AC writes:
Reports are coming in from Gaza that the IDF is firing at civilians and
farmers accompanied by international volunteers as human shields. An account [from International Solidarity Movement], with unnerving video:
The soldiers continued to shoot on the group, despite the fact that many members of the group had their arms in the air and were wearing fluorescent vests to make them highly visible, and identify them as Human Rights Workers; had erected a banner indicating that the farmers and accompaniment were civilians; contact had been made with the Israeli army to advise them that Palestinian civilians and internationals would be working in the area; the various international embassies had been advised of the planned accompaniment; and the internationals were announcing their presence via a megaphone - demanding that the soldiers stop shooting on unarmed civilians.
With internationals acting as human shields, the farmers - after initially lying down to avoid being shot - attempted to continue harvesting. After a few moments, however, the shooting intensified and farmers decided to leave the area, rather than be killed. Internationals announced on the megaphone that the group was leaving the area - asking that the soldiers halt their fire. Instead, as the group started to leave, the shooting further intensified in rapidity and proximity. Even after the group had taken refuge in a house, approximately 1km from the Green Line, the soldiers continued to shoot at nearby houses that were demolished during the recent Israeli Operation Cast Lead.
Another account from east of Khan Younis (with pictures):
It would have been hard to miss or mistake us, with fluorescent yellow vests and visibly unarmed–our hands were in the air.
Via bullhorn, we re-iterated our presence to the soldiers, informing them we were all unarmed civilians, the farmers were rightfully working their land, the soldiers were being filmed by an Italian film crew. We also informed some of our embassies of the situation: "we are on Palestinian farmland and are being shot at by Israeli soldiers on the other side of the border fence."
...As the cracks of gunfire rang more frequently and louder, the shots closer, those of the farmers who hadn't already hit the ground did so, sprawling flat for cover. The international observers continued to stand, brightly visible, hands in the air, bullhorn repeating our message of unarmed presence. The shots continued, from the direction of 3 or 4 visible soldiers on a mound hundreds of metres from us. With my eyeglasses I could make out their shapes, uniforms, the jeep… Certainly with their military equipment they could make out our faces, empty hands, parsley-loaded cart…
There was no mistaking the situation or their intent: pure harassment.
These
incidents have been justified by the IDF by declaring buffer zones
within Gaza. Israel historically has destroyed homes and again driven
Palestinians from their land to create these buffer zones, leaving a
barren no man's land in their place. The buffer zones render private
land off limits to its owners. The practice has been amply documented
by Human Rights Watch (here & here), the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (here & here), and the media and individuals
on the ground. It is strictly forbidden under international law (to say
nothing of the practice of firing at clearly unarmed civilians tending
to their fields):
"Private property cannot be confiscated by the occupier," states the ICRC.
Article 46 of the Fourth Geneva Convention:
"In so far as they have not been previously withdrawn, restrictive measures taken regarding protected persons shall be cancelled as soon as possible after the close of hostilities. Restrictive measures affecting their property shall be cancelled, in accordance with the law of the Detaining Power, as soon as possible after the close of hostilities."
Article 53 of the Fourth Geneva Convention:
"Any destruction by the Occupying Power of real or personal property belonging individually or collectively to private persons, or to the State, or to other public authorities, or to social or cooperative organizations, is prohibited, except where such destruction is rendered absolutely necessary by military operations."
Denying access to the land of and firing at clearly unarmed civilians with their hands raised in the air 1km away from the location of the occupying soldiers is hardly "absolutely necessary."
The practice of creating buffer zones is in effect one of land usurpation, the most obscene instance of which is the prison and annexation wall in the West Bank.
The above is but one example of the persecution and humiliation wrought by occupation. It is a distortion of reality to focus on the intermittent wars and the opening shots and ceasefires as spectacles of blood and irregularity, for every day under occupation is its own wicked war.
ISM? Those guys aid and abet terrorists. They play human shields to keep the houses of suicide bombers from being demolished. Susan Barclay, an ISM coordinator admitted to working with terrorist groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
More to the point about their tendency to fabricate evidence, they photoshopped pictures of Rachel Corrie to make it look like she was right in front of a house when she got run over by a bulldozer, instead of in the middle of a field shielding the mouth of a smuggling tunnel.
Those guys have no credibility.
As for what the film actually shows, they went to a no go area, and warning shots were fired. Ooooooh.
The video was obviously staged. Not only was no one hit, but not a single bullet hit anywhere where the debris kicked up by the bullet could be seen on camera. Either they knew that only warning shots would be fired, or they had someone firing them themselves, or the shots were just sound effects.
Even assuming that it was Israeli shooting and not Palestinians or just sound effects, they were obviously firing warning shots nowhere near the idiots who were standing in a no go area.
But the biggest indicator that it was staged was that the person shouting into the megaphone was shouting in English, not Hebrew. If they were genuinely trying to get Israeli soldiers to stop shooting, they would be shouting in Hebrew, which all the Israeli soldiers know. OTOH if they didn't want the soldiers to stop firing warning shots, and were just trying to make a propaganda piece for use in the English speaking world, shouting in English would make it easier for the audience at home to understand what they were saying.
Oh, and "we were wearing fluorescent vests" as proof that they were harmless is priceless. Because no terrorist could ever possibly get ahold of a fluorescent vest.
Rachel Corrie was a brave young lady with the highest American values. There was no tunnel anywhere near the house being demolished by the IDF punk driving the American made & bought & paid for tractor. Thom is copying Goebbels, with hasbara content. The White Rose now wears fluorescent vests because they are afraid of IDF "warning shots."
This is a very interesting story and seeks to be critical of the Israeli Defence Forces activities in Gaza.
I find the utterances of your author “AC” rather amusing, like quite a number the author is an Arab Muslim sympathiser so it is natural that the story would have an anti Israeli bias.
“AC” quotes "Private property cannot be confiscated by the occupier," states the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Then “AC” goes on to quote Article 46 and 53 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
It would appear that “AC” seems to believe that the sections quoted only have a relevance to Gaza.
Where was “AC” when his Turkish Muslim friends invaded Northern Cyprus, a Christian country in 1974?
In fact I do not see “AC” calling for the ICRC statement together with Articles 46 and 53 to apply to Northern Cyprus where some 40,000 armed Turkish personnel for 35 years have prevented the rightful owners to return to their private property. The Turkish Muslim occupier has also promoted the destruction of Orthodox Churches, the desecration of cemeteries and the sale of the stolen private property.
Quite frankly the Israeli Defence Forces have been very tolerant in the way that they have dealt with the Hamas. The people of Gaza have only them selves to blame for they have obviously supported Hamas. It is hard to believe that some 1.5million people are that stupid that they do not rise up and wipe out Hamas. As long as there is a Hamas with a terrorist agenda the people of Gaza must continue to suffer. As I have said before, they only have themselves to blame.
In the meantime “AC” take a look at the activities of your Turkish Muslim friends and their activities over the last 35 years in Cyprus. On another occasion we can talk about the Turkish Muslims and the modern Kurd genocide. The Armenian genocide will have to wait for another day.
I have just found a great story which sings the virtues of Hamas, it provides further information as to who is the real enemy. It would appear that Hamas is the real enemy of the people of Gaza.
—————————–
Hamas Steals Large Supplies of Medicine and Food
February 6, 2009
Hamas stealing medicine and food sent by international donors
By Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook
Hamas has been stealing medicine and food sent by international donors, distributing these supplies among its members and selling the rest for profit. This accusation, appearing in numerous eyewitness reports in Palestinian Authority newspapers since the end of the Gaza War, has now been corroborated by UNRWA.
Al-Ayyam and Al-Hayat Al-Jadida have been reporting that armed Hamas men have comandeered trucks delivering food to UNRWA and have shot at the truck drivers.
Hamas has also refused to allow charities to distribute any of the supplies. An article in Al-Hayat Al-Jadida describes how Hamas militias took control of two charity organizations in Jabaliya and in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip, and made them sign an agreement not to distribute any aid or "carry out social or humanitarian actions."
The following are multiple reports of Hamas's continuing theft of donor aid.
"UNWRA reported yesterday that Hamas police confiscated supplies of humanitarian aid from one of the distribution points under its control in Gaza. Two days ago, they report, more than 3,500 blankets and 406 food parcels were confiscated by Hamas police officials."
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Feb. 5, 2009]
"Yesterday the Hamas militias took control of two charity organizations in Jabaliya and in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip. Sources said that the Hamas militias took control over the Association for the Disabled in Jabaliya, and the "Our Home" association in Beit Lahiya. They forced the people in charge of the two [charity] organizations to sign that they obligate themselves not to distribute any aid or carry out social or humanitarian actions."
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Jan. 28, 2009]
"[Hamas] took control by armed force of the aid trucks and of the goods that were sent to the private sector. The supplies were distributed between the [Hamas] party members and afterwards the remainder was put up for sale at exorbitant prices… People's stories range from stories of murder of innocent people in cold blood to the unloading of bags of flour to the houses of Hamas activists while their neighbors were left starving. When they asked [for some of the flour] they were offered to buy at prices which they could not afford to pay."
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Jan. 22, 2009]
"Hamas kidnaps Fatah members while they distribute aid … Armed Hamas members kidnapped Fatah movement members yesterday while they were distributing aid to citizens… they also attacked a senior policeman wildly… and refused to transfer him to hospital for treatment after the attack."
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Jan. 28, 2009]
Headline: "Minister for Social Affairs: The Ministry concentrates on rescue and rehabilitation activities while Hamas confiscates the aid and sells it
"[Minister for Social Affairs] Al-Habbash clarified that the [Palestinian] Authority … used to send [aid] through the UN institutions and the World Food Programs or directly. He emphasized that Hamas has taken control over this aid and has prevented its reaching the citizens… 'When the [Israeli] aggression ended, the Hamas members came out and began to carry out robberies of the aid convoys and take the aid. On the 19th and 20th of this month they took over 63 trucks loaded with food, which were expected to arrive at the [UNRWA] relief agencies…
"They [Hamas] take control over everything that falls into their hands, they present it at the market and sell it …
"He added that Hamas disseminated among the grocers and the food distributors, [orders] preventing them from selling [large] quantities of food, unless it is with permission of Hamas, even if is a person wants to buy quantities [of food] in order to distribute it as charity among people. He directed attention to the fact that the aid that reaches Hamas, it distributes among its [own] people and the rest it sells."
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Jan. 29, 2009]
Headline: "Al-Habbash: Aid entering Gaza is no longer safe after [Hamas] has taken 63 trucks of food and medicine"
"[Palestinian] Minister for Social Affairs, Mahmoud Al-Habbash, said: 'During the last three days, armed [activists] who belong to the Hamas movement have taken control of 63 trucks delivering aid consisting of food and medicine, which were on their way to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), after shooting at the drivers…
'Unfortunately the way the aid enters into the Gaza Strip has not been safe during the last three days … Hamas has executed 19 civilians, and has shot another 63 civilians in the legs …'
"Regarding Hamas's taking the aid he said: 'The movement sells part of the aid on the open market and to private pharmacies, and the rest it distributes among its members, that is the message of hundreds of complaints from Gaza citizens received every day at the Ministry for Social Affairs' … and he said that he has evidence from drivers who were shot before the contents of their trucks were requisitioned by force…"
[Al-Ayyam, Jan. 22, 2009]
Phil: I'm sorry you're letting the hasbara brigade commandeer your comment threads. Guys, go back where you came from. Your shilling for the IDF is entirely unpersuasive. Where did you hear about Phil's blog? From the foreign ministry? Or from GIYUS?
You guys are odious swine or should I say hazers since you're as treif as the day is long.
The youtube video of the incident makes compelling viewing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQXecLyureE
OK, Richie "Silverstein". Really? You couldn't come up with a better name as cover for your anti-Semitism? Cohen and Levi were taken?
At least "David Frum" came up with an ironic name for an anti-Semite. Well, maybe not that ironic considering Neturei Karta (sp?), the ultra-orthodox lunatics who are opposed to the existance of Israel because the Messiah hasn't shown up yet. Those guys would rather see every Jew in Israel dead than have Israel exist at all. Natural allies of Hamas and others who want to exterminate the Jews, but I digress.
Back to Richie's paranoid rantings. No, asshole, it isn't a conspiracy. I can't speak for anyone else posting here, but I am an American, not an Israeli. I don't get money for fighting the lies you slimebags print, it's just a hobby. I don't take orders from anyone, it's just little old me.
As to where I heard about Phil's house-o-Israel bashing, an article from here was on google news. I can't remember what the first story I saw here was, it might have been that "Sophie's choice" blarney. Then again, it might have been something else.
From UN – NGOs appeal for humanitarian aid:
During Operation Cast Lead, the IDF took complete control over the sea and 70% of agricultural areas, forcing a halt to production. With much of the production spoiled, the variety, quality and
quantity of fresh foods available in the market dropped. The operation destroyed many poultry (broilers and layers), sheep, goat, and rabbit farms. Additionally, fishermen have lost many boats, and a large proportion of fishing equipment and cold storage facilities. With many of their homes and lands mined by the operation and owing to lack of safety, farmers are reluctant to return home to begin the next growing season. High unemployment was already prevalent in the Gaza Strip and is likely to have been worsened by the conflict, meaning a further decline in livelihoods and living conditions. 140
agricultural wells were reported to have been destroyed during the military incursion, along with irrigation systems and greenhouses. Owing to stalled local production, there is an increase in the price of fresh foods, including poultry,
small ruminants, fish, fruits and vegetables, if they can be found and sold in Gaza, and if cash is available to consumers to buy them. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) predicts an
imminent rise in food insecurity due to the unstable food and cash aid pipelines, and the inability of the local population to afford or find fresh foods. As social safety nets and coping mechanisms, including
backyard cottage industries, continue to crumble, more Gazans are forced to skip meals and switch to cheaper and less nutritious foods. The agricultural sector is a traditional shock-absorber in time of
crisis and a prompt restoration of this sector is both possible and necessary to protect livelihoods.
New "military zone in Gaza" will remove substantial amount of arable zones from agricultural production, and further diminish fresh produce for the malnourished population.
"I am an American, not an Israeli"
How odd, then, that you should devote so much time and effort to defending the Israeli government. Are you equally active in defending the governmental choices of your own country?
"an article from here was on google news"
Yes, and by strange coincidence Chris and Suzanne and now Mike have all separately found their way here, and all this just a few weeks after the Israeli foreign ministry announced that it was recruiting an army of bloggers to fight its cause. True serendipity, I suppose. Perhaps Phil should be flattered, although given the poor quality of our hasbarists maybe not (a tip for y'all, especially Chris – the sophisticated troll does not go in for demented and bloodthirsty fulminations, since people outside Israel generally find these off-putting – its far better to adopt the tone of a bemused spectator who is sympathetic to the Palestinians but "can't understand why they don't stop firing those rockets", that kind of thing).
Rachel Corrie was a brave young lady with the highest American values.
Posted by: Citizen
I seem to recall the real Rachel Corrie, the one whose hate filled face fills the camera as she burns the American Flag.
chris berel, anyone who wants to can read Rachel Corrie's concerns from her own correspondence, which has been published and is also available via the play written about her, also available. The play show itself was censored by zionists here in the USA. The hate filled face you see is your own. Get rid of your mirror, join the rest of humanity
as Rachel Corrie did. She honors the stars and stripes.
Richard Silverstein, yes we too have noticed the recent invasion by hasbara
employees, including those you named.
The hate filled face of Rachel Corrie, while burning an American flag, is proof that she was little but a propagandist hate monger who screwed up while playing chicken with a bull dozer.
Now where did I see that analogy before? That's right – Alf referred to palestinians as chickens.
I can't imagine what David Frum is whining about, but perhaps he'd like some fine cheese to go with it?
Sorry Davie boy, no group. Well, not one with me in it anyway. I don't know whether the other pro-Israel posters here are in a group.
You anti-Semites really have no clue do you? You really do think Jews are a hive mind that only acts in concert.
On Rachel Corrie, while I find her burning of an American flag outrageous, she didn't deserve to die. People, even Americans, have a right to be America hating scum. As far as I am concerned, burn whatever flag you want, as long as you own it of course. Burning someone else's property is a different matter.
It is unfortunate that she acted in a reckless and stupid way and got her fool self killed.
The Rachel Corrie story teaches us a very important lesson. When a group of terrorist supporters tells you to stand in front of a bulldozer with limited visibility to protect a smuggling tunnel, don't. BTW, the video of her getting run over can be found online. The bulldozer wasn't about to knock down a house, it was pushing a mound of dirt out in the open.
BTW Chris. It isn't appropriate to call the Palestinians animals. We must not forget that despite the fact that suicide bombing gets an 80% approval rating among Palestinians, and that a majority of their voters voted for the modern equivalent of the Nazi party, they are still human beings.
The deaths and injuries of innocent Palestinians are tragedies. They are an unavoidable consequence of fighting a terrorist army like Hamas, but an unavoidable consequence of a good and necessary action is not necessarily a good thing.
Hamas and their supporters like Phil and his cheering section here want to make Jews out to be monsters and turn us into monsters. We can't stop them from lying, but we must never lose sight of our humanity.
Corrie expressed pride about being at a rqally with the PFLP terrorist group, in Gaza.
She never gave a damn if an innocent Israeli child was murdered.