Doc's Talk: Iran Early bird

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Iran Early bird

Nov. 12, 2008

The Conservative-affiliated Kayhan daily is reporting that the government of Saudi Arabia has decided to hold a seminar on inter-religious dialogue in New York aimed at "saving Israel" and achieving the normalization of relations between Israel and the Arab governments. Other websites are reporting, meanwhile, that Iran's permanent representative to the UN is also slated to participate in the seminar. 2. Senior diplomats from the "Iran Six" – Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States and Germany – will meet in Paris tomorrow (November 13) to continue talks on the Iranian nuclear crisis.

3. During his address at the Political Science Faculty of Tehran University, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hassan Qashqavi was asked to explain the motives behind Iran's willingness to provide financial aid to the Palestinians while it has its own domestic economic problems to deal with. Qashqavi responded that Iran was part of the Middle East and must be involved in events in the region, adding that Tehran was offering the Palestinian moral rather than economic support. Qashqavi also commented that the West's objection to Iran's nuclear ambitions stemmed from its desire to prevent Iranian superiority over Israel.

4. A new affair has grabbed the headlines in Iran: The Conservative Farsnews website is reporting that an Iranian tobacco company, Antazar, has filed a request to conduct talks with "Zionist company" Philip Morris on the legal importing and production of Marlboro cigarettes in Iran. According to Farsnews, senior Iranian government officials have rejected the request due to the "Zionist nature" of the company. The site also claims that the CEO of Antazar was recently appointed to the position of senior advisor to Rahim Mashaee, Iranian President Ahmadi-Nejad's advisor who made statements recently in favor of ties between the Iranian and Israeli nations.

5. During a two-day visit to Malaysia, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Motaki held a series of talks with local officials on issues related to economics, capital investments, technical cooperation, communications and more. Following his visit to Malaysia, Motaki flew to North Korea, from where he will also travel to South Korea.

6. Kuwait has deported an Iranian diplomat who had been responsible for the Iranian schools in the country. Kuwaiti security officials declared the diplomat a persona non grata and he was deported.

7. Ayatollah Mahdavi Kani, and Ayatollah Yazdi have denied reports about the establishment of a "council of judges of the Conservative stream" and their membership therein. A report on the establishment of the council for the purpose of selecting the Conservative's candidate for next year's presidential election appeared in the media a few days ago.

8. Mahsouli, Iranian President Ahmadi-Nejad's choice for the vacant interior minister post, has agreed to take questions from Majlis members on his financial situation and wealth. Mahsouli's extensive wealth has sparked criticism and arguments about his appointment.

1. Iran has successfully tested a new-generation, Sajil ground-to-ground missile. The new-generation missile is a dual-engine, solid-fuel projectile.

2. The Public Relations Department at the bureau of the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps has denied foreign media reports about the testing of a so-called Samen missile during the IRGC's recent maneuvers along the border with Iraq.

3. According to the air defense commander at the Khatam-Alanbya base, Iran has achieved full independence in the field of air defense thanks to the use of modern air-defense equipment and a reliance on local production. For his part, the commander of the Iranian Air Force believes that the force has successfully built "an impenetrable barrier" against any attack on the country.

4. Iranian websites are quoting a Jordanian newspaper report claiming that Iranian Border Guard forces have uncovered spy cameras installed by U.S. forces along the Iraq-Iran border for the purpose of collecting intelligence on Iran.

5. The Basij Resistance Forces will be conducting an extensive drill this week in the Azerbaijan Province (northwestern Iran). Six Ashura battalions (men) and one Alzahara battalion (women) will participate in the exercises. The forces will practise rescue operations and implement tactical plans and defense techniques.

6. A senior Iranian Interior Ministry official says that the budget set aside for securing Iran's borders is too small. According to the official, the "occupying forces" in Iran's neighboring states are directly supporting drug, fuel and goods smugglers particularly along Iran's eastern borders. The official called for an expansion of the electronic security system along the borders, as well as the implementation of construction and road-paving projects in the area.

7. A Kurdish-language website is reporting that PEJAK, the Party for a Free Life in Kurdistan, has announced the cessation for an indefinite period of military activities on Iranian territory. The reason behind the move, says the website, is PEJAK's desire to assist in the military campaign that the PKK, the Kurdistan Workers' Party, is waging against the Turkish army. Meanwhile, Iran's official news agency is reporting that PEJAK customarily reduces its military activities in the winter due to the severe cold in the mountainous regions along the border.

1.

1. Ahmad Tavakoli, head of the Majlis' Research Center, has commented on the fall in oil prices, noting that Iran's oil revenues this year will fail to reach $80 billion. Tavakoli added that in the past six months, the government had imported fuel to the tune of $5 billion, charging that the move was an illegal one. In light of the fall in oil revenues, he said, the government must impose additional restrictions on the use of gasoline and diesel fuel and cut back on fuel allocations. Several weeks ago, Tavakoli estimated that Iran would lose some $54 billion this year due to the drop in oil prices.

2. The 5th International Energy Exhibition opened yesterday on the island of Kish. Some 208 Iranian firms and 72 foreign companies from Germany, the United States, Australia, Italy, the UAE, France, Japan and elsewhere are participating in the event. The companies will display their achievements and developments in the fields of locating, producing and transporting gas, electricity, oil and the like.

3. Dr. Ruhani, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's representative on the Supreme National Security Council, has said that the failed economic and financial policies of recent years have denied many citizens, low-income earners, the basic right of a roof over their heads. Ruhani believes that the real estate market in Iran is unbalanced and has urged the government to offer conditions designed to promote capital investments in the field.

4. The governor of Iran's Central bank will appear before the Majlis and explain the steps he has taken with respect to the bank interest rate in the country. Rumors in Iran are speaking of another reduction in the interest rate despite the fact that the banks cannot afford such a move.

5. The Iraqi minister of agriculture, who is currently visiting Iran, has signed a memorandum of understanding on the establishment in Iraq of a production line for the assembly of Iranian tractors. In addition, the Iranian Tractor Manufacturing Company has undertaken to immediately supply Iraq with 800 tractors in a deal worth some $14.5 million.

1. Unknown assailants have assassinated a Sunni religious figure, Ali Dahvari, who served as the community imam at one of the mosques in the city of Saravan, in the Sistan and Baluchestan Province. The Iranian supreme leader's representative on Sunni minority affairs has condemned the killing and demanded the arrest of the perpetrators. Meanwhile, Sunni websites were quick to blame the Iranian Intelligence Ministry for the assassination, charging that it was part of the ministry's campaign against the Sunni minority in the country.

2. Students in Zahedan (home to a Sunni minority) continue to protest security conditions at the university. The protests began a few days ago after a group of armed individuals entered the university and attacked students.

3. Mojtaba Lotfi, a member of the bureau of opposition religious leader Ayatollah Montazeri, has been arrested on charges of disseminating anti-regime propaganda, preparing and distributing illegal articles and booklets, publishing lies, and possessing satellite-reception equipment. According to the special prosecutor who deals with religious figures, Lofti's arrest has nothing to do with Montazeri.

4. According to the head of the Public Liaison Office in the President's Bureau, Ahmadi-Nejad and his government ministers have responded thus far to some 74 percent of the seven million plus letters they have received from citizens around the country.

5. Shahnaz Qolami, a journalist and Turkish minority women's rights activist, was arrested this week by security forces and has not been in contact with her family since. Qolami writes a blog on women's rights and is a member of the Journalist's Union. She served five years in jail in the past for her activities.

6. Hashem Barzegar, a highly prominent political activist among the Turkish minority, disappeared a few days ago while on the way to work. His associates believe he was arrested by Intelligence Ministry officials.

7. From now on, the Iranian Physical Education Organization will demand financial guarantees from all members of Iranian national sports teams that wish to travel to compete abroad. The move comes to prevent athletes from seeking political asylum when abroad.

8. The popular Iranian band, Aryan, will not be allowed to perform at the music festival to mark the 10 days of victory of the revolution. The band was blacklisted for a long time in the past after one of its members failed to return to Iran after a performance in Europe.

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The IDF’s Minorities in Numbers and Pictures

In honor of IDF Diversity Week, we present diversity through numbers and pictures. Each year, more and more Muslims, Christians, Druze, Bedouin and immigrants from around the world take on the responsibility of defending Israel.

MUSLIMS:

Muslim Arab Israelis are not required to draft in the IDF, but there are many who volunteer. In 2013, there were over 200 Muslims serving in the IDF and over 300 in the reserves.

Bedouins:

Bedouins are nomadic Muslims who were in Israel when modern borders were set in place and are now considered Israeli citizens. They are not required to draft but a growing number choose to enlist. In 2012, there were over 1,400 Bedouin Muslim soldiers doing regular IDF service and almost 1,500 in the reserves.

Read more:http://www.idfblog.com/2014/02/27/truth-idf-numbers-pictures/#more-34027

Are you aware that in 2013, Middle class taxes go up-significantly?

In January of next year, the federal income tax rate for middle-class taxpayers is scheduled to rise from 25 percent to 28 percent, and the payroll tax is scheduled to rise from 13.3 percent to 15.3 percent… This drives the marginal tax rate based on the aforementioned three taxes to 48.12 percent. Add in state and local property, corporate, excise, and other state and local taxes, and the percentage of each additional dollar that is taxed hovers around 50 percent… When half of each additional dollar earned is taxed away, taxpayers experience a disincentive to start businesses or expand existing ones. This leads to fewer jobs being created.

Why is HAMAS Inside Tampa Schools?

Clare Lopez

Kelly Miliziano, who teaches history classes at Steinbrenner High School in the Tampa, Florida area apparently thinks it’s perfectly OK to invite a senior official of a HAMAS-affiliated organization into her classroom to discuss Islam with her students. According to local media reports, not only has this been going on for years, but in spite of the civil and criminal proceedings that could result from such reckless negligence, the Hillsborough County school superintendent, Mary Ellen Elia, and the chairman of the school board, Candy Olson, also expressed approval for students under their responsibility to be exposed repeatedly to guest speaker, Hassan Shibly, who is the Executive Director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in the Tampa area.
More...

Did You Know... Ignoring the Call to Islam will Bring Jihad

‘Conquest through Da’wa [proselytizing] that is what we hope for. We will conquer Europe, we will conquer America! Not through sword but through Da’wa.’
-- Yousef al-Qaradawi , Muslim Brotherhood spiritual leader The Arabic word ‘Da’wa’ means the “call to Islam.” But do not think that Da’wa is the same thing as an invitation to an optional holiday event. The classical Islamic doctrine of jihad mandates that enemies must be given the opportunity to convert to Islam or pay the jizya tax before it is permissible to attack them.
Clare M. Lopez

Who is being discriminated-facts tell the truth

Religious bias

Hate crimes motivated by religious bias accounted for 1,409 offenses reported by law enforcement. A breakdown of the bias motivation of religious-bias offenses showed:

65.4 percent were anti-Jewish.
13.2 percent were anti-Islamic.
9.5 percent were anti-other religion, i.e., those not specified.
4.3 percent were anti-Catholic.
3.8 percent were anti-multiple religions, group.
3.3 percent were anti-Protestant.
0.5 percent were anti-Atheism/Agnosticism/etc.

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/hate-crime/2010/narratives/hate-crime-2010-incidents-and-offenses.

On March 31, 1977, the Dutch newspaper Trouw published an interview

with PLO executive committee member Zahir Muhsein. Here's what he said:

"The Palestinian people does not exist. The creation of a Palestinian state is only a means for continuing our struggle against the state of Israel for our Arab unity. In reality today there is no difference between Jordanians, Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese. Only for political and tactical reasons do we speak today about the existence of a Palestinian people, since Arab national interests demand that we posit the existence of a distinct "Palestinian people" to oppose Zionism.

For tactical reasons, Jordan, which is a sovereign state with defined borders, cannot raise claims to Haifa and Jaffa, while as a Palestinian, I can undoubtedly demand Haifa, Jaffa, Beer-Sheva and Jerusalem. However, the moment we reclaim our right to all of Palestine, we will not wait even a minute to unite Palestine and Jordan."

In March 1977, Zahir Muhsein, a PLO executive, said:

"The Palestinian people does not exist. The creation of a Palestinian state is only a means for continuing our struggle against the state of Israel for our Arab unity. In reality today there is no difference between Jordanians, Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese. Only for political and tactical reasons do we speak today about the existence of a Palestinian people, since Arab national interests demand that we posit the existence of a distinct Palestinian people to oppose Zionism."

"For tactical reasons, Jordan, which is a sovereign state with defined borders, cannot raise claims to Haifa and Jaffa, while as a Palestinian, I can undoubtedly demand Haifa, Jaffa, Beer-Sheva and Jerusalem. However, the moment we reclaim our right to all of Palestine, we will not wait even a minute to unite Palestine and Jordan."

The Arab Apartheid

Ben-Dror Yemini
In 1948, the Arab countries refused to accept the UN partition proposal and they launched a war of annihilation against the State of Israel which had barely been established. All precedents in this matter showed that the party that starts the war - and with a declaration of annihilation, yet - pays a price for it. Between 550,000 and 710,000 Arabs fled because of the war and a larger number of 850,000 Jews were expelled or fled from Arab countries (the "Jewish nakba").
Population exchanges and expulsions were the norm at that time, occurring in dozens of other conflict points and affecting about 52 million people. In all the population exchange precedents that occurred during or at the end of an armed conflict, there was no return of refugees to the previous region, which had turned into a new national state.
Only the Arab states acted completely differently from the rest of the world. Instead of assimilating the refugees, they crushed them despite the fact that they were their coreligionists and members of the Arab nation - instituting a regime of apartheid. So the "nakba" was not caused by the actual dispossession, which had also been experienced by tens of millions of others. The "nakba" is the story of the apartheid, oppression, abuse and denial of rights suffered by the Arab refugees at the hands of the Arab countries. (Maariv)

International Law and Military Operations in Practice - Col. Richard Kemp

"Islamist fighting groups study the international laws of armed conflict carefully and they understand it well. They know that a British or Israeli commander and his men are bound by international law and the rules of engagement that flow from it. They then do their utmost to exploit what they view as one of their enemy's main weaknesses. Their very modus operandi is built on the correct assumption that Western armies will normally abide by the rules, while these insurgents employ a deliberate policy of operating consistently outside international law. "

Lost Historical Moments

What Rabin’s last Knesset speech really said:repudiation of a Palestinian state

Rabin ruled out a fully sovereign Palestinian state :

“We view the permanent solution in the framework of State of Israel which will include most of the area of the Land of Israel as it was under the rule of the British Mandate, and alongside it a Palestinian entity which will be a home to most of the Palestinian residents living in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. We would like this to be an entity which is less than a state, and which will independently run the lives of the Palestinians under its authority.”

Rabin ruled out a total withdrawal from Judea and Samaria and thus a return to the pre-June 1967 borders :

“The borders of the State of Israel, during the permanent solution, will be beyond the lines which existed before the Six Day War. We will not return to the 4 June 1967 lines.”

Rabin ruled out withdrawing form the Jordan Valley:

“The security border of the State of Israel will be located in the Jordan Valley, in the broadest meaning of that term.”

Rabin ruled out uprooting settlement blocs, like the Gush Katif bloc in Gaza (which was subsequently uprooted by former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon):

“The establishment of blocs of settlements in Judea and Samaria, like the one in Gush Katif.

AND

Rabin ruled out removing any settlement before coming to a full peace agreement with the Palestinians:

“I want to remind you: we committed ourselves, that is, we came to an agreement, and committed ourselves before the Knesset, not to uproot a single settlement in the framework of the interim agreement, and not to hinder building for natural growth.”

Rabin insisted on Israel retaining full security control of the borders with Egypt and Jordan, contrary to Israel’s relinquishment of the Philadelphia Corridor on the border with Egypt:

“The responsibility for external security along the borders with Egypt and Jordan, as well as control over the airspace above all of the territories and Gaza Strip maritime zone, remains in our hands.”

Correcting Oslo Myths-Part 2

3) Kuttab laments that the post-1993 Oslo process resulted in a Palestinian Authority "whose ministers and legislators are not guaranteed passage between Gaza and the West Bank ...."

Before free passage or other perquisites, PA leaders were obligated, among other things, to eliminate the terrorist infrastructure in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, end anti-Israeli, antisemitic incitement in schools, mosques, and communications media, and resolve all outstanding issues through peaceful negotiations. They met none of these commitments, sometimes bolstering terrorism and greatly increasing incitement.

4) Kuttab complains that under Oslo the PA got "lightly armed police ---- but no real sovereignty over the land or contiguity between our communities in Gaza and the West Bank."

Oslo agreements repeatedly were revised, regardless of Palestinian non-compliance, until the authorized number of police grew from 8,000 to 40,000. Though they were to be the only armed forces in the territories, Israeli estimates early in the second intifada put the number of gunmen - police, "security services," terrorists, and armed gangs - at 85,000. Their armament reportedly included not only heavy machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades, but also anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles.

Sovereignty was to be negotiated in the envisioned 1998 "final status" talks - after a five-year period of confidence-building. Palestinian leadership chronically undermined the process. Palestinian terrorism made the 1993 - 1998 Oslo period more deadly for Israelis than the 15 years preceding it.

The United States doesn't have contiguity between the lower 48 states and Alaska and Hawaii; territorial contiguity between the West Bank and Gaza Strip - that is, through the 20 miles of Israeli territory between them - was never promised and would destroy Israeli contiguity.

5) "Palestinians have been made to endure hundreds of checkpoints in the West Bank, an eight-foot wall deep in our territories, and tight Israeli control over borders."

The security barrier is not "deep in Palestinian territories," but rather encompasses less than 8 percent of Judea and Samaria, and is mostly a fence, rarely a wall; the land in question is not "our [Palestinian] territories" but disputed territory to which, according to the authors of U.N. Security Council Resolution 242, Jews as well as Arabs have claims; and there are no international borders, only the 1949 armistice lines with Jordan. Under 242, borders remain to be negotiated. As for checkpoints - like the security barrier and "tight Israeli control" - Palestinian Arabs precipitated these measures themselves. No terrorism and there would be no fence or tight Israeli control and few checkpoints - like before the first intifada.

Correcting Some Oslo Myths

1) In Oslo "Israeli, Palestinian and other world leaders promised that ... Palestinian sovereignty would be solidified."

No, they didn't. The 1993 Declaration of Principles and subsequent Oslo agreements outlined a process by which final status negotiations about the West Bank and Gaza Strip would be reached. The process required an end to anti-Israel terrorism and incitement and a commitment to peaceful negotiations. The PA, Fatah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and other terrorist groups, sabotaged the process from the start.

2) "The reality is that, in defiance of U.N. Security Council Resolution 242, which states that it is inadmissible to occupy land by force, Palestinian territories are still under foreign military occupation."
Wrong again. Resolution 242 (1967) does note "the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by war." It also affirms the right of every state in the area "to live in peace with secure and recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force." There were no "Palestinian territories." Jordan occupied the West Bank, Egypt controlled Gaza. Israel did not have "secure and recognized boundaries," so retention of some of those territories was possible under 242. Israel is not a "foreign" military occupier in the West Bank but, pending final negotiations, the lawful military administrator as a result of a successful war of self-defense.

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