Let me throw something at you......In order to be truly and practically pro Palestinian you need to be pro Israel. Conversely, in order to be truly and practically pro Israel you need to be pro Palestinian.
That is in in a nut shell. The futures of the two peoples in the region are inextricably linked, so love or hate each other, we either swim together or drown the same way. For the moment I reckon we are flailing around in the water together and a huge wave just tried to take is out. Its not just the water though. We are caught in a sea full of sharks hovering around waiting to pounce. So what to do........
At the start of the war in Operation Cast Lead, I received some reaction to my blog from a friend of mine in London. Now my friend happens to be what we would probably term as pro Palestinian. It would be fair to say that my friend was somewhat angry both at the IDF, and the Israeli government. It must also be said that she was none too happy about my blog. She made her arguments and vented hr anger, none of which I might add held any water with me. So we had two opposing views from people passionate and certainly angry about the situation. Back and forth we went with the involvement of a couple of third parties. Not unexpectedly, nothing was resolved.
Yesterday I got an email for my friend, asking if we were still friends and then enquiring after me and my welfare. Now this is the point. We are indeed almost diametrically opposed on the conflict and both hold strong views. However above all we are people and we are friends. We argue, we disagree and then we get on with it. There are thousands, if not millions of people out there who are on opposite sides of this conflict. They argue and they fight. To be sure on the ground in the region they kill and mame. I don't want to get into the rights and wrongs of that at the minute (my blog, I can do what I bloody well please). The point I am making is that regardless of how bad the fight and how great the par between the sides, there is always an opportunity to talk and to discuss. I am not sure about you, however I will always take, curses and insults over bullets and bombs any day. And don't tell me there is noone to talk to, because at the end of the day you can only make peace with your enemies!
Another friend of mine suggested that it is ultimately easier to make peace out of a state of war than out of a state of attrition. Perhaps this last episode and all its horror can drive the parties to find a way to talk and bring an end to the madness.
Thanks to my friend in London for reminding me..........
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
The message must be loud and clear!
So......when is a truce not a truce? Well, when one side thinks it can get away with breaking it without consequence. Israel saw this happen with over two hundred and thirty rockets fired by Hamas during the six month Hudna, which Hamas decided they could do without after December 19th. Israel says it will answer every breach of the current cease fire in a strong manner, but hey, what are they going to do? What can they do?
There are those who say,particularly within the IDF (if we can believe the rumours): that operation Cast lead did not go far enough, that Israel wasted an opportunity to defeat Hamas ouright. Well, "if ifs and buts were pots and pans, there'd be no need for tinkers" as my old gran used to say.
We have a problem, as with all gangs, Hamas need to retain its "street cred". For sure they made sure to get their message out to their rivals in Gaza during the conflict by wandering around the hospitals. looking for Fatah wounded and killing them. They appear to have executed around thirty five and then shot another hundred or so in the feet. This appears to be their equivalent of what we fondly know as "knee capping". Although opportunistic, it was also seen as somewhat ineffective (perhaps not for the families of their victims). Hamas however desperately need somehow to spin a victory out of the debacle that was Cast Lead. The only way they are able to do this is by continuing to be seen to be continuing "resistance". Hence one dead Israeli soldier and another four wounded and a rocket landing in the Negev earlier today.
The world will expect Israel to show "restraint". hell you know what I think of that argument. No i is imperative that Hamas are made to pay and pay heavily for every and any breach of the current cease fire. Let there be no doubt that Hamas lost and lost big time. Let the world see and most importantly let the Palestinians of Gaza see 9as if they had to be reminded) that Hamas have lost and have only brought them death and destruction. Once this is clear then, and only then may we see some kind of progress both in terms of a cease fire, a proper one; in the ability to improve conditions for the Palestinians in Gaza and an agreement which leads to the release of Gilad Shalit. The message much be loud and clear to all.
There are those who say,particularly within the IDF (if we can believe the rumours): that operation Cast lead did not go far enough, that Israel wasted an opportunity to defeat Hamas ouright. Well, "if ifs and buts were pots and pans, there'd be no need for tinkers" as my old gran used to say.
We have a problem, as with all gangs, Hamas need to retain its "street cred". For sure they made sure to get their message out to their rivals in Gaza during the conflict by wandering around the hospitals. looking for Fatah wounded and killing them. They appear to have executed around thirty five and then shot another hundred or so in the feet. This appears to be their equivalent of what we fondly know as "knee capping". Although opportunistic, it was also seen as somewhat ineffective (perhaps not for the families of their victims). Hamas however desperately need somehow to spin a victory out of the debacle that was Cast Lead. The only way they are able to do this is by continuing to be seen to be continuing "resistance". Hence one dead Israeli soldier and another four wounded and a rocket landing in the Negev earlier today.
The world will expect Israel to show "restraint". hell you know what I think of that argument. No i is imperative that Hamas are made to pay and pay heavily for every and any breach of the current cease fire. Let there be no doubt that Hamas lost and lost big time. Let the world see and most importantly let the Palestinians of Gaza see 9as if they had to be reminded) that Hamas have lost and have only brought them death and destruction. Once this is clear then, and only then may we see some kind of progress both in terms of a cease fire, a proper one; in the ability to improve conditions for the Palestinians in Gaza and an agreement which leads to the release of Gilad Shalit. The message much be loud and clear to all.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Who is Exploiting the Holocaust?
During a debate on the current situation in Gaza in the British Parliament yesterday, MP Gerald Kaufman stated that "The present Israeli government ruthlessly and cynically exploit the continuing guilt from Gentiles over the slaughter of Jews in the Holocaust as justification for their murder of Palestinians," . "My grandmother was ill in bed when the Nazis came to her home town.... A German soldier shot her dead in her bed, he said. My grandmother did not die to provide cover for Israeli soldiers murdering Palestinian grandmothers in Gaza,". To my knowledge there has been no attempt to use the Holocaust to justify any actions by Israel in Gaza, either official or unofficial. I would invite "the honourable gentleman" to provide evidence to support his charge.
Kaufman's statement yesterday is just one more example of the irresponsible use of the Holocaust and evocative language in order to gain media headlines and demonise Israel. There has been a large number of statements over the past few weeks in relation to the conflict in Gaza which have exploited the Holocaust in order to attack Israel. Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian President, himself a holocaust denier; stated that the Israel operation in Gaza is "worse than the holocaust". Khaled Mashaal the Leader of Hams sitting in Syria has called the operation in Gaza "A new Holocaust." A Libyan envoy at the UN stated that the situation in Gaza is "worse than in the Nazi Camps." There are many more examples. In addition the cynical use of evocative language in order to grab headlines continues unabated with the world media lapping it up. Terms such as genocide, massacre, war crimes, are all used regularly in relation to Israel's actions in order to incite against the Jewish state
In addition to perverting the facts of the situation, the irresponsible use of such terms is an insult to those who have indeed suffered such situations. It also demeans the terms themselves as the actual horror and true meaning of such terrible instances is cheapened, perverted and exploited cynically for political ends.
Forget the six million Jews who died in the Holocaust and the millions of \Gentiles who died at the hands of the Nazi regime or Stalin's Soviet Union. Perhaps Mr Kaufman and his co conspirators would like to explain to those in The Congo, in Rwanda or in Darfur, how these terms are supposed to apply to the conflict between the Palestinians and Israelis. He may also wish to apologize to the memory of his murdered grandmother, who I am sure did not die in order to provide cover for his baseless and vindictive slander of the Jewish state.
Kaufman's statement yesterday is just one more example of the irresponsible use of the Holocaust and evocative language in order to gain media headlines and demonise Israel. There has been a large number of statements over the past few weeks in relation to the conflict in Gaza which have exploited the Holocaust in order to attack Israel. Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian President, himself a holocaust denier; stated that the Israel operation in Gaza is "worse than the holocaust". Khaled Mashaal the Leader of Hams sitting in Syria has called the operation in Gaza "A new Holocaust." A Libyan envoy at the UN stated that the situation in Gaza is "worse than in the Nazi Camps." There are many more examples. In addition the cynical use of evocative language in order to grab headlines continues unabated with the world media lapping it up. Terms such as genocide, massacre, war crimes, are all used regularly in relation to Israel's actions in order to incite against the Jewish state
In addition to perverting the facts of the situation, the irresponsible use of such terms is an insult to those who have indeed suffered such situations. It also demeans the terms themselves as the actual horror and true meaning of such terrible instances is cheapened, perverted and exploited cynically for political ends.
Forget the six million Jews who died in the Holocaust and the millions of \Gentiles who died at the hands of the Nazi regime or Stalin's Soviet Union. Perhaps Mr Kaufman and his co conspirators would like to explain to those in The Congo, in Rwanda or in Darfur, how these terms are supposed to apply to the conflict between the Palestinians and Israelis. He may also wish to apologize to the memory of his murdered grandmother, who I am sure did not die in order to provide cover for his baseless and vindictive slander of the Jewish state.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Democracy After All
Yesterday, the Central Election Committee (CEC), made up of member of the Knesset from the major parties; banned both Arab parties, Balad and Ta'al from the parliamentary elections scheduled for next month. The CEC voted on a request to ban the parties which was made by two right wing parties, Yisrael Beteinu and the National Religious Party. The vote was carried by a large majority, with the CEC accusing the country’s Arab parties of incitement, supporting terrorist groups and refusing to recognize Israel’s right to exist. Several Arab members of Knesset have also travelled to enemy states such as Syria and Lebanon and met with representatives of Hezbollah and Hamas.
In my opinion this is a bad decision, bad for democracy and bad for Israel. I do not doubt that there are Arab politicians who would rather the State of Israel did not exist, however by sitting in the Knesset, these very same politicians only serve to strengthen the very state they would have disappear. Some actions might be abhorrent to many citizens of Israel, however as long as they do not break the law, their right to have and voice their opinions must be upheld. If they do break the law then they must be charged and tried in accordance with that law. If found guilty they should be punished. However, the right to vote and to stand for office is essential to any democracy, regardless of your political views (again, as long as they remain within the law).
There are those who cry racism. While in my opinion Mr Leiberman is indeed a racist, heading a party with an overtly racist agenda, and as I see him as a far greater threat to Israeli democracy than any Arab party; the claim of racism will be a difficult one to make stick. Let us remember that the last time CEC voted to ban a political party, it was Meir Kahane's Kach Party; which was banned in 1988 on the basis that it was a racist party advocating the expulsion of all Arabs. The decision to ban the party was the correct decision as there was abundant evidence to support the accusations against it. A victory for democracy! At the time, Kahane appealed to the Supreme Court which upheld the decision. In 2006 there was an attempt to ban Balad form the election, however this was overturned by the Supreme Court. In regard to the current attempt to ban Balad and Ta'al, the Supreme Court will most likely order the CEC to reverse its decision and allow the parties to stand in the election.
This is where we see the true strength of Israeli democracy. Unfortunately bad decisions are not uncommon throughout the democratic world. Bad decision are made by governments and the people live with the consequences. However in well functioning democracies, bad decisions may be challenged. In well functioning democracies, the judiciary is independent and not even the government is above the law. In well functioning democracies, governments and politicians can be forced to see the error of their ways and to change their decisions . Fortunately this is exactly what will happen when this highly questionable decision by the CEC is challenged by the Arab parties in the highest court in the land. Whereas twenty years ago the supreme court rightly refused the appeal of a Jewish party with a highly immoral and illegal agenda; in 2009 the Supreme Court of Israel will hear the appeal of two Arab parties with agendas which may be seen in some circles as somewhat, even hugely anti Israel. It will reverse the bad decision taken by the CEC and will ensure the right of the Arab parties to fully participate and represent their views in the democratic process.
The right wingers will cry foul and fifth column, the Arab parties will cry victory over racism. However the true victor will be Israel itself and all its citizens, as once again the only democracy in the Middle East proves that it is, although flawed; just that.....a well (all things are relative) functioning democracy.
In my opinion this is a bad decision, bad for democracy and bad for Israel. I do not doubt that there are Arab politicians who would rather the State of Israel did not exist, however by sitting in the Knesset, these very same politicians only serve to strengthen the very state they would have disappear. Some actions might be abhorrent to many citizens of Israel, however as long as they do not break the law, their right to have and voice their opinions must be upheld. If they do break the law then they must be charged and tried in accordance with that law. If found guilty they should be punished. However, the right to vote and to stand for office is essential to any democracy, regardless of your political views (again, as long as they remain within the law).
There are those who cry racism. While in my opinion Mr Leiberman is indeed a racist, heading a party with an overtly racist agenda, and as I see him as a far greater threat to Israeli democracy than any Arab party; the claim of racism will be a difficult one to make stick. Let us remember that the last time CEC voted to ban a political party, it was Meir Kahane's Kach Party; which was banned in 1988 on the basis that it was a racist party advocating the expulsion of all Arabs. The decision to ban the party was the correct decision as there was abundant evidence to support the accusations against it. A victory for democracy! At the time, Kahane appealed to the Supreme Court which upheld the decision. In 2006 there was an attempt to ban Balad form the election, however this was overturned by the Supreme Court. In regard to the current attempt to ban Balad and Ta'al, the Supreme Court will most likely order the CEC to reverse its decision and allow the parties to stand in the election.
This is where we see the true strength of Israeli democracy. Unfortunately bad decisions are not uncommon throughout the democratic world. Bad decision are made by governments and the people live with the consequences. However in well functioning democracies, bad decisions may be challenged. In well functioning democracies, the judiciary is independent and not even the government is above the law. In well functioning democracies, governments and politicians can be forced to see the error of their ways and to change their decisions . Fortunately this is exactly what will happen when this highly questionable decision by the CEC is challenged by the Arab parties in the highest court in the land. Whereas twenty years ago the supreme court rightly refused the appeal of a Jewish party with a highly immoral and illegal agenda; in 2009 the Supreme Court of Israel will hear the appeal of two Arab parties with agendas which may be seen in some circles as somewhat, even hugely anti Israel. It will reverse the bad decision taken by the CEC and will ensure the right of the Arab parties to fully participate and represent their views in the democratic process.
The right wingers will cry foul and fifth column, the Arab parties will cry victory over racism. However the true victor will be Israel itself and all its citizens, as once again the only democracy in the Middle East proves that it is, although flawed; just that.....a well (all things are relative) functioning democracy.
Monday, January 12, 2009
If You are all Hamas
To all those who subscribe to the notion that "we are all Hamas", I think we need to consider a few inconvenient truths and as associated members of this esteemed organisation, perhaps you would like to also take responsibility for your adopted movement's actions over the recent past.
Let's start with the UN aid that was stolen by Hamas yesterday and sold on the street. Yep, that's right, you guys (remember,you are all Hamas) raided one hundred trucks in Gaza yesterday, stealing vital food and supplies so desperately needed by the Palestinians of Gaza. However apparently the Palestinian people are not your main concern.
Perhaps you could explain why you have booby trapped a school and a children's zoo. Why in the full knowledge that this would undoubtedly lead to massive civilian casualties you decided to sacrifice your children in order to have the chance to kill a few Israeli soldiers. As if the school was not enough, your plans along with maps were discovered and we now understand that the school was just the start. You have in fact booby trapped whole residential neighbourhoods in the hope of inflicting serious casualties on the Zionist enemy. However that is just a hope. What is certain is that your brave action will again lead to huge civilian casualties, Palestinian civilians. Why do you fire missiles from private homes and heavily populated buildings, in contravention f international law and as it happens all things decent? Just how many civilian casualties will suffice in order to serve your warped sense of purpose and propaganda goals. Your strategy may even be working by gaining the sympathy of the world. After all who can argue with the pictures of dead and dying children? You may be losing he battle but with the blood of your dead children you will win the war of words? You must be very proud.
Perhaps again all you proud Hamasniks can explain why you have killed more Palestinians than the Zionist enemy and continue to do so? And then there is Sharia law.........How ironic that you guys manged to reintroduce crucifixion to the region on the eve of Christmas, along with a host of other "effective deterrents" in your new legal system. Your determination to purify Palestine and bring about the complete Islamisation of a traditionally secular society is a worthy endeavour for sure.
When will all you aspiring Hamasniks wake up to the fact that you have been duped. You are being used and manipulated by a cynical and murderous movement which seeks to destroy the very values and freedoms you claim to support. Your naivety is only excelled by your ignorance. If you really want to help the Palestinian people, stop helping the one movement which has done more to destroy Palestinian prospects than any other. Stop undermining the moderates in Palestine who wish to find a pragmatic solution to end the conflict and save their children's future. Stop justifying terror. Stop seeking to legitimise the illegitimate. Perhaps look at what is i the best interests of the Palestinians for a change, rather than your own warped agenda and self righteous indignation. Understand that today in Palestine, the struggle between moderates and extremists is the battle which Palestinians cannot afford to lose. Many Palestinians understand that it is the actions of Hamas (your actions) which have wrought havoc and death on their on people. They understand that today Hamas (you) serves the interests of its paymasters, Iran with scant regard for the interests of Palestinians. You apparently understand very little.
If on the other hand you are among those who do indeed understand these things, yet still see yourselves as Hamas, I wish you a speedy success in your search for martyrdom.
Let's start with the UN aid that was stolen by Hamas yesterday and sold on the street. Yep, that's right, you guys (remember,you are all Hamas) raided one hundred trucks in Gaza yesterday, stealing vital food and supplies so desperately needed by the Palestinians of Gaza. However apparently the Palestinian people are not your main concern.
Perhaps you could explain why you have booby trapped a school and a children's zoo. Why in the full knowledge that this would undoubtedly lead to massive civilian casualties you decided to sacrifice your children in order to have the chance to kill a few Israeli soldiers. As if the school was not enough, your plans along with maps were discovered and we now understand that the school was just the start. You have in fact booby trapped whole residential neighbourhoods in the hope of inflicting serious casualties on the Zionist enemy. However that is just a hope. What is certain is that your brave action will again lead to huge civilian casualties, Palestinian civilians. Why do you fire missiles from private homes and heavily populated buildings, in contravention f international law and as it happens all things decent? Just how many civilian casualties will suffice in order to serve your warped sense of purpose and propaganda goals. Your strategy may even be working by gaining the sympathy of the world. After all who can argue with the pictures of dead and dying children? You may be losing he battle but with the blood of your dead children you will win the war of words? You must be very proud.
Perhaps again all you proud Hamasniks can explain why you have killed more Palestinians than the Zionist enemy and continue to do so? And then there is Sharia law.........How ironic that you guys manged to reintroduce crucifixion to the region on the eve of Christmas, along with a host of other "effective deterrents" in your new legal system. Your determination to purify Palestine and bring about the complete Islamisation of a traditionally secular society is a worthy endeavour for sure.
When will all you aspiring Hamasniks wake up to the fact that you have been duped. You are being used and manipulated by a cynical and murderous movement which seeks to destroy the very values and freedoms you claim to support. Your naivety is only excelled by your ignorance. If you really want to help the Palestinian people, stop helping the one movement which has done more to destroy Palestinian prospects than any other. Stop undermining the moderates in Palestine who wish to find a pragmatic solution to end the conflict and save their children's future. Stop justifying terror. Stop seeking to legitimise the illegitimate. Perhaps look at what is i the best interests of the Palestinians for a change, rather than your own warped agenda and self righteous indignation. Understand that today in Palestine, the struggle between moderates and extremists is the battle which Palestinians cannot afford to lose. Many Palestinians understand that it is the actions of Hamas (your actions) which have wrought havoc and death on their on people. They understand that today Hamas (you) serves the interests of its paymasters, Iran with scant regard for the interests of Palestinians. You apparently understand very little.
If on the other hand you are among those who do indeed understand these things, yet still see yourselves as Hamas, I wish you a speedy success in your search for martyrdom.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Short Memories and Dodgy Facts
When the international media quote Hamas or the UN in regard to casualties on the ground it would appear that their need to report 24/7 on the conflict supersedes the old journalistic requirement to check and verify. it would appear that today it is far easier, and for some reason seemingly accepted practice; to go ahead and report an incident and the worry about the facts at a later date, hell they can always retract if needs be. But by then as we all know it is too late and the damage is done.
What short memories the media appears to have. I seem to remember something about an alleged massacre in Jenin in 2002. At the time, the international media and the world at large was outraged by reports of Israeli troops killing thousands of innocent Palestinians. Networks were queuing up to give space to Palestinian spokespeople to tell of the terrible massacre of their people at the hands of the evil Israeli. Most notable at the time was Saeeb Erakat who stood in front of the world in righteous outrage, claiming thousands of his brethren dead and accusing the Israelis of covering up the incident by bulldozing buildings, taking the bodies away to hide them and hence their refusal to allow the international press into the area. The press where in a feeding frenzy. They couldn't get enough, eager to broadcast and publish, verification be damned. A day later the thousands became five hundred. Perhaps far less than the original casualty figures claimed by Palestinian sources, but still a massacre by any definition. Still the international press held on to and reported every baseless claim and accusation. Human rights organisations joined the frenzy insisting that Israel be investigated for war crimes. The UN called for an inquiry. And then the dust cleared, the violence subsided and the journalists and human rights organisations were allowed in to Jenin to check for themselves. "To late" cried the Palestinians. the Israelis have used the time to cover up their crime.
Of course the world then learned that the story had no basis in fact. It was, excuse my "Fench",;"utter bollocks". There had indeed been a battle in Jenin in one particular area, in which twenty three Israelis were killed along with, if my memory serves me correctly; fifty two Palestinians, twelve of which were civilians, the rest combatants. The problem was that the headlines of "Massacre in Jenin" remained in the public psyche. Although there was no massacre, a fact confirmed by both the UN and Amnesty International; it didn't matter. The irresponsible and unprofessional reporting which preceded any form of validation or verification; had done a level of damage which could not and never will be undone.
I thought or at least hoped; that people and organisations were supposed to learn from their mistakes and change their processes and procedure accordingly. It would appear watching and reading the international media, that this is not the case. In reporting the current conflict in Gaza, TV stations and newspapers alike seem all to eager to quote Palestinian UN and NGO sources in regard to alleged "war crimes" and civilian casualty figures. Today news organisations often qualify these reports by adding a "disclaimer" which usually takes the form of "we have been unable to verify these figures as of yet"or something to that effect. The fact is however that the public does not hear this qualification. they see pictures and they hear figures. They do not pay heed to qualifications.
The international media understands this all too well, however short memories, a "couldn't care less" attitude and a desire to be first with the news is leading the media to make the same irresponsible errors all over again. Mistakes which in the end only serve to bring into question the credibility and professionalism of the worlds press. It also makes them an accomplice to cynical and dangerous manipulation of a global audience which deserves to see and hear the facts as they are, not as one side of the conflict would have you believe.
What short memories the media appears to have. I seem to remember something about an alleged massacre in Jenin in 2002. At the time, the international media and the world at large was outraged by reports of Israeli troops killing thousands of innocent Palestinians. Networks were queuing up to give space to Palestinian spokespeople to tell of the terrible massacre of their people at the hands of the evil Israeli. Most notable at the time was Saeeb Erakat who stood in front of the world in righteous outrage, claiming thousands of his brethren dead and accusing the Israelis of covering up the incident by bulldozing buildings, taking the bodies away to hide them and hence their refusal to allow the international press into the area. The press where in a feeding frenzy. They couldn't get enough, eager to broadcast and publish, verification be damned. A day later the thousands became five hundred. Perhaps far less than the original casualty figures claimed by Palestinian sources, but still a massacre by any definition. Still the international press held on to and reported every baseless claim and accusation. Human rights organisations joined the frenzy insisting that Israel be investigated for war crimes. The UN called for an inquiry. And then the dust cleared, the violence subsided and the journalists and human rights organisations were allowed in to Jenin to check for themselves. "To late" cried the Palestinians. the Israelis have used the time to cover up their crime.
Of course the world then learned that the story had no basis in fact. It was, excuse my "Fench",;"utter bollocks". There had indeed been a battle in Jenin in one particular area, in which twenty three Israelis were killed along with, if my memory serves me correctly; fifty two Palestinians, twelve of which were civilians, the rest combatants. The problem was that the headlines of "Massacre in Jenin" remained in the public psyche. Although there was no massacre, a fact confirmed by both the UN and Amnesty International; it didn't matter. The irresponsible and unprofessional reporting which preceded any form of validation or verification; had done a level of damage which could not and never will be undone.
I thought or at least hoped; that people and organisations were supposed to learn from their mistakes and change their processes and procedure accordingly. It would appear watching and reading the international media, that this is not the case. In reporting the current conflict in Gaza, TV stations and newspapers alike seem all to eager to quote Palestinian UN and NGO sources in regard to alleged "war crimes" and civilian casualty figures. Today news organisations often qualify these reports by adding a "disclaimer" which usually takes the form of "we have been unable to verify these figures as of yet"or something to that effect. The fact is however that the public does not hear this qualification. they see pictures and they hear figures. They do not pay heed to qualifications.
The international media understands this all too well, however short memories, a "couldn't care less" attitude and a desire to be first with the news is leading the media to make the same irresponsible errors all over again. Mistakes which in the end only serve to bring into question the credibility and professionalism of the worlds press. It also makes them an accomplice to cynical and dangerous manipulation of a global audience which deserves to see and hear the facts as they are, not as one side of the conflict would have you believe.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Perhaps Restraint is Part of the Problem
So here we go again.........Four rockets fell this morning on the northern town of Naharia, one scoring a direct hit on an old age home. By some miracle, nobody was killed although some where injured. It wasn't us cried Hezbollah. Al Jazeerah's reporter in Lebanon was quick off the mark with what appeared to be a questionably high level of inside information; to confirm that indeed the rockets were very old Katushas, and that if Hezbollah wished to open a second front with Israel it would have done so in a far more aggressive manner. The likely culprit say the Lebanese government is a rogue Palestinian group looking to show solidarity with their southern brethren in Gaza.
Predictably the first call from the UN and International forces in the area was for maximum restraint from parties on both sides. However the question arises if it is not this very restraint shown by Israel in recent years which has led groups like Hezbollah in 2006 and Hamas since they took power in Gaza; to get the impression that they can bombard Israeli civilians and expect "restraint in return". Israel is quick to point out how restrained it has been over the past eight years in the face of thousands of rockets fired from Gaza on its southern population. This restraint was in part to pacify and garner support from the international community and also in because Israel has no desire to reoccupy Gaza and finds its option severely limited. Well, we can see where this restraint has led. Perhaps if from the beginning, Israel had replied in force to each and every rocket over the past eight years, the rocket fire would have stopped early on and there would have been no need for the current operation which is extracting a terrible price from the Palestinians in Gaza. Perhaps it is the constant call for restraint which only encourages irresponsible behaviour by terror groups who assume that their attacks will go unanswered. Nasally himself said after the second Lebanon war, that had he known that Israel would have responded in such a forceful manner, he would never have started the venture. Think how many innocent lives would have been saved, if it had been clear to all that for every terrorist action against Israel, the consequences would be harsh indeed. I would venture to guess that Hamas would also have thought twice before refusing the cease fire, had they known the consequences. All in all, if one wants to do the macabre maths, one might argue that all these calls for restraint have actually added an untold number of civilian casualties (on both sides) to the already unacceptable number in this conflict to date. Perhaps the message to the terrorists has to be clear and unequivocal, there will be severe consequences for each and every one of your actions. Perhaps the international community might wish to ponder the possibility that restraint ultimately costs lives.
Predictably the first call from the UN and International forces in the area was for maximum restraint from parties on both sides. However the question arises if it is not this very restraint shown by Israel in recent years which has led groups like Hezbollah in 2006 and Hamas since they took power in Gaza; to get the impression that they can bombard Israeli civilians and expect "restraint in return". Israel is quick to point out how restrained it has been over the past eight years in the face of thousands of rockets fired from Gaza on its southern population. This restraint was in part to pacify and garner support from the international community and also in because Israel has no desire to reoccupy Gaza and finds its option severely limited. Well, we can see where this restraint has led. Perhaps if from the beginning, Israel had replied in force to each and every rocket over the past eight years, the rocket fire would have stopped early on and there would have been no need for the current operation which is extracting a terrible price from the Palestinians in Gaza. Perhaps it is the constant call for restraint which only encourages irresponsible behaviour by terror groups who assume that their attacks will go unanswered. Nasally himself said after the second Lebanon war, that had he known that Israel would have responded in such a forceful manner, he would never have started the venture. Think how many innocent lives would have been saved, if it had been clear to all that for every terrorist action against Israel, the consequences would be harsh indeed. I would venture to guess that Hamas would also have thought twice before refusing the cease fire, had they known the consequences. All in all, if one wants to do the macabre maths, one might argue that all these calls for restraint have actually added an untold number of civilian casualties (on both sides) to the already unacceptable number in this conflict to date. Perhaps the message to the terrorists has to be clear and unequivocal, there will be severe consequences for each and every one of your actions. Perhaps the international community might wish to ponder the possibility that restraint ultimately costs lives.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
The UN and Family Disfunction
Last night I attended a benefit concert for the Israeli charity Elem. Elem is a fantastic organisation which works with troubled, neglected and "at risk" youth throughout Israel, from all communities; many of whom find themselves living on he streets struggling to survive. http://www.elem.org/. As part of the programme, a short film was shown about a young girl called Jessica. Jessica ran away from home at the age of twelve. She survived on the streets of Tel Aviv for five horrendous years. During that time, scared and often desperate, her main focus was on survival, just getting trough each day, fighting to hold on to whatever she had, however little. Jessica is just one of the success stories resulting from the work of Elem. With the support of Elem she was able to get off the street, has finish her studies, and qualify as a graphic artist. After the film, Jessica spoke about her experiences on the streets and about her reasons for running away. Ultimately the abuse she suffered at the hands of her stepfather over an extended period made life at home impossible. Her story was bot touching and inspiring and one had to admire the strength and character of this young woman who with the help of Elem had managed to turn her life around.
Following events in Gaza during the day, for some reason listening to Jessica's story led me to think about Israel's troubled relationship with the UN. Where's the connection you might ask? Bear with me if you will?
It strikes me that the UN's relationship and treatment of Israel over the years can be compared to that of an abusive parents who resents the birth of an unwanted child. As a result of this resentment the child is sure to receive short shrift from the parent who in turn sets out to make life as difficult and impossible for the child in the hope that the child will off and disappear in one way or another. Conversely the UN's relationship with the Palestinians seem to be comparable to that of an overindulgent parent and a favourite child. Spoilt and pampered, this child can do no wrong in the eyes of the parent. The parent dispenses special treatment and works towards advancing the interests of this child, providing for his/her every need often, at the expense of others. When the time comes however for the child to grow up and fend for his/herself, neither the child or the parent is able to let go.
Lets look at some of the facts. In 1968 the UN created the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian. In 1975 the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People was established. The United Nations Division for Palestinian Rights was created in 1977. Also in 1977, there was the inaugural International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People which is celebrated every year on November 29, the anniversary of the vote on the partition of Palestine, resolution 181. In addition the Palestinians are the only people in the world to have their very own UN refugee agency UNRWA. Palestinian refugees proportionately receive more than twice the amount of financial aid from the UN than other refugees in the world. According to official figures, in 2006 This agency provided aid for 4.5million Palestinian refugees to the tune of $174 per head and employed 28,000 people, mostly Palestinians. In the same year, the main UN refugee agency UNHCR provide aid to 17.4 million around the world, including 350,000 Palestinians to the tune of $83 per head and employed 6689 people. The Palestinians are also the only non state to be afforded more than observer status at the UN with many of the rights privileges of full member states.
Conversely, Israel is the only full member state which does not have full rights and privileges within the organisation. With the establishment of the UN Regional Groups in 1961, the Arab refusal to accept Israel into the Asia group meant that Israel was in fact a second class citizen in the UN, unable to participate in a host of important UN activities. Only in 2000 after thirty nine years of exclusion was Israel finally accepted into the Western European & Other Group, where it may now participate in most although not all activities as its activities are restricted to New York and it has no activities in Geneva or other UN centres. Israel continues to be singled out for condemnation by a raft of UN committees and councils. The worst example of this victimisation is perhaps the UN Human Rights Council. Established to replace the discredited UN Commission on Human Rights; in its first year the 100% of resolutions, seven in all; were all critiques of Israel. This led the Secretary General to make an unprecedented statement suggesting the HRC pay attention to other regions of the world.
There appears to be a somewhat unhealthy obsession with the Israel/Arab conflict at the UN. If we take some of the most serious conflicts of the past decade or so and look at the activity of the UN General assembly in their regard, I think you will see what I mean..........
Following events in Gaza during the day, for some reason listening to Jessica's story led me to think about Israel's troubled relationship with the UN. Where's the connection you might ask? Bear with me if you will?
It strikes me that the UN's relationship and treatment of Israel over the years can be compared to that of an abusive parents who resents the birth of an unwanted child. As a result of this resentment the child is sure to receive short shrift from the parent who in turn sets out to make life as difficult and impossible for the child in the hope that the child will off and disappear in one way or another. Conversely the UN's relationship with the Palestinians seem to be comparable to that of an overindulgent parent and a favourite child. Spoilt and pampered, this child can do no wrong in the eyes of the parent. The parent dispenses special treatment and works towards advancing the interests of this child, providing for his/her every need often, at the expense of others. When the time comes however for the child to grow up and fend for his/herself, neither the child or the parent is able to let go.
Lets look at some of the facts. In 1968 the UN created the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian. In 1975 the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People was established. The United Nations Division for Palestinian Rights was created in 1977. Also in 1977, there was the inaugural International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People which is celebrated every year on November 29, the anniversary of the vote on the partition of Palestine, resolution 181. In addition the Palestinians are the only people in the world to have their very own UN refugee agency UNRWA. Palestinian refugees proportionately receive more than twice the amount of financial aid from the UN than other refugees in the world. According to official figures, in 2006 This agency provided aid for 4.5million Palestinian refugees to the tune of $174 per head and employed 28,000 people, mostly Palestinians. In the same year, the main UN refugee agency UNHCR provide aid to 17.4 million around the world, including 350,000 Palestinians to the tune of $83 per head and employed 6689 people. The Palestinians are also the only non state to be afforded more than observer status at the UN with many of the rights privileges of full member states.
Conversely, Israel is the only full member state which does not have full rights and privileges within the organisation. With the establishment of the UN Regional Groups in 1961, the Arab refusal to accept Israel into the Asia group meant that Israel was in fact a second class citizen in the UN, unable to participate in a host of important UN activities. Only in 2000 after thirty nine years of exclusion was Israel finally accepted into the Western European & Other Group, where it may now participate in most although not all activities as its activities are restricted to New York and it has no activities in Geneva or other UN centres. Israel continues to be singled out for condemnation by a raft of UN committees and councils. The worst example of this victimisation is perhaps the UN Human Rights Council. Established to replace the discredited UN Commission on Human Rights; in its first year the 100% of resolutions, seven in all; were all critiques of Israel. This led the Secretary General to make an unprecedented statement suggesting the HRC pay attention to other regions of the world.
There appears to be a somewhat unhealthy obsession with the Israel/Arab conflict at the UN. If we take some of the most serious conflicts of the past decade or so and look at the activity of the UN General assembly in their regard, I think you will see what I mean..........
- Second Congo War 1998-2003, with over 4 million dead warranted 56 resolutions
- Sudanese Civil War (including Darfur) 1985-present with 1.3 million dead warranted 14 resolutions
- The Iraq War 2003 - present with over 650,000 dead warranted 15 resolutions
- Russia's war in Chechnya 1999- present with over 62,000 dead warranted 0 resolutions
- War in Afghanistan 2001-present with over 13,000 dead warranted 22 resolutions
- Israel, Palestinians and Lebanon (second Intifada and Second Lebanon War with nearly 7,000 dead warranted 249 resolutions
For me, the figure speak for themselves. This obsession is not a healthy thing, not for Israel, not for the Palestinians and certainly not for the UN as it strives to retain its credibility as a world body
Please excuse the statistics and overload of information. Believe me there is a great deal more where that came from, but i reckon you get the point. I have not mentioned the infamous World Conference on Racism in Durban in 2001. A Durban 2 is scheduled to take place in Geneva in April 2009. The indications are that the second conference will continue the anti Israel and anti Semitic track of the first conference and as such is currently under threat of boycott by Israel, the US, Canada, with a large number of countries considering their position
I haven't talked about the UN activities in the territories themselves. There is a host of evidence to suggest UN complicity in terror operations against Israel. In Gaza in 2002 a senior UN representative Nahd Attala admitted transporting Fatah fighters and arms in his car on their way to operations against Israel. In 2004 UN ambulances were used to transport Hamas fighters from an engagement with Israeli soldiers. In the same year Peter Jensen, the Head of UNRWA, admitted to having Hamas members on his payroll and saw no problem with the fact. Hamas is recognised as a terrorist organisation by the world community. I have a friend who was working with UNRWA in 2004. At the time he complained that UN ambulances and other vehicles were being used by militants. he was told by his superiors to keep quiet after which he resigned. And so on and so forth.........
All of the above point to the dysfunctional nature of the UN and its dealing with both Israel and the Palestinians. If you are not part of the solution then you are part of the problem. If the UN does not make radical changes in both its attitude and its activities regarding Israel and the Palestinians, then, sadly it will continue to be part of the problem.
As we move into the seventh decade of this conflict, perhaps Israel and the Palestinians would do well to take note of Jessica and her friends, the street kids who have managed to survive and grow, despite terrible hardship and the worst possible circumstances. These kids understand that life is not fair, that there are many out there who want you to fail, that there are always seemingly impossible obstacles to overcome. However in order to move forward to a better future, there comes a time when even the most abused children need to stop blaming others and ultimately take responsibility for themselves and their actions. Its called growing up.
Monday, January 5, 2009
All in Proportion?
Today a Hamas rocket scored a direct hit on a kindergarten in Ashdod It is not the first time. To my knowledge Hamas have scored direct hits on one other kindergarten and a high school. Luckily for Israelis (if you can call it lucky) nearly 500,000 of them are now living in bomb shelters, schools and kindergartens are closed, therefore the children who otherwise would have been killed are surviving, albeit underground. This started me thinking about the issue of proportionality. When people accuse Israel of a "disproportionate response" what exactly do they mean? Indeed what would qualify as a proportionate response?
If Hamas score a direct hit on a kindergarten in Ashdod with a missile, should Israel then fire one of their missiles at a kindergarten in Gaza? Would that be proportionate? If Hamas score a direct hit on a shopping mall in Ashkelon, should Israel find a mall or in the absence of a mall;find a market full of shoppers to target? Would that be proportionate? If Hamas fire eight thousand missiles at civilian targets in Israel, should Israel respond with eight thousand missiles of their own? Would that be proportionate?
As far as I understand, under international law, proportionality in war does not mean that you only inflict similar damage and casualties to those which you have sustained. International law actually states that the level of force used in a conflict must not be in excess of that which is required to achieve a legitimate objective, which in this case is the total cessation of rocket fire into Israel by Hamas in Gaza (which I also understand is a war crime under international law). As far as I am aware rockets are still being fired by Hamas at civilian targets in Israel and it would appear that they have no intention of stopping, unless they can be convinced otherwise. The question is how much force will it take to convince or indeed force them to stop, not just for now, but for good.
Civilian casualties in war are horrendous and should be avoided if at all possible. I do not know of any army in the world which sends leaflets and telephones people in potential target areas to warn them of an impending attack, yet this is common practice for the Israeli army as it prosecutes its war against Hamas. As far as I am aware it is also a breach of international law to place military installations in civilian areas or to use civilian populations as human shields, yet it would appear that Hamas has license to breach the law with impunity.
In order to protect its citizens Israel must fight against a terror organisation, which chose conflict over renewal of a cease fire agreement and which synically chooses to use the very people it claims to be fighting for as human shields. The unfortunate truth is that Israel will continue to use all necessary means to end the rocket fire achieve its goals and thereby end the fighting. It would appear however that Hamas are only too happy for their own civilian population to suffer the terrible consequences of their illegal and irresponsible actions. Perhaps the real disproportion exists in the number of martyrs Hamas is prepared to see in its civilian population compared to its leaders, who rather than seeking martyrdom are now hiding in tunnels and masquerading as medical staff in Gaza hospitals.
If Hamas score a direct hit on a kindergarten in Ashdod with a missile, should Israel then fire one of their missiles at a kindergarten in Gaza? Would that be proportionate? If Hamas score a direct hit on a shopping mall in Ashkelon, should Israel find a mall or in the absence of a mall;find a market full of shoppers to target? Would that be proportionate? If Hamas fire eight thousand missiles at civilian targets in Israel, should Israel respond with eight thousand missiles of their own? Would that be proportionate?
As far as I understand, under international law, proportionality in war does not mean that you only inflict similar damage and casualties to those which you have sustained. International law actually states that the level of force used in a conflict must not be in excess of that which is required to achieve a legitimate objective, which in this case is the total cessation of rocket fire into Israel by Hamas in Gaza (which I also understand is a war crime under international law). As far as I am aware rockets are still being fired by Hamas at civilian targets in Israel and it would appear that they have no intention of stopping, unless they can be convinced otherwise. The question is how much force will it take to convince or indeed force them to stop, not just for now, but for good.
Civilian casualties in war are horrendous and should be avoided if at all possible. I do not know of any army in the world which sends leaflets and telephones people in potential target areas to warn them of an impending attack, yet this is common practice for the Israeli army as it prosecutes its war against Hamas. As far as I am aware it is also a breach of international law to place military installations in civilian areas or to use civilian populations as human shields, yet it would appear that Hamas has license to breach the law with impunity.
In order to protect its citizens Israel must fight against a terror organisation, which chose conflict over renewal of a cease fire agreement and which synically chooses to use the very people it claims to be fighting for as human shields. The unfortunate truth is that Israel will continue to use all necessary means to end the rocket fire achieve its goals and thereby end the fighting. It would appear however that Hamas are only too happy for their own civilian population to suffer the terrible consequences of their illegal and irresponsible actions. Perhaps the real disproportion exists in the number of martyrs Hamas is prepared to see in its civilian population compared to its leaders, who rather than seeking martyrdom are now hiding in tunnels and masquerading as medical staff in Gaza hospitals.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Apparently size and numbers matter
One more thing, I don't get. What would the Brits or the Europeans do if it was their civilian population which was being bombarded with missiles for eight years. To the average Brit, Frenchman, Spaniard, Sderot, Ashkelon or Ashdod mean very little or nothing at all. Qassams, Grads, also have little meaning. Ask the people of Ashdod or Beer Sheva. Over the past week these towns have found themselves targeted by Hamas missiles, running for cover every time the red alert sounds, with only a matter of seconds to find safety. It's no game. There are the dead and wounded to prove it. Yet they live only minutes from Sderot which has had to put up with this kind of threat for years. Despite their close proximity and their awareness of the problems in Sderot, the people of Ashdod and Beer Sheva cannot understand how the people of Sderot have been able to live under such pressure for such a long time. They are now being bombed and are experiencing it for themselves, and yet they cannot fathom how residents of a small working class town in southern Israel have been able to live with the constant threat of missiles for eight years. They have had it for eight days and its driving them mad with fear and anxiety. Well if their neighbours and fellow countrymen cannot understand it, how the hell can the average Brit or Frenchman or German be expected to comprehend what these people are suffering and what they have suffered for so long.
Well let me put it in terms you may understand.
Remember the terrible events of 7/7 in London, a day of infamy when four suicide bombers murdered fifty one people in one day. I believe it is fair to say that these four explosions in one day had a huge impact on life in the UK. Think back to the reaction around the country to those four explosions on that one day in London. Now, I know it is difficult, but try and imagine what would have happened if their had been forty explosions on that one day, perhaps not in the capital, perhaps in Hull, or Inverness, or Brighton, maybe Southport, any small town throughout the UK? What would the reaction have been? What kind of panic? Scary thought isn't it.
Now if you will, try and imagine four hundred explosions over a month. I'll tell you what, they are only small explosions, the size of a grenade. Imaging four hundred grenades thrown at random into a small town in the UK over a month. Don't worry only a few dead and a few more injured. What would happen? What would the reaction be? What would you do? What would you want your government to do? I accept, its a really big ask. It is almost impossible to imagine. It is actually too horrible to imagine the kind of panic that would ensue with men, women and children scared to set foot outside their front door. In fact people end up living in their basements, because even their houses are not safe. The explosions are destroying their homes killing ior ijuring those inside. The pressure is horrendous.
Well as if that was not bad enough........... now try to imagine four thousand such explosions happening in small towns in the UK, or France, or Spain, not four or forty or four hundred......four thousand and that is only half of the number of missiles that have been fired at southern Israel. What would happen then? What would the British public or the French public, the Spanish public or any other country's public expect of their governments if explosions where raining down on their country in their thousands. Dam expectations! Let's face it, the public would demand that the government put an end to it an they would demand that they do it immediately. No self respecting government would let things get that far. It would have to act to defend its citizens.
Welcome to life in Southern Israel!
Well let me put it in terms you may understand.
Remember the terrible events of 7/7 in London, a day of infamy when four suicide bombers murdered fifty one people in one day. I believe it is fair to say that these four explosions in one day had a huge impact on life in the UK. Think back to the reaction around the country to those four explosions on that one day in London. Now, I know it is difficult, but try and imagine what would have happened if their had been forty explosions on that one day, perhaps not in the capital, perhaps in Hull, or Inverness, or Brighton, maybe Southport, any small town throughout the UK? What would the reaction have been? What kind of panic? Scary thought isn't it.
Now if you will, try and imagine four hundred explosions over a month. I'll tell you what, they are only small explosions, the size of a grenade. Imaging four hundred grenades thrown at random into a small town in the UK over a month. Don't worry only a few dead and a few more injured. What would happen? What would the reaction be? What would you do? What would you want your government to do? I accept, its a really big ask. It is almost impossible to imagine. It is actually too horrible to imagine the kind of panic that would ensue with men, women and children scared to set foot outside their front door. In fact people end up living in their basements, because even their houses are not safe. The explosions are destroying their homes killing ior ijuring those inside. The pressure is horrendous.
Well as if that was not bad enough........... now try to imagine four thousand such explosions happening in small towns in the UK, or France, or Spain, not four or forty or four hundred......four thousand and that is only half of the number of missiles that have been fired at southern Israel. What would happen then? What would the British public or the French public, the Spanish public or any other country's public expect of their governments if explosions where raining down on their country in their thousands. Dam expectations! Let's face it, the public would demand that the government put an end to it an they would demand that they do it immediately. No self respecting government would let things get that far. It would have to act to defend its citizens.
Welcome to life in Southern Israel!
Beware Palestine's False Friends
OK, so now i have a blog....what to do?
This came about after a conversation with a friend currently sitting in her mothers home in the Israeli town of Ashdod. For the past weeks or so she and her family have been living under threat of missiles fired from Gaza. Three days ago, one of the missiles, destroyed an apartment building in their street, just four buildings away. I call every day to see how they are doing and to ask. Mt friend is beginning to wonder how good my connections are, as it would appear every time I call the alarm sounds and she and her family have thirty seconds to get to a safe place before a missile falls. In their case the safe place is an internal room closest to the staircase and away from the windows. They sit and stand in the room each praying a silent prayer that the missile or missiles on their way will land on them this time. For the people of Ashdod, this is a relatively new phenomenon, however for the town of Sderot and the settlements surrounding Gaza this has been going on for the past eight years. I do not have the exact figures, however I gather that over the past eight years in excess of five thousand rockets have been fired at the civilian population in the south of Israel.
I don't want to talk about the fact that Israel left Gaza three years ago, uprooting Jewish settlers and removing all military presence from the strip; in the hope that the Palestinians may take the opportunity to build a civil society and use Gaza as a template for the establishment of an independent democratic Palestinian state. I don't want to talk about the fact that in 2007 Hamas initiated a military coup in Gaza in order to rest control from Fatah. I don't want to talk about the brutality with which they treated their enemy, their Palestinian brothers. Tying up prisoners and throwing them off high rise buildings to their death is not the actions of a responsible government. Shooting unarmed demonstrators is not the behaviour of a leadership which cares about its people. Threatening political rivals with death and violence, threatening Christians practicing their religion, limiting the freedom of women, banning all forms of protest and encouraging their young to become suicide bombers; none of these are the actions of a leadership who has the interests of its people at heart.
I do want to talk about the Palestinians' False Friends. The supposed friends of the Palestinian people who's hatred for Israel and the USA leads them to exploit the Palestinian cause for their own selfish means. The same supposed friends who with a nod and a wink will ignore the gross violations of human rights and international law committed by Hamas, on their own people (never mind the Israeli civilians; then advocate that the civilised world recognise these monsters as the legitimate representatives of the Palestinian people. The very same "armchair" Palestinians who from the comfort of their homes in the UK and other places in Europe, advocate extreme and unrealistic positions for the Palestinians which are sure to damn the Palestinian people to another fifty years of occupation and suffering where their aspirations and hopes for a better life for their children are sacrificed by their so called friends in order to maintain their irrational and racist campaign against the state of Israel. Why is it, that when their is indeed a moderate Palestinian camp with goals to realise the national aspirations of the Palestinian people by way of a two state solution. When their are leaders who are prepared to make the compromises necessary to bring a Palestinian state into being. Why is it that their so called friends in the UK and Europe choose to support their rivals, choose to give succor to a bunch of murdering Islamic extremist terrorists, the very people who will do everything in their power to ensure that the two state solution, the only solution which could ever provide the Palestinians with their own state and their children with a brighter future; will never happen. Why do their supposed friends choose to support an organisation which would rather send its young to murder innocents in a "martyrs" death, than to school to learn and prepare to build a future Palestinian civil society in their own state. Unfortunately the answer is all too apparent. Palestine's false friends are much more interested in destroying the state of Israel than they are in seeing the new state of Palestine being born. The very same people who admire the indefatigabiity of Saddam Hussein, who name dictators like Colonel Qaddafi amongst their friends, who rush to embrace an Islamic cleric who supports suicide bombing and believes homosexuals should be stoned to death, are the people who today stand side by side with the one organisation which has done more to harm Palestinian interests in the past decade, yet still have the cheek to call themselves true friends. They should be ahsamed of themsleves, although that would entail some degree of integrity; and well intentioned celebrities should stear well clear of them. With friends like these, the Palestinians must be careful. After all you are often judged by the company you keep.
This came about after a conversation with a friend currently sitting in her mothers home in the Israeli town of Ashdod. For the past weeks or so she and her family have been living under threat of missiles fired from Gaza. Three days ago, one of the missiles, destroyed an apartment building in their street, just four buildings away. I call every day to see how they are doing and to ask. Mt friend is beginning to wonder how good my connections are, as it would appear every time I call the alarm sounds and she and her family have thirty seconds to get to a safe place before a missile falls. In their case the safe place is an internal room closest to the staircase and away from the windows. They sit and stand in the room each praying a silent prayer that the missile or missiles on their way will land on them this time. For the people of Ashdod, this is a relatively new phenomenon, however for the town of Sderot and the settlements surrounding Gaza this has been going on for the past eight years. I do not have the exact figures, however I gather that over the past eight years in excess of five thousand rockets have been fired at the civilian population in the south of Israel.
I don't want to talk about the fact that Israel left Gaza three years ago, uprooting Jewish settlers and removing all military presence from the strip; in the hope that the Palestinians may take the opportunity to build a civil society and use Gaza as a template for the establishment of an independent democratic Palestinian state. I don't want to talk about the fact that in 2007 Hamas initiated a military coup in Gaza in order to rest control from Fatah. I don't want to talk about the brutality with which they treated their enemy, their Palestinian brothers. Tying up prisoners and throwing them off high rise buildings to their death is not the actions of a responsible government. Shooting unarmed demonstrators is not the behaviour of a leadership which cares about its people. Threatening political rivals with death and violence, threatening Christians practicing their religion, limiting the freedom of women, banning all forms of protest and encouraging their young to become suicide bombers; none of these are the actions of a leadership who has the interests of its people at heart.
I do want to talk about the Palestinians' False Friends. The supposed friends of the Palestinian people who's hatred for Israel and the USA leads them to exploit the Palestinian cause for their own selfish means. The same supposed friends who with a nod and a wink will ignore the gross violations of human rights and international law committed by Hamas, on their own people (never mind the Israeli civilians; then advocate that the civilised world recognise these monsters as the legitimate representatives of the Palestinian people. The very same "armchair" Palestinians who from the comfort of their homes in the UK and other places in Europe, advocate extreme and unrealistic positions for the Palestinians which are sure to damn the Palestinian people to another fifty years of occupation and suffering where their aspirations and hopes for a better life for their children are sacrificed by their so called friends in order to maintain their irrational and racist campaign against the state of Israel. Why is it, that when their is indeed a moderate Palestinian camp with goals to realise the national aspirations of the Palestinian people by way of a two state solution. When their are leaders who are prepared to make the compromises necessary to bring a Palestinian state into being. Why is it that their so called friends in the UK and Europe choose to support their rivals, choose to give succor to a bunch of murdering Islamic extremist terrorists, the very people who will do everything in their power to ensure that the two state solution, the only solution which could ever provide the Palestinians with their own state and their children with a brighter future; will never happen. Why do their supposed friends choose to support an organisation which would rather send its young to murder innocents in a "martyrs" death, than to school to learn and prepare to build a future Palestinian civil society in their own state. Unfortunately the answer is all too apparent. Palestine's false friends are much more interested in destroying the state of Israel than they are in seeing the new state of Palestine being born. The very same people who admire the indefatigabiity of Saddam Hussein, who name dictators like Colonel Qaddafi amongst their friends, who rush to embrace an Islamic cleric who supports suicide bombing and believes homosexuals should be stoned to death, are the people who today stand side by side with the one organisation which has done more to harm Palestinian interests in the past decade, yet still have the cheek to call themselves true friends. They should be ahsamed of themsleves, although that would entail some degree of integrity; and well intentioned celebrities should stear well clear of them. With friends like these, the Palestinians must be careful. After all you are often judged by the company you keep.
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