dagblog - Comments for "About Human Shields"

During the Clinton years,

rmrd0000 — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 17:27:13 +0000

During the Clinton years, Netanyahu said that US public opinion was easy shifted. Now the WSJ reports that Israel accessed weapons without full approval of the White House. Apparently Mr. Netanyahu views the United States as his lapdog.

http://online.wsj.com/articles/u-s-sway-over-israel-on-gaza-at-a-low-140...

I have complete respect for

NCD — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 05:27:40 +0000

In reply to "Serious people" include the

I have complete respect for the Israeli justice system. Whatever crimes were committed by individuals in the IDF will be fairly dealt with, and will surely pale in comparison to Muslim terrorism which many here appear to either condone or ignore.

The UN is another matter. Their operations in Gaza, ruled by a terrorist tyranny with no justice except that of the gun, are like a welfare/daycare center, and R&R retreat for terrorists.

The UN should spend some time and investigate their own crimes.

In my opinion, particularly with their recent record, for instance introducing cholera in Haiti and then denying it, and with complaints about 'Gazans human rights' and Israel, the UN has very little credibility. How about the rights of Israel not to be bombarded with rockets made, stored, hidden or fired from UN property?

Why doesn't the UN investigate the long lists of those Hamas dispatches on an almost daily basis, with no justice or public trials?

"Serious people" include the

rmrd0000 — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 03:37:49 +0000

In reply to 'Serious people think'? Your

"Serious people" include the Israeli court system citing the IDF for using human shields. The UN has also issued complaints.

'Serious people think'? Your

NCD — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 01:36:36 +0000

In reply to Here is my reaction to the

'Serious people say'? Your continual devotion to excusing or extolling the actions and motives of blood thirsty Muslim terrorists is remarkable for it's unwavering, bland consistency.

Here is my reaction to the

A Guy Called LULU — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 00:15:56 +0000

In reply to FWIW, here is a piece by

Here is my reaction to the article. The author’s advice consists mainly of suggesting that Hammas put on bright colors and walk out into a field with their rifles and face off like men against IDF soldiers, tanks, artillery, and F-16s. I agree with him that that probably won’t happen.

I have already said what, IMO, it means when a human shields gets killed. Somebody made the choice to kill the shield[s]. If the Palestinian was shielded by Israeli children I am guessing a different choice would be made. Serious investigations have some serious people saying that Hammas is not using human shields. The IDF, on the other hand, has been caught numerous times using Palestinian human shields.

Ironically, it is Israel that has a well-documented history of using Palestinian civilians, including children, as human shields. In what is referred to as "the neighbor procedure," Israeli soldiers force Palestinian civilians to approach armed suspects and homes potentially rigged with explosives to protect the lives of soldiers.

Israel was condemned by the United Nations as recently as last year for its "continuous use of Palestinian children as human shields and informants."

More recently, Palestinian civilians have accused Israeli forces of using them as human shields in the Khuzaa neighborhood in Gaza, which has been the site of heavy shelling.

http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/25362-israel-uses-palestinians-as-hum...

FWIW, here is a piece by

Bruce Levine — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 18:02:48 +0000

In reply to About Human Shields

FWIW, here is a piece by defense expert Jeffrey White of the Washington Institute, presenting six concrete steps that he asserts Hamas could take to substantially reduce civilian casualties.

A lot may depend on whether

rmrd0000 — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 17:20:17 +0000

In reply to The Wahington Post is

A lot may depend on whether the situation in the West Bank improves. More freedom in the a West Bank would put more focus and pressure on Hamas.

The article notes underlying hatred of a Israel independent of Hamas, Gazans seen to dismiss the media claim that they are being used as human shields.

Edited to clarify the last sentence

I have been a critic of

A Guy Called LULU — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 17:02:52 +0000

In reply to About Human Shields

I have been a critic of Hillary Clinton for a long time. I was for Obama instead first time around almost completely because I thought he would be better on foreign policy. When I, along with some others, became quite critical of Obama for various reasons and along with our critiques expressed disillusionment and disappointment, there were some others who then said [snickered?] that we should have known what we were getting, it was available information. I don’t think it was all that obvious but then I suppose that could be credited to a combination of Obama being a good salesman and I being naive and less informed than I could have been when I projected so much hope onto him.
Obama will not be running for President again but Hillary still is. Important information is available that anyone interested in foreign policy and the importance of who is the CiC should pay attention to. If she becomes President and it then looks like we elected John McCain in drag it won’t be a legitimate excuse to say we never saw either of them dressing themselves.
I am linking to this article partly because several of the quotes are directly on the topic of this blog but also to emphasize what we can expect if we get Hillary. I am aware that it is what many people, some obviously, some only apparently, want.

https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2014/08/11/quiz-said-hillary-clinton-...

The Wahington Post is

Bruce Levine — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 15:31:45 +0000

In reply to It may or may not play into

The Wahington Post is reportig today about emerging signs of eroding support or Hamas already. Even in Gaza you cannot fool all of the people all of the time. We'll see.

It may or may not play into

Bruce Levine — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 15:17:16 +0000

In reply to Your linked article notes

It may or may not play into Hamas's hands, although the transfer of funds is more of a reflection of the dispute between the PA and it's cronies and Hamas and it's cronies. Off topic, but Israel has been acting as conduit for transfer of funds. Gaza won't get a seaport even if Israel was silent, until the international community can be satisfied that it won't be a conduit for additional arms shipments.

I know it is relevant to ponder what does and does not play into Hamas's hands. That's one of many considerations Israel undoubtedly takes into account. But that alone is not a complete response to Israel's existential battle with Hamas and its supporters.

I've written this to you at least once and don't mean to be repetitive, but let me reiterate that I think you assume that Hamas will retain support among Palestinians going forward. I'm not certain.

And, finally, in assessing the negotiating teams in Cairo, don't forget that Hamas asked to and was made part of the PA governing coalition. The fight had been with Israel and it's refusal to recognize that coalition. There is a disconnect caused by those who criticized Israel's consistent rejection of that coalition on the one hand and then criticize the role of the PA in seeking to negotiate the peace in Cairo at the moment. Is the coalition real or isn't it?