Post Gaza Politics

[Y. Shulamith]

U.S. President Obama Determined to Stop Hamas Weapons Smuggling
Israel Completes Withdrawal from Gaza


Experts Available to be interviewed on Israel/Gaza
Backgrounder: Hamas & Iran - A Strong Alliance
Gaza by the Numbers

On Jan. 21, 2009 newly elected U.S. President Barack Obama told Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and King Abdullah of Jordan that he is determined to stop Hamas from smuggling arms into Gaza. Obama “emphasized his determination to work to help consolidate the cease-fire by establishing an effective anti-smuggling regime to prevent Hamas from rearming, and facilitating in partnership with the Palestinian Authority a major reconstruction effort for Palestinians in Gaza.” [1]

On Jan. 16, 2009 former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni signed a “Memorandum of Understanding” (MOU) – a U.S.-Israeli document aimed at halting arms smuggling. The MOU “provides a series of the steps that the U.S. and Israel will take to stem the flow of weapons and explosives into Gaza,” Rice said. [2]

Shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert declared a unilateral cease-fire, six European leaders gathered in Jerusalem to show their commitment to stop the arms smuggling into Gaza. [3] The six leaders were British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, who currently holds the EU’s rotating presidency. [4]



The EU is expected to join the effort to prevent arms smuggling into Gaza through tunnels. On Jan. 22, 2009 EU foreign ministers are expected to announce their readiness to contribute units, vessels and technological assistance in order to inhibit weapon transfers from Iran to Hamas. [5]

Sarkozy suggested that France would provide monitors to prevent arms smuggling into Gaza and supply technology to help locate smuggling tunnels. [6]

Merkel said arms smuggling into Gaza must be prevented and that Germany was ready to support both Israel and Egypt to stop arms smuggling. [7] German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier drafted a proposal for a five-step plan for the Gaza Strip starting with humanitarian aid (financing medicine, food, shelters and fuel). The second step includes activities against arms smuggling. The Department of Foreign Affairs wants Germany to lead the way on this issue as Germany has already come to an agreement with Egypt. A delegation of four experts from the Interior Ministry is expected to travel to Egypt within a short time in order to find out how to prevent arms smuggling through tunnels. [8]
Brown said: “We are prepared to provide British naval support to stop arms trafficking. […] At the same time we’re prepared to provide European support for monitoring at the crossings.” [9]

Berlusconi also expressed willingness to provide military personnel to fight arms smuggling into Gaza. [10]


On Jan. 21, 2009 Israel Defense Minister Ehud Barak declared the IDF completed its withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, putting an official end to its military operation against Hamas. [11] In exchange to the withdrawal of its troops, the Israeli government asked for guarantees to put an end to arms smuggling through tunnels. [12]

Despite Israeli Air Force attacks on the smuggling tunnels dug by militants on the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt [13], the tunnel smugglers “are back in business, pumping gasoline and dragging cartons of cigarettes under the Egyptian border through […] passages that survived Israel’s three-week military offensive.” [14]

Iran, which trains, arms and funds Hamas, has dismissed the international efforts to deny Hamas weapons. [15]







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Footnotes:

[1] Fingerhut, Eric: "Obama stresses commitment to Stop Hamas arms smuggling," JTA, January 21, 2009, http://jta.org/news/article/2009/01/...arms-smuggling

[2] "Britain, France, Germany offer to combat Gaza arms smuggling," Agence France Presse, January 17, 2009, http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20090117...b-3cd7efd.html

[3] Lefkovits, Etgar: "Leaders pledge to end arms smuggling," The Jerusalem Post, January 18, 2009, http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satelli...cle%2FShowFull

[4] Harel, Amos; Ravid, Barak; Issacharoff, Avi; Azoulay, Yuval: "EU leaders commit to deterring Hamas rearmament in Gaza," Haaretz, January 19, 2009, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1056633.html

[5] Sofer, Roni: "EU to join struggle against Gaza arms smuggling," YnetNews, January 21, 2009, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7...659555,00.html

[6] Harel, Amos; Ravid, Barak; Issacharoff, Avi; Azoulay, Yuval: "EU leaders commit to deterring Hamas rearmament in Gaza," Haaretz, January 19, 2009, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1056633.html

[7] "Merkel fliegt zu Gaza-Gesprächen nach Ägypten," Tagesschau.de, January 17, 2009, http://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/gaza676.html

[8] Brössler, Daniel: "Steinmeier prescht vor," Süddeutsche Zeitung, January 19, 2009, http://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/536/455213/text/

[9] "Britain, France, Germany offer to combat Gaza arms smuggling," Agence France Presse, January 17, 2009, http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20090117...b-3cd7efd.html

[10] Harel, Amos; Ravid, Barak; Issacharoff, Avi; Azoulay, Yuval: "EU leaders commit to deterring Hamas rearmament in Gaza," Haaretz, January 19, 2009, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1056633.html

[11] Katz, Yaakov; Keinon, Herb: "Barak declares victory as IDF completes Gaza withdrawal," The Jerusalem Post, January 21, 2009, http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satelli...cle%2FShowFull

[12] "Gaza, eine wahre Hölle," Süddeutsche Zeitung, January 16, 2009, http://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/8...9/text/?page=2

[13] "Israel bombs south Gaza tunnels, tells local residents to flee," Haaretz, January 7, 2009, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1053562.html

[14] “Ramadan, Saud Abu; Ferziger, Jonathan: "Gaza Tunnel Owners Renew Smuggling Under Egypt Border," Bloomberg, January 21, 2009, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1053562.html

[15] "Gaza smuggling resumes after IDF withdrawal," YnetNews, January 21, 2009, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7...660022,00.html

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[Y. Shulamith]

Obama was on the tube tonite; Hamas must stop with the rockets and the USA would do everything in it's power to stop weapons from getting into Gaza. Go Obama.

So far, Obama has been circumspect and fair.....IMO.

[Tonto]

I can see it now. The world is going to figure out that Obama been promising everybody ice cream....he just doesn't have a clue how to get it to them.

[Y. Shulamith]

Yeah......everything is going to be okay now......"human beings have caused conflict and human beings can stop conflict"......so says the envoy to the middle east, (ole, I forget 'is name)....but what happens when only one party behaves like human beings and the ones on the other side of the conflict behave worse than animals?

It's the same old song, with a different beat....

*ahem*

[maven]

It is questions like this which turn me into two seperate personalities.

Personality one: Heart-broken pessimist: The Palestinians will vote Hamas into both the presidency and the government in the next elections and Israel will face a double barelled war front from both Gaza and West Bank supported by the International left and Islamists, especially if we vote Bibi in as PM.

Personality two: Hopeful optimist: Mitchell will place a deal on the table that Palestinians will support and not vote Hamas. Israel and Palestine will become an economic superpower in the region and love each other and pick vines together, especially if Bibi signals he is prepared to make compromises.

[CanDo]

Fatah can't vanquish Hamas, even through elections. Hamas will always have ruthless dictatorial powers in Gaza, and could take over the West Bank, especially if Israel is forced to pull back.

OTOH, Fatah is also committed to the destruction of Israel. What is why Fatah refuses to compromise and makes unreasonable demands. Plus Fatah is raking in billions from the EU and the US by remaining an obstacle to peace, while at the same time, putting on a facade that it wants peace.

[maven]

Fatah can't vanquish Hamas, even through elections. Hamas will always have ruthless dictatorial powers in Gaza, and could take over the West Bank, especially if Israel is forced to pull back.

OTOH, Fatah is also committed to the destruction of Israel. What is why Fatah refuses to compromise and makes unreasonable demands. Plus Fatah is raking in billions from the EU and the US by remaining an obstacle to peace, while at the same time, putting on a facade that it wants peace.

You are right I can't see those evil-minded terrorists ever changing their spots. Remember Snake Yassin? They are blooding their children in the memory of that evil retard. I have to say that I often believe Abu Mazen but I think Hamas, who are expert actors, may pretend to have a 'unity government' and Palestinian Unity' but they are snakes in the bed and will eventually bite Fatah. I long for peace so much it hurts though.

[CanDo]

While Hamas and Fatah are mortal enemies, they are comrades in the goal of the destruction of Israel. The old say: The enemy of my enemy is my friend. What is weird is that also applies to the relationship between Israel and Fatah, against Hamas!?

I long for peace so much it hurts though.

I am sure that today's seemingly hopeless situation in dealing with the Arabs/Muslims of Gaza, or the West Bank, or even within Israel, is still maddening to all Jews, even after 60+ years.

I would love to be able to lift up the land of Israel and redeposit it, anywhere, as long as it was out of the Middle East. The chances for peace with Muslims/Arabs, with any other religion or race, is nearly impossible.

[maven]

While Hamas and Fatah are mortal enemies, they are comrades in the goal of the destruction of Israel. The old say: The enemy of my enemy is my friend. What is weird is that also applies to the relationship between Israel and Fatah, against Hamas!?


I am sure that today's seemingly hopeless situation in dealing with the Arabs/Muslims of Gaza, or the West Bank, or even within Israel, is still maddening to all Jews, even after 60+ years.

I would love to be able to lift up the land of Israel and redeposit it, anywhere, as long as it was out of the Middle East. The chances for peace with Muslims/Arabs, with any other religion or race, is nearly impossible.

Why I'm so stessed CanDo is that here in the UK where I live there is a really hateful and dangerous new combination never seen before. It was brought about by a number of factors; The arrival of three Newschannels: Firstly The Islam Channel, then Al Jazeera English and now just before the conflict Press TV Iran.

Israel is sleeping on the job and I and others have written comments in the Jerusalem Post asking the government to start a worldwide English Israeli Newschannel to get our side of the story out but to no avail.

That combined with the British governments refusal to ban Hiz'but Tahrir has allowed a situation to develope where the fascist liberal-left with figures like George Galloway MP, Tony Benn MP, Jeremy Corbyn MP and thousand of others have merged into the Islamofascist factions through the use of those TV networks.

Now the buzzword for a huge proportion of young people in the UK; Muslim and non-Muslim and I'm sad to say a large number of Israel-hating Jews including Gerald Kaufmann MP, is "A united, democratic Palestine with justice for Palestinians and Jews" Now you know what THAT means!

The reason the BBC have refused to broadcast an appeal for Gaza is that they recognise that the Gaza contingent of the UN along with most of the Gazan NGO's have fallen under the spell of Hamas and the story coming out of Gaza from the UN is propaganda.

Israel should have objected strongly to allowing an Irish senior UN official into Gaza. Ireland is a stronghold of anti-Semitism and its first president was the only European leader to sign the condolonce book at the German embassy for Hitler. My brother who was a lovely guy was known until his death as 'that Jewboy' in the antique trade in Dublin.

I'm scared to death at the momentum for a 'One-State Solution' (the new 'Final Solution') that is spreading like wildfire worldwide through recent worldwide access to these newschannels which operate out of London, Lebanon and Tehran and are harnassing the worldwide forces of the far left and Islamists combined.

I believe that Israel can only go in two directions; either we make a peace with the Palestinians which can only happen if Hamas are defeated, which Olmert, Livni and Barak traitorously to my mind squandered an opportunity to do. Or else we build a wall along Gaza and complete a wall along the West Bank and then please God somebody invents a lazer beam system to kill the rockets because Patriot missiles are too expensive.

What worries me is that on our own side, and very understandably, there are if I may be excused for using the word 'extremists' that would seek to destroy any peace just as Hamas does on the other side.

I feel atmo that we have one last chance with the backing of the US and the EU to hammer out a settlement, we could have done it with Sharon God rest his soul and maybe we would need Bibi to do it.

But if we don't the result will be that the new Islamo-leftist-fascist movement will sweep away the leaders of the Arab States and make a combined and deadly attack on us. That may lead to the Armageddon prophesied by Nostradamus and a huge world war; if our allies are still prepared to stand by us, and the truth is that our ONLY ally is the United States and history could prove even them a fickle ally.

Ok so now I take the valium!

[CanDo]

Why I'm so stessed CanDo is that here in the UK where I live there is a really hateful and dangerous new combination never seen before. It was brought about by a number of factors; The arrival of three Newschannels: Firstly The Islam Channel, then Al Jazeera English and now just before the conflict Press TV Iran.

I can see why you are stressed. The cancer of Islam is spreading through Europe, and you are suffering from the results of having half-wits in charge of your government. Those three hateful Islamic propaganda channels should be banned. In fact, if I had my way, ALL Muslims would be expelled and confined to the Middle East. Where they immigrate and infiltrate, violence and racism follow.

Israel is sleeping on the job and I and others have written comments in the Jerusalem Post asking the government to start a worldwide English Israeli Newschannel to get our side of the story out but to no avail.

Israel has a lot of educated, skilled, very bright individuals. Why does Israel keep losing the propaganda war to hateful antiSemitic propaganda? What is wrong with Israel's leaders?

That combined with the British governments refusal to ban Hiz'but Tahrir has allowed a situation to develope where the fascist liberal-left with figures like George Galloway MP, Tony Benn MP, Jeremy Corbyn MP and thousand of others have merged into the Islamofascist factions through the use of those TV networks.

Now the buzzword for a huge proportion of young people in the UK; Muslim and non-Muslim and I'm sad to say a large number of Israel-hating Jews including Gerald Kaufmann MP, is "A united, democratic Palestine with justice for Palestinians and Jews" Now you know what THAT means!

That's dreadful, and only going to get worse.

Islamic imperialism is taking a two step approach. Step A is the destruction of Israel as a Jewish governed state. Step B is infiltration and indoctrination of the civilized non-Muslim world, using millions in oil revenues to buy corrupt politicians, and to get control over news services and colleges.

The reason the BBC have refused to broadcast an appeal for Gaza is that they recognise that the Gaza contingent of the UN along with most of the Gazan NGO's have fallen under the spell of Hamas and the story coming out of Gaza from the UN is propaganda.

BBC has never cared before. They have always supported an anti-Israel slant. Why does it matter now, to the BBC, that favoring the anti-Israel Islamic terrorist groups is wrong? Has there been a change in management at the BBC?

Israel should have objected strongly to allowing an Irish senior UN official into Gaza. Ireland is a stronghold of anti-Semitism and its first president was the only European leader to sign the condolonce book at the German embassy for Hitler. My brother who was a lovely guy was known until his death as 'that Jewboy' in the antique trade in Dublin.

Until this latest ground invasion of Gaza, Israel's leaders have shirked away from tough, controversial, or difficult decisions. Elections must be coming up!

I'm scared to death at the momentum for a 'One-State Solution' (the new 'Final Solution') that is spreading like wildfire worldwide through recent worldwide access to these newschannels which operate out of London, Lebanon and Tehran and are harnassing the worldwide forces of the far left and Islamists combined.

I'm scared to death the Obama is going to take the path of least resistance, and forsake Israel.

I believe that Israel can only go in two directions; either we make a peace with the Palestinians which can only happen if Hamas are defeated, which Olmert, Livni and Barak traitorously to my mind squandered an opportunity to do. Or else we build a wall along Gaza and complete a wall along the West Bank and then please God somebody invents a lazer beam system to kill the rockets because Patriot missiles are too expensive.

Israel will never have peace with Fatah, regardless of whether or not Hamas is defeated. Hamas, Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, Fatah, Islamic Jihad, etc., are all waiting for nuclear capabilities, if they don't have them now. They would use them.

What worries me is that on our own side, and very understandably, there are if I may be excused for using the word 'extremists' that would seek to destroy any peace just as Hamas does on the other side.

I feel atmo that we have one last chance with the backing of the US and the EU to hammer out a settlement, we could have done it with Sharon God rest his soul and maybe we would need Bibi to do it.

In order to have peace, Israel needs a peace partner. It doesn't have one. Fatah will never drop it's demands for a return of refugees, and a pullback of Israel's West Bank settlements and border.

But if we don't the result will be that the new Islamo-leftist-fascist movement will sweep away the leaders of the Arab States and make a combined and deadly attack on us. That may lead to the Armageddon prophesied by Nostradamus and a huge world war; if our allies are still prepared to stand by us, and the truth is that our ONLY ally is the United States and history could prove even them a fickle ally.

Ok so now I take the valium!

I worry about Israel all the time. There is a huge tidal wave of hatred and weaponry heading towards Israel.

To me, the answer is not a peace deal with Fatah, which is impossible, but the neutralizing of Iran. There is no doubt that Iran is behind most of the Islamic terrorist expansion and Islamic Imperialism, throughout the world. As long as Iran is allowed to continue with it's evil, menacing plans, the threat to Israel and the rest of the civilized, non-Muslim world grows.

By the way, pass the valium!

[Y. Shulamith]

I don't doubt for a minute that Iran is behind 99.9% of this nonsense what with its constant rhetoric to destroy Israel and the money that it has from it's oil, and last, but not least, it's dearest wish, for nuclear weapons. (see story elsewhere regarding the seizing of an Iranian ship, allegedly with dirty bombs on board).

[maven]

I don't doubt for a minute that Iran is behind 99.9% of this nonsense what with its constant rhetoric to destroy Israel and the money that it has from it's oil, and last, but not least, it's dearest wish, for nuclear weapons. (see story elsewhere regarding the seizing of an Iranian ship, allegedly with dirty bombs on board).

This is Iran's latest weapon being deployed worldwide against Israel and available to missguided youth in the US, UK and elsewhere; a channel dedicated to the destruction of Israel and available of satellite:

http://www.presstv.ir/contactus.aspx

Click the LIVE button at the top of the page.

[Y. Shulamith]

I just hope that someplace down the line, the insanity turns around as people see what the real agenda is for the IslamoFacists and good will prevail over evil. The youth in the USA isn't nearly the numbers today that there were in the post-war baby boom. Today's youth are disaffected and busy playing video games. I don't see a lot of them truly engaged politically, and I don't see them as a driving force, politically, in any direction. The EU countries that have that have become over-run with IslamoJihadists, will have to learn the hard way....and eventually, I think, they will.

[Sharona]

Israel is sleeping on the job and I and others have written comments in the Jerusalem Post asking the government to start a worldwide English Israeli Newschannel to get our side of the story out but to no avail.

That may lead to the Armageddon prophesied by Nostradamus and a huge world war; :

I'll have a couple of Valium if you've got any going spare

To be honest, I know Israel has got its hands full, but I think they should consider the position of Jewish communities around the world and get something out. I don't care what it is but for heaven's sake - why doesn't it defend its position?

It seems to me that in the UK we have little else but Melanie Phillips banging the drum and warning the Brits.

Where I am the Jewish community is so tiny as to be non-existant, but it is pretty much sited in one of the most predominantly Muslim areas in the UK. The majority of the population are fine - but the kids are something else. Ripe and ready for the fundamentalists' pickings. I'm going to check the Council website soon to see if they are going to have the courage to go ahead with their Holocaust Day event.

I'm also asking where's the JC or the Board?

By the way - I hardly watch TV so don't have satellite or whatever so I had no idea these programs were on. Where are they found?

[maven]

I'll have a couple of Valium if you've got any going spare

To be honest, I know Israel has got its hands full, but I think they should consider the position of Jewish communities around the world and get something out. I don't care what it is but for heaven's sake - why doesn't it defend its position?

It seems to me that in the UK we have little else but Melanie Phillips banging the drum and warning the Brits.

Where I am the Jewish community is so tiny as to be non-existant, but it is pretty much sited in one of the most predominantly Muslim areas in the UK. The majority of the population are fine - but the kids are something else. Ripe and ready for the fundamentalists' pickings. I'm going to check the Council website soon to see if they are going to have the courage to go ahead with their Holocaust Day event.

I'm also asking where's the JC or the Board?

By the way - I hardly watch TV so don't have satellite or whatever so I had no idea these programs were on. Where are they found?

Hi Sharona, you can get both Al Jazeera English and Press TV Iran English via google, to watch Press TV click on the live icon at the top of the page, to watch Al Jazz add watch to the search. We have to keep our eye on the opposition and British Jews must defend Israel.

Press TV is the most insidious and dangerous threat because it is brainwashing young Brits. That is why I ask everyone to find ways to contact the government in Tel Aviv and ask for a newschannel, after all we have more intellectuals and can provide better content than the other side.