| Rachel Maddow on Israel Palestinian conflictSun, 04 Jan 2009 12:30:50 -0800 by AntiConformist911Rachel Maddow examines the recent history of Israel from 1948 and the current conflict with Hamas and the Palestinian Territory in 2009.--------Legitim ize Hamas?I'm relatively hard line in support of Israel (at least compared to other liberals). Although I would have supported the proposal at the Middle East Peace Summit at Camp David of July 2000 which would have given the Palestinians all of the Gaza strip and 95% of the West Bank. I've generally had a very poor opinion of Hamas (and still do), but I think it might be a good idea to legitimize their government. Do I think they will renounce violence once they are given real political power? I hope so, but I doubt it. However, if they continue their attacks on Israel they will no longer be perceived by much of the world as being on the moral high ground. Rocket attacks will no longer be mere political protests against an oppressive regime. Instead, they will be an act of war by one sovereign nation against another. Hamas will then be seen as a Taliban state if they do not renounce violence and recognize Israel in working towards a lasting peace agreement. Marty Peretz writes:A cease-fire can sometimes be had between civilized governments. But why isn't anyone pressing the United States and its allies in Afghanistan into a cease-fire with the Taliban? A stupid question. Because the enemy is the Taliban, and the Taliban could as easily convert to Christianity as agree to an armistice with its opponents. Maybe they'd agree to what the Arabs call a hudna, a pause, a lull, but only on tactical grounds.The fact is that Hamas is a Taliban state, as one Israeli diplomat put it. This is almost an epiphany, a clarifying truth. Hamas operates against its Palestinian enemies like the Taliban does against its Afghani enemies. Imagine a Hamas squad enters a kindergarten in a kibbutz. Neither the Taliban nor Hamas strive for earthly aims. Armed with instruments of death, they each fight for a heavenly design. But on earth. Yes, what a heaven that would be. Death is their own blessed comrade. Go ahead, establish a cease-fire with one of them. America before Israel.The Taliban is not an analogy to Hamas. It is identical, equivalent. A cease-fire with Hamas is a delusion. Engage with whom?Israel has shown more than enough restraint through years of provocation. Or, as my friend Bret Stephens has written, "No ingenious conceit can disguise the fact war offers no outcome other than victory or defeat. This is one big thing that Hamas understands." Let us hope that Israel grasps this, too. And the new administration, as well. http://www.dailykos. com/story/2009/1/4/1 41443/8597 Related: israel attacks gaza hamas rachel maddow palestine israeli palestinian conflict invasion peace negotiation history of west bank | |
|
|
| | |
|
|
| | |
|
|
| | |
|
|
| | |
|
|
| | |
|
|
| | |
|
|
| | |
|
|
| History of the Hamas movementWed, 31 Dec 2008 18:29:40 -0800 by Rocky7425History of the Hamas movementhttp://en.wi kipedia.org/wiki/Ham asThe possibility of a ceasefire with IsraelHamas omitted its call for the destruction of Israel from its election manifesto, calling instead for "the establishment of an independent state whose capital is Jerusalem."[33] On 8 February 2006, Hamas head Khaled Mashal speaking in Cairo had clarified that "Anyone who thinks Hamas will change is wrong", stating that while Hamas is willing for a ceasefire with Israel, its long term goal remains: Israel must withdraw from all land occupied in 1967.[23]On 13 February 2006, in an interview in Russian newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta,[34] Mashal declared that Hamas would stop armed struggle against Israel if it recognized the 1967 borders, withdrew itself from all Palestinian occupied territories (including the West Bank and East Jerusalem) and recognized Palestinian rights that would include the "right of return". He reaffirmed this stance in a 5 March 2008 interview with Al Jazeera English,[60] citing Hamas's signing of the 2005 Cairo Declaration and the National Reconciliation Document, and denied any rejectionist stance. Critics of this offer[who?] suggest that Israel would never accept the Palestinian refugees right of return, as it would create a demographic majority of Muslims in Israel, and thus cancel its Jewish nature. Hamas does not feel bound by the "Road Map to Peace" promoted by the Diplomatic Quartet, since in its view Israel is not abiding by it.[36] Hamas rejects the establishment of a "Palestinian entity [...] with no true sovereignty, whose principal duty is to maintain Israel's security."[60]After coming to power, some Hamas leaders have announced that Hamas was giving up suicide attacks and "offered a 10-year truce [with Israel] in return for a complete Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Palestinian territories: the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem."[61][62][ 63] Hamas also declared a unilateral ceasefire with Israel which, after Israeli air strikes in response to Hamas smuggling weapons into Gaza, was formally renounced.[64]Accord ing to Steven Erlanger of the New York Times, Hamas excludes the possibility of long-term reconciliation with Israel. "Since the Prophet Muhammad made a temporary hudna, or truce, with the Jews about 1,400 years ago, Hamas allows the idea. But no one in Hamas says he would make a peace treaty with Israel or permanently give up any part of Palestine.".[65] Mkhaimer Abusada, a political scientist at Al Azhar University explains that They (Hamas) talk of hudna, not of peace or reconciliation with Israel. They believe over time they will be strong enough to liberate all historic Palestine.[65]On 21 April 2008, former U.S. President and 2002 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jimmy Carter met with Hamas Leader Khaled Meshal and reached an agreement that Hamas will respect the creation of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip areas seized by Israel in the Six-Day War of 1967, provided this be ratified by the Palestinian people in a referendum. Carter had made several other requests, but these were turned down. Hamas later announced publicly an offer for a 10 year hudna with Israel, should they decide to return to their 1967 borders and allow the return of all Palestinian refugees. Several nations originally rejected the plan, but Israel is yet to respondMilitancy and political violence[edit] Attacks on civiliansHamas officials have stated several times that they are willing to stop attacks on Israeli civilian targets if Israel stops attacking Palestinian civilian targets in return.[115] In May 2003, Abdel Aziz Rantisi has said, "The Hamas movement is prepared to stop terror against Israeli civilians if Israel stops killing Palestinian civilians ... We have told (Palestinian Authority Prime Minister) Abu Mazen in our meetings that there is an opportunity to stop targeting Israeli civilians if the Israelis stop assassinations and raids and stop brutalizing Palestinian civilians."[116]Hama s has been responsible for launching suicide attacks against Israel; the group sees these attacks as a legitimate aspect of its asymmetric warfare against Israel. Hamas' first use of suicide bombing occurred on April 16, 1993 when a suicide bomber driving an explosive-laden van detonated between two buses parked at a restaurant. It was Hamas' 19th known attack since 1989 (the others included shootings, kidnappings and knife attacks).[citation needed]Hamas continued to launch suicide attacks during the Oslo Accords period (see List of Hamas suicide attacks). Related: history of the hamas movement attack by israel david chater beit hanoun al jazeera english yehud olmert gaza israeli idf iaf palestinian terror terrorism rocket missile airstrike hamas islamic jihad qassam ??? ?????? ?????? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ???? ??? ??? ?????? ????? ???? ???? ??? ??? ????? ????? | |
|
|
| | |
|
|
| | |
|
|
| Infolive.tv Headlines: Haniyeh says Hamas would accept PalesSun, 09 Nov 2008 03:13:34 -0800 by infolivetvenglishThe Hamas leader in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, said on Saturday that his government was willing to accept a Palestinian state alongside Israel within the 1967 borders. He made the statements at a meeting with 11 European parliamentarians who sailed from Cyprus to the Gaza Strip to protest Israel's naval blockade of the territory.Haniyeh said the Hamas government had agreed to accept a Palestinian state that followed the 1967 borders and to offer Israel a long-term hudna, or truce, if Israel recognized the Palestinians' national rights. 11/09/08 Related: israel infolive.tv jerusalem hamas | |
|
|
| | |
|
|
| | |
|
|
| "The Last Patriot" is the #1 Novel in AmericaTue, 06 May 2008 11:33:49 -0700 by ScotHarvathWas Mohammed assassinated by his own disciples in order to keep his final revelation hidden and out of the Qur'an?For a higher quality version of this trailer, go to http://www.BradThor. comBrad Thor is already receiving death threats over his new thriller, The Last Patriot, which was published July 1, 2008 and debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list.Summary of Brad Thor's new novel:Brad Thor, master of suspense and #1 New York Times bestselling author of The First Commandment, returns with his highest-voltage thriller to date. In a pulse-pounding, adrenaline-charged tour de force, Navy SEAL turned covert Homeland Security operative Scot Harvath must race to locate an ancient secret that has the power to stop militant Islam dead in its tracks.June 632 A.D.: Deep within the Uranah Valley of Mount Arafat in Mecca, the Prophet Mohammed shares with his closest companions a final and startling revelation. Within days, he is assassinated. September 1789: U.S. Minister to France Thomas Jefferson, charged with forging a truce with the violent Muslim pirates of the Barbary Coast, makes a shocking discovery - one that could forever impact the world's relationship with Islam.Present day: When a car bomb explodes outside a Parisian café, Scot Harvath is thrust back into the life he has tried so desperately to leave behind.Saving the intended victim of the attack, Harvath becomes party to an amazing and perilous race to uncover a secret so powerful that militant Islam could be defeated once and for all without firing another shot, dropping another bomb, or launching another covert action. But as desperate as the American government is to have the information brought to light, there are powerful forces aligned against it - men who are just as determined that Mohammed's mysterious final revelation continue to remain hidden forever.What Jason Bourne was to the Cold War, Scot Harvath is to the War on Terror. Brad Thor has created "the perfect all-American hero for the post September 11 world" (Nelson DeMille) and will keep readers glued to the pages as he once again takes them across the globe on a heart-pounding chase where the stakes are higher than they have ever been before.See more at http://www.BradThor. com Related: fitna "brad thor" thriller "radical islam" mohammed schism trailer entertainment news books suspense sharia hudna jihad | |
|
|
| Israel and Hamas Agree On One Thing - There Is No HudnaSun, 23 Dec 2007 08:21:24 -0800 by infolivetvenglishRejecting demands by Hamas to embark on a hudna with Israel, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert declared at Sunday's cabinet meeting that Israel has no interest in negotiating with those who refuse to recognize it. Infolive.tv's Firas Hamed meanwhile spoked with Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum who declared that he believes a widespread military operation in Gaza will be launched soon. Barhoum also denied any talks of a ceasefire with Israel. 12/23/07 Related: israel infolive.tv jerusalem hamas israel | |
|
|
| | |
|
|
| Israeli incursions into Hamas controlled Gaza beginThu, 21 Jun 2007 08:09:56 -0700 by Attention101What a surprise. It seems Israel's "intention" to stay out of the internal conflict didn't even last a couple of days. Not that they haven't been "involved" since the beginning of course. The world cannot be blind to the methods and motives of the U.S. and Israel. How much more of this must we witness?ICH Article: The CIA and Fatah; Spies, Quislings and the Palestinian Authorityhttp://www. informationclearingh ouse.info/article179 06.htm ( excepts below )When Hamas gunmen stormed the Fatah security compounds in Gaza last week they found huge supplies of American-made weaponry including 7,400 M-16 assault rifles, dozens of mounted machine guns, rocket launchers, 7 armored military jeeps, 800,000 rounds of bullets and 18 US-made armored personnel carriers. They also discovered something far more valuable--- CIA files which purportedly contain "information about the collaboration between Fatah and the Israeli and American security organizations; CIA methods on how to prevent attacks, chase and follow after cells of Hamas and the Committees; plans about Fatah assassinations of members of Hamas and other organizations; and American studies on the security situation in Gaza." (Aaron Klein)Israeli leaders have no intention of negotiating with the Palestinians, regardless of what the Israeli public wants or who's sitting in Ramallah. The Zionist "grand plan" will not be compromised by conferences or bartering. The military occupation and settlement activity will continue until US support dries up and Israel is forced to the bargaining table. Until then the onslaught will continue. Another Siege of Gaza? Ha'aretz reports that Israel is planning to launch a military operation in Gaza aimed at crushing Hamas.( "Barak planning military operation in Gaza within weeks" 6-17-07) The invasion will involve 20,000 troops, armored vehicles, tanks, and air support. But what is the justification? Is it because the US-Israeli plan to overthrow Hamas with Palestinian militias failed? Or is it because the duly-elected government has reclaimed the power it was given at the ballot box? According to an Israeli official, the invasion will be in response to the firing of Qassam rockets into Israel or another suicide bombing. In other words, Israel is devising a pretext for "regime change" EVEN BEFORE THEY ARE ATTACKED. Until then, the border crossings will remain closed, the blockade will be tightened, and the economic asphyxiation will continue. In the face of US-Israeli plotting, consider the comments of Prime Minister Haniyeh, who articulates as well as anyone, the aspirations of the Palestinians people: "We do not want to live on international welfare and American handouts. We want what Americans enjoy -- democratic rights, economic sovereignty and justice. We thought our pride in conducting the fairest elections in the Arab world might resonate with the United States and its citizens. Instead, our new government was met from the very beginning by acts of explicit, declared sabotage by the White House. Now this aggression continues against 3.9 million civilians living in the world's largest prison camps. We present this clear message: If Israel is prepared to negotiate seriously and fairly, and resolve the core 1948 issues, rather than the secondary ones from 1967, a fair and permanent peace is possible. Based on a hudna (comprehensive cessation of hostilities for an agreed time), the Holy Land still has an opportunity to be a peaceful and stable economic powerhouse for all the Semitic people of the region. If Americans only knew the truth, possibility might become reality". Related: hamas u.s. israel gaza agenda air strikes tanks incursion | |
|
|
| | |
|
|
| | |
|
| |
