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here’s the question I was responding to: >> What does anyone think about the deaths of the four U.N. investigators and the accusation that it was a “deliberate” attack made by Israel? I assume that it was accidental, but for some reason, I can’t help but wondering if Israel is overreacting at this point? I understand that Lebanon doesn’t have the power to stop the Hezbollah, but aren’t most of the militants killed yet? Are they recruiting more men every day to join? At what point would Israel would stop to get whatever they want? >>
I really doubt that Israel would fire bombs on the UN inspectors deliberately. It makes absolutely no sense. It’s the one guaranteed way that they could lose any sympathy or support they may have from their allies, isn’t it? Considering its complete disregard for human life, it would not surprise me at all if Hezbollah did it so the Israelis would get blamed. If you scroll down the article you’ll see where it says they do not know for sure whose bomb it was, only that it was a precision-guided rocket.
The military action in southern Lebanon is to root out Hezbollah guerillas so that they won’t be able to fire bombs into Israel any longer. The area has been a Hezbollah stronghold for years. It’s hard to catch them because guerilla fighters are fast and mobile, and Hezbollah has had years to fortify their offensive positions.
Interesting that Hezbollah says they did not predict Israel’s intense reaction. Well then, the thing to do is lay down their arms and surrender. Not going to happen, I don’t think. They’ll fight to the last person because they think they’ll be martyred and go to heaven.
point of clarification… the accusion, according to the Secretary-General, was an “apparently deliberate”.
I think this article may answer your question “whose bomb was it”: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5216230.stm
Curious Eyes, you will see that the U.N. has repeatedly warned Isreal on six seperate occassions “prior the attack” in the first few paragraph.
Later on, the Prime Minister of Isreal immediately apologize and vow to launch an immediate investigation; additionally, he claims it was a “mistake”. The line of reasoning tells me that it was Isreal’s bombs. Why? Like you said “it doesnt make sense”.
I’d sure love to be a fly on the wall of Israeli military central command right now. Will wait to see what their investigation finds out. At the time I posted my comment, it wasn’t clear to me whether the bomb really was Israel’s, and why on earth the bombing continued in that area after the warning calls.
I honestly wonder the same thing… I had to re-read that article along with couple other articles a couple times to finally come to the conclusion that it was Israel’s bombs…
Still I m amazed.
Thanks to Patricia for the geography and history refresher. I did forget all about Golan Heights and Syria.
I recently found out about Israel’s bombs laced with white phosphorous materials dropping on civilian area. That was clearly a violation of the Geneva Convention.
I am not a whiz at chemistry myself. From seeing the term “phosphorous”. It must be kinda some laundry detergent and would cause some eye and respiratory irrianants.
What’s matter with Israel for using this chemical materials on innocent civilains?
You could find more info about Israel’s white phosporous bomb on CNN.
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
please paste in a link to the source of this information. I’d like to read for myself and also know who said it.
I am not a computer whiz at all. I never master the HMTL skills from cut/paste and post anything.
Just type http://www.cnn.com and type “phosporous” and “Israel”.
I got this news from mainstream media outlets from the Reuters and CNN.
RLM
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4483690.stm
I found this on BBC..??
A Lebanese Psychologist says it all…click this video link to see what she has to say:
http://switch5.castup.net/fram.....38;ak=null
the link doesn’t work.
Hmm…interesting that Kofi accuses Israel of deliberately targeting UN outposts inside Lebanon. It is the Hezbollah’s tactics to fire rounds
Here’s what the mainstream or nightly news do not tell you and how hypocritical and one sided Kofi Anan is siding with the terrorists.
“Another UN position of the Ghanaian battalion in the area of Marwahin in the western sector was also directly hit by one mortar round from the Hezbollah side last night. The round did not explode, and there were no casualties or material damage. Another 5 incidents of firing close to UN positions from the Israeli side were reported yesterday. It was also reported that Hezbollah fired from the vicinity of four UN positions at Alma ash Shab, Tibnin, Brashit, and At Tiri. All UNIFIL positions remain occupied and maintained by the troops.”
http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/m...../pr010.pdf
How quaint. What it boils down to is that the Hezbollah use the UN as shields knowing that they can’t be punished for it because the mainstream press will run with the news about “deliberate” targeting of UN outposts when it’s really about the deliberate targeting of where the Hezbollahs are…right next to the UN outposts.
Also, recently heard that the Retired Canadian Major General Lewis Mackenzie who was interviewed on CBC radio had an interesting report about the UN observer post that was hit by Israeli shells killing UN observers. One of them killed had previously emailed Mackenzie telling him that Hezbollah was using their post as cover.
Kofi is in no position to lob accusations against Israel on the deliberate targeting of UN outposts solely to wipe out UN watchers over there? Please, lets not get too naive here folks.
When a picture is worth 10,000 words on utter stupidity when you have the UN right next to the Hezbollahs in Lebanon.
http://img136.imageshack.us/my.....002ma7.jpg
Your attachment is not coming from the reliable source. How do you know that is the Hezbollah flag??
Israel and her staunch supporters are also guilty for false propaganda, too. Hezbollah and other Arab states are feeding the false propagandas, too.
Let’s nuke on Israel and Hezbollah to shut up both of them!
RLM
Uh, remember this post I just made earlier today (#11502)? Look at the source:
“Another UN position of the Ghanaian battalion in the area of Marwahin in the western sector was also directly hit by one mortar round from the Hezbollah side last night. The round did not explode, and there were no casualties or material damage. Another 5 incidents of firing close to UN positions from the Israeli side were reported yesterday. It was also reported that Hezbollah fired from the vicinity of four UN positions at Alma ash Shab, Tibnin, Brashit, and At Tiri. All UNIFIL positions remain occupied and maintained by the troops.”
http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unifil
And, secondly, do you not know what the Hezbollah flag looks like?
http://images.google.com/image.....&hl=en
Oh, the source of the picture? That came from a 4 year old story on the internet.
http://www.cjnews.com/pastIssu.....2/main.asp
Makes you wonder.
Also, the last email from a Canadian who was killed by an IDF bomb where Hezbollahs were using the UN’s location as shields.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/Arti...../20060718/
During a CBC radio interview with retired Canadian Major General Lewis Mackenzie discussing the emails. He noted:
“What he was telling us was Hezbollah soldiers were all over his position and the IDF were targeting them. And that’s a favorite trick by people who don’t have representation in the UN. They use the UN as shields knowing that they can’t be punished for it.”
Who was responsible in putting these UN observers in an obvious war zone?
Kofi, please respond.
Read the Australia’s Herald Sun.
http://blogs.news.com.au/heral.....as_bombed/
“Read the UNIFIL press releases for yourself to learn that Hezbollah has not just shot at and seriously wounded UNIFIL observers - without any protest from Kofi Annan or The Age. You’ll also learn that UNIFIL has repeatedly reported Israeli shelling and bombing near UNIFIL outposts because Hezbollah fighters were shooting from right beside them.” - with links
Makes you wonder about Kofi’s charge about IDF purposely killing UN observers. Kofi’s a nutball and an Islamic terrorist sympathizer.
Here is an article that includes all sides regarding the incident where four UN observers got killed. There is a confirmation to the claim that Jane Holl Lute made several calls to Israel’s UN ambassador asking to stop shelling in the area of the UN observation.
QUOTE
“UN Says Israel Shelled Lebanese Post Despite Pleas to Stop”
By Peter Heinlein
United Nations
27 July 2006
One senior official, briefing reporters on background, said Deputy Secretary General Mark Malloch Brown and Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Jane Holl Lute telephoned Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations several times to enlist his help in having the shelling stopped.
They said the ambassador, Dan Gillerman, expressed concern and assured them that the U.N. was not a target. A spokeswoman for the Israeli U.N. mission confirmed the account for VOA.
UNQUOTE
Read more at:
http://www.peacejournalism.com.....cleID=9891
And I ask the idiot who was in charge of allowing UN observers in an already war zone erupting on all sides. It’s the charge what Kofi said that I’m gunning after.
Maybe the UN observers were deliberately left there in the first place despite Hezbollah running around shooting from the very same positions? A calculated move by Kofi?
McConnell, I want to respond to your previous post about religious freedom in Malaysia. (Apologies to the rest of you if this seems off-topic.) It was my cue to research the subject further and not rely on my own observations or what I was told. You’re right that religious freedom in Malaysia is a mixed bag. Anyone A non-Muslim is relatively “free” to do what they want within their religion. However, every ethnic Malay is automatically Muslim from birth, and anyone who tries to leave Islam is considered apostate. There is some leeway in how strictly the local Muslim authorities enforce the law. Some Malaysian states and political parties are a lot more strict than others. For example, a certain political party tried to pass a law making apostasy punishable by death. The situation seems even more schizo when you consider two factors: There are two courts, secular and Islamic. The Islamic court deals with religious matters pertaining to Muslims only, the secular court is for everybody else and non-religious issues. The second factor is that the Koran explicitly says that no one can be forced to be a believer! Weird. You are correct that the Malaysian government has used its ISA (Internal Security Act) to imprison without due process, and tortured some citizens simply because they petitioned to leave the religion. I do not believe this practice is widespread, though. Malaysian Islamic courts use caning to punish alleged transgressors. My ethnic Malay Muslim friends never claimed that theirs was a free country, anyway. It kind of goes back to an earlier post about trading aspects of one’s personal freedom in exchange for greater security. Anyway, I still maintain that in relation to other Islamic governments, Malaysia is relatively more moderate than Iran or Iraq. BTW, Condoleeza Rice is in Malaysia today. I wonder why?
I’ll concede that Malaysia is much further along with this limited in their “freedom” than, oh say, Saudi Arabia or Iran when it comes to religious freedom.
Raising funds for the sheer purpose of delivering death to innocents, hanging around UN sites AND civillian areas as a shield and turning these sites into military targets, kidnapping soldiers, purposedly firing rockets into Israeli civillian areas, posting billboards of mutilated Israeli soldiers for IDF personnel to see, and yet, Kofi lashes out at Israel?
It is high time that this ****** leaves the stage. He’ll be fine since he made a bundle from the Oil for Food fiasco.
Oh, also, the reported civilian deaths in Lebanon? How do they/you know it’s not the Hezbollahs they are counting? Hezbollahs do not wear uniforms. Certainly not so if they are trying to blend in with the civilian population and using them as shields.
http://www.news.com.au/heralds.....20,00.html
Damning pictures of Hezbollah in civilian clothings.
“The Melbourne man who smuggled the shots out of Beirut and did not wish to be named said he was less than 400m from the block when it was obliterated.
“Hezbollah came in to launch their rockets, then within minutes the area was blasted by Israeli jets,” he said.
“Until the Hezbollah fighters arrived, it had not been touched by the Israelis. Then it was totally devastated.
“It was carnage. Two innocent people died in that incident, but it was so lucky it was not more.”
The release of the images comes as Hezbollah faces criticism for allegedly using innocent civilians as “human shields”.
Mr Egeland blasted Hezbollah as “cowards” for operating among civilians.
“When I was in Lebanon, in the Hezbollah heartland, I said Hezbollah must stop this cowardly blending in among women and children,” he said.”
I urge you, all to type “Israel and phosphorous” on CNN’s search engine which will takes you to the recent newsreports about the latest Israel bombs with phosphorous.
The civilians of both sides do not deserve any “chemical”-inhaling bombs.
Remmy that the United States of America justifly used the “Agent Orange” to deforest the Vietnam jungles.
Sane thing with the U.S. operation in Iraq and Israel claimed that they used those bombs to smokescreen their army movements, etc.
“Agent Orange” came to haunt the Americans with neurological damages to returned soliders which caused behavioral problems later.
RLM
I have a hearing friend who went to Vietnam and contacted Agent Orange. The military pilot spraying some toxic chemicals in the jungle remove tall grass and makes it clear also easier to kill the enemy. He explained to me that he was not informed about the spraying. Lots of soliders ended up with major health issues. The government had denied for years and then finally come out in the open to get treated.
Another story about the 1st invasion (Desert Storm) in Iraq contacted radiation from the bombing shells. Some of my students expressed to me its hard to sign because of very stiff joints on their elbows and hands. They cannot get a straight answer from the Veterans Administration and they want to know what they are suffering from. They were labeled as “Gulf War” syndrome.
The opinons of the Arab World seems changed and tilted in support of the Hezballoh according to the New York Times (NYT) article, 7/28/06.
I wish that I know how to attach the article to this blogsite. Just check out http://www.nyt.com or type “New York City” on search engine.
Israel is really stupid for engaging in the destruction of civilian residences which resulted in increasingly resentful of Israel.
Israel ought to send in the special commandos and Mossad agents to infilirate the Hezaballoh militas in the first place. That will be very cost-effective and logical strategy.
RLM
RLM, to link an article to this blog site: open the web page that you want to attach. put your cursor in the Address field of your web brower. RIGHT-click and select Copy. Then go to the blog’s comment box, RIGHT-click, and select Paste. That’s it. You can also use keyboard commands (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V) for the same thing.
Regarding your comment about commandos, mossad agents, and strategy: you’re right that it’s been a strategy issue. The question was whether to rely more on air strikes or on ground troops. both strategies were borrowed from the U.S.’s approaches used during the gulf war. You can read about it here at BBC.com: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5222064.stm
This article from the Peace Journalism may interest you.
QUOTE
A War Without End?
By Sélim Nassib
Libération
Thursday 27 July 2006
Against an inflexible Hezbollah, Israel no longer counts on anything but force alone.
Today, an international military force that would cover the border and open the way for a Lebanese army would allow (almost) the whole world to express a sigh of relief. But, in the meantime, the systematic destruction of Lebanon continues, feeding a hatred in the hearts of Lebanese that, paradoxically, Hezbollah’s rockets express. The present crisis advances this way, on a razor blade, and everything can upend at any moment.
Read more at:
http://www.peacejournalism.com.....cleID=9910
UNQUOTE
Patricia, that article was somewhat circuitous and difficult to read, but the parts that caught my eye are as follows:
“…there exists a tremendous international, Arab, and Lebanese consensus to *neutralize Hezbollah* in southern Lebanon. The United States and France godfathered the Security Council resolution requiring its *disarmament*.
“Hamas could be party to the consensus, so different are its course and its interests from those of Hezbollah…. [Hamas] pursues the much more concrete objective of having an independent state in Palestine. Proof of that is that just at the moment when the war against Hezbollah is in full force, Hamas makes it known that it is ready to conclude a separate agreement with Israel including the liberation of the kidnapped corporal, withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, and a subsequent liberation of Palestinian prisoners.”
“… this reversal obviously does not please everyone. On the eve of the announcement of the agreement, a party of Palestinian military (belonging to Hamas and other organizations) and the Hamas leader in exile in Damascus, Khaled Mechaal, launched the operation that ended in the kidnapping of Corporal Shalit and the wildfire that followed. Several days later, Hezbollah opened its second front in the north of the country.”
“… a real division has arisen in the Arab and Palestinian world between a large majority who are moving towards a historic compromise and a *minority* who do everything to prevent it.”
“… Israel will refuse to withdraw to the 1967 borders, although that’s the very condition of a universally accepted settlement. Most probable is that it will continue to implement… completion of the wall that cuts the West Bank… ”
I think accepting the terms of the proposed compromise doesn’t make sense for Israel. The record is clear that not all components of the Arab world (political parties, Muslim subgroups, nations, and militants) complied with all parts of previous compromises. So long as violent extremist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah continue to operate, any compromise will most likely not be followed. The Arab world needs to put its money where its mouth is, and take responsibility for reining in the guerillas.
There’s no question that Lebanese civilians are the victims here. However, it seems to me that the Lebanese government is now reaping the consequences of allowing Hezbollah to operate freely within its borders. Regardless of how popular Hezbollah was in 2000, it’s clear they’ve long outworn their welcome and have become a liability to peace in Lebanon.
Curious Eyes,
Here is my analysis of the article written by Naasib.
The author, Selim Naasib, explained that as long as Israel occupies some parts in the Middle East and bombing Lebanon, the more Arabs will support Hezbollah–the organization that does not outline a constructive objective.
Whereas Haamas is more reasonable because they pursue a “concrete objective in having an independent state in Palestine.”
However, Nassib pointed out that the longer Israel occupies, the more angry Arabs will support any organizations against Israel. Since Israel would not comply to the international agreement, the war will continue.
Nassib also emphasized and warned that Israel is just a small country in the Middle East and it’d be in the best interest of Israel to consider a peaceful solution to the conflict.
Now I’m discussing your comment to the article. You’re demanding that the government of Lebanon should rein the groups like Hezbollah. While your opinion is common, I would for you to come up with a creative solution outlining that it is possible for a government to rein a group like Hezbollah without causing civil war in Lebanon or a full fledge war all over in the Middle East?
I would like to clarify that I’m neither taking sides with any of the nations nor organizations. My main objective is to achieve a peaceful solution to the conflict in the interest of humanitarianism. I’ve been training myself to listen to other sides and contemplate . . . There’s always more than two sides to every story.
Hey Swetha,
Perhaps this article interests you.
QUOTE
Israel, Lebanon and Palestine: Cornerstone for Peace
by Dr. Hubertus Hoffman
Peace is possible!
Despite current television images, viewed in a historical context, peace is possible between Jews and Arabs.
The history of Europe proves this, where centuries-old ancestral animosities have been transformed into friendships, e.g., between Germany and its two largest neighbors: France and Poland.
Real peace, however, must be “instigated”, as so appropriately stated by Immanuel Kant.
True peace requires common values and interests, parallel political goals as well as a government-mandated, desired reconciliation between peoples. Peace politics historically requires immense patience and daily efforts lasting over many years; it must be able to withstand numerous setbacks and disappointments.
Read more at
http://www.peacejournalism.com.....cleID=9894
UNQUOTE
Patricia, don’t take this the wrong way, but aren’t you being a little naive here? I too believe peace is possible between countries and civilians — Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, etc. I *don’t* believe peace is possible so long as extremist militant Muslim terrorists are allowed to operate unopposed. A *solution* may be possible, however. The first step is for the extremists to be disarmed and disbanded. I believe that the majority of the Arab Muslim world agrees with that. The terrorists know that, and threw a wrench in the works on July 12. Israel’s Muslim neighbors must take responsibility for the Muslim extremists in their midst. When they do not, they are tacitly condoning criminal acts, and doing so is contrary to the teachings of Islam.
As I’ve mentioned before, at the root of the current conflict is a religious war — Sunni against Shiite, and Shiites against Jews. So long as radical Islamic terrorists claim a divine right to “eradicate” Israel from the face of the earth, there can be no peace.
Curious,
Well, there is another side to the coin, as long as Israeli government maintains its occuyping power, there can be no peace.
Are you saying that the United States ought to help Israeli to eradicate Arabs?
Like I said before violence begets violence, and conducting war against terrorism is not the answer; as well as terrorism against occuyping power is not the answer.
I strive for a peaceful solution to the conflict in the Middle East. The first step is to listen to the other sides, including Syrian and Iranian governments as well as Hizbollah and Hamas.
Patricia, occupying what? Southern Lebanon? Israel fully left every square inches of it in 2000. The Sheeba Farms? Not even Lebanese territory (according to UN). The Golan Heights? Land that was won in a war *caused by its Arab neighbors*. Just give me an example of another territory that was lost in a war and subsequently given back. This is practically unheard of. Gaza? Didn’t Israel show its good faith in leaving it in its entirety less than one year ago -with what results? Sadly but true, the irresponsible Palestinian actions are compromising the chances of seeing a future Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank (which Israel DID express interest in doing). Time to come to your senses, Patricia.
Most respectfully yours,
UN Observer #8278432798.
No matter what, they’ll find a way around this incredibly unheard actions of Israel giving the land back won (4 times!) in a war by saying that Israel is the aggressor.
Never once did they offer any proof that Israel’s rallying cry has been “Death to all Muslims!!” Compared to the constant battle jihad cries “Death to Israel! Death to all Jooooooooooooooooooooohss!”
Makes you shake your head.
Clarification:
As long as Israeli government maintains its role as occuyping Power in Palestine, there can be no peace. That’s what some members of Arab Nations have been saying time and again.
Once again, I’m utterly against violence of any kind, war and terrorism including occupation. I am all for a peaceful solution to the conflict.
War and terrorism do not solve the conflicts.
That’s all.
Patricia, it’s easy to be “against” war and terrorism since they do not affect you directly. I’m “against” war and terrorism too, but I will fight to the death to defend myself and my loved ones if it were within my power. In other words, for self-preservation, I will absolutely return violence with violence if that’s the only way to stay alive. I too believe that diplomacy, communication, and compromise can resolve most problems. You’re right that war, violence, and terrorism don’t solve conflicts in a lasting way. However, by definition, negotiation is not possible with terrorists because they believe they’re in the right. The goals of Hezbollah and Shiite Muslims, and the goals of the Israelis and most of the rest of the world, are mutually exclusive. Fortunately, the balance of power seems to be with the Israelis, who have proven time and again they’re not to be messed with, and with the rest of the world, who have the ability to impose sanctions and censure on terrorists.
Curious Eyes, please simply read three articles below. Thanks.
QUOTE
Quick Report from the Israeli Peace Front
By Gila Svirsky, Tel Aviv
The peace movement in Israel has pulled out all stops to end this mad war. Lots of groups are active, and we had a big joint demonstration last night - at least 5,000 people (though the media reported 2,500). Marching through the streets of Tel Aviv with signs, “End the War”, “End the Occupation” felt like a relief after the roar of pro-war-talk on all the media.
Read more at
http://www.igf-online.org/index.php?id=429
UNQUOTE
QUOTE
IS THERE HELP FOR THE MIDDLE EAST?
By Dieter Duhm and Sabine Lichtenfels
July 2006
The people of the Middle East now need the protection of an alert public which breaks the international silence and has the courage to call the injustice taking place there by its name. When we criticize a derailed government and a derailed military we do not mean “the Israelis”. A new peace movement has been forming for a long time in Israel and Palestine. In spite of heavy sanctions a growing number of soldiers object to military service or the barbaric orders in the Occupied Territories. A few days ago there was a demonstration against the war in Tel Aviv. There was not a word about this in the news.
Read more at
http://www.igf-online.org/?id=436
UNQUOTE
Overcoming the Matrix of War in the Middle East
By Leila Dregger
http://www.igf-online.org/index.php?id=427
Curious Eyes,
I think Patricia’s view represents the view of pacifism. Pacifism (as the word suggests) a war is unjust and wrong because it includes violence, namely killing. A pacifist objects to killing in general and, especially to mass killing for political reasons, which is part of the wartime experience. Thus, a pacifist rejects war because there are no moral grounds which can justify resorting to war. The ancient stoic philosopher Seneca says that sparing one’s life when it can be easily taken away is among greatest virtues.
In your comment(s), you seem to imply that war can be morally justified and pacifism is “unrealistic”. Thomas Hobbes, another philosopher, will agree with you that pacifism lacks realism when it comes to War.
I want to point it out because I think there seems to be a different view on how crisis in middle-east should be conducted. I have a feeling that many of us are struggling to understand the message what patricia is trying to convey, as evidence that patricia has to defend her position repeatedly…
Patricia,
I think that despite your desire to learn about the Middle-East history, you haven’t achieved much. Just read what you just wrote: “… occupying Power in Palestine…”. What is Palestine to start with? Can you point it on a map? Start with naming countries with their correct names, and then we can have a more meaningful discussion if that’s what you want.
Thanks,
UN Observer #2674364873683.
an excerpt from the United Nations webpage
QUOTE
Israeli Occupation of the Palestinian Territory
In the course of the armed conflict that erupted in the Middle East in June 1967, the Israeli military occupied the remainder of Mandated Palestine: the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which was under Jordanian control, and the Gaza Strip, which was under Egyptian administration. The lines of these areas were defined as such by the 1949 Armistice Agreements that were concluded between Israel and Jordan and Egypt respectively. The Israeli military also occupied the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula and the Syrian Golan Heights.
At the start of the occupation, Israel, the occupying Power, immediately began imposing scores of repressive measures against the Palestinian civilian population in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Read more at
http://www.palestine-un.org/info/occ.html
UNQUOTE
Here is one more excerpt for you, UNFIL Observer, once again from the United Nations webpage.
QUOTE
General Assembly
Tenth emergency special session
Agenda item 5 Illegal Israeli actions in Occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory
Security Council
Sixty-first year
Identical letters dated 5 April 2006 from the Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations addressed to the
Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council
In grave breach of international law, including international humanitarian law, Israel, the occupying Power, continues to use excessive and indiscriminate force and to launch military attacks against the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. In the period of just two days since my last letter to you, the occupying forces have killed at least two more Palestinian civilians, including a 15-year-old boy, and wounded dozens of others, including a mother and her 6-month-old baby.
Read more at
http://domino.un.org/UNISPAL.n.....490054772c!OpenDocument
UNQUOTE
Oh, UNFIL Observer:
Here is the most recent more document from the United Nations webpage . . .
QUOTE
UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL MEETING
IN SUPPORT OF ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN PEACE
United Nations Office at Vienna, 27 and 28 June 2006
FINAL DOCUMENT
2. The Meeting was convened by the Committee with a view to demonstrate the unswerving commitment of the world community to resolving this decades-old conflict, to help search for ways to stabilize the volatile situation in the area and resume political negotiations leading to a permanent two-State solution to the conflict, based on the 1967 borders, in accordance with the Road Map and Security Council resolutions 242, 338, 1397 and 1515. The participants reviewed the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, discussed the state of the political process and challenges ahead, as well as international efforts in support of Israeli-Palestinian peace. The Meeting was also held at a time of a major political transition for both Israelis and Palestinians and amidst a worsening political, economic and humanitarian situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.
Read more at
http://domino.un.org/UNISPAL.n.....a20055af02!OpenDocument
UNQUOTE
UNFIL, despite its portentous-sounding title, this was not a meeting of the General Assembly, nor the major players. Wanna know who was at this meeting?
Among others: Afghanistan, Cuba, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mali, Pakistan, Tunisia, and Turkey.
The observers at the meeting included Algeria, Egypt, IRAQ, Jordan, Kuwait, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Morocco, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Syrian Arab Republic, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
Not exactly an unbiased group, wouldn’t you agree? Not suprirsingly, it was mostly a lot of hot air exchanged. No practical solutions or pledges to rein in the Muslim extremist terrorists in their midst were offered. Typical.
Maybe I can help Patricia out? There isn’t any country called “Palestine” on the map. There’s Israel, West Bank, and Gaza Strip. In September 2005, Israel withdrew all its settlers and soldiers and dismantled its military facilities in the Gaza Strip and four northern West Bank settlements. Israel controls sea, air, and land access to the Gaza Strip for security reasons (i.e., suicide bombers). Furthermore, Israel is a democracy. It’s OK for some citizens to express opposition to their government and hold rallies protesting the war.
Curious Eyes got it right and said it all. There’s NO such thing as “Palestine” in our current world. That would be like referring to Iraq as Mesopotomia or Germany as Prussia. The situation itself is already complex enough so let’s not add more complexity by inventing names that do not exist.
And Patricia -like I said, what we have now is: Israel, Gaza, the West Bank, period. There’s no need for you to copy us litterature from the UN, we already know it. As for the statuses of the so-called “occupied territories” you seem to be so concerned about, please refer to my original post ((#11786) where I explained it all in a very simple maneer.
Pacifically yours,
UN Observer #7634376743.
Well, UN Observer, according to the United Nations, West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jersualem are the Occupied Palestinian Territory under the government of Israel.
Of course, the government of Israel has the right to the land, and so do the Palestinians to their land in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem. Certainly, they all could learn to live in peace.
One thing though, take the time to learn about the root of the word “Palestine” and you’ll be surprised. The word “Palestine” has no meaning in Arabic! Each word in Arabic has some meaning in the Koran. There isn’t such a thing in the Koran. What people do not know is that the name “Palestine” was associated with Jews since 135 A.D.
In the recent years leading up to Israel’s independence in 1948, those who talked about “Palestinians” were, for the most case, referring to the region’s Jewish residents. Not the A..R..A..B..S. For example, they had the “Palestine Post” before it was changed over to “Jerusalem Post” newspaper. They had the “Palestine Symphony Orchestra” which was an all-Jewish symphony band. And then we have the “Palestine Brigade Regiment” which was an exclusive all Jewish volunteers for the British World War II Army. “Palestine” does not mean A..R..A..B…S or even Muslims for that matter.
And then we have the so-called leader of “Palestine” Yasser Arafat who is an EGYPTIAN! In short, the so-called Arab “Palestinians” is pure bogus. No history and no authenticity. Their sole purpose for existence is to destroy Israel.
So I come to this again. The name “Palestine” was not a recent designation. The name was invented in the year 135 A.D. when before that it was known as Judea, which was the southern kingdom of ancient Israel.
In short, these Arabs of “Palestine” have about as much historical roots to the ancient Philistines as Yasser Arafat has to the Eskimos!
Kind of put the whole different twist on this so-called “occupied” land of Palestine. It’s the historical root of the “Palestine” word that will bite them in their butt time after time again.
Well, McConnell, I have three articles below showing that Palestine with its spelling variations–Palestina, Philistia, and Philistines–exist since 3d millennium BC. Over the centuries, Palestinians take to Judaism, and then later Muslim and Christianity.
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History Channel Resources
ENCYCLOPEDIA: PALESTINE,
As Egyptian power began to weaken after the 14th century BC, new invaders appeared: the Hebrews, a group of Semitic tribes from Mesopotamia, and the Philistines (after whom the country was later named), an Aegean people of Indo-European stock.
Read more at
http://www.historychannel.com/....._id=218498
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Researches in Sinai
Ancient Egypt and Palestine
W. M. Flinders Petrie
Written by one of the most respected Egyptologists ever known, this remarkable work is at the same time original research in a previously neglected area of study, an account of an archeological survey and its methods, and a fascinating and illuminating discourse on the policies of the region of the time. No work or writer has addressed the issues of Egyptian ambition and the events of which took place in Palestine so cogently. Palestine, a fought-over land even at that time, inhabited by various tribal groups as it was, its history and its archeological remains are discussed “on the spot,” both in relation to the finds of the expeditions, known historical events, and accounts taken from the Bible, particularly the accounts of Exodus.
About the Author
W. M. Flinders Petrie, who excavated some 3000 graves in 1898-99, is regarded as the father of modern archaeology.
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/cup.....308221.HTM
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Peoples of the Old Testament World
by Alfred J. Hoerth (Editor), Gerald L. Mattingly (Editor), Edwin M. Yamauchi (Editor)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ.....p;n=283155
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I said look at the history of the root word “Palestine”. Where did that word come from and who or what the word applied to?
Try looking here.
http://www.palestinefacts.org/.....origin.php
http://www.pitt.edu/~mmv/israel.htm#misnomer
Thanks to Patricia and McConnell for the history lessons. I truly do find them elucidative and informative. Clearly, a great many groups have laid claim to the area known as Palestine, and the land has been fought over for millennia. I despair of permanent, lasting peace ever being possible in the area because of its history, and the fact that religious extremism is at the root of its long-standing hostilities. Can we fast-forward to the present now? It’s indisputable that Israel has a legal, legitimate claim to “Palestine,” and the Big Guys (i.e., the Group of Eight) think so too. Regardless of who was there before and when, that’s reality.
Here’s a quote for you:
“Two weeks ago, foreign ministers from the Group of Eight industrialized countries and the European Union pointedly blamed Hezbollah for sparking the current conflict and called for the implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1559 — which calls for the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon, the disarming of militias and the extension of Lebanese government control over all its territory.”
“There is an understanding today that our national goals seeking security in Lebanon do in fact complement completely the stated position of the international community,” Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said. … Regev said it helps that Israel is merely seeking to enforce agreed-on policies: “Israel is saying to the international community, ‘Implement your own resolutions.’ ”
“… There is broad international agreement, as expressed in the G-8 statement, that Hezbollah is responsible for the current crisis,” Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni told a small group of reporters in Jerusalem last weekend. “There is also broad international agreement on the nature of the threat — that it is a regional threat connected to an axis comprising Hezbollah, Syria, Iran and Hamas. There is agreement that our soldiers should be released unconditionally and U.N. Security Council resolution 1559 be implemented.”
“The rejectionist front has underestimated Israel’s determination and capacity for deterrence. It has proved there is no way back to the status quo in Lebanon, and it revealed Iran’s hegemonic aspirations to the entire world,” wrote former German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, no slouch when he felt the need to criticize Israeli policies in the past.”
Source: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/.....K849B1.DTL
Calling for an immediate, unconditional cease-fire is a start, but it is not a permanent solution to the long-standing historical differences. The best solution entails a combination of diplomacy, military, and social services.
Some more interesting information regarding the so-called “plight” of the Palestinian Arabs and the “occupation” by Israel. In my opinion, sympathy for Palestinian Arabs, and the terrorists taking advantage of the situation, expressed on this blog are very much misplaced.
http://wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=24170
http://www.science.co.il/Arab-.....Nationhood
I like this part, CE:
How bad is the situation in Lebanon? Here are more details as reported by the Jordan Times – not exactly a mouthpiece for the vast international Zionist conspiracy:
* Under the Lebanese labor law that governs foreigners, Palestinians are denied 74 forms of employment;
* Palestinians face tight exit and entry requirements;
* Palestinians in Lebanon are not allowed citizenship;
* Palestinians are confined to 12 camps with no medical, social or educational services from the government and are barred in some of those camps from building or even repairing homes.
Some in Lebanon have even recognized the “racist” nature of this anti-Palestinian campaign – policies far worse than anything ever contemplated by Israel.
Yet, more than half a million Syrians marched earlier this week in support of the Palestinian uprising in Israel, chastising the Jewish state for “Nazi and fascist” practices. Do those Syrian citizens have any idea of what kind of oppression Palestinian Arabs face next door in Lebanon? Do they have any idea that their government is directly supporting such policies? Are they aware that more Syrian troops are headed to Lebanon now to support the Beirut regime that has imposed such repressive measures?
While Israel has bent over backwards to accommodate the Palestinian Arabs – especially those victimized by the 1948 war – the Arab nations have only sought to exploit their misery. That exploitation continues today. It is overt. It is a matter of law. Yet the world sees it not.
http://wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=24170
Lebanon is racist towards Palestinians? But, but…they’re A..R..A..B brothers!!
Pathetic, isn’t it? On the other hand, Palestinian Arabs perhaps do deserve our sympathy. No one wants them, least of all their so called Muslim “brothers.” Their A..R..A..B neighbors would much rather use them as expendable pawns in this deadly game of chicken they’re playing. The hypocrisy of it all is chilling when you consider the fact that the 56 members of the two Lebanese families, half of them children, died today because Hezbollah militants used them as human shields. Missiles were being fired from that exact location. So much for adhering to the peaceful dictates of the Koran.