Saturday, January 24, 2009

Israel: What it faces: Terrorists and Stupid People

He says that "even for the supporters of the occupying regime and its leaders, it has become clear that the continuation of the Zionist regime's life in the region is not feasible."

So says Amidinejad.

Another interesting column, and the sources, I trust are valid -

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Demonstrators chanted "Nuke, nuke Israel!" and carried placards accusing Israel of "ethnic cleansing" and bearing such messages as: "Did Israel take notes during the Holocaust? Happy Hanukkah." To the dozen or so supporters of Israel gathered across the street, one demonstrator shouted: "Murderers! Go back to the ovens! You need a big oven."



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Demonstrators in Fort Lauderdale clash over Gaza Strip crisis
BY ELINOR J. BRECHER AND NIRVI SHAH
Posted on Wed, Dec. 31, 2008



In a loud and angry confrontation, at least 200 pro-Palestinian demonstrators traded insults with a smaller group of pro-Israel counter-demonstrators Tuesday evening in downtown Fort Lauderdale over Israel's airstrikes in the Gaza Strip.

As more than 20 police officers lined the intersection of Broward Boulevard and Northeast Third Avenue, Palestinian supporters yelled: ``You kill our children!''

''No! You kill your own children!'' supporters of the Jewish state retorted.

Israel has been bombing Gaza for four days in response to Hamas' rocket and missile attacks on Israeli towns since a cease-fire expired Dec. 19.

The Israeli government has said it is targeting Hamas installations and trying to limit civilian casualties, but the protesters were unconvinced.

Placards read: ''Did Israel take notes during the Holocaust? Happy Hannukah. 400 dead and counting,'' and ``Gaza needs food, water, medicine. Shame on you Israel.''
Israel supporters countered with, ``You can't make peace with those who want to kill you.''

TRAFFIC SNARLED

Despite the heated exchanges, there was no violence and no one was arrested. The demonstrators briefly snarled rush-hour traffic outside the Fort Lauderdale federal courthouse as police routed vehicles away from Third Avenue.

For some demonstrators, events in the Middle East are personal. Sofian Abdelaziz Zakkout of Miami said two teenage relatives had died in the recent violence.

''I feel as if I am there with them,'' he said. 'I need a cease-fire. I don't think `who's right, who's wrong.' This will not cause a good solution.''

''We want to see peace, but Hamas doesn't,'' said counter-demonstrator Roger Firestone of Fort Lauderdale. ``They're a terrorist organization.''

The several hundred supporters of Palestinians waved flags and, at sundown, some laid down rugs, faced east and prayed.

They far outnumbered the smaller group of Jewish supporters, who organized to have a presence when they heard of the pro-Palestinian demonstration.

The South Florida Palestine Solidarity Network organized the rally, which was meant to highlight Palestinians' living conditions in Gaza under an Israeli economic blockade designed to undermine the Hamas government.

FOOD SHORTAGES

Spokesman Muhammed Malik said international humanitarian groups say the blockade has contributed to wretched conditions for ordinary Gaza residents, who face shortages of food, medicine, electricity and clean water.

Malik called Israel's actions ''collective punishment'' and said that it ``fuels terrorism. People feel they have no hope.''

He said that the Hamas attacks were ``a tragedy as well. No one should be celebrating that. Ideally there should be no violence on either side.''

Ofer Bavly, Israel's consul general in Miami, told The Miami Herald that Israel has been defending itself ''and being proactive. For too long, Israel was exercising a lot of self-control, which didn't go down well'' with many citizens.

He noted that when the cease-fire ended, Hamas ``launched 150 rockets in one week . . . We are responding strongly, and we are legitimized in doing so.''

Bavly insisted that ``Israel is doing everything it can to avoid a humanitarian situation is Gaza.

We are not at war with the Palestinian people, but with the terrorist organization that is holding them as a human shield.''

In statements issued Tuesday, members of South Florida's congressional delegation weighed in on Israel's side.

Rep. Alcee Hastings, Democrat: ``Hamas is not only an impediment to peace between Israel and the Palestinians, but also to Israel's efforts to establish normal diplomatic relations with many in the Arab world.''

Sen. Mel Martinez, Republican: ``Israel has a right to defend itself and its citizens. Terrorist organizations like Hamas cannot be allowed safe haven in any territory.''

Rep. Robert Wexler, Democrat: ``It is unconscionable for anyone to expect the Israeli government or any other government, for that matter, to sit idly as thousands of deadly rockets rain down on their cities.''

Reps. Lincoln Diaz-Balart and Mario Diaz-Balart, Republicans: ``Israel is absolutely justified in defending herself and in taking all necessary military steps to guarantee the safety and security of its people.''

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Democrat: ``Israel, like all sovereign nations, has not only a right but, moreover, an obligation to ensure the safety and security of her citizens.
``We would not allow our government to stand idly by as hundreds of rockets and mortars came crashing down on the heads of our citizens.''

RESOLUTION CRITICIZED

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Republican, condemned a proposed United Nations resolution equating Israel's response to the Hamas attacks.

The Security Council ``has taken no meaningful action to stop this onslaught or condemn those Palestinian militants responsible for these assaults on Israel.

Now, after the democratic Jewish state of Israel was forced to respond to protect its citizens, the council is moving to equate Israel's calibrated self-defense measures with Hamas' actions that threaten not just Israel but regional peace and security.''

A pro-Israel rally is planned for 11 a.m. Sunday at the Miami Beach Holocaust memorial, 1933 Meridian Ave.

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Iran says Israel must be wiped off the map.

Pro-Palestinians chant - from the river to the sea.

Hamas sends rockets into Israel DURING a ceasefire.

Hamas secret into gaza not food and electricity, but weapons, bought with the millions sent by the EU and the US.












israel

Make Mine Freedom - 1948


American Form of Government

Who's on First? Certainly isn't the Euro.