As Israel’s genocidal aggression increases in Gaza, the lie of who broke the cease-fire is spun over and over across the world. Of course, the lie is manufactured in Tel Aviv, but the silence of the Arab bourgeoisie, especially Egypt, has the same credibility as the confessions of a liar.
On November 4 2008 Israel launched an incursion into Gaza and broke the cease-fire, killing six Palestinian anti-occupation fighters. The aim of this attack was not to stop rockets being fired into Israel as it now claims (and what Egypt’s government endorse with its silence); rockets were silent for some time then. As for Israel, it planned this war for months (you can see it here www.haaretz.com) , having collected intelligence of Hamas’s movements and constructing a replica of Gaza city in the Negev Desert where it prepared its slaughter machine for what is now all but an indiscriminate act of collective terror against the Gazan people. It must, however, be asked: what kind of cease-fire is this that rubbishes the key requirement of the cease-fire in the Gaza Strip (the opening of border crossings)? Locking the one and a half million people into an area like Gaza, blocking steady flow of supplies from land, sea and air IS an act of war and is nominally a flouting of the cease-fire. So, before the lie proper was spun with not-clever words, Israel already paralysed life in Gaza.
It is a lie that Hamas broke the already broken cease-fire. And those who get their political education from the news rooms of the BBC and Fox News happily spread this lie, adding new twists to its illogical functioning. When Israel broke the cease-fire on November 4, it was assisted in its genocidal actions by Egypt, who, cynically, tightened the border crossings even further. Egypt’s claims that it cannot reopen the Rafah crossings without observers from the EU and the Palestinian Authority is nonsense. Was Egypt a signatory to this agreement? No. Is this agreement still in force? No. It collapsed a year after it was reached and was never renewed. Egypt’s complicity in the genocide in Gaza is linked to its bitter hatred for Hamas who is politically close to Mubarak’s largest opposition party in Egypt. It makes sense then to keep the Rafah crossing sealed and to isolate Hamas.
Egypt’s collaboration in the Rafah border strangulation is therefore in keeping with its lack of countering Israel’s lie that Hamas broke the cease-fire. It knew about the impending Israeli attack on Gaza, for why else did it pull its security from the Rafah crossing before the attack, sealed the border two days before the first air strikes from Israel and refused all aid into Gaza? There are people who piously wish not to say who did what, when and why in this attrocious war on Gaza. I have no track with this nonsense. The role of the Arab bourgeoisie in the war on Gaza will be dealt with by the people in the different countries, but foremost of these must be the government of Hosni Mubarak.
Condoleezza Rice was correct when she said her morality is the same as Tzipi Livni’s (this followed the press conference on January 16 2009 and the so-called “memorandum of understanding” that aims to prevent Hamas from rearming). It is the same bourgeois morality that breeds the lie factory in Israel’s propaganda machinery. Let no one be fooled by this apparent abstract appeal to norms. It is a necessary tool in aide of class deception, the same deception Israel employs in this lie that Hamas broke the cease-fire agreement and became the pretext for this war.
Israel, in its shameful acts of genocide on the people of Gaza, has falsified the origins of the breaking of the cease-fire in order to falsify the basis of its extermination campaign in Gaza. The Israeli working class and its allies across the region will learn, in time to come, that they have to join hands and do away with this shameful, blood-thirsty government and its Company of Silent accomplices, putting in their place a federation of governments in the Middle East that will reorganise society on the basis of human need. There is no middle road, lies or not.
for goodness sake! For the past 6 years there have been daily rocket attacks from Gaza on Israeli cities. There has NEVER been a let up – even under the so-called cease fire Hamas fired over 500 rockets at Israeli cities.
Are you surprised that after 6 years of rocket fire, of over 6000 rockets, and Iran beginning to supply more sophisticated rockets, that Israel was FINALLY planning to do something about it???
“Palestinian anti-occupation fighters”??? What occupation? Israel withdrew every last soldier and Israeli from every last inch of Gaza.
Your prejudice is showing!
For gods sake Duncan, did you forget about the OCCUPATION? Daily people have been dying in Gaza as a direct consequence of the OCCUPATION and for gods sake home-made rockets are 99.9% inaccurate compared to hundreds of tons of phosphorous and depleted uranium bombs dropped from F16 and Apache Helicopters.
For gods sake, this is not a equal contest.
There was indeed a great reduction of the number of rockets fired from Gaza during the ceasefire. Israel broke the ceasefire because the Israeli leaders think it will be easier to be re-elected if they can foster a war psychosis as happened here in the days of Magnus Malan et al.
The only solution to this problem is:
The radical islamist must accept Israel as a fact,and as an independent state which cannot be pushed into the sea. Why you journalist don’t push this fact at each and every report about the Israel and Palastine problem?
Israel would be forced by the western countries not to make any claims on other teritories, once the Arabs drop the annihilation charge against Israel. The Arabs just create those charges to get off from internal oppositions and infightings.
Most problems are based on one or two simple facts.
Good journalist should stick to simply plain and truthfull facts.
Steve,
You, the side you obviously support (Hamas) and Israel need to learn tolerance and flexibility otherwise people will keep dieing. You certainly show no sign of this, sad.
Poking sticks into the Israeli beehive is always going to be a high risk business but if Hamas continue to deny Israel’s right to even exist you are never going to get negotiation even started.
I find it so interesting to see how quick the Blades come out against Israel who has endured endless suicide bombers and rockets raining down daily on them. I suppose you think that they should just sit back and suck it all up. What a propaganda mission this has been buy the Muslim world it is a familiar tune that the civilised world is starting to get used to and has seen through. Other faiths are sick and tired of being bullied by Islam we are insulted and ostracised as well as killed in Muslim countries do you see us burning down mosques or embassies do you see us calling for the execution of Muslims? The answer my friend is NO
So spare us the bull there are two sides at fault here these two sides need to find common ground without religious fanatics and crazy suicidal leaders ranting and raving. It will not be war it will be politics and straight talk that will eventually prevail in the middle east
Steven
Jihad(struggle) as war is only allowed in the concept of a defensive war, not involving civilians especially women and children, and not killing of the innocent.
The new-Jihadists ignore all the rules of the Quaraan and are on an offensive war against the west and Isreal.
How ever much they try to spin it, and however much propaganda they post, they are the offendors. They HAVE to pretend the west/Israel are the offendors, not them, and the west/Israel are killing women and children, not that they are using them as human shields, because otherwise they contravene the Quraan.
@Lamini & Duncan: after some 60 years of tit for tat between the two, this debate has become stale and boring. The two will never become friends and any brokered peace will be fragile and not long lasting.
What would you do with two forever fighting children? You know the type of: “he began” “no, she did this first”…..blah blah. As a parent you separate them: “you go to your room…and you go to your room” “you both can come back when you have calmed down”.
As Israel was the last addition to the region (1948) following a US and UK proposal, it would be a great idea to move Israel to the US or UK.
The US being the larger area, with some vast tracks of open land in desert areas, Israelis could easily be accommodated.
Put Israel in the middle of the Nevada dessert, they can convert that into productive land, no more shelling from Palestine, no more money necessary to spend on weaponry and army training, and close to Uncle Sam for whatever support they need. The Israelis could concentrate on developing their nation which would become an internal US affair.
The Palestinians can get on with their lives and do what they do best, whatever that is. For the time being, they will have to spend the next thirty years to clean up and rebuild their infrastructure.
What would you do with the two children when they go on fighting? You ignore them or give both of them a smack each time they fight, without listening to their reasoning for fighting.
The suffering between the Israelis and Palestinians is self inflicted and has lost my interest. As long as they are neighbours, they will fight. Both keep trying to get the attention of the international community. The rest of the world should ignore them. I will!
Richard,
Duncan’s point is a valid one: there was NO occupation of Gaza before the current unhappiness. Israel had withdrawn from that territory. So, to describe the 6 Hamas terrorists killed as “anti occupation fighters” is a complete misnomer.
Second, regardless of the quality and accuracy of the rockets fired by Hamas, they are fired with the intention of killing civilians and they DO kill civilians. Or are you going to try to justify that?
Finally, as I see my earlier posts to Steven have been blocked by the moderators, let me again make the point to describe Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide and an extermination campaign is bovine manure of the highest order. For a sense of proportion, I suggest that regard be had to what happened to the Armenians in 1915, the Jews between 1941 and 1945, and the Tutsis in 1994.
One could validly describe Israel’s actions as disproportionate and perhaps even, in a few cases, as war crimes, but to describe them as genocide is laughable in the extreme.
Furthermore, the fact that the likes of Steven and Richard appear to be willing to justify the Hamas rocket attacks, exposes them as screaming hypocrites.
Benzol:”after some 60 years of tit for tat between the two, this debate has become stale and boring. The two will never become friends and any brokered peace will be fragile and not long lasting.”
Not true. Israel has made lasting peace with former enemies Egypt, and Jordan, as well as Turkey, Morocco etc. It is the Palestinians who continually respond to any Israeli concession or withdrawal with violence. There simply cannot be peace as long as one side is dedicated to the outright destruction of the other.
Richard:”did you forget about the OCCUPATION?”
Israel withdrew from Gaza years ago – why are Hamas still firing missiles?
Steven: “There was indeed a great reduction of the number of rockets fired from Gaza during the ceasefire”
Reduction is relative. There were over 500 missiles fired at Israel in the ‘ceasefire’. In a ceasefire there is supposed to be NO fireing – not ‘only’ 500 missiles!
I hope my government wouldn’t sit by for 6 years and take over 6000 missiles fired at us before responding!
The reality is that if the Palestinians didn’t constantly target Israeli civillians, and Israel still attacked them, then there would be cause to condemn Israel. But, as long as they are dedicated to killing every Israeli we have to allow Israel the same right to live in safety as every one else.
If the Arab nations laid down their arms war in the middle east would cease to exist. If Israel laid down its arms Israel would cease to exist.
Benzol I agree this has become quite a boring tired affair.
What is particularly tiresome is the fact that these so called “thought leaders” are not leading any new thoughts.
I know everyone is entitiled to their opinion(I’m enjoying mine) I just feel the need to say that If you have a platform to express yourself about a Issue/Topic pertaining to a conflict/war, which seems not to have a end. Why feull the Matter. Why not try and bring a working solution to fore. One which benefits both parties, instead of picking sides.
Richard on January 18th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
And that’s why no intelligent person (or nation) should pick on the bully. They’ll get their sorry butts kicked into oblivion.
If these Arabs are so stupid as to pick on Isreal (over the past 60-odd years), then they deserve what they get.
Quibbling over who hit who first?
Who cares?
The reality is that the firing of ‘Quassam’ rockets, small unguided devices with no significant military effectiveness, is an act of galactic stupidity.
In 8 years 8,850 devices have been fired (Bicom stats) and have managed to kill a mere 16 persons inside Israel.
Whilst the deaths are regrettable, and the grief and anger of the families of those killed understandable, the actions of HAMAS cannot be posed as a credible ‘military deterrent’ or ‘defense of Palestinian territory’ or other claim to be a reasonable or rational response.
What then is the purpose of these rocket and mortar firings other than to serve as political symbolism for HAMAS?
What price in human misery is HAMAS prepared to ‘pay’ (with other peoples lives, of course) to secure their perceived symbolic and righteous ‘victory’?
In 19 days:-
Palestinians dead: 1,017, of whom 322 are children and 76 women.
Wounded: more than 4,600, of whom 1,600 are children and 678 women.
In Israel, the death toll stands at 3 civilians and 10 soldiers, according to an Israeli army spokesman. (Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan 2009)
Whether one chooses to pontificate about the legal status of Israel or its ‘right to exist’ or not, these rockets do occasionally kill or injure people, and constitutes an unsustainable situation.
How is Israel supposed to respond in the mean time, even if, as many contend, they should be doing the right thing and negotiating to hand over Israel to HAMAS/Hezbollah/PA to fight it out amongst themselves for renaming and subjecting the place to ‘Palestinian’ rule?
Just leave it?
That is a politically untenable response, and no nation state can adopt such a response whether they are engaged in negotiations or not.
The militant radicals within HAMAS know this.
They are prepared to continue politically motivated provocation indefinitely, knowing full well that it serves little more than providing a ‘pretext’ or ‘justification’ (depending on which side of the conflict you stand) for extreme retaliation, hoping that it will lead to a literally explosive meltdown which will eventually pan out with something ‘in it’ for them.
They pretend that their stupid, selfish and irresponsible acts, which have no military effectiveness, and which will eventually provoke a certain and terrible retaliation represent the sentiment and will of ordinary Palestinian citizens living in Gaza, who probably don’t care who rules the place so long as they can live their lives in peace and safety.
Well said Benzol…..this has become so tedious with opposing sides arguing the same points ad nauseum, and no sign of progress or fresh thinking. There is right and wrong on both sides but you are probably right that whilst they remain neignbours they will always be at each other throats.
Brace yourself for some comment on the question of Israels establishment in 1948 because many Israelis will probably disagree. You might want to read the Wiki entry “History of the Southern Levant”
Richard
Who wants an equal contest? This is not a video game or a sport. The more unequal the better – then the war is over fast with the least loss of live – 2 thousand, not 2 million.
And it depends what you mean by unequal. A sliver of land for the Jews, 1% of the former Empire of the Ottomans, and 99% to the Arabs – who refuse the right of the minority to exist at all?
As for Hamas being “democratically elected”. I have heard two versions. I heard that Fatah won the Palestinian elections, and Hamas then broke away Gaza from the whole, and staged a coup. Is that democracy anyhow?
What does Hamas stand for? Well actually – Hide Amongst Mosques and Schools.
Steven mooi man!
Hello, Lyndall, David and enrico
Maybe you anti-Hamas bloggers should check out ‘Jews for Justice for Palestinains’
http://www.jfjfp.org/about.htm
@ Steven et al…have a look at what David Saks has to say in his latest Thought Leader aricle…
http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/davidsaks/2009/01/18/middle-east-fall-out-poisoning-our-society/
I wonder whether any of you identify with some of the outrageous and disgusting statements made during the Lenasia rally
You’re going too far Lamini.
Naturally, the Israelis are more switched on as the protection of their own is at the heart of their military actions.
I suppose if a couple of SA white farmers would band together to hunt down and eliminate the (exclusively black) farm murderers, the likes of you would also cry foul.
Have a good day you hypocrite.
Steven, do you accept a two state solution to this problem? Do you accept a viable Palestinian state next to a secure Israel? Finally do you accept the right of Israel to exist as a Jewish state? I suspect you don’t!
Oh and by the way Steven, as you try and paint a picture of Israel’s responsibility for breaking the cease fire and imposing a blockade, you fail to mention Hamas’ role in kidnapping/abducting (although you would have used the term ‘capturing’) Gilad Shalit from inside Israel.
This act was one which lead to the siege of Gaza.
Anyone thought about Isreal’s timing here? George W Bush will be gone soon and Obama may not turn a blind eye as easily.
Hamas’s position is neatly summed up by supporter Steve Hayes: “there was indeed a great reduction of the number of rockets fired from Gaza during the ceasefire.” In most of the world ceae fire means nil fighting but to Hamas it means something else!!!!
Brent
just because Hamas brought a knife to a gun-fight doesn’t mean they weren’t up for the battle. This war and many more like it are the only outcome given Israel and Hamas’ stance towards each other.
“On November 4 2008 Israel launched an incursion into Gaza and broke the cease-fire”
We’re waiting for your expanation. Steve. Tell us how you dont see the rocket attackes and suicide bombers as a cease-fire breaker. Add some credibility.
Steve Lamini – You do not belong under the thought Leaders of the M&G, fullstop.
“Israel, in its shameful acts of genocide on the people of Gaza” lamini, you do realise that your “anti-occupation fighters” (i.e. hamas terrorists) have claimed victory over this last gaza incursion. Does this mean that hamas considers it a victory when there is a palestinian genocide.
I don’t think anyone who read your article can actually take you seriously. Your deductions were similar to those who have already been brainwashed by hamas and to one who is close to strapping on a high impact explosive devise to go kill and maim only innocent men, women and children, in the sevice of G-d.
During the same period as this gaza incursion, more muslims died at the hands of other muslims than died due to the Israeli army, in their justified right to defend themselves against terrorist structures that have launched thousands or rockets into their territory.
Would you also say there are genocides being carried out by those arab countries or is it fine if muslims kill muslims.
In the few days that islamic terrorists went around murdering, again only, innocent men, women and children in India, only a month before the gaza incursion, the islamic terrorists killed more people (only civilians obviously)per day than there were deaths in gaza per day. Was this a genocide carried out by islam against india. Or is it fine if muslims kill non-muslims.
islamic terrorists blow up a school filled with children in beslin russia, I’m sure you don’t consider this a genocide though. Those russian kids obviously deserved it, in your eyes. Just like the innocent civilians blown up by islamic terrorists in london, spain, thailand, bali, indonesia, cape town (SA) etc. Is this a genocide or is it acceptable for muslims to kill.
In the iran-iraq war, children were used to clear mine fields. We never hear of these children. But when hamas uses its civilians and children as human shields and are subsequently killed. The world cries genocide.
I don’t know if you’ve begun to realise, but the world is starting to wake up to lies of arab propaganda. How many times have we seen the same palestinian being buried twice or the cameras keep rolling and we see a palestinian who was buried getting up out of his grave. In jenin the palestinians cried massacre – 500 dead. When objective observers came in, they counted 55 terrorists were killed. Even the palestinian leaders admitted that they “somehow” miscounted. The lies and deception coming from the palestinians are losing effect. Thank goodness the arabs still have people like lamini, who are stupid enough to still believe their lies.
LaminiKnowsNothing
Maybe you should be blogging on ‘Rabbis for Human Rights in North America’ they currently have a discussion on ‘Gaza: All Gods children’ at
http://www.rhr-na.org/story/gaza-all-gods-children
Andrew Taynton thank you for providing links to try back up your argument. But that is precisley the point. Jews have compassion for children killed in war, and pray for peace three times a day. Whereas there is a complete uncompassionate, uncompromising force on the other side, who usually dance and hand out sweets when Jewish children are murdered by same.
There is genocide occurring across the border in Zimbabwe….far more dead there than Gaza in same period of time
Cholera has spread to South Africa.
But by all means grab the moral high ground and give an intentionaly biased & offensive view of event in some one else’s over complicated conflict.
Hypocrisy & dilettantism at it’s best!