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Monday, January 05, 2009

President Bush's last drops of Palestinian blood

Malaysiakini columnist Josh Hong has just written Middle East: a bleak year ahead?

Josh is one of my faves. He wrote eruditely about his conversation with an Indon artist matey. Quoting his artist friend, he penned:

"Without the backing of the US, the Israelis could not have come thus far". And he went on to play Bob Dylan’s ‘Blowin’ in the wind’. He may be a ‘secular’ Muslim, but it would still be inhumane for a secularist – and anyone else - to tolerate indiscriminate killings on this scale.

His humanity led him to express “…it would still be inhumane for a secularist – and anyone else - to tolerate indiscriminate killings on this scale …” with the emphasis on his succinctly true but sad key phrase “…indiscriminate killings on this scale …”, which lamentably many Malaysians have yet to comprehend.

With the ‘open cheque book’ blessing of the USA, Israel has gone on a wanton slaughter of Palestinians. And to ensure the Israelis may be fully satiated in its Gazaan blood bath, the USA on Saturday veto-ed a UN Security Council resolution “…calling for an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and southern Israel and expressing concern at the escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas.”

The one-sided conflict with an Israeli military armed to the teeth with the latest American air, naval and ground weaponry has brought to the surface a few truths that we already know of but at last see with abysmal dismay.

One – The West has remained generally silent in complicity with Israel and the USA. Those with some elements of perhaps Christian conscience, like Australian PM Kevin Rudd, have urged a ceasefire but only after making the mandatory/obligatory call for Hamas militants to stop firing rockets into southern Israel.

The Judean and Yankee Overlords have to be mollified that the appeal for a ceasfire had taken into full recognition that the ‘fault’ for the conflict has all along been Hamas’, but never that of the Israelis who stole and keep stealing Palestinian land.

Two – the Arab nations have in general been cringing, with no intention of upsetting generous Uncle Sam, or in the case of Saudi Arabia and some Gulf States, US 'protection'.


In typical Middle Eastern fashion, they wring their hands, aiyoyo in Arabic, pet their hooded falcons (the hoods seem to be over their bloody eyes rather than the birds’) and made meaningless noises. Major failures have been the governments of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and the rich Gulf States.

This is a salutory lesson for Malaysian Muslims who seem to have a cultural cringe towards, and a blind admiration for all things Arab, that is, if they still haven't yet realized the miserly Scrooge-like lack of compassion of the Arab States (especially the rich ones like Kuwait and Saudi Arabia) towards their so-called SE Asian Muslim brethren who were victims of the post 2004 tsunami.


So much of Islamic brotherood, and now you needn't wonder why the Palestinians continue getting shafted despite the Arab numbers and money.

Three – whilst the Arab governments bersandiwara with their pseudo-concerns, the Arab and even the Turkish people have been in furious uproar over the scale of brutalities unmatched in modern conflict, save in the last Israeli malicious bombardment of Lebanon.

But what did these people do? They held protest rallies, burned effigies, stamped on US and Israeli flags, maybe even fired a few hundred rounds of bullets in the air, all of which have been f* useless and most certainly totally ineffective in influencing the Israelis or Americans.

In other words they indulged in dramatic but useless gestures.


They should instead force the hands of their governments into taking real actions, like (in the case of Egypt and Jordan and Morocco) breaking off diplomatic relations with Israel, boycotting Israeli goods (eg. the Arab boycott of Danish dairy products during the Prophet Mohamed caricature provocation was damn effective which shook up the Danes), ...

... minimising diplomatic, cultural, sporting and academic/educational ties with the Zionist State and USA and Britain ...

... and where possible, boycotting US and British goods.

But we may trust the Saudis, Egyptian, Moroccan and Jordanian governments to resist that. However, the Arab people must focus and apply pressure on their political centre instead of jumping up and down uselessly like clowns.

On the home front, Dr Mahathir has urged us to boycott US goods and currency.

He said that world governments would not support the move as many are petrified of the wrath of the USA, but the people could play their part to save Palestine, by for example, taking just wee manageable actions such as not consuming US-branded soft drinks.

I can predict what will happen.


Most (not all) Malaysian Muslims would support the Palestinians without really understanding why, other than that fellow Muslims are being persecuted by non-Muslims (in the case of Gaza, Israelis).

But after a while, they’ll be back to Macca’s, KFC's and cokes.

On the other hand, most of them would ignore the terrorist attacks on Mumbai or avoid condemning the Bali bombings.

Then, most (not all) Malaysian non-Muslims won’t give a damn sh*t about what’s happening in Gaza; a few might even have said those Palestinians deserve it, and echoed the Israelis’ propaganda that if children were killed, that happened only because Hamas used them as human shields.

Isn’t it just f* sad that Malaysia has too few people like Josh Hong.

Some religious nuts may even argue the conflicts in the Middle East for the last 60 years showed that the Israeli YWVH is all powerfully present, though of course He was prominently absent during the Holocaust and the two Diasporas.

But as Bush spills his last official litres of Palestinian blood, I see very little hope for the Palestinians even with Barack Obama assuming the US presidency.


Obama has been overcompensating for those snide remarks about his personal Muslim connections ... by appointing a neocon Zionist like Rahm Emanuel as his White House Chief of Staff.

That is his Achilles heel which I have no doubt the neocons and Zionists will exploit to the hilt.

At best I see him tiptoeing most carefully through the Jewish/Christian Right's tulips, at least during his first term.

17 comments:

  1. WHAT ARE THE PALESTINIAN MUSLIMS AFRAID OF?

    Where were the Palestinian Muslims who nosily marched down Young Street in Toronto today Sat Jan 03/09 telling us that Israel is so terrible for defending itself against Hamas, , where were all you Palestinians when Hamas was sending Bombs into Israel for the last 6 months? Did you march like this to demand that the Islamic terrorist group "Hamas" stop sending 80 rockets a month into Israel? No you were not that is the sad thing. It would appear that the Palestinian in Canada want us to support a Islamic terrorist group called Hamas. Or is it that you willfully deny it?

    I wonder how stupid our Palestinian neighbors think Canadians are? These Gaza residents are mostly on Government assistance. They live in tents I think they must like it because none of them seems to want to get out of poverty by working and building. Now if your Palestinian friends in Gaza are so poor, why do you have so many rockets and guns, would it not be better to start building homes instead?

    I wonder as well why is it that you all are so afraid to hear something bad about Islam? If Islam does not worship the same God as Israel why are you so mad, mad enough to send bombs over? We have fights sometimes with other neighbors in Canada but we don´t throw bombs at them when they won´t listen.

    I wonder if you really understand the situation clearly?

    Could it be that Islam teaches its ok for Non Muslims (Infidels) to be treated like slaves humiliated and brought low into submission? until we pay a protection tax and feel ourselves subdued? What is for certain is that no Christian and Jew can be murdered, as long as we keep paying the Jizya tax.

    How does the Quran put it again , oh yes

    SURA 009.029 There are three different translations because I know how the Muslims like to say that we misinterpreted the verse. These are Muslim translations done by Muslim Scholars, all three.

    YUSUFALI: Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.

    PICKTHAL: Fight against such of those who have been given the Scripture as believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, and forbid not that which Allah hath forbidden by His messenger, and follow not the Religion of Truth, until they pay the tribute readily, being brought low.

    SHAKIR: Fight those who do not believe in Allah, nor in the latter day, nor do they prohibit what Allah and His Messenger have prohibited, nor follow the religion of truth, out of those who have been given the Book, until they pay the tax in acknowledgment of superiority and they are in a state of subjection.

    Ladies and Gentlemen in Canada and around the world, please understand that Palestine wants to eliminate the Jews, just read Hamas charter found on the net.

    You see what is going on in the world between Israel and these Islamic terrorist organizations?

    These same problems have now filtered throw the cracks of our "peaceful pride" that we think we have living here in Canada. The darkness of war, bombs in the night that take down building´s and terrify all. These are the scenes in Israel. They soon may be the reality here.

    If the Palestinian living across Canada would like to help then lets get rid of the well-known terrorist group Hamas. Lets all work together to get rid of this evil group.

    I just wonder what the Palestine Muslims are so afraid of?

    Mr.Mark Harding.

    General

    United Canadians Committee

    www.unitedcanadiancommittee.com

    Jan 4, 2009

    ReplyDelete
  2. Statement by Michael Ignatieff, Leader of the Official Opposition - "Liberal Party of Canada", on the situation in Israel and the Gaza Strip

    I am greatly concerned by the deepening violence in Israel and the Gaza Strip and the fear and suffering on all sides that this mounting instability has caused.

    The Liberal Party of Canada unequivocally condemns the rocket attacks launched by Hamas against Israeli civilians and calls for an immediate end to these attacks. We affirm Israel's right to defend itself against such attacks, and also its right to exist in peace and security.

    We regret the loss of life sustained on all sides of the conflict. We call on all parties to end these hostilities, mindful that a durable ceasefire will be necessary to prevent continued civilian casualties and lasting damage to essential civilian infrastructure.

    The international community has a responsibility to ensure that the cost of conflict is not borne by the innocent and Canada must stand ready to assist and ensure that basic humanitarian assistance reaches those who need it.

    Our thoughts are with those in Israel and the Gaza Strip whose lives are imperiled by the cycle of violence in the region. In the midst of this crisis, we continue to stand for a peaceful resolution. We firmly believe that the basis of this peace will be the mutual recognition by both Israelis and Palestinians of two states, living side by side in peace and security, with a full resolution of the issue of refugees and settlements, as well as secure and internationally recognized borders and boundaries.


    Source: AFP
    "Canada is deeply concerned by the increase in hostilities between Israel and Hamas," said Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon in a statement.
    "We urge renewed international diplomatic efforts to achieve a sustainable and durable ceasefire, starting with the halting of all rocket attacks on Israel."
    Rocket attacks from Hamas militants and other factions into southern Israel were to blame for the crisis, said Cannon, adding that civilian safety has to be taken into account as the conflict intensifies.
    "Just as urgent diplomatic efforts are needed to bring about an end to this crisis, it is essential that the international community come together to address the humanitarian situation," he said. "This includes ensuring access to food, medical and fuel supplies."

    ReplyDelete
  3. Source: ABC & SMH

    Australia's major political parties have united in support of Israel's right to self-defence as Israeli ground troops press on into Gaza.

    "Any diplomatic solution must find a way in bringing a halt to rocket attacks against Israel by the terrorist organisation Hamas," he said.

    "Any diplomatic solution must also bring about a halt to armed shipments into Gaza." - Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd

    Opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Helen Coonan also refused to condemn Israel.

    "In accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, Israel has every right to defend herself," she said.

    "Militants in Gaza, from either the military wing of Hamas or other terrorist groups, must recognise that attacks on Israel from Gaza cannot continue."

    Senator Coonan sympathised with casualties "on both sides of the border" and called on the UN to broker an immediate ceasefire.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Source: The Australian

    About 500 supporters of Israel gathered at State Parliament chanting "no more terror", with banners calling for Gaza to be freed from Hamas' control.

    Protesters at the pro-Israel rally were draped in Australian and Israeli flags, and some held banners reading "Free Gaza from Hamas" and "Hamas uses human shields".

    Speakers included Federal Labor member for Melbourne Ports Michael Danby and Liberal Senator Mitch Fifield.

    Mr Danby asked Melburnians to imagine how they would react if their suburbs were being bombed.

    "This is one of the dilemmas that democratic societies like Israel have to face. How do we react when faced by Islamist fanatics who would kill Australians, in Bali, murder our tourists in Mumbai and do what they are doing to the Israelis on the edge of Gaza," he said.

    related articles:
    http://findalismonkeyinthemiddle.blogspot.com/2009/01/for-those-who-refuse-to-see-part-iv.html

    ReplyDelete
  5. What hope in hell does the Palestinians have if the rich Arabs won't even help them. As you pointed out, the rich Arabs did practically f^^^all for their fellow Muslims who were victims of the 2004 tsunami. Strangely, Hamas or the Palestinians do not seem to understand that apart from a handful not many people in the world really care about them. It is high time Hamas, Fatah and the Palestinians in general get together to do an Anwar Sadat. Screw the Arabs and the rest of the Muslim world and make the Israelis an offer they can't refuse. Take away the one thing which the Arab/Muslim world and Israel are using to keep the Palestinians as their bloody political football. Recognize the existence of Israel and all the Muslim /Zionist heroes will disappear from Palestine. That's right make the unthinkable real. Isn't politics all about the art of the possible

    ReplyDelete
  6. We often forget there is a very effective way to boycott the products of two of America's largest corporations, which combined, pay a huge amount of taxes and other kinds of revenue into the US Treasury, helping to fund its War Machine.

    STOP BLOODY USING Intel and Microsoft products !!!

    Too bad, you, me and everybody else is using it...right this very second....

    ReplyDelete
  7. Well, Ktemoc, lets just agree to disagree.

    There are two sides to the story, and you are only telling one side of it..

    ReplyDelete
  8. Obama..snide remarks about his personal Muslim connections ....


    Wasn't Barrack Hussein Obama at one time a Muslim ? His biological father was a Muslim. His stepfather is a Muslim. The are witness who can concur that he recited the Shahadat.....

    Methinks he's been trying some clever tap-dancing away from his personal history, which is still shrouded in mystery...yes, Obama is vulnerable to any accusation that he is "soft" on Muslim extremism....

    ReplyDelete
  9. "Obama..snide remarks about his personal Muslim connections ...."

    can u please elaborate with links?

    thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Worth a watch:
    http://www.terrorismawareness.org/what-really-happened/

    Worth a read:
    http://www.citizenwarrior.com/2007/10/message-to-peaceful-muslims.html

    ReplyDelete
  11. "Obama..snide remarks about his personal Muslim connections ...."

    They are well documented, unless you consider Wikipedia as snide remarks.

    This is the background of Barrack Hussein Obama's natural father, a Kenyan Muslim

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama,_Sr.

    This is the background of Barrack Hussein Obama's stepfather, an Indonesian Malay Muslim.

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

    While growing up in Indonesia, Barrack Hussein Obama's primary school records show him registered as a Muslim.

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/24/AR2007012400371_pf.html

    By normal school procedure, that means he would have attended Kelas Agama Islam. He would have recited
    "Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim".

    I have nothing against Islam.

    I have everything against Obama lying about his past to make himself "acceptable" to be elected as President of the USA.
    Another crook in the White House ?

    ReplyDelete
  12. In any war people die and you have casualties! The day those Hamas terrorists stopped their rockets fire on those Israelis the war will stop.Simple as that.Now who can trust those terrorist bastards?Will you ? Thats why this war will carry on.The Israelis can tolerate so much but how much? With those rockets striking you everyday it has become a way to commit crime legally in the the name of a Palestine free state.Its craps .Do you ever noticed those Hamas never worked in their life except carry guns in the name of Islam.What do those people in Gaza do?Still accepting handouts from rich Arab states?Its a cycle that never ends.
    Its good that Israel is now using the slege hammer to hit that pests of Hamas to have some real peace.Why is those Hamas so heavily armed?To fight whom ?They cant even govern a small Gaza srip and talks of pulverizing Israel!What a joke???

    ReplyDelete
  13. Yes, Hamas is using babies and toddlers as human shields.

    Get it ?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Schnell, schnell, schnell

    ReplyDelete
  15. This morning I refused my usual dose of Coke refreshment.

    Just now, at lunch, I refused to take my kid to her favourite McDonalds, the one with the playground. She barely touched the Yee Foo mee lunch I bought for her instead. She's still not in a good mood yet....

    I haven't yet figured out how to avoid using a Microsoft Windows/Intel computet.....

    Try as I may, its going to be hell of a tough time trying to avoid these Damned Yankee products....

    ReplyDelete
  16. To Withdrawal Symptoms,

    Sell everything you have then find a remote cave somewhere and live like the Neanderthals. Whoops, I forgot you should not accept payment in ringgit for the reserve currency backing the ringgit is the US dollar. Better yet donate everything to charity then go live in a cave. Whoops, can't do that either. The charity has funds in ringgit backed by evil US dollars. Use your brain man, in our highly integrated world today trying to live without one another economically is just impossible. Give your daughter a break and stop listening to a senile dictator. Mugabe listened to Mahathir and look at where Zimbabawe is today. Do you know of anyone who lost everything to Mugabe's Mahathir inspired policies. I do. The guy died a broken man in Malaysia.

    ReplyDelete
  17. The world must call for a single state solution to the Plestinian Crisis based on a modified version of the princilples that brought an end to white rule in South Africa.

    ReplyDelete