CNN Middle East News- Ban condemns Syrian 'brutality' in Homs, warns worse may comeThe Syrian assault on the city of Homs is "a grim harbinger of worse to come" without united pressure on the government in Damascus, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Wednesday. […]
- Activist: Infants, medical staff among dead in Homs crackdownFour straight days of shelling and bombing by Syrian government forces into the besieged city of Homs have left residents cowering, afraid to escape and fearing for their lives as bodies lie in the streets, unable to be recovered. […]
- Syrian regime gets bloody nose from resistanceOne fateful consequence of President Bashar al-Assad's ferocious crackdown on Syrian protesters is the emergence of the domestic armed resistance, the Free Syrian Army. […]
- Al-Assad hangs on by ruthlessness, reformist imageWhen the Tunisian revolt erupted last year, Tunisia's president fled power in weeks. When Egyptians took to the streets, longtime leader Hosni Mubarak was swiftly ousted as well. […]
- No Libya play for the West in SyriaAmid growing outrage over civilian casualties in Syria, there are ever more urgent calls to aid -- or at least protect -- the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad. There is renewed talk of creating safe havens and humanitarian corridors inside the country. And those demanding tougher measures are again asking why events in Syria should not prompt Libya […]
- Ban condemns Syrian 'brutality' in Homs, warns worse may come
Monthly Archives: October 2007
What are the real reasons that would lead to the failure of the November peace conference?
In these days, one can see that both the Israeli side and the Palestinian are doing their best to show that they want to go to the peace conference the United States is preparing for in November. So many reasons make them work hard to leave the best impression about their will to make peace in the Middle East. One of these reasons is the strong demanding of Bush and the United States to make this conference happen even if it wont bring back the results that are needed for a real improvement in the Israeli – Palestinian conflict.
The Israeli Side
I’m afraid to write, because I feel like I’m suppose to represent “my people”. But I can’t. I read Areej’s letter about the prisoner who was killed in the Israeli prison, and my first reaction was to want to show MY side. Prove semantics and how I can write the whole story with such a different interpretation. But I’m tired of this. I hate wanting to contradict, when sometimes things are just wrong. Just shouldn’t have happened.
Olmert meets Abu Mazen to discuss the First Step.
In their last meeting, Abu Mazen and Ehud Olmert concentrated on talking about the first step each side should take after the November Peace conference. Israel keeps on asking from the Palestinian authorities to start immediately the process of ending the activities of what it calls (terrorist organizations).
Not for imagination – Palestinian Prisoners
It was very sad for me to hear about the political prisoner who was killed yesterday in the Negev prison after he have been tortured by the “Yatsama” unit of the Israeli Occupation Forces, who announced they used special weapons to torture the Palestinian prisoners. The prisoner should have returned to his child and wife in two months. But the gathering will not happen for another Palestinian family; the mother will not dance for her son when he is released as a dead body. Instead, she will wear black and remember all the times she had together with her stolen son. Another child will be raised without his father and will live to hear to the story of why his father was arrested and why he was killed. This child also will keep wondering how it would have been to live with his father and why his father is not with him. For me, imagining living without my father is insane. I step into a lot of dark areas when I try to imagine this. I don’t know how I would react if I lose my father in this way; to be not allowed to see him for a period of time because he is in prison. And then to imagine that he would never return home from this prison because he was killed. Nothing will convince me to accept this reality. I feel so sorry for the little kid, and I wish I can do anything to change this cruel reality. Some Palestinians believe that to be imprisoned by the Israeli Occupation as a youth is much better than being killed. In Palestine, we say “he who dies will never come back, but he who will be jailed will come out one day,” but it seems now there is no difference between death and imprisonment. The fate is very similar. Also, the prisoners get tortured for long periods of time, in many different ways. They don’t live in healthy conditions, they don’t eat well, and therefore, many Palestinian prisoners catch diseases that will last with them for a long time; they suffer from diseases as unwanted souvenirs from the prison. Personally, I can’t put myself in their shoes and I can’t talk about their experience with which I sympathize very much, but I am a Palestinian — we all live as similar people in different, bigger contexts. The same massive violence is acted against us, including restriction of movement. We can move within the city, but not within the whole country. They impose on us when to move and when not, they also control the food we eat, the water we get. I think in the resolutions of the United Nation and the Geneva Conventions concerning the rights of prisoners and detainees it is illegal to kill or injure those being held inside the prison and detention center. I think we all need to read these international laws again to remind us of the truth, not to twist them or believe those who twist them for their projects of brain-washing… so let’s search and think.
AJ
The Youth Group
Olmert promise to bring any Principles agreement to the approval of the Knesset.
Today Olmert assured that any deal with the Palestinians about withdrawing from any lands that are considered a part of the Israeli lands should be brought to the Knesset in order to get its approval. This statement made me think again about Olmert’s personality and whether he is able of making any serious decisions that needs a strong leader that may risk a little in order to achieve.
If we look at this decision from the Israeli side, it is a part of the Democratic process that Israel uses in making any serious decisions, although some times this process was directed and even forced into a wanted direction. As Ariel Sharon did when he withdrew from Gaza; he made pressure on his ministers so they vote for his plan. Sharon’s Plan succeeded when he worked upon his own strategies but also made sure that he stays inside the democratic process that Israel always asks for. At the time Ariel Sharon was preparing his self to withdraw from Gaza from one side, a few attempts were made to accuse him of corruption in order to slow his withdrawal from Gaza and make him return on his decisions. Exactly nowadays, we hear some accusations of Olmert being involved in corruption especially in the Bank Leumi case, only at the time he started his meetings with Abu Mazen and talked about leaving some lands for assuring the security of the Israeli state and also do something to give a chance for the November Peace Conference.
All of these accusations were done only because of the Democracy field that gives the chance of accusing a prime minister or investigating him of any corruption that he may be a suspect of. It is quiet amazing to see how this democratic process moves in the Israeli state and shows the clarity of its steps, but sometimes democracy could be leaded and directed and here it ends itself. If the Law system is studied well, it would be easy to direct and take control of the Democracy system and use it to achieve benefits and personal needs.
So here again Olmert goes upon the democratic process and brings any agreement to the approval of all the Israeli people including their extremist and also their peace believers, but on the other side when we look at the Palestinians and how Abu Mazen acted since the Gaza chaos until know, it is clear that he was not acting upon the democratic needs and demands. After Hamas took control of Gaza, Abu Mazen made a decision of making his own government and prevented any negotiations or even meetings with any of the Hamas leaders although they represent a big part of the Palestinian people, saying that he will never sit with them again because of what they did in Gaza and until they return everything as it used to be before. But also one of the real hidden reasons was his need of not sharing any decision he will take to make an agreement with Israel with Hamas, because he knew that Hamas will immediately refuse any kind of an agreement with the Israelis, and in order to show that he is working upon the Law and democracy, Abu Mazen always reminded us that the Negotiations with Israel are under the responsibility of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) that Hamas is not part of, and to my opinion will never be permitted to be part of it. But it seems that Abu Mazen forgot about the need of the Palestinian council approval of any agreement with Israel or lets say is not paying attention to this important matter, because he knows that the majority of this council is filled with Hamas members that will prevent any kind of a peace agreement to pass. One of the reasons that made Abu Mazen use this strategy was the pressure he had from the Americans and also Israel as a condition in order to start any negotiations. So do you think that there is a chance for any agreement to be achieved and at the same time must include some sacrifices that for sure a part of the people that will vote on it will refuse?
Ziad Khalil Abu Zayyad
This Week in the Middle East:
The Russian, American last Statements about the Iranian Nuclear Project.
In his last meeting with Ihud Barak, the American President, Bush made it clear that everything should be done to prevent the Iranians from holding a nuclear weapon, he said that if the Iranians get nuclear weapons in there hands, a third world war could start. It is not a new thing to hear this statement from the American president, specially that it is a common thing to see the cooperation between the United States and Israel to prevent any improvement in the Syrian-Iranian weapon filed, that could be a direct threat to the American-Israeli interests in the region.But the real weird statement was the Russian president one that is not clear. Putin, the Russian president, visited Iran yesterday, and said that Russia would never accept on any strike on Iran, and that no force should be used in solving the Iranian Nuclear issues. Putin invited Ahmadi Najad, the Iranian president to come and visit Russia. The press said today, that Putin introduced a new plan to end the Iranian Nuclear problem, but the Iranians are still denying it. After this friendly visit to Iran, and promise not to use force against it, the Russian president met with Ihud Olmert, the Israeli Prime minister yesterday. In this meeting, Putin made a promise to Israel, that Russia would not support the Iranians in building and obtaining a nuclear weapon. Another sources said that Ihud Olmert asked from the Russians to end a planned deal with the Syrians, to give them rockets that could become a threat on the Israeli aircraft. Russia made promises to the both sides, the Israeli and the Iranian, so what is this clever president trying to do by this. Putin is known for his well planning of returning Russia to the first class super powers in the world, and that he strongly refuses the moves that the United States does in order to make the Russian influence less in the former Soviet Union states. So would he really be a good friend of Israel, the best friend of the United States in the region, or would he start thinking of supporting a new power in the Middle East like Iran. Putin even started planning for his position in the Russian Government after the coming elections; he is planning to be the Prime Minister and support a weak President so he can stay in control in an appropriate legal way.
The Iranians only care now to obtain Nuclear Weapons with any price they will be paying for it, because they are sure that once they get these weapons, it will be hard for any State to face them.
I do believe that Russia will keep on being Neutral at the moment, as it always did since the Soviet Union collapsed, in order not to mess up with anyone, BUT if there would be a good moment to make a real shift and return to the first class powers, it wont hesitate in supporting any new upcoming power. Maybe it will follow the secret work plan until things become clearer.
Are the Syrians doing any Nuclear or Atomic Activities?
Today some Press sources like the Washington Post, was talking about the remains of the body or aim that Israel hit in Syria a few weeks ago. It said that the Syrians hided these remains, and misled the press by taking them to shoot another place, claiming that what Israel destroyed was nothing, and that no military activities are being held in this area. The Washington Post said, that satellite pictures were captured and shows a small atomic or nuclear active body that is similar to the North Korean Nuclear items, and that was what Israel really wanted to destroy in the Syrian lands.What I believe is that Israel and the United States are starting a press campaign, accusing the Syrians of attempts to hold Nuclear or atomic weapons in order to make it easier or lets say more convincing when they take a decision of attacking it.
The November Peace Conference, is there a chance?
On the other side, the faith in the November Peace conference is become weaker and weaker every day. Today Saeb Erekat, the Palestinian negotiator says for the first time, that there will not be a final peace paper in this conference, and only a plan will be wrote of how to reach a final agreement. Even Condoleezza Rice said that it is better not to hope much improvement from this Conference. Abu Mazen said that it will be even difficult to go to this Conference, and the reason I think is that how he would explain to his people the failure or lets say not getting the minimum from this conference after all the promises he gave to his people if they follow his program, the peace program. Lets not lose hope, still there are secret negotiations happening between the both sides, and no one knows what did each side offer to the other, the door is still opened and there may be a chance for a change, but not in November.
Ziad Khalil Abu Zayyad
Abu Mazen-Olmert Meeting, Gaza, Bush and Ahmadi Najad Speeches.
The last meeting between Abu Mazen and Olmert surprised so many people from the Palestinian authorities because of the level of discussion in this meeting. Saeb Erekat, the head of the Palestinian negotiating team said that the meeting discussed some serious matters but did not include any discussions about the main and central subjects including the Palestinian state and its boarders or Jerusalem or the refugees, it means it didn’t include anything about the preparations for the November conference for peace in the Middle East. What it really included was Olmert thanking Abu Mazen because of the Jenin incident and how the Palestinian forces rescued an Israeli Soldier that entered Jenin by mistake and could have been killed or kidnapped if the Palestinian forces didn’t protect him. Tseepy Levni the Israeli minister said that this incident showed that the Palestinians are really becoming stronger against terror and this encourages the Israelis to go towards peace with the Palestinians. Well again the Israelis liked the idea of having strong Palestinians returning their soldier, but forgot to think about a better way of how to improve the situation so the Israelis could have the ability to go the Palestinian territories to make trade free without any dangers as they once did when peace was between the two peoples. Aljazeera News channel said that it was able to get a secret paper that the Israelis offered for Abu Mazen including the preparations for The November meeting. In this paper, Israel offers the Palestinians an independent state with the boarders of 1967 with no weapons, Refugees are not mentioned at all, and Jerusalem should be under the Israeli charge but also admitted as a capital for the three religions. No comments were mentioned about the paper because neither of the Israelis or the Palestinians admit that it exists. But the Palestinians did say that in the last meeting, there was nothing discussed about such a thing called a temporary Palestinian State, and that Abu Mazen could never accept such a state, They also said that Abu Mazen was clear concerning the Final Solution by which only an independent state in the 1967 boarders with Jerusalem the capital and an end for the suffering of the Palestinian refugees as it is mentioned in the United Nations decisions, could make peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians. This means that the Israeli paper is dying before it is even discussed with the Palestinians because actually what Abu Mazen is demanding is the minimum that any Palestinian could accept.
On the other side Hamas offered for Fateh to give it back the control in Gaza and end the situation of Only Hamas control in it, on one condition that a unity government is to be established including Hamas again. There is no answer for this offer until now from Abu Mazen and Fateh, the reason simply is that they don’t trust Hamas and does not want to risk their chances with the Americans for a real peace agreement in the coming months. To my opinion both the Israelis and Abu Mazen are making a serious mistake; One can notice that since Fateh leaved Gaza, Israel got the green light to strike and enter Gaza as much as they want and they are not only striking military activities but sometimes they are injuring civilians as what happened today, again as I said before this affects the people that are living their to hate more any existence for Abu Mazen people in Gaza and also empowers Hamas and its beliefs. Instead of using this method of striking Gaza, another tools could be used such as the people pressure on Hamas, a few days ago a huge demonstration went out to the streets including fifteen thousand people demonstrating against Hamas and this really could affect on Hamas to return back from what it is doing their. Another tool is the Arabic pressure on them; Even the Iraqi president went to Syria in order to seek their help in stopping violence in Iraq, so why don’t they use them too in a smart way. The Israeli army is returning again to its policy of striking Gaza even though that civilians are also their and could be injured, in which they believe that using power could also make the people afraid and make them force Hamas to stop its activities, although that this policy was proved to be failing in the past and instead of weakening Hamas, it empowered it and brought it to take control all over Gaza at these days.
Yesterday Bush described Iran as a disaster for the Middle East if it will have any nuclear power and also said that it is important that the world should keep on punishing Iran economically and in any way it can be in order to make Iran stop its Nuclear activities. Bush mentioned an important thing about the ARAB allies that are working with the United States in order to stop Iran. This as I also once mentioned shows the high level of cooperation between the Arab States and the American United States facing the Iranian threatens which are also dangerous for Israel that is also cooperating with the United States and maybe its Arab allies secretly in order to stop this power that is becoming dangerous for them in every new day.
Ahmadi Najad, the Iranian president said in his last speech that he is sure that the Americans don’t want to face him military because of the difficulties that they are facing in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also offered to help in the Iraqi situation and cooperate with any Arab state such as the Saudi Arabia in order to calm down things in Iraq on one condition that the Americans leave it. And as usually he described Israel as a bunch of criminals ruling the world with their money and economy, and that it should be destroyed if the world wants peace. Actually whenever I hear his comments, I do believe that he is strong leader with all his speeches that moves the emotions of those who are suffering because of his enemies, but on the other side I do believe that he will fail in the future because he is using the closed ideology, which means that he has so many enemies because of his diplomacy that believes only in force and also the ability to survive depending only on his own self although he has some friends such as Syria, Hezballah and Hamas. He is not making any progress in his relations with the west because he keeps on refusing any offer they bring him to end the Nuclear crises. Even North Korea that followed the self-reliance diplomacy did sometimes accept American offers in order not to make the situation bad to a level of a military facing.
Ziad Khalil Abu Zayyad
