Elder Of Ziyon - Israel News

Thursday, February 12, 2009

PalArab press roundup 2-12-09

Smugglers in Rafah are having a significantly harder time, as Egyptian security forces seem to have increased their patrols a great deal and are confiscating goods and shutting down tunnels.

Israel started issuing the first of two thousand "VIP cards" to senior Palestinian Arab security officials to ease their travel through the West Bank.

For the first time in three years, Israel will allow the export of carnations from Gaza to Europe for Valentine's Day. This was at the request of the Dutch government.

An Israeli soldier was jailed for shooting into the air while out of uniform close to some Palestinian Arabs near Kiryat Arba last November. B'Tselem had videotaped the incident. (In Gaza, when someone shoots into the air it is called a "wedding.")

The PalArab media is warning about attempts of Jews in Kfar Saba to take over an (apparently abandoned) mosque and convert it into a synagogue. I cannot find any story on this in the Israeli press so I don't know if this originally was a synagogue. The name translates to "Chapel of Simeon/Shimon" and has a suspiciously similar Arabic name, "Sa'aman." Right now, Jews are apparently placing pictures and Hebrew signs on the structure and the Arabs are removing them.

I'm in Indymedia!

Indymedia describes itself as "a collective of independent media organizations and hundreds of journalists offering grassroots, non-corporate coverage. Indymedia is a democratic media outlet for the creation of radical, accurate, and passionate tellings of truth." It is generally dominated by the far left, sometimes to the point of explicit anti-semitism.

In theory at least, anyone can write for Indymedia. However, in fact, some Indymedia sites will practice heavy-handed censorship of viewpoints that don't fit their agendas.

So I am surprised to see that articles I have written made it to two separate Indymedia sites!

The Cleveland Indymedia Center published my posting about how the world ignores Egypt closing the border with Gaza while it vilifies Israel for limiting goods that go there. This point actually fits pretty well with a pure liberal viewpoint, but it still surprised me that it was allowed to be published.

And the Rochester Indymedia site published my report about the Rochester pro-Hamas student protest that wasn't quite as civilly disobedient as they pretended.

This fits in well with what I suggested on Sunday to spread my articles to various social networking and "citizen journalism" sites which are so often dominated by Israel bashers.

I don't know who posted these articles at the Indymedia sites, but thanks!

Just Like Us! (video) (updated)

Just a typical street scene as you would expect to see in any city in the world. People passing by, talking, and watching the local masked policemen breaking someone's knees.

Because Gazans are just like us!

UPDATE: YouTube has taken this down, and I am suspended from the service for two weeks. Someone else put up a copy, I am linking to it while I try to get LiveLeak working, but it might have to wait until tonight.

The original YouTube video that I got this from is still up and can be seen here. But without my captions.

Someone also made a copy here.

"Secret meeting" in Gaza to consolidate terrorist groups

From IslamOnline.net (Arabic only; they try to look moderate in English):

Abu Mujahid, spokesman for the Popular Resistance Committees, spoke about an initiative of the leaders of the military wings of the Palestinian resistance factions in the Gaza Strip towards the formation of a united resistance front wing on the ground as one of the lessons learned from the recent Israeli war on the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian sources reported that a secret meeting of the leaders of the military wings of the resistance factions was held on Monday night at an undisclosed location in Gaza.

The spokesperson of the PRC, in an exclusive statement to IslamOnline.net, said that "the idea of forming a united front occurred during the calm, and was the idea of Dr. Mahmoud Zahar - senior leader of Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) - where he discussed it with Dr. Mohammed al-Hindi - an official of Islamic Jihad in Gaza - and Abu Awad Neirab - Secretary-General of the Popular Resistance Committees. "

Even though that initiative was never completed during the six month calm that ended last December, Abu Mujahid said the "coordination in the field during the aggression on Gaza has been excellent, which showed that the resistance in an honorable way to the world strengthens the trend towards the formation of a united front of a greater and more painful resistance in the face of the Zionist enemy."

He added, "We have conducted our investigations since the first day of the Zionist declaration of the cease-fire (18-1-2009), and we have begun research and refinement in the methods of the occupation, and assessment of failures in some things, and we have statements of combatants in the field that shows us the strengths and weaknesses of resistance, and we have put in place mechanisms to overcome these failures and training programs to overcome the weaknesses, and we will not go into details. "

"What happened are the ideas .. We have come a long way in this, but the consolidation of the arms of the resistance in a unified structure could be the future .. and while there is considerable collaboration between the basic wing military, there is a need for unity, both at the field level or the political situation. "

There is nothing tremendously new here, but it proves again that those who try to absolve Hamas for rockets fired by other terror groups have no idea what they are talking about - all the Gaza terror groups, with the possible exception of the Al Aqsa Martyr's Brigades, are in full cooperation.

Hamas not happy with Amnesty International

Amnesty International yesterday came out with a brief document about Hamas' campaign against "collaborators" in Gaza during December and January (and also a somewhat more detailed document.)

Since the end of December 2008, during and after the three-week Israeli military offensive which killed some 1,300 Palestinians, most of them civilians, Hamas forces and militias in the Gaza Strip have carried out a deadly campaign of abductions, deliberate and unlawful killings, torture and death threats against those they accuse of “collaborating” with Israel, as well as opponents and critics, Amnesty International revealed in a new document today.
At least two dozen men have been shot dead by Hamas gunmen and scores of others have been shot in the legs, kneecapped or inflicted with other injuries intended to cause permanent disability, subjected to severe beatings which have caused multiple fractures and other injuries, or otherwise tortured or ill-treated.

Most were abducted from their homes and later dumped – dead or injured – in isolated areas, or found in the morgue of one of Gaza’s hospitals. Some were shot dead in hospitals where they were receiving treatment for injuries.

An Amnesty International fact-finding team which visited Gaza during and after the Israeli offensive recorded testimonies from a number of victims, as well as medical sources and eyewitnesses who were able to corroborate their stories. Scores of others are too afraid to speak publicly for fear of retribution by Hamas forces and militias.

Amnesty International is calling on the Hamas de-facto administration to immediately end the campaign of abuses and to agree to the establishment of an independent, impartial and non-partisan national commission of experts to investigate them.

The more detailed report concludes:

There is incontrovertible evidence that Hamas security forces and armed militias have been responsible for grave human rights abuses and that the victims of such abuses and many others are being intimidated and discouraged from testifying about their ordeal. The Hamas de-facto administration has displayed a flagrant disregard for the most fundamental human rights norms, not only allowing such abuses to be perpetrated, but actually facilitating and encouraging the abuses by justifying them and by granting absolute impunity to the perpetrators.

Hamas isn't happy. Al Quds reports:

Hamas on Wednesday criticized an Amnesty International report, which accuses the group of waging a campaign against Fatah militants,as "unfair."
A spokesman for Hamas, Fawzi Barhoum, said in a press statement that "the Amnesty International report, accusing the Hamas movement of abuses in Gaza, is unfair." He said the organization's position is based on "imaginary stories fabricated by the well [?] and to hear some of the accusers of Hamas without hearing the other side's point of view is incompatible with the basic foundations professionalism and impartiality." Barhoum said, "This report directly affects the reputation of the Hamas movement and detracts from attention to the massacres and war crimes committed against our people."

It's funny that Hamas is worried about its reputation. Throwing people off of buildings is OK, but publicizing it just looks bad.

It should be noted that while Amnesty has no shortage of similar documents accusing Israel of various abuses, in the context of the Gaza operation this has been the only negative thing I could find that they have mentioned about Hamas.

In other words, nothing about Qassam rockets, nothing about Hamas terrorists attacking while dressed as civilians, nothing about Hamas hijacking ambulances to transport terrorists, or shooting from mosques and schools, or stockpiling weapons in public institutions, or recruiting minors as fighters. All things for which there is far more evidence - photographic, video, Hamas admissions and eyewitness testimony - than for what they accuse Israel of.

It is interesting that Amnesty cannot find as of yet anything bad that Hamas did against Israel, but only what they did to "collaborators."

But Amnesty will take this criticism by Hamas as proof that it is being "even-handed."

Nah, no media bias here

The Vicious Babushka noticed an interesting headline at This Is London, since changed:

Commenter jhrhv writes:

Esti Ginzburg, 18, is a native of Tel Aviv, Israel this years SI swimsuit cover girl.

Since this would be a major news story that I am duty-bound to cover, I checked it out thoroughly, and, unfortunately, he is wrong.

Ginzburg, pictured here with what must be her Shabbos candles, is indeed featured in the annual SI issue that has been banned in yeshivas and madrassas alike, but she is not the cover model.

That honor goes to Bar Refaeli, who is also of course an Israeli. As the New York Post puts it, she gives new meaning to Mideast "piece."

Their puns don't end there, as they also headline their article "Land of Milk & What a Honey!" along with titling a picture of her "Tasty Kosher."

This does not mean that Palestinian Arab women are not newsworthy as well. Nadya Suleman, the celebrated unmarried mother of octuplets, is of Palestinian Arab descent.

Even more election statistics

This site shows how every community in Israel voted. It was made by the same people that did the Ha'aretz election app (and looks like it is on the Ha'aretz Hebrew site as well) but is far more comprehensive. It is in Hebrew only. Here it is, but click on the link to see it larger and more readable.(h/t Shiloh Musings)

PalArab media roundup 2-11-09

A deranged man in the West Bank savagely beat his three daughters and wife. His 15-year old and 3-year old daughters were killed, a third is critically injured.

Last month, a 13-year old Syrian boy, worried about his parents finding out his grades were low, killed them and three other members of his family.

The “Imad Mughniyya Brigades" have taken credit for a shooting attack on an Israeli car in the West Bank near Beit El last night. No one was hurt.

The Arab world (as well as the far-left) have decided that the word "fascist" is the best term to describe Avigdor Lieberman. One wonders why "moderate" Arabs who espouse a Judenrein Palestine are never given the same appellation.

Meanwhile, Hamas describes the three major winners in the elections as "terrorists" and accuses Lieberman specifically of planning to dynamite an Egyptian dam in order to drown the Palestinian Arabs. The dam in Egypt is very far from Gaza, but perhaps Hamas members didn't learn geography in the UNRWA schools they attended.

Ma'an publishes a nonsensical op-ed saying that Palestinian Arabs hate democracy because of how the Israeli elections went.

Firas Press' regular publishing of pictures of cute Palestinian Arab kids continues with this smiling future jihadi.

The millions of dollars that Hamas was caught trying to smuggle into Gaza has been deposited in an Egyptian bank in Hamas' name, but it cannot be withdrawn without Egyptian approval.

Jordanian "human rights" organizations started an initiative to bring Israel before a world court for prosecution for war crimes.

The 2009 PalArab self-death count is at 25.

Muslims riot over Quran ski equipment

Yes, really.

From the Daily Rising Kashmir:

Srinagar, Feb 08: The protests over the inscription of Quranic verses on the skiing gear of a Swedish national reached the city on Sunday with clashes between police and the protesters taking place at several places.

In Nowhatta, Maisuma, Zaldagar and Nawabazar localities of the city, scores of angry youth pelted stones at police.

The controversy started on Saturday when some employees of Gulmarg Cable Car Corporation noticed Quranic verses inscribed on the skiing gear of N Patrick.

The people caught hold of the foreigner and handed him over to police. They demanded stern action against the skier.

Shouting anti-America, anti-Israel and anti-Sweden slogans, the protesters in Srinagar termed it as a deliberate attempt on part of the European tourist.

"Entire Europe and Israel is against Muslims. You can see what Israel is doing in Gaza and Lebanon so such things are very much expected from a Sweden tourist. They should be banned from visiting Kashmir," said a protester in Maisuma Chowk.

In the clashes on Sunday at least five persons received minor injuries. Police resorted to use of teargas shells and cane charging to contain the protests.

Meanwhile, police has shifted the Swedish national from Gulmarg to Srinagar for investigation. Two tourist guides have also been arrested by police for questioning.

Meanwhile, Kashmir's Grand Mufti, Mufti Bashir-ud-din said that the foreign skier met him and sought apology for his act.

"The skier said that he was not aware about the sensitivity of the matter and maintained that it was his Muslim wife who had suggested him to use such Quranic verses on the skiing gears. He has sought public apology for his act," Bashir-ud-din said.

The Grand Mufti has appealed the government to issue instructions to all foreign tourists about such matters at the time of their arrival in Kashmir.

In Gulmarg on Sunday shopkeepers, hoteliers, horsemen and sledge drivers observed complete shutdown.

Shouting anti-America, anti-Sweden and anti-Israel slogans, the protesters blocked Gulmarg-Srinagar road.

Tangmarg also witnessed protests over the issue as people blocked the road and did not allow vehicles to proceed towards Gulmarg.

Meanwhile, some people here maintain that it is a tradition in many Islamic countries to take things inscribed with Holy verses along during a journey for warding off evil and danger.

Something new to add to the ever-growing List of Things that Offend Muslims.

UN allows anti-semitism, not anti-Zionism (satire)

A satirical article from The Spoof (UK):

After many months of debate the UN has finally announced that it is acceptable to be openly anti-Semitic, but at the cost of being openly anti-Zionist.

A poll showed the majority of voters were in favour of sacrificing the ability to insult Israel for the sake of being to say what they really feel with regards to Jews.

"It was really tiring venting all my Jew-hate on Israel" one voter said. "Always having to say some sh** about Israel putting 10 million Palestinians in phosphorous chambers and causing a holocaust."

The ruling means that it is permissible, upon seeing a Jew, to shout insults such as "big nose", "greedy f***er", and in some cases violence may also be acceptable, for example when the nose is extra large or the Jew is dressed very religiously.

However none of that applies to Israeli Jews, and the UN has warned of harsh consequences for those who say anything negative and untruthful about Israel, such as that Israel made up that it is fighting terrorists, Israelis are ugly, or that Israelis didn't invent falafel and hummus.

A UN spokesman said "for too long people have been holding the urge to express their disgust at the Jews' ugly conks and the fact that they're the ones who caused the recession, and that they control the media. We feel this is a positive move in giving people the freedom to express themselves in a healthy, honest way instead of always hiding behind the 'I'm not anti-Semitic, I'm anti-Zionist' defence."