‘The Mask Is Off And People Know’

at

gaza

An injured Palestinian boy in a Gaza hospital yesterday.

 

Irishwoman Elaine Bradley is working as a human rights activist in Palestine where she sent us this report this morning.

Elaine writes:

Waking up I turn on my laptop to see what has happened in the while I slept. I am almost instantly hit by an image. I can’t make out if it is one body ripped in two, or two bodies, both missing a number of parts.

By the clothes on one, I am guessing it it is a young man – jeans and a belt that my son might wear. The human remains are against a wall in a pool of blood, draped over with blood soaked sheets. The photo is taken in a hospital, and is accompanied by the bizarre scene of the twisted metal of hospital beds in the total wreckage of what was a ward.

My friend who posted this image declares that he has a policy of not posting gruesome photos, a policy that he has now abandoned. Why? Because “This is the hospital that Israel shelled today… But the BBC felt it was better use of our license fee money to have [reporter]  John Simpson show us a broken chandelier in Sderot instead.”

Five  people were killed and 70 injured in this place of healing, where men and women work, dedicating their lives to comfort and to mend other sick and broken human beings. I think of my daughter who is a nurse. Hospitals have special status, special protection under international law, as they should. Bombing a hospital is a war crime.

And yet this is the second hospital that Israel has bombed that I am aware of in the two weeks of this onslaught, where one of the world’s most sophisticated military machines has pitted itself against a locked in, half starved civilian population.

Where are the international community? Where are the guardians of the laws demanding that this stop? Yesterday I saw Navi Pillay, High Commissioner for Human Rights with the UN on television. It was in Arabic so I didn’t know what she said. I went to the internet and found her statement.

The bit that jumped out and slapped me in the face was where she expressed her “concern”. Concern? I am concerned about things like the size of my phone bill and whether my cat has settled in to her new home. Concern for Gaza, where now over 570 people have been killed, 80% civilians, last count 132 of them children. Over 3,500 people injured and maimed – a 5 year old with her legs amputated, Concerned? What about outraged? Appalled? Horrified?

The UN are concerned and the mask is off. This latest holocaust against Gaza has exposed a world where our media lie, and spin the truth. Where craven politicians will not stand against power – John Kerry saying Israeli is besieged by Hamas- do I laugh or cry? My own government repeating the zombie mantra about Israel’s right to defend itself as they watch women and children buried in the rubble of their own homes.

And all the while Israel continues its colonisation of Palestine, settling jews from Eastern Europe and the Bronx on land that is not theirs, criminalising – labelling as terrorists the rightful owners, to make their misdeeds acceptable to a willing-to-be-appeased-just-give-us-the-right-soundbite global audience.

Say “Hamas” often enough and no one will notice. Exposed is a world where the institutions of human rights and justice offer platitudes but no action and hold yet another emergency meeting, having never implemented the recommendations of the last report, or the one before, as to do so would “jeopardise the peace process” according to the US and Israel. The Fucking Peace Process?

And while the UN frowns a collective bureaucratic, high salaried, important people in suits doing important things frown of concern, a friend of mine is pulling out the stops, navigating Israel’s impenetrable system of closure to get baby formula into Gaza. From the complications, it is as if he were smuggling crack cocaine inside AK47s.

I haven’t had my coffee yet, haven’t woken up. But I swear, that I will turn my rage into action for justice. Israel cannot once again evade accountability for these crimes. And to all the institutions that have collaborated in this gross injustice, by repeating the lies or by looking the other way, you will crumble and fall. The mask is off and people know.

We have seen that in your system human rights are not for everyone, that one life is precious and another is less than insignificant. We have seen that not all children are treasures to be cherished and childhood is not a sacred space for all children. We have seen that in your world it is ok for homes and places of worship and hospitals to become the killing zones, the tombs of innocent people. We have seen how liars and psychopaths with power are bowed down to. But justice will prevail because now we, the people know.

Elaine Bradley.

(AP)

212 thoughts on “‘The Mask Is Off And People Know’

  1. the good helen

    that is such a sad image. I know the boy is alive. But the fear in him is so sad. He is hanging on to that man for dear life, he’s afraid to be let go. I can tell from how my son holds me when he fears something. My heart goes out to each and every man, woman and child that have to go through this. its shocking what is happening, and I really do shed a tear for those injured or killed daily.

    1. inotherwords

      You can read about the boy in this photo’s story here http://electronicintifada.net/content/boy-who-clung-paramedic-story-behind-photo/13604. I’m imagining the photo Elaine refers to is a lot grimer.

      This article also shows the amazing work being done by medical staff, especially ambulance drivers. Its incredible to think that ambulances go out to the site of a shelling while the bombing continues – they deserve to be treated as heroes for their bravery and their tireless, selfless work, and yet …

  2. Sidewinder

    Anyone doubting this would want to follow the International Red Cross on twitter. Hospitals are being directly targeted, this is inexcusable.

    1. Downtowntrain

      Following almost anything Gaza related on twitter is harrowing. Atrocity upon atrocity. No amount of surgical spin can counter those images. Sickening.

  3. Jim Deasy

    Where is our great socialist president Micheal D now a guy who waffeled for so may years about the plight of Palistin.

    1. Paul

      Well done Jim. You win dumbest comment of the day. Quite the achievement on Broadsheet I’m sure everyone will agree.

  4. D

    Unfortunately, what’s new in this? I’d love to believe that “the mask is off”, and that now something will be done about this, but what evidence is there to suggest that that’s the case?

    Israel has been oppressing the Palestinians for decades, and all the evidence that I can see suggests that this is to continue for decades more. We’ve all known about it for a long time. Everyone who might do anything about this already knows, and has known for years, about Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians.

    We can at least be proud that in Ireland, even if we are more or less powerless to affect real change, we condemn Israel more widely and more strongly than most in the western world.

    1. scottser

      stop being so fatalistic. go and boycott, email, engage, debate, demonstrate and protest instead.

      1. D

        Agreed. Not to mention the apparently intentional targeting of hospitals (which is a war crime for which people should, but won’t, rot in jail).

        @scottser: I reserve the right to do both simultaneously, thanks.

          1. ReproBertie

            Hamas should not be storing rockets in empty UN schools. Now, are you happy? Can we continue comdemning the sytematic murder of children?

            The IDF know they will kill children but they don’t care because they know there are idiots like you who can’t wait to jump up and try to blame someone else for the murders they commit.

          2. ReproBertie

            Well done you and your whataboutery.

            Boil it down and what you’re saying is that the IDF are entirely justified in firing flechette shells into a densely populated area resulting in over 100 dead children because Hamas are bad.

          3. Smashmouth

            Ehhh no

            read what i said fool:

            “No blame on Hamas for firing rockets from hospitals and schools then?”

            i.e. Hamas also have to be held accountable

          4. jungleman

            D4N is correct. There may be an element of inconsistency in criticism of Israel if that same person does not also criticise Hamas. But the extent to which Israel is responsible for the Gaza death toll is so overwhelming that your “Hamas are also blameworthy” point is a total fallacy.

          5. ReproBertie

            And how great does it make you feel to have made a point that everybody knows but didn’t think required saying since Hamas are not the ones using fighter jets, missiles, tanks and ground troops to murder children?

            Yeah, I’m the idiot.

          6. Sidewinder

            Just how many of these threads do you plan on dropping your “Don’t you think Hamas are bad?” posts on? At some point, will you follow your own advice and criticise Israel?

          7. carl

            James I couldn’t of put it better, in fact if i tried i would have failed miserably. I’ve have been saying this to people for the longest of whiles, terrorism is subjective, it depends what side of the border you are looking from. Us the British, would have considered your founding fathers, terrorist, rebels and anarchist but today the USA is heralded as the father of free nations because of what these terrorist did.

  5. Mark

    Just with regard to BBC’s lack of reporting on the operation.
    Would it be antisemitic to say the BBC’s director of news and current affairs James Harding is Jewish and pro-israel?

    1. ahyeah

      That would just be stating the facts, nothing else. There’s been a massive change in how the BBC news covers Israel since Harding took over. And, you’ll note, BBC no longer uses any freelance or independent correspondents in the Middle East since he got the job – outsiders aren’t as quick to toe the line.

    2. Rob_G

      If you’re making a presumption as to his political beliefs based purely on the fact that he is Jewish – maybe a little, yes.

      1. Planet of the Missing Biros

        No. It’s not. Jewish people are loyal to their faith above all other loyalties including their country of residence. Just like Irish Catholics and the Vatican.

        But many Jewish people are not in support of the Israeli state and how it is run. Their voice is silenced by other wealthy Jews who own huge swathes of the international media and use that for their own propaganda.

        1. Starina

          ahem; not all Jews are religious Jews — it’s an ethnicity as well. Just sayin’. But yes, I agree, many Jews are appalled by the actions of the Israeli occupation and are embarrassed to be associated with such a thing. Myself included.

    3. ahjayzis

      It’s not antisemitic to say he’s pro-Israel if he’s pro-Israel.

      His religion is irrelevant though, unless you want to ban anyone from news orgs who is a Jew from reporting on Israel on the balance of probability that they’re Zionists. Yeah you can say you’re more likely to be pro-Israel if you are Jewish, but the fact he’s Jewish alone isn’t a determining factor on bias.

      1. Kolmo

        The BBC news on Sunday evening decided to broadcast a report on artifacts that are being stolen from the former Auschwitz Concentration Camp by visitors, while this is not a pleasant development for anyone concerned, in the current horrific situation the timing of this broadcast seemed to me to be odd.

  6. Brian S

    I really dislike Israelis. They are so self important and filled with the state sanctioned entitlement that America helps fuel. They really are arse holes.

  7. Drogg

    Well said Elaine now if we could only motivate the UN to do what they are supposed to do and protect people. Also will the Israeli PM be arrested the next time he lands in a European airport, as he is a war criminal, he has met all the definitions.

    1. ahjayzis

      Impossible when you have a security council that consists of at least one backer of whatever atrocity/war/outrage that happens in the world.

      Israel – American veto
      Syria – Russian Veto
      N.Korea – Chinese Veto

      UN does a good job in humanitarian aid, completely bloody useless in actually preventing/stopping a crisis.

      1. Medium Sized C

        I feel like you are ignoring all the effective work the UN has done in conflict resolution all over the world because of issues with the security council in 2 conflicts and … erm…. North Korea.

        1. Drogg

          Don’t forget it’s piss poor responses in the Balklans conflicts, Sudan, CAR oh and Rwanda.

  8. phil

    I saw Jon Snow C4news , interviewing Israeli youth on the news last night, shocking how on message they were, this conflict is not going away anytime soon …

    1. bisted

      …the chorus of zion that comment on here seem to be stangely absent today…could it be that even they have developed a sense of shame. They were here to a man yesterday skulking behind the considerable bulk of that shameless contrarian Hook.

  9. shitferbrains

    Powerful stuff. But applicable to most, if not all, war zones sadly. Assad killed 700 people yesterday and I’m sure their bodies looked just as horrendous , but journalism seems to have abandoned them.

    1. Medium Sized C

      Indeed.

      However, its worth noting that you are referring to a Civil War, with two sides, as if it is one sided aggression by Assad against the people.
      Which is also a narrative imposed on us by partisan media.

      Syria is a conflict where sides were picked at square one, which makes your post kind of ironic.

      1. shitferbrains

        Syria began as a military assault by Assad on unarmed street protests and only later drew in armed factions. And Elaine is a spokesperson for PCHR – a very anti-Israel NGO – not just a human rights activist.

        1. Medium Sized C

          I’m not sure if you are disagreeing with me or not.

          Neither of those things are really all that relevant in the context.

        2. Elaine

          I am not and never have been a spokesperson for PCHR. You label PCHR, a leading and internationally acclaimed human rights organisation as anti-Israeli. But then that is what this is all about isn’t it? As I said, the mask has fallen, and I am calling you out as the liar and spinner of deceit that you are.

    2. Anne

      “Powerful stuff. But applicable to most, if not all, war zones..”

      Let’s just call it ‘war’ and the more powerful aggressor can do whatever they like to the minority.. ‘coz, ‘they’re at war’ like.

  10. HappyDub

    I’m actually beginning to worry for Israel, I mean, if they keep this up… and I’m really hopeful it doesn’t come to this… but they could end up receiving….. A STRONGLY WORDED LETTER from the UN.

    Oh the humanity :(

      1. HappyDub

        That ad must have been removed, all I see is a crappy Hercules ad. Either way, incredibly sad/frustrating stuff.

  11. JunkFace

    The UN needs to step in, in Gaza. They need boots on the ground and sanctions to keep the Israeli army out. If this was happening anywhere else in the world there would be massive outrage. Imagine over 300 civilian deaths from Military attacks and bombings in for example Italy. Its Mental! The world has become desensitized to some extent to this conflict. Palestinians are not being treated as equal humans by the UN and of course Israel. and the US.

    1. Sysiphus

      What I don’t understand is that if Gaza / Palestine has its own Government and is seen as a State, then surely the Isralies going in is an invasion by any standards and not jus an “incursion” as reported by the media….

      1. Lorcan Nagle

        Palestine is not a recognised state at present, they applied to the UN for full recognition in 2011 and currently have observer status.

  12. Tony the Toy Gur

    Hamas use schools and hospitals to launch rockets from. IDF reciprocate fire to the source. It’s a mess.

      1. shitferbrains

        It is. As is the evidence that Egypt has given Israel the green light for this assault, because they hate Hamas as much, if not more, than Israel.

        1. jungleman

          Israeli spin merchants use words such as “unfortunate”, “terrorists”, “human shields”, “war”, etc. to distort the reality of what is happening in Palestine and to paint a picture that Palestine and Israel are on some kind of even footing.

        2. jungleman

          It was predicted that Egypt would be partisan weeks ago. This is no surprise, and I really doubt any person supporting the Israeli bombardment of Palestine would consider this fact to be “unfortunate”. The Israelis took advantage of this when they claimed Egypt had attempted to broker a cease-fire when it appears the Egyptians had not communicated properly with Hamas at all.

    1. ahjayzis

      Important note: Hamas rockets don’t hit schools and hospitals in Israel – 90 odd percent of the time they don’t hit anything or are intercepted. Gaza doesn’t have an Iron Dome.

      I abhore Hamas’ tactics, but I can’t say I wouldn’t be militant as hell if I grew up in that penal colony. Imagine the British using Israel’s tactics in Belfast at the height of the IRA bombing campaign – it’s completely disproportionate, self defeating and ultimately genocidal. They need to face consequences.

      1. Tony the Toy Gur

        There’s much more to Hamas than firing low tech rockets at Israel. They prevented civilians in Gaza using the special hospitals the IDF set up on perimeter of Gaza. They prevented evacuations of target sites when they knew IDF were going to strike. Hamas are much worse than Israel. While Israel are trying to avoid civilian casualties, Hamas are encouraging it. It’s sick.

        1. Medium Sized C

          You cannot avoid civilian casualties when you bomb hospitals and beaches with kids on them.

          I can’t stress that enough.
          You are literally contradicting yourself.

          1. Tony the Toy Gur

            That’s one of those myths that never goes away. Israelis have been buying land from Palestinians for years.

          2. ReproBertie

            If Hamas were firing rockets at me I’d consider sitting down with them and asking them why they felt the need to fire rockets at me. Then, once they’ve given their reasons, I’d try to engage in a discussion that might result in actions to alleviate their grievances. I’m pretty sure that approach would avoid the need for bombing hospitals and murdering children.

          3. ReproBertie

            Start by trying. Compromise & negotiation is much more acceptable than child murder.

          4. Jess

            “Israelis have been buying land from Palestinians for years.”

            Hahahahahah. oahhahahahaha.

            That was good, thanks.

        2. jeremy kyle

          When you live somewhere that densely populated there’s no way to avoid civilian casualties, if they’re being prevented from evacuating then the Israeli military know this too and don’t care. Their ruthless approach isn’t going to solve anything, you can’t stamp out a terrorist group by obliterating civilians.

        3. James

          Oh come on, Israel are paying for the land? Oh fair enough so, “bombs away” as they say eh?
          At this stage do England get to rule over the south of spain? I mean the english have been buying land there for years!

      2. Medium Sized C

        How is it self -defeating though.
        There are no consequences for them. They win every time.

        Also it isn’t genocidal. The word genocide has a meaning.
        This is horrific but it is not an attempt at the systematic murder of an ethnic group with the goal of eradication of that group.

        I agree with the rest though. The main thing though is, you really shouldn’t bomb hospitals for any reason. You cannot bomb hospitals and not hit civilians.

        1. ahjayzis

          Because when you murder a child’s family, destroy their home, blight their childhood with violence, poverty and fear, that child will grow up to hate you, and Hamas will be waiting with training and weapons.

          Every civilian they kill will breed a dozen new militants out for revenge.

          The word genocide isn’t restricted to total annihilation of an ethnic group, or even having that aim – The UN defines it simply as “the deliberate killing of a large group of people, especially those of a particular nation or ethnic group.” You’re thinking of ethnic cleansing.

  13. JunkFace

    I know Hamas do this kind of thing every couple of years, using their own people as human shields and its disgusting. They know how to create a generation of Martyrs, they know how Israel will react. Its a downward spiral.

    1. Jess

      The human shield argument is redundant. Gaza is an incredibly tightly packed urban area, Hamas cannot fire from anything other than a civilian area which is then spun into ‘human shields’.

      Israel have been far more blatant about their own use of human shields

      http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/u-n-human-rights-council-endorses-gaza-war-crimes-report-demands-israel-hamas-investigate-article-1.382138

      http://www.btselem.org/human_shields/20060720_human_shields_in_beit_hanun

          1. droid

            WTF? No, no it doesnt, nowhere even close. The population density of Dublin is 2,950 per sq mile. Pop density of Gaza is 9,713 per sq mile.

            Got any more nuggets of wisdom?

        1. Tony the Toy Gur

          If you divide population by the area of Dublin city you get about 4,588 / sq.km. For Gaza it is 5,016 / sq.km. Very similar population densities.

          1. droid

            Ans again youre distorting the figures. if you wish to limit this to Dublin City only (which obv has a far higher pop density than Dublin county), then fine. Gaza city has a population density of 9,982.69/km², twice that of Dublin city.

  14. jungleman

    I believe that the Israeli policy is to keep the Palestinians in their current state of destitution. They destroy what little infrastructure there is with bombardments, justifying this on the basis of self-defence. The Palestinians endure and rebuild. Then Israel repeats the process.

    Can’t let those pesky Arabs get ahead of themselves.

  15. aubrey

    All Jews and Israelis who are not coming out to condemn this are complicit. Boycott Israeli and Jewish businesses that do not come out and condemn these actions. Think actors, movie studios, as well as products and brands.

    1. ahjayzis

      That’s a disgraceful remark. People like you give credence to the idea that the rest of us who are disgusted by Israel’s aggression are anti-semitic neo-Nazi’s.

      Learn the difference between Jews and Israelis, or maybe we’ll boycott all Anglican businesses in the world in protest at Britain’s involvement in Iraq.

      Idiot.

      1. aubrey

        No need for name-calling, or maybe that’s just how you were brought up. A better analogy would be all Muslims coming out to condemn terrorism in the name of Islam. The atrocities are being perpetrated in the name of Israel AND Judaism. I am neither anti-semetic nor Neo-nazi. I’m Jewish. Good day to you.

        1. ahjayzis

          Yes I was brought up to mock idiocy, well observed.
          How about all Christians of all denominations coming out to condemn child abuse?

          It all amounts to tarring them all with one brush and that does in fact make you either an idiot or wantonly anti-semitic.

  16. Gary

    There was a chance of peace and a truce recently. One side said yes and one said no. And we all know which is which. Anyone fancy explaining why (in the face of “genocide”), that side said no?

    Ultimately, one group disarming brings about the chance for peaceful negotiations over many issues. The other side disarming brings the likely destruction of that side. I’m sure you all know which side is which.

    1. droid

      Wait, what? What fantasy world do you live in? Are you referring to the Egyptian ceasefire deal which was announced BEFORE Hamas were even notified of its existence?

      Im deeply disappointed in the quality of pro-Israel argument around here. There’s some serious barrel scraping going on.

      1. Gary

        There were two attempted cease fire proposals. The one you refer to is the second one. The first was roundly rejected by Hamas.

        Oh, and any counter points for the second paragraph?

        1. droid

          Er, no. Youve got it the wrong way around. Hamas have rejected a second ceasefire deal, for obvious reasons – like every other ceasefire it means ‘calm’ for Israel and continued suffering for Gaza and the West bank. kinda like every ceasefire or agreement since forever.

          Comments on the second paragraph? I was being tactful , but to put it bluntly, its a steaming pile of nonsense that completely ignores the last 40 years of history.

          1. ReproBertie

            Didn’t Hamas propose a completely ignored 10 year truce while the IDf ground forces were preparing?

          2. droid

            They’ve proposed it at least 3 times now, starting in 2008, but the facts are irrelevant. They are evil and want to destroy Israel.

          3. Gary

            Well the only answer you seem to have is that Hamas just have to “win” via violence – they have made it clear multiple times that they will never accept Israel so this is the only other outcome.

          4. droid

            lol. No, the ‘answer’ is that the single ceasefire deal rejected by Hamas was drafted by its bitter enemies and does not take any of their concerns into account.

            Also mentioned is the fact the Hamas has offered various deals and ceasefires on several occasions to have them unilaterally rejected by Israel.

            And might I add, that the formation of the recent unity government explicitly included a statement recognising the ‘right’ of israel to exist and recognitions of past agreements, as they have agreed implicitly for years in the case of Hamas, and decades in the case of PLO/Fatah.

    2. James

      A ceasefire calls for both parties needs to be taken into account. What you’re saying is that because Israel is capable of killing more effectively, then the other side is wrong to refuse any ceasefire initiatives, regardless of the conditions or lack thereof.
      Why would they refuse? Well maybe you can look up what happened when the same proposal was made and then disregarded in 2012.
      Maybe you should reflect on the fact that John Kerry distanced himself from the same said proposal.

      It’s not so simple as, “they have bigger guns so why refuse them”. These people are fighting for their rights and cannot cave in because they’ve been bullied.
      Reflect on the fact that Israel started this bombing as retaliation for a kidnap/murder. Can you imagine that being accepted in any part of the modern world? When ETA set off a bomb in Madrid how did the Spanish authorities react? Did they raze suspects houses to the ground? Did they declare they were going to “unleash hell” on the Basque region of Spain? Can you imagine the outrage if they had done so?
      It’s absolutely ridiculous to suggest that this bombing is anybody’s responsibility other than that of the perpetrator.

  17. bob

    When did Ireland become filled with such wimps and sheep? This is not the Ireland i grew up hearing about. Hamas uses thier OWN children as human shields, when they fire rockets from schools and hospitals. So when Israel defends itself and fires back, Hamas will go, look and see Israel killed our babies, and you sheep will gobble it up and give credence to thier propaganda. Well done! Hamas’s plan is working!

    1. droid

      I think you’l find that in general, the Irish have at least some degree of skepticism when it comes to the propaganda spouted by brutal occupying armies whilst massacring innocent civilians.

      I think its some kind of historic thing.

    2. James

      Well done Bob, buy into a propaganda machine yourself and then criticize others for that exact same thing.
      I’m not the sheep Bob, you are. Learn a bit of History for yourself, and don’t limit your readings to biased journalists and fox news.
      As droid quite rightly pointed out we tend to be a little skeptical when it comes to occupying forces.
      What do expect Bob? That zionist are just going to come straight out and tell you that they want these people to just go away? That they segregated for that very purpose?

      1. bob

        Hamas does not want peace, ever. They will not stop until Israel is wiped off the face of the earth, as declared by them! Plenty of Palestinians live and work peacefully in Israel. They are never threatened with violence by any Israeli. The only threat they have are the rockets and suicide bombers from hamas. Now I’m an openminded, liberal ,irish-american catholic, so please bare with me. What do you think an Isreali chances would be if they went to palastine to live and work peacefuly. Oh wait they can’t, cause they would be kidnapped and killed just like those 3 teenagers were recently.

  18. Lorcan Nagle

    For indivduals, “but they did it too!” ceases to become a valid excuse by the time you turn 10. And yet, we’ve had literal decades of this from both sides of the conflict. There’s so much bad blood at this point that it doesn’t matter who shot first, but rather who’s going to shoot last.

    As someone who has just about no influence in the region, I’d really hope the last shot be concurrent with a peace agreement that leaves both sides relatively happy.

    As an outsider looking in, I can’t help but feel like the Israelis have less to lose from putting aside violence as a response to violence a couple of times than the Palestinians do.

  19. bob

    James, your right, the brits never bombed belfast/northern Ireland, they just sent in the black and tans to terrorize the catholics. Your right again, I watch right wing news, and left wing news and everything inbetween, so I can formulate my OWN opinion and not just one side of the argument. I’m a liberal and I hate obamacare. I believe in hard work and earning what I have. Oh and lets bring at the f’n Zionist propaganda crap that was debunked over a hundred years ago. Isreal doesn’t segregate, there’s no apartheid there either. Cause both arguments are void when the facts are, that plenty of palastinians arabs living freely in Isreal, with all the same rights and protections as the jews there. Take your own advice and get all the sides to the story! Oh wait, you cant you already think you do.

    1. WhoAreYa

      What are you ranting about – you think because you once read a few different news sources that is going to validate your illogical, badly thought out ignorant opinions and idle rants?

      If you had said I’ve read:
      “Chronicles of the elders of Zion”
      “Israel and Palestine: Image and Reality” etc or any other of the relevant books underlining the ideological expression of the combatants in this war we could take your spurious verbiage seriously.

      It appears you have merely watched Fox News, MSNBC, CNN, and once looked over someone’s shoulders who was reading the Nation or the New York Times on the subway. Either that or you’re a writer for the Onion doing a great windup of us all here as a typical know-nothing shouty American.

  20. ally

    Thanks Elaine. This is truly harrowing and I do wish the world would call a spade a spade and stop pretending whats inexcusable is a concern’. It moved me to tears. I am a mother and would not wish this on my worst enemy.

  21. James Dunne

    A poem I wrote last Sunday night, haunted by the image of this boy in Gaza…

    Can I wish you ‘Goodnight’ in this terrible night ?

    It will not ease your pain
    or lighten your loss
    but if like a whisper that brushes your face with its breath
    as you watch the cracked paint on the wall beside your bed at dawn
    or like the surprise gentle touch of a hand
    (that you thought forever gone)
    for a moment you feel that your dignity is held in the care of others
    then this is enough that will never be enough
    and our poor Goodnight your gift to us.

    20.07.2014

  22. Alan meyer

    Michelle Grayson FACT It was never EVER their land. Here is a history lesson so go learn ! 1. Israel became a nation in 1312 BCE, two thousand years before the rise of Islam. 2. Arab refugees in Israel began identifying themselves as part of a Palestinian people in 1967, two decades after the establishment of the modern State of Israel. 3. Since the Jewish conquest in 1272 BCE, the Jews have had dominion over the land for one thousand years with a continuous presence in the land for the past 3,300 years. 4. The only Arab dominion since the conquest in 635 CE lasted no more than 22 years. 5. For over 3,300 years, Jerusalem has been the Jewish capital Jerusalem has never been the capital of any Arab or Muslim entity. Even when the Jordanians occupied Jerusalem, they never sought to make it their capital, and Arab leaders did not come to visit. 6. Jerusalem is mentioned over 700 times in Tanach, the Jewish Holy Scriptures. Jerusalem is not mentioned once in the Koran. 7. King David founded the city of Jerusalem. Mohammed never came to Jerusalem. 8. Jews pray facing Jerusalem. Muslims pray with their backs toward Jerusalem. 9. In 1948 the Arab refugees were encouraged to leave Israel by Arab leaders promising to purge the land of Jews. Sixty-eight percent left without ever seeing an Israeli soldier. 10. The Jewish refugees were forced to flee from Arab lands due to Arab brutality, persecution, and slaughter. 11. The number of Arab refugees who left Israel in 1948 is estimated to be around 630,000. The number of Jewish refugees from Arab lands is estimated to be the same. 12. Arab refugees were intentionally not absorbed or integrated into the Arab lands to which they fled, despite the vast Arab territory. Out of the 100,000,000 refugees since World War II, theirs is the only refugee group in the world that has never been absorbed or integrated into their own people’s lands. Jewish refugees were completely absorbed into Israel, a country no larger than the state of New Jersey. 13. The Arabs are represented by eight separate nations, not including the Palestinians. There is only one Jewish nation. The Arab nations initiated all five wars and lost. Israel defended itself each time and won. 14. The PLO’s Charter still calls for the destruction of the State of Israel. Israel has given the Palestinians most of the West Bank land, autonomy under the Palestinian Authority, and has supplied them. 15. Under Jordanian rule, Jewish holy sites were desecrated and the Jews were denied access to places of worship. Under Israeli rule, all Muslim and Christian sites have been preserved and made accessible to people of all faiths. 16. The UN Record on Israel and the Arabs: of the 175 Security Council resolutions passed before 1990, 97 were directed against Israel. 17. Of the 690 General Assembly resolutions voted on before 1990, 429 were directed against Israel. 18. The UN was silent while 58 Jerusalem Synagogues were destroyed by the Jordanians. 19. The UN was silent while the Jordanians systematically desecrated the ancient Jewish cemetery on the Mount of Olives. 20. The UN was silent while the Jordanians enforced an apartheid-like a policy of preventing Jews from visiting the Temple Mount and the Western Wall. Please share this and may GOD continue to bless the People and the land of Israel and the IDF

    1. Formerly known as @ireland.com

      1. What has Islam got to do with Palestine?

      The whole Arab argument. We don’t try to put all Europeans in the same basket. Why should we expect all the Arabs to suit your narrow view of history? We are talking about Palestine/Palestinians. I know Roman Catholic Palestinians who are mistreated by the state of Israel. Please explain that.

      Ancient history does not hold much sway in the modern world. Think about individuals who are alive, who deserve to have an opportunity to live a happy life. It appears that Israel is depriving too many individuals of their rights.

    2. Spartacus

      Hi Alan

      (Is your name really Alan? Doesn’t strike me as a typical Jewish name – it’s not just the name you were asked to use while you’re working in the propaganda workshop, is it?)

      That’s an impressive list of bullet points. Regrettably I don’t have time to dissect it this morning, but perhaps later. It won’t be a particularly difficult task, will it?

      In the meantime, would you just tell us what your holy instruction manual has to say about the intentional firing of flechette-laden artillery shells into school playgrounds?

      Todah.

      1. Violet

        Shatter? Dershowitz? Sugar? Woody Allen? You didn’t give this much thought, did you?

        1. James

          Glad you brought it up Violet, you see being Jewish is simply an indication of your religion, it doesn’t change the origin of your name. Woody Allen may be Jewish but the name Allen as a surname is of English, Scottish and Irish descent.
          Alan as a first name is also of Breton origin.
          The name Dershowitz is of Polish origin.
          The name Shatter is of Breton origin.
          The name Sugar is an Anglo-Saxon name.
          If anything the list of names you gave would sustain the argument that Jewish is not a race but a religion and the Jewish people around the world are descendants of converts around the world and not of Israel itself. That there was a natural diaspora over the years when Jews traveled from the Mediterranean upwards to convert people to Judaism.
          Of course this would step on the whole “we have a right to Israel as a people” argument.

          Did you think this through?

          1. Violet

            I’m not interested in getting into any of that. You have no idea what I see “being Jewish” as, and I don’t know why you’re getting shirty. I pointed out that Alan is a common enough name for Jewish people, because I found Spartacus’ tone a bit nasty. That’s all.

            Woody Allen was born Alan Konigsberg.

          2. James

            Violet “you see…” is a turn of phrase, you see?

            Re read the comment and take the “shirty” tone you imagine out of it.

            The fact remains that “Alan” is not a Jewish name.
            The fact that Woody Allen was born “Konigsberg” (German origin, meaning Kings Hill) changes nothing about that argument.

            It’s fine that you don’t want to get into it, but at this point I have to wonder, why comment on a thread like this?
            You have an issue with Spartacus’ tone, but not with Alan’s?
            That would lead me to presume (I may be wrong, but on a forum all you have to go by is what you read) that you would agree with the Jewish claim over Israel.

            So I took the names you mentioned and linked it to another idea that’s floating around that would go against the said claim. And they’re not anti-semitic ideas…http://www.nkusa.org/activities/demonstrations/2006Nov9.cfm

            Anyway, have a nice day.

        2. Violet

          I didn’t read Alan’s post, because I find large blocks of unparagraphed text irritating and almost always too stupid to struggle through. I wouldn’t be surprised if his tone is all kinds of lamentable, but I’ve never seen him here before and probably won’t again. Spartacus I usually like.

          There’s nothing more to it. Your assumption about my views is unwarranted. I really am just talking about the thing I’m talking about.

          I don’t know what your first line means. it certainly doesn’t make you sound any less shirty, if that’s what you’re aiming for.

          1. James

            I don’t see how using the words “you see” can make me seem cranky.
            Fair enough if I made the wrong presumption, but to be honest, if you think someone who you normally like is nasty, you might give him the benefit of the doubt and presume he has his reasons.

            I think you read my very first line as “you see Jewish AS” when I actually wrote “you see Jewish IS”….you see there’s a difference….get it?

            Anyway, I’m not cranky at all, but I am a little outraged about what’s going on at the moment and may have been a little rash with you.
            My apologies if you were offended.

          2. Violet

            No worries at all, James. You’re probably right: my initial post was a bit opaque, and fairly trivial too now that I’ve been thinking about it for more than a minute.

  23. wolfe tone

    If Israel wants peace and doesnt want to kill innocents; and Hamas is ‘using their own people as human shields’ etc, why dont the Israelis government call their bluff and invite the UN to come in and observe and report what is going on? The UN could put their peace troops on the ground and woe betide if anyone attacks them, because world opinion would turn against anyone conducting attacks on UN troops.
    Also, people who are campaigning at Israelis embassies around the world, although commendable, are going to the wrong embassies. They should be going to the only real embassy that can stop this carnage ie the US embassy. Without US covert support Israel wouldnt be so brazen.
    Until the Irish cease with their love in with the Obamas of this world then unfortunately Israel will forever continue to do as it pleases. Alas we allow the US to escape reponsibility/culpability for this endless saga by focussing on Israelis embassies. The US has the power to stop the slaughter immediately.

  24. bob

    Like the Irish have a say in world affairs. Maybe your army can…. oh wait, what army. If the US and Isreal closed thier borders, your country will be begging for their help within 18 months cause there will be nothing to stop the rest of the other countries from making you their bitch! So shut up and thank your god, that you’re on the good side of the big bad bully, United States. Cause without us walking the halls, your poor ass excuse for a country would fall, fast. So keep acting all tough and bitch about the US, cause you wouldn’t be able to do that without the US in your life!!

    1. wolfe tone

      The Irish built a fair share of America you clown. But I guess land grabbers stick together.
      Go back to school and learn a bit more about world history rather than US history and cheese.

      Ps Is their any chance you could tell hilary,obama etc to stop coming to my country and patronising the irish, in their attempts to woo irish american voters…..its so cringeworthy it makes me heave. And you can keep Bono too!

  25. bob

    Hahaha, you make me laugh, wolfe tone. You mean Irish-AMERICANS built America, but lets be honest, it was mostly built on the backs of slaves. I am proud to say wolfie, world history is US history, cause we’ve dominating for years. But we can agree on one thing, hilary and obama suck at thier jobs. Bono is a freaking harmless litltle annoyance. Not worth either of our times.

    1. James

      No Bob, IRISH….the irish americans would be their descendents. You see America is a country built by immigrants and yes unfortunately slaves. Although the slaves were used mostly for building your economy, tobacco, cotton, agriculture etc.

      Contrary to your ignorant belief, there isn’t exactly a queue of countries waiting to invade Ireland, and never in it’s history has it needed or looked for American help or protection.
      (If Israel closed it’s borders??? Do you really think Israels borders have any effect whatsoever on Ireland?)

  26. bob

    James, you’re right, nobody is waiting to invade Ireland, because big bad America and the British are in the world. Without them you’ll be speaking arabic and praying to Mecca 5x a day, within a year. And James, you’ll be fine, it seems your really good at living on your knees!

    1. James

      Funny you should say that because the only people who did invade us were the British.

      You seem to be quite confused….didn’t you say you were Irish american? But you’re happy to shit all over a part of your heritage because you can’t come up with a coherent argument?

      You’ll find that most if not all of the extremist regimes that are to be found in the Arab world are fruit of British and American doings in the middle east. You’re like a fireman that sets things on fire and then boasts about how useful he is with his hose. (8/10 of the worlds biggest arms producers are American)

      Here are some interesting facts (not that you’ve shown any interest in facts so far)
      A report from the World Policy Institute released mid-2005 has found that the U.S. is routinely funneling military aid and arms to undemocratic nations. In 2003, for which the most recent data was available at the time,

      The United States transferred weaponry to 18 of the 25 countries involved in active conflicts;
      More than half of the top 25 recipients of U.S. arms transfers in the developing world (13) were defined as undemocratic by the State Department;
      When countries designated by the State Department’s Human Rights Report to have poor human rights records or serious patterns of abuse are factored in, 20 of the top 25 U.S. arms clients in the developing world in 2003—a full 80%—were either undemocratic regimes or governments with records of major human rights abuses.

      So you see, we probably wouldn’t even be in this mess if it wasn’t for the multi-billion dollar business that the US is running. Arms sales grew to a record high in 2011 after 3 years of constant growth, ironically under a president who had the cheek to accept a Nobel peace prize.

      I wouldn’t boast all that much at the moment if I were you….of course if I were you, you’d have a higher IQ and you’d probably know your arse from your elbow.

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