Gaza War

[MTAFFI]

Sanctions taken off Abbas-led government By ANNE GEARAN, AP Diplomatic Writer
45 minutes ago



WASHINGTON - The Bush administration on Monday lifted its economic and political embargo against the Palestinian government, Secretary of State

Condoleezza Rice announced.

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The move follows the expulsion of the militant Hamas movement from the

Palestinian Authority, and is meant to strengthen Western-backed President Mahmoud Abbas by resuming direct U.S. aid.

Rice said she had informed new Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad of the decision in a phone call.

"I told him the United States would resume full assistance to the Palestinian government and normal government-to-government contacts," she told reporters at the State Department. "I told the prime minister that we want to work with his government and support his efforts to enforce the rule of law and to ensure a better life for the Palestinian people."

"We intend to lift our financial restrictions on the Palestinian government, which has accepted previous agreements with

Israel and rejects the path of violence. This will enable the American people and American financial institutions to resume normal economic and commercial ties with the Palestinaian government," Rice said.

She said the administration will ask Congress to rework a previous $86 million aid request. That money had been intended to help shore up Abbas' security forces but could now be put to other uses.

Separately, Rice said the United States would contribute an additional $40 million to the

United Nations to help Palestinians, particularly in the

Gaza Strip, which is now controlled by Hamas.

"Through its actions, Hamas sought to divide the Palestinan nation, we reject that," Rice said. "It is the position of the United States that there is one Palestinian people and there should be one Palestinian state."

"We are not going to countenance that somehow the Palestinians are divisible," she said "We are not going to abandon the Palestinians living in Gaza."

Hamas seized control of Gaza last week after a series of battles with Abbas'

Fatah movement. The violence left Gaza increasingly isolated, a situation that worsened Sunday when an Israeli fuel company cut off deliveries to gas stations in the impoverished coastal strip.

Its violent takeover of the Gaza Strip split the Palestinian government in two: the Hamas leadership headed by deposed Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh in Gaza and the new Cabinet now led by Fayyad, a U.S.-educated economist, in the

West Bank.

Earlier Monday,

President Bush spoke with Abbas to express full U.S. support for his decision to dissolve the government, swear in an emergency Cabinet and outlaw the militia forces of Hamas, the White House said.

In the call, Bush noted that he plans to meet Tuesday with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, and that he would share their thoughts on how to continue, White House press secretary Tony Snow said.

"What's important is, you have to have a partner who is committed to peace, and we believe that President Abbas is," Snow said. "And therefore we are committed to working with this new emergency government."

Hamas' violent takeover of the Gaza Strip last week split the Palestinian government in two: the Hamas leadership headed by deposed Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh in Gaza and the new Cabinet now led by the Western-backed economist Salam Fayyad in the West Bank.

"We have said that Hamas is a terrorist organization," Snow said. "I think it's pretty clear what our stance has been."

The move essentially resets U.S. policy to the days before Hamas swept legislative elections in early 2006 and upended U.S. and international peacemaking. The United States, Israel and the

European Union regard Hamas as a terrorist organization.

Since those elections, Hamas has continued to flex its muscles.

Meanwhile, in a major boost to Abbas, European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana announced in Luxembourg on Monday that the 27-nation bloc would resume direct financial aid to the Palestinian Authority now that Hamas is no longer part of the government.

Hamas, which does not recognize Israel's right to exist, now runs Gaza. Abbas and his secular Fatah Party now run the West Bank. The larger West Bank is home to more than 1.5 million Palestinians.

Some in the United States and in Europe have advocated a policy dubbed "West Bank first" in which the West Bank would stand as an example of what a future Palestinian state could be. Critics on the other side say that leaves Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip without assistance. Europeans oppose this idea, and still others worry it would leave the Gaza Strip open to funding and influence from Iran and Syria.

Five years ago, Bush called for a separate, independent Palestine alongside Israel. He was the first U.S. president to back that notion so fully and publicly. But his administration has taken heavy criticism for letting the peace process drift while conditions worsened for the impoverished Palestinians.

In New York on Sunday, Olmert said his country would be a "genuine partner" of a new Palestinian government and promised to consider releasing the hundreds of millions of dollars in frozen tax funds.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070618/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_mideast

 

[Skywalker]

President Bush spoke with Abbas to express full U.S. support for his decision to dissolve the government, swear in an emergency Cabinet and outlaw the militia forces of Hamas, the White House said.

That Bush is a real piece of work. He supports Abbas' decision to dissolve a democratically elected government -- in other words...to hell with democracy. But wait a sec...isn't he at the same time imposing this idea of democracy on other countries around the world?? And if he doesn't like who's selected there, would he also support its dissolve??

Something doesn't add up.

 

[wilberhum]

Why do you think we need to support a terrorist group just because they were democratically elected? :rollseyes

You can't be that blind. OK so you think Hamas are a bunch of nice guys, what make you think they derserve our support? :?

Because they throw less people off roof tops? :skeleton:

 

[Trumble]

He supports Abbas' decision to dissolve a democratically elected government -- in other words...to hell with democracy.

Something doesn't add up.

What doesn't add up is that people (about a third of them, actually) voted for Hamas political representives, not a Hamas military takeover in Gaza. Not very 'democratic', that.

 

[Abdul Fattah]

Well things are not that black and white, first the Israelli goverment tried really hard to change them from a terrorist group into a political group, since poletics is "safer" then terrorism. But then once they got elected they completely changed course and considered them illegal

 

[Keltoi]

Well things are not that black and white, first the Israelli goverment tried really hard to change them from a terrorist group into a political group, since poletics is "safer" then terrorism. But then once they got elected they completely changed course and considered them illegal

Yes, most observers wanted Hamas to become a political party. The problem with their election as a political party was that rockets were still being fired by Hamas into Israeli cities. It is hard to negotiate in good faith with a party who is actively engaged in attempting to kill your citizens. Fatah, while still connected to the Al-Aqsa Brigades, at least attempted to be a viable negotiating partner, Hamas has never honestly been interested in a good faith negotiation with Israel.

 

[Skywalker]

Why do you think we need to support a terrorist group just because they were democratically elected? :rollseyes

You can't be that blind. OK so you think Hamas are a bunch of nice guys, what make you think they derserve our support? :?

Because they throw less people off roof tops? :skeleton:

It's only a terrorist group because the US labels it as such. Secondly, the US is partially to blame for this whole mess because as soon as Hamas was elected, before they had a chance to do anything (be it positive or negative), an embargo was imposed on Palestine and all financial aid that was almost critical for their survival was cut off.

Now, the people are blaming Hamas for the economic decline of Palestine whilst forgetting what's probably the root cause of that.

As for the military operations carried out by Hamas...they're wrong. They were stupid. Launching a few rockets into an Israeli settlement is probably THE dumbest thing you can do...in fact it's almost too dumb, to the extent that I have a feeling something's not right there. Nevertheless, Hamas have confirmed it on TV without condemning it so there's really no point of discussion.

The question is, had Hamas not taken any military action against Israel save for defense, do you think that the US or the international community would've given them their aid back and lifted the embargo? I seriously doubt it. Hunger and desperation makes people do stupid things. I don't condone their actions, but I do understand their situation.

 

[Keltoi]

It's only a terrorist group because the US labels it as such. Secondly, the US is partially to blame for this whole mess because as soon as Hamas was elected, before they had a chance to do anything (be it positive or negative), an embargo was imposed on Palestine and all financial aid that was almost critical for their survival was cut off.

Now, the people are blaming Hamas for the economic decline of Palestine whilst forgetting what's probably the root cause of that.

As for the military operations carried out by Hamas...they're wrong. They were stupid. Launching a few rockets into an Israeli settlement is probably THE dumbest thing you can do...in fact it's almost too dumb, to the extent that I have a feeling something's not right there. Nevertheless, Hamas have confirmed it on TV without condemning it so there's really no point of discussion.

The question is, had Hamas not taken any military action against Israel save for defense, do you think that the US or the international community would've given them their aid back and lifted the embargo? I seriously doubt it. Hunger and desperation makes people do stupid things. I don't condone their actions, but I do understand their situation.

Hamas is considered a terrorist group because they send suicide bombers to kill people in pizza parlors. If Hamas would have shown some sign that they were interested in a peaceful solution to the problem the international community would have reconsidered the economic assistance. If the only thing keeping the Palestinians afloat is international assistance, perhaps they should be more focused on making them happy....if not, why whine about it?

 

[muthenna]

Hamas sends suicide bombers and israel sends apache helos so?!?!?!
The point is fatah are bunch of secularists with the israeli spy Muhamed Dahlan as one of its leaders, this terrorism nomenclature is political stuff, to denegrade the muslims, if the muslims would attack only soldiers as they often do, they would still be named Terrorists. So what if someone calls you a terrorist, its an honor to terrorise the occupier. Palestine will be free from coast to coast, the price of freedom is death

 

[muthenna]

One hadith from our messenger a.s. o muslims so that we are not cofused:
and from Salamah ibn Nufail al- who said:
" I was sitting with the Messenger of Allah a.s. when a man said: "Oh Messenger of Allah! The people have held on to the horses and laid down their weapons and said:'there is no Jihad for the war has laid down its burdens.' So the Messenger of Allah a.s. turned his face away and said:'they have lied. Now the time for fighting has come. There will never cease to be a group from my Ummah that fights upon the truth. Allah will deviate the hearts of some by way of them, and provide for them from them until the establishment of the hour and until the promise of Allah comes. Good shall remain in the manes of horses until the Day of Judgement. It has been revealed to me that I will die and not remain and that you all will follow up after me, aome striking the necks of others, and the base of the abode of the believers is in Sham(Syria, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, and part of Iraq)." -Sahih narrated by Nesai

 

[Zman]

Hamas sends suicide bombers and israel sends apache helos so?!?!?!

Exactly!

But, the fundamental difference is that the Apache helo is by far more destructive...

 

[Keltoi]

Exactly!

But, the fundamental difference is that the Apache helo is by far more destructive...

Who are those Apache helos targetting and why? Do you honestly believe Israel sends those choppers out to target children and women? None will deny that innocent people get caught in the crossfire, especially when you are dealing with an enemy who hides in civilian areas, but the major difference is that the suicide bomber is intentionally targetting women and children for death. Is the difference so subtle to you that you can't see a difference?

 

[MTAFFI]

Who are those Apache helos targetting and why? Do you honestly believe Israel sends those choppers out to target children and women? None will deny that innocent people get caught in the crossfire, especially when you are dealing with an enemy who hides in civilian areas, but the major difference is that the suicide bomber is intentionally targetting women and children for death. Is the difference so subtle to you that you can't see a difference?

I am sure it is seen but it seems that many have a hard time accepting it, as with almost every other dispicable act perpetrated by a so called "Muslim". The thing I think is so subtle that some cant see the difference, is the difference between real Muslims who practice their faith according to the Quran and Muslims who are Muslims just because they were born that way.

 

[Goku]

Who are those Apache helos targetting and why? Do you honestly believe Israel sends those choppers out to target children and women? None will deny that innocent people get caught in the crossfire, especially when you are dealing with an enemy who hides in civilian areas, but the major difference is that the suicide bomber is intentionally targetting women and children for death. Is the difference so subtle to you that you can't see a difference?

And you know for sure Israel doesnt target innocent civilians? Whether they state they dont target them is irrelevant, the point is, innocents do get targetted and do get killed, need I remind you of the 1,200 innocent Lebanese people Israel killed in the war against Hezbollah, the latter group are still active and running.

 

[MuhammadRizan]

i'm soooooo confuse....do we can honestly say israel just defending themselves all this times?...i mean really honest.

and do we can honestly say Hamas or palestinians is just mere terrorist wants only blood,death and destruction of israel, nothing more nothing less?

before 1948, do muslim and jews live together there,or they already separated?

 

[Skywalker]

Hamas is considered a terrorist group because they send suicide bombers to kill people in pizza parlors. If Hamas would have shown some sign that they were interested in a peaceful solution to the problem the international community would have reconsidered the economic assistance. If the only thing keeping the Palestinians afloat is international assistance, perhaps they should be more focused on making them happy....if not, why whine about it?

I'm with you there, they're not achieving anything by bombing restaurants or cafes, except making themselves and their religion look bad in front of the eyes the world. However, the question is: would the international community reconsider giving them financial assistance even if they promised to stop and actually stopped?

Who are those Apache helos targetting and why? Do you honestly believe Israel sends those choppers out to target children and women? None will deny that innocent people get caught in the crossfire, especially when you are dealing with an enemy who hides in civilian areas, but the major difference is that the suicide bomber is intentionally targetting women and children for death.

This is true. We must first evaluate our actions and their actions before pointing fingers at one another. Israel is killing civilians, yes, but they're doing it under the pretense that they're attacking militants. Whether or not this is true is not for us to decide, but in the eyes of the international community their actions are "acceptable". As for Hamas, rarely targeted military installations and seemed to directly target civilans. This would definetely make the international community count that as "unacceptable".

 

[MTAFFI]

And you know for sure Israel doesnt target innocent civilians?

How do you know who is a civilian and who is not?

Whether they state they dont target them is irrelevant, the point is, innocents do get targetted and do get killed, need I remind you of the 1,200 innocent Lebanese people Israel killed in the war against Hezbollah, the latter group are still active and running.

This is why guerrilla warfare is such a cowardly and dispicable way to fight. Why blame Israel for killing civilians, you could just as easily blame those who fight amongst the civilians for getting them killed. You dont see Israeli soldiers hiding amongst their civilians, that is why so many less of them die. Palestine will never win their war, hezbollah would never have won their war, their enemy is superior in every aspect. Palestines only route for survival is to give up and concede defeat, reestablish borders and live in peace with its 40 year old neighbor. Who is to say that one day when they actually establish a military, infrastructure, economy, and a stable country that they cant go back to war with Israel if they want, all land has always been conquered by people, who says palestine couldnt do the same in 50 or 100 years? Take notice of what is being done, the longer they fight the less land they have, these militant groups give Israel every right to defend their country, once the palestinian militants stop Israel will have to stop

 

[Zman]

How do you know who is a civilian and who is not?

That's a good excuse when you plan on deliberately targeting everyone and hiding behind "collateral damage."

1. Here's an example of a deliberate act of targeting civilians:

About a year ago, Israel fired on beach-goers vacationing on a Gaza beach.

Of course, they produced their many lies, which were exposed for what they truly are.

2. Another was the massacre at Qana, Lebanon (twice). Israel claimed that Hizbullah fired from the village, and there were none there. They even had the audacity to target the UN observation team.

The UN team called them many times identifying themselves as the UN, but the bombardment continued.

3. Israeli targeted ambulances and civilian convoys in its last invasion of Lebanon.

It's amazing how Israel drops leaflets ordering the residents to evacuate the city before it commences firing, then when the civilians submit to their orders, Israel proceeds to bomb the convoy.

4. Israel also bombed Red Cross vehicles...

 

[Amadeus85]

i'm soooooo confuse....do we can honestly say israel just defending themselves all this times?...i mean really honest.

and do we can honestly say Hamas or palestinians is just mere terrorist wants only blood,death and destruction of israel, nothing more nothing less?

before 1948, do muslim and jews live together there,or they already separated?

And do we can honestly say that Hamas "et consortes" want only peace, that they sleep in pink pyjamas with Bugs Bunny and that they know Kassam rockets from tv only ?

 

[Skywalker]

Israel claimed that Hizbullah fired from the village, and there were none there.

Well the US did the same thing in Iraq. So if their big sister country can do it, why can't they?