BS: Caliphate

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: Greg F.
Date: 17 Jul 14 - 09:30 PM

BB, that is sick, and you need help.

Well, SRS, that's hardly his worst effort, and he could be helped right off the forum.

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 18 Jul 14 - 12:47 AM

"I believe a conference table where a conclusion which will accommodate every single individual concerned is the only answer.
.,,.
So you never tire of saying, Jim.

But, once again, don't tell us; don't tell the Israelis. Tell Hamas ~~~
'...the reply from the Hamas bomb-making chief Mohammed Deif was instant. On the website of the Izz-al Din Qassam Brigades he declared: "I thank Allah the exalted for his support in the Jihad of our people. I ask for your assistance to our jihad… We shall not rest until our entire holy land is liberated … To the Zionists we promise that tomorrow all of Palestine will become hell for you…"...
'Hamas rejects all possible compromise with Israel, and all possibility of a negotiated peace in the following terms: "There is no solution for the Palestinian question except through Jihad. Initiatives, proposals and international conferences are all a waste of time and vain endeavours."
                                    Daily Telegraph 16 Jul 14'

~M~

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 18 Jul 14 - 12:52 AM

The URL for the Telegraph article I quote above -- (please, Jim, in justice, do read it, even if the idea of reading from such a source is anathema to you. It really is quite a well-informed piece, at least worth any fair-minded person's consideration)

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/alanjohnson/100280272/its-time-to-bust-the-israeli-blockade-led-to-hamas-rockets-myth/

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: Teribus
Date: 18 Jul 14 - 01:27 AM

"I don't give a shit what religion colour or taste in ties is, they are all human beings - which is why I believe a conference table where a conclusion which will accommodate every single individual concerned is the only answer." - Christmas

Terrific Christmas - care to tell us how you are going to get Hamas to that table? Considering that:

1: The political wing of Hamas has got absolutely no control over its armed militants or any allied group working in their midst.

2: That the only "accommodation" that will satisfy Hamas is the complete and utter destruction of the State of Israel

I would dearly love to hear how you, Christmas, would "negotiate" as part of the Israeli delegation once sat round that table in the full knowledge that those sitting opposite you have not once complied with anything they have previously solemnly sworn to do.

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 18 Jul 14 - 02:40 AM

"But, once again, don't tell us; don't tell the Israelis. Tell Hamas ~"
No Mike - you tell us your alternatives - after all, your Christian humanist mate has told us how it is perfectly legal to carpet bomb the Palestinians into the Stone age.
As you say, it's not my job to come up with solutions, just to express my opinions on what should happen and what is happening in my name.
Despite Israel's serial aggressive behaviour at the conference table, you and braindead and Terry-the-Wannabe-Trooper take sides and point fingers, blaming 'the enemy', you at least have paid lip-service to Israel's betrayal of the Jewish people, yet continue to back their genocidal behaviour by blaming only 'the other side'
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: Musket
Date: 18 Jul 14 - 03:19 AM

Beardedbruce. If you lie once more, saying I support the terrorist Hamas wing, I will ask searching questions about you and child porn.

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: Musket
Date: 18 Jul 14 - 03:26 AM

Isn't it nice here? Discussing the circumstances under which some people support murdering innocent civilians, including children.

What were the children doing on the beach? THEY WERE FUCKING PLAYING! Just like any children would. After all, there are no military installations on the beach so only terrorists would choose to bomb it.

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 18 Jul 14 - 03:48 AM

"If you lie once more...."
Give him a break Muskie - the only defence these people have for Israeli terrorism is lying, and wouldn't life be dull and boring without them?
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 18 Jul 14 - 04:00 AM

Again, Jim -- I haven't got any 'alternatives'; but I fail to see why you think that simple fact adds any validity to your vain repetitions of the impossible.

I will just add that the day Hamas comes to the conference table I promise I will give you a nice red apple.

Till then, by all means go on saying at regular intervals that "negotiation is the only solution - hey ho for the conference table" like some sort of demented parrot if that's what turns you on. Does me no harm -- quite amusing and entertaining, in fact. But what possible satisfaction you are getting from this endless pointless rehearsal of something that's as likely to happen as "Next July we collide with Mars"*, I really cannot conceive.

~M~

*From 'Did You Ever', Cole Porter, from film High Society, 1956. Sung by Crosby & Sinatra -- one of their few collaborations.

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 18 Jul 14 - 04:58 AM

"vain repetitions of the impossible"
If peace is impossible, discussing the subject is a waste of time - we may as well sit on our hands and send flowers when the time comes- wonder if we can book tickets for the show!
By ponting the finger, as you have done, "But, once again, don't tell us; don't tell the Israelis. Tell Hamas" you have obviously chosen your side by absolving Israel in any of this - your prerogative.
Israel has made it perfectly clear that it is not interested in any peace deal that doesn't include them continuing to occupy and expand, and continue to allow the to treat non-Jews in the territory as lesser mortals.
It deliberately sabotaged the last round of talks to the extent that eve n their strongest supporters, the U.S., drew back.
Peace talks as before are obviously a waste of time; without American blanket support and with full U.N. participation, things could be different - otherwise what - another Syria, where the world stands by and does nothing about the butchery until it has escalated into something else?
At the moment, we are getting nothing from Israel but belligerence and vengeance, from Gaza, fatalistic despair and 'spitting fish'
We both know how far things can go when the world stands by and does nothing
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 18 Jul 14 - 05:08 AM

Israel has made it perfectly clear that it is not interested in any peace deal that doesn't include them continuing to occupy and expand, and continue to allow the to treat non-Jews in the territory as lesser mortals.

That is completely untrue.
All Israel seeks is an end to the bombardment of its people from Gaza.
Gaza could be prosperous and stable if it would only call off its war.

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: Musket
Date: 18 Jul 14 - 05:13 AM

Tell all sides then, including the rather transparent Israeli flouting of UN requirements to back off. Neither side trust the other. Whilst one side has it's western apologists, they never will.

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 18 Jul 14 - 05:32 AM

UN requirements to back off.
Huh?

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 18 Jul 14 - 06:52 AM

"That is completely untrue."
Sure it is - "Up Israel" and "Onward Christian Soldiers" - same mixture as before
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 18 Jul 14 - 06:57 AM

'"By ponting the finger, as you have done, "But, once again, don't tell us; don't tell the Israelis. Tell Hamas" you have obviously chosen your side by absolving Israel in any of this - your prerogative.'
.,.
Genuinely can't see how anyone can interpret that as my having 'chosen my side' or 'absolved' anyone of anything. I was referring, not to the problem as a whole, as to which I have nothing to contribute at present, but simply to the fact that the solution, that Jim kept asserting was the only one, was impossible of achievement. Instead of replying to this point, he replies in typical Carrolliian fashion with unsustained [and unsustainable becoz not the case] accusations of bad faith on my part.

I don't know how many times I have to say that Mr Carroll seems sometimes to be a permanent brick wall against which I am getting fed up with knocking my head. Think I'll give up and find a new, less stressful and more worthwhile, hobby: pulling my beard out hair by hair, perhaps...

~M~

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: Ed T
Date: 18 Jul 14 - 06:59 AM

Anyone see any reports as to why Hamas dix not abide by what was reported as a temporary cease fire-to allow the entry of humaritian supplies, and continued to launch rockets? That puzzles me?

I ask, as that was one reported reason for the current ground operation.

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: bobad
Date: 18 Jul 14 - 07:04 AM

Gaza Beach Shelling Eyewitnesses
Let's review eyewitness accounts of yesterday's sheeling of the beach when four Arab youngsters were killed:

NYTimes photographer:

    I had returned to my small seaside hotel around 4 p.m. to file photos to New York when I heard a loud explosion. My driver and I rushed to the window to see what had happened. A small shack atop a sea wall at the fishing port had been struck by an Israeli bomb or missile and was burning. ...
    ...A small metal shack with no electricity or running water on a jetty in the blazing seaside sun does not seem like the kind of place frequented by Hamas militants, the Israel Defense Forces' intended targets.

The IDF seems to have targeted a specific structure, not an open area or the boys.

From a Guardian correspondent:

    Beaumont, who has been in Gaza for the last nine days, said that during the time he has been at the hotel, that area of the harbor has been hit by the IDF "at least three times." Following the explosion, "on the retaining wall there were puffs of smoke and we saw four people running along it.


The area, having been attacked "at least three times" previously, would seem to indicate a terrorist target. You don't waste ordnance on children.

Was Hamas launching rockets from there?

Was it a naval base?

From Washington Post journalist:

    It is not unusual for militants to launch rockets from sites near my hotel. Israeli missiles and shells have also landed pretty close to al-Deira, an old red stucco inn with a large terrace overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Just a few hundred yards down the beach is the fishing harbor.


UPDATE of an acknowledgement from The Guardian:

>
> A witness who identified himself only as Abu Ahmed said the boys had been scavenging for scrap metal when the first shell hit a nearby shipping container used in the past by Hamas security forces. He said the boys fled but a second projectile "hit all of them".


There you have it --- one, two, three.

And because of Hamas terror, four young kids lose their lives.

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: Musket
Date: 18 Jul 14 - 07:06 AM

No, because of an Israeli finger on a US supplied button.

You really are sick, aren't you?

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: bobad
Date: 18 Jul 14 - 07:09 AM

Hamas Interior Ministry To Social Media Activists: Always Call The Dead 'Innocent Civilians'; Don't Post Photos Of Rockets Being Fired From Civilian Population Centers

"Anyone killed or martyred is to be called a civilian from Gaza or Palestine, before we talk about his status in jihad or his military rank. Don't forget to always add 'innocent civilian' or 'innocent citizen' in your description of those killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza."

"Avoid publishing pictures of rockets fired into Israel from [Gaza] city centers."

Hamas interior ministry social media guidelines

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: bobad
Date: 18 Jul 14 - 07:26 AM

"Anyone see any reports as to why Hamas dix not abide by what was reported as a temporary cease fire-to allow the entry of humaritian supplies, and continued to launch rockets? That puzzles me?"

They want the Israeli ground invasion. It will give them the opportunity to kill or capture Israeli soldiers and thus be able to make some claim of success something which they haven't been able to do up to now.

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 18 Jul 14 - 07:36 AM

"I don't know how many times I have to say that Mr Carroll"
Total annihilation it must be then - will you tell the apalestinians or shall I?
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: Ed T
Date: 18 Jul 14 - 08:12 AM

Egypt on its cease fire attempts 

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: Ed T
Date: 18 Jul 14 - 08:29 AM

The Gaza ISIS connection,nite that it is an opinion piece not news:

Another longer term perspective-,Opinion  


From an Israeli news group (cant vouch for its accuracy).

ISIS on Gaza 

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: Ed T
Date: 18 Jul 14 - 09:23 AM

Rather than picking a side, this person seems to be looking for a route to a potential solution to benefit all- (well, maybe not ISIS). In addition, Turkey seems to have links to the EU, USA and Russia, and has historic connections to many Arab countries.


GAZA from one Turkish perspective 

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: pdq
Date: 18 Jul 14 - 09:43 AM

"The Islamic State, or ISIS, has responded to critics who have questioned why its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is not actively supporting Hamas in fighting Israel.

After capturing vast swathes of Iraq and Syria, ISIS declared the regions under its control as a "Caliphate", or Islamic state, and appointed Baghdadi as "leader of the Muslims". While many jihadists celebrated the announcement, others - including Al Qaeda, which ISIS broke off from last year - have criticized the move for a variety of reasons.

Since the recent escalation between Israel and Islamist terrorists in Gaza, some of those critics have questioned why a self-declared "Caliphate" is not rushing to the aid of Muslims in the Hamas-controlled territory.

In a statement a spokesperson for the group, Nidal Nuseiri reaffirmed that conquering "Bayt el-Maqdis" (Jerusalem) and destroying the State of Israel is central to the group's "jihad", or holy war.

However, he pointed out that ISIS has been taking a systematic approach in its campaign, and outlined six specific stages it said needed to be fulfilled before taking on Israel.

Some of those "stages" - building a firm base for an Islamic state in Iraq, and using it as a springboard to wage war in Syria and Lebanon - have already been achieved. But he said a number of other criteria still needed to be fulfilled before challenging Israel directly.

Among them, Nuseiri said that the US - seen as Israel's greatest ally - needed to be weakened politically and economically via attacks on the American mainland, as well as US interests in Muslim countries. Additionally, the existing "Islamic State" needed to expand its borders to cover all of "Greater Syria" (which would include Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and possibly Gaza); such a state, he said, would then be in a position for a direct confrontation with Israel."

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: Greg F.
Date: 18 Jul 14 - 12:38 PM

One word, PeeDee: Blowback.

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: Mrrzy
Date: 19 Jul 14 - 01:08 AM

*sigh* at least they haven't shot down a civilian plane full of AIDS researchers... yet...

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: Musket
Date: 19 Jul 14 - 03:27 AM

I notice Obama has told Netanyahu to back off and stop indiscriminately killing innocent people. He said the right to defend has a fine line and Israel jumped over it without a pause.

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 19 Jul 14 - 04:06 AM

"*sigh* at least they haven't shot down a civilian plane full of AIDS researchers... yet..."
Haven't read the news this morning, but unless there are new developments, the responsibility for that one was largely democratic, post-communist Russia - according to Obama, that is.
They did facilitate the massacre of 3,500 unarmed refugees - don't suppose that counts as an atrocity - doesn't seem to to some people
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: beardedbruce
Date: 23 Jul 14 - 07:48 AM

ISIS, which recently rebranded as the Islamic State, has solidified its control over Iraq's second-largest city by imposing Sharia law and expelling Christians who won't convert to Islam. The end of last month marked the first time a mass wasn't held in the city in more than 1600 years.

Then, matters got worse. From the Daily Beast:

Friday at noon was the deadline for Christian families to meet ISIS's demands: Convert to Islam, pay an anachronistic Islamic tax for non-Muslims known as jizya, leave Mosul, or be killed. But the day before the final exodus, Christians were informed jizya was no longer an option. The order came to convert, leave, or die.
On the way out of town last week, the final 1500 families of Mosul's Christian population were reportedly robbed at ISIS checkpoints. And following Friday's deadline, ISIS reportedly set fire to a 1800-year-old church.

Last month, ISIS shocked much of the world by swiftly capturing Mosul in an offensive that allowed the group to take control of major parts of northern and western Iraq. As Reuters reported, the group has managed to shore up its control over communities with a combination of force and fear. After meeting armed resistance in the town of al-Alam for nearly two weeks, here's what the group did:

They kidnapped 30 local families and rang up the town's most influential citizens with a simple message about the hostages: "You know their destiny if you don't let us take over the town."
Weeks later, according to the report, only a few gunman patrol the town at night "so comfortable is the Islamic State in its control through fear." Since then, with Baghdad as the prize in mind, the group has grown in size from 3,000 by earlier estimates to 20,000 as last month's offensive bolstered their standing."

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: Musket
Date: 23 Jul 14 - 07:59 AM

Daily Beast? Is that you or a newspaper?

If I want to read a newspaper, I tend to take on board the political position of the editor first. Just cutting and pasting tells us nothing of what they want people to believe.

Not everybody is as gullible or as single issue as you. There are enough bad things going on without over dramatisation by someone with an agenda.

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: beardedbruce
Date: 23 Jul 14 - 08:06 AM

Musket,


YOU state:
"
If I want to read a newspaper, I tend to take on board the political position of the editor first. Just cutting and pasting tells us nothing of what they want people to believe.

Not everybody is as gullible or as single issue as you. There are enough bad things going on without over dramatisation by someone with an agenda."


My post is from:
http://www.thewire.com/global/2014/07/isis-torches-1800-year-old-mosul-church-after-expelling-christians/374834/


I expect that you will now provide the SOURCE for any factual ( if any) statements you make here, so that the rest of us can judge how gullible and over dramatized YOU are being.

Or are you demanding a special set of rules that YOU do not have to follow?

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: bobad
Date: 23 Jul 14 - 08:33 AM

You should know the drill by now Bruce....when you can't challenge the facts attack the source....or the messenger.

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 23 Jul 14 - 09:10 AM

Musket, here is the same story in the Independent today.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/isis-sets-fire-to-1800yearold-church-as-christians-families-flee-violence-9622541.html

And last Sunday.
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/editorials/conversion-of-iraq-as-isis-drives-christians-out-of-their-homes-the-groups-genocidal-intentions-take-on-horrible-clarity-9617651.html?origin=internalSearch

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: Greg F.
Date: 23 Jul 14 - 09:15 AM

You should know the drill by now Boo & BB....when you can't challenge the facts

Scream Anti-Semite!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: bobad
Date: 23 Jul 14 - 09:17 AM

No need to scream it - it's coming through loud and clear enough.

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: beardedbruce
Date: 23 Jul 14 - 01:16 PM

And for those out there thinking Israel is so bad… And this is only through June 30.


"The violence in Iraq has killed more than 5,500 civilians over the first six months of the year, according to a report by the United Nations that documents the massive humanitarian toll of the Sunni militant offensive.

The Islamic State (Isis) and other Sunni insurgents seized control of the city of Falluja, as well as part of nearby Ramadi in Anbar province in early January. The militants then launched an offensive in June that has brought a huge swath of northern and western Iraq under their control.

In its report, the UN mission to Iraq says at least 5,576 civilians were killed and another 11,665 wounded from 1 January until the end of June. Another 1.2 million have been driven from their homes by the violence, it adds.

The pace of civilian deaths over the first six months marked a sharp increase over the previous year. In all of 2013, the UN reported just over 7,800 civilians killed, which was the highest annual death toll in years.

The fighting "has inflicted untold hardship and suffering on the civilian population with large-scale killings, injuries, and destruction and damage of livelihoods and property", the UN report says."

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 23 Jul 14 - 01:41 PM

"The violence in Iraq has killed more than 5,500 civilians over the first six months of the year, according to a report by the United Nations that documents the massive humanitarian toll of the Sunni militant offensive."
Difference in numbers only - sliding scale again
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: Musket
Date: 23 Jul 14 - 01:50 PM

I don't quote any fucking sources, prick.

I am capable of debate, hence I am typing in a debate tread.

I am sure there are websites for cutting and pasting things you don't understand and passing them off as your considered views, but Mudcat doesn't offer that.

Some of us can form our own views and challenge others. That is why Keith can confidently challenge people to defy his views, because he cuts and pastes them from his far right favourite sources. Just like you. You can't educate pork and it isn't worth arguing with those who cannot defend their posts because first, they have to understand them, having posted the words of others.

Beleive it or not, having your views articulated for you by others I leave to God botherers and those who have their best interests advocated for them due to their lack of mental capacity.

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: beardedbruce
Date: 23 Jul 14 - 01:53 PM

"
I don't quote any fucking sources, prick.
"


So your opinions are NOT based on any factual basis, and should rightly be ignored as the opinion of an ignorant asshole.



YOU said it.

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 23 Jul 14 - 03:17 PM

"The violence in Iraq has killed more than 5,500 civilians over the first six months of the year"
Yup - agree with you totally one is as bad as the other- maybe, there's a chance for Israel to draw even by facilitating another Sabra/Shatila - they're certainly working all out in Gaza at present - 647 and counting
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: beardedbruce
Date: 23 Jul 14 - 03:25 PM

No, Jimmy boy

That is the TOTAL count- Not all are civilians in Gaza.

The UN report is ONLY on civilians, not armed militia and other forces.


So a factor of 10 is just a sliding scale-

THAN THE ISRAELI CIVILIAN DEATHS BY HAMAS are just as significant as the Gazan ones- EVEN ONE IS YOO MANY.

SO WHAT IS HAMAS doing to REDUCE Israeli civilian deaths? Launhing more rockets at those civilians?


I am waiting on ANY suggestion of what else Israel could do to reduce Palestinian civilian casualties when attacking Hamas military installation.

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 23 Jul 14 - 03:51 PM

"those who have their best interests advocated for them due to their lack of mental capacity"

Ah, yes; the "mental capacity" of the perpetrator of that post is well exemplified by its opening ---

"I don't quote any fucking sources, prick."

What was it that old song I recall from years back used to say? -- something like ♫♫"Isn't he a sweetie! Isn't he a lamb!"♫♫

LoL in ♠♠♠♠❢❢❢❢ Dontcha just luv him❣❣❣

X❤♥~MtheGM~♥❤X

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 23 Jul 14 - 05:02 PM

Bearded in reference to dingleberries?

Anything to justify killing of Palestinians and Israeli expansion.

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 23 Jul 14 - 05:42 PM

What Israeli expansion?

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: GUEST,Mrr
Date: 23 Jul 14 - 08:24 PM

What dingleberries?

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: Musket
Date: 24 Jul 14 - 02:50 AM

So cutting and pasting is expressing your view? Perhaps if braidedbeardedbruce reads up on the word debate, he might learn what expressing a view is. Based on applying reason to what you read hear or see.

No wonder you have no clue what the Israeli militants are getting up to. Or he does and it excites him. Don't know which is worse, noisy ignorance or noisy repugnance.

Hi Michael! As you seem to read my posts in detail, perhaps you can help me and ask your newsagent to pass this rucksack on to his nephew?

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 24 Jul 14 - 03:35 AM

"That is the TOTAL count- Not all are civilians in Gaza."
The vast majority are civilians and a large percentage of them are children
It really doesn't matter anyway, the Israelis are not discriminating who they kill, maim and drive from their homes - theirs is a scorched earth policy aimed at the general population - nothing whatever to do with defence an never has been.

"What Israeli expansion?"
Haaretz
By Akiva Eldar | Mar. 30, 2012 | 3:37 AM |   48
"Israel Defense Ministry plan earmarks 10 percent of West Bank for settlement expansion
Newly released maps indicate Civil Administration secretly setting aside additional land for Jewish settlements, presumably with the intention of expanding them.
For years Israel's Civil Administration has been covertly locating and mapping available land in the West Bank and naming the parcels after existing Jewish settlements, presumably with an eye toward expanding these communities.
The Civil Administration, part of the Defense Ministry, released its maps only in response to a request from anti-settlement activist Dror Etkes under the Freedom of Information Law.
In some places the boundaries of the parcels outlined in the maps coincide with the route of the West Bank separation barrier.
The state has argued before the Supreme Court and the International Court of Justice in The Hague that the route of the separation barrier was based on Israel's security needs. But Civil Administration's maps and figures, disclosed here for the first time, suggest the barrier route was planned in accordance with the available land in the West Bank, intended to increase the area and population of the settlements.
A total of 569 parcels of land were marked out, encompassing around 620,000 dunams ‏(around 155,000 acres‏) − about 10 percent of the total area of the West Bank. Since the late 1990s, 23 of the unauthorized outposts were built on land included in the map. The Civil Administration is endeavoring to legalize some of these outposts, including Shvut Rahel, Rehelim and Hayovel.
Etkes believes this indicates the settlers who built the outposts had access to the administration's research on available land − more proof of the government's deep involvement in the systematic violation of the law in order to expand settlements, he says.
The maps name numerous communities that do not exist. These include Shlomzion, on land belonging to the Palestinian town of Aqraba, east of Nablus; Lev Hashomron, on the land of Kafr Haja, between Nablus and Qalqilyah; Mevo Adumim, on the lands of al-Azariya and Abu Dis; and Mitzpeh Zanoah and Mitzpeh Lahav, in south Mount Hebron.
The names of several sites suggest they are earmarked for the expansion of existing settlements, although some of the parcels are several kilometers distant from their namesakes. These include Immanuel Mizrah, Elkana Bet, Beit Aryeh Gimmel and Tekoa Sheet'hei Mir'ey, among others.
The maps also mark 81 sites on 114,000 dunams in areas A and B, which are under Palestinian civil control, indicating the Civil Administration began identifying available land before the Oslo Accords. But these parcels have not been updated in several years because Israel cannot build settlements on them.
All the other areas − 506,000 dunams in Area C, have been updated in the past decade. This implies the administration earmarked the sites as reserves for future use, says Etkes.
More than 90 percent of this land is east of the separation barrier, beyond the main settlement blocs.
"This means the administration currently updates the 'land bank,' flouting the peace process, which is based on the two-state principle," Etkes said.
Most of the marked areas − 485,000 dunams in area C − are classified as state lands. About 7,600 dunams are classified as "Jewish land" from before 1948, and 12,800 dunams are unclassified. way. Presumably the administration sees them as state lands, says Etkes.
Under international pressure Israel has drastically reduced new claims of land for the state. In a letter to Nir Shalev of Bimkom − Planners for Planning Rights, the Civil Administration said that in 2003-09 a total of 5,000 dunams were declared state lands, as opposed to hundreds of thousands of dunams in previous decades.
Some 375,000 dunams in Area C are not included in the jurisdiction of the settlements, which take up some 9.5 percent of the West Bank.
A 2007 Peace Now report indicated that only nine percent of the land in the settlements' jurisdiction were in use. The administration's map reveals the existence of another land reserve. Although only a small part has been officially allocated to the settlements, it is being constantly updated by the administration.
The Civil Administration said in a response that the maps are a data bank that is updated from time to time and does not indicate plans to expand settlements, which is a complex procedure requiring discussions and permits."

Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 24 Jul 14 - 04:08 AM

That is not expansion.
It is emigration.
Israel has shrunk back to a tiny sliver of land surrounded by vast Arab nations.

Subject: RE: BS: Caliphate
From: Ed T
Date: 24 Jul 14 - 07:02 AM

With other events in the news, ISIS has taken a back burner. That does not mean there is a pause in its actions.

ISIS in the news