Forum Post: will israel lift the siege?
Posted 10 years ago on July 22, 2014, 5:35 p.m. EST by flip
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AARON MATÉ: Sharif, as we wrap, is there support amongst Palestinians that you speak to for Hamas’s strategy, which is basically to continue the violence until Israel agrees to lift the blockade of the Gaza Strip?
SHARIF ABDEL KOUDDOUS: From the vast majority of Palestinians that I’ve spoken to, they support—they wouldn’t say they support Hamas, but they support the resistance. They support some kind of fighting back against this brutal military assault. They support, they say, the resistance until their conditions are met. And the primary, the number one condition everyone mentions is the lifting of the siege. The siege affects every aspect of life here in Gaza, from the water to power, to jobs, to food, to freedom of movement, to very basic human rights. And they feel that if the ceasefire—if this conflict ends without a return—or it returns back to the same situation that it was, with Gaza under siege, that their lives—you know, they need some change in their lives. And so, yeah, I mean, I think—I wouldn’t say Hamas, as a political movement, has the support, but as a resistance movement, that it is right now, yes, most Palestinians are unified behind it, even those who are very critical of it. Even political opponents who are members of the Fatah party say they support the resistance in this time of conflict.
AMY GOODMAN: Finally, Sharif, I know we may lose you by satellite at any moment in Gaza City, but when you talk about the siege, it’s not something that’s covered very much in the United States. Can you just elaborate more fully what you mean when Palestinians say "lift the siege"?
SHARIF ABDEL KOUDDOUS: Well, Gaza is a thin strip of land that is bordered mostly by Israel and also by Egypt, and it has a big seacoast, and Palestinians can’t get in or out of Gaza. They’re prevented by Israel. They’re prevented by Egypt, which largely executes U.S. and Israeli policy. And foods, basic goods, the right to import and export, all of these things are banned to them, and so this has devastated the economy here. It has devastated lives. People feel trapped. They often speak of how they live in the biggest open-air prison in the world. And even the sea, fishermen cannot go out more than a couple of kilometers to go fish, where Israeli warships await them. So, you really feel it.
And you really feel this war exacerbating all those effects. And you feel—you hear drones in the air. You hear the booms of the ships. And even if you wanted to leave, you couldn’t. Even if journalists wanted to leave today, they couldn’t. Erez crossing was closed, the border with Israel, and the Egyptian border is closed, as well. So it really feels—and there’s no shelters here. There’s no air raids—sorry, there’s no air defense system. There’s no sirens. There’s really nowhere to run. You don’t know where is safe. And people are dying inside their homes and inside hospitals—not from their wounds, but from being bombed and wounded again by the Israeli military.
End the Occupation of Palestine now!
Understanding the roots of the violence, and facing those roots head on, is the only way to bring peace.
As always, succinct and to the point!
Let flour be shipped to Gaza - so people can eat pasta. Let concrete be shipped to Gaza - people need to rebuild after the Israeli tanks and bombs are done destroying the buildings. Let rockets stop flying to Israel - people need to be freed from the terrors. Let tunnels into Israel be shut down.
Just because one can make bombs from flour and put concrete into rockets in lieu of explosives to attack Israel does not mean that people in Gaza should stop eating and living in houses. Let neutral international monitors make sure that no diversion of concrete occurs.
Either come to senses to have life, peace, and prosperity for all or have at it more with increasing deaths, sorrow, bloodshed, and hatred. Life and death are set before us. Choose Life!
If the oppressor doesn't like what it's faced with after ending the oppression, is that the oppressed's fault?
Peace, freedom, sharing, and apologies, and, hopefully, grace on all sides is the only way out of this. South Africans pulled it off to a degree, we here in America pulled it off after freeing the slaves to a degree. There is hope, but all need to show grace. It can be done! It will likely never be perfect, just like the U.S. and S.A., but, there is a good chance that these parties can, at least, live together in peace. The people on both sides want it despite what their rulers say and want and do.
Why do I feel as if we are ALL on a gigantic hamster wheel, running around faster and faster till we fell off one by one with our cheek pouches still stuffed full of sunflower seeds?
Haven't we been on this rung of firing rockets before, followed by the rung of ground invasion, followed by the rung of restocking rockets? We run till we get a stroke and a sip of life-giving water makes us breathe our last. "Return to the Origin," the voice called softly and with our bloodshot eyes, we go limp...
Now if only we all had our cheeks filled with sunflower seeds.....
No matter, those without sunflower seeds in their cheek pouches will still be great fertilizer for the sunflowers that will surely grow from the seeds. They will track the sun across the sky, just like the babies tracking their mothers' voices.
Don't take this badly BW - but - hey - that was the most rational thing I have heard you state on that conflict. It was surprisingly not all one sided. Kudos.
Right. I am so irrational to demand that Israel free the Palestinians from their illegal occupation. Boy, is that silly.
I'll tell you what is irrational: It is irrational to expect people to peacefully "accept" their occupation and oppression and live quietly within their prison walls. It is totally insane to expect that.
Incredible how our occupation here was treated as a threat to society by the state, yet the occupation overseas is always understandable.
The Palestinians are the "other," dehumanized and unimportant, and the farther away, the more that is the case for those who lack empathy.
But apparently tunnel vision helps you to keep your focus over such a long distance - Hey?
It is not tunnel vision, not binocular vision, nor telescopic vision.
It is simple resonance, quantum entanglement, of the same construction, without obstruction, under the instruction from the Origin, when we were all together.
From the first visible light of the cosmos shining through the firmament to our eyes, to the ancient oceans still sloshing in our blood vessels, to the base-4 alphabetic code of our genetic carbon star dust, to the suffocating pains of breathing oxygen, to the swooshing whirls of our breaths finally enjoying oxygen, we were one.
And so calm rational thinking dies and is carried off the field. To bad so sad.
You are perpetuating the way the oppressor becomes the victim. That is what is the saddest thing about this.
The Palestinians are the victims, not the Israelis. The Palestinians were the ones pushed off their land. They are the ones living in a prison blockade. I expect them to show grace when some is shown to them. Until then, I'm not insane, I'm not going to expect peace under oppression. I'd like it because all violence is bad and all loss of life is a shame, but I'm not going to expect it. No humans on earth would live like that and not fight back.
https://occupywallst.org/forum/on-two-wrongs-do-not-make-a-right/
OOOPssss and there goes all of your objectivity as well - that was bound to happen as soon as your rationality died - again.
You are the one with tunnel vision and irrationality and insanity. If you can't say something intelligent as in, tell me how the occupation of Palestine is fair and how it should continue, then just comment to others. I don't have time for this.
Thats the million dollar question.
Isn't it though? And, they can't answer it.
How can they? The entire process so far has been so incredibly one sided, from the marching in after WWII, to using the Allies as a backer after just nuking two cities into oblivion, to the creation of a state and calling it Israel, to the partitioning of land, to the "settlements" nonsense, the entire thing.
How does one fix something like this? Honestly, without a time machine, its not too easy. An erasing of all borders would have to be a start, but even then, the point has already been made as to who runs the show, and that statement would be felt for generations to come with the emotional societal scars.
The only way it worked here was we beat the natives into submission. And even this far after, the scars are still there...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2utsjsWOWUA
So true, every word you say. I see the oppressor as having the first obligation of grace and generosity and then the oppressed must show it back. But it has to be sincere and total. I'm waiting for that. The time is now. Free Palestine!
History shows, as your video shows, that scars will remain, but people can coexist peacefully if they want peace and I do believe the people of both sides want to live in peace.
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Not to worry - I won't try to reason with you any longer on this issue as it is very apparent that you are too bloody-minded and blind deaf and dumb to honor reality.
I am curious as to your one sided bloody mindedness.
Are you of middle eastern descent?
If so - what would be that tie?
According to that NYT article, "While 69 percent say they feel an emotional attachment to Israel, "...
Do you think this is more true or less true of people of other religions? Because honestly, I think that the three of you have a very strong emotional attachment to Israel and that is the main reason you can't denounce this, especially when linking it to the bigger picture of corrupted financial institutions the world over.
Jon Stewart takes a lot of shit for bashing Israel, especially from people like Mark Levin. For some people, there are certain things that simply wont ever change. Is it possible for people of either strong Muslim or Jewish faith to accept that both people can live in harmony?
I have no trouble on calling foul on the actions of Israel - I also do not have a problem calling foul on the actions of Hamas ( actions for Palestine? - I think not ).
The only emotional investment I have here - is - to see peace and health and prosperity for all - and that investment is not limited to one region or conflict.
I am sorry - but - are you retarded or what? One has to occupy to be charged with crimes against humanity? Are you honestly trying to say that?
No, one doesnt. But when someone/place is conquered and taken over, why do you expect anything besides what a lengthy history of human behavior shows?
With that being said, the Israelis certainly aren't that stupid. So what's your excuse?
My excuse is that I am not retarded as you apparently are and am able to see the full picture and be unbiased which you apparently can not be. Israel - the state - legitimate or not - is surrounded by enemies that want to see it dead and gone - those enemies freely use the Palestine situation and Gaza as a means to attack Israel with out hazarding military retaliation on their own ground.
If you truly can't see these things - well then - you are woefully educated or prejudicial-y biased or blind.
"legitimate or not" well at least you are humoring the fact that this entire things was horribly conceived to begin with.
and...
If by surrounded you mean formed the nation directly on top of people, then you are getting closer.
And yet - Israel - IS recognized as being legitimate - by it's enemies no less - you know - those who are also member states of the UN.
Of course its legitimate, the UN created it, adn we are Americans. Legitimate. So I guess if the powers that be decide something is an official state, then thats that?
How does that vibe with your stances on democracy? How does that stand with your stances against oppression and the powerful abusing people?
Again, why do you give this situation a pass?
1) I have in no way shape or form given the situation of ( the still unrecognized state ) of Palestine and ( officially recognized ) Israel a pass. I have however tried to be UN-Biased to either. You show me where I give the issue a pass.
2) You wanna argue official status and how it is or is not achieved ? Israels enemies recognize Israel as being legitimate - "I" was never consulted by them - SO - take it up with them.
3) It has nothing to do with how I feel about democracy or oppression. BTW - in case you have been sleeping for the last couple of years and so happened to miss it - "I" am for true democracy and against all oppression. That still has nothing to do with what is happening between Palestine and Israel with the interference of either the USA or the interference of all of Israels enemies.
You really show yourself there. Do you really think a person has to be Middle Eastern to have sympathy for the plight of the Palestinians? That is so pathetic.
What is pathetic is your bloody minded defense of all things Hamas. You are so totally wrapped up in Palestine that you fail to see the whole picture - what you say about Palestine ( all of it ) you ( well not you apparently ) could say the same about Israel.
No. Not true. And, supporting Palestinians doesn't equal supporting Hamas. That is an easy excuse for defending apartheid. Take it somewhere else. We'll obviously never agree and I've a feeling my blood source is independent where yours possibly isn't. And, I wouldn't be so rude as to ask you of your descent.
I have no blood ties to the region and am quite fair in my judgements - where as you however seem to be blind to all of the realities of the region and so would appear to have a blood tie interest in some way - to be so completely one sided with no direct tie to the region just begs to ask WHY.
Because the illegal occupation, siege and blockade of 1.6 million people is a travesty, an utter horror of human injustice regardless of who it is, what color their skin is, what religion they are, etc etc. It is no matter.
The Gazans need clean water, to be free to fish and shop and trade and work and travel, to have a decent life, like anyone else. And, wanna give them their land back? Or is that too much to ask?
Nope - and your not not gonna get it by letting Hamas keep poking the bear to enrage the bear to commit atrocities on the people of Palestine either.
They aren't gonna get a single thing if they accept their occupation by folding their hands either. That is the sad thing. Because greedy people stay greedy unless forced to share. You are the first one to say that.
And so - go after the greedy. Perpetuating the violence on civilians is not the answer - and that is what Hamas is doing = perpetuating the violence on civilians ( Israeli and Palestinian civilians ).
If you are going to approve of the use of violence to win freedom - and it is more than apparent that you are. Then that violence must be properly aimed to do any good. And that would be going after TPTB on both sides that are fueling the aimless violence.
how about? stop selling them weapons
"Israel's argument for war against Palestine ignores the context"
"For Israel, this is a war against Hamas that started a few weeks ago. Outsiders increasingly see it as war against Gaza for years, and against Palestinians for decades."
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul/26/israel-palestine-context-of-war-israeli-view
I much prefer BDS or boycott, divestment and sanctions, but frankly, it hasn't been all that effective. Ask the Gazans! I'm not for violence, but I will not blame people for trying to free themselves, nor am I surprised at them doing so.
[ edit ] What you are really saying is that you can't equate your misguided feelings about Israel and Palestine to an actual similar circumstance of crimes against humanity which the USA is committing with the drone war. That it is OK for Palestinians to commit crimes against humanity in retaliation for Israels crimes against humanity - but that it has nothing to do with you. You shallow thinking hypocrite.
Sorry sorry - should have said Unthinking Hypocrite.
edit -> Further - you have no belief in your stated beliefs.
Actually yes I did look at the article - and it is an OP ( opinion piece ) on public opinion.
Hamas didn't "just" start attacking Israel - those who believe so are ignorant of the facts.
Has the IDF the Israeli powers that be committed crimes against humanity in retaliation overkill? YOU BET. That does not change the fact that Hamas goads them into doing so with their feeble attacks ( feeble - but still crimes against humanity all the same ) on the Israeli population. No that in no way absolves the Israeli Powers that Be of crimes they commit.
Are the Israelis under occupation? Are they free to travel and trade and fish where they like and drink clean water? Do they receive loads of money from the U.S. to live a decent life and to "defend" themselves. Is Hamas the Palestinians? Or is Hamas a symptom of the state of the Palestinians? Big difference there.
Any humanitarian would have concern for the plight of the Palestinians regardless of Hamas. I always thought you were a humanitarian. I'm disappointed.
What's the matter BW ? Those are your feelings as expressed about Palestine and Israel. So why are you so offended at the thought that you would feel the same about the drone war? Only difference being in this instance ( drone war ) you would be the one making the moral decisions and subsequent actions.
I see no reason for your outrage - it is after all about your stated feelings perceptions interpretations of right and wrong.
Sorry to say it, but there is no intellectual discussion here, just you casting aspersions. Stating that I have those violent thoughts (which don't even make any sense) on the open forum is really quite offensive to me, because I think nothing of the sort. Please go away, I do not have anymore time for this childish back and forth.
BW - does the drone war as prosecuted/executed by the USA constitute many crimes against humanity? I'LL just take for granted at this point that you said yes - that the drone war is very much crimes committed against humanity by the USA.
So given the opportunity ( scads and scads of armed drones to use at your finger tips ) - by your stance on Israel and Gaza/Palestine - I would fully expect that you would use your immediate access to armed drones to start bombing cities and towns located around you and as far out into the remainder of the USA as the drones will reach as being an appropriate and right action of crimes against humanity for you to pursue in legitimate protesting action of the USA's drone war.
I take it that this presumption of mine as outlined above - meets with your whole heart-ed approval?
You have some nerve. Your violent thoughts are your own and speak volumes about you, not me.
Are those countries whom are being bombed occupying us?
No, not exactly.
The question remains. With how this entire thing has down since WWII, why do you expect something different?
All the principles and the love of democracy we claim to profess go out the window with that entire set up.
I am a humanitarian - I do my best to be unbiased and to see the whole truth of issues - you on the other hand astound me with your one sided vitriol and defense of the crimes committed by one side while vilifying the same crimes committed by the other side.
AGAIN - a wrong is a wrong is a wrong is a wrong is a wrong is a wrong is a wrong - no matter who commits that wrong.
" "For Israel, this is a war against Hamas that started a few weeks ago. Outsiders increasingly see it as war against Gaza for years, and against Palestinians for decades." "
aaaaahahahahahahaha - some funny stuff = a war against Hamas that started a few weeks ago
heeeeheheheee - "Outsiders increasingly see it as war against Gaza for years, and against Palestinians for decades." - hahahahahahaha only the blind and uneducated.
" I'm not for violence, but I will not blame people for trying to free themselves, nor am I surprised at them doing so."
I am not for violence either - but if one is going to use violence - one must target the cause that drives you to commit violence and that would be TPTB and NOT civilians.
You didn't read the article, did you?
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul/26/israel-palestine-context-of-war-israeli-view
let's invade Afghanistan and Iraq
Most of the neocon politicians have "no blood ties to the region" EITHER, and are anything, BUT "fair in their judgements." The corrupt influence of AIPAC is amazing in swaying people's opinions especially amongst our neocon politicians and their fellow travelers who want to expand on the corrupt status quo....OR those who just choose to remain "blind to the realities" of Israel's hegemonic regional quest and the tremendous suffering it continues to cause on a near powerless people.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." ...Edmund Burke
O odious one - you are not worth my time - you are - as always - full of yourself and I have no wish to further discourse at you.
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O odious Odin thou return-eth.
How typical of you DK to attack the messenger when you are unable to defend your neocon position with good, sound, humane rational.
Yes, and end the blockade now.
Lift the siege. Free the Palestinians. Allow them their basic human rights to work, trade, travel, fish, eat healthy nourishing food, and drink clean water. Take down the prison walls. It's time.
https://occupywallst.org/forum/will-israel-lift-the-siege/#comment-1039734
Imagine that Mexico was trapped there, blockaded in, that anything they wanted had to go through Texas. If they wanted to leave, they had to go through Texas.
Thats essentially whats going on over there. One thing is for sure. With the amount of wars the Israeli leaders and globalists fund, the last thing they want is peace.
[ edit ] The Texas border blockade?
edit-> Yes ???
Good One !!!
Nice show of world wide solidarity for the down trodden.
You surprise me Narl - not a position that I would have expected from you - considering some of your prior bad mouthing of the poor and all.
Daymn - but stepping up in solidarity for the down trodden of central America - huh - did you find God or have just a general spiritual awakening? And in finding God ( or having just a general spiritual awakening ) did you come to a realization that all of humanity are brothers and sisters?
That is just beautiful man - congrats.
Expressing solidarity to central Americans fleeing terror and death while at the same time expressing solidarity with middle eastern prisoners of occupation.
Just outstanding Knarl - really outstanding.
Such huge spiritual growth for you.
And really nice - you are right there in Texas to lend ( so sorry - I meant - give - as - with your new found spiritual gift - you would no doubt find the idea of lending repugnant ) love and support to the central American refugees.
Not sure how to respond to this. Did you just pay me a compliment? I'm flattered.
In your mind you have somehow linked Gaza with people entering the US illegally. It's not apples to apples. Gaza is under siege, children and innocents are being murdered by Israel. My view is simple, I don't believe in oppression and murder.
On the other hand, the southern border needs to be closed. Put troops on the border, build a fence, round up and deport every illegal we can find; and finally impose big fines on any employer who hires illegals. The US can not support millions of illegals, they they collapse the system.
Are we still friends?
We never were knurled - we never were.
we agree!
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