Israel & Palestine

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hypewaders

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Israel & Palestine



Reference Links

If you would like to contribute links for general reference here, please ask a moderator. PM Hypewaders​




Israel:

B'Tselem:Israeli human rights group

Ha'aretz: left leaning newspaper chronicling Israeli POV

Zochrot [Remembering]: To educate the Nakba deniers

ICAHD: Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions

Machsom watch: tracking abuse at the checkpoints

Shministim: Israeli teenagers who refuse to join the IDF

Ometz LeSarev [Courage to Refuse]: IDF refuseniks

ibn Ezra: blog of Joseph Dana from Israel, he is also part of the Ta'ayush movement for Arab-Israeli partnership


Palestine:

Maan News Agency: the local news source for most Palestinians

The Palestine Chronicle: leading online magazine/blog/newspaper for Palestinian issues

Palestine Remembered: Keeping alive the Palestinian nation

Bi'lin: a Palestinian village, center of the nonviolent resistance

Raising Yousuf and Noor: a mother from Gaza [although technically she is American]


USA:

Tikun Olam -essays on politics, culture and ideas about Israeli-Arab peace

Electronic Intifada -news, commentary, analysis, reference materials from a Palestinian perspective

Jewish Voice for Peace -news, commentary from peace activists inspired by Jewish tradition

Jews sans frontieres -An Anti-Zionist blog browsing the media

Mondoweiss -American foreign policy in the Middle East from a progressive Jewish perspective

Ta'anit Tzedek - Jewish Fast For Gaza

Lawrence of Cyberia: American activist Diane Mason

Just World News: by Helen Cobban

Israel: Balancing Demographics in the Jewish State -Migration Information Source


U.K.

"Chatham House" (Royal Institute of International Affairs)



Australia:

Antony Loewenstein -Sydney-based journalist/author blog


Other:

The Goldstone Report (large .pdf) -UN Human Rights Council, concerning the 2008-2009 Gaza War

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Some tired retired &or retarded threads about Israel/Palestine​

News from Gaza; News from Gaza 2; Foreign Opinions on Israel; Is Israel in the Wrong?; A Short History; The 2 State Solution; 1 State; Does Israel Target Civilians?; "Concentration Camp"; Hummus War; Shebaa Farms; Right of Return; American Assistance to Israel; "Stolen Land"?;

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OP /Thread Notes:

Formerly titled The Promised Thread, the objectives here include accommodation of those who tire of the proliferation of threads on the subject, and better service and encouragement to those who have been disappointed in the curtailment and disruption of discussion and debate surrounding Israeli/Palestinian issues.


The format of the long promised/threatened thread will be intended to follow the same pattern as would any redirection of following discussions. I hope that the most recent Israel/Palestine events may be discussed briefly in a catch-all thread, until discussion (as is typically the case) turns to revisiting an underlying issue. At that point, I (or another so-inclined fellow moderator) may direct us all to a more appropriate thread in special, well-agreed cases.


In addition to your patience with the redirection of new threads and posts, I would ask members to scrupulously avoid even the appearance of hateful posts on this general subject. It's a blurry line between being provocative and contributing to the derailment of a discussion- so the success of this initiative will also require redoubled attention to avoiding offense, by giving that fuzzy line a wide berth.

I'm hoping to devote particular attention as a moderator to an area of discussion that is particularly prone to getting out of hand, and I'm hoping that with some attention to continuity of discussion, we'll create clearer paths to understanding for all sides. I have no desire to implement anything as a moderator that I would find unacceptable as a member. As a member, I am interested in seeing if less tangle of Israel/Palestine threads, along with more respectful debate, may offer something more stimulating and worthwhile here.

Salaam and Shalom.

-hypewaders
 
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OK, I'll start. It's the same game as always, people. We're just trying to talk about Palestine/Israel in fewer threads, like one big happy family that really needs to talk:

Palestine News Network: Injunction in case of Palestinian workers fired inside Israeli boundaries for not entering army

Gabrielle Rubin said:
Tel Aviv Regional Labor Court issued a temporary injunction preventing the firing of Arab railway inspectors by the Israel Railway Company on the grounds that they have not performed military service.
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This is an example of why the Israeli system is unsustainable, and also why there is hope for Israelis.
 
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Haaretz: Israel, U.S. working to limit damage of Goldstone report
This is a report that should worry every country fighting terror," said Jonathan Peled, spokesman of the Israeli Embassy in Washington. "We need to make sure this report does not endanger the U.S. and other countries."

Ayalon urged American Jewish leaders to take on the report. Most major Jewish groups issued statements condemning Goldstone's findings and calling on the international community to look at the Israeli military's inquiry into its Gaza operation. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee called the report "deeply flawed" and said that Goldstone's investigation was rigged.

Key supporters of Israel in Congress also lashed out at the council. New York Democrat Gary Ackerman, chair of the House Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia, fumed that the report's authors lived in a "self-righteous fantasyland."

Some Israeli officials went after Goldstone, who is Jewish, personally. Israeli Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz denounced him as an "anti-Semite."
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The spinmeisters are not being very original, but I must say they have been very effective. I pay attention to news more than most USAmericans, but I only discovered that this report had been released 2 weeks back, by reading a post today on Sciforums.
 
spidergoat said:
Did they refuse to cooperate in order to be able to deny the report?
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They had no choice really. Think of all the stuff that came out of Israel after the war. The army rabbis, the tee shirts, the troops testimonies, the planning of the war from the beginning of the ceasefire, the statements about the blockade.

Imagine what the report would have looked like with the Israeli testimonies added to it.

Then what could they have said in response?


Outgoing statement of the UN General Assembly President:

My greatest frustration this year has been the Palestine situation," he told the 192-nation assembly in his final address on 14 September before handing over the one-year presidency to Libyan diplomat Ali Trek...

My chief consultant on humanitarian affairs, Dr. Kevin Cahill, was sent to Gaza from 17 to 22 February to prepare a report on the humanitarian situation in Gaza immediately after the aggression. Dr. Cahill’s report was issued on Wednesday 19 August, on the occasion of World Humanitarian Day commemorating the sacrifices of United Nations staff in conflict zones; it had originally been intended for release at a Special Session on Gaza, but that did not take place for the reasons mentioned.

I find disgraceful the passivity and apparent indifference of some highly influential members of the Security Council to the fact that the blockade of Gaza has continued uninterrupted for two years, in flagrant violation of international law and of the resolution of the Security Council itself, causing immense damage and suffering to the Palestinian population of Gaza. This situation threatens to become even more serious if immediate measures are not taken, now that winter is approaching. Now is the time to demonstrate, with actions and not simply words, a true commitment to the concept of the Responsibility to Protect."
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Some background on the man:

Fr Miguel is not your usual time-serving career diplomat. In 1961 was ordained a priest in the Catholic church. In 1962, he obtained a Master of Science degree from Columbia University’s School of Journalism (Pulitzer Institute). He served for over a decade as Nicaragua’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, during which he spearheaded his Government’s claim in the International Court of Justice against the United States for supporting military and paramilitary actions against his country. The Court ruled in Nicaragua’s favour.
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Who will hold the most moral leaders in the world accountable for their actions?

link


The world watches hypocrisy in action.


Project Communicate or How to get/keep Americans into the pro-Israel camp:

When Benjamin Netanyahu visited Los Angeles in May as part of The Jewish Federation’s Jews in Crisis campaign, a group of 25 entertainment industry creative people and executives from across the political spectrum held a breakfast meeting with the former prime minister. Since that time, Project Communicate has identified college students as its first priority, commissioning prominent political consultant Frank Luntz to report on the issues, arguments and ideas that can effect pro-Israel attitudes on campus.

Whoever is making the case for Israel — organization or individual, student or teacher, Jew or non-Jew — convincing Americans of any position requires the right words, the right language and the right framing. At the behest of Project Communicate, the American Jewish Committee and other organizations, Luntz went beyond college students, examining a range of U.S. attitudes toward the situation and the language that works to persuade Americans.

http://www.jewishjournal.com/los_an..._east_battleground_college_campuses_20020823/
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One of their undertakings:
Hasbara Handbook: Defending Israel on Campus

Another one:
The Israel Project's 2009 Global Language Dictionary



http://www.theisraelproject.org/
 
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just skimming through the Israel projects 2009 global language dictionary shows just how in my opinion morally bankrupt the pro Israel side is.
 
How do you think commercial advertising and public relations works?

We used to study the importance of framing the argument in our undergrad class in public communications

This is Sales 101.
 
S.A.M. said:
How do you think commercial advertising and public relations works?

We used to study the importance of framing the argument in our undergrad class in public communications

This is Sales 101.
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their preying on people to lazy to get real info. Though this conclusively proves in my opinion that one so called nuetral was pro israeli whn they make the same demand pro israeli groups do. that we should ignore the palestinians legal rights as refugees because it would be inconveinent for Israel. Yes it sucks for the Israelis that would have to be removed for the palestinians who made the choice to return to their lands rather than accept compensation( rights the jewish refugees have as well) but Israel created the problem when they violated international law putting their concerns ahead of those they abused is just evil to me.
 
Israel created the problem when they violated international law
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Thats the naive idealist view.

In the real world no one really cares

As Frank Lutz said: And remember, it’s not what you say that counts. It’s what people hear
 
S.A.M. said:
The world watches hypocrisy in action.
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At least Hamas isn't hypocritical about their immorality. Israel may have done some violent things in reaction to being bombed every day for 8 years, but I'm still not anti-Israel. Just like the My Lai Massacre didn't make me anti-American.
 
spidergoat said:
At least Hamas isn't hypocritical about their immorality. Israel may have done some violent things in reaction to being bombed every day for 8 years, but I'm still not anti-Israel. Just like the My Lai Massacre didn't make me anti-American.
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Yeah, you're a good German. My countries, right or wrong.
 
One can object to specific actions without condemning the entire enterprise. No one in this conflict sets a good moral example.
 
They are both victims and oppressors at various times. The situation is more complex than you have ever been willing to admit.
 
Interesting changes in Haaretz talkbacks:

I have been noting an interesting change in Haaretz talkbacks; not sure if it is because of selective moderation by Haaretz [most of my comments do not get published, even innocent ones] or a real sea change in the comments themselves. More and more Americans Jewish and non-Jewish, are giving their opinions in articles related to the US.

e.g. one article Poll: 56% of American Jews think U.S. should strike Iran which has probably been published a few hours ago has, so far, the following comments

Title: What !? Wasn`t Iraq enough for you people?
Name: Another American
City: State:
Do you really want another world war?
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Title: poll of dubious value
Name: American Jew
City: State: USA-Northern California
A meaningless poll. As an American Jew, I am well aware, as most American Jews are, what are the personal consequence in our communities of openly expressing an alternative opinion to the AIPAC "line". Slander, threats, community shunning of self and family, all are meant to silence any alternative American-Jewish "voice" from that which we are bombarded with from the likes of AIPAC and Foxman`s ADL. M community, I am proud to say,is making some progress to open debate and dialogue,something that I was raised to believe was the very essence of Jewish intellectual tradition..
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Title: U.S. striking Iran
Name: H
City: State: Europe
Extremely good timing for this survey by The American Jewish Commitee to appear right now - and wow look at the results! American Jews becoming as warmongering as the Israelis - very convincing, indeed!If Goldstone is accused of finding what he wants, then there are others who could be, as well.......
Really getting some good help on Iran now, diverting attention from uncomfortable issues in Israel. Same old tactics! Never-ending!
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Title: Face
Name: jjvanka
City: State: NL
When Obama spoke out against an Iran attack, most US Jews supported him. Have they tucked away their US passports and identify themselves with the Israeli one?
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Title: so few?
Name: Chaim Ben Kahan
City: Efrat State: Israel
They must be polling Left wing Jews because I think the percentage is far higher in favor of attacking Iran. I would say its closer to %85.
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Title: Was this poll made in AIPAC building?
Name: David
City: NYC State:
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Title: 56% approve bombing Iran
Name: hank curtis
City: buenos aires State: argentina
If the US were to bomb Iran, it would lead to the end of US and World support of Israel and from there the end of Israel.

Don`t American Jews and Israelis undrstand that every day every thing Israel does to the Palestininas and other Muslims costs them support? It is only a question of time until
world pressure on Israel will make the continuity of the country impossible.
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Title: Strike Iran
Name: Darwish
City: Tampa State: FL
Are those the same Jews that voted for Bush and his gang to strike Iraq? Our economy is more important than what a few American Radical Jews want....
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Title: 56% of american jews think........
Name: herbert
City: ny State: ny
what about the rest of us 245000000 who are non-jews, what is their opinion?
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Title: 56%of American Jews
Name: dr.Joji Cherian
City: Aluva State: India
56% of American Jews think US should strike Iran. Obama SHOULD strike Iran.Afterall 56%percent of Jews means 1% of American population.
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Any regular reader of Haaretz will recognise that these kinds of comments are really really unusual in the paper.
 
Abbas rolls over and plays dead for his puppet masters:


The Palestinian Authority on Thursday decided to drop its draft resolution condemning Israel's conduct during the Gaza Strip offensive, in effect deferring its adoption of the Goldstone's Commission report accusing both sides of war crimes.

The source added that the decision appears to be based on pressure from the Obama administration, exerted by way of U.S. representatives in Geneva, as well as through contacts between Washington and Ramallah.

The Obama administration has told the Palestinians that a renewal of the peace process must come before any diplomatic initiatives based on the Goldstone report, or any other initiatives that could stifle efforts to renew Israel-PA negotiations.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated in recent days that efforts to use the Goldstone report to advance anti-Israel measures in the Human Rights Council or the International Tribunal in The Hague will deal a death blow to the peace process.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1118235.html
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Nothing like accountability for war crimes to destroy a "peace" process

This must be the "change we can believe in".
 
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