The group that the European Union recently claimed 'is not a terrorist organization' is responsible for tonight's bombing of a Tel Aviv nightclub which killed at least four and injured scores more.
and the AP report that a senior Palestinian security official lays the blame for the bombing sqarely on the shoulders of the Lebanese based Hizbullah.
While the individual who carried out the suicide attack was a leader of the al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade in the West Bank town of Tulkarm, the PA denies that the military branch of Yassir Arafat's Fatah movement had anything to do with the attack. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the Palestinian official claims that Hizbullah recruited and paid for the homicide mission.
Other media reports that factions within the al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade and Islamic Jihad claimed joint responsibility for the attack, but leaders of al Aqsa later denied involvement. The Associated Press also speculates that certain cells within al Aqsa are receiving money and orders from Hizbullah. If that is the case, than the Palestinian Authority's ability to control militants within its ranks may be severely limited.
Hizbullah has recently made threats against leaders in the anti-Syrian uprising in Lebanon. Syria has occupied Lebanon for over a decade and allowed Hizbullah freedom to launch attacks against Israel from Lebanese territory. Hizbullah is a recognized political party in Lebanon with strong ties to both Syria and Iran.
Despite Hizbullah's known connection to the murder of American soldiers and Israeli civilians, the European Union has been reluctant to formally declare the group a terrorist organization.
Leaders of Hizbullah in Lebanon have disclaimed the attacks calling the accusation that they were behind the mass murder "lies."
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Hisbollah wants Israel to retaliate against Lebanon to distract from the Hariri killing and the Syrian occupation. Israel should delay it's response, or do a limited targeted assassination. A major airstrike on Lebanon would play into Hisbollah's hands right now.
Posted by: Carlos at February 26, 2005 09:47 AM (8e/V4)
Posted by: Rusty Shackleford at February 26, 2005 10:09 AM (ywZa8)
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It seems that after 55 years of this shi- we would get mad enought to blow all the MuslimFascists to He--! Why are we not doing something?
Posted by: Rod Stanton at February 26, 2005 02:53 PM (QMgRR)
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European Union? Reminds me of an antique shop attempting to stock modern merchandise.
Posted by: greyrooster at February 26, 2005 09:03 PM (CBNGy)
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Israel is NOT going to attack Lebanon. After the Hairari assassination Lebanon was placed firmly on the west's side vis a vis the WOT... why would you attack an ally when there's a perfectly good enemy to go after?
To the guy who runs this blog (a fine job you do btw)... I think you should be VERY careful about declaring that Syria is responsible for either the Beirut or the Tel Aviv attack.
There's no concrete evidence yet - of course they're the most likely suspects... however if they really were brazen enough to take such actions in this climate (post Saddam & Arafat; Bush on a policy-endorsing 2nd term), and assuming they're half-witted enough to at least hold down a consistent foreign policy, then I'd say the prospect of this escalating into a US-Syrian conflict is very high indeed.
Just think about it - if this continues how can Bush avoid a Syria-US war without reneging on his policies? How can he justify invading one """terrorist state""" but leaving a much more credible enemy unscathed? And why the hell would he do that when (rightly or wrongly) his stance at least seems, to the American public, to be working?
My money would be on Syria realising (if they haven't already) how self-destructive they're being and so doing a massive u-turn, whilst denying the terrorism charge all along. The problem is that that would leave the window open for Al Qaeda to move in (if they haven't already) and massively enflame the situation.
Declaring who did this prematurely can only incite hostility between the two sides, possibly causing a war that could otherwise be avoided. You shouldn't give Al Qaeda the satisfaction of wielding so much power over our Governments.
Posted by: Martin at February 27, 2005 08:07 AM (WnUPO)
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>>>"Declaring who did this prematurely can only incite hostility between the two sides, possibly causing a war that could otherwise be avoided. You shouldn't give Al Qaeda the satisfaction of wielding so much power over our Governments."
It seems to me that the "power" Al-Qaida has so far wielded over our governments has only turned around and bit Al-Qaida in the ass. The more we play into Al-Qaida's hands, the worse for them, and the better for the world in general. They are rueing the day we played into their hands.
Posted by: Carlos at February 27, 2005 01:30 PM (8e/V4)
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well, Israel is taking it out on the Palestinian people.They have no control of Hezbollah which is located in Lebanon but Arial Sharon does not care; he's already shut down talks and the road to peace plan because of what a Lebonese terrorist did.
What a jerk. I hope they VOTE him OUT soon or there will never be peace - and that's something Ariel Sharon does not want with the Palestinian people, so he'll use any excuse.
The man should be assassinated, so we can go forward. So THEY can go forward.
Cindy
Posted by: firstbrokenangel at February 27, 2005 11:20 PM (PEKrh)
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Cindy... nice to hear some non-right views but advocating the assassination of an Israeli premier is a really silly thing to do, especially given that country's history of assassinations. Were it to happen it wouldn't be your Palestinian friends doing it either - it'd be the Israeli far right (beneficial??!). I genuinely think Sharon has turned a corner and until he does something idiotic (won't be long, I'm sure) we should give him the benefit of the doubt.
Carlos... "The more we play into Al-Qaida's hands, the worse for them" - really? I wonder if the Spanish would agree - they allowed Al Qaida to elect their (leftist) Government! Was that a good idea??
Posted by: Martin at February 28, 2005 11:08 AM (WnUPO)
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Well Martin, he has cut off talks with the Palestinian people and has even said today that Abbas better get the terror groups under control.
AND it has already been proven the bombing of Tel Avev was caused by Hezbolla = a terrorist group from Syria - they've claimed responsibility - or don't you watch the news?
Rod, I am with you on this because I'm tired of this shit. Yes we are moving troops out slowly but the terrorists in one car bomb today, killed over 115 people, injuring 130 in Iraq - they are going after the Iraqi people who want a job of either Policemen or National Guard. I think in their best interest, they should take the guys from Iraq to a safer place, to do training, the physicals and whatnot because those are the places the terrorists are attacking. Sure we found another van filled with explosives and walking the roads finding the IED's and then communication between Bin Laden and Zarqawi. Every day Fox shows something good going on in Iraq, so we stop more than what happens. Those beheaded women with "spy" written on them could be people who have reported to the forces or to the ING that something is going on in a nearby home. So.. they are standing up for themselves. Today Lebenon did an unprecedended thing and you will see more changes in the Middle East - which is kind of exciting because they are all thumbing their noses to the terrorists whom they do not want in their country. As long as they stay off our soil, the more happier I'll be. It'll be hard and messy for awhile but in the end, it will be worth it. I hope I live long enough to see it happen. I might be 51, but feel 151. Sometimes I have to take a break and sit back, not say anything but when I run into such ignorance, I can't help it; I have to say something.
But one thing we all have to do no matter what we believe and that is supporting our troops wherever they are in the world, but especially those in Iraq right now. We also need to support each other and if there is something you really don't know about, I suggest hitting law books and start reading.
Cindy
Posted by: firstbrokenangel at February 28, 2005 11:13 PM (PEKrh)
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Hmmm! An American calling for the assasination of a freely elected head of state of Another country. I rather thought that would be a Islamofacist thing.
Posted by: greyrooster at March 01, 2005 07:53 AM (CBNGy)
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**Cindy sed**
he has cut off talks with the Palestinian people...
AND it has already been proven the bombing of Tel Avev was caused by Hezbolla = a terrorist group from Syria - they've claimed responsibility - or don't you watch the news?
*************
Sharon most certainly has NOT cut off talks with the Palestinian leadership... I don't know where you got that idea from. And his administration isn't just talking, they're "chatting" - look at the TV interviews with any Israeli spokesmen and the rhetoric they're coming up with is a total u-turn on the kind of crap they trudged out a few months ago when Arafat was alive.
Also you know perfectly well that it hasn't been PROVEN Hezbollah did the Tel Aviv bomb - terrorist groups make false claims of responsibility all the time, especially Palestinian ones which overlap in such a complicated way. And even if the claim is genuine... who *exactly* is making that claim? The leadership of Hezbollah, or a bunch of nutters from a discredited offshoot?
Posted by: Martin at March 01, 2005 10:47 AM (WnUPO)
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