Family Fun, Cotton Candy and Death to Israel

Time to pack the family up and get ready for the fun and frivolity of International Qods Day (IQD) celebrations slated for October 5, 2007.

What is IQD?:

“International Qods Day reminds the world of the decades of Israeli oppression against an innocent and defenseless nation. The late founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini, designated the day. During this annual event both Muslims and non-Muslims in large numbers in many countries come out to renew their support for the Palestinians and their resistance against the cruel Israeli military occupation.”

In juxtaposition to the day, Israeli Foreign Minister and Vice Prime Minister Tzipi Livni while addressing the UN 62^nd General Assembly yesterday said:

"The foundation for true peace lies in the vision of two States, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security."

Of the threats of terror and extremism she said:

"Israel may be on the front lines of this battle" against terrorism, but it is not our fight alone. This is a global battle...today it is clear that the extremists are engaged in a bloody war against civilians and communities...in every corner of the world. And it is clear too, that the Middle East conflict is not a cause of this global extremist agenda, but a consequence of it."

"But for success to be genuine and lasting, you - the nations of the world - need to be partners in a shared global struggle against the extremism and terror that feed conflict, for your sake not just for ours."

Of Iran, a major force behind the International Qods Day, though her comments were not with regard to the day:

"No responsible state disagrees that Iran is the most prominent sponsor of terrorism...None disagrees that Iran denies the Holocaust and speaks openly of its desire to wipe a member state - mine - off the map...",

"Too many see the danger but walk idly by - hoping that someone else will take care of it. What is the value, we have to ask, of an organization which is unable to take effective action in the face of a direct assault on the very principles it was founded to protect? It is time for the United Nations, and the States of the world, to live up to their promise of never again."

Iranian leaders/groups remarks regarding International Qods Day

Majlis deputy from Tehran Saeed Abutaleb said of the day of unity:

“the world should break silence on the day and the Muslims are expected to chant slogans in support of Palestinians.”

Agreed, the world should break its silence and shove the truth down the throats of these instigators of death in Iran that have so much to do with keeping the terror in the region living and breathing.

Moussa Qorbani, member of the Majils presiding board while calling for “massive turnout” Friday said:

“According to history, the Palestinian territory belongs to the Palestinian nation.

In reaction to failures the Zionists suffered in the occupied territories, the occupying regime has exerted intensive pressure on innocent Palestinian people.

The World Bank said in a report that the economic sanctions Israel imposed on Palestinians in Gaza has made life drastically difficult.”

Damned Israelis, why won’t they give aid and comfort to the Hezzies that are now in charge in Gaza? Can you imagine how peaceful the world would be without them?

The World Forum for Proximity of the Islamic Schools of Thoughts (WFPIST or We’re F**kin’ Pissed) statement of unity:

"The international Qods Day is considered the day of emergence of the Islamic grandeur, Muslims' campaign against arrogant powers, symbol of Islamic solidarity and resistance by the oppressed, and unity among all justice-seeking and truth-lover human beings."

I’m guessing the “justice-seeking, truth-lover human beings” will in time find truth, but not until their propaganda and lies are effectively considered truth.

Palestinian Ambassador to Iran, Salah Zawawi talked to Iran Daily about this day of celebrations, rallies and protests last year. In describing US support of the Zionist Israelis…:

“The reason for this was not their love for the Jews, rather they wanted to get rid of the Jews and their evilness. The Americans have been pushing for their own interest in the Middle East, including oil and hegemony. The US wants to spread the seeds of discord among Arabs and Muslims and rule over them. It has a history of creating turmoil in Muslim countries and enmity among Sunnis and Shiites. The so-called new Middle East Initiative is in line with this policy.”

Iran leads the way in attempts at unifying Muslims and Muslim nations with the expectations that the final product will be under its leadership. Iran supports and is a terrorist state and is devoted to Islamification of the planet. Pipe dreams for sure, but anything is possible when we keep our eyes closed and ears plugged.

CELEBRATE!!!!!!!!!!!

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Iran-Backed Terrorists in Gaza Exploit Press Neutrality

If your claims are legitimate, why use illegitimate means? If with your violent actions the world turns a blind eye, why use illegitimate means? If you use illegitimate means, the world turns a blind eye and your true aim is the annihilation of Israel; keep it up. No two state solution will ever satisfy the bloodthirsty ignorance of those intent on the destruction of Israel

From The Israel Project:

On June 9, the Iranian-backed terrorist organization Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and Fatah Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, a radical offshoot of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party, used a vehicle labeled "TV" to try to kidnap Israel Defense Force (IDF) soldiers. [1]

The Israel Project condemns PIJ's use of a vehicle disguised as a TV van to perpetrate terrorist attacks against the IDF across the Gaza border. This contravenes international conventions relating to the neutrality of the press. It also jeopardizes foreign journalists' ability to perform their work in a fair and -- more importantly -- safe manner.

The attack against Israeli forces took place at Kissufim Crossing, a Gaza border throughway located just north of Kerem Shalom Crossing, where Cpl. Gilad Shalit was kidnapped nearly one year ago. Cpl. Shalit was taken hostage on June 25, 2006 by Hamas' military wing Izzedeen al-Qassam Brigades, together with the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) and the Army of Islam - the group currently holding journalist Alan Johnston - while stationed near the Kerem Shalom border crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip. [2]

Palestinian Islamic Jihad spokesman Abu Ahmed claimed that the terrorist attack was thoroughly planned out beforehand, hailing the assault a "superior" and intricate suicide mission. [3]

The attempted kidnapping was just the latest in a long and deadly series of attacks perpetrated by Iran-backed terrorists and Palestinian militants, who continuously exploit and sometimes harm the press in Gaza. [See List Below]

The Board of the Foreign Press Association (FPA) released a statement on June 9 stating that " Armoured vehicles marked with TV are an invaluable protection for genuine journalists working in hostile environments...Today's abuse of this recognised protection for the working journalist is a grave development and we condemn those that carried it out." [4]

Palestinian Islamic Jihad's gross exploitation of press symbols caused the Palestinian Journalist Syndicate, the only journalists' union for the West Bank and Gaza, also to react. [5]

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on June 10 at the weekly Knesset (Parliament) meeting that PIJ attempted "to take advantage of the special sensitivity that we have in a democratic country, such as ours, to the right of the media to operate freely and independently in security-sensitive areas." [6]

Press Personnel Kidnapped by Palestinian Militants in Gaza since Sept. 2004:

March 12, 2007 - BBC correspondent Alan Johnston is kidnapped by a mafia-like Gaza-based clan calling itself the Army of Islam. This group is thought to have ties to al-Qaeda. Johnston's captors released a video on the Internet demanding that Britain release several Muslim prisoners including Islamist al-Qaeda cleric Abu Qatada, who is one of Britain's most wanted men. [7]

Jan. 7, 2007 - Jaime Razuri from Agence France-Presse is kidnapped and released almost a week later. The kidnappers have not been identified. [8]

Oct. 23, 2006 - Emilio Morenatti, an Associated Press photographer, is kidnapped by unidentified Palestinian gunmen and released on the same day. [9]

Aug. 27, 2006 - Fox News correspondent Steve Centanni and New Zealand-born cameraman Olaf Wiig are held for two weeks by a previously unknown group identified as the Holy Jihad Brigades. They were released unharmed after being forced to convert to Islam. [10]

March 15, 2006 - Caroline Laurent, reporter for the French-language weekly ELLE; Alfred Yaghobzadeh, photographer for France's Sipa Press; and Yong Tae-Young, a correspondent for South Korea's KBS are kidnapped from the Al-Dira Hotel in Gaza. Palestinian Security Services claim the kidnappers are members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). The abducted journalists were released within 22 hours. [11]

Oct. 12, 2005 - Dion Nissenbaum and Adam Pletts of Knight Ridder (now McClatchy Newspapers) are abducted by renegade members of the Fatah party. The journalists were freed later that day. [12]

Sept. 10, 2005 - Journalist Lorenzo Cremonesi of Corriere della Serra (Italy) is abducted in the town of Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. He was released the same day. [13]

Aug.15, 2005 - Journalist Mohammad Ouathi, a French citizen of Algerian origin is kidnapped and released a week later. No group claimed responsibility. [14]

Jan. 8, 2005 - Ramon Lobo and Carmen Secanella, reporters for Spain's El Pais, are kidnapped briefly by Palestinian militants in Gaza's Khan Younes refugee camp. [15]

Sept. 27, 2004 - Riad Ali, producer for CNN is abducted at gunpoint and released the following day. Ali claims that the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades was behind his kidnapping but the militia has denied the allegations. [16]

Footnotes

[1] "A Fatah-Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist squad infiltrated Israel near the Kissufim Crossing to attack an IDF force," Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, June 11, 2007,

[2] Two soldiers killed, one missing in Kerem Shalom terror attack," Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, June 25, 2006,

[3] A Fatah-Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist squad infiltrated Israel near the Kissufim Crossing to attack an IDF force," Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, June 11, 2007,

[4] Statements," Foreign Press Association, June 9, 2007,

[5] Cashman, Greer Fay and The Associated Press, "Press slams gunmen for using TV jeep," The Jerusalem Post, June 10, 2007,

[6] al-Mughrabi, Nida, "Gaza militants' "TV" sign draws reporters' anger," Reuters, June 10, 2007,

[7] "Timeline: Kidnappings of journalists in the Gaza Strip," Reuters, June 1, 2007,

[8] Ibid.

[9] Gaza: CPJ renews call for release of abducted AFP photographer," Committee to Protect Journalists, Jan. 3, 2007,

[10] Ibid.; [11] Ibid.; [12] Ibid.; [13] Ibid.; [14] Ibid.; [15] Ibid.; [16] Ibid.

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Israel's Prime Minister Says He is Ready to Discuss Saudi Peace Plan

From The Israel Project:

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said this week that he's ready to sit down and talk about the Saudi peace plan with leaders of Arab nations wherever and whenever they're ready. [1]

"We heard about the Arab Peace Initiative, and we say come and present it to us," Olmert said at a conference in Jordan Tuesday. "You want to talk to us about it; we are ready to sit down and talk about it carefully." Wherever the talks are held, he said, "I'm ready to come." [2]

The Saudi initiative - first introduced in 2002 and revived in March 2007 - calls for Israel to withdraw from all of the land it gained in the defensive Six Day War, when the armies of Arab countries amassed on Israel's borders. June 5 marks the 40th anniversary of the war, in which Israel opened Jerusalem's holy sites to people of all faiths. A key controversy in the Saudi plan is that it would encourage millions of Palestinians to move into Israel. Many experts however do not see this as practical and want to work for a stable, peaceful two-state solution so that both Palestinians and Israelis can live in peace.

Also on Tuesday, Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement emphasizing the importance of the participation of Arab countries in brokering peace with the Palestinians. "Moderates on the Palestinian side need pan-Arab support for the compromises a final agreement with Israel will entail. Arab moderates can act as a catalyst for Israeli-Palestinian reconciliation." [3]

Just five days earlier, Livni met with Egyptian leaders in Cairo, including President Hosni Mubarak, to discuss the Saudi plan and the participation of Arab countries in brokering peace with the Palestinians.

"I do believe that the Arab world has a very important role in order to enhance, to support both sides in order to achieve peace," Livni said. An Arab League preparatory team, including the Egyptian and Jordanian foreign ministers, is to come to Israel within the next few weeks. It will be the first such visit by official representatives of the Arab League. [4]

Since its founding, Israel has reached out its hand numerous times to make peace with its neighbors. Israel also has made numerous sacrifices solely for a promise of peace - including giving back land won in defensive wars perpetrated by Arab countries. In 1979, Israel made peace with Egypt through an agreement to give up the Sinai Peninsula, which Israel won in the Six Day War.

In another land-for-peace deal in 1994, Israel reached an accord with Jordan after returning land in the Negev border area that it held since 1967.

Most recently, Israel paved the way for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state living peacefully next to Israel by evacuating all 9,000 of its citizens from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank in August 2005.

Almost immediately afterwards, terrorist groups in Gaza began using the land as a launching pad for Qassam rockets fired into Israel. To date, more than 1,300 such rockets have been launched across the 1967 border into Israel, killing 10 Israelis. On Tuesday (May 15), four people, including a four-year-old boy, were wounded in the neighboring Israeli town of Sderot when Hamas bombarded the area with Qassam rockets. [5] Israel has asked the Palestinians to stop the rockets many times but not only do the Palestinian leaders allow the rockets to continue, public television in the Palestinian areas is broadcasting a version of Micky Mouse which encourages children to become terrorists.

---

Footnotes

[1] Benn, Aluf and news agencies, "PM: I'm ready to negotiate Saudi peace plan with Arab leaders," Haaretz, May 15, 2007, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/859863.html
[2] Prusher, Ilene R. "Israel shows new openness to Saudi peace plan," The Christian Science Monitor, May 16, 2007, http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0516/p07s02-wome.htm
[3] Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "Behind the Headlines: Israel receptive to moderate Arab peace plan," May 15, 2007, http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/About+the+Ministry/Behind+the+
Headlines/Israel+receptive+to+moderate+Arab+peace+plan+15-May-2007.htm
[4] Ibid.
[5] Greenberg, Mijal; Benn, Aluf and news agencies, "Four wounded by Qassam rockets in Sderot; Hamas claims responsibility," Haaretz, May 15, 2007, http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/859908.html

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The Israel Project Bipartisan POS/Greenberg Opinion Elite Poll

From The Israel Project:

• Israel's image and support for Israel in the conflict at five-year highs among U.S. opinion elite;
• Islamic extremism overwhelmingly blamed for instability in the Middle East;
• Fully 84% of U.S. opinion elite consider Israel one of U.S.' strongest allies;
• A total of 75% opinion elite believe the U.S. should not resume sending aid to the Palestinian
• Authority until Hamas officially recognizes Israel's right to exist and denounces terrorism;
• Nearly three-fourths of opinion elite believe Iran should be stopped from developing nuclear weapons;
• More than eight of 10 opinion elite say Americans should divest of companies that do business in Iran.

Washington, D.C. - A new poll (Word document, Powerpoint) commissioned by The Israel Project (TIP) shows that Israel's image is at a five-year high among U.S. opinion elite. When asked to rate their feelings on a scale of one to 100, in which 1 meant "very cold or unfavorable" and 100 meant "warm/very favorable," Israel received a "warm/very favorable" rating from 63 percent of elite and an average or mean rating of 66. That was an increase of 13 points from a "warm/very favorable rating" from 50 percent and a mean of 61 percent in May 2006.

Iran was rated negatively by 71 percent of those polled and received a positive rating from only 11 percent, with an average or mean rating of 28 percent. Hamas received a cool rating from 71 percent, a warm rating from 6 percent and an average or mean rating of 23 percent on a scale of one to 100.

Support for Israel in the conflict with the Palestinians is also at a five-year high, with 65 percent supporting Israel, while support for the Palestinians remains at 10 percent. This is the largest spread recorded between support for Israel and support for the Palestinians in recent years. Additionally, fully 84 percent of U.S. opinion elite consider Israel one of the United States' strongest allies, an increase of 7 percent since October 2005.

"This poll reinforces the remarkably strong ties Americans have with Israel," Public Opinion Strategies Co-Founder Neil Newhouse said. "Support for Israel among American opinion elite has reached its highest level over the last five years, and more than eight of ten believe that Israel is one of our strongest allies."

Opinion elite agree that even though the Palestinians have formed a unity government with both Hamas and Fatah, the United States should not resume sending aid to the Palestinian Authority until the government "ends the culture of hate (72 percent) and "Hamas recognizes Israel's right to exist and denounces terrorism" (75 percent).

There is a clear sense that Israel is threatened by hostile neighbors that do not accept Israel's right to exist. Of those polled, 85 percent agree that "The Arab countries around Israel are hostile to its existence," while only 11 percent disagree. By a margin of 80 percent to 18 percent, those polled agree that "Israel is a small and vulnerable country threatened by hostile neighbors" and 76 percent agree that "The Arabs don't really accept Israel's right to exist" versus 20 percent who disagree.

Accordingly, 73 percent of those polled agree that "Islamic extremism" is "more responsible for instability in the Middle East" than "Israel and its policies" at only 12 percent.

On the issue of Iran, opinion elite overwhelmingly believe that of all countries, Iran is the most serious threat the United States (92 percent) -- even greater than North Korea, Syria, Sudan and Venezuela. Nearly three-fourths of those polled believe that "Iran should be stopped from developing a nuclear weapon," while only 21 percent believe that "as an autonomous nation, Iran has the right to develop nuclear weapons."

"People are clearly concerned about Iran," TIP Founder and President Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi said. "And they have good reason for this, because Iran is the world's largest state sponsor of terror."

Additionally, 71 percent of opinion elite believe that investing money in companies that do business in terrorist-sponsoring countries such as Iran is "unacceptable." An additional 21 percent believe that "it may be acceptable for others but not for you personally," while only six percent believe it to be "acceptable."

In recent months, a number of states have begun considering adopting policies against investing state monies in terror-sponsoring countries such as Iran. Florida, for example -- following the model of economic pressure that worked to peacefully change the policies of South Africa - this week may become the first state to pass terror-free investing legislation focusing on Iran and Sudan.

"This is an important step to peacefully change the policies of Iran and Sudan," Mizrahi said. "Hopefully this will save many lives."

The poll of 500 U.S. opinion elite was conducted by telephone April 16-19, 2007 for The Israel Project by Neil Newhouse of Public Opinion Strategies in conjunction with Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research. The margin of error is +/- 4.38 percent.

The May 2006 poll also referenced above was conducted by telephone May 22-25, 2006 for The Israel Project by Neil Newhouse of Public Opinion Strategies in conjunction with Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research. The poll consisted of 500 opinion elite.

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