IPT: American Islamists Ignore Hamas Aggression Within Gaza

 

 

" Any doubt that this week's "Freedom Flotilla" to Gaza was about politics – and not about providing aid to needy Palestinians in Gaza – was erased Wednesday when Hamas leaders refused to let the flotilla's cargo in. "  Double Standards on Hamas Action Against Palestinians June 2, 2010  by the Investigative Project on Terrorism  http://www.investigativeproject.org/1987/double-standards-on-hamas-action-against   Any doubt that this week's "Freedom Flotilla" to Gaza was about politics – and not about providing aid to needy Palestinians in Gaza – was erased Wednesday when Hamas leaders refused to let the flotilla's cargo in. Among the reasons, Hamas doesn't want to give Israel a public relations victory. Israel's economic embargo on the Hamas government in Gaza – designed to keep weapons and materials for explosives out of the hands of terrorists who would attack it - is decried as unjust and illegal. But don't expect global condemnation of Hamas' decision to play politics with the material released as promised all along. It is the latest example of the fact that, while Israel is castigated for its actions, when it comes to Hamas aggression against the Palestinian people, the silence from American-Muslim organizations is deafening. Since Hamas' electoral victory in 2006, there have been many questions about how the designated terrorist group would govern. Fears that the militant organization would not moderate were validated when it violently seized control of territory from the Palestinian Authority in 2007 and became the de facto government of Gaza. Since then, the group has continued on its path of armed violence against Israel, while at the same time destroying the Palestinian society that it claims to represent. All the while, American Islamist groups such as the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC)—alleged champions of the Palestinian people who are more than happy to criticize Israel for what it views as similar acts of hostility— have sat on the sidelines while Hamas cracked down. When it comes to Hamas aggression against the Palestinian people, the silence from American-Muslim organizations has been deafening. While critics decry the Israeli blockade of Gaza as a violation of humanitarian law that deprives the Palestinian people of necessary resources, nobody blinks when Hamas runs the Gaza economy into the ground. Where Israel and Hamas destroy homes that were illegally built, Israel is taken to task by the international community while the criticism of Hamas is mild at best. When Israel is chastised for "targeting" Palestinian civilians, Hamas' brutal execution of "collaborators" barely receives a head shake. Ignoring Hamas' Oppressive Laws Among the most repeated criticisms against the Israeli government is that the current political climate is analogous to apartheid South Africa. At a "Jerusalem Day Rally" in 2000, MPAC's Dr. Maher Hathout, announced: "they say Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. This is a lie. Israel is not a democracy. Israel is a theocracy, and is an apartheid state, against every fiber of the modern world." More recently, Hussam Ayloush, the Executive Director of CAIR-Los Angeles, repeated the comparison: "Imagine if Black African persons from South Africa were required to take an oath of allegiance to the apartheid system and if one refused or dares to challenge such injustice he or she would be sentenced to prison…that is basically the news coming out of Israel these days." Although these groups are quick to denounce Israeli policies, they remain unwilling to do the same of Hamas. While the terrorist group ran, in part, on a platform to reform Fatah's corruption, since taking power it has forced restrictive provisions of Sharia on the residents of the Gaza Strip. Among the recent policies imposed by Hamas are bans on men working in women's beauty parlors, segregation of public beaches, and banning women from riding motorcycles. Ignoring Hamas' destructive economic policies in Gaza CAIR and MPAC often blame the Israeli government for the bleak economic situation in the Gaza Strip. Frequently, this criticism takes the form of claims that Israel's attempts to prevent weapons from entering the Hamas-controlled area have created a humanitarian crisis. Such claims reached a crescendo this week with the "Freedom Flotilla" fiasco. MPAC denounced Israeli defensive actions, saying: "the collective punishment of Gaza is a war crime, a violation of international law, and a massive impediment to any peace process." Similarly, CAIR announced: "It is imperative that President Obama not only speak out strongly against this massacre of civilians but also demonstrate our nation's outrage at Israel's brutal actions by taking concrete steps to end the humanitarian siege imposed on Gaza with America's support." While critical of Israel for allegedly "creating a humanitarian crisis," these groups have remained silent while Hamas has contributed to the awful economic conditions in the Gaza Strip. Although promising to revitalize the Palestinian economy in the Gaza Strip, the economic situation has become even direr since the militant group took over and failed to pay civil servants their salaries for nearly a year. In January 2010, it was reported that police and government employees on the Hamas payroll had again been denied pay. The response to this financial shortage has been disastrous for the Palestinian people. Unfair and strict tax laws have been implemented including a 60 percent tax on cigarettes, heavy taxes on property, and the seizure of more than a quarter of a million dollars from Arab Bank that had been frozen out of fear that it was funding terrorism. Enforcement of these policies has been swift and harsh. Hamas has confiscated cigarettes and painkillers from Gaza shops and destroyed them, and jailed people who refused to comply with the newly imposed economic regulations. Ignoring Hamas' Violent Oppression of Palestinians Claiming concern for Palestinians, MPAC and CAIR have frequently accused Israel of targeting and killing innocent Palestinians. At an Oct. 7, 2000 rally outside of the Israeli Embassy in Washington D.C., CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad called Israel a terrorist state: "The Israeli's have been maiming children, have been killing innocent people, have been bombing cities, no objection by the United States…all these things are happening, are happening in the name of the United States." In a joint statement issued on May 20, 2004, American Muslim groups decried Israel's "indiscriminate killings of innocent Palestinians, including many children," and its "demolition of Palestinian homes" among other things. But when Hamas engages in similar behavior? Silence. More than simply imposing Sharia and strict financial regulations, Hamas has violently cracked down on the civilian population of the Gaza Strip. In March, Hamas executed two Palestinians who were suspected of "collaboration with Israel." Fathi Hammad, the Minister of Interior, announced that the group would "continue to implement execution sentences" despite public outcry. Most recently, and perhaps most controversially, Hamas has begun evicting Gaza residents and knocking down their homes, claiming that they were built illegally on government land. Gaza residents said that between 30 and 40 homes were razed, ranging from concrete structures to tin shacks. Commenting on the actions, one resident said: "They promised reform and change—instead they've destroyed our homes." Contrast the willingness to criticize Israel for alleged acts of aggression against the Palestinian people with the silence of the same critics when Hamas represses Palestinians. Today, CAIR demands that President Obama condemn what it calls a massacre on the flotilla. It has never condemned Hamas or called on others to do so.In 2002, CAIR's Ibrahim Hooper was challenged to do just that, but refused saying "we're not in the business of condemning." As recent events suggest though, that's only half of the sentence. In reality, it concludes, "...unless it's against Israel." Related Topics: The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), The Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC)  http://www.investigativeproject.org/ The Investigative Project on Terrorism 202-363-8602 - main 202-966-5191 - fax

Probe: lynchers have ties to global jihad

"some 100 people infiltrated the peace and
humanitarian aid activists ..



...

Some among that group are believed to have ties with World Jihad groups,
mainly al-Qaeda.


... it is clear that the majority were recruited by the same IHH handler who organized the flotilla.

 

source: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3897667,00.html

Dershowitz: Goal of flotilla not to provide aid to Gaza

 

Another rush to judgment By  ALAN DERSHOWITZ     6/1/2010   Jerusalem Post  Now is the time to assess the flotilla situation carefully and methodically.

The deaths and injuries on board the Gaza flotilla once again demonstrate how easy it is for radical supporters of    terrorism to provoke a democracy into committing acts that will incur the condemnation of the international community. Let there be no mistake about the goal of the flotilla. It was not to provide aid to Gaza. The proof of that obvious reality is that the leaders of the flotilla rejected an Israeli offer to send the food and medical supplies to Gaza through the Israeli port of Ashdod.  They wanted a military confrontation with casualties. That is why some of them were chanting Jihadist slogans such as  “[remember] Khaibar, khaibar, oh Jews.  The army of Muhammed will return.” This was a reference to the slaughter of Jews by Muhammed in the 7th century. In an interview with Al Jazeera, one of the leaders demanded “Martyrdom” or victory.  They seem to have achieved both. The United Nations is now ready to pounce on Israel, without even hearing the Israeli side of the story or viewing videotapes that show Israeli commandoes being beaten, stabbed and clubbed by so called “peaceful protesters”. Nor are those who are rushing to condemn Israel interested in the rules of engagement issued by Israel, under which their marines were told to fire harmless paintballs unless their lives were threatened. This is not to say that the Israeli actions were wise, especially in light of the long lead-time they had to prepare for this well planned provocation. But their actions were not illegal under international law. The blockade of Gaza, a terrorist enclave that has engaged in repeated acts of armed aggression against Israeli civilians, is supported by Egypt and other    nations. Although the flotilla was boarded in international waters, the intent to enter the coastal area of Gaza was clear    and undisputed. A sovereign nation need not wait until the line is unlawfully crossed when the intruders have made    known their determination to cross the line. The United States and other western countries have boarded ships in i   nternational waters over the years to enforce blockades and to protect security. When Israeli marines were attacked by lethal weapons, they had the absolute right to defend themselves and protect    their fellow soldiers. Whether they acted reasonably and proportionately can be known only after a thorough investigation,    which the Israeli authorities should begin immediately.  The immediate confrontation has now ended, with too much loss of life and too many injuries. There is now time to    assess the situation carefully and methodically, as both the United States and Israel are doing. Conclusions must follow    investigation, not precede it. The United Nations has no credibility when it comes to this particular conflict, since it has    proved its one-sided anti-Israel bias over and over again.  It should stay out of this conflict, lest it encourage more    provocations and more loss of life.  There will be enough self-criticism from the Israeli public to force the Israeli military    to reconsider how it responds to future provocations.

vidoe: Flotilla militants attacking IDF

: Protesters attack with guns and knives, Israel Regrets 10 dead

From: The Israel Project [mailto:press@theisraelproject.org]
Sent: Mon 5/31/2010 8:37 AM

Subject: Protesters attack with guns and knives, Israel Regrets 10 dead




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TIP logo <http://www.theisraelproject.org/>     
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 31, 2010

Contact:
Marcus Sheff: 011-972-2-6236427, marcuss@theisraelproject.org <mailto:ma@marcuss@theisraelproject.org>
Leah Soibel: 011-972-2-6236427, leahs@theisraelproject.org
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Protesters attack with guns and knives, Israel Regrets 10 dead



Injured Evacuated to Israeli hospitals


Stats and Facts on Israeli Humanitarian Aid Transfers to Gaza
First Hand Testimony of Israeli Journalist Who Accompanied the Israeli Naval Commandos <http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3896796,00.html>

*               Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said in a press conference on Monday (May 31) regarding the Turkish-led flotilla that:

        "The armada of hate and violence in support of Hamas terror organization was a premeditated and outrageous provocation.

        "The organizers are well known for their ties with global Jihad, al-Qaeda and Hamas. They have a history of arms smuggling and deadly terror.

        "On board the ship we found weapons prepared in advance and used against our forces. The organizers intent was violent, their method was violent and the results were unfortunately violent. Israel regrets any loss of life and did everything to avoid this outcome."[1] <https://www.kintera.com/kintera_sphere/Email/New/EmailEditor.aspx#_edn1>

*               Israel's Defense Minister Ehud Barak expressed regret for loss of live, but said that the flotilla was a provocation sponsored by extremists who support a terrorist organization.[2] <https://www.kintera.com/kintera_sphere/Email/New/EmailEditor.aspx#_edn2> 

: Activists on one ship were prepared to lynch the soldiers trying to board

Subject: Activists on one ship were prepared to lynch the soldiers trying to board

Navy Prepared to  Face Anarchists, Met Terrorists Instead
Army Radio  reporter Gal Lev-Rom, on board one of the Israeli Navy ships
that stopped the  anti-Israel flotilla, reported on the "peace activists"
preparations to lynch  Israeli soldiers and on the large weapon stocks they
brought.

Lev-Rom  said that at one point around midnight, "our ships started calling
upon them to  stop, or else the full responsibility would be upon them." It
was similarly  publicized in news sources around that time that Israel said
it would give the  boats time to adhere to the instructions before its
forces would begin to board  them.

"There was no answer other than curses in English and Arabic,"  Lev-Rom
said. Around  4 AM, the commandos started boarding the boats,  rappelling onto
them by ropes and armed only with pistols. At that point,  Lev-Rom said, "
the demonstrators on board attacked the Israelis with light  weaponry,
including knives and clubs, in true lynch-like fashion. The commandos  are
certainly well-trained, but it's quite hard to fight back when it's 6-10  people
against one. They started beating our soldiers with bats and sharp  objects
and the like, and even some pistols were taken and fired at our  soldiers 

Muslim chant on Gaza flotilla points to genocidal precedent

Goldflam: "When watching the coverage of the
intl. media I noticed that some Muslim boat people are chanting in Arabic:
Haibar Haiber ya Yahud – Jaish Muhammad Sa’ufa Ya’ud
...When Muslims chant “remember Haibar” –
it is not a figure of speech it’s a genocidal political program. And
the misguided “human rights activists” are chanting right along thinking
they are singing Kumbaya or “we shall overcome”.

source: http://cifwatch.com/2010/05/30/the-free-gaza-flotilla-sailing-away-from-human-rights/