Fireweednectar’s Weblog

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Pigs airborne? EU chief declares Hamas to blame for the war

Yesterday I was discussing the never-ending wails over Israel’s use of white phosphorus, while those same people ignored how Israel used it.

From a longtime favorite Hamasi concubine:

Controversial as it is, white phosphorus is not illegal, at least in an open battlefield setting, where it is used to mask troop movements, or set on fire areas of high brush that need clearing.

But the international convention on the use of incendiary weapons says it should not be used where there is a possibility of hitting civilians.

It’s interesting to note how selectively they cite International Humanitarian Law when it assumes the shape of a square peg in their round hole. Courtesy Jawa Report, what the BBC left out:

The presence or movements of the civilian population or individual civilians shall not be used to render certain points or areas immune from military operations, in particular in attempts to shield military objectives from attacks or to shield, favour or impede military operations. The Parties to the conflict shall not direct the movement of the civilian population or individual civilians in order to attempt to shield military objectives from attacks or to shield military operations.

So imagine my surprise when I read this from the same BBC:

Humanitarian aid chief Louis Michel called the destruction left by Israel’s offensive “abominable”, but said Hamas bore “overwhelming responsibility“.

He said there would be no dialogue with with the “terrorist” movement until it gave up violence and recognised Israel.

“It is abominable, indescribable,” Mr Michel told reporters after touring some of the worst-hit places of Israel’s 22-day assault which killed about 1,300 Palestinians, including 400 children. Thirteen Israelis were also killed in the conflict.

“At this time we have to also recall the overwhelming responsibility of Hamas,” he said.

“I intentionally say this here – Hamas is a terrorist movement and it has to be denounced as such.”

The former Belgian foreign minister insisted there would be no dialogue with Hamas, and its use of terrorism against Israeli civilians meant it was not a legitimate resistance movement.

I wonder how long until Michel gets reassigned?

Monday 26 January 2009 - Posted by fireweednectar | Politics | , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

2 Comments »

  1. I find it incomprehensible that anyone in the international political community cannot have at least some grave suspicions about a regime that ensures independent,objective reporters are banned from reporting in a country under attack by said regime. Also, if there is nothing to hide, and all actions taken have been in the best traditions of any ideas of “honour in war” ,why would that regime feel it necessary to declare that it will not allow any of its combatants to be tried for war crimes. It makes me, as an impartial observer, who deplores any use of violence to obtain political ends,think that a country that makes such a statement must know that war crimes were perpetrated and that then makes me wonder if they were sanctioned by the higher echelons of that society

    Comment by helen | Monday 26 January 2009 | Reply

  2. Oh Gawd just think Jimmy Carter came out and said Ha mas can be talked to and reasoned with. The fighting between Hebrews and Muslims has been going on for millennium if not longer. 60 minutes sure did a very anti-Hebrew spot on their show which is sickening in my opine. Everybody wants to complain what the IDF did in Palestine. But, are quick to forget Ha mas launching 3,000 rockets into Israelin one year! hitting civilian buildings and children being killed. Your one post has title of “Breathtaking double standard” and with all fairness those beeotching as well as 60 minutes fit the title perfectly.

    Comment by dtmf | Friday 30 January 2009 | Reply


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