Mid-East Perception And Reality
I found two insightful comments on a WSJ article about Israel's retaliation to the Hamas attacks. Kevin Willis wrote:
I've spent enough time in the Middle East to know that practically nobody--with the exception of Palestinian immigrants--actually cares about the Palestinian people. It's a fake cause bandied about by the litany of Arab tyrants and despots in order to deflect attention from real issues at home: no jobs, no education system, no infrastructure, lousy economy, disaffected youth, etc., etc.The Palestinians are viewed as the rednecks of the Arab world.
So it's more than just a bit humorous to see the reactions of Arab tyrants to the Israeli actions to stop the rocket-fire from the terrorist group Hamas. Like clockwork, they denounce Israel and talk about the needs of the poor Palestinians. Make no mistake: these dictators care nothing about their fellow Arabs. If they did, they wouldn't run their own countries the way they do, nor would they remain silent when monsters like Saddam Hussein slaughter Arabs wholesale.
Death to Hamas, Hezbollah, and the rest of this rot. May they bleed and die in mass. Instead of condemning Israel's right to self-defense, the US should be using its role on the UN SC to defend the most vibrant democracy in the Middle East.
Stanley Deutsch wrote:
Hamas is an Islamic fascist organization, whose charter calls for ethnic cleansing of Jews from Palestine and includes the Muslim eschatological claim that there must be global genocide of the Jews before the end of days. Why is Israel expected to come to an agreement with such people, or even tolerate their presence on its border?If Mr. Grundy believes that Hamas' rocket attacks are so innocuous, I suggest he go live in Sderot for awhile and worry about whether one will hit his kids' school on any given day. Israel has shown extreme forbearance under the circumstances. Israel has been supplying Gaza with most of its power and water throughout these attacks. What other nation would do that?
Mr. Butz should recall that Israel voluntarily evacuated Gaza back in '05, in the hope that the Palestinians would respond by normalizing relations. Instead, rocket attacks against southern Israel began almost immediately, and intensified after Hamas came to power in early '07. So I guess this isn't about the occupation, after all. And if this is all about "gaining land" as you say, why did Israel evacuate?
And Mr. Habib needs to learn some history. If the nearly unbroken Jewish presence in the land for 3000 years is not enough to justify a state, what is? The Arabs have over 20 states, including 80% of the original Palestinian Mandate (now called Jordan, which is by law off-limits to Jews), stretching from Morocco to Iraq. And yet instead of taking in their brothers (as Israel did with over 500,000 Jews forced out of their homes throughout the Arab world in the wake of its victory in 1949) the Arabs pushed them into refugee camps, a deliberate move to fan the hatred that now pervades the region.
Speaking of people being rescued, the Israelis took in Muslim refugees from Darfur. When's the last time you heard of that sort of thing from a Muslim country toward Jewish or Christian refugees?
I received a disheartening phone call from a longtime friend of mine this evening. He's 43, a high-school teacher, and a non-practicing Muslim.
But he wanted to tell me about the terrible things he saw on TV this evening. In his words, it involved "Poor Palestinians throwing rocks" vs. "Israeli fighter jets killing hundreds & hundreds".
This appears to be the picture being painted by the MSM.
I tried to point out some other things to him such as the 20+ mile rockets that have been fired into Israel for some time, such as Iran fighting a proxy war through Hamas, etc. but it was all to no avail. The power of the MSM is just too strong.
P.S. I posted a video from historian John Batchelor on my blog, 2nd item down. Worth a view!
Robert W. (Vancouver) at December 29, 2008 1:05 AM
Well, "power of the MSM" be damned, we have apparently decided that Iraqi independence from either a fascist or theocratic regime is not worth an American soldier's life.
How many American lives is Israel worth?
The US has already defended Israel more than any other country. Each US taxpayer has already sent thousands of dollars there. Be sure to count our existing death toll on their behalf. It would probably help to think about a secular Iraq's influence on the rest of the Arab world.
Radwaste at December 29, 2008 2:14 AM
From Dan Gillerman, former Israeli envoy to the UN, in July 2008
"Muslims are killing Muslims. When Christians kill Muslims, it's the Crusades. When Jews kill Muslims it's murder, and when Muslims kill Muslims, it's like talking about the weather. Nobody really cares about it,"
Ruby at December 29, 2008 8:59 AM
There's no doubt that Hamas is a pawn of the Iranian-Syrian terrorist alliance. When the western media will stop pretending that Hezbollah and Hamas are "Freedom Fighters" or Activists (Whatever the heck that is), we will see real answers to the Palestinian problem. Not before.
Toubrouk at December 29, 2008 11:10 AM
"And yet instead of taking in their brothers (as Israel did with over 500,000 Jews forced out of their homes throughout the Arab world in the wake of its victory in 1949) the Arabs pushed them into refugee camps, a deliberate move to fan the hatred that now pervades the region."
Thats the key of it all really. Why not take in those "Palestinans" to Jordan or Egypt? Hmm? Because maybe it would be too much for their infastructure to handle and also that well, as refugee's living in camps for 50 years they provide a great whipping post for all that ails ya aka a scapegoat.
I think an analogy I heard a few years ago was, say some aliens (the outer space kind) landed in eastern washington state. They claim the SE corner of WA is their ancient homeland. The US and UN give in and force all citizens living there to move out. Most do so, and many resettle in Seatac area, some doing quite well for themselves and their families. The US/Olympia governments, deciding it wants some political/diplomatic capital then comes along and says all you former SE folks can't live in Seatac area anymore.. we're putting you all in camps surrounding the new alien "country".
Sio at December 29, 2008 11:17 AM
As someone who has lived and worked in the Middle East the arrogance of many of them is only rivaled by the extreme sense of entitlement many of them have because they are muslim.
People should not be fooled. Even in supposed "friendly" nations such as Kuwait, which is much more secular then Saudi, the undercurrent of Anti-Western feelings is very visible.
The indoctrination starts early and in many countries if you have ever visited Israel you will not be able to get in for any reason. Even if you only went on business they will not let you in.
The Arabs want to destroy Isreal because it represents everything they dont have and never will have. Democracy, Jobs, water, a purpose in life and a society willing to do anything to protect itself.
The Other Mike D at December 29, 2008 11:38 AM
It's so refreshing to see a country really kick ass when threatened. Too bad the US will not take pointers.
momof3 at December 29, 2008 1:01 PM
Mike D,
I will quote my favorite Pirate (Ragnar Danneskjöld) on the current situation:
The Muslims want to believe they are sublime beings able to surpass every infidel by mob rule. This is why they hate Infidels and Jews; we are remembering them that, even with a millennia-old society, they are still in tow with the greatness of the West who puts the mind before the mystic.
Toubrouk at December 29, 2008 1:24 PM
Any time I hear some putz yelling about how the U.S. is a 'Christian' nation - all I have to do is read the hate posted in any rag - or here !
Jordan and other neighbouring states do not have a limitless capacity to provide shelter for refugees from mass murder. Worse, their governments can easily fall with the political unrest caused by violence.
http://www.abuaardvark.com/2008/12/jordan-at-the-crossroads-again-and-again.html
And, while I can't/won't use somebody else's space to promote my opinions, the 'side of the angels' is not so cut-and-dried as some promote.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/12/30/gaza.aid.boat/index.html?eref=rss_topstories
You might take a little time to search out info on the availability of food in Gaza - or shelling of fishing boats by the Israeli navy; if you care to know what is real.
opit at December 30, 2008 10:43 PM
Opit, the only regrettable story in the links you have posted here is the sad fact that the former U.S. Rep. Cynthia McKinney survived the crash. She's a loon and should be interned.
Anyway, this is what happen when you shove a boat in front of a military vessel...
Toubrouk at December 30, 2008 11:35 PM
That's where you're wrong.
The "Palestinians" were on the wrong side of WWII - the losing side. As such, the winners get to set terms. One of the terms was to carve out a hunk of land and hand it to the Jews.
And since Israel has been under attack since its formation, pretty much everything they do is defensive.
brian at December 31, 2008 4:42 AM
Brian, you forgot the alliance many Arab countries had with the now-defunct USSR. There's a reason why Hezbollah got an AK-47 on their flag.
Toubrouk at December 31, 2008 6:40 AM
Brian
The 'losing side' in WW II. My, what an example to cite. Do you happen to remember what set off war in Europe ? It wouldn't have had anything to do impossible 'reparations' inflicted on the German people, would it ?
Hitler - terrible and nutzoid as he was - was only possible because solutions to problems caused by colonialist policies haunted Europe.
The Palestinians were mainly displaced by Europeans. How convenient that ploy of ancient inherited rights sounds. Are those the same ones recognized so enthusiastically for naitive American peoples ?
That's a whole 'nother shitpile.
opit at December 31, 2008 12:09 PM
Brian
The 'losing side' in WW II. My, what an example to cite. Do you happen to remember what set off war in Europe ? It wouldn't have had anything to do impossible 'reparations' inflicted on the German people, would it ?
Hitler - terrible and nutzoid as he was - was only possible because solutions to problems caused by colonialist policies haunted Europe.
The Palestinians were mainly displaced by Europeans. How convenient that ploy of ancient inherited rights sounds. Are those the same ones recognized so enthusiastically for naitive American peoples ?
That's a whole 'nother shitpile.
opit at December 31, 2008 12:10 PM
Oops. Sorry. A different browser didn't confirm posting. It occurred to me to check the historical notes to see the importance of providing a workable framework under which people can live : rather than to constantly yell 'Might Makes Right'. It makes a lot of pissed off troublemakers too.
http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/history/A0861782.html
opit at December 31, 2008 12:20 PM
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