Anything to score political points and stoke the fires of anti-Arab racism. If any other political leader had done the same he'd be facing World-wide condemnation now. But because he's the leader of Israel, we hear not so much as a murmur:
Netanyahu government knew teens were dead as it whipped up racist frenzy Max Blumenthal The Electronic Intifada 8 July 2014
“Cursed be he who says, ‘Avenge!‘ “ —Chaim Bialik, from “On The Slaughter”
From the moment three Israeli teens were reported missing last month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the country’s military-intelligence apparatus suppressed the flow of information to the general public. Through a toxic blend of propaganda, subterfuge and incitement, they inflamed a precarious situation, manipulating Israelis into supporting their agenda until they made an utterly avoidable nightmare inevitable.
Israeli police, intelligence officials and Netanyahu knew within hours of the kidnapping and murder of the three teens that they had been killed. And they knew who the prime suspects were less than a day after the kidnapping was reported.
Rather than reveal these details to the public, Israel’s Shin Bet intelligence agency imposed a gag order on the national media, barring news outlets from reporting that the teens had almost certainly been killed, and forbidding them from revealing the identities of their suspected killers. The Shin Bet even lied to the parents of the kidnapped teens, deceiving them into believing their sons were alive.
Instead of mounting a limited action to capture the suspected perpetrators and retrieve the teens’ bodies, Netanyahu staged an aggressive international public relations campaign, demanding sympathy and outrage from world leaders, who were also given the impression that the missing teens were still alive.
Meanwhile, Israel’s armed forces rampaged throughout the occupied West Bank and bombarded the Gaza Strip in a campaign of collective punishment deceptively marketed to Israelis and the world as a rescue mission.
Critical details that were known all along by Netanyahu and the military-intelligence apparatus were relayed to the Israeli public only after the abduction of more than 560 Palestinians, including at least 200 still held without charges; after the raiding of Palestinian universities and ransacking of countless homes; after six Palestinian civilians were killed by Israeli forces; after American-trained Palestinian Authority police assisted Israeli soldiers attacking Palestinian youths in the center of Ramallah; after the alleged theft by Israeli troops of $3 million in US dollars; and after Israel’s international public relations extravaganza had run its course.
The assault on the West Bank arrived on the heels of the collapse of the US-led framework negotiations, for which the US blamed Netanyahu, and immediately after Hamas’ ratification of a unity deal with the Fatah-controlled Palestinian Authority. Netanyahu was still smarting from the US recognition of the unity government when news of the kidnapping reached him. Never one to miss an opportunity to undermine the Palestinians, he and his inner circle resolved to milk the kidnapping for maximum propaganda value.
Weeks after the incident, it is now clear that the Israeli government, intelligence services and army engaged in a cover-up to provide themselves with the political space they required for a military campaign that had little to do with rescuing any kidnapped teens.
The disinformation campaign they waged sent a heavily indoctrinated, comprehensively militarized population into a tribalistic frenzy, provoking a wave of high-level incitement, the shocking revenge killing of an innocent Palestinian teen and rioting across East Jerusalem.
Where the chaos will end and how far it will spread is unknown. But its origins are increasingly clear.
....
Id love to hear a response from the Israeli supporters on this post.
Anything to score political points and stoke the fires of anti-Arab racism. If any other political leader had done the same he'd be facing World-wide condemnation now. But because he's the leader of Israel, we hear not so much as a murmur:
Netanyahu government knew teens were dead as it whipped up racist frenzy Max Blumenthal The Electronic Intifada 8 July 2014
“Cursed be he who says, ‘Avenge!‘ “ —Chaim Bialik, from “On The Slaughter”
From the moment three Israeli teens were reported missing last month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the country’s military-intelligence apparatus suppressed the flow of information to the general public. Through a toxic blend of propaganda, subterfuge and incitement, they inflamed a precarious situation, manipulating Israelis into supporting their agenda until they made an utterly avoidable nightmare inevitable.
Israeli police, intelligence officials and Netanyahu knew within hours of the kidnapping and murder of the three teens that they had been killed. And they knew who the prime suspects were less than a day after the kidnapping was reported.
Rather than reveal these details to the public, Israel’s Shin Bet intelligence agency imposed a gag order on the national media, barring news outlets from reporting that the teens had almost certainly been killed, and forbidding them from revealing the identities of their suspected killers. The Shin Bet even lied to the parents of the kidnapped teens, deceiving them into believing their sons were alive.
Instead of mounting a limited action to capture the suspected perpetrators and retrieve the teens’ bodies, Netanyahu staged an aggressive international public relations campaign, demanding sympathy and outrage from world leaders, who were also given the impression that the missing teens were still alive.
Meanwhile, Israel’s armed forces rampaged throughout the occupied West Bank and bombarded the Gaza Strip in a campaign of collective punishment deceptively marketed to Israelis and the world as a rescue mission.
Critical details that were known all along by Netanyahu and the military-intelligence apparatus were relayed to the Israeli public only after the abduction of more than 560 Palestinians, including at least 200 still held without charges; after the raiding of Palestinian universities and ransacking of countless homes; after six Palestinian civilians were killed by Israeli forces; after American-trained Palestinian Authority police assisted Israeli soldiers attacking Palestinian youths in the center of Ramallah; after the alleged theft by Israeli troops of $3 million in US dollars; and after Israel’s international public relations extravaganza had run its course.
The assault on the West Bank arrived on the heels of the collapse of the US-led framework negotiations, for which the US blamed Netanyahu, and immediately after Hamas’ ratification of a unity deal with the Fatah-controlled Palestinian Authority. Netanyahu was still smarting from the US recognition of the unity government when news of the kidnapping reached him. Never one to miss an opportunity to undermine the Palestinians, he and his inner circle resolved to milk the kidnapping for maximum propaganda value.
Weeks after the incident, it is now clear that the Israeli government, intelligence services and army engaged in a cover-up to provide themselves with the political space they required for a military campaign that had little to do with rescuing any kidnapped teens.
The disinformation campaign they waged sent a heavily indoctrinated, comprehensively militarized population into a tribalistic frenzy, provoking a wave of high-level incitement, the shocking revenge killing of an innocent Palestinian teen and rioting across East Jerusalem.
Where the chaos will end and how far it will spread is unknown. But its origins are increasingly clear.
....
Id love to hear a response from the Israeli supporters on this post.
The train of logic this piece claims the Israeli government followed: Kidnapping of Israeli youth gathers media attention. Israeli government and police forces reassure parents of kidnapped youth of the potential for survival of their children (all lies). Israeli government and police forces suppress media attention. Israeli government strategically disseminates information about the murder of the youth, with a (not-so) hidden agenda of developing "tribalistic frenzy" within the region. Positive result: Perpetrators caught Negative result: Destruction to property and human life, "tribalistic frenzy" within the region
The question is, how could this have gone down where the end goal - the perpetrators being apprehended - was not accompanied by the destruction to property and human life, and "tribalistic frenzy" within the region?
If in fact this is all what's happened, it's incredibly disturbing, but what good is bringing attention to a problem if you can't deliver an alternate solution without the negative byproducts?
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EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
The question is, how could this have gone down where the end goal - the perpetrators being apprehended - was not accompanied by the destruction to property and human life, and "tribalistic frenzy" within the region?
If in fact this is all what's happened, it's incredibly disturbing, but what good is bringing attention to a problem if you can't deliver an alternate solution without the negative byproducts?
Israeli army confiscates $3.5 million worth of Palestinian property 07/08/2014
The Israeli army confiscated nearly $3.5 million worth of property and cash from Palestinians during its recent three-weeks long military incursion into the West Bank, under the pretense of searching for three Israeli teens who went missing on 12 June and whose bodies were found 30 June.
Since the beginning of the military assault, 830 Palestinians have been arrested and seven killed in the occupied West Bank. Nine have been killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza. Two more died from heart attacks suffered during an army raid or while being held at a checkpoint, and many dozens more have been injured. Israel is still bombarding Gaza with heavy airstrikes, and injuries and casualties are mounting.
On 7 July, the Euro-Mid Observer for Human Rights published a report compiling all incidents of confiscated private property and money. In addition to taking the equivalent of $370,000 in cash, the Israeli army seized 93 computers, as well as telephones, cars and buses worth a total value of $2.9 million.
“Organized robbery”
Euro-Mid Observer’s investigation found that the confiscations occurred without a judicial warrant and without proper notification to the families. “In other words,” the report states, “they were conducted like an organized robbery.” In nearly sixty separate incidents, Palestinians reported having their houses ransacked, with valuable gold, cash, jewelry, electronics and vehicles seized, according to the report.
On 2 July, Israel announced that the campaign, dubbed Operation My Brother’s Keeper, was “completed” after the bodies of the three Israeli teens were found in Halhoul, near Hebron.
The report’s findings suggest that pillage is yet another war crime that Israel appears to have committed during the campaign.
International law prohibits the destruction or theft of property in a military conflict. Euro-Mid Observer reports that the seizure of money and private property is a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits the pillage of or reprisal against civilians, particularly people under military occupation. Euro-Mid Observer also asserts that the widespread confiscation of property violates the Geneva Convention’s prohibition against collective punishment.
The report states that the “Israeli government justifies the confiscation of money and equipment by claiming that they were used for funding or supporting terrorism.” The government has offered no evidence to support this claim.
Israeli army confiscates $3.5 million worth of Palestinian property 07/08/2014
The Israeli army confiscated nearly $3.5 million worth of property and cash from Palestinians during its recent three-weeks long military incursion into the West Bank, under the pretense of searching for three Israeli teens who went missing on 12 June and whose bodies were found 30 June.
Since the beginning of the military assault, 830 Palestinians have been arrested and seven killed in the occupied West Bank. Nine have been killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza. Two more died from heart attacks suffered during an army raid or while being held at a checkpoint, and many dozens more have been injured. Israel is still bombarding Gaza with heavy airstrikes, and injuries and casualties are mounting.
On 7 July, the Euro-Mid Observer for Human Rights published a report compiling all incidents of confiscated private property and money. In addition to taking the equivalent of $370,000 in cash, the Israeli army seized 93 computers, as well as telephones, cars and buses worth a total value of $2.9 million.
“Organized robbery”
Euro-Mid Observer’s investigation found that the confiscations occurred without a judicial warrant and without proper notification to the families. “In other words,” the report states, “they were conducted like an organized robbery.” In nearly sixty separate incidents, Palestinians reported having their houses ransacked, with valuable gold, cash, jewelry, electronics and vehicles seized, according to the report.
On 2 July, Israel announced that the campaign, dubbed Operation My Brother’s Keeper, was “completed” after the bodies of the three Israeli teens were found in Halhoul, near Hebron.
The report’s findings suggest that pillage is yet another war crime that Israel appears to have committed during the campaign.
International law prohibits the destruction or theft of property in a military conflict. Euro-Mid Observer reports that the seizure of money and private property is a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits the pillage of or reprisal against civilians, particularly people under military occupation. Euro-Mid Observer also asserts that the widespread confiscation of property violates the Geneva Convention’s prohibition against collective punishment.
The report states that the “Israeli government justifies the confiscation of money and equipment by claiming that they were used for funding or supporting terrorism.” The government has offered no evidence to support this claim.
God damn that's some grimey shit there. Wow. Thugs
The question is, how could this have gone down where the end goal - the perpetrators being apprehended - was not accompanied by the destruction to property and human life, and "tribalistic frenzy" within the region?
If in fact this is all what's happened, it's incredibly disturbing, but what good is bringing attention to a problem if you can't deliver an alternate solution without the negative byproducts?
Are you serious?
I'm entirely serious! What good is it to point to a fire and say "there's a fire" instead of putting it out? You claim to care deeply about this situation - offer something else. Shut me up with a viable solution instead of "Are you serious?", because politicians have been making damn hard decisions for years and years and years - NOT just in Israel. And NOT all of them are morally comprehensible without a full picture - like the decisions where all outcomes point to 'bad', so they choose the least 'bad' of them all. So why are you bringing attention to an unlikable decision made, when you refuse to offer an alternative?
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EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
Ben - I think he's asking because the answer to your question is straight-forward. They could have achieved the same ends (apprehending the suspects), with a focused search for the bodies and suspects, especially if they did know almost immediately after the kidnapping, where the bodies were and who their suspects were, instead of inciting the public, and collectively punishing the entire Palestinian population with curfews, plundering, and murder...also using the kidnappings to condemn Palestine's new unity government and keep Hamas associated with terror in international opinion, despite presenting ZERO evidence to support the claim. 'Tribalistic frenzy' is hyperbole, and it's likely that there would have been further violence sue to each of these incidents....but it is not as if israel had no choice but to act in the ways they did. Also, Blumenthal does not mention that the kidnappings were likely used politically as pr cover for the nakba day shootings. What's happening with that? Barely here about it anymore. And if you think the Israeli govt is above this kind of sick posturing, here's another example: After the 15 year old American citizen was beaten by the IDF the other day, the Israeli government held a press conference to announce the arrest of a Palestinian suspect in the murder of an Israeli...an arrest that was made two weeks prior. Why time it as such? Just a coincidence I'm sure.
Ben - I think he's asking because the answer to your question is straight-forward. They could have achieved the same ends (apprehending the suspects), with a focused search for the bodies and suspects, especially if they did know almost immediately after the kidnapping, where the bodies were and who their suspects were, instead of inciting the public, and collectively punishing the entire Palestinian population with curfews, plundering, and murder...also using the kidnappings to condemn Palestine's new unity government and keep Hamas associated with terror in international opinion, despite presenting ZERO evidence to support the claim. 'Tribalistic frenzy' is hyperbole, and it's likely that there would have been further violence sue to each of these incidents....but it is not as if israel had no choice but to act in the ways they did. Also, Blumenthal does not mention that the kidnappings were likely used politically as pr cover for the nakba day shootings. What's happening with that? Barely here about it anymore. And if you think the Israeli govt is above this kind of sick posturing, here's another example: After the 15 year old American citizen was beaten by the IDF the other day, the Israeli government held a press conference to announce the arrest of a Palestinian suspect in the murder of an Israeli...an arrest that was made two weeks prior. Why time it as such? Just a coincidence I'm sure.
Drowned Out, see, that's a much more meaningful answer. Had this focused search taken place, who would have made the details of these acts public? And when would that have happened? For example, one issue was that the parents were lied to. So the parents are told that their children have been kidnapped and murdered, the only information they have on the profile of the killers is that they are likely affiliated with the Hamas organization and they - what - lock the parents away so they don't respond furiously and publicly and start a riot? Or let it happen? Or say nothing, while waiting for fundamentalist-extremists (from both sides) to respond and call for further action? This seems to end badly this way.
Or they say nothing, and tell the parents and consulting friends and family of the Israelis "we're sorry, that's classified information". And then these people are expected to just say, "oh, okay! We'll check back later!" But I don't think that's how it would go down either.
For the record - I don't for a second believe that Israel is above trying to manipulate public opinion. Clearly the event that you're referring to is far more than just a coincidence, and I'm sure these times are a dime a dozen. And also - from what I'm seeing, the things that have penetrated the news in a major way include Israel attacking Gaza, Israel authorizing troops, Israel burning Palestinians. These are the things which are making headlines.
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EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
I'm entirely serious! What good is it to point to a fire and say "there's a fire" instead of putting it out? You claim to care deeply about this situation - offer something else. Shut me up with a viable solution instead of "Are you serious?", because politicians have been making damn hard decisions for years and years and years - NOT just in Israel. And NOT all of them are morally comprehensible without a full picture - like the decisions where all outcomes point to 'bad', so they choose the least 'bad' of them all. So why are you bringing attention to an unlikable decision made, when you refuse to offer an alternative?
I refuse to offer an alternative? How was the Israeli leaderships decision 'the least bad of them all'? They deliberately lied to the parents. They also lied to the public. They knew who the prime suspects were less than a day after they were kidnapped. And instead of dealing with it then and there, and apprehending the prime suspects, they went on t.v, and social media, blaming Hamas for the kidnappings and stoking further racial hatred and resentment towards all Palestinians.
Clearly the event that you're referring to is far more than just a coincidence, and I'm sure these times are a dime a dozen.
You're sure, are you? Go ahead and tell me how many Israeli's have been killed by Palestinians over the course of the last ten years. Then tell me how many Palestinians have been killed by Israeli's. Then when you compare the numbers, let me know what conclusion you come to.
And also - from what I'm seeing, the things that have penetrated the news in a major way include Israel attacking Gaza, Israel authorizing troops, Israel burning Palestinians. These are the things which are making headlines.
When three Palestinian teenagers were shot and killed by an Israeli sniper last month did Obama go on national t.v and mourn their deaths? No, he didn't. Also, when the Israeli's, after being fed blatant lies and racist remarks from the top of the Israeli leadership, went on the rampage through Palestinian neighbourhooods, and beat, and killed Palestinians, and looted their homes, was their any condemnation from Western leaders? No, there wasn't.
Clearly the event that you're referring to is far more than just a coincidence, and I'm sure these times are a dime a dozen.
You're sure, are you? Go ahead and tell me how many Israeli's have been killed by Palestinians over the course of the last ten years. Then tell me how many Palestinians have been killed by Israeli's. Then when you compare the numbers, let me know what conclusion you come to.
And also - from what I'm seeing, the things that have penetrated the news in a major way include Israel attacking Gaza, Israel authorizing troops, Israel burning Palestinians. These are the things which are making headlines.
When three Palestinian teenagers were shot and killed by an Israeli sniper last month did Obama go on national t.v and mourn their deaths? No, he didn't. Also, when the Israeli's, after being fed blatant lies and racist remarks from the top of the Israeli leadership, went on the rampage through Palestinian neighbourhooods, and beat, and killed Palestinians, and looted their homes, was their any condemnation from Western leaders? No, there wasn't.
Sorry Byrnzie - I entirely used the wrong expression. I meant to say that I'm sure that these cover-ups happen far more than we're told.
As for your second point - I have literally no answer. I think that's entirely inexcusable and I wish I could give some reasoning, but I've got absolutely nothing. I wish the coverage were more equitable. Or equitable, period.
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EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
Let's all applaud Israel now! Great job guys!!!! =D> =D> =D>
I would NEVER applaud Israel for this (ie. don't know the context or necessity of even the warning 'non-lethal bomb' - if it's unprovoked, it shouldn't have been dropped), but I definitely wouldn't say it's ever right for an organization to condone its members acting as human shields to bombs or rockets... In my opinion, you do your best to protect human life to the best of your ability. Period.
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EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
That's why I said, think what you will. It seems everyone has made up their mind on where they stand on this issue. No matter what. But this does show Israel trying to avoid civilian casualties. It shows Hammas using human shields. But again think what you will...
That's why I said, think what you will. It seems everyone has made up their mind on where they stand on this issue. No matter what. But this does show Israel trying to avoid civilian casualties. It shows Hammas using human shields. But again think what you will...
Well, it only shows Israel trying to avoid civilian casualties if, in fact, there was good cause for the attack in the first place. Which that video doesn't show at all. In conclusion: we're right back where we started, and people will be quick to criticize Israel's lack of transparency in matters like this. And then others will be quick to defend Israel and say their lack of transparency is because they have long-term goals which must be kept hush-hush. Like they say, to any two-sided argument, there's one side's opinion, the other side's, and then there's the truth. I don't have a clue which side is closer to the truth here.
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EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
Let's all applaud Israel now! Great job guys!!!! =D> =D> =D>
I would NEVER applaud Israel for this (ie. don't know the context or necessity of even the warning 'non-lethal bomb' - if it's unprovoked, it shouldn't have been dropped), but I definitely wouldn't say it's ever right for an organization to condone its members acting as human shields to bombs or rockets... In my opinion, you do your best to protect human life to the best of your ability. Period.
Let's all applaud Israel now! Great job guys!!!! =D> =D> =D>
I would NEVER applaud Israel for this (ie. don't know the context or necessity of even the warning 'non-lethal bomb' - if it's unprovoked, it shouldn't have been dropped), but I definitely wouldn't say it's ever right for an organization to condone its members acting as human shields to bombs or rockets... In my opinion, you do your best to protect human life to the best of your ability. Period.
Ben, I was being sarcastic buddy.
I know you were... My point is that, while some may be, not every Israel supporter is blindsighted and naive enough to not be able to see past bullshit. It's crystal clear that this is an effort to glorify or gain sympathy for Israeli actions, and the tone of your statement, while sarcastic, was very evidently an implication that Israeli supporters are sheep who will put the country on a pedestal for each and every action they make.
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EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
This is scary. Not to mention the casualties related to Israeli attacks vs. attacks on Israel - who is protected by Iron Dome to a great degree. Can anyone here help me understand what good a ground offensive tactic can possibly bring? I can't think of anything.
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EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
What good can it bring? How about a stoppage the the 400 rockets that have reigned down on Israel over the past week? Oh, I forgot. That's just a result of "the occupation" so how dare Israel defend its citizens.
What good can it bring? How about a stoppage the the 400 rockets that have reigned down on Israel over the past week? Oh, I forgot. That's just a result of "the occupation" so how dare Israel defend its citizens.
Ya how dare they fire firecrackers at Israel, you know with Israel dropping white phosphorus and all...
What good can it bring? How about a stoppage the the 400 rockets that have reigned down on Israel over the past week? Oh, I forgot. That's just a result of "the occupation" so how dare Israel defend its citizens.
it IS a result of the occupation.
what would you do if someone came onto your property, burned your olive grove, took your land, bulldozed your house, jailed your father, and displaced your family?
personally, i would probably want to attack those people. and i would probably die to avenge my family.
"You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry." - Lincoln
What good can it bring? How about a stoppage the the 400 rockets that have reigned down on Israel over the past week? Oh, I forgot. That's just a result of "the occupation" so how dare Israel defend its citizens.
Ya how dare they fire firecrackers at Israel, you know with Israel dropping white phosphorus and all...
Go ahead and deny that too.
Yes, long range indiscriminate missiles fired at random, over 400 in total, but you can blow it off as "fire crackers." So Israel should just let missiles rain down on their people without a response? What do you think the US would do if Mexicans fired 400 missiles over the boarder at heavily populated cities in the US?
What good can it bring? How about a stoppage the the 400 rockets that have reigned down on Israel over the past week? Oh, I forgot. That's just a result of "the occupation" so how dare Israel defend its citizens.
it IS a result of the occupation.
what would you do if someone came onto your property, burned your olive grove, took your land, bulldozed your house, jailed your father, and displaced your family?
personally, i would probably want to attack those people. and i would probably die to avenge my family.
Yes, that is a great strategy that is sure to lead to peace. Regardless of whether you'd like to admit it or not, there have been Jews in what is now Israel for over 2000 years. Gaza is not occupied, and for every inch the Israelis have given up, they've only been met with violence in return. If your starting point is that the entire State of Israel is illegitimate, then there really is nothing to talk about at the bargaining table.
What good can it bring? How about a stoppage the the 400 rockets that have reigned down on Israel over the past week? Oh, I forgot. That's just a result of "the occupation" so how dare Israel defend its citizens.
it IS a result of the occupation.
what would you do if someone came onto your property, burned your olive grove, took your land, bulldozed your house, jailed your father, and displaced your family?
personally, i would probably want to attack those people. and i would probably die to avenge my family.
Yes, that is a great strategy that is sure to lead to peace. Regardless of whether you'd like to admit it or not, there have been Jews in what is now Israel for over 2000 years. Gaza is not occupied, and for every inch the Israelis have given up, they've only been met with violence in return. If your starting point is that the entire State of Israel is illegitimate, then there really is nothing to talk about at the bargaining table.
Wait, what? Now I'm confused. If Jews have been living there for 2000 years and Palestinians have been living there for 2000 years, how come Israel was "created" 60+ years ago? And how come it says land of Palestine (phalistine) in the bible?
Ya I called them firecrackers cuz that's what they are and you know it. Stop pretending that they're some crazy ass missiles/rockets that are killing Israelis left and right. If they are, then how come the media isn't saying so? Are you now gonna tell us the media is biased against Israel? Or better yet anti-Semitic? Israel has been the ONLY country that has used chemical weapons against the Palestinians in this tragedy. White phosphorus to be exact. Something AGAINST the international law, but then again, when has Israel ever followed or obeyed the law.....rhitorical question.
What good can it bring? How about a stoppage the the 400 rockets that have reigned down on Israel over the past week? Oh, I forgot. That's just a result of "the occupation" so how dare Israel defend its citizens.
it IS a result of the occupation.
what would you do if someone came onto your property, burned your olive grove, took your land, bulldozed your house, jailed your father, and displaced your family?
personally, i would probably want to attack those people. and i would probably die to avenge my family.
Yes, that is a great strategy that is sure to lead to peace. Regardless of whether you'd like to admit it or not, there have been Jews in what is now Israel for over 2000 years. Gaza is not occupied, and for every inch the Israelis have given up, they've only been met with violence in return. If your starting point is that the entire State of Israel is illegitimate, then there really is nothing to talk about at the bargaining table.
whoa, when is the last time israel voluntarily gave back any land??
israel is not interested in peace. not at all. if they were, they would stop construction and stop expanding settlements, which by the way, are illegal.... the israeli government has to have controversy, because then they can claim victimhood. victimhood gives them legitimacy in the eyes of the uninformed, like most americans.... just like republicans here can end the immigration issue, but they are not interested in doing so, because putting immigration to rest is politically advantageous to the democrats.
nobody said that hamas is free of blame. they are stupid for lobbing rockets. but rockets are their only resort. they lack the military that israel has, which was supplied courtesy of the us.
like every other country in the rest of the world agrees, except for the us of course, i have no issue with israel existing at the pre 1967 borders. every inch gained by israel since then has been found to be illegal according to international law, and as such, is not israeli land.
like the rest of the occupation apologists, you did not answer my question. if you were a palestinian in the scenario in my post, what would YOU do??
"You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry." - Lincoln
Yet they still managed to kill over 1,600 Palestinian civilians during Operation Cast Lead. The leaflet dropping was simply a cynical exercise in public relations designed to fool people like yourself who already believe that the Israeli's can do no wrong. Looks like it worked.
Oh, and by the way, leaflets were dropped on rural areas of Gaza telling the residents to head into the city, while leaflets were dropped on the urban areas of Gaza telling them to flee to the countryside. Work that one out for yourself.
Also, if it was Hamas fighters they were targeting, then do you really think that they wouldn't have also seen those leaflets and taken the relevant course of action? Or is that something that your brain hasn't acknowledged?
No it doesn't. It says that the neighbours gathered to form a human shield, in order to try and prevent their apartment building from being destroyed. In the event, it did no good, as seven people were killed, with 25 injured. As for Hamas using human shields, they did nothing of the sort, despite what "The Israeli military said..." And every investigation into Israel's assault on Gaza found no evidence at all of Hamas using civilians as human shields. But at the same time, there was ample evidence of Israeli soldiers using civilians as human shields.
The London-based human rights group also accused Hamas of war crimes, but said it found no evidence to support Israeli claims that Gaza's Islamist rulers used civilians as human shields during Israel's massive 22-day offensive.
...In numerous cases, Israeli troops forced Palestinians to stay in one room of their home while turning the rest of the house into a base and sniper position, "effectively using the families, both adults and children, as human shields and putting them at risk," the group said.
"Intentionally using civilians to shield a military objective, often referred to as using 'human shields' is a war crime," Amnesty said.
One Palestinian quoted in the report said Israeli troops forced him on three occasions to go into a house to check whether gunmen holed up inside were still alive.
The report said it found no evidence Palestinian fighters directed civilians to shield military objectives from attacks, forced them to stay in buildings used by militants, or prevented them from leaving commandeered buildings.'
Comments
Kidnapping of Israeli youth gathers media attention.
Israeli government and police forces reassure parents of kidnapped youth of the potential for survival of their children (all lies).
Israeli government and police forces suppress media attention.
Israeli government strategically disseminates information about the murder of the youth, with a (not-so) hidden agenda of developing "tribalistic frenzy" within the region.
Positive result: Perpetrators caught
Negative result: Destruction to property and human life, "tribalistic frenzy" within the region
The question is, how could this have gone down where the end goal - the perpetrators being apprehended - was not accompanied by the destruction to property and human life, and "tribalistic frenzy" within the region?
If in fact this is all what's happened, it's incredibly disturbing, but what good is bringing attention to a problem if you can't deliver an alternate solution without the negative byproducts?
EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
Israeli army confiscates $3.5 million worth of Palestinian property
07/08/2014
The Israeli army confiscated nearly $3.5 million worth of property and cash from Palestinians during its recent three-weeks long military incursion into the West Bank, under the pretense of searching for three Israeli teens who went missing on 12 June and whose bodies were found 30 June.
Since the beginning of the military assault, 830 Palestinians have been arrested and seven killed in the occupied West Bank. Nine have been killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza. Two more died from heart attacks suffered during an army raid or while being held at a checkpoint, and many dozens more have been injured. Israel is still bombarding Gaza with heavy airstrikes, and injuries and casualties are mounting.
On 7 July, the Euro-Mid Observer for Human Rights published a report compiling all incidents of confiscated private property and money. In addition to taking the equivalent of $370,000 in cash, the Israeli army seized 93 computers, as well as telephones, cars and buses worth a total value of $2.9 million.
“Organized robbery”
Euro-Mid Observer’s investigation found that the confiscations occurred without a judicial warrant and without proper notification to the families. “In other words,” the report states, “they were conducted like an organized robbery.”
In nearly sixty separate incidents, Palestinians reported having their houses ransacked, with valuable gold, cash, jewelry, electronics and vehicles seized, according to the report.
On 2 July, Israel announced that the campaign, dubbed Operation My Brother’s Keeper, was “completed” after the bodies of the three Israeli teens were found in Halhoul, near Hebron.
The report’s findings suggest that pillage is yet another war crime that Israel appears to have committed during the campaign.
International law prohibits the destruction or theft of property in a military conflict. Euro-Mid Observer reports that the seizure of money and private property is a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits the pillage of or reprisal against civilians, particularly people under military occupation. Euro-Mid Observer also asserts that the widespread confiscation of property violates the Geneva Convention’s prohibition against collective punishment.
The report states that the “Israeli government justifies the confiscation of money and equipment by claiming that they were used for funding or supporting terrorism.” The government has offered no evidence to support this claim.
EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
Also, Blumenthal does not mention that the kidnappings were likely used politically as pr cover for the nakba day shootings. What's happening with that? Barely here about it anymore. And if you think the Israeli govt is above this kind of sick posturing, here's another example:
After the 15 year old American citizen was beaten by the IDF the other day, the Israeli government held a press conference to announce the arrest of a Palestinian suspect in the murder of an Israeli...an arrest that was made two weeks prior. Why time it as such? Just a coincidence I'm sure.
http://mondoweiss.net/2014/07/marginalize-muhammad-khudairs.html
Or they say nothing, and tell the parents and consulting friends and family of the Israelis "we're sorry, that's classified information". And then these people are expected to just say, "oh, okay! We'll check back later!" But I don't think that's how it would go down either.
For the record - I don't for a second believe that Israel is above trying to manipulate public opinion. Clearly the event that you're referring to is far more than just a coincidence, and I'm sure these times are a dime a dozen. And also - from what I'm seeing, the things that have penetrated the news in a major way include Israel attacking Gaza, Israel authorizing troops, Israel burning Palestinians. These are the things which are making headlines.
EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
They deliberately lied to the parents. They also lied to the public. They knew who the prime suspects were less than a day after they were kidnapped.
And instead of dealing with it then and there, and apprehending the prime suspects, they went on t.v, and social media, blaming Hamas for the kidnappings and stoking further racial hatred and resentment towards all Palestinians.
Then when you compare the numbers, let me know what conclusion you come to. When three Palestinian teenagers were shot and killed by an Israeli sniper last month did Obama go on national t.v and mourn their deaths? No, he didn't.
Also, when the Israeli's, after being fed blatant lies and racist remarks from the top of the Israeli leadership, went on the rampage through Palestinian neighbourhooods, and beat, and killed Palestinians, and looted their homes, was their any condemnation from Western leaders? No, there wasn't.
As for your second point - I have literally no answer. I think that's entirely inexcusable and I wish I could give some reasoning, but I've got absolutely nothing. I wish the coverage were more equitable. Or equitable, period.
EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
Think what you will
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/07/09/world/middleeast/by-phone-and-leaflet-israeli-attackers-warn-gazans.html?referrer=
EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
This is scary. Not to mention the casualties related to Israeli attacks vs. attacks on Israel - who is protected by Iron Dome to a great degree. Can anyone here help me understand what good a ground offensive tactic can possibly bring? I can't think of anything.
EV
Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
Go ahead and deny that too.
what would you do if someone came onto your property, burned your olive grove, took your land, bulldozed your house, jailed your father, and displaced your family?
personally, i would probably want to attack those people. and i would probably die to avenge my family.
"Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
Ya I called them firecrackers cuz that's what they are and you know it. Stop pretending that they're some crazy ass missiles/rockets that are killing Israelis left and right. If they are, then how come the media isn't saying so? Are you now gonna tell us the media is biased against Israel? Or better yet anti-Semitic? Israel has been the ONLY country that has used chemical weapons against the Palestinians in this tragedy. White phosphorus to be exact. Something AGAINST the international law, but then again, when has Israel ever followed or obeyed the law.....rhitorical question.
israel is not interested in peace. not at all. if they were, they would stop construction and stop expanding settlements, which by the way, are illegal.... the israeli government has to have controversy, because then they can claim victimhood. victimhood gives them legitimacy in the eyes of the uninformed, like most americans.... just like republicans here can end the immigration issue, but they are not interested in doing so, because putting immigration to rest is politically advantageous to the democrats.
nobody said that hamas is free of blame. they are stupid for lobbing rockets. but rockets are their only resort. they lack the military that israel has, which was supplied courtesy of the us.
like every other country in the rest of the world agrees, except for the us of course, i have no issue with israel existing at the pre 1967 borders. every inch gained by israel since then has been found to be illegal according to international law, and as such, is not israeli land.
like the rest of the occupation apologists, you did not answer my question. if you were a palestinian in the scenario in my post, what would YOU do??
"Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
The leaflet dropping was simply a cynical exercise in public relations designed to fool people like yourself who already believe that the Israeli's can do no wrong. Looks like it worked.
Oh, and by the way, leaflets were dropped on rural areas of Gaza telling the residents to head into the city, while leaflets were dropped on the urban areas of Gaza telling them to flee to the countryside. Work that one out for yourself.
Also, if it was Hamas fighters they were targeting, then do you really think that they wouldn't have also seen those leaflets and taken the relevant course of action? Or is that something that your brain hasn't acknowledged?
As for Hamas using human shields, they did nothing of the sort, despite what "The Israeli military said..."
And every investigation into Israel's assault on Gaza found no evidence at all of Hamas using civilians as human shields. But at the same time, there was ample evidence of Israeli soldiers using civilians as human shields.
http://www.alternet.org/story/141078/amnesty:_israel_used_children_as_human_shields_in_gaza
Amnesty on Thursday accused Israeli forces of war crimes in Gaza, saying they used children as human shields and conducted wanton attacks on civilians, in a report rejected as "unbalanced" by Israel.
The London-based human rights group also accused Hamas of war crimes, but said it found no evidence to support Israeli claims that Gaza's Islamist rulers used civilians as human shields during Israel's massive 22-day offensive.
...In numerous cases, Israeli troops forced Palestinians to stay in one room of their home while turning the rest of the house into a base and sniper position, "effectively using the families, both adults and children, as human shields and putting them at risk," the group said.
"Intentionally using civilians to shield a military objective, often referred to as using 'human shields' is a war crime," Amnesty said.
One Palestinian quoted in the report said Israeli troops forced him on three occasions to go into a house to check whether gunmen holed up inside were still alive.
The report said it found no evidence Palestinian fighters directed civilians to shield military objectives from attacks, forced them to stay in buildings used by militants, or prevented them from leaving commandeered buildings.'
The IDF were found guilty of deliberately targeting unarmed civilians in their attack on Gaza. They were found guilty of the shooting dead of women and children waving white flags. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/aug/13/israeli-soldiers-gaza-deaths-allegations
What do you think about that?
Also, Israel dropped white phosphorous shells on densely populated residential areas of Gaza, which is a war crime. http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/news/israeli-armys-use-white-phosphorus-gaza-clear-undeniable-20090119
What do you think about that?
Also, the IDF deliberately targeted medical personnel, 'leaving 16 medics dead'. This is a war crime, and contrary to the Geneva Convention. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/mar/23/gaza-war-crimes-medics
What do you think about that?