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Gaza News From Around the Net

Published

*Link to complete coverage of Gaza Massacre on MM*

As part of our duty to try to at the least stay informed on some of what is happening, I made this post to just highlight some news stories around the internet. Please feel free to add more current news in the comments section.

Separating the Truth from the Hype

The invasion was mapped out months ago, right down to the bullet points that were passed out to friends in the media. Nothing was left to chance. That said, the public relations campaign was on full display over the weekend when Israeli ground troops and armored divisions swept into Gaza unopposed. CNN had a coterie of ardent Zionists on hand to justify the invasion in a carefully scripted analysis of developments.

The media has worked in concert with the IDF throughout, spinning a rationale from whole cloth and cheerleading from every available soapbox. But recent polls show that the public has remained skeptical. Anti-Israel protests have sprung up in capitals across the world, and support for Israel is at its nadir. . Many people are simply shocked to see the most advanced, technological weaponry in the world being used in densely populated areas where collateral damage is bound to be heavy. It just makes Israel look like a bully while the media looks like an enabler. So far, the war has been a public relations catastrophe. Over 500 Palestinians have been killed and 2,400 wounded in a debacle of Biblical proportions. Every day, new photographs circulate on the internet showing the carnage produced by the steady bombardment. On Monday, the IDF killed two more Palestinian families, in two separate incidents. The mother, father and eight children were killed when their house was bombed by an American made F-16 early Monday morning.

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Gaza is Still Waiting on Obama

 “I think that no country would accept missiles landing on the heads of its citizens”, said Obama at the same visit in Sderot, looking, once again, only at the Israeli experience. “Israelis should not have to live in danger in their homes and schools.” No, Israelis should not, but neither should Palestinians. And one should remember, there is no parity here. Israel is an occupying power, whose policy and practices are channelled to protect this occupation and fight the various ways of resistance to it the Palestinians have practiced: from deporting non-violent Palestinian activists and jailing political leaders, to assassinating others some of who were moderate and others radical and possibly prospective suicide bombers. The Israeli vision for the Palestinian future is on display for all to see, built in cement and barbed wire of the so-called security wall around the Gaza Strip, around and through Jerusalem, and in the West Bank, with hundreds of thousands of settlements and an ongoing land confiscation and siege. Apparently, until the Palestinians will agree to this distorted vision, until they will agree to live in a fragmented political territory made of enclaves enclosed between high walls surrounded with check points and gates the keys of which are in the hands of Israel, Sderot and Gaza, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, Nablus and Jenin will not be safe. Is this the future the new presidency will offer the Palestinians and the Israelis? Is this the change we should believe in?

**Correction, he’s now officially “concerned

Egypt Bars Doctors From Entering Gaza – I am speechless.

But wait.. Israel says it will allow a humanitarian corridor! Forgive me for this example, but that sounds akin to chopping off someone’s legs and then gifting them a new pair of shoes to make up for it. No word yet on whether this corridor will stop Israel from targetting ambulances.

Israel’s New War Ethic

Nor was I surprised that no mention was made of the fact that 80 percent of Gaza’s inhabitants are unable to support themselves and are therefore dependent on humanitarian assistance–and this figure is increasing daily. Indeed, nothing was said about the severe food crisis in Gaza, which manifests itself in shortages of flour, rice, sugar, dairy products, milk and canned foods, or about the total lack of fuel for heating houses and buildings during these cold winter months, the absence of cooking gas, and the shortage of running water. The viewer has no way of knowing that the Palestinian health system is barely functioning or that some 250,000 people in central and northern Gaza are now living without any electricity at all due to the damage caused by the air strikes.

While the fact that this information was missing from the report did not surprise me, I found myself completely taken aback by the way in which the reporter justified the convoy’s entrance into Gaza. Explaining to those viewers who might be wondering why Israel allows humanitarian assistance to the other side during times of war, he declared that if a full-blown humanitarian catastrophe were to explode among the Palestinian civilian population, the international community would pressure Israel to stop the assault.

There is something extremely cynical about how Israel explains its use of humanitarian assistance, and yet such unadulterated explanations actually help uncover an important facet of postmodern warfare. Not unlike raising animals for slaughter on a farm, the Israeli government maintains that it is providing Palestinians with assistance so that it can have a free hand in attacking them. And just as Israel provides basic foodstuff to Palestinians while it continues shooting them, it informs Palestinians–by phone, no less–that they must evacuate their homes before F-16 fighter jets begin bombing them.

One notices, then, that in addition to its remote-control, computer game-like qualities, postmodern warfare is also characterized by a bizarre new moral element. It is as if the masters of wars realized that since current wars rarely take place between two armies and are often carried out in the midst of civilian populations, a new just war theory is needed. So these masters of war gathered together philosophers and intellectuals to develop a moral theory for postmodern wars, and today, as Gaza is being destroyed, we can see quite plainly how the new theory is being transformed into praxis.

Israel’s Collective Punishment of Gaza:

Israel is allegedly using white phosphorous gas, an illegal chemical weapon that burns to the bone. Dr. Mads Gilbert, a member of a Norwegian triage medical team working in Gaza, has documented Israel’s use of Dense Inert Metal Explosive (DIME), which cuts its victims to pieces and reportedly causes cancer in survivors. Gilbert, who has worked in several conflict zones, said the situation in Gaza is the worst he has ever seen. Two United Nations schools have been hit by airstrikes, killing at least 30 people. The New York Times reported on Monday that Gazan hospitals are full of civilians, not Hamas fighters.

The targeting of civilians violates the Fourth Geneva Convention. Since the rockets fired from Gaza into Israel cannot distinguish between civilians and military targets, they are illegal. But Israel’s air and ground attack in Gaza violates Geneva in four ways. First, it constitutes collective punishment of the entire population in Gaza for the acts of a few militants. Second, it targets civilians, as evidenced by the large numbers of civilian casualties. Third, it is a disproportionate response to the rockets fired into Israel. Fourth, an occupying power has an obligation to ensure food and medical supplies to the occupied population; Israel’s blockade has created a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Ralph Nader – America Must Stop Shirking Its Responsibility in Gaza:

The deliberate suspension of your power to stop this terrorizing of 1.5 million people, mostly refugees, blockaded for months by air, sea and land in their tiny slice of land, is in cowardly contrast to the position taken by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1956. That year he single handedly stopped the British, French and Israeli aircraft attack against Egypt during the Suez Canal dispute.

There are no rockets coming from the West Bank into Israel. Yet the Israeli government is still sending raiders into that essentially occupied territory, still further entrenching its colonial outposts, still taking water and land and increasing the checkpoints This is going on despite a most amenable West Bank leader, Mahmoud Abbas, whom you have met with at the White House and praised repeatedly. Is it all vague words and no real initiatives with you and your emissary Condoleezza Rice?

Consider the Realities of Gaza:

Not mentioned by Livni, though reported in the same newspaper on the same day, was an article by Barak Ravid, “Disinformation, secrecy and lies: How the Gaza offensive came about.” Ravid discloses that Olmert had “instructed the Israel Defense Forces to prepare for the operation over six months ago, even as Israel was beginning to negotiate a ceasefire agreement with Hamas.” Interesting how propaganda precedes perception and negates reality.

The world has been and is again being told how the people of Israel are victims of Hamas’ rockets that “pour” or “shower” their villages. Let’s consider the reality rather than the propaganda. Israel sets up Sderot as the suffering example of this terrorist action and provides tours for journalists and diplomats including Barak Obama. One step into Gaza and you will see real devastation, not remains of rockets that landed in fields or hit a building causing no deaths. Both Gaza and the West Bank speak vividly the results of military incursions, home demolitions, bulldozed farm land and fruit trees, and the most insidious icon of human brutality, the Wall of Fear erected by Ariel Sharon.

What is terror if not the forced imprisonment of 1.5 million people locked behind gates and walls of steel while a state of the art military including land, air and sea forces pummel the people day and night in a merciless barrage of devastation and mayhem? What civilized state in this community of nations could believe that Israel “advances the interest of all” by such devastation of a helpless neighbor? What civilized state could support, what Livni, without blushing, calls the “forces of peace and co-existence” that determine the agenda in the mid-east? Consider the reality not the propaganda.  

Phoning Home to Gaza

Thinking of Mohamad’s children I ask him how they are coping with sights and sounds of death.

Mohamad said his 6-year-old son Munir stands at the window and pretends to shoot down Israeli apaches and fighter jets that fly overhead. His two-year-old daughter Saja cries every time she hears renewed sounds of bombardment and runs to hide.

Venezuela Expels Israeli Ambassador (Why do they have more backbone than any of the Muslim countries?):

Venezuela expelled Israel’s ambassador to the country Tuesday and accused Israel of attempting to carry out “genocide” against the Palestinian people.

“In this tragic and indignant hour, the people of Venezuela manifest their unconditional solidarity with the heroic Palestinian people, share in the sadness that overcomes thousands of families through the loss of their loved ones, and extends to them a hand by affirming that the government of Venezuela will not rest until it sees those responsible for these criminal atrocities severely punished.”

 The Silent Partner:

The forced removal of a civilian population is the textbook definition of ethnic cleansing and a war crime.

In the past several days the U.S. government has made its support for Israel’s murderous assault on Gaza crystal clear. The U.S. was informed before Israel launched its attacks (and was reportedly involved in months of Israeli planning), and now CNN reports (January 4, 2009) that the U.S. military was “aware in advance of Israel’s plans to enter Gaza.”

The U.S., together with Israel, has a number of intertwining objectives it hopes to achieve with this military assault in Gaza. It wants to even more forcefully assert and hammer down the dominance of U.S. imperialism in the Middle East. As part of its so-called “war on terror,” the U.S. wants to further undermine and push back Islamic fundamentalist forces that pose a challenge to the U.S. empire. And it wants to brutally put down the struggle of the Palestinian people and break their will to resist.

Yet there is absolutely nothing just or legitimate about Israel’s targeting of Hamas.

For one, it was Israel that first broke the ceasefire in November and has refused to negotiate its renewal (while planning this attack for its own strategic objectives for over six months). Israel’s war is aimed at strengthening its stranglehold on Palestine, by defeating Islamic fundamentalist forces like Hamas that pose an obstacle to unfettered US-Israeli control. As one senior military officer put it, Israel’s goal was “making Hamas lose their will or lose their weapons.”

The U.S. has also opposed calls for a cease fire, blaming Hamas for the fighting and demanding it stop firing rockets before Israel is required to halt its military assault-in effect blocking any diplomatic moves that could in any way impede Israel’s attack.

What Israel is doing in Gaza is like the Nazis confining people in the Warsaw ghetto during World War 2 and then seizing on their resistance to declare, “we’re are being attacked and anyone who says anything about the situation has to first agree on that-and before anything can be done to resolve the situation, the people in the Warsaw ghetto have to stop attacking us.”

Israel Broke the Cease-Fire First

[youtube KntmpoRXFX4]

The ‘Democratic’ State of Israel is censoring the media (but some are at least still fighting to get ground coverage):

[youtube kt9Q4yjuGbM]

Israel is deliberately targetting civilians (they even hit a school):

[youtube Ev6ojm62qwA]

Aerosol Arabic Mural for Gaza

[youtube fxwnhrvpmsA]

May Allah (swt) grant the Ummah victory, and grant the Palestinians victory over their evil oppressors.

Please, make dua for our brothers and sisters, it is the least we can do, and at the same time it is one of the most important things we can do.

*Urging Believers to Make Qunoot

“The believers in their affection, compassion and love for one another is like one single body. If a part of it suffers from pain, the whole body will suffer in pain.” (Muslim)  

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Omar Usman is a founding member of MuslimMatters and Qalam Institute. He teaches Islamic seminars across the US including Khateeb Workshop and Fiqh of Social Media. He has served in varying administrative capacities for multiple national and local Islamic organizations. You can follow his work at ibnabeeomar.com.

41 Comments

41 Comments

  1. Umm Hurairah

    January 7, 2009 at 3:17 AM

    Assalamu alaikum

    You can watch Al Jazeera English live on livestation.

    Most of the news they broadcast throughout the day is about Palestine – live, with news of other countries interspersed.

    Looking at pictures is one thing, but watching the missiles whiz past live is something else.

    Journalists were banned from entering Gaza but AJE already had reporters in Gaza. Unlike other international news stations who have their Palestine/Israel correspondents based only in Jersusalem, AJE has theirs in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza.

  2. MM Associates

    January 7, 2009 at 9:40 AM

    bismillah. [abu abdAllah]

    as millions of Muslims fast these days, the 9th and 10th of Muharram, remember why these days.

    in complete reliance on Allah, Musa, alayhis salam, led his people to safety. Pharoah had repeatedly defied Allah’s Demand that he free the people of Musa. even after Pharoah gave way under the weight of wrathful warnings and punishments of Allah, still the tyrant was driven by arrogance and revenge. Pharoah raised his army in a final attempt to crush Musa alayhis salam and his followers. and while his people were afraid, Musa was steadfast.

    we are the nation of Muhammad, sull Allaho alayhi wa sallam. by Allah’s Decree, he established these two days of fasting because we have more right to honor Musa than any other people.

    and in 1430 years, the truth spoken by the Prophet sull Allaho alayhi wa sallam, is even more so today.

    the Israelis deny and twist every commandment that they still have, every word that would stop them from arrogantly massacring the people of Gaza. for years Israel has imprisoned Gaza; strangled its supply of food, water, and medicine; destroyed its economy, and murdered its people at will. and like Pharoah, the Israelis praise themselves while they commit these evils.

    be steadfast, O Muslims, in your prayers to and reliance on Allah. even as we see the armies of these tyrants brutalize our brothers and sisters, as they kill babies and infirm alike, as they stride proudly and arrogantly on the earth in defiance of any restraint:

    pray to Allah that He will destroy the leaders of Israel as surely as He destroyed Pharoah. that as completely as He swept away the army that marched with Pharoah, pray to Allah that He will wipe out the army that kills the innocent of Gaza, (the rest of) Palestine, Lebanon, and any place they can reach.

  3. Miako

    January 7, 2009 at 12:22 PM

    Is that weather I’m getting from Tel Aviv normal for Gaza around this time of year?
    In America, it is only considered a disaster emergency if your heat is off when the temperature is below freezing outside…

    I often find this site very helpful in understanding the muslim view on matters… but sometimes what is reported is more than misleading (a.k.a. Israel only fought one defensive war out of four. sure. and that the 1972 war was only about creating palestine, and not eradicating Israel. I do have access to primary sources). For each thing that is easily disproven — or more importantly that you do not re-report if it is disproven, it makes me more skeptical of everything that is said on here. It’s for this reason that I hope you will continue to update me on whether those rumors of phosporus are proven true OR false.

  4. ibnabeeomar

    January 7, 2009 at 12:30 PM

    Miako – here is more info on the phosphorous: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5447590.ece?&EMC-Bltn=FGNE1A

    Also, this is simply a collection of news items. Don’t treat it for more than that, if you have other research that contradicts anything here, please feel free to post it.

  5. Sadiq

    January 7, 2009 at 1:15 PM

    JazakAllahu Khayrun for the above articles. Keep up the good work. The below are some reports and articles that are amougst the limted unbaised reporting in this biased world of the media… Do share with others.

    The Self-Defense of Suicide

    By OREN BEN-DOR
    http://www.counterpunch.org/dor01012009.html

    Mark Steel: So what have the Palestinians got to complain about?

    http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/mark-steel/mark-steel-so-what-have-the-palestinians-got-to-complain-about-1218135.html

    Top 5 Lies About Israel’s Assault on Gaza

    January 3, 2009

    by Jeremy R. Hammond

    http://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/articles/2009/01/03/hammond_top-5-lies-about-israels-assault-on-gaza.html

    ——

    Israel rains fire on Gaza with phosphorus shells

    http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5447590.ece

    —–

    How Israel brought Gaza to the brink of humanitarian catastrophe

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/07/gaza-israel-palestine

    —-

    Robert Fisk: Why do they hate the West so much, we will ask

    http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-why-do-they-hate-the-west-so-much-we-will-ask-1230046.html

  6. Ibnkhalil

    January 7, 2009 at 1:59 PM

    Assalam o alaykum, just thought this might be interesting.

    It is Israel who broke the truce first

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KntmpoRXFX4

  7. ibnabeeomar

    January 7, 2009 at 2:10 PM

    ibnkhalil – jzk, i added it to the main post

  8. Pingback: Wake Up Americans: U.S. Weapons paid for by U.S. Tax Dollars Used to Kill Innocent Palestinians!! & at HAhmed.com

  9. Ibnkhalil

    January 7, 2009 at 2:14 PM

    wa iyyak!

  10. Miako

    January 7, 2009 at 4:19 PM

    Just a note that the use of phosphorus gas as an obscurant (read smokescreen) is legal under international law. Therefore, you need to be able to show that it was deliberately being used on civilians, which I find unlikely.

  11. ibnabeeomar

    January 7, 2009 at 4:35 PM

    miako. being “legal” under international law doesn’t change the fact that it causes severe burns to those hit with it – especially when it is readily apparent that innocent civilians are being targeted by the military. if someone shot some phosphorous gas into your house, and it severely burned and blinded your children – would you be ok with it if the intention behind it was that it was only a smokescreen, and hence “legal” ?

  12. Omer

    January 7, 2009 at 4:40 PM

  13. JA

    January 7, 2009 at 9:00 PM

    A good read:

    Israel’s Gaza Gamble by Washington Post

  14. Akhi

    January 8, 2009 at 1:01 AM

  15. IbnAbbas

    January 8, 2009 at 1:29 AM

    Sadiq wrote:

    Robert Fisk: Why do they hate the West so much, we will ask

    http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-why-do-they-hate-the-west-so-much-we-will-ask-1230046.html

    Robert Fisk is a great journalist with so much experience. you will find more of his articles on the issue on the same link above.

  16. abu Rumay-s.a.

    January 8, 2009 at 2:17 AM

    News Just in, should be confirmed:

    Several rockets hit northern Israel from Lebanon: military
    http://news.smh.com.au/world/several-rockets-hit-northern-israel-from-lebanon-military-20090108-7cmn.html

  17. MuslimahCA

    January 8, 2009 at 3:04 AM

    ^ Confirmed by CNN now Allahu Akbar.. at least someone has dignity! I wish it wasnt Lebanon, i cant take them being hurt the way they were a couple years back. May Allah protect all those strong in faith and may Allah let them all die as shaheeds! Ameen

  18. Pingback: Discover Texarkana » Wake Up Americans: U.S. Weapons paid for by U.S. Tax Dollars Used to Kill Innocent Palestinians!!

  19. RC

    January 8, 2009 at 10:54 AM

    While condemning israel, one should not forget that it is the arab governments, specially eygpt that have to be condemned in the same breath. they are one and the same. atleast venezula expleed the ambassador, what have the others done? they are totally in cahoots.

  20. Miako

    January 8, 2009 at 12:36 PM

    rc,
    there are many governments in Arabia that are but western pawns. While Israel is the one hurting the most people now, it should be remembered that many of these governments use Israel as a way to legitimize themselves, and remove the people’s natural anger at undemocratic rule.
    It is my fervent desire that someday, Israel will not only be at peace with her Muslim brothers and sisters around the world, but participating in a vital community, as but one member of a vibrant discussion.
    Look for that to happen when the oil runs out.

  21. Miako

    January 8, 2009 at 1:06 PM

    I knew that website was good for sumpthin’
    http://www.mydd.com/story/2009/1/8/11216/68253
    about jewish women occupying the Israeli embassy in toronto.

  22. Yasir Qadhi

    January 8, 2009 at 1:07 PM

    Nice website showing via maps the entire 12 days of conflict (being updated daily)

    http://mapmash.googlepages.com/gaza.html

  23. abu Rumay-s.a.

    January 8, 2009 at 2:50 PM

    also to add to above link…here are some other very useful interactive maps depicting the daily accounts of the war..

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/interactive/2009/jan/03/israelandthepalestinians
    (also has some good interactives about history of palestine, west bank, jerusalem’s holy sites)

    http://labs.aljazeera.net/warongaza/

    pls add the diggs to these sites..

  24. Ibnkhalil

    January 8, 2009 at 4:52 PM

    Assalam o alaykum, I read this yesterday and thought about it all day. This is a genocide and Israel is a terrorist state that must be annihilated.

    http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/07/gaza.red.cross/index.html

    Four young children trying to be close to their dead mothers. ;(.

  25. MuslimahCA

    January 8, 2009 at 5:10 PM

    CNN CONFIRMS THAT ISRAEL BROKE THE CEASEFIRE FIRST!!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KntmpoRXFX4&eurl

    MASHALLAH THIS RICK GUY, IS GOING ALL OUT! ALLAH IS THE MOST JUST!

    Also On C-SPAN
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jOFXL62zw0&feature=related

  26. IbnAbbas

    January 8, 2009 at 5:22 PM

    Indonesian Muslim Group is recruiting volunteers to fight in Gaza..
    Allahu Akbar!!!!
    http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2008/12/2008123031716382336.html
    an extract from the link:
    “They will be provided with a one-way ticket until we defeat Israel.”
    reminds me of the army of Tariq ibn Ziyad when he burnt all the boats.

    Allahu Akbar!!

  27. Muslima's For Gaza

    January 8, 2009 at 5:26 PM

    ^ Allahu Akbar MashAllah May Allah grant them all jannatul firdous!

    I will be honest… whos next?

  28. A. M.

    January 8, 2009 at 5:42 PM

    Very interesting article by a leading Israeli historian, one of the best articles out there:

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/07/gaza-israel-palestine

  29. mulsimah

    January 8, 2009 at 7:40 PM

    salaam

    Please go to http://www.antiwar.com and http://www.counterpunch.org for good info and news… Many of these people who write are americans and nonmuslims and professors, and book authors, and people who have helped in the american government.

  30. JA

    January 9, 2009 at 12:39 AM

  31. Mustafa

    January 9, 2009 at 7:04 AM

    Please forward to others:

    *************************PRESS STATEMENT***************************

    THE GAZA CONFLICT: AN OXFORD UNIVERSITY LED MEDIA RESPONSE:

    THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY SPEAKS OUT

    Israeli bombardment has levied a hideous toll on the impoverished population of Gaza, 80 per cent of whom were already reliant on UN handouts prior to the current onslaught. So far, conservative estimates from the UN suggest 3000 have been killed or injured by the offensive. Politics aside, the sheer devastation both in terms of infrastructure and human carnage are facts that exist independently of prejudice and misconceptions about the Middle East conflict. People are dying in horrific and scandalous numbers. UN general assembly President Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann has described Israel’s action as a ‘monstrosity’ and we can only concur with this description.

    Israel has fostered a humanitarian crisis in the most overcrowded strip of land on earth. Gaza’s 1.5 million citizens are victims of a punitive war which has cost the lives of innocent men, women and children. In addition, Israel has struck at religious sites, medical facilities and academic institutions, most recently the UN-run school. As students and academics, we recognize the importance of the now destroyed Islamic University as the first and most important institution of higher education in Gaza. It served more than 20,000 students, 60 percent of whom are women. Since Palestinian students from Gaza are barred by Israel from studying either in the West Bank or abroad, the educational significance of the Islamic University cannot be overstated and its destruction contributes to conditions of dismal despair already reigning in the area.

    The Oxford University Islamic Society would like to join hands with other Oxford University societies and over 100 prominent academics in unequivocally condemning Israeli excesses over the last 12 days. Whilst we condemn the loss of civilian life in Israel due to rocket fire, the response has been utterly disproportionate. With the recent ground incursion, we can be certain scores more will undoubtedly perish.

    We are witnessing a criminal and belligerent disregard for human life. We believe there can never be a military solution to this impasse. The solution lies in a bilateral desire for a just peace, only achievable through the cessation of violence and the instigation of dialogue. If the election of Hamas was an act of desperation on the part of many Palestinians, Israel ought to consider who exactly might replace them after the carnage they are inflicting on its population is over.
    We commend Gordon Brown and David Miliband’s call for an urgent ceasefire and immediate halt to all violence, reiterated by a unanimous UN Security Council press statement and the EU. However, the international community must move beyond statements and take action to alleviate the suffering in Gaza and foster a bilateral diplomatic process to resolve the current crisis and its underlying causes.

    The United States may be alone in its ability to restrain Israel. We urge the existing and incoming United States Administration to recognise and respond to its position of responsibility in this conflict: President-Elect Barack Obama needs to rise to the first major challenge of his career, and effectively implement the change we are all hoping to see.

    The blockade on Gaza should be lifted without delay, allowing for the delivery of full humanitarian aid. The border with Israel should be opened, and remain open. Israel has a responsibility to prevent further loss of life and we urge Hamas to immediately desist from launching rockets into Israel.

    Israel must understand that the only way to stop the rockets, and gain lasting security, is to end its illegal siege and occupation and agree to a just peace. History shows that an oppressed people will inevitably turn to violence, however wrong this may seem.

    Finally, we implore all British media outlets to report the war on Gaza in a fair and balanced way; namely by dispelling the illusion that this is a war of equals. Palestinian anger must be understood in the context of Israeli occupation and the over 18 month long siege of Gaza. Israeli media statements need to be exposed to far tougher and informed questioning. Journalists and media outlets have a responsibility to pressure the Israeli government into allowing them into Gaza to witness their actions first hand. Merely reproducing Israeli reports and footage because this is what is on offer is not acceptable and is irresponsible journalism.

    We are ready to aid the media by offering a different perspective on the conflict, in the hope that our contributions will help achieve fairer and more balanced reporting.

    Please see the attached pdf file for the list of other societies and over 100 leading academics who are co-signing this statement

    1. Note to editors: Some of the counter-signatories are available for interview and media response. Please contact president@ouisoc.com to co-ordinate this.
    2. FOSIS (est. 1962) is the umbrella organisation of student groups in colleges and universities throughout the UK and Ireland, representing over 90,000 Muslim students.
    3. For more information please contact FOSIS media on 07786636691, email head.media@fosis.org.uk head.media@fosis.org.uk

  32. Nadim

    January 9, 2009 at 7:26 PM

    SubhnAllah, look at that video, the masjid has been destroyed by the enemies of Allah but the Imam is saying:

    “I will pray in this masjid until the judgement day, and we will build it again even bigger”

    Praying in defiance of Israel’s war in Gaza:
    http://english.aljazeera.net/home/basketsystem/baskets/privatebaskets/patelr/200919173728833932.html

  33. abu Rumay-s.a.

    January 10, 2009 at 6:56 AM

    War and Natural Gas: The Israeli Invasion and Gaza’s Offshore Gas Fields

    http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=11680

  34. umtalhah

    January 10, 2009 at 10:37 PM

    as salam alaikum,

    use of phosphorus confirmed:

    http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/01/2009110181945232797.html

    ya rabbi alaika bi aldhalimeen.

  35. Muslima's For Gaza

    January 11, 2009 at 5:45 PM

    This video doesnt really any information, but its just a video feed of the skyline and huge black smoke in the distances and noises!

    Just watch it and imagine yourself in that environment with your family and close friends…
    http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2009/01/10/perry.turkey.syria.first.lady.intv.cnn

    Plus their is an interview with the First Lady of Syria… its was very nice!

  36. MuslimahCA

    January 11, 2009 at 5:50 PM

    U.S Rejects Isreal Plea to Attack IRAN!

    The U.S learned how to say no to Israel!

    http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/11/iran.israel.nuclear/index.html?iref=topnews

    Wow, I dont know whether to be shocked by the U.S rejecting Israel or Israel wanting to attack Iran! Nahhhh we already knew the Zionist agenda!

  37. mulsimah

    January 11, 2009 at 10:09 PM

    http://www.december18th.org is about Israeli twelfth graders who refused to join the army to hurt people and are jailed because of it

  38. Pingback: Muslim Congressmen Fail To Stand Up Against Palestinian Massacre | MuslimMatters.org

  39. abu Rumay-s.a.

    January 15, 2009 at 2:54 PM

  40. abu Rumay-s.a.

    January 18, 2009 at 2:18 AM

    The Gaza offensive has succeeded in punishing the Palestinians but not in making Israel more secure.

    John J. Mearsheimer is a professor of political science at the University of Chicago and coauthor of The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy.

    The key to achieving this is to inflict massive pain on the Palestinians so that they come to accept the fact that they are a defeated people and that Israel will be largely responsible for controlling their future. This strategy, which was first articulated by Ze’ev Jabotinsky in the 1920s and has heavily influenced Israeli policy since 1948, is commonly referred to as the “Iron Wall.”

    http://www.amconmag.com/article/2009/jan/26/00006/

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