Posted on 07/24/2006 1:50:26 PM PDT by Alouette
Palestinians are calling for a general strike in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip to protest US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's visit to the region scheduled for later this week, accusing Washington of backing Israel's military campaigns against Hamas and Hizbullah.
Leaflets distributed in the West Bank and Gaza by representatives of several Palestinian factions called for a "day of rage" [a euphemism for violent protests] against Rice's visit. The groups also called on Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to refrain from meeting with Rice.
"We reject Rice's visit to the Middle East and we will expose its real goals," read the leaflets, signed by the National and Islamic Forces in Palestine. "This visit comes in the wake of Israel's US-backed comprehensive aggression against the Palestinians and Lebanese."
The factions accused Israel of waging a war of "genocide" against the Palestinians and Lebanese after receiving a green light from the US administration. They also strongly condemned the US for vetoing a United Nations Security Council resolution that would have condemned Israel for its offensive operations in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories.
The Popular Resistance Committees, an alliance of armed organizations, including Hamas and Fatah, called on Abbas to boycott Rice, saying she was planning to hold separate talks about the situations in Lebanon and in the Palestinian territories.
In a statement issued in the Gaza Strip, the committees claimed that Rice was "plotting" behind the scenes "to isolate Lebanon from Palestine."
The US, the statement continued, wanted to calm the situation in the PA territories to give Israel time to crush Hizbullah.
"We call on President Mahmoud Abbas to respect the feelings of the Palestinian people and to refrain from meeting with Rice and succumbing to her arrogant dictates that will only bring our people more humiliation and suffering," the committees said.
Osama al-Mazini, a Hamas political leader, said Rice's visit was designed to help Israel following its "defeat" in the PA territories and Lebanon.
"The Americans are 120 percent biased in favor of Israel," he said. "That's why Rice is coming to save Israel from defeat and humiliation. The US always intervenes when Israel is in trouble."
Islamic Jihad leader Khaled al-Batsh said the main purpose behind Rice's visit was to ensure the continued support of certain Arab governments for the US. "She's also coming here to provide Israel with political and moral support after the severe blows it suffered at the hands of Hizbullah in Lebanon," he said.
Palestinian political analysts and commentators also lashed out at the US for supporting Israel.
Columnist Imad Afaneh said the US was hoping to punish Syria and Iran through the IDF offensive in Lebanon.
"The Americans want to teach Iran and Syria a lesson for using Hizbullah to undermine US influence in the Middle East," he said. "The Americans and the Israelis are also hoping to defeat the Palestinians by waging a war on Hizbullah in Lebanon.
"The Americans want a new Middle East devoid of jihad, resistance, liberation, martyrdom, retaliation and dignity. These are all terms that disturb the Americans.
"They want to see a Middle East full of Arab presidents, monarchs and princes who serve as slaves for their American masters," Afaneh said.
Abdel Bari Atwan, editor-in-chief of the London-based Al-Quds daily, said Rice wanted a new Middle East without Hamas and Hizbullah, where the Arabs would normalize their relations with Israel and form a joint front against Iran.
"The Americans' problem is that they have never learned from their past mistakes," he said. "They are continuing to rely on the same corrupt and weak horses in the Middle East."
Release the soldier and everyone goes home. It's that simple.
Did we use up all the Napalm before we decided to quit using it? If we have any surplus around, maybe the Israelis would be interested in taking it off our hands...
No cease fire yet.
several Palestinian factions called for a "day of rage"
It would only be news if they ever called for a "day of peace"
Let 'em seethe. Then send in the bombers.
Can I use that for my tagline. It is so true.
bttt lol
And these underachievers can't figure out why they are on the inside looking out...
"The Americans want a new Middle East devoid of jihad, resistance, liberation, martyrdom, retaliation and dignity. These are all terms that disturb the Americans.
"They want to see a Middle East full of Arab presidents, monarchs and princes who serve as slaves for their American masters," Afaneh said.
Works for me...
A day of rage...as opposed to WHAT?!
"The factions accused Israel of waging a war of "genocide" against the Palestinians and Lebanese after receiving a green light from the US administration."
Hmmm.. Let's see how this one flies:
"The Israelis accused Hezbollah and Hamas of waging a war of "genocide" against the Jews and Israelis after receiving a green light from Iran and Syria"
Much better.
Impeccable placement of that photo.
I think they should scream and yell and do the UlaUlaUlaUlaUlaUla thing and burn down their houses, stores, government buildings, etc to show just how outraged they are......
Hehehehehehehehe
"...calling for a general strike..."
That's strange. Didn't know these people ever worked. Oh, yes, forgot, they occasionally tear down greenhouses, and jog in the streets with signs. Might be refreshing for them to go on strike.
For the Palestinians, I thought every day was a day of rage. "Jhad, jhad, jhad!" These are, truly, the stupidest people on Earth.
Wow! I'm glad they cleared that up for me.
I thought EVERYDAY was a "day of rage" for them.
Day of Rage my backside.The only people who should be enraged are the American people who keep this terrorist scum alive.Our Tax dollars are providing the food that allows them to use every waking hour to think of new ways to maim and kill innocent people,our own included.
My hero!
They are demented, rabid , jihad critters..
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