Community | July 24, 2009 | 19 comments

Hamas Shifts From Rockets to Public Relations - NYTimes.com

source: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/24/world/middleeast/24gaza.html?_r=3&src=twr

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Hamas has been cast as a terrorist organization by some people, and to others, Hamas is merely fighting for their peoples rights by defending themselves from blockades, kidnappings, invasions as well as land being taken, crops destroyed and their economic and social infrastructure methodically being destroyed.

Some months ago, before and during the recent bloody Israeli incursion, I had been in contact with government and United Nations representatives to get aid to the most affected areas of Gaza thru donations from citizens of the world to these organizations and be earmarked for Gaza. Mostly foods for infants and children who were being affected the most. This brought me in contact with many Human rights people, journalists, UNRWA /UN employees as well as Red Cross and several other approved organizations who were in direct contact with the people in need. When I had the opportunity to talk to some of them, I mentioned that peace is not achieved thru violence and that to their benefit, a good PR campaign (to replace the rockets) to show the world who and what and why they are, should be implemented. Look at what it does for other countries-including Israel. I hope my advice of non-violence was the seed, look of what Gandhi achieved with non-violence in the face of violence!

Here's the story and I do hope this 'change' is indelible and will sustain, that the oppression that has been imposed on these mostly innocent people is showed to more of the world. The last year, especially after the latest bloodshed, the world began to wake up. Now, will Israel wake up and learn to live with their neighbors?
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By ETHAN BRONNER
July 23, 2009

GAZA — Seven months after Israel started a fierce three-week military campaign here to stop rockets from being fired on its southern communities, Hamas has suspended its use of rockets and shifted focus to winning support at home and abroad through cultural initiatives and public relations.

In Gaza City, a poster advertised a movie about Emad Akel,commander of the Hamas military wing who was killed by Israel.(poster to right courtesy Deviant Art http://delt4.deviantart.com/art/Free-Gaza-Part-2-108697583)

The aim is to build what leaders here call a “culture of resistance,” the topic of a recent two-day conference. In recent days, a play has been staged, a movie premiered, an art exhibit mounted, a book of poems published and a television series begun, most of it state-sponsored and all focused on the plight of Palestinians in Gaza. There are plans for a documentary competition.

“Armed resistance is still important and legitimate, but we have a new emphasis on cultural resistance,” noted Ayman Taha, a Hamas leader and former fighter. “The current situation required a stoppage of rockets. After the war, the fighters needed a break and the people needed a break.”

Mr. Taha and others say that the military has replaced field commanders and restructured itself as it learns lessons from the war. The decision to suspend the use of the short-range Qassam rockets that for years have flown into Israel, often dozens a day, has been partly the result of popular pressure. Increasingly, people here are questioning the value of the rockets, not because they hit civilians but because they are seen as relatively ineffective.

“What did the rockets do for us? Nothing,” Mona Abdelaziz, a 36-year-old lawyer, said in a typical street interview here.

How long Hamas will hold its fire and whether it will obtain longer-range missiles — which it says it is seeking — remain unclear. But the shift in policy is evident. In June, a total of two rockets were fired from Gaza, according to the Israeli military, one of the lowest monthly tallies since the firing began in 2002.
----more of the story at the link. A word to racists: If you cannot be constructive, please dont post your propaganda and BS here-do it somewhere else. It only shows your racism even more. >>PLEASE....Show some humanity for a change!
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19 comments // Hamas Shifts From Rockets to Public Relations - NYTimes.com

  • maof4brats
  • maof4brats
    • 0
      maof4brats [removed]  

    • You are such a great writtter,I my self i guess write like a Doctor being a nurse we usually use abreviations. this site give me an outlook to speak my mind,since me family thinks i am going too far. I have to think of my family in Iran,I have been there my God it's beautifull, and besides peoples thoughts, they DO NOT hate Americans. Me and my children were treated with respect and the upmost love,not just family. My kids look mixed and got altot of looks,mostly my daughter Shirine.I just wish Israel would stop thinking about the Holocaust and say they deserve that land.They don't.At least when England came to the States we tried to improve at the most part. Yes there was killing of Native Americans,but in the long run we gave them their own Goverment. And I do with all respect give native Americans credit where credit is do. Israel need to do the same for the native Palestinian State.
      Take Care
      Karen

    • 2 years ago
  • BullDogg
    • 0
      BullDogg  
    • maof4brats:

      Nice post. You replied to my comment further up the page. I was saying that it was a blessing that only two rockets were fired, because more could have died. I also implied that they only fired two because they ran out of money, which may or may not have been the case. Either way, a time of peace is a time of peace.

    • 2 years ago
  • WorldPeaceTV
    • 0
      WorldPeaceTV  

    • @maof4brats Thats why many of us are taking a stand against the government of Israel (not jews, but Zionism in particular). We've seen the writing on the wall-Israel has been trying to force the US and the world against Iran with much false evidence-some tricks they learned from the Bush admin when the US went to war on Iraq. Moreover, we saw the injustice being done to the Palestinian people and the twisted news that was aired on mainstream television to make us believe that the Palestinians were the terrorists, when in fact, they are protecting themselves from many crimes the Zionists Israeli government has committed. Like land grabbing, kidnapping, piracy, and war crimes.
      Many people-millions, especially here in Europe are disgusted and appalled with Israels government and are "Doing Something" about it-and that "Doing" is by peaceful demonstrations, finding the truth, and publishing the truth as well as calling a spade a spade.

      Many of us are human rights workers, doctors, lawyers, University intellectuals, government and social leaders. Many are in to the arts-music, theater and visual. Others are ordinary people living ordinary lives and are happy with that, but they too are taking a stand. There are also many Jews-many-against what Israel is and has been doing. And that includes Jews in the USA, Europe, Australia, and Israel itself.

      We will make a difference.

      And if it takes dismantling the current Israeli zionists and replacing with some real people, we will do just that thru the laws of the lands, the UN and the people of the world.

      Israel has been the reason for most violence in todays world and it needs to stop.

    • 2 years ago
  • maof4brats
  • Prijedor
  • davesarush
    • 0
      davesarush  

    • These seeds of nonviolent resistance need to be nurtured and fostered!!!!!!!!! It is easy for me to say from the comfort of my keyboard but the Palestinians MUST continue this trend!!!!! The pen is mightier than the sword!!! And we as Americans must begin a nonstop barrage on our elected officials to end isreals influence in our Government!!!!!!!

    • 2 years ago
  • artemis6
    • 0
      artemis6  

    • This tactic will work and if they hold to it , Israel is doomed . They will try hard to veil the truth . The more it gets out , the less will suffer and die .

    • 2 years ago
  • occhipij
  • WorldPeaceTV
    • 0
      WorldPeaceTV  
    • occhipij:

      Oh I see--you're saying the people in Palestine are not allowed to protect or defend themselves. What a lame way to look at it-in fact, what a cowardly position to say that your opponent cannot and not allowed to defend themselves. Defend and protect from an illegal blockade that is punishing innocent babies, and people.

      Shame on Israel

    • 2 years ago
  • BullDogg
  • maof4brats
  • jubal
  • WorldPeaceTV
    • 0
      WorldPeaceTV  
    • jubal:

      me too..thats why I made sure I made a mention of the artist that did it...very talented to be able to bring out the pain and suffering of the Palestinians as well as the oppression from Israel.

    • 2 years ago
  • jubal
    • 0
      jubal  

    • This is what Hamas should have been doing all along, turning the Court of Public Opinion. Thanks to efforts like those of WPTV and HIGHROLLER and many others like them, the pressure has been on. Israel will be forced to deal fairly or be faced with their demise.

    • 2 years ago
  • WorldPeaceTV
    • 0
      WorldPeaceTV  

    • just heard that Israel is afraid they are losing the war in the press. thats an understatement.-they keep up their oppression of innocent people and they may be history..then the UN can put in some real non-greedy people that will work for the best of all people there.

    • 2 years ago
  • Robroy1
    • 0
      Robroy1  

    • I believe the world is watching and is very tired of Israhell and its killing and torture of innocent people in its greedy quest for land. I believe that Hamas and the Palestinian people can be effective using the media just as the Jews do. More people are on the side of the Palestinians than on the side of the Jews. I hope the Palestinians will push thier agenda into the worldwide media and keep reminding the world of the atrocities being committed by theJews. I believe this can work if it is done right.

    • 2 years ago
  • Highr0ller
  • maof4brats
  • WorldPeaceTV
    • 0
      WorldPeaceTV  

    • Imagine
      Imagine there's no heaven,
      it's easy if you try,
      No hell below us,
      above us only sky,
      Imagine all the people,
      living for today.
      Imagine there's no countries,
      it isn't hard to do,
      Nothing to kill or die for,
      and no religion too,
      Imagine all the people,
      living life in peace.
      You may say I'm a dreamer,
      but I'm not the only one,
      I hope someday you'll join us,
      and the world will be as one.
      Imagine no possessions,
      I wonder if you can,
      No need for greed or hunger,
      a brotherhood of man,
      Imagine all the people,
      sharing all the world.
      You may say I'm a dreamer,
      but I'm not the only one,
      I hope someday you'll join us,
      and the world will live as one.
      John Lennon

    • 2 years ago
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