UN chief says Palestine will join int'l court on April 1

[Chicog]

Joining the International Court is the latest in a long list of foolish mistakes. The U.S. contributes around $440 million a year in economic aid to the Palestinians and that aid comes with strings attached.

Approximately the equivalent of the pocket money of your average 1st or 2nd level GCC Shaikh.

Whoop de doo.

Yeah, so where are all these millions promised to the noble cause of Gaza's rehabilitation?

As far as I am aware, there were no public assurances from any country to pick up the tab and fill the potential hole in the Palestinian budget.

I can't even begin to tell you how many private flights from Jordan land around the GCC and depart laden with the riches of Croesus.

Yet somehow they don't seem too fussy to audit it where it goes.

And no, you get no prizes for guessing why, Ulysses.

Added for background: http://www.worldbulletin.net/news/152883/gaza-civil-servants-storm-cabinet-hq-for-back-pay

Edited January 13, 2015 by Chicog

[ggold]

Joining the International Court is the latest in a long list of foolish mistakes. The U.S. contributes around $440 million a year in economic aid to the Palestinians and that aid comes with strings attached.

Approximately the equivalent of the pocket money of your average 1st or 2nd level GCC Shaikh.

Whoop de doo.

Yeah, so where are all these millions promised to the noble cause of Gaza's rehabilitation?

As far as I am aware, there were no public assurances from any country to pick up the tab and fill the potential hole in the Palestinian budget.

I can't even begin to tell you how many private flights from Jordan land around the GCC and depart laden with the riches of Croesus.

Yet somehow they don't seem too fussy to audit it where it goes.

And no, you get no prizes for guessing why, Ulysses.

Added for background: http://www.worldbulletin.net/news/152883/gaza-civil-servants-storm-cabinet-hq-for-back-pay

That's why Abbas is going to Egypt, to try and get the donor countries to cough up the 100 million per month promised to the PA.

Your link has more to do with the in fighting between Hamas and the PA. Hamas went around the banks and destroyed the ATM machines so that Fatah civil servants couldn't collect their wages either. Oh and how many billions does Abbas have? enough to pay wages that is for sure.

[Chicog]

Your link has more to do with the in fighting between Hamas and the PA. Hamas went around the banks and destroyed the ATM machines so that Fatah civil servants couldn't collect their wages either. Oh and how many billions does Abbas have? enough to pay wages that is for sure.

I just found it interesting that the blame for these people not getting paid was being laid at Israel's feet.

[Morch]

Joining the International Court is the latest in a long list of foolish mistakes. The U.S. contributes around $440 million a year in economic aid to the Palestinians and that aid comes with strings attached.

Approximately the equivalent of the pocket money of your average 1st or 2nd level GCC Shaikh.

Whoop de doo.

Yeah, so where are all these millions promised to the noble cause of Gaza's rehabilitation?

As far as I am aware, there were no public assurances from any country to pick up the tab and fill the potential hole in the Palestinian budget.

I can't even begin to tell you how many private flights from Jordan land around the GCC and depart laden with the riches of Croesus.

Yet somehow they don't seem too fussy to audit it where it goes.

And no, you get no prizes for guessing why, Ulysses.

Added for background: http://www.worldbulletin.net/news/152883/gaza-civil-servants-storm-cabinet-hq-for-back-pay

Have to say I'm not sure what you were trying to say.

The linked article, other than being a shoddy piece of reporting, does not exactly touch the issue.

[Chicog]

Maybe you're not supposed to

[Asiantravel]

'Fire at every person you see': Israeli soldiers reveal they were ordered to shoot to kill in Gaza – even if the targets may have been civilians

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/fire-at-every-person-you-see-israeli-soldiers-reveal-they-were-ordered-to-shoot-to-kill-in-gaza--even-if-the-targets-may-have-been-civilians-10223427.html

[Ulysses G.]

No wonder Israel wins wars. The rules of engagement favor the soldiers of Israel, rather than the enemy. The USA has forgotten this lesson.

The Israeli air force dropped thousands of leaflets on areas it was preparing to attack, but according to the testimonies, it was assumed that once these leaflets had been distributed, anyone left would be from Hamas, or one of the other militant groups that took part in the war.

Another first sergeant, from an infantry division operating northern Gaza, said that he was told that, “if it looks like a man, shoot. It was simple: You’re in a motherf***ing combat zone. A few hours before you went in the whole area was bombed, if there’s anyone there who doesn’t clearly look innocent, you apparently need to shoot that person.”
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/fire-at-every-person-you-see-israeli-soldiers-reveal-they-were-ordered-to-shoot-to-kill-in-gaza--even-if-the-targets-may-have-been-civilians-10223427.html

[DaddyWarbucks]

'Fire at every person you see': Israeli soldiers reveal they were ordered to shoot to kill in Gaza – even if the targets may have been civilians

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/fire-at-every-person-you-see-israeli-soldiers-reveal-they-were-ordered-to-shoot-to-kill-in-gaza--even-if-the-targets-may-have-been-civilians-10223427.html

Breaking the Silence, Peace Now, and other moderate Israeli groups and individuals are the only hope for ending the mindless carnage.

[Ulysses G.]

In a statement the IDF said: The IDF is committed to properly investigating all credible claims raised via media, NGOs, and official complaints concerning IDF conduct during operation Protective Edge, in as serious a manner as possible.

Today, as in the past the organisation Breaking the Silence has been asked to provide any evidence or testimony related to IDF activities prior to publication, in order for genuine investigations to be carried out. Unfortunately, as in the past, Breaking the Silence has refused to provide the IDF with any proof of their claims.

[konying]

The only historical claim Israel has to that squalid piece of land that has no oil under it is because it was supposedly given to them by the god of Abraham. After the Exodus (zero reason to believe it ever happened) the now free slaves rummaged around the desert for a few decades (zero reason to believe it ever happened) toward land occupied by the Amalekites who were not all too happy about the Hebrew invasion and frequently attacked them.

What ever happened to the Amalekites and why are they not claiming the land as theirs?

Why do not you contact Amalekites and ask them?

Kind of pointless asking Non Amelekites why, do not you think?