For the life of me I can’t understand why Michael Conniff keeps touting Barry Schochet as a Middle East expert, a title that Barry himself denies. This is a con of the highest degree, and I’m disappointed in Conniff for falling for it. His show endorses liberty and justice, yet he allows Barry Schochet to promote the opposite agenda. This is a great disservice to Con Games listeners, who hope to glean a better understanding of today’s issues and events. But it’s a greater disservice to the Palestinian people who are suffering and dying because of lies like Barry Schochet uses to justify Israel’s oppression of millions of innocent civilians.
For the record, Schochet’s Middle East “expertise” is limited to his position as a Congressional foreign policy advisor. I can’t find any information regarding his qualifications for that position, but after hearing Barry’s take on Israel/Palestine, I suspect he didn’t really need any qualifications because his role was more to ensure support of Israel than to increase understanding of the complex issues facing our policymakers. This is a serious problem in Washington. The Israel lobby, through the use of Jewish “policy advisors” like Barry, has been pushing a lopsided view of Middle East issues, to the point that in Congress, the media, and among the American public, the truth is now dismissed in favor of the myths being perpetrated by the Israeli propaganda machine.
So as someone who has spent an inordinate amount of time and energy in the last six years, sifting through massive amounts of information for the truth about Israel/Palestine, I must once again dispel the myths that Barry Schochett so arrogantly proclaimed as fact on the January 25th Con Games show.
Barry’s claim that the wall between Egypt and Gaza was built by Egypt to keep the Palestinians out because “no one wants those people,” is a gross lie. In September of 2000, when Ariel Sharon visited a sacred Muslim site and proclaimed that it would remain forever in Jewish hands, the Second Intifada was sparked. Because of the violence against settlers in Gaza, the wall was built by the Israelis to keep weapons from being smuggled in from Egypt. Barry’s claim that there is no barrier between Israel and Gaza is of course, ridiculous. Gaza is a prison which Israel guards tightly, controlling the fenced border, the air and sea as well as most of the energy supply.
Now on to the greenhouses that Barry claims were left by the Israeli settler’s and destroyed by the Palestinians. Yes, after the withdrawal some were looted to provide supplies for Palestinian farmer’s own greenhouses. But unfortunately for those who depend on agriculture for their economy, most of the greenhouses were destroyed by the Israeli settlers who didn’t want to leave them for use by the Palestinians. Not without getting some money for them anyway.
“July 15, 2005 JERUSALEM, July 14 – About half the greenhouses in the Israeli settlements in Gaza have already been dismantled by their owners, who have given up waiting to see if the government was going to come up with extra payment as an inducement to leave them behind, say senior officials working on the coordination of this summer’s Israeli pullout from Gaza.”
“Withdrawal From Gaza Under international pressure to save what is left for Palestinian economic development, Israeli and international officials are working on a plan to pay settlers to hand over the remaining greenhouses and a dairy to Palestinians, to preserve jobs and production. These businesses provide thousands of jobs to Gazans.”
“Of the roughly 1,000 acres of agricultural land that were under greenhouses in the 21 Israeli settlements in Gaza, only 500 acres remain – creating significant doubts that the greenhouses could be handed over to the Palestinians as “a living business,” http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/15/international/middleeast/15mideast.html?scp=1&sq=greenhouses+in+gaza&st=nyt
The remaining greenhouses were saved because the settlers were successful in using them as leverage to obtain money, which was ultimately provided by the Aspen Institute. That’s the only part of the story that Barry got right…
August 13, 2005 JERUSALEM, Aug. 12 – “A consortium of wealthy Americans has put up $14 million to compensate Jewish settlers for their Gaza Strip greenhouses, and the facilities will be handed over to the Palestinians as soon as the Israelis leave, participants in the deal said Friday….Jewish settlers have complained that the Israeli government was not offering sufficient compensation, and they have threatened to dismantle or destroy computerized irrigation systems and other valuable equipment needed to keep the greenhouses running….Mr. Wolfensohn said that with the danger of the greenhouses being torn down, he turned to private donors to raise the money for the greenhouses – specifically about a half dozen wealthy individuals whom he declined to identify….The donors are giving the money to the Aspen Institute, a private business and public policy advocacy group that set up a program to ease investments in Gaza and the West Bank about a year ago….According to Mr. Karni, the agreement covers about 90 percent of the more than 1,000 acres of greenhouses in Gush Katif, the main settlement cluster in Gaza. However, some journalists who have been to the area recently say a good number of the greenhouses have already been at least partly dismantled. Some Gaza farmers hope to rebuild them in Israel, while others say they oppose leaving them for Palestinians. It is unclear what percentage of the greenhouses are in working order, though some estimate it at around 50 percent.”
So what happened to the remaining greenhouses?
From the NY Times; “The Palestinians invested millions of dollars to repair the greenhouses shortly after the Israelis left, and had an excellent crop in the winter of 2005 and 2006. But they were unable to export their produce to Europe, the main market, because Israel kept Gaza’s main crossing for goods closed for weeks at a time, citing security concerns.”
The crops, so carefully nurtured by the Palestinian farmers, were left to rot at the closed gates of Gaza. The World Bank recently issued a statement saying that Israel’s closures and blockades have ruined the Palestinian economy. That is not only cruel, it’s criminal.
As on a previous appearance, Schochett made the erroneous claim that in 1949 the Arab states told the Palestinians to leave so that they could attack Israel. And he again made the racist statement that “Palestinians don’t want peace.” I’ve already dealt with these lies in a previous post; http://www.aspenpost.net/2007/11/30/the-myth-of-hatred/ as well as other myths about the Palestinians here; http://www.aspenpost.net/2007/12/25/the-monster-that-devoured-cleveland/
The Palestinian people need our support in order to peacefully end Israel’s illegal occupation and obtain their own state, in which they can enjoy the freedom and justice under law that we Americans prize. To give our crucial support, we must be able to understand the cruel and unfair conditions under which the Palestinians are struggling to survive. We must be told the truth by people in positions of authority and the media.
Rather than illuminating the situation for Con Games listeners, Barry Schochet’s obfuscating remarks lend more fuel to the fire of racism against Palestinians. Portraying the Palestinians as people “no one wants” who “don’t want peace,” ostensibly excuses Israel from their crimes against civilians and violation of International Humanitarian Law.
Barry Schochett apparently doesn’t mind being a willfull accessory to those crimes, but from Michael Conniff, as a member of the media and a self-proclaimed liberal, I expect better.
The best way to sort out the truth of this issue is to visit Israel and the West Bank (Palestine) yourself. Some groups that run trips to Israel and Palestine are: Global Exchange, Sabeel (the Denver chapter has a trip 6/14-28/08), InterFaith Peace-Builders, Christian Peacemaker Team, etc. Israel limits admittance to Gaza so it is unlikely one will be allowed to visit this area.
Thanks Cathleen,
I have been looking in to doing just such a trip. I learned so much about the people, culture and attitudes and living conditions when I went to Iraq. I know visiting Israel/Palestine would give me valuable insight into the situation there.
and Michael,
You were kind enough to correct your error when you got my blogger name wrong, so I’m sorry I misspelled your show’s name, and I’ve corrected it.
I look forward to your comment.
Sue:
My answer, in part, goes like this:
Barry’s credentials are in order. He was Staff Director of the Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs of the US Senate, traveled the region extensively for years, met with most political leaders, wrote reports to the Senate on subjects as diverse as the Polisario war in the Western Sahara (after being there for two weeks in July of 1978), airport security in the Middle East and Europe, aid to Israel, Egypt and Palestinian territories, arms sales to the region, etc. etc. etc.
Your credential are that you’ve read a lot for six years and are passionate about the issues.
That doesn’t make you wrong and Barry right–and I’m going to have to learn more to figure out what happened with the greenhouses. So give me a raincheck on that.
And, as you know, I disagree with Barry politically all the time. But on this issue, I’m with him.
Here’s what I don’t understand about your position. Palestinians, presumably Hamas, lob missiles into Israel and you say nothing, not a word. Hamas is an extremist, jihadist organization and you remain silent. Israel makes attempts at trading territory for peace (vide: Anwar Sadat) and you ignore these overtures.
I don’t think I’m going out on a limb calling you a Hamas sympathizer, and I would not be surprised to hear you have great admiration for Hezbolloah and al-Qaeda.
That’s where I have to draw the line, Sue. Your empathy and sympathy for the Palestinians is understandable and even at times admirable, but you ignrore the excesses of these jihadists in the name of their cause and your own abhorrence of Israel.
They want to destroy Israel, and given the chance they will.
Is that what you want, too?
Say it ain’t so, Sue. Now’s your chance.
Best, Michael!
Aaaaagh! Not you too?
[I don't think I'm going out on a limb calling you a Hamas sympathizer, and I would not be surprised to hear you have great admiration for Hezbollah and al-Qaeda.]
That is a serious accusation and one, as I’ve said before, I don’t take lightly. Do you even realize what calling someone a terrorist sympathizer means in this political climate and with this administration snooping in to our correspondence? Comments like that could land me in jail.
Not to mention that is just about the most horrible thing you could say about a person. I guess you think that is fair given that I criticized your friend and questioned his credentials. But honestly Michael…WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING?!
I have never condoned violence by Hamas, but I do understand it. The Palestinians are fighting for their very existence against the strongest army in the Middle East. Israel has full military superiority and all of the latest U.S. technological advantages. Hamas has ancient inaccurate rocket launchers and rocks. Israel has the sympathy and support of the American people. Hamas has our suspicion and contempt.
Why is it so freaking hard for people to understand the difference between Islamic jihadist organizations like al Qaeda and resistance fighters like Hezbollah and Hamas. They are NOT THE SAME THING! About the only thing they have in common is they are all Muslims. Hamas and Hezbollah ARE NOT JIHADISTS! They are not fighting a religious/ideological war against Jews. They are fighting for their land and their freedom from oppression and apartheid. They are equivalent to the American militias during the Revolutionary War. They use the same methods and have the same goal as we did; violent resistance against an occupying power in order to obtain liberty and justice.
Tell me Michael, do you really support freedom and justice? Do you support human rights? Or do you think military occupation is justified and should not be resisted? If the Mexican army invaded and occupied Colorado, destroyed your home with bulldozers and built Mexican only settlements and roads, then kept you from crossing the checkpoints to go to work, visit your family, or get to the hospital, would you shrug and say oh well, I guess that’s just the way it is? Or would you join with other patriotic Coloradans to fight the enemy and get your land back?
From your post; The Revolution Is Televised – “These rebel stories work for us here in America because when we watch them we automatically connect with our USA DNA. We don’t need to travel back in time to hear the bell tolling from the spire of the North Church to let us know that somebody a long time ago had to fight against overwhelming odds for the freedom and liberty we have today.” Why can’t you apply that to the Palestinian rebel forces? Is it just because the country is Israel and the Palestinians are Muslim that you have these bigoted views?
Maybe you need to do a little more soul searching, or at least a little more studying before you blindly support Israel’s apartheid regime.You’ve obviously become a victim of the Israel lobby’s tricks. Anyone who criticizes Israel’s policies and human rights violations gets accused of hating Jews and “abhorrence of Israel.” That is just so ridiculous! I guess because you criticize the Bush administrations policies, you hate America? You must hate Christians too, because we are predominately a Christian nation. Can you see how stupid that sounds?
As for Barry’s credentials, I stand by my assessment. “Staff Director of the Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs of the US Senate” is just a fancy title for a lobbyist. His intention was never to promote peace between Israel and Palestine, it was to promote support of Israel regardless of the fact that they have violated hundreds of UN Resolutions, the Fourth Geneva Convention, International Humanitarian Law, and are illegally occupying land that was set aside for the creation of a Palestinian state.
The excuse that the Palestinians can’t have their own state because they are committing acts of violence against Israel is just absurd. They are committing acts of violence against Israel because Israel is preventing them from having their own state. Israel has reneged on every agreement they’ve made with the Palestinians and has rejected the Road Map for Peace because it required them to give back the West Bank for the creation of a Palestinian homeland. Israel does NOT WANT PEACE. They want LAND. The Palestinians don’t want to destroy Israel, they are trying to prevent Israel from destroying them.
If you were really paying attention, and if you were being told the truth by your Jewish friends, you would know that. Sorry Michael but the facts prove that Barry Schochet is a liar, and you have been duped.
Reckless,
I thank you for your continuing efforts to enlighten us out here to a bigger view of this situation and have found your links to be very informative to someone like me who has limited time and abilities to track this subject down.
While I hold Michael and his format in high esteem, I am also often dissapointed with his typical media veiw of events.
So Michael makes an empirical observation about your sympathies, and his words constitute “a serious accusation,” but it’s completely kosher, er (sorry), acceptable for you impugn Mr. Schochet’s credibility on the subject of the Middle East and libel him by declaring him a liar.
I see how this works.
Cheers,
Sue:
“Jihadists” want to blow people up for no good reason.
“Resistance fighters” want to blow people up for the right reason. They have the right to lob bombs across borders and you’re 100 percent completely okay with that.
Thank you for the clarification.
Best, Con Man!
Mitch,
You call accusing me of being a Hamas sympathizer and having admiration for al Qaeda, simply an empirical observation? It’s not just my opinion that those are serious charges. Ask the FBI.
The definition of libel is a false and malicious statement that damages somebody’s reputation (see above). I didn’t falsely accuse Schochet of being a liar. His own words make him a liar. I just pointed out the facts that contradict his statements. So he lies and you guys defend him. I tell the truth and you attack my character.
I see how this works.
Michael,
OK instead of addressing the issues with any real attempt at dialog, you’re trying to make me look stupid by oversimplifying the issue. Do you really think that will work with me?
Jihadists don’t blow people up for no good reason. They have ideological and political reasons.
Palestinian resistance fighters are not blowing people up. They rarely hit their target. I believe this is purposeful. If they were actually to kill Israelis with their missile attacks from Gaza, they know there would be horrible consequences for their people. The missiles are mainly a show of resistance to occupation and oppression.
I never said they had the right to lob missiles. I said I understand the motivation. And you would too if you just gave ten seconds of thought as to what it would feel like to be in their situation.
Israel is suffocating and starving millions of people, stealing their land, and imposing apartheid, in an ethnic cleansing campaign for the purpose of creating a pure Jewish state and you’re 100 percent completely okay with that.
Thank you for the clarification.
Peace,
Sue
[You call accusing me of being a Hamas sympathizer and having admiration for al Qaeda, simply an empirical observation?]
Empirically speaking, Hamas and al Qaeda seem to be OK by you, and yes, that troubles me.
Call Schochet a liar if you must. Some people are comforted by petty torments. I don’t think that’s where you’re coming from.
Cheers,
Mitch, up late again I see.
First, where do you get the idea that either Hamas or al Qaeda are ok by me? For the record, I abhor al Qaeda, as if that even needs to be clarified. I defy anyone to find anything I’ve ever said that indicates I support al Qaeda.
Second, why do you and Michael insist on lumping Hamas and al Qaeda together? They are completely different organizations that have nothing whatsoever to do with each other, except that they are Muslims. For one thing, Hamas began as a humanitarian organization. Their reputation as a “terrorist” group came after they formed the militia during the First Intifada.
FYI: “Beginning in the late 1960s, Hamas’s founder and spiritual leader, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, preached and did charitable work in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, both of which were occupied by Israel following the 1967 Six-Day War….In addition to its military wing, Hamas devotes much of its estimated $70-million annual budget to an extensive social services network. It funds schools, orphanages, mosques, healthcare clinics, soup kitchens, and sports leagues. “Approximately 90 percent of its work is in social, welfare, cultural, and educational activities,” writes the Israeli scholar Reuven Paz. (from the Council on Foreign Relations website)
And just because I understand the motivation of Hamas doesn’t mean I condone their use of violence. I would prefer if the Palestinians were able to stage a Gandhiesque resistance. But knowing the Israeli’s desire to steal their land out from under them, I doubt it would be effective. All in all the Israelis benefit from the Palestinian violent resistance. It gives them an excuse to kill more Palestinians and steal more land. All part of the plan.
Neither you, Michael or any of my opponents ever addresses the issue of the occupation. How do you justify it? And how can you oppose the Palestinian resistance? Did the people of Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, and Italy have the right to violently resist occupation by Nazi Germany? Did the Kuwaitis have the right to resist occupation by Iraq in 1990? Do you consider the Native Americans to be terrorists, because they resisted US expansion and occupation of tribal land? Just where do you draw the line at resistance to “belligerent military occupation?” (Yeah, look it up)
I have yet to see a good argument for Israel’s continuing occupation and their absolute refusal to let the Palestinians have a homeland of their own. Why are there 450,000 Israeli civilians living in the West bank?
I’ve been asking this of my opponents for years now. I never get any answer. Just a lot of insults and false accusations. What does that tell you?
Sue:
By calling someone a liar you presuppose knowledge of what they know and what they don’t. How could you possibly say someone is lying unless you know in great detail what they already know? You don’t and you can’t and to act as if you can is intellectually dishonest.
In the bargain, by doing so, you also violate the first tenet of blogging on Aspen Post because you got personal. That’s not allowed because the argument deteriorates from there. The only response to someone telling a person he or she sucks is to say: “No I don’t” and maybe: “No–you suck.” It is, in other words, the end of the dialogue, not the beginning, as you’ll agree. As you also know, I’ve enforced this rule rigorously when people have come after you.
That’s one thing. The other is you say I’m making you look stupid, and that tempts me to quote Forrest Gump, but I won’t. You say you don’t condone Hamas’s violence: then I challenge you to write THAT post, saying they are a destructive force in the region dedicated to the death of Israel, and that they condone firing rockets into innocent people in Israel to get their way.
Why don’t you condemn that, Sue? Write a blog that details the atrocities of Hamas and Hezbelloh, and perhaps explain exactly when al-Qaeda morphed from the “resistance force” that fought off the Russians in Afghanistan into the “jihadist” organization that fights Americans.
I have great respect for your courage, Sue, but your writing something condemning those groups would be like Bob Braudis admitting he has/had a problem with drugs. It would be Nixon going to China. I regret to say that it’s literally inconceivable.
All best, Michael!
PS to Sue:
“Facts contradicting statements” do not in any way, shape, or form make a person a liar. Knowing the facts and then making false statements regardless of the facts make a person a liar. People can and do disagree on “the facts” all day long every day without ever being called a liar.
Best, Michael!
Michael,
Knowing your explicit rule against personal attacks, I was actually surprised that you let my accusation against Barry remain on Aspen Post. I fully expected you to delete my comments and to give me a severe lecture. The fact that you saw fit to let it ride, shows some respect and tolerance for my “passion.”
You are absolutely right. I don’t know what Barry knows. It was an assumption on my part that the “Staff Director of the Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs of the US Senate, traveled the region extensively for years, met with most political leaders, wrote reports to the Senate on subjects as diverse as the Polisario war in the Western Sahara (after being there for two weeks in July of 1978), airport security in the Middle East and Europe, aid to Israel, Egypt and Palestinian territories, arms sales to the region, etc. etc. etc.” would know that the wall between Egypt and Gaza was built by Israel, that Israel forcibly expelled the Palestinians in 1949, and that the Palestinians have not been denied statehood and assimilation by neighboring Arab countries, but chose to remain Palestinians with hope for return to their homes.
As you say, “knowing the facts and then making false statements regardless of the facts make a person a liar.” So he either knows the facts and he’s lying, or he’s ignorant and he doesn’t deserve billing as Con Games resident expert on the Middle East. Which is it?
I’ve condemned the violence by Hamas many times in my letters and comments. It’s never enough for you diehard Israel supporters. Writing a post detailing the atrocities of Hamas and Hezbollah, would only reinforce what people think they know; that Israel is good and Palestinians are evil. My job, unlike Barry Schochet’s is to bring greater understanding to the situation, to show that there are two sides to the story, and that a grave injustice is being committed by Israel with the blessing of the US and the help of propaganda artists like Barry.
I am telling the truth about the situation in Israel/Palestine because I believe solving that crisis is essential to fighting terrorism and securing the peace for Israel and the United States, as well as bringing liberty and justice to the Palestinian people. Barry has not told the truth, or he is ignorant of the facts. This can be proven by a simple Internet search. Why does he insist on making false statements and racist comments about the Palestinian people and portraying them as stupid, violent losers that no one wants? What is his motivation?
Instead of challenging me to defend Israel, why don’t you, on your Friday show, ask Barry to explain why Israel is illegally occupying Palestinian land, why there are 450,000 Jewish civilians living in hostile territory, and have him detail the atrocities of the Zionist government against innocent civilians. Ask him to explain why it’s ok for Israel to violate the Fourth Geneva Convention and 66 UN Resolutions.
Now THAT would be “like Bob Braudis admitting he has/had a problem with drugs. It would be Nixon going to China. I regret to say that it’s literally inconceivable.”
Peace,
Sue
Sue,
You are awesome, thanks for keeping the big picture in front of everyone and continue to refocus as needed. The time and energy you use to inspire us to expand our knowledge and perception of this one facet of the chaos in this modern world may annoy the partisans, but keep their feet to the fire. Soon the shift will come and veiws will change to reflect the new dynamic. Either that or we are toast. Remember our revolutionary forefathers(yeah those sneaky bastards that hid in the trees, shot and ran and just didn’t fight fair)and look for inspiration in these troubled times. Michael and Mitch, as far as {“exactly when al-Qaeda morphed from the “resistance force” that fought off the Russians in Afghanistan into the “jihadist” organization that fights Americans” } goes, have you guys been paying attention? Al-Qaeda has been and continues to be a valuable piece on the board. They have been used for years and continue to be of service. Just one glaring example is the 2004 election. During that cycle do you remember how many times we had timely “orange alerts”? Timely, meaning benificial to the Bushman. Talk about “wag the dog”. How many times since the 2004 election have we had a “orange alert”? I think I remember one, maybe! Blinders are great for keeping horses focused on pulling their load and not getting distracted by the BIG PICTURE but for those who wish to expand their knowledge, we need to throw off the blinders of all our partisanships. Solutions will never be found without change.
Sue,
In the course of reading your letters and posts, you have occasionally condemned the actions of Palestinian-based terrorism. That said, I find such acknowledgments and condemnations the exception, not the rule.
Without fail, you place the onus of responsibility for Middle East strife strictly on Israel and U.S foreign policy. By extension, Hamas, Fatah, and the Palestinian people are wholly blameless for this tension. When someone like Mr. Schochet makes a representation that doesn’t comport with this view, you take to the war path. In the case of Mr. Schochet, you declare the man a liar.
Contrary to your contention, I do not condone all actions of Israel, but whenever this subject comes up, your proclivity to get your barbs in can keep the discussion from constructively exploring such questions. I’ve grown to appreciate and hold a deep respect for you and your views, which is why I find this beneath you. You are too learned on this subject, too well-written too, to resort to ad hominem tactics.
As for the lumping together of al Qaeda and Hamas… I think this mistaken inference arises from a misreading of a sentence in comment 2. For the record, apart from being theocratic, militant organizations, I find any additional connection tenuous at best.
More later…
Cheers,
Mitch,
Thanks for giving me the benefit of the doubt when it comes to being learned on the subject.
As for ad hominem attacks, I have to admit that I’m running out of patience with people like Barry Schochet. I’m not going to pull any punches when it comes to human rights and justice. I’m going to call a spade a spade even if it offends people. I’m offended by their support of the brutal regime in Israel, so I don’t mind offending them by calling them out. It’s for a good cause; freedom.
[Without fail, you place the onus of responsibility for Middle East strife strictly on Israel and U.S foreign policy. By extension, Hamas, Fatah, and the Palestinian people are wholly blameless for this tension.]
The onus of responsibility rests with the occupier, not the occupied. This is clearly defined in the Hague Rules of War. The tension is caused by Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory which the US enables and condones. I am advocating the end of the occupation and the creation of a Palestinian state, to ease that tension. While you, Michael, and Barry see no hypocrisy in your denial of a people to defend their land and families from belligerent military occupation, I have no doubt that would change in an instant if you were the occupied people.
Star Eagle,
I appreciate your support and positive attitude. I truly believe that this is the year the lid will be blown off the Israeli occupation and the atrocities being committed there will finally be recognized by the American people (it’s already been acknowledge by the rest of the world for a long time now). The breakdown of the wall in Gaza was just a first step in bringing awareness to the situation.
I was ridiculed and attacked when I described Iraq as a moderate and tolerant country that did not support terrorism, but ultimately that truth became known by the general public. I will be proven right about Israel also, despite the best efforts of the Israel lobby and ADL to prevent the American public from knowing the truth.
For those who care to know, here is a partial synopsis of the Fourth Geneva Convention violations by Israel;
The Fourth Geneva Convention which both Israel and the United States have ratified, governs the protection of civilians during times of war and under occupation by a foreign power.
ARTICLE 33
No protected person may be punished for an offence he or she has not personally committed. Collective penalties and likewise all measures of intimidation or of terrorism are prohibited.
This inclusion resulted from the fact that “In World War II, Nazis carried out a form of collective punishment to suppress resistance. Entire villages or towns or districts were held responsible for any resistance activity that took place there.”
Nov 8, 2006 – ‘The Israeli Occupying Forces (IOF) have committed an appalling act of mass murder in the town of Beit Hanoun today. At dawn, the IOF fired eleven artillery shells on six homes in the town killing 18 civilians; seven of whom are children and six of whom are women. 53 others were wounded; of whom 25 are children and 12 are women. With this, the number of Palestinians who have been killed since the commencement of the IOF operation in Beit hanoun on 1 November 2006 has reached 77.”
ARTICLE 49
Individual or mass forcible transfers, as well as deportations of protected persons from occupied territory to the territory of the Occupying Power or to that of any other country, occupied or not, are prohibited, regardless of their motive. Nevertheless, the Occupying Power may undertake total or partial evacuation of a given area if the security of the population or imperative military reasons so demand. Such evacuations may not involve the displacement of protected persons outside the bounds of the occupied territory except when for material reasons it is impossible to avoid such displacement. Persons thus evacuated shall be transferred back to their homes as soon as hostilities in the area in question have ceased.
BBC News – “It is widely accepted that under international law, the Jewish settlements in the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel are illegal. Within the international community the overwhelming view is that Article 49 is applicable to the occupation of East Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The United States has in the past called the settlements illegal, but has more recently used milder language, at least in public. However, the Mitchell report into the causes of Palestinian-Israeli violence that began in September 2000 said: “…customary international law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention, prohibits Israel (as an occupying power) from establishing settlements in occupied territory pending an end to the conflict.”
ARTICLE 53
Any destruction by the Occupying Power of real or personal property belonging individually or collectively to private persons, or to the State, or to other public authorities, or to social or cooperative organizations, is prohibited, except where such destruction is rendered absolutely necessary by military operations.
Dec. 12 2007 – “Yesterday, the seventh day of Hannukah and the second day of the fast before the Moslem holiday of El Adha, Israeli police accompanied bulldozers in a horrific day of demolitions in the unrecognized Bedouin Villages in the Negev. 27 homes were demolished – 27 families were left homeless, with broken dreams, anger and pain towards the government that does not allow them to live in dignity.” http://www.icahd.org/eng/news.asp?menu=5&submenu=1&item=518
ARTICLE 55
To the fullest extent of the means available to it, the Occupying Power has the duty of ensuring the food and medical supplies of the population; it should, in particular, bring in the necessary foodstuffs, medical stores and other articles if the resources of the occupied territory are inadequate.
Sept 2002 – US Agency for International Development report;
• Decrease in the amount of food consumed: 56.3% of households Reasons for decrease in food: West Bank: lack of money and curfew; Gaza: lack of money only.
• Cumulative water interruption: 43.3% of households, 25% West Bank, 59% Gaza; in 22.8% of health facilities, reducing water for drinking and housekeeping/sanitation services
• Diarrheal illness: 23.4% of households in the seventh round
• Access to services: more affected in the West Bank than Gaza; cumulative interruptions in services: 33.1% of clinics had to suspend at least one clinical service for 2 or more days in the two weeks prior to the survey interview.
• More than 90% of clinics reporting interruptions in clinical services consistently cite lack of trained staff due to curfews/closures as the primary reason for interruptions.
I have another question for Israel defenders; if Israel isn’t doing anything wrong, how come there are so many Israeli human rights organizations working to end the occupation? By your logic, shouldn’t they be working to end the violence by Hamas against Israeli civilians?
Here is an excellent article giving one example among many of conscientious Israelis working for peace and justice:
The Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions:
http://www.icahd.org/eng/articles.asp?menu=6&submenu=3
For more info on humanitarian crisis in the OPT check out the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs – Occupied Palestinian Territory:
http://www.ochaopt.org/?module=displaysection§ion_id=103&format=html
Awesome work Sue, real information for real people. Another point of reference to the whole Mid-East policy debacle is to simply, “follow the money”. Cruel? You bet!
Sue:
You knew calling someone a liar was a personal attack, you know that’s against our religion here at Aspen Post, and you did it, anyway, thereby harming your own argument.
Hmmmm…..
I’m going to call you a name now, Sue. You are BIASED to the core on this issue. You make much of being the real truth-teller in the conversation, but you are hopelessly biased against Israel, aren’t you. If you’re truly enamored of the truth, then tell both sides of the story.
You can’t, can you. Your chips are on the Palestinians and you’ve literally had NOTHING good to say about the Israelis.
You wouldn’t take my first challenge for obvious reasons–how could you, Sue Gray, condemn violence by innocent Palestinians–so here’s the next challenge you can ignore: write a blog that intentionally argues the Israeli side. I think it will be a real eye-opener for you and I await the result.
Take a chance, Sue, and expend some effort to see the other side. It can only help your argument.
The bait is in the water and my breath is bated.
Best, Michael!
OK I’ll take that bait. here it is…
http://www.aspenpost.net/2008/01/31/sit-down-and-shout/
And now it’s your turn Michael. I challenge you to expend some effort to see the other side. Write a post condemning Israel’s human rights violations. And ask your guest tomorrow to do the same.
After all, it can only help your argument.
Peace,
Sue
Michael,I see Sue already sent you her reply before I could throw in. I just wanted to offer you the same old, “whats good for the goose is good for the gander”. Since I am trying to see “both sides now ” I for one would find your veiw interesting. Well, I see its now for two, as Sue has already beat me to the draw on the challenge to your challenge. Onward through the…
God, it’s getting late. And I have so much more to do…
Mitch,
Thanks for the MTV flashback.
Michael,
I’m surprised that on today’s Con Games you didn’t even give Barry Schochet a chance to defend himself against my accusations, or to clarify the statements he’s made that are in question. I hope that at least you will still accept my challenge.
BTW: Good work on the show this week. Really enjoyed the Ron Paul discussion. Thanks!
G Wrote – “Why is it so freaking hard for people to understand the difference between Islamic jihadist organizations like al Qaeda and resistance fighters like Hezbollah and Hamas.”
Resistance fighters??…hmmm…maybe this will freshen up your memory as to why everyone (except you that is) puts them in the same boat as Al Qaeda.
Between 1982 and 2005, Hezbollah was responsible for some 200 terrorist attacks that killed many hundreds of people. Among these actions were a number of kidnappings of Westerners; the 1983 suicide truck bombings in Beirut that killed 241 U.S. Marines in their barracks; the 1983 U.S. embassy bombing (also in Beirut) that killed killed 63 people, including 17 Americans; the 1983 bombing of the French multinational force headquarters that killed 58 French troops; the 1985 hijacking of TWA flight 847, in which one American passenger was murdered; the 1992 bombing of the Israeli embassy in Argentina, which killed 29; and the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Argentina, which killed 95.
A Chronology of Terrorist Attacks Carried out by the Hamas Since September
2000:
April 17,2004 – A border policeman killed, an Israeli civilian injured,
and two border policemen injured, when a suicide bomber exploded himself at
the workers terminal crossing at the Erez industrial area.
March 14, 2004 – Two suicide bombers detonated an explosive belt and an
explosive bag at the Ashdod port. Ten Israelis were killed and 12 injured.
March 6, 2004 – Suicide bombers traveling in three vehicles drove into the
Erez crossing, and detonated two car bombs at Palestinian checkpoints, while
firing at the Israeli checkpoint. Two Palestinian policemen were killed.
Jan. 29, 2004 – A suicide bomber detonated a bag laden with explosives on a
No. 19 bus line on Aza Street in Jerusalem. Ten Israelis and one foreigner
were killed and 44 were injured.
Jan. 14, 2004 – A female suicide bomber wearing an explosive belt detonated
herself at the workers terminal in the Erez crossing, resulting in the death
of four Israelis and the injury of five.
Sept. 9, 2003 – A suicide bomber detonated an explosive device at the
entrance of the “Hillel Café” in Jerusalem. Seven Israelis were killed and
70 injured.
Sept. 9 , 2003 – A suicide bomber detonated an explosive device at a bus
stop near the IDF “Tzrifin” Base. Nine IDF soldiers were killed and 10 were
injured.
Aug. 19, 2003 – A suicide bomber wearing an explosive belt blew himself up
on a No. 2 bus line in Jerusalem, resulting in the death of 23 Israelis and
the injury of 115.
Aug. 12, 2003 – A suicide bomber wearing an explosive belt blew himself up
near a bus stop at the entrance to Ariel. Two Israelis were killed and two
others injured.
June 11, 2003 – A suicide bomber wearing an explosive belt blew himself up
on the No. 14 bus line in Jerusalem. Seventeen Israelis were killed and 104
were injured.
May 19, 2003 – A Hamas terrorist on a bicycle blew himself up next to a
military jeep in Kfar Darom in the Gaza Strip. Three IDF soldiers were
wounded.
May 18, 2003 – A suicide bomber, with a bag filled with explosives blew
himself up near the A-Ram Junction in Jerusalem.
May 18, 2003 – A suicide bomber wearing an explosive belt, detonated himself
on a bus at the French Hill Junction in Jerusalem. Seven Israelis were
killed and 20 were wounded.
May 17, 2003 – A suicide bomber dressed as a religious Jew, and wearing an
explosive belt, blew himself up in Hebron’s Gross Square, killing two
Israeli civilians.
April 30, 2003 – A suicide bomber detonated an explosive belt at the
entrance to the “Mike’s Place” pub on the Tel Aviv boardwalk. An additional
suicide bomber hurled an explosive device nearby. Three Israeli civilians
were killed and 62 were wounded.
April 15, 2003 – Two Israeli civilians were killed and three were injured
when a terrorist armed with a Kalashnikov assault rifles, grenades and an
explosive belt penetrated the Karni crossing in the Gaza Strip fired and
hurled grenades. The terrorist was shot and killed.
March 5, 2003 – A suicide bomber blew himself up on the No. 37 bus line in
Haifa. Seventeen Israeli civilians were killed, and 42 were wounded.
Jan. 17, 2003 – A raft laden with explosives and guided by a suicide bomber,
exploded after Israeli Navy ships fired at the craft, four kilometers from
Dugit, in the northern Gaza Strip.
Nov. 21, 2002 – A suicide bomber detonated an explosive belt on the No. 20
bus line in Jerusalem. Eleven Israelis were killed, and 50 were wounded.
Oct. 27, 2002 – A suicide bomber wearing an explosive belt detonated
himself, despite being shot, at the gas station near the entrance to the
city of Ariel. Three Israeli civilians were killed, and 17 were wounded.
Oct. 11, 2002 – A suicide bomber is arrested at the entrance to a café
before he could detonate his explosive belt.
Oct. 10, 2002 – A suicide bomber wearing an explosive belt detonated himself
near a bus stop at the Bar Ilan Bridge in Ramat Gan. An Israeli civilian was
killed, and 20 were wounded.
Sept. 19, 2002 – A suicide bomber detonated a bag laden with explosives on
the No. 4 bus line on Allenby Street in Tel Aviv, in which six Israelis were
killed and 66 were injured.
Aug. 4, 2002 – A suicide bomber detonated an explosive device strapped to
his body on a bus traveling near Mt. Meron in northern Israel. Nine Israeli
civilians were killed, and 48 wounded.
June 18, 2002 – A suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden bag on a bus
traveling along Dov-Yosef Street in Jerusalem. Nineteen civilians were
killed, and 50 wounded.
May 7, 2002 – A suicide bomber detonated an explosive belt and an additional
explosive device in a bag, at a club in Rishon Letzion. Sixteen Israeli
civilians were killed, and 51 were wounded.
March 31, 2002 – A suicide bomber detonated himself at the “Matzah”
restaurant in Haifa. Fifteen Israeli civilians were killed and 31 were
wounded.
March 27, 2002 – A suicide bomber blew himself up with an explosive belt in
the Park Hotel in Netanya. Thirty Israeli civilians were killed and 144 were
wounded.
March 9, 2002 – A suicide bomber detonated an explosive device strapped to
his body at the entrance of the “Moment Café” in Jerusalem. Eleven Israeli
civilians were killed and 58 were wounded.
March 7, 2002 – A suicide bomber attempted to detonate an explosive device
strapped to his back in the “Kafit Café” in Jerusalem. Nobody was injured.
Feb. 6, 2002 – A suicide bomber boarded a bus traveling between the city of
Maale Adumim and Jerusalem, and attempted to detonate an explosive belt.
Dec. 12, 2001 – Two suicide bombers detonate explosive devices next to
Israeli vehicles in the area of Ganei Tal in the Gaza Strip, while an
additional explosive device is detonated near another Israeli vehicle. Three
Israeli civilians were injured.
Dec. 2, 2001 – A suicide bomber detonated an explosive device concealed
under a coat on a bus near Yad L’banim in Haifa. Fifteen civilians were
killed and 35 wounded.
Dec. 1, 2001 – Two suicide bombers detonated explosive devices concealed in
bags on Ben Yehudah Street in Jerusalem. Immediately following, a car bomb
exploded nearby. Eleven civilians were killed and 170 wounded.
Nov. 26, 2001 – A suicide bomber wearing an explosive belt detonated himself
at the Erez checkpoint in the Gaza Strip. Two policemen were wounded.
Nov. 8, 2001 – A suicide bomber detonated himself in the area of Bakah Al
Sharkiah, during an attempt to arrest him while on his way to enter Israel.
Two IDF soldiers were wounded.
Sept. 9, 2001 – A suicide bomber detonated an explosive device strapped to
his body at the Nahariya train station. An Israeli civilian and two soldiers
were killed and 46 were wounded.
Sept. 4, 2001 – A suicide bomber detonated an explosive device strapped to
his body on Nevi’im Street in Jerusalem. Thirteen Israeli civilians were
wounded.
Aug. 9, 2001 – A suicide bomber blew himself up at the Sbarro restaurant in
Jerusalem. Fifteen Israelis were killed and 110 wounded.
Aug. 8, 2001 – A suicide bomber detonated a car bomb next to the Bekaot
checkpoint in the West Bank. An IDF soldier was injured.
July 9, 2001 – A suicide bomber detonated a car bomb near an IDF vehicle in
the area of Gush Katif in the Gaza Strip, resulting in the injury of an IDF
soldier.
June 22, 2001 – A suicide bomber detonated a car bomb near IDF forces in
Alei Sinai in the Gaza Strip. Two IDF soldiers were killed, and another
soldier was wounded.
June 1, 2001 – A suicide bomber detonated himself at the entrance to the
“Dolphinarium” club in Tel Aviv. Twenty-two Israeli civilians were killed,
and 83 were wounded.
May 29, 2001 – Two terrorists approached an IDF position at the “Tofah”
Junction in the Gaza Strip. One terrorist detonated an explosive device
strapped to his body, and the other hurled grenades and opened fire. Two IDF
soldiers were wounded.
May 25, 2001 – A suicide bomber detonated a container filled with 48 kg. of
explosives and three gas balloons at the Netzarim Junction in the Gaza
Strip.
May 18, 2003 – A suicide bomber detonated an explosive device strapped to
his body at the entrance to a mall in Netanya. Five Israeli civilians were
killed, and 86 were wounded.
April 29, 2001 – A suicide bomber detonated a car bomb near a bus carrying
children at the Dir Sharif Junction.
April 22, 2001 – A suicide bomber detonated himself near a bus stop in the
city of Kfar Saba. An Israeli was killed and 45 were wounded.
March 28, 2001 – A suicide bomber blew himself up near a gas station at the
Neveh Yamin/Kfar Saba Junction. Two Israeli civilians were killed, and four
were wounded.
March 27, 2001 – A suicide bomber detonated an explosive strapped to his
body, near an Israeli bus at the French Hill Junction in Jerusalem.
Twenty-one Israeli civilians were wounded.
March 4, 2001 – A suicide bomber detonated a case laden with explosives on
the main street of Netanya. Three Israelis were killed and 53 injured.
March 1, 2001 – A suicide bomber blew himself up while in a taxi, near the
Me Ami Junction. An Israeli civilian was killed, and 10 were wounded.
Jan. 1, 2003 – A car bomb exploded in Netanya. Thirty-five Israeli civilians
were wounded.
Dec. 22, 2000 – A suicide bomber wearing an explosive belt detonated himself
at the entrance to a restaurant in the Jordan Valley, resulting in the
injury of three IDF soldiers.
Dec. 15, 2000 – A suicide bomber attempted to detonate an explosive belt
near Israeli security forces close to the Erez crossing. The suicide bomber
also attempted to stab Israeli security personnel.
Nov. 6, 2000 – A booby-trapped raft exploded close to an Israeli Navy
“Dabur,” near the Israel-Egypt border in Rafah. Hamas publicly claimed
responsibility for it.