Comments on: World Revolution Manifesto http://www.occupiedlondon.org/blog/2008/12/27/world-revolution-manifesto/ Irregular updates and articles on the situation in Greece, in English Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:56:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Sparky http://www.occupiedlondon.org/blog/2008/12/27/world-revolution-manifesto/comment-page-2/#comment-7083 Sparky Wed, 03 Jun 2009 20:38:51 +0000 http://www.occupiedlondon.org/blog/?p=151#comment-7083 Nobody's consciousness or understanding springs forth fully formed. It is good to see someone putting out a call for a world revolution. The best school for revolution is learning from one's own mistakes. My only criticism would be that instead concentrating on taking over and building the Insurgent Workers Assembly, the movement seemed to have dissolved itself in riots. Long live the worker's assembly! Nobody’s consciousness or understanding springs forth fully formed. It is good to see someone putting out a call for a world revolution. The best school for revolution is learning from one’s own mistakes. My only criticism would be that instead concentrating on taking over and building the Insurgent Workers Assembly, the movement seemed to have dissolved itself in riots.
Long live the worker’s assembly!

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]]> By: Meat is a waste http://www.occupiedlondon.org/blog/2008/12/27/world-revolution-manifesto/comment-page-2/#comment-1353 Meat is a waste Sat, 10 Jan 2009 07:14:06 +0000 http://www.occupiedlondon.org/blog/?p=151#comment-1353 Moralism aside, meat is an unecessary waste of precious and declining resources (particularly clean water). Even seperate to an understanding of the cruel and objectifying treatment of animals under capitalism (people and animals alike are reduced to mere commodities) anyone who has looked even superficially into the environmental costs of meat production could tell you that it is highly unsustainable and wasteful as well as inhumane. The factory farming/ meat industry pedals the myth of the benifits of eating meat excessively (humans are biologically ill equipped for excessive meat consumption with a stomach acid and an intestinal length similar to herbivores rather then carnivorous animals) but nowhere do they warn of the health effects of excess meat consumption (heart disease, higher levels of cancer and cholesterol) let alone the carcinogenic hormones and antibiotics they pump into the animals they keep caged for slaughter to fill your burgers. The meat industry is wasteful, inhumane and produces an excess of what we don't actually need to survive, let alone the rediculous amounts we currently consume. The price of this industries operations are high environmentally, from the website of the International Development Research Centre: "Introduction With world population projected to increase by 50% to 8.8 billion by 2030, our ability to adequately feed people will face growing challenges (Brown and Kane 1994). Scaling back on heightened levels of resource-intensive meat production may be the best way to ensure food security for all people into the next century. Essentially, the world is experiencing an overpopulation in farm animals. Between 1950 and 1994, global meat production increased nearly fourfold, rising faster than the human population. During this period, production rates jumped from 18 kg/person to 35.4 kg/person (Brown and Kane 1994; FAO 1997). The combined weight of the world’s 15 billion farm animals now surpasses that of the human population by more than a factor of 1.5 (Table 1). In many countries, the affluent are eating the most meat, often at the expense of poorer people who depend on grain supplies increasingly diverted to feed livestock. In China, grain consumption by livestock has increased by a factor of five since 1978 (Gardner 1996). Any discussion of overpopulation should surely include domesticated animals that, like people, depend on food, water, shelter, and mechanisms for heating, cooling, and transport. The many farm animals are straining resources and causing environmental harm as a result of their voracious appetites for feed crops and grazing. Figure I. The average area of land devoted to agriculture in North America is 1.4 ha (3.5 acres) per capita (adjusted for the exporting of grain). With a big cut in meat production, this area could be reduced to as low as 0.2 ha (0.5 acres) per capita, the rate in many Asian countries. The huge area saved could be used for reestablishing wilderness or for growing more food for people. (A) Sketch of 1.4 ha of farm land. (B) Sketch of 0.2 ha of farm land. about one-sixth of the manure from hog-raising operations in the United States is used (USDA 1986, cited in Durning and Brough 1991). Excess animal waste often ends up in rivers and in groundwater, where it contributes to nitrogen, phosphorus, and nitrate pollution (Durning and Brough 1991). Livestock grazing Roughly one-fifth of the world’s land area is used for grazing, twice that for growing crops (FAO 1997). In a natural state, grasslands are healthy ecosystems supporting a diverse range of plants, birds, rodents, and wild grazing animals. Grasslands are often unsuited for cultivation, but with care they can generally be used sustainably for livestock grazing. Cattle, sheep, and goats are ruminants. They fare best on a diet of grass. In the West, cattle still spend most of their lives grazing and are only fattened on an unnatural diet of grain and soy before being slaughtered. With most of the world’s rangelands grazed at or beyond capacity, the prospects for increasing the production of grass-fed beef and mutton are unfavourable (Brown and Kane 1994). Gains are made in grazing land increasingly at the expense of wilderness areas. More than one-third of the forests of Central America have been cut since the early 1960s, but pasture land has increased by 50% (FAO 1990, cited in Durning and Brough 1991). In India, tiger reserves, national parks, and tree planting efforts are increasingly threatened by cattle and goats invading and eating young plant shoots (Gandhi 1996). In dryland regions, cattle can overgraze perennial grasses, allowing annual weeds and scrubs to proliferate. The new weeds lack extensive root systems to guard soil against erosion. As the former diversity of plant species is lost, wildlife also declines (Durning and Brough 1991). According to a United Nations study, “The Global Assessment of Human Induced Soil Degradation” (ISRIC 1990), about 10.5% of the world’s fertile land suffers from moderate to extreme degradation. Overgrazing by livestock and current farming practices are the principal causes of this degradation (ISRIC 1990)." Moralism aside, meat is an unecessary waste of precious and declining resources (particularly clean water).

Even seperate to an understanding of the cruel and objectifying treatment of animals under capitalism (people and animals alike are reduced to mere commodities) anyone who has looked even superficially into the environmental costs of meat production could tell you that it is highly unsustainable and wasteful as well as inhumane. The factory farming/ meat industry pedals the myth of the benifits of eating meat excessively (humans are biologically ill equipped for excessive meat consumption with a stomach acid and an intestinal length similar to herbivores rather then carnivorous animals) but nowhere do they warn of the health effects of excess meat consumption (heart disease, higher levels of cancer and cholesterol) let alone the carcinogenic hormones and antibiotics they pump into the animals they keep caged for slaughter to fill your burgers.
The meat industry is wasteful, inhumane and produces an excess of what we don’t actually need to survive, let alone the rediculous amounts we currently consume. The price of this industries operations are high environmentally, from the website of the International Development Research Centre:

“Introduction

With world population projected to increase by 50% to 8.8 billion by 2030, our ability to adequately feed people will face growing challenges (Brown and Kane 1994). Scaling back on heightened levels of resource-intensive meat production may be the best way to ensure food security for all people into the next century.

Essentially, the world is experiencing an overpopulation in farm animals. Between 1950 and 1994, global meat production increased nearly fourfold, rising faster than the human population. During this period, production rates jumped from 18 kg/person to 35.4 kg/person (Brown and Kane 1994; FAO 1997). The combined weight of the world’s 15 billion farm animals now surpasses that of the human population by more than a factor of 1.5 (Table 1).

In many countries, the affluent are eating the most meat, often at the expense of poorer people who depend on grain supplies increasingly diverted to feed livestock. In China, grain consumption by livestock has increased by a factor of five since 1978 (Gardner 1996).

Any discussion of overpopulation should surely include domesticated animals that, like people, depend on food, water, shelter, and mechanisms for heating, cooling, and transport. The many farm animals are straining resources and causing environmental harm as a result of their voracious appetites for feed crops and grazing.

Figure I. The average area of land devoted to agriculture in North America is 1.4 ha (3.5 acres) per capita (adjusted for the exporting of grain). With a big cut in meat production, this area could be reduced to as low as 0.2 ha (0.5 acres) per capita, the rate in many Asian countries. The huge area saved could be used for reestablishing wilderness or for growing more food for people.
(A) Sketch of 1.4 ha of farm land. (B) Sketch of 0.2 ha of farm land.

about one-sixth of the manure from hog-raising operations in the United States is used (USDA 1986, cited in Durning and Brough 1991). Excess animal waste often ends up in rivers and in groundwater, where it contributes to nitrogen, phosphorus, and nitrate pollution (Durning and Brough 1991).
Livestock grazing

Roughly one-fifth of the world’s land area is used for grazing, twice that for growing crops (FAO 1997). In a natural state, grasslands are healthy ecosystems supporting a diverse range of plants, birds, rodents, and wild grazing animals. Grasslands are often unsuited for cultivation, but with care they can generally be used sustainably for livestock grazing. Cattle, sheep, and goats are ruminants. They fare best on a diet of grass. In the West, cattle still spend most of their lives grazing and are only fattened on an unnatural diet of grain and soy before being slaughtered.

With most of the world’s rangelands grazed at or beyond capacity, the prospects for increasing the production of grass-fed beef and mutton are unfavourable (Brown and Kane 1994). Gains are made in grazing land increasingly at the expense of wilderness areas. More than one-third of the forests of Central America have been cut since the early 1960s, but pasture land has increased by 50% (FAO 1990, cited in Durning and Brough 1991). In India, tiger reserves, national parks, and tree planting efforts are increasingly threatened by cattle and goats invading and eating young plant shoots (Gandhi 1996).

In dryland regions, cattle can overgraze perennial grasses, allowing annual weeds and scrubs to proliferate. The new weeds lack extensive root systems to guard soil against erosion. As the former diversity of plant species is lost, wildlife also declines (Durning and Brough 1991). According to a United Nations study, “The Global Assessment of Human Induced Soil Degradation” (ISRIC 1990), about 10.5% of the world’s fertile land suffers from moderate to extreme degradation. Overgrazing by livestock and current farming practices are the principal causes of this degradation (ISRIC 1990).”

]]> By: Beishu http://www.occupiedlondon.org/blog/2008/12/27/world-revolution-manifesto/comment-page-2/#comment-1352 Beishu Sat, 10 Jan 2009 07:07:53 +0000 http://www.occupiedlondon.org/blog/?p=151#comment-1352 Although the critiques and commentary on Primitivism are interesting, i don't actually see any statements in this manifesto that clearly take a pro-primitivist stance, as far as i can tell the author/s advocate the redirection of technology (including the use of the net, science and the means of production) to meet the needs of the people under self management not their abolishment. This seems to me an intelligent and anarchistic position to take, it is not science, production itself etc which is inherently capitalist but the manner which these are directed currently to benifit the few at the expense of the majority. The state and corporate sector shower funding on those willing to direct their scientific knowledge and skills towards futhering the interests of the ruling elites; on expensive and sophisticated surveillance technology, weaponry and tech for the military-industrial complex, trivial and frivolous 'innovations' in the range of rotten chemical laden products and 'treats' filling the aisles of supermarkets rather then towards technology of practical benifit to humanity. As far as i can tell it is the vague condemnation of 'civilisation' in this peice which evokes a connection with primitivism. Yes it is a rather vague and ill defined sentiment repeatedly stated, but i assumed that by 'civilastion' the authors may have been refering to the current socio-cultural, economic and political matrix of capitalism as they seem to advocate the use of technology and science in the service of radical social change. I agree that this may be a sweeping manifesto which lacks a careful critique and explaination of the terms it repeatedly utilises, but it is still inspiring and obviously has sparked a lot of debate which i see as a good thing. As for 'Medal of Honour', in the unlikely case that you are not a cop, i say to you get off your ass and educate yourself, write your own goddamn manifesto within your own collective, contribute with your own vision of social change to make 'the world a better place', or at least contribute something positive - whether critical or not - to this forum rather then standing back and throwing (rather poorly aimed and unintelligent) stones at those who actually are. No one is here, nor in Greece to please you or provide you with the answers let alone pass some 'test' you've unilaterally created in your brain and fail to share with us. Yes dumb people should never reign over the majority, which is precisely why capitalism, the state and their henchmen will fall and no undercover cop, crypto-fascist or armchair cynic can prevent this. As for drawing an anology between what is happening in Greece and Soviet Russia, you really need to pick up a good history book. Here, start with these: http://lists.labourhistory.net/pipermail/labnet/2008-October/000477.html http://libcom.org/history/chronology-of-russian-anarchism-1921-1953 http://www.spunk.org/library/places/russia/sp001839.html http://www.spunk.org/texts/places/russia/sp001861/bolintro.html ... Good Luck. To everyone revolting in Greece, my love and solidarity. Although the critiques and commentary on Primitivism are interesting, i don’t actually see any statements in this manifesto that clearly take a pro-primitivist stance, as far as i can tell the author/s advocate the redirection of technology (including the use of the net, science and the means of production) to meet the needs of the people under self management not their abolishment. This seems to me an intelligent and anarchistic position to take, it is not science, production itself etc which is inherently capitalist but the manner which these are directed currently to benifit the few at the expense of the majority.
The state and corporate sector shower funding on those willing to direct their scientific knowledge and skills towards futhering the interests of the ruling elites; on expensive and sophisticated surveillance technology, weaponry and tech for the military-industrial complex, trivial and frivolous ‘innovations’ in the range of rotten chemical laden products and ‘treats’ filling the aisles of supermarkets rather then towards technology of practical benifit to humanity.

As far as i can tell it is the vague condemnation of ‘civilisation’ in this peice which evokes a connection with primitivism. Yes it is a rather vague and ill defined sentiment repeatedly stated, but i assumed that by ‘civilastion’ the authors may have been refering to the current socio-cultural, economic and political matrix of capitalism as they seem to advocate the use of technology and science in the service of radical social change.

I agree that this may be a sweeping manifesto which lacks a careful critique and explaination of the terms it repeatedly utilises, but it is still inspiring and obviously has sparked a lot of debate which i see as a good thing.

As for ‘Medal of Honour’, in the unlikely case that you are not a cop, i say to you get off your ass and educate yourself, write your own goddamn manifesto within your own collective, contribute with your own vision of social change to make ‘the world a better place’, or at least contribute something positive – whether critical or not – to this forum rather then standing back and throwing (rather poorly aimed and unintelligent) stones at those who actually are.
No one is here, nor in Greece to please you or provide you with the answers let alone pass some ‘test’ you’ve unilaterally created in your brain and fail to share with us.
Yes dumb people should never reign over the majority, which is precisely why capitalism, the state and their henchmen will fall and no undercover cop, crypto-fascist or armchair cynic can prevent this.
As for drawing an anology between what is happening in Greece and Soviet Russia, you really need to pick up a good history book.
Here, start with these:

http://lists.labourhistory.net/pipermail/labnet/2008-October/000477.html
http://libcom.org/history/chronology-of-russian-anarchism-1921-1953
http://www.spunk.org/library/places/russia/sp001839.html
http://www.spunk.org/texts/places/russia/sp001861/bolintro.html

… Good Luck.

To everyone revolting in Greece, my love and solidarity.

]]> By: axs-thel http://www.occupiedlondon.org/blog/2008/12/27/world-revolution-manifesto/comment-page-2/#comment-1096 axs-thel Fri, 02 Jan 2009 20:25:04 +0000 http://www.occupiedlondon.org/blog/?p=151#comment-1096 i do, of course, view both ww2, the holocaust and the israel-palestine war as horrible phenomena. however, both these two are, of course, products of society. we should criticize both of them, but not without the critique all the other aspects of the the capitalist world/way of life. to fight for a better capitalism, a better way of life during capitalism, is more than understandable, even more so when the conditions are so horrible that one may not make it through the day. but it's hardly revolutionary. i do, of course, view both ww2, the holocaust and the israel-palestine war as horrible phenomena.

however, both these two are, of course, products of society. we should criticize both of them, but not without the critique all the other aspects of the the capitalist world/way of life.

to fight for a better capitalism, a better way of life during capitalism, is more than understandable, even more so when the conditions are so horrible that one may not make it through the day. but it’s hardly revolutionary.

]]> By: Chirag.Suvarna http://www.occupiedlondon.org/blog/2008/12/27/world-revolution-manifesto/comment-page-2/#comment-1092 Chirag.Suvarna Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:45:17 +0000 http://www.occupiedlondon.org/blog/?p=151#comment-1092 http://www.creative-i.info/?p=3402 Adam Sheets: The Facts about Israel's War on Gaza 31 December, 2008 It is crucial that one has her/his facts straight about Israel's war on Gaza. What events brought about this dreadful situation? What needs to be done to make it stop? These questions will be answered in the content of this article, using concrete facts from a variety of news sources. Let's first investigate the recent cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. The cease-fire began in June 2008. The terms were as follows: 1. Israel would drastically reduce its military blockade of Gaza. 2. Israel would halt all military incursions into Gaza. 3. Hamas would halt all rocket attacks into Israel. From the outset of the cease-fire, Israel did little to ease its military blockade. As a result, Gazans continued to suffer from a lack of food, fuel, financial aid, electricity, clean water, medical supplies, and more. This has been, inarguably, an attack on innocent Palestinian civilians. * Gaza faces a humanitarian "catastrophe" if Israel continues to prevent aid reaching the territory by blocking crossing points, the head of the main UN aid agency for the Palestinians said on Friday… Israel had restricted goods into Gaza despite the truce, which calls on militants to halt rocket attacks in return for Israel easing its embargo on the territory… Israel also held up deliveries of European Union-funded fuel for the power plant, which generates about a third of the electricity consumed by Gazans… Ailments associated with insufficient food were surfacing among the impoverished coastal strip's 1.5 million population, including growing malnutrition. —Haaretz Israel News, Nov. 21, 2008 [1] * A former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, has told the BBC she was taken aback by the "terrible" conditions in Gaza on a recent visit. Mrs Robinson said it was "almost unbelievable" that the world did not care about what she called "a shocking violation of so many human rights"… Israel tightened a blockade on Gaza after Hamas took control there in 2007… "Their whole civilisation has been destroyed, I'm not exaggerating," said Mrs Robinson…Israel says the blockade, under which it has allowed little more than basic humanitarian aid into Gaza, is needed to isolate the militant group and stop it and other militants from firing rockets into Israel. Israel came to a truce with Palestinian groups in June this year, but Mrs Robinson said this had had little effect on people's lives and "just brought a bitter taste in the mouth". —BBC News, Nov. 4, 2008 [2] * The UN in the Gaza Strip says it will run out of food aid in two days unless Israel's blockade – which it describes as "shameful and unacceptable" – eases. The UN refugee agency UNWRA, which distributes food to half of Gaza's 1.5m people, called the blockade "a physical as well as a mental punishment". Israel is now allowing a limited amount of fuel across the border, but it is still blocking food deliveries… In a statement, UNWRA spokesman Christopher Gunness said food distribution operations would end on Thursday unless Israeli authorities allowed deliveries of wheat, luncheon meat, powdered milk and cooking oil without delay. "This is both a physical as well as a mental punishment of the population – of mothers and parents trying to feed their children – who are being forced to live hand to mouth," he said… "It is a further illustration of the barbarity of this inhuman blockade."… "It is also shameful and unacceptable that the largest humanitarian actor in Gaza is being forced into yet another cycle of crisis management," Mr Gunness added. —BBC News, Nov. 11, 2008 [3] * International aid agencies, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, have said virtually no medical supplies were reaching Gaza. —Haaretz Israel News, Nov. 9, 2008 [14] * The UN has no more food to distribute in the Gaza Strip, the head of relief efforts in the area has warned. John Ging said handouts for 750,000 Gazans would have to be suspended until Saturday at the earliest, and called Gaza's economic situation "a disaster". Israel earlier denied entry to a convoy carrying humanitarian supplies… The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) distributes emergency aid to about half of Gaza's 1.5m population. "We have run out [of food aid] this evening," said Mr Ging, UNRWA's senior official in Gaza. "Unless the crossing points open… we won't be able to get that food into Gaza," he told Reuters news agency… Also on Thursday, Israel refused permission for a group of senior European diplomats to visit the coastal enclave. It has also prevented journalists, including those from the BBC, from entering the territory. —BBC News, Nov. 13, 2008 [4] * Since June 2007, Israel has allowed little more than basic humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza Strip. Many there hoped that policy would change, five months ago, when Hamas and Israel agreed to a truce. But while there were some increases in the amount of aid allowed in, Israel's strict restrictions on the movement of goods and people into and out of Gaza largely remained… Serious fuel shortages have led to widespread power cuts across Gaza City. That, in turn, has caused problems in pumping water to homes, and sewage to treatment plants. Israel is preventing many aid workers, and all journalists from entering Gaza too… "I never thought we would see days like this," says Monther Shublak, head of Gaza's water authority. "The water system was severely stretched even before this crisis, but now, things are much worse. For the last four days, around 40% of people in Gaza City have had no access to running water in their homes at all."… "But we are putting all of our resources into sewage pumping. The health consequences of that system totally failing are too worrying to think about, but it could happen unless things change." —BBC News, Nov. 20, 2008 [5] * Israel has refused to allow cash to enter Gaza in recent weeks to ratchet up pressure on the ruling Hamas militant group. With the supply of currency dwindling, banks have limited withdrawals over the past two weeks, and some have posted signs telling customers they cannot take out any more money… The United Nations halted cash handouts to 98,000 of Gaza's poorest residents last week, and economists and bank officials warn that tens of thousands of civil servants won't be able to cash their paychecks next month… "No society can operate without money, but that's the situation we are reaching in Gaza," said Gaza economist Omar Shaban… Israel and Egypt have restricted movement through Gaza's border crossings since the Islamic militants of Hamas violently seized control of the coastal territory in June 2007. Since then, closures have been eased or tightened, depending on the security situation. But even in quiet times, when Gaza militants refrained from firing rockets at Israeli border towns, only limited shipments of food, medicine and commercial goods were allowed in… Shlomo Dror, an Israel Defense Ministry spokesman, questioned the seriousness of the currency shortage. "We are used to the Palestinians inventing things and we are looking into their claim," he said. —Washington Post, Nov. 24, 2008 [6] Despite the intense blockade against Gazan civilians, the cease-fire held until November 4, 2008. On that date, the Israeli military made an incursion into Gaza and killed six Palestinians. The Israeli government sought to justify these actions, saying that they suspected these Palestinians of plotting to kidnap Israeli soldiers. Palestinian fighters responded to the attack by launching rockets into Israel. Thus began the unraveling of the cease-fire. * At least six Hamas militants have been killed after Israel's first incursion into the Gaza Strip since June's truce. Israel said its troops had uncovered a tunnel along central Gaza's frontier which had been dug by militants intending to abduct Israeli soldiers. Clashes ensued when troops were sent to thwart the threat, Israel said. One militant died, Palestinian reports say. A subsequent Israeli air strike on Hamas positions in southern Gaza killed at least five fighters, medics said. An Israeli army spokeswoman said the air strike targeted militants who had fired mortars at Israeli forces… Tuesday evening's fighting broke out after Israeli tanks and a bulldozer moved 250m into the central part of the coastal enclave, backed by military aircraft, says the BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Ramallah. Residents of central Gaza's el-Bureij refugee camp said a missile fired from an unmanned Israeli drone flying over the area injured another three Hamas gunmen. A truce between the two sides had held since it was declared on 19 June. Israel said the raid was not a violation of the ceasefire, but rather a legitimate step to remove an immediate threat. —BBC News, Nov. 5, 2008 [7] * An Israel Air Force air strike in the southern Gaza Strip killed at least five militants and wounded several others on Tuesday, Palestinians said. Earlier, Israel Defense Forces soldiers killed a Hamas gunman and wounded two others on Tuesday in the first armed clash in the Gaza Strip since a ceasefire was declared in the territory in June, Palestinian medics said… An Egypt-brokered cease-fire agreement between Israel and the Gaza Strip was signed earlier this year, and went into effect on June 19. The IDF argued that the raid did not constitute a violation of the cease fire, but instead was a legitimate step to remove an immediate threat to Israel from Gaza, which is controlled by the Islamic militant group Hamas. —Haaretz Israel News, Nov. 5, 2008 [8] * Two weeks ago, an already fragile humanitarian situation resulting from the mounting effects of months of shortages, saw a dramatic downturn. The fighting resumed, with an Israeli army incursion into Gaza and a retaliatory barrage of militant rocket fire. —BBC News, Nov. 20, 2008 [5] As the cease-fire began to crumble, the violence from both sides intensified. Efforts to redeem the cease-fire ultimately failed. * Palestinian armed groups in Gaza remain committed to a truce with Israel if Jerusalem reciprocates, Hamas's Gaza leader said on Friday, even as militants launched more attacks from the coastal territory… "I have met with armed factions over the past two days and they stated their position clearly: they are committed to calm as long as (Israel) abides by it," said Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas's most senior representative in Gaza. —Haaretz Israel News, Nov. 21, 2008 [9] * Hamas announced on Sunday that militant groups in Gaza have agreed to cease cross-border attacks if Israel opens crossings into the coastal territory, Ma'an news reported. —Haaretz Israel News, Nov. 24, 2008 [10] * After expressing contradictory positions on Sunday, Hamas' leadership on Monday adopted a united stance: The cease-fire with Israel, which expires this Friday, will not be extended… Hamas' spokesman in the Gaza Strip, Ayman Taha, said the movement had concluded that there was no point in extending the truce "as long as Israel isn't abiding by its terms" – though he added that talks on continuing the cease-fire were still taking place. Specifically, Taha said, Israel was supposed to have expanded the truce to the West Bank – something Hamas demanded but Israel in fact never promised – and opened the Gaza border crossings, and "this hasn't happened." —Haaretz Israel News, Dec. 16, 2008 [11] Following the end of the cease-fire, Israel moved closer to an invasion of the territory. The Israeli government claimed that this was the only remaining option to eliminate rocket attacks from Gaza. However, as cited in the sources above, this was clearly not the case. Israel had failed to abide by the terms of the cease-fire. For the overwhelming majority of the six-month truce, Israel had refused to ease its military blockade of Gaza to any significant degree. In addition, it was the initial violator of the cease-fire when it sent tanks and aircraft into Gaza and killed six Palestinians on November 4, 2008. In fact, there is evidence that Israel was planning to strike Gaza even while the cease-fire was still in effect. * Barak told the assembled lawmakers that the defense establishment spent months preparing for the Gaza operation. —Haaretz Israel News, Dec. 29, 2008 [16] In the interest of peace, Hamas, and especially Fatah, have firmly established that they are willing to participate in negotiations that are based on internationally recognized borders and rights. * On June 6, 2006, Haniyeh met Dr. Jerome Segal of the University of Maryland in the Gaza Strip… At the end of the meeting, Haniyeh dictated a short message he asked Segal to transmit to President Bush… In the second paragraph, Haniyeh laid out the political platform he maintains to this day. "We are so concerned about stability and security in the area that we don't mind having a Palestinian state in the 1967 borders and offering a truce for many years," he wrote… Haniyeh called on Bush to launch a dialogue with the Hamas government. "We are not warmongers, we are peace makers and we call on the American government to have direct negotiations with the elected government," he wrote… In his own letter, Segal emphasized that a state within the 1967 borders and a truce for many years could be considered Hamas' de facto recognition of Israel. He noted that in a separate meeting, Youssuf suggested that the Palestinian Authority and Israel might exchange ambassadors during that truce period. This was not the only covert message from Hamas to senior Bush administration officials. However, Washington did not reply to these messages and maintained its boycott of the Hamas government. —Haaretz Israel News, Nov. 14, 2008 [12] * The Hamas leader in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, said on Saturday his government was willing to accept a Palestinian state alongside Israel within the 1967 borders… Haniyeh told his guests Israel rejected his initiative… He said the Hamas government had agreed to accept a Palestinian state that followed the 1967 borders and to offer Israel a long-term hudna, or truce, if Israel recognized the Palestinians' national rights… In response to a question about the international community's impression that there are two Palestinian states, Haniyeh said: "We don't have a state, neither in Gaza nor in the West Bank. Gaza is under siege and the West Bank is occupied. What we have in the Gaza Strip is not a state, but rather a regime of an elected government. A Palestinian state will not be created at this time except in the territories of 1967."… "Our conflict is not with the Jews, our problem is with the occupation," Haniyeh said. —Haaretz Israel News, Nov. 9, 2008 [14] * The Palestinian Authority has placed a full-page advert in Israel's Hebrew newspapers to promote an Arab peace plan first proposed in 2002. The Saudi-backed initiative offers Arab recognition of Israel in exchange for an end to Israel's occupation of land captured in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. It also proposes what it calls a just solution for Palestinian refugees. The Israeli government has noted "positive aspects" in the plan but has not formally accepted it… Peace Now, and Israeli campaign group, welcomed the publication of the adverts. "On behalf of a majority of Israeli citizens who support peace with the Palestinian people on the basis of a two state solution – we embrace the Arab Peace Initiative and urge both governments to endorse it and negotiate the final status agreement in its spirit," a statement from the group said… The text reads: "Fifty-seven Arab and Muslim countries will establish diplomatic relations with Israel in exchange for a full peace accord and the end of the occupation." —BBC News, Nov. 20, 2008 [13] * U.S. President-elect Barack Obama proclaimed himself "very impressed" with the Arab League's peace plan when he discussed it with President Shimon Peres during a brief visit to Israel four months ago, Peres said Tuesday… The plan, originally proposed by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia in 2002 and later adopted by the Arab League, states that Israel would receive full relations with the entire Arab world in exchange for a full withdrawal from all the territory it captured in 1967, including East Jerusalem, plus a solution to the refugee problem. The Bush Administration has said it views the plan positively, but its own road map peace plan and the understandings reached at last year's Annapolis summit have served as the basis of its diplomatic program. —Haaretz Israel News, Nov. 19, 2008 [15] Since Israel began its strike on Gaza, 4 Israelis and 391 Palestinians have been killed [18]. The White House said that Israel will cease its attack when Hamas has agreed to a truce. Hamas said they are open to any cease-fire propositions. A cease-fire has been proposed, but Israel rejected this offer. * "In order for the violence to stop, Hamas must stop firing rockets into Israel and agree to respect a sustainable and durable ceasefire," White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said. —BBC News, Dec. 29, 2008 [17] * Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has rejected international calls for a 48-hour truce in the Gaza Strip to allow in more humanitarian aid… The 48-hour ceasefire plan to allow more aid into Gaza, was proposed by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner. Hamas spokesman Ayman Taha told AFP news agency that his group was open to any ceasefire propositions as long as they meant an end to the air strikes and a lifting of the Israeli blockade of Gaza. —BBC News, Dec. 31, 2008 [18] The international community must continue to demand that a cease-fire be implemented. In order to be successful, any agreement must call for 1) an end to Israel's blockade of Gaza, 2) an end to the Israeli invasion of Gaza, and 3) an end to all rocket attacks into Israel. References: [1] "UNRWA chief: Gaza on brink of humanitarian catastrophe." Haaretz Israel News 21 Nov. 2008. www.haaretz.com/ [2] "Gaza residents 'terribly trapped'." BBC News 4 Nov. 2008. www.bbc.co.uk/ [3] "UN warns over Gaza food blockade." BBC News 11 Nov. 2008. www.bbc.co.uk/ [4] "UN 'has run out of Gaza food aid." BBC News 13 Nov. 2008. www.bbc.co.uk/ [5] "Gazans despair over blockade." BBC News 20 Nov. 2008. www.bbc.co.uk/ [6] "Gazans using tattered notes because of cash crunch." Washington Post 24 Nov. 2008. www.washingtonpost.com/ [7] "Palestinians die in Gaza clashes." BBC News 5 Nov. 2008. www.bbc.co.uk/ [8] "Hamas: Six Palestinians killed in first IDF raid since Gaza truce." Haaretz Israel News 5 Nov. 2008. www.haaretz.com/ [9] "Haniyeh: If Israel abides by truce, so will Palestinian groups." Haaretz Israel News 21 Nov. 2008. www.haaretz.com/ [10] "Report: Gaza militants agree to cease rocket fire if Israel opens crossings." Haaretz Israel News 24 Nov. 2008. www.haaretz.com/ [11] "Agreement in Hamas: Cease-fire to end Friday." Haaretz Israel News 16 Dec. 2008. www.haaretz.com/ [12] "Haniyeh recognized Israel in 2006 letter to President Bush." Haaretz Israel News 14 Nov. 2008. www.haaretz.com/ [13] "Arab plan explained in Hebrew ads." BBC News 20 Nov. 2008. www.bbc.co.uk/ [14] "Haniyeh: Hamas would accept state under 1967 borders." Haaretz Israel News 9 Nov. 2008. www.haaretz.com/ [15] "Peres: Obama 'very impressed' by Arab League peace plan." Haaretz Israel News 19 Nov. 2008. www.haaretz.com/ [16] "Barak: We'll use every resource to stop 'criminal' rocket fire from Gaza." Haaretz Israel News 29 Dec. 2008. www.haaretz.com/ [17] "Israel vows war on Hamas in Gaza." BBC News 29 Dec. 2008. www.bbc.co.uk/ [18] "Israel rejects Gaza truce calls." BBC News 31 Dec. 2008. www.bbc.co.uk/ http://www.creative-i.info/?p=3402

Adam Sheets: The Facts about Israel’s War on Gaza

31 December, 2008

It is crucial that one has her/his facts straight about Israel’s war on Gaza. What events brought about this dreadful situation? What needs to be done to make it stop? These questions will be answered in the content of this article, using concrete facts from a variety of news sources.

Let’s first investigate the recent cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. The cease-fire began in June 2008. The terms were as follows:

1. Israel would drastically reduce its military blockade of Gaza.
2. Israel would halt all military incursions into Gaza.
3. Hamas would halt all rocket attacks into Israel.

From the outset of the cease-fire, Israel did little to ease its military blockade. As a result, Gazans continued to suffer from a lack of food, fuel, financial aid, electricity, clean water, medical supplies, and more. This has been, inarguably, an attack on innocent Palestinian civilians.

* Gaza faces a humanitarian “catastrophe” if Israel continues to prevent aid reaching the territory by blocking crossing points, the head of the main UN aid agency for the Palestinians said on Friday… Israel had restricted goods into Gaza despite the truce, which calls on militants to halt rocket attacks in return for Israel easing its embargo on the territory… Israel also held up deliveries of European Union-funded fuel for the power plant, which generates about a third of the electricity consumed by Gazans… Ailments associated with insufficient food were surfacing among the impoverished coastal strip’s 1.5 million population, including growing malnutrition.
—Haaretz Israel News, Nov. 21, 2008 [1]

* A former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, has told the BBC she was taken aback by the “terrible” conditions in Gaza on a recent visit. Mrs Robinson said it was “almost unbelievable” that the world did not care about what she called “a shocking violation of so many human rights”… Israel tightened a blockade on Gaza after Hamas took control there in 2007… “Their whole civilisation has been destroyed, I’m not exaggerating,” said Mrs Robinson…Israel says the blockade, under which it has allowed little more than basic humanitarian aid into Gaza, is needed to isolate the militant group and stop it and other militants from firing rockets into Israel. Israel came to a truce with Palestinian groups in June this year, but Mrs Robinson said this had had little effect on people’s lives and “just brought a bitter taste in the mouth”.
—BBC News, Nov. 4, 2008 [2]

* The UN in the Gaza Strip says it will run out of food aid in two days unless Israel’s blockade – which it describes as “shameful and unacceptable” – eases. The UN refugee agency UNWRA, which distributes food to half of Gaza’s 1.5m people, called the blockade “a physical as well as a mental punishment”. Israel is now allowing a limited amount of fuel across the border, but it is still blocking food deliveries… In a statement, UNWRA spokesman Christopher Gunness said food distribution operations would end on Thursday unless Israeli authorities allowed deliveries of wheat, luncheon meat, powdered milk and cooking oil without delay. “This is both a physical as well as a mental punishment of the population – of mothers and parents trying to feed their children – who are being forced to live hand to mouth,” he said… “It is a further illustration of the barbarity of this inhuman blockade.”… “It is also shameful and unacceptable that the largest humanitarian actor in Gaza is being forced into yet another cycle of crisis management,” Mr Gunness added.
—BBC News, Nov. 11, 2008 [3]

* International aid agencies, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, have said virtually no medical supplies were reaching Gaza.
—Haaretz Israel News, Nov. 9, 2008 [14]

* The UN has no more food to distribute in the Gaza Strip, the head of relief efforts in the area has warned. John Ging said handouts for 750,000 Gazans would have to be suspended until Saturday at the earliest, and called Gaza’s economic situation “a disaster”. Israel earlier denied entry to a convoy carrying humanitarian supplies… The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) distributes emergency aid to about half of Gaza’s 1.5m population. “We have run out [of food aid] this evening,” said Mr Ging, UNRWA’s senior official in Gaza. “Unless the crossing points open… we won’t be able to get that food into Gaza,” he told Reuters news agency… Also on Thursday, Israel refused permission for a group of senior European diplomats to visit the coastal enclave. It has also prevented journalists, including those from the BBC, from entering the territory.
—BBC News, Nov. 13, 2008 [4]

* Since June 2007, Israel has allowed little more than basic humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza Strip. Many there hoped that policy would change, five months ago, when Hamas and Israel agreed to a truce. But while there were some increases in the amount of aid allowed in, Israel’s strict restrictions on the movement of goods and people into and out of Gaza largely remained… Serious fuel shortages have led to widespread power cuts across Gaza City. That, in turn, has caused problems in pumping water to homes, and sewage to treatment plants. Israel is preventing many aid workers, and all journalists from entering Gaza too… “I never thought we would see days like this,” says Monther Shublak, head of Gaza’s water authority. “The water system was severely stretched even before this crisis, but now, things are much worse. For the last four days, around 40% of people in Gaza City have had no access to running water in their homes at all.”… “But we are putting all of our resources into sewage pumping. The health consequences of that system totally failing are too worrying to think about, but it could happen unless things change.”
—BBC News, Nov. 20, 2008 [5]

* Israel has refused to allow cash to enter Gaza in recent weeks to ratchet up pressure on the ruling Hamas militant group. With the supply of currency dwindling, banks have limited withdrawals over the past two weeks, and some have posted signs telling customers they cannot take out any more money… The United Nations halted cash handouts to 98,000 of Gaza’s poorest residents last week, and economists and bank officials warn that tens of thousands of civil servants won’t be able to cash their paychecks next month… “No society can operate without money, but that’s the situation we are reaching in Gaza,” said Gaza economist Omar Shaban… Israel and Egypt have restricted movement through Gaza’s border crossings since the Islamic militants of Hamas violently seized control of the coastal territory in June 2007. Since then, closures have been eased or tightened, depending on the security situation. But even in quiet times, when Gaza militants refrained from firing rockets at Israeli border towns, only limited shipments of food, medicine and commercial goods were allowed in… Shlomo Dror, an Israel Defense Ministry spokesman, questioned the seriousness of the currency shortage. “We are used to the Palestinians inventing things and we are looking into their claim,” he said.
—Washington Post, Nov. 24, 2008 [6]

Despite the intense blockade against Gazan civilians, the cease-fire held until November 4, 2008. On that date, the Israeli military made an incursion into Gaza and killed six Palestinians. The Israeli government sought to justify these actions, saying that they suspected these Palestinians of plotting to kidnap Israeli soldiers. Palestinian fighters responded to the attack by launching rockets into Israel. Thus began the unraveling of the cease-fire.

* At least six Hamas militants have been killed after Israel’s first incursion into the Gaza Strip since June’s truce. Israel said its troops had uncovered a tunnel along central Gaza’s frontier which had been dug by militants intending to abduct Israeli soldiers. Clashes ensued when troops were sent to thwart the threat, Israel said. One militant died, Palestinian reports say. A subsequent Israeli air strike on Hamas positions in southern Gaza killed at least five fighters, medics said. An Israeli army spokeswoman said the air strike targeted militants who had fired mortars at Israeli forces… Tuesday evening’s fighting broke out after Israeli tanks and a bulldozer moved 250m into the central part of the coastal enclave, backed by military aircraft, says the BBC’s Aleem Maqbool in Ramallah. Residents of central Gaza’s el-Bureij refugee camp said a missile fired from an unmanned Israeli drone flying over the area injured another three Hamas gunmen. A truce between the two sides had held since it was declared on 19 June. Israel said the raid was not a violation of the ceasefire, but rather a legitimate step to remove an immediate threat.
—BBC News, Nov. 5, 2008 [7]

* An Israel Air Force air strike in the southern Gaza Strip killed at least five militants and wounded several others on Tuesday, Palestinians said. Earlier, Israel Defense Forces soldiers killed a Hamas gunman and wounded two others on Tuesday in the first armed clash in the Gaza Strip since a ceasefire was declared in the territory in June, Palestinian medics said… An Egypt-brokered cease-fire agreement between Israel and the Gaza Strip was signed earlier this year, and went into effect on June 19. The IDF argued that the raid did not constitute a violation of the cease fire, but instead was a legitimate step to remove an immediate threat to Israel from Gaza, which is controlled by the Islamic militant group Hamas.
—Haaretz Israel News, Nov. 5, 2008 [8]

* Two weeks ago, an already fragile humanitarian situation resulting from the mounting effects of months of shortages, saw a dramatic downturn. The fighting resumed, with an Israeli army incursion into Gaza and a retaliatory barrage of militant rocket fire.
—BBC News, Nov. 20, 2008 [5]

As the cease-fire began to crumble, the violence from both sides intensified. Efforts to redeem the cease-fire ultimately failed.

* Palestinian armed groups in Gaza remain committed to a truce with Israel if Jerusalem reciprocates, Hamas’s Gaza leader said on Friday, even as militants launched more attacks from the coastal territory… “I have met with armed factions over the past two days and they stated their position clearly: they are committed to calm as long as (Israel) abides by it,” said Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas’s most senior representative in Gaza.
—Haaretz Israel News, Nov. 21, 2008 [9]

* Hamas announced on Sunday that militant groups in Gaza have agreed to cease cross-border attacks if Israel opens crossings into the coastal territory, Ma’an news reported.
—Haaretz Israel News, Nov. 24, 2008 [10]

* After expressing contradictory positions on Sunday, Hamas’ leadership on Monday adopted a united stance: The cease-fire with Israel, which expires this Friday, will not be extended… Hamas’ spokesman in the Gaza Strip, Ayman Taha, said the movement had concluded that there was no point in extending the truce “as long as Israel isn’t abiding by its terms” – though he added that talks on continuing the cease-fire were still taking place. Specifically, Taha said, Israel was supposed to have expanded the truce to the West Bank – something Hamas demanded but Israel in fact never promised – and opened the Gaza border crossings, and “this hasn’t happened.”
—Haaretz Israel News, Dec. 16, 2008 [11]

Following the end of the cease-fire, Israel moved closer to an invasion of the territory. The Israeli government claimed that this was the only remaining option to eliminate rocket attacks from Gaza. However, as cited in the sources above, this was clearly not the case. Israel had failed to abide by the terms of the cease-fire. For the overwhelming majority of the six-month truce, Israel had refused to ease its military blockade of Gaza to any significant degree. In addition, it was the initial violator of the cease-fire when it sent tanks and aircraft into Gaza and killed six Palestinians on November 4, 2008. In fact, there is evidence that Israel was planning to strike Gaza even while the cease-fire was still in effect.

* Barak told the assembled lawmakers that the defense establishment spent months preparing for the Gaza operation.
—Haaretz Israel News, Dec. 29, 2008 [16]

In the interest of peace, Hamas, and especially Fatah, have firmly established that they are willing to participate in negotiations that are based on internationally recognized borders and rights.

* On June 6, 2006, Haniyeh met Dr. Jerome Segal of the University of Maryland in the Gaza Strip… At the end of the meeting, Haniyeh dictated a short message he asked Segal to transmit to President Bush… In the second paragraph, Haniyeh laid out the political platform he maintains to this day. “We are so concerned about stability and security in the area that we don’t mind having a Palestinian state in the 1967 borders and offering a truce for many years,” he wrote… Haniyeh called on Bush to launch a dialogue with the Hamas government. “We are not warmongers, we are peace makers and we call on the American government to have direct negotiations with the elected government,” he wrote… In his own letter, Segal emphasized that a state within the 1967 borders and a truce for many years could be considered Hamas’ de facto recognition of Israel. He noted that in a separate meeting, Youssuf suggested that the Palestinian Authority and Israel might exchange ambassadors during that truce period. This was not the only covert message from Hamas to senior Bush administration officials. However, Washington did not reply to these messages and maintained its boycott of the Hamas government.
—Haaretz Israel News, Nov. 14, 2008 [12]

* The Hamas leader in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, said on Saturday his government was willing to accept a Palestinian state alongside Israel within the 1967 borders… Haniyeh told his guests Israel rejected his initiative… He said the Hamas government had agreed to accept a Palestinian state that followed the 1967 borders and to offer Israel a long-term hudna, or truce, if Israel recognized the Palestinians’ national rights… In response to a question about the international community’s impression that there are two Palestinian states, Haniyeh said: “We don’t have a state, neither in Gaza nor in the West Bank. Gaza is under siege and the West Bank is occupied. What we have in the Gaza Strip is not a state, but rather a regime of an elected government. A Palestinian state will not be created at this time except in the territories of 1967.”… “Our conflict is not with the Jews, our problem is with the occupation,” Haniyeh said.
—Haaretz Israel News, Nov. 9, 2008 [14]

* The Palestinian Authority has placed a full-page advert in Israel’s Hebrew newspapers to promote an Arab peace plan first proposed in 2002. The Saudi-backed initiative offers Arab recognition of Israel in exchange for an end to Israel’s occupation of land captured in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. It also proposes what it calls a just solution for Palestinian refugees. The Israeli government has noted “positive aspects” in the plan but has not formally accepted it… Peace Now, and Israeli campaign group, welcomed the publication of the adverts. “On behalf of a majority of Israeli citizens who support peace with the Palestinian people on the basis of a two state solution – we embrace the Arab Peace Initiative and urge both governments to endorse it and negotiate the final status agreement in its spirit,” a statement from the group said… The text reads: “Fifty-seven Arab and Muslim countries will establish diplomatic relations with Israel in exchange for a full peace accord and the end of the occupation.”
—BBC News, Nov. 20, 2008 [13]

* U.S. President-elect Barack Obama proclaimed himself “very impressed” with the Arab League’s peace plan when he discussed it with President Shimon Peres during a brief visit to Israel four months ago, Peres said Tuesday… The plan, originally proposed by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia in 2002 and later adopted by the Arab League, states that Israel would receive full relations with the entire Arab world in exchange for a full withdrawal from all the territory it captured in 1967, including East Jerusalem, plus a solution to the refugee problem. The Bush Administration has said it views the plan positively, but its own road map peace plan and the understandings reached at last year’s Annapolis summit have served as the basis of its diplomatic program.
—Haaretz Israel News, Nov. 19, 2008 [15]

Since Israel began its strike on Gaza, 4 Israelis and 391 Palestinians have been killed [18]. The White House said that Israel will cease its attack when Hamas has agreed to a truce. Hamas said they are open to any cease-fire propositions. A cease-fire has been proposed, but Israel rejected this offer.

* “In order for the violence to stop, Hamas must stop firing rockets into Israel and agree to respect a sustainable and durable ceasefire,” White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.
—BBC News, Dec. 29, 2008 [17]

* Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has rejected international calls for a 48-hour truce in the Gaza Strip to allow in more humanitarian aid… The 48-hour ceasefire plan to allow more aid into Gaza, was proposed by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner. Hamas spokesman Ayman Taha told AFP news agency that his group was open to any ceasefire propositions as long as they meant an end to the air strikes and a lifting of the Israeli blockade of Gaza.
—BBC News, Dec. 31, 2008 [18]

The international community must continue to demand that a cease-fire be implemented. In order to be successful, any agreement must call for 1) an end to Israel’s blockade of Gaza, 2) an end to the Israeli invasion of Gaza, and 3) an end to all rocket attacks into Israel.

References:

[1] “UNRWA chief: Gaza on brink of humanitarian catastrophe.” Haaretz Israel News 21 Nov. 2008. http://www.haaretz.com/

[2] “Gaza residents ‘terribly trapped’.” BBC News 4 Nov. 2008. http://www.bbc.co.uk/

[3] “UN warns over Gaza food blockade.” BBC News 11 Nov. 2008. http://www.bbc.co.uk/

[4] “UN ‘has run out of Gaza food aid.” BBC News 13 Nov. 2008. http://www.bbc.co.uk/

[5] “Gazans despair over blockade.” BBC News 20 Nov. 2008. http://www.bbc.co.uk/

[6] “Gazans using tattered notes because of cash crunch.” Washington Post 24 Nov. 2008. http://www.washingtonpost.com/

[7] “Palestinians die in Gaza clashes.” BBC News 5 Nov. 2008. http://www.bbc.co.uk/

[8] “Hamas: Six Palestinians killed in first IDF raid since Gaza truce.” Haaretz Israel News 5 Nov. 2008. http://www.haaretz.com/

[9] “Haniyeh: If Israel abides by truce, so will Palestinian groups.” Haaretz Israel News 21 Nov. 2008. http://www.haaretz.com/

[10] “Report: Gaza militants agree to cease rocket fire if Israel opens crossings.” Haaretz Israel News 24 Nov. 2008. http://www.haaretz.com/

[11] “Agreement in Hamas: Cease-fire to end Friday.” Haaretz Israel News 16 Dec. 2008. http://www.haaretz.com/

[12] “Haniyeh recognized Israel in 2006 letter to President Bush.” Haaretz Israel News 14 Nov. 2008. http://www.haaretz.com/

[13] “Arab plan explained in Hebrew ads.” BBC News 20 Nov. 2008. http://www.bbc.co.uk/

[14] “Haniyeh: Hamas would accept state under 1967 borders.” Haaretz Israel News 9 Nov. 2008. http://www.haaretz.com/

[15] “Peres: Obama ‘very impressed’ by Arab League peace plan.” Haaretz Israel News 19 Nov. 2008. http://www.haaretz.com/

[16] “Barak: We’ll use every resource to stop ‘criminal’ rocket fire from Gaza.” Haaretz Israel News 29 Dec. 2008. http://www.haaretz.com/

[17] “Israel vows war on Hamas in Gaza.” BBC News 29 Dec. 2008. http://www.bbc.co.uk/

[18] “Israel rejects Gaza truce calls.” BBC News 31 Dec. 2008. http://www.bbc.co.uk/

]]> By: Chirag.Suvarna http://www.occupiedlondon.org/blog/2008/12/27/world-revolution-manifesto/comment-page-2/#comment-1091 Chirag.Suvarna Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:43:47 +0000 http://www.occupiedlondon.org/blog/?p=151#comment-1091 Dear comrades, I feel people out here are having little knowledge of the crises in the middle east they fail to see the brutality imposed on the Palestine people by Israeli state is a part of an imperialist project . The people of Palestine are living under occupation of Israeli state for more than 50 years.Palestine are denied right to life.They are amongst the most exploited people in the earth.They are under the military dictatorship of Israel. I recommend those people who are denying to support the Palestine cause to go and read history of the formation of Israel.The formation of Israel was nothing but a imperialist project of the modern times. I don't support Hamas or any of the Islamist fundamentalist organization.But it is a fact that rise of Hamas was because of inefficiency of PLO to deliver to the people of Palestine.Infact PLO have done a policing role on the Palestine people and suppressed the movement. If we don't support Palestine cause we will only legitimate the imperialist projects and military brutality imposed on people of third world. National struggle of Palestine people is the fight of oppressed people(similar to Nicaragua,Cuba,...).We should make them as our allies in our fight against capitalism.This can be done if we support them in their cause for national liberation.I don't mean to support Hamas,but the Palestine people who struggling for their independence.Victory for the Palestine will certainly change the dynamics of the world politics, it would severely weaken imperialism and will facilitate the Global Socialist Movement. Revolutionary greetings, Chirag.Suvarna Dear comrades,
I feel people out here are having little knowledge of the crises in the middle east they fail to see the brutality imposed on the Palestine people by Israeli
state is a part of an imperialist project .
The people of Palestine are living under occupation of Israeli state for more than 50 years.Palestine are denied right to life.They are amongst the most exploited people in the earth.They are under the military dictatorship of Israel.
I recommend those people who are denying to support the Palestine cause to go and read history of the formation of Israel.The formation of Israel was nothing but a imperialist project of the modern times.
I don’t support Hamas or any of the Islamist fundamentalist organization.But it is a fact that rise of Hamas was because of inefficiency of PLO to deliver to the people of Palestine.Infact PLO have done a policing role on the Palestine people and suppressed the movement.
If we don’t support Palestine cause we will only legitimate the imperialist projects and military brutality imposed on people of third world.
National struggle of Palestine people is the fight of oppressed people(similar to Nicaragua,Cuba,…).We should make them as our allies in our fight against capitalism.This can be done if we support them in their cause for national liberation.I don’t mean to support Hamas,but the Palestine people who struggling for their independence.Victory for the Palestine will certainly change the dynamics of the world politics, it would severely weaken imperialism and will facilitate the Global Socialist Movement.

Revolutionary greetings,
Chirag.Suvarna

]]> By: Johnny B4 the Road http://www.occupiedlondon.org/blog/2008/12/27/world-revolution-manifesto/comment-page-2/#comment-1087 Johnny B4 the Road Fri, 02 Jan 2009 12:26:13 +0000 http://www.occupiedlondon.org/blog/?p=151#comment-1087 A particularly interestingly gravitating thread, with 55 comments hereunto the attraction for rejoining seems irresistible. Yet can anyone make any rational sense of the randomized hustle of topics entwining anarcho primitivism versus syndicalism, slash the Palestine Israeli conflict, plus transsexual bodies dancing in the sun? What could I possibly say as a Jewish pro Palestine, transgendered, anarcho primitivist, hypocritically lip servicing syndicalist solutions simply for sakes of not completely negating the capitalist lifestyle that sustains the high-priced maintenance of my delightful androgynous body? No but really without the inappropriate mocking misplaced ridiculing the seriousness of the discussion ad hoc. Perusing the various comments, I think I can comprehend the scepticism some retain towards primitivism. But I also do sense a latent communist in the syndicalist that might jump out of the box to harmonize the anarchistic activists with the silent majority once if the revolution will successfully prevail. As for the Palestinian subject. Although I categorically deny support to any conventional freedom fight for the sovereignty of any country, I render certain absolution for the Palestinian cause, exceptionally sympathizing with their struggle. As I figure, they are down at the bottom, the most exploited and suffering the most, from the Jewish Anglo Dutch American lead conspiracy that is the global scourge of our modern times. Then of course for the despicable decadent moral to promote the immoral hedonistic womanizing way of life of partying with beverages, snort, & promiscuous lap dances, to wit on an anarchistic oriented web-site. I think it’s an inappropriate abject remark that I strongly have to disapprove on. But hey could anyone please hook me up on a live feed...?. A particularly interestingly gravitating thread, with 55 comments hereunto the attraction for rejoining seems irresistible. Yet can anyone make any rational sense of the randomized hustle of topics entwining anarcho primitivism versus syndicalism, slash the Palestine Israeli conflict, plus transsexual bodies dancing in the sun?

What could I possibly say as a Jewish pro Palestine, transgendered, anarcho primitivist, hypocritically lip servicing syndicalist solutions simply for sakes of not completely negating the capitalist lifestyle that sustains the high-priced maintenance of my delightful androgynous body?

No but really without the inappropriate mocking misplaced ridiculing the seriousness of the discussion ad hoc. Perusing the various comments, I think I can comprehend the scepticism some retain towards primitivism. But I also do sense a latent communist in the syndicalist that might jump out of the box to harmonize the anarchistic activists with the silent majority once if the revolution will successfully prevail.

As for the Palestinian subject. Although I categorically deny support to any conventional freedom fight for the sovereignty of any country, I render certain absolution for the Palestinian cause, exceptionally sympathizing with their struggle. As I figure, they are down at the bottom, the most exploited and suffering the most, from the Jewish Anglo Dutch American lead conspiracy that is the global scourge of our modern times.

Then of course for the despicable decadent moral to promote the immoral hedonistic womanizing way of life of partying with beverages, snort, & promiscuous lap dances, to wit on an anarchistic oriented web-site. I think it’s an inappropriate abject remark that I strongly have to disapprove on. But hey could anyone please hook me up on a live feed…?.

]]> By: julyet http://www.occupiedlondon.org/blog/2008/12/27/world-revolution-manifesto/comment-page-2/#comment-1086 julyet Fri, 02 Jan 2009 10:47:36 +0000 http://www.occupiedlondon.org/blog/?p=151#comment-1086 I totally agree with MEDUSA on the Israel Palestine conflict... Condemning the genocide against the people of Palestine is not choosing the side of Hamas... But staying silent when the State of Israel is killing hundreds of innocent civilians there is taking the side of the murderer state. There are lots of Israeli Anarchists who refuse to do their military service and instead prefer to go to the jail. What they do can give us a clue… They are a side in the conflict and they are not with the State of Israel. We should condemn both Hamas and the State of Israel but stay in solidarity with the innocent civilians of Palestine… Otherwise Palestine will be a post modern open Auschwitz, the biggest shame for all of us who can not choose a side… Just leave the problem of nationality and nation state aside and take the side of the innocent civilians about to be massacred. Can’t you see? Once the world was silent when Jews were subject to genocide and now the world is silence when arabs are massacred. Can you see any difference? I can’t… I totally agree with MEDUSA on the Israel Palestine conflict…

Condemning the genocide against the people of Palestine is not choosing the side of Hamas… But staying silent when the State of Israel is killing hundreds of innocent civilians there is taking the side of the murderer state.

There are lots of Israeli Anarchists who refuse to do their military service and instead prefer to go to the jail. What they do can give us a clue… They are a side in the conflict and they are not with the State of Israel.

We should condemn both Hamas and the State of Israel but stay in solidarity with the innocent civilians of Palestine… Otherwise Palestine will be a post modern open Auschwitz, the biggest shame for all of us who can not choose a side… Just leave the problem of nationality and nation state aside and take the side of the innocent civilians about to be massacred.

Can’t you see? Once the world was silent when Jews were subject to genocide and now the world is silence when arabs are massacred. Can you see any difference? I can’t…

]]> By: axs-thel http://www.occupiedlondon.org/blog/2008/12/27/world-revolution-manifesto/comment-page-2/#comment-1081 axs-thel Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:37:33 +0000 http://www.occupiedlondon.org/blog/?p=151#comment-1081 on the israel-palestine war. i don't care how you label yourselves, whether it's communist, anarchist, anarcho-primitivist, syndicalist, liberal or even conservative, since it's incredibly irrelevant. what i think is worth fighting for is the destruction of capitalism, the establishment of the human community, which per definition would dissolve the social classes of capitalism. hence, all fighting for a more humane capitalism is nothing i support and celebrate (i do, of course, understand it, but that's a completely different question). i refuse to choose side in the israel-palestine war, since it doesn't qualify as anti-capitalistic. israeli proletatians are killing palestinian proletarians. i don't want the palestinians to fight for national sovereignty, i want the proletariat of the world to fight for the dissolvement of the system which produces it (the proletariat) (, the system, ironically, the proletariat itself re-produces every day). PS. i want to point out, once again, that i understand the fighting for national sovereighty and that i do not have the intention of condemning the people participating in such fights. i have a problem with the phenomenon itself. on the israel-palestine war.

i don’t care how you label yourselves, whether it’s communist, anarchist, anarcho-primitivist, syndicalist, liberal or even conservative, since it’s incredibly irrelevant.

what i think is worth fighting for is the destruction of capitalism, the establishment of the human community, which per definition would dissolve the social classes of capitalism.

hence, all fighting for a more humane capitalism is nothing i support and celebrate (i do, of course, understand it, but that’s a completely different question).

i refuse to choose side in the israel-palestine war, since it doesn’t qualify as anti-capitalistic. israeli proletatians are killing palestinian proletarians.

i don’t want the palestinians to fight for national sovereignty, i want the proletariat of the world to fight for the dissolvement of the system which produces it (the proletariat) (, the system, ironically, the proletariat itself re-produces every day).

PS. i want to point out, once again, that i understand the fighting for national sovereighty and that i do not have the intention of condemning the people participating in such fights. i have a problem with the phenomenon itself.

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