Head of Hamas offered a truce Jan. 6
By murderistic
@murderistic (2278)
United States
January 9, 2009 3:10pm CST
"This river of blood is being shed under lies and false pretexts. For six months we in Hamas observed the ceasefire. Israel broke it repeatedly from the start. Israel was required to open crossings to Gaza, and extend the truce to the West Bank. It proceeded to tighten its deadly siege of Gaza, repeatedly cutting electricity and water supplies. The collective punishment did not halt, but accelerated - as did the assassinations and killings. Thirty Gazans were killed by Israeli fire and hundreds of patients died as a direct effect of the siege during the so-called ceasefire. Israel enjoyed a period of calm. Our people did not.
When this broken truce neared its end, we expressed our readiness for a new comprehensive truce in return for lifting the blockade and opening all Gaza border crossings, including Rafah. Our calls fell on deaf ears. Yet still we would be willing to begin a new truce on these terms following the complete withdrawal of the invading forces from Gaza."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jan/06/gaza-israel-hamas
Your thoughts on this truce agreement? Is it really too much to ask for Israel to end their blockade of Gaza and extend the truce to illegally-occupied West Bank in exchange for the ceasefire and "quiet" that they want so bad? I have said this many times but I really do believe that a diplomatic solution like this one is the only way to truly protect Israeli soil. Hamas and other Islamic militants have made it clear that as long as the oppression continues, they will not stop fighting, meanwhile support for Hamas is escalating worldwide as a direct result of the war on Gaza and the rockets still continue despite over 750 deaths in 2 weeks. I think it would at least be in Israel's interest to try this truce as long as a ceasefire is sustained.
1 person likes this
4 responses
@urbandekay (18278)
•
9 Jan 09
This is just blatant propaganda. The answer is for neighbouring Arab countries to open their borders and give their own a new home.
all the best urban
2 people like this
@murderistic (2278)
• United States
9 Jan 09
So basically you don't think that Palestine has the right to exist (in the present borders of the West Bank and Gaza)?
1 person likes this
@urbandekay (18278)
•
9 Jan 09
Don't try and put words in my mouth, there is clearly a problem in the area and the best solution is the one I describe above. No matter what Israel does, the Arabs will demand more and keep up their aggression till Israel is obliterated.
all the best urban
2 people like this
@urbandekay (18278)
•
9 Jan 09
And as I explained to you previously, Palestine is a name given to the area by us when we captured it off the Ottomans
all the best urban
2 people like this
@irishidid (8688)
• United States
10 Jan 09
I don't see a long lived truce coming from either side and the US needs to get out of it. This conflict has been going on since Hagar and Ishmael were cast out into the desert.
2 people like this
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
9 Jan 09
Are you freaking kidding me?
"Khalid Mish'al is the head of the Hamas political bureau"
You are giving us an opinion piece written by the head of the Hamas political bureau and you think we're going to take this seriously? Should I now give you an article written by the prime minister of Israel? Oh well. Enjoy your Israel bashing. Perhaps you can post some articles by Ahmadinijead as well.
1 person likes this
@murderistic (2278)
• United States
9 Jan 09
Taskr, Hamas is the government of Gaza. Gaza is in a war with Israel right now. The head of the governments "opinion" is important in the conflict and in finding some sort of resolution. Israel encouraged Hamas supporters in battling the Fatah and then pushed for a free election after they removed their settlements in Gaza. I did not bash Israel in this thread, in fact calling on Israel for their war crimes and seeking a solution is not "bashing" in my opinion, it's standing up for peace and social justice.
The point of this discussion was to ask your opinion on the leader of Gaza's demands for a truce. I am asking if you think it is too much to ask. No need to lash out on me.
2 people like this
@LovesTravel (303)
• United States
10 Jan 09
Interesting, a continuation of what has become a steady stream of accusations against Israel--and this time based on utterances provided by the head of Hamas.
You might note that the only country in the contemporary Middle East to willingly cede back territory to a former enemy is Israel. Israel has repeatedly demonstrated its willingness to negotiate and to act in good faith. Hamas has not. Hamas is a terrorist organization bent on the total and utter destruction of the State of Israel--and of Jews in general. Really, what is there to negotiate from a starting point like that?
1 person likes this
@murderistic (2278)
• United States
10 Jan 09
I merely posted what he wrote and asked for your thoughts on the matter of a truce on this basis. I didn't say that I agree with everything that he has said. And yet you continue to try to make me seem like I'm against Israel. Guess what? I'm not against Israel. I am against oppression and I am against terrorism. I also would like to stop terrorism by Hamas. But it's not going to happen through war and oppression. Right now Israel is looking like it's bent on the total and utter destruction of Gaza. Yet you justify massive killings and a blockade inflicting poverty on the Palestinian people by the fact that Israel has repeatedly demonstrated it's willingness to negotiate and act in good faith. Well, it's certainly not doing that now.
