NEWS ROUNDUP 10 JANUARY

So, George Mitchell goes on television and impersonates Clint Eastwood’s “Dirty Harry” character, and tells Israel “Under American law, the United States can withhold support on loan guarantees to Israel." Never mind, Israel‘s not worried in the least. It’s money has been well spent throughout the US Congress and Senate. Defense Minister Ehud Barak tells U.S. Senators: I know your support for Israel will continue.

In a scene more reminiscent of Stephen King’s miniseries “The Stand” Where Trashcan Man keeps repeating the phrase “My life for you!” as he works carrying out the Devils will. In America we see Zionist US Senator Joe (I’m pretending to be Progressive and Democratic) Lieberman , and Repug Senator John (Bomb Iran and every other Muslim country) McCain, currently involved in a massive pissing contest, to see who can be the best Israeli lackey of all time. “My Life For You……….” Here's an interesting statistic, I was just reading where 100 people in America die per year from lightening strikes, where’s a good bolt when you need one….

Mitchell also said that Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations should take no longer than two years and could be finished sooner than that. Of course they can, within two years Israel will have stolen and ethnically cleansed all the Palestinian land it wants, eureka…….Instant Israeli Peace Deal.

And as usual, Israel blames the Palestinians for no “peace deal” From the Israeli perspective; if those pesky Pals would just send abbas back to trade away the rights of Palestinians for a “Swiss Cheese State” under Israeli control. Then there can be peace in the valley………………..and the mountains and desert.

Let’s talk Egypt, who continues it’s support for the US and Israeli Middle East plans for the destruction of the Gazan population, but some Egyptians are catching on, like Egyptian MP Talaat Sadat, a member of the Parliament Committee on Defense and National Security. Who has resigned his position and is none to happy with Pharaoh’s collusion against fellow Arabs by building the US/Egyptian “Wall of Shame and Death.”

And lastly an example of a Hero and a Zero

HERO:A good man, Sukhwinder Singh

Sukhwinder Singh, 31, was on his way home from a walk when he saw the men punching a woman in the face as she desperately tried to cling on to her handbag.He ran after them and caught up with one of the robbers who turned around and stabbed him in the chest and left his body lying in the snow where he died of his wounds.

ZERO: And here’s to you, Mrs. Robinson:

DUP First Minister Peter Robinson’s job is on the line as the Democratic Unionist Party expels his 60 year old wife, also an Assembly Member, after she passed £50,000 to her teenage lover. Ooopsie! And, can I just say “Ewe!! To the 60 year old 19 year old thingie.” As usual the Irish sense of humor is kicking in already, multiple “DUP Iris” jokes emerging already:


ULSTER SAYS NO!!! BUT IRIS SAYS YES!! YES!! YES!!!

Israel Attempts Death Rescue

WE'RE NOT DONE WITH YOU YET

TIME TO PROP UP THAT CORPSE

Ready yourselves for the "all out" rescue attempt of the Israeli/US Agent Abbas. He did what he was told by his handlers, and is now suffering from political death. So, here comes Israel to "prop up that corpse" so they can continue to use him for their benefit. He's just too good to loose, where else would they find a "so called" Palestinian willing to sell out his own people and country.......

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may live up to one of its outstanding legal or human rights obligations in order to bolster the support of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas,

Haaretz said Netanyahu would either finally follow through on his binding agreement to give the emerging Palestinian cellular telecom company Wataniya the band width it was promised last year so it can begin operations, or stop denying the Palestinian Authority permission to build a housing development on Israeli-occupied land near Ramallah.

The decision on which of the rumored “goodwill packages,” (PAY OFF PACKAGE) as they were termed by Israeli media, will go forward could be announced during Netanyahu’s Friday meeting with US Special Envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell. According to the news article the move comes because of heavy criticism and calls for the resignation of Abbas after his government decided to drop UN Human Rights Council talks on the Goldstone report. source

Israel Says “Kiss My Ass” Obama Says “OK”

Did You Really Think It Would Happen?

Middle East Peace, a FAIR and EQUAL deal for Palestinians? Two words, “wise up.”

Obama has been blowing bubbles up the arse of Arabs (and the rest of the world) for months now. And the mask has been slipping but now it’s fallen to the floor.

The “Evil Had Landed” in England a few days ago and I watched Netanyahu the Chosen one parade like a puffed up peacock outside of number 10 Downing Street. And as soon as he had his face in front of the cameras he just couldn’t contain himself, he practically shouted with smirking glee when confirming the mighty "ass kissing" that had obviously occured inside “No Freeze in Jerusalem” and my personal favourite load of bollox “Jerusalem is not a settlement” and of course “Jerusalem is the Capital of Israel”

This being the utter antithesis of the Obama policy for the Middle East Peace Plan, what retort do we hear from the “Whitehouse?” Why this one: “The US has dropped a demand that Israel freeze settlement construction in East Jerusalem, the Palestinian capital” and “citing Israeli officials and Western diplomats, reported that US Envoy George Mitchell capitulated to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal during their meeting in London on Wednesday. “ And if you look closely you can see the lip marks on Netanyahu’s arse from Mitchell’s lips. And if you listen closely you can hear the death knell of a real Palestinian state.

So what’s Obama managed to get for all the phoney rhetoric, fake threats, scripted and staged stand offs? Well, let’s see:

Obama got this:“Netanyahu offered Mitchell a nine-month freeze on settlement construction in the West Bank excluding Jerusalem.” Which is a limited “freeze” on “some” settlements, for a “limited” amount of time. Most likely enough time for Obama to attempt a “Snake Oil” sell to the public on what a selfless move Israel has made for peace. Are you bending over yet?

And Obama got this regarding East Jerusalem: “In addition, Netanyahu wants to exclude 2,500 housing units on which construction has already started, and the construction of schools and other structures in the settlements.” Start bending over……..

And Obama got this: “Israel is demanding that the Palestinian Authority and Arab states make their own concessions in exchange for a freeze. If these measures are not take, the report says, Israel wants guarantees that the US will not oppose an end to the freeze and further settlement construction.” Yes, the Arab states and the Palestinians must lick Israel’s arse immediately, or else the “limited” freeze in tiny “selected” unimportant areas will go “bye bye.” As if they mattered in the least. Bend over.

So, are you wondering how the meeting in London ended? Here ya go: “At the end of the London meeting Netanyahu and Mitchell issued a brief Joint Statement saying that they “had a very productive meeting today where the full range of issues was discussed.” It ended with Mitchell’s lips on Netanyahu’s Zionist arse, that’s how it ended and that’s what America got….nothing. So, why this outcome? Because the people of America just have not figured out yet that Israel controls their country, always has and always will. Until the American people wise up and start voting for Politicians who promise to put America and the Worlds best interests FIRST. source link

Liar Liar Pants On Fire

An aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's commented on reports of the cancellation of the meeting scheduled between Netanyahu and US Mideast envoy George Mitchell in Paris, saying, "Israel is the one that cancelled the meeting due to the need to collect more data and present it to the American envoy in an organized fashion.

"There is no truth to claims that the Americans called off the meeting due to a dispute," the source added, referring to reports that the meeting was cancelled due to a dispute between the US and Israel over settlement construction. source

ATTEMPTED BOMB ATTACK of George Mitchell in Lebanon

Hmm, who would benefit from such a thing, I ask myself? And then myself says this; "I wonder how many of those Israeli spies are left inside Lebanon"

The Lebanese police have defused a parcel bomb just as US envoy George Mitchell, who is on a visit following the pro-US coalition's parliamentary win, entered the country.

The package containing about 200 grams of TNT and C-4 plastic explosives "did not explode due to a technical failure," a security official in Beirut told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The source, however, added that sneaking explosives into general security offices -- which is in charge of border security and airports -- would not be "an easy task".

The incident came just after Mitchell entered Beirut on Friday, calling the June 7 parliamentary elections an "important milestone" for Lebanon. source

Gaza Siege To Be Lifted???

Could it really be possible? I was just reading the news online and tucked away inside another story on Mitchell's visit to Israel, I found this quite important little bit that seems to have been glossed over. It states that the Zionist government will discuss lifting restrictions this Wednesday, including export out of Gaza as well:

Another matter expected to top the agenda during the meetings is the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu and Barak will brief Mitchell about Wednesday's scheduled special cabinet meeting on the subject, expected to result in a decision to lift restrictions on importing foodstuffs and other goods into the Strip. The cabinet is also expected to lift the ban on exports. source

Maybe they want to avoid another "scene" with Galloway standing at the Rafah Border LOL:) But seriously, if the Israelis do this, lift the siege, it will be a crumb thrown at Obama, in lieu of stopping settlements, rest assured........UPDATE they met and have now linked lifting the siege to progress on the release of Gilad Shalit, see below:

JERUSALEM, June 11 (UPI) -- The easing of restrictions in Gaza will largely depend on progress toward the release of abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, the Israeli Cabinet ruled. link

Israel Prays for Ahmadinejad

Tomorow's Game Changer Election

by Declan
http://irish4palestine.blogspot.com

With Iran’s elections tomorrow, Israel has done all it can to ensure another victory for Ahmadinejad.

Since last year Israel has continually war mongered for an attack on Iran. Knowing that a program of continued aggression towards Iran would promote hardliners.

Whenever a country is under constant threat, it does not move forward, it cannot “change” it’s progressive voice is crushed as the country closes ranks in an effort to protect itself from attack. George W. Bush knew this and used it to his advantage to get himself re-elected, using the Politics of Fear to do so. The "threat" level never went below Orange mostly, a dip to Yellow once in a while, but never ever to green. Got to keep the public fat, dumb, and scared shitless to win the election.

Using the politics of fear in an attempt to influence the Iranian elections, this is Israel’s game plan, and has been Israels game plan all along. I read somewhere that if Ahmadinejad did not exist, then Israel would have had to invent him. Yes, here is the quote, it was from Uri Avnery in April 2009.

I am not saying that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is an agent of the Mossad.
Absolutely not. I don’t want to be sued for libel.

I am only saying that were he an agent of the Mossad, he would not behave any differently.

And also: If he did not exist, the Mossad would have had to invent him.
Either way, the assistance he is giving to the government of Israel is invaluable.

What we have seen over the past several months is a continued push by Israel towards Iran. Constant threats, practice runs, massive war games played, huge fear mongering by the Israelis. The closer to the election the greater the push, the greater the war games.

December 2008

Israel 'prepared to attack' Iran nuclear plants

Israel is drawing up plans to attack Iran's nuclear facilities and is prepared to launch a strike without backing from the US, it has been reported.

April 2009 the Mother of All:

Israeli army to train for impending war

Israel is set to mobilize its army and hold the largest military exercise in its history to psych up the public for the breaking out of war.

The head of Israel's Department for Population at the Home Front Command Colonel Hilik Sofer said the extensive exercise would be conducted in less than two months on June 2. (Note the date?)

The senior Israeli official went on to acknowledge that in the event of a war Israel would have insufficient emergency and rescue response units ready.

"In wartime there will be insufficient Magen David Adom, rescue and chemical and biological warfare units. Even if we call up the reserves of the Home Front Command, we will have to rely on the population itself," Sofer told Haaretz.

"We need to train for a reality in which during war missiles can fall on any part of the country without warning," he said.

One of the missions of the nationwide military drill is to convince the public that in the event of a war the entire country would "become a front without warning".

Sofer said by holding the weeklong military exercise Israel seeks to "transform the population from a passive to an active one... We want the citizens to understand that war can happen tomorrow morning."

However, according to the Israeli official, the Home Front Command does not seek to scare anyone beyond a "healthy sense of fear". (What they really mean is a "Healthy Sense of Paranoia")

The official further stressed the need for Israeli residents to rely on themselves, explaining that the army would not be responsible for the evacuation of people even in areas most liable to be targeted.

Now, this article above is exceptional, not only do they go after Iran with more threats of a huge impending "war game", but at the same time, they create a massive panic, paranoia and fear among their own people. Just look at the ”implied” horrible threats to Jewish people, like those in the above article, then ask yourself just what is this meant to accomplish? Who benefits from this “fear mongering” Will the Israeli people be any safer being told this hogwash? No, what they are aiming for is to firstly keep Iran paranoid so they elect Ahmadinejad again, and at the same time create massive amounts of panic and fear so that they can then use this public fear to attack Iran and anyone else the Zionist Entity does not like. Normally I don’t feel too sorry for Jews who choose to live inside the Zionist Entity, but think for one moment what life must be like when your own government continually keeps you in a blind state of panic and fear. Oh, never mind, George Bush did that to Americans. The difference is Americans woke up, Israelis have not.May 2009, one month from Iranian election:

Israel grits teeth as 'doom day' draws near

As the Israeli-predicted date for war on Iran draws closer, a report says Israeli's missile operators have begun weekly drills to hone their skills.

Israeli Air Force (IAF) reservists who operate the ballistic missile destroyer, the Arrow, and the surface-to-air missile, Patriot, have been called up by the Defense Ministry to spend one day a week on duty to prepare for a possible conflict with Iran.

May 21st 2009, not long now till the election.

Israeli war games simulated strike by Iran
Thu, 21 May 2009 21:12:00 GMT

Israel has held a large-scale military exercise to simulate wars launched by Iran and Syria in order to assess its capabilities against the two Muslim nations

This next one is quite clever indeed, but as always, there are gaping holes in the logic, see if you can spot the “hole”

As Tel Aviv keeps on threatening Tehran with a 'military option', a report says Israel will open an embassy near the Iranian border in neighboring Turkmenistan.

Citing high-ranking officials in the Israeli Foreign Ministry, IzRus reported Monday that Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman has personally struck a deal with Turkmen officials.

According to the report, an Israeli delegation is on its way to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan's capital, to find a 'suitable building' for an Israeli embassy. source

Here’s the “gaping Hole” in the logic. Now, given Israel claims it is so afraid of Iran attacking it's citizens, why then would they want to put their own people right next to the Iranian border, if not to provoke Iran. It’s not like there is a booming need for an embassy in Turkmenistan with thousands of eager Israeli tourists shouting for an embassy on the Iranian border. This is transparent. It's done to create more fear in Iranians wondering what Israel is up to, next to it's border.

So, ask yourself why the largest Israeli military war games to date were announced way back in April 2009, to commence on June 2nd 2009 a full three months later. I’ll tell you why, because they wanted to create three months of impending fear in Iran, to culminate just before Iran’s election, that’s why!

So today Israel is praying hard that their Poster Boy Ahmadinejad is re-elected. They’ve done all they can do now to stack the deck, short of an actual attack, that is. If Iranians re-elect Ahmadinejad the Israelis know it will be that much harder for Obama to push his middle east peace plan with a hardliner as opposed to Iran’s own “Obama” you can read about him here and here.

If, Ahmadinejad is not re-elected, the jig is up for Israel, it’s a game changer and they know it. So, let the rest of the world pray as well, let us pray that the Iranians see through Israel’s deadly game plan. I think they are smart and already see though this evil Israeli plan.

Tomorrow’s the day Israel may finally loose the battle to control the entire middle east. Tomorrow is the day that may spell the end of the Zionists entity’s power in the region. If Iran elects Mousavi it’s over for Israel, there will be a beginning of a new world alliance where Israel no longer can act with impunity.

Tomorrow.....................

When Does The Hatred End?

I’m starting things off today with a post that can, and will, apply to Israel and Palestine one day in the future. What is the price for Peace, and when does the hatred die? Using the Irish Peace Process as an example.

As I check this morning’s news, the first thing I saw was a report about another Irish Catholic in the North of Ireland being murdered by Pro British loyalist gangs. The answer to the Israeli/Palestine question is after the reports below:

Man 'killed by loyalist lynch mob'

Kevin McDaid, who is understood to be a father-of-three, died after being viciously attacked in the Somerset Drive area of the town at around 9.30pm yesterday. A crowd of around 40 people, many armed with home-made weapons, arrived in the area after the final matches in yesterday’s Scottish Premier League meant that Rangers won the title ahead of Celtic.

(Note: For those unfamiliar with things here, Loyalists support the Rangers Team, and Catholics support Celtic. Hence Irish Catholics are often attacked when walking home from a match and Loyalists always know that they can easily kill a Catholic after a game. It is a “sport” that has been going on here for too many years)

Sinn Fein councillor Billy Leonard said the attack on Mr McDaid, a Catholic, was based on “raw sectarian hatred”

“This is a totally devastating incident but unfortunately I have to say that I have warned that loyalists would take a life in Coleraine. They have now done that and for what?

He added: “This is raw sectarian hatred and Coleraine will now have to come to terms with this reality. There is now no room for denial and excuses. A family is reeling because sectarian hatred visited them in the form of weapon-wielding loyalists. Their lives will never, ever be the same.”

Mr Leonard said there is now immense anger and frustration in the area following last night’s attacks.

(What this means, we know only too well, see next paragraph below)

“This must stop forever and loyalist/ unionist politicians and community leaders must take a long look at the situation, be honest about its ramifications and work to finally rid this area of such hatred,” he added.

Mr McDaid’s death has sparked serious concern of further disturbances in the area where there has been a history of sectarian clashes. In August six people were injured following serious sectarian disturbances in the same area. At the time it was reported that trouble flared when up to 100 loyalists entered the estate armed with iron bars and wooden batons

(Think "Israeli Settlers" here, they attempt to burn and attack Catholics out of their homes)

Sinn Fein deputy first minister, Martin McGuinness, said a "sizeable group of loyalists" were responsible for the killing and an earlier assault. "They decided it was a good idea to attack a Catholic area," he said.

'Lynching'

SDLP assembly member John Dallat said he knew Mr McDaid's family well.
"This man was doing nothing more than going down to check on his sons and lost his life when this lynching mob from a different part of the town came along and rendered their form of justice.

The Obama administration and much of the world like to use the North of Ireland Peace Process as a shining example of what can be achieved one day between Israel and Palestine. And that does have some merit. During our troubles here, much of the world’s media attention was focused on us. Even for several years after the Good Friday Agreement was signed and the people voted their support, we still had much coverage. But stories tend to die when there is not a continual live feed of murder and atrocities to feed their viewers with. They move on to other troubles, in other countries, for other causes. And so, this leaves the very wrong perception that all is now perfect here, and that once an agreement is signed life becomes perfectly normal for people and all hatred ends..

I say this because I believe many people who want peace between Israel and Palestine, do not realise the depth of that sentence. A “peace process” takes a great many years, and a great many failures and learning curves to finally take hold. There are ups and downs continually and people die all along the way, continually. This is the price for peace, but you have to pay that price for future generations. For only when we have come to the time when several generations have lived in peace; then, and only then, will the hatred die forever……….. Will Israel be willing to pay this price for peace? I doubt it!

It can be fearful making peace, it is unreliable. Whereas war is reliable, it is known, it can be felt, it is action for those making war. They can see it, measure it's progress. But within a Peace Process, now, that is scary indeed. People have no real control on the ground, you have to give up your comfort zone, you have to give up measuring progress in the terms of how many you killed, and start measuring your progress in how many you saved.

Gerry Adams once said in his historical speech upon entering into the Peace Process in 1997: “Peace is not simply the absence of violence” a quote he took from Gandhi, and that is so very true. However, this is the "type" of peace Israel wants, only the absence of violence, without addressing the core issues which create that resistance and violence. Smart people know the difference between real peace and the repressive peace created by an aggressor and occupier like Israel. Nelson Mandela spoke of this when he said: 'What challenges us, is to ensure that none should enjoy lesser rights; and none tormented because they are born different, hold contrary political views or pray to God in a different manner."

So in light of today's murder of Kevin McDaid, let us all keep working hard to ensure any peace deal for the Palestinians,will be one that is the “right” peace deal. And remember, a peace process is just that, a process, a long process where people will die along the way like Kevin McDaid and so many others. But you have to keep your eyes on the prize, that prize is “peace” for ALL children.

A Report From Gaza

You can't get a more Senior Sinn Fein delegation than this one. The US appear to be using leading Irish Republicans possibly as part of a beginning peace process attempt. I hope the US plays fairly and honestly, and is not using Irish Republicans for a peace process that will never be fair for Palestinians. Last month in Washington Adams met with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Special Envoy George Mitchell about the Middle East. When Adams arrived in Israel to pass into Gaza, the Israelis banned him for entering because he refused to agree not to meet with Hamas (the elected government of Gaza!) Then, suddenly the very next day, Adams was immediately let into Gaza. This after a scolding to Israel by Blair and Mitchell. I posted about this the other day. Anyhow, I said I would follow up, and so am doing that now.

The following is a report of Gerry Adams visit to Gaza. as told by Richard McAuley a member of the delegation. Take a deep breath for some reality of what it is like there right now. This is just so devastating to read, truly devastating.

On 7 April, the Sinn Féin delegation – Gerry Adams, Richard McAuley, Ted Howell and Harry Thompson – visited the region for four days. Richard McAuley tells of their time in Gaza, including meeting the Hamas Prime Minister and Fatah and the PLO.

THE sights and sounds, the silences and smells of Gaza will stay with me forever.

There’s the father and mother standing in a hospital room waiting for their 13-year-old to die from bone cancer because the Israelis wouldn’t allow her to get the medical treatment she needed.

Then there’s the family living within a cave made from the twisted ruins of a bombed building after their home was blasted by Israeli shells.

The smell of burned timber in the hospital devastated by Israeli bombs.

The state-of-the-art radiation machine standing quiet because the spare parts needed for it to save lives cannot be brought into Gaza because of the Israeli siege.

The derelict ruined buildings with empty windows and huge holes punched through their walls.

From the moment we drove through the huge gates, under sullen watchtowers and between the enormous blast walls of the Erez Crossing, we knew we were going into a prison – a monstrous affair in which one and a half million people have been held in the worst of conditions by the Israeli siege.

The derelict landscape which greeted us on the other side of the Erez Crossing – from Israel into Gaza – looked like a scene from some apocalyptic movie. But this wasn’t the work of clever Hollywood designers and scenic artists or CGI experts – this was real. Real buildings, real workplaces, real homes, real farms, real schools, real hospitals. The hearts of real communities that had been bombed and bulldozed into rubble.

And within this landscape of twisted girders, collapsed buildings, of toppled walls and concrete blocks, human beings are trying to survive.

And good people in UNWRA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, in the International Committee of the Red Cross, in MFS and Oxfam, in the Palestine Red Crescent Society and countless other NGOs and individuals are working exhaustively to help over a million refugees, many of whom are still stunned – shell-shocked – by the destruction around them.

Gaza was not the starting point of our four-day visit to the region but the 48 hours we spent there have left memories and images of despair and pain and of hope and courage that are unforgettable.

Gerry and I were in Israel and the West Bank two-and-a-half years ago. Then we were unable to visit Gaza because of insufficient time. Following the 23-day Israeli assault on that besieged territory over Christmas and the start of the New Year, Gerry was determined to visit the Middle East again, and especially Gaza.He wanted to talk to as many people as possible – Israelis and Palestinians – and receive as much information as he and we could absorb.


Watchtowers

support for the Palestinians
Irish republicans are in an exceptional position. Unlike most of those who are part of the enormous conflict resolution business around the world, republicans have experienced the reality of conflict and peace-making, and not just the theory.

Sinn Féin is for an end to:–
• The Israeli occupation of Gaza;
• The blockade and sanctions;
• The wall which steals Palestinian land and divides families and communities;
• The refugee camps.

With a new US President in Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton declaring that the resolution of Palestinian and Israeli issue is a strategic priority for the new US administration, and with the appointment of George Mitchell as Obama’s special envoy to the Middle East, Gerry believed that the time was right for a visit to the region and for the production of a report which might be useful to those likely to be involved in any new peace efforts.

Such an initiative appears likely. George Mitchell’s appointment has especially heightened interest in the Middle East into his role in the negotiations leading to the Good Friday Agreement.

Last month, when we were in Washington, Gerry and I and Rita O’Hare spent over an hour with Senator George Mitchell, mainly talking about the Middle East. In our meeting with Hillary Clinton we also discussed this issue.

In this context, Gerry felt very strongly that a visit to the region at this time and a report containing observations and suggestions could be helpful.

Our first day in Israel
So, four of us – Gerry, myself, Ted Howell and Harry Thompson – travelled to Jerusalem on Monday, 6 April. We arrived in the early hours of Tuesday morning and a few hours later met Tony Blair, the British former Prime Minister, in the American Colony Hotel.

Blair is in the region representing the interests of the Big Four or what is known as the Quartet – the EU, the USA, Russia and the UN. Latterly much of his focus appears to have been on economic development.

With the long lead-in to the US elections last November and the Israeli elections of last month, and the negotiations underway between the Palestinian groups in Cairo, there has been a political hiatus in effect for some time.

The plan for our visit was that we would spend the first day in Israel. Trocaire funds a number of NGOs in southern Israel specialising in trauma counselling for families living in Sderot. This Israeli city has been the target for many of the thousands of primitive Kasssam rockets fired out of Gaza, The Van Leer Institute in Jerusalem had also arranged a number of engagements for us.

Following an hour with Tony Blair talking about the current situation in the region, we travelled to the Sderot Resilience Centre and met local activists as well as representatives of the Israeli Trauma Coalition. We were told that the rockets have killed up to eight people in the seven years of their use and injured many others.

By this point some of the media in Israel were reporting that we were to be refused entry into Gaza. The Israeli Government had asked for a commitment from Gerry that we would not meet Hamas. We refused to give such a commitment. Our position was quite simple – we would meet anyone who wished to meet with us, and especially democratically-elected representatives.

The Israeli Government had said that neither ministers nor officials would meet us. Apparently, this approach by the Israelis has so far succeeded in securing such a commitment from other delegations visiting Gaza.

On the kibbutz
From Sderot we travelled to the kibbutz at Kfar Aza (Gaza Village), where we met Shai Hermesh, a member of the centre-left Kadima party in the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset. Up to last month his party had been in government. Shai told us the story of Israel and its relationship, from his perspective, with the Palestinians. He brought us around the kibbutz and it was from there that we had our first real glimpse of Gaza in the distance beyond the barbed wire surrounding the village.

Hours later, back in Jerusalem, we met Rabbi Arik Asherman from the Rabbis for Human Rights group. They have taken a very strong stand against human rights violations by the Israeli Government and its agencies and have stood with Palestinian families whose homes have either been destroyed or are threatened with destruction. He brought Gerry to meet several such families in east Jerusalem.

Later again, we met with members of the Van Leer institute and it was during the evening that we received confirmation that we were to travel into Gaza the next morning. The Jerusalem Post was still claiming the next morning we were not getting in.

The Jerusalem Post was wrong.
We were on our way into Gaza – what Gerry Adams was to call “a huge, outdoor prison”.

PART 2 of Report from Gaza:

Erez Crossing
Bright and early on Wednesday morning we were on the road to Erez Crossing – the entry point into Gaza. At a nearby café we met John Ging, the United Nations director who was hosting our visit.

We drove in UNWRA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) vehicles to Erez Crossing. As we approached this massive border crossing I was struck by its similarity to Long Kesh. A high concrete wall stretched for miles with guard posts positioned along it.

The crossing itself, which is three years old, resembles an airport terminal but has never been properly used. It was built to accommodate up to 30,000 Palestinians crossing each day back and forward to work in Israel. But since its construction Gaza has been under siege so Erez sits largely unused, except for the occasional travellers, mainly UN and other NGO workers.

On this dazzling sunny morning it was four Irish republicans who made our way through it. After having our passports checked we were allowed to travel through in our UN vehicles.

The gates through which we passed from one air-lock to the next are massive metal things weighing tons. The concrete blast walls are enormous, and at the other side of this there is a 600-metre-wide no-mans land before you reach the ramshackle Palestinian border crossing.

There we climbed into armoured UN vehicles before beginning our two-day visit in Gaza.

Gaza
Our first stop, a short distance away, was the village of Izbet Abd Rabo, which was destroyed during the Israeli assault. There was nothing of value still standing. Nothing salvageable. And in the midst of this desolation Gerry held his press conference. He spoke first in Irish – which clearly took his media audience and interpreter by surprise.

Then, in English, he told them who he was and why we were in Gaza. He set the tone of the two-day visit by describing the Israeli assault as wrong and declaring that all people have the right to live in peace and safety and security. He made it clear that, while he was in no way accepting that the rocket attacks into Israel justified the Israeli response, he called for an end to them and to all armed actions by all sides.

And he stated Sinn Féin’s belief that dialogue, involving all parties, is essential to any peaceful resolution.

Gerry described the international community’s response to the plight of the Palestinians, and in particular of Gaza, as “shameful”.

An elderly and angry Palestinian woman confronted him. It appeared she thought he was with the UN. She had lost her home, her husband and a large number of family members in the Israeli bombardment and ground offensive. We met another family living in a cave created by the collapsed walls of a nearby building. They had nothing but the clothes on their backs and a few mats on the floor.

After that it was off on a round of meetings that lasted until midnight. UNWRA brought us to the industrial area closeby, where thousands of workers lost their jobs when scores of factories were destroyed; to the American International School, flattened by Israeli rockets; to the offices of the International Committee of the Red Cross; to a lunchtime meeting with civic society leaders, including human rights groups; to the Islamic University and a meeting with the heads of several universities in Gaza; and to the Al-Quds Hospital.

The hospital was one of those severely damaged during the Israeli air attack. We walked through destroyed hospital wards and listened to accounts from doctors and others of their efforts to provide medical attention to the wounded and dying in the midst of chaos and war.

We also met with Karen Koning Abuzzayd, who is the Under-Secretary General for UNRWA and who gave us a sense of the huge relief operation they run to feed and care for the needs of the almost one million, one hundred thousand refugees living in Gaza. It is an amazing enterprise involving a staff of almost ten thousand.

Meeting Ismail Haniyeh – Hamas Prime Minister
That evening we met with women’s groups. At 9.30pm, representatives of the Hamas Government arrived to take us at high speed through a confusion of darkened streets to a meeting with the Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh in Gaza. It was obvious that his colleagues remain deeply concerned for his safety and they took precautions to protect their leader.

He’s a big man with a warm smile and friendly demeanour who readily shook all our hands and urged us to sit.

Through an interpreter he welcomed Gerry and the rest of us. He spoke of the Irish republican struggle and of the Irish Peace Process. The Prime Minister explained to us the Hamas decision to stand in the elections of 2006, of their success and of the subsequent hostile reaction of Israel, the EU and USA. He told us of the human and economic cost of the Israeli blockade and of the recent air and ground offensive.

Gerry and he spoke about peace and how to achieve it, of the difficulties involved and of the possibilities arising from the appointment of George Mitchell. They spoke about Hamas’s attitude to Israel and the accusation that Hamas was for the destruction of the Israeli state and against peace.

It was a long meeting. Almost an hour and a half. When it was over we were whisked back to our hotel. I used the hotel internet to immediately issue a statement from Gerry explaining that we had met the Hamas leader. In it Gerry said:
“I was pleased to speak directly with Mr Haniyeh. I outlined to him Sinn Féin’s view that there should be a complete cessation of all hostilities and armed actions by all sides.

“I emphasised our opinion that dialogue, including substantive and inclusive negotiations, and a genuine peace process, is the only way forward for Palestinians and Israelis.

“The fact is that the people of Palestine and the people of Israel are destined to live side by side. I believe that most people want a peaceful accommodation.
“Following my meeting with Mr Haniyeh I believe that progress is possible. Mr Haniyeh told me that Hamas wants a peace agreement.

“As I have said consistently: there needs to be a dialogue between the people of Palestine and their leadership and the people of Israel and their leadership. That is what worked in Ireland.

“I believe that there is a duty on the international community to recognise the democratic outcome of the elections in Palestinian Territories. I believe that the people of Palestine and the people of Israel have the right to live free from the fear of threats, with human rights and in dignity and as equals.

“The citizens of Gaza are living in an open-air prison. They are being denied their human and national rights. This has to be rectified.”

The human cost of the siege
The next morning we were up early for an intensive round of further meetings. Local business leaders expressed their anger at the impact of the siege on efforts to stimulate jobs and commerce. The blockade means that no reconstruction of the damaged caused during the Israeli attack has been possible. The business and commercial life of Gaza is being strangled.

Other political meetings took place during the day with representatives from Fatah, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the People’s Party and others.

In the afternoon, we met the Hamas Mayor of Gaza and the City Council, Minister for Health Dr Bassem Na’im, and senior Hamas government officials, the Palestinian Legislative Council, including the Minister for Justice, and we visited Shifa Hospital.

The director of the hospital, which is the largest in the Palestinian Territories, gave us a quick tour and explained some of the grave medical and human problems confronting them. He told us that within minutes of the commencement of the Israeli attack in December around 140 bodies were brought to the front door of the hospital. The medical staff were swamped and there were so many bodies in such desperate condition that initially they couldn’t tell the dead from the severely wounded.

The director pointed to a half-finished building for much-needed intensive care units. It can’t be completed because the Israeli blockade prevents building materials coming into Gaza. During a tour of the hospital we were taken into rooms containing modern radiation machines for treating cancer patients that are lying idle because the Israeli authorities will not allow spare parts in.

In one particular hospital room we were introduced to a father and mother watching over their 13-year-old daughter who lay curled up on a hospital bed and will die shortly because she could not receive the treatment she needed for bone cancer. It was a heart-breaking experience.

The political meetings and interviews with the media continued again up to very late that evening. It was our last night in Gaza.

The next morning we were at Erez at 8am waiting to cross back into Israel. This time, however, the Israeli authorities would not allow us to use the cars. We had to walk through ‘No Man’s Land’ with our bags and baggage to the terminal.

There, a remote voice instructed us through air-locks and computer-controlled doors. Bags on one track to be scanned and X-rayed, and us into an enclosed contraption that whizzed around us to presumably detect anything illegal.

A long, deliberately dragged-out process that took two-and-a-half hours. A new experience for us but for the dozen or so NGO workers who travel back and forward every few weeks it was an old routine experienced many times. Some told us that they can wait up to 12 hours! I felt sorry for them having to put up with that nonsense but they took it in their stride – fair play to them.

Behind us, one and a half million people remained locked up in their huge out-door prison. The Israeli blockade allows a drip-feed of food and other resources. It’s all minimal. Barely enough to keep the place ticking over. Barely enough to feed people. The electricity network often fails. The sewage system is inadequate and is frequently on the point of collapse. People – children mostly – are dying because of inadequate medical resources or access to outside care. No substantial repairs have been carried out on damaged property, no homes being built, no factories being repaired and there is no sign of any relaxation of the siege.

It is a depressing, disastrous human crisis that looks set to get worse unless wiser heads prevail.

The Israelis seem determined to sustain the siege while the international community appears equally determined to stand by and allow this inhumanity to continue. It’s a disgrace but, worse, without a solution soon, it is a powder keg waiting to explode.

With 60 per cent of the population of Gaza under 18, the consequences for the region of this huge youth population isolated and trapped in a small confined geographical area and within a cycle of violence and poverty is obvious – or at least it should be. As Gerry warned:

“If allowed to fester and grow, in 20 years the world will look back at this time and remember Hamas as the moderates!”

And then we were out and on our way to Ramallah in the West Bank where we had a meeting with the Palestinian Authority.

We were now back on republican time – that is, we were running late. Later on still, we travelled to Bethlehem where Dr As’ad Abdul Rahman of the PLO Executive walked us around Al Duhasha, a Palestinian refugee camp established 60 years ago.

In the evening, we held discussions with members of the PLO Executive, including Rafiq Husseini, President Mahmoud Abbas’s Chief of Staff, and again Dr As’ad Abdul Rahman of the PLO Executive.

Back in Ireland
Saturday morning before Easter Sunday and we were on our way home.
Speaking on his return to Ireland, Gerry summarised the four days and outlined our next steps.

“I left the Middle East even more convinced that a process of dialogue between all of the participants is essential for progress.

“Democratic mandates must be respected and in any negotiation process there must be clear objectives set, within a fixed timeframe, if there is to be confidence that any new round of negotiations will be real.

“I believe that only a two-state solution which provides for the security and prosperity of Palestinians and Israelis, as well as national rights for Palestinians, can deliver a durable peace settlement.

“The response of the international community over many years to the political and humanitarian crisis in this region, and in particular to the plight of the Palestinian people, has been shameful.

“With George Mitchell travelling to the Middle East early next week there is a new opportunity opening up which must be grasped. But as that new initiative takes shape, the siege of Gaza should end immediately, all armed actions should cease and the reconstruction of Gaza, which the Israeli blockade is preventing, should begin.
“I intend to submit a report of my visit to Senator Mitchell and to the Irish, British and US governments and others with an interest in and influence on the situation there.

“Eleven years ago on Friday, the Good Friday Agreement was achieved. Many of those I have spoken to in recent days in the Middle East clearly take hope from that achievement. With political will it can be done in the Middle East also.”

Psychotic Israel Off its Medication Again

Today, Israel's Military Intelligence Chief (AAGHH, sorry, gotta say this, those three words should NEVER be put together, but that's another story) Anywho, he says that Obama's Middle East policy puts poor little Israel "under threat" What a load of bollox. C'mon Israel, we see through your HASBARA.

To the rest of the world let me explain why they keep saying this. Two reasons; Firstly they must keep their population living in constant fear and paranoia. After all, Israel lives in constant imagined "crisis" mode. They do this to keep getting money off Americans (for security supposedly) but they have the 4th largest army in the world WITH nuclear weapons, so scratch that for reality purposes. No, the REAL reason is just simply this: If America develops a decent relationship with Iran (the major player in the Middle East) then where does that leave poor little Israel? It would mean no more billions from the poor American taxpayer, who, I may remind people, are loosing their jobs and houses, whilst the US govt sends billions to Israel.

Moreover, Israel will become nothing, meaning without a constant "imagined threat" to beat over the heads of the world, they become nothing special. They become a tiny little Jewish country in the middle of a whole bunch of Arab countries, albeit surrounded by them. They would have to live in peace. In short, the REAL players in the Middle East are the Arab nations, not Israel. The only thing that keeps Israel at the top of the list is their constant never ending, never relenting mantra of "being under threat" Take that away and what are you left with? See my point? I think Obama sees it, I know Iran sees it...

MI Chief: Obama Mideast policy threatens Israel

Military Intelligence Chief Amos Yadlin said Monday that the Middle East policy of U.S. President Barack Obama's administration could endanger Israel.

"The Obama administration is determined to take initiative and move forward central processes in the Middle East," Yadlin told ministers at a special cabinet meeting.

"Obama wants to advance the peace process in the direction of realistic discussions with extremist elements," Yadlin said, adding that the struggle between extremist and moderate elements in the region was worsening.

(bullshit!!! It's worsening with Illegal Israeli settlers attacking Palestinians, stealing land, uprooting trees, invading Al Aqsa mosque THREE TIMES THIS WEEK, and the IDF killing people at protests, check this weeks news. Hey Israel, I'm keeping score!)

In a surprising shift, Yadlin also said that the Islamist Hamas movement has been deterred and is now interested in reaching a peace settlement with Israel.

(He is saying this now because Israel is now moving on in their dream of attacking Iran, Obama's policy can end that should the US and Iran develop a relationship, Israel knows this!)

Yadlin added that the struggle between moderates and extremists in the Middle East is intensifying and that the moderate Arab states understand that Iran is a threat to the region.

(Just like I said above, done murdering Palestinians in huge numbers, now they want to bomb Iran. Notice a theme here? Israel is never happy unless it is murdering people!)

"Iran and Hezbollah have an infrastructure of terror around the world with the aim of striking against Israel," Yadlin said. "Hezbollah is restrained and deterred on the northern border because it fears an Israeli reaction during the upcoming elections in Lebanon."

(Hey, forgot to take yur Prozac today? Remember when they invaded Gaza, back then it was "Hamas and Hezbollah, now it's "Iran and Hezbollah" just keeps changing to suit Israels thirst for blood)

Yadlin noted that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is lobbying the U.S. and European countries to force Israel to meet conditions to counter those demanded of the Palestinians by the Quartet. The Palestinian leader is seeking to secure an Israeli recognition of the principle of two states for two peoples, a cessation of settlement expansion, and restoring the security situation to that which was extant prior to September 2000.

(And there you have it folks, the real reason. Israel cannot have peace because it would then become a little "nobody" and would no longer get billions off the American taxpayer!) source

Netanyahu Now Channelling Obama

A new Article out today (below) stating Netanyahu claims that “recognizing Israel as a Jewish State” is no longer required as a precondition to talks. Yup, read it again. Now, for sometime I have had inkling that perhaps there is a bigger picture happening here with the Obama Administration. I am beginning to think he may be going to actually “do the deal” in the Middle East. I am still too much a sceptic at this point but some signs are emerging and if so then I am happy to be proven wrong on Obama.

Negotiations, be it between Israel/Palestine, or the ones that took place in Ireland. They always start from the most extreme positions, and move from there. The fact that Netanyahu has given up on this “pre-condition” that Israel has used to avoid talks, could possibly mean that the US has made its position clear to Israel. And that means Israel will not be allowed to scupper another chance at peace. Let’s hope the US keeps the pressure up on Israel, it is the only thing they react to, or understand.

Bethlehem - Ma'an - Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu is no longer demanding that Palestinians recognize Israel as a "Jewish state" as a precondition for talks, according to a statement sent to Ma'an.

The prime minister's media advisor said that the Netanyahu "has never set this as a pre-condition for the opening of negotiations and dialogue with the Palestinians."

However, the statement went on to say that "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is insistent in his approach that recognition of Israel as the national state of the Jewish People is a matter of substance and principle that enjoys wide recognition in the country and around the world, without which it will not be possible to advance the diplomatic process and reach a peace settlement."

A demand that Palestinians recognize Israel “as the state of the Jewish people” as a condition for resuming peace negotiations is unacceptable to the US, the State Department said this weekend.

The Israeli newspaper Haaretz, quoting statements from the State Department, indicated that the US would not back Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s demand for this recognition.

The US released these statements during a visit by Special Envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell. Mitchell met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas after meeting Israeli leaders.

The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) recognized “the right of the State of Israel to exist in peace and security.” In return, Israel did not recognize an independent Palestinian state but rather acknowledged the PLO as the legitimate representative of the Palestinians.

Palestinian negotiators have rejected this demand for recognition of Israel as a “Jewish state” because Israel conceives of its Jewish nature in terms of its Jewish majority. This, in turn, would preclude the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes in what is now Israel.

Some 750,000 Palestinians were expelled from Palestine during the 1948-49 war that saw the creation of Israel. Today more than 4.6 million UN-registered Palestinian refugees live throughout the Middle East and elsewhere.

The fate of the refugees is one of the “final status issues” that has still to be negotiated between Israel and the Palestinians.

Lieberman Bullshits Mitchell

I hope Mitchell took his "bullshit" meter with him to Israel, he's gonna need it!

Lieberman to Mitchell: Israel making efforts at economic improvement in Palestine

Special US Envoy for Middle East Peace George Mitchell met Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman in Jerusalem Thursday morning, and stressed the American preference for a two-state solution, a statement from the US consulate said.

Describing his first meeting with the right-wing Lieberman, Mitchell said they two had “a good, full and candid discussion covering both the history of the process, going back to the 1990’s, and continuing to the present, and also looking into the future on what can be done to achieve our common objectives.”

In response, Lieberman “described the efforts being made to make economic improvements [in Palestine] and to get involved in other discussions with the Palestinians in the West Bank,” according to Mitchell.

For his part Lieberman stressed “that the traditional approach has so far brought neither results nor solutions,” according to an Israeli Government press release.

The Israeli FM also noted that his government will have to formulate new ideas and a new approach to solving the conflict with Palestinians, but that Israel will do whatever is necessary to improve their “economic condition.”
***Updated 16:19 Bethlehem time

Adams Gaza Report To George Mitchell

Adams to send out Middle East report

SINN FÉIN president Gerry Adams is to send a report on his Middle East trip this week to US peace envoy George Mitchell.

He plans to send copies of the report to Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin, the Israeli government and to Sinn Féin’s contacts internationally.

Speaking by telephone from Jerusalem, Mr Adams expressed shock at the “wholesale destruction” he saw during his visit to the Gaza Strip this week.

He also visited the Israeli town of Sderot whose residents have been the subject of rocket attack from Palestinian militants.

“These are just ordinary working people and we said that to Hamas,” Mr Adams said. However, he added that there was “no proportionality” between Israel’s attack on Gaza and the rockets fired into Sderot.

Mr Adams said he had to walk through the Eretz checkpoint on his way out of Gaza, and that it took 2½ half hours to get through. He also visited a Palestinian refugee camp at Bethlehem, and met Israeli non-governmental organisations in Jerusalem.

On the destruction in Gaza, he said: “You actually have to be there to see how bad it is.”

He also met an official from the Israeli foreign ministry, but no government politicians.

Describing Gaza as “an open-air prison”, the Sinn Féin leader highlighted the poor state of medical facilities in particular. source

Talking Sense About Israel & Palestine

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams had a recent visit to Gaza. This after attempts by Israel to ban him for entering Gaza. But suddenly, the next day he was inside Gaza, carrying out his business as intended. The sudden reversal by Israel was quite telling. Moreover, Adams met with all parties (except Israel as they once again refused) and he will be issuing a report to George Mitchell, among many others, after his meetings inside Gaza. Adams brings some cred to this situation. Well respected within Palestine, Adams has also held meetings with Palestinian leaders on the conflict back in 2006. Clearly Adams is assisting the Obama administration in their search for Middle East peace, this is a good thing, so long as the US government play fair and do not "use" Adams and Sinn Fein for ulterior motives and I am quite certain Adams will be watching for any signs of that.

On a personal note, I believe Hamas can learn much from Adams on how to move forward politically and hold political negotiations with Israel. Should there be a genuine attempt at REAL peace negotiations by the Obama admin, then Hamas will need to move from a "war scenario" to a "political negotiations" scenario. This is where they can learn much from Adams and other Sinn fein negotiators. It's a delicate balance moving from one to the other and you have to move your base along with you as well. Case in point=within only a few years Sinn Fein has become the 2nd largest party in the North and are also gaining ground in the Free State South.

Adams has an interesting perspective in an interview with the Jpost. I have published excepts below which are interesting to take note of. I am still very much a skeptic regarding the Obama Administration to really play fairly with Palestine. Having said that I watched the inter workings of the Irish Peace Process take shape and I must say I do recognise parallels. Some of this gives me pause to think that possibly Obama may "do the business" and establish a Palestinian state, but what "kind" of state is another matter and will require much inspection by the world community.

Anyway, note Adams handling of the grilling he received by the Jpost (a Zionist pro-Israeli paper) this is political mastery at it's finest IMHO Article below:

Northern Ireland politician Gerry Adams, who met Wednesday with Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, dismissed Israeli criticism that these meetings give Hamas legitimacy, telling The Jerusalem Post in an interview Friday that "the voters give Hamas their legitimacy."

(Point-Score-Adams)

"If I may say so, when people are challenged to go to the ballot box, and they win, you cannot say to the electorate, hard luck, we don't like who you voted for," Adams said by phone as he was traveling from Bethlehem to Jerusalem.

(round #2 below)

Reminded that the Nazis took power through the ballot box, Adams, head of the Irish Republican Army-linked Sinn Fein party, responded, "Let's not get into the Nazis. Let's talk about Sinn Fein, a party that is generally accepted as having played a positive role in the [Northern Ireland] peace process.

(Again, point-score-Adams)

"I visited the Holocaust museum in Washington. I deeply appreciate the huge suffering the Jewish people have endured. I have huge affinity with what people came through in the Holocaust and the concentration camps, and anti-Semitism and all of that. And I stand firmly and absolutely against all of that.

"But there was a time when there was no dialogue in Ireland, and there was conflict," he said. "Once we opened up the process to allow dialogue, and made it inclusive, we started a very difficult process that challenged everyone. It challenged Sinn Fein, it challenged the British government, challenged the unionists."

Adams said there was a "certainty" about war "that people can be comfortable in, because you don't have to take chances."

(Once again, Point-Score-Adams, he called Israel out, Israel does not want to be challenged, hence they make attempts to "deflect" to other issues, or cry anti-semitism or "holocaust" Adams did not fall for that tactic)

But, he said, "you can take chances and ensure that no person has to be killed, or live in fear or be imprisoned and subjected to all the people of Israel and the people of Palestine have been subjected to. We took the chance in Ireland. It wasn't easy, but the rewards more than vindicate and validate the risks that were taken."

Asked if he thought the two conflicts - Northern Ireland and Israel - were comparable, he said they were not, but there were parallels.
"I do think there are broad principles like political will that can be applied to the conflict resolution process," he said.

When reminded that the IRA never set out to destroy Britain, as Hamas has declared it wanted to do to Israel, Adams said that the Irish example has shown that "once people have a peaceful way to make progress, sensible thinking people will not use armed actions. So it's not a matter of who wants to destroy what, people should be able to resolve differences peacefully and through dialogue."

(They thought they could catch him out on that one, wrong-o Israel. He handles that one like a professional political master. You see Adams and Sinn Fein have had a great many years dealing with the British govt, the US govt and the Irish govt, plus their own people, they have seen all this type of attempted manipulation before. It would take more than an Israeli paper to beat him on this tactic)

Adams, who left the region early Saturday morning, said he believed Hamas when they said they "are not al-Qaida, they are not the Taliban, they want peace with their Israeli neighbors." Adams said that Hamas "told me they wanted a peace settlement, that they are prepared to accept a two-state solution."

Asked if he believed them, he said, "It's not whether I believe them. The fact is they are duly elected representatives of their people, let's test them, if need be. Let's enter into talks, let's have proper talks, let's have inclusive talks. Let's develop a project that ends aggression of all kinds. My position, and the Sinn Fein position, is that all aggressive actions should cease. There should be no armed actions by any of the Palestinian factions, or by the Israeli state." "The people of Palestine and people of Israel are destined to live together," he said. "It is an accident of birth where you are born. And people should live together respecting each other's rights.

(Pay close attention to the trap they tried on him below, and take a look at how he handled this, it's magic, pure political magic!)

Asked how he would recommend Israel respond to constant rocket fire on a large swath of its territory, he said, "I'm against the rockets, and I made that clear, that's why I went to the places I went to. And I also made clear wherever I spoke that I'm against that. But the solution lies in recognizing that the people of Palestinian have the right to a state that is viable and sustainable, and recognizing that the security of Israel is interlocked into the rights of dignity and security of the people of the Palestinians territories."

(Game-Point-Adams)

Arabs Put Peace Plan to Obama

AMMAN (JT) - A delegation comprising seven Arab foreign ministers as well as Arab League Secretary General Amr Musa is expected in Amman on Saturday, Prime Minister Nader Dahabi said Thursday.

The delegation is scheduled to discuss with His Majesty King Abdullah his upcoming visit to Washington and his talks with US President Barack Obama, Dahabi said at a meeting with chief editors of daily newspapers.

“We are keen to familiarise the Obama administration with our position. The administration wants to understand the positions of the parties involved before taking any action,” he said.

The deal offers Israel collective Arab recognition in exchange for Israeli withdrawal from territories it occupied in the 1967 war, the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital and a just solution to the problem of Palestinian refugees.source

Mitchell & Obama~ Knew Adams Would Meet Hamas

Ha Ha Ha, the two beards meet:) LOL

It appears as if our people will be helping as contacts within the peace process perhaps. This is why Israel had to ultimately let Adams into Gaza after threatening not to. It seems that George Mitchell (and Obama) was well aware of Adams planned visit and more over, Adams himself will be briefing Mitchell on his meetings when he leaves Gaza.

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - The leader of Irish Republican Army-linked Sinn Fein party met with the head of the internationally shunned Hamas government during a two-day visit to Gaza and said he plans to brief President Obama's special Mideast envoy about his contacts.

Gerry Adams, a key player in Northern Ireland's peace process, met with Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh late Wednesday and planned more talks with officials of the Islamic militant group Thursday.

Haniyeh's meeting with Adams, at an undisclosed location in Gaza City, was not announced ahead of time. TV footage from a local news outlet showed Adams sitting in an armchair next to Haniyeh

"We want to help. We support the Palestinian people," Adams said.

Adams told The Associated Press in an interview Wednesday he said he met Obama's special Mideast envoy George Mitchell in Washington last month and told him of his plan to visit Gaza. He said he plans to "brief the Irish government, friends in the U.S., others I deal with internationally, and that would include Sen. Mitchell."

Mitchell did not meet with Hamas officials during a visit to the region several months ago. Mitchell and Adams have known each other since the former U.S. senator helped broker a Northern Ireland peace deal in the 1990s.

Sinn Fein is a political party linked to the Irish Republican Army _ a group that, like Hamas, was labeled terrorist because of violent tactics used to battle Britain. But unlike Hamas, Sinn Fein engaged in negotiations that transformed it into a legitimate political player, recognized by Britain and local foes.

Haniyeh welcomed Adams as "a man of rich political experience who faced circumstances in Ireland similar to what we face in Gaza."

Hamas, which seized control of Gaza by force in 2007, is widely shunned by the West. Some European politicians have called for dialogue with Hamas, but few Western politicians have met with Hamas officials. Hamas is considered a terrorist group by Israel, the U.S. and the European Union.

A willingness to talk and compromise produced success in the case of Northern Ireland. Following the IRA's cease-fire in 1997, Sinn Fein joined in negotiations with other parties and the British and Irish governments, and is now the second-largest political party in Northern Ireland.

He also said Gaza's border crossings _ kept tightly closed by Israel and Egypt since the Hamas takeover _ should be opened. source

FRAUD~Leiberman Questioned for 2nd Day

I wrote about this yesterday. I hope they hang him, but I must admit that I do find it a bit odd that this comes at this time. Given that he has already caused headlines with his racist views. Either it just took a long time to bring this forward, or something else is at work here. Perhaps they want rid of him as he will be too much trouble and cannot be controlled.

Israeli police question new FM for 2nd day

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli police interrogated the country's new hard-line foreign minister for the second straight day Friday in an ongoing bribery investigation that could make his tenure short-lived.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said Avigdor Lieberman was questioned for five hours about an investigation involving suspicions of receiving bribes, money laundering and breach of trust. The foreign minister's lawyer and daughter have also been questioned in the case. Rosenfeld said Lieberman will be questioned again soon.

If indicted, Lieberman will likely have to step down from his post. Lieberman denies any wrongdoing and says the charges are politically motivated.

One of Israel's most polarizing politicians, Lieberman became foreign minister this week. In his first speech, he immediately sparked an international uproar by saying he opposed concessions in exchange for peace and rejecting peace talks initiated by the former government. Lieberman has already raised concerns around the world with statements seen as racist and his opposition to U.S.-backed peace talks over the past year.

Lieberman has had trouble with the law before. Police have questioned him several times throughout his decade-long political career, though none of the allegations have stuck.

Earlier this year, Lieberman's daughter, his lawyer and five other confidants were detained in the current bribery investigation, in which Lieberman is accused of funneling illicit funds through fictitious accounts under the names of his daughter and lawyer.

Despite Israel's Objections~Sinn Fein Will Meet ALL Elected Palestinians

Gerry Adams, President of Sinn Fein is to once again go to Palestine to meet all sides in the conflict, however Israel refuses to meet him once again. Adams went over in 2006 and Israel refused to meet him then as well. Additionally, Sinn Fein has had many productive meetings with the Palestinian leaders both in Palestine and in Ireland. I would like to see Mitchell invite others from Sinn Fein over to possibly help as the Palestinian leaders have much respect for our people and could learn politically from them; however, the US would have to ensure they were not using us, or the Palestinians, for some ulterior motives. Anyway, Adams will be in Palestine next week, and will meet with all Palestinian leaders once again, despite Israel’s nose being out of joint. If interested I managed to locate both a video of Adam’s first trip in 2006 and also a video of Ahmad Yousef (Ismail Haniyeh’s Political Advisor) interview after meeting with Sinn Fein in Ireland. Today's articles below from the Irish Times and Adam's blog:

Adams to meet Hamas despite Israeli objections

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams confirmed today he will visit the Middle East next week despite Israeli government demands that he does not meet Hamas.

Mr Adams said he refused to give a commitment to avoid representatives from the Palestinian group and, as a result, he regretted that Israeli officials would not now meet him during his trip.

But the Sinn Féin leader said dialogue was vital to securing a peace settlement in the region and he appealed for efforts to secure an agreement that could satisfy both Palestinian and Israeli needs.

Mr Adams visited the region in 2006 and was in both Israel and Ramallah, but this time he will add Gaza to his list of destinations to witness at first hand the damage caused by controversial Israeli attacks launched in response to Palestinian rockets.

"I will meet with senior members of the Palestinian Authority. I again (as in 2006) asked for a meeting with the Israeli government or with government officials. But again this has been refused because I will not give a commitment not to speak with Hamas representatives.

“I very much regret the Israeli government decision.” Mr Adams added: “As the leader of a party which was censored and demonised and whose members were killed, I see dialogue between all sides as key to building a successful peace process.

“So I will meet with all sides and urge all sides to end all armed actions and to engage in meaningful dialogue.

“I believe there should be a complete cessation of all hostilities and freedom of movement for everyone.” Mr Adams said the region faced the challenge of bringing about a settlement on the basis of a two-state solution.

“This requires a sustainable and durable state for the Palestinian people. They share the region with their Israeli neighbours. Without doubt, the security of the people of Israel is linked inextricably to the rights, freedom and prosperity of the people of Palestine.

“But it is clear that finding solutions will require leadership on both sides, and a willingness to take risks, initiatives, and compromise.

“And it will need the international community, and particularly the USA, to play a very positive and active role.”

And here is a bit from Adam’s blog on his up coming trip:

So next week I will again visit Israel and Ramallah. But this time I will also travel into Gaza and Sderot and Ramallah where I will meet with senior members of the Palestinian Authority.

I again asked for a meeting with the Israeli government or with government officials. But again this has been refused because I will not give a commitment not to speak with Hamas representatives.

But it is clear that finding solutions will require leadership on both sides, and a willingness to take risks, initiatives, and compromise.

And it will need the international community, and particularly the USA, to play a very positive and active role. In this respect I welcome the appointment of George Mitchell as US Envoy to the Middle East.

If you want to read about his trip when he returns you can come back here or bookmark his blog HERE

Video of Adam’s 2006 Visit & Ahmad Yousef Interview are below

Ahmad Yousef after meeting with Sinn Fein in Ireland on finding solutions to their conflict:



Adams in 2006 on his visit:

Obama's Middle East Plan~American Soldiers~ Devil in the Details?

Often the Devil is in the Details....

I read quite a lot of news articles to stay abreast of the Middle East conflict. Often I find little "comments" within a long article that may be missed if you read too quickly. One such "snippet" recently caught my eye whilst reading a report from the Times Online. The article itself focused on the upcoming G20 conference and touched on Obamas middle East plans for peace. Nothing too important, except towards the end when I read this little bit below:

(see what jumps out at ya)
HINT: I bolded it LOL

A group of hard-nosed foreign policy realists in Washington last autumn produced a “bipartisan statement on US Middle East peacemaking” that was handed to Obama by his senior economic adviser Paul Volcker, a signatory. The wise men called for an “intense American mediation in pursuit of a two-state solution . . . a more pragmatic approach to Hamas” and American command of a multinational force to keep the peace between Israel and Palestine. George Mitchell, Obama’s Middle East envoy (who acted as an honest broker in Northern Ireland), and General Jim Jones, his national security adviser, are said to be highly sympathetic.

Say WHAT??? America is going to have boots on the ground to "help" police the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?????? God I hope not, this is JUST not what America needs, to stick itself into this situation where Israel will then be controlling things behind the scenes.

No matter how careful or good intentioned America may be on this, Israel will surely create (or manufacture!!) situations that will cause America to fall out with Palestinians and Arabs. All the while pushing America towards war with Iran! It's what Israel does best, control things. They would like nothing better then to create some situation, by their own hands that they "think" will counter all the anti-Israeli sentiment that exists now due to their horrific immoral and illegal genocide in Gaza. What better way to recover and divert attention than to create another conflict. One that puts Israel and America on the same page!!!

Let's Just imagine some American soldiers get shot and killed, and Israel says it's HAMAS or some "evil" Palestinian, when in fact it is some elaborate Israeli plan to turn America away from caring about Palestine and get Israel right back in control of America's foreign policy in the Middle East. It's not past Israel to attempt this, they have done it before. Let us remember the USS Liberty, Israel murdered all those Americans in an attempt to force the US into war.If Israel can be placed in an opportunistic situation like that agian, where they can make "Arabs" or "Palestinians" appear evil or un-trustworthy, then they are home free. Then America's right wing nutjobs will take to the airwaves and build a story that becomes "fact" because it is repeated enough and echoed.

I would appeal to the progressive left in America that is still not controlled by the Jewish Lobby, to hold Obama accountable and say "No we won't" send soldiers to Israel or Palestine!

Food for Thought!

Obama~Putting the Screws on Israel?

Scathing reports in haaretz and at the American Enterprise Institute where John Bolton attacks and smears the Obama Administration, for what he perceives will be undue pressure on Israel to make peace. I must say I find the timing of this article to be possibly important. I say this because it comes on the heels of the American Jewish lobby (working for Israel) running the smear campaign to take down Freeman last week.

My take on these articles:

This could be the beginning of another campaign like we all saw with Freeman last week. Bolton is pro-Israel and may be starting to stir the pot to get another smear and fear campaign going, this time against Obama on his Middle East Peace Process policies.

After AIPPAC and Israel’s flying monkeys came full force into Obama’s presidency, destroying any chance for Freeman to be appointed, perhaps the Obama administrating is now fed up with Israel telling them what to do. It just could be that Obama has had enough of being pushed around by Israel and its lobby groups after what he witnessed with Freeman. Perhaps Obama is going to put the screws to Israel and force them to make peace and give land back. Maybe Obama made sure Bolton got wind of just what Obama’s Middle East policy will be. Knowing full well and good that (Bolton) and Israel won’t like it. Perhaps this is Obama’s way flexing his muscle and of showing them who is going to be in charge. Hence, John Bolton (BFF to Israel) came out swinging at the Obama Administration for what he claims will be undue pressure on Israel, with little pressure on Hamas and diplomatic relations with Iran.

If this is the real reason Bolton is going all postal in the media, soon we will see more of these American Israeli Agents like Bolton coming out of the woodwork like rats. Which, would surely be a GOOD sign as we would then have some idea of how strongly Obama plans to focus on making Israel move. So, if we see more rats jumping on board the Bolton ship, then we will have an answer. And given Israel’s strangle hold on American politics; there are quite a lot of rats left to go. Time will tell. I am including two reports on this, first from Haaretz and secondly Bolton’s long writings in the New York Post, taken from the American Enterprise Institute (Where Bolton is a Senior Fellow :

Ex-U.S. envoy to UN: Obama policy 'bad news for Israel'

Former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton said Friday that the Obama administration's fixation on resolving the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians as a means of achieving peace and stability in the Middle East is "bad news for Israel, and for America."

John Bolton said that the pressure that the U.S. administration will exert in efforts to resolve the crisis, will be turned with force against Israel, being a U.S. ally.

"Almost invariably, Israel is the loser - because Israel is the party most dependent on the United States, most subject to U.S. pressure and most susceptible to the inevitable chorus of received wisdom from Western diplomats, media and the intelligentsia demanding concessions.

The American diplomat criticized the U.S. administration's intention to apply the bulk of the pressure to Israel, saying "Why would America subject a close ally to this dynamic, playing with the security of an unvarying supporter in world affairs?" Bolton offers his answer, that "the Obama administration believes that Israel is as much or more of a problem as it is an ally, at least until Israel's disagreements with its neighbors are resolved."

Bolton concluded his article with an accusation that the U.S. administration is "pressuring Israel while wooing Iran, and urging the president to focus its pressure on "Iran and the manifold threats it poses to Israel, Arab states friendly to Washington and the United States itself."

Now from the American Enterprise Institute:

Team Obama's Anti-Israel Turn

The Obama administration is increasingly fixed on resolving the "Arab-Israeli dispute," seeing it as the key to peace and stability in the Middle East. This is bad news for Israel--and for America.

Pursuing this talisman has long characterized many European leaders and their soulmates on the American left. The Mideast "peace process" is thus the ultimate self-licking ice cream cone--its mere existence being its basic justification.

And now the Obama administration has made it US policy. This is evidenced by two key developments: the appointment of former Sen. George Mitchell as special envoy for the region, and Secretary of State Hillary's Clinton's recent insistence on a "two-state solution" sooner rather than later.

Naming Mitchell as a high-level, single-issue envoy--rather than keeping the portfolio under Secretary Clinton's personal control--separates Israel from the broader conduct of US diplomacy. Mitchell's role underlines both the issue's priority in the president's eyes and the implicit idea it can be solved in the foreseeable future.

Obama and Mitchell have every incentive to strike a Middle East deal--both to vindicate themselves and, in their minds, to create a basis for further "progress." But there are few visible incentives for any particular substantive outcome--which is very troubling for Israel

Here, Clinton's strident insistence on a "two-state solution" during her recent Mideast trip becomes important. She essentially argued predestination: the "inevitability" of moving toward two states is "inescapable," and "there is no time to waste." The political consequence is clear: Since the outcome is inevitable and time is short, there is no excuse for not making "progress." Delay is evidence of obstructionism and failure--something President Obama can't tolerate, for the sake of his policies and his political reputation.

In this very European view, failure on the Arab-Israeli front presages failure elsewhere. Accordingly, the Obama adminstration has created a negotiating dynamic that puts increasing pressure on Israel, Palestinians, Syria and others.
Almost invariably, Israel is the loser

Interesting stuff indeed. How can forcing Israel to make peace be "bad" for America? This is mumbo jumbo talk as Israel is the major problem causing America to be hated in the world today. It looks as though Obama is going to force the issue of Middle East peace. Where Israel ahs had free rein for 8 years now, they won’t have the same freedom with Obama as they did with Bush. And they are starting to see this. All of these upcoming attacks we will begin to see, are proof that Obama is making Israel uncomfortable, which, is a good thing.