Re: Death in the Middle East

**bb1** Wed Jul 23, 2014 7:53 pm

This is the Vanity Fair piece referred to in LL's link:

http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2008/04/gaza200804

It's long, and I have just skimmed the first page, but this:

POLITICS
April 2008
THE MIDDLE EAST
The Gaza Bombshell
After failing to anticipate Hamas’s victory over Fatah in the 2006 Palestinian election, the White House cooked up yet another scandalously covert and self-defeating Middle East debacle: part Iran-contra, part Bay of Pigs. With confidential documents, corroborated by outraged former and current U.S. officials, the author reveals how President Bush, Condoleezza Rice, and Deputy National-Security Adviser Elliott Abrams backed an armed force under Fatah strongman Muhammad Dahlan, touching off a bloody civil war in Gaza and leaving Hamas stronger than ever.

Will come as absolutely no surprise to anyone.

**bb1** Wed Jul 23, 2014 9:35 pm

http://news.sky.com/story/1306015/probe-launched-into-israel-war-crimes-in-gaza

An international inquiry into Israel's actions in Gaza has been launched, after the UN's Human Rights Commissioner said there was a "strong possibility" the country was guilty of war crimes.

The 46-member Human Rights Council backed a Palestinian-drafted resolution to begin the investigation by 29 votes, with Arab and fellow Muslim countries joined by China, Russia and Latin American and African nations.

The United States was the only member to vote against, while European countries - including the UK - abstained.

**lily** Wed Jul 23, 2014 10:07 pm

Something has to be done about this heavy handed behavior.
.

**Lamplighter** Wed Jul 23, 2014 10:30 pm

lily wrote:Something has to be done about this heavy handed behavior.

Like what, lily? A fudged enquiry and Israel gets a slap on the wrist. The US are going to block any attempts to censor Israel. Remember the Jewish Lobby in Washington have a hell of a lot of clout. LL Sad

**lily** Wed Jul 23, 2014 10:50 pm

I know they do LL.

I understand the need for Israel to defend itself but this is not on. It is showing no mercy to the Palestinians.

I wish I knew what the solution is LL. Crying or Very sad

**bb1** Thu Jul 24, 2014 11:43 am

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-07-23/israel-s-iron-dome-defense-in-line-for-tripled-u-s-aid.html

Israel’s Iron Dome Defense in Line for Tripled U.S. Aid

Israel’s Iron Dome missile-defense system may end up getting triple the U.S. funding that the Defense Department sought for it in March.

“Iron Dome has saved countless Israeli lives,” Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in a letter dated yesterday, as global airlines suspended flights to Tel Aviv because of rocket fire.

Senate leaders want to give the Pentagon an immediate $225 million for the U.S.-funded, Israeli-built system, then more money in the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.

The added $225 million for the current fiscal year would be used “to accelerate production of Iron Dome components in Israel to maintain adequate stockpiles,” Hagel said in the letter.

The money -- which would be included in an emergency spending bill directed mostly at child-migration issues on the U.S.-Mexico border -- would be in addition to the $351 million that’s already under discussion for Iron Dome in fiscal 2015. It would bring the potential new funding to $576 million, compared with the $176 million requested by the Pentagon for the year that begins Oct. 1.

While lawmakers have pressed for U.S. companies to get a share of Iron Dome funding, they wouldn’t benefit from the $225 million, according to Hagel.

Israel estimates that it would take two to three years to reach full co-production capacity in the U.S., “which would not address Israel’s current shortfall,” Hagel wrote.

An agreement with Israel calls for more than half the funds the Pentagon provides for Iron Dome to be spent in the U.S.

Iron Dome is built by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. and is designed to intercept and destroy rockets capable of flying as far as 70 kilometers (44 miles).

Raytheon Co. (RTN), based in Waltham, Massachusetts, is under contract with Haifa-based Rafael to find suitable U.S. suppliers.

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Barbara Mikulski, a Maryland Democrat who also received a copy of the request, said yesterday that the Senate would include the funding in its version of the planned emergency supplemental. Mikulski’s committee previously marked up a draft fiscal 2015 spending bill that would give the Pentagon all of the $176 million it initially sought for Iron Dome, plus an additional $175 million.

In addition, Hagel’s letter went to Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Richard Shelby of Alabama, the top Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee, as well as to the leaders of the Armed Services committee and the Appropriations Defense subcommittee.

**Lamplighter** Thu Jul 24, 2014 1:35 pm

Time Magazine
Michael Bloomberg Blasts FAA for Halting Israel Flights

Maya Rhodan @m_rhodan

July 23, 2014

Mike Bloomberg, majority shareholder of Bloomberg LP and former New York mayor, second right, and Nir Barkat, mayor of Jerusalem, right, speak with member of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in Jerusalem, Israel, on Wednesday, July 23, 2014

"It was an overreaction for the FAA to halt U.S. flights here – and a mistake they should correct"

Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg said the Federal Aviation Administration overreacted after it canceled flights to Israel for 24 hours. Bloomberg flew to the country himself Wednesday, to “show solidarity with the Israeli people” and to “show that it’s safe to fly in and out” of the country, despite the ongoing crisis in Gaza.

“Halting flights here – when the airport is safe – hurts Israel and rewards Hamas for attacking Israel. Hamas wants to shut down the airport; we can’t let that happen,” Bloomberg said in a statement posted to his website. “I’m a pilot – and I’ve always believed the FAA does a great job – and still do. But on this issue, I think the agency got it wrong.”

The FAA ordered American carriers to stay put on Wednesday, after a rocket hit a mile away from Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport. Flight operations were canceled “due to the potentially hazardous situation created by the armed conflict in Israel and Gaza,” the FAA said.

Bloomberg, who says he has “always been a strong supporter of Israel,” landed in Tel Aviv at 5 a.m. local time on Wednesday via an El Al flight. He applauded Secretary of State John Kerry for also flying into the region on Wednesday to meet with Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

“He was right to fly in, and I hope he will report back that the airport is safe and that the FAA should reverse its decision,” Bloomberg said.

And here is Bloomberg, justifying his action. LL

http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2014-07-23/why-i-flew-to-israel#__sid=md0

**bb1** Thu Jul 24, 2014 2:22 pm

Bloomberg, who says he has “always been a strong supporter of Israel,” landed in Tel Aviv at 5 a.m. local time on Wednesday via an El Al flight. He applauded Secretary of State John Kerry for also flying into the region on Wednesday to meet with Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

Safe as houses on an El Al flight, LL, almost as good as 'heroically' flying on Air Force One. Because not only does El Al have very, very strict security, its planes also have onboard defences. From Wiki:

Following an attempt to shoot down an Israeli airliner in 2002,[53] all aircraft in the fleet have been equipped with an infrared countermeasures system called Flight Guard, developed by Israeli Aerospace Industries to defend them against anti-aircraft missiles.[54][55][56][57] Although comparable systems such as CAMPS are now available for civilian aircraft, there is no information to date about any other airlines deploying such a system. Switzerland and other European countries have expressed concern that flares dropped by the Israeli system could cause fires in the vicinity of an airport.[58]

Now, I don't have a problem with El Al being so equipped, good for them, their planes are high-profile targets. But let's not pretend that flying in on a plane with onboard defences is the same as passing through stray missiles on an El Cheapo Scareways flight.

**bb1** Thu Jul 24, 2014 2:26 pm

Just seen this on AJ:

BREAKING NEWS
At least 30 reported killed and 100 injured in shelling of UN school in Gaza. More soon.

I haven't the words for this barbarity against the most innocent of people.

**bb1** Thu Jul 24, 2014 2:31 pm

They have indeed, the raw footage is just being shown now. That makes 776 Gazas killed, and thousands injured, in the course of Israel 'defending' itself.

**Lamplighter** Thu Jul 24, 2014 2:40 pm

LIVE UPDATES: Israeli shelling of UNWRA school in Gaza kills 10, Hamas says
Palestinian death toll in Gaza reaches 736, more than half killed since Israel began ground op.
By Haaretz | Jul. 24, 2014 | 4:27 PM

Israel entered the 17th day of its operation in the Gaza Strip on Thursday after a night of calm on the Israeli side, with only one rocket fired overnight at border towns. The rocket fire resumed over the course of the morning, with mass barrages fired at the south and at Tel Aviv and its northern environs.

The Israel Defense Forces struck 35 targets in the Gaza Strip overnight, killing 51 people over the course of the day, bringing the Palestinian death toll to 736, more than half of them killed since Israel began its ground operation. The Israeli death toll stands at 32 soldiers and three civilians.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry returned to Cairo late Wednesday to continue cease-fire negotiations, after a lightening visit to Israel and the Palestinian Authority, where his meetings with Prime Minister Benjamn Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and failed to yield a breakthrough.

The UN human rights council in Geneva decided Wednesday to form an international commission of inquiry for alleged Israeli war crimes in Gaza. Meanwhile, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration early Thursday lifted the ban it placed on all U.S. flights to and from Israel.

**bb1** Thu Jul 24, 2014 2:41 pm

Death in the Middle East - Page 14 1406188838018_wps_23_Bomb_Shelter_Selfies_Isra

Hundreds of Israelis have documented their experiences when they take cover with a bizarre set of smiling selfies which they have posted on Facebook

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2703894/Bizarre-trend-bomb-shelter-selfies-takes-Israel-siege-Tel-Aviv-residents-vow-smiling.html

Excuse me while I vomit. mad

**bb1** Thu Jul 24, 2014 4:06 pm

Death in the Middle East - Page 14 Gaza_b10

Why aren't those people laughing, joking and taking selfies to show how 'plucky' they are? Oh wait, I know, it's because they've just seen their friends and family blown to bits in a UN school which Israel KNEW was a designated shelter.

**bb1** Thu Jul 24, 2014 4:25 pm

Israeli military tells CNN that a rocket fired from Gaza could be behind strike on U.N. shelter.

Oh, f*ck off, do, Washington's already using that excuse for the Malaysian airliner. mad

**lily** Thu Jul 24, 2014 5:22 pm

How long can they keep on denying things..... mad

**bb1** Thu Jul 24, 2014 10:05 pm

http://news.sky.com/story/1307077/palestinian-shot-dead-during-west-bank-protest

Email
Israeli security forces have shot dead a Palestinian man during a massive protest in the West Bank, according to medical officials.

The man, named by security officials as Mohammed al Aaraj, 24, was among an estimated 10,000 people who clashed with soldiers and border police in Qalandiya, between Jerusalem and Ramallah.

It comes after UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was "appalled" by an attack on a UN school in Gaza which left 15 people dead and more than 200 injured

Speaking in Cairo ahead of talks with US Secretary of State John Kerry, he said: "I was shocked and appalled by what has happened in Beit Hanoun.

"It is totally unacceptable."

More follows...

Promoted Stories

Can't honestly say I'm surprised by someone getting shot, in the present situation, but that is likely to now lead to fighting on the West Bank.

**lily** Thu Jul 24, 2014 10:26 pm

OMG.....that's it now. It can only get more crazy and inhumane?

**bb1** Thu Jul 24, 2014 10:32 pm

I know, Lily, there seems to be no end in sight, no way to stop this violence.

**lily** Thu Jul 24, 2014 10:34 pm

I shudder to think what might happen now, to be honest, Bonny.

**bb1** Thu Jul 24, 2014 11:07 pm

I am reaching the point of dreading reading the news, as the horrors seem to be mounting daily, Lily. Ukraine and Gaza are currently the worst, but there's bloodshed and mayhem everywhere these days.

**bb1** Thu Jul 24, 2014 11:11 pm

As I was saying...

http://news.sky.com/story/1307077/three-palestinians-killed-in-west-bank-protest

Three Palestinians Killed In West Bank Protest
A 25-year-old man is among three killed as 10,000 people stage a massive protest at a checkpoint between Ramallah and Jerusalem.

Israeli security forces have shot dead three Palestinians during a massive protest in the West Bank, according to medical officials.

The three people were among an estimated 10,000 people who are clashing with soldiers and border police at a checkpoint in Qalandiya, between Jerusalem and Ramallah.

The protest came hours after 15 people were killed and more than 200 injured when a UN school in the city of Beit Hanoun was hit by an artillery shell.

At least 90 people were injured in the checkpoint clashes, with some reports that live fire was being used.

An Israeli army spokeswoman told the AFP news agency soldiers were using "riot disposal means" to control the protest.

She said: "There are thousands of rioters there. They are rolling burning tyres and throwing Molotov cocktails and fireworks at soldiers and border police.

"The soldiers are responding with riot disposal means."

Death in the Middle East - Page 14 Cegrab-20140724-221252-349-1-626x352

Death in the Middle East - Page 14 Cegrab-20140724-221252-349-1-626x352

More at link.

Lovely place, the Holy Land.

**lily** Thu Jul 24, 2014 11:13 pm

Massive sigh.

**Lamplighter** Fri Jul 25, 2014 7:26 am

On CNN Amanpour last night Erdogan, the Turkish PM, likened what is happening in Gaza to Hitler and the Nazis. I am trying to source the report, as soon as I find it I will post it up. LL

Meanwhile here is another report:

Turkey's Erdogan Condemns Israel Over Gaza
ANKARA, Turkey — Jul 18, 2014, 3:40 PM ET
By SUZAN FRASER Associated Press

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan intensified his fiery rhetoric against Israel over its ground invasion of Gaza on Friday, accusing the country of state terrorism and genocide and saying the two countries will not mend ties on his watch.
Earlier, hundreds of protesters pelted the top Israeli diplomat's residence in Ankara with stones, and the private Dogan news agency said police in Istanbul used tear gas and water cannon to disperse protesters trying to enter the Israeli Consulate grounds. Turkish legislators leaving a late-night debate in parliament also protested against Israel.
Turkey intensified security around Israeli missions but the demonstrations prompted Israel to call home the families of Israeli diplomats and to keep staff in the embassy and consulate to a minimum.
Tzachi Moshe, a spokesman for Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, said Israel "sharply protested the flagrant violation of diplomatic rules."
Erdogan told reporters after Muslim Friday prayers: "Israel threatens world peace. Israel threatens peace in the Middle East. Therefore, I personally, can never contemplate anything positive with Israel as long as I remain on duty."
"Israel is at the moment waging terrorism; Israel at the moment is carrying out genocide," he said.
Turkey and Israel had been working toward improving ties that were soured after Israeli commandos stormed a pro-Palestinian aid ship in 2010, killing eight Turks and one Turkish-American. Turkey expelled the Israeli ambassador and recalled its own top envoy following the incident.
Israel apologized to Turkey for the deaths and agreed to pay compensation under a U.S.-brokered arrangement in 2013. Turkish officials said in March the sides were close to reaching a compensation deal that would lead to a restoration of ties.
U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the department believes Erdogan's statements are "offensive and wrong."
"And, of course, this kind of provocative rhetoric is unhelpful and distracts from urgent efforts to bring about a cease-fire," she said.

**Sabot** Fri Jul 25, 2014 7:54 am

Thanks, LL.

But that is all I have to say. Beyond the fact that using The Nazi connection against The Jews is just too sick for words. What do these people want? That The Jews should just sit there and be annihilated all over again?

I was around when The Shoa was happening, and I will never forget.

**Lamplighter** Fri Jul 25, 2014 8:57 am

Found it. Sabot, my family hid Jews in Vienna and in the countryside from the Nazis, and I was also around at the same time as you. LL

http://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2014/07/24/cnn-exclusive-turkish-pm-erdogan-sits-down-with-cnns-becky-anderson/

Sponsored content