Arafat calls on Palestinians to terrorize enemy

[Gimel]

Invoking a phrase from the Koran, Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat on Saturday called on Palestinians to "terrorize" their enemy.

In a televised speech on the 56th anniversary of the "nakba" (the establishment of Israel), Arafat quoted a phrase from the Koran that tells Muslims to "find what strength you have to terrorize your enemy and the enemy of God."

The phrase in the Koran refers to Muslims' wars against pagans. Arafat, however, also signaled that he was ready for peace when he referred to another phrase reading: "If they want peace, then let's have it."

Addressing the Israeli people, Arafat said: "I tell the Israeli people that our hand is extended to making the peace of the brave on this land."

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Arafat

[Classical_Liberal]

1. The Koran isn't in English

so using prefering the term "terrorize" to describe what he said is inflammatory. There is no advocacy of suicide bombings in the Koran, though it definately justifies warfare under certain circumstances.

[Gimel]

2. The author is Palestinian

The writer is KHALED ABU TOAMEH.
Are you saying that there is no word for "terrorize" in Arabic?

[Classical_Liberal]

3. So what if the author is Arab

He was writing in Hebrew, which the English edition of Jpost translates to English. The word terrorize doesn't necessarily mean use terrorist methods. You can also say "strike fear in your enemies!" which is what we attempted to do with "shock and awe" in Iraq, and just about every war America has been involved in. It is obvious the use of the word "terrorize" is designed to provoke readers to think he is advocating terrorism.

[Gimel]

4. Sec of State Powell spoke of this

The author is writing in English, not Hebrew. There is no Hebrew edition of the JPost. Just as Jihad has several implications, it is none-the-less not a prescription for peace.

Arafat is seeking to arouse the Palestinians to strengthen their aggression against Israel. No doubt about it.

On edit: Here is a report on Powell's statements:

Powell said Arafat has refused to consolidate security forces and he mentioned Arafat's remarks Saturday to Palestinians on the 56th anniversary of what Arabs call Nakba, or catastrophe, the establishment of the state of Israel.

In a speech broadcast live on Palestinian television, Arafat repeatedly called on his people to be steadfast in their struggle against Israeli occupation.

Arafat ended his speech with a quote from the Koran. "Find what strength you have to terrorize your enemy and the enemy of God," he said. "And if they want peace, then let's have peace."

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/428020.html


In other words, terrorize them until they want peace (my interpretaion, and one that is logical).

[Classical_Liberal]

5. Arafat wasn't speaking English

and I have seen the same article in publications originally in Hebrew.

I am interested in just peace, which means two states or one binational one. I am not interested in peaceful aparthied. So long as their is no justice, I don't expect Palestinians to be peaceful. I only want them to target legitimate targets like occupying forces. Engaging in economic disruption and civil disobedience would be better, and probably more effective.

[Gimel]

6. There is conflict at present

That is not occupation which occurs as a result of conflict. I do not advise the Palestinians to attack the IDF in any way if they truly want a state and peaceful co-existence. By attacking when the plan of Israel for disengagement is on the table, only reduces their chances of getting a state in the near future.

[Classical_Liberal]

7. There is no plan on the table

The diengagement is unilateral, involves an eschalation in bulldozings and attacks, not to mention an unworkable economy, with no control of air space, sea ports or roads going in and out, not to mentiona a wall, and it only affects Gaza. It is just a seige of a Palestinian ghetto rather than an occupution. Sharon says he will move the Gaza settlers to the west bank and create a bunch more ghettos there. I don't know why they should think for a second that peace would bring them a state when it didn't before. I also believe making Israel hurt economically would be more effective.

[Gimel]

8. Sharon's plan

It is a step on the Road Map to peace. It is a plan in which the Palestinians should and do benefit. They should get in step with it and the developments and opportunities it has to offer them. The can step in and implement some plans for development with the funds offered by the EU and Japan and other donor nations. Sharon's plan doesn't fix the whole world, and isn't intended to. It is one piece of the puzzle, the picture, that has to be put in place to create a new Middle East.

The clashes that are taking place now, are not part of the Disengagement Plan. That came about as a result of the attacks on the IDF. The enlargement of the Philadelphi Route in order to control arms smuggling from Egypt. These additional operations are carried out as the need arises.

[Classical_Liberal]

9. A part of the roadmap?

not according to Sharon.

Peace roadmap is dead: Israeli PM

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has said the so-called "road map" for Middle East peace is dead.

In an interview on Israeli television he said he would have preferred to negotiate an agreement with the Palestinians.

Several months ago he said he realised that it was not possible to move the road map forward because, as he put it, "the Palestinians do not respect their commitments".

Mr Sharon confirmed that he decided to implement his own package of unilateral measures, including an Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, after reaching this conclusion......

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1096159.htm

If the EU and Japan really wanted to help they will tie getting the US out of the IRaq mess to dismantlement of the settlements and lifting of the blockaid on all trade routes, in the West Bank and Gaza. Otherwise it is just poring money down a rathole unworkable Bantustan.