Is Abbas Feeling Neglected?

No, it's not April Fools. The following is an actual quote from PA Chairman Abbas' address to Palestinian demonstrators in Ramallah today.

"So far we have about 250 martyrs in the Gaza Strip and thousands of wounded people and destroyed houses. Why? What are the reasons for this? Let's start searching for the reason for all this. Our people don't deserve these tragedies. If these pipes (Qasaam rockets) provide an excuse (for Israel), it's time to stop using them."

Stop the rocket attacks? Israeli sympathizer? Hardly. He has a record that is suitable for framing in the post office. Abbas is widely regarded as the financier of the PLO attack at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich which left 11 Israeli athletes dead. He is also the author of, "The Other Side: the Secret Relationship Between Nazism and Zionism" (1984), which claimed secret ties between the Nazis and leading members of the Zionist movement. In addition, he claims that nowhere near six million Jews died during the war. Holocaust denial at its finest. I bet Ahmadinejad has a signed copy in his bookcase.

A couple of thoughts as to why one of the PLO's most ruthless murderers is softening his tone. You could say he's trying for a power play against Hamas. He knows, however, that without the popular support he lacks right now, he will not get very far. Playing second fiddle to Kofi Annan's visit is clearly not his style.

The truth lies in the very soft spine of Israel PM Olmert. I have many times in the past "gone to town on Olmert" for his lack of leadership and his never ending search to get slapped around as much as possible. With Hezbollah still alive and kicking and Syria chomping at the bit, Abbas knows that tough times lay ahead for Olmert. Not to mention the internal pressure from within his cabinet regarding the Committees of Inquiry which will soon start investigating the war.

Abbas knows if he softens his tone a bit, Olmert will come running. Olmert needs friends right now. Olmert uses the opportunity to breathe life into the "peace process" and divert attention from all the trouble on the home front. Abbas gets himself back into the spotlight after exiting stage left during the war. It's like two clowns in the circus who lean on each other so they won't fall down.

Siniora Grows a Pair

Lebanese PM Siniora stated unequivocally today, that there would be no dialogue with Israel.

"Let it be clear" he said, "we are not seeking any agreement until there is just and comprehensive peace based on the Arab initiative. Lebanon will be the last Arab country that would sign a peace agreement with Israel."

This came in response to Israel PM Woe-lmert's comments that he hoped that the UN ceasefire would be a cornerstone for relations between the two countries. Just comes to show you that if you bend over enough times, someone is going to come along and smack you in the backside.

Siniora, probably the weakest head of state since Jimmy Carter, still thinks he has the nuts flush. Everyone at Woe-lmert's weekly poker game probably feels the same way. Siniora's country is in ruins. Civil war can break out at any moment. Yet, the farthest thing from his mind is to establish some sort of dialogue with his neighbor. Even though the Israeli peace treaties with Jordan and Egypt do not necessarily provide that warm and fuzzy feeling, it has delivered some semblance of quiet in the area.

Siniora's comments reek of Hezbollah. Since the war began he has been nothing more than a mouthpiece for Nasrallah. He even learned how to cry on cue when misrepresenting the news. The saddest part of all is that Condi Rice still considers his democratic government as one worth supporting. Just as Hezbollah is a proxy for Iran, the Siniora Government is a proxy for Hezbollah.

Is the Golan Heights Next?

Nasrallah may still be in the bunker, but the Syrians aren't feeling the pressure. Since they lost the Golan Heights in the 1967 Six Day War, they have sat on the sidelines and waited for an opportunity to make their move. Emboldened by Hezbollah's stand versus Israel, they believe that time is rapidly approaching.

The Kuwaiti daily Al-Ra'i Al-'Aam reported on August 25th (thanks to MEMRI) that a new Syrian organization has been established to "liberate the Golan". Syrian flake Assad said on August 14th that the Golan "will be liberated by Syrian hands". Here is an excerpt from the article;

"The Popular Organization for the Liberation of the Golan announced, in its first communiqué, that 'from now on it will not stay silent in the face of the ignoring of our rights and in the face of the Golan remaining under occupation.' The organization claimed that 'the way to restore [the Arabs'] rights has become clear, and the way [to achieve] victory and honor is the way of resistance.' The statement proclaimed that 'the Popular Organization for the Liberation of the Golan follows the path of resistance, and Israel and the [Western] powers will be made to bear their responsibility, after they have closed off for us all [other] paths.'"

And Olmert still thinks he won the war.

Lebanon's Voices

I would be hard pressed to pick the "headline story" of the recent Lebanese War. Besides the obvious "war on terror" implications, many other angles surfaced. Fake photos sure stood out. So did the anti Israel bias in most news outlets. Qana was also a big story. Who can forget "green helmet"?

The main point that almost everyone missed is the Hezbollah hijacking of southern Lebanon and the terrorizing of its citizens. Many asked why so many Lebanese citizens were killed despite daily IDF warnings of impending Israeli air-raids. Why didn’t these people just leave?

Israel Channel 10 news had a spot on a website which provides all the answers, Lebanon Voices. The site provides true testimony from Lebanese citizens who suffered immeasurably at the hands of Hezbollah. Here is one sample.

Personal Account : S.A., Sour (Tyre)

I have lived my entire life in Sour ( Tyre ). I have a good business and I am able to raise my family. We lived through the war and the resistance but times were good until last month. When the war began I wanted to take my family to Saida ( Sidon ). We started to pack our belongings and clothes for the trip when the local Hezbollah approached us and told us to unpack everything and go back in the house. I told him we were leaving, that we were scared and wanted to protect our children. He then flashed his gun at me and ordered me back to my home. I didn’t want to go back but I had to. I was afraid for my life! We are tired of war. Enough war! I want Hezbollah to leave. If they want to fight for Shebaa then they can go to Shebaa and fight for it there! Not here in my beautiful city.

After you read some of these accounts, you will begin to understand why Nasrallah felt a need to "sort of" apologize. He has a lot of making up to do.

More Damning Evidence Against Sharon and Olmert

At today's meeting of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Shin Bet (Israel's Intelligence Agency) head Yuval Diskin testified on the current state of affairs in the West Bank and Gaza. The remarks are very similar to previous testimonies offered by most senior intelligence officials. The Palestinians are preparing for war.

Since the Gaza Disengagement he says, Samaria is turning into the Land of the Islamic Jihad. Weapons smuggling in to Rafah in Gaza has gone up by "hundreds of percent". He estimated that in the past year approximately 15,000 guns, 4 million bullets, 15 tons of TNT and 10-15 Katyushas like those used in Lebanon had been smuggled into Gaza from Egypt. Those are the weapons "we know about" he added. In addition, the Palestinians were building bunker systems similar to those of the Hezbollah.

Ariel Sharon heard similar warnings and despite them brought about the national catastrophe known as the disengagement. Ehud Olmert has also heard these warnings for years and still has the gall to discuss further withdrawals in the West Bank. Turning a blind eye to this situation is gross negligence. Planning to go ahead with further withdrawals and concessions is suicide. Hamas must be dealt with in the same severe nature as Hezbollah or Al-Qaeda. Anything short is an act of surrender.

Italian Troops in with UNIFIL?

Massimo D'Alema, the Italian foreign minister was quoted today in Italian daily Corriere della Sera as follows;

"Hamas and Hezbollah are not al-Qaeda, besides their well-known responsibilities for terrorist actions, they have a political side, they are engaged in assistance."

So were the Nazis, Facist Italy and Vichy France.

The US recognizes both as terrorist groups while the EU only has Hamas on their list. Recall the Javier Solana said that there was not enough evidence to include Hezbollah in their terrorist Hall of Fame. Really.

Not very surprising that D'Alema actually believes this. He started his political career in 1970 as secretary of the Italian Federation of Young Communists, and later became a leading member of the Italian Communist Party. His father was also a communist. While Italian PM in 1999, he hosted then Iranian President Khatami, the first such visit of an Iranian leader to the West in twenty years. His visit to Libya in that year was another "coup" for D'Alema.

The facts that nuts like this exist are not surprising. The fact that they can publicly flaunt their personal beliefs which are contrary to official national and EU policy is absurd.

The Cover Up

Israel PM Olmert announced this evening, that in light of the results of the war; he is appointing two separate committees of inquiry to examine both the government and the military. This comes after a huge amount of both public and political pressure has been heaped on the government and the military, questioning governmental decision making and the military's execution of the war. Israeli reserve soldiers have been camped out in front of the PM's offices for more than a week. They are calling for drastic measures to be taken including mass resignations at the highest levels of the government and the IDF. Since the first week of the war, Olmert's approval rating has dropped about 40 points to 30%. A very hostile environment indeed.

There is just one small problem. These committees have no teeth. They have no power to subpoena witnesses. More importantly, they can not call for resignations if need be. Olmert ignored the calls for a governmental or judicial committee, which would be headed by a retired Supreme Court judge. That format would enable the collection of classified evidence and the issuance of subpoenas. They would also have the power to ask the Attorney General to take further action if need be.

Many are wondering what Olmert has to hide. Why should he, the head of the government, select the committee which will effectively investigate the government? It seems to me that he should be the one answering the questions and not the person who decides what the questions should be and who will ask them. Olmert is essentially rendering the committees findings invalid even before the procedures begin. No one at all will consider the recommendations of the committee as unbiased. After all, Olmert is picking up the bill. This could very well be the key turning point in the Olmert government. The vultures are beginning to circle. The funny thing is that Olmert himself rang their dinner bell.

Simply Kofi

Today, Kofi Annan kicked off his whirlwind 2006 Mid-East Tour in Beirut. It was a typical Kofi-like performance; lots of contradictions and not much substance. It left me shaking my head. Does this man really believe himself? Can he be that stupid? It seems that every time he opens his mouth to speak, he instead bites down hard on a cyanide capsule. At every turn, he shovels a little more dirt on Resolution 1701.

Kofi said that without the full implementation of 1701, things will get a lot worse. The resolution, he says, "Is not a la carte, but a fixed menu", and must be implemented in its entirety. The disarming of Hezbollah (who he did not mention by name) which is demanded by both 1559 and 1701 is not going to take place. He said that it is something to be discussed "down the line". It needs, he said "national consensus and political agreement". Does that sound like full implementation? He actually tied the kidnapped Israeli soldiers fate to the Lebanese prisoners held in Israeli jails, implying that the two issues can be worked out together. The resolution does not. The resolution calls for the immediate release of the soldiers and further discussions about the Lebs. Full implementation?

Kofi calls for an end of the Israeli embargo aimed at preventing arms shipments from Iran and Syria to Hezbollah. In the same breath he mentions that UNIFIL will not patrol the Lebanese-Syrian border. So who will enforce that article of the resolution? Hezbollah lead terrorist Nasrallah said yesterday that Iran and Syria can share in the claim of victory over Israel due to their efforts in the struggle. Can you say weapon smuggling?

When asked by a reporter what chance was there for a serious peace without disarmament he answered that history proves that more groups have been disarmed through political agreement than through force. In other words, despite the fact that UNSCR 1701 insists on it, it's really not that important. This is full implementation, Kofi style.

A Valuable Lesson

I was glued to FOX News earlier today as the two kidnapped journalists were released after two weeks of captivity in scenic Gaza. Last week, I was very pessimistic as to the chances of that happening. In the past, these types of situations have ended very differently. Ironically, the three other hostages held by Islamic terrorists are no closer to being released by either Hezbollah or Hamas.

One can argue that concessions were made for the journalists because they were foreigners or not Jewish. I think that is too simplistic an answer. It seems that the answer lies in a news item out of Egypt that said negotiations were underway between Israel and Hezbollah for the release of the two kidnapped soldiers. According to the report, the soldiers were to be released first, followed a few days later by a mass of Palestinians held in Israeli jails.

The report was never confirmed nor will it be. However, the point is that it is very believable that Israel will negotiate. They have many times in the past. The enemy is all too well aware of this fact and therefore will never give a hostage back for free.

On the same day that the FOX journalists were kidnapped, a clear message was heard resounding from the White House. Don’t even bother to call us; there is nothing to talk about. End of conversation. The kidnappers settled for a fake conversion and claimed another typical Arab victory.

Israel must take a stand. As tough as it may be for all involved, a precedent needs to be set here and now. Things will probably get a lot worse here before they get any better, so Israel must try and level the playing field. Israel cannot be in a state of combat and hesitate or change missions due to the fear of soldiers being kidnapped. By playing the negotiation game, Israel sends a clear message to the enemy. Come and get us. We pay retail. Israel must take a stand and let the message be heard. No more prisoner swaps.

The United Nations Strikes Again

To anybody who has any doubts as to the UN's anti Israel bias, this article from the "Weekly Standard" is a must read. UNIFIL openly published real time troop movements of the IDF. The information was sometimes updated as often as every 30 minutes. Needless to say, nothing was ever mentioned about Hezbollah activity.

Tags:United NationsHezbollah Israel

Iran Nuclear Program on Target Courtesy of the UN

This coming Thursday, August 31, is the UN deadline for Iran to stop its nuclear program. Just today, Iran announced that they are increasing production of heavy water. Not really a surprise being that they publicly announced many times that they have no intention of heeding the UN's suggestions.

If I were calling the shots in Iran, I would behave no differently. There is nothing for them to fear in the UN. Russia just announced that they believe it is "too early" to discuss sanctions. I am having difficulty understanding how Russia, a permanent member of the Security Council can openly suggest that they will not enforce UN Resolutions. With Russia in their back pocket and China not too far away, Iran have entered their own personal comfort zone in the UN.

Apparently, Russia seems willing to ignore the dangers of supporting Jihadists, (who it ironically fights in Chechnya) if in the short term it will weaken US influence in the region.

The UN itself is only making matters worse. The Europeans and Lebanese have virtually torn up Resolution 1701 (remember the ceasefire?). So many points of that piece of artwork have gone by the wayside. The kidnapped soldiers have yet to be "unconditionally" released. Hezbollah has not been disarmed. Kofi said it will not happen. The fact that the resolution calls for it is of no importance to the Secretary General. The area south of the Litani has not been cleared of Hezbollah. In short, Resolution 1701 has been declared null and void by all interested, or uninterested parties.

If this is the fate of 1701, a world wide effort, then Iran knows they have nothing at all to fear in the hallowed halls of the United Nations. By the time the UN actually starts to play hard ball, if at all, it will be much too late. But leave it to the UN; by ignoring Iran they actually are destroying Hezbollah. Once the nukes start to fly, Lebanon will be gone too.

Israel Will Likely Have To Go At Iran Alone

The Jerusalem Post quotes a high ranking Israeli source who says that there is a consensus within the Israeli Defense establishment that the US will not attack Iran. Israel will be forced to take on Iran by itself in order to prevent Iran from attaining nuclear weapons.

The source mentions the lack of US political support for the Bush Administration and Condi Rice's "appeasement" style policy which is slowly taking hold in the State Department. (Remember, she got called to the President's ranch in Crawford upon her return from Lebanon for a dressing down after pushing to hard for an immediate ceasefire.) The source further points out that the US is slightly stretched in Iraq and notes that 2,500 Marines were called back to active duty this week to fill the troop shortfall.

Israel, he says, finds it necessary and would have no choice but to attack Iran. The thought of having a nuclear Iran who on a daily basis would threaten the very existence of Israel is incomprehensible.

If the same sort of rhetoric which flows daily from Iran would be heard in say, Mexico or Canada, and they were building nukes, I don’t believe for one second the US would stand by idly. They would have already been attacked. It is imperative to realize that a nuclear Iran is not just a danger to the Middle East. It is threat to the entire Western world. Iran is already fighting proxy wars against the West; Hamas (Gaza), Hezbollah (Lebanon) and Al-Sadr (Iraq) are all tentacles of the murderous Iranian regime. Iran's ties with North Korea are well documented. Iran has no intention to limit its Jihadic intentions to the Middle East. It is therefore incumbent on the West to leave no stone unturned in the drive to halt Iran. They will have to be dealt with sooner or later. Better sooner on our terms instead of later on their terms.

A Summer Wedding in Israel: Part 2

My fiancée and I just got back from the wedding I wrote about a few days ago. The wedding took place in the hospital where the groom's brother lays paralyzed from the waist down after suffering a spinal cord injury in the Lebanon war. The wedding took place in a beautiful sculpture garden on the hospital grounds.

It was heartbreaking to see not only the grooms brother in a hospital bed watching the ceremony from a distance, but also other injured soldiers who attended in wheelchairs, amputees and many in various sorts of braces holding shattered limbs in place. It makes you wonder if it is all worth it.

Unfortunately, it is not for us to decide if it is worth it. We have no choice. Just have a look at who are neighbors are. However it is for us to decide if we trust the government to make the tough decision of sending these brave young men in harms way. Based on the results of the war, I don’t think they can be trusted at all.

What I saw tonight convinced me beyond any reasonable doubt that serious change must come. We cannot afford such sacrifices in vain. All those responsible for what I saw tonight, please go home.

The Pride of Islam

Based on the video released today, it looks like Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig are in a heap of trouble. This kidnapping is in the Afghani/Iraqi style, not Palestinian. Since Hamas took control of the government, there have been many such kidnappings. They were used as a political tool in the struggle between rival factions. In the end, everyone went home at the end of the day. This time it appears different.

The previously unknown "Holy Jihad Brigade" has claimed responsibility and has issued their demands. They are addressed to the US, not Israel. The kidnapper's statement is religious in nature. They want prisoners freed from the US, not Israel. It wouldn’t surprise me a bit to learn that these criminals are not even Palestinian but foreigners who entered the Gaza Strip from Egypt. The "Iranization" of Gaza is underway.

Yesterday at a journalists protest rally in Gaza, even the Islamic Jihad had a say. Very similar to what the Palestinians say after a suicide attack in Israel: "This hurts our cause". No concern for the dead or wounded, just the "cause".

It is very important to understand that this has nothing to do with US or Israeli "occupations" of any lands. This is solely a function of what I have said a million times before: They are committed to killing infidels. If you aren’t Moslem, may death be with you.

Maybe it's time the West tried a different approach. The White House already announced, and rightly so, that there will be no negotiations. We know the terrorists are not really gun shy. You do the math. Maybe the time has come to start speaking their language. An eye for an eye. We have many of their murderous brothers in our prisons that are costing us a freaking fortune to upkeep. Let's start executing them. You kill two hostages, we will execute twenty. They are not recognized as soldiers and therefore are not afforded any rights of the Geneva Convention. Plain cold blooded killers.

I don’t want to hear any comments about democracies and human rights etc. Anybody who kills women and children in the name of God are not humans. Execute 'em. Maybe this will work. It's worth a shot. We have nothing to lose. They are not going to go away by themselves. Let's help them.

To Steve and Olaf, our prayers are with you.

The Destiny of Iran

Teheran's answer came nine days early in order to coincide with Mo's midnight ride. Some expected a clear answer, either a yes or no, but instead it just got cloudier, although not yet nuclear. Talk of uranium enrichment in Russia is all just a cover. Iran has made a decision. Bring on the sanctions, we'll get the bomb. When Iran says they will not relinquish their "natural right" to obtain nuclear power they mean the Islamic national right. They are in for the whole nine yards.

It's possible that nobody knows for sure exactly when Iran had their response wrapped and ready to be handed over to the diplomats. One thing I do know is that after watching the UN waffle in Lebanon, Iran could only have been more emboldened than before. The European/UN kid glove approach to anything that even resembles hostilities is a recipe for disaster. Iran gets the message when it sees France and Italy searching for any sort of reason not to send troops to Lebanon. Europe seems to still suffer the trauma of WWII without having learned any of the lessons.

The sanctions will not matter. Billions of petrodollars fill the Iranian coffers each month. Russia and China are all too willing trading partners. And besides, who is going to monitor the sanction. Kofi "oil for food" Annan? He just loves sanctions. While it appears that he is actually doing something constructive, he is just passing out favors to all the intermediaries who will get their slice of every dollar of the illegal trade.

History will one day refer to September 11 as a turning point in world history, possibly the dawn of a new era. Some already refer to it as the official start of WWIII. The power is still in our hands to prevent the same from happening to August 22. As usual, the US, UK and Israel must go at it alone, for there are no friends on the continent or in the United (Islamic) Nations.

A Summer Wedding in Israel

For most, Round One of the war in Lebanon is over. The top stories are once again about a killer being extradited to the U.S. from Thailand. Not for me though. I am going to get a very rude awakening on Thursday night.

My fiancée's friend is getting married, and naturally we are invited. The wedding was to be an outdoor affair, a typical Israeli summer wedding. A sprawling garden, lavish tables and lots of fine food and drink were to be enjoyed. I was looking forward to starting the weekend early.

Instead, the wedding is going to be held in a local hospital. The groom's brother is a soldier in the IDF. He fought in Lebanon. He is now in a hospital bed with a severed spinal cord which he suffered in combat. Odds are he will be paralyzed for the rest of his life. I can't imagine what kind of emotions will be displayed by the families. On one hand, it should be the happiest day of their lives. But then again, this wedding is taking place in a hospital.

I could never have imagined such a situation while growing up in New York. Life takes on a different sense of reality here when everyone around you seems to either know or are related to a war casualty. Israel has been at war before it was even a state. That’s what happens when you live in the worst neighborhood in the world. Despite what you hear, or rather despite what you don’t hear on the news, here, the war is still alive and breathing.

Israel PM Olmert: A Study in Arrogance

It's hard to believe, but Ehud Olmert has reached a new low. Earlier today, he visited the war torn town of Kiryat Shmona. When slammed by remarks from outraged citizens over the governments handling of the war effort, the insidious politician replied, "

We knew for years that there was a great danger, but for some reason we didn't translate that understanding into action, like we just did. We knew what Iran was doing, what Syria was doing, in arming Hezbollah. We acted as if we didn't know."

And what about his governments role in the war? He defended himself by saying that he had only been in control for two months when the war broke out.

The arrogance!! Who is the "we" he is talking about? The Sharon government, of which he was a big part of. Not only was he part of that fiasco but he adopted every bankrupt policy of Sharon in order to form the Kadima party. His platform was one of appeasement, a hard sell of the need to withdraw from West Bank which in a sense is to turn a blind eye to the real dangers that lurk out there. Olmert not only lays the blame at the feet of previous governments that he was part of, he adopts the same suicidal policies and then tries to wash his hands of any responsibility. How morally corrupt can one man be?

Another interesting item today, very much connected to Olmert's failures. The Emir of Qatar's response at a press conference to the call of some Israeli officials to open talks with Syria, went something like this: He explained that Israel is suddenly interested in peace after they realized that their army can no longer defeat the Arabs. And Olmert still thinks he won the war?

Why Israel Military Chief Must Resign

I have previously written that Israeli PM Olmert must come to the obvious conclusions and resign his post. He is not the only guilty party here. In a sense, his inexperience opened the door for others to step up and sway policy decisions. Through this doorway walked IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz. Halutz never made it out the door before the whole building came crashing down.

Many eyebrows were raised when Halutz was named Chief of Staff in June 2005. He was only the second Air-Force man to take the head job, and with good reason. Air campaigns do not win wars. The Army ground troops do that. Airmen are far removed from where the real fighting takes place; on the ground.

Heavy allied bombing did not noticeably slow the Nazis down in WWII. Same result in Vietnam. NATO bombed the Balkans for 76 days. 2003 Operation Shock and Awe in Iraq didn't finish off the enemy either.

Despite the historical facts, Halutz though differently. He convinced the inexperienced Olmert that massive bombing of Lebanon would deter Hezbollah from firing Katyushas and bring the war to a decisive finish. The results speak for themselves. Instead of launching a massive ground attack which would vastly outman and outgun Hezbollah, Halutz opted for what he knows best. I am no military expert, but it's hard to kill a small band of terrorists in a bunker 150 feet underground from 30,000 feet up. Try to kill 8,000 that way. All the bombing did was to create horrible pictures of destruction which turned Israel from defender and retaliator into the aggressor. It even united the usually at war religious factions in Lebanon. Halutz did more to promote Hezbollah in the public opinion polls than Nasrallah could have ever done.

When did Halutz wake up to the importance of a major ground attack? After the UN announced they had reached a consensus on resolution 1701!! Halutz then sent in the troops for no apparent reason other than to save face. 25% of Israeli military casualties occurred AFTER the UN announcement. What was the value of pushing to the Litani, if in 48 hours you are going to give it right back? What do you say to the parents of those soldiers who were killed in a totally meaningless battle?

Olmert and Halutz deserve each other. Two novices, each in over their heads. Enough Israelis have died due to their incompetence. They have sown the seeds for the upcoming battle. They both need to go home now.

More Israel Bashing by the UN and Europe

Early Saturday morning, Israeli commandoes raided a Hezbollah stronghold in Baalbek. The mission prevented more Iranian and Syrian arms from reaching Hezbollah, as defined in UNSCR 1701. This, of course, is not Israel's job to do, but who really believes that the Lebanese government or the UN really care enough to dirty their hands. Kofi Annan was quick to relay the Lebanese protest to Israeli officials. Maybe Annan should be on the phone with the French about those troops who are not showing up. Leave if to the Arab French Republic to take credit for co-authoring 1701, and then doing as much as possible to crush it.


Swedish Foreign Minister Jan Eliasson condemned the Israeli action saying

"It is probable that this will hurt the application of UN Resolution 1701. The Israeli action is likely to provoke a response from Hezbollah and the renewal of hostilities."

No, this will not hurt the application of 1701; this is 1701!! The UN is supposed to be doing this job, but Sweden as well as the other European countries have, as usual, preferred to surrender in the face of aggression. Did you condemn Hezbollah when they kidnapped two Israeli soldiers, an act which endangered UNSCR 1559? But then again, what can you expect from a nation that under the guise of neutrality helped Nazi Germany? Sweden was the Germany's largest supplier of iron ore. Sweden provided Germany with large credit lines to finance the war effort. 13 tons of Nazi gold were found in Sweden at wars end. Neutral? Hardly. Eliasson, put on your brown shirt and tell us what you really think.

Israel PM Olmert Must Pay for Failure in Lebanon War

The greatest responsibility that a government has to its citizens is the duty to physically protect them from foreign sources of violence. When a government fails to do so, whatever the cause may be, the ultimate price must be paid. The government needs to resign. No excuses or explanations are needed. If you fail to execute the highest calling of your position, you no longer deserve to be there.

Israeli PM Ehud Olmert failed his nation miserably. Never before has Israel entered a war with almost unanimous world support (even including some Arab nations!!). Never before has Israel entered a war with such a large advantage in manpower and technology. Never before has Israel entered a war in which they didn’t really try to win. It all falls on the horrendous decision making and leadership of Olmert. This is the same Olmert who not to long ago was quoted as saying that "Israel was tired of winning wars". If you are tired Olmert, ask Sharon to move over and make some room in his bed.

Olmert's biggest failure was accepting ceasefire terms which ended the fighting before Israel realized any significant accomplishments. Olmert boasted that three goals must be attained before the fighting stops. The kidnapped soldiers must be released, Hezbollah Katyusha power must be eliminated and Hezbollah is to be disarmed and moved north of the Litani River. Not one of these is even close to happening. Yet he signed off on the resolution, abandoned the soldiers and now allows Hezbollah to return to their previous posts and provides them with the break in the fighting they so desperately need to rearm. Iran, Syria and Hamas are looking in on the circus that is the Olmert Government and licking their chops waiting for their chance to take a shot.

Why Olmert finally authorized a major assault only 48 hours before the ceasefire went into effect is incomprehensible. He was only about a month late in a 32 day war. Reservists were called up much too late, and when they did arrive they were poorly equipped and unsure of their mission. Towns along the border were "cleansed" of Hezbollah, only to be followed by withdrawal and recapture days later. Again they were cleansed.

Despite the facts, Olmert has the gall to claim victory and try to explain how the UN resolution is a good result for Israel. In the same vain, I guess the Munich Agreement was a good result for Chamberlain. Olmert suffers from the same disease that Sharon did, he uses the resources of the state for personal glory without any regard for the long term safety of its citizens.

Olmert's detachment from reality can be seen in statements made today by a source close to the PM when asked if there was a need for a commission of inquiry. "What would it investigate?" they asked. "Why the government decided to go war? Why it adopted the Security Council resolution?" As if all is fine and well in the Middle East.

Olmert lead the country in a war that he did not believe could be won. It was a war that had to be won. Because of Olmert's total failure, the next war is not too far off. Olmert must go now, because God protect us if he remains until then.

United Nations Impotence Guarantees Further Trouble in Lebanon

The UN never misses an opportunity to fail. After all the big talk about a "beefed up" UNIFIL in Lebanon, it looks like nothing will come of it at all. France, one of the main proponents of UNSCR 1701 announced that they are sending only 200 troops instead of the thousands that were expected. Chirac says they are waiting for clarification from the UN of "precise mission rules". Italian PM Prodi is also waiting for "a clear mandate, without ambiguities". The good news is that Bangladesh is offering 2,000 troops. Jeez, now that's intimidating.

Terror sell-out Condi Rice said that the UN will not disarm Hezbollah, and doesn’t believe such an expectation exists. Ditto Italy and Lebanon. What is going on here? What about the resolution? What about the kidnapped soldiers? Nothing, until Kofi catches a Katyusha in the backside.

A lot of pols need to go home after this fiasco. Rice for selling out, Kofi for, well just being Kofi, and the entire Israeli government, who did more to further the terrorist cause than Bin Laden himself.

The Never Ending European Hypocrisy

Louis Michel, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, demanded today that Israel lift its "naval siege" of Lebanon. He claims that humanitarian aid is not getting through. A few questions for Louie. Did you see those huge UN boats offloading dozens of trucks with hundreds of tons of supplies? Did you know that the naval siege is still in place to prevent the transferring of the kidnapped soldiers that your "humanitarian" agencies promised to free? In consideration the 100 million Euros you are donating to Lebanon, why is not even 1 Euro being donated to Israel, the country that even the anti-Jewish EU recognized as "the attacked"?

UK Conservative leader David Cameron said Israel has a right to defend itself, but force should be proportionate. Proportionate like the RAF bombing raids over Germany in WWII? In 3 days of bombing over Dresden alone, 30,000 civilians were killed and 87% of the homes were destroyed. In total, between 300,000-600,000 German citizens were killed in residential areas during WWII by targeted US and UK heavy bombers. Is that the proportionality you are looking for? Hard to believe you are a conservative. Sounds more like you work for the ACLU.

I received this as a response to a previous article and wanted to post it for all to read.



Brigitte Gabriel Speech at Duke University

Remarks of Brigitte Gabriel, delivered at the Duke University Counter Terrorism Speak-Out

I'm proud and honoured to stand here today, as a Lebanese speaking for Israel , the only democracy in the Middle East . As someone who was raised in an Arabic country, I want to give you a glimpse into the heart of the Arabic world.

I was raised in Lebanon , where I was taught that the Jews were evil, Israel was the devil, and the only time we will have peace in the Middle East is when we kill all the Jews and drive them into the sea.When the Moslems and Palestinians declared Jihad on the Christians in 1975, they started massacrin g the Christians, city after city. I ended up living in a bomb shelter underground from age 10 to 17, without electricity, eating grass to live, and crawling under sniper bullets to a spring to get water. It was Israel who came to help the Christians in Lebanon . My mother was wounded by a Moslem's shell, and was taken into an Israeli hospital for treatment. When we entered the emergency room, I was shocked at what I saw. There were hundreds of people wounded, Moslems, Palestinians, Christians, Lebanese, and Israeli soldiers lying on the floor. The doctors treated everyone according to their injury. They treated my mother before they treated the Israeli soldier lying next to her. They didn't see religion, they didn't see political affiliation, they saw people in need and they helped.

For the first time in my life I experienced a human quality that I know my culture would not have shown to their enemy. I experienced the values of the Israelis, who were able to love their enemy in their most trying moments. I spent 22 days at that hospital. Those days changed my life and the way I believe information, the way I listen to the radio or to television. I realized I was sold a fabricated lie by my government, about the Jews and Israel , that was so far from reality. I knew for fact that, if I was a Jew standing in an Arab hospital, I would be lynched and thrown over to the grounds, as shouts of joy of Allah Akbar, God is great, would echo through the hospital and the surrounding streets.

I became friends with the families of the Israeli wounded soldiers: one in particular Rina, her only child was wounded in his eyes.One day I was visiting with her, and the Israeli army band came to play national songs to lift the spirits of the wounded soldiers. As they surrounded his bed playing a song about Jerusalem , Rina and I started crying. I felt out of place and started waking out of the room, and this mother hold s my hand and pulls me back in without even looking at me.She holds me crying and says: "it is not your fault". We just stood there crying, holding each other's hands. What a contrast between her, a mother looking at her deformed 19 year old only child, and still able to love me the enemy, and between a Moslem mother who sends her son to blow himself up to smithereens just to kill a few Jews or Christians.

The difference between the Arabic world and Israel is a difference in values and character. It's barbarism verses civilization. It's democracy verses dictatorship. It's goodness verses evil.

Once upon a time, there was a special place in the lowest depths of hell for anyone who would intentionally murder a child. Now, the intentional murder of Israeli children is legitimized as Palestinian "armed struggle". However, once such behaviour is legitimized against Israel, it is legitimized every where in the world, constrained by nothing more than the subjective belief of people who would wrap themselves in dynamite and nails for the purpose of killing children in the name of god. Because the Palestinians have been encouraged to believe that murdering innocent Israeli civilians is a legitimate tactic for advancing their cause, the whole world now suffers from a plague of terrorism, from Nairobi to New York , from Moscow to Madrid , from Bali to Beslan. They blame suicide bombing on "desperation of occupation". Let me tell you the truth. The first major terror bombing committed by Arabs against the Jewish state occurred ten weeks before Israel even became independent. "

On Sunday morning, February 22, 1948 , in anticipation of Israel's independence, a triple truck bomb was detonated by Arab terrorists on Ben Yehuda Street , in what was then the Jewish section of Jerusalem . Fifty-four people were killed, and hundreds were wounded. Thus, it is obvious that Arab terrorism is caused not by the "desperation" of "occupation", but by the VERY THOUGHT of a Jewish state. So many times in history in the last 100 years, citizens have stood by and done nothing, allowing evil to prevail. As America stood up against and defeated communism, now it is time to stand up against the terror of religious bigotry and intolerance. It's time to all stand up, and support and defend the state of Israel , which is the front line of the war against terrorism.

Islam's Eternal War Against Israel and the Jews

Recent events in the Middle East have caused old questions to resurface. Why the Arab obsession with Israel and the Jews? Why the blinding hatred and calls for genocide and slaughter? Even "moderate" Islamic states have become much more hostile in the past week. Turkey, a nation which has enjoyed a close relationship with Israel over the years has turned violently anti- Jewish. The Turkish army has paid Israeli military contractors tens of millions of dollars to refurbish their tank corps. The Turkish Coast is a popular vacation spot for Israelis. But still, cries for Jihad resound.

To believe the answer is about land or occupation is to be simplistic. Recent events prove land has nothing to do with it (see Gaza and Lebanon withdrawals). The answer begins with a historical event that took place approximately 3,700 years ago, the birth of Abraham's two sons Isaac and Ishmael. God promised Abraham that amongst other things he would be the father of great nations. However there was one blessing that was to be passed on to one son only; the blessing of being the chosen people who would receive the land of Israel. The Judeo-Christian belief is that Isaac, one of the Jewish Patriarchs, was the chosen one. Ishmael was banished to the desert. Islam has distorted this through centuries of propaganda. Until Mohammad crawled out from under a rock in the desert about 2,500 years later, the Arabs were nothing more than nomadic pagans (exactly the opposite of Abraham's greatest legacy, monotheism). The Jews went on to settle in Israel for the next 1,600 years.

The Islamic conquest of the Middle East, North Africa and Spain raised the spirits of the desert killers. The Jews, like the Christians were treated better than the pagans, but were still discriminated against. The Jews were to be kept in check. No need to kill them. As long as Israel as a state did not exist, there was no proof that God's promise to Abraham was to be realized through Isaac.

In 1948, the modern State of Israel was born. Arab armies came from as far as Yemen and Iraq to destroy the Jewish State. The Jews who has lived in Arab countries for centuries no longer felt safe and fled for the lives. (Ironic we only hear about Palestinian refugees.) Why the sudden changes from mild tolerance to a blood thirsty cry of "slaughter the Jews"? Simple, the Jews were back in Israel. Isaac was the chosen one, and Ishmael's descendents are banished to the desert. Israel's being destroys the false Arab dreams of being the "chosen one". Why the Arab infatuation with Jerusalem when it is not even mentioned once in the Koran? Why are the mosques in Jerusalem built specifically on the Temple Mount? Because everything that is Jewish that is connected to the land must be "Islamisized".

Now that the Jews have returned, keeping them "in check" like in the middle ages is not enough. They must be destroyed, because the fact that they are alive and well in Israel is living proof that the Arab nation is not the chosen one. Don’t believe anyone who tries to sell you a story about occupation.

Israel Hezbollah Ceasefire Beginning to Crumble

All news reports indicate that the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah is still holding up after three days. Hezbollah is still firing katyushas, this time into southern Lebanon where Israeli troops are still stationed. Israeli soldiers occasionally kill a Hezbollah terrorist. The "ceasefire" the press says, is still alive.

The UN resolution however is long dead. A few quotes from today are all you need to see to understand that this ceasefire is just the one minute commercial break before the beginning of round two. Senior Hezbollah official Hassan Fadlallah said today that

"Any such withdrawal (of Hezbollah troops) means the evacuation of southern Lebanon".

It has also been reported that Leb PM Siniora has cut a deal with Hezbollah in which they will be allowed to keep their arms, but they are not to be displayed in public. Doesn’t resolution 1701 and 1559 call for the disarmament of Hezbollah? As usual, the UN remains silent.

French FM Philippe Douste-Blazy is in Beirut today, apparently for a victory lap. His concern? "The Israeli blockade should be lifted" he says. Anything about Hezbollah already in the south with their weapons? A UN kind of eerie silence. Nothing.

Apparently after being alive for less than a week, resolution 1701 is dead. No Lebanese Army, Hezbollah still in the south and EVERYONE HAS ACCEPTED THIS. It's only a matter of time before the Israeli Army starts marching north once again. And the truly incompetent UN has no one to blame but themselves.

A Message to the US and Israel: Iran is Speaking Loud and Clear

Religious belief or fervor can be, and at most times is, the determining factor in the decision making process. Throughout the day to day grind, each individual needs to make countless decisions. Yes or no. Now or later. Most base their decision on what they deem to be "the right thing to do". Sometimes they err, and that's fine. We're all human after all.

The real question is; what is the "right thing". Is it based on what society or civil law dictates, or is it based on religious belief or conviction? In most Western societies, civil law usually does not contradict religious law due to the separation of church and state. Citizens can, for the most part, practice both, without compromise or prejudice. In a theocratic state, civil law is the religious law. They are one and the same.

As Westerners, we are trained from youth to be tolerant of other beliefs. Equal rights, freedom of religion and speech are some of the basic tenets of the democratic way of life. We not only tolerate a theocratic society, we accept it as an inherent right.

At this point, things begin to differ very drastically. The theocratic society does not accept its democratic neighbor's way of life. They view it as evil, even Godless. The Islamic theocracy takes it one step further. That evil, Godless society must be destroyed at any cost. This is God's will they say.

Muslims believe that on August 22, their "prophet" Mohammad made his night flight from Saudi Arabia to Jerusalem, and then on to Heaven. It is a day marked for great things for the Islamic people. Iranian madman Ahmadinejad says that on that date the world would hear his response to the UN demand for nuclear compliance by the August 31 deadline.

The west needs to take this man very seriously. He is a radical Shia Muslim who solemnly believes that he will go straight into the outstretched arms of seventy virgins as a reward for killing every one of you. There is no reasoning or negotiating with a monster who firmly believes he is doing God's bidding. Even 100 years in a Turkish prison will not deter him when virgin eternity waits.

Listen to what he says very carefully. Your life is worth less to him that even that of a fly. Your life has no value to him at all. For him, taking your life is the path to eternity. Ignoring this threat could be catastrophic. He has God's word. Pay very close attention to what this monster says. He is telling you exactly what he plans to do.

Israel Hezbollah Ceasefire, Day 1

Today, for the first time in over a month, there were more gunshots heard in Jerusalem than in Lebanon. At a special mid-term session in the Knesset, PM Olmert and Opposition Leader Netanyahu addressed the nation. Olmert was like an old washing machine getting stuck in the spin cycle. Interesting to note that he at least had the humility not to declare victory. On the other hand, he emphatically stated that there would be no apologies, no regrets. This was an obvious jab at the right wing that is out looking for blood.

Netanyahu, however, stole the show. He came up with one of those quotes that will be remembered for a long time, in part due to its wittiness but more so due to its truth. Translated, it goes something like this:

"If the Arabs were to lay down their arms, there would be no war. If Israel were to lay down its arms, there would be no Israel".

Brilliant.

Netanyahu also made what was perhaps his first pitch for the "White House". (Let's hope and pray he makes it). He asked why, that throughout 4000 missile attacks and with 1 million citizens living underground for the better part of month, the government never officially declared a national emergency (which would open the coffers for financial aid). A poignant criticism. A high inside fastball backed Olmert off the plate. And that plate is the votes of 1 million citizens, many of them struggling for their financial future.

A very interesting protest gained a foothold today. Israeli reservists started an SMS campaign to continue the fighting until Hezbollah is defeated. Apparently these brave men, who left their jobs and families for a month long stay in scenic Lebanon, know a little more than the PM, Minister of Defense and IDF Chief of Staff combined.

Israel and Hezbollah Shall Meet Again

Today, the Israeli cabinet approved UNSC Resolution 1701. Within a very short period of time, the resolution will once again prove the total incompetence of the United Nations. It will fail. Badly. The UN is akin to the bubonic plague. It kills everything it comes in contact with. Lebanon (chapter 1), Rwanda, the Balkans, Iraqi food for oil etc. The UN's Greatest Hits. One can argue whether 1701 is good or bad for either side. However, it's impossible to argue that it itself is good at all.

The ceasefire that is supposed to go into effect at 7 AM local time is at best a pipe dream. Firstly, the ceasefire is between Israel and Lebanon. The obvious problem is that Lebanon is not even fighting. The UN could have hedged their bets and called for a ceasefire between Israel and Iceland. Furthermore, according to 1701, Israel will remain in south Lebanon until UNIFIL replaces them. Nasrallah said yesterday on Al-Manar TV that Hezbollah views Israeli troops on Lebanese soil as hostile, and would fight them. Ceasefire?

According to 1701, Professor of Incompetence Kofi Annan has 30 days to present plans on the implementation of 1559, 1680, the Taif accord and settlement of the Shabaa farms issue. (Alot of work for a talented man, let alone Kofi). Now I'm confused. 1559 called for disarming Hezbollah. 1701 does, sort of. What's Kofi to do? The UN already declared that Shabaa is Syrian. Now the UN will consider giving it back to Lebanon. Somebody help me here!!

Who is going to enforce the embargo and prevent Syria and Iran from shipping arms to Hezbollah? The Lebanese Government watched that game for six years. What happens if Hezbollah wins the next elections and becomes the Lebanese Government? Will they stop themselves from receiving Federal Express packages from Iran?

And still Hezbollah is not disarmed. 1559, 1701…. It's all a numbers game.

1701 can be known as the "if resolution". If a million things happen simultaneously that never happened before independently, then 1701 will be a success. And Kofi will jump over the moon.

J'Accuse: Israel PM Olmert Sells Out

Israeli PM Olmert has approved UNSC Resolution 1701, and in doing so, has sold his country out. He has abandoned the two kidnapped Israeli soldiers. He has abused the million citizens of Northern Israel, who for a month were forced to live underground in horrendous conditions. The soldiers and citizens who were killed in the past month are turning in their graves. For all of this sacrifice, what did we get in return? Another useless number. 1701.

The track record of the UN with resolutions is similar to the success rate of the French Army. Not very good. What is wrong with this resolution? First of all, the resolution makes a few unwritten assumptions, that without them, the resolution is doomed to failure. They are: 1) The Lebanese government can keep Hezbollah in check north of the Litani River, 2) Hezbollah wants a ceasefire, and 3) UNIFIL troops will be effective. Anyone who thinks that the above three statements are true, probably sees the same doctor as Floyd Landis. Olmert should be forced to take a urine test.

From an Israeli perspective, the resolution ends the fighting, and Israel has not met any of its goals as so clearly stated by Olmert. Just last week, Olmert spoke at a local civic convention and was quoted as saying that until the kidnapped soldiers are returned and Hezbollah is disarmed, the fighting goes on. By approving the resolution, and even trying to spin it by claiming its good for Israel, Olmert has stabbed the country in the back. Olmert insisted that the war would go on until an international force would patrol southern Lebanon. NATO was his first choice. UNIFIL, "pensioners" to quote the PM, would not be acceptable. Olmert folds again. And UNIFIL with Italian and French troops? Now that is really scary. Shabaa Farms, which the UN itself declared to be Syrian territory in resolution 1559, is now back on the table. AT THE UN. Another Olmert fold. And what about the kidnapped soldiers, the primary reason for going to battle? Olmert is no longer insisting on an unconditional return.

If Olmert didn’t really mean to meet these goals, then why fight for a month? For Olmert, the war was a blessing. PM Olmert, a lawyer by trade, with no real leadership experience, appoints a Minister of Defense (who would make Jimmy Hoffa proud), with all the wrong sorts of leadership experience are suddenly thrust into the spotlight. Israel is attacked and nobody can deny the right to self defense. It’s a no brainer for Olmert to release the army and crush Lebanon. But his indecisiveness and lack of experience has brought the whole country to the edge of the abyss. He simply blew his big chance. Now he's quietly trying to make it all go away. The best thing that could now happen to Israel is for Olmert to go away. Be a man, Ehud, resign.

Israel Expanding Military Operations in Lebanon

As the United Nations wrangles over a ceasefire resolution, Israel TV reports that the anticipated military operation is now underway. It is estimated that there are 40,000 Israeli troops poised at the border waiting for the green light. They been ordered to advance to the Litani River. Public opinion polls released today in Israel show a substantial drop in support the Israeli PM and Minister of Defense. The impending ceasefire resolution is being viewed in Israel as a failure of the military to defeat Hezbollah, and a failure of the Foreign office to prevent a ceasefire resolution without the disarming of Hezbollah. However, should a ceasefire resolution come through, the military action will be stopped.

Saad Hariri, son of former Lebanese President Rafik Hariri (assassinated by Syrian agents) is speaking on Lebanese TV. Essentially he is sending out a warning of the damage that will be inflicted by the upcoming Israeli attack. It is being viewed as a last ditch plea to Hezbollah to back off and save what remains of the Lebanon.

Heathrow Scare Brings a Taste of Lebanon to the UK

Kind of ironic that after the Brit liberals have torched Tony Blair for weeks for his alleged complicity with President Bush that this sort of stuff happens. Once again, Islamic terrorists attempt to strike the west, in order to change not only the political agenda, but to destroy the democratic way of life. It worked in Spain. After the March 2004 Al-Qaeda bombing of the Madrid railway station, the Spanish Socialist Worker's Party won a plurality of seats in the Congress, and was able to form a government. The Islamists will claim that Britain supports Israel. They will mention that Britain is committing atrocities in Iraq. They will note Britain's support of US foreign policy. But none of these factors have anything to do with the terrorist plot. None of these claims are real. This may explain why they picked the UK instead of say, Norway. The UK was targeted because it is not a Moslem nation. Its citizens are infidels, and therefore, according to perverted translations of that comic book we know as the Koran, should be put to death.

It will be both amusing and sad at the same time to see the liberal outburst in the next few weeks. Demonstrations will take place in European capitals, demanding and end to the war in Iraq. They will demand another Israeli capitulation in Lebanon. They will demand everything that is suicidal in the war on terror.

A new list of "Dont's" for you Heathrow passengers:

Nothing may be carried in pockets.
No hand luggage.
No liquid medicines unless verified as authentic.
Baby food must be tasted by parent.

Another victory for the terrorists.

The BBC, Mike Wallace and Kofi Annan

Israel or Hezbollah - Pick a Side

What do these three have in common? Objective views? Hardly. Let's take a look at a few recent events and then you decide. The Jerusalem Post reports that the Israeli Foreign Ministry is under pressure to resume a boycott against the BBC and withdraw credentials from its reporters, due to claims of unfair and biased reporting. In a July 24th article in "The Times" of London, Stephen Pollard reports that a program aired on the BBC "appeared to have been written by Hassan Nasrallah". Since the second week of the war, the BBC has moved their anchors from Haifa to Beirut. The BBC of course denies any claims of culpability (see Reuters, AP etc.). On any given day on the BBC website, there is a 10 picture photo montage. The daily ratio of pictures is usually 7-8 photos of Lebanese corpses (time and place of actual death not yet decided upon) and one or two pictures of Israeli tanks or warplanes. Balanced?

Mike Wallace of CBS interviewed Iranian madman Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Teheran. Wallace is a little more familiar with Teheran than most Americans (I think the hostages are the only Americans who enjoyed a longer stay). Wallace also interviewed Ayatollah Khomeini in 1979. What did Wallace have to say about Mahmoud? "He's an impressive fellow, this guy. He really is." Were Milosovic or Stalin equally as impressive? A maniac who openly proposes genocide and threatens the West with nuclear holocaust is impressive? Does Wallace have Alzheimer's?

Once again Kofi Annan shows is totally biased Anti-Israel feeling. A quote from yesterday's press release:

"The continued killing and injuring of hundreds of civilians, including children, in Gaza, by Israeli forces is utterly unjustifiable. Further, the arbitrary arrest of many senior Palestinians -- including Dr. Aziz Dweik, the speaker of the Palestinian Council –- is a cause of particular concern, since it further undermines the Palestinian institutions which must be preserved if a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is to be achieved."

Palestinian institutions like Hamas? These arrests are undermining them? That’s exactly what they are supposed to do. In regard to the daily rocket attacks from Gaza to Israel?

"He also reiterates his call for a cessation of the rocket attacks from Gaza."

Unjustifiable like the Israeli action? No, just stop please. Thanks Kofi. You never disappoint. I think the BBC has a job for you.

Lieberman Out, Islam In

Adnan Hajj (Reuters)

I find it very disturbing that Joe Lieberman failed in his primary bid. It is appalling that "being to close to the President" in time of war is a crime. Lieberman is one of the few brave souls who did not fear crossing the line at the cost of his party. What is the aim of the Democrats? I thought it would have something to do with protecting the US and its citizens. Hard to believe that almost 5 years have past and so many Americans just still don’t get it. Islamic terror is not a regional issue confined to Lebanon or Iraq. It is being exported world wide under the auspices of people just like the ones who are voting anti-Lieberman/Bush. Terror is about attrition. One bombing here and there doesn’t kill as many people as a week of heavy fighting on the battlefield. But terror will put millions on the backs of their heels and change their daily lives. To give in because we don’t see immediate progress is to raise the white flag.

All the credit to Dem. Senator Charles Schumer who vowed to back Lieberman's bid to run on an independent ticket. Another man to look up to. One who doesn’t care which side of the aisle he sits on. Last time I checked, both sides of the aisle were on American soil.

Israel Widens Military Ops in South Lebanon

At the end of a tough day for Israel, in which 15 soldiers were killed in action, mechanized infantry is moving into South Lebanon. Columns of tanks were seen crossing the border approximately one hour ago. Earlier today, the Security Cabinet approved plans to push "at least up to the Litani River", 30km north of Israel. It is estimated that there are 8,000 Hezbollah terrorists in what is being described as Israel's "security zone". The Upper Galilee suffered another day of heavy rocket fire which prompted the Government to take action.

40,000 Israeli troops are on the border, ready to join the 7,000 troops currently in South Lebanon. A senior IDF officer was quoted as saying that it would take the army about a week to reach the Litani and consolidate the area. One of the first targets is the village of Khiam, which has been the site of Katyusha launches. (Bombing Of Khiam, not decided yet how many citizens will die)

God bless our soldiers in their "holy war" against Islamic terror.

The United Nations, Israel and Hezbollah Part 2: The Morning After

A Scenario

We can safely assume that the UN Resolution will pass in one form or another. It has to. Even Lebanon, which has ramped up the rhetoric in the past few days, knows they won't make it to Thanksgiving if the bombing keeps up. Despite the fact that the resolution calls for the disarmament of Hezbollah, the Lebanese government again turns a blind eye for the sake of "national unity". The civil war is still fresh in their collective memory. Hezbollah guns are quiet as their base of power is moved north of the Litani River. UNIFIL "assumes the position" in Southern Lebanon and continues its stellar run of 28 years of ineptitude. Battle hardened veterans from Fiji and Ghana tap their well of experience to keep the peace. (Our old friend Kofi addresses the Security Council and proudly pats himself on the back. His last check from the "food for oil" program has finally cleared).

Once the international force is in place in South Lebanon, Israel withdraws its last troops back over the border. Despite the fact that the military is out of Lebanon, Israeli intel is working at a feverish pace. Israel lays low and watches. Iran continues to ship arms to Hezbollah via Syria, and the UN does nothing. Syrian army stays on alert and even conducts small military exercises. Hezbollah begins to infiltrate Southern Lebanon and slowly tries to reestablish a base of operations. UNIFIL notes movement and files report. Due to lack of substantial evidence, UN takes no actions at this time. UNSC Resolution 1559 is still not being complied with. Hezbollah has not been disarmed, and roam freely in the north. Some terrorists have even linked up with the Lebanese army proper. Under orders from Hamas leadership in Damascus, Palestinians in Gaza intensify Qasaam attacks into Israel. A hard handed Israeli response gives Hezbollah cause to "fight for their Muslim brothers", and the Katyushas fly again.

The Israeli Government laid out many goals they had hoped to attain during the war. The most important goal of all however, has not been mentioned. Israel must deny Hezbollah the ability to claim any sort of victory in this battle. The Islamic propaganda machine will work overtime to raise the call for Jihad. Hezbollah must be soundly defeated and buried in the sand.

Israel TV Reports Long Range Missle Attack

Israeli TV has just reported that a Khaybar 1 missile (Syrian make) has broken up over Haifa. Not yet determined what the intended target was. Could be coastal town Hadera which is home to electrical plants. These rockets have a range of 100km and carry up to 90kg explosives.

Lebanon PM Offers to Supply Local Troops

Lebanese PM Siniora has come up with a new gem. He has called up Lebanese reserves in order to put together a force to patrol South Lebanon. He proposed that this will help UNIFIL to fulfill their duties. Talk about the blind leading the dumb. But wait a minute. Isn't this the same Lebanese army that he claims is too weak and not poweful enough to fight Hezbollah? Just a few days ago in a offer to the US, he proposed absorbing Hezbollah into this same army. So in effect, he is proposing to use Hezbollah to patrol South Lebanon in order to stop Hezbollah from firing rockets into Israel. Arab diplomacy at its finest. Makes me want to cry.

Lebanon PM Siniora's "Slaughter" of the Truth: Houla-la

It appears that the tears shed by Lebanese PM Siniora at the Arab Foreign Ministers meeting in Beirut today were really those of a crocodile. At that meeting, Siniora said in response to an Israeli air attack, "was a horrific massacre ... in which more than 40 martyrs were victims of deliberate bombing." He bawled like a little girl. Pass the Kleenex. Not a few hours pass and Siniora has this to say "The massacre in Houla, it turned out that there was one person killed". Lebanese TV reported that 65 survivors were pulled from the building. Siniora's response to the 4000% error in his tally? "The Houla incident showed Israel has the intention to kill civilians". Hmm, I see. Try to slander Israel, and when that doesn't work try to slander them again. I would call you a pathological liar, but then again you are an Arab politician. Roget needs to add that one to his work. That wouldn’t be fair to all the liars out there. At least the liars don’t sponsor terrorists.

Finally, Hezbollahwood/Pallywood is being revealed for what it really is. If the Arab community does not respect the lives of their own children, how can you expect them to respect their own word? I seriously doubt the truthfulness of every single account whose source is Arab/Islamic based. Even CNN, BBC and others bit the bullet on this one and called Siniora to task. After all, their will probably be another massacre to report tomorrow.

Lebanon Claims New Israeli "Slaughter"

Dedicated to Adnan Hajj....may the fleas of one thousand camels infest your armpits.

Newswires reporting 40 civilians killed in Israeli air raid. Everyone is still waiting for pictures. Reuters where are you? What is interesting to note is the hesitant tones in the press releases. CNN reports "Lebanon's prime minister said Monday an Israeli airstrike on the southern village of Houla has left 40 people dead." No statement of facts, just quoting the PM. Sky News adds the disclaimer "it has been claimed". Even the BBC quotes the Leb PM as its source. Maybe these clowns are finally getting the hang of it.

As for Adnan Hajj, you will be doing camel stills for the rest of your life.

On Katyushas and Syria

As nighttime falls on Israel, rockets fall on Haifa. This is the first time in a week that Katyushas have hit Haifa. It is even rarer that Hezbollah fires at night. In the dark, their rocket launchers are easier to identify due the blast of the ignition. (Israeli TV is reporting the rockets were launched from the city of Tyre. Once again Hezbollah fires from civilian populated areas.) So why has Hezbollah increased the intensity of their attacks in the past two days? And why has Syrian FM Walid Moallem spoken out today as follows "If Israel attacks Syria by any means, on the ground, by air, our leadership ordered the armed forces to reply immediately," and "as Syria's foreign minister I hope to be a soldier in the resistance." I believe the two are intertwined, brought on by the draft of the UN resolution and the Iranian sword hanging over Hezbollah and Syria.

The draft of the UN resolution as proposed by the US and France, is being viewed as one sided, or pro Israeli by the Arab world. Specifically, the draft calls for the disarming of Hezbollah, but mentions nothing of the Israeli forces leaving Lebanon. This would also not enable Lebanese citizens to return to their homes in South Lebanon. (As I wrote yesterday, Lebanon will ultimately accept the final draft because not to would give a green light to Israel to step up the war). Lebanese UN Representative clarified the point as he explained that if Israel remains in Lebanon, it will be hard to delegitimize Hezbollah.

Hezbollah therefore is stepping up their activities as a show of strength. They need to get themselves a better resolution. Nasrallah would rather make himself a shahid than give up his gun. (Lebanon has offered to integrate Hezbollah into the Lebanese army).They need to pressure the Lebanese government not to accept the resolution. As long as Hezbollah keeps on fighting, the chances of Syria jumping along for the ride increase. Most important of all, is Iran. Iran has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in Hezbollah. Iran wants a Shia Islam outpost on the Israeli border. If Nasrallah were to roll over, Iran would find a new lap dog.

As for the Syrian Foreign Minister, he is speaking on behalf of a nation who is wetting their beds. Since the end of the 1973 war, Syria lives in fear of Israel. Not one Syrian initiated border event has taken place since, despite numerous Israeli actions. The Syrian army is weak and their equipment in disrepair. They want no part of Israel. Why the threats? Israel has passed along the following message through diplomatic channels: "Stay out of the way and you will be safe". Sweet music to Syrian ears. With this safety net in place, Syria allows itself to brandish their dull swords without any intent to use them. And again, Iran. What is true for Hezbollah is true for Syria. Syria too, cannot afford to lose face with their terrorist patrons.

In a non surprising confession, Reuters has admitted to digitally altering photos of an Israeli bombing raid yesterday. They added huge smoke plumes to the photos, to increase the apparent damage inflicted by the Israelis. I have commented in the past about the bias of the press. Need I say more?

On the United Nations, Israel and Hezbollah (Part 1)

The US and France have come to an agreement as to the terms of the United Nations Resolution which is aimed at ending the current state of war in the Middle East. The five major points in the proposed resolution are as follows:

1- Full cessation of hostilities
2- Unconditional release of the kidnapped Israeli soldiers
3- Further negotiations for release of Lebanese prisoners held by Israel
4- Full implementation of UN Resolution 1559 (disarm Hezbollah and distance them from Israeli border)
5- International embargo of arms sales to Lebanese territory unless authorized by the Lebanese government.

Will this resolution pass? Odds are the resolution will be passed in the UN in one form or another, with the 5 points in place. Russia may play hard to get for a while in order to show their disdain at being left off the front pages by the US and France. China and England will vote yes.
Will this resolution work? Israel will favor this resolution. Upon the outbreak of the war, Israel laid out its targets for the military. Return the kidnapped soldiers, stop the katyushas and destroy Hezbollah. The resolution would fulfill the first two Israeli goals. Hezbollah would not be destroyed, but that would have been virtually impossible anyway. Did Bush destroy Al-Qaeda? No. He did hurt them very badly. Same for Hezbollah. The only way to destroy Hezbollah is to destroy Iran, which isn’t such a bad idea. (I have heard that the UK and US are not far off from finalizing such plans.)

Hezbollah will not agree to this resolution. They get the ceasefire they want, but not on their terms. It will be a hard sell to the Arab world that the ceasefire is a victory when they have to release the soldiers without getting any prisoners in return. Lebanon is in shambles and Hezbollah would temporarily be handcuffed.

What's next? The resolution passes, for sure. Israel will announce their approval and declare a victory. Lebanese PM Siniora will approve as well (what choice does that lame duck have?) and announce a victory for the Lebanese nation. He will thank the UN for finally putting an end to the Israeli slaughter. Iran will protest and claim the UN is controlled by the Zionist Regime and the Great Satan. Hezbollah as well will announce victory. They fired thousands of missiles at Israel, and withstood the strongest army in the Middle East longer than any Arab nation.

Next- Part 2: The morning after.

Hezbollah Katyushas Hit Syria

It is being reported on Israeli TV that Hezbollah is firing katyushas into the Syrian border town of Quinetra. This town borders Israel. The non stop Israeli bombardment of Lebanon is beginning to take its toll on Hezbollah, which is now apparently trying to drag Syria into the fray. Even though Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad is not the most emotionally stable individual, I don't expect him to take the bait. Syria's military is known to be very weak and armed with outdated weaponry. Assad knows the most effective way for him to help Hezbollah is to keep on smuggling weapons across the border.

Qana Revisited: A Mel Gibson Production?

Qana's nakedness has been revealed. The major newswires have elected to ignore the truth, and continue to present their anti Israel/pro terrorist point of view. News wires have stopped reporting the news. Instead they have become a forum in which they express their views. The liberal press has yet to understand that the impact of ingrained anti Israel sentiment is proving to be a guiding light for Islamic terrorism.

Hezbollah, Iran and others interpret Western news reporting as justifying and even glorifying their actions. Freedom fighters? Defenders of Lebanon? Even while breaking every international rule of engagement, their support from organizations such as CNN, AP and Reuters grows.

I don’t intend to review all the evidence pointing to the fact that the "Qana Massacre" was nothing more than a staged event (I wonder if Mel Gibson was sharpening his movie making skills here). It has all been covered already. The apparently long dead bodies, the time differential, the baby who seems to reappear from the ambulance and finally the official statement from the Lebanese hospital that only 28 were reported dead (first reported here on July 31) all point to a major conspiracy. We have all seen this in the past in award winning Palestinian reporting.

I guess the point is, don't form your opinion based on what you saw on TV or read in the paper. The facts are out there for us all, you just need to find them. Everyone has an angle. The press is dominated by the left wing, and their negligent and even fallacious reporting is abominable. The Islamic lie machine does not rest. Neither does their accomplices.

The Ninth of Av

Today, the ninth of Av, is the most tragic day in Jewish history. The devastation that has taken place on this date in history is incomprehensible. The two Temples in Jerusalem were destroyed on this day (586BC, 70AD). Pope Urban II declared the Crusades on this day in 1095. In 1290, King Edward I of England signed the edict which expelled the Jews. The Alhambra Decree was signed in Spain on this day in 1492, leading to the Inquisition. World War I broke out on the ninth of Av, 1914. Nazi concentration camp Treblinka killed its first Jews exactly 64 years ago.

The ninth of Av, 2006, finds the Moslem world trying to continue the work that Europe left unfinished. Today, Malaysia hosted an Emergency Moslem Conference to discuss the current situation in Lebanon. All of the great humanitarian nations were present. Pakistan, Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Iran and Yemen were amongst 56 Islamic nations who gathered today to solve the world's problems. The defenders of civil rights and personal liberties all spoke as one, determined to make things right. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was quoted as follows: "Although the main solution (for the middle east problem) is for the elimination of the Zionist regime, at this stage an immediate cease-fire must be implemented". At last check not one of the other 55 countries had a problem with that proposal. This is not Mahmouds' first genocidal diatribe. He has many times in the past called for the total destruction of Israel. On his shopping list are six million Jewish bodies. Some of you might remember this number in a different context. However, it is really not that different at all.

The similarities between Europe in 1939 and the Middle East today are striking. "Allahu Akbar" has replaced "Zeig Heil". The actors may have changed but the roles remain the same. When Adolph screamed to the world "I will eliminate European Jewry", Europe continued to sip their coffee and discuss fine art. When they were conquered, they became all too willing accomplices (see Vichy France). Hey, after all Germany was doing what Europe had failed to do for two thousand years. Inquisitions, Crusades, pogroms and blood libels were not "continental" enough to finish the job. The same rhetoric is heard from the Moslem world. The Jews are the world's problem. The Jews control the media. The Jews control the banks. The Jews are everything that is wrong with the Moslem world. The Jews are rats and pigs (this one is actually taught in Palestinian schools). And still Europe waits. They debate the legitimacy of Israel's actions in Lebanon. The EU refuses to add Hezbollah to its list of terrorist organizations. EU President Javier Solana explains, "We just don’t have enough evidence".

Europe is making one critical error in judgment. This slaughter will not separate the Jews from the Christians. This slaughter would start with the Jews and end with the Christians.

Know Your Enemy

"I say: Know your enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles, you will never
be defeated. When you are ignorant of the enemy but know yourself, your chances
of winning or losing are equal. If ignorant both of your enemy and of yourself, you are sure to be defeated in every battle." -Sun Tzu, the Art of War, 500BC.

The message is clear. Unless you know who are up against, you don’t have a fighting chance. Neville Chamberlain learned the hard way in 1939. Despite clear warnings from Nazi Germany which were broadcast in hundreds of speeches by the mustached one, Chamberlain paid no attention to the threats of global domination and mass murder on a scale the world had never seen. Needless to say, a very heavy price was paid indeed.

As the Israel-Hezbollah War reaches its fourth week, there is more and more European and liberal posturing for useless ceasefires and even more useless negotiations. This cruel game has been played out with the PLO for years. The results have been nothing less than catastrophic. Gaza was surrendered, prisoners and terrorists released and tens of thousands of weapons were gifted to the kings of the refugee camps. To say that Israel is winning the war against the barbarians would be a stretch. Israel forgot the lesson of Sun Tzu.

If you want to know what the PLO stands for, or in other words, what they murder for, there would be no better source than that of the camel's mouth. The Palestinian National Charter (their version of the Constitution) was first published in 1968. Here are some choice bits.

Article 2: Palestine, with the boundaries it had during the British Mandate, is an indivisible territorial unit.

Only Gaza and the West Bank? The British Mandate reference means the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea.

Article 9: Armed struggle is the only way to liberate Palestine. Thus it is the overall strategy, not merely a tactical phase.

Negotiations anyone?

Article 15: The liberation of Palestine, from an Arab viewpoint, is a national duty and it attempts to repel the Zionist and imperialist aggression against the Arab homeland, and aims at the elimination of Zionism in Palestine.

This one is a beauty. The text I am quoting is the Palestinian translation from the Arabic source. The English quote above says "the elimination of Zionism," whereas the correct translation from the Arabic original is "the liquidation of the Zionist presence." Liquidation is a term that was commonly used in Europe sixty five years ago.

I think even you liberals out there are starting to get the point. And before our Prime Minister, the one who seems to enjoy bending over when discussing his future plans for the West Bank, gets any more insane ideas in his head, let's take a look at the Hamas Charter.

Article Six
The Islamic Resistance Movement is a distinct Palestinian Movement which owes its loyalty to Allah, derives from Islam its way of life and strives to raise the banner of Allah over every inch of Palestine.

Article Eight
Allah is its goal, the Prophet its model, the Qur'an its Constitution, Jihad its path and death for the case of Allah its most sublime belief.

Article Thirteen
[Peace] initiatives, the so-called peaceful solutions, and the international conferences to resolve the Palestinian problem, are all contrary to the beliefs of the Islamic Resistance Movement.
There is no solution to the Palestinian problem except by Jihad. The initiatives, proposals and International Conferences are but a waste of time, an exercise in futility.

Article Twenty-Eight
The Zionist invasion is a mischievous one. It does not hesitate to take any road, or to pursue all despicable and repulsive means to fulfill its desires. It relies to a great extent, for its meddling and spying activities, on the clandestine organizations which it has established, such as the Freemasons, Rotary Clubs, Lions, and other spying associations. All those secret organizations, some which are overt, act for the interests of Zionism and under its directions, strive to demolish societies, to destroy values, to wreck answerableness, to totter virtues and to wipe out Islam. It stands behind the diffusion of drugs and toxics of all kinds in order to facilitate its control and expansion.

Get the point Olmert??? Don’t forget Sun Tzu.

A Palestinian Primer

I was planning today to dissect Syria, both literally and figuratively. My notes started along the lines of Syria being the least respected of all the Arab nations, both by the West and by the Arabs themselves. (There are many reasons for this, some more obvious then others, but we will let it rest in the meanwhile). Then it struck me, what about the Palestinians? Aren’t they even more ignored and disrespected than Syria? Of course they are, but then again I was referring to Arab nations, and Palestinians are not a nation. I found the following definition of "nation".

"A relatively large group of people organized under a single, usually independent government; a country."

See what I mean? Large group of people, yes. Independent government, you gotta be kidding me. A country? Never has and probably never will be. Who are they? Are the Gaza Strip and the West Bank really their homeland?

Since the dawn of time, there has never been any sovereign Arab nation called Palestine which exerted independent governance over the plot of land known to the world as Israel.(There was the Philistines along the coast about 4000 years ago, but they were clearly not of Arab descent).Modern Israel has had many occupiers in the past 2000 years. After the destruction of the Temple by the Romans in 70 AD, the Turks, Byzantines, Crusaders, Mamelukes and the British all had their turns. Omar and Saladin did briefly control parts of Israel after bouts with the Crusaders and Byzantines, but never had any governmental control.

The State of Israel was created in 1948 upon expiration of the British Mandate and after "approval" of the United Nations. The indigenous Arabs took a pass on their half of the territory and the War of Independence broke out. Approximately 500,000 Arabs fled to neighboring countries after they were promised by their Arab brothers in the invading armies that they would be allowed to return. Many of them are still in refugee camps in Lebanon and Jordan, living in squalor under the watchful eye of their Arab brothers. Those countries are in no way ready to let them out and assimilate with the local population. I wonder why.

During the 1967 Six Day War, Israel captured the Gaza Strip from Egypt and the West Bank from Jordan. Since then, peace treaties have been signed between those two nations and Israel. As a direct result of those treaties and under international law, Israel legally retains both of those territories. This is the apparent Palestinian Homeland. They never had autonomy. They never had a government. They never laid claim to the land while it was under Egyptian, Jordanian or any other rule. They know it's not theirs. They don’t even want it. They just don’t want us to have it. For them, it’s a springboard to push all the Jews into the sea.

The Palestinian nation and the Palestinian homeland were, and are, nothing more than a myth. After the recent antics of Hezbollah, it will probably remain that way.

Next: The PLO and Hamas

Here is the link to that article in the Australian Herald Sun (mentioned in my previous post). Thank you John McDonald.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,,19955774-5007220,00.html

No Apology Needed

If Israeli PM Olmert feels a profuse need to apologize, let him start by apologizing to the Israeli public, after he tried to hoodwink them into buying his absurd, suicidal plan to withdraw from Judea and Samaria. I don’t think we will hear much more talk about that cyanide capsule in the near future. Sorry, you won't see a picture of him here, as even I have standards. But why the hell is he apologizing for killing Hezbollah human shields? Think Nasrallah is sitting in the Fuehrer Bunker and signing condolence cards? This is war my friends, and in war innocent people die. Lots of them. In WWII, the US and the UK specifically targeted major German cities and lit them up with incendiary bombs (pictured is the aftermath of the allied bombing of Dresden, 1945). The streets literally melted as hundreds of thousands of Nazi voters were quickly turned into well done sauerkraut.

Late Israeli PM Golda Meir was right on target when she said, "there will be peace when the Arabs love their children more than they hate us". She saw then, what many still can't see today. Children dress up like suicide bombers in Hamas summer camps. Mothers who hand out Milky Way bars as their sons go to collect their 70 virgins. I wonder what awaits female suicide bombers.

The online edition of the Herald Sun, Australia's top selling newspaper had a real interesting piece this morning. Apparently one of their reporters was able to smuggle out of Lebanon some very damning pictures of Hezbollah in action. The Jihadists were in civilian clothes (Geneva Convention violation) manning anti-aircraft batteries in civilian areas (violation). The Herald headline shouts "Damning Evidence". Strangely enough, the article suddenly disappeared shortly after it was picked up by an online Israeli news forum. My queries as to its disappearance have mysteriously gone unanswered by the editor.

The only apology that Israel owes to the world is for not going after these animals sooner.