News Roundup for March 28

Two terrorist kidnappings, no connection at all claims terrorists in Gaza.

The spokesman [Abu Mujahid of the PRC] also charged that the Israeli attempt to connect between the two incidents was a “desperate” step on the part of Israel that aims at tarnishing the shiny image of the Palestinian people and the Palestinian resistance.

The kidnappings do not tarnish their "shiny" image, but rather the attempt to make a connection between the two is what is damaging. The brilliance continues:

“The Palestinian resistance isn’t harming friends of the Palestinian people or those supporting the Palestinian question like Johnston. They are our visitors and we deal with them in a distinguished hospitality”, the spokesman underlined.

Some distinguished hospitality that is. Anyway, I thought reporters like Johnston were supposed to be impartial transmitters of news, not reporting their bias as fact. Oh, silly me - he works for the BBC.

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Speaking of bias, Nasser Al-Lahham, the editor-in-chief of the Palestinian news agency Ma'an shares his thoughts.

However, the Arab summit in Riyadh will mark the last chance for Israel to survive in peace. There will be no new Arab generation to trust political solutions while Israel forcibly depends on military might.

With talk of "peace" like that, no wonder Israel relies on military might.

The issue is not only related to direct threats to the existence of Israel. It is a more comprehensive threat to the whole Arab political system which prevails in the Arab orient. Israel does not bear the elements for political cessation, and the Arab summit will be of great influence on the prevailing Arab system.

Now he's trying to sound smart. If you don't understand what he just said, it's because you are not as smart as him.

Israel has always gone to the extreme regarding time.

How does one go to an extreme with regard to time?

The Israelis have always undermined the time element, and depended on military power since their beginning in 1948.

What is the "time element" and how does Israel always undermine it?

Then they occupied the West Bank and Gaza Strip in 1967.

Maybe I'm just not smart enough to follow what he's saying.

In 1978, the Israeli prime minister at the time, Menachem Begin, abandoned the Camp David treaty after he signed it with the Egyptian president, Anwar Sadat.

Um, Israel gave the Sinai back completely. What is he talking about?

Now for the good news (for him).

The most important part is the belief amongst the Palestinian, Arab and Muslim new generation that Israel will not survive for more than 7 years even if it possesses the whole nuclear arsenal of the globe.

Big words, but is anyone willing to put money on that?

So, Mr. Editor-in-chief, if you were an Israeli, what would you do?

If I were an Israeli, I would have apologized to Abu Mazen immediately and asked forgiveness from Ismail Haniyeh. I would have told the Saudi monarch: "Please, your majesty, help us and excuse our foolishness when we refused your peace initiative in 2002.

Hutzpah and ignorance - an embarrassing combination.

I wonder: how did this ridiculous guy get to be an editor-and-chief? Must be the occupation.

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The Palestinian government is all things to all people in the article Government of Resistance and Peace. And all this time I thought resistance and peace were mutually incompatible with each other.

The [Palestinian] government is already fostering an atmosphere of optimism among Palestinians and is already drawing generally positive reactions in the region and throughout the world.

If "generally positive reactions" means non-acceptance and no aid, then what would a negative reaction look like?

And when the callous policy of starvation failed to achieve Israel’s goals, the Israeli government sought to implode Gaza by encouraging and inducing infighting among Palestinians.

Of course Israel is the only possible reason for all of the infighting.

Now, the Israeli government argues that it can’t recognize, let alone hold peace talks with the new government because it has failed to meet conditions imposed by the so-called Quartet (UN, US, EU and Russia).

Well, the Quartet conditions are not a holy text.

Neither is the Hamas charter, but they sure act like it is.

Moreover, the government, while asserting the legitimacy of resistance against a sinister military occupation, which is an enduring act of rape, has also voiced sincere willingness to consolidate and extend the present ceasefire with Israel and extend it to the West Bank.

Israel can do without any more Palestinian "ceasefires". It is hard to tell the difference between the actual fighting and the ceasefire.

As for adhering to outstanding agreements, the government platform says it will respect these agreements which successive Israeli governments never really respected or accepted in any genuine manner.

Israel evacuated from Gaza, not to mention all of the other territory it turned over to the Palestinians. And never mind that the Palestinians never did anything beyond "respect" (whatever that means) the less-than holy agreements.

The truth of the matter, however, is that Israel is using the Quartet conditions as a red herring, a cheap distraction and a kind of propagandistic excuse to blur and cover up its rejectionism and intransigence.

If so, then call Israel's bluff! They accuse all day but won't put their money where their mouth is.

Needless to say, the reason for this overwhelming insolence is Israel’s adamant refusal to pay the price for peace, namely giving up the stolen goods, the spoils of the 1967 war.

Let me get this straight - Muslim nations, who didn't want peace, fought a war and lost land to Israel, and will now give peace if Israel gives the same land up, putting Israel in the same situation as before.

Israel doesn’t tell the truth when it claims there is no Palestinian partner for peace. The new Palestinian government is the right partner and the right address.

Really? I guess they didn't listen to Hamas.

Hence, if Israel is truly interested in peace, not in public relations theatrics and futile prevarication, it should declare openly before the world its willingness to end the occupation and dismantle the Satanic colonies.

What a drama queen. Satanic colonies? Yes, settlements are worse than suicide terror aimed at women and children.

Israel may be dreaming of seeing a Palestinian Sa’ad Hadad or an Antoine Lahd or another similar quisling. But that won’t happen at all. Traitors in Palestine don’t live long.

That's for sure. They are taken out and shot in the street in the name of Islamic vigilante justice.

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And finally...

The deep and thoughtful Muammar al-Qaddafi shares his wisdom with us again.

The Libyan leader, Colonel Muammar al-Qaddafi, has told Al-Jazeera satellite channel that the agenda of the Arab summit was prepared in the USA...

If only. That explains the condemnation of America and Israel, as well as forcing Israel to accept the Arab initiative for "peace" requiring Israel to accept Palestinian refugees into Israel. Yep, straight from America. However, the Colonel is deeply concerned about the plight of the poor Palestinian refugees, who are so dear to his heart.

He also said that he is planning to send all the Palestinians living in his country – some 30,000 – to Palestine to prove that there is no solution to the conflict and because he refuses to be part of the deal which intends to sell the Palestinian people and issue, which he said the Arab leaders are complicit in.

I'm sure the Palestinians in Algeria are thrilled to hear this.

Qaddafi also said that he admires US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice because of her colour and African origins, and because she has reached such a high position in the USA government.

Sounds like the Colonel might have a little case of Jungle Fever.

He told the channel that he feels sorry for the Arab leaders as they can do nothing in the face of American pressure.

Maybe the Arab leaders could take a few lessons from the Colonel on how to sweet talk the "colour"ful Condi into lessening the American pressure.

News Roundup for March 25

The Jerusalem Mufti is sounding the alarm again.

Mufti of Jerusalem, Sheikh Mohammed Hussein, warned Sunday of the Israeli plans targeting Al-Aqsa Mosque.

And what might those plans be?

He asserted that Israeli extremists have been calling for imposing new defacto inside al-Aqsa Mosque.

I do wonder, how exactly does one impose a new defacto?

Honestly, if Israel wanted to do something to that mosque, they would go right in and do it. If Israel wanted to destroy the mosque, that puppy would be nothing but a cloud of dust drifting over the Saudi peninsula. Forget about it.

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Iran cries foul over UN sanctions imposed on them.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman in reaction to the UN Security Council Resolution 1747 against Iran said that the decision by the UN Security Council is a blatant violation of the UN Charter which deprives the Iranian people of the right of development and education.

According to that logic, I guess suicide bombing terror is a fundamental right of "development and education" also protected by the UN charter: better suicide bomb belts still need to be developed to more effectively kill Zionists, and it educates impressionable Palestinian children how to best liberate their homeland for the sake of Allah.

Now them's Human Rights!

Arafat Un-hat-ed

Anyone wonder what Arafat looked like without his kaffiyah?
Not much of an improvement.

Insh'allah

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas responds to Israel's suggestion for a "mutual calm".

Abbas said that the mutual calm accord will be beneficial to both of the Palestinian and Israeli sides , rejecting the Israeli concerns that the military groups will make use of the calm agreement for re armament .

Absurd!...?

President Abbas pointed out that Palestinians had committed earlier to a unilateral calm from one side but it did not work out .

Didn't work out? If you wonder what he's talking about then see this report from a month after the ceasefire began. An excerpt:

In a time where the IDF is not returning fire, the Palestinians are firing more and more [!] Qassams. [...] In contrast, during the months of February, April, August, and September, the months where there was no calm, there were less Qassam attacks than during the ceasefire.

A few of the Qassams which hit Sderot

Well, that ceasefire just "didn't work out". Some things are just inevitable, I guess. Maybe it wasn't meant to be. It wasn't written in the stars. Can't argue with fate.

Ahmed Yassin: Rest in Pieces

How could I have missed it? Yesterday is the third anniversary of Hamas-founder Ahmed Yassin and, as expected, the Palestinian press is wallowing in their fond memories of the death cult creator. It seems like it was only yesterday...

The date was dived in the heart of every Palestinian.

It was dived into my heart, as well.

People were very sad and voices were very loud morning the death of the number one leader of the Palestinian people.

I thought Yasser Arafat was their "number one" leader. Let's call it a tie and say that they are both "number two", as Beavis and Butthead would affectionately say (huh-huh, you said "number two", huh-huh).

It was not normal morning on Monday 22-3-2004.The sky covered with black smoke, ,[?] sounds of the homemade bombs were fired by the young children...

How unusual.

Men were going no where and women were crying behind the doors.

I'm confused because all that seems like a perfectly normal day in Gaza to me.

At five o'clock in the morning , thousands of Palestinians rushed from their sleep unbelieving the news. They were covering the entrance of the "dead refrigerators" in Shifa hospital in Gaza, where he is buried.

Hmmm. Another report gives a different account.

The scene was very bitter… everywhere there were relics of the blood and the flesh of Sheikh Yassin.

Sounds more like he was buried in a thermos.

Of course, the accusations and condemnations from Palestinians fly like an air to surface missile from an F-16.

Former Israeli premier Ariel Sharon ordered and personally supervised the assassination of the Sheikh.

Wait another few years and the story will evolve to say that Ariel Sharon was flying the F-16 and fired the missile himself.

Thankfully, everything bad that happens to Hamas doesn't even faze them, and actually strengthens them.

...the death of Hamas’ founder and spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmad Yassin had revived the Arab and Muslim Ummah, and the entire world.

...the Israeli assassination of Yassin had bolstered the world’s sympathy and support to the Palestinian question, and strengthened Hamas further rather than weakening it.

...losing Yassin was uneasy and painful for Hamas, yet, he asserted, a strong Movement like Hamas wasn’t affected by it leader’s assassination.

...“Hamas’ swift recovery, firmness, and steadfastness after the killing of its founder had confused the entire world in general, and the Israeli occupation government in particular, proving that Hamas was and still is a great and well-established organization”

So confused is Israel that they have become Hamas' greatest "supporter" because they, more than anyone, don't hesitate to "bolster" Hamas and their leadership any and every chance they get.

Way to confuse them, Hamas!

News Roundup for March 22

America is doing what is not acceptable to the Palestinians.

Dr. Ziad Abu Amre, the PA foreign affairs minister, has criticized the USA “selective” policy in dealing with PA unity government ministers, affirming that such discriminatory policy is rejected by the PA unity government.

America is practicing "discrimination". Not of the racial sort, but between full-fledged terrorists and corrupt terror enablers. I agree with Dr. Amre that America shouldn't discriminate between the two.

Abu Amre affirmed that the PA unity government is one and integrated body reflecting the Palestinian unity, and therefore, he asserted, “dealing selectively with members of the government is something unacceptable”.

Ok, since America doesn't want to deal with Hamas, then America should make Dr. Amre happy and not deal with the unity government at all. Sounds perfectly reasonable to me.

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Iran is still upset at the silly Hollywood movie 300.

The statement released by the Iranian embassy in Paris further adds that all throughout history, the Iranian culture has proved to be the culture of friendship, peace seeking and avoiding war, a culture the symbols of which have been printed on the UN walls.

Well, after trashing the UN's authority and legitimacy last week, suddenly the Iranians are invoking the UN as a source of authority and legitimacy. Which is it Mahmoud?

Regardless, Iran's specific complaints are two-fold. First:

The statement further adds that the film '300' lacks credit not only because of hostile fabrication of the Iranian culture...

It's not just the belligerent lies,

...but also because of having employed an outdated and old fashion method in fabricating the cultures of other nations...

but also using lazy, uncreative methods for lying. That's the REAL problem here.

Iran really needs to lighten up and stop taking themselves so seriously.

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While on the subject of excessive self-esteem, the Palestinians don't want to be left out.

BAGHDAD, (PIC)-- Palestinian refugees in Iraq have accused the government of Iraqi premier Nuri Al-Maliki of intentionally defaming their image and attempting to instigate the Iraqi people against them.

All of those years of hard work building up the proud Palestinian image of prestige, honor, and respect - down the proverbial tubes.

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And finally...

The government in Gaza is expressing their "unity" again.

Hessian AL Wali , Fatah's information official northern of Gaza Strip claimed the responsibility of the events which shot out in northern Gaza yesterday on Hamas .

First, terror "happened", then it "broke out", now it is "shot out".

Wail told Palestine's voice radio that all the crimes which were committed against Fatah's leaders and members , were carried out by identified members from the Qassam brigades and the executive force , he added " I have updated the follow up national committee by all the events which took place " . He pointed out that all who had participated in killing Rami Sorour and launching RBG projectiles...

For the uninitiated, an "RBG" is a "Rocket Brobelled Grenade". The grammatical minefield continues.

...at Sameeh AL Madhoon's house were members from Hamas and the executive force , and those who killed Mohamed Itema were also members of Hamas and the executive force , in addition to those who prevail fear , tense , occupy citizens houses and burn them up were also members of Hamas and the Qassam brigades .

Uhhh, ok. That's about all I can take today.

News Roundup for March 21

When Hamas fighting wing spokesman Abu Obaida was asked the ambiguous question "what you expect this resistance to comprise from the new government", he ambiguously answered:

We don’t' expect the government to take any security action against resistance factions as with the case in previous governments but the government will not be involved directly in the resistance that is for the resistance factions to conduct .

Okay. It seems that his run-on sentence means that "government Hamas" will not commit terror because that is the job of "resistance Hamas'". Hamas claims that their aims represent the entire Palestinian people, yet they expect the international community to distinguish between the divisional nuances of Hamas.

Abu Obaida added that " I would expect that Palestinians as a whole are in support of resistance and trying to grow the wide between government and resistance factions is not something accurate."

Or understandable. One has to wonder why can't anyone "grow the wide".

"Palestinians people as a whole government , Palestinian factions , political parties are under occupation and the Palestinian people as a whole exercise their right to resist and so trying to divide government and people and factions is something that is very realistic."

I think he means "UNrealistic", but who knows with these people?

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For Hamas, when it comes to America, there is no love lost.

Deputy-head of Hamas’ bloc in the PLC Dr. Yahya Mousa has affirmed that the USA “satanic” policies against the Arabs and Muslims had generated waves of hatred against it across the Arab and Muslim world.

Satanic? Waves of hatred? Muslim Kurds would not agree. Iraqi polls show that Arabs don't want America to leave any time soon. Satanic indeed.

“The USA occupation of Iraq had indeed dragged the entire world 100 years backward, and revived the mentality of imperialism, colonialism, and slavery”

Yes, Hamas was so much more favorably disposed toward the United States before the Iraq invasion. But that's beside the point.

He also opined that the way the USA dealt with the democratically elected PA Hamas-led government serves as a paradigm for the way it would deal with Arab countries practicing real democracy...

The PA practices real democracy? Saddam and baby Assad hold "elections", too, but that doesn't mean that they have democracies.

He also confirmed that the USA policy in the Arab region won’t succeed, declaring that the Arab world won’t surrender under those US strikes, and that the strikes would strengthen the Arab world rather than weaken it...

Then they should hope and pray that America will strike harder, more frequently, and with less restraint in order to really strengthen the "Arab world".

So if America is "Satanic" how can Hamas possibly accept, much less beg for, such corrupt, tainted, and immoral money?

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In Lebanon, the Hizbullah-led "opposition" contradicts itself again when referring to the sit-in that has paralyzed the country for the last four months.

Hizbullah's number two, Sheikh Naim Qassem, said the "main goal" of the sit-in was to tell the world that Lebanon "is in trouble."

Well done, mission accomplished. Now get out of Beirut.

Rather than intending to "paralyze" Lebanon, Qassem said that "the sit-in is meant to denounce all attempts to paralyze Lebanon on the political, social and economic levels."

Got that? They are paralyzing Lebanon in order to "denounce all attempts to paralyze Lebanon".

Any questions?

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Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad wished the Iranians a happy Iranian new year (1386 for those of you keeping count) with a predictably optimistic message.

President Ahmadinejad said that Iran's foreign policy last year was dynamic and influential...

That's for sure. Just see all the attention Iran is getting from the UN's Security Council.

...while friendly ties with other nations were expanded and the rights of the Iranian nation preserved adding that last year tens of new agreements were signed with other countries and tens of joint projects went into operation.

Not hundreds, not scores, not dozens, but tens! Tens!!

Making reference to the measures taken by some big powers to launch psychological war and propaganda against the Iranian and other nations of the world aimed at securing their illegitimate interests...

Uh oh.

...president Ahmadinejad stated, "They have experienced failure in the face of the strong logic of the Iranian nation while other nations of the world have risen to reject these powers..."

Yet another foolish victim falls before the face of that Iranian strong logic. When will they ever learn?

"...therefore, they are now intending to launch a propaganda and psychological war..."

Didn't he just mention above "launch psychological war and propaganda"? I guess that's one effect of the countless "psychological war" attacks.

He further stated that the main problem of the present world is the result of the performance of a number of racist Zionists who have dominated the centers of power and the mass media and intend to keep the world people in the state of poverty, hardship and animosity in order to ultimately stabilize their sovereignty over the world, but the great nation of Iran is opposed to this trend and insists on its stances, however, those bullying powers are unaware of the fact that they have launched a war against nations, human values and civilization through already failed methods.

What is it with Middle Easterners and run-on sentences? Apparently they think they appear more formidable if they butcher the measly rules of pitiful grammar.

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And finally...

America just doesn't understand the Muslim mind despite efforts to win them over. What is the solution? One columnist has a solution.

Instead of championing the loud voices of the secular minority who are capturing media attention with their conferences, manifestos and memoirs, the United States would be wise instead to pay more attention to the far less loquacious majority.

Actually, America is listening. And for Muslims, that is the problem.

Pavlovistinians

Hamas loves to portray themselves as a logical, calculating organization. And that they are. Except for one thing: they lack intelligence, which is key in avoiding stupid decisions and saying embarrassing things. Here is another example from their entertaining website titled: "The Zionist forces tried to trap the resistance men by exchanging glasses but failed".

The occupation forces tried many times to trap the resistance men in order to get their soldier without releasing any Palestinian prisoner [sp]. They searched a lot for the war arrested [?] soldier in the best tools [?] that they have. However, their intelligence attempts [?] falls down in front of the great will of the resistance men.

Horrible English aside, this simply means that Israel hasn't yet got a Palestinian "brother" to betray them. Yet.

Zionist Channel2 TV reported on Monday that representatives of the International Red Cross have been trying for over a week to contact the captors of the Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, in order to deliver spectacles to him upon his family's request, but they refused.

I guess this qualifies as treating him humanely according to the tenants of Islam, if you go by what Hamas leader Haniyeh said himself before. Regardless, Hamas stands firm.

According to Channel 2, the rejection to meet the Red Cross representatives is due to security concerns. The arrests are afraid [?] that the issue of spectacles is a trap to reveal the place where Shalit is being found [?].

Can you say "paranoia"?

the [sp] spokesman of the PRC, Abu Mujahid, said, "We refuse to receive anything from Shalit's parents and the Palestinian factions are taking good care of his needs."

Imagine the outcry if Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails took away just ONE of their privileges, such as cell phones, radios, family visits, televisions, mail.

It seems that Islam's version of being "treated well" falls rather short when compared to infidels.

Zionists have a history of incidents like this when they used Red Cross delegates as a Trojan horse. In one incident, they used Red Cross uniforms to storm an airplane which was hijacked by a group of Palestinians and forced it to land at Ben Gurion airport. That incident caused a huge crisis between the International Red Cross and the Palestinian resistance.

The Red Cross fell out of favor with terrorist for not going along with their terror. What was the Red Cross thinking?

In another incident, Israel assassinated a Palestinian leader, Wadi' Haddad, with a delivery of poisoned chocolate.

Oops.

They also sent an ambushed gun to a resistance leader in Bethlehem, who lost a leg when the gun exploded.

Oops. Gotta look out for those "ambushed" guns.

Also , our Qassam leader Yehaya Ayyash was trapped by a mobile sent to him by one Palestinian traitor and was assassinated by the Zionist planes in 1996.

Oops. No wonder they are worried about a pair of reading glasses.

Thus, the resistance men will not be caught in the Zionist trap more than a hundred times and will never defeated by such a mockery trick.

You can fool them 70, 80, 90, times, but you are dreaming if you think you can do it more than 100.

Pavlov's dog ain't got nothin' on Hamas.

Let Them Eat Letters

The Palestinians are in full self-congratulation mode after agreeing to a unity government. Ever since influential Norway decided to recognize the terror government, the Palestinians have been just giddy about the scraps of attention they are getting for it.

Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh has received many letters of congratulations for the formation of the new unity government.

Many. What constitutes "many"?

He received a letter from the Egyptian ambassador to the Palestinian Authority, Ashraf Aqil, and another letter from the Palestinian ambassador to Yemen, in addition to a letter from the well known Islamic scholar, Sheikh Yousif Qaradawi.

Let's see, if you count the Norwegians you have 2 governments, 1 of their own ambassadors, and a sheikh. Now that's "many".

On one hand, the Palestinians complain about the boycott of international aid. But on the other hand, seeing how they refuse to renounce terror and, in fact, returned to business as usual, maybe they can just deep-fry some of those letters and serve them for dinner.

No reward for terror. Ever.

News Roundup for March 19

Terrorist groups are bickering again over who is the big man in the refugee camp.

[Fatah's spokesman Jamal] Nazal described Dahlan's appointment as a smart blow and a test for the intentions of those who only want to talk about reconciliation but would not commit practically to it .

There's one of those "intentions of those who only want to talk about reconciliation but would not commit practically to it" tests again.

" Hamas had appointed ministers and MP who were involved in financial and administrative corruptions , but it is so funny that Hamas will now refer to the Basic Law which Hamas had accused earlier of including illegal and secular articles which are rejected from Hamas 's point of view ",.

Yuk yuk yuk, sooo funny.

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Hamas is the perfect organization and they have no problems.

Palestinian MP Mushir Al-Masri of Hamas has categorically denied any political rift within Hamas Movement over the political platform of the PA unity government, describing rumors in this regard as “splatters and imaginations”.

What dopes, thinking they can splatter Hamas.

...the Movement had experienced a lot of those “disquieting news” in the past; yet such lies strengthened Hamas rather than weakened it.

So why does Hamas speak out against lies that are a source of such strength?

Masri affirmed that the PA unity government is an integrated government that couldn’t be dealt with selectively.

In other words, the unity government should be completely shunned altogether.

“We hope that the EU countries would be more prudent and would take rational steps away from the USA policy that blindly adopts Israel’s vision”, Masri concluded.

No Al-Masri, because the EU is being "prudent" and taking "rational steps" they adopt "Israel's vision" of shunning you with their eyes wide open.

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How to blame others for your failure while not failing at a job that no one could succeed at.

Former interior minister, Said Siyam, told Al Aqsa Satellite Channel, which is loyal to Hamas, that the year of his leadership has been full of hardships.

Bless his heart.

"I was very patient and have never investigated any patriotic person."

Glad to see he was doing his job. And he wonders why anarchy prevailed on Gaza under his watch?

When asked about whether he failed in his job he said "I did not fail...

Of course he didn't, never mind that the security situation in Gaza has never been more abysmal. Ever. But remember: it was not his fault.

...they made me fail."

If it wasn't for people he would have been a complete success.

"I was not given the chance to work properly and that is why nobody can judge if I succeeded or if I failed."

You may see complete failure, but you are in no position to make that assessment.

He added that no other minister could succeed in this post.

If he was a failure in his post, then obviously no else could do better. It's not easy to be such a great and wonderful person.

He said that he feels happy for leaving the post.

Not as happy as everyone else in Gaza.

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Hamas, who agreed to the unity government that renounces violence against Israel, boasts about, um, violence against Israel.

Snipping [sp] a Zionist soldier near Karni Entrance and firing two mortar shells

The "Zionist soldier" that was "snipped" (sniped) was actually a civilian employee of an electric company.

In response to the occupation forces attacks on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades mujahedeen shot at a Zionist soldier and fired two mortar shells at the same group...

Way to renounce that violence.

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In Gaza, explosions just happen.

Security sources reported that a big explosion broke out in ALaa Al Hissi's house , a two floors [sp] house close from the supplies centre in the camp , th eexplosion [sp] resulted in severe damages [sp] to the house and the near by [sp] houses [.]

Imagine how this would be described if Israel had something to do with it.

The Islamic Jihad radio said that ALaa AL Hissi was one of it's members

Hmmm, a terrorist and an explosion.

...reasons for the explosion have not been revealed yet .

Gee, wonder what it could possibly be.

ALaa Al Hissi was seriously injured , then was submitted to a surgery operation at AL Shefaa hospital in Gaza in an attempt to save his life but unfortunately he died .

Call it a form of justice.

Ahmadinejad Answers His Own Mail

The progressive Iranian President has his own blog. In it he answers fan mail obviously written by himself. Here's a letter from an American mother who supposedly lost her son serving in Iraq. If English is your first language, imagine the probability that this was written by an American.

2007/03/16

Mr. President

I am writing you this letter as a mother who her son was sent to Iraq forcibly and has been taken away from her for ever.

You may know it or not that most of the Americans do not like Bush. He is (….). We do not recognize him as our president. He entered the white house by cheating. He is not a legitimate president. Even a great number of American mothers who their sons were not sent to Iraq, are agree with me. They know Bush as (….).

Mr. President! As much as we hate war, we hate Bush and his gangs! I want you know that if you intend to attack U.S., most of the people are like me here. We can’t stop his stupid acts for now, but I am writing this letter, because I know you as a pious and logical man.

I am not scared of Bush and his gangs or his security forces, but since I do not want them to interrupt my battle and my fellow Americans’ struggle against this administration, please keep my name and identification anonymous.

With best wishes

This is a case of someone with a much too high of an opinion of himself. Let's just hope he continues to publicly embarrass himself like this.

More Fun with Palestinians and Numbers

Previously, we saw a 60-year old Palestinian described as a "boy". Now we see a 59 year-old Palestinian described as an "elderly" "old man".

It's so nice to see how that works.

The EU: Naive, Dumb, or Both?

The Europeans are lining up to give their money to the Palestinians now that they have formed a unity government. But is that a good thing?

Deputy-head of the EU parliament Luisa Morgantini has urged the EU and the international community to immediately recognize the PA unity government after winning the confidence of the PA legislature.

“This an important event that reflects maturity on the part of the Palestinian leadership, which placed national interests ahead of factional interests and avoided eminent civil war in the Palestinian territories”, [Deputy-head of the EU parliament Luisa] Morgantini said Saturday of the PA unity government.

In other words, two groups of terrorists stop fighting each other is reason to give them aid money. Obviously she doesn't see Hamas as a terrorist organization.

She also noted that Hamas Movement had accepted the establishment of a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders long time ago...

Apparently she is the only one who believes that. Hamas leaders themselves have a different story.

Mahmoud Al Zahar the previous foreign minister in the Hamas led government harshly criticized the new unity government's agenda.[...]
Al Ayam Palestinian newspaper reported that AlZahar had criticized the government's rejection for a temporary borders state, saying that the acceptance of permanent borders state within 1967 borders is a clear recognition of Israel which is also against Hams [sp] charter.

It seems that some intentionally vaguely worded unity government platform is to be taken more seriously that Hamas' uncompromising covenant charter that guides their every decision, which explicitly and unequivocally says otherwise.

The EU deputy-head continues.

She [Morgantini], furthermore, stressed that there is indeed a chance at hand, ... to start negotiating with parties that are seriously concerned with achieving peace in the Middle East.

One wonders who the "parties that are seriously concerned with achieving peace in the Middle East" are. The Palestinian unity government containing Hamas? Ask Mr. Al Zahar what he thinks about that.

Al Zahhar said in a statement before the Legislative Council where the vote f [sp] confidence session for the unity government was held that " the unity government's agenda calls for expanding the calm to include the West Bank in return of ending the Israeli practices , and this is not acceptable for Hamas[.]"

According to Mr. Al Zahar, stopping violence against Israel is out of the question. Hard to have peace when terror won't stop.

Thankfully, the brilliant deputy-head of the EU parliament brings her thoughts to a close.

Finally, she [Morgantini] emphasized that the Hebrew state must also prove its sincerity in achieving a lasting peace in the region by respecting international legitimacy, and halting military operations against the unarmed Palestinian people.

Israel proved its sincerity by pulling out of Gaza completely. This was welcomed by the Palestinians with unending barrages of rockets into the surrounding towns and cities of Israel ever since, as well as killing/capturing Israeli soldiers from Israeli territory. All this, courtesy of her "unarmed Palestinian people".

This is indicative of why the EU and other European officials should be summarily ignored whenever they pontificate about this situation which they know nothing about.

News Roundup for March 17

"Human rights", Palestinian Style

Acting PLC speaker Dr. Ahmad Bahar has urged the world to support the Palestinian people’s rights.

And what are the Palestinian's "rights"?

...Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of the Islamist Hamas movement said the new coalition government upheld the right to "all forms" of resistance against Israel.

That is, the "right" to commit suicide terror against civilians.

-----------

High Crimes
Israel wants to build the first light-rail line that will be used by all residents of Jerusalem to help alleviate congestion in the city. The Palestinians, of course, are trying to stop this scandalous tram.

"If human rights groups and Palestinian solidarity campaigns can ensure that no country will train Israeli engineers and drivers, then perhaps we can help to 'derail' this criminal project entirely."

Maybe the thought of a tram that can carry both Jew and Muslim passengers is problematic for suicide terrorists who want to kill Jews exclusively.

-----------

New Category of Crimes
The excavations adjacent to the Western Wall of Temple Mount are, uh, criminal. Or something.

Headline: The Islamic movement emphasizes that the excavations which are taking place at the Mughrabi gate is a vague crime.

Maybe those responsible should be vaguely punished.

-----------

Terrorists CAN Be Reformed
And you thought a suicidal terrorist was a hopeless case? Think again.

Saudi Arabia said that 90 per cent of those who have been detained for holding "deviant thoughts" have reformed and announced their repentance.

[...]

At the end of 2005, Saudi Arabia announced it had released nearly 400 detainees held for security reasons after providing them with intense counselling and making sure they were free of deviant thoughts.

A little counseling, a few hugs, and viola! No more desire to murder infidels. Who would have thought?

-----------

Another Conspiracy?
Europeans are up to no good.

Headline: Solana : We will increase our aids for the Palestinian people during this year.

-----------

Something to Hide?
Scroll through recent stories on the Iranian FARS News website and notice the headlines of articles about their nuclear program: instead of the word "nuclear", the letter "N." is used instead.

Iran not to Withdraw from N. Stances

S. Africa Wants Iran N. Row to Lead to Political Ways

Iran Still hopeful about Diplomatic Solution to N. Issue

Iran will not Give Up an Iota of N. Rights

Iran Sees Talks Ending Russian N. Plant Row

And so on. One wonders why?

-----------

And finally...

Koranic Instruction of the Day
Muslim women are inferior. But they are not. A reader submits a question to a Saudi paper's Islamic affairs editor:

Q. I read a Hadith [Islamic tradition] in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) describes women as deficient in faith and mental power. It also mentions that women will make up the majority of the dwellers of hell. Could you please explain this Hadith and whether it means that no matter how hard a woman tries, she cannot attain the same standard of faith as men.

A. This Hadith is authentic, but it has often been quoted out of context.

If you want to read for yourself how something both is and isn't, go right ahead. But, in order to understand, first turn off your brain.

The Palestinian "Unity" Government

Khaled Abu Taomeh has another excellent analysis of the Palestinain unity government deal.

The political program of the new Palestinian Authority unity government, which constitutes a compromise between the relatively pragmatist policies of Fatah and the radical ideology of Hamas, contains many contradictions and ambiguities.

The wording of the program has been drafted in such a way so as to allow both Hamas and Fatah to argue that neither party had totally abandoned its traditional position. [...] [T]he program leaves the door wide open for different interpretations.

Because Hamas wants to be Hamas and receive international handouts to fund their terror, they deliberately state their aims in a way that is unclear as to have multiple meanings, depending who the audience is.

So what is Hamas' "traditional position"? The destruction of Israel. Sounds like an overstatement? One should consider the three simple requirements of the Quartet (US, EU, UN, Russia) for the Palestinain government:

...renouncing terrorism, recognizing Israel and abiding by previous agreements with Israel...

If Palestinains wanted statehood so badly, these demands are hardly difficult and easy for any supposedly self-determined people.

First, do they renounce terror? Sadly, it is affirmed.

On the issue of terrorism, the program states, on the one hand, that the new government "stresses that resistance is a legitimate right of the Palestinian people... and our people have the right to defend themselves against any Israeli aggression."

This means that they can continue terror because it is their "right". If Israel responds, then that will be considered "agression" and will justify further terror.

On the other hand, the program says that the new government will "work toward consolidating the tahdiya [period of calm] and extending it [to the West Bank] so that it becomes a comprehensive and mutual truce."

Tahdiya (declared calm) involves the Hudna, which is a limited truce (10 years maximum) during an Islamic war. The idea is that the clam period is a regrouping phase in a war fought to be won outright.

How about recognizing Israel? Let me guess.

Regarding recognition of Israel's right to exist, the program does not mention the name Israel. Instead, it refers to Israel as "The Occupation."

What about abiding by previous signed agreements with Israel?

It also makes no mention of the two-state solution. Rather, it reiterates the Palestinians' opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state with temporary borders.

[...]

Hamas leaders have already explained that there is a huge difference between "respecting" an agreement and making a pledge to fulfill it.

In other words, Hamas is saying that while it accepts the agreements with Israel as an established fact, it will not carry them out. Notice also that there is no mention of the two-state solution (purposely).

Could it be that they simply want the Palestinian state to have permanent borders?

Although the document declares that the "key to peace and stability is contingent on ending the occupation of Palestinian lands and recognizing the Palestinian people's right to self-determination," it does not specify which "lands" - those captured by Israel in 1967 or 1948.

1948 borders = ALL of Israel. Is that reading into what they are saying?

Hamas, on the other hand, will be able to argue that the phrase "Palestinian lands" applies also to all of Mandatory Palestine.

Which is their stated and affirmed position that has never changed.There's more ambiguity.

Elsewhere in the program, the new government says that it will abide by unspecified United Nations and Arab summit resolutions...

Fatah has one thing in mind:

...leaving the door open for Fatah to claim that this is tantamount to recognizing the two-state solution and all the agreements with Israel. Fatah will cite the 2002 Arab peace plan that implicitly recognizes Israel.

That's implicit, not explicit. What about Hamas' interpretation?

Hamas, on the other hand, can always claim that among the Arab summit resolutions that it intends to abide by is the one taken in Khartoum, Sudan, in September 1967. The resolution contains what became known as "the three no[']s" of Arab-Israel relations at that time: no peace with Israel, no recognition of Israel and no negotiations with Israel.

That's the exact opposite of the Quartet's demands. So what is Hamas' plans for ending the fighting?

The program sets a number of conditions for halting the "resistance," ending the "occupation" and achieving independence and the right of return for Palestinian refugees, as well as an end to Israeli security measures in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, including the construction of the security fence. In other words, Fatah and Hamas are saying that the violence will continue as long as Israel does not meet these demands.

The "right of return" for Palestinian "refugees" is not to the West Bank and Gaza, in case you were wondering.

The program, moreover, closes the door to any potential concessions on the problem of the refugees by emphasizing their "right of return to their lands and property inside Israel."

And the return of the now-millions of Palestinains inside Israel would be the end of Israel as a Jewish state. Just exactly as Hamas intends to do, one way or another.

So, in other words, this unity government is exactly what Hamas wanted. And they got everything without having to give up anything. in fact, they didn't even compromise a single item of their hard-line position. Pretty good result for them.

Terrorists Killing Terrorists

Headline: Iran Executes Man for "Terrorist" Acts

An Iranian man was hanged Thursday for his role in "terrorist operations", the Kayhan newspaper reported on Wednesday.

Based on Iran's actions lately, one has to wonder how the authorities determined this man's guilt.

The group has claimed responsibility for several attacks in the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan, including a deadly bombing of a bus belonging to Iran's Revolutionary Guards last month. Bystanders chanted "death to America"...

The rather strained Iranian definition of "terrorism" is anyone that acts against Iran. Suicide bombing murders committed anywhere else in the world is obviously something completely different.

Guarantee? Think Again

Russian authorities, citing lack of payment from Iran, have delayed shipments of fuel to start their first nuclear power plant. Today Iran lashed out at Russia for causing an embarrassing delay.

"This (Russian decision) shows that there is no such thing as a guarantee to deliver nuclear fuel," [Chief nuclear negotiator Ali] Larijani said.

So, next time someone gives you a "guarantee to deliver nuclear fuel", beware! It probably won't work.


UPDATE - In a probably completely unrelated story, Iran may discuss suspension of enrichment.

Justice and Rights

Contrast this story:

In the Islamic world, there is a broad consensus, both popular and scholarly, that apostates deserve to be killed. A rich theological and intellectual tradition, stretching as far back as Muhammad and his companions, supports this position. ... [A]postasy is punishable by death in Afghanistan, Comoros, Iran, Mauritania, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Yemen.

with this story:

Malaysian Muslim converts in the northern state of Perlis will now be allowed to retain their family names, instead of changing it to "Abdullah" following a state religious edict,

[...]

He said it was unfair for the converts and their families. "This should not be the case because they are actually being denied justice and their rights," [state mufti] Mohamad Asri said, according to Bernama [news agency].

So "Justice" and "Rights" according to Islam is: convert to Islam and you can keep your family name. Convert from Islam to something else, lose your life.

Nice Try, America

In case the world's only superpower underestimates the mental prowess of Iran's leadership, this is a reminder to America of what she is up against:

An Iranian official on Sunday lashed out at the Hollywood movie "300" for insulting the Persian civilization, local Fars News Agency reported.

Nonsense. Why would anyone feel the need to insult such a fine, upstanding, historically peace-loving people like the Iranians?

Javad Shamqadri, an art advisor to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad,...

He has an art advisor? A true renaissance man, that Ahmadinejad is.

...accused the new movie of being "part of a comprehensive U.S. psychological war aimed at Iranian culture", said the report.

Iran's uncontrollable Pavlovian response to all their woes: the "conspiracy". After all, everyone knows that Hollywood dutifully waits for its orders from George W. Bush and his psychological war-mongering neo-con gang to bring the world under America's hegemony.

Shamqadri was quoted as saying "following the Islamic Revolution in Iran, Hollywood and cultural authorities [?] in the U.S. initiated studies to figure out how to attack Iranian culture,"

True. I actually audited that class when I was in college: "Post-Islamic Revolution Persian Culture Discreditation 101".

The movie's effort wound [?] be fruitless, because "values in Iranian culture and the Islamic Revolution are too strongly seated to be damaged by such plans", said the Iranin [sp] official.

It'll take more than a movie to make that resilient Iranian culture come crashing down, in case you were wondering.

Shamqadri, who is also a filmmaker, said that production of more domestic and artistic films which portray Iranian achievements is a proper response to movies like "300".

That's right, Bushitler. Prepare to be taught an artistic cinematographic lesson that will make you think twice next time you try you insult Iranian pieties! Think otherwise, and you got another thing comin'!

News Roundup for March 12

Difficulty in Investigating

A man who was stopped from looking at terrorist Web sites by the owners of an Internet cafe blew himself up with explosives hidden on his body, a spokesman for the Interior Ministry said Monday.

How original.

Authorities, uncertain about the circumstances of the blast in a Casablanca slum, were holding off labeling it a suicide bombing, Achour said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.

I'm sorry, but if this isn't a suicide bombing, then nothing is.

----------
Fired for Competency

The Palestinian ministry of interior has called for the dismissal of Palestinian attorney general Muhammad Al-Mughanni over his declarations against the interior minister, Sa'id Siyam. ...He called for the attorney general's dismissal, accusing him of being "impartial and indecent."

When it comes to Palestinain Islamic law, pre-determined outcomes are a required.

----------
Math, Palestinian Style

Title:

ZOF arrested 37 Palestinians between them 18 students

First sentence:

The Zionist forces arrested on Monday at morning seventy three Palestinian [sp] in different areas in the West Bank claiming that they are wanted.

Tricky, those numbers.

----------
The Eternal Victims. Again.

[Presidential-hopeful Senator Barack] Obama told the Muscatine-area party activists that he supports relaxing restrictions on aid to the Palestinian people. He said they have suffered the most as a result of stalled peace efforts with Israel.

"Nobody is suffering more than the Palestinian people,"

Too bad the "suffering" is self-inflicted.

Common Humanity

An artist makes an attempt to get people in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict see the good in each other.

Reaching for peace, a French artist this week hung the same huge portraits of Israelis and Palestinians making silly faces across the cities of the two warring peoples.

The artist, known simply as JR, hoped his oversized portraits - hung in public squares and on both sides of Israel's controversial West Bank separation barrier - would send a message of coexistence, understanding and humanity.

He shot the photographs over 15 days in December after deciding that ordinary Israelis and Palestinians were being lost in the media's blinkered coverage of militants and soldiers.

[...]

"We realized these two peoples look the same, they eat the same, they drive crazy the same, but both sides think something about the other that is basically wrong," he told journalists. "So we decided to put them face to face."

The reactions to the same pictures are very different. First the Israelis:

"When you have Israeli and Palestinian faces like that the spirit is about peace, not war."

"[T]hey're funny to look at."

"The photos are very beautiful,"

"They let people see that all of these kinds of people can live together."

Now the Palestinians:

"We don't want to see Israelis' faces."

"We don't want to remember them."

"I feel like the Jews are laughing at us. The Jews are always laughing at us."

"With these pictures the wall has gone from ugly to uglier."

"Why didn't they put pictures of Haifa Wehbi," ...referring to the pretty Lebanese pop-music starlet, "instead of Israelis with crooked teeth."

The Palestinian goodwill just warms the heart, doesn't it?

Forever Young

As noted previously, Palestinians are eternally young when it comes to portraying themselves as the victim.

In Jerusalem today, a Palestinian male was arrested and later died in custody. Hamas claims the Israeli police beat the child's head until he died.

The Occupation forces hit a Palestinian child at his head till he was died [sp] in Salah El-Deen street in the occupied land of Al-Quds. Witnessess [sp] reported that the boy was beaten in the head many times by the occupation forces.

The equally-reliable Palestinian Information Center (PIC) sheds a little more light.

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)-- Israeli policemen on Saturday killed a Palestinian young man after cruelly beating him in occupied Jerusalem, local sources said.

They identified the youth as Wael Karawi, 32 [!], who was beaten to death this afternoon at the hands of Israeli policemen who focused their beatings on his head and other sensitive areas of his body.

The child/youth is 32 years old. It seems that you're only as young as you feel. Now the beatings were done not just on the head, but also other places on his body. The Israeli news portal Ynet offers a different version.

Wa'al Qaraawi from West Jerusalem who was arrested for transporting an illegal resident, died in police custody. His family accused the police of beating him to death, while police reported that the man, after stating he felt unwell, collapsed and died.

Qaraawi was detained after being discovered transporting a Jordanian woman in Israel without a permit. According to police, "He was told to drive to the police station on Salah al-Din Street. When he arrived, there he felt ill.

Quite different stories. What evidence is there?

The uncle of the deceased, Jamal Qaraawi, said that the family heard from local residents that four police officers hit him in his chest with their guns. Another Palestinian witness, however, said that Qaraawi had not been beaten.

The only eyewitness said there was no beating. The claims of beatings (which were only in the chest, and not the head at all) appear to be uncorroborated rumors. But what about the body of the deceased?

The emergency doctor who arrived at the scene said that there were no signs of violence on his body.

It is hard to know what actually is the truth based on these conflicting reports. Given the credibility of these reporting agencies based on their accuracy, history of factual claims and accuracy (like the "youthfulness" of the deceased), and inherent report bias one can get a relatively clear picture of what probably or probably didn't happened. But, as with everything, it is better to wait until the facts come out after something is actually known, instead of reporting rumor as a matter of fact.

Martyrs for "Leverage"

Attention all you Palestinian martyr-wanna-bees out there: Your "sacrifice" is not for the "liberation of your Palestinian land". Rather, it is all for political leverage.

The head of the political department of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Farouq Al-Qaddoumi, has stressed the need to continue the Palestinian resistance against the Israeli occupation. Al-Qaddoumi said, "Any government without resistance will not be able to strengthen its 'cards' in the negotiations".

Kill yourself so some crooked politician can barter more effectively. Sounds like a plan. A bad plan, but you are free to squander your life as you wish.

Palestinian "International Women's Day": Different

Here's another example on the contribution of good Muslim women to Palestinian society, courtesy of Hamas, entitled "International Woman's Day is different in Palestine" (boy, that's for sure).

Um Nidal bid her son Mohmmad [sp] farewell before his famous operation, and waited for his return as a martyr. She did not expect him to return alive. But she waited to hear news of victory and martyrdom. He infiltrated into a military academy and killed more than ten soldiers before his martyrdom.

How does one kill soldiers "before his martyrdom"? I digress.

Um-Nidal’s tears upon hearing the news were of happiness not sadness.

Her tears were "not sadness", just in case you were wondering. Get the very next paragraph entitled "Advocate of Morality and Ethics" (always a twisted definition of terms).

More important than the role in armed resistance is women’s role in spreading Islamic teaching and principles inside the Palestinian society. Women are very active in teaching the Holy Quran and Islamic conduct in various life issues. Women as mothers who carry the burden of caring for children have been able to educate future mothers on how to lead their lives, and how to raise their children.

Which, of course, includes teaching them Holy Quran's "Islamic values" how to hate, murder, and suicide.

As the title of the article says, "International Woman's Day is different in Palestine". Very different.

Celebrate International Women's Day, The Islamic Way

Will it never end?

SINGAPORE - Three Muslim mothers who persuaded their daughters to have sex with their father wept in a Singapore court when the rape victims pleaded for leniency for the women, news reports said on Thursday.

The three “wives” are charged with abetting the 46-year-old businessman and religious teacher in committing incest between December 2003 and June 2005.

Why in the world would the mothers help their husband rape their daughters? Maybe it is their religious duty.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Eugene Lee said the husband told his multiple wives and scores of children that according to the Quran, a father “owned” his children and this extended to having sex with his daughters, the report said.

There are your "women's rights", according to Islam. Thankfully, Singapore is not an Islamic state and the courts do not condone perversion, sanctioned by the Koran or not.

The father is serving a 32-year jail sentence with 24 strokes of the cane for raping his young daughters.

At least it is better than nothing.

So much for International Women's Day.

They Can Dish It Out...

The Palestinian Information Center (PIC) reports on a warning issued by the Israeli government to its citizens about the danger of abduction if they are in certain Islamic countries. Notice the language used:

The Israeli occupation government has urged Israeli settlers in three Arab countries to immediately leave them and return to the Hebrew state for mounting fears they might be kidnapped.

The so-called “anti-terrorism” bureau in the Israeli premier’s office issued an urgent “security warning” to Israeli settlers visiting Egypt, Jordan, and Morocco to quickly depart from those countries citing “specified warnings” on their safety.

Imagine if any news source characterized the Palestinians in similar fashion. For example, the above excerpt reworded accordingly:

The Palestinian terrorist government has urged Palestinian terror supporters in three Western countries to immediately leave them and return to the Islamic state for mounting fears they might be kidnapped.

The so-called “pro-terrorism” bureau in the Palestinian premier’s office issued an urgent “security warning” to Palestinian terror enablers visiting Europe, Australia, and the USA to quickly depart from those countries citing “specified warnings” on their safety.

Talk about outrage and hurt feelings, we'd probably see suicide attacks galore to regain lost "honor" for such provocative language used by a news outlet.

Lost In Translation

Palestinian news agencies are not very professional, to say the least. Here is a news item reported by two different Palestinian outlets, quoting PA Information minister Dr. Yousef Rizqa/Rezka.

First Ma'an news:

the siege in itself is not immoral and undemocratic.

Now the Palestinian Information Center:

“The blockade per se was an unethical and undemocratic measure,"

Great job, guys!

Palestinian Women Want "Their Rights"

Progressive Palestinians protest under the guise of "Women's Rights".

Commemorating International Women's Day, hundreds of Palestinian citizens, mostly women, organized a mass rally at Huwwara checkpoint on Wednesday, flying the banner 'no to checkpoints'.

According to this report, it sounds like checkpoints are random and oppressive.

The protestors chanted anti-checkpoint slogans and raised posters saying, among other things, 'Women rise above the level of checkpoints', and 'together against checkpoints'. They also shouted pro-Palestinian female maxims.

Women have rights, too. Especially Islamic women.

The statement read: "The entire population stretching from Rafah to Jenin are being subjected to the most brutal blockade, checkpoints and incursions and are deprived of the simplest right of access to hospitals."

Why would anyone keep poor women from unrestricted access to the human right of health care?

The statement added that "hundreds of Palestinians were either killed or injured at these checkpoints, including women and children who were denied passage through the checkpoints to go to hospitals. This is an evident breach of human rights."

Why the restrictions? Here's but one example why.

Wafa Samir Ibraim Bas, a 21 year-old Palestinian woman from Jabalya, left her Gaza home with a permission pass to visit Soroka Hospital in Beersheba for a medical check-up. Attached to her clothing, her pants, was more than 22 pounds of explosives.

It was the perfect opportunity. A young woman. An entry permit into Israel for medical treatment. By her own admission and the admission of her handlers, it was assumed that Bas would only be cursorily surveyed at the Erez Crossing. It was assumed that Bas would easily reach her intended target and murder as many people - doctors, nurses, patients, visitors - as 22 pounds of explosives could handle.

Wafa Samir Ibraim Bas had a morning appointment in the Burn Unit of the hospital that had saved her life [!] several months ago. In December of 2004 Bas was badly injured and burned by a gas balloon explosion in her home. Israeli hospitals do not practice a policy of discrimination. All patients are treated alike. Some patients send thank-you notes. This one decided to detonate a bomb.

She was trying to kill the very people that saved her life and are working to make it better. Unfortunately this is all too typical.

So what about International Women's Day? Is Israel unjustly oppressing women?

Since the year 2000, 8 Palestinian women have perpetrated suicide attacks killing 39 Israelis. The Israeli army and Security Forces have uncovered 45 acts of terror initiated by women. In the past year over 59 women have attempted attacks against Israelis.

One of those attempts took place on Monday [by Ms Bas].
[...]
Luckily, they were wrong, they miscalculated. The intended female suicide bomber was detected. The explosive device was safely detonated by sappers. No one was injured.

Even Ms Bas' own mother was disappointed she did not succeed in killing herself and the doctors who saved her life.

Should an entire population have to be subject to so-called "collective punishment" as checkpoints? When the alternative is suicide terror, and since the Palestinians spend their energy complaining about restrictions and encouraging terrorists like Ms Bas (instead of opposing them), then how can they expect otherwise?

(Ms Bas' explosive belt being detonated)

State of Extreme Disgruntlement

Don't look now, but Palestinian prisoners are not happy as "State of extreme disgruntlement engulfs Palestinian prisoners".

The [PA prisoners’ affairs] ministry, in a statement it issued on Wednesday and a copy of which was obtained by the PIC, affirmed that the IOF [Israeli army] troops were “arbitrarily arresting tens of Palestinian citizens for rejecting the occupation..."

That is, taking part in terrorism.

"...with the aim to weaken their spirit of resistance”.

Or, in other words, enforcing the idea to terrorists that involvement in terrorism has a price.

The statement cited IOF storming of the PA general intelligence and military intelligence headquarters...

Oxymorons both.

...in Ramallah city earlier Wednesday and the subsequent arrest of tens of its cadres, marking the operation as “cowardly”.

"Cowardly", as opposed to "brave" Palestinian civilian-aimed suicide terrorists operations.

PA prisoners’ affairs minister in the caretaker government Wasfi Kabaha claims robbery on the high seas.

“This is an above-board and plain Israeli piracy against the Palestinian people”,

No, it is against the terrorists, unless, of course, the minister is making the assertion that the Palestinian people and terrorists are one in the same. Clarification is needed.

He, furthermore, unveiled that a state of extreme anger was prevailing among Palestinian captives in Israeli jails due to the “inhuman and humiliating treatment at the hands of Israeli jailors”.

One thing is for sure, Israel at least makes the attempt since the jails are open for external scrutiny. At least the prisoners in Israeli jails won't face Palestinian "justice" in the middle of a crowded street on the wrong end of the vigilante gun. Like they say, "If you can't do the time, don't do the crime".

In this context, Kabaha urged the international community to immediately mobilize to force the Hebrew state halt those unsanctioned practices.

Yes, halt Israel so the "resistance" can continue unopposed. We know it must be frustrating for a terrorist to not be free to kill Israeli civilians at will.

And now for something completely related, the same article continues.

In a related matter, the Israeli military court in Ofer detention camp adjourned the trial of Palestinian lawmakers Dr. Ibrahim Abu Salem, and Mahmoud Abu Juhaisha of Hamas Movement to the 27th of this month.

The two MPs refused to recognize legality of the court being a court of an occupation force, insisting they were democratically elected Palestinian lawmakers and, thus, protected under international laws and conventions by their immunity.

Hypocritical moral equivalence at its finest:
1) They want recognition and legitimacy, but refuse to give it.
2) The legality of Israeli court has more credibility than the non-state election of unofficial Palestine.
3) If occupation delegitimizes the court, then so too the Palestinian elections and those elected.
4) An elected terrorist is still a terrorist and international law doesn't protect genocidal organizations (see "Article Seven: The Universality of Hamas" of the Hamas covenant, but read the whole thing for the full picture). Just ask the elected German government at the Nuremburg trials if international law was helpful for them.

Don't think so.

The Right To Be Raped

As we saw before, the Syrian grand Mufti of the Republic Sheikh Ahmad Bader Eddin Hasson is doing more PR work. Speaking with the Russian Mufti, it's all about him.

Sheikh Hasson discussed with the Mufti of the Russian Federations ... means of developing bilateral relations and clergymens role in building good individual [?] and convey the best image of him through its students.

Well, not ALL about him because he has bravely announced the "truth" of Islam regarding women.

[The Mufti] underlined yesterday the importance of disseminating the culture of peace and love among people, stressing that Islam gives woman rights more than those given by law.

This is true: Islam gives women the right to be beaten by their husbands. You won't find that in any infidel's secular law.

[T]he Mufti noted the equal rights given by God to all people regardless of their colour and religion.

Too bad that his words contradict nearly 1,400 years of bloody and oppressive Islamic history. In fact, let's see how Islamic society is treating its women at this very moment.

A Saudi woman who was kidnapped at knifepoint, gang-raped and then beaten by her brother was sentenced to 90 lashes - for a meeting a man who was not a relative,

Gang raped and now sentenced to be beaten. Nice.

“G” [the rape victim] said one of the judges told she was lucky not to have been given jail time. “I was shocked at the verdict. I couldn't believe my ears,” said the woman, who has appealed against her sentence.

The Religion of Compassion.

The woman also told the paper she tried to commit suicide because of her ordeal and was beaten by her younger brother because the rape had brought shame on their family.

The fact that she endured the trauma of being raped is apparently completely irrelevant. I guess she should be glad she wasn't "honor" killed, though unfortunately that is still a very real possibility for her.

Fuziyah al-Ouni, described as an activist by the paper, said she was outraged by the case. “By sentencing her to 90 lashes they are sending a message that she is guilty. No rape victim is guilty,” she said.

Oh yes they are, if you are a woman living under Sharia law it is all your fault.

There are severe legal restrictions on women in Saudi Arabia, including a strict dress code required outside the home and a ban on driving.

But, as the Mufti himself said, "Islam gives woman rights more than those given by law."

Rights...right.