Arab Street Cheers, Govts Lament U.S. Attacks

Yahoo ^ | Tuesday September 11 4:04 PM ET | By Joseph Logan

[Thinkin' Gal]

Tuesday September 11 4:04 PM ET

Arab Street Cheers, Govts Lament U.S. Attacks

Photos Reuters Photo

By Joseph Logan

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Arab leaders voiced shock and horror at devastating attacks that leveled symbols of American power on Tuesday, but a chorus of cheers rose from streets that resent U.S. backing of Israel.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak (news - web sites), Washington's key Arab ally, called the plane attacks that destroyed the World Trade Center and left the Pentagon (news - web sites) in flames ``horrific beyond imagination.'' Ordinary Egyptians, however, felt otherwise.

``Do you want to hear my honest opinion?'' asked Samira Mohamed, a 26-year-old lawyer. ``I was very happy when I heard the news. My happiness is based on my utter rejection of the U.S. treatment of the Middle East case.''

The jubilation was echoed in other countries with large Palestinian populations, where sentiment has crystallized against the United States over the course of an 11-month Palestinian uprising against Israel.

While Jordan's King Abdullah called the attacks ``terrorist actions that contradict all...values,'' Jordanians and Palestinian refugees in Amman took to the streets in joy, some handing out sweets to celebrate.

SYRIA CONDEMNS, IRAQ, HIZBOLLAH SILENT

Syria, which has tense relations with the United States, strongly condemned the attacks.

``Syria condemns the sabotage destructive attacks which were directed against innocent civilians in the United States,'' a Syrian information official said.

``Syria expresses its sympathy with the American people and families of the victims who fell as a result of these attacks.''

Iraq, at war with Washington, had no reaction.

The Islamist Hizbollah guerrilla group, which in the past carried out suicide bomb attacks against U.S targets in Lebanon, declined comment on Tuesday's attacks.

In Beirut, Lebanese citizens and Palestinian refugees said the attack was payback for U.S. policies in the region, chief among them its backing for the Jewish state that launched a bloody invasion of Lebanon in 1982.

``We're ecstatic. Let America have a taste of what we've tasted,'' said Ali Mareh, a Lebanese resident of Beirut.

Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri was quick to offer condolences to President Bush (news - web sites).

``These tragic actions contradict all human and religious values,'' Hariri said in a statement.

Palestinian President Yasser Arafat (news - web sites) condemned the attacks, but celebratory gunfire echoed across the West Bank, when television stations showed footage of New York buildings on fire and collapsing and terrified Americans fleeing the carnage.

Palestinian refugees in Lebanon greeted news of the devastating attacks with jubilant gunfire, dancing and cheering, saying Israel's chief backer deserved such a punishment.

``This is the result of American policy. America and Israel are one,'' one Palestinian gunman said.

``This is the reaction required to confront the American and Israeli arrogance,'' said Mohamad Hallak, a 40-year-old Palestinian refugee from the Rashidiyeh camp in Tyre.

SHARED JOY

Some Lebanese shared the joy.

``People are happy. America has always supported terrorism. They see how the innocent Palestinian children are killed and they back the Zionist army that does it. America has never been on the side of justice,'' said Samir, a Lebanese.

``This is the language that the United States understands and this is the way to stop America from helping the Zionist terrorists who are killing our children, men and women every day,'' said Palestinian Mohamed Rasheed.

Lebanon is home to some 360,000 Palestinian refugees. After four generations of exile, many feel embittered against the United States for its support of Israel -- a feeling which has grown during the present uprising in the occupied territories of the West Bank and Gaza.

Palestinians who have often burned U.S. flags in protests during their 11-month-old uprising against Israeli occupation also celebrated in Arab East Jerusalem.

``I feel I am in a dream. I never believed that one day the United States would come to pay a price for its support to Israel,'' said Mustafa, a 24-year-old Palestinian gunman.

Several dozen Palestinian youths gathered in East Jerusalem to celebrate, honking out wedding tunes on their car horns.

``We are so happy that America was hit. America is against us in supporting Israel,'' Suleiman, one of the demonstrators, said.

In Nablus, motorists honked horns and gunmen fired into the air to cheer the attacks which unfolded within a few hours and stunned people around the globe.

Israel and the Palestinians have been locked in fighting since the Palestinian uprising against occupation erupted last September after peace talks stalled.

Reaction was mixed elsewhere in Lebanon. Many people, used to wars, bombardment and destruction of their cities, watched the news in disbelief and shock.

``Who could believe this is happening in the capitals of the world's only superpower?,'' said one Beirut resident.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

God, Please Bless America and guide and help unite our nation in this troubled time.
Please Welcome Home those who have lost their lives today.
Please comfort those who lost their family members and friends.
Please bless and comfort those who are injured.
Please bless and protect those who are helping the injured.

Now is the time for ALL Americans to UNITE and stand behind President Bush!
Please save the politics for another time!

[Righter-than-Rush]

I love your maps!

[Teacup]

These folks have crossed the line. We as a nation must not stand back and say, "AW Gee they didn't mean it." I think we have to hit them , and hit them hard so they will never even think of doing something like these again, IMHO. I think we have taken the low road with these terrorist in the past. We know who these people are. It's time to deal with them.

[Illbay]

It's not the Isralies that go out to destroy the US.

The crew of the Liberty would beg to differ.

I think the US should find out who did this and LEVEL them.

On that we agree, at least.

[steamroller]

And Dershowitz dipping his greedy little fingers into the money pot of the Panam 103 bombers to handle an appeal for them(I'm not certain if it's them or the WTC bombers from '93)but he is handling an appeal for terrorists.He is a subhuman.

[Mr. Bungle]

"``We're ecstatic. Let America have a taste of what we've tasted,'' said Ali Mareh, a Lebanese resident of Beirut. "

I am so imagining what giving this fellow an endoscopy with my Mossberg would look like.

[Dutch Boy]

Time to start noting which countries rejoice in this attack then immediately stop all money, medicine, goods, food and what ever else we give them. Pull the plug - cold turkey. Give them a good old fashioned Amish shunning. When we find the guilty cull them from the planet.

[Real Cynic No More]

It is now time for the weak-kneed appeasers who are public spokespersons, our congress, and our President to really understand that terrorist acts, such as happened today, anywhere in the world are really an attack against the innocent. It is time to join Israel in her attacks on the Palestinian terrorists who continue to dog at her heels. When Israel seeks to cut off the head of those organizations who have declared war on her, we should be standing by her side and PUBLICLY stating our intent to provide her with support and the munitions necessary to go after those cowardly leaders of the terrorist groups who. There's really no morality in just going after the instruments, the pawns of those calling the shots. If it be known that we stand behind countries like Israel who are fighting this terrorism on a daily basis, it will stop.

Measured responses are idiotic and bulls**t. If someone cuts off my arm, I will cut off their head. We have to quit treating these serious issues like a football game and treat them as warfare, with lives at stake, not just another Sunday.

[bannie]

May I tap everyone on the shoulder and gently remind all of the fact that we gave away what was not ours?

Before y'all jump on me:

I abhore this action!!!
I ADORE The Great United States of America!!!!!!
I am willing to fight for Her unto my death!
I want to destroy </font color>the weak-assed, chicken-sh*t terrorists!!!!!

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[First Conservative]

Agree! Sure hope the FBI IS checking all those airport employees where the hijackesd planes came from. The lady that has repeatedly exposed the FAA's failings was on Court TV and stated flatly that it had to be an inside job - the hijackers could not have chanced discovery at passenger check in. She is right!

[america76]

A Tomahawk cruise missile crashing the party would be perfect.

[TexasBarak]

And with so-called Palestinians dancing in the street to celebrate, they can forget about all of the sympathy they used to have here in the US. stupid move on their part.

[07055]

This reminded me of Sitting Bull's "victory" against Custer at the Little Big Horn. Some victory, as events later unfolded.

[Ol' Sox]

Somebody please give the fu*ker in that picture a shove. Thanks.

[rebdov]

The international disease, our current plague is radical Islam. There is no cure but to kill the source. No more namby pansy defense of Islam. They opened the war. Let's return the war to their front door.

[rebdov]

Go to the MEMRI site or Arutz7 and there you will routinely read the translations of his speeches. Our perfidious toadies in the State Department never release what the scumbag is saying in Arabic. The State Department has always been filled with blueblood brahmin Arabists, virulently anti-Jew. Truman had to fight against the State Department to vote in the UN for Israel's statehood. These snakes are close to being traitors. They know what is written in the Arabic media, but maintain a silence, or they say that Arabic is by nature a very emotional language and you can't really believe what they say.

[rebdov]

You are blaming the woman for the rape. You belong under a pile of rubble with your hero Arafat.

[rebdov]

You traitorous slime. Defending the Arab scum whilee Americans are rotting. You belong in Afghanistan. You coward. I'd love to meet you face to face, anywhere, anytime.

[jonatron]

"Can anyone honestly be surprised about this based on the way we've thrown our weight around in the world the last 50 years or so?"

I'm shocked and disgusted at your comments, traitor.

[sheik yerbouty]

They deserve some nukey....