COLLECTIVE MADNESS


“Soft despotism is a term coined by Alexis de Tocqueville describing the state into which a country overrun by "a network of small complicated rules" might degrade. Soft despotism is different from despotism (also called 'hard despotism') in the sense that it is not obvious to the people."

Sunday, April 24, 2016

al-Qaeda in Syria and it’s unsavory connections

US finally acknowledging al-Qaeda factor in breakdown of Ceasefire

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – –

One of the frustrations of following the Syria conflict from the Arabic press is that when you then turn to the English language accounts, they tend to play down the importance of al-Qaeda or the Support Front (al-Jabha al-Nusra).

In American parlance, there have just been three sides– the regime of Bashar al-Assad, the Free Syrian Army, and Daesh (ISIS, ISIL). The Free Syrian Army is depicted as democrats deserving US support (only some of them are).

There is a fourth force, however, al-Qaeda, which has been among the more successful fighting groups and which holds key real estate. They led a coalition of hard line Sunni Salafi groups into Idlib city last year. They have a position around Aleppo and inside it.

Even the 33 “vetted” guerrilla groups that are supported by the US CIA via Saudi intelligence often make ad hoc, battlefield alliances with al-Qaeda, and US munitions from other groups flow to the latter. 

Al-Qaeda in Syria reports to al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, a mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, so it is quite disturbing to see American allies coordinating with it.

Late last week Syrian regime planes hit civilian markets in West Aleppo with heavy civilian casualties, in what was likely a war crime. That kind of thing as must shoulder responsibility for the breakdown of the ceasefire. But it is also possible that these strikes were at least trying to hit the Nusra Front/ al-Qaeda.
On Friday, Kerry told the NYT that Russia might indeed be targeting Nusra in Aleppo, 
He added that it has proven harder to separate” the militant group from the more moderate opposition groups “than we thought.”
Then  US Army Col. Steve Warren, the spokesman for Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq, said of the Russian air war,
“I’m not going to predict what their intentions are. What I do know is that we have seen, you know, regime forces with some Russian support as well begin to mass and concentrate combat power around Aleppo. … That said, it’s primarily al-Nusra who holds Aleppo, and of course, al-Nusra is not part of the cessation of hostilities. So it’s complicated.” 
While it is too sweeping a statement to say that al-Qaeda holds Aleppo, it is true that al-Qaeda is one of the important groups that holds territory in West Aleppo and around the city, so it is a departure that Warren was being straight with us all. 

Al-Qaeda has not signed on to the cessation of hostilities. Worse, it has convinced Free Syria Army factions such as Brigade 13 to join in its offensive against the regime, in which significant territory has been gained by the radicals.

So while it may be that the ceasefire is breaking down, it should be remembered that al-Qaeda played an important role in making it break down. 

That continued aggressiveness appears to have impelled the Russians to try to cut the rebels in West Aleppo off for once and for all by cutting their supply line to Turkey.
—–
Related video: 

_______________________________

Israel cooperates with ISIS, Al-Qaeda terrorists – Syria chief govt negotiator

Bashar Ja'afari © Shannon Stapleton
Syria's chief government negotiator has accused Israel of cooperating with Islamic State and Al-Qaeda militants in the Golan Heights, a region captured from Syria in 1967. The comments were made during talks to discuss the future of war-torn Syria.

Bashar Ja'afari made the accusations after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel would never relinquish the Golan Heights.
“This Israeli provocation...confirms without any doubt the cooperation between Israel and terrorists of Daesh (an Arabic acronym for Islamic State, IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) and Nusra Front on the demarcation line between where the Golan is and UN troops are positioned,” he told reporters during peace talks in Geneva, after meeting the UN special envoy to Syria.

"It is no coincidence at all that this Israeli escalation was accompanied by irresponsible statements by members of the so-called Saudi delegation at talks here in Geneva," Ja'afari added, referring to the main opposition group.
Netanyahu declared on Sunday that Israel would never give up control of the Golan Heights, which it captured from Syria in a 1967 war.

“It is time that the international community recognized reality,” Netanyahu said, as quoted by the Times of Israel. “Whatever happens on the other side of the [Syrian] border, the border itself will not move.”
“And secondly,” Netanyahu added, “the time has come after 40 years for the international community to finally recognize that the Golan Heights will remain under Israeli sovereignty forever.”
Netanyahu went on to say that “the Golan was an integral part of the Land of Israel in ancient times,” as well as an “integral part of the State of Israel in the present time.”

Israel annexed the strategically important territory in 1981, extended its jurisdiction there, and began the construction of Jewish settlements. The annexation of the Golan Heights has never been accepted by the international community.

The area, which borders Syria, has economic significance for Israel. In October, the Israeli business website Globes suggested that oil deposits on the territory could make the Jewish State self-sufficient for years to come.

The comments came during peace talks on Monday convened to discuss the future of Syria, which has been engulfed in a civil war since 2011. The five-year conflict has led to the deaths of 250,000 people and displaced more than 12 million others, according to official UN figures.

71 comments:


  1. There you have it, Bibi confirming that the Israeli have committed "War Cries", and he wants the world to acknowledge it.

    Bye the by, he wants Israel to be pardoned for those crimes, as well.




    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Keep on smoking the crack Rat....

      But you of all people should KNOW what war crimes are...

      tell us, are you still a wanted murderer of civilians in Central America?

      Delete
  2. Sane people - which by definition excludes General Jack "Memorial Day" Hawkins, aka rat crapper - read Netanyahu as saying Israel is keeping the Golan Heights.

    They don't wish, understandably enough, to have rockets raining down on them from that area again.

    Good for Israel, and good for Bibi.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. israel won the Golan Heights in a war against an aggressor Syria.

      For decades the Syrians used the Golan to shell farmers below....

      In the international rules of law it is clear, Syria started and lost a war.

      Now the funny thing?

      Syria, a Nazi loving, baathist, mass murdering nation of it's OWN people can't defeat the JV of terrorists inside it[s own nation and needs RUSSIA and the USA, Iran and Hezbollah to slaughter it's own citizens to defeat the opposition in a civil war demands Israel return lands it cannot control?

      israel offered the Golan back in a peace offer decades ago and was rejected. Syria has, for decades, supported suicide bombers and terrorists against the civilians of Israel.

      Dear World, Rat and any others?

      Go fuck yourself.

      really...

      Israel IS, Israel is stable, Israel will not get on it's knees to make you Israel hating twits happy...

      So today, the 3rd day of Passover, a Passover message to you Rat and others that wish to see Israel destroyed and the Jewish people genocide.

      YOU ARE LOSERS.

      really....

      Rat are you listening?

      You suck and are a nothing.....

      Your side of the equation are nothing but savage killers and are killing one another faster than you can count...

      So PISS off and DIE.....

      Your accusations, your disapproval, your shit about Israel?

      Stuff it up your criminal ass.....

      IN THE REALITY OF THE DAY?

      Israel is strong, good, decent and it's enemies are shit....

      :)

      Now you have a horrible day, thinking about how your side has LOST.

      Defeated.

      Imploding and destroying it's self..

      Delete

    2. The United States has not lost a thing, "O"rdure.
      It is not destroying itself.

      That's the only side I have.

      To improve the US's position in the world, it should abandoned the Zionist government in Israel. It is an albatross.

      Delete
    3. The USA has lost much under Obama.

      The only "side" you have is YOU.

      As for Israel and the Zionist government?

      A much LOVED ally of the USA.

      You should get on board with the USA Jack

      Delete

  3. Robert "Draft Dodger" Peterson is also a self proclaimed criminal, little wonder then he supports the criminals in Israel

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow that's deep coming from a killer of women and babies in central america.

      A man who is on the Watch List, a man who I turned into the AZ FBI for making death threats...

      Jack? You are the real deal, criminal that is...

      Bob is not a "draft dodger", but you cannot help yourself from lying....

      Another character defect you have..

      The good news?

      We all know what a scummy shit of a dead beat you are.....

      And we KNOW that you are frustrated that Israel keeps growing, getting stronger and winning....

      all the while you lose.

      Admit if Rat, you are defeated.

      You are a loser....

      So embrace your shitty existence, embrace your nothingness, embrace you are the turd of AZ....

      And NOTHING you say or do will ever effect Israel, the jewish people from succeeding at living a great and successful life.


      You can call names of Israel, you can be the most despicable Jew hating piece of shit you choose.

      You are a nothing.

      loser.

      Delete

    2. "O"rdure, your continued responses are an indicator of just how meaningful what I am writing is.

      That what I write continues to cause you to rant and rave, proof positive that I am continuing to hit the mark, on time, on target.

      {;-)

      Delete
    3. LOL

      a legend in your own mind. what little is left....

      No rant and rave, just the fact, you are a loser.

      Delete
    4. It's funny you rant and rave about Bob...

      I guess he gets to you....

      LOL

      Delete

    5. No, "O"rdure, I merely quote Robert.

      Delete
    6. Jack 'Memorial Day' Hawkins is insane.

      He actually thinks people might believe him when he said he is involved in some super secret defense project with the CIA, NSA and Defense off the coasts of Panama.

      Bwobwobwo - bwa bwa bwa - ha Ha HA

      The only honest thing he has said is that his wife fled from him the moment out of the hospital after 'dropping the kid' on USA soil.

      S M A R T woman !

      She made a mistake and did the best she could to deal with it.

      Jack has been a 'dead beat dad' ever since.

      He qualifies as a 'sperm donor', not a true Father.

      For rest of his bull shit, what he actually does is blog from his mom's basement.

      About 80% of the contributors here have said he needs psychological help.

      Quirk made a fine diagnosis, for instance, of his condition.

      He obviously hasn't gotten it as here he is again spouting the same old bull shit.

      Everyone is on to his sick games.

      Delete
  4. .

    Even the 33 “vetted” guerrilla groups that are supported by the US CIA via Saudi intelligence often make ad hoc, battlefield alliances with al-Qaeda, and US munitions from other groups flow to the latter.


    Vetted by Saudi Intelligence?

    Sure. What could possibly go wrong?

    .

    ReplyDelete

  5. “It is time that the international community recognized reality,” Netanyahu said, as quoted by the Times of Israel. “Whatever happens on the other side of the [Syrian] border, the border itself will not move.”
    “And secondly,” Netanyahu added, “the time has come after 40 years for the international community to finally recognize that the Golan Heights will remain under Israeli sovereignty forever.”
    Netanyahu went on to say that “the Golan was an integral part of the Land of Israel in ancient times,” as well as an “integral part of the State of Israel in the present time.”

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Reality.

      Israel IS.
      Israel LIVES STRONG and FREE


      Syria? Dissolving.

      Iraq? Imploding.

      Yemen? Collapsing.

      Lebanon? Strifeville.

      Gaza? A Shithole.

      Egypt? Disgusting

      Libya? Hellhole

      Arabia? Repressive

      Quatar? Hedonistic Dictators

      Iran? LOL Hanging Gays, stoning women....

      Yeah Baby...

      Delete
  6. .

    Al-Qaeda in Syria reports to al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, a mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, so it is quite disturbing to see American allies coordinating with it.


    I have become convinced that for at least the first year and a half of war in Syria, the US was not actually fighting ISIS but merely making a show of it. Instead, they were using ISIS and the other militias in a stealth battle to take down Assad. It was only after Russia entered the war and changed the equation that the US actually started doing anything and even then in a limited way.

    .

    ReplyDelete
  7. .

    It's rare I compliment Bibi on anything but at least he has decided to can the bullshit and admit what most here have realized for a long time, there is no way Israel is giving back any occupied land in Syria, at least, not willingly.

    And of course, the same applies to the other occupied territories in the WB and Jerusalem.

    It is the policy of the current right wing administration. The Likud's biggest opposition are even more right wing and intractable than Bibi. Public opinion in Israel supports the current direction. And demographics support the continued move right.

    And it has always been about one thing, the land. One only has to look at the long history of Zionism and at the land laws that have been created going back to 1948.

    The honesty is refreshing.

    .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Israel has offered land for peace and got rockets.

      It left the Sinai 2 times. It gave up MOST all of the west bank and all of Gaza for peace.

      If you do not have a reasonable partner for peace? There is no more giving up land.

      There is a price to pay if you choose war over peace.

      The expansion of the settlements in the west bank is tiny when compared to the total land mass of the west bank.

      Israel offered 1/2 of Jerusalem 97 % of the west bank and a land swap for the 3% with a 4% exchange to connect gaza to the west bank and it was REFUSED.


      New reality


      New game in town.


      Israel will keep it's major population centers, JUST AS IT WAS ASSURED IT COULD BY GEORGE BUSH in a letter of understanding that obama ripped up.

      When the arabs that surround Israel grow up and become decent nations? Then anything is possible, til then?

      They can fuck off.

      Delete
    2. Now I would LOVE to see Israel respond to Hamas tunnels and attacks by deporting Gazans to Europe and annexation of land for each and every attack....

      the same for the west bank (as you folks call it).

      Judea and Samaria are the heartland of the Jewish people.

      If attacked? Israel should annex and deport (to europe) any and all supporters of terror..

      Be it one home at a time... so be it...

      Delete
    3. Yeah its all about the land...

      that's why Israel has given so much land back....

      have you folks ever actually looked at a map?

      Maybe it's time for Israel to expand from 1/900 to 2/900ths of the middle east....

      Yeah that's an idea....

      Delete
  8. QuirkSun Apr 24, 11:28:00 AM EDT
    .

    It's rare I compliment Bibi on anything but at least he has decided to can the bullshit and admit what most here have realized for a long time, there is no way Israel is giving back any occupied land in Syria, at least, not willingly.

    And of course, the same applies to the other occupied territories in the WB and Jerusalem.

    It is the policy of the current right wing administration. The Likud's biggest opposition are even more right wing and intractable than Bibi. Public opinion in Israel supports the current direction. And demographics support the continued move right.

    And it has always been about one thing, the land. One only has to look at the long history of Zionism and at the land laws that have been created going back to 1948.

    The honesty is refreshing.



    It's always the RIGHT wing governments of Israel that gave up land for peace.

    the very fact you do not understand this shows you lack if historic understanding of the situation.

    The total amount of lands given up for "peace" by right wing governments is staggering, to which you give Bibi and such ZERO credit.

    The Golan you call "occupied" so you put upon Israel one set of laws that no other nation attacked has ever been...

    Quirk your bias against Israel still shows.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. .

      Bias is in the eye of the beholder. I really can't take the charge seriously coming from you, a man who doesn't accept basic facts.

      The total amount of lands given up for "peace" by right wing governments is staggering, to which you give Bibi and such ZERO credit.

      First, all you need to do is look at Bibi's cabinet, the growth of right wing groups (settlers, Haredi, Yisrael Beitenu, etc.) and the direction of the country to see why I speak of the right-wing. I complain about them for the same reason I complain about the Dems when they are in control and the GOP when they are in control.

      As for Bibi, admittedly I dislike the guy and consider him like Hillary a pathological liar.
      However, beyond that...

      Guys like Peres seem to have a real inclination towards a two-state solution but as PM have lacked the political power to move the discussion. In the last 20 years, it has always been Bibi there to stop any glimmer of hope for an agreement.

      In 1995, Yitzhak Rabin seemed serious as he was working with Arafat towards an agreement. That lasted until a right-wing assassin took him out. Peres filled in for a few months until elections could be held. Bibi came in and that was the end of that.

      In 2008, Ehud Olmert came up with a proposal to move to an agreement. We are told, it was expressed verbally and with a hand drawn map. Olmert demanded that Abbas and the PA answer immediately even though there were a number of controversial terms in the agreement. That didn't happen and three days later Olmert resigned due to corruption charges. He was replaced by Bibi and again that was the end of that.

      When Abbas asked if they could use the Olmert proposal as the basis for additional negotiations, Bibi said no.

      .

      Delete
  9. Love the term "occupied" where it is applied to lands....

    Tell me, oh wise ones...

    Is England occupying lands? America? Russia? China? Iran? Iraq?

    Is Puerto Rico "occupied"?

    Guam? Hawaii? Washington DC?

    Virgin Islands?

    Canada?

    Egypt?

    Lebanon?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. .

      Occupation is a legal term.

      It applies to Israel unlike the others you mentioned because Israel refuses to state the obvious, that they had conquered and annexed these lands.

      It appears your knowledge of the law is as faulty as your knowledge of history even fairly recent history.

      It gave up MOST all of the west bank and all of Gaza for peace.

      No, they didn't. The Oslo Accords are a joke and all they did was turn Gaza into a prison.
      You can justify it any way you want but that is the reality.

      I've accused you of this before, you don't know shit about the Oslo Accords, the 'temporary' arrangements that were put in place, how those arrangements have 'evolved' in Israel's favor over time, recent incursion by the IDF even in Area A where the PA is supposed to have nominal control. And Area C represents 60% of the WB and it is under complete Israeli civil and military control. I hardly consider that given the PA even partial control of the 'majority' of the occupied territories. And this has never been signed off as anything other than a temporary arrangement. A final agreement was never signed off.

      You keep bringing up the Oslo Accords. Try reading this and learn something.

      http://america.aljazeera.com/multimedia/2014/7/west-bank-security.html

      or this

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oslo_Accords

      The Oslo Accords weren't really an accord. They were a set of principles that were supposed to lead negotiations towards a final agreement.

      .


      Delete
    2. .

      Saw an article yesterday (RealClearWorld or the Times of Israel) in which the author, an Israeli, argues that Israeli's big mistake was to indicate their willingness to negotiate a two-state solution from the beginning. Now, all their actions are hampered by the political considerations and ramifications resulting from that early decision.

      .

      Delete
    3. Commentators that don't provide LINKS should be drawn and quartered.

      Your author was correct.

      The last thing the world needs is another misogynist, racist, apartheid, homicidal, genocidal, aggressive state.

      Delete
    4. Quirk needs to get his occupying arse back to Poland ASAP.

      :o)

      Enough with his squatting on American Indian land outside of Detroit.

      But, sooner or later he will get his -

      First we show the Poles then everybody else

      'Justice' shall be served one day on the occupying Poles of Michigan !

      :o)

      Delete
    5. Question of the Day

      In the past when the Syrians were firing artillery from the Golan Heights, were they firing said artillery into, or away from, Israel ?

      First correct answer earns the genius a free "Pee-Q" Ash Tray from "Pee-Q" Industries, Detroit, Michigan.

      **No delivery provided. Must pick up prize in person.**

      Delete
    6. .

      Commentators that don't provide LINKS should be drawn and quartered.

      Go piss up a rope, asshole.

      .

      Delete
  10. Strikes in Syria

    Attack aircraft conducted four strikes in Syria:

    -- Near Manbij, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position, and an ISIL anti-air artillery system.

    -- Near Mar’a, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL fighting position, and an ISIL bomb.

    Strikes in Iraq

    Bomber, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 24 strikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of Iraq’s government:

    -- Near Baghdadi, a strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL weapons caches, an ISIL recoilless rifle, an ISIL bomb factory, and suppressed an ISIL tactical unit.

    -- Near Huwayjah, a strike destroyed an ISIL tunnel system and an ISIL generator.

    -- Near Beiji, a strike destroyed three ISIL fighting positions.

    -- Near Fallujah, five strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL fighting position, an ISIL bunker, and three ISIL trench systems.

    -- Near Habbaniyah, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position, an ISIL weapons cache, and an ISIL trench system.

    -- Near Hit, a strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun and an ISIL recoilless rifle.

    -- Near Kisik, four strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL assembly areas, four ISIL improvised explosive devices, an ISIL observation camera and suppressed an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL mortar position.

    -- Near Mosul, four strikes struck an ISIL modular refinery and an ISIL headquarters and destroyed an ISIL assembly area and two ISIL vehicles and damaged an ISIL vehicle.

    -- Near Ramadi, a strike struck a large ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.

    -- Near Sinjar, a strike destroyed an ISIL vehicle.

    -- Near Sultan Abdallah, three strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units, an ISIL bomb and weapons facility and destroyed six ISIL assembly areas, an ISIL mortar system, and an ISIL supply cache.

    ReplyDelete
  11. As to a comment in reference to the title of the thread ...

    al-Qaeda in Syria and it’s unsavory connections

    We should remember ...

    Israel is the Main Purchaser of ISIS Oil

    http://www.globalresearch.ca/israel-is-the-main-purchaser-of-isis-oil/5493738

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nah.

      The Kurds and others are the main purchasers of ISIS oil.


      Delete
    2. We should remember that YOU support Hamas, a terrorist organization by the USA a nation you profess to have loyalty too..

      SO you support a terror organization against the law of the USA.

      Bwaaaaaah

      Delete
    3. Israelis complaining about Hamas is equivalent to German Wehrmacht in Paris complaining about La Résistance Française.
      The French Resistance used weapons, sabotage, bombing as well as a natural patriotic fulfillment of fighting a foreign oppressor. The only weapon opened to an occupied people is violent resistance.

      Hollywood celebrated the heroic patriotic forces opposed to the occupation. Of course, many Muslims support Hezbollah and Hamas.

      The Occupied French also used assassination and execution of collaborators. Why should Hamas do less?

      Delete
  12. The very best thing that could happen for the Arabstinians is that their 'society' allow them to sell their property on the open market.

    They would get some good offers. More than their holdings are worth in any proper analysis.

    But, alas, they have been on the Corner of Hatred and Insane Streets since the days of Martha Gellhorn, and before.

    They are the cause of their own sad problems.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They could move to Las Vegas, or, Hamtramck, Michigan !

      Or, more hopefully, to the New Hebrides.

      Raise cattle, and take up head hunting.....

      My dad had a small interest in a large cattle ranch in the New Hebrides once, long ago, back in the days before they attained Independence.

      Even had a village of natives on it.

      Nothing even came of it.

      I looked into going there and checking it out once, but the more I read the less enthusiastic I became, and finally the idea drifted out of my mind.

      An English guy, Campbell, that was the firecracker behind this 'investment', told me there are so many earthquakes there, small ones, and you can see the land rolling like a small wave coming at you, and that you mustn't sleep near a certain kind of wood or you will die from the poison it exudes, and the head hunt was still in practice in some areas....

      Delete
    2. Nothing ever came of it, my trip or the investment.

      Dead loss all the way around.

      The Arabstinians might make a go of it, though.

      Delete
  13. Quirk:

    Occupation is a legal term.

    It applies to Israel unlike the others you mentioned because Israel refuses to state the obvious, that they had conquered and annexed these lands.


    Israel has not ANNEXED GAZA or most of the west bank.

    Wrong again Quirko.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. .

      Then ipso facto they are occupying. Or, so says the UN and all of the world. There may be exceptions but I am not aware of the them. Even the US says it is so and if we do, well...

      The fact that Israel refuses to accept that designation, again, well...

      .

      Delete
  14. Quirk It appears your knowledge of the law is as faulty as your knowledge of history even fairly recent history.


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ONE DAY, ISRAEL WILL FACE JUSTICE
      Mar 20, 2016

      Senior officials from the Palestinian Authority met with representatives of the International Criminal Court in Amman on Saturday, and presented them with Palestinian claims against Israel concerning cases they have already filed with the court.
      The Palestinian delegation consists of lawyers and activists from the committee responsible for the ICC cases on behalf of the PLO and human rights organizations within the PA.

      ICC representatives received a general briefing on the settlements enterprise, including figures and aerial photographs, and the effect of the settlements on Palestinian lives, the Jordanian newspaper Al-Ghad reported on Sunday morning, quoting a senior Palestinian delegation member.

      The meetings will continue through Monday. The Palestinians will present four cases, all linked to the settlements and Israel’s actions in Hebron and East Jerusalem, alongside allegations of environmental damage, appropriation of water resources, expropriation of land and aggression from settlers, added the official. The official said the Palestinians will raise the case of the arson against the Dawabshe family home and the murder of Mohammed Abu Khdeir.

      PA officials expect ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to adopt the Palestinian position and determine the evidence is sufficient to open an investigation, especially because this is one of the main cases submitted by the Palestinians to the court.

      Palestinian sources said they are countering the international pressure the United States, in conjunction with Israel, has spearheaded to halt the cases. This is why it was so important to present all the data, including a historical overview of the settlement policy and its impact on Palestinians, said Palestinian officials, because ICC agreement to open an investigation would likely lead to the investigation of senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

      A Palestinian official also told Haaretz that the agenda for Sunday includes the question of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel, the wars in Gaza and the blockade on the Gaza Strip as well as their effect on the Palestinians.

      read more: http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.709886

      Delete

    2. Oh, Haaretz, a trusted Israeli source of news and information, as it occurs in Israel.

      Jolly Good!

      Delete
  15. Quirk says Israel turned Gaza into a PRISON...

    Quirk what of Egypt?

    They control a large border with Gaza....

    They are brother arabs and historically the rulers of the gaza strip...

    IF israel had turned Gaza into a prison (from your mouth to g-d's ears)?

    I'd expect to see Israeli arrests and executions of every hamas member.

    After all what "prison" has it's own army, rockets, zoo? What prison has diplomatic relations with the UN as part of the unity government?

    Quirk your lack or specifics once agains show when it comes to Israel?

    You are simply dishonest.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. .

      If you want to equate Israel with Egypt, I have no problem with that.

      .

      Delete
    2. No you called Gaza a prison, and ignored Egypt's border with it.

      No equating.

      Gaza aint a prison, it's not occupied by Israel. Sharon, a right winger withdrew and gave the land to the PA.

      What happened then? Is the fault of the PA/Hamas war.

      Not Israel's

      Delete

    3. Israel conquered Gaza, occupied it and now keeps it as a prison for the Palestinians.

      The Egyptians bear no responsibility for the actions of the Israeli.
      The Palestinians are victims of Israeli aggression, the responsibility for the current situation is not theirs. The responsibility for the current state of affairs, it rests squarely on the Isrealis.

      Delete
    4. .

      Nonsense.

      Of course, it's a prison. The fact that a 10th of the walls is patrolled by Egypt makes no difference. Israel controls the rest. They control access in and out for materials and people. They control travel. They control the air above and the sea that abuts Gaza. They have watch towers and shoot people entering the no-man's land. they determine what they can eat. They control utilities. Weapons? Just like any prison they are made or smuggled in by the prisoners.

      You deny reality.

      .

      Delete
    5. You invent...

      The fact is you want Israel to OCCUPY Gaza?

      Get ready it may happen...

      But of course, Then the fun begins.

      Saving the arabs of gaza from the Hamas.

      Maybe the best thing?

      Your distorted nonsense gives Israel a license to what ever it wishes...

      Delete
    6. Quirk you are a funny stupid man...

      "Nonsense.

      Of course, it's a prison. The fact that a 10th of the walls is patrolled by Egypt makes no difference."


      SIZE DOESNT MATTER.



      " Israel controls the rest. They control access in and out for materials and people. They control travel. "

      Egypt controls any access they wish.

      You should look at a map and read a book rather than the cartoons.


      Egypt's Rafah is the MAJOR egress in and out of the strip.

      "They control the air above and the sea that abuts Gaza. "

      Yep they try but that's a UN sanctioned thing do to instability of the place. All materials can be off load in aleandria and imported into the strip IF EGYPT ALLOWS IT....

      "They have watch towers and shoot people entering the no-man's land.

      IT's a hostile border you moron. Gazans have NO RIGHT to ENTER ISRAEL.

      "they determine what they can eat. "

      No Israel provides humanitarian assistance to the people, EGYPT can do what ever it pleases.


      "They control utilities"

      No they don't., they supply energy out of the goodness of their hearts and most of the time the fuel is never paid for. Egypt can run as many power lines to it as it wants to... After all Egypt shut down the natural gas lines due to Hamas supported terrorists in the Sinai, let them re-route them to Gaza...

      " Weapons? Just like any prison they are made or smuggled in by the prisoners."

      You are deluded.

      Hamas spent over a billion dollars building terror tunnels and imported from Iran tens of thousands of rockets. Hamas JOINED the PA and formed a unity government.

      You are pathetic.

      you are actually a racist against the arabs.

      You can't even make them live up to normal standards of behavior that the rest of the world lives by..

      really you are pathetic.

      Delete
    7. Quirk, I only hope that reality bites you in your ass one of these days...

      Delete
    8. .

      You are getting hysterical, WiO.

      IT's a hostile border you moron. Gazans have NO RIGHT to ENTER ISRAEL.

      True enough. But as far as I know the Israeli border doesn't extend down the Gazan border with the sea. Likewise, they can't fly out. Somehow, their airport got all blown up.

      .

      Delete
  16. .

    Syria? Dissolving.

    Iraq? Imploding...

    Yeah Baby...



    I agree that the current turmoil in the ME works to Israel's advantage. However, saw an article (Times of Israel, RealClearWorld) where an IDF raised some questions about the assumption.

    Short term, there is no doubt the the conflict helps Israel. It is primarily a Shia-Sunni conflict and the conflicts with Israel and the US are way down the list.

    Early on, the conflicts with Israel were for territorial gains and had little to do with the Palestinians other than an excuse. Today, Iran and Saudi Arabia have both used Israel as a cat's paw, a tool for proving Islamic orthodoxy and a unifying principle for their people to distract from other concerns. Neither they nor any other of the states in the ME with the possible exception of Jordan could give a shit about the Palestinians. They are merely tools for forwarding Iran and Saudi Arabia's regional ambitions for establishing both religious and political hegemony.

    This has allowed the current cold alliance between Israel and the Sunni Arab states.

    The IDF points out two concerns with the current situation...

    1. That as a result of the conflict, all the states in the ME are arming up. We saw the numbers for Saudi Arabia yesterday. They are not alone. The general fears this massive build-up could eventually result in a degradation of Israel's qualitative edge.

    2. If there ever is a 'winner' in the ME between Shia and Sunni, Israel and the US would naturally move up one notch in the enemies list.

    .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. .

      ...an IDF general raises...

      .

      Delete
    2. Our Estranged Generals

      Our generals are not on the same page as the rest of us. In fact, they aren’t even reading the same book.

      April 22, 2016

      Caroline Glick

      http://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/262603/our-estranged-generals-caroline-glick


      Directly above this sentence is a LINK.

      Delete
    3. .

      To make clear it was one IDF general making the argument and not stated IDF policy.

      .

      Delete
    4. .

      Go fuck yourself, asshole.

      .

      Delete
    5. :o(

      Sir, that is soooo Rufian.....

      Time to check your hinges....

      Delete
    6. The ME is arming up, thanks Obama.

      Israel's quantitative edge has not dulled but no thanks to obama who doesn't support Israel.

      The good news?

      he's gone in 6 months

      As for the ME?

      There will be a major battle between the shits and the suns soon.

      Already this war has done amazing destruction to Israel's enemies in ways that Israel would never do...

      Thanks Iran, Assad, Hezbollah (and Russia) for destroying much of Syria.

      Delete
    7. .....or you might find yourself being 're-evaluated', like Beyoncé.

      :o)

      Delete

    8. QuirkSun Apr 24, 03:16:00 PM EDT

      .

      Go fuck yourself, asshole.

      .


      Idaho BobSun Apr 24, 03:32:00 PM EDT

      :o(

      Sir, that is soooo Rufian.....

      Time to check your hinges....




      Idaho BobSun Apr 24, 03:35:00 PM EDT

      .....or you might find yourself being 're-evaluated', like Beyoncé.

      :o)


      There, all in one comment.

      Delete
  17. The Gazans are idiots and uncouth.

    The ought not be firing missiles at their neighbors.

    They ought to do something productive in life.

    They ought to develop some kind of economic niche that no one else in the world does really well, and get rich.

    Just like the Arabstinians they need a new outlook on life.

    For starters, they might quit this throwing people they don't like off of high buildings.

    They should put their efforts into something other than digging terror tunnels into Israel.

    They ought to get a new life.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Beyoncé has now officially made my Shit List, a sharp drop from my earlier listing of her high up on my A List -


    Beyonce Goes to Bat in New Video: “Role Model” Smashes Set to Smithereens With Skipping Children


    by Roger Friedman - April 24, 2016 1:02 pm

    Four years ago, the Obamas were crazy for Beyonce. President Obama said at a fundraiser: “BeyoncĂ© could not be a better role model for my girls because she carries herself with such class and poise and has so much talent.”

    The president may be changing his policy on Beyonce now. Her new video from the visual album “Lemonade” shows the Queen of Pop gleefully smashing dozens of cars and other objects to smithereens with a baseball bat. She has a better average right now than A-Rod!

    The song and video, called “Hold Up,” seems to be about Beyonce getting revenge on husband Jay Z for cheating on her. Indeed, all of “Lemonade” appears to be Beyonce saying she’s made lemonade from lemons– meaning she’s somehow stuck it out in a bad marriage despite lying and infidelity. That sounds more like the Clintons’ story than the Obamas’.

    What’s very interesting is that Jay Z doesn’t show up on the “Lemonade” songs as he did on Beyonce’s last album. And the only reason she may have given his Tidal service an exclusive is that as his wife, she’s also his business partner.

    The lyrics: “I’d rather be crazy” than being “walked all over lately.” She asks: “Are you cheating on me?”
    “Back up hold up/They don’t love you like I love you.” Jeez Louise. “I’m gonna f– me up a bitch.” Beyonce sings that she’s been going through his “call list.”

    Anywho: Beyonce looks nuts in this video. Role model? Only if she’s in one of those Monster truck rallies.

    http://www.showbiz411.com/2016/04/24/beyonce-goes-to-bat-in-new-video-role-model-smashes-set-to-smithereens-with-skipping-children

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. (Monster Trucks are cool, though)

      Delete
  19. Just found in my email in box sent to me by mistake -


    Dear Quirk,

    I can't tell you how many times I've heard
    people say "I never win anything."

    Yet, so often I hear about someone who wins
    big -- millions of dollars in the lottery, a new car, a trip to a
    white sandy beach -- but it never seems real to me.

    This is simply because it wasn't MY name
    drawn -- YET...

    Quirk , there is a first time for
    EVERYTHING.

    This sleek new F-1 BDR-15 3G Skeletonized
    Rifle Package could break the curse of you never winning
    anything!

    But you can't win unless you sign up, so
    click here or the image below to sign up to win this
    one-of-a-kind rifle.



    Don't forget the contest ends April 30th,
    2016 -- so don't let this opportunity pass you by.

    Sign up today for your chance to win, and
    you could be the next one looking through the scope of this F-1!

    Here's to you, my friend!

    -- Katie P.


    The timing might be right, what with Q's recent linguistic and emotional dip to the dark side....

    But the thought of Q in a Monster Truck with case of beer and new F-1 BDR-15 3G Skeletonized
    Rifle is really frightening.....

    ReplyDelete
  20. VIDEO OF THE MONTH

    Video: Judge Napolitano says FBI has “overwhelming” evidence to indict and convict Clinton


    posted at 3:31 pm on April 24, 2016 by Jazz Shaw


    I see that Hillary Clinton is slowly but surely trying to leave Bernie Sanders in the dust, taking an attitude that the primary race is pretty much over. Despite Sanders’ repeated objections, the former Secretary of State is moving on and beginning the search for her Vice Presidential candidate. But Bernie still has one hope left and it comes in the form of those ever present footsteps of James Comey haunting Hillary’s nightmares. Will the FBI and the Justice Department come calling any time soon with an indictment which would throw the Democrats’ White House hopes for a loop? Judge Andrew Napolitano went on Bill O’Reilly’s show on Friday night and seemed to at least hint that it’s nearly a done deal. (Fox News)


    On “The O’Reilly Factor” last night, Judge Andrew Napolitano said the FBI is in the final stages of its investigation into Hillary Clinton and her private email server, and he believes the agency has more than enough evidence to indict and convict her…

    “The evidence of her guilt is overwhelming,” Judge Napolitano stated. “And the FBI knows a lot more about it than I do.”

    He said he is “100-percent certain” that the FBI has enough evidence to indict and convict.

    Whether they do or not, however, is another issue and a politically-charged one, Judge Napolitano added.

    Let’s go to the video.

    VIDEO OF THE MONTH

    We’ve discussed this here before and Napolitano expresses some of the same doubts as everyone else. It’s not a question of whether there’s sufficient cause to bring charges over the improper handling of highly classified information. That part seems more than clear. But there won’t be a conviction, a trial, or even an indictment without the backing of the Attorney General and, pretty much by default, the White House. Oh, sure… Barack Obama has claimed that he’d never dream of interfering in such an investigation and Loretta Lynch claims that it will all be handled “by professionals” without any political influence or direct interference from her. And if you believe that I have a bridge to sell you.

    I’m still left wondering if this would really impact the poll numbers or the election. This has been hanging over Clinton’s head for quite a while now and it hasn’t stopped her base from turning out for her. Yes, her “honest and trustworthy” numbers are in the toilet and her approval rating is underwater, but that’s been true since well before this secret email server story really began heating up. Would an indictment finally turn the voters against her in large numbers or would a sufficient army of them shrug their shoulders and still show up in November, concluding that a Hillary in jail would still be better than a conservative in the Oval Office?

    If Judge Napolitano is anywhere near correct we may find out the answer to that intriguing question before the year is out.

    http://hotair.com/archives/2016/04/24/video-judge-napolitano-says-fbi-has-overwhelming-evidence-to-indict-and-convict-clinton/

    Anyone that votes for Hillary is voting for a Criminal and Corruptocrat and is doing a severe disservice to democracy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bwaheh

      One must almost feel sorry for that poor sap who works for Obama trying to put a little lipstick on a pig there at the end....and one must try to rustle up a little sad compassion for poor Rufus, too....

      Delete