Obama's friend raising funds for new Gaza aid ship
Rashid Khalidi, a well-known critic of Israel, hopes to raise at least $370,000 in the next month.
By Natasha MozgovayaWASHINGTON - A fundraising campaign is currently underway in the United States to finance the purchase of an American ship in an effort to break the Israeli naval blockade of the Gaza Strip in the early autumn. The ship is to be named after U.S. President Barack Obama's book "The Audacity of Hope."
If that isn't enough to stir the ghosts of the 2008 American presidential election, one of the prominent figures to support the initiative is Columbia University history professor Rashid Khalidi, a well-known critic of Israel whose friendship with the American president from their days together in Chicago engendered criticism of Obama.
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Rashid Khalidi |
| Photo by: Alex Levac |
An email being circulated by pro-Palestinian activists in the U.S. said the goal of the fundraising campaign is to raise at least $370,000 next month to obtain possession of a ship that could accommodate between 40 and 60 people and for operational expenses. The e-mail said the ship will join a flotilla of other vessels from Europe, Canada, India, South Africa and the Middle East in an additional attempt to break the Israeli naval blockade.
Right-wing Internet-based blog columnists immediately seized on the involvement of Khalidi, whom they portrayed as a friend of Obama who was supporting Hamas. Khalidi said he does not know what the ship will ultimately be named, but said the White House should not be embarrassed by the name "The Audacity of Hope" and should instead call for Israel's naval blockade of the Hamas-controlled territory to be lifted.
Khalidi, who was born in the U.S. and the son of a Palestinian refugee, told Haaretz that although he will participate in the fundraising event for the ship, he will not be sailing in it himself. In a reference to the Israel Defense Forces, he added: "Given the national-religious hierarchy which determines what the IDF can do to whom, the fact that the ship is American will make it harder to deal with it as the Mavi Marmara was dealt with."
The Mavi Marmara was boarded by the Israel Navy at the end of May while part of a flotilla attempting to run the blockade. Nine people on board the ship were killed in the confrontation with naval commandos.
Khalidi said he visited relatives in the Gaza Strip a number of years ago. He characterized the blockade as a measure "imposed on a population of 1. 5 million people who are effectively imprisoned, and most of whom are deprived of living a normal life."
When asked by Haaretz if he was aware of the proposed name of the ship and whether the choice of name was appropriate, Khalidi said: "I am not one of the organizers of this effort, and had no knowledge that this name had been chosen. If the name is a problem for the [Obama] administration, it can simply insist publicly that Israel lift the siege. That of course would require it to respond to the systematic mendacity of those in Congress and elsewhere who support the siege. It is shameful that the U.S. and Egyptian governments are complicit in this indefensible siege."
Khalidi said the fact that the ship is American would bring attention to the Gaza issue, which had begun to have an impact on American public opinion.
"This has not been the result of the ineffective efforts of the two feeble Palestinian 'authorities', nor has it mainly been the result of the work of activists, important though this has been," he said.
"It has primarily been a natural response to the actions of successive Israeli governments. These actions have appeared more and more unjustifiable to growing segments of US public opinion - the only place largely impervious to this change has been the US Congress. This is especially the case among younger people, who can detect the deception and chicanery which are an essential part of 'selling' such rotten goods as occupation, discrimination, and attacks on civilians. It is also visible in widening sectors of the American Jewish community."
Israel's blockade of Gaza was punishing civilians while having little effect on the Hamas administration, Khalidi said.
"The siege is not imposed on the Hamas government, or on a 'terrorist entity', as the Israeli government describes the entire Gaza Strip: it is imposed on a population of 1.5 million people, who are effectively imprisoned, and most of whom are deprived of living a normal life. Moreover, it hardly affects that government, as has been amply reported by Haaretz, the NY Times and other organs not known for their sympathy for Hamas."
This for of collective punishment could constitute a war crime, he said.
"This is collective punishment of a civilian population, pure and simple - as Dov Weisglass cynically said, the Gazans would be “put on a diet”. That is potentially a war crime. Most of Gaza’s population, being children, did not vote for Hamas or anyone else. Any human being of any political orientation should oppose this siege".
Nor does Khalidi have any faith in current peace talks between the Netanyahu administration and the Palestinians.
"Negotiations between the most extreme Israeli government in decades and a Palestinian authority operating without a national consensus are unlikely to resolve the outstanding issues," he said.
"Doing so would require accepting international law as the basis for a settlement, and abandoning the bankrupt “peace process” approach and the flagrant American bias in favor of Israel’s policies that have significantly worsened the situation over the past two decades. If the new flotilla helps to end the blockade of Gaza, and perhaps helps to bring the two Palestinian authorities to understand how much damage the continuation of the division between them, and between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, is doing to the Palestinian cause, it will have been a good thing."
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so now we have a friend of the president raising money to buy a ship that will sail to GAZA! Will someone tell me one good thing about this administration!
The Audacity of Hope. Is a good name of the ship.
Why is he Obama's friend? Obama hater are always trying to stir the pool of discontent. Ill-guided Americans love to stir problems between U.S. and Israel. They lost their chance many years ago when the Arabists in the U.S. State Department started to retire and were replace with more even-handed diplomats.
They will try and break Israel's will, but the legal blockade must stand to defend the precious land. Israel show them the door. Or is this the tipping point, so that no more of these ridiculous flotillas happen. What a nerve when Gaza is overflowing with supplies. A political game is going on.
criticize israel ? what about criticising iran? the hamas or any other muslims country with no humane right .or speek ing out against terrorist.among us .we are constantly under threat . speek out.? i guess your to scare to do so loudly p.s hunger is all around the world not only in Gasa .now hamas should be able to aid there own people since there saving there money by not sending rockets to israel .p.s cost our governments billons $ for our security ,the E U security all so . i wounder what kind of culture is this that muslims killing muslims all over ?your 370.000 $ ship should be used for campaign against the terrorist amonng us or where do you leave
Iran wants an Iranian port in the Mediterranean and is using the poor Palestinians as puppets ...its discraceful
If the people of the Gaza Strip are starving as reported then why are there no international statistics to support these allegations? How about someone sending a ship full of inspectors to comb the entire Gaza Strip and report on the actual conditions there. Then compare the the impoverished conditions in Gaza to other impoverished areas of the world - and please provide photos of the starving people of the Gaza Strip and the starving people of other countries. After that ,send the aid ships to where they really shoiuld be going. ALSO, didn't the King of Saudi Arabia give one billion dollars to the PLO and Hamas? In those pockets to that money go? Let'a hear some facts for a change and cut these theatrics.
This is the perfect case for President Obama to show on whose side he's on. If he does not sway his moron friend Rashid Khalidi from cancelling his intentions, then it’s clear that we'll all know on whose side of the fence Obama is truly on.
BTW, Khalidi is a frequent TalkBack poster here, under an assumed name from Australia (but not Gaza).
Mr. Khalidi is obviously operating from an extremely biased perspective, having relatives in Gaza and being the son of a Palestinian. When he speaks of "collective punishment" by Israel of all of the 1.5 millions Gaza residents, he shoulkd also have noted that that same population is also being virtually held hostage by Hamas, because to deviate from Hamas' doctrines carries severe consequences for the populace there. And when Mr. Khalidi suggests that only the application of "International Law" would settle the issue of Palestinian statehood and related matters, he seems to conveniently forget that Hamas has never adhered to "international law" or any other laws, except their internal statutes, which explicitly state never to recognize the existence of the State of Israel.
It is not Hamas that initiated the blockade or the seige. It is Israel and they did it as a punitive measure to punish the electorate for electing Hamas. You also do not admit the role that Israel played in supporting Hamas in order to enhance their policy, like any occupier, of divide and rule, to keep Gaza and WB seperate. Hamas has and is currently asking to enter into discussions with the EU. Those overtures have never been picked up on because they were defined as a terrorist organisation. So was the IRA and they everntually became part of the peace negotiations in Northeren Ireland without recognising the UK's claim to NI. It would seem to me that what you argue about the Gazans being held hostage by Hamas could also apply to those Arab citizens of yhour country. The Knesset is talking of stripping them of privileges, even citizenship for taking certain stands against the racist policies of your current government.
Right. It's the Jews just being big bad meanie heads for no real reason and the rest is explainable by you through a mishmash of mindlessly revisionist internet conspiracy theories. Yup, you figured out the problem. Now if only we could find some way to get you there to finally broker the peace after these 2,000 years of violence...
It is an imperative of American law to prevent individual citizens from imperiling the rest of us, and from souring our foreign relations, by conducting their own foreign policy — particularly when it subverts actual U.S. policy or provokes friendly nations. Consequently, the brazen declaration by Khalidi & Co. ought to put several provisions of the federal penal code into play. For example, Section 962 makes it a crime to furnish or fit out a vessel in the service of any foreign entity “to cruise, or commit hostilities” against a nation with which the U.S. is at peace. Israel is an American ally and the planned voyage is intended for the benefit of Hamas-controlled Gaza. Challenging a blockade — regardless of whether one thinks the blockade complies with the shifting sands of international law — is a hostile act. The boat needn’t embark in order for Khalidi to violate the law; it is a crime to conspire or attempt such a voyage. That is, the law is being violated now. So, very likely, is the Logan Act, Section 953 of the penal code. This prohibits American citizens (Khalidi was born in New York City) from carrying on “any correspondence or intercourse” with any foreign government with the intent to influence the “measures or conduct of any foreign government” regarding “disputes or controversies with the United States,” or to “defeat the measures of the United States.” It would require Justice Department investigation to determine exactly what communications Khalidi and his friends have had with Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. Yet, given Khalidi’s history of close relations with Yasser Arafat and his successors, as well as the clamor by Islamists and leftists to include Hamas in what Turkey eerily calls the “final solution” to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, there has undoubtedly been significant contact between Palestinian officials and Audacity of Hope planners. Beyond that, it could not be plainer that the planners are seeking to influence the behavior of both Israel and Hamas. Moreover, it cannot be gainsaid that the United States is enmeshed in the controversy over the blockade; indeed, Khalidi and his confederates expressly allege that the blockade is “U.S.-backed.” And wholly apart from the blockade, the planned stunt will strengthen the hand of Hamas
Chafeeka says in her post: This prohibits American citizens (Khalidi was born in New York City) from carrying on “any correspondence or intercourse” with any foreign government with the intent to influence the “measures or conduct of any foreign government” regarding “disputes or controversies with the United States,” or to “defeat the measures of the United States.” Indict 90% of our congressmen/women then, all the lobbyists for foreign countries and companies.
Where do I send the money and how can I volunteer to take part?
This is a more appropriate name for such a ship if it is going to fight Islamic tyranny which is the cause of the problem in the terrorist entity located in the Gaza Strip in first place. For the uniformed, this flotilla entertainment is "Made in Iran" and it may come back to haunt them. It is a way of spreading Iranian influence in the region.
The truth is that after WWIII (coming soon to a continent near you) the Gazans will go back to Egypt and the Fatah folks will go to live in Jordan. If you have any more questions feel free to ask.
Alaska? Siberia? take a pick
war world 3?? nice peacenik you are wishing the demise of the universe... is there where you are coming from? such drama nothing else!!!! aside from that if indeed WWIII occurs, you dont have to worry about where Gazans go or where Fatah or Hamas moves they will be dead expired by your prediction
The current administration has no fight in them. Rashid Khalid is a private citizen of the US and his beliefs and support for causes he believes in do not reflect on Obama. I strongly support our President, and I hope he dosen't denounce his friend when Fox news demands that the "Audacity of Hope" be scuttled before joining the next flotilla. The last week , more than any other has revealed that we have a President without a spine. Vilsack, Jim Messina, Gibbs, the NAACP, the icing of Cheryl Cook, and finally the call from Beck to admit to the wrongful firing of Sherrod have forced the White House to apologize. Absolutely sickening. Everything Khalidi said is right. Is Obama capable of standing up to the double whammy of Fox and the "Lobby"? Does Gunney Ermey make a good therapist?
This man is a speaker of truth! I hope Obama is listening...
Israel ended this so called seige....they are like kids who taunt Isarel with rockets and attacks and bombings and had behind the skirts of UN and others who are casting a blind eye to this deception..........
Khalidi and Obama share the dimension of a chicken hawk -- those who love to stir conflict while far removed from the point of the spear, comfortably secure in front of their big screen tv talking tough. These are social elite who parasitically take but only give from someone else's reserve. May the earth under their feet and the feet of their children be on fire all their days and may they never know personal peace. Bill Nahay
Gaza is within 67 borders They should live within these borders ans stop to bomb Israeli civilians.
This is Obamas friend and ME adviser . The policy khalidi exposes is the saudi plan plus. khalidi and Obama are so emboldened that khalidi has come out into the open
These two are perfect "chicken hawks". They love conflict, fire, brimstone, and tumult -- so long as they are safely removed from the point of the spear. Arm chair experts who never lead but only stir conflict. May the earth beneath his feet and the feet of those whom he loves be cursed all their days.
This is obamas goal the international imposition of the saudi plan plus. this coming from Obamas friend and adviser. Khalidi spells it out. The use of audacity of hope is a clear signal. obamas' silence is deafening.
given the massive supplies bound for gaza now going through regular check up points any new 'blockade breaker" owns us an explanation as to why they would want to bypass security checks
Hell hath no fury like israelis outgunned..
Khalidi has every right to express his opinion. Are you suggesting, Natasha, that AIPAC should be shut down because it openly supports a foreign power, Israel? And a foreign power which is bad for America's interests?
Numbers 34:2-12 God will avenge His people and fullfill his promise to Abraham.
Why does he need to avenge his people? Surely he could just protect them from upsets in the first place,and then they wouldn't need to be avenged?
"Avengence is mine says the Lord"
Khalidi is a distinguished scholar and a compelling voice for justice and non-violent resistance. That is why Israel is afraid of him as it was of the voice of Edward Said. They have indeed exposed the chicanery and pointed out an observable fact: as the truth of Israel's actions as an occupying force that has shown not the slightest sign for change became more widely known, growing segments of the population around the world are beginning to express their vocal opposition to this government. No better name could be found than "Audacity of Hope" for that is what this growing international resistance movement to the war crimes in Gaza and the WB is; an act of hope. That is another reason why the zionist propaganda machine must do all in their power to portray them as "terrorists" and supporters of Hamas. This is a movement Israel will ultimately not be able to handle except through violence. They don't know how to repsond to non-violence except through military might and agression. Professor Khalidi should be congratulated for putting his support to this growing non violent resistance movement which continues to show to the world that collective punishment against 1.5M citizens cannot stand. The seige will be broken.
he will be eating crow when the state department says to you "shut up, this will be handled by the bumbling idots we already have! Do not cloud the muddy waters that exist." See the depth of thought you as a professor has...is likened to a thirty second beer commercial on a sunday afternoon. Israel's resolve will block any "sunken before it gets started flotilla" INCLUDING the US. Yeah I want to send my kids to columbia u. NOT!!! Mind dribbling secular humanist
So what?! Palestine is full of these. Come to visit and see.
I knew that the USA had problems and its creatures like this Khalidi who sets The USA to third world ranking nation Show him Tom Gross report of the surfeit of food and luxury items that permeates in all Gaza's establishments .restaurants with 12 page menus ,Olympic size swimming pools .And you Khalid the scumbag want to provoke some action ?You are a farce and what ever you raise in nothing compared to the funds sent to Gaza by the European taxpayers to line the pockets of the terrorists .All you can claim is to be an agent provocateur and hope you are on board the vessel bearing any shitty name of your choice when it sinks and look to the Israeli Navy to fish you out ( because I would not)
nor any citing of sources. Your claims about Gaza as being a lavish resort spa with abundant food is so ridiculous that it is laughable. You should not confuse your bias against all sources who portray the reality in Gaza as objectivity which you clearly are not interested in. As for governement corruption I think it wise if you first look under the rocks from under which the current FM of Israel crawled out from. Oh, and then there is Olmert.....oh dear, Charles, not a very exemplary model of a government of integrity, so I think it would behoove you to stay closer to home on this one.
have heard that North Korean swimming pools are even bigger than the Gazan ones. However in both cases it is only too difficult to check it up :-)
The title of the article is misleading. Obama has nothing to do with the plan and is not supporting it. Moreover, Israel is not preventing goods from going to Gaza; it has set up other ways for the goods to get to Gaza. I would like to understand why Israel does not simply disable the ship's rudder or drive system in its own waters without otherwise damaging the ship or the people on it. That would accomplish the purpose without hurting anyone. why does Khalidi not get challenged on the false argument that the citizens and the government are disinguishable. Let the citizens vote the government out and that would end the problem. In effect the citizens have voted for the blockade.
Israel needs to send a message and that was why the interceped the Turkish flotilla. They were not interested in disabling the rudder though they could have done that. The wanted to use full force in a military mission in which their provocation they knew would set off resistacne from those on board. Israel's action was decidely not meant to simply disable a ship. The used Turkey because it was a large flotilla and it was from a Muslim nation and they were in a better propaganda position to argue that the ship was filled with "terrorsts". As for the people of Gaza electing Hamas, I urge you to investiagate the time leading up to those elections and check out what Israel did to assure that Hamas would be elected. As for your argument that the "citizens have voted for the blockade" then you must accept that the citizens of Israel have voted for resistance to a two state solution and a contnuation of a policy of further land confiscationns and dispossessions of Palestinians from EJ. They elected Shas and Yisrael Beitaynu.
And how exactly would one *safely* disable the rudder of an uncooperative ocean-going ship running at sea? Don't ships need rudders to get somewhere or to avoid hazards? In any case, maybe you could personally volunteer to disable the next one with your idea. But I would bet you couldn't even stop a little car being driven at high speed safely in the real world - let alone something thousands of times bigger and being operated by people that really wouldn't mind if you accidentally were killed during the process of disabling their ship. And that's just the start, now you'll also need to figure out what to do with an adrift ship full of people that will consequently need rescue or start dying at sea due to your actions. The rest of what you wrote was also senseless - just regurgitated anti-Semitic senselessness. A lot like the anti-US conspiracies that Bin Ladin was invented by the US... the anti-Israel conspiracy websites say the same thing about Hamas being created by Israel. Yeah, ok.
Israel killed 9 members of the Turkish flotilla and wounded 25. Their military had no problem in doing that. As for disabling the rudder, it was the suggestion of another poster, but as for those left on the ship after it would be attacked, I suppose Israel would do with them what they did with the Rachel Corrie-take them into custody and then deport them. The vessel would be brought into Ashdod. Nothing conspiratorial about Israel's role in helping Hamas to gain power, just part of an occupiers policy to divide and rule. So get ahold of yourself and try and learn the facts rather rthan ranting fromnm such a bitter zionist heart that choosing to accuse others of that tired old canard-anti-semitism- and prefers to play the eternal victim, justifying war crime as necessary for survival.
At the same time that Israel was formed, so was Transjordan (modern day Jordan) as a home for the Palestinians. They were so much trouble to the king that he killed thousands of them, while no one gave any thought to it. Syria has refugee camps for them, where they live in poverty, but it never appears on CNN. Israel has done more for the Palestinians that has any Arab nation on earth. These "peaceful" Muslims (Pals) sent suicide bombers into civilian cafes under Fatah, and launched thousands of rockets at civilian targets under Hamas, a terrorist organization elected by these poor mistreated people on condition that they "push the Jews intothe sea". Every legitimate country has a right to defend itself from those who live to destroy it.
Just how much more lies one adds to the Gaza saga. Gazeans are happy the way thingsare: receiving billions from over the world and being in eternal vacations. They will be crazy to give up this manna. As for Khalidi, he knows all about Gaza but prefers, as other Hamas supporters to twist the truth
i'm all for the US ship. especially if its named after obama. israel isn't going to treat the ship differently and it'll make obama look even more like a doofus than he already does. obama can't do anything right, no reason to think he can get away with this either
Perhaps Rashid Khalili should help send the boat to Cuba first, to help the Cubans, then to Turkey to help the kurds, and then Darfur to stop the killings, then to Iran to help the Iranians, then finally to Lebanon to help the Christians. Or don't they care.
lebanese christians are not suffering.they are the richest group in lebanon.they are not also oppressed.at least a half,if not the majority of them,are allied with hezbollah and are anti-israel.pity yourself!
History does not begin with either the Hamas election, the abduction of Gilad Shalit or the violent takeover of Gaza by Hamas. Solutions that place Israel in the PR dock will not free the people of Gaza. The international community must engage in creating a resolution that separates the warring parties and guarantees food, medicine, electricity, water and a tangible path to freedom of movement for the people of Gaza in place of paying the UN to service its nearly 1 million refugees.
Do not count on this US sponsored ship not being attack by the Jews with weapons. The Jews attacked a US spy ship with fighter jets and killed several US sailors on the USS Liberty. Go to Google and enter USS Liberty and see for yourselves.
What is better is to watch the BBC documentary of the event. Hard to deny the accusations when you do.
this moneny should go to un .e u . for aid to the paletinians in Gasa and the west bank as a humanitarian support p.s flotilla just waste of your money , through frotillas .you will never break the blocaked on Gasa .what a shame to waste people money to rent a ship? only to provoke.and to be a provocative.
It surprises me that people think the Gaza people are lacking aid. Just look at their brand new, luxury, air-conditioned shopping mall. Try Googling "Gaza Shopping Mall". Not exactly an "open-air proson" which folks talk about. The mall web site had special offers for the opening of Israeli trousers and American-made shirts.
google "crazy water park" for photos.
They have don't this shopping mall thanks to the Israelis and does having a shopping mall make you free.
Israel invaded Gaza in 1967 and has occupied or laid siege, non-stop, since then. Last I looked, occupation and siege were acts of war. You are the revisionist!
Just keep to the facts, 1967 was war which was started by Egypt for blocking the straits of tyran. In the course of the war Israel controlled all of the Sinai. And in the course of the peace agreement Egypt did not want Gaza anymore. Since the disengagement Egypt is as interested in opening its borders as Israel !
Mendacity of Hope is what I call Obama and his buddies. . .
rashid khaldi shoul do fundrasing campain to help washinton finance financialy the burden on the money that they and UN .EU spend for our security from terrorist all over.P>s Gasa was a green house with millon of dollars profit.after israel left they destroy every think .EU .US .CANADDA we are becoming personer in our own coutrys from threat on daily bases from terrorist .. financialy and about our own security are becoming burden on those countrys.so why not contrbute all this money from all over to washinton .THE EU .CANADA . UN .hamas is a terrorist organization witch thy took Gasa by force from the fatah and killing each other .all so why so many muslims killing muslims evry day ?? all over the world ? P>S after .spt 11 they were celebrating on the street of Gasa and giving candys .what kind of humanity is this ?? i keep and woudring ??
It's time Americans speak out loud and clear against the zionists inhuman and illegal blockade of the Gaza portion of Palestine. I will gladly contribute to my countryman's fund.
Why would you say the "zionists" blockade"? The "zionist" don't even have ships... or a navy for that matter. Unless you believe in the recycled anti-Semitic conspiracies of Jews secretly controlling other world governments and what-not. Either way, enjoy throwing your money away on a designed, straw-man, PR stunt that ignores the reality of what is going on in Gaza and won't really help anyone. You know, if you really do want to donate to help people - your money would be more effective if you donated to a group that sends aid legally and doesn't martyr their activists on political stunts. Although as a fellow American, I'd rather see you donate within your own community first.
Of which democracy you are talking about, and of which freedom, these are not granted to the entire population of israel, the freedom and the democracy you are talking about are meant only for the jewish in israel, and not for arab israeli dear,
You're totally mistaken. I'm an Arab Israeli woman, christian, but with lots of Muslim friends, also Israeli, and only the ones that commit all kinds of arbitrary acts against their own country are deprived of their rights. Here, as everywhere else, you live according to the way you choose. Go to a mall, to a hospital, to a university, and you'll see by yourself. Lots of Muslims buying, being treated, working, studying. If there are Arabs in Israel that feel they are treated as second class citizens it's probably due to the fact that THEY consider THEMSELVES second class citizens, so they are going to feel this way here, there and everywhere.
There is absolutely no truth to your assertions. The twenty percent of Israel's citizens who are Christian, Muslim, Druze, Buddhist, B'hai -all enjoy the same democratic rights and freedoms, fully protected by the supreme court!
I think sending food to starving people living under a brutal occupation is one of the most noblest things one can do. Also hope that Hamas who i have no sympathy for, release galid shalit......and let him return to his family.
Starving - you must be joking. Just look at their brand new, luxury, air-conditioned shopping mall. Try Googling "Gaza Shopping Mall". They have all the food they need, and Isreal took in over 10,000 patients, and close relatives, for medical treatment last year.
yes people are starving in parts of the world but i have yet to see a picture of a starving child man or women. Its exactly the opposite. AND WHAT ABOUT THE NEW SHOPPING MALL? PRISON? Dont make me laugh
I agree, sending food to starving people is noble. So, send it to starving people Not to the Gaza mall, and send food without weapons and terrorist activist ;-)
Are you equally concerned about starving people in other parts of the world?? How much food are you sending to Haiti?? To Darfur?? Are you one of the ISM kooks who ignores truth and facts??
i hope obama opens his eyes to the reality and see things as they are they in a way different from previous american presidents.he should know what occupation,invasion,refugees,displacement,settlement,terrorism and war are.then he would see that israel is all of the above.then obama in his god-given humanity will act against israel.if congress or any group or arm wants to stand in his way,he can dissolve them all and even go as far as declaring a state of emergency in america.he can then send aid and weapons to the arabs and cut ties with israel.he may even ask the american forces in the middle east to act against israel. have you ever imagined such a scenario? sounds ridiculous.but time is no one's friend and time is a secret revelation of wonders!
revolution is not coming to the U.S. Elections are and we will elect a new President. This one sux.
Wait, you start out by portraying occupation, invasion, refugees, displacement, settlement, terrorism and war as bad... Then go on to say you wished all that would happen against Israel and Israeli civilians? Even so far as using the U.S. military to against Israel and send "the arabs" weapons? That is either painfully hypocritical to the core or blissfully ignorant of reality (or a combination of the two things). Also, Obama (or any other president) cannot just dissolve congress or any group that "stands in his way" - that would be in conflict with the US constitution, the existing US political system and mainstream American culture and sentiment.
i dont wish for all those things to happen.but its a fact israel carries out these things everyday.and if war is necessary to stop evil,so be it.its simple logic.
Khalidi is not only a critic of Israel, but also a critic of the Palestinians. Intellectuals are often critics, as they base there criticism on their analyses. So are American, European, Middle Eastern critics... They're often hated for their criticism, reproached with ignoring "real" work and "real" life, they're asked to stand with their own country, its leaders and population (that finances their vain research) against the "others", i.e. those whose fears are less justified and who have ignoble motives and means... Khalidi's "Iron Cage" has its place on my bookshelf (next to other books on middle eastern topics). But there's no need to be afraid: first, I don't consider it to be a kind of bible, secondly, I have neither authority concerning the topic, nor platforms to tell my ideas (except such forums) and thirdly, I'm far less dogmatic than common people.
going to contribute this time in the attempt of thugs - Rashid Kalidi being one, and a dear friend - to break the lawful blockade on a territory that is in armed conflict with Israel, Gaza?
The world is sick & tired big time of the zionist morally defunct arguments which zionists keep making. Its always the world against you and zionists are poor and/or Obama is with Ararbs ...... stop this crap cuz proving yr collective IQ is zero!!
Most Americans who support Israel do so blindly, without regard to inconsistencies or contradictions in their thinking, and they are almost all a "little bit paranoid and a little bit psychotic".
A free for all game where hate is free & plentiful and easy to be believed. Fighting Israel is an 'automatic discrimination' that needs no brain or a licence. Nothing changed ! Jews in their own country must live no different from their life in the diaspora ! The only difference are those Jews living in Israel and abroad 'educated' themselves to join the orchestra in the name of 'political correctness' and that applied only to Israel. Enough is enough' for "automatic discrimination" against Israel & the Jews" !
world needs a scapegoat, that is the human nature,
hehe I certainly hope that the American people use this moment to vote him out of office the arrogance and the super self grandiosity is a bit much too much and if you go against it they call you a "racist" ye right Obama out of office 2012 period
Rashid Khalidi is a fool and should be deported back to his buddies hezbollah.
lets see, he is of Palestinian origins, but born in NY, so where can yo deport an American citizen of Palestinian roots?
USA
baby ,where his family is from.
... maybe Khalid is the friend also of other friends of Israel... so what?
He is supporting Gazans and not Hamas.. big difference. In between, Mr. Norman Finkelstein may Join.. a jew who see straight.
What do you mean "maybe", Esther? We know what kind of "friends of Israel" Rashidi would be friends with - friends that are worse than open enemies. A faux friend is worse than an open enemy, because he decieves you into complacency and false notions.
This ship is intended to join others from Europe, Canada, India, South Africa and the Middle East. Who else is left??????????
Why do yu think Syria and China are so close to Hamas
Oh how terrible to look at the poor condition of the people in Gaza. AND YET they had the energy, money, equipment, and goods to build a MALL & stock it with items. HEY KHALIDI, don't you read the newspapers,even the Arabic ones?
I guessed you hadn't, you're just repeating Israeli propaganda.
Why label Professor Khalidi a "critic of Isreal", when he has consistently criticized the policies of Israeli governments? By the same token we could label Haaretz a "critic of Isreal".
...nor living in Gaza any time soon. Easy to criticize from cushy perch on UWS at Columbia U.
instead of sending a ship with aid, BUY online from the new Gaza Mall and distribute the goods to the poor in Gaza!!
Better still.BOYCOTT Israeli goods until they drop their blockade.
The US blockade of Cuba ended when the Russians started to remove the nukes and we started to remove our nukes from Turkey. That was when John Kennedy was still alive. He's been dead since 1963.
The embargo never ended. Alot more people died in Cuba because of the effects of this embargo over the years than in Gaza.
Look up the different definitions of "blockade" and "embargo." Are you really that ignorant or just acting that way?
That is why i used the word embargo and did not use the word blockade. The end result is the same, the population suffers due to political reasons. In the case of Cuba there is no moral justification while on Gaza's case there are plenty of reasons for it.
and can ask the same of you. are you really that ignorant? or just full of hate for israel? I saw your comment about gilad... i truly hope your children are safe man... i hope you never go through what shalit's parent's are going through.
The US embargo ensures that they have to suffer trading with Canada. The only people hurt by the US embargo are Americans. Learn the facts. Canadian wheat & medicine and manufactured goods are just as good as American stuff. In many cases, it is American stuff, relabeled.
But I have concerns for Bowe Bergdahl who is a POW and has been declared "better off dead" by the geniuses at Fox News. He's in his third year of captivity by the Taliban.
Who are you kidding? Cuba looses billions because of it and its people are among the poorests in the world. So its ok for the US to say go deal with Canada and leave us out of it but its not ok for Israel to say go deal with Egypt and leave us out of it?
It means that people are free to express opinions, to work for causes, to support efforts they believe are right. It means that AIPAC can distort American news outlets (e.g., Fox News) to the detriment of America. It means that refugees like Albert Einstein can work against fascists like Begin as a professor and public citizen at Princeton, and it means that refugees like Khalidi can call upon Americans to help break an illegal blockade imposing collective punishment on 1.4 million trapped civilians. It means that Samuel Goldstone can speak even while your government tries to shut him up. It means that time is not on your side.
of course freedom of expression is valued and respected and at the same time taken advantage of and abused. Abused in a way of bashing and put downs like you are doing and John youre transparent it is obvious you would reather support the Hamas and HIszbolla faster than Israel and if your conscience is clear and clean by all means you express it in all open view here in Haaretz who are sharing same nonsensical nothings as you do
Democracy means for the people by the people John ,not millons of Muslim sheep controlled by one or two sheepdogs ,typical Islamofascism way ,PLO/Fatah was overthrown ,in Gaza by Islamofascist thugs of Hamas ,try again?
What would America do if American Jews got on a boat to Cuba, in a blatant violation of the blockade? Send them to jail. I'm not making an argument for our relationship with Cuba--just stating that breaking a blockade imposed by a country for the stated purpose of national safety is a criminal act if not a military act--and should be addressed as such.
Open a dictionary and learn the difference between blockade and embargo.
Time has come for Change in the USA................. The present leadership was elected by mistake.
Why should a people determined to destroy another people be given access to fullfill that aspiration?Kaladi and the other self rightious hypocrites ignore the fact that Gaza has a border (which is also closed)with Egypt.
Can someone even think of a reason as to why the US goverment collectively punishing those poor poor people?
that policy is counter-productive and inhumane too.
Not those who choose war and genocide.!
whether khalidi names his ship "the audacity of hope," or whether he names the ship "the audacity of fools," it will be known as obama's boat. such a ship would be the epitomy of obama's policy of engagement, of his policy of outreach, of multiculturalism, of a new, transformative presidency. khalidi informs us that he himself, coward that he is, will not take part in this historic moment when the clash of civilizations is finally slain by the dragon of mutual respect. all that said, should this ship attmpt to break the legal blockade of gaza, it will be dealt with in due course by the authorities of the sovereign state of israel.
If it were Obama's ship, it would be accompanied like the George Washington is in South Korea. It would also end Israel's war on the children of Gaza. Obama has the power to do just that. Maybe you wish he would. Then he would be the caricature you want him to be. The German blockade of England was legal too when you all sank the Lusitania. But was that smart?
obama has all manner of power, and whatever power he has not, he grabs. it is the reason that he is slowly transforming himself into a "caricature," right in fron of our eyes. however, i am quite confident the obama the rhetorician would no the difference between the literal and the metaphorical.
We thought we voted for change and he's turning out like Bush, with a suntan.
The politically astute who see that. we are pretenders to denials of fear. I will support my friends but Obama, Cook. Vilsack. Messina. and Emanuel have been exposed. I cannot be more disgusted
will rishadi's action be labeled as dual loyalty? i thought not. still i needed to ask.
The man's surname is Khalidi, first name Rashid. He happens to be a professor at Columbia University and a distinguished historian. If he is a well-known critic of Israel as this article claims, he is also a well-known critic of all the Palestinian political representations to date, not to mention the Arab States and, as you see in this article, the USA.
you might be perfect, but i am only human. i know who khalidi is.
It is not fair to president Obama to title this article in this manner. The issue is this guy and his actions as a news item - and the linking as an Obama friend is a bit underhanded.
and hands $400 million to Abbas. Americans note this and his 'critiques' of Israel. Obama wont serve two terms. All his 'friends' are muslims.
The United States has neutrality laws against things like fitting, furnishing or arming vessels with the intent of committing hostile acts against a country with which the U.S. is at peace. (Challenging a blockade is a hostile act.) We also have laws against providing material support to terrorist organizations like Hamas. Will the Obama Justice Department pursue an investigation of Khalidi?
The US also has laws against incitement to war crimes. But it doesn't enforce them against people like Dick Armey who called for the ethnic cleansing of Gaza when he was House majority leader. The US didn't arrest any of the American people aboard the Mavi Marmara either. You cannot always count on politics being criminalized.
and I do hope US will use it on Rashid's ideas and throw his tush in jail with the CIA blessing for supporting Hamas
setting aside whether the laws you refer to are even remotely applicable to this situation, even by your definition the ship would not fall under them. sending humanitarian aid is not a "hostile act." though of course to israeli right-wing nutters and their supporters anything remotely threatening to the full zionist enterprise is violently hostile, terrorism, anti-semitism, blah blah blah
That would require a legal determination of whether the blockade is legal or not. If legal, then the US can stop the ship. If illegal, then Israel is once again breaking the law. We're game if you are.
Israels naval blockade of the Gaza Strip does not hinder the humanitarian efforts of those seeking to send aid to the impoverished strip. Aid to the civilian population of Gaza can be delivered via the numerous channels that exist on the ground from within Israel and Egypt. The latter has been aknowledged by the UN, who has called for all aid to be delivered overland. Considering the constant calls of your ilk asking Israel to fall in line with UN decisions, why do you not take a second to be an example? This is just another PR stunt ochestrated by self righteous bafoons who far more interested in publicity than in humanitarian gestures.
obama helped create this very issue by constantly siding with the arabs and denouncing Israel. You reap what you sow, and he spent an enormous amount of time and energy slamming Israel and insulting their leadership. If he has any brains, he’ll stop the ship. If he doesn’t, then I hope Israel stops them and if the ship tries to break away and go through the blockade, send them all to the bottom. Start a new coral reef.
Maybe they should rename the ship the Bibi Netanyahu and fly the Israeli flag. The US is not a Middle Eastern country like Israel. We do not allow our government to engage in prior restraint. That would be Unamerican and Unconstitutional. Not even Bush would have tried that.
By the way whats BIBI got to do with it? the misery caused in Gaza is solely Hamas and nobody elses
You seem to think there is no IDF preventing goods from getting into Gaza. Why not name it for the guy who makes claims that black is white and yellow is red? That makes as much sense as associating Obama's book title with what Obama does or does not agree with.
Israel has become an evil criminal thug regime that believes it has the right to commit crimes against humanity. I will be donating to this worthy cause.
Rashid is a terrible man who supports killers and hates America and Israel. It is an embarassment that Obama is a friend of this corrupt evil man. The people of Gaa live better than the people in Africa and have so much and used donations to support terror. Shame on this man. He should be removed from Columbia
I hope the US Government is smart enough to forbid this provocsation stunt to use an American Flag...If the ship sails under the Old Glory,it will be a loose loose problem for the Administration,specialy before the November Ellections
the US is a real democracy with limits on its powers to limit the actions and expressions of its citizens. You wouldn't be comfortable here
please, everyone, "loose" means "not tight," something like a knot coming undone. Lose means to fail, or not hold on to something
Woman means one woman. Women means more than one woman.
This guy is a friend of Obama, he supported his campaign, met with him numerous times, facts documented and burried by the media in 2008. The security of Israel is not his business and he should only be lecturing his students. Hamas is at war with Israel. Who gives him the authority to organize flotillas on behalf of Hamas? People in Gaza voted for Hamas, they live as Hamas wants them to live. Hamas goal of finishing with Israel never changed, its allies are Iran and Hezbollah and arm deliveries are prevented by the blocus. As documented the tunnels and trucks from Israel bring abundant food supplies and other goods to Gaza. The humanitarian crisis is a myth. Next Khalidi will organize a flotilla to liberate the Guantanamo prison.
...President contribute to the activities of his friend to break the lawful blockade Israel has imposed on Gaza...??
Legality be damned. You are making war on the people of Gaza. You avoid harming Hamas or anything that might destabilize Hamas. Over half the population of Gaza didn't get a vote in the last elections your government allowed. They were not born or children and are children still.
You are a revisionist. Gaza made war war on the people of israel. Hamas must be crushed into oblivion for there to be peace. The "angels" who reside in Gaza voted them in and must live with the consequences. They slit their own wrists. Don't EVER SAY Israel made war on Gaza. If anything, Israel has been too lenient.
i could tell Obama had a brown nose so i voted for Ralph Nader
I wonder if Nader thinks that Israel has a right to exist?
Oh I know he doesnt want to die on the ocean floor,no Allah and virgins down there..Columbia should fire him.Jews should not support this University until they do.. If it attempts to run the blockade SINK IT!!!!
Hope you can raise the funds to get this project underway. Don't know about the name. I read the book before Obama was elected and thought that here is a man who will stand up and be counted but he seems to have been run over by your congress and is now a casuality of the jewish lobby. Another lame duck.
He talks and acts like a Jewish intellectual and was probably groomed by a group of Jewish self-loathers in college to attack Israel. Their input is still no doubt at work as this diabolical plan has an obvious Jewish touch. Israeli military intelligence better find a way to neutralize these ships at sea and turn them into pathetic rudderless vessels because this guy is rivaling Tehran in it's ability to embarrass Israel. The damage he is doing on US campuses and repeatedly working Charlie Rose is effectively eroding Israel in the US. His Self-loathing Far Left Jewish friends are clearly working with him. Essentially, it takes a Jew to catch a Jew so their input is invaluable.
Despite all of Israel's hasbara, there has been no easing of the blockade. Children are still living in tents and studying outdoors and by candle light. The ruins of bombed out schools abound. And the strip's only food processing plants are still bombed out ruins. The crossings average one open 3 days a week, sometimes, passing now 30% (up from 20%) of the needed goods into Gaza. Everything that enters is paid for in advance. I don't donate to much. But this may just have to be an exception, like Haiti relief. I'll probably ask that my donation be for the US flag, so it can be large enough so even Israeli pilots and troops can recognize it. STARS & STRIPES FOREVER!
All the money sent to the Palestinians by the Eu and the USA,where is it?We are talking about at least a billion plus Euros. Keep the people in poverty and blame Israel and you have a ready bunch of fighters. Don't forget Egypt is also a part of this seige.,they don't need these people terrorizing their tourist resorts.
What a reasonable option. Where can I send my donations?
The entire world is recognizing israel for the disgusting little terror entity that it really is. The U.S. cant veto this for you!!
Israel a disgusting terror entity?? Your Pal brothers who do nothing, contribute nothing to the world except terror, mayhem, and murder of innocents. The whole of Gaza is infected with this thuggery. And Israel is a terror entity???? Why do Gazans clamor to get inside Israel for medical care and employment ??? Who in their right mind would run to a disgusting terror entity??? Do you know ANYBODY in Israel running to Gaza ?? Now THAT is the personification of terror. Gaza, thy name and being is mayhem and terror.
Why don't all the activist sail a ship to North Korea where millions of people are imprisoned.All the liberals in the western world are people who bite the hand that feeds them and those people keep their hands outstreched allowing themselves to be bitten because they are affraid of political consequences.The liberals appetite grows and their demmans increase .Sharon failed to listen to the advice and surrendered Gush-Katif hence the consequences.
Now that the Taliban just abducted two American soldiers. Soon Hamas will send an aid flotilla to the Taliban. But israel will prevent such hostile acts.
The writer, Mosgovaya, is implicitly condoning the rocket attacks from Hamas and Hezbollah from Gaza and Lebanon? The writer sympathizes with Hamas, a terrorist organization? The writer is cheering for the destruction of Israel? What is wrong with this woman?
Just another ARAB
You are known Mr Rockwell.
Is that a threat, Mark? If so, SHAME ON YOU!
The apocalyptic scenario here is not simply that Khalidi does what he is doing, but most of all that in name of "democracy" you, HaAretz are given the possibility of 'expressing yourselves" in the pernicious way you do and yet you and the barbarians in the region establish a moral equivalence between Israel and the others. That said, it's not the others, who are basically Israel's enemies that worry me, they are the enemy after all. But it is you and your likes. And, truth be told, what you do is the ABUSE of the power that Israeli democracy grant you. It's not a right. Freedom is a gift to be taken responsibly first and above all with yours. Not with the enemy.
freedom of speech worries you. it's not democracy you value, it's security. coward.
"Israel and the barbarians in the region" is a compliment and no doubt a by product of press influence NoName. Israel truly sits beneath the bottom stain in the moral barrel as evidenced by the shopping list of UN resolutions and war crimes attributions against it.
Anti-Semitism was also popular with the majority at one time. Did that make it moral?
Just another anti-Semite. And the Arabs have contributed WHAT to this world besides violence and hatred?
How is Rashid allowed to raise funds in the US for a terrorist organization to commit terrorist acts? He should be dismissed from his duties as a professor at Columbie Univ. and be deported to Gaza or any other country that wants him like the prof from Tampa. The people of Gaza are oppressed by the terror group Hamas.
I thought that even though there is still a war going on, while deadly rockets regularly rain down on Israeli civilians, and a kidnapped prisoner has been held in Gaza for years without having been accused of a crime and without trial and without any rights as defined by the Geneva conventions subscribed to by the civilized world like red cross visits, ships could come to Israel or Egypt. Their cargo, other than military materials, then transferred by ground once it was inspected - ensuring some security for Israel while allowing needed goods into Gaza. I actually thought that Rashid Khalidi thinks the world is full of idiots and the Jews must all be from Chelm. I didn't realize that the Gazan's had renounced violence, let Jilad go, and finally accepted Israel's right to exist in peace as a Jewish Democracy with equal rights for all her citizens.
That's an appropriate term, since it only applies to Jews.
Nice to hear the a US group is taking a stand against Israeli war crimes.
you need not hide behind unsubstantiated claims of war crimes.
Do you even have a clue who Abe Lincoln was? When he lived and when he died? Do you have even an inkling of what his role was in American history. There is a difference between the name Mark and Abraham.
if you do, you need immediate treatment. if you do not, then you have made a fool of yourself.
Why would Mark Lincoln suddenly post under the name Abraham? We'll see what Abraham of Lewiston has to say about that!
Israel has said there will be no ships that land in Gaza--you know what? When Israel says something--they do it--not like that milk sop in the White House--By force of arms you will not see as much as a soda cracker landed in Giza.
Israel hasn't gotten rid of Hamas yet, so I'd say their "force of arms" isn't good for much.
... unlimited materials into Gaza, including weapons (maybe not on this ship or the next one ... but ...) is going to help the people of Gaza. It is the weapons that this blockade-busting action is all about. Anyone who thinks otherwise has drunk the kool-aid.
wyy no moron asking hamas to stop firing roket to israel then there will be blokade on gaza
Great work USA we cant be blinded by AIPAC and etc,
This week a new luxury out door mall opened in GAZA City. There are now 4 star Catering Halls and high end Shopping Malls not to mention the ever increasing standard of living. This is not an area that requires much help in the form of aid. The source of my information is Palestinian New Papers from GAZA.
really know if this dude is a friend of Obama? Just knowing someone does not a friend make. After this stunt, who knows how many agencies will spy on him. Another day, another ship. Yawn...
Like a dozen barges full of evangelical christens, people that can't tell the difference between a holocaust victims and a holocaust profiteers.
We are accepting donations. I think the US might need to pay additional monies for this strategic service Israel is providing.
It's the involvement of the Syrians and some elements of the Lebanese. I don't trust those people.
aren't bothering anyone.
It shouldn't be surprised if this professor or the President are described by malevolent hawks as being "anti-semitic", "leftist", "communist", "Islamist" or another similar epithet. But at the same time continue to salivate over their tax donations.
The terrorist entity of Gaza has made war on Israel by shooting rockets into civilian Israeli communities for years, and kidnapping an Israeli soldier across a border, two minor details this liar conveniently omits. Israel would have been well within its rights to treat those as acts of war and dealt with Gaza as America did with Japan and Nazi Germany in World War II, not to mention Iraq and Afghanistan. As to the alleged deprivation of a "normal life" according to this fellow, Gaza just opened a shopping mall. How does that square with an alleged "siege" and all the other epithets from the liar lexicon of terror-apologists like Khalidi and their left-wing dupes?
Having said that, if anyone thinks Israel would act differently to an American ship than a Turkish ship or a Iranian ship are simply not informed. Ask Rachel Corrie how well she was treated? Or better yet, ask the crew of the Liberty of the welcome they got.
He must be being paid to do this or he really is arrogant and needs to get a life. These people should try to help world hunger in Haiti or Latin America or the Americas rather than waist money on Gaza .
OH LET ME GO.
what is that?
A year ago the world did not give a hoot about Gaza. Sure there were those wept with compassion who wrung their hands endlessly, but no one else gave a damn. Then Israel decided the solution to the Turkish Flotilla was a quick commando attack with a lot of kicking ass and a heavy does of murder. A bad idea, originating with men who had no sense of reality or decency. The next confrontation was better handled. No bad headlines, aside from those affirming that the blockade intended to deprive, perhaps even starve, Gazans was still in force. This is the problem. Netanyahu chose to serve the interests of the Gaza Flotilla's organizers rather than his nation because it would serve his career. Israeli commandos were ordered to proved that the blockade was not only intended to starve Gazans, it was determined to murder humanitarians. Thus EVERY time from the moment Netanyahu ordered the attack upon the Turkish Flotilla; ANY time someone sent a ship; then Israel is cast in the jackboots of the Royal Navy which brutally oppressed and shipped the hero's of the Exodus back to Germany. Israel - Netanyahu - has defeated itself, and it's blockade. The ONLY question left is when will Israel show the intelligence to recognize that fact? When, if ever will it disarm the weapon that itself cocked then pointed at the head of the blockade - and Israel - by removing the blockade and thus the weapon? Don't blame anyone else folks, It was Netanyahu, Liberman and Barak who brought disaster upon Israel by showing the world what it wanted very badly to ignore. It was Israel, who's government, chose to turn Gaza from a hobby horse of a few, into an international cause. The brutal, ruthless and pointless torturing of the people of Gaza because Israel doesn't like Hamas. I can't blame Israel for not liking Hamas. Hard to like folks like that. People as ruthless, self-serving and willing to harm their nation to ensure their supremacy as Netanyahu, Lieberman and Barak are to humiliate and deprave Israel for their personal gain.
According to this Lincoln moron, if you, in self defense, shoot and kill someone who either stabbed you, or bashed you with a metal rod, you are a murderer.
However, not quite sure that what Lincoln describes as a necessary outcome will happen. Israel has the power of resistance, and despite that Gaza is now in the press front line, it won't be for long. People worldwide and the press gets bored if nothing happens. Facts in Gaza are that people are "suffering" for not living a normal life. That does not mean that they are in a Warsaw guetto. If the situation keeps calm, without many casualities, the press will lose interests in this or the other flotilla. The next issue will be Iran, Hizbalah etc. Those are much promising issues. They could provide world press with a lot of casualities and radical world changes, Gaza will be soon forgotten. Israel should just keep calm and should avoid killing people. That wont happen is Hammas does not fire rockets. If there are no rockets and no terrorism there wont be palestinian casualities either. My take is that Hammas is neutralized
The subtitle of the article, "Rashid Khalidi, a well-known critic of Israel" could just have easily and accurately been "Rashid Khalidi, a well-known suporter of a just peace between Israel and the Palestinians". The claim in the article that Professor Khalidi is a Hamas supporter is false and possibly libelous. He has consistently worked for decades to bring about peace.
For a brief time during the 2008 presidential campaign, Columbia University's Edward Said Professor of Arab Studies Rashid Khalidi was the most famous Middle East studies academic in the country. Khalidi's relationship with now President-elect Barack Obama brought him national attention and unprecedented media scrutiny. At the heart of the controversy was Khalidi's role as a spokesman for the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) when he lived in Beirut in the late 1970s and early 1980s. During those years, the PLO was listed by the State Department as a designated foreign terrorist organization.
go into direct talks with the Government of Israel? What's going to be achieved with another flotilla towards Gaza, versus negotiating a final peace agreement with Israel? The Quartet has repeatedly asked Hamas to recognize the 3 conditions for inclusion into the diplomatic talks and President Abbas has not been successful with them either. So Rashid Khalid is just drawing attention to himself and not the actual needs of the Palestinian people, who need a leadership which will enter direct peace negotiations, not another hostile gesture towards Israel.
Otherwise whatever you've agreed with one faction will not be binding on the other. More of the same old same old in fact, which suits our procrastinators - now clocking up more than 43 years of dazzling success - perfectly. Professor Khalidi urges Abbas and Haniyeh to put the people before their political ambitions and lead jointly. If we're to reach some sort of lasting agreement with the Palestinians this seems logical enough, doesn't it, Smadar?
Conveniently forgets to mention the 8000 rockets as the reason for the conditions in Gaza. A foul hypocrite, all the more reason to get rid of O-bum-a.
So you're advocating collective punishment are you? I wonder who the real slime ball is?
...which travel from Gaza to what is till Palestinian terrirtory as defined by Israels declarations of independence is small payback and understandable in response to srtillery shelling, death by predator drones and F16's, border incursions and assassinations and arbitrary arrest and torture of civilians ....not even to mention the war crime of population displacement / replacement and starvation. One can almost understand why you conveniently omit these little facts as compared to copying and pasting a single line of hasbara. To account for the latter would be like writing a manual on war crimes.
Obama must go in 2012.
.....the conflict would have ended 20 years ago. I'll make sure to send them a donation.
Terrorist supporter
Believe it or not they are trying to make it illegal to send humanitarian aid to a terrorist organization, or give any service considered as helping. Actually, they did, the supreme court decided it last month. I'm not even sure if sending stuff to gaza is US-legal. No kidding!
They turned it down. They could have had a state in 2001. They turned it down. Israel is not responsible for the Palestinians refusing a state.
The writer is correct. If Israel listened to Rashid Kahalidi the conflict would have ended 20 years ago...with the destruction of Israel, which, after all is apparently what the writer wants. Certainly, it is what Mr. Khalidi wants.
brahim,you are a good man.Send them a good damnation...Why don't you sail with them?Maybe this is the chance for you to became a shaheed and go enjoy your 72virgins...Bon Voyage...
If he israelis had listended to common sense they would still be living happlily in their original countries not in the turbulent middle east
Israel and Netanyahu were just enabling Hamas into existence 20 years ago. They weren't interested in two states for two people then. I see little evidence the current government of Israel is interested now.
Talking about which if Rashid's father would have remained in his original place may be instead of being american he would be living in the turbulent middle east. By the way please read the bible that old testament ...you know, and tell me where are the palestinian named there? Oh my God!!!Jesus , he who cast away the merchants from the temple...you know in Jerusalem, was he a palestinian?
and you are another stupid ignorant boy
or Russia, or the UK or United states? 90% of the Jews in Israel are NOT from there, most are immigrants. the Palestinian Arabs and Semitic Jews are the true owners of the land.
In fact in 1937 Peel-commision
Since when does Israel have the right to say what the Palestinian state should be. Israel only became a state themselves by an unilateral decision of America,France and Great Britian.
Israel has the right because it's a state which is disputing the borders of what may or may not become a Palestinian state, that's why. It was a region torn by an ethnic war between the Arabs and the Jews. The Arabs tried to massacre the Jews. The Jews held their ground. The Arabs tried to massacre the Jews again 19 years later, and the Jews reclaimed ground they were wiped out of in 1948. It's what's left of a civil war -- so Israel has the right.
Statehood for Palestinians awaits them in Jordan simple and to the point
With or without the blockade, their life wouldn't be normal. How normal would your life be if you lived in Hamastan?
Who captured the lands once occupied by the Palestinians who are now squeezed into the Gaza strip, building the towns of Sderot and Ashkelon on the ruins of Palestinian villages? Who encourged the foundaiton of Hamas to counter the secular PLO? Israel, what you have sown you shall reap.
You do know that the lands occupied by those, "Palestinians" were also occupied by Jews, right? Maybe the state of Israel was created because the Arabs there tried to massacre the Jews and failed.
This guy is really arragant. And who cares if it is an American ship. It is a HAMAS ship.
Know your history
Rock on !
He was not displaced. If fact most refugees were not displace. About 70 percent of them remained in what was Mandatory Palestine
usa, canada, central + sth america, aus, nz.... are all projects too...hello enthically cleanesed native populations...LOL, i guesss you consider semites speaking hebrew foreign to m.east
Many Jews are Palestinian. Khalidi looks more like a so-called Palestinian.
we will still invade, board and neutralize that ship. tes we are masters of the world
The article is solid, but calling Khalidi an "associate" of Obama is simply not journalistically sound.
Obama give $80,000 us dollars to Khalidi's wife charity org.
What planet are you from?