Doc's Talk: More Flotillas Bound for Gaza in Coming Days and Weeks

Saturday, June 19, 2010

More Flotillas Bound for Gaza in Coming Days and Weeks

The Israel Project

Examples of previous Gaza-bound ships carrying weapons
Israel Continues to Transfer Humanitarian Aid to Gaza

Ships from several countries, including Iran and Lebanon, have left or are planning to leave for Hamas-controlled Gaza in defiance of an Israeli maritime blockade on that territory.[1]

Israel considers Gaza-bound convoys a security risk because of Hamas’ ongoing efforts to smuggle Iranian rockets and other weaponry into Gaza since the Iran-backed group overthrew the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority in a bloody coup there in 2007.[2] Israel Security Agency Director Yuval Diskin has said that a port in Gaza would “pose a huge security threat to Israel.”[3] Iran arms, funds and trains Hamas, which has been designated a terrorist organization by the European Union, the United States, Israel, Canada and Australia.[4] Since Israel voluntarily withdrew from all of Gaza in August 2005 in hopes of paving the way for a peaceful, independent Palestinian state, Hamas has fired more than 6,500 rockets and mortars into Israel.[5]

Reports about the new flotillas come in the aftermath of a May 31 Israeli campaign to prevent an illegal flotilla from reaching Gaza, in which nine activists – all Turks or of Turkish descent – were killed after passengers on board the Mavi Marmara, a Turkish ship in the convoy, attacked Israeli military personnel.[6] Israel had ordered the vessels to dock in the southern Israeli port of Ashdod to unload the cargo for security inspections and subsequent delivery to Gaza.[7] Despite the refusal of all six ships to detour to Ashdod, the Mavi Marmara was the only vessel where a violent confrontation took place.[8]

Although two individuals coordinating the Lebanese convoy have denied they are receiving support from Hezbollah, another proxy of Iran, one of them has written in praise of the terrorist group’s leader, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, and the other has met and thanked Nasrallah publicly.[9] Nasrallah called for more ships to Gaza at a June 4 rally, stating that “only diplomacy which is built on strength and arms is effective."[10] Since the end of Israel’s 2006 war with Hezbollah, the terrorist group has rearmed far beyond its pre-2006 capacity.[11]

Following are details about new ships heading for Gaza, collected from published reports as of June 16, 2010.

Iran

* One Iranian ship left for Gaza June 12 from the Iranian port of Khorramshahr and plans to sail through Omani, Yemeni and Egyptian territorial waters before it tries to reach Gaza.[12]
* Two Iranian ships organized by Iran’s Society for the Defense of Palestine are scheduled to depart shortly: one ship is named Toward Gaza and will set sail from the southern Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, while the other ship will leave from northern Iran and stop in Turkey before making its way to Gaza.[13]
* Despite a previous statement by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) that it was willing to provide a naval escort to any additional aid ships wishing to reach Gaza,[14] an IRGC commander and an official in charge of the ships both said June 14 that IRGC forces would not accompany the ships.[15]
* An Iranian official in charge of the convoy said those aboard the ships “are willing to become martyred in this way.”[16]
* Three members of the Majlis (Iran’s parliament) also intend to travel to Gaza by way of Egypt later this week.[17]
* An Iranian ambassador recently threatened that “if the (Zionist) entity dares to direct any aggressive attack (against the ship) then it is certain [Israel] will be met by a much stronger and firm blow.”[18]

Lebanon

* Two Lebanese organizations – Journalists without Borders and Free Palestine – are sponsoring the Naji Al Ali, with at least 50 journalists and 25 European volunteers on board, including European parliament members.[19]
* Palestinian businessman and Free Palestine chairman Yasser Kashlak is funding the Naj Al Ali vessel, as well as an all-women’s ship, the Mariam.[20] Kashlak has insisted he has no connection with Hezbollah, Hamas or Iran, but in 2009 Kashlak sent a letter to Nasrallah in which he wrote, “We ask Allah to extend your life and the lives of all who support Palestine and the noble resistance.”[21] Additionally, in a blog post, Kashlak criticized Arab governments and media for failing to embrace Nasrallah’s self-proclaimed victory in Hezbollah’s 2006 war with Israel.[22]
* Samar Hajj, who is organizing the Mariam, said the ship “has nothing to do with Hezbollah even though it is an honor for us to be supporters of the resistance."[23] She is the wife of Ali Hajj, a former Lebanese general imprisoned until recently for his suspected involvement in the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri.[24] The couple met with Nasrallah three weeks ago to thank him for his support.[25]
* A U.S.-based group, the Council for the National Interest Foundation, has asked its supporters to volunteer to join the Lebanese convoy.[26]

Turkey

* The Insani Yardim Vakfi, or “humanitarian relief fund” (IHH), the hardcore Turkish Islamist group that partly organized and funded the previous flotilla that included the Mavi Marmara, said it will send six more ships to Gaza in July.[27] A 2006 study conducted by the Danish Institute for International Studies showed that the IHH was involved in planning an al-Qaeda attack against Los Angeles International Airport in 1999. The IHH reportedly acquired forged documents, enlisted operatives and delivered weapons to al-Qaeda in preparation for the attack, which was ultimately foiled.[28]

Germany

* A German organization called Jewish Voices for a Just Peace is sponsoring a ship with 14 activists aboard, scheduled for departure in mid-July. According to the group’s spokeswoman, that vessel may be delayed because 40 additional German-Jewish activists wish to participate, requiring them to charter another ship. The port from which the ships plan to depart has not been announced.[29]
* European leaders have reportedly reacted positively to Israel’s request that they take action to prevent Gaza-bound vessels from leaving European ports and forbid their citizens from participating.[30]

“Freedom Fleet II”

* Free Gaza – the group that sponsored the flotilla intercepted by Israel May 31 – and Viva Palestina, a UK-based group,[31] are planning another convoy of 10 – 15 ships, slated to leave for Gaza by October. One of the main organizers is Iyad el-Sarj, based in Norway.[32]

Historically, ships bound for Gaza have carried tons of weapons among their cargo.

Examples of previous Gaza-bound ships carrying weapons:

* “Francop” (2009)
In November 2009 the Israeli Navy intercepted the “Francop,” a ship containing 320 tons of arms sent from Iran and destined for Hezbollah in Lebanon.[33] Weaponry and ammunition were disguised as civilian cargo in the hundreds of containers the ship was transporting.[34]
* “Abu Hasan” (2003)
On May 21, 2003 Israeli naval commandos intercepted a fishing boat, the Abu Hasan, sailing from Lebanon to Egypt carrying a Hezbollah explosives expert bound for Gaza. Also seized were CD discs with instructions on how to assemble bomb belts for suicide bombers, a radio-activation system for remote-control bombs and 25 detonators for Kassam rockets.[35]
* “Karin A” (2002)[36]
In January 2002 a ship carrying weapons intended for the Palestinian Authority was captured in the Red Sea by Israel's Navy and Air Force. The boat's cargo included 50 tons of advanced weaponry including Katyusha rockets, rifles, mortar shells, mines and a variety of anti-tank missiles. Senior figures in the Palestinian Authority were involved in the smuggling.[37]
Ashkelon and other coastal cities would have been threatened by these Katyusha rockets if they reached Gaza.[38]
* “Santorini” (2001)
On May 7, 2001 Israeli naval forces intercepted a Lebanese ship destined for Gaza, which contained anti-aircraft missiles, anti-tank missile-launchers, RPG rockets, mortar shells, mines, rifles and guns. The shipment, some of which originated in Iran, had been loaded in Lebanon by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.[39] The Santorini and another boat, the Calypso-2, made three successful smuggling operations of which the first was in November 2000.[40]

[1] Sofer, Roni, “Israel to EU: Stop your citizens from joining flotillas,” YnetNews, June 15, 2010, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3905357,00.html

[2] “The Gaza flotilla and the maritime blockade of Gaza - Legal background,” Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, May 31, 2010, http://tinyurl.com/33tofyd; Vick, Karl, “Can Israel Learn How to Make Its Case?” TIME, June 10, 2010, http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1995850,00.html

[3] “Diskin: No aid crisis in Gaza,” The Jerusalem Post, June 15, 2010, http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=178503

[4] "Council Decision," Council of the European Union, Dec. 21, 2005; "Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs)," U.S. Department of State Web site, Oct. 11, 2005, http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/fs/37191.htm; Wilson, Scott, "Hamas Sweeps Palestinian Elections, Complicating Peace Efforts in Mideast," The Washington Post , Jan. 27, 2006, accessed Jan. 18, 2006,
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/26/AR2006012600372.html; Public Security and Emergency Preparedness Canada, National Security, Listed entities, accessed Jan. 18, 2007, http://www.psepc.gc.ca/prg/ns/le/cle-en.asp#hhi18; "Listing of Terrorist Organisations," Australian Government Web site, May 24, 2007, http://tinyurl.com/2cfzzw

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

[6] Black, Ian; MacAskill, Ewen; Booth, Robert, “Gaza flotilla attack: Turks killed by Israeli soldiers given heroes' funeral,” The Guardian (UK), June 4, 2010, http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jun/03/gaza-flotilla-attack-turkey-funeral

[7] “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

[8] Teibel, Amy; Goldenberg, Tia, “Israeli commandos storm aid flotilla; 9 killed,” AP, May 31, 2010, http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ioi_0jtO9RjMwPNRoXNCndRPRq3gD9G1ST400

[9] Nahmias, Roee, “Lebanese flotilla organizers found to have Hezbollah ties,” YnetNews, June 16, 2010, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3906357,00.html

[10] Yazbeck, Natacha, “Hezbollah chief calls for 'Freedom Flotilla II,'” AFP via Asharq Alawsat, June 5, 2010, http://www.aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=1&id=21193

[11] Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center communiqué, Feb. 22, 2009, http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/ipc_e013.htm; “One year since the acceptance of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the second Lebanon war: An interim report,” Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, Aug. 12, 2007, http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/un1701_0807.htm

[12] “Iran sending aid ships to Gaza, Iranian agencies say,” CNN, June 14, 2010, http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/06/14/iran.gaza.ship/index.html

[13] Walker, Peter, “Iran sends aid ships to Gaza,” The Guardian (UK), June 14, 2010, http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jun/14/iran-aid-ships-gaza

[14] “Iran Red Crescent to send two aid ships to Gaza,” AFP, June 7, 2010, http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iEWKLpKjRKdQtCat_2tmvahx_Uaw

[15] “Iran to send aid ships to Gaza,” Al Jazeera English, June 15, 2010, http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/06/20106159550707221.html

[16] “Iranian flotilla leaving for Gaza,” The Jerusalem Post, June 14, 2010, http://www.jpost.com/IranianThreat/News/Article.aspx?id=178395

[17] “Iranian flotilla leaving for Gaza,” The Jerusalem Post, June 14, 2010, http://www.jpost.com/IranianThreat/News/Article.aspx?id=178395

[18] Reem Khaleefa, “The Iranian ambassador warns Israel from targeting Iranian ship heading to Gaza,” Al-Wasat (Bahrain), June 16, 2010, http://www.alwasatnews.com/2840/news/read/434953/1.html

[19] “Israel braces for Iranian attempt to break Gaza blockade,” Xinhua via Global Times, June 15, 2010, http://world.globaltimes.cn/in-depth/2010-06/542419.html

[20] Nahmias, Roee, “Lebanese flotilla: No link to Hamas, Hezbollah,” YnetNews, June 15, 2010, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3905607,00.html; “Gaza-bound ship seeks women volunteers,” The Daily Star (Lebanon), June 14, 2010, http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id=115939#axzz0r1uIpf7T

[21] Nahmias, Roee, “Lebanese flotilla organizers found to have Hezbollah ties,” YnetNews, June 16, 2010, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3906357,00.html

[22] Yasser Kashlak, “I am sad (2),” Yasser Kashlak’s blog, July 27, 2009, http://kashlakyasser.blogspot.com/2009/08/2.html

[23] “Lebanese women to send aid ship to Gaza: organizers,” AFP, June 15, 2010, http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/100615/world/israel_conflict_gaza_lebanon_women

[24] “Lebanese women to send aid ship to Gaza: organizers,” AFP, June 15, 2010, http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/100615/world/israel_conflict_gaza_lebanon_women

[25] Nahmias, Roee, “Lebanese flotilla organizers found to have Hezbollah ties,” YnetNews, June 16, 2010, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3906357,00.html

[26] E-mail communication from Eugene Bird, “PRIORITY, PRIORITY, PRIORITY: JOIN SECOND AID BOAT TO GAZA,” Council for the National Interest Foundation, June 15, 2010

[27] “Turkish flotilla organisers to send more Gaza ships,” Reuters, June 16, 2010, http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFTRE65F3JI20100616

[28] “IHH, which plays a central role in organizing the flotilla to the Gaza Strip, is a Turkish humanitarian relief fund with a radical Islamic anti-Western orientation,” Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, May 26, 2010, http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/hamas_e105.htm

[29] "Deutsche Juden schicken ein Schiff nach Gaza", Sueddeutsche, Jun 9, 2010, http://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/palaestinenser-blockade-durch-israel-ein-schiff-nach-gaza-1.955844; “German Jews 'inundated' with requests to join new Gaza aid flotilla,” DPA via Haaretz, June 14, 2010, http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/german-jews-inundated-with-requests-to-join-new-gaza-aid-flotilla-1.296146

[30] Sofer, Roni, “Israel to EU: Stop your citizens from joining flotillas,” YnetNews, June 15, 2010, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3905357,00.html

[31] “About Us,” Viva Palestina Web site, http://www.vivapalestina.org/about.htm, accessed June 16, 2010

[32] Sofer, Roni, “Israel to EU: Stop your citizens from joining flotillas,” YnetNews, June 15, 2010, http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3905357,00.html

[33] “Documented proof of Iranian complicity in arms smuggling to terrorists,” Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nov. 10, 2009, http://tinyurl.com/ykuhj2j

[34] “500 Tons of Weapons for Hezbollah Intercepted by Israeli Navy,” IDF Spokesperson Web Site, Nov. 4, 2009, http://idfspokesperson.com/2009/11/04/500-tons-of-weapons-for-hezbollah-intercepted-by-israeli-navy-4-nov-2009/

[35] “The Seizing of the Abu Hasan,” Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, May 22, 2003, http://tinyurl.com/8pz7p

[36] “Seizing of the Palestinian weapons ship Karine A: Photos,” Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jan. 4, 2002, http://tinyurl.com/3xn9ln5

[37] “IDF Seizes PA Weapons Ship: The Karine A Affair,” Jewish Virtual Library, Jan. 3, 2002, http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Peace/paship.html

[38] “Seizing of the Palestinian weapons ship Karine A,” Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jan. 4, 2002, http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2002/Seizing%20of%20the%20Palestinian%20weapons%20ship%20Karine%20A%20-

[39] “IDF Seizes PA Weapons Ship: The Karine A Affair,” Jewish Virtual Library, Jan. 3, 2002, http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Peace/paship.html

[40] Lorenz, Akiva J. “The Threat of Maritime Terrorism to Israel,” IDC Herzliya International Institute for Counter-Terrorism, Sept. 24, 2007, http://www.ict.org.il/Articles/tabid/66/Articlsid/251/currentpage/6/Default.aspx

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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