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Israel’s Actions and Ideology towards Gaza
In two days the seize fire agreement between Israel and Hamas will end. Israeli officials stated that they are interested in continuing the seize fire agreement with Hamas but also wants to keep the siege on Gaza. Hamas declared with other several Palestinian movements in Gaza that they are not interested any more in prolong the seize fire with Israel since it does not bring any benefit to remove the siege that is making the life of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza a hell that cannot be lived.
The idea of accepting the seize fire with Israel came from the belief that this will help in removing the siege, getting an international support, and improving the life situation in Gaza. Israel wanted to go into the seize fire agreement to stop the launching of missiles on the Israeli lands beside Gaza. Israeli officials did not want to remove the siege but suggested only to stop the Israeli assassinations against Palestinians in Gaza. However, they did not commit to this.
The Israeli action and agenda in dealing with Hamas and Gaza is one of the worse that history witnessed. Israel is committing group punishment against Palestinian civilians because their faith made them live in Gaza. The siege that the Israeli government is putting on Gaza and the Palestinian citizens inside it is worse than what the Nazis did. Some Israeli political analysts thought by drawing a siege on Gaza, Hamas will be under pressure and will agree on the Israeli demands. However, the opposite is happening since people are becoming more committed to Hamas and its ideologies.
There is no excuse that can be used for preventing the basic needs that young children, old men and women, hospitals, and students need. Students were not allowed to travel for education, young sick children died because medicine is not available, and the general situation in Gaza is similar to the days of the middle ages since electricity, water, and oil are not available. The international community and Israel both are responsible of this and every one that dies because of the racist siege.
Since Israel is considered a Jewish state according to the Jews who lead it, I wonder whether they forgot what they went through in the time of the Nazis and Hitler. Repeating history and dealing with a conflict by making fatal errors and racist acts will drawn the whole region in more violence. Israel is punishing a whole people in Gaza only to gain political statements from Hamas. These actions will only push the Palestinian people in Gaza to become closer to the idea of the use of violence to solve the conflict or even to make it more complicated. As in the past, also today Israeli politicians and officials do act without acknowledging the result of their actions.
It is unfortunate that people who have been through violence themselves are now repeating those mistakes again. It almost seems as though they have learnt nothing from their own histeory, and this is the infortunate case in many other parts of the world as well.
I also wanted to rbing to your attention a report my organization is launching in January on the Cost of Conflict in the Middle East. The preface and excerpts form the report are on our website and I can give you more information via email, if you have an id you check regularly.
Hamas is a veto organisation. It has to constantly resist in order to be counted. The only reason it agreed to the ceasefire, in fact pushed for it in the first place, was to give itself a chance to upgrade and rearm, which it has now done.
An attack on Gaza is not on the cards mainly due to no-one wanting to rock the political boat in Israel as the run up to general electoins begins. Should Netanyahu become PM, all that may well change.
Could whats happening in Gaza be part of a wider plan by Israel on behalf of its Patron the USA. I would not be at all surprise if this is a strategy to lure in Iran and then have enough reasons to widen the assault.
How befitting it is for President George Bush who made it priority that the peace process would advance and an agreement on a two party state reached by the end of the year.
Well yet again, he is proven to be wrong and it shows his inability to get anything right even to the last minute.
I need to please inform everyone here that the rockets being fired by Hamas are falling on Palestinian territoty that are occupied by Israel. So this is technically not an attack on Israel.
I would be keen for you to show me how Sderot, Ashkelon, Ashdod and other areas that Hamas have been firing rockets could possibly, through historical or legal channels, even remotely be considered ‘occupied by Israel’. You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.
Bravejeworld…
Your facts are twisted and otherwise manipulated.
The fact remians that Israel is a terror state that has been led by succssive incompetent governments. The only way they know how to protect their people is through terror…. Terror reaps terror!
You guys left Gaza in 2005 but retained control and tries to dictate to them who should govern them. The Hamas Party was elected democratically just like your government in Israel. But because it does not suit the Israelis and its ally, this was not good enough. So Israel embark on a strategy to undermine Hamas, by economic blockade.
Israel is responsible for the longest period of occupation in history. It is now turning the Gaza strip into a concentration camp.
The biggest breaker of international law is ISRAEL…… All its leaders should be charged with WAR CRIMES and hanged like SADDAM HUSSEIN
Hi Rashid,
please can you define terror for me. How is Israel carrying out terror and can be called a terror state?
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is sad, I agree. You should note however that Israel has been allowing in humanitarian aid even while the bombing is going on presently. What ‘terror state’ does that?
Israel has also been allowing Gazans into Israel for hospital treatment.
Hamas bears much responsibility for the situation in Gaza, please don’t think this is all black and white as you may read in the papers.
Please can you also express to me what a war crime is and how Israel can be blamed for committing one in these attacks on Gaza. Yes, civilians get hurt in the cross fire – especially when Hamas agents hide behind them.
Contrary to what you may believe, Israel is known, and has been shown, to go out of its way to target only terrorists.
Egypt and Fatah’s condemnation of Hamas’s irresponsibility in rejecting an Israeli offered renewed ceasefire are testimony to Hamas’s guilt in these attacks.
Your facts are again distorted and one sided. Terror is exactly what your government is inflicting on the civilian population of Gazza and Hamas is inflicting on the settlements. You are one of those vote that your government need and knows they can secure through this means. You have been consumed by the Israeli’s propaganda machine. In case you getting me wrong, I am neither Arab nor come from anywhere in that region. I am speaking purely on the grounds of being a citizen of the world that the US ans Israel is making more and more dangerous by their insular thinking and we know best attitude.
The reality remains that your elected government has proved to be incompetent in all their efforts to bring peace to its people. I dont suppose you know why. do you? And if you think for one moment that this current assault is going to bring you peace and security you are sadly mistaken.
The Palestinian people has proven again and again they are more capable to stand up for themselves without any ally. Israel relies heavily on support from US to terrorise the region. As much as i dont want to see Iran developing NUKES, I sometimes feel that the reality on the ground will change if and when an arab state acquire NUKE.
Carry on writing my friend, i need to hear your views even if I dont agree with it. I would like to hear your view as to whether you believe that this kind of operation will make youmore secure?
Rashid, you still have not explained what you think terror is and how Israel falls into this category. Your opinion is weakened by the lack of support for your arguments.
This debate is not about the successes of the Israeli government to bring about peace. In a peace deal there are to be 2 partners. Israel has shown time and time again that it is more than willing to make peace but these offerings continue to be rejected by its enemies.
You may well ask yourself why, out of the hundreds of millions of muslims in the world, not one of them seems to show any sign of helping their muslim brothers in Gaza or the West Bank. Indeed, as you say, the Palestinians have had to get by “without an ally”.
The aims of the operation are not necessarily to bring a peace to the Middle East and solve the whole Israel-Palestinian problem. No-one is claiming that it is. The immediate aim of this operation is to put Hamas in its place and change the balance of the game. Hamas has to learn that Israel’s main responsibility is to its own citizens and will not tolerate continued rocket fire across its border. I don’t think you would expect your government to tolerate such attacks on your country so why should Israel.
I am glad we can debate this issue too. I can understand your anger and frustration, as do all those in Israel too, but your frustration is not aimed at the right party and there are several clarifications that are needing to be made for you. Hope we can chat further.
Defintion of terror for your consumption.
“…. the use of violence for political ends, and includes any use of violence for the purpose of putting the public or any section of the public in fear.” OR
“The use of serious violence against persons or property, or threat to use such violence, to intimidate or coerce a government, the public or any section of the public, in order to promote political, social or ideological objectives.”
Now read it care fully and you hopefully will have the intelligence to place your government in there somewhere along with Hamas.
Let me also corrct your misinformed judgement. The truce was broken by Israel in November and not by Hammas. Another issue, you talk about the West bank. What freedom do they have in the west bank. Israel continues to occupy it. Mahmood Abbas has been given nothing from his dealings with Israel. Your checkpoints has increased to 699 from 527, palestinian youths continues to be shot at in the streets of the West Bank. Israel continues to take palestinian priosoners. Settlements increased since Anapolis. so i suggest you get your facts right for risk of making yourself look rather stupid.
Now let me tell you another thing that your government dont educate you about. The weapons that you are using in Gazza are in gross violation of US law which make the use of these weapons conditional. I dont expect you to know this.
You are right my government would not tolerate anyone firing rockets on us. We did have that in the past and unlike Israel we did not go “gun ho” and attack Ireland. We chose to secure our borders and work through a negotiated settlement. Another more important point our people would not tolerate our government occupying foreign land or blockading innocent civilian and denying themof their basic human rights. If they did we would be protesting and be voting them out.
I have just finished watching a debate here in UK and guess what? The poll indicate that the overall majority here believes that Israel is no longer the victim in these situation but rather the perpetrator for their continued inability to negotiate a peaceful settlement. This is oly the begining and I believe Israel should take heed of this if it does not want to lose the much needed support it has been enjoying for so many years from the west.
Lastly, Hamas need only fire another missile after this operation and claim victory…which is what will happen.
One academic definition that has found wide respect is based on a linguistic survey of over 100 definitions produced around the world. It provides:
‘Terrorism is an anxiety-inspiring method of repeated violent action, employed by (semi-) clandestine individual, group or state actors, for idiosyncratic, criminal or political reasons, whereby – in contrast to assassination – the direct targets of violence are not the main targets’.
Here is another definition or you my friend.
your definitions are nonsensical.
According to the last one you gave – “Terrorism is an anxiety-inspiring method of repeated violent action” – this would make the attack on the WTC on 9/11 not an act of terrorism as was a one-off violent action and not repeated. Also, what does “the direct targets of violence are not the main targets” mean?? It doesn’t make sense of mean anything.
By also giving more than one definition you have weakened your argument. Definitions, by definition, can only be unique.
Its frustrating that you are seeing the whole situation and conflict in stark black and white. It really is not as simple as you are making out. For one, Israel has been working well with Fatah on a peace negotiation in the West Bank. Not sure why you think Mahmoud Abbas has got nothing out of it so far. Jenin and Nablus have had law and order restored (i.e domestic lawlessness put in order, nothing to do with Israeli soldiers), employment is up as is the economy. This has all been due to joint efforts between the PA and Israeli authorities who trained the PA police force to handle crime in these cities. Yes, the settlements are an issue. This is on the table and huge pressure is and will be further put on Israel by the US to stop the expansion of these areas.
About the use of the US weapons in Gaza, this attack has the full support of the US – White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe (29/12): “The United States understands that Israel needs to take actions to defend itself… They are taking the steps that they feel are necessary to deal with the terrorist threat.”
So what if a poll in the UK thinks Israel is in the wrong?
I would also suggest you read this: http://mesi.org.uk/ViewBlog.aspx?ArticleId=42
It is fairly obvious that your views are tainted by your allegiance to your country. In this respect I can understand your Bias and twisted mode of thinking. Amazing that you choose to ignore the fact that Israel still occupies and controls the West Bank, still persecuting the Youths and shooting at them, that your checkpoints has increased rather than decrease, and settlements has been increasing and continues to do so.
Isreal keep harping on about its duty to protect its citizen…so whose duty is it to protect Palestinian from Israelis aggression, blocade, incursions.
You vision does not extend far enough just like the Israeli goverment. Israel and the States views anyone who disagrees with them as terrorist. If you know your history you will realise that some of your former prime ministers were themselves involved in terrorism activities against the british, but no they were not terrorist they were freedom fighters. So why are the Palestinian who is fighting to regain their land that Israel occupies branded terrorist.
Israel’s attack on the Palestinian people has always had the approval of the US. This does not make it legal. And if you need convincing that the weapons Israel are using is in contravention of US Law, consult someone in your circle who actuallly knows before you comment. In case you still not sure about “war crime” consult article 4 of the Geneva convention.
You seem to be the one that does not know enough about what we writing.
The definition that I have provided you with does not suit your purpose so it is not good enough. Typical Israeli thinking!
Well keep writing my friend
By the way…I have just checked the link you provided. I can now understand where you get your information from and why you are so consumed by the propaganda of your country.
On the definition of terrorism, bear in mind we gave this language to the world and what i have provided you with is enacted in British Law.I can provide you with a copy if you want. So the argument is not for me to lose but for you dispel by providing another definition if you have one in hebrew or otherwise.
The standpoint from which you approaching our exchange is indicative of how the Israeli population has been so programmed by their state to see themselves as victims all the time to the point of forgetting that they are the occupier rather than the occupied. To put it simply, you have been brainwashed. You no better from those jihadist who believe that suicide mission is an islamic thing.
Rashid,
It seems clear that your bias is so deep that you are unable to see the truth. It is not a war crime to defend yourself. That is what Israel has been doing since the day its was re-created by the United Nations. Arabs have launched numerous unprovoked attacks on Israel and have lost each and every war. You are actually trying to defend terrorism and suicide missions? Yes Rashid, that is an Islamic thing. Christians and Jews have respect for human life. Something missing from the Koran.
Jack,
Re created…..you delusional my friend. Israel as a state never existed. So thats a non starter.
I am not defending terrorism or suicide mission and no its not an islamic thing. You are obviuosly ignorant and lack the cacpacity to understand the real situation.
Your people pre 1948 was carrying out terrorist attck on the british and these people was later prime ministers of your country.
The Palestinian has a right to defend themselves. They have been occupied and denied of all their human rights by your so called democratic goverment.
Your government has over the past 60 years shown to be incompetent and ineffective in securing peaceful co-existence with their neighbour. It suits America to support you, remeber 75% of your military budget aid are recouped bak by the states.
you live in a terror state and you what you sow you reap.
Rashid, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and others never existed too. They were all created by the British after the Ottoman Empire.
Why are your comments always so personal too – attacking Jack and myself as being, in not so many words, stupid – “You are obviuosly ignorant and lack the cacpacity to understand the real situation.”
It is highly implicit in what you are saying that you do support terrorism and suicide missions too.
The bottom line is, Israel was created in 1948 by the votes of the majority of the other countries in the world. A Partition plan was offered to both Jews and Arabs by the British to which the Jews accepted and the Arabs rejected. Due to disunity amongst the Arab leaders during the British Mandate, they suggested/ordered their people to flee from their homes. The Jews did not kick anyone out. Any Arab that wanted to stay was allowed to and offered equal rights as an Israeli citizen. The children and grandchildren of these Arabs are still living in Israel today and show no desire to be anywhere else.
Ever since then, the Arab world has been bitter about losing the war they declared on Israel the day after the state of Israel was created.
BraveJeWorld´s last blog post..Online Terrorism – War 2.0
Yes…you right these contries were created and given to people as a right to their land. Trans Jordan and Egypt has given Palestinian their land. The same cant be said about Israel.
I might appear not to know much in your views, but what I do know is that Israel has as much to blame for the situation it finds itself into. These countries you mentioned are the ones that has Palestinian refugees. Refugees from where? Out of space!
Israel open its borders to all jews and evryone migrated there, so who paid for that price. You mentioned that the people flee from there….they have also been refused re entry by the Israeli Government. Yes the arab living in Israel today are not valued the same way as the Jews. The suveillance system and early warning system you have in the jewish area are not the same afforded to the Arab israeli citizen. Of course they should not show any desire to be anywhere else, its their land…why should they?
Let me tell you another thing….Israeli all over the world are saying that the president elect support them because of the remarks he nmade on his visit to Israel…… The quesion he was asked and asnwered was what he would do if hs house were being fired upon by rockets….any sensible person would have answered like he did…..They should have also asked him….what he would do if someone occupies his home, throws him out at gun point whether his resistence would be seen as terrorism?
What exactly doi lack the capacity to understand?….Explain and educate me…..I am waiting.
Rashid, my friend, my comment about saying “You are obviuosly ignorant and lack the cacpacity to understand the real situation.” was a quote from you. I did not say that about you, you said it about me and Jack.
I feel you are becoming impossible to reason with and refusing to acknowledge vital points to the argument. It seems we are not really getting anywhere here. If you are willing to change your tone and debate on a rational level then I will be more than happy to continue.
No doubt you will respond by saying something to the effect that my response here is typical Israeli/Jewish way to answer an argument when things get ‘too difficult’ to defend. This is no the case at all and I am sure people who are reading this long debate we have been having will be able to see this.
BraveJeWorld´s last blog post..Online Terrorism – War 2.0
Well my friend…All I have done is highlight important issues that you coveniently ignore in presenting your point. If this make me lacking in understanding so be it. There is no denying the fact that that you have been quite one sided in your view of the whole picture. As to whether this is a typical Israeli response..thats for you to decide.
You push me to provide you with a definition of “Terror”, when i provide it you tell me its “nonesensical”. i pointed out to you that this is whats enacted in English Law and further said that if you have an alternetive definition then provide it. I point out to you that your articles would have been a better piece of work had it not been so one sided that was constructive criticism as we call it in the west not an attack on you as you have interpreted it. To be perfectly honest, I dont feel I need to defend my position here. You are free to remain engage or not. The choice is yours my friend. It matters not to me what you or I say….The proof is there for all to see and draw their own conclusions. The actions of one nation is killing so many children and civilian in an area that they have held hostage for so long.
I praise Hizbollah to the north and all other Arab and civilised nations that are currently exercising restrained in the light of whats happening. I think everyone realise that this might be a bait to engulf the whole area and try to score points and be seen as the victim….
I am a strong believer in what goes round comes round….. time will tell.
As for Jack saying suicide mission is an islamic thing… I call him ignorant because I dont hear anyone calling whats happening in Sri Lanka by the Tamil tigers as part of the Tamil religion. I did not hear the IRA being called Catholic Terrorist. ETA in Spain, i can give you even more example….but thats not necessary. So what is it that makes the palestinian struggle to free their land “islamic terrorist”. What makes them terrorist? They ae freedom fighters fighting against occupation.
Further, his ignorance for what is preached in the Koran is obvious….. there in lies his ignorance.
Jack,
Jewsih value to human life is clear for all to see…….. I suppose this is why the Jewish religion is the fastest growing religion.
Well…”we are doing everything possible to avoid civilian casualty” if Hamas decides to hide amongst civilian then it is inevitable that they will be cought in the cross fire,. This is the official statement of the Israeli Government.
I ask, How surgical is your operation and communication system that you are killing your own soldier. Four dead with Israeli fire. My thoughts and sympathy to their family. This a a tragic lost of human life and the commader need to account for this. An army with the latest technology and up to date weaponry should not be functioning like this. This is not a war between two equals here… how do they get things so wrong. I suppose Hamas is responsible for that, if they had not fired rockets into insrael, then these soldiers would not be there and meet their death at the hands of their own army.
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