Modern History - Israel vs. Palestine List

ꕤ History Israel vs. Palestine Israel War of Independence (1947-1949) Jewish militias vs. Arab militias turns to war on declaration of independence of Israel & intervention of several Arab armies settlement:  1949 Armistice Agreements signed by Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria armistice lines:  the Green Line Reprisal Ops (1950s-1960s) IDF military ops response to Arab guerilla incursions from Syria, Egypt & Jordan Israel declares:  high 'blood cost' to enemy side as deterrence from future attacks Suez Crisis (1956) Egypt attacked by:  Israel, Britain & France intention to occupy Sinai Peninsula & take over Suez Canal response to Egypt decision to nationalise Suez Canal (following US-Anglo withdrawal of offer to fund Aswan Dam) Conclusion: US & USSR (Soviet Russia) forced Israeli invasion to retreat Israel reopened Straits of Tiran & pacified southern border ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Six Day War (1967) Israel vs Egypt, Jordan & Syria (contributors:  Iraq, Saudi Arab, Kuwait & Algeria) Conclusion:  territory held by Israel expanded significantly -->  The Purpose Line West Bank (incl. East Jerusalem) - taken from Jordan Golan Heights - taken from Syria Sinai & Gaza - taken from Egypt ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- War of Attrition (1967-1970) Egyptians seek to recapture Sinai from Israel Egypt Jordan Syria PLO USSR ceasefire 1970 - frontiers remain same ---------------------- ꕤ ----------------------   Operation Gift (1968) 29 Dec. 1968 Israeli IDF commandos destroy 12 passenger aircraft 2 cargo planes at Beirut International Airport response to attack on:  Israeli Airliner El Al Flight 253 by Palestinian Lebanon-based militant org:  Popular Front for Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) 29 Dec. 1968 Israeli commandos destroy 14 aircraft #Lebanon 12 passenger aircraft + 2 cargo planes @ $43.8 million - British insurers would not cover all https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968_Israeli_raid_on_Lebanon   ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Yom kuppur War (1973) 20-days Arab states coalition led by Egypt & Syria seek to recapture territories seized by Israel 6-Day War (1967) surprise attack Arab forces defeated no significant territorial changes ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Palestinian Insurgency  - South Lebanon (1971-1982) PLO relocated from Jordan to South Lebanon base for international ops attacks on Galilee, northern Israel Galilee 1948 Arab–Israeli war outcome: nearly the whole of Galilee came under Israel control large portion of the population fled or was forced to leave leaving dozens of entire villages empty large Israeli-Arab community remained based in and near the cities: Nazareth, Acre, Tamra, Sakhnin, & Shefa-'Amr ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Israel response:  Op Litani (1978) first Israel large-scale invasion of Lebanon IDF seek to expel PLO from Lebanon ground & rocket attacks from Lebanon Israel retaliation escalation --> leads to:  Lebanon War (1982) ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Lebanon War (1982) IDF invade southern Lebanon to expel PLO Israeli response to: 1.  terror attacks on northern Israel 2.  assassination attempt against Shlomo Argov, Israel to UK ambassador assassination attempt by:   Abu Nidal org Result: 1) exclusion of PLO from southern Lebanon 2) 'Israeli Security Zone' in southern Lebanon     (ie Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon)     IDF was allied with Christian militias     Israel eventually withdrew troops, May 2000 ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- South Lebanon Conflict (1982-2000) 20 years of warfare Israel IDF + Israel proxy (Lebanese Christian militias) vs. Muslim guerrillas (led by Iran-backed Hezbollah) in Israeli occupied southern Lebanon, claimed as 'security zone' ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- First Intifada (1987-1993) 6 years large-scale Palestinian uprising against Israel West Bank & Gaza Strip ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Second Intifada (2000-2005) large-scale Palestinian uprising against Israel ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Lebanon War (2006) Israeli military op response to abduction x2 Israeli reservists by Hezbollah led to wider confrontation Hezbollah vs IDF UN brokered ceasefire thereafter, Israel lifted naval blockade of Lebanon result: 1)  pacification of southern Lebanon 2)  weakness of Hezbollah (serious casualties) ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Gaza War (2008-2009) Dec-Jan - 3-week armed conflict Israel vs Hamas escalation of Israel-Palestine conflict rocket fire from Gaza Strip Israel response:  Op Cast Lead Op Cast Lead:  surprise Israel air-strike on Gaza Strip Israel attacked: military targets civilian targets police stations government buildings in opening assault ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- 2013 - Peaceful Period x50 rockets by Palestine x10 Israel air-strikes x44 Palestinians killed 100 plus Palestinians injured x6  Israel fatalities (x5 West Bank) x44 Israel injuries  Israel | Palestine 6 / 44 deaths 44 / 100 injuries ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Operation Pillar of Defence (2012) Israel military offensive on Gaza Strip 8-day IDF op killing of Ahmed Jabari, chief Hamas launch of large numbers of Hamas rockets IED explosion on Israeli side of tunnel under Israeli Est Bank barrier Hamas alleges:  IDF attacks on Gaza civilians in lead-up to op Hamas cites:  blockade of Gaza Strip & Occupation West Bank & East Jerusalem as reason for rocket attacks Hamas fired: over 1,456 rockets into Israel Op Pillar of Defence: IDF struck over 1,500 sites in Gaza Strip result:  Israel rockets killed x3 Israeli civilians a home in Kiryat Malachi received a direct hit Palestine UNHCR report: 174 Palestinians were killed 100s wounded large number of families displaced Israeli operation condemned by: Iran Russia Egypt Turkey + several other Arab & Muslim countries ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Operation Brother's Keeper IDF initiated 11-day op in search of x3 kidnapped Israeli teenagers 350 Palestinians arrested arrest of nearly all Hamas West Bank leaders x5 Palestinians killed Hamas denied responsibility for kidnapping suspect confessed under Israel Shin Bet (internal security) heavy torture ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Gaza War (2014) Operation Protective Edge (2014) Miv'tza Tzuk Eitan (lit. Operation Strong Cliff) 50-day war Israel military offensive on Gaza Strip lead-up: kidnap & murder x3 Israeli teenagers kidnap & murder of Palestinian teenager increased rocket attacks on Israel by Hamas J. J. Goldberg, editor Forward:  Israel military indictment contains no evidence of orders from Hamas --> kidnapping organised by lone actors assumed that kidnappers planned prisoner swap Israel kills x2 suspects in shoot-out first suspect (lone-acting, member of Hamas) imprisoned - x3 life terms (+ compensation) Israel targeted destruction of homes of Hamas and other militia members violates international humanitarian law -- > constitute war crimes    [wikipedia] ** this is not full extent of the alleged war crimes 3,700 rockets fired towards Israel 32 Hamas tunnels destroyed by Israel 750 Palestinians - alleged Hamas militants & commanders killed by Israel 2014 Gaza War - COSTS Palestinians killed: 2,139 Palestinian children killed: 490 Israeli soldiers killed: 64 Israeli civilians killed: 6 Israeli children killed: 1 Palestinians wounded: 11,000 Palestinian children wounded: 3,000 Gaza residents displaced: Up to 500,000 Homes destroyed in Gaza: 20,000 Source: UN via Independent:  Independent Other cost:  international aid Israel  |  Palestine 71 dead / 2,193 dead ? wounded  / 11,000 wounded ? displaced / 500,000 displaced https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wars_involving_Israel ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- COMMENT Most of the above info is as per the Wikipedia entries. It's just my summary, in the hope of remembering some of this. Figures haven't been double-checked and I've not looked further  into the war crimes issue. ꕤ

West Bank - IDF Beating & Torturing Detainees

ꕤ West Bank SOURCE   |  here SOURCE   |  here If this hasn't properly loaded, click on the source link to view video clip at source. [It's driving me bananas not knowing if it's loaded or not.  I've done a conversion, but I still can't see clip on this blog without a plug-in.] The clip caught my attention because it looked brutal. ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Meanwhile, Israel cabinet approves law against anti-government non-government organisations (NGOs) [27.12.2015 - spiegel.de] Brief video clip of the preceding NGO debate on Israeli TV below: [It sounds like 'sheshen' is 'six' in Hebrew] Israel Hayom http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=30405 27.12.2015 Newsletter Monday December 14, 2015 Likud MK seeks to label foreign-funded NGOs as 'plants' MK Yoav Kisch introduces a bill that aims to curtail nongovernmental organizations funded mostly by foreign governments, as they "represent foreign political interests," use funds to promote anti-Israel propaganda • "We have to put a stop to it," he says. Gideon Allon and Israel Hayom Staff Likud MK Yoav Kisch on Sunday introduced a legislation proposal seeking to label nongovernmental organizations operating in Israel while receiving the majority of their funding from foreign governments as "plants" or "agents" of the governments funding them. The bill seeks to impose stricter record keeping and reporting guideline on such NGOs, and bar them from fostering collaborations with government ministries and the military, unless specifically authorized by the Justice Ministry. The bill's abstract further says the legislation seeks to allow both the "proper authorities and the public with tools to counter the erosion of democracy and the promotion of and internal delegitimization of the State of Israel, funded by foreign political entities." The proposal suggests any infringement by NGOs on the new guidelines will incur a 100,000 shekel ($26,000) fine, and that should any group be linked "to hostile activities, the Registrar of Associations will be able to petition the court for its dissolution." Kisch's legislation proposal states, "There are various associations operating in the State of Israel that receive support and funding from foreign political entities, making them 'plants' in the midst of Israeli society. These groupers effectively represent foreign political interests, as he who has the money has the final say. "There is a clear phenomenon in Israel by which these foreign interests undermine Israel's ability to defend itself and/or jeopardizes its Jewish and democratic character. While these associations promote foreign interests they still qualify for various exemptions, despite the fact the Israeli public is harmed, directly, by their actions," the bill said. "A democracy has to be able to defend itself," Kisch explained. "It's inconceivable that foreign-funded NGOs use those funds to spread lies and anti-Israel propaganda worldwide. "We will not allow foreign funding of this nature to attack Israeli soldiers, urge boycotts against Israel, and supporting terrorism or enemy states under the guise of a legitimate Israeli association. We have to put a stop to it," he said. http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=30405 Haaretz http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.694082?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter NGO Bill: Assault on Democracy or Legitimate Effort to Guard Against Foreign Intervention? The controversial non-profit bill that got the backing of a ministerial panel on Sunday will remain a subject of heated debate but is expected to pass in some form. Haaretz Dec 27, 2015 4:33 PM A bill that would require non-profit organizations that get more than half their funding from foreign governments to disclose that in various contexts passed a major legislative hurdle on Sunday. It received the backing of the Ministerial Committee for Legislation. Approval by the committee means that it now has the backing of the governing coalition, making it likely that it will pass in some form, although it could be subject to changes before final passage. Sponsored by Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked of the Habayit Hayehudi party, the bill is widely seen as an effort to draw attention to left-wing organizations that get funding from foreign governments. The activities of left-wing organizations have been in the headlines recently in part over funding some of them receive from foreign governments, notably European ones, a situation that critics call an improper effort by the governments to influence the Israeli public agenda. Opponents of the legislation call it an anti-democratic attempt to stigmatize left-wing groups and point out that right-wing Israeli non-profit organizations also get substantial funding from abroad, although that money is not from foreign governments, coming instead from individual donors abroad, notably from Diaspora Jewish donors. As currently drafted, the bill proposed by Shaked would require representatives of organizations receiving over half their support from foreign governments to wear tags with the name and the group they represent when they attend Knesset sessions, as is currently required of Knesset lobbyists. Violations of the law would be punished by barring the representatives' access to the Knesset. The bill would also require the groups to disclose in their official publicity that they get more than half their funds from foreign governments, along with disclosing the donor governments by name. Violations of this provision would be subject to a 29,000 shekel ($7,450) fine. "Any country wishing to protect its sovereignty must put limits on intervention by foreign entities," Shaked said, adding that false information spread by non-profit groups "pretending to represent Israel's interests but which actually are financed by foreign countries that exploit these groups to suit their agenda" constitute a weapon directed against Israel. But for his part, Zionist Union party leader Isaac Herzog called the bill "a serious stain on democracy," while his party colleague Nachman Shai warned that it would provide "ammunition to those calling for Israel's isolation." At the beginning of the month, four senior lawmakers from Germany warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that advancement of the legislation would make it harder for Israel's allies in Germany to aid it in the face of boycotts or attempts to delegitimize it. Tzipi Livni, who is co-leader of the Zionist Union along with Herzog, has submitted her own bill that would require disclosure by non-profits that get sizeable foreign government support but also require groups that depend upon individual donors from abroad to disclose it, in practice also imposing legislative regulation on right-wing groups. Justice Minister Shaked's office said including recipients of contributions from individual donors from abroad was considered but was not pursued because of legal hurdles that it presented. Im Tirtzu vs. Breaking the Silence The right-wing political group Im Tirtzu recently made headlines for a video it released stigmatizing leaders of left-wing organizations that it said received substantial foreign government funding as foreign "moles." Breaking the Silence, a group founded by Israel Defense Force veterans to expose misconduct by the Israeli army in the territories, has been a particular focus of public criticism. Representatives of the group have been barred by Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon from sending representatives onto army bases and by Education Minister Naftali Bennett from appearing in the country's public schools. The Breaking the Silence website states that among the financial support that it receives are funds from the governments of Norway, Spain and Switzerland as well as a number of foreign private foundations. Prior to the vote in the ministerial committee, Michael Oren, who is a former Israeli ambassador to the United States and is now member of the Knesset from the Kulanu party, which is a part of the governing coalition, said he could not vote in favor of the bill as currently drafted. "As someone who has worked his entire life to advance the State of Israel's foreign affairs, my conscience does not allow me to vote for the non-profits bill as it is drafted today."  Oren said.  "The non-profits bill that is reaching a vote at the Ministerial Committee for Legislation today is a bill that could harm Israel's foreign relations and image," he added. "I have no doubt that left-wing non-profits such as Breaking the Silence are working to undermine the legitimacy of the State of Israel, and it is our duty as lawmakers to reveal their funding sources to the public. But such one-sided exposure, which ignores the funding sources of extreme-right non-profits, might play exactly into the hands of those elements that are trying to boycott us," Oren said. http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.694082?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter SUMMARY - Haaretz info Summary (Parliament) Knesset lobbyists to wear name tags with name of group they represent NGOS receiving over half their support from foreign govts to wear name tags with name of govt they receive funding from violations result in barred access to parliament (Knesset) & in monetary fines right-wing groups receving money from individual donors abroad are exempt from same standard Breaking the Silence group founded by IDF veterans (donors include Norway, Spain & Switzerland govts) expose misconduct of IDF *barred from sending representatives to army bases *barred from appearing at Israel's public schools legislation will be targeted by BDS campaigners German law-makers already notified Israel difficult to defend COMMENT The above video clip of Palestinians being beaten by Israeli soldiers is pretty sickening to watch.  After the initial viewing, I couldn't view again. I've seen other things (eg. IDF soldiers beating up an old Palestinian man about to have his house demolished, and an IDF soldier striking an old woman), so it's not like this is an aberration.  And the bet is that what I've seen is just a fraction of the brutality. Also, I tend to avoid looking at what is happening in territories occupied by Israel, because I can't handle the dissonance.  The image I have of Israel is of its ancient history, its Temple, its songs and things that are pleasant ... seeing old people getting beaten ruins that. It's very unpleasant to see this kind of brutality, and it's impossible not to be appalled and sorry for the Palestinians that are being mistreated. Norway, Spain or Switzerland government funding of Israeli NGOs is far less of a potential 'de-legitimiser' of Israel than what the IDF have been caught doing to civilians in Palestine. For a country that has so many pro-Israel interest groups abroad lobbying other governments on its behalf, and for a country whose organisations are involved in, basically, a program of indoctrinating Western journalists and politicians by hosting 'educational' visits to Israel (including an Israeli hospital where Israel's been patching up Syrian 'rebels' - ie anti-Syrian government Islamists), it's somewhat hypocritical of Israel to put up barriers to NGOs that receive funding from other government organisations (while shielding Israel's right-wing NGOs from being subject to the similar measures). But Israel can always be counted on to do the rational thing:  ie. to act in its own interests and in pursuit of its own aims. In an ideal world, this is how one handles foreign interests potentially asserting influence on internal affairs, and this is how one handles fifth column elements within one's state. But, as mentioned in the article, this will be something the BDS campaigners might wish to exploit, especially considering Israel's strong reliance on representing itself as a democracy. I highly doubt that the governments of Norway, Spain and Switzerland are actually seeking to undermine or de-legitimise Israel in any way, but the intention isn't relevant if the result is seen as the undermining of Israel's interests and aims. This is a brilliant move on Israel's part to de-legitimise, diminish and silence leftist internal critics -- particularly critics of Israel's military (and occupation territory settlements, I'm guessing). But will it backfire?  Spiegel Google Translation German to English https://archive.is/I2UoD ꕤ

What A Wonderful World ...

ꕤ comment Yesterday I thought I could see things from the Palestinian perspective ... and then I came across an article about a burnt down church in the West Bank: Terrorists Burn Down Bethlehem Church, Palestinian Authority Blames ‘Electrical Malfunction’ by Jordan Schachtel 28 Sep 2015 Islamic extremists set fire to the St. Charbel Monastery in Bethlehem over the weekend, and Christian leaders in Bethlehem—a Palestinian Authority-governed area of the West Bank—have demanded that the Palestinian government do more to prosecute the criminals responsible for the reported arson attack. Father Gabriel Naddaf, an Arab-Israeli Christian, blamed “Palestinian extremists” for burning down the church. MORE http://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2015/09/28/terrorists-burn-bethlehem-church-palestinian-authority-blames-electrical-malfunction/ While I'm not religious, I find this kind of creepy and I'd consider it something of a 'red flag' if I were in the neighbourhood. ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Just as I've recoiled over the church burning in the West Bank, some other appalling item comes up on my twitter feed, that also has me recoiling in disgust: https://twitter.com/Palestinianism/status/654455444090540032 It says that it's an IDF (Israel Defence Forces) officer kicking and beating an elderly East Jerusalem Palestinian, that's getting evicted from his about to be demolished home. It's really sickening and it's wrong.  Probably one of the most indecent things I've seen the military do.  Don't they impart a sense of honour and dignity in the military in Israel? ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- I later turned my attention to Afghanistan ... and what do I find on the Afghanistan feed?  A US "Green Beret Cut from Army for Intervening on Behalf of Child Assault Victim in Afghanistan"  - here. Apparently, this is a Pashtun cultural problem - here. Judging by what I've read, the Taliban are almost the good guys ... give or take the bit of sharia limb severing punishment here or there.    This kind of puts all that nutty cultural relativism and 'refugees welcome' zealotry into perspective. It also makes it hard (for me) to care to any meaningful extent about what goes on in places that are so warped and uncivilised. ꕤ

Israel: IDF - Press Assaults

ꕤ Article SOURCE as marked News Brief Israeli officer removed after soldiers destroy journalists’ cameras October 4, 2015 7:14am     JERUSALEM (JTA) –An Israeli military officer has been removed from his position after soldiers under his command which soldiers caught on film destroying cameras belonging to journalists. During the Sept. 25 incident near Nablus in the West Bank, soldiers smashed the cameras of two photographers for the French news agency AFP as they filmed a Palestinian demonstration. The AFP said that one of the photographers was thrown to the ground and had a gun pointed at him as he looked for his press card. The disciplinary action was announced on Friday, a day after a hearing before IDF Southern Command Chief of Staff Brigadier General Udi Ben-Moha. The IDF said it would consider whether to allow the officer to continue to serve in the military in any capacity. He was suspended after the incident. “This was a serious incident from an ethical and command perspective that will be investigated and its lessons learned,” the IDF said in a statement. The commander’s attorney, Eidan Pesach, said the officer, identified only as A, was “sacrificed on the altar of political and diplomatic interests.” Other members of the officer’s battalion have said they will refuse to serve in the next operation in protest of the punishment. More than 3,600 people have “liked” a Facebook page in support of officer A. http://www.jta.org/2015/10/04/news-opinion/israel-middle-east/israeli-officer-removed-after-soldiers-destroy-journalists-cameras Soldiers Invade Home Of Slain Palestinian In Jerusalem, Kidnap Three Family Members author Sunday October 04, 2015 12:53author by IMEMC & Agencies Report post  Dozens of Israeli soldiers invaded, on Sunday morning, the home of Fadi Samir Alloun, 19 years of age, who was shot and killed at dawn, searched the property and attacked several family members, before kidnapping three. Media sources in Jerusalem said dozens of soldiers surrounded al-Misrara area, in Bab al-'Amoud, and fired dozens of rubber-coated metal bullets, gas bombs and concussion grenades, wounding many Palestinians, including Hana' Hammad, a journalist working for the Al-Mayadeen TV.  The wounded journalist continued the media coverage, after medics bandaged half of her face. Mahameed said the soldiers threw dozens of concussion grenades and sounds bombs at the Palestinians who flocked to the home of Fadi 'Alloun, and also targeted her, her team, and many other reporters. The sources said the soldiers also confiscated mobile phones from the invaded home, and assaulted several women. The invasion led to clashes between the invading soldiers and dozens of local youths, especially near the al-Arba'in Mosque, in al-Misrara. Alloun is from the al-'Eesawiyya town, in occupied East Jerusalem; he was shot with seven live rounds in al-Misrara. A video published by Israeli media agencies showed a several Israelis chasing the young man, who ran towards the police, while both of his hands were clearly visible, but an officer jumped out of a police car, and shot him dead. Lawyer of Ad-Dameer Prisoners Support and Human Rights Association Mohammad Mahmoud, said the soldiers are still refusing to hand the bodies of 'Alloun, and Mohannad Shafiq Halabi, 19 years of age, who stabbed an armed Israeli, then shot several others after grabbing the gun from the man he stabbed. In addition, clashes took place in several areas in occupied Jerusalem, especially in Bab Hatta and Bab Al-Asbat, leading to the Al-Aqsa Mosque. More clashes also took place near the Al-Quds University, in Abu Dis, east of occupied Jerusalem. http://www.imemc.org/article/73232 ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- COMMENT Every time I think I can identify with Israel and can sort of support Israel if I put an Israeli mindset on to see things only from Israel's perspective, Israel does something that I find abhorrent and I'm back to not being able to see Israel in a positive light. Foreign photographers do not deserve to have their equipment smashed or to have guns drawn on them. While the IDF is doing the proper thing officially by reprimanding the commander in charge, I find it absolutely disgusting that this commander's battalion say that they'll refuse to serve in the next operation as a protest. It makes the IDF sound like scumbags -- scumbags with no discipline who should be court-marshalled as a battalion. I'd hate to think how these men of the IDF behave towards the occupied people, when nobody's watching or filming. Targeting news reporters covering the current raid on Palestinians (in the aftermath of Jerusalem stabbings) and assaulting women is getting pretty low. How can Israel expect bystanders to support Israel (as in, the 'I Stand With Israel' promos) when Israel does things that aren't honourable? As for the shooting of those that have carried out knife attacks, in a place like Israel I'd say it's probably to be expected, and I think it's a case of tough luck if that's the typical Israeli response, even if the civilised ideal would be to bring perpetrators before the courts.   So, while I can deal with an outright shooting of a perpetrator by Israel without upset, I draw the line at Israel then punishing and terrorising Palestinian families in violent military raids -- before, most likely, proceeding to demolish the homes of family members of perpetrators of attacks. The guess is that Israel resorts to barbarity and overreaction in an effort to deter future attacks.   Not sure how effective the strategy is.  It is perhaps a deterrent for some people, but obviously not all. However freaked out I get about the current Islamic occupation of Europe, it's difficult not to sympathise with the Palestinian people who are a displaced and occupied people, and have been since the Western sanctioned creation of Israel 67 years ago. People who identify as Jewish have come from countries from all over the world to take possession of a territory that was held by Kingdom of ancient Judea, hundreds of years ago, well before the fall of Rome. However fascinating and amazing Jewish history is, the world  of the ancient Judeans and the state of the ancient Judeans did not exist in 1948 Palestine. Various modern people who identify as Jewish have moved into the world and existence of the in situ but stateless Palestinians, who have since been butchered, driven out and corralled in open prisons for decades.  UN approval notwithstanding, the state of Israel is a foreign occupier. The random attacks on Israelis are retaliatory attacks of an occupied people resisting the injustice and indignities of foreign occupation, and these incidents, however undesirable and horrific, are the consequence of resistance to Israeli occupation. From what little I've seen on social media, there's considerable anger.  And, yes, I can see how upsetting it would be to be the target of random violent attack.  But Israelis forget that their presence is a foreign military occupation of almost 70 years. I don't see how the Israeli-Palestine conflict can ever be resolved.  Israel is unlikely to settle until it has occupied as much territory as it can, while the Palestinians will probably never be satisfied with being driven into some corner by foreign, armed occupation. La corresponsal de Al Mayadeen en Palestina SOURCE http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Al-Mayadeen-Journalist-Wounded-by-Isreali-Troops-in-Palestine-20151004-0006.html Al Mayadeen Journalist Wounded by Isreali Troops in Palestine "http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Al-Mayadeen-Journalist-Wounded-by-Isreali-Troops-in-Palestine-20151004-0006.html". If you intend to use it, please cite the source and provide a link to the original article. www.teleSURtv.net/english EXTRACTS ONLY  After being shot 7 times, Alloun’s body was kicked and dragged by settlers, according to local media reports. The settlers also stormed Palestinian houses and properties in the area. Palestinian sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said at least 27 people were wounded as Israeli military vehicles rolled into the Jenin refugee camp, in the West Bank, where Alloun's family lives. Israeli forces arrested Alloun’s father, brother and uncle, despite no clear connection between the attack and the teenager's relatives has been drawn. The arrest elicited an exchange of fire between Israeli troops and Palestinian refugees. Separately, Israeli troops stormed and raided Jenin city as well as the villages of Silat al-Harithiya, Arraba, Yaabad and al-Yamoun. Israeli forces and Palestinians have been clashing at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound for weeks, since Orthodox Jews backed by Israeli troops began disputing the holy site. SOURCE http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Al-Mayadeen-Journalist-Wounded-by-Isreali-Troops-in-Palestine-20151004-0006.html In what world do the military throw stun grenades in public places where the people aren't doing anything or resisting in any way? And in what world do bystanders attack corpses and then attack Palestinian houses and properties in the local area? The Israelis are every bit as primitive, deranged, and criminal as the Middle Eastern counterparts they're always casting as savages. The raids on Palestinian villages, the wounding of numerous people, the military storming a refugee camp, and arrests of a number of family members, sounds like collective punishment the Nazi Germans would have resorted to. ꕤ

VIDEO: Moshe "Bogie" Ya'alon - Defence Minister Israel - IDF Retirement Song

ꕤ Catchy song.  Quite like this. Moshe "Bogie" Ya'alon Current Defence Minister Israel Former Chief of Staff IDF 2005 IDF retirement song source https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLA4118AC5D3712433&v=3NZjsrkcJEo&feature=player_embedded ꕤ

GAZA - Israel - International Criminal Court - War Crimes

Published on Thursday, August 07, 2014 by Common Dreams Netanyahu Urges US Lawmakers to Defend Israel Against ICC "War Crimes" Prosecution As calls grow for additional investigation and possible prosecution, nation's prime minister looks to allies in US Congress for support by Jon Queally, staff writer According to U.S. Congressman Steve Israel (D-NY), the Israeli government hopes that he and his colleagues in Washington, DC will do everything in their power to prevent the International Criminal Court from pushing forward with possible war crimes charges against his nation over its recent attack on the Gaza Strip which resulted in the killing over nearly 1,900 Palestinians, including a large proportion of civilians and hundreds of children. Speaking to the New York Post from Israel, where he was travelling at the invitation of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (or AIPAC), Rep. Israel described the meeting between U.S. lawmakers in the delegation, AIPAC officials, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “The prime minister asked us to work together to ensure that this strategy of going to the ICC does not succeed,” the congressman told the Post. “[Netanyahu] wants the US to use all the tools that we have at our disposal to, number one, make sure the world knows that war crimes were not committed by Israel, they were committed by Hamas. And that Israel should not be held to a double standard.” During a meeting at The Hague on Tuesday of this week, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad al-Malki told prosecutors at the International Criminal Court that "clear evidence" of war crimes by Israel against the people of Gaza exists. "Everything that has happened in the last 28 days is clear evidence of war crimes committed by Israel, amounting to crimes against humanity," Malki said. "There is no difficulty for us to show or build the case. Evidence is there for people to see and collect. Israel is in clear violation of international law." Prior to his trip, Rep. Israel released a statement announcing, "I have always been one of Israel’s strongest supporters in the U.S. Congress, and I will always stand up for its needs.” Recently, during the height of the conflict the congressman was among lawmakers who signed a letter to the United Nations calling on it to "condemn Hamas’ use of civilians as human shields, which is a direct violation of international law." That the Hamas government "uses human shields" in Gaza is a familiar Israeli government talking point, but no independent evidence exists to support the accusation and the claim is widely dismissed as straight propaganda by agencies and experts on the ground in Gaza. Despite Congressman Israel's characterization of the conflict in Gaza—and the consistent defense by Netanyahu and other Israeli officials that its military's behavior in the Strip was and is justified—global indignation and condemnation has resulted from the fact that while three civilians and just over 60 soldiers were killed on the Israeli side during the fighting, official estimates on the Palestinian side put the death toll at 1,865 people killed, including 429 children under the age of 18; 79 people over the age of 60; and 243 women. The Israeli government continues to repeat that it killed "900+ terrorists" during what it called Operation Protective Edge, but it offers no convincing argument on how it distinguishes an adult Palestinian male sleeping in his bed, seeking shelter, or fleeing hostilities from someone acting in a military or offensive capacity. Meanwhile, Amnesty International on Thursday announced that is has seen mounting and "alarming" evidence that the IDF launched what it called "apparently deliberate attacks" against hospitals and health professionals in Gaza during Israel's incursion. “Such attacks are absolutely prohibited by international law and would amount to war crimes," aid Philip Luther, Middle East and North Africa Director at Amnesty International. "They only add to the already compelling argument that the situation should be referred to the International Criminal Court.” Earlier this week, Human Rights Watch said it has now documented cases in which Israel fired on civilians who were fleeing the violence and stated that "deliberate attacks on civilians who are not participating in the fighting are war crimes." “The horrors of war are bad enough for civilians even when all sides abide by the law,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, HRW's regional director for the Middle East and North Africa. “But it’s abhorrent that Israeli forces are making matters even worse by so blatantly violating the laws of war designed to spare civilians.” [...] continued @ source http://www.commondreams.org/news/2014/08/07/netanyahu-urges-us-lawmakers-defend-israel-against-icc-war-crimes-prosecution

What's the bet that nothing ever comes of the International Criminal Court proposed charges.

There is a WikiLeaks cable disclosing IDF soldiers' claims that Israel used human shields - blogger post and link here.

Anyway, regarding Operation Protective Edge, it's inconceivable that Israel will be prosecuted because everything is stacked against it.


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Link to Palestine News Network - here.

In addition to the death toll, there are thousands injured (burns; rehab; lifelong support etc)
30% displaced in Gaza
$5b estimated damage
10,000 lost homes
134 factories damaged