The world often thinks of the Gaza Strip, home to 1.4 million
Palestinians, as one of the poorest places on earth, where people live
in misery and squalor.
But according to an investigative report published in the pan-Arab newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat,
there are at least 600 millionaires living in the Gaza Strip. The
newspaper report also refutes the claim that the Gaza Strip has been
facing a humanitarian crisis because of an Israeli blockade.
Click here for full article
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Former PA security chief Dahlan says Gaza "not under siege", residents "not lacking anything."
08/09/2012 19:36
Photo: REUTERS
Hamas has created the proper environment for the emergence of new terror groups in the Gaza Strip, Mohammed Dahlan, a former Palestinian security commander, said Thursday.
Dahlan, who founded and headed the Palestinian Authority's Preventive Security Force in the Gaza Strip between 1994 and 2000, also accused Hamas of harboring the terror groups and using their members to kill Fatah activists in the Gaza Strip.
Read Full Story
Monday, July 9, 2012
No comment necessary: Jordanian Minister pulls gun on opponent during talk show
On Thursday (July 5), commentator Mansur Murad was debating the Syrian crisis with MP Mohammed Shawabkeh. The discussion quickly became heated after Mr Murad accused his opponent of buying his way into parliament. After trading insults, Mr Shawabkeh responded by first throwing his shoe at Murad, who ducked behind his desk, then pulling a snub-nose revolver from under his belt.
Click Here to view Video
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Israeli irrigation expert wins World Food Prize
An Israeli scientist who has reached across political and ethnic boundaries to help dozens of countries in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and South America improve agriculture with new irrigation methods will receive the World Food Prize, the prize's foundation announced on Tuesday.
Dr. Daniel Hillel with Palestinian Muslim community leaders.Photo by AP Photo / The World Food Prize Foundation
"It is significant that Dr. Hillel's nomination for the World Food Prize contained letters of support from individuals and organizations in Jordan, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates,"
Click here for full story
"It is significant that Dr. Hillel's nomination for the World Food Prize contained letters of support from individuals and organizations in Jordan, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates,"
Click here for full story
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Sounds reasonable... NOT: Outrage as Egypt plans 'farewell intercourse law' so husbands can have sex with DEAD wives up to six hours after their death
Egyptian husbands will soon be legally allowed to have sex with their dead wives - for up to six hours after their death.
The controversial new law is part of a raft of measures being introduced by the Islamist-dominated parliament.
It will also see the minimum age of marriage lowered to 14 and the ridding of women's rights of getting education and employment.
Read the full article here
The controversial new law is part of a raft of measures being introduced by the Islamist-dominated parliament.
It will also see the minimum age of marriage lowered to 14 and the ridding of women's rights of getting education and employment.
Read the full article here
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
UK envoy slams, retracts criticism of J'lem building (Unfortunately there was no such building project commenced)
By HERB KEINON AND MELANIE LIDMAN
01/03/2012 20:33
British ambassador Matthew Gould took Israel to task Tuesday for announcing new building projects beyond the Green Line in Jerusalem, but then retracted the criticism after learning there had been no such new declaration.
Read full article - click here
01/03/2012 20:33
British ambassador Matthew Gould took Israel to task Tuesday for announcing new building projects beyond the Green Line in Jerusalem, but then retracted the criticism after learning there had been no such new declaration.
Read full article - click here
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
SHOCKER - Egypt's military ruler battles with Mubarak comparison
A striking image hoisted in Cairo's Tahrir Square when protests against military rule erupted showed an aging, male face; one half was Hosni Mubarak's, the other that of the man now in charge of Egypt - Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi.
It sums up a growing sentiment as transition to civilian rule has dragged on: Tantawi, defending the armed forces' vast economic interests after 60 years in power, has betrayed the trust of a nation and is acting in the same way as the former president he served as defense minister for two decades.
Click here for full article
It sums up a growing sentiment as transition to civilian rule has dragged on: Tantawi, defending the armed forces' vast economic interests after 60 years in power, has betrayed the trust of a nation and is acting in the same way as the former president he served as defense minister for two decades.
Click here for full article
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Simon Deng Former Sudanese Slave: “Calling Israel a racist state is absolutely absurd and immoral.”
Simon Deng, a former South Sudanese slave taken by a neighbor as a young boy to Islamist Northern Sudan gave this impassioned speech at yesterday’s Durban Watch Conference in New York. He puts the lie to the Zionism is Racism canard of Durban III painting Israel as a pariah state. Rather as he points out it is the Arab Muslim Jihadis who have engaged in racial genocide of millions of Sudanese, whether Muslim or Christian. As he further points out it is Israel that is the ultimate destination of Sudanese refugees, as Egypt has oppressed them. Click here to read full text of Deng's Speech
To Watch VIDEO click here
To Watch VIDEO click here
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
New 5 Star Hotel opens in Gaza
Thought they were starving?
AL-SOUDANIA, Gaza Strip (AP) — The Gaza Strip’s first five-star hotel gleams with marble floors, five luxury restaurants and a breezy cafe overlooking the territory’s white sandy beaches and sparkling blue Mediterranean Sea. The only thing missing are guests.
Nearly all of the newly opened hotel’s 222 rooms, decked out with ornate metal-worked lamps, flat screen televisions, oversized beds and sea views, sit empty. The tourists whom the developers expected to flood to Gaza when they launched the project 13 years ago are nowhere to be seen. Local residents, most of them living in poverty, can only dream of staying in the gleaming complex.
Click here to read more
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Turkey's Burak Bekdil: Let's be fair here
Thursday, June 2, 2011
BURAK BEKDİL
Let’s try to rid ourselves from the chains of religious ideology or just ideology and try to be fair. The return to the 1967 borders means a no-loss bet, an oxymoron. It’s tantamount to betting money on a game, losing it and making a scene at the bet shop to take back the money. In warfare terms, this would be similar to Greeks proposing Turkey a return to the pre-1923 borders: They attacked, they lost, and they, unlike the Arabs, have no intention to capture central Anatolia in the 21st century.
Here, the question is simple: Would the United Arabia today agree to return to the 1967 borders if their glorious eight-nation united force had succeeded to annihilate Israel four decades ago? The Arabs should be able to understand that they can always enjoy lunch in Tel Aviv, like Israel’s peaceful Arab citizens do, once they overcome their religious and ideological hatred of the “Jooos” and make peace with them.
Click here for full story
BURAK BEKDİL
Let’s try to rid ourselves from the chains of religious ideology or just ideology and try to be fair. The return to the 1967 borders means a no-loss bet, an oxymoron. It’s tantamount to betting money on a game, losing it and making a scene at the bet shop to take back the money. In warfare terms, this would be similar to Greeks proposing Turkey a return to the pre-1923 borders: They attacked, they lost, and they, unlike the Arabs, have no intention to capture central Anatolia in the 21st century.
Here, the question is simple: Would the United Arabia today agree to return to the 1967 borders if their glorious eight-nation united force had succeeded to annihilate Israel four decades ago? The Arabs should be able to understand that they can always enjoy lunch in Tel Aviv, like Israel’s peaceful Arab citizens do, once they overcome their religious and ideological hatred of the “Jooos” and make peace with them.
Click here for full story
Monday, March 21, 2011
Anti-government protests spread in Syrian south
Syrian army deploys to stop protests in Deraa as demonstrations begin in Jassem; officials try to calm protesters calling for freedom after funeral for activist killed by security forces; 5 killed in clashes to date.
Obama unusually quiet about this one....
Click HERE for Full Article
Obama unusually quiet about this one....
Click HERE for Full Article
Thursday, January 13, 2011
East Jerusalem Arabs Prefer to Stay part of Israel
'E. J'lem Arabs would prefer Israel over Palestinian state'
By MELANIE LIDMAN
01/13/2011 06:03
According to recent poll of over 1,000 Arabs residents, only a quarter said would probably move to "Palestine"; 54% said they would stay in Israel.
In the case of a final peace agreement that established a Palestinian state, more Arab residents of east Jerusalem would prefer to be Israeli than Palestinian, according to a study released Wednesday by Pechter Middle East Polls.
The poll surveyed over 1,000 Arab residents of east Jerusalem, focusing on questions about quality of life and personal identity choices in the case of a two-state peace agreement.
According to the poll, if their neighborhood became part of Israel, only a quarter of residents said would probably move to “Palestine,” whereas 54 percent said they would probably want to stay in Israel. If a neighborhood became part of Palestine, 40% said they would probably try to move to Israel, while 37% would probably stay in Palestine.The reasons that many east Jerusalem residents want to stay Israeli are economic: access to better jobs, smaller classes for their children, and better healthcare, according to the poll.
Click here for full article
By MELANIE LIDMAN
01/13/2011 06:03
According to recent poll of over 1,000 Arabs residents, only a quarter said would probably move to "Palestine"; 54% said they would stay in Israel.
In the case of a final peace agreement that established a Palestinian state, more Arab residents of east Jerusalem would prefer to be Israeli than Palestinian, according to a study released Wednesday by Pechter Middle East Polls.
The poll surveyed over 1,000 Arab residents of east Jerusalem, focusing on questions about quality of life and personal identity choices in the case of a two-state peace agreement.
According to the poll, if their neighborhood became part of Israel, only a quarter of residents said would probably move to “Palestine,” whereas 54 percent said they would probably want to stay in Israel. If a neighborhood became part of Palestine, 40% said they would probably try to move to Israel, while 37% would probably stay in Palestine.The reasons that many east Jerusalem residents want to stay Israeli are economic: access to better jobs, smaller classes for their children, and better healthcare, according to the poll.
Click here for full article
Monday, December 27, 2010
UNRWA Official Calls on Palestinians to Accept Reality
Here's a man-bites-dog story: The director of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency's New York Representative Office (the primary United Nations organization responsible for advocating on behalf of the Palestinian Arabs), Andrew Whitley, told a conference in Washington that Palestinians should accept that they will never return to Israel and, rather than continue to dream of this, they should work to improve their current circumstances.
"If one doesn't start a discussion soon with the refugees for them to consider what their own future might be—for them to start debating their own role in the societies where they are rather than being left in a state of limbo where they are helpless but preserve rather the cruel illusions that perhaps they will return one day to their homes—then we are storing up trouble for ourselves. …
We recognize, as I think most do, although it's not a position that we publicly articulate, that the right of return is unlikely to be exercised to the territory of Israel to any significant or meaningful extent. It's not a politically palatable issue, it's not one that UNRWA publicly advocates, but nevertheless it's a known contour to the issue."
Whitley concluded these startling remarks by suggesting that UNRWA should resettle its clients rather than continue to perpetuate their refugee status.
Click here for FULL STORY
"If one doesn't start a discussion soon with the refugees for them to consider what their own future might be—for them to start debating their own role in the societies where they are rather than being left in a state of limbo where they are helpless but preserve rather the cruel illusions that perhaps they will return one day to their homes—then we are storing up trouble for ourselves. …
We recognize, as I think most do, although it's not a position that we publicly articulate, that the right of return is unlikely to be exercised to the territory of Israel to any significant or meaningful extent. It's not a politically palatable issue, it's not one that UNRWA publicly advocates, but nevertheless it's a known contour to the issue."
Whitley concluded these startling remarks by suggesting that UNRWA should resettle its clients rather than continue to perpetuate their refugee status.
Click here for FULL STORY
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Hamas Leader Finally Admits That Israel Killed Mostly Combatants In Gaza
by Alan M. Dershowitz
December 17, 2010 at 4:30 pm
Since the end of the Gaza War in January 2009, Israel has stood accused of targeting civilians, rather than terrorist combatants. The Israeli Defense Force has claimed that during Operation Cast Lead it targeted only combatants in its efforts to protect its civilians from rocket attacks. It has also claimed that most of the dead were combatants and issued lists of names of many of the combatants killed and identified them as members of the specific Hamas military units. Despite unprecedented efforts to avoid civilian casualties—including hundreds of thousands of leaflets, telephone calls and non-lethal, noise-making warning bombs—some civilians were killed, because Hamas deliberately hid behind civilians, using them as shields, when they fired rockets at Israeli civilians.
Following the end of the Gaza War, which has essentially stopped Hamas rocket attacks against Israeli civilians, there was a great debate about the number of Gaza civilians actually killed, and the ratio of civilian to combatant deaths during this difficult military operation.
The Israel Defense Force put the total number of known combatants killed at 709 and the number of known civilian deaths at 295, with 162 (mostly men of fighting age) "unknown." Such a ratio, if true, would be far better than that achieved by any other nation in a comparable conflict. Not surprisingly, Israel's enemies initially disputed this ratio and claimed that the number of combatants killed was far lower and the number of civilians far higher. The United Nations, the Goldstone Report, various "human rights" organizations and many in the media automatically rejected Israel's documented figures, preferring the distorted numbers offered by Hamas' and other Palestinian sources.
But a statement recently made by a Hamas leader confirms that Israel was correct in claiming that approximately 700 combatants were killed.
Click here for Full Story
December 17, 2010 at 4:30 pm
Since the end of the Gaza War in January 2009, Israel has stood accused of targeting civilians, rather than terrorist combatants. The Israeli Defense Force has claimed that during Operation Cast Lead it targeted only combatants in its efforts to protect its civilians from rocket attacks. It has also claimed that most of the dead were combatants and issued lists of names of many of the combatants killed and identified them as members of the specific Hamas military units. Despite unprecedented efforts to avoid civilian casualties—including hundreds of thousands of leaflets, telephone calls and non-lethal, noise-making warning bombs—some civilians were killed, because Hamas deliberately hid behind civilians, using them as shields, when they fired rockets at Israeli civilians.
Following the end of the Gaza War, which has essentially stopped Hamas rocket attacks against Israeli civilians, there was a great debate about the number of Gaza civilians actually killed, and the ratio of civilian to combatant deaths during this difficult military operation.
The Israel Defense Force put the total number of known combatants killed at 709 and the number of known civilian deaths at 295, with 162 (mostly men of fighting age) "unknown." Such a ratio, if true, would be far better than that achieved by any other nation in a comparable conflict. Not surprisingly, Israel's enemies initially disputed this ratio and claimed that the number of combatants killed was far lower and the number of civilians far higher. The United Nations, the Goldstone Report, various "human rights" organizations and many in the media automatically rejected Israel's documented figures, preferring the distorted numbers offered by Hamas' and other Palestinian sources.
But a statement recently made by a Hamas leader confirms that Israel was correct in claiming that approximately 700 combatants were killed.
Click here for Full Story
Friday, December 10, 2010
I'm not exactly sure what they mean by this: Kill Christians and Jews "to the last one"
A video on official Hamas TV calls for Allah to kill Jews, Christians, Communists and their supporters. The video asks Allah to "count them and kill them to the last one, and don't leave even one."
As Palestinian Media Watch has reported this call for the killing of non-Muslims was a regular pronouncement by both Palestinian Authority (Fatah) and Hamas political and religious leaders for many years starting in July 2000.
For years, sermons by religious leaders on official Palestinian Authority TV under Yasser Arafat and Mahmoud Abbas routinely presented the killing of Jews as a religious obligation and a fulfillment of the Islamic ideal.
Due to PMW's exposure of these sermons, which led to international criticism and pressure, Mahmoud Abbas, whose office controls PA TV, has been forced to prevent the broadcast of sermons calling for extermination of Jews on PA TV.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO
"Allah, oh our Lord, vanquish Your enemies, enemies of the religion
[Islam] in all places.
Allah, strike the Jews and their sympathizers,
the Christians and their supporters,
the Communists and their adherents.
Allah, count them and kill them to the last one, and don't leave even one."
[Al-Aqsa TV (Hamas), Dec. 3, 2010
As Palestinian Media Watch has reported this call for the killing of non-Muslims was a regular pronouncement by both Palestinian Authority (Fatah) and Hamas political and religious leaders for many years starting in July 2000.
For years, sermons by religious leaders on official Palestinian Authority TV under Yasser Arafat and Mahmoud Abbas routinely presented the killing of Jews as a religious obligation and a fulfillment of the Islamic ideal.
Due to PMW's exposure of these sermons, which led to international criticism and pressure, Mahmoud Abbas, whose office controls PA TV, has been forced to prevent the broadcast of sermons calling for extermination of Jews on PA TV.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO
"Allah, oh our Lord, vanquish Your enemies, enemies of the religion
[Islam] in all places.
Allah, strike the Jews and their sympathizers,
the Christians and their supporters,
the Communists and their adherents.
Allah, count them and kill them to the last one, and don't leave even one."
[Al-Aqsa TV (Hamas), Dec. 3, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
American Muslim organization: "We are at war with radical Islamists" - applauds dismissal of targeted killing suit
December 8, 2010
American Islamic Forum for Democracy
Decision should make Obama Administration rethink placing Elibiary on Homeland Security Council
PHOENIX (December 8, 2010) - Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser, a devout Muslim and the president and founder of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy (AIFD) issued the following statement regarding the decision of federal Judge John D. Bates to dismiss a suit over the use of targeted killing of American Citizens.
"AIFD applauds the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by Nasser Al-Awlaki, father of Anwar Al-Awlaki, represented by Jameel Jaffer of the ACLU and the Center for Constitutional Rights. The decision correctly clears the way for the United States military and intelligence community to target Anwar Al-Awlaki who is an extreme threat to the security of our country. Judge Bates is correct in his decision that the judiciary should stay out of national security decisions related to targeted killings of those who are deemed to be imminent threats to the United States and our citizenry. Matthew Miller of the Justice Department appropriately stated, 'that a leader of a foreign terrorist organization who rejects our system of justice cannot enjoy the protection of our courts while plotting strikes against Americans. The court properly rejected that course and declined to intrude into sensitive military and intelligence matters."
We are at war against radical Islamists. No individual since Osama Bin Laden epitomizes the face and actions of our enemy than Imam Anwar Al-Awlaki. His documented words and actions and those of his surrogates like the murderous traitor, Major Nidal Hasan, are violent salvos of war against our nation, our military, and our citizens. We do not negotiate with terrorists, and we do not give them protection from the battlefield they chose against us because they happen to be former citizens or we are concerned about their martyrdom status. In the end, a strong, swift, and unequivocal response on the battlefield against our militant Islamist enemies is absolutely necessary in order to make it clear that anyone who declares war against our nation and murders our citizens will be dealt with swiftly on the battlefield. The deterrent effect of such action against future jihadists far outweighs any irrelevant concerns over Al-Awlaki's already false martyrdom.
There is little threat to our freedoms from the United States government deciding to swiftly remove an imminent threat to our citizens. Al-Awlaki has repeatedly proven a desire to commit violent acts of war against the American people and should be held accountable.
Click here for full article
American Islamic Forum for Democracy
Decision should make Obama Administration rethink placing Elibiary on Homeland Security Council
PHOENIX (December 8, 2010) - Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser, a devout Muslim and the president and founder of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy (AIFD) issued the following statement regarding the decision of federal Judge John D. Bates to dismiss a suit over the use of targeted killing of American Citizens.
"AIFD applauds the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by Nasser Al-Awlaki, father of Anwar Al-Awlaki, represented by Jameel Jaffer of the ACLU and the Center for Constitutional Rights. The decision correctly clears the way for the United States military and intelligence community to target Anwar Al-Awlaki who is an extreme threat to the security of our country. Judge Bates is correct in his decision that the judiciary should stay out of national security decisions related to targeted killings of those who are deemed to be imminent threats to the United States and our citizenry. Matthew Miller of the Justice Department appropriately stated, 'that a leader of a foreign terrorist organization who rejects our system of justice cannot enjoy the protection of our courts while plotting strikes against Americans. The court properly rejected that course and declined to intrude into sensitive military and intelligence matters."
We are at war against radical Islamists. No individual since Osama Bin Laden epitomizes the face and actions of our enemy than Imam Anwar Al-Awlaki. His documented words and actions and those of his surrogates like the murderous traitor, Major Nidal Hasan, are violent salvos of war against our nation, our military, and our citizens. We do not negotiate with terrorists, and we do not give them protection from the battlefield they chose against us because they happen to be former citizens or we are concerned about their martyrdom status. In the end, a strong, swift, and unequivocal response on the battlefield against our militant Islamist enemies is absolutely necessary in order to make it clear that anyone who declares war against our nation and murders our citizens will be dealt with swiftly on the battlefield. The deterrent effect of such action against future jihadists far outweighs any irrelevant concerns over Al-Awlaki's already false martyrdom.
There is little threat to our freedoms from the United States government deciding to swiftly remove an imminent threat to our citizens. Al-Awlaki has repeatedly proven a desire to commit violent acts of war against the American people and should be held accountable.
Click here for full article
Monday, November 29, 2010
Sudanese official: I wish Sudan's residents could live under the conditions of the Gazan siege
Iran helps rebuild GazaWhile settlements halt and resume construction, Gazans building in full speed. Strip's current real estate hit is Hamas' flagship project: New multi-story buildings for young couples, families of 'shahidim'
Roni Shaked Published: 11.26.10, 15:14 / Israel Business
share
Gaza's residents are no longer complaining about a coriander shortage. Israeli snacks are flowing into the Strip as well, through the Kerem Shalom crossing – at the approval and under the full supervision of the Hamas government.
The lifting of the siege in June gave the Gazans room to breathe. With the money in the Strip – and there is quite a lot of it in dollars, dinars, and even shekels – they can buy whatever they want.
Tunnel Industry
Gaza presents: High tech cow smuggling / Roee Nahmias
Report by BBC's Arabic network broadcasted ahead of Eid al-Adha documents sophisticated animal smuggling apparatus using electric elevators from Egypt into Gaza Strip
Food and other products flow into Gaza with hardly any restrictions. What doesn't come from Israel, because the price is too high, continues to flow in through the Rafah tunnels.
"There are a slew of products here, and beautiful restaurants. Is this the Gaza we have been hearing about?" A Sudanese official, who arrived in the Strip about a month ago with hundreds of visitors from Arab countries on the "Viva Palestina" aid convoy, was quoted by Palestinian news agency Maan as saying.
"Where is the siege? I don't see it in Gaza. I wish Sudan's residents could live under the conditions of the Gazan siege," he reportedly added.
One of the main characteristics of the economic change in the Strip is the renovation and construction drive. Buildings are being built in every corner. Hamas is renovating the public buildings destroyed in Israeli air raids during Operation Cast Lead, including the bombed Legislative Council building on Omar al-Mukhtar Boulevard and the police headquarters.
But the renovation of public buildings is nothing compared to Hamas' flagship project: The building of 25,000 new housing units in the city, some on lands of the former Gush Katif settlements.
The goal is not only to overcome the huge apartment shortage – which stems mainly from the natural growth, the damages of the war, and the halt in construction in the past three years – but mainly to benefit the people, whose support Hamas seeks in order to establish its rule.
The plan is to construct multi-story buildings ("we have no land to spare," explains a Gaza housing ministry official) and neighborhoods built as independent residential areas. A mosque will be set up at the center of each neighborhood, alongside shopping centers, schools and kindergartens. Access roads will be paved and even playgrounds for children. , we'll be slightly happier."
Roni Shaked Published: 11.26.10, 15:14 / Israel Business
share
Gaza's residents are no longer complaining about a coriander shortage. Israeli snacks are flowing into the Strip as well, through the Kerem Shalom crossing – at the approval and under the full supervision of the Hamas government.
The lifting of the siege in June gave the Gazans room to breathe. With the money in the Strip – and there is quite a lot of it in dollars, dinars, and even shekels – they can buy whatever they want.
Tunnel Industry
Gaza presents: High tech cow smuggling / Roee Nahmias
Report by BBC's Arabic network broadcasted ahead of Eid al-Adha documents sophisticated animal smuggling apparatus using electric elevators from Egypt into Gaza Strip
Food and other products flow into Gaza with hardly any restrictions. What doesn't come from Israel, because the price is too high, continues to flow in through the Rafah tunnels.
"There are a slew of products here, and beautiful restaurants. Is this the Gaza we have been hearing about?" A Sudanese official, who arrived in the Strip about a month ago with hundreds of visitors from Arab countries on the "Viva Palestina" aid convoy, was quoted by Palestinian news agency Maan as saying.
"Where is the siege? I don't see it in Gaza. I wish Sudan's residents could live under the conditions of the Gazan siege," he reportedly added.
One of the main characteristics of the economic change in the Strip is the renovation and construction drive. Buildings are being built in every corner. Hamas is renovating the public buildings destroyed in Israeli air raids during Operation Cast Lead, including the bombed Legislative Council building on Omar al-Mukhtar Boulevard and the police headquarters.
But the renovation of public buildings is nothing compared to Hamas' flagship project: The building of 25,000 new housing units in the city, some on lands of the former Gush Katif settlements.
The goal is not only to overcome the huge apartment shortage – which stems mainly from the natural growth, the damages of the war, and the halt in construction in the past three years – but mainly to benefit the people, whose support Hamas seeks in order to establish its rule.
The plan is to construct multi-story buildings ("we have no land to spare," explains a Gaza housing ministry official) and neighborhoods built as independent residential areas. A mosque will be set up at the center of each neighborhood, alongside shopping centers, schools and kindergartens. Access roads will be paved and even playgrounds for children. , we'll be slightly happier."
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Al-Jazeera Wafa Sultan discussion on Muslim belief and clash of civilizations
Arab-American Psychologist, Wafa Sultan speaks out on Al-Jazeera TV about the way Muslims have taken a path to violence and destruction, the "clash of civilizations". She compares between the actions of Muslims to Jews and Christians. She speaks in plain common sense terms and makes you ask the questions why can't Muslims leave everyone else alone. What right do the Muslims have of saying that people that have different beliefs should be converted or worse, killed? Believe what you want to believe, but leave those alone who don't agree with you.
You have to see this ---> Watch Video Now
Former Iranian Fighter Pilot says Iranian regime is "world's biggest terrorism supporter"; says Iran and Israel not enemies.
Iran has a nuclear military plan and intends to acquire atomic weapons, a former Iranian air force lieutenant said in an interview broadcast on Channel 10 news Tuesday night.
Bahazad Masawi, a former fighter pilot who defected from Iran and is in hiding in Paris, said: “Ahmadinejad creates terror and incites war in the area. This is not good for the Iranian people. Ahmadinejad makes the situation in Iran and in the entire region worse.”
The former pilot, who flew Iran’s F-14 fighter jets, stressed that Israel is not an enemy of Iran.
“The Iranian nation is not an enemy of the Israeli people and in the past they were not enemies either; they had always been friends,” he said. “It is not possible to separate the Iranian people from the people of Israel. King Cyrus is the one who saved the Jews.”
Masawi expressed regret in the interview for Iran’s support for Hizbullah and other terrorist organizations.
“All of the state’s money finances terrorism; the Islamic regime in Iran is the biggest supporter of terrorism in the world. Everyone knows this,” he added.
Speaking on his role as a pilot in Iran’s air force, Masawi said, “We had no access to the fighting techniques of the Israeli Air Force; it belongs to Iranian intelligence. They are the ones who are involved in this issue. We had no need to spy on anyone; our job was to fly.”
Masawi fled to Paris a few days ago, he told Channel 10, through a network of military officers who oppose the Islamic regime.
Speaking about the regime, the pilot said, “One young man comes out and speaks against the Iranian regime, shouting in the streets, ‘Death to the dictatorship,’ and then they arrest him, rape him, imprison him and then kill him.
“This is called a dictatorial regime. This is not a just regime.”
IDF Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi will tell the top American officials he is to meet with Wednesday in Washington that tougher sanctions can succeed in stopping Iran’s enrichment of uranium.
Ashkenazi on Tuesday wrapped up a three-day visit to Canada, which included meetings with the top defense leadership and his Canadian counterpart Gen. Walt Natynczyk.
A senior officer traveling with Ashkenazi said that the chief of staff planned to present Israeli assessments on Iran’s nuclear program during his meetings with chairman of the Joint Chiefs Adm. Michael Mullen.
Ashkenazi is perceived in Washington as serving a restraining role in the Israeli defense and political establishments.
He is attributed with holding back from escalating Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip in early 2009 and has voiced moderate views on Iran in the past.
Ashkenazi said several weeks ago that the latest round of sanctions imposed on Iran was having an effect on the regime but that additional sanctions pertaining to the energy sector and banking system were required to further pressure Iran into changing its current course of action.
Israeli intelligence assessments conclude that Iran will continue to enrich uranium at low levels, as it is currently doing, and then – when it believes the price it will pay internationally will be low – it will go to the breakout stage and begin enriching to higher levels required for a nuclear weapon.
During his meetings with Mullen as well as with Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Michele Flournoy, Ashkenazi is also expected to discuss Israeli concerns with the current military buildup in the region, recently highlighted by US plans to sell $60 billion worth of advanced military equipment to Saudi Arabia, including 84 F-15 fighter jets and JDAM smart bombs.
The IDF is primarily concerned with the sale of the JDAMs to the Saudis.
Bahazad Masawi, a former fighter pilot who defected from Iran and is in hiding in Paris, said: “Ahmadinejad creates terror and incites war in the area. This is not good for the Iranian people. Ahmadinejad makes the situation in Iran and in the entire region worse.”
The former pilot, who flew Iran’s F-14 fighter jets, stressed that Israel is not an enemy of Iran.
“The Iranian nation is not an enemy of the Israeli people and in the past they were not enemies either; they had always been friends,” he said. “It is not possible to separate the Iranian people from the people of Israel. King Cyrus is the one who saved the Jews.”
Masawi expressed regret in the interview for Iran’s support for Hizbullah and other terrorist organizations.
“All of the state’s money finances terrorism; the Islamic regime in Iran is the biggest supporter of terrorism in the world. Everyone knows this,” he added.
Speaking on his role as a pilot in Iran’s air force, Masawi said, “We had no access to the fighting techniques of the Israeli Air Force; it belongs to Iranian intelligence. They are the ones who are involved in this issue. We had no need to spy on anyone; our job was to fly.”
Masawi fled to Paris a few days ago, he told Channel 10, through a network of military officers who oppose the Islamic regime.
Speaking about the regime, the pilot said, “One young man comes out and speaks against the Iranian regime, shouting in the streets, ‘Death to the dictatorship,’ and then they arrest him, rape him, imprison him and then kill him.
“This is called a dictatorial regime. This is not a just regime.”
IDF Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi will tell the top American officials he is to meet with Wednesday in Washington that tougher sanctions can succeed in stopping Iran’s enrichment of uranium.
Ashkenazi on Tuesday wrapped up a three-day visit to Canada, which included meetings with the top defense leadership and his Canadian counterpart Gen. Walt Natynczyk.
A senior officer traveling with Ashkenazi said that the chief of staff planned to present Israeli assessments on Iran’s nuclear program during his meetings with chairman of the Joint Chiefs Adm. Michael Mullen.
Ashkenazi is perceived in Washington as serving a restraining role in the Israeli defense and political establishments.
He is attributed with holding back from escalating Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip in early 2009 and has voiced moderate views on Iran in the past.
Ashkenazi said several weeks ago that the latest round of sanctions imposed on Iran was having an effect on the regime but that additional sanctions pertaining to the energy sector and banking system were required to further pressure Iran into changing its current course of action.
Israeli intelligence assessments conclude that Iran will continue to enrich uranium at low levels, as it is currently doing, and then – when it believes the price it will pay internationally will be low – it will go to the breakout stage and begin enriching to higher levels required for a nuclear weapon.
During his meetings with Mullen as well as with Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Michele Flournoy, Ashkenazi is also expected to discuss Israeli concerns with the current military buildup in the region, recently highlighted by US plans to sell $60 billion worth of advanced military equipment to Saudi Arabia, including 84 F-15 fighter jets and JDAM smart bombs.
The IDF is primarily concerned with the sale of the JDAMs to the Saudis.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)