This is my second diary on the I/P conflict. A week ago I wrote "Debunking the I/P 'human shield' myth." As a result of many years of biased pro-Zionist stories that have demonized the Palestinian people in the American media, many people have arrived at distorted and confused views. I hope this new diary can bring a bit of light to key facts. Warning, I am a free Palestine advocate,
I would also strongly recommend viewing a a remarkable conversation. Charile Rose interviews veteran journalist Bob Simon of 60 minutes. Keep in mind that Bob Simon is a life long Zionist who in the past has supported every Israeli policy.
http://www.charlierose.com/...
Today 1/14/08, the BBC reports that more than 1000 Palestinian have been killed. One third of he death are children and 5000 people have been injured in the Israeli attack on all who are imprisoned in what the Vatican has called a Concentration Camp. According to doctors in Gaza half the victims are civilians. The charity Christian Aid says a clinic for mothers and babies in Gaza, which it funds along with the EU, has been destroyed in an Israeli air strike.
Most of the world is strongly oppose to this new war, executed with American fighter planes and munitions. Incredibly, last week, out of touch politicians in Washington voted nearly unanimously for motions to support the continued killings--they could have at least shut up. In the real world, a poll by Rasmussen showed that a majority of all American women and of Democratic men do not support the Israeli attack.
Since there are no American reporters in Gaza our media appears happy to parrot Israeli spin. Not one word is said on how we colluded with the Israelis to launch a campaign of collective punishment on the Palestinian people, in violation of international law, the instant that Hamas won a free and democratic election. They were denied any opportunity to show a responsible leadership.
The Israelis began by impounding all tax funds that were due to Hamas, and proceeded to bomb Gaza power plants and sanitation facilities. More road blocks to kill all commerce were set up, which led to 50 per cent unemployment. Palestinian elected officials were kidnapped or assassinated with powerful missiles that killed their entire families, and anyone nearby.
Not to be outdone, the US sent arms and money to Fatah, the election losers, to help foment a coup against Hamas. We set up inhumane sanctions to prevent all trade and travel with the outside world. We encouraged the denial of food, water, and medical service by the Israelis. And, Congress, at a time when our economy is crashing, voted to give another $30 billion in military aid to Israel. That's in addition to the billions they also get in humanitarian aid.
Recent UN study reports show that 46 percent of all Gazan children suffer from acute anemia. Malnutrition is extremely high and affects 75 percent of all Gazans--and sonic booms from Israeli overflights has caused widespread deafness among children. There is also widespread mental disorders among young people. Sadly, 50 percent of children under the age of 12 were found to have no will to live.
From September 2000, to December 2008, the Israelis have killed about 5,000 Palestinians--while the Palestinians have killed 1100 Israelis. In this same period the Israelis killed 955 minors while the Palestinians killed 123. Most of those killed on both sides are civilians. Certainly the killing of civilians by the Palestinians is terrorism, but so are the killings by the Israelis. In the new war the Israelis have, to-date, killed more than 300 children and the Palestinians have killed no children. This data is documented on the Btselem site.
It's' important to understand that it takes a few hundreds Palestinian rockets to equal the deadly force of a single Israeli bomb. Now the Israelis want to even take the sticks and stones away from the Palestinians while they can safely hide behind armored vehicles and fighter planes. We can now see why all countries in the Mideast are involved in the aquiring of more advance weapons to protect themselves from the high-tech Israeli mililtary.
I assume that if the USA were under a brutal occupation for 60 years. we also would launch a few home made rockets at our tormentors. We got mad at the British for a more humane occupation of America, and yet, still fought for our freedom. All human beings deserve to be free from oppression. It's time for America to get on board with the rest of our world and fully support democracy and freedom for all Palestinians.