Saturday April 4, 2009, 8:52 am
RAMALLAH, 4 April 2009] - This year, Palestinian Child Day falls amidst an unprecedented rise in violations of Palestinian children’s rights in the occupied territory.

Israel unleashed a 22-day military assault on the Gaza Strip, codenamed Operation Cast Lead, on 27 December 2008, killing more than 330 children, injuring hundreds of others, destroying homes, services and infrastructure, and traumatizing the entire population. This attack took place during the ongoing blockade of Gaza, now entering its 22nd month. Children, who make up 56 per cent of the population of Gaza, bear the brunt of suffering from these actions, and continue to suffer today, while the blockade is continuing.

Prior to Operation Cast Lead, 90 Palestinian children had been killed by the Israeli military over the course of 2008. The overwhelming majority (74) were not involved in hostilities when they were killed. During the same period, nearly 690 children were arrested, including 14 who were placed in administrative detention (without charge or trial). The occupied Palestinian territory remains a violent and unsafe environment in which to grow up, especially for vulnerable children in refugee camps, along the route of the Wall, and in villages situated near Israeli settlements. Last autumn, we reported an alarming increase in the number of physical assaults by settlers on Palestinian children. In the summer of 2008, two boys were killed by the Israeli army while demonstrating against the construction of the Wall near their village in Ni’lin.

As for the internal Palestinian situation, due to the ongoing factional divisions and fighting, children's rights are being violated at the very hands of those who are supposed to protect them. During 2008, more than 15 children were killed as a result of internal violence, including internal factional fighting and misuse of weapons. This has had a grave impact on children's sense of safety and security and their ability to cope. Sadly, Palestinian Child Day coincides with the suspension of the Palestinian dialogue on reconciliation in Cairo. On this occasion and on behalf of all Palestinian children, we appeal to political leaders to resume reconciliation talks and work towards national unity as a priority and a basic condition for the fulfillment of the rights of Palestinian children.

Children require special protection. It is imperative that we work to protect the lives and rights of Palestinian children. There is a need to strengthen child rights standards and services and take all necessary measures to ensure the protection and care of children affected by the conflict. There is also a need to develop an environment free from violence and that maximizes children’s potential to learn, grow and develop. We call for the continuous improvement of the fulfillment of Palestinian children’s rights without discrimination, as well as for their development and education in peace and security. Minimizing the impact of the armed conflict on children is everyone's responsibility.

In light of this, we must redouble our efforts to fulfill our commitment to all Palestinian children by protecting and promoting their rights as enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Palestinian Child Law adopted in 2004. It is not just the responsibility of the Israeli government or the Palestinian Authority, but the responsibility of all of us as individuals to realise the rights of Palestinian children. Let us work together to achieve this goal.

Saturday April 4, 2009, 9:10 am
I hope that the violation of Palestinian children's rights by Hamas is also addressed. The astonishing brainwashing and indoctrination into hate and violence that the children receive in many Palestinian schools is a grave violation of the rights of those children.

Sunday April 5, 2009, 1:12 am
Linsey wrote:

"I hope that the violation of Palestinian children's rights by Hamas is also addressed. The astonishing brainwashing and indoctrination into hate and violence that the children receive in many Palestinian schools is a grave violation of the rights of those children."

(1) Will you start to campaign to stop Israel brainwashing and indoctrinating Israeli children into hate and violence? Will you start to campaign to stop Israeli violence against Palestinian children?

(2) Is it not ok to teach Palestinian children that Israel's actions are oppressing them, and about the history and politics of it? Is it not ok to encourage Palestinian children to support human rights for teh peopleof Palestine?

Sunday April 5, 2009, 12:22 pm
I am sure a lot of people would be thrilled if the little Palestinian children in Gaza were brainwashed into becoming little Israeli.

But I' d find it horrifying. My grandparents grew up in a rural area that kept being invaded and occupied by Germany, over and over. When they were school children, their schoolbooks were replaced with German schoolbooks each time. I am very thankful to my grandparents and the local people for having resisted the occupations in every way they could. At school and in their family and community the children were taught to love their native country, their native history, their native rights, and NOT the invaders' culture and views that were forced on them. I am very grateful to them for having resisted and preserving our heritage. They preserved not only their own identity but their descendants' also for every future generation.

I am so grateful to their generation NOT to have accepted to be brainwashed by the oppressor! They went through a lot but never gave up their rights. Later my parents did the same. Like millions of others, they refused to be brainwashed they refused to betray their heritage and their country. Their resistance will always be an example to me and I am very proud of them.

So I totally understand the position of the Palestinian children, their families and their teachers. There is nothing wrong with being taught to love your country, your history, your culture, your People. (We all know what happened to the Indigenous children of North America and their rights when the white invaders decided they should "kill the Indian in them to save the children", or something to that effect, which was part of the genocide against their Peoples).

It is totally unrealistic (and fascist) to expect the Palestinian children to start thinking and behaving as if they were Israeli, just so that they have a chance to survive. They are Palestinian children and they do have Rights.

Sunday April 5, 2009, 12:42 pm
Brigitte, I was not speaking of Hamas teaching Palestinian children to love their culture. I was speaking of things such as this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTGbP55HGi8

Sunday April 5, 2009, 1:03 pm
Thanks your comment Brigitte
The palestinians children have the right to a homeland and a culture.
They must study their history, their past in order to build their future

Sunday April 5, 2009, 6:32 pm
Noted , thanks !!!

Monday April 6, 2009, 12:33 pm
http://www.care2.com/news/member/727597257/1108169

Monday April 6, 2009, 12:34 pm
Madalana have you ever considered that there is another side to the story?
http://www.care2.com/news/member/727597257/1108169

Monday April 6, 2009, 12:53 pm
Most of you with hateful comments toward Israelis know not what you speak of. The entire Arab community has rejected Palestinians from the very beginning. They do NOT want them in THEIR countries for a lot of reasons. Go read accurate history and don't let your ignorant bias against the Jewish people cloud your brains. The Jews have lived in THEIR country since the beginning of time. They opened their hearts and arms to invite Arabs to live in peace, but that was rejected with hate and murder. You who believe lies believe in revisionist history. Wake up and try to learn the truth, as hard as that would be for hateful minds! It is OK to kill Jews, but you come crawling out of your hate hole when they fight BACK for their survival. Just really sick!

Monday April 6, 2009, 4:22 pm
Peace plans have come and gone with little or no results. The Nicholas Sarkozy (President of France) has a Mediterranean Plan that includes many nations in the Middle East, most of Europe and the northern tip of Africa.

The economics of the region and the reliance nations would have on each other would benefit everyone. But, all in all, there is no plan that will work unless the people have confidence in a plan. And, the plan must have U.N. oversight and be allowed to be tried in the U.N. courts of justice.

Fairness, respect and tolerence is the way toward peace in the Middle East.

Tuesday April 7, 2009, 6:52 am
Wow, Di - I would like to send a green star for EACH of your relevant and accurate comments - but I'm only allowed to send one! Rats!

Tuesday April 7, 2009, 7:00 am
To PAM F.
Thank you for your warm and positive comment. Walid Shoebat has stated that this fight is not about geography. I copied one of his comments below. Thank you again for your support. As stated by George S. (2), this is about fairness and respect. Thank you again for your support.
Below is from Walid Shoebat's website.

When I finally realized the lies and myths I was taught, it is my duty as a righteous person to speak out

"The Holocaust never ended but the victims have decided to defend themselves. The Israeli Arab Conflict is not about geography but about Jew hatred; Throughout the Islamic as well as Christendom's history Jews have been persecuted, the persecution of Israel is just the same as the old antisemitism. The Arab refugees are being used as pawns' to create a terror breeding ground, as a form of aggression against Israel.
The Arab refugee problem was caused by Arab aggression and not Israel. Why should Israel be responsible for their fate?"

Tuesday April 7, 2009, 8:09 am
How sad that one cannot even touch the subject of Palestinian children, without getting hateful and judgmental outbursts from people who are 200% one-sided.

These Palestinian children actually exist and have suffered a great deal, but we are not allowed to grieve for them, and we are expected to look away?

As for hating Jews, I don't know anyone here who does. All the protests I see are about the Israeli government, the occupation, and the war crimes committed by the army, which are part of a genocide. I feel for the Israeli children because they too are totally innocent, and can honestly say I am glad that my children are neither Israeli nor Palestinian. It is very important that a solution should be found as soon as possible to protect both populations.

Claiming all this is about "Jew hatred" is a blatant lie, it is cheap and destroys your credibility. If you want people to listen to anything informative you have to offer, you won't achieve this by shouting at other members and attacking them with such lies and blanket judgments filled with hatred and prejudice.

Tuesday April 7, 2009, 8:28 am
Brigitte
There is no way of getting their hearts are a litle soft.

This children are Palestinians, they could steal their land and handing it to others, they can be killed, imprisoned, tortured, massacred and it seems no matter

Tuesday April 7, 2009, 8:31 am
Lindsey O.
Gillian M.
Di B.

If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.

Tuesday April 7, 2009, 8:35 am
Lindsey O.
Gillian M.
Di B.

All my news defending the Palestinian people or against the policy of the state of Israel and not against the Jewish religion are discussed and commented by supporters of Israel.

I never comment on the news defending Israel.
I do not like this news but I accept that there are people who are supporters of Israel and that they have the right to express. I do not comment and that's all and I dont offend those who submit this news.

- Why some people like you have the right to say me what I can or I can not say or what news can I submit? This is censorship and a big attack against freedom of expression

Tuesday April 7, 2009, 8:39 am
Entirely right, Madalena - liberty does mean having the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.

Except on a private forum such as YouTube (or any other private entity) which reserves the right to censor speech of which it does not approve. If someone doesn't like the terms of use of those private forums - then that person is free to promulgate their ideas elsewhere.

Tuesday April 7, 2009, 8:46 am
Lindsey

If you dont want to hear this dont look this.
I do not like your news and I am sure that they are false ... but I respect your right to submit them.

people...is so much and you can not speak for anyone, you can speak only in your name

Tuesday April 7, 2009, 8:47 am
If my religion, ethics or political option prohibit me to see, hear or to know something, I only must separate my glance. But I cannot prohibit to the others what the others do have not the right to prohibit me: the free exercise of the liberties of expression and thought.
The only limits that is possible to put to the freedom of each one is the freedom of the others.
If what I say can be uncomfortable for who listen to me, these always have the option of not listening to me.

Tuesday April 7, 2009, 9:19 am
Just as I respect your right to post news items with which I disagree, Madalena.

But if either of us violates the rules that we agreed to in our contract with Care2 and someone else reports us, we're going to have our news item deleted. Which is fair enough - we entered into a contract when we joined this site. That is my only point - I'm a firm believer in anyone's right to free speech, no matter how hateful or obnoxious. But not in a private venue if the owner of the venue objects. Because his being forced to accept the posting of speech anathema to him violates HIS right to run his forum as he sees fit.

Other than the contractual/private venue issue, you and I are in complete accord on the issue of free speech.

Tuesday April 7, 2009, 3:14 pm


"Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge." -- Charles Darwin (1809-1882)

Wednesday April 8, 2009, 5:57 am
You have just described yourself. Ignoring the assault on the Jewish religious symbol is further evidence of your deep rooted feelings. This assault has nothing to do with freedom of speech and everything to do with "hate." Freedom of speech includes the hate that you and some others enjoy! Continue if you wish, but I am finished with addressing your biased nonsense! You are incapable of understanding "reason." I am too busy and will not address your bias again! This is a waste of time and solves nothing, except to solidify YOUR biased views! This conversation ends here for ME!

Wednesday April 8, 2009, 9:14 am
Bye Di Bye then, I'm sure we'll get along just fine without you. Thanks Mada , noted!

Wednesday April 8, 2009, 9:18 am
Brigitte; ''Claiming all this is about "Jew hatred" is a blatant lie, it is cheap and destroys your credibility. If you want people to listen to anything informative you have to offer, you won't achieve this by shouting at other members and attacking them with such lies and blanket judgments filled with hatred and prejudice. ''

Couldn't have said it better!

Wednesday April 8, 2009, 10:31 am
'' I think there's a tendency among some of the Usual Friends of Israel™ to misinterpret in the most extreme sense possible the words of anyone who criticizes Israel or Zionism, playing up real fears of anti-semitism and past genocide, so as to avoid having to deal with the merits of the original criticism. If you can just reduce every unsympathetic comment about Israel to "anti-semitism", then Israel and Zionism can never be criticized.

For example, Mahmoud Ahmedinejad said that the occupation regime over Jerusalem would disappear from the pages of time. He's not a Zionist. He doesn't think the pre-existing people and culture of Arab Palestine should be destroyed to make way for a Zionist state populated by an overwhelmingly immigrant population of Jewish people from all over the world. To him, the creation of a minority, sectarian regime in the Muslim-dominated land of Palestine raises all sorts of questions, like: What is the justification for it, and how do you expect the disenfranchised majority population will react to it? Why should Jewish people anywhere in the world have greater rights to Palestine than native Palestinian Christians and Muslims? Is a regime like that sustainable, or will it go the same way as the Soviet regime in the USSR, the rule of the Shah in Iran, and Saddam's regime in Iraq? But once you translate his original words as "wiping Israel off the map", and hammer it into people's heads that he was threatening to nuke Israel and "kill the Jews", you don't have to answer any of those questions. Once you have successfully framed the debate in terms of "Ahmedinejad wants to wipe out the Jews, just like Hitler; you surely don't support Hitler, do you?", you have closed down the possibility of debate. ''

Palestinians are Nobody's Negroes
http://lawrenceofcyberia.blogs.com/news/2008/01/palestinians-ar.html

Thursday April 9, 2009, 5:21 am
A happy and sweet Passover and Easter to all. And a wish for liberation of all peoples around the world who suffer from oppression. The Jews have been in Palestine/Israel from the beginning of time. They were enslaved and murdered just because they were Jews. REVISIONIST history is attempting to change the facts and that is the essence of the anti Israel comments in this thread. These are the historical facts. Peaceful Arabs DO have a place in this area. MY issue is with HAMAS and other terrorist groups, suicide bombers, et al. I will not address/respond to any further comment since the mindsets here are implacable.

Thursday April 9, 2009, 7:54 am
Di B.
The Palestinians have been in Palestine from the beginning of time.

Palestine- a piece of land on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. For many years Palestine was the home of the Palestinian people: Muslims, Christians and Jews who lived in peace and harmony for hundred of years. In the late 19th century, in the light of emerging European nationalism, a few Jews had decided that Jews should not be left out. They then invented the notions of: ”Jewish people”, ”Jewish history” and ”Jewish nationalism”. They decided to settle the majority of world Jewry in Palestine. Throughout the years the Jewish national project, i.e., Zionism, had become more and more sinister and ruthless. In 1949 70% of the indigenous Palestinian population had already been ethnically cleansed. Nowadays the majority of Palestinians are living behind barbed wire in a state of terror guarded by Israeli soldiers.

Palestine vs Israel- Palestine is a country, Israel is a state.

Thursday April 9, 2009, 7:54 am
Di B.

Antisemites- in the old days, antisemites were those who didn’t like Jews, nowadays, antisemites are those the Jews don’t like. Considering the growing chasm between the Jewish state and its lobbies and the rest of humanity, we have good reason to believe that before not too long, the entirety of humanity will be denounced as antisemitic by one Jewish lobby or another.

Thursday April 9, 2009, 10:23 am
Di B: ''This conversation ends here for ME! ''
''I will not address/respond to any further comment since the mindsets here are implacable. ''

Typical pro Israeli, you can't believe a word they say.... ;-)

Thursday April 9, 2009, 12:20 pm
Pete
;)

Saturday April 11, 2009, 4:22 pm
Palestinians, like most people, are a polygot. Some Palestinian ancestors did indeed occupy the land of Palestine. Others were immigrants from other nations and regions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Palestine

http://www.palestinefacts.org/pf_early_palestine_prezionist_people.php

http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/09/gorin-and-how-k.html

Saturday April 11, 2009, 4:42 pm
the important in this new are the situacion of palestinians children this year.
Is not important if their grandparents or great-grandparents were Syrians, Libyans, jordans, Egyptians, europeus, Americans, Chileans etc, etc

Saturday April 11, 2009, 5:12 pm
If it was not important, Madalena, then I wonder why you made the erroneous comment, "The Palestinians have been in Palestine since the beginning of time" just a few comments up? Obviously you felt that making that statement was important enough to add to the discussion in promoting Palestinian rights - until the statement is found to be false, at which time the issue becomes suddenly unimportant.

Wednesday April 15, 2009, 9:12 pm
Lindsey, Hmmm...you have disproved Madalena's statement with
1)wikipedia(see reports on JIDL),
2)an obvious propaganda site, (where is the about us?) and
3)someones personal blog.
I don't know where you went to school, but you should ask for a refund.

Di, don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out. The only hate I can see is coming from your comments. But please feel free to spew more....you illustrate the willful ignorance we are up against much better than any of us could dream of.

Wednesday April 15, 2009, 9:19 pm
I can't help but notice you guys only seem to gang up and comment together. It's also interesting that of late it is stories about Palestinian children. That's it, isn't it? They are the real threat. You've allowed yourselves to believe the unbelievable. Your a disgrace.

Thursday April 16, 2009, 7:37 pm

Lindsey,
My comments are for you and those who care about truth and no one else. Your comments are articulate, based on fact and honest. Some of the rhetoric we read on this forum is filled with ignorance and in some cases, absolute hateful lies. The use of inappropriate language reveals the mentality of some of these people. They have too much time on their hands and have a sick enjoyment of twisting facts (lying). Most of us care about ALL children. They are the true victims in any conflict. So much of what has been written on this Palestinian topic has been absolutely vile, with false accusations against the hated side (Israel) that are not based on the facts that happened and are still happening in this part of the world. Reiterating all the facts would be a waste of time. People whose mentality limits their ability to understand truth will never even attempt to open their minds to honesty. In any war, no side is always perfect and sometimes one side is just too full of hate to be able to share in a peaceful resolution. Sadly, this is what we are facing with Hamas! In 1948 when the UN returned Israel to the Jewish people, both sides were told they must share the land. The Jewish people said "yes' and the Arabs responded with "no, we will bury you." This is exactly how the modern day conflict began and has been the obstacle to peace throughout these 60 years. Golda Meir stated "there can only be peace with the Arabs when they love their children more than they hate Israelis." Ignorant people who refuse to acknowledge the facts and are relatively new to these problems, follow biased beliefs and refuse to understand truth. Keep your resolve and don't allow any of their horrific comments to deter you. There are many good, loving Arabs who have denounced Hamas and their abuse of innocent Arab children. Bridgette Gabrielle is a Christian Arab who has spoken out about this. Her video is riveting, although a bit long, speaking about how she was brainwashed as a child and how she and her family later learned the truth. Israelis rescued her family, saved their lives with amazing health care and other humanitarian resources. It is worth taking the time to listen to her describe what really happened. One of the writers in this thread has trashed Ellie Wiesel. This is a great man, a Holocaust survivor who was in a concentration camp and, fortunately, was one of the few who survived. He has spent the rest of his life helping those less fortunate people around the world. Ellie Wiesel will go anywhere on this earth to help someone in need. Ethnicity/religion does not matter. He is a humanist whose life has been dedicated to this cause. To trash him as was recently done by someone in this thread, is lower than I thought even these sick individuals could sink. Disgraceful and barbaric are the only ways to describe these people. Watch this video of Gabrielle's experience of how she and her family were saved by Israelis. The haters WILL NOT watch this because it exposes their hateful lies! Thank you again for your intelligent comments.

Must view video: BRIDGETTE GABRIELLE
http://multimedia.heritage.org/content/wm/Lehrman-092706a.wvx

Friday April 17, 2009, 1:21 am
"sick individuals", "Disgraceful and barbaric" :

is flaming and insulting all you can do?

"false accusations against the hated side (Israel) that are not based on the facts that happened and are still happening in this part of the world.
"
Facts are facts, and you are in denial.

So according to you, the reporters, all the human rights groups, the eye witnesses (including) retired US army officers are liars and the photos of maimed, burned, bruised or dismembered children are all fake? what about the international outcry, is the world delusional? what about the protest from all the Jews worldwide and Israeli citizen who support the Palestinians and hang their heads in shame at what the Israeli government has been doing?

As for the video I will watch it as soon as I have time. I never forget that there are good and bad people in every nation. There are good Israeli and good Palestinians, just like there are also bad people on both sides.

We need to support the efforts of the good people.

As for the children, if you do care for ALL children as you claim, please tell us what you do for the Palestinian children? What do you do to stop their ordeal, to save their lives, to give them back hope and a future? There isn't much we can do but all of us can try. What is your solution?

Friday April 17, 2009, 5:32 am
"....if you do care for ALL children as you claim, please tell us what you do for the Palestinian children?"

And what do you do for Australian aboriginal children, Brigitte? And Oglala-Sioux children? And children in Sri Lanka, Mali, Bangladesh, India, Afghanistan, Somalia, Appalachia, the inner cities of the U.S., Romania, and all the other places around the world where they are suffering?

Don't you care about "all children"?

Ridiculous question, isn't it?

Friday April 17, 2009, 6:45 am
Dear Lindsey,
I donate $$$, and am sure you do also, to causes that help children and animals. My husband and I have been doing this for many years. This is our way to help those who are suffering in this world. No one can solve all the problems, but each of us can contribute something. I am unable to physically do some of the things I would like to do. If everyone did "something" of substance, no matter how small, instead of constantly complaining and criticizing, the world would be a better place. UNICEF has always been one of my passions. I just hope all that money goes to the children and not for arms as some have stated.
Thank you again.

Friday April 17, 2009, 7:25 am
My point exactly, Di. One can care about a problem without necessarily having the time or money to provide assistance. This year my own donations went to help homeless families in my own city, the children of Pine Ridge Reservation, and several animal charities. And my time is donated to my local animal shelter and my local adult literacy program.

We all do what we can - but there are an infinite number of "causes" in this world and no one can physically or financially support them all. And anyone who implies that an individual must not care about Palestinian children unless they are actively working towards their assistance is simply being unreasonable.

Friday April 17, 2009, 11:57 am
Lindsey said: "And what do you do for Australian aboriginal children, Brigitte? And Oglala-Sioux children? And children in Sri Lanka, Mali, Bangladesh, India, Afghanistan, Somalia, Appalachia, the inner cities of the U.S., Romania, and all the other places around the world where they are suffering?"

Ok Lindsey, even though I wasn't talking to you, I' ll reply to you. I have done and will do more for all the children there and in other places than I will care to tell you. When I can, it is material help, otherwise it is supporting their Peoples, supporting their Rights, raising awareness about their plights, and trying to defend their People if they are in danger (under military attack, victims of a genocide, or natural disasters).
For years I have been an activist supporting children's rights, especially indigenous children but not only. As for the First Nations, with other close friends and trusted contact on an international scale we've helped Native American children, single mothers and elders in need to receive food, warm clothes and items, and toys for several years.I 've taken parts in projects involving the Dine'h, Cheyenne, Lakota, Dakota and others, also helped children individually as well regardless of their heritage. I also fight child abuse and have a support group for adults who were abused as children.

That's just a summary and it was your response which was ridiculous, since I was asking DI what SHE did to help Palestinian children. And I did not mean money or food - I meant just doing SOMETHING to protect their lives from the bullets and rockets sent by Israel, or to unblock the humanitarian aid which is meant for them but blocked by Israel. Or just raise awareness about what they go through?

I don't care how many $$$ you send to your favourite causes, good for you, but it's irrelevant in THIS THREAD which is about the PALESTINIAN CHILDREN. Of course you know it is about them - but it's much easier to try and draw the attention AWAY from them, as usual, isn't it?

As a teacher and a mother I am very sensitive to children's issue and spend most of my free time to help ANY child I can, even if they are on the other side of the planet, I don't care if it's just signing a petition or starting an international project, because I believe that every adult should do all they can to help and protect children from WAR, POVERTY and HOPELESSNESS.


""Don't you care about "all children"?"" Yes I do and if I had a magic wand I would help them ALL, unfortunately no one can and neither can I. But at least I am not posting in a thread about Palestinian children only to blast their parents, blast their People, their history and Nation, and flaming the members here who ask for mercy for those children.

"Ridiculous question, isn't it? " It is ridiculous, but it is not surprising, coming from you.

DI claimed she cares for ALL children so I asked what she does for the Palestinian children mentioned in this thread titled "PALESTINIAN CHILD DAY". She didn't seem concerned by them at all. But then a lot of pro-Israel fanatics see Palestinian children as future threats for Israel, right?

Friday April 17, 2009, 12:08 pm
Obviously, Brigitte, you didn't read Di's posts very carefully. Because she speaks quite clearly of caring what happens to those children.

Opposing Hamas does not equate to being indifferent to the plight of Palestinian children who have been wounded or killed in the fighting. Just as opposing Israel should not make one indifferent to the plight of innocent Israelis killed in the war.

Friday April 17, 2009, 12:32 pm
But you are quite right, Brigitte, in saying that sometimes threads about victimized children have innumerable posts completely ignoring the plight of such children by those who disagree with the politics of the children's parents:

http://www.care2.com/news/member/362859877/1008919

Friday April 17, 2009, 3:57 pm
You are so predictible, Lindsey. Sorry but I read Di's post carefully enough to understand what she said AND read between the lines. Both she and you sound like a broken record repeating the same things, misplacing the blame, ignoring facts, not listening to what members with different views are really saying in Gaza-related thread, avoiding the issue at hand, twisting or words, ignoring or misinterpreting on purpose just to suit yourselves.

So many articles have been posted, from reliable sources, independant countries, human rights organisations, with numbers, dates, names, listing many of the violations and atrocities committed by Israel against an innocent population trapped in a conflict, against women, children, babies, families victims of an ongoing genocide that's being witnessed by the rest of the world.

Still you know better than the rest of the world?? You want Hamas to be the ONLY villains, but it is NOT so. If it wasn't for Israel's ethnic cleansing agenda that started long ago, the Palestinian children would never have known such tragedies. Israel has turned their lives into a NIGHTMARE.

Just because you want people to be stupid doesn't mean they are. Di attacked certain members here with words like "sick individuals", "Disgraceful and barbaric". I say these members have courage, INTEGRITY and humanity.

So Lindsey and Di and Pam, keep patting one another on the back all you want. It is clear by your attitude that Palestinian Child Day did not mean anything to you. Some of the comments are totally disrespectful to the children by denying the truth of the atrocities they have been submitted to. After reading all the denial of truth, of violations of human rights, not just here but in older threads weeks ago, it's a little too much to see supporters of the Israeli fascist state shed crocodile tears on the Palestinian children and blame everything on their People who have been put in the position of resisting an OCCUPATION.

Thank goodness for all the Jews around the world and in Israel who not only protest Israel's atrocities but also show remarkable solidarity to the Palestinian people. THEY have my deepest RESPECT.

Friday April 17, 2009, 4:25 pm
Why would you make the assumption, Brigitte, that I consider Hamas to be the only side ever in the wrong? Because that's a false assumption on your part.

Friday April 17, 2009, 5:35 pm
Because you keep pointing your finger at Hamas as if they were the single source of the conflict. (Yes they are part of the conflict but they did not start it. Resistance does not start unless there is occupation and oppression.)

And because you tend to side or associate with people who repeatedly attack Care2 members supportive of the Palestinian People.

Supporting the Palestinian POPULATION and their HUMAN RIGHTS does not automatically mean supporting Hamas - yet many of us here are accused of supporting terrorism, of being pro-Hamas and so on.

But I've said this before. So, Lindsey, I don't really care to continue a conversation with you, because no matter what I say... it doesn't matter. I know that just as before, in the next threads you will continue with the SAME patterns, same nice wording but same ambiguous attitude. It is ok, you do have a right to express your own views just like I do mine. But what's the use of running in circles, we have better things to do and I just don't see the point of talking to a wall, or someone who keeps avoiding the real issue in a thread. Here the topic was the nightmare of the CHILDREN in Gaza and what can be done to protect them from this GENOCIDE.

I commented, in the end you asked me what I do for children round the world. That says it all...

Friday April 17, 2009, 5:49 pm
Quite right, Brigitte. We do have infinitely better things to do.

Saturday April 18, 2009, 6:47 am
Dear Lindsey,

A locked, blinded mind cannot be opened. The response to you was outrageous and completely false with regard to the facts. She accuses you and all of us of the very failing within herself. I have seen her postings on other threads and it is always the same. Attack anyone who disagrees and place a negative label on them. While attacking my comments, she deliberately IGNORED the point I made about her friend unmercifully trashing Ellie Wiesel. It takes a really ignorant, hateful mind to attack a man whose intent is to help ALL the people in the world. This is the mindset we are dealing with. We cannot educate locked minds. You are right that we have more important things to do. I have had little time to respond as I would like, with historical facts that cannot be refuted. I just do not have the time. When intelligent, honest Arabs speak out against Hamas and the world recognizes Hamas as a terrorist organization, one cannot understand the kind of rhetoric posted in this thread. When Hamas places bombs within the clothing of Arab women and children and sends them into restaurants, hospitals, etc. to blow themselves up, this is not traditional war as we have known in the past. This horrific, sadistic behavior is deliberate murder of innocent people, including the people they "allegedly" are fighting to protect. Traditional war is bad enough, but at least we know who, where and what the enemy is/was. With Hamas, Al Qaida, Taliban, all terrorist groups, we just never know where, when or by what method their next murderous assault will take place. As I have stated before, These negative comments come from people who are ill informed and have too much idol time on there hands. It is sad they don't spend their time trying to make positive contributions to life, instead of constantly spreading falsehoods. One last comment... I never said Israel was perfect. They make mistakes as we all do. No government on this earth is perfect. Humans DO make mistakes. BUT, with regard to Israel, this tiny nation is fighting for its very existence against an enemy that is committed to annihilating them. This has been stated by Arafat and continued by his followers these past 60 years. The negative comments in this thread have shown their support for that goal. While Israel has tried every peace initiative, the terrorists intervene with murder and destroys what might have been, finally, a beginning for Peace. Hamas uses children as shields and this is documented fact. Nothing is beneath them.

I hope you had a chance to view Bridgette Gabrielle's video. It is long, but worth viewing. She states the issues so well and is committed to getting the truth out. Stay busy with your life as we all must. Stay focused on the good things, while continuing to speak out against evil. It is difficult and so time consuming to stay up to date with these verbal assaults that are, in most cases, completely false.

Saturday April 18, 2009, 12:06 pm
DI,

Someone's definitively guilty of verbal assaults here and it is not me. I even quoted you by copying a few of the aggressive, insulting adjectives YOU used - but of course you ignored this, just as you IGNORED all my questions to you.

Your posts speak for themselves. Thank you for proving my point.

As for who trashed Ellie Wiesel, I don't have a clue who it was so you're wrong about me again. I travel a lot between countries and don't spend much time on the internet. I miss a lot.

Anyway your comments are so judgmental and presumptuous that they ruin your credibility. You've avoided my questions altogether, although I meant well and was trying to start an intelligent conversation. I should have known better! As the French say," Il n' y a pas plus sourd que celui qui ne veut pas entendre".
(No one is deafer than (s)he who won't listen).

Oh and this too:

"Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge." -- Charles Darwin (1809-1882)

Fortunately the Palestinian children have millions of people worldwide watching over them, trying to protect them. It wasn't enough to save them all, but they will NOT be abandoned.

Saturday April 18, 2009, 12:09 pm
Erase my grandfather's name at Yad Vashem

To the President of the State of Israel and the Director of the Yad Vashem Memorial

By Jean-Moïse Braitberg

February 23, 2009 "Le Monde" -- Mr. President of the State of Israel, I am writing to you to intervene with the appropriate authorities to withdraw, from the Yad Vashem memorial dedicated to the memory of Jewish victims of Nazism, the name of my grandfather, Moshe Brajtberg, gassed at Treblinka in 1943, and those of other members of my who family died during deportation to various Nazi camps during World War II. I ask you to honor my request, Mr. Chairman, because what took place in Gaza, and more generally, the injustices to the Arab people of Palestine for sixty years, disqualifies Israel to be the center of the memory of the harm done to Jews, and thus to all humanity.

You see, since my childhood, I lived in amongst survivors of the death camps. I saw the numbers tattooed on their arms, I heard the story of torture; I knew the impossible grief and I shared their nightmares. I was taught that these crimes must never happen again, that never again must man, because of ethnicity or religion despise other man, mock his Human Rights of living a safe, dignified life, without barriers, and hope, so remote be it, of a future of peace and prosperity.

Yet Mr. President, I note that despite dozens of resolutions adopted by the international community, despite the glaring evidence of the injustices done to the Palestinian people since 1948, despite the hopes raised in Oslo, and despite the recognition of the right of Israeli Jews to live in peace and security, repeatedly reaffirmed by the Palestinian Authority, the only answers given by successive governments of your country have been violence, bloodshed, confinement, incessant controls, colonization, deprivations.

You’ll tell me Mr. President, that Israel has the right to defend itself against people launching rockets into Israel, or suicide bombers that destroy innocent Israeli lives. My response to that is that my humanism doesn’t vary according to the nationality of the victims.

Yet you, Mr. President, you lead the destiny of a country which claims not only to represent the Jews as a whole, but also the memory of those who were victims of Nazism. This is what concerns me and that I find unacceptable.

By displaying the names of my family members at the Yad Vashem Memorial, in the heart of the state of Israel, your state imprisons my family memories behind the barbed wires of zionism, and makes it hostage of a so-called moral authority which commits every day the abomination of denying justice.

So, please, remove the name of my grandfather from the shrine dedicated to cruelty against Jews so that it no longer justifies the injustice being done to the Palestinians.

Please accept, Mr. President, the assurances of my respectful consideration.

Jean-Moïse Braitberg is a French author

Monday April 20, 2009, 7:49 am
Brigitte,
Jean-Moïse Braitberg is a well known "self hating Jew", so anything he states on the subject of the Jewish People has no credibility. Your example is a poor one. This is NOT my opinion!! This is a fact TOLD TO ME, when I asked questions YEARS AGO, by someone who is an educator on an advanced level (college prof.) I had NEVER heard the term "self hating Jew" before, but there is a list of these people. I was shocked at what I was told. You can look it up. As for my not responding to you, I felt it would make no impact and solve nothing because you just refuse to acknowledge the truth. I will bet you didn't watch the video of Bridgette Gabrielle either. She is a Christian Arab who refutes all your allegations which are absolutely false! My responses were to Lindsey and you interjected your thoughts to my posts to her. As you stated to Lindsey a few posts earlier, "Ok Lindsey, even though I wasn't talking to you, I' ll reply to you." You are guilty of all the accusations you hurl at me.

As for the person who trashed Ellie Wiesel, if you check the profiles of the people in your "support club," you will see what HE wrote. Yes, it is male, so that should shorten your search if you care to see his vile assault on this Holocaust Survivor whose life has been spent HELPING ALL PEOPLE on this earth no matter what religion OR ethnicity!!!!!! This person's attack on Wiesel, because of all the good he has done in the world INSTEAD of wallowing in self pity, proves that the person who attacked him is an antisemite! No question about it. HOW can anyone with a conscience assault a person with a proven record of selflessness and doing all he can to help those in need??!! I have NOT accused you of any of this, you are just biased in support of one direction. That is not the same as antisemitism! I have more responses to your assaults on me, but I have no time now and am rushing out to my active day.

Monday April 20, 2009, 11:53 am
Oh Di, come on... You like my posts, admit it: you keep coming back for more :P

Monday April 20, 2009, 12:25 pm
I am posting here what I received from JEWISH VOICE FOR PEACE:

"Earlier today, delegates from across the globe came together in Geneva, Switzerland for the 2009 Durban Review Conference, also known as Durban II. The goal of the conference is to see how far countries have come in implementing goals set by the World Conference against Racism in Durban, South Africa, in 2001. Even before Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's incredibly inflammatory speech just hours ago, controversies over Israel and Palestinian human rights threatened to overshadow the entire conference and the critical work of thousands of anti-racism advocates and change-makers.


Already the United States and several other countries announced a boycott. The European delegates walked out over Ahmadinejad's attacks on Israel. Alan Dershowitz, Elie Wiesel, and yes, even actor and born-again Israeli government advocate Jon Voight, Angelina Jolie's dad, are all talking here, while Palestinian human rights groups like Al Haq have been banned from holding side-events at the conference. And of all people, Israel's racist foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman is issuing public condemnations of the conference on behalf of Israel.




Over the years, we've learned the hard way that you can't always believe what you read, so we decided to go there ourselves and give you a unique and more complex view of what's happening, from a Jewish peace and justice perspective.




We sent Jewish Voice for Peace communications director and Muzzlewatch blog editor Cecilie Surasky to cover the conference so we could provide an alternative to Israel's recently announced Durban Review Conference publicity campaign (you can read about that too at Muzzlewatch.com).


You can follow Cecilie and Muzzlewatch on Twitter, or you can go directly to the end of Muzzlewatch posts and subscribe to daily emails from the conference. She's already got a number of posts up, and plans on adding more today about her new hero of the conference, what made her terrified during the Ahmadinejad speech, and the Israel Project's use of human rights imagery and language to undermine human rights. So make sure you read them all, pass them on, and then follow along this week.


Best,


Sydney Levy
Director of Campaigns"

Are they "self-hating" Jews too? And Di, who are you to decide who's self-hating or not? Do you live in their hearts? Are you God?

So whoever disagrees with you is biased? Keep in mind that at the time Braitberg wrote his letter, MANY Jews around the world agreed with him. Even on Care2.

I wouldn't call them self hating. I think they respect their traditions, culture and religion much more than those who have taken the lives of innocent civilians.

As for assaulting you, please... do you like whining? You are the one who made nasty comments about/to others. I never assaulted you: I only disagreed with your comments because of the INSULTING way you spoke to others.

You seem obsessed with hatred and seem to enjoy seeing hate where there isn't any. This is a bit concerning, and definitely sad. Anyway... I read your points and thanks for trying to explain your views instead of shouting. That was an improvement. I will watch the video but now is just not possible as I am travelling in Europe. And I'm not going to waste online time on a search about who commented on Ellie Wiesel. If it's so horrendous why didn't you give a name? Just trying to stir trouble between friends?

Oh and you are a little confused. Lindsey did talk to me (jump on me would be more accurate, rudely asking me what I do for children round the world! as if I owed her information on what I do and who I help). although I was not talking to her. However, later I replied to you when you responded to her because your posts said your comments where to her only and THOSE WHO CARE ABOUT THE TRUTH. I do! That's why I responded :) But you didn't get it and it doesn't matter. Since you view my responses to you as "assaults" and not conversation, let's end it here.

This thread was not about you or me. It's about the PALESTINIAN CHILDREN... but they seem to be the last thing on your mind.

Monday April 20, 2009, 12:59 pm
Seems like the U.S. was right in its estimation that the conference would concentrate on the Israeli/Palestine conflict rather than the stated broader issues throughout the world. So the boycott appears to have been justified.

Monday April 20, 2009, 9:40 pm
Where theres smoke...

Wednesday April 22, 2009, 6:03 am


BRIGITTE,

THERE YOU GO AGAIN!! THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS I STOPPED RESPONDING TO YOU. YOU TWIST AND MISINTERPRET EVERYTHING!!! IN MY POST I TOLD YOU THAT I JUST LEARNED ABOUT THIS TERM A FEW YEARS AGO FROM SOMEONE ELSE. CAN'T YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE READING? YOU PICK AND CHOOSE THAT WHICH YOU ADDRESS!!! I DID NOT CREATE THE TERM "SELF HATING JEWS." IT IS A TERRIBLE TERM AND I WAS SHOCKED WHEN I LEARNED OF IT. I WAS ALSO SHOCKED TO SEE THE NAME OF ONE OF MY HIGH SCHOOL CLASSMATES ON A LIST!! THIS WAS ABOUT THREE OR FOUR YEARS AGO AND SHOCK IS PUTTING IT MILDLY. REREAD MY POST. SOMEONE ELSE TOLD ME ABOUT THIS!! AND I DID NOT LABEL BRAITBERG AS A SELF HATING JEW. HE RECEIVED THAT LABEL FROM OTHERS AND I AM THE MESSENGER (TO YOU) OF THAT FACT. SO, YOU ARE BLAMING THE MESSENGER AND NOT THOSE WHO CREATED THIS. BRAITBERG IS NOT ON THE "SELF HATING JEWS" LIST I VIEWED. BUT HE IS CONSIDERED BY OTHERS TO BE OF THAT MIND SET. IF YOU HAD CHECKED IT OUT, YOU WOULD HAVE FOUND THE SAME INFO I FOUND. AGAIN, YOU JUMPED TO THE WRONG CONCLUSION!! I GOOGLED HIS NAME AND FOUND THAT "OTHERS" HAD PLACED THAT LABEL ON HIM BECAUSE OF HIS ANTI JEWISH ISSUES!!! YOU RESPOND BY SAYING IT WAS MY DECISION??? I AM PLAYING GOD??? THAT IS AN UTTERLY RIDICULOUS STATEMENT AND ASSUMPTION ON YOUR PART! I HAD/HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH ANYTHING THESE PEOPLE HAVE STATED, SO WHY ARE YOU BLAMING ME FOR WHAT OTHERS CREATED???? THIS IS SO TYPICAL OF YOUR ATTITUDE. JUST AS YOU BLAME ISRAEL FOR WHAT HAMAS HAS DONE TO PALESTINIAN CHILDREN AND OTHER INNOCENTS, YOU BLAME ME FOR LABELS OTHERS HAVE PLACED ON THIS PERSON. IF YOU WERE TO GOOGLE HIM, YOU WOULD SEE WHAT HAS BEEN WRITTEN ABOUT HIS BIAS AGAINST JEWISH PEOPLE. I WILL ASK A FRIEND, WHO IS AN FDR/CHURCHILL/HOLOCAUST HISTORIAN, ABOUT THIS. MY FRIEND IS BRILLIANT AND HAS NO BIAS. HE ASSESSES EVERYTHING ON THE INDIVIDUAL EVIDENCE OF EACH ISSUE. DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE I HAVE THE POWER TO CONTROL WHAT OTHER PEOPLE SAY AND DO??? YOUR COMMENTS GET MORE ABSURD WITH EACH NEW POST.

AGAIN, THIS IS YOUR BIG PROBLEM! YOU SPIN EVERYTHING BEYOND REASON INSTEAD OF READING AND UNDERSTANDING WHAT HAS BEEN WRITTEN. THIS IS WHY I STOPPED RESPONDING TO YOU. YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU READ!! AND I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS!! AN INTELLIGENT EXCHANGE IS ONE THING, BUT READING ONE MISINTERPRETATION AFTER ANOTHER IS SOMETHING I DO NOT HAVE TIME TO ADDRESS, NOR DO I HAVE THE DESIRE TO CONTINUE ON A PATH OF ADDRESSING YOUR BIAS. THIS CONVERSATION IS JUST MIND BOGGLING!! YOU ARE THE ONE WHO DOESN'T "GET IT" AND YOU ARE RIGHT, IT DOESN'T MATTER BECAUSE YOU REFUSE TO UNDERSTAND TRUTH. YOU HAVE USED THE "HATE" WORD A NUMBER OF TIMES AS YOUR FRIENDS HAVE ALSO. "THOSE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES SHOULDN'T THROW STONES!"

YOU TALK ABOUT MY COMMENTS HERE? GO REREAD YOUR OWN. YOU HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY NASTY WITH YOUR OWN COMMENTS!

I AM A DEVOTED GRANDMOTHER AND I CARE ABOUT ALL CHILDREN!!! ESPECIALLY PALESTINIAN CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN USED AS SHIELDS BY HAMAS, HAVE BEEN BRAINWASHED AND TAUGHT TO HATE ISRAELIS AND ALL JEWISH PEOPLE (THAT WORD AGAIN THAT COMES FROM YOUR SIDE). VERY YOUNG CHILDREN ARE ARMED AND TRAINED BY HAMAS TO SHOOT AND KILL. WHAT KIND OF LIFE/CHILDHOOD IS THAT? WHY DON'T YOU ADDRESS THAT HORROR? IT IS HORRIFIC AND HEARTLESS TO DO THAT TO A CHILD!!! THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT YOU AND ALL OF US NEED TO TRY TO CHANGE. THEY HAVE NO CHILDHOOD, NOT BECAUSE OF ISRAELIS, BECAUSE OF HAMAS!! YOU JUST REFUSE TO UNDERSTAND THE TRUTH!! YOU NEED TO OPEN YOUR MIND AND TRY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HONEST, LOVING, CARING, PEACEFUL ARABS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THIS. YOU ARE MIRED IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.

AS FOR YOUR COMMENT
"And I'm not going to waste online time on a search about who commented on Ellie Wiesel. If it's so horrendous why didn't you give a name? Just trying to stir trouble between friends? "
THAT IS THE MOST ABSURD REASONING I HAVE EVER HEARD. IF I WANTED TO STIR TROUBLE AMONG FRIENDS, I WOULD HAVE GIVEN THE NAME. I DON'T WANT TO TANGLE WITH HIS ENORMOUS EGO AND HIS SICK, VERBAL ATTACK ON A GOOD MAN. THAT IS WHY I WAS HOPING YOU WOULD FIND IT ON YOUR OWN. I HAD A GLIMMER OF HOPE THAT YOU WOULD FIND HIS WORDS ABOUT WIESEL OFFENSIVE. BUT, I AM NOT SURPRISED THAT YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO GIVE YOUR FRIEND A PASS. HE HAS TO BE READING THIS AND HE KNOWS THAT I AND OTHERS READ HIS DESPICABLE WORDS ABOUT A VERY GOOD MAN!!!

SAME WITH BRIDGETTE GABRIELLE! YOU DON'T WANT TO TAKE THE TIME TO LISTEN TO THE TRUTH FROM A BRILLIANT CHRISTIAN ARAB. CLOSING YOUR MIND IN THIS WAY IS WHAT MAKES YOU SO BIASED AND UNREASONABLE! YOU LOSE CREDIBILITY WHEN YOU REFUSE TO READ FACTS. I HAVE MUCH MORE TO SAY ABOUT THIS, BUT, AS YOU STATED, "LET'S END IT HERE." MY WORDS WOULD FALL ON DEAF EARS AND MY TIME IS TOO VALUABLE TO WASTE WITH SOMEONE WHO WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND.

I HAVE BEEN A CARE 2 MEMBER SINCE 2003 AND HAVE NOT PARTICIPATED IN ANY DISCUSSIONS UNTIL APRIL 6, 2009. THIS HAS BEEN AN EDUCATION INTO MANY BIASES WORLDWIDE. MANY MORE THAN I THOUGHT EXISTED! VERY, VERY SAD. AT THIS POINT IN TIME, I AM UNCERTAIN IF I WILL CONTINUE TO COMMENT IN THIS THEAD.

Wednesday April 22, 2009, 6:05 am
OK. I MADE A TYPO. MEANT TO TYPE "THREAD."

Wednesday April 22, 2009, 6:10 am
Wish but that were true........

Wednesday April 22, 2009, 8:17 pm
Brigitte,
Have a good life. Stay well and safe.
My gift to you. http://www.lshs64.com/enjoytheride.html

Thursday April 23, 2009, 1:28 pm
Di B
Brigitte

My dear ladies.
You are very persistent. Congratulations to both by the certainty of your ideals and the strength with which you advocate them.

Thursday April 23, 2009, 6:45 pm
Madalena,
Thank you for your comments. You are very kind. I hope you and others will enjoy the URL I sent to Brigitte. It is truly beautiful. We must all hope for tolerance and the miracle of peace throughout our world.

Friday April 24, 2009, 7:13 am
Di B

The video are really great!
Thank you!

Friday April 24, 2009, 3:37 pm
-

Writing entire paragraphs in capital letters is rude - on the internet it's considered as shouting.

I rarely read such posts after the first lines because they look like another hysterical rant.

Was offline for a few days due to trips in Europe, am about to travel again. No time to waste on people who think they have a right to shout at other people - even if they try to sound so nice afterwards.


My heart goes out to the Palestinian children and their families.

Friday April 24, 2009, 7:01 pm
Brigitte,
I wondered as I wrote in all caps if you would take it the wrong way and you DID!! I hoped you would not. I know what is usually meant on the Internet, but there are exceptions. I know many people who write in all caps all the time and they are NOT rude and not SHOUTING!! One person even writes her caps in 14 pt. text. It IS annoying to read, but I never comment to her because I know she is NOT shouting. It is just her way. I wrote in all caps, not to shout, but to emphasize my points. There is a difference between shouting and emphasizing. YOU chose the negative, as usual. Now, I regret taking the time to write to someone who is completely unreasonable and ALWAYS finding fault. You tear down everything written. I am finally realizing that YOU have no heart! It is too bad that you didn't read my post or view the URL. The URL is beautiful and may have opened your mind. But, with your continued assaults and misinterpreting everything, I finally "get it." YOU are unreachable. My follow up comments were sincere. But that was beyond your realm of reason. To say that I was "TRYING to be nice" is ridiculous. I have no reason to TRY to be anything. Just another absurd comment from you. So, once again, have a good life. I AM DONE!!

Friday April 24, 2009, 7:05 pm
Madelena,
So glad you enjoyed it. The beautiful background music, "The Impossible Dream," is one of my all time favorites. Every time I hear it, it is as though I am hearing it for the first time. Thank you again for your kind, positive comments. Wishing you well.

Friday April 24, 2009, 7:07 pm
Madalena,
I am sorry I mistyped your name. I make typos when I am tired.

Saturday April 25, 2009, 3:09 pm
All caps is fine when somebody has poor eye sight and said so. But unless you suddenly developed it overnight, it does mean shouting and it is considered rude.

And here's a tip: by emphasizing everything, you emphasize nothing. It's just common sense.

How am I supposed to know your "way"? I don't know you, all I know is you started in this thread by attacking other members with very aggressive comments and insulting words.

So I have no heart? Who are you to say so? Do you think you are God again?
It's the first time in all my life that someone has said something to me so disrespectful and uncalled for. All I've ever heard, again and again, is that I have a very big heart, beautiful and caring. I also have a conscience - and my parents and grandparents have taught me that integrity is one of the most important things in the world. I don't care about your opinion of me, though. It means absolutely nothing. Except that the children of Gaza have seen *their* lives become a nightmare because of Israel, and attitudes like yours when you blame the wrong people, or attack those who support Human Rights in Gaza refusing to condone Israel's atrocities.

You can't stop me. I will continue to ask for Justice and Hope for the People of Gaza.

Saturday April 25, 2009, 3:11 pm
Gaza, Remember?

By Gideon Levy

April 24, 2009 "Haaretz" -- Alyan Abu-Aun is lying in his tent, his crutches beside him. He smokes cigarettes and stares into the tiny tent's empty space. His young son sits on his lap. Ten people are crammed into the tent, about the size of a small room. It has been their home for three months. Nothing remains of their previous home, which the Israel Defense Forces shelled during Operation Cast Lead. They are refugees for a second time; Abu-Aun's mother still remembers her home in Sumsum, a town that once stood near Ashkelon.

Abu-Aun, 53, was wounded while trying to flee when his home in the Gaza town of Beit Lahia was bombed. He has been on crutches ever since. His wife gave birth during the height of the war, and now the baby is with them in the cold tent. The tent was sent flying during the storm that devoured the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, so the family had to put it back up. They receive water only occasionally in a container, and a tiny tin shack serves as a bathroom for the 100 families in this new refugee camp, 'Camp Gaza,' in Beit Lahia's Al-Atatra neighborhood.

Abu-Aun sounded particularly bitter this past weekend; the Red Cross refused his family a bigger tent. He has also had enough of eating beans.

For three months, the Abu-Aun family and thousands of others have been living in five tent encampments built after the war. They have not begun clearing away the ruins of their homes, let alone build new ones. Thousands live in the shadow of the ruins of their homes, thousands in tents, thousands crowded together with their relatives, tens of thousands who are newly homeless and whom the world has lost interest in. After the conference of donor countries, which convened to great fanfare in Sharm el-Sheikh a month and a half ago, which included 75 countries and agreed to transfer $1 billion to rebuild Gaza, nothing happened.

Gaza is besieged. There are no building materials. Israel and the world are setting conditions, the Palestinians are incapable of forming a unity government, as is needed, the money and concrete are nowhere to be seen and the Abu-Aun family continues to live in a tent. Even the $900 million promised by the United States is stuck in the cash register. It's doubtful whether it will ever be taken out. America's word.

It's exactly three months since the much-talked-about war, and Gaza is once again forgotten. Israel has never taken an interest in the welfare of its victims. Now the world has forgotten, too. Two weeks with hardly a Qassam rocket has taken Gaza completely off the agenda. If the Gazans don't hurry up and resume firing, nobody will take an interest in their welfare again. Although not new, this is an especially grievous and saddening message liable to spark the next cycle of violence. And then it will be certain they won't get aid because they will be shooting.

Somebody must assume responsibility for the fate of the Abu-Aun family and other victims like them. If they had been injured in an earthquake, the world probably would have helped them recover long ago. Even Israel would have quickly dispatched aid convoys from ZAKA, Magen David Adom, even the IDF. But the Abu-Aun family was not injured by a natural disaster, but by hands and flesh and blood, made in Israel, and not for the first time. The response: no compensation, no aid, no rehabilitation. Israel and the world are too preoccupied to rebuild Gaza. They have become speechless. Gaza, remember?

From the ruins of the Abu-Aun family sprouts a new desperation. It will be more bitter than its predecessor. A decent family of eight has been destroyed, physically and psychologically, and the world stands aloof. We should not expect Israel to compensate its victims or rebuild the ruins it caused, even though this would clearly be in its interest, not to mention its moral obligation, a topic not even talked about.

The world once again has to clean up Israel's mess. But Israel is setting more and more political conditions for providing emergency humanitarian aid ? empty excuses to leave Gaza in ruins and not offer aid that Gaza deserves and desperately needs. Gaza has once again been left to its own devices, the Abu-Aun family has been left in its tent, and when the hostilities resume we will be told once again about the cruelty and brutality of ... the Palestinians.



http://informationclearinghouse.info/article22487.htm

Sunday April 26, 2009, 8:20 am

Some enjoy placing "SPIN" on every comment with which they disagree! These same people refuse to recognize that Hamas terrorism is at the root of the problem.
ENOUGH NONSENSE!!!

THE TRUTH!! From the Dallas Morning News, an area with VERY FEW Jewish People, so they have no constituency to placate. Other media agrees, except for some that have anti Israel bias because of oil. A well known fact stated by leadership in the USA and elsewhere. This fact has been stated by many people worldwide who have personally witnessed the situation with the attacks by Hamas terrorists firing rockets into Israel. Hamas' use of innocent Palestinian children as shields is terrorism at its lowest and most horrific level. No matter what gesture Israel attempts, and there have been many, they are always "shot down" by Hamas terrorists with their goal to murder all Israelis and Jewish People! MY heart goes out to Palestinian and ALL the children and innocents in the area!!! AND in the world!! I have said before that Israel is NOT perfect, no government is, but, they have tried peace and Hamas and other terrorist organizations in this area respond with deliberate murder of Arab People as well as Jewish People. Some people just refuse to acknowlege that Hamas terrorists are responsible for all the horror in this conflict! Below is a fair and balanced account, unlike those who express complete disdain for Israel in this thread. A lack of education breeds this type of dangerous attitude!


www.dallasnews.com.

Story: Editorial: The blood on Hamas' hands

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Editorial: The blood on Hamas' hands
04:43 PM CST on Monday, December 29, 2008
Nobody with a conscience can look at the images of destruction and human suffering on the streets of Gaza without flinching. The pictures of the civilian victims of Israeli air strikes -- especially children -- are heart-rending. But let's keep straight whose fault this tragedy is: Hamas, the fanatical Islamists who rule Gaza and who have used the land as a launching pad for firing rockets into Israel.
In 2005, Israel withdrew its military and Israeli settlers from occupied Gaza and turned the land over to the Palestinians. Fearing that Gaza would become a terror base, Israel retained control over the flow of goods and people into Gaza. The next year, Gazans voted in Hamas -- a terrorist organization whose charter commits itself to the destruction of Israel and the demonization of Palestinian peacemakers.
After the Hamas takeover, Israel imposed restrictions on goods and people entering and leaving Gaza, out of a well-founded fear that Hamas would turn Gaza into a terror statelet. That they have done, despite Israel's vigilance. Since 2005, Hamas and other Gazan terrorists have fired more than 6,000 rockets into Israel.
No state can permit its citizens to live under that kind of mortal threat, as President-elect Barack Obama acknowledged during the campaign. Israel is acting in self-defense. Yes, the Israelis have inflicted far more casualties on the Gazans than the Gazans have on them, but that is because Hamas deliberately and evilly locates its military resources among civilians, cynically hoping for a propaganda victory.
Don't forget that Israel is committed to a peace process and a two-state solution. Hamas despises both. There can be no peace as long as Hamas is a player. And yet, the violence Israel brings against Hamas threatens to undermine its own long-term regional position. The short-term goal has to be returning to a cease-fire between Israel and the Palestinians of Gaza -- without, one hopes, the jihadists of Hamas.
Someday and somehow, the peace process must resume. May the next American president have more luck on this front than the current one did.