Thursday, September 07, 2006

47 to 1

All the national, state and local Jewish organizations in the US have launched a $300 million fund-raising and propaganda campaign in support of the 21 Jewish civilians and 116 soldiers killed during the Israeli invasion of Lebanon (but not the 18 Israeli Arabs who were excluded from Jews-only bomb shelters). As adjuncts of the Israeli Foreign Office, not a single one of the 52 organizations which make up The Presidents of the Major Jewish Organizations in the US voiced a single public criticism of Israel's massive destruction of civilian homes, hospitals, offices, supermarkets, refugee convoys and churches and mosques, and the deliberate killing of civilians, UN peacekeepers and rescue workers with precision bombing. On the contrary, the entire Jewish lobby echoed in precise detail the Israeli lies that the Lebanese deaths were caused by the Lebanese resistance's "use of human shields," despite the total devastation of the heavily populated southern suburbs of Beirut, completely out of range of any Hezbollah rockets.
The magnitude of the Jewish Lobby's cover-up of Israel's massive military assault can be measured in great detail.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched 5,000 missiles, five-ton bunker-buster bombs and cluster bombs as well as anti-personnel phosphorus bombs each day into Lebanon for 27 days - totaling over 135,000 missiles, bombs and artillery shells. During the last seven days of the war Israel launched 6,000 bombs and shells per day - over 42,000, for a grand total of 177,000 over a heavily populated territory the size of the smallest state in the US. In contrast, the Lebanese national resistance launched 4,000 rockets during the entire 34-day period, an average of 118 per day. The ratio was 44 to 1 - without mentioning the size differentials, the long-term killing effects of the thousands of unexploded cluster bombs (nearly 50 killed or maimed since the end of hostilities) and Israel's scorched-earth military incursion.
The Jewish lobbyists publish the number of Israel's civilian dead as 41, forgetting to mention that only 23 were Jews, the remaining 18 were members of Israel's Arab Muslim and Christian minority who constitute around 20 percent of the population. The disproportionate number of Israeli Arabs killed was a result of the Israeli government policy of providing shelters and siren warning systems to Jews and ignoring the security needs of its Arab citizens. The proportion of civilian deaths to soldiers was 41 to 116 or 26 percent of the total Israeli dead (but if we only consider Jewish Israelis and IDF members the proportion 23 to 116 or 16 percent of the Jewish dead were civilian.) Clearly the Lebanese resistance was aiming most of its fire at the invading IDF. In contrast, in Lebanon, of the 1,181 so far known to have been killed, 1088 were civilians and only 93 were fighters. In other words 92 percent of the Lebanese dead were civilians - over three times the rate of civilians killed by the Lebanese resistance and almost six times the rate of Jewish civilians killed (the only ones who count in the lobby's propaganda machine). To put it more bluntly: Over 47 Lebanese civilians were slaughtered for each Jewish Israeli civilian death. The Jewish lobby's claims of Israeli moral and military superiority in the Middle East - which is paradoxically combined with warnings that Israel's survival is at stake - has been shredded to tatters as a result of their failure to annihilate Hezbollah.
.....
The executive director of the American Jewish Committee, David A. Harris, puts to the lie the nasty bit of propaganda by US "left" Zionists who downplay the role of the Jewish Lobby in securing whole-hearted White House and Congressional support for Israel's destruction of Lebanon. In discussing US subservience to Israel, Harris stated, "No other nation has been prepared to define such an intimate relationship with Israel in all bilateral spheres - from arms sales, foreign aid and intelligence-sharing to a free-trade zone, scientific cooperation and diplomatic support. No other nation has the capacity, by dint of its size and stature, to help ensure Israel's quest for a secure and lasting peace (sic) . . . In the recent conflict with Hezbollah, once again the United States demonstrated its willingness to stand by Israel, provide vital support and withstand the pressure of many US allies who would have wished for an earlier end to the fighting even if it meant keeping Hezbollah largely intact and in place . . . Whatever the primary factor, there can be no doubt that American Jewry is an essential element of the equation (yoking the US to Israel). This is all the more reason why American Jewry need to work day in and day out to ensure that the mutually beneficial link (sic) goes from strength to strength." (Jerusalem Post, Aug. 25, 2006)
In plain English, the Jewish networks and lobbies were able to secure 98 percent support from Congress for a resolution supporting Israel's invasion of Lebanon, even as 54 percent of Democrats and 39 percent of Republicans favor a policy of neutrality as opposed to alignment with Israel. (Times-Bloomberg Poll, July 25-Aug. 1, 2006, published in the Jewish Telegraph Agency - Aug. 15, 2006) The lobby convinced, pressured and threatened the White House to prolong the Israeli terror bombing as Harris so proudly announced. The Jewish Lobby does work "day in and day out" to make sure that Israel can ethnically cleanse Palestine, drop five-ton bombs on Lebanese apartment buildings, bulldoze villages and isolate the US from even its closest allies at the expense of the US taxpayers, our democratic ideals and our sovereignty. And the American Jewish Committee has the chutzpah (arrogance) to say that it is "our mutually beneficial link." Now that is a bit of political dishonesty!

This was an extract from an article written by James Petras in Arab News on 5th Sept. 2006

10 Comments:

Blogger SnoopyTheGoon said...

If you believe the tripe in this article, you must join Petras' propaganda team, mrtez.

It is a deep disappointment to see you repeating such garbage.

4:32 PM  
Blogger beirutlive said...

i am sorry snoopy but i would much more appreciate you give a counter argument to this "garbage" of official numbers and official quotes used by the propaganda machine that is Petras instead of discrediting fact.
if there is anything false, we are all open ears...

6:25 PM  
Blogger beirutlive said...

lol sam...you make me laugh mate...instead of diverting the subject towards the "downsides" of the blog, why cant you actually construct a counter argument to this exact topic? and please mate, focus on the actual topic of the post, not about whats written in the koran or that we are all here to destroy the world. awaiting, with open ears,a well constructed argument...

6:39 PM  
Blogger beirutlive said...

again sam you have failed to address the topic of discussion. instead you have fallen back to your usual arguments by using big words such as islamic movement, death and destruction - words you most probably never even came close to experiencing.
you throw muslims directly into a big basket of stereotypes, as if they were all one similar and wicked people, and try to make readers here believe that you know what you are talking about. be wise and please make a well constructed argument...just once

9:35 PM  
Blogger SnoopyTheGoon said...

I shall have to fisk the article thoroughly, mrtez. Probably tomorrow. Meanwhile, to my shame, I cannot find the original URL, so I may use the quote in your post.

9:57 PM  
Blogger beirutlive said...

i am disappointed sam, truly disappointed...i really thought you had an insight to offer me and was really looking forward to reading it. turns out i was mistaken...

12:49 AM  
Blogger SnoopyTheGoon said...

Well, whoever is interested in my take of this article, here it is:

http://simplyjews.blogspot.com/2006/09/more-steam-professor.html

Unfortunately, I did not have the staying power to deal with it in its entirety, but what I had should suffice.

Cheers all.

2:49 PM  
Blogger SnoopyTheGoon said...

"I read it, Snoopy. The whole thing."

Thank you.

"Near the beginning, you set the tone of your rebuttal with your rhetorical question in response to "Petras' war against the Jewish lobby." You ask a series of rhetorical questions beginning with the one that grates on me most: "Is the Jewish lobby any different than oil lobby, Evangelist lobby, Cuban lobby etc.?"

"That question is favored by those who consider politics a "contact sport" played for their entertainment. Let's assume the lobby is NOT any different than those you list (although I think there are very substantial differences). So what? "Everyone else does the same kind of chicanery and, therefore ...?" One big difference that deserves mention, though, is the fact AIPAC announces generally that without it, there would be no Israel. Not in those words, of course, but it makes the point that without America and American Jewry, the survival of Israel is questionable. That's quite different from, for example, the "Cuban Lobby" you mention."

This is a prime example of verbal chickanery, HCB. It is you who say that "Everyone else does the same kind of chicanery",not me. You should not put your words in other people mouths. Same with AIPAC - "Not in those words, of course..." Either they say it or not. And even if they do - where is the crime? I think that any lobby, as long as it does not break the law, has a legitimate business to care about the interests of whatever it cares about. You, obviously, do not and consider it chicanery. So what? Change the law.

"You next take on Petras' mention of the $300 million fund raising attempt. In fact, the 300 million is a "floor" - the goal is no less than 500 million with the counting still going on as to how much really will be needed. This, of course, is in addition to the money the US gives. And, of course, it is tax deductible - a double dip, if you will."

So?

"And, I'll refer you to Solomon's post - I think you and he are of similar persuasions - in which he argues Lebanon needs no aid because it has 6 billion dollars in gold. Given that argument and your rhetorical questions - I wonder if you and he wouldn't agree Israel has no need for aid. Surely it has at least six billion dollars worth of airplanes, ships and missiles."

Your manner of argument is quite strange - refering me to somebody who, according to you, is of the same mind as I am and then arguing with him. Do better, please. Or go argue with him.

"You began to lose me when you responded to the "libelous" remark about not permitting the 18 Israeli Arabs in the shelters."

I stated that the remark "(but not the 18 Israeli Arabs who were excluded from Jews-only bomb shelters)" is libelous. If you think that it isn't - show me a "Jews only" shelter in Israel, please.

"But you say, in response, your own slander: "... one simply does not argue with a person for whom undisguised libel is a tool of trade." That comment would land you in court in the United States. It's defamatory per se."

Oh my, oh my - I claimed that Petras made a libelous statement. I stand by this - what now?

"The trouble with you and so many other Israelis is that you simply cannot accept any criticism at all. You worry so much you even suggest Jewish fund raising is "anathema" but all other fund raising is fine."

You obviously consider it so, seeing as how much attention you pay to it.

"Is it wrong for me - a United States Tax Paying, veteran, voting citizen to criticize the tax deductibility of the price of your "Ultimate Mission to Israel" to see, among other things, the "trial" of a real "Hamas terrorist?" After which we will retire to our five star hotel to dine on "genuine" middle eastern fare? Tomorrow we'll take a jeep ride through the Golan Heights - thanks again to the US taxpayer. I've got no problem with Jews sending money to Israel for defense, for rebuilding or for buying pizzas to send to the troops invading Lebanon. But I don't want to be REQUIRED to contribute through the tax deductibility of your "required donation" to take the tour."

It seems that the real issue for you is the tax deductibility. Change the law. Re the "Ultimate Mission to Israel" - I have written a post on the subject - I did not like it too much. Now what?

"But Israel does awful things and denies they are awful while demanding everyone understand they were necessary. Israel assumes the lives of Israelis are far more valuable than the lives of the subhumans on the other side of the fence. To heap insult on that insult, Israel demands the rest of the world agree and join with it in condemning and then killing the people on the other side of its fence."

Do you think anyone should respond to this set of empty slogans? Again putting words and opinions in someone else's mouths and brains? You seem to excel in this, HCB.

"Israel has a right to defend itself. But not the way it has chosen."

Thanks for so gracefully permitting us to defend ourselves.

"While you rhetorically wonder if Israeli lobbies are any different from other lobbies so you can make your point that what Israel does is acceptable, draw another comparison. "

Another case of employing some elliptic logic, HCB? I am getting tired - how does the second part of the sentence follow the first, and where did I say this second part? You must be really desperate by now.

"Compare the "rain" of rockets you mention to the world trade center attack. Then compare the Israeli response to the American response. What America has done by invading Iraq is wrong. But, Israel destroyed Lebanon's infrastructure and economy on the idea Lebanon permitted Hezbollah. Would it not have been appropriate for America to have shut down Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan and Iran? While making a lake of Iraq?"

Yes, HCB - the above paragraph makes a lot of sense. Could you, please elaborate (no, actually do not bother - I am getting tired of you style by now).

"You have not, as I imagine you recognize, persuaded me the article is false in any regard."

I have addressed a part of the Petras' article point by point. You have done your best to derail the discussion and to move it to the height of 80,000 feet, where you feel better, obviously. Re persuading somebody - I am not that naive to think myself able to persuade people who's mind is made up. I am afraid this is your case, unfortunately.

"I encourage you to read and respond to the new topic above concerning the use of cluster munitions."

I do not approve the use of cluster munition in populated areas. Neither do I approve the use of Katyushas stuffed with ball bearings, by the way. What else?

7:04 PM  
Blogger SnoopyTheGoon said...

"What do you suppose would happen to the "contributions" sought by AIPAC and others if they were not tax deductible? "

I think that the donations will be reduced in size. I also think that we should survive. We have survived till 1967 without any US aid, we'll continue to survive if it stops.

7:07 PM  
Blogger SnoopyTheGoon said...

"Well, Snoopy - I tried."

You should try better, obviously. Again - I have addressed professor's article point by point. There is a hint in that statement.

So let's agree to disagree.

12:58 AM  

Post a Comment

<< Home