Showing posts with label Israel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Israel. Show all posts
Flotilla Fools- Crocodile Tears
"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt." Abraham Lincoln
And so we leave daddy blogging for a moment to revisit the Flotilla of Fools. You remember them, the fine freedom fighters who intentionally provoked a sovereign nation in the hopes of dying as martyrs. The jackass above is Kenneth O’Keefe. Sorry, I really shouldn't call him a jackass or suggest that he is both a fool and a liar, but the video makes that almost impossible.
Because if you have the stomach to sit through it you will hear him describe those who died as martyrs. You will hear him talk about disarming two commandos. You will hear him say that he took the sidearm away from one. He'll claim that the removed the ammunition from said weapon.
And to that I respond as I have in the past. If you try to take a weapon from a cop or soldier of any nation you will receive a very severe response, especially if they hadn't drawn their weapon. But let's set that aside for a moment.
Because moments later he talks about having three commandos under control or should I use his term, in "our possession." Mind you that he says that there were 100 or maybe 200 people watching over them.
It is almost comical his recounting of this tale. Really, you almost have to laugh at such a ridiculous story, but you can't. You can't because he and his flunkies are responsible for the deaths of their colleagues. You can't because he and his colleagues did their best to spark a bonfire. A fire that would most assuredly lead to more death.
So I wonder if he is a polished liar who can say these things knowing full well they aren't true or if he so dumb that he believes the lies he spews.
It is the typical contradiction. In one breath they describe a mighty war machine and then in the next they somehow over power said war machine. Honestly, it is just too much. If you told me that he cracked open an eggplant and smeared it over his face I'd believe you.
Dear Kenny, the Palestinian/Irish man whose desire is to create more hate and distrust among people- you deserve a more serious punishment than deportation. I haven't any sympathy for you.
Flotilla Fools
Much has been said about the fools in the flotilla that attempted to break the naval blockade on Gaza. If you buy into the simple narrative that the "Free Gaza" movement is peddling it looks like a simple case of underdog versus bully. Those that buy into that should come speak with me about some swampland that I am interested in selling.
Or better yet take a few minutes to read this post and learn how they tried to dupe the world into believing that they were peace loving people whose sole intent was to engage in altruism when the reality was they prepared for violence. They intentionally provoked a confrontation with the goal of trying to ensure that people died.
Really, it is sick to think of how casual they are about life and how interested they are in death.
ABC has a news story which helps to illustrate how perverse this is. I won't bother to complain about how they buried this part of the story in the second half where many people won't see it.
Consider for a moment what would happen if you tried to take a gun from a policeman or soldier in any country. Think about it and tell me that they wouldn't try to defend themselves. Tell me that other cops/soldiers would just stand by and watch, that they wouldn't be concerned for their safety and that of their colleague.
Now watch this video. Note how the soldiers come down a rope, one at a time. Notice that their weapons are not drawn.
Ask yourself what you would have done had you been attacked that way. Ask yourself how a handful of soldiers were supposed to deal with hundreds of people who were rioting. If their intent had been to harm the passengers many more would have died. But they didn't come to fight, they came to talk and unfortunately they walked into a trap.
Some of you are probably muttering about how this was illegal, but the reality is that it was not. The International Committe of the Red Cross offers the following:
San Remo Manual on International Law Applicable to Armed Conflicts at Sea, 12 June 1994
SECTION V : NEUTRAL MERCHANT VESSELS AND CIVIL AIRCRAFT
Neutral merchant vessels
67. Merchant vessels flying the flag of neutral States may not be attacked unless they:
(a) are believed on reasonable grounds to be carrying contraband or breaching a blockade, and after prior warning they intentionally and clearly refuse to stop, or intentionally and clearly resist visit, search or capture;
(b) engage in belligerent acts on behalf of the enemy;
(c) act as auxiliaries to the enemy s armed forces;
(d) are incorporated into or assist the enemy s intelligence system;
(e) sail under convoy of enemy warships or military aircraft; or
(f) otherwise make an effective contribution to the enemy s military action, e.g., by carrying military materials, and it is not feasible for the attacking forces to first place passengers and crew in a place of safety. Unless circumstances do not permit, they are to be given a warning, so that they can re-route, off-load, or take other precautions.
Israel made contact with the flotilla and tried on multiple occasions to engage in dialogue. The Mavi Marmara refused and as you now know it is because they wanted the confrontation. The blood of those who died and those who were injured is on their head. This didn't have to go this way, but they made it so.
Or better yet take a few minutes to read this post and learn how they tried to dupe the world into believing that they were peace loving people whose sole intent was to engage in altruism when the reality was they prepared for violence. They intentionally provoked a confrontation with the goal of trying to ensure that people died.
Really, it is sick to think of how casual they are about life and how interested they are in death.
ABC has a news story which helps to illustrate how perverse this is. I won't bother to complain about how they buried this part of the story in the second half where many people won't see it.
Notice that there is no discussion of trying to negotiate terms. No mention that Israel contacted the flotilla and offered free passage to Ashdod. It was refused...intentionally. The goal was to have a physical confrontation, to try and be martyred."Flotilla Passengers Dispute Israeli Version of Flotilla Raid
"They [Israeli commandos] were trying to land on the boat. So obviously there was this hand-to-hand combat and during that process the people on the boat were basically able to disarm some of the soldiers because they did have guns with them," Burney told Reuters. "So they basically took the guns away from them and took the cartridges out and threw them away."
Asked if anyone had used the guns against the Israeli commandos, Burney said, "No, not at all."
"Yes, we took their guns. It would be self defence even if we fired their guns," Bulent Yildirim, chairman of the IHH, said.
"We told our friends on board we will die, become martyrs, but never let us be shown... as the ones who used guns," he said, adding that people shouted that the weapons should not be used.
Consider for a moment what would happen if you tried to take a gun from a policeman or soldier in any country. Think about it and tell me that they wouldn't try to defend themselves. Tell me that other cops/soldiers would just stand by and watch, that they wouldn't be concerned for their safety and that of their colleague.
Now watch this video. Note how the soldiers come down a rope, one at a time. Notice that their weapons are not drawn.
Ask yourself what you would have done had you been attacked that way. Ask yourself how a handful of soldiers were supposed to deal with hundreds of people who were rioting. If their intent had been to harm the passengers many more would have died. But they didn't come to fight, they came to talk and unfortunately they walked into a trap.
Some of you are probably muttering about how this was illegal, but the reality is that it was not. The International Committe of the Red Cross offers the following:
San Remo Manual on International Law Applicable to Armed Conflicts at Sea, 12 June 1994
SECTION V : NEUTRAL MERCHANT VESSELS AND CIVIL AIRCRAFT
Neutral merchant vessels
67. Merchant vessels flying the flag of neutral States may not be attacked unless they:
(a) are believed on reasonable grounds to be carrying contraband or breaching a blockade, and after prior warning they intentionally and clearly refuse to stop, or intentionally and clearly resist visit, search or capture;
(b) engage in belligerent acts on behalf of the enemy;
(c) act as auxiliaries to the enemy s armed forces;
(d) are incorporated into or assist the enemy s intelligence system;
(e) sail under convoy of enemy warships or military aircraft; or
(f) otherwise make an effective contribution to the enemy s military action, e.g., by carrying military materials, and it is not feasible for the attacking forces to first place passengers and crew in a place of safety. Unless circumstances do not permit, they are to be given a warning, so that they can re-route, off-load, or take other precautions.
Israel made contact with the flotilla and tried on multiple occasions to engage in dialogue. The Mavi Marmara refused and as you now know it is because they wanted the confrontation. The blood of those who died and those who were injured is on their head. This didn't have to go this way, but they made it so.
Haveil Havalim #238- The We Love The Dodgers/Angels Edition!
Welcome to Haveil Havalim #238, The We Love The Dodgers/Angels Edition!. Also known as the Best of the Jewish/Israeli blogosphere. (My apologies for the formatting, it is a little wonky today.)
Founded by Soccer Dad, Haveil Havalim is a carnival of Jewish blogs -- a weekly collection of Jewish & Israeli blog highlights, tidbits and points of interest collected from blogs all around the world. It's hosted by different bloggers each week and coordinated by Jack. The term 'Haveil Havalim,' which means "Vanity of Vanities," is from Qoheleth, (Ecclesiastes) which was written by King Solomon. King Solomon built the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and later on got all bogged down in materialism and other 'excesses' and realized that it was nothing but 'hevel,' or in English, 'vanity.'Israel
Read Rabbi Daniel Gordis's post No Right to Exhaustion in which he discusses the challenges of loving Israel and who has a right to be tired.
My Right Word disagrees with the OU position on The Temple Mount.
EOZ shared The diplomacy of fear, 2009. At Solomonia Vanessa Redgrave Gets It...Almost Right?
At Good News from Israel you can read about the first Israeli woman to win a Nobel Prize. Other bloggers such Artzeinu covered it too in Israel Professor Wins Nobel Prize for Chemistry.
Life in Israel blogged about Painted Donkeys. Everyone loves Pin Ups. Israelity remembers Mercedes Sosa and talks about Cleaning up after desert.
Religion and State in Israel has their usual round up parts one and two.
Baila wrote about Gilad's message. Reminds me to remind you to keep tweeting, "Free Shalit." I am not the only one thinking about Gilad.
At Torat Zion you can read Israel enters into “alliance” with Rappahanock Tribe. At Harry's Place you can enjoy Nora Clean’s guide to boycotting Zionist entities.
Daled Amos shared The Goldstone Report: Protector Of (Palestinian) Women. Maybe this is a J-Street Joke.
Yaacov Lozowick blogged Goldstone: Curioser and Curioser. Israellycool shared The Day In Israel: Sun Oct 11th, 2009.
Politics
President Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize. I tried not to go overboard on this, but there are an enormous number of posts covering it. Incidentally, for those who claim that this is a right wing carnival I did my best to include posts from left wing bloggers as well.
Guess what, they don't like it either.
Yourish had The Miss America President wins the Miss America Peace Prize.
Joshuapundit covered it over here.
The Rebbetzin's Husband issued an opinion here.
Fink or Swim
Jewish Atheist
Conversations in Klal
Dovbear
Jack
The Muqata
Soccerdad
Daniel Pipes
Daled Amos
Tel Chai Nation
Oleh Girl
Bookworm
Daled Amos New Poll Reveals Whether Being Pro-Israel Matters To American Jewish Voters.
At Commentary Noah Pollak compares and contrasts the leadership styles of Obama and Netanyahu in Compare and Contrast.
Ingathered compares Obama to Chamberlain. Joshuapundit has the results from the Watcher's Council.
Somebody has the Post Yom Kippur Blues. At Boker Tov Boulder take a look at 63 pct Support Negotiations with Iran, but 64 pct Say Negotiations Won't Succeed.
Judaism
From The Rebbetzin's Husband, A good minyan is like a well-written novel and Spawning a Kugel Generation.
Shtetl Fabulous is writing about the Spirit in the Sky. A Simple Jew shared the New Tactics of My Holy Yetzer Ha-Rah.
If you were Harry-er-than them all spoke about Shidduchim. From The Torah Revolution we have the Shallow Truth about Har Habayit and the Kotel.
Balashon greets us all with a Petek. Ingathered cautions against using Etrog Jam.
Ilana Davita has a Must Read post. The Real Shaliach writes about the love that Esau has for us. There is food for thought there. Do you agree.
Have Succah Will Travel- If that headline doesn't encourage you to read I don't know what will. Jewschool covered Succot as well.
The Velveteen Rabbi wrote about what it means to celebrate in our Sukkah. Snoopy wrote about Mad Mahmoud's Jewish Roots.
Planck's Constant covered The Number of Jews Who Have Won Nobel Prizes. Schvach defined What a Shiksa is.
My Right Word has proof that Psalms do Protect. Shira writes about touching others. The Wolf says that some people think He is Deviant.
Isramom is reflecting on Women, Torah and Brachot. Ariel is talking about Avinu Malkeinu.
Leora discussed Sephardi Piyut of Rosh Hashanah. Esther's Television is Jewish.
Miscellaneous
One of the many reasons I like Seraphic Secret is because we are in agreement about The Sound of Music. At Ben Yehudah's joint you'll find Orthodox Jewish Boxer To Vie For Crown.
You have to read about Mottel and The Dragon Man. NY's Funniest Rabbi is thinking Deep Thoughts. More importantly in some respects, please go to his blog and wish his father a Happy Birthday.
Shtetl Fabulous has recipes to share. KRG covered Jewgrass at Jewschool.
I wrote A Fearful Society- Rearing Children in a Scary World.
Ann's Rants blogged about a first blogiversary. The Ima has been reading a lot of books. Elms in the Yard wrote about hiking.
Go read Benji's Can I Get A Freaking Vowel In Here. GP has a Hankering for Challah.
That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of haveil havalim using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.
Technorati tags: haveil havalim, blog carnival.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tine2MQkbMQTDvURcCn6Utkm5vQxiscVX4MeiKffmVq5nZRP-4UQzx9JHm85HDrZlP2P446NWhHPnFj9t8mPKpUNWkOhBM2A_lYJeNoVb14JWPXLrcdnejwCB2PwXE3YINIZXFEC5SFLh8PphMqrSz=s0-d)
Obama's Peace Process
Many people are engaged in all sorts of speculation about the president’s real feelings regarding Israel. The prognosticators are out in force and I have read numerous articles and opinion pieces that lay out exactly what he is trying to do and why.
Since I haven’t been granted clairvoyance or any other sort of supernatural powers I won’t try to tell you what the president’s feelings are. Truth is that I hope that he doesn’t try to negotiate terms based upon feelings, but upon facts.
And the fact is that the peace process is a thorny and complex issue that cannot be solved by making proclamations that are supposed to make both sides feel good. As just another pundit I am just as qualified as the next guy to say that part of the problem is the attempt to try and view this situation in Western terms.
This isn't the playground. It is not a school yard brawl or a situation where you can slap a kid on the wrist and tell them to be nice. It is not a place where treating others as you wish to be treated means that it will happen. It is a rough and tumble environment where weakness is seen an invitation to be exploited.
And now the president has provided an opening for such behavior. As I said before, I am not going to suggest that he hates Israel, Jews etc. In some ways it doesn't matter. He can be doing this out of sheer altruism and a belief that he is helping the world. The end result is still problematic.
One of the biggest obstacles to conducting peace talks is the lack of a unified Palestinian government. Abbas does not speak for Hamas. Hamas does not recognize Israel. That is a pretty big stumbling block.
But there is more. The Washington Post reports that Abbas passed on a very serious and quite generous offer from former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Here is what was offered
And that refusal to recognize the Jewish connection, to accept that it is legitimate is a central reason why the peace process will ultimately fail. If Obama really wants to affect change then he needs to try and find a way to bridge that gap.
I don't know about you, but I am not real optimistic.
(Hat tip: Jewlicious)
Since I haven’t been granted clairvoyance or any other sort of supernatural powers I won’t try to tell you what the president’s feelings are. Truth is that I hope that he doesn’t try to negotiate terms based upon feelings, but upon facts.
And the fact is that the peace process is a thorny and complex issue that cannot be solved by making proclamations that are supposed to make both sides feel good. As just another pundit I am just as qualified as the next guy to say that part of the problem is the attempt to try and view this situation in Western terms.
This isn't the playground. It is not a school yard brawl or a situation where you can slap a kid on the wrist and tell them to be nice. It is not a place where treating others as you wish to be treated means that it will happen. It is a rough and tumble environment where weakness is seen an invitation to be exploited.
And now the president has provided an opening for such behavior. As I said before, I am not going to suggest that he hates Israel, Jews etc. In some ways it doesn't matter. He can be doing this out of sheer altruism and a belief that he is helping the world. The end result is still problematic.
One of the biggest obstacles to conducting peace talks is the lack of a unified Palestinian government. Abbas does not speak for Hamas. Hamas does not recognize Israel. That is a pretty big stumbling block.
But there is more. The Washington Post reports that Abbas passed on a very serious and quite generous offer from former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Here is what was offered
- 97% of the West Bank
- Right of Return for Palestinian refugees
- East Jerusalem
And that refusal to recognize the Jewish connection, to accept that it is legitimate is a central reason why the peace process will ultimately fail. If Obama really wants to affect change then he needs to try and find a way to bridge that gap.
I don't know about you, but I am not real optimistic.
(Hat tip: Jewlicious)
Ancient handle with Hebrew text found in Jerusalem
Someone is going to try to work hard to prove that this fake. Old man Abbas hates having to admit that Jews have lived in Jerusalem for thousands of years.
JERUSALEM – Archaeologists digging on Jerusalem's Mount of Olives have discovered a nearly 3,000-year-old jar handle bearing ancient Hebrew script, a find significantly older than most inscribed artifacts unearthed in the ancient city, an archaeologist said. The Iron Age handle is inscribed with the Hebrew name Menachem, which was the name of an Israelite king and is still common among Jews.
The inscription also includes a partly intact letter, the Hebrew character "lamed," meaning "to." That suggests the jar was a gift to someone named Menachem, said Ron Beeri, who directed the excavation for the Israel Antiquities Authority. There is no indication the inscription refers to the king himself.
The name and similar variants have been found on Egyptian pottery dating back 3,500 years, and the Bible lists Menachem Ben Gadi as an ancient king of Israel. But this is the first time an artifact bearing the name has been unearthed in Jerusalem, Beeri said.
"It's important because it shows that they actually used the name Menachem during that period," Beeri said. "It's not just from the Bible, but it's also in the archaeological record."
Based on the style of the inscription, he dated the handle to around 900 B.C., the time of the first Jewish Temple in Jerusalem as recounted in the Bible.
UN Double Standards
Meryl's post UN on Israeli “war crimes” in Gaza: The fix is in brings to mind an old joke.
That's the sort of humor that creates a wry grin because there is a perverse truth to it. If you picked up the paper and read that a senior IDF official sneezed on a Palestinian and was being investigated for war crimes you'd shake your head, but some of you would believe it to be a true story.
Some of you would believe it to be true because you have been conditioned to believe that most Israeli actions are based upon malicious intent. But before some of you accuse this post of being the standard polemic I want to draw your attention elsewhere.
The Guardian has some terribly shocking video and an article that has received far too little media coverage.
Video of girl's flogging as Taliban hand out justice
The silence is deafening.
Crossposted on Yourish.
Dan Rather, Katie Couric, and an Israeli sergeant were all captured by terrorists in Iraq. The leader of the terrorists told them he would grant them each one last request before they were beheaded.
Dan Rather said, 'I'm a Texan, so I'd like one last bowlful of hot spicy chili.' The leader nodded to an underling who returned with chili. Rather ate it all and said, 'Now I can die content.'
Katie Couric said, 'I'm a reporter to the end. I want to take my tape recorder, then describe the scene here and what's about to happen. Maybe someone will hear it and know I was on the job till the end.'
The leader directed an aide to hand over the tape recorder, and Couric dictated some comments, then said, 'Now I can die happy.'
The leader turned and said, 'And now, Mr. Israeli tough guy, what is your final wish?'
'Kick me in the ass,' said the soldier.'
'What?' asked the leader? 'Will you mock us in your last hour?'
'No, I'm not kidding. I want you to kick me in the ass,' insisted the Israeli.
So the leader shoved him into the clearing and kicked him in the ass. The soldier was sent sprawling, but rolled to his knees, pulled a 9 mm pistol from under his flack jacket, and shot the leader dead. In the resulting confusion, he jumped to his knapsack, pulled out his carbine and sprayed the rest of the terrorists with gunfire. In a flash, all terrorists were either dead or fleeing for their lives.
As the soldier was untying Rather and Couric, they asked him, 'Why didn't you just shoot them in the beginning? Why did you ask them to kick you in the ass first?'
'What?' replied the Israeli, 'And have you two assholes report that I was the aggressor?!'
That's the sort of humor that creates a wry grin because there is a perverse truth to it. If you picked up the paper and read that a senior IDF official sneezed on a Palestinian and was being investigated for war crimes you'd shake your head, but some of you would believe it to be a true story.
Some of you would believe it to be true because you have been conditioned to believe that most Israeli actions are based upon malicious intent. But before some of you accuse this post of being the standard polemic I want to draw your attention elsewhere.
The Guardian has some terribly shocking video and an article that has received far too little media coverage.
Video of girl's flogging as Taliban hand out justice
Where is the outrage. Where are the hundreds of newspaper stories decrying this action. Where are the editorials demanding justice. How can such a thing take place and receive so little news coverage.
A video showing a teenage girl being flogged by Taliban fighters has emerged from the Swat Valley in Pakistan, offering a shocking glimpse of militant brutality in the once-peaceful district, and a sign of Taliban influence spreading deeper into the country.
The two-minute video, shot using a mobile phone, shows a burka-clad woman face down on the ground. Two men hold her arms and feet while a third, a black-turbaned fighter with a flowing beard, whips her repeatedly.
"Please stop it," she begs, alternately whimpering or screaming in pain with each blow to the backside. "Either kill me or stop it now."
A crowd of men stands by, watching silently. Off camera a voice issues instructions. "Hold her legs tightly," he says as she squirms and yelps.
After 34 lashes the punishment stops and the wailing woman is led into a stone building, trailed by a Kalashnikov-carrying militant.
The silence is deafening.
Crossposted on Yourish.
Sadat's Widow's Words
CNN has an interview with Anwar Sadat's widow, Jehan that was somewhat interesting. I appreciate much of what she said, but at the same time wish that she was more balanced and honest.
The peace between Egypt and Israel has held and I am appreciative of that. But it is a cold peace and Egypt could do more to foster peace in the region. Mubarak could still be classified as dictator light as he has led Egypt for almost 30 years now.
I suppose that what struck me were her comments about the border. Egypt could do far more to help control the tunnels from Egypt into Gaza. Egypt could help cut down on the transport of illegal weaponry. If Egypt did that it would help cut down upon the violence and help to establish a foundation for having discussions about peace and a real cease fire.
But I don't have high hopes for such a thing. Mubarak hasn't done enough to help cut down on the anti-Israel rhetoric in Egypt. And when you combine that negative influence with that exerted by fundamentalist groups you have a recipe for trouble.
So instead of working to help follow in Sadat's footsteps he has to work on protecting his own position so that he is not gunned down as Sadat was.
The peace between Egypt and Israel has held and I am appreciative of that. But it is a cold peace and Egypt could do more to foster peace in the region. Mubarak could still be classified as dictator light as he has led Egypt for almost 30 years now.
I suppose that what struck me were her comments about the border. Egypt could do far more to help control the tunnels from Egypt into Gaza. Egypt could help cut down on the transport of illegal weaponry. If Egypt did that it would help cut down upon the violence and help to establish a foundation for having discussions about peace and a real cease fire.
But I don't have high hopes for such a thing. Mubarak hasn't done enough to help cut down on the anti-Israel rhetoric in Egypt. And when you combine that negative influence with that exerted by fundamentalist groups you have a recipe for trouble.
So instead of working to help follow in Sadat's footsteps he has to work on protecting his own position so that he is not gunned down as Sadat was.
Israel & Gaza
The War in Gaza hasn't really ended it has just moved into a different venue. Now we get to see it taken apart within the blogosphere and the MSM. Not to mention the report filed by the UN.
If you know nothing about the war and rely solely upon these stories and reports you receive a very skewed perspective that lacks context and context is everything. These articles do a very fine job of painting a picture of a Big Bad Israel that is intent on murder, mayhem and mischief.
The lack of context creates a very fine narrative for the sort of screenplay that movie watchers love. You have a noble underdog fighting to free themselves from the yoke of some oppressive tyrant. Pardon me for a moment, I think that I am getting a bit choked up about it.
What they neglect to mention is that the noble underdog helped to create the problem by indiscriminately firing rockets into Israel. Nor do they spend time discussing the actions of the peaceful government of Gaza. You know, the fine fellows of Hamas who like to engage in vigorous interaction with those they disagree with.
Take a look at the video and tell me what you think about people who settle their disagreements in such a peaceful manner.
You'll forgive me for being a bit skeptical about the peaceful intentions of people who treat their fellows in such a fine fashion. But is that video really any worse than watching them use children as human shields.
It really comes as no surprise that certain groups are pushing to try Israel for war crimes or that much of this drama is taking place in the court of public opinion. In an earlier post I pointed out some of the flaws in the UN report and also gave some attention to some of the problems created by shoddy journalism.
But it is always worth noting that journalists are not fail proof and that they do make mistakes. So while the Guardian, HaAretz and others eagerly strive for a hard hitting piece let's take a moment to consider some of these issues.
Yourish provides one example to review in Is Ha’aretz is pulling a Scott Thomas on us? and Yaacov Lozowick shares another in UK Journalists are Fools and we'll hit the trifecta with Solomonia's Who Makes Your News: An Outburst on Tape.
So before some of the fans of The Shack go apoplectic let's cover a few basic points and then we'll wrap it up.
The decision to go to war did not take place in a vacuum. No nation will ignore daily rocket attacks. It doesn't matter how many people are killed by said rockets. There is no relevancy between the decision to defend people and how many are killed or injured by the rockets that precipitated the response.
I have never heard of a war in which civilians were not killed. It is a terrible tragedy and we can say that the victims died a senseless death. But we have to remember that it is war and that Hamas took an active role in trying to create a situation which would result in an invasion.
The problem was that they had their asses handed to them. So when they were unable to capitalize upon the war as a great military victory they switched to Plan B in which they try to delegitimize Israel's right to defend itself.
Circling back to the topic of context I would anticipate that there are those of you who provide accusations of that being a PR trick. But the reality is that context is not a PR trick. It is the substance that is required to make an informed and honest decision. It is just too bad that so many articles seem to be lacking it.
Crossposted on Yourish.
If you know nothing about the war and rely solely upon these stories and reports you receive a very skewed perspective that lacks context and context is everything. These articles do a very fine job of painting a picture of a Big Bad Israel that is intent on murder, mayhem and mischief.
The lack of context creates a very fine narrative for the sort of screenplay that movie watchers love. You have a noble underdog fighting to free themselves from the yoke of some oppressive tyrant. Pardon me for a moment, I think that I am getting a bit choked up about it.
What they neglect to mention is that the noble underdog helped to create the problem by indiscriminately firing rockets into Israel. Nor do they spend time discussing the actions of the peaceful government of Gaza. You know, the fine fellows of Hamas who like to engage in vigorous interaction with those they disagree with.
Take a look at the video and tell me what you think about people who settle their disagreements in such a peaceful manner.
You'll forgive me for being a bit skeptical about the peaceful intentions of people who treat their fellows in such a fine fashion. But is that video really any worse than watching them use children as human shields.
It really comes as no surprise that certain groups are pushing to try Israel for war crimes or that much of this drama is taking place in the court of public opinion. In an earlier post I pointed out some of the flaws in the UN report and also gave some attention to some of the problems created by shoddy journalism.
But it is always worth noting that journalists are not fail proof and that they do make mistakes. So while the Guardian, HaAretz and others eagerly strive for a hard hitting piece let's take a moment to consider some of these issues.
Yourish provides one example to review in Is Ha’aretz is pulling a Scott Thomas on us? and Yaacov Lozowick shares another in UK Journalists are Fools and we'll hit the trifecta with Solomonia's Who Makes Your News: An Outburst on Tape.
So before some of the fans of The Shack go apoplectic let's cover a few basic points and then we'll wrap it up.
The decision to go to war did not take place in a vacuum. No nation will ignore daily rocket attacks. It doesn't matter how many people are killed by said rockets. There is no relevancy between the decision to defend people and how many are killed or injured by the rockets that precipitated the response.
I have never heard of a war in which civilians were not killed. It is a terrible tragedy and we can say that the victims died a senseless death. But we have to remember that it is war and that Hamas took an active role in trying to create a situation which would result in an invasion.
The problem was that they had their asses handed to them. So when they were unable to capitalize upon the war as a great military victory they switched to Plan B in which they try to delegitimize Israel's right to defend itself.
Circling back to the topic of context I would anticipate that there are those of you who provide accusations of that being a PR trick. But the reality is that context is not a PR trick. It is the substance that is required to make an informed and honest decision. It is just too bad that so many articles seem to be lacking it.
Crossposted on Yourish.
UN's "Unbiased Observer" Alleges Israeli War Crimes
Ynet reports that the a United Nations Human Rights Investigator alleges that Israel committed war crimes during Operation Cast Lead.
Color me skeptical but the UN is not exactly a bastion of human rights. In fact if you look at who sits on the human rights committee and their supporters you'll see examples of countries that are human rights violators.
Color me skeptical but the man appears to have taken Palestinian press releases and just regurgitated them on UN letterhead. It is common knowledge that the terrorists do not wear uniforms and intentionally operate from within densely packed civilian areas, but that doesn't matter to Mr. Falk.
Before we go any further let's look at an excerpt from the story.
Is Falk blind or unable to use the internet. There is raw footage that shows evidence of Hamas war crimes such as the video of them using children as human shields.
Maybe the issue is that he receives his information from biased members of the media such as
Nidal Rafa.
You know who Nidal Rafa is, don't you. She is the journalist who was employed by CNN. Tom Gross provides a short report that sheds some very interesting information about her partisan approach. It includes a YouTube video in which she verbally attacks a member of the Knesset.
I know, journalists would never be biased. They serve the public by providing an unbiased report of the news. If only that was the case.
To be clear I do not believe that all journalists are bad. I do not believe that journalists who portray Israel or other countries in a negative light are automatically bad. But there are lines and Rafa crosses them far too often.
And when you take a situation where the foreign press must rely upon interpreters I grow very concerned at what is being translated and what is not.
So it really warms the cockles of my heart when I see a fine man like Falk deliver such an important and well thought out report.
Ok trolls, go to town.
Color me skeptical but the UN is not exactly a bastion of human rights. In fact if you look at who sits on the human rights committee and their supporters you'll see examples of countries that are human rights violators.
Color me skeptical but the man appears to have taken Palestinian press releases and just regurgitated them on UN letterhead. It is common knowledge that the terrorists do not wear uniforms and intentionally operate from within densely packed civilian areas, but that doesn't matter to Mr. Falk.
Before we go any further let's look at an excerpt from the story.
A United Nations human rights investigator said on Thursday that Israel's military assault on densely populated Gaza appeared to constitute a grave war crime.
Richard Falk, UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, said the Geneva Conventions required warring forces to distinguish between military targets and surrounding civilians.
"If it is not possible to do so, then launching the attacks is inherently unlawful and would seem to constitute a war crime of the greatest magnitude under international law," Falk said.
"On the basis of the preliminary evidence available, there is reason to reach this conclusion," he wrote in an annual 26-page report submitted to the UN Human Rights Council.
Falk gave the same death toll from Israel's offensive in December and January - 1,434 Palestinians, including 960 civilians - as the Palestinian human rights center.
Israel, which lost 13 people during the war, disputes the figures and has accused Hamas fighters in Gaza of using civilians as human shields during the conflict - an allegation which Falk said should be investigated.
Is Falk blind or unable to use the internet. There is raw footage that shows evidence of Hamas war crimes such as the video of them using children as human shields.
Maybe the issue is that he receives his information from biased members of the media such as
Nidal Rafa.
You know who Nidal Rafa is, don't you. She is the journalist who was employed by CNN. Tom Gross provides a short report that sheds some very interesting information about her partisan approach. It includes a YouTube video in which she verbally attacks a member of the Knesset.
I know, journalists would never be biased. They serve the public by providing an unbiased report of the news. If only that was the case.
To be clear I do not believe that all journalists are bad. I do not believe that journalists who portray Israel or other countries in a negative light are automatically bad. But there are lines and Rafa crosses them far too often.
And when you take a situation where the foreign press must rely upon interpreters I grow very concerned at what is being translated and what is not.
So it really warms the cockles of my heart when I see a fine man like Falk deliver such an important and well thought out report.
Ok trolls, go to town.
Notes on Boycotting Israel
My traffic received a nice bump when Yahoo! picked up my post Want to Boycott Israel. It also generated a ton of comments, most of which were not approved because of their racist and hateful overtones.
If you are unclear about the comment policy here I invite you to go read this post.
Ok, for the purpose of educating the troglodytes who won't click on the link the basic policy says that hate speech isn't allowed here. You want to spew antisemitic venom go hang out on one of those neo-nazi websites, they love that stuff there.
Want to carp about how it is possible to be anti-Israel without being antisemitic prove it by not including comments about Jews in your post. Also I encourage some of you to remember that comment moderation cannot be overcome by trying to post the same comment three times.
That is directed primarily at the guy who accused me of trying to use "Jew propaganda" to promote my agenda. Watch out I have used my diabolical skills as an Evil Zionist Mastermind to infect the hamsters that power your computer. Even now the rodent army is massing in your CPU. Soon they will burst out and take control over your entire trailer.
I also encourage you to bring more than talking points to the dialogue. Want to make a point try to support your allegations with some facts. Don't rattle on about how big bad Israel breaks laws and is mean. Provide some fact. Support it and be ready to discuss why other countries aren't held to similar standards.
Want to talk about the impact a lobby has on government? Ok, let's talk about it. I'd love to discuss the influence of the oil lobby and how they have worked hard to help prevent serious
study and discussion of alternative energy sources.
All I know is that as I read through the comments I kept hearing that old United Negro College Fund slogan "A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste" going through my head. Not to mention its partner, "R.I.F., reading is fundamental."
Some of your comments were made because you are dumber than a rock. Scratch that, I don't want to insult the rock. But some of you might actually have something interesting to offer if you actually took a moment to do some research and educate yourself.
That is enough on this topic. Got to run for a bit, back later.
If you are unclear about the comment policy here I invite you to go read this post.
Ok, for the purpose of educating the troglodytes who won't click on the link the basic policy says that hate speech isn't allowed here. You want to spew antisemitic venom go hang out on one of those neo-nazi websites, they love that stuff there.
Want to carp about how it is possible to be anti-Israel without being antisemitic prove it by not including comments about Jews in your post. Also I encourage some of you to remember that comment moderation cannot be overcome by trying to post the same comment three times.
That is directed primarily at the guy who accused me of trying to use "Jew propaganda" to promote my agenda. Watch out I have used my diabolical skills as an Evil Zionist Mastermind to infect the hamsters that power your computer. Even now the rodent army is massing in your CPU. Soon they will burst out and take control over your entire trailer.
I also encourage you to bring more than talking points to the dialogue. Want to make a point try to support your allegations with some facts. Don't rattle on about how big bad Israel breaks laws and is mean. Provide some fact. Support it and be ready to discuss why other countries aren't held to similar standards.
Want to talk about the impact a lobby has on government? Ok, let's talk about it. I'd love to discuss the influence of the oil lobby and how they have worked hard to help prevent serious
study and discussion of alternative energy sources.
All I know is that as I read through the comments I kept hearing that old United Negro College Fund slogan "A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste" going through my head. Not to mention its partner, "R.I.F., reading is fundamental."
Some of your comments were made because you are dumber than a rock. Scratch that, I don't want to insult the rock. But some of you might actually have something interesting to offer if you actually took a moment to do some research and educate yourself.
That is enough on this topic. Got to run for a bit, back later.
A Few Links About Charles Freeman
A few links about Charles Freeman and some excerpts:
Blame the 'Lobby'- Washington Post
FORMER ambassador Charles W. Freeman Jr. looked like a poor choice to chair the Obama administration's National Intelligence Council. A former envoy to Saudi Arabia and China, he suffered from an extreme case of clientitis on both accounts. In addition to chiding Beijing for not crushing the Tiananmen Square democracy protests sooner and offering sycophantic paeans to Saudi King "Abdullah the Great," Mr. Freeman headed a Saudi-funded Middle East advocacy group in Washington and served on the advisory board of a state-owned Chinese oil company. It was only reasonable to ask -- as numerous members of Congress had begun to do -- whether such an actor was the right person to oversee the preparation of National Intelligence Estimates."
Deconstructing Stephen Walt Yourish
Stephen Walt, co-author of the odious Israel Lobby, the man that sees Jewish conspiracies under every stone, does not disappoint with his reaction to the Chas Freeman flameout. But by doing so, he has tipped his hand as an expert in smearing widely while using almost no factual information to back up his contentions.
Two freeman myths busted Soccer Dad
While the editors of the Post seem now to have been bothered by the appointment, they found Freeman's statement on his withdrawal confirmation of his unfitness. This is an important point. That statement was vicious and as Jake Tapper noted, it was in response to a pretty standard debate over a candidates fitness. Is there any Freeman supporter who read that statement and said, "Gee, this guy really is extreme?" If there were any, I haven't read them yet. This gives further credence to the thought that Freeman's supporters were driven more by his anti-Israel stands than for his "contrarian" views.
The Jews Control The World Yaacov Lozowick's Ruminations
Predictably, this is sending his fans ballistic (go look at Glenn Greenwald and Andrew Sullivan for starters). Their thesis is that the case proves (once again, I might add) that public discussion of Israel is censored in the United States, with large swathes of discourse being forbidden by the awesomely powerful Israelis and their stooges.
There is of course nothing new to this claim; it's been around for centuries (well, the power of the Jews. The United States as a target, that's newer). I admit to being puzzled by their line of reasoning, because for the life of me I can't imagine what might be verboten (Greenwald's word) to say? That Israel's policies are all wrong? That Israel commits war crimes and worse? That Israel is forcing the Palestinians into slavery? That Israel's behaviour is the source of the Islamic ire at America? That Israel muzzles free discussion and thought? That Israel shouldn't exist?
All of these ideas are broadcast widely and continuously not only in Arab World, nor in the Guardian, but also in the American public arena. If Israel were so good at blocking discussion, how come it's so bad at it?
Hilary Whatever Are You Doing
CNN is running an article in which Sec. of State Hilary Clinton makes all sorts of wacky remarks. Just for fun let's grab a few selections:
At one point in time I thought that a two state solution made a lot of sense.
I didn't believe that there was any historical reason for it. It is not like there ever was a Palestine ruled by Arab Palestinians that was magically erased and required restoration to right some sortg of historic wrong. However it seemed to me like a practical solution to a dilemma.
However over time I have become less and less convinced that a two state solution is sensible. In fact at this point in time I fail to believe that the Palestinians will settle for two states, especially the fundamentalists that run their government in Gaza. Remember, those silly old fools whose charter calls for the destruction of Israel.
So allow me to quote Diana Ross and The Supremes "You can't hurry love." I don't think that we're in a position to bring about a two state solution, not now. And trying to force the issue as President Clinton did at Camp David is not wise. There are many things in life that require time and preparation.
And I happen to believe that the peace process is one of them. I'd like to see a different approach taken in which we stop pushing so hard to come to a long term agreement. Instead I'd like to see an approach in which small steps are taken to bring about a more peaceful situation. Given some time in which no wars are fought and terrorist rocket attacks are not a daily occurence will go a long way.
It will help establish a foundation of trust that really doesn't exist right now and without that foundation there is simply no way that the situation will ever improve.
JERUSALEM (CNN) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday ruled out working with any Palestinian unity government that includes Hamas if Hamas does not agree to recognize Israel.Hmm...do we have any reason to believe that Hamas is suddenly going to alter their position. Color me a skeptic but I find that difficult to believe. Israel did a fine job of beating the snot out of them during Operation Cast Lead but that hasn't stopped them from posturing and continuing their attacks.
In the absence of Hamas agreeing to the principles that have been adopted by such a broad range of international actors, I don't see that we or they -- or anyone -- could deal with Hamas," Clinton said in an interview with CNN."
"The interview was conducted a short time after Clinton met with Israeli Prime-Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu, who does not support an independent Palestinian state, the bedrock of U.S. policy."Diplospeak." You have got to love it. Reminds me of Blazing Saddles and "authentic frontier gibberish" which is a good description of Hilary's comment.
Asked whether the United States could effectively work with Netanyahu anyway, Clinton said, "The two-state solution is the inevitable, inescapable outcome of any effort. It is hard to imagine what other positive outcome could be arrived at."
At one point in time I thought that a two state solution made a lot of sense.
I didn't believe that there was any historical reason for it. It is not like there ever was a Palestine ruled by Arab Palestinians that was magically erased and required restoration to right some sortg of historic wrong. However it seemed to me like a practical solution to a dilemma.
However over time I have become less and less convinced that a two state solution is sensible. In fact at this point in time I fail to believe that the Palestinians will settle for two states, especially the fundamentalists that run their government in Gaza. Remember, those silly old fools whose charter calls for the destruction of Israel.
So allow me to quote Diana Ross and The Supremes "You can't hurry love." I don't think that we're in a position to bring about a two state solution, not now. And trying to force the issue as President Clinton did at Camp David is not wise. There are many things in life that require time and preparation.
And I happen to believe that the peace process is one of them. I'd like to see a different approach taken in which we stop pushing so hard to come to a long term agreement. Instead I'd like to see an approach in which small steps are taken to bring about a more peaceful situation. Given some time in which no wars are fought and terrorist rocket attacks are not a daily occurence will go a long way.
It will help establish a foundation of trust that really doesn't exist right now and without that foundation there is simply no way that the situation will ever improve.
Olmert Reacts to Rockets
It makes me ever so happy to know that the U.S. is going to send $900 million in aid to terrorists who continue to fire rockets at Israel. Prime Minister Olmert made it clear that Israel will not allow the attacks to continue and that it will not hesitate to respond.
Funny thing about this CNN report is that it is another example of how the terrorists manipulate the media. Hamas does not wear uniforms. They intentionally dress in civilian garb and operate in highly populated areas.
While it is certain that civilians were killed during the war, it is also certain that a large portion of the 1,300 reported killed in the report were not actually civilians.
Funny thing about this CNN report is that it is another example of how the terrorists manipulate the media. Hamas does not wear uniforms. They intentionally dress in civilian garb and operate in highly populated areas.
While it is certain that civilians were killed during the war, it is also certain that a large portion of the 1,300 reported killed in the report were not actually civilians.
"JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Israel will retaliate against Palestinian-controlled Gaza with a "painful, sharp, strong and uncompromising response" if rocket attacks do not stop, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Sunday.
He warned "terrorists" that they would not be able to anticipate Israel's moves.
"The Israeli response will -- in no way -- be what the terrorist organizations expect. The state of Israel has a wide range of options that will be utilized in order to bring complete quiet to the south," he said Sunday at the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting.
Rocket fire from Gaza, which is run by the militant Hamas movement, was the main reason cited for Israel's three-week assault on the territory in December and January. The air and land campaign left about 1,300 Palestinians dead. Thirteen Israelis died.
But rocket attacks into Israel continue.
Over the weekend Palestinians fired nine rockets into southern Israel. One of them slammed into an empty school in the city of Ashkelon, causing extensive damage. Since the end of the military operation in Gaza, over 110 rockets have been fired into Israel, a spokeswoman for Israel's military said."
Israel On College Campuses
Many Jewish college students have been struggling with the way Israel is treated on campus. It is becoming more common for adversaries of the state to hold anti-Israel demonstrations and activities on campus.
Quite a few of these activities are not friendly gatherings of students handing out flowers and suggesting that we just give peace a chance. Many are populated by rampant antisemitic commentary and false accusations about the misdeeds of Israel. Counter demonstrators routinely tell stories of being threatened, intimidation is routine.
The demonstrations rarely are balanced. You don't attend them to hear speakers present both sides. They are hate rallies in which the speakers do their best to whip the crowd into a frenzy. They are part of a movement that is doing its best to delegitimize Israel and make it untenable to voice dissent for fear of repurcussions.
UCLA professor Judea Pearl wrote an essay that is worth reading.
Point of information: In the late 90's I worked on campus at UCLA and have a few stories of my own about what was happening then. I was confronted several times by male students who suggested that it wasn't safe for me to disagree with them. Perhaps I'll share more about this later.
Pearl continues on and suggests that Jewish faculty members should have anticipated this and done more to try and help to steer the conversation so that it wasn't so one sided. He writes about the many dilemmas presented by a society that tries to protect rocket launching terrorists and decries self defense.
And he discusses how it has become harder to be an outspoken Zionist for fear of the repurcussions.
I am sad to say that I wasn't surprised by any of this. It is not so long since I was producing daily updates about the War in Gaza. In return I was repeatedly attacked on the blog and via email with some of the most hateful speech I can think of. I was called a racist and a nazi. I was told that the world would be a better place if I died.
People did their best to try and intimidate me. Intimidation is a central part of their tactics. It is what they do best. If you don't toe the party line, if you dare deviate then you are attacked from every angle. Physical threats combined with attempts to ostracize you socially and professionally.
I'll continue to advocate fair and balanced of criticism of all countries. Israel can and should be criticized. But when the Anti-Israel crowd continues to include epithets suggesting that Jews should go to the gas chambers and similar hate speech it is impossible to accept their claims that their criticism is not antisemitic. These types of attacks are attacks on all of us and must be opposed.
Unless we take action we are going to read more stories about intimidation at the universities. It is past time to draw a line in the sand and hold the universities accountable for activities that take place under their purview.
Crossposted on Yourish.
P.S. for those who are interested here is a link to some resources you can use to help educate people.
Quite a few of these activities are not friendly gatherings of students handing out flowers and suggesting that we just give peace a chance. Many are populated by rampant antisemitic commentary and false accusations about the misdeeds of Israel. Counter demonstrators routinely tell stories of being threatened, intimidation is routine.
The demonstrations rarely are balanced. You don't attend them to hear speakers present both sides. They are hate rallies in which the speakers do their best to whip the crowd into a frenzy. They are part of a movement that is doing its best to delegitimize Israel and make it untenable to voice dissent for fear of repurcussions.
UCLA professor Judea Pearl wrote an essay that is worth reading.
...when an e-mail from a colleague at Indiana University asked: “Being at UCLA, you must know about this symposium ... pretty bad.” Attached to it was Roberta Seid’s report on the now famous “Human Rights and Gaza” symposium held a day earlier at UCLA (see “UCLA Symposium on Gaza Ignites Strong Criticism,” Jewish Journal, Feb. 11, 2009).
To refresh readers’ memory, this symposium, organized by UCLA’s Center for Near East Studies (CNES), was billed as a discussion of human rights in Gaza. Instead, the director of the center, Susan Slyomovics, invited four longtime demonizers of Israel for a panel that Seid describes as a reenactment of a “1920 Munich beer hall.” Not only did the panelists portray Hamas as a guiltless, peace-seeking, unjustly provoked organization, they also bashed Israel, her motives, her character, her birth and conception and led the excited audience into chanting “Zionism is Nazism,” “F—-, f—- Israel,” in the best tradition of rhino liturgy.
Point of information: In the late 90's I worked on campus at UCLA and have a few stories of my own about what was happening then. I was confronted several times by male students who suggested that it wasn't safe for me to disagree with them. Perhaps I'll share more about this later.
Pearl continues on and suggests that Jewish faculty members should have anticipated this and done more to try and help to steer the conversation so that it wasn't so one sided. He writes about the many dilemmas presented by a society that tries to protect rocket launching terrorists and decries self defense.
And he discusses how it has become harder to be an outspoken Zionist for fear of the repurcussions.
These are dilemmas that had not surfaced before the days of rockets and missiles, and we, the Jewish faculty, ought to have pioneered their study. Instead, we allowed Hamas’ sympathizers to frame the academic agenda. How can we face our students from the safety of our offices when they deal with anti-Israel abuse on a daily basis — in the cafeteria, the library and the classroom — and as alarming reports of mob violence are arriving from other campuses (San Jose State University, Spartan Daily, Feb. 9, and York University, Globe and Mail, Feb. 13)?
Burdened with guilt, I called some colleagues, but quickly realized that a few have already made the shift to a strange-sounding language, not unlike “Honk, Honk.” Some have entered the debate phase, arguing over the rhino way of life vs. the human way of life, and the majority, while still speaking in a familiar English vocabulary, are frightened beyond anything I have seen at UCLA in the 40 years that I have served on its faculty.
Colleagues told me about lecturers whose appointments were terminated, professors whose promotion committees received “incriminating” letters, and about the impossibility of revealing one’s pro-Israel convictions without losing grants, editorial board membership, or invitation to panels and conferences. And all, literally all, swore me into strict secrecy — we have entered the era of “the new Maranos.”
I am sad to say that I wasn't surprised by any of this. It is not so long since I was producing daily updates about the War in Gaza. In return I was repeatedly attacked on the blog and via email with some of the most hateful speech I can think of. I was called a racist and a nazi. I was told that the world would be a better place if I died.
People did their best to try and intimidate me. Intimidation is a central part of their tactics. It is what they do best. If you don't toe the party line, if you dare deviate then you are attacked from every angle. Physical threats combined with attempts to ostracize you socially and professionally.
I'll continue to advocate fair and balanced of criticism of all countries. Israel can and should be criticized. But when the Anti-Israel crowd continues to include epithets suggesting that Jews should go to the gas chambers and similar hate speech it is impossible to accept their claims that their criticism is not antisemitic. These types of attacks are attacks on all of us and must be opposed.
Unless we take action we are going to read more stories about intimidation at the universities. It is past time to draw a line in the sand and hold the universities accountable for activities that take place under their purview.
Crossposted on Yourish.
P.S. for those who are interested here is a link to some resources you can use to help educate people.
The Inner Workings of Hamas
It is a relatively short time since the hostilities ended and a mutually agreed ceasefire led to relative quiet, relative being the operative term. Since then we have borne witness to the typical mumblings from useful idiots about war crimes and disproportionate response. They are just buzzwords that are used by people who do not understand what they mean and or do not care about whether they are truly applicable.
Today we heard about more violations of the ceasefire by the kindhearted Gazans who are only trying to survive. But what we rarely read or hear about are the tales of how Hamas really operates.
A JPost story helps to shine a light on this area by sharing stories from captured terrorists. In it we learn about how Hamas used schools to fire rockets at Israel, stole humanitarian aid and how Hamas treats those who refuse to assist them. Let's take a moment to look at an excerpt or two.
The so called Anti-Zionist crowd doesn't like to share those stories, fine humanitarians that they are. Not like they chased the fine British police down the street or promoted violence at their rallies. Remember the peace loving demonstrators are just humanitarians who fight for peace around the world.
Ok, the sarcasm is growing old but the reality is that there is an appalling disconnect about the cause and effect of the situation in Gaza. Those who cry for Gaza but fail to exhibit the same concern about Israel are sorry hypocrites. You can't sue for peace while supporting the terrorist actions of those who sanction murder.
Crossposted on Yourish.
Today we heard about more violations of the ceasefire by the kindhearted Gazans who are only trying to survive. But what we rarely read or hear about are the tales of how Hamas really operates.
A JPost story helps to shine a light on this area by sharing stories from captured terrorists. In it we learn about how Hamas used schools to fire rockets at Israel, stole humanitarian aid and how Hamas treats those who refuse to assist them. Let's take a moment to look at an excerpt or two.
Nuaf Atar, 25, lives in Atatra, in the northwest Gaza Strip, and was captured by paratroopers on January 11. In his interrogation by the Shin Bet, Atar said Hamas government officials "took over" humanitarian aid Israel allowed in to the Strip and sold it, when it is supposed to be distributed for free.and
Hamas set up rocket launchers and fired rockets into Israel from within school compounds since the operatives knew that the Israel Air Force would not bomb the schools, he said.
Palestinians who opposed Hamas's use of their land and homes as launch pads were shot in the legs, Atar added.
You don't hear about these stories. You don't see the videos of Hamas using children as human shields.
Another fascinating account was provided by Raji Abed Rabo, a 22-year-old member of Islamic Jihad and resident of the Jabalya refugee camp in northern Gaza. Abed Rabo told interrogators he was recruited into the organization at the age of 17 and began by distributing anti-Israel propaganda.
In 2006, he joined the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and underwent military training. In 2007 he returned to Islamic Jihad and was recruited to the Jabalya cell. His job was to conduct reconnaissance and gather intelligence on IDF movements along the Gaza border.
He stored weaponry in his house, including roadside bombs, and was knew of a number of tunnels that were to be used to kidnap and surprise IDF soldiers. He also told the Shin Bet about a large bunker that was built under Shifa Hospital in Gaza City and was used as a hideout for a number of senior Hamas operatives during the recent Israeli offensive.
Hamad Zalah, 29, is also a resident of Jabalya and was captured by the IDF on January 12. During his interrogation, he revealed that together with his brother, he was tortured by Hamas at a headquarters in Jabalya for his affiliation with Fatah and his intention to light a memorial candle for Yasser Arafat.
The so called Anti-Zionist crowd doesn't like to share those stories, fine humanitarians that they are. Not like they chased the fine British police down the street or promoted violence at their rallies. Remember the peace loving demonstrators are just humanitarians who fight for peace around the world.
Ok, the sarcasm is growing old but the reality is that there is an appalling disconnect about the cause and effect of the situation in Gaza. Those who cry for Gaza but fail to exhibit the same concern about Israel are sorry hypocrites. You can't sue for peace while supporting the terrorist actions of those who sanction murder.
Crossposted on Yourish.
Gaza- The Dust is Still Settling
So now the dust is beginning to settle and we can start to assess the results of the war in Gaza. This post offers a collection of perspectives and thoughts about that.
The video above was made by the Libi fund which helps support IDF soldiers.
From the traditional media we have:NY Times: Obama Sends Special Envoy to Mideast and Europe
CNN: Week-old Gaza cease-fire is breached
WAPO: Obama Voices Hope for Mideast Peace in Talk With Al-Arabiya TV
Fox: The Smuggling Tunnels are Open for Business!
AFP: Shalit should not be part of Gaza truce deal: Hamas
The Spectator: A British soldier's view of Operation Cast Lead
The Spectator: The ugly face of bigoted Britain
Financial Times: Saudi warning (is it rude to say Bite Me Limey)
The Australian: Israeli troops were told to kill themselves to avoid capture
YNET: Carter: Hamas can be trusted
YNET: Time to take responsibility
JPost: EU official: Hamas responsible for Gaza
JPost: Israel hits back at war crimes charges
JPost: Caroline Glick Our World: Defending freedom's defenders
Haaretz: ANALYSIS / Recognizing that Israel's effort to topple Hamas has failed
Haaretz: Summit on Holocaust: Gaza war legitimized equating Jews with Nazis
Haaretz: Egypt to Hamas: Take Gaza truce before Netanyahu is voted PM
Commentary: A Gaza Post-Mortem
Commentary: Michael Totten writes The Mood in Israel Now
From the blogosphere:
Seraphic Secret shared And the Ladies of Gaza. The FP has How badly did Gaza poison the well?
At Solomonia you should read A Pragmatic Voice and Video: War Protests or Pro-Hamas Hate Rallies?.
Weasel Zippers Red Crescent Says Hamas, not Israel Prevented Their Ambulances From Picking up Wounded Gazans....
Gateway Pundit shared Pro-Hamas Thugs Attack Pro-Israel Protest in Sweden with Eggs, Rocks, Bottles & Tear Gas Grenades.
At the Augean Stables take a look at HRW and Israel: Ken Roth vs. Gerald Steinberg and Jenin Redux: Casualty Figures Reconsidered.
Daled Amos blogged Europe May Finally Catching On To Hamas and Sharansky: Neither Hamas Nor PA Can Be In Charge Of Rebuilding Gaza.
EOZ offers World press ignores Hamas' media intimidation. I covered Saudi Arabian Hypocrisy.
At Yourish Jimmy Carter: Stooping to new [moronic] lows. Yaacov Lozowick shared So What was Achieved?
Soccer Dad discussed Israel's legitimacy is debatable; hamas's is not. At Adloyada read UK govt minister claims Israel cowed BBC into turning down Gaza appeal.
Mere Rhetoric blogged Palestinians Blow The Lid Off Cover Up Of Glorious Hamas Victory and UN Chief: Yeah, I Guess It Sucks That We've Been Helping Hamas Shell Israeli Civilians For Eight Years.
Check out Joshuapundit's '60 Minutes' Libels Jews And Israel.
That is all for now folks. Stay tuned for a resumption of light hearted posts about college life, raising kids and assorted odds and ends.
Gaza Continued
There is so much that could and should be said about the situation in Gaza and the hypocrisy exhibited by so many. We could go round and round in circles about the nonsense. We could ask why those who protest the war are not protesting the brutal treament of Palestinians by Palestinians, but what fun would that be.
Instead we'll share a collection of links that you might find to be of interest:
CNN: Palestinians: 1,300 killed, 22,000 buildings destroyed in Gaza (What this story doesn't say is how many of those who were killed were terrorists and how many buildings housed weapons or were used as launching pads.
It also doesn't talk about how Egypt turned a blind eye while allowing tons of weapons to be smuggled into Gaza.
WSJ: Israel Scored a Tactical Victory
Telegraph: Analysis: Hamas did not win conflict but did Israel? (Good questions here. It remains to be seen.)
JPost:'Hamas torturing Fatah members in Gaza' (You just had your ass kicked up and down the street, so what do you do. Oh, I know, let's go terrorize other Palestinians and see if it makes us feel better.)
JPost: Iran renews efforts to supply weaponry to bruised Hamas (Will the world just watch as the leader fomenters of terror continue to try and wreak havoc. My guess is the answer will be yes.)
And now for some blog posts to review:
Mere Rhetoric: Opps! Al Arabiya Accidentally Airs Description Of Hamas Firing Rockets From Al Arabiya's Own Studio
Yourish: More threats, lies from Saudis
Seraphic Secret: Chaos
Solomonia: Hamas children's propaganda film reinforces illusion of war victory
Instead we'll share a collection of links that you might find to be of interest:
CNN: Palestinians: 1,300 killed, 22,000 buildings destroyed in Gaza (What this story doesn't say is how many of those who were killed were terrorists and how many buildings housed weapons or were used as launching pads.
It also doesn't talk about how Egypt turned a blind eye while allowing tons of weapons to be smuggled into Gaza.
WSJ: Israel Scored a Tactical Victory
Telegraph: Analysis: Hamas did not win conflict but did Israel? (Good questions here. It remains to be seen.)
JPost:'Hamas torturing Fatah members in Gaza' (You just had your ass kicked up and down the street, so what do you do. Oh, I know, let's go terrorize other Palestinians and see if it makes us feel better.)
JPost: Iran renews efforts to supply weaponry to bruised Hamas (Will the world just watch as the leader fomenters of terror continue to try and wreak havoc. My guess is the answer will be yes.)
And now for some blog posts to review:
Mere Rhetoric: Opps! Al Arabiya Accidentally Airs Description Of Hamas Firing Rockets From Al Arabiya's Own Studio
Yourish: More threats, lies from Saudis
Seraphic Secret: Chaos
Solomonia: Hamas children's propaganda film reinforces illusion of war victory
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)