Showing posts with label Gaza. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gaza. Show all posts

May 13, 2009

Pope supports Palestinian state

Per BBC, Pope Benedict XVI shows his approval and support for the Palestinians' right to a homeland, as he continues a Middle East tour in the West Bank.

In Bethlehem the Pope called for a "just and lasting" peace in the region and encouraged the citizens of Palestine to denounce acts of violence and terrorism.

Twitter users in the region speak about the Pope's visit:

  1. Pnina Weiss
    Pnina (Jerusalem) G'morning from Jerusalem, where the Pope is currently a 5 min walk from my house. Think he'd like to try a hafooch?
  2. Orly Halpern
    JerusalemBureau (Jerusalem) I think the #Pope's walkout reflects politics, not integrity
  3. Fr. Jonathan Morris
    fatherjonathan (Rome, Italy) Doing radio tour today on Pope's visit to Jordan and Israel. One host expressed shock the Pope would call for a two-state solution. What?!

Some citizens are inconvenienced by the Pope:

  1. ASoldiersMother
    ASoldiersMother (Jerusalem, Israel) Tell that to the pope! Wanted to get across town yesterday...but driving there wasn't an option :-) At least 2day is better.
  2. Gary
    sarijos (Jerusalem) no traffic snarls today :-) The pope is still visiting somewhere else
  3. carol warady
    carolw (Israel) Spent the day in Jerusalem. Only inconvenienced by the Pope once.
  4. Jerri Benjamin
    jerrib247 (Jerusalem, Israel) The Pope being in Jerusalem is a traffic nightmare! Whole sections of the city are closed down. What a pain.



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March 26, 2009

Israel faces allegations of war crimes

Per The National and BBC, allegations of improper use of white phosphorus in civilian areas during its three-week Gaza offensive are starting to hound Israel.

This week, Human Rights Watch (HRW) made public a 71-page report giving witness statements of the effects of white phosphorus in civilian areas. The group called for Israel to stop using the incendiary substance in January during the Gaza attack. While White phosphorus is legal under international law, HRW said it believes the chemical should not be used in densely-packed civilian areas like Gaza, due to the "horrific burns" it can cause.

The Israel Defense Force (IDF) issued a statement saying it was conducting an investigation, but could already conclude that it used munitions in accordance with international law.

Some Twitterers disputed the veracity of the claims.

  1. Kashmiri Nomad
    islamwest #Israel War Crimes or Journalistic Pogrom ? http://bit.ly/1AMU0
  2. IsraelSupporter.com
    IsraelSupporter "War Crimes" and Shoddy Journalism - Ha'aretz and The Guardian's war crimes allegations debunked: http://tr.im/hNqL #israel #tcot



Others wondered about independent investigations of both IDF and Hamas.


  1. NPTE 2009
    npte2009 Elim Res 2b: The European Union should establish a tribunal for violations of international law committed by Hamas and/or Israel in Gaza.
  2. JonBibbs
    JonBibbs SMH. Even Israel's own soldiers are testifying as witnesses of war crimes against the Palestinians. I wonder what the U.N. will do?


Some expressed frustration and cynicism, while others continued to investigate.

  1. Max Forte
    1D4TW #gaza: #israel "Dissident Voice : Israel’s Attack on Gaza: Legitimate Self Defense or War Crime?" ( http://tinyurl.com/ak7n3l )
  2. GeekyArtistArabWoman
    lubzi i discovered one of my favourite twitters is an israel crimes defender. he must be chosen or something. frack this-what's wrong with humans?
  3. gildas sapiens
    gildassapiens Israel allows Palestinians only 78% of water needed for health. Do you want to die of thirst or in an IDF holy war crime? http://bit.ly/M4XA
  4. Fiona Bateson
    fjb_123 Israel Troops Admit Gaza Abuses.....: But They’re Not Human Beings, They are Not People, They are Arabs! Or as m.. http://tinyurl.com/cfqht3



Finally, the Huffington Post Tweeted a link to a video.


  1. HuffWorld
    HuffPostWorld HRW released a report accusing Israel of war crimes in Gaza. Check out their video of a UN school attacked: http://tinyurl.com/dzh5fz


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