Palestina sangra; El mundo se estremece
Marta Muñoz 06 Jan 2009 18:32 GMT (translated by Marta Muñoz)Exhaustiva mirada a las realidades censuradas y no censuradas en la zona de baltalla, en las primeras líneas y la escena global.
En este artículo:
- La armada israelí ataca un barco de ayuda humanitaria procedente de Chipre hacia Gaza; barco atacado y disparado
-Protestas globales en contra del ataque israelí en Palestina.
- Resumen de la situación miliat, incluyendo las miradas de la Resistencia y la sociedad civil
- Se han agotado las medicinas en Gaza; como pudes ayudar a la ayuda humanitaria
- Desarrollo Legal y Diplomático
Cientos de miles de personas estan protestando alrededror del mundo contra los ataques israelis armados y financiados por US y contra el genocidio sionista contra la población palestina de Gaza, la matanza continua con más bombardeos, asedio y bloqueo, además de la amenazante invasión terrestre
- La marina israelí ataca un barco de ayuda civil
El Movimiento de Liberación de Gaza hizo pública esta declaración sobre el destino del barco de ayuda humanitaria. El Dignitu, que fue sometiedo al fuego de barcos israelí y después atacado. Tres horas después esta declaración fue realizada por la organización:
"(Larnaca, Chipre, 10:00am). El martes, 30 de Diciembre, a las 5 a.m., varias lanchas cañoneras interceptaron al Dignity que encabezada una misión de ayuda a Gaza. Una de las lanchas cañoneras atacao al barco por ambos lados, dañándolo gravemente. Según los pasajeros y periodistas a bordo que estaba entrando agua y parecía que presentaba problemas mecánicos. Cuando atacó, el Dignity se encontraba en aguas internacionales, a 90 millas de la costa de Gaza
Las lanchas cañoneras también atacaron el barco para evitar que la ayuda llegase a Gaza.
Como el barco vaga hacia el Líbano, los pasajeros han estado en contacto con el gobierno libanés que ha dado permiso al capitán para atracar y mantiene la voluntad de prestar la ayuda que necesitan. También ha estado en contacto con el rescate marítimo de Chipre quien ofrece también su ayuda”
Este acto violento de piratería ha ocurrido claramente en aguas internacionales, a 90 millas de la costa de Gaza, por lo que constituye una violación de las leyes internacionales y de las leyes marítimas. Se mantuvo un breve contacto con el navío mientras el ataque estaba ocurriendo:
“El Dignity, un barco civil de ayuda para la población asediada de Gaza, esta siendo atacado en aguas internacionales por la marina israelí. El Dignity ha sido rodeado por al menos media docena de barcos de guerra israelíes. Estos están disparando munición alrededor del Dignity, y uno de los barcos de guerra ha embestido la embarcación civil causando mucho daño. En contra de la ley marítima internacional, los israelíes están impidiendo activamente que el Dignity se aproxime a Gaza o encontrarse seguro tanto en Egipto como en el Líbano. En su lugar, la marina israelí pide que el Dignity vuelva a Chipre, a pesar que el barco no cuenta con el suficiente carburante para poderlo hacer. Afortunadamente, nadie a bordo ha sido herido de gravedad.
Hay 15 pasajeros civiles que representan a 11 países diferentes. A las 5am (UST) aproximadamente, en aguas internacionales, los barcos de guerra israelíes empezaron a rodear el Dignity, amenazando al barco. A las 6:45am (UST) pudimos establecer un breve contacto con la tripulación quien nos contó que la embarcación había sido atacada por la marina israelí en aguas internacionales, y que los israelíes estaban impidiendo que el barco alcanzase un puerto seguro. Escuchamos un intenso ruido de armas de fuego al fondo antes de perder el contacto con el Dignity.
Entre las personas presentes en el barco se incluye la famosa congresista de US, Cynthia McKinney, Candidata Presidencial de los Verdes en las pasadas elecciones.
Otros miembros de la misión son la Dr. Elena Theoharous, miembro del Parlamento de Chipre, activista junto al movimiento Médicos sin Fronteras, y otros médicos, activistas solidarios y periodistas.
Para información más actualizada y formas en las que puedes ayudar, mira_ 
http://www.freegaza.org/
y otros links al final de este artículo
- Protestas Globales-
Manifestaciones de todo tipo ha surgido alrededor del mundo en solidaridad con la población palestina y en protesta por las atrocidades de Israel en contra de la población civil. Las protestas son muy numerosas para poderlas describir en detalle, pero hay algunos elementos característicos:
Manifestantes palestinos desarmados, tirando piedras a las tropas israelíes fueron disparados. Por lo menos dos manifestantes han sido asesinados: las tropas israelíes y especialmente las fuerzas se seguridad están atacando con porras y químicos. Hay muchos heridos y arrestados. Hay paros laborales y en los mercados en toda Palestina desde hace cuatro días, empezando con las primeras masacres el sábado.
En Israel mismo, más del 40% encuestado están en contra de los ataques. Protestas en contra de la guerra se han dado en Tel Aviv, Haifa y Jerusalén. En algunas protestas atendieron conjuntamente judíos y árabes. Indymedia Israel continua dando importancia a todos los esfuerzos para oponerse a la guerra: https://israel.indymedia.org/newswire/display/9995/index.php
Escrito por Gush Shalom, un rama del movimiento pacífico israelí, Uri Averny declaró: “La guerra en Gaza, el derramamiento de sangre, los asesinatos, la destrucción y el sufrimiento a ambos lados de la frontera es la viciosa insensatez de un gobierno en bancarrota. Un gobierno que se permite arrastrar por oficiales aventureros y demagogos nacionalistas barato, que arrastran a una guerra destructiva e innecesaria que no llevará la solución a ningún problema- ni a las comunidades del sur de Israel bajo la lluvia de misiles ni a la terrible pobreza y sufrimiento de la asediada Gaza”
Todo el resto del mundo, en cada gran ciudad, manifestaciones y todo tipo de protestas se están sucediendo a lo largo del fin de semana y continúan día a día. Un esfuerzo de hacer una exhaustiva lista prueba que el número de reportes es tan voluminoso que es imposible resumirlas fácilmente. Un “resumen global” realiza por Sue Scandale se encuentra aquí:
“Respuesta Internacional a la masacre israelí en Gaza” https://israel.indymedia.org/newswire/display/10048/index.php
y otra por el IMC para el San Francisco Bay Area, aqui: http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/12/27/18556550.php
En los resúmenes hay descripciones de las protestas desde Turquía a Londres, y desde Nueva Zelanda a New York y las Islas Canarias. El mundo entero
In the summaries there are descriptions of protests from Turkey to London, and from New Zealand to New York and the Canary Islands. El mundo entero ha levantado su enfado.
military situation ~
Palestinian resistance organizations have multiplied and expanded their armed, diplomatic and political responses to the massacres. Street and neighbourhood based militia are preparing for the possibility of a ground assault. About 60 rockets were fired into Israel today from Gaza. Some of those reached the deepest ever into Israeli territories. The majority of those rockets were improvised.
The self-organized popular militia are estimated to be around 20.000 strong, but armed mostly with light weapons, very few mortars, anti-tank weapons, no artillery, no air force and no naval forces. There is no armour and no anti-aircraft weaponry, either. Many of the weapons of the resistance groups are home-made or improvised in backyard workshops, with questionable results. The deficiencies in weaponry and firepower are counterbalanced by an excellent morale, exceptionally high discipline, and total dedication to the cause.
US-supplied Israeli warplanes have been bombing frequently since Saturday, and by Tuesday morning have completed more than 350 bombing runs. All of the weapons being dropped and fired against the population are made in the US. An estimated 300 tons of bombs have been used so far in the densely populated areas of Gaza, with devastating results.
Israeli navy ships have joined in by lining up along the Palestinian coast and shelling Gaza with heavy artillery.
Israeli troops and tanks are amassing at the border, and there are strong indications that a ground war might be initiated. Many military observers are reporting that the army being assembled is not strong enough for the stated "objective goals" of the attacks on Gaza, but the danger of escalation remains high.
Hezbollah forces in Lebanon, north of Israel, which delivered the first ever military victory against Israel two years ago have stated that they are "by the side of our Palestinian brothers" but have not yet initiated any moves.
Many Fatwas (religious decrees) declaring Holy War against Israel have been spontaneously issued by a multitude of Islamic religious figures all over the world. Secular organizations of all colours within Palestinian society and in the wider Arab world and in many Islamic countries, have joined the mobilizations with a great militancy, uniting patriots, liberals, socialists, communists, anarchists, Feminists and Greens in actions of resistance of all types.
Civil society within Palestine is almost without infrastructure. Electricity is scarce, fuel is scarce, food is scarce, hospitals have run out of medicine (more on that below), telephone and internet services are down.
The fact that even though almost the entire civilian Police has been wiped out in the bombings and yet there is no crime among the population in Gaza manifests the high degree of morale and high principles that characterize Palestinian society, the commitment to each other among the people of Gaza. Even this simple thing, unthinkable in any other city of a million and a half in the "civilized West" shows that indeed, the clash of civilizations that George Bush and Israeli Zionists are waging, is about human values. Or the lackthereof.
~ Gaza has run out of medicines; How you can help with humanitarian aid ~
The organization of Physicians for Human Rights-Israel has issued a Gaza Emergency Appeal. It states. "Gaza Hospitals Already Filled to Capacity; Medical Supplies on the Verge of Depletion". It has published a list of supplies needed to treat the casualties and to maintain some sort of emergency healthcare for the population of Gaza.
The organization is assembling medical aid to deliver to Gaza. It states:
"With a medical system already on the verge of collapse as a result of the ongoing closure, 1.4 million civilians are in desperate need of urgent medical help from outside the Gaza Strip. PHR-Israel has the means to transfer this help within days and is seeking to raise 700,000 USD during the next week for purchase and direct transfer of supplies to Gaza hospitals."
Please look at the information on how to help with this humanitarian aid effort. Every dollar counts to save a life - this is where solidarity translates into hands-on direct action ~ please give generously, the page contains information on how to send money: http://www.phr.org.il/phr/article.asp?articleid=653&catid=55&pcat=-1〈=ENG
Many sources are reporting that the bodies of those killed in the air raids are chopped to pieces, and relatives who go to collect the remains of their loved ones are often being given a decapitated body, a mashed or split head, a limb torn to shreds. Corridors of hospitals and morgues are over-filled.
Civilians continue to be the highest percentage of those killed in the bombings. Every single story emerging of homes being blown up and entire neighborhoods blasted to rubble confirm this every day. Today, Tuesday, Israeli bombs hit the Islamic University (it had been hit again on Sunday, twice), demolishing it. Bombs also hit the Bureij Refugee Camp in the central Gaza Strip, Gaza City’s Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque, and the eastern Gaza City neighborhood of Zeitoun, plus the Bani Suhaila Municipality building in eastern Khan Younis . The total number of casualties from these raids is unknown.
So far the known number of deaths is approaching 400 and casualties are around 1600. "Casualties" refers to people requiring treatment by wartime standards in a society with a collapsed medical and civic infrastructure. By peacetime standards the number might be as high as 4000. This excludes psychological injuries. The person standing next to his son's friend who was decapitated while standing, or the mother who lost all her children within one blast do not count as casualties in current assessments.
Deaths are expected to increase even if the ground war does not materialize, since medics are being killed in the raids which hampers life-saving operations, and hospitals are almost unable to treat people without medicines, electricity, etc.
More details about Tuesday's bombings were published by the Palestine News Network here: http://english.pnn.ps/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4343&Itemid=1
Egypt has resumed a partially helpful stance today allowing some casualties to be evacuated through the border it controls. Anger is mounting against its Government for collaborating with the Israeli blockade because on Monday it had closed the border to refugees running for their lives and went to the point of ordering its guards to shoot in the air to prevent people from crossing.
Some talks and negotiations are taking place, both openly and covertly, among representatives of Fatah and Hamas in efforts to delineate some sort of basis for unity that can help Palestinian society get through this time of crisis. Lack of trust is a major obstacle, which in the recent past had led to even armed confrontations between these two major forces, with deaths on both sides.
~ Legal and Diplomatic developments ~
The President of the United Nation's General Assembly, Miguel D´Escoto, issued a Statement on the Crisis in Gaza. In it he stated that "The behavior by Israel in bombarding Gaza is simply the commission of wanton aggression by a very powerful state against a territory that illegally occupies.
Time has come to take firm action if the United Nations does not want to be rightly accused of complicity by omission."
He also said:
"The Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip represent severe and massive violations of international humanitarian law as defined in the Geneva Conventions, both in regard to the obligations of an Occupying Power and in the requirements of the laws of war.
Those violations include:
Collective punishment...
Targeting civilians...
Disproportionate military response...
...I remind all member states of the United Nations that the UN continues to be bound to an independent obligation to protect any civilian population facing massive violations of international humanitarian law.."
Please read the full text here: https://israel.indymedia.org/newswire/display/10050/index.php
Another UN official, the Specially appointed Rapporteur for Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory Professor Richard Falk said that the Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip represent “severe and massive violations of international humanitarian law as defined in the Geneva Conventions, both in regard to the obligations of an Occupying Power and in the requirements of the laws of war.” Please read that report published by the Palestine News Agency here: http://english.wafa.ps/?action=detail&id=12479
Given that the Israeli war machine would not last a month without active and constant arming and funding by the US, the ramifications of any movements - and responsibilities! - of the US Government in this crisis are enormous.
The exiting US Government of Vipers, Condoleeza, Bush and Dick Cheney, have continued their highly immoral and illegal support of the genocidal actions by the Israeli Apartheid regime. President Elect Obama has been "on vacation" and avoiding to make any coherent statement on the slaughter.
U.S. Congressman Dennis Kucinich has officially requested that the United Nations launch an independent inquiry into Israel's war against Gaza. The US lawmaker stated that "The attacks on civilians represent collective punishment, which is a violation of Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. The perpetrators of attacks against Israel must also be brought to justice, but Israel cannot create a war against an entire people in order to attempt to bring to justice the few who are responsible."
Please read the rest of his statement and his letter to the United Nations Secretary General here: https://israel.indymedia.org/newswire/display/10052/index.php
All in all, the present crisis has not yet shown the full depth or intensity that it might take.
We pray that the forces of Peace and Justice will prevail. Our thoughts are with the martyrs; our actions fully in solidarity with the survivors.
Cyprus IndyMedia Collective 
imc-cyprus@lists.indymedia.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Our thanks to Belal Doufesh of the Union of Palestinians in Cyprus for supplying the photo that accompanies this article. It helps us remain aware that these terrible events have a face:
that of a child with a shattered head lying in a pile of dead bodies. https://israel.indymedia.org/usermedia/image/10/large/gaza-child-pileofdead-belal.jpg
Further Resources:
"Israeli Navy attacks and wounds Dignity in International Waters" http://www.freegaza.org/index.php?module=latest_news&id=40e777e07fd7eb5b584efa42e09fdee3&offset=
"Solidarity ship attacked in Mediterranean, includes US official and doctors" http://english.pnn.ps/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4344&Itemid=1
"Resistance movement locally and abroad takes lead in face of government trepidation" http://english.pnn.ps/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4335&Itemid=1
"Most Gaza casualties were non-combatants, civilians" http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article10063.shtml
"A vicious folly of a bankrupt government"
by Uri Averny http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=34273
An overview of global and local responses to the events: http://links.org.au/node/823
Tuesday's Targets: http://www.imemc.org/article/58228
Additional Independent Resources:
- Electronic Intifada http://electronicintifada.net
- International Middle East Media Center (en) http://www.imemc.org
- The Palestine News Network (en/ar/he/fr) http://www.pnn.ps
- WAFA - Palestine News Agency (en/ar/he/fr) http://english.wafa.ps/
- Ma'an News (en/ar) http://www.maannews.net
Protests Against Massacre in Gaza
via indybay.org 30.Dec.2008 22:34
updated link for indybay's coverage of protests:
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/12/30/18557237.php
http://www.indybay.org/palestine
question
? 30.Dec.2008 23:51
"Israeli troops and tanks are amassing at the border, and there are strong indications that a ground war might be initiated. Many military observers are reporting that the army being assembled is not strong enough for the stated "objective goals" of the attacks on Gaza, but the danger of escalation remains high."
http://tinyurl.com/8lvvw5
Why have 60 Hamas rockets been fired on civilian targets and none at these legtimiate military targets?
Dignity relief ship reached Tyrus in Lebanon this evening:
" zionist genocide "
Nichtidentisches 31.Dec.2008 15:30
What a genocide. 360 Death.
If Israel wanted a genocide like the Hamas does, it wouldn't use airborn precision missiles, but cheap artillery and wipe out the whole place within a fortnight.
Genocides of the 20th Century were:
Turky: Massacred several hundred thousands of Armenians.
Germany: Butchered, shot and gassed about 6 Mio Humans, mostly Jews
Cambodia: Butchered about 2 Mio. Humans for being Intellectuals, Citizens or Others
Rwanda: Butchered about 1,2 Mio Humans for being Tsutsi or Collaboratives.
China: Killed and starved to death about 30 or 40 Mio during the Mao-Reign.
Russia: Killed and starved to death more than 20 Mio during the Lenin and Stalin-Era.
Sudan: Killed several Hundred thousands of Black Africans.
Ethiopia: Killed several Tenthousands within the Mengistu-Era, self-called red terror.
South-America: About a Million killed and more tortured in the endless civil-wars and dictatorships of the 20th century - in Peru, Chile, Argentinia, Paraguay, Brazil, etc. not talking about the genocides against the Indigenes in South-America, mostly from Paraguay and Peru (i.e. Sendero luminoso)
If I forgot some, I regret.
To talk of a "genocide" in Gaza is hypocrisy and propaganda. If the left medias don't have more to bid than the propaganda of Iran and Rightwings and Islamists, it's not a free media!
Am Israel Chai!
Fight Back the Hamas-Terror!
Reactions
Jazael Olguin Zapata 31.Dec.2008 20:09
What is done in Palestine by the terrorist state of Israel
is a crime against humanity. I know a historical name for it
and it is Pogrom.
Free Palestina!
jazael olguin Zapata
Mexico city.
The Jews have a right of self-defense.
un_juif 01.Jan.2009 03:05
The Jews unilaterally withdrew from Gaza in compliance with the cries of Land for Peace(tm). The Arabs then commenced an unending barrage of rocket fire into Israel. There have been over 12,000 rockets launched against Israel on an almost daily basis over the past seven years. Between January and November 2008, Hamas fired 1,212 rockets and 1,290 mortar bombs from the Gaza Strip and hit southern Israel.
The Jews have a right of self-defense.
Nuove manifestazioni in Italia per Gaza
ll 01.Jan.2009 21:50
Domani e sabato, in diverse città italiane, si svolgeranno manifestazioni di solidarietà con i palestinesi e contro il massacro di Gaza.
http://www.forumpalestina.org/
CATANIA , Venerdi 02 Gennaio 2009
CONTRO LA PULIZIA ETNICA E IL TERRORISMO DI STATO ISRAELIANO
ROMA , Sabato 03 Gennaio 2009, ore 16,30 P.zza della Repubblica
Manifestazione Cittadina- Corteo
VICENZA , Sabato 03 Gennaio 2009
Fermiamo il massacro a Gaza
MANIFESTAZIONE
MILANO , Sabato 03 Gennaio 2009
Manifestazione organizzata dalla Comunita' palestinese della Lombardia
BOLOGNA , Sabato 03 Gennaio 2009
Presidio in solidarietà con il popolo palestinese
PARMA , Sabato 03 Gennaio 2009
Presidio in solidarietà con il popolo palestinese
Per maggiori informazioni:
Israel has a right to defend its people!
CrocodilusPontifex 02.Jan.2009 07:46
You people must have had your heads in a hole for the past 2 weeks because any idiot knows that single Israeli bomb fell on Gaza until after days of rocket and artillery attacks on Israeli civilians. Every rocket fired by Hamas, an ultra-reactionary Islamist group who would kill any of you white Socialists in a heartbeat, was an attempted murder of 1 or more Israeli civilians. Israel is a democracy and has not only a right but an obligation to defend its people from these killers and terrorists.
Which state in the region has reacted better to terrorism? Look up the Hama Massacre of 1982. Syria responded to a small Muslim Brotherhood uprising by completely destroying one of its own cities, killing tens of thousands of its own innocent civilians! Meanwhile, Israel has killed only hundreds in Gaza, and even Hamas admits that most of the deaths were Hamas members!
Why no outrage for the last three years?
Michael S. 02.Jan.2009 19:33
I've always considered myself a member of the Left, but just cannot understand the Left's blind spot when it comes to this issue. Israel gave the Palestinians Gaza. They pulled out in September 2005 in the famous "Land for Peace" deal. And in the three years since then, Hamas has sent over 6,000 missiles into southern Israel, in violation of the peace treaty.
Where was the Left's outrage during these bombings?
Disproportionate!
BigDaveS 03.Jan.2009 18:11
Of course Israel has a right to self-defense! As long as they don't actually win! Then it's disproportionate. If the Jews would learn to defend themselves while losing, then everyone would be happy.
are you kidding?
MajorFreak 05.Jan.2009 16:12
Israel is not the aggressor in this conflict. Hamas ended the cease of fire when constantly firing rockets at israel. Hamas is also very much responsible for civilian casualties: they took the war to the people and hide among them (which is clearly in conflict of the geneva conventions). Palestinians have to rise up against Hamas to end the suffering.
A leftist view does not automatically include support of every Guerilla-like organization. Hamas is a terrorist group. Do not buy terrorists' propaganda.
stop this massacre! stop the wars!
fd 06.Jan.2009 02:31
All the corporate media together with Israel and the USA government keep repeating this stupid lie that Hamas was the one tha broke the peace agreement. While Israel, at the day the agreement was sign!, sent a bomb to Gaza to destroy a tunel... Not to mention the slow killing of the palestinian people with the blockade. Now I would like to take a moment to also send out a critizism against the american people, don't get me wrong I love this people, but is a shame that we can not see the same mobilization we are seeing now when is about the Irak and Afeganistan wars. The USA have killed 2 million people already! The same way we look at what Israel is doing in gaza and we are demanding that this is stoped and that the people there turns against this massacre. The american people must do something at their own house. You must live your day to day life fighting this war, call everyday your politicians who are in power, demand an end! Why no one is out in the streets protesting and demanding from Paloci to accept the impeachment requests that she keeps on ignoring? There must be marchs in the streets demanding the end of this!! In Argentina, when 2 piqueteros were killed the people marched every month on the date they were killed for over 2 years they did that, without letting one month to pass without them going to the bridged where they were killed and blockading it! The madres did they march at plaza de mayo for years and years demanding justice for their sons and daugthers. The american people must learn that they must be out in the streets if they want this genocide their government is commiting to end! Is an absurd that after the first year of the war there was no more demonstrations while thousand and thousand of people are dying. Is so easy to forget you are in a war when is not your house being bombed. Dont let this happen, dont take the same position of those you critize! Like you are doing right now with the government of Israel, you demand they stop this massacre (which is more then right) but you aren't doing enough to stop the massacre your government is doing in Irak and Afeganistan.
By "revenging" Israel extends its territory since 1948
not important 06.Jan.2009 16:28
The reason for Israeli aggressions never was revenge but to conquer Palestinian land.
And Palestinians often are stupid enough trying to do what Israel pretends: To revenge the robbery of their ancestors lands. It will only serve Israel to continue with its bloody strategy of low intensity war, and low intensity memory destruction.
You were asleep in history class.
un_juif 07.Jan.2009 14:56
The Professor stated "[the] reason for Israeli aggressions never was revenge but to conquer Palestinian land".
The same land the Muslim invaders conquered by aggressive war during the 7th century? Okey-dokey.
And, btw, they're Arabs.
Thanks for sharing. You can go back to sleep now.
Selective History
Constantly Shocked 07.Jan.2009 22:36
I'm a little shocked to see people citing ancient history to justify Israel's response. Is this current issue really linked to the seventh century? We are talking about an area that has had many conquerors throughout its history and to select one at random to make a point is quite ridiculous. The reality is that this a complex conflict that does go back a long way, though perhaps entered its current era after the Balfour Declaration promised what it had no right to do. We could refer to any of a number of events since then but I think the six day war in 1967 was the most important. Israel has illegally occupied foreign territory since then and toothless resolutions have been the only action taken.
I cannot believe there are people out there who continue to make it sound as though Israel has been doing the Palestinians a great justice by offering some control of some of their land back. This, of course, while they blockade the people into poverty.
People refer to Hamas as a 'terrorist orgnisasation' but fail to acknowledge it is a democratically elected government who Israel refuse to deal with. Perhaps these people need to be reminded that the Israel military was formed from groups, who prior to statehood, were also considered to be terrorist groups.
It appears a few people slept through their history lessons.
Being an accosory to war crimes
anon 08.Jan.2009 04:54
Shocked, shocked to see that hisyory has anything to do with this.
un_juif 08.Jan.2009 06:10
"I'm a little shocked to see people citing ancient history to justify Israel's response".
Why should you be shocked? Muslim imperialists use their doctrine of Dar-al-Islam to justify aggression.
Read up on the 7th Century.
No longer shocked
Constantly Shocked 08.Jan.2009 10:40
At least I am no longer shocked. I understand now.
I do have an understanding of 7th Century history and its impact. I also know that Jewish people and Arabs lived in relative harmony long after this period. I am suggesting the problem be looked at through all the complexities of history and not just one period so far removed. This is primarily a twentieth/twenty first century political issue, although it is influenced by long held doctrine.
Perhaps if my entire comment was read, my argument would have been more clear. However the desire focus a tiny part of the issue, rather than big picture seems to be a problem for some, and perhaps fuel for the conflict as a whole.
Interview de Stéphane Essel
Dominique 1er 08.Jan.2009 23:31
Un interview de Stéphane Essel sur Gaza : "L'offensive israélienne contre GAZA est un véritable crime contre l'humanité."
Ancien diplomate français et résistant, sa famille a été déportée, Stéphane Essel a contribué à la rédaction de la déclaration des droits de l'homme.
Les mots très durs prononcés dans cette interview ont été prononcé avant que nous sachions qu'Israël utilise des bombes à l'uranium appauvri et au phosphore contre les palestiniens.
"Il n'y a pas de militaires à Gaza, il n'y a que des civils."
"Tsahal avait une réputation d'être une armée honorable. Elle ne l'est plus lorsqu'elle frappe des gens sans défenses."
"L'Etat d'Israël depuis des décennies a réussi à berner sa population, à faire croire à sa population que l'Etat était en danger, que sa sécurité était à chaque instant menacée, et que pour cela il ne fallait tenir aucun compte de ce que pense la communauté mondiale et s'assurer en tous cas de l'appui de l'Etat le plus puissant aujourd'hui, les Etats-Unis."
"L'horreur absolue commise par les nazis ne doit pas permettre un l'Etat d'Israël actuellement le plus puissant de la région de violer impunément toutes les règles internationales."
L'intégralité est dans le fichier audio.
Cette interview est parue dans le journal de 12:30 sur TSR1 le 5 janvier 2009.
In response to "Constantly Shocked"
Crocodilus Pontifex 09.Jan.2009 01:18
"Perhaps these people need to be reminded that the Israel military was formed from groups, who prior to statehood, were also considered to be terrorist groups."
This is a lie. Apparently, your "being constantly shocked" has made you pliable to Hamas propaganda.
There are over 13 Million Palestinians. The vast majority, well over 11 million, live in the West Bank and support the Fatah/PLO. Hamas was "democratically elected" in Gaza after they staged an armed revolt, kidnapped, tortured and murdered members and supporters of Fatah.
You Indymedia readers hate the republicans AND the democrats, right? You guys also like Cuba, right? Okay, let me put this in terms you would understand.
The republicans, pissed off that Obama won, raised their own army, took over their entire South, kidnapped, tortured and murdered members and supporters of the democratic party, and then launched missiles at Cuba.
Now do you understand the situation in Gaza?
Re Response
Constantly Shocked 09.Jan.2009 22:06
Actually sir I have never read any Hamas propaganda. I am a professional historian who has read many accounts on both sides of the argument before drawing conclusions. I suggest you do the same.
n fact both the Irgun and Stern Gang were considered terrorist groups before nationhood. They were involved in action against the British at various times. They also considered atrocities against Palestinian citizens. They also had a significant influence after nationhood, both in the military and politics. Members of the Likud party trace origins back to these groups.
Your US analogy was completely wrong and showed a genuine ignorance of the situation. You need to read historians that represent different perspectives. Perhaps you could even read the work of Jimmy Carter ( a Democrat I beieve) to become more informed.
I maintain the argument that the bloodshed will only end for everyone when the world understand the whole story and stops laying the total blame on a nation of people who were wronged from the start. Yes, they too have done wrong, but they have had their nation stolen.
A more approriate analogy. The Kurds are given a homeland in Texas by the UN. The other US states respond by attacking but the Kurds show great tenacity and repel the attack. Later, using some clever politics they attack the rest of the US and claim that land. Under constant UN resolution they embark on a peace process that involves giving back limted control of a couple of desert areas while keeping all the best land wih the greates resources. I wonder what the western response would be?
All I have to say...
justsayno@hotmail.com 10.Jan.2009 08:02
"F" "F" PaleSWINE.
eyewitness accounts direct from Gaza
reposter 15.Jan.2009 00:45
Read eyewitness accounts direct from Gaza, see photos, by a human rights activist out there, working with ISM and the Red Crescent, currently in hospital & ambulances:
http://talestotell.wordpress.com
Pass word on about this blog.