Victimhood: A Palestinian disease

http://townhall.com/opinion/columns/charleskrauthammer/2006/06/16/201449.html ^ | Charles Krauthammer

[croak]

It was another one of those pictures that goes instantly around the world. A young Palestinian, wailing in wretched sorrow, grieving over her dead father, stepmother and five siblings, killed by an explosion on a Gaza beach. Then came the blame. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (he's the moderate) immediately called the killings an act of Israeli ``genocide'' and, to dramatize the crime, legally adopted the bereaved girl.

The sensational coverage and sensational charges raise the obvious question: Why would Israel deliberately shell a peaceful family on a beach?

The Israeli government, clumsy as ever, seemed to semi-apologize by expressing regret about the deaths, implying that perhaps they had been caused by an errant Israeli shell targeting a Palestinian rocket base. But then a few days later, an army investigation concluded that it was not Israel's doing at all.

[Star Traveler]

The article said -- "But then a few days later, an army investigation concluded that it was not Israel's doing at all."

It's already been shown that the Palestinians like to "stage" there "photo-ops". And we know very well that the Palestinians like to train their kids from kindergarten, up -- that being a martryr is something to be *desired*.

We've also seen that the Palestinians live in a "death-cult culture". Everything they talk about is death-this and death-that.

And we've seen from a previous incident with the Palestinian terrorists that they like to shoot their own people (in terrorist/Israeli shootouts) and turn them into propaganda tools. They do this with kids, killing them and putting it on the news that the Israelis did it.

So, it's obvious that if they made a big mistake and blew up their own people (that family in the article) -- we already know what they would do with that "information" -- lie to the world, turn it into a photo-op and PR tool and blame Israel for their mistake.

Well..., come to think about it -- it may not even be a mistake, after all.

Regards,
Star Traveler

[ncountylee]

Hope it's a fatal disease for the Palis.

[Tzimisce]

for later

[gr8eman]

Hmmm...now describe to me the differences between the Palis and our media. They are employing the same tactic, albeit second-hand, in Iraq. Terrorists use women and children to shield themselves while attacking our troops. And when the women and children get shot...whamo..."Evil Marines Massacre Poor Innocent Women and Children" is the headline. They should be glad that I am not POTUS!

[Tolik]

Charles Krauthammer:

...But there is an even larger question not asked. Whether the rocket bases are near civilian beaches or in remote areas, why are the Gazans launching any rockets at Israel in the first place — about 1,000 in the past year?

To get Israel to remove its settlers, end the occupation and let the Palestinians achieve dignity and independence? But Israel did exactly that in Gaza last year. It completely evacuated Gaza, dismantled all its military installations, removed its soldiers, destroyed all Israeli settlements and expelled all 7,000 Israeli settlers. Israel then declared the line that separates Israel from Gaza to be an international frontier. Gaza became the first independent Palestinian territory ever.

And what have the Palestinians done with this independence, this judenrein territory under the Palestinians' control? They have used their freedom to launch rockets at civilians in nearby Israeli towns.

Why? Because the Palestinians prefer victimhood to statehood. They have demonstrated that for 60 years, beginning with their rejection of the United Nations decision to establish a Palestinian state in 1947 because it would have also created a small Jewish state next door. They declared war instead.

Half a century later, at the Camp David summit with President Bill Clinton, Israel renewed the offer of a Palestinian state — with its capital in Jerusalem, with not a single Jewish settler remaining in Palestine, and on a contiguous territory encompassing 95 percent of the West Bank (Israel making up the other 5 percent with pieces of Israel proper).

The Palestinian answer? War again — Yasser Arafat's terror war, aka the second intifada, which killed a thousand Jews.

This embrace of victimhood, of martyrdom, of blood and suffering, is the Palestinian disease. They are offered an independent state. They are given all of Gaza. And they respond with rocket attacks into peaceful Israeli towns — in pre-1967 Israel proper, mind you.

What can Israel do but try to take out those rocket bases and their crews? What would the United States do if rockets were raining into San Diego from across the border with Mexico?

Now look again at that terrible photograph and ask yourself: Who is responsible for the heart-rending grief of that poor Palestinian girl?

Nailed It!
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[GOPJ]

Why? Because the Palestinians prefer victimhood to statehood. They have demonstrated that for 60 years, beginning with their rejection of the United Nations decision to establish a Palestinian state in 1947 because it would have also created a small Jewish state next door. They declared war instead.

The cool crowd is turning away from "victimhood" as a tactic. The Palestinians are looking like jerks...

[sinanju]

"First, because the shrapnel taken from the victims (treated at Israeli hospitals -- some "genocide'') were not the ordnance used in Israeli artillery."

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Why in name of Holy @#(!)&%!!! are the Israelis STILL treating Palestinians (for free, no doubt) in their @#(!)&%!!! hospitals?!!!

[Alouette]

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[sinanju]

Why do the Isrelis still keep pulling their punches? For instance, why not simply turn off the power and water for 72 hours every time there is an attack? Why not seal off the territories once and for all? The Arabs, EUnuchs and the rest will hate them either way. I know enough to know that jewish scripture has plenty to say about self-defense. Could some of the Talmudic scholars out there come up with some appropriate passages?

They really need to finish reforming their socialist economy and wean themselves of those billions in American aid milch. So that the Israeli PM no longer has to jump when the American Sec'y of State claps his/her hands.

[Joan Kerrey]

It's already been shown that the Palestinians like to "stage" there "photo-ops".

Anyone who believes any Palestinian claim must be deaf and blind.

[sheik yerbouty]

I just think that they are diseased..

[SJackson]

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[Tolik]

Good questions. No answers. It infuriates me as well.