21 jan 2014
Hamas movement strongly condemned the statements of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, leader of the Conservative Party, that support Israel. Harper, during a speech to the Knesset on Monday, adopted an extremist political position, by supporting “the Jewish state of Israel” and by refusing to describe it as an apartheid state.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said in a statement on Tuesday that his movement refuses the Canadian Prime Minister's remarks, and considers them racist statements that represent an attempt to liquidate the right of return.
He pointed out that according to some leaked information, Canada will be one of the main countries to which the Palestinians will be displaced according to the ongoing negotiations.
For his part, Bassem Naim, adviser of International Relations to the Palestinian Prime Minister in Gaza, said that the Canadian position "collides with all the international laws that consider the Gaza blockade and stealing the lands in the West Bank as war crimes and racist behaviors."
He also pointed out that Canada was one of the first countries to cut off financial support for the UN Relief and Works Agency for refugees to exert more pressure on the Palestinian refugees to force them give up their right to return to their homeland.
Naim demanded Canada "to reconsider its position and abide by the international laws and resolutions” concerning Israel.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said in a statement on Tuesday that his movement refuses the Canadian Prime Minister's remarks, and considers them racist statements that represent an attempt to liquidate the right of return.
He pointed out that according to some leaked information, Canada will be one of the main countries to which the Palestinians will be displaced according to the ongoing negotiations.
For his part, Bassem Naim, adviser of International Relations to the Palestinian Prime Minister in Gaza, said that the Canadian position "collides with all the international laws that consider the Gaza blockade and stealing the lands in the West Bank as war crimes and racist behaviors."
He also pointed out that Canada was one of the first countries to cut off financial support for the UN Relief and Works Agency for refugees to exert more pressure on the Palestinian refugees to force them give up their right to return to their homeland.
Naim demanded Canada "to reconsider its position and abide by the international laws and resolutions” concerning Israel.
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Harper stresses Canada's strong bond with Israel, saying 'Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state is absolute and non-negotiable', apologizes for Nazi-era negligence, denounces boycotts of Jewish State – and is heckled by Arab parliamentarians
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper addressed the Knesset on Monday as part of his four-day visit to Israel and the West Bank. He became the first Canadian leader to address the Israeli government. In a speech full of praise for the Jewish State, Harper emphasized the strong ties between the two countries, even mentioning the Canadian army's use of Israeli technologies in Afghanistan. He told Israeli parliamentarians that Canada supports Israel because it is a moral imperative: “Canada supports Israel because it is right to do so. It is a Canadian tradition to stand for what is principled and just, regardless of whether it is convenient or popular," he said. Before the Canadian leader's address, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a short speech highlighting the unique position Harper enjoys as a supporter of Israel in the international community, saying: "There are those who try to deny our connection to Jerusalem and our land. Not you. You know these facts well. There are others in the international community who know these facts as well, but the difference, Stephen, is that you have the courage to speak the truth." |
Netanyahu, who was heckled at times, criticized the international hypocrisy that characterizes discourse of Israel versus the Arab world. He said: "In an age of hypocrisy there are those who choose to point the finger at Israel, the only democracy in the region that respects human rights, maintains the rule of law, and guarantees the freedom of worship to any and all faiths."
He told Harper, "Canada under your leadership is a moral compass and a beacon of candor. You fight against the attempts to deprive Israel of its legitimacy and you stand by us in the war on terror."
In a well-received speech, the Canadian prime minister reiterated his government's position that "Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state is absolute and non-negotiable" – a position many in the government see as a precondition for the successful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Harper apologized for the Canadian government's refusal to help Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi Germany.
While condemning calls in the international community to boycott the Jewish State, Harper was given a taste of Israel's rough-and-tumble parliament as he was heckled by Arab lawmakers. Lawmaker Ahmad Tibi screamed "settlements," while a second lawmaker, Talab Abu Arar, then shouted and stormed out of the hall.
After the outburst, Harper received a standing ovation from other parliamentarians. Noting that the activists and organizations who most vocally criticize Israel rarely give equal attention to the other cases of human rights abuses across the world, Harper warned that "in the garden of such moral relativism, the seeds of much more sinister notions can be easily planted." He added, "As once Jewish businesses were boycotted, some civil-society leaders today call for a boycott of Israel."
The Canadian prime minister also addressed another of Israel's threats – the Iranian nuclear program. He expressed hope that the diplomatic process would succeed, but emphasized that Canada would not rush to lift its sanctions.
He assured the Israeli legislators that, "For now Canada's own sanctions will remain fully in place." Before leaving the podium to a standing ovation, Harper reiterated the strategic message of his speech: "Through fire and water, Canada will stand with you."
Ahmad Tibi: Why I walked out on Stephen Harper's speech
An Arab-Israeli legislator who stormed out during Prime Minister Stephen Harper's speech to the Knesset on Monday says he did so as a form of protest against Harper's bias.
Speaking to Evan Solomon, host of CBC News Network's Power & Politics, Ahmad Tibi said Harper's speech was "biased" and that he described Israel in "a very unbalanced way."
"We are 20 per cent of the population, we are suffering discrimination," Tibi told Solomon.
"That democracy of Israel is a selective democracy, ethnic democracy. Canada is a democracy and people are equal without relation to their ethnic background. Here, there's a problem with that," he said.
Tibi is a deputy speaker of Knesset and leader of the Arab Movement for Change, or Ta'al.
Canada's foreign policy toward Israel is "biased, non-balanced, and that's why Canada has a very marginal role in the Middle East," Tibi said.
He and colleague Abu Arar walked out, Tibi said, "to say that we are very much unsatisfied with the remarks and the policy of Prime Minister Harper. It is very diplomatic. It's a protest which is legitimate in any parliament."
'Confiscating, occupying lands'
He told Harper, "Canada under your leadership is a moral compass and a beacon of candor. You fight against the attempts to deprive Israel of its legitimacy and you stand by us in the war on terror."
In a well-received speech, the Canadian prime minister reiterated his government's position that "Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state is absolute and non-negotiable" – a position many in the government see as a precondition for the successful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Harper apologized for the Canadian government's refusal to help Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi Germany.
While condemning calls in the international community to boycott the Jewish State, Harper was given a taste of Israel's rough-and-tumble parliament as he was heckled by Arab lawmakers. Lawmaker Ahmad Tibi screamed "settlements," while a second lawmaker, Talab Abu Arar, then shouted and stormed out of the hall.
After the outburst, Harper received a standing ovation from other parliamentarians. Noting that the activists and organizations who most vocally criticize Israel rarely give equal attention to the other cases of human rights abuses across the world, Harper warned that "in the garden of such moral relativism, the seeds of much more sinister notions can be easily planted." He added, "As once Jewish businesses were boycotted, some civil-society leaders today call for a boycott of Israel."
The Canadian prime minister also addressed another of Israel's threats – the Iranian nuclear program. He expressed hope that the diplomatic process would succeed, but emphasized that Canada would not rush to lift its sanctions.
He assured the Israeli legislators that, "For now Canada's own sanctions will remain fully in place." Before leaving the podium to a standing ovation, Harper reiterated the strategic message of his speech: "Through fire and water, Canada will stand with you."
Ahmad Tibi: Why I walked out on Stephen Harper's speech
An Arab-Israeli legislator who stormed out during Prime Minister Stephen Harper's speech to the Knesset on Monday says he did so as a form of protest against Harper's bias.
Speaking to Evan Solomon, host of CBC News Network's Power & Politics, Ahmad Tibi said Harper's speech was "biased" and that he described Israel in "a very unbalanced way."
"We are 20 per cent of the population, we are suffering discrimination," Tibi told Solomon.
"That democracy of Israel is a selective democracy, ethnic democracy. Canada is a democracy and people are equal without relation to their ethnic background. Here, there's a problem with that," he said.
Tibi is a deputy speaker of Knesset and leader of the Arab Movement for Change, or Ta'al.
Canada's foreign policy toward Israel is "biased, non-balanced, and that's why Canada has a very marginal role in the Middle East," Tibi said.
He and colleague Abu Arar walked out, Tibi said, "to say that we are very much unsatisfied with the remarks and the policy of Prime Minister Harper. It is very diplomatic. It's a protest which is legitimate in any parliament."
'Confiscating, occupying lands'
Harper was speaking out against what he says is a more subtle form of anti-Semitism than what the world saw ahead of the Holocaust.
"Some civil-society leaders today call for a boycott of Israel.… Most disgracefully of all, some openly call Israel an apartheid state. Think about that. Think about the twisted logic and outright malice behind that," Harper said.
"A state, based on freedom, democracy and the rule of law, that was founded so Jews can flourish as Jews, and seek shelter from the shadow of the worst racist experiment in history," he said. "That is condemned, and that condemnation is masked in the language of anti-racism. It is nothing short of sickening."
Tibi said Harper didn't mention the Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Canada officially opposes Israeli control over territories occupied in 1967, although Harper has refrained from criticizing Israel for its policy.
"When you are controlling, discriminating, confiscating, occupying lands from one side and putting them in the corner without any basic rights, you are by this way ruling and committing apartheid in the occupied Palestinian Territories," Tibi said.
"If he is talking about freedom, why [is he] totally neglecting the absence of freedom of the Palestinians under occupation? It is a double-standard. These words are moral double-standard from the prime minister of Canada."
Reuven Rivlin, a member of the governing Likud Party and former Speaker of the Knesset, said Tibi has the right to speak his mind because he lives in a democracy in Israel.
"Sometimes it's annoying a lot of members of [the] Knesset," Rivlin said in an interview with Solomon.
"I believe that he, Mr. Tibi, was elected to [the] Knesset as much as I was elected to [the] Knesset. But he has to respect the rule of law and to respect the rule of majority."
Support for Jewish state 'very, very important'
Rivlin said it's important to host the Canadian prime minister, whom he referred to as one of Israel's friends. Rivlin said Canadian support for a Jewish state is "very, very important for the Israeli people."
Tibi also took issue with the idea that debating boycotts of Israeli products and using the term apartheid is anti-Semitic.
"Do you accept at any case to be under occupation and then somebody will tell you that it is absolute democracy? It is not. We are living day by day here. Palestinians under occupation are living day by day, and saying that the occupied territory is apartheid has no relation at any case with anti-Semitism," he said.
"What's the connection? If you are criticizing the policy of the state of Israel, immediately you are categorized as anti-Semitic. This is a twisted logic of Mr. Harper."
The Knesset has people from all sides and with all views, Rivlin said.
"In Israel, in spite of all differences of opinion and in spite of the idea that we are sometimes thinking that Mr. Tibi can incite against the state of Israel, he has the ability and he has the right to say his words in the Israeli parliament without any fear.
Not just a Jewish state, Tibi says
Tibi argued that with one-fifth of Israel's population made up of Arab-Israelis, Israel does not belong only to the Jewish population.
"We are citizens of this state. We are indigenous people," Tibi said.
"Israel should be defined as a state of its own nationalities. There are two nationalities in Israel. One is [the] Jewish majority, one is [the] Arab-Palestinian minority. We are not transparent. We are not nonsense, nobody. We are community, we are minority and we are a national minority. Saying that Israel is the Jewish state is neglecting our existence, our very existence and our narrative, and I will not accept that."
"Some civil-society leaders today call for a boycott of Israel.… Most disgracefully of all, some openly call Israel an apartheid state. Think about that. Think about the twisted logic and outright malice behind that," Harper said.
"A state, based on freedom, democracy and the rule of law, that was founded so Jews can flourish as Jews, and seek shelter from the shadow of the worst racist experiment in history," he said. "That is condemned, and that condemnation is masked in the language of anti-racism. It is nothing short of sickening."
Tibi said Harper didn't mention the Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Canada officially opposes Israeli control over territories occupied in 1967, although Harper has refrained from criticizing Israel for its policy.
"When you are controlling, discriminating, confiscating, occupying lands from one side and putting them in the corner without any basic rights, you are by this way ruling and committing apartheid in the occupied Palestinian Territories," Tibi said.
"If he is talking about freedom, why [is he] totally neglecting the absence of freedom of the Palestinians under occupation? It is a double-standard. These words are moral double-standard from the prime minister of Canada."
Reuven Rivlin, a member of the governing Likud Party and former Speaker of the Knesset, said Tibi has the right to speak his mind because he lives in a democracy in Israel.
"Sometimes it's annoying a lot of members of [the] Knesset," Rivlin said in an interview with Solomon.
"I believe that he, Mr. Tibi, was elected to [the] Knesset as much as I was elected to [the] Knesset. But he has to respect the rule of law and to respect the rule of majority."
Support for Jewish state 'very, very important'
Rivlin said it's important to host the Canadian prime minister, whom he referred to as one of Israel's friends. Rivlin said Canadian support for a Jewish state is "very, very important for the Israeli people."
Tibi also took issue with the idea that debating boycotts of Israeli products and using the term apartheid is anti-Semitic.
"Do you accept at any case to be under occupation and then somebody will tell you that it is absolute democracy? It is not. We are living day by day here. Palestinians under occupation are living day by day, and saying that the occupied territory is apartheid has no relation at any case with anti-Semitism," he said.
"What's the connection? If you are criticizing the policy of the state of Israel, immediately you are categorized as anti-Semitic. This is a twisted logic of Mr. Harper."
The Knesset has people from all sides and with all views, Rivlin said.
"In Israel, in spite of all differences of opinion and in spite of the idea that we are sometimes thinking that Mr. Tibi can incite against the state of Israel, he has the ability and he has the right to say his words in the Israeli parliament without any fear.
Not just a Jewish state, Tibi says
Tibi argued that with one-fifth of Israel's population made up of Arab-Israelis, Israel does not belong only to the Jewish population.
"We are citizens of this state. We are indigenous people," Tibi said.
"Israel should be defined as a state of its own nationalities. There are two nationalities in Israel. One is [the] Jewish majority, one is [the] Arab-Palestinian minority. We are not transparent. We are not nonsense, nobody. We are community, we are minority and we are a national minority. Saying that Israel is the Jewish state is neglecting our existence, our very existence and our narrative, and I will not accept that."
Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations Mohammad Khazaei, who was speaking on behalf of the NAM at the UN General Assembly on Monday, criticized unjust Israeli policies being imposed on the Palestinian people. Iran is the current president of the NAM, Press TV reported. “The NAM reiterates its serious concern over the continued systematic human rights violations against the Palestinian people,” Iran’s envoy to the UN said.
Khazaei also cited detaining children, arbitrary arrests, and use of excessive force as some violations being committed by the Israelis.
He added that the Israeli occupation continues to arrest Palestinian civilians, including children, on almost a daily basis.
More than 4,500 Palestinian prisoners are held in Israeli prisons, many of them without charge or trial.
He further touched upon the illegal blockade of the Gaza Strip by Tel Aviv, saying that “the blockade inflicts great social and economic losses and humanitarian hardship on the Palestinian people besieged there.”
He urged the international community to persist on its calls on Israel to immediately lift the blockade.
In 2011, a UN panel found that Israel’s blockade has subjected Gazans to collective punishment, which is “in flagrant contravention of international human rights and humanitarian law.” But Israel has ignored repeated international pleas to lift the blockade.
Gaza has been blockaded since June 2007, a situation that has caused a decline in the standard of living, unprecedented levels of unemployment, and unrelenting poverty.
The apartheid regime of Israel denies the people in Gaza their basic rights, such as freedom of movement, jobs that pay proper wages, and adequate healthcare and education.
Khazaei also cited detaining children, arbitrary arrests, and use of excessive force as some violations being committed by the Israelis.
He added that the Israeli occupation continues to arrest Palestinian civilians, including children, on almost a daily basis.
More than 4,500 Palestinian prisoners are held in Israeli prisons, many of them without charge or trial.
He further touched upon the illegal blockade of the Gaza Strip by Tel Aviv, saying that “the blockade inflicts great social and economic losses and humanitarian hardship on the Palestinian people besieged there.”
He urged the international community to persist on its calls on Israel to immediately lift the blockade.
In 2011, a UN panel found that Israel’s blockade has subjected Gazans to collective punishment, which is “in flagrant contravention of international human rights and humanitarian law.” But Israel has ignored repeated international pleas to lift the blockade.
Gaza has been blockaded since June 2007, a situation that has caused a decline in the standard of living, unprecedented levels of unemployment, and unrelenting poverty.
The apartheid regime of Israel denies the people in Gaza their basic rights, such as freedom of movement, jobs that pay proper wages, and adequate healthcare and education.
20 jan 2014
At least one rocket struck the outskirts of Israel's southern Red Sea resort of Eilat on Monday, a security source said.
"At least one rocket was fired at Eilat and they found the remains on the outskirts of the city," the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity, adding the searches were continuing.
Neither the police nor the army could confirm rocket fire on the city, although residents had reported hearing several explosions earlier in the evening, a police statement said.
The last time the resort city came under attack was in August 2013 when the Israeli army said its Iron Dome anti-missile system had intercepted and destroyed a rocket but did not say where it came from.
That attack was claimed by a Gaza-based militant group called the Mujahedeen Shura Council, which has previously said its operatives in Sinai had staged several rocket attacks on Eilat.
Since the ouster of Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak in February 2011, Israel's border with Sinai has seen multiple security incidents, with militants using the lawless peninsula to stage attacks.
The most serious incident was in August 2011, when gunmen infiltrated southern Israel and staged a series of ambushes that killed eight Israelis.
"At least one rocket was fired at Eilat and they found the remains on the outskirts of the city," the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity, adding the searches were continuing.
Neither the police nor the army could confirm rocket fire on the city, although residents had reported hearing several explosions earlier in the evening, a police statement said.
The last time the resort city came under attack was in August 2013 when the Israeli army said its Iron Dome anti-missile system had intercepted and destroyed a rocket but did not say where it came from.
That attack was claimed by a Gaza-based militant group called the Mujahedeen Shura Council, which has previously said its operatives in Sinai had staged several rocket attacks on Eilat.
Since the ouster of Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak in February 2011, Israel's border with Sinai has seen multiple security incidents, with militants using the lawless peninsula to stage attacks.
The most serious incident was in August 2011, when gunmen infiltrated southern Israel and staged a series of ambushes that killed eight Israelis.
Israel's war minister Moshe Ya'alon said that the army will attack all those who threaten the security of the Israelis, holding Hamas responsible for the recent military escalation. Ya'alon said, in a statement on Sunday after an Israeli aircraft targeted an activist from the Jihad movement, “We will not accept the targeting of Israel, and we will act to cause damage to anyone that threatens the security of our citizens.”
He said that Hamas is responsible for any rockets fired from Gaza at Israeli targets, adding that it was not imposing its authority on the field. “Thus we will work against it and damage its interests”.
For his part, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "We advise Hamas to take our threats seriously," adding, "The Israeli security policy toward Gaza envisages preemptive strikes to thwart attacks before they are implemented and to strongly respond to any attempt to harm us."
Earlier on Sunday, Taher al-Nunu, the media adviser to the Palestinian Prime Minister, warned the Israeli occupation of continuing the military escalation on the Gaza Strip.
Nunu advised the occupation to stop all forms of aggression against the Palestinian people, pointing out that the escalation is a risky adventure and will not enable the occupation to achieve any victory.
He said that Hamas is responsible for any rockets fired from Gaza at Israeli targets, adding that it was not imposing its authority on the field. “Thus we will work against it and damage its interests”.
For his part, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "We advise Hamas to take our threats seriously," adding, "The Israeli security policy toward Gaza envisages preemptive strikes to thwart attacks before they are implemented and to strongly respond to any attempt to harm us."
Earlier on Sunday, Taher al-Nunu, the media adviser to the Palestinian Prime Minister, warned the Israeli occupation of continuing the military escalation on the Gaza Strip.
Nunu advised the occupation to stop all forms of aggression against the Palestinian people, pointing out that the escalation is a risky adventure and will not enable the occupation to achieve any victory.
In order to divert attention from yet more Israeli violations in occupied Palestine, including the announcement of new settlement units, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman have filed baseless complaints to the European Union about "Palestinian incitement".
The PLO Negotiations Affairs Department (NAD) said in a statement Monday that these tactics are a part of an overall campaign by senior Israeli officials to undermine international efforts, while attempting to lay the blame at Palestine's door. Israeli Army Minister Moshe Ya'alon's recent defamatory comments against US Secretary of State John Kerry have made this campaign patently clear.
Such tactics are also an attempt to draw attention away from Israel's illegal settlement enterprise, which is the main obstacle to peace, it added.
According to the statement, recent comments made by high-ranking Israeli officials, including Economy Minister Bennett, ("It is our duty to encourage continuous Jewish construction in Judea and Samaria [the occupied West Bank]") and Housing Minister Ariel ("No Jewish town [settlement] will be uprooted. We'll continue building"), among many others, display Israel's true agenda.
NAD said, "Despite our firm belief that these allegations of Palestinian incitement are nothing more than diversionary tactics, we call upon the Government of Israel to accept our standing offer to resume the work of the Tripartite Committee on Incitement."
"We also invite PM Netanyahu to tackle the issue of incitement within his own government, beginning with his statements to the settler movement that the Hebron and Bet El settlements, located in the heart of Palestinian districts, are not going to be evacuated under any agreement," NAD added.
PLO Negotiations Affairs Department demands that Israel end the systematic denial of Palestinian rights and the acts of violence committed against the Palestinian people as a result of its illegal occupation, which is preventing a just and lasting peace.
The PLO Negotiations Affairs Department (NAD) said in a statement Monday that these tactics are a part of an overall campaign by senior Israeli officials to undermine international efforts, while attempting to lay the blame at Palestine's door. Israeli Army Minister Moshe Ya'alon's recent defamatory comments against US Secretary of State John Kerry have made this campaign patently clear.
Such tactics are also an attempt to draw attention away from Israel's illegal settlement enterprise, which is the main obstacle to peace, it added.
According to the statement, recent comments made by high-ranking Israeli officials, including Economy Minister Bennett, ("It is our duty to encourage continuous Jewish construction in Judea and Samaria [the occupied West Bank]") and Housing Minister Ariel ("No Jewish town [settlement] will be uprooted. We'll continue building"), among many others, display Israel's true agenda.
NAD said, "Despite our firm belief that these allegations of Palestinian incitement are nothing more than diversionary tactics, we call upon the Government of Israel to accept our standing offer to resume the work of the Tripartite Committee on Incitement."
"We also invite PM Netanyahu to tackle the issue of incitement within his own government, beginning with his statements to the settler movement that the Hebron and Bet El settlements, located in the heart of Palestinian districts, are not going to be evacuated under any agreement," NAD added.
PLO Negotiations Affairs Department demands that Israel end the systematic denial of Palestinian rights and the acts of violence committed against the Palestinian people as a result of its illegal occupation, which is preventing a just and lasting peace.
19 jan 2014
Israeli Energy Minister Silvan Shalom attended a meeting Saturday of the International Renewable Energy Agency in the United Arab Emirates, a country with which it has no diplomatic relations.
During its two-day meeting, the assembly is to discuss a draft roadmap for achieving a 36 percent share for renewables in the world energy mix by 2030.
A member of the Israeli delegation told AFP that "Shalom is representing Israel, which is taking part in the meeting like all the other member states of this international agency."
However, this is the first time member Israel has sent a minister to an IRENA meeting since the organization, whose permanent seat is in Abu Dhabi, was founded in 2009.
The Israeli delegate declined to comment on whether Shalom hoped to hold any contacts on the sidelines with Gulf Arab officials.
Israel has quietly been seeking the alliance of Gulf monarchies, which like Israel are concerned over Iran's rising regional power.
In May, Israeli newspaper Haaretz revealed the Jewish state had allocated a budget for a diplomatic mission in one of the Gulf states, without specifying which.
The UAE hosted an Israeli delegation for the first time in 2003 for a meeting of the International Monetary Fund.
But, unlike fellow Gulf states Oman and Qatar, it has never hosted an Israeli trade office.
Both missions have since been closed -- that in Oman in 2000, and the Qatar one in 2009.
The Gulf Arab states have conditioned normalization of relations with Israel on its acceptance of the 2002 plan drafted by Saudi Arabia for peace with the Palestinians.
Israel's relations with the UAE have been clouded by the January 2010 death in a Dubai hotel of Hamas military commander Mahmud al-Mabhuh in what investigators believe was an assassination by Israel's Mossad spy agency.
At Saturday's meeting, IRENA Director General Adnan Amin told delegates from 66 countries and representatives from 120 regional and international organizations that "technology already exists to double the share of renewables by 2030 and even surpass it, and ... the transition can be cost neutral.
"Compared to energy systems based on fossil fuel, renewable energy ... is better for our health, creates more jobs and provides an effective route to reducing carbon emission -- a goal that becomes increasingly urgent by the day," he added.
During its two-day meeting, the assembly is to discuss a draft roadmap for achieving a 36 percent share for renewables in the world energy mix by 2030.
A member of the Israeli delegation told AFP that "Shalom is representing Israel, which is taking part in the meeting like all the other member states of this international agency."
However, this is the first time member Israel has sent a minister to an IRENA meeting since the organization, whose permanent seat is in Abu Dhabi, was founded in 2009.
The Israeli delegate declined to comment on whether Shalom hoped to hold any contacts on the sidelines with Gulf Arab officials.
Israel has quietly been seeking the alliance of Gulf monarchies, which like Israel are concerned over Iran's rising regional power.
In May, Israeli newspaper Haaretz revealed the Jewish state had allocated a budget for a diplomatic mission in one of the Gulf states, without specifying which.
The UAE hosted an Israeli delegation for the first time in 2003 for a meeting of the International Monetary Fund.
But, unlike fellow Gulf states Oman and Qatar, it has never hosted an Israeli trade office.
Both missions have since been closed -- that in Oman in 2000, and the Qatar one in 2009.
The Gulf Arab states have conditioned normalization of relations with Israel on its acceptance of the 2002 plan drafted by Saudi Arabia for peace with the Palestinians.
Israel's relations with the UAE have been clouded by the January 2010 death in a Dubai hotel of Hamas military commander Mahmud al-Mabhuh in what investigators believe was an assassination by Israel's Mossad spy agency.
At Saturday's meeting, IRENA Director General Adnan Amin told delegates from 66 countries and representatives from 120 regional and international organizations that "technology already exists to double the share of renewables by 2030 and even surpass it, and ... the transition can be cost neutral.
"Compared to energy systems based on fossil fuel, renewable energy ... is better for our health, creates more jobs and provides an effective route to reducing carbon emission -- a goal that becomes increasingly urgent by the day," he added.
18 jan 2014
Irina Bokova with Rabbi Marvin Heir in Los Angles upon agreeing to organize the exhibit
A United Nations agency pulled an exhibit on the Jewish people's "3,500-year relationship" to the land of Israel, after the Arab League lodged a last-minute protest, according to a report.
The exhibit, entitled “People, Book, Land – The 3,500 Year Relationship of the Jewish People and the Land of Israel," was created jointly by the Jewish human rights group the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, and was scheduled to open Jan. 20 at UNESCO's Paris headquarters.
But less than a week before it was to open, UNESCO informed the SWC is was canceling it because the Arab League had claimed the exhibit “could create potential obstacles related to the peace process in the Middle East,” the U.S.-based Jewish newspaper The Algemeiner reported.
Invitations had already gone out, and the fully prepared exhibition material was already in place, the paper reported. The display was co-sponsored by Israel, Canada and Montenegro. Rabbi Marvin Hier of the Wiesenthal Center, called the move was an “absolute outrage.”
In a letter to Irina Bokova, president of UNESCO, Abdulla al Neaimi, from the United Arab Emirates, expressed “deep worry and great disapproval” over the program showing the age old connection between Israel and the Jewish people.
Report: UNESCO cancels Israeli exhibit following Arab pressure
The cultural arm of the United Nations has cancelled the opening of a controversial exhibition at its Paris headquarters after coming under pressure from a number of Arab states, according to Israeli media.
Israeli daily Haaretz reported that a UNESCO exhibition focusing on the "3,500 years of ties between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel" was cancelled by the cultural body following a letter of condemnation sent by representatives of a number of Arab states.
UNESCO director-general Irina Bokova said on Wednesday in a letter to the Simon Wiesenthal Center, one of the exhibit's main organizers, that the exhibit would be postponed indefinitely out of "support for peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority."
On January 14, the president of the opposing group Abdullah Elmealmi sent a letter to Bokova saying they were "deeply disturbed by the exhibition" and "condemned" it.
"The media campaign accompanying the exhibition will inevitably damage the peace talks, the incessant efforts of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and UNESCO's neutrality," he added in the letter.
UNESCO admitted Palestine as a member in 2011, after which Israel and the United States pulled their support for the cultural body and stopped paying their dues in protest.
The Simon Wiesenthal Center, one of the exhibition's main sponsors, is currently trying to build a "Museum of Tolerance" by bulldozing an ancient Muslim cemetery in West Jerusalem that was in active use for 1,000 years until the 1920s.
Israeli authorities frequently use narratives of a millenia-long uninterrupted Jewish presence or connection to Palestine in order to undermine present-day Palestinian connections and legal rights to their land.
The topic is particularly sensitive given that members of the Israeli settlement movement often point to the previous existence of ancient Jewish towns on the site of currently existing Palestinian villages in order to dispossess them of their lands and build illegal Israeli settlements atop them.
The internationally recognized Palestinian territories of which the West Bank and East Jerusalem form a part have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.
A United Nations agency pulled an exhibit on the Jewish people's "3,500-year relationship" to the land of Israel, after the Arab League lodged a last-minute protest, according to a report.
The exhibit, entitled “People, Book, Land – The 3,500 Year Relationship of the Jewish People and the Land of Israel," was created jointly by the Jewish human rights group the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, and was scheduled to open Jan. 20 at UNESCO's Paris headquarters.
But less than a week before it was to open, UNESCO informed the SWC is was canceling it because the Arab League had claimed the exhibit “could create potential obstacles related to the peace process in the Middle East,” the U.S.-based Jewish newspaper The Algemeiner reported.
Invitations had already gone out, and the fully prepared exhibition material was already in place, the paper reported. The display was co-sponsored by Israel, Canada and Montenegro. Rabbi Marvin Hier of the Wiesenthal Center, called the move was an “absolute outrage.”
In a letter to Irina Bokova, president of UNESCO, Abdulla al Neaimi, from the United Arab Emirates, expressed “deep worry and great disapproval” over the program showing the age old connection between Israel and the Jewish people.
Report: UNESCO cancels Israeli exhibit following Arab pressure
The cultural arm of the United Nations has cancelled the opening of a controversial exhibition at its Paris headquarters after coming under pressure from a number of Arab states, according to Israeli media.
Israeli daily Haaretz reported that a UNESCO exhibition focusing on the "3,500 years of ties between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel" was cancelled by the cultural body following a letter of condemnation sent by representatives of a number of Arab states.
UNESCO director-general Irina Bokova said on Wednesday in a letter to the Simon Wiesenthal Center, one of the exhibit's main organizers, that the exhibit would be postponed indefinitely out of "support for peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority."
On January 14, the president of the opposing group Abdullah Elmealmi sent a letter to Bokova saying they were "deeply disturbed by the exhibition" and "condemned" it.
"The media campaign accompanying the exhibition will inevitably damage the peace talks, the incessant efforts of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and UNESCO's neutrality," he added in the letter.
UNESCO admitted Palestine as a member in 2011, after which Israel and the United States pulled their support for the cultural body and stopped paying their dues in protest.
The Simon Wiesenthal Center, one of the exhibition's main sponsors, is currently trying to build a "Museum of Tolerance" by bulldozing an ancient Muslim cemetery in West Jerusalem that was in active use for 1,000 years until the 1920s.
Israeli authorities frequently use narratives of a millenia-long uninterrupted Jewish presence or connection to Palestine in order to undermine present-day Palestinian connections and legal rights to their land.
The topic is particularly sensitive given that members of the Israeli settlement movement often point to the previous existence of ancient Jewish towns on the site of currently existing Palestinian villages in order to dispossess them of their lands and build illegal Israeli settlements atop them.
The internationally recognized Palestinian territories of which the West Bank and East Jerusalem form a part have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.
17 jan 2014
Finance minister tackles numerous pressing issues in Tel Aviv event, says settlements should be funded until evacuated, rabbis should not meddle in issues unrelated to halacha, 'his brother' Bennett was demoted to 'cousin'
In what state is the relationship between Yesh Atid chairman and Habayit Bayehudi chairman, why are the settlements still funded by the State and what will be their future – Finance Minister Yair Lapid addressed all of these pressing questions Friday morning at a Tel Aviv panel event.
When Lapid was asked about the issue of women's recruitment to the army and his past remarks noting that he would act to dismiss the chief rabbis for going against female IDF recruitment, he said: "I am not the minister responsible for (the chief rabbis), Naftali Bennett is." The interviewer then comically noted: "Our brother"; yet Lapid cynically replied: "He has been demoted to cousin," and stressed he believes Bennett should act on this matter.
"We are in an unprecedented struggle on the matter of equality of burden, and I don't think it is right for the rabbis to say they forbid women from serving in the army. This cannot be and we will act against it, unless they retract their remarks."
Lapid was asked about his opinion regarding the offshore bank account held by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the island of Jersey, and responded: "Since the State comptroller said he would look into the matter, it is improper for the finance minister to address this issue beforehand." In regards to the affair involving Rabbi Pinto and senior police officers, Lapid provided an interesting commentary:
"On an economic level, I want to draw the attention to the fact that the three Israeli tycoons that were notorious for consulting with rabbis are Moti Zisser, Nochi Dankner and Ilan Ben Dov. What is common to all three, apart from consulting with rabbis, is that their empires fell apart."
Lapid added: "It saddens me to see Judaism turn into a combination of charms and interference in matters unrelated to them. If I have a rabbi, it's Rabbi Shai Piron. If you'd ask him what's the most rabbinical thing he ever did, it'd be adopting a disabled child, because that's what a true rabbi does. He doesn't sit with all sorts of high-ranked officers or tycoons and advises them on matters unrelated to Judaism or halacha." These mixes are not good."
Lapid stressed that he is not very familiar with the details of the affair but was hopeful that "the senior police officials did nothing wrong. I don't think it only stains the police, but the chief rabbinate as well. The mixing of these two areas is unfit."
'Get rid of Palestinians'
Lapid was later asked about the political negotiation and the document that will soon be brought to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by US Secretary of State John Kerry.
"There will be an outline to the framework agreement which will be discussed in the negotiations," Lapid said. "It doesn't mean you agree to anything, it doesn't mean we think Jerusalem should be divided. It only means that these subjects are under debate as well and we don't need to be the ones who are insubordinate."
"We say – peace is not the issue, we need to get rid of the Palestinians. It threatens us, it chokes us. Ultimately the State of Israel cannot continue on while unnaturally absorbing four million Palestinians. Eventually they will tell us, 'if you don't want to give us a country of our own, let us vote.' And then, if we let them vote, it will be the end of the Jewish state. If we won't let them – it will be the end of a democratic Israel, and I won't allow that to happen."
Lapid added: "We will have to pay a price for this breakup. The price now only means they will open up a series of issues within the negotiations, and then we will explain to what we agree and to what we disagree."
The finance minister showed his support of PM Netanyahu: "I'm in the coalition because this is where things get done. And Yesh Atid bolsters the negotiations and supports the prime minister because he is running them correctly. It is not going to be easy, and every time we're asked why we don't resign from the government, I'll say – to keep it going, not for it to end."
Despite the political vision he presented, Lapid explained that until the settlements are evacuated, they must be properly funded: "Most of the budget for the Settlements Division is transferred to the Galilee and the Negev. And no new settlements are being established.
The agreement requires the evacuation of 80,000-90,000 settlers. It is not only going to change the country, it's going to change you and me. It will be the biggest Israeli drama since the State's establishment, in terms of what it does to us. It's going to be a drama that will tear us from the inside, but until that happens, there are people, good Israeli citizens, who live there, and I think it is perfectly fine to transfer money to continue their lives."
When asked about the remarks made by Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon about Kerry, he said: "It is indecent. Give credit to the defense minister that he thought he was talking in a private conversation, but even in such conversation he shouldn't speak this way, and I am glad he apologized because that was the right thing to have done."
In what state is the relationship between Yesh Atid chairman and Habayit Bayehudi chairman, why are the settlements still funded by the State and what will be their future – Finance Minister Yair Lapid addressed all of these pressing questions Friday morning at a Tel Aviv panel event.
When Lapid was asked about the issue of women's recruitment to the army and his past remarks noting that he would act to dismiss the chief rabbis for going against female IDF recruitment, he said: "I am not the minister responsible for (the chief rabbis), Naftali Bennett is." The interviewer then comically noted: "Our brother"; yet Lapid cynically replied: "He has been demoted to cousin," and stressed he believes Bennett should act on this matter.
"We are in an unprecedented struggle on the matter of equality of burden, and I don't think it is right for the rabbis to say they forbid women from serving in the army. This cannot be and we will act against it, unless they retract their remarks."
Lapid was asked about his opinion regarding the offshore bank account held by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the island of Jersey, and responded: "Since the State comptroller said he would look into the matter, it is improper for the finance minister to address this issue beforehand." In regards to the affair involving Rabbi Pinto and senior police officers, Lapid provided an interesting commentary:
"On an economic level, I want to draw the attention to the fact that the three Israeli tycoons that were notorious for consulting with rabbis are Moti Zisser, Nochi Dankner and Ilan Ben Dov. What is common to all three, apart from consulting with rabbis, is that their empires fell apart."
Lapid added: "It saddens me to see Judaism turn into a combination of charms and interference in matters unrelated to them. If I have a rabbi, it's Rabbi Shai Piron. If you'd ask him what's the most rabbinical thing he ever did, it'd be adopting a disabled child, because that's what a true rabbi does. He doesn't sit with all sorts of high-ranked officers or tycoons and advises them on matters unrelated to Judaism or halacha." These mixes are not good."
Lapid stressed that he is not very familiar with the details of the affair but was hopeful that "the senior police officials did nothing wrong. I don't think it only stains the police, but the chief rabbinate as well. The mixing of these two areas is unfit."
'Get rid of Palestinians'
Lapid was later asked about the political negotiation and the document that will soon be brought to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by US Secretary of State John Kerry.
"There will be an outline to the framework agreement which will be discussed in the negotiations," Lapid said. "It doesn't mean you agree to anything, it doesn't mean we think Jerusalem should be divided. It only means that these subjects are under debate as well and we don't need to be the ones who are insubordinate."
"We say – peace is not the issue, we need to get rid of the Palestinians. It threatens us, it chokes us. Ultimately the State of Israel cannot continue on while unnaturally absorbing four million Palestinians. Eventually they will tell us, 'if you don't want to give us a country of our own, let us vote.' And then, if we let them vote, it will be the end of the Jewish state. If we won't let them – it will be the end of a democratic Israel, and I won't allow that to happen."
Lapid added: "We will have to pay a price for this breakup. The price now only means they will open up a series of issues within the negotiations, and then we will explain to what we agree and to what we disagree."
The finance minister showed his support of PM Netanyahu: "I'm in the coalition because this is where things get done. And Yesh Atid bolsters the negotiations and supports the prime minister because he is running them correctly. It is not going to be easy, and every time we're asked why we don't resign from the government, I'll say – to keep it going, not for it to end."
Despite the political vision he presented, Lapid explained that until the settlements are evacuated, they must be properly funded: "Most of the budget for the Settlements Division is transferred to the Galilee and the Negev. And no new settlements are being established.
The agreement requires the evacuation of 80,000-90,000 settlers. It is not only going to change the country, it's going to change you and me. It will be the biggest Israeli drama since the State's establishment, in terms of what it does to us. It's going to be a drama that will tear us from the inside, but until that happens, there are people, good Israeli citizens, who live there, and I think it is perfectly fine to transfer money to continue their lives."
When asked about the remarks made by Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon about Kerry, he said: "It is indecent. Give credit to the defense minister that he thought he was talking in a private conversation, but even in such conversation he shouldn't speak this way, and I am glad he apologized because that was the right thing to have done."
16 jan 2014
Pro-peace-process activist took to streets to express support of Kerry, with Lapid joining them claiming it was time for Israel 'to separate from Palestinians.' Meanwhile, Bennett takes to Hebron to plant olive tree for future generations
Activists supporting peace talks took to the streets Thursday, holding demonstrations at 20 key junctions across the nation. Among those expressing their support for the peace process were Yesh Atid activists, who were surprised to receive a visit from Finance Minister Yair Lapid.
Lapid addressed the demonstrators and expressed optimism at the political process, saying: "A political process is under way; we are here because it is real." He added that "we will not miss this chance, it is time to separate from the Palestinians."
Lapid further stressed that it was important to show Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that there is support for a peace deal. "Yesh Atid will not allow this chance to be missed." The finance minister noted that the economic situation is improving and is inseparable from the political process. He further promised that his party activists will continue to demonstrate for peace both in Israel and with Palestinians.
Also on Thursday, Habayit Hayehudi Chairman Naftali Bennett came to Tu B'Shevat celebrations in Hebron where he planted an olive tree.
"We are planting an olive tree today, and those children planting it will enjoy its fruits, along with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We will be here forever."
He also mentioned US Secretary of State John Kerry's proposal to install plasma screens and other electronic devices as a substitute for armed forces in the Jordan Valley, and emphasized that "while conversations on plasmas are taking place, we are talking about real children and real people."
Activists supporting peace talks took to the streets Thursday, holding demonstrations at 20 key junctions across the nation. Among those expressing their support for the peace process were Yesh Atid activists, who were surprised to receive a visit from Finance Minister Yair Lapid.
Lapid addressed the demonstrators and expressed optimism at the political process, saying: "A political process is under way; we are here because it is real." He added that "we will not miss this chance, it is time to separate from the Palestinians."
Lapid further stressed that it was important to show Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that there is support for a peace deal. "Yesh Atid will not allow this chance to be missed." The finance minister noted that the economic situation is improving and is inseparable from the political process. He further promised that his party activists will continue to demonstrate for peace both in Israel and with Palestinians.
Also on Thursday, Habayit Hayehudi Chairman Naftali Bennett came to Tu B'Shevat celebrations in Hebron where he planted an olive tree.
"We are planting an olive tree today, and those children planting it will enjoy its fruits, along with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We will be here forever."
He also mentioned US Secretary of State John Kerry's proposal to install plasma screens and other electronic devices as a substitute for armed forces in the Jordan Valley, and emphasized that "while conversations on plasmas are taking place, we are talking about real children and real people."
A "Jew free" Palestinian state would be tantamount with ethnic cleansing said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an interview with Canada's CTV, reports the algemeiner.
"It's absurd that we're willing to recognize, that I'm willing to recognize the Palestinians, but in exchange, they're not willing to recognize the Jewish state, the nation state of the Jewish people. There's something wrong there", said Netanyahu, highlighting that, due to him, the crux of the disagreement in the negotiations is not about the settlement or about territories, but about the recognition of Israel as a Jewish state.
In the interview Netanyahu also stated that the Palestinians living inside Israel have full civic rights and are not asked to leave.
Netanyahu: Jew Free Palestinian State Would Be Ethnic Cleansing
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that a ”Jew-free” Palestinian state, now being contemplated in peace talks, would be tantamount to ethnic cleansing, in a trailer for an hour-long interview with Canada’s CTV to be broadcast this week.
When the interviewer, CTV’s Lisa LaFlamme, said that 1 in 5 Israelis are Arab, Netanyahu responded, “Sure. We’re not asking them to change their religion, they have full civic rights. Now in the Palestinian state, the way its being contemplated, no Jew can live there, it has to be Jew free, ethnic cleansing. Well, what is that? There are Arabs who live here, but they can’t contemplate Jews living there.”
He said that rather than the issue of settlements, the crux of the disagreement is the Palestinian Authority’s refusal to recognize a Jewish state.
“I think the issue of settlements will be resolved, the question of the territories, in general, will be resolved in the negotiations. I don’t think it’s the heart of the conflict, though I know people think of it that way, but it isn’t, it isn’t so,” Netanyahu said.
“It’s not about settlements, it’s not about territory, and it’s not even about a Palestinian state, which we agreed right from the start to recognize. It’s about a Jewish state. It’s about survival of the state of Israel. It’s absurd that we’re willing to recognize, that I’m willing to recognize the Palestinians, but in exchange, they’re not willing to recognize the Jewish state, the nation state of the Jewish people. There’s something wrong there.”
With three more months before a U.S.-set deadline for the talks, Netanyahu said he was hopeful that the talks succeed.
“I hope they don’t fail, and I hope we can do everything we can to have a successful outcome. We’re ready to do it, i’m ready to do it,” he said.
"It's absurd that we're willing to recognize, that I'm willing to recognize the Palestinians, but in exchange, they're not willing to recognize the Jewish state, the nation state of the Jewish people. There's something wrong there", said Netanyahu, highlighting that, due to him, the crux of the disagreement in the negotiations is not about the settlement or about territories, but about the recognition of Israel as a Jewish state.
In the interview Netanyahu also stated that the Palestinians living inside Israel have full civic rights and are not asked to leave.
Netanyahu: Jew Free Palestinian State Would Be Ethnic Cleansing
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that a ”Jew-free” Palestinian state, now being contemplated in peace talks, would be tantamount to ethnic cleansing, in a trailer for an hour-long interview with Canada’s CTV to be broadcast this week.
When the interviewer, CTV’s Lisa LaFlamme, said that 1 in 5 Israelis are Arab, Netanyahu responded, “Sure. We’re not asking them to change their religion, they have full civic rights. Now in the Palestinian state, the way its being contemplated, no Jew can live there, it has to be Jew free, ethnic cleansing. Well, what is that? There are Arabs who live here, but they can’t contemplate Jews living there.”
He said that rather than the issue of settlements, the crux of the disagreement is the Palestinian Authority’s refusal to recognize a Jewish state.
“I think the issue of settlements will be resolved, the question of the territories, in general, will be resolved in the negotiations. I don’t think it’s the heart of the conflict, though I know people think of it that way, but it isn’t, it isn’t so,” Netanyahu said.
“It’s not about settlements, it’s not about territory, and it’s not even about a Palestinian state, which we agreed right from the start to recognize. It’s about a Jewish state. It’s about survival of the state of Israel. It’s absurd that we’re willing to recognize, that I’m willing to recognize the Palestinians, but in exchange, they’re not willing to recognize the Jewish state, the nation state of the Jewish people. There’s something wrong there.”
With three more months before a U.S.-set deadline for the talks, Netanyahu said he was hopeful that the talks succeed.
“I hope they don’t fail, and I hope we can do everything we can to have a successful outcome. We’re ready to do it, i’m ready to do it,” he said.
15 jan 2014
Taher al-Nono, the Gaza Prime Minister’s Advisor, praised the European position for refusing to stand a moment of silence for the death of former Israeli Prime Minister Areil Sharon. He said in a stetement to ALRAY Tuesday evening, “ the European stand is considered moral and political one that stresses the international community knows the Israeli occupation and its leaders have committed trocious war crimes against humanity and killed Palestinian people for no reason, so they must be put on trial.”
“ Sharon died but the leaders of the Israeli occupation forces who carried out many crimes are still alive and they should be presented to justice,” he explained.
“Their position sends a message to the Israeli occupation leaders in order not to violate international law or commit the brutal crimes against our people.” Al-Nono added.
“ Sharon died but the leaders of the Israeli occupation forces who carried out many crimes are still alive and they should be presented to justice,” he explained.
“Their position sends a message to the Israeli occupation leaders in order not to violate international law or commit the brutal crimes against our people.” Al-Nono added.
The European Parliament has rejected a call from a far right politician for a minute of silence in the memory for ex Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, reports Kuwait News Agency.
”I will not allow the minute’s silence. No, there is no minute’s silence,” said the President of the European Parlament, Martin Schultz.
The call for a minute of silence was made by the Dutch MEP Laurence Stassen, who belongs to a extreme right party, but many members of the European Praliament opposed the call.
”I don’t agree with a minute’s silence for Ariel Sharon. He has caused the death of tens of thousands of Palestinians”, said Richard Falbr, Czech MEP belongin to the socialist group.
”I will not allow the minute’s silence. No, there is no minute’s silence,” said the President of the European Parlament, Martin Schultz.
The call for a minute of silence was made by the Dutch MEP Laurence Stassen, who belongs to a extreme right party, but many members of the European Praliament opposed the call.
”I don’t agree with a minute’s silence for Ariel Sharon. He has caused the death of tens of thousands of Palestinians”, said Richard Falbr, Czech MEP belongin to the socialist group.
14 jan 2014
By Khalid Amayreh in Occupied East Jerusalem
As a firm believer in divine justice, I have no doubt that Ariel Sharon, the former Israeli Prime Minister, who perished three days ago following a long comma that lasted for eight years, will now find his way straight to hell.
Many people are likely to scoff at this language and view it with ridicule and derision. However, I believe that in the absence of divine justice in this world and especially after death, life becomes quite futile and meaningless.
Indeed, if Adolph Hitler were to have equality in death with Mother Teresa and Ariel Sharon with Jesus Christ-then life is pointless. Pure and simple.
It is unlikely that evil men, and Sharon was undoubtedly an evil man by every standard of imagination, believe in a hereafter or Day of Judgment when all men stand before their Maker for accountability and judgment.
But disbelief in the hereafter and in divine justice doesn't mean that there will be no hereafter and no divine justice.
Sharon was a Jew. But his deeds ever since he was a young man starkly contradicted the Ten Commandments and every other conceivable moral code of Prophetic Judaism.
Judaism taught "thou shall not murder," but murder was obviously Sharon's modus operandi and way of life. Judaism taught that man shouldn't oppress his fellow man, but Sharon was par excellence a criminal oppressor all his life.
Judaism commands its followers to be just and righteous and refrain from doing evil, but Sharon utterly disregarded all these virtues. He sold his soul to the devil at an early age and never repented. He basked in his evil, remorseless and undisturbed, without the slightest compunction or feeling of guilt.
There is no doubt that Sharon was a son of perdition. The wicked man had to "live" eight long years in suspension-between life and death.
Doctors call this "vegetative stage." It is defined as a clinical condition in which there is complete absence of awareness of the self and the environment. However, it is likely that the eight years were a period of perdition, punishment and damnation. This was probably a foretaste of what was awaiting him.
Sharon will now meet his Maker, overburdened with so much nefariousness and murderousness. The crimes he committed in his long life will haunt him in the depth of hell.
Cheap sycophancy
It is really sad that some world leaders, even some Nobel Prize recipients, have heaped praise on the wicked criminal. Well, this is no less that an expression of moral bankruptcy, lack of rectitude and cheapness of character.
But people such as Shimon Peres, the hero of the Qana massacre of 1996, and Tony Blair, the co-author of the war on Iraq (the other author is George W. Bush) are actually no less criminal than Sharon. Hence, it is only natural that they praised him, as if the perished criminal was a paragon of virtue, justice and truth. Their moral repugnance cries out to the seventh heaven.
Very much the same thing can be said about U.S. Vice-President Joseph Biden and his boss at the White House Barack Obama, who throw words of hypocrisy and sycophancy right and left, with little or no regard to truth and honesty.
In the final analysis, birds of feather flock together. I have no doubt that Sharon will be joined in the depth of hell at the proper moment by the equally evil criminals they are now heaping praise on him.
There they will also find Hitler, Joseph Stalin and numerous other murderers and criminals throughout human history.
God is holy and He can't be holy without being absolutely just. But a just God wouldn’t be just if he didn't consign people like Sharon to hell.
As a firm believer in divine justice, I have no doubt that Ariel Sharon, the former Israeli Prime Minister, who perished three days ago following a long comma that lasted for eight years, will now find his way straight to hell.
Many people are likely to scoff at this language and view it with ridicule and derision. However, I believe that in the absence of divine justice in this world and especially after death, life becomes quite futile and meaningless.
Indeed, if Adolph Hitler were to have equality in death with Mother Teresa and Ariel Sharon with Jesus Christ-then life is pointless. Pure and simple.
It is unlikely that evil men, and Sharon was undoubtedly an evil man by every standard of imagination, believe in a hereafter or Day of Judgment when all men stand before their Maker for accountability and judgment.
But disbelief in the hereafter and in divine justice doesn't mean that there will be no hereafter and no divine justice.
Sharon was a Jew. But his deeds ever since he was a young man starkly contradicted the Ten Commandments and every other conceivable moral code of Prophetic Judaism.
Judaism taught "thou shall not murder," but murder was obviously Sharon's modus operandi and way of life. Judaism taught that man shouldn't oppress his fellow man, but Sharon was par excellence a criminal oppressor all his life.
Judaism commands its followers to be just and righteous and refrain from doing evil, but Sharon utterly disregarded all these virtues. He sold his soul to the devil at an early age and never repented. He basked in his evil, remorseless and undisturbed, without the slightest compunction or feeling of guilt.
There is no doubt that Sharon was a son of perdition. The wicked man had to "live" eight long years in suspension-between life and death.
Doctors call this "vegetative stage." It is defined as a clinical condition in which there is complete absence of awareness of the self and the environment. However, it is likely that the eight years were a period of perdition, punishment and damnation. This was probably a foretaste of what was awaiting him.
Sharon will now meet his Maker, overburdened with so much nefariousness and murderousness. The crimes he committed in his long life will haunt him in the depth of hell.
Cheap sycophancy
It is really sad that some world leaders, even some Nobel Prize recipients, have heaped praise on the wicked criminal. Well, this is no less that an expression of moral bankruptcy, lack of rectitude and cheapness of character.
But people such as Shimon Peres, the hero of the Qana massacre of 1996, and Tony Blair, the co-author of the war on Iraq (the other author is George W. Bush) are actually no less criminal than Sharon. Hence, it is only natural that they praised him, as if the perished criminal was a paragon of virtue, justice and truth. Their moral repugnance cries out to the seventh heaven.
Very much the same thing can be said about U.S. Vice-President Joseph Biden and his boss at the White House Barack Obama, who throw words of hypocrisy and sycophancy right and left, with little or no regard to truth and honesty.
In the final analysis, birds of feather flock together. I have no doubt that Sharon will be joined in the depth of hell at the proper moment by the equally evil criminals they are now heaping praise on him.
There they will also find Hitler, Joseph Stalin and numerous other murderers and criminals throughout human history.
God is holy and He can't be holy without being absolutely just. But a just God wouldn’t be just if he didn't consign people like Sharon to hell.