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British Council torched on day of Palestinian rioting
The Daily Telegraph ^ | March 15, 2006 | Harry de Quetteville

Posted on 03/15/2006 1:58:49 AM PST by MadIvan

Britain was at the heart of an escalation in Middle East violence last night after its monitors left a Palestinian jail and the Israelis then seized a militant leader inside.

The Foreign Office said the team of three monitors was withdrawn from the jail in the Dead Sea town of Jericho early yesterday morning out of fears for their security.

As they left, the Israeli army moved in, using infantry, helicopter gunships, tanks and bulldozers to seize several inmates it accuses of masterminding the 2001 assassination of an Israeli minister.

The assault, which destroyed much of the jail and ended with the wanted men's surrender, prompted violent protests and kidnapping of westerners throughout Gaza and the West Bank. Two British Council buildings were ransacked and set on fire, with one almost destroyed, though no British staff were injured.

More than a dozen westerners were reported taken hostage by enraged gunmen and though some were quickly released, at least two were being held last night.

Palestinian anger was stoked by the fact that Israeli soldiers surrounded the jail within minutes of the departure of the monitors, sparking accusations of collaboration between Britain and Israel.

But Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, insisted there was "no collusion" with the Israelis and said he had considered the pull-out a year ago.

British monitors have been at the jail since a 2002 agreement which allowed Palestinian prisoners to be held under Palestinian control, with international supervision. The several hundred inmates included Ahmed Saadat, the head of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestinian (PFLP), whom Israel accuses of ordering the killing of its tourism minister, Rehavam Zeevi, in 2001.

But Britain had long been concerned at the way Saadat and his followers were held and Mr Straw yesterday said UK monitors could no longer enter parts of the jail and were trying to watch from a roof.

The timing of the withdrawal, two weeks before Israel's general election, was extremely sensitive.

The successful outcome of the raid will boost Israel's acting prime minister, Ehud Olmert, who is determined to establish his security credentials for the March 28 poll.

Foreign Office concerns have mounted since January, when the militant group Hamas won Palestinian elections and soon promised to free Saadat.

But the breaking point came last Wednesday when the British Consul in Jerusalem, John Jenkins, wrote to President Mahmoud Abbas warning him of imminent action, though without a deadline.

"We have been in contact with Mr Abbas and his office every day since last Wednesday," said a British official.

"We were very explicit every day that it was a very serious situation and extremely urgent action was needed and they understood that."

After the British left the Jericho jail, Mr Abbas said this had triggered the violence. He cut short a European trip to return to the Palestinian territories.

Palestinians called for a general strike while the PFLP promised retaliation against Israel. Whether the group, which is one of the smaller Palestinian factions, has the ability to strike at Israel remains in doubt. But the inability of Mr Abbas to meet UK demands was a much more serious failure, from a man once viewed by Downing Street and Washington as a key partner in peace negotiations.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; United Kingdom; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: angrymuslims; britain; palestinians; terrorism; whatmuslimsdo


For daring to torch a British building, we ought to kill the little bastards. Though admittedly that's one offense on a very long list.

Regards, Ivan
1 posted on 03/15/2006 1:58:53 AM PST by MadIvan
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To: LadyofShalott; Tolik; mtngrl@vrwc; pax_et_bonum; Alkhin; agrace; lightingguy; EggsAckley; ...

Ping!


2 posted on 03/15/2006 1:59:09 AM PST by MadIvan (You underestimate the power of the Dark Side - http://www.sithorder.com/)
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To: MadIvan
The Pali's have LOTS to answer for. But what the heck, give them a state!! Just give the Pali's one more chance will ya?? (chance #434,456,223,345,432) sarcasm off
3 posted on 03/15/2006 2:04:20 AM PST by kb2614 (Hell hath no fury than a bureaucrat scorned.)
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To: MadIvan

To be honest, I start to feel there is something seriously wrong with Islam itself that makes almost every adherent bahave like nuts. What we witness on TV isn't how normal people will behave.


4 posted on 03/15/2006 2:06:08 AM PST by NZerFromHK (Leftism is like honey mixed with arsenic: initially it tastes good, but that will end up killing you)
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To: kb2614

I simply don't care what they want. Israel ought to grease the treads of their tanks with Palestinian innards for all I care. We've been dealing with the garbage of these fools for over 50 years, and there comes a point where one should declare war on it, blast them to hell and sing Alleluia.

Regards, Ivan


5 posted on 03/15/2006 2:07:45 AM PST by MadIvan (You underestimate the power of the Dark Side - http://www.sithorder.com/)
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To: MadIvan
Israel and its former colonial master have not always been on the warmest of terms. But it shouldn't take a Palestinian torching of the British Council building to see there's something very wrong with Palestinian society.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

6 posted on 03/15/2006 2:11:21 AM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: goldstategop

I have nothing but high regard for Israel. I regard them as the outpost of civilisation in that region, and as such, they should be allowed to do whatever is necessary to crush the barbarians at their doorstep.

Regards, Ivan


7 posted on 03/15/2006 2:13:58 AM PST by MadIvan (You underestimate the power of the Dark Side - http://www.sithorder.com/)
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To: kb2614

You bet give them a state because once they are a state they can be stopped. Until they are, they are this protected, poor downtrodden people in the eyes of the liberal world. Israel should DEMAND they become a state and the first time they shoot a rocket into Israel they should be bombed off the planet.


8 posted on 03/15/2006 2:31:25 AM PST by McGavin999 (I suggest the UAE form a Joint Venture Partnership with Halliburton & Wal-Mart)
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To: McGavin999
they are this protected, poor downtrodden people in the eyes of the liberal world.

They always will be with the leftists, state or no state. The hatred for Israel & the Jews is too entrenched.
9 posted on 03/15/2006 3:04:52 AM PST by kb2614 (Hell hath no fury than a bureaucrat scorned.)
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To: NZerFromHK

The term rabid palesimians comes to mind..


10 posted on 03/15/2006 3:10:25 AM PST by sheik yerbouty ( Make America and the world a jihad free zone!)
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To: kb2614
Well, I agree with that. However, the best way to finally rid Israel of the problem is to make it a state. An act of war can be responded to and an act of war can only be declared against a state, not an "occupied" people.

Take that weapon away from them and and you have a whole new ballgame, one that can be won.

11 posted on 03/15/2006 3:20:31 AM PST by McGavin999 (I suggest the UAE form a Joint Venture Partnership with Halliburton & Wal-Mart)
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To: MadIvan

Well: whatever you do, dont stop sending them aid money. S/


12 posted on 03/15/2006 3:37:22 AM PST by sgtbono2002
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To: MadIvan
I have nothing but high regard for Israel. I regard them as the outpost of civilisation in that region,

Yes, but they make decisions that sometimes make it hard to be friends - especially when they violate treaties.

13 posted on 03/15/2006 4:31:54 AM PST by Desdemona (Music Librarian and provider of cucumber sandwiches, TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary. Hats required.)
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To: dennisw; Cachelot; Nix 2; veronica; Catspaw; knighthawk; Alouette; Optimist; weikel; Lent; GregB; ..
If you'd like to be on or off this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.
Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking the keyword or topic Israel.

---------------------------

14 posted on 03/15/2006 5:22:47 AM PST by SJackson (There is but one language which can be held to these people, and this is terror, William Eaton)
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To: MadIvan; SJackson; yonif; Simcha7; American in Israel; Slings and Arrows; judicial meanz; ...
"I have nothing but high regard for Israel. I regard them as the outpost of civilisation in that region, and as such, they should be allowed to do whatever is necessary to crush the barbarians at their doorstep.

Regards, Ivan"

Well, okay!  !










If you'd like to be on or off this
Christian Supporters of Israel ping list,
please FR mail me ~
  -  -
MikeFromFR ~
There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had
spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass. (Joshua 21:45)

Letter To The President In Support Of Israel ~
'Final Solution,' Phase 2 ~
Warnings ~


"The West has given more significance to the myth of the genocide of the Jews, even more significant than God, religion, and the prophets...."—Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
The Holocaust Chronicle ~

The future of Arab controlled Gaza.

"Palestine is the wrong name for their State. It should be called Anarchy."—FReeper sgtbono2002
"Then let's wait and see what the Arabs do after they take Gaza. There's nothing like Arab reality to break up a Jewish fantasy."—FReeper Noachian
A student told his professor he was going to "Palestine" to "fight for freedom, peace and justice,"—Orwellian leftist code words that mean "murder Jews."
The Nature Of Bruce ~

15 posted on 03/15/2006 7:59:02 AM PST by Salem (FREE REPUBLIC - Fighting to win within the Arena of the War of Ideas! So get in the fight!)
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To: MadIvan; Salem
Send a few of these after 'em! I sure wish Lady Thatcher was at the helm, I doubt she'd tolerate their #$!@& for five minutes!


16 posted on 03/15/2006 8:09:44 AM PST by Convert from ECUSA (The "religion of peace" is actually the religion of constant rage and riots.)
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To: MadIvan
We've been dealing with the garbage of these fools for over 50 years,

Trying to deal with these vermin is insane. Even their fellow Arabs shun the human scum.

17 posted on 03/15/2006 9:09:25 AM PST by ncountylee (Dead terrorists smell like victory)
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To: NZerFromHK

You don't have to feel it... you can prove it very easily, just read the Koran - if you can fight through the horror and revulsion of its commands to its followers.


18 posted on 03/15/2006 10:57:21 AM PST by thoughtomator (Nobody would have cared if the UAE wanted to buy Macy's...)
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To: MadIvan

"For daring to torch a British building, we ought to kill the little bastards. Though admittedly that's one offense on a very long list."


Bump dat.


19 posted on 03/15/2006 1:17:53 PM PST by dixiechick2000 (There ought to be one day-- just one-- when there is open season on senators. ~~ Will Rogers)
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To: thoughtomator

Oh certainly yes. Unfortunately most people believe on what they "feel" i.e. what they perceive as truth from sensory sources eg watching TV or reading, or listening from radip, etc.


20 posted on 03/15/2006 5:05:21 PM PST by NZerFromHK (Leftism is like honey mixed with arsenic: initially it tastes good, but that will end up killing you)
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