Issue 6 - Occupied Palestine Part III

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In This Issue

Before concluding the brief history of the Palestine Israel conflict, I would

It is crucial to read issues four and five before embarking on this issue in
like to clear up a few things. The atrocities the Israeli government commits are not
order to appreciate how the conflict came about. Both Muslims and Jews have
in the name of Judaism. Subsequently, a war against Zionism is not an anti-Semit-
far-reaching histories in the region, however, the Zionist movement has sought
ic war against Judaism. The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines Semite
to exploit this fact by masquerading behind Judaism as justification for the illegal
as “1 a: a member of any of a number of peoples of ancient south-western Asia
immigrations and expansive settling at the expense of the livelihoods of inhabiting
including the Akkadians, Phoenicians, Hebrews, and Arabs b: a descendant of
Palestinians (Christians and Muslims).
these peoples 2: a member of a modern people speaking a Semitic language.”

The Palestinian Arabs have lived in the region for thousands of years but so
The term "anti-Semite" was made famous in 1873 by a German journalist Wil-
have the Jews. The two lived side by side in peace for thousands of years. It is only
helm Marr who wrote an anti-Jewish pamphlet called, "The Victory of Jewry over
until Zionism started land grabbing that tension and frustration arose in Palestine.
Germandom". Since then the term 'Anti Semite' has been associated specifically
Consequently, there is a grave problem concerning Palestinian refugee camps (in
with Jews and has come to mean anti-Jew.
their own land as well as surrounding countries).
“The philosophy of the secular movement of Zionism totally ignores and trans-
gresses the clear Jewish teachings outlined and because of this, Zionism was
condemned right from its inception by the great Jewish Religious authorities.
Furthermore, Zionism right from its inception completely ignored the fact that
there was an indigenous population in Palestine comprising mostly Palestin-
ians, and the Zionists have followed a policy of depriving the Palestinians of
their hope for self-determination on the land they had occupied for centuries.
Depriving the Palestinians of their homes, livelihoods and lives. So committing
a shocking contravention of religion based humanitarian justice.
Judaism however preaches compassion and consideration for the property and
certainly the lives of every fellow man.
It will of course be clear from the above firstly that the Zionists do not repre-
sent the Jewish People as a whole, and furthermore that anti-Zionism is to be
applauded and not to be confused with the ancient bigotry of anti-Semitism.
Something which we know is very well appreciated here in the Islamic Republic
of Iran where the Jewish community lives peacefully with full civil rights and
has done so for thousands of years.”
Speech delivered by Rabbi Aaron Cohen of Neturei Karta (International
Conference “Review of the Holocaust”, Teheran 11-12 December ’06)
Copyright
Unless stated to the contrary, all literature in this magazine is copyright of Mohammed Ismail. Dupli-
cation or sale of all or any part of it is not permitted
Written, edited and produced by Mohammed Ismail - info@qwmagazine.co.uk

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to bring an end to fighting, however, program. Barak initially attempted to
violence between the PLO and settlers renew negotiations with Syria’s Hafez
still took place. On 16th April 1993, a Assad. They offered to give back Syria
Hamas fighter exploded a car bomb at most of the Golan Heights except for
Mehola in the West Bank resulting in access to the Sea of Galilee. Unsurpris-
the death of himself and one Israeli. On ingly, Assad rejected the offer. Barak
25th February 2004, Baruch Goldstein then moved to reaching peace with the
entered the Cave of the Patriarchs (Mas- Palestinians. Israeli soldiers withdraw
jid of Ibrahim) in Hebron and whilst the in accordance with the Wye agree-
Muslims were praying, opened fire kill- ments. Israel offered Abu Dis a suburb
ing 39-52 worshipers and injuring 150. of Jerusalem to be used as the Palestin-
Hamas decided to avenge the deaths by ian capital but this was withdrawn when
carrying out a series of bombings from violence arose once again in May 2000.
April 1994.

The Israeli population was un- Al-Aqsa Intifada (The Second Inti-
comfortable with the peace process. fada)
This led Yigal Amir, a Jewish activ-
The negotiations at Camp David
ists to assassinate the then PM Yitzhak in 2000 were not as successful as what
Rabin. His successor Shimon Peres was initially envisaged or hoped. Pales-
oversaw the signing of the Oslo Interim tinians wanted Israel to allow refugees
Agreement. However, several Hamas to return to their homes in Israel. This
bombing during the spring of 1996 and would create an Arab majority in the
an unsuccessful election campaign saw region. Israel wanted to annex areas of
him lose the 1996 election to Benjamin Palestine and offered a somewhat re-
The Conflict Today
Netanyahu. Netanyahu’s victory was stricted type of Palestinian statehood.
undoubtedly influenced by his dislike Palestinians claimed that the offer made
of the Oslo process. Nevertheless, in to them at Camp David would reduce
The Oslo Peace Process
rael had withdrawn from the Gaza Strip
1997, Netanyahu and the PNA signed the state of Palestine to a series of can-

In an aim to reach a settlement of and the majority of cities of the West
an interim agreement on Hebron. The tons. In fact, the only major decision
the conflict, in 1993 and 1995, the PLO Bank. In January 1996, Palestinians in
IDF withdrew from Hebron leaving be- agreed upon by both sides was the Israel
and Israel signed the Oslo Declara- the Gaza Strip and the West Bank elect-
hind 500 settlers who were protected was to withdraw from Gaza.
tion of Principles and the Oslo Interim ed a legislature controlled by Fatah with
by the IDF. Further negotiations at the
When Ariel Sharon visited the
Agreement creating the Palestinian Na- Yasser Arafat as Chairman. Eventually
Wye River Plantation saw more Israeli Temple Mount in Jerusalem caused
tional Authority (PNA). The purpose of 97% of these areas were under Pales-
soldiers withdrawing and Palestine re- violence to break out on 28th Septem-
the PNA was to negotiate with Israel on tinian rule however, the PNA control-
viving their pledge to forbid violence. ber 2000. The area known as Harem
behalf of the Palestinians and to govern led 8%. As Israel withdrew from these
Neither side carried out the provisions Al-Shareef in Arabic is the site of Al-
areas of the Gaza Strip and the West areas, it set about increasing settlers in
specified in the agreement. In 1999, Aqsa Masjid, which Muslims consider
Bank. Furthermore, in 1994, Jordan and the West Bank. The result was that by
Ehud Barak was voted at PM. Although the third holiest site in the world. In Oc-
Israel entered into a peace treaty. Be- 2004, the number of settlers there dou-
he publically called for peace, Barak tober, the US called a summit confer-
cause of the peace process, by 1996, Is- bled. The Oslo Declaration intended
persisted in the settlement expansion ence in Sharm El-Sheikh in an attempt

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to stop the violence. During the summit, is no deal, and you 97% will become
9/11
mas fighter killing 27 and injuring 140.
both sides agreed to bring to an end the 40-45 percent; your capital in East Je-

The events of 9/11 altered some Israel’s response was operation Defen-
violence and for a US led investigative rusalem will be gone; the IDF out of
people’s perceptions of the conflict. Al- sive Shield. Israel’s reputation dropped
committee to be set up. The committee the Jordan Valley will be gone; unlim-
legations linking organisations such as to new depths when the international
would investigate violence in the region ited right of return for refugees to your
Hamas and Hizb-Allah with Al-Qaeda community came to know of its actions
and make suggestions to the UN. Nev- own state will be gone.”
along with protests in the streets of Pal- in the Palestinian refugee camp in Jenin
ertheless, the Arab leaders including Abu Ala replied:
estine celebrating the attacks of 9/11 re- in the West Bank. Senior politicians in
Yasser Arafat met in an Arab League "I am afraid it may take another fifty
duced the number of Palestinian sympa- both Brussels and London expressed
Summit in Cairo wherein they called years to settle this issue."
thisers. Although these allegations have their anger at the war crimes Israeli sol-
for the creation of an international com- (Dennis Ross, The Missing Peace,
now been disproven, by then the Pal- diers had committed whilst in the refu-
mittee instead of the US led committee 2004, p. 755)
estinian cause had already suffered the gee camp. Chris Pattern the EU’s exter-
discussed in Sharm El-Sheikh. Bomb-
During a memorial dinner in 2005
repercussions. Israel was consequently nal relations commissioner stated that
ing in Jerusalem two weeks later ended in memory of Yitzhak Rabin, Clinton
treated more leniently in terms of the Israel needed to allow a UN investiga-
the truce. President Clinton decided to branded Arafat’s rejection of the terms
actions it took against the Palestinians. tion or experience “colossal damage”
recommend Bridging Proposals and of the proposals as a “colossal histori-
Israel intensified the incursions of Pal- to its reputation. Moreover, veteran
called for both sides to agree to them by cal blunder”. Conversely, 13th Novem-
estinian areas and even confined Yasser Jewish Labour MP Gerald Kaufman la-
27th December.
ber 2005, the Palestinian Minister of
Arafat to his compound in RamAllah belled Israel PM Ariel Sharon as a “war

US Chief Negotiator Dennis Ross Information Nabil Sha’at claimed, "all
criminal”. He added that Sharon had
talked about the proposals in his mem- what was circulated that Israel prof-
Jenin
"ordered his troops to use methods of
oir (Dennis Ross, The Missing Peace, fered to the Palestinian side great con-

Although Arafat called to an end barbarism against the Palestinians".
2004, pp 753-755). He stated that the cessions is incorrect". He argued that
of violence, both sides continued to at- Kaufman was afraid that all Jews would
proposals gave the Palestinians 97% of Israel in fact never offered to return Je-
tack each other. In an unregulated fash- be tarred with the same brush and so
the West Bank and refugees were not rusalem and was adamant on annexing
ion, Israel continued to assassinate tar- declared, "It is time to remind Sha-
able to return to Israel without Israeli the settlements within Jerusalem and it
gets within Palestinian areas. On 27th ron that the Star of David belongs to
consent. What’s more, the IDF will be was for these reasons that a full and fi-
March 2002 during a Passover, the Park all Jews and not to his repulsive gov-
replaced by an international force and nal settlement was never reached during
Hotel in Netanya as bombed by a Ha- ernment. His actions are staining the
stay in the Jordan valley for a period of Camp David II. Furthermore, although
six years. The Harem El-Shareef (Tem- both parties issued a joint statement
ple Mount) along with Arab neighbour- stating that "The sides declare that they
hoods of Jerusalem would become part have never been closer to reaching an
of Palestine. On the 27th December, agreement and it is thus our shared be-
Israel accepted the offer. The deadline lief that the remaining gaps could be
passed and Palestine still did not re- bridged with the resumption of negoti-
spond to the offer. On 29th December, ations following the Israeli elections",
Dennis Ross warned Abu Ala (Ahmed negotiations in Taba from 21st to 27th
Qurei) “...they [the US] will disengage January 2001 came to a halt. PM Barak
from the issue and they will do so at went on to say, "There is no point in
a time when you won't have Barak, or talking with Arafat. I am cutting off
Amnon or Shlomo, but at time when contact with him until after the elec-
you will have Sharon as Prime Minis- tion."
ter. He will be elected for sure if there

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Star of David with blood." For a while, scenes "of widespread destruction of
who they claim was guilty for several ings that made up the compound save
the Israel army denied full access to densely populated refugee camps. We
terror attacks, condemning him to five the main building that Arafat resided in
Jenin. Nabil Shaath a senior Palestin- are doing all we can to obtain an au-
life sentences. US Secretary of State and despite a UN resolution Israel con-
ian official accused Israel of massacring thoritative account of the conduct of
Colin Powell attempted to end the vio- tinued the siege. Even when the siege
roughly 500 Palestinians and then plac- the Israeli operation and of its conse-
lence; however, he achieved nothing was lifted, Arafat was still confined to
ing the bodies in refrigerated trucks. He quences. I have to say as a long-stand-
while he was there. Finally after mass RamAllah. A second siege was institut-
said, "The Israeli army took six days ing friend of Israel that such scenes
protests and public outrage, the UN ed during the autumn.
to complete its massacre in Jenin and can only be harmful to Israel's reputa-
passed resolution 1402 which called for
In April 2002, the US set about
six days to clean it up". In response, tion abroad".
Israeli withdrawal from the re-occupied collecting consultations from different
an Israeli government spokesperson re-
What’s more, the Foreign Of-
areas. It was only when Powell left that diplomats who later became known as
garded the allegations as “ridiculous” fice minister responsible for the Mid-
Israel withdrew from some areas. Addi- the “Quartet”. The diplomats created a
and added, "It is not at all clear why dle East, Ben Bradshaw declared, "We
tionally, Arafat was still confined to his strategy for peace that involved Israel
these organisations wish to investi- expect the Israeli government to grant
compound in RamAllah.
withdrawing from occupied areas and a
gate, given that they already seem to immediate access to all the interna-

The UN passed resolution 1403 Palestinian state being created. On 28th
have made up their minds as to what tional non-governmental organisa-
reaffirming its resolutions 1397 of 12 October 2002, Ariel Sharon’s party won
has happened...these voices of interna- tions - the International Committee of
March 2002 and 1402 of 30 March the elections and Israel continued to oc-
tional morality".
the Red Cross and so forth - so a full
2002. Resolution 1405 called for the cupy the West Bank. It was the quartet

Though US support for Israel was investigation of events there can take
creation of an independent investigation and the US who suggested appointing
still strong, Europe’s support slumped to place." The EU’s aid commissioner
team to assess the allegations against Mahmud Abbas as the PM of Palestine.
levels matched only by those during the Poul Nielson said that he is "...deeply
Israel. At first, Israel was in favour of
1982 massacre at Sabra and Shatila ref- concerned about the way in which ba-
the investigative team however, it soon The Wall
ugee camps. The populations of Sabra sic principles of humanitarian law - in
retracted this claiming it would be un-
Work on the Israeli separation
and Shatila were swelled by Palestin- particular regarding access to civilian
fair on Israel. Following more fighting wall or apartheid wall, as it is known to
ians fleeing the illegal occupation of casualties - are being flouted".
from Palestinians, Israel reoccupied the some people first started on 16th June
south Lebanon by the Israeli army. On
whole of the West Bank declaring that 2002. It is the aim of Israel that the wall
15th September 1982 the Israeli army
the occupation would last indefinitely, extends over 750km and be made up
surrounded the camps setting up ob-
but this statement was later withdrawn. of 25 foot high concrete walls, barbed
servation posts from where they could

In August and September 2002, wires, electrified fencing, watch towers,
witness the events of the 16th, 17th and
another ceasefire was attempted. How- electronic sensors, thermal imaging and
18th. On the evening of 16th and aid-
ever, this was thwarted by some Pales- video cameras, unmanned aerial vehi-
ed with Israeli flares, a group of militia
tinian groups refusing to participate and cles, sniper towers and roads for patrol
armed with knives, hatchets and guns
Israel assassinating Salah Shehadeh cars. The Anti-Apartheid Wall move-
entered the two camps and during the
The attacks on both sides con-
who was the head of the military wing ment has stated that if the wall is to be
36 hours they brutally murdered 3,500 tinued with Israel announcing that it
of Hamas. The missile that was used completed as envisaged, almost 50% of
men, women and children. The man be- had collected several documents link-
to assassinate him killed 13 civilians the population of the West Bank will be
hind the event, Ariel Sharon would later ing Arafat to the organisation of terror
in the process. Israel ordered that the affected by its presence by losing land,
become the PM of Israel.
cells. However, the IDF also destroyed
Palestinians it accused of terror attacks imprisonment in ghettos or being iso-

Even the then Foreign Secretary records, buildings, roads and other civil-
be surrendered. Yasser Arafat however lated into Israeli annexed areas. On the
of Britain Jack Straw who was a staunch ian infrastructure banks and NGOs that
refused to and as a result, his popular- one hand, Israel argues that the purpose
supporter of Israel had to concede that had nothing to do with the fighting. The
ity with the Palestinian people grew. of the wall is to stop terrorists from en-
he was "profoundly concerned" at the IDF also captured Marwan Barghouti,
Israel set about destroying all the build- tering into Israel but the facts suggest

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differently. In some areas, the wall en- the same day Israel was responsible
treatment of the Palestinians. Rachel — by intentionally placing themselves
croaches 6km into Palestinian territory for bloody raids across Gaza and else-
Corrie was one of these protestors. On in a combat zone."
and is planned to stretch over 750km where. Hamas and Fatah responded
16th March, Rachel and a few of her
despite the fact that the border with Is- with attacks a few hours later in Tel
friends were protesting against bulldoz-
rael is a mere 200km in comparison.
Aviv. Israel then began extensive raids
ers. Rachel positioned herself in front of
in the territories.
a bulldozer to prevent it from destroying
a local Palestinians home. The driver
The Geneva Accord
claimed to have not seen her and drove

The Geneva Accord is the agree-
over her. However, Joe Carr an Ameri-
ment of both parties in principle on
can ISM witnesses gave the following
conditions for a final settlement. The
statement whilst under affidavit: “Still
agreement involved Israel handing over
wearing her fluorescent jacket, she
sovereignty of the Arab portions of Jeru-
knelt down at least 15 meters in front
salem and Palestinians would renounce
of the bulldozer, and began waving her
on the right of Palestinians to return to
arms and shouting, just as activists
Israel. The Israeli government and Pal-
had successfully done dozens of times
estinian movements have since refused
that day... When it got so close that it
to recognise the agreement.
was moving the earth beneath her, she
climbed onto the pile of rubble being
Sheikh Yaseen
pushed by the bulldozer... Her head

Israel had previously made in
and upper torso were above the bull-
publically known that it was targeting
dozer’s blade, and the bulldozer driver Unilateral Withdrawal
all Hamas leaders and Sheikh Yaseen
and co-operator could clearly see her.
By the end of 2003, Ariel Sha-

By virtue of UN General Assem- had been a target for several months.
Despite this, the driver continued for- ron although initially against the idea,
bly resolution ES-10/14, the Interna- Sheikh Yaseen a paraplegic who was
ward, which caused her to fall back, came up with a proposal that involved
tional Court of Justice (ICJ) began to almost blind had been in a wheelchair
out of view of the diver. He continued Israel withdrawing from the Gaza Strip
consider the legality of the wall on 24th since an accident at the age of 12. On
forward, and she tried to scoot back, and from some parts of the West Bank.
February. Israel along with roughly 30 the 22nd March while Sheikh Yaseen
but was quickly pulled underneath the He declared that this proposal would
other countries refused to accept the was being pushed out of a Masjid fol-
bulldozer. We ran towards him, and be carried out in six months. However,
hearings arguing that the issue was of lowing the dawn prayer, a gunship was
waved our arms and shouted; one ac- reports from February reveal that Israel
a political nature and thus did not con- used to assassinate him. The over the
tivist with the megaphone. But the bull- was still land grabbing. In a bid to gain
cern the ICJ. Both Palestinians and Zi- top method consequently claimed the
dozer driver continued forward, until support from the Israeli people, Ariel
onist and Israeli groups protested at The lives of roughly nine other innocent
Rachel was all the way underneath the Sharon went to the US to get US back-
Hague. When on 9th July, the ICJ gave Palestinians. Not only was Sheikh Ya-
central section of the bulldozer.”
ing. Bush announced US support for
its advisory opinion on the matter, it de- seen an influential member of society,

An Israeli army representative the proposal and added that Palestinian
clared the wall to be a violation of hu- but the killing of the other innocent Pal-
later labelled the incident as a "regret- refugees should be allowed to return but
man rights and that Israel had to take estinians enraged the population.
table accident". He also described the to Palestine and not Israel, Israel did not
it down. Israel refused to acknowledge
It was during this time that in-
activists as being "a group of protest- have to return to the borders of the 1949
this advice.
ternational support grew for Palestine.
ers who were acting very irresponsibly, armistice and the US supported the wall

On 29th April, Mahmud Abbas Protestors were coming from all over
putting everyone in danger — the Pal- Israeli was constructing.
was elected PM of Palestine and on the world to express their anger at the
estinians, themselves and our forces
On 2nd May 2004, a Likud party

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referendum defeated the proposal and als. They eventually released everyone
1967 line with some alterations. How- to fight for a Palestinian state as well
so Sharon offered an amended plan. but on the condition that Jibbali would
ever, Hafez Assad rejected the proposal. as Palestinian refugees. Conversely, he
During the same month, Israel imple- stand trial. In an attempt to fix the issue

During the 2003 war, the US ac- told a London newspaper Al-Sharq Al-
mented Operation rainbow murdering of security, Arafat assigned his nephew
cused Syria of harbouring Iraqi insur- Awsat that the second intifada should
more than 40 Palestinians and leaving Musa Arafat to be the head of Palestin-
gents and supporting movements such not have taken place. Although mortars
thousands homeless. Seemingly bolder, ian security forces. His appointment
as Hamas and HizbAllah. They called were fired into Israeli settlements by
Israel ignored the international outrage only agitated the opposition who in pro-
for Syria to withdraw from Lebanon Palestinian fighters during this period,
at its treatment of the Palestinians and test stormed Musa Arafat’s headquar-
and not to interfere with its politics. It there were civilian casualties. On the
continued targeting Hamas leaders. On ters. PM Qurei resigned because of all
was only when the UN passed Security other hand, Israel unrelentingly arrested
17th April 2004, the IAF murdered the this tension surprising many including
Council Resolution 1559 that Syria ac- and assassinated Palestinian terrorist
newly elected Hamas leader Dr Abdel Yasser Arafat.
tually withdrew all its troops from Leb- leaders, occupied Palestinian West Bank
Aziz Rantissi.

Even with the number of attacks
anon in April 2005 following the assas- cities, raided targets in Gaza in reaction
reduced, Israel continued to occupy cit-
sination of the much beloved politician to Palestinian actions, destroyed homes
ies in the West Bank and murder Pales-
Rafiq Hariri. Some commentators have and olive groves and harassed Palestin-
tinians it claimed were part of terrorist
accused Israel of being behind his as- ians at checkpoints. Israel was heavily
organisations. In response to Israel kill-
signation in a plot to create tension and criticised both by the Israeli population
ing off Hamas leaders, on 31st August
fighting in the area. Syria announced its and by people worldwide that their ac-
2004 Hamas carried out two bombings
intention to start ne peace talks with Is- tions resulted in the murder of many
in Beersheba. Israel in turn bombed a
rael however wanted to use the agree- innocent Palestinians including several
Hamas training camp in Gaza. Moreo-
ments it had reached with Rabin as a children.
ver, on 24th October 2004, Israel imple-
starting point. Israeli PM Ariel Sha-
On 9th January 2005, Mahmoud
mented operation Days of Repentance
ron stated that before any negotiations Abbas won roughly 61% of the vote
to deal with Palestinian rocket fire kill-
could take place, Syria would have to to become the President of the Pales-

On 19th November, the UN Se- ing many civilians and leaving many
stop aiding terrorist organisations. On tine National Authority. On the Israeli
curity Council passed Resolution 1515 more without homes.
26th October 2004, Israel assassinated side, there were some major dissenting
supporting the proposal suggested by
Hamas leader Izz Al-Deen Al-Sheikh voices from right wing party members
the quartet and called for both sides to Syria Peace Talks
Khalil in Syria and even aimed to as- owing to Sharon’s withdrawal proposal.
act in accordance with this proposal.
Though Syria and Israel sug-
sassinate another in Damascus three The Shinui party was forced out of gov-
Continual incursions by Israel and Pal- gested that they had agreed a peace set-
months later.
ernment and in its place the Israel La-
estine unwilling or unable to control the tlement in 1995 involving Israel with-
bour party and the United Torah Juda-
different movements meant the resolu- drawing from the Golan Heights, these
Death of Arafat
ism party formed a coalition.
tion was redundant.
agreements were never really followed

On 11th November 2004, Pales-
During a summit conference host-

Disunity and chaos began to take through. The assassination of Israeli PM
tinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat ed by Egypt in Sharm El Sheikh on 8th
place in Palestinian territories. Ex-secu- Yitzhak Rabin ended the talks. Ehud
died. His medical report was only given February 2005 Egypt, Jordan, Palestine
rity chief Mohamed Dahlan stated that Barak attempted to enter new talks with
to his next of kin Nasser Al-Qudwa and and Israel were represented. Both Pal-
the Palestinian Authority was unable to Syria however Syria wanted to continue
his wife Suha Arafat refused to have estine and Israel agreed to end the vio-
control Fatah. The situation got so bad where they had left off with Rabin. Bar-
an autopsy. Consequently, the cause of lence. Israel agreed to withdraw from
that on 18th July 2004, two factions of ak was unwilling to accept these terms
death has been a topic of great discus- Palestinian cities and release 900 pris-
Fatah broke out in violence with one and subsequently negotiations broke
sion with some believing he was poi- oners. Jordan and Egypt declared that
faction kidnapping police Chief Ghaz- down on 27th March 2000. US pressure
soned. Mahmoud Abbas was the lead- they would return their ambassadors to
zi Jibbali and several French nation- led to Barak agreeing to withdraw to the
ing runner for the elections promising Israel. However, as was and still is the

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case with summits of this nature, peace government was approved by the Knes-
payment via cash smuggled into Gaza. to label the Palestine-Israel conflict as
talks broke down after a bombing in Tel set and he officially became the PM of
Severe violence broke out between Ha- not a conflict but the longest military
Aviv on 25th February. Following this Israel.
mas and Fatah resulting in killings and siege known to man. With the backing
summit, the Israeli Knesset and cabinet
kidnappings of officials. As political of the Canada, US, EU and Japan, Is-
agreed to implement the disengagement Hamas Wins
violence took over normal life in Gaza, rael rejected the offer to trade the sol-
plan. Israel would unilaterally evacuate
On 29th January 2006, Hamas
life for the ordinary Palestinian was be- dier for Palestinian prisoners began the
from 21 settlements in Gaza and 4 in the won the election beating Fatah to of-
coming increasingly dangerous. Pales- siege and later invaded the Gaza Strip.
West Bank by the summer of 2005.
fice. The victory was not received well
tinians continued their attacks on towns Surgeons at El-Shifa hospital in Gaza

The popularity of Hamas began from Israel or European and US lead-
that fell within the Green Line such as City announced that Israel was using
to rise as civilians protested against the ers. They declared that they would aid
Sderot and Israel continued its targeting chemical weapons. They added that the
then current leadership. However, the the Palestinian people until Hamas dis-
and assassination of political leaders. By injuries suffered were unusual and the
support for the disengagement plan (uni- armed itself and recognised Israel as a
June 2006, about 1,000 Qassam rockets mortality high. An Israeli soldier was
lateral withdrawal) reduced from 65% state. Hamas refused to do so vowing
fell killing 9-11 Israelis. Israel respond- quoted to have said, "We will stay here
to 50%. Israeli settlers who opposed the to continue the fight for all of Pales-
ed by attacking launch sites. During one as long as necessary until we return
withdrawal blocked roads, attacked IDF tine. The Palestinian constitution states
of these attacks, Israel missed its target with the kidnapped IDF soldier". The
soldiers and Palestinians. On 13th July that Mahmoud Abbas would still be the
and instead killed several members of a invasion starting just before midnight
2005, to avoid further action from op- President and would have broad pow-
Palestinian family on a beach in Gaza. saw the IAF blow up three bridges link-
posing settlers, the Israeli government ers.
Though Israel claims this was an acci- ing the north and south and thus made it
blocked the Gaza Strip against Israeli
dent, future Israeli attacks missed their harder for innocent Palestinians to flee.
citizens who were not residents of the
targets and killed innocent Palestinians
Furthermore, the IAF destroyed
settlement. On the same day, fighters
raising international outrage.
an electrical transformer station that left
from Islamic Jihad perpetrate a bomb-
parts of the south without power. It is
ing in Netanya killing five people and
not understood why Israel felt it had to
subsequently, the IDF reoccupied Tul
destroy the station when they control
Karm. This drove Hamas to fire rockets
the supply of water and electricity to
on Gaza settlements and Israeli towns
the region. It is something that it does
killing one. In turn, the IDF launched
not always do reasonably leaving sev-
rocket attacks in Gaza and searched for
eral families without water or an energy
Hamas leaders resulting in the death of
The refusal of many international
supplies for long periods at a time. By
eight Palestinians.
states to aid the Hamas led PNA meant
the end of the operation, 90 innocent

By 24th August, the disengage- that Hamas had to look elsewhere for
Palestinians mostly women and chil-
ment plan had been carried out and by funds. Iran and Russia gave money to
dren had been killed.
12th September, the Gaza Strip was Hamas who had to smuggle it into Gaza
Operation Summer Rain
handed over to the Palestinians. On 4th in order to pay officials their wages.

On 25th June 2006, Palestinian Operation Just Reward
July 2006, PM Ariel Sharon suffered a Eventually international donors devised
guerrilla fighters captured three Israeli
On 12th July 2006, HizbAllah
great stroke and has been in a coma ever to pay these officials directly announc-
soldiers killing two. Under the auspices fighters crossed the blue line border from
since, though some argue he has died ing a 105 Euro donation to be distributed
of Ehud Olmert, operation ‘Summer Lebanon to Israel and attacked an Israeli
and that his death has been covered up. via this method. Although the aid pack-
Rain’ was implemented and so the in- army patrol, killing three and capturing
Ehud Olmert who was a minister in the age was announced on 24th June, by
ternational world saw one of the most two soldiers though some have argued
cabinet began to exercise the powers the end of June Palestinians were com-
severe sieges of modern history. Such that Israel provoked HizbAllah to act by
of the PM. On 4th May Olmert and his plaining that they had received partial
behaviour has led some commentators attacking first. Nevertheless, the official

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line was that Israel carried out operation The statements made at the G8 regard-
international world, Israel stopped its tah fighters to flee into Egypt and Israel.
‘Just Reward’ with the goal of freeing ing the attack were somewhat lacking in
operations in the north of Gaza hav- Abbas dismantled the unity government
two captured soldiers. Israel went about any conviction which leads to doubt the
ing killed over 50 Palestinians most of stating that he would establish a new
destroying vital infrastructure such as integrity of the leadership when deal-
which were civilians. After some heavy government. Arab states also supported
roads, power stations, airports and city ing with Israel. Israel’s justification for
rocket fire on 8th November, Israel Abbas but called for renewed attempts
buildings as well as some residential ar- all this is Israel “has a right to defend
launched a shelling response. Howev- at a unity government. Hamas leader
eas.
itself” and that its operations are “not
er, they missed their target and instead Khaled Meshaal stated that Hamas was

By 1st September, the numbers intended to harm the civilian popula-
killed 20 civilians. Palestinians refused not intending to overthrow the Palestin-
in Lebanon were 1,187 killed and over tion”. If this was the case then why did
to return the kidnapped soldier Gilad ian government but to restore law and
4,000 injured with the death toll in- Israel feel the need to bomb the airport,
Shalit until Israel released over a thou- order. As living conditions declined so
creasing every day due to hundreds of fuel depots and roads and why have so
sand Palestinian prisoners.
did the popularity of Hamas. During a
thousands of unexploded ordnance fired many civilians died during their opera-

On 26th November 2006, both Fatah organised demonstrating on the
on Lebanon during the final 72 hours tions. In 2006, the UN Human Rights
sides agreed to a truce that applied only occasion of the commemoration of the
of conflict making recovery that much Council issued eight condemnations of
to the Gaza Strip. However, dissident anniversary of Yasser Arafat's Hamas
harder. Over 500,000 people were left Israel for its behaviour during the op-
groups refused to abide by the truce was accused of suppressing the dem-
homeless, thousands fled with reports eration. Not a single condemnation was
unless it also extended to the Western onstration killing 7 and wounding 5.
of food shortages. Israel then launched issued against HizbAllah or Hamas for
Bank. The next day Israeli PM Ehud However, Hamas claimed Fatah was to
a limited ground assault. Israel’s dis- any gross violations.
Olmert declared Israel’s intention to ap- blame for the violence.
proportionate use of force was heavily
During and after the attacks on
proach the conflict diplomatically by
criticised by Human Rights organisa- Lebanon, IDF attacks continued in
implementing changes along the lines Annapolis Summit
tions however, this criticism were ig- Gaza. Throughout October and Novem-
of the Arab Peace Initiative. Syria at-
Building on the Arab Summit and
nored. The Israeli army's Chief of Staff, ber Qassam rockets were fired by Pal-
tempted to regain the Golan Heights by the Arab Peace Initiative, the US organ-
Dan Halutz, promised that "nothing is estinians at the Western Negev killing
offering Israel an unconditional peace ised a summit in Annapolis Md. It was
safe in [Lebanon], as simple as that." three people. Under pressure from the
settlement but Israel PM Ehud Olmert attended by Arab states, GCC and EU
rejected the proposal.
representatives, Russians, South Afri-
cans and others. The main outcome of
Fatah vs. Hamas
the summit was Mahmoud Abbas being

June 2007 saw violence break out officially acknowledge as the leader of
between the two groups after Fatah fight- Palestinians. Both sides declared their
ers were accused of launching a rocket intentions to abide by the requirements
propelled grenade into the home of Pal- of the roadmap. However, the summit
estinian PM Ismail Haniyeh, the leader did little to curtail the violence. Ecuado-
of Hamas in Gaza. Hamas responded by rian volunteer Carlos Chavez was killed
attacking Fatah fighters, Fatah-affiliated in cold blood by a Palestinian sniper.
Palestinian police and auxiliary forces The Hamas Izz al-Din al-Qassam Bri-
in Gaza. President Mahmud Abbas re- gades claimed responsibility for the hei-
luctantly gave the order for Fatah to re- nous act.
taliate. The US and Europe expressed
Israel decided to implement col-
their support of Mahmoud Abbas how- lective punishment once again when
ever, Fatah was still losing its strong- it cut fuel supplies to Gaza leading to
hold in the Gaza Strip forcing many Fa- Hamas shutting down the Gaza power

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