updates on the Israeli Palestinian conflict

[Studeo]

Israeli Soldiers Refuse to Serve in War

part 1 - https://youtube.com/watch?v=s1bRdPRSyZU
part 2 - https://youtube.com/watch?v=Fh-PvDfNh9c
part 3 - https://youtube.com/watch?v=vd5AaxPw8gM
part 4 - https://youtube.com/watch?v=iBSbtMu2HiA
part 5 - https://youtube.com/watch?v=kGtIujHQSq0
part 6 - https://youtube.com/watch?v=f5F8_KzVxWQ

[PathWalker]

Fire clash between Israel and Lebanon is a provocation
UNIFIL: Israel didn't act in Lebanese territory

UNIFIL military spokesperson Lt. Col. Naresh Bhatt said Wednesday that the tree that was the core of a deadly gunbattle between the Israeli and Lebanese armies is located inside Israeli territory. Lebanese and Israeli soldiers exchanged fire Tuesday in a fierce battle that killed an Israeli officer, two Lebanese soldiers and a journalist. A number of people on both sides were hurt.

The shooting started when Israel tried to cut down a tree that both sides claimed was in their territory.

Posted in Arab media: http://www1.albawaba.com/en/main-hea...nese-territory

PathWalker comments:
Israeli media claims the fire clash was a planned provocation, because the action was coordinated with UNIFIL.
I believe the internal PTB in Lebanon are on the verge of a civil war. They will do what ever they can to divert the tension from internal disputes. Israel is an excellent excuse.
Strange that Hezbollah tried to disassociate itself from the event. With the normal saber rattling.

The way the event was silenced and managed by Israeli media was exceptionally low tone and calming.
This is one more sign to the winds of peace overcoming the winds of war. :-)

[PathWalker]

Weekend Rockets attacks on Israeli city Eilat and Jordanian city Aqaba addressed to Hamas from Ghazza.

Arab media report that the deadly rocket attack was launched from Egypt and sourced by Hamas.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/mi...347410954.html

PathWalker comments
Unlike other rocket attacks, this one was fired from Egypt. Israel did not retaliate with the normal war game on Egypt.
The war lords are trying all they can to start the war this summer and it is not happening. Yet.
I wonder what is the plan, and are we in a new mode of operation now? I think we are not, Israel is responsible and care to pick its response timing and means.
The war game is still playing, but the moves are changing. How sad.

[PathWalker]

UN and Hamas disagreement on the needs of the Gazzan civil.

In an Arab op ed, the journalist interviews representatives from the UN, Hamas, Israel about the humanitarian crisis in Gazza.
It seems that the "humanitarian" crisis is debatable and political among the Gazzans themselves.

Read more here: http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=90073

PathWalker comments:
Sad reflection in micro scale how the world economy is controlled by TPTB.
There is no scarcity in food, water, shelter and energy. It is all part of the politics and power straggle.

I suggest the reader watch the V for Vendetta film http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=90073
A soften disclosure of the secret government.

It was said before that Israel is the country of conflicts and Jerusalem is the city of conflicts. We see this manifesting daily.
Wish to learn how the world is controlled, observe how Israelis and the Palestinians are controlled.

[PathWalker]

Sudan bars aid groups from huge Darfur camp: UN

KHARTOUM — Sudan has barred aid groups from the huge Kalma refugee camp in Darfur in the wake of clashes between groups for and against the peace process, the United Nations said on Friday.

"No humanitarian (groups) have been allowed to Kalma and Bilal," the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) spokesman Sam Hendricks in Khartoum told AFP.

Read more here: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp...RPnkwFJtelt-vA

PathWalker comments:
These news are much more serious and life devastating then the Israeli Palestinian boiling pot.
Yet no one really cares, not in the news and absolutely ignored. While this is another humanitarian crisis that is political. It was not created by TPTB. Therefore is out of focus.

Personally I do care.

[lightblue]

PathWalker comments:
These news are much more serious and life devastating then the Israeli Palestinian boiling pot.
Yet no one really cares, not in the news and absolutely ignored. While this is another humanitarian crisis that is political. It was not created by TPTB. Therefore is out of focus.

Personally I do care.

pathwalker, i symphatise wiith your feelings, but you're off topic - see the thread title..,you may want to start a new thread..

best wishes l

[PathWalker]

More about life in Gazza

Israeli blockade eased, but Gaza blackout remains
GAZA, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- The road next to Gaza city's seaside was jammed with vehicles. An increasing hours of blackouts amid horrible heat and high humidity are forcing more and more people to go out of their homes.

"We really don't know what to do amid the rising heat and humidity," said Abu Anas, a 45-year-old Gaza resident, who took his wife and six children to the beach, in order to be away from the heat and the noise of electric generators.

The 1.8 million residents of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, still under a relaxed Israeli blockade, have been suffering from an increasing hours of electricity disconnection over the past five days, which coincided with an unusually high temperature in the region.

The residents attributed the recent power cutoff to disputes between the Hamas movement and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), instead of the Israeli blockade which has been in place for about four years.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english201...c_13435644.htm

Gaza electrical station stops operating
Financial dispute between Hamas, PA causes cut in fuel supply.
An electrical power station in the Gaza Strip stopped operating due to lack of fuel, Israel Radio reported Saturday.

A financial dispute between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority caused the lack of fuel supply, the station's manager said.

The PA is unable to purchase fuel since Hamas is not transferring funds from the taxes it takes from electricity users.

The station supplies one third of the electricity used in Gaza.
http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=183957

PathWalker Comments:
Again a political struggle on the back of the population. Israel tried to coerce the population to release Gilad Shalit and failed, now the Palestinians try the same on their own population.
I wonder how long it takes to get it.

[PathWalker]

The Lebanese internal conflict intensify, while Israel is the scape goat

A new arm race between Hezbollah and Lebanese army.
Lebanon said Saturday it was committed to building up its armed forces after complaints by Israel about Western assistance to the military following a deadly border clash between the two countries.

Two Lebanese soldiers, a Lebanese journalist and a senior Israeli officer were killed in a rare cross-border skirmish on Tuesday, the worst such violence since a 2006 war between Israel and Iranian-backed Hezbollah guerrillas.

The clash -- in which Lebanon and Israel gave different accounts of what happened -- raised fears of wider conflict. Both countries have since worked to calm tension at the border.

Speaking in the southern Lebanese village of Adaisseh where the clash occurred, President Michel Suleiman said the cabinet would meet to ratify a three- or five-year plan to arm the military "so that it can protect the nation's dignity."

"The government will put forth a plan to arm the army regardless of the position of some countries," Suleiman was quoted as saying by the National News Agency. He did not say when the plan would be approved.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6760LV20100807

Hezbollah blames Israel for PM Hariri assassination
Hezbollah: We have evidence linking Israel to Hariri assassination.
Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah is to reveal evidence implicating Israel in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri, a spokesman for the militant group told the Palestinian news agency Ma'an on Sunday.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomac...ation-1.306715

PathWalker comments:
The people of the region are not blinded by the controlled media rhetoric.
And the arms race for civil war in Lebanon is inevitable. Hezbollah has 20,000 well trained mercenaries, sponsored by Iran. Lebanon army is unequipped and powerless. Representing the crumbled Lebanese sovereignty. While the effective ruler in south Lebanon (1/2 the country) is Hezbollah.
The political situation there is very dangerous. In any violent clash, Hezbollah will take over the country. While it is against Hezbollah interests to exert power on Lebanon (its host), it might do that as it did 6 months ago in Beirut.
Hezbollah need to retain its image as Lebanon defender against Israel (while occupying parts of Lebanon), while maintaining its power supply from Iran. A power change in Iran will be devastating to Hezbollah as well as to Lebanon politics.

It is all so intricate with lies and deceptions, very much in accordance to stereotype of the middle east.

[PathWalker]

The life in Gazza are more totalitarian then imagined

Distressed Hamas in midst of massive hunt for collaborators, spree of executions in Gazza strip.
News stories about bodies found at sea are occasionally published by Gaza newspapers. The number of such bodies isn't huge, yet not all those drowning victims chose to go swimming voluntarily. The Gazans who found their death at sea include mid-level officials at sensitive government ministries, the Interior Ministry for example, alongside police and security officers.

Some of them were shot in the head before being sent on their swim.
...
This huge manhunt is not a sign of strength, says a senior Israeli security official – the opposite is true. These are clear signs of distress for Hamas' regime.
...
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7...932819,00.html

PathWalker comments:
Hope you saw the film V for Vendetta http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_for_Vendetta which is very realistic Orwelian society.
As I wrote before:
This melting hot pot is a pristine distilled reflection of our world, the ugly and the beatifull. In all its glorious extremes. You will find it the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.

It is not they, them nor us. It is we. We are all together including you the reader, in this boiling pot.

[PathWalker]

Good will and gestures in Gazza
PA, Hamas release prisoners ahead of Ramadan.

Palestinian news agency Maan reports gesture of good will entailing Palestinian Authority release of eight Hamas-affiliated lecturers, Hamas government release of 100 'security' prisoners

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7...934350,00.html

PathWalker comments:
We wish we could have more positive news. But lets rejoice what we have already.

[PathWalker]

Gazza strip on brink of another civil war

debkafile's military sources, however, call the situation in the Gaza strip "explosive" thanks to the extreme steps the two feuding Palestinian factions have set in motion:
1. Their two armed forces have called up reserves, corralled them inside towns across Gaza and are holding them ready to step into flare-ups as reinforcements;

2. The two armed groups are under orders not to rest: they must stay in uniform, hold their side arms ready and keep awake.
3. Both Hamas and Jihad have broken open their weapons stores and are distributing arms around neighborhoods they regard as loyal bastions.
4. Both threaten to use against each other the missiles they have stocked up for attacking Israel;

Our sources are holding tight in the hope that outbreaks of violence building up in the Gaza Strip do not spill over the border into Israel.
http://www.debka.com/article/8960/

PathWalker comments
Those who believe violence and terror as the mean, have opened the karmatic door for another violent cycle.
I truly hope this is just another of those fear mongering media reports.

[PathWalker]

Arab world 'disgusted' by IDF Facebook photos

Arab media outlets expressed outrage Tuesday over at the publication of controversial Facebook photos showing an IDF female soldier posing next to cuffed and blindfolded Palestinians.

Al-Jazeera said the soldier, Eden Abergil, "intentionally degraded the detainees on Facebook," while the Syrian press condemned "the sadist culture of the occupation army."


http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7...938504,00.html

PathWalker comments:
This morning I listened to radio interview with the female soldier (now retired).
She is 20 years old, childish, does not understand the issue. And completely insensitive to the Palestinian side. The interviewer tried to ask how if she cared to be pictured with reversed role (as the blind folded detainee). She refused to answer.

Further the article and other media sources, it seems that this is a common practice with check points guards. Kind of hunters/fishermen trophy.
It seems that this is a kind of bragging act to show, see we are doing our job.
This practice of pic taking: of abuse and violence. Is very common practice in the Arab countries to seed terror and fear. I am sorry it peculated into the Israel as well. But after all it is a reflection of the people.

To make one thing clear, the pic taking act was a personal act that is officially condemned by the army authorities.

[PathWalker]

Two Israeli soldiers wounded by Gaza fire
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp...GmprQiAYpy25Rg

PathWalker comments
As long as the army is dealing with fighting and violence, while the rest of the population is safe. I am content.
Being wounded in fire is part of professional risk of being in the army. Even though army service is mandatory for 3 years, many young Israeli volunteer to combat missions. Combat mission has glory and risk with it.

[PathWalker]

Israeli Court: Israel responsible for Arab girl's death

JERUSALEM — A Jerusalem court decided in a ruling made public Tuesday that the Israeli state was responsible for the death of a 10-year-old Palestinian girl killed by gunfire more than three years ago as she stood some distance from a demonstration.

The case gained wide attention because the girl's father, Basam Aramin, was a Palestinian militant turned advocate for Israeli-Palestinian coexistence. He helped found Combatants for Peace, a group of former Israeli and Palestinian fighters who work for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...PRq3gD9HLA1G80

PathWalker Comments:
Very surprising and encouraging news.
The Israeli justice system is not taking part in the cover up. Usually cops and soldiers find their way to avert any criminal justice. There are signs that the trend is improving. After all the security forces are not above the law (at least officially).

I hope this is not just a single sample case to silence the public, and more cases abuse will come infront as well.

[PathWalker]

Israel's new stealth fighter / The air force always gets its way

The F-35 deal changed gears yesterday. Over the past two years the negotiations had their ups and downs, but the Israel Air Force believed that its arguments would prevail. This belief was well-founded: It has never happened that the air force pointed to a model and was declined. It won't happen this time, either.

The political leaders accepted the IAF's main argument: retaining the technological advantage in the Middle East. There's no argument that the F-35, which is yet to receive a name in Hebrew, is an excellent fighter jet.
Read more here: http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition...s-way-1.308239

PathWalker Comments
This is probably to be sponsored by the USA military aid (I wonder if the USA will exist till next year).
The billions USA spend on Israeli army is a subsidy to the US weapons industry. Because Israel is allowed to purchase only US products with with US aid funds.
While the USA cut the military aid to the Lebanese army, the Lebanese army is begging for donations. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100810/.../ml_lebanon_us


This is another example of TPTB control over Israel and USA. Yet I am optimistic things and public trends are changing fast.

[PathWalker]

Nuclear inspection of Israel sought
Arab nations have urged Washington and several other nuclear powers to push for inspections of Israel's nuclear programme, diplomats have told the Associated Press news agency.

In a letter sent ahead of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) meeting scheduled for September, the Arab League also sought support for a resolution that calls on Israel to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/mi...228402597.html

PathWalker Comments:
This is another public agenda diversion. From the real issues of the regional conflict.
Who build it, why it is sustained and how.

[PathWalker]

Good news in the middle east, never heard before:

Settlement rabbi arrested on suspicion of incitement to racism
http://www.haaretz.com/news/national...acism-1.308976

Lebanon: Palestinian refugees can work
http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=185101

Military Police arrest another soldier on suspicion of involvement in looting Turkish flotilla ships
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7...939827,00.html

Israel, Lebanon oppose border escalation: UN force
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp...in4rSYs_LYEP8Q

PathWalker comments:
This items above collected from Israeli media, are positive signs that compassion and justice is on the rise.
Or it is just a more fear mongering and deception by TPTB.

[PathWalker]

4 Palestinians to be tried for violating settlement boycott

Merchants may face prison sentences; meanwhile, Hamas says PA not tough enough with Israel
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7...938564,00.html

PathWalker comments:
History repeats itself.
Israel had discrimination and gag laws against the Palestinians. Now we see the law of Karam in action.
Hope this situation will not escalate and resolve itself. Unless there is compassion the law of Karma take effect.

[PathWalker]

UN releases latest Goldstone probes



The United Nations has released the latest results of Israeli and Palestinian investigations into alleged war crimes committed during Israel's war in Gaza in 2008 and 2009.

Israel has carried out roughly four dozen investigations into alleged war crimes, according to a report provided to the UN. The investigations are being carried out by the army, however, not by an independent panel.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian report to the UN was submitted by the Palestinian Authority. The results make no mention of any investigation by Hamas.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/mi...440149309.html

PathWalker comments:
This is another public media diversion.
The effect of the Goldstone report has peculated into the Israeli side. With 4 indictments.
If the Israeli army was as righteous as it claims, it would have investigated itself and has the indictments before the Goldstone report. And therefore gaining creditability in the Israeli public. The current army creditability by the Israeli public is low. And diminishing with new scandals daily.

[Celine]

Israel lifts whistle-blower gag


Officials said Kamm tried to harm national security, but her lawyer said her motive was moral [AFP]






Israel has lifted censorship on reports that a former soldier is under house arrest for leaking more than 2,000 classified military documents to an Israeli newspaper.

An Israeli court had ruled that local media could not report Anat Kamm's detention since December for allegedly taking the documents when on mandatory military service between 2007-9.

However, information concerning the 23-year-old's arrest had been reported in international newspapers and websites over the past couple of weeks prompting the easing of the ban on Thursday, subsequently raising discontent over press freedom in Israel.

Authorities have accused Kamm of giving the copied documents to a journalist at the Haaretz newspaper, which subsequently published information in 2008 that a top army officer authorised the assassination of Palestinian fighters in violation of a Supreme Court ruling.

About 700 of the documents were classified as "top secret".

Moral cause

Kamm, now a journalist, is accused of intending to harm national security by leaking the information, although this is denied by her spokesman who said that Kamm's motivation was moral.

"Anat is not a member of any political group and she does not want anyone to use her plight to further their cause," Nissim Dwek, the spokesman, told Israel's Channel 10 TV.

"State security has not been harmed and there was no intent to harm state security," Dwek said.

Kamm could face up to life in prison if convicted of espionage.

The Justice Ministry said that the gag order was necessary in order that the documents could be recovered. Yet, they added they were only partially reclaimed as Uri Blau, the Haaretz journalist who received the material, had left the country.

That journalist was assigned to London to avoid Israeli prosecutors, while the newspaper has said it is talking with legal authorities to allow for his return.



Press freedom

Gideon Levy, a journalist with Haaretz, told Al Jazeera: "Israel is now in turmoil over a women who couldn’t be silent.

"I think that the main issue should be what were those secrets. One should look at the content of what was published, about who was assassinated. We don’t know enough at this stage," Levy said.

"We shouldn’t look at the messenger but the message.

"The penalty might be life. This is really out of proportion while we are dealing with a naive and good intentioned soldier who couldn’t keep silent about what she knew."

Critisism has been aimed at the gag order as international reports are easily available in Israel on the Internet, and many were referred to by local media regarding the case

'Illegal killing'

Israel has used a policy of targeted killings against Palestinians since the second Palestinian intifada began in 2000 to prevent attacks.

Yet, the policy has been criticised as illegal, with the Supreme Court ruling in 2006 that such assassinations in the occupied West Bank must be limited to extraordinary cases.

The military in turn officially stopped the practice. But Haaretz reported a 2007 document including an order from Yair Naveh, a then commander, allowing firing upon three top Palestinian fighters even if they were not viewed as posing a clear and present danger.

Haaretz then quoted legal experts who said that the subsequent killing of one of the Palestinians was illegal, although Naveh, now retired, disputed this.

Kamm was serving in Naveh's office at the time of the memos.

Eitan Lehman, Kamm's lawyer, said that punishing her for this would be "a mortal blow to the state of Israel as a democratic country that believes in the freedom of the press.

"This trial is not a trial against Anat Kamm or against this journalistic source or another but rather against the entire Israeli press,'' Lehman said.