Israel vs bin Laden in information war

The Jerusalem Post ^ | October, 10 2001 | By Herb Keinon

[Phil V.]

Israel vs bin Laden in information war

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By Herb Keinon

October, 10 2001

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JERUSALEM (October 10) - With Osama bin Laden blaming Israel for his attacks on America, and a Newsweek poll showing a majority of Americans believes terror against America has to do with its close ties with Israel, the Foreign Ministry has begun an information campaign to disabuse people of this notion.

"We are in a difficult position," one Foreign Ministry official said. "On the one hand we want to keep a low profile. On the other hand, we don't want it to be so low that we don't counter attempts to link us to bin Laden's attacks."

The official described this linkage as "very dangerous."

A Foreign Ministry team on Monday set up three working groups to deal with the US operation in Afghanistan: the first will coordinate diplomatic policy toward the US, the second will chart the country's information campaign during the crisis, and the third will liaison with Diaspora communities.

In its attempt to show there is no linkage between the attacks on New York and Washington and Israel, the ministry has drawn up a number of talking points for representatives abroad. In addition, it is in the process of sending a number of prominent Israelis abroad to give briefings on why there is no linkage between bin Laden's attacks and US ties to Israel.

The talking points distributed to Israeli delegations abroad include instructions not to bring up the linkage issue, but to be prepared with answers if it comes up in the local media. The talking points include the following:

* The attacks on the US were not the result of any specific US policy, but rather because of what the US represents. The attacks are part of the war that fundamentalist, undemocratic forces have declared on the enlightened, democratic world.

* The 1991 Gulf War was an ideological turning point for these movements, when the US stationed forces in Islam's "holy of holies" - Saudi Arabia.

A number of years later bin Laden published various religious edicts against the US, saying that the US was defiling the place where the Prophet Muhammad lived.

* Bin Laden has been behind a number of terrorist actions in Moslem states. His basic goal is to replace secular Moslem regimes with regimes based on Islamic law - all of which has no connection at all with Israel.

* Bin Laden told the Italian newspaper La Republica in August 1998 that the "International Islamic Front declares that the war has begun." The preparation for the recent attacks in the US started no later than June 2000, before the Camp David summits, when negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians were going strong - which shows that the attacks were divorced from any connection to the Israeli-Palestinian diplomatic process.

* Attempts to show "understanding" for terror must be utterly rejected, and dismissed as attempts to "justify the unjustifiable." Those who show an "understanding" for terror are justifying and encouraging it.

[Phil V.]

Attempts to show "understanding" for terror must be utterly rejected . . .

(heels clicking) Yes, Sir!

[Tom_Busch]

Your obsession is showing.

[Phil V.]

Thank you for your observation.

Given that we are in this thing for the long haul here are some questions I ponder . . .

IF Arafat effectively separates the PLA from Hamas et al and effectively persuades the Palestinians to behave can he do it "for the long haul"?

Can Israel continue it's settlements expansion "for the long haul"?

Can we blame freedom and exonerate Zionism for the "long haul"?

"For the long haul" can the Palestinians not ask, "Why"?

[vrwc54]

Your obsession is showing:

Sharon, son may face election funding probe

Crime/Corruption Front Page News Keywords: RECOMMEND
OPENING A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION AGAINST PRIME MINISTER
ARIEL SHARON

Source: Jerusalem Post
Published: October, 01 2001 Author: By Gil Hoffman

9197883 posted on 10/01/2001 21:46:22 PDT by Phil V.

Temple Mount Faithful plan new 'cornerstone' ceremony

Culture/Society Extended News News Keywords: COAXING
PROPHESY INTO REALITY
Source: Jerusalem Post
Published: October, 03 2001 Author: By Etgar Lefkovits

9216739 posted on 10/02/2001 18:43:57 PDT by Phil V.

Jerusalem police bar Temple Mount Faithful ceremony

Culture/Society Extended News News Keywords: COAXING
PROPHESY INTO REALITY - LATER
Source: Jerusalem Post Published: October, 04 2001 Author: By Etgar Lefkovits

9238466 posted on 10/03/2001 18:34:41 PDT by Phil V.

Settlers celebrate new hilltop site at Kedumim

Foreign Affairs Extended News News Keywords: SHARON
APOLOGIES
Source: The Jerusaalem Post
Published: October, 08 2001 Author: By Margot Dudkevitch

9321010 posted on 10/07/2001 19:01:35 PDT by Phil V.

[veronica]

Attempts to show "understanding" for terror must be utterly rejected . . .

Or, as GW Bush said - "these terrorists are EVIL, and there is no cause, not justification for what they did. This is the face of evil."

Heed the words of our President.

[Tom_Busch]

I guess you noticed too. :)

[veronica]

Newsweek poll: 61% of Americans oppose cut in Israel ties...

"Asked about the Israeli concerns on NBC's Today Show yesterday, Powell said: "Israel is a strong friend of the United States. We will always support Israel and its security. It is the democratic nation in that region that we absolutely treasure as a friend."

[Phil V.]

In its attempt to show there is no linkage between the attacks on New York and Washington and Israel, the ministry has drawn up a number of talking points for representatives abroad.

The truth does not need "talking points".

And, yes, the deeds of 9/11 WERE EVIL.

[Cachelot]

This is the face of evil

And this is the face of.. err.. high heels of evil:

"(heels clicking) Yes, Sir!"

Lol. Gotta go. I'll be back.

[Tom_Busch]

I don't really care what the Palestinians do. I think they've done quite enough. I guess if they want they're own state, they'll have to work that out with Israel and the rest of the region. So far they have only shown themselves to be dangerously, spoiled children IMHO.

[veronica]

LOL. You think Muslims - Arabs - have not been on a PR blitz since 9/11 - "talking points" and all?

You think ANY politician goes on any TV show (Meet the Press for instance) without an agenda - without a set of points he or she is going to make - so that people will understand the issues? Quit seeing bogeymen in everything.

[Tom_Busch]

The truth does not need "talking points".

Try telling that to the Palestinians and their co-conspirators.

[Phil V.]

Links would help for those who might wish to explore my "obsession".

[American in Israel]

Even if Arafat distances himself from the Hamas and Hizbulla he joined in a coalition with two months ago, and America forgets his direct orders to kill two kidnapped American Diplomats... How can Arafat distance himself from the Tanziem, who are his own troops? It is the Tanziem that have been shooting up the Jewish neighborhoods in Jerusalem and have killed many people in drive by shootings.

Arafat has allways been a terrorist, and proud of it. Now that court is in session does he think we have sudden memory loss? The clock is ticking on the Palestinian Authority.

[Phil V.]

The clock is ticking on the Palestinian Authority.

I think that I agree with you.

Trouble is, after Arafat, what? A "final solution"? . . . A long, enduring, unrelenting "pacification process"? . . . Palestinian surrender and submission? . . .

We will prevail in Afghanistan. We may even prevail in our efforts to coax the Imams to redefine the essence if Islam. The Nation of Islam may renounce terrorism and declare itself a Religion of Peace. But it will never become a Religion of Pacifism anymore that Christianity or Judaism will become Religions of Pacifism.

We must return one day to the basics of, "justice for all with malice toward none."

[Phil V.]

. . . without a set of points he or she is going to make - so that people will understand the issues? . . .

THE PHIL V. CONJECTURE:

The soundness of a proposition is inversely proportional to the number of talking points required to prop it up.

[vrwc54]

Phil V. writes:

Trouble is, after Arafat, what? A "final solution"?

You like the sound of those words... don't you?

[Star Traveler]

We must return one day to the basics of, "justice for all with malice toward none."

That sounds good. We have an example of that in history, of what we do in the face of evil and how we dispense this justice.

• With Hitler and the Third Reich - justice equals DESTRUCTION
• With any person who wishes to continue his goals - justice equals DESTRUCTION
• With any system which promotes his goals - justice equals DESTRUCTION
  
  
• With any who are left after this - "malice toward none"

So, applying your formula to today's situation --

• With Osama bin Ladin and his aims - justice equals DESTRUCTION
• With the Taliban who support this - justice equals DESTRUCTION
• With any person who wishes to continue these goals - justice equals DESTRUCTION
• With any system (religious or secular) which promotes this - justice equals DESTRUCTION
• With the Hamas who continue these goals - justice equals DESTRUCTION
• With the Hizbollah who continue these goals - justice equals DESTRUCTION
• With Arafat who continues to promotes these goals to his people - justice equals DESTRUCTION
• With any Palestinian person who continues to support the above - justice equals DESTRUCTION
  
  
• With all who are left - "malice toward none"

Let this begin today and finish this process off.

[vrwc54]

good post

[Phil V.]

You like the sound of those words . . .

No. I do not. The trouble specifically is the horrendous roll reversal facing the Israelis. The future of the Palestinians appears to be limited to two bleak choices - annihilation or absolute submission. Their abysmal lack leadership coupled with abundant legitimate grievances makes middle ground precious scarce to non existent.

The Palestinians appear unwilling to submit.

The Israelies appear to be unable to concede that the Palestinians DO HAVE ANY legitimate grievances. . . to do so would present the appearance of weakness - an invitation (they think) to be pushed into the sea.

Deadlock.

Eternal conflict.

Submission

Final solution.

Take your pick, vrwc54. I cannot see hope for either side at this point - at least so long as neither side is willing to change.