Palestine. Dying to Live.

Changing the rules of war

George Bisharat

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

The extent of Israel's brutality against Palestinian civilians in its 22-day pounding of the Gaza Strip is gradually surfacing. Israeli soldiers are testifying to lax rules of engagement tantamount to a license to kill. One soldier commented: "That's what is so nice, supposedly, about Gaza: You see a person on a road, walking along a path. He doesn't have to be with a weapon, you don't have to identify him with anything and you can just shoot him."

What is less appreciated is how Israel is also brutalizing international law, in ways that may long outlast the demolition of Gaza.

Since 2001, Israeli military lawyers have pushed to re-classify military operations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip from the law enforcement model mandated by the law of occupation to one of armed conflict. Under the former, soldiers of an occupying army must arrest, rather than kill, opponents, and generally must use the minimum force necessary to quell disturbances.

While in armed conflict, a military is still constrained by the laws of war - including the duty to distinguish between combatants and civilians, and the duty to avoid attacks causing disproportionate harm to civilian persons or objects - the standard permits far greater uses of force.

Israel pressed the shift to justify its assassinations of Palestinians in the Occupied Territories, which clearly violated settled international law. Israel had practiced "targeted killings" since the 1970s - always denying that it did so - but had recently stepped up their frequency, by spectacular means (such as air strikes) that rendered denial futile.

President Bill Clinton charged the 2001 Mitchell Committee with investigating the causes of the second Palestinian uprising and recommending how to restore calm in the region. Israeli lawyers pleaded their case to the committee for armed conflict. The committee responded by criticizing the blanket application of the model to the uprising, but did not repudiate it altogether.

Today, most observers - including Amnesty International - tacitly accept Israel's framing of the conflict in Gaza as an armed conflict, as their criticism of Israel's actions in terms of the duties of distinction and the principle of proportionality betrays. This shift, if accepted, would encourage occupiers to follow Israel's lead, externalizing military control while shedding all responsibilities to occupied populations.

Israel's campaign to rewrite international law to its advantage is deliberate and knowing. As the former head of Israel's 20-lawyer International Law Division in the Military Advocate General's office, Daniel Reisner, recently stated: "If you do something for long enough, the world will accept it. The whole of international law is now based on the notion that an act that is forbidden today becomes permissible if executed by enough countries ... International law progresses through violations. We invented the targeted assassination thesis and we had to push it. At first there were protrusions that made it hard to insert easily into the legal molds. Eight years later, it is in the center of the bounds of legitimacy."

In the Gaza fighting, Israel has again tried to transform international law through violations. For example, its military lawyers authorized the bombing of a police cadet graduation ceremony, killing at least 63 young Palestinian men. Under international law, such deliberate killings of civilian police are war crimes. Yet Israel treats all employees of the Hamas-led government in the Gaza Strip as terrorists, and thus combatants. Secretaries, court clerks, housing officials, judges - all were, in Israeli eyes, legitimate targets for liquidation.

Israeli jurists also instructed military commanders that any Palestinian who failed to evacuate a building or area after warnings of an impending bombardment was a "voluntary human shield" and thus a participant in combat, subject to lawful attack. One method of warning employed by Israeli gunners, dubbed "knocking on the roof," was to fire first at a building's corner, then, a few minutes later, to strike more structurally vulnerable points. To imagine that Gazan civilians - penned into the tiny Gaza Strip by Israeli troops, and surrounded by the chaos of battle - understood this signal is fanciful at best.

Israel has a lengthy history of unpunished abuses of international law - among the most flagrant its decades-long colonization of the West Bank. To its credit, much of the world has refused to ratify Israel's violations. Unfortunately, our government is an exception, having frequently provided diplomatic cover for Israel's abuses. Our diplomats have vetoed 42 U.N. Security Council resolutions to shelter Israel from the consequences of its often illegal behavior.

We must break that habit now, or see international law perverted in ways that can harm us all. Our government has already been seduced to follow, in Afghanistan and elsewhere, Israel's example of targeted killings. This policy alienates civilians, innocently killed and wounded in these crude strikes, and deepens the determination of enemies to harm us by any means possible.

We do not want civilian police in the United States to be bombed, nor to have anyone "knock on our roofs." For our own sakes and for the world's, Israel's impunity must end.

George Bisharat is a professor of law at Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco, and writes frequently on law and politics in the Middle East.

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/04/01/EDKP16PF6S.DTL

This article appeared on page A - 15 of the San Francisco Chronicle

Looking for a personal trainer

Looking for a personal trainer, 2 hours a day for 3 to 5 days a week for 3 months program. Wanna loose da karsh. Where? who? how much? Peace

Thank CBS for 'Powerful' Report on Mistreatment of Palestinians

Segment shows expanding settlements, evictions, humiliating checkpoints, 'Apartheid' roads and wall, families imprisoned in their own homes

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 1/26/2009) - CAIR today asked American Muslims and other people who seek peace with justice in the Middle East to thank CBS for last night's "60 Minutes" program that outlined in detail the injustices suffered by the Palestinian people at the hands of the Israelis.

The 13-minute report by journalist Bob Simon showed the damage to the cause of peace caused by the ever-expanding and illegal Israeli settlements, the evictions of Palestinians from their homes, the humiliation they experience at Israeli checkpoints, the "Apartheid" roads and wall built by Israel, and the bizarre experience of Palestinian families imprisoned in their own homes by Israeli soldiers.

You can watch the video of the report here, or read the transcript here.

"We thank CBS and the producers of '60 Minutes' for having the courage to show the American people the truth about the injustices that are at the core of the Middle East conflict," said CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad. "This powerful report shows clearly that the only way to resolve the conflict and bring peace and stability to the region is to address the fundamental issues of justice that have been ignored by the world community for far too long."

Awad said Muslims should thank CBS because the media are often criticized for not showing the full picture of the suffering of the Palestinian people at the hands of the Israelis.

IMMEDIATE ACTIONS REQUESTED:

1. CONTACT "60 Minutes" - They are getting a lot of "heat" from the vocal minority who support Israel's brutal and counterproductive actions. It is important that those who value peace with justice in the region make the effort to support balanced media coverage.

Tel: 212-975-2006 Fax: 212-975-2019

E-Mail: 60m@cbsnews.com, kev@cbsnews.com Copy to: info@cair.com

Mail: 60 Minutes 555 West 57th St. New York, NY 10019

2. COMMENT ONLINE about the segment. (Always be polite and respectful.) Hundreds of people have already made their views known. Add your comments here or here.

3. SHARE this important alert with your colleagues, friends and family. Post to personal blogs.

4. CONTACT YOUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES to ask that they view the CBS report.

Contact Your Congressional Representatives: U.S. Senators and House of Representatives

- PLEASE ANNOUNCE, POST AND DISTRIBUTE -

The Truth About the 2009 Gaza Massacre

Holocaust in Gaza!

THE GRANDCHILDREN OF HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS FROM WORLD WAR II ARE DOING TO THE PALESTINIANS EXACTLY WHAT WAS DONE TO THEM BY NAZI GERMANY…

BUILDING WALLS & FENCES TO KEEP PEOPLE IN PRISONS

CHECK POINTS NOT TO ALLOW PEOPLE BASIC FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT

ARRESTS & HARASSMENTS

DESTROYING HOMES & LIVELIHOODS

GIFTS (WITH LOVE) FROM THE CHILDREN OF PEACE-LOVING & CIVILIZED COUNTRIES

THE CLASSIC PROPAGANDA MACHINE - YOU WILL FIND THE PICTURE IN BLACK & WHITE IN ALL AMERICAN AND SOME OTHER WESTERN COUNTRIES HISTORY BOOKS, ENCYCLOPEDIAS, LIBRARIES, MUSEUMS… THAT DEPICTS A YOUNG JEWISH BOY WITH HIS HANDS UP WHILE NAZI TROOPS POINT THEIR GUNS AT HIM AND HIS FAMILY IN ORDER TO EXPEL THEM FROM THEIR HOMES… (IT'S SUPPOSED TO MAKE YOU SYMPATHIZE WITH THE VICTIMS & TO SUPPORT THEIR CAUSE FOR JUSTICE & A HOMELAND) THE ISRAELIS PRACTICE THE SAME TACTICS

Source

Gaza in Pictures (GRAPHIC)

http://www.elfarra.org/gallery/gaza.htm

.......................

Source

الحمار

قصه من الواقع المرير تنطبق على الوضع الحالي بحذافيره

بس الناس مش راضيه تفهم

دخل حمار مزرعة رجل وبدأ يأكل من زرعه الذي تعب في حرثه وبذر وسقيه؟ كيف يُـخرج الحمار؟؟ سؤال محير ؟؟؟ أسرع الرجل إلى البيت جاء بعدَّةِ الشغل القضية لا تحتمل التأخي أحضر عصا طويلة ومطرقة ومساميروقطعة كبيرة من الكرتون المقوى كتب على الكرتون يا حمار أخرج من مزرعتي ثبت الكرتون بالعصا الطويلة بالمطرقة والمسمار ذهب إلى حيث الحمار يرعى في المزرعة رفع اللوحة عالياً وقف رافعًا اللوحة منذ الصباح الباكرحتى غروب الشمس ولكن الحمار لم يخرج حار الرجل 'ربما لم يفهم الحمار ما كتبتُ على اللوحة' رجع إلى البيت ونام في الصباح التالي صنع عددًا كبيرًا من اللوحات ونادي أولاده وجيرانه واستنفر أهل القرية 'يعنى عمل مؤتمر قمة' صف الناس في طوابير يحملون لوحات كثيرة أخرج يا حمار من المزرعة الموت للحمير يا ويلك يا حمار من راعي الداروتحلقوا حول الحقل الذي فيه الحمار وبدءوا يهتفون اخرج يا حمار. اخرج أحسن لك والحمار حمار يأكل ولا يهتم بما يحدث حوله غربت شمس اليوم الثاني وقد تعب الناس من الصراخ والهتاف وبحت أصواتهم فلما رأوا الحمار غير مبالٍ بهم رجعوا إلى بيوتهم يفكرون في طريقة أخرىفي صباح اليوم الثالث جلس الرجل في بيته يصنع شيئاً آخرخطة جديدة لإخراج الحمار فالزرع أوشك على النهاية خرج الرجل باختراعه الجديد نموذج مجسم لحماريشبه إلى حد بعيد الحمار الأصلي ولما جاء إلى حيث الحمار يأكل في المزرعة وأمام نظر الحمار وحشود القرية المنادية بخروج الحمار سكب البنزين على النموذج وأحرقه فكبّر الحشد نظر الحمار إلى حيث النار ثم رجع يأكل في المزرعة بلا مبالاة يا له من حمار عنيد لا يفهم أرسلوا وفدًا ليتفاوض مع الحمار قالوا له: صاحب المزرعة يريدك أن تخرج وهو صاحب الحق وعليك أن تخرج الحمار ينظر إليهم ثم يعود للأكل لا يكترث بهم بعد عدة محاولات أرسل الرجل وسيطاً آخر قال للحمار صاحب المزرعة مستعد للتنازل لك عن بعض من مساحته الحمار يأكل ولا يرد ثلثه الحمار لا يرد نصفه الحمار لا يرد طيب حدد المساحة التي تريدها ولكن لا تتجاوزه رفع الحمار رأسه وقد شبع من الأكل ومشى قليلاً إلى طرف الحقل وهو ينظر إلى الجمع ويفكر فرح الناس لقد وافق الحمار أخيراً أحضر صاحب المزرعة الأخشاب وسيَّج المزرعة وقسمها نصفين وترك للحمار النصف الذي هو واقف فيه في صباح اليوم التالي كانت المفاجأة لصاحب المزرعة لقد ترك الحمار نصيبه ودخل في نصيب صاحب المزرعة وأخذ يأكل رجع أخونا مرة أخرى إلى اللوحات والمظاهرات يبدو أنه لا فائدة هذا الحمار لا يفهم إنه ليس من حمير المنطقة لقد جاء من قرية أخرى بدأ الرجل يفكر في ترك المزرعة بكاملها للحمار والذهاب إلى قرية أخرى لتأسيس مزرعة أخرى وأمام دهشة جميع الحاضرين وفي مشهد من الحشد العظيم حيث لم يبقَ أحد من القرية إلا وقد حضر ليشارك في المحاولات اليائسة لإخراج الحمار المحتل العنيد المتكبر المتسلط المؤذي جاء غلام صغير خرج من بين الصفوف دخل إلى الحقل تقدم إلى الحمار وضرب الحمار بعصا صغيرة على قفاه فإذا به يركض خارج الحقل .. 'يا الله' صاح الجميع .... لقد فضحَنا هذا الصغير وسيجعل منا أضحوكة القرى التي حولنا

فما كان منهم إلا أن قـَـتلوا الغلام وأعادوا الحمار إلى المزرعة

ثم أذاعوا أن الطفل شهيد !!

For Gaza

Got this from Ansam; (تضامناً مع غزة أهل الكرامة والعزة) من الأساليب التي تستخدمها إسرائيل والشعب اليهودي في هذه الأيام تهديد الفلسطينيين عامة وأهل غزة خاصة,الهدف من هذه التهديدات كسر شوكت الفلسطيني وكسر المقاومه وركوع الشعب الفلسطيني للصهاينه,وهذه التهديدات ليست عن طريق الإعلام أو عن طريق ألإنترنت بل عن طريق الاتصال على التلفونات الثابته لأهل غزة في بيوتهم من قبل الشعب اليهودي ويهددونهم يوميا بعشرات الاتصالات كيف نرد على هذه التهديدات الصهيونيه؟؟؟ ورفع معنويات اهل غزة؟؟؟ الطريقه هي الاتيه : ما عليك إلا أن تتصل على رقم في غزة أو خان يونس أو رفح أو المنطقة الوسطى من غزة، وتخبره أننا ندعو لهم في صلواتنا وتصبرهم وأننا معهم قلباً وقالباً ونعزيهم في موتاهم وأن يتقبل الله منهم الشهداء..... الارقام التاليه فتح خطوط قطاع غزة وخان يونس ورفح والوسطى من غزة أدخل رقم فتح المدينه كما هو ظاهر وبعدها أضف خمسة أرقام عشوائيه,,,, قطاع غزة: # # ## # 00970828 خان يونس: # # # ## 00970820 رفح : # # ## # 00970821 الوسطى من غزة: # # ## # 00970825 وعند اتصالك ربما يرد عليك طفل او امرأة او اي كان فأخبره بإسمك وباسم بلدك وأسأله عن الأوضاع والله لتندهش من الوضع الذي سيقوله لك,وكيف انهم صابرين وبهذه الطريقة أنت وقفت بجانب أهلنا في غزة وواسيتهم في مصيبتهم.

Israel gets their bombing in before the January 20th hope and change deadline.

My main man is at it again.

http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=213380&title=strip-maul

HAPPY NEW YEARS

WHATTAAAA??!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What on Earth?! Kopi Luwak (pronounced [ˈkopi ˈluwak]) or Civet coffee is coffee made from coffee berries which have been eaten by and passed through the digestive tract of the Asian Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus). The civets eat the berries, but the beans inside pass through their system undigested. This process takes place on the islands of Sumatra, Java and Sulawesi in the Indonesian Archipelago, in the Philippines (where the product is called Kape Alamid) and in East Timor (locally called kafé-laku). Vietnam has a similar type of coffee, called weasel coffee, which is made from coffee berries which have been regurgitated by local weasels. In actuality the "weasel" is just the local version of the Asian Palm Civet. Come to think of it, only American & Japanese will try this S***!!!! Literally!!! Source

Eid Mubarak & Blessed Holidays

Eid Mubarak & Blessed Holidays

"The Future Has Always Been Crazier Than We Thought " Nassim Nicholas Taleb

The Future Has Always Been Crazier Than We Thought By Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Nassim Nicholas Taleb talks about the challenge or failure of predictions and Black Swans. Recorded before the current global economic turmoil

download

Source

Black swan theory

For Taleb's book on the subject, see The Black Swan.

The Black Swan (Cygnus atratus)

The Black Swan theory (in Nassim Nicholas Taleb 's version) refers to a large-impact, hard-to-predict, and rare event beyond the realm of normal expectations. Unlike the philosophical "black swan problem", the "Black Swan" theory (capitalized) refers only to events of large consequence and their dominant role in history.

Background

The theory was described by Nassim Nicholas Taleb in his 2007 book The Black Swan. Taleb regards many scientific discoveries as black swans—"undirected" and unpredicted. He gives the rise of the Internet, the personal computer, World War I, as well as the September 11, 2001 attacks as examples of Black Swan events.^[1]

The term black swan comes from the commonplace Western cultural assumption that 'All swans are white'. In that context, a black swan was a metaphor for something that could not exist. The 17th Century discovery of black swans in Australia metamorphosed the term to connote that the perceived impossibility actually came to pass. Taleb notes that John Stuart Mill first used the black swan narrative to discuss falsification.

Non-philosophical epistemological approach

Taleb's black swan is different from the earlier (philosophical) versions of the problem as it concerns a phenomenon with specific empirical/statistical properties which he calls "the fourth quadrant".^[2] Before Taleb, those who dealt with the notion of improbable, like Hume, Mill and Popper, focused on the problem of induction in logic, specifically that of drawing general conclusions from specific observations. Taleb's Black Swan has a central and unique attribute: the high impact. His claim is that almost all consequential events in history come from the unexpected—while humans convince themselves that these events are explainable in hindsight (bias).

One problem, labeled the Ludic fallacy by Taleb, is the belief that the unstructured randomness found in life resembles the structured randomness found in games. This stems from the assumption that the unexpected can be predicted by extrapolating from variations in statistics based on past observations, especially when these statistics are assumed to represent samples from a bell curve. These concerns are often highly relevant to financial markets, where major players use value at risk models (which imply normal distributions) but market movements have fat tails.

Taleb notes that other functions are often more descriptive, such as the fractal, power law, or scalable distributions; awareness of these might help to temper expectations.^[3] Beyond this, he emphasizes that many events are simply without precedent, undercutting the basis of this sort of reasoning altogether. Taleb also argues for the use of counterfactual reasoning when considering risk.^[4][5]

Source

Another Terror act

I'm sick of those terror crimes. I'm sick of some looser fanatic group killing random western innocent people. I'm sick of bombs. I'm sick of suicide bombers. I'm sick of senseless killings. I'm sick of random violence. I'm sick of wars. And most of all I'm sick of those criminals using Islam as a label for their criminal acts.

http://alzebda.com

Where can you find the one place that has all the Kuwaiti newspapers? http://alzebda.com Via: AlQabas

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

HAPPY THANKSGIVING Y'ALL :-)