Israel vs bin Laden in information war

The Jerusalem Post ^ | October, 10 2001 | By Herb Keinon

[Phil V.]

Israel vs bin Laden in information war

---

By Herb Keinon

October, 10 2001

---

JERUSALEM (October 10) - With Osama bin Laden blaming Israel for his attacks on America, and a Newsweek poll showing a majority of Americans believes terror against America has to do with its close ties with Israel, the Foreign Ministry has begun an information campaign to disabuse people of this notion.

"We are in a difficult position," one Foreign Ministry official said. "On the one hand we want to keep a low profile. On the other hand, we don't want it to be so low that we don't counter attempts to link us to bin Laden's attacks."

The official described this linkage as "very dangerous."

A Foreign Ministry team on Monday set up three working groups to deal with the US operation in Afghanistan: the first will coordinate diplomatic policy toward the US, the second will chart the country's information campaign during the crisis, and the third will liaison with Diaspora communities.

In its attempt to show there is no linkage between the attacks on New York and Washington and Israel, the ministry has drawn up a number of talking points for representatives abroad. In addition, it is in the process of sending a number of prominent Israelis abroad to give briefings on why there is no linkage between bin Laden's attacks and US ties to Israel.

The talking points distributed to Israeli delegations abroad include instructions not to bring up the linkage issue, but to be prepared with answers if it comes up in the local media. The talking points include the following:

* The attacks on the US were not the result of any specific US policy, but rather because of what the US represents. The attacks are part of the war that fundamentalist, undemocratic forces have declared on the enlightened, democratic world.

* The 1991 Gulf War was an ideological turning point for these movements, when the US stationed forces in Islam's "holy of holies" - Saudi Arabia.

A number of years later bin Laden published various religious edicts against the US, saying that the US was defiling the place where the Prophet Muhammad lived.

* Bin Laden has been behind a number of terrorist actions in Moslem states. His basic goal is to replace secular Moslem regimes with regimes based on Islamic law - all of which has no connection at all with Israel.

* Bin Laden told the Italian newspaper La Republica in August 1998 that the "International Islamic Front declares that the war has begun." The preparation for the recent attacks in the US started no later than June 2000, before the Camp David summits, when negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians were going strong - which shows that the attacks were divorced from any connection to the Israeli-Palestinian diplomatic process.

* Attempts to show "understanding" for terror must be utterly rejected, and dismissed as attempts to "justify the unjustifiable." Those who show an "understanding" for terror are justifying and encouraging it.

[Phil V.]

So, applying your formula to today's situation --

It is not my formula. I borrowed this quotation (approximate) from Abraham Lincoln.

[Big_Time_Clymer's_Anonymous]

With Arafat who continues to promotes these goals to his people - justice equals DESTRUCTION

Your replacement for Arafat is____________________?

[Star Traveler]

It is not my formula. I borrowed this quotation (approximate) from Abraham Lincoln.

Well, I always knew I liked Lincoln. Good show..., we'll use the formula.

[Star Traveler]

Your replacement for Arafat is____________________?

You didn't go far enough down the list. Note the last one --

• With all who are left - "malice toward none"

After all those evil ones are destroyed -- anyone will do. Then "malice toward none." We will have just ones left, who will live in peace. Destroy the evil and the good comes afterwards.

[veronica]

Your endless use of the phrase "Final Solution" about Israel is offensive and shows where you are coming from.

[Phil V.]

Your endless use of the phrase "Final Solution" about Israel is offensive and shows where you are coming from.

The "Final Solution" as it was implemented by the Germans was an abomination.

The "Final Solution" as it is proposed by some within this forum IS an abomination.

We cannot change history. We DO have a responsibility NOT TO REPEAT IT.

You, veronica, have a responsibility to yourself, this forum and the world to READ what the Messianic Zionists, the end times Christians and all the other cheerleaders of Armageddon are spreading. (The End is here! LET'S ROLL! Nuke 'em! Exterminate the towel heads)

My disgust with "Final solution" applies EQUALLY to the past, present, and future.

[Thumper1960]

* The 1991 Gulf War was an ideological turning point for these movements, when the US stationed forces in Islam's "holy of holies" - Saudi Arabia.

Hmmmmmmmmmm......

Muslims have been in the "Holiest of Holies", Jerusalem, for centuries. Of course, God first spoke to Abraham in the Middle East and launched the seed of all great monotheistic religions. So, by that rule all non-Jews/Hebrews are defiling the Holy Land. Israel, the successor to the original Hebrew kingdoms, is justified in a scorched earth policy to rid the Holy Land of any non-Jews/Hebrews.

Capish?

[Phil V.]

So, by that rule all non-Jews/Hebrews are defiling the 
Holy Land. Israel, the successor to the original 
Hebrew kingdoms, is justified in a scorched earth 
policy to rid the Holy Land of any non-Jews/Hebrews.


Capish?

---

No, I'm not sure that I do understand. Are you saying that the "Jews/Hebrews" have a special dispensation to commit genocide?

I think that you are saying exactly that. And that kind of hate speech plays right into the "Evil Doers" hands.

[Thumper1960]

If you will recall your Bible, God tells the Jews to enter Canaan and kill everyone. To take the land that God has given them. Sort of sounds like God, thousands of years ago, told the Jews that the Holy Land is their own.

OK, so accuse God of hate speech. It's your eternity.

[Phil V.]

Sort of sounds like God, thousands of years ago, told the Jews that the Holy Land is their own.

Sort of sounds like Jew's/Christian's interpretation of Islam today.

[Phil V.]

But of course you understand that these kinds of fundamentalist interpretations applied to Middle East questions today have ABSOLUTELY NO CONNECTION TO TERRORISM WHATSOEVER.

[Thumper1960]

Oh, of course not. None whatsoever. No connection, no relevance.

[Thumper1960]

So?

It seems that turn-around would be fair game.

[onyx]

I just love Herb Keinon, and try to listen to all his interviews! Thanks for posting this. Sorry to read that you're anti-Israel. I support (and love) Israel and I'm Roman Catholic.

[Phil V.]

Sorry to read that you're anti-Israel.

I am sorry that I have inadvertantly given you the impression that my argument with Israeli policy equals a dislike for Israel or that I am "anti-Israel".

I suppose that it is in no small way a measure of our times that one can argue against American policy and still be a good American, but one cannot argue against Israeli policy and be a friend of Israel.

Sad.

[onyx]

Thanks for your reply. I apologize for reading you wrong.

[jmp702]

It's too late Phil. The propagandists have the rules down pat.

Honest critique and debate regarding any subject, save USA middle east foreign policy, is permissable.

Just remember. The louder and more baseless the attacks are, the closer to the truth you have come. (Of course there will also be gangland style lobbying for your permanent banishment)

Now, lay off Britian, you anti-wasp bigot...:)

[Phil V.]

Just digging around in the archives . . . soooo much has passed . . . looking for benchmarks . . .