'Palestine: It’s Hell' John Reese ISM activist talks

by Arnold Thu May 15, 2003 16:57

And far better than the usual 'Palestine - Peaceful land for settlers' talks we hear so much of

by kokomero Thu May 15, 2003 17:28

Ariel Sharon denounced the Blair government for unnecessary interference in Israeli affairs just before his foreign minister was due to meet Blair and Straw in attempt to mend their relationship which has become increasingly strained.

This appears to be a reaction to a call from Straw to cease double standards in dealing with Israel and to enforce UN resolution 242, which would see Israel withdraw to its pre-1967 borders as part of a land for peace roadmap deal.

The move seems calculated to stop the pressure exerted on Israel at source, as Blair appears to be pushing Bush in this instance.

by Publo Thu May 15, 2003 19:01

John Reese also speaking on Thursday 22nd May at 7.30pm in UCG, Galway.

by publo Fri May 16, 2003 11:16

In Galway its at the McMunn lecture Theatre on the concourse.

by Avi H. Fri May 16, 2003 14:58

Calling Israel's occupation of Palestinian land illegal is pure propaganda and a gross distortion. At best, the following issues are disputed between the parties and this is acknowledged by 242: 1) Who the land belongs to (Palestinians are not mentioned) 2) Israel is simply asked to withdraw from territories acquired (i.e. not all territories, some territories) during the 1967 war. 3) This is pending a final peace settlement between the parties to the war.

by hmn. Fri May 16, 2003 22:25

legal occupation then??

by Actually Sat May 17, 2003 09:46

Actually, yes. When you win a war, you are free to occupy the loser until the loser agrees to stop attacking you.

Yasser Arafat, the one and only dictator of the Palestinians for 35 years, has never given Israel peace, and now that he CLAIMS he wants to, he's been unable to, beacuse hamas are stronger than he is.

When Israel no longer receives terrorist attacks, AND when palestinians are led by normal sane leaders who are not extremists like arafat and hamas, then Israel can respond by offering or agreeing to a peace plan, one similar to the one palestinians rejected 3 years ago and chose to attack israel instead.

When you are weak, and reject peace to attack a stronger neighbor, you are stupid.

by Yossela slovo Mon May 19, 2003 13:55

Avi hun offers us one view that of hardline nazionism. Unlike Avi hun many Israelies want equal rights and parity of esteem for their palestinian citizens. Many Israelis are civillised people who resent the hardline nationalistic IDF dragging our reputation for tolerance, enlightenment and humanity through the mud by their revenge acts of equal babarity against palestinians. Many Israelies are disgusted at the brutality, sadism and cruelty of the IDF. Some Israelies would even go as far as to join peaceful protests against the IDF bulldozing of palestinian shacks. Jews such as ISM south london observer Alice Koy who accompanied the photographer Tom Hurndal who was shot in in the head by an IDF sniper. When you adopt the social segregationist apartheid policies and unfair practises of our former nazi aryan concentration camp commandents, this is when Jews must speak out, and stand with the oppressed and downtrodden of the world be they palestinians or colombian peasants. When we abuse, degrade, brutalise and mistreat palestinian type peoples unfortunately we are driving them into the arms of hardline Islamic extremists who encourage them to sacrifice themselves by becoming suicide bombers. We can ride rough shod over the emotional and physical wellbeing and human rights of palestinians indefinitely, but this will not solve anything, except add to the neverending cycle of palestinian hatred and bitterness and misery for both palestinians and Israelis. This bitter harvest will cultivate a new generation of palestinian suicide bombers. It would be better to reach out the hand of friendship and human kindness and citizenship to the palestinians and try and integrate them into Israelie society. Palestinians too are beginning to recognise not all Israelis and Jews are of the same opinion as the hardline IDF, just as not all palestinians support hardline islamic extremists. The refusenik jews, ISM global jews and netureikarta jews are standing with the downtrodden and the dispossessed such as palestinians. The attitude of Israeli refusenik jews, ISM global jews and Netureikarta jews is a credit and example for all of us, they are the true representatives of Judaism on this earth, and they carry the torch of our faith for all to see and admire.