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JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

Obama issues appeal to Israel, Hamas

World Jan. 23, 2009 - 06:12AM JST ( 13 )

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13 Comments

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adaydreamJan. 23, 2009 - 07:35AM JST

Yes Obama, let's get a peace process started. < :-)
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MolenirJan. 23, 2009 - 08:39AM JST

Wow, I've never heard that before. What change exactly?
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AlfGarnettJan. 23, 2009 - 08:41AM JST

At least Mr Obama has more sympathy towards the Gaza victims than Bush and his mates, who thought they was all "bad guys".
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rajakumarJan. 23, 2009 - 09:37AM JST

Obama policies for Gaza is via more sympathy,mercies,ideals and values. These will bring about better future for Gaza people struggling with low 5 billion GDP.

There are going get USD 2 billion for more reconstruction,so reconstruction of their economy should be done up nicely via trade along Rafah border with fine controll by Palestine,EU,US,Egypt,UN and others.

All these nations and UN must prevent arms illegal movement.

Palestinians in Gaza should focus vision on economic development as 1st priority and do more legal trade across rafah, without need for illegal tunnels. There can be a economic boom in Gaza via USD 2 billion or may be more economic aid dollars.
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likeitisJan. 23, 2009 - 11:24AM JST

Obama said his administration will support a “credible” system of ending smuggling into Gaza.

I sure wish he would have been more specific. What kind of smuggling are we talking about: Graad rockets, potato chips, small arms (which many an American will swear is a human right, right up until...), potato chips, WMD, what?
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SezWho2Jan. 23, 2009 - 11:28AM JST

I think that Obama's appeal is insufficient. It urges only a return to the same unsatisfactory status-quo and to a situation with which Israel could be content but Hamas could not. Obama's words show sympathy for Palestinian suffering but this appeal cannot move things forward unless it is attended with a simultaneous peace process.
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Helter_SkelterJan. 23, 2009 - 03:53PM JST

Israel could be content but Hamas could not.

You're absolutely correct. Hamas will only be content with the complete destruction of the "Infidel" state of Israel. Well put.
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kinnikuJan. 23, 2009 - 04:02PM JST

I sure wish he would have been more specific. What kind of smuggling are we talking about: Graad rockets, potato chips, small arms (which many an American will swear is a human right, right up until...), potato chips, WMD, what?

Well, one would assume he is most concerned with weapons both small and large. However, in the long run, I would imagine Hamas would want to stop smuggling as well as they would be able to receive tax revenue from goods brought into the country...In fact, according to a June 17, 2008 article in the Washington Post, at one tunnel for anything that came through, they either took taxes or they confiscate half the goods. If you Google Hamas money tunnel, you should be able to find the article if you are interested...
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Roger2Jan. 23, 2009 - 09:30PM JST

The catch here is that Obama tells Israel to reteat from Gaza but that Palestinians cannot control their own borders. So this is the status quo. As long as Israel does not let Palestinians control their borders then Gaza is under a military occupation.

USAs stance reminds me of how USA used to support fascist dictators in Latin America who would crush popular social reform movements which had the backing of the people and labeled these social reform movements communists. Now, US is labeling Hamas as terrorists when the truth of the matter is Hamas has the backing of the majority of the people in Palestine.

Various human rights organization who used to blast USA for the inhumane conditions on Guatanamo are now accusing Israel for war crimes. Israel have been accused of using WHITE PHOSFORUS (WP) on civilians. It will be interesting if Obama will comment on these accusation or simply ignore these accusations due to the strong Israeli lobby in US.
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SezWho2Jan. 23, 2009 - 09:46PM JST

Helter_Skelter,

It is your interpretation that Hamas could only be content with the destruction of Israel. I don't think that's true, but even if it were, I think it misses the point.

I think the point is what the Palestinians could be content with. Since its occupation, Israel has failed to create a livable present or a viable future for the territory it is occupying. Hamas has indicated a willingness to live with the '67 Green Line borders.

Israel, the US, the Palestinians, Hamas, everyone needs a clear solution to issue of land before anyone can clean up the mess. Absent that, Israel's choice is to force Palestinians into submission. That hasn't been working.
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Roger2Jan. 23, 2009 - 11:06PM JST

I agree with Sezwho2 that it will be impossible to "break the will" of Hamas, i.e. the Palestinians, since the Hamas government was elected and backed by the majority of the Palestinian people. Palestinians have been defying Israel and the occupation ever since the creation of Israel which was made on what used to be Palestine so I do not think anyone in Israel even will think it will be possible to put the Palestinians into submission. Some people in the far right of the Israeli political land scape have urged Israel to use the same weapons as Americans did to Hiroshima and Nagasaki. But I do not think that would be tolerated by most Israelis themselves or Americans for that matter. However, in this day and age with the talks on Iran I find it ironic that this has not caught the attention of the press in USA.

Israel can maybe exterminate Palestinians, cage them and starve them but not put them into submission. Abbas who is seen as a negotiating partner by the west and Israel does not have the backing of its Palestinian people. So the drama continues. Tony Blair said the diplomatic Quartet would deal with Hamas if the movement accepted a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. And as far as I know Hamas has already accepted a two-state. What Israel and Palestine will be arguing about is the borders. This will put us back to the mid 90s again with the Oslo, Camp David and Madrid talks.
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MolenirJan. 24, 2009 - 12:01AM JST

As long as Israel does not let Palestinians control their borders then Gaza is under a military occupation.

Hmm, interesting idea. So if your neighbor doesn't like you, and prevents you from crossing his lawn, then naturally your sovereign rights have been violated. Please keep in mind that Gaza has 2 borders, one with Israel, 1 with Egypt, both of which are closed by those countries. While they also have ocean access, Israel is keeping that to prevent the obvious smuggling of weapons with which they could attack Israel. No, to me, it makes sense as it is. Why should Israel open up their borders so terrorists can cross?
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adaydreamJan. 24, 2009 - 03:04AM JST

Roger2

so I do not think anyone in Israel even will think it will be possible to put the Palestinians into submission.

That to me is part of the problem. Israel and some other world countries believe that Gaza should be submissive to Israel. Palistinians have been treated like red-headed step-children for so long and Israel thinks that they should be beaten to stay down.

Not until the world community comes forward and forces a resolution that both must adhere to. Not just Gaza. < :-)