Cynthia McKinney on CNN

Way to go Cynthia don't let that x-muchmusic idiot talk over you!

Cythinia was on the Dignity, the boat the Israeli navy rammed and damaged in international waters.

Israel's Genocidal Provocations

I've been pondering just what Israel could be thinking, as it pounds the life out of the people in Gaza. Could this disgusting act be a provocation to ignite the Arab and Muslim world to call for retaliation against her? In many ways, this might be what Israel wants.

Consider this: No matter how Israel and her apologists try to frame this latest operation it is still a PR nightmare. However, one thing it does do is inflame the already negative attitudes held by most of the Arab and Muslim world with respect to Israel herself, thus Israel is setting herself up again as the perpetual victim.

Already we are seeing signs of this, with the typical Israeli response of "Everyone hates us and they're all anti-semites!" Consider that they have been hitting the war drums for an attack against Iran, but the US has shyed away from a full out support of such action. Even the EU isn't hot and bothered enough to agree with Israeli demands that we all get together and nuke Persia. What to do?

Here's the scenario: Bomb the crap out of Gaza, kill as many people and destroy as much infrastucture as possible and when the rest of the world reacts, blame Iran and start the big fight.

This is not as far-fetched as it may seem, right now the leading article in Canada's Globe and Mail world section, shows a 'hard-line' Iranian claiming they will start suicide bombings against Israel. Again the msm lurches forward carrying out the plans of her master. Notice too that throughout all of this NO comments have been allowed at the G&M - typical of their oh-so-biased editorial staff.

We've been down this road before, the lies which led the Americans and thier cohorts into destroying and occupying Iraq, the excuses given for the invasion of Afghanistan, the list is really endless: Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, Central and South America, Vietnam, Cambodia, Korea ad infinitum.

This latest atrocity - Gaza - has all the hallmarks of provacation. They want someone to say enough is enough, perhaps Hezbolla, for that will give them the excuse to let loose on anyone they perceive as their enemies (read: the REST of the PLANET). And Israel DOES have nukes!

Let us NOT be fooled again, let us not be complacent. Get off your couch, write your representatives, phone them, hound them and spread the word: We won't be fooled again into fighting Israel's wars.

Enough is enough.

Summing it up

Thanks to Stuart Littlewood, whose piece you can read here

For example......

"Israeli citizens have been under the threat of daily attack from Gaza for years."
Palestinians have been under harsh Israeli occupation for 60 years.

"Only this week hundreds of missiles and mortars shells were fired at Israeli civilian communities."
Only one in 500 Qassam rockets causes a fatality. How many thousands of Israeli bombs, missiles, rockets, grenades and tank-shells have been blasted into the crowded city and towns of the Gaza Strip by Israel’s high-tech weaponry?

"Until now we have shown restraint. But today there is no other option than a military operation."
The only legitimate option for Israel is to end the occupation and withdraw behind its 1967 border, as required under international law and UN resolution. Israel has been killing Palestinians at the rate of 8 to 1 since 2000, and children at the rate of nearly 12 to 1 (B’Tselem figures). This is somebody’s idea of restraint?

Just so ya know....

Israel has rammed and damaged the Dignity, a vessel carrying aid and food to the Gaza Strip. The Israeli navy fired shots and caused severe damage to her hull. Thankfully, the Dignity has limped into harbour in Tyre, Lebanon.

Just one more disgusting act on the part of that SLC.

Free Gaza

Note that among the participants on this voyage was Cynthia McKinney, a brave soul and honourable American.

Israel, I weep for thee

Oh Israel, my head shakes and my heart aches for you. It really does. The dreams you held so dear have turned into nightmares for those around you, all the time seducing you deeper into the pits of Hell. You have become what you hated, what you ran from, what you wanted to escape from. You have taken the sympathy of the world and squeezed it for all it's worth, you have whored yourself to the alter of the Wargods and lost your soul in the process. You have exploited your own to serve a vile end. You have nailed yourself shut in your own self made coffins, not listening to the voice screaming in you ears to stop, think, respond in a manner akin to humanity. Woe be you.

The line has been crossed again, as you shoot fish in a barrel of you own making, desperately trying to justify your genocidal actions. Still crying for sympathy to the world who is seeing you for the ghoul you really are. Still you cling, craven and vile to the mistaken belief you are right, righteous and pure in your motives. You stir the pot, all the while poisoning your own wells. Your own actions will lead to your end.

And what of the Jews of the Diaspora? How will your actions reverberate on them? Will it be as it has been, time and time before? Will those who awaken to the crimes of Israel be able to distinguish between the honest Jew and the Warmongering Whore who calls herself Israel? Your actions endanger all Jews, by your tying of Judaism to the State of Israel you diminish the voices of peace amongst her sheep. You paint all with one brush, and will scream when all are percieved to the the same. You are the worst enemy of the Jews yourself, as you sow division and lies throughout the lands, never considering that it is your own actions which justify the lies of the classic anti-semite. You breed hatred, you foster ill will and you will be the author of your own demise.

The sympathy well is empty. You have gone too far. You have taken whatever was good in you and sold it for blood - the blood of Gaza, the blood of your own. Only when your people rise up and call an end to the massacres, and end to the Hell which you govern will any understanding for you return, if it does, if it can. For now, your moral closet stands empty, devoid of any empathy, devoid of rememberance of what was done to you, and how you now to this to others.

Israel, I weep for thee.

Updates on Gaza

Since my initial post Saturday, the death toll has now risen to over 300, with the wounded numbering over 800. That is well over 1000 people killed or maimed. Add to this the family members of the deceased and wounded and this latest assault effects thousands.

Israel says she must now launch an aggressive 'PR' campaign, once again portraying herself as the perpetual victim, always in the 'right' to 'defending' herself from the horrors of the 'Arab terrorists'. Well, it is certainly clear which lands on this planet think for themselves and who just follows the Israeli Dog: The US of course, blames Hamas and supports the brave Israeli response to the rocket fire which has perhaps killed only one Israeli, Australia too threw her support behind the Israeli's 'measured response' to the 'terror of the rockets'. Canada, as far as I can tell has said nothing, but of course will tow the line - especially under our dear leader Harper, who assisted in this mess by cutting off all foreign aid to the Gaza strip back in 2006, thus helping to turn this slip of land into the largest concentration camp in the world.

Shame, shame and more shame.

Everyone seems to start off mentioning that Hamas has been firing rockets at the nearby Israeli villages. Strangley, many of these rockets, I'll wager a good 98% of them, never hit anything. With all things being equal one should expect that at least 50% of these things should hit a target. Oddly - they don't. I'll let you all in on a personal secret: I cannot throw a snowball for the life of me (or any ball for that matter, really!) However, even on my worst day I will usually be able to get on or very close to my target about four times out of ten. Which, to me begs a few questions: Are the 'jihadists' who are presumably firing these things really such bad shooters? Since the firing of these rockets is what has enabled Israel to launch this 'offensive' how does it actually benefit Hamas or the people of Gaza? Who really benefits from these qassams? In short, it is Israel who benefits most, and keeping in mind the motto of Mossad: By way of Deception we shall make war, then who is really firing these things? Something to ponder for sure, especially since Hamas itself had stopped all rocket fire during the ceasefire - which was violated first by Israel back in November. Not unlike the constant violations by Israel of another 'ceasefire' which she had agreed to with Lebanon's Hezbolla.

It is not as if Israel had no other choices either. She could have lifted the year and a half siege on Gaza, allowed her to trade, to maintain her economy, allowed her people to move freely - but no that is not in Israel's interest is it? How could Israel ever survive without being in a state of constant war and oppression of others? How could Israel justify the massive amounts of US aid yearly if she doesn't have anyone 'attacking' her? More questions which beg answers, cynical for certain yet nevertheless poignent to the issue. Better get on with the show then!

Happy Holidays: From Israel to Gaza

I think we all knew this was coming. The hawks have been circling and calling out for an invasion for some time now.

It has begun. The Israeli Air force has unleashed her force on the weakened people of Gaza. There are over 150 dead, hundreds wounded - and no real end in sight.

The international community should bow their heads in shame. Shame, shame and more shame is on their shoulders - not just those of the Israeli administrations. The writing has been on the wall for some time now and none of them, NONE, have even tried to riegn the Israeli forces in.

The siege of Gaza weakened it's populace - now the attack will kill many more, more who are already starving, malnourished and terrified.

Read it and weep.

While the world focuses on the economic meltdown, the looming nightmare between Pakistan and India, Israel takes her advantage to kill as many Gazans as possible. So far, with nary a word from the rest of the 'West'.

All this brought to you from the 'Blight among Nations'.

For anyone near Toronto

Dr. Norman Finkelstein will be speaking in Toronto on the 15th of January, 2009. The event is free, and being hosted by Canadians for Peace and Justice in the Mid-East.

Having had the opportunity to see Norman myself, I can't recommend this highly enough.

Norman's Site

University of Toronto
Mississauga (UTM)
CCIT 1080

Time:
6pm

If you are in the area, try to attend - you will not be disappointed.

It's Official: RCMP gets away with murder!

I must say that I wasn't surprised. I shook my head, in sadness and dismay, yet I had expected this.

Mounties will not be charged in B.C. taser death

It seems they just didn't have enough evidence. I do wonder, what would have constituted evidence?? Perhaps a video? No, we had that (even though it took a bit for the RCMP to release it!). Witnesses perhaps? No, we had those too - all quite shocked.

If the RCMP is at all concerned about it's dismal public image, then this decision by the courts has simply added fuel to the fire. I guess they don't really care what the public thinks of them, why should they? Given the movement towards a police state, both here and in the US (The UK is already there - fullforce!) is it any wonder that the police involved in this clear case of manslaughter get off Scott-free?

I'm too ticked off currently to write much more. It's just another stepping stone towards the loss of democracy and human rights in this rather pathetic land called Canada. This is not the land I was fooled into believing in as a child.

Very sad.

The Siege Continues...

An attempt to bring much needed medical supplies to the Shifa Hospital in Gaza has been derailed by Israeli Police in Tel Aviv. The shipment, organised by the Israeli Arab Islamist Movement was hoping to set sail this weekend in yet another attempt to break the inhuman siege on the people of Gaza. Police in Tel Aviv have now moved the boat to a marina and it is under surveillance.

The boat's owners have been warned that by attempting to sail into Gaza they would be breaking the Law and would be arrested. Israeli citizens, whether Jewish, Muslim, Christian are not allowed to enter the Strip. Rarely, if ever, written permission may be obtained - but this is often not the case.

More here at Haaretz.

Libyan Aid Ship turned back, Others continue in Attempt to reach Gaza

While the Libyan vessel carrying 3,000 tons of medical and food aid to the Gaza Strip was turned back by Israeli forces on Tuesday, others are prepared to land at the Gaza Port over the weekend.

From Ma'an:
On Friday a ship sailing from Qatar is scheduled to make landfall in Gaza. On Saturday, a ship sailing from Haifa, in northern Israel, will reach Gaza carrying five tons of humanitarian aid, including medicine, said Al-Khudari, who is the leader of the Popular Committee Against the Siege of Gaza.


Other boats challenging the Israeli siege will set sail from various points over the next few months:

"On 18 December the Islamic Parliamentary Union will dispatch a ship from Larnaca, Cyprus. Two days later, Jordanian activists will send a boat from the Red Sea port of Aqaba.

A Yemeni vessel will set sail in January."

Good luck to all these brave and honourable souls.

Kidnapped Human Rights Observers in Israeli Custody - Update

This is a short post to update the little we know of the fate of the HROs that Israel kidnapped along with 15 Gazan Fishermen a few days back.

The three Observers, Andrew Muncie from Scotland, Darlene Wallach from the United States and Vittorio Arrigoni from Italy, had begun a hunger strike while in Israeli custody. Vittorio has since ceased his participation in order to release news of their treatment.

Israel has released the fishermen, however refuses to allow the return of the vessels. This is the reason for the hunger strike and deportation refusal. Without their boats, these men can no longer support themselves or their families.

Here is a video of Amy Goodman interviewing the American ISM member, Darlene Wallach.

Global Warming causes What??

Global Warming Causes More Sex

Some More Musings on AGW

So, I was sitting there thinking about my garden. I am doing an overhaul next spring to devote more space to production. Having a nice sized city lot, I have also been entertaining the idea of a functional greenhouse (ie - big enough that if I change my mind inside I don't have to step out to do it! haha). These daydreams led me to the next step - if I get my greenhouse, should I utilize a CO2 generator to increase productivity?

Then something went 'click'.

Hmmm... I thought - in this hysterical world of Man-Made Global Warming can I even buy a CO2 generator any longer? Or will they be banned? Afterall their sole purpose is to generate EXTRA CO2 !! Will there be an extra fee? Will I have to buy Carbon Credits to run the thing?

Obviously, my little greenhouse, if she comes to be, will not be large and thus I probably don't really need it. Yet - it sure got me thinking.

So, you guessed it - I googled CO2 generators and greenhouses. WOW! There are lots and lots of them available! The few I scanned made no mention of what kind of environmental effect all this generating of CO2 may have in contributing to the nasty monster of CO2 derived 'Global Warming' and it is important to note that the majority of these devices use propane or natural gas to produce the needed CO2. The goal is a concentration more than three times that of our atmosphere - around 1000 ppm. The this level production can increase by 40%. Nice return.

But how much CO2 is used exclusively by the plants to generate bio matter? Logic dictates that there will always be a slight excess in order to maintain optimum production. Since airflow is crucial in this contained environment there is no denying that some of this excess CO2 will 'escape' and thus add to the 'monster of GW' (not Bush).

Why then, is this never mentioned as one of the contributing factors in Carbon derived global warming? I've never heard it mentioned, outside of the so called 'deniers' stating that higher CO2 levels leads to greater biomass production - in other words - plants LOVE it! Which of course begs the question - if CO2 is the culprit it is claimed to be, and 'every little bit helps', why are these devices still being sold? You'd think they would be on the 'chopping block' of these Carbon Credit (tax scheme/money grab) supporters.

As I stated, these were just my musings. Yet, the hypocrisy is just to blatant to ignore.

Israel kidnaps fourteen fishermen

From the Free Gaza website:

For Immediate Release

For Immediate Release:

Gaza City, 10 a.m.- Fourteen Palestinian fishermen and 3 international
Human Rights Observers (HRO’s) were surrounded by the Israeli Navy and
taken from their boats 7 miles off the coast of Deir al Balah, Gaza
Strip.

The fishermen and the HRO’s were transferred from 3 separate boats to
the Israeli warships. Other Palestinian fishermen reported that the 3
boats were seen being taken north by the Israeli Navy.

The Human Rights Observers are Andrew Muncie, a Scottish British
citizen, Vittorio Arrigoni, an Italian citizen, and Darlene Wallach,
an American citizen. They have been volunteering with the
International Solidarity Movement (ISM) since they entered Gaza on
ships with the first Free Gaza Movement voyage on the 23rd August
2008. All internationals have previous experience working with the ISM
in the West Bank.

Fellow activists have been unable to establish contact with the HRO’s
or with the fishermen since they were abducted.

Since their arrival, the ISM volunteers have been regularly
accompanying Palestinian fishermen who are regularly attacked by
Israeli navy vessels from as little as 3km from shore. They have
regularly filmed Israeli forces using live ammunition, shells and
water cannons against unarmed fishermen.

For videos from these attacks please contact palreports@gmail.com or
the ISM Media Office - 02-2971824

For more information please contact:
Fida (Gaza - Arabic) – 0599681669
Jenny (Gaza - English) - 059 876 5377
ISM Media Office - 02-297-1824 or ISM contacts in the Gaza Strip

When confronted by the Israeli Navy, the boats were 7 nautical miles
from the shore of Deir al Balah, well within the fishing limit
detailed in the Oslo Accords of 1994.

With regular claims that from the Israeli government that it has
‘disengaged’ from Gaza, these patrols and attacks from the Israeli
navy, regularly occuring from as little as 3 miles from shore,
represent a clear signal of the continuation of occupation of Gazan
territory as well as regular breaches of the current cease-fire.

Over 40,000 people in Gaza make a living from the fishing industry,
yet this community has been decimated by Israeli restrictions on
fishing rights and the prevention of fuel from reaching the Gaza
Strip.

According to the Fishing Syndicate in Gaza, fishermen need 40,000
litres of fuel and 40,000 litres of natural gas each day to operate
throughout the high fishing season.

Starting in April each year, there is a migration of fish from the
Nile Delta to Turkish waters which Palestinian fishermen have
traditionally relied upon. Yet Israel limits fishing 6 miles from the
Gaza shore and regularly attacks those who venture further than 3
miles - over 70 fishermen were arrested last year by the Israeli
forces. The large schools that form the migration are usually found 10
miles from shore. The average catch of fish was over 3000 tons a year
in the 1990’s, now it is around 500 tons directly due to the Israeli
siege of Gaza.

Not only this, but the brutal effects of the siege, the water in which
the fishermen of Gaza sail in is now receiving 50 million litres of
sewage per day because the people of Gaza have no alternative.

Thanks for the slip up

Global Warming, Shlomal Warming... oy vey!! Will all the lies never cease???

What we have here folks is a power grab and tax utopia, none of which is based on any kind of scientific theory - only hypotheses and unproven as well. One of the biggest give aways that it is just a farce is that so many governments actually buy into this, the mainstream media screaming about rising oceans and the death of us all. What nonsense.

Seems they slipped up though here:

The world has never seen such freezing heat

In the above article, it has been admitted that data supporting the warmest October was actually false! Say it ain't so! Really? How? Well, my friends it seems they used the data from September to calculate the October numbers. Nice one boys - egg on your face feeling kinda slimy??

Anyway, I like it when they screw up, and then twist in the wind trying to phloff it off. Sorta like the temperature instruments being located in parking lots and next to air-conditioning vents... lol.

Enjoy the read, and yes I will be back.

Captain Kirk and Gun Control

Priceless!!!

Quick before it's gone again:



Gotta love the Shat!!

ROFLMAO

Spam, Spam Harper, Dion, Spam, Layton and Spam and May and Spam

This is an election rant.

Where are the choices? I mean really. It's like going to the Diner and only finding Spam, spam, ham and spam, beef and spam, lamb and spam - all just spam!

Spam

Taser them all!!

The RCMP are soon going to be known (if they aren't already) as the tasercops. They love their little toy. They have forgotten all the martial arts training and safe takedown techniques they were taught, forget talking to the perp, forget subduing him using reasonable force - just whip out the stungun and fire away.

Unarmed naked man killed by Vancouver Mounties (Tasers 'r' us).

Yes, I corrected the title.

The guy was naked, unarmed and they just had to taser him! Obviously, he was in an upset state of mind. There were many coppers there - why not a simple rush and takedown?

Obviously, not nearly as much fun as electrocution.

Well I didn't make it

Between three boxes of kleenex and a little too much fennel tea, I passed out and didn't make it to the lecture. (Not fair to infect others with my dreadful cold!)

I will look and see if CPJME will have a transcript or some such on the presentatiom from last night.

Again, I am sad I didn't make it - but blowing my nose every two minutes, I am sure, wouldn't have been appreciated by the others who did attend.

I'll keep my eyes open for any updates wrt the suit.

Leslie Hughes: Raving Anti-Semite?

The Dion Liberals have asked Leslie Hughes to step out of the race, apparantly, she is an anti-semite! This fiasco certainly illustrates the changes within the various Jewish advocacy groups in Canada, especially after the takeover last year by CIJA and her moneybag sponsers.

Liberals ask candidate to step down over 9/11 comments
'No room' for 'odious' anti-Semitic conspiracy theories: Jewish group CEO


(Dion said)"I have reviewed the past comments of Lesley Hughes and it is clear they do not meet [our] standard," Dion said in a Friday release. "While I appreciate her apology, I cannot condone those sentiments in any way. I have therefore asked Ms. Hughes to step down as the Liberal party candidate in Kildonan-St. Paul."

Hughes, who learned of Dion's request from CBC News in Winnipeg, said she was stunned.

"It's a major shock to my faith in the party and the whole system," said Hughes, who defended her track record by citing her biography about a leading figure of the Jewish community and the Holocaust education that she taught in classes at the University of Winnipeg for more than a decade.

"It's the theatre of the absurd," said Hughes.

Well Ms. Hughes, welcome to the current state of affairs in Canadian politics. You cannot criticise Israel in any way whatsoever and certainly not the official conspiracy of Arabs version of the 911 attacks. This is clearly and transparantly pure anti-semitism on your part. Repent now.

The trend in the last decade to equate the actions of Israel with the desires of all Jews, whether Israelis or living in the Diaspora, is polarising the view and understanding of us all. There are many Jews who don't agree with the actions of the State of Israel and do not abide by her decisions. Yet, what we have now in Canada is a silencing of their voices.

How did this happen? Where is the plurality of opinion gone in the CJC? Was it ever even allowed? I digress.

If anyone is interested in reading the article which has resulted in this woman's turfing here it is.

The only bit which even mentions Israel (not Jews) is excerpted below:

Many official sources are claiming to have warned the American intelligence community, which spends $30 billion a year gathering information, about the attacks on the twin towers on that heartbreaking day.

German Intelligence (BND) claims to have warned the U.S. last June, the Israeli Mossad and Russian Intelligence in August. Israeli businesses, which had offices in the Towers, vacated the premises a week before the attacks, breaking their lease to do it. About 3000 Americans working there were not so lucky.

Yes, that is it. That is why Leslie has now been tarred with the 'anti-semite' label.

Question: Can Dion read? Did he read this piece? If so, can he explain what exactly is the problem here?

Leviev and the British Embassy in Tel Aviv

Yes, I know I am kind of late on reporting this. As my few readers know - I have been very busy as of late, but round one is done and now I find I have a little more time!

I got a call yesterday from the Canadians for Peace and Justice in the Mideast, they were following up with regards to the lecture this evening by Mark Arnold, the lawyer for the city of Bil'n who is suing, in Quebec provincial courts, a Leviev company, Danya Cebus, for building in the Occupied Territories against International and Canadian Law. I wrote about this here.

Now it seems that the British Embassy in Tel Aviv (Israel's capital city) has been negotiating a rental agreement to lease three floors in the Kirya Tower from Africa Israel Investments, a company controlled by Lev Leviev, a London-based property and diamonds billionaire with substantial business interests in Israel.

Palestinian rights groups across Britian have voiced their disapproval, stating that such a move would contradict the Government's own position on the building of illegal settlements within the Occupied Territories:

The Government has made its position on settlements very clear; we believe that settlements contravene international law and are a significant impediment to progress on the peace process. Should we decide to relocate the embassy, we will make clear the intended location once a decision has been reached."


Hmmm... that doesn't really say much does it? If the British government really means what it says with regards to the illegal settlements, then why are they even in negotiations with Danya Cebus, the Leviev subsidiary involved in their construction? Why not simply stop the talks and announce that they will either stay where they are or find somewhere else?

Keep in mind that UNICEF has refused any donations by Leviev due to his companies involvement in the construction of illegal settlements in Modiin Illit, which is close to the village of Bil'in.

So, again we see the double standards at work. Lots of lip service about how terrible the settlement building is, how it is illegal and is major roadblock to any kind of peace accord with the Palestinian people, yet no real action to back those loose words up.

I hope to be able to attend the lecture this evening, and if I make it I will include a synopsis on the blog in the coming days.

Until voices are heard and heeded there will be nothing but instability in this region of decades to come. The actions of foriegn governments in response to Israel's continual snubbing of international laws and the Geneva conventions must become louder. It's can no longer remain a comment only issue. It's easy to say how they disagree with Israel's actions, but only real consequences can force a change in policy. If this means disinvestment and boycotts - then so be it. It worked for Apartheid South Africa, it can work here to. The only thing stopping the movers and shakers seems to be the fear of being labelled an 'anti-semite' for even bringing the subject of Israel's illegal actions up.

Time to lose the fear, officials! Put your money where your mouths are - divest, talk sanctions and stick to one set of rules for all involved.

Palin: No second guessing on Israel

I really don't know what to say here. She quotes the misquote, she towes the line. I see that her meetings with AIPAC have been a success.

Woe to the Americans if this woman ever becomes VP. Woe to the world.

Oh good grief, I simply must edit this post to include:

PALIN: 'ONLY FLAG IN MY OFFICE' IS ISRAELI

President Peres of Israel yesterday met for the first time with Governor Palin and with Senator McCain, who called the veteran Israeli statesman "my old friend." The warm handshake and exchange of broad smiles occurred during an international gathering known as the Clinton Global Initiative, hosted by President Clinton. "I wanted to meet you for many years," Ms. Palin told Mr. Peres, according to an aide to the president. "The only flag at my office is an Israeli flag," she was quoted as saying, "and I want you to know and I want Israelis to know that I am a friend."



I think I need a virtual sicky bag...

What Sarah? No American flag? No Alaska flag? No Canadian flag?

This woman is an unmitigated disaster on heels... yikes o rama!

Elections Anyone?

Okay, so we are in an election. I have recieved calls so far from the Libs and Cons, both seeking my support.

Clearly I told them not to count on me.

I simply can't bring myself to vote for either of the status quo pinhead parties. It's almost as if the Liberals, by electing Dion as leader, are there to assist the Cons to get a majority. Certainly makes me wonder about 'backroom deals'.

Con rep: We need a majority, if you guys put Dion in charge we could probably get it.

Lib rep: What's in it for us?

Con rep: Well, we'll revisit the Carbon tax issue and use your ideas to soak Canadians for even more $$

Lib rep: Hmmm, okay. Dion it is, after all our mole Bob Rae pretty much destroyed any chance for the NDP to ever win any election on a federal level after his stunning performance in Ontario years ago. Worked like a charm!!

Con rep: Glad you see it that way. Keep Dion there and keep touting this extra Tax, that we both know will have zero influence on Climate Change - since most realize it has nothing to do with human activity. What a great scam this 'global warming' has become!

Lib rep: Oh yes!! It's allowed both our parties to completely ignore all the pollutants that really do damage! Notice no one talks about dioxins anymore! It's great! Hardly anyone even questions the role of GM plants either! What a dream come true!

Con rep: smiles

Lib rep: smiles back, shakes hands.

And that folks, sums it up. The libs and cons are simply different sides of the same old coin. Both care more for big money and corporate gains. Neither of them care for Canadians. They both look at the populace with contempt.

Yes, I'm cynical... many are. They count on it.

Israelis training NA cops in counter terrorism ops

Coinciding with 9/11, U.S. Law Enforcement Officers Learn Counterterrorism Strategies From Israeli Counterparts

"There is a lot to learn from Israel's approach to counteringcreating terrorism, and we believe that it is a wonderful opportunity for police chiefs from the United States to understand how Israel stands up to the threat(she creates) everyday," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director.

My corrections to Abe's statement is in red.

Read this and weep!

I wonder then the Skunk machine will show up...?

A Link to a Link to a Link!

Penny over at Penny for your thoughts has posted a great documentary on the power of the Israel Lobby wrt foriegn policy of the US.

I'm surprised I hadn't seen this one before.

Has Harper bit the hands which fed him?

Well, I imagine most Canadians now know - we're having an election. Whhhoooopeeee!! Like we actually have anyone worthwhile to choose from.. but I digress and that is another post.

What I find interesting is that the date for this 'selection' is October 14.

Hmmm... wasn't that the date which Harper was warned about?

The Canadian Jewish Congress sent a letter to Harper last week asking him to avoid setting an election on Oct. 14, 15, 21 or 22. Those dates are all key parts of the Jewish religious festival, Sukkot. Observant Jews would not be able to work for candidates on election day if the vote were set for Oct. 14.

"We did make the case pretty strongly . . . that these dates should be avoided," said Bernie Farber, executive director of the Canadian Jewish Congress.


Well, now I'm going to do something that I thought I would never do: Thanks Steven, for not bowing to the pressure of the Lobby. I am sure however, there will be blowback for this. Perhaps some nice attacks in the press?

Time will tell.

Important Message

For those of you in Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa:

Israeli Occupation on Trial


Panel with Mr. Mark Arnold,

Canadian Lawyer for the

Palestinian Village of Bil'in


Please join us September 25, 26, and 27 to explore this important case.
In July, 2008, the Palestinian Village of Bil'in launched a lawsuit in Quebec Superior Court against two Montreal companies: Green Mount International Inc. and Green Park International Inc. The two companies are accused of building condominiums on Palestinian land under Israeli military occupation: actions that are strictly illegal under international, Canadian and Quebec law.

Toronto, Thursday, September 25, 7:30 p.m., at the Steelworkers Hall, 25 Cecil Street, Toronto


Montreal, Friday, September 26, 7:30 p.m., McGill University, New Chancellor Day Hall, 3644 Peel Street, Room: 100 (The "Moot Court"), enter through the Law Library entrance at 3660 Peel St.


Ottawa, Saturday, September 27, 7:30 p.m., Sandy Hill Community Centre, 250 Somerset St. E., off of King Edward St, between Nelson and Sweetland, Ottawa



Please distribute this email widely to your friends and acquaintances across Quebec and Ontario.



Join us for a dynamic panel discussion with the Canadian lawyer for Bil'in Village, Mr. Mark Arnold, and other distinguished panellists as we explore the case and its implications for Canada, Israel and the Palestinians. Attendees at each event will be given the opportunity to donate to the legal fund of Bil'in Village, should they so choose.

An admission of $5 will be charged to cover the costs of hosting the event series.

For a list of our other panellists, and for more info on these exciting events, please see Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Mid-East.

****

I wrote about this here for those interested in a little more background.

I am going to do my darnedest (is that even word?!) to make sure I attend! I'll probable donate a little $$ to, what ever I can afford.

What is that Smell?

Enter 'The Skunk'.

What's that you ask? Well, it's a wonderful newly developed (and now deployed) less lethal crowd dispersal weapon! Great you say? Well... I'm not so sure about that.

We have heard often by various pro-Israeli-Firsters that 'if only the Palestinians would hold non-violent protests and demonstrations they might be taken seriously'. Well, they do - often - not that it's reported on of course! What to do, what to do - the poor IDF and police forces must stop all non-violent resistance as well, lest the world catch note of it. Shooting the demonstrators with rubber bullets, water cannons, pepper sprays and tear gas just doesn't go over well in the PR department - they needed something else!

"The Border Police introduced the Skunk - a new tool in the service of the police, which will cause every demonstrator to flee for his life because of the terrible stench," the Israel Police Web site proudly declared on August 17, about a week after it was first tried out.


How nice. How comical - if it weren't really just a tool of oppression of a human's right to resist - peacefully - that which interferes with one's right to live in dignity.

Now the Skunk has become the new hope of the Border Policemen stationed along the route of the fence. "We consider it a new and effective deterrent force," says Azulai. "Until now, for demonstrations on the seam line the police used mainly pepper gas, water cannons and mounted police, but we were looking for less lethal means. The Skunk was born out of a need for a means that would avoid harming the demonstrators insofar as possible, which would limit the damage and the contact between demonstrators and policemen. We have no intention of harming anyone, the police respect the right to demonstrate, but we are in charge of maintaining public order. We intervene in demonstrations that get out of control, as in the case of Na'alin and Bil'in, where demonstrators are systematically attempting to damage the fence or mechanical equipment on the site."

The police respect the 'right' to demonstrate? Well - at least the (sort of) recognise it is a right! But for them any demonstration is always, yes always, out of control. It's important, I think, at this juncture to remind everyone that in the towns of Bil'in and Na'alin the route of the Apartheid Wall cuts deeply into Palestinian lands. As most do know, this Wall has been deemed illegal by the internationl courts - if Israel had built this wall on only Israeli territory I doubt that any of these demonstrations would be happening - but the Wall is not on Israeli lands - it is on stolen Palestinians lands - many of which hold important fertile farmlands and water resources. This is why the brave folks of Na'alin and Bil'in are demonstrating - peacefully - to begin with!!

"It may be legal, but it stinks," adds Sarit Michaeli, the head of public relations at the B'Tselem human rights organization. "The fact that they spray people with such a liquid on a Friday raises questions: Would they do the same thing to settlers on a Friday? I find that hard to believe. I don't think it should be done to anyone, but the limited use of the Skunk against Palestinians and left-wing activists is something that should be recorded. In my opinion, there is a strong and disturbing symbolic dimension to this. Mainly because until today the Skunk has been used primarily against nonviolent groups of people, who did not clash with anyone and were very far away from the fence. So why was it necessary to spray them - in order to dirty them? To punish them? I think that the use of the Skunk contains a very humiliating element - they are marking you. The spray creates a new dimension of humiliation that did not exist before at demonstrations."

A laboratory of experimentation - that is how Snitz describes the villages of Bil'in and Na'alin.

"On the one hand the Skunk really did surprise us to a great degree, but on the other hand I was not surprised when a new weapon was directed against us at demonstrations," he says. "Bil'in and Na'alin have turned into a place for experimentation for the Israeli security forces. The demonstrators have become guinea pigs for various weapons. During the past six months they tried sponge bullets that are fired from short range, salt bullets that are very painful when they come into contact with blood, pepper gas, and even a new device called Tza'aka (Scream). This is actually a large loudspeaker that sits on a truck and emits a dissonant and deafening sound. It penetrates your brain."

But the police were not satisfied with the Scream and it did not return to the hilltops of the West Bank. "And that's part of the issue," adds Snitz. "All these attempts remain attempts, but there is no substitute for the 'daily bread' of the Border Police: gas and rubber bullets."

Well it sure does seem that this IS the testing ground for 'crowd' control. These poor folks are treated this way, and the world does nothing - nothing because it is Israel doing this - nothing because so many leaders are terrified of being labelled by the Lobby (and every country has one!).

Just keep in mind: Israel exports her expertise in these matters to other lands. Canadian and American police forces go there on junkits for training.

So, the question arises: When will this method show up at a demonstration near you? If the recent events in Minneapolis and the extent of police interference and brutality is any indication - the answer is: SOON.

Greens, Anti-semitism, Free Speech and Canada

Wow... I haven't had time to blog much - but I just had to put something up about this:

Green Candidate accused of 'Israel-Bashing' gets May's support

Before posting excerpts from the article, let me just say that it's badly written, though of course not surprising, as any criticism of Israeli policy with regards to the Palestinian Peoples is wrongly labelled 'anti-semitism' by the mainstream (shilling) media, and of course by the gatekeepers themselves - the CIC. Please note this is NOT about the recent ousting of Shavluk in BC - who was also accused of making 'anti-semetic' comments on an online forum (which I personally remember and the worst about him wasn't those comments btw).

No this time it's a renowned neurologist, Dr.Qais Ghanem. What did he dare to do? Gosh, it seems that he dared to suggest that the party adopt the view that Israel should withdraw to her 67 borders, as suggested by the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative. What you never heard of it? No wonder - as it is supported by all Arab Lands and would actually lead to peace for Israel and a future for the displaced and stateless people of Palestine. It is not radical, and it allows for 'normalised' relations by all Arab League countries wrt Israel (I know, I know - how could Israel continue playing the victim card is she actually started to get on with her neighbours?) But I digress...

Sara Saber-Freedman, executive vice-president of the Canada Israel Committee, said the Greens would be adopting an extreme position should the resolution be endorsed by party members at their next convention.

“We think it would be extraordinarily unfortunate if it were to be adopted,” she said. “It would place the Green Party very far outside the Canadian mainstream.”

Oh really Sara? So, anyone who doesn't support the ongoing occupation, collective punishment and theft of land by Israel is out of the mainstream? Really? To me, Israel's security depends on learning how to get on with others, learning to play nice and not be the spoiled brat in the sandbox. It would go a long way to changing the Arab world's opinion of her, but alas if there was peace how could the extortion of Billions of dollars in the name of security continue?

Back to the story. Dr. Ghanem is certainly not an anti-semite. The greens aren't either. Yet these days it seems anyone calling Israel out on her behaviour is deemed one. This is ridiculous. If we criticise the Canadian government's policies does that mean I am anti-canadian? If I am bitching about US foreign policy am I then anti-american? What if I don't agree with the Pope? Am I then anti-Catholic? What nonsense. The overuse of the term anti-semite detracts from those who ARE real jew-haters - who hate Jews simply due to the fact they are Jews. Lumping all Jews together with the actions of the state of Israel is a slippery slope. It endangers Jews not only those in Israel, but those in the diaspora as well.

The CIC would do better to stop using the term, or at least use a better one: Anti-Likud, might do.

Israel fires on Fishermen, Humanitarians

Two injured in Israeli attacks on Palestinian fishermen in Gaza

Two Gazan fishermen were injured when Israeli naval vessels fired on Palestinian fishing boats on Monday.

Palestinian medical sources told Maan that 32-year-old Husam Sultan was hit in the head with shrapnel. His wounds were described as serious. Nineteen-year-old Muhammad Sultan was lacerated by shrapnel in various places on his body.

The Israeli navy opened fire at the fishermen off the Gaza shore near the former site of the Israeli settlement Dugeit, west of the Palestinian town of Beit Lahiya, in the northern Gaza Strip.

This Israeli attack is an apparent violation of the ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip which went into effect on 19 June. The violation came on the first day of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan.

Another Israeli naval assault was reported earlier in the day in the day by international human rights activists accompanying Palestinian fishermen.
The Free Gaza movement reported live bullets fired near Gaza City, where five internationals were accompanying fishing boats during daily work in Gaza territorial waters. The group said the boats were "several miles offshore" when Israeli ships opened fire.


Well, I guess it's par for the course with Israel. They managed to keep all news of the siege break out of NA press - and now things are back to business as usual - the Israelis confident in the knowledge that nothing will stop them.

Sad news, sorry to have to report it.

But someone must...

Boulder bombs Denver?!

As part of a media blitz to 'strengthen' Israel's image a non-profit group has begun running an ad in which the city of Boulder, Colorado bombs Denver.

WTF?

The Boulder attack ad shows a map of Denver being hit by flaming missiles, then an image of Israel being hit by the same weapons. It then displays an image of Iran, followed by ominous missile launches, a photograph of a man with a black hood over his face, Iran's president, and a silhouetted traveler with a suitcase.

"The Time for World Leaders to Act Is Now," it concludes.


You can watch the Boulder Ad here.

Talk about fear-mongering. This from the nation who actually does have nuclear weapons and the means to deploy them.

What this 'ad' neglects to show, of course, is any kind of context or any kind of accuracy - where are the missles which Denver (Israel) has already lobbed into Boulder? Where are the sonic booms which have terrorised the population of Boulder - living under siege with her residents cut off from the outside world?

Reality isn't expressed here whatsoever - just pure and utter fear and warmongering.

After Success, plans to repeat the voyage!

The Free Gaza and Liberty have left the Gaza Strip, carrying a few passengers with them back to Cyprus. That the Israeli authorities have allowed them to do this speaks volumes to what true peaceful resistance can achieve. Rather than risking a no-win situation had the Israeli Admin attempted to stop them with either force or simply blockading the boats, they erred to caution and let it happen. In their own words, the Israeli Authorities said the decision to allow the boats to pass was to deny a 'propaganda' victory for the protestors, which sounds like sour grapes to me, but still better than what could have transpired.

The group plans to send Free Gaza back to the Strip within the next few weeks, bringing along much needed medical supplies. Hopefully this next trip will also go off without a hitch, establishing a permanent link for Gaza to the outside world.

From Haaretz:
Larudee said one of the two boats would make the trip back to Gaza in two to four weeks time loaded with medical supplies.

He said the boat would ferry more Palestinians to the island on the return trip after the passengers are vetted to ensure they have the appropriate travel documents.

Larudee said organizers would coordinate with Cypriot authorities to ensure no Palestinians are turned away.

Cyprus, which lies some 240 nautical miles west of Gaza, is generally viewed as sympathetic towards Palestinians. Members of a Cypriot peace group, with close ties to the present communist administration, met activists who arrived in the port of Larnaca on Friday.


Congratulations are in order for all those involved with this truly humanitarian enterprise - well done!

Just as a side note: Jeff Halper was released after one day of detainment. No charges were laid against him, but the police in Sderot are intending to file an indictment against him (more sour grapes me thinks).

Good results all around.

Jeff Halper detained by Israel

Haaretz

Police on Tuesday detained an Israeli activist who had sailed to the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip to challenge Israel's blockade of the coastal region.

They accused Jeff Halper, who also holds United States citizenship, of violating a ban on Israelis entering Gaza.

Halper was among 44 "Free Gaza" activists from 17 nations who sailed in two boats from Cyprus to the Gaza Strip on Saturday in defiance of the blockade.
Advertisement

He spent three days in the Gaza Strip before entering Israel through the Erez border crossing, where police detained him.


Well, I guess that was expected. Hope they treat him well and release him speedily. For those who don't know, Jeff is one of the founders of The Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions. As such, he has been a thorn in the Israeli Admins' side for some time now.

Update on the Free Gaza Movement

Please see this post on Norman's website!

Some great photos there and a wonderfully written piece!

An excerpt (but please do click on Norman's site!!)

Our arrival at Gaza was a scene of enormous jubilation and pandemonium. Thousands came to greet us, first in boats (and one fellow on a surfboard, see pix). The Gazans were ecstatic to see a demonstration that someone cares about their situation. I’m still processing our welcome, for it was overwhelming in many ways and senses. The pictures probably describe it better anyway. Press coverage of our arrival has been past saturation; at this morning’s press conference there were 20+ video cameras running (I understand that the only US network to cover our arrival was ABC, but I may be wrong. If that’s the case, thank the IOM.). We were mobbed on our own boats, and had a hard time docking because of that. Kids were swimming up to the boats and trying to climb on; fortunately, no one was hurt. We were taken in buses to a local hotel (the Al Deira for those who have been in Gaza) where we were put up for the night. A magnificent dinner followed, and we were again mobbed by the press and well-wishers. This morning we had breakfast, a strategy session, and then an enormous press conference. I met Mohammed Omer there, and he sent special greetings to Laura. Our hosts are arranging visits to hospitals, human rights organizations, and tomorrow is a trip to the Rafah border crossing into Egypt and to visit the site of Rachel Corrie’s death. In about a half an hour I’m attending a luncheon put on by Prime Minister Ismael Haniyeh, whom I met briefly in Mina, Saudi Arabia, almost two years ago during the Hajj. We have a busy schedule.


****

There is now talk of trying to establish a ferry route between Cyprus and Gaza. I sure hope this can be accomplished - allowing the people of this open air prison access to the world around them.

My heart goes out to all these brave individuals - showing how we humans can truly sometimes show our humanity to others.

Well done.

My complaint is that no mainstream media in either the US or Canada has really covered this amazing event.

Gee... I wonder why? Not.

Bus Beheading: Was Li on or off his meds?

I know that Penny has been doing a bang up job on covering the utterly tragic Bus beheading incident, where Tim Mclean was ruthlessly murdered by Li.

What has really bugged me about this event, was the early mention of drugs then nothing since. It was revealed that Li had a history of mental illness. My question - Was Li on prescribed pharmaceuticals at the time of the murder? Or had he recently stoppped taking his meds? I ask this because it has been documented that withdrawl of SSRIs can result in suicidal/violent outbreaks and can often lead to bizarre and maccabre murders or murder suicides.

Just take a look at this database.

So, was the drug angle dropped because it a) Wasn't an 'illegal' drug which influenced Li? b) Could prove embarrassing to the makers of the 'pharmacuetical' medicine? c) both of the above.

My take: Li went off his meds and flipped out. The resulting shitstorm (if the public was aware) would spark outcry from the public about what kind of mind altering crap the 'hellth' authorities are allowing folks to be pumped up on. Hence - no more mention in the press about any kind of 'drug' influencing Li's behaviour.

Don't know about you, dear readers, but just skimming the above database certainly lends credence to the hypothesis that Li was messed up on legal drugs.

Hooray!! Free Gaza and Liberty Arrive in Gaza!

Well it seems that Israel changed her mind and allowed the boats to enter Palestinian waters and continue on to dock at the tiny port of Gaza City!

This is very good news!

This quote says it all:

“We recognize that we’re two, humble boats, but what we’ve accomplished is to show that average people from around the world can mobilize to create change. We do not have to stay silent in the face of injustice. Reaching Gaza today, there is such a sense of hope, and hope is what mobilizes people everywhere.”


Wonderful, now I hope that the Israelis will allow them to leave as well.

Here is an excerpt from the PNN:

Fadi Yacoub / PNN – According to the Free Gaza Movement there are now an estimated 200,000 Palestinians on the shores of Gaza waiting to greet the SS Free Gaza and SS Liberty. Their estimated arrival time is now between 5 and 7 pm, as relayed from Jeff Halper on one of the boats.

Rami Abdo, Spokesperson of the People's Committee to Address the Siege on the Gaza Strip told PNN this afternoon that Israeli gunboats opened fire on the Palestinians who had sailed boats into the sea to receive the two “Break the Siege” boats, which had almost reached Palestinian territorial waters. They were forced to change course due to the presence of Israeli warships.


I guess they just can't help themselves.. sigh.

Anyway, good on the brave men and women in achieving their goal to break the siege of Gaza - let's hope this will be the first of many voyages and that perhaps finally the Palestinians can have some soveriegnty over the waters of their own lands.

Another Tale of the Occupation of Palestine

I simply had to post this article by the honourable Gideon Levy:

Tossed Out Like a Dog

In the lawless South Hebron Hills, things are wild as usual: The settlers continue to attack shepherd children with clubs and stones, to steal their sheep and to make their lives miserable, while the Israel Police continue to abuse anyone who tries to file a complaint against the settlers.

Mahmoud Abu Kabaita, whose children and flocks were the targets of settlers from Beit Yatir and Susia, was left outside the Kiryat Arba police station in the burning sun for four hours, until they even allowed him to enter. The members of the Abu Awad family, some of whose children suffer from a serious skin disease, have already been victims of a cruel pogrom by the settlers of Asael, as described here three weeks ago. Relatives waited outside the police station for two hours, and left without filing a complaint, after being attacked once again last Shabbat. That is how the Israel Police enforces the law here.

After writing in this column about the Abu Awads, all of whose meager property was destroyed and looted by the rioters from Asael, some readers offered to help the penniless family. One prominent figure, who is well known in the political establishment and not necessarily from the left, and who wanted to remain anonymous, gave the family a personal financial contribution which is considered huge by local standards. There was great joy in the miserable encampment, but it was short-lived: Last Shabbat the children and their sheep were attacked once again by the Asael people. A wonderful way to welcome the "Sabbath bride," as is customary every week.
Advertisement

The Abu Kabaitas, whom Israel decreed would have to live outside the separation fence, along with and adjacent to Beit Yatir, were not very fortunate either. They were also attacked by rioters from the neighboring settlement. They were also abused by the Israel Police, which are supposed to protect them.

Thus there exists, with a distance of an hour and a half from Tel Aviv, a region with its own rules: The settlers rampage as much as they please, and the police don't lift a finger and even treat the victims of the violence rudely when they want to complain. In the past weeks, as everyone knows, the rioting has mounted, for some reason, but for the police it's business as usual.

Opposite the new checkpoint and among antennas and wind turbines, lives the Abu Kabaita family. There is a mother, a father, 13 children and two grandmothers, one of them 97 years old, and of course the sheep and goats. They have been here since 1948 - Palestinians who live in a poor, but relatively well-kept compound of lean-tos, tents and stone structures, some of which have been demolished by Israel.

In the shade of a date tree are several plastic chairs; one of the children is picking dates and serving them together with small cups of sage tea. The father Mahmoud is relating the story of his tribulations. He is 40 years old, born here on the private lands registered to his family since the days of Turkish rule. He does not keep the official documents in the compound; he already knows that the settlers and perhaps even the police and the army are liable to confiscate them. Wearing a baseball cap backward on his head, speaking fluent Hebrew, he looks like an Israeli. A new Ferguson tractor is parked within the compound, but he has to leave his private car, an old Subaru, on the other side of the separation fence and the checkpoint on the slope, several hundred meters from his home. He is forbidden to bring it any closer to his house. Israel built the fence in such a way that Beit Yatir will remain in Israeli territory, along with some of its Palestinian neighbors.

It may be good for the settlers, but for the Abu Kabaitas the new checkpoint has only heralded more troubles: The children must pass through it every day on their way to school, as does Mahmoud on his way to buy feed for the sheep or to sell one of his herd, to bring a gas canister or other goods. Sometimes the soldiers allow him to pass, sometimes they don't. When he wants to take sheep to sell in neighboring Yata, the soldiers allow him to take out only two at a time. That's just how it is. Every crossing by he and his children depends on the good will of the checkpoint soldier: If he so desires, he'll let them pass; if not, he won't.

Abu Kabaita: "I drive with the tractor to Yata to bring water. If the soldiers are nice they let me pass. If not, I have to travel three hours in the fields on a route that bypasses the checkpoint. It all depends on the type of soldier at the checkpoint." He adds that his sister and other relatives who live on the opposite side are not allowed to visit him at all.

The path to the Abu Kabaitas' private pasture land is also an obstacle course: It passes within the border of Beit Yatir. This is also the source of constant friction; the children of the settlers sometimes throw stones at the shepherd's children when they traverse the settlement. Sometimes the settlers also try to steal the sheep or run them over, as happened on August 1.

The family has 200 head of sheep; they are now sprawled in their pen, resting in the summer heat. When Beit Yatir was established, in the late 1980s, the war over the land began. Abu Kabaita did not give in, embarked on an exhausting legal battle and remained on his land. Beit Yatir was forced to expand in a different direction, not into his lands, which are adjacent to the fence that surrounds the settlement, which is also of dubious legality, because it passes through his property. He and his children cross through an opening in the fence to the grazing area. The tin roof of the family home is strewn with small stones that the children of the settlers sometimes throw at it.

"We are not spoiled," explains Abu Kabaita. "We were born in caves and we're used to a hard life. We have no problem, we became used to it already from our parents and I also force my children to become accustomed to our hard life. Only the settlers disrupt our lives - they are destroying our lives. We grew up with this. We liked this situation, we like to be with nature in difficult conditions, except for the settlers who have inhabited our lands. They have disrupted things. All we want is to continue our lives. That's all. And we hope that the settlers will stop causing us problems. They're interrupting our lives."

Now Abu Kabaita removes from his pocket a folded packet of documents, confirmation of the complaints that he has managed to file with the police against his neighbors' attacks. "When I come to the police station they see me and close the gate. I waste my entire day there; if I go to file a complaint, I need to spend an entire day in the sun. That's what happened the last time. I stood there, tossed outside like a dog. I push the buttons, speak on the intercom; they tell me I'll be admitted right away, and nothing happens."

The last time he tried to file a complaint, on August 4, after baking in the heat for hours, representatives of the Temporary International Presence in Hebron, came and complained that they were not letting Abu Kabaita in. That didn't help either, and he remained outside. "At 2 P.M. they allowed me to enter," he says. "I had arrived there at 10 A.M., and it took me until 5:30 P.M. before I could file the complaint. Even when I had already done so, I felt that the policemen were not receiving me properly and the investigator was not writing down what I said."

The complaint number that time was 309765/2008. Among the large number of documents showing evidence of complaints, about which nothing has been done, he also has a photograph that he once took clandestinely, in which one sees a settler from Beit Yatir, who, according to Abu Kabaita, is the violent one - dressed in white, a large white skullcap on his head, with a long beard, covering his face with his hands so that he won't be identified as he is fleeing.

Danny Poleg, spokesman and assistant commander for the Judea and Samaria Police District writes: "1. Mr. Mahmoud Abu Kabaita did register a complaint on 4.8 at the Hebron station. An investigation is under way. 2. With regard to the amount of time he waited, there is no factual evidence to substantiate his claims. It should be noted that the Hebron police conduct ongoing, careful surveillance of the gates at the station, also by closed-circuit TV, to determine whether there are complainants or others in need of their services. 3. At the entry gate where Palestinians are received, there is a telephone with relevant extensions listed and signs. 4. Despite all this, and in response to your request, the commander of the Hebron district has ordered a clarification of this subject among the staff. 5. The policy of the Hebron district is to provide professional, high-quality and especially prompt service to the area population.

It was August 1, at twilight, and his two sons, Bilal, 11 and Sagr, 8, were on their way home with the sheep from the grazing land beyond Beit Yatir. A group of settler children was there, playing paintball. They teased the shepherd children and threw the balls of paint at them. That is how Mahmoud Abu Kabaita describes it. It was a group of young people from Susia, he explains, and some others from Beit Yatir. "They began to shoot those paint bombs at our children and our children got scared and fled," says Abu Kabaita.

Bilal remained at a distance to watch over the sheep and Sagr ran home. Their father was in the family olive grove at the time. He dropped everything and rushed toward the flock and another shepherd boy who had remained behind. When he arrived he saw about 10 young people, who were holding onto several sheep. A white car was parked alongside the group. Five goats and sheep were already tied to trees in the woods.

"I wanted to approach, to ask them: Why are you stealing our sheep? But they are very fanatic people and they told me to leave the place immediately. I didn't see Bilal or the sheep. Where was Bilal? Where were the sheep? I was afraid. I phoned the emergency number, 100. They didn't answer. It started to get dark. We're in the dark alone, they're cursing and shouting, and I'm worried about my son and the sheep."

He called the offices of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Hebron. They referred him to the B'Tselem human rights organization. B'Tselem's research coordinator, Najib Abu Rakia, together with the organization's district fieldworker, Musa Abu Hashhash, called the Israel Defense Forces and the police to come to the site. The IDF came, the police did not.

When the IDF jeep arrived the settlers fled, leaving behind the flock. The soldiers did not say a word to Abu Kabaita, however, and left the scene. He and Bilal untied the goats and sheep, and returned home with the flock late in the evening, tired but mainly frightened.

Bilal and Sagr have refused since then to go out by themselves to the grazing land beyond Beit Yatir, and their father must accompany them daily, in the hope that they will return home safely. He is now very concerned about the fate of his children and his flock. He also feels there has recently been an intensification in the violence on the part of the settlers.

Abu Kabaita: "I got the children used to not being afraid, and I hope that it won't happen again. I don't want to say that all of Beit Yatir is like that. Not everyone in the settlement is a thief and wicked. It's important to say that. Only a few, and especially the one in the picture. In recent months it's become worse and they've started to make a lot of trouble for us. I feel it. They try to steal sheep, they try to run over sheep, they throw stones at night and scare my children."

Fortunately for him, the wind turbine built by the settlers almost on top of his house is often broken. The noise it makes at night when it is working prevents them from sleeping. "Every time it revolves - boom. It's like an explosion at night."

A turbine above their heads, one settlement spilling over into their pasture land, another on a nearby slope, and the threat of violence around them - that's the safe and pleasant life enjoyed these days by the Abu Kabaitas.

***

And that gentle readers is why the brave activists on the Free Gaza and Liberty are protesting and attempting to break the siege.

Thank you Mr. Levy and Haaretz for giving a voice to the voiceless, and having the maturity and morality to publish uncomfortable truths.

If only we had that kind of press freedom in Canada.

They're Off - Free Gaza and Liberty have hit the Seas!

UPDATE

From the brave souls on the ship:

A Statement from the International Human Rights Workers Aboard the SS Free Gaza and SS Liberty, Sailing to Gaza

For Immediate Release Date : 08-23-2008

(10am, 23 August, 2008) At 10am this morning, the Cyprus team of the Free Gaza Movement was able to briefly speak with our people on board the SS Free Gaza and SS Liberty. They are all fine, and they asked us to release the following statement:
"The electronic systems which guarantee our safety aboard the SS Free Gaza and SS Liberty have been jammed and scrambled. Both ships are flying Greek flags, and are in international waters. We are the victims of electronic piracy. We are currently in GMS P area A2 and we are relying on our satellite communications equipment to make a distress call, if needed.
We are civilians from 17 nations and are on this project to break the siege of Gaza. We are not experienced sailors. As a result, there is concern about the health and safety of the people on board such an emergency develop.
We are currently experiencing rough sea conditions, and we call on the Greek government and the international community to meet their responsibilities and protect the civilians on board our two ships in international waters."


So, their communications are jammed, in rough seas.

Israel denies scrambling their radios:

From Haaretz:

Israel has denied interfering in the boats' communications, and has previously called the mission an unacceptable provocation. It remained unclear what would happen as the boats approach Gaza, although an Israeli attempt to stop them seemed likely.


Gee, and I sure believe the Israelis! (They didn't attack the Liberty on purpose either).

I'll add more as I find out, time permitting.

******


The Free Gaza and US Liberty boats have pulled anchor and are sailing the high seas! The voyage should take about 30 hours.

Let us all hope they make it unfettered and unharmed to the destination.

Forty-six international human rights workers are now sailing to Gaza through international waters with one overriding goal: to break the Israeli siege that Israel has imposed on the civilian population of Gaza. Any action designed to harm civilians constitutes collective punishment (in the Palestinians’ case, for voting the “wrong” way) and is both illegal under international law and profoundly immoral. Our mission is to expose the illegality of Israel’s actions, and to break through the siege in order to express our solidarity with the suffering people of Gaza (and of the occupied Palestinian territory as a whole) and to create a free and regular channel between Gaza and the outside world.

All we can do now is wait and see what the reaction of the Israeli Navy will be.

Quick Update: Free Gaza

Just a real quick post to link to a recent AFP piece regarding the Free Gaza and Liberty:

Activists determined to break Gaza blockade despite threats

LARNACA, Cyprus (AFP) — Activists said Wednesday they were determined to break the Israeli blockade of the poverty-stricken Gaza Strip by boat despite receiving death threats.

"I've been called personally 17 times and asked how and when I would like to die," Palestinian activist Osama Qashoo told AFP.

"They also called my family in the West Bank and threatened to kill them, so there's lots of pressure, it's moral and psychological terrorism."

Qashoo said he traced one phone number to an Israeli network but couldn't say who was behind the intimidating threats.

Two converted fishing boats carrying 40-odd activists are due to set sail from Cyprus on Thursday for the 370 kilometre (230 mile) sea voyage to Gaza in a bid to break the blockade.

The boats, which arrived in Cyprus on Tuesday, are currently docked at Larnaca port on the island's south coast where Cypriots officials are checking everything is in order.

Although organisers for the US-based Free Gaza Movement fear the Israelis might sabotage the trip, they are confident of reaching their destination.

"We will try leave tomorrow night if everything falls into place, that's the intention," organiser Paul Larudee told AFP.

"People have threatened to blow the boats up, we are worried, but that's not going to stop anybody. I think we will succeed."

In 1988, a ferry planning to return Palestinian deportees to the Israeli port of Haifa was the target of a limpet mine attack off Cyprus's second city of Limassol a day after three Palestinian organisers were killed by a car bomb.

Israel's Mossad secret service was blamed but the Israelis denied involvement.

According to the Free Gaza Movement, the Israeli government contacted the Cyprus authorities to see if the boats could be stopped but was told "no."

Well good on the Cyprus authorities telling Israel 'NO'.

They need to hear that word ALOT more: NO more occupation. NO more ethnic cleansing. NO more collective punishment. NO MORE!!

Israel to treat jaywalkers as murderers

Well, okay maybe not (though it's certainly debatable if you're Palestinian). Israel will however, treat the two boats of the Free Gaza Movement as 'pirates'.

As stated in the Telegraph UK:

"From my point of view this is some kind of pirate ship," said Shlomo Dror, a defence ministry spokesman.

"You can demonstrate, that's OK with us. But you are not allowed to break international law."

My, my, that certainly is rich! Coming from a country who violates international laws on a daily basis with the illegal apartheid wall, extrajudicial assassinations, and enforced collective punishment of those she occupies! Not to mention never adhering to any of the UN resolutions passed against her as well as violating the terms of both ceasefires she is currently a signatory to - in Lebanon via illegal overflights and in Gaza by incursions which defy the current 'ceasefire' with the Hamas government there.

It's important to keep in mind that currently all borders into and out of Gaza are closed, and while Gaza 'should' have control over 20 nautical miles of the waters of her coast - she truly has access to only three, even then the poor fishermen who attempt to earn a meager living are often fired upon by the Israeli navy, as B'tselem reported here in 2007:

B'Tselem's research indicates that, since the abduction of Cpl. Gilad Shalit, on 25 June 2006 , Israel has forbidden boats, including fishing boats, to sail off the Gaza coast. The prohibition has struck a severe blow to the fishing sector, which provides a livelihood for tens of thousands of residents of the Gaza Strip. Lacking other means of employment, and despite the Israeli navy's patrol of the coast and occasional shooting at Palestinian fishermen, some fishermen have risked their lives and violated the prohibition

All of this, and of course more, is the entire reason for the attempt by the Free Gaza Movement to break this mid-evil type siege on the residents of Gaza. We can only hope that cool heads prevail and the members and their two ships - USS Liberty and Free Gaza arrive unhindered by Israeli aggression forces.

Israel warns Free Gaza Movement

As Penny pointed out, due to yours truly's busy life, Haaretz has reported that the IDF will use all methods available to stop the Free Gaza Movement from breaking the siege:

Haaretz

According to the Foreign Ministry, Israel is within its rights to use force against the seafarers.

The subject of the Greek-flagged boats which the Free Gaza group said it would sail from Cyprus to Gaza this week prompted defense officials to hold a series of discussions; they said allowing the ships to reach the Gaza coastline could create a dangerous precedent

It is not only Israeli officials threatening these boats, the members of the Free Gaza Movement themselves have been personally threatened:

Threats and Intimidation

Ramzi Kysia Date : 08-17-2008

It’s appalling enough to receive phone calls, warning us that our boats will be blown up or asking us if we know how to swim, but when the callers go after our families, then that crosses the line from adolescent intimidation to psychological terrorism. This past Thursday, Lauren Booth received one such call.

“On the 14th of August 2008, an anonymous man called my home in France as my daughters played hide and seek in the garden. This stranger spoke to my husband, warning him that 'your wife is in great danger. These ships will be blown up.' My husband asked how it was this person had obtained our private home number. No response was forthcoming, but the illicit threats carried on.”

Other members of our nonviolent project have had their families in Occupied Palestine threatened with violence as well. From these threats, a pernicious pattern of intimidation is beginning to emerge. The question, of course, is just who benefits the most by trying to terrorize and stop us from breaking Israel’s terrible siege on 1.4 million Palestinians in Gaza?


Israel had better be very careful how she deals with this non-violent voyage and political action. It could turn out to be a very negative PR disaster for them if any kind of harm should come to these brave folks. But then again - when has Israel ever really cared about others' opinion of her? (Hint: never).

Russia Today

For those who like to hear both sides of the story:

Russia Today

That's all for now folks!

Nobel laureate Aleksander Solzhenitsyn accuses U.S., NATO of encircling Russia

In case some of you may of missed this piece from 2006:

Nobel laureate Aleksander Solzhenitsyn accuses U.S., NATO of encircling Russia

"Though it is clear that present-day Russia poses no threat to it, NATO is methodically and persistently building up its military machine into the east of Europe and surrounding Russia from the south," Solzhenitsyn was quoted as saying.

"This involves open material and ideological support for 'color revolutions' and the paraxodical forcing of North Atlantic interests on Central Asia," he reportedly said, adding that there was "little substantial difference" between the actions of the U.S. and NATO.

"All this leaves no doubt that they are preparing to completely encircle Russia and deprive it of its sovereignty," Solzhenitsyn was quoted as saying.


Click on link for full text.

Free Gaza - Update

It seems the seas are not co-operating with the Free Gaza Movement:

Gaza 'siege-breaking boats' delayed

A storm has kept two boats carrying 44 pro-Palestinian activists from setting off for Gaza on Wednesday, delaying their journey until Friday, the Free Gaza Movement, which organized the vessels, said.

Well - it's Friday - I hope they are on their way!

The Games the Americans Play

It seems that the US has 'put the brakes' on Israel with respect to an attack on Iran:

U.S. puts brakes on Israeli plan for attack on Iran nuclear facilities

Russia, however, is considered key to efforts to isolate Iran, and Israeli officials have therefore urged their American counterparts in recent months to tone down Washington's other disputes with Moscow to focus all its efforts on obtaining Russia's backing against Iran. For instance, they suggested that Washington offer to drop its plan to station a missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic - a proposal Russia views as a threat, though Washington insists the system is aimed solely at Iran - in exchange for Russia agreeing to stiffer sanctions against Iran. However, the administration rejected this idea.

Well ... that certainly rates a 'Hmmmmm'.

Given the fact that the US has both miliary and mercenaries operating in Georgia right now, I sure don't see the Russians to be in any kind of mood to 'assist' the US vis a vis Iran.

Now, here we see that the US will be taking over all Georgian ports:
U.S. to take control of Georgian ports: Saakashvili


"You have heard the statement by the U.S. president that the United States is starting a military-humanitarian operation in Georgia," Saakashvili said in a television address.

"It means that Georgian ports and airports will be taken under the control of the U.S. defense ministry in order to conduct humanitarian and other missions. This is a very important statement for easing tension."

What 'other' missions??

If this is not a clear indication of US involvement, in effect an act of War against Russia, I'm not sure what is. Let's hope that cooler heads in Russia prevail and they don't fall for the Americisraeli provocations.

That said, it does seem the Pentagon has denied this report wholeheartedly. Indeed - I sure believe them!

;)

Georgia - Israel an Interesting Relationship

Pardon for my sporadic posting. My life has been very busy lately, hoping things will settle down in the next month and I can devote a little more time, and effort, to the blog.

Now, back to the subject at hand.

As mentioned in my previous post, the Israelis have been training Georgian troops and supplying arms to the country for almost 8 years now. The brutality of the attack on the Ossetian capital are certainly evidence that the 'best' of Israeli methods have been employed: Targetting Civilians. Just as the Israelis targeted scores of civilians during the Lebanon War, shooting at carloads of fleeing people - the same has occured in South Ossetia. Never mind targetting any kind 'militia', nah - just target the people - so they will leave. Ethnic cleansing at its best, learned from the Masters. We shoudn't be surprised here either, as the gentleman (I use the term loosely) who assisted in training the Georgians was none other than General Gal Hirsh:

According to media reports, Brigadier General Gal Hirsch, a senior commander in the 2006 Lebanon war who resigned after the release of a highly critical report on the way the war was conducted, served as an adviser to Georgian security forces.


Given the similarity of the approach, there is little wonder. But the Ossetians aren't Lebanese and the Russians are not Hezbolla, just as the Israelis were sent packing in the disasterous Lebanon Invasion - so too the Georgians have been utterly smacked down by the Russians - protecting the ethnic minorities of South Ossetia. Keep in mind though, the Georgians are the pawn in this event, the chesspiece being used by both the Israeli and American admninistrations. Their motivations may be somewhat different, but certainly they are allied in the use of their puppet, Saakashvili. The Israelis for the pipeline, the Americans for the continuing circling of Russia by NATO (just a wing on the US/Israeli military machine). However, I'm sure that there are those in Israel who would enjoy a nice shot at the Russians for reasons best left for another post.

Of course, now that the going is getting tough - the 'tough' are getting going - home that is. Israelis and Georgian Jews are fleeing via airlift and overland - literally scrambling to get out of the country.

Georgia has enjoyed a large Jewish population, many of whom are in the upper echelons of society and rarely experience any kind of anti-semetism. Will that change? Is that partly what these people are afraid of? When the Georgians realise who helped to orchestrate the brutal, unprovoked attack on South Ossetia, will there be backlash? The numbers of Georgian Jews seeking Aliyah is increasing exponentially. How convenient for them to have an ersatz country to run too when their involvements turn sour. If anything it is this sort of behaviour by both the Israelis and the Americans which turn the worlds sentiments against them: Meddling. Underhanded dealings. I have always held to the belief that the greatest threat to the Jewish diaspora comes from the actions of Israel herself - professing to speak for all Jews everywhere. By best estimates, there are about 20,000 Jewish Georgians, many with a very long history in the region. Interestingly:

Overall, since 1989, 21,134 Jews have moved to Israel. Once numbering as many as 100,000, today the Georgian Jewish population is approximately 13,000. Tbilisi has the largest Jewish population at 11,000 out of 1.5 million. Jewish communities are located in Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi, Oni, Achaltische, Ahalkalaki, Surami, Kareli, and Stalin's hometown of Gori, and synagogues are located in most of these cities. The provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia are virtually void of Jews due to the military conflicts in these areas.


Interesting, so South Ossetia and Abkhazia are devoid of Jews. These are the two 'provinces' who wish to separate and declare soveriegnty. Coincidence? Probably not.

A little farther back in time we find this:

In the beginning of the 19th century, Ashkenazi Russian Jews were forced to move to Georgia by the Russian government. The Ashkenazi Jews and the Georgian Jews began establishing contact with each other, but relations were strained. Georgian Jews viewed the Ashkenazim as godless and secular, while the Ashkenazim looked down on the Georgian Jews.

Zionism was the only uniting cause for the two groups, and Ashkenazim joined Zionist organizations and began to spread their ideas to the Georgian Jewish communities. In 1897, the first Zionist organization was established in Tbilisi. On August 20, 1901, the First Congress of Caucasus Zionists was held in Tbilisi. Rabbi David Baazov led Georgian Zionism during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In 1903, Baazov attended the Sixth Zionist Congress in Basel. In 1918, the All-Jewish Congress in Tbilisi took place and included representatives from every Georgian and Russian Jewish community in the country, except for Kutaisi, which had become the center of Anti-Zionist activity.

Orthodox leaders, the Hakhams, also fought against the spread of Zionism in the Georgian Jewish communities.

Beginning in 1863, groups of Jews began making aliyah, mostly for religious reasons. By 1916, 439 Georgian Jews lived in Palestine, mostly in Jerusalem near the Damascus Gate. Very few hakhams immigrated to Israel due to their staunch Anti-Zionist stance, and most Jews who made aliyah were poverty-stricken and worked as freight-handlers in Jerusalem.


So, as one can see there is a long history of Israel/Georgian relations. It has also been reported that the number of Jews in Georgia wishing to make Aliyah in the past few days is more than the total of the last full year. What does this tell us? Things are most likely going to get worse before they get any better.

It's also been hinted at by Saakashvili that Israel is continuing to supply military aid, he praises the Israeli weaponry: The president added "the Israeli weapons have proved very effective".

Well, there you have it. Again, make of it what you will. Just don't forget Israel's role in all of this - as it won't be reported on in the North American Dead Tree Press.

Israel and Georgia

Since you won't read about this in any North American dead tree paper, or hear it on the brainwashing device known as television, I figured I'd post it here:


War in Georgia: The Israeli Connection

Excerpts:

The fighting which broke out over the weekend between Russia and Georgia has brought Israel's intensive involvement in the region into the limelight. This involvement includes the sale of advanced weapons to Georgia and the training of the Georgian army's infantry forces.

The Defense Ministry held a special meeting Sunday to discuss the various arms deals held by Israelis in Georgia, but no change in policy has been announced as of yet.


This seems to contradict what I read earlier, that Israel had ceased selling weapons to Georgia, it turns out they are only supplying 'defensive' weapons now... like that makes it any better:

Israel began selling arms to Georgia about seven years ago following an initiative by Georgian citizens who immigrated to Israel and became businesspeople.

"They contacted defense industry officials and arms dealers and told them that Georgia had relatively large budgets and could be interested in purchasing Israeli weapons," says a source involved in arms exports.

The military cooperation between the countries developed swiftly. The fact that Georgia's defense minister, Davit Kezerashvili, is a former Israeli who is fluent in Hebrew contributed to this cooperation.

Interesting, to say the least. Provacative - for sure. Read on...

"It was clear that too many unmistakable Israeli systems in the possesion of the Georgian army would be like a red cloth in the face of a raging bull as far as Russia is concerned," explained a source in the defense establishment.

For inctance, the Russians viewed the operation of the Elbit System's RPVs as a real provocation.

"It was clear that the Russians were angry," says a defense establishment source, "and that the interception of three of these RPVs in the past three months was an expression of this anger. Not everyone in Israel understood the sensitive nerve Israel touched when it supplied such an advanced arms system to a country whose relations with Russia are highly tense."

Gee, really? You think so?

This last bit really drives the point home:

"The Israelis should be proud of themselves for the Israeli training and education received by the Georgian soldiers," Georgian Minister Temur Yakobashvili said Saturday.

Yakobashvili is a Jew and is fluent in Hebrew. "We are now in a fight against the great Russia," he said, "and our hope is to receive assistance from the White House, because Georgia cannot survive on its own.

"It's important that the entire world understands that what is happening in Georgia now will affect the entire world order. It's not just Georgia's business, but the entire world's business."

One of the Georgian parliament members did not settle Saturday for the call for American aid, urging Israel to help stop the Russian offensive as well: "We need help from the UN and from our friends, headed by the United States and Israel. Today Georgia is in danger – tomorrow all the democratic countries in the region and in the entire world will be in danger too."


This has the potential, due to Israeli and American involvment to get really ugly - really fast.

Now that the Americans are airlifting Georgian troops out of Iraq and returning to fight in the front lines in Georgia - this can be viewed as direct involvement of the US military against Russia herself. Not a good sign.

Can the Americans really afford to take on another protectorate? She can barely afford to keep Israel, as her own infrastructure crumbles, schools close and unemployment increases in the US, really how much longer can the GOP justify the amount of aid given to various puppets around the world? Will the American people rise up? Will they demand a halt to all this meddling? Or will they, given the false information the msm provides them, rally to involve themselves in yet another war - a war which could lead to an unmitigated disaster for the entire region, and yes possibly the entire world?

With the Israelis itching to invade Iran, the Georgian debacle could provide the perfect cover as the world's eyes are glued to the rather fishy events unfolding in South Ossetia, could Israeli sneak in the back door and begin the other war she so badly wants?

I tell ya folks, no good will come from any of this.