My grandmother did not die to provide cover for Israeli war-criminals

by lulu Fri Jan 30, 2009 22:56

A bit of honesty from Britain's Parliament is welcome, and any 'visibly Jewish' people speaking out on Gaza helps to define the lines, often blurred by ignorance or propaganda, between Jews, Israelis, and the State of Israel.

by radical jonny Sat Jan 31, 2009 08:56

Gerald Kaufmann is to be applauded for his honesty and bravery. Only someone with his history and background could say what he said, and I'm genuinely, deeply impressed that he said it.

Mr. Kaufmann, I applaud you, sir.

by Joy Wolfe Mon Feb 02, 2009 21:37

Gerald Kaufman's grandmother did not die to see her grandson become one of the worst enemies of his own people or to hear him desecrate the memories of those who died at the hands of the Nazis by comparing the Holocaust when 6 million Jews, including a million children were sytematically murdered, to the Israeli defence of its citizens.
Thankfully every self respecting Jew and Jewish organisation has distanced themselves from this traitor who perhaps over the years had his eye on pleasing his many Muslim constituents in his rush to condemn Zionism and Israel.
The fact this awful man is so often referred to as "a leading Jewish MP" and that he still professes he is a Zionist makes my blood run cold.

by gazasympathiser Mon Feb 02, 2009 22:36

All Jewish groups have not distanced themselves from Gerald Kaufmans position as you claim

"On Thursday, the Council of Jewish Communities in Morocco declared itself "in solidarity with the innocent victims who are suffering in Gaza".

It described the residents of Gaza as "sitting targets... suffering under the bombs, the widespread destruction, the lack of food and water..." and added: "The pictures of Palestinian children torn from life are unbearable."

The director of the Foundation of Judeo-Moroccan Cultural Heritage, Simon Levy, described the killing in Gaza as unjustified and "more than deplorable".

The idea that the assault in Gaza is tarnishing the image of Judaism internationally has been echoed by Jewish protesters in non-Arab countries.
Last week, a group of eight Canadian-Jewish women occupied the Israeli consulate in Toronto.
One of the organisers Judy Rebick, a lecturer at Ryerson University, said: "There are many Jews across the world who are ashamed and don't want this massacre to take place in our name."

Sir Gerald is by no means alone in stern criticism of Israel's action.
In a letter to the Guardian last week, a group of 78 people describing themselves as being "of Jewish origin" spoke of "Israeli aggression," likening it to apartheid South Africa and calling for "a programme of boycott, disinvestment and sanctions".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7834700.stm

ohter Jewish intellectuals such as Naomi Klein call for a full blown boycott against the bloodthirsty genocidal apartheid state

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jan/10/nao...srael

by David L - IPSC (pers cap) Wed Feb 04, 2009 11:18

Ms Wolfe writes 'Thankfully every self respecting Jew and Jewish organisation has distanced themselves from this traitor'.

Thankfully, this is a lie.

Kaufmann represents a growing strand of anger among English Jew about Israel's actions. Beyond the groups such as Independent Jewish Voices, Jews for Justice for Palestinians, Jews for Boycotting Israeli Goods and so on whose activities and membership has shot up over the last month, a lot of the Anglo-Jewish establishment has also distanced themselves from Israel's war on Gaza.

You had the heads of the progressive and liberal congragations in Britian, who between them represent about 30% of Jewish synagogue-goers, condemning the war in Gaza. Of course these people are called ‘traitors’ by the likes of Ms Wolfe for not supporting the massacre. The dogs bark, the caravan moves on.

by Justin Morahan Thu Feb 05, 2009 01:48

Jews in Ireland, in Los Angeles, in New York, in Toronto, in Israel, Independent Jewish Voices in Canada, to name but a few, have condemned Israel for the massacre of Gaza. Also, the International Jewish Anti-Zionist network. There are several groups of Jewish people within Israel who accuse the State of Israel of war crimes.

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=11880
http://ijvcanada.blogspot.com/2008/12/independent-jewis...demns
http://nyc.indymedia.org/en/2009/01/102768.shtml
http://www.auphr.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=...5&Ite
http://la.indymedia.org/news/2008/12/223246.php
http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/Content?oid=901082

by Sean Og Thu Feb 05, 2009 01:54

Justin - if so many Jews are against Israel what are you worried about ?

Was'nt it STALIN who asked about the POPE -how many legions has he got ?

by DenisMac Thu Feb 05, 2009 02:05

Because some Jews oppose Israeli actions does not legitimize blanket denigration of the Jewish state. I'm frankly fed up with remarks like this, above: 'bloodthirsty genocidal apartheid state'. Over the years, Israel has proved itself less bloodthirsty than most states in history. All its wars have been defensive wars. All its actions against terrorism have been defensive. Perhaps there has been bloodshed, but how does that compare with the bloodshed under Stalin, the vast killing machine of German fascism, the killing fields of Camodia under Pol Pot, the extraordinary murders of millions upon millions in China under Mao? Those and a host of other states leave Israel standing. There has never been a genocide carried out by Israel: you only have to do the arithmetic to know that's true. The Nazis would laugh at the claim and say 'Allow us to demonstrate'. There is no apartheid in Israel, nor ever has been. If you think there is, prove it by citing the apartheid laws or showing the apartheid practices. This is why I'm fed up. An important debate about the preservation of civilization in the Middle East is hijacking by people who dhow they know next to nothing about the central topics. The rest is hot air, and more lives are lost by your hot air than for any other reason. When I see someone here condemn bloodthirsty, peace-hating Hamas, I will start to think we may be on course for a serious debate.

by Sean og Thu Feb 05, 2009 02:17

An Open Letter to a Citizen of Gaza: I Am the Soldier Who Slept In Your Home
By: Yishai G (IDF reserve soldier) - ygoldflam@gmail.com
[Originally published in Hebrew in "Ma'ariv"]

Hello,

While the world watches the ruins in Gaza, you return to your home which remains standing. However, I am sure that it is clear to you that someone was in your home while you were away.

I am that someone.

I spent long hours imagining how you would react when you walked into your home. How you would feel when you understood that IDF soldiers had slept on
your mattresses and used your blankets to keep warm.

I knew that it would make you angry and sad and that you would feel this violation of the most intimate areas of your life by those defined as your enemies, with stinging humiliation. I am convinced that you hate me with unbridled hatred, and you do not have even the tiniest desire to hear what I have to say. At the same time, it is important for me to say the following in the hope that there is even the minutest chance that you will hear me.

I spent many days in your home. Your and your family's presence was felt in every corner. I saw your family portraits on the wall, and I thought of my family. I saw
your wife's perfume bottles on the bureau, and I thought of my wife. I saw your children's toys and their English language schoolbooks. I saw your personal computer and how you set up the modem and wireless phone next to the screen, just as I do.

I wanted you to know that despite the immense disorder you found in your house that was created during a search for explosives and tunnels (which were indeed found in other homes), we did our best to treat your possessions with respect. When I moved the computer table, I disconnected the cables and lay them down neatly on the floor, as I would do with my own computer. I even covered the computer from dust with a piece of cloth. I tried to put back the clothes that fell when we moved the closet although not the same as you would have done, but at least in such a way that nothing would get lost.

I know that the devastation, the bullet holes in your walls and the destruction of those homes near you place my descriptions in a ridiculous light. Still, I need you to understand me, us, and I hope that you will channel your anger and criticism to the right places.

I decided to write you this letter specifically because I stayed in your home.

I can surmise that you are intelligent and educated and there are those in your household that are university students. Your children learn English, and you are connected to the Internet. You are not ignorant; you know what is going on around you.

Therefore, I am sure you know that Qassam rockets were launched from your neighborhood into Israeli towns and cities.

How could you see these weekly launches and not think that one day we would say "enough"?! Did you ever consider that it is perhaps wrong to launch rockets at innocent civilians trying to lead a normal life, much like you? How long did you think we would sit back without reacting?

I can hear you saying "it's not me, it's Hamas". My intuition tells me you are not their most avid supporter. If you look closely at the sad reality in which your people live, and you do not try to deceive yourself or make excuses about "occupation", you must certainly reach the conclusion that the Hamas is your real enemy.

The reality is so simple, even a seven-year-old can understand: Israel withdrew from the Gaza strip, removing military bases and its citizens from Gush Katif. Nonetheless, we continued to provide you with electricity, water and goods (and this I know very well as during my reserve duty I guarded the border crossings more than once, and witnessed hundreds of trucks full of goods entering a blockade-free Gaza every day).

Despite all this, for reasons that cannot be understood and with a lack of any rational logic, Hamas launched missiles on Israeli towns. For three years we clenched our teeth and restrained ourselves. In the end, we could not take it anymore and entered the Gaza strip, into your neighborhood, in order to remove those who want to kill us. A reality that is painful but very easy to explain.

As soon as you agree with me that Hamas is your enemy and because of them, your people are miserable, you will also understand that the change must come from within. I am acutely aware of the fact that what I say is easier to write than to do, but I do not see any other way. You, who are connected to the world and concerned about your children's education, must lead, together with your friends, a civil uprising against Hamas.

I swear to you, that if the citizens of Gaza were busy paving roads, building schools, opening factories and cultural institutions instead of dwelling in self-pity, arms smuggling and nurturing a hatred of your Israeli neighbors, your homes would not be in ruins right now. If your leaders were not corrupt and motivated by hatred, your home would not have been harmed. If someone would have stood up and shouted that there is no point in launching missiles on innocent civilians, I would not have to stand in your kitchen as a soldier.

You don't have money, you tell me? You have more than you can imagine.

Even before Hamas took control of Gaza, during the time of Yasser Arafat, millions if not billions of dollars donated by the world community to the Palestinians was used for purchasing arms or taken directly to your leaders bank accounts. Gulf States, the emirates - your brothers, your flesh and blood, are some of the richest nations in the world. If there was even a small feeling of solidarity between Arab nations, if these nations had but the smallest interest in reconstructing the Palestinian peoplem, your situation would be very different.

You must be familiar with Singapore. The land mass there is not much larger than the Gaza strip, and it is considered to be the second most populated country in the world. Yet, Singapore is a successful, prospering and well managed country. Why not the same for you?

My friend, I would like to call you by name, but I will not do so publicly. I want you to know that I am 100% at peace with what my country did, what my army did, and what I did. However, I feel your pain. I am sorry for the destruction you are finding in your neighborhood at this moment. On a personal level, I did what I could to minimize the damage to your home as much as possible.

In my opinion, we have a lot more in common than you might imagine. I am a civilian, not a soldier, and in my private life I have nothing to do with the military. However, I have an obligation to leave my home, put on a uniform and protect my family every time we are attacked. I have no desire to be in your home wearing a uniform again, and I would be more than happy to sit with you as a guest on your beautiful balcony, drinking sweet tea seasoned with the sage growing nicely in your garden.

The only person who could make that dream a reality is you. Take responsibility for yourself, your family, your people, and start to take control of your destiny. How? I do not know. Maybe there is something to be learned from the Jewish people who rose up from the most destructive human tragedy of the 20th century, and instead of sinking into self-pity, built a flourishing and prospering country. It is possible, and it is in your hands.

I am ready to be there to provide a shoulder of support and help to you.

But only you can move the wheels of history.

Regards,
Yishai, (Reserve Soldier)

by Joy Wolfe Thu Feb 05, 2009 02:32

I did say every self respecting Jew and Jewish organisation, not every Jew and Jewish organsiation
I wonder what kind of self respect some of those who cannot see two sides to the Israel/Palestinian story can have
and how much respect they can continue to have for Hamas who have been condemned by the UN and UNWRA for stealing UN aid destined for the Gazan people, something they have doing throughout the months of escalation of the conflict in Gaza. When a UN spokesman old a gullible media that this was the first time Hamas had stolen their aid, that was a long way from the truth.
And what respect can there be for a UN spokesman who tells the media that Israel has bombed a UN school killing a large number of people alleged to have been taking refuge there, only to later change his story to admit no bombs landed on a UN school and no-one was killed in the school compound as he had alleged, something corroborated by a teacher at the school who said the staff had been told by the UN not to speak to the media!!
Like Mr Kaufman John Ging the UN spokesman doesn't let the truth get in the way of a good heart-rending story!!

by JayCeeme Thu Feb 05, 2009 14:45

I'm good at recognizing anti Semites (had a lifetime of practice) even those that hide behind the thin veneer of anti Zionism. That said the ones on the extreme right are obvious they make no secret of the fact they are Jew haters but those on the extreme left masquerade as concerned intelligentsia when in fact they are neither. (Concerned or intelligent).

They take to the streets, they attack the police, trash coffee shops, they call for boycotts, they talk of disproportion, they whip up hatred these "peace" people.

Funny, I didn't see Kaufman or any other members of the "Concerned Intelligentsia" demonstrating about the thousands of rockets landing on Israel. No pictures of Israeli casualties. Kids blown up and maimed by suicide bombers. Was that because it is "peace" when Arabs do the killing and Jews get killed?

Eventually even the present supine Israeli government had to respond - and now you have it - the Jewish State fought back. The Israelis fought back and that has brought the "Concerned Intelligentsia" from under their stones - making it much easier to recognize them for what they really are now.

by redjade Thu Feb 05, 2009 15:17

to Joy Wolfe and JayCeeme

'Like Mr Kaufman John Ging the UN spokesman doesn't let the truth get in the way of a good heart-rending story!!'

If John Ging is such an anti-semite like you imply - why then did he admit he was wrong about his information? Wouldn't an anti-semite just keep repeating the lie?

by Frank Adam - private citizen Thu Feb 05, 2009 17:45

The anti-Israel lobby sucked up to the Fatah non-sense about the
alleged massacre at Jenin which the UN enquiry later discounted.

The anti-Israel lobby sucked up to the Hamas non-sense about the mortar bombs in the UN school which the UN has since admitted were OUTside the school.

The anti-Israel lobby sucked up to the press non-sense about the poor doctor who was so innocent but all the same his home went up in a bang that killed two of his daughters - but his home was full of rocket materials includung "black powder" and he had been warned to evacuate!

So far is bad enough; but the whole Palestine lobby is too cowardly to admit they rejected the two state solution when it was to their advantage; have repeatedly taken swipes at Israel and deserved the black eyes they have received; and are too shamefaced to admit the days of imperialism are over and they have to treat neighbours as equals without afterthoughts to kick over the traces as soon as they can kick the neighbours in the back of the knee.

The only thing that stops the Palestine Arabs getting a state of sorts - if they really want a state - is their own boneheaded refusal to admit that the UN have laid down that there is to be a JEWISH state independent of the Arab World and its Moslem supremacism.

Now what is the thrill of promoting these most incompetent of all the last century's nationlists who have had more money support and opporunities than the US, India or Ireland and India ever had?

by Vincent Thu Feb 05, 2009 19:07

This rubbish about Israel not bombing the UN School is knee -jerk fascist propaganda.

It was reported on the 7 Jan in The Guardian that : " The head of the UN Palestinian refugee agency, John Ging, said three shells landed at the perimeter of the school. "It was entirely inevitable if artillery shells landed in that area there would be a high number of casualties," he said. "
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/07/gaza-israel...obama

The Perimeter is exactly where the bombs struck - killing 40. Palestinian suicide bombers will not be excused for making an honest misjudgement if they bomb the perimeter of a Pizzeria and only get the forty people sitting outside on the path. Its obscene to say that Israel did not bomb the school when 40 people staying at the school were cut to pieces just outside the school.

They went on after this to firebomb a UN aid Compund with their illegal weapons, a compound where 700 people were hiding from the bombardment.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090115/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_i...nians

" The U.N. compound, made up of workshops and warehouses as well as offices, was struck about a half-dozen times over a roughly two-hour period while more than 700 civilians were sheltering there, said John Ging, head of Gaza operations for the U.N. Relief and Works Agency. "

This is indiscriminate and intentional shelling of areas where citizens are known to be sheltering.
They bombed the UN school, we know this because they killed 40 people there.

by Irishboi Thu Feb 05, 2009 19:23

Vincent.

John Ging and the UN came out and said that Israeli had actually not hit the UN school.
The Gaurdian like RTE is overly one sided ie.Sinn Fiein and Pro Palestinan.
Even RTE said last night that Hamas has robbed the UN.The Hamas Police robbed blankets and food.And that Israel did not attack the school.

You talk about Israeli propaganda.Hamas is the greatest propaganda experts.They quote the death toll and the world believes it.Yes the world believe a bunch of thugs in political power who rob food and blankets.
The biggest Propaganda at all was the fact there never was a Palestine.And there never was a Palestinan people.They are Jordanians.But then again the Gaurdian probably didn't put it in black and white so you wont believe it.

by Vincent Thu Feb 05, 2009 19:49

LOL ?

Whats funny about 40 people being blown to pieces outside a UN School. John Ging and the UN came out and said that Israeli had actually not hit the UN school in the article I posted which was published on the 7 th January. Of course you didnt read the article but john Ging said they had bombed the perimeter of the school in that report . They did in fact bomb the perimter of the school, that much even you wont try to twist.
Whats more, when the Israelis thought they had bombed the UN School yard itself they defended their actions by claiming that they had fired at two Hamas gumen firing from the yard -( in that precision bombing manner that they have.)

John Ging said they Bombed the perimeter - Israel said it bombed the yard in self defence against two gunmen.

Regarding the seizure of supplies by Hamas at the UN. You have completely neglected the fact that Hamas police forces are the security apparatus of the region. The UN operates with its approval. The Gazan people owe the UN nothing. The UN has failed in everyway to protect the rights of the Gazans over the last month. The UN is the author and instigator of torment in Palestine and Gaza. UNRWA is an attempt to ease the conscience a little for what they have done to the Palestinians over the years. They have no right to turn around now and demand that they should not be subjected to the law of the terriroty.
Hamas has stated that the supplies were being used for political reasons by activist groups. They said that the supplies were being stored and dispensed illegally. At this point Hamas has already issued USD 50million of aid to the Gazans. Hamas is the democratic choice of the people of Gaza and are more widely supported now than ever. Dont let the fact that the UN bent its mandate in Gaza and got its wrist slapped upset you too much. Sympathy does not suit your stated position.

by Irishboi Thu Feb 05, 2009 20:37

Extends to all you people who say Israel took over Palestine.There never was a Palestine.

How come Jordanians and So Called" Palestinans" speak and spell Arabic the exact same.

Why because Jordanians and Palestinans are the same people.Jordan was created for Muslims.Israel for Jews.

But the likes of Arafat stirred up a fake sense of citizenship.Of a land that never was theirs.

by Joy Wolfe Thu Feb 05, 2009 21:45

I would be most grateful if people did not put words in my mouth
I have not called John Ging an antisemite but he clearly is a very biased person who should not be in the role of a UN spokesman as in the Middle East

He definitely claimed the school had been hit and retracted it later
It was not I who said the school was not hit, but a teacher at the school and other Arab sources.

What is conveniently overlooked is the fact that rockets and missiles were being launched from the area where the school was, yet another cynical ploy of Hamas
As for Vincent's utter rubbish about the right of Hamas to steal UN aid, give it to terrorists and sell it people who should have received it free, if anything should make readers question his sanity and credibility surely that does