Israelisch Geweld
Israeli gunship opens fire on Palestinian demonstration
By Mauricio Lima, Middle East Online, 19-5-2004
Ten Palestinians were killed and around 40 wounded Wednesday when an Israeli helicopter opened fired on a demonstration against the biggest ever army operation in the Gaza Strip, medical sources and witnesses said. The attack happened in the Tal Al-Sultan neighbourhood of Rafah's refugee camp which has been the scene of the bloodiest clashes since Tuesday morning's start of Operation Rainbow, which has now left 34 Palestinians dead.
The Palestinian leadership has accused the Israelis of conducting a "war of extermination" in Rafah while the UN Security Council is considering its response to events.
Israel came in for further international criticism Wednesday, with British Prime Minister Tony Blair calling the operation "unacceptable and wrong" while Moscow slammed what it called a "disproportionate use of force".
The Israeli military however insisted that its operations were justified in order to prevent weapons being smuggled to Palestinian militants from under the border with Egypt, claiming that a batch of anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles were waiting on the Egyptian side to be delivered.
Yossi Beilin, one of the chief architects of the Oslo peace accords and the leader of Israel's left-wing Yahad party, said the operation was doomed to failure. "There is no situation in the world in which the army will be able to resolve the conflict between us and the Palestinians, not from a military point of view and not from a political point of view," he said.
"It is completely unacceptable to continue baptising Gaza in blood because when Gaza is drenched in blood, it is also the blood of our children."
The latest deaths brought the overall toll since the September 2000 start of the Palestinian intifada to 4,064, including 3,075 Palestinians and 918 Israelis.
President Bush Speaks To AIPAC In Washington
White House News, Thursday, 20 May 2004


Children among 20 dead as Israeli army begins
huge crackdown on Rafah, May 19 2004
I'm honored to be here at AIPAC, thank you for such a warm welcome. It's good to be with so many friends -- friends of mine and friends of Israel. (Applause.)
For more than 50 years, the United States and Israel have been steadfast allies. AIPAC is one of the reasons why. (Applause.)
You've worked tirelessly to strengthen the ties that bind our nations -- our shared values, our strong commitment to freedom. (Applause.)
By defending the freedom and prosperity and security of Israel, you're also serving the cause of America. (Applause.) Our nation is stronger and safer because we have a true and dependable ally in Israel. (Applause.) I appreciate -- (applause) -- I'm just getting warmed up. (Laughter and applause.)
AIPAC is doing important work. I hope you know that. In Washington and beyond, AIPAC is calling attention to the great security challenges of our time.
You're educating Congress and the American people on the growing dangers of proliferation. You've spoken out on the threat posed by Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons.
You've always understood and warned against the evil ambition of terrorism and their networks. In a dangerous new century, your work is more vital than ever. I thank you for doing your part in the cause of freedom. (Applause.)
Morele Intimidatie
Commentaar WD 19 mei 2004
Condoleezza Rice, veiligheidsadviseur van George W. Bush, een wat zuur ogende vrouw die Amerikanen een door en door onveilig Irak heeft opgedrongen (niet echt een juiste situatie, wanneer we er van uitgaan dat een veiligheidsadviseur niet de onveiligheid mag dienen...), probeert momenteel de wereld via morele initimidatie duidelijk te maken dat wij 'Amerika' moeten steunen 'omdat Amerika in een ver verleden tegen de nazi's gevochten heeft'.
Een belachelijke daad in mijn ogen, omdat in een democratie niet mag worden gekozen voor zoiets abstract als 'Amerika'. Welk Amerika?, kun je dan vragen. Is er geen alternatief Amerika? Mogen er wel alternatieven bestaan? Terwijl het bovendien zo is dat moraal (in de zin van gewetensvorming) in een Westerse vrijheidswereld nooit in dienst mag staan van intimidatie, geestelijke terreur en irrationele processen van heiligverklaring die onafhankelijke, democratische besluitvorming onmogelijk maken.
Bush has officially sanctioned
the Christian Zionist religion
Juan Cole, 20-5-2004
Sooner or later, the American people will need to deal with the Christian Zionist nutbars who are running US foreign policy.
I'm all for freedom of religion, but I believe the First Amendment has been distorted and hijacked by these Rapture crazed Christers.
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
While this means you can worship any god you want, it also means -- and primarily means -- that the government cannot officially sanction a particular religion.
This is exactly what the Bushites are doing. Bush has officially sanctioned the Christian Zionist religion -- remember, God told him to "run" for the presidency (He meant steal, or violate the 10 Commandments) -- and its wacky idea that the Jews own Palestine and the Palestinians should be removed en masse or short of that treated like sub-human "cockroaches" (Eitan) and killed in large numbers. Rafah is the latter in action....