I can’t write about what’s happening at Gaza, and how we are being spun tales by the media, who dó report on the happenings, but who also rape our various languages in the spinning of reality. I’m sóóóóóó sick of it, I can only speak french right now.
Let me put up a small dictionary:
Media/Israeli English < versus > Real Speak English
Hamas Rocket <—————–> Large firework
Israeli Rocket <——————> Really big American War-head
Hamas Weapons dump <——-> Mosques, full of refugees
Hamas Weapons dump<——–> schools full of refugees
Military targets <—————-> Anything, men, women, old, young, children, babies
Civillians <————————> Women and children
Hamas members <—————> Men
Collateral Damage <————-> burned children
Not worthy of comment <—–> dead babies
Israeli casualties <————–> People suffering from shock or having to move
Palestinian casualties <————–> Dead men, women and children
Israeli medical emergency<—> 200 ambulances standing by waiting
Palestinian medical emergency<-> like, what? 1000 seriously wounded? 600 dead? With no medicinal supplies?
Refugees <————————-> People who had to leave their houses with nowhere to go because Israel has closed the borders and won’t let them out, and then they get bombed when hiding in schools
Hamas bunker <——————> family home
Hamas rocket installation <—-> school/ house/ anything really
Hamas hidingplace <————> designated UN-school full of refugees
Anti-semitic <——————–> anybody who remarks on Israels atrocities
Safety measures <—————> killingspree
Daily cease fire <—————-> attempt to make Israel look reasonable
Daily cease fire <—————-> few hours respite until Israel starts killing civilians again
And read this article by Robert Fisk.
Link from Chiara
Clouddragon 
Brilliant lexicon! I’m glad you liked the Fisk article. He is writing almost daily on Gaza and he’s usually well worth the read. A warning though, read too many articles of his and you get a rather crotchety if accurate view of the Middle East conflict.
I’m just sóóóóóóóó fed up, and have been for years about the manner in which the media chooses to spin the truth! 😡 If you read/hear closely you can deduce the truth, but a good dictionary helps! 😡
I don’t even want to write about this, this is not what my blog is about! My blog is about random stuff, but I’m só sick!!!
Yeah, excellent article thanks for providing the link.
Thank you for this post, Aafke. I wish you were in the media so you could report the truth.
This was such relief, writing this down! Sort of like my personal revenge for being subjected to language manipulations.
hmmmm…media spin like suicide bomber for mass murderer?
I hate “language manipulations,” also known as “euphemisms”. I like how you’ve cut open the ribbon, and called a spade a spade.
u forgot…israeli = soldier
palestinian = terrorist
israeli fire = self defense
palestian defense = terroist activity
I find it interesting that palestinians are said to be “harboring” hamas terrorist” and yet…every square inch of palestine is taken up by more people than it has room for..israel wont let them get out…so they cant get away from hamas even if they want too….they are not harboring them…they are sharing a jail cell with them.
Excellent additions coolred. Might I add
“balanced reporting” = equating 4 Israeli deaths with 600 palestinian ones; showing the devastation in Gaza then a stock room of the Hamas rockets collected in Israel; etc.
This “Dictionary” sucks big time! So unfair,unjust and nobody is doing much about it.Hamas or whoever in charge should change the technique perhaps to non-violence like Ghandi? Maybe they won’t at all cause the love the guns more.
Ghandi’s non-violence led to alot of violent retaliation, as did Martin Luther King Jr’s. I’m not sure therefore that passive resistance would reduce the destruction. The Mandela model is probably more apt; he says/writes that he and his group turned to violence when all else had failed.
Israel, when not aggressive, indulges in alot of passive aggression like creating nightly sonic booms that terrorize and sleep deprive children and adults, preventing the ill from reaching their medical appointments, workers from getting to work in reasonable time, Gazan students from taking professional licensing exams at West Bank universities, cutting electricity, blocking trade, withholding Palestinian tax money, etc.–just read the reports of the ISRAELI Human Rights groups.
Stone throwing and suicide bombing are acts of desperation by a group that perceives itself to have little left to lose.
Read or view interviews with the Brits and the IRA who all state that the resolution of the problem came when the Brits decided to negotiate with the “terrorists” who, like Hamas, had a political as well as a military wing. IRA terrorists state categorically that this is what destroyed the violent arm of their movement–no brutality by the Brits, no recruits.
BTW Mandela and the ANC remained on the US terror watch list until a few years ago; and Ghandi died a violent death.
@ Lat
I wouldn’t say that the dictionary ‘sucks big time’. However, the ‘dictionary’ is hugely biased, skewed and unreasonable written by an admitted conspiracy nut an all around post-colonialist surrender-monkey dhimmi apologist. I have, many times, clearly stated my support for Palestinian self-determination, on this blog and several other forums. Clearly this is not an evenhanded explanation of what is going on over there, it’s a vacuous attempt to shift the entire blame to one side while completely exonerating the other. I’ve already stated that playing the ‘blame game’ does nothing, nothing whatsoever and, even worse, only polarizes our most base instincts in this extremely difficult and lamented situation more. (screw grammar)
‘Maybe Hamas … like Gandhi’ + ‘maybe they…. guns more’
That door is closing rapidly I’m afraid, every day this conflict rages on, the fear exponentially grows and the dead keep piling up is another year we’d need for reconciliation, the wounds on both sides are running deeper and deeper and , ladies and gentlemen, we are at the point of fatal hemorrhage. We have already reached the point where the most unperceivable slight results in the most terrible of acts of righteous vengeance. Remember, that it’s not JUST a case of erupting violence but that the Israeli’s HAVE placed the Palestinians in a untenable position regarding, amongst others, personal freedom, freedom of movement, property rights, healthcare access, education access and much more. This conflict isn’t just about the firefights you see on CNN, it’s also about the things the Western media does (chooses?) not pick up. I could go on a rant how I am mystified about the Gandhi adulation and how his proposed policies would have probably resulted in the largest human catastrophe in human history but I’ll leave that for another post. There are much better examples of peaceful resistance and a reality-based vision of the future.
I’m sure the Palestinians love their guns. How do I know this? Because they always shoot them in the air and they always look so happy when shooting them! Who wouldn’t love standing in the street shooting a cheap AK in the air when your children, your children’s schools, your hospitals, your neighbors, your houses, you places of prayers and your electricity and water supplies are being bombed, I mean, sign me up! [/sarcasm] I actually wanted to save this quote/paraphrase (haven’t decided yet) to the end but here goes:
In Israel and Palestine, there’s a growing feeling of hysteria
Conditioned to respond to all the threats
In the rhetorical speeches of the Israelis/Palestinians(choose here)
Mr. Olmert/Yassin(choose here) said we will bury you
I don’t subscribe to this point of view
It would be such an ignorant thing to do
If the Israelis/Palestinians(choose here) love their children too
(Thanks to the beautifully, and haunting, words of one of the most underestimated poets of the last century, Sting. Yeah, I changed the lyrics a bit) Original lyrics can be found here, I can recommend this to one and all… http://www.lyricsfreak.com/s/sting/russians_20132086.html Pls look it up on youtube.
I think I can do the rest top/down while I’m at it……….
@ Suzanne430
Most people in the media get into the media because they want to report on ‘the truth’ (a concept which I still find highly debatable, especially concerning human interaction) even if moderately biased by their own preconceptions which isn’t that bad. I think the main problem is the corporate interest in the media nowadays, they will publish any story (Paris Hilton or any other crap for that matter) if it increases their share by one, conversely, they’ll push back a story as far as possible if they think it hurts their bottom line. I know it’s cold, and that it sucks but that’s why we should celebrate net-neutrality.
@ burstmode
More like:
Freedom fighter ——– Insurgent/ terrorist.
Btw, could you please provide a bit more background to your posts, I’m quite curious were you’re coming from.
@ Marahm
The ‘hip’ word for ‘language manipulation’ is ‘spin’. We’re not ‘firing’ people, were ‘reorganizing’ or ‘downsizing’. Any organization in the world that has a PR department does this, I’m loathed to say that these people are my brothers and sisters, the lowest of the low, the scum of the earth, the afterbirth of eloquence; LAWYERS!
@ Coolred38
Agreed, except the first part.
Almost every adult Israeli could (and I’m stretching this A LOT here) be considered a soldier because Israel has, as far as I know, quite a comprehensive draft for their populace. If I’m mistaken please someone point it out to me and I will correct this post. I could nitpick over some other stuff but I’d prefer to keep that of the blog both because it’s flame-bait details and because I’m running amock as we speak.
@ Chiara
Sorry, I think I already said my peace in the part for Lat.
@ Aafke
You might wonder why I’m still up at this Darwinless hour but I caught a really nasty flu and the cough kept me up for the last couple of nights so my rhythm is completely screwed. I’m trying to pull an all-nighter (thank evolutionary chance for coffee beans) so I can go to bed early tonight and restart my normal rhythm.
Regards,
Rhysz
Bah……. you beat me to it Chiara!!!!!!!!!!!
[Kirkvoice] CHI-AAAARAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!![/Kirkvoice]
Israeli military action in Gaza = shooting fish in a barrel
burstmode: A suicide bomber is an indiscriminate mass murderer.
And so are those who plant the idea in their heads, organise them and send them on their way while staying safely hidden somewhere, and enjoying old age themselves.
Marahm, thank you it’s something which really bugs me and it also devaluates the very essence of laguage itself. I am out of my depth in a political sense here, but I do know there is horrible suffering and no journalist has the right to smooth it over.
Coolred38, How do you mean that? You mean the media make us believe all Israelies are soldiers? I don’t think so, they dó try and make us believe all Israelies are suffering very much, and that they are all behind these atrocities, neither is true. There are many people living in Israel who are campaigning against the illegal occupation of Palestinian territory, and the atrocious Wall, but they don’t get much media attention either and are harrassed in Israel as well.
It’s disgusting, the Israelis just kill whatever, and when the bodies are counted they just all ”happen to be” Hamas. Except for the little children. Collateral damage.
The conclusion seems to be that Israel leadership is not really interested in killing Hamas-people, but rather want to be killing Palestinian people, and Hamas is the excuse.
Chiara, ooh, I like you ”balanced reporting”
One could also add: ”unbiased reporting” Spin-doctoring
I do see a change in the last few days, there is more and more condemnation of Israel and pictures of the beset Palestinians.
Lat, It felt really good voicing my opinion about the dictionary. I don’t think absolute Ghandi would work here, there have to be only 10 people still throwing a firework at Israel, or any incident of any kind, and Israel will grab the opportunity to keep continuing their killingspree.
besides, it’s not as if Israel will allow the Palestinians to have a normal peaceful existance, even with the biased reporting and the dictionary, an unpolitical, non-news-interested person like me knows that Israel is constantely harassing, pestering, provoking, bullying, torturing, abusing and hurting the Palestinians.
I am happy non of you feels in any way restricted to make your comments as long as you like. I do find all the comments very interesting and thought-provoking.
Chiara, I agree, the only real solution would lay in a political agreement, and those in power actually being honest about their word.
Rhysz, I think Lat was making that comment in an ironic tone.
And I hope you realise that I am just a lonely nerd writing down my personal frustrations and comments.
I am not playing the ”blame-game” I am voicing my irritation about the so-called ”unbiased” media, reporting in the biased manner.
I am not Metatron, the Voice of God.
So if anybody is upset with what I write it is still your own lookout.
I am deeply upset at what is happening now, and what has been happening before, and my fears of what will happen in the future.
I also like to stand for the downtrodden. And yes, my bias is slightly ascew, but I consider that reasonable as in my world the official bias is wholly in the other direction.
Always: Excellent addition.
Another great post, Aafke. It’s all so sad – so very sad. We are getting 24 hour news coverage of the whole thing on many channels here. In fact right now as I am typing this, on TV right now is an extremely upset crowd next to an ambulance. A medical worker pulled out the charred, totally blackened remains of an infant and is holding it up. Everyone is screaming. What’s happening is tragic and how the US government can basically give the green light for Israel to behave in such a way is beyond me. I hope the Russians step in like they said they would.
I meant Israeli = soldier in that…whatever an Israeli “soldier” does is in defense of Israel and so sanctioned as heroic and necessary no matter the “collateral damage” inflicted on the Palestian “terrorist”….who…no matter that they are defending their country as well…are not considered soldiers by any stretch of the imagination…but are simply terrorists…but in the end…when you die from a bomb dropped by a high tech jet fighter you are either a dead terrorist or collateral damage…if you die by a missle shot over the wall from Palestine your a martyr that died defending “God given” land that nobody but you has the right to live on….and some how thats so much worse….sigh.
Please watch this video of a Palestinian man talking in Hebrew to the Israelis. He showed the bodies of his 4 little children who were shot at and killed. They did not die through a mistaken bombardment but through direct killing by the Israeli soldiers!
That happened just 2 days ago in Gaza but of course your media does not show you these kind of things!
Great post and comments!
As some of us don’t know each other well, perhaps more obvious indicators of irony or sarcasm (eg. the word irony or sarcasm in brackets in the comment as Rhysz did) would help in reading comments. What might seem an obviously outlandish proposition to some has serious believers out in the blogosphere, real world, etc.
I hope it is clear to all that my own position is one of a negotiated peace, and longterm stabilization to benefit both sides; but, that it seems necessary to counterbalance biased media reporting with perspectives gleaned elsewhere (including other media sources). I try to use reliable sources, and indicate that since some are self-declared advocates, or advocacy groups their bias is evident and stated up front.
I think Aafke is equally clear that her responses are emotional ones to human rights violations, the ever-impending “humanitarian crisis”, and instances of one-sided reporting. I continue to thank her for giving us a safe outlet for our own thoughts and feelings on this hard to ignore situation.
Rhysz–although you “run amok” quite eloquently, and I am sorry to be including in the initial “Lat rant”:-), thank you immensely for the cheer (no sarcasm intended) 🙂 .
Israel does indeed maintain a large army as it has compulsory active service, and compulsory reserve service for all citizens male and female, not to mention weapons, nuclear capabilities, a huge budget and US support.
In the hope that you will find future use for the statement modified below, and with sincere apologies for my own stylistic infelicities, grammar errors, and typos–past, present, and future–the former English teacher, and current humanities professor in me urges that before you completely “screw grammar” you might want to consider these minor stylistic suggestions to your otherwise insightful comment: “I’ve already stated that playing the ‘blame game’ does nothing, nothing, whatsoever; and, even worse, only polarizes more our most base instincts in this extremely difficult and lamentable situation”. 🙂 Oh, and feel better soon!
Always–great addition, and I hope in part it was inspired by my comment on earlier posts here–althought the credit is all yours! 🙂
Susie–Hmmm, Russians you say; I say anybody who can resolve this is welcome. German diplomats have apparently in other situations been doing great, background negotiations; and thank you for your compassionate comment.
Aafke–dank u zeer zeer for so generously providing these posts, and your comments, and for so graciously receiving ours.
PS Coolred–thank you for reminding me that I left out: one persons terrorist is another person’s freedom fighter (initially inspired by Rhysz’s comment) eg. Mandela, who describes himself as a terrorist in the eyes of others, and a fighter for the freedom of his people in his own.
PPS Oops, correction: “one person’s terrorist”
Oh Goodness,My dh has been saying the fish in a barrel comment for months,no plagarism intended.
It bugs me how Gaza is being pushed to the back burner on the news here.If it wasn’t for the web I’d still have the same myopic view of most americans.Hopefully it’s changing,there’s a congressional phone call campaign that seems to be working,but honestly,I hope there’s a special place you-know-where for Lord Balfour and his cronies who created this hell in the first place.One day,one Palestine,one vote per person….
Always–I wasn’t worried there was plagiarism at all, and it certainly is a common saying. I learned it from an American philosophy professor (I would do a formal reference but I doubt it would enhance her already stellar CV–LOL) 🙂
Your last sentance reminded me of the Doha debates (on the BBC and the internet) which I always find illuminating: http://www.thedohadebates.com.
During the 2007 debate on violence in Iraq, George Galloway made a striking and extremely well received intervention: “Think what the Arabs would be if they were free, from the Atlantic to the Gulf, all these people, all this oil, all this gas, one God, one language, one culture, Shaab Arabi Wahad [one Arab people], that’s what we need, one clear Arab people.”
From what I read this morning the Arab countries are succeeding in forcing on the UN Security Council their call for an immediate cease fire in Gaza. Here’s hoping.
Sorry, me again. Anyone interested in objective reporting on the conflict should read the International Red Cross on the IDF’s deliberate interference with their rescue efforts. Warning, includes finding 4 small children beside their dead mothers,”too weak to stand” because they had been there from Jan 3-7 without aid as the IDF refused the IRC’s request for access.
http://www.icrc.org/Web/eng/siteeng0.nsf/html/palestine-news-080109!OpenDocument
The Israelis and the U.S.gov’t which has finaced these atrocities must be brought up on war crimes charges.I have no words for such inhumanity
Your dictionary is highly accurate, but such a shame its true. I, too am getting sick of the media – when we want the media to tell us something they never do and when we dont they can’t shut up. I want to know whats happening, the truth not some over exaggerated biased story.
I hope the truth is finally coming out now.
The tragedy is, we have been dumbed down so much we fail to question what is dished out to us. I’d back your lexicon for publication 😉
Excellent post, Aafke! I love it. I wanted to write about Gandhi and how he started by calling his non-violent movement ‘passive resistance’ but then deliberately changed it to “Truth-force” (Sathyagarha) but I am tired and don’t want to make a post out of my comment. Basically he was aggressive and it did work and I would support that for Gaza but I can’t be sure it would work in this case.
Achelois–thanks for the stimulating comment. I am sure it is a complex topic, and look forward to your future comments, but one of the methods of satyagraha is to boycott, which Palestinians have been calling for against Israeli products and supporters, and which worked well in South Africa.
Also, violence and resistance are different, and Palestinians are resisting in a variety of ways (by communicating their plight, by advocacy in the diaspora, by having babies, by surviving, by staying, etc.) Perhaps it only represents necessity, but the civil disobedience of the tunnels to Egypt would seem to me to count as a form of resistance.
Some of Gandhi’s methods require a very large population to voluntarily, in a self-disciplined manner, passively, and in the sight of the world, die for the cause. I’m not sure the Palestinians have the population to do that. These actions also provoked violent responses such that Gandhi was forced to end some of them prematurely.
As well, at some point Gandhi’s methods required negotiation. It has been argued by recent historians that the reason Gandhi and other Indians succeeded in achieving independance was because Britain was financially no longer able to support the Empire after the devastation of WWII, and didn’t have the military will or popular support to wage major wars to preserve it, given the suffering and need to rebuild at home. Israel lacks neither the funds, nor the might, nor the will, nor the support.
As Rhysz hinted, the result of the way in which Indian independance came about was alot more bloodshed, displacement, ongoing war threats, and Mumbai (now displaced from the news by Gaza).
Thanks again 🙂
You know something is seriously wrong with the world when the people you trust to provide you with unbiased reports are bought and operated by people with invested interest in what is said and what is censored. I know propaganda, censorship, euphemism, and sometimes just outright lies have been around since the beginning of mankind, but now? Today? In the 21st century where all it takes is the flick of a finger or the push of a button and you have access to the world literally at your fingertips? There is no excuse for ignorance and blind belief in this day and age.
We’ve obviously come a looongggg way!!! *sarcasm*
And so I must say: excellent dictionary Aafke!! Hopefully it’ll set some people straight….
Rashid Khalidi on: What You Don’t Know About Gaza
precise, concise, and calm
PS a belated thank you to Samer for the excellent video;
how does Israel get away with bombing the UN–UN schools first, and now UN marked humanitarian aid trucks with prior permission and route notification?
or Palestinian Red Crescent ambulances? Haven’t these people ever seen M*A*S*H reruns? Must 🙂 not to 😦
I just wanted to let you know that I have nominated your blog for a prestigious 2009 Bloggie Award in the following categories:
“BEST EUROPEAN BLOG” ;
“BEST KEPT SECRET” ;
“MOST HUMOROUS” ; and
“BEST NEW WEBLOG” (started in 2008)
The Bloggies are established and very well regarded – they’ve been running for nine years. A panel of randomly chosen voters will choose the finalists from the most nominated blogs, and the list will then go out for public vote.
Please pay it forward – nominations close Monday, January 12.
http://2009.bloggies.com/
BEST WISHES!
Assalamu Alikum dear Sister in Islam!
You’ve been added to ALL MUSLIMAH database of Muslimah Sister’s blogs!
http://allmuslimah.blogspot.com/
Please come and choose what category you’d like your blog name to appear under.
If the category isn’t there, suggest one!
If you’ve been placed in the wrong category by mistake please let me know immediately Be sure to add the “I support ALL MUSLIMAH blogs” icon to your blog so others can find you. Thank you for having a blog!
So sad how things are twisted around. Sad and disgusting.
Two mental health facilities in Gaza are unable to function to help traumatized children and adults because their facilities have been severely damaged (Gaza Community Mental Health Program–http://www.gcmhp.net)
or since their is inadequate security to conduct their work (Jesoor Organization).
A downward spiral.
Thanks Aafke! For saying what I wanted to say about being ironical as I do agree with your “dictionary” . I was just implying Ghandi’s appraoch as another alternative.But sadly as you guys above have pointed out ,esp Chiara(thank you!) that non- violence can end up having violent outcomes! This is so depressing.
Thank you Lat–or was that sarcasm? 🙂 I think humour in all forms (irony, sarcasm, jokes, sight gags) is important to keep the spirits up in the face of this debacle.
Palestinian terrorist=civilians,children
Israeli soldier=brainwashed murderer
Thank you all for your sensitive and informative comments. I am glad to have you all on my blog, it enriches my blog immensly.
Susie: I am thrilled! I am nominated for a bloggie-award!
American Muslima writer, I am so honoured that you considered me for your al muslimah database, but I’m not a muslim. I’ll write you a mail immediately.
Just had two very different conversations about Gaza:
Afghan acquaintance who made his way to Canada over a period of 10 years when the Soviets invaded Afghanistan–basically thinks Israel will get a “slap”, as they did from Hezbollah, which is good because they destroyed the World Trade Centre, and Jews control all finance and the media; and, if Hitler were to come back it would be a good thing since all Jews would be eliminated–won’t be talking to him much anymore!
Canadian friend in a corporate position–basically thinks that all attitudes toward Gaza are based on pre-judgments and old historical and foolish feelings of offense; and Hamas should stop firing rockets, and accept that Israel’s response is normal since the Palestinians can’t win anyway. Hamas despite its offer of a truce will not give up its longterm plan of annihilating Israel so there is no point in negotiations. Anyone would respond the way Israel has since anyone would defend their family from annihilation (doesn’t seem to think the Palestinians are simply trying to do the same). Won’t be talking much about Gaza with her any time soon.
Well, over the last few days I have noticed the words:” excessive violence”, up to ”Barbaric response” So something is changing.
Even some Dutch politicians are talking about having a discussion about if the Dutch government shouldn’t say something about what’s happening right now… And to become a Dutch politician you first have to get your spine surgically removed, and have a cybernetic implant saying ”yes” to America installed! No, I think Israel is really losing it’s credibillity as ”the victim’ here, at last…
Hopefully you are right. Your explanation of a Dutch politican had me lol. 🙂
Canada has two types of Prime Minister, the “whatever you say Mr President of the US” like the current one, and the “Wait a minute, we are an independent country type” like the previous 2, and then there was Pierre Elliott Trudeau the “fuddle duddle, just watch me, it’s like sleeping with an elephant” type–in a class by himself.
PS Any word from Ayaan Hirsi Ali yet or is she staying out of this one completely?
Israeli target=any building marked with a big Red Cross
always–great ones above and in this latest especially.
The israelis shoot at ambulance too. I suppose Hamas uses ambulances to ship weapons around… Except that the ambulances who were shot carried wounded civilians.
Israeli soldiers also put a large group of Palestinians into a building, telling them to stay there for their own safety, and the next day the building was targetted. Many dead and wounded.
The israeli govrnment can’t imagine what’s gone wrong and in the case of the building and ambulances will be ”looking into it”
I’m sure we can expect shocking revelations from the ”investigations” into these warcrimes…
Finally a UN official uses the word genocide and says that Israel is defying the UN: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2009/01/200911321467988347.html
For anyone newly distressed by Israel’s acknowledged use of white phosporous and deliberate targetting of the headquarters for UN relief in Gaza, an interesting perspective by an American Jew converted to Islam, Mohamed Cohen:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2009/jan/14/gaza-religion-bin-laden
PS “medical rights” abuses in Gaza from 2 physicians on the ground writing for the BBC, a Palestinian and an Israeli (the first is talking about white phosphorous burns):
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7830302.stm
I was disgusted when hearing the Israelis targettin a UN-Building chock-a-block full of refugees!
And this is on the radio and in the papers, and yet our politicians keep saying crap and being whimps about condemning the Israeli genocide.
Because by now I can’t give it another name anymore, targetting civilians and especially children!
Does no one care about the rockets that Hamas has indiscriminately fired into Israeli cities? What about the Israeli civilians or their collateral damage? Hamas started this war and Israel is only finishing it.
More on Israel deliberately targeting hospitals (3) on Thursday, according to the UN and the Palestinian medical director’s account of the ensuing evacuation of patients and deprivation of medical supplies, from the BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7833919.stm
Karl, Yes I care.
But as you can read in an earlier post, the ”rockets” (large fire works) of Hamas are insubstantial to the huge American warheads the Israelis use to target Palestinian police, mosques, schools, and UN-buildings full of civilian refugees.
As the count is now 1100 Palestinians to 13 Israelis, my sympathy could be measured 1100 to 13 against the Israelis.
But, as the Israelis deliberately target civilians, refugees whom they have first gathered in a building for ”safety”, or: maximum results, and not to forget UN-schools full of children, the simpathy ratio in my heart is significantly less as 1100 to 13 against the Israelis.
I am not at all interested in the ”collateral damage” which is purely some minor damage to property, the Israelis have ”suffered”, as in the ”collateral damage” sustained by the Palestinians, which consists not only of complete destruction of schools housing-blocks, mosques, and homes, but more importantly of many hundreds of innocent civilians and many hundreds of children amongst them.
I will understand the definition of ‘collateral damage’ better if/when Hamas targets Israeli hospitals where 1000 Israelis are battling with life following Palestinian attacks. At the moment I can only understand the definition of ‘collateral terrorism.’
[sarcasm] But, but…… Israel drops leaflets that ‘your home will be bombed because arms are suspected to be inside. Which other nation acts so humane? [/sarcasm]
(I’ll look up the link to that now)
Regards,
Rhysz
”collateral state terorrism” In the end Israel will stop this.
WShen they have killed enough children and infrastructure, and schools. That way they can keep the Paletinians under control, and as unschooled cheap labour.
And then they will magnanimously offer to stop the killing and terrorrism, and then the whole misguided world will admire them for their forbearance.
Found it:
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/leaflets-warn-gazans-to-get-out-of-harms-way/81895-2.html
Reminds me of that drunk in the bar that threatens to fuck you up if you don’t leave…. “Yeah, I was warned, so when the guy smashed the Chair on my skull it was all my fault officer”
Regards,
Rhysz
Rhysz, it’s even more cynical; they first tell the people to go to a safe place, and when they do they target that ”safe place” the very next day.
This ”tactic” has finally made some people upset, and now the Israeli government is ”looking into it…” So I suppose we can expect real revelations about that one.
And the most cynical thing I heard was the comment from the government: ”We don’t loose our children because we look after them better”
No
The israelis don’t loose their children because the Palestinians don’t have the heavy weaponry to do that much harm.
The Israelis don’t loose children because they can easily take them out of harms way, while the Paletinians are locked up in a small area.
The Israelis don’t loose children because the Palestinians don’t use Israeli children for target practise.
The Israelis don’t loose children because the Palestinians don target schools with heavy American rockets.
The Israelis don’t loose children because they are not told to go to ”safety” in UN-schools/buildings which are then destroyed the next day, killing those Palestinian children.
The Israelis don’t loose children because they have enough water food and medicines for their children!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have a response, but I hesitate to share it, because I think Arabs and Muslims would find it even more depressing. Maybe some of you know the theme of it already. Do I speak, or remain silent?
Solomon2: SPEAK!!!!!!
This ”conflict” would be a lot less horrific if both sides could get themselves to be approximately decent and decide NOT to kill innocent people and NEVER to target CHILDREN!!!!!
Solomon2 speak, if only to let us guessers know if we were on the right track.
Just had a look at Solomon2’s blog. Looks to me that his opinions differ quite a bit from the majority here but at first glance it seems researched and reasonable. It’s always nice to have a nice disagreement.
NB:
I don’t think this blog is intended to be too political but I’m interested in your views Solomon2.
regards,
Rhysz
(back to watching NFL play-offs)
I have respect for Solomon2’s opinion, and I think he knows I’m only reluctantely hinting towards politics.
Rhysz, pretty good game, eh? Are you pleased with the winner? Who do you go for in the NFL?
Wow, Aafke, you have lots of comments on this post! 🙂
I’m going with the Steelers right now. But the Ravens are playing great D. IF the Steelers Win they’ll have to handle the plucky Cards, they seem to be a completely different team this year……
Sis hates football I”l move to your blog ^^
regards,
Rhysz
bored now….
And seriously off-topic. Take this to the loonybin or I wil delete!
Oh man, I was threatened with the loony bin! Eek! :-O
Sorry, Aafke. I just saw the comment about the NFL and couldn’t resist asking Rhysz about his thoughts. (Thanks, Rhysz, for replying.) But really it’s a good addition to this “dictionary” post, right?
Football to the rest of the world is what we Americans call soccer.
So this football (NFL style) to you all is? __________________
As my Syrian friend told me one time: violent. 😀
Thanks for being a good sport! I’ll check the Loony Bin if I find my comment missing from this post. *smooch*
Pas me a PM and we’ll talk more…….. better be quick though….
No sports on this Blog!
Rhysz, maybe I’ll make a sports page on my blog to give dear Aafke a break. She’s been so understanding though. Thanks for that. 🙂
Did it! Now you can discuss sports on my blog instead of here.
http://americanarab.wordpress.com/
Click on the “Sports” page. Countdown to the Super Bowl!
Thanks Aafke for giving me a place to put this so I can sleep at night:
Before ceasefire, Gaza doctor’s grief was heard on live Israeli TV
‘Oh, God, my daughters!’ he cried after Israeli shells hit house
http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/01/18/gaza-doctor.html
The doctor, a Palestinian in Gaza, acted as a Hebrew-speaking witness to the suffering there in nightly interviews with Israel’s Channel 10.
Speaking via cellphone Friday night, he told correspondent Shlomi Eldar that two shells had just torn into his house.
“My daughters!” he screamed. “Oh, God, my daughters!”
Three of his daughters and a niece were killed.
Abu al-Aish had been planning to take his family and start fresh in Canada, but no one in crowded Gaza or nearby Israeli towns was immune to shells or rockets during the conflict, which left than 1,200 Palestinians and 13 Israelis dead.
[…]
On television, the Israeli correspondent, Eldar, choked up as the doctor’s wails were broadcast across the nation.
The cameras then followed Eldar as he appealed to the Israeli army to get an ambulance to the scene, at least to help the others who were wounded.
Abu al-Aish was able to arrange the transfer of his two injured daughters to Israeli hospitals, something that has been extremely rare during this conflict, AP said.
…
In the midst of tragedy, however, he has somehow found hope. “If I remain stuck with my sadness, my anger, can I return the life to them? No. But I have other children; I have hope.”
Even as he said that, an Israeli man visiting the hospital began yelling at him.
Militants shot from the house, the Israeli said, repeating media reports that the home was shelled after someone fired at troops from nearby.
Abu al-Aish said no one was there but his family, and that he would have personally thrown out any militants.
Committed peace activist
Even in his grief, Abu al-Aish remains convinced that people must talk to each other across the Israeli-Palestinian divide, he said. “From our pain we can learn,” he said. “We may disagree, but we should learn from that. Let us express the pain, let it out. It’s beneficial to us all.”
…
Maybe the blood of my daughters was the price,” he said, “and if it was, I am happy about it. The cost of ceasefire to save lives to be my daughters’ and my niece’s blood — honestly, I am proud of it. I am fully proud of it.”
The 55-year-old gynecologist is a known peace activist involved in promoting joint Israeli-Palestinian projects and an academic who studied the effects of war on Gazan and Israeli children, AP reported. He works at Gaza’s main Shifa Hospital.
During the call-ins, he often spoke of his fears for his eight children as Israeli shells punished not only the Hamas militants they were targeting in Gaza but civilians who live in the tightly packed enclave, unable to leave.
Sorry for the length 🙂
Maybe I should switch to football 🙂
@ Chiara
Draco Dormiens Numquam Titillandus!!!!!!!!!!!
Got it!
Ah chutzpah at its UN defying best
Israel to keep tight grip on Gaza reconstruction
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSLJ23288
and the very interesting, and well-informed, though debatable analysis and suggestion of a one state solution:
Who will save the Palestinians?
By Mark LeVine
http://english.aljazeera.net/focus/war_on_gaza/2009/01/2009119102548942367.html
PS Robert Fisk in fine (but always curmudgeonly) form:
Robert Fisk: So, I asked the UN secretary general, isn’t it time for a war crimes tribunal?
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-so-i-asked-the-un-secretary-general-isnt-it-time-for-a-war-crimes-tribunal-1419289.html
PPS another article about the Dr with the dead daughters with a picture of him and of the Israeli television host who helped him
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/my-daughters-they-killed-them-doctor-shows-israelis-horror-of-war-1419286.html
And now I’ll stop traumatising myself!
Sorry people, This particular post is too painful and heartwrenching to me for me to tolerate off-topic fun on this particular post only. Anywhere else you are welcome, here it has no place.
I’ve taken out the sentence that I don’t like anybody who’s on the loony-bin, so please indulge and enjoy yourselfs as much as you like overthere.
Chiara, it’s too horrible.
I have no doubt the Israelis will by pure coïncidence ”end” this ”conflict” (massacre) before Obama is fully inaugurated. They are not sure as to what he will do.
But as he seems to have no problems with the American custom of installing people with joint American/Israeli citizenship at important governmental positions, I doubt if he will act with strength against Israeli warcrimes.
Aafke, I apologize for being trivial on this post the other night when I asked your brother about football. Sometimes I just don’t think. I am sorry.
I am only cautiously optimistic about Obama as I stated on Bedu’s blog because whatever his personal views, like all good politicians he compromises them for political gain, and there is alot of practical resistance to “change”. He has already dropped key foreign and domestic policy campaign promises in favour of continuing arrangements made by Bush in the last year (on Iraq timetable, and bailouts). He has also kept the same secretary of defense and a key economist. Not to mention the power of the Israeli lobby in the US which all acknowlegde.
Oh oh, traumatising myself again.
Thanks again for keeping this thread for our sanity!
Suzanne, no need to apologise, I wanted instead to explain why, when I would normally enjoy it, did not like fun-, off-topic stuff on this post.
Chiara I agree. 😦
Obama’s speech. Mentioned Muslims no mention of Israel though hmmm….
To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society’s ills on the West — know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
PS how racist is it to assume Obama will be different because of his skin, given that his policies were/are almost indistinguishable from those of other Democrats/Republicans, and his style similar in actions if not in words. Here’s hoping for the maximum impact of symbolism.
Excellen and realistically optimistic article on the possibility of peace
Waw, good article Chiara! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the opportunity to share. I was so excited when I read this that I thought immediately of your blog!