Posted on 11/18/2012 5:35:00 AM PST by LD Jackson
Because I focus so much of this blog's attention on what is going on in America, I seldom write about the affairs of other countries. We have enough of our own affairs to write about, much less following what is happening around the world. That said, the conflict in the Middle East does seem to be escalating and as is usually the case, Israel is getting the blame for being the aggressor. The hypocrisy that lies in that region never ceases to amaze me.
Here's the situation and the issue at hand. After several days of heavy rocket fire from Gaza, Israel finally decided they had had enough. On November 14, the Israeli Defense Force instigated a series of air strikes into Gaza, trying to stop the rocket fire. In my book, that's called self-defense. If you have issues with that stance, stop and think what the reaction would be from our government, should Canada or Mexico suddenly decide to fire rockets into our territory. Yes, I understand that is an extreme example and that the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians has a life of its own, but you should get the picture. The United States would defend itself, as would any other country in the same situation. For some reason, much of the world is reluctant to give Israel the same freedom of self-defense.
I also understand that Israel has a problem with civilian casualties, but that has a lot to do with where Hamas places its rocket launchers. It is plain to see, they care little for their own people. Otherwise, they wouldn't place them in the middle of civilian areas. But somehow, that's Israel's fault? That just doesn't work for me.
So, now we have the leaders of the world calling for an end to the violence. They are doing what world leaders do best, pontificating. Some of them are more obvious than others. For example, let's look at the rhetoric being used by Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi. Hat tip to Bunkerville and Weasel Zippers.
(Egypt Independent) Egypt will continue to support Gaza against continued attacks rom Israeli armed forces, President Mohamed Morsi reiterated on Friday.If that isn't enough hypocrisy for you, try this on for size. Hamas says they will not accept a truce with Israel, unless Israel gives them assurances that there will be no more attacks on Gaza.The price will be high if the aggression continues, Morsi said after he performed Friday prayers in Fatma Al-Sharbatly Mosque in Cairos Fifth Settlement.
Egypt is different from yesterday, he added, referring to his predecessor ousted President Hosni Mubaraks soft stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
We assure them [Israel] that the price will be high for continued aggression, and [we tell them] you have to bear the responsibility, Morsi continued.
During Morsis speech, worshipers chanted: Khaybar, Khaybar, Oh Jews, the army of Mohamed will return, in reference to a historical battle fought between Muslims and Jews in Saudi Arabia.
I say to those on behalf of all the Egyptian people that Egypt today is different from yesterday, and Arabs today are different from yesterday. I say confidently that Egypt will not leave Gaza alone, Morsi said.
(HARRETZ)Ismail Haniyeh, the prime minister of the Hamas government in the Gaza Strip, told Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi over the weekend that he supported the efforts to mediate a temporary cease-fire with Israel.No, your eyes are not deceiving you. Hamas started this fight by attacking Israel, yet they will not accept a ceasefire unless they know Israel will not return the favor. No wonder the Middle East is so volatile.The cease-fire must comprise a clear guarantee from Israel that it would not resume its attacks on Gaza, Haniyeh told Morsi in a telephone conversation.
Make no mistake, Israel will defend itself. They have proven that over and over again. They will do whatever is necessary to ensure their survival and Hamas, Mohammed Morsi, and the rest of Israel's enemies should understand that. If they cared about the security and stability of the region, they would take it into account, but they have different priorities. Namely, the destruction of Israel.
I'm not saying Israel is perfect. They have made mistakes in the past and their responses to perceived threats against their nation are sometimes heavy-handed. They have been known to overreact, but looking at their history, can you blame them? Even before Hitler, they were persecuted. They didn't even have their own state until 1948 and ever since, they have fought for their very existence. It defies logic that so much of the world would take that right away.
After we gave them southern California or returned the Gadsen Purchase...
Israel gave territory back for 'peace', and now that territory is being used to attack Israel.
Of course Israel is going to defend itself.
If Hamas puts rocket launchers in schoolyards, the kids shouldn't be surprised if recess sucks. But we have seen before where children have only propaganda value to the Islamists, and their regard for little girls is nothing compared to the sentiments of the West (and I won't mention how they regard little boys). They use that difference as a propaganda tool against Israel and the rest of us.
Who was dancing in the streets 911-01?
Hint it wasn't the Joooos.
Who was dancing in the streets 911-01?
I thought it was the Syrians....that ugly woman front and center.
Well, the neighborhood bully, hes just one man
His enemies say hes on their land
They got him outnumbered about a million to one
He got no place to escape to, no place to run
Hes the neighborhood bully
The neighborhood bully just lives to survive
Hes criticized and condemned for being alive
Hes not supposed to fight back, hes supposed to have thick skin
Hes supposed to lay down and die when his door is kicked in
Hes the neighborhood bully
The neighborhood bully been driven out of every land
Hes wandered the earth an exiled man
Seen his family scattered, his people hounded and torn
Hes always on trial for just being born
Hes the neighborhood bully
Well, he knocked out a lynch mob, he was criticized
Old women condemned him, said he should apologize.
Then he destroyed a bomb factory, nobody was glad
The bombs were meant for him. He was supposed to feel bad
Hes the neighborhood bully
Well, the chances are against it and the odds are slim
That hell live by the rules that the world makes for him
Cause theres a noose at his neck and a gun at his back
And a license to kill him is given out to every maniac
Hes the neighborhood bully
He got no allies to really speak of
What he gets he must pay for, he dont get it out of love
He buys obsolete weapons and he wont be denied
But no one sends flesh and blood to fight by his side
Hes the neighborhood bully
Well, hes surrounded by pacifists who all want peace
They pray for it nightly that the bloodshed must cease
Now, they wouldnt hurt a fly. To hurt one they would weep
They lay and they wait for this bully to fall asleep
Hes the neighborhood bully
Every empire thats enslaved him is gone
Egypt and Rome, even the great Babylon
Hes made a garden of paradise in the desert sand
In bed with nobody, under no ones command
Hes the neighborhood bully
Now his holiest books have been trampled upon
No contract he signed was worth what it was written on
He took the crumbs of the world and he turned it into wealth
Took sickness and disease and he turned it into health
Hes the neighborhood bully
Whats anybody indebted to him for?
Nothin, they say. He just likes to cause war
Pride and prejudice and superstition indeed
They wait for this bully like a dog waits to feed
Hes the neighborhood bully
What has he done to wear so many scars?
Does he change the course of rivers? Does he pollute the moon and stars?
Neighborhood bully, standing on the hill
Running out the clock, time standing still
Neighborhood bully
Bob Dylan
Well said.
There was a programme on TV this morning (England) where they had a Palestinian and a Zionist. Both had family in the region. The Palestinian said 90% of the violence on both sides is orchestrated by politicians on both sides - Hamas and Likud, the world’s biggest clubs of retread trolls, stuck in an endless pissing contest.
And the Zionist nodded.
They both disagreed over Who Started It and Who’s Got The Moral High Ground, but they did both agree that normal Palestinians want the same thing as normal Israelis. A safe, viable two state solution so kids in both states can go to school and live their lives without being shelled or shot at.
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