Nov. 17, 2008
For Hamas, 'partial cease-fire' means they send over a few rockets to Israel, but Israel does not respond. That's partial, all on their part.
Tough words, so far no actions, from Israeli leadership: "There is no such thing as a partial lull – it's either there or it isn't, and today it isn't there," said Foreign Affairs Minister Tzipi Livni.
More than 10 rockets have been fired from northern Gaza towards Israel just today. Residents are all too familiar with the trauma and immediately returned to pre-calm panic calling on the government to respond immediately.
I'll hazard a guess the cease-fire is over. Anyone want to make that official?
Nov 17, 2008
To free Shalit, speak directly to the source
Forum circulates a video to Hamas prisoners' families in Gaza appealing to them for help
Nov. 17, 2008
In the apparent absence of government action, someone is doing something: A forum called Smart Middle East has an Arabic video being circulated on You Tube via email to the families of those Palestinian prisoners appealing to them to pressure Hamas to release Gilad Shalit.
"Hamas is using the issue of Shalit to safeguard its rule in Gaza. We know that behind closed doors you weep as any father or mother would. Hamas is to blame for the delay. Call Hamas and let your voice be heard," the video urges.
"We believe you must put pressure on the family members of Hamas prisoners," said Eli Avidar, head of the Smart Middle East forum and Israel's former consul to Qatar, on the group’s website (video in Hebrew).
More from Avidar on Ynet:
Shalit was kidnapped on June 25, 2006. Does anyone read Vince Flynn novels? Is it too much to believe that an agency like Israel’s Mossad couldn’t have already gotten Shalit out? He’s only 22. He’s been in hostile captivity more than 800 days. Think about that.
Nov. 17, 2008
In the apparent absence of government action, someone is doing something: A forum called Smart Middle East has an Arabic video being circulated on You Tube via email to the families of those Palestinian prisoners appealing to them to pressure Hamas to release Gilad Shalit.
"Hamas is using the issue of Shalit to safeguard its rule in Gaza. We know that behind closed doors you weep as any father or mother would. Hamas is to blame for the delay. Call Hamas and let your voice be heard," the video urges.
"We believe you must put pressure on the family members of Hamas prisoners," said Eli Avidar, head of the Smart Middle East forum and Israel's former consul to Qatar, on the group’s website (video in Hebrew).
More from Avidar on Ynet:
"The deal is being held up, but not because of the price or the number of prisoners. Hamas, as opposed to Hizbullah, has no interest in this deal because they see Shalit as their insurance card. But this appeal can help because Hamas is sensitive to its public. They swept the elections because they understand the public, and this initiative appeals to the public," said Avidar.Let’s pray that some in Gaza will have ears to hear that voice.
“(The forum) believes that our leadership over the past 30 years doesn't understand how to operate in the Middle East. You can't talk to Hamas about a 'price' in terms of 200 or 400 prisoners, because the price will immediately go up," he said. "The government's initiatives are useless. The government is offering money for information (about Shalit), but we are appealing to the families' emotions. The appeal isn't inflammatory, it speaks with a clear voice."
Shalit was kidnapped on June 25, 2006. Does anyone read Vince Flynn novels? Is it too much to believe that an agency like Israel’s Mossad couldn’t have already gotten Shalit out? He’s only 22. He’s been in hostile captivity more than 800 days. Think about that.
Olmert agrees to free 250 Palestinian prisoners
Gone and somewhat forgotten is Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, kidnapped two years ago and apparently still alive
Nov. 17, 2008
No sooner did a false cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza come crashing to an end when Prime Minister Ehud Olmert promised to free 250 Palestinian prisoners next month as a goodwill gesture to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
Now, Israel has separated the whole concept of Palestinians from Hamas and Gaza so the two are supposedly separate in Olmert’s mind, presumably. But as more Palestinian prisoners go free out of good will, Gilad Shalit rots at the hands of terrorist, a soldier in his 20s whose life is probably worth thousands of live Palestinian prisoners, at least estimating by the last tragic prisoner exchange (terrorists for two dead bodies: the bodies of Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev were turned over to Israel on July 16, 2008 by Hizballah).
Despite the fact that Olmert will be leaving office under a cloud of scandal after the upcoming elections and is essentially a lame duck, how he has managed to agree to another prisoner release is astounding. At least one Knesset member noted as much.
"Olmert is not relevant to the political process, and he does not [have the authority] to make promises in Israel's name," said Reuben Rivlin. "We're tired of him and his political mischief."
I betcha so are Shalit’s parents.
One bit of hope is that despite the government’s short-term memory that one of their young men is probably psychologically ruined for life even if he does live through this ordeal, many citizens do remember. Every day protestors are camped outside the prime minister’s house with Shalit posters reminding passersby and the government that one of theirs is in enemy’s hands.
Nov. 17, 2008
No sooner did a false cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza come crashing to an end when Prime Minister Ehud Olmert promised to free 250 Palestinian prisoners next month as a goodwill gesture to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
Now, Israel has separated the whole concept of Palestinians from Hamas and Gaza so the two are supposedly separate in Olmert’s mind, presumably. But as more Palestinian prisoners go free out of good will, Gilad Shalit rots at the hands of terrorist, a soldier in his 20s whose life is probably worth thousands of live Palestinian prisoners, at least estimating by the last tragic prisoner exchange (terrorists for two dead bodies: the bodies of Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev were turned over to Israel on July 16, 2008 by Hizballah).
Despite the fact that Olmert will be leaving office under a cloud of scandal after the upcoming elections and is essentially a lame duck, how he has managed to agree to another prisoner release is astounding. At least one Knesset member noted as much.
"Olmert is not relevant to the political process, and he does not [have the authority] to make promises in Israel's name," said Reuben Rivlin. "We're tired of him and his political mischief."
I betcha so are Shalit’s parents.
One bit of hope is that despite the government’s short-term memory that one of their young men is probably psychologically ruined for life even if he does live through this ordeal, many citizens do remember. Every day protestors are camped outside the prime minister’s house with Shalit posters reminding passersby and the government that one of theirs is in enemy’s hands.
Britain declares economic war on Israel
UK tells EU to stop buying imports from settlements; Israel appeals to UK FM
Nov. 17, 2008
Britain has warned the European Union of selling “illegal” goods produced in Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria in an apparent bid to pressure Jerusalem to halt construction in the settlements.
I reported this in the upcoming December issue of Israel Today magazine. England has asked EU members to avoid buying goods produced in Israeli settlements, which are then entering Britain after being exempt from tariffs. This violates an Israel-EU trade agreement: Goods designated as having been produced in the “West Bank” could mislead consumers into thinking they are from Palestinians, England maintains. Jewish settlements in the West Bank are not kosher to the EU or UK.
Israeli officials believe this is an attempt by Britain to pressure Jerusalem to stop building or clear out Jewish settlements. Britain’s move follows consumer protests in The Netherlands last year when a major importer of organic produce promised to refrain from dealing in settlement-produced items. Also this year, the Dutch company Heineken, which has a partial ownership of Barkan Wineries, moved the last of the winery’s operations out of a West Bank industrial zone, under pressure from consumer groups and the Dutch government.
This week with British Foreign Minister David Miliband was here for a two-day visit aimed at advancing Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. His Israeli counterpart Tzipi Livni called Britain’s stance "exaggerated."
Today, Miliband headed south to view the rockets from Gaza firsthand.
Nov. 17, 2008
Britain has warned the European Union of selling “illegal” goods produced in Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria in an apparent bid to pressure Jerusalem to halt construction in the settlements.
I reported this in the upcoming December issue of Israel Today magazine. England has asked EU members to avoid buying goods produced in Israeli settlements, which are then entering Britain after being exempt from tariffs. This violates an Israel-EU trade agreement: Goods designated as having been produced in the “West Bank” could mislead consumers into thinking they are from Palestinians, England maintains. Jewish settlements in the West Bank are not kosher to the EU or UK.
Israeli officials believe this is an attempt by Britain to pressure Jerusalem to stop building or clear out Jewish settlements. Britain’s move follows consumer protests in The Netherlands last year when a major importer of organic produce promised to refrain from dealing in settlement-produced items. Also this year, the Dutch company Heineken, which has a partial ownership of Barkan Wineries, moved the last of the winery’s operations out of a West Bank industrial zone, under pressure from consumer groups and the Dutch government.
This week with British Foreign Minister David Miliband was here for a two-day visit aimed at advancing Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. His Israeli counterpart Tzipi Livni called Britain’s stance "exaggerated."
Today, Miliband headed south to view the rockets from Gaza firsthand.
“I'm here today because Sderot has become the front line of Israel's security. It's very important that counties like mine and others show solidarity with the people of Sderot and that's what I'm doing today," Miliband said. "Israeli people need to know that the British people know of Sderot, and we know of the tragedy they are facing, and we stand with them."Just not their controversial products from the settlements.
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