Free Palestine

Terrorist Jewish Settlers Ready to Incite Violence

2011-09-25T11:54:00.000-07:00

Terrorist Jewish Settlers Ready to Incite Violence ahead of Palestine Bid For Statehood at UN in September 211

Ahead of Palestinian quest for statehood at UN, Illegal Jewish Settlers busy in preparation to show their strength to Palestinian. While politician busy in New York, these Illegal Settlers busy in the ground to terrorize Palestinian Villagers with all sophisticated firearms. Yet these people claimed that they are threaten by Palestinian Villagers that armed mostly with roadside stone, the most convenience weapons that they have. Read this report from Guardian that reports about the situation in West Bank, where Palestinian are restricted on their very own land. The arrogant illegal settlers openly show their hatred with battle slogan "the best defence is offence". These Jewish would never sincere in peace negotiation and do not believe in one just because they think that they are powerful and their sole purpose in their short life is to grab as many Palestinian Land as possible.

This week, photographs were published on a pro-settler news website,Arutz Sheva, showing women from Pnei Kedem, an outpost south of Bethlehem, learning to shoot. In Shimon Hatzadik, a Jewish enclave in the midst of the Palestinian neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah, in east Jerusalem, settlers are preparing to invoke a law allowing self-defence against intruders. "We are talking about shooting at their legs and if that doesn't work, and our lives are in danger, we won't be afraid to shoot straight at them. Most of the residents here are armed," spokesman Yehonatan Yosef told parliamentarians two weeks ago.Activists in the settlement of Qiryat Arba, on the edge of Hebron, have distributed clubs, helmets and teargas to nearby outposts. "They've been given all of the tools we could provide for them in order to protect themselves," Bentzi Gopstein, a member of Qiryat Arba's council, told theYnet news website. "But we must remember that the best defence is offence. We can't stay close to our fences. If the Arabs can come to us, they must learn we can come to them."

The settlers are not just fighting to hold on to the land they already occupy; they intend to expand and grow – as they see it, reclaiming the land that has been willed to them by God. Whatever call from Israel for Palestinian to come back to negotiation table especially at this time is just a wolf cry to buy more time and an act to show that they are sincere while in actual fact is they never will; as what said by this Jewish activist in quotation below;

"Our purpose is to build new towns and communities, new outposts in Judaea and Samaria," said veteran activist Daniella Weiss. "It's our role as Jews to build the land of the Jews."

How could property of others could be taken and given to Jewish just because they hold Jews Religion? Where is the right of original inhabitant of thousand years there?, whether they are Israelite or Canaan, these people are from the same Arab root that live and roam on this Land of Prophets. Which their ancestor mostly already converted to new religion from jews...

Israel Attack Freedom Flotilla

2010-06-03T07:24:00.000-07:00

It was pure hell

Malaysian volunteers feel the taste of Palestinian's Hell

The rogue country show again how rude they are that the whole world is almost non existence to them, what more the Palestinian. Israel would stop at nothing to prevent them commit to descend to how low State they are. In International water Israel attack unarmed group for humanitarian purpose like pirate. They just shoot at sight as what narrated by journalist Ashwad Ismail who were on the ship - "for some reason, after shooting the two Turkish I was interviewing. the commandos trained their gun on me, but did not open fire. I crawled through a pool of blood and went down to lower deck from where I heard more gunfire and screams coming from above" - People were being shot without provocation, Ashwad look of non arab may have save him. The volunteers only taste several hours of suffering that the Palestinian is suffering for decades..

News Straits Times 3 jun 2010

The Weird factor of sept 11

2010-01-23T07:02:00.000-08:00

The Weird Factor
The panty bomber mystery deepens
by Justin Raimondo
January 11, 2010
Antiwar.com

What I call the Weird Factor, for lack of a better name, seems to have become a permanent feature of our post-9/11 world, a dark and sinister leitmotif that plays in the background. On 9/11, of course, the Factor was on full display as a whole string of unusual events and unexplained phenomena were visited on us. The 9/11 Commission did little to clear these matters up, for the most part because they didn't address them. Just a few for the record: Bush reading My Pet Goat to schoolchildren after being told of the attacks, the sudden appearance of the "Israeli art students" – and their buddies, the "laughing Israelis" – in the months and weeks leading up to the attacks, and the apparent passivity of US air defenses on that fateful day.I mean, how is it possible that the terrorists actually hit the Pentagon, the symbolic fortress of America's alleged military supremacy? After spending untold trillions on "defense" over the years, a sum that never declines in real terms, and driving ourselves into near-bankruptcy on account of it, how in the name of all that's holy did nineteen men armed with box-cutters manage to drive Don Rumsfeld stumbling into the street, literally running for his life?The Weird Factor seems to intensify whenever there is some significant event in our ongoing "war on terrorism," or whatever they're calling it these days. My longtime readers will be familiar with my theory of how this works. Briefly: on Sept. 11, 2001, the impact of those airliners as they hit the Twin Towers sent us careening into an alternative dimension where up is down, right is left, and torture is the American Way – in short we landed in Bizarro World, where we have been trapped ever since. The post-9/11 cognitive shift that heralded our entry into this alternate dimension is amplified around these incidents, and certainly the most recent – the midair antics of the Undie Bomber – underscores the Weird Factor at its absolute weirdest.The official narrative has been in flux, due in part to the political firestorm that surrounds the event: President Obama's characterization of the Undie Bomber as an "isolated" individual, unconnected to a larger network, began to fall apart almost before it was uttered. As the links between Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab and the specter of "al-Qaeda on the Arabian Peninsula" surfaced – along with the incredible story of how Mutallab's father, a prominent Nigerian banker, personally reported his son to the US embassy and the CIA – the official story had to be amended. Now it's "the buck stops here," an admission of failure, and the inevitable calls for making everyone's flying experience more problematic and unendurable than ever.Also inevitable was the way the Republicans leapt on the incident to somehow prove the President and his party are "soft" on terrorism, a strangely empty critique that doesn't seem to consist of anything more substantial than a highly arguable perception of "softness" in the President's rhetoric. GOPers complained that the President didn't use the word "terrorism" enough, that his tone lacked the requisite harshness , but when it comes to substantial differences over policy – or over the specifics of this case – the Republican critics come up empty. I won't be the first to point out that the Bush administration's response to the Richard Reid/Shoe Bomber incident was nearly identical to the Obamaites' on this very similar occasion. Team Bush raised the threat level, imposed all sorts of new regulations and restrictions to make air travel decidedly more unpleasant, and were somewhat less self-critical than their successors.

who is Larry Silverstein The Owner / leaseholder of WTC 9/11

2010-01-22T23:59:00.000-08:00

Silverstein was born in Bedford-Stuyvesant, in Brooklyn in 1931 into a Jewish family.[3] Growing up, Silverstein enjoyed classical music and played the piano. He attended the High School of Music and Art in New York, and then New York University, graduating in 1952. During college, Silverstein worked at a summer camp, where he met his wife, Klara. The couple married in 1956, and had three children: Lisa, Roger and Sharon. His wife worked as a school teacher, supporting the family on her salary for the first few years of their marriage while Silverstein attended classes at Brooklyn Law School.[4]

Silverstein became involved in real estate, together with his late father, Harry G. Silverstein, and then friend and brother-in-law, the late Bernard Mendik, buying buildings in Manhattan. In 1957, they established Silverstein Properties, as Harry G. Silverstein & Sons, and bought their first building. Mendik and Silverstein continued the business after Harry's death in 1966. In 1977, Mendik divorced Annette Mendik Silverstein, with the business partnership also splitting up at that time.[5] Mendik also cited disagreements over real estate strategies, with Mendik wanting to buy buildings while Silverstein wanted to build.[6]

9/11 was a staged attack claim by Dr Mahathir

2010-01-22T20:57:00.000-08:00

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad the former prime minister of Malaysia is determine that the Sept 11, 2001 attack on New York World Trade Centre was staged in his blog and denied that his statement was a publicity stunt. "What do I gain from a publicity stunt? I am merely going by a public statement. I'm not going to be a prime minister any more unless you want me to lah..." Tun must has suggested that view after torough review of varoius information, video and opinion off other parties which could be searched easily on the internet.. some video posting on Youtube has extensively discussed about this issue.

As on being insensitive to the victims, Tun replied:" I am being more sensitive to the victims as I am saying this was done deliberately"

What are weird facts of 9/11

1- Not a single trace of aeroplane wreck was found of crash at pentagon and Shanksville in rural Pennsylvania

2- A building near WTC collapsed "demolition style" ?

3- Extensive of Mossad espionage activities months before the attack through "Israeli art students" .

4- A group of "dancing jews were caught in Manhattan vicinity. The group reported waiting in white van for the planes to struck and explain that they are there just to document the event that means they already know in advance about the attack. "dancing Israelis"

1- Not a single trace of aeroplane wreck was found of crash at pentagon and Shanksville in rural Pennsylvania .

where is the plane wreckage? is it simply incenerated...

crash witness of flight 93

John Walsh
John Walsh, 72, saw the immediate aftermath of the crash from his nearby home in Lambertsville. "I looked out my window when I heard the explosion and saw this big orange ball of fire," Walsh said. "When it hit it looked like an atomic bomb went off. It was just terrible." Walsh said he leapt into his truck and drove to within 300 yards of the crash site. "I wanted to see if I could help anybody. But there was just burning parts, that's all. I looked down the hill and saw nothing but a big crater. You could not tell it was an air crash, the debris was so widely scattered."[9]

Joe Wilt
The ensuing firestorm lasted five or 10 minutes and reached several hundred yards into the sky, said Joe Wilt, 63, who also lives a quarter-mile from the crash site. "The first thing I thought it was, was a missile," Wilt said. The impact shattered a window in his basement and knocked down household objects from a shelf.[7]

2- A building near WTC collapsed "demolition style" ?

excerpt from http://www.infowars.com/print/Sept11/FDNY.htm

Jeremy Baker In a stunning and belated development concerning the attacks of 9/11 Larry Silverstein, the controller of the destroyed WTC complex, stated plainly in a PBS documentary that he and the FDNY decided jointly to demolish the Solomon Bros. building, or WTC 7, late in the afternoon of Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001. This admission appeared in a PBS documentary originally aired in Sept. of 2002 entitled "America Rebuilds". Mr Silverstein's comments came after FEMA and the Society of Civil Engineers conducted an extensive and costly investigation into the curious collapse of WTC 7. The study specifically concluded that the building had collapsed as a result of the inferno within, sparked, apparently, by debris falling from the crumbling North Tower. In the documentary Silverstein makes the following statement; I remember getting a call from the, er, fire department commander, telling me that they were not sure they were gonna be able to contain the fire, and I said, "We've had such terrible loss of life, maybe the smartest thing to do is pull it." And they made that decision to pull and we watched the building collapse. [This can be heard in the audio file http://www.infowars.com/audio/PullIt.mp3 Thanks to Sir Dave 'tmo' Soule for transfering this from the video to an MP3 file. "America Rebuilds", PBS Home Video, ISBN 0-7806-4006-3, is available from http://shop.pbs.org/products/AREB901/.] Mr. Silverstein's comments stand in direct contradiction to the findings of the extensive FEMA report. They even negate Kevin Spacey's narrative in the very documentary in which they appear; "WTC 7 fell after burning for 7 hours." If it had been generally known that the building was "pulled" wouldn't Mr. Spacey have phrased it that way? In the same program a cleanup worker referred to the demolition of WTC 6: "... we're getting ready to pull the building six." There can be little doubt as to how the word "pull" is being used in this context. [This can be heard in the audio file

http://www.infowars.com/audio/PullIt2.mp3 taken from the video.] This shocking contradiction is yet another curious twist in a disturbing series of events surrounding the "collapse" of WTC 7, and the WTC complex in general. Among these is the fact that, in all the history of high-rise fires, not one has ever resulted in a collapse. On 9/11 three such anomalies were alleged to have occurred. Those who argue that the towers were vulnerable in their top-heaviness and verticality cannot then explain the collapse due to fire of WTC 7, a broad based, 47-story steel-framed building. There is also the fact that most of the structures destroyed by falling debris were directly under the twin towers, and none of them caught fire. WTC 7 was not only a full city block away from Tower 1 but WTC 6 stood directly between the two buildings and certainly absorbed most of the damage. In addition, WTC 7 suffered a strangely thorough and complete collapse, leaving only a leveled lot where it once stood. Although it was a much smaller structure, WTC 6's 8-story carcass stood for months afterwards, even after being gutted by Tower 1. There's also disturbing correlations between the collapse of WTC 7 and the bombing of the Murrah building in Oklahoma City. Both buildings were constructed using the same bridge beam system that, in WTC 7's case, allegedly contributed to its demise. But more importantly WTC 7, like the Murrah building, housed high-level government offices including the FBI, CIA and the Secret Service. WTC 7 was also the storage facility for millions of files pertaining to active cases involving international drug dealing, organized crime, terrorism and money laundering. WTC 6, also known as the Customs House building, housed the Departments of Commerce, Agriculture and Labor and yet another Murrah building tenant, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. WTC 7 was also the location of a kind of a doomsday bunker (a $15 million project of Rudy Giuliani's), a command post from which to operate in case of a total infrastructure breakdown. Building 7 had apparently been bullet proofed and reinforced to withstand hurricane force winds and attacks of all kinds, a fact which makes its alleged fatal vulnerability to falling debris all the more puzzling. Mr. Silverstein's comments imply that he and the FDNY threw together an expert demolition job in the space of a few short hours on the afternoon of 9/11. This revelation is staggering enough considering its blatant contradiction to what has been, all along, the official cause of the "collapse." But the fact that the building was buried under tons of debris and consumed in flames at the time makes his comments all the more baffling. There's a compelling theory that bombs had been planted inside the twin towers designed to complete the job the hijacked jets had begun. A handful of seasoned professional firefighters and demolition men have commented on how neatly and evenly the towers collapsed. Mr. Silverstein's bewildering statements in "America Rebuilds" give an exponential boost in credence to this claim and, in a more terrifying light, loan credibility to growing suspicions that the attacks of 9/11 may have been an inside job.

http://www.infowars.com/print/Sept11/FDNY.htm
http://911review.org/Wiki/Building7Collapse.shtml
http://www.911truth.org/

What is The Weird Factor?

How US Congressman sold Their Soul to AIPAC.. Tom Perriello

2009-12-01T03:41:00.000-08:00

an article worth read for , so you would understand more...

The US Congressman who sold his soul to the Israel lobby
Posted: 23 Nov 2009 02:57 AM PST
How Tom Perriello became a slave of Israel

Adam Shapiro tells the story of a hitherto principled friend and campaigner for justice and human rights, Tom Perriello, who ran for Congress and, once elected, betrayed all of his principles and became a mere tool of the pro-apartheid American-Israel Public Affairs Committee, AIPAC.

Congressman Tom PerrielloBy Adam Shapiro* Sabbah Report http://sabbah.biz/
"…the consistent lack of US credibility in the world spans Democrats and Republicans and is a consequence of our relationship with Israel and the exceptionalism applied to an occupier nation foisting apartheid on the Palestinians."

One year ago, I watched election results coming in for Virginia's Fifth Congressional District, where my friend and colleague Tom Perriello was challenging incumbent Virgil Goode, Jr. CNN kept flipping the winner because the vote was close. Finally, Tom emerged with a 727-vote victory. I was elated, because I knew Tom and knew his deeply rooted principles. And daring to accept that there might be something to this overall atmosphere of change and hope espoused by the president-elect, I felt encouraged by the seemingly new direction and new leaders the country was embracing.

Two years earlier, I met Tom in Afghanistan when he arrived as a consultant with the United Nations to explore transitional justice possibilities for the country. I was already working for a human rights organization, promoting rule of law, women's rights and transitional justice. Tom had done similar work in Liberia helping launch a truth and reconciliation commission.
We quickly saw eye to eye on the work and became friends over discussions about the role of law in achieving justice in extremely difficult conflict and post-conflict circumstances. I took Tom hiking in the hills overlooking Kabul and we strategized on how to strengthen the justice sector in Afghanistan. Of course, my work on Palestine came up and Tom usually brought the discussion to the role of international law and the need for accountability on all sides – considerations that clearly help protect civilians, particularly Palestinians living under occupation.

A year later, back in the US, Tom invited me to join a group of dynamic young social entrepreneurs for a strategy/brainstorming meeting that led to the creation of Avaaz – a kind of MoveOn.org for the international community to organize for human rights, the environment and other progressive causes. One of the first campaigns launched by Avaaz was to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza in January 2009 and for a robust international response to assure the lasting cessation of violence.

Shortly after that founding meeting of Avaaz, I received an email from Tom explaining that he was going to run for Congress in a long-shot attempt to unseat a conservative Republican. It was a surprise, but Tom was insistent he was going to retain his principles and values if he won. He was excited about the prospect of making real change if Obama became president. I shed my typical cynicism and encouraged friends to contribute to his campaign.

Fast forward one year, to the present, and I have been shocked and disappointed to learn that my friend Tom – a staunch supporter of international law, human rights and equality for all – has voted as a Congressman in favour of apartheid. On the face of it, House Resolution 867 "Calling on the president and the secretary of state to oppose unequivocally any endorsement or further consideration of the 'Report of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict' in multilateral fora" was a typical AIPAC -inspired (or even written) resolution to push the US Congress to support Israel when it got into hot water internationally. Already the White House and State Department have rejected the Goldstone Report, named after preeminent South African judge Richard Goldstone, a well-known Zionist and staunch supporter of Israel. Human rights organizations around the world support the report, and the credentials of the commission were outstanding. Judge Goldstone himself has repeatedly pointed out that the report also calls to task Hamas for violations of international law.

So why did Tom vote in favour of H.Res. 867 and how is this apartheid?
I believe Congressman Perriello's vote resulted from the almost-obligatory fealty to AIPAC displayed by members of Congress – and perhaps his desire to get re-elected.
Incumbents have learned over the years not to cross AIPAC if re-election is important to them. This is not a tangential correlation – ask former Representative Cynthia McKinney, former Senator Charles Percy and former President George H.W. Bush what happened to them when they took stands helpful to securing Palestinian rights. So the logic behind his vote is pretty simple.

But is winning everything? Even when it means voting for apartheid? Where do accountability to self and the bedrock principles we discussed in the Kabul hills enter the equation?
If the Goldstone Report concerned any other country than Israel as the main perpetrator and any other people as victims than the Palestinians, there is no doubt that the report would be fully endorsed in Congress and perhaps there would be House Resolutions praising the work of the commission, supporting the role of the UN in investigating war crimes and affirming the need for the US government to take action to support implementing the findings. That this resolution was introduced against the report because the primary victims were Palestinian is an extension of Israel's policies of discrimination that set Palestinians apart as a people with inferior rights. Voting in favour was akin to a stamp of approval that Palestinian lives are not equal: yes, they were killed, but so what, their deaths are not worth investigating. Such blatant disregard for a specific people's humanity and human rights in favour of another people's superior rights and privileged standing can only be understood as apartheid. Congressman Perriello and his colleagues have turned their backs on international law and human rights. They failed to offer a word of support for Palestinian freedom and the lives of the more than 300 Palestinian children killed by Israel in the winter war.

President Obama, unlike a well-trained and increasingly sycophantic Congress, has set out to change America's image in the world. This image is not undermined because of our relationship with Ireland, Thailand or Chile – or even by North Korea, Iran, Pakistan or Afghanistan, despite the seeming inadequacy of US policy to meet these challenges. No, the consistent lack of US credibility in the world spans Democrats and Republicans and is a consequence of our relationship with Israel and the exceptionalism applied to an occupier nation foisting apartheid on the Palestinians. Most of the world grasps immediately the hypocrisy of the Congress when it votes against the carefully-documented work of Judge Goldstone, who has devoted his life to fighting racism and apartheid.

When my friend Tom told me he was trying to become a Congressman, he assured me that he would maintain who he was. The man I knew was someone who fought for justice, who worked tirelessly to promote international law and human rights, and who was aware of the reality of Congress but determined to be different. Congressman Perriello, I am afraid, has become like so many of his colleagues, a mere tool of a hard-right AIPAC agenda that has no business dictating American policy. He has become part of an American dog wagged by an Israeli and AIPAC tail.
Voters are again disengaging because they continue to see too much business as usual. Tom is just the latest manifestation of a politician abandoning core beliefs.
What is most disappointing, perhaps, is not that my friend Tom is missing in this incarnation of Congressman Perriello – who seems willing to trade fundamental human rights for political expedience – but that in the end I was right to be cynical.

* Adam Shapiro is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and human rights activist, co-founder of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM). Currently working with the Free Gaza Movement.
The US Congressman who sold his soul to the Israel lobby is a post from: Sabbah Report. Get Daily Newsletter, follow on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

HOW TO SEARCH FOR A GOOD BLOG?

2009-09-20T08:18:00.000-07:00

Looking for a good blog? visit http://www.blogsearchengine.com - A good website as tool to search for blogs. Have comprehensive listing of blogs that you surely find what you looking for

Blog Search Engine

Free Xinjiang

2009-07-15T05:54:00.000-07:00

another muslim community suffered oppression and injustice. last week killing of protester has reveal the resentment of the original inhabitant.. muslim of xinjiang has long subject to injustice treatment from Chinese government since the start of colonisation in 1950. The colonisation started on 1950 after China's people liberation army entered xinjiang and government has consistenly state sponsored population transfer from other parts of China... discrimination on the muslim planned and intentionally formulated in policies which only favoring the pork eating chinese.. oil and gas exploitation are huge but the uighur was never part of that...

Save the ancient city of Kashgar, Xinjiang

2009-07-15T05:45:00.000-07:00

Chinese Government has announced plan to raze the ancient city of kashgar, one of the comunist government plan to systematically annihilate culture and identity of ethnic muslim uighur. Kashgar the centuries old cultural centre of the uighur the old will have almost entirely disapeared, forcing out 50,000 families to newly constructed, soulless modern building...

Beyond dissidence - Noam Chomsky

2009-06-04T06:31:00.000-07:00

Beyond dissidence
Noam Chomsky speaks with Nermeen Al-Mufti about Gaza, capitalism and the responsibilities of the intellectual

What do you think about Israel's assault on the Gaza Strip? What might be done in order to achieve a peaceful solution to the conflict between Israel and Palestine?
The US-Israeli attack on Gaza was a savage and brutal war crime. The term US- Israeli is accurate. Israel relied on US weapons, in violation of US, as well as international, law, and the US provided crucial diplomatic and ideological support. The diplomatic support included blocking UN efforts to bring the conflict to an end. The ideological support included overwhelming votes in Congress supporting the aggression, and almost universal agreement that it was justified, even if, perhaps, disproportionate.

In fact, the attack was completely without justification. The way this issue is framed -- by President Obama and virtually everyone else -- is that Israel had a right to defend itself against Hamas rockets. But that is not the issue at all.

The issue is whether Israel had a right to defend itself by force against rockets. It is universally agreed that force can be used only when peaceful means are exhausted. No one believes that the Nazis had the right to use force in defence against the terror of the partisans.

In this case peaceful means had not even been tried. A narrow choice would have been for Israel to accept a ceasefire, which in fact it has never done. To take only the most recent case, a ceasefire was declared in June 2008. Israel did not adhere to it: it maintained the harsh siege, which is an act of war, even preventing the UN humanitarian mission UNRWA from replenishing its stores, "so when the ceasefire broke down, we ran out of food for the 750,000 who depend on us," UNRWA Director John Ging reported. Nevertheless, Hamas scrupulously observed the ceasefire. Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev conceded that Hamas had not fired a single rocket until after Israel invaded the Gaza Strip on 4 November, under the cover of the US elections, and killed six Palestinians. Israel rejected additional ceasefire proposals from Hamas virtually until the day of the attack.

More broadly, Israel could have ceased its criminal activities in the other part of Palestine, the West Bank. Until they do that they cannot object to resistance. Within the West Bank resistance is impossible. In fact, the US-run Palestinian military forces were able to suppress even expression of support for Palestinians being slaughtered in Gaza, and they are greatly praised for that achievement by leading Democratic liberals close to the Obama administration, like Senator John Kerry, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Virtually everything Israel does in the occupied territories is criminal, and the Israeli government knows it. Immediately after the 1967 war Israel was informed by its highest legal authorities that the Geneva Conventions apply to the occupied territories, so that any transfer of population there is illegal. Defence Minister Moshe Dayan conceded that settlement violated international law, but added that "there is nothing new in that, so we will continue." The Security Council has repeatedly condemned these actions, including those now taking place in Jerusalem. In 2004 the World Court reaffirmed that the Geneva Conventions apply. The US Justice Department agreed, in a separate declaration. The criminality extends to most of what Israel does in the occupied territories, always with firm US military, diplomatic, economic and ideological support.

In brief, Israel had ample opportunity to employ peaceful means, so that there was no justification whatsoever for the US- Israeli attack.

As for what should be done, that is very clear. For 35 years there has been a very broad international consensus on a political settlement: a two-state settlement on the internationally recognised borders, perhaps with "minor and mutual modifications", in the words of official US policy pre-1971, before the US broke with world opinion on this matter. Since that time the US has blocked the consensus, and still does, including Barack Obama. There has been one break in this rejectionist stand. After the Camp David negotiations broke down in 2000, President Clinton recognised that no Palestinians could accept the US-Israeli terms, and proposed his "parameters": somewhat vague, but more forthcoming. He then stated that both sides had accepted the parameters, and both had expressed reservations. The two sides met in Taba, Egypt in January 2001, and came very close to an agreement. In their final press conference, they said that with a little more time they might have resolved all of the issues. The negotiations were called off prematurely by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, and never officially resumed. Much has changed since 2001 but the essentials remain: if a US president were willing to accept a diplomatic settlement, it could be achieved. The international consensus is by no means perfect, but it would be a great improvement over the current situation, and could be a stage towards something better for both Jews and Palestinians

Text of Obama's speech in Cairo - Closing the Divide

2009-06-04T06:12:00.000-07:00

By The Associated Press The Associated Press

Text of President Barack Obama's speech at Cairo University, as provided by CQ Transcriptions.

Good afternoon. I am honored to be in the timeless city of Cairo and to be hosted by two remarkable institutions. For over a thousand years, Al-Azhar has had stood as a beacon of Islamic learning. And for over a century, Cairo University has been a source of Egypt's advancement. Together, you represent the harmony between tradition and progress.

I'm grateful for your hospitality and the hospitality of the people of Egypt. And I'm also proud to carry with me the good will of the American people and a greeting of peace from Muslim communities in my country: Assalamu-alaikum.

(APPLAUSE)

We meet at a time of great tension between the United States and Muslims around the world, tension rooted in historical forces that go beyond any current policy debate. The relationship between Islam and the West includes centuries of coexistence and cooperation but also conflict and religious wars.
More recently, tension has been fed by colonialism that denied rights and opportunities to many Muslims and a Cold War in which Muslim majority countries were too often treated as proxies without regard to their own aspirations. Moreover, the sweeping change brought by modernity and globalization led many Muslims to view the West as hostile to the traditions of Islam.

Violent extremists have exploited these tensions in a small but potent minority of Muslims. The attacks of September 11, 2001, and the continued efforts of these extremists to engage in violence against civilians has led some in my country to view Islam as inevitably hostile not only to America and western countries but also to human rights.

All this has bred more fear and more mistrust. So long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace, those who promote conflict rather than the cooperation that can help all of our people achieve justice and prosperity. And this cycle of suspicion and discord must end.
I've come here to Cairo to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world, one based on mutual interest and mutual respect, and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap and share common principles, principles of justice and progress, tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.

I do so recognizing that change cannot happen overnight. I know there's been a lot of publicity about this speech, but no single speech can eradicate years of mistrust nor can I answer in the time that I have this afternoon all the complex questions that brought us to this point.

But I am convinced that in order to move forward, we must say openly to each other the things we hold in our hearts and that too often are said only behind closed doors. There must be a sustained effort to listen to each other, to learn from each other, to respect one another, and to seek common ground.

As the Holy Quran tells us, Be conscious of God and speak always the truth.

(APPLAUSE)

That is what I will try to do today, to speak the truth as best I can. Humbled by the task before us and firm in my belief that the interests we share as human beings are far more powerful than the forces that drive us apart.

Now, part of this conviction is rooted in my own experience. I'm a Christian. But my father came from a Kenyan family that includes generations of Muslims. As a boy, I spent several years in Indonesia and heard the call of the azaan at the break of dawn and at the fall of dusk.

As a young man, I worked in Chicago communities where many found dignity and peace in their Muslim faith. As a student of history, I also know civilization's debt to Islam. It was Islam at places like Al-Azhar that carried the light of learning through so many centuries, paving the way for Europe's renaissance and enlightenment. It was innovation in Muslim communities...

(APPLAUSE)

It was innovation in Muslim communities that developed the order of algebra, our magnetic compass and tools of navigation, our mastery of pens and printing, our understanding of how disease spreads and how it can be healed. Islamic culture has given us majestic arches and soaring spires, timeless poetry and cherished music, elegant calligraphy and places of peaceful contemplation. And throughout history, Islam has demonstrated through words and deeds the possibilities of religious tolerance and racial equality.

(APPLAUSE)

I also know that Islam has always been a part of America's story. The first nation to recognize my country was Morocco. In signing the Treaty of Tripoli in 1796, our second president, John Adams, wrote,

The United States has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Muslims. And since our founding, American Muslims have enriched the United States.

They have fought in our wars. They have served in our government. They have stood for civil rights. They have started businesses. They have taught at our universities. They've excelled in our sports arenas. They've won Nobel Prizes, built our tallest building and lit the Olympic torch. And when the first Muslim American was recently elected to Congress, he took the oath to defend our Constitution using the same holy Quran that one of our founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson, kept in his personal library.

(APPLAUSE)

So I have known Islam on three continents before coming to the region where it was first revealed. That experience guides my conviction that partnership between America and Islam must be based on what Islam is, not what it isn't. And I consider it part of my responsibility as president of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear.

(APPLAUSE)

But that same principle must apply to Muslim perceptions of America. Just as...

(APPLAUSE)

Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire. The United States has been one of the greatest sources of progress that the world has ever known. We were born out of revolution against an empire.

We were founded upon the ideal that all are created equal. And we have shed blood and struggled for centuries to give meaning to those words, within our borders and around the world.

We are shaped by every culture. Drawn from every end of the Earth, and dedicated to a simple concept, E pluribus unum: Out of many, one.
Now much has been made of the fact that an African-American with the name Barack Hussein Obama could be elected president.

(APPLAUSE)

But my personal story is not so unique. The dream of opportunity for all people has not come true for everyone in America, but its promise exists for all who come to our shores. And that includes nearly 7 million American Muslims in our country today who, by the way, enjoy incomes and educational levels that are higher than the American average.

Moreover, freedom in America is indivisible from the freedom to practice one's religion. That is why there is a mosque in every state in our union and over 1,200 mosques within our borders. That's why the United States government has gone to court to protect the right of women and girls to wear the hijab, and to punish those who would deny it.

So let there be no doubt...

(APPLAUSE)

... let there be no doubt, Islam is a part of America. And I believe that America holds within her the truth that regardless of race, religion, or station in life, all of us share common aspirations: to live in peace and security, to get an education and to work with dignity, to love our families, our communities, and our God. These things we share. This is the hope of all humanity.

Of course, recognizing our common humanity is only the beginning of our task. Words alone cannot meet the needs of our people. These needs will be met only if we act boldly in the years ahead. And if we understand that the challenges we face are shared and our failure to meet them will hurt us all.

For we have learned from recent experience that when a financial system weakens in one country, prosperity is hurt everywhere. When a new flu infects one human being, all are at risk. When one nation pursues a nuclear weapon, the risk of nuclear attack rises for all nations.

When violent extremists operate in one stretch of mountains, people are endangered across an ocean. When innocents in Bosnia and Darfur are slaughtered, that is a stain on our collective conscience.

(APPLAUSE)

That is what it means to share this world in the 21st Century. That is the responsibility we have to one another as human beings. This is a difficult responsibility to embrace, for human history has often been a record of nations and tribes, and, yes, religions subjugating one another in pursuit of their own interests.

Yet in this new age, such attitudes are self-defeating. Given our interdependence, any world order that elevates one nation or group of people over another will inevitably fail. So whatever we think of the past, we must not be prisoners to it. Our problems must be dealt with through partnership, our progress must be shared.

(APPLAUSE)

Now, that does not mean we should ignore sources of tension. Indeed, it suggests the opposite. We must face these tensions squarely. And so, in that spirit, let me speak as clearly and as plainly as I can about some specific issues that I believe we must finally confront together.

The first issue that we have to confront is violent extremism in all its forms. In Ankara, I made clear that America is not and never will be at war with Islam.

(APPLAUSE)

We will, however, relentlessly confront violent extremists who pose a grave threat to our security because we reject the same thing that people of all faiths reject, the killing of innocent men, women, and children. And it is my first duty as president to protect the American people.

The situation in Afghanistan demonstrates America's goals and our need to work together. Over seven years ago, the United States pursued Al Qaida and the Taliban with broad international support. We did not go by choice. We went because of necessity. I'm aware that there's still some who would question or even justify the offense of 9/11. But let us be clear. Al Qaida killed nearly 3,000 people on that day.
The victims were innocent men, women, and children from America and many other nations who had done nothing to harm anybody. And yet Al Qaida chose to ruthlessly murder these people, claimed credit for the attack, and even now states their determination to kill on a massive scale. They have affiliates in many countries and are trying to expand their reach.

These are not opinions to be debated. These are facts to be dealt with. Make no mistake, we do not want to keep our troops in Afghanistan. We see no military -- we seek no military bases there. It is agonizing for America to lose our young men and women. It is costly and politically difficult to continue this conflict.

We would gladly bring every single one of our troops home if we could be confident that there were not violent extremists in Afghanistan and now Pakistan determined to kill as many Americans as they possibly can. But that is not yet the case.

And that's why we're partnering with a coalition of 46 countries. And despite the costs involved, America's commitment will not weaken. Indeed, none of us should tolerate these extremists. They have killed in many countries. They have killed people of different faiths but, more than any other, they have killed Muslims. Their actions are irreconcilable with the rights of human beings, the progress of nations, and with Islam.

The Holy Quran teaches that whoever kills an innocent is as -- it is as it if has killed all mankind.

(APPLAUSE)

And the Holy Quran also says whoever saves a person, it is as if he has saved all mankind.

(APPLAUSE)

The enduring faith of over a billion people is so much bigger than the narrow hatred of a few. Islam is not part of the problem in combating violent extremism; it is an important part of promoting peace.

Now, we also know that military power alone is not going solve the problems in Afghanistan and Pakistan. That's why we plan to invest $1.5 billion each year over the next five years to partner with Pakistanis to build schools and hospitals, roads and businesses, and hundreds of millions to help those who've been displaced.

That's why we are providing more than $2.8 billion to help Afghans develop their economy and deliver services that people depend on.

Now, let me also address the issue of Iraq. Unlike Afghanistan, Iraq was a war of choice that provoked strong differences in my country and around the world. Although I believe that the Iraqi people are ultimately better off without the tyranny of Saddam Hussein, I also believe that events in Iraq have reminded America of the need to use diplomacy and build international consensus to resolve our problems whenever possible.

(APPLAUSE)

Indeed, we can recall the words of Thomas Jefferson, who said, I hope that our wisdom will grow with our power and teach us that the less we use our power, the greater it will be. Today America has a dual responsibility to help Iraq forge a better future and to leave Iraq to Iraqis.

I have made it clear to the Iraqi people...

(APPLAUSE)

I have made it clear to the Iraqi people that we pursue no basis and no claim on their territory or resources. Iraq's sovereignty is its own. And that's why I ordered the removal of our combat brigades by next August. That is why we will honor our agreement with Iraq's democratically-elected government to remove combat troops from Iraqi cities by July and to remove all of our troops from Iraq by 2012.

(APPLAUSE)

We will help Iraq train its security forces and develop its economy. But we will support a secure and united Iraq as a partner and never as a patron.

And finally, just as America can never tolerate violence by extremists, we must never alter or forget our principles. 9/11 was an enormous trauma to our country. The fear and anger that it provoked was understandable. But in some cases, it led us to act contrary to our traditions and our ideals.

We are taking concrete actions to change course. I have unequivocally prohibited the use of torture by the United States. And I have ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed by early next year.

(APPLAUSE)

So America will defend itself, respectful of the sovereignty of nations and the rule of law. And we will do so in partnership with Muslim communities, which are also threatened. The sooner the extremists are isolated and unwelcome in Muslim communities, the sooner we will all be safer.

Now, the second major source of tension that we need to discuss is the situation between Israelis, Palestinians and the Arab world. America's strong bonds with Israel are well-known. This bond is unbreakable. It is based upon cultural and historical ties and the recognition that the aspiration for a Jewish homeland is rooted in a tragic history that cannot be denied.

Around the world the Jewish people were persecuted for centuries. And anti-Semitism in Europe culminated in an unprecedented holocaust. Tomorrow I will visit Buchenwald, which was part of a network of camps where Jews were enslaved, tortured, shot and gassed to death by the Third Reich.

Six million Jews were killed, more than the entire Jewish population of Israel today. Denying that fact is baseless. It is ignorant, and it is hateful.

It's about preventing a nuclear arms race in the Middle East that could lead this region and the world down a hugely dangerous path.

Now, I understand those who protest that some countries have weapons that others do not. No single nations should pick and choose which nation holds nuclear weapons. And that's why I strongly reaffirmed America's commitment to seek a world in which no nations hold nuclear weapons.

(APPLAUSE)

And any nation, including Iran, should have the right to access peaceful nuclear power if it complies with its responsibilities under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. That commitment is at the core of the treaty. And it must be kept for all who fully abide by it. And I am hopeful that all countries in the region can share in this goal.

The fourth issue that I will address is democracy.

(APPLAUSE)

I know there has been controversy about the promotion of democracy in recent years. And much of this controversy is connected to the war in Iraq. So let me be clear. No system of government can or should be imposed by one nation by any other. That does not lessen my commitment, however, to governments that reflect the will of the people.

Each nation gives life to this principle in its own way, grounded in the traditions of its own people. America does not presume to know what is best for everyone, just as we would not presume to pick the outcome of a peaceful election.

But I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed, confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice, government that is transparent and doesn't steal from the people, the freedom to live as you choose. These are not just American ideas. They are human rights. And that is why we will support them everywhere.

(APPLAUSE)

Now, there is no straight line to realize this promise. But this much is clear. Governments that protect these rights are ultimately more stable, successful and secure. Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. America respects the right of all peaceful and law-abiding voices to be heard around the world, even if we disagree with them. And we will welcome all elected, peaceful governments, provided they govern with respect for all their people.

This last point is important because there are some who advocate for democracy only when they're out of power. Once in power, they are ruthless in suppressing the rights of others.

(APPLAUSE)

So no matter where it takes hold, government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who would hold power. You must maintain your power through consent, not coercion. You must respect the rights of minorities and participate with a spirit of tolerance and compromise. You must place the interests of your people and the legitimate workings of the political process above your party.
Without these ingredients, elections alone do not make true democracy.

(AUDIENCE MEMBER SHOUTS)

Thank you.

(APPLAUSE)

The fifth issue that we must address together is religious freedom. Islam has a proud tradition of tolerance. We see it in the history of Andalusia and Cordoba during the Inquisition. I saw it firsthand as a child in Indonesia where devote Christians worshipped freely in an overwhelmingly Muslim country.

That is the spirit we need today. People in every country should be free to choose and live their faith based upon the persuasion of the mind and the heart and the soul.
This tolerance is essential for religion to thrive. But it's being challenged in many different ways. Among some Muslims, there's a disturbing tendency to measure one's own faith by the rejection of somebody else's faith.

The richness of religious diversity must be upheld, whether it is for Maronites in Lebanon or the Copts in Egypt.

(APPLAUSE)

And if we are being honest, fault lines must be closed among Muslims as well as the divisions between Sunni and Shia have led to tragic violence, particularly in Iraq.
Freedom of religion is central to the ability of peoples to live together. We must always examine the ways in which people protect it. For instance, in the United States, rules on charitable giving have made it harder for Muslims to fulfill their religious obligation.

That's why I'm committed to work with American Muslims to ensure that they can fulfill zakat. Likewise, it is important for Western countries to avoid impeding Muslim citizens from practicing religion as they see fit, for instance, by dictating what clothes a Muslim woman should wear.

We can't disguise hostility towards any religion behind the pretense of liberalism. In fact, faith should bring us together. And that's why we're forging service projects in America to bring together Christians, Muslims, and Jews.

That's why we welcome efforts like Saudi Arabian King Abdullah's interfaith dialogue and Turkey's leadership in the Alliance of Civilizations.

Around the world, we can turn dialogue into interfaith service so bridges between peoples lead to action, whether it is combating malaria in Africa or providing relief after a natural disaster.

The sixth issue -- the sixth issue that I want to address is women's rights.

(APPLAUSE)

I know...

(APPLAUSE)

I know, and you can tell from this audience, that there is a healthy debate about this issue. I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal. But I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality.

(APPLAUSE)

And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well- educated are far more likely to be prosperous.

Now let me be clear, issues of women's equality are by no means simply an issue for Islam. In Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, we've seen Muslim-majority countries elect a woman to lead.

Meanwhile, the struggle for women's equality continues in many aspects of American life and in countries around the world. I am convinced that our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons.

(APPLAUSE)

Our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity, men and women, to reach their full potential. I do not believe that women must make the same choices as men in order to be equal. And I respect those women who choose to live their lives in traditional roles. But it should be their choice.

That is why the United States will partner with any Muslim- majority country to support expanded literacy for girls and to help young women pursue employment through micro-financing that helps people live their dreams.

(APPLAUSE)

Finally, I want to discuss economic development and opportunity. I know that for many, the face of globalization is contradictory. The Internet and television can bring knowledge and information but also offensive sexuality and mindless violence into the home.

Trade can bring new wealth and opportunities but also huge disruptions and change in communities. In all nations, including America, this change can bring fear; fear that, because of modernity, we lose control over our economic choices, our politics, and most importantly, our identities, those things we most cherish about our communities, our families, our traditions, and our faith.

But I also know that human progress cannot be denied. There need not be contradictions between development and tradition. Countries like Japan and South Korea grew their economies enormously while maintaining distinct cultures. The same is true for the astonishing progress within Muslim majority countries from Kuala Lumpur to Dubai.

In ancient times and in our times, Muslim communities have been at the forefront of innovation and education. And this is important because no development strategy can be based only upon what comes out of the ground nor can it be sustained while young people are out of work.

Many Gulf States have enjoyed great wealth as a consequence of oil, and some are beginning to focus it on broader development. But all of us must recognize that education and innovation will be the currency of the 21st century. And in too...

(APPLAUSE)

And in too many Muslim communities, there remains underinvestment in these areas. I am emphasizing such investment within my own country. And while America, in the past, has focused on oil and gas when it comes to this part of the world, we new seek a broader engagement.

On education, we will expand change programs and increase scholarships like the one that brought my father to America.

(APPLAUSE)

At the same time, we will encourage more Americans to study in Muslim communities. And we will match promising Muslim students are internships in America, invest in online learning for teachers and children around the world and create a new, online network so a young person in Kansas can communicate instantly with a young person in Cairo.

On economic development, we will create a new core of business volunteers to partner with counterparts in Muslim majority countries. And I will host a summit on entrepreneurship this year to identify how we can deepen ties between business leaders, foundations, and social entrepreneurs in the United States and Muslim communities around the world.

On science and technology, we will launch a new fund to support technological development in Muslim majority country and to help transfer ideas to the marketplace so they can create more jobs. We will open centers of scientific excellence in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia and appoint new science envoys to collaborate on programs that develop new sources of energy, create green jobs, digitize records, clean water, grow new crops.

Today, I'm announcing a new global effort with the organization of the Islamic Conference to eradicate polio. And we will also expand partnerships with Muslim communities to promote child and maternal health.

All these things must be done in partnership. Americans are ready to join with citizens and governments, community organizations, religious leaders, and businesses in Muslim communities around the world to help our people pursue a better life.

The issues that I have described will not be easy to address, but we have a responsibility to join together to behalf of the world that we seek, a world where extremists no longer threaten our people and American troops have come home; a world where Israelis and Palestinians are each secure in a state of their own and nuclear energy is used for peaceful purposes, a world where governments serve their citizens and the rights of all God's children are respected. Those are mutual interests. That is the world we seek.But we can only achieve it together. I know there are many, Muslim and non-Muslim, who question whether we can forge this new beginning. Some are eager to stoke the flames of division and to stand in the way of progress. Some suggest that it isn't worth the effort, that we are fated to disagree and civilizations are doomed to clash.

Many more are simply skeptical that real change can occur. There is so much fear, so much mistrust that has built up over the years. But if we choose to be bound by the past, we will never move forward. And I want to particularly say this to young people of every faith in every country. You more than anyone have the ability to reimagine the world, the remake this world.

All of us share this world for but a brief moment in time. The question is whether we spend that time focused on what pushes us apart or whether we commit ourselves to an effort, a sustained effort to find common ground, to focus on the future we seek for our children and to respect the dignity of all human beings.

It's easier to start wars than to end them. It's easier to blame others than to look inward. It's easier to see what is different about someone than to find the things we share. But we should choose the right path, not just the easy path. There is one rule that lies at the heart of every religion, that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us.

(APPLAUSE)

This truth transcends nations and peoples, a belief that isn't new, that isn't black or

white or brown, that isn't Christian or Muslim or Jew. It's a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization and that still beats in the hearts of billions around the world. It's a faith in other people. And it's what brought me here today.

We have the power to make the world we seek, but only if we have the courage to make a new beginning, keeping in mind what has been written. The Holy Quran tells us, Mankind, we have created you male and a female. And we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another.

The Talmud tells us, The whole of the Torah is for the purpose of promoting peace.
The Holy Bible tells us, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

(APPLAUSE)

The people of the world can live together in peace. We know that is God's vision. Now that must be our work here on Earth.

Thank you. And may God's peace be upon you. Thank you very much.

Thank you.

END

Gaza Video - Closed Zone

2009-03-14T11:33:00.000-07:00

Thanks to George Galloway!!!

2009-03-12T08:04:00.000-07:00

Thanks to George Galloway for succesfully brought Viva Palestina Caravan aid convoy to Gaza. Congratulation!! For ability to see as human being. For ability to see beyond boundaries of races, religion, manipulation and injustice. For unconditional support, not influenced by monetary promised of lobbyist, for unconditional sacrifice. While most of western politician and leaders would see based on what they will get back for themselves and their country, Mr George Galloway see based what justice must be. While UK leaders still not able to amend and correct their injustice of giving Palestinian Land to Israel, which has been traded for Jews support, worst they still supporting the ethnic leansing, killing, new settlement and greater occupation of Israel. Mr Galloway did what a fair man should do.. Thanks Mr Galloway, for being TRUE

see clip video Mr Galloway speech from inside Gaza here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yUHDrMLKGA

George Galloway (born 16 August 1954 in Dundee) is a British politician, author and talk show host. He has been a Member of Parliament (MP) since 1987 and currently represents Respect for the Bethnal Green and Bow constituency. He was previously a Labour Party MP for Glasgow Hillhead and for Glasgow Kelvin.

http://www.spiderednews.com/
http://www.islamonl%20ine.net/servlet/%20Satellite?
http://www.georgegalloway.com/

Israel Annexing Jerusalem March 2009

2009-03-07T06:31:00.000-08:00

Israel never stop in grabbing more and more Palestinian land. The reason is for security reason yet they put more and more settler at place of formerly Palestinian and nearer to palestinian the security poser. Yet again the victim grab land of the security poser. Which side is the threat for peace actually? Eventhough Israel action clearly violated geneva Convention but non significant official reaction from US Government. Hillary Clinton remark on this issue just "unhelpful for peace process" that's all. How do you expect palestinian to react ? do they have right to protect their home and land? in what way that they should? what capabilities to they have to resist? peaceful demonstration? So the cycle of victim act continue - "Full of hatred Palestinian attack peace loving Israel Soldier in Bulldozer which is in the middle of carrying out their novel duty of destroying legitimate Palestinian home for illegal Israel settlers. The Young Palestinian Militant attack viciously with stone and human shield, the incident end with several Palestinian shot dead for terrorist action and one reporter accidentally crushed by Bulldozer driven by innocent Israel soldier…."

Israel annexing East Jerusalem, says EU
• Confidential report attacks 'illegal' house demolitions • Government accused of damaging peace prospects
Rory McCarthy in Jerusalem
The Guardian, Saturday 7 March 2009
Article history

40-year-old Palestinian Mahmoud al-Abbasi stands amid the rubble of his home after it was demolished by the Jerusalem municipality in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan. Photograph: Gali Tibbon

A confidential EU report accuses the Israeli government of using settlement expansion, house demolitions, discriminatory housing policies and the West Bank barrier as a way of "actively pursuing the illegal annexation" of East Jerusalem.

The document says Israel has accelerated its plans for East Jerusalem, and is undermining the Palestinian Authority's credibility and weakening support for peace talks. "Israel's actions in and around Jerusalem constitute one of the most acute challenges to Israeli-Palestinian peace-making," says the document, EU Heads of Mission Report on East Jerusalem.
The report, obtained by the Guardian, is dated 15 December 2008. It acknowledges Israel's legitimate security concerns in Jerusalem, but adds: "Many of its current illegal actions in and around the city have limited security justifications."

"Israeli 'facts on the ground' - including new settlements, construction of the barrier, discriminatory housing policies, house demolitions, restrictive permit regime and continued closure of Palestinian institutions - increase Jewish Israeli presence in East Jerusalem, weaken the Palestinian community in the city, impede Palestinian urban development and separate East Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank," the report says.

The document has emerged at a time of mounting concern over Israeli policies in East Jerusalem. Two houses were demolished on Monday just before the arrival of the US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, and a further 88 are scheduled for demolition, all for lack of permits. Clinton described the demolitions as "unhelpful", noting that they violated Israel's obligations under the US "road map" for peace.

The EU report goes further, saying that the demolitions are "illegal under international law, serve no obvious purpose, have severe humanitarian effects, and fuel bitterness and extremism." The EU raised its concern in a formal diplomatic representation on December 1, it says.

It notes that although Palestinians in the east represent 34% of the city's residents, only 5%-10% of the municipal budget is spent in their areas, leaving them with poor services and infrastructure.

Israel issues fewer than 200 permits a year for Palestinian homes and leaves only 12% of East Jerusalem available for Palestinian residential use. As a result many homes are built without Israeli permits. About 400 houses have been demolished since 2004 and a further 1,000 demolition orders have yet to be carried out, it said.

City officials dismissed criticisms of its housing policy as "a disinformation campaign". "Mayor Nir Barkat continues to promote investments in infrastructure, construction and education in East Jerusalem, while at the same time upholding the law throughout West and East Jerusalem equally without bias," the mayor's office said after Clinton's visit.

However, the EU says the fourth Geneva convention prevents an occupying power extending its jurisdiction to occupied territory. Israel occupied the east of the city in the 1967 six day war and later annexed it. The Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.
The EU says settlement are being built in the east of the city at a "rapid pace". Since the Annapolis peace talks began in late 2007, nearly 5,500 new settlement housing units have been submitted for public review, with 3,000 so far approved, the report says. There are now about 470,000 settlers in the occupied territories, including 190,000 in East Jerusalem.
The EU is particularly concerned about settlements inside the Old City, where there were plans to build a Jewish settlement of 35 housing units in the Muslim quarter, as well as expansion plans for Silwan, just outside the Old City walls.

The goal, it says, is to "create territorial contiguity" between East Jerusalem settlements and the Old City and to "sever" East Jerusalem and its settlement blocks from the West Bank.
There are plans for 3,500 housing units, an industrial park, two police stations and other infrastructure in a controversial area known as E1, between East Jerusalem and the West Bank settlement of Ma'ale Adumim, home to 31,000 settlers. Israeli measures in E1 were "one of the most significant challenges to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process", the report says.
Mark Regev, spokesman for the Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert, said conditions for Palestinians living in East Jerusalem were better than in the West Bank. "East Jerusalem residents are under Israeli law and they were offered full Israeli citizenship after that law was passed in 1967," he said. "We are committed to the continued development of the city for the benefit of all its population."

An Israel Supporter

2009-03-04T06:49:00.000-08:00

This post is about my correspondence with an American. Started from comment on youtube it turn into various topics.. His view on Israel and Palestinian conflict got my interest.. even this may be a personal view it also explain of US stand and policy on Israel Palestine conflict.. you have to read this post from lowest part and move up for latest correspondence

Me 4/3/2009

hi, i get new interest in this issue.. your claim is funny,
It’s ironic that at one time claim as human right champion of the world, at other time claim that it is right to attack others. At one time claim as servant of god of true religion and at other time claims that it is right to rob others - . Condemned dictatorship but claimed it is OK to conquer other country. May be accepted to you for your neighbors to rob and take your land by force.. because he has declared war on you..

By the way .. I would like to hear more of your reason to justify Israel occupation on Palestine beside:

It’s right to conquer other country
Creation of Palestine state same as giving France to Nazis
Deny Israel right to exist like denying formation of USA to American Indian
Without man land to man without land

Even it’s funny… it’s no better to hear from American the Slave of Israel

I don’t know that guy John Locke or whoever phariah he is.. why don’t you quote Bush philosophy of attacking Iraq

I will publish our post on my blog http://newsfreeman.blogspot.com
Hope you can find something useful … for the better of your ignorant and arrogant

Sitdown 27/11/2007

See, the other thing you're forgetting about me comparing it to Hitler is that they're almost identical. You know what Hitler's claim to taking the Rhineland was? He claimed that the Germans had had heritage there for years, so by that right, they should take possesion of it, similar to what the Palesteins want. In reality, they want to be like the Nazis and force Israel out by force, not in a peaceful fashion. In fact, the only situtation in which I can remember them wanting to talk on peaceful terms was when Israel went in and kicked their asses.

Sitdown 27/11/2007

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: continue 4
Actually, you're overlooking the main concept here. YES, IF YOU TAKE OVER LAND IT IS YOURS! I'm sorry to say it, but that's the way it is, if the USA wanted to keep west Europe after WWII they had the right to, if they wanted to keept Afghanistan and Iraq they could too, but we don't because we do not have the intention of conquering, however, at that point, the British did have the idea of conquering. They conquered the land, and thus it became theirs. I'm not sure if you're familiar with John Locke, but his philosophy is the foundation for every true government around the world. When I say true, I mean something other than dictator, etc. He stated that when a country took over another they had all rights over that country, sorry that's just how it works. Isreal has been established as a nation. Britian had every right to do whatever they desired with that land, they could have made it into the worldwide dump for all I care, if that's what they wanted to do, they could have legitimately. I compare it to Hitler with the Rhineland because it is a fair comparision. The palesteins want to take a country they no longer have a claim over by force and act as if it's not, just as Hitler did, so yes, in a sense, they are nazis.

Me 27/11/2007

I agree with you that only Monkey capable of thinking that way.. Would you like to validate that any forces who occupied other people country have their every right on that land and handover to other people who have zero right whatsoever ... would you look beyond 50years before formation of Israel.. Whose land was there? It's historical fact that Palestine has been Palestinian land for 2000 years.. it was not No Man Land.. It wasn't Jews land ..it was Palestinian Land for Palestinian people.. How come Palestinian is the aggressor? Is it defending own right would be regarded as aggressor and the occupier be regarded as victim? or just aggressor playing victim to legitimize their aggression? What a stupid metaphor you want apply by liking giving the land to Palestinian like giving Rhineland to Hitler. It's Palestinian who dwelling on that land for centuries does it look like Hitler with Rhineland?. What I see is vice versa. Everyone who knows about the people who have been native to Palestine for thousand of years recognize their right; everybody except the Jews and people who choose not use their senses or plainly evil. Palestinian were not nomad people, they build fort, palace.. in short great civilization there. Palestine handover as result of war bargain, it is handed over as if France handover to Mexico. Zionism and Jewish movement have been known operating in various countries not excluded British Government. The Zionist indeed has play smart during World War 1 taking opportunity on gullibility on both side. German gladly pledged the land of Palestine to the Jews, but the Allies won in the contest of making promises and submission to Jewry. On Nov 2, 1917 when General Allenby was pushing through Palestine with his British Army, Arthur James Balfour the British Foreign Secretary, issued famous declaration approving Palestine as national home for the Jewish people. It show that plan to give Palestinian land to Jewish not created on 1948 or 1917, but far beyond before that. What happen after that were vicious plan to kick out Palestinian hidden or obvious through economic, education, massacre, ethnic cleansing, illegal settlement etc2 in whatever way that appropriate to satisfy Jewish greed and prepare for formation of Israel. The cycle continue until today, it look like by the message that you want to forward that Palestinian won't have their own independent state regardless of whatever or countless peace organized, it won't if it is just organized to misled the World and to buy more time to grab more land. With US as centre of Zionist movement nowadays and kind of propaganda playing by Zionist controlled there, it won't be surprised that your view just sound like extension of the Zionist mind, but kind of it accepted without go deeper into thoughts is very much regretted.

Sitdown 2/10/2007

To begin, the nation was not Palestein before it was formed into Israel, it was part of the British empire, so they have no claim to that land. Britain decided to allow it to be made into Israel, it was their land and that's what they decided to do with it. Palestein is the agressor, they have advacated taking ISrael by force and destroying it, sound similar to Hitler, I think so. Giving them the land that belongs to ISrael would be like giving Hitler the Rhineland, it is almost identical. Germany didn't have a claim to this land and neither does Palestein. Think simple, because a monkey can understand that Palestein should not be allowed to take over Israel (more) (less)

Me 1/10/07
What a miscalculated argument this has be.. what characteristics that Palestine poses similar to Hitler? Is Palestine the aggressor or they the victim? Does Palestine occupied other nation's land or they driven out from their motherhood land? Did Palestine massacre others or they being massacred by their occupier? Were the Palestinian people come all the way from Europe countries to conquer the land? -- the Jews were.. Hitler occupied other nation's country.. Israel occupied other nation's country.. what country that Palestinian occupied now? Israel=Hitler or Palestine=Hitler? It is pity people from developed country can't pick the obvious one.. Don't matter whether it's a nation or not.. what now if UN decide to take part of California or your state for creation of a new country for people from southern India who has suffered some kind of Holocaust.. existing owners are driven out of their house, your house are demolished.. land are taken.. you force to live at refugee camp surrounded by barbed wire and wall.. yeah a new nation are created.. after 50s year, the legitimacy argument of this nation are stronger.. what would you do? Hailed a new nation? Or you resist and being branded as terrorist? Think deeper bro....
Sitdown 30/9/07

First, to be upfront, if it had been my choice, the US wouldn't have joined the UN and wouldn't have been invovled in this whole mess, but Israel has been established as a nation, how long as the US been around, 200 yrs? So according to you it's not a nation, the indians should still be in charge? Pthey were driven out of this land because they tried to take it by force and when Israel cleaned house with them, they cried and whined, they wanted to us force, but when they get beat they dont' want to use force. Hezbollah is a terrorist organization, and they are supported by Lebonan so Lebanon is a terrorist nation, the same as Iran
and Syria. Palestein, can be easily regarded as Hitler, if you recall the Rhineland, one of Hitler's first areas taken, his argument was that it was "historically german" so it should be reunited with the rest of the nation, is that any different then palestein? No, they want to take the land by force is necessary, and the US giving into these demands (since the UN has no Power) would be like giving land to Hitler (more)

Me 30/9/07
It's sad to acknowledge that bad habit of bush has spread contagiously to American citizen. Lie are regarded as truth.. truth are mask so bad that to find it like searching a black ant in the darkest night. Logics are given so bland to humble human mind. Mind so corrupted, people see sham as true.. I believe yr view is just what is advertised and play in your News and Media.. please don't downgrade yourself.. take a little time for a deep thought and hear what yr inner voice what to say.. if time playback to 50s yrs ago.. Would you give the same argument? does Israel have right to be at Palestine land then? No matter how many years they have been there, if it is not right then.. they have no right to be there now.. do you count how many years Palestinian have been living in that Palestine's Land? Thousand? Million years? How can the rightful owner been regarded as terrorist? The metaphor of like giving France to Hitler is hard to digest.. just blatant exaggerated lie given to the mass again and again until it's accepted as legitimate.. how the critics on Israel was quick labeled as anti Semitism... how action against Israel are regarded as repression, play victim is one favorite act of aggressor.. we see that in Iraq.. justification for Israel war of expansion etc etc.. Israel always portray as victim in US media and US citizen just stupid enough to accept that blatantly... how can the Palestinian be regarded as Hitler.. for what? For being massacred? For being missiled? For being shot at everyday. For being driven out from their land? What you want them to do? Sit back and enjoy the ethnic cleansing....
Sitdown 28/9/07
Play the hitler card? Why? Because that's exactly what's happening in the Israel-Palestein debate. Israel is a country and has been established for over 50 years, the reason why the US doesn't bend to Palestein is because in order to do it, Israel would have to be destroyed, it's only common sense, Hezzbollah and Palestein are terrorists trying to destroy Israel for their own selfish gain and pushing it off as Israel won't give it to them, why would they, it's their property

Me 28/9/07
i disagree with yr way of comparing between creation of palestinian independent state like giving france to Hitler.. who play hitler role now? palestine or israel? or it could be rephrased "like giving palestine to hitler for creation of israel" where u got this kind of view? US always regard themselves as human right champion.. but where is palestinian right? if u believe that israel have every right to be there.. if US UN really sincere .. at least they will create two country side by side.. .. actually i'm tired thinking about this kind of thing huh .. anyway thanks for the emel address

sitdown 27/9/07
To begin, wow, you really hate the jews don't you? THe middle east would still be insecure, that's like saying if we gave hitler poland everything would have been fine. Things would have still happened, just
differently, and ISrael wouldn't be the forefront of their terrorism. I will not state my opinion on Hezebollah since you already know what I'm going to say ;) Why should Iran not have nukes and Israel should, obviously because it is too late to stop Israel, nobody is building nuclear weapons "legally" except for the axis of evil, primarily north korea and iran. The nuke was a great invention no matter how you think of it, it ended world wars and just replaced them with small conflicts because with the threat of world destruction powerful countries don't start wars with each other. Why no palestine state? Because in order to create it, we'd have to destroy Israel, that would be like hitler asking for France and us just saying okay, take it, we just don't want to fight about it. I can't believe you are that much of a coward to be afraid of Muslims that are getting destroyed by us right now. Remember, we've lost about 4000 in 5.5 years, when they've lost hundreds of thousands. Also, look at this small statistic
KOREA - 3 YEARS - 50000IRAQ - 5.5 YEARS - 4000

Me 27/9/07

dear sitdown..
by just simply say alqaeda in iraq before.. would just imply that alqaeda in all /link with all other countries.. inclusively US.. all the instability and terrorism in middle east now are caused by israel. dont u think if the jews choose to pick land in south america as their country there will be no instability in middle east?..there would be no reason for palestinian suicide bomb.. no reason for creation of Hezbollah.. Iran wont be listed as Axis of Evil for supporting Hezbollah.. the Arab wont have any grudge towards US.. no al qaeda.. still possibility of 9/11 but the terrorist wont be Arab but could be the native from amazon keh keh..it's not hard to see why jews come to the picture.. but american people just too naive to realize that their mind and thinking are easily shaped by jews propaganda and media.. who control the US media? how they strongly believe that iraq has WMD... israelis were killed everyday by palestinian, or vice versa? putting end to terror? those jews lobyist and funder are the real one who rule US.. bush and his man are just master of puppet of the puppet citizen... indeed US and Israel are the source of terror.. yr State only created more terrorist! Iran as the next theatre? what theatre? u think this is video game aa? why dont u bring the theatre to yr own backyard! why is iran is so evil? just becoz they help resistance movement of Hezbollah? sorry just love to regard hezbollah as ressistance movement.. sure u would regard them as terrorist.. dont give yr opinion.. coz i already know it.. if not becoz of hezbollah.. Lubnan would simply be part of Israel now... and US would say Israel have the right over it.. if US really sincere about middle east stability.. why there still no independent palestinian state.. for how many years? or they are just buying time before fully erasing palestine word from World Map. what make u people think that u all are so holy that everyone else are so evil? if iran dont have right of
nuclear technology.. what give the israel right to keep nuclear bomb?all know how powerful US military is now.. they could nuke all other continents if they want and would self proclaim america as World. it's dread to see what would happen if power is given to corrupted man.. give me yr emel address.. would love to share "other's view" just to broaden our perspective.. if u dont mind

sitdown 15/9/07
Yes, Al Qaeda was in Iraq before then, but again, if you read my full statement you would see what I implied, if we have a strong ally in the Middle East to help us in stopping terror in that region, then this will assist us greatly in putting an end to terror, and honestly, i see iran as the next theatre. I would love there just to be huge economic sanctions, but the UN are too big of cowards to get anything done, and there'll probably be another case of bribing like with Iraq and France. Not sure what you're referencing in your second statement, you just starting randomly ranting about jews (more) (less

Me – 15/9/07

"I truly agree that the US really only wanted to go into Iraq so that we could get another theater in order to fight the terroists"?????? was there Al Qaeda in Iraq before? now u want to link Osama with Saddam? US has been Saddam alliesbefore (remember how saddam come to power and iran-iraq conflict and who supplied the sarin gas?-US..)so u create the hell in iraq to fight terrorist? theater? the jews occupied other people land - their argument is those jews from russia got ancestral right on the land keh keh what a lame excuse.. the most obnoxius is they harrased/massacred the existing owner of the land and denied their right to co-exist. and these greedy people would never satisfied.. they would ever hungry for more.. the jews=the nazis .. what is the different? Don't worry US will always be the allies

Sitdown 22/7/07

First,I'm curious as to why you post someone else's views instead of stating your own views. However, of course we would support Israel, they are our allies. It makes no sense that we would not help them. I do agree, Israel is only around because of the United States, but remember the US was not the only nation who originally wanted to create Israel, we are just the country who has came through on our promises. The USA didn't want to get involved in the Middle East, but after 9/11 we had no choice, we had to go into Afgahnistatn to defeat Al Queda. I dont' like it, but our nation has the right to defend itself. Obviously, Iraq is an extension on the War on Terror. I don't think anybody in their right mind would argue that Saddum Husein was a good leader to his citizens because he was not. I truly agree that the US really only wanted to go into Iraq so that we could get another theater in order to fight the terroists and we have done that. Now, we are in the midst of a full on battle with the terroists in Iraq. It makes no sense why we would run like cowards when our enemy is sitting right in front of us (Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.)

Me - 21/7/07

what about palestine? the state of prisons

Thu Jul 5, 2007 9:07 pm (PST)

A Declaration of Independence from Israel
by Chris Hedges
Israel, without the United States, would probably not exist. The country came perilously close to extinction during the October 1973 war when Egypt, trained and backed by the Soviet Union, crossed the Suez and the Syrians poured in over the Golan Heights. Huge American military transport planes came to the rescue. They began landing every half-hour to refit the battered Israeli army, which had lost most of its heavy armor. By the time the war was over, the United States had given Israel $2.2 billion in emergency military aid.The intervention, which enraged the Arab world, triggered the OPEC oil embargo that for a time wreaked havoc on Western economies. This was perhaps the most dramatic example of the sustained life-support system the United States has provided to the Jewish state.
Israel was born at midnight May 14, 1948. The U.S.recognized the new state 11 minutes later. The two
countries have been locked in a deadly embrace ever since. Washington, at the beginning of the relationship, was able to be a moderating influence. An incensed President Eisenhower demanded and got Israel's withdrawal after the Israelis occupied Gaza in 1956.During the Six-Day War in 1967, Israeli warplanes bombed the USS Liberty. The ship, flying the U.S. flag and stationed 15 miles off the Israeli coast, was intercepting tactical and strategic communications from both sides. The Israeli strikes killed 34 U.S. sailors and wounded 171. The deliberate attack froze,for a while, Washington's enthusiasm for Israel. But ruptures like this one aproved to be only bumps, soon smoothed out by an increasingly sophisticated and well-financed Israel lobby that set out to merge Israel and American foreign policy in the Middle East.Israel has reaped tremendous rewards from this alliance. It has been given more than $140 billion in U.S. direct economic and military assistance. It receives about $3 billion in direct assistance annually, roughly one-fifth of the U.S. foreign aid budget. Although most American foreign aid packages stipulate that related military purchases have to be made in the United States, Israel is allowed to use about 25 percent of the money to subsidize its own growing and profitable defense industry. It is exempt, unlike other nations, from accounting for how it spends the aid money. And funds are routinely siphoned off to build new Jewish settlements, bolster the Israeli occupation in the Palestinian territories and construct the security barrier, which costs an estimated $1 million a mile. The barrier weaves its way through the West Bank, creating isolated pockets of impoverished Palestinians in ringed ghettos. By the time the barrier is finished it will probably in effect seize up to 40 percent of Palestinian land. This is the largest land grab by Israel since the 1967 war. And although the United States officially opposes settlement expansion and the barrier, it also funds them. The U.S. has provided Israel with nearly $3 billion to develop weapons systems and given Israel access to some of the most sophisticated items in its own military arsenal, including Blackhawk attack helicopters and F-16 fighter jets. The United States also gives Israel access to intelligence it denies to its NATO allies. And when Israel refused to sign the nuclear nonproliferation treaty, the United States stood by without a word of protest as the Israelis built the region's first nuclear weapons program.U.S. foreign policy, especially under the current Bush administration, has become little more than an extension of Israeli foreign policy. The United States since 1982 has vetoed 32 Security Council resolutions critical of Israel, more than the total number of vetoes cast byall the other Security Council members. It refuses to enforce the Security Council resolutions it claims to support. These resolutions call on Israel to withdraw from the occupied territories. (more)

There is now volcanic anger and revulsion by Arabs at this blatant favoritism.Few in the Middle East see any distinction between Israeli and American policies, nor should they. And when the Islamic radicals speak of U.S. support of Israel as a prime reason for their hatred of the United States, we should listen. The consequences of this one-sided relationship are being played out in the disastrous war in Iraq, growing tension with Iran, and the humanitarian and political crisis in Gaza. It is being played out in Lebanon, where Hezbollah is gearing up for another war with Israel, one most Middle East analysts say is inevitable. The U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East is unraveling. And it is doing so because of this special relationship. The eruption of a regional conflict would usher in a nightmare of catastrophic proportions.There were many in the American foreign policy establishment and State Department who saw this situation coming. The decision to throw our lot in with Israel in the Middle East was not initially a popular one with an array of foreign policy experts, including President Harry Truman's secretary of state, Gen. George Marshall. They warned there would be a backlash. They knew the cost the United States would pay in the oil-rich region for this decision, which they feared would be one of the greatest strategic blunders of the postwar era. And they were right. The decision has jeopardized American and Israeli security and created the kindling for a regional conflagration. The alliance, which makes no sense in geopolitical terms, does makes sense when seen through the lens of domestic politics. The Israel lobby has become a potent force in the American political system. No major candidate, Democrat or Republican, dares to challenge it. The lobby successfully purged the State Department of Arab experts who challenged the notion that Israeli and American interests were identical. Backers of Israel have doled out hundreds of millions of dollars to support U.S. political candidates deemed favorable to Israel. They have brutally punished those who strayed, including the first President Bush, who they said was not vigorous enough in his defense of Israeli interests. This was a lesson the next Bush White House did not forget. George W. Bush did notwant to be a one-term president like his father..
Israel advocated removing Saddam Hussein from power and currently advocates striking Iran to prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons. Direct Israeli involvement in American military perations in the Middle East is impossible. It would reignite a war between Arab states and Israel. The United States, which during the Cold War avoided direct military involvement in the region, now does the direct bidding of Israel while Israel watches from the sidelines. During the 1991 Gulf War, Israel was a spectator, just as it is in the war with Iraq. President Bush, facing dwindling support for the war in Iraq, publicly holds Israel up as a model for what he would like Iraq to become. Imagine how this idea plays out on the Arab street, which views Israel as the Algerians viewed the French colonizers during the war of liberation. "In Israel," Bush said recently, "terrorists have taken innocent human life for years in suicide attacks. The difference is that Israel is a functioning democracy and it's not prevented from carrying out its responsibilities. And that's a good indicator of success that we're looking for in Iraq." Americans are increasingly isolated and reviled in the world. They remain blissfully ignorant of their own culpability for this isolation. U.S. "spin" paints the rest of the world as unreasonable, but Israel, Americans are assured, will always be on our side. (more) Israel is reaping economic as well as political rewards from its lock-down apartheid state. In the "gated community" market it has begun to sell systems and techniques that allow the nation to cope with terrorism. Israel, in 2006, exported $3.4 billion in defense products-well over a billion dollars more than it received in American military aid. Israel has grown into the fourth largest arms dealer in the world. Most of this growth has come in the so-called homeland security sector.

"The key products and services," as Naomi Klein wrote in The Nation, "are hi-tech fences, unmanned drones, biometric IDs, video and audio surveillance gear, air passenger profiling and prisoner interrogation systems-precisely the tools and technologies Israel has used to lock in the occupied territories. And that is why the chaos in Gaza and the rest of the region doesn't threaten the bottom line in Tel Aviv, and may actually boost it. Israel has learned to turn endless war into a brand asset, pitching its uprooting, occupation and containment of the Palestinian people as a half-century head start in the 'global war on terror.' "

The United States, at least officially, does not support the occupation and calls for a viable Palestinian state. It is a global player, with interests that stretch well beyond the boundaries of the Middle East, and the equation that Israel's enemies are our enemies is not that simple.

"Terrorism is not a single adversary," John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt wrote in The London Review of Books, "but a tactic employed by a wide array of political groups. The terrorist organizations that threaten Israel do not threaten the United States, except when it intervenes against them (as in Lebanon in 1982). Moreover, Palestinian terrorism is not random violence directed against Israel or 'the West'; it is largely a response to Israel's prolonged campaign to colonize the West Bank and Gaza Strip. More important, saying that Israel and the US are united by a shared terrorist threat has the causal relationship backwards: the US has a terrorism problem in good part because it is so closely allied with Israel, not the other way around."

Middle Eastern policy is shaped in the United States by those with very close ties to the Israel lobby. Those who attempt to counter the virulent Israeli position, such as former Secretary of State Colin Powell, are ruthlessly slapped down. This alliance was true also during the Clinton administration, with its array of Israeli-first Middle East experts, including special Middle East coordinator Dennis Ross and Martin Indyk, the former deputy director of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, AIPAC, one of the most powerful Israel lobbying groups in Washington. But at least people like Indyk and Ross are sane, willing to consider a Palestinian state, however unviable, as long as it is palatable to Israel. The Bush administration turned to the far-right wing of the Israel lobby, those who have not a shred ofcompassion for thePalestinians or a word of criticism for Israel. These new Middle East expertsinclude Elliott Abrams, John Bolton, Douglas Feith,the disgraced I. Lewis"Scooter" Libby, Richard Perle, Paul Wolfowitz and David Wurmser. Washington was once willing to stay Israel's hand. Itintervened to thwart someof its most extreme violations of human rights. This administration, however, has signed on for every disastrous Israeli blunder, from building the security barrier in the West Bank, to sealing off Gaza and triggering a humanitarian crisis, to the ruinous invasion and saturation bombing of Lebanon.

The few tepid attempts by the Bush White House to criticize Israeli actions have all ended in hasty and humiliating retreats in the face of Israeli pressure. When the Israel Defense Forces in April 2002 reoccupied the West Bank, President Bush called on then-Prime Minister Ariel
Sharon to "halt the incursions and begin withdrawal." It never happened. After a week of heavy
pressure from the Israel lobby and Israel's allies in Congress, meaning just about everyone in Congress, the president gave up, calling Sharon "a man of peace." It was a humiliating moment for the United Sates, a clear sign of who pulled the strings. There were several reasons for the war in Iraq. The desire for American control of oil, the belief that Washington could build puppet states in the region, and a real, if misplaced, fear of Saddam Hussein played a part in the current disaster. But it was also strongly shaped by the notion that what is good for Israel is good for the United States. Israel wanted Iraq neutralized. Israeli intelligence, in the lead-up to the war, gave faulty information to the U.S. about Iraq's alleged arsenal of weapons of mass destruction. And when Baghdad was taken in April 2003, the Israeli government immediately began to push for an attack on Syria. The lust for this attack has waned, in no small part because the Americans don't have enough troops to hang on in Iraq, much less launch a new occupation. Israel is currently lobbying the United States to launch aerial strikes on Iran, despite the debacle in Lebanon. Israel's iron determination to forcibly prevent a nuclear Iran makes it probable that before the end of the Bush administration an attack on Iran will take place. The efforts to halt nuclear development through diplomatic means have failed. It does not matter that Iran poses no threat to the United States. It does not matter that it does not even pose a threat to Israel, which has several hundred nuclear weapons in its arsenal. It matters only that Israel demands total military domination of the Middle East.The alliance between Israel and the United States has culminated after 50 years in direct U.S. military involvement in the Middle East. This involvement, which is not furthering American interests, is unleashing a geopolitical nightmare. American soldiers and Marines are dying in droves in a useless war. The impotence of the United States in the face of Israelipressure is complete. The White House and the Congress have become, for perhaps the first time, a direct extension of Israeli interests. There is no longer any debate within the United States. This is evidenced by the obsequious nods to Israel by all the current presidential candidates with the exception of Dennis Kucinich. The political cost for those who challenge Israel is too high. This means there will be no peaceful resolution of thePalestinian- Israeli conflict. It means the incidents of Islamic terrorism against the U.S. and Israel will grow. It means that American power and prestige are on a steep, irreversible decline. And I fear it also means the ultimate end of the Jewish experiment in the Middle East. The weakening of the United States, economically andmilitarily, is giving rise to new centers of power. The U.S. economy, mismanaged and drained by the Iraq war, is increasingly dependent on Chinese trade imports and on Chinese holdingsof U.S. Treasury securities. China holds dollar reserves worth $825 billion. If Beijing decides to abandon the U.S. bond market, even in part, it would cause a free fall by the dollar. It would lead to the collapse of the $7-trillion U.S. real estate market. There would be a wave of U.S. bankfailures and huge unemployment. The growing dependence on China has been accompanied by aggressive work by the Chinese to build alliances with many of the world's major exporters of oil, such as Iran, Nigeria, Sudan and Venezuela. The Chinese are preparing for the looming worldwide clash over dwindling resources.The future is ominous. Not only do Israel's foreign policy objectives not coincide with American interests, they actively hurt them. The growing belligerence in the Middle East, the calls for anattack against Iran, the collapse of the imperial project in Iraq have all given an opening, where there was none before, to America's rivals. It is not in Israel's interests to ignite a regional conflict. It is not in ours. But those who have their hands on the wheel seem determined, in the name of freedom and democracy, to keep the American ship of state headed at breakneck speed into the cliffs before us.
Chris Hedges, who graduated from Harvard Divinity School and was for nearly two decades a foreign correspondent for The New York Times, is the author of " American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America ."
©2007 TruthDig.com Article printed from www.CommonDreams. org (more) (less)

Sitdown 23/6/07

What injustices? THe US treats everyone fairly, so I don't see why radicals would want to attack us

Me 23/6/07
coz all the injustices that lead to radicalism

sitdown 20/6/07
Yeah, you guys really need to stop your radicals. They're a pain to everybody and it's kind of like how evolution and global warming is. One scientist with a lot of money belives it and if any scientist disagrees with it, they lsoe their funding, just like how muslims over there are trouble trying to disagree with the radicals. (more)

Me 17/6/07
good to hear from you... it's good if u really believe in yr religion.. coz every religion promote peace

sitdown 17/6/07

First, I think you have the wrong perception, Christians also believe man was born without sin, but using his own acts fell into it. Since this happened, everyone now does fall short of God. See, Mary is not in the trinity because she isn't God, God just chose her because he felt she was bbasically right for the job, I don't know, I'm not God. This is why I am against praying to Mary as many Catholics do, because she was also a sinful human being, so why should I pray to her? The Bible states that through the Holy Spirt (the 3rd part of God) Mary conceived a child who was Jesus, so he was not man, he was born from the Holy Spirit. The Bible talks about how God came to earth in human form so that he could fulfill his promise of a Messiah to ressurect our sins, otherswise we would all be damned. I totally agree, that nobody should repent to a priest. See, what I believe has happened over time is that the original teachings of Jesus were constued for the Catholic church. Jesus said people should take their problems to the church and the public for help if they could not solve them, but never go seeking repentence from them.

Me 17/6/07

yeah.. that was truly honest based on what u believe. coz that is what u know & what u been told/taught since u're born.. what else to believe.. our belief is different but it is not right for me to force upon my belief on you and vice versa.. i'm not a theology expert.. but if u sincerely want to know about other religion specifically islam. i would very much please to give advice based on what i know. i encourage you to study Quran but dont take the meaning literally coz in Quran for every sentence and surah/chapter there are story behind it,i dont know the correct term, generally it mean reason for the sentence revealation.just want to share with u:Islam only believe in ONE God.. we call it Allah (The Oneness of God).. God of before Moses, Noah, Jesus, Muhammad and present. He doesn't have children nor family,He is not a man nor woman, He doesn't have characther and trait of human being, He is the Almighty and nothing is like unto him. the oneness of God was also teaching brought by Jesus but Christian today believe like what u said : 3 part of God, Where is Holy Mary/Mariam position? if this is just like a family would u think they would quarrel sometime? Jesus is man turned God? dont take offence plz.
Man role in this world as God khalifah[The human being is considered the Khalifah (representative) of Allah on earth according to Allah] and servant. Man was born pure. It's he is own choice whether to commit sinful act or good and get pahala/reward. But Allah is The Most Merciful. Christian believe that man are born sinful (contract violation). Christains trust that every one of us falls short of the perfect glory of God because of our sins (imperfections), but the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins was the perfect and ultimate sacrifice; therefore, one can obtain salvation only through seeking faith in Jesus Christ who was crucified and resurrected for all of mankind. We share the same story of Adam and Eve but in Islam mankind are not held responsible for the mistake of Adam. Repentence are direct between man & God not through medium of priest by confession.Correct me if i'm wrong. it's good to know more about Christianity.. But All religions promote peace Those who conceal Allah's revelations in the Book (The Bible), and purchase for them a miserable profit - they swallow into themselves naught but Fire...2:174 (more) (less)
(Delete)

Sitdown 12/6/07
Re: honest reply
Jesus wasn't a prophet, he was God and that's why he ascended into heaven, while every other religion has none. God is split into 3 parts, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Please, d Jesus wasn't a prophet, he was God and that's why he ascended into heaven, while every other religion has none. God is split into 3 parts, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Please, don't ask me how this works, because I simply don't know, I won't know until I get into heaven as the Bible says. There is no way to be sure the Bible has been completely preserved. The only way I know the Bible has been preserved was through God's will, the Holy Spirit. I am curious, how far up does the Quran match the Bible? I'm still not 100% sure, but I know they all match up for a while. I can't see how he would fulfill the promises from God in the old testament since Jesus already fulfilled these. (more) (less

Me 12/6/07
YO dude.. for your clarification.. Muhammad isn't GOD!.. he is just a GOD's Prophet.. Just like other Prophets -Jesus (Isa), Moses (musa), who appointed by GOD to save/guide human being.. (Muslim believe that Jesus body is not crossed.. God has switch his body with a tyrant, Jesus was taken to sky.. & Jesus will back to earth when the time come to fight Dajjal) each prophet send after the true teaching of previous prophet forgotten/misleaded.. study yr bible.. each prophet send after another.. Cristianity, Judaism & Muslim are divine Religion.. we share the same prophet.. Cristianity came after Judaism.. to replace the teaching before.. but ego of the jews wont admit it.. Islam came after Cristian.. but ego of the Christian wont admit it even the sign already mentioned in their Holy Book.. but the Holy book can be changed.. can u confirm that Bible now is AUTHENTIC as what given to Jesus? how many time bible was changed? old tastament? new tastament? But AlQuran is authentic .. u can relate/trace it back from time of prophet until now.. even the first Quran written is still preserved.. i'm not saying which religion is right or wrong.. if you believe in Religion & God.. please learn and research about it (more) (less

sitdown248 May 29, 2007
If Islam is true why is Muhammad buried and dead, yet they couldn't find Jesus' body? No religion debates that Jesus' body was in the grave, they just debate where it was taken. Seems odd that Christianity is the only religion who's God's body isn't here on Earth...

Israel and Palestine blogs

2009-03-04T06:25:00.000-08:00

I have found this blog and website about Israel and Palestine conflict. It's good reference for Palestine history and facts. Better is photos published are dated even before 1900s. Honours and credit for Diane Mason for her incredible work, for time, money and sacrifice that she has put into creation of these blog and website

Pay visit to these two links... you would find useful information that you need to know or what you must know...

http://lawrenceofcyberia.blogs.com/
http://www.uruknet.info/

Israel and Palestine in Comics

2009-02-28T04:17:00.000-08:00

Some of comic that depict the essence of the Israel – Palestinian conflict. We normally view comics as light and easy stuff but the message underlying it is objectively important. View it and think wisely of it issues not influence by your inherent view. This is not anti semantic. If you found this is not of your liking and not fair - I have found this blog which made compilation of comics which his review would sit on Israel side and regarded comic that critical of Israel as inflammatory. http://israelincomics.blogspot.com

Click on the picture for link of real source of the comics

Obama Irrelevant on US - Middle East Policy

2009-02-11T04:51:00.000-08:00

That is formal voice from inside Israel government. The zionist gloated when talking about zionist control in US goverment. I think American should stop celebrating 4th of July but celebrate Israel Independent Day instead ....

Written by www.daily.pk
Sunday, 01 February 2009 01:09

"Another Israeli spokeswoman, Tzipora Menache, stated that she was not worried about negative ramifications the Israeli onslaught on Gaza might have on the way the Obama administration would view Israel. She said 'You know very well, and the stupid Americans know equally well, that we control their government, irrespective of who sits in the White House. You see, I know it and you know it that no American president can be in a position to challenge us even if we do the unthinkable. What can they (Americans) do to us? We control congress, we control the media, we control show biz, and we control everything in America. In America you can criticize God, but you can't criticize Israel."Commenting on the latest Israeli one-directional onslaught against the Palestinians of Gaza Strip, the Israeli 10th TV channel has disclosed that the Israeli genocidal forces had used half of its air force and had launched at least 2500 air raids against Gaza Strip.

Israeli Spokesman Says We Control Stupid Americans

Israel Kills Civilians

2009-02-11T04:36:00.000-08:00

Visit this link for full story

Israelis forced mother to choose which of her children would die

This story is conveyed by volunteer of Middle East Children's Alliance who actively involved in charity activities in Gaza

Deborah Agre
Middle East Children’s Alliance
1101 Eighth Street, Suite 100Berkeley,
CA 94710
ph: (510) 548-0542
fx: (510) 548-0543
http://www.mecaforpeace.org/

Does Israel Recognize a Free Palestine State?

2009-02-11T04:19:00.000-08:00

All we heard about Hamas charter of not Recognizing Israel State to exist, For that Hamas has given reasons for Israel to labeled them as terrorist group, What was the official reason given by the Israel and the International community for not recognizing Hamas? The reason they gave was that Hamas refused to recognize Israel and had a Charter calling for the destruction of the Jewish state.

but does Israel recognize Palestinian right for independent Palestine State? If Israel respect Palestinian right why it take so long for them to move out from occupied territory keep increasing their lad grab?

Everyone (politicians and corporate media leaders) accepted this without asking a few important questions. Which Israel should Hamas recognize? Israel has not yet stated what its international borders are. Should Hamas recognize the Israel of 1948? The Israel of 1967? The Israel of 2009 with its apartheid wall, settlements (settlements building raised by 60 percent in 2008, the year of the Annapolis “Peace Process”, according to a Peace Now report), second class Arab citizens and with East Jerusalem annexed? http://www.daily.pk/world/middle-east/9402-likud-charter-does-not-recognize-palestine.html

They could list down all the reasons to justify Israel’s reasons of occupation but their objective can be easily comprehend by taking some time to read charter of Likud Party. This charter would not much different from other Israel political parties, what differ between them is level of terror that they willing to put on Palestinian into submission in believing that would create a more safer Israel to please Israel public. It is a clear action of aggressor minds that afraid their own shadow. For what they have done to Palestinian has haunted them back of what they will get back in return. Go through some of this charter then comprehend what Zionist true intention is.. For the incidents, conflict, attacks, peace process that happened and going to happen on basis of whatever reasons are planed and sitting on this charter as objective.

In the "Peace and Security" chapter of the Likud Party platform, a recent document (1999) it says initially that:
"Peace is a primary objective of the State of Israel. The Likud will strengthen the existing peace agreements with the Arab states and strive to achieve peace agreements with all of Israel’s neighbors with the aim of reaching a comprehensive solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict."

But then it says about settlements:
"The Jewish communities in Judea, Samaria and Gaza are the realization of Zionist values. Settlement of the land is a clear expression of the unassailable right of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel and constitutes an important asset in the defense of the vital interests of the State of Israel. The Likud will continue to strengthen and develop these communities and will prevent their uprooting."

Therefore annihilating the slightest chance of a two-state solution.

On Palestinian self-rule it says:
"The Government of Israel flatly rejects the establishment of a Palestinian Arab state west of the Jordan river. The Palestinians can run their lives freely in the framework of self-rule, but not as an independent and sovereign state. Thus, for example, in matters of foreign affairs, security, immigration and ecology, their activity shall be limited in accordance with imperatives of Israel’s existence, security and national needs."

Therefore annihilating any chance of seeing a Palestinian sovereign state.

On Jerusalem:
"Jerusalem is the eternal, united capital of the State of Israel and only of Israel. The government will flatly reject Palestinian proposals to divide Jerusalem, including the plan to divide the city presented to the Knesset by the Arab factions and supported by many members of Labor and Meretz."

Therefore annihilating any chance for future peace negotiations because east Jerusalem as capital of a future Palestinian state is non-negotiable for any Palestinian. . http://www.daily.pk/world/middle-east/9402-likud-charter-does-not-recognize-palestine.html

It is established that the Likud party charter does not recognize Palestine and will not accept a sovereign Palestinian state

What Hollywood Celebrities Got To Say

2009-02-06T23:06:00.000-08:00

It seems like you can hardly watch TV, listen to talk radio, or open a newspaper without coming across some celebrity complaining to millions of people that their "dissent is being squashed". At Right Wing News believe that these celebrities have a right to say whatever they want and want more people to know about their views. Their fans and people who are thinking about voting for a Democrat 2004 should be aware of what these prominent leftists believe. That's why RWN compiled some insightful foreign policy statements and deep thoughts from celebrities since 9/11 just so you can see where they stand. Enjoy the wisdom!

"When I see an American flag flying, it's a joke." -- Robert Altman

"They're sheep. They like him (Bush) enough to credit him with saving the nation after 9/11. Three thousand people get killed, and everybody thinks they're next on the list. The president comes along, and he's got his six-guns strapped on, and people think he's going to save them." -- Ed Asner

"I also think that there is a strong streak of racism, and whenever we engage in foreign adventures. Our whole history in regime change has been of people of different color." -- Ed Asner

"I not only think that they (U.S. leaders) are misguided, but I think they know exactly what they are doing and I think that they are men who are possessed of evil." -- Harry Belafonte

"The real terrorist threats are George W. Bush and his band of brown-shirted thugs." -- Sandra Bernhard

"I think America has no experience with terrorism or even with war. In Europe, we know a little bit more about these things." -- Bono

"I'm saying that the moral climate within the ruling class in this country is not that different from the moral climate within the ruling class of Hitler's Germany." -- David Clennon, star of the hit CBS television series "The Agency,"

...I'm not comparing Bush to Adolf Hitler - because George Bush, for one thing, is not as smart as Adolf Hitler. And secondly George Bush has much more power than Adolf Hitler ever had." -- David Clennon, star of the hit CBS television series "The Agency,"

...I'm saying that we (Americans) have sunk pretty low and I'm saying that you can look at the moral climate in Germany in 1933. We have to ask ourselves if we found ourselves in Nazi Germany, what would we do. Now I say, let the inspection process take its course." -- David Clennon, star of the hit CBS television series "The Agency,"

"You can't beat your enemy anymore through wars; instead you create an entire generation of people revenge-seeking. These days it only matters who's in charge. Right now that's us -- for a while at least. Our opponents are going to resort to car bombs and suicide attacks because they have no other way to win. ...I believe (Rumsfeld) thinks this is a war that can be won, but there is no such thing anymore. We can't beat anyone anymore." -- George Clooney

"I think war is based in greed and there are huge karmic retributions that will follow. I think war is never the answer to solving any problems. The best way to solve problems is to not have enemies." -- Sheryl Crow

I think the U.S. is terrifying and it saddens me. You only have to look at the state of affairs in America. I do worry about my children. As a parent you are always concerned... I just want them to be in a place where they are going to be strong enough to be able to make the right choices. Unfortunately we're in a position where people are so irresponsible that human life holds so little value to them. -- Tom Cruise explains why he wants his kids to be raised in Australia instead of America

"I just wish men would quit thinking they could just duke it out with each other. I don't have all the facts, and who knows what's really the truth, but I don't really respect (Bush's) way of dealing with this situation. It would have been great to have someone really, really smart in that office, and someone who is globally aware." -- Sandy Duncan

"I don't know if a country (America) where the people are so ignorant of reality and of history, if you can call that a free world." -- Jane Fonda

"(W)hen Communist U.S.S.R. was a superpower, the world was better off. The right-wing media is trying to marginalize the peace movement." -- Janeane Garofalo

"This (Iraq) is a manufactured conflict for the sake of geopolitical dominance in the area." -- Janeane Garofalo

"In a situation like this, of course you identify with everyone who's suffering. (But we must also think about) the terrorists who are creating such horrible future lives for themselves because of the negativity of this karma. It's all of our jobs to keep our minds as expansive as possible. If you can see (the terrorists) as a relative who's dangerously sick and we have to give them medicine, and the medicine is love and compassion. There's nothing better." -- Richard Gere

"America has never paid any attention to other people, so it's absurd for Bush to say that it's all in the best interests of the Iraqi people." -- Richard Gere

"Yes, (Bush is a) racist. We all knew that but the world is only finding it out now. As Texas's governor, Bush led a penitentiary system that executed more people than all the other U.S. states together. And most of the people who died from (the) death penalty were Afro-Americans or Hispanics. (Bush) promoted a Conservative program, designed to eliminate everything Americans had accomplished so far in matters of race and equality." -- Danny Glover

"A sad figure (Bush) – not too well educated, who doesn't get out of America much. He's leading the country towards Fascism." -- Larry Hagman

"This is a racist and imperialist war. The warmongers who stole the White House (you call them "hawks", but I would never disparage such a fine bird) have hijacked a nation's grief and turned it into a perpetual war on any non-white country they choose to describe as terrorist." -- Woody Harrelson

"The war against terrorism is terrorism. The whole thing is just bullsh*t." -- Woody Harrelson

"I believe - though I may wrong because I am no expert - that this war is about what most wars are about: hegemony, money, power and oil." -- Dustin Hoffman

"Have we gone to war yet? We f****** deserve to get bombed. Bring it on." -- Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders

"Let's get rid of all the economic (expletive) this country represents! Bring it on, I hope the Muslims win!" -- Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders

"It is an embarrassing time to be an American. It really is. It's humiliating. " -- Jessica Lange

"What can I say? I hate Bush; I despise him and his entire administration, everything he represents and everything he has tried to do, not only internationally, which is horrific, but domestically as well. In my country the atmosphere is poisoned. Unbreathable for those of us who are not on the right. So thank you for inviting me to this festival and allowing me to leave there for a few days." -- Jessica Lange

"I don't believe war is a way to solve problems. I think it's wrong. I don't have respect for the people that made the decisions to go on with war. I don't have that much respect for Bush. He's about war, I'm not about war - a lot of people aren't about war." -- Avril Lavigne

"Too many people are being bowled over by Bush and Tony Blair in Britain. It's ludicrous to expect the whole world to follow what they want. America doesn't have the moral right to tell other people what to do. To say the whole world has to fall into line is you-know-what. I hope more people will rise up." -- Spike Lee

"Melt their weapons, melt their hearts, melt their anger with love." -- Shirley MacLaine on her anti-terrorism policy

"We have been the cowards, lobbing cruise missiles from 2,000 miles away. That's cowardly. Staying in the airplane when it hits the building, say what you want about it, it's not cowardly." -- Bill Maher, Politically Incorrect

"America has an almost obscene infatuation with itself. Has there ever been a big, powerful country that is as patriotic as America? And patriotic in the tinniest way, with so much flag waving? You'd really think we were some poor little republic, and that if one person lost his religion for one hour, the whole thing would crumble. America is the real religion in this country." -- Norman Mailer

"The WTC was not just an architectural monstrosity, but also terrible for people who didn't work there, for it said to all those people: 'If you can't work up here, boy, you're out of it.' That's why I'm sure that if those towers had been destroyed without loss of life, a lot of people would have cheered. Everything wrong with America led to the point where the country built that tower of Babel, which consequently had to be destroyed. And then came the next shock. We had to realize that the people that did this were brilliant. It showed that the ego we could hold up until September 10 was inadequate." -- Norman Mailer

"Americans can't admit that you need courage to do such a thing. For that might be misunderstood. The key thing is that we in America are convinced that it was blind, mad fanatics who didn't know what they were doing. But what if those perpetrators were right and we were not? We have long ago lost the capability to take a calm look at the enormity of our enemy's position." -- Norman Mailer on 9/11

"Just so you know, we're ashamed that the president of the United States is from Texas." -- Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks at a concert in London

"I fear that our true motivation is about oil and our own flailing economy; about the failure to destroy Al Qaeda and about revenge. This war is wrong and this war is un-American. " -- Dave Matthews

"Many families have been devastated tonight. This just is not right. They did not deserve to die. If someone did this to get back at Bush, then they did so by killing thousands of people who DID NOT VOTE for him! Boston, New York, DC, and the planes' destination of California-- these were places that voted AGAINST Bush!" --Michael Moore, Michaelmoore. com, September 12

"I like America to some extent." -- Michael Moore

"The motivation for war is simple. The U.S. government started the war with Iraq in order to make it easy for U.S. corporations to do business in other countries. They intend to use cheap labor in those countries, which will make Americans rich. The U.S. government claims to bring democracy to Iraq; however, no country in the world takes such an assertion seriously. It is an illusion." -- Michael Moore

"(T)he passengers were scaredy-cats because they were mostly white. If the passengers had included black men those killers, with their puny bodies and unimpressive small knives, would have been crushed by the dudes." -- Michael Moore on Flight 93

"Since 9-11, more people have died in Afghanistan and Iraq than in New York that day — and for not a very good reason." -- Viggo Mortensen from Lord of the Rings

"I think that people like the Howard Sterns, the Bill O'Reillys and to a lesser degree the bin Ladens of the world are making a horrible contribution. " -- Sean Penn

"Don't you want to know what's real and what's not? I remember when I was a kid, you know, this whole Cold War thing. They had us scared of the Russians. 'The Russians, the Russians, the Russians.' So it's almost like what's real and what's not?" -- Queen Latifah

"I just think we are a little bit of an arrogant nation and maybe this is a little bit of a humbling experience ... what has our government done to provoke (9/11) that we don't know about?" -- Backstreet Boy Kevin Richardson

"In this time when a citizenry applauds the liberation of a country as it lives in fear of its own freedom...when people all over the country fear reprisal if they use their right to free speech, it is time to get angry. It is time to get fierce." -- Tim Robbins

"How will the bombing of Baghdad, a city of five million, accomplish a regime change?" -- Susan Sarandon

"I think that we see war as a virtual thing and we even get to believe that bombs fall on top of cardboard cutouts and stuff like that. They don't. They kill real people, real children, real mothers and millions of innocent people." -- Shakira

"I just feel that there are always pacifist solutions, and I think that the leaders know the exit to the conflict, it's just that sometimes they don't want to use them. They just want to continue playing their little game of power. And I feel that us people have the responsibility and also the obligation to demand to our leaders to give us the pacifist solutions. To give us a world in peace." -- Shakira

"They control culture. They control ideas. And I think the revolt of September 11th was about `F-- you! F-- your order." -- Oliver Stone on American corporations

"A Republican/Conserva tive candidate trying with fading hopes to unseat respected Democratic Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy made a last-ditch effort to win headlines by devising ads in which she blatantly misquoted Barbra Streisand, fabricating outrageous quotes and completely misrepresenting Ms. Streisand's deep opposition to the Iranian dictator, Saddam Hussein." -- From Barbra Streisand's homepage

"We have a president for whom English is a second language. He's like 'We have to get rid of dictators,' but he's pretty much one himself." -- Robin Williams

(c) http://www.rightwingnews.com/ quotes/celeb. php

THE FACTS ABOUT HAMAS AND THE WAR ON GAZA - SEEING THROUGH THE LIES

2009-02-06T18:58:00.000-08:00

Seeing Through the Lies

The Facts About Hamas and the War on GazaBy

NORMAN FINKELSTEIN

The record is fairly clear. You can find it on the Israeli website, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Israel broke the ceasefire by going into the Gaza and killing six or seven Palestinian militants. At that point—and now I’m quoting the official Israeli website—Hamas retaliated or, in retaliation for the Israeli attack, then launched the missiles.

Now, as to the reason why, the record is fairly clear as well. According to Ha’aretz, Defense Minister Barak began plans for this invasion before the ceasefire even began. In fact, according to yesterday’s Ha’aretz, the plans for the invasion began in March. And the main reasons for the invasion, I think, are twofold. Number one; to enhance what Israel calls its deterrence capacity, which in layman’s language basically means Israel’s capacity to terrorize the region into submission. After their defeat in July 2006 in Lebanon, they felt it important to transmit the message that Israel is still a fighting force, still capable of terrorizing those who dare defy its word.And the second main reason for the attack is because Hamas was signaling that it wanted a diplomatic settlement of the conflict along the June 1967 border. That is to say, Hamas was signaling they had joined the international consensus, they had joined most of the international community, overwhelmingly the international community, in seeking a diplomatic settlement. And at that point, Israel was faced with what Israelis call a Palestinian peace offensive. And in order to defeat the peace offensive, they sought to dismantle Hamas.As was documented in the April 2008 issue of Vanity Fair by the writer David Rose, basing himself on internal US documents, it was the United States in cahoots with the Palestinian Authority and Israel which were attempting a putsch on Hamas, and Hamas preempted the putsch. That, too, is no longer debatable or no longer a controversial claim.The issue is can it rule in Gaza if Israel maintains a blockade and prevents economic activity among the Palestinians.

The Blockade

The blockade, incidentally, was implemented before Hamas came to power. The blockade doesn’t even have anything to do with Hamas. The blockade came to—there were Americans who were sent over, in particular James Wolfensohn, to try to break the blockade after Israel redeployed its troops in Gaza.The problem all along has been that Israel doesn’t want Gaza to develop, and Israel doesn’t want to resolve diplomatically the conflict, both the leadership in Damascus and the leadership in the Gaza have repeatedly made statements they’re willing to settle the conflict in the June 1967 border. The record is fairly clear. In fact, it’s unambiguously clear.Every year, the United Nations General Assembly votes on a resolution entitled “Peaceful Settlement of the Palestine Question.” And every year the vote is the same: it’s the whole world on one side; Israel, the United States and some South Sea atolls and Australia on the other side. The vote this past year was 164-to-7. Every year since 1989—in 1989, the vote was 151-to-3, the whole world on one side, the United States, Israel and the island state of Dominica on the other side.We have the Arab League, all twenty-two members of the Arab League, favoring a two-state settlement on the June 1967 border. We have the Palestinian Authority favoring that two-state settlement on the June 1967 border. We now have Hamas favoring that two-state settlement on the June 1967 border. The one and only obstacle is Israel, backed by the United States. That’s the problem.Well, the record shows that Hamas wanted to continue the ceasefire, but only on condition that Israel eases the blockade. Long before Hamas began the retaliatory rocket attacks on Israel, Palestinians were facing a humanitarian crisis in Gaza because of the blockade. The former High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, described what was going on in Gaza as a destruction of a civilization. This was during the ceasefire period.What does the record show? The record shows for the past twenty or more years, the entire international community has sought to settle the conflict in the June 1967 border with a just resolution of the refugee question. Are all 164 nations of the United Nations the rejectionists? And are the only people in favor of peace the United States, Israel, Nauru, Palau, Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Australia? Who are the rejectionists? Who’s opposing a peace?

International Court of Justice

The record shows that in every crucial issue raised at Camp David, then under the Clinton parameters, and then in Taba, at every single point, all the concessions came from the Palestinians. Israel didn’t make any concessions. Every concession came from the Palestinians. The Palestinians have repeatedly expressed a willingness to settle the conflict in accordance with international law.The law is very clear. July 2004, the highest judicial body in the world, the International Court of Justice, ruled Israel has no title to any of the West Bank and any of Gaza. They have no title to Jerusalem. Arab East Jerusalem, according to the highest judicial body in the world, is occupied Palestinian territory. The International Court of Justice ruled all the settlements, all the settlements in the West Bank, are illegal under international law.Now, the important point is, on all those questions, the Palestinians were willing to make concessions. They made all the concessions. Israel didn’t make any concessions.I think it’s fairly clear what needs to happen. Number one, the United States and Israel have to join the rest of the international community, have to abide by international law. I don’t think international law should be trivialized. I think it’s a serious issue. If Israel is in defiance of international law, it should be called into account, just like any other state in the world. Mr. Obama has to level with the American people. He has to be honest about what is the main obstacle to resolving the conflict. It’s not Palestinian rejectionism. It’s the refusal of Israel, backed by the United States government, to abide by international law, to abide by the opinion of the international community.And the main challenge for all of us as Americans is to see through the lies.

Note: Norman Finkelstein is author of five books, including Image and Reality of the Israel-Palestine Conflict, Beyond Chutzpah and The Holocaust Industry, which have been translated into more than 40 foreign editions. He is the son of Holocaust survivors.

THE HUMILIATION OF AMERICA

2009-02-06T08:34:00.000-08:00

I post this article because world need to be exposed for more neutral article like this one. In this kind of online media only that this kind of view can be published which would not have it place in Jewish control media... World already heard enough of Zionist views and you need this kind article to jolt your sense back to reality..

The Humiliation of America
By PAUL CRAIG ROBERTS

"Early Friday morning the secretary of state was considering bringing the cease-fire resolution to a UNSC vote and we didn't want her to vote for it," Olmert said. "I said 'get President Bush on the phone.' They tried and told me he was in the middle of a lecture in Philadelphia. I said 'I'm not interested, I need to speak to him now.' He got down from the podium, went out and took the phone call."

"Let me see if I understand this," wrote a friend in response to news reports that Israeli Prime Minister Olmert ordered President Bush from the podium where he was giving a speech to receive Israel's instructions about how the United States had to vote on the UN resolution.

"On September 11th, President Bush is interrupted while reading a story to school children and told the World Trade Center had been hit--and he went on reading. Now, Olmert calls about a UN resolution when Bush is giving a speech and Bush leaves the stage to take the call. There exists no greater example of a master-servant relationship.

"Olmert gloated as he told Israelis how he had shamed US Secretary of State Condi Rice by preventing the American Secretary of State from supporting a resolution that she had helped to craft. Olmert proudly related how he had interrupted President Bush's speech in order to give Bush his marching orders on the UN vote.Israeli politicians have been bragging for decades about the control they exercise over the US government. In his final press conference, President Bush, deluded to the very end, said that the whole world respects America. In fact, when the world looks at America, what it sees is an Israeli colony.

Responding to mounting reports from the Red Cross and human rights organizations of Israel's massive war crimes in Gaza, the United Nations Human Rights Council voted 33-1 on January 12 to condemn Israel for grave offenses against human rights.On January 13, the London Times reported that Israelis have gathered on a hillside overlooking Gaza to enjoy the slaughter of Palestinians in what the Times calls "the ultimate spectator sport."It is American supplied F-16 fighter jets, helicopter gunships, missiles, and bombs that are destroying the civilian infrastructure of Gaza and murdering the Palestinians who have been packed into the tiny strip of land.

What is happening to the Palestinians herded into the Gaza Ghetto is happening because of American money and weapons. It is just as much an attack by the United States as an attack by Israel. The US government is complicit in the war crimes.Yet in his farewell press conference on January 12, Bush said that the world respects America for its compassion.

The compassion of bombing a UN school for girls?

The compassion of herding 100 Palestinians into one house and then shelling it?

The compassion of bombing hospitals and mosques?

The compassion of depriving 1.5 million Palestinians of food, medicine, and energy?

The compassion of violently overthrowing the democratically elected Hamas government?

The compassion of blowing up the infrastructure of one of the poorest and most deprived people on earth?

The compassion of abstaining from a Security Council vote condemning these actions?

And this is a repeat of what the Israelis and Americans did to Lebanon in 2006, what the Americans did to Iraqis for six years and are continuing to do to Afghans after seven years. And still hope to do to the Iranians and Syrians.In 2002 I designated George W. Bush "the White House Moron." If there ever was any doubt about this designation, Bush's final press conference dispelled it.Bush talked about connecting the dots, but Bush has failed to connect any dots for eight solid years. "Our" president was a puppet for a cabal led by Dick Cheney and a handful of Jewish neoconservatives, who took control of the Pentagon, the State Department, the National Security Council, the CIA, and "Homeland Security." From these power positions, the neocon cabal used lies and deception to invade Afghanistan and Iraq, pointless wars that have cost Americans $3 trillion, while millions of Americans lose their jobs, their pensions, and their access to health care."These obviously very difficult economic times," Bush said in his press conference, "started before my presidency."Bush has plenty of liberal company in failing to connect a $3 trillion dollar war with hard times. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities blames Bush's tax cut, not the wars, for "the fiscal deterioration.

"Bush told the White House Press Corps, a useless collection of non-journalists, that the two mistakes of his invasion of Iraq were:

(1) Putting up the "mission accomplished" banner on the aircraft carrier, which, he said, "sent the wrong message," and

(2) the absence of the alleged weapons of mass destruction that he used to justify the invasion.Although Bush now admits that there were not any such weapons in Iraq, Bush said that the invasion was still the right thing to do.The deaths of 1.25 million Iraqis, the displacement of 4 million Iraqis, and the destruction of a country's infrastructure and economy are merely the collateral damage associated with "bringing freedom and democracy" to the Middle East.Unless George W. Bush is the best actor in human history, he truly believes what he told the White House Press Corps.What Bush did not explain is how America is respected when its people put a moron in charge for eight years.

Paul Craig Roberts was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury in the Reagan administration.

http://www.counterpunch.org/roberts01142009.html

Israel Broke The Peace Process not Hamas

2009-01-26T08:30:00.000-08:00

Which side really start the 27 Dec - 19 Jan Conflicts? Statement from Israel were clear that Israel attacked in self defense as always from Hamas rockets. But did it start with the rockets? Israel has right to conduct raid into Gaza to kill Hamas leader in Truce, Israel has right to siege Gaza for years deny it from Medicines and development.. but people of Gaza should not have right even for basic need of Medicine, fuel even more right to defense themselves.. Peace process after peace process then conflict after conflicts... Israel came in then pull out... with each pull out they get more land .. built wall in self defense .. yet the wall built deeper in Palestinian land... and the process go on and on ... for another conflicts.. for this conflict this is the truth...

History of Palestine - Holocaust, Immigration,& Stern Gang - Part 7

2009-01-25T06:35:00.000-08:00

The Holocaust

During World War II (1939-1945), many Palestinian Arabs and Jews joined the Allied forces. Jews had a special motivation for fighting the Nazis because of Nazi persecution of Jews and growing suspicions that the Nazis were systematically exterminating the Jews of Europe -Holocaust. The specific detail of Holocaust has remained mostly blur while thorough study on Holocaust is prohibited through preventive act in Germany. This threat of extermination also created great pressure for immigration to Palestine, but the gates of Palestine were closed by the British White Paper. In 1941 the British freed Jewish Haganah underground leaders in a general amnesty, and they joined the British in fighting the Germans.

Illegal Immigration

The Jews of Palestine responded to the White Paper and the Holocaust by organizing illegal immigration to Palestine from occupied Europe, through the "Institution for Illegal Immigration" (Hamossad L'aliya Beth). Illegal immigration was organized by the Jewish Agency between 1939 and 1942, when a tightened British blockade and stricter controls in occupied Europe made it impractical, and again between 1945 and 1948. Rickety boats full of refugees tried to reach Palestine. Additionally, there were private initiatives, an initiative by the Nazis to deport Jews and an initiative by the US to save European Jews.

The Biltmore Declaration

Reports of Nazi atrocities became increasingly frequent and vivid. Despite the desperate need to find a haven for refugees, the doors of Palestine remained shut to Jewish immigration. The Zionist leadership met in the Biltmore Hotel in New York in 1942 and declared that it supported the establishment of Palestine as a Jewish Commonwealth. This was not simply a return to the Balfour declaration repudiated by the British and a restatement of Zionist aims that went beyond the Balfour declaration, and a determination that the British were in principle, an enemy to be fought, rather than an ally.

Lehi Group/ Stern Gang
Lehi was an armed underground Zionist faction in Mandatory Palestine,[1] whose goal was to forcibly evict the British authorities from Palestine, allowing unrestricted immigration of Jews and the formation of a Jewish state. Lehi group was founded by Avraham ("Yair") Stern which an adherent of the Revisionist Zionist movement founded by Ze'ev Jabotinsky and a member of the Irgun (Irgun Tsvai Leumi, National Military Organization) a Terrorist Group by British. In June 1940, when the Irgun decided to suspend its underground military activities against the British during the World War II, he left the Irgun to form his own group, which he called Irgun Tsvai Leumi B'Yisrael (National Military Organization in Israel), the name of the group was later changed to Lehi. The group known as Lehi for friends and Stern Gang for foes.

In 1940, Lehi proposed intervening in World War II on the side of Nazi Germany. It offered assistance in "evacuating"[vague] the Jews of Europe, in return for Germany's help in expelling Britain from Mandate Palestine. Late in 1940, Lehi representative Naftali Lubenchik was sent to Beirut where he met the German official Werner Otto von Hentig. Lubenchik told von Hentig that Lehi had not yet revealed its full power and that they were capable of organizing a whole range of anti-British operations.

Subsequent contact between Lehi and German official resulted for a letter was sent On January 11, 1941 from Vice Admiral Ralf von der Marwitz, the German Naval attaché in Ankara, depicting an offer to "actively take part in the war on Germany's side" in return for German support for "the establishment of the historic Jewish state on a national and totalitarian basis, bound by a treaty with the German Reich".[2][3]

Lehi was described as a terrorist organization[4] by the British authorities and United Nations mediator Ralph Bunche.[5] Lehi carried out the Nov 6, 1944 assassination in Cairo of Lord Moyne along with other attacks on the British authorities and Palestinian Arabs. Moyne was Minister of State for the Middle East and in charge of carrying out the terms of the 1939 white paper- preventing Jewish immigration to Palestine by force. He was also a personal friend of Winston Churchill. The assassination did not change British policy, but it turned Winston Churchill against the Zionists. The newly-formed Israeli government banned the organization under an anti-terrorism law passed three days after the Sept 1948 assassination of the UN mediator Folke Bernadotte.[6]

Israel granted a general amnesty to Lehi members on 14 February 1949 and in 1980 the group was honored by the institution of the Lehi ribbon, a military decoration the organization's former members are entitled to wear.

The Season ("Sezon") - The Jewish Agency and Zionist Executive believed that British and world reaction to the assassination of Lord Moyne could jeopardize cooperation after the war that had been hinted at by the British, and might endanger the Jewish Yishuv if they came to be perceived as enemies of Britain and the allies. Therefore they embarked on a campaign against the Lehi and Irgun, known in Hebrew as the "Sezon" ("Season"). Members of the underground were to be ostracized. Leaders were caught by the Haganah, interrogated and sometimes tortured, and about a thousand persons were turned over to the British. What transpired that the campaign were only front to win British cooperation while back in Israel the Terrorist group were honoured.

[1]^ Laqueur, Walter (2003) [1972]. "Jabotinsky and Revisionism" (Google Book Search). A History of Zionism (3rd ed. ed.). London: Tauris Parke Paperbacks. p. 377. ISBN 9781860649325. OCLC 249640859. http://books.google.com/books?id=NMjh319vnwAC&pg=PA377&dq=history+of+Lehi+stern&ei=ikMjSfHsGoHaygSb46X6Ag. Retrieved on 2008-11-18.

[2]Heller, 1995, p. 86.
[3]^ David Yisraeli, The Palestine Problem in German Politics, 1889-1945, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel, 1974. Also see Otto von Hentig, Mein Leiben (Goettingen, 1962) pp 338-339 .

[4]^ "Stern Gang" A Dictionary of World History. Oxford University Press, 2000. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press [1].
[5]^ Ralph Bunche report on assassination of UN mediator 27th Sept 1948, "notorious terrorists long known as the Stern group"
[6]^ Ami Pedahzur, The Israeli Response to Jewish terrorism and violence. Defending Democracy, Manchester University Press, Manchester and New York 2002 p.77

History of Palestine - 1936 - 1939 Arab Revolt - Part 6

2009-01-22T06:56:00.000-08:00

Arab Revolt and the White Paper

In 1936 widespread rioting, later known as the 1936–1939 Arab revolt in Palestine broke out. The revolt was kindled when British forces killed Sheikh Izz ad-Din al-Qassam in 1935, in a gun battle. Izz al Din El Qassam was a Syrian preacher who had emigrated to Palestine. The demands of the strike were Independence for Jerusalem and a stop to removals of workers from the land.[1]

According to Abdullah Schleifer, Al-Qassam was:

'An individual deeply imbued with ‘the Islamic social gospel and who was struck by the plight of Palestinian peasants and migrants. Al-Qassam’s pastoral concern was linked to his moral outrage as a Muslim at the ways in which the old implicit social compact was being violated in the circumstances of British mandatory Palestine. This anger fueled a political radicalism that drove him eventually to take up arms and marks him off from the Palestinian notable politicians’ [2]

In 1930 al-Qassam organized and established the Black Hand Black Hand, an anti-Zionist and anti-British militant organisation, which was subsequently classified by the Mandatory authority as a terrorist group.

The British responded to the violence by greatly expanding their military forces and clamping down on Arab dissent. "Administrative detention" (imprisonment without charges or trial), curfews, and house demolitions were among British practices during this period. However, on the first day of the revolt, the UK had no response or action to the attacks. More than 120 Arabs were sentenced to death and about 40 hanged. The main Arab leaders were arrested or expelled. Amin al-Husayni fled from Palestine to escape arrest.

The Haganah (Hebrew for "defense"), a Jewish paramilitary organization, actively supported British efforts to quell the insurgency, which reached 10,000 Arab fighters at their peak during the summer and fall of 1938. Although the British administration didn't officially recognize the Haganah, the British security forces cooperated with it by forming the Jewish Settlement Police, Jewish Auxiliary Forces and Special Night Squads. In 1931, an underground splinter group broke off from Haganah, calling itself the Irgun organization (or Etzel)[2] The Irgun adopted a policy of retaliation against Arabs for attacks on Jews. During the revolt Jews were systematically armed by British while attempted to confiscate all weapons from the Arab population. This, and the destruction of the main Arab political leadership in the revolt, greatly hindered their military efforts in the 1948 Palestine war.[3].

Despite the assistance of 20,000 additional British troops and several thousand Haganah men, the uprising continued for over two years. By the time it concluded in March 1939, more than 5,000 Arabs, 400 Jews, and 200 Britons had been killed and at least 15,000 Arabs were wounded[4].

The Yishuv (Jewish community) responded with both defensive measures, and with random terror and bombings of Arab civilian targets, perpetrated by the Irgun (Irgun Tsvai Leumi or "Etsel,"). The Peel Commissionof 1937 Palestine Royal Commission, was a British Royal Commission of Inquiry set out to propose changes to the British Mandate of Palestine following the outbreak of the 1936-1939 Arab revolt in Palestine. It was headed by the Earl Peel. Peel Commission recommended partitioning Palestine into a small Jewish state and a large Arab one. The commission's recommendations also included voluntary transfer of Arabs and Jews to separate the populations. The Arab leadership rejected the plan[citation needed], while the Jewish opinion remained heatedly divided. The Twentieth Zionist Congress in Zurich (3-16 August 1937) announced "that the partition plan proposed by the Peel Commission is not to be accepted, [but wished] to carry on negotiations in order to clarify the exact substance of the British government's proposal for the foundation of a Jewish state in Palestine". [5]

The population exchange, if carried out, would have involved the transfer of approximately 225,000 Arabs and 1,250 Jews. The British response was to set up the Woodhead Commission 1938 to "examine the Peel Commission plan in detail and to recommend an actual partition plan" This Commission declared the Peel Commission partition unworkable (though suggesting a different scheme under which 5% of the land area of Palestine become Israel). The British Government accompanied the publication of the Woodhead Report by a statement of policy rejecting partition as impracticable.

Partition Plan by Peel Commission

In response to the riots, the British began limiting immigration and the White Paper of 1939 decreed that 15,000 Jews would be allowed to enter Palestine each year for five years. Thereafter, immigration would be subject to Arab approval. At the same time, the British took drastic and often cruel steps to curtail the riots. The policy paper also abandoned the idea of partitioning the Mandate for Palestine in favour of creating an independent Palestine governed by Palestinian Arabs and Jews in proportion to their numbers in the population by 1949

1- A History of Palestinian Resistance, Daud Abdulla.
2- Abdullah Schleifer, 'Izz al-Din al-Qassam: Preacher and Mujahid,' in Edmund Burke (ed.), Struggle and Survival in the Modern Middle East, IB Tauris, London and New York,1993 Ch.11 p.164
3- ^ Benny Morris (1999). Righteous Victims. Knopf. pp. 159. ISBN 0-679-421203
4- Aljazeera: The history of Palestinian revolts
5- a b "Timeline: 1937", Jewish Agency for Israel

History of Palestine - The Bristish Mandate for Palestine - Part 5

2009-01-22T06:41:00.001-08:00

The British Mandate for Palestine

The Balfour Declaration of 1917 (dated 2 November 1917) was a classified formal statement of policy by the British government stating that the British government "view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people" with the understanding that "nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country." [1] The declaration was a letter from Foreign Secretary Arthur James Balfour to Lord Rothschild (Walter Rothschild, 2nd Baron Rothschild), a leader of the British Jewish community, for transmission to the Zionist Federation, a private Zionist organization. The letter reflected the position of the British Cabinet, as agreed upon in a meeting on 31 October 1917. It further stated that the declaration is a sign of "sympathy with Jewish Zionist aspirations." The statement was issued through the efforts of Chaim Weizmann and Nahum Sokolow, the principal Zionist leaders based in London but, as they had asked for the reconstitution of Palestine as “the” Jewish national home, the Declaration fell short of Zionist expectations.[2] The "Balfour Declaration" was later incorporated into the Sèvres peace treaty with Turkey and the Mandate for Palestine. The original document is kept at the British Library.

The declaration was the result of lobbying by the small British Zionist movement, especially by Dr. Chaim Weizmann, who had emigrated from Russia to Britain, but it was motivated by British strategic considerations. Paradoxically, perhaps, a major motivation for the declaration may have been the belief, inspired by anti-Semitism – another Jews successful policy of misrepresentation, that international Jewry would come to the aid of the British if they declared themselves in favor of a Jewish homeland, and the fear that the Germans were about to issue such a declaration.

After the war, the League of Nations divided much of the Ottoman Empire into mandated territories. The British and French saw the Mandates as instruments of imperial ambitions. US President Wilson insisted that the mandates must foster eventual independence. The British were anxious to keep Palestine away from the French, and decided to ask for a mandate that would implement the Jewish national home of the Balfour declaration, a project that would be supported by the Americans. The Arabs opposed the idea of a Jewish national home, considering that the areas now called Palestine were their land. The Arabs felt they were in danger of dispossession by the Zionists, and did not relish living under Jewish rule.

Arabs lobbied the American, King-Crane Commission in favor of annexation of the Palestine mandate area to Syria, and later formed a national movement to combat the terms of the Mandate. At the instigation of US President Wilson, the King Crane commission had been sent to hear the views of the inhabitants. At the commission hearings, 'Aref Pasha al-Dajani expressed this opinion about the Jews, "Their history and their past proves that it is impossible to live with them. In all the countries where they are at present, they are not wanted...because they always arrive to suck the blood of everybody..."

One feature for which the Commission report is still remembered today was an early statement skeptical of the viability of a Jewish state in Syria. The logic of the commission went along the lines that the first principle to be respected must be self-determination. Since the commission had a very "maximalist" view of Syria – what would today encompass Syria, Israel, Palestine, Jordan and the Gaza Strip – it pointed out that a majority of Syrians were against the formation of a Jewish state. Therefore, the only way to establish a viable Jewish state would be with armed force to enforce it. This was precisely what the Commission wanted to avoid, so they dismissed the idea, saying that Zionists anticipated "a practically complete dispossession of the present non-Jewish inhabitants to Palestine". That said, there would be nothing wrong with Jews coming to "Israel" and simply living as Jewish Syrian citizens, but noted "nor can the erection of such a Jewish State be accomplished without the gravest trespass upon the "civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine." United States then, already foresee that creation of Israel would against Basic Human rights. United State now through its foreign policy is a strong blind supporter of Israel and all violation of Human Right by Israel would any means seen as justified.

By this time, Zionists had recognized the inevitability of conflict with the Palestinian and other Arabs. David Ben Gurion, who would lead the Yishuv (the Jewish community in Palestine) and go on to be the first Prime Minister of Israel, told a meeting of the governing body of the Jewish Yishuv in 1919 "But not everybody sees that there is no solution to this question...We as a nation, want this country to be ours, the Arabs as a nation, want this country to be theirs."
Now you would see the advantage of using term Jews as a Nation rather than religion because thus will put them on even side with Arab as a nation. The Arab in Palestinian land at that time consists of Arab Muslim, Arab Christian and Arab Jews, but Arab Jews would rather join on the other side of equation as Jews Nation.

The Zionists and others presented their case to the Paris Peace conference. Ultimately, the British plan was adopted. The main issues taken into account were division of rights between Britain and France, rather than the views of the inhabitants. In 1920, Britain received a provisional mandate over Palestine, which would extend west and east of the River Jordan. The area of the mandate given to Britain at the San Remo conference was much larger than historic Palestine as envisaged by the Zionist, who had sought an eastern border to the West of Amman. The mandate, based on the Balfour declaration, was formalized in 1922. The British were to help the Jews build a national home and promote the creation of self-governing institutions. The mandate provided for an agency, later called "The Jewish Agency for Palestine," that would represent Jewish interests in Palestine to the British and to promote Jewish immigration. A Jewish agency was created only in 1929, delayed by the desire to create a body that represented both Zionist and non-Zionist Jews. The Jewish agency in Palestine became in many respects the de-facto government of the Jewish Yishuv (community).

The British hoped to establish self-governing institutions in Palestine, as required by the mandate. The Jews were alarmed by the prospect of such institutions, which would have an Arab majority. However, the Arabs would not accept proposals for such institutions if they included any Jews at all, and so no institutions were created. The Arabs wanted as little as possible to do with the Jews and the mandate, and would not participate in municipal councils, or even in the Arab Agency that the British wanted to set up. Ormsby-Gore, undersecretary of state for the colonies concluded, "Palestine is largely inhabited by unreasonable people."

The area granted to the mandate was much larger than the area sought by the Zionists. It is possible, that as Churchill suggested in 1922, the British never intended that all of this area would become a Jewish national home. On the other hand, some believe that Britain had no special plans for Transjordan initially. In his memoirs, Sir Alec Kirkbride, the British representative in Amman, wrote that "There was no intention at that stage [1920] of forming the territory east of the river Jordan into an independent Arab state." (Kirkbride, Alexander, A crackle of thorns, London, 1956 p 19)

Riots have broke out between Jews and Arab due to growing dissatisfaction feeling as found out by Haycraft Commission of Inquiry was set up to investigate the Jaffa riots of 1921. There are 3 riots have broke out on 1920,1921 & 1929

In the summary of the report the grievances of the Arabs were listed as follows:
The British in Palestine, now led by a Zionist, had adopted "a policy mainly directed towards the establishment of a National Home for the Jews, and not to the equal benefit of all Palestinians".

An official advisory body to the government in Palestine, the Zionist Commission, placed the interests of the Jews above all others.

There was an undue proportion of Jews in the government.Part of the Zionist program was to flood the country with people who possessed "greater commercial and organizing ability" which would eventually lead to their gaining the upper hand over the rest of the population.

The immigrants were an "economic danger" to the country because of their competition, and because they were favored in this competition.

Immigrants offended the Arabs "by their arrogance and by their contempt of Arab social prejudices".

Owing to insufficient precautions, Bolshevik immigrants were allowed into the country leading to social and economic unrest in Palestin

Samuel immediately initiated a scheme for the defence of Jewish settlements. An allotment of brassards and rifles, with proportionate quantity of ammunition, was made to each colony. While in theory these arms were bonded, in practice their distribution legitimised the earlier and illegal formation of the Haganah. Arab education had been a major grievance, since much better opportunities had been available under the Turks. In the event, improvements were made but the money ran out after a year. In December 1921 Samuel claimed to have solved the problem of the Beisan land in favour of its Arab tenants.

The British responded with the Passfield white paper . The white paper attempted to stop immigration to Palestine based on the recommendations of the Hope Simpson report. That report stated that in the best case, following extensive economic development, the land could support immigration of another 20,000 families in total. Otherwise further Jewish immigration would infringe on the position of the existing Arab population. However, British MPs and the Zionist movement sharply criticized the new policy and PM Ramsay McDonald issued a "clarification" stating that Jewish immigration would not be stopped.

Jewish immigration swelled in the 1930s, driven by persecution in Eastern Europe, even before the rise of Nazism. Large numbers of Jews began to come from Poland owing to discriminatory laws and harsh economic conditions. The rise of Hitler in Germany added to this tide of immigration. The Jewish Agency made a deal, the Hesder, that allowed Jews to escape Germany to Palestine in return for hard currency that the Reich needed. The Hesder saved tens of thousands of lives.

In 1922, the British declared that the boundary of Palestine would be limited to the area west of the river. The area east of the river, called Transjordan (now Jordan), was made a separate British mandate and eventually given independence. A part of the Zionist movement felt betrayed at losing a large area of what they termed "historic Palestine" to Transjordan, and split off to form the "Revisionist" movement, headed by Benjamin Vladimir Ze’ev Jabotinsky

[1]^ Yapp, M.E. (1987). The Making of the Modern Near East 1792-1923. Harlow, England: Longman. p. 290. ISBN 0-582-49380-3.
[2]^ Balfour Declaration. (2007). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved August 12, 2007, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online.

History of Palestine- The Rise of Zionism - part 4

2009-01-22T06:36:00.000-08:00

The Rise of Zionism

Jews had never stopped coming to "the Holy land" or Palestine in small numbers throughout the years. Connotation of Jewish as exiled is profound to back their come back to Palestine. Palestine also remained the center of Jewish worship and a part of Jewish culture. However, the Jewish connection with the land was mostly abstract and connected with dreams of messianic redemption.

In the 19th century, Europe turmoil brought new social push for Jewish ideology. This mostly marked with wind of change in Europe with regard to rule of governing such as French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. The French Revolution (1789–1799) was a period of political and social upheaval in the history of France, during which the French governmental structure, previously an absolute monarchy with feudal privileges for the aristocracy and Catholic clergy, underwent radical change to forms based on Enlightenment principles of nationalism, citizenship, and inalienable rights. These changes were accompanied by violent turmoil which included the trial and execution of the king, vast bloodshed and repression during the Reign of Terror, and warfare involving every other major European power. Subsequent events that can be traced to the Revolution include the Napoleonic Wars, two separate restorations of the monarchy, and two additional revolutions as modern France took shape. In the following century, France would be governed variously as a republic, constitutional monarchy, and two different empires.

The liberal concepts introduced by emancipation and modern nationalist ideas were blended with traditional Jewish ideas about Israel and Zion. The liberation not only for restrained Jews people as portray by Jews historian but all Europena who live under Authoritarian government at that time. The marriage of "love of Zion" with modern nationalism took place first among the Sephardic (Spanish and Eastern) Jewish community of Europe. There, the tradition of living in the land of the Jews and what Jews referred to Palestine and return to Zion had remained practical goals rather than messianic aspirations, and Hebrew was a living language. Rabbi Yehuda Alcalay, who lived in what is now Yugoslavia, published the first Zionist writings in the 1840s.

These ideas took root among a few European Jews. The said Emancipation of Jews triggered a new type of virulent assumed anti-Jewish political and social movement in Europe, particularly in Germany and Eastern Europe. Beginning in the late 1800's, oppression of Jews in Eastern Europe stimulated emigration of Jews to Palestine.

The Zionist movement became a formal organization in 1897 with the first Zionist congress in Basle, organized by Theodor Herzl. Herzl's grandfather was acquainted with the writings of Alcalay, and it is very probable that Herzl was influenced by them. The Zionists wished to establish a "Jewish Homeland" in Palestine under Turkish or German rule. Initially, most Zionists were not concerned about the Arab population, which they ignored, or thought would agree to voluntary transfer to other Arab countries. In any case, they envisioned the population of Palestine by millions of European Jews who would soon form a decisive majority in the land. The Zionists established farm communities in Palestine at Petah Tikva, Zichron Jacob, Rishon Letzion and elsewhere. Later they established the new city of Tel Aviv, north of Jaffa. At the same time, Palestine's Arab population grew rapidly. By 1914, the total population of Palestine stood at about 700,000. About 615,000 were Arabs, and 85,000 to 100,000 were Jews.

World War I - During World War I (1914-1918), the Ottoman Empire joined Germany and Austria-Hungary against the Allies. An Ottoman military government ruled Palestine. The war was hard on both Jewish and Arab populations, owing to outbreaks of cholera and typhus; however, it was more difficult for the Jews. For a time, the Turkish military governor ordered internment and deportation of all foreign nationals. A large number of Jews were Russian nationals. They had been able to enter Palestine as Russian nationals because of the concessions Turkey had granted to Russian citizens, and they had used this method to overcome restrictions on immigration. They had also maintained Russian citizenship to avoid being drafted into the Turkish army. Therefore, a large number of Jews were forced to flee Palestine during the war. A small group founded the NILI underground that fed intelligence information to the British, in order to free the land of Turkish rule. The Turks eventually caught members of the NILI group, but the information they provided is said to have helped the British invasion effort.

Britain and France planned to divide the Ottoman holdings in the Middle East among themselves after the war. The Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916 called for part of Palestine to be under British rule, part to be placed under a joint Allied government, and for Syria and Lebanon to be given to the France. The Sykes-Picot(-Sazonov) Agreement[1] of 1916 was a secret agreement between the governments of the UK and France, with the assent of Imperial Russia, defining their respective spheres of influence and control in west Asia after the expected downfall of the Ottoman Empire during World War I. It was largely a trade agreement with a large area set aside for indirect control through an Arab state or a confederation of Arab states. The agreement was concluded on 16 May 1916.[2] It did not contemplate the assignment of any League of Nations mandates, since the League and its mandates were developed during the post-war period. The terms were negotiated by the French diplomat François Georges-Picot and Briton Sir Mark Sykes.

Britain also offered to back Arab demands for postwar independence from the Ottomans in return for Arab support for the Allies and seems to have promised the same territories to the Arabs. In 1916, Arabs led by T.E. Lawrence and backed by Sharif Husayn revolted against the Ottomans in the belief that Britain would help establish Arab independence in the Middle East. Lawrence's exploits and their importance in the war against Turkey were somewhat exaggerated by himself and by the enterprising publicist Lowell Thomas. The United States and other countries pressed for Arab self-determination. The Arabs, and many in the British government including Lawrence, believed that the Arabs had been short-changed by the British promise to give Syria to the French, and likewise by the promise of Palestine as a Jewish homeland. The Arabs claimed that Palestine was included in the area promised to them, but the British denied this.

[1]^ Fromkin, David (1989). A Peace to End All Peace: The Fall of the Ottoman Empire and the Creation of the Modern Middle East. New York: Owl. pp. 286, 288. ISBN 0-8050-6884-8.
[2]^ http://www.law.fsu.edu/library/collection/LimitsinSeas/IBS094.pdf p. 8.

History of Palestine - Ancient History part 3

2009-01-22T06:31:00.000-08:00

Ancient History

This is excerpt from wikipedia about jewish history: Policy of “misrepresentation” of Zionism would always portray Jews as victim. It’s usual complaint of Jews that they always being “misrepresented” and “prosecuted”. By traditional accounts, Jewish history began during the second millennium BCE with the Biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The Jews enjoyed two periods of political autonomy in the land of Judah, the Land of Israel, during ancient history. The first era spanned from 1350 to 586 BCE, and encompassed the periods of the Judges, the United Monarchy, and the Divided Monarchy of the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah, ending with the destruction of the First Temple. The second era was the period of the Hasmonean Kingdom spanning from 140 to 37 BCE. Since the destruction of the First Temple, the diaspora has been the home of most of the world's Jews.[1] Except in the modern State of Israel, established in 1948, Jews are a minority in every country in which they live and they have frequently experienced persecution throughout history, resulting in a population that fluctuated both in numbers and distribution over the centuries.”

Maps of Ancient Palestine - Tribes of Canaan

According to Al-Quran and bible, Jews are follower of the teaching of prophet Moses (peace be upon him) who preach religion of Oneness of God follow the Holy Book of Taurah. Prophet Moses has appointed to be prophet by God from Bani (tribe) Israel and to preach people of Pharaoh in Egypt. To avoid violence from Ruler of Egypt (Pharaoh) at that time, often identified as Ramses II, prophet Moses (pbuh) has led the Israelites, or a portion of them, out of Egypt Crossing Red Sea towards Palestinian land of today. After Prophet Moses(pbuh) God has appointed prophet Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (pbuh) to continue guiding the tribe. Under Joshua, they conquered the tribes and city states of Canaan. This event marks the formation of the Israelites as a people, divided into twelve tribes named after Jacob's sons. Based on biblical traditions, it is estimated that king David conquered Jerusalem about 1000 B.C. and established an Israelite kingdom over much of Canaan including parts of Transjordan. The kingdom was divided into Judea in the south and Israel in the north following the death of David's son, Solomon. Jerusalem remained the center of Jewish sovereignty and of Jewish worship whenever the Jews exercised sovereignty over the country in the subsequent period, up to the Jewish revolt in 133 AD.

The Assyrians conquered Israel in 722 or 721 B.C. The Babylonians conquered Judah around 586 B.C. They destroyed Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, and exiled a large number of Jews. About 50 years later, the Persian king Cyrus conquered Babylonia. Cyrus allowed a group of Jews from Babylonia to rebuild Jerusalem and settle in it. However, a large number of Jews remained in Babylonia, forming the first Jewish Diaspora. After the reestablishment of a Jewish state or protectorate, the Babylonian exiles maintained contact with authorities there. The Persians ruled the land from about 530 to 331 B.C. Alexander the Great then conquered the Persian Empire. After Alexander's death in 323 B.C., his generals divided the empire. One of these generals, Seleucus, founded a dynasty that gained control of much of Palestine about 200 B.C. At first, the new rulers, called Seleucids, allowed the practice of Judaism. But later, one of the kings, Antiochus IV, tried to prohibit it. In 167 B.C., the Jews revolted under the leadership of the Maccabeans and either drove the Seleucids out of Palestine or at least established a large degree of autonomy, forming a kingdom with its capital in Jerusalem. The kingdom received Roman "protection" when Judah Maccabee was made a "friend of the Roman senate and people" in 164 B.C. according to the records of Roman historians.

Palestine from Roman to Ottoman Rule – How name of Palestine first noted
About 61 B.C., Roman troops under Pompei invaded Judea and sacked Jerusalem in support of King Herod. Judea had become a client state of Rome. Initially it was ruled by the client Herodian dynasty. The land was divided into districts of Judea, Galilee, Peraea and a small trans-Jordanian section, each of which eventually came under direct Roman control. The Romans called the large central area of the land, which included Jerusalem, Judea. According to Christian belief, Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, Judea, in the early years of Roman rule. Roman rulers put down Jewish revolts in about A.D. 70 and A.D. 132. In A.D. 135, the Romans drove the Jews out of Jerusalem, following the failed Bar Kochba revolt. The Romans named the area Palaestina, at about this time. The name Palaestina, which became Palestine in English, is derived from Herodotus-ancient historian, who used the term Palaistine Syria to refer to the entire southern part of Syria, meaning "Philistine Syria." Most of the Jews who continued to practice their religion fled or were forcibly exiled from Palestine, eventually forming a second Jewish Diaspora. However, Jewish communities continued to exist, primarily in the Galilee, the northernmost part of Palestine. Palestine was governed by the Roman Empire until the fourth century A.D. (300's) and then by the Byzantine Empire. In time, Christianity spread to most of Palestine. The population consisted of Jewish converts to Christianity and paganism, peoples imported by the Romans, and others who had probably inhabited Palestine continuously.

During the seventh century (A.D. 600's), Muslim Arab armies moved north from Arabia to conquer most of the Middle East, including Palestine. Jerusalem was conquered about 638 by the Caliph Umar (Omar) who gave his protection to its inhabitants. Muslim powers controlled the region until the early 1900's. The rulers allowed Christians and Jews to keep their religions. However, most of the local population gradually accepted Islam and the Arab-Islamic culture of their rulers. Jerusalem (Al-Quds) became holy to Muslims as the site where, according to tradition, Muhammad ascended to heaven after a miraculous overnight ride from Mecca on his horse Al-Buraq. The al-Aqsa mosque was built on the site generally regarded as the area of the Jewish temples.

The Seljuk Turks conquered Jerusalem in 1071, but their rule in Palestine lasted less than 30 years. Initially they were replaced by the Fatimid rulers of Egypt. The Fatimids took advantage of the Seljuk struggles with the Christian crusaders. They made an alliance with the crusaders in 1098 and captured Jerusalem, Jaffa and other parts of Palestine.
The Crusaders, however, broke the alliance and invaded Palestine about a year later. They captured Jaffa and Jerusalem in 1099, slaughtered many Jewish and Muslim defenders and forbade Jews to live in Jerusalem. They held the city until 1187. In that year, the Muslim ruler Saladin conquered Jerusalem. The Crusaders then held a smaller and smaller area along the coast of Palestine, under treaty with Saladin. However, they broke the treaty with Saladin and later treaties. Crusade after crusade tried to recapture Jerusalem, but they were unable to do so for more than a brief period.

The Crusaders left Palestine for good when the Muslims captured Acre in 1291. During the post-crusade period, crusaders often raided the coast of Palestine. To deny the Crusaders gains from these raids, the Muslims pulled their people back from the coasts and destroyed coastal towns and farms. This depopulated and impoverished the coast of Palestine for hundreds of years.
In the mid-1200's, Mamelukes, originally soldier-slaves of the Arabs based in Egypt, established an empire that in time included the area of Palestine. Arab-speaking Muslims made up most of the population of the area once called Palestine. Beginning in the late 1300's, Jews from Spain and other Mediterranean lands settled in Jerusalem and other parts of the land. The Ottoman Empire defeated the Mamelukes in 1517, and Palestine became part of the Ottoman Empire. The Turkish Sultan invited Jews fleeing the Spanish Catholic inquisition to settle in the Turkish empire, including several cities in Palestine.

In 1798, Napoleon entered the land. The war with Napoleon and subsequent misadministration by Egyptian and Ottoman rulers, reduced the population of Palestine. Arabs and Jews fled to safer and more prosperous lands. Revolts by Palestinian Arabs against Egyptian and Ottoman rule at this time may have helped to catalyze Palestinian national feeling. Subsequent reorganization and opening of the Turkish Empire to foreigners restored some order. They also allowed the beginnings of Jewish settlement under various Zionist and proto-Zionist movements. Both Arab and Jewish population increased. By 1880, about 24,000 Jews were living in Palestine, out of a population of about 400,000.
It’s alleged in several writing that at about that time, the Ottoman government imposed severe restrictions on Jewish immigration and land purchase, and also began actively soliciting inviting Muslims from other parts of the Ottoman Empire to settle in Palestine, including Circassians and Bosnians. The restrictions were evaded in various ways by Jews seeking to colonize Palestine, chiefly by bribery. But the allegations are baseless and there are no references with regard to that. But the true picture was that Circassian and Bosnian was refugee from Russia and Circassian war. From 1763 to 1864, the Circassians fought against the Russians in the Russian-Circassian War only succumbing to a scorched earth campaign initiated in 1862 under General Yevdokimov.[2][3] Afterwards, large numbers of Circassians were exiled and deported to the Ottoman Empire; others were resettled in Russia far from their home territories.[4][5] Most of this group settled in city of Al-Quneitra in Golan Height which now deserted. There are few thousand of this group live in Israel at present day in village of Kfar Kama (2,000) and Rehaniya.

[1]^ a b Sweeney (2003), pp. 22–23.
[2]^ Allen, W.E.D. and Muratoff, Paul (1953) Caucasian Battlefields: History of the Wars on the Turco-Caucasian Border 1828-1921 Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 107-8 OCLC 1102813
[3]^ Mufti, Shawkat (1972) Heroes and emperors in Circassian history Librairie du Liban, Beirut, OCLC 628135
[4]^ Brooks, Willis (I995) "Russia’s conquest and pacification of the Caucasus: relocation becomes a pogrom on the post-Crimean period" Nationalities Papers 23(4): pp. 675-86
[5]^ Shenfield, Stephen D. (1999) "The Circassians - A Forgotten Genocide?" in Levene, Mark and Roberts, Penny (eds.) (1999) The Massacre in History Berghahn Books, New York, ISBN 1571819347

History of Palestine - What is Jews? Part 2

2009-01-22T06:28:00.000-08:00

What is Jews?
This definition is important to determine the ancient claim of Jews on Palestinian land.
This is excerpt from wikipedia, the entry on this topic is protected;
“A Jew (Hebrew: יְהוּדִי‎, Yehudi (sl.); יְהוּדִים, Yehudim (pl.); Ladino: ג׳ודיו, Djudio (sl.); ג׳ודיוס, Djudios (pl.); Yiddish: ייִד, Yid (sl.); ייִדן, Yidn (pl.))[10] is a member of the Jewish people, an ethnoreligious group originating from the Israelites or Hebrews of the ancient Middle East. The Jewish people and the religion of Judaism are strongly interrelated, and converts to Judaism have been absorbed into the Jewish community throughout the millennia.
Is Jews a nation or religion?
It is easily interpreted as Jewish to Judaism is like Muslim to Islam and Christian to Christianity. Based on the interpretation above the main point of Jews to Judaism is religion. But the notion of Jews as nation has risen with existence of Zionism. Zionism is one of historicized nation building doctrine based on theory called Urrecht, in which history is brought to bear to legitimize present occupancy–wikipedia 18 Jan 2009. The term such as National homeland was brought upon by Zionism when referred to Jewish history. This is to justify Jewish on Land of Palestine. The term of Jewish National homeland is used as most as possible in whatever opportunity present. While in actual fact most of the original people of Jews in Palestine has long converted to Christianity and later to Islam. The Religion of Judaism has spread through Jews who immigrated to all over the world and through intermarriage with non Jews on new land. However the spread of Judaism is exhaustive to these means due to perception of Jews as super nation compare to gentiles. What Jews themselves says about Jews as a nation; Dr. Israel Friediaender say:
“It’s enough for us to know that the Jews always felt themselves as a separate race, sharply marked off from the rest of mankind”()The International Jews – Henry Ford , Global Publisher Johannesburg, October 1997 The appearance and look of Jews today has far resemblance from their ancient brothers’ people of Egypt and Palestine today. What most of Jews in Israel today are mostly white Caucasian people from Europe. The only link that they have to land of Palestine today is only that their Religion of Judaism thrived on this land before while Judaism was originally existed in Egypt. Is religion could be rightful claim to grab land from original inhabitant? whose ancestor also the professed the same religion. Term Jewish National Land has been used to negate other peoples’ right.

History of Palestine - The Oldest Civilization on Earth - Part 1

2009-01-22T06:03:00.000-08:00

Introduction
History of the Palestinian Land and Palestine-Israel conflict, specifically the area that surrounded Jerusalem or Baitulmaqdis on east of Mediterranean Sea is enormous. This is the place that civilizations have been traced for thousand years. This is the place that referred to as Middle Earth, before earth divided into several continents this is the center of one big continent Million years ago. It is not the location that make this area important but the history of prophecy and divine connection that relate this area with Religion of Jews, Christianity and Islam. Palestine has been settled continuously for tens of thousands of years. Fossil remains have been found of Homo Erectus, Neanderthal and transitional types between Neanderthal and modern man. Archeologists have found hybrid Emmer wheat at Jericho dating from before 8,000 B.C., making it one of the oldest sites of agricultural activity in the world. Amorites, Canaanites, and other Semitic peoples related to the Phoenicians of Tyre entered the area about 2000 B.C. The area became known as the Land of Canaan.

Now it is the conflict of Palestine-Israel that makes this area as the most volatile part of the world. The History of Palestinian land is well accepted but the interpretation of it is diverse based on partisan who try to prove their own cause. Manipulation of issue and history are aplenty even in extend to deny the name of Palestine ever existed. Narrative and sequence of events present here is based on well accepted facts, with narration of logic about pattern of causes and effects that determine events. Bear in mind that Scholars debate the nature of history and the lessons history teaches.

This document is intended as a balanced overview and introduction to Palestinian and Israeli history, and the history of the conflict. It is unlikely that anyone has written or will write an "objective" and definitive summary that would be accepted by everyone, but it is hoped that this document will provide a fair introduction. This document will only present facts and logic and only you who will determine “who is right or wrong”. Lot of Websites has been set up by numerous groups either funded or not to provide information which basically is written to back or justify their cause. This writing intends to inform, present logic and nothing more for the sake of justice.

download map of ancient Palestine http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/palestine_1020bc.jpg

JEWISH HOLOCAUST IS A LIE

2009-01-11T04:50:00.000-08:00

Until the issue of Jewish Holocaust brought upon by President Ahmadinejab, I never questioned the story of Jewish Holocaust and the story accepted as fact and written in World History. Even after the called by Mr. President to restudy the matter I still have no doubt that the Holocaust did exist in whatever scale it may be. I won’t blame anyone for sharing the same point of view as we all have been feed by Jewish controlled media and movies from Steven Spielberg. The uproar just made me a little more curious to know more. We all aware about International Zionist and involvement of this group in World War I & II but the fact of Zionist involvement with Nazi and opportunistic move by Zionist to fake, exaggerated and made up of Jewish Holocaust is something shocking. I found several reference regarding Holocaust issue, and these video is the most inclusive that reject claim of Jewish Holocaust complete with experiment, reasons, revelation of fake document and revisited of Concentration camp. Suprisingly that the video only get 28 hit until today. Let share some view from non Jewish influent party with regard to Jewish Holocaust issue. Then ask for yourself the legitimacy of the facts. Just regard my view as independence one and make your own study to reveal the truth hope all whole world would clear from deception. This issue is relevant to Palestinian as Jewish Holocaust was used to justify the award of Palestinian land to Israel.

Watch the video at http://newsfreepalestine.blogspot.com/ or
youtube website :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oo16uWyQhhs

part 1

part 2

part 3

CIVILIAN KILLED BY TERORRIST STATE OF ISRAEL

2009-01-11T04:18:00.000-08:00

Another civilian deliberately attacked by Terrorist State of Israel missile. Despite claiming of having state of the art weaponry, yet the controller of drone which launch the missile can't differentiate between children playing on the roof top and Hamas Combatant. This video was recorded on 9 Jan 2009

Power of Knowledge - Other use its for improvement of life Zionist use it adversely

2009-01-10T19:30:00.000-08:00

I never know that knowledge can be traded for a country.. until recently I came across an entry in wikipedia regarding Balfour Declaration. During World War 1 a Jewish scientist take the opportunity to make an offer to both sides of the war for a formula of advance gun powder in exchange for Jerusalem. The Zionist organization longing for Palestinian land has been an open secret. The opportunist Chain Wheizmann the scientist cum Zionist Leader deal with British Government for a national home for Jewish people in sacrifice of Palestinian people. He eventually became the first Israel president. Obviously British has defeated Germany in making promise to the Jewish and eventually win the war. Zionist organization headquarter has moved from Berlin to New York after that. Now I understand Hitler’s loath on Jews. On Nov 2, 1917 when General Allenby was pushing through Palestine with his British Army, Arthur James Balfour the British Foreign Secretary issued famous declaration approving Palestine as national home for the Jewish people. The original document was formulated in such a way to reduce as much of possible risk of anti Semitism and indeed had clause of original inhabitant’s right. The agreement was changed several times to suit the Zionist wish. What follow after that was vicious plan to kick out Palestinian hidden or obvious through economic, education, massacre, ethnic cleansing, illegal settlement etc2 in whatever way that appropriate to satisfy Jewish greed and prepare for formation of Israel. The cycle continues until today. .. Now you know!!!

seek knowledge from cradle till grave.. what it can give to those who possess is enormous.. make our quest .. to you, me , our society.. bro .. sis everyone

VIDEO - HOLOCAUST, What Ahmadinejab want to convey?

2009-01-09T21:56:00.000-08:00

Just by saying that Holocaust is just a myth has qualified Ahmadinejab as a rogue leader. What is the taboo of this issue that merely commenting on it would draw intense response from over the world? Of course the most vocal came from President of USA and Israel. This perplexed ordinary person like me when act of aggression like attacking a country based concocted reason is accepted. Killed thousands of civilian is accepted. Grabbing land and eviction of rightful owner is accepted. Imposed sanction that deprived civilian access to medicine supply is accepted. Yet all these committed by countries that claimed to uphold basic human right and democracy. In contrast, just a statement would already qualify a nation to be nuked. What Ahmadinejab want to convey through his statement?; If the Holocaust really exist why Palestinian has to suffered? To restudy the event so that the true fact would be presented.. Amount of million Jews exterminated is it accurate? Or exaggerated? Lift the ban and reopen the issue… (i.e in German study of Holocaust is prohibited) This Video explain the issue from mouth whose uttered the statement … watch it

The speech was interpreted by some as a call for genocide. For example, Canada's then Prime Minister Paul Martin said, "this threat to Israel's existence, this call for genocide coupled with Iran's obvious nuclear ambitions is a matter that the world cannot ignore."[31]
In 2007, more than one hundred members of the United States House of Representatives co-sponsored a bill,[32] "Calling on the United Nations Security Council to charge Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with violating the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and the United Nations Charter because of his calls for the destruction of the State of Israel."[33]

Sure learned President of Islamic Republic of Iran have points to convey but Zionist quick to labeled that as anti Semitism and as called for genocide. Once again it’s irony that call for openness and truth would receive such condemnation while genocide itself that happening in Palestine is endorsed and approved. With World Superpower as patron and controller of Mass Media in US and World act of aggression could be portray as self defense. In Recent aggression of Terrorist State of Israel on Gaza US Senate stood firmly behind the aggressor. Refer the full report on

“http://www.imemc.org/newsbrief_wire?time_posted_lower_limit=1227567540&results_offset=15”
US Senate unanimously votes to support Israel's invasion of Gaza; House to vote tomorrow
gaza strip / international politics / news report Thu Jan 08, 2009

see the translation, what Ahmadinejab really means

1.1 "Wiped off the map" or "Vanish from the pages of time" translation

Despite protests in every major city in the United States, and thousands of phone calls, faxes, letters and emails sent by US citizens to their Senators in Washington, the US Senate voted unanimously on Thursday to support Israel's aggression against the population of the Gaza Strip. The US Senate has historically overwhelmingly given its support to all of Israel's attacks, even when those attacks are in direct violation of international humanitarian law, governed by the Fourth Geneva Convention, and even when the attacks have been condemned repeatedly by the United Nations. But it’s not hard to comprehend how the Senate consistently supports the Zionist.

In US lobbying political group is permitted and Zionist lobbyist group is the most powerful and affluent. Probably US is the most corrupt country in the world as corruption is happening at highes level of administration; it has it role in even in early process of democracy as Political party seeking fund for political campaign. Definitely Zionist group is the major contributor of any of any US president elected campaign. Lobbying = Corruption.

Most US Senators and Congress have taken all-expense-paid trips to Israel, sponsored by the Israeli government and US-based Zionist groups. During these trips, members of Congress report being subjected to tours and propaganda that promote a Zionist version of the history of Israel, with no presentation of the continuous disenfranchisement of the indigenous Palestinian population, or the continuous expansion of the Israeli state further into Palestinian land. Although trips are usually considered gifts and are banned under corruption and graft laws, the trips to Israel have always been exempted from these laws. This is just another symptom of the deep rooted political and economic integration of key power bases in Washington and Tel Aviv. Probably US Senate also the most misinformed people on planet.

[31]^ a b "European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood policy: Statement on recent declarations by the President of Iran". EUROPA. Retrieved on November 16, 2005.
[32]^ Search Results - THOMAS (Library of Congress)
[33]^ Search Results - THOMAS (Library of Congress)

MAP OF PALESTINE

2009-01-09T08:40:00.000-08:00

Maps of Ancient Palestine Before the Creation Terrorist State of Israel (TSI). Continuous manipulation and oppression has shrunk the size of Palestine State and eventually change the words of Palestine from the maps to words of Israel instead. What Palestine then are Gaza strip and West Bank now. Not impossible in future words of Palestine will totally forgotten and will be known only as Concentration camp of Gaza and West Bank. The Terrorist State of Israel just waiting right time and right situation to grab more land, and pushes Palestinian further into a spot. The group of using exaggerated Holocaust story now creates their own version of holocaust on Palestinian. Gaza strip is the most dense spot on Planet now. When world is not looking, or world is blocked from seeing the truth, or a concocted reasons are found, A single atomic bomb would enough to annihilate true people of Palestine… then argument for A Terrorist State of Israel would become stronger..

Maps of ancient Palestine

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/palestine_1020bc.jpg

http://forums.canadiancontent.net/international-politics/74418-should-canadians-help-save-bil.html

A DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE FROM ISRAEL

2009-01-09T08:20:00.001-08:00

Thu Jul 5, 2007 9:07 pm (PST)

A Declaration of Independence from Israel
by Chris Hedges

Israel, without the United States, would probably not exist. The country came perilously close to extinction during the October 1973 war when Egypt, trained and backed by the Soviet Union, crossed the Suez and the Syrians poured in over the Golan Heights. Huge American military transport planes came to the rescue. They began landing every half-hour to refit the battered Israeli army, which had lost most of its heavy armor. By the time the war was over, the United States had given Israel $2.2 billion in emergency military aid.The intervention, which enraged the Arab world, triggered the OPEC oil embargo that for a time wreaked havoc on Western economies. This was perhaps the most dramatic example of the sustained life-support system the United States has provided to the Jewish state.Israel was born at midnight May 14, 1948. The U.S.recognized the new state 11 minutes later.

The two countries have been locked in a deadly embrace ever since. Washington, at the beginning of the relationship, was able to be a moderating influence. An incensed President Eisenhower demanded and got Israel's withdrawal after the Israelis occupied Gaza in 1956.During the Six-Day War in 1967, Israeli warplanes bombed the USS Liberty. The ship, flying the U.S. flag and stationed 15 miles off the Israeli coast, was intercepting tactical and strategic communications from both sides. The Israeli strikes killed 34 U.S. sailors and wounded 171. The deliberate attack froze,for a while, Washington's enthusiasm for Israel. But ruptures like this one aproved to be only bumps, soon smoothed out by an increasingly sophisticated and well-financed Israel lobby that set out to merge Israel and American foreign policy in the Middle East.Israel has reaped tremendous rewards from this alliance. It has been given more than $140 billion in U.S. direct economic and military assistance. It receives about $3 billion in direct assistance annually, roughly one-fifth of the U.S. foreign aid budget. Although most American foreign aid packages stipulate that related military purchases have to be made in the United States, Israel is allowed to use about 25 percent of the money to subsidize its own growing and profitable defense industry. It is exempt, unlike other nations, from accounting for how it spends the aid money. And funds are routinely siphoned off to build new Jewish settlements, bolster the Israeli occupation in the Palestinian territories and construct the security barrier, which costs an estimated $1 million a mile. The barrier weaves its way through the West Bank, creating isolated pockets of impoverished Palestinians in ringed ghettos. By the time the barrier is finished it will probably in effect seize up to 40 percent of Palestinian land. This is the largest land grab by Israel since the 1967 war. And although the United States officially opposes settlement expansion and the barrier, it also funds them. The U.S. has provided Israel with nearly $3 billion to develop weapons systems and given Israel access to some of the most sophisticated items in its own military arsenal, including Blackhawk attack helicopters and F-16 fighter jets. The United States also gives Israel access to intelligence it denies to its NATO allies. And when Israel refused to sign the nuclear nonproliferation treaty, the United States stood by without a word of protest as the Israelis built the region's first nuclear weapons program.U.S. foreign policy, especially under the current Bush administration, has become little more than an extension of Israeli foreign policy. The United States since 1982 has vetoed 32 Security Council resolutions critical of Israel, more than the total number of vetoes cast byall the other Security Council members. It refuses to enforce the Security Council resolutions it claims to support. These resolutions call on Israel to withdraw from the occupied territories. (more)

There is now volcanic anger and revulsion by Arabs at this blatant favoritism.Few in the Middle East see any distinction between Israeli and American policies, nor should they. And when the Islamic radicals speak of U.S. support of Israel as a prime reason for their hatred of the United States, we should listen. The consequences of this one-sided relationship are being played out in the disastrous war in Iraq, growing tension with Iran, and the humanitarian and political crisis in Gaza. It is being played out in Lebanon, where Hezbollah is gearing up for another war with Israel, one most Middle East analysts say is inevitable. The U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East is unraveling. And it is doing so because of this special relationship. The eruption of a regional conflict would usher in a nightmare of catastrophic proportions.There were many in the American foreign policy establishment and State Department who saw this situation coming. The decision to throw our lot in with Israel in the Middle East was not initially a popular one with an array of foreign policy experts, including President Harry Truman's secretary of state, Gen. George Marshall. They warned there would be a backlash. They knew the cost the United States would pay in the oil-rich region for this decision, which they feared would be one of the greatest strategic blunders of the postwar era. And they were right. The decision has jeopardized American and Israeli security and created the kindling for a regional conflagration. The alliance, which makes no sense in geopolitical terms, does makes sense when seen through the lens of domestic politics. The Israel lobby has become a potent force in the American political system. No major candidate, Democrat or Republican, dares to challenge it. The lobby successfully purged the State Department of Arab experts who challenged the notion that Israeli and American interests were identical. Backers of Israel have doled out hundreds of millions of dollars to support U.S. political candidates deemed favorable to Israel. They have brutally punished those who strayed, including the first President Bush, who they said was not vigorous enough in his defense of Israeli interests. This was a lesson the next Bush White House did not forget. George W. Bush did notwant to be a one-term president like his father..

Israel advocated removing Saddam Hussein from power and currently advocates striking Iran to prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons. Direct Israeli involvement in American military perations in the Middle East is impossible. It would reignite a war between Arab states and Israel. The United States, which during the Cold War avoided direct military involvement in the region, now does the direct bidding of Israel while Israel watches from the sidelines. During the 1991 Gulf War, Israel was a spectator, just as it is in the war with Iraq. President Bush, facing dwindling support for the war in Iraq, publicly holds Israel up as a model for what he would like Iraq to become. Imagine how this idea plays out on the Arab street, which views Israel as the Algerians viewed the French colonizers during the war of liberation. "In Israel," Bush said recently, "terrorists have taken innocent human life for years in suicide attacks. The difference is that Israel is a functioning democracy and it's not prevented from carrying out its responsibilities. And that's a good indicator of success that we're looking for in Iraq." Americans are increasingly isolated and reviled in the world. They remain blissfully ignorant of their own culpability for this isolation. U.S. "spin" paints the rest of the world as unreasonable, but Israel, Americans are assured, will always be on our side. (more) Israel is reaping economic as well as political rewards from its lock-down apartheid state. In the "gated community" market it has begun to sell systems and techniques that allow the nation to cope with terrorism. Israel, in 2006, exported $3.4 billion in defense products-well over a billion dollars more than it received in American military aid. Israel has grown into the fourth largest arms dealer in the world. Most of this growth has come in the so-called homeland security sector.

"The key products and services," as Naomi Klein wrote in The Nation, "are hi-tech fences, unmanned drones, biometric IDs, video and audio surveillance gear, air passenger profiling and prisoner interrogation systems-precisely the tools and technologies Israel has used to lock in the occupied territories. And that is why the chaos in Gaza and the rest of the region doesn't threaten the bottom line in Tel Aviv, and may actually boost it. Israel has learned to turn endless war into a brand asset, pitching its uprooting, occupation and containment of the Palestinian people as a half-century head start in the 'global war on terror.' "

The United States, at least officially, does not support the occupation and calls for a viable Palestinian state. It is a global player, with interests that stretch well beyond the boundaries of the Middle East, and the equation that Israel's enemies are our enemies is not that simple.

"Terrorism is not a single adversary," John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt wrote in The London Review of Books, "but a tactic employed by a wide array of political groups. The terrorist organizations that threaten Israel do not threaten the United States, except when it intervenes against them (as in Lebanon in 1982). Moreover, Palestinian terrorism is not random violence directed against Israel or 'the West'; it is largely a response to Israel's prolonged campaign to colonize the West Bank and Gaza Strip. More important, saying that Israel and the US are united by a shared terrorist threat has the causal relationship backwards: the US has a terrorism problem in good part because it is so closely allied with Israel, not the other way around."

Middle Eastern policy is shaped in the United States by those with very close ties to the Israel lobby. Those who attempt to counter the virulent Israeli position, such as former Secretary of State Colin Powell, are ruthlessly slapped down. This alliance was true also during the Clinton administration, with its array of Israeli-first Middle East experts, including special Middle East coordinator Dennis Ross and Martin Indyk, the former deputy director of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, AIPAC, one of the most powerful Israel lobbying groups in Washington. But at least people like Indyk and Ross are sane, willing to consider a Palestinian state, however unviable, as long as it is palatable to Israel. The Bush administration turned to the far-right wing of the Israel lobby, those who have not a shred ofcompassion for thePalestinians or a word of criticism for Israel. These new Middle East expertsinclude Elliott Abrams, John Bolton, Douglas Feith,the disgraced I. Lewis"Scooter" Libby, Richard Perle, Paul Wolfowitz and David Wurmser. Washington was once willing to stay Israel's hand. Itintervened to thwart someof its most extreme violations of human rights. This administration, however, has signed on for every disastrous Israeli blunder, from building the security barrier in the West Bank, to sealing off Gaza and triggering a humanitarian crisis, to the ruinous invasion and saturation bombing of Lebanon.

The few tepid attempts by the Bush White House to criticize Israeli actions have all ended in hasty and humiliating retreats in the face of Israeli pressure. When the Israel Defense Forces in April 2002 reoccupied the West Bank, President Bush called on then-Prime Minister Ariel
Sharon to "halt the incursions and begin withdrawal." It never happened. After a week of heavy
pressure from the Israel lobby and Israel's allies in Congress, meaning just about everyone in Congress, the president gave up, calling Sharon "a man of peace." It was a humiliating moment for the United Sates, a clear sign of who pulled the strings. There were several reasons for the war in Iraq. The desire for American control of oil, the belief that Washington could build puppet states in the region, and a real, if misplaced, fear of Saddam Hussein played a part in the current disaster. But it was also strongly shaped by the notion that what is good for Israel is good for the United States. Israel wanted Iraq neutralized. Israeli intelligence, in the lead-up to the war, gave faulty information to the U.S. about Iraq's alleged arsenal of weapons of mass destruction. And when Baghdad was taken in April 2003, the Israeli government immediately began to push for an attack on Syria. The lust for this attack has waned, in no small part because the Americans don't have enough troops to hang on in Iraq, much less launch a new occupation. Israel is currently lobbying the United States to launch aerial strikes on Iran, despite the debacle in Lebanon. Israel's iron determination to forcibly prevent a nuclear Iran makes it probable that before the end of the Bush administration an attack on Iran will take place. The efforts to halt nuclear development through diplomatic means have failed. It does not matter that Iran poses no threat to the United States. It does not matter that it does not even pose a threat to Israel, which has several hundred nuclear weapons in its arsenal. It matters only that Israel demands total military domination of the Middle East.The alliance between Israel and the United States has culminated after 50 years in direct U.S. military involvement in the Middle East. This involvement, which is not furthering American interests, is unleashing a geopolitical nightmare. American soldiers and Marines are dying in droves in a useless war. The impotence of the United States in the face of Israelipressure is complete. The White House and the Congress have become, for perhaps the first time, a direct extension of Israeli interests. There is no longer any debate within the United States. This is evidenced by the obsequious nods to Israel by all the current presidential candidates with the exception of Dennis Kucinich. The political cost for those who challenge Israel is too high. This means there will be no peaceful resolution of thePalestinian- Israeli conflict. It means the incidents of Islamic terrorism against the U.S. and Israel will grow. It means that American power and prestige are on a steep, irreversible decline. And I fear it also means the ultimate end of the Jewish experiment in the Middle East. The weakening of the United States, economically andmilitarily, is giving rise to new centers of power. The U.S. economy, mismanaged and drained by the Iraq war, is increasingly dependent on Chinese trade imports and on Chinese holdingsof U.S. Treasury securities. China holds dollar reserves worth $825 billion. If Beijing decides to abandon the U.S. bond market, even in part, it would cause a free fall by the dollar. It would lead to the collapse of the $7-trillion U.S. real estate market. There would be a wave of U.S. bankfailures and huge unemployment. The growing dependence on China has been accompanied by aggressive work by the Chinese to build alliances with many of the world's major exporters of oil, such as Iran, Nigeria, Sudan and Venezuela. The Chinese are preparing for the looming worldwide clash over dwindling resources.The future is ominous. Not only do Israel's foreign policy objectives not coincide with American interests, they actively hurt them. The growing belligerence in the Middle East, the calls for anattack against Iran, the collapse of the imperial project in Iraq have all given an opening, where there was none before, to America's rivals. It is not in Israel's interests to ignite a regional conflict. It is not in ours. But those who have their hands on the wheel seem determined, in the name of freedom and democracy, to keep the American ship of state headed at breakneck speed into the cliffs before us.

Chris Hedges, who graduated from Harvard Divinity School and was for nearly two decades a foreign correspondent for The New York Times, is the author of " American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America ."
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News - Conflict 4 January 2009

2009-01-09T07:34:00.000-08:00

Details are emerging of other incidents in which civilians were killed. A U.N. agency said Israeli troops evacuated Palestinian civilians to a house in Gaza City on Jan. 4, then shelled the building 24 hours later, killing 30 people.
The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs report was based on eyewitness testimony. It added details to an incident previously reported by The Associated Press and an Israeli human rights group.
The U.N. agency said 110 people were in the house. The 30 people reported killed is a far higher figure than in other accounts.
The Israeli military had no comment on the report Friday.

No Further details of this Incident up to time this article published

AP writers Edith M. Lederer and John Heilprin at the United Nations contributed to this report.