A Possible Scenario if the Occupation Would End

ISIS and the Nazis have similar ideology

We all wish that the occupation would end. The occupation is unacceptable morally. Unfortunately, the reality is different and if the occupation goes, the alternative for both Israel and the Palestinians will be far worse. The conflict has become more radical and the element of religion has become part of the conflict which is not only a dispute over land. We must also take into account the various players, including the Islamist terrorist groups such as Hamas, ISIS (Daesh), Salafis, Islamic Jihad and others. The right wing Jewish terrorist movements are also a factor that cannot be overlooked.

 Israel's successive Governments have often expressed their desire not to rule over another people. This would make Israel into a colonizing country. Since the June War of 1967, this has become the situation. We must bear in mind that Hamas has stated that Israel has occupied Palestinian lands on 14 May 1948 when it was established. Therefore as far as Hamas is concerned, Israel is occupied territory and in order to achieve peace, Israel must cease to exist and a Palestinian State must replace it. There is no room for any negotiations with the Palestinian leadership while the mindset of Hamas is to achieve Israel's total destruction, even though Israel is accused of not being a partner for peace talks. Is Hamas a partner for peace talks? Is the weakened PA a partner? President Mahmoud Abbas and his PA have no support from his people and if elections were held in the West Bank tomorrow, he and the PA will be replaced by Hamas. The latter unfortunately holds the cards as to whether there will be recognition of Israel's right to exist or to negotiations for a peace treaty. 

While this mindset of Hamas non-recognition of Israel remains, there will never be a peace partner on the Israel side. In the most unlikely scenario that Israel does decide unilaterally to withdraw all settlements in the occupied West Bank, and the occupation is ended, there will still be no peace until Israel ceases to exist for the reasons mentioned at the beginning of this article. 

Hamas will still support and justify terror against Israelis and will even take it a step further. It will not only be stabbings by lone-wolf Palestinians but also a return to suicide bombings, Qassam missiles and the like fired into Israel cities and towns as was the case in Gaza. 

From the Hamas Charter:

Hamas and ISIS will compete to rule Palestine and threaten Israel.
It will be hell for the Palestinians whoever rules.

 Peaceful Solutions, Initiatives and International Conferences:

Article Thirteen:

Initiatives, and so-called peaceful solutions and international conferences, are in contradiction to the principles of the Islamic Resistance Movement. Abusing any part of Palestine is abuse directed against part of religion. Nationalism of the Islamic Resistance Movement is part of its religion. Its members have been fed on that. For the sake of hoisting the banner of Allah over their homeland they fight. "Allah will be prominent, but most people do not know."

Now and then the call goes out for the convening of an international conference to look for ways of solving the (Palestinian) question. Some accept, others reject the idea, for this or other reason, with one stipulation or more for consent to convening the conference and participating in it. Knowing the parties constituting the conference, their past and present attitudes towards Moslem problems, the Islamic Resistance Movement does not consider these conferences capable of realizing the demands, restoring the rights or doing justice to the oppressed. These conferences are only ways of setting the infidels in the land of the Moslems as arbitrators. When did the infidels do justice to the believers?

"But the Jews will not be pleased with thee, neither the Christians, until thou follow their religion; say, the direction of Allah is the true direction. And verily if thou follow their desires, after the knowledge which hath been given thee, thou shalt find no patron or protector against Allah." (The Cow - verse 120).

There is no solution for the Palestinian question except through Jihad. Initiatives, proposals and international conferences are all a waste of time and vain endeavors. The Palestinian people know better than to consent to having their future, rights and fate toyed with. As in said in the honorable Hadith:

"The people of Syria are Allah's lash in His land. He wreaks His vengeance through them against whomsoever He wishes among His slaves it is unthinkable that those who are double-faced among them should prosper over the faithful. They will certainly die out of grief and desperation."

The Three Circles:

Article Fourteen:

The question of the liberation of Palestine is bound to three circles: the Palestinian circle, the Arab circle and the Islamic circle. Each of these circles has its role in the struggle against Zionism. Each has its duties, and it is a horrible mistake and a sign of deep ignorance to overlook any of these circles. Palestine is an Islamic land which has the first of the two kiblahs (direction to which Moslems turn in praying), the third of the holy (Islamic) sanctuaries, and the point of departure for Mohamed's midnight journey to the seven heavens (i.e. Jerusalem).

                                 Mind set of Hamas is identical to these xenophobic
                                          racist radical Muslims. This is Muslim Brotherhood stuff that
                                          Hamas adheres to. 

"Praise be unto him who transported his servant by night, from the sacred temple of Mecca to the farther temple of Jerusalem, the circuit of which we have blessed, that we might show him some of our signs; for Allah is he who heareth, and seeth." (The Night-Journey - verse 1).

Since this is the case, liberation of Palestine is then an individual duty for very Moslem wherever he may be. On this basis, the problem should be viewed. This should be realized by every Moslem.

The day the problem is dealt with on this basis, when the three circles mobilize their capabilities, the present state of affairs will change and the day of liberation will come nearer.

"Verily ye are stronger than they, by reason of the terror cast into their breasts from Allah. This, because they are not people of prudence." (The Emigration - verse 13).

The Jihad for the Liberation of Palestine is an Individual Duty:

Article Fifteen:

The day that enemies usurp part of Moslem land, Jihad becomes the individual duty of every Moslem. In face of the Jews' usurpation of Palestine, it is compulsory that the banner of Jihad be raised. To do this requires the diffusion of Islamic consciousness among the masses, both on the regional, Arab and Islamic levels. It is necessary to instill the spirit of Jihad in the heart of the nation so that they would confront the enemies and join the ranks of the fighters.

It is necessary that scientists, educators and teachers, information and media people, as well as the educated masses, especially the youth and sheikhs of the Islamic movements, should take part in the operation of awakening (the masses). It is important that basic changes be made in the school curriculum, to cleanse it of the traces of ideological invasion that affected it as a result of the orientalists and missionaries who infiltrated the region following the defeat of the Crusaders at the hands of Salah el-Din (Saladin). The Crusaders realised that it was impossible to defeat the Moslems without first having ideological invasion pave the way by upsetting their thoughts, disfiguring their heritage and violating their ideals. Only then could they invade with soldiers. This, in its turn, paved the way for the imperialistic invasion that made Allenby declare on entering Jerusalem: "Only now have the Crusades ended." General Guru stood at Salah el-Din's grave and said: "We have returned O Salah el-Din." Imperialism has helped towards the strengthening of ideological invasion, deepening, and still does, its roots. All this has paved the way towards the loss of Palestine.

It is necessary to instill in the minds of the Moslem generations that the Palestinian problem is a religious problem, and should be dealt with on this basis. Palestine contains Islamic holy sites. In it there is al- Aqsa Mosque which is bound to the great Mosque in Mecca in an inseparable bond as long as heaven and earth speak of Isra` (Mohammed's midnight journey to the seven heavens) and Mi'raj (Mohammed's ascension to the seven heavens from Jerusalem).

"The bond of one day for the sake of Allah is better than the world and whatever there is on it. The place of one's whip in Paradise is far better than the world and whatever there is on it. A worshipper's going and coming in the service of Allah is better than the world and whatever there is on it." (As related by al-Bukhari, Moslem, al-Tarmdhi and Ibn Maja).

"I swear by the holder of Mohammed's soul that I would like to invade and be killed for the sake of Allah, then invade and be killed, and then invade again and be killed." (As related by al-Bukhari and Moslem).

 It is clear that on reading Article 13, 14 and 15 of the Hamas Charter, we can see that their mindset is not on peace with Israel but on waging war by various means of terror acts blessed by their religious leaders (Imams) and their tycoon "exiled" leadership in the fleshpots of Qatar, the claim that Israel is not a partner for peace is ludicrous as they are no partners for peace by their own admittance according to their charter. 

 The Hamas Charter and the goals of ISIS are similar. This similarity will only increase in the near future. The Middle East neighborhood around Israel with the ISIS savages in the shadows awaiting the end to the occupation.

 If in the event that the occupation ends, they will then step in and compete with Hamas to establish a Muslim Caliphate in the area that was known as the West Bank, Gaza and the Golan Heights,  the north of the latter is in a state of anarchy with various Shiite groups and Islamist warring factions killing each other. Its status is still unclear as President Assad's position is weakening and Russia is now involved in trying to prop him up. 

ISIS (DAESH) and Hamas have the same goals in establishing a Caliphate. There will be a war between them as to who will rule the former occupied territories. The situation of the Palestinians in the "newly liberated" territories will become untenable. Hamas or ISIS will rule depending on who wins the struggle for power. The settlers will not be there and the whole area will become a killing field against the infidels, ISIS-style. There will be no democracy or human rights. There will be beheadings, raping of women and non-Muslims (Jews and Christians as well as Muslims, who are considered apostates), will be mercilessly slaughtered using the worst form of cruelty imaginable. We are seeing this wherever ISIS takes control. This will happen in the areas that were once under Israeli occupation. 

Israel will be more involved in preventing ISIS and Hamas terrorist incursions and the threat to Israel's security will increase manifold as attempts to destroy Israel and include it in their Palestinian State plans will increase. Many Palestinians will lose their lives under Hamas or ISIS rule. The two warring terrorist factions may even form a coalition after the feud with the common desire to establish a Caliphate under strict sharia law. There will be no free Palestine! It will be an area of chaos similar to that of Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. It will be a state where Palestinians will be fleeing as is happening in Syria. 

Is this scenario preferable to Israeli occupation? Israel will not agree to sign an agreement that will compromise its security or legitimize its destruction as Hamas would desire. If these are the conditions for peace then Israel will definitely not be a partner. 

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The Tragedy in Paris and The EU Appeasement of Islamism

We have witnessed a terrible tragedy in Paris with the cruel massacre of close to 127 people, about 200 injuries ranging from light to critical. How is it possible that Daesh managed to send in 8 suicide terrorists to commit such a despicable crime under the noses of the French Security Authorities? We extend our sympathies to France and to the families and friends who have lost loved ones in this terrible tragedy.

J’accuse the EU with their vacillating, appeasing attitude towards Muslims. They bow to their whim and fancy, even to the extent that their attitude towards the culture of Europe takes second place to sharia law. The EU exhibits enormous tolerance for the Muslim onslaught on European culture and democratic values so non-existent in the Muslim world. The immigrants build mosques where xenophobic imams preach hatred for Jews and Christians, unhindered as this is their democratic right to free speech, while underneath it all there is recruitment of wayward European youth into the arms of Daesh via Turkey to training camps in Syria where they are trained to return to Europe to kill for the cause of establishing a caliphate in Europe and converting Europeans to Islam by the sword.

What is Europe and their representative the EU doing to counter this? Nothing! The EU is wasting energy on bashing Israel and hugging BDS “humanists” and their hypocritical NGO allies  condemning Israel for its “human rights abuses” of the Palestinians under Israeli occupation. The fact that many of these “poor Palestinians” are involved in acts of terror against innocent Israelis in their “justified liberation struggle” against the occupation does not influence the double-standard, spineless EU in their attitude towards Israel, which is apologetic at its best to downright indifferent at its worst.

The latest time wasting activity of the EU is to pass legislation to label Israeli products from the occupied territories for boycott while ISIS is preparing the groundwork for a mega attack in Paris.  How noble and brave is the EU!! The Palestinians “under Israeli Occupation” are far better off than their brothers in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya and Yemen where ISIS and their Islamist terrorist groups are decapitating and murdering without mercy. Yet the EU and the double standard NGO “humanists” continue to bash and isolate Israel for “abusing” the poor Palestinians that are harboring Hamas-ISIS home-style terrorists in their midst.

Can you imagine the Palestinians achieving an independent state in place of the occupation? It will be a state run by Hamas-ISIS. This is guaranteed! Enough said. It will not be a paragon of democratic values. Blood, decapitations and torture will be rampant. All this will be on Israel’s doorstep threatening Israel’s existence.

The pathetic EU is laying the groundwork for the next spate of mega-terror attacks on European soil by their appeasement and spineless attitude towards ISIS on their soil. EU, leave Israel alone to join the battle against Islamist terror! The “occupation” is our guarantee against ISIS and its ally, the evil Hamas. The alternative is far worse. Today it is Paris - tomorrow, who knows? The time has come to smell the true Islamist coffee beans and to unite to expel this cancer from Europe. It will never be achieved while the EU panders to the whims of sharia law and its hateful imams of the mosques of hatred in Europe. The price that Europe will pay by kow-towing to Islamist extremism will be great and involve more mega terrorist acts. 

The Israeli Elections 2015 with Foregone Predictions?

All kinds of video clips - especially from the right wing have gone viral. These clips are bordering on the humorous as well as attacking those on the left wing of the political spectrum. The problem is that the right wing, especially the settler leadership in the occupied territories, are using Nazi tactics to dehumanize the left wing, who do not hold right wing, religious, Zionist views that oppose the occupation.

The upcoming general election is the most aggressive, filthiest election campaign in Israel’s history. While all election campaigns in Israel are lively and aggressive electioneering is dominant, new lows have been reached in this campaign. The use of character assassination tactics does not add to fair publicity and the important issues that need to be addressed.

The hedonistic lifestyle of PM Binyamin (Bibi) Netanyahu and his wife have been well described in the State Comptroller’s Report,  which was published a month before the election date. This has created grist to the mill of those opposing Netanyahu as being re-elected as Prime Minister. Whether it will influence the outcome, remains to be seen. Bibi is surrounded by a group of very loyal Likud Party hacks that seek every opportunity to “whitewash” Bibi on TV, internet and in the press. They are in denial and claim that this Report is part of an organized “smear campaign” against Bibi and the Likud. Naturally they accuse the left of carrying out this smear campaign, whether it is their extravagant living, Sarah Netanyahu pocketing bottle-deposit money as well as exploiting the staff in the Prime Minister’s residence and private homes. Likud will not win an absolute majority but they will win a mandate or two more than the left of center Zionist Camp. The Israeli Electorate are moving towards the right and they will support center to right of center political parties that will be the natural coalition partners with the Likud.

While the Comptroller’s Report is on the way to be the basis of a criminal investigation into the misuse of state funds by the Netanyahu family and is an embarrassment to Netanyahu, it will not affect the right wing outcome of the elections. Islamophobia and racism against Arabs (which unfortunately is on the increase in Israel) is a strong factor in influencing the final election results.

The Bayit Yehudi Party (Jewish Home Party) under Naftali Bennett’s leadership have come out with shocking statements in their election campaign, accusing the left of not having learn’t the lessons of Late PM Yitzhak Rabin’s assassination on November 5th 1995. What Lessons? This is the same as saying that the Zionists are responsible for ISIS! The assassin, Yigal Amir, who shot Yitzhak Rabin on that fateful night (I was present at that Peace Assembly when it occurred) came from the extreme right wing camp. He was sentenced to life imprisonment. According to reports, Yigal Amir and his family are supporters of Bennett and his Bayit Hayehudi Party. So which pot is calling the kettle black? Naftali Bennett has also been accusing the left of being traitors to Israel and inciting his supporters against them. Such hypocrisy!!! The criticism that I can make is the portrayal of Naftali Bennett as a Nazi. This is shocking and to be condemned in the strongest terms no less. It is an example of another low to which this election campaign has reached.

The Zionist Camp, even it wins a mandate or two more than the Likud will have a more difficult time than the Likud in forming a coalition government for the reasons already mentioned. The balance of power remains in the hands of the Joint Arab List that according to the latest polls will be the third largest party. The raising of the electoral threshold of the political parties has forced the Arab parties to unite creating a considerable political force that cannot be ignored when it comes to coalition building, especially by the left of center if the President approaches them to form the next government.

If the Joint Arab List is considered a potential partner in a left of center government coalition, they will have to agree to a common denominator that is acceptable to the Zionist Camp, if not, they will have to share the responsibility of the Likud being entrusted with forming the next coalition that will leave them in the opposition. If the Joint Arab List and Meretz were to form a common list, the chances of a change of government would have been increased. This list would definitely be a very strong political force which would influence a new original coalition deal that would be very interesting as well as challenging old outdated ideologies and be more representative of all Israel's citizens. This could also leave an option open for religious parties to join if they so desire. Unfortunately the chance of this happening is very remote if not impossible with the present mindset in the Israeli Electorate.

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Has the Third Intifada Begun?

Al-Aqsa Mosque (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Since the end of Operation Protective Edge, East Jerusalem has been smoldering in unrest. Palestinian youngsters are throwing stones, fire-crackers and vandalizing the light rail train in East Jerusalem. Adding to the increasing violence, individual Palestinian terrorists have been ramming their vehicles into innocent bystanders, waiting for the light rail train to transport them. If this is not enough, the terrorist drivers of these vehicles abandon them and go on a stabbing spree, stabbing people wherever and whenever they can. They seem to be one up on the police in achieving their goal of terror.

An Israeli police officer gestures as he holds a weapon near the scene of the attack on a Jerusalem synagogue Photo: Reuters

Right wing religious Zealots, despite the warnings of the Chief Rabbinate, who claim that it is forbidden to pray on the Temple Mount, take no heed. They go there and aggravate the situation as well as asserting their right to be there. They are also encouraged by extremist right wing cabinet ministers in the Netanyahu Government coalition. The list of Palestinian terrorist attacks in Jerusalem this year and still continuing is horrifying.

All this violence occurs because of the propaganda of Hamas and Islamic Jihad that Israel wishes to change the "status quo" of the Al Aqsa mosque, which is not true. If it would not be this assumption, these terrorist organizations would find something else. The bottom line is the desire for the destruction, non-recognition of the “Zionist Entity” is top priority, and nothing on earth will change that mantra. Many in the Palestinian leadership, including Hamas, Islamic Jihad and probably some members of Fatah, have similar fantasies of the destruction of Israel. According to the Shin Bet Chief, Yoram Cohen, Mahmoud Abbas is is not inciting terror. Mahmoud Abbas even came out in condemnation of the murder of Jews praying in the Har Nof Synagogue in Jerusalem.  

 The more the Israeli Government refuses to negotiate with the Palestinians and threatens to increase settlement activity in the territories as well as increases the use of force, the more it plays in the hands of the Palestinians and their supporters.

The only solution to the conflict is by negotiations. Palestinian violence, bloodshed, and retaliation by Israel are no solution. As mentioned in my last article, President Mahmoud Abbas is taking an extreme position in order to bring Hamas supporters back to the Fatah fold and thus increase his sagging support. He is even using cliché’s like "religious war" over Al Aqsa and even showing signs of "out-Hamasing" Hamas in rhetoric.

There is tension even between Jewish and Arab Israelis because of the police shooting a young Arab in Kafr Kanna, who attacked a police car and killing him out of self-defense. The reaction of Arab citizens of Israel of Kfar Kanna went viral in many Arab villages resulting in violent demonstrations.

This proves that successive Israeli Governments have failed to achieve a common patriotism towards Israel that is inclusive of all Israel's citizens. It is during these times of tension when the true test of patriotism of Israel’s non-Jewish minorities is called.

The pandering to the extreme right wing in the coalition, building more settlements and asserting the right of Jews to pray on the Temple Mount despite the ruling of the Chief Rabbinate that it is against halacha, are catalysts for violence and bloodshed between Israelis and Palestinians. Israel has occupied the West Bank for many years now and has not improved conditions of living of the Palestinians there. Overcrowding, severe poverty, poor infra-structures, poor education and unemployment are the ingredients for violence. The Israeli Government shows insensitivity to the conditions of  Palestinians in the refugee camps around East Jerusalem. The constant nationalist rhetoric of the extreme right wing elements of the illegal settlers are also factors. Now and again these elements go on a vengeful rampage against the Palestinians, destroying their property and agricultural lands. Closing our eyes to this is no solution. Hardly any settler vandal has been brought before the law. So we cannot regard Israel as being blameless for the violence that is occurring. There have been no negotiations except force to be answered with force.

A trilateral meeting was held in Amman, Jordan on 13th November 2014 between  John Kerry, King Abdullah and Benjamin Netanyahu. Mahmoud Abbas was in Amman but not present at the meeting. He decided that it was sufficient for King Abdullah to represent Palestinian interests in restoring calm to Jerusalem. According to spokesmen at the meeting, there will be no direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians on renewing peace negotiations as their positions are too wide apart. Hopefully this meeting will restore calm as the three sides agree that they have common interests in fighting extremist Islamist elements that threaten future peace in the Middle East.

Netanyahu reiterated that the status quo in Jerusalem will be maintained. This is subject to interpretation as the building of apartments in East Jerusalem for Israeli settlers does have the potential of promoting violence between Israelis and Palestinians.

On Friday 14 th November 2014, age restrictions for praying in the Al Aqsa Mosque was lifted by Israel and the prayers at the mosque were peaceful. This was the first time in many months there was no violence! Now that Jordan is in the picture it may have a moderating influence on the Palestinian leadership under Mahmoud Abbas to maintain calm.

At the time of writing on 18th November 2014, a terrorist attack occurred in a Jerusalem synagogue resulting in the death of 4 worshipers, several were injured and 4 in a serious condition. A Druze policeman died of his wounds a day later. Two attackers were killed by police, one suspect had escaped.

The rhetoric of Mahmoud Abbas has also received a more moderate tone since the meeting. If anything it will be Band Aid on the third Intifada. However, this temporary calm will only become permanent when both Israeli and Palestinian leaders return to the negotiation table to find a solution to this festering conflict. If not, the third intifada will not be long in coming.

The nature of the Palestinian violence is taking on a different character. Individual Palestinian terrorists wake up in the morning and decide to go on a rampage of killing using axes, poles, knives and vehicles for running over innocent people waiting for public transport. This makes it more difficult for the Security Forces to apprehend them apart from shooting them in action. The praises that these terrorists receive from many in the Arab world is alarming.

A strong, religious factor is becoming more prominent in these terrorist attacks in Jerusalem. In the past and probably even today, the conflict was based on land disputes. Adding the religious dimension on both sides will create a catastrophic situation which will make return to the negotiating table impossible with horrendous consequences for both sides.

The Palestinians are not living in a vacuum. The ISIS ideology is seeping into the conflict as we have observed over the last couple of months in the methods used in murdering innocent Israelis.  

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Hamas and IS - Two Sides of the Same Coin

A cease-fire between Israel and the terrorist group, Hamas is tenuous. The chance that it will be a long-term cease-fire depends entirely on Hamas. While Hamas will not agree to disarmament, they will re-arm and continue their home industry of lethal weapon manufacture. They will continue to get financial support from their allies, Turkey, Qatar and Iran. Gaza cannot be blockaded hermetically from Hamas allies. There are ways of smuggling goods and weaponry into Gaza. Hamas has received a large setback because of Operation Protective Edge but they have not been brought to their knees. If we listen to the hateful rhetoric coming from their leaders, who wasted no time in coming out of their bunkers after the cease-fire was declared, making "victory” speeches as if they are on the verge of annihilating Israel.

In my last article, the Cairo Conference on Reconstruction of Gaza of 12th October 2014 was discussed. Pledges of aid for reconstruction and rehabilitation of Gaza were made. Mechanisms of preventing the money landing in Hamas hands was not discussed at the conference nor was disarming Hamas. If these two essential conditions are not met, there will be a repeat of hostilities and war against Israel and no reconstruction of Gaza will occur. 

While Israel's Defense Minister has made statements that Hamas will not break the cease-fire soon, many Israelis, especially those living bear the border of Gaza, remain unconvinced.

The solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict remains in negotiations, which also requires both sides of the conflict to recognize each others right to exist and security. While Hamas remains adamant in not recognizing Israel "the Zionist Entity" and is unwilling to lay down its arms, we have a serious problem and it will not take long before hostilities will begin in the not so distant future. This time, the players will become more complicated. There will be unimaginable alliances between Shiite and Sunni Islamist extremists uniting in order to commit terrorist acts against Israel. It will be a matter of "the enemy of my enemy is my friend".

We are seeing a sporadic flare up of hostilities in Israel's northern borders with Syria and Lebanon, where Hezbollah - an extremist Shiite terrorist organization, cooperates with the Sunni Hamas organization to commit terrorist acts against Israel. There are also Al Qaeda branches of Wahabi extremists, Jabhat al Nusra, including the Islamic State (IS) branch. The Middle East is as volatile as it is unpredictable. New alliances of former enemies occur in order to achieve a common goal which is the destruction of Israel. So it is not beyond one's imagination that IS, Hamas and even Hezbollah will form some form of alliance to achieve this.

Hamas and IS have similar ideologies. Both are ruthless, Sunni Islamist terrorist organizations. They will not tolerate any opposition in their ranks and are quick to mete out kangaroo court justice to those that

Huffington Post (Aug 20) by Arsen Ostrovsky, an international human rights lawyer — Hamas and ISIS are two sides of the same Islamic terror coin, 

oppose them. Hamas shoots those, who they consider as traitors, in the public square in front of children.Both terrorist groups are barbarians with similar agendas. One has to listen to their religious leaders' sermons from their pulpits of mosques in their Diaspora as well as in the Middle East. If one has doubts as to their motives, those sermons are proof of their violent hatred of Jews. Europe must be held responsible for importing this Islamist garbage into their countries, where their Imams are given free reign to make racist and hateful sermons in the mosques they establish. They also brainwash non-Muslim youths to join the ranks of Jihadis in IS against their own countries.

 They mask their victims as well as their gunmen shooting them in the head then dancing in their blood in the street screaming "Allah Akbar!" IS beheads their victims after forcing them to declare statements against their countries of origin before their beheadings.

Hamas wishes to replace Israel by establishing an Islamic Palestinian state in its place. IS plans to establish a caliphate based on Sharia in the countries it conquers. Israel is able to contain Hamas today but IS is an unknown entity in Israel. There are cells of IS that are operating clandestinely in Israel. If these cells become stronger, it is possible that they will cooperate with Hamas because of their common goal of forced conversions under threats of terror.

The two-state solution to the conflict is becoming unattainable because of Israel's settlement policies. There are various think tanks comprised of academics, searching for other options as a solution such as a federal or confederal solution. The Palestinian Authority cannot be viewed as a negotiating partner for a settlement with Israel as they lack Palestinian support according to the latest Palestinian polls. Hamas with all its fantasies of victory against Israel has the majority of Palestinian support.

As much as we all seek peace and a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict, both sides do not have the leadership qualities to make the essential bold decisions necessary to negotiate peace and an end to the occupation.

Even if Israel withdraws from the occupied West Bank, a vacuum will be created that Hamas will fill. As I mentioned earlier, according to polls, the majority of Palestinians support Hamas. Can Israel afford to have a Gaza-like situation on its doorstep? These questions must be addressed. Hamas and IS have very similar goals. Hamas wishes to destroy Israel and establish a Caliphate in its place. It is not Israeli propaganda against Hamas but this is Hamas's own admission.

In my previous article, Hamas tycoons were discussed as well as their motivation in destroying Israel. While Israel is not directly affected by IS at this stage, the situation can change.

This weekend John Kerry had quoted what he heard from various Arab leaders: We need “to find a way to create two states that can live together side by side, two peoples, with both of their aspirations being respected,” Kerry added.

“I still believe that’s possible, and I still believe we need to work towards it.”

He said the unresolved Israel-Palestinian conflict was fueling recruitment for the Islamic State jihadist group.

“There wasn’t a leader I met with in the region who didn’t raise with me spontaneously the need to try to get peace between Israel and the Palestinians, because it was a cause of recruitment and of street anger and agitation,” Kerry said.

“People need to understand the connection of that. And it has something to do with humiliation and denial and absence of dignity,” he added.

Kerry was the architect of the resumption of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process between July 2013 and April. THIS WAS NOT HIS PERSONAL OPINION as Naftali Bennett claimed. Bennett is a right wing rabble-rouser and a thorn in the flesh of those striving for peace. His ideas on Jewish claims are based on Biblical history with no relevance to the realities of today. He is deeply conservative with a high tech, start up facade of "modernity". Every time he makes statements justifying the occupation and encouraging illegal settlement building in disputed lands based on Biblical claims is exacerbating a highly tense situation between Israel and the EU as well as Israel's best friend, the US leadership.

 If there will be a mutually agreed security mechanism in place that prevents Hamas from taking over the occupied West Bank when a stage is reached on agreed Israeli withdrawal then there is grounds for the establishment of a Palestinian State. Naturally this would involve disarmament of Hamas as an essential requirement if a Palestinian state is established and suitable arrangements made for the settlers who have been living there since the June 1967 War. Pragmatism is essential in finding a solution. Declaring areas "Judenrein" as part of a solution is unacceptable no less than declaring areas "Arabrein".

The world response to IS is weak and is really an impotent token response not that different from its response to Hamas with its tycoon states supporting it.

IS and Hamas alliances cannot be ruled out in the future while lip-service with impotent sporadic airstrikes by the so-called anti-IS coalition are carried out. Time is on the side of Hamas and IS. At this time and place, there is no connection between the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and IS. In the unlikely event of the conflict being solved, IS will not disappear. It would view the Palestinian Authority as traitors and their resolve to spread Jihadi terror and bloodshed would increase and include Israel and Palestine. So all this nonsense about suffering of Arab Muslims creating fertile ground for IS is a load of hogwash.

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Four Thousand Dunams as Revenge

The cease-fire is holding after a week. What happens in Cairo, when Hamas states its demands, remains to be seen. It is certain that they will make their usual demands - sea port, air port, lifting of blockade, releasing prisoners and who knows what else may meet their fancy.Israel will insist on disarming Hamas before any of Hamas demands are met.

PM Netanyahu promised a "new diplomatic horizon" and "new opportunities" because of the changes in the Middle East. Sorry to inform readers, we are in for a big disappointment. We had a hint of that some days ago. The same old, visionless horizon has been his wont over all these years. He wants to prove to his right wing flank - the Naphtali Bennett and Avigdor Lieberman right wing members of his coalition that it is business as usual.

The Israeli Government decided to appropriate 5 Palestinian villages to incorporate into the settler-occupation enterprise. The name of the project is Gva'ot. It comprises about 4 000 (988.421526 acres) dunams of Palestinian land. The reason - revenge for the kidnapping and murder of 3 Israeli teenagers. The legality of this move is doubtful according to international law. It is the last thing that Israel needs fresh after a justified war waged against the Hamas terrorist movement. This move has no moral grounds. Israel does not need further erosion to its image, further loss of credibility, and the opening of a new Pandora Box of settlements.

ISIS beheading Iraqi Soldier

Revenge is more suited to Hamas and its ilk but not Israel. We should not be vengeful and lower our standards to that of the vengeful terrorist movements by unilaterally annexing further pockets of land designated for the establishment of a future Palestinian state even though it is not going to occur in the near or distant future. This move will give the UN another reason to condemn Israel and weaken its stance even further.

The timing of land appropriation could not be worse. Does Israel need to upset the US by this move? It serves no useful purpose. After all, without US help with the Iron Dome system, the Israeli casualty figures would have been catastrophic. Israel needs the US, which is Israel's sole reliable friend. The US displays severe naivety when it comes to the Middle East in the same way as the EU. Wherever the US is involved in trouble shooting, the terror movements get stronger. This is true of ISIS who has beheaded two US journalists, James Foley and Steven Sotloff and the list will increase as well as the kidnapping of UNDOF soldiers by the Nusra Front. We see the impotence of these powers. The only thing they do is to condemn  ISIS, Nusra Front and their allies verbally so far. How many more be-headings and torture must occur before a united front takes military action to destroy these savages?

According to latest Palestinian polls, Hamas popularity has increased and if there are Palestinian elections, Hamas will win easily. Mahmoud Abbas is weak and is propped up artificially by Israel and the US. He has no power base as he has no ground root support from the Palestinians. The wide support that Hamas receives, despite their severe defeat by Israel in Gaza, is incomprehensible.

On the other hand, despite the moral questionability of Israel's appropriation of Palestinian land for settlement in the West Bank, perhaps it is preferable to having Hamas take over from the PA if elections are held in the West Bank. The reasons are obvious. It would create another Gaza-type scenario on our doorstep with all its ramifications similar to what we have witnessed. The Israeli occupation is preferable to a Hamas-dominated Palestinian state, even for the Palestinian People. This would also open the doors for the entrance of Al Qaeda affiliated terrorist groups such as ISIS and its allied barbarians.

This can quite conceivably be the scenario after Palestinian elections in the West Bank. A Hamas ruled Palestinian state is a potential reality with ISIS and their ilk increasing in strength, while the Quartet remains powerless. If there is a justification for maintaining the occupation, it is to prevent this nightmarish scenario occurring. The UN, EU and the US have no strategy against the cruel Islamist extremists which are hidden within the Muslim Communities in their respective countries.

The racist sermons coming from Islamist imams in mosques all over Europe and US against Jews are frightening. It is grist to the mill of ISIS. There has been no wide condemnation by the Muslim religious leadership for these violent Islamist terrorist trends. It goes hand in hand with support for Hamas and other Islamist radicals. It is fertilizer for ISIS growth in Europe. The latter have been successful in drawing youngsters into their ranks for training and beheading non-Muslims in their quest to establish an Islamist Caliphate wherever they can. Europe is not immune as some of its sons and daughters are joining the ranks of ISIS for training and brain-washing.

As abhorrent as the occupation is, the alternative is far worse. The Palestinians are becoming more radical  A future Palestinian State under Hamas leadership is far worse than the occupation.

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