Middle East Analysis

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Middle East Analysis

• The recent Israeli Military Actions

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Recently, Israel has launched a major offensive
in several Palestinian towns.

• More than 10 cities occupied
• Around 2.000 prisoners taken
• Thousands of weapons confiscated

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Some groups have claimed that the Israeli action
is unjustified and illegal.
Main Statements
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Lets take a look at each of these statements
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Statement 1 Israel is committing a genocide
against the Palestinian people.

• What is a genocide?

Deliberate extermination, total or partial, of a
community, ethnic, racial or religious group
(source Houaiss)
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Lets check if Israel is indeed committing a
genocide.

• a) Israel has one of the worlds best
  armies, with 3.900 tanks, 440 combat planes and
  534.000 troops

b) During these 18 months of Intifada
(uprising), about 1.200 Palestinians and 300
Israelis died. Its about 2 Palestinians per day
(up to April/07/2002 source www.time.com)
How many would have died so far if the Israeli
government had really decided to order the army
to kill?
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Lets compare some historical events with the
current Intifada.
Number of dead
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What are the proportions?
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It is possible that abuses occur within the
Israeli army.
These must be investigated and punished.
Nevertheless, to compare the recent military
actions with a genocide is as absurd as stating
that every Arab is a terrorist.
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Statement 2 Palestinians have no alternative to
defend their cause except terror.
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Are concessions from Israel only granted through
terror?
Land voluntarily granted to Egypt in exchange for
peace.
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Lets recall what took place in Camp David and
Taba.
In the Camp David (2000) and Taba (2001)
negotiations, the Barak government offered
Palestinians the broadest concessions in the
regions history
Possibly not, but it was very similar to the
Palestinian demands and it was a genuine attempt
to solve the conflict.
The Palestinians could have continued in the
negotiations and achieved by dialogue what they
are not achieving now by terror.
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What was the Palestinian reply to Camp David?
Instead of remaining in the negotiations, the
Palestinian Authority has lauched a bloody
uprising and a wave of terror attacks against
Israel.
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Is terror a legitimate answer to political
stagnation?
Oslo Accords and Rabin Government
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Terror is unjustifiable
Terror is not an alternative to negotiation
Just like Egypt and Jordan negotiated with Israel
and are today in peace, the Palestinians could
have chosen the diplomatic road.
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Statement 3 Arafat is not responsible for the
terror attacks.
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What does Arafat say?
In English
I condemn the suicide attacks against Israeli
civilians"
(New York Times, 03/02/2002)
In Arabic, 3 days earlier
The Fatah movement proudly glorifies its
heroin martyr, from the Alamari Camp, the martyr
Wafa Idris (About the woman suicide bomber, Rama
lah, 31/01/2002)
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What does Arafat do?
Letter from the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade to the
Palestinian Authority
The Palestinian Finance Minister signed this
document, directly financing a terrorist group.
Results.
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The obstacles to peace.
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In the last years, the Palestinian population
literally went through a brainwash of anti-Israel
hatred.
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In many cases, its not about creating Palestine.
Its about destroying Israel.
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Until education for peace prevails, the blood
bath will continue in the Middle East.
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Only dialogue and respect for the rights of both
peoples, Jewish and Palestinian, can bring peace.
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Final thoughts.

• Just like any other democracy, Israel also makes
  mistakes. It is entirely valid to criticize the
  Israeli government and question its actions.

• Nevertheless, the recent military operations are
  legitimate defense against a wave of terror that
  has left hundreds of dead.

• Every government in the world has the right to
  defend its citizens.

• Now its up to the Palestinians to definitively
  renouce terror and Israel to support any
  initiative that may lead to the end of this
  terrible war.

We would be thrilled if you could share your
opinions with us at MidEast7878_at_hotmail.com
Presentation prepared by a group of young
Brazilian volunteers who believe in peace.
Nani