-
-
UK MPs Call for Talks With Hamas
Gaza's economy has been hit hard by an Israeli embargo tightened when the militant group took control last year.
Major world powers refuse to speak to Hamas unless it recognises Israel.
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, Unrwa, said 52% of Gaza households were living in poverty, and unemployment there had topped 45%.
The House of Commons International Development Committee said in a report on Gaza that the current truce between Hamas and Israel, agreed on 19 June, "offers the international community an opportunity to begin a dialogue with Hamas".
The aim of the talks should be to move the group towards accepting principles laid down by the international community and to repairing the rift between it and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah party, it said.
The so-called quartet - the US, EU, UN and Russia - has said it will not talk to Hamas unless it recognises Israel's right to exist, renounces violence and agrees to abide by agreements made by the Palestinian Authority.
Continued story at the link. Gaza's economy has been hit hard by an Israeli embargo tightened when the militant group took control last year. ... more -
What Obama missed in the Middle East
Every aspect of Obama's visit to Palestine-Israel this week has seemed designed to further appease pro-Israel groups. Typically for an American aspirant to high office, he visited the Israeli Holocaust memorial and the Western Wall. He met the full spectrum of Israeli Jewish (though not Israeli Arab) political leaders. He traveled to the Israeli Jewish town of Sderot, which until last month's ceasefire, frequently experienced rockets from the Gaza Strip. At every step, Obama warmly professed his support for Israel and condemned Palestinian violence.
Other than a cursory 45-minute visit to occupied Ramallah to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinians got little. According to an Abbas aide, Obama provided assurances that he would be "a constructive partner in the peace process." Some observers took comfort in his promise that he would get engaged "starting from the minute I'm sworn into office." Obama remained silent on the issue of Jerusalem, after boldly promising the "undivided" city to Israel as its capital in a speech to AIPAC last month, and then appearing to backtrack amid a wave of outrage across the Arab world.
But Obama missed the opportunity to visit Palestinian refugee camps, schools and even shopping malls to witness first-hand the devastation caused by the Israeli army and settlers, or to see how Palestinians cope under what many call "apartheid." This year alone, almost 500 Palestinians, including over 70 children, have been killed by the Israeli army -- exceeding the total for 2007 and dwarfing the two-dozen Israelis killed in conflict-related violence.
Obama said nothing about Israel's relentless expansion of colonies on occupied land. Nor did he follow the courageous lead of former President Jimmy Carter and meet with the democratically elected Hamas leaders, even though Israel negotiated a ceasefire with them. That such steps are inconceivable shows how off-balance is the US debate on Palestine.
Many people I talk to are resigned to the conventional wisdom that aspiring national politicians cannot afford to be seen as sympathetic to the concerns of Palestinians, Arabs or Muslims. They still hope that, if elected, Obama would display an even-handedness absent in the campaign.
Without entirely foreclosing the possibility of change in US policy, the reality is that the political pressures evident in a campaign do not magically disappear once the campaign is over. Nor is all change necessarily for the better.
Whoever is elected will face a rapidly changing situation in Palestine-Israel. A number of shifts are taking place simultaneously. First, the consensus supporting the two-state solution is disintegrating as Israeli colonies have rendered it unachievable. Second, the traditional Palestinian national leadership is being eclipsed by new movements including Hamas. And, as western and Arab governments become more craven in the face of Israeli human rights violations, a Palestinian-led campaign modeled on the anti-apartheid strategy of boycott, divestment and sanctions is building global civil society support. Finally, the demographic shift in Palestine-Israel toward an absolute Palestinian majority in all of Israel, the West Bank and Gaza Strip will be complete in the next three to five years.
Making peace in this new reality will take leaders ready to listen and talk to all sides in the conflict and to consider alternatives to the moribund two-state solution, such as power-sharing, confederation or a single democratic state. It will require, above all, the courage, imagination and political will to challenge the status quo of Israeli domination and Palestinian dispossession that has led to ever more violence with each passing year.
Every aspect of Obama's visit to Palestine-Israel this week has seemed designed to further appease pro-Israel groups. Typically for an... more -
Britain and the West must talk to Hamas
An interesting report from the UK Government today encourages a dialogue to open up between the West and Hamas. Is this forward thinking or appeasement? You decide
An interesting report from the UK Government today encourages a dialogue to open up between the West and Hamas. Is this forward thinki... more -
More From The Religion of Peace
Palestinian TV - another great episode teaching hate, terror, murder and brainwashing to little kids. Yeah, Peace is just around the corner!!!! With these types of teachings how can there ever be peace? Memri.org Palestinian TV - another great episode teaching hate, terror, murder and brainwashing to little kids. Yeah, Peace is just around the c... more
-
Blair to visit Gaza Tuesday
Mideast envoy Tony Blair will visit the Gaza Strip Tuesday, the former British prime minister's first trip to the coastal territory since the Islamic group violently seized control a year ago.
Blair is expected to meet with traders and inspect a northern Gaza waste water project being built with international funds, said Palestinian businessmen and officials familiar with his trip. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the visit has not been officially announced.
They said it was unlikely that Blair would meet with officials from Hamas, which is committed to Israel's destruction and is considered a terrorist group by the U.S., EU and Israel.
The international community does not recognize Hamas' Gaza government, and officials fear any visit could be construed as approval.
Hamas spokesman Ismail Radwan said his group would make security arrangements for Blair's visit. Radwan said in a statement text-messaged to reporters that the envoy's visit would be brief.
... more -
Obama Supporter Criticizes Obama on Obama's Own Website
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/davidg/gGxDzP
Obama may have just lost my vote
I had high hopes for the candidate of change, but at the end of the day it's politics as usual.
After today's vote for the FISA bill, I am seriously reconsidering my support for Barrack Obama and the democratic party altogether. There is no longer a populist party. We have one party masquerading as two. Our government has been bought and paid for by large corporations and lobbyists.
Congress' approval rating is at an all time low as is the approval of the president yet nothing changes.
I'm afraid real change will only come when the economy slips into a depression (the ball is already rolling). People are tired of this fascist two party monopoly of our government and media.
Shame on you Barrack Obama!
Shame on you for supporting the telecom industry at the expense of the 4th amendment of the constitution.
Shame on you for supporting the brutal Israeli regime.
Shame on you for your tough rhetoric regarding Iran. They have EVERY legal right to use Uranium for peaceful purposes. The US and Israel have violated UN charter by threatening them with war. We've tried to freeze their assets, which is an act of war and this country wonders why they are now test firing missiles. HELLO!
There is one country, however, in the middle east who has NO legal right to enrich uranium for ANY purposes yet they have 200 nuclear bombs and are in violation of more UN resolutions than ANY nation on earth. I'm speaking, of course, of Israel.
No "logic" being presented by the corporate media to invade Iran can do so without begging the question - Why not invade the country who is truly in violation of international agreements, the world court, UN charter and the 4th Geneva Convention.
Before I get attacked by AIPAC, know that I am jewish (Though capable of thinking) http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/davidg/gGxDzP Obama may have just lost my vote ... more -
Borat dupes Mossad
Former Mossad agent and Israeli political commentator Yossi Alpher is the latest of Sacha Baron Cohen's victims.
Alpher - who served in the Israel Defense Forces as an intelligence officer, followed by 12 years' service in the Mossad and senior positions at the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies at Tel Aviv University and the American Jewish Committee's Israel/Middle East office - realized something might not be quite kosher when the "rock star" interviewee brought up Hamas:
"Vait, vait. Vat's zee connection between a political movement and food? Vy humous?" asked the interviewer in heavily accented English. "Yesterday I had to throw away my pita bread because it vas dripping humous. Unt it's too high in carbohydrates."
The absurd Hamas-humous confusion went on for several minutes, and Alpher began to smell a rat, but stuck with the interview nonetheless - thus joining the long list of prominent figures down the years who have sought to maintain their gravitas while being tricked by one of Cohen's ridiculous personas.
It got worse, Alpher acknowledged: "Then the interviewer declared, 'Your conflict is not so bad. Jennifer-Angelina is worse.'"
Alpher and his Palestinian partner exchanged puzzled glances at the comparison of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie fighting over Brad Pitt, but because they had both received a fee for their appearance, and still hadn't completely internalized that their interviewer was not exactly who he seemed, they soldiered on. Former Mossad agent and Israeli political commentator Yossi Alpher is the latest of Sacha Baron Cohen's victims. ... more -
Israel successfully tests missile interceptor
AFP reports:
"Israel has successfully tested a new defence system designed to intercept rockets fired from southern Lebanon and the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, public radio reported on Sunday."
"The "Iron Dome" system is expected to be fully operational within a year and will be able to intercept the military-grade Katyusha rockets used by Lebanon's Hezbollah militia and the cruder Qassam rockets favoured by Hamas."
-Well at least they have a better way to protect themselves. AFP reports: ... more -
Hamas freezes negotiations for Schalit
Hamas on Friday announced that it was suspending all negotiations with Israel over the release of captured IDF soldier Gilad Schalit. The deputy head of Hamas's political bureau, Mussa Abu Marzuk, said that the talks were being frozen because Israel was not displaying commitment to the truce agreement with his organization in Gaza.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak ordered the closure of all crossings into the Gaza Strip on Thursday afternoon in response to a Kassam rocket attack earlier in the day. The crossings will remain closed on Friday, officials said. They were reopened on Wednesday, after they were closed for two days due to rocket and mortar attacks earlier in the week Hamas on Friday announced that it was suspending all negotiations with Israel over the release of captured IDF soldier Gilad Schalit. ... more -
Hamas Rejects Latest Israeli Prisoner Swap Deal for Shalit
The Hamas terrorist organization has reportedly rejected another proposed prisoner swap deal by Israel for the release of kidnapped IDF Cpl. Gilad Shalit.
According to the Arabic Al-Hayat daily newspaper, Hamas turned down Israel's offer to free hundreds of Palestinian Authority terrorists, many of whom had "blood on their hands", in exchange for the captive soldier.
Government envoy Ofer Dekel, who is in charge of soldiers who are missing in action, presented the terrorist group with a list of 450 PA prisoners Israel was willing to include in a deal.
Hamas, meanwhile, has demanded that Israel release 1,000 terrorists. Among them is Fatah Tanzim arch-terrorist Marwan Barghouti, sentenced to five consecutive sentences of life in prison for murdering Israeli civilians, Jews and a Christian monk, in terrorist attacks during the Oslo War. The Hamas terrorist organization has reportedly rejected another proposed prisoner swap deal by Israel for the release of kidnapped ID... more -
Continued Palestinian Rocket fire Violates Truce once again
The Gaza truce was violated once again on Monday evening when two Kassam rockets fired from the northern Gaza Strip landed in an open area in the western Negev.
No casualties or damage were reported.
As a result of the latest attack, Defense Minister Ehud Barak instructed the army to keep the border crossings closed on Tuesday.
Monday's Kassam attack comes after a weekend during which a number of mortar shells were fired at southern Israel, including one which landed near Kibbutz Kfar Aza.
The Gaza truce was violated once again on Monday evening when two Kassam rockets fired from the northern Gaza Strip landed in an open ... more -
Israel Closes Gaza Crossings - Truce Violated
JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Israel has closed crossings between Israel and Gaza except for Erez crossing on Gaza's northern border, a military source said Wednesday. The closing of the crossings came a day after four rockets were fired from Gaza into southern Israel by Islamic Jihad. The militant group said its members fired the rockets as revenge for the killing of one of the group's military commanders in the West Bank.
The rocket fire violated the truce that went into effect last week between Israel and Hamas leaders in Gaza. Israel said that under the conditions of the truce, the Hamas leadership in Gaza is responsible for all militant attacks on Israel -- not just those carried out by Hamas militants.
The cease-fire does not apply in the West Bank. Mark Regev, a spokesman for the Israeli prime minister, called Tuesday's attacks "a grave violation" of the truce agreement.
A Hamas spokesman said Tuesday the group remains committed to the cease-fire despite the attacks.
CNN's Shira Medding JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Israel has closed crossings between Israel and Gaza except for Erez crossing on Gaza's northern border, a military ... more -
Israel Breached Truce NOT Palestine! - ALEEKA.COM
RAMALLAH, June 24 (Xinhua) -- A special Israeli army unit killed two Palestinian students, also members of Islamic Jihad (Holy War), in the West Bank city of Nablus early on Tuesday, witnesses and medics said.
Medics at Rafidya Hospital in Nablus said Iyad Khanfar, 24, and Tareq Abu Ghali, 23, both students at al-Najah university, were shot dead by Israeli gunfire, adding that their bodies were taken to the hospital.
A Palestinian mourns over the body of Islamic Jihad commander Tarek Juma Abu Ghali in a hospital in the West Bank city of Nablus June 24, 2008.
A Palestinian mourns over the body of Islamic Jihad commander Tarek Juma Abu Ghali in a hospital in the West Bank city of Nablus June 24, 2008.
Witnesses said a special Israeli army force stormed the students' residents in a western neighborhood of Nablus, and shot the two students dead.
The Israeli soldiers also arrested five students in the building, but released them after the two were killed, the witnesses said, noting that the Israeli soldiers had deliberately killed the two.
Al-Najah University in Nablus announced a three-day mourning and one-day suspension of lectures to protest the killing of its two students.
Meanwhile, Islamic Jihad armed wing, Saraya al-Quds, confirmed the death of its two militants and vowed in a leaflet that the group will revenge their death soon.
In Gaza, Israeli Radio reported that a homemade mortar shell fired from the Gaza Strip landed at southern Israel.
No injuries were reported and no one in Gaza claimed responsibility for the attack so far.
Killing the two Islamic Jihad members in the West Bank and firing a mortar shell from Gaza at Israel are seen as violation of a truce brokered by Egypt between Israel and Gaza militant groups, which went into effect last Thursday. RAMALLAH, June 24 (Xinhua) -- A special Israeli army unit killed two Palestinian students, also members of Islamic Jihad (Holy War), i... more -
Hamas breaks ceasefire with volley of rockets fired at Sderot
"Red Color" alert was heard today in Sderot. Civilians ran for shelter as a volley of Qassam rockets hit the city. The rockets hit several residential houses, but no civilians were injured.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said in response:
"It is a blunt violation of the ceasefire agreement". The agreement was signed five days ago and was expected not to last long.
"Red Color" alert was heard today in Sderot. Civilians ran for shelter as a volley of Qassam rockets hit the city. The rockets hit sev... more -
Religious Extremist Roomies - God Loves ME Best! - Volume 1
Extended trailer for the new TV series God Loves ME Best! The producers introduce the cast to their new home while ridiculing them from behind the scenes. Starring Allegra Cohen, Khrystyne Haje, Eric Kirchberger, Nasry Malak, Michelle Maryk, Ron McClary, Ann Scobie, and Sam Rodd.
http://www.godlovesmebest.com
http://www.youtube.com/godlovesmebest Extended trailer for the new TV series God Loves ME Best! The producers introduce the cast to their new home while ridiculing them fro... more -
Israel lets more goods into Gaza as truce holds
Associated Press Reports:
" Israel increased the trickle of badly needed goods flowing into the Gaza Strip on Sunday, a military spokesman said, in the latest stage of a four-day-old truce with Hamas militants."
-Ive notice they get alot of things done during a truce, just imagine how much more they can do during peaceful times and no more fighting. Associated Press Reports: ... more -
Hummus vs. Hamas: Terrorist Cuisine - God Loves ME Best! - Volume 5
Extended trailer for the new TV series God Loves ME Best! in which the cast debate the difference between a terrorist organization and a middle eastern snack dip. Starring Allegra Cohen, Khrystyne Haje, Eric Kirchberger, Nasry Malak, Michelle Maryk, Ron McClary, Ann Scobie, and Sam Rodd.
http://www.youtube.com/godlovesmebest
http://www.godlovesmebest.com
Extended trailer for the new TV series God Loves ME Best! in which the cast debate the difference between a terrorist organization and... more -
Hamas announces 6-month truce with Israel
A truce between Israel and Gaza's Hamas leaders will take effect Thursday and last for six months, Hamas officials said Tuesday.
Palestinian Hamas security men stand to attention at a training academy in Gaza City last week.
Israeli officials, however, stopped short of confirming that a cease-fire agreement has been reached.
"It's still early to announce an agreement of calm," Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said in a statement. "When it starts, if it starts, it's hard to say how long it will last. The test will be how it's implemented."
Hamas senior official Mahmoud Zahar and Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya announced the Egyptian-brokered agreement at a news conference in Gaza. They said it will begin at 6 a.m. Thursday (11 p.m. Wednesday ET).
On Sunday, Israel gradually will start to open its border crossing terminals, the Hamas officials said.
A truce between Israel and Gaza's Hamas leaders will take effect Thursday and last for six months, Hamas officials said Tuesday. ... more -
Israel and Hamas 'agree truce'
Israel and militant group Hamas have agreed to end months of bitter clashes with a truce starting on Thursday, Palestinian officials say.
A Hamas official said he was confident all militant groups in Gaza would abide by the agreement, brokered by Egypt. Israeli officials said Israel was "looking to see if this is serious".
Earlier at least six Palestinians were reportedly killed in Israeli air strikes in southern Gaza. Israel said it had targeted "terror operatives". Islamic Jihad said a missile struck a car carrying five of its members near Khan Younis. A sixth man died in a separate strike nearby.
The truce is due to come into effect at 0600 (0300 GMT) on Thursday. As well as a halt to all hostilities, this stage of the deal also envisages a partial reopening of Gaza's borders.
A second stage of the plan would focus on the return of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit and on a deal to reopen the main Rafah crossing into Egypt.
Israel and militant group Hamas have agreed to end months of bitter clashes with a truce starting on Thursday, Palestinian officials s... more -
Israel and Hamas agree ceasefire
"Israel and militant group Hamas have agreed on a truce starting on Thursday, Palestinian and Israeli officials have told the BBC.
Israeli officials confirmed the start of the truce, but said Israel was "looking to see if this is serious".
A Hamas official said he was confident all militant groups in Gaza would abide by the agreement, brokered by Egypt." "Israel and militant group Hamas have agreed on a truce starting on Thursday, Palestinian and Israeli officials have told the BBC. ... more
-
related topics
Hamas
Contributors (190)
Hamas
