Monday, June 02, 2014
Douglas Murray: They always come for the Jews
Firstly, there will be those who will claim that Mehdi Nammouche is a one-off. He is not. It is worth recalling, among other things, the case of French Muslim Mohamed Merah who two years ago went on a killing spree in Toulouse which targeted French soldiers and a Jewish school.The Brussels Shooting and Why Europe Won’t Confront Islamic Jew-Hatred
Doubtless there will also be those who will now say that if the West had intervened in Syria we would have been able to avoid the ‘radicalisation’ of people like Nemmouche. This is the purest ignorance. It is always worth remembering that a certain type of young Muslim claims that they were radicalised when the West intervenes somewhere and also when the West does not intervene somewhere. For instance some people may recall the case of the distinguished London School of Economics graduate Omar Sheikh, a British citizen who claimed to have been radicalised by the war in the Balkans among other things. Omar Sheikh was apparently not satisfied by the NATO intervention which stopped the massacre of Kosovar Muslims. Nor by the intervention to protect the holy sites of Islam from the armies of Saddam Hussein. In 2002 Omar Sheikh kidnapped and then cut the head off the Jewish American journalist Daniel Pearl.
Anyone who still doubts that the anti-Jewish aspect is a central driver for Islamic extremists might also recall the fact that the 2008 Mumbai terrorists, as well as targeting high-visibility targets like the Taj Hotel in Mumbai could not help themselves from entering the only tiny Jewish religious house in Mumbai, where they tortured and murdered a rabbi and his wife among others.
Then there is the Israel factor. As much as critics of Israel like to stress that it’s Zionists and not Jews they take issue with, whenever Jews are attacked, liberals and liberal Europeans inevitably make the Israel connection and in so doing invalidate their own pretense that they view the two as being entirely separate. When Jewish children were mowed down by bullets as they made their way to school in Toulouse and the EU’s Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton was obliged to concoct some words of sympathy, she stunned observers by using this event to note how, “we see what is happening in Gaza.” It seems that for people like Ashton, it is impossible to acknowledge Jewish victimhood without also footnoting Palestinian suffering, as if in some attempt to explain away whatever has just been done to the Jews in question.Pallywood Productions Present Beitunia
European liberals delight in expressing horror and gleeful outrage at the sight of American Evangelical Christianity. They warn against reactionary Christian attitudes on any social issue that arises in their own country and they are always sure to castigate the Catholic Church whenever the opportunity presents itself (Pope Benedict’s visit to London was marred by large and angry protests). But if Europeans were really concerned about ultra-conservative religious extremism then they would act to prevent the proliferation of radical Islam in Europe. Similarly, if they were serious about ending racism then they would crack down on the only form of racism in Europe today that still kills people: Islamic Jew-hatred.
This 6 min video, however, has a nice deconstruction and presents just some of the problems with the video. Do watch toward the end where they show the various practices and run throughs that the actors and directors in this work of fiction had to go through before coming up with something to show the world.Analysis of 2 palestinian kids shot
Terrorists and Europe's "Newspeak"
The ease with which Nemmouche was able to carry out his assault has frightened many all over Europe. How is it possible that this man, who was known to be a terrorism risk, could acquire an automatic rifle and take the weapon into the Jewish Museum? Why had he not been followed? Obviously such a practice is not feasible for all criminals, but for known jihadists? Had his phone and internet chats been tapped? It would be also be helpful, albeit unfortunately, if owners of buildings seemingly at risk invested in security guards and metal detectors for their entrances.Israel's Perceived Weakness Fuels the Terror Machine
There are also political questions. Why had Nemmouche even been allowed to return to France after his stay in Syria? Britain strips immigrants holding dual nationality, who go to Syria to fight, of their British nationality. This act allows the British authorities to ban them from re-entering the country or have them expelled after their return them when the authorities have proof that they went to Syria to fight. "Citizenship is a privilege, not a right, and the home secretary will remove British citizenship from individuals where she feels it is conductive to the public good to do so," the British authorities stated last December.
Why have the French not done the same?
When Netanyahu’s government frees blood-stained Arab Israeli-murdering terrorists, and the Arab terrorist murderers are feted by Abbas and the entire world, what does a would-be European or Iranian terrorist think? He says to himself: If Arab terrorists who murdered Jews in Israel get released and feted like kings, how bad will it be if I kill Jews in Brussels or France where they really hate Jews? If Israel doesn’t execute Arabs who murdered Jews in Israel proper, then I have nothing to worry about if I murder Jews in Toulouse!Jihad in Europe
Gone are the days that Muslim terrorists outside of Israel are worried Israel will come after them if they kill Jews. In fact, just the opposite, Israel is talking to Abbas about giving up territories from which terrorists will be able to kill thousands of Jews. The would-be European Muslim terrorist thinks to himself: If Israel cares so little about the Jews’ security in Israel, then Israel really couldn’t care less about Jews’ security outside of Israel.
The answer probably lies in the fact that in Belgium as a whole, and Brussels in particular, there is a large immigrant population that is not known for its willingness to confront the type of terror that took place at the museum. These immigrants (Mohammed has become the most common name given to babies born in the capital of Europe) have the right to vote in local elections, which has created open space for expressions of anti-Semitism. During Operation Cast Lead in 2009, some 80,000 demonstrators took to the streets of Brussels, chanting slogans such as "Death to the Jews."Financial Times Whitewashes Brussels Anti-Semitism
Nevertheless, Belgian authorities failed to draw a clear red line of any sort, despite repeated requests from the Jewish community. Since 2002, there have been more than 1,000 anti-Semitic incidents in the country, only two of which ended up being brought to court. So it is no wonder that Nemmouche's attack happened in Belgium.
The stark reality of the rise of extremists from both the Left and Right, led by figures such as French comedian Dieudonne M'bala M'bala, has forced the Jewish community to take preventative measures to protect itself. However, at no point has there been a sense of panic. The Jewish community has been working for three years to set up a crisis management center, which has already conducted several simulated emergencies.
The Financial Times, however, whitewashes the anti-Semitic nature of the attack out of its report. The only mention of the word “Jewish” is in the context of the location of the attack at the Jewish Museum. According to the FT: “The attack left two Israelis and a French citizen dead.” No mention of the victims’ religious/ethnic identity.France arrests four in jihadist recruiting network
While the FT also quotes Belgian state prosecutor Frédéricvan Leeuw, there is no mention of the shooter’s video claiming that his attack was aimed at Jews.
In fact, no mention of Jewish concerns or anti-Semitism anywhere in the article despite this central aspect to the story. Anti-Semitism was clearly a prime motivator for Mehdi Nemmouche and is a central ideological component for his fellow jihadists. So why does the Financial Times simply erase this from the story?
French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said the new arrests took place Monday morning in the Paris region and the south of France.How false choices define and weaken US Middle East policy
The arrests come in the wake of last Friday’s detention of a suspected French jihadist who had spent time in Syria. Mehdi Nemmouche was arrested over the death of four people at the Belgian museum, and found in possession of firearms, ammunition and a video claiming responsibility for the May 24 attack. Cazeneuve said that Nemmouche was arrested minutes after he set foot on French soil.
“We will not give terrorists a chance,” Cazeneuve told Europe 1 radio.
The US administration’s strategy of creating simplistic false choices for the complex problems of the Middle East has strained the US-Israeli relationship, and undermined American foreign policy goals in the region. This strategy has lead to fruitless negotiations and weakened the traditional American role for regional conflict management, whether it is in Iran or Syria, or between the Israelis and Palestinian Arabs.Expert: Paying Palestinians to Leave a 'Positive Solution'
False choices and straw-man arguments are not only manipulative, but usually obfuscate a true debate about what is best for American national interests, which should be based contextual facts. A false choice or straw-man argument presents limited choices to avoid having to defend a vulnerable argument against truly worthy alternatives.
The solution to the overall problems of sovereignty and demography, said Sherman, was three-pronged: First, the United Nations organization responsible for dealing with the Palestinians – UNWRA – must be dismantled, or expelled from all areas of Judea, Samaria and Gaza. UNWRA, more than any other organization, is responsible for preserving the “refugee” status of Palestinians, decades after their grandparents and great-grandparents fled their homes in Israel, in order to move out of the way and allow seven Arab armies to destroy the newly-founded State of Israel in 1948. Without UNWRA support, he said, all but about 50,000 of the 5 million people around the world who claim to be Palestinian refugees will give up that status.IDF strikes targets in Gaza; fires into Syria following shelling from northern border
After that, said Sherman, the massive budget that had been provided to UNWRA should be transferred to a fund that will allow Palestinian ex-refugees to resettle in a new home of their choice. The fund should provide enough money to resettle families and clans, providing them with positive living, work, and educational opportunities in Arab or Western countries.
The IDF said it bombed two targets, in north and south Gaza, and identified accurate strikes.A Most Discreet Israeli Intervention in Syria
It was the first instance of Palestinian projectile fire and Israeli retaliation in a month. Over the past 48 hours, two Palestinian rockets fired from Gaza landed in southern Israel. One landed in the Sha'ar Hanegev region on Sunday, and on Saturday, a rocket slammed into the Eshkol region.
In a separate incident Monday morning, the IDF fired artillery salvos into Syria after Syrian shells flew in the direction of Israeli military posts on Mount Hermon. There were no injuries or damages on the Israeli side.
"The IDF responded with artillery fire toward the sources of fire," said a statement by the IDF Spokesman Unit . "The IDF reserves the right to act in any way, and at any time, to protect the residents of the State of Israel," the statement said.
Precisely because the lesson of Lebanon is so deeply etched on the collective memory of the Israeli system, it is likely that the Israeli footprint in southern Syria will remain discernible, but light. There are no ideal options. Nusra, according to one source, is stronger than it appears, since it has allowed pro-western forces to take credit for a number of operations. It does this so as to keep western support flowing into the area, from which Nusra itself will then benefit. So any strengthening of the rebels in the south carries with it the risk of assisting precisely the enemy that it is supposed to thwart. But the alternative of passive acquiescence to either al-Qaeda or Hizballah assembling along the border is probably worse.Palestinians hail unity as new government sworn in
A complicated political and military eco-system has emerged in southern Syria, just across the ceasefire line in the Golan Heights. Israel will do its best to preserve its vital interests, while avoiding an overt presence in this arena. Maintaining the balance is not simple. As of now, it may be said that Israel is actively, if discreetly, engaged in southern Syria.
Abbas hailed the “end” of Palestinian division, saying: “Today, with the formation of a national consensus government, we announce the end of a Palestinian division that has greatly damaged our national case.”Palestinian media releases list of new ministers
“This black page in the history (of the Palestinians) has been turned forever, and we will not allow it to come back,” he added
Hamas praised the “national consensus government, which represents all the Palestinian people,” the movement’s spokesman, Sami Abu Zuhri, told AFP.
As yet, no one has been named to lead the Interior Ministry, which is responsible for the Palestinian security forces.Kerry calls Abbas to express concern over unity with Hamas
According to this list, most of the central positions will be filled by Abbas’s allies (the two deputy prime ministers, as well as the foreign and treasury ministers).
During his telephone call with Abbas, Kerry “expressed concern about Hamas’s role in any such government and the importance that the new government commit to the principles of nonviolence, recognition of the state of Israel and acceptance of previous agreements with it,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.Danon Warns 'US Aid Now Directly Funds Terror'
“President Abbas assured the secretary that the new government would be committed to these principles.”
Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon (Likud) condemned the swearing in of the new Fatah and Hamas unity government on Monday, which took place in Ramallah.Will American taxpayers keep building Hamas’ army?
"The replacement of ministers in the Palestinian government is just a pretty wrapping for the terrorist attacks that were conducted and will be conducted under their protection," declared Danon.
"Now, all aid given to the Palestinians by the United States and other countries directly aids terror attacks against the state of Israel," warned the minister.
Which brings up the most surreal aspect of all this. Since 2005, the US has provided training and equipment for the PA ‘security’ forces by means of the “United States Security Coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority (USSC),” a post held by Gen. Keith Dayton, Lt. Gen. Michael Moeller, and now Vice Adm. Paul J. Bushong.Netanyahu Condemns Europe on Stance Favoring Fatah-Hamas Unity
In essence, the US is operating a military mission to the PA to build it an army. The rationale is that it needs one to “combat terrorism,” which until now has meant to keep Hamas from overthrowing the Fatah-dominated PA.
Now, however, Hamas will not need to employ the tactics of its 2007 coup in Gaza, when it shot Fatah supporters in the knees and pushed them off tall buildings (yes, if you are wondering, there are still some hard feelings in Fatah over this). It can proceed more or less peacefully and even democratically to take over the PA by winning elections.
So does the PA still need an army? Will the US keep training its soldiers and equipping it?
Who, after all, would they fight with it?
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu castigated European countries for their positive position regarding the unity government between the Fatah and Hamas movements, which is due to be announced later Monday.Jpost Editorial: Dangerous unity
"Islamic terror is raising its head in Europe, and the latest horrible manifestation of this was the abominable murder in the Jewish museum in Brussels," Netanyahu told the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee of the Knesset. "And I find it strange that governments in Europe that harshly condemn this murder, also speak with lack of clarity and even in friendly tones about a unity government with Hamas, a terror group that carries out and praises such crimes.
Back in 2006 after Hamas’s electoral victory, the Quartet – the US, the UN, the EU and Russia – imposed three conditions on Hamas: renounce terrorism, recognize Israel and honor past agreements signed between the Palestinians and Israel. Until Hamas agreed to these three conditions, the Quartet said it could not recognize a Palestinian government that includes Hamas.Hamas leader: Resistance can liberate West Bank and the rest of "Palestine"
Hamas not only has refused to accept any of these conditions, it continues to openly declare its intention to use violence against Israel – and against Palestinians who dare to coordinate security arrangements with Israel.
Anyone listening to what Hamas is actually saying understands that not only will the unity deal fail to advance peace between Israelis and Palestinians, but that it will only boost terrorists and the opponents of peace.
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has stated that he will be announcing the Fatah-Hamas unity government tomorrow. Hamas' current Prime Minister, Ismail Haniyeh, expressed his expectations for the new Palestinian government:Hamas leader: Resistance can liberate West Bank and the rest of "Palestine"
- "Unify the Palestinian people against... "the Zionist enemy"
- "Partnership in the institution of leadership, adherence to the national principles"
- "Protection of the resistance project, protection of the weapon of resistance"
- "Liberation of Jerusalem, the West Bank and the rest of Palestine (i.e., Israel)"
- "Release of prisoners"
Hamas head to make diplomatic trip to Moscow
The Russian foreign ministry extended the invitation in May following a meeting between Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and Hamas leadership in Qatar, according to Hamas spokesman Husam Badran, who added that the trip would cover Palestinian reconciliation and economic relations, according to Russia Today’s Arabic edition.Nasrallah held talks with prominent officials in Hamas, says Beirut paper
Russia has expressed support for the Palestinian unity deal, as long as the new government upheld existing treaties with Israel, recognized its right to exist and renounced violence.
However, despite a public promise from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and initial reports that it would agree to such terms, Hamas has stuck to its refusal to recognize Israel’s right to exist and insisted that it would not renounce its violent struggle.
Hezbollah head Hassan Nasrallah held several lengthy meetings with prominent Hamas officials last week, a Lebanese newspaper close to the organization reported on Saturday.Egyptian bill bans tunnel digging to Gaza
The meetings were meant to bring about a rapprochement between Shi’ite Hezbollah and its mother movement in Iran, on one hand, and Sunni Hamas on the other, Al-Akhbar reported. Several meetings have taken place.
The law sets a prison sentence for anyone “digging, preparing, using, or crossing through tunnels connecting Egypt to any foreign country or entity or foreign nationals with the intent of bringing in or taking out people, goods or anything of value.”
Egypt has increasingly been cracking down on Hamas smuggling tunnels — formerly the primary source of income for the Islamist government — since the ouster of Muslim Brotherhood President Mohammed Morsi last July.
In March, the Egyptian military declared it had destroyed 1,370 tunnels, but an unknown number of tunnels are still being used to transport food, commodities and arms in and out of the Strip. A report by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs from September 2013 claimed that less than 10 tunnels are still operative, as compared to some 300 before June 2013.
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