Israel escalates violence
Smashing of Lebanon green-lighted by President Bush at G-8 meeting
Friends of war say Israel does nothing but defend itself. Boxer, friend of war where Israel is concerned, is disappointed that the US military is too “bogged down” due to its “obsession with Iraq”.
See full story on the Israeli blockade, widespread killing, and destruction of essential infrastructure all around Lebanon here.
Israel and a coaltion of Western countries–with essential and fundamental diplomatic support from the United States–has mercilessly punished the Palestinian people since January for freely and fairly electing a Hamas-led government. Sure, Hamas is the Palestinian war party. But then, no such international pressure ever befalls America for electing Democrats and Republicans who form the most savage war party the world has ever known. Maybe Hamas, as well as the Lebonese Hezbollah have learned from us and because of us the lesson that force is the only answer when state interests are at stake.
Let’s also recognize that Palestine, and now Lebanon too, are fighting for their very survival against vastly superior military powers (America and its Israeli client) who would much rather see the region’s Arabs subdued to the status of Bantustans or POW camps surrounded by networks of walls and Israeli-only expressways.
Months ago, the attack on the Palestinians was already reaching a critical stage with Israel intentionally halting Gaza’s economy, about which I posted here. Last month, Alexander Cockburn ran through the state of shambles and carnage that Gaza and all of Palestine had become under the brutal violence and de facto sanctions enforced by Israel, the US, and Europe:
Here’s an example of how to look back farther than just a minute ago to see how these events have precipitated. On May 25, a clandestine group thought to be run by the Israeli Mossad assassinated an Islamic Jihad leader and his brother on Lebanese soil.
Does the put Wednesday’s capture of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah near Lebanon following the capture of one near Gaza some days earlier in any sort of context? All I can say is that the US president has declared such right of killing, capture, and detention worldwide when at his whim he specifies “enemy combatants”, perhaps pointed to for bounty. Israel uses cross-border assasins with impunity. Why should not other entities engaged in armed struggle for survival claim the same rights, as long as the captives are treated with the rights afforded by the Geneva Conventions? The Arab dictatorships clearly are uncomfortable with such a formulation, witnessed by a Saudi statment disavowing the captures as having any legitimacy as acts of resistance. I have rejected repeatedly in this blog warfare through detention, so I reject this tactic here as well. But the Israeli response is beyond any possible measure of self defense and should be condemed under Article 33 of the 4th Geneva Convention.
Of course, as long as the American light for Israeli dealing of death and destruction is glowing brightly green, no appeal to international law means a damn thing. In yesterday’s State Department briefing, spokesman Sean McCormack laid out in full detail the precepts re-stated today by President Bush at the G-8 meeting. McCormack banged the drum, “This is, in our view, an act of self-defense on the Israeli part…” and then responded,
QUESTION: As the operations continue, it seems as if there are few ways as — you know, not only for Americans but for humanitarian supplies, oil, and other supplies to get into the country. Are you talking to the Israelis about, I don’t know, a ceasefire or something like to get more supplies into the country? Are you worried about a humanitarian crisis or an economic crisis? When you talk about supporting the Lebanon Government, is there anything you’re doing in that respect?MR. MCCORMACK: Well, certainly I think the — I think all the countries in the region, including Israel, are attuned to the fact that they do not want to cause any harm to innocent civilians. This is a very difficult situation right now for the Lebanese people, I think. We understand that. And that’s why we’re doing everything we can, why the UN is doing everything it can, to deescalate the situation. The way out of this, as I said, is for the rocket attacks to stop, for these two captives to be returned. Then, if you have that situation and you have a situation where the Government of Lebanon actually controls all of its territory, you can start to get back to a more normal situation….
Now, at the moment, I don’t have a good read on the situation of the Lebanese people. I know it certainly must be very difficult for them right now. But this underscores the reason why you have to implement 1559. And the effect is that Hezbollah has dragged the Lebanese people into this situation. Hezbollah and its benefactors are attempting to drag the Lebanese people, drag the — and with regard to Hamas and its benefactors, drag the Palestinian people into an abyss of violence. [emphasis added]
Israel does nothing. America does nothing. Only Arabs do the “dragging”. Cast your eyes away from Lebanese civilians. No list of outrages upon the Palestinian people following their democratic election (that came out wrong) need be reviewed. The Cedar Revolution is over, smashed-up Lebanon is set back 20 years, and the Palestinians are on a “diet” near starvation.
December 31st, 1969 at 16:00
Hi Wallsy,
Some cockamamie notion that Lebanon or Gaza have the “right to defend themselves” is unmentionable.
July 16th, 2006 at 00:04
SALAAM , SHALOM, PEACE
[edited by site owner to remove excessive link spam]
HOLY QURAN CHAPTER 37 verses 101 - 122
101. So We gave him the good news of a boy ready to suffer and forbear.
102. Then, when (the son) reached (the age of) (serious) work with him, he said: “O my son! I see in vision that I offer thee in sacrifice: Now see what is thy view!” (The son) said: “O my father! Do as thou art commanded: thou will find me, if Allah so wills one practising Patience and Constancy!”
103. So when they had both submitted their wills (to Allah., and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (for sacrifice),
104. We called out to him “O Abraham!
105. “Thou hast already fulfilled the vision!” - thus indeed do We reward those who do right.
106. For this was obviously a trial-
107. And We ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice:
108. And We left (this blessing) for him among generations (to come) in later times:
109. “Peace and salutation to Abraham!”
110. Thus indeed do We reward those who do right.
111. For he was one of our believing Servants.
112. And We gave him the good news of Isaac - a prophet,- one of the Righteous.
113. We blessed him and Isaac: but of their progeny are (some) that do right, and (some) that obviously do wrong, to their own souls.
114. Again (of old) We bestowed Our favour on Moses and Aaron,
115. And We delivered them and their people from (their) Great Calamity;
116. And We helped them, so they overcame (their troubles);
117. And We gave them the Book which helps to make things clear;
118. And We guided them to the Straight Way.
119. And We left (this blessing) for them among generations (to come) in later times:
120. “Peace and salutation to Moses and Aaron!”
121. Thus indeed do We reward those who do right.
122. For they were two of our believing Servants.
ISHMAEL IS THE FIRST BORN AND GOOD NEWS OF ISSAC DOES NOT APPEAR UNTIL AFTER THE SACRIFICE?????
THEREFORE THE CLAIM THAT GOD GAVE THE LAND TO ISRAEL IS DESTROYED WITHOUT THE NEED OF ANY WMDÂ’s.
Amazing so Hagar in Genesis 21:14 – 21 was carrying a 17 year old on her one shoulder for maybe 10 – 100 miles (Mrs. Swarzniggar) who later grew up to become an archer, married into an Arab tribe and learned Arabic and went onto have several children. One of the descendants of this CHILD passed on his DNA to Muhammad the illiterate whose religion is now violently spreading by the sword and soon to overtake the whole planet.
How could this happen like you I am also confused.
The oil found in recent history belongs to the west, its unfortunate it is under lands inhabited by Muslims and not only Arabs. Having oil and economic success then to die and go to hell is not my idea of a great nation.
A brief lesson on Islam.
It is the oldest faith on the planet it starts of with Adam and Eve, and continuous through revelations given to Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Moses, David, Solomon, Jesus (many others too numerous to mention) until its completion under the messenger ship of Muhammad (pbuta). Islam is not an exclusively an Arab faith as there is no scriptural evidence that Muhammad (pbuh) said that he is the founder of Islam. One cannot quote the Quran as it is not the work of Muhammad as he could not read or write in any language including Arabic. Just as Jesus has himself not ever said that he is the founder of Christianity or Moses has not stated that he is the founder of Judaism.
ISIAH 29 verse 12 “And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned”.
Below are verses from the Quran, where GOD/SATAN himself says that the scriptures were changed by the scribes.
Quran Chapter 2 verse 75
75. Can ye (o ye men of Faith) entertain the hope that they will believe in you?- Seeing that a party of them heard the Word of Allah, and perverted it knowingly after they understood it.
Quran Chapter 2 verse 79
79. Then woe to those who write the Book with their own hands, and then say:”This is from Allah,” to traffic with it for miserable price!- Woe to them for what their hands do write, and for the gain they make thereby.
Quran Chapter 4 verse 46
46. Of the Jews there are those who displace words from their (right) places, and say: “We hear and we disobey”; and “Hear what is not Heard”; and “Ra’ina”; with a twist of their tongues and a slander to Faith. If only they had said: “What hear and we obey”; and “Do hear”; and “Do look at us”; it would have been better for them, and more proper; but Allah hath cursed them for their Unbelief; and but few of them will believe.
Quran Chapter 2 verse 40 - 83
40. O Children of Israel! call to mind the (special) favour which I bestowed upon you, and fulfil your covenant with Me as I fulfil My Covenant with you, and fear none but Me.
41. And believe in what I reveal, confirming the revelation which is with you, and be not the first to reject Faith therein, nor sell My Signs for a small price; and fear Me, and Me alone.
42. And cover not Truth with falsehood, nor conceal the Truth when ye know (what it is).
43. And be steadfast in prayer; practise regular charity; and bow down your heads with those who bow down (in worship).
44. Do ye enjoin right conduct on the people, and forget (To practise it) yourselves
July 16th, 2006 at 00:06
44. Do ye enjoin right conduct on the people, and forget (To practise it) yourselves, and yet ye study the Scripture? Will ye not understand?
45. Nay, seek ((Allah)’s) help with patient perseverance and prayer: It is indeed hard, except to those who bring a lowly spirit,-
46. Who bear in mind the certainty that they are to meet their Lord, and that they are to return to Him.
47. Children of Israel! call to mind the (special) favour which I bestowed upon you, and that I preferred you to all other (for My Message).
48. Then guard yourselves against a day when one soul shall not avail another nor shall intercession be accepted for her, nor shall compensation be taken from her, nor shall anyone be helped (from outside).
49. And remember, We delivered you from the people of Pharaoh: They set you hard tasks and punishments, slaughtered your sons and let your women-folk live; therein was a tremendous trial from your Lord.
50. And remember We divided the sea for you and saved you and drowned Pharaoh’s people within your very sight.
51. And remember We appointed forty nights for Moses, and in his absence ye took the calf (for worship), and ye did grievous wrong.
52. Even then We did forgive you; there was a chance for you to be grateful.
53. And remember We gave Moses the Scripture and the Criterion (Between right and wrong): There was a chance for you to be guided aright.
54. And remember Moses said to his people: “O my people! Ye have indeed wronged yourselves by your worship of the calf: So turn (in repentance) to your Maker, and slay yourselves (the wrong-doers); that will be better for you in the sight of your Maker.” Then He turned towards you (in forgiveness): For He is Oft- Returning, Most Merciful.
55. And remember ye said: “O Moses! We shall never believe in thee until we see Allah manifestly,” but ye were dazed with thunder and lighting even as ye looked on.
56. Then We raised you up after your death: Ye had the chance to be grateful.
57. And We gave you the shade of clouds and sent down to you Manna and quails, saying: “Eat of the good things We have provided for you:” (But they rebelled); to us they did no harm, but they harmed their own souls.
58. And remember We said: “Enter this town, and eat of the plenty therein as ye wish; but enter the gate with humility, in posture and in words, and We shall forgive you your faults and increase (the portion of) those who do good.”
59. But the transgressors changed the word from that which had been given them; so We sent on the transgressors a plague from heaven, for that they infringed (Our command) repeatedly.
60. And remember Moses prayed for water for his people; We said: “Strike the rock with thy staff.” Then gushed forth therefrom twelve springs. Each group knew its own place for water. So eat and drink of the sustenance provided by Allah, and do no evil nor mischief on the (face of the) earth.
61. And remember ye said: “O Moses! we cannot endure one kind of food (always); so beseech thy Lord for us to produce for us of what the earth groweth, -its pot-herbs, and cucumbers, Its garlic, lentils, and onions.” He said: “Will ye exchange the better for the worse? Go ye down to any town, and ye shall find what ye want!” They were covered with humiliation and misery; they drew on themselves the wrath of Allah. This because they went on rejecting the Signs of Allah and slaying His Messengers without just cause. This because they rebelled and went on transgressing.
62. Those who believe (in the Qur’an), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians,- any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
63. And remember We took your covenant and We raised above you (The towering height) of Mount (Sinai) : (Saying): “Hold firmly to what We have given you and bring (ever) to remembrance what is therein: Perchance ye may fear Allah.”
64. But ye turned back thereafter: Had it not been for the Grace and Mercy of Allah to you, ye had surely been among the lost.
65. And well ye knew those amongst you who transgressed in the matter of the Sabbath: We said to them: “Be ye apes, despised and rejected.”
66. So We made it an example to their own time and to their posterity, and a lesson to those who fear Allah.
67. And remember Moses said to his people: “(Allah) commands that ye sacrifice a heifer.” They said: “Makest thou a laughing-stock of us?” He said: “(Allah) save me from being an ignorant (fool)!”
68. They said: “Beseech on our behalf Thy Lord to make plain to us what (heifer) it is!” He said; “He says: The heifer should be neither too old nor too young, but of middling age. Now do what ye are commanded!”
69. They said: “Beseech on our behalf Thy Lord to make plain to us Her colour.” He said: “He says: A fawn-coloured heifer, pure and rich in tone, the admiration of beholders!”
70. They said: “Beseech on our behalf Thy Lord to make plain to us what she is: To us are all heifers alike: We wish indeed for guidance, if Allah wills.”
71. He said: “He says: A heifer not trained to till the soil or water the fields; sound and without blemish.” They said: “Now hast thou brought the truth.” Then they offered her in sacrifice, but not with good-will.
72. Remember ye slew a man and fell into a dispute among yourselves as to the crime: But Allah was to bring forth what ye did hide.
73. So We said: “Strike the (body) with a piece of the (heifer).” Thus Allah bringeth the dead to life and showeth you His Signs: Perchance ye may understand.
74. Thenceforth were your hearts hardened: They became like a rock and even worse in hardness. For among rocks there are some from which rivers gush forth; others there are which when split asunder send forth water; and others which sink for fear of Allah. And Allah is not unmindful of what ye do.
75. Can ye (o ye men of Faith) entertain the hope that they will believe in you?- Seeing that a party of them heard the Word of Allah, and perverted it knowingly after they understood it.
76. Behold! when they meet the men of Faith, they say: “We believe”: But when they meet each other in private, they say: “Shall you tell them what Allah hath revealed to you, that they may engage you in argument about it before your Lord?”- Do ye not understand (their aim)?
77. Know they not that Allah knoweth what they conceal and what they reveal?
78. And there are among them illiterates, who know not the Book, but (see therein their own) desires, and they do nothing but conjecture.
79. Then woe to those who write the Book with their own hands, and then say:”This is from Allah,” to traffic with it for miserable price!- Woe to them for what their hands do write, and for the gain they make thereby.
80. And they say: “The Fire shall not touch us but for a few numbered days:” Say: “Have ye taken a promise from Allah, for He never breaks His promise? or is it that ye say of Allah what ye do not know?”
81. Nay, those who seek gain in evil, and are girt round by their sins,- they are companions of the Fire: Therein shall they abide (For ever).
82. But those who have faith and work righteousness, they are companions of the Garden: Therein shall they abide (For ever).
83. And remember We took a covenant from the Children of Israel (to this effect): Worship none but Allah. treat with kindness your parents and kindred, and orphans and those in need; speak fair to the people; be steadfast in prayer; and practise regular charity. Then did ye turn back, except a few among you, and ye backslide (even now).
Jesus in the Glorious Qur’an
The QurÂ’an tells us a lot of wonderful things about Jesus. As a result, believers in the QurÂ’an love Jesus, honour him, and believe in him. In fact, no Muslim can be a Muslim unless he or she believes in Jesus, on whom be peace.
The QurÂ’an says that Jesus was born of a virgin, that he spoke while he was still only a baby, that he healed the blind and the leper by GodÂ’s leave, and that he raised the dead by GodÂ’s leave.
What then is the significance of these miracles? First, the virgin birth. God demonstrates his power to create in every way. God created everyone we know from a man and a woman. But how about Adam, on whom be peace? God created him from neither a man nor a woman. And Eve from only a man, but not a woman. And, finally, to complete the picture, God created Jesus from a woman, but not a man.
What about the other miracles? These were to show that Jesus was not acting on his own behalf, but that he was backed by God. The Qur’an specifies that these miracles were performed by God’s leave. This may be compared to the Book of Acts in the Bible, chapter 2, verse 22, where it says that the miracles were done by God to show that he approved of Jesus. Also, note that Jesus himself is recorded in the Gospel of John to have said, “I can do nothing of my own authority” (5:30). The miracles, therefore, were done not by his own authority, but by God’s authority.
What did Jesus teach? The Qur’an tells us that Jesus came to teach the same basic message which was taught by previous prophets from God—that we must shun every false god and worship only the one true God. Jesus taught that he is the servant and messenger of that one true God, the God of Abraham. These Quranic teachings can be compared with the Bible ( Mark 10:18; Matthew 26:39; John 14:28, 17:3, and 20:17) where Jesus teaches that the one he worshipped is the only true God. See also Matthew 12:18; Acts 3:13, and 4:27 where we find that his disciples knew him as Servant of God.
The QurÂ’an tells us that some of the Israelites rejected Jesus, and conspired to kill him, but Allah (God) rescued Jesus and raised him to Himself. Allah will cause Jesus to descend again, at which time Jesus will confirm h
July 16th, 2006 at 04:34
very interesting
July 16th, 2006 at 17:15
Extremely interesting,
Hi Eric,
this war is beyond belief and once again Israel is framed as the innocent party; the non-aggressor. I was watching Chomsky on DN yesterday and he alluded to an incident on June 24 when Israeli forces kidnapped two Gazans, a doctor and young woman if I recall correctly, before the Hamas capture of Gilad. The thing is, this kind of thing has been going on to some extent well before the much publicised capture of one Israeli soldier. It is interesting too that there is no mention of Israel’s aggression towards Southern Lebanon and its clandestine incursions there, again prior to current much publicised events. There is too the thesis that Israel has been looking for a pretext to get at Iran via Hezbollah by beginning this brutal war. And yes, I mean ISrael started it in a sense since previously Israel has settled similar hostage and prisoner disputes with Hezbollah without recourse to aggression. So, Israel could have opted for another response but chose the most destructive one. Obviously, Hezbollah should be held accountable for its actions, especially since it in part exposed Lebanon to the kind of aggresson we are seeing, but I feel anyway that Israel is the primary cause of woes in this and the broader context.
Bless
Wallsy
July 16th, 2006 at 21:07
Regarding the Bible quotations above, the Bible is Jewish myth and legend.
DNA is science. The white Jews such as Ariel Sharon do not have the same DNA as the Jews of ancient Israel. The white jews are not the ones God promised that land to in any case.
Jesus was a Palestinian. Palestinians have the same DNA as the Jews of ancient Israel.
I think most Americans are SICK of Israel
quote
Every time we do something you tell me America will do this and will do that . . . I want to tell you something very clear: Don’t worry about American pressure on Israel. We, the Jewish people, control America, and the Americans know it. - Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, October 3, 2001, to Shimon Peres, as reported on Kol Yisrael radio.
July 17th, 2006 at 15:08
Lord yes, how unmentionable, unthinkable that anyone else other than Israel is defending his/herself…How powerful the narrative is!
Best
July 18th, 2006 at 16:28
neocons love their wars and drooling to get us to invade Syria
July 18th, 2006 at 19:57
Yep, it’s starting to look like they want an excuse to have an even wider war. After 3+ years in Iraq, it hasn’t all fallen into place like envisioned in “Securing the Realm” or “Tyranny’s Ally”. See the very early issues of Deep Blade for more…
July 28th, 2006 at 23:51
There is such a clear thread since 9/11 now and so public too. Unfortuantely, actions are not speaking for themselves in an empirical manner sicne we have to rely on the likes of O’Reilly an company to tell us what is going on.