So Which is it? Israel Blew up the UN Truck, or They Didn't?

This article says they did. This one says no way Jose.

My Resignation from Liberal Friends of Israel

Here is a copy of a letter I have sent today to the Liberal Friends of Israel. The group is small in size, but I have supported it since its very conception.

(emails witheld)
Dear Michael, Meredith, Jason and Ken,

There is no need for me to say that I, as a Liberal, and as a citizen of the world, am concerned over the situation in Israel and the Gaza Strip. I am, as I'm sure all of you are.

As you all know, I have been an avid supporter of Liberal Friends of Israel, emotionally, physically, mentally and financially. I have rallied to the cause as often as time and money allowed. As a person that has always considered myself "pro-Israel", I have very rarely called into question the actions of Israel. Least of all have I never called into question Israel's right to defend itself.

Over the past weeks I have expressed, at great length, my opinions that I do not support the current military mission that Israel has undertaken in Gaza. Since the expression of said thoughts, I've been called an anti-Semite, a Jew hater, a bigot, a neo-nazi, a liar and a terrorist supporter.

As a life long Liberal, I have always been of the impression that we, as Liberals, belong to a party that encouraged debate and did not try to censor, stifle or end said debate. Yet, over the past week alone, I have heard rumours of our own MPs being told not to speak about Gaza, I have witnessed firsthand our new War Room adviser stifle debate on his blog as often as possible (even referring to me as a "former liberal activist'), I have witnessed the Chair of Communications for Liberal Friends for Israel stifle debate on his Liblog aggregator and his one-sided participation in comment sections across the internet.

I have been ridiculed to no end over these past days.

I will repeat to you all my assertions that I have stated openly on my own Weblog:

1. I support the independent State of Israel and its right to exist.

2. I support Israel's right to defend itself from any and all enemies of the State of Israel

3. I do not support the use of rockets and/or any other use of force by militant and terrorist groups against the State of Israel

4. I do not recognize the duly elected Hamas government and do not support the ideology of said Hamas

5. I do not recognize or support Hezbollah or condone its use of rockets and/or the use of any other force from Lebanon directed at the State of Israel

6. I do not support the current military mission by the State of Israel that is taking place in the Gaza Strip.

7. I do not support the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip

While I agree with the statement of the Leader of the Liberal Party about the situation in the Gaza, I feel our party should have mentioned the extreme concern over the loss of civilian death, in particular the children of Palestine. I feel we as Liberals should call for an immediate ceasefire which is needed to allow for the delivery of much needed civilian and medical supplies. I also feel a need for a call for the ban on foreign journalists entering Gaza to be lifted immediately as per the Supreme Court of Israel's own decision.

With the amount of rhetoric, and, given the stifling of the debate by this group's Chair of Communication, I feel I must resign from Liberal Friends of Israel. I will forthwith continue my support of Israel through the active group known as J Street.

I thank you all for your continued work towards just causes in the Middle East.

Yours Sincerely,

James C. Curran
Liberal Friend of Israel

President Carter Calls Gaza "An Unnecessary War"

Compliments of the Washington Post

An Unnecessary War



By Jimmy Carter
Thursday, January 8, 2009

I know from personal involvement that the devastating invasion of Gaza by Israel could easily have been avoided.

After visiting Sderot last April and seeing the serious psychological damage caused by the rockets that had fallen in that area, my wife, Rosalynn, and I declared their launching from Gaza to be inexcusable and an act of terrorism. Although casualties were rare (three deaths in seven years), the town was traumatized by the unpredictable explosions. About 3,000 residents had moved to other communities, and the streets, playgrounds and shopping centers were almost empty. Mayor Eli Moyal assembled a group of citizens in his office to meet us and complained that the government of Israel was not stopping the rockets, either through diplomacy or military action.

Knowing that we would soon be seeing Hamas leaders from Gaza and also in Damascus, we promised to assess prospects for a cease-fire. From Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman, who was negotiating between the Israelis and Hamas, we learned that there was a fundamental difference between the two sides. Hamas wanted a comprehensive cease-fire in both the West Bank and Gaza, and the Israelis refused to discuss anything other than Gaza.

We knew that the 1.5 million inhabitants of Gaza were being starved, as the U.N. special rapporteur on the right to food had found that acute malnutrition in Gaza was on the same scale as in the poorest nations in the southern Sahara, with more than half of all Palestinian families eating only one meal a day.

Palestinian leaders from Gaza were noncommittal on all issues, claiming that rockets were the only way to respond to their imprisonment and to dramatize their humanitarian plight. The top Hamas leaders in Damascus, however, agreed to consider a cease-fire in Gaza only, provided Israel would not attack Gaza and would permit normal humanitarian supplies to be delivered to Palestinian citizens.


After extended discussions with those from Gaza, these Hamas leaders also agreed to accept any peace agreement that might be negotiated between the Israelis and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who also heads the PLO, provided it was approved by a majority vote of Palestinians in a referendum or by an elected unity government.

Since we were only observers, and not negotiators, we relayed this information to the Egyptians, and they pursued the cease-fire proposal. After about a month, the Egyptians and Hamas informed us that all military action by both sides and all rocket firing would stop on June 19, for a period of six months, and that humanitarian supplies would be restored to the normal level that had existed before Israel's withdrawal in 2005 (about 700 trucks daily).

We were unable to confirm this in Jerusalem because of Israel's unwillingness to admit to any negotiations with Hamas, but rocket firing was soon stopped and there was an increase in supplies of food, water, medicine and fuel. Yet the increase was to an average of about 20 percent of normal levels. And this fragile truce was partially broken on Nov. 4, when Israel launched an attack in Gaza to destroy a defensive tunnel being dug by Hamas inside the wall that encloses Gaza.

On another visit to Syria in mid-December, I made an effort for the impending six-month deadline to be extended. It was clear that the preeminent issue was opening the crossings into Gaza. Representatives from the Carter Center visited Jerusalem, met with Israeli officials and asked if this was possible in exchange for a cessation of rocket fire. The Israeli government informally proposed that 15 percent of normal supplies might be possible if Hamas first stopped all rocket fire for 48 hours. This was unacceptable to Hamas, and hostilities erupted.

After 12 days of "combat," the Israeli Defense Forces reported that more than 1,000 targets were shelled or bombed. During that time, Israel rejected international efforts to obtain a cease-fire, with full support from Washington. Seventeen mosques, the American International School, many private homes and much of the basic infrastructure of the small but heavily populated area have been destroyed. This includes the systems that provide water, electricity and sanitation. Heavy civilian casualties are being reported by courageous medical volunteers from many nations, as the fortunate ones operate on the wounded by light from diesel-powered generators.

The hope is that when further hostilities are no longer productive, Israel, Hamas and the United States will accept another cease-fire, at which time the rockets will again stop and an adequate level of humanitarian supplies will be permitted to the surviving Palestinians, with the publicized agreement monitored by the international community. The next possible step: a permanent and comprehensive peace.

The writer was president from 1977 to 1981. He founded the Carter Center, a nongovernmental organization advancing peace and health worldwide, in 1982.

Former Liberal MP Omar Alghabra Speaks Up on Gaza

Today former Liberal MP Omar Alghabra had this note posted on his Facebook page:

History repeats itself
Today at 8:16am

On August 1, 2006, the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Standing Committee had an emergency meeting to discuss the escalation of violence in the middle east. I participated in the debate then and here's part of what I said.

"Canadians expect their government not to be neutral like you said, Mr. Van Loan, but to be fair and to condemn violence against civilians by all parties and the best way to do it is by calling for an immediate ceasefire, and not to talk about it as an abstraction. It's not an abstraction to the civilians, including Canadians who are caught up in the crossfire over there. It's not a philosophical debate. It's a real tragedy where Canadians and other civilians are being subjected to ongoing violence on both sides, in Israel and in Lebanon and also we can't forget the Palestinian territories.

We must have the moral courage to ask for a ceasefire immediately and then bring all the sides to which you're referring to the negotiating table. We can set the conditions that are needed to make a sustainable ceasefire. But you cannot, for anybody who has an ounce of heart, watch the civilian devastation and destruction and say I'm reluctant to ask for a ceasefire right now......it is imperative to send a message, a signal, that Canada unconditionally always stands on the side of protection of civilians on all sides."

UN and IRC Vehicles being used for Weapons Transport

That's the new argument of some pro-Israel/Israel can make no mistake support types here on my blog. Here's argument by Neal on the post "Trapped Like Rats":

Neal said... :

So is this your typical "debating" style - just change the subject? Not sure what a UN truck bombing has to do with the conversation we are (or were) having.
The UN and IRC have been known to "allow" their vehicles to be used for weapons transport. So - was the UN truck bombing on purpose due to some intelligence suggesting that it was being used for some nefarious purpose - or was it a tragic mistake? I don't know - and neither do you. Are YOU suggesting that the Israelis intentionally targeted a UN truck and killed an innocent man for the pure amusement of it? Sure seems that way.

All snark aside - you are a bigot and an anti-semite. The fact that you don't see that and try to present yourself as the exact opposite is amusing, but unconvincing.

Jan 9, 2009 3:06:00 PM

I love that last line qualifier there. So life-like.

UN rights council to debate 'grave violations' in Gaza

So it's being reported.

GENEVA (AFP) — The UN Human Rights Council was due to hold Friday a special session on the conflict in Gaza Strip to examine a motion by Egypt, Pakistan and Cuba seeking condemnation of the Israeli offensive and of "grave" violations.

The three countries, backed by members of the Arab League, Organisation of Islamic Conference, non-aligned and African states, gained the support of 32 of the 47 Council members for the special debate, twice as much as required.

An unofficial copy of the draft resolution expected to be presented to the world body's rights assembly called for "international action to put an end to grave violations by the occupying power, Israel, in the occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly in the occupied Gaza Strip.

It also demanded an immediate end to the military operation and that Israel "stop the targeting of civilians".

The session comes on the heels of the near unanimous approval on Thursday by the 15-member UN Security Council to a resolution calling for an "immediate, durable" ceasefire leading to the "full withdrawal" of Israeli forces.

The text also "calls for the unimpeded provision and distribution throughout Gaza of humanitarian assistance, including of food, fuel and medical treatment" and welcomes initiatives aimed at "creating and opening humanitarian corridors and other mechanisms for the sustained delivery of humanitarian aid."

It was unclear what impact the Security Council resolution would have on the Human Rights Council text.

Traditionally the Human Rights Council takes its decisions by consensus, but the current proposals for a resolution were regarded as one-sided, diplomats in Geneva indicated.

The text does not mention rocket attacks by Hamas militia on Israel, a key requirement for European Union and some Latin American countries in the assembly.

The session beginning at 11 am (1000 GMT) is expected to spill over into Monday after a weekend break because of the degree of interest from member states and observers including several leading human rights organisations, sources close to the UN rights body said.

Israel is not a member of the Human Rights Council, but has the rights to take part in the debate as an interested party.

Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riad Maliki was expected to attend the meeting.

A senior Israeli official Amos Gilad was in Cairo on Thursday for crucial talks on an Egyptian proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. But some Palestinian groups including Hamas, described the proposal as "not valid".

Also on Thursday, he international Red Cross accused the Israeli military standing by and failing to help wounded people in an area of Gaza, while a UN relief agency suspended its operations in the territory halted after a UN-flagged truck convoy was attacked

Israel Blows up U.N. Truck - Kills Driver

Not exactly a good PR week for Israel so far. Death toll in Gaza over 700. Wounded over 3000. Shelling of a U.N. school. The U.N. and the ICRC speaking about poor conditions of the people in Gaza. Doesn't make for good news coverage. EzRaw LeRant would have you believe it's the western, anti-semitic media being influenced by Hamas.

But news today of the UN ceasing all relief efforts because Israeli soldiers opened fire on one of their trucks killing the driver is the ultimate PR nightmare for the Israelis. Apparently the truck was marked with a UN flag.

Lebanon Fires Rockets at Israel

...and Israel fires back. And round and round it goes. Luckily no deaths have been reported. Thank some deity for small miracles.

Prayers for Gaza

Montreal Simon has already posted on the Muslim/Jewish prayer sessions taking place.

I'd like to post the entire prayer here:

Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Jewish and Muslim prayers for Gaza
http://zionism-israel.com/israel_news/2009/01/jewish-and-muslim-prayers-for-gaza.html

The following seems to speak for itself.
A Jew's prayer for the children of Gaza By Bradley Burston

If there has ever been a time for prayer, this is that time.

If there has ever been a place forsaken, Gaza is that place.

Lord who is the creator of all children, hear our prayer this accursed day. God whom we call Blessed, turn your face to these, the children of Gaza, that they may know your blessings, and your shelter, that they may know light and warmth, where there is now only blackness and smoke, and a cold which cuts and clenches the skin.

Almighty who makes exceptions, which we call miracles, make an exception of the children of Gaza. Shield them from us and from their own. Spare them. Heal them. Let them stand in safety. Deliver them from hunger and horror and fury and grief. Deliver them from us, and from their own.

Restore to them their stolen childhoods, their birthright, which is a taste of heaven.

Remind us, O Lord, of the child Ishmael, who is the father of all the children of Gaza. How the child Ishmael was without water and left for dead in the wilderness of Beer-Sheba, so robbed of all hope, that his own mother could not bear to watch his life drain away.

Be that Lord, the God of our kinsman Ishmael, who heard his cry and sent His angel to comfort his mother Hagar.

Be that Lord, who was with Ishmael that day, and all the days after. Be that God, the All-Merciful, who opened Hagar's eyes that day, and showed her the well of water, that she could give the boy Ishmael to drink, and save his life.

Allah, whose name we call Elohim, who gives life, who knows the value and the fragility of every life, send these children your angels. Save them, the children of this place, Gaza the most beautiful, and Gaza the damned.

In this day, when the trepidation and rage and mourning that is called war, seizes our hearts and patches them in scars, we call to you, the Lord whose name is Peace:

Bless these children, and keep them from harm.

Turn Your face toward them, O Lord. Show them, as if for the first time, light and kindness, and overwhelming graciousness.

Look up at them, O Lord. Let them see your face.

And, as if for the first time, grant them peace.

With thanks to Rabbi Levi Weiman-Kelman of Kol HaNeshama, Jerusalem
Amen - and protect our children too. Both the little ones in Beersheba and Sderot, and the bigger ones who are inside Gaza defending us - Jews, Druze, Muslim and Christian citizens of Israel.

I won't bother with the rest of the article, but I'll say it is not as wonderful as this prayer.

The Office of the Leader of the Opposition

Commonly known as the OLO. Being a "former Liberal activist" with his head in his ass, I won't say too much about it.

1. Everyone mentioned in the article is capable and intelligent. Certainly Don Guy and Warren Kinsella will put the fear of some deity in people like Tenyake, Giorno and LeRant.

2. Not enough Quebec. Not enough west.

3. Greg Fergus is a very capable individual and I wish him great success wherever he's going.

4. I don't see much reaching out.

5. Too much Toronto, giving rise to the Conservative axiom "The Liberal Party of Toronto".

6. As Ted says, "It's early", but I hope there is a larger outreach to some more capable, intelligent people in the Liberal Party from other areas and from the Dion, Rae, LeBlanc leadership teams and a place for some guys and girls that gave up jobs to be part of a leadership race that never happened.

Here's the Article:

Ignatieff’s inner circle starts taking shape
By THE CANADIAN PRESS

OTTAWA — Michael Ignatieff is starting to put a Toronto-heavy stamp on the Liberal party, surrounding himself with loyalists who helped him secure the leadership.

Almost a month after being installed as leader, Ignatieff has begun filling key posts in the Opposition leader’s office, the party and its campaign machine.

He has yet to hire a chief of staff to run his office. But insiders say former New Brunswick MP Paul Zed will effectively take on that role — without the title — until a permanent top aide can be found.

With the notable exception of Zed, Ignatieff’s inner circle thus far appears to be top-heavy with Torontonians, most of whom played key roles in the Toronto MP’s two leadership campaigns.

Ian Davey, who was instrumental in wooing Ignatieff back to Canada from Harvard and who ran his 2006 leadership campaign, has been named principal secretary.

Sachin Aggarwal, operations director during the leadership campaigns, will take on the job of deputy chief of staff.

Jill Fairbrother and Leslie Church, both of whom handled media relations for Ignatieff’s leadership bids, will share communications responsibilities in the Opposition leader’s office as well.

Ignatieff is also poised to name another Torontonian as the party’s new national director.

Rocco Rossi, CEO of Ontario’s Heart and Stroke Foundation, is expected to assume the party’s top administrative job, replacing Greg Fergus. Fergus, who was appointed national director by former leader Stephane Dion, tendered his resignation Monday.

Rossi’s expertise as an innovative fundraiser could be a huge asset for the cash-strapped Liberals, who’ve been struggling to adapt to the ban on corporate donations imposed in 2004.

The Tories have proved much more adept at raising small amounts of money from thousands of individual donors, raking in almost five times more money than the Liberals in the last few years.

Rossi is also an experienced political organizer and longtime Liberal.

Two more Torontonians are expected to take key roles on the Liberal election team.

Don Guy, a former chief of staff to Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, is expected to be named campaign director while Warren Kinsella will manage the war room, as he’s done in the past for McGuinty and former prime minister Jean Chretien.

Ignatieff has not yet put his stamp on the Liberal shadow cabinet and Fairbrother said there has been no discussion about the various roles caucus members will play. She said Ignatieff may choose to make no significant changes to the lineup of critics assigned by Dion.

Privately, some Liberals are wondering why Ignatieff has waited almost a month to start assembling his team.

After a tumultuous fall parliamentary session that almost toppled the Harper government and led to Ignatieff’s hasty coronation as Liberal leader, Fairbrother said: “I think everybody took a break over the holidays and I don’t think we need to apologize for that.”

Now that he’s started pulling his inner circle together, some Liberals are privately worried that Ignatieff is simply importing his leadership team into the Opposition leader’s office — much as former leader Paul Martin did, with disastrous results. Leadership campaign organizers aren’t necessarily best suited to policy development and preparing to govern.

Moreover, some Liberals are grumbling that Ignatieff has made little effort thus far to include supporters of his former leadership rivals, Bob Rae and Dominic LeBlanc, in his inner circle.