Indo-Israel: News and Discussion

JE Menon · Post by **JE Menon** » 28 Dec 2008 15:48

Avinash

>>Hamas is a terrorist org and is banned in many countries including japan. as far as i know no terrorist attack by hamas has taken place on japanese soil but the dangerous nature of hamas has compelled even a pacifist nation like japan to ban hamas.

Not sure how this is related to my post.

>>The primary aim of Hamas is to terrorize the "zionist enemy" (as hamas calls israel). It has accomplised it's goal of terrorising the people of israel by the daily barrage of rocket attacks into israel.

Exactly, that is why I said: “All they accomplished was to terrorise and kill.”

>>Politically it will gain respect and more followers among the palestinian and arab population which wants to "throw the jews into the sea". Monetary gain too as people subscribing to these views among the ME population will increase the much needed funding for hamas rather than funding other groups which want a peaceful resolution.

Hamas position has always been well known. Those Arabs who agree with that strategy will continue to do so. Those who do not, will not change because of this – note that those who do not, are not necessarily in favour of Israel. Funding is also not bound to flow in because of this. It is not that there is a tap of funds waiting to be turned on. They are getting pretty much what they can squeeze out of the Arab and Islamic world… the groups that want a peaceful solution don’ t need funding, they need public opinion on their side. Of course, some additional “reconstruction/rehabilitation funds” may pour in… but expect no major material change

>>The sunni arab leaders who are trying hard to sideline hamas supported by shia iran will now have to open diplomatic channels to try and prevent hamas from increasing the level of attacks and violence against israel and stop this from turning into a war.

War? War between whom? Between Israel and the Arabs? Boss, there is no way that Egypt/Saudi/Jordan/Syria will go to war with Israel because Hamas decided to toss rockets over the border and got a pounding in return. They are pretty much on their own except for some lip service on one hand, and tongue lashing on the other through the “open diplomatic channels”…

>>If the arab leaders talk to hamas then it's a diplomatic gain for hamas. From a terror org they now are perceived as a group which is the legitimate voice of palestinians.

Most Arabs already perceived them as a legitimate voice of the Palestinians. The problem is that with its actions, Hamas is making them ponder whether it is also a responsible voice – or simply a plaything of Tehran! Still we can safely assume that Hamas will for the foreseeable future have a solid constituency of support as it has had in recent years, both locally and abroad. So what? They can do NOTHING for the Palestinians as a whole. They will not get them anything more substantial than what Fatah secured from Israel.

>>Another political benefit is since other rival palestinian factions like fatah are sidelined internally, losing support among palestinian for not being able to stop israeli attacks and externally too, when you can talk to hamas and stabilise the situation why talk to fatah?

Not sure how it is related to my post… The Hamas/Fatah thing is internal to them. I don't think Israel has a particular problem with them killing each other. They will be ready to talk to anyone whose objective is not their destruction, I think...

>>And this is another gain for hamas. they managed to create anger against israel(their enemy) among population of those countries whose leaders tried to create a more peaceful ME rather than ME full of jehadis.

You are assuming that there is a significant Arab population which does not harbor “anger against Israel”. There isn’t one. Even those with whom peace has been signed have no love for Israel. It is only a question of how far or how close each individual is to being prepared to personally bring violence upon Israel… Decades of propaganda from mother’s milk phase has worked its magic.

Avinash R · Post by **Avinash R** » 28 Dec 2008 19:15

JE Menon wrote:Not sure how this is related to my post.

Just pointing out the character of hamas. It aims to spread terror and does not really care or worry what is outcome of it's actions w.r.t to the resolution of the palestinian issue. This has forced other countries to ban this groups unlike other pali group which are allowed diplomatic space to continue their activities.

JE Menon wrote:Exactly, that is why I said: “All they accomplished was to terrorise and kill.”

And the point is hamas is accomplishing it's goal of terrorizing the enemy and israel is playing into it's hands by using helicopter and fighter jets to kill hamas. Instead a few bullets fired by 'unknown men' at leaders of hamas would have achieved the dual purpose of terrorizing the hamas and also create fear that there may be spies within the group which would have invetiably led to murder within their ranks.

The biggest drawback of these fresh aerial attack is rival factions cant blame hamas for the mess that they have created in gaza and will have to set aside their differences and fight israel under hamas if it mounts a ground invasion.

JE Menon wrote:Hamas position has always been well known. Those Arabs who agree with that strategy will continue to do so. Those who do not, will not change because of this – note that those who do not, are not necessarily in favour of Israel.

Most of the funding for terror groups comes from islamic 'charity' or businessmen. These people fund that group that shows the results on the ground.
When israel singles out hamas from other palestinian terror groups for special aerial treatment then it increases the perception that hamas is the one that is showing the results and this is right group to fund.

Another way of increasing the pool of people who 'donate' is to create propaganda videos showing attacks by the occupation and at the end of the video saying "if you cant fight in the jehad, atleast donate for those who are fighting". Today hamas does not have to take the trouble of creating and airing such videos unlike other pali groups, the whole world media is doing this for it by airing the videos of the aerial strike.

JE Menon · Post by **JE Menon** » 28 Dec 2008 19:29

Avinash R · Post by **Avinash R** » 28 Dec 2008 20:06

JE Menon wrote:War? War between whom?

War between Hamas and Israel, after the spectacular failure of the combined arab armies against israel they are not going to enter into direct war but would rather fight a proxy war by funding groups that fight for them.

There are signs there will be a ground invasion similar to one in lebanon, already reserve soldiers are being told to report to base and ehud barak has hinted about possibility of operations by ground forces in gaza.

Tilak · Post by **Tilak** » 28 Dec 2008 23:42

Avinash R wrote:And the point is hamas is accomplishing it's goal of terrorizing the enemy and israel is playing into it's hands by using helicopter and fighter jets to kill hamas. Instead a few bullets fired by 'unknown men' at leaders of hamas would have achieved the dual purpose of terrorizing the hamas and also create fear that there may be spies within the group which would have invetiably led to murder within their ranks.

The biggest drawback of these fresh aerial attack is rival factions cant blame hamas for the mess that they have created in gaza and will have to set aside their differences and fight israel under hamas if it mounts a ground invasion.

Most of the funding for terror groups comes from islamic 'charity' or businessmen. These people fund that group that shows the results on the ground.

When israel singles out hamas from other palestinian terror groups for special aerial treatment then it increases the perception that hamas is the one that is showing the results and this is right group to fund.

Another way of increasing the pool of people who 'donate' is to create propaganda videos showing attacks by the occupation and at the end of the video saying "if you cant fight in the jehad, atleast donate for those who are fighting". Today hamas does not have to take the trouble of creating and airing such videos unlike other pali groups, the whole world media is doing this for it by airing the videos of the aerial strike.

Not true "Hamas" was duely elected in the Gaza Strip as the "representative" of the people over there, if it indulges in bravado they bear the responsibility of the latest exchange. And by the way they dont need "charities" or "businessmen" to get funding, Haniyeh has taken up tours to collect funds, earlier. So if the Gazans want to fight, by watching propaganda videos and collecting donations, they have every right to.. but at present they are breaching the barricades and running away into egypt, nevermind the mass propaganda rallies..

Abbas Criticizes Hamas Radicals in Harsh Terms
By STEVEN ERLANGER
Published: July 19, 2005

GAZA, July 18 - The Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, sharply criticized the radical Hamas faction on Monday for breaking the truce with Israel that all Palestinian groups had agreed upon and for allowing Israel to take advantage of internal Palestinian strife.

"There is no such thing as 'controlled resistance' and 'uncontrolled resistance,' " Mr. Abbas said at a news conference here, adding that "no one has the right to take the law into their own hands."

"I'm making every effort to keep the truce," he said. "I don't want or accept a civil war. But if they insist on breaking the truce without abiding by the consensus, let them bear the responsibility." The Palestinian Authority, he said, would enforce the law and tolerate "no alternative so-called government or authority."

Abbas blames Hamas for bloodshed
Sunday, December 28, 2008

Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, has blamed Hamas for triggering Israel's deadly raids on Gaza, by not extending a six-month truce with the Jewish state.

He also blamed Hamas, which controls the coastal Gaza Strip territory, for disrupting national unity talks that could have paved the way for general and presidential elections.

"We have warned of this grave danger," he said in Cairo, Egypt, on Sunday.

"We talked to them [Hamas] and we told them, 'please, we ask you, do not end the truce. Let the truce continue and not stop", so that we could have avoided what happened."

However, Fawzi Barhoum, a Hamas spokesman, said he was "surprised" by Abbas's claim.

"He downplayed the sufferings of our people in Gaza and belittled their pains, providing justification of the holocaust and war waged by Israel," he said.

Abbas, whose Fatah movement has been at loggerheads with Hamas, said maintaining the truce could have helped the Palestinians avoid the raids, which have so far killed more than 280 people over the past two days.

Nour Odeh, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Ramallah, reported that senior figures had supported Abbas in his call on Hamas not to abandon the truce.

She added that during an Israeli election year, a hardline position towards Palestinians has always won more seats, making the timing particularly risky for Hamas.

"Not just Abbas, but people close to the circles of decision-making in key Arab states, said that Hamas was warned that breaking the ceasefire or not keeping it would result in mayhem and bloodshed," she reported.

Ayman Mohyeldin, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Gaza, said the stance at all levels of the Hamas leadership was the same: "They will remain defiant in the face of any attacks and that the movement is larger that an single assault or attack.

"That they were democratically elected by the Palestinian people, and only through the ballot box will they leave the political scene."

Hamas argues that Israel violated the truce by failing to ease its 18-month blockade on the Gaza Strip.

'Inaction'

Egypt's foreign minister has also blamed Hamas for preventing hundreds of wounded Palestinians from entering Egypt via the Rafah crossing for treatment - the only crossing that does not border Israel.

Ahmed Aboul Gheit said the wounded were "barred from crossing" and he blamed "those in control of Gaza" for putting the lives of the injured at risk.

Barhoum rejected Egypt's statements as an excuse for their 'inaction' towards Israel
But Barhoum denied the accusations, saying that Aboul Gheit was taking advantage of the "massacre and the suffering", to "cover up the state of inaction in Egypt".
.....

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit harshly censured Hamas today (27 Dec), placing responsibility for the current situation on Hamas. At a noon press conference broadcast on Egyptian television, he said that Egypt had repeatedly cautioned against continuing the situation and that whoever did not listen (Hamas) should assume responsibility and not blame others. He added that Israel had publicly warned that continued rocket fire would lead to military action. Prime Minister Olmert said just two days ago in an Al Arabiya TV interview that if Hamas did not stop the rocket fire, Israel would respond militarily. The Egyptian foreign minister added angrily that right before Foreign Minister Livnis arrival in Egypt on Thursday, 60 rockets were fired, meant to foil Egypts efforts to achieve quiet.

Ananya · Post by **Ananya** » 28 Dec 2008 23:58

This is my first post in BR forum,

It is a decessive action which has lthe Hamas complete leadership knocked out and has come in a result of meticulus planning and precise execution a method we are yet to perfect or perhaps we do not excersice ( chalta hai attitude)

Such actions would make the Hamas/Pakis think twice before planing an attack . It is high time the PMO, Home and Intellgence analysts understand the action that need to be done and executed .

anupmisra · Post by **anupmisra** » 29 Dec 2008 00:13

Three cheers for the Israelis. Atleast someone has the kajones to hit back at the terrorists.

anupmisra · Post by **anupmisra** » 29 Dec 2008 00:16

Ananya wrote:It is high time the PMO, Home and Intellgence analysts understand the action that need to be done and executed .

You are kidding, right? India couldn't even impress on the Lankans to not send their national team to pukistan. Who in the world will take India seriously?

darshan · Post by **darshan** » 29 Dec 2008 00:17

Rishirishi wrote:
darshan wrote:I hope some Israeli missiles get misfired and land in satanist land of pakis.
Should we not expect the Indian government to take action?

Sorry to say that but I gave up on that long time ago.
After each attack, GoI does not even think about upgrading military forget about mobilizing it to use for something. Reminds me of Nehru's excuse during 1962.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 29 Dec 2008 05:51

Indian acrobatics on Israel air strikes

Delhi mulls fresh statement to factor in ‘disproportionate use of force’

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 29 Dec 2008 06:12

Israeli commandos already fighting behind Gaza lines

Amid continuing massive air strikes and wide speculation about whether or not Israeli ground forces will cross into the Gaza Strip, DEBKAfile's military sources report small groups of Israeli special forces were already carrying out swift hit-and-run raids Sunday, Dec. 28, on Day 2 of the Israeli Gaza operation.

As Israeli bombers, gunships and drones hovered overhead, picking up every move made by Hamas fighters and their missiles, Israeli stealth squads popped up at command posts, transport routes and missile squads, hit some and then faded away behind sand dunes. This tactic sowed confusion in Hamas ranks and gave them no chance to regroup and recover from the crushing air assault to their military infrastructure. The latest Palestinian death toll is estimated at 296.

This ground operation, which is likely to intensify Sunday overnight, has two objectives:

1. To mark key targets for air bombardment;

2. To blaze the way for a large-scale armored incursion still to come.

The most important mission carried out by the Israeli Air Force Sunday was the destruction of 40 smuggling tunnels, severing Hamas' arms, fuel, ammunition and reinforcements lifeline from Iran and Syria via Egyptian Sinai. It raised the question of why this feat was not carried out during the three years since the tunnels began functioning.

Whereas Saturday, the Israeli bombers struck with missiles, Sunday, dropped CBU-24 bunker busters which detonate 30 minutes after penetration on the Philadelphi tunnels. By the time the plumes of black smoke rose over the targeted area, the Israeli planes were gone.

Ananya · Post by **Ananya** » 29 Dec 2008 06:33

this is what is known as Diplomacy and Action
====

Sources in the defence establishment said that Defense Minister Ehud Barak instructed the IDF to prepare for the operation over six months ago, even as Israel was beginning to negotiate a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, it said.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/00 ... 290332.htm

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 29 Dec 2008 15:09

There seems to sadly be a "death wish" in the Middle East.Israel suffers from an overdose of insecurity,given its tiny size and surrounded by enemies potential,present and past.The terrorist Islamist groups who now control the Palestinian movement like Hamas and the Hiz in Lebanon, have discovered the perfrect assymetrical weapon,the lowly unguided rocket to hit back at Israel's overwhelming conventional and nuclear superiority.A great pity that Israel could not barter peace for territory when Arafat was alive.His successor has abdicated power to militant Hamas who are now spearheading another round of WW2 Nazi style "buzz-bombs" to break an Israeli economic blockade of Gaza which has sent it almost into a Dark Ages existence.Hamas refuses to broker peace with Israel and after rocket attack upon attack,Israel has unleashed a massive counterattack killing hundreds.

Ehud Barak its defence Minister rightly said that the first duty of any govt. was to secure the safety of its citizens.In this there is a signal lesson for India's govt. too, which simply waffles and waits for God,the US,the terrorists to die of old age,or the problem to simply to fade away by itself while the citizens keep dying of attacks.But there is a massive difference in the state that exists between India and Israel in their unique problems.India is not holding onto Arab land.India is not imposing any blockade of Palestinians in Gaza and India is not attacking terrorist camps in Pak,or has done so ever!In kashmir,elections have been held successfully,embraced by all sections of the people-a massive slap in the face of Pakistan's perfidious rulers and proxy warriors.The Palestinians have a genuine political grievance against the Israelis and vice-versa.The Islamists want no peace with Israel whatsoveer and with their supporter nations,some even want Israel to be thrown into the sea.Thus the cycle of violence.

We are however here being subjected to continuous gang-rape by "Paki-Satan" and the govt. of the day has done bugger all to save its citizens,not een a diplomatic slap in the face.An absolute dereliction of duty.

Lisa · Post by **Lisa** » 29 Dec 2008 15:18

shyamd wrote:Israeli commandos already fighting behind Gaza lines
Amid continuing massive air strikes and wide speculation about whether or not Israeli ground forces will cross into the Gaza Strip, DEBKAfile's military sources report small groups of Israeli special forces were already carrying out swift hit-and-run raids Sunday, Dec. 28, on Day 2 of the Israeli Gaza operation.
..................

Whereas Saturday, the Israeli bombers struck with missiles, Sunday, dropped CBU-24 bunker busters which detonate 30 minutes after penetration on the Philadelphi tunnels. By the time the plumes of black smoke rose over the targeted area, the Israeli planes were gone.

GBU-24 not CBU-24, I think a Typo by author

Chandragupta · Post by **Chandragupta** » 29 Dec 2008 16:33

Gerard wrote:Indian acrobatics on Israel air strikes
Delhi mulls fresh statement to factor in ‘disproportionate use of force’

India should have a clear cut policy on the Israel-Palestinian issue. I do not understand why India constantly talks about 'muslim sentiments' when trying to take a stand on the issue. I want the Indian government to throw this 'we support the palestinian cause' talk to the dustbin, and openly support Israel. It will atleast uncover the sections of Indian Muslims who have more loyalty to Palestine than India when they come out on the streets. This cancer can then be identified & removed.

The arabs have always been anti-India & it can be easily gauged from the statements made in OIC on Kashmir over the years. Why kiss their ass & support Palestine?

kmc_chacko · Post by **kmc_chacko** » 29 Dec 2008 17:15

Chandragupta wrote:
Gerard wrote:Indian acrobatics on Israel air strikes
India should have a clear cut policy on the Israel-Palestinian issue. I do not understand why India constantly talks about 'muslim sentiments' when trying to take a stand on the issue. I want the Indian government to throw this 'we support the palestinian cause' talk to the dustbin, and openly support Israel. It will atleast uncover the sections of Indian Muslims who have more loyalty to Palestine than India when they come out on the streets. This cancer can then be identified & removed.

The arabs have always been anti-India & it can be easily gauged from the statements made in OIC on Kashmir over the years. Why kiss their ass & support Palestine?

This is just a Vote bank politics. Arabs are always with Pakis and they are always anti-India, we should not forget that these Gulf countries gives free aid, fuel to Pakistan. During the Indo-Pak Wars they even supplied their best fighter planes against us. Israel always supported us militarily and every possible way it can help. So I firmly say GOI should openly support Israel action, because it attacked Hamas is just for a self defense.

But still it is not fair & inhuman activity, I really not agree with way of reaction from the Israel.

* * * * * *

For just a discussion sake just see the difference between India & Israel military & political mind set. Israel attacked Hamas and Palestine, because some of Hamas fired rockets damaged some buildings belonging to Israel. Even the surrounding countries warned Israel & UN Security Council asked for ceasefire Israel has clearly stated that it will continue to strike at its will, as it was doing it in its self defense.

In our country 10 men come from across the border and killed 175+ civilians, our babus are talking sweetly even doubting the sequence led to the death of some gallant fighters who gave their life for saving many.

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 29 Dec 2008 17:24

A comparison between India and Israel would help -

Israel is more stronger and powerful than Hamaz

India is stronger but not that stronger whereas Pakistan is made into a powerful country by China with the supply of nuclear arm.

Israel wants to safeguard their people and their interests at all costs.

India particularly Congress government with people like Pranab Muk have shown how weak they are and how weak they can make their country to be

Israel has support and blessings of US and many western government

India has half hearted supported of Western govt though US

Israel has a strong mind to eliminate all the terrorist around them with their forces

India does not have a strong mind to eliminate the terrorism due to a lack of will

It is essential to follow Israel in eliminating the terrorists altogether.

Long time strategy is good. Not a covet operation but a terror target based operation is essential in case of an attack.

Chandragupta · Post by **Chandragupta** » 29 Dec 2008 20:12

kmc_chacko wrote:
But still it is not fair & inhuman activity, I really not agree with way of reaction from the Israel.

Israel NEEDS to do this. They're not India that is the size of a continent, they're a tiny nation, surrounded by enemies from all directions. They need to inflict atleast 10 times the damage their perpetrator inflicted on them, that's how they get the balance going.

Anyways, whatever statements the GoI makes have little effect. Israel & Israelis know the support they enjoy in India. I was in McLeodganj in 2006 & had a conversation with an Israeli couple. They told me that wherever they travelled in India, whenever they told the locals & shopkeepers that they're from Israel, they immediately got a treatment that they had never dreamt of.

It's a pity that we're letting 'muslim sentiments' decide our west asia policy. Can't believe Congress is scouting for votes from Indian traitors who consider themselves as Muslims first & have more loyalty to Palestine & Mecca-Medina than their own motherland. To think of it, Muslims fought the British not to liberate India but to protect the Caliphate in distant Turkey. Traitors of the highest order.

Div · Post by **Div** » 29 Dec 2008 20:34

Lisa wrote:
shyamd wrote:Israeli commandos already fighting behind Gaza lines
GBU-24 not CBU-24, I think a Typo by author

Yeah, likely a GBU-24 AUP or a BLU-109 using a GBU-24 guidance kit.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 29 Dec 2008 22:45

Israel's crucial Gaza invasion is ready to go after three-day air assault

DEBKAfile's military sources report that, after being knocked sideways by three days of massive Israeli air strikes, and more than 315 dead, Hamas appeared to have recovered its bearings sufficiently to pound Israel with more than 70 Qassam missiles and two Grad Katyusha rockets Monday, Dec. 29, on Day 3 of the operation.

Its tacticians pin their hopes on the overcast, rainy conditions forecast for the rest of the week to slow Israeli air attacks, delay an incursion, and further intensify their cross-border missile onslaught.

Monday, their missile crews focused on the Israeli towns of Ashkelon, Sderot, Netivot and the Eshkol farming region just across the border. One Israeli construction worker was killed at an Ashkelon building site and 18 injured when a Grad slammed into a half-finished building.

The Palestinian terrorists are now about to again broaden the radius of their attacks by launching their new Iranian rockets against the important towns of Beersheba, Ashdod and Kiryat Gat.

The planners of the Israeli air offensive turned Monday to "second-tier" targets, such as Hamas' political offices and wings of the Islamic University in Gaza City, after its high-profile leaders went into hiding in the underground bunker network designed by an Iranian general deep under the surface of the Gaza Strip.

They can only be dug out by special forces and armored units on the ground.

The crucial battle of Gaza is therefore still to come, as indicated by Israel's deputy chief of staff Maj. Gen. Israel Harel, when he warned Monday that the hardest part of the campaign is still ahead.

Hizballah's Hassan Nasrallah told a mass rally in Beirut Monday that Hamas' most effective weapon is time; by holding out, it can wear Israel down and prevail.

He was using the 2006 Lebanon war as an analogy for the Gaza campaign. Then, a massive Israeli offensive in the first days of the war failed to break Hizballah, By sustaining the blasting of its cities, the Lebanese terrorists ultimately cancelled out Israel's gains.

He may not have realized that Israel's defense minister and chief of staff were both appointed after that debacle. Their most important guideline was to learn from its lessons.

Hamas' trouble is the lack of a conspicuous war leader. Its politburo chief Khaled Meshaal is visible but because he is based in Damascus away from the action, he does not carry much clout. The flamboyant Hizballah leader, Nasrallah, appears to have appointed himself senior strategist.

So far, this Tehran-sponsored Lebanese Shiite leader is making his mark verbally, but his repeated fiery rhetoric day after day aims at goading Iran and Syria, Hamas' avowed patrons, into intervening in the Gaza crisis to rescue Hamas, so dragging in the other Arab governments.

Tilak · Post by **Tilak** » 30 Dec 2008 05:40

Lisa wrote:
shyamd wrote:Israeli commandos already fighting behind Gaza lines
GBU-24 not CBU-24, I think a Typo by author

I don't know if the above report is true wrt. usage of GBU-24. But Israel recently bought 1000 GBU-39's from US. And last I heard is using them against Hamas.

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 30 Dec 2008 18:57

I think Israel has a right to defend her citizens at all costs. If Hamas thinks that they can get away with by throwing rockets just like in Mumbai terrorists and ISI got away with their activities. It is also essential that Israel goes into Gaza and make sure that moderates among Muslims get into power and make sure if people are voting for such rightwing Hamas their lives are going to be like this.

It is essential that Gaza people gets their rights for a nationhood along with Palestinians but not at the gun point of Hamas. Terrorists who tend to kill cannot be allowed to roam around anymore.

Israelis needs strategy to develop an alternative powercentre in Gaza with whom they would work with otherwise the fights would continue without any point.

vinay · Post by **vinay** » 31 Dec 2008 04:27

Bhai/Behenlog, remember terrorist-supporting, anti-Indian Cynthia mckinney? Turns out she was on the boat that tried to break the naval blockade of the Gaza strip.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123066366430243153.html

"Our boat was rammed three times, twice in the front and one on the side," McKinney told CNN Tuesday morning. "Our mission was a peaceful mission. Our mission was thwarted by the aggressiveness of the Israeli military."

Another difference is that McKinney says she wanted to deliver medical supplies, not weapons. Although to judge by this New York Times account of what goes on at Gaza's Shifa hospital, the difference may be less.

She ran for US presidency under the Green party and a cursory look at their website reveals that they don't really have much to do with the Earth-friendly green movement.

Shreeman · Post by **Shreeman** » 31 Dec 2008 10:00

vinay wrote:Bhai/Behenlog, remember terrorist-supporting, anti-Indian Cynthia mckinney? Turns out she was on the boat that tried to break the naval blockade of the Gaza strip.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123066366430243153.html

She is a nobody now. Doubt it would have made a difference if the boat had sunk. Wonder what boat they used to ram into what looks like a small fragile private boat. Pretty much anything military would have torn it apart just by sneezing at it in three attempts.

I hope the Israelis don't make another Lebanon out of it. This is only a few square miles, one decent attempt ought to sort it out clean.

asprinzl · Post by **asprinzl** » 31 Dec 2008 13:25

Folks, for seven years Israel had been hit with rockets and the spineless leaders did nothing. Now that Bibi is leadingin in the polls with a high chance of becoming Prime Minister, suddenly Olmert and Livni in their fear of being jobless soon decided to hit Hamas. This is politics at its bul$hit's height. Why hit Gaza now when it should had been hit hard long time ago? I don't think anything good is going to come out of this because the motive behind the strike is not Israeli security but Olmert's, Livni's and Ehud's job security.
Avram

Madhusudhan · Post by **Madhusudhan** » 31 Dec 2008 21:01

It is interesting how worldwide protests against Israel have been started by the usual suspects - Israel kills 390 Palestinians, primarily Hamas, and the 'moderate' Muslims, and the leftist groups start organising protests. When terrorists killed 179 people in India, including a large number of innocent muslims, the same crowds did not bat an eyelid, nor did they take the time to protest against state sponsored terrorism by countries like Pakistan. This is a very clear indication as to who our friends are, and who enemies of civilisation are

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 31 Dec 2008 23:01

asprinzl it will be a sad day when the Israeli Politicians will stoop to the Level of the Indian ball-less ones(even to grab power).

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 01 Jan 2009 00:07

IAF hits Gaza mosque storing rockets

Vikram_S · Post by **Vikram_S** » 01 Jan 2009 02:29

i am fully in support of the israeli ops. unlike the useless GOI they actually care about each life of their own citizen.

Surya · Post by **Surya** » 01 Jan 2009 04:22

Ehud barak just set the Israelis for failure by talking of the "fight to bitter end".

Same stupid type of comments in 2006 allowed Hezb to proclaim victory.

Guess at the end of the day all politicians are the same.

Yogi_G · Post by **Yogi_G** » 01 Jan 2009 21:37

http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/st ... 0090078441

Israel targets Children

Oh please, why is there no mention of the rockets fired into Israeli towns and cities, civilians were targeted...

Strong commie influence on NDTV reporting is apparent....

vsudhir · Post by **vsudhir** » 01 Jan 2009 22:50

Well, at least someone seems to have learnt from their last debacle (the Hezbollah war in Lebanon).

Israel stifles free press coverage in Gaza

Its no secret that the Palestinian media management has traditionally been very slick and effective. Don't see why Israel is obliged to let them keep that advantage. Do a China on the Palestininan media cell.

Tilak · Post by **Tilak** » 02 Jan 2009 00:18

Saudi cleric arrested for calling for attacks on Israelis

Latest rockets manufactured in China

p_saggu · Post by **p_saggu** » 02 Jan 2009 01:12

Go Israel Go !!!

vsudhir · Post by **vsudhir** » 02 Jan 2009 01:33

Israelis kill a hamas leader in Gaza

Israel broadened the scope of its air offensive against the Hamas infrastructure in Gaza, destroying important symbols of government and killing a senior leader of the militant Islamic group, Nizar Rayyan.

Wonder why the arab states aren't announcing oil embargoes and such onlee....

Seems chini bhais have managed tro ship rockets to Hamas sans a karakoram highway onlee.... am sure the logistics route passed through either Pak or iran or both.

Someday IAF shall pulverize izloo similarly and IA shall make entry preps into pakjabi hellholes.

A_Gupta · Post by **A_Gupta** » 02 Jan 2009 09:38

This is really US-Israel, and involves Brzezinski; but is I think essential:
http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archiv ... ki_says_1/

If you can't watch the video:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taba_Summit

renukb · Post by **renukb** » 02 Jan 2009 13:16

'Israel-type retaliatory action not for India'
http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=1 ... vsv=TopHP1

Thursday, 01 January , 2009, 17:02

New Delhi: Despite mounting outrage over Pakistan's inaction against those who perpetrated the Mumbai terror rampage - that provoked many in India to call for punitive military action - the Indian government and experts have repudiated calls for Israel-like air strikes saying such an "impractical" move could be counterproductive.

"We have strongly criticised that attack and we have urged Israel to stop those attacks," Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram told reporters here on Wednesday.

"So that incident or that event, (Israeli air strikes) we cannot draw any lessons for the way we deal with Pakistan," Chidamabaram said when asked whether New Delhi has drawn lessons from Israeli airstrikes.

Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma also ruled out any military action against Islamabad and argued that India was a mature democracy and military strikes did not make any sense when diplomatic channels were available to make Pakistan fall in line.

"Answering through military action is not child's play when we are a part of a globalised world. We want to resolve all our differences in a peaceful manner. Nevertheless, our security agencies are capable enough to meet any eventuality," Sharma told reporters in Chandigarh on Wednesday.

The government's view is being reinforced by seasoned diplomats and Pakistan experts.

"India simply can't do an Israel-like operation because the situations are radically different. It's impractical. In the case of Israel, they are attacking a defenceless population with no comparable military might," G Parthasarathy, India's former ambassador to Pakistan, said.

"On the other hand, India is dealing with a country with a well-organised military machine and nuclear weapons," the former envoy said.

India asks Israel to observe 'utmost restraint'

India's response to cross-border terrorism stands out in stark contrast to Israel's military action against Hamas militia in Palestine. India can't afford to go the Israel way as it will alienate large sections of international opinion that are wary of unilateral adventurism, pointed out a diplomat who did not wish to be named.

However, there is a growing popular clamour to bring Pakistan to account with ordinary citizens writing angry letters in the newspapers and airing their outrage in numerous TV talk shows and internet blogs.

With this popular outrage as a backdrop, the Indian government is asking the international community to intensify pressure on Pakistan to dismantle the "anti-India terror machine" in that country. India has also indicated to influential global players that Pakistan's continuing denial and inaction may compel it to take extreme step, said diplomatic sources.

India has strongly condemned "unwarranted use of force" by Israel in the Gaza Strip and that has killed over 300 Palestinians, including many civilians, and asked Tel Aviv to observe "utmost restraint".

India condemns Israeli attacks in Gaza

Amid a growing chorus of global outrage, Israel has rejected any truce with Hamas Islamists in the Gaza Strip before cross-border rocket fire ceased and said its air strikes heralded "long weeks of military action".

More than 350 people have died and more than 800 wounded since Israel launched its attacks on Saturday.

negi · Post by **negi** » 02 Jan 2009 14:42

Tilak wrote: Latest rockets manufactured in China

How did they reach HAMAS, it aint no brainer

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 02 Jan 2009 15:30

hopefully the incorporate israeli tech sold to PRC from the era when they were even on the verge of selling
phalcon

nothing like a slap in the face from one's own technology

dada · Post by **dada** » 03 Jan 2009 14:05

IAF = Israeli ( Indian ) Air Force
PAF = Palestine (Pakistan ) Air Force

A coincidence in semantics !