Seattle leftist are hard at work defending the attacks on Israel by Hamas terrorist. Forgiving Hamas blindly firing at city and condemning Israel for made up casualties counts and midnight attacks on schools that "killed" 200 children.
The protesters bark, but the war moves on.
Lots of protesters tried to block my view,
Sometimes I wished it worked.
Irony would rear its head from time to time.
We just can't thank President Carter enough, can we.
Hamas puts there children in the front lines. Here we have a small group of children who lead the march carrying a bloody doll around the route.
I thought that occupation was an obligation of the victors in war, but I could be wrong.
The dog is smarter.
"Peace Takes Courage" And the cowards hide in tunnels and mosques.
This sign just didn't quite make it.
I made it on TV
Again more photos on my Flickr site.
Movie to follow.
Update: Here it is.
Posts
13 comments:
GWillie, that was awesome!
Thank you!
MiTX
Gwillie, you have a pair-and-a-half to walk with the Israeli flag! A job well done, sir!
Is it my imagination, or did a lot of those marchers appear non-Middle Eastern?
How long must we suffer these fools.
Way to go Gwillie. That Free,free Palistien is the memo sent out to all groups in this country. These bastards have been setting up here all with evil plot of decimating the Jews. Screw all these asshole bastards. We know its Hammas and the Paletinians just egg them on to kill the Jews.
Screw them all
LLoyd
George, it is unfair, and inaccurate, to portray the protest (and protesters) as being "anti-Israel." I participated in the protest, and I am sure there were many others like me, who are not against Israel- only against the actions and policies of Israel: the cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment; the systematic oppression; the denial of basic human rights for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
George, I am not against Israel. What I am against, for clarity, is Gun-Zionism — and any use of violence to achieve political ends.
I will argue here that Israel has practiced a policy of military escalation, where selective incursions are made into Palestinian territories in order to bait and provoke a reaction. In this case, there is solid evidence to make the accusation that Israel has thrown the first punch.
Israel characterizes Hamas as terrorist. But it was the actions of Israel that largely led to such an "anti-israeli" political organization getting elected. That's beside the fact that legitimately elected political organizations cannot be terrorists. They can commit crimes against the peace.
I am not siding with Hamas. Nor am I defending Hamas. However, Hamas was not responsible for launching the first rocket strikes against Israel. That was done by other groups (al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, among others). Hamas only began launching rockets into Israel after Israel began its military strikes and bombing campaign against Gaza.
Get it? Israel provoked a reaction by extremist reactionary groups. This enable Israel to "justify" launching a full-scale military operation against Gaza.
It is sad that these truths are unrepresented in our mainstream media.
I also want to add that militarism will never bring true peace.
Only respectful dialogue, and the opportunity to work out legitimate disagreements and grievances in a respectful and compassionate manner, will enable the achievement of a true and lasting peaceful world.
It is absolutely right to call this an anti-Israel rally. You went there to protest Israel’s right to defend herself from ruthless attacks that have been ongoing from the day Israel withdrew from Gaza. How can you say you are only against the “Gun-Zionism” (this must be the new term passed out in a memo I’m not privy to) yet stand with an organization that has called for and actively seeks the destruction of Israel has a whole? Israel has made concession for peace only to be met with attacks targeting children, targeting athletes at Munich, bombers who walk into pizza restaurants and onto busses to kill civilians, particularly children, and every time Israel responds in self-defense people like you come out to decry these action and when challenged you justify the terror of Hamas and other groups, most times with some vague claim of “Israel is so much more powerful.” The wall saves lives the blockade of Gaza saves lives. These actions were made necessary by the actions of Hamas and the inaction/acquiescence of the PA. To stand against these measures is to stand against Israel. There is no other way you can define this protest.
In response to your second comment
"Only respectful dialogue, and the opportunity to work out legitimate disagreements and grievances in a respectful and compassionate manner, will enable the achievement of a true and lasting peaceful world."
How will that work when Hamas has shown no willingness to enter into such talks and has sworn to push Israel into the sea and taken actions they hope will lead to that end. Funny I don't remember seeing any anti-Hamas rallies over the last 3 years. No outcries over missiles that land in playgrounds that were filled with children just moments before. Israels early warning system has saved countless lives. When you post photos from such a rally let me know. I'll be sure to link to it.
No George.
I went there to protest Israel's crimes against peace and crimes against humanity.
Israel has every right to defend itself. And so do Palestinians.
The fact of the matter is that Israel is opposed to Hamas as a political organization.
Instead of approaching the disagreement from a viewpoint of tolerance and respect, Israel has decided to use military means and violence to achieve a political end - i.e. removing Hamas from power.
The most important question to ask right now is this: Why is Hamas opposed to the State of Israel? Is Hamas simply irrationally opposed to Israel? Or has Israel committed acts that have engendered this opposition organically?
Israel views Gazans as second-class citizens. Israel treats Gazans poorly, with-holding crucial imports of food and fuel. Gaza is effectively an open-air prison. Have you seen the walls?
Can you understand why Hamas would be opposed to Israel? The systematic occupation related oppression that has occurred seems hateful to me.
If Israel wants true security, then it will have to learn how to get along with its neighbors, without subjecting them to confinement and imprisonment.
All people deserve to be treated equally.
As far as Israel's peace concessions: show me. Because for all the talk I hear about Israel being interested in peace, I don't see any walk. Israel has a sophisticated state propaganda system, so I am always very careful about what I hear about the official state line from Israel. Sometimes Israel is not doing what it says it is.
The wall and blockade of Gaza is killing Gazans. People in Gaza are dying because of inadequate access to necessary food, fuel, and medicine.
You say the wall saves lives, and perhaps it saves the lives of Israelis. But if it does do that, then it is also killing and oppressing Gazans.
So, is the life of an Israeli worth more than the life of a Gazan? —Of course not. No one's life is worth more than another's.
All peoples deserve to be treated equally.
Are not the missiles from Gaza a crime against humanity? Are they not a sign of Hamas’ “unwillingness to approach the disagreement from a viewpoint of tolerance and respect?” Is it not the right of Israel to respond in kind? Your reply once again shows your unwillingness to hold Hamas to the same standards you wish to impose on Israel.
You ask “Why is Hamas opposed to the State of Israel?” That is a good question, it is clear that this is not one that can be explained away by any actions of Israel because it is in fact an expression of decades long conflict. If, has it has been shown in the past, Israel conceded to every demand save the elimination of their state the conflict would continue.
You asked “Is Hamas simply irrationally opposed to Israel?” Simply yes.
You asked “Or has Israel committed acts that have engendered this opposition organically?” Yet you don’t ask if these acts were required to insure Israel’s survival. You see the wall and say its evil, yet not the bombs that the wall stopped. You see the blockade of Gaza and say it’s evil yet you are blind to the aid that Israel does provide, blind to the tunnels that bring in the very rockets that necessitated this response.
You say “If Israel wants true security, then it will have to learn how to get along with its neighbors, without subjecting them to confinement and imprisonment.” Yet make no demands for Hamas to do the same,
You say “All people deserve to be treated equally.” Yet make no effort to apply this similarly to Israel’s grievances in this conflict. You see Israel’s advantage over the Palestinians has proof of Israel’s efforts to repress them yet you ask no question has to what the Palestinians leadership done to improve the lives of their own people.
You said “You say the wall saves lives, and perhaps it saves the lives of Israelis. But if it does do that, then it is also killing and oppressing Gazans. So, is the life of an Israeli worth more than the life of a Gazan? —Of course not. No one's life is worth more than another's” This statement is self contradictory. If Israel were to open up the border, and the bombing would surely resume, would you then ask if the life of a Gazan is worth more than an Israeli? Would you use this to pressure Hamas to end their attacks? Or would your logic once again be used to pressure Israel to not respond?
You are aware that many victims of these missiles and bombings have been Israeli Arabs, right? Israel is a diverse nation living in peace within its borders; few places in the Middle East are as free and diverse as Israel. Again you forget that these measures are in response to attacks that occurred with the express consent of the ruling party of Gaza and the responsibility for the effects of those defensive measures is on that ruling party (Hamas)
Hamas’ crimes are many and precede the takeover of Gaza. Their actions are solely the cause of today’s conflict. Even the international community sees Israel’s right in this action, only a few object.
The Missiles from Gaza are a cry for help by a desperate and confined population. Gazans are imprisoned in their own land.
I am not going to defend the missiles, but it is important to understand the scale when comparing the rockets from Gaza and the full size bombs that are being dropped by Israel.
5 Israelis have been killed by rocket attacks and over 500 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli attacks. Is the life of one Israeli equal to more than 100 Palestinians?
I hold both sides to the same standard: That all people deserve equal treatment; That nonviolent solutions are the only way. Hamas is wrong to be launching the rockets.
But the reason that Hamas is launching the rockets is because of Israel's tyrranical and oppressive regime of occupation and blockading of basic necessities (food, fuel, medical supplies.)
George. I am beginning to think that we live in alternate universes.
Where do you get most of your news about the conflict?
"The Missiles from Gaza are a cry for help by a desperate and confined population. Gazans are imprisoned in their own land.
I am not going to defend the missiles,"
You just did!
"5 Israelis have been killed by rocket attacks and over 500 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli attacks. Is the life of one Israeli equal to more than 100 Palestinians?"
The scale is irrelevant; no nation can stand by and allow these attacks to continue. (5 Israelis) 100% civilians and they were the target. (500 Palestinians) compared to 25% civilian and they were working hard to avoid civilians.
"But the reason that Hamas is launching the rockets is because of Israel's tyrranical and oppressive regime of occupation and blockading of basic necessities"
The reason for the blockade is the violent nature of Hamas and how they intend to reach their stated goal of eliminating Israel. And when the missiles stop Israel allows aid, the border is closed in response to threats and even then Israel does let in aid. The Gazans have learned to play up their "helpless" status. Do you remember a while back when Israel cut fuel for Gaza’s electric plant? A photo made the news of Hamas' parliament meeting in candle light? Did you notice the sunlight coming thru the shades? Did you see the video above this post and claims that this was a result of an Israeli attack? Did you read the facts that are included in that post to debunk it? Have you looked at the recent photos from Reuters News service did you notice the same child being shown to the photographers? Taken in for treatment then later brought out for more photos. Not exactly how to care for your children is it?
http://apnews.myway.com/image/20090104/MIDEAST_ISRAEL_PALESTINIANS-4.sff_JRL192_20090104124905.html?date=20090104&docid=D95GJRCG0
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/04/gaza.humanitarian/index.html
You ask me where I get my news, here is a story for you that should lift your sprits a bit.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3651263,00.html
We had a bunch of clowns in Oklahoma City doing the same crap the other day: kids carrying bloody dolls, etc. With the local CAIR head calling on an end to 'the illegal Israeli actions', and so on.
Not a word about Hamas no longer murdering children in their beds, blowing up schools and all their other fun activities.
Berd, you're either a tool or a moron, I can say nothing else. The wall was built to stop suicide bombers, and that's 'oppressing Gazans'? Please.
Hamas & Co. have called for the death of all Jews; not just the destruction of Israel, but the killing of ALL Jews. When Israel gave Gaza to the palistinians, they immediately trashed the place and began launching terror attacks from Gaza, and whined- again- it was all the fault of the Jooooos! Well, they finally pushed the Israelis into a position where not even the apologists for the morons could take it, and now they're paying the price. As are the non-combatants who Hamas makes certain will die by hiding behind them.
Post a Comment