zaterdag 27 december 2008

2 Palestijnse meisjes gedood door Qassam raket

 
Deze nieuwe tragedie haalde ook het NOS journaal. De man uit het vorige bericht blijkt al een dag eerder getroffen te zijn.
 
_____________________

The Jerusalem Post
Dec 26, 2008 17:22 | Updated Dec 26, 2008 17:26

2 Palestinian girls killed in Kassam hit
By JPOST.COM STAFF
Two Palestinian girls were killed on Friday when a rocket fired by Palestinian terrorists landed short of its Israeli target.

According to witnesses, the girls aged five and 13, were immediately killed after sustaining a direct hit.

Hamas announced that it planned to investigate the incident which occurred in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahiya.

Earlier, Israel agreed to treat a 35-year-old Palestinian who was also wounded by a rocket fired from Gaza towards Israel.

The man was evacuated to Ichilov Hospital in serious condition after being transferred from a Palestinian ambulance to a Magen David Adom ambulance at the Erez Crossing. The man was wounded in a Kassam attack on Tuesday, and was since then treated in a Gazan hospital before medical officials decided to get him treated in Israel.

Twenty-five mortar shells have been fired into Israel since Thursday night.

vrijdag 26 december 2008

Israelisch ziekenhuis behandelt Palestijn die door Qassam geraakt werd

 
Een Qassam raket miste vandaag doel en trof een Palestijn in plaats van Israeli's. De Palestijn raakte gewond, en wordt in Israel in het ziekenhuis behandeld.
 
------
 
 
Gazan injured from failed rocket evacuated to Tel Aviv hospital
Shmulik Hadad - YNET
 
A 40-year-old Palestinian seriously injured from a failed Qassam rocket launch was evacuated by a Magen David Adom crew to Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center Friday.

The rocket directly hit the Palestinian's house, and he was hit in the head.
 
The victim's two children were also injured in the incident, and negotiations towards their evacuation to hospital are being held.


--------------------------------------------
IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis
Website:
www.imra.org.il
 

Hamas liegt over invoeren sharia in Palestijnse gebieden


Hamas ontkent de aantijging dat het de sharia -inclusief lijfstraffen- wil invoeren in Gaza, maar dat is niet erg geloofwaardig, gezien recente uitspraken van Hamas leiders over deze zaak in Palestijnse media.
 
RP
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Bulletin
Dec. 25, 2008
 

Hamas lies about preparing

strict Islamic law for all of Palestinian Authority 

 

by Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook

Hamas has quickly denied this week's disclosure by the London-based Al-Hayat (reported yesterday by Palestinian Media Watch) that the Palestinian legislature has voted for an Islamic penal code that would include hand amputations, crucifixion, lashes and executions.

 

However, PMW has found that contrary to today's denials, official Hamas leaders have proudly announced in the Hamas-run media in the last two months that this Islamic penal code was being prepared, had "14 chapters and 220 clauses" and was nearly ready. Indeed, senior Hamas leaders went as far as to say that when these laws are implemented, they will have force not only in Gaza but also in the West Bank. And according to the Hamas Minister of Justice, the Palestinian laws will be similar to "Islamic states such as Sudan, Yemen, the [Arab] Emirates and Indonesia."

 

Examples of Hamas contradictions:

 

Today Hamas denied: "The [Legislative] Council did not discuss any article of the Penal Code." [Al Ayyam, Dec. 25, 2008]

 

A month ago the Hamas Minister of Justice confirmed: "This (Islamic law Penal) Code is being discussed at the sessions of the [Palestinian] Legislative Council, for a second reading." [Al-Rissala (Hamas), Nov. 12, 2008]

 

Today Hamas denied: "The Hamas movement... hastened to deny the reports about its approval of an Islamic Penal Code." [Al Ayyam, Dec. 25, 2008]

 

A month ago the Head of the Bureau of Islamic Law confirmed:

"The Bureau of Islamic Law is preparing a Penal Code in order to implement Sharia - Islamic law ... Muhammad Abed, Head of the Bureau of Islamic Law and legal advisor to the Prime Minister (Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas), said ... that the code includes 14 chapters and 220 clauses, and includes in its chapters the basis of the penal code." [Al-Rissala, (Hamas) Nov. 9, 2008.]

 

A month ago the Hamas Minister of Justice confirmed:

"Similar (Penal codes to the new Palestinian law) have already been implemented in a number of Arabic and Islamic states such as Sudan, Yemen, the [Arab] Emirates and Indonesia... by Allah's will it will be published soon."  

[Al-Rissala (Hamas), Nov. 12, 2008]

 

 

The following are the full texts of the contradictory Hamas statements, starting with the Hamas statements about the coming Islamic law in the Palestinian Authority and followed by today's Hamas denial.

 

 

Muhammad Faraj Al-Ghoul, Justice Minister in Hamas Government of Gaza,

"This (Islamic law Penal) code is being discussed at the sessions of the [Palestinian] Legislative Council, for a second reading [vote] ... and by Allah's will, the Council will approve [the code] in accordance with the general interest and the interest of the Palestinian People. The code is highly important, and it's not the first of its kind... similar codes have already been approved , and implemented in a number of Arabic and Islamic states such as Sudan, Yemen, the [Arab] Emirates and Indonesia... I believe that this code is highly important, and by Allah's will it will be published soon."    

[Al-Rissala, Nov. 12, 2008]
 

Headline: The Bureau of Islamic Law is preparing a Penal Code in order to implement Sharia - Islamic law

 

In an attempt by the Bureau of the Islamic Law [Fatwa] to unite Palestine under one Penal Code, according to Islamic law (Sharia), the Bureau of Islamic Law [Fatwa] has prepared a [penal] code, with the intention to submit it to the [Palestinian] Legislative Council for its approval, and to cancel previous legislation that is based on the laws of the British mandate, and the neighboring countries.

Muhammad Abed, Head of the Bureau of Islamic Law and legal advisor to the Prime Minister (Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas), said ... that the code includes 14 chapters and 220 clauses, and includes in its chapters the basis of the penal code...

He said that in implementing this law, the present penal code in the Gaza Strip and in the West Bank... will be cancelled... he said that the bill was submitted to the Legislative Council in 2001, but it was not approved in the second and third reading, and therefore some amendments were entered, according to the Islamic law, and it will be submitted to the Legislative Council for approval.

He emphasized that when the law is approved in the Legislative Council, it will be valid in all the Palestinian territories, and will be implemented in all of Palestine."   

[Al-Rissala, (Hamas newspaper) Nov. 9, 2008.]

 

Public Relations advisor to the Presidency, Legislative Council

HEADLINE: "Hamas denies its approval of the penal law...  The Hamas movement, which controls the Palestinian Legislative Council in Gaza, hastened to deny the news reports about its approval of an Islamic Penal Code that includes lashes, hand amputation and crucifixion. The public relations advisor to the Presidency of the Legislative Council, Iyad Al-Qarra, said that the council did not discuss any article of the Penal Code."   

[Al Ayyam, Dec.  25, 2008]

 

President Bush schenkt postuum gratie aan Amerikaan die Israel hielp in 1948 oorlog

 
Na 60 jaar wordt het een Amerikaanse zakenman postuum vergeven dat hij in 1948 het wapenembargo schond en Israel een bommenwerper bezorgde, een van de 3 die Israel hielpen haar onafhankelijkheidsoorlog te winnen van de 5 Arabische legers.
 

Bush pardons American who helped Israel get B-17s in 1948 war

Indeed, the B-17s played an important, if symbolic role in the Israel War of Independence, and convinced the Egyptians to stop bombing Tel-Aviv.
_________________
 
 
Haaretz / Last update - 05:54 24/12/2008       
Bush pardons man who gave Israel arms in 1948 war
By News Agencies
 
 
In a gesture of forgiveness for an American considered a hero in Israel, President George W. Bush on Tuesday granted a pardon posthumously to a man who broke the law to supply aircraft to Jews fighting in  Israel's 1948 War of Independence.
 
Charles Winters was listed in a batch of 19 pardons and one commutation that Bush issued before leaving for Camp David to spend the holidays. No high-profile lawbreakers were on the list.
 
In the summer of 1948, Winters, a non-Jewish Miami businessman who exported produce, worked with others to transfer two converted B-17 "Flying Fortresses" to Israel's defense forces. He personally flew one of the aircraft from Miami to Czechoslovakia, where that plane and a third B-17 were retrofitted for use as bombers.

The three B-17s were the only heavy bombers in the Israeli Air Force. It is reported that counterattacks with the bombers helped turn the war in Israel's favor. In March 1961, Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir issued a letter of commendation to Winters to recognize his contributions to Israel's survival as an independent state.
 
Over the years, Winters, a Protestant from Boston who settled in the Miami area, told his family little of his conviction in 1949 for violating the Neutrality Act for conspiring to export aircraft to a foreign country. He was fined $5,000 and sentenced to 18 months in prison.
 
Two others, Herman Greenspun and Al Schwimmer, also were convicted of violating the act, but they did not serve time. President Kennedy pardoned Greenspun in 1961. President Clinton pardoned Schwimmer in 2000.

7 Katjoesja raketten met timer ontdekt in Lebanon


Eindelijk doet UNIFIL iets nuttigs: men heeft 7 raketten ontdekt met een timer erop die elk moment op Israel konden worden afgevuurd.
De grote vraag is: wie was dit van plan? Hezbollah? Palestijnse groeperingen? Met Al Qaida verbonden groeperingen of cellen?
 
RP
---------

The Jerusalem Post
Dec 25, 2008 19:03 | Updated Dec 25, 2008 22:41
 
7 Katyusha rockets defused in Lebanon
By YAAKOV KATZ AND JPOST.COM STAFF
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1230111704628&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull


Israeli military sources on Thursday said that the IDF was updated on UNIFIL's discovery of seven Katyusha rockets set up with timers that were on the verge of being fired near the border with Israel. The rockets were discovered in a forest along the coast and between the cities of Naquora and Tyre. They said that the IDF Northern Command was in touch with UNIFIL regarding the incident.

The last time rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israel was last January, when two Katyushas landed in the northern town of Shlomi. Half-a-year earlier, two 107mm rockets struck Kiryat Shmona. Both attacks were attributed at the time to Palestinian terror groups that operate in Southern Lebanon and are at odds with Hizbullah.

Defense officials said it was premature to determine who was behind the planned rocket attack. UNIFIL sources said that timers were attached to the rockets and that it was possible that they were supposed to be launched overnight Thursday.

Two senior Lebanese officers said sappers dismantled the rockets, discovered near the border town of Naqoura.

"It could be anyone - Hizbullah, Palestinian terror groups or Al Qaida," one official said, adding that it was possible that the planned rocket attack was connected to the escalation in the Gaza Strip.

Hizbullah is believed to have multiplied its rocket arsenal since the Second Lebanon War and now has close to 40,000 rockets in the south and north of the Litani River. The IDF claims that Hizbullah is storing many of its rockets inside villages in southern Lebanon, which UNIFIL does not have independent access to.

While UNIIFL has comes under Israeli criticism for allegedly not enforcing its mandate to prevent Hizbullah's rearmament, on Thursday officers said that UNIFIL proved its effectiveness by discovering the rockets.

"Sometimes they are effective but we expect them to do much more," one officer said.

 
AP contributed to this report

7 Peilingen Israelische verkiezingen: Likoed houdt voorsprong

 
Over 6 weken zijn er in Israel parlementsverkiezingen.
Eén peiling van de zeven geeft Kadima een zetel meer dan Likoed, bij de anderen wordt Likoed de grootste partij.
 
RP
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7 Polls: Likud 29-36, Kadima 23-30,  Labor 11-14
Dr. Aaron Lerner
Date 26 December 2008

 
Poll #1 Telephone poll of a representative sample of adult Israelis (including Israeli Arabs)  carried out by Midgam Israel Television Channel 1, 24 December 2008

Poll #2 Telephone poll of a representative sample of adult Israelis (including Arab Israelis) carried out by Shvakim Panorama for Israel Radio's Hakol Diburim (It's All Talk) 24 December 2008

Poll #3 Telephone poll of a representative sample of 525 adult Israelis (including Arab Israelis) by Dahaf on 24 December and published in Yediot Ahronot on 25 December 2008.

Poll #4 Telephone poll of a representative sample of 475 adult Israelis (including Arab Israelis) by Dialogue on 23 December and published in Haaretz on 25 December 2008 (27% undecided).

Poll #5 Telephone poll of a representative sample of 511 adult Israelis (including Israeli Arabs)  carried out by Maagar Mohot Survey Institute (headed by Professor Yitzchak Katz for Israel Television Channel 2 "Mishal Cham" program 23 December 2008 [19% undecided/other replies .]

Poll #6 Telephone poll of a representative sample of over 800 adult Israelis (including Israeli Arabs) carried out by Teleseker for Maariv and published in Maariv on 26 December without any indication as to when the poll was carried out. The results appeared in the front section of the paper. The results are notably different than any of the other polls regarding Kadima.
The results also only add up to 119 seats instead of 120 seats.

Poll #7 Telephone poll of a representative sample of over adult Israelis including Israeli Arab carried out by Geocartography on 24 December for Radius Radio FM 100 (as reported by Nana10.co.il  - note all results reported).


Current Knesset seats in [brackets].

#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7
25 23 26 26 25 30  23      [29] Kadima headed by Livni
11 14 12 11 11 11  09      [19] Labor
31 32 30 30 31 29  35-36 [12] Likud
10 12 10 13 12 10  09   [12] Shas
12 12 12 11 13 12  11   [11] Yisrael Beteinu
05 04 05 06 05 03  ??   [09] "Jewish Home" (previously Nat'l Union/NRP)
07 07 06 05 05 05  ??   [06] Yahadut Hatorah
06 06 07 08 06 07  10   [05] Meretz
03 00 03 00 01 00  03   [00] Green Party
00 00 00 00 00 00  00   [00] Social Justice (Gaydamak Party)
00 00 00 02 02 02  00   [07] Retirees Party
10 10 09 08 09 10  ??   [10] Arab parties
00 00 00 00 00 00  00   [00] Meimad
00 00 00 00 00 00  00   [00] Strong Israel (Efraim Sneh)
00 00 00 00 00 00  00   [00] Hatikvah (Eldad)

Additional poll results from Poll #3 Telephone poll of a representative sample of 525 adult Israelis (including Arab Israelis) by Dahaf on 24 December and published in Yediot Ahronot on 25 and 26 December 2008.

What determines Barak's decisions regarding the Gaza crisis?
Political considerations 55% Relevant considerations 32%

What caused Shaul Mofaz to say that Gaza should be hit with full force?
Political considerations 54% Relevant considerations 32%

What is behind the criticism of Barak by ministers regarding Gaza?
Political considerations 72% Relevant considerations 16%

What will mainly determine your choice of party to vote for?
Commitment 14% Team 14% Leader 31% Positions 34%

Do you count on DM Barak to manage the Gaza crisis?
Yes 31% No 63%

Is it proper for Ehud Olmert to carry out negotiations with Syria at the end of his term?
Yes 27% No 70%

For full peace with Syria should Israel give up the entire Golan?
Yes 14% Part 32% Not any part 50%

Do you believe Netanyahu when he declares that a government he heads won't leave the Golan?
Yes 35% No 61%

Do you believe that Syrian president Assad wants real peace with Israel?
Yes 25% No 69%

What should be done now in Gaza?
Limited campaign 15% Like now 21% Broad invasion 22% Targeted killing 27%

What will mostly determine your decision as to what party to vote for?
20% Who will handle the economic crisis
43% Who will handle the security crises

In light of the worsening situation in Gaza, who is most appropriate to be defense minister?
Yaalon 28% Barak 24% Mofaz 19%

Additional poll results from Poll #4 Telephone poll of a representative sample of 475 adult Israelis (including Arab Israelis) by Dialogue on 23 December and published in Haaretz on 25 & 26 December 2008.

Will you vote in the elections?
Certain yes 64% Think yes 17% Think no 7% Certain no 6% Don't know 6%

Do you agree or disagree with the following campaign slogans:

"Likud - because the state has to be managed"
Agree 39% Disagree 47% Don't know 14%

"Tzipi Livni - a different leader"
Agree 39% Disagree 47% Don't know 14%

Ehud Barak - leader"
Agree 26% disagree 63% Don't know 11%

Would you support a peace agreement with Syria that might include leaving the Golan?
 [AL: It is not clear why the pollster added in the qualifier "might" into the question - unless (surprise surprise) the folks at left wing Haaretz thought that adding "might" in could help push up support for what they see as the "correct" answer]
No 56% Yes 38% Don't know 6%

To what extent are the following candidates appropriate to be prime minister?
Netanyahu: Yes 50% No 43% Don't know 7%
Livni: Yes 40% No 51% Don't know 9%
Barak: Yes 24% No 69% Other 7%

Who do you think will be the next prime minister?
Netanyahu 46% Livni 21% Barak 7%

Who would you like to be the next prime minister?
Netanyahu 27% Livni 22% Barak 10%

 
Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA (Independent Media Review & Analysis)
(mail POB 982 Kfar Sava)

--------------------------------------------
IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis
Website:
www.imra.org.il

Israel laat hulpgoederen toe in Gazastrook ondanks raketbeschietingen

 
De feiten:
* Israel wilde het staakt-het-vuren verlengen, Hamas verbrak het.
* Hamas en Islamitische Jihad hebben sindsdien zeker 100 raketten op Israel afgevuurd, ook op Netivot en Ashkelon, en het is een wonder dat daarbij niemand is gewond of gedood want huizen werden geraakt terwijl de mensen thuis waren.
* Het zogenaamde 24 uurs staakt-het-vuren dat Hamas in acht had genomen was omdat Egypte dit als voorwaarde had gesteld om hulpgoederen naar Gaza te sturen, en werd meermaals verbroken dus was in feite non-existent en niet vermeldenswaard.
* De ca. 70 raketten van woensdag opvoeren als wraak voor de dood van drie Hamasstrijders bij de grens is absurd, want zij legden een bom aan de grens en gooiden granaten naar het leger. Het leger stond volledig in haar recht.
* Ondanks voortgaande raketbeschietingen op donderdag heeft Israel besloten humanitaire hulp door te laten.
* Israel heeft zeer terughoudend gereageerd op de rakettenregen van de afgelopen week op het zuiden, waar mensen in voortdurende angst leven en geen normaal chanoekka feest kunnen vieren. Hun situatie wordt echter stelselmatig door de media en het NOS journaal genegeerd; men blijft liever eindeloos reportages maken over de arme Gazanen en de toeristen in Bethlehem dan ook eens aandacht aan Israelische slachtoffers te besteden.
* Maak je je ook zo kwaad over dergelijke zaken, schrijf dan eens een brief aan je krant of TV journaal en maak je ongenoegen kenbaar.
 
RP
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Barak to allow aid into Gaza Strip
JPost.com Staff , THE JERUSALEM POST Dec. 25, 2008
www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1230111693694&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

 
Rocket attacks showed no signs of respite on Thursday night as Gaza terrorists fired a Grad-type rocket at Ashkelon. The rocket impacted in an open area near an industrial zone, causing no wounded or damage.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Ehud Barak decided to open the crossings into Gaza on Friday morning in order to allow humanitarian aid through.

A statement put out by the Defense Ministry said that the decision to open the crossings was made after consulting the relevant departments in the security establishment and following requests from the international community.

Earlier, a Kassam rocket fired by Palestinians hit an open field in the Ashkelon Beach region as another rocket landed near a Sha'ar Hanegev kibbutz. No casualties or damage were reported in either attack.

Meanwhile, Hamas reiterated its threat that if Israel chooses to launch a military campaign in the Gaza Strip, the Islamic group will renew suicide bombings in Israeli territory.

"We are taking the threats seriously, and we won't stop at rockets," added Ismail al-Ashkar, the head of the Hamas faction in the Palestinian parliament, Army Radio reported.

Earlier, three rockets landed in and around Kibbutz Sha'ar Hanegev, one damaging a fence surrounding the community.

In addition, a mortar shell struck the Erez border crossing while Christian pilgrims were crossing into Israel to reach Bethlehem for Christmas Day.

"Luckily nobody was injured," said Defense Ministry spokesman Peter Lerner. "From what I understand, the mortar did not explode; that probably would explain why nobody was injured."

Meanwhile, Likud chairman Binyamin Netanyahu blamed Kadima for the ongoing rocket fire.

"In the last 24 hours, and at this very moment, missiles and Kassams are falling on Sderot, Ashkelon, Netivot, Sha'ar Hanegev, and the circle is widening," he said.

Speaking at the first meeting of the security-diplomatic team he assembled, the Likud chair called the "lawlessness... a direct result of the capabilities of those that lead Kadima."

Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned that terrorists in the Gaza Strip would pay a "heavy price" if they continued to target Israel.
Barak insisted that "we will not accept this situation... Whoever harms the citizens and soldiers of Israel will pay a heavy price," he said.

Meanwhile, the leftist Meretz-Hatnua Hahadasha party issued a rare call for IDF military action, saying that such an operation was necessary to protect the lives of Israeli citizens.

"The time has come to act without compromise and without narrow political considerations, to protect the citizens of the Gaza periphery and Sderot," the statement said.
"There is no choice but to hit Hamas in a precise way and to act for a renewed ceasefire," the party said.

On Wednesday, over 80 rockets and mortar shells were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel. Israel has so far been restrained in its response, carrying out one air strike later in the day against a Kassam rocket-launching cell which killed one member of the team and wounded two others.
Brenda Gazzar contributed to this report

In an emergency Security Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Barak ordered the IDF to prepare itself to deliver a "response" to the growing cross-border violence. However, there has been no word as to the timing and extent of such an operation.

 
AP contributed to this report
 

donderdag 25 december 2008

Kabinet Israel keurt militaire aktie tegen Gaza goed na 70 raketten

 
Een grote IDF operatie komt steeds dichterbij, na een recordaantal van 70 raketten op Israel in een dag.
Helaas beschrijven veel media deze rakettenregen als een wraakactie op de dood van drie Hamas terorristen gisteren. De drie probeerden een bom te plaatsen bij de grens met Gaza en gooiden granaten naar de soldaten.
 
 
RP
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Last update - 01:38 25/12/2008       
Cabinet approves Gaza op after 70 missiles hit Israel
By Avi Issacharoff and Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondents
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1049820.html
 
 
The defense establishment is currently preparing for a military move against Hamas targets in Gaza, after the Islamist group launched more than 70 rockets into Israel on Wednesday.
 
As an initial retaliatory measure, an Israel Air Force strike killed a Hamas gunman in the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday. Israel's response will go beyond the air raid, an Israeli official told Haaretz.
 
"Our response will be substantial and painful to Hamas," the official said.
 
By late morning Wednesday, the Magen David Adom rescue service declared its highest level of alert.
 
One of the rockets exploded next to a children's playground in the southern town of Netivot and a mortar shell scored a direct hit on a house in Kibbutz Sha'ar Hanegev, causing extensive damage. A house in the community of Sdot Negev was also severely damaged after it absorbed a direct rocket hit.
 
Two more rockets, including a Grad-type missile, exploded in a public area in the northern Negev city of Ashkelon.
 
During a cabinet meeting about the situation in and outside the Gaza Strip, a senior Israel Defense Forces officer gave ministers in attendance an overview of the potential retaliatory moves that the defense establishment is planning against Hamas' regime.
 
Most strikes will come from the air and be aimed at facilities believed to be of strategic importance to Hamas' political and military leadership. However, the officer said that weather conditions are currently preventing the air force from launching the raids.
 
According to officials in Jerusalem, the overview also included a special reference to the possible implications of attacking Hamas.
 
"We are not eager to strike, but we will not hesitate to act," one official said. "If Hamas is looking for noise, we will make Gaza very noisy."
 
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's government said it had shown restraint until now but vowed to act if the salvoes continued.
 
The same official said that Israel would be willing to extend the June cease-fire, which expired last week, if Hamas would agree to resuming it.
 
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni is expected to arrive on Thursday in Cairo for a meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, whose administration helped facilitate the cease-fire. Sources close to Livni said she intended to tell Mubarak that Israel will not accept Hamas' current terms for a ceasefire. Hamas' statements also contained a similar mix of threats and assurances.
 
"Hamas will hit not only Sderot, but also what lies beyond Sderot," Hamas legislator Mushir al-Masri said, in a possible reference to extended ballistic capabilities.
 
Other spokespeople said the organization will agree to "resume" the ceasefire, if the organization's conditions are met. Hamas is demanding an improved ceasefire agreement, that also includes the West Bank.
 
In a statement by Hamas' military wing, Iz al-Din al-Qassam, a spokesperson warned that "thousands of additional Israelis will soon be within the range of our rockets if Israel continues with its aggression."
 
"The residents of the south will stay in the bomb shelters for a long time," the Hamas statement continued, adding that "threats of an [Israeli] military offensive don't scare us because we are more prepared than ever."
 
All Israeli towns within a 30-kilometer radius of the Gaza Strip were hooked up on Wednesday to an early warning system designed to deliver rocket launch alerts. Among the newly-connected towns and cities are Ofakim and Netivot.
 
Ashdod, with its center just outside the 30-kilometer mark, is expected to be connected to the system within the next 24 hours. Some towns are already connected to the "Color Red" system, which alerts residents living within a seven-kilometer radius of the Strip.
 
Meir Yifrach, head of Sdot Negev Regional Council, said that the current situation was intolerable and that "the people of the southern region of Israel are demanding that the government order the army to act in Gaza so that civilian life may be allowed to return to normal."
 
"It defies logic that the firing of so many Qassam should be allowed to cause so much fear and damage to the people of Israel during Hannukah," he said. "It started with a drizzle, then the Qassams began to rain down hard, and now we're already experiencing a deluge."
 
 
Yanir Yagna contributed to this article.
 
 

Zionisme en Chanoekka

 
Chanoekka als Zionistische feestdag. Wat nationalistisch, maar wel een mooi verhaal. Choenakka begon dit jaar op 22 december en duurt 8 dagen.
 
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Zionism and Hanukkah

Hanukkah is a Zionist holiday. It is not just Zionist in content. It is Zionist because it had been suprressed by traditional Jewish religious culture, even before the disastrous revolt of Bar Kochba. Reliance on arms and self help rather than prayer was bad for the priestly class even when the temple stood. Yosef Begun seems to be unaware of this contradiction, because Orthodox Judaism has long since co-opted Hanukka, the miracle content seems to rise each year at the expense of the actual historical message. It is no wonder that Hanukkah is downgraded as it becomes a holiday of anti-Zionist Haredim. (A.I.)

Home-made miracles of Hanukka

Dec. 22, 2008
Yosef Begun , THE JERUSALEM POST

I remember well my first Hanukka in Israel 20 years ago. In Jerusalem's Zion Square, hundreds gathered for the kindling of the first light of the holiday. A grand 10-meter-high Hanukka menora was erected. Hanukka, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated in honor of the miracle of the heroic Maccabees' victory of the few and the weak over the strong and the many, which saved our people. The Jewish victory 22 centuries ago is paralleled by the IDF victories of our time.

By the end of the 1980s, another miracle was occurring: the massive Russian aliya had just begun. The crowd of hundreds of people in Zion Square was united in a spirit of joy and excitement. At the moment that I lit the first Hanukka light, the crowd in the square shouted exuberantly. Just a year before, in 1987, I had been freed from the Gulag.

The Pessah Haggada says: "In every generation there are those who rise up to kill us." The Communist "new pharaoh" thought he was going to realize his plan for a new "final solution": all institutions of Jewish education had been destroyed and we were deprived of any access to our national culture, including language and history. Jews in the USSR had been doomed to disappear just as the "ten lost tribes" had.

But we began to resist. At first, it was just lone individuals; but after the 1967 Six Day War, the biblical "Let my people go!" became the slogan of the Russian exodus. Hundreds of refuseniks began to undertake widespread actions: public demonstrations, hunger strikes, letters of protest to the outside world. The rescue of millions of Russian-speaking Jews from complete annihilation by spiritual genocide was another miracle in the annals of Jewish history.

It's hard to believe that the Soviets were incapable of preventing these Zionist actions. But among the miracles of that time could be counted the solidarity of Jews worldwide in support of their brothers and sisters in the USSR - from New York students to Tel Aviv professors, from Reform Jews of Arizona to ultra-Orthodox of Antwerp. Our protests also sparked concern from non-Jewish sources. True Christians from the Bible-believers to human rights champions answered God's call and also cried out, "Let His People Go."

I had an opportunity see this united struggle on both sides of the Iron Curtain. After I made aliya in 1988, I had a meeting with president Ronald Reagan, who handed me a metallic bracelets that bore my name. He told me, "I received this bracelet from one of America's Jewish leaders for a special reason - that I not forget the plight of Soviet Jews. It was on my coffee table while you were in prison." Similar symbols of solidarity had been worn by Jews everywhere. This massive support became the second frontier in our fight for freedom, enabling us to stand up against a mighty totalitarian regime.

The greatness of Hanukka had resulted from many "small" miracles. So, too, the miracle of the modern Russian exodus resulted from many "small" miracles of the awakening of Jewish identity in the midst of totalitarian communist imperium. As with thousands, so it happened with me. I wanted to know about my people and its culture, but that was impossible in a country where Jews were denied any access to their national education. But "he who seeks will find," and I was lucky to meet an elderly man, a former yeshiva student from the days of Czarist Russia, who began to teach me Hebrew and Jewish culture. This secret "Jewish education" transformed my essence as a "Soviet Jew," assimilated and ashamed of the Jewish notation on his ID card.

Later, I met others who had found their way back to our people through personal search. But Jews of this kind were a drop in the ocean, while millions were the victims of national degradation. By the 1970s, a group of "refuseniks" dedicated themselves to the national survival of Soviet Jewry. The members of this Jewish cultural movement disseminated Jewish knowledge by many means: teaching Hebrew and Jewish history, studying religion and tradition. Jewish holidays were an important part of the movement's activities.

THE KGB understood the danger to its imperial regime in the growing Jewish self-awareness. My 1972 Hanukka celebration, therefore, was in prison. We were eight Jews in a dark and gloomy cell of a large Moscow prison, where we were forced to spend 15 days after a public hunger strike. We put ourselves in a good mood by talking about the heroes of our history and the miracles of Hanukka. The absence of festive food was not so important as that of a menora, for what is Hanukka without light? And, even there in prison, a small miracle happened: One of us called a doctor on the pretext of being in pain and asked for some hemorrhoid candles. He got them. All the rest was just a matter of technique. Soon the light of Hanukka, the symbol of freedom, was glowing on our prison table.

I had the chance for another uncommon Hanukka celebration in 1977. I had been arrested for "parasitism," but the real reason was the state's rejection of my right to give private Hebrew lessons. They sent me to internal exile for two years in a remote area of Siberia. There were no other Jews in the small mining town where I was forced to live. When Hanukka came, I prepared a primitive hanukkia - a piece of wood with eight nails to hold the candles. When I lit the first candle of the holiday, I surmised that it was the most northeastern Hanukka light in the world. Contemplating our miraculous struggle for existence in ancient and modern times, I couldn't but think that this little flame was uniting me with all the Jews of the world, no longer alone in that dark, remote part of the world.

TWENTY YEARS have passed since the Hanukka lighting in Zion Square in 1988. Last year, the same great menora was erected in the center of Jerusalem. But it was hard not to notice that, in contrast to the excited crowd that had been there 20 years before, now the square was empty. When the first candle was lit, only a small group of haredim celebrated with singing and dancing. The next day, when I opened a major Israeli daily, and there was nothing about Hanukka on its front pages.

Only one small episode, one might say. But doesn't it mark an Israel society that has become less Zionist - even post-Zionist? This is a time of crisis - moral and spiritual, as well as political (not to mention financial).

What is Hanukka? This question was asked even in Talmudic times. For me, the answer lies in Jewish history itself: Hanukka is both the fight and the victory. We can see it through all the centuries and epochs: from the Egyptian Exodus of 18 centuries BCE through the Russian exodus of our 20th century; from the foundation of the Jewish state by King David in the 10th century BCE through David Ben-Gurion, the first prime minister of our modern state.

The miracle of Hanukka is a result of our faith in God and His Torah, as well as our own struggle. Our history knows tragedies and defeats, but each time we were born anew. "The few and the weak," we have prevailed not only by our weapons but more often by patience and wisdom.

For the 4,000 years of our history, we have been accompanied by existential miracles. Always a Maccabeus appeared to bear another miracle of Jewish victory. We need to learn from our history and seek leaders as impressive as their predecessors.

 

PSR enquete onder Palestijnen: ongeveer helft voor compromis met Israel

 
Zoals wel vaker met enquetes, veranderen de antwoorden naarmate de vraag anders wordt gesteld. In de volgende vragen wordt meermaals naar steun voor een tweestatenoplossing gevraagd, waarbij in het midden wordt gelaten of alle vluchtelingen of een beperkt aantal kan terugkeren naar Israel. Verder blijkt dat zelfs nadat er een Palestijnse staat is en alle problemen zijn opgelost er nog nauwelijks een meerderheid is die voor erkenning van Israel als Joodse staat is, en dat bijna de helft van de Palestijnen voor aanvallen op Israelische burgers is. De raketten vanuit Gaza worden dus met instemming van de helft van de bevolking afgevuurd, en als het Hamas weer zou lukken een zelfmoordaanslag in Israel te plegen is de helft van de bevolking hier blij om.  
 
29)There is a proposal that after the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and the settlemnet of all issues in dispute, including the refugees and Jerusalem issues, there will be a mutual recognition of Israel as the state of the Jewish people and Palestine as the state of the Palestinians people. Do you agree or disagree to this proposal?
7.4%  1) Definitely agree
45.1%  2) agree
33.2%  3) disagree
12.6%  4) definitely disagree
1.7%  5) DK/NA
 
38)According to the Saudi plan, Israel will retreat from all territories occupied in 1967 including Gaza the West Bank, Jerusalem and the Golan Heights, and a Palestinian state will be established. The refugees problem will be resoved through negotiation in a just and agreed upon manner and in accordance with UN resolution 194 which allows return of refugees to Israel and compensation. In return, all Arab states will recognize Israel and its right to secure borders, will sign peace treaties with her and establish normal diplomatic relations.  Do you agree or disagree to this plan?
9.2%  1) Certainly agree
56.7%  2) agree
22.6%  3) disagree
7.8%  4) Certainly disagree
3.6%  5) DK/NA
 
41)When Palestinians and Israelis return to final status negotiations the following items might be presented to negotiators as the elements of a permanent compromise settlement. Tell us what you think of each item then tell us what you think of all combined as one permanent status settlement
 
41-1)Item #1: withdrawal to 1967 borders with territorial swap
4.3%  1) Strongly agree
50.1%  2) Agree
31.5%  3) Disagree
12.1%  4) Strongly Disagree
1.9%  5) No Opinion /Don't Know
 
41-2)Item #2: a state without an army but with international forces
1.2%  1) Strongly agree
25.5%  2) Agree
53.7%  3) Disagree
18.8%  4) Strongly Disagree
0.8%  5) No Opinion /Don't Know
 
41-3)Item #3: East Jerusalem as capital of the state of Palestine after it is divided
1.0%  1) Strongly agree
34.7%  2) Agree
45.6%  3) Disagree
17.7%  4) Strongly Disagree
1.0%  5) No Opinion /Don't Know
 
41-4)Item #4: refugees with five options for permanent residence
1.9%  1) Strongly agree
37.7%  2) Agree
42.6%  3) Disagree
15.4%  4) Strongly Disagree
2.3%  5) No Opinion /Don't Know
 
41-5)Item #5: end of conflict
4.8%  1) Strongly agree
50.2%  2) Agree
31.4%  3) Disagree
12.6%  4) Strongly Disagree
1.0%  5) No Opinion /Don't Know
 
41-6)Item #6: a sovereign state with security arrangements
2.4%  1) Strongly agree
32.5%  2) Agree
46.4%  3) Disagree
17.1%  4) Strongly Disagree
1.5%  5) No Opinion /Don't Know
 
41-7)Item #7: the combined elements as one permanent status settlement
1.3%  1) Strongly agree
39.7%  2) Agree
42.7%  3) Disagree
14.7%  4) Strongly Disagree
1.5%  5) No Opinion /Don't Know
 
51)Concerning armed attacks against Israeli civilians inside Israel, I..
13.9%  1) Strongly support
34.2%  2) Support
41.9%  3) Oppose
7.3%  4) Strongly oppose
2.8%  5) DK/NA
 
 
RP
------------

PSR - Survey Research Unit: Public Opinion Poll # 30
www.pcpsr.org/survey/polls/2008/p30e.html

22 December 2008
 
These are the results of the latest poll conducted by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PSR) in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip between 3 and 5 December 2008.  Total size of the sample is 1270 adults, 830 in the West Bank and 440 in the Gaza Strip, interviewed face to face in 127 randomly selected locations. Margin of error is 3%. For further details, contact PSR director, Dr. Khalil Shikaki, or Walid Ladadweh at tel 02-296 4933 or email pcpsr@pcpsr.org.


00 )From among the following satellite news stations, which one you watched most during the last two months?
1 1) Al Arabia
50.3%  2) Al Jazeera
0.2%  3) Al Hurra
3.4%  4) Al Manar
11.1%  5) Palestine TV
13.1%  6) Al-Aqsa TV
8.0%  7) Do not watch TV
2.0%  8) Others
1.7%  9) Do not have a dish
0.2%  9) No Opinion/Don't know

01)In general, how would you describe conditions of the Palestinians in the Palestinian areas in Gaza Strip these days?
1.1%  1) Very good
4.6%  2) Good
5.8%  3) So so
32.5%  4) Bad
55.1%  5) Very bad
0.9%  6) DK/NA

02)In general, how would you describe conditions of the Palestinians in the Palestinian areas in the West Bank these days?
5.2%  1) Very good
21.2%  2) Good
31.1%  3) So so
26.8%  4) Bad
13.5%  5) Very bad
2.2%  6) DK/NA

03)Generally, do you see yourself as:
50.1%  1) Religious
46.7%  2) Somewhat religious
3.1%  3) Not religious
0.1%  4) DK/NA

04)Generally, do you see yourself as:
68.5%  1) Supportive of the peace process
17.1%  2) Opposed to the peace process
13.7%  3) Between support and opposition
0.7%  4) DK/NA

05)Do you think that there is corruption in PA institutions under the control of President Abu Mazin?
68.4%  1) Yes
19.4%  2) No
12.2%  3) DK/NA

06)If yes, will this corruption in PA institutions under the control of President Abu Mazin increase, decrease or remain as it is in the future?
55.6%  1) Will increase
14.6%  2) Will remain as it is
22.9%  3) will decrease
7.0%  4) DK/NA

07)How would you evaluate the current status of democracy and human rights in the Palestinian Authority under Abu Mazin? Would you say it is:
6.4%  1) Very good
29.8%  2) Good
21.4%  3) neither bad nor good
23.4%  4) Bad
15.5%  5) Very bad
3.6%  6) DK/NA

08)How would you evaluate the current status of democracy and human rights in the Gaza Strip under Ismail Hanyieh government? Would you say it is:
5.0%  1) Very good
19.9%  2) Good
17.1%  3) Fair
25.5%  4) Bad
23.5%  5) Very bad
8.9%  6) DK/NA

09)Would you say that these days your security and safety, and that of your family, is assured or not assured?
6.8%  1) Completely assured
46.3%  2) Assured
39.9%  3) Not assured
6.6%  4) Not assured at all
0.4%  5) DK/NA

10)Do current political, security, and economic conditions lead you to seek emigration abroad?
12.4%  1) Certainly seek to emigration
18.2%  2) Seek emigration
31.9%  3) Do not seek emigration
37.5%  4) Certainly do not seek emigration
  5) DK/NA

11)Tell us how do you evaluate the performance of the dismissed government of Ismail Haniyeh in the Gaza Strip? Is it good or bad?
9.5%  1) Very Good
26.2%  2) Good
20.2%  3) Neither good nor bad
24.9%  4) Bad
10.8%  5) Very Bad
8.5%  6) No Opinion/Don't know

12)Tell us how do you evaluate the performance of the government headed by Salam Fayyad? Is it good or bad?
6.4%  1) Very Good
27.8%  2) Good
23.6%  3) Neither good nor bad
23.2%  4) Bad
10.7%  5) Very Bad
8.3%  6) No Opinion/Don't know

13)Are you satisfied or not satisfied with the performance of Mahmud Abbas since his election as president of the PA?
6.0%  1) Very satisfied
39.6%  2) Satisfied
35.2%  3) Not satisfied
15.0%  4) not satisfied at all
4.3%  5) DK/NA

14)If new presidential elections are to take place today, and Mahmud Abbas was nominated by Fateh and Ismail Haniyeh was nominated by Hamas, whom would you vote for?
47.5%  1) Mahmud Abbas
38.3%  2) Ismail Haniyeh
14.2%  3 DK/NA

15)And if the competition was between Marwan Barghouti representing Fateh and Ismail Haniyeh representing Hamas, whom would you vote for?
58.6%  1) Marwan Barghouti
32.4%  2) Ismail Haniyeh
8.9%  3) No Opinion/ Don't know

17)If new elections agreed to by all factions are held today and the same lists that took part in the last PLC elections were nominated, for whom would you vote?
1.9%  1) alternative
2.2%  2) independent Palestine
2.8%  3) Abu Ali Mustafa
0.7%  4) Abu al Abbas
0.0% 5) freedom and social justice
28.1%  6) change and reform
0.3%  7) national coalition for justice and democracy
1.3%  8) third way
0.5%  9) freedom and independence
0.3%  10) Palestinian justice
41.5%  11) Fateh
20.4%  12) none of the above/ DK/NA

18)After the separation between Gaza and the West Bank, Hamas and the government of Ismail Haniyeh remained in power in Gaza and considered itself the legitimate government while president Abu Mazin formed a new government headed by Salam Fayyad and it too considered itself legitimate. What about you, which of the two government you consider legitimate, the government of Haniyeh or the government of Abu Mazin and Fayyad?
28.1%  1) Haniyehs' government is the legitimate one
29.5%  2) Abu Mazin's and Fayyad government is the legitimate one
8.5%  3) Both governments are legitimate
28.9%  4) Both governments are not legitimate
5.1%  5) DK/NA

19)Hamas says that the term of PA president ends four years after the date of his election as stated by the Basic Law and that it will not recognize his legitimacy after the end of the term. The PA on the other hand says that the term of the current president extends to five, not four, years being an exceptional case as stated by the Election Law. When in your view does the term of President Mahmud Abbas end?
64.1%  1) four years after his election, i.e., January 2009
24.3%  2) five years after his election, i.e., in January 2010
11.6%  3) DK/NA

20)If you believe that the term of the PA president ends in January 2009, who in your view should be the president of the PA after this date?
14.5%  1) PLC Speaker
7.1%  2) Abbas should stay president
72.4%  3) new elections should be conducted
1.7%  4) other
4.3%  5) DK/NA

21)And what if Fateh-Hamas reconciliation completely failed, would you in this case support holding legislative and presidential elections in the West Bank while postponing elections in the Gaza Strip until after reconciliation is achieved?
6.7%  1) certainly support it
33.6%  2) support it
41.5%  3) oppose it
14.9%  4) Certainly oppose it
3.3%  5) DK/NA

22)President Mahmud Abbas and Fateh blamed Hamas for the failure of the national dialogue which was planned to take place in Cairo last month while Hamas said it boycotted the dialogue because of the arrest of its members by the PA in the West Bank. Who in your view is responsible for the failure of the Fateh-Hamas dialogue and reconciliation: Fateh and president Abbas or Hamas?
20.4%  1) Fateh and president Abbas
22.5%  2) Hamas
45.6%  3) both
3.2%  4) neither one
1.7%  5) others
6.5%  6) DK/NA

22b)President Mahmud Abbas announced that if reconciliation between Fateh and Hamas fails, he will call for simultaneous presidential and legislative elections early next year. Do you support or oppose his call?
15.6%  1) strongly support
57.5%  2) support
18.3%  3) oppose
5.5%  4) strongly oppose
3.1%  5) DK/NA

23)In your view, what is the main reason for Hamas's boycott of the dialogue and reconciliation meeting in Cairo last month?
29.9%  1) arrest of its members in the West Bank
26.0%  2) External pressure on Hamas
9.8%  3) due to Egyptian tilt in favor of Fateh against Hamas
17.2%  4) due to divisions inside Hamas
4.4%  5) others, specify
12.6%  6) DK/NA

24)In your view who is responsible for the continued split of the PA between Gaza and the West Bank, Fateh or Hamas?
19.4%  1) Hamas
17.6%  2) Fateh
54.9%  3) both
3.3%  4) None of them
2.2%  5) others, specify
2.6%  6) DK/NA

25)The Palestinian Authority has deployed a security force in Hebron, do you think the presence of this force will lead to:
45.2%  1) will lead to enforcement of law and order and will deliver safety to residents
47.7%  2) will not lead to enforcement of law and order and will not deliver safety to residents
7.1%  3) DK/NA

26)In your view, what is the goal behind deploying the Palestinian security force in Hebron?
31.4%  1) enforce law and order
31.2%  2) disarm resistance groups
22.8%  3) both of the above
8.7%  4) none of them
6.0%  5) DK/NA

27)If Egypt succeeded in reconciling Fateh and Hamas and early legislative and presidential elections were held in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, which of the following issues will dominate the thinking of the voters and will have an influence on the election results?
12.1%  1) fighting corruption
7.5%  2) continuation of the armed struggle against occupation
7.6%  3) continuation of the peace process
39.0%  4) ending the siege and improving living conditions
29.3%  5) unification of the West Bank and Gaza and achieving national unity
2.2%  6) DK/NA
2.3%  7)other

28)Now, after six months have passed since the ceasefire went into effect in the Gaza Strip, do you support or oppose its continuation?
14.0%  1) certainly support
60.3%  2) support
19.8%  3) oppose
3.4%  4) certainly oppose
2.5%  5) DK/NA

29)There is a proposal that after the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and the settlemnet of all issues in dispute, including the refugees and Jerusalem issues, there will be a mutual recognition of Israel as the state of the Jewish people and Palestine as the state of the Palestinians people. Do you agree or disagree to this proposal?
7.4%  1) Definitely agree
45.1%  2) agree
33.2%  3) disagree
12.6%  4) definitely disagree
1.7%  5) DK/NA

30)And what is the Palestinian majority opinion on this issue? Do most Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza support or oppose the recognition of Israel as the state of the Jewish people and Palestine as the state of the Palestinian people at the end of the peace process?
47.9%  1) Majority supports
41.8%  2) Majority opposes
10.3%  3) DK/NA

31)And what is the Israeli majority opinion on this issue? Do most Israelis support or oppose the recognition of Israel as the state of the Jewish people and Palestine as the state of the Palestinian people at the end of the peace process?
38.3%  1) Majority supports
49.4%  2) Majority opposes
12.3%  3) DK/NA

32)Now 40 years after the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, what in your view are the chances for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state next to the state of Israel in the next five years? Are they high, medium, low, or none existent?
34.6%  1) None existent
34.9%  2) Low
23.9%  3) Medium
4.8%  4) High
1.8%  5) DK/NA

Now following Obama's election for presidency in the US, I would like to ask you a few questions on the expected US policy regarding the Arab-Israeli conflict:
Some people expect a strong American role in trying to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, including pressure on both sides to the conflict to compromise important national interests. What do you expect to happen?

33)
29.0%  1) The US will now lay a stronger role
7.4%  2) The US will play a weaker role
59.0%  3) US role will not change
4.6%  4) DK/NA

34)What do you want president Obama to do? Do you want him to play a stronger role in the Palestinian-Israeli peace process or do you want him not to intervene in the peace process?
57.0%  1) I want a stronger role for the US in the peace process
3.8%  2) I want the US to continue to play its current role in the peace process
34.9%  3) I want the US not to intervene in the peace process
4.3%  4) DK/NA

35)If the US under president Obama plays a strong role in the peace process, do you think this would bring about a successful or failed Palestinian-Israeli peace process?
19.7%  1) Certainly will lead to successful process
29.6%  2) Think it will lead to successful process
15.6%  3) Will not have an impact
21.1%  4) Think it will lead to failed process
8.6%  5) Certainly will lead to failed process
5.4%  6) DK/NA

36)Who in your opinion would benefit more if the US intervened strongly in the Palestinian-Israeli peace process, Israel or the Palestinians?
65.9%  1) Israel
10.2%  2) Palestinians
3.8%  3) Neither side
17.8%  4) Both sides
2.4%  5) DK/NA

37)In your opinion will the US military economic and political support of Israel change?
6.7%  1) The US support will weaken
56.4%  2) The US support will strengthen
28.9%  3) The US support will not change
7.9%  4) DK/NA

38)According to the Saudi plan, Israel will retreat from all territories occupied in 1967 including Gaza the West Bank, Jerusalem and the Golan Heights, and a Palestinian state will be established. The refugees problem will be resoved through negotiation in a just and agreed upon manner and in accordance with UN resolution 194 which allows return of refugees to Israel and compensation. In return, all Arab states will recognize Israel and its right to secure borders, will sign peace treaties with her and establish normal diplomatic relations.  Do you agree or disagree to this plan?
9.2%  1) Certainly agree
56.7%  2) agree
22.6%  3) disagree
7.8%  4) Certainly disagree
3.6%  5) DK/NA

39)If the US under president Obama decides to pressure the Palestinians and the Israeli sides to accept and implement the Arab or Saudi Peace Initiative, do you think the Palestinian side should accept or reject this American intervention?
56.0%  1) Accept
39.1%  2) Reject
4.9%  3) DK/NA

40)What in your opinion will be the attitude of most Israelis to such American intervention - would they accept or reject it?
49.2%  1) Accept
43.0%  2) Reject
7.8%  3) DK/NA

41)When Palestinians and Israelis return to final status negotiations the following items might be presented to negotiators as the elements of a permanent compromise settlement. Tell us what you think of each item then tell us what you think of all combined as one permanent status settlement

41-1)Item #1: withdrawal to 1967  borders with territorial swap
4.3%  1) Strongly agree
50.1%  2) Agree
31.5%  3) Disagree
12.1%  4) Strongly Disagree
1.9%  5) No Opinion /Don't Know

41-2)Item #2: a state without an army but with international forces
1.2%  1) Strongly agree
25.5%  2) Agree
53.7%  3) Disagree
18.8%  4) Strongly Disagree
0.8%  5) No Opinion /Don't Know

41-3)Item #3: East Jerusalem as capital of the state of Palestine after it is divided
1.0%  1) Strongly agree
34.7%  2) Agree
45.6%  3) Disagree
17.7%  4) Strongly Disagree
1.0%  5) No Opinion /Don't Know

41-4)Item #4: refugees with five options for permanent residence
1.9%  1) Strongly agree
37.7%  2) Agree
42.6%  3) Disagree
15.4%  4) Strongly Disagree
2.3%  5) No Opinion /Don't Know

41-5)Item #5: end of conflict
4.8%  1) Strongly agree
50.2%  2) Agree
31.4%  3) Disagree
12.6%  4) Strongly Disagree
1.0%  5) No Opinion /Don't Know

 41-6)Item #6: a sovereign state with security arrangements
2.4%  1) Strongly agree
32.5%  2) Agree
46.4%  3) Disagree
17.1%  4) Strongly Disagree
1.5%  5) No Opinion /Don't Know

41-7)Item #7: the combined elements as one permanent status settlement
1.3%  1) Strongly agree
39.7%  2) Agree
42.7%  3) Disagree
14.7%  4) Strongly Disagree
1.5%  5) No Opinion /Don't Know

42)And what is the Palestinian majority opinion on this combined package for a permanent status settlement?  Do most Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza support or oppose this combined final status package?
45.0%  1) Majority supports
46.0%  2) Majority opposes
9.0%  3) DK/NA

43)And what is the Israeli majority opinion on this combined package for a permanent status settlement?  Do most Israelis support or oppose this combined final status package?
40.1%  1) Majority supports
48.0%  2) Majority opposes
12.0%  3) DK/NA

44)If the US under president Obama decides to pressure the Palestinians and the Israeli sides to accept and implement this compromise permanent settlement as outlined above in the six items, do you think the Palestinian side should accept or reject this American intervention?
46.5%  1) Accept
48.5%  2) Reject
5.0%  3) DK/NA

45)What in your opinion will be the attitude of most Israelis to such American intervention - would they accept or reject it?
55.5%  1) Accept
36.4%  2) Reject
8.2%  3) DK/NA

49)  If a peace agreement is reached, and a Palestinian state is established and recognized by Israel, would you support or oppose the efforts to reach full reconciliation between Israel and the Palestinian state?
8.7%  1) Would strongly support
63.4%  2) Would support
19.0%  3) Would oppose
7.3%  4) Would strongly oppose
1.5%  5) DK/NA

50)And what are your expectations regarding the chances for the success or failure of the negotiations launched by Annapolis conference? Will it succeed or fail in ending Israeli occupation?
1.2%  1) certainly will succeed
13.9%  2) will succeed
49.8%  3) will fail
25.3%  4) certainly will fail
9.7%  5) DK/NA

51)Concerning armed attacks against Israeli civilians inside Israel, I..
13.9%  1) Strongly support
34.2%  2) Support
41.9%  3) Oppose
7.3%  4) Strongly oppose
2.8%  5) DK/NA

52)Israel will hold elections for the Knesset after about two months. Which party you think will be the largest in the next Israeli Knesset?
31.5%  1) The Likud under Benjamin Netanyahu
18.2%  2) Kadima under Tsibi Livni
18.4%  3) Labor under Ehud Barak
0.7%  4) Other, specify
31.1%  5) DK/NA

53)In your view, what impact these Israeli elections will have on the current Israeli-Palestinian negotiations and the chances for reaching an agreement?
23.4%  1) will lead to cessation of negotiations and no agreement will be reached
47.1%  2) Will have no impact on negotiations or the chances to reach an agreement
17.5%  3) will enhance the chances to reach a Palestinian-Israeli agreement
12.0%  4) DK/NA

54)What do you expect to happen between Palestinians and Israelis, now that Barack Obama has been elected as president of the US?
15.4%  1) Negotiations will resume soon enough and armed confrontations will stop
45.4%  2) Negotiations will resume but some armed attacks will continue
30.6%  3) Armed confrontations will not stop and the two sides will not return to negotiations
8.7%  4) DK/NA

55)Which of the following political parties do you support?
1.0%  1) PPP
3.9%  2) PFLP
31.7%  3) Fateh
20.4%  4) Hamas
0.1%  5) DFLP
1.5%  6) Islamic Jihad
0.0%  7) Fida
1.0%  8) National Initiative (Mubadara)
2.6%  9) Independent Islamists
4.0%  10) Independent Nationalists
32.9%  11) None of the above
0.7%  12) Other, specify


--------------------------------------------
IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis
Website:
www.imra.org.il
 

3 Miljard dollar naar Palestijnen in 2008

 
De helft van dit geld is feitelijk naar Gaza gegaan, en het is niet te controleren waar dat precies voor is gebruikt. Sommige ambtenaren van de Palestijnse Autoriteit in Gaza zijn 's nachts actief voor de volksverzetscomitees die raketten op Israel afvuren.
 
RP
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$3 Billion to Palestinians in 2008 : Where did it all go?

Last update - 18:46 23/12/2008 / Haaretz
French envoy: Palestinians given $3b in foreign aid in 2008
 
By The Associated Press
 
 
A French diplomat said Tuesday that the Palestinians have received $3 billion in foreign aid in 2008.
 
Alain Remy, the French consul general in Jerusalem, said that $1.8 billion went for the budget of the Palestinian Authority. Another $700 million went to specific programs. Finally, $500 million went to humanitarian assistance.
 
At a pledging conference in Paris a year ago, donor countries promised to
contribute $7.7 billion through 2010. The money is meant to shore up Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his peace efforts with Israel.
 
Some of the money reaches Hamas-ruled Gaza as humanitarian assistance and salaries for Abbas loyalists.
 

Hamas wil straffen Sharia invoeren

 
Het wordt in veel media vaak voorgesteld alsof Hamas helemaal niet zo streng islamitisch is, en ook helemaal geen islamitisch bewind voert in Gaza. Dit zal dan ook wel weer geen aandacht krijgen van kranten als NRC Handelsblad en de Volkskrant.
RP
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Hamas pushes for Sharia punishments
JPost.com Staff , THE JERUSALEM POST
 
The Hamas parliament in the Gaza Strip voted in favor of a law allowing courts to mete out sentences in the spirit of Islam, the London-based Arab daily Al Hayat reported Wednesday.

According to the bill, approved in its second reading and awaiting the signature of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas as the Palestinian constitution demands, courts will be able to condemn offenders to a plethora of violent punitive measures.

Such punishments include whipping, severing hands, crucifixion and hanging. The bill reserves death sentences to persons who negotiate with a foreign government "against the Palestinian interest" and engage in any activity that can "hurt Palestinian morale."

According to the report, any Palestinian caught drinking or selling wine would suffer 40 lashes at the whipping post if the bill passes. Thieves caught red-handed would lose their right hand.

The Jerusalem Post could not verify the veracity of the Al Hayat report.

Alternatieve kerstboodschap van Achmadinejad op Britse TV

 
De Britse TV zender Channel 4 wilde eens wat anders dan al die saaie kersttoespraken van saaie dominees die vrede op aarde wensen, dus nodigde ze Achmadinejad uit voor een alternatieve kersttoespraak.
 
Hij zal een hoop mooie woorden gebruiken, en zijn ideeën over ongelovigen, homo's, de bahai, Joden en andere minderheden niet openlijk uiten. Alleen de zionisten krijgen er waarschijnlijk openlijk van langs want die worden ook in het Westen door grote groepen mensen als agressief, expansionistisch, kolonialistisch en oorlogszuchtig gezien. En ja, die arme Palestijnen boeten voor onze schuldgevoelens vanwege de Holocaust. Een mooie kerstgedachte toch, dat we die schuldgevoelens maar eens af moeten schudden, en, was het eigenlijk wel allemaal zo erg en extreem in de oorlog als de zionisten beweren? Waarom mag daar geen open debat over zijn, geen discussie over worden gevoerd, geen 'alternatief' bewijs aangedragen? Je bent toch zeker geen antisemiet als je daar gewoon over wilt kunnen praten?
 
Het is te walgelijk voor woorden dat Achmadinejad (die dat laatste waarschijnlijk niet zal zeggen) dergelijke ideeën mag verkondigen, en de Britten met zijn racistische ideeën over de nationale beweging van het Joodse volk mag vergiftigen. Waarom lijkt kerstmis, vooral in Engeland, steeds meer een Israel-bashing feest te worden?
 
RP
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http://zionism-israel.com/israel_news/2008/12/give-devil-his-due-british-tv-channel.html

This is regrettably not a joke. British TV Channel 4 always wants to do something different. Two years ago they got a veiled Muslim woman to badmouth Jack Straw for Christmas. She is still veiled. Nobody knows who she is. This year they wanted to do something really outrageous. They decided to give the representative of old Nick himself a chance to deliver an alternative Christmas message. They tried to get Osama Bin Laden, but he was not available, Chester the Child Molester couldn't  be paroled, and Hitler and Pohl Pot are dead. So they got Mahmoud Ahmadinejad instead. (See: Ahmadinejad to give alternative Christmas message)
 
Here's the real alternative message:
 
"War on earth, destruction to all infidels. Death to America! Death to Zionists! Death to Bahai! Death to Homosexuals! ".
 
From the sayings of the Ayatollah Rohollah Khomeini, Ahmadinejad's mentor:
 
Islam makes it incumbent on all adult males, provided they are not disabled and incapacitated, to prepare themselves for the conquest of [other] countries so that the writ of Islam is obeyed in every country in the world.

But those who study Islamic Holy War will understand why Islam wants to conquer the whole world ... Those who know nothing of Islam pretend that Islam counsels against war. Those [who say this] are witless.

Islam says: kill all the unbelievers just as they would kill you all!

Islam says: Kill them [the non-Muslims], put them to the sword and scatter [their armies].

Islam says: kill in the service of Allah those who may want to kill you! Does this mean that we should surrender to the enemy?

Islam says: Whatever good there is exists thanks to the sword and in the shadow of the sword! People cannot be made obedient except with the sword! The sword is the key to Paradise, which can be opened only for Holy Warriors! (Gems of Khomeini )

A message of cheer and peace in the spirit of Christmas!
 
Ho Ho Ho and a merry Christmas to the infidel sons of dogs and pigs in Britain! The kafirs can watch the message in Britain at 7:15 PM, or blow themselves up at the TV station in return for 72 dark eyed virgins.
 
Alternatively, Israel Broadcasting Authority will broadcast the Midnight Mass from the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth this evening (Dec 24-25) beginning at 23:55 Israel time (21:55 in UK 16:55 (4:55 PM) Eastern Standard Time) It can be viewed at the IBA Web site: http://www.iba.org.il. A different sort of alternative Christmas Message.
 
Have a truly Merry and blessed Christmas - and may the lord bless and keep Ahmadinejad - far away from us.
 
 
Ami Isseroff