Palestinians cheer death of Sharon, a bitter foe

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-EXCITE

By MOHAMMED DARAGHMEH and DIAA HADID

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) - Ariel Sharon's death Saturday elicited a wide range of responses from Palestinians, but sadness wasn't one: Some cheered and distributed sweets while others prayed for divine punishment for the former Israeli leader or recalled his central role in some of the bloodiest episodes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Palestinians widely loathed Sharon as the mastermind of crushing military offensives against them in Lebanon, the West Bank and Gaza and as the architect of Israel's biggest settlement campaign on lands they want for a state.

The intensity of those feelings appears to have faded a bit because Sharon left the public stage eight year ago, when he suffered a debilitating stroke and slipped into a coma. Sharon died Saturday afternoon at a Tel Aviv hospital.

The news traveled quickly in the Sabra and Chatilla refugee camps in Lebanon's capital of Beirut, where Israeli-allied forces systematically slaughtered hundreds of Palestinians in September 1982, three months after Sharon engineered the invasion of Israel's northern neighbor.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20140111/DAB8Q6RG0.html

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Palestinians stand over pictures of the former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as another holds a burning poster of him in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014. Sharon was loathed by many Palestinians as a bitter enemy who did his utmost to sabotage their independence hopes — by leading military offensives against them in Lebanon, the West Bank and Gaza and a settlement drive on the lands they want for a state. Sharon died Saturday, eight years after a debilitating stroke put him into a coma. He was 85. (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)

[curlyred]

1. Not cheering, but hoping there is a warm seat in hell for this guy

Warmonger.

[d_b]

2. a nice warm cage in hell

rest in piss

[rateyes]

3. I imagine they are and

I don't blame them.

[LeftyMom]

4. Can't say I blame them.

When some fundamentalist TV preacher died somebody set up a strip of astroturf on the sidewalk in the Castro and invited people to dance on his grave. It was therapeutic. I don't see how this is any different, except that they've got infinitely more reason to be upset.

[dipsydoodle]

5. Inevitable I guess.

.

[Tx4obama]

6. Statements from President Obama and VP Joe Biden

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
January 11, 2014

Statement by the President on the Passing of Ariel Sharon

On behalf of the American people, Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to the family of former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and to the people of Israel on the loss of a leader who dedicated his life to the State of Israel. We reaffirm our unshakable commitment to Israel’s security and our appreciation for the enduring friendship between our two countries and our two peoples. We continue to strive for lasting peace and security for the people of Israel, including through our commitment to the goal of two states living side-by-side in peace and security. As Israel says goodbye to Prime Minister Sharon, we join with the Israeli people in honoring his commitment to his country.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/01/11/statement-president-passing-ariel-sharon

The White House

Office of the Vice President
For Immediate Release
January 11, 2014
Statement by the Vice President on the Death of Ariel Sharon

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Vice President
_______________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 11, 2014

Statement by the Vice President on the Death of Ariel Sharon

Jill and I were saddened to hear of the passing of Ariel Sharon. We send our condolences to his family and to his beloved nation of Israel. I look forward to leading the U.S. delegation to his memorial service, to pay respects to the man and to pay tribute to the unshakeable partnership between the United States and Israel.

###

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/01/11/statement-vice-president-death-ariel-sharon

[onwardsand upwards]

8. Disgraceful!

Sharon was a war criminal and an unregenerate champion of tribalism, intolerance, and bullying.

If Obama had integrity, he should (at least) stay quiet on this one.

[KauaiK]

7. This is a man who

marched an army into a Palestian refugee camps in Lebanon and slaughtered over 2000 unarmed men, women and children. I am certain there is a special place in the 7th circle of hell for him hopefully next door Goebbels.

[AnalystInParadise]

9. I guess that is only fair

I did celebrate and throw a party when Arafat took his journey to hell.

[Ken Burch]

10. Started a related thread here:

Last edited Sat Jan 11, 2014, 11:18 PM - Edit history (1)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024317423

(the thread was locked, but then unlocked on appeal).