Elder Of Ziyon - Israel News

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Qassam rocket falls short, Gazan injured

Palestine Press Agency reports that a Gazan was injured when a rocket that was meant to kill Israeli Jews fell short in Gaza.

The rocket hit a house in the Tel al-Zahab neighborhood of Beit Lahiya.

The victim was treated at the Kamal Adwan hospital.

A significant percentage of Qassam rockets end up misfiring or falling short in Gaza.

PCHR declares closing down a dangerous ramp a "war crime"

Where would the world be without "human rights" organizations like PCHR?

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) condemns, in the strongest terms, the ongoing policies adopted by Israeli occupation authorities aimed at creating a Jewish majority in occupied East Jerusalem, the latest of which has been closing the wooden bridge of Bab al-Maghariba (Dung Gate) under the pretext of maintaining public safety. PCHR is concerned that the closure of the bridge may be a prelude to establishing an iron bridge and changing the features of the area, especially given the Israeli authorities declared intent to expand the yard adjacent to al-Buraq Wall and establish a multi-level car park. ...

[PCHR] asserts that all Israeli settlement activities in East Jerusalem constitute a war crime according to international humanitarian law.

I wonder how strongly the PCHR would condemn Israel if the ramp would collapse and hurt dozens of people.

Or does that not fit under the rubric of "human rights?"

The PCHR gets much of its funding from the EU - and they use it for pure propaganda like this.

And the only evidence you need it their referring to the "al-Buraq Wall" as if the Kotel and this mythical wall are the same thing. They aren't, and saying they are is nothing less than anti-Jewish incitement.

Which one would not quite expect from a real human rights organization.

(h/t Anne)

Egypt's Islamist victors give conflicting messages on alcohol, tourism

From Al Arabiya:

Egyptian beach scene

Islamists are dominating Egypt’s elections and some of them have a new message for tourists: welcome, but no booze, bikinis or mixed bathing at beaches, please.

That vision of turning Egypt into a sin-free vacation spot could spell doom for a key pillar of the economy that has already been badly battered by this year’s political unrest.

“Tourists don’t need to drink alcohol when they come to Egypt; they have plenty at home,” a veiled Muslim Brotherhood candidate, Azza al-Jarf, told a cheering crowd of supporters on Sunday across the street from the Pyramids, The Associated Press reported.

“They came to see the ancient civilization, not to drink alcohol,” she said, her voice booming through a set of loudspeakers at a campaign event dubbed “Let’s encourage tourism.” The crowd chanted, “Tourism will be at its best under Freedom and Justice,” the Brotherhood’s party and the most influential political group to emerge from the fall of Hosni Mubarak.

On Saturday, Mohamed Morsi, president of the ‎Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), told Egypt’s al-Ahram daily that ‎his party did not plan on banning alcohol in hotels ‎and at tourist resorts or prevent Egyptians from ‎drinking liquor in their homes.‎

Since their success in the first round of parliamentary elections on Nov. 28-29, the Brotherhood and the even more fundamentalist party of Salafi Muslims called al-Nour have been under pressure from media and the public to define their stance on a wide range of issues, especially those related to Islamic law, personal freedoms, the rights of women and minorities, the flagging economy and tourism.

The Salafis of al-Nour are up front about seeking to impose strict Islamic law in Egypt. The Muslim Brotherhood says publicly that it does not seek to force its views about an appropriate Islamic lifestyle on Egyptians.

Speaking at a public rally in the southern Egyptian governorate of Aswan on Monday, al-Nour party spokesman Nader Bakar clarified that the party would only allow tourists to ‎drink liquor they brought with them from abroad, and only in their ‎hotel rooms, an Egyptian daily reported on Tuesday.

In a report carried by Egypt’s al-Ahram daily, Bakar said that the party did not plan to set any restrictions on ‎tourism related to Egyptian antiquities, such as the Great ‎Pyramids of Giza and ancient Egyptian temples.‎

Bakar was quoted by the newspaper as saying that the Nour Party would establish a chain ‎of hotels that would function in compliance with the sharia (Islamic Law), ‎while banning beach tourism, which he said “indices vice.”‎

Critics say remarks by members of both parties meant to reassure the nation that they don’t seek to damage tourism are having the opposite effect.

(h/t Yoel)

Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar has stated that he is not sure whether the scheduled May 2012 elections between Fatah and Hamas will take place.

He notes that none of the "unity" agreements with Fatah have worked out - even the political detainees have not yet been released. He emphasizes that there is a lot of preparation necessary before elections: they need an Elections Committee and security arrangements and other actions before any elections can be held, and nothing is being done.

Already there had been indications that the "technocrat" unity government will never be formed.

I noted that "unity" was a sham back last May when it was first announced. How long will it take for the Palestinian Arabs to realize that they've been screwed yet again by their so-called leaders?

Holland to reconsider funding UNRWA

Sometimes, truth manages to sneak out from behind the massive web of Arab lies.

From EJPress:

Holland will "thoroughly review" its policy on the United Nations Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNWRA), Dutch Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal told the parliament in The Hague.

The Dutch ruling party called UNRWA’s definitions "worrisome." Holland is UNRWA’s 6th largest donor, with an annual contribution of roughly 30 million dollars.

Rosenthal announced the review in reply to a question by the speaker of his own faction, the Liberal VVD.

"UNRWA uses its own unique definition of refugees, different to the UN’s. The refugee issue is a big obstacle for peace. We therefore ask the government acknowledge this discrepancy, which leads to the third-generation Palestinian refugees," VVD speaker Hans Ten Broeke said.

Minister Uri Rosenthal promised to "thoroughly review the subject and adopt a balanced resolution on it." He added: "I understand many involved parties regard UNRWA’s approach as highly important as it helps clarify matters and bring them into focus."

The minister’s position is expected to be submitted in the coming weeks in a letter to parliament.

UNRWA was set up in 1949 by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as an independent body entrusted with caring for Palestinian refugees who fled their homes in the years 1946-1949. Unlike UNHCR, UNRWA extends the definition of refugee also to descendants.

Additionally, UNRWA refugees keep their status after gaining citizenship. UNHCR is responsible for all refugees except Palestinians.

I can just imagine the first thing that the so-called pro-Palestinian crowd would notice: "Uri Rosenthal." Sounds like one of them ~~Je-~~ I mean, "Zionists."

(h/t Ian)

Abdullah Barghouti is serving a 67-life term sentence for being instrumental in terror attacks that killed scores of Israelis, including the Sbarro pizza shop attack.

But now the 39-year old terrorist has written a letter to Hamas leaders asking to be able to run as a candidate in prison elections and from there the legislative elections that are currently planned for May 2012.

He also said he wants to work to include Hamas in the PLO umbrella.

One analyst said that Barghouti was frustrated at not being included i n he last prisoner swap and that he wants to moderate his image so he might get released next time.

This appears to be Hamas' idea of career management - pay your dues as a terrorist and then graduate to become a respected politician.

Why not? There is no shortage of Western politicians and journalists who are more than happy to use aging terrorist statements as proof of their much desired and illusory "moderation" of Hamas.

Palestinian Arabs upset at Turkey, burn photos of Emir of Qatar

Angry Gazans burned photos of the Emir of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, because a graphic artist in a Qatar TV studio during the opening ceremony of the Arab Games put up a map of "Palestine" that did not include all of Israel as part of that quasi-state.

They also showed their own maps - of a Palestine where Israel doesn't exist, next to one of Qatar surrounded by US bases.

To add insult to injury, Qatar authorities apologized to Morocco for showing a map of that country without including the disputed Western Sahara - but did not apologize to the Palestinian Arabs.

Meanwhile, another insult came towards the proud Palestinian Arab people - this time from Turkey.

At an Arab industrial conference in Istanbul earlier this month, the conference program referred to Ramallah as the capital of "Palestine" - not Jerusalem.

Palestine Press Agency sees a conspiracy here, where Islamic states are colluding to get Arab public opinion used to the idea of compromising with Israel and accepting something less than 100% of the borders of British Mandate Palestine (as drawn up by Westerners.)

Erekat continues to lie with impunity in JPost op-ed

Saeb Erekat continues his long tradition of lying. The only problem is that the Jerusalem Post allowed him to do it on their op-ed pages.

Here are some of his lies and half-truths:

The two-state solution on the 1967 borders has been the official Palestinian position for the past 23 years.

Neither the 1988 PLO statement to the UN, nor the 1988 "Declaration of Independence" referred to the 1949 armistice lines. There was an elliptical reference to and international conference based on UNSC resolutions 242 and 338 in the statement, but no indication that the PLO accepts it.

Since then, we have engaged Israel and the international community and exerted sincere efforts to achieve our inalienable right to self-determination through the establishment of a viable and sovereign Palestinian state on the territory occupied by Israel in 1967, including East Jerusalem, and a just solution to the Palestinian refugee issue in accordance with UN General Assembly Resolution 194.

"Sincere efforts" are debatable, since they launched a terror war right in the middle of that time period.

UNGA 194, besides not having any legal validity, does not give a "right to return." It also includes a part about Arab refugees resettling in Arab states - which the PLO ignores. And if the PLO loves 194 so much, it would not end up with Jerusalem or Bethlehem - which UNGA 194 says would be part of a separate UN administered territory.

Twenty years of peace process have passed without a conclusion to the conflict. In fact, most Palestinians have witnessed their situation go from bad to worse in the past two decades, while Israel enjoys unprecedented economic growth and prosperity.

Mahmoud Abbas in 2009 said "I will wait for Israel to freeze settlements. Until then, in the West Bank we have a good reality . . . the people are living a normal life."

Doesn't sound like the PalArabs have it so bad, does it?

During these years, successive Israeli governments have actively pursued settlement construction and expansion in the Occupied Territory, including in East Jerusalem, in flagrant violation of international law and signed agreements.

Whether Jews living in Judea and Samaria violates international law or not - which is a debatable point - Israel never signed any agreement with the PLO saying they would stop settlement activity.

Today, the Palestinian Authority does not have any real authority. Real authority lies with Israel, with the exception of some municipal work.

I agree that they have no authority - in Gaza. But in Area A they have full autonomy. If they had no authority, how did they manage to go to the UN to demand recognition?

In the end, the definition of "occupation" is when the occupying state has the ability to dissolve the government of the occupied. Israel cannot do that.

This bleak reality of walls, checkpoints and daily humiliation has driven expectations to an all-time low.

And why are there checkpoints again - checkpoints that Israelis also have to cope with? Oh, yeah, because the PLO decided to forego negotiations in 2000 and chose terror instead.

The latest opinion polls show that a majority of Palestinian still believe in the two-state solution and reaching peace with Israel through negotiations.

A poll over the summer says that 66% of PalArabs said their real goal should be to start with a two-state solution but then move to it all being one Palestinian state.

And only one third accepts "two states for two peoples." Meaning that their acceptance of Israel is a tactical move on the way to a single Arab Palestine "from the river to the sea."

How can you tell that Saeb Erekat is lying? His lips are moving.

The annual Dishonest Reporting Awards from Honest Reporting gives us a great overview of anti-Israel bias in the media for the year.

The overall winner, The Guardian, had "reporting" was so egregiously biased that Honest Reporting had to create a separate article just describing the top ten examples of Guardian bias, lies and sloppiness.

But many of the other winners did things equally outrageous. For example:

The LA Times saying that the Fogel murders were part of a "cycle" - after all, Jews build houses, which prompt these murders
Reuters' helpful explanation of what Israel calls a "terror attack"
The infamous Vogue puff piece on the Assad family
AP calling a terrorist responsible for three murders a "political prisoner"

Read the whole thing.

Saudi woman executed for witchcraft

From Arab News (Saudi Arabia):

A Saudi woman was executed in the northern Al-Jouf province on Monday after being convicted of practicing sorcery, the Interior Ministry announced.

Amina bint Abdulhalim Nassar was arrested in the city of Qurayat for practicing witchcraft and sorcery, the ministry said in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency. She was sentenced to death by a lower court and the verdict was upheld by the higher courts.

Amnesty adds:

The beheading of a woman convicted of “witchcraft and sorcery” is deeply shocking and highlights the urgent need for a halt in executions in Saudi Arabia, Amnesty International said today.

“The charges of ‘witchcraft and sorcery’ are not defined as crimes in Saudi Arabia and to use them to subject someone to the cruel and extreme penalty of execution is truly appalling,” said Philip Luther Amnesty International’s interim Director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme.

“While we don’t know the details of the acts which the authorities accused Amina of committing, the charge of sorcery has often been used in Saudi Arabia to punish people, generally after unfair trials, for exercising their right to freedom of speech or religion.”

Somehow, I don't think that you can find re-runs of "Bewitched" on Saudi TV.

After the Fall - Egypt's revolution dissected (Tablet)

This is the sort of sober analysis of Egypt that is almost completely missing in the Western media.

From Amr Bargisi and Samuel Tadros in Tablet:

Other than the fact that a few dozen human-rights activists were present in Tahrir, there was nothing remotely liberal about the uprising. But that didn’t stop Western journalists from applying the term: Every Egyptian male without a beard was a John Stuart Mill, every female without a veil a Mary Wollstonecraft. Suddenly, Trotskyites were liberals, and hooligans nonviolent protesters.

The idea that there were no Islamists involved in the revolution is pure nonsense. The Muslim Brotherhood officially declared its decision to join the protests on Jan. 23, and its members were instrumental in the success of the revolution in the subsequent days and weeks. What’s more, over the past decade Islamist groups, particularly the Salafists, have been taking advantage of Egypt’s increasing media and Internet freedom to further influence the political discussion.

...These two tendencies—the Jacobin and the Islamist—are not mutually exclusive in Egypt. The average Egyptian easily bought into both arguments, believing that the reason for all their ills was the Mubarak regime’s economic program, and that the only solution was a return to the golden age of Islam. Though institutionally immunized against Islamism through a strict system of surveillance, the military completely internalized the popular anti-capitalist discourse, hence its ultimate decision to offer its services to the revolutionaries, abandoning Mubarak in his time of need.

Into that mix comes anti-Semitism. Egyptian anti-Semitism is not simply a form of bigotry: It is the glue binding the otherwise incoherent ideological blend, the common denominator among disparate parties. The Zionist conspiracy theory was not merely a diversion applied by the Mubarak regime, as some suggest. It is a well-established social belief in Egypt, even among self-proclaimed liberals. Consider, for example, Yehya El-Gamal, a leading expert on constitutional law and chairman of the Democratic Front Party who was appointed deputy prime minister after the revolution. Though a staunch opponent of the Islamists, El-Gamal told Al-Ahram, the leading state-owned newspaper, that “Israel and the U.S. are behind flaming the sectarian conflict in Egypt” in the wake of the deadly clashes between Coptic demonstrators and military forces last October.

These facts, though hard to swallow, were clear well before the revolution. This is why, when we joined the Egyptian Union of Liberal Youth in 2009, we decided to focus our energy on a long-term program to build a genuine liberal movement from scratch. We realized early on that activism without serious, concrete ideas capable of winning the hearts and minds of our fellow Egyptians would be meaningless. Thus, we designed a platform of legal, economic, and social programs tackling all aspects of life in Egypt, from taxes to anti-Semitism. Our plan comprises research, lobbying, campaigning, and an effort to translate the great books of Western classical liberalism into Arabic. If Egypt was going to have any hope of becoming a liberal democracy, we had to face—and battle—the destructive totalitarian ideals that have taken hold of Egyptian society.

To begin a serious discussion on what can be done in our country, Egyptians must acknowledge that the Tahrir uprising was no liberal revolution. Western observers must realize that this is not a stark morality play, but political decision-making between alternatives that are all bad. As the government borders on bankruptcy and the security situation deteriorates (the natural-gas pipe line to Israel and Jordan was bombed nine times since February), the first priority should be defending the very existence of the Egyptian state, now solely represented by the military. This is certainly an awkward position for advocates of limited government, as we are. But if the military falls, nothing will stand between the Egyptians and absolute anarchy.

Western policy-makers and Egyptians who care about the country’s future should not push too hard for a total face-off between the military and the Islamists, which may develop into a civil war, nor should they seek to weaken the military to the extent that it is totally subdued by the Islamists. Finally, as the Islamists try to transform the legal and economic infrastructure of the country to their benefit, true liberals must be prepared to tackle them on every move, with detailed and convincing programs, not merely rhetorical speeches and empty polemics on talk shows. Islamism offers a coherent worldview; if liberalism cannot rise up to the same level, it will always be doomed to fail.

The gravest danger is for us to fall prey to complacency and believe that an Islamist government will either moderate or fail to deliver, and that the Egyptians will vote for someone else in the next elections. The very possibility of next elections is dependent on our capacity to avoid the total anarchy scenario. And the Islamists are not going to moderate. No matter how pragmatic the Muslim Brotherhood is, they will face a constant challenge by Salafists from the right to adhere a strict standard of religious purity. If the Islamists, now hugely popular, do fail to deliver, genuine liberals must be at the ready to offer voters a clear alternative. The Mubarak regime was remarkably successful in steering the economy in its latter years, but its inability to justify its existence politically led to its demise. There is no reason why the exact opposite—a failing economy but successful politics—cannot come to the service of the Islamists.