June 16, 2006

Krauthammer Hammers Gaza Terrorists

Charles Krauthammer asks, "Who is to blame if Palestinians are setting up rocket launchers to attack Israel -- and placing them 400 yards from a beach crowded with Palestinian families on the Muslim Sabbath?"

This is another example of the Palestinians' classic and cowardly human-shield tactic -- attacking innocent Israeli civilians while hiding behind innocent Palestinian civilians. For Palestinian terrorists -- and the Palestinian governments (both Fatah and Hamas) that allow them to operate unmolested -- it's a win-win: If their rockets aimed into Israeli towns kill innocent Jews, no one abroad notices and it's another success in the terrorist war against Israel. And if Israel's preventive and deterrent attacks on those rocket bases inadvertently kill Palestinian civilians, the iconic "Israeli massacre" picture makes the front page ,of the New York Times, and the Palestinians win the propaganda war.

Being a terrorist who targets Israel seems like an easy job; you are never to blame for anything, you get to play with guns and rockets, and your victims give your government support. The whole "getting blown up by a missile strike" thing is definitely a downside, though...

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June 15, 2006

Suitcases of Cash

What is going on with the Palestinians? First, they lost $450,000 in a hotel room. Then they were caught with $80,000 at a checkpoint. Now they have carried $22 million into the territories in 2 days in suitcases:

A Hamas government minister returned to the
Gaza Strip on Thursday with $2 million in his luggage for his money-starved government, a day after the foreign minister brought $20 million in cash into the coastal strip.

Security officials said Information Minister Yousef Rizka turned over the money to the Finance Ministry after crossing the border Thursday.

Fearing U.S. anti-terrorism sanctions, international banks have refused to allow Hamas to transfer money electronically to the Palestinian areas. In recent days, Hamas officials have taken matters into their own hands, physically carrying donations in their luggage.

Foreign Minister Mahmoud Zahar arrived with $20 million on Wednesday.


Where are the Ocean's 11 when we need them? The gang from The Italian Job? The Usual Suspects? All busy...anyone have a gun so we can go make some money?

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June 12, 2006

Hamas Shows Incompetence, Ends Ceasefire

Friday, 7 (or 8, depending on the source) Palestinian civilians were killed in an explosion on a Gaza beach. Hamas claims that Israeli artillery shells killed them and used the deaths as an excuse to end the fragile ceasefire with Israel.

Israel is now telling its side of the story:

An Israel Defense Forces intelligence officer has confirmed that the explosion that killed eight Palestinians on Friday, was caused by a stockpile of Hamas explosives.

"Shortly after we stopped defensive firing at Hamas rocket launch pads which were deployed behind Palestinian human shields, members of Hamas scrambled to fire more rockets at our positions," said Col. M. "We have eyes on every meter of Gaza, from the sky, from the ground and from the sea. One of their rocket tripods collapsed inadvertently setting off an explosion of a stockpile of Qassam rockets. The Palestinians killed their own children. And this was not the first time."

Hamas terrorists fired rockets and mortar bombs from a crowded Gaza beach at southern Israel. Some of the rockets fell near the Israel city of Ashkelon. Some 17 rockets were fired between Saturday and Sunday morning. A man at a school in the Israel town of Sderot was wounded, Israel officials said.

Israel Maj.-Gen. Yoav Galant said today that the Israel Defense Forces has additional evidence that it wasn't Israel artillery that hit the beach in Gaza. Galant, who commands Israel's southern command, said Israel stopped firing 15 minutes before the explosion. It's all on secure videotape from both sides of the conflict. Israel Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said he was sorry about the deaths, which included three children.

Hamas knows what happened, they know their own incompetent terrorists killed their own people. And they still use the incident as an excuse to end the ceasefire. Why? Hamas is in a nasty fight with Fatah over control of the PA government, and the best way to maintain support is to find an external enemy to bring the faithful back into the fold. Wag the dog, if you will.

Roll the video, Galant.

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May 23, 2006

Israel Captures Hamas Military Leader

Using an army bulldozer to break down the walls of his hideout, the Israelis captured Ibrahim Hamed, the most-wanted Hamas terrorist leader on the West Bank.

From Haaretz.com:

After an eight-year manhunt, Israeli security forces early Tuesday seized the Ramallah-area commander of Hamas' military wing, Israel's most wanted man in the West Bank.

Sheikh Ibrahim Hamed, 41, has been wanted since 1998 for terror attacks that claimed the lives of 78 of Israeli civilians and soldiers.

Hamed was arrested at a hideout in the al-Balua neighborhood of Ramallah, surrendering to a combined force of Israel Defense Forces Dukefat troops, the Shin Bet security service, and the police anti-terror unit.

Apparently, Hamed decided to surrender, alone and unarmed, when the walls started collapsing. An Israeli military spokesman stated that the capture will significantly impede Hamas' capabilities since Hamed will be hard to replace. He was known to be a creative bomber who allegedly masterminded attacks resulting in the deaths of scores of people.

From the BBC, check out this astonishing statement.

BBC correspondent Caroline Hawley in Jerusalem says it is not clear why the army moved against Hamad.
Excuse me! I'd suggest that the BBC hire a new correspondent to report from Jerusalem.

From Interested-Participant.

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April 21, 2006

Hamas Appointment Reaffirms Terrorist Roots

Hopes held by some that Hamas' new responsibilities as the elected government of the Palestinian Authority would civilize the terrorist organization fade a little more each day.

From Reuters:

GAZA (Reuters) - A militant leader appointed to a senior security position in the Hamas-led Palestinian government said on Friday he would not abandon the fight against Israel which has long sought to kill him.

Jamal Abu Samhadana, high on Israel's most wanted list as leader of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), was appointed on Thursday to supervise the Interior Ministry and set up a new police force from militants to crack down on anarchy and chaos.

"Factions and security services should unite in one trench against the daily Israeli aggression against our people," Abu Samhadana told Reuters in an interview.

In case there was any hope that high office and its responsibilities would mellow Samhadana:
"I will continue to hold the rifle and will pull the trigger whenever required to defend my people," he said.
As has become apparent from recent events, "defending" the Palestinian people still means killing Israelis in falafel houses.

Cross-posted at The Dread Pundit Bluto, Stop the ACLU, and Vince Aut Morire.

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April 17, 2006

Hamas Officially Endorses Suicide Attack

A Palestinian suicide bomber murdered 8 people outside a falafel house in Tel Aviv today, the carnage limited because a security guard prevented the teenager from entering the restaurant.

From the New York Times:

A Hamas spokesman, Sami Abu Zuhri called the attack "a natural result of the continued Israeli crimes against our people," adding that Palestinians were "in a state of self-defense and they have every right to use all means to defend themselves," according to Reuters.
So here we have the raionale used by brave jihadi babyhunters everywhere: self-defense - a view endorsed by a majority of the Palestinian people.

All those Jews armed with falafels; who knows what they might be capable of?

Also posted at The Dread Pundit Bluto and Vince Aut Morire.

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April 10, 2006

UN Agency Handling Palestinian Aid Linked to Terrorism

On Saturday, I wrote that the United States and the European Union are cutting off funding to the Palestinian Authority now that Hamas has taken control. Apparently, the announced aid cuts are merely a shellgame.

On April 7, the Washington Post reported that US aid to Palestinians is being redirected through the U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). As the Wall Street Journal Opinion Journal discovered three years ago, the UNRWA has been infiltrated by terrorist sympathizers, and the "refugee" camps administered by UNRWA are, in reality, terrorist training camps (via IRIS Blog).

Thanks to Tel-Chai Nation who has more.

Also posted at The Dread Pundit Bluto and Vince Aut Morire.

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April 07, 2006

US, EU Shut Off Money Tap to Palestinian Authority

As I pointed out here after the Hamas election win, it is illegal for the US to give aid to a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.

From Reuters:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States and the European Commission suspended aid to the new Hamas-led Palestinian government on Friday, pushing the Palestinian Authority closer to financial collapse.

The State Department, making its announcement, said it would boost humanitarian aid to the Palestinians through U.N. agencies to avoid widespread distress in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, but the United States would not fund an organization committed to the destruction of Israel.

But surely, their Muslim brothers will rush in to fill the gap?
Hamas has appealed to Arab states and Iran to fill the shortfall, but has not even been able to find a bank willing to handle its finances.
Maybe because its chief (only) export is terrorism.

Also posted at The Dread Pundit Bluto and Vince Aut Morire.

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March 09, 2006

On Hamas as OK, somewhat equivalent to Israel

Hello hello again, readers. I have been AWOL as of late, but I wanted to share an interesting hobby that I have acquired before I return into my wine-induced slumber.

Reading college newspapers, especially the editorials, always provides a chuckle or two. I think it's something about the mix of idealism of change yet the laziness to enact change that just nails the irony bone in the right spot. Of course, there are those creative editorials that attempt to advance typical left-wing talking points; I guess there is something to be said for truly mimicking the national media, just it seems too easy to do on a college campus as those places generally are leftist echo chambers.

That said, I found an editorial today that even took the wind out of my sails. The race between "sad" and "mind-bendingly funny" is pretty close, so I leave it to others to judge.

The jist is that Hamas' rise to power isn't really so bad. So what? We have heard that a thousand times before in stories of Hamas' "pragmatism". No, what makes this great (and something that could only be pulled off in print on a college campus) is the stated position that Hamas and Israel are in fact very similar. The editorial, from the student newspaper of George Washington University, tries to toe a fine line -- both validate Hamas through comparisons with Israel, yet still twist facts to demonstrate Israel's villiany. Logically, that makes little sense, but don't worry. The author is a senior, majoring in Middle East studies, so I sure he just knows a more subtle version of the truth than we do.

I provide some of my point-by-point opinions behind the fold, but I leave you with a taste of what the editorial has in store...

While it refuses to recognize the state of Israel, there is a historical point worth noting: at the initiation of the Oslo process in 1993, Israel had not recognized the Palestinians right to a state. Even informal recognition did not come until Ehud Barak was elected prime minister several years later. A formal public statement acknowledging the right of Palestinians to a state was not made until Ariel Sharon became prime minister. In spite of this lack of recognition, the Palestinians pursued negotiations with the Israelis, hoping that a viable state would come in the final agreement. The precedent exists for engaging in negotiations without recognition at the outset. more...

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February 15, 2006

On Heroism True

Sometimes, maybe once in a generation, a true hero stands up. An epic figure who does not care what others say or what others may think. These giants of humanity are not afraid to be alone and hold their ground in the face of overwhelming odds. We see these people and think they are John the Baptist reborn, a lone voice in the wilderness.

Today, ladies and gentlemen, we have seen one of these heroes. I present to you, the Honorable Representative of the 1st District in Hawai'i, Neil Abercrombie.

Rep Amb copy.jpg

When presented the chance today to vote on the bill "expressing the sense of Congress that no United States assistance should be provided directly to the Palestinian Authority if any representative political party holding a majority of parliamentary seats within the Palestinian Authority maintains a position calling for the destruction of Israel," Representative Abercrombie had the courage to oppose the votes of Reps. Jackson (D-IL), Jackson-Lee (D-TX), Conyers (D-MI), and Minority Leader Pelosi (D-CA). He also managed to oppose the vote of Majority Leader Boehner (R-OH) at the same time.

Represenative Abercrombie was the lone 'Nay' vote.

For some reason, I am reminded of an old Monty Python sketch on the value of not being seen. Really, if you feel this way, maybe it would have been best for you to not stand up. Though it helps me weed out the mega-loons from the regular nuts.

Take some time to let Rep. Abercrombie know how you feel here.

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"We are a blood-drinking people"

Palestine Media Watch reports on a video added to a Hamas website this week, that features the parting messages of two suicide bombers:

Each terrorist had a separate message for Jews. This first said,

"My message to the loathed Jews is that there is no god but Allah, we will chase you everywhere! We are a nation that drinks blood, and we know that there is no blood better than the blood of Jews. We will not leave you alone until we have quenched our thirst with your blood, and our children's thirst with your blood. We will not leave until you leave the Muslim countries."

The second terrorist said the following:

"In the name of Allah, we will destroy you, blow you up, take revenge against you, [and] purify the land of you, pigs that have defiled our country... This operation is revenge against the sons of monkeys and pigs."

These are the folks with whom Israel is being urged to seek accommodation.

Also posted at The Dread Pundit Bluto and Vince Aut Morire.

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February 06, 2006

$700 Million Missing From Palestinian Accounts

Now, here's a situation where money turns up missing in a kleptocracy. Not unusual. In all candor, I would have been falling-down astonished if the books had even come close to balancing with all funds accounted for.

From ArabNews.com:

At least $700 million of funds from the Palestinian Authority's coffers have been misused or stolen by officials over the past few years. Citing an internal investigation, Palestinian Attorney-General Ahmed Al-Moghani told reporters yesterday that 50 cases of "financial and administrative corruption" had been discovered and 25 officials arrested so far.

He said 10 officials had fled abroad but that the Palestinian Authority was seeking their extradition.

"The amount of money that was squandered and stolen is more than $700 million," Moghani said. "Some of these millions were transferred into personal accounts here and abroad."

Hamas spokesman Mushir Al-Masri said it will be a top priority for the new government to go after the corrupt officials who stole the money and bring them to justice. Good luck with getting the money back.

I expect Hamas will begin complaining and whining about the sorry state of finances, blaming it all on the corrupt previous administration. Then, fresh corrupt officials will go to work in the Hamas government and it will be business as usual.

From Interested-Participant.

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February 02, 2006

Too Stupid To Draw Their Own Cartoons, I Guess

How apropos.

GAZA CITY — Armed militants angered by a cartoon drawing of the Prophet Muhammad published in European media surrounded EU offices in Gaza on Thursday and threatened to kidnap foreigners as outrage over the caricatures spread across the Islamic world.

Like they really, really need an excuse to kidnap foreigners.

These guys, they're ready for anything. Look how they dress up to post leaflets at the EU office in Gaza. Maybe they're afraid a cow might be catapulted out of the building onto them, and they armed themselves appropriately.

2_21_020206_gazacartoons8.jpg

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January 26, 2006

On post-Weimar Hamas

Abbas [singing]: Oh Hamas! You repaid my abuse with raw hatred. But I need you today. Oh Hamas! When you blew up some Jews and you framed me. So they locked me away...

Maybe it's my recent re-reading of Shirer's The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich talking, but someone stop me if I am crazy in seeing a few hard and fast similarities between Hamas and the late-1920s/early-1930s Nazi Party:

- both elected during times of minimal government control of the territory and in an area with a "poor" economic prospects, at best

- both groups gained fame as organizations for street thugs through open and unabashed violence

- both love a good outdoor ralley with pretty flags, weapons, and nationalistic chanting

- both love artistic posters in public places

- both appealed to the population with the promotion of territorial unification and seeking retribution against the Jews

- both were hoped to be "toned down" through elections and elevation within democratic offices, as world leaders rationalized that previous thuggish activities could never play well from a ruling government

Then again, there is one dissimilarity that really hits me. In November 1932, the last election before Hitler became Chancellor and the Nazis truly solidified power, the NSDAP only had 33.6% of parlimentary seats (down from the previous July, in which the Nazi held their greatest Weimar-era seat percentage at 37.8%). It seems that Hamas picked up about 57.5% of seats, with 76 out of 132.

I'm just sayin', is all.

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Reactions to Hamas' Win From Middle Eastern Press

While most Middle Eastern news outlets still have stories posted projecting a Fatah victory based on exit polling, a few have reacted to the real story. These two, from opposite sides of the Israeli-Palestinian fence, offer similar Pollyanna takes:

al Jazeera sees a tiny ray of sunshine:

And in a first sign of pragmatism, Mahmoud Zahar, a top Hamas official, said the group would extend its year-old truce if Israel reciprocates. "If not, then I think we will have no option but to protect our people and our land," he said.
The Jerusalem Post looks on the bright side:
"Now that they are in power, Hamas will have to take responsibility for the future. They will have to become more moderate. Now they are part of the democratic game and they will have to play by the democratic rules," Siniora said.

Siniora, a 69-year-old east Jerusalemite Christian, is publisher of The Jerusalem Times and a co-CEO of the Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information. An early proponent of negotiations with Israel, he has long been involved in pro-peace activities. He was one of seven candidates contending for one of the two seats reserved for Christians in the Jerusalem district, but is unlikely to win the seat.

Unfortunately, the reality will probably be much grimmer, at least in the short run. For years, it's been obvious that Palestinian society has been undergoing a forced evolution. The smart Palestinians have found ways to escape their role as tools of Pan-Arabism, and gotten out.

What's left are the dregs, mentally damaged barbarians who have bred a sick, twisted culture based on celebrating terrorist acts. What else can you say about a society that deifies degenerates who deliberately seek out children to murder?

Are there enough intelligent, mentally healthy Palestinians left to build a civilized society? I don't think so, but I'd be very glad to be proved wrong.

Also posted at The Dread Pundit Bluto .

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January 21, 2006

Hamas Hires Spin Doctor

With generations of Jew-hating suicide bombers as members, Hamas has been perceived as a group of fanatical murderers. This apparently conflicts with a desire to be seen as a peaceful community outreach organization. As a result, Hamas has hired a spin doctor to establish a new image among the Europeans and Americans.

From the Guardian:

The organisation, also known as the Islamic Resistance Movement, has hired a media consultant, Nashat Aqtash, to improve its image at home and abroad because it expects to emerge from next week's Palestinian general election as a major political force, and wants recognition and acceptance by the US and EU.

"Hamas has an image problem. The Israelis were able to create a very bad image of the Palestinians in general and particularly Muslims and Hamas. My contract is to project the right image," said Mr Aqtash, who also teaches media at Birzeit University in Ramallah.

That's it. Hamas has an image problem because it was created by the Israelis. I suspect Mr. Aqtash may have difficulty selling that notion.

Aqtash has encouraged Hamas' leaders to quit saying they want to destroy Israel and to stop celebrating suicide bombings. Unfortunately, the destruction of Israel is in the founding charter of Hamas. Take it away and there is no reason for Hamas to exist. With regard to stopping celebrations after murders, good luck. Hamas has successfully created a whole culture centered on weapons, explosives, and hatred of Jews.

Nevertheless, Mr. Aqtash will reportedly get $180,000 for his efforts. It's not clear whether he has to achieve results to get paid. On a related note, if Mr. Aqtash is getting paid to paint Hamas in a positive light, one has to wonder how much the BBC, Reuters, NYTimes, WaPo, Ass. Press and others are collecting.

Companion post at Interested-Participant.

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