Saturday, January 27, 2007

Hamas...... revealed in their own words.


NOTE: [I]The Hamas emblem to the left consists of the Dome of the Rock, two crossed swords, and two Palestinian flags embracing the Dome with the phrases, "There is no god but Allah", and "Muhammad is the messenger of Allah." At the top is a map encompassing the boundaries of the State of Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, with "Palestine" written under the picture and a strip at the bottom stating "Islamic Resistance Movement-Hamas."[/I]



I mentioned some time ago, after printing the charter of Fatah, the original party of the PLO that I would follow up with the Hamas charter. It is reprinted below in it's entirety.

I will give a few highlites here. Remember these words whenever "peace" is discussed. As with the Fatah charter, there is simply no allowance made for discussion, peace, territorial concessions.

I know those "on the left" so to speak, like to paint all "evils" as the same. i.e. mistakes made by the US or Israeli or other democratcic governments as the same as those of terrorist regimes. But when one's very purpose is the murder of others, the difference is clear.

Note to begin with, the name of the organization.
"The Islamice RESISTANCE movement". The entire function is to resist. Even when given what it wants it is to resist.

The other thing to note is the outright description of themselves as an offshoot of the Muslim brotherhood in Egypt. As I described in my post on Egypt, this is the granddaddy of most Middle Eastern terror organizations, AL Qaeda, Hamas, etc.

So before printing the entire text, some highlights:


[COLOR red]"Israel will exist and will continue to exist until Islam will obliterate it, just as it obliterated others before it."

"The Islamic Resistance Movement believes that the land of Palestine is an Islamic Waqf consecrated for future Moslem generations until Judgement Day. It, or any part of it, should not be squandered: it, or any part of it, should not be given up. "

"There is no solution for the Palestinian question except through Jihad. Initiatives, proposals and international conferences are all a waste of time and vain endeavors."

"After Palestine, the Zionists aspire to expand from the Nile to the Euphrates. When they will have digested the region they overtook, they will aspire to further expansion, and so on. Their plan is embodied in the "Protocols of the Elders of Zion", and their present conduct is the best proof of what we are saying."

"The day that enemies usurp part of Moslem land, Jihad becomes the individual duty of every Moslem. In face of the Jews' usurpation of Palestine, it is compulsory that the banner of Jihad be raised. To do this requires the diffusion of Islamic consciousness among the masses, both on the regional, Arab and Islamic levels. It is necessary to instill the spirit of Jihad in the heart of the nation so that they would confront the enemies and join the ranks of the fighters."

"The Zionist invasion is a vicious invasion. It does not refrain from resorting to all methods, using all evil and contemptible ways to achieve its end. It relies greatly in its infiltration and espionage operations on the secret organizations it gave rise to, such as the Freemasons, The Rotary and Lions clubs, and other sabotage groups. All these organizations, whether secret or open, work in the interest of Zionism and according to its instructions. They aim at undermining societies, destroying values, corrupting consciences, deteriorating character and annihilating Islam. It is behind the drug trade and alcoholism in all its kinds so as to facilitate its control and expansion."

"Writers, intellectuals, media people, orators, educaters and teachers, and all the various sectors in the Arab and Islamic world - all of them are called upon to perform their role, and to fulfill their duty, because of the ferocity of the Zionist offensive and the Zionist influence in many countries exercised through financial and media control, as well as the consequences that all this lead to in the greater part of the world."

"Leaving the circle of struggle with Zionism is high treason, and cursed be he who does that."
[/COLOR]

[COLOR blue]The Covenant of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas)
18 August 1988

In The Name Of The Most Merciful Allah

"Ye are the best nation that hath been raised up unto mankind: ye command that which is just, and ye forbid that which is unjust, and ye believe in Allah. And if they who have received the scriptures had believed, it had surely been the better for them: there are believers among them, but the greater part of them are transgressors. They shall not hurt you, unless with a slight hurt; and if they fight against you, they shall turn their backs to you, and they shall not be helped. They are smitten with vileness wheresoever they are found; unless they obtain security by entering into a treaty with Allah, and a treaty with men; and they draw on themselves indignation from Allah, and they are afflicted with poverty. This they suffer, because they disbelieved the signs of Allah, and slew the prophets unjustly; this, because they were rebellious, and transgressed." (Al-Imran - verses 109-111).

Israel will exist and will continue to exist until Islam will obliterate it, just as it obliterated others before it" (The Martyr, Imam Hassan al-Banna, of blessed memory).

"The Islamic world is on fire. Each of us should pour some water, no matter how little, to extinguish whatever one can without waiting for the others." (Sheikh Amjad al-Zahawi, of blessed memory).

In The Name Of The Most Merciful Allah

Introduction
Praise be unto Allah, to whom we resort for help, and whose forgiveness, guidance and support we seek; Allah bless the Prophet and grant him salvation, his companions and supporters, and to those who carried out his message and adopted his laws - everlasting prayers and salvation as long as the earth and heaven will last. Hereafter:

O People:
Out of the midst of troubles and the sea of suffering, out of the palpitations of faithful hearts and cleansed arms; out of the sense of duty, and in response to Allah's command, the call has gone out rallying people together and making them follow the ways of Allah, leading them to have determined will in order to fulfill their role in life, to overcome all obstacles, and surmount the difficulties on the way. Constant preparation has continued and so has the readiness to sacrifice life and all that is precious for the sake of Allah.

Thus it was that the nucleus (of the movement) was formed and started to pave its way through the tempestuous sea of hopes and expectations, of wishes and yearnings, of troubles and obstacles, of pain and challenges, both inside and outside.

When the idea was ripe, the seed grew and the plant struck root in the soil of reality, away from passing emotions, and hateful haste. The Islamic Resistance Movement emerged to carry out its role through striving for the sake of its Creator, its arms intertwined with those of all the fighters for the liberation of Palestine. The spirits of its fighters meet with the spirits of all the fighters who have sacrificed their lives on the soil of Palestine, ever since it was conquered by the companions of the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him salvation, and until this day.

This Covenant of the Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS), clarifies its picture, reveals its identity, outlines its stand, explains its aims, speaks about its hopes, and calls for its support, adoption and joining its ranks. Our struggle against the Jews is very great and very serious. It needs all sincere efforts. It is a step that inevitably should be followed by other steps. The Movement is but one squadron that should be supported by more and more squadrons from this vast Arab and Islamic world, until the enemy is vanquished and Allah's victory is realised.

Thus we see them coming on the horizon "and you shall learn about it hereafter" "Allah hath written, Verily I will prevail, and my apostles: for Allah is strong and mighty." (The Dispute - verse 21).

"Say to them, This is my way: I invite you to Allah, by an evident demonstration; both I and he who followeth me; and, praise be unto Allah! I am not an idolator." (Joseph - verse 107).
Hamas (means) strength and bravery -(according to) Al-Mua'jam al-Wasit: c1.

Definition of the Movement

Ideological Starting-Points
Article One:

The Islamic Resistance Movement: The Movement's programme is Islam. From it, it draws its ideas, ways of thinking and understanding of the universe, life and man. It resorts to it for judgement in all its conduct, and it is inspired by it for guidance of its steps.

The Islamic Resistance Movement's Relation With the Moslem Brotherhood Group:
Article Two:

The Islamic Resistance Movement is one of the wings of Moslem Brotherhood in Palestine. Moslem Brotherhood Movement is a universal organization which constitutes the largest Islamic movement in modern times. It is characterised by its deep understanding, accurate comprehension and its complete embrace of all Islamic concepts of all aspects of life, culture, creed, politics, economics, education, society, justice and judgement, the spreading of Islam, education, art, information, science of the occult and conversion to Islam.

Structure and Formation
Article Three:

The basic structure of the Islamic Resistance Movement consists of Moslems who have given their allegiance to Allah whom they truly worship, - "I have created the jinn and humans only for the purpose of worshipping" - who know their duty towards themselves, their families and country. In all that, they fear Allah and raise the banner of Jihad in the face of the oppressors, so that they would rid the land and the people of their uncleanliness, vileness and evils.

"But we will oppose truth to vanity, and it shall confound the same; and behold, it shall vanish away." (Prophets - verse 18 ).

Article Four:

The Islamic Resistance Movement welcomes every Moslem who embraces its faith, ideology, follows its programme, keeps its secrets, and wants to belong to its ranks and carry out the duty. Allah will certainly reward such one.

Time and Place Extent of the Islamic Resistance Movement:
Article Five:

Time extent of the Islamic Resistance Movement: By adopting Islam as its way of life, the Movement goes back to the time of the birth of the Islamic message, of the righteous ancestor, for Allah is its target, the Prophet is its example and the Koran is its constitution. Its extent in place is anywhere that there are Moslems who embrace Islam as their way of life everywhere in the globe. This being so, it extends to the depth of the earth and reaches out to the heaven.

"Dost thou not see how Allah putteth forth a parable; representing a good word, as a good tree, whose root is firmly fixed in the earth, and whose branches reach unto heaven; which bringeth forth its fruit in all seasons, by the will of its Lord? Allah propoundeth parables unto men, that they may be instructed." (Abraham - verses 24-25).

Characteristics and Independence:
Article Six:

The Islamic Resistance Movement is a distinguished Palestinian movement, whose allegiance is to Allah, and whose way of life is Islam. It strives to raise the banner of Allah over every inch of Palestine, for under the wing of Islam followers of all religions can coexist in security and safety where their lives, possessions and rights are concerned. In the absence of Islam, strife will be rife, oppression spreads, evil prevails and schisms and wars will break out.

How excellent was the Moslem poet, Mohamed Ikbal, when he wrote:

"If faith is lost, there is no security and there is no life for him who does not adhere to religion. He who accepts life without religion, has taken annihilation as his companion for life."

The Universality of the Islamic Resistance Movement:
Article Seven:

As a result of the fact that those Moslems who adhere to the ways of the Islamic Resistance Movement spread all over the world, rally support for it and its stands, strive towards enhancing its struggle, the Movement is a universal one. It is well-equipped for that because of the clarity of its ideology, the nobility of its aim and the loftiness of its objectives.

On this basis, the Movement should be viewed and evaluated, and its role be recognised. He who denies its right, evades supporting it and turns a blind eye to facts, whether intentionally or unintentionally, would awaken to see that events have overtaken him and with no logic to justify his attitude. One should certainly learn from past examples.

The injustice of next-of-kin is harder to bear than the smite of the Indian sword.

"We have also sent down unto thee the book of the Koran with truth, confirming that scripture which was revealed before it; and preserving the same safe from corruption. Judge therefore between them according to that which Allah hath revealed; and follow not their desires, by swerving from the truth which hath come unto thee. Unto every of you have we given a law, and an open path; and if Allah had pleased, he had surely made you one people; but he hath thought it fit to give you different laws, that he might try you in that which he hath given you respectively. Therefore strive to excel each other in good works; unto Allah shall ye all return, and then will he declare unto you that concerning which ye have disagreed." (The Table, verse 48 ).

The Islamic Resistance Movement is one of the links in the chain of the struggle against the Zionist invaders. It goes back to 1939, to the emergence of the martyr Izz al-Din al Kissam and his brethren the fighters, members of Moslem Brotherhood. It goes on to reach out and become one with another chain that includes the struggle of the Palestinians and Moslem Brotherhood in the 1948 war and the Jihad operations of the Moslem Brotherhood in 1968 and after.

Moreover, if the links have been distant from each other and if obstacles, placed by those who are the lackeys of Zionism in the way of the fighters obstructed the continuation of the struggle, the Islamic Resistance Movement aspires to the realisation of Allah's promise, no matter how long that should take. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him salvation, has said:

"The Day of Judgement will not come about until Moslems fight the Jews (killing the Jews), when the Jew will hide behind stones and trees. The stones and trees will say O Moslems, O Abdulla, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him. Only the Gharkad tree, (evidently a certain kind of tree) would not do that because it is one of the trees of the Jews." (related by al-Bukhari and Moslem).

The Slogan of the Islamic Resistance Movement:
Article Eight:

Allah is its target, the Prophet is its model, the Koran its constitution: Jihad is its path and death for the sake of Allah is the loftiest of its wishes.

Objectives

Incentives and Objectives:
Article Nine:

The Islamic Resistance Movement found itself at a time when Islam has disappeared from life. Thus rules shook, concepts were upset, values changed and evil people took control, oppression and darkness prevailed, cowards became like tigers: homelands were usurped, people were scattered and were caused to wander all over the world, the state of justice disappeared and the state of falsehood replaced it. Nothing remained in its right place. Thus, when Islam is absent from the arena, everything changes. From this state of affairs the incentives are drawn.

As for the objectives: They are the fighting against the false, defeating it and vanquishing it so that justice could prevail, homelands be retrieved and from its mosques would the voice of the mu'azen emerge declaring the establishment of the state of Islam, so that people and things would return each to their right places and Allah is our helper.

"...and if Allah had not prevented men, the one by the other, verily the earth had been corrupted: but Allah is beneficient towards his creatures." (The Cow - verse 251).

Article Ten:

As the Islamic Resistance Movement paves its way, it will back the oppressed and support the wronged with all its might. It will spare no effort to bring about justice and defeat injustice, in word and deed, in this place and everywhere it can reach and have influence therein.

Strategies and Methods

Strategies of the Islamic Resistance Movement: Palestine Is Isalmic aqf:
Article Eleven:

The Islamic Resistance Movement believes that the land of Palestine is an Islamic Waqf consecrated for future Moslem generations until Judgement Day. It, or any part of it, should not be squandered: it, or any part of it, should not be given up. Neither a single Arab country nor all Arab countries, neither any king or president, nor all the kings and presidents, neither any organization nor all of them, be they Palestinian or Arab, possess the right to do that. Palestine is an Islamic Waqf land consecrated for Moslem generations until Judgement Day. This being so, who could claim to have the right to represent Moslem generations till Judgement Day?

This is the law governing the land of Palestine in the Islamic Sharia (law) and the same goes for any land the Moslems have conquered by force, because during the times of (Islamic) conquests, the Moslems consecrated these lands to Moslem generations till the Day of Judgement.

It happened like this: When the leaders of the Islamic armies conquered Syria and Iraq, they sent to the Caliph of the Moslems, Umar bin-el-Khatab, asking for his advice concerning the conquered land - whether they should divide it among the soldiers, or leave it for its owners, or what? After consultations and discussions between the Caliph of the Moslems, Omar bin-el-Khatab and companions of the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him salvation, it was decided that the land should be left with its owners who could benefit by its fruit. As for the real ownership of the land and the land itself, it should be consecrated for Moslem generations till Judgement Day. Those who are on the land, are there only to benefit from its fruit. This Waqf remains as long as earth and heaven remain. Any procedure in contradiction to Islamic Sharia, where Palestine is concerned, is null and void.

"Verily, this is a certain truth. Wherefore praise the name of thy Lord, the great Allah." (The Inevitable - verse 95).

Homeland and Nationalism from the Point of View of the Islamic Resistance Movement in Palestine:
Article Twelve:

Nationalism, from the point of view of the Islamic Resistance Movement, is part of the religious creed. Nothing in nationalism is more significant or deeper than in the case when an enemy should tread Moslem land. Resisting and quelling the enemy become the individual duty of every Moslem, male or female. A woman can go out to fight the enemy without her husband's permission, and so does the slave: without his master's permission.

Nothing of the sort is to be found in any other regime. This is an undisputed fact. If other nationalist movements are connected with materialistic, human or regional causes, nationalism of the Islamic Resistance Movement has all these elements as well as the more important elements that give it soul and life. It is connected to the source of spirit and the granter of life, hoisting in the sky of the homeland the heavenly banner that joins earth and heaven with a strong bond.

If Moses comes and throws his staff, both witch and magic are annulled.

"Now is the right direction manifestly distinguished from deceit: whoever therefore shall deny Tagut, and believe in Allah, he shall surely take hold with a strong handle, which shall not be broken; Allah is he who heareth and seeth." (The Cow - Verse 256).

Peaceful Solutions, Initiatives and International Conferences:
Article Thirteen:

Initiatives, and so-called peaceful solutions and international conferences, are in contradiction to the principles of the Islamic Resistance Movement. Abusing any part of Palestine is abuse directed against part of religion. Nationalism of the Islamic Resistance Movement is part of its religion. Its members have been fed on that. For the sake of hoisting the banner of Allah over their homeland they fight. "Allah will be prominent, but most people do not know."

Now and then the call goes out for the convening of an international conference to look for ways of solving the (Palestinian) question. Some accept, others reject the idea, for this or other reason, with one stipulation or more for consent to convening the conference and participating in it. Knowing the parties constituting the conference, their past and present attitudes towards Moslem problems, the Islamic Resistance Movement does not consider these conferences capable of realising the demands, restoring the rights or doing justice to the oppressed. These conferences are only ways of setting the infidels in the land of the Moslems as arbitraters. When did the infidels do justice to the believers?

"But the Jews will not be pleased with thee, neither the Christians, until thou follow their religion; say, The direction of Allah is the true direction. And verily if thou follow their desires, after the knowledge which hath been given thee, thou shalt find no patron or protector against Allah." (The Cow - verse 120).

There is no solution for the Palestinian question except through Jihad. Initiatives, proposals and international conferences are all a waste of time and vain endeavors. The Palestinian people know better than to consent to having their future, rights and fate toyed with. As in said in the honourable Hadith:

"The people of Syria are Allah's lash in His land. He wreaks His vengeance through them against whomsoever He wishes among His slaves It is unthinkable that those who are double-faced among them should prosper over the faithful. They will certainly die out of grief and desperation."

The Three Circles:
Article Fourteen:

The question of the liberation of Palestine is bound to three circles: the Palestinian circle, the Arab circle and the Islamic circle. Each of these circles has its role in the struggle against Zionism. Each has its duties, and it is a horrible mistake and a sign of deep ignorance to overlook any of these circles. Palestine is an Islamic land which has the first of the two kiblahs (direction to which Moslems turn in praying), the third of the holy (Islamic) sanctuaries, and the point of departure for Mohamed's midnight journey to the seven heavens (i.e. Jerusalem).

"Praise be unto him who transported his servant by night, from the sacred temple of Mecca to the farther temple of Jerusalem, the circuit of which we have blessed, that we might show him some of our signs; for Allah is he who heareth, and seeth." (The Night-Journey - verse 1).

Since this is the case, liberation of Palestine is then an individual duty for very Moslem wherever he may be. On this basis, the problem should be viewed. This should be realised by every Moslem.

The day the problem is dealt with on this basis, when the three circles mobilize their capabilities, the present state of affairs will change and the day of liberation will come nearer.

"Verily ye are stronger than they, by reason of the terror cast into their breasts from Allah. This, because they are not people of prudence." (The Emigration - verse 13).

The Jihad for the Liberation of Palestine is an Individual Duty:
Article Fifteen:

The day that enemies usurp part of Moslem land, Jihad becomes the individual duty of every Moslem. In face of the Jews' usurpation of Palestine, it is compulsory that the banner of Jihad be raised. To do this requires the diffusion of Islamic consciousness among the masses, both on the regional, Arab and Islamic levels. It is necessary to instill the spirit of Jihad in the heart of the nation so that they would confront the enemies and join the ranks of the fighters.

It is necessary that scientists, educators and teachers, information and media people, as well as the educated masses, especially the youth and sheikhs of the Islamic movements, should take part in the operation of awakening (the masses). It is important that basic changes be made in the school curriculum, to cleanse it of the traces of ideological invasion that affected it as a result of the orientalists and missionaries who infiltrated the region following the defeat of the Crusaders at the hands of Salah el-Din (Saladin). The Crusaders realised that it was impossible to defeat the Moslems without first having ideological invasion pave the way by upsetting their thoughts, disfiguring their heritage and violating their ideals. Only then could they invade with soldiers. This, in its turn, paved the way for the imperialistic invasion that made Allenby declare on entering Jerusalem: "Only now have the Crusades ended." General Guru stood at Salah el-Din's grave and said: "We have returned, O Salah el-Din." Imperialism has helped towards the strengthening of ideological invasion, deepening, and still does, its roots. All this has paved the way towards the loss of Palestine.

It is necessary to instill in the minds of the Moslem generations that the Palestinian problem is a religious problem, and should be dealt with on this basis. Palestine contains Islamic holy sites. In it there is al- Aqsa Mosque which is bound to the great Mosque in Mecca in an inseparable bond as long as heaven and earth speak of Isra` (Mohammed's midnight journey to the seven heavens) and Mi'raj (Mohammed's ascension to the seven heavens from Jerusalem).

"The bond of one day for the sake of Allah is better than the world and whatever there is on it. The place of one's whip in Paradise is far better than the world and whatever there is on it. A worshipper's going and coming in the service of Allah is better than the world and whatever there is on it." (As related by al-Bukhari, Moslem, al-Tarmdhi and Ibn Maja).

"I swear by the holder of Mohammed's soul that I would like to invade and be killed for the sake of Allah, then invade and be killed, and then invade again and be killed." (As related by al-Bukhari and Moslem).

The Education of the Generations:
Article Sixteen:

It is necessary to follow Islamic orientation in educating the Islamic generations in our region by teaching the religious duties, comprehensive study of the Koran, the study of the Prophet's Sunna (his sayings and doings), and learning about Islamic history and heritage from their authentic sources. This should be done by specialised and learned people, using a curriculum that would healthily form the thoughts and faith of the Moslem student. Side by side with this, a comprehensive study of the enemy, his human and financial capabilities, learning about his points of weakness and strength, and getting to know the forces supporting and helping him, should also be included. Also, it is important to be acquainted with the current events, to follow what is new and to study the analysis and commentaries made of these events. Planning for the present and future, studying every trend appearing, is a must so that the fighting Moslem would live knowing his aim, objective and his way in the midst of what is going on around him.

"O my son, verily every matter, whether good or bad, though it be the weight of a grain of mustard-seed, and be hidden in a rock, or in the heavens, or in the earth, Allah will bring the same to light; for Allah is clear-sighted and knowing. O my son, be constant at prayer, and command that which is just, and forbid that which is evil: and be patient under the afflictions which shall befall thee; for this is a duty absolutely incumbent on all men. Distort not thy face out of contempt to men, neither walk in the earth with insolence; for Allah loveth no arrogant, vain-glorious person." (Lokman - verses 16-18 ).

The Role of the Moslem Woman:
Article Seventeen:

The Moslem woman has a role no less important than that of the moslem man in the battle of liberation. She is the maker of men. Her role in guiding and educating the new generations is great. The enemies have realised the importance of her role. They consider that if they are able to direct and bring her up they way they wish, far from Islam, they would have won the battle. That is why you find them giving these attempts constant attention through information campaigns, films, and the school curriculum, using for that purpose their lackeys who are infiltrated through Zionist organizations under various names and shapes, such as Freemasons, Rotary Clubs, espionage groups and others, which are all nothing more than cells of subversion and saboteurs. These organizations have ample resources that enable them to play their role in societies for the purpose of achieving the Zionist targets and to deepen the concepts that would serve the enemy. These organizations operate in the absence of Islam and its estrangement among its people. The Islamic peoples should perform their role in confronting the conspiracies of these saboteurs. The day Islam is in control of guiding the affairs of life, these organizations, hostile to humanity and Islam, will be obliterated.
Article Eighteen:

Woman in the home of the fighting family, whether she is a mother or a sister, plays the most important role in looking after the family, rearing the children and embuing them with moral values and thoughts derived from Islam. She has to teach them to perform the religious duties in preparation for the role of fighting awaiting them. That is why it is necessary to pay great attention to schools and the curriculum followed in educating Moslem girls, so that they would grow up to be good mothers, aware of their role in the battle of liberation.

She has to be of sufficient knowledge and understanding where the performance of housekeeping matters are concerned, because economy and avoidance of waste of the family budget, is one of the requirements for the ability to continue moving forward in the difficult conditions surrounding us. She should put before her eyes the fact that the money available to her is just like blood which should never flow except through the veins so that both children and grown-ups could continue to live.

"Verily, the Moslems of either sex, and the true believers of either sex, and the devout men, and the devout women, and the men of veracity, and the women of veracity, and the patient men, and the patient women, and the humble men, and the humble women, and the alms-givers of either sex who remember Allah frequently; for them hath Allah prepared forgiveness and a great reward." (The Confederates - verse 25).

The Role of Islamic Art in the Battle of Liberation:
Article Nineteen:

Art has regulations and measures by which it can be determined whether it is Islamic or pre-Islamic (Jahili) art. The issues of Islamic liberation are in need of Islamic art that would take the spirit high, without raising one side of human nature above the other, but rather raise all of them harmoniously an in equilibrium.

Man is a unique and wonderful creature, made out of a handful of clay and a breath from Allah. Islamic art addresses man on this basis, while pre-Islamic art addresses the body giving preference to the clay component in it.

The book, the article, the bulletin, the sermon, the thesis, the popular poem, the poetic ode, the song, the play and others, contain the characteristics of Islamic art, then these are among the requirements of ideological mobilization, renewed food for the journey and recreation for the soul. The road is long and suffering is plenty. The soul will be bored, but Islamic art renews the energies, resurrects the movement, arousing in them lofty meanings and proper conduct. "Nothing can improve the self if it is in retreat except shifting from one mood to another."

All this is utterly serious and no jest, for those who are fighters do not jest.

Social Mutual Responsibility:
Article Twenty:

Moslem society is a mutually responsible society. The Prophet, prayers and greetings be unto him, said: "Blessed are the generous, whether they were in town or on a journey, who have collected all that they had and shared it equally among themselves."

The Islamic spirit is what should prevail in every Moslem society. The society that confronts a vicious enemy which acts in a way similar to Nazism, making no differentiation between man and woman, between children and old people - such a society is entitled to this Islamic spirit. Our enemy relies on the methods of collective punishment. He has deprived people of their homeland and properties, pursued them in their places of exile and gathering, breaking bones, shooting at women, children and old people, with or without a reason. The enemy has opened detention camps where thousands and thousands of people are thrown and kept under sub-human conditions. Added to this, are the demolition of houses, rendering children orphans, meting cruel sentences against thousands of young people, and causing them to spend the best years of their lives in the dungeons of prisons.

In their Nazi treatment, the Jews made no exception for women or children. Their policy of striking fear in the heart is meant for all. They attack people where their breadwinning is concerned, extorting their money and threatening their honour. They deal with people as if they were the worst war criminals. Deportation from the homeland is a kind of murder.

To counter these deeds, it is necessary that social mutual responsibility should prevail among the people. The enemy should be faced by the people as a single body which if one member of it should complain, the rest of the body would respond by feeling the same pains.
Article Twenty-One:

Mutual social responsibility means extending assistance, financial or moral, to all those who are in need and joining in the execution of some of the work. Members of the Islamic Resistance Movement should consider the interests of the masses as their own personal interests. They must spare no effort in achieving and preserving them. They must prevent any foul play with the future of the upcoming generations and anything that could cause loss to society. The masses are part of them and they are part of the masses. Their strength is theirs, and their future is theirs. Members of the Islamic Resistance Movement should share the people's joy and grief, adopt the demands of the public and whatever means by which they could be realised. The day that such a spirit prevails, brotherliness would deepen, cooperation, sympathy and unity will be enhanced and the ranks will be solidified to confront the enemies.

Supportive Forces Behind the Enemy:
Article Twenty-Two:

For a long time, the enemies have been planning, skillfully and with precision, for the achievement of what they have attained. They took into consideration the causes affecting the current of events. They strived to amass great and substantive material wealth which they devoted to the realisation of their dream. With their money, they took control of the world media, news agencies, the press, publishing houses, broadcasting stations, and others. With their money they stirred revolutions in various parts of the world with the purpose of achieving their interests and reaping the fruit therein. They were behind the French Revolution, the Communist revolution and most of the revolutions we heard and hear about, here and there. With their money they formed secret societies, such as Freemasons, Rotary Clubs, the Lions and others in different parts of the world for the purpose of sabotaging societies and achieving Zionist interests. With their money they were able to control imperialistic countries and instigate them to colonize many countries in order to enable them to exploit their resources and spread corruption there.

You may speak as much as you want about regional and world wars. They were behind World War I, when they were able to destroy the Islamic Caliphate, making financial gains and controlling resources. They obtained the Balfour Declaration, formed the League of Nations through which they could rule the world. They were behind World War II, through which they made huge financial gains by trading in armaments, and paved the way for the establishment of their state. It was they who instigated the replacement of the League of Nations with the United Nations and the Security Council to enable them to rule the world through them. There is no war going on anywhere, without having their finger in it.

"So often as they shall kindle a fire for war, Allah shall extinguish it; and they shall set their minds to act corruptly in the earth, but Allah loveth not the corrupt doers." (The Table - verse 64).

The imperialistic forces in the Capitalist West and Communist East, support the enemy with all their might, in money and in men. These forces take turns in doing that. The day Islam appears, the forces of infidelity would unite to challenge it, for the infidels are of one nation.

"O true believers, contract not an intimate friendship with any besides yourselves: they will not fail to corrupt you. They wish for that which may cause you to perish: their hatred hath already appeared from out of their mouths; but what their breasts conceal is yet more inveterate. We have already shown you signs of their ill will towards you, if ye understand." (The Family of Imran - verse 118 ).

It is not in vain that the verse is ended with Allah's words "if ye understand."

Our Attitudes Towards:

A. Islamic Movements:
Article Twenty-Three:

The Islamic Resistance Movement views other Islamic movements with respect and appreciation. If it were at variance with them on one point or opinion, it is in agreement with them on other points and understandings. It considers these movements, if they reveal good intentions and dedication to Allah, that they fall into the category of those who are trying hard since they act within the Islamic circle. Each active person has his share.

The Islamic Resistance Movement considers all these movements as a fund for itself. It prays to Allah for guidance and directions for all and it spares no effort to keep the banner of unity raised, ever striving for its realisation in accordance with the Koran and the Prophet's directives.

"And cleave all of you unto the covenant of Allah, and depart not from it, and remember the favour of Allah towards you: since ye were enemies, and he reconciled your hearts, and ye became companions and brethren by his favour: and ye were on the brink of a pit of fire, and he delivered you thence. Allah declareth unto you his signs, that ye may be directed." (The Family of Imran - Verse 102).

Article Twenty-Four:

The Islamic Resistance Movement does not allow slandering or speaking ill of individuals or groups, for the believer does not indulge in such malpractices. It is necessary to differentiate between this behaviour and the stands taken by certain individuals and groups. Whenever those stands are erroneous, the Islamic Resistance Movement preserves the right to expound the error and to warn against it. It will strive to show the right path and to judge the case in question with objectivity. Wise conduct is indeed the target of the believer who follows it wherever he discerns it.

"Allah loveth not the speaking ill of anyone in public, unless he who is injured call for assistance; and Allah heareth and knoweth: whether ye publish a good action, or conceal it, or forgive evil, verily Allah is gracious and powerful." (Women - verses 147-148 ).

B. Nationalist Movements in the Palestinian Arena:
Article Twenty-Five:

The Islamic Resistance Movement respects these movements and appreciates their circumstances and the conditions surrounding and affecting them. It encourages them as long as they do not give their allegiance to the Communist East or the Crusading West. It confirms to all those who are integrated in it, or sympathetic towards it, that the Islamic Resistance Movement is a fighting movement that has a moral and enlightened look of life and the way it should cooperate with the other (movements). It detests opportunism and desires only the good of people, individuals and groups alike. It does not seek material gains, personal fame, nor does it look for a reward from others. It works with its own resources and whatever is at its disposal "and prepare for them whatever force you can", for the fulfilment of the duty, and the earning of Allah's favour. It has no other desire than that.

The Movement assures all the nationalist trends operating in the Palestinian arena for the liberation of Palestine, that it is there for their support and assistance. It will never be more than that, both in words and deeds, now and in the future. It is there to bring together and not to divide, to preserve and not to squander, to unify and not to throw asunder. It evaluates every good word, sincere effort and good offices. It closes the door in the face of side disagreements and does not lend an ear to rumours and slanders, while at the same time fully realising the right for self-defence.

Anything contrary or contradictory to these trends, is a lie disseminated by enemies or their lackeys for the purpose of sowing confusion, disrupting the ranks and occupy them with side issues.

"O true believers, if a wicked man come unto you with a tale, inquire strictly into the truth thereof; lest ye hurt people through ignorance, and afterwards repent of what ye have done." (The Inner Apartments - verse 6).

Article Twenty-Six:

In viewing the Palestinian nationalist movements that give allegiance neither to the East nor the West, in this positive way, the Islamic Resistance Movement does not refrain from discussing new situations on the regional or international levels where the Palestinian question is concerned. It does that in such an objective manner revealing the extent of how much it is in harmony or contradiction with the national interests in the light of the Islamic point of view.

C. The Palestinian Liberation Organization:
Article Twenty-Seven:

The Palestinian Liberation Organization is the closest to the heart of the Islamic Resistance Movement. It contains the father and the brother, the next of kin and the friend. The Moslem does not estrange himself from his father, brother, next of kin or friend. Our homeland is one, our situation is one, our fate is one and the enemy is a joint enemy to all of us.

Because of the situations surrounding the formation of the Organization, of the ideological confusion prevailing in the Arab world as a result of the ideological invasion under whose influence the Arab world has fallen since the defeat of the Crusaders and which was, and still is, intensified through orientalists, missionaries and imperialists, the Organization adopted the idea of the secular state. And that it how we view it.

Secularism completely contradicts religious ideology. Attitudes, conduct and decisions stem from ideologies.

That is why, with all our appreciation for The Palestinian Liberation Organization - and what it can develop into - and without belittling its role in the Arab-Israeli conflict, we are unable to exchange the present or future Islamic Palestine with the secular idea. The Islamic nature of Palestine is part of our religion and whoever takes his religion lightly is a loser.

"Who will be adverse to the religion of Abraham, but he whose mind is infatuated? (The Cow - verse 130).

The day The Palestinian Liberation Organization adopts Islam as its way of life, we will become its soldiers, and fuel for its fire that will burn the enemies.

Until such a day, and we pray to Allah that it will be soon, the Islamic Resistance Movement's stand towards the PLO is that of the son towards his father, the brother towards his brother, and the relative to relative, suffers his pain and supports him in confronting the enemies, wishing him to be wise and well-guided.

"Stand by your brother, for he who is brotherless is like the fighter who goes to battle without arms. One's cousin is the wing one flies with - could the bird fly without wings?"

D. Arab and Islamic Countries:
Article Twenty-Eight:

The Zionist invasion is a vicious invasion. It does not refrain from resorting to all methods, using all evil and contemptible ways to achieve its end. It relies greatly in its infiltration and espionage operations on the secret organizations it gave rise to, such as the Freemasons, The Rotary and Lions clubs, and other sabotage groups. All these organizations, whether secret or open, work in the interest of Zionism and according to its instructions. They aim at undermining societies, destroying values, corrupting consciences, deteriorating character and annihilating Islam. It is behind the drug trade and alcoholism in all its kinds so as to facilitate its control and expansion.

Arab countries surrounding Israel are asked to open their borders before the fighters from among the Arab and Islamic nations so that they could consolidate their efforts with those of their Moslem brethren in Palestine.

As for the other Arab and Islamic countries, they are asked to facilitate the movement of the fighters from and to it, and this is the least thing they could do.

We should not forget to remind every Moslem that when the Jews conquered the Holy City in 1967, they stood on the threshold of the Aqsa Mosque and proclaimed that "Mohammed is dead, and his descendants are all women."

Israel, Judaism and Jews challenge Islam and the Moslem people. "May the cowards never sleep."

E. Nationalist and Religious Groupings, Institutions, Intellectuals, The Arab and Islamic World:

The Islamic Resistance Movement hopes that all these groupings will side with it in all spheres, would support it, adopt its stand and solidify its activities and moves, work towards rallying support for it so that the Islamic people will be a base and a stay for it, supplying it with strategic depth an all human material and informative spheres, in time and in place. This should be done through the convening of solidarity conferences, the issuing of explanatory bulletins, favourable articles and booklets, enlightening the masses regarding the Palestinian issue, clarifying what confronts it and the conspiracies woven around it. They should mobilize the Islamic nations, ideologically, educationally and culturally, so that these peoples would be equipped to perform their role in the decisive battle of liberation, just as they did when they vanquished the Crusaders and the Tatars and saved human civilization. Indeed, that is not difficult for Allah.

"Allah hath written, Verily I will prevail, and my apostles: for Allah is strong and mighty." (The Dispute - verse 21).

Article Thirty:

Writers, intellectuals, media people, orators, educaters and teachers, and all the various sectors in the Arab and Islamic world - all of them are called upon to perform their role, and to fulfill their duty, because of the ferocity of the Zionist offensive and the Zionist influence in many countries exercised through financial and media control, as well as the consequences that all this lead to in the greater part of the world.

Jihad is not confined to the carrying of arms and the confrontation of the enemy. The effective word, the good article, the useful book, support and solidarity - together with the presence of sincere purpose for the hoisting of Allah's banner higher and higher - all these are elements of the Jihad for Allah's sake.

"Whosoever mobilises a fighter for the sake of Allah is himself a fighter. Whosoever supports the relatives of a fighter, he himself is a fighter." (related by al-Bukhari, Moslem, Abu-Dawood and al-Tarmadhi).

F. Followers of Other Religions: The Islamic Resistance Movement Is A Humanistic Movement:
Article Thirty-One:

The Islamic Resistance Movement is a humanistic movement. It takes care of human rights and is guided by Islamic tolerance when dealing with the followers of other religions. It does not antagonize anyone of them except if it is antagonized by it or stands in its way to hamper its moves and waste its efforts.

Under the wing of Islam, it is possible for the followers of the three religions - Islam, Christianity and Judaism - to coexist in peace and quiet with each other. Peace and quiet would not be possible except under the wing of Islam. Past and present history are the best witness to that.

It is the duty of the followers of other religions to stop disputing the sovereignty of Islam in this region, because the day these followers should take over there will be nothing but carnage, displacement and terror. Everyone of them is at variance with his fellow-religionists, not to speak about followers of other religionists. Past and present history are full of examples to prove this fact.

"They will not fight against you in a body, except in fenced towns, or from behind walls. Their strength in war among themselves is great: thou thinkest them to be united; but their hearts are divided. This, because they are people who do not understand." (The Emigration - verse 14).

Islam confers upon everyone his legitimate rights. Islam prevents the incursion on other people's rights. The Zionist Nazi activities against our people will not last for long. "For the state of injustice lasts but one day, while the state of justice lasts till Doomsday."

"As to those who have not borne arms against you on account of religion, nor turned you out of your dwellings, Allah forbiddeth you not to deal kindly with them, and to behave justly towards them; for Allah loveth those who act justly." (The Tried - verse 8 ).

The Attempt to Isolate the Palestinian People:
Article Thirty-Two:

World Zionism, together with imperialistic powers, try through a studied plan and an intelligent strategy to remove one Arab state after another from the circle of struggle against Zionism, in order to have it finally face the Palestinian people only. Egypt was, to a great extent, removed from the circle of the struggle, through the treacherous Camp David Agreement. They are trying to draw other Arab countries into similar agreements and to bring them outside the circle of struggle.

The Islamic Resistance Movement calls on Arab and Islamic nations to take up the line of serious and persevering action to prevent the success of this horrendous plan, to warn the people of the danger eminating from leaving the circle of struggle against Zionism. Today it is Palestine, tomorrow it will be one country or another. The Zionist plan is limitless. After Palestine, the Zionists aspire to expand from the Nile to the Euphrates. When they will have digested the region they overtook, they will aspire to further expansion, and so on. Their plan is embodied in the "Protocols of the Elders of Zion", and their present conduct is the best proof of what we are saying.

Leaving the circle of struggle with Zionism is high treason, and cursed be he who does that. "for whoso shall turn his back unto them on that day, unless he turneth aside to fight, or retreateth to another party of the faithful, shall draw on himself the indignation of Allah, and his abode shall be hell; an ill journey shall it be thither." (The Spoils - verse 16). There is no way out except by concentrating all powers and energies to face this Nazi, vicious Tatar invasion. The alternative is loss of one's country, the dispersion of citizens, the spread of vice on earth and the destruction of religious values. Let every person know that he is responsible before Allah, for "the doer of the slightest good deed is rewarded in like, and the does of the slightest evil deed is also rewarded in like."

The Islamic Resistance Movement consider itself to be the spearhead of the circle of struggle with world Zionism and a step on the road. The Movement adds its efforts to the efforts of all those who are active in the Palestinian arena. Arab and Islamic Peoples should augment by further steps on their part; Islamic groupings all over the Arab world should also do the same, since all of these are the best-equipped for the future role in the fight with the warmongering Jews.

"..and we have put enmity and hatred between them, until the day of resurrection. So often as they shall kindle a fire of war, Allah shall extinguish it; and they shall set their minds to act corruptly in the earth, but Allah loveth not the corrupt doers." (The Table - verse 64).

Article Thirty-Three:

The Islamic Resistance Movement, being based on the common coordinated and interdependent conceptions of the laws of the universe, and flowing in the stream of destiny in confronting and fighting the enemies in defence of the Moslems and Islamic civilization and sacred sites, the first among which is the Aqsa Mosque, urges the Arab and Islamic peoples, their governments, popular and official groupings, to fear Allah where their view of the Islamic Resistance Movement and their dealings with it are concerned. They should back and support it, as Allah wants them to, extending to it more and more funds till Allah's purpose is achieved when ranks will close up, fighters join other fighters and masses everywhere in the Islamic world will come forward in response to the call of duty while loudly proclaiming: Hail to Jihad. Their cry will reach the heavens and will go on being resounded until liberation is achieved, the invaders vanquished and Allah's victory comes about.

"And Allah will certainly assist him who shall be on his side: for Allah is strong and mighty." (The Pilgrimage - verse 40).

The Testimony of History

Across History in Confronting the Invaders:
Article Thirty-Four:

Palestine is the navel of the globe and the crossroad of the continents. Since the dawn of history, it has been the target of expansionists. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him salvation, had himself pointed to this fact in the noble Hadith in which he called on his honourable companion, Ma'adh ben-Jabal, saying: O Ma'ath, Allah throw open before you, when I am gone, Syria, from Al-Arish to the Euphrates. Its men, women and slaves will stay firmly there till the Day of Judgement. Whoever of you should choose one of the Syrian shores, or the Holy Land, he will be in constant struggle till the Day of Judgement."

Expansionists have more than once put their eye on Palestine which they attacked with their armies to fulfill their designs on it. Thus it was that the Crusaders came with their armies, bringing with them their creed and carrying their Cross. They were able to defeat the Moslems for a while, but the Moslems were able to retrieve the land only when they stood under the wing of their religious banner, united their word, hallowed the name of Allah and surged out fighting under the leadership of Salah ed-Din al-Ayyubi. They fought for almost twenty years and at the end the Crusaders were defeated and Palestine was liberated.

"Say unto those who believe not, Ye shall be overcome, and thrown together into hell; an unhappy couch it shall be." (The Family of Imran - verse 12).

This is the only way to liberate Palestine. There is no doubt about the testimony of history. It is one of the laws of the universe and one of the rules of existence. Nothing can overcome iron except iron. Their false futile creed can only be defeated by the righteous Islamic creed. A creed could not be fought except by a creed, and in the last analysis, victory is for the just, for justice is certainly victorious.

"Our word hath formerly been given unto our servants the apostles; that they should certainly be assisted against the infidels, and that our armies should surely be the conquerors." (Those Who Rank Themselves - verses 171-172).

Article Thirty-Five:

The Islamic Resistance Movement views seriously the defeat of the Crusaders at the hands of Salah ed-Din al-Ayyubi and the rescuing of Palestine from their hands, as well as the defeat of the Tatars at Ein Galot, breaking their power at the hands of Qataz and Al-Dhaher Bivers and saving the Arab world from the Tatar onslaught which aimed at the destruction of every meaning of human civilization. The Movement draws lessons and examples from all this. The present Zionist onslaught has also been preceded by Crusading raids from the West and other Tatar raids from the East. Just as the Moslems faced those raids and planned fighting and defeating them, they should be able to confront the Zionist invasion and defeat it. This is indeed no problem for the Almighty Allah, provided that the intentions are pure, the determination is true and that Moslems have benefited from past experiences, rid themselves of the effects of ideological invasion and followed the customs of their ancestors.

The Islamic Resistance Movement is Composed of Soldiers:
Article Thirty-Six:

While paving its way, the Islamic Resistance Movement, emphasizes time and again to all the sons of our people, to the Arab and Islamic nations, that it does not seek personal fame, material gain, or social prominence. It does not aim to compete against any one from among our people, or take his place. Nothing of the sort at all. It will not act against any of the sons of Moslems or those who are peaceful towards it from among non-Moslems, be they here or anywhere else. It will only serve as a support for all groupings and organizations operating against the Zionist enemy and its lackeys.

The Islamic Resistance Movement adopts Islam as its way of life. Islam is its creed and religion. Whoever takes Islam as his way of life, be it an organization, a grouping, a country or any other body, the Islamic Resistance Movement considers itself as their soldiers and nothing more.

We ask Allah to show us the right course, to make us an example to others and to judge between us and our people with truth. "O Lord, do thou judge between us and our nation with truth; for thou art the best judge." (Al Araf - Verse 89).

The last of our prayers will be praise to Allah, the Master of the Universe.[/COLOR]

The Ultimate Orwell


It has always fascinated me that one of the stereotypes and anti-semitic canards propagated is the supposed Jewish control, or pro-Israel bent of the news media.

If anyone has a chance to actually investigate the truth, they will discover just how false and ridiculous both those claims are. From this summers "photogate" stories of outright faked photos from the war against Hezbollah, to the "Pallywood" dramas played out on your screens so often.

[COLOR seagreen]{Note - for those that do not know - Pallywood is the name that has been given to the staged "atrocities" that Palestinians, and even Hezbollah this summer - think Tyre where bodies were brought in to make it look like Israel had bombed a residential apt. bldg.- film and then submit.

Most photographers in the middle east, particularly in the Arab countries, b/c of their antipathy to all that is Western, are natives of that country or region and not full time employees of the news services. The purchasing news agencies, Reuters, AP, etc. pay these "stringers" or free lancers, when they submit tape. Rarely are the tapes checked for accuracy, although as a result of what happened this summer in Lebanon, Reuters fired their photo editor.

The most extreme example of this "Pallywood" syndrome was the supposed murder of the little boy, Mohammed Durya, I believe was his purported name, filmed by Agence France and sent all over the world. It allegedly showed a little 12 year old boy, frightened, clutching to his father, caught in the crossfire of Palestinian terrorists and an Israeli Army outpost. It was this incident that was used by Yasser Arafat to start the second intifada.

Only later, was the raw footage seen in the West. When that was revealed it was shocking to say the least. What was discovered was that, in fact, the scene was WHOLLY staged. This was recently the subject of a lawsuit in France. A libel charge against the agency. The judge found that the tape was in fact a fiction but did not award damages because in the interest of diplomacy, Israel refused to participate in the proceeding, not wanting to "anger" the French.

There was no Israeli action going on, in fact the "actors" were not even facing the Israeli position. Men could be seen on the film indicating take one, two, etc. directing the actors, calling in ambulances at just the right moment, and most farcically injured "victims" jumping up to prep for the next "scene". There is still some debate over the fate of the boy and his father.

Most reliable reports indicate one of two things, either the father was killed by Palestinian bullets - there was a corpse eventually released to the Israelis and ballistics tests revealed the bullets were not IDF ordinance; or there was no one actually hurt. If you do a web search you will find the raw footage on line.}[/COLOR]

[COLOR blue]Most of the truths can be found through three wonderful organizations, MEMRI (Middle East Media Research Institute), Camera (committee for accuracy in middle east reporting in America) and Honest Reporting.[/COLOR]

Today I will however focus on one of the most obvious, and overlooked aspects of the anti-Israel bias in the world's press.

Whenever a bomb goes off in New York, London, Riyadh, Baghdad, Madrid, etc. It was set by a "terrorist".

Use of this word is so common that you may not have noticed that the world's media outlets do not describe those who detonate these devices in Israel as terrorists. They are called, instead, in the stories, "militants".

Even those who blow themselves up are no longer called suicide bombers. When reading the story you do not notice the difference as your eye scans the page, but like most of the "story" from the last 60 years it is a subtle and important change (e.g. do you even know what a "settlement" looks like - they look like any suburb in the US, not some bizarre outpost as portrayed in the Western Media;
or, what is the "West Bank" - isn't that the few yards off the edge of a river - in the case of Israel it is 2/3 the width of the entire country).

So, the ultimate absurdity was born out today. A story went across the AP wire of a plot that was stopped by the Israelis (another little reported fact, Israel stops literally hundreds of attacks every week, largely through good basic security - bag checks, etc.).

What makes the story of interest to the wire services is that the plotters were two brothers.

One of the brothers had emigrated to Israel and converted to Judaism. The other brother remained in the Palestinian territories and was a Muslim.

So the almost incredible, bizarre, black is white description of the two brothers who were equally complicit in the planning and attempted carrying out of the plot?

[SIZE 3]The brother that lived IN Israel, who converted to Judaism, was described in the AP story as a TERRORIST, the brother who did EXACTLY the same thing but lived in the territories was described as a MILITANT.[/SIZE]

[COLOR firebrick][B]WHO CONTROLS THE MEDIA?[/B][/COLOR]

How far we've come.

{ Warning this entry may shock those who have pigeon holed me based on earlier blog entries. While I am a true hawk with regard to foreign policy, I am a social liberal. My political heritage lies in a school of American politics that seems to have died some time ago. It's roots can be traced through former Wisconsin Senator Henry "Scoop" Jackson, or NY Senator Jacob Javits. Jackson, a democrat, and Javits, a Republican, were very similar, domestically liberal, foreign policy conservative (labels I despise, btw).}

With today's announcement by Hilary Clinton that she is forming her "exploratory committee" America, and American politics have truly entered a new era.

In addition to the fact that both Hilary and Barack Obama announced their intentions via web broadcasts, which indicates a sea change...

You now have a major party whose two leading candidates are an African American and a woman.

And there is NO discussion that this is particularly unexpected, much less offensive. This is perhaps the most significant aspect their respective announcements.

While it is my feeling that Obama is totally unqualified to be President, he is, nevertheless, a serious candidate. (Hard for me to say as we are both Columbia grads!!) Six years in the state legislature and 2 years in the US Senate do not make for the qualifications or training to be President - in my opinion. In addition, I think there are questions that have gone unanswered as to his early education in a Pakistani Madrassa (Islamic school).

But he is a fresh voice, unquestionably intelligent who can bring a different set of views and experiences to the discussion.

Hilary is a difficult figure. Most, even those who support her, actually know very little about her and her past.

It is my feeling that she may be one of the MOST qualified individuals to run for President in some time. I have no idea if I will support her.

What I mean is that she unquestionably has the experience and background to run. After graduating from Yale Law School, she became a counsel on the House Watergate committee and has remained involved since.

For those who are not NY'ers, she has conducted herself very effectively as a Senator. Again, not discussing her from a political stand point, but as they say in politics, she has "done the work". Taking time to find out the issues of the state,and working for it. In addition, she has not responded in knee jerk fashion to the extremists in her party. For example, when the Democrats shamelessly abandoned Joseph Lieberman in neighboring Ct. she toed the party line, without supporting the unqualified democrat nominee Ned Lamont.

Unfortunately, it is my early sense, that if Obama remains in the race as a significant candidate, Hilary and he may open the door for John Edwards to win the nomination. He has strength in most of the early caucus and primary states which can give his candidacy a boost.

So, stop and think for a moment how far we've come... Most importantly, get out and vote whenever you have the chance.

Egypt: Ally or Enemy?: A conversation with a friend.

What follows is an exchange that I have had with Cockeyedoptmist on my blog. It got so lengthy that it turned into what I was planning as a post anyway.

As a quick primer:

Under the Camp David Accords signed by Israel, Egypt and the US, under President Carter with Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat as the signatories certain guarantees were made to both the Egyptians and Israelis.

Let me either paint the picture, or remind those old enough to be around at the time.

After the UN declared the separation of the British mandate of Palestine into Jewish and Arab territories, the surrounding Arabs declared war and issued there immediate intention to never accept it.

The US became the first country to recognize the Jewish state, but because of the Arab refusal to accept the partition plan, there was no opportunity to recognize an Arab state.

There was then a state of war between Israel and Egypt until the signing of the Camp David Accords in 1979.

Unbeknownst to most Americans now, there was no active support of Israel by the US until the 1973 Yom Kippur war.

During the '50's and 60's, the US was not interested in expanding the cold war actively to the Middle East so there was political support in places like the UN, but no economic or military aid of any real kind.

That is why, during the six day way in 1967 the Jets that the IAF (Israeli Air Force)used were French Mirage's.

Of course, the cold war was very serious at this time and Gamel Nasser, the leader of Egypt and proponent of what was called Pan -Arabism (uniting all Arab nations as one kingdom) was a puppet of the Soviets. He went to the USSR for aid and military equipment to compete against the Israelis.

After the Six day war and the '73 Yom Kippur war, the US saw the necessity of combating Soviet hegemony by helping Israel militarily.

After the defeat in '67 and '73, Anwar Sadat, who had taken control after Nasser was defeated in '67, saw that the Soviets were not the answer. SO he began making overtures to the US.

We, obviously, had been trying to expand our influence for some time. As a result of the agreement, Egypt receives almost dollar for dollar the same aid as Israel at about a 90% rate.

This brought Sadat out of the Soviet sphere and gave us (the US) an additional inroad in the Middle East.

Of course, the danger in Egypt is the large extremely radical Wahhabist movement. The Muslim Brotherhood, the granddaddy of all current Islamic terrorist organizations,is from Egypt and was responsible for the assassination of Sadat and is the breeding grounds of much of the leadership of AL Qaeda and Mohammed Atta.

To go to Cockeyed's blog - click here [blog cockeyedoptmist]

Here is the exchange:

Cockeyedoptimist:

[COLOR blue]In my not-very-well-informed opinion, Israel has suffered badly as a consequence of the extremely poor leadership that it has had since Ehud Barak's Prime Ministership was sabotaged by Ariel Sharon, and that the growing strength and international influence Al Fatah and Hamas would not have occurred had Israel been better served by its leadership.

Prior to Barak's few short years, Israel endured several years under Benjamin Netanyahu, a man who had sucked up to the most extreme elements in Israel and did much to alienate international support for Israel. I have always thought that Netanyahu's career benefited greatly and undeservedly from the regard that Israei's have for the memory of his revered brother, Colonel Yonatan "Yoni" Netanyahu.

Israel's failure to defeat Hezbollah last year in southern Lebanon probably gave a great deal of comfort to militants in Palestine and I would expect that whatever encouragement they derived from that failure will manifest itself in increased aggression from Hamas over the next few months regardless of how many twists Bush and Condi put in the "road map".

I agree with you that no one should be taken in by Mahmoud Abbas' apparent readiness to engage in the peace process. His objective and the organization that he leads is dedicated to the elimination of the state of Israel and its people.

[/COLOR]
[COLOR darkred]Gedalia3 replies on 1/16/2007 11:54 pm:
Cockeyed,
welcome back. This could be years of writing, but to take the easiest first. Of course Bibi benefited from Yoni's memory. That has always been the general feeling. However do not underestimate his intelligence and political acumen.

As to sucking up to the extreme elements, what is going on now is of a different scale altogether. Olmert is Bibi without the political skill or core beliefs, but is sucking up every minority extremist he can.

I won't get into too much about him here, he is most likely to be reelected soon.
However, as finance minister it is generally considered that he did an outstanding job. I imagine you have your own opinion on this as an economist.

I hate to get into the war (I was there) but that is also a very complex issue, not the least of which is Olmert's foolish effort not to "anger" the world and go in full bore initially. The failure of the intelligence and reserve corps has led to massive shakeups in the IDF as you may know.

As to Barak, I don't know how much time you spend there, or if you are aware of the "facts on the ground" in Israel proper but it is also generally understood that Barak was an unmitigated disaster for Israel. He has even recanted all the offers he had put on the table for Clinton.

On a very micro level to give you an idea of how much Barak sacrificed of the essential Israel.

At Taba, Arafat claimed that the subterranean mosques under Al Aqsa posed a fire hazard and that he wanted to widen the door ways.

Barak took Arafat at his face and gave permission without the ability to supervise (as you know Jews are religiously forbidden from excavating under the Temple Mount). What Arafat really planned to do was build new prayer areas.

One day, dumpsters filled with tons of dirt and important archaeological artifacts were discovered at the base of Mt. Scopus.

So much earth had been removed that the Southern wall of the Mount began to bow out. Arafat was so obstinate he would not even let the Israelis try to repair it so a team of Americans and Jordanians were brought in.

That is why you have seen scaffolding on the South Eastern corner of the mount for the last decade.

That, in a microcosm is the way Barak is remembered.

As to Hamas. I don't believe they will be as successful as you do. What is overlooked in the Palestinian elections is that Fatah actually achieved a majority of the popular vote but they actually had dozens of instances where there were 2 Fatah candidates running against one Hamas. Thus the Hamas candidate would receive a large minority vote and win the election. I believe the totals were approx. 56%-44%.

In addition, what the "average" Palestinian (a term I do not believe in which you will understand if you have read the previous posts carefully)is seeing is that now that Hamas is in power, they are not providing what is most needed. Simple daily governance. i.e. power, water, mail delivery, etc.

I don't underestimate them, but we will see.

Actually, I have postulated for many years that the two greatest threats to Israel are Egypt and Iran.

Israelis do not generally consider the Palestinians a serious threat to their existence b/c they feel they can defeat them.

They are, however convinced to a 100% certainty that Ahmadinejad intends to try and wipe them off the map with a nuclear blast.

They are trying frantically to figure out what to do about that.

[/COLOR]

[COLOR blue]Quoting cockeyedoptmist: I agree with you in regard to Iran, but why do regard Egypt as a threat?[/COLOR]

[COLOR darkred]Lofty,

2 principle reasons.

First, the population in Egypt is perhaps the most fundamental and radical in the region. Because it has been viciously suppressed going back to Sadat, we, in the West are ignorant of this fact.
Remember, it was the Muslim Brotherhood, born in Egypt, that murdered Sadat for his role in MidEast peace, and provided Al Qaeda second in command. In addition to being the original raining ground and model for most of the current terrorists.

Mubarak has no real succession plan and there is likely to be great upheaval when he dies (he is in his 80's and could go at any time). Although he has given indications that he wants his son to succeed him, he has not elucidated it.

This is combined with the fact of the Egyptian army. Egypt receives the second most foreign aid in the world from the US. It has principally been used to build the largest, most modern army in the region. ANother fact we here ignore because they have not engaged in saber rattling.

However, the training of this army is, and it's no secret, designed specifically with the tactics of overrunning Israel.

When you combine these two facts and the border they share.... do the math.

The Egyptians, as part of the disengagement plan in Gaza were supposed to patrol what is known as the Philadelphia corridor on the Sinai side of Gaza. They have been allowing, even promoting the free flow of arms into Gaza making it the world's largest terrorist camp. This is in addition to the incredible drug trade that exists along the Israeli Egyptian border. Israel has to patrol the desert regions because huge volumes of drugs come in so that, in free Israel they begin their disbursement through the world.

My great fear is at Mubarak's death you will have a revolution similar to that in Iran, with the backing of the army. There will be nothing we in the US, and certainly Israel, could do to oppose it.[/COLOR]
[COLOR blue]

cockeyedoptimist

Righto...I take your points regarding Mubarak's succession and share your concern that extremist elements will use the opportunity of his death to make a grab for control, but how realistic is their potential to achieve success?

The use of the Egyptian border as a conduit for the traffic in drugs, arms, and people, is a problem that we in the rest of the world rarely hear about.

Israel's comprehensive victories over Egypt in several regional wars where traditional military forces were engaged against one another suggests to me that, regardless of how well armed the Egyptians may be, you overestimate their capacity to engage Israeli forces and win.

I was unaware that Egypt had received so much military aid from the USA. It defies logic, but so much of US foreign policy does.[/COLOR]

[COLOR darkred]
Gedalia3 replies on 1/17/2007 8:13 pm:
Lofty,

Taking the easiest first. The border on the Egyptian side of the Gaza strip is known as the "Philadelphia Corridor". It has been the source of virtually all of the issues in Gaza since 1967. What is of course another of the little known facts in the West is that during the Camp David accords, Israel literally begged the Egyptians to take Gaza back when they were returning the Sinai. Egypt steadfastly refused.

I am not sure if you hear the news stories in Australia about Israel discovering tunnels where smuggling is going on, but these are ALL in this area. The Gazans do not tunnel into Israel, it is not necessary. The city in Israel that has received at least one Qassam EVERY DAY FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS is no more than 250 or 300 meters from the Palestinian town across the highway in Gaza.

SO tunneling on that side of the border serves no purpose. In the unilateral withdrawal agreement, Israel tried to get the Egyptians to agree to let them continue to patrol this "Philadelphia Corridor". The Egyptians steadfastly refused. This was the single point that made most Israelis wary, if not against, the withdrawal plan. SO, the Egyptians wink at the tunneling and the arms arrive on the beach and take a very short trip to this zone (this is of course one of the reasons the Israeli's have resisted reopening the airport in Gaza.

The current aid situation is a result of Jimmy Carter's Camp David Accords. It was the bribe we paid to bring Egypt out of the Soviet sphere of influence.

The aid levels are set specifically to parallel aid to Egypt with aid to Israel. These are all public documents and can be seen readily if you have the patience to read the appropriations bills and the US budget.

With regard to Israels prior military victories, they are largely irrelevant today. If you recall, the principal advantage the Israelis held was surprise, in 1967. In 1973, the principal enemy was Syria, not Egypt. That would be very difficult to achieve with today's technology.

Ironically, if you go to Egypt you will see monuments in Cairo to the "victory" in the Yom Kippur war in 1973. When I saw these I actually got confused and asked my guide what victory they celebrated. Of course when she told me, I refrained from comment.

Remember that instead of flying Migs and shooting Kalashnikovs, the Egyptians are now using American technology as virtually the totality of this aid is military.

The one advantage that the Israeli's MAY have is this: as you may know when the US sells military equipment we "dumb it down". i.e. in today s computer driven world, the software associated with many weapons systems is perhaps more important than the hardware.

The difference is that the Israeli's have, almost universally, improved on the original American software. Without giving too many examples, most of the current cell phone technology that we use is Israeli. GPS locaters, etc.

What is never advertised regarding American military cooperation with Israel is this exchange of information technology. The improvements the Israeli's make are passed back to us. These have ranged from the software technology mentioned above to improved tracking systems on tanks. (the world's most famous tank museum is located in Let run scene of a famous tank battle).

As to the potential for extremists to succeed in Egypt - it is very possible, perhaps even likely. The key, is of course, the military. The Egyptians have been successful in exporting their extremism, besides what I have mentioned above, think Mohamed Atta.

Remember too, that they successfully assassinated Sadat (the Muslim Brotherhood) and have grown exponentially since then.

There are two critical issues going on in Egypt that are unknown to most in the West:

First, Sadat and now Mubarak have viciously and violently suppressed the extremist elements in Egypt for decades. But of course, without trials, or any judicial process. Simply elimination. But, as in the rest of the Muslim world, this "Islamofascist" element (to paraphrase Daniel Pipes) has continue to grow.

The second, and what affects Israel directly is that there is almost unbelievable state sponsored anti-semitism.

Again, we don't hear about it here in the States. To us there is peace. It is a cold peace however. There is still no diplomatic exchanges between the nations. Only rarely, and then on the highest levels.

You know, as I do, that real relations are born in the bureaucratic messes that come from daily interactions like, passports, cultural exchanges, etc. This has never happened. (Ironically it has happened with Jordan, the country that rightfully should be homeland to the Sunni Arabs known as Palestinians.)

What does happen is no different than what happens in the rest of the Arab world, a daily drumbeat against Israel (and the rest of the west btw). In fact, as I have mentioned before, Egyptian STATE television last year ran a 24 part series dramatizing the infamous forgery, "The PRotocols of the Elders of Zion" with ALL of the old stereotypes. It was broadcast not a satiric farce, but as an historic examination of the "Jewish Problem".

While this is another post, modern anti-semitism simply substitutes "Israel" for Jew. So, the "zionist occupier",. the "evil zionist", the Israeli Apartheid regime" you name it. It is constant.[/COLOR]

[COLOR blue]Cockeyedoptimist:
You structure your argument very convincingly mate.

I wonder if any man did more to push the old Protocols fraud than Henry Ford?

Your point that antisemitism has adapted to and exploited the current situation is well made. While my country has a record of being a safe haven for Jewish refugees and a strong supporter of Israel ( note the contributions by Evatt and Hawke particularly), anti-semitism is alive and growing here...some of the more vocal muslim spokesmen and leaders of the Muslim community here have finally attracted attention under our legislation aimed at combating racial ethnic and religious villification and there is popular support for their prosecution, though it is unlikely given the political influence that the small muslim community has here.[/COLOR]
[COLOR darkred]
:
Lofty,

I don't know the numbers but it is fascinating that there is a perception of Jewish "control" of media, etc. The Muslim world is by numbers at least 100 times the size of the Jewish world (roughly 12 million Jews worldwide to more than a Billion Muslims) and the large and growing Muslim populations throughout Europe. France in particular is suffering form this, even causing the chief Rabbi of France to advise Jews to not wear yarmulkes, etc in public for fear of reprisals.

Even here in the States there is a concept of the "Israel Lobby". Just the term itself is antisemitic as it implies some undue Jewish influence. DOes anyone really think that any "Jewish" or "Israeli money" is ANY match for the petro dollars of the Arab world.

It is one of the reasons why academic institutions in the states are so biased. You see on every major campus (all the Ivy League, etc) with schools of Middle Eastern studies FULLY funded by various Arab regimes, usually the Saudis or Dubai.[/COLOR]

Who's Confused? The truth of Fatah

Mahmoud Abbas, current head of the Palestinian Authority and head of Al Fatah (Fateh), the movement begun by Yasser Arafat, recently celebrated the anniversary of the founding of the movement. Fatah, as you know was the head of the PLO for four decades and now shares power with it's more militant ( or as I believe simply more honest) brother Hamas.

Abbas is Arafat's educated twin. Despite the painting of him as a "moderate" by some in the US and other Western powers, his moderation is only in comparison to the lunatics of Hamas and Hezbollah.

Abbas wrote his doctoral thesis claiming that the Holocaust was a myth. He attended the Soviet Union's School for Third World Leaders and to this day espouses the rhetoric of the now dead communist dictatorship.

What makes Abbas more dangerous than Arafat is that he is educated, and literate.

In his recent speech celebrated this anniversary he chose many obscure Arabic verb forms obscuring what he said.

However, what is important to note is first, the date of the anniversary.

Of course, you say, the Palestinians are resisting a so called Israeli occupation, right?

So, this occurred as a result of the Six Day War from June of 1967. Correct?

Well not exactly. The anniversary being celebrated was the 42nd. OK, do the math. That's right 1965. Technically the party was formed in 1964 but the anniversary corresponds not to THAT date, but to the date OF THEIR FIRST TERRORIST ATTACK, on Israel's national water carrier on January 1, 1965. Hm, two years before the supposed key date of the 6 day war. Perhaps it is not the '67 borders that are the concern, but the very presence of Israel in the region.

Now, remember, at that time the "West Bank" was "occupied" by Jordan and the Gaza strip was "occupied" by Egypt.

So why attack Israel?

Well here is a quote from Abbas:

"Since our launching to this day, we have believed in principles which we shall not relinquish. From the dawn of our beginning we have said 'Let a thousand flowers bloom and let our rifles, all our rifles, all our rifles, be aimed at the Occupation.' And we will keep the oath, the renewed
national unity, for everyone who cares for the sake of the homeland and in the path of the homeland," declared Abbas.

Again, it is important to remember that when he talks about the occupation form the beginning of the organization he is talking about ALL OF ISRAEL NOT THE 1967 BORDERS.

It is this simple fact that the West refuses to acknowledge. The phrase "From the River to the Sea" referring to the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean, i.e. Israel, will be Arab someday.

Rather than make the argument I will simply quote the Al Fatah COnstitution directly.

[COLOR crimson]CHAPTER ONE

[B]Principles... Goals.... Methods

The Movement's Essential Principles[/B]

Article (1) Palestine is part of the Arab World, and the Palestinian people are part of the Arab Nation, and their struggle is part of its struggle.

Article (2) The Palestinian people have an independent identity. They are the sole authority that decides their own destiny, and they have complete sovereignty on all their lands.

Article (3) The Palestinian Revolution plays a leading role in liberating Palestine.

Article (4) The Palestinian struggle is part and parcel of the world-wide struggle against Zionism, colonialism and international imperialism.

Article (5) Liberating Palestine is a national obligation which necessities the materialistic and human support of the Arab Nation.

Article (6) UN projects, accords and reso, or those of any individual which undermine the Palestinian people's right in their homeland are illegal and rejected.

Article (7) The Zionist Movement is racial, colonial and aggressive in ideology, goals, organisation and method.

Article (8 ) The Israeli existence in Palestine is a Zionist invasion with a colonial expansive base, and it is a natural ally to colonialism and international imperialism.

Article (9) Liberating Palestine and protecting its holy places is an Arab, religious and human obligation.

Article (10) Palestinian National Liberation Movement, "FATEH", is an independent national revolutionary movement representing the revolutionary vanguard of the Palestinian people.

Article (11) The crowds which participate in the revolution and liberation are the proprietors of the Palestinian land.

[B]Goals[/B]

Article (12) Complete liberation of Palestine, and eradication of Zionist economic, political, military and cultural existence.

Article (13) Establishing an independent democratic state with complete sovereignty on all Palestinian lands, and Jerusalem is its capital city, and protecting the citizens' legal and equal rights without any racial or religious discrimination.

Article (14) Setting up a progressive society that warrants people's rights and their public freedom.

Article (15) Active participation in achieving the Arab Nation's goals in liberation and building an independent, progressive and united Arab society.

Article (16) Backing up all oppressed people in their struggle for liberation and self-determination in order to build a just, international peace.

[B]Method[/B]

Article (17) Armed public revolution is the inevitable method to liberating Palestine.

Article (18 ) Entire dependence on the Palestinian people which is the pedestal forefront and on the Arab Nation as a partner in the fight, and realising actual interaction between the Arab Nation and the Palestinian people by involving the Arab people in the fight through a united Arab front.

Article (19) Armed struggle is a strategy and not a tactic, and the Palestinian Arab People's armed revolution is a decisive factor in the liberation fight and in uprooting the Zionist existence, and this struggle will not cease unless the Zionist state is demolished and Palestine is completely liberated.

Article (20) Achieving mutual understanding with all the national forces participating in the armed struggle to attain the national unity.

Article (21) Revealing the revolutionary nature of the Palestinian identity at the international level, and this does not contradict the everlasting unity between the Arab Nation and the Palestinian people.

Article (22) Opposing any political solution offered as an alternative to demolishing the Zionist occupation in Palestine, as well as any project intended to liquidate the Palestinian case or impose any international mandate on its people.

Article (23) Maintaining relations with Arab countries with the objective of developing the positive aspects in their attitudes with the proviso that the armed struggle is not negatively affected.

Article (24) Maintaining relations with all liberal forces supporting our just struggle in order to resist together Zionism and imperialism.

Article (25) Convincing concerned countries in the world to prevent Jewish immigration to Palestine as a method of solving the problem.

Article (26) Avoiding attempts to exploit the Palestinian case in any Arab or international problems and considering the case above all contentions.

Article (27) "FATEH" does not interfere with local Arab affairs and hence, does not tolerate such interference or obstructing its struggle by any party. [/COLOR]

I hope you will read this [B][U]VERY[/U][/B] carefully.

Note in particular in chapter one, articles 4, 7, 8, 12, 19, 22 and 24. These make clear that the goal is the [B][U]ERADICATION of ISRAEL[/U][/B]. Not a "two state solution" as promulgated by Western leaders.

In addition, note in Article 25 the prevention of Jewish emigration to the area.

This is the constitution as it exists now.

Is it any wonder why Israeli's say they have no one to negotiate with.

This is one of those convenient truths that Jimmy Carter forgets to include in his writings - as part of the Oslo accords Arafat agreed to remove these portions.

For the three decades since it has been insisted that additional legislation passed which pay lip service to an Israeli existence did, in fact do this. But he steadfastly refused, as has Abbas, to remove these portions.

In a future post, I will outline the Hamas charter, but believe me it is FAR worse, and far more belligerent and offensive.

So, what does a nation do in regard to an entity whose very existence is based on the promulgation of it's destruction?

Perhaps now we have a better understanding of the two mindsets. Even in the face of these writings, Israel has continued to negotiate, give back land, etc.

The truth is always enlightening isn't it?

Friday, January 26, 2007

An Inconvenient History

If you have had the oppportunity to read my earlier post on refugees, you have seen, perhaps for the first time, mentioned very briefly, the story of Jewish refugees from Arab and Persian Lands.

During what the world calls the War for Independence, what the Arabs call "Al Nachba" - the tragedy, approximately 300,000 Palestinian Arabs were asked by the invading Arab armies to leave their homes.

How do we know this - well it is one of the inconvenient truths that the lack of Arabic in the west would have us forget - most of the major Arabic language newspapers printed these stories, and the Arabic radio stations (yes we have tapes of these broadcasts) broadcast entreaties.

The reason was simple. There were, at the time, only a few hundred thousand Jews fighting for Israel, with rifles, molatov cocktails and sticks and stones, against the coalition of Arab armies, Jordan, Syria, Egypt, etc with several million. The Arabs could only envision overrunning the new country and did not want any Arabs mistakenly hurt as they planned to raize the country. Those Arabs who left were promised that after the "glorious victory" their homes would be rebuilt, better than before.

At the same time, the thriving Jewish communities throughout the Arab world suffered terrible pogroms and the Jews throughout the Middle East fled to Israel, approximately 450,000, never to return home as Judaism was then outlawed (even before Jews lived under the Dhimmi laws a kind of second class citizenship, a remnant from the Ottoman empire).

Most sorrowful, perhaps, was the Jewish community in Iraq. For those who don't know, many believe that Iraq was the site of the Garden of Eden, and archaeological evidence indicates that many of the oldest known civilizations that have been excavated, were there.

In fact, when the US Army Corps of Engineers began their work in Iraq retrieving unexpoloded ordinance, one shell had pierced several layers below a building. Inside the Engineers found some of the oldest religious artifacts ever discovered.

These are still being carbon dated, many were ruined, but estimates have put them at over 5000 years old.

What follows is an incredibly touching piece written by the Rabbi of the US Army's famed 101st Airborne - E-Z Company, famous from HBO's "Band of Brothers".



[B][COLOR blue]Jewish Chaplain Rabbi Hubert from the 2nd Brigade of the 101st Airmobile Division provides some very interesting insights about the U.S. mission in Iraq.[/COLOR][/B]

[B][COLOR royalblue]"Climbing over the rotting garbage, I realized I was the first Jew to enter this holy place in over 50 years. I am writing to you from Nineveh, the city of the prophet Jonah. Its present name is Mosul. I have had the privilege of seeing its ancient walls, of touching its stones, of going to the grave. Islamic tradition says is the prophet Jonah's. There is a mosque at the site; but hundreds of years ago, the Iraqis we work with tell me, it was a synagogue. They tell me the reason the site is so sacred is because of the sacredness in which the Jews held it. Presently, there are no signs of this ancient synagogue.

I am the rabbi of the 101st Airborne Division, the division Steven Spielberg immortalised in his epic "Band of Brothers". We, the soldiers of the 101st Airborne, fought our way up from the south, from Kuwait . The battle took us past Ur , the city where Abraham was born. We maintained contact with the enemy, passed the site of the great talmudic academies of Sura and Pumpaditya, to the city of Babylon, where the prophet Daniel was taken. There we engaged the Nebuchadnezzar Iraqi Armored Division and beat them. We continued the battle to Baghdad, where so many Jews lived and were massacred in the summer of 1948. It was the city of so many of our sages, including the Ben Ish Chai.

Now we are in Mosul. I ask about the Jews who lived here, and very few remember them. Many say Jews never lived here, but my heart tells me different. The old ones tell me there was a Jewish quarter, a synagogue, study halls, and a cemetery.

One day, while searching the streets of the ancient city, I came across a building missing half of it's roof. The site was a garbage dump and the building's interior was three-quarters full of rotting garbage, faeces and sewage. I had to crouch down low to get inside as the doorway was almost completely buried. As I entered light came through the half-open roof and I could just make out writing engraved on the walls. It was Hebrew. It was then that I knew had stumbled into the ancient synagogue of the city of Mosul-Nineveh. My heart broke as I climbed over the garbage piles that filled the room where, for hundreds of years, the prayers of Jews had reached the heavens.

I realized I was probably the first Jew to enter this holy place in over 50 years. Over three-and-a half meters of garbage filled the main sanctuary and what appeared to be the women's section. I could barely make it out because of the filth, but there was Hebrew writing on the walls.

Many Iraqis congregated around me, wanting to know what I was doing. My translator said that the American army was interested in old archaeological sites of all kinds. I asked them if they knew what this place was, and they all said in an instant: It was the house where the Jews prayed.

They told me that the houses in the streets surrounding the synagogue had been filled with Jews. They took me to the children's yeshiva, a marbled edifice that no longer had a roof, only walls and half-rooms. There was a vagrant family living there and when I asked them what this place was, they said it was a Jewish school for children.

As I walked through the quarter I was shown the grave of the prophet Daniel, once a synagogue. I saw that many of the doorposts had an engraving of the Lion of Judah on the top. I felt the presence of our people, of their daily lives as merchants, teachers, rabbis, doctors, and tailors.

Tears came to my eyes, but I had to hold them back lest I put myself and the soldier with me in a dangerous situation. I had to pretend that I was only mildly interested in what they were showing me.

I have no answers. I only have great sadness, pain, and loneliness. Since then I have gone back to the Jewish quarter of old Mosul with members of my congregation, Jewish soldiers of the 101st:
infantrymen, artillerymen, medics, pilots, lawyers, doctors, all proud to be Jewish and serving their country. Together we have found five more synagogues, more yeshivot and many Jewish homes. They have all come away profoundly affected by what they saw. They are saddened, but yet proud to be connected to such an ancient and rich tradition in this historic city of Nineveh .

I searched the ancient city near other cemeteries in hope of finding the Jewish cemetery. I found a Christian cemetery and a British War cemetery situated next to each other. The British War cemetery is now used as a soccer field. The cemetery was marked as a war memorial cemetery and the dates were for World War I and World War II. There was a marker in the cemetery written in English and Sanskrit, dedicated to the Hindu and Sikh soldiers of Her Majesty's Army who died while serving. Another one, written in English and Arabic, was dedicated to the Muhammadan soldiers in Her Majesty's Army who died while serving, and a third marker had nothing on it.

These markers were over seven meters high. The third marker could have had a dedication, but
if so it had been destroyed or removed. Scattered all through the cemetery were fragments of tombstones, some with a few words of English, some with a cross on them. Outside these three markers there were no standing tombstones anywhere, only broken fragments scattered in corners. The cemetery was surrounded by a 1.5-meter wall and an entrance gate. About half a meter inside the cemetery, barely showing through the surface, was a fragment my assistant, Specialist William Rodriguez, discovered. By working with me over these last few months he has learned to recognize Hebrew letters. As we dug it out we noticed it had both Hebrew and English on it. I was so excited to see it, yet so sad. There are many possible explanations, but the one I think most plausible is that it was the grave marker of a British soldier, a young man by the name of Zev. The British Army had contacted the local Jewish community to have a stone engraver put Hebrew on the stone along with the English. It was their way of honouring and respecting their fallen comrade.

If this explanation is true then this cemetery contains those of the Hindu, Sikh, Islamic, Christian, and Jewish faiths, all soldiers who died in the service of their country. The obvious question: Is death the only way these great faiths can coexist in peace? We would hope not. I have not yet discovered the ancient Jewish cemetery of the Jews of Mosul-Nineveh. My instincts tell me it is nearby, but in the last 60 years it has probably been desecrated and obliterated. One native I talked to told me that a major highway had been built through it. I will continue to search as my military mission allows me. I have taken Zev's marker and reburied it in the cemetery. I have said kaddish for him and for all the other Jewish souls that may be buried here.

There is a great history to be written here, a great opportunity to recover the lost narrative of our people, the Sephardim of Iraq. My prayer and hope is that when the gates finally open for scholars the remnants of our people will still be here for historians to recover.

If this chapter of history is erased, it will never be recovered again. I pray that those with more
resources, more connections, and more wisdom than I will be able to add to these pages of our great
history. I am only thankful that God has given me a small part in it. May the memories of our brothers and sisters - hakahal hakadosh d'Nineveh - the holy community of Nineveh - never be forgotten."[/COLOR][/B]