Senior source: Hamas rebuilding Gaza terror tunnels

[OriZ 3,157]

Senior Hamas official basically tells Israel exactly why withdrawing from the West Bank without proper agreements and arrangements would be suicide. Nothing not already known, but nice to hear them speak the truth for once.

On Saturday, a senior Hamas official in the West Bank, Mahmoud al-Zahar, said that "if the Palestinian resistance in the West Bank held a quarter of the tools at the disposal of the resistance in Gaza – Israel would be demolished in a day."

He said the security coordination in the West Bank between the Palestinian Authority and Israel was a crime, and that if the largest force in the West Bank changed direction towards resistance, Israel's days would be numbered.

For the full article: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4568482,00.html

[Karee 4,191]

Senior Hamas official basically tells Israel exactly why withdrawing from the West Bank without proper agreements and arrangements would be suicide. Nothing not already known, but nice to hear them speak the truth for once.

On Saturday, a senior Hamas official in the West Bank, Mahmoud al-Zahar, said that "if the Palestinian resistance in the West Bank held a quarter of the tools at the disposal of the resistance in Gaza – Israel would be demolished in a day."

He said the security coordination in the West Bank between the Palestinian Authority and Israel was a crime, and that if the largest force in the West Bank changed direction towards resistance, Israel's days would be numbered.

For the full article: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4568482,00.html

Looks like someone hijacked your account. Your post is only 3 paragraphs.

As to the topic, another reason for Israel to make concessions in the west bank. If they can stop annexing land there for more than 5 minutes anyway.

Edited September 7, 2014 by Karee

[OriZ 3,157]

Reason FOR concessions? Are you kidding me? All you need to do is listen to what Hamas themselves say, that's all it takes. No need for intel, no sophisticated equipment, just to listen to what they say they want and how they want to achieve it.

I have written many times I think Abbas is a brave leader and Israel HAS to find a way to make peace with him. But there is a huge difference between that - which would have to be accompanied by some strict security measures at least for a while to make sure things are stable enough - which even he has so far been reluctant to sufficiently help with - and doing it unilaterally which I am completely against.

Speaking of Abbas...he's seriously mad at Hamas:

"If Hamas won't accept a Palestinian State with one government, one law, and one weapon - then there won't be any partnership between us," said Abbas. "This is our condition, and we won't back away from it."

"We will only be talking to Hamas if they meet our requirements. The partnership with Hamas depends on arms being under the control of the Palestinian State," said Abbas referring to Hamas' underground military wing led by Mohammed Deif.

Abbas said that he demands that the Palestinian Authority be responsible for State decision including when to declare war or sign a peace deal. Khaled Mashaal, the political leader of Hamas, doesn't seem agreeable to these terms according to Abbas.

"Mashaal told me, 'I'm the resistance leader and there will be no ceasefire (between Hamas and Israel) without my agreement,'" said Abbas. One of the Palestinian journalists who took part in the meeting suggested that Abbas is expected to make an official announcement Sunday, during a meeting with Arab League ministers, that the PA will cease the reconciliation dialogue unless Hamas agrees to comply with his stated requirements.

The PA President made similarly threatening comments last week during a television interview in which he addressed an announcement from Hamas that they would be the ones to choose war or peace with Israel. Abbas said in the interview that he opposes the statement and that according to the current reconciliation agreement, decisions of war or peace lay with the PA.

According to Abbas, if this condition doesn't manifest itself into reality, there would be anarchy and no point in keeping with a reconciliation agreement.

"One side can't unilaterally declare war," said Abbas. "That isn't unity or reconciliation." He also stressed that any reconstruction plan in Gaza will be carried out under the authority of the PA.

He also mentioned Hamas' boasts at the end of the operation that the organization was "allowing Israelis to return to the homes."

"Who will return Gaza's residents to their homes?" asked Abbas sarcastically. He continued his criticism of Hamas, asking how they could have been surprised by Israel's military response after having abducted and murdered three Israeli teenagers and then firing rockets at Israel.

Abbas also launched criticism against rocket fire from Gaza, saying that some 4,000 had been fired, but only three Israelis were killed as a result. He added that Hamas' interest in democracy was only as a way to gain power.

More here http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4568206,00.html

[OriZ 3,157]

Since the fighting began near the border, dozens of Israeli Arabs come every day to the tourists ramp in front of the border crossing, to witness the jeeps of the brutal murderers, starring on Al Jazeera network and YouTube channels.

Contrary to the Israeli public which sees the Syrian Civil war as a local anecdote, the Arab public in Israel is anxious and shaken by the violence the extreme Organization inflicts on local residents. For extremist rebel groups, Jews, moderate Muslims, Druze, Christians, Yezidis and Turkmen - all heretics deserving of death. The Enemy across the border surprisingly created a change in the public discourse of dozens of concerned viewers on the ramp.

Marwan Kimrat, a Bedouin from the village of Avtin which served as a scout in border security, is prepared to volunteer to fight against the murderous organization, and suggested: "The IDF must enter Syria to destroy the rebels. Israel has the most powerful army in the region and is the only one who can destroy them. His nephew Muhammad Kimrat, at the time refused to enlist, has decided to enlist in the wake of the security situation. Next to the Islamic beheaders and baby killers, Syrian President Assad that had recently killed hundreds of people with chemical weapons, becomes a stable and positive figure.

The Druze in the Golan, who traditionally support the Assad regime, are very afraid for the fate of their relatives on the other side of the border. They argue that Islamic rebels are preparing to take over the Syrian Druze villages in the Golan Heights and slaughter them all. Many of them have already fled and became refugees. Israeli Druze residents of the Golan Heights try to help their displaces families as much as possible with money and other donations such as tents, clothing and basic foodstuffs.

Eyub Shawki, who owns the hotel "Tuscany in the Golan", feels the rising pressure in the region. Unlike the situation in previous years, The family run hotel that he owns is almost empty. He believes that there is insufficient IDF presence in the area and feels insecure because of the situation.

Some residents even expressed anger at the medical and humanitarian aid that Israel gives the rebels. It is also known about two young men from the Golan Heights, crossed the border to Syria to fight alongside Assad's forces against rebels, according to reports on the Facebook page, they are still alive.

http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4567744,00.html

Did you see that? people in an occupied territory want MORE of the IDF. Who would have thought. On top of that you have many of them saying 'up until now we were all against enlisting to the IDF but now we want to enlist so we can help go and fight ISIS'.

When you realize what you have...

[Karee 4,191]

Reason FOR concessions? Are you kidding me? All you need to do is listen to what Hamas themselves say, that's all it takes. No need for intel, no sophisticated equipment, just to listen to what they say they want and how they want to achieve it.

I have written many times I think Abbas is a brave leader and Israel HAS to find a way to make peace with him. But there is a huge difference between that - which would have to be accompanied by some strict security measures at least for a while to make sure things are stable enough - which even he has so far been reluctant to sufficiently help with - and doing it unilaterally which I am completely against.

Speaking of Abbas...he's seriously mad at Hamas:

"If Hamas won't accept a Palestinian State with one government, one law, and one weapon - then there won't be any partnership between us," said Abbas. "This is our condition, and we won't back away from it."

"We will only be talking to Hamas if they meet our requirements. The partnership with Hamas depends on arms being under the control of the Palestinian State," said Abbas referring to Hamas' underground military wing led by Mohammed Deif.

Abbas said that he demands that the Palestinian Authority be responsible for State decision including when to declare war or sign a peace deal. Khaled Mashaal, the political leader of Hamas, doesn't seem agreeable to these terms according to Abbas.

"Mashaal told me, 'I'm the resistance leader and there will be no ceasefire (between Hamas and Israel) without my agreement,'" said Abbas. One of the Palestinian journalists who took part in the meeting suggested that Abbas is expected to make an official announcement Sunday, during a meeting with Arab League ministers, that the PA will cease the reconciliation dialogue unless Hamas agrees to comply with his stated requirements.

The PA President made similarly threatening comments last week during a television interview in which he addressed an announcement from Hamas that they would be the ones to choose war or peace with Israel. Abbas said in the interview that he opposes the statement and that according to the current reconciliation agreement, decisions of war or peace lay with the PA.

According to Abbas, if this condition doesn't manifest itself into reality, there would be anarchy and no point in keeping with a reconciliation agreement.

"One side can't unilaterally declare war," said Abbas. "That isn't unity or reconciliation." He also stressed that any reconstruction plan in Gaza will be carried out under the authority of the PA.

He also mentioned Hamas' boasts at the end of the operation that the organization was "allowing Israelis to return to the homes."

"Who will return Gaza's residents to their homes?" asked Abbas sarcastically. He continued his criticism of Hamas, asking how they could have been surprised by Israel's military response after having abducted and murdered three Israeli teenagers and then firing rockets at Israel.

Abbas also launched criticism against rocket fire from Gaza, saying that some 4,000 had been fired, but only three Israelis were killed as a result. He added that Hamas' interest in democracy was only as a way to gain power.

More here http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4568206,00.html

Apparently you're not reading half of the drivel you post. Abbas/Fatah is running things in the west bank. Hamas is running things in Gaza. Yet what does Israel do in the west bank? More stolen land, more settlements, more abuse from the Israeli military, more abuse from extremist settlers. And people like you wonder why Hamas has the support they do?

It's pretty obvious that people will be attracted to extreme elements when the moderate elements are seen as ineffective. The Israeli govt. has done a bang up job doing everything in their power to make Abbas weak. IMO they've done that on purpose.

[OriZ 3,157]

No no no...you're not reading what I post. I've posted many times about the security cooperation between Israel and Abbas, which given an Israeli withdrawal would leave Abbas in a similar situation in the west bank as happened in Gaza. Abbas was running things there, too, till Israel withdrew and Hamas took over. Just recently it was revealed that Hamas was planning a coup against Abbas in the west bank too, I guess you didn't read me post that either. And so on and so forth. The bottom line is the only thing preventing the west bank from turning into Gaza, or worse, an Isis land, is the Israeli presence there. If Israel withdrew without the proper arrangements Abbas would be toppled in months if not weeks.

Abbas is not weak. Abbas is smart. He is taking care of things through the political and non violent front and pushing Israel into all sorts of corners there. That's much more effective and legitimate resistance than what Hamas does.

But internally, that could hurt him, cause he's not prepared to do the same violent things Hamas would do which is why Hamas would take over 10 times out of 10.

Edited September 8, 2014 by OriZ

[GBCW 397]

He is taking care of things through the political and non violent front and pushing Israel into all sorts of corners there. That's much more effective and legitimate resistance than what Hamas does.

But internally, that could hurt him, cause he's not prepared to do the same violent things Hamas would do which is why Hamas would take over 10 times out of 10.

How is it more effective if it's their #1 source of weakness?

[OriZ 3,157]

A 12-year-old Syrian boy was brought to the Ziv Medical Center in Safed for medical treatment over the weekend after he was severely wounded near Damascus. This was not the first time a wounded Syrian arrived in an Israel hospital for treatment – but no patient has ever crossed the border in this fashion.

The boy told the hospital staff that he had been taken by his brother to the Israeli border near the Syrian slopes of the Hermon, on the back of a donkey."

The young boy apparently sustained the wounds several weeks ago when a mortar shell hit his home in the outskirts of Damascus. He lost sight in both eyes, and was severely wounded in both his arms and one of his legs.

According to the boy, his family had initially taken him to a hospital in the Beqaa Valley in east Lebanon where doctors amputated his right hand. He was discharged after being given superficial treatment for his other injuries.

Due to the fighting in Syria, the family could not return the boy to his home in Damascus, at which point his brother decided to try to take him to Israel for treatment.

The boy explained that he and his brother crossed the Syrian side of Mount Hermon on a donkey until they reached an Israeli military post at the border. IDF soldiers transferred the boy to the medical center in Safed.

"The boy came in with one of his arms severed at the elbow and the other hand shattered as a result of the blast," said Dr. Alexander Lerner, head of the orthopedic department at the hospital.

"He also suffers from a comminuted fracture, and loss of tissue in one of his legs, and he has lost his vision. The boy is conscious, and although he is still agitated, he is communicative and understands what happened. He most likely had to go through a difficult journey to get here," he said.

Dr. Alexander Lerner believes that despite the severe injury, the boy will be able to walk again. "We intend to perform a series of operations on the boy's wounded leg and foot, in an attempt to save them from amputation and get them to function properly as much as possible."

"He is facing a long, difficult treatment period, but the goal is to eventually bring back his ability to walk and function with his damaged hand. According to the few stories we heard, this is a brave boy who has been through a difficult ordeal and survived –therefore I am optimistic and believe that he will be able to walk again," Lerner added.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4568498,00.html

peace starts from the bottom, from the people, the people that year after year more and more of them realize that all the libel they were told by their totalitarian regimes about the Israelis being demons were nothing but lies. these are the types of things that lead to peace, not "leaders". I remember when I was in London about 14 years ago there was a huge demonstration against Israel in Hyde Park. We found a Syrian guy there that had all sorts of ridiculous claims about Israel, goes way beyond occupation, you will not believe what some of those people are fed. I don't remember exactly what that was about in that particular instance, but you can find many examples online of similar thoughts. Anyway, we asked him where that came from and he said that's what he was told by the media and the regime back in Syria.

But with the humanitarian work done between SACH and many other things, they are starting to find out that what they were told is simply not true. Less brainwashed people means more chance for peace. Peace will grow from beneath, not from above.

[OriZ 3,157]

How is it more effective if it's their #1 source of weakness?

More effective on the international front. Easier for people to sympathize with people that resist in non violent means. Less effective domestically cause Fatah is weaker than Hamas. But internationally, it is pushing Israel into a corner.

[OriZ 3,157]

Meanwhile the Arab population in Israel is divided.

The Islamic State has surged in popularity and won over supporters worldwide – even in Israel.

"Any person who bad-mouths the Islamic State is not a Muslim," wrote a Facebook users, one of the many who have not hesitated to express their support in the past three days, when the Defense Ministry announced that ISIS was an "illegal organization."

Israeli Arabs support Islamic State

The Arab sector in Israel has been inundated with conversations and confrontations over the topic not only online, but also in cafés and mosques.

Last week an Imam praised the terror group during Friday prayers at a northern Israel mosque: "ISIS is on the right path."

Many worshippers were upset with the statement, shouting at him: "You are defending a terror organization. We will not pray at the mosque as long as you hold such murderous thoughts of terror. You must realize that our religion does not teach us to murder people – Muslims, Christians, Jews, or Druze."

At another mosque in the area, a physical confrontation erupted because of an argument on ISIS, after one worshipper said "the Islamic State is the only one that can establish an Islamic state, and it is good they are punishing people. I hope they make it to Israel."

ISIS supporters among Israeli Arabs

Fellow worshippers jumped the man, cursing at him. "You are terrorist scum, and you have nothing to say to us. Get out of here; we do not want to see your ilk." The situation did not improve until local residents intervened.

One sheikh from the Galilee admitted to supporting the group. "I personally support ISIS, and I think all the clips published against them are fabricated. If it is authenticated, that they are really killers, then we are against the murders and hope they will continue on their path without the killing. They can fix themselves."

One resident of triangle region said her husband has supported ISIS since he had heard of them. "He always prays Allah provides them strength. He has become very radical. I personally object."

She said his radicalization was worrying. "Every time that I tell him that he is not thinking clearly, he threatens me and tells me 'stop your nonsense. If you are not satisfied, you can leave the house. I will divorce you.'"

"I do not know what to do. I am tired of him. He is ruining our lives without even noticing," she lamented.

Nazareth police took down signs with verses from the Quran listed side-by-side with threatening messages. "We took down a big sign with an ISIS symbol next to hurtful, inciting statements like 'infidels that do not accept Islam – will have their limbs severed from their bodies.'"

The local police chief said he turned to the mayor when the signs were replaced. "It's unacceptable that we are trying to return tourists to the city and it is flooded with hateful signs."

Islamic State supporters among Israeli Arabs

One Arab from northern Israel left his family several months ago to infiltrate into Syria and fight on the side of the rebels. He recently joined ISIS, sending a picture of himself holding weapons near their flag.

His relatives, who stay in touch with him through Facebook, confirmed his new placement, but said "we still don't know his position on the horrifying clips that have been published. If he has supported them, we will cut off all contact with him."

The head of the southern faction of the Islamic movement, Sheikh Hamad Abu Daa'bas, said that "ISIS raises reasonable demands like the establishment of an Islamic state, but their methods for reaching their objective raise concern in many nations across the world."

He stressed that "ISIS was hurting their cause by filming their cruel and disgusting acts. I am against the murders, but it is important to note that the killing methods of Israel and the US are not better than the crimes of the Islamic State. If it were not for the shocking ways in which they kill, it would be possible to see ISIS like any other Jihadi organization."

Abed Mansour, a resident of Tira, vehemently objects to the Islamic terror group. "I know many people who have started to support ISIS. There are at least a thousand of them in this city alone. They have turned into dangerous people. I sometimes wonder if they are behind the murder and violence spree in our sector."

"ISIS are not Muslims and have no connection to Islam. Our religion respects all other religions and faiths, and not in their manner. ISIS is sullying the name of Islam and its history. They are stealing, raping, and abusing. Where does it order that in the Quran?"

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4568144,00.html

[OriZ 3,157]

And then you have this guy.

Over 500 blue and white Israeli flags dotted a solidarity rally held for Israel in Stockholm that was organized by the Zionist Federation in Sweden on August 31. Among those holding the Israeli flag, was featured speaker Mostafa Geha, a Muslim Lebanese activist and writer, who co-founded the Lebanon Israel Peace Project.

In an exclusive interview with Tazpit News Agency, Geha explains why he supports Israel and why he is involved with projects that promote peace between Israel and Lebanon.

When Geha was eight-years-old, his father, an intellectual thinker and writer on Islam, was assassinated by Hezbollah in Lebanon because of his ideas. "I cannot forget what happened to my father," Geha told Tazpit. "I was blessed with a strong mother who was able to raise me and my siblings as a single parent but the bloody experience of my family will always stay with me."

Geha too was targeted by Hezbollah terrorists two years ago on April 14, 2012 as he was leaving work. Shots were fired at his vehicle as he was driving, but he survived the assassination attempt and immediately sought asylum in Sweden, where he lives today.

He recalls that his father wrote about making peace with Israel. "Now I do the same. We must build good relations with Israel, and the Jewish people have the right to a good life without terror and wars."

"I believe that if we make peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon, we can have an amazing region," he says.

Studying the region from a historical point of view, Geha believes that much can be learned from the past. "If we look to our history, we will see how Hiram, the King of Tyre sent building materials and men for the original construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. King Solomon and King Hiram had strong relations and I hope that we will build these relations between Lebanon and Israel once again."

Geha says that some of his friends have cut contact with him because of his opinions and views. "I can understand them – they are afraid," Geha told Tazpit. “But I also have some nice Israeli and Jewish friends that I’m proud of.”

He believes that organizations like ISIS, Hezbollah and Hamas are destroying the Middle East with their ideologies and actions. "They are terrorists and don't believe in human rights and kill anyone who doesn't agree with their crazy, fanatic ideologies."

"The fight against this terrorism is the duty of moral individuals and humanitarians. It is the obligation of people who want to live in peace with each other and who wish to benefit from freedom and human liberty that everyone has a right to receive," emphasizes Geha.

"Supporting Israel is a form of standing against terrorism. Because my father was murdered by terrorists, I know exactly how people feel when they are under terror attack and that's another reason for me to stand with Israel. The daily reality is not easy for the Jewish people in the land of their fathers and they have an absolute right to defend themselves."

Geha still hopes for a better future for his country and people. "I want to see our next generation playing and studying together in friendship with Israel. I hope that Lebanon will become a liberal democratic country free of bloody ideologies."

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4568271,00.html

Edited September 8, 2014 by OriZ

[Dan and Judy 614]

Interesting. I was hanging out here a couple years ago. The general tone seems to be less favorable to Israel now. I was leaning toward Israel but I'm having trouble coming up with an excuse for the latest land grab in the West Bank.

[GBCW 397]

When two sides are as entrenched into their positions and as unwilling to compromise as these two sides are, the only way to achieve victory is through total victory. I am sure everyone knows what that means.

[OriZ 3,157]

Lovely,

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4568546,00.html

[GandD 5,966]

~~Title edited to match article~~