Netanyahu and the "War on Terror"

[reprehensor]

(This post was inspired by a thread over at the Randi Rhodes Message Board.)

HISTORICAL ROOTS OF THE ‘‘WAR ON TERROR’’

The concept of a ‘‘war on terror’’ pre-dates 9-11 by 22 years. Its seeds were first planted in 1979 at the Jerusalem Conference on International Terrorism (JCIT) organized by Benjamin Netanyahu (future Israeli Prime Minister). JCIT kicked off a campaign for a ‘‘war on terror’’ against ‘‘international terrorism’’ (Netanyahu, 1981). It featured: pre-emptive attacks on states that are alleged to support ‘‘terrorists;’’ an elaborate intelligence system apparatus; slashed civil liberties, particularly for Palestinians targeted as potential terrorists, including detention without charge, and torture; and propaganda to dehumanize ‘‘terrorists’’ in the eyes of the public (Ahle, 1990; Asa, 1979; Netanyahu, 1995, pp. 43–44; Peres, 1981, p. 10). George H.W. Bush Sr. and by George Schultz, Reagan’s Secretary of State enthusiastically endorsed this concept. Bush Sr. gave a speech at JCIT advocating precisely the type of ‘‘war on terror’’ that his son implemented in 2001. But he acknowledged that such a policy would be highly unpopular:

"...I must urge drastic surgery as the only reasonable course – and by that I mean determined action, firmness under the duress of blackmail, and swift and effective retribution. ... The problem for the open society is how to have, build up and preserve this essential tool of defence – which in the long run is indispensable for the protection of ordinary people – and not so outrage the liberal conscience that the legitimate exercise of state power is frustrated." (George H.W. Bush, 1981, pp. 333, 337)

Israel’s ‘‘War on Terror’’

Following the 1979 JCIT, Israel independently implemented these policies. It planned a massive invasion of Lebanon, called ‘‘Peace for Galilee’’ to secure its hold over the Occupied Territories. The pretext incident and the 1982 invasion itself hauntingly foreshadowed the 9-11 ‘‘attacks’’ and the Bush ‘‘war on terror.’’ In both cases, a ‘‘terrorist’’ pretext justified preemptive military conquest and long-term occupation. In July 1981, Israeli planes bombed Palestinian targets in southern Lebanon, killing hundreds of civilians. In 1982, it initiated over 2,600 violations of Lebanese airspace and waters, attempting unsuccessfully to spark a PLO reaction that could serve as a pretext for an Israeli invasion. On June 3, 1982, Abu Nidal’s terrorist group (which since has been exposed as a Mossad-infiltrated front, and which had been battling the PLO for years) tried to assassinate Israeli Ambassador Shlomo Argov in London. Israel ‘‘retaliated’’ by heavily bombing Lebanon, even though the Abu Nidal group did not operate there. The PLO responded by shelling West Bank settlements, finally giving Israel its excuse to launch a full-scale invasion of Lebanon (Chomsky, 1999, pp. 196–197). In West Bank cities, Israel also dissolved the elected city councils, dismissed mayors, arrested city employees, and attempted to impose puppet governments. Israeli troops continued to occupy southern Lebanon for 22 years, until May 24, 2000 (Chomsky, 1999, pp.204–205; Bard, 2005).

- Diana Ralph, Islamophobia and the "War on Terror", THE HIDDEN HISTORY OF 9-11-2001, Elsevier, 2006. pp. 273-274

[bloom]

1. That's a good reminder.

"propaganda to dehumanize ‘‘terrorists’’ in the eyes of the public"...George H.W. Bush Sr. and by George Schultz, Reagan’s Secretary of State enthusiastically endorsed this concept."


That's not a surprise - but it's good to remember in light of recent events.

[adriennui]

2. terrorists dehumanize themselves by their acts.

[bloom]

5. my response:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=1684143&mesg_id=1684143


...And it seems obvious that ALL war would be a crime to the other side - it's not in their interest - as it's in conflict with their society.

[reprehensor]

6. If you mean ALL "terrorists" ...

I agree.

British anger at terror celebration

AS ISRAEL wages war against Hezbollah “terrorists” in Lebanon, Britain has protested about the celebration by right-wing Israelis of a Jewish “act of terrorism” against British rule 60 years ago this week.

The rightwingers, including Binyamin Netanyahu, the former Prime Minister, are commemorating the bombing of the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, the headquarters of British rule, that killed 92 people and helped to drive the British from Palestine.

They have erected a plaque outside the restored building, and are holding a two-day seminar with speeches and a tour of the hotel by one of the Jewish resistance fighters involved in the attack.

Simon McDonald, the British Ambassador in Tel Aviv, and John Jenkins, the Consul-General in Jerusalem, have written to the municipality, stating: “We do not think that it is right for an act of terrorism, which led to the loss of many lives, to be commemorated.” ...

[Totally Committed]

3. May I just say....

That day in the furure when Bibi Netanyahu becomes PM of Israel will be a very sad day for Israel, indeed.

TC

[malaise]

4. W is their moronic puppet

They stole the 2000 elections for this. People need to be reminded.

[lastknowngood]

7. Who cares what Naziyahoo has to say?

n/t