Tuesday, November 28, 2006

EU ARABS VOICE HOPE

EU, Arab leaders voice hopes of breakthrough for Mideast peace
by Pia Ohlin NOV 28,2006

TAMPERE, Finland (AFP) - European Union and Arab leaders have voiced hopes of a breakthrough in the Middle East peace process, following recent statements by Israel and Hamas and a three-day old ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. There is a latent hope based on the recent developments between Israel and the Palestinians, the secretary general of the Arab League, Amr Mussa, said Tuesday after a meeting between EU and Mediterranean region foreign ministers in Finland.The so-called Euromed conference in Tampere has been dominated by the situation in the Middle East.Nabil Shaath, a special envoy for Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas, agreed with Mussa's assessment, saying the chances of renewing the peace process had improved in recent days.

A few days ago these prospects did not exist, today there are prospects, he said.Both Shaath and Mussa cited the ceasefire implemented at the weekend between Israel and the Palestinians, and a speech by Hamas political leader Khaled Meshaal on Saturday indicating Hamas was ready to agree to a Palestinian state within 1967 borders seen as an implicit recognition of Israel's statehood.They also noted an offer by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to tear down
settlements and pull out of the Palestinian territories.This would be a good point of departure, Mussa said.Shaath added: If the ceasefire is consolidated, followed by an exchange of prisoners and the immediate cessation of the siege of the Palestinian people ... this will lead directly back to the negotiating table.Among the Mediterranean countries participating at the Euromed meeting were Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco,Syria, Turkey, Tunisia and the Palestinians.

Late Monday the host of the meeting, Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja, said discussions on the Middle East had been characterized by a very clear sense of hope.If this atmosphere continues then for the first time for a very long time I feel slightly optimistic and confident of the prospects for peace, he said.Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit said there was a common European-Arab position when it comes to the need to urgently ... seize the moment to push forward the peace process.European sources at the meeting cited Hamas' acceptance of a state within the 1967 borders as the main topic of discussion during bilateral talks.The declaration was an implicit recognition of Israel's existence, French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said.

There are windows of opportunity and we must seize them. We must not miss them, he warned.European and Arab officials stressed the importance of a Palestinian government of national unity, which would stabilize the Palestinian political situation and facilitate a
meeting between Abbas and Olmert.

The EU, Israel and the United States have boycotted the Hamas administration since it took office in March owing to the radical Islamist movement's refusal to recognise the Jewish state and past peace agreements. Shaath said it would take another two weeks or so to form the unity government. In a rare event, participants at the Euromed meeting agreed on a joint declaration after overcoming the usual discord between Israeli and Palestinian points of view. Delegates called for a solution to the conflict in line with the so-called roadmap, drafted by the United States, EU, Russia and the United Nations, which outlines steps toward establishing a viable Palestinian state living in peace alongside Israel. Partners reaffirmed their commitment to a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict including land for peace and based on the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the roadmap, they said.

Sunday, November 26, 2006

2 TEXTS SPEECHES BY OLMERT

two speeches by PM Olmert don't indicate ceasefire includes halt to rocket production Date: Sun, Nov 26 2006 3:33 pm #1 Address by PM Olmert- Inauguration of the New Elnajah High School, Rahat www.pmo.gov.il/PMOEng/Communication/PMSpeaks/speechraht261106.htm

The intention was to achieve full cessation of all forms of violent activity, including the smuggling of weapons through tunnels, the dispatching of suicide terrorists, and, of course, the firing of Qassam rockets I am very pleased to come to Rahat on the morning of a day which may symbolize a new beginning, not only for the residents of Rahat, but perhaps on a larger and more significant scale. Last night I received a call from the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority. While we maintain continuous contact, I was expecting this particular call - and he knew that I was expecting it - to let me know of a decision by all Palestinian organizations to reach a cease-fire, which was supposed to come into effect at six o'clock this morning. The intention was to achieve full cessation of all forms of violent activity, including the smuggling of weapons through tunnels, the dispatching of suicide terrorists, and, of course, the firing of Qassam rockets. I was very pleased to receive this notification, and congratulated the PA Chairman. We both agreed that the two parties would act to make certain that this cease-fire would in fact find practical expression from this morning at six.

I took into account the fact that a cease-fire is not something which is fully implemented immediately, without any violations. I nevertheless asked the Minister of Defense to instruct the IDF to withdraw. And indeed, this morning the IDF forces pulled out of the Gaza Strip. While there are still Palestinian violations of the cease-fire, I have instructed our security forces to refrain from responding, to show restraint and give this cease-fire a chance to go into full, practical and comprehensive effect, in accordance with the commitment made yesterday by PA Chairman Abu-Mazen. This morning, the Hamas organization already announced that it had no dialogue with us and that this morning's shooting was a violation of the Palestinian obligation. However, contrary to the situation which existed in the past, they admitted that there was in fact an obligation and a need to uphold this obligation. I am in contact with the Palestinian Authority to make sure that this obligation is fulfilled, and we will show patience and restraint in order to give it a chance.

The State of Israel is very strong. It has enough power to fight terrorism and enough power to show restraint and give the cease-fire a chance to be fully implemented, in accordance with Abu-Mazen's commitment to me. We will show the necessary patience and restraint in the next few days. Needless to say, the cease-fire, or the cessation of initiated activity, does not provide a response to all outstanding issues between us and the Palestinian Authority. We expect the immediate release of Gilad Shalit.

His release was not part of the internal arrangement between the Palestinian organizations which resulted in the cease-fire, but I believe that this understanding regarding a cease-fire could contribute to the speedy release of Gilad Shalit. In recent days and nights, we have been working tirelessly to bring about his release, and I hope that the PA will uphold the condition set forth by Abu-Mazen to the other organizations and ensure his speedy release. We very much hope that the cease-fire, if it comes into effect, would be expanded to Judea and Samaria as well. Abu-Mazen advised me that the organizations were beginning discussions today regarding the expansion of the cease-fire to Judea and Samaria as well. At the moment, it still does not apply there and I hope that they will show responsibility and good will on this issue as well. All these things would ultimately lead to one thing: the commencement of serious, genuine, open and direct negotiations between us and the PA, between Abu-Mazen and myself, in order for us to be able to proceed towards a comprehensive agreement between us and the Palestinians. In recent weeks, my bureau and that of Abu-Mazen maintain continuous contact. There is dialogue, there are understandings, but all these need to create the conditions for the opening of negotiations and I truly hope that it will happen soon. I see a great opportunity in this responsibility which the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority took upon himself - and particularly the full and unequivocal implementation of this commitment - and I promise you that the Government of Israel and the State of Israel will not miss this opportunity, but rather contribute to and strengthen this opportunity, in order to be able to move forward.

Address by PM Olmert- Ceremony for the Inauguration of the New Building of the Air Force Technological College, Beer-Sheva www.pmo.gov.il/PMOEng/Communication/PMSpeaks/speechair261106.htm

stop all shooting, smuggling of weapons through tunnels and firing of Qassam rockets Finally, some short remarks regarding issues on the agenda. You heard the strong statements made by our Minister of Defense. Gentlemen, I have no doubt that a decision by all Palestinian organizations to stop the fire in the south is a very significant one. For many weeks we have tried, very carefully and in coordination with the Palestinian authorities, to assist in the creation of a process which could lead to this decision, and I am pleased at the announcement made by the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority, who said to me, unequivocally, that it was a full obligation by all Palestinian organizations.

I answered Abu-Mazen, after I consulted with the Ministers and members of the Security Cabinet, that an agreement to stop fighting and stop shooting is Gaza was not the end of the story, and that we would continue to fight for the immediate release of Gilad Shalit. We will fight for the cessation of terrorism also in Judea and Samaria, but if they are willing to stop all shooting, smuggling of weapons through tunnels and firing of Qassam rockets, we will view this as a vital step and I believe that it could be part of some continuous process which will soon lead to negotiations between us and the Palestinian Authority.

This was the understanding between the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority and myself as part of a quiet process of dialogue which we have maintained for a few weeks. I will tell you a secret. When I advised my fellow ministers last night of this proposal, we knew that there was a chance that this cease-fire would not be immediately implemented exactly in accordance with the commitment. Experience, particularly in this part of the world, has taught us that not everything finds immediate expression in a comprehensive, complete and orderly manner.
The State of Israel is an extremely powerful State and is capable of fighting any terrorist organization - and all of them put together - when the need arises and when they fight us. It is so powerful that it can also afford to show restraint in order to give the cease-fire a serious chance. The cease-fire is not the ultimate goal, but merely a phase in a process which we hope would create the dynamic which will lead to negotiations and dialogue and maybe, ultimately, also an agreement between us and the Palestinians.

This is the ultimate commitment of this Government. It is what motivates and sustains it and it is what gives us the strength to go forward. It is therefore my hope that the combination of these circumstances - the Ben-Gurion anniversary, this addition to the build-up of power of Israel's technological education system, and the beginning, maybe, of a sustainable cease-fire - are all signs of hope that while there may be some difficult days ahead, there are also days which offer a real chance.

Thank you very much. IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis Website: http://www.imra.org.il/

Thursday, November 23, 2006

ISRAELI MP MAKES PEACE PLAN

HAPPY THANKSGIVING AMERICA.

LAND FOR PEACE (THE FUTURE 7 YEARS OF HELL ON EARTH)

JOEL 3:2
2 I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.

DANIEL 9:26-27
26 And after threescore and two weeks(62X7=434 YEARS+7X7=49 YEARS=TOTAL OF 69 WEEKS OR 483 YRS) shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary;(ROMAN LEADERS DESTROYED THE 2ND TEMPLE) and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.(THERE HAS TO BE 70 WEEKS OR 490 YRS TO FUFILL THE VISION AND PROPHECY OF DAN 9:24).(THE NEXT VERSE IS THAT 7 YR WEEK OR (70TH FINAL WEEK).27 And he( THE ROMAN,EU PRESIDENT) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week:(1X7=7 YEARS) and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,(3 1/2 yrs in TEMPLE SACRIFICES STOPPED) and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

ISAIAH 28:14-19 (THIS IS THE 7 YR TREATY COVENANT OF DANIEL 9:27)
14 Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.19 From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.

DANIEL 8:23-25
23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king (EU DICTATOR) of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences,(FROM THE OCCULT) shall stand up.24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power:(SATANS POWER) and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes;(JESUS) but he shall be broken without hand.

DANIEL 11:36-40
36 And the king shall do according to his will;(EU PRESIDENT) and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers,(THIS EU DICTATOR IS A EUROPEAN JEW) nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.38 But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces:(HES A MILITARY GINIUS) and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.39 Thus shall he do in the most strong holds (CONTROL HEZBOLLAH,AL-QUAIDA MURDERERS ETC) with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many,(HIS ARMY LEADERS) and shall divide the land for gain. 40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south(EGYPT) push at him:(EU DICTATOR PROTECTING ISRAELS SECURITY) and the king of the north(RUSSIA) shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.

ISAIAH 26:21
21 For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.(WW3,1/2 earths population die).

ISAIAH 13:6-13 KJV
6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.7 Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt:(FROM FRIGHT)8 And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.9 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.12 I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.

ISAIAH 24:17-23 KJV
17 Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth.18 And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.19 The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly.20 The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.21 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth.22 And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited.23 Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.

THIS CONTRACT WON'T WORK EITHER, ITS GOTTA BE THE EU THAT MAKES THE FINAL PEACE CONTRACT. AND IT HAS TO BE A 7 YEAR CONTRACT.

Israeli MP dreams up new Mideast peace plan by Ron Bousso Thu Nov 23, 7:09 AM ET JERUSALEM (AFP) - Amid increasing calls for a diplomatic breakthrough to end rampant Israeli-Palestinian violence, a prominent leader of Israel's left-wing bloc has come up with a new Middle East peace initiative. We are on the verge of a (diplomatic) development in the region Meretz MP Yossi Beilin insisted to reporters in Jerusalem, claiming that both sides, locked in deadly conflict since 2000, realise that violence won't work.Beilin, one of the architects of the 1993 Oslo peace accords but an opposition MP largely marginalised by Israeli governments, has therefore drawn up his own plan Mapping the Road from Realignment to Permanent Status.

The blueprint, he says, would be custom-made to fit the needs of moderate Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert based on the principles of the internationally drafted but moribund roadmap.That plan, calling for two states living side by side in peace, has made practically no progress since its much-hyped launch in 2003.Beilin's latest project comes with Israeli ministers, increasingly frustrated at military failures to curb Palestinian rocket attack, searching for some kind of diplomatic solution to the deadlock.If Israel does not take the initiative, it will leave the field empty for other, less favourable initiatives, to bridge the divide, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni counselled this week after Israel rejected a new Middle East peace initiative pushed by France and Spain.

But Beilin's project met with a cool response from Olmert's office at a time when the security cabinet has authorised attacks against Hamas institutions and targeted killings to combat daily Palestinian rocket attacks.In the first phase of his plan, Beilin says both parties would cease all hostilities and agree to swap an Israeli soldier captured by militants on June 25 for an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners.Previous such efforts brokered by Egypt to secure the release of Corporal Gilad Shalit have achieved little since he was seized five months ago.Three days after his capture Israeli launched an air and ground assault on the Gaza Strip which has killed more than 300 Palestinians. Three Israeli soldiers have also died in an offensive aimed at countering Palestinian rocket fire and freeing Shalit.

Any new peace initiative also faces a complex reality in which the Palestinian government, led by the radical Hamas movement, is boycotted by Israel and the West, and the moderate Abbas is increasingly weakened at home.The Islamist Hamas, which took office in March after winning a landslide election last January, has flatly refused to recognise the Jewish state's right to exist, renounce violence or accept past agreements with Israel.But despite the difficulties, the 58-year-old Israeli politician hopes that if Abbas were to submit the peace plan to a referendum, it would convince Hamas, Israel and the world that the Palestinians are ready to make peace.Beilin stipulates that after both parties maintain the quiet, Israel would withdraw by 2008 from a large part of the occupied West Bank, in keeping with an election promise shelved by Olmert after the 34-day summer war in Lebanon.

According to Beilin, once Israel withdraws from 90 percent of the West Bank a Palestinian state would be declared, or alternatively, the rule of the existing Palestinian Authority extended.Lastly, both sides would hold talks on a permanent status agreement, including the thorny issues of Palestinian refugees and control over Jerusalem's religious sites, which are holy to both Jews and Muslims.But Beilin, who sees himself as a true optimist who always seeks a crack in the wall in an effort to promote peace, has had a mixed track record. He and former Palestinian minister Yasser Abed Rabbo also initiated the 2003 Geneva peace plan, rejected outright by then Israeli premier Ariel Sharon. Today Beilin says his latest plan has been shown to Palestinian leaders, including Abu Mazen (Abbas) himself, to the American administration and the general echoes are positive.

But while the Palestinian Authority is generally receptive to the prospect of resuming peace talks, the response from Olmert's office was cool.There are many different initiatives going around at the moment, said spokeswoman Miri Eisin. They all point out the need to stop violence and rocket fire from the Gaza Strip. But it is hard to talk of such initiatives when there's no end to rocket fire.

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

ISRAEL MOOTS FORCE IN GAZA

Israeli minister moots international force for Gaza (AFP)20 November 2006

JERUSALEM - An Israeli cabinet minister on Monday mooted the possibility of deploying a multinational force in the Gaza Strip to prevent persistent Palestinian rocket attacks on the Jewish state.For the moment there is no military solution to the Qassam (rocket) fire problem on Israel from the Gaza Strip and therefore the deployment of a multinational force needs to be considered, minister without portfolio Yitzhak Cohen, from the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, told public radio.This model has worked in Lebanon... We went to war this summer in Lebanon and an average of 180 Katyusha rockets were fired against our territory every day. That stopped only thanks to (UN) Resolution 1701, he added.The Security Council resolution ushered in an August 14 ceasefire ending the 34-day conflict between Israel and Shiite militia Hezbollah and saw the deployment of a multinational UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon.Palestinian militants on Monday fired seven rockets into Israel from the Gaza Strip, which caused no casualties or damage, a military source said.

Italy's Prodi cautious on Mideast peace progress20 Nov 2006 20:41:19 GMT,Source: ReutersBy Alaa Shahine

CAIRO, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Romano Prodi of Italy, part of a south European initiative for Middle East peace, on Monday played down any expectations of rapid progress in the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.Nothing new on the Middle East arena, Prodi told a joint news conference after talks in Cairo with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.The word that can summarise the atmosphere (of the talks) is patience. We need patience to find solutions, he said. His remarks were translated into Arabic through an interpreter.Italy, Spain and France agreed last week to work on a joint Middle East plan which includes a ceasefire, a Palestinian government of national unity, an exchange of Israeli and Palestinian prisoners, and possibly international observers.

Israel was cool to the idea and the United States is working on its own planning, which could include an international peace conference in Jordan at the end of the month.It is not clear how either initiative fits into the Middle East road map launched in 2003 by the Quartet of international mediators the United States, the European Union, the United Nations and Russia and previously seen as the only agreed framework for reviving talks on long-term peace.An incentive for action has been an Israeli offensive into Gaza, where more than 350 Palestinians have been killed since June, almost half of them civilians. Israel attacked after Palestinian militants captured an Israeli soldier.Asked about the peace conference idea, Prodi said: We cannot reach a peace conference without mutual confidence between the parties concerned ... The peace conference is an end-point which we reach gradually if there is good will.

Analysts say the new initiatives to revive talks hinge on an agreement between Palestinian Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah group and the governing Islamist group Hamas to form a national unity cabinet which Israel and the United States might deal with.Washington, Israel's chief ally, and the European Union want Hamas to renounce violence and recognise the Jewish state. In return they would lift the crippling sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority after Hamas won elections in January.Mubarak, a key Middle East mediator friendly with the United Sates, said there were still many problems between Fatah and Hamas. He said Cairo would soon host talks between Palestinian factions to bridge the gap but he gave no details.Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal, however, said in Damascus on Monday that talks with Fatah had come a long way.

We are discussing all details regarding the next administration, but we have nothing to gain by revealing them now, he said. The atmosphere with Fatah is positive.A main issue to be worked out is guarantees Hamas is seeking through Abbas that forming the government would lead to an end to the sanctions, which are contributing to an economic crisis in Gaza and the West Bank. AlertNet news is provided by

Sunday, November 19, 2006

ABBAS TALKS WITH SHABIR

POL-VATICAN-PALESTINE-PEACE
Peace in Mideast requires multilateral vision - Vatican

VATICAN CITY, Nov 18 (KUNA) The Vatican's underlined on Saturday that peace in the Middle East could be established through sealing international multilateral party agreements to secure a new vision that responds to the hopes of the sides concerned with the dilemma.

Speaking during a UN meeting to discuss peace in the Middle East, Celestino Migliore, the Vatican's permanent observer to the United Nations said that peace in the Middle East should not be determined by bilateral conventions only but multilateral conventions are also needed.Migliore added during his intervention broadcast by the Vatican Radio today that the multilateral conventions which he brought out aim at satisfying the demands of all parties, including what concerns water, environment and trade.He drew attention that the Israeli-Palestinian is the core conflict behind the instability in the Middle East. (end) mn.mm,KUNA 182313 Nov 06NNNN

Palestine welcomes EU peace process initiativeSubmitted
by kashif on Fri, 2006-11-17 17:17. Muslim World News

Ramallah, Nov 17 (NNN-KUNA) The Palestinian Authority welcomed on Thursday the European Parliament's (EP) initiative which calls for holding an international peace conference on the Middle East.Palestinian's Presidential spokesman Nabil Aburudaineh told reporters they welcome international efforts to revive the Middle East peace process and the implementation of the road map.We have praised and welcomed many times the idea of an international peace conference, especially in these times when peace process has been frozen and needs an international effort to revive it, he said.Earlier Thursday, French President Jacques Chirac said France, Italy, and Spain have agreed to work on a joint proposal to try to resolve the Middle East conflict, an immediate ceasefire between Israelis and Palestinian, and deployment of international peace-keeping force in Gaza.The initiative is expected to be presented to the European Union leaders next month.

Abbas holds first meeting with prime minister hopefulThe Associated PressPublished: November 18, 2006

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday held his first meeting with Mohammed Shabir, the former university president expected to head an emerging unity government, an official in Abbas' office said.There were no details on how long the meeting lasted or what the men discussed. But it indicated progress in efforts by Abbas' Hamas movement and the rival Hamas party to form a unity government. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the meeting was closed.Fatah and Hamas are making a final push to form a coalition after months of negotiations, but still need to work out a division of Cabinet ministries. In a breakthrough, the parties agreed this week on the selection of Shabir as the next prime minister. However, the U.S.-educated microbiologist has not been formally nominated.

Friday, November 17, 2006

ISRAEL REJECTS SPANISH FRENCH PEACE

Israel rejects Franco-Spanish peace initiativeynetnews, Nov 17,2006

Foreign Ministry officials: Interference by international officials will only complicate matters’ of five-point plan proposed to resolve Israeli-PA crisis. Livni: Israel will fight terror with full determination Foreign Ministry officials rejected the initiative proposed by France and Spain to resuscitate the peace process and renew negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority on Thursday.

The European Union initiative is not supported by the international community as a whole, the officials explained Israel’s rejection of the plan. In addition Israel prefers direct dialogue with the Palestinians over mediation by foreign elements that will only complicate matters.

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni addressed the issue of the Israeli-Palestinian crisis during the opening ceremony of a Kadima branch in Rishon Lezion. Israel will fight the terror threat with the full determination required, Livni stressed. We have learned the disparity between the slogans and the reality, and we can’t forget that reality is more complex, she said.Parallel to our duty to provide security and protection to the citizens of Israel, we must communicate the message to moderate elements in the Palestinian Authority that it is time they take responsibility for their lives and for what is going on in their territory.

Our aim is not revenge but to advance a process that can bring true peace and security,Livni said.I do not accept the comparison between terror attacks and our defense operations, Livni declared, addressing the extensive criticism due to the high civilian death toll in the Beit Hanoun strike last week.

The terror groups aim their acts at the civilian population, at kindergartens, and think of civilian casualties as a great victory. We do all we can to avoid hitting civilians and we educate our children not to hurt innocents. This is the complex reality we must face. I know that most Israeli citizens understand the complexity of the situation and don’t follow empty slogans, she said. Vice Premier Shimon Peres also commented on the chances of Israel reaching agreements with its neighbors: We tried to advance peace agreements four times; twice we failed to achieve them with Syria and the Palestinians because of them, not us.

They are divided, have no army, no diplomacy. The victim killed Wednesday in Sderot is a painful loss for all of us, and anyone looking at the Palestinian side understands that there is terrible collapse. Against this collapse, Hamas is making compromises. Hamas has
understood that if it continues with terrorism and doesn’t recognize Israel it will stand alone.
EU proposes new peace plan Earlier Thursday French President Jacques Chirac announced that his country, in cooperation with Spain and Italy, are drafting a new diplomatic initiative for the Middle East. Chirac said that he held a conference call Thursday with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, in order to reach an agreement on an initiative aimed at finding a solution for the Palestinian problem.

The new plan includes five elements: An immediate ceasefire, the formation of a Palestinian unity government that would be able to receive international recognition,prisoner exchange between Israel and the PA (including the three kidnapped Israeli soldiers), talks between the Israeli prime minister and his Palestinian counterpart, and an international force that will deploy in Gaza and reinforce the ceasefire.Chirac noted that that in the meeting he held Thursday morning with Zapatero, the two decided to take a joint initiative, as they sharedthe same views regarding the crisis in the Middle East and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Zapatero said that the program will be presented before the European Union next month, and expressed hope that it will win the support of Britain and Germany as well.

Thursday, November 16, 2006

QUARTET TALKS IN EGYPT

UPDATED: 21:21, November 15, 2006
International quartet discusses Mideast peace process in Cairo

Representatives of the International Quartet on the Middle East met in Cairo on Wednesday afternoon to discuss efforts to revive the stalled Middle East peace process, Egypt's official MENA news agency reported. The meeting at the residence of the Russian ambassador in Cairo brought together U.S. envoy David Welch, UN envoy Alvaro de Soto, Sergei Iacovlev from Russia and Marc Otte from the European Union. The quartet comprises Russia, the United States, the European Union and the United Nations.

The meeting is expected to discuss efforts to revive the Middle East peace process and efforts by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to form a new government in place of incumbent Hamas-led one. It was not known whether a statement would be issued after the meeting. On Sunday, Arab foreign ministers held an emergency meeting at the Arab League (AL) Headquarters in Cairo to discuss the latest Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

They issued a 15-point resolution at the end of the meeting, including measures to resolve the conflict and break the West's siege of the Palestinians. Source: Xinhua

Hamas: We won't have to recognize Israel after allSource: Ha'aretz,November 15, 2006

The Arabs states and other members of the international community are ready to end their boycott of the Palestinian Authority even if it does not recognize Israel.This is the guarantee PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas has given to his people, according to a statement Tuesday by Hamas' senior spokesman in Gaza, Ismail Radwan.All that is required is that the technocrats appointed to fill the ministerial posts in a re-constructed PA not be affiliated with any political group.

This is to say that they must not be card-carrying members of Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad or the PLO.In reality this is just more smoke and mirrors which, if carried through,
will spell another diplomatic victory for the Arab side. After its landslide election win last January, Hamas will remain in de facto control of the PA, whether or not its ministers step down.

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

EU SAYS COMPREHENSIVE PROCESS

DATE: 13/11/2006 TIME :22:00 EU Says return to Comprehensive Peace Process in ME is Urgently Needed BRUSSELS, November 13, 2006

(WAFA)- The Council of the European Union said Monday that the deterioration of the situation in the Middle East will only aggravate the already grave circumstances in the region where a return to a comprehensive peace process with a clear political perspective is urgently needed. In the 2761st EXTERNAL RELATIONS Council meeting in Brussels, the Council said To achieve this, an immediate cessation of violence is needed. The Council expressed its deep concern at the escalating violence in Gaza and in the West Bank.

The Council strongly deplored the Israeli military action in Gaza resulting in a growing number of civilian casualties, including women and children, and deplores the unacceptable military operation in Beit Hanoun on 8 November 2006. While recognising Israel's legitimate right to self-defence, the Council urged Israel to exercise utmost restraint and underlined that action should not be disproportionate or in contradiction to international humanitarian law. The Council called on Israel to cease its military operations that endanger the Palestinian civilian population in the Palestinian Territory. The Council also strongly deplored the firing of rockets on Israeli territory and called on the Palestinian leadership to bring an end to such acts.

The Council reiterated its call for the immediate release of the abducted Israeli soldier and commended efforts including by partners in the region to that effect. It repeated its call for immediate release of Palestinian ministers and legislators detained in Israel. The Council urged the Palestinians to work for national unity and to form a government with a platform reflecting the Quartet principles and allowing for early engagement. Such a government of national unity would also be a partner for the international community to support the re-launching of the peace process.

The Council reiterated the EU's intention to actively contribute to the work within the Quartet to get the Middle East Peace Process urgently back on track in order to make progress towards a comprehensive settlement on the basis of the Roadmap, relevant UNSC resolutions and the commitments made at Sharm el-Sheikh in 2005. This should be done in close cooperation with Arab partners. The Council reiterated the necessity of a political perspective and reinvigorating the peace process through re-launching negotiations. To support the objective of a future independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state based on the rule of law, the Council underlined the importance of preserving and strengthening the capacity of the institutions of the Palestinian Authority.

To that end, the Council underlined the work already undertaken by the EU and continued in the current circumstances to help building Palestinian institutions and expressed its readiness to provide enhanced support to a Palestinian Government that the EU can engage with. Further efforts in this respect will take into account useful experiences of the EU missions in this area, EU BAM Rafah and EU POL COPPS as well as the results of technical assistance provided to Palestinian institutions. The Council emphasised the importance of the implementation of the Agreement of Movement and Access of November 2005. It called on Israel to also respect previous agreements and to fulfil its obligations under them. It insisted on the particular importance of regular operations at Gaza crossings, notably Rafah and called on Israel to do its utmost to ensure that the crossings be opened and remain open. The Council decided to extend the EU Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point for a further six months.

The Council called on Israel to desist from any action that threatens the viability of an agreed two-State solution. Of particular concern are settlement activities in and around East Jerusalem as well as in the Jordan Valley. The European Union will not recognise any change to the pre-1967 borders other than those agreed by both parties.

The Council said it remains deeply concerned at the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and the West Bank, as also highlighted in recent reports by UN agencies. The Council recalled its commitment to help the Palestinian people and noted that the EU's combined assistance in 2006 exceeds € 650 million. The Council reiterated its call on Israel for the immediate resumption of transfers of withheld Palestinian tax and customs revenues. The Council encouraged donors and others to make full use of the Temporary International Mechanism. (21:56 P) (19:56 GMT)

Saturday, November 11, 2006

BERLIN TO REVIVE QUARTET

Berlinaims to revive Mideast quartet
(Nov 10,06)Financial Times ,By Hugh Williamson in Berlin

Germany will try to advance the Middle East peace process next year by reviving the joint diplomatic efforts in the region by the US, European Union, Russia and the United Nations, Angela Merkel, chancellor, said on Friday.Speaking at a security conference in Berlin, Ms Merkel said Germany would use its EU presidency from January onwards to breath new life into the Middle East Quartet involving these four international interests.We see the need to start the quartet again and will discuss this with our partners she said, adding that Berlin was determined to contribute to helping resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, even if the negotiations involved prove to be difficult.

Officials said the chancellor's comments reflected frustration in Germany and the EU that the quartet had been largely inactive in recent months, despite the tensions and violence in the Middle East.Germany in January assumes both the six-month EU presidency and the year-long presidency of the G8 group of industrial countries and German diplomats admit that Berlin is under pressure to take a heavyweight leadership role in the Middle East and elsewhere in this period.We can't just sit back and do nothing on the Middle East, said one German official, citing as an example the Israeli shelling in northern Gaza on Wednesday that left 18 Palestinian civilians dead.In addition, Germany has since last month, and for the first time in its postwar history, been involved in a peacekeeping mission in the region, with several ships patrolling the Lebanese coast to prevent arms being smuggled to the Hizbollah movement. We have a special responsibility to this region, Ms Merkel said, referring to Germany's commitment to ensure the existence of Israel, arising from its Nazi past.

Ms Merkel's announcement followed repeated suggestions by Frank-Walter Steinmeier, foreign minister, that the quartet structure be revived, in particular to draw Washington into broader international initiatives in the Middle East.In order to reinforce the quartet's role, its mandate could be expanded to include related regional conflicts, such as that between Israel and Lebanon, Mr Steinmeier has argued. In addition, other countries, such as Egypt, could be drawn into the talks to make them more representative.The quartet's last big policy decision was in January, when, after a meeting in London attended by Condoleezza Rice, US secretary of state, it called on Hamas to recognise Israel's right to exist, abide by past agreements and renounce violence.Some diplomats now fear that Europe and the US could be diverging, particularly if the Palestinians succeed in their attempts to form a national unity government. While the EU would like to recognise and work with such a government, Washington is much lessenthusiastic.

Additional reporting by Daniel Dombey in Brussels,The Financial Times Ltd.

Friday, November 10, 2006

KITCHEN SINK TO PLEASE

KITCHEN SINK TO PLEASE?!!!!!!!!

LAND FOR PEACE (THE FUTURE 7 YEARS OF HELL ON EARTH)

JOEL 3:2
2 I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.

DANIEL 9:26-27
26 And after threescore and two weeks(62X7=434 YEARS+7X7=49 YEARS=TOTAL OF 69 WEEKS OR 483 YRS) shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary;(ROMAN LEADERS DESTROYED THE 2ND TEMPLE) and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.(THERE HAS TO BE 70 WEEKS OR 490 YRS TO FUFILL THE VISION AND PROPHECY OF DAN 9:24).(THE NEXT VERSE IS THAT 7 YR WEEK OR (70TH FINAL WEEK).27 And he( THE ROMAN,EU PRESIDENT) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week:(1X7=7 YEARS) and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,(3 1/2 yrs in TEMPLE SACRIFICES STOPPED) and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

ISAIAH 28:14-19 (THIS IS THE 7 YR TREATY COVENANT OF DANIEL 9:27)14 Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.
15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:
16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.
19 From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.

DANIEL 8:23-25
23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king (EU DICTATOR) of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences,(FROM THE OCCULT) shall stand up.
24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power:(SATANS POWER) and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.
25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes;(JESUS) but he shall be broken without hand.

DANIEL 11:36-40
36 And the king shall do according to his will;(EU PRESIDENT) and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.
37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers,(THIS EU DICTATOR IS A EUROPEAN JEW) nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.
38 But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces:(HES A MILITARY GINIUS) and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.
39 Thus shall he do in the most strong holds (CONTROL HEZBOLLAH,AL-QUAIDA MURDERERS ETC) with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many,(HIS ARMY LEADERS) and shall divide the land for gain.
40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south(EGYPT) push at him:(EU DICTATOR PROTECTING ISRAELS SECURITY) and the king of the north(RUSSIA) shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.

ISAIAH 26:21
21 For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.(WW3,1/2 earths population die).

ISAIAH 13:6-13 KJV
6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.
7 Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt:(FROM FRIGHT)
8 And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.
9 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.
10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.
11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
12 I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.
13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.

ISAIAH 24:17-23 KJV
17 Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth.
18 And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.
19 The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly.
20 The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.
21 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth.
22 And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited.
23 Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.

PM to Abbas: Willing to go far in peace talks

Olmert calls on Palestinian president to return to negotiating table; ‘I’m willing to sit down with him with no predetermined conditions, he says. Adds: Beit Hanoun shelling a tragedy, not part of Israel’s policy Ronny Sofer Published: 11.09.06, 17:21

After apologizing for the IDF’s shelling of Beit Hanoun, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Thursday formally addressed the incident that left 18 Palestinians dead and also called on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to meet with him without preconditions. Abbas
is exposed to Hamas’ pressures, and I am willing to sit down with him with no predetermined conditions, the prime minister said. He would be surprised to see how far I’m willing to go in the talks.Speaking at the Prime Minister’s Conference for Export and International Cooperation in Tel Aviv, Olmert said regarding the Gaza shelling, It is certainly not a part of Israel’s policy; it is a tragedy that we thoroughly regret. I have great respect for Abu Mazen (Abbas). When we will sit around the negotiation table he will be very intransigent,Olmert said in a televised interview aired to people attending the conference.

He is a Palestinian patriot, not Israeli. He will fight for Palestinian interests like a lion. But he is a decent man, he opposes terror. He is under pressure from terror groups and has no power to oppose them and overpower them. I sent him the message 20 times.

I am ready to release prisoners

From a historical perspective, Olmert said that the disengagement was a right step. I am still proud to say that I was among the initiators of the disengagement. But we disengaged. We left and withdrew from there, because I believe that is an important step forward. They cannot say that we are occupying and holding on to parts of Gaza. They have been firing Qassam rockets at us from day one. What more can we do to convince them to sit with us for negotiations and stop firing and firing and firing. In this period they can prosper.The prime minister warned that he is ready to release many prisoners as a gesture to Abbas, but not to Hamas, in return for the release of Gilad Shalit. Even before Shalit's abduction, I met (Jordan's king) Abdullah, (Egyptian President Hosni) Mubarak, and (British Prime Minister Tony) Blair and told them that I am ready to release prisoners. I tell the Palestinians today – you don't know how many prisoners you can have if you were to release Shalit. I am ready to release for Abu Mazen but not for
Hamas.

War victory, ask Nasrallah

Also tonight, like in the past, the prime minister said Israel won the war in Lebanon.The day we decided to respond to Hizbullah"s provocation, we set three targets: the implementation of United Nations resolution 1559 which was never implemented in order to have the Lebanese Army dispatched and to remove Hizbullah. Resolution 1701 was implemented and the Lebanese Army and an international army are deployed in southern Lebanon.I can say that Hizbullah lost the appetite to fight Israel for many years. You can ask Nasrallah. You ask Nasrallah if they want to return to this experience, they would say that they don't want to experience that for many, many, many years. I heard during the war that there is no more deterrence because of this war. Did we have deterrence against Hizbullah before July 12?

There was zero deterrence.They tried to kidnap soldiers in January, in March and continued in June and in the end they succeeded in July. They fired rockets. Now ask them again. Now Hizbullah knows. He said that if he would have known about one percent of our response, he wouldn't have started a war. Today there is deterrence. Therefore I believe we won the war.

Israel ready for serious business with Syria

What about the Syrian front? I am not opposed to an agreement with Syria. Bashar Assad cannot eat the cake and leave it whole. Someone who supports Hizbullah, Hamas, Khaled Mashaal in terror activities in the Middle East, and who is Iran's most loyal partner while it calls for the destruction of Israel, cannot be a partner in negotiations. It doesn't go together. I am not ready to tell you what he is supposed to get from me. Israel proved in the past that it is ready for serious business.He consecrated a large part of his speech to the killing of Palestinian civilians in Beit Hanun: I express my great remorse for yesterday's accident in Beit Hanun, the
IDF's mistake firing. That's not Israel's aim. We regret what happened. But, unfortunately that's what happened but I could have also happened from Qassam fire at Sderot and Ashkelon. These are missiles fired deliberately at Israel. What we need to do is to curb the firing of these missiles. But I believe Israel is strong enough to apologize.

In the Beit Hanun incident, it was simply a mistake. We didn't plan this attack and we killed too many. It is a technical failure in Israeli artillery. This is not our policy. I remember speaking with Kofi Annan a while ago and he said that the Israeli response is disproportionate. I asked him to help me define what is a proportionate response to the firing of 1,000 Qassam rockets at southern communities? Based on what can you measure the extent of your response –according to the hours of insomnia? Based on fear and hysteria?

Then Olmert moved on to harsher criticism: Hypocrisy is widespread in some countries. It is true that people measure according to casualties and deaths but most of the deaths are gunmen. About women and children, it happens sometimes … once heard Donald Rumsfeld speaking about a missile that was fired at terrorists who hid behind civilians and he said: What do you want? They hid behind innocent civilians. I never use this as an excuse. I am explaining to you that this happens sometimes.He said that military operations against Qassam fire would continue: We won't fire now artillery fire to avoid unnecessary mistakes. We are trying to
avoid harming innocent civilians, but can't guarantee that.

Monday, November 06, 2006

TRADING IN FALLACIES

George Soros: Trading in Fallacies November 5th, 2006

George Soros does not like concepts that blind. He seems to have fewer problems with those that kill. The land for peace concept is one such concept, and has been the focus of all Israeli-Palestinian negotiations which Mr. Soros urges Israel to resume. Since land for peace spread among world diplomats and blocked their rational thought and their grasp of historical truths, thousands of people have died.Another one of Mr. Soros cherished concepts is the misnamed cycle of violence.He even upgraded this ubiquitous bromide to the vicious circle of escalating violence. By seeing only a circle, with no cause and effect, he exonerates the culprits of their atrocities, he tarnishes the life-preserving right to self-defense and he tacitly encourages determined murderers. All this, presumably, in the name of peace in the Middle East.

But, his most egregious notion is that Hamas and Hezbollah should not be targeted in the war on terror because “both have deep roots in their societies.The circular concept may have spawned this pearl of wisdom. Where did these deep roots come from? A recent poll of 1,270 Palestinians, conducted by Hebrew University on September 26, 2006, found that a majority believes in terrorism and war with Israel, and 74% believe that violence and diplomacy should be conducted in parallel. What has been deeply rooted in the Palestinian Arab society is the murderous ideology expounded in the Hamas and Hezbollah Charters: eradicate the State of Israel in the name of Islam and even indulge in genocidal hatred against Jews, as the Hadith Sahih Bukhari commands. How can anything peaceful grow out of these deep roots?

Nevertheless, Mr. Soros remains in his ethereal bubble and states that the Palestinian people yearn for peace and that “Israel should have gone out of his way to strengthen [Mahmoud Abbas] and his reformist team. Let it be known that Abbas’ own party, Fatah, supports the same destructive ideology as Hamas, in words and deeds albeit without Islamic overtones which may explain why Abbas never complied with the first phase of the Roadmap which called for the dismantling of the terrorist infrastructure.Mr. Soros repeatedly makes the distinction between the political wing and the military wing of Hamas. He could have added two other wings: the exiled wing and the prisoners’ wing, as suggested by The (UK) Times. Regardless of the many wings that are attached to Hamas, this blood-thirsty bird has soared only to heights of infamy. Moreover, they will pursue their relentless campaign to destroy Israel, if we believe Moussa Abu Marzouk, the deputy head of the so-called political wing of Hamas:

One of Hamas founding principles is that it does not recognize Israel. We [participated in] the elections and the people voted for us based on this platform. Therefore, the question of recognizing Israel is definitely not on the table unless it withdraws from ALL the Palestinian lands, not only to the 1967 borders.(Interview of April 24, 2006). Abu Marzouk was in perfect sync with the late Hamas leader Abdel Azaiz Rantisi who declared in July 2001:The [Hamas] political leadership has freed the hand of the [‘military wing’ Izzedine al-Qassam] brigades to do whatever they want against the brothers of monkeys and pigs.The Hamas program all wings combined could not be more straightforward. However, diplomats believe they can skirt reality indefinitely. They negotiate with other diplomats who share the same belief. Guess what often comes out of these talks: virtual reality at its most menacing level because, in time, these concocted schemes become the sole reality. In Orwell’s words, The past was erased. The erasure was forgotten. The lie became truth. This diplomatic fallacy has mired Middle East peace negotiations since their inception in the early 1990s.

Fallacy is a word that comes often in Mr. Soros book, The Age of Fallibility. It is not hard to find how fallacy makes its way into his article. He condemns the war on terror because it strengthens Hezbollah and Hamas and our actions help shape their behavior. Why should this observation run only one-way? Could it not be that since 9/11 and many years before that in Israel they have initiated actions and made official declarations that have shaped our behavior? For someone like Mr. Soros, who claims to be versed in philosophy, to overlook the fallacy of such one-sided sequitur is surprising. A possible explanation can be found in his website where he says, [in some instances] the truth cannot be known because it is contingent on what we think. If the truth of recent facts, thoroughly documented and unassailable for the most part, is an irrelevant category and if distorting or truncating it creates no dissonance as long as it serves one’s purpose, we may be entitled to ask: what is your purpose, Mr. Soros, in showing so much understanding toward the terrorists and so little concern toward Israel?

Mr. Soros sinks deeper into a quagmire of his own making. In an interview with Eric Schmidt conducted by the Google Authors Series on August 9, 2006, he declared,our biased, distorted understanding actually shapes reality. … And this is really an amazing example of how a false perception can actually shape reality. Thank you, Mr. Soros, for being so candid! You may be eager to shape an alternate reality, as Bill Clinton and other “liberals” urge the world to do, but it is not through ignorance of the facts that problems are solved.Mr. Soros certainly invested a great deal of intelligence to create an illusion that his thought process could apprehend. Sixty five years ago, at a time of a comparable global threat to our safety and our democracy, Sir Winsotn Churchill had a clearer view in his address to the Joint Session of Congress:

Duty and prudence alike command first that the germ-centers of hatred and revenge should be constantly and vigilantly surveyed and treated in good time, and, secondly, that an adequate organization should be set up to make sure that the pestilence can be controlled at its earliest beginnings before it spreads and rages throughout the entire earth. Now is certainly not the time to bury our heads in the sands of utopia.Salmon Benzimra contributed to this article Contact Rachel Neuwirth

Saturday, November 04, 2006

MIDEAST PEACE REMAINS ELUSIVE

ANALYSIS: Mideast peace remains elusive By STEVEN GUTKIN,
Associated Press Writer Sat Nov 4, 4:35 AM ET

JERUSALEM - Negotiators are reporting progress on efforts to form a more moderate Palestinian government and swap prisoners in Israeli custody for a captured Israeli soldier two issues that could help reverse an alarming deterioration in Israeli-Palestinian relations. But this week's violence in the Gaza town of Beit Hanoun, which included Israeli forces opening fire Friday on women serving as human shields for militants holed up at a mosque, highlighted the challenge for anyone interested in peace.Both U.S. and Israeli officials have made clear that they see no possibility for peace overtures unless the Palestinians' ruling Hamas movement accepts the three conditions put forth by the so-called quartet of international Mideast negotiators recognizing Israel, accepting past peace accords and renouncing violence.

After weeks of up-and-down negotiations, both Hamas and the rival Fatah Party of President Mahmoud Abbas say they are close to a deal to form a national unity government that many Palestinians hope could help end a crippling international aid boycott.The agreement would be based on a document put together by prominent Palestinians jailed in Israel calling for a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza. It's doubtful, however, that the so-called prisoners' document will be enough to satisfy demands that Hamas recognize Israel the main sticking point in the West's refusal to lift its boycott.The document has vague references to respecting past peace accords and accepting a Palestinian state only in the lands captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast War.

But there's no explicit recognition of the Jewish state.The Palestinians are also hoping a prisoner swap with Israel could help reduce tensions and get aid flowing again. The IMF reported this week that the Palestinian Authority's income fell by 60 percent since Hamas took power in March.

A senior Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he is not an official spokesman, said we are closer than we were two or three weeks ago to swapping prisoners for Cpl. Gilad Shalit, the young soldier captured by Hamas-linked militants on June 25.Israeli officials refused to give details about the negotiations, conducted through Egyptian mediators to avoid direct contact between Israel and Hamas, which Israel brands a terrorist organization. However, a senior Fatah official with knowledge of the contacts said Israel had softened its previous position refusing to discuss the criteria for which prisoners would be freed in exchange
for Shalit.Moussa Abu Marzouk, the Syria-based deputy to Hamas political chief Khaled Mashaal, complained that Israel was dragging its feet on the deal, but nevertheless predicted there will be a prisoner swap.Abu Marzouk told The Associated Press by phone in Damascus that talks held in Cairo this week between a Hamas delegation and Egypt's chief of intelligence, Omar Suleiman, about the captured Israeli and the formation of a unity government were good. He did not elaborate.

An official close to the talks, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the contacts, said Hamas doesn't trust Israel to live up to its part of the deal, and wants Shalit handed over to a third party until Israel fulfills its part of the exchange.The senior Israeli official confirmed back-channel contacts between Hamas representatives and members of Israeli civil
society with close links to their government. He offered no details, but Palestinians with knowledge of the talks said Hamas reiterated its offer of a 10-year cease-fire, or hudna, during which Israel and the Palestinians could seek a more permanent settlement.Ahmed Yousef, political adviser to Prime Minister Haniyeh, has begun a media offensive to tout the hudna idea Hamas's only diplomatic card.

I hope that one day America will find time to read a hudna as a concept,Yousef told the AP in a recent interview in Gaza. This concept could be at least a process to build confidence, and it might be a long strategy for peace.The U.S., whose involvement is seen as necessary to any hope of reviving a Mideast peace process, has been concentrating on opening Gaza's border crossings and bolstering the firepower of President Abbas as a counterweight to Hamas.

Progress toward resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict could go a long way toward repairing America's badly damaged credibility in the Arab and Muslim world and help bolster President Bush's legacy, especially if he becomes a lame duck after next week's congressional elections in which the Democrats are expected to fare well.But the U.S. administration has done little to get Israelis and Palestinians to talk peace, and U.S. officials privately concede they
have no intention of asserting any pressure as long as an unreformed Hamas is in power. Israel, for its part, has been concentrating its efforts on winning the release of Shalit and two other Israeli soldiers whose July 12 capture by Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon set off a 34-day war this summer. The government of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has indefinitely shelved the top policy initiative for which it was elected a pullback from the West Bank. Unless we see the emergence of a more stable political situation in the Palestinian territories, a Palestinian government that wants to cooperate with the international community, there is unfortunately a
feeling that not much can be done, said Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev.
Israeli officials are alarmed by what they say is a surge in arms smuggling from Egypt into Gaza following Israel's 2005 withdrawal from the seaside territory and Hamas' subsequent rise to power.

Israeli troops have been battling gunmen in Beit Hanoun for the past three days as part of a fierce campaign to halt militant rocket fire on southern Israel. On Friday, the troops fired toward a crowd of women who streamed into a mosque to serve as human shields for militants holed up inside. One woman was killed and at least 10 were wounded before the militants escaped under the women's cover. Editor's Note: Steven Gutkin is the AP's bureau chief in
Jerusalem.

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

THE SAUDI PLAN

Israeli defence minister says Arab peace initiative could be basis for talks Aron Heller, Canadian PressPublished: Wednesday, November 01, 2006

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) - Israel's defence minister said Tuesday that a dormant Saudi initiative for Mideast peace could be a basis for negotiation, indicating a new possibility for talks with the Palestinians after years of stalemate. The Saudi plan calls for a comprehensive peace between Israel and the Arab world, based on a complete Israeli withdrawal from lands it captured in the 1967 Mideast war, namely the West Bank, Gaza Strip, east Jerusalem and Golan Heights. Israeli Defence Minister Amir Peretz said he was not endorsing the plan. But he was the most senior Israeli official even to publicly consider it. We could see the Saudi initiative as the basis for negotiation. This does not mean that we are adopting the Saudi initiative, but it can serve as a basis, Peretz said at an academic conference at Tel Aviv University.

The Saudi initiative was adopted at an Arab League summit in Beirut, Lebanon, in March 2002. For the first time, it offered Israel normal relations with the entire Arab world in exchange for a complete withdrawal from captured territory. Israel reacted skeptically at the time, rejecting an addition by Saudi Arabia requiring Israel to recognize the demand to take back Palestinian refugees from the 1948-49 war that followed creation of the Jewish state, as well as their descendants, an estimated four million people. Israel has offered compensation instead, maintaining that demanding a right of return is a way of undermining the Jewish character of the state and destroying it from within.Israel also questioned the meaning of normal relations and rejected a total withdrawal from all the territories. In various unsuccessful rounds of peace talks, Israel has offered an almost complete pullout from the West Bank and Golan Heights, and last year it withdrew unilaterally from the Gaza Strip. However, it maintains that the pre-1967 ceasefire lines are not a border, and it wants to adjust the line to include main West Bank Jewish settlement blocks in Israel. At the time, Israel asked Saudi Arabia to send an envoy to clarify the proposal, but that did not happen.

In 2003, the Saudi initiative was overtaken by the U.S.-backed road map peace plan, which called for establishment of a Palestinian state in a three-stage process and mentioned the Saudi initiative as part of the basis for the solution.However, the plan was frozen from the outset when neither side implemented its initial steps. Israel failed to dismantle dozens of unauthorized West Bank settlement outposts, and the Palestinians declined to disarm violent groups. Peace moves have been stalled since 2000, when the outbreak of Palestinian violence followed a failed summit meeting of Israeli and Palestinian leaders in the United States. Israel's official position has been that the road map is the only plan on the table now, but Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev indicated the Saudi plan could be the basis for talks.

Israel has never accepted the Saudi initiative but would see positive elements in the initiative, particularly the call for reconciliation and the call for establishing normalized realizations between Israel and her Arab neighbours, Regev told The Associated Press. Though Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's election platform this year called for a unilateral Israeli pullout from much of the West Bank, he shelved the proposal in the aftermath of the unpopular, inconclusive war with Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas in the summer. The addition this week of an ultra-hawkish party to shore up Olmert's governing coalition made a new peace drive unlikely. In violence Tuesday, Israeli troops shot and killed three Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip as the army pressed ahead with a four-month-old offensive, Palestinian officials said. Israel has indicated it would expand its offensive, aiming to stop arms smuggling through tunnels from Egypt to Gaza and rocket fire by Palestinian militants at Israeli towns and villages. © The Canadian Press 2006