More inspiration. A three-week-long, mile-long convoy of trucks and vans from Britain has entered Gaza with relief goods, clothes, food, you name it. Where governments have dithered and failed to act, this populist solidarity movement succeeded. From Viva Palestina's website on the end of the journey in Gaza a day back:
Along the way, thousands of Palestinians, the other heroes
of this beautiful story of resistance, defiance and hope approached
every vehicle kissing, touching, hugging the bravest of Britain.
They handed their babies, their young children, to the convoy
members so that they could be embraced, as if the angels were
in town. Drenched in flowers, tears were flowing on both sides.
On the video at Paul Woodward's site, you will see Irish soccer boys embracing Arabs in robes. At Viva Palestina's site, you will find various pro-Islamic and pro-Hamas statements. Do we care? No. Relieve the suffering now. Talk to Hamas.
"Talk to Hamas. " Absolutely. Respond positively to Hamas in action when they confidently renounce terror as means permanently and acknowledge that Israel is its neighbor also permanently.
"Talk to Hamas. " Absolutely. Respond positively to Hamas in action when they confidently renounce terror as means permanently and acknowledge that Israel is its neighbor also permanently.
Posted by: Richard Witty | March 10, 2009 at 10:16 AM
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Yes, of course, and demand the same of Israel, as well as of the Likud Party platform.
on renouncing terror: I wish that Israel would renounce terrorism as well. The initial concept of "terrorisme" is state sponsored. Israel has gunships, Hamas has suicide bombers, bottle rockets and rocks. The jews resorted to attacks on civilian buses in the 30's. They targeted the British and arabs. Menachem Begin was a terrorist. There are so many on both sides. Mercy must be shown by the dominant faction. The downtrodden don't have that luxury. Peace is possible.
Yes, let's bring back the 30's when the Jews were forced to band together in defense against arab terrorism.
Let Hamas continue its genocidal practices. They will eventually end up as their own victims.
do you renounce satan?
are you now or have you ever been?
In 1929, the number of Jewish immigrants was about 5000 and by 1933 over 30,000 (peel commission report, 79,82,279). Palestinians expressed their feelings in mass demonstrations against dumping Europe’s problems on them, e.g. a large demonstration 13 September 1933 in Jerusalem that spilled over to other cities (p. 109 in Alfikr AlSiyasi fi Falastin). In 13 October 1933 seven thousand angry demonstrators filled the streets of Jaffa and the British forces opened fire killing 12 and wonding 78 Palestinians (one policeman was also killed). This violence escalated the situation and distrust. Riots and violence spread to many cities and a general strike lasted until November.
You do realize that you are asking of Hamas exactly what Mandela and the ANC specifically and repeatedly refused to do? Mandela never renounced violence and never acknowledged apartheid South Africa as legitimate rule. And yet he and DeKlerk were able to come to an accommodation.
"You do realize that you are asking of Hamas exactly what Mandela and the ANC specifically and repeatedly refused to do? Mandela never renounced violence and never acknowledged apartheid South Africa as legitimate rule. And yet he and DeKlerk were able to come to an accommodation."
Yes. I'm aware of that. If Mandela lived in the internet age in which ANC and affiliates terror were reported, there might still be apartheid in South Africa.
Hamas harms its own stated message by targeting civilians, now over two decades.
A compassionate dissenter cannot in good conscience condone suicide bombing on cafes, buses, schools, and shelling civilians as a valid means of dissent.
You must then engage in the same self-denial that you complain about those that express sympathy for Israel.
No, Witty, I don't demand that EITHER side renounce violence before they talk. Why do you demand it only of Hamas? The violence is merely an effect of the primary problem, it is not the cause. And this applies to the violence on both sides. To demand the end of the effects of the problem before you can deal with the root cause of the problem is to insure that the problem is NEVER solved.
Tony Karon's opinion piece on Mandela is illustrative here.
link to tonykaron.com
Good thing no one is listening to your non-demands. As the primary problem is Palestinian violence, it must stop.
For hamas, the primary problem is 5.5 million Jews living in Israel.
Since that can only be dealt with by genocide, a plan Hamas agrees with, the problem, for Hamas, will never be solved. Tough shit for you and Hamas.
The primary problem is inequality in Israel/Palestine, just as it was in apartheid South Africa. I'm sure that you aren't aware of this, but there are Jews living and working in the occupied territories who are under no threat whatsoever from the Palestinians they live among, or from Hamas for that matter. Why? Because they treat the Palestinians as their friends and equals. If Israel would do the same, the violence on both sides could end tomorrow. I don't expect you to understand that, since you are emotionally tied to your belief in ubermenschen and untermenschen. That's a pity for you, as hatred and ignorance only diminish you.