Posted on 11/30/2004 12:49:03 PM PST by yonif
Findings of the Investigation regarding the incident of the Palestinian playing a violin at a checkpoint near Nablus Soldiers did not ask the Palestinian to play the violin.
"Mahsom Watch" confirm soldiers' version of the event.
This morning, November 30, 2004, an investigation was conducted by the head of the central command, Maj. Gen. Moshe Kaplinski, regarding the documented incident at the Beit Iba checkpoint, in which a Palestinian man is shown playing a violin. The investigation found that the Palestinian arrived at the checkpoint and was asked by the soldiers to open the violin case. The Palestinian opened the case and started to play the violin of his own volition. Several moments later, the Palestinian was asked by the Liaison officer to stop playing.
The investigation was based on testimony of the soldiers who were at the checkpoint at the time of the incident, footage filmed by the women of "Mahsom Watch" and a letter written by the women of "Mahsom Watch" which supports the soldiers' testimony, pointing out that the Palestinians was not asked to play the violin.
The Liaison officer who checked the Palestinian has been performing his duties professionally over a long period of time. His commanding officers and the Palestinians with whom he works have often praised his work.
The investigation was conducted a week after the incident occurred, since the IDF wished to conduct a thorough investigation which would include all relevant testimony.
The GOC Central Command accepted the findings of the investigation conducted by the brigade, which notes that the incident appears to show lack of sensitivity, but in fact there was no intention to dishonor or disrespect the Palestinian.
IDF activity at checkpoints is complex and difficult, and it poses numerous dilemmas for all personnel involved. The checkpoints are a necessity for security, and are designed to prevent terrorists, weapons and ammunition from entering Israel. The checkpoints have been proven effective on numerous occasions, especially the ones around Nablus.
IDF soldiers come in contact with the Palestinian population on a daily basis, and any contact with this civilian population raises complex dilemmas for those conducting the check, the checkpoint commander, and IDF forces. The challenge is for the IDF to carry out thorough checks in the interest of Israel's security, while preserving the Palestinians' dignity.
The IDF sees the operational investigations at the territorial command level as vital, especially for incidents which include moral issues. The IDF will continue carrying out all security operations necessary to providing the citizens of Israel with security. These activities include operations in crossings that are designed to prevent terror attacks within the State of Israel.
Notice the steel door with the hole to open possible bomb laden bags through.
This check point is there for a reason.
I thought the picture didn't go with the tall tale...
OH, NOOOOOOOO!!! Clinton's legacy strikes again!
What did that bunch of skirts do at a military checkpoint anyway? They, and any civilians for that matter, shouldn't be allowed to the checkpoint in the first place.
< the Palestinian was asked by the Liaison officer to stop playing >
I've been playing for 21 months. I get asked that a lot too.
When I heard the original report of this incident, I was reminded of my uncle, a violinist who played with the Budapest Radio Philharmonic after WW2. He was in a concentration camp for several years, but survived due to his musical ability. The Nazis enjoyed music and treated the musicians somewhat better than the rest - for their own amusement.
I interpreted the article as an attempt to portray the IDF as no better than the Nazis who forced the musician inmates to play for their survival.
This was nothing but a cleverly staged hit-piece IMO.
No the damage was done initially by left-wing self-loathing "Jews" in Israel itself, who brought this to the attention of the global media. Israel is a demented society. I am amazed it has survived this long.
That reminds me of an old joke I use on occasion to crack up my Bluegrass musician pals.
Goes like this;
A man approaches an airport terminal gate carrying a banjo case.
The guard at the baggage check line tells him, "Hold it right there Pal."
The man stops as instructed and asks what the problem is.
The guard asks him to place the banjo case carefully on the table between them.
The man does this and again asks what the problem is.
The guard's only reply is, "Ok, now open that thing very slowly." apprehensively stepping back a couple of feet from the case.
The man does as he is told and approaches the case, unlatches the locks aand slowly begins to open it.
The guard watches this action intently and then asks the man, "Would you please remove the contents."
The man does as instructed and pulls out of the case an automatic machine gun and holds it up.
The guard, looking relieved, steps forward with a smile on his face and says, "Whew! for a minute I thought you had a banjo in there!"
"...who brought this to the attention of the global media..."
And who was it that was in place with a video camera? Was it someone who understood the symbolism (look, the Jews are no better than the nazi's) and how this incident would be perceived in Europe?
The organization with the film, etc. is a radical leftwing organization which always tries to make Israel's military at the checkpoint look in bad light.
Thanks. The entire incident looked like a set-up from the beginning. This 'radical left wing organization' would appear to know the history of the concentration camp orchestras. To anyone who understands the link, this photo-op was less than subtle.
This should give you more info: http://www.womeningreen.org/machsomreport.doc
Not all that long ago, I recall an incident reported about a flight where several Middle Eastern men flashed signals, got up and returned from their seats in sequence to the restroom, carrying certain articles and returning without them. Many passengers & flight crew were ready to jump these 'musicians' as they stated themselves to be later, during interrogation. I would say the Pali set himself up for it.
So, the IDF at the checkpoints remind them of german soldiers, do they? Obviously no one told them what herr hitler did to the marxists and the bolsheviks...thanks for the link, I read it all, it's heartbreaking.
Funny! ('cept that it's all too close to the truth.)
Those with the camera were Jewish "mothers" of suicide bombing victims who have reacted to their loss by retreating into disgusting cowardice and appeasement, unlike other Israeli mother groups who rightly urge their leaders to smash Arab terrorists.
"Those with the camera were Jewish "mothers" of suicide bombing victims who have reacted to their loss by retreating into disgusting cowardice and appeasement..."
Alternatively, they are being used by the left whose purpose they serve only too well; who understand that grief turned to hatred is a powerful instrument.
Useful idiots comes to mind.
But Clinton did NOT HAVE SAX with that woman.
I once was asked to play the bagpipes on a street corner in Pittsburgh - by an Irish policeman.
But that's another story . . . . :-D
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