Celebrating the Prisoner Release
All Freed Detainees Are Now In Gaza And Ramallah
Every Palestinian detainee released in the first phase of the prisoners-swap deal between Israel and the Hamas movement, except those sent to Egypt, are now safely in Gaza and Ramallah. This article includes the speeches of President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, and Hamas leader, Hasan Yousef, standing next to him.
Palestinians celebrate homecoming of their prisoners
Tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza celebrated the homecoming today of their prisoners and demanded militants seize more Israeli soldiers for future exchanges.
Gaza celebrates as hundreds of Palestinian prisoners are freed - video
As Israeli army confirms Gilad Shalit is back in Israel, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners are returned to the Gaza strip to be met by Hamas leaders.
"I was 1-day-old when my father was jailed"
As many families celebrate in Gaza and the West Bank, let us remember those Palestinians still being held in Israeli jails.
"I must be dreaming" says freed Palestinian mother
* Islamic Jihad member breaks down at sight of children
* Sorry to have left her friends behind in jail
* Husband, children proud of her past
Ahlam al-Tamimi was born on 20/10/1980 in the Jordanian city of al-Zarqa to a Palestinian family with roots in the Palestinian village of al-Nabi Saleh near Ramallah. Ahlam completed her elementary, junior and secondary education in al-Zarqa before returning to Palestine and enrolling in the Department of Media and Journalism at Bir Zeit University. With only a term left until her graduation, the 2001 al-Aqsa Intifada [The Second Palestinian Uprising] broke out across the Occupied Palestinian Territories bringing with it unprecedented levels of violence and repression at the hands of the Israeli authorities. This was exemplified by the horrific assassination policy implemented by the successive governments led by the war criminals, Ehud Barak and Ariel Sharon.
The Israel-Hamas prisoner exchange deal has forced the government of Benjamin Netanyahu to cross a number of red lines, of which one of great importance is the freeing of Palestinian prisoners who are citizens of the Zionist state. Successive Israeli governments have sought to include Palestinians from occupied East Jerusalem holding blue Israeli identity cards within the category identified as "citizens of the state" and whose future has been off the agenda, prisoners included. That has now changed as among those that Israel is now forced to release is the doyen of the Palestinian prisoners, Sheikh Sami Younis, aged 80, who has spent 29 years in prison.
Two Palestinian female prisoners, Mariam al-Tarabeen and Amna Muna, are resisting deportation to Gaza, briefly delaying the prisoner swap deal between Israel and Hamas, Al Arabiya TV reported quoting Israeli sources.
BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) -- Hamas leader in exile Khaled Mashaal on Tuesday hailed the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for an Israeli soldier. The initial phase of the prisoner exchange, the first between Israel and Hamas, marks "a beginning for victories and national unity," Mashaal said in a brief phone interview. Mashaal expressed that sentiment in a call to President Mahmoud Abbas, he said. He also hailed the "nationalistic spirit" of the Palestinian media "as cause for optimism."
URGENT APPEAL | Prisoner exchange list does NOT include any children
On 11 October 2011, Israel and Hamas announced a deal to release Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the freeing of Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit. Under the deal a total of 1,027 Palestinian prisoners are to be released in two stages beginning on 18 October, and concluding two months later. On Sunday, 16 October 2011, the Israeli authorities published a list of 477 prisoners, including 27 women, to be released in the first stage on 18 October. The list does not include any children. DCI-Palestine can not confirm how many
children, if any, will be released at the second stage in December 2011.
On 11 October 2011, Israel and Hamas announced a deal to release Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the freeing of Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit. Under the deal a total of 1,027 Palestinian prisoners are to be released in two stages beginning on 18 October, and concluding two months later. On Sunday, 16 October 2011, the Israeli authorities published a list of 477 prisoners, including 27 women, to be released in the first stage on 18 October. The list does not include any children. DCI-Palestine can not confirm how many
children, if any, will be released at the second stage in December 2011.
Prisoner swap for captured Israeli soldier underway
Reuters - A long-awaited prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas began before dawn on Tuesday when the first of hundreds of Palestinian inmates were bused from their jails to border crossings where they will be swapped for captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
Reuters - A long-awaited prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas began before dawn on Tuesday when the first of hundreds of Palestinian inmates were bused from their jails to border crossings where they will be swapped for captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
link to us.rd.yahoo.com
Hamas and Israel seal prisoner swap deal
Israeli court gives green light for swap
Deal to exchange hundreds of Palestinian prisoners for Israeli soldier to go ahead after supreme court rejects appeals.
link to english.aljazeera.net
MJ Rosenberg: Washington Post Columnist: Cut Aid to Israel
No matter that our own military is facing major cuts along with Medicare, cancer research and hundreds of other programs, Israel's friends in Congress in both parties make sure that aid to Israel is protected at current levels.
As historic deal is agreed, we ask if this is a positive step towards resolving Palestinian prisoners issue.
Israeli court gives green light for swap
Deal to exchange hundreds of Palestinian prisoners for Israeli soldier to go ahead after supreme court rejects appeals.
link to english.aljazeera.net
Commenting on the successfully executed prisoner deal, Nachman Shai says Netanyahu's cabinet must reevaluate Gaza blockage, ban on talks with Hamas.
Mahmoud Zahar, member of Hamas' negotiating team in Shalit deal tells Haaretz Israel had agreed to lift blockade as part of deal in talks with a German mediator long ago.
Hassan Yousef says 'So long as Palestinian prisoners continue to suffer in prisons, there will be an incentive to free them via any available means.'
Spokesman for Hamas military wing claims Yoram Cohen tried twice to meet Ahmed Jabari in Cairo, says Hamas gained 90% of its demands.
Army tells soldiers to do anything necessary, including endangering comrades, to avoid abduction.
A number of major broadcast outlets, including Arab stations Al Arabiya and Al Jazeera, say they intended to cover the event live.
Grapel may be released Monday or Tuesday
Dual US-Israeli national charged with espionage likely to be released from Egyptian jail in exchange for 81 prisoners in backdrop of Shalit deal.
Occupy the World: We Are the 99%
People from 951 cities in 82 countries participated on October 15 in the ‘United for Global Change’ day. Hundreds of thousands filled the streets of European, Asian and American cities, calling for taxing the rich and an end to governments leaning on the poor and middle class to climb out of recession. Hundreds of protesters were arrested around the world. Rome witnessed the most violence, as some protesters dug out pavement stones and threw them at police, while others threw explosives and attempted to storm the Ministry of Defense.
Dual US-Israeli national charged with espionage likely to be released from Egyptian jail in exchange for 81 prisoners in backdrop of Shalit deal.
Arouri: we are awaiting the Israeli reply regarding the nine female captives
Sheikh Saleh al-Arouri said that his movement submitted to the occupation a list of 9 female captives who were excluded from the exchange list to be included.
Palestinian Resistance, Zionist Entity Prisoner Exchange
Qorea': “Settlement Activities Prove Israel Not Interested In peace”
Head of the Jerusalem Department at the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), Ahmad Qorea, stated that Israel's violations against Jerusalem, settlement activities and annexations, are hostile activities that prove Israel is not interested in peace.
Maqdisi organisation published on Monday a report about home demolitions in Jerusalem since the start of 2011 which the occupation authorities carried out or ordered the owners to carry out.
PFLP warns against any harm befalling Saadat
Jamil Mizher, PFLP politburo member, has held the Israeli occupation authority fully responsible for the life of the front’s detained leader Ahmed Saadat.
Seminar on occupation in international law held in Beit E’nan
A seminar on the law of zoning in Jerusalem was held by the Jerusalem Observer for Human Rights in cooperation with Beit E’nan on Thursday, 13 October, which was attended by university students and local residents of Beit E’nan. Observer head Mr. Zaid Tubassi al-Ayoubi spoke at the seminar on the significance of prohibition rights in international law in the context of an occupation. Al-Ayoubi discussed the responsibilities of the Israeli occupying force in the territories of Jerusalem and the West Bank, particularly with regard to the Fourth Geneva Convention and the Lahay Treaty of 1967, which deemed Israel an occupying force that posed a danger to civilians and their home and property. Israel’s actions such as eviction of residents and home demolition, both of which are carried out in Jerusalem and Area C zones are all considered clear violations of human rights under international law. Al-Ayoubi also stressed the need to push for recognition of international law when dealing with the occupation. The International Criminal Court, said Al-Ayoubi, stated in 1988 that the Israeli occupation has included crimes against humanity and war crimes in pursuing policies of eviction, compulsory immigration and house demolition. Al-Ayoubi closed the seminar by issuing a demand for international organizations to fulfill their responsibilities to the protection of the Palestinians from violations of international law, and bring Israeli leaders responsible for these crimes to justice in the international arena.
US Zionists sharply divided over how to censor Palestine speech on campus, Ali Abunimah
Sharp disagreements have intensified among leading US pro-Israel groups on the best methods to suppress criticism and discussion of Israel’s apartheid, occupation, colonization and human rights abuses, or support for Palestinian rights, on US college campuses. The dispute centers on the use of US civil rights statutes to lodge complaints against universities, alleging that discussion of Israel amounts to an infringement of the civil rights of Jewish students who might be made “uncomfortable” by hearing such discussions.
Ahmadinejad rejects US 'murder plot' claims
Iran's president says US accusations are an attempt to divert attention from its own problems and cause regional rifts.
Senior Likud MK: Key Government Goal, Elimination of Iranian Nuclear Threat
Thanks to an Israeli source pointing me to this provocative Facebook posting by senior Likud MKCarmel Shama HaCohen: At the beginning of the current government’s term three chief objectives were set: ending the economic crisis, returning Gilad Shalit, and eliminating the Iranian nuclear [program]. We’ve exited the economic crisis for some time, Shalit comes home Tuesday alive and well…
‘Occupy’ protests spread across Asia
HONG KONG — Protesters across the Asia-Pacific region Saturday joined worldwide demonstrations inspired by the “Occupy Wall Street” and “Indignants” movements. Rallies are planned for Saturday in more than 950 cities across 82 countries in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and Africa in a show of power by a movement born on May 15 when a rally in Madrid’s central square of Puerta del Sol sparked a protest that spread nationwide, then to other countries. Around 500 people gathered in the heart of Hong Kong’s financial district to express their anger at the inequities and excesses of free-market capitalism, while demonstrators in Tokyo also voiced fury at the Fukushima nuclear accident.
‘Occupy’ protestors march at Toronto stock exchange
TORONTO — Anti-corporate demonstrations in Canada ran into a third day Monday, including outside the country’s main bourse here, with some people vowing to keep up the protests through the bitter winter. About 300 activists marched through Toronto’s downtown, stopping at Ryerson University to join a rally for social justice. Hundreds also held demonstrations in downtown parks in Montreal, the capital Ottawa and Vancouver.
Occupy SF rebuilds camp after police raid
Activists with Occupy SF rebuilt their encampment in San Francisco's Justin Herman Plaza today, hours after police removed tents that they said violated a city ordinance and arrested five people.
D.C. Protests: Cornel West Arrested During Supreme Court Demonstration
WASHINGTON -- Author, commentator, civil rights activist and Princeton University professor Cornel West has been arrested while protesting on the steps of the Supreme Court about corporate influence in politics. A Supreme Court spokeswoman says 19 people were arrested Sunday afternoon after they refused to leave the grounds of the court.
Sheikh Saleh al-Arouri said that his movement submitted to the occupation a list of 9 female captives who were excluded from the exchange list to be included.
A security source in Gaza said that 95% of occupation’s collaborators in the Gaza Strip were tasked primarily with gathering intelligence on the whereabouts of IOF soldier Gilad Shalit.
Noam Chomsky on Israel-Palestine Prisoner Exchange, U.S. Assassination Campaign in Yemen
MIT Professor Emeritus Noam Chomsky, the world renewed linguist and political dissident, spoke Monday night at Barnard College in New York City about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, just hours before Israel and Hamas completed a historic prisoner exchange. “I think [Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit] should have been released a long time ago, but there’s something missing from this whole story. There are no pictures of Palestinian women, no discussion, in fact, in the story of, what about the Palestinian prisoners being released? Where do they come from?” Chomsky says. “There is a lot to say about that. For example, we do not know — at least I do not read it in The Times — whether the release includes the elected officials who were kidnapped and imprisoned by Israel in 2007 when the United States, the European Union, and Israel decided to dissolve the only freely elected legislature in the Arab world.” Chomsky also discussed the recent U.S. assassination of U.S.-born cleric Anwar al-Awlaki in Yemen. “Almost all of the critics, of whom there were not many, criticized the action or qualified it because of the fact that al-Awlaki was an American citizen,” Chomksy says. “That is, he was a person, unlike suspects who are intentionally murdered or collateral damage, meaning we treat them kind of like the ants we step on when we walk down the street — they’re not American citizens. They are unpeople, therefore, they can be freely murdered.”
The US media reports: Gilad Shalit swapped for 1000 non-people, Max Blumenthal
By now, Gilad Shalit is back in Israel, while around 1000 Palestinian prisoners will eventually be released from Israeli jails, then scattered to various locations from Jerusalem to Egypt to Syria, where many will live in permanent exile. While some Israelis doubt the wisdom of the prisoner swap, there can be little doubt that the state of Israel has scored a public relations victory in the United States. American coverage of the prisoner exchange has focused almost exclusively on Shalit, his family, and Jewish Israeli society's "bittersweet" reaction to the deal.
The deal to free Gilad Shalit in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners is a moment of liberation not only for them and their families but for all residents of Israel and the Gaza Strip. The deal also holds the possibility of release from the concept that has shaped Israeli policy toward the Gaza Strip ever since Gilad Shalit was captured five and a half years ago – the concept of closure. In the time that has passed since Shalit’s capture, no one, not a single minister, security official, senior commentator or serious researcher, either on the left or the right, has argued that the closure helped Israel’s fight against Hamas and the efforts to free Shalit. In the past year, following the flotilla incident, consensus that this policy damages Israel both politically and in terms of security has only grown. The policy was meant to weaken Hamas, but instead it was strengthened. It was meant to isolate Gaza, but it was Israel that ended up isolated.
link to gazagateway.org
MIT Professor Emeritus Noam Chomsky, the world renewed linguist and political dissident, spoke Monday night at Barnard College in New York City about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, just hours before Israel and Hamas completed a historic prisoner exchange. “I think [Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit] should have been released a long time ago, but there’s something missing from this whole story. There are no pictures of Palestinian women, no discussion, in fact, in the story of, what about the Palestinian prisoners being released? Where do they come from?” Chomsky says. “There is a lot to say about that. For example, we do not know — at least I do not read it in The Times — whether the release includes the elected officials who were kidnapped and imprisoned by Israel in 2007 when the United States, the European Union, and Israel decided to dissolve the only freely elected legislature in the Arab world.” Chomsky also discussed the recent U.S. assassination of U.S.-born cleric Anwar al-Awlaki in Yemen. “Almost all of the critics, of whom there were not many, criticized the action or qualified it because of the fact that al-Awlaki was an American citizen,” Chomksy says. “That is, he was a person, unlike suspects who are intentionally murdered or collateral damage, meaning we treat them kind of like the ants we step on when we walk down the street — they’re not American citizens. They are unpeople, therefore, they can be freely murdered.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s approval of a prisoner exchange with Hamas ran counter to his known political ideology. The deal was more the outcome of a push by the Israeli military, concessions by Hamas, and concerns over the uncertainty brought by the Arab Spring.
The opening gambit is that "the list revealed why the country has found the trade so wrenching: a majority of the inmates were convicted of manslaughter, attempted murder or intentionally causing death." They go on to list not just suicide attacks against Israeli civilians but attacks against Israeli soldiers. Ethan Bronner perhaps has not noticed that Israel is carrying out a belligerent occupation. Soldiers are lawful targets. Meanwhile, "Palestinians said" that "many were peaceful people who were convicted in Israeli military trials that involved secret evidence and standards of proof that would be unacceptable in many Western countries." Everyone says this except for Israel and the United States.
By now, Gilad Shalit is back in Israel, while around 1000 Palestinian prisoners will eventually be released from Israeli jails, then scattered to various locations from Jerusalem to Egypt to Syria, where many will live in permanent exile. While some Israelis doubt the wisdom of the prisoner swap, there can be little doubt that the state of Israel has scored a public relations victory in the United States. American coverage of the prisoner exchange has focused almost exclusively on Shalit, his family, and Jewish Israeli society's "bittersweet" reaction to the deal.
If the prisoner exchange deal announced on 11 October 2011 between Hamas and the Israeli government is fully implemented without major hitches, there is little question who “won” this five-year war of wills: the deal will constitute a major victory for Hamas and the resistance-oriented political forces in Palestinian society, while simultaneously representing a significant retreat for Israel and its historical doctrines of forceful coercion and rejectionism vis-à-vis the Palestinian people and their rights.
Hamas, not Fatah, is gaining popularity in the West Bank after the deal with Israel to release Palestinian prisoners
Was the announcement of the new committee to approve outposts made on the very eve the Shalit deal was publicized to win the consent of the right for the swap?
The Palestinian political prisoners, women and men, who will be freed are all freedom fighters who fulfilled their political and moral duty in the struggle against the Israeli colonial occupation. Gilad Shalit, on the other hand, was a soldier, and a soldier in Israel’s colonial occupation army, which violates international law on a daily basis and regularly commits war crimes.
link to gazagateway.org
Palestinian Resistance, Zionist Entity Prisoner Exchange
The Zionist entity considers itself to have paid a “heavy price” by releasing over 1000 kidnapped Palestinians in exchange for a single terrorist soldier, a manifestation of the racist nature of Israeli society, but for every single Palestinian that remains held in Zionist prisons the Palestinians have a right to introduce the world to one thousand more Gilad Shalits. In exchange for a single captured Israeli POW over 1000 kidnapped Palestinians will be released from Zionist occupation prisons. Although a single French man serving in the Israeli terrorist army in occupied Palestine has become a household name with a face, family and friends, Palestinian prisoners are rarely given a name or a face and their friends and family are never interviewed. The human story of Gilad Shalit and his family is well known, but the Palestinians remain anonymous by the thousands.
Land, property theft & destruction / Ethnic cleansing / Apartheid / Restriction of Movement
Britain, the EU and the UN condemn Israel's decision as provocative and a further threat to the peace process. Israel has submitted plans to build the first big Jewish settlement in the occupied territories in 25 years, in a move condemned as an "assassination" of attempts to revive peace negotiations. A leading Israeli peace group, Peace Now, denounced the plan to build 2,600 homes at Givat Hamatos on the southern edge of Jerusalem as a "game changer" because it would virtually cut off the Arab east of the city from the rest of the occupied West Bank.
Head of the Jerusalem Department at the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), Ahmad Qorea, stated that Israel's violations against Jerusalem, settlement activities and annexations, are hostile activities that prove Israel is not interested in peace.
Cairo, Oct 16 (Petra) -- Israel has controlled 85 percent of Palestinian water resources and underground water in the occupied West Bank is "extremely threatened by the water theft", according to a report by the Arab League Secretariat.
It called on the international community to shoulder its responsibility towards Israel's violations and enable the Palestinian people to have full access to the available water resources. According to Palestinian and international reports, Israel gets about 65 percent of its annual water consumption of 2,700 cubic meters from outside sources. The report also referred to Israeli measures that have polluted West Bank water sources, adding that underground aquifers in the Gaza Strip have been contaminated to the extent that rendered them unsafe for human use. It said the flow of untreated and waste water from Israeli settlements into West Bank valleys, which account for 30 million cubic meters annually, destroyed farmlands as well as underground reservoirs.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) closed the Cordoba primary school in the Old City of Al-Khalil on Sunday and used force to disperse its students.
Last month’s decision by the U.S. Congress to block hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to the Palestinians because of the push for statehood at the United Nations will mean more hardship for Palestinians living under Israeli military occupation. And while Palestinians have not won statehood state yet, and there is no agreement about what steps should be taken in order to create it, almost everyone can agree that laying the foundations for statehood — shaping democratic values, building functioning institutions and a functioning economy, and investing in education — will reap benefits for both Palestinians and their neighbors in Israel and around the globe. Which makes it all the more tragic that, while thousands of young Americans return to school this fall to continue or begin their higher education, many Palestinian students are unable to do so because of Israeli policies that severely restrict their freedom of movement. As the Vice Chancellor of Bethlehem University, the only Catholic university serving students from the occupied Palestinian territories, I have the honor to be involved in a process of building a better future in this region.
A crowded Palestinian marketplace, mid-afternoon, the sun is slowly descending, and a cool breeze blows plastic bags past the feet of a jumbled crowd of young men, small boys, women in hijab with their daughters, and old men. They have gathered, this midday mass of Palestinians, with outstretched necks and searching eyes, to stare at the Israeli army trucks that have mysteriously and inexplicably planted themselves in the midst of their crowded marketplace.
Israeli forces closes the entrance of a grocery and attacking the owner
a group of Israeli Military troops parked their Military jeep in a at at provocative way at the other side of settlement block which was taken by settlers from Dawood husien few years ago in Wadi hilweh .the owner asked them to move their vehicle away , they refused the owners request and ignored him , but when the residents crowded in big numbers the troops were obliged to move the vehicle to allow people get in and out of the grocery ,after a while huge back up forces showed up from the Jewish settlement towards the military jeep. One of the residents took some photos then he was attacked to stop taking photos but he refused and told them that he has the right to do so , then the troops started to put on masks as preparations to attack, at that time the crowds of local residents were increasing and this obliged the troops to retreat from the neighborhood . The situation as mentioned is still tensed , and there are expectations of the mercenaries revengeful soldiers coming back . Worth mentioning that the Israeli soldiers are using the settlements blocks as centers for their gathering and undercover units where they stay there all the time.
This week, the olive harvest began across the West Bank, with people returning to villages from city jobs to assist with the picking. Many farmers face restrictions, imposed by the Israeli Defence Forces, on when and where they can harvest due to the proliferation of Israeli settlements and outposts. For villagers in al-Walaja, a village near Bethlehem, the harvest is overshadowed by the fact that next year they will be separated from their land when Israel completes the construction of the Seperation Wall. The route of the Wall will completely encircle the village, save for one access road. On 23 August, Israel’s Supreme Court rejected a petition against the proposed route of the Wall, that effectively annexes nearly 5,000 dunums, or 1,250 acres, of the village’s agricultural land.
I spent several days in Palestine earlier this month, and even when I was deep in Palestinian territory, on lands that are supposed to become a Palestinian state, I saw Jewish symbols. Like this menorah, just outside the Palestinian city of Nablus, seen out the bus window of a bus filled with Palestinians going to Ramallah. How would that make you feel? If you want to understand why the peace process is a joke... If you want to understand why the two-state solution actually feels impossible... If you want to understand why Palestinians feel no sense of sovereignty inside their historic lands... then all you have to do is drive around a little and see how deep is the Jewish presence in the occupied territories. I'm not talking about the settlements. They're on all the hilltops. I'm talking about Jewish/Israeli symbols and declarations on the road.
Refugees
Displacement following the destruction of Nahr al-Bared refugee camp four years ago forced many families to live in deplorable barracks until their homes were rebuilt. UNRWA recently decided to demolish the structures, but without providing the displaced families an alternative.
Israeli Violence
a group of Israeli Military troops parked their Military jeep in a at at provocative way at the other side of settlement block which was taken by settlers from Dawood husien few years ago in Wadi hilweh .the owner asked them to move their vehicle away , they refused the owners request and ignored him , but when the residents crowded in big numbers the troops were obliged to move the vehicle to allow people get in and out of the grocery ,after a while huge back up forces showed up from the Jewish settlement towards the military jeep. One of the residents took some photos then he was attacked to stop taking photos but he refused and told them that he has the right to do so , then the troops started to put on masks as preparations to attack, at that time the crowds of local residents were increasing and this obliged the troops to retreat from the neighborhood . The situation as mentioned is still tensed , and there are expectations of the mercenaries revengeful soldiers coming back . Worth mentioning that the Israeli soldiers are using the settlements blocks as centers for their gathering and undercover units where they stay there all the time.
Political Detainees
Jamil Mizher, PFLP politburo member, has held the Israeli occupation authority fully responsible for the life of the front’s detained leader Ahmed Saadat.
Discrimination
Forced Israeli curriculum violates Palestinians' education rights
A plan to force Palestinian schools in occupied East Jerusalem to only use textbooks assembled and published by the Israeli ministry of education is part of an ongoing attempt to erase Palestinian identity, history and culture from the city.
A plan to force Palestinian schools in occupied East Jerusalem to only use textbooks assembled and published by the Israeli ministry of education is part of an ongoing attempt to erase Palestinian identity, history and culture from the city.
Sexism
Jerusalem Council member petitions High Court, claiming last year's ruling against separation between men and women in Mea Shearim is not being honored. 'Ushers acting like a militia are seriously violating the dignity and freedom of passersby,' she says
Jerusalem City Council Member Rachel Azaria quickly paid a high price for standing up for what she believes in. On October 17, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat stripped her of her portfolios on the city council that concern community councils and early childhood issues. She was being punished for petitioning Israel’s High Court of Justice to enforce a previous ruling that ordered police to prevent gender segregation on the streets of the Haredi Jerusalem neighborhood Mea Shearim.
Segregation has still extended into the public domain where segregation is illegal,” said director of Israel Religious Action Center. The Reform Movement in Israel is demanding that barriers separating men and women at the main entrance to the Western Wall plaza be removed. The group sent letters to the Jerusalem District Police Commander Nissan Shaham and the Rabbi of the Kotel Shmuel Rabinovitch demanding that the partitions at the main entrance by the Dung Gate be removed. The letter also insists that the stewards employed by the Western Wall Heritage Foundation to enforce the separate lines be removed.
Solidarity / Activism / Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions
A seminar on the law of zoning in Jerusalem was held by the Jerusalem Observer for Human Rights in cooperation with Beit E’nan on Thursday, 13 October, which was attended by university students and local residents of Beit E’nan. Observer head Mr. Zaid Tubassi al-Ayoubi spoke at the seminar on the significance of prohibition rights in international law in the context of an occupation. Al-Ayoubi discussed the responsibilities of the Israeli occupying force in the territories of Jerusalem and the West Bank, particularly with regard to the Fourth Geneva Convention and the Lahay Treaty of 1967, which deemed Israel an occupying force that posed a danger to civilians and their home and property. Israel’s actions such as eviction of residents and home demolition, both of which are carried out in Jerusalem and Area C zones are all considered clear violations of human rights under international law. Al-Ayoubi also stressed the need to push for recognition of international law when dealing with the occupation. The International Criminal Court, said Al-Ayoubi, stated in 1988 that the Israeli occupation has included crimes against humanity and war crimes in pursuing policies of eviction, compulsory immigration and house demolition. Al-Ayoubi closed the seminar by issuing a demand for international organizations to fulfill their responsibilities to the protection of the Palestinians from violations of international law, and bring Israeli leaders responsible for these crimes to justice in the international arena.
Sharp disagreements have intensified among leading US pro-Israel groups on the best methods to suppress criticism and discussion of Israel’s apartheid, occupation, colonization and human rights abuses, or support for Palestinian rights, on US college campuses. The dispute centers on the use of US civil rights statutes to lodge complaints against universities, alleging that discussion of Israel amounts to an infringement of the civil rights of Jewish students who might be made “uncomfortable” by hearing such discussions.
At what point does Palestinian culture become complicit in whitewashing Israel’s crimes? Palestinian poet Najwan Darwish examines the specificities of cultural production under Israeli occupation among ‘48 Palestinians living in Israel.
Just one day after we put out a call to bring the cost of Israeli occupation to the #Occupy movement and got an extraordinary response from people wanting to organize to end military aid to Israel, Washington Post columnist Walter Pincus published today a bombshell article entitled "United States needs to reevaluate its assistance to Israel." Just a coincidence? Hardly. The grassroots work that we are all doing to educate and organize people to end U.S. aid to Israel is now bubbling up to the rarefied policy circles. We are having an impact! Be sure to write a letter to editor in support of this article and send it to letters@washpost.com. Letters should be less than 200 words and include your full contact info. For more guidelines, click here. And be sure to get involved with our efforts to organize to end military aid to Israel! Foreign Secretary William Hague welcomed the release of Shalit after more than five years in captivity in the Gaza Strip as part of a thousand-for-one prisoner exchange.
UK says Israel must do more for peace
Britain called on Israel to build on the momentum provided by the release of its soldier Gilad Shalit to advance peace talks with the Palestinians. Foreign Secretary William Hague welcomed the release of Shalit after more than five years in captivity in the Gaza Strip as part of a thousand-for-one prisoner exchange.
Diplomacy
Britain called on Israel to build on the momentum provided by the release of its soldier Gilad Shalit to advance peace talks with the Palestinians. Foreign Secretary William Hague welcomed the release of Shalit after more than five years in captivity in the Gaza Strip as part of a thousand-for-one prisoner exchange.
U.S. / Saudi / Israeli Designs on Iran
Iran's president says US accusations are an attempt to divert attention from its own problems and cause regional rifts.
Adam Werritty tied to Iran opposition and viewed by Israeli government as high-level Iran expert, according to U.K.'s Independent on Sunday report.
Thanks to an Israeli source pointing me to this provocative Facebook posting by senior Likud MKCarmel Shama HaCohen: At the beginning of the current government’s term three chief objectives were set: ending the economic crisis, returning Gilad Shalit, and eliminating the Iranian nuclear [program]. We’ve exited the economic crisis for some time, Shalit comes home Tuesday alive and well…
The 99%
HONG KONG — Protesters across the Asia-Pacific region Saturday joined worldwide demonstrations inspired by the “Occupy Wall Street” and “Indignants” movements. Rallies are planned for Saturday in more than 950 cities across 82 countries in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and Africa in a show of power by a movement born on May 15 when a rally in Madrid’s central square of Puerta del Sol sparked a protest that spread nationwide, then to other countries. Around 500 people gathered in the heart of Hong Kong’s financial district to express their anger at the inequities and excesses of free-market capitalism, while demonstrators in Tokyo also voiced fury at the Fukushima nuclear accident.
TORONTO — Anti-corporate demonstrations in Canada ran into a third day Monday, including outside the country’s main bourse here, with some people vowing to keep up the protests through the bitter winter. About 300 activists marched through Toronto’s downtown, stopping at Ryerson University to join a rally for social justice. Hundreds also held demonstrations in downtown parks in Montreal, the capital Ottawa and Vancouver.
Activists with Occupy SF rebuilt their encampment in San Francisco's Justin Herman Plaza today, hours after police removed tents that they said violated a city ordinance and arrested five people.
About 40 police officers were needed to arrest a single woman who sat down and opened an umbrella in a Seattle park this morning, according to local media. Amid the ongoing “Occupy Seattle” protest, city officials decided to ban sitting down with umbrellas in public spaces, ostensibly because they become “makeshift structures,” which are forbidden. In a scene from earlier today, a single woman, who identified herself as Debra Lynn Peardon, put that law to the test, opening an umbrella and sitting down on the ground.
WASHINGTON -- Author, commentator, civil rights activist and Princeton University professor Cornel West has been arrested while protesting on the steps of the Supreme Court about corporate influence in politics. A Supreme Court spokeswoman says 19 people were arrested Sunday afternoon after they refused to leave the grounds of the court.
Times Square Taken Over as Occupy Wall Street Enters Second Month, Hundreds Arrested Across Country
It was a month ago today that Occupy Wall Street began in Manhattan’s Financial District. The protest encampment based at Zuccotti Park remains and continues to grow despite last week’s threatened eviction by the City of New York. On Saturday, thousands of protesters marched from Zuccotti Park to Times Square, the heart of New York’s media, tourism and entertainment district. Earlier in the day, about two dozen people were arrested at a Citibank in Lower Manhattan while they attempted to take their money out of the bank. We speak to Ryan Devereaux, a Democracy Now! reporter who has been closely following the Occupy Wall Street movement. We also speak with Julie Gonzales, director of organizing for the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, about the Occupy Denver protests.
Global Day of Rage: Hundreds of Thousands March Against Inequity, Big Banks, as Occupy Movement Grows
From Buenos Aires to Toronto, Kuala Lumpur to London, hundreds of thousands of people rallied on Saturday in a global day of action against corporate greed and budget cutbacks, demanding better living conditions and a more equitable distribution of wealth and resources. Protests reportedly took place in 1,500 cities, including 100 cities in the United States—all in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement that launched one month ago in New York City. We go to Athens for a report from a protest at Syntagma Square against austerity measures and corporate greed, speak to an activist in Rome where 200,000 rallied, and go to Japan for a report on the Occupy Tokyo demonstration. We also air excerpts of a speech by Julian Assange of WikiLeaks at Occupy London Stock Exchange.
It was a month ago today that Occupy Wall Street began in Manhattan’s Financial District. The protest encampment based at Zuccotti Park remains and continues to grow despite last week’s threatened eviction by the City of New York. On Saturday, thousands of protesters marched from Zuccotti Park to Times Square, the heart of New York’s media, tourism and entertainment district. Earlier in the day, about two dozen people were arrested at a Citibank in Lower Manhattan while they attempted to take their money out of the bank. We speak to Ryan Devereaux, a Democracy Now! reporter who has been closely following the Occupy Wall Street movement. We also speak with Julie Gonzales, director of organizing for the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, about the Occupy Denver protests.
From Buenos Aires to Toronto, Kuala Lumpur to London, hundreds of thousands of people rallied on Saturday in a global day of action against corporate greed and budget cutbacks, demanding better living conditions and a more equitable distribution of wealth and resources. Protests reportedly took place in 1,500 cities, including 100 cities in the United States—all in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement that launched one month ago in New York City. We go to Athens for a report from a protest at Syntagma Square against austerity measures and corporate greed, speak to an activist in Rome where 200,000 rallied, and go to Japan for a report on the Occupy Tokyo demonstration. We also air excerpts of a speech by Julian Assange of WikiLeaks at Occupy London Stock Exchange.
Danny Glover to ‘Occupy’ protests: ‘You represent Troy Davis’
Award winning actor and activist Danny Glover spoke at both Occupy Oakland and Occupy Los Angeles this past weekend, telling the amassed crowds that they represent everyone who has been displaced in America, including the recently-executed death row inmate Troy Davis, whose execution sparked an international outcry. “Here we talk about this moment, this moment has to realize itself in a movement,” Glover said at the Los Angeles protests Sunday afternoon. “A movement that just doesn’t happen with an occupation. A movement that has to be organized, and organized, and organized!”
Danny Glover, Cornel West Speak Out at Occupy Protests as MLK Memorial is Dedicated in D.C.
In the United States, police arrested hundreds of people over the weekend at demonstrations and occupations inspired by Occupy Wall Street. Arrest totals include: 175 in Chicago; 100 in Arizona; 92 in New York City; 19 in Raleigh, North Carolina; 19 in Denver; and 19 in Washington, D.C., including Princeton University Professor Cornel West, on the steps of the Supreme Court. West was arrested shortly after attending the dedication ceremony for the new Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. At the dedication, President Obama said, "It is right for us to celebrate Dr. King’s marvelous oratory, but it is worth remembering that progress did not come from words alone. Progress was hard. Progress was purchased through enduring the smack of billy clubs and the blast of fire hoses. It was bought with days in jail cells and nights of bomb threats." We also go to California, where actor and activist Danny Glover addressed Occupy Oakland.
Appearing on Fox News Monday, Fox Business Network senior correspondent Charles Gasparino explained why he sees “Zuccotti Park as New York’s Marxist epicenter.”
“I did some reporting,” Gasparino told Fox News anchor Jenna Lee. “All you have to do is walk through there to see that there is an underlying ideology and it’s handed out in pamphlets and newspapers.” To make his point, he presented what he called a “propaganda sheet” that he had gotten during his visit to Zuccotti Park over the weekend. “It says, ‘Marx Was Right,’” Gasparino noted. “And they’re not talking about Groucho Marx, by the way.”
Award winning actor and activist Danny Glover spoke at both Occupy Oakland and Occupy Los Angeles this past weekend, telling the amassed crowds that they represent everyone who has been displaced in America, including the recently-executed death row inmate Troy Davis, whose execution sparked an international outcry. “Here we talk about this moment, this moment has to realize itself in a movement,” Glover said at the Los Angeles protests Sunday afternoon. “A movement that just doesn’t happen with an occupation. A movement that has to be organized, and organized, and organized!”
In the United States, police arrested hundreds of people over the weekend at demonstrations and occupations inspired by Occupy Wall Street. Arrest totals include: 175 in Chicago; 100 in Arizona; 92 in New York City; 19 in Raleigh, North Carolina; 19 in Denver; and 19 in Washington, D.C., including Princeton University Professor Cornel West, on the steps of the Supreme Court. West was arrested shortly after attending the dedication ceremony for the new Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. At the dedication, President Obama said, "It is right for us to celebrate Dr. King’s marvelous oratory, but it is worth remembering that progress did not come from words alone. Progress was hard. Progress was purchased through enduring the smack of billy clubs and the blast of fire hoses. It was bought with days in jail cells and nights of bomb threats." We also go to California, where actor and activist Danny Glover addressed Occupy Oakland.
“I did some reporting,” Gasparino told Fox News anchor Jenna Lee. “All you have to do is walk through there to see that there is an underlying ideology and it’s handed out in pamphlets and newspapers.” To make his point, he presented what he called a “propaganda sheet” that he had gotten during his visit to Zuccotti Park over the weekend. “It says, ‘Marx Was Right,’” Gasparino noted. “And they’re not talking about Groucho Marx, by the way.”
People from 951 cities in 82 countries participated on October 15 in the ‘United for Global Change’ day. Hundreds of thousands filled the streets of European, Asian and American cities, calling for taxing the rich and an end to governments leaning on the poor and middle class to climb out of recession. Hundreds of protesters were arrested around the world. Rome witnessed the most violence, as some protesters dug out pavement stones and threw them at police, while others threw explosives and attempted to storm the Ministry of Defense.
“Most people view it as a ragtag group looking for sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll,” said one top hedge fund manager. “Who do you think pays the taxes?” said one longtime money manager. “Financial services are one of the last things we do in this country and do it well. Let’s embrace it. If you want to keep having jobs outsourced, keep attacking financial services. This is just disgruntled people.”I don’t think we see ourselves as the target,” said Steve Bartlett, president of the Financial Services Roundtable, which represents the nation’s biggest banks and insurers in Washington. “I think they’re protesting about the economy. What’s lost is that the financial services sector has to be well capitalized and well financed for the economy to recover.”
Analysis / Op-ed
No matter that our own military is facing major cuts along with Medicare, cancer research and hundreds of other programs, Israel's friends in Congress in both parties make sure that aid to Israel is protected at current levels.
Another red line crossed, in the mainstream media. Walter Pincus in the Washington Post calls for U.S. to review all the money we give to Israel: As the country reviews its spending on defense and foreign assistance, it is time to examine the funding the United States provides to Israel.... The question for the Obama administration, Congress and, in the end, perhaps the American public, is: Given present economic problems, should the United States supply the money to make up for reductions the Israelis are making in their own defense budget?
The question of the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel was raised after the Eilat incident and its aftermath when six Egyptian border police were killed by Israel. In response to public opinion, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces had to consider whether or not to cancel the treaty, or amend it in the light of the events on the border between the two countries. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also announced that his country was ready to discuss amending the treaty.
the 1,027 non’s are simply exchanging their Israeli prison for the larger confines of Gaza’s open air prison.
For some reason the link to Al-Akhbar and Max Blumenthal’s article is no longer working. But you can read the article here:
link to uprootedpalestinians.blogspot.com
I felt the same thing when reading today’s headlines about this trade. Israeli’s must realize they are an uncommon group of ethnic individuals when they trade 1 for hundreds. Has this ever been done in the history of warfare?
Hey Chu, Israel shud have u as our negotiator in chief, maybe we cud have had it 1 to 10, max 1 to 100.
I’m not a negotiator for Israel, but this is strange, and Gilad was no admiral -this was symbolic. I think everyone is asking this question.
It makes you wonder the strategy of Israel moving forward the next decade.
Seems like a peace negotiation is near for the pariah state.
I don’t think so. I do believe this is pretty much unprecedented. And I suppose it jives rather nicely with a rather famous Israeli rabbi’s doctrine of just how many Arab lives don’t even equate to the hygiene of a single Israeli.
chaos, you wonder how serious the charges against these people were.
It draws into question the continued sentences of their incarceration by Israelis.
Think of the US releasing this number from Guantanamo for a US tank operator.
Maybe not quite, Chu, but in 1985, Israel released 1,150 prisoners in exchange for three Israeli soldiers captured in Lebanon. Question is, has any other country done this?
Kate, I don’t think so. I think Israel brings many questions with this trade.
Are they incarcerating Palestinians prisoners for too long?
If I were involved in the military trade negotiations, would I release
1000 for one? I’d think he should be a great gladiator.
Is this the Israeli way of apology, or poor military strategy to satisfy the
masses?
They built up the prisoner portfolio to swap with Shalit so it’s all part of the system they operate.
The most cynical part of it is that Gaza prisoners are not allowed to have family visits .
The hizb traded the bones of dead idf soldiers and pilots for hundreds of living lebanese prisoners of war per deal. In fact the hizb did this time and time again till some 8000 Lebanese civilians held in israeli jails for years without trial were released. The last batch was several months after the 2006 war.
In 2000 when the idf ran away from the south of lebanon under moonlight, they kidnapped several thousand lebanese villagers and imprisoned them in israeli jails till hizbollah negotiated their release.
The actual gory practice of swapping body parts was taught to Hizbullah by Israel. In fact, Israel collected body parts for eventual use in swaps and Hizbullah saw that this formula worked so it adopted it.
The macabre collecting of body parts by Hizbullah in 2006 happened at the Maroun al-Ras battlefield when the Israeli forces that in their haste to get the hell out of there, concentrated on dragging the cadavres of 2 Hizbullah fighters across the Israeli border to be used in a future swap (their explanation) and while they were at it, they also captured an aged and retired Hizbullah fighter that was afflicted with schizophrenia. In spite of Red Cross efforts to get him released because of his illness, Israel held on to him for almost 2 years until the swap of 2008 for Kuntar and 3 others. You can only take a wild guess guess at what the experimenting-crazy Israelis kept him for.
It has been proven over and over and over that Israel releases prisoners only when Israelis have been taken prisoners, so with another 6,000 Palestinian still in Israeli jails, it’s only a question of time before we have a Shalit 2.
Naziz killed hundreds od innocent civilians for ONE killed Nazi soldier.
Nazi’s soldier life was apparently worth much more than any non-Nazi a.k.a untermensch. When you start dividing people for those who are “superior and inferior “, then the mistreatment and abuse of the second group by the first one is not only allowed and accepted by also highly recommended.
I suspect that this “swap deal” is just a another soap in the eyes of the general public, done by Israeli PR to show that they are capable of human reflexes after all.
Pretty soon, they will probably provoke a massive “manhunt” to get them back to prison.
Did you ever go to Lidice?
The whole village was razed after the Nazi Gauleiter of Czechoslovakia, the evil Heydrich, was assassinated
link to en.wikipedia.org
Re the Max piece, I heard one woman on the radio making the old argument. I did cut her some slack as she’d lost family members to a bombing, but in my view it does not make murderous Israeli policies and those willing to carry them out any less guilty than the worst of these freed prisoners.
I don’t know, but I smell something fishy in this whole 1:1000 deal.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m very happy for those families that finally have the chance of seeing their loved ones.
But the whole act is somewhat humiliating.
It says “look, life of 1 Isreali solder is worth a 1000 of your men”.
There is some hidden motive, hidden agenda in it.
And it is not a sudden “change of zionist’s heart” for the better .
We will soon know what.
They kill 1000 Palestinians for every one Israeli, so it’s only fair they should exchange 1000 Palestinian prisoners for one Israeli. It’s called being consistent. :-)
it is more like 1 in 6 gloopy.
Link please mister DBG. Unless you’ve got your statistics from Hello-Magazine again.
Also, I’m curious, several posters have been calling you yoni/yonira. Why the heck would they do that? It’s sooooo unfair! I would write the moderators and bitterly complain ’bout this baseless big smudge on your fine reputation.
I know if someone referred to me as yoni/yonira, I would be most offended cuz the guy was/is a racist and sexist ex-poster who was banned for his many, many, many unscrupulous isms.
The disproportionate exchange has many wondering.
Rachel Corrie wrote “something about the virtual portal into luxury” when writing from Gaza to the US. The same door from the world of one Jewish soldier to the other side of 1000 nameless brown people. Shalit flew home in a helicopter in a free country and the Palestinians were shipped out in old buses to an occupied nothing.
link to youtube.com
NPR made me want to puke today. The hourly news commentator mentioned the 400+ Palestinian hostages released and the 500+ to be released in the near future in one terse sentence, then spent almost thirty seconds gushing about Gilad Shalit’s return home.
Not, you know, that 400+ brown-skinned people with funny accents deserve a couple dozen seconds of air time each, the way the Israeli does. I think I’m going to switch back to listening to pop music on my daily commute. And they just did their fund-raising drive again. And they’re not getting a penny from me at this point.
“The sister of one of the most prominent Islamic Jihad leaders in the West Bank, Assadi embraced her two sons and daughters, kissing their hands and faces. ”
Reminded me of unadikum.
I call on you
I press your hands
I kiss the ground under your feet
link to youtube.com
The resistance continues.
Lawrence of Cyberia has another well written piece up on (the media) comparing prisoners, including those not involved in this deal.
Actually, there is second recent piece on this. It leads to the position of French philosopher Bernard-Henri Lévy (a sort of French Dershowitz, without a cause, but with a Nations preferred intellectual occupation switched from law to philosphy), and to Salah Hamouri.
Salah Hamouri is French too, like Shalit. And a prisoner for more than five years, like Shalit — even longer, being captured in March 2005. But French government did not (want to) know about him until recently. Paris even complimented Israeli justice system in this (oh, how could I forget to mention? He is in an Israeli cell). The difference: Hamouri is French-Palestinian, Galit is French-Israeli.
There have been several oblique references to the terms of the swap to include easing the Gaza blockade by Israel, does anyone know the specifics?
Nice to see that two of the prisoners whose release you celebrate here are Ahlam Tamimi and Amna Muna. Tamimi drove a suicide bomber to the Sbarro restaurant, where he killed 15 civilians. Muna tricked 16-year old Ofir Rahum into coming to Ramallah, where she participated in his brutal murder. She later taunted Israeli investigators and prison guards by imitating how Rahum cried for help in his final moments.
These are your heroes.
Tell it to the Israelis. (you know, the one who’ve been brutally murdering Palestinian children for generations). They approved the deal.
es1982….
Just think about the hundreds of Palestinian, Lebanese women & children who were murdered/slaughtered by your beloved IDF killers & how Rachel Corrie was crushed to death by an IDF murderer…those IDF are all scot-free and they don’t have to spend one hour, not one hour, in Israel’s prisons for killing an Arab/Palestinian/Lebanese/Moslem/Christian….
BTW, those IDF killers, your heroes, may be your next door neighbors…eh!!!
Here’s my question: do you see Ahlam Tamimi and Amna Muna as heroes?
“Here’s my question: do you see Ahlam Tamimi and Amna Muna as heroes?”
You first: Do you see the unnamed Israeli who burned all the babies with the WP as a hero?
Ahlam Tamimi & Amna Muna were imprisoned!
Should Israelis/IDF spend time in prison for killing hundreds of innocent Arabs/Palestinians/women/children…etc..???
Woody and Robert: Israelis who use illegal weapons such as white phosphorous and/or purposely target civilians are not heroes – they’re war criminals and should be prosecuted and go to prison.
Woody Tanaka, can you prove that babies were “burned” by Israelis using WP? No you can’t, it’s the usual baseless slander.
es1982, I am glad to hear you want those who planned, engineered and carried out the crime of Cast Lead should be put away.
Here’s a HRW report on white phosphorus in Gaza–
link
Hey asherpat…. Click on link below & scroll down to see the details…the picture tell the story.
NOT A WORD NEEDS TO BE SAID….. THE PHOTOS SAY IT ALL
link to desertpeace.wordpress.com
“Woody Tanaka, can you prove that babies were ‘burned’ by Israelis using WP? No you can’t, it’s the usual baseless slander.”
Well, asherpat, since you answered the question you asked (although you did so falsely), I can just ignore you and tell you to pi… have a nice day.
And where exactly in the link that you have provided is the proof that “babies were burned by Israeli ammunitions containing white phosphorous”?
You have not shown any proof, even the biased and mainly retracted Goldstone report never shown any proof of anyone burned by WP (although some doctors in Gaza hospitals alleged that they treated burns from it). So, I maintain my allegation, that Woody Tanaka made a baseless slur.
“So, I maintain my allegation, that Woody Tanaka made a baseless slur.”
Who the hell do you think you are, to demand anything of anyone? Yours is a country which imprisons millions based on their ethnicty and religion, while stealing their land and committing slow-motion genocide. I wouldn’t demean myself by treating the likes of you as my equal.
The Goldstone Report wasn’t retracted. The report is based on testimonies from Palestinians who suffered through your racist apartheid State’s assault on their families, homes, etc.
Goldstone – a Zionist – simply capitulated to the massive campaign of vilification from the vulgar part (Zionist) of the Jewish community in the US and Israel and SA and Britain and basically everywhere.
Woody Tanaka
I have not “demand[ed] anything of anyone”. I pointed-out an allegation in your response. If you can not base your allegations, you have the choice not to answer.
Oh, and by the way, how exactly does my country “imprisons millions”? We dont have enough land for that, but maybe you can base this allegation too?
Now, now, Woody, you can’t blame them for thinking the same tactics which gave Israel the settlements might work at Mondoweiss.
And besides, they don’t know any others.
how exactly does my country “imprisons millions”?
it builds walls around them obviously.
“They” have a “wall” (and an underground plate) with Egypt too. Does it mean that Egypt imprisons “them” too?
That’s not what I said. Cast Lead itself was not a crime.
You haven’t answered my question: are Amna Muna and Ahlam Tamimi heroes in your opinion?
es1982,
Do tell us if your amazingly probing and bright mind thinks that Apartheid israel has at any given moment in time committed a little thing called STATE SPONSORED TERRORISM?
And no deary, answering a question with a question will not be sufficient (4th grade tactic).
I’m relying on your enviable intellect to educate us in matters of truth, fact and history. We’re really dumb and wrong here on MW and we are desperate for someone as well-informed and honest as you to lead us outta this forest of confusion called anti-zionism.
Oh, Taxi, I love you too.
Apartheid Israel hasn’t committed anything, good or bad, since it doesn’t exist. As for the real Israel – yes, it has committed state terrorism in the past and I condemn that. Cast Lead wasn’t a case of state terrorism. It was a case of a state trying to end the firing of rockets on its civilian population. Unfortunately, it didn’t really succeed.
Wow es1982,
Because of your earnest and deep love for me I am now hands-down a hardened zionist.
Thank you so much for saving my soul. I want to go live with you in un-Apartheid israel a.s.a.p. Can you help me become a model un-colonialist? When do I get to kick some un-native ass? Maybe you can hand me over some White Phosphorous I can rain down on some un-hospital in Gaza? Maybe I can un-kick down some doors of terrified families and un-steal their credit cards after I take a dump or two in their un-children’s beds? Really looking forward to that part I am. It would be really great if you showed me the ropes of un-fascism.
You’re the best friend I’ve always un-wanted.
“Apartheid Israel hasn’t committed anything, good or bad, since it doesn’t exist.”
Bullshit. Two people, born side by side on the West Bank, to people whose parents were, themselves born under Israeli rule, would be given differing rights, based solely on their ethnicity. That’s Apartheid any way you slice it. If you don’t believe me, ask Mandella or Tutu. But what do they know about Apartheid, right??
“As for the real Israel – yes, it has committed state terrorism in the past and I condemn that”
LOL. It commits state terrorism every day. The occupation is one of the longest continuous act of state terrorism in the history of humanity.
Woody Tanaka, your statement “Two people, born side by side on the West Bank, to people whose parents were, themselves born under Israeli rule, would be given differing rights, based solely on their ethnicity. That’s Apartheid any way you slice it.” can be applied to the Palestinian Authority who wants any and all of the territories it will slice off Israel to be Judenrein, while many Arabs live in Israel. This is Apartheid, “anyway you slice it” or you have a different logic? Woody?
all of the territories it will slice off Israel
earth to asherpat, the territories are not part of israel.
LOL annie – where do phil and adam find them zio fuddyduddies?!
I mean es1982′s smarts are really outta this world – in constant stratospheric orbit in fact, never ever landing nowhere, just tralalalala greymatter floating aimless in zero gravity.
asherpat,
I thought I made it clear yesterday that I won’t demean myself to deal with the likes of you. You are not worthy of my attention.
where do phil and adam find them? i don’t think they go out looking that’s for sure. obviously this site is a numero uno target of the israel action teams so they find us and stick to us like flies on shit. they like regurgitating zio lies 24/7.
“stick to us like flies on shit”.
LOL annie – you sure you meant to use the above analogy?
Personally speaking – I’m a fly Repellent with heavy-duty industrial ingredients. No fly ever dares come too close.
Hey asherpat…Please tell us:
Can Arabs/Moslems/Christians live in the “For Jews Only” 232 plus settlements in the West Bank?
Annie, for once, I agree with your innuendo, we do stick to you like flies to shit!
;) i see what you mean taxi, i meant sticking to the site of course and i would imagine to them it’s pretty darn shitty. it’s where we regurgitate all their lies and excrete it out the other side. so yeah, they are all over that crap. they can eat my you know what all day long as far as i am concerned.
We dont need the “earth”, only 1% of the Middle East for a Jewish state. Is it excessive, on the background of dozens of Islamic ones?
As long as you don’t displace other human beings to make way for your Jewish State, that wouldn’t be a problem.
i didn’t say anything about you needing the “earth” so don’t play word games with me.
you claimed the PA wanted to “slice off Israel ” which presumes israel includes the illegally occupied territory, which is an unmitigated lie.
stealing someones land doesn’t give you the right to claim you are being ‘ethnically cleansed’ when you get kicked out of it. they want their land back, it isn’t their fault the racists policies of israel only allowed jewish settlers. it’s israel who turned it into an ethnic issue, not palestinians. get out of land that is not yours. now. that’s called common sense not ethnic cleansing.
by this warped ‘theory’ of yours anything israel does that is rejected becomes fodder for racist accusations. stop being an ethnic nationalists state why don’t you, but no, you insist upon it and then accuse others of focusing on your ethnicity! please. go look in the mirror.
Judging from your name asherpat, it sure don’t sound you DESERVE even a nano percent of the middle east as clearly you ain’t from there.
So buzz off with your colonialist real estate swindle and violin ASHER PAT.
Taxi, I will “buzz-off”, learn to live with us.
How ’bout you learn to stop stealing other people’s countries first.
You and I can be best friends if you lived OUTSIDE OF OCCUPIED PALESTINE.
Till then, yeah do BREEZE OFF.
The core problem is our disagreement over the definition of Occupied Palestine. According to your definition, that’s where I live. According to mine, I live outside of it, since I live in Israel proper.
I have to say, I am repeatedly struck by how badly some commenters on this site need to take courses about civil discourse and anger management.
Woody, what you’re describing isn’t Israel. Though it is the same government that rules there, the West Bank is a different regime. There I would agree that there is an Apartheid-like regime (though, technically, Palestinian citizens of Israel who move to the West Bank would have the same rights as Jews, which is the case, for instance, with Palestinian-Israelis studying and living in Ariel). It’s a reprehensible situation that should end even before Israel and the Palestinians reach a peace treaty.
es1982,
Don’t be shocked but zionism is to Palestinians what nazism is to euro jews like you, eee, DBG, hophmni etc.
You wanna speak ‘civilly’ to a nazi then go right ahead. Don’t expect the rest of us to.
Beside, it’s ACTIONS of civility that speak LOUDEST and you my dear are living on ETHNICALLY CLEANSED LAND – call it israel “proper” or call it ‘improper’ – who cares what YOU call it. Clearly you are a supporter and participator of racism, ethnic-cleansing, et all. You have no right ASHER PAT to be living in any part of the holy land without a legitimate visa from the Palestinians – israeli passports don’t count as these passports are part of the cover up of the crimes of the Nakba.
You can pretend to yourself that you got the “civil” moral high-ground cuz you speak oh so softly – but I sure ain’t buying your silly little act.
“I have to say, I am repeatedly struck by how badly some commenters on this site need to take courses about civil discourse and anger management.”
When you people don’t hold millions of people in a state of perpetual statelessness while you steal their land and murder their children, then maybe I might give a damn whether someone treats you theives with courtesy.
“Woody, what you’re describing isn’t Israel. Though it is the same government that rules there, the West Bank is a different regime.”
es1982, What you state here is the excuse that you use to continue to oppress millions of people. nothing more. The occupation regime is as much “Israel” as anything in that land. It has been part of Israel for longer than Israel was without it. There are, like, 50 independent states that arose after that “regime” was put in place, and Israel has no plans to change that situation.
You may choose to beleive the Israeli b.s. that says that this is somehow “separate” from Israel, but I don’t believe in Santa, I don’t believe in the Tooth Fairy, and I don’t beleive that Israeli nonsense, either.
Es 1982 – can I call you la naranja ?
What do you consider to be the borders of “Israel proper”? In actual fact, Israel hasn’t existed since June 1967.
es1982 … said:
“Palestinian citizens of Israel who move to the West Bank would have the same rights as Jews”
~~~~~~~~
es1982…
Can Arabs/Moslems/Christians who are Israeli citizens live in those “For Jews Only” 232 plus settlements & can they use those “For Jews Only” paved roads in the West Bank? Do they have the same rights as Jewish citizens?
Actually, you weren’t on my mind when I wrote that. You usually attack my arguments and not me, unlike Taxi, Annie and some others.
Am I missing a reference? Why an orange?
Technically and legally, they are “Israeli only”, not Jewish only – so Muslim and Christian Palestinians with Israeli citizenship can use those roads and live in the bigger settlements. The smaller settlements, of course, wouldn’t accept Arabs. I oppose this entirely – there shouldn’t be separate roads, whether based on citizenship, ethnicity or religion.
You usually attack my arguments and not me, unlike …. Annie
excuse me? i can’t recall the last time i even addressed you and as i do attack arguments quite regularly i’m not sure what you are referencing. care to link to these ad hominems or are you just flattering yourself ?
but do they live in the bigger settlements and if so which ones? aren’t they still subject to the neighborhood committees? are they allowed to buy property in the settlements? do they get permits there to build? i heard of one family who went thru several court cases to finally be able to build but just one. perhaps i am mistaken.
“Technically and legally, they are ‘Israeli only’, not Jewish only”
So you’ve claimed that this isn’t Israel, but is some “other regime,” but, yet, Israeli build roads for use by Israelis who live on this land, who are subject to the laws of Israel and enjoy the full benefits of Israeli citizenship, while, at the same time, the people whose land we’re talking about are subject to the whims of those same Israelis, are brutally and mercilessly oppressed, and have no say in the government which runs their lives, and you still insist that this is somehow not apartheid??
“I oppose this entirely – there shouldn’t be separate roads, whether based on citizenship, ethnicity or religion.”
Do you oppose the separation or the fact that the Israelis are there at all?
I know there are Palestinian-Israelis in Ariel, the fourth largest settlement in the West Bank. I don’t know about other settlements.
Yes, you do attack arguments, but also people. In response to Taxi’s comment about me you basically accused me of being a propagandist here:
And here is just a little sample of you attacking someone else personally, rather than his arguments:
It’s occupation, not apartheid. These are different kinds of injustice, with different kinds of remedies.
Both. The occupation should end, but even while Israelis are still there, at the very least there shouldn’t be separate roads and towns for Israelis and Palestinians.
“Both. The occupation should end, but even while Israelis are still there, at the very least there shouldn’t be separate roads and towns for Israelis and Palestinians.”
~~~~~~
es1982…
Not only there are separate roads and towns/settlements … Israeli Jewish settlers in the Occupied Territories are ruled/governed under Israeli civilian law while Palestinians are ruled/governed under Israeli military law.
Israel’s brutal occupation of the Palestinian people is non-stop…Palestinian land & resources are being stolen everyday right from under their feet in broad daylight….And the sad thing about their ordeal, they can’t do anything about it.
“I know there are Palestinian-Israelis in Ariel, the fourth largest settlement in the West Bank. I don’t know about other settlements.”
~~~~~~
es1982…
Do you how many? Are/were they Arab collaborators for Israel & that is their reward for their deeds…may be?
You are saying technically & legally, but in reality if Israel’s IDF/police catch an Israeli Arab or non-Israeli Arab or one of those “for Jews Only” paved roads, he/ she is in deep trouble.
In reality, non-Jews are not allowed to own or live in the settlements.
Is it true that Israeli citizens are not allowed to have Palestinians from the Occupied Territories as passengers in their vehicles?
82, i was not addressing you. i didn’t find your ‘argument’ (Apartheid Israel hasn’t committed anything, good or bad, since it doesn’t exist. ) worthy of response. i responded to taxi and in relation to something she said about ‘them’ (hasbarists, and you are one of them). furthermore i was engaged in the exchange w/asperat wrt
so, i was not speaking specifically of you and if i want to chat w/taxi about troll central i can.
And here is just a little sample of you attacking someone else personally
iow, i have not ever responded specifically to you w/an ad hominem verses the topic..not once..have i? what is this ? collective victimhood? buzzzzz off.
An Israeli Arab would probably get stopped by police/IDF, but once he shows his Israeli ID, they have to let him continue on his way – he won’t be in trouble.
True of most settlements, but not all.
I think you’re referring to the Israeli women who have driven Palestinians from the West Bank into Israel. There the problem isn’t that they have Palestinians in their cars, the problem is that the Palestinians don’t have permits to enter Israel. If the Palestinians have entry permits, there is no legal problem.
I know there are a few hundred Arab students at Ariel College. They aren’t collaborators, they just decided to study there for whatever reasons they have.
Mental note: Annie calls me and anyone who isn’t an anti-Zionist a troll (though she doesn’t consider that ad hominem, for some reason) and tells me to buzz off. Never waste time replying to her again.
technically it is not a mental note when you post it publicly.
Never waste time replying to her again.
you initiated this exchange by making allegations you could not support. could you please add to that ‘note’ Never waste time engaging her again. i would appreciate that, thanks!
ps, i find your newest allegation quite laughable since i don’t even self identify as an anti zionist myself!
You are a troll. Who else would come onto a blog and use Holocaust denial tactics to cover up attacks on Arab civilians?
“I know there are a few hundred Arab students at Ariel College.”
Oh….Its Arab students….!!! How about Arab families living in that settlement on a permanent basis? Do you know if there are any Arab families living in that Ariel settlement?
“There the problem isn’t that they have Palestinians in their cars, the problem is that the Palestinians don’t have permits to enter Israel. If the Palestinians have entry permits, there is no legal problem.”
~~~~~~
Can these Palestinians enter East Jerusalem & pray/visit their respective holy sites (Christian/Moslem) without a permit?
es1982 … said:
“Palestinian citizens of Israel who move to the West Bank would have the same rights as Jews”
~~~~~
es1982…
Israeli Jewish settlers in the Occupied Territories are ruled/governed under Israeli civilian law while Palestinians are ruled/governed under Israeli military law.
“Never waste time replying to her again.”
If only your computer could get another website besides Mondoweiss, you wouldn’t be burdened with her at all! Maybe it’s time you upgraded to a computer which gets more than one website?
Let me know when you are ready to buy, and I’ll get it for you wholesale.
I can modify your present computer with an on/off switch for very little money, just a few dollars.
es1982, go to the “help” menu, and you can learn how to navigate to another website. You’ll be lots happier.
es1982,
Actually it was I who beckoned you to “buzz off”. Except I capitalized it so it would be loud and clear to you.
Thou doth protest beaucoup es1982. Whining victimhood around here instead of either fighting back or addressing the debate point WON’T GET YOU FAR!
I don’t know.
Yes, Palestinians in the West Bank are governed under Israeli military law (or rather a mixture of Israeli military law, pre-1967 Jordanian law, British Mandate laws and Ottoman laws, to be exact), unless they have Israeli citizenship, in which case they’re governed by the same laws as the Jewish settlers.
No, Palestinians without Israeli citizenship need a permit to enter East Jerusalem, since under Israeli law it is considered Israel proper.
“It’s occupation, not apartheid. These are different kinds of injustice, with different kinds of remedies.”
Bullshit. Military occupation is the means by which the Jews in Palestine have enacted their apartheid. But you are right; you state is unjust.
“Both. The occupation should end, but even while Israelis are still there, at the very least there shouldn’t be separate roads and towns for Israelis and Palestinians.”
But if this is supposedly not Israel, why are there Israelis there at all? The people whose land it is certainly don’t want that settler scum polluting the land with their presence…
And let’s be honest, Israelis consider it Israel in fact, but only profess to question it, as a legal matter, because that legal matter is the basis through which Israelis can exercise their racism while, at the same time, pretending that they aren’t racists.
“Yes, Palestinians in the West Bank are governed under Israeli military law (or rather a mixture of Israeli military law, pre-1967 Jordanian law, British Mandate laws and Ottoman laws, to be exact), unless they have Israeli citizenship, in which case they’re governed by the same laws as the Jewish settlers.”
In other words, the notion of “Israeli citizenship” is the legal fiction through which the apartheid in enacted. Which explains why your fascist FM wants to strip the Palestinians in the Israeli state of that citizenship. Hard to be a so-called “Jewish state” when there are so many non-chosen people around…
“No, Palestinians without Israeli citizenship need a permit to enter East Jerusalem, since under Israeli law it is considered Israel proper.”
~~~~~~~
What kind of permit is this? Is it a daily permit or a residency permit?
If it is a residency permit, that means the majority of Palestinians (Moslem/Christian) living in the West Bank can NOT enter East Jerusalem to pray/visit their respective holy sites. Does this mean that they are banned forever & have NOT been able to for years.
For Jewish Settlers living in the West Bank … there are NO restrictions on them. They can easily go & come anywhere as they wish and as many times as they want…
It isn’t a residency permit. It’s an entry permit, kind of like a short term visa. It is issued to Palestinians regularly.
By Amira Hass
“The truth is that even the soldiers’ parents should not be interested in these explanations. They should, however, be very worried about their country sending their sons and daughters on an apartheid mission: to restrict Palestinian mobility within the occupied territory, to narrow the Palestinian expanse in order to enable Jews to move freely within that same occupied territory and in order to increase their expanse within it. In order to carry out this mission in full, facing the natives, the soldiers must feel and act like “superiors.” ”
AMIRA HASS writes for Ha’aretz.
link to counterpunch.org
Some comment on NAMELESS Gazans. The reason for the lack of discussion would seem to be racist (or USA-stenographic purity), but wouldn’t naming names make those people less safe? I mean, Israel knows who they are and so does HAMAS, but need everyone know? Privacy may be worth respecting.
es1982 … said
“Cast Lead itself was not a crime.”
“Cast Lead wasn’t a case of state terrorism. It was a case of a state trying to end the firing of rockets on its civilian population. Unfortunately, it didn’t really succeed.”
~~~~~~~~
es1982
In December 2008/January 2009, for a total of 23 days, Israel used the most sophisticated American made weapons to attack a mostly unarmed civilian population in Gaza. Israel used fighter jets carrying 500 pounds bombs, missiles, Apache helicopters, tanks, naval vessels and much more to reek havoc on civilians & neighborhoods. On top of this huge weapon arsenal, Israel’s army used white phosphorus, a chemical weapon, on a civilian population. At first Israel denied the use of white phosphorus, but after the investigation results, Israel admitted the use of the chemical weapon.
1400 people were killed/murdered and many of them were women and children. Israel’s IDF killers even gunned down Palestinian civilians who were holding white flags.
Israel’s army/IDF bombed schools, UN centers, ambulances, food storage facilities and much more.
Your beloved Apartheid/racist Israel committed the worst of war crimes and all for what reason(s). The people of Gaza are closed up from all directions…land, air and sea. Those homemade rockets are about as accurate as firecrackers…NOT like those sophisticated American made bombs/missiles that were used/dropped on civilian neighborhoods wiping out entire families…grandmothers, grandfathers, mothers, fathers, children…etc…
If your family were locked up for years, like the ones in Gaza, & unable to get out because all exit routes are closed…what the hell would you do? Would you just sit there and watch them die one by one?
Zionism is pure racism. Your beloved Israel has committed & continues to commit war crimes against the Palestinian people…and sadly it gets by with its horrific crimes. The American administration & its politicians are spineless and are on their knees for Israel & AIPAC.
Robert, your post is so ripe for Fisking, I just hope that moderator will allow for a rather long post. So here GOES in text below…
In December 2008/January 2009, for a total of 23 days, Israel used the most sophisticated American made weapons to attack a mostly unarmed civilian population in Gaza. [NOT TRUE, EVEN GOLDSTONE ADMITTED THAT ISRAEL DID NOT TARGET CIVILIANS, SO THE STATEMENT ABOVE IS NOT TRUTHFUL] Israel used fighter jets carrying 500 pounds bombs, missiles, Apache helicopters, tanks, naval vessels and much more to reek havoc on civilians & neighborhoods. On top of this huge weapon arsenal, Israel’s army used white phosphorus, a chemical weapon [NOT TRUE, SEE DEFINITION OF WP IN WIKIPEDIA – IT’S USE AS AN INCENDIARY MUNITION IS PROHIBITED, BUT IT IS NOT A CHEMICAL WEAPON. YOUR ACCUSATION HERE IS DISENGENUOS], on a civilian population [SEE GOLDSTONE’S MEA-CULPA, ISRAEL DID NOT INTENTIONALLY TARGETED CIVILIANS]. At first Israel denied the use of white phosphorus, but after the investigation results, Israel admitted the use of the chemical weapon [AGAIN, A DISENGENUOS MIS-CLASSIFICATION, SEE ABOVE].
1400 people were killed/murdered and many of them were women and children [YES INDEED, BUT THE RATIO OF CIVILIANS-TO-COMBATANTS WAS THE LOWEST EVER IN BUILT-UP AREAS CONFILCTS – MAYBE You WANT TO ASK HOW MANY CIVILIANS DIED IN LYBIAN CONFLICT?]. Israel’s IDF killers even gunned down Palestinian civilians who were holding white flags [THIS IS DISPUTED, EVEN IF IN THEORY THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN – WHAT IS NOT IN DISPUTE, IS THAT PALESTINIAN FIGHTERS WERE FIGHTING IN CIVILIAN CLOTHES – NOT IN DISPUTE...].
Israel’s army/IDF bombed schools, UN centers, ambulances [THERE IS A WELL DOCUMENTED VIDEO CLIP OF AN AMBULANCE MOVING BACK AND FORTH TO SHIELD SHOOTING FIGHTERS, JUST YOUTUBE IT], food storage facilities and much more.
Your beloved Apartheid/racist [EMPTY ALLEGATIONS] Israel committed the worst of war crimes and all for what reason(s). The people of Gaza are closed up from all directions…land, air and sea. Those homemade rockets are about as accurate as firecrackers…[ALL THE MORE FOR THIS, PALESTINIANS SHOULD NOT HAVE INTENTIONALLY TARGET CIVILIAN TOWNS – THERE WERE ENOUGH MILITARY TARGETS – SEE GILAD SHALIT’S KIDNAPPING FROM ISRAEL PROPER. WOULD You ROBERT HAVE YOUR FAMILY LIVING UNDER THE THREAT OF THESE “CRACKERS” CONSTANTLY?] NOT like those sophisticated American made bombs/missiles that were used/dropped on civilian neighborhoods wiping out entire families…grandmothers, grandfathers, mothers, fathers, children…etc…[IF THIS WAS MADE INTENTIONALLY, THIS IS A WAR CRIME. I CHALLENGE You ROBERT TO SAY THE SAME ABOUT ARAB ACTS OF SUICIDE BOMBING IN THE SBARRO RESTAURANT FOR EXAMPLE, WILL You HAVE ENOUGH DECENCY TO CONDEMN IT?]
If your family were locked up for years, like the ones in Gaza, & unable to get out because all exit routes are closed [WHAT ABOUT EGYPT? DISENGINOUSNESS ALERT!]…what the hell would you do? Would you just sit there and watch them die one by one? [ONE CRIME DOES NOT JUSTIFY ANOTHER (THAT IS TERRORISING CIVILIAN TOWNS BY BOMBARDING THEM), OR IS IT ONLY APPLICABLE ONE WAY?]
Zionism is pure racism [NO, THERE ARE MANY RACES LIVING IN ISRAEL]. Your beloved Israel has committed & continues to commit war crimes against the Palestinian people [EXCEPT FOAMING AT THE MOUTH, You CAN'T PROVE THAT THIS IS A POLICY, THOUGH PERHAPS THERE WERE CRIMES COMMITTED ON GROUND LEVEL BY INDIVIDUAL SOLDIERS, SEE THE RETRACTION OF GOLDSTONE]…and sadly it gets by with its horrific crimes. The American administration & its politicians are spineless and are on their knees for Israel & AIPAC [ALL POLLS IN THE US REVEAL BROAD SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL, SO PERHAPS THE ADMINSITRATION FOLLOWS AMERICAN PEOPLE WISHES?].
Hey Asherpat…the truth about your beloved racist Israel must have hit a few raw nerves in your infected zionist skull. You seem to be foaming from all your vacuoles!
The truth has a lasting sting that doesn’t just go away… your racist zionism & lies are transparent. Your hasbara handlers are squeezing every drop of lies out of your infected head… just don’t forget to double up on your medication dosages!
People know the truth about the crimes that Apartheid Israel has committed against the Palestinians, Lebanese people & others in the region.
The truth is on the side of the victims!
don’t bother robert, i think he’s off his meds
How convenient, Annie, Robert, if you cannot argue reason, resort to medical ad-hominem!
Let’s see – I have “infected skull”, “infected head”, “raw nerves”, implicitly on some “medications”.
But no matter my medical condition, Annie and Robert, the “truth is on the side of” no-0ne, it is smply the truth and if you can’t argue with facts and logic, no amount of mantra mentioning Apartheid and Racist will change it.
Yes indeed asherpat, truth is truth.
The world is rapidly becoming aware of Israel’s crimes, even in insular America. Already we have 160+ countries in the world supporting Palestine. When people actually investigate the issue of Israel/Palestine they pretty rapidly seem to come the opinion that Israel is a greedy, cruel, vicious and oppressive state. The label apartheid is being used – and sticking – because it is apt.
You can have your own ‘truths’ if you like, and the court of world opinion(s) can have theirs.
Of course, there are still bitter old white supremacists in South Africa who bemoan that fall of apartheid there. It will be interesting to see how many zionists have the courage or humanity to recognise 60+ years of atrocities by Israel when the inevitable transition to a single bi-national state occurs.
Sumud – “how many zionists have the courage or humanity to recognise 60+ years of atrocities by Israel when the inevitable transition to a single bi-national state occurs”?
None! in the event that Israel is overrun, we will all be slaughtered.
asherpat is our new site drama queen.
Is that your attitude? “We must slaughter the Arabs first or they will slaughter us!” How very classically Teutonic.
Already we have 160+ countries in the world supporting Palestine.
I support a Palestinian state even a UN recognition of Palestine, it doesn’t mean that the world is siding AGAINST Israel. Those who advocate a binational state aren’t tricking anyone, we know what the end game is, it has been eluded to and advocated on Mondoweiss.
asherpat and robert
lets say, for the sake of argument, that you correctly stated the facts. Does that make it the truth? No. I agree that one crime doesn’t justify another, it just turns the former victim into a criminal. But even so: if killing one Israeli is the response to 100 or more Palestinians being killed, and a further 100 or more Palestinians are being killed in return, there’s still major injustice and a major difference between the criminals. I also agree with Desmond Tutu: “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” Nobody can deny that the situation is unjust, and that Israel is the oppressor. So the logical conclusion regarding the truth of the situation would have to be that there has been injustice for decades. In that case, the right to resistance would kick in.
link to paltelegraph.com
asherpat…your zionist hasbara is not sticking anywhere; its bouncing back & hitting your infected skull.
How many PC’s are there in those long corridors of your psych asylum? Don’t stray off too far… they may have to strap you down for your own safety & others who are on the same wing.
Zionism is pure racism = Israel
Annie, so, what brothers did to brothers in Lybia yday in front of the cameras was just a drama? What will the muslim brothers do to Jews when they only can, will indeed be quite dramatic, just read Hamas’ charter.
If you are jewish, will you come and cerelbrate Israel’s downfall by visiting and mingling in the jublant muslim crowds? Lara Logan did in Tahrir square, and she wasnt even Jewish! What a drama queen!
i think they will be mixed crowds. if regime change comes to pass, it will only be thru a mixed movement
It’s not our fault that Israel and the Occupation are inseparable. You made Israel by squeezing Arab blood, so don’t be too shocked when a tidal wave of Arab blood drowns you.
“None! in the event that Israel is overrun, we will all be slaughtered.”
Yes, maybe, who knows, but I’m sure you will be able to get off quite a few of your nuclear weapons before every last one of you is gone.
So you can go out in a blaze of glory! Masadadammerung!
” think they will be mixed crowds. if regime change comes to pass, it will only be thru a mixed movement”
Yup, Phil, from what I understand, the sun doesn’t even rise without permission from Jews.
But if those crowds aren’t mixed enough for you, you can always go back to being a Zionist. Why throw away fifty years?
“Those who advocate a binational state aren’t tricking anyone, we know what the end game is, it has been eluded to and advocated on Mondoweiss.”
Yes, the barely covered intention of the early Zionists and Zionist leaders to expel or make helots of the Arab indigenes has been well covered on Mondoweiss. But why do you bring it up?
Asherpat,
You just revealed yourself as a completely brainwashed paranoid supremest . “None! in the event that Israel is overrun, we will all be slaughtered.”
So your solution to this imaginary threat is: Genocide of a people.
This is a very old and empty Hasbara talking point: “just read Hamas’ charter.”
Have you read the racist and bizarre Likud charter?
Settlements
The Jewish communities in Judea, Samaria and Gaza are the realization of Zionist values. Settlement of the land is a clear expression of the unassailable right of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel and constitutes an important asset in the defense of the vital interests of the State of Israel. The Likud will continue to strengthen and develop these communities and will prevent their uprooting.
Self-Rule
The Government of Israel flatly rejects the establishment of a Palestinian Arab state west of the Jordan river.
The Palestinians can run their lives freely in the framework of self-rule, but not as an independent and sovereign state. Thus, for example, in matters of foreign affairs, security, immigration and ecology, their activity shall be limited in accordance with imperatives of Israel’s existence, security and national needs. …
In other words anything that makes The Zionist State feel afraid is reason to reject anything from the Palestinians.
being a white guy from Wisconsin, you are all too willing to let the blood of Arabs be spilled in mass.
Seriously, who do you think people are going to blame, DBG? Me for supporting the end of a racist apartheid police state? Or you, whose family reunion is going to be full of IDF mortar crews and gun-toting settlers?
“we know what the end game is, it has been eluded to and advocated on Mondoweiss”
DGB, if you talking about us advocating a non Jewish ‘ruled ‘state in the one state solution–the reason we advocate that is because we have no faith in and don’t believe, based on zionism and Israel’s history, that they would ever extend equal rights or protections to Arabs and non Jews.
Ellen,
Said you, quoting the Likud charter:
“The Jewish communities in Judea, Samaria and Gaza are the realization of Zionist values. Settlement of the land is a clear expression of the unassailable right of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel and constitutes an important asset in the defense of the vital interests of the State of Israel. The Likud will continue to strengthen and develop these communities and will prevent their uprooting.”
The Jewish communities in Gaza have been withdrawn completely, and the Palestinians were offered a sovereign state with a contiguous 97% of the West Bank in 2000, and again in 2008.
“The Government of Israel flatly rejects the establishment of a Palestinian Arab state west of the Jordan river.”
“In my vision of peace,” said Netanyahu in his June 2009 Bar–Ilan University speech, “in this small land of ours, two peoples live freely, side-by-side, in amity and mutual respect, each with its own flag and national anthem.”
“Let us meet. Let us speak of peace and let us make peace. I am ready to meet with you anytime. I am willing to go to Damascus, to Riyadh, to Beirut, to any place including Jerusalem,” he said.
Does the Likud platform really preclude an eventual establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state? I hardly think so. Certainly Netanyahu does not seem to think so. The platform is an expression of general principles; it does not preclude any Likud prime minister from consenting to the mutually agreed establishment of such a state; it objects to the “unilateral” establishment of one. Netanyahu, in his current term as PM, to the best of my knowledge, has never stated that all the principles of the platform are all set in stone and are non-negotiable.
Do you really believe that the whole state of Israel is bound to some kind of slavish obeisance to the Likud platform where their negotiations with the Palestinians are concerned? Likud does not rule as dictators of Israel like Hamas does in Gaza. Both Sharon and Netanyahu have openly recognized the inevitability of a Palestinian state.
Indeed, Barak, Sharon, Olmert, and even Netanyahu are on record accepting a Palestinian state in principle and practice. Considering Netanyahu’s previous opposition to Oslo and a Palestinian state, skepticism of his sincerity is certainly in order. But we will never find out until the Palestinians decide to first negotiate, then negotiate in good faith.
But that’s not going to happen. Negotiations involve compromise and give and take—both anathema to the Palestinians.
Can the same thing even remotely be said of Hamas’ making peace with, or even recognizing Israel?
No, it cannot. In Hamas, Israel is faced with a terrorist regime wholly and singly dedicated to its destruction, and one who, for over two decades, wages, and has waged war towards this objective in violation of every known law of warfare. They are not concerned merely with settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, but with Israel’s existence. Period.
A few of the Hamas Charter’s greatest hits:
–“Moreover, if the links have been distant from each other and if obstacles, placed by those who are the lackeys of Zionism in the way of the fighters obstructed the continuation of the struggle, the Islamic Resistance Movement aspires to the realisation of Allah’s promise, no matter how long that should take. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him salvation, has said:
“The Day of Judgement will not come about until Muslims fight the Jews (killing the Jews), when the Jew will hide behind stones and trees. The stones and trees will say O Muslims, O Abdulla, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him. Only the Gharkad tree, would not do that because it is one of the trees of the Jews.” (related by al-Bukhari and Muslim)”
–“Initiatives, and so-called peaceful solutions and international conferences, are in contradiction to the principles of the Islamic Resistance Movement. Abusing any part of Palestine is abuse directed against part of religion. Nationalism of the Islamic Resistance Movement is part of its religion. Its members have been fed on that. For the sake of hoisting the banner of Allah over their homeland they fight. “Allah will be prominent, but most people do not know.”
–Now and then the call goes out for the convening of an international conference to look for ways of solving the (Palestinian) question. Some accept, others reject the idea, for this or other reason, with one stipulation or more for consent to convening the conference and participating in it. Knowing the parties constituting the conference, their past and present attitudes towards Muslim problems, the Islamic Resistance Movement does not consider these conferences capable of realising the demands, restoring the rights or doing justice to the oppressed. These conferences are only ways of setting the infidels in the land of the Muslims as arbitraters. When did the infidels do justice to the believers?
There is no solution for the Palestinian question except through Jihad. Initiatives, proposals and international conferences are all a waste of time and vain endeavors. The Palestinian people know better than to consent to having their future, rights and fate toyed with. As in said in the honourable Hadith:
“The people of Syria are Allah’s lash in His land. He wreaks His vengeance through them against whomsoever He wishes among His slaves It is unthinkable that those who are double-faced among them should prosper over the faithful. They will certainly die out of grief and desperation.”
Hamas was founded and exists for one reason: to murder Jews, to destroy Israel, and to establish an Islamic totalitarian regime in all of Palestine with themselves as rulers. Israel would have no cause for quarrel with Hamas if this were not Hamas’ ambition, or if Hamas were a peaceful, lawful entity with peaceful, lawful ambitions. But they are what they are: violent, lawless terrorists who commit indiscriminate acts of terrorism and murder against innocent Israeli civilians in the service of their openly stated objectives.
There is, in short, no comparison with the openly ignored, increasingly obsolescent Likud charter either in the nature and intent of the documents, the objectives expressed, or the extent to which they are adhered to. The objectives of the Hamas Charter are openly proclaimed in words, and have been sanctified by the bloodiest of deeds.
So let me get this straight — the Likud charter, which is being implemented RIGHT NOW on the West Bank (and arguably, after a fashion in Gaza) is supposed to be irrelevant, but an apocryphal Hamas charter that you claim shows that Hamas intends to kill all Jews, even children, when Israel has killed FAR far more children, that we’re supposed to pay attention to? To your delusional rantings about a second Holocaust that isn’t happening, while you murder Palestinians in their homes and mosques and schools?
NOT TRUE, DISPUTED, NOT TRUE, NO, EXCEPT…
lol, the juvenile delinquents are forging the Fs on their report cards to As.
“ONE CRIME DOES NOT JUSTIFY ANOTHER (THAT IS TERRORISING CIVILIAN TOWNS BY BOMBARDING THEM), OR IS IT ONLY APPLICABLE ONE WAY?]”
Really asherpat?….the zionist and every Israeli who lives in Israel justified and justifies the theft of Palestine land and the slo mo genocide of Palestine on the crime of the Holocaust and Jewish persecution. So you’re a hypocrite, …nothing new about that.
” [ALL POLLS IN THE US REVEAL BROAD SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL, SO PERHAPS THE ADMINSITRATION FOLLOWS AMERICAN PEOPLE WISHES”
And every time I see this claim I call my politicians to remind them Americans in fact do not support Israel and their days as Israel firsters are numbered…I have quite a phone bill, Embarq thanks you.
American – so Israel is enacting a “slo mo genocide of Palestine”?
The number of Palestinians between the river and the sea has NEVER gone down since 1948. This “genocide” is VERY “slo mo”, wudnt you agree?
…and when all those children start dying of thirst and hunger, you’ll be telling us how Arabs are so different, they just don’t love their children the way we do.
Yeah, we’ve heard this bullshit before. We put it on trial at Nuremburg.
I hope you have a good lawyer.
Chaos, no good lawyer will save me from judges that will be appointed by the “neutral” UN Human Right Committte, after all, its members include celebrated democracies and beacons of fairness such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, China, Cuba…shall I continue? And one more thing, the human rights bastion of the Lybian Arab Jamhariya, while suspended now, is a member too and wait for it, was the Chair of the predecessor of that esteemed body.
Sowhat kind of justice can I expect from such body, that will undoubtedly be pushed forwads by the “progressive people” like you to appoint judges?
And since you are so fervently righteos, surely, you can give us loads of examples of “all those children start dying of thirst and hunger” directly due to Israel, can’t you? I will be waiting, Chaos