Posted on 12/27/2008 2:01:50 AM PST by Cindy
Israel's air force fired around 20 missiles at targets in Gaza City on Saturday, causing heavy damage, a Reuters witness said. The IDF has confirmed the report. (Hanan Greenberg and Reuters)
Note: The following news brief is a quote:
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3856620,00.html
PM: Iran threat progressing faster then int’l community’s response
Published: 03.02.10, 11:40 / Israel News
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented on the Iranian threat on Tuesday saying, “There are a number of clocks: Iran’s technological clock, which is advancing in the arms race, and the international community’s clock against this race.
“The train of the Iranian race is traveling faster compared to progress in the international community which is more like a old car,” Netanyahu told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. (Amnon Meranda)
Quote:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/2464489/posts
AHWAZI ORGANIZATION: IRAN EQUIPPED MISSILES WITH CHEMICAL WARHEADS
(”Source: Al-Siyassa, Kuwait, March 3, 2010”) via THE MEMRI BLOG.org ^ | Posted March 3, 2010 | n/a
Posted on March 4, 2010 6:38:04 PM PST by Cindy
SNIPPET: “The Kuwaiti daily Al-Siyassa stated, citing a Sunni Ahwazi organization opposed to the Iranian regime, that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has equipped Russian SS-4 missiles with chemical warheads – mustard gas, sarin, and cyanide – and that they are aimed at the Gulf countries and other Arab countries.
The SS-4 has a range of about 2,000 km.
According to the report, the IRGC has stepped up research of biological weapons research...”
(Excerpt) Read more at thememriblog.org ...
Note: The following news brief is a quote:
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3858124,00.html
Police: Motorcycle explodes in center of northern city, killing one
Published: 03.04.10, 19:56 / Israel News
One man was killed Thursday when a motorcycle exploded on Haatzmaut Street in the center of the northern city of Kiryat Ata. The reason for the explosion remains unknown.
Preliminary reports say the motorcycle hit a bus and exploded upon collision, but it remains unclear whether explosives caused the blast. (Ahiya Raved)
Note: The following blog entry is a quote:
http://www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/25455.htm
Hamas Leader Mash’al: The Resistance Breathes Thanks To Iranian Leader Khamenei
In an interview, Hamas political bureau head Khaled Mash’al told the Iranian news agency Qodsna that the resistance existed thanks to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who defended it unconditionally.
He stressed that the recent meeting between the heads of the Palestinian factions and Khamenei was of vital importance to the future of the resistance, in light of developments in the region.
Source: Qodsna, Iran, March 2, 2010
Posted at: 2010-03-08
Note: The following news brief is a quote:
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3860015,00.html
Barak on Iran: We must keep finger on trigger
Published: 03.09.10, 11:45 / Israel News
Defense Minister Ehud Barak addressed the Iranian nuclear threat and said, “The State of Israel is the strongest country in the region. However, we must recognize opportunities and not be confused by challenges.”
“We must trust ourselves first and foremost – with our feet on the ground and our eyes to the sky. One hand looks to make peace deals and the other hand with a finger close to the trigger, prepared to defend,” said Barak during a visit to a lower Galilee school. (Sharon Roffe-Ofir)
http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/ipc_e076.htm
Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center
“News of Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
(March 3-9, 2010)”
Posted March 9, 2010
A Look at Iran
http://www.truthusa.com/IRAN.html
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http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3860996,00.html
“Army chief: Israel faces unprecedented threats”
SNIPPET: “IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi urges international community to ‘keep all options on table’ vis-à-vis Iran, says Israel faces unprecedented combination of threats; Army chief speaks at NY function, raises $20 million dollars for IDF soldiers”
Yitzhak Benhorin
Published: 03.10.10, 21:32 / Israel News
SNIPPET: “WASHINGTON – Despite the relative calm at this time, Israel faces a deceptive security situation and an unprecedented combination of threats, IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi warned in New York Thursday.
Speaking at a function organized by the Friends of the IDF, the army chief warned that Iran is aiming to destabilize the Middle East through its emissaries, Hezbollah and Hamas. He urged the international community to curb the Islamic republic’s nuclear program.”
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http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3861032,00.html
“Shell stops selling gasoline to Iran
‘We do not currently sell any gasoline to Iran,’ says Shell spokesman in The Hague”
Associated Press
Published: 03.10.10, 22:59 / Israel News
SNIPPET: “Royal Dutch Shell Plc said Wednesday it has stopped selling gasoline to Iran, the latest company to cease business with a country that is increasingly targeted by US-encouraged sanctions.”
SNIPPET: “Reports say the Dutch-Swiss traders Vitol Holding BV and Trafigura also have halted sales to Iran, as has Glencore International AG, another Swiss-based commodities trader.”
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/europeanunion/index?tab=articles
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/eu/index?tab=articles
#
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/Flash.aspx/182238
“EU Endorses Goldstone Report”
Reported: 21:58 PM - Mar/10/10
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/iran/index?tab=articles
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/hezbollah/index?tab=articles
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/hizballah/index?tab=articles
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/hizbullah/index?tab=articles
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/syria/index?tab=articles
#
Note: The following blog entry is a quote:
http://www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/25541.htm
Blog Details
Iranian Columnist In Syria Gov’t Paper: Damascus Summit Discussed Adding Iraq To Resistance Front
An Iranian columnist for the Syrian government daily Teshreen wrote that at the February 25 summit in Damascus, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, and Hizbullah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah discussed the addition of Iraq to the resistance front, as well as its transformation into a main element in wiping Israel off the map.
He wrote that they had also discussed incorporating Turkey into this plan.
Source: Teshreen, Syria, March 10, 2010
Posted at: 2010-03-10
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2468426/posts
Remarks by Vice President Biden and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas
WHITEHOUSE.gov ^ | March 10, 2010 | n/a
Posted on March 10, 2010 6:19:44 PM PST by Cindy
Note: The following text is a quote:
Home • Briefing Room • Speeches & Remarks
The White House
Office of the Vice President
For Immediate Release March 10, 2010 Remarks by Vice President Biden and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas
Muq’ata Ramallah
PRESIDENT ABBAS: In the name of God the merciful, the compassionate, it is our pleasure to welcome the Vice President, our friend, Joseph Biden, here in Ramallah. This visit comes as an expression of the interest that President Obama’s administration has according to the peace process and to achieve the two-state solution.
The establishment of the Palestinian state and the 1967 borders — the decisions that the Israeli government has announced over the past two days and the establishment and the construction of thousands of new units in the Palestinian territories constitute an undermining of the confidence and all the efforts that were exerted over the past months to launch the indirect negotiations. The decision to approve these negotiations was taken with great difficulties within the Arab Committee and the leadership entities of the Palestinian people. And in order to reiterate our intention to support the American efforts to launch the peace process, to revive the peace process, the Israeli resettlement policies and particularly, in Jerusalem, threaten these negotiations and we ask that these decisions are revoked.
I reiterate, Mr. Vice President, our commitment to peace as a strategic option, just and comprehensive, a permanent peace on all tracks, including the Syrian and the Lebanese tracks that would lead to ending the Israeli occupation that started in 1967, based on the roadmap plan, including the Arab Peace Initiative. I would like to address the Israelis’ settling. The time has come to make peace, peace under a two-state solution — based on the two-state solution, the state of Israel that lives in peace and security alongside the state of Palestine on the borders of the 4th of June 1967 with its capitol East Jerusalem. And here it is important to speak about the siege that is imposed on Gaza strip that should be lifted in order to provide for the basic needs of our people in Gaza strip in addition to the construction materials that are necessary, because there are 25,000 houses that are in debris and there are hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who live without shelter and need houses. And, therefore, we ask that the Gaza strip is provided with construction materials.
Again, I would like to call out to the Israeli government not to waste this opportunity to make peace. I call upon this government to stop its settlement policies and to stop imposing fights on the ground and to give the efforts of President Obama’s administration and Representative Mitchell’s efforts the opportunity to succeed. Thank you, Mr. Vice President.
VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN: Mr. President, thank you very much for your hospitality and for the opportunity to be with you again. I greatly appreciate the time you’ve given me, you and the Palestinian Authority. I also had the pleasure of meeting earlier this morning with your Prime Minister Fayyad in — here in Ramallah. I must say I admire the courage and conviction of the two of you, whom President Obama and I consider willing partners in the quest for a lasting peace in the region.
Our administration is fully committed to the Palestinian people and to achieving a Palestinian state that is independent, viable, and contiguous. Everyone should know — everyone should know by now that there is no viable alternative to a two-state solution, which must be an integral part of any comprehensive peace plan. The United States considers the goal to be not only in the interest of the Palestinians and the Israelis, but in the United States’ interest as well. We also believe that the divide between the Israelis and Palestinians can only be resolved by negotiations. The indirect talks being launched should lead to direct negotiations, which will necessarily reach — which would be necessary to reach an agreement on the permanent status — status issues which you referenced, Mr. President, such as borders, security, refugees, and Jerusalem. And the United States pledges to play an active as well as a sustained role in these talks. It’s incumbent on both parties to build an atmosphere of support for negotiations and not to complicate them.
Yesterday — yesterday, the decision by the Israeli government to advance planning for new housing units in east Jerusalem undermined that very trust, the trust that we need right now in order to begin as well as produce — have profitable negotiations. That is why I immediately condemned the action.
As we move forward, the United States will hold both sides accountable for any statements or actions that inflame tensions or prejudice the outcome of talks, as this decision did. The United States strongly supports the Palestinian Authority’s efforts to build as well as strengthen its institutions and develop the economy of a state, including Prime Minister Fayyad’s two-year institution building plan.
We must find a way to improve the lives of Gazans, as well. The Palestinian Authority offers the possibility of a peaceful, independent, and more prosperous future rather than the false promises of extremists. A historic peace is going to require both the Palestinians as well as the Israelis, as well as their leaders, to be historically bold.
And I promise you, Mr. President, the United States will always stand with those who take the risk that peace requires. Again, Mr. President, I thank you very much for the courage you’ve shown in moving forward. I thank you for the hospitality you’ve extended to me and my delegation. And I look forward to seeing you many more times.
Thank you.
PRESIDENT ABBAS: Thank you.
Note: The following text is a quote:
Home • Briefing Room • Speeches & Remarks
The White House
Office of the Vice President
For Immediate Release March 09, 2010
Remarks by Vice President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu in a Joint Statement to the Press
Prime Minister’s Residence, Jerusalem
12:36 P.M. (local)
PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU: Vice President Biden, Joe, welcome to Israel and welcome to Jerusalem. We’ve been personal friends for almost three decades. Can you believe it has been that long?
VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN: No. You’re getting older, Bibi, I don’t know how.
PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU: But you remain younger all the time. (Laughter.) And in all that time, you’ve been a real friend to me, and a real friend to Israel and to the Jewish people. And you’ve come to Israel many times since you came here first on the eve of the Yom Kippur. But now, you’re coming as the Vice President of the United States of America. And this is deeply appreciated and, for me, deeply moving.
President Obama has said in Cairo, and he has repeated this many times since, that the bonds between Israel and the United States are unbreakable. And he has shown that in the last year in things that are known to the public and some things that are not known to the public. In pursuing, for example, the joint military exercises for military defense between the Israeli army and the American military; in securing Israel’s qualitative military edge; and in many other activities along the world’s scene, including the battle against the infamous Goldstone report. I think that the bonds — exactly as President Obama has said, the bonds are unbreakable. And your visit demonstrates how strong they are.
I think this unbreakable bond will help our two countries meet the two historic challenges that we face today in the Middle East. The first and foremost among them is the need to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, and the second is the need to advance a secure peace between Israel and our Palestinian and other Arab neighbors.
I very much appreciate the efforts of President Obama and the American government to lead the international community to place tough sanctions on Iran. The stronger those sanctions are, the more likely it will be that the Iranian regime will have to choose between advancing its nuclear program and advancing the future of its own permanence. I think that the international community and the leading countries in the international community have to join the American effort. And Israel has been helping out with key countries and continues to do so.
I also appreciate the administration’s effort to advance peace in the region. I know that this has been difficult and has required a great deal of patience. But I’m pleased that these efforts are beginning to bear fruit. And we have to be persistent and purposeful in making sure that we get to those direct negotiations that will enable us to resolve this conflict.
I look forward to working with President Obama, and with you and your entire administration, to forge a historic peace agreement in which the permanence and legitimacy of the Jewish state of Israel is recognized by our Palestinian neighbors, and in which Israel’s security is guaranteed for generations to come.
Again, Vice President — my friend, Joe, it’s a pleasure to welcome you to Jerusalem. Welcome.
VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN: Thank you very much. Mr. Prime Minister, it’s a pleasure to be back. It’s been too long between visits here. And it is true that you and I have been friends a long, long time. And as a matter of fact, when each of us were in the minority, we’d — occasionally, I’d find — get a phone call at home and I’d call you as well to get a sense of what’s going on. Our friendship is real, but it is — what’s even deeper is the relationship between the United States and Israel.
But Prime Minister, I’m sure you’d agree we’ve had a — we had a very productive discussion spanning a wide range of issues that affect both our nations. The relationship between Israel and the United States has been, and will continue to be, a centerpiece — a centerpiece of American policy. And it’s been that way since Israel’s founding in 1948. And, quite frankly, it was a major focus of my work for all those years as a United States Senator and chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee.
Our two countries are bound by historic and cultural ties, and so many shared interests, that it would take too long to enumerate, and also by a wide range of deep-seated personal relationships and friendships that span the time even before 1948. Our ties have been strengthened by our deep cooperation in many fields including science and economic development, and a range of other policy areas as well.
But the cornerstone of the relationship — the cornerstone of the relationship is our absolute, total, unvarnished commitment to Israel’s security. Bibi, you heard me say before, progress occurs in the Middle East when everyone knows there is simply no space between the United States and Israel. There is no space between the United States and Israel when it comes to Israel’s security. And for that reason, and many others, addressing Iran’s nuclear program has been of — one of our administration’s priorities.
We’re determined — we’re determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. And we’re working with many countries around the world to convince Tehran to meet its international obligations and cease and desist. Iran must also curb its other destabilizing actions in the region, well beyond their desire to acquire nuclear weapons. And that is their continued support for terrorist groups that threaten Israel, and I might add, our interests as well.
President Obama and I strongly believe that the best long-term guarantee for Israel’s security is a comprehensive Middle East peace with the Palestinians, with the Syrians, with Lebanon and leading eventually to full and normalized relationships with the entire Arab world. It’s overwhelmingly in the interest of Israel, but it’s also overwhelmingly of interest to the Arab world. And it’s in our interest, as well.
And so, Mr. Prime Minister, toward that end I am very pleased that — that you and the Palestinian leadership have agreed to launch indirect talks. We hope that these talks will lead, and they must lead, eventually to negotiations and direct discussions between the parties. The goal is, obviously, to resolve the final status issues and to achieve a two-state solution with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security. And historic peace is going to require both parties to make some historically bold commitments. You have done it before, and I’m confident for real peace you would do it again.
Over the last year, Mr. Prime Minister, you have taken significant steps including the moratorium that has limited new settlement construction activity. And you have significantly increased freedom of movement across the West Bank. Palestinian leaders are beginning to make progress on their determined willingness to — especially in their efforts to reform their institutions of government and with their security force — their security forces becoming much more reliable.
It’s easy to point fingers, particularly in this part of the world, at what each side has not done. But it’s also important to give credit where things have been done in order to be able to move forward. Mr. Prime Minister, the United States will always stand with those who take risks for peace. And you’re prepared to do that. And I am hopeful. And I’ll be having discussions with Palestinian leaders. It is my hope and expectation that they will be prepared, as well.
The proximity start — talks are just that, a start. They’re not designed to finish the process. And so, Mr. Prime Minister, I thank you for all the time you have given me. And it’s just, quite frankly, good to be back in your company and see you again.
PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU: Thank you. Thank you, Joe. I have one thing to offer you right now, and it’s broken glass. (Laughter.) So what I’m going to do is I’m going to sign — but I need a pen. Thank you.
VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN: Don’t cut yourself.
PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU: Now, this is a significant piece of paper. I will say that agreements are dependent on the arrangements not on paper but on the ground. Here is a piece of paper that reflects an arrangement on the ground. We have planted a circle of trees in Jerusalem in memory of your mother, Catherine Eugenia Finnegan Biden, because you have said many times that she was a source of immeasurable strength, which I recognize in you, Joe. So we planted a tree to serve as a tribute — a circle of trees next to the leaders of the nations. We have a forest of the leaders of the nations, and right next to it are the trees that we have planted in memory of your mother as a tribute to her immeasurable strength. And I want to offer it to you on your visit to Israel.
VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN: Well, thank you very much. If you don’t mind my saying, Mr. Prime Minister, my love for your country was watered by this Irish lady, who was proudest of me when I was working with and for the security of Israel. So that’s a great honor. Thank you very much.
END
12:50 P.M. (local)
Note: The following text is a qote:
Home • Briefing Room • Speeches & Remarks
The White House
Office of the Vice President
For Immediate Release March 09, 2010
Remarks by The Vice President and President of Israel Shimon Peres at an Expanded Group Meeting
Presidency
Jerusalem
9:16 A.M. (local)
PRESIDENT PERES: Well, I want to express our profound appreciation for your visit, not just because you are the Vice President of the United States and the most senior person to visit our region at the time; because for us you are a stoic friend, a man with profound judgment. You were the youngest senator in the United States. And from that age, so to speak, you showed friendship, understanding, and judgment, which we appreciate to this day. We think you are coming on a mission of peace. You understand there are two sides to the mission. And I dont see, I think, any contradiction in between being friendly and understanding to the two sides. And since the mission is peace, we are following the same mission.
I want to say that Im not impressed by the perception of the agreement about the proximity talks, because the situation is both more serious and also maybe more promising. If I compare the present situation with the previous situations, I can see three major changes, which I want to mention briefly.
One, the Palestinians started to build a state. Lets not underestimate it. And we learned from early age, from the early beginning felt that better build a state without borders than negotiate borders within every state, so to this very day, in our declaration of independence, there is no borders. I think if the Palestinians started to negotiate about borders and postponing building a state, its a mistake from their side, because the problem with borders here is there was never a Palestinian state — we didnt have a precedent like we had with the Jordanians and with Egypt and so we didnt have borders as we did have with the Jordanians, Egyptians, Lebanese, and Syrians and also because in that case borders have a holy aspect to it, as well. Jerusalem does not trust a territorial border.
So the effect that the United States, the Israeli government, the Palestinian Authority — all of them agreed to build a state is an innovation and a very promising process that we have to support and enlarge. And I do not see much difficulties in continuing to do so. I think we have to be, all of us, more generous, more compromising and to supply the Palestinians with the necessary means to build their own home.
If it would — we do just that, they would say we are escaping the negotiations. We are not. So the building of a state is not instead of the negotiations, but in addition to it. The negotiations, its very hard to open it and all of us know there will be — as it is always — a difference between the opening position and the fall-back position. The opening position is tougher and everybody emphasizes the difference. Anyway, I dont know a way — how can you start with the fall-back positions. Even in Hollywood, the happy end is at the end; you dont begin negotiations with the happy end.
So the present declarations on both sides are very careful, and everybody wants to shop as much as he can his own position. And I think we have accepted, as a matter of fact — and I dont think it will save us the difficulties, but lets not see in it the end of the negotiations or the end of the day. Thats the second thing that I believe why its better to have it.
The third change which I see is the Iranian presence. I think the tone and extremacy of Ahmadinejad against Israel is a cover up of his own ambition to create hegemony in the Middle East, since he doesnt want to appear as a Shiite or a Sunnite. He wants to appear as an anti-Israel, which gives him an entry to other countries. And that way, everybody is using Israel as an excuse or a cover up for their real positions. I believe the higher-ups are aware that Iran is a danger to them. More than a thousand years of history in the Middle East — there is thousand years, 900 years the Arabs were under occupation of empires, and Muslims as well. Its only in the last 100 years they have had any independence. And they dont want to give up, rightly so, their independence.
And understand that in the name of religion, Iran is trying to establish a super structure of the Iranians in the Middle East. But at the same time, short of President Mubarak who stood up and some other leaders, theyre reluctant to declare their real position because of the conflict between us and the Palestinians. Everybody uses the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a cover up. And I think its a strange situation over the world that the secret relations are better than the open relations, that the relations among the different intelligence organizations are better than the diplomatic one. The reason is diplomacy covers and intelligence discovers, because today to win the fight against the terrorists is not a victory but a discovery. If you discover them ahead of time, you win it.
But I think we — sorry — we have had many problems in the domain of, I think, terrorists. In our own domain, we are very successful and that should serve as an example. And that is the model of our relations or the relations between Jordan and ourselves. No matter what the political mood is, the two countries decided not to permit terrorists to play on. And the Jordanians are the most quiet border — all the time between us and the Jordanians, understanding that today its not a total war, but a war against the terrorists.
I want to make a short remark about Iran as I see it. First of all, the United States should lead the Iranian policy — there is nobody else in the world. The United States, with whatever criticism you may have, you are the most serious, the most organized, and the most analytical approach to the Iranian. And we have trust in President Obama. I dont envy neither you nor him. You have inherited an extremely difficult situation worldwide and otherwise. And its easy to give advice. I know it. Its more difficult to face the trials that are coming from uninvited angles, and participation.
I believe that the best policy vis—vis Iran, and Im speaking of — from our perspective — I cannot suggest to do it in my advice — should comprise three major efforts — one, which is major, and that is the moral code. I think moral sanctions are not less important than economic sanctions. A person like Ahmadinejad that calls openly to destroy the state of Israel cannot be a full member of the United Nations. A man that calls for acts in terror and who hangs people in the streets, not just because of the Israeli conflict — and as Hillary described him as a military dictator. I think he should be placed in his proper definition. He cannot go around almost like a cultural hero.
However, President Obama considers Niebuhr as his philosophical preference. I like to listen to the lectures of Reinhold Niebuhr. The subject was the Judeo-Christian heritage. The first six lectures were about Judeo-Christians. I never heard anything more profound or more moving than that. But he said one word which I believe fits the present situation. He says all of us have to stand up against moral corruption. But moral corruption is more dangerous even than financial corruption. And the first code, in my judgment, is to voice a real struggle against the moral corruption. From an Israeli standpoint, we are totally surprised. They try to de-legitimize us. Were a democratic country. Nobody is being hanged in Israel. We try to make peace. We give back land. We are in a difficult situation, but still on a moral foundation. So he tries to de-legitimize us or you. We are the Satan; he is the Lord. So I think that must be done in a strong and clear voice.
It will also help the people of Iran, the Persians, to continue their struggle to defend their culture. They are ashamed of him. In my judgment, this should be done strongly, clearly, vocally. Then the economic sanctions, which I dont have to advise.
Maybe I would like to see a third point, and that is to surround Iran with an envelope of self-defense — the Palestinians side, as well — against their missiles and nuclear trap. And nobody knows exactly what theyre going to do. But self-defense will be an additional weight in limiting the danger of Iran. Again, only you can do it.
Thats one point. And I want to say about the Palestinians, there is a way to increase the help to the Palestinians to build their state. I know that our government is ready to continue the dismantling of different checkpoints to free the movement. The Palestinians have never had a state in their history, and now theyre beginning to taste what does it mean to build a city or to plan trees or to introduce an economy. On all this, we as the immediate neighbor — you as the guiding the party, and the Europeans, and the Russians, everybody — can participate in helping them to build a state, which I want to say must be affluent. And its not to build another poor state; that would be a mistake. If we are going to build, lets build it a modern state. And I believe that the Palestinians have already leaders. The person that built the city, Bashar Masri, for example, is an extremely intelligent man, up to date — Rawabi is the new city of the Palestinians.
And we have to introduce hi-tech. They cannot make a living just on land. The problem today is not the land, but the level of knowledge. Agriculture went down only to two or three percent. And Israel is an example of making a living out of knowledge, out of hi-tech. We are ready to share. And I believe that they can be providing those of — money. I want to identify immediately. I wont ask from you today money. But I think the Monetary Fund is willing and able to provide serious amounts of money. I spoke with the head of the Monetary Fund. They say that they can support trends; they dont have to support enterprises, contrary to the World Bank. And if the trend is peace, they are ready to invest seriously. In uniting, you have to take them in the picture.
Thats number one. Now, in the negotiations itself, I know the mood. I know that among the Palestinians there is mistrust vis—vis Israel and our government. We are aware of it. What Im asking — and why is that? Because there isnt — if Israel would be against a Palestinian state, would we permit you to build an economy, a police force, institutions? Why are we doing it? And I believe that as things will progress, we can handle the responsibilities for security wherever and whenever they will be ready. For example, if Jenin can police herself, our army will be glad to hand over the security to them. And if there are six or seven cities, lets go.
We suggested, like in the road map to recognize the Palestinian state with provisional borders. But the Palestinians didnt like it, and Mubarak told me leave it alone. They are getting angry with it. Okay. So we dont need lines. We dont need — okay, I shall stop here, because –
VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN: No, Im anxious — I love hearing you speak. (Laughter.) I really do. Ive told you, Mr. President, you are the most articulate statesman I have ever known. And I have been around for a long, long time. I always — I always enjoy not only your knowledge, but your wisdom. I mean that sincerely. You know I have told you that over the years.
PRESIDENT PERES: I know. I keep it –
VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN: Well, let me just briefly respond.
PRESIDENT PERES: Yes.
VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN: First of all, you know you talked about my being a friend of Israel from the time I was a young senator.
PRESIDENT PERES: What was it, 32?
VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN: Thirty years old — 29, actually. But I arrived at the Senate educated by a righteous Christian, my father, who — we spent our dinner table — we assembled at our dinner table in the evening to have discussions and incidentally eat rather than eat and incidentally have discussions. And — but Israel captured my heart. I make no bones about it. That does not mean I do not understand and have a great empathy for the circumstances of the Palestinians, but Israel captured my heart and my imagination.
And my first visit here as a young senator, I sat before the desk of Golda Meir as she was chain smoking and pulling maps up and down behind me, explaining to me the Six Day War. And there was a young man sitting to my right, his name was Rabin. So I have had the great privilege of not only knowing you, but knowing every Prime Minister and President since the days of Golda Meir.
I think your observation is one that more of the world should understand, because as you pointed out, there is an international attempt to isolate Israel and — right now. And sometimes, we are our own worst enemy and playing into the hands of those who wish to do that. The peace process, as you pointed out, has two components to it, it always has: the actual definition of a state by borders and sovereign immunity and sovereign capabilities, but also the actual stuff of which a state is made. Institutions, everything from security forces to tax collection capability and everything in between. And that is underway.
And I hope — notwithstanding the mistrust you referenced, I hope the beginning of what I referred to as these indirect or proximity talks, I hope it is a vehicle, a vehicle by which we can begin to allay that layer of mistrust that has built over the last several years. Because if you look at the region, there is obviously a great deal more that should be uniting the Palestinians and the Israelis than any time since Ive been involved for 36 years. You point out that the great Persian people have had their history besmirched by the presence of the — Mr. Ahmadinejad and the theocracy.
But I would point out, Mr. President, that the moral sanctions you refer to have begun — and need not have been imposed by us, theyre being imposed by their own people. The people of Iran are making that argument clearly, engaging in their own form of morally sanctioning their government as we have and as the rest of the world is. I remote — since our administration has come to power, I would point out that Iran is more isolated — internally, externally — has fewer friends in the world. One of the reasons why President Obama insisted on engaging was in the — was with eyes wide open. The hope was that there would be some movement. But the reality was — the reality was so that we could in a sense point out to the rest of the world we need to deal with many of the things you mentioned.
But let me conclude in my very brief response here that I — I think this — we are at a moment of real opportunity. And I think that the — the interest of both the Palestinians and the Israeli people are — if everyone will just step back and take a deep breath — are actually very much more in line than they are in opposition. And when I first came here, my first 10 or 12 trips, the idea that we would speak with certitude about a two-state solution wasnt so obvious. So Id like to focus with you — if we have a chance to speak privately, Id like to focus with you on how we — how we take advantage of this moment for the security of Israel.
I just want to conclude by saying one thing that I know you understand — I know you understand about me and I know you understand it about President Obama — theres absolutely no space between the United States and Israel in terms of Israels security and our mutual security — none, none at all. Thats the basis in which this starts. Theres a lot we can do. But Im really flattered you would see me. And I’m anxious to –
PRESIDENT PERES: We were waiting for you. (Laughter.)
VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN: Well, its good to be home. (Laughter.)
END
9:45 A.M. (local)
http://www.truthusa.com/IRAN.html
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Note: The following blog entry is a quote:
http://www.thememriblog.org/iran/blog_personal/en/25603.htm
Blog Details
Ahmadinejad: World Facing Tremendous Changes, Paving Way For Mahdi
In a speech in Hormozegan, in southern Iran, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that the world is facing tremendous changes; the arrogant ones will depart, and the path to the rule of the Mahdi [the Shi’ite Messiah] will open.
He also insisted that the name “Persian Gulf” is “so irrefutable that it is non-negotiable.”
Sources: ILNA, Press TV, Iran, March 12, 2010
Posted at: 2010-03-12
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3862142,00.html
“Hamas man behind deadly attacks nabbed”
SNIPPET: “Security forces arrest Maher Odeh, a Hamas official in Ramallah in charge of cell that carried out terror attacks at Zerifin junction hitchhikers’ station, Café Hillel in Jerusalem. In total, military wing under Odeh’s command responsible for death of 70 Israelis during second intifada”
Hanan Greenberg
Published: 03.14.10, 08:24 / Israel News
SNIPPET: “A joint force of IDF, Shin Beit and police officers arrested Saturday night Maher Odeh, a Hamas operative who headed a West Bank cell that was responsible for a number of deadly terror attacks including the Café Hillel bombing in Jerusalem and the suicide attack at the Zerifin junction hitchhikers’ station in 2003.
Odeh has been wanted by Israel since the 1990s, and is considered one of the commanders of Hamas’ military wing in Ramallah – an organization that killed 70 Israelis during the second intifada.
The 47-year-old father of four, who was born in Ein-Yabrud, northeast of Ramallah, is one of the founders of the Hamas movement in the West Bank city.”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2471814/posts
“Exclusive: SAUDI CHARITY DESIGNATED AS TERRORIST REOPENS OFFICE IN U.S.”
THE GLOBAL MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD DAILY REPORT ^ | March 14, 2010 | n/a
Posted on March 15, 2010 7:15:29 PM PDT by Cindy
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/hamas/index?tab=articles
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http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?ID=171009
“’Hamas used kids as human shields’”
By YAAKOV KATZ
15/03/2010 02:09
“Exclusive: New research report highlights extensive use of civilians during Gaza op.”
SNIPPET: “Hamas gunmen used Palestinian children as human shields, and established command centers and Kassam launch pads in and near more than 100 mosques and hospitals during Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip last year, according to a new Israeli report being released on Monday that aims to counter criticism of the IDF.
The detailed 500-page report, obtained exclusively by The Jerusalem Post, was written by the Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center (Malam), a small research group led by Col. (res.) Reuven Erlich, a former Military Intelligence officer who works closely with the army.
The IDF and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) cooperated with the report’s authors and declassified hundreds of photographs, videos, prisoner interrogations and Hamas-drawn sketches as part of an effort to counter the criticism leveled at Israel in the UN-sponsored Goldstone Report.”
Video:
http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/Hebrew/heb_n/video/evgr_b_2_22.htm
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10.1 mb download
http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/pdf/g_report_e1.pdf
Intelligence and Terrorism
Information Center
March, 2010
“Hamas and the Terrorist Threat from
the Gaza Strip
The Main Findings of the Goldstone Report
Versus the Factual Findings”
http://www.truthusa.com/IRAN.html
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http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/pdf/mt_e008.pdf
#
http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/mt_e008.htm
Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center
February 2, 2010
“Terrorism and the Internet: “Electronic intifada” declared on Israel on Facebook. Hamas and radical Islamic groups, encouraged by Iran, employ social networks on the Internet for the struggle against Israel”
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3863245,00.html
“Republicans slam Obama’s hard line towards Israel”
SNIPPET: “House Republican Whip Eric Cantor says spat with Israel ‘jeopardizes America’s national security’, while another senior party member concerned about administration’s ‘softer approaches’ toward Palestinian Authority, Syria and Iran”
Yitzhak Benhorin
Published: 03.16.10, 00:29 / Israel News
WASHINGTON
dead mussie salute!
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