Doc's Talk: Know the facts-prepare for the arguments-be clever

Tuesday, June 01, 2010

Know the facts-prepare for the arguments-be clever

The Israel Project

The facts on Israel's provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza

Injured Evacuated to Israeli hospitals

Experts Available for Comment
Stats and Facts on Israeli Humanitarian Aid Transfers to Gaza
First Hand Testimony of Israeli Journalist Who Accompanied the Israeli Naval Commandos

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Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said in a press conference on Monday (May 31) regarding the Turkish-led flotilla that:

"The armada of hate and violence in support of Hamas terror organization was a premeditated and outrageous provocation.

"The organizers are well known for their ties with global Jihad, al-Qaeda and Hamas. They have a history of arms smuggling and deadly terror.

"On board the ship we found weapons prepared in advance and used against our forces. The organizers intent was violent, their method was violent and the results were unfortunately violent. Israel regrets any loss of life and did everything to avoid this outcome."[1]

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Israel’s Defense Minister Ehud Barak expressed regret for loss of live, but said that the flotilla was a provocation sponsored by extremists who support a terrorist organization.[2]
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At least seven Israeli soldiers were injures, two are in critical condition reportedly when protestors opened fire on them after stealing their weapons.[3] "Live fire was used against our forces. They initiated the violence, that's 100% clear," said Israeli Government Spokesman Mark Regev in an interview with the BBC.[4] Israeli soldiers were attacked by extremists with live ammunition, axes, metal rods and blunt instruments while trying to take control of six ships en route to Gaza. Audrey Bomse, a spokesperson for the Free Gaza movement, said in an interview with the BBC “I cannot say for sure if there were weapons on the ship.”[5]

Video: Violent protestors attacking Israeli navy personnel with clubs as they board a flotilla ship

*
In 2005, Israel withdrew from all of Gaza. Israel relocated thousands of Israeli citizens and soldiers from Gaza in hopes that it would help jump-start the process towards a two state solution.[6] However, Iran-backed Hamas seized Gaza from the Palestinian Authority’s Fatah movement in a bloody coup and established its own government there in June 2007.[7] Since Israel’s withdrawal from the territory, Hamas has fired more than 6,500 rockets and mortars into Israel.[8]

*
Israel imposed a naval blockade on Gaza after Hamas violently overthrew Fatah in 2007.[9] Said Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs legal expert Sarah Weiss Maudi, "The Hamas regime has bombarded Israeli communities in Israel, Israeli civilians in Israel, with weapons that are smuggled to Gaza by various routes, and one of these routes is the sea. Under international law a maritime blockade is a recognized and legitimate tool that can be used during an armed conflict."[10]

*
Iran-backed Hamas continues to smuggle weapons into Gaza and uses building supplies delivered there to construct fortified bunkers.[11] Israel appealed to the convoy of ships – carrying more than 10,000 tons of humanitarian aid – to dock in Israel’s southern port of Ashdod so its humanitarian supplies can be delivered by Israel through the Gaza border crossing after they are checked for dangerous materials.[12]

Video: Navy Warns Flotilla that Boats are Entering Coastal Waters Under Naval Blockade, Ships Invited to Dock in Ashdod Where Aid can be Delivered to Gaza by Land Crossings

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Israeli Government Spokesman Mark Regev released a statement on May 27: “They call themselves human rights activists, but they remain silent when it comes to Hamas' deliberate targeting of Israeli civilians and the brutalities of the Hamas regime in Gaza, which has crushed political opposition, suppressed independent media and has locked up hundreds of political opponents.”[13]

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A statement issued by the IDF states that the people on board the ship had clearly prepared their weapons in advance for the purposes of attacking the Israeli forces.[14]

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"We fully intend to go to Gaza regardless of any intimidation or threats of violence against us,” said flotilla organizer Huwaida Arraf. “They are going to have to forcefully stop us."[15]

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At least 10 of the extremists aboard the ship were killed in the struggle between them and the IDF forces. [16]

Video: Israeli Navy Commander Vice Admiral Eliezer Marom Briefs Forces, Says Israeli Navy has no Intention of Harming Civilians Onboard Flotilla Ships

*
The flotilla of ships which was trying to reach Gaza was organized by IHH (Insani Yardim Vakfi - “humanitarian relief fund”), a Turkish aid foundation which has ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, and Free Gaza, which describes itself as a human rights group.[17]

*
The IHH has known links to global jihadi networks, openly supports Iran-backed Hamas and maintains close ties with the Muslim Brotherhood movement, a global umbrella Islamic organization of which Hamas is a branch, as well as mujahideen groups in Afghanistan.[18]

Stats and Facts on Israeli Humanitarian Aid Transfers to Gaza

Unless otherwise indicated, all information is from “Behind the Headlines: The Israeli humanitarian lifeline to Gaza,” Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, May 25, 2010, http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/About+the+Ministry/Behind+the+Headlines/Israeli_humanitarian_lifeline_Gaza_25-May-2010.htm

1. Humanitarian Aid

* In 2009, more than 738,000 tons of food and supplies entered Gaza. Pictures in local newspapers show local markets aplenty with fruit, vegetables, cheese, spices, bread and meat to feed 1.4 million Gazans. The total amount of aid transferred from Israel to Gaza in 2009 increased by 180 percent, compared to the amount transferred 2008.[19]
* From Jan - May 8, 2010, 230,690 tons of humanitarian aid was transferred from Israel into Gaza through the Israel-Gaza goods crossings. This included medical supplies, milk powder and baby food, meat, chicken, fish, grains, legumes, oil, flour, salt, sugar, fresh vegetables and dairy products as well as animal feed, hygiene products and clothes.[20]
* At holiday times, Israel increases transfers. During the Muslim holy days of Ramadan and Eid al-Adha, Israel shipped some 11,000 head of cattle into Gaza.

2. Maintaining Medical Aid for All in Need

The Medical Corridor:

* In 2009 alone, 10,544 patients and their companions left the Gaza Strip for medical treatment in Israel. Moreover, there were 382 emergency evacuations from Gaza for medical purposes.
* The Hadassah Medical Organization in Jerusalem donates $3 million in aid annually to treat Palestinians in Israel.
* Following fears of a swine flu outbreak, three Israeli hospitals were assigned to treat cases in the Gaza Strip and 44,500 immunizations were transferred to the Strip.
* Since 2005, Palestinians exploited medical care arrangements more than 20 times to carry out terror attacks.

Medical Equipment:

* In 2009, some 4,883 tons of medical equipment and medicine were brought in.
* In the first quarter of 2010, Israel shipped 152 trucks of medical supplies and equipment into Gaza.
* In 2009, Israel coordinated the transfer of medical supplies for the disabled including wheelchairs, crutches and first aid kits. Other equipment shipped to Gaza include heart-monitors, baby feeding tubes, dental equipment, medical books, ambulance emergency equipment, artificial limbs and infant sleeping bags.

4. Quality of Life in Gaza

* Projected life expectancy in the Gaza Strip (2010) is 73.86, greater than Estonia, Malaysia, Jamaica and Bulgaria.
* The infant mortality rate in Gaza is 17.71 per 1000, better than that of China, Jordan, Lebanon and Thailand.

Schoolchildren:

* Israel transfers school equipment supplied by UNRWA including notebooks, school bags, writing implements and textbooks.
* Israel is currently coordinating the transfer of 200,000 laptops for Gaza schoolchildren.
* In the first quarter of 2010, Israel transferred 250 trucks with equipment for the UNWRA summer camp, including arts-and-crafts equipment, swimming pools, inflatable toys, ice cream machines, musical instruments, clothing, sports quipment.

3. Building for the Future: Infrastructure and Economic Aid

Building Materials:

* While the import of cement and iron has been restricted into Gaza since these are used by the Hamas to cast rockets and bunkers, monitored imports of truckloads of cement, iron, and building supplies such as wood and windows are regularly coordinated with international parties. Already in the first quarter of 2010, 23 tons of iron and 25 tons of cement were transferred to the Gaza Strip.
* On 13 May 2010, Israel allowed approximately 39 tons of building material into Gaza to help rebuild a damaged hospital. The construction material for al Quds hospital was transferred after safeguards in place and French assurances ensured that the construction material would not be diverted elsewhere.
* On 24 May 2010, Israel opened Kerem crossing to 97 trucks loaded with aid and goods, including six trucks holding 250 tons of cement and one truck loaded with five tons of iron for projects executed and operated by UNRWA.

Electricity:

* As noted by a UN report of May 2010, 120 Megawatts (over 70 percent) of the Strips’ electricity supply comes from the Israeli electric grid, while 17 MWs come from Egypt and 30 MWs are produced by the Gaza city power station. Since January 2010, there has been deterioration in the supply of electricity to the Gaza Strip since the Hamas regime is unwilling to purchase the fuel to run the Gaza City power station.
* Throughout 2009, Israel transferred 41 trucks of equipment for the maintenance of Gaza’s electricity grid.
* Israel facilitates the transfer of fuel through the border, and maintains that the diversion of fuel from domestic power generators to other uses is wholly a Hamas decision. Over 133 million liters of fuel entered Gaza from Israel over the last 18 months.

Sewage:

* During the first quarter of 2010, the UN coordinated with Israel the transfer of equipment for UNWRA to upgrade the sewage pumping station. In 2009, 127 trucks containing more than 3,000 tons of hypochlorite entered the Gaza Strip for water purification purposes. Moreover, 48 trucks of equipment for improving the sanitation infrastructure led to a substantial reduction in the Beit Lahya facility's waste levels.

Economy:

* Primary exports from Gaza are cut flowers and citrus, with trade partners being Israel, Egypt and the West Bank. During 2009, 7.5 million tons of flowers and 54 tons of strawberries were exported from Gaza with Israeli cooperation.
* In 2009, 1.1 billion shekels (about $250 million) was transferred to the Gaza Strip for the ongoing activity of international organizations and to pay the salaries of Palestinian Authority workers.

Experts Available for Comment

In Israel

David Baker
Senior Foreign Press Coordinator
Cell: 050-620-5061

Joshua Hantman
Assistant to David Baker
Cell: 972-54-558-4561

Col. Jonathan Fighel
Senior researcher at the International Institute for Counter Terrorism (ICT)
Expertise: Expert in international terrorism including the Turkish IHH (Insani Yardim Vakfi, “humanitarian relief fund”) group
Cell: 972-54-494-6516

Professor Ephraim Inbar
Director of the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies; professor of political science at Bar-Ilan University
Expertise: Arab-Israeli conflict; U.S.-Israel Relations; strategic developments in the Middle-East
Cell: 972-54-660-3409
E-mail: inbare@mail.biu.ac.il

Dr. Anat Lapidot-Firilla
The Hebrew University, Dept. International Relations
Expertise:Turkey's foreign and domestic policy, Israel-Turkey relations
Contact: 972-54-762-1299

Prof. Eli Podeh
The Hebrew University, Dept. Islamic & Middle Eastern Studies
Expertise: Modern Middle East, Inter-Arab relations, The Arab-Israeli conflict, Israel-Egypt relations
Cell: 972-54-447-9728

Dr. Yitzhak Reiter
The Harry S. Truman Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace
Fields of expertise: Islam and modernity in the Middle East, Waqf, Islamic law and institutions, Islamic Movement in Israel, Arabs in Israel and the Jewish-Arab conflict, Society & politics in Jordan and the PA
Cell: 972-(0)54-253-3945

In the U.S.

Jonathan Peled
Spokesman, Israeli Embassy in Washington D.C.
E-mail: sp@washington.mfa.gov.il

Footnotes

[1] “LIVE: Israeli raid on Gaza flotilla,” BBC, May 31, 2010, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/10196585.stm

[2] Ravid, Barak, “Barak: Organizers of Gaza flotilla to blame for deadly clashes,” Haaretz, May 31, 2010, http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/barak-organizers-of-gaza-flotilla-to-blame-for-deadly-clashes-1.293187

[3] Katz, Yaakov and JPost.com Staff, “At least 10 activists dead, dozens hurt in flotilla clashes,” The Jerusalem Post, May 31, 2010, http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=176970

[4] “LIVE: Israeli raid on Gaza flotilla,” BBC, May 31, 2010, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/10196585.stm

[5] “IDF forces met with pre-planned violence when attempting to board flotilla,” Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, May 31, 2010, http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2010/Israel_Navy_warns_flotilla_31-May-2010.htm; BBC telephone interview May 31, 2010

[6] "Israeli-Palestine Negotiations," Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sept. 7, 2003, http://tinyurl.com/67w5e; "Israel's Disengagement Plan: Renewing the Peace Process," Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, April 20, 2005,http://tinyurl.com/9f3e7

[7] “Hamas Coup in Gaza, ” The International Institute for Strategic Studies Web site, June 2007,http://www.iiss.org/publications/strategic-comments/past-issues/v
olume-13---2007/volume-13--issue-5--june-2007/hamas-coup-in-gaza; “Hamas takes full control of Gaza,” BBC, June 15, 2007, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6755299.stm

[8] IDF Spokesperson’s Unit communiqué, Jan. 3, 2009.

[9] Zippori, Michal, “Convoy of ships heads to Gaza in attempt to break blockade,” CNN, March 27, 2010,http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/05/27/gaza.aid.convoy/index.html

[10] “MFA legal expert Sarah Weiss Maudi on the legal aspects of Gaza aid,” Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, May 26, 2010, http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/HumanitarianAid/Palestinians/Legal_aspects_Gaza_aid_26-May-2010.htm

[11] Communication with the IDF Spokespersons Office and The Israel Project, May 31, 2010; “IDF forces met with pre-planned violence when attempting to board flotilla,” Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, May 30, 2010, http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2010/Israel_Navy_warns_flotilla_31-May-2010.htm

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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.

Doc's Talk