Dec 31, 2008

Israel claims success in the PR war

From The Jewish Chronicle, by Anshel Pfeffer A most revealing article on Israel’s PR success, so far, in its war of aggression on Gaza. Note how preparations had started months earlier, refuting all current Israeli claims that their war was in “retaliation” to whatever the Palestinians have done a couple of days earlier.

Gaza aid boat ‘rammed by Israel’ – Further details on the Dignity emergency mission

A boat delivering 3.5 tonnes of Cypriot medical aid to the Gaza Strip has been rammed by Israeli naval vessels in international waters, activists say. See the clip included in the news item!

Israeli minister dives for cover

Israeli trade and industry minister, Eli Yishai, was forced to take cover during an interview as rocket warning sirens went off around him – watch the clip!

Renewed protests at Israeli raids

Protests against the Israeli military action in the Gaza Strip have again been taking place, with rallies in several cities across the region.

Israel rejects Gaza truce calls

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has rejected international calls for a 48-hour truce in the Gaza Strip to allow in more humanitarian aid.

Israel Holds Near Monopoly on Information from Gaza Strip, Declares Victory in “War of Public Relations”

The Israeli government has created for itself a near monopoly over information coming out of the Gaza Strip. Journalists have been prevented from entering the Gaza Strip already since early November, a move the Foreign Press Association (FPA) in Israel labels “an unprecedented restriction of press freedom.” The FPA filed a petition with the Israeli Supreme Court against this measure, and the petition is scheduled to be ruled on today (31 December).

Israel’s onslaught on Gaza is a crime that cannot succeed

The US-backed attempt to bring Hamas to heel by overwhelming force is in fact more likely to boost the movement’s appeal. An excellent article! Simon Farr Caricature in The Guardian, 31 December 2008

Israel decides to push on with Gaza op until ‘all goals reached’

By Barak Ravid, Amos Harel, and Avi Issacharoff, Haaretz Correspondents, and Reuters

UN set for Gaza crisis discussion

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7806684.stm

The UN Security Council is set to meet to discuss the crisis in the Gaza Strip as international calls grow for a halt to the Israeli-Palestinian violence.

British telecom firm severs ties with Israeli counterparts

UK’s FreedomCall informs Israeli company of decision via email, blames Gaza operation Meir Orbach http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3648346,00.html

British telecommunications firm FreedomCall has terminated its cooperation with Israel’s MobileMax due to the IDF operation in Gaza.

Robert Fisk: Why bombing Ashkelon is the most tragic irony

The Independent Tuesday, 30 December 2008 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-why-bombing-ashkelon-is-the-most-tragic-irony-1216228.html

Palestine’s Guernica and the Myths of Israeli Victimhood

Mustafa Barghouthi http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/2008/12/view_from_a_pal/

The Israeli campaign of ‘death from above’ began around 11 am, on Saturday morning, the 27th of December, and stretched straight through the night into this morning. The massacre continues Sunday as I write these words.

Ron Prossor Chickens out!

See what happened when we act quickly!

Has Israel Revived Hamas?

By Daoud Kuttab Tuesday, December 30, 2008; A15 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/29/AR2008122901 901.html

In its efforts to stop amateur rockets from nagging the residents of some of its southern cities, Israel appears to have given new life to the fledging Islamic movement in Palestine.

GIDEON LEVY / The IAF, bullies of the clear blue skies

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1051317.html

An excellent attack on the common madness of Israelis

The Jerusalem Post and what they think about Palestine

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/Page/DryBones&cid=11234

A hoorendous caricature, closely representing the current state of thinking in Israel. Please for moment do not make the mistake of thinking this is an ironic, critical reflection on the situation.

Where peace is a problem

Haim Bresheeth, The Electronic Intifada, 31 December 2008 http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article10080.shtml

Robert Fisk: The self delusion that plagues both sides in this bloody conflict

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-the-self-delusion-that-plagues-both-sides-in-this-bloody-conflict-1218224.html Israel has never won a war in a built-up city, that’s why threats of ‘war to the bitter end’ are nonsense