A foreign journalist writing for the United Arab Emirates newspaper The National recently visited the Gaza Strip and discovered the reason many Gazans are still struggling despite the enormous influx of aid. That reason, as most already knew, is because Hamas is stealing the bulk of what your tax dollars are buying.
We have already noted that there is a huge gap between the haves and have-nots in Gaza, that the affluent neighborhoods and fancy attractions sit side-by-side with slums. Of course, that makes Gaza little different than many areas of South America, Asia or even the rest of the Middle East. The difference in Gaza is that billions of dollars worth of humanitarian aid is supposed to be closing that gap.
Speaking to the people on the street, including members of rival terrorist groups, journalist Mitchell Prothero found that instead of facilitating the distribution of that aid, Hamas is making a tidy profit off of it.
“If you’re not in Hamas, you get nothing,” local businessman Abu Mohammed told Prothero.
Islamic Jihad commander Abu Musab told the reporter that his former comrades in Hamas “used to be mujahideen (Muslim resistance fighters), but today are fat millionaires with nice cars.”
Abu Musab revealed that the vast amount of medical aid sent by Europe is all stolen by Hamas and sold in Hamas pharmacies. He produced a packet of antibiotics stamped “A gift from the people of Norway. Not for resale,” and noted:
“I just bought this from a Hamas-run pharmacy…for my son. I had to go to a Hamas pharmacy to make sure the pills weren’t fake or made from poor materials in Egypt. If you want real medicine, you have to buy the aid Europe sends us.”
A Palestinian human rights activist who requested not to be named was asked by Prothero if perhaps life was better when Israel ruled the territory. His response: “Why do you think I ask you not use my name? Yes, 100 percent yes. At least the occupation [sic] had a positive effect of drawing the Palestinian people together instead of dividing them.”
The lesson learned, at least for those paying attention, is that the Palestinian Arabs at present are incapable of self-governance without becoming a welfare state relying on constant international intervention, or collapsing into chaos.
Political analyst Mkhaimer Abu Sada told Prothero that as the situation now stands, there is little that can be done. Hamas is “in total control of the situation in Gaza,” said Abu Sada, noting that the terror group can now field upwards of 35,000 armed gunmen, whereas in 2006 it only had 5,000-6,000 fighters in Gaza.
“The Americans, Israelis and [Mahmoud Abbas’] Fatah simply cannot accept this simple fact: that for now there is absolutely no way anyone can beat Hamas,” Abu Sada insisted.
There are Israelis who would dispute that conclusion and point out that were the Israeli army given a free hand by its own government and the international community, Hamas could be militarily destroyed, or at least weakened enough to let Abbas’ group retake power.
source:http://www.israeltoday.co.il/default.aspx?tabid=178&nid=21913
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
US to Palestinians: Hold your tongues if you want a state
The Obama Administration is urging senior Palestinian officials to keep their views about Israel and its leaders to themselves for the time being if they want the current negotiations to bear fruit and result in the establishment of a Palestinian state.
So said Palestinian officials who spoke to Israel’s Ynet news portal on Tuesday.
The Palestinians said the Americans cited as an example a recent interview given by Mohammed Dahlan during which the senior aide to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas characterized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “liar” and said the peace talks had little chance with someone like him at Israel’s helm.
The White House was also reportedly frustrated by constant leaks by Palestinian officials regarding details of the negotiations, with added commentary that the Palestinians don’t like the way things are going.
The American reaction to this phenomenon highlights one of the primary deficiencies of the current peace process. Washington has for the past decade-and-a-half been focused on concluding a final status Israeli-Palestinian peace deal, regardless of whether or not an atmosphere conducive to peaceful coexistence actually exists.
That the Palestinian leadership and the majority of the public fed by its statements still view Israel and the Jews as an enemy to be hated and ultimately defeated is not seen by the US as being in any way detrimental to the prospects of a lasting peace.
EIther that, or the US administration doesn’t actually care about peace, but is rather more interested in a diplomatic achievement for itself.
source:http://www.israeltoday.co.il/default.aspx?tabid=178&nid=21914
So said Palestinian officials who spoke to Israel’s Ynet news portal on Tuesday.
The Palestinians said the Americans cited as an example a recent interview given by Mohammed Dahlan during which the senior aide to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas characterized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “liar” and said the peace talks had little chance with someone like him at Israel’s helm.
The White House was also reportedly frustrated by constant leaks by Palestinian officials regarding details of the negotiations, with added commentary that the Palestinians don’t like the way things are going.
The American reaction to this phenomenon highlights one of the primary deficiencies of the current peace process. Washington has for the past decade-and-a-half been focused on concluding a final status Israeli-Palestinian peace deal, regardless of whether or not an atmosphere conducive to peaceful coexistence actually exists.
That the Palestinian leadership and the majority of the public fed by its statements still view Israel and the Jews as an enemy to be hated and ultimately defeated is not seen by the US as being in any way detrimental to the prospects of a lasting peace.
EIther that, or the US administration doesn’t actually care about peace, but is rather more interested in a diplomatic achievement for itself.
source:http://www.israeltoday.co.il/default.aspx?tabid=178&nid=21914
Pastor faces criminal charges in Turkmenistan
by Staff
September 17, 2010
(christiansunite.com) - Pentecostal pastor Ilmurad Nurliev, who was arrested at his home in Mary in south-eastern Turkmenistan on August 27, faces criminal charges of large-scale swindling that carry a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment and confiscation of property.
Three women who had attended church meetings wrote statements that he took money from them. His wife and other church members vigorously deny these charges, saying police pressured the three to write the statements and that they now regret doing so.
Another church member has been threatened that if she does not testify against Pastor Nurliev, her husband, who is not a church member, will be fired from his job. (Source: Forum18)
source:http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion09683.shtml
September 17, 2010
(christiansunite.com) - Pentecostal pastor Ilmurad Nurliev, who was arrested at his home in Mary in south-eastern Turkmenistan on August 27, faces criminal charges of large-scale swindling that carry a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment and confiscation of property.
Three women who had attended church meetings wrote statements that he took money from them. His wife and other church members vigorously deny these charges, saying police pressured the three to write the statements and that they now regret doing so.
Another church member has been threatened that if she does not testify against Pastor Nurliev, her husband, who is not a church member, will be fired from his job. (Source: Forum18)
source:http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion09683.shtml
Chinese church leaders threatened for mission conference
by Staff
September 21, 2010
(christiansunite.com) - At least three Chinese house churches were shut down on August 5 and 6. The churches were located in Wuhan, Hubei, in Sanmenxia, Henan, and in Changsha, Hunan. They belonged to China Gospel Fellowship, one of the major house church networks in China, with an estimated 5-7 million members.
The churches were forced to close down by the Chinese government because church leaders were invited to attend the Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelisation in October 2010 at Cape Town, South Africa.
Sources informed ChinaAid that the Chinese Public Security Bureau has obtained the list of 200 Chinese invitees and threatened some of them not to attend, but CGF leaders refused to back down. (Source: ChinaAid)
source:http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion09693.shtml
September 21, 2010
(christiansunite.com) - At least three Chinese house churches were shut down on August 5 and 6. The churches were located in Wuhan, Hubei, in Sanmenxia, Henan, and in Changsha, Hunan. They belonged to China Gospel Fellowship, one of the major house church networks in China, with an estimated 5-7 million members.
The churches were forced to close down by the Chinese government because church leaders were invited to attend the Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelisation in October 2010 at Cape Town, South Africa.
Sources informed ChinaAid that the Chinese Public Security Bureau has obtained the list of 200 Chinese invitees and threatened some of them not to attend, but CGF leaders refused to back down. (Source: ChinaAid)
source:http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion09693.shtml
Settlers: Damage caused by construction freeze is long term
Leaders of Jewish communities in West Bank say only a few hundred housing units will be built in months after moratorium expires; 'law of supply and demand also apply to settlements,' they say
Aviel Magnezi
Published: 09.22.10, 08:09 / Israel News
The settler leadership in the West Bank said that initially only a few hundred housing units will be built once the construction moratorium expires on September 26, Ynet reported Tuesday night.
One leader said the "damage" caused by the freeze will be mitigated only in the long term. "Estimates by left-wing organizations' saying the construction of about 2,000 housing units will be approved if the freeze ends entirely are fairly accurate, but it won't happen immediately. This process will take some time," he said.
"The coming months will see the construction of only a few hundred housing units."
Yesha Council Chairman Danny Dayan told Ynet that most of the construction will take place in the large settlements, such as Ariel, Efrat and Kiryat Arba.
Settler leaders say once local authorities are given the green light to issue building permits, construction will return to its normal pace of about 2,000 to 3,000 housing units a year. However, one of them added, "the law of supply and demand apply to the settlements as well."
Dayan said he hopes the Israeli government will implement the decision to resume construction throughout the West Bank.
"Theoretically, there may be a decision to continue the moratorium, but the political reality won't allow it," he said.
source:http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3958475,00.html
Aviel Magnezi
Published: 09.22.10, 08:09 / Israel News
The settler leadership in the West Bank said that initially only a few hundred housing units will be built once the construction moratorium expires on September 26, Ynet reported Tuesday night.
One leader said the "damage" caused by the freeze will be mitigated only in the long term. "Estimates by left-wing organizations' saying the construction of about 2,000 housing units will be approved if the freeze ends entirely are fairly accurate, but it won't happen immediately. This process will take some time," he said.
"The coming months will see the construction of only a few hundred housing units."
Yesha Council Chairman Danny Dayan told Ynet that most of the construction will take place in the large settlements, such as Ariel, Efrat and Kiryat Arba.
Settler leaders say once local authorities are given the green light to issue building permits, construction will return to its normal pace of about 2,000 to 3,000 housing units a year. However, one of them added, "the law of supply and demand apply to the settlements as well."
Dayan said he hopes the Israeli government will implement the decision to resume construction throughout the West Bank.
"Theoretically, there may be a decision to continue the moratorium, but the political reality won't allow it," he said.
source:http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3958475,00.html
Maj. Gen. Gantz: Iran is Involved in All Terrorist Activities in the Middle East
20 September 2010 , 16:28
Photo: IDF Spokesperson
The Deputy Chief of General Staff spoke about past and future threats facing Israel
Nadav Deutscher
“The threats of the past that we learned to cope with during the Yom Kippur War are still standing firm, but on the other side perhaps because of that war, the threats have changed greatly. There is still a chance, however small it may be, that there will be a Syrian attack in the Golan Heights,” the Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Maj. Gen. Benny Gantz said on Monday (Sept. 20), while speaking at a Day of Learning in memory of Maj. (dec.) Benyamin Katzin who fell during the Yom Kippur War 37 years ago.
Maj. Gen. Gantz gave a briefing about the current security situation, emphasizing lessons learned from the Yom Kippur War. “The Syrian army has developed attack capabilities, by combining a number of different threats. The threats of the past have not changed, but have been added to new, different threats,” the Deputy Chief of the General Staff said. “The scope has grown and the strength is much more significant – this is the trend that the IDF is preparing for, while coping with challenges of mobility and camouflage.”
According to Maj. Gen. Gantz, “Iran is involved up to its neck in every terrorist activity in the Middle East. A nuclear Iran can destabilize the region and we must attribute much importance to this.”
“There is great importance to the national and societal unity in Israel. I believe and hope that at the end of the day, we will arrive at a situation whereby compulsory service is fulfilled by everyone and every citizen of the State of Israel recognize his obligation and responsibility to the country regardless of who he is. Much importance is places here on education. Looking from the past to the future, the understanding is that we must remember the past in order to learn from it,” Maj. Gen. Gantz added.
The Deputy Chief of the General Staff added that he spoke these words out of faith in the IDF and its capabilities. “We are preparing correctly and will do everything in our power in order to meet the coming challenges. I hope we will be flexible enough to face whatever we truly meet. This is the obligation of us all,” he concluded.
source:http://dover.idf.il/IDF/English/News/today/10/09/2099.htm
 |
| Maj. Gen. Gantz |
The Deputy Chief of General Staff spoke about past and future threats facing Israel
Nadav Deutscher
“The threats of the past that we learned to cope with during the Yom Kippur War are still standing firm, but on the other side perhaps because of that war, the threats have changed greatly. There is still a chance, however small it may be, that there will be a Syrian attack in the Golan Heights,” the Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Maj. Gen. Benny Gantz said on Monday (Sept. 20), while speaking at a Day of Learning in memory of Maj. (dec.) Benyamin Katzin who fell during the Yom Kippur War 37 years ago.
Maj. Gen. Gantz gave a briefing about the current security situation, emphasizing lessons learned from the Yom Kippur War. “The Syrian army has developed attack capabilities, by combining a number of different threats. The threats of the past have not changed, but have been added to new, different threats,” the Deputy Chief of the General Staff said. “The scope has grown and the strength is much more significant – this is the trend that the IDF is preparing for, while coping with challenges of mobility and camouflage.”
According to Maj. Gen. Gantz, “Iran is involved up to its neck in every terrorist activity in the Middle East. A nuclear Iran can destabilize the region and we must attribute much importance to this.”
“There is great importance to the national and societal unity in Israel. I believe and hope that at the end of the day, we will arrive at a situation whereby compulsory service is fulfilled by everyone and every citizen of the State of Israel recognize his obligation and responsibility to the country regardless of who he is. Much importance is places here on education. Looking from the past to the future, the understanding is that we must remember the past in order to learn from it,” Maj. Gen. Gantz added.
The Deputy Chief of the General Staff added that he spoke these words out of faith in the IDF and its capabilities. “We are preparing correctly and will do everything in our power in order to meet the coming challenges. I hope we will be flexible enough to face whatever we truly meet. This is the obligation of us all,” he concluded.
source:http://dover.idf.il/IDF/English/News/today/10/09/2099.htm
Monday, September 20, 2010
For God and country: The rise of a religious IDF
That is why researchers at the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies at Bar Ilan University in Tel Aviv expressed surprise last week when the vast majority of Israelis said they didn’t care that a growing number of IDF commanders are from the national-religious camp.
In contrast to the ultra-Orthodox movement, religious Jews belonging to the national-religious camp all serve in the army, hold down regular jobs and see the modern State of Israel as a fulfillment of biblical prophecy. They are usually characterized by knitted skullcaps, or kippas.
In the Begin-Sadat poll, 79 percent of Israelis said they were “not concerned at all” that today about 35 percent of IDF commanders holding a rank of captain or higher are religious. Just 20 years ago, in 1990, only 2.5 percent of IDF commanders were religious.
While the prevailing wisdom is that religious soldiers are usually more courageous on the battlefield and more dedicated to their military service, officials at the Begin-Sadat Center feared they would also be more prone to refuse government orders to uproot Jewish towns in Judea and Samaria (the so-called “West Bank”).
It is precisely that kind of politicization of military orders that is likely fueling the rise of a more religious IDF. Israel’s left-wing media establishment viciously berated the few commanders who refused orders to uproot the Jews of Gaza in 2005, but regularly holds aloft as heroes those soldiers who refuse to protect the Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria.
Because the bulk of the army’s orders are characterized by the left-wing as “oppression of the Palestinians,” the IDF itself is increasingly seen as a symbol of the Right, and more specifically the bible-believing Right.
So, it should come as little surprise that left-leaning Israelis are keen to hurry through their mandatory service and get out of the army, while religious, biblically-focused Israelis are increasingly motivated to make a career out of their military service.
Fortunately, the Begin-Sadat poll shows that the media talking heads and the academics in their ivory towers are a vocal minority, and that most Israelis have no problem with their army going in this direction.
source:http://www.israeltoday.co.il/default.aspx?tabid=79
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