AC writes, before the ceasefire:
Video of Tzipi Livni being called a terrorist at her 1/16 National Press Club appearance has surfaced (shorter version). It was mentioned in the Israeli press.
A couple of days ago an Al-Jazeera-English a reporter
interrupted Livni during a Q&A session in Israel as she was
explaining what Israel was doing and why it was necessary and good. He
persistently
asked her when it'll end, how soon. She looked annoyed, but managed a
smile and brushed it off. Here, however, Livni looks especially
perturbed that the reporters are challenging her
authority in America, in D.C. Of course, these protestations by reporters
appear contradictory and rather isolated when regarded amidst apparent American support for Israel and its actions. In comparison to American popular opinion, they would seem to represent a minority view.
And from the ground in Gaza: Israel bombs Al-Quds Hospital and a Red Crescent center. Here are pictures of Israel's willy pete victims. [reference is to allegations of use of white phosphorus]
Lest it be forgotten, as blood is spilled in Gaza, the humiliation continues in the West Bank.
Philip, thank you for your insights. The silence of the MSM has been deafening, and never more so that now that israel has announced it's "Unilateral cease fire." It would appear that this move is no more than a tactic. I wonder if Obama can "undo" the MOU? has this been made public, I can't find it.
I did read that israel has apologised for suffering of Palestinians, and is investigating reports of civilians being targeted. I wonder if Ban's outrage after the 4th UN school was hit, and where he said he demanded an explaination, because he had been promised when in Israel, it would not happen again, wonder of this has anything to do with Israel's stopping the carnage?
At any rate, it is not a cease fire, because Israel can begin again without violating a cease fire, as there is obviiously no agreement.
So cynical.
Take care, maybe now we can pay some attention to the pomp of the Inauguration. So many people worked so hard for this, so many dreams realized, I am outraged, not only at the carnage in Gaza, but at being robbed of joyful feelings when Obama becomes president.
"Israel is acting not only according to the international law, but according to our values."
This was a recurring theme in Livni's answers. It was repeated about three times.
The pridefulness seems grotesque in the current circumstances. One of the risks of chosing to live as "a people apart" is that one's self-image can become unanchored in reality.
"…these protestations by reporters appear contradictory and rather isolated when regarded amidst apparent American support for Israel…"
Given the brain-washing of the general public about the significance of Israel and its aspirations, it is not surprising that opinion polls register continued support for Israeli actions.
The public have had the "we must support plucky little Israel" line shoved down their throats for years.
The propaganda is very effective.
Many journalists read blogs.
This exposure would most likely yield a more balanced outlook.
Thanks to all those Israelis who protested and/or got themselves arrested to try and highlight the barbarity of the Israeli government actions.
Kathy: "Take care, maybe now we can pay some attention to the pomp of the Inauguration."
I don't know why, when we are in the greatest financial crisis since the great depression, Obama would want to hold the most expensive inauguration in history. Also, given that this country is currently engaged in two wars (and our ally, Israel, is holding a third one), it might be a good time not to have any inauguration balls at all. Other wartime presidents, including Wilson and Roosevelt, have canceled or held minimal celebrations in wartime our of respect for the deaths of our soldiers overseas.
Justin Raimondo writes:
"After the neoconservatives had left the administration, in disgrace, the divergence of US and Israeli interests began to come out in the open: most of these were little noted, such as the end of the visa arrangements between the US and Israel that had given Israelis practically unlimited rights to travel and stay in the US. Another and not so subtle signal: the arrest of two top officials of AIPAC, Israel's powerful lobbying organization, The duo were accused of stealing classified information, via Larry Franklin, a veteran of Douglas Feith's shadowy "Office of Special Plans," and a neoconservative of the Ledeen school. Franklin pled guilty to charges of espionage, and was given a 12 year sentence, a hefty fine – and a chance to work off some or all of that time by testifying at the trial of the two ringleaders, Steve Rosen (formerly AIPAC's chief lobbyist) and Keith Weissman (their Iran expert), whose arrest was prefigured by two FBI raids on AIPAC's Washington headquarters."
"I wonder if Obama can "undo" the MOU?"
You appear to be assuming that Obama is interested in undoing the MOU, something for which there is no evidence at all. On the contrary, as a matter of fact. Obama has all the promise in the world of doing just what Bill Clinton did – providing unequivocal support for Israel while trying to look to all the world like an "honest broker".
"I did read that israel has apologised for suffering of Palestinians, and is investigating reports of civilians being targeted."
And how many Gazans are taking Israel's "apology" seriously? The fact that they killed 90% civilians, and more than 30% children is solid evidence of their intentions. Their "apology" is beyond nauseating.
And their investigations will be SO honest – every bit as honest as the Council of Foxes investigation of who raided the hen house last night.
I would like someone ask Livni about Palestinian children shot in the head, as described in today's Telegraph:
On just one day last week staff at the El-Arish hospital in Sinai were called to perform sophisticated CAT brain scans on a nine-year-old, two 10-year-olds and a 14-year-old – each of whom had a bullet still lodged in their brain, after coming under fire during the Israeli ground assault on Gaza.(…)
Dr Yahia, a professor of neurosurgery who has worked in both the United States and Britain, believes that the bullet was shot from close range. (..)"I can't precisely decide whether these children are being shot at as a target, but in some cases the bullet comes from the front of the head and goes towards the back, so I think the gun has been directly pointed at the child."
(..)
One of the medical team leaders at the hospital, Dr Ayman Abd al-Hadi, said that this was the worst conflict he had experienced. "We've had one child with two bullets in the head and nowhere else," he said. "We think that this shows something."
He praised the medical teams in Gaza for managing to save so many lives despite a shortage of staff, supplies and equipment. "But only a very small percentage of children can survive bullet wounds to the head," he said. "If we see three children here who have survived bullet wounds to the head, there are probably 97 still in Gaza who have not."
They were both Arab-American journalists.
Leaving comments on this blog is a real bitch. What's with all the security measures?????
http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1232033468790&pagename=Zone-English-News/NWELayout
One soldier came close to Ibrahim's body, turning him by his leg and laughing while another fired his gun to the dead boy's head
Laughs got louder as they carried the body to a higher place to start their party.
For a whole hour, the father hushed his cries of pain as he watched the Israeli soldiers compete in sniping on his dead son's body.
"They were using his bullet-ridden, bleeding body as a shooting practice.
"With each bullet, they were humming with words I could not figure out, but it sounded full of rapture. It was as if they were celebrating."
It seems, after all, that there CAN indeed be 2 American presidents simultaneously:
Ha'aretz ticker has this :
"Obama welcomes Israel`s cease-fire in Gaza"
What happened? Thought cat had eaten Obama's tongue during the mass-murder…
israhell really cares for the loss of lives of civillians, they have really really really cared for sixty plus years now….they want peace they really really really really do, cant you tell by the way they repeat and repeat and repeat it and repeat it. and the beautiful way in which they use the language and intonations of a peaceful nation.
i cant wait for the day when america and americans turn on you.
the day america discovers that the press has been cowered and their politicians have been the slave of israeli policy will be a red banner day in the united states of america.
lol Kathy that is just absurd. Your pov is risible.
You resent them for hurting your joy, how solipsistic can good ol' American folk get.
Let's remember, your guy is the one who has failed to even utter a word of condemnation. Inaugeration? How about shame. Shame from all your folk in DC, dems and republicans, apart from a few with Kucinich.
You should also be ashamed at how you view this thru some DC centric prism how it affects your happiness. DC myopia methinks is the diagnosis. Get real.
The Obama fuhrer whistle stop train draws cheering crowds as at a high school football rally, rolling, not lurching, towards America's
infantile future. The old cheerleader, Shrub, packs his bags, puts on
his logger's cap, goes for his car keys, dreaming of his future
library, his little Ozmandias building, why I will give it my frat team
pennant, over there, with other personal affects–my old saddle shoes…
Anon,
While she can speak for itself, it seems clear to me that Kathy's post was snark.
Take care, maybe now we can pay some attention to the pomp of the Inauguration. So many people worked so hard for this, so many dreams realized, I am outraged, not only at the carnage in Gaza, but at being robbed of joyful feelings when Obama becomes president.
if that is snark, there is a liberal dose of ambiguity.
This was a recurring theme in Livni's answers. It was repeated about three times.
I didn't count the multiple repetitions of: Fatah, the Palestinians legitimate government. These things are obviously done in the hope that the majority picks up the message and that propaganda trumps reality.
Scheibenkleister! Retiring into my corner for shame (something kids had to do, when did something bad) and keeping my fingers off the keyboard for a while.
There would of course an easy programming solution. The submitting of a comment effectively closes all unclosed html formatting tags.
BloggerFromLebanon, that article you linked to is not even sourced. It may be feeding your delicious anger, but it's not contributing any real info to the conversation here.
Please don't waste our time.
RE: My comment: "Take care, maybe now we can pay some attention to the pomp of the Inauguration. So many people worked so hard for this, so many dreams realized, I am outraged, not only at the carnage in Gaza, but at being robbed of joyful feelings when Obama becomes president."
Actually, I have been posting both here and on other blogs, and forums, raising the issue of Why Israel perpetrated this
"war" at this time. Many had suggested that it was for the upcoming Israel elections, but after reading "The Gaza Bombshell," in Vanity Fair, I have now come to believe this was a dileberate attack on the hope and change obama has promised to being to the world stage. It is no surprize that israel is terrified at Obama's suggestion that we talk first, and war is only a last resort.
I believe Israel and Bush were truing to paint Obama into a corner.
So, that is the context within which I make the comment, "now we can focus on the pomp of the inaurual." Shame on Bush and Israel for their cynical and leathal political tactics.
take care, Kathy
Relevant to Eva's article on head injuries–
In 2004, Derek Summerfield summarized the distinctive nature of the wounds being observed during the second Intifada for the British Medical Journal. The article is subscription only, but it can be read here–
Palestine: The Assault on Health and Other War Crimes
"… Two thirds of the 621 children (two thirds under 15 years) killed at checkpoints, in the street, on the way to school, in their homes, died from small arms fire, directed in over half of cases to the head, neck and chest—the sniper's wound. …"
It's well worth reading. (And not just for the medical info. The ferocious outpouring of angry letters from Jewish names all over the world is as good an introduction as any to the power and organization of the lobby. Click on "Rapid Responses" here.)
About that…" apparent American support for Israel and its actions."
Which links to a Pew Poll. Any time you see a "poll"which goes against what you are seeing and hearing around you and contridicts other polls it behooves you to check it out.
Google Andrew Kohut,the director of the Pew Poll and look up the Pew Charitable Trust which finances the Pew Poll and their Pew Reserch and "Consulting Think Tank" for such businesses as Madeline Albright's international security company and similar others.
Not to be into conspiracy theories this morning but …the Pew Poll is an "opinion maker" for the Pew Group not a independent real opinion poll.
Always look behind the curtain when things don't add up. Know the source. I can't believe Phil isn't aware of what the Pew Poll and the Pew Group is all about.
I think it important to note the Israeli "unilateral ceasefire" is nothing of the sort. Israeli attacks against the civilian population of Gaza with the weapon of the starvation blockade continue. It is facile to stop shooting at someone with your gun, but continue to point it at them and forbid them to travel and trade with the outside world, especially in a completely destitute and non-self-sufficient place like Gaza, and think that this constitutes a ceasefire. Starvation, disease, and lack of elementary medical care can kill just as surely as bullets, yet don't draw nearly so much of the world's sympathy towards their victims. The Israeli occupation of Gaza predates its latest attack by forty one years, and continues.
There is another logically-consistent interpretation, other than obeisance to the Lobby, of P-E Obama's refusal to make public statements on the Israeli attack on Gaza. I submit that he has been reticent to make statements that contradict current administration policy, but not to make statements that concur with it. Thus, he is quick to condemn the Mumbai massacre, and express approval of a ceasefire, because these are completely non-controversial with respect to current administration policy. His silence on Israeli crimes in Gaza could be construed as intent to condemn them, which would have been staggeringly inappropriate before inauguration and his official assumption of command authority. I suggest that if he had agreed wholeheartedly with the Israeli position, he would have said so in no uncertain terms. The 'obeisance theory' is more likely to be the correct one, but we will see to what degree he puts America first during the final week of January. I will withhold judgment until then.
Note that the timing of the various stages in Israel's latest attack on Gaza have 'P-E Obama' written all over them, and that he and his advisers must surely see it. The planning for the attack began shortly before the start of the ceasefire, the longevity of which 'prepared the political battlespace' by emphasizing through contrast any violations which would end it. The first violent major breach of the ceasefire by Israel, not counting its 'non-violent' complete refusal to honor its commitment to lift its starvation blockade, occurred on 4 November, when we Americans voted. This was intended to ensure that Israel's provocation went unreported in the American press, and that Hamas' response would be perceived as the first shot. Hamas did respond, and was indeed blamed for it, although one should note that Hamas claims of Israeli collaborators firing rockets in a false-flag operation to ensure escalation are not implausible, and must be investigated. If I were running the operation, I wouldn't be fool enough to trust Hamas to play its Pavlovian part, and would have multiple backup plans to ensure that the bombing could begin. The length of time between the start of the Israeli attack and Inauguration was enough for a thorough (Israeli) casualty-minimizing razing of Gaza infrastructure, and an extended psychologically-damaging infliction of terror on the general population. Finally, the 'unilateral ceasefire' has occurred several days before Inauguration, allowing time for American media focus to be sucked completely back here. I think it not unlikely we will see a repetition of the pattern of correlation between Israeli violence and the tightening and relaxation of American media attention centered about Inauguration on 20 January.
Ah, Kathy, apparently you need more than an article in Vanity Fair to discover the obvious. If israel was colluding with any administration, it was that of the incoming messiah of the moment. Were Bush et al involved, be sure that Israel would not have declared a unilateral ceasefire just in time to avoid raining on Obama's parade.
Vera, your claim is nonsense. The (phase-lagged) correlation between the Israeli declaration, not implementation because the starvation blockade attack on Palestinian civilians continues, of a ceasefire and P-E Obama's inauguration does not imply cooperation on his part. See my previous post for one of many interpretations.
Re: my last post
Correlation does not imply causality.
"…Hamas claims of Israeli collaborators firing rockets in a false-flag operation to ensure escalation are not implausible…
Not implausible, in fact very likely.
The body count from Hamas rocket attacks is vanishingly small.
The Israelis have been reduced to claiming that the rockets frighten people.
I'm sure they do, but that does not constitute an effective military strategy.
I am also curious about why the rockets are never directed against the Israeli military assets carelessly deployed (in the open, in groups etc.), around Gaza.
A while ago I heard a reporter wondering aloud about why the Israelis waited for ten minutes or so before directing counter-fire to the location of the rocket launch sites, if at all.
They seem to be much more interested in willfully destroying the city's infrastructure.
"…Hamas claims of Israeli collaborators firing rockets in a false-flag operation to ensure escalation are not implausible…
Not implausible, in fact very likely.
The body count from Hamas rocket attacks is vanishingly small.
The Israelis have been reduced to claiming that the rockets frighten people.
I'm sure they do, but that does not constitute an effective military strategy.
I am also curious about why the rockets are never directed against the Israeli military assets carelessly deployed (in the open, in groups etc.), around Gaza.
A while ago I heard a reporter wondering aloud about why the Israelis waited for ten minutes or so before directing counter-fire to the location of the rocket launch sites, if at all.
They seem to be much more interested in willfully destroying the city's infrastructure.