Abbas: Israel committing 'genocide' in Gaza

[WatermelonRat]

RAMALLAH, Palestinian Territories: Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas accused Wednesday Israel of committing "genocide" in Gaza during its military campaign which has so far killed 43 Palestinians.

"It's genocide - the killing of entire families is genocide by Israel against our Palestinian people," he told a crisis meeting of the Palestinian leadership in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah.

"What's happening now is a war against the Palestinian people as a whole and not against the (militant) factions.

"We know that Israel is not defending itself, it is defending settlements, its main project," said Abbas.

"We are moving in several ways to stop the Israeli aggression and spilling of Palestinian blood, including talking to Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon."

Egypt urged Wednesday Israel and Hamas in Gaza to halt their spiraling conflict but played down hopes of a Cairo-mediated truce.

"There is no mediation, in the common sense of the word," said Egyptian foreign ministry spokesman Badr Abdel-Atty.

"Egyptian diplomatic efforts are aimed at immediately stopping Israeli aggression and ending all mutual violence. (Egyptian) contacts have not yet achieved a result."

Wednesday was the second day of Israel's Operation Protective Edge.

Israel warplanes have so far hit 550 targets in Gaza, and Hamas militants have hit back with 165 rockets, some of which struck Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and as far away as Hadera, 116 kilometers to the north of the coastal enclave.

Palestinian fatalities include militants but also women and children. More than 370 people have been wounded.

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/Jul-09/263276-abbas-israel-committing-genocide-in-gaza.ashx#axzz36zZ5dZF1

[Jefferson23]

1. If that is at all accurate about Egypt and that Sisi will look the other way, Hamas better get smart

quick. Perhaps I am reading that incorrectly, but that is my impression of "There is no mediation, in the common sense of the word,"

[Jefferson23]

12. I think that is quite right, at least he seems to be doing just that, so far. n/t

[PDJane]

2. He is correct. What else would you call it?

Throw rockets into the Gaza strip, and you will kill everyone, not just militants.

[The Magistrate]

3. Argument By Hyperbole, Sir, Is A Primrose Path....

This claim is roughly analogous to someone showing up at an emergency room with a bad cut on his finger and proclaiming he has had his arm severed at the shoulder.

One can say a good many honest things in denunciation of Israeli behavior towards Gaza, and even of current Israeli military actions there, but crying 'genocide!' is not among them.

[shira]

13. Abbas needs a reason to go to the ICC.

Too bad for him it's not the International Clown Court he'll be trying to convince of genocide.

[Kurska]

4. Haven't fewer than 100 people died so far in the offensive?

Ridiculous.

[Scootaloo]

5. Out of a captive civilian population with no option to flee

Unless of course, you think Gazans have gills...?

[King_David]

6. Are you making a joke here?

I don't get it.

Gills ?

[Scootaloo]

7. Do you understand the geography in place here, Dave?

If not, here's a map.



Gaza is a very small strip of territory. On its northeast and southeast boundaries it borders israel. On its southwest boundary it borders Egypt. on the northwest is the Mediterranean Sea.

All three land borders are fenced and barred. Israel mans its two borders, and the treaty between Israel and Egypt gives israel a large say in what happens along that southwestern one as well - Egypt needs to inform israel of security decisions made at that border, and receive clearance to go through with whatever it is.

Israel is not going to allow anyone to flee into Israel. Al-Sisi's junta isn't likely to let them flee into Egypt - and even if he did, there's just the Rafah crossing, which would not be able to handle the refugee flow.

This leaves people fleeing Israel's offensive just one place to go - swimming.

[King_David]

8. Ahh so it was a joke .

Ha

[Scootaloo]

10. Not at all

Israel is lobbing high explosives at a population of two million people, and is talking about adding a ground operation to the offensive against Gaza.

Where are people going to flee, Dave? To some other part of this little corner of land, which is also being assaulted?

You might think that's just fucking hilarious, but it's no joke to me.

[Tetris_Iguana]

19. It would be better for all of us if they fled.

The situation between Israel and Palestine is just ridiculous because the world refuses to call a spade a spade let both sides duke it out and be done with it.

That is the only possible peace.

[alsame]

9. Wow.

[shira]

14. Abbas has not yet condemned Hamas/Fatah rockets targeting civilians. n/t

[hack89]

15. Genocide is becoming a meaningless term

used more as a moral bludgeon than an accurate descriptor of what is actually happening.

[Fozzledick]

16. Unfortunately it's an accurate description of Hamas' intentions.

Fortunately they're not very competent at it.

[shira]

18. Same day Abbas cries genocide, his Fatah joins Hamas launching rockets

Fatah joins Hamas and Islamic Jihad in missile launches

Armed wing linked to Mahmoud Abbas’s faction says it shot rockets at Ashkelon, Sderot and elsewhere Wednesday night

http://www.timesofisrael.com/moderate-fatah-joins-hamas-and-islamic-jihad-in-missile-launches/

But seriously folks, Abbas is moderate.

[WatermelonRat]

20. By Palestinian standards, sadly, he probably is.