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Weekly Summary of israeli War Crimes
This is a weekly summary of isreli war crimes committed in Palestine for the week ending 7 Dec 2005. 4mins, english
Listen now:
PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
http://www.pchrgaza.org
Weekly Report: On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory
No. 47/2005
01- 07 December 2005
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Launch More Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
� 4 Palestinians, including 3 civilians, were killed by IOF.
� One of the victims was extra-judicially executed by IOF in Rafah.
� 17 Palestinian civilians, including 10 children, were wounded by IOF.
� IOF launched at least 8 attacks on the Gaza Strip.
� IOF conducted 23 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
� Houses were raided and 42 Palestinian civilians, including 8 children, were arrested by IOF.
� IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT; Rafah International Crossing Point was partially reopened; IOF have closed Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip; and IOF arrested 10 Palestinian civilians, including a child, at various checkpoints in the West Bank.
� IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall in the West Bank; IOF used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to the construction of the Wall; IOF arrested two Palestinian children near the Wall; and at least 610 donums[1] of Palestinian land were confiscated in Yatta village near Hebron to construct a section of the Wall, which will also isolate 14000 donums of land.
� Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property in the OPT; at least 90 donums of Palestinian land in Nablus and Bethlehem were confiscated; and IOF razed 5 donums of land in Silwan neighborhood in Jerusalem to establish a car parking lot for Israeli settlers.
Summary
On Monday, 5 December 2005, the Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz stated that he ordered IOF to conduct military operations in the Gaza Strip and the north of the West Bank, including extra-judicial executions targeting activists of the Islamic Jihad. Following a bombing that occurred in the Israeli town of Netanya on Monday, IOF imposed a total closure on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Israeli media sources reported that IOF were instructed to shell areas from where Qassam rockets are launched; to resume extra-judicial executions; and to prevent members of the Palestinian police from carrying weapons in Tulkarm. The Israeli government has decided also to prevent Palestinians from entering Israel; to cancel VIP permits; to prevent Palestinian workers from entering Israel; to prevent the movement of Palestinian convoys between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank; and to give a green line to launch a wide scale military operation against the Islamic Jihad in the West Bank. PCHR asserts that these latest decisions will serve to increase tension in the region and will threaten the lives of Palestinian civilians.
Israeli violations of international law continued in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) during the reporting period (1 – 7 December 2005):
Killing: During the reported period, IOF killed 3 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. A fourth Palestinian died in the West Bank from a wound he had sustained at the beginning of the current Palestinian Intifada. On 2 December 2005, IOF killed a Palestinian when he was attempting, together with other civilians, to cross the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to search for jobs. On 3 December 2005, IOF shot dead a Palestinian fisherman in al-Mawasi area in Khan Yunis. They claimed that he did not obey orders to stop while sailing in the sea. On 7 December 2005, IOF extra-judicially executed a Palestinian in Rafah. In the West Bank, a Palestinian civilian died from a wound he had sustained in Jenin at the beginning of the current Intifada. In addition, 17 Palestinian civilians, including 10 children, were wounded by the Israeli gunfire. Five of these civilians were wounded in Rafah when IOF extra-judicially executed one Palestinian. IOF also launched a series of aerial attacks on the Gaza Strip.
Incursions: IOF conducted 23 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and two incursions into the Gaza Strip. During these incursions, IOF raided houses and arrested 42 Palestinian civilians, including 8 children. IOF used trained dogs to search houses.
Restrictions on Movement: IOF have continued to impose a comprehensive siege on the OPT, in violation of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of Palestinian civilians.
IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the Gaza Strip, transforming it into a big jail. Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border, the sole outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world, was partially reopened following a two-month closure. An agreement was reached regarding the operation of the crossing point. The crossing point is operated for 4 hours a day only. In the meantime, IOF have closed Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for Palestinian workers and patients. IOF have also continued to impose severe restrictions at commercial border crossings and on fishing in the Gaza Strip.
IOF have declared the West Bank a closed military zone following the bombing that occurred in the Israeli town of Netanya. They have erected more checkpoints and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. During the reported period, IOF positioned at various checkpoints arrested 10 Palestinian civilians, including a child.
Annexation Wall: IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank. IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank territory. During the reported period, IOF razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land in al-Khader village, southwest of Bethlehem, and the villages of Prophet Samuel and al-Jeeb and Dahiat al-Barid area near Jerusalem, to construct new sections of the Wall. IOF decided to change the route of the Wall to the north of Jerusalem, but these changes will not reverse the fact that the Wall is being constructed inside the West Bank territory, in violation of international law and the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice on 9 July 2004. During the reported period, IOF issued a military order confiscating at least 610 donums of Palestinian land in Yatta village, south of Hebron, to construct a new section of the Wall. This section will isolate at least 14200 donums of Palestinian land. In the meantime, the Israeli Minister of Justice Tzipi Livni stated that "the Israeli High Court issue judicial rulings to decide the borders of Israel through the Wall." During the reported period, IOF used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli solidarity activists in protest to the construction of the Wall. At least 20 demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation, and 5 others, including a journalist, were wounded by rubber-coated metal bullets. IOF also beat and arrested two Israeli solidarity activists. Also during the reported period, IOF arrested two Palestinian children who were walking near the Wall.
Illegal Settler Activities: Israeli settlers in breach of international humanitarian law continue to reside in the OPT and have launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians and property. During the reported period, IOF handed home demolition notices to 12 civilians in Qaryout village, south of Nablus. IOF claimed that these houses were built without obtaining necessary licenses in Area C, which is under full Israeli control according to the Oslo Accords. In addition, IOF also confiscated 5 donums of land in Majdal Bani Fadel village, southeast of Nablus, to establish a military post. IOF also issued a military order confiscating 85 dunums of land in the villages of al-Khader and Battir, and Beit Jala town, to establish a crossing point to separate the western rural areas of Bethlehem from the rest of the governorate. On Monday, 5 December 2005, IOF razed 5 donums of land owned by Palestinian civilians in Silwan neighborhood to the south of al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem, for the purpose of establishing a car parking lot for the vehicles of extremist settlers living in the area.
The full report is available online at:
html format:
http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/W_report/English/2005/08-12-2005.htm
pdf format:
http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/W_report/English/2005/pdf/weekly%20report%2047.pdf
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
http://www.pchrgaza.org
Weekly Report: On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory
No. 47/2005
01- 07 December 2005
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Launch More Attacks on Palestinian Civilians and Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
� 4 Palestinians, including 3 civilians, were killed by IOF.
� One of the victims was extra-judicially executed by IOF in Rafah.
� 17 Palestinian civilians, including 10 children, were wounded by IOF.
� IOF launched at least 8 attacks on the Gaza Strip.
� IOF conducted 23 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
� Houses were raided and 42 Palestinian civilians, including 8 children, were arrested by IOF.
� IOF have continued to impose a total siege on the OPT; Rafah International Crossing Point was partially reopened; IOF have closed Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip; and IOF arrested 10 Palestinian civilians, including a child, at various checkpoints in the West Bank.
� IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall in the West Bank; IOF used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to the construction of the Wall; IOF arrested two Palestinian children near the Wall; and at least 610 donums[1] of Palestinian land were confiscated in Yatta village near Hebron to construct a section of the Wall, which will also isolate 14000 donums of land.
� Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property in the OPT; at least 90 donums of Palestinian land in Nablus and Bethlehem were confiscated; and IOF razed 5 donums of land in Silwan neighborhood in Jerusalem to establish a car parking lot for Israeli settlers.
Summary
On Monday, 5 December 2005, the Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz stated that he ordered IOF to conduct military operations in the Gaza Strip and the north of the West Bank, including extra-judicial executions targeting activists of the Islamic Jihad. Following a bombing that occurred in the Israeli town of Netanya on Monday, IOF imposed a total closure on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Israeli media sources reported that IOF were instructed to shell areas from where Qassam rockets are launched; to resume extra-judicial executions; and to prevent members of the Palestinian police from carrying weapons in Tulkarm. The Israeli government has decided also to prevent Palestinians from entering Israel; to cancel VIP permits; to prevent Palestinian workers from entering Israel; to prevent the movement of Palestinian convoys between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank; and to give a green line to launch a wide scale military operation against the Islamic Jihad in the West Bank. PCHR asserts that these latest decisions will serve to increase tension in the region and will threaten the lives of Palestinian civilians.
Israeli violations of international law continued in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) during the reporting period (1 – 7 December 2005):
Killing: During the reported period, IOF killed 3 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. A fourth Palestinian died in the West Bank from a wound he had sustained at the beginning of the current Palestinian Intifada. On 2 December 2005, IOF killed a Palestinian when he was attempting, together with other civilians, to cross the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to search for jobs. On 3 December 2005, IOF shot dead a Palestinian fisherman in al-Mawasi area in Khan Yunis. They claimed that he did not obey orders to stop while sailing in the sea. On 7 December 2005, IOF extra-judicially executed a Palestinian in Rafah. In the West Bank, a Palestinian civilian died from a wound he had sustained in Jenin at the beginning of the current Intifada. In addition, 17 Palestinian civilians, including 10 children, were wounded by the Israeli gunfire. Five of these civilians were wounded in Rafah when IOF extra-judicially executed one Palestinian. IOF also launched a series of aerial attacks on the Gaza Strip.
Incursions: IOF conducted 23 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and two incursions into the Gaza Strip. During these incursions, IOF raided houses and arrested 42 Palestinian civilians, including 8 children. IOF used trained dogs to search houses.
Restrictions on Movement: IOF have continued to impose a comprehensive siege on the OPT, in violation of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of Palestinian civilians.
IOF have continued to impose a tightened siege on the Gaza Strip, transforming it into a big jail. Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border, the sole outlet for the Gaza Strip to the outside world, was partially reopened following a two-month closure. An agreement was reached regarding the operation of the crossing point. The crossing point is operated for 4 hours a day only. In the meantime, IOF have closed Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for Palestinian workers and patients. IOF have also continued to impose severe restrictions at commercial border crossings and on fishing in the Gaza Strip.
IOF have declared the West Bank a closed military zone following the bombing that occurred in the Israeli town of Netanya. They have erected more checkpoints and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. During the reported period, IOF positioned at various checkpoints arrested 10 Palestinian civilians, including a child.
Annexation Wall: IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank. IOF have continued to construct the Annexation Wall inside the West Bank territory. During the reported period, IOF razed areas of Palestinian agricultural land in al-Khader village, southwest of Bethlehem, and the villages of Prophet Samuel and al-Jeeb and Dahiat al-Barid area near Jerusalem, to construct new sections of the Wall. IOF decided to change the route of the Wall to the north of Jerusalem, but these changes will not reverse the fact that the Wall is being constructed inside the West Bank territory, in violation of international law and the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice on 9 July 2004. During the reported period, IOF issued a military order confiscating at least 610 donums of Palestinian land in Yatta village, south of Hebron, to construct a new section of the Wall. This section will isolate at least 14200 donums of Palestinian land. In the meantime, the Israeli Minister of Justice Tzipi Livni stated that "the Israeli High Court issue judicial rulings to decide the borders of Israel through the Wall." During the reported period, IOF used force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized by Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli solidarity activists in protest to the construction of the Wall. At least 20 demonstrators suffered from tear gas inhalation, and 5 others, including a journalist, were wounded by rubber-coated metal bullets. IOF also beat and arrested two Israeli solidarity activists. Also during the reported period, IOF arrested two Palestinian children who were walking near the Wall.
Illegal Settler Activities: Israeli settlers in breach of international humanitarian law continue to reside in the OPT and have launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians and property. During the reported period, IOF handed home demolition notices to 12 civilians in Qaryout village, south of Nablus. IOF claimed that these houses were built without obtaining necessary licenses in Area C, which is under full Israeli control according to the Oslo Accords. In addition, IOF also confiscated 5 donums of land in Majdal Bani Fadel village, southeast of Nablus, to establish a military post. IOF also issued a military order confiscating 85 dunums of land in the villages of al-Khader and Battir, and Beit Jala town, to establish a crossing point to separate the western rural areas of Bethlehem from the rest of the governorate. On Monday, 5 December 2005, IOF razed 5 donums of land owned by Palestinian civilians in Silwan neighborhood to the south of al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem, for the purpose of establishing a car parking lot for the vehicles of extremist settlers living in the area.
The full report is available online at:
html format:
http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/W_report/English/2005/08-12-2005.htm
pdf format:
http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/W_report/English/2005/pdf/weekly%20report%2047.pdf
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Thank You, much appreciate
State sponsored is the worst. If only americans knew how much welfare the US gives to Israel.
http://www.ifamericansknew.org
http://www.ifamericansknew.org
I am ashamed that my govt. gives billions per year in welfare to the terror state of Israel.
I am ashamed that my govt. gives billions per year in welfare to the terror state of Israel.
I think the good that Israel does is wonderful,
But it is sad that this good is wiped out and forgotten because they want to Occupy Palestinian Land and Oppress Palestinian People.
So why not get the show on the Road and get this Palestinian State done and over with.
That way People can start looking at Israel for the good it does.
Build that wall you want so much on the Green line.
Put your soldiers who are inside the West Bank along that Green line to guard and Protect your border.
Put the Check Points on the Green line instead of inside the West Bank.
That way you can Protect your Country and not be seen as monsters.
But it is sad that this good is wiped out and forgotten because they want to Occupy Palestinian Land and Oppress Palestinian People.
So why not get the show on the Road and get this Palestinian State done and over with.
That way People can start looking at Israel for the good it does.
Build that wall you want so much on the Green line.
Put your soldiers who are inside the West Bank along that Green line to guard and Protect your border.
Put the Check Points on the Green line instead of inside the West Bank.
That way you can Protect your Country and not be seen as monsters.
I think the good that Israel does is wonderful,
But it is sad that this good is wiped out and forgotten because the Palestians call Israel the Occupied Palestinian Land and want to Oppress Israeli People.
So why not get the show on the Road and get this Palestinians in Jordan and over with.
That way People can start looking at Israel for the good it does.
Build that wall you want so much beyond the Green line.
Put your soldiers who are inside the West Bank beyond that Green line to guard and Protect your border.
Put the Check Points out of the Green line inside the West Bank.
That way you can Protect your Country and not see the monsters.
But it is sad that this good is wiped out and forgotten because the Palestians call Israel the Occupied Palestinian Land and want to Oppress Israeli People.
So why not get the show on the Road and get this Palestinians in Jordan and over with.
That way People can start looking at Israel for the good it does.
Build that wall you want so much beyond the Green line.
Put your soldiers who are inside the West Bank beyond that Green line to guard and Protect your border.
Put the Check Points out of the Green line inside the West Bank.
That way you can Protect your Country and not see the monsters.
Why don't you go to JPOST and hang out there--more your imbecile speed...
Interesting, Gaza is Juden free but not Judenrein as the IDF continues the Extra-Judicial Executions of Palestinian FREEDOM FIGHTERS.
Let us pray that the Iranian's get the BIG ONE and fill the stratosphere over Dimona, Haifa and Tel Aviv, with kosher confetti in the very near future.
Amen,
TheAZCowBoy
Tombstone, AZ.
Let us pray that the Iranian's get the BIG ONE and fill the stratosphere over Dimona, Haifa and Tel Aviv, with kosher confetti in the very near future.
Amen,
TheAZCowBoy
Tombstone, AZ.
Not a bad forgery- the editors (censors ?) missed it, didn't they? It captures ANGEL's simple mindedness nicely along with her tendency to repeat the same debunked theories endlessly. If it weren't for the fact everyone thinks she's 14- she'd be torn apart more regularly around here.
Muslim in a Jewish Land
by Tashbih Sayyed • Wednesday, Dec. 07, 2005 at 9:02 AM
As our air-conditioned bus negotiated the mountainous curves of the road to the heart of the Galilee, I could not miss the rising minarets identifying a number of Palestinian Arab towns dotting the hillsides. The imposing domes of mosques underlined the freedoms that are enjoyed by the Muslims in the Jewish State. Large Arab residences, widespread construction activity and big cars underlined the prosperity and affluence of Palestinians living under the Star of David.
On my way from the City of David to the Royal Prima Hotel in Jerusalem, I asked my Palestinian taxi driver how he feels about moving to the territories under the Palestinian Authority. He said that he could never think of living outside Israel. His answer blasted the myth spread by anti-Semites that Israel's Arab citizens are not happy there.
Another Israeli Arab informed me that Arabs in Israel have equal voting rights. In fact, Israel is one of the few countries in the Middle East where Arab women can vote. In contrast to the non-Israeli Arab world, Arab women in Israel enjoy the same status as men. Muslim women have the right to vote and to be elected to public office. Muslim women, in fact, are more liberated in Israel than in any Muslim country. Israeli law prohibits polygamy, child marriage, and the barbarity of female sexual mutilation.
Moreover, I found out that there are no incidences of honor killings in Israel. The status of Muslim women in Israel is far above that of any country in the region. Israeli health standards are by far the highest in the Middle East, and Israeli health institutions are freely open to all Arabs, on the same basis as they are to Jews.
Arabic, like Hebrew, is an official language in Israel and is evidence of the tolerant nature of the Jewish State. All the street signs call out their names in Arabic alongside Hebrew. It is official policy of the Israeli government to foster the language, culture, and traditions of the Arab minority in the educational system and in daily life. Israel's Arabic press is the most vibrant and independent of any country in the region. There are more than 20 Arabic periodicals. They publish what they please, subject only to the same military censorship as Jewish publications. There are daily TV and radio programs in Arabic.
Arabic is taught in Jewish secondary schools. More than 350,000 Arab children attend Israeli schools. At the time of Israel's founding, there was one Arab high-school in the country. Today, there are hundreds of Arab schools. Israeli universities are renowned centers of learning in the history and literature of the Arab Middle East.
Aware of the constraints that a non-Wahhabi is faced with while performing religious rituals in Saudi Arabia, Kiran (my wife) could not hide her surprise at the freedoms and ease with which peoples of all religions and faiths were carrying out their religious obligations at the Church of the Sepulchre, at the Garden Tomb, at the Sea of Galilee, at the newly discovered Western Wall Tunnels, at the Western Wall, at he Tomb of King David, and at all the other holy places we visited.
All religious communities in Israel enjoy the full protection of the state. Israeli Arabs - Muslims, as well as many Christian denominations - are free to exercise their faiths, to observe their own weekly day of rest and holidays, and to administer their own internal affairs.
Some 80,000 Druze live in 22 villages in northern Israel. Their religion is not accessible to outsiders and Druze constitute a separate cultural, social and religious Arabic-speaking community. The Druze concept of takiyya calls for complete loyalty by its adherents to the government of the country in which they reside. As such, among other things, the Druze serve in the Israel Defense Forces.
Each religious community in Israel has its own religious councils and courts, and has full jurisdiction over religious affairs, including matters of personal status, such as marriage and divorce. The holy sites of all religions are administered by their own authorities and protected by the government.
A Hindu journalist who came to visit me talked about the openness that Jewish society represents. He told me that more than 20% of the Israeli population is non-Jewish, of which, approximately 1.2 million are Muslims, 140,000 are Christians and 100, 000 are Druze. Another non-Jewish Israeli told me that Christians and Druze are free to join even the defense forces of the Jewish State. Bedouins have served in paratroop units and other Arabs have volunteered for military duty.
The big houses owned by Arab Israelis and the amount of construction that was going on in the Arab towns exposed the falsity of propaganda that Israel discriminates against Israeli Arabs in land purchases. I found out that in the early part of the century, the Jewish National Fund was established by the World Zionist Congress to purchase land in Palestine for Jewish settlement. Of the total area of Israel, 92 percent belongs to the state and is managed by the Land Management Authority. It is not for sale to anyone - Jew or Arab.
The Arab Wakf owns land that is for the express use and benefit of Muslim Arabs. Government land can be leased by anyone, regardless of race, religion or sex. All Arab citizens of Israel are eligible to lease government land.
I asked three Israeli Arabs if they face discrimination in employment. They all said the same thing. Normally, there is no discrimination, but whenever homicide bombers explode and murder Israelis, some Israelis feel uncomfortable dealing with them. But that uncomfortable feeling is also very temporary and does not stay for long.
My first visit to Israel has not only consolidated my belief that Israel is vital for the stability of the region, but has also convinced me that the existence of Israel will one day convince the Muslims of the necessity of reformation in their theology, as well as their sociology.
A journey through the Israeli desert brought another important aspect of life to light. Prophets are not the only ones who can perform miracles - people who believe in themselves can also perform unbelievable acts. Acres and acres of sand dunes have been transformed into the best possible fertile land. Wheat, cotton, sunflowers, chickpeas, groundnuts (peanuts), mangoes, avocados, citrus, papayas, bananas and any other fruit and vegetable that Israelis want to consume is grown within Israel. In fact, Israelis have proved beyond any doubt why God promised them this land - only they could keep it green.
The land is described repeatedly in the Torah as a good land and "a land flowing with milk and honey." This description may not seem to fit well with the desert images we see on the nightly news, but let's keep in mind that the land was repeatedly abused by conquerors who were determined to make the land uninhabitable for the Jews. In the few decades since the Jewish people regained control of the land, tremendous improvement in its agriculture has been witnessed. Israeli agriculture today has a very high yield. Agriculture in Israel is very effective, and is able to cover about 75% of domestic needs, despite the limited land available.
Looking at the development and transformation that the land has gone through because of the Jewish innovative spirit, hard labor and commitment to freedoms for all times to come, I am convinced that it is true that God created this earth, but it is also a fact that only an Israel can keep this earth from dying.
This article originally appeared in the December 2, 2005 edition of Muslim World Today.
Muslim World Today
by Tashbih Sayyed • Wednesday, Dec. 07, 2005 at 9:02 AM
As our air-conditioned bus negotiated the mountainous curves of the road to the heart of the Galilee, I could not miss the rising minarets identifying a number of Palestinian Arab towns dotting the hillsides. The imposing domes of mosques underlined the freedoms that are enjoyed by the Muslims in the Jewish State. Large Arab residences, widespread construction activity and big cars underlined the prosperity and affluence of Palestinians living under the Star of David.
On my way from the City of David to the Royal Prima Hotel in Jerusalem, I asked my Palestinian taxi driver how he feels about moving to the territories under the Palestinian Authority. He said that he could never think of living outside Israel. His answer blasted the myth spread by anti-Semites that Israel's Arab citizens are not happy there.
Another Israeli Arab informed me that Arabs in Israel have equal voting rights. In fact, Israel is one of the few countries in the Middle East where Arab women can vote. In contrast to the non-Israeli Arab world, Arab women in Israel enjoy the same status as men. Muslim women have the right to vote and to be elected to public office. Muslim women, in fact, are more liberated in Israel than in any Muslim country. Israeli law prohibits polygamy, child marriage, and the barbarity of female sexual mutilation.
Moreover, I found out that there are no incidences of honor killings in Israel. The status of Muslim women in Israel is far above that of any country in the region. Israeli health standards are by far the highest in the Middle East, and Israeli health institutions are freely open to all Arabs, on the same basis as they are to Jews.
Arabic, like Hebrew, is an official language in Israel and is evidence of the tolerant nature of the Jewish State. All the street signs call out their names in Arabic alongside Hebrew. It is official policy of the Israeli government to foster the language, culture, and traditions of the Arab minority in the educational system and in daily life. Israel's Arabic press is the most vibrant and independent of any country in the region. There are more than 20 Arabic periodicals. They publish what they please, subject only to the same military censorship as Jewish publications. There are daily TV and radio programs in Arabic.
Arabic is taught in Jewish secondary schools. More than 350,000 Arab children attend Israeli schools. At the time of Israel's founding, there was one Arab high-school in the country. Today, there are hundreds of Arab schools. Israeli universities are renowned centers of learning in the history and literature of the Arab Middle East.
Aware of the constraints that a non-Wahhabi is faced with while performing religious rituals in Saudi Arabia, Kiran (my wife) could not hide her surprise at the freedoms and ease with which peoples of all religions and faiths were carrying out their religious obligations at the Church of the Sepulchre, at the Garden Tomb, at the Sea of Galilee, at the newly discovered Western Wall Tunnels, at the Western Wall, at he Tomb of King David, and at all the other holy places we visited.
All religious communities in Israel enjoy the full protection of the state. Israeli Arabs - Muslims, as well as many Christian denominations - are free to exercise their faiths, to observe their own weekly day of rest and holidays, and to administer their own internal affairs.
Some 80,000 Druze live in 22 villages in northern Israel. Their religion is not accessible to outsiders and Druze constitute a separate cultural, social and religious Arabic-speaking community. The Druze concept of takiyya calls for complete loyalty by its adherents to the government of the country in which they reside. As such, among other things, the Druze serve in the Israel Defense Forces.
Each religious community in Israel has its own religious councils and courts, and has full jurisdiction over religious affairs, including matters of personal status, such as marriage and divorce. The holy sites of all religions are administered by their own authorities and protected by the government.
A Hindu journalist who came to visit me talked about the openness that Jewish society represents. He told me that more than 20% of the Israeli population is non-Jewish, of which, approximately 1.2 million are Muslims, 140,000 are Christians and 100, 000 are Druze. Another non-Jewish Israeli told me that Christians and Druze are free to join even the defense forces of the Jewish State. Bedouins have served in paratroop units and other Arabs have volunteered for military duty.
The big houses owned by Arab Israelis and the amount of construction that was going on in the Arab towns exposed the falsity of propaganda that Israel discriminates against Israeli Arabs in land purchases. I found out that in the early part of the century, the Jewish National Fund was established by the World Zionist Congress to purchase land in Palestine for Jewish settlement. Of the total area of Israel, 92 percent belongs to the state and is managed by the Land Management Authority. It is not for sale to anyone - Jew or Arab.
The Arab Wakf owns land that is for the express use and benefit of Muslim Arabs. Government land can be leased by anyone, regardless of race, religion or sex. All Arab citizens of Israel are eligible to lease government land.
I asked three Israeli Arabs if they face discrimination in employment. They all said the same thing. Normally, there is no discrimination, but whenever homicide bombers explode and murder Israelis, some Israelis feel uncomfortable dealing with them. But that uncomfortable feeling is also very temporary and does not stay for long.
My first visit to Israel has not only consolidated my belief that Israel is vital for the stability of the region, but has also convinced me that the existence of Israel will one day convince the Muslims of the necessity of reformation in their theology, as well as their sociology.
A journey through the Israeli desert brought another important aspect of life to light. Prophets are not the only ones who can perform miracles - people who believe in themselves can also perform unbelievable acts. Acres and acres of sand dunes have been transformed into the best possible fertile land. Wheat, cotton, sunflowers, chickpeas, groundnuts (peanuts), mangoes, avocados, citrus, papayas, bananas and any other fruit and vegetable that Israelis want to consume is grown within Israel. In fact, Israelis have proved beyond any doubt why God promised them this land - only they could keep it green.
The land is described repeatedly in the Torah as a good land and "a land flowing with milk and honey." This description may not seem to fit well with the desert images we see on the nightly news, but let's keep in mind that the land was repeatedly abused by conquerors who were determined to make the land uninhabitable for the Jews. In the few decades since the Jewish people regained control of the land, tremendous improvement in its agriculture has been witnessed. Israeli agriculture today has a very high yield. Agriculture in Israel is very effective, and is able to cover about 75% of domestic needs, despite the limited land available.
Looking at the development and transformation that the land has gone through because of the Jewish innovative spirit, hard labor and commitment to freedoms for all times to come, I am convinced that it is true that God created this earth, but it is also a fact that only an Israel can keep this earth from dying.
This article originally appeared in the December 2, 2005 edition of Muslim World Today.
Muslim World Today
Don't worry--it'll be deleted shortly. Shows your cowardice. You are a typical little bitch.
You're dismissed.
You're dismissed.
Idiots like this make me even more sympathetic to the tactics used by the freedom fighters....
Now CT is more of a nutcase than ever, amazingly, and has taken to forging in a big way. I think this is one nut-spammer who really has gone off the deep end
muslim world today articles are published in the extreme right wing nut spam rag, Front Page. Got any more snake oil? LOL!!!
The ANGEL imposter is back once again,
Now if he/she were really sincere and brave, he/she would say what was on his/her mind and sign it with his/her own name or handle.
Instead he writes of ethnic cleansing (i.e. the Palestinians should be vanished to Jordan, never mind that they were born and have lived their entire lives in the West Bank or Gaza.) and other insane notions.
What ANGEL writes might be simple, but it is true and to the point, anyone who takes the time to see what is happening in the West Bank knows that the Palestinians are not the only one to blame for the conflict as the Israelis want us to believe.
Something is being done to them that is so brutal they feel the need to defend themselves with their lives if need be.
My post was in response to an apparently hidden post, in which Israel was praised for doing good deeds towards victims of natural disasters, if only they could do one very good deed that would help end the conflict that is killing many Israelis and Palestinians alike.
>>>>If it weren't for the fact everyone thinks she's 14- she'd be torn apart more regularly around here.<<<<<
If ANGEL were 14 I doubt he/she would know anything about the confiscation of Palestinian land and the demolishing of Palestinian homes, and other atrocities, etc, etc.
And now in answer to the hidden post.
I think the good that Israel does is wonderful,
But it is sad that this good is wiped out and forgotten because they want to Occupy Palestinian Land and Oppress Palestinian People.
So why not get the show on the Road and get this Palestinian State done and over with.
That way People can start looking at Israel for the good it does.
Build that wall you want so much on the Green line.
Put your soldiers who are inside the West Bank along that Green line to guard and Protect your border.
Put the Check Points on the Green line instead of inside the West Bank.
That way you can Protect your Country and not be seen as monsters.
Now if he/she were really sincere and brave, he/she would say what was on his/her mind and sign it with his/her own name or handle.
Instead he writes of ethnic cleansing (i.e. the Palestinians should be vanished to Jordan, never mind that they were born and have lived their entire lives in the West Bank or Gaza.) and other insane notions.
What ANGEL writes might be simple, but it is true and to the point, anyone who takes the time to see what is happening in the West Bank knows that the Palestinians are not the only one to blame for the conflict as the Israelis want us to believe.
Something is being done to them that is so brutal they feel the need to defend themselves with their lives if need be.
My post was in response to an apparently hidden post, in which Israel was praised for doing good deeds towards victims of natural disasters, if only they could do one very good deed that would help end the conflict that is killing many Israelis and Palestinians alike.
>>>>If it weren't for the fact everyone thinks she's 14- she'd be torn apart more regularly around here.<<<<<
If ANGEL were 14 I doubt he/she would know anything about the confiscation of Palestinian land and the demolishing of Palestinian homes, and other atrocities, etc, etc.
And now in answer to the hidden post.
I think the good that Israel does is wonderful,
But it is sad that this good is wiped out and forgotten because they want to Occupy Palestinian Land and Oppress Palestinian People.
So why not get the show on the Road and get this Palestinian State done and over with.
That way People can start looking at Israel for the good it does.
Build that wall you want so much on the Green line.
Put your soldiers who are inside the West Bank along that Green line to guard and Protect your border.
Put the Check Points on the Green line instead of inside the West Bank.
That way you can Protect your Country and not be seen as monsters.
The ANGEL imposter is back once again,
Now if he/she were really sincere and brave, he/she would say what was on his/her mind and sign it with his/her own name or handle.
Instead he writes of ethnic cleansing (i.e. the Israelis should be vanished from Israel, never mind that they were born and have lived their entire lives in their country.) and other insane notions.
What ANGEL writes might be simple, but it is true and to the point, anyone who takes the time to see what is happening in the West Bank knows that the Israelis are not the one to blame for the conflict as the Palestinians want us to believe.
Something is being done to them that is so brutal they feel the need to defend themselves with their lives if need be.
My post was in response to an apparently hidden post, in which Israelis were praised for doing good deeds towards victims of natural disasters, if only they could do one very good deed that would help end the conflict that is killing many Israelis
If ANGEL were 14 I doubt he/she would know anything about the Palestinian thugs and the blowing up to pieces of Israelis, and other atrocities, etc, etc.
And now in answer to the hidden post.
I think the good that Israel does is wonderful,
But it is sad that this good is wiped out and forgotten because the Palestinians want to Occupy Israeli land and Oppress Israeli People.
So why not get the show on the Road and get these Palestinians done and over with.
That way People can start looking at Israel for the good it does.
Build that wall you want so much beyond the Green line.
Put your soldiers who are inside the West Bank beyond that Green line to guard and Protect your border.
Put the Check Points beyond the Green line inside the West Bank.
That way you can Protect your Country and not see the monsters.
Now if he/she were really sincere and brave, he/she would say what was on his/her mind and sign it with his/her own name or handle.
Instead he writes of ethnic cleansing (i.e. the Israelis should be vanished from Israel, never mind that they were born and have lived their entire lives in their country.) and other insane notions.
What ANGEL writes might be simple, but it is true and to the point, anyone who takes the time to see what is happening in the West Bank knows that the Israelis are not the one to blame for the conflict as the Palestinians want us to believe.
Something is being done to them that is so brutal they feel the need to defend themselves with their lives if need be.
My post was in response to an apparently hidden post, in which Israelis were praised for doing good deeds towards victims of natural disasters, if only they could do one very good deed that would help end the conflict that is killing many Israelis
If ANGEL were 14 I doubt he/she would know anything about the Palestinian thugs and the blowing up to pieces of Israelis, and other atrocities, etc, etc.
And now in answer to the hidden post.
I think the good that Israel does is wonderful,
But it is sad that this good is wiped out and forgotten because the Palestinians want to Occupy Israeli land and Oppress Israeli People.
So why not get the show on the Road and get these Palestinians done and over with.
That way People can start looking at Israel for the good it does.
Build that wall you want so much beyond the Green line.
Put your soldiers who are inside the West Bank beyond that Green line to guard and Protect your border.
Put the Check Points beyond the Green line inside the West Bank.
That way you can Protect your Country and not see the monsters.
I think the good that Israel does is wonderful,
Absolutely.
But it is sad that this good is wiped out and forgotten because they want to Occupy Palestinian Land and Oppress Palestinian People.
For more than 1,600 years the Jews formed the main settled population of Palestine. Although often conquered, they remained the predominent people in the land. There has been a continuing Jewish presence in this area for many years. Jews living outside of Palestine/Israel consider themselves "in exile"- the Jewish liturgy is filled with countless references such as "Next year in Jerusalem". Jews in "exile" pray for rain to fall- not in their guest countries, but in Israel.
This is not "occupied Palestinian" land.
Remember the Sinai- it was returned to Egypt in exchange for "peace". Israel has shown its willingness to compromise- what has the PA done? Ever?
So why not get the show on the Road and get this Palestinian State done and over with.
The "road map" specifies how this is to be done. The first step is having the PA dismantle terrorism infrastructure. We are still waiting. Israel made a difficult, heart wrenching decison this summer. Israel has shown its willingness to compromise. We are waiting for reciprocity on behalf of the PA
That way People can start looking at Israel for the good it does.
Build that wall you want so much on the Green line.
The Green Line is not a border- it is a cease fire line. Building directly on the Green line would be impossible- you need to take into account the contours of the land, locations of villages, etc. 80 % of the security barrier is within 3 miles of the Green line.
Put your soldiers who are inside the West Bank along that Green line to guard and Protect your border
.
Put the Check Points on the Green line instead of inside the West Bank.
See above
That way you can Protect your Country and not be seen as monsters.
Reign in terror, acknowledge Israel's right to exist with secure borders and the real dialog can begin.
Absolutely.
But it is sad that this good is wiped out and forgotten because they want to Occupy Palestinian Land and Oppress Palestinian People.
For more than 1,600 years the Jews formed the main settled population of Palestine. Although often conquered, they remained the predominent people in the land. There has been a continuing Jewish presence in this area for many years. Jews living outside of Palestine/Israel consider themselves "in exile"- the Jewish liturgy is filled with countless references such as "Next year in Jerusalem". Jews in "exile" pray for rain to fall- not in their guest countries, but in Israel.
This is not "occupied Palestinian" land.
Remember the Sinai- it was returned to Egypt in exchange for "peace". Israel has shown its willingness to compromise- what has the PA done? Ever?
So why not get the show on the Road and get this Palestinian State done and over with.
The "road map" specifies how this is to be done. The first step is having the PA dismantle terrorism infrastructure. We are still waiting. Israel made a difficult, heart wrenching decison this summer. Israel has shown its willingness to compromise. We are waiting for reciprocity on behalf of the PA
That way People can start looking at Israel for the good it does.
Build that wall you want so much on the Green line.
The Green Line is not a border- it is a cease fire line. Building directly on the Green line would be impossible- you need to take into account the contours of the land, locations of villages, etc. 80 % of the security barrier is within 3 miles of the Green line.
Put your soldiers who are inside the West Bank along that Green line to guard and Protect your border
.
Put the Check Points on the Green line instead of inside the West Bank.
See above
That way you can Protect your Country and not be seen as monsters.
Reign in terror, acknowledge Israel's right to exist with secure borders and the real dialog can begin.
The weekly listing of Israeli war crimes is not somehting that you get in the mainstream media. Thank you for this.
"The weekly listing of Israeli war crimes is not somehting that you get in the mainstream media."
That's true...they usually show the palestinian crimes against humanity also...
But, the good news is that the security fence is working, peaceloving palestinians are having a hard time getting into Israel to murder women and children.
Maybe that's why the palestinians are improving the Apartheid WALL that separates them from Egypt in the Gaza...Maybe they're afraid of Egyptian Suicide Bombers. Also, the palestinas are stopping Palestinians at brutal Checkpoints! What a crime! paletinians have to travel miles out of their way just to get into Egypt and they're STOPPED at CHECKPOINTS and are FORCED to show ID! What happens if a Palestinian is PREGNANT??
That's true...they usually show the palestinian crimes against humanity also...
But, the good news is that the security fence is working, peaceloving palestinians are having a hard time getting into Israel to murder women and children.
Maybe that's why the palestinians are improving the Apartheid WALL that separates them from Egypt in the Gaza...Maybe they're afraid of Egyptian Suicide Bombers. Also, the palestinas are stopping Palestinians at brutal Checkpoints! What a crime! paletinians have to travel miles out of their way just to get into Egypt and they're STOPPED at CHECKPOINTS and are FORCED to show ID! What happens if a Palestinian is PREGNANT??
...think they can come on here and make all sorts of unsupported claims, as if they will actually be believed? Especially when they're all connoisseurs of screaming, lying pro-Israel propaganda (Front Page, J-Post, etc.), which they lap up with out question.
Here, I'll prove it: Hey asshole, show us where you got this "news"
Here, I'll prove it: Hey asshole, show us where you got this "news"
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