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Gaza Attacks: Murder with Impunity
It was about midnight last Sunday when my phone rang. "I'm not sure I will survive tonight, the Israelis are bombing us everywhere." It was Mahmoud, a young resident of Rafah, a city in the Gaza Strip on the border with Egypt. We first met when I visited the troubled coastal territory after Israel dismantled its settlements there in September 2005. On December 27, just before midday, Israel's powerful air force, the fourth largest in the world, commenced a deadly air assault on over 40 separate locations in the Gaza Strip. The strikes were as calculated as they were cold - the targets were almost entirely people and facilities vital to the Hamas government. In one of the areas hit, where police officers had gathered for a parade, body parts were strewn along a courtyard.
The present conflict is the deadliest since Israel occupied Gaza and the West Bank in the Six Day War of 1967. That is a surprising achievement given the bloody history of the Israel-Palestine conflict, particularly during the Palestinian uprisings, or intifadas, of 1987 and 2000.
Israel has targeted Hamas, but the vast majority of the casualties from its attacks have been civilian police officers, government workers, and other civilians. The Palestinian death toll currently stands at 350 while more than a thousand have sustained injuries. The figure is expected to increase as Israel's bombardment continues. Since Monday morning, Israel's navy has commenced bombing Gaza from the coast. Compounding the suffering is the fact that medical and other humanitarian supplies are in a dire state thanks to Israel's three-year-old blockade of the territory. Half the population of Gaza, even before this most recent attack, was living below the poverty line.
So far, rockets fired from Gaza have killed two Israelis and injured several others.
The Israeli government argues that the bombardment is a response to these rockets attacks. But the calls of self-defense must be understood within the broader context of the continued annexation of Palestine. It is the greatest of reverse-psychology ploys. Israel calls Hamas and other Palestinian resistance movements existential threats while, at the same time, it continues to ensure that a viable Palestinian state can never hope to exist by imprisoning Gaza and expropriating much of the West Bank.
The UN Security Council quickly released a non-binding statement calling for an end to hostilities. But the document failed to name either Israel or Hamas by name and glibly called for a return to the ceasefire. It did not mention any justice for the hundreds killed. The international community - and particularly the Middle East Quartet consisting of the European Union, UN, United States, and Russia - have been completely incapable of protecting those most exposed to the conflict - the Palestinians of the occupied territories who are killed, harassed and humiliated on a daily basis.
There is good reason to be critical of Hamas too. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has cited Hamas' inability to renew a ceasefire with Israel for this most recent assault. But Israel must shoulder the lion's share of culpability for the carnage presently unfolding in the occupied territories.
It is becoming increasingly clear that Israel's latest attack on Gaza was a pre-meditated attempt to destabilize the Hamas regime. The Israeli Ha'aretz newspaper recently revealed that even while it was negotiating a ceasefire, the Israeli government drew up a detailed plan to destroy Hamas in Gaza six months ago.
No member of the international community is more complicit in Israel's crimes than the United States. The Bush White House was quick to blame the violence on Hamas even though Israel is responsible for the vast majority of the death and destruction. A spokesperson for President Bush described the movement as a bunch of "thugs." Such statements legitimate Israeli aggression by dehumanizing a democratically elected government.
There is little hope, however, of a shift toward a more balanced U.S. role under President Barack Obama. Ever fearful of the powerful Israel lobby, he has gone to great lengths to prove his loyalty. "If somebody was sending rockets into my house where my two daughters sleep at night," Obama said during a visit to Israel earlier this year, "I'm going to do everything in my power to stop that." Sadly, that logic does not appear to apply to the Palestinians. According to the UN, 105 Palestinian children have been killed this year, thanks largely to Israeli forces armed and supported by the United States.
While grand rhetoric has been a feature of Barack Obama's political career, he has so far opted to remain silent as Israel wreaks havoc on Gaza this week.
Others have not been silent, however. Already protesters have taken to the street throughout the world, including in Israel, to voice their opposition to the strikes. The Turkish government has rejected calls from Israel and the Palestinian Fatah Movement of President Mahmoud Abbas to broker another ceasefire with Hamas. Turkey has also pulled out of landmark peace negotiations it had hitherto been conducting between Israel and Syria over the occupied Golan Heights. Israel's attacks in Gaza are also expected to dominate discussions this week by Arab leaders at the Gulf Cooperation Council ahead of an extraordinary meeting of the Arab League on Wednesday. Arab leaders have called for a unified position on the current conflict, no doubt under significant domestic pressure to do something to protest Israel's actions.
Meanwhile, the exiled leader of the Hamas movement in Syria called on Palestinians to commence a third intifada in response to Israel's offensive. Given Israel's full spectrum dominance of the Occupied Palestinian Territories, such an uprising might be well nigh impossible. One shudders, nevertheless, to think what fury a third intifada would unleash.
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107 Comments so far
Show AllLet's do all that we can from wherever we are: write letters, protest, insist on humanitarian medical aid, get away from our computer screens and do actions, and insist that our government condemn fully the terrorist nation of Israel. No more pessimism - just do it!
The US should condemn the ones who target civilians, and not the one who target those who target civilians.
Letto, if you are saying that the US should condemn Israel since they are the ones targeting civilians, then I would agree wholeheartedly.
"One shudders, nevertheless, to think what fury a third intifada would unleash." Do I detect a smirk behind this statement? Yes, Israel can expect a rash of exploding young people on it's buses and in it's public places. Most Israelis know this is what is going to happen. It's what Hamas wants and has wanted all along. Hamas won't be happy unless it leads all of the Muslim world in a holy war against every infidel on earth. Israel is just the appetizer for the Hamas fanatics and their allies in Iran, Afghanistan ( The Taliban), Pakistan ( 20 different radical Islamists groups) and Saudi Arabia ( Al Qeda). These folks want HOLY WAR period they live for WAR and DEATH for all non-believers. They respect no other religion or ideology but their own. Even the PLO among the PALS hate and fear this group and for good reason. It's no accident that the PLO is silent on the Gaza events, because they also want Hamas destroyed!
Blutodog:
"One shudders, nevertheless, to think what fury a third intifada would unleash." Do I detect a smirk behind this statement? Yes, Israel can expect a rash of exploding young people on it's buses and in it's public places. Most Israelis know this is what is going to happen. It's what Hamas wants and has wanted all along."
It appears that like all Uber-Zionists, Blutodog, you are prepared to blind yourself to the true motivation for the Israeli massacre in Gaza - IT'S THE UPCOMING ELECTION, DUMMY. The Israeli politicians knew full well that there would be a grossly disproportionate number of Gazan deaths (including a large number of entirely innocent women and children) and that the resultant fury would lead to the inevitable conclusion that the only way to truly cause pain and fearfulness in the Israeli population would be a return to the tactic of suicide bombing. In a vile effort to appear to be "hard" vis-a-vis the Palestinians, these cynical politicians ignored the potential threat to its own citizens in favour of pursuing their despicable political ambitions.
Sow the wind and reap the whirlwind.
Come on, don't give us that line of bull, by now the bulk of the people of the world are thoroughly disinterested in such malarkey.
This massacre was planned six months ago, read all about in Haaretz
http://www.haaretz.com
Sophie Scholl-The Final Days
Are you saying that the constatnt rocket attacks from Gaza into Israeli civilian targets has nothing to do with the situation in Gaza?
Please clearify.
Here's "clearification":
Read my post below.
So what they planned an offensive? That doesn't change what Hamas says daily online or do u think these are flower children who just want peace bwaaaaa. Their hardened killers and this is war, like it or not. Your on the side of Hamas and I'm not that's the only difference. I could care less what the rest of the world thinks. The world isn't being attacked with missiles by these bastards. The world cared nothing about us when we were being burned in ovens a generation ago, it cares nothing today when our children are slaughtered on buses and in restaurants etc. So FU. Lets rumble!
Yep Bluto,
It was the same thing when "the Germans bombed Perl Harbor." Huh?
Your knowledge of history is about the same as Bluto in the movie "Animal House."
There is of course, a shadow of truth to what you say. Since neo-con extremists (like you) have stoked the ragheads into a frenzy, we can expect trapped animals to react in the only fashion available to them: meaning they now have even less than nothing to lose since you bombed the shat out of their duely elected democratic government: Hamas. Apparently, you and the the 20 percent that still approve of the "Planet of the BushApes" have decided that you are enemies of democracy, and that nobody has the right to pick their leaders except some small(mind-ed) minority like the GOP Repukes.
"Well, you can do what you want to these defenseless teenagers today in Gaza; but we are not going to just stand here and listen to you badmouth the democratic ideals of the United States of America."
"Gentlemen!"
[sound of people rising and shuffling out of the Student Hall singing the national anthem]
and with that, Dean Wormer, I wish you happy new year.
BlutoDog - just like his namesake from Popeye cartoons
An Israeli shill spouting from the Zionist press kit.
Actually encouraging peace through total annihilation of all - including innocents.
Just like the US Marine 'pacification' of Falluja, Iraq
Tsk,Tsk - how do you sleep with such thoughts?
But I could be wrong !
Bush is not on vacation in TX he is in the War Room at the Ranch running this new War!
The US and Israel are rogues no doubt but as long as we keep neglecting to mention the role of Europe, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and even remotely Pakistan against the Palestinians, you'll be reading more of these same tragedies and piling murders for the rest of your L-I-F-E.
Terrance Mitchell
Redfield, South Dakota
Hamas has said all along that they can stop rockets when the blockade is lifted and the assassination bombings of their elected government ends....
The rockets are stupid but any organization will hold on to its pride till the end.
The best thing for Israel and the world is to recognize Hamas and make peace with them.
EGO-Terrorism will prevent any peace on earth.
Have you checked the hamas charter?
They want to exterminate Israel. They are not willing to talk peace.
To have peace, moth sides must want one.
Have you checked Israel's charter...wait...they don't have one. And what is worse, they do not recognize Palestine....Israel asks Hamas for recognition, yet ISrael does not recognize Palestine....You are a total buffoon!
The Glue That Holds Chaos Together
While I suspect that Israel may be in the wrong on this conflict, it is assinine to suggest that the Palestinians have any shot of winning a war with Israel. If the situation escalates, Israel will simply bomb the Palestinians off of the face of the earth, and when it is over they will be forgotten. You can huff and puff all you want, but the big guns are on Israel's side. So if you really want the Palestinians to be properly represented then you need to find a way to get more media out to the world. You have to present your case without infantile threats of Fatwas or toungue flicking and burning effigies like a bunch of retards. You have to flood the media with footage of the attrocities that have been done to the Palestinians. You have to make the world see their suffering..in HD, if possible, and then you have to acknowledge the Holocaust and show your comparisons.
Enough to make Obama a chain smoker.
Mustafa Qadri (December 31, 2008): "So far, rockets fired from Gaza have killed two Israelis and injured several others."
I cought you with a lie Mr. Qadri.
Also don't forget that the Hamas rockets also killed palestinian girls. Palestinians are humans too. Don't ommit the Hamas crimes against Palestinians.
4 is not equal to 2.
Now that you know where is the lie, let me ask you a question serena.
Where is the hate?
World's kudos to the brave people of Gaza who have withstood the savage and barbaric bombardment in history in such a densely populated urban area. This Zionist aggression with 21st century US supplied weapons against totally defenceless people is totally repugnent. It is so shameful that the world's "defenders" of human rights are silent in this genocide. However, the heroic resistance of the Gazans is not going unnoticed in the region. This is state supported and US sponsored terrorism against defenceless women and children at its lowest. This is the type of racist aggression that causes hatred against US policies in the world. This blatant wanton murder of civilians is going to have a severe blowback and will ultimately only strengthen the resistance. Six days of relentless bombing of civilians has not broken the will of Gaza. The regional implications of such heroic resistance is not lost on the Arab street. The puppet corrupt moth eaten regime of 81 year old Mobarek must be worried for its collaboration with the Zionist aggression. Mobarek apparently gave the final go ahead for this assualt last week to Tzipi Livni.
Leto: "Also don't forget that the Hamas rockets also killed palestinian girls. Palestinians are humans too."
Do I detect a smirk behind this statement?
All humans deserve equal rights.
Caring for human life loss should be universal. (Even if it wasn't done by Israeli hands)
From reading Mustafa Qadri, it looks like all he cares about is to be able to say "got'cha Israel."
He doesn't care about Palestinian or Israeli life in general, unless it could be blamed on Israel.
,
This is a replay of the Aerial Bombardment of Poland in 1939. Kill and destroy the innocent population from the sky, before the Nazi Panzers roll in a few days later. The whole world can see these "Neo-Nazi", destroying the civilians of Gaza. These massacres of Arabs are "war crimes" of this new century.
International charges must be leveled against the State of Israel. If the United States does not condemn these war crimes, then it is allied with this murderoud Israeli Government!!!!!!!!!!!
,
"This is a replay of the Aerial Bombardment of Poland in 1939. Kill and destroy the innocent population from the sky, before the Nazi Panzers roll in a few days later. The whole world can see these "Neo-Nazi", destroying the civilians of Gaza. These massacres of Arabs are "war crimes" of this new century." What total horseshit!!
Poland wasn't telling the world daily it wanted Germany utterly destroyed as Hamas wants done to Israel! Poland wasn't firing missiles into Germany daily as Hamas has been for months into ISRAEL. Even the PLO hates Hamas and wants it brought down or haven't u noticed? No, because most of you suck Hamas off daily and don't want to hear anything but what you want to hear. ( Mostly your own thoughts) Ok, U hate Israel and want it returned to as you believe it's rightful owners. Well, wake and smell your vomit it isn't going to happen! Get over it!
The U.N. sits idle. The U.S. Government Promotes. When will the Americans rise up and demand a stop to all U.S. agression and support of agression. Do Americans want this agression? The country has been founded on agression and hate, does it need hate and agression to survive? Are the Americans afraid of change?
For all humanity and all that is in the Universe
"The U.N. sits idle. The U.S. Government Promotes. When will the Americans rise up and demand a stop to all U.S. agression and support of agression. Do Americans want this agression? The country has been founded on agression and hate, does it need hate and agression to survive? Are the Americans afraid of change?
For all humanity and all that is in the Universe
"
OcetiSakowin,
We're trying.
But understand that we are under a corporate/goverment occupation of our own. We now imprison a full three percent of our own population. That is the highest in the world. Ironic, isn't it? that in the "land of the free," nine million people are locked up mostly for minor offences.
Squad cars are everywhere and choppers fill the skies. But when I call 911 for another break in, nobody will come inside of 45 minutes citing staff problems.
It is the most upside-down society any of us have ever witnessed. Even the food is unsafe in the U.S. Monsanto plys it with genetically modified organisms (GMO's)full of pesticides and shelf-life extending preservatives. Cancer is up by 5,000%. Millions are homeless. One percent of the population now controls eighty percent of the wealth. We are living in our own version of hell that nobody in the rest of the world understands. A huge government organization, bigger that communist china's gov, bigger than Russia communist government watches and procecutes our every move (the crazy John Bircher Society guys where right all along.) We call it 1984 (by George Orwell book of the same name)and with the 800 new FEMA prisons built there is no hope for an insurection unless the churches and the military concur. But they are complicit in worldwide genocide for profit and glory.
So calling for the American population to help you is not going to work, IMHO.
We just started our ten year duration depression, and it's going to take that long before we get back on our feet. The same bastards who are oppressing you, have been smashing our labor unions and smashing our rights for eight years now.
I wish I could offer you some good news, but I can't.
There are still plenty of good Americans in the USA. But right now, we are surrounded by mountains of ignorance that block out any light whatsoever.
If you want to help, post pictures of the attrocities on the net.
That is the only thing that I can think of that will thaw the icy heart of the neocon who is doing this to us all.
Shame, Shame on you Ebeneezer Scrooge!
Yes, you know I'm talking to you.
Undoubtedly, the state of Israel has behaved abominably. At the same time, I keep wondering where the rest of the Arab world been over the last few years when Palestine so desperately needed them to get themselves into a unified stance regarding conditions on the West Bank. There have been many moments when they could have demanded to be part of talks and negotiations. Oil has certainly upped their leverage, but there are those who have instead asked for and taken weapons, etc (from the West - USA, France, Italy, Britain and so forth) to be used against alleged threats. Everytime something like this occurs, the stage has been left open to the extremists who start shouting about suicide bombers.
I find the conditions in Gaza horrible, and certainly Israel has played a great role in this nightmare. In some ways they're as bad as hard line Muslim countries and I truly wish that those who don't believe in what their country (Israel) has been doing would step forward, unify. On the other hand, I have to admit, what would I feel if someone said that my homeland had no right to exist.
What I also find interesting thinking about these two peoples, is that Israel is where the roots of Christianity are and Palestine is rooted in the Muslim religion so, in essence we are engaged there in something that reflects the grappling that's occuring on a larger stage - the world.
It seems that bottom line - eliminating all the rhetoric- is that both sides want respect and safety/security, a chance to breathe, to plant and to dream.
Perhaps, it's up to us, as global citizens, to find a way to move past the hot heads and the hard liners and begin the discussion that would include the man and woman on the street across borders...
don't know what it would be, but I'm open to suggestions...certainly, the Internet was a huge boost for the first person of color to become the next president of the United States...
You're 100% correct. The neighboring Arab nations are indeed silent but for sinister reasons. Those dictators are "installed" by the US and EU to be "friendly" to the zionists running Israel. Unless all the culprit nations are held accountable, the Palestinians will only suffer more tragedies. Why the Left does not take this into account and still thinks the EU will actually solve the problem when in fact it is no less racist against the Palestinians than the US is beyond me. It's just like the fake "left" in India.
Terrance Mitchell
Redfield, South Dakota
Pathos, you couldn't be more correct about getting media coverage and footage of the atrocities out there, but are you really that naive to not know why this hasn't been happening? If Americans only knew a 10th of what the Palestinians have been suffering the past decade or more things would be different. If they knew how many times we were the sole veto on UN resolutions against Israel. I laugh when I think of how crazed a good number of Americans were over Ruby Ridge and Waco--anyone remember Oklahoma City?--There is a Ruby Ridge or its equivalent every week in Palestine. Very wealthy and powerful people have been determined to make sure we see as little as possible. Ever wonder why no celebrites are speaking up? If years ago the government had just dropped bombs on all the backwoods compounds that were training for their big fight with the ATF. killing innocent bystanders, we would have had a Hamas in this country too.
Everybody needs to read Blutodog' post below, the one made at 5:18. This is what is at the heart of the problem. Yes, it is about two sides at war and both sides have adopted an 'us or them' mentality. But here's the thing that gets me, we, America have chosen a side which I don't think most Americans would have chosen if we were informed-- and they know that. I had nothing to do with your people being thrown into ovens and I don't want blood on my hands now. Oh, and by the way, you are going to lose this one.
" Yes, it is about two sides at war and both sides have adopted an 'us or them' mentality."
Not true.
The Israeli PM supports the Idea of two states solution. (according to the road map)
The Hamas PM supports the idea that Israel should be destroyed, most of the Jews killed or ethnically cleansed, and create a Taliban style Islamic republic on Israel’s ruins. The Hamas declaired time and again that they have a natural right to rendomly kill Jews.
Read Kadima party platform, and compare it to the Hamas covenant.
10-4 But ur wasting ur time trying to talk reality to these zombies. They've totally swallowed the Hamas line hook line and sinker. Hamas is right because the Jews are all invaders. That the bottom line and if you argue other wise ur a Jew lover.
There are plenty of Jews who are just as disgusted with the zionists running Israel as there are those sick and tired of Hammas. You sound like a dumb dog who'll succumb to zionist propaganda.
Terrance Mitchell
Redfield, South Dakota
Bluto, the WorldnetDaily has columnists and commentators with people of your ilk. Why don't you go over there and post until your hearts content.
With Love,
Winningticket
Letto, Letto, Letto,
"The Israeli PM supports the Idea of two states solution. (according to the road map)"
What are you some kind of Tonight Show comedian?
If I tell you in 1937 Berlin, that I, Adolph Hitler am going to cease hostilities and sign a two-state solution "peace agreement" with the allied forces, and I promise not to invade France, are you gulible enough to believe me?
President Woodrow Wilson was.
And the next thing you know, Panzer tanks and (Israeli F-16's) were bombing the shidt out of children who had no idea what was happening.
Please, spare us your simpleton logic.
This is nothing short of a "David and Goliath" situation. Unfortunately for the underdog in this story: Palistine, Israel learned nothing from world history, and is bound and determined to repeat it.
But some of us are watching. And we will not bend facts just for personal gain: like many arms dealers do and the Madoff-type wall street bankers do.
============================================
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT
Please see the other side of the story:
http://palestinian.ning.com/forum/topics/the-other-side-of-the-story
=============================================
I am forwarding this to everyone I know.
Just one word comes to mind: "Einsatzgruppen"--the SS extermination squads of World War II.
I totally agree with you.
The Hamas are like the Nazis. Thank God they are less capable than the SS.
"Better to be thought a fool - than to open ones mouth and remove all doubt."
Hamas has operated hospitals, clinics, orphanages, food and medicine supply houses for decades. The 'Military wing' of Hamas fights the Jewish trespassers and, like Hezbollah, are working towards the day when they will do to the IDF cowards what the Hezbollah warriors did to the cowardly IDF in Lebanon, summer of 2006
TAC
I know the Hamas is using civilians as human shield. I was saying so all along.
The "brave" Hamas "heroes" are hiding under skirts, hospitals, clinics, and orphanages. And they fire rockets at kindergartens. Some bravery, eh?
If they were man, they would have redeployed to isolated bases, away from civilian population, like the IDF does.
Just watched the video Peace, 'Prpaganda and the Promised Land' on YouTube. Excellent, everyone should watch and forward.
Just read about the Hamas covenent.
It's an educational document that explain how the Hamas see themselves.
The Hamas covenent to the Hamas is like the US Constitution to the Americans.
http://www.fas.org/irp/world/para/docs/880818a.htm
I bet that Obama is thankful to the Israeli forces attacking Gaza. Have you all noticed that you all stopped talking about our fugged up economy, no jobs, lack of decent health care and the New Great Depression we're sliding into and have jumped on this renewed push to exterminate the Palestinians.
I'm not saying that this isn't important. Far from it. However, my mom told me that charity (Love) starts at home and spreads abroad. Maybe, if we was standing up with the same vehemence for our fellow slaves here in Amerika, we have the means to stop what's happening to our Palestinian brothers and sisters. Fix what's broken here at home and then, with renewed strength and some actual moral force, we could help in the Near East.
"Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will." -- Frederick Douglass
Re: Hey Israel, your G-d is watching you - and boy is he pissed!
It's been a while since I have seen wall-to-wall dead Jews. So, I went to the 7-11 tonight, bought me a 12 pack of 'Bud' and now I am waiting for the IDF to invade Gaza so I can pop the pop-corn and break out a nice 'cool one.'
Pssst, hey honey, can we have our Hannakah seder sometine next week. Right now, the thought of dead IDF cowards bleeding all over the TV screen kind of makes me feel, queazy, ya know? :(
GOOD HUNTING & HAPPY NEW YEAR HAMAS!!!!
TheAZCowBoy
Tombstone, AZ.
BTW: Here in the old West, we take horse rustlers, Cattle thieves, claims jumpers, trespassers (Jew or otherwise) and we hang them from that old oak tree near Big Nose Kates saloon and 1/4 mile from 'Boot Hill Cemetery' we have been using since the 'Shoot-out at the OK Corral' in 1846.
Yea I know. I heard about that movie, the one you like. What was it called? brokeback mountain?
Sent my regards to your honey. She's a good ride and her pop - hmmm, yummy. Especially when you're busy watching TV and holding your tiny pop-corn in your hand.
A classic example of what Israeli supporters have been reduced to.
They have really started to draw from the bottom of the barrel in order to generate "sympathy" but I would suggest they need a bit more in the way of quality control.
Too bad we don't have the will or means to impose a frontier justice in Israel. There would be an awful lot of Jewish settlements being dismantled, and even more crying Jews. If things were equalized a bit, there would be a few hangings too. As it is, all we get to see is Isreali cowards bombing and strafing a largely unarmed population. Yep, it's those noble IDF warriors in action.