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| 11/23 |
| 2009/1/9-13 [Politics/Foreign/MiddleEast/Israel] UID:52346 Activity:high |
1/9 What You Don't Know About Gaza:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/08/opinion/08khalidi.html?em
\_ "As the occupying power, Israel has the responsibility under the
Fourth Geneva Convention to see to the welfare of the civilian
population of the Gaza Strip."
Rubbish. Hamas, as the elected government, is responsible for the
welfare of the civilian population. Now, if you want to make the
case that Hamas is severely hampered in this by the Israelis,
that's a different thing.
\_ I thought Isreal does not recognize them as the legitimate
government, so refuses to negotiate with them.
\_ Israel has negotiated ceasefires with them before.
"The targeting of civilians, whether by Hamas or by Israel, is
potentially a war crime.... In contrast, there have been around a
dozen Israelis killed, many of them soldiers."
Firing rockets indiscriminately into a country _is_ targeting
civilians, no matter how unsuccessful the attacks are. You don't
get a by on war crimes just because your aim is bad.
"Negotiation is a much more effective way to deal with rockets and
other forms of violence. This might have been able to happen had
Israel fulfilled the terms of the June cease-fire and lifted its
blockade of the Gaza Strip."
Or Hamas might have gotten its hands on more long range rockets
and shelled more civilians in Israel. Or the Easter Bunny and the
Mahdi might have arrived and opened a sushi restaurant. The latter
is more likely than Israeli negotiations stopping Hamas launching
rockets.
\_ What you don't know about Hamas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1M4eH9Kk7I
\_ How would I not know this? The US media is full of anti-Hamas
propaganda. Aren't they still officially a "terrorist"
organization, according to the Bush Administration?
\_ I would think so. What part of Hamas makes them NOT a
terrorist organization? I mean, they do commit acts of
terrorism and all.
\_ What is your definition of "terrorist organization"?
Are you the same guy above who states that Hamas is the
elected government of Gaza?
\_ Nooo.... they took over Gaza by force. Again, not seeing
how this makes them NOT a terrorist organization. A
terroist organization is an org that uses terrorism
to achive their aims. Hamas' "humanitarian" arm doesn't
really change that fact about them.
\_ What is "terrorism", by your definition?
\_ You have trouble using a dictionary or something?
Pretty much everyone, including the EU, agrees
Hamas engages in terrorism by any common
definition. Why don't you answer my question?
How is Hamas not a terrorist org? While were at
it What's YOUR definition of terrorism?
\_ I don't know what the definition is of
terrorism, which is why I avoid using the word.
I think it is amusing that you like to throw
around terms you can't even define.
\_ I think it's amusing that you don't know
how to read a dictionary. You can even
google for definitions now. Can you google?
\_ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrorism
"At present, there is no internationally
agreed definition of terrorism."
"The concept of terrorism is itself
controversial because it is often used
by states to delegitimize political
opponents, and thus legitimize the
state's own use of terror against
those opponents."
See, you learned something new today!
\_ "Common definitions of terrorism
refer only to those acts which are
intended to create fear (terror),
are perpetrated for an ideological
goal (as opposed to a lone attack),
and deliberately target or disregard
the safety of non-combatants.
Some definitions also include acts
of unlawful violence and war."
And yet, all the difinitions cover
Hamas. Again, what exactly is your
point? I mean, aside from having
your own little pedanticness
championship.
\_ My point is that calling someone
a "terrorist" really doesn't do
anything to describe them and in
fact is a way of avoiding
discussion, rather than actually
having one. The point of having a
dicussion is to communicate,
having one. The point of
communication is to communicate,
right? Unless you are just typing
to make yourself feel good, in
which case, carry on Sir!
which case, carry on Sir! Your
definition as stated above makes
many US military commanders
"terrorists" including whoever
ordered the firebombing of Tokyo,
so I personally find it
unsatisfactory, though perhaps
this is fine with you. Regarding
Hamas specifically, there is the
question as to whether they
qualify as a "State Actor" or not,
which I do not have the answer to.
Who decides what is a legitimate
government or not? Do you?
\_ So you didn't watch the video of them killing other
palestinians for singing at a wedding?
\_ You know the EU designates them as such as well, right?
\_ So you believe that the EU is the final authority in the
topic of terrorism?
\_ What a moron. When you build and launch rockets from a civilian
school, you're responsible
http://israelisoldiersmother.blogspot.com/2009/01/images-they-show.html |
| 11/23 |
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| www.nytimes.com/2009/01/08/opinion/08khalidi.html?em Article Tools Sponsored By By RASHID KHALIDI Published: January 7, 2009 NEARLY everything you've been led to believe about Gaza is wrong. Below are a few essential points that seem to be missing from the conversation, much of which has taken place in the press, about Israel's attack on the Gaza Strip. Hamas THE GAZANS Most of the people living in Gaza are not there by choice. The majority of the 15 million people crammed into the roughly 140 square miles of the Gaza Strip belong to families that came from towns and villages outside Gaza like Ashkelon and Beersheba. THE OCCUPATION The Gazans have lived under Israeli occupation since the Six-Day War in 1967. Israel is still widely considered to be an occupying power, even though it removed its troops and settlers from the strip in 2005. Israel still controls access to the area, imports and exports, and the movement of people in and out. Israel has control over Gaza's air space and sea coast, and its forces enter the area at will. As the occupying power, Israel has the responsibility under the Fourth Geneva Convention to see to the welfare of the civilian population of the Gaza Strip. THE BLOCKADE Israel's blockade of the strip, with the support of the United States and the European Union, has grown increasingly stringent since Hamas won the Palestinian Legislative Council elections in January 2006. Fuel, electricity, imports, exports and the movement of people in and out of the Strip have been slowly choked off, leading to life-threatening problems of sanitation, health, water supply and transportation. The blockade has subjected many to unemployment, penury and malnutrition. This amounts to the collective punishment -- with the tacit support of the United States -- of a civilian population for exercising its democratic rights. THE CEASE-FIRE Lifting the blockade, along with a cessation of rocket fire, was one of the key terms of the June cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. This accord led to a reduction in rockets fired from Gaza from hundreds in May and June to a total of less than 20 in the subsequent four months (according to Israeli government figures). The cease-fire broke down when Israeli forces launched major air and ground attacks in early November; WAR CRIMES The targeting of civilians, whether by Hamas or by Israel, is potentially a war crime. But the numbers speak for themselves: Nearly 700 Palestinians, most of them civilians, have been killed since the conflict broke out at the end of last year. In contrast, there have been around a dozen Israelis killed, many of them soldiers. Negotiation is a much more effective way to deal with rockets and other forms of violence. This might have been able to happen had Israel fulfilled the terms of the June cease-fire and lifted its blockade of the Gaza Strip. This war on the people of Gaza isn't really about rockets. Nor is it about "restoring Israel's deterrence," as the Israeli press might have you believe. Far more revealing are the words of Moshe Yaalon, then the Israeli Defense Forces chief of staff, in 2002: "The Palestinians must be made to understand in the deepest recesses of their consciousness that they are a defeated people." Rashid Khalidi, a professor of Arab studies at Columbia, is the author of the forthcoming Sowing Crisis: The Cold War and American Dominance in the Middle East." |
| www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1M4eH9Kk7I Community Hamas terrorists kill innocent Palestinian in Gaza (Rare Video) (Must See) Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player. I can't understand why the whole world is anti Israel, while the real terrorists are Hamas? This Video proves that, most of the Palestinian are brain-washed by the Hamas or just scare to talk! Good comment Marked as spam Reply I think the poster of this video got it all wrong. I dont think the west supports Hamas, the west supports the ordinary Palestinians who are cougth in between the terrorists Isreal and Hamas. Good comment Marked as spam Reply FUCK YOU hamas is nothing more then a terrorist organization that subjugates and terrorizes innocent Palestinians they corrupt the Muslim religion in order to spread hate and fear... And to rbchtt thanks for posting this video you are showing the truth that the media refuses to show. |
| en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrorism The concept of terrorism is itself controversial because it is often used by states to delegitimize political opponents, and thus legitimize the state's own use of terror against those opponents. Terrorism has been used by a broad array of political organizations in furthering their objectives; domestic jurisprudence of almost all countries in the world, terrorism refers to a phenomenon including the actual acts, the perpetrators of acts of terrorism and their motives. After the Jacobins lost power, the word "terrorist" became a term of abuse. Although the Reign of Terror was imposed by a government, in modern times "terrorism" usually refers to the killing of innocent people by a private group in such a way as to create a media spectacle. United Nations Security Council report described terrorism as any act "intended to cause death or serious bodily harm to civilians or non-combatants with the purpose of intimidating a population or compelling a government or an international organization to do or abstain from doing any act". Common principles among legal definitions of terrorism provide an emerging consensus as to meaning and also foster cooperation between law enforcement personnel in different countries. Key criteria Official definitions determine counter-terrorism policy, and are often developed to serve it. Most government definitions outline the following key criteria: target, objective, motive, perpetrator, and legitimacy or legality of the act. Terrorism is also often recognizable by a following statement from the perpetrators. Center for Strategic and International Studies, "the only general characteristic of terrorism generally agreed upon is that terrorism involves violence and the threat of violence". Psychological impact and fear - The attack was carried out in such a way as to maximize the severity and length of the psychological impact. Each act of terrorism is a "performance" devised to have an impact on many large audiences. Terrorists also attack national symbols, to show power and to attempt to shake the foundation of the country or society they are opposed to. Perpetrated for a political goal - Something many acts of terrorism have in common is a political purpose. Terrorism is a political tactic, like letter-writing or protesting, which is used by activists when they believe that no other means will effect the kind of change they desire. The change is desired so badly that failure to achieve change is seen as a worse outcome than the deaths of civilians. struggle, such as over the control of an ancestral homeland or holy site such as Israel and Jerusalem, failing in the political goal (nationalism) becomes equated with spiritual failure, which, for the highly committed, is worse than their own death or the deaths of innocent civilians. One definition that that combines the key elements was developed at the George C Marshall Center for European Security Studies by Carsten Bockstette: "Terrorism is defined as political violence in an asymmetrical conflict that is designed to induce terror and psychic fear (sometimes indiscriminate) through the violent victimization and destruction of noncombatant targets (sometimes iconic symbols). Such acts are meant to send a message from an illicit clandestine organization. The purpose of terrorism is to exploit the media in order to achieve maximum attainable publicity as an amplifying force multiplier in order to influence the targeted audience in order to reach short- and midterm political goals and/or desired long-term end states." Specifically, the criminal intent is shown when babies, children, mothers and the elderly are murdered, or injured and put in harm's way. Much of the time, the victims of terrorism are targeted not because they are threats, but because they are specific "symbols, tools, animals or corrupt beings" that tie into a specific view of the world that the terrorists possess. Disguise - Terrorists almost invariably pretend to be non-combatants, hide among such non-combatants, fight from vantage points in the midst of non-combatants, and (when they can), strive to mislead and provoke the government soldiers into attacking other people, so that the government will be blamed. to distinguish between actions authorized by a government (and thus "lawful") and those of other actors, including individuals and small groups. Using this criterion, actions that would otherwise qualify as terrorism would not be considered terrorism if they were government sanctioned. For example, firebombing a city, which is designed to affect civilian support for a cause, would not be considered terrorism if it were authorized by a government. the same act may or may not be classed as terrorism depending on whether its sponsorship is traced to a "legitimate" government; "legitimacy" and "lawfulness" are subjective, depending on the perspective of one government or another; For these reasons, this criterion is not universally accepted; most dictionary definitions of the term do not include this criterion. Pejorative use The terms "terrorism" and "terrorist" (someone who engages in terrorism) carry strong negative connotations. In his book "Inside Terrorism" Bruce Hoffman wrote in Chapter One: Defining Terrorism that "On one point, at least, everyone agrees: terrorism is a pejorative term. It is a word with intrinsically negative connotations that is generally applied to one's enemies and opponents, or to those with whom one disagrees and would otherwise prefer to ignore. If one identifies with the victim of the violence, for example, then the act is terrorism. If, however, one identifies with the perpetrator, the violent act is regarded in a more sympathetic, if not positive (or, at the worst, an ambivalent) light; Some groups, when involved in a "liberation" struggle, have been called "terrorists" by the Western governments or media. Later, these same persons, as leaders of the liberated nations, are called "statesmen" by similar organizations. Sometimes states which are close allies, for reasons of history, culture and politics, can disagree over whether or not members of a certain organization are terrorists. Irish Republican Army (IRA) as terrorists while the IRA was using methods against one of the United States' closest allies (Britain) which Britain branded as terrorism. victim as in the case of genuine terrorism, but the quasi-terrorist uses the modalities and techniques of the genuine terrorist and produces similar consequences and reaction. oppression that reach similar to terrorism or such proportions." It may also be referred to as Structural Terrorism defined broadly as terrorist acts carried out by governments in pursuit of political objectives, often as part of their foreign policy. However, one study suggests that suicide terrorism may be an exception to this general rule. Evidence regarding this particular method of terrorism reveals that every modern suicide campaign has targeted a democracy- a state with a considerable degree of political freedom. While a democratic nation espousing civil liberties may claim a sense of higher moral ground than other regimes, an act of terrorism within such a state may cause a perceived dilemma: whether to maintain its civil liberties and thus risk being perceived as ineffective in dealing with the problem; or alternatively to restrict its civil liberties and thus risk delegitimizing its claim of supporting civil liberties. This dilemma, some social theorists would conclude, may very well play into the initial plans of the acting terrorist; Perpetrators Acts of terrorism can be carried out by individuals, groups, or states. According to some definitions, clandestine or semi-clandestine state actors may also carry out terrorist acts outside the framework of a state of war. terrorist profile to attempt to explain these individuals' actions through their psychology and social circumstances. Others, like Roderick Hindery, have sought to discern profiles in the propaganda tactics used by terrorists. It has been found that a "terrorist" will look, dress, and behave like a normal person, such as a university student, until he or she execute... |
| israelisoldiersmother.blogspot.com/2009/01/images-they-show.html A Soldier's Mother From the time our children are born, we accept that our identity has changed. But in the moments after we give birth, and in the years that follow, we become something so much more. I have been a mother for more than 20 years, seeing my children through their baby years, their school years, into their teenage years. And now, as I see my oldest son enter the army of Israel, I become a soldier's mother. The news is filled with them today and they can easily sway you to think that all of the situation in the Middle East comes down to a picture. How horrible, truly tragic, unacceptable and wrong it is to have a child die. It is so horrible, sometimes you forget to look behind the picture. I last spoke to my son days ago and in the background I could hear the sound of explosions. Through the phone, dozens of kilometers away from me, and quite a distance from Elie, I could hear another unit firing. Yesterday, mortars were fired FROM the school In Jebalya. This was a direct and intentional attack on Israel, on Israel's soldiers and population. Many months ago, I went to a ceremony on a base where Elie had completed his basic training. Part of the ceremony included Elie's group showing their parents what they had learned. After the awards and the talking, some of the soldiers ran to the armored personnel vehicles, while others, including Elie sat on the ground and watched. An officer came near me, as I stood watching with my youngest daughter. As another officer was explaining to the crowd about the types of explosives that would be fired, where they would be targeting (the hill a few kilometers in the distance), etc. I thought to myself - they've been doing this - they know. She did, and so did I Except - then I couldn't hear the explanation and so I uncovered my ears. Now, I've lived in Israel more than 15 years, but there is still sometimes a delay factor in my Hebrew comprehension. took me too long and so, I heard and felt the BOOM as the cannons fired. and yet, apparently not one of those thought it would be a smart thing to leave. I was once in Jerusalem, walking with by two daughters when something "exploded" ahead of me. It was a bus hitting something that went flying in the air and crashed loudly into something else. People began to move and yet I stood there, unsure what to do. It should be both human instinct and parental instinct to move away from danger. And the people who now mourn the "innocents" who died in yesterday's attack on the United Nations school don't question why people remained in the building from which these weapons were fired. They don't question that this defies human instinct and certainly what should have been every parent's first reaction. The people in the school died for three simple reasons: 1 Palestinians decided to use the United Nations school as a launching base to attack innocent civilians. Months ago, Israel filed a formal complaint to the United Nations. Clearly, nothing was done to stop this abuse and so we come to reason # 2 2 The United Nations did not stop the Palestinians from using their area. One might argue that they could not stop them - and the answer, the simple answer was that they should then have made it clear, publicly, that they could not offer a place of refuge in a firing range. They should not have allowed families to take refuge in such a place. "How could you allow your son to be near mortars being fired? to love him enough to keep him safe and it doesn't take a genious to figure out leaving your son in a building from which mortars are being fired in the middle of a war is negligent, stupid, insane, and so so wrong. How could Israel have known that there were people in the building? All they could know is that mortars were being fired from that location. Because if he is a target, we don't want civilians nearby. People will ask how it is that I don't blame Israel and the answer is simple. Do it from inside a mosque, and the mosque becomes a target. Do it from inside a school, and the school becomes a target. Do it from behind your citizens and families, and you show the true nature of your society, your culture, your cause. So, beyond the tragic pictures from yesterday, I offer a deeper image of what life is like in the Middle East. These are the images they show: These are the images they DON'T show: And what they forget to tell you - is the people who allowed these many pictures to happen, the ones who posed these children with guns, painted their hands with "blood" and strapped "explosive belts" to their bodies, the ones who raise them to believe death should be attained for the glory of God and the more Jews and heathens and infidels you take with you, the higher your place in Heaven - they are the ones responsible for the horror that happened yesterday because they are the ones who put hundreds of people into a place that should have been a sanctuary and then they turned it into a launching ground. some of the conservative, military mom sites I read had a You Tube of the school, and mortars being launched back in October. Thank you for speaking up and showing the pictures the mainstream media refuses to show. Dear Paula, You make great points about parental responsibility; When a rocket is fired from a Mosque or school it is no longer a Mosque it is no longer a school it is a missile silos and military target. In looking at the pictures you don't see, here's what dawned on me. What is the difference between a child who has a bead on the target and pulls a trigger or an adult who does it? Unfortunately and my heart goes out to the innocence these children lost; these children are soldiers or the very least junior soldiers and are just as deadly. Thank you so much, not only for speaking out but for posting the horrible pictures of child abuse that the RIFs perpetrate on those who most need their protection. Snapped Shot (debunking the Propaganda War one image at a time) I remember when the Hezbollah and Hamas first started promoting the "Hilter Youth" style children's leagues in 2006 (that image you have of kids with headbands and face paint was taken back then) as part of the ongoing Propaganda War. We Israelis are of COURSE at fault for the abusive brainwashing of the RIF's children, too. As a father of a son currently in the IDF (NAHAL CHARADI) I stand with you. let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. If you, L-rd should mark iniquities, O L-rd who could stand? But there is forgiveness with you, that you may be feared. I wait for the L-rd, my soul waits, and in his word I hope. Msoul waits for the L-rd more than those who watch for the morning watch for the morning. I understand your point is that parents were keeping their children their on purpose. But as I read what you wrote I wondered if some of the people seeking shelter there were sort of being held hostage by the Hamas fighters. We know there were Hamas fighters there because some of the bodies have been identified. And we know Hamas fighters will kill Palestinian civilians that don't go along with their program. From what I understand, at least one man was claiming that he was locked in by Hamas - thus supporting Israel's complaint that Hamas is using the civilian population as human shields. and they did go - which proved, in a strange way, that they trust Israel to keep its word more than they believe or trust Hamas. Thank you for your words of truth, they are appreciated. Please know that you are not alone that there are other mothers who understand what is really going on in Gaza and who feel nothing but contempt for Hamas and their shameful ways. BUT I hate to blame the victims, but if a battle was going on in my city, I would not be sending my kids to school. I would keep them home or find a basement to hide them in. I would keep them as far away as I could from the fighting. No matter what yoy uthnk of Hamas (they can go to Hell as far as I am concerned) or Israel (with whom I generally sympathize), the whole situation is just so sad and tragic. Ialso hope the children of Gaza and Sderot are safe also. One of the charges leveled repeatedly was that of "baby killer".... |