Comments on: Israel is getting clobbered in p.r. http://mondoweiss.net/2008/12/today-i-watched-rick-sanchez-of-cnn-interview-mark-regev-a-spokesman-for-the-israeli-govt.html The War of Ideas in the Middle East Mon, 28 May 2012 07:41:43 +0000 hourly 1 By: Richard Witty http://mondoweiss.net/2008/12/today-i-watched-rick-sanchez-of-cnn-interview-mark-regev-a-spokesman-for-the-israeli-govt.html/comment-page-1#comment-41981 Richard Witty Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000 http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2008/12/30/today-i-watched-rick-sanchez-of-cnn-interview-mark-regev-a-spokesman-for-the-israeli-govt.html#comment-41981 <p>http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/31/opinion/31grossman.html?_r=1&hp</p> <p>Fight Fire With a Cease-Fire</p> <p>Article Tools Sponsored By<br /> By DAVID GROSSMAN<br /> Published: December 30, 2008</p> <p>Jerusalem</p> <p>NOW, after the heavy blow that Israel has dealt to the Gaza Strip, we would do best to halt, turn to the leaders of Hamas and tell them: Until last Saturday, we restrained ourselves in responding to the thousands of Qassam rockets fired at us. Now you know how severe the retaliation can be. So as not to add to the death and destruction that has already taken place, we intend, unilaterally and absolutely, to hold our fire for the next 48 hours. </p> http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/31/opinion/31grossman.html?_r=1&hp

Fight Fire With a Cease-Fire

Article Tools Sponsored By
By DAVID GROSSMAN
Published: December 30, 2008

Jerusalem

NOW, after the heavy blow that Israel has dealt to the Gaza Strip, we would do best to halt, turn to the leaders of Hamas and tell them: Until last Saturday, we restrained ourselves in responding to the thousands of Qassam rockets fired at us. Now you know how severe the retaliation can be. So as not to add to the death and destruction that has already taken place, we intend, unilaterally and absolutely, to hold our fire for the next 48 hours.

]]> By: Richard Witty http://mondoweiss.net/2008/12/today-i-watched-rick-sanchez-of-cnn-interview-mark-regev-a-spokesman-for-the-israeli-govt.html/comment-page-1#comment-41982 Richard Witty Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000 http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2008/12/30/today-i-watched-rick-sanchez-of-cnn-interview-mark-regev-a-spokesman-for-the-israeli-govt.html#comment-41982 <p>http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/30/opinion/30tue1.html</p> <p>War Over Gaza<br /> <br /> Article Tools Sponsored By<br /> Published: December 29, 2008</p> <p>Israel must defend itself. And Hamas must bear responsibility for ending a six-month cease-fire this month with a barrage of rocket attacks into Israeli territory. Still we fear that Israel’s response — devastating airstrikes that represent the largest military operation in Gaza since 1967 — is unlikely to weaken the militant Palestinian group substantially or move things any closer to what all Israelis and all Palestinians need: a durable peace agreement and a two-state solution.</p> http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/30/opinion/30tue1.html

War Over Gaza

Article Tools Sponsored By
Published: December 29, 2008

Israel must defend itself. And Hamas must bear responsibility for ending a six-month cease-fire this month with a barrage of rocket attacks into Israeli territory. Still we fear that Israel’s response — devastating airstrikes that represent the largest military operation in Gaza since 1967 — is unlikely to weaken the militant Palestinian group substantially or move things any closer to what all Israelis and all Palestinians need: a durable peace agreement and a two-state solution.

]]> By: Richard Witty http://mondoweiss.net/2008/12/today-i-watched-rick-sanchez-of-cnn-interview-mark-regev-a-spokesman-for-the-israeli-govt.html/comment-page-1#comment-41983 Richard Witty Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000 http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2008/12/30/today-i-watched-rick-sanchez-of-cnn-interview-mark-regev-a-spokesman-for-the-israeli-govt.html#comment-41983 <p>http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/31/world/middleeast/31mideast.html?hp</p> <p>Amid a Buildup of Its Forces, Israel Ponders a Cease-Fire</p> <p>By ETHAN BRONNER and TAGHREED EL-KHODARY<br /> Published: December 30, 2008</p> <p>JERUSALEM — With its punishing air attacks on Gaza about to enter a fifth day, its gunboats gathering near the Gaza port and its ground forces poised for imminent action, Israel said Tuesday that it was considering a 48-hour cease-fire that would also require Hamas to stop its rocket fire. </p> http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/31/world/middleeast/31mideast.html?hp

Amid a Buildup of Its Forces, Israel Ponders a Cease-Fire

By ETHAN BRONNER and TAGHREED EL-KHODARY
Published: December 30, 2008

JERUSALEM — With its punishing air attacks on Gaza about to enter a fifth day, its gunboats gathering near the Gaza port and its ground forces poised for imminent action, Israel said Tuesday that it was considering a 48-hour cease-fire that would also require Hamas to stop its rocket fire.

]]> By: Richard Witty http://mondoweiss.net/2008/12/today-i-watched-rick-sanchez-of-cnn-interview-mark-regev-a-spokesman-for-the-israeli-govt.html/comment-page-1#comment-41984 Richard Witty Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000 http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2008/12/30/today-i-watched-rick-sanchez-of-cnn-interview-mark-regev-a-spokesman-for-the-israeli-govt.html#comment-41984 <p>IF Israel undertakes these suggestions, then it will be Hamas that entirely loses control of the drama.</p> <p>Hamas will be seen as utterly IMPOTENT to make either war or peace, especially if those within Hamas that prefer the permanent cease-fire to permanent war are not able to convince cooler heads to prevail.</p> <p>IF Hamas had voluntarily continued the cease-fire, then it would have been on very public record as such, and a basis of trust would have emerged.</p> <p>That it instead felt like an alchoholic that successfully ceases their alchohol intake for six months, but feels "free" to resume after that point, is an enormous tragedy for all in the world.</p> IF Israel undertakes these suggestions, then it will be Hamas that entirely loses control of the drama.

Hamas will be seen as utterly IMPOTENT to make either war or peace, especially if those within Hamas that prefer the permanent cease-fire to permanent war are not able to convince cooler heads to prevail.

IF Hamas had voluntarily continued the cease-fire, then it would have been on very public record as such, and a basis of trust would have emerged.

That it instead felt like an alchoholic that successfully ceases their alchohol intake for six months, but feels "free" to resume after that point, is an enormous tragedy for all in the world.

]]> By: BLG http://mondoweiss.net/2008/12/today-i-watched-rick-sanchez-of-cnn-interview-mark-regev-a-spokesman-for-the-israeli-govt.html/comment-page-1#comment-41985 BLG Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000 http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2008/12/30/today-i-watched-rick-sanchez-of-cnn-interview-mark-regev-a-spokesman-for-the-israeli-govt.html#comment-41985 <p>If they're getting clobbered in PR, its surprising I don't see <a href="http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L26679526.htm" rel="nofollow">this</a> in the news</p> <p>June 20</p> <p>- Israeli army troops near the border east of the southern Gaza town of Rafah opened fire towards Palestinian farmers working in al-Amoor, according to U.N. sources. No injuries reported.</p> <p>- Israeli troops east of el-Maghazi camp opened fire towards Palestinian farmers, according to U.N. sources. No injuries reported.</p> <p>- Israeli marine vessels fired towards Palestinian fishermen west of Beit Lahiya, according U.N. sources. No injuries reported.</p> <p>June 21</p> <p>- Israeli marine vessels opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats west of Beit Lahiya, according to U.N. sources. No injuries reported.</p> <p>- Israeli troops at the border north east of the el-Maghazi camp opened fire towards Palestinian farmers, according to U.N. sources. No injuries reported.</p> <p>June 23</p> <p>- Palestinians fired a mortar shell into southern Israel from the Gaza Strip, according to the Israeli army. No one hurt.</p> <p>- Israeli troops near the border north-west of Beit Lahiya opened fire at a group of people collecting wood, seriously wounding a 70-year-old man, according to U.N. sources.</p> <p>June 24</p> <p>- Islamic Jihad militants fired rockets into southern Israel, the militant group and the Israeli army said. No casualties. The rocket fire followed Israel's killing of two Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, an area not covered by the ceasefire.</p> <p>June 25</p> <p>- Israeli troops east of Rafah opened fire toward farmers, according U.N. sources. No injuries reported.</p> <p>June 25</p> <p>- Israeli troops stationed near Khan Younis opened fire towards Palestinian farmers. An 82-year-old farmer was seriously injured, according to U.N. sources.</p> <p>June 26</p> <p>- Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, a militant group belonging to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah faction, fired one rocket into southern Israel, the group and the Israeli army said. (Reporting by Adam Entous; edited by Richard Meares)</p> If they're getting clobbered in PR, its surprising I don't see this in the news

June 20

- Israeli army troops near the border east of the southern Gaza town of Rafah opened fire towards Palestinian farmers working in al-Amoor, according to U.N. sources. No injuries reported.

- Israeli troops east of el-Maghazi camp opened fire towards Palestinian farmers, according to U.N. sources. No injuries reported.

- Israeli marine vessels fired towards Palestinian fishermen west of Beit Lahiya, according U.N. sources. No injuries reported.

June 21

- Israeli marine vessels opened fire at Palestinian fishing boats west of Beit Lahiya, according to U.N. sources. No injuries reported.

- Israeli troops at the border north east of the el-Maghazi camp opened fire towards Palestinian farmers, according to U.N. sources. No injuries reported.

June 23

- Palestinians fired a mortar shell into southern Israel from the Gaza Strip, according to the Israeli army. No one hurt.

- Israeli troops near the border north-west of Beit Lahiya opened fire at a group of people collecting wood, seriously wounding a 70-year-old man, according to U.N. sources.

June 24

- Islamic Jihad militants fired rockets into southern Israel, the militant group and the Israeli army said. No casualties. The rocket fire followed Israel's killing of two Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, an area not covered by the ceasefire.

June 25

- Israeli troops east of Rafah opened fire toward farmers, according U.N. sources. No injuries reported.

June 25

- Israeli troops stationed near Khan Younis opened fire towards Palestinian farmers. An 82-year-old farmer was seriously injured, according to U.N. sources.

June 26

- Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, a militant group belonging to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah faction, fired one rocket into southern Israel, the group and the Israeli army said. (Reporting by Adam Entous; edited by Richard Meares)

]]> By: anomalousNYC http://mondoweiss.net/2008/12/today-i-watched-rick-sanchez-of-cnn-interview-mark-regev-a-spokesman-for-the-israeli-govt.html/comment-page-1#comment-41986 anomalousNYC Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000 http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2008/12/30/today-i-watched-rick-sanchez-of-cnn-interview-mark-regev-a-spokesman-for-the-israeli-govt.html#comment-41986 <p>Richard Witty laments that cooler heads fail to prevail in Gaza, and suggests that "a record of trust" would have been established if they had extended the truce, despite almost daily Israeli provocations, including land seizures, imposition of deliberate famine on 1.5 million people, home demolitions, mass imprisonment, military overflights, assassinations, endless Israeli chatter about the feasability of ethnic cleansing, official "jokes" about a "shoah" against Palestinians, and all the rest.</p> <p>Ali Abunimah's recent observation is not hyperbole and is all I can offer in response to this utter nonsense:</p> <p>"What is Israel's idea of a truce? It is very simple: Palestinians have the right to remain silent while Israel starves them, kills them and continues to violently colonise their land."</p> <p>As the United Nations Human Rights Commission notes this evening: "Israel has ...ignored recent Hamas' diplomatic initiatives to reestablish the truce or ceasefire since its expiration on 26 December."<br /> </p> Richard Witty laments that cooler heads fail to prevail in Gaza, and suggests that "a record of trust" would have been established if they had extended the truce, despite almost daily Israeli provocations, including land seizures, imposition of deliberate famine on 1.5 million people, home demolitions, mass imprisonment, military overflights, assassinations, endless Israeli chatter about the feasability of ethnic cleansing, official "jokes" about a "shoah" against Palestinians, and all the rest.

Ali Abunimah's recent observation is not hyperbole and is all I can offer in response to this utter nonsense:

"What is Israel's idea of a truce? It is very simple: Palestinians have the right to remain silent while Israel starves them, kills them and continues to violently colonise their land."

As the United Nations Human Rights Commission notes this evening: "Israel has …ignored recent Hamas' diplomatic initiatives to reestablish the truce or ceasefire since its expiration on 26 December."

]]> By: Paul Malfara http://mondoweiss.net/2008/12/today-i-watched-rick-sanchez-of-cnn-interview-mark-regev-a-spokesman-for-the-israeli-govt.html/comment-page-1#comment-41987 Paul Malfara Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000 http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2008/12/30/today-i-watched-rick-sanchez-of-cnn-interview-mark-regev-a-spokesman-for-the-israeli-govt.html#comment-41987 <p><br /> Witty, witty,</p> <p>Spinning the bullshit as usual. </p> <p>Quoting articles from the New York Times written by Jews who say "we would do best to halt...". No wonder Americans aren't getting their news from that rag anymore.<br /> We Americans have not been dealing the death and destruction to the Palestinians, you Israelis have. I'm totally ashamed that they are using equipment supplied by my country, but I'm hopeful, as it seems that the everyday man on the street in the USA is getting fed up with it. I say "We Americans would do best to sever our ties to that brutal, fucked-up state called Israel." I know that it won't happen, not without violence rendered against the supporters of these war crimes. When they come for you, Witty, I won't stand up for you. Maybe you and soggy Bill can share a flat and wait. </p> <p>You don't seem to understand that Kadima hasn't killed enough Palestinians to win the election yet. Barak hasn't shown himself as being tough enough yet. Bibi still leading in the polls. Kill to earn votes. What a pitiful state!!! </p> <p>By the way, Israel violated the cease-fire first, when are you going to admit it??</p> <p>Keep spinning, Witty, and the pendulum will swing back even sooner.</p> <p>PM</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><br /> </p> Witty, witty,

Spinning the bullshit as usual.

Quoting articles from the New York Times written by Jews who say "we would do best to halt…". No wonder Americans aren't getting their news from that rag anymore.
We Americans have not been dealing the death and destruction to the Palestinians, you Israelis have. I'm totally ashamed that they are using equipment supplied by my country, but I'm hopeful, as it seems that the everyday man on the street in the USA is getting fed up with it. I say "We Americans would do best to sever our ties to that brutal, fucked-up state called Israel." I know that it won't happen, not without violence rendered against the supporters of these war crimes. When they come for you, Witty, I won't stand up for you. Maybe you and soggy Bill can share a flat and wait.

You don't seem to understand that Kadima hasn't killed enough Palestinians to win the election yet. Barak hasn't shown himself as being tough enough yet. Bibi still leading in the polls. Kill to earn votes. What a pitiful state!!!

By the way, Israel violated the cease-fire first, when are you going to admit it??

Keep spinning, Witty, and the pendulum will swing back even sooner.

PM

]]> By: Richard Witty http://mondoweiss.net/2008/12/today-i-watched-rick-sanchez-of-cnn-interview-mark-regev-a-spokesman-for-the-israeli-govt.html/comment-page-1#comment-41988 Richard Witty Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000 http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2008/12/30/today-i-watched-rick-sanchez-of-cnn-interview-mark-regev-a-spokesman-for-the-israeli-govt.html#comment-41988 <p>http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1051235.html</p> <p>Gaza rocket strikes school in Be'er Sheva<br /> By Yanir Yagna, Haaretz Correspondent, Haaretz Staff and News Agencies<br /> Tags: Gaza, Hamas, Israel news </p> <p>A Grad rocket fired by Palestinians in Gaza directly struck an empty schoolhouse in Be'er Sheva on Wednesday morning. Earlier, two rockets exploded in open fields near the Negev city. No injuries or damage was reported.</p> <p>Hamas took responsibility for Wednesday's strike on Be'er Sheva. </p> http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1051235.html

Gaza rocket strikes school in Be'er Sheva
By Yanir Yagna, Haaretz Correspondent, Haaretz Staff and News Agencies
Tags: Gaza, Hamas, Israel news

A Grad rocket fired by Palestinians in Gaza directly struck an empty schoolhouse in Be'er Sheva on Wednesday morning. Earlier, two rockets exploded in open fields near the Negev city. No injuries or damage was reported.

Hamas took responsibility for Wednesday's strike on Be'er Sheva.

]]> By: Richard Witty http://mondoweiss.net/2008/12/today-i-watched-rick-sanchez-of-cnn-interview-mark-regev-a-spokesman-for-the-israeli-govt.html/comment-page-1#comment-41989 Richard Witty Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000 http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2008/12/30/today-i-watched-rick-sanchez-of-cnn-interview-mark-regev-a-spokesman-for-the-israeli-govt.html#comment-41989 <p>Paul,<br /> Don't be ignorant.</p> <p>BOTH Israeli officials AND Hamas are conducting political campaigns, both on the basis of their "backbone".</p> <p>As are you, and as is Phil.</p> <p>The best objective of EVERY party, Palestine, Israeli, dissent, is to stop the violence on civilians, and hopefully to stop all the violence.</p> <p>I suggest that analysis be oriented to reducing the pendulum swinging, in a word *peace*. You suggest that "you'll get yours" is the same as justice.</p> Paul,
Don't be ignorant.

BOTH Israeli officials AND Hamas are conducting political campaigns, both on the basis of their "backbone".

As are you, and as is Phil.

The best objective of EVERY party, Palestine, Israeli, dissent, is to stop the violence on civilians, and hopefully to stop all the violence.

I suggest that analysis be oriented to reducing the pendulum swinging, in a word *peace*. You suggest that "you'll get yours" is the same as justice.

]]> By: annefrankeststeinsdiary http://mondoweiss.net/2008/12/today-i-watched-rick-sanchez-of-cnn-interview-mark-regev-a-spokesman-for-the-israeli-govt.html/comment-page-1#comment-41990 annefrankeststeinsdiary Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000 http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2008/12/30/today-i-watched-rick-sanchez-of-cnn-interview-mark-regev-a-spokesman-for-the-israeli-govt.html#comment-41990 <p>Paul, It's sensible to skip the Witty's witless comments. I may glance at every 10th one, and partially at that. The mindless Hasbara Handbook kneejerk gang is always out there.</p> Paul, It's sensible to skip the Witty's witless comments. I may glance at every 10th one, and partially at that. The mindless Hasbara Handbook kneejerk gang is always out there.

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