Obama's New Envoy, Mitchell, Asked to Talk to Ordinary People in Gaza

Middle East Envoy George Mitchell, photo uploaded on Flickr by mashget

Even though Israel did not allow journalists into Gaza during the recent incursion, the world was watching. Bloggers were posting photos of women and children murdered, schools blown to smitereens, and mayhem in the blood drenched streets.

Child in Gaza awaiting medical treatment, photo uploaded on Flickr by pink turtle 2

The video uploaded on YouTube of the doctor who called the Israeli journalist when his house was attacked put a human face on this war. It allowed people from around the world to see that Palestinians are ordinary people. Not all are extremists with a mission to destroy Israel.

Dr. Abuelaish lost three daughters and a niece asks why, photo uploaded by mashget

This incursion undoubtedly boosted extremists inside Gaza and in the rest of the Arab world. Extreme behavior in any situation is usually born out of feelings of injustice or unfair treatment.

In order to stop the extremists, we must openly discuss why they are angry. It is time to open up dialogue between both sides without fear of being labeled an anti-Semite.

Obama's new order to stop the all powerful stranglehold lobbyists have had on how government is run is an excellent beginning. AIPAC has always had a hold on decision making concerning the question of Palestine. Now, without their influence, maybe, just maybe, we will see real dialogue and possible diplomatic solution to this conflict.

Young woman protests in Paris to end war in Gaza, photo uploaded on Flickr by looking 4 poetry

And again, instead of being labeled an anti-Semite, we will be viewed as people or a government with a genuine concern for fair and just treatment for all people.

George Mitchell negotiated peace in Northern Ireland. Moreover, he worked with the Clinton Administration on issues concerning Palestine and Israel. His experience in the region will help expedite the process for real diplomacy and dialogue.

Here is an excerpt of an article filed by Stephanie Nebehay of Reuters yesterday:

War boosted extremists in Gaza, says U.N. official
By Stephanie Nebehay
GENEVA (Reuters)

John Ging, head of the U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Gaza, called for new U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell to talk to ordinary people in Gaza as part of a "new track" in diplomacy.

Ging, who is Irish, welcomed Mitchell's appointment.

"An individual of his experience and ability coming now to this conflict gives me cause for more than hope, it actually gives me cause for optimism that we will move on to a new track where we will see real progress," he said.

"What we hope will happen is that the U.S. administration will listen to the people. There has to be a rebalancing of the focus," he said.

(Editing by Jonathan Lynn and Elizabeth Piper)

Former Israeli IDF Captain Denounces Attacks on Gaza

In this BBC News interview, former IDF Captain, Yonatan Schapira. says that the Palestinians have been forced to live in ghetto-like conditions and are treated like animals. Please watch this 3:25 minute interview. At about the 2:00 minute mark he talks about the horrible treatment of the Palestinians at the hands of the Israel government and IDF.

Gazan Doctor and Peace Advocate Attacked Asks Why

Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish in waiting room of hospital, photo uploaded from NY Times by mashget on Flickr

I wanted the world to see what happened to this doctor and my wish is coming true. There is a most excellent article on Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish in the New York Times.

My only complaint with the article is that it did not make the front page which is where this story belongs. Here is an excerpt of the article by Dina Kraft:

TEL HASHOMER, Israel — Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish is a Gazan and a doctor who has devoted his life to medicine and reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians. But on Saturday, the day after three of his daughters and a niece were killed by Israeli fire in Gaza, Dr. Abuelaish, 53, struggled to hold on to the humane philosophy that has guided his life and work.

As he sat in a waiting room of the Israeli hospital where he works part time, he asked over and over, "Why did they do this?"

And listen to this, Kraft reports in her article that the doctor recently lost his wife to leukemia. One tragedy caused by disease, and another by the disease of war inflicted by man, namely the IDF.

Please read the full article by Kraft in the New York Times. Here is the URL to the article.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/18/world/middleeast/18doctor.html?_r=1&scp=1&

Gaza Doctors and Medics Attacked

Found this on YouTube from Al Jazeera. A doctor's family was attacked just as an Israeli television journalist was about to interview him to discuss casualties and the situation at the hospitals.

It is a moving video. The journalist breaks down not just because he knows this doctor, but as a fellow human being hearing the screams of a man in distress. The journalist does manage through his contacts in Gaza to get an ambulance to the doctor's house. By the time he reaches the doctor, three of his daughters are already dead. One is still alive.

I have seen footage of medics bringing in wounded on foot. One medic said he walked two kilometers because the Israeli soldiers would not allow his ambulance to drive to the hospital. This medic said that their vehicles are clearly marked as ambulances. They also wear vests that show they are medics and they still come under fire while trying to rescue the wounded.

This simply must qualify as war crimes and crimes against humanity. Sadly, I doubt we will ever see any member of the Israeli government standing trial in the Hague.

Please help spread this blog post and video so the world, that is seemingly turning a blind eye to the continued violence and massacres in Gaza, see the reality of this incursion.