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Inside the Middle East
February 27, 2009
Posted: 1229 GMT

(CNN) - Palestinian rivals agreed Thursday to work toward ending their bitter fighting in an effort to form a unity government in Gaza and the West Bank.

KHALED DESOUKI/AFP/Getty Images. Leaders of rival Palestinian factions discuss the results of reconciliation talks in Cairo, Egypt, on Thursday.
KHALED DESOUKI/AFP/Getty Images. Leaders of rival Palestinian factions discuss the results of reconciliation talks in Cairo, Egypt, on Thursday.

Among the measures reportedly reached in an Egyptian-brokered meeting in Cairo was an agreement between the two largest rival factions, Hamas and Fatah.

Hamas, which controls Gaza, said it would release Fatah prisoners it holds in Gaza. Fatah agreed to do the same with Hamas captives held in Fatah's West Bank base.

The participants also agreed to stop smear campaigns in the media, according to a statement released after the meeting.

KHALED DESOUKI/AFP/Getty Images. Palestinain chief negotiator and Fatah member, Ahmed Qorei (L) speaks with Mussa Abu Marzuq (R), the exiled number two of the Islamist Hamas movement, during a joint press conference with leaders of rival Palestinian groups.
KHALED DESOUKI/AFP/Getty Images. Palestinain chief negotiator and Fatah member, Ahmed Qorei (L) speaks with Mussa Abu Marzuq (R), the exiled number two of the Islamist Hamas movement, during a joint press conference with leaders of rival Palestinian groups.

Representatives from other groups in the region also attended the meeting. Although the statement referred only to "all the Palestinian forces and factions," without naming them, Gaza's Ramattan news agency reported Fatah and Hamas were present.

The group agreed to form five committees to address the issue of prisoners, security and the formation of an election commission.

The statement said the committees would begin work March 10 and complete their work at the end of the month, by which time they hope a national unity government will be formed.

Several Western nations have expressed a reluctance to work with any government that includes Hamas, which the United States and Israel consider a terrorist outfit.

Tensions between Fatah and Hamas reached a climax in June 2007 when Hamas took control of Gaza in a bloody siege.

Palestinian security forces controlled by President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah Party were expelled from Gaza, and Fatah has since held sway only in the West Bank.

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Filed under: Fatah •Hamas •Palestinians


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Professor   February 27th, 2009 12:50 pm ET

I hope from now on there will full tranceparency infront of the Palestinian people and no peace treaty will be singed without full acceptance of all the Palestinian factions.... otherwise there will never be peace in that region. Israel (who is hungry for distruction) is not a peace partner unless its pressured by the International world and that pressure will be there when there is one Palestinian and Arab voice.

GLeigh   February 27th, 2009 2:14 pm ET

Prof – I hope "no peace treaty will be singed without full acceptance" either. The Middle Ease must learn to live together, peacefully, and move that philosophy to it's approach to the rest of the world. Then I will sing too. I love typos. I do them all the time, and they are funny. I laugh at my own. But, I do think, with our over population that it's important to learn and grow and integrate science, common sense, and consideration for each other. Tough stuff.

World traveler   February 27th, 2009 2:54 pm ET

Hamas is a terror organization that condones murder, and it will be a mistake for any country to try and negotiate with them. I hope Israel continues to defend itself from Palestinian aggression, and will take away Hamas ability to commit murder.

I support Israel 100%, and any peace deals the Palestinians desire, as long as the deal does not sacrifice the security of Israeli families.

GLeigh   February 27th, 2009 3:10 pm ET

I hope that the ME unifies for the good of all mankind. Feeding those in need, where ever or what ever religion. The U.S. and a few others can't do it all and all the time. Oil wealth is good, but it should be shared with those in dire need. The huge yachts are pretty, but it should be about how the world can exists, everyone. Judging people, in any way, is not our place.

CS   February 27th, 2009 3:31 pm ET

Hopefully, one govt will emerge. One that will act in the best interest of all Palestinians. I would love to see a govt that is looking forward in a growth oriented peaceful way. I beleive that peace will come to Israel, and moreso, the Palestinian people, who have bared the brunt of the last few years conflict. Not to say that Israel and others have not suffered too, cause they have. It's just obvious that Palestine is in need of unity, and reconstruction, and talking is always more constructive that fighting amongst ourselves. Good job, and good place to start for Palestinian, and other Arab leaders. Bravo.

Carlos   February 27th, 2009 3:53 pm ET

At least they have managed to sit down at the same table with each other. It will be interesting to see how this develops.
Will they stop murdering, executing, torturing and killing each other?
That would be a good start!

With these clowns who do this stuff to their own people- no wonder the Israelis have a security concern!

From the info on Al Jazeera TV, there were 12 different factions at this meeting. They also made note that whatever comes from this effort to form a unity government, it will only be a "temporary" government- whatever that means!!

CS   February 27th, 2009 4:38 pm ET

This is a good start. I know many people will try to throw salt in this thing, or advise against taliking or deaking with other, but I hope that leadership can be more open minded. Maybe, when people extend themselves, a little peice of them is admitting fault, or appologizing, or doing what they can to make amends for prior bad decisions. Being a closed minded will get us right back where we were before this sit down. Hopefully these guys can unify, and develope a reasonable charter, one that includes peace with neighbors (regardless of the past, whomever may have offended, as both sides have), and well being for Palestine, and Israel. I don't think things will work with a majority of the new leadership being Hamas. They're too radical, and hot headed. A level headed group of thinkers is needed to get through these hard times.

As far as past mistakes; we've all made them (some greater than others obviously), and to move forward, we need to put pride, and past in our back pockets. The U.S. has tortured before, but now we don't. Hamas has behaved poorly in the past, but they made a good step. Give credit where it's due.

side lines   February 27th, 2009 4:41 pm ET

Cast Lead raised international hackles, because Israel lost few people to the rockets fired from Gaza, but its response caused widespread death and destruction. In Gaza the victims were falestini civilians, kids, who already bear the brunt of the tragedy of 1948; the world is much more sympathetic to them than to Israel.

The operation was planned to coincide with the end of the term of the Israel-friendly President George W. Bush, before President Barack Obama entered office. Instead of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton going to talk to Israel about the Iranian threat, her first visit in office will focus on the problems of the Palestinians in Gaza. That might be the greatest damage to Israel of all. Israelis know it. Israel damged its own standing and reputation.
A reservist, Amir Marmor, a gunner, said he left the war ashamed. "The IDF used disproportionate power, in a kind of punishment operation."

side lines   February 27th, 2009 4:51 pm ET

The true threat to peace in the region, and, consequently, to Israel’s future, comes from the prime minister Netanyahu himself, who, as recently as last month, declared his intention to expand Jewish settlements in the West Bank in direct violation of the “Road Map to Peace,” put in place by the U.S., the EU, Russia, and the UN. This is the man that Israelis have once again elected to lead their country. A man whose Likud Party platform explicitly rejects the creation of a Palestinian state (“The Government of Israel flatly rejects the establishment of a Palestinian Arab state west of the Jordan River”), refers to the Occupied Territories by their biblical names “Judea” and “Samaria,” and pledges to continue building settlements in the West Bank, in violation of international law, as “a clear expression of the unassailable right of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel.”

In 1998, during Benjamin Netanyahu’s first tenure as prime minister of Israel, he did something so outrageous, so inconceivably impolitic that it permanently poisoned relations between him and then-U.S. President Bill Clinton. Summoned by Clinton to the White House to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, Netanyahu publicly snubbed the president by going directly from the airport to the Mayflower Hotel, where he was the guest of honor at a gathering of fundamentalist evangelical Christians dedicated to putting a stop to the two-state solution. (“It was all planned by Netanyahu as an affront to Mr. Clinton,” Jerry Falwell, the man who organized the gathering, gleefully told reporters.)

The event at the Mayflower was hosted by a group calling itself Voices United for Israel, a coalition made up of right-wing American Jews and a number of so-called Christian Zionist organizations in the U.S. whose goal is to help Israel maintain its grasp over the whole of the Holy Land. Christian Zionists say they believe that the Jews must reestablish control over all of biblical Israel in order to usher in the return of the Messiah. Of course, as Christians, they believe that the Messiah is Jesus Christ and that when he returns to Jerusalem, the Jews will either have to convert to Christianity or be damned to an eternity in Hell. But that did not seem to bother Netanyahu much. Indeed, Netanyahu has made a career of pandering to America’s Christian Zionists, who in turn have filled the political coffers of his Likud party with millions of dollars in campaign contributions, all with a single goal in mind: to permanently derail the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians, to ensure that there will never be a Palestinian state!

Professor   February 27th, 2009 5:10 pm ET

World Traveler,

If thats the case... I support the Palestinians 100% and I hope that they will never sign a peace agreement unless its 100% for the benefit and security of the Palestinians.

GLeigh   February 27th, 2009 6:17 pm ET

Prof – We know how you feel, drive Israel into the sea, no compromises.

World Traveler – Saying you support Israel and any peace deals that the Palestinians desire as long as it does not sacrifice the security of Israel is too one sided for most. Peace between the two and the continued survival of Israel are not the goals.

Hope   February 27th, 2009 6:29 pm ET

Not an expert in Palestinian internal policies..but indeed lets hope some unity comes out of the meeting, and were not just sitting around swapping olive oil recipes..

Agree with CS..
"Being a closed minded will get us right back where we were before this sit down.....

Nice to have a younger newer generation penetrating the Palestinian political arena, who can be more flexible...open to change and reform, better communicators. Old time leaders are stuck in old ways, with minds hard to break....

CS   February 27th, 2009 6:30 pm ET

Side Lines. Thanks for the posts. I was unaware of Netanyahu said this. But you providing the actual quote, leaves no room for supporters of opression to wiggle. Sounds a lot like Israel refuses to recognize Palestine's right to exist. Funny how some complain about Hamas saying this, but their leaders say these things, just hiding behind the word 'democracy', and it's widely accepted. However, I will not condemn every Jew, or Israeli for the acts of the ones in power. Just like, I'm an American, and pray that other nations would not assume that we all (citizens) backed G.W. Bush. Although, many did, and still do.
No matter. Good things are happening now. Palestine took a big step in the right direction, as of late; And as you said, Israel no longer seems to have the luxury of being blindly supported (regardless of her bad behavior) by the U.S., and this speaks volumes. Anyway, thanks again for the enlightenment!

GLeigh   February 27th, 2009 6:32 pm ET

Have a fun weekend all! Peace should be the goal between countries in the ME, including Israel, and the varying religions. We need to think of future generations, not just what we want today.

CS   February 27th, 2009 6:38 pm ET

Now you see professor. You just said the same thing World Traveler just said, but a supporter of oppression just tried to say that you want Israel driven into the sea. Hypocracy-101

Bill   February 27th, 2009 6:40 pm ET

Hmmm. Groups of criminal Islamic terrorists promising to be nicer to each other. What could possibly go wrong? LOL.

GLeigh   February 27th, 2009 6:50 pm ET

We are going on a short weekend trip. Another adult is staying here to take care of our teenager and pets. My son fusses all the time about how selfish my generation is for pollution and not having greener ways of travel and all. His generation is focused on accomplishing these things. We need to teach our young people to be peaceful also. As role models, we often fail it seems to me.

CS   February 27th, 2009 6:59 pm ET

HMMM. Criminals dressed in suits who are Christains and jews. What could possibly go wrong?

Let's see...Israel can break a cease fire, not once, but twice, and get away with it.

Israel can get away with blocking food/medical supplies to civilians in Gaza.

Israel can elect a leader, who refuses to recognize Palestine's right to exist.

Israel can use tactics against Geneva, and U.N. resolution (white Phosphorus)

Israel can respond to rockets killing a few, by invading Gaza (again) and killing thousands.

====Oh, wait, all that already happened

Hope   February 27th, 2009 7:08 pm ET

GLeigh

Israel drove Palestinians into the sea in order to replace their homeland with migrant European jews. You cry for peace...why are you not crying for this injustice?

GLeigh   February 27th, 2009 7:09 pm ET

CS – I read back. Where did the Prof said he hoped for the security of Israel which is what World Traveler said? I missed it maybe.

GLeigh   February 27th, 2009 7:23 pm ET

Hope I read the history. After the WWI loss, Britian had the British Mandate. After WWII, Israel became a nation there, from the British Mandate and the UN. No other country existed. People lived there and should have been paid for their land. In 1967 Israel was attacked again and won and got more land. People have tried to negotiate and make peace in that part of the world for years. Some just refuse. Why do you refuse to read the history? This isn't a big spot of land, and there are many other areas in the ME to live. I feel very sorry for the people of Gaza who deserve not to live in poverty. I feel sorry for Egypt caught in the middle. The oil wealth will someday run out, decades down the road maybe, but still. Factories and tourism and progressive move fowards should be the goal, not these endless skirmishes.

Well got to run. Time to pack and get ready. Have a good weekend Hope. I hope you have peaceful suggestions for the two places, Gaza and Israel, to get along with each other. Both groups deserve better.

dan perman   February 27th, 2009 7:30 pm ET

hope

what's wrong with you?

CS   February 27th, 2009 8:06 pm ET

If GLeigh wants to talk about 1967, and U.N. resolutions...lets talk about how the U.N. broke it's own rule in 1967 by allowing Israel to take over the land of an adversary during battle. This is illegal. U.N. knows it, Israel knows it, now GLeigh knows it.

CS   February 27th, 2009 8:08 pm ET

And GLeigh. To what you said earlier, Professor wished the same for Palestine, that World Traveler wished for Israel. But you knew this, you are just obviously caught. You have no rebuttle, but to try and twist words around.

dan perman   February 27th, 2009 9:10 pm ET

cs

and you have no problem with poland ruling danzig, breslau and koenigsberg, the italians ruling tirol, the british ruling n ireland and the americans ruling new mexico, california and....

only with israel you have a problem

i wonder why

Carlos   February 27th, 2009 9:38 pm ET

side lines February 27th, 2009 1641 GMT

Cast Lead raised international hackles, because Israel lost few people to the rockets fired from Gaza, but its response caused widespread death and destruction.
******************************************************************

side lines,

So your point is--- if Hamas had been able to kill more Israelis- it would be OK???

And of course, 8,000 rockets from Gaza into Israel over the past few years really means nothing–Right?

And of course, the 100 plus rockets and mortars from Gaza into Israel since the ceasefire means nothing, right??

Do us all a favor,-- keep your permanent position on the side lines. You simply don't seem to have what it takes to play the game!

Carlos   February 27th, 2009 9:52 pm ET

Professor February 27th, 2009 1710 GMT

World Traveler,

If thats the case… I support the Palestinians 100% and I hope that they will never sign a peace agreement unless its 100% for the benefit and security of the Palestinians.
**********************************************************

professor,

Well there you go!!! That's exactly the attitude that has resulted in no solution to conflict in 60 years!

Thanks to people like you-- who have nothing at stake in the conflict, but continue to preach a position of "my way or no way", progress will forever be non-existent.

What is so difficult for you to understand about the absolute 100% requirement for security???? This works both ways! Did you miss that??

And what is this instance on "100% for the benefit and security of the Palestinians".

Security on both sides-- 100%-- absolutely!!!!!

100% benefit for the Palestinians--- what is this??????

Is this what you call "negotiations"?

Carlos   February 27th, 2009 9:58 pm ET

GLeigh February 27th, 2009 1817 GMT

Prof – We know how you feel, drive Israel into the sea, no compromises.

World Traveler – Saying you support Israel and any peace deals that the Palestinians desire as long as it does not sacrifice the security of Israel is too one sided for most. Peace between the two and the continued survival of Israel are not the goals.
***************************************************************

GLeigh,

Sorry to disagree, but neither side needs to concede security for their people. They both need to come to an agreement on "safe and secure" borders and boundaries. This has been an expressed requirement by the parties and the international community for as long as the conflict has been in existence. Neither side needs to compromise on safety and security for their people.

Professor   February 27th, 2009 10:56 pm ET

CS and hope,

As you see... I did this on purpose I reversed what World Traveler said to see the reaction of the ignorants and they did exactly what I expected.... :)

Watch how GLeigh speak.... she is asking for suggestions for Gaza and Israel not for Palestine and Israel.... she reduced Palestine to Gaza only which is what the right wing Israelis want... to take over West Bank and Jerusalem and pack Gaza with more refugees... keep them surrounded and under siege starve them to death.... Choke the life out of them.... Thats the kind of Peace GLeigh wants....

Bill   February 27th, 2009 11:00 pm ET

CS – Illegal to take over the land of an adversary during war? What kind of comic books are you reading? You know nothing of war or the rules of war!

Hope   February 27th, 2009 11:30 pm ET

I read this somewhere, so I cant take credit for it..

"Liberty is the Soul of everything, without it, we are dead".

We should be reminded of the Palestinians pain, and the daily inhumane harassments they live through day in and day out ..First, they got uprooted from their ancestral land, driven into the sea by migrant foreign jews..and those who stayed, got shoved into camps or caged like animals in Gaza....where is humanity in all of this i wonder...

Poor Palestinians...

Hope   February 28th, 2009 12:25 am ET

GLeigh said;

"This isn’t a big spot of land, and there are many other areas in the ME to live."

If the Palestinians are to go elsewhere, they will loose their identify...they belong in the land of Palestine, that tiny spot of land, is their home.. up till foreign Jews came and ripped them off it.

Why not post/share the historical links you "read history" from..you seem to know a lot!

GLeigh   February 28th, 2009 3:52 am ET

CS – Long, long ago the person called American Jew asked the prof to post that he hoped for peace for Israel and all to be recognized. He ignores all those posts. He is all about the Palestinians and not a little sympathetic to Israel. But good to hear from you. Thanks for apologizing for twisting my words and ignoring everything else wrong. You called me a hypocrit because I read back and fussed at you for totally changing my words. I will do it endlessly. I promise. Don't twist MY words. It offends me. It that matters at all to you. I doubt it.

GLeigh   February 28th, 2009 4:04 am ET

Dan – we all know why. It's all about wiping Israel off the map. Bottom line. We've read it in charters, heard it on the news. It's mean. No wonder Israel doesn't want to mess with others. I wouldn't. Have you ever, ever heard "them" say a kind word about Israel? I say them often, about the Mid East. I like it. I like Israel. But have you ever heard them be kind? Kindness is underrated. It should happen. I wish all those in the ME would move the overpopulated in Gaza to their countries, spread out the oil wealth, and be glad they have people to man the factories springing up. In Europe the birth rate is low and they need labor. Balance.

GLeigh   February 28th, 2009 4:20 am ET

Is the U.S. the only one who takes in everyone, regardless of race or religion? That seems odd to me.

dan perman   February 28th, 2009 7:36 am ET

a grad rocket landed in ashkelon

this is the hamas ceasefire

hamas and fatah are discussing to extend this ceasefire to the west bank

and professor is applauding

Hope   February 28th, 2009 7:41 am ET

Professor,

I saw that...this is like selective hearing...in her case..most likely resulting from a racist way of upbringing...mere harmless entity with limited intellectual capacity... the rambling words of a simple mind....take pity. great weather in ca..have a good weekend.

Professor   February 28th, 2009 8:36 am ET

GLeigh,

American Jew and I were on the same side.... He always complemented my position and how I privided several options to discuss peace one or two state solutions but you were the one who does not have anything to add to either discussion.... you were always looking for wiser people than you to provide their input. So, I did.

Professor   February 28th, 2009 8:40 am ET

GLeigh,

Do you have any sympathy for the Palestinian people? (try to give me one sentence without mentioning the word poverty or any other word related to financial wealth in it)

Osama   February 28th, 2009 9:54 am ET

Profesor

you're a Legend here...

How are you?

dan perman   February 28th, 2009 10:52 am ET

professor

your friends keep shooting rockets

but do not worry, the reply will come soon

and then you will complain again against the terrible israelis

how unexpected?

Professor   February 28th, 2009 12:19 pm ET

Dan,

I do not need to wait for the reply... I am still complaining of the unhumane Israelis... and I am not alone... the world in complaining about how inhuman the Israelis were in thier latest attack on Gaza. Do you think it had stopped or its going to stop? Until Israel stop treating Palestinians inhumanely?

dan perman   February 28th, 2009 1:25 pm ET

professor

you keep ignoring facts:

Germany, UK, USA,France all said the israeli attack on gaza was justified

Carlos   February 28th, 2009 1:28 pm ET

CS February 27th, 2009 2006 GMT

If GLeigh wants to talk about 1967, and U.N. resolutions…lets talk about how the U.N. broke it’s own rule in 1967 by allowing Israel to take over the land of an adversary during battle. This is illegal. U.N. knows it, Israel knows it, now GLeigh knows it.
***********************************************************************

CS,

You're simply amazing!!!!

The UN-- by the democratic voting of it's member nations, creates the policies by which the member nations are to abide.

If the UN "broke it's own rule"- it obviously "changed it's own rule through the agreement of it's member states.

And "This is illegal. U.N. knows it!"-- illegal by who's law??? The UN is the only international governing authority recognized by the international community to create and enforce the rule of law in the international community.

So CS-- illegal by who's law-- yours??? The US? The EU??

Tell us all-- illegal by who's law???

What nutcase!!!!

Carlos   February 28th, 2009 1:47 pm ET

Hope February 28th, 2009 025 GMT

If the Palestinians are to go elsewhere, they will loose their identify…

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

No Hope!

1) They are Arabs, Arabs came from Arabia.
2) The land known today as Israel and the West Bank was called Judea as far back as 1000BCE. The Jews lived there at this time.
3) The land of Judea, conquered by the Roman Emperor Hadrian was renamed Palestine 150 AD.
4) The Portugúes word for Jew is Judeu-- see any connection there???

So let's not whine and cry about migrants and who was driven into the sea, because you loose on all accounts.

Neither should you complain about the fact that the Palestinians were shoved into the camps-- unless of course you mean to complain about the Egyptians who created and still keeps them locked up in Gaza - and of course also the Jordanians who created and still keeps them locked up in the West Bank!

I need not provide posts of these historical facts-- I'll take it for granted that you have the basic abilities need to to your own verification

dan perman   February 28th, 2009 2:18 pm ET

Carlos

optimist :-)

Professor   February 28th, 2009 2:23 pm ET

Carlos,

So accroding to your twisted logic and lies Syrians do not belong in Syria because they are Aras too... Iraqis do not belong in Iraq because they are Arabs too... Jordanians do not belong there because they are Arabs... Lebanese do not belong in Lebanon becuase they are Arabs... Egyptians do not belong in Egypt because they are Arabs too... and list goes on and on.... Who owns all that land that is Arab countries? Palestine belongs to the Palestinians and its as Arab as the rest of the Arab world.

dan perman   February 28th, 2009 2:35 pm ET

jordanians are beduins who received the land from the english for sevices rendered to lawrence of arabia during WW1. there never was a hashemite kingdom before and you, as the all knowing professor, are quite aware of this.

Carlos   February 28th, 2009 4:01 pm ET

Professor February 28th, 2009 1423 GMT

Carlos,

So accroding to your twisted logic and lies Syrians do not belong in Syria because they are Aras too… Iraqis do not belong in Iraq because they are Arabs too… Jordanians do not belong there because they are Arabs… Lebanese do not belong in Lebanon becuase they are Arabs… Egyptians do not belong in Egypt because they are Arabs too… and list goes on and on…. Who owns all that land that is Arab countries? Palestine belongs to the Palestinians and its as Arab as the rest of the Arab world.
***************************************************************

professor mentiroso,

It's simply no different than your twisted logic and lies that you spew everyday that the Jews have no claim to Judea (Palestine) !!! The land was identified by the name of the Jews-- 1100 years before Roman Emperor Hadrian re-named it "Palestine".

So you rantings about who has the right to the land from a historical perspective is simply baseless!

So I'll pose the same question to you again-- the one you keep dodging-–

You live in California, right!!!!

What have the Mexicanos done to deserve someone coming over from Europe or Asia to murder them, destroy their homes and steal there lands???

Where is your ancestral home professor mentiroso???

What have the Native Americans done to deserve someone coming over from Europe or Asia or Africa to murder them, destroy their homes and steal there lands???

Where is your ancestral home professor mentiroso???

Maybe you should do the moral thing and back up your family and all your things and return to your ancestral hope--- stop the occupation!!!!

See how stupid your claim is????

Carlos   February 28th, 2009 4:32 pm ET

Professor February 28th, 2009 1423 GMT

Carlos,

So accroding to your twisted logic and lies Syrians do not belong in Syria because they are Aras too… Iraqis do not belong in Iraq because they are Arabs too… Jordanians do not belong there because they are Arabs… Lebanese do not belong in Lebanon becuase they are Arabs… Egyptians do not belong in Egypt because they are Arabs too… and list goes on and on…. Who owns all that land that is Arab countries? Palestine belongs to the Palestinians and its as Arab as the rest of the Arab world.
****************************************************************

professor mentiroso,

Interesting point you make here!!

All the people you mention above are associated with their respective sovereign States or Countries! All which have defined, defensible and internationally recognized sovereign borders.

The Palestinians, so far, have failed to declare or create a sovereign State or Country of their own with defined, defensible and recognized sovereign borders.

Maybe this is a part of their problem????

Professor   February 28th, 2009 8:13 pm ET

Carlos,

See how you make a lie and you start repeating it enough until you start believing it yourself.... LOL'

I have never said that the Jews don't have a claim.... find me a quote from any of my comments that mention this lie of yours.

What I have stated is that before the european jews migration into Palestine there were Palestinian Jews (5% of the native population) as well as Palestinian Christians and Muslims... those are the original native population. So, the European Ashkenazi Jews are the ones who don't have a claim for the Palestinian land.

Check out the Jewish population increase:

1904-1914
Second wave of about 40,000 Zionist immigrants increases Jewish population in Palestine to about 6% of total.

1919-1923
Third wave of over 35,000 Zionist immigrants increases Jewish population in Palestine to 12% of total. Registered Jewish landownership (1923) totals 3% of area of country.

Get your facts together before you open your mouth.

dan perman   February 28th, 2009 8:31 pm ET

This is what you said: professor

"I do not need to wait for the reply… I am still complaining of the unhumane Israelis… and I am not alone… the world in complaining about how inhuman the Israelis were in thier latest attack on Gaza. Do you think it had stopped or its going to stop? Until Israel stop treating Palestinians inhumanely?"

let's investigate the HUMANITY of your friends, hamas:

Rod Nordland (Newsweek, Jan 20) described one example of the abuse of civilian housing: "Suddenly there was a terrific whoosh, louder even than a bomb explosion. It was another of Hamas's homemade Qassam rockets being launched into Israel – and the mobile launchpad was smack in the middle of the four [apartment] buildings, where every apartment was full…"

I got more, but you will certainly ignore facts, as you always do, right professor?

JIM CARROLL INTERNET FREE PRESS   March 1st, 2009 3:41 am ET

WHY IS THE NEWS MEDIA AFRAID TO ASK THIS QUESTION?
Why does America need to borrow money from China in order to expand the money supply? Article 1, Section 8, of the Constitution gives the Federal Government
the right to create new money. Goods and services have real value. Money should be
equal to the value of goods and services—not to a gold standard or anything else.

Professor   March 1st, 2009 8:05 am ET

Dan,

Why should I ignore it?....

Its a one whoosh.... compared to the tens of thousands of whooshes the Palestinians have heard from the Israeli Occupying Forces missles. So, Hamas decided to give you a little taste of the horror and terror your Occupying Forces inflicted on the daily Palestinian life.

Fawad Ali   March 1st, 2009 12:39 pm ET

"Rival Palestinian groups vow to unify"

Any claim of this sort must stand the test of time......

But I really think the revival of right wingers in Israel added up to a problem led by Iranian influences........ Now the US and other sides in the peace process have to deal with multiple enemies of peace

dan perman   March 1st, 2009 1:36 pm ET

professor

you just proved that you know very well that hamas shoots from inside heavily poulated civilian areas

thank you very much!!

finally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111

Carlos   March 1st, 2009 1:47 pm ET

Professor February 28th, 2009 2013 GMT

Carlos,

See how you make a lie and you start repeating it enough until you start believing it yourself…. LOL’
***********************************************************
professor mentiroso,

So, according to you-- it's only 95% who do not have a claim!!!!!!!

BWWWWWAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, guess what-- it's for you to decide! It's the Israeli's who have the right establish their own immigration policies!

So- you need to get over it!!!!

so once again!!!!!

So I’ll pose the same question to you again—— the one you keep dodging—–

You live in California, right!!!!

What have the Mexicanos done to deserve someone coming over from Europe or Asia to murder them, destroy their homes and steal there lands???

Where is your ancestral home professor mentiroso???

What have the Native Americans done to deserve someone coming over from Europe or Asia or Africa to murder them, destroy their homes and steal there lands???

Where is your ancestral home professor mentiroso???

Maybe you should do the moral thing and pack up your family and all your things and return to your ancestral home——- stop the occupation!!!!

No answers or -- just more questions??????

Carlos   March 1st, 2009 3:09 pm ET

Hamas-– Certified slow learners!!!!!!!

Now they're hitting Israeli schools with rocket fire!!!!!

********************************************************************

Over the weekend Palestinians fired nine rockets into southern Israel. One of them slammed into an empty school in the city of Ashkelon, causing extensive damage.

Since the end of the military operation in Gaza, over 110 rockets have been fired into Israel, a spokeswoman for Israel's military said.

"If the firing of rockets continues from Gaza, it will be answered with a sharp, painful and strong response," Olmert said Sunday at the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting.

After the response then we'll, once again, see the whining and the slobbering and the crying--poor oppressed Palestinians-– !

I just think those who follow the radical ideology are incapable of living in peace-- they'd simply have nothing to do with their time if they couldn't build rockets, smuggle weapons and can wreak havoc!

Carlos   March 1st, 2009 3:22 pm ET

Professor March 1st, 2009 805 GMT

Dan,

Why should I ignore it?….

Its a one whoosh…. compared to the tens of thousands of whooshes the
************************************************************

professor mentiroso,

Its a one whoosh….of the tens of thousands of whooshes the Israelis have heard from Palestinian rocket fire!

Excatly!!

Igor   March 1st, 2009 3:31 pm ET

I hope that this is a step towards peace.

Carlos   March 1st, 2009 3:37 pm ET

Professor February 28th, 2009 2013 GMT

Carlos,

See how you make a lie and you start repeating it enough until you start believing it yourself…. LOL’

Get your facts together before you open your mouth.

**************************************************

professor mentiroso,

I really don't see where I have ever disputed any those "facts" you've posted. They mean nothing and have no relevance to the posts I've made.

Sorry for your confusion and obvious misinterpretation!

But- where is your ancestral homeland-- it's not California-- where is it that you and your family belong???

How long have you been squatting on the land that belongs to the Mexicanos or Native Americans???

When do plan to end your " Illegal Occupation" ???

Or are simply blessed with the authority to dictate who has the rights to the land of Judea???

dan perman   March 1st, 2009 5:34 pm ET

everybody

as usual when presented with facts, professor falls VERY silent

he admitted on this blog that hamas shoots from the midst of heavily populated areas (Its a one whoosh)

q.e.d.

Carlos   March 1st, 2009 6:23 pm ET

dan perman,

I think professor has been preoccupied with getting the "wall" built between Mexico and California. He appears to be getting more concerned about the Cartels in Mexico killing the police at will and beheading the civilian population. He knows the next item on their agenda is to remove the European immigrants from occupying their ancestral homeland in California.

But, then he'll be thirst one to jump up and down and say "I own this land–I'll show you the papers to prove it"!

You know-- he only accepts the rule of law as long as it suits his own personal agenda!

CS   March 1st, 2009 6:33 pm ET

The sad truth is this; I, and many others can admitt that Hamas has made mistakes in the past, and has not dealt well in the region with others. Even those leaders of the West Bank. I am nevertheless happy, happy, that they made this recent effort to move toward something constructive. At least sitting down to talk about it. I think that Hamas is/was justified in their motives, but reacted to Israel in the wrong way.

Now on the other hand; even with proof..proof that Israel broke the cease fire 2x, proof that Israel provoked Gaza, by setting blockades, proof that Israel intentionally destroyed a U.N. media building, proof that Israel would not allow media into the area during the conflict, proof that Israel used white phosphorus, all these poven facts have been provided, yet, it is very sad, that very few supporters of Israel admitt it. They beleive that Hamas is to blame for everything, and Israel is perfectly innocent.

It's called being an enabler.

dan perman   March 1st, 2009 8:11 pm ET

cs

i have posted proof that it was hamas who broke the ceasefire, documented and verifyable, and you still stick to your false allegations??

Carlos   March 1st, 2009 8:47 pm ET

CS,

Sorry how you feel about your beloved Hamas' situation.

But this "proof" you speak of, for the most part, is nothing but useless nonsense repeated and disseminated only by those who are supporters of terrorism-- with little exception.

But, explain something there CS-- A blockade of the Gaza border crossings "provoked"- "justifies" daily rocket attacks upon Israeli civilian population centers???? Is this what you mean??? This is an acceptable response????
If this is justification-– why isn't Hamas sending daily rocket attacks into the villages and civilian population areas in Egypt for keeping the borders closed????
Why isn't Hamas firing daily rockets into the civilian population centers in Jordan for keeping the crossing into Jordan closed???

Why is it just Israel????

Why is it that you think there are certain kind of "rights" that the Palestinians have to be allowed free range of roaming the land of Israel???

You live in the US-– you don't allow people in from Mexico or Canada without proper documentation and meeting the requirement of US immigration!!!! You don't allow any foreigner in the US without appropriate documentation and customs inspections.

What is this "Wall" that the US is building to keep the Mexicanos in Mexico???? It looks exactly- identical to the "wall" between the West Bank and Israel!!!! Imagine that! But-- this must be OK because it's only to keep out the Mexicanos-- has nothing to do with the Palestinians!!!

Ceasefire-– you need to go back and identify exactly when the first rocket and first mortar was fired from Gaza subsequent to when the Israelis made their 100% complete withdrawal fro Gaza! a) Then you'll see who violated the ceasefire! b) then you'll see exactly why the Israelis shut down the border crossings!

"proof that Israel intentionally destroyed a U.N. media building"- please pray tell-- the h3ll is that??? UN Media Building!!!!!

However I and nearly everyone agrees with you that :

1) The IDF did use white phosphorus munitions. So what??? They are UN sanctioned weapons, manufactured and sold by the US- to many countries-- WP has been used in nearly all armed conflicts worldwide since WWI.

So, what's your point?? Are you pi$$ed off because the US chose not to sell munitions to Hamas? Would it have been better for you if they had used used high explosive munitions??

2) "Israel refused to admit any news media to Gaza during the conflict." Correct-– no one ever disputed this fact- not even Israel!! So- Israel controls all ingress and egress from Gaza by land sea and air. The Palestinians and Israelis agreed to this as a part of the Oslo Accords and the Gaza/Jericho Agreement. So now your upset because Israel exercises their rights according to the agreements they both made????

So, as you can see-- you haven't provided "proof" of squat!!!!

By the way CS-–are you still convinced there are still Israeli settlements in Gaza???? LOL!!!!!

So there you have it CS-– I've admitted to what you have presented that is accurate!

The the other nonsense- is just that-– nonsense!

Professor   March 1st, 2009 10:57 pm ET

Dan and Carlos,

the last time I looked up the word "whoosh" in the dictionary the meaning did not include "shooting from inside heavily poulated civilian areas"...

You lied again and fabricated a meaning to my comment.

Debs2   March 2nd, 2009 5:12 am ET

Hello all,

Nice to be back again.......

Open dialogue. Talking and more open dialogue.

Professor and Dan, wouldnt you agree???

Salam and Shalom to all

GLeigh   March 2nd, 2009 5:56 am ET

This should not be about who can get the most sympathy. People don't read a lot or listen a lot. They are tired and over worked mostly. This should be about who is trying the hardest to make diplomatic adjustments, long term. Otherwise, cut them off. Either or both. It's not about aide or money, it's about three centuries down the road they learn to get along with each other.

GLeigh   March 2nd, 2009 5:59 am ET

And, I don't think personally, for what's it worth, two cents probably, that working with terrorists is a good or kind thing. I would never work with Hamas. Perhaps they have a place in some historical sense, but they are not good or kind. Terrorists and bomb people are never good and kind.

dan perman   March 2nd, 2009 7:30 am ET

Professor, maybe you should read what it says before you give us dictionary definitions of whoosh:

"Rod Nordland (Newsweek, Jan 20) described one example of the abuse of civilian housing: “Suddenly there was a terrific whoosh, louder even than a bomb explosion. It was another of Hamas’s homemade Qassam rockets being launched into Israel – and the mobile launchpad was smack in the middle of the four [apartment] buildings, where every apartment was full…”

SMACK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BUILDINGS WHERE EVERY APARTMENT WAS FULL

so who is the liar?

Carlos   March 2nd, 2009 3:00 pm ET

Professor March 1st, 2009 2257 GMT

Dan and Carlos,

the last time I looked up the word “whoosh” in the dictionary the meaning did not include “shooting from inside heavily poulated civilian areas”…

You lied again and fabricated a meaning to my comment.
***********************************************************

professor mentiroso!!!!! BWWWAAAA!!!!!!!!!

Go back and read the ENTIRE sentence!!!!!!

You see, that's one of you basic downfalls-- you fail to comprehend the meaning of complete sentences!!! You simply use the dictionary to assist you with single words, but fail miserably in your ability grasp the true use of the word.

professor mentiroso--–

Is English not you mother tongue?

I saw an old post of yours the other day where you claim to speak 5 languages.

What are they?
Which one is your mother tongue?

Where is your ancestral homeland??

When will you leave the land you occupy and return it to the Mexicanos or Native Americans?

Don't you think that is the correct thing to do???? After all, that is what you are advocating on these blogs on a daily basis!

Or, are you simply one of those hypocrites who says-"do as I say not as I do"????

Professor   March 2nd, 2009 4:50 pm ET

Dan and Carlos,

Again go back to your dictionary and look up the word whoosh and tell me if you can find anywhere in the dictionary a mention of "SMACK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BUILDINGS WHERE EVERY APARTMENT WAS FULL"

Now you want to make up your own English words definitions? Its not enouh all the lies you have fabricated so far?

dan perman   March 2nd, 2009 6:00 pm ET

professor

don't play the an idiot

you know exactly what the sentence says: from heavily populated apartment buildings, that's where your friends shoot from

so do not be surprised if WHOOSH israel shots back at from where the rocket was fired

what exactly don't you understand about this?

dan perman   March 2nd, 2009 6:08 pm ET

and this is what amnesty has to say about your frieds, PROFESSOR:

The indiscriminate firing of such rockets – clearly designed to kill and maim – at population centres such as Sderot and Ashkelon represents clear breaches of the Geneva conventions which explicitly prohibit the inappropriate use or modification of weapons or the targeting of civilians and civilian objects.

According to the report: “Amnesty International has repeatedly called on Hamas and all other Palestinian armed groups in Gaza to stop firing indiscriminate rockets against towns and villages in southern Israel and continues to do so.”

dan perman   March 2nd, 2009 6:10 pm ET

whoosh, professor, more rockets fired from civilian areas into israel

whoosh, israel will shoot back and then you will blame israel for the crimes comitted by your dear friends, the hamas terrorists

Professor   March 2nd, 2009 6:44 pm ET

Dan,

wow... you are quoting Amnesty?.... How dare you?

You forgot what did they say about Israel the other day and you did not like it... did you?

dan perman   March 2nd, 2009 7:12 pm ET

professor

I know exactly what they said about israel

i am quoting to you what they said about your dear brethren, HAMAS

anything to say about that?

whooshI guess, right professor?

i give it to you again, dear professor:

The indiscriminate firing of such rockets – clearly designed to kill and maim – at population centres such as Sderot and Ashkelon represents clear breaches of the Geneva conventions which explicitly prohibit the inappropriate use or modification of weapons or the targeting of civilians and civilian objects.

According to the report: “Amnesty International has repeatedly called on Hamas and all other Palestinian armed groups in Gaza to stop firing indiscriminate rockets against towns and villages in southern Israel and continues to do so.”

dan perman   March 2nd, 2009 7:13 pm ET

and again, professor

don’t play the an idiot

you know exactly what the sentence says: from heavily populated apartment buildings, that’s where your friends shoot from

so do not be surprised if WHOOSH israel shots back at from where the rocket was fired

what exactly don’t you understand about this?

GLeigh   March 3rd, 2009 2:57 pm ET

I think the goal of any good religion, and I tend to think there is more than one religion, many, is that it is able to unify people. We tend to think of ourselves, not others though we should, and that should be another goal. Helping others. So if a religion brings people together and helps, even those who are different or just in need in some way whoever they are, then it sounds good to me. If God made people and likes them, then he might appreciate this approach. I hope so anyway. Since we are all so different, which is probably no accident, it's a tough thing to do.

GLeigh   March 3rd, 2009 5:46 pm ET

Dan – Everyone knows about the missiles fired from urban areas by now. It's like beating a dead horse we've heard it so often.

dan perman   March 3rd, 2009 8:06 pm ET

Gleigh

Oh really, why doesn't the professor know?

Professor   March 3rd, 2009 8:42 pm ET

GLeigh,

Do you have a list of good religions?

dan perman   March 3rd, 2009 9:05 pm ET

professor

did you know that your friends fire whoosh from heavily populated civilian areas?
GLeigh says you do

Professor   March 3rd, 2009 11:29 pm ET

Well, Dan it looks like between you and GLeigh you guys know everything.... why don't you get married and live happily ever after.

GLeigh   March 4th, 2009 1:24 am ET

Prof – Do have the list of religions that God does not like? That would be interesting to read. Since you are a professor of course. Dan – Everyone knows the missiles come from urban areas. That isn't even news. I'm not close and I know it. After eight years, the secret is out. I am interested in those with secret pathways to God. A few might honestly have them. Who knows?? Odd thought.


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