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The War of Ideas in the Middle East
I doubt it. He will grovel and 'clarify' (retract) his words soon enough.
Quite different to treat people out of a genuine care for them than for a media opportunity.
Not 'supremacist' (in intent) nor an 'objection', just cognizant of how an American audience can be highly susceptible to countering arguments playing on the 'big, bad Muslims' card. If American sentiment was more informed and not so highly manipulated by those with the 'louder, meaner' voices, I would see some usefulness in it. But unfortunately the American Muslims for Palestine is highly vulnerable simply due to their name, which IMO will undermine their campaign. In an ideal world that would not happen, but this is America, where the zios, thru media and a much larger, more effective propaganda network have the upper hand and are more capable of influencing general opinion than the Muslims are. Their expected response imo will be a classic judo manoever, using their name against them, in a country that is more open to their arguments than they are of the Muslims. I wish it werent so, but thats the reality as I see it.
I dont think any of Israels defenders will lose sleep over this. They will just say " Look, the American MUSLIMS for Palestine" are behind it. Inferring that Muslims by nature are deeply anti-Israel, anti-Jewish, not because of any legit grievances. It would be far more effective if a non-Muslim or better yet Jewish org sponsored the campaign.
I hope the term "donkey felator" gets well ingrained into Americas political and cultural discourse and where all politicians become aware of it and fear its application to them.
So SNL has seen the light on the Israel/lobby thing. Brilliant folk. Senators portray sheep like tendencies and are unable to think for themselves....
Fixed, giladg. ;)
Another YT link:
link to youtube.com
Not just funny but devastating!! I hope someone uploads it to youtube, it will go viral. Surprised its not on YT yet, I have a feeling that tremendous behind the scenes efforts are being taken to prevent it from appearing there. Its just too damaging for the lobby/Israel for this to spread.
It seems to go farther back than 2002:
1992: Israeli parliamentarian Benjamin Netanyahu tells his colleagues that Iran is 3 to 5 years from being able to produce a nuclear weapon – and that the threat had to be "uprooted by an international front headed by the US."
link to csmonitor.com
"You and I both know that most of what MEMRI says in completely accurate, no matter how much you don’t want to hear it."
Ehem.. Memri may retain some degree of accuracy in their translations, sure. But their style is often to cherry-pick mutterings of extremists and broad brush paint that as typical of the whole. I'd love to see someone doing to the Hebrew press what Memri is doing to the Arabic. Esp the religious elements attitudes towards Christians, Jesus (often manifested in the frequent spitting on Christian clergy and their symbols) and goys in general which are no less vile and pernicious as the worst that anything Memri comes up with from the kooks of the Muslim world. Or the military rabbis whose job it is to advise soldiers of the acceptability of killing innocent goys, even children or babies if they may pose some future threat to Israel. But the Zios and their backers know this and are vigorous in keeping a lid on such stuff from seeping in the western press as well as having the means to do so. In essence Memri is simply the blackest of pots calling the kettle black.
Surprised to see this. The Telegraph's 'rage' against Newseeks cover:
"A sickening piece of shock journalism that cheapens a once great magazine."
link to blogs.telegraph.co.uk
So in essence he's saying that no matter who's president, the lobby has their balls in a vice.
link to scissorsheldon.com
You see there is a Zionist version of what in America was called “manifest destiny”. The Zionist leadership regards the various accords, for example their agreement to the Partition of Palestine in 1947-- they regard it in the exactly the same spirit as the US regarded the Indian treaties. They have just made it explicit with the Levy commission. The Levy Commission actually submitted a report that is going to be problematic, because you see the Zionists want Palestinian land but they don’t want Palestinians. The reason why they have not annexed the bulk of the West Bank with the exception of Jerusalem, where there is a Jewish majority-- the reason why they have not annexed, is they want to get rid of the population first.
I've long believed Netanyahu had this in mind from long ago. He is on record as saying this in 1989 after the Tiananmen Square massacre:
‘Israel should have taken advantage of the suppression of the demonstrations in China [Tiananmen Square], when the world’s attention was focussed on what was happening in that country, to carry out mass expulsions among the Arabs of the Territories. However, to my regret, they did not support that policy that I proposed, and which I still propose should be implemented.’
link to richardsilverstein.com
Its not that he's defending his cause or people or even using some underhandedness in going about it, but the blatancy of the lies that are casually spewed. Quite clear his audience are not those who have even a faint knowledge of the mid-east, its people or history. Unfortunately, its not just him, but most Israeli officials and Zionists do the same, incl their PM.
Go ahead. Try to argue that my house is your house and not my house. You’re going to have a hard time doing it without lying.
Yes, but usually you end up looking stupid when the original house owner pulls out a deed for his property. This is the thing, they can lie and say anything with impunity. I know of no other liars as blatant as the Zios, unfortunately.
Disgusting level of deception and dissimulation by Tobin. He knows what he says is mostly false and outright lies but is simply hoping to appeal to the largely ignorant masses (ie U.S. public) who would not know better. The nerve to refer to the defunct League of Nations, which certainly did not allocate the entirety of Palestine to the Jews to build settlements anywhere they pleased. The United Nations which is the current authoritative body had passed many resolutions re-affirming the illegality of the settlements in line with international law. A couple ones here where even the U.S. is signatory:
UNSC Resolution 465 (1980) of 1 March 1980 [Adopted unanimously at 2203rd meeting]
Accepts the conclusions and recommendations contained in the report of the Commission of the Security Council (on settlements); determines that all measures taken by Israel to change the physical character, composition, institutional structure or status of the Palestinian and other Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem, or any part thereof, have no legal validity and that Israel's policy and practices of settling parts of its population and new immigrants in those territories constitute a flagrant violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention and also constitute a serious obstruction to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
Strongly deplores the continuation and persistence of Israel in pursuing those policies and practices and calls upon the government and people of Israel to rescind those measures, to dismantle the existing settlements and in particular to cease, on an urgent basis, the establishment, construction and planning of settlements in the Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem. Calls upon all States not to provide Israel with any assistance to be used specifically in connection with settlements in the occupied territories; and requests the Commission to continue examining the situation relating to settlements, to investigate the reported serious depletion of natural resources, particularly water, with a view to ensuring protection of those important natural resources of the territories under occupation.
UNSC Resolution 267 (1969) of 3 July 1969 [Adopted unanimously at 1485th meeting]
Reaffirming the established principle that the acquisition of territory by military conquest is inadmissible, deplores the failure of Israel to show any regard for the resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security Council; censures in the strongest terms all measures taken to change the status of the city of Jerusalem; and urgently calls once more on Israel to rescind all measures taken by it to change the status of Jerusalem and in the future to refrain from all actions likely to have such an effect. Determines that in the event of a negative response or no response from Israel, the Security Council shall reconvene without delay to consider what further action should be taken in this matter.
Comments on Huffpo overwhelmingly against Boteach.. to the point where his article there is almost self-defeating. Pro-Zios seem to be facing more ridicule at HP than winning any converts as of late. Good sign.
Meanwhile, Rep. Pitts called on USSR President Gorbachev to release dissidents and renew the SALT 2 treaty.
I loved her article "10 reasons why AIPAC is so dangerous". Clear, concise, to the point and compelling.
link to mondoweiss.net
The purpose is ethnic cleansing though slow economic strangulation which is less noticeable in MSM than outright expulsion/genocide.
Seems in line with a poll comissioned by the European Union.
European Poll: Israel Biggest Threat To World Peace
link to jewishfederations.org
"israel’s been beating the drums to attack iran for decades"
1992: Israeli parliamentarian Benjamin Netanyahu tells his colleagues that Iran is 3 to 5 years from being able to produce a nuclear weapon – and that the threat had to be "uprooted by an international front headed by the US."
1995: The New York Times conveys the fears of senior US and Israeli officials that "Iran is much closer to producing nuclear weapons than previously thought" – about five years away – and that Iran’s nuclear bomb is “at the top of the list” of dangers in the coming decade.
link to csmonitor.com
I fear the Israelis main goal is not so much to cripple Irans nuclear potential in any attack, but to benefit from the aftermath and the resulting turmoil in the region. As Netanyahu said in 1989 Israel should have expelled the Palestinians from the West Bank while the worlds eyes were on the China student revolt and crackdown. Israel may use the Iran adventure as simply a cover for far more reaching actions closer to home... which may ultimately involve the 'transfer' option (expelling the Pals to Jordan and taking over the WB completely). I believe they think they can get away with something like this.
I saw that just yesterday. Powerful stuff. Odd its been posted on YT since May last year. If only it could air on 60 minutes or other MSM. I'm sure the lobby and Netanyahu would be far more concerned about its repercussions than Irans nuclear program.
Well for one, they cant slander them with anti-semitism. And two, their reporting may be viewed with 'some authority' or candidness if it appears less than flattering to members of their own tribe.
I'd prefer that the NYT had someone who was Jewish reporting on IP, just that someone who was principled and very knowledgeable about the conflict and whom would fight tooth and nail with the editors to ensure proper contexts were provided and no glaring ommissions occured. At least they may be slightly better shielded from accusations of bias or ethnic sympathies of which reporters like Shadid may have faced. Sure they may be added to the 'shit list' but they would be in exalted company.
For her use of the term “Judaization,” Rolink earned the drummed-up outrage of right-wing pressure group NGO Monitor, which screamed “anti-Semitism” and demanded her resignation. Claiming the term “originated with Arab rejectionists” and is “promoted by fringe [NGOs]”, the group called Judaization “an anti-Jewish racist term which suggests that the presence of Jews is alien and unacceptable”.
One person who will have been worried to read NGO Monitor’s press release is Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon, who can only hope that the lobby groups’ keen body of researchers never alight on his own declaration that “the focus for today is to Judaize the Negev and the Galilee”.
link to electronicintifada.net
I think nothing will come of it. No story, no matter how compromising it may be to the Zio-machine will make much of a difference imo. Aside from their ability to twist, spin, obscure whatever damaging info comes to the fore, I think their main power is the ability is simply to turn attention away from it before it gets too big. Sooner or later the questions, the focus will just stop or be reduced to insignificance. As they've done with the USS Liberty, the Adelson thing is nothing to them.
RP will never be president no matter how popular he gets. Never underestimate the power and creativity of Zionists to destroy whomever becomes a threat to their enterprise. I would worry for his life if he ever got close to the presidency.
"and Oren said Friedman missed the real admiration Israel has in the body."
Could be. Like the North Koreans admiration for Kim Jong-Il.
I think Geller knows perfectly well that Halal = Kosher, but also knows that most people reading her rubbish are not as well informed. So she is merely taking advantage of her readers ignorance.
Sloppy article, big mistake:
"A White House official, Leonard Garment, saying he was flooded with letters and phone calls with Jewish appeals, asked Kissinger for help and guidance. The late Alexander Haig, Nixon's national security adviser, sent him Mrs. Meir's letter and said "We will have to consider the best means by which to proceed."
According to transcripts released by the State Department, Kissinger, who was Haig's deputy, said to Garment: "Is there a more self-serving group of people than the Jewish community?" Kissinger is Jewish."
Kissinger was the Nat'l Security Advisor to Nixon, and Haig was his deputy, not the other way around.
Wikipedia is a great source of info on any topic that does not cover contentious issues or has parties who have a great stake in ensuring the info is more reflective of their POV and can be editable to conform to it when it doesnt.
And Zionists are extremely active on Wikipedia and have even sought to infiltrate its editorial staff but were busted when some internal memos of CAMERA were leaked. That was a few years ago, but I am sure they are still hell-bent on trying to do so only in a more careful manner.
Micronesia, aptly named state. Not sure if Israel is too happy a country with such a name supports them. But I guess they'll take what they can get, lol.
Sadly, this lopsided 194-5 vote may only amount to a small paragraph in the back pages of the MSM. Its just too damaging for Israels minions in the press to allow much coverage. I've seen the way past lopsided UN votes have been handled in the U.S. press over the decades: a complete non-event.
And why do you think Bronner was suddenly taken off the roster? If not to shield him and allow his employer to say they "respect his professionalism and impartiality" without looking silly.
KF - A---- from El Paso
link to youtube.com
Sounds like milder versions of what Israelis and their supporters say about Arabs/Muslims in Ynet and the NYPost..
Just wait for the Zionists 'megaphone' software to kick in gear and watch a flood of pro-Israel comments come in. Something like this will make them go apeshit.
Along with Hamas evacuating their headquarters in fear of an Israeli strike, the UN has also evacuated their offices in Gaza. They know Israel would deliberately target them (as they've done in the past) so seems they figured its best not to sit around.
I'll bet he's retiring or not seeking re-election. Even so its a bold move on his part.
From Time magazine 2009, best blogs vs... "Most Overrated Blogs".
link to time.com
I'm pretty sure Mets102 read Phils response. It was copy/pasted by someone in Mets post at DK. I'll bet he's highly uncomfortable with it as well. :D
So would I. Also HuffPo at times acts weird. Does DK give platforms to Dershowitz and Bernard Henri-Levy like HP occasionally do?
Never underestimate the power of zionists to derive benefit from any disaster. They can and will find a way to keep the Murdoch media empire in line, by hook or by crook. Theres no shortage of Israel-friendly media moguls or operatives to step in and fill any gaps arising from Murdochs woes. If things turn more bleak for Murdoch, and if his (now weakened) son should step into the mantle and somehow reverse News Corps pro-Israel slant, they will dig out more dirt to threaten the stability of the company, if not destroy it. Or to just give him enough headaches to where he may be easier to acquiesce to being bought out of his holdings.
I also had read something similar but wasnt sure which of his sons said it. Found it, from NYSun back in 2007:
link to nysun.com
Regardless of what Greece did or does, I dont think Israel is too worried about flotillas anymore. They now know what to do if any country is not as cooperative as Greece: to just disable or sabotage any boats whether in port or on sea. And they have many opportunities to do so. It will deflate much of the media focus. A sabotaged boat will hardly get a paragraph in the back pages of the media, unlike a serious entanglement on the high seas with deaths and injuries.
29 standing ovations. As someone commented elsewhere on the net, that is more a reaction of fear. The sort of response Stalin, Saddam Hussein or Kim Jong Il would get in their speeches.
It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first - Ronald Reagan.
Netanyahu 'pleased' with Obama's AIPAC address
PM's aides describe speech as 'befitting,' say Obama's clarifications about 1967 borders particularly pleasing. 'I'm determined to work with president Obama to find a way to reignite the peace process,' Netanyahu says...
link to ynetnews.com
As Phil described the 'boilerplate' elements of the speech, I think Netanyahu would view whatever elements that may be interpreted as potential, albeit remote, pressure on Israel as the other 'boilerplate' which can be shrugged off or dismissed with ease. I dont think N will have trouble sleeping tonite.
Sorry Phil, as much as I admire your optimism and silver lining views, I think reality will unfortunately a bit less bright when or if it comes down to the crunch.
Pogrom? Hardly. Not that there arent extremists (or opportunistic elements) who wouldnt target the Copts for their own nefarious ends. I'm sure the pro-Israelites would love nothing more than a pogram to be underway, it would serve their ends quite well.
Some in the media and pro-Israel blogs like to paint the MB as a Taliban type outfit where 'infidels' (Copts, non-Muslims), gays or womans rights are matters of obsession or some central part of the MBs philosophy. But these are rather peripheral issues. The MB is more focused on achieving political gains and position in Egypt politics and that will require a large degree of flexibility on their part. Gay rights (unlike in the West) dont even merit a blip in Egyptian political or social discourse so it would be hard for the MB to make an issue out of that. Womans rights or perceived 'non-rights' of women have more to do with cultural issues or practices rather than Islamist jurisprudence, and the MB would be hard-pressed to alienate half their potential electorate on this. The MB boogieman is more likely to have originated from Israeli circles and their supporters because it can be convenient to make Egypt look bad if it doesnt cooperate with Israel like the previous regime. Egypt as a whole can then be painted as some evil Islamist entity.
Ah, you want 'fair and balanced' news. Like Fox.
The IDF dropped the bomb in the middle of the night thereby ensuring maximum civilian casualties. They could have just waited for Shehadeh to emerge the next day. I believe maximizing civ casualties is an ongoing Israeli tactic designed to demoralize the Pals and ensure increased hate and perhaps even provoke a violent response that would give further pretexts for Israel to 'do what it wants' in the territories. Thats been the way things have 'played out' for so long.
I noticed that too. Its as if someone wants to discredit the revolution. And to taint whomever or whatever govt follows Mubarak.
I was just watching the govt controlled Nile TV. They were showing the masses demonstrating in the thousands in Tahrir square. However it misrepresented what they were there for. It said they they were demonstrating "for stability" (ie, Mubarak continuity) and they interviewed a few selected people who stated as much. Thats about as low as you can get in propaganda and disinformation.
I wonder what Natan Sharansky (A Case for Democracy) is saying about now.
The MB is probably the equivalent to the religious parties in the Israeli govt. They couldnt give a rats ass about peace either if it involves compromise on stolen land or Jerusalem.
I have a feeling many Israelis will be embarrassed by it. It almost appears to be satiric.
"Israel will be changed by this, so will the lobby... "
I doubt it. Far more massive protests and cries of murder occurred in Tel Aviv (tens of thousands demonstrated) just after Israels 1982 invasion of Lebanon and the Sabra & Shatila massacres. Although the demonstrations forced the resignation of DM Ariel Sharon, everything was back to business as usual weeks later. The lobby was not only unscathed but emerged even more powerful in the years and decades that followed. And Sharon came back as PM. I wish I could share your enthusiasm Phil, but doubt this amounts to much.
Do not use after expiration date? Because its less harmful then?
It would be only natural for differences in focuses or issues to appear in the English/Arabic versions. But most Arabic readers would not expect political parties, religious or otherwise, to attempt to justify their political platforms or stances by citing differences or criticisms with al-Qaeda. Although al-Qaeda is not viewed favorably by the majority of Muslims, its not an issue or concern that is uppermost in their minds. So I think theres little point for the MB to mention differences or criticism of Qaeda in the Arabic site. Obviously, the English site may shift emphasis or focus on issues according to their readership.
"It should be made clear that Jerusalem is the capital of the Jewish and Democratic State of Israel."
Which no one recognizes, not even the U.S.
- SC Resolution 465 (1980) of 1 March 1980 [Adopted at 2203rd meeting - unanimously]
Accepts the conclusions and recommendations contained in the report of the Commission of the Security Council (on settlements); determines that all measures taken by Israel to change the physical character, composition, institutional structure or status of the Palestinian and other Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem, or any part thereof, have no legal validity and that Israel's policy and practices of settling parts of its population and new immigrants in those territories constitute a flagrant violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention and also constitute a serious obstruction to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
Strongly deplores the continuation and persistence of Israel in pursuing those policies and practices and calls upon the government and people of Israel to rescind those measures, to dismantle the existing settlements and in particular to cease, on an urgent basis, the establishment, construction and planning of settlements in the Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem. Calls upon all States not to provide Israel with any assistance to be used specifically in connection with settlements in the occupied territories; and requests the Commission to continue examining the situation relating to settlements, to investigate the reported serious depletion of natural resources, particularly water, with a view to ensuring protection of those important natural resources of the territories under occupation.
SC Resolution 267 (1969) of 3 July 1969 [Adopted at 1485th meeting - unanimously adopted]
Reaffirming the established principle that the acquisition of territory by military conquest is inadmissible, deplores the failure of Israel to show any regard for the resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security Council; censures in the strongest terms all measures taken to change the status of the city of Jerusalem; and urgently calls once more on Israel to rescind all measures taken by it to change the status of Jerusalem and in the future to refrain from all actions likely to have such an effect. Determines that in the event of a negative response or no response from Israel, the Security Council shall reconvene without delay to consider what further action should be taken in this matter.
The ads wont last. This is the very thing that strikes greatest fear in U.S. Zionists, that any signs of spreading sympathy for Pals or objection to Israel on any level, were to spread. Dont underestimate the power of the lobby.
Ted Turner was a maverick. The Zionists feared him and what he was capable of, so they took CNN out of his control (via Gerald Levin CEO of Time Inc). With precise timing as well, just a few weeks after Israels most right wing PM, Netanyahu, won the election in 1996. The Zionists knew that Netanyahu and Israel would get very bad press by CNN under Turners control, something which could potentially wake up the American people. So they got Levin to act quickly and the merger deal was done. CNN then slowly but noticeably begun to filter, edit, highlight, ignore news from the Mid-east thus taking the heat off Israel.
GIYUS in action.
link to giyus.org
Re the Gaza flotilla, this story out today is bad news for Israel. But seems theres a widespread blackout of it in the MSM.
link to guardian.co.uk
BHL is a regular fixture at HuffPo lately. They seem to be giving a concerted platform to some of the staunchest Zionists and Israel firsters, ie Dershowitz, David Harris and others.
And Stoler99 will be happy with the complete ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians.
Re Witty, the right of return is a non-issue tbh. There are much bigger obstacles for a Mid-east peace than that. Namely the fanatical hold of the Zionist enterprise onto "Judea and Samaria" which amongst themselves is as absolute as one can get. Even lip service to it raises heckles amongst the settlers. If by some miracle the land issue was resolved (ie, Israel adhering to international law), the Arabs can easily twist the Palestinians arms to let go of the ROR, with compensation or whatever. They would never let the Palestinians make it a stumbling block, they would abandon them. The Gulf states, Egypt and other U.S. puppets in the region are desperate for peace. Not for the sake of peace per se, but just to save their own asses from the ire of their publics whenever Israel goes on their customary killing sprees, maiming, killing civilians and televised in graphic detail on Arab TV. They cant afford to maintain the status quo.
I think this is the thing Israel most dreads. The potential for it to gain enough publicity to put a significant dent in Israels (so far) teflon image in the U.S. Yes, they will try their best to delegitimize it but they will not have 'Islamist bogeymen' or some "Qaeda linked" IHH to help them do so this time around. But leave it to the Zionists and their cohorts in the U.S. press to come up with something. Their creativity knows no bounds.
If they examined the words, statements closely yes. But perhaps the psychological impact of a 'legitimate looking' billboard may fool some to not examine or look close enough. Many are still quite ignorant about the I/P conflict and are apt to be conditioned by the media, politicians to look at Israel in a positive light. ;)
I have a feeling that many viewing these billboards may miss the sarcasm and actually believe it. I wouldnt be surprised if we even see some donations to Israel, lol.
This is funny. I thought Mondoweiss was not being updated. For the last 4 days visiting here I would see this post at the top and not bother to scroll down. What is this, a sticky? :)
Ad in Australian newspapers re I/P:
link to antonyloewenstein.com
If only it would ever appear in U.S. media.
Richard Silverstein has a vid clip of the IDF executing one the passengers of the Mavi Marmara:
link to richardsilverstein.com
HonestReporting is still carrying the "go back to Auschwitz" comment as an authentic message from the flotilla. On its front page no less.
link to honestreporting.com
Any accountability for even more atrocious statements by Israeli leaders?
"Israel should have exploited the repression of the demonstrations in China, when world attention focused on that country, to carry out mass expulsions among the Arabs of the territories."
-- Benyamin Netanyahu, then Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister, speaking to students at Bar Ilan University, from the Israeli journal Hotam, November 24, 1989.
The first time I thought the lobbys days were 'numbered' was back in 1982 during Israels first invasion of Lebanon. When they carpet bombed Beirut killing some 7000 civilians (and used white phosphorus there). Even Thomas Friedman had called the Israeli attacks then "random and indiscriminate" in his reporting from there. Death toll for the whole invasion = 19,000, some 90% civilans.
I too wont hold my breath for any 'opening of daylight' between the lobby and the U.S.govt.
Juan Cole links to a Sydney Morning Herald interview with one of the released activists from the earlier flotilla. Not sure if he intended so, but unfortunately sounds somewhat corroborative with the Israeli version of events. He mentions an activist shot in the back of the head while assisting one of the injured, but still I dont like the way this interview sounds.
link to smh.com.au
Just a few weeks ago there was another incident of an American activist hit in the face by the Israelis with a gas canister. The injury was just as horrific:
link to alarabiya.net
I think this could be another Israeli tactic being put to use, to cause dreadful injuries by something they can claim was an 'accident', as a deterrent to protesters, activists.
Something the Palestinians, even children face all too often.
The Israeli army has cleared an officer accused of repeatedly firing into the lifeless body of a young Palestinian girl of "unethical" behaviour...
...The killing of Palestinian civilians does not always make much news in Israel. And it is unusual for the army to launch an investigation into the circumstances of such incidents, says the BBC's James Reynolds in Jerusalem.
Without revealing their identities, soldiers from the Givati brigade platoon told Israeli television how their officer sprayed Iman al-Hams with automatic gunfire on 5 October in the Tel Sultan neighbourhood of Rafah - a restricted area near Gaza's border with Egypt.
"We saw her from a distance of 70m. She was fired at ... from the outpost. She fled and was wounded," a soldier said.
While Iman was lying, wounded or dead, about 70m from the Israeli guard post, the platoon commander approached her and fired two bullets from close range at her head, the soldiers said.
He then went back a second time, put his weapon on the automatic setting and - ignoring their objections on the walkie-talkie - emptied his entire magazine into her body.
But the army says it accepts the commander's claim that he fired into the ground near the girl after coming under fire in a dangerous area.
It has not explained why the officer shot into the ground rather than at the source of the fire.
"The investigation did not find that the company or the company commander had acted unethically," an army statement said...
link to news.bbc.co.uk
A shift in the blogosphere even if as prominent as that in HuffPo I dont think will get too far. Whats needed is a shift in televised or mainstream media.
I'd like to see the day when Israeli spokespersons get raked over the coals like British ITN's Jon Snow doing to Mark Regev:
link to antonyloewenstein.com
The genie may be somewhat out of the bottle, but they can clamp back down on it when they feel it 'getting out of hand'. A few 'stray opinions' here and there may be allowed but the publishers still control the shots. How long can they be counted upon to allow free opinion, facts, details on issues?
And yeah, I'll start cheering when its on the front pages too.
According to intelligence reports, Iraq had a shipment of uranium purchased from Niger. According to intelligence reports, Saddam had WMD stashed all over the country. According to intel...
Unfortunately, there is a considerable mass of uninformed who fall for this shit. Because they read it on the internet. These are people the hasbara machine target. Occasionally they may stray onto better informed readers, sites and embarrass themselves, but they move on.
I think the source hard at work spreading this is here: http://www.terrorism-info.org.il
Thats where some of the right-wingnut sites link to at least.
(AP) JERUSALEM (AP) - Israeli prime minister's office says he's canceling White House visit to deal with Gaza crisis.
link to cbsnews.com
Would Israel ever admit something that is bad for PR if they can deny it? Lying is always the option of first resort if they think they can get away with it. To say that Peres denied it is as reassuring as Baghdad Bob saying that the American forces were not able to enter his city.
What happened to yesterdays Mondo posts? Dont see anything for May 24th. Was going to reply to the Dersh and Chomsky topic but dont see it anymore.
Just last week I visited a well-known high school in Jerusalem. A good many of the students I spoke to told me appalling things. They said: When we are soldiers, we will kill old people, women and children without giving it a thought. They said: We will expel them, we will put them on planes and fly them to Iraq. We will fly hundreds of thousands of them. Millions. And most of the students in the audience applauded those opinions. They supported them even when I pointed out that that is how people talked 60 years ago in Europe.
Avraham Burg, former Speaker of the Knesset:
On the eve of destruction
Hmm, if outsiders invaded Austria, I'm sure someone could come up with plenty of quotes saying that Austrians are Germans and have no right to their land either.
^ Like kicking a tied dog repeatedly and when he bites back, it becomes an "initiation of war"? Hmm.