Could I get some feedback on this ?

Question

I came across this blog today by a doctor in Gaza. I'd love to hear comments ON THE BLOG! Please do not rant to your party line. I am interested in your views on the thoughts and information expressed IN THE BLOG. If you have not read atleast a few of the entries, please do not post, as you will not be able to give the feedback that was requested in the question.

http://fromgaza.blogspot.com/

It seems many of you did not get past the story of the two teens who were killed. I was hoping to get your thoughts on the daily life stuff that came later as well.

Hamarker- I appreciate your lengthy comments. I'm surprised after the sympathy and thoughtfulness that you exhibited that you would think that Gaza would become a normal place in such a short amount of time after Israel's withdrawal.

Lady Suri- While Israel has technically "withdrawn", it still has complete control over the border areas and decides what and who goes in or out. As you can see in the first entry, Israel sometimes shoots into Gaza itself by land, sea, or air often killing civilians. I admit that it is not an easy balance to strike, security vs safety of the civilian population. I think the general feeling among Palestinians is that Israel shoots first and asks questions later. This indifference to their lives will only serve to perpetuate the hatred, even if Israel has technically "withdrawn".

Tequila- As you know, this section is really not used by anyone as a "travel" section. It is a place where people come to discuss anything pertaining to Israel. Yes, that is not its original purpose, but if it is working for everyone and allows Jews and non-Jews to connect, I think that is a positive thing. So let's not nitpick about official titles.

As to your claim that the blogger is a propagandist, honestly, I couldn't say. I am not aware of this or her backgound, and if I were, I wouldn't have posted it. I am not interested in promoting falsehoods or inaccuracies, and if you have evidence that such is contained in the blog, sobeit. Yet again, having this forum as an open-dialogue forum and place for mutual education and clarification is a good thing, as perhaps you have just shown. But I wonder if anyone's blog coming out of Gaza would be accepted by you, or would it all be seen as propaganda?

I will take a look at the infrastructure issue on the link that you posted. Thank you for your comments.

Answer 1

Virtually every blog written by individuals who hold (or have held) public positions state that fact. A blog mentions outstanding accomplishments of the blogger and --at least-- lists her/his most prestigious positions relevant to the blog subject. It is accepted blog protocol for the blogger to advertise past and present acomplishments.
I have read El-Farra's simple profile: "I am a physician by training, a human rights and women's rights activist by practice, in the occupied Gaza Strip."
If I were writing El-Farra's blog "About Women, health, children and human rights in Occupied Palestine", I would want you to know that I bring a unique perspective and have something important to say.
In the blog sidebar, I didn't notice any prominent titles nor a listing of her CV credits, etc. (How refreshing.) Now, what if she were Vice President of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society in Gaza?; or, perhaps, director of an organization with a name like "Gaza Projects for the Middle East Children's Alliance (MECA)" ? And would it change people's receptiveness to her message if we knew that she receives funding from the corrupt PA?
What? She holds these politically appointed positions, and more?! What could be a blogger's reason for not mentioning her involvement? Maybe because MECA collects and launders money for pro-PLO and pro-Ba'ath Party groups. MECA also raises funds for Hamas-run facilities, among others, and stands accused of illegal activities with links to terrorism. When someone says that s/he's a doctor, people infer that this individual wants to help sick people get well. If a doctor works for militant political organizations, blog readers may suspect that there's some other agenda involved. http://www.stoptheism.com/Default.asp?M=1&T=135
Likewise, we are entitled to know about her prominent connection to Gaza's Red Crescent. This organization is also linked to non-humanitarian activities. http://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/html/final/eng/tr/amb_1_04.htm
http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/221
I did read several of her items and found many "discrepancies". I'll use the first post (on the Nabaheen teens) as an example. I tried to find a corroborating source for the article. Interestingly, all of the other (translated from Arabic) references stated slightly different info. from that in the blog. (Sure, errors happen. One may, however, imagine that the VP of the local Red Crescent could get the facts right if she so desired.) The names and ages given elsewhere are: Jihad and Ibrahim Nabaheen, aged 16 and 17, respectively. (Even the place where the alleged incident occurred is different than in the blog. And details from the Gaza sources admit to someone mysteriously " . . . thought to have been a member of a Palestinian resistance faction. The identity of the man remains unknown." )
In El-Farra's blog, the youths are referred to as 14 & 15. Why? Does that make them sound more innocent, perhaps? In my mind, 16 and 17 year olds are still teens, even if they are terrorists. So, again, why not trust us, the readers, to draw our own conclusions?
Is it because 16 and 17 year olds are considered to be more likely than a 14 year old to understand consequences of their actions? (Incidentally, there are even discussions on whether criminals of these ages may be tried as adults in US courts.)
Children raised in a neighborhood know where the danger zones lie long before they turn 16/17. And if they're from Gaza, they know not to approach the fence. It's more than likely that 16 and 17 year olds who infiltrated the area had a plan. (I'm not saying that I know what happened. Let's let the educated readers draw their own inferences based on fact.)

ADDENDUM: Having determined that the blog is propaganda -- from a discredited source who deliberately introduces inaccuracies and false claims throughout the entries -- it's over. It's good propaganda in one respect: it's quite subtle.
Here is an individual working for the corrupt PA regime (without mentioning that detail) and receiving funding as part of an infrastructure that excels in promoting horrific violence on many levels. There is no occupier in Gaza, but is El-Farra working toward a Palestinian state alongside Israel? NO?! In her own words: "We should all work hard until . . . the land of Palestine is shared between both the Israelis and the Palestinians in one Democratic state for all . . . and when the Palestinian refugees can experience their right of return."
Does she want to live in the State of Israel? No? Oh, I get it! The good doctor is advocating the demise of the one Jewish state and its takeover, G-d forbid, by the PA. People, please have the good taste not to post such material in "Israel travel".
I merely touched the surface in analyzing the above. Perhaps I ought to explain where the falsehoods lie in each entry. Alas, that would be INAPPROPRIATE in the travel section, and I wish to spare you all the aggravation. B'vracha L'Shlom Emmet! / With blessings for genuine, everlasting peace.

Answer 2

Please, what he writes is ridiculous on many levels. For starters, he continues to call Gaza occupied despite Israel relinquishing control well over 2 years ago. Secondly, he assumes that all Israeli soldiers are outfitted with sophisticated technology, a common misconception but a ridiculous one nonetheless. Thirdly, he assumes that these 'children' were only playing near the security fence - something that I personally consider unlikely as I am sure everyone knows the danger of just such a thing. Fourthly, he feels that soldiers should be able to differentiate simply children from 'militia men' - not terrorists. Fifthly, he assumes that 14-15 year old teenagers aren't ever terrorists, as if all teens that age are pure and innocent despite the relatively common instance of teenage suicide bombers and terrorists. That is my critique.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

Israel left Gaza, not Israels problem anymore. Funny how the Palestinians scream how they want Israel out, yet beg Israel to come back when it leaves. The people of Gaza are not running to Egypt, they are running to Israel

Answer 5

Since you wanted my comments on only the contents of the blog I will do my best to oblige.

My first thought was that this person uses to many commas and run on sentences. Sorry, but as a writer I notice these things.

Secondly blogers that copy and paste news stories bore me. If you want to talk about an event in the news post a link.

In my opinion blogging is about sharing your own view and describing events that you have seen.

I was far more interested when she talked about how she personally saw masked men and how difficult was it for her to get to her home after the rally.

Those are things that the news cannot report. If she would talk more about her own experiences and cut out reporting the news of the day in my opinion it would be a better blog.

Answer 6

I am only a few sentences in and I am already confused. The blog is from Gaza with Love but it talks about being under occupation...when Israel withdrew years ago...so...???

The information is very, very sad. One thing I noticed the most (as I don't have time to read all of them right now, I will go back later) was the entry about the patients waiting to get medical care in Israel.

Personally, I don't know what to do about the issue. It remains a fact that Palestinians have in the past used medical guises to sneak bombs into Israel to murder people. For this reason, Israel is hesitant to let people in. However, these people need medical care. I think it's a terrible line everyone has to walk--it's incredibly sad, but I don't know what can be done about it.

I'm sorry I couldn't read more right now, I will go back later.

Peace

Answer 7

Every death since 2000 rested on the head of Arafat who refused to take the Barak's peace offering at the 2000 Camp David Accords http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_David_2000_Summit There should be no celebrating of Arafat - he was a cold blooded killer.

Good Luck!!!

Answer 8

That's really sad...have you watched Turtles Can Fly? Reminds me of that and I still cry when I watch it again.

Wow, life is tough over there. All this security, territorial war, and religious differences is tearing the world apart. I hope that one day we'll see each other as one people, even if that means I have to sacrifice my own culture and traditions. It's terrible how we separate each other because of differences.

Answer 9

Comments on the blog...hmmm...anything written by a Palestinian will be deemed not true....when its written by human rights watch I've seen it deemed not true...or excuses made to how a child got killed. Or a group simple protesting harsh living conditions, or celebrating, with no weapons only signs and voices. And then the world hears about it and says oh my goodness that's so sad...and go on with their day because it did not touch their family. They could not feel it, when a child dies in Palestine part of the sadness is many don't mention the name of the child, it was just a Palestinian one. I'm sorry if I've ranted and did not comment on your blog in general, my heart is so very saddened and broken. May all the world one day wake up and realize that God is watching every move we make and in the end may God forgive us all. Peace!

Answer 10

As an 18 year old, new guy in Nam, I witnessed things my mind just wasn't prepared for.
One day we landed near an orphanage so my Commander could visit with the commander of the Arvn army. My crew chief and I left to guard the helecopter.
Seems like hundreds of these children rushed us trying to beg for c-rations. It was hard trying to keep them all back from the ship where they could steal ammo to trade to the gooks for food.
One kid about five came up with a hand grenade, holding tight with both hands. The pin was gone. My crewcheif went for the grenade and I tried to run all the other kids back by firing my weapon in the air.
When I turned around, He had the grenade and had cut the kids throat.
I was so shocked to see this I freaked and attacked him. About that time the officers all came out and saw what was happening.
They got things back under control and the commander of the 1ST Calvary Div himself took me aside and explained that the enemy uses children like this a lot and if we don't stop them they will do it again until they kill themselves and an American soldier too. Maybe me.
It's a hard lesson,but war is hard. War has no respect for age, as proven by the Muslims of this age. Children are being drafted and taught to kill as we speak.
Though it is too simple a question, but in all things , where are the parents? Where are the humanitarian leaders that would protect the children and innocent?
Where is the sanity? Look to God. He doesn't advocate the use of children as cannon fodder.