JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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kinniku
Closer meaning what exactly? Not knowing makes it harder to comment. However, even without knowing, I would say if they have moved their warships that it is the same kind of posturing that Iran is doing. Hopefully both sides keep it at just posturing and don't take actions that would cause trouble.
Exactly. Thank you. You showed us that he did not refute it. He did not say, 'No, I did not mean that. Iran would never suggest Israel should be wiped off the face f the earth.' He went off on a tangent and never answered the question directly even after it was repeated several times. Also, Khamenei's quotes from this year certainly make it clear that popular interpretations, including that of Iran's own governmental news agency, the IRNA, of Ahmadinejad's comments four and a half years ago were also correct.
It is not up to Iran to decide which countries get to stay and which countries disappear in the region. Israel is a legitimate UN recognized country and Iran must to recognize it as such. Khamenei's recent comments about Israel and Iran's continued sponsoring of Hamas and Hezbollah, who both have as their goals the destruction of Israel, leave no doubt as to Iran's intentions. In this case, both Iran's actions and word speak extremely loudly and clearly. If Iran would like to really start helping the Palestinians, it is time they stop encouraging violence on the part of Hamas and Hezbollah and started encouraging real talks for real peace between Israel and Palestine side-by-side.
Posted in: Netanyahu: Israel not planning war with Iran
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kinniku
dearjohn,
You comments managed to clear up the fact that I was correct and you backed it up with words that show I was correct.
The IRNA translated Ahmadinejad's comments and that is to what the question posed to Ahamdinejad was in reference. In respond, all he needed to do was say, "Iran would never suggest Israel should be wiped off the face of the earth." The thing is he could not manage to say that and never has specifically clarified his remarks.
In addition, you seem to see a great difference between "should be wiped off the face of the earth" and "should vanish from the pages of time" (which I am well aware is another interpretation of the Farsi). However, they clearly both have the same meaning in that he is suggesting a country, which exists and is recognized by the UN as existing, should not exist. If I were to tell someone I think they "should vanish from the pages of time". I highly doubt they would consider it a message of peace and friendship.
He would never say 'Israel'. He would say 'Zionist entity' when referring to Israel. That does not mean he was not talking about Israel. He does not deny he was talking about Israel. Why would you? BTW, Israel is on the Earth.
He encouraged and encourages it both in words and deeds by saying the things he has said and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei saying that 'Israel’s obliteration is certain' does not help peace in the region either. In January of this year, Khamenei had this peaceful message for Israel, the Middle East and the world: "Definitely, the day will come when nations of the region will witness the destruction of the Zionist regime," Khamenei was quoted as saying. "How soon or late (Israel's demise) will happen depends on how Islamic countries and Muslim nations approach the issue." This is the leader of a country suggesting another country disappear and then supporting groups, Hamas and Hezbollah, which are actively trying to destroy Israel and have that as part of their charter.
So, there certainly is no doubt as to the attitude of the government of Iran toward Israel and it is certainly not to encourage peace.
Here I agree with you. I also think the US is not interested in getting involved in another war either.
Posted in: Netanyahu: Israel not planning war with Iran
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kinniku
There is the other shoe that was waiting to drop!
Posted in: Obama says stimulus bill saved U.S. economy
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kinniku
I understand what you are saying. I did not mean to make it seem as if the people commenting were average people. I was merely saying that what they said are their opinions and not fact, at least certainly not yet.
From the same article, we can see other experts giving opposite opinions to those on to which you have focused:
"At the same time, some Israeli experts said the Dubai evidence pointed to a setup to falsely blame Israel."
I don't see any reason to doubt there were arrests. There were people arrested in Jordan and the have been reported to be Palestinians. Hamas is blaming the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian Authority is blaming Hamas. As to respectable sources reporting it, I am not quite sure what you mean, however CNN and AFP have reported it as well as the BBC. So, yes, it has been widely reported.
Posted in: Mossad under fire over Dubai hit squad
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kinniku
It is really that interesting a development? Some Israelis have merely offered their opinion. There has been no admission as of yet. In fact, it is still being denied.
How do you feel about the Palestinians arrested in connection with this case? There is certainly a strange silence amongst those suggesting that Mossad is behind this.
Posted in: Mossad under fire over Dubai hit squad
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kinniku
Thanks to the glories of the internet, I discovered this tv show. One of their main characters is a man in a wheelchair. The show makes fun of lots of things all in good fun. I encourage Ms. Palin to notice that the son, Chris, fell for and went on a date with the character in question. Instead of making fun of the particular character, it seems, except for the joke about Ms. Palin, that the character in question was just being presented as a regular member of society. Isn't that the real goal of a fair and kind society?
I can understand Ms. Palin and her family's sensitivity about this issue as it hits straight at home for them. However, if our goal is to treat everyone equally, it should be that everyone can also be the subject of humour equally as well. That is as long as it is meant in good fun and not meant to harm anyone.
Posted in: Palin lashes out at Fox animated comedy 'Family Guy'
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kinniku
It seems Hamas is also blaming the Palestinian Authority and the PA is also blaming Hamas. Although the next day Hamas said they did not want to accuse anyone except Israel.
From the Telegraph:
Palestinian Authority police spokesman, General Adnan al-Dameeri, told AFP in Ramallah that Palestinian security authorities "confirmed information that two Hamas officers ... were involved in the killing of Mabhuh."
On Monday Hamas official Ayman Taha told Al-Arabiya television that the pair, who were arrested in Jordan and handed over to Dubai, worked for the Palestinian Authority and took part in Mabhuh's assassination.
On Tuesday Taha told Al-Arabiya Hamas "did not want to accuse anyone" apart from Israel.
Posted in: Mossad under fire over Dubai hit squad
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kinniku
Exactly. I don't remember anyone vehemently denying it either. However, IF this was a Mossad operation, 'bungle' does not even begin to describe it. Getting caught on camera and using passports of people who were dual Israeli citizens are just two of the reasons why Israeli citizens first and foremost should be angry if this does turn out to be Mossad.
Still, just because 'security officials' say it looks like Mossad, does not mean it was Mossad.
I agree with makabi that it is more than odd that, if it was Mossad, that they would use Israeli citizens' passports. This is one of the main reasons it did not and still does not seem likely it was Mossad.
Posted in: Mossad under fire over Dubai hit squad
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kinniku
stevecpfc,
Well, maybe you should consider admitting you made a mistake since your suggestion that 'Israeli politicians are admitting it must be their own Mossad services' was incorrect.
I am well aware of and it has already been discussed that Mossad has been brought up as a suspected source of the killing. However, you suggested that Israeli officials have admitted that that is the case and you went so far as to suggest that this was broadcast on various news outlets. They have not admitted any such thing and no admissions have been broadcasted anywhere as of yet. As such, you are mistaken.
I have admitted Israel certainly had motive. However, they are not the only ones to have motive. Hamas is also in conflict with the Palestinian Authority. It is also possible that organized crime was involved. However, you seem to be ignoring that fact that two Palestinians were arrested in Jordan in connection with the assassination and are said to be members of Hamas. Although Hamas claims they are members of the Palestinian Authority.
As to who else could get these people's details, identity theft happens all the time and, I would guess that most of the time Mossad is not involved.
Posted in: Dubai wanted list for Hamas slaying faces snags
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kinniku
stevecpfc,
So, in other words, you were mistaken when you said above 'Israeli politicians are admitting it must be their own Mossad services'? I accept your admission of your mistake.
Again, we have a situation involving the passports of dual citizens of Israel, which would be more likely to be known in advance by Israel more than by other countries. If we are talking about identity theft, then it is certainly possible that the theives had no idea that the passports they lifted would belong to people who also had Israeli citizenship. More importantly, it seems unlikely Mossad would take the obvious chance that such passports would be easily linked to Israel. Again, it just doesn't make much sense when looking at past operations of the Mossad.
However, I do appreciate your admitting you made a mistake.
Posted in: Dubai wanted list for Hamas slaying faces snags
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kinniku
stevecpfc,
I just checked Fox and CNN as well. I cannot seem to find the story to which you referred. While Mossad is certainly being accused. I have found nothing on any site so far, including looking at a UK Times article updated a few minutes ago, to indicate Israeli officials have admitted anything.
Posted in: Dubai wanted list for Hamas slaying faces snags
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kinniku
stevecpfc,
I checked BBC where it says Israel denies involvement. In the same article a former Mossad officer suggests he thinks it looks like a Mossad operation. Although the officers opinion certainly is interesting. That is hardly an official admission of anything so far.
Posted in: Dubai wanted list for Hamas slaying faces snags
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kinniku
It seems Hamas is blaming the Palestinian Authority and the PA is blaming Hamas. Although the next day Hamas said they did not want to accuse anyone except Israel.
From the Telegraph:
Palestinian Authority police spokesman, General Adnan al-Dameeri, told AFP in Ramallah that Palestinian security authorities "confirmed information that two Hamas officers ... were involved in the killing of Mabhuh."
On Monday Hamas official Ayman Taha told Al-Arabiya television that the pair, who were arrested in Jordan and handed over to Dubai, worked for the Palestinian Authority and took part in Mabhuh's assassination.
On Tuesday Taha told Al-Arabiya Hamas "did not want to accuse anyone" apart from Israel.
Posted in: Dubai wanted list for Hamas slaying faces snags
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kinniku
stevecpfc,
I may be incorrect here. However, it seems to me that you are more interested in taking aim at Israel in general, and using sweeping generalizations to do it, instead of actually understanding that it really does not make much sense for Mossad to have been involved in this incident.
Posted in: Dubai wanted list for Hamas slaying faces snags
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kinniku
Grafton,
Exactly. We are all making suppositons. However, I think the supposition that you, others and I have raised about it being unlikely Mossad was involved do indeed make more sense than suppositions suggesting they were involved.
Posted in: Dubai wanted list for Hamas slaying faces snags
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kinniku
stevecpcf,
I think the 'puzzle' is missing a lot of pieces if you think it makes sense for an intelligence agency to knowingly use passports that are easily traceable to citizens of their own country when they could have chosen people, names and passports from anywhere in the world.
I do not think this is about having an agenda as much as common sense. Is it at all possible that Mossad acted was involved in this incident and acted in a way that seems as if they threw common sense out the window using an operating style they never seem to have before? Sure. Is it likely? I don't think so.
Posted in: Dubai wanted list for Hamas slaying faces snags
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kinniku
stevecpfc,
I have never written anything to suggest Mossad never had anything to do with someone being killed. In addition, it is common knowledge that intelligence agents from many countries have killed people worldwide over the last 5 decades. International laws or not, thinking they can act with impunity or not, this is a reality that is not only related to Israel's intelligence agency, but to most, if not all, countries' intelligence agencies in the world.
Posted in: Dubai wanted list for Hamas slaying faces snags
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kinniku
So far, only one known incident of Mossad's that was unsuccessful in Canada 13 years ago has been mentioned. It is certainly a stretch to think that this alone supports the notion that Mossad is not very competent or that they are sloppy and make blunders. I am not quite sure of the reasoning behind such sentiments as one thing that is certain is that Mossad has always had a very competent reputation. As far as 'saving there best guys' for the most important missions goes, that only makes sense and would certainly be true for every other countries intelligence agencies as well and, again causes one to pause at such reasoning being brought up into this conversation. Then again, I am not quite sure how some people can know about people who have been killed that 'we don't know about'. In short, it is rather strange to spend years bringing up Mossad and Israel and blaming them for everything that happens from a hang nail on an ant to lunar eclipes and also at the same time say they are routinely sloppy, blunder and are incompentent.
The reasoning in this thread so far from people who are suggesting it is Mossad seems flawed at this point in that there does not seem to be any particularly specific reasons behind it aside from blaming Israel.
I agree with both Molenir and Helter Skelter that it does not fit Mossad's style.
Posted in: Dubai wanted list for Hamas slaying faces snags
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kinniku
I have a feeling the video is going to be about as useful as the passport pictures and names the Dubai officials have made public have been, ie, not very at all.
Posted in: Dubai wanted list for Hamas slaying faces snags
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kinniku
DXXJP,
That's is kind of why I am not quite sure they have actually broken the case. Maybe they got lucky.
Posted in: Dubai wanted list for Hamas slaying faces snags