In Gaza, the real enemy is Iran; Israeli attacks must not stop until Iran’s proxy, Hamas, is defeated.
READ THE LIES!
By Yossi Klein Halevi and Michael B. Oren Reporting from Jerusalem — The images from the fighting in Gaza are harrowing but ultimately deceptive. They portray a mighty invading army, one equipped with F-16 jets that have bombed a civilian population defended by a few thousand fighters armed with primitive rockets. But widen the lens and the true nature of this conflict emerges. Hamas, like Hezbollah in Lebanon, is a proxy for the real enemy Israel is confronting: Iran. And Israel’s current operation against Hamas represents a unique chance to deal a strategic blow to Iranian expansionism.
In an article combining lies, schreck propaganda and disgusting war-mongering, one can see the typical Zionist line: blame the victim, obfuscate, lie and lie again, and reverse any situation you are discussing on its head. It works, unfortunately, if you do it for long enough.
Gazans say experiencing ‘another Nakba‘: YNet News
Residents in northern Strip fear expansion of IDF operation, flee Beit Lahiya homes to ‘safer areas’; many areas plunged into darkness; water, sewage systems breaking down.
Gaza: 4 soldiers injured, 3 Palestinians killed: YNet News
Fighting takes first toll, claims life of one Israeli soldier, leaves another critically injured. Over 25 troops sustain minor injuries in various clashes with Gaza gunmen.
Nur das „Eröffnungskapitel“ einer Offensive? Von Hans-Christian Rößler: Frankfurter Allgemeine
04. Januar 2009 Das dumpfe Donnern der Explosionen, das am Sonntag unablässig aus dem Gazasteifen nach Israel hinüberhallte, passte zur gedämpften Tonlage, die Politiker und Kommentatoren wählten. Ministerpräsident Ehud Olmert wandte sich in seiner ersten Rede nach dem Beginn des Einmarsches an die Mütter der Soldaten: Wäre nicht alles Erdenkliche getan worden, damit sie wieder sicher nach Hause zurückkehren, hätte er der Bodenoffensive nicht zugestimmt, versicherte er ihnen.
El Ejército israelí rodea la ciudad de Gaza y divide la franja en dos: El Pais
Muere el primer soldado israelí tras nueve días de ofensiva.- Una mujer palestina y sus cuatro hijos mueren durante el bombardeo de la capital.
Like The NY Times, Al Pais also found it necessary and correct to front its edition with the coffin of the ONE Israeli soldier killed in the Gaza invasion! The 500 and more Palestinians have not attained such an honour. Oh well, they are just Palestinians, and have no names and faces, of course.
Ballet diplomatique au Proche-Orient pour obtenir un cessez-le-feu dans la bande de Gaza: Le Monde
BALLET DIPLOMATIQUE. La région connaît une activité diplomatique particulièrement dense. Moins de 24 heures après le déclenchement de l’offensive terrestre israélienne dans la bande de Gaza, l’Union européenne a dépêché une délégation de diplomates, qui fait étape dimanche en Egypte, avant de se rendre à Jérusalem, Ramallah et Amman.L’objectif est d’obtenir un cessez-le-feu. Emmenée par le chef de la diplomatie tchèque Karel Schwarzenberg, dont le pays assume la présidence tournante de l’UE, cette mission est en outre composée des chefs de la diplomatie français et suédois, de la commissaire européenne aux relations extérieures Benita Ferrero-Waldner, et du porte-parole de la diplomatie de l’UE Javier Solana. Les Européens croiseront le chemin de Nicolas Sarkozy, qui arrive lundi dans la région pour une tournée deux jours qui doit lui permettre de rencontrer les principaux dirigeants de la région : lundi, le président égyptien Hosni Moubarak, le président de l’Autorité palestinienne Mahmoud Abbas et le premier ministre israélien Ehoud Olmert, puis mardi, le président syrien Bachar el-Assad à Damas – soutien du Hamas, avec l’Iran – et les dirigeants libanais .
Israeli Troops Advance, Bisecting Gaza: NY Times
GAZA — Israeli troops advanced into Gaza on Sunday under cover of heavy air, tank and artillery fire after opening a ground war against the militant group Hamas on Saturday night.
The NY Times also found it necessary and correct to front its edition with the coffin of the ONE Israeli soldier killed in the Gaza invasion! The 500 and more Palestinians have not attained such an honour. If you wish to link to its front page, here is the link:
http://www.nytimes.com/ I prefer not to help them by showing it here.
And there lie the bodies, By Gideon Levy: Ha;aretz
The legend, lest it be a true story, tells of how the late mathematician, Professor Haim Hanani, asked his students at the Technion to draw up a plan for constructing a pipe to transport blood from Haifa to Eilat. The obedient students did as they were told. Using logarithmic rulers, they sketched the design for a sophisticated pipeline. They meticulously planned its route, taking into account the landscape’s topography, the possibility of corrosion, the pipe’s diameter and the flow calibration. When they presented their final product, the professor rendered his judgment: You failed. None of you asked why we need such a pipe, whose blood will fill it, and why it is flowing in the first place.
Sarkozy: Hamas to blame for Gaza suffering: Ha’aretz
French President Nicolas Sarkozy told three Lebanese newspapers that Hamas bore “a heavy responsibility for the sufferings of the Palestinian people” and that its rocket attacks had to stop. Sarkozy’s comments will be published on Monday, the same day he arrives in Israel as part of the French and European effort to broker a cease-fire to end the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Decision of arms not diplomacy in Gaza: BBC
This conclusion is inevitable in the face of a determination by the Israeli government that it faces an unacceptable threat from Gaza that must be dealt with. By delaying ground operations for a week, it gave Hamas a chance to back down and call a halt to the firing of rockets into Israel. But Hamas chose confrontation, probably fearing that to do otherwise would be to show weakness.
The Palestinian Association of University Teachers in Gaza: Call for Action
Urgent call for action by the Gaza Universities, all of which have been bombed!
oxfam Call for action
Oxfam supported health worker killed and ambulance destroyed in Israeli shelling in Gaza Israeli offensive puts families’ and aid workers’ lives at risk, Oxfam warns. It calls for a suspension of the EU upgrade for Israel.
Why Gaza’s Message Is Threatening To Some?: PalestineRemembered.com
By Salah Mansour
The Israeli war on Gaza hasn’t been only unprecedented in its ferocity, but it has been unprecedented in the support it received from the so called “Moderate” Arab Regimes** as well. In all circles, the Israeli attack was expected but not with this ferocity, however, the open alliance between the “Moderate” Arab Regimes with the Israeli policy makers never been this clear and obvious.
Official EU Presidency Statement concerning the situation in the Middle East: EU 2009
The only official standpoint of the Czech EU Presidency concerning the actions of the Israeli ground forces in the Gaza Strip. I would like to apologise for the misunderstanding which occurred on 3 January 2009 about the reaction of the Czech Presidency to the actions of the Israeli ground forces in the Gaza Strip according to which the operations were seen as an act of self-defence. The only official standpoint of the Czech Presidency is the following: “It is not surprising that the Israeli forces have launched land operations in the Gaza Strip. There were indications that Israel had been considering this step. But even the undisputable right of the state to defend itself does not allow actions which largely affect civilians. We call for the facilitation of humanitarian aid to the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip, and in accordance with the position agreed by the EU Foreign Ministers in Paris on the 30th December 2008 we call for the establishment of a ceasefire.”
Jiří F. Potužník
He seems to have changed his mind about resigning…
The Gaza Ghetto Uprising: Joseph Massad in Electronic intifada
One is often baffled by the ironies of international relations and the alliances they foster. Take for example the Israeli colonial settlement that had declared war on the Palestinian people and several Arab countries since its inception while at the same time it built alliances with many Arab regimes and with Palestinian leaders.
Eyewitness: ‘We live with worry’: BBC
BBC journalist and Gaza resident Hamada Abu Qammar reports from Gaza as Israeli ground forces clash with Hamas fighters:
Last night where I live, in the central part of the Gaza Strip, we could hear bombing, artillery fire and also shooting from helicopters. I was watching from the top of my brother’s house. It was terrifying. I also went out into the streets in our area. It was virtually empty of people.
EU President Czech Republic: Israeli ground incursion defensive, not offensive action: Ynet
Europe backs IDF incursion EU President Czech Republic: Israeli ground incursion defensive, not offensive action. European Union president, the Czech Republic, said on Saturday an Israeli ground incursion in Gaza was “defensive, not offensive” action. “At the moment, from the perspective of the last days, we understand this step as a defensive, not offensive, action,” Czech EU presidency spokesman Jiri Potuznik said. Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg is leading an EU delegation to the region on Sunday, and Potuznik said the presidency will wait to see the results of that visit. However, France condemned Israel’s move to send ground forces into Gaza. “France condemns the Israeli ground offensive against Gaza as it condemns the continuation of rocket firing,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. “This dangerous military escalation complicates efforts by the international community and in particular the European Union and France, the members of the Quartet and the states in the region to end the fighting, bring immediate aid to civilians and reach a permanent ceasefire,” the statement said. ‘Luxury of telling the truth’ The Czech Republic already defended Israel’s strikes against Hamas last week. At the time, Foreign Minister Schwarzenberg said Israel had the right to defend itself.
Paramedic killed as shell hits ambulance in Gaza: The Guardian
A paramedic working for an Oxfam-funded organisation was killed today after an ambulance was hit by an Israeli-fired shell, the charity said. The Palestinian, working for the Union of Health Work Committees, was killed in Gaza. Another paramedic lost his foot and the ambulance driver was injured in the same incident.The paramedic was trying to help evacuate an injured person in the Beit Lahiya area, when the shell struck the ambulance, Oxfam said.
Palestinians: Mother, 4 children killed in IDF Gaza offensive: Ha’artez
Gaza medical personnel said a woman and four of her children were among the 35 Palestinians killed on Sunday during an Israel Defense Forces ground offensive in the coastal territory. The deaths came as IDF ground troops and tanks cut swaths through the Gaza Strip early Sunday, cutting the coastal territory into two and surrounding its biggest city as the new phase of the devastating 9-day offensive against Hamas gained momentum.
Peres: No Gaza truce right now, Hamas needs a ‘real lesson’: Ha’aretz
President Shimon Peres on Sunday rejected the possibility of a cease-fire as the IDF pressed its offensive against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, but said Israel does not intend to occupy Gaza. “We don’t intend neither to occupy Gaza nor to crush Hamas, but to crush terror. And Hamas needs a real and serious lesson. They are now getting it,” Peres said in an interview on the ABC News program “This Week.”
Knesset panel okays call-up of tens of thousands of IDF reservists: Ha’aretz
A Knesset committee on Sunday approved Defense Minister Ehud Barak’s request for the call-up of tens of thousands of reservists in light of the ground operation in Gaza that Israel launched on Saturday against Hamas. Despite approving the measure, the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee clarified that not all of the Israel Defense Forces reservists would be called up immediately.
European Union Chief Calls Israel’s Action in Gaza ‘Defensive, Not Offensive’: The Media Line
A description of Mr. Potuznik position, as well as the rest of the propto-fascists in Prague
Gaza conflict: Reaction in quotes: BBC
You can read some infuriating quotes, including the now famous one from Mr. Potuznik
universities-of-palestine: Press Release
As evening closed in on Saturday 3rd January 2009 F-16 fighter planes renewed their bombing of one of the most densely populated areas of land in the world, killing more Palestinian civilians. In seven days Israel has killed over 500 Palestinians and injuring thousand of innocents. And now it has embarked on a full-scale ground invasion.
To read the whole call, press the link above
MASSIVE DEMONSTRATION AGAINST THE WAR: Gush Shalom
At the same time as Ehud Barak was ordering the army to start the bloody ground offensive against Gaza, some ten thousand protesters from all over Israel marched in Tel-Aviv in a massive demonstration against the war. “One does not build an election campaign over the dead bodies of children!” shouted the protesters in Hebrew rhymes. “Orphans and widows are not election propaganda!”, “Olmert, Livni and Barak – war is no game!”’ “All cabinet ministers are war criminals!!” Barak, Barak, don’t worry – we shall meet you in The Hague!”, “Enough, enough – speak with Hamas!”
Israeli airstrikes turn the American School in Gaza into a pile of rubble
A pictorial report on this school, one of many, which was totally destroyed. A great blow against the Hamas, obviously.
Spokesperson of the Czech Republic President, Mr. Jiri Potuznik resigns after he calls Israel’s action ‘defensive’
See Haim Bresheeth’s letter demanding his resignation, and his answer that he has indeed resigned! the-spokesperson-of-the-eu-current-president
Qu’est-ce qu’un crime de guerre ? : Gilles Dever, 20 Minutes.fr
Douloureux à rappeler quand Israël est en cause, mais c’est le statut du tribunal de Nuremberg qui le premier a posé la définition du crime de guerre. En droit de la guerre, la césure reste l’Allemagne nazie. Les conventions internationales qui traitaient de la guerre, datées de 1899 et de 1907, concernaient essentiellement les soldats, et de manière indirecte les populations civiles. Avec les nazis, l’ordre des choses s’est inversé : la mort des civils est une réalité, et un but de la guerre.
Two children killed in tank shelling as ground invasion joins air attack, 477 Palestinians killed: Palestine News Agency
Gaza / PNN – On the ninth day of major air attacks on the Gaza Strip Israeli ground forces invaded. Members of the armed resistance are fighting back. The number of Palestinians killed since last Saturday has reached 477. The aerial bombings continue along with the invasion on ground. Israeli warplanes and Apache helicopters hit 45 “targets.” An Israeli tank shell killed three children in the northern Gaza Strip’s Beit Lahia. Ambulances are unable to reach three Palestinians who were killed in Gaza along with those injured. Thirty Israeli soldiers and more settlers from Sderot were injured. The injuries are described as “light to moderate.”Israeli source say they are fighting the resistance across the Strip. The Israeli military says that no soldiers were killed or captured since the ground invasion began.
free-gaza-call
On Monday, December 29 we sent our small ship, the DIGNITY, to besieged Gaza in an act of civil resistance against Israel’s ongoing massacre and blockade. We attempted to bring doctors, journalists, human rights workers and over three tons of emergency medical aid to the suffering people of Gaza in the midst of the worst attacks against them in over 40 years. In a cowardly act of aggression the Israeli navy deliberately, repeatedly, and without warning rammed our unarmed ship, causing significant structural damage and endangering the lives of our passengers and crew. For CNN’s coverage of the incident, see: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=EZeNdIGI8os&feature=related and http://www.freegaza.org/index.php?module=latest_news&id=ca72ff9b346077717c7a acb1545c7919&offset=
This was an act of terror meant to prevent us from accessing the people of Gaza. We will not be intimidated. We will not let Israel’s terror tactics stop us from trying to reach the people of Gaza and doing all that we can to directly confront and challenge Israel’s violence against the Palestinian people and ongoing affront to humanity.
To read the whole call, press the link above
Israeli troops clash with Hamas: BBC
Israeli ground forces are battling Palestinian fighters in the Gaza Strip, after Israel stepped up its operation to halt rocket attacks by militants.
ISRAELI GROUND TROOPS BISECT GAZA STRIP: Palestinians: 19 killed in Gaza since midnight: Ha’aretz
Gaza doctors and hospital officials said Sunday said that 19 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s ground offensive in the strip since midnight. They said that just three of the dead are Hamas gunmen, and the rest civilians. Also Sunday, the Israel Air Force struck and wounded Husam Hamdan, a senior Hamas militant responsible for the Qassam rocket infrastructure in the Gaza town of Khan Yunis and the firing of Grad rockets on Be’er Sheva and Ofakim. The strike also wounded Hamas militant Mohammed Hilo, a member of Hamas’ special forces who helps supervise the construction and firing of Qassams from Khan Yunis.