developments have left only two players in the Israeli-Palestinian arena: Israel and Hamas. There are no others. The most notable non-player is Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, who has nearly no ability to influence events.
The damaging strikes in the Gaza Strip, the casualties and the destruction have stirred up frustration, rage and hatred, both in Gaza and the West Bank. None of these emotions is directed against the Hamas-led government. Everyone considers Israel responsible: for unemployment, the failure to pay salaries, the power outages. No one dares to criticize the Hamas government and no one considers it to be responsible for what is happening."
Sunday, July 9, 2006
Palestinian Children in Gaza
Palestinian Children crying after their relatives are killed by the Israeli assault on Gaza. These are the pictures that the New York Times and the Washington Post would never print, God forbid they ever humanize Palestinian children.
This girl is crying at a funeral:
This one is just terrified, probably from the constant bombing of her neighborhood:
Of course the official response from Washington is: "WASHINGTON (AFP) - "Israel has the right to defend itself."
Tomorrow we can expect Congress to pass a resolution condemning Palestinian children for crying in front of cameras. They will want to know who sold these Palestinian "terrorists" digital cameras and they want sanctions against the offending companies ASAP!
The day after Israel will publish findings from their investigation--they will conclude that these pictures are staged because Palestinian children don't exist, they're a myth.
This girl is crying at a funeral:
This one is just terrified, probably from the constant bombing of her neighborhood:
Of course the official response from Washington is: "WASHINGTON (AFP) - "Israel has the right to defend itself."
Tomorrow we can expect Congress to pass a resolution condemning Palestinian children for crying in front of cameras. They will want to know who sold these Palestinian "terrorists" digital cameras and they want sanctions against the offending companies ASAP!
The day after Israel will publish findings from their investigation--they will conclude that these pictures are staged because Palestinian children don't exist, they're a myth.
دعوات لحل السلطة الفلسطينية ووضع إسرائيل عند مسؤولياتها
دفعت التطورات الأخيرة في الأراضي الفلسطينية -حيث تقوم إسرائيل بعملية عسكرية كبيرة- محللين وسياسيين إلى إطلاق دعوات لحل السلطة التي يستخدمها الاحتلال غطاء لتنفيذ سياساته واستمرار عملياته بالضفة الغربية وقطاع غزة.
دفعت التطورات الأخيرة في الأراضي الفلسطينية -حيث تقوم إسرائيل بعملية عسكرية كبيرة- محللين وسياسيين إلى إطلاق دعوات لحل السلطة التي يستخدمها الاحتلال غطاء لتنفيذ سياساته واستمرار عملياته بالضفة الغربية وقطاع غزة.
American Congressmen try to blame Palestinian-Christian exodus from Holy Land on Muslims. Christians hit back at absurd allegations.
Holy Land Christians blame Israel
July 3, 2006
BY ROBERT NOVAK SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST
On June 19, two young members of Congress received an extraordinary letter from Jerusalem. On behalf of Christian churches in the Holy Land, they were told a House resolution they were circulating blaming the Palestinian Authority for Christian decline there "is based on many false affirmations." The Very Rev. Michael H. Sellers, an Anglican priest who is coordinator of Jerusalem's Christian churches, said the real problem is the Israeli occupation -- especially its new security wall.
Seller's said, "Christian churches in the Holy Land can take care of any problems with Muslims and "are not seeking your interference in their internal problems." Where Congress could help, he added, was influencing Israeli government policy: "Your support for the Christian presence in the Holy Land will best be served by helping to remove the separation wall (which has converted all the Palestinian towns into big prisons for Christians and Muslims alike) and by helping to bring occupation to an end with all its inherent types of oppression and humiliation."
July 3, 2006
BY ROBERT NOVAK SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST
On June 19, two young members of Congress received an extraordinary letter from Jerusalem. On behalf of Christian churches in the Holy Land, they were told a House resolution they were circulating blaming the Palestinian Authority for Christian decline there "is based on many false affirmations." The Very Rev. Michael H. Sellers, an Anglican priest who is coordinator of Jerusalem's Christian churches, said the real problem is the Israeli occupation -- especially its new security wall.
Seller's said, "Christian churches in the Holy Land can take care of any problems with Muslims and "are not seeking your interference in their internal problems." Where Congress could help, he added, was influencing Israeli government policy: "Your support for the Christian presence in the Holy Land will best be served by helping to remove the separation wall (which has converted all the Palestinian towns into big prisons for Christians and Muslims alike) and by helping to bring occupation to an end with all its inherent types of oppression and humiliation."
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