Posted on 07/21/2006 5:40:48 PM PDT by managusta
In the midst of its campaign against Hizbollah and Hamas "terrorists", Israel has been accused by Britain of feting Jewish "terrorists" whose bomb attack killed 28 Britons 60 years ago today.
The accusation, which reopens the debate about the use of politically-inspired violence in the region, follows the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the attack on the King David hotel in Jerusalem on July 22, 1946, by the Irgun Jewish "resistance" to British mandate rule in Palestine. The 28 Britons were among 91 people killed.
This week, former Irgun fighters and current Right-wing politicians unveiled the plaque at the hotel, which read: "The hotel housed the Mandate Secretariat as well as the Army Headquarters. On July 22, 1946, Irgun fighters at the order of the Hebrew Resistance Movement planted explosives in the basement. Warning phone calls had been made urging the hotel's occupants to leave immediately. For reasons known only to the British, the hotel was not evacuated and after 25 minutes the bombs exploded, and to the Irgun's regret and dismay 91 persons were killed."
But Israel's celebration of its "freedom fighters" remains highly controversial at a time when it continues to pound Palestinian "terrorists".
Tzipi Livni, Israel's foreign minister, has found herself deeply embroiled in the debate - her father, Eitan, was Irgun's chief operations officer.
Simon Macdonald, the British ambassador to Israel, and consul general John Jenkins, wrote to the mayor of Jerusalem protesting at the plaque. "We don't think it's right for an act of terrorism to be commemorated," their letter read.
The embassy said: "There is no credible evidence that any warning reached the British authorities." The plaque has subsequently been amended, dropping the implication that Britain ignored any warnings.
Unfortunately, there is some truth in the maxim, "One man's terrorist is another's freedom fighter". I'm reminded of Jomo Kenyatta, among others. No, the timing here is impeccable - impeccably bad for a country trying to root out nihilistic terrorists.
What a dumb and offensive thing to do. A terrorist attack is a terrorist attack, no matter who does it.
The Irgun targeted the British Army headquarters--an act of insurrection, not terrorism. Terrorism is targeting civilians or just shooting rockets at a whole city.
Doesn't lessen my support one bit.
Israel was right then.. They're right now.
God bless Israel.
The perpetrators of this crime were terrorists.
Says you.
I say they were heroes. They won their independence too.
Menachem Begin was the leader of the Irgun. Great man.
He was, at the time, a terrorist. Celebrating this anniversary- especially now- is despicable!
Says you, again.
They did what they had to do to win a piece of land where they would not be hated and slaughtered.
Do it again, if necessary I say.
Go ISRAEL!
(Go Israel, Go! Slap 'Em, Down Hezbullies.)
Of course, history has decreed that they had to be, or that state could never have come back from oblivion, or survived if it had.
How can a whole nation be represented by a relatively
low casuality attack which occured 40 years ago?
One could argue the Rodney King Riots were far more
heinous so lets judge the creeps in LA.
If you cant support Israel then is a key indicator of
moral drift
The median strip on the highway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem is littered with artifacts of the War for independance. Tanks and other vehicles rust in remembrance.
Did you even read my posts? Read them slowly.
Sister org was The Stern Gang.
Haganah was tolerated by Brits.
Since the current mess results from three Israili soldiers being captured (not kidnapped), I guess by your definition this was insurrection, not terrorism?
The definition will be whatever the winner says it is.
True. God is on the side of the biggest battalion.
Tuez-les tous; Dieu reconnaitra les siens.
No it doesn't... Are you debating yourself? Or your milkman?
highly controversial...deeply embroiled
Not trying to stir anything up, are you?
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