Hamas, Israel, and the Gaza flotilla: seven facts you need ...
Hamas, Israel, and the Gaza flotilla: seven facts you need to know
By Nadav Tamir Nadav Tamir
In the torrent of rage and confusion generated by the loss of life when the Israeli Navy enforced the embargo on the Gaza Strip this week, there has been a regrettable overlooking of certain fundamental facts. As is so frequently the case, these facts have gotten buried in the rubble of political rhetoric. In order to prevent this incident from having a deleterious effect on the peace process going forward, the following must be understood:
Fact 1: The Gaza Strip is an armed camp, ruled with an iron fist by a repressive Hamas regime that has not only repeatedly pledged itself to the annihilation of Israel and the torpedoing of any prospects for Middle East peace, but has made good on its pledges by firing approximately 10,000 missiles, rockets, and mortar bombs at Israeli civilians over the past several years for the express purpose of killing or wounding those civilians or, at a minimum, terrifying them.
Netherlands: Dutch Hamas leader one of Gaza flotilla organizers
The Dutch Amin Abou Rashed (43), who was arrested by Israeli commandos on the 'freedom flotilla' by the coast of Gaza, is a top official in the Hamas terror organization, according to intelligence services.
This article was prepared by the Islam in Europe blog - islamineurope.blogspot.com
Yesterday Israel announced that all 600 foreign activists would be freed within two days. These include two Dutch: Rashed and Anne de Jong (29).
Special Report - 06/09/10
