Tuesday, March 04, 2014
Israel’s Big Mistake
The most striking evidence of this fateful shift in mood and perception would present itself in the early 1990s, when, under the premiership of Yitzhak Rabin, Israel started negotiating with its arch-enemy. Whereas real peace would have to be based on acceptance of the legitimacy of a Jewish state in the Middle East, the Palestinian national movement, represented by the PLO, was based on the opposite doctrine. Had Israel retained its hope for real peace, it should have been steadfast in its refusal of any dialogue with this organization, and waited for it to dissolve (as almost happened). Instead, entering into the most ambitious and futile of peace processes, it picked the PLO as its partner, thereby compromising on the issue of its own legitimacy and helping to create a new political entity based explicitly on anti-Zionism. In exchange for tepid and partial recognition, a small Jewish state in the midst of a huge Arab region agreed to shrink itself still further.Khaled Abu Toameh: Fatah Infighting Jeopardizes Kerry's Peace Process
This was the new meaning of “peace,” and, just as one might expect, it led to nothing but violence. The passing of Gaza and most of the West Bank’s populated areas into the hands of Arafat and his murderous kleptocracy did nothing to resolve the problem of the 1948 Arab refugees (on which more below), to prepare the local Arab population for genuine peace, or to mitigate the larger Arab/Muslim refusal to accept a Jewish state. If anything, it achieved the contrary aim; in advancing that aim, the PLO initiated a sustained campaign of terror whose toll in blood would number in the thousands of Israeli civilians.
In recent weeks, Abbas has taken a number of measures that reflect his increased fear of Mohamed Dahlan's moves to discredit him and remove him from power. These measures include confiscating large sums of money transferred from the United Arab Emirates to Dahlan loyalists in Gaza.Surprise: Obama Kills the Peace Process
Once the claim was that Abbas does not represent the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, who are under the control of Hamas. Today it is not incorrect to argue that Abbas does not even represent his own party.
But in contrast to the Israelis, there is no Palestinian peace camp or faction within either Abbas’ Fatah or his Hamas rivals that will push for peace even if it doesn’t grant their maximal demands. The only possible source of pressure on Abbas to do make peace must come from the U.S., Europe and the Arab States. But if President Obama is not willing to hold Abbas accountable for his behavior, then no one will. In the absence of an American determination to hold Abbas’ feet to the fire in spite of the enormous Palestinian constituency that will always oppose even the most generous Israeli offer, the already slim prospects for peace are altogether extinguished.
By attacking Netanyahu and lauding Abbas, the president has accomplished something that no Israeli right-winger could possibly accomplish: kill the peace process. Without American insisting that Abbas change his ways, there is no possible way for him to withstand the far greater pressure he gets from the descendants of the 1948 refugees — who still dream of flooding Israel and turning it into another Arab state — or his Islamist rivals.
Though the president warned Netanyahu that he wouldn’t be able to protect Israel if peace talks falter, his interview with Goldberg guaranteed that this is exactly what will happen. From here on in, everything else he says about the topic is moot. (h/t Norman F)
Where have you gone, Daniel Patrick Moynihan
This is nonsense. The U.S. has the ability to hold off the international mob more so now than in 1975, if it has the willingness. By making such statements, Obama — as John Kerry before him — calls into question U.S. willingness and thereby encourages the Palestinians not to miss another opportunity to miss an opportunity for peace.Abbas insists on settlement freeze before more talks
Compare the statements of Obama and Kerry with that of Daniel Patrick Moynihan after the “Zionism is Racism” resolution:
The United States rises to declare before the General Assembly of the United Nations, and before the world, that it does not acknowledge, it will not abide by, it will never acquiesce in this infamous act….
The Palestinians will agree to extend the time frame for negotiations with Israel only if Israel freezes construction in the settlements and frees additional Palestinian prisoners, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas reportedly said on Monday.Nonexistent Palestinians Rally In Favor Of Concessions For Peace (satire)
A gathering of all the Palestinians in favor of a compromise peace settlement with Israel took place in Ramallah today. Police put the attendance at zero.Sen. Chuck Schumer: Those Who Warn Israel of Boycotts ‘Have it All Wrong’
Flyers announcing the event did not go up several weeks in advance, and a Facebook page promoting the rally went up in the imagination of several Israeli left-wingers. Police had ample time to cordon off the necessary area of Ramallah’s main square, and traffic through the square was unimpeded during the event.
Several nonexistent Palestinian leaders who favor compromising on their demands in exchange for a comprehensive peace deal and a negotiated end to Israeli control of the territory they seek for a state addressed the crowd, which would have held aloft various placards and banners if there were such people. Their chants in favor of conciliation would have carried through the air, if such people existed and were actually permitted to voice such a sentiment. (h/t Mightier than the Pen)
Without mentioning Secretary of State John Kerry by name, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) apparently took a shot at comments on boycotts of Israel that Kerry made last month in Germany.Senator Schumer at AIPAC Calls on PA to Truly Negotiate if it Wants Peace
Those with “even with the best of intentions” who warn Israel that it will face increased boycotts if it does not reach a peace agreement with the Palestinians “have it all wrong,” Schumer said at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee conference.
“Those quote unquote friends [of Israel] should be condemning the boycotts in any possible way, weakening them,” Schumer said.
“I say to the Palestinian leadership, negotiations are the only way you will realize your own state,” Schumer told a packed auditorium in Washington, D.C. “Just as war and terrorism will not give you a state, the United Nations cannot give you a state. Boycotting Israel cannot give you a state. Getting companies to divest from Israel cannot give you a state,” Schumer said to great applause.Kerry: US won’t let Iran obtain nuclear weapon, period
“You, the Palestinian leadership, need to sit down with the Prime Minister of Israel who has said he will meet with you anywhere, any time and engage seriously in the give and take of negotiations,” Schumer said.
The United States will “not permit Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon,” US Secretary of State John Kerry reiterated during his keynote address to AIPAC’s 2014 policy conference. Kerry’s statement, however, highlighted the distance between Israel and the United States’ positions on a final deal, as he failed to specify whether and how it would restrict Iran’s nuclear program.U.S. Reps Cantor, Hoyer United Against Iran Acquiring Nuclear Weapon
Hoyer said, “As leaders of Congress, we’re committed to Israel’s safety and security, that’s why Eric and I have authored a letter to the president that underscores our common commitment to ensure that Iran does not develop, build or acquire a nuclear weapon,” and the crowed roared.Standing With Israel - Outside AIPAC
“Iran’s leaders must understand that they cannot use negotiations simply as a means to buy time while the centrifuges spin,” Hoyer said. “And they must know all options remain on the table to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.”
The anti-Israel presence was notably small and consisted of voices from the political fringes - mostly the hard-left and members of the radical anti-Zionist Neturei Karta sect, which recently declared its support for Hungary's fascist Jobbik party.IAF strikes terror cell attempting to fire rockets from the Gaza Strip
Most AIPAC supporters simply ignored them, but a few pro-Israel activists chose to face them down with signs and chants of their own.
One such activist was Helen Freedman, Executive Director of Americans For a Safe Israel (AFSI) - an advocacy group which has been vocal in its support for Israel's claim to Judea and Samaria.
The military said the air strike targeted a terrorist cell that was in the final stage of preparations before firing a rocket.Fourteen Terrorist Suspects Arrested Overnight
According to Palestinian sources, one person was killed and two others were wounded in the attack, which was carried out in the Beit Hanoun area of northern Gaza. Palestinian media later identified the man killed as Masab Musa Aza’anin, a Palestinian Islamic Jihad member.
The Judea and Samaria (Shomron) District Police, along with IDF and the Border Patrol, arrested 14 Arabs overnight (Monday/Tuesday) on suspicions of stone-throwing, illegal weapons hoarding, drug-dealing, and carjacking.In America, rock-throwers get shot
Police investigation into recent carjackings in the Shomron led the forces to arrest at least one suspect in the Arab settlement of Hawara. Another man was arrested along Route 443 in the Binyamin region after being found driving a stolen vehicle.
The Obama Administration’s new Homeland Security Secretary announced Friday that the department plans to “review the department’s use of force policies.” Media reports indicate that there are ongoing discussions “about when border agents can use their guns.” Apparently, this review has been sparked by a border agent shooting a 41-year old man who struck the agent in the head with a rock near San Diego. (Go figure, a 41-year old rock thrower got shot.)Israeli Electric Company Warns PA: Pay Up or be Cut Off the Grid
Wrongly, civil rights groups have criticized border the border patrol (who are overseen by Homeland Security) for allowing border agents to use deadly force against people who throw rocks at them. According to a report, agents were attacked with rocks 339 times in the 2011 budget year. Rock-throwing incidents were the most common assault reported. Agents responded with gunfire 33 times and with less-than-lethal force, including the use of pepper spray and batons, 118 times.
The Israel Electric Company on Sunday issued a final warning to the Palestinian Authority (PA) – pay up or get cut off. The IEC gave the PA three days to come up with NIS 1.4 billion (nearly half a billion dollars) the Authority owes it. If it does not get the money, the company will cut power to the PA.Abbas representative eulogizes murderer of 2 children and 3 adults
The PA is in this jam because it has habitually failed to pay its electric bill, despite the fact that it received money specifically for this purpose from various international donors
World knows about PA salaries for prisoners - Head of PA-funded Prisoners' Club
Egypt tightens grip on mosques to curb Islamist dissent
Egypt's military-installed authorities are tightening their grip on mosques by laying down the theme for the weekly Friday sermons, in the latest move to curb Islamist dissent.Iran advancing its nuclear program despite pact with West
The controversial measure comes as Egypt remains deeply polarised after a government crackdown on supporters of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, who was deposed by the army last July.
Morsi's supporters have since capitalised on the weekly prayers to garner backing for their protests calling for his reinstatement.
The authorities accuse Islamist groups, particularly the Muslim Brotherhood to which Morsi belongs, of using mosques to spread their ideology and enrol new recruits across Egypt.
Iran is moving ahead with a nuclear program that U.S. officials said would be frozen, and it is now clear the USA and other world powers are willing to accept an Iranian enrichment program that Iran refuses to abandon, say analysts.Iran Executes Two for ‘Perversion’
Iran has continued research and development on new, far more efficient machines for producing uranium fuel that could power reactors or bombs, and its stockpile of low enriched uranium has actually grown, according to a report by Institute for Science and International Security.
The Iranian regime has also trumpeted recent tests of new ballistic missiles that could be used to deliver a future warhead while its pariah economy has begun a modest recovery.
Iran executed two gay men on Sunday for the crime of “perversion” and has sentenced a third individual to death for “insulting the prophet,” according to human rights activists tracking the situation.Don’t Be Fooled. Hezbollah Is Bigger and Badder Than Ever
The head of Iran’s judiciary department in the northern city of Rasht announced on Sunday that two homosexual men had been executed for “perversion,” which is considered a severe crime under Iran’s hardline Islamic law.
The executions come less than two months after Iranian authorities publicly hanged 40 individuals in a two-week period. Iran is executing at least two people a day, according to activists.
Hezbollah is probably the world’s largest, most sophisticated, wealthiest and most militarily capable terror organization. Created, trained, funded and deployed as a proxy of the Iranian government, with operations spanning Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas, the Shi’ite group has effectively taken over the Lebanese government, launched thousands of rockets at Israeli civilians, and murdered more Americans than anyone other than al-Qaeda—all of these making it into perhaps the most fearsome weapon in the jihadist anti-Western arsenal.Lebanon's New Government Threatening Israel?
For months now, however, Hezbollah has been mired deep in the Syrian civil war. Thousands of its fighters have streamed eastward to join the struggle to save the regime of another Iranian proxy, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Many of its best soldiers have been killed in battle. Fighting is now spilling back over into Lebanon, with car bombs going off in southern Beirut and other Hezbollah strongholds. And its decades-long claim, aimed at justifying its existence in southern Lebanon, that it existed solely to protect the Lebanese from Israeli aggression, is becoming increasingly impossible to defend. On the contrary, it looks increasingly transparent as the Iranian marionette that it is, sharing responsibility for the humanitarian disaster in Syria.
One should not be surprised, then, to hear commentators asserting that Hezbollah has been severely weakened by the events of the last year. But has it?
Many analysts believe Hezbollah will use these government platforms to spark tensions with Israel, with which Lebanon is formally in a state of war. Hezbollah could force the issue of drilling in contested waters near Leviathan, Dalit, and Karish – the vast fields of natural gas and oil discovered in the deep waters off Israel and Cyprus during the last five years.Israeli embassies on alert after Hezbollah threat
The basin is situated outside of Israeli territorial waters but still inside Israel's Exclusive Economic Zone, and is estimated by the U.S. Department of Interior to contain approximately 122 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and 1.6 billion barrels of oil, enough gas to meet Israel's requirements for the next 150 years.
Both Hezbollah and Lebanon's caretaker Energy Minister, Gebran Bassil, have called for the approval of laws to demarcate the country's boundaries to facilitate drilling in those areas. If that scenario occurs, Israel would likely be compelled to protect its vital national interests by responding to Lebanon's claim of sovereignty either legally, militarily or both.
It is also possible that Hezbollah might try to disrupt Israel's off-shore enterprise by targeting rigs and Israeli naval patrols. Hezbollah currently possesses Chinese C-802 anti-ship missiles and possibly Russian Yakhont missiles, all capable of hitting targets up to 180 miles from shore. During the Second Lebanon War in 2006, Hezbollah fired a missile at the INS Hanit corvette, killing four sailors and causing extensive damage.
Israeli embassies worldwide increased their security alert over the weekend out of fear of a possible Hezbollah retaliation for last week’s suspected Israeli airstrike in Lebanon, Yedioth Ahronoth reported Sunday.Saudi Schools Ban Females Who Don't Wear a Face Veil
There was no independent confirmation of the report.
Education departments in a number of regions in Saudi Arabia have banned female employees and visitors who do not wear a face veil from entering girls' schools, the Saudi Gazette reported on Monday.Militant ambush kills 12 of polio workers escort in Pakistan
The report cited a pamphlet sent by education departments to school principals, in which male and female school guards are instructed to abide by Islamic rules, regulations and directives and moral principles.
Militants killed 12 members of the security escort for a polio vaccination team in northwest Pakistan on Saturday, detonating a roadside bomb before opening fire on their convoy, according to officials.
The attack lasted an hour and when rescuers approached the scene the gunmen also attacked them, according to Khan Faraz, an official in the Jamrud area of Khyber, a rugged tribal region bordering Afghanistan.
