Hippocracy and Propaganda - Iran and Israel

[bmc]

Niss...this thread, along with countless others, reminds of trying to hammer a square peg into a round hole. The proponents of either side of the argument seem to believe that a bigger hammer is needed.

The sentiments from both sides have had years and generations to become hardened. I, like many many people do not have an answer.

I appreciate your connection to Israel. As someone sitting in the bleachers watching it play out, without following Canadian media favoring one side, I have no skin in this game. I see both sides pointing fingers. Both sides are guilty. Both sides carrying long standing grudges. The media of both sides tells its constituents what they want to hear. The minute one side suggests mediating, his people mistrust him and he's dismissed. Too many brothers, uncles, sons, homes, farms have been lost to expect people to agree to stopping the pain.

How many more of these threads do we need to start to arrive at the same place?

[sky's the limit]

This should help.



Israel to build hundreds of homes in East Jerusalem

JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Israel has approved the construction of almost 900 new homes in East Jerusalem, a move that could hinder international efforts to secure a peace deal by year's end.


Israel is under pressure to dismantle East Jerusalem outposts like this one in Maaleh Hazeitim, seen in April.

The Palestinians hope to make East Jerusalem the capital of a future Palestinian state.

A spokesman for Israeli Housing Minister Zeev Boim said his office will issue a tender this week for the construction of 884 houses, 121 of them in Har Homa. The rest will be in Pisgat Zeev.

Both are neighborhoods annexed by Israel in 1967. The housing ministry said it timed the issuance of the permits to coincide with the 41st anniversary of the annexation.

Israel and the Palestinians are in peace talks that include the future of Jewish settlements and East Jerusalem.

In March, Israel announced plans to build 600 homes in East Jerusalem as part of the Jerusalem mayor's initiative to construct 40,000 homes in the city to ease the housing plight of young couples.

At the time, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice -- who was in the region to shore up support for the peace initiative -- said Israel should stop all settlement activity.

Largely at the request of the United States, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert froze construction in both Har Homa and Pisgat Zeev, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported.

The newspaper said Israel issued a tender last year for the construction of 300 housing units in Har Homa, sparking harsh international criticism.

As a result, Olmert said he will need to approve all future construction plans personally, the paper said.

[sky's the limit]

Iran 'not seeking' nuclear arms


Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also poured scorn on US "staggering to and fro"

Iran's supreme leader has insisted it will continue its nuclear activities for civilian purposes only and will not manufacture nuclear weapons.

"No wise nation would be interested in making a nuclear weapon today. They are against rational thought," said Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a speech.

The comments come a day after the UN's atomic watchdog urged from Iran "full disclosure" about its atomic work.

Its report said alleged research into warheads was "of serious concern".


Iran is after peacefully using nuclear energy for the purposes of daily life


Some western powers accuse Iran of seeking to develop nuclear arms.

Iran has always denied such charges but has refused to suspend some nuclear work which could have military application, prompting three rounds of sanctions imposed by the UN.

"[Iran] is after peacefully using nuclear energy for the purposes of daily life and it will follow this path," Mr Khamenei said in the speech to mark the 19th anniversary of the death of the leader of the Islamic revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

"Contrary to what the enemy wishes, it will reach it [nuclear energy] with full strength," he added.

The speech also poured criticism on the US administration, saying President George W Bush and his advisers acted like "the mentally ill".

"Sometimes they threaten, sometimes they order assassinations... and sometimes they ask for help - it's like mad people staggering to and fro," he said.

European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana is planning to travel to Tehran soon to submit a new package of incentives for Iran to stop its most sensitive nuclear work.

Iran has said its nuclear activities, including uranium enrichment, is sanctioned under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty of which it is a signatory.

International Atomic Energy Agency is currently holding a week-long board of directors meeting.

On Monday the agency announced that Syria was to allow its inspectors to visit the country to investigate allegations that it was building a nuclear reactor.

[sky's the limit]

Israeli minister threatens Iran


Israeli deputy PM Shaul Mofaz
Mofaz, a former army chief, may be lining up a challenge to Olmert

A top Israeli official has said that if Iran continues with its alleged nuclear arms programme, Israel will attack it.

Speaking to Yediot Ahronot newspaper, Deputy Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz said sanctions on Iran were ineffective.

Mr Mofaz is one of three deputy prime ministers and the transport minister.

Earlier this week, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Iran's nuclear programme must be stopped by what he termed all possible means.


Attacking Iran, in order to stop its nuclear plans, will be unavoidable
Shaul Mofaz

Analysis: Growing talk of attack

"The international community has a duty and responsibility to clarify to Iran, through drastic measures, that the repercussions of their continued pursuit of nuclear weapons will be devastating," Mr Olmert said.

Iran insists that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes but it is defying a demand from the UN Security Council to stop the enrichment of uranium.

'Attack unavoidable'

"If Iran continues with its programme for developing nuclear weapons, we will attack it. The sanctions are ineffective," Mr Mofaz told Yediot Ahronot.

"Attacking Iran, in order to stop its nuclear plans, will be unavoidable," he said.

The former chief of the army and defence minister is one of several senior figures in the governing Kadima party who may challenge the leadership of Mr Olmert, who faces allegations of corruption.

The UN Security Council has approved three rounds of sanctions against Iran.

These include asset restrictions and travel bans on Iranian individuals and companies said to be involved in nuclear work.

The sanctions also ban the sale to Iran of so-called dual-use items - items which can have either a military or civilian purpose.

[Wild Cat]

I guess you cant say anything bad about israel, or else your anti semetic. I mean, dont people know already that israel is incapable of doing any wrong? Everything that niss says is in defence of israel and how good israel is. he fails to mention the good things from the palestinians. if you say anything bad about israel, like Bob did, then you are retarded and a bigot. He also tries to defend the bombing of a building by israelis as something "irrelevant".

[bob sacamano]

I guess you cant say anything bad about israel, or else your anti semetic. I mean, dont people know already that israel is incapable of doing any wrong? Everything that niss says is in defence of israel and how good israel is. he fails to mention the good things from the palestinians. if you say anything bad about israel, like Bob did, then you are retarded and a bigot. He also tries to defend the bombing of a building by israelis as something "irrelevant".

Wild Cat, stop being an anti-semite.

[Wild Cat]

[niss]

Has anyone seen You Don't Mess With The Zohan yet?