Just wait there, Leila. The IDF will be stopping by with a 'gift' very soon.

~~~RRRRRING~~~ ~~~RRRRRING~~~

She, most likely, has signed her on death warrant.

Stupid bitch.

Enough is enough! Forget the "coalition (from Hell)" and let Israel do what she needs to do. Good grief, if this were our leaders that were being systematically threatened and picked off, would we listen to anyone who called for restraint? We should tell Israel it is okay to take the vermin out and we will stand by her no matter who doesn't like it. Let's pray Powell steps down or his counsel is of no avail to President Bush. The appease the P.A. route is his baby and his alone.

A Palestinian Madame DeFarge.

This is good news politically. The PLO has now put publicly allied itself with the Taliban. That frees Israel and the US to move against and destroy the PLO.

Don't forget that the PFLP is a Syrian based group. Israel will have to attack one of the Coalition members!

Well, Damascus is due for a good obliteration (according to the book of Isaiah I believe)

Hi American in Israel

I can usually get a decent debate from you.This is my take on the conflict

Which ever way you look at it Israel is caught between a rock and a hard place.

The more radical Islamic terrorist groups will only be happy with the complete destruction of Israel, but they have neither the resources manpower or equipment or the organisation to achieve that aim.

All they can do is to continue to hit Israel, and derail any peace process.

While they do not have the resources to hurt Israel badly or destroy Israel there are Arab countries which can, Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Iran and so on.

There are a number of reasons why these countries have not created an anti Israel coalition to destroy Israel, the three main are the strength of the Israel Military, Israeli's Nuclear deterrent and probably most important America.

America is a major force in the Middle East, diplomatically, Economically and Military, she is keeping Egypt onside and Iraq contained.

But the American presence has an Achilles heel, her continued presence relies on the support of the pro Western Arab states, chief amongst them is Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Osama Bin Laden is an opportunist but he tapped into that growing resentment amongst the Arab population that sees America supporting Israel, which is seen as a oppressor of the Palestinians. I am not talking about reality but what is perceived as reality amongst a very important host population.

By continuing this war, and encouraging the Israeli Military to strike back at Palestinian civilians the more radical Islamic groups hope to create an environment that will either lead to the overthrow of the moderate Arab governments, or at least create a situation is which they have to choose between America and there own population.

If America is pushed out of the Middle East how long before the moderate Arab states are replaced by hard-line governments.

Which ever way you look at it, it looks as if Israel is in for a very bloody time.

The Israel Government , including Sharon recognises that the longer this conflict drags on the more chance there is of creating an anti Israeli Coalition.

The problem is ending the War, the use of the Military will not eliminate the problem, it will push the terrorist further away from Israel proper, but could speed up the collapse of the American house of cards policy.

Arafat is the key everyone recognises that, the Americans, my country, even Israel. Yes Arafat was/is a terrorist but he is also a pragmatic rather than an ideologue, he wants his own state.

Israel wants him to control the radical Islamic movement, but he is incapable of doing that. If this was poker his hand is too weak, Israel still has a very strong hand, but the radical Islamises are playing their hand only until there are new players. Israel needs to stack the deck in Arafat’s favour so that he can eliminate the Islamises, who in the end are as much a threat to him as to Israel, they will eliminate him at the right time.

While Israel is still strong, while Arafat is still in charge even if only as a figurehead with a weak grasp on the Palestinian security apparatus, while America and Britain are still in the picture, now is the time for Israel to come out of the box and think long term strategy and not short term tactically.

I have a couple of ideas , but I want to see what you think first.

Tony

Leila Khaled, infamous for her hijacking of an El Al flight in the 1970s

Wait a moment, sumfin ain't right heah....

I thought El Al hasn't had any hijacking incidents since 1968? Whats up?

Attempted hijacking, maybe.

Or maybe she hijacked a plane headed to Israel that was not an El-Al plane.

Looks like more of the Clinton Legacy. This from Monday January 1, 2001 Guardian Unlimited-
Edward Heath was pushed by the US into exchanging the iconic Palestinian guerrilla fighter Leila Khaled for dozens of western hostages after the world's most spectacular multiple aircraft hijacking in September 1970.

Khaled was at the centre of a crisis sparked by the seizure of five civilian airliners by the radical Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

The PFLP blew up three of the aircraft for the television cameras at a disused RAF airstrip in the Jordanian desert, and 56 US and European passengers were used to bargain for the release of seven Palestinian prisoners in Britain, Germany and Switzerland.

One was Khaled, who had been handed over to the British authorities at Heathrow after an attempt to commandeer an El Al flight was foiled and her fellow hijacker, Patrick Arguello, a Nicaraguan, was shot dead by Israeli guards.

The decision to trade Khaled three weeks later was criticised by the Tory right and defended by Heath supporters on the grounds that prosecution might have failed because of a lack of evidence that the hijack attempt took place over British soil.

But the state papers show that Heath told the cabinet less than three days after her capture that he had "acquiesced in a US proposal authorising the Red Cross to offer the release of Leila Khaled, together with the terrorists held by the Swiss and German authorities, in exchange for the hostages and aircraft held at Dawson's Field".

Heath's personal file - which occupies more than 50 pages of cabinet minutes - includes a letter written by Khaled, from Ealing police station in west London, to her mother, describing her routine and promising to "return soon".

She was treated well,"as if I were an official state guest", she wrote, adding: "I do not worry about myself... The only thing that grieves and hurts me today is that I am not now carrying arms and am not sharing with my people in the battle."

Khaled, who later became a member of the Palestinian parliament and now lives in Amman, was referring to the war then erupting in Jordan between King Hussein's army and the increasingly powerful Palestinian resistance.

In a confidential annex, an astonished Heath told his cabinet that King Hussein had appealed through Britain's ambassador in Amman "for an air strike by Israel". In discussion with the ambassador, King Hussein described Colonel Muammar Gadafy, president of Libya, as a "nutcase" and the Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat as a "criminal".

Middle East Terrorist Incidents (1968-1973)

INCIDENT NO. 1
23 July 1968 El Al plane hijacked Plane forced to 2 Palestinians, Freed on flight from land at Algiers. 1 Syrian. quickly. Rome to Lod. 21 Israel i and 11 Apprehended by crew members Algerian detained for five authorities. weeks.

INCIDENT NO. 2
26 December 1968 Gunfire attack on 1 Israeli passenger 2 Palestinians. Freed after the El Al plane at killed; I stewardess Sentenced to Olympic Airways Athens airport. wounded. 17 and 14 years hijacking in July imprisonment 1970 (see Incident respectively.

INCIDENT NO. 3
18 February 1969 Gunfire attack on Co-pilot killed; 5 Palestinians. 1 woman freed El Al plane at pilot wounded. 1 killed and 4 quickly. Zurich airport. arrested. 3 men freed after 1 (a woman) freed the Zerqa affair in quickly; the three September 1970 men sentenced imprisonment with hard labour.

INCIDENT NO. 18
6 September 1970 Attempt to hijack Abortive, but 2 members of Leila Khaled freed El Al plane from 1 El Al steward Popular Front for after the Zerqa Amsterdam to wounded. Of the the Liberation of affair (see Incident New York. hijackers, 1 killed Palestine (PFLP). No. 19 below). and Leila Khaled wounded.

Looks like more of the Clinton Legacy. This from Monday January 1, 2001 Guardian Unlimited-
Edward Heath was pushed by the US into exchanging the iconic Palestinian guerrilla fighter Leila Khaled for dozens of western hostages after the world's most spectacular multiple aircraft hijacking in September 1970.

Khaled was at the centre of a crisis sparked by the seizure of five civilian airliners by the radical Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

The PFLP blew up three of the aircraft for the television cameras at a disused RAF airstrip in the Jordanian desert, and 56 US and European passengers were used to bargain for the release of seven Palestinian prisoners in Britain, Germany and Switzerland.

One was Khaled, who had been handed over to the British authorities at Heathrow after an attempt to commandeer an El Al flight was foiled and her fellow hijacker, Patrick Arguello, a Nicaraguan, was shot dead by Israeli guards.

The decision to trade Khaled three weeks later was criticised by the Tory right and defended by Heath supporters on the grounds that prosecution might have failed because of a lack of evidence that the hijack attempt took place over British soil.

But the state papers show that Heath told the cabinet less than three days after her capture that he had "acquiesced in a US proposal authorising the Red Cross to offer the release of Leila Khaled, together with the terrorists held by the Swiss and German authorities, in exchange for the hostages and aircraft held at Dawson's Field".

Heath's personal file - which occupies more than 50 pages of cabinet minutes - includes a letter written by Khaled, from Ealing police station in west London, to her mother, describing her routine and promising to "return soon".

She was treated well,"as if I were an official state guest", she wrote, adding: "I do not worry about myself... The only thing that grieves and hurts me today is that I am not now carrying arms and am not sharing with my people in the battle."

Khaled, who later became a member of the Palestinian parliament and now lives in Amman, was referring to the war then erupting in Jordan between King Hussein's army and the increasingly powerful Palestinian resistance.

In a confidential annex, an astonished Heath told his cabinet that King Hussein had appealed through Britain's ambassador in Amman "for an air strike by Israel". In discussion with the ambassador, King Hussein described Colonel Muammar Gadafy, president of Libya, as a "nutcase" and the Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat as a "criminal".

Sorry for the double-post. I got kicked offline and didn't think the first one made it through. Should have checked.

Hey Tony, We have a hell of a mess over there don't we. We need to turn Israel loose on the Palestinians, there will never be peace as long as AraFart & his ilk are running the show. If nothing else we have learned here recently that Arabs only understand one thing, Military force & killing. It's sad but that's the way it is. Don't you worry any about the ol' USA these colors never run or hide, we kick ass and thank god were finally making these bastards pay. Israel falls in the same category, if the Arabs want to pick a fight, Israel will end it. We live in interesting times, albeit violent times.

This is my take on the conflict

Which ever way you look at it Israel is caught between a rock and a hard place.

The more radical Islamic terrorist groups will only be happy with the complete destruction of Israel, but they have neither the resources manpower or equipment or the organisation to achieve that aim.

All they can do is to continue to hit Israel, and derail any peace process.

While they do not have the resources to hurt Israel badly or destroy Israel there are Arab countries which can, Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Iran and so on.

There are a number of reasons why these countries have not created an anti Israel coalition to destroy Israel, the three main are the strength of the Israel Military, Israeli's Nuclear deterrent and probably most important America.

America is a major force in the Middle East, diplomatically, Economically and Military, she is keeping Egypt onside and Iraq contained.

But the American presence has an Achilles heel, her continued presence relies on the support of the pro Western Arab states, chief amongst them is Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Osama Bin Laden is an opportunist but he tapped into that growing resentment amongst the Arab population that sees America supporting Israel, which is seen as a oppressor of the Palestinians. I am not talking about reality but what is perceived as reality amongst a very important host population.

By continuing this war, and encouraging the Israeli Military to strike back at Palestinian civilians the more radical Islamic groups hope to create an environment that will either lead to the overthrow of the moderate Arab governments, or at least create a situation is which they have to choose between America and there own population.

If America is pushed out of the Middle East how long before the moderate Arab states are replaced by hard-line governments.

Which ever way you look at it, it looks as if Israel is in for a very bloody time.

The Israel Government , including Sharon recognises that the longer this conflict drags on the more chance there is of creating an anti Israeli Coalition.

The problem is ending the War, the use of the Military will not eliminate the problem, it will push the terrorist further away from Israel proper, but could speed up the collapse of the American house of cards policy.

Arafat is the key everyone recognises that, the Americans, my country, even Israel. Yes Arafat was/is a terrorist but he is also a pragmatic rather than an ideologue, he wants his own state.

Israel wants him to control the radical Islamic movement, but he is incapable of doing that. If this was poker his hand is too weak, Israel still has a very strong hand, but the radical Islamises are playing their hand only until there are new players. Israel needs to stack the deck in Arafat’s favour so that he can eliminate the Islamises, who in the end are as much a threat to him as to Israel, they will eliminate him at the right time.

While Israel is still strong, while Arafat is still in charge even if only as a figurehead with a weak grasp on the Palestinian security apparatus, while America and Britain are still in the picture, now is the time for Israel to come out of the box and think long term strategy and not short term tactically.

Tony

Looks like she is holding an Egyptian Maadi or possibly a Russian AK by the laminated wood, not the Bulgarians that the Palis used to get. Oh well, I digress...

Sorry did an old paste wrong reply to you, my fault sorry.

Tony