National Initiative calls for end to negotiations with Israel after Gaza massacre

[ProgressiveMuslim]

Date: 15 / 01 / 2008 Time: 21:35

Ramallah – Ma'an - The Palestinian National Initiative on Tuesday called for an end to peace negotiations with Israel after Israeli military strikes on the Gaza Strip left 19 dead and scores injured.

They said in a statement that it is humiliating for the Palestinian people to hold negotiations with the Israelis while they are massacring our people.

The statement said that the number of victims of Israeli aggression has risen by 100% after the US-sponsored Annapolis conference.

They called on the international community to move immediately to stop the massacres against the Palestinian people, adding that such Israeli atrocities underline the need for putting aside internal Palestinian differences and highlight the necessity of restoring national unity in the face of such Israeli aggression.


http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=27234

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Note: this is Moustapha Barghouti's secular, liberal organization.

[tekisui]

1. And now, Israel is blocking transports and aid into Gaza.

Cutting off over a million people from needed supplies.

Things are not going well in the region.

[bellasgrams]

2. The US needs to stop enabling Israel. Not 1 candidate running

would have the nerve to stop the aid to Israel. We send them billions of $$. We always support them at the UN when everyother nation says they've done something wrong. We're to one sided.

[tekisui]

3. We are too one-sided, and those in the Middle East know it.

The Arab press was all over chimpy's visit. It is obvious.

[Fredda Weinberg]

4. Why don't Palestinians stop holding their own hostage?

«Launching rockets has brought us nothing but catastrophes and hardships,» he said during a visit to the northern West Bank town of Salfit. President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday called the Israeli air strikes «brutal,» but also accused Hamas, his bitter rivals, of trying to destroy the Palestinians' national aspirations.

http://www.pr-inside.com/palestinian-premier-says-rocket-fire-r395117.htm

You bet Israelis are brutal ... after evacuating Gaza, this is the result. Sorry, but Hamas is bringing this on themselves.

[bellasgrams]

5. Sorry I've talked to many people over there that have served as

volunteers and have heard nothing good about the way Israel treats it's neighbors. If won't surprise me if they don't attack Iran and then expect us to join in. And we will.

[Fredda Weinberg]

17. The Persians? Yes, there's a long history of animosity and

domination. But I judge entities by their words and so far, Syria's been the beneficiary of Israel's "discipline". It's fierce, but always limited.

[azurnoir]

6. After evacuating Gaza

More of those Pali's should be grateful we so kindly gave them that much, what is never mentioned is that Israel did not remove the air and sea blockades, pre-empting any true economic growth in Gaza,

[Vegasaurus]

8. The Gazans have blown every possible opportunity

There isn't a one they have missed.

Israel has made their lives more miserable, thanks to Hamas, but Hamas is their elected body. If they don't like what Hamas has wrought, throw them out.

[Violet_Crumble]

14. I say the same thing about Americans and Bush! n/t

[Vegasaurus]

16. Can't disagree with you there !nt

[Fredda Weinberg]

18. If you can, please refrain from making this a partisan issue. Dems

have tried and failed to dislodge ancient grudges and feelings of privilege. The delusions are on both sides - nothing we can say will penetrate and frankly, we've got fantasies of our own and looming disappointments to deny.

[Violet_Crumble]

20. *sigh* Read the post I replied to and see if you can get the point n/t

[Fredda Weinberg]

22. I know we basically agree. I'm just asking if we can please

refrain from adding a partisan edge. The reality is worse: even if * wanted, there's literally nothing Americans can do to accelerate the process.

[Violet_Crumble]

23. That's a big no to yr request...

I don't give a toss about partisanship coz I'm not an American. I was making a point about trying to blame the Gazan population for the election of Hamas, which I seem to have done pretty well :)

[azurnoir]

7. Cut off what negotiations?

You mean Israel telling the Palestinians what they have to do before they get anything? Kind of like "here, here doggie can you jump through this hoop"? And "this one too, yeah it looks kind of small don't get stuck now"
As things stand now, except for a PR show for folks who want to see it what real difference would it make?

[hack89]

9. When you pick fights and then loose them

you are not left with many choices, are you? This is not a contest of equals - the Palestinians have nothing the Israelis want or need. If the Palestinians don't start making the hard decisions then their misery will simply increase.

[breakaleg]

10. And yet the law is on Palestinians' side, NOT Israel's. And Israel won't have the patience of the

world forever.

[Vegasaurus]

11. But Israel asks for security

not calls for her annihilation.

That seems to be a reasonable request as a sovereign nation.

And the Palestinians are unable to offer her that, so it matters not what the world's opinion is or not.

Because the Palestinians can offer nothing, the Israelis will not likely yield, even to US pressure. It would take an act of war against Israel (more than rockets), for her to give up the large settlement blocs in the WB.

[hack89]

12. Both points are questionable

Until Hamas is out of the picture, I don't see the world embracing the Palestinians too closely.

Do you really think the world really cares that much about the Palestinians?

[Violet_Crumble]

13. So we should just ignore international law until Hamas goes away? n/t

[Vegasaurus]

15. International law is ignored throughout the world

what makes Hamas more worthy of worldwide interest?

[Violet_Crumble]

21. I thought we were talking about the Palestinians, not Hamas...

...but since I'm being told it's okay to ignore international law, then I'll stop right now with my silly belief that Hamas has violated international law and just start ignoring those violations ;)

[hack89]

24. International law does not require countries to commit suicide.

as long as Hamas is attacking Israel then things will not change.

[Fredda Weinberg]

19. When Hamas attacked the Palestinian Authority in Gaza, I'm afraid

they lost their claim to legitimacy anywhere. It's literally a lawless land, but that's because Abbas is paying judges to stay home.

As for Israel's patience, this escalation has been responded to and there is a tit for tat strategy. See my tagline for details.

[ProgressiveMuslim]

25. Um... Hamas *was* the "authority" in Gaza.

I think you have your facts confused!