BloggersBase - Law and Society - Middle East

Should Jordan's King Get A Free Pass When He Slams Israel?

Dr.Aaron.Lerner.IMRA — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:48:36 GMT

Dr. Aaron Lerner Date: 18 March 2010

Why should Jordan's King Abdullah II get a free pass when he slams Israel
with criticism that grossly misrepresents the situation in Jerusalem?

"Jerusalem is a red line and the world should not be silent about Israel's
attempts to get rid of Jerusalem's Arabs residents, Muslims or Christians,"
the king told visiting EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton this week,
claiming that Israel seeks to "change Jerusalem's identity and threaten holy
sites there."

King Abdullah knows damn well that this is baloney.

Israel isn't clearing out Arabs from Jerusalem. If anything, Arabs from the
West Bank are trying to move into Jerusalem in the hopes that they will be
able to remain in territory under Israeli control if and when a Palestinian
state is formed.

Jordan knows that Israel doesn't threaten the holy sites of Islam or
Christianity.

In point of fact, King Abdullah knows that crowd capacity of the Temple
Mount for Moslem prayer was dramatically increased under Israeli rule with
the huge expanded underground Marawani Mosque in Solomon's Stables.

The Jewish element of Jerusalem's identity pre-dates and transcends Islam.

But Israel doesn't deny the history of others in Jerusalem. In fact, the
Department of Antiquities celebrates ancient Christian and Moslem
discoveries just as it does when Jewish artifacts from the past are
unearthed.

Does King Abdullah feel compelled to join in the lies against Israel in
order to maintain his standing?

Or does the lack of any backlash for this behavior make the decision to slam
Israel a foregone conclusion.

If the roles were reversed no doubt Israel's ambassador in Amman would find
himself being called in for a lecture and rebuke for the record.

Perhaps the time has come to hold Jordan to the same standards of fairness
and honestly that it expects from us.

Ramat Shlomo in No man's Land - Not Eastern Jerusalem

Dr.Aaron.Lerner.IMRA — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 07:06:45 GMT

Dr. Aaron Lerner Date: 16 March 2010

Makor Rishon correspondent Arial Kahaneh reports in today's edition that a
check of the maps signed by representatives of Israel and Jordan on 4 March
1949 in Rhodes finds that Ramat Shlomo is located in "No Man's Land" rather
than in territory that at the time was designated as being under Jordanian
control.

Among areas having the same "No Man's Land" status are Kfar Ruth. Shilat,
Lapid, Neveh Shalom (the Arab-Israeli community) part of the Tel
Aviv-Jerusalem highway route 1, Mini Israel and Ramot.

Rina Matzliach: Netanyahu genuinely believes his actions best serving Israel's Interests

Dr.Aaron.Lerner.IMRA — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 07:04:58 GMT

Dr. Aaron Lerner Date: 16 March 2010

Channel Two's political correspondent Rina Matzliach said today on the
"Making Order" program that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is the most
ideologically committed prime minister Israel has had in years and that his
position regarding construction in Jerusalem in particular and Arab-Israeli
issues in general reflects his assessment of what he believes to genuinely
best serve Israel's interests rather than an attempt to placate coalition
members.

Matzliach discounted Eyal Arad 's assertion made on the program that
Netanyahu's constituents want "hope" and thus actually want Netanyahu to
make whatever concessions are needed to cut a deal with the Palestinians.
Matzliach termed Arad's commens a "Kadima" narrative and argued that
Netanyahu's constituents "are not looking for hope - they just want some
quiet and economics."

Background: How Obama team attacks liberated Netanyahu

Dr.Aaron.Lerner.IMRA — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 06:32:53 GMT

Dr. Aaron Lerner Date: 15 March 2010

At the start of the Ramat Shlomo incident Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu
had to carefully and painstakingly weigh his moves as he attempted to
placate Washington without causing a crisis in his own party and the ruling
coalition.

This all changed when, over the course of the weekend, it became clear that
the Obama team had decided to exploit the Ramat Shlomo incident to try and
oust Netanyahu by forcing him to take actions that they themselves expected
would ultimately break up his ruling coalition.

This simplified matters considerably.

Fine tuning was no longer relevant.

And thus, a clearly relieved Netanyahu was able to take a very clear stand
today that construction would continue, as it has ever since 1967, in all of
Jerusalem. And he reiterated that the settlement housing construction
freeze would indeed end as promised after ten months.

What now?

Will the Obama team ratchet up the pressure even more in the hopes that they
can create such a great crisis that Netanyahu will break down and commit
political suicide?

Or will they opt to let the passage of time put the incident behind them.

One indication of this will come when the Quartet meets and issues a
statement later this week and again when Secretary of State Clinton
addresses the upcoming AIPAC conference.

cellphone wars

jerusalemgypsy — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 08:46:14 GMT

Cellphones are expensive, but so necessary. I wonder how we managed years ago when we had to depend on pay phones to tell someone we'll be late, or make impulsive, last minute arrangements with friends and relatives. How inconvenient it all was, trying to find that quarter or whatever the cost was then. But my cellphone bill has been expensive of late and so I called up the competitor of my current cell provider.

There are three major cellphone companies in Israel, Cellcom, Pelephone and Orange. I got a much better offer from the competitor, after complaining about my current cellphone provider so after a week or so, I got on the phone with my current provider and told them about the offer. Can they match it? Closely. They connected me with a special department called Customer Retention or something like that. I would get a new phone at 50% of the cost. I complained that their competitor offered me a free one. OK - then they'll give me a free one too. Wow. It sounded so easy!

I went to their service store and waited nearly an hour to be seated with one of their reps. They wrote my number down on a piece of paper. I was number 218. Number 211 flashed on the screen but there was no customer. They probably got impatient and left. I could have been crafty and written the number 211 on the other side of the paper to be promptly seated - but I'm too American. Or Canadian. I'll wait my turn, the way civilized people are apt to do. I finally got my turn.

The sales rep gets my phone number and asks me questions.

"How much did they offer you?"

I asked - "Isn't it on the computer?"

"Yes, but you're a special case from the retention department. What exactly did they promise you?"

I told him.

"Yes, you're right" he says - obviously regaining his eyesight, as what they promised was probably on the computer screen all along. I couldn't figure out why they were playing this game.

About 5 minutes into this, a woman comes over to me with a typed up survey in her hand - asking me how the service is and how is the sales rep I'm talking to?

"Isn't it odd that you're asking me how is he when I'm right in front of him?|

"Give me a 10" said the sales rep to me.

"Ok, I'll give you a 10, but if I find that you're saying 'ok' to whatever was agreed on the phone and I get a totally different, more expensive, bill, I'm coming back to rate you a 1."

"Don't worry. The new rate will show up on your bill."

The new rate didn't show up on what I signed, and after I questioned him, he said it was standard. I'll get the new rate on my next bill because I was a "special" case.

"So in case you're lying to me, how long am I contracted to you?

"18 months"

Fine. That's better than the more common 3 year contract. If they're a bunch of liars, I'll use my phone minimally and pay the minimum charge and after 18 months switch to another provider.

Maagar Mohot Poll of Israel youth: prefer 80%:16% democracy disagree with over

Dr.Aaron.Lerner.IMRA — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 12:48:21 GMT

Dr. Aaron Lerner Date 12 March 2010

For some reason, the Israeli media across the board (Jerusalem Post,
Haaretz, Ynet, Arutz 7 etc.) failed to note in their coverage of this poll
the following incredible result:

Israeli youth overwhelmingly (80% to 16%) prefer a democracy they disagree
with than a dictatorship they agree with.

====

Telephone poll of a representative sample of 536 Israelis age 15-18
(including Israeli Arabs) carried out by Maagar Mohot Survey Institute
(headed by Professor Yitzchak Katz for Tel Aviv University's School of
Education and the Citizens' Empowerment Center in Israel in mid February
2010 .
Statistical error +/- 4.5 percentage points.

Most appropriate to be prime minister:
Total: Netanyahu 30% Livni 19% Barak 5% Lieberman 10% Peres 15% Other 21%
Jews: Netanyahu 32% Livni 18% Barak 6% Lieberman 11% Peres 15% Other 18%
Arabs: Netanyahu 25% Livni 25% Barak 0% Lieberman 4% Peres 13% Other 33%

Are Israeli politicians corrupt?
Total: Yes 75% No 11% Other 14%
Jews: Yes 80% No 9% Other 11%
Arabs: Yes 59% No 19% Other 22%

Of the following regimes, which regime would you prefer in Israel today:
A dictatorship in which you agree with the views and activities of the
leadership
or
A democracy in which you disagree with the views and activities of the
leadership?
Total; Democracy 80% Dictatorship 16% Other 4%
Jews: Democracy 79% Dictatorship 18% Other 3%
Arabs: Democracy 84% Dictatorship 11% Other 5%

What of the following is the most important issue for the existence of the
State? State is in peace with its neighbors, Jewish state, democratic
state, equal state, state from Jordan to the sea, other

Total: Peace 29% Jewish 19% Democratic 17% Equal 17% River-sea 11% Other 7%
Jews: Peace 29% Jewish 22% Democratic 19% Equal 13% River-sea 13% Other 4%
Arabs: Peace 30% Jewish 10% Democratic 13% Equal 31% River-sea 2% Otter 14%

Israel is a democratic state?
Total: Yes 73% No 17% Other 10%
Jews: Yes 75% No 17% Other 8%
Arabs: Yes 64% No 16% Other 20%

What do you think citizens who disagree with the government polices should
do? organize petitions and demonstrate legally, refuse to pay taxes, oppose
government policies with force, other

Total: Protest 67% Tax rebellion 9% Force 11% Other 13%
Jews: Protests 70% Tax rebellion 9% Force 9% Other 12%
Arabs: Protests 55% Tax rebellion 7% Force 20% Other 18%

Do you want the children of immigrants from Ethiopian learn in your class?
Yes 74% No 17% Other 9%
Secular: Yes 77% No 16% Other 7%
Religious: Yes 58% No 23% Other 19%

Do you want that children of immigrants from the former Soviet Union learn
in your class?
Total: Yes 76% No 15% Other 9%
Secular: Yes 80% No 12% Other 8%
Religious Yes 55% No 32% Other 12%

Would you be prepared to have an Arab friend of the same sex?
Total Jews: Yes 63% No 34% Other 5%
Secular: Yes 71% No 23% Other 6%
Religious Yes 18% No 81% Other 1%

[IMRA: The following question is more complicated than it looks. If a
respondent understands (as by the way, the Israeli Arab leadership
maintains) that "identical rights" means either canceling the right of Jews
from around the world to immigrate and become citizens in Israel or opening
Israel's gates to Palestinian refugees and their progeny then the results
have a completely different significance.]
Should Israeli Arabs have identical rights to those of Jewish citizens in
the State of Israel?
Total: Jews Yes 47% No 46% other 7%
Secular: Yes 53% No 39% Other 8%
Religious Yes 15% No 82% Other 3%

Do you think that the slogan "death tot eh Arabs" is legitimate or racists
and illegitimate?
Total Jews: Legitimate 21% Not 73% Other 6%
Secular: Legitimate 16% Not 78% Other 6%
Religious Legitimate 45% Not 45% Other 10%

Should Israeli Arabs have to right to be elected to the Knesset?
Total Jews Yes 41% No 52% Other 7%
Secular: Yes 47 % No 47% Other 6%
Religious: Yes 11% No 82% Other 7%

To what extent do you consider yourself an Israeli patriot on a scale of 1-5
where 5 is the highest?
Jews: 1-2 6% 3 26% 4-5 63% Other 5%

To what extent do you consider yourself a Palestinian patriot on a scale of
1-5 where 5 is the highest?
Arabs: 1-2 18% 3 24% 4-5 58%

Do you want to serve in the IDF?
Jews: Yes 89% No 9% Other 2%
Religious: Yes 77% No 21% other 2%
Secular: Yes 91% No 7% Other 2%

If during the course of your military service you are ordered to evacuate a
settlement in Jude and Samaria would you follow the order or refuse?
Total Jews: Refuse 43% Follow 46% Other 11%
Secular Refuse 36% Follow 52% Other 12%
Religious: Refuse 81% Follow 11% Other 8%

Does the educational system prepare you to function a good citizen in a
democratic state?
Total: Yes 49% No 43% Other 8%
Jews: Yes 41% No 52% Other 7%
Arabs: Yes 78% No 14% Other 8%

Does the educational system contribute to the forming of your identity as a
Jew living in the State of Israel?
Total Jews: No 45% Yes 48% Other 7%
Secular: No 44% Yes 51% Other 5%
Religious No 58% Yes 32% Other 10%

Does the educational system enable you to express your culture?
Arabs: Yes 74% No 26%

Israeli POW Nissim Salem: Red Cross told me not to complain about torture

Dr.Aaron.Lerner.IMRA — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:24:17 GMT

Dr. Aaron Lerner Date: 11 March 2010

In a live telephone interview this evening on Channel 2 news, Nissim Salem,
who had been captured in Bhamdoun on 4 September 1982 (Peace for Galilee
War), by the PFLP, said that when he told Red Cross officials that he was
being tortured the officials warned him not to complain. The Red Cross
officials explained that if they reported back his complaint that he was
tortured that they would never be able to visit him again.

Nissim Salem was released on 20 May 1985, as part of an exchange referred
to as the "Jibril Deal".

The Illusion of Divided Jerusalem Solutions

Dr.Aaron.Lerner.IMRA — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:21:13 GMT

Dr. Aaron Lerner Date: 12 March 2010

How did the philosopher get out of the pit?

He assumed a ladder and climbed out.

And that’s pretty much what people do when they assert that dividing Jerusalem is workable.

Let’s make this clear.

It doesn’t matter how neat the collection of dotted, hatched and other lines and colored zones may appear on the map.

Nor does it matter what kind of alphabet soup titles you can come up with for the various and sundry international forces to be deployed on the scene.

Or even the dazzling security gizmos included in the plan.

At the end of the day, the moment you allow yourself to go beyond best case assumptions, these schemes all collapse.

The geography is simply too tight and intertwined to support it.

What’s the fallback position?

Interesting question: Beyond the rhetoric, does the Palestinian leadership realize that if they stand firm on Jerusalem at the negotiating table they may never reach a deal?

Are the Palestinians going to wager their destiny on international acceptance of a unilaterally declared state with a divided Jerusalem and that that acceptance can ultimately push Israel out? (Hint: there are many important countries that could give a damn about Jerusalem, but have reasons much closer to home not to want the precedent a unilaterally declared state would be),

Or do they have a face saving fallback position?

Can the Palestinian leadership, for example, find a way to develop a strong national pride in their possession of the authority to appoint the Mufti of Jerusalem and pay the salaries of the Waqf on the Temple Mount?

Yes. There are ways down the tree.

And the biggest favor that third parties can do for the Palestinians is to let them know that they are, indeed, up on a tree when it comes to their demands and expectations for Jerusalem.

Ilana Dayan gives Tzipi Livni free pass on Jerusalem issue

Dr.Aaron.Lerner.IMRA — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:00:52 GMT

Dr. Aaron Lerner Date: 11 March 2010

Ilana Dayan featured an interview with Kadima MK Tzipi Livni on her Uvda (Fact) program last night on Channel 2 with most of the questions focusing on her clashes within her own party. But when it came to policy, Dayan gave her a free pass.

Livni explained that Shas MK Eli Yishai called her to say that Shas was going to attribute its refusal join with her in forming a coalition – a move that would have postponed elections – to the Jerusalem issue.

Livni said to Dayan that no one had any business questioning her loyalty to Jerusalem and that she is just as committed to Jerusalem as Yishai is.

And it ended with that.

Ilana Dayan, with a team of researchers on her payroll, failed to follow up.

It is clear that Livni had, indeed, negotiated the division of Jerusalem with her Palestinian counterpart. This despite assurances to Shas that Jerusalem was not yet on the negotiating table.

But Dayan let it pass.

Livni of course has every right to think that Jerusalem should be divided.

But she can’t have it both ways.

And as a journalist, its Dayan’s job to make sure that politicians don’t have it both ways.

Text: Proposed statement supporting settlement construction for vote by Likud Ce

Dr.Aaron.Lerner.IMRA — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:21:51 GMT

Dr. Aaron Lerner Date: 9 March 2010

The following is a translation of the proposed wording for the declaration that MK Danny Danon and others have asked to be voted on via secret ballot at the meeting of the Likud Central Committee slated to be held on 18 March. The session is being held after MK Danon got over twenty percent of the members of the Likud Central Committee to sign a request for the meeting and the Likud court ruled that his request could not continued to be ignored since the passage of over four months.

The text was published in today’s edition of Makor Rishon:

“The Likud Central Committee strengthens and supports the residents of Judea and Samaria.

The Likud Central Committee supports the continued construction and development of all parts of the Land of Israel including the Negev and Galilee, Greater Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria.

The Likud Central Committee calls on all its representatives in all the elected institutions to act in the spirit of this decision and advance the development of the communities in Judea and Samaria.”

Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA (Independent Media Review & Analysis)
(Mail POB 982 Kfar Sava)
Tel 972-9-7604719/Fax 972-3-7255730
INTERNET ADDRESS: imra@netvision.net.il
Website: http://www.imra.org.il

B'Tselem complains that Israel actually prosecuting Arab teenage rock throwers

Dr.Aaron.Lerner.IMRA — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:59:31 GMT

Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA

When I read thes item below I could only conclude that attorney Yael Stein of B'Tselem
doesn't follow the news in Israel:

"These incidents constitute a most severe breach of minors' human rights,"
attorney Yael Stein of B'Tselem wrote to Jerusalem District Commander Aharon
Franco.
"A military-like crackdown in the middle of the night to interrogate 12- to
14-year-old children on suspicions of throwing stones runs contrary to all
reason, and cannot be justified. It's hard to imagine the security forces
taking such measures against Jewish minors," she wrote, accusing police of
breaking the law governing treatment of youth.

#1. The arrests she is describing match exactly what the Israeli
authorities have done numerous times in detaining Jewish kids in the
"occupied territories" - and elsewhere when carrying out the arrests could
be a problem.

#2. The arrests are carried out in the middle of the night to avoid a clash
in the neighborhood. Would attorney Yael Stein of B'Tselem prefer that
every arrest carry with it the "cost" of a riot? Or would attorney Yael
Stein of B'Tselem argue then that it isn't worth the cost of a riot to
prosecute the stone throwers.

Or perhaps, does attorney Yael Stein of B'Tselem not think that stone
throwing is something that should even be prosecuted? Maybe attorney Yael
Stein of B'Tselem thinks that stone throwing is simply another form of
"nonviolent protest"?

And how about this:

Parents who try to argue or block their children's arrest are treated
harshly or attacked, said Jaballah Rajabi, many of whose family members have
been arrested.

"I tried to talk to them and they hit me, sprayed me with gas. Fifty of them
come for every child. This isn't police, it's a mafia," he said.

So Jaballah Rajabi tried to stop the police from arresting his stone
throwing kids.

And the cops didn't let him stop them.

Here some advice for Jaballah Rajabi : don't try to stop cops from making
an arrest.

And that's not because you are an Arab. If you try to stop a cop from
making an arrest anywhere in Israel the cops are going to get physical.

.
================

Israel using strong arm tactics against young Palestinian stone-throwers

By Nir Hasson, Haaretz Correspondent Last update - 09:42 09/03/2010
www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1155105.html

Several children in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan were arrested
and taken from their homes in handcuffs in the middle of the night over the
past few months, as part of a police crackdown on suspected stone-throwers,
several teenage residents told B'Tselem and Haaretz.

Haaretz and B'Tselem, the Israel Information Center for Human Rights in the
Occupied Territories, collected testimonies from several teens that suggest
the police are treating them violently and violating their rights.

"They told me to get down on my knees and slapped and kicked me, one from
behind and one from the front," a 15-year-old told B'Tselem.

A large Border Police force has been raiding Palestinian homes at night,
targeting mostly children aged 12 to 15.

Most of the children and teenagers living near near the two controversial
residential buildings inhabited by Jewish settlers in Silwan - Beit Yonatan
and Beit Hadvash - have been arrested at least once.

The police and Border Police activity follows complaints by the Jewish
residents of the two buildings and by the guards hired by the Housing
Ministry to protect them.

They say there has been an increase in children throwing stones at their
houses and cars.

"The interrogator kept asking me the same question for an hour and every
time I denied it, he swore. He swore at my mother and sister. He slapped me
and wouldn't let me go to the toilet or have a drink of water," a
14-year-old told B'Tselem.

Another child said he was seated facing the wall and was beaten every time
he turned his head.

Parents allegedly mistreated

Parents who try to argue or block their children's arrest are treated
harshly or attacked, said Jaballah Rajabi, many of whose family members have
been arrested.

"I tried to talk to them and they hit me, sprayed me with gas. Fifty of them
come for every child. This isn't police, it's a mafia," he said.

"These incidents constitute a most severe breach of minors' human rights,"
attorney Yael Stein of B'Tselem wrote to Jerusalem District Commander Aharon
Franco.
"A military-like crackdown in the middle of the night to interrogate 12- to
14-year-old children on suspicions of throwing stones runs contrary to all
reason, and cannot be justified. It's hard to imagine the security forces
taking such measures against Jewish minors," she wrote, accusing police of
breaking the law governing treatment of youth.

The Jerusalem Police denied using violent measures and said the arrests and
interrogations were carried out lawfully.

"Following increasing incidents of stone-throwing at cars, Border Police and
Jewish houses in the Silwan area, causing damage to people and property,
Arab minors suspected of throwing stones were arrested," a police spokesman
said.

"Some of the minors had their remands extended by the court, and others were
released on certain conditions. All the suspects against whom we have
evidence will be brought to trial," he said.

Only Jews wife of VP Biden to meet are dead?

Dr.Aaron.Lerner.IMRA — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:13:44 GMT

Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA:

Who is Dr. Jill Biden visiting on her official trip to Israel and the PA?

Dr. Biden's visit:
Israel: - teachers and children at the integrated Peace Pre-school program
at the Jerusalem International YMCA
Israel: - grave sites of Yitzhak Rabin and Theodor Herzl
Israel - Yad Vashem, Israel's Holocaust museum
Israel (eastern Jerusalem) - Augusta Victoria Hospital (Jerusalem Arabs)
PA - Al Kamandjati Music Center (Palestinians)
Israel - Bedouin Women Crafts Center in Lakiya (Israeli Arabs)

So who is she meeting in Israel? Dead Jews and live Arabs?
-----

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Vice President
For Immediate Release:
March 7, 2010

VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN AND DR. JILL BIDEN TRAVEL
TO THE MIDDLE EAST

...
Tuesday, March 9th - Jerusalem

Dr. Biden:

In the morning, Dr. Jill Biden will visit teachers and children at the
integrated Peace Pre-school program at the Jerusalem International YMCA.
This visit will be POOLED PRESS.

In the afternoon, the Vice President and Dr. Biden will visit the national
grave sites of Yitzhak Rabin and Theodor Herzl and lay a wreath. Afterwards,
they will visit Yad Vashem, Israel's Holocaust museum and memorial. Both of
these events will be POOLED PRESS.

In the evening, the Vice President and Dr. Biden will have dinner with the
Prime Minister and Mrs. Netanyahu. There will be a pool spray at the top of
this dinner.

Wednesday March 10th - Ramallah, Palestinian Territories and Bethlehem,
Palestinian Territories

...
Dr. Biden:

In the morning, Dr. Biden will travel to Augusta Victoria Hospital, where
she will visit with doctors, nurses and patients and take a tour of the
hospital's facilities. Dr. Biden will learn about the hospital's breast
cancer outreach program and will visit the radiotherapy unit. She will also
visit with children and parents in the pediatric cancer care and kidney care
units. This visit will be POOLED PRESS.

In the afternoon, Dr. Biden will visit the Al Kamandjati Music Center in
Ramallah where she will meet with teachers and students, and listen to a
student music performance. Al Kamandjati provides music lessons, workshops
and music programs including concerts for Palestinian children, particularly
those living in refugee camps and in marginalized villages in the West Bank,
Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon.

Thursday, March 11th - Tel Aviv, Israel and Amman, Jordan

...
Dr. Biden:

In the morning, Dr. Biden will visit Masada, and in the afternoon she will
visit a Bedouin Women Crafts Center in Lakiya. Both of these visits are
POOLED PRESS

In the afternoon, the Vice President and Dr. Biden will depart en route to
Amman, Jordan.

In the evening, the Vice President will meet with King Abdullah. There will
be a pool spray at the top of this meeting. Afterwards, the Vice President
and King Abdullah will have dinner together.

Friday, March 12th - Amman, Jordan

The Vice President and Dr. Biden will visit and tour Petra in the afternoon.
This visit will be POOLED PRESS.

Dr. Biden: Details on Dr. Biden's schedule in Jordan will be released later
in the week.

In the evening, the Vice President and Dr. Biden will depart Jordan en route
Washington, DC.

Such a Fuss - Can Israel Do No Good?

LadyLight — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:42:49 GMT

Have you ever seen such a ruckus raised by everyone over what Israel may have done in Dubai to a known Hamas leader, Mahmoud Al Mabhouh? You'd think that Israel committed a heinous crime, when the crime which was committed was the Hamas leader's himself, that of murdering two Israeli soldiers and forging a connection between Hamas and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.

Hamas is classified as a "terrorist organization" by the United States and by Europe, but nobody accused Dubai of hosting this criminal. They only accused Israel of doing what nobody had the courage (or worse, inclination) to do, which is to eliminate him. Israel may have done just that, and for it, has been heaped with vitriolic condemnation from the world at large. And it isn't even certain that Israel's Mossad carried out this hit. According to Caroline Glick,

What the initial European reaction to [Dubai Chief-of-Police] Tamim's allegations shows is that blaming Israel has become Europe's default foreign policy. It apparently never occurred to the Europeans that Israel might not be responsible for the hit. And it certainly never occurred to them that cutting off intelligence ties with Israel will harm them more than Israel.

They didn't think of the latter, of course, because Europe has no idea of what its interests are. All it knows is how to sound off authoritatively.

But what a contrast there was in news reports on Israel after the earthquake in Haiti, when Israel sent in its rescue teams and set up modern, efficient field hospitals in 48 hours, while other countries (the United States included) were fumbling about trying to get their feet out of their rear ends and organize themselves.

For a brief, fleeting moment in time, the reports were actually positive! How shocking! From Fox News to CNN, the initial reports were blown away by Israel's efficiency and humanitarianism.

But those were the initial reports. After a while, I actually read negative comments on Israel's efforts, which stated that Israel was collecting body organs for resale or that their field hospitals were funded by "American money."

You see, it isn't politically correct to say anything positive about Israel for very long. Even Israel's own temper their praise with condemnation, as Martin Krossel cites Larry Derfner of the Jerusalem Post in Krossel's article "No Israeli Good Deed Goes Unpunished":

The Israel field hospital in Haiti is a reflection of something very deep in the national character. But so is something that is summed up in the word Gaza. It’s the Haiti side of Israel that makes the Gaza side so inexpressibly tragic. And more and more the Haiti part of the national character is being dwarfed by the Gaza part. Gaza too is a matter of life and death – not just for the people who were trapped in the rubble there not long ago, but for Israel. When will this big hearted-nation stop being heartless to the people of Gaza.

"Heartless to the people of Gaza?" Israel went out of its way to minimize civilian casualties in Gaza, by showering the population with leaflets warning them of impending attacks and advising them to flee or take shelter, and by going house to house and conducting targeted attacks (when they could have strafed the area or carpet bombed them, as did the British in Dresden during World War II), which greatly endangered Israeli soldiers--the same as happened in Jenin.

And where was the international community when Hamas was shelling Sderot and other Israeli southern cities for years and years? Where was the condemnation of Hamas' placing arms caches in tunnels in civilians' kitchens and firing rockets from Gazan schools?

The international community wasn't there, and didn't care. but they certainly were quick to vociferously condemn Israel for acting to eliminate--if it actually did--a Hamas leader aiding and abetting the enemy, when their own countries opted to look the other way.

In their haste to condemn Israel, the international community is extremely short-sighted. They can not see that it is not in their future best interests to do so.

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Background - PA boycott of settlements violate the Gaza-Jericho Agreement

Dr.Aaron.Lerner.IMRA — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:15:45 GMT

Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA 8 March 2010

A review of ANNEX IV Protocol on Economic Relations between the Government
of the State of Israel and the P.L.O., representing the Palestinian people
Paris, April 29, 1994 of the Gaza Jericho Agreement finds that the boycott
of goods produced in the "settlements" and a ban on the supply of
Palestinian workers to the settlements constitutes a gross violation of the
agreement by the PA.

#1. " The agricultural produce of both sides will have free and unrestricted
access to each others' markets"

#2. "There will be free movement of industrial goods free of any
restrictions"

#3. As for labor, the agreement enables the PA to independently limit the
flow of Israeli workers into the area under the control of the PA but not
the flow of Palestinian workers out while calling for the sides to "attempt
to maintain the normality of movement of labor". The PA could, however,
require that all Palestinians working in the settlements be employed through
a Palestinian employment service. Palestinian employment legislation that
would formally prevent employment in the settlements would be clearly at
odds with the commitment "to maintain the normality of movement of labor"
and thus could be blocked.

It should be noted from the wording of the agreement that is clearly applies
also to Israeli controlled areas beyond the Green Line. For example,
another part of the agreement deals with the obligation to maintain tourist
sites. Interpreting the Israeli "side" to be limited to within the Green
Line would mean that no one has responsibility for the tourism sites under
Israeli controlled territory beyond the Green Line

Excerpts of relevant parts of the Agreement follow:.

GAZA-JERICHO AGREEMENT
ANNEX IV
Protocol on Economic Relations between the Government of the State of Israel
and the P.L.O., representing the Palestinian people
Paris, April 29, 1994
www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Peace+Process/Guide+to+the+Peace+Process/Gaza-Jericho+Agreement+Annex+IV+-+Economic+Protoco.htm

Article VII
LABOR

1. Both sides will attempt to maintain the normality of movement of labor
between them, subject to each side's right to determine from time to time
the extent and conditions of the labor movement into its area. If the normal
movement is suspended temporarily by either side, it will give the other
side immediate notification, and the other side may request that the matter
be discussed in the Joint Economic Committee.
The placement and employment of workers from one side in the area of the
other side will be through the employment service of the other side and in
accordance with the other sides' legislation. The Palestinian side has the
right to regulate the employment of Palestinian labor in Israel through the
Palestinian employment service, and the Israeli Employment Service will
cooperate and coordinate in this regard.

Article VIII
AGRICULTURE
10. The agricultural produce of both sides will have free and unrestricted
access to each others' markets, with the temporary exception of sales from
one side to the other side of the following items only: poultry, eggs,
potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes and melons. The temporary restrictions on
these items will be gradually removed on an increasing scale until they are
finally eliminated by 1998...

Article IX
INDUSTRY
1. There will be free movement of industrial goods free of any restrictions
including customs and import taxes between the two sides, subject to each
side's legislation.
...
3. Each side will do its best to avoid damage to the industry of the other
side and will take into consideration the concerns of the other side in its
industrial policy.
...

Done in Paris, this twenty ninth day of April, 1994
For the Government of Israel
Finance Minister Avraham Shohat
For the PLO
Abu Ala (Ahmed Korei)

Will VP Biden visit square honoring murderer of 37 civilians in Ramallah?

Dr.Aaron.Lerner.IMRA — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 14:49:09 GMT

Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA:

Will U.S. Vice President Biden join with the leadership of the Palestinian
Authority and honor Dalal Mughrabi, a terrorist who murdered 37 civilians in
1978?

No.

But the "friends of peace" - the "moderate peace partners" Mr. Biden will
meet in Ramallah will,

Question: Where are the comments from American officials - and others -
that it is "inappropriate" for the PA to do this the same week that V.P.
Biden is visiting. That its the "wrong time" and "counterproductive" to
celebrate the murder of civilians the same week that the launching of
proximity talks with Israel are being finalized?

===================

Bulletin
March 7, 2010
Palestinian Media Watch

PA to name square for murderer of 37
on anniversary of her attack
http://palwatch.org/main.aspx?fi=157&doc_id=1715
by Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik
p:+972 2 625 4140 e: pmw@palwatch.org
f: +972 2 624 2803 w: www.palwatch.org

Another chapter is unfolding in the ongoing confrontation between Israel and
the Palestinian Authority over the naming of a square after the terrorist
Dalal Mughrabi. In December, Palestinian Media Watch publicized that the
Municipality of Ramallah planned to name a public square in honor of the
terrorist Dalal Mughrabi, who led the worst terror attack in Israel's
history when she and other terrorists hijacked a bus and murdered 37
civilians in 1978. Prime Minister Netanyahu immediately protested to the US
and sharply criticized the PA for its intention to name the square in
Ramallah "after a terrorist who killed dozens of Israelis."

The official PA daily newspaper reports today that the PA has chosen to
ignore PM Netanyahu's criticism and protests to the US. Not only does it
still intend to name the square after the terrorist, but the date chosen for
the inaugural ceremony is this Thursday, March 11, the 32nd anniversary of
the terror attack.

Since PMW's exposure of the story, PA leaders have repeatedly rejected PM
Netanyahu's criticism while defending the practice of honoring murderers,
whom they honor as Martyrs (Shahids). PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas also
referred to the terror attack as "military activities."

See the timeline of the ongoing dispute below.

After PMW's exposure of the PA's naming of the square in December, Israeli
PM Netanyahu protested and condemned the intention:
http://palwatch.org/main.aspx?fi=157&doc_id=1526

"Today, and a week ago, senior officials from the Prime Minister's office
conveyed a protest to the US against Mahmoud Abbas... that the governor of
Ramallah named a square in her [Mughrabi's] honor."

[Israeli News Channel 2, Jan. 7, 2010]

"Whoever sponsors and supports naming a square in Ramallah in honor of a
terrorist who murdered dozens of Israelis on the Coastal Road - encourages
terror."

[Galei Zahal, (IDF radio), Jan. 10, 2010]

Today the official PA daily reports that the Municipality is continuing with
this Thursday's inauguration:

Headline: "Preparations for inauguration of Shahida (Martyr) Dalal Mughrabi
Square complete"
"The El-Bireh Municipality has completed construction work at the Shahida
(Martyr) Dalal Mughrabi Square in the Um Al-Sharait region, and has
commenced preparations for its inauguration this Thursday, the anniversary
of Mughrabi's Martyrdom. The mayor, Jamal Al-Tawil, said that... this year
the municipality will celebrate the inauguration of the Shahida (Martyr)
Dalal Mughrabi Square in order to commemorate her memory and her sacrifice
as a Palestinian woman who resisted the occupation. City Council member Aida
Abu-Ubeid said that the square is considered a symbol of the sacrifice of
the Palestinian woman. She also noted that flowers and trees will be planted
there, and that a picture of the Shahida Dalal Mughrabi will be placed at
the center of the square."

[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, March 7, 2010]

There has been no public comment from the Obama administration about the
PA's honoring of the terrorist.

Timeline on Dalal Mughrabi Square debate:

Dec. 31, 2009: PMW releases story of PA's intention to name square after
Mughrabi

Click to view PMW's release of PA's naming of square after terrorist.

http://palwatch.org/main.aspx?fi=157&doc_id=1526
Jan. 7, 2010: PM Netanyahu protests PA's honoring Mughrabi to the US

"Today, and a week ago, senior officials from the Prime Minister's office
conveyed a protest to the US against Mahmoud Abbas... that the governor of
Ramallah named a square in her [Mughrabi's] honor."

[Israeli News Channel 2]

Jan. 10: PM Netanyahu opens cabinet meeting with criticism of PA's honoring
Mughrabi

"Whoever sponsors and supports naming a square in Ramallah in honor of a
terrorist who murdered dozens of Israelis on the Coastal Road - encourages
terror."

[Galei Zahal, (IDF radio), Jan. 10, 2010]

Jan. 11: PA Minister of Culture, Siham Barghouti, rejects Netanyahu's
protest

"Honoring them this way [by naming places after Martyrs] is the least we can
give them, and this is our right."

[Al-Ayyam, Jan. 11, 2010]

Jan. 17: PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas rejects Netanyahu's protest

"I do not deny [the naming]. Of course we want to name a square after her
[Mughrabi]... [We] carried out military activities; can I then later
renounce all that we have done? No, I don't renounce it."

[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Jan. 17, 2010]

Feb. 3: Ashraf Ajrami, former PA Minister of Prisoners' Affairs, defends
naming

"[PA] talk about Shahids (Martyrs) is considered, from their [Israel's]
point of view, extremism and support for terror... Likewise, naming a square
after Dalal Mughrabi is [according to Israel] reason for criticism and
attack."

[Al-Ayyam, Feb. 3, 2010]

Feb. 25: Mahmoud Al-Aloul, General Commissioner for Recruitment and
Organization, emphasizes importance of naming

"Mahmoud Al-Aloul, member of the Fatah Central Committee and General
Commissioner for Recruitment and Organization, emphasized that it is
important to continue commemorating the memory of the Shahids (Martyrs) and
the Palestinian acts of heroism, and most importantly the anniversary of the
Martyrdom of Dalal Mughrabi, heroine of the Coastal Road operation [terror
attack], which falls on March 11th each year."

[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Feb. 25, 2010]

Today, March 7: PA daily announces Thursday's inauguration of square

"The El-Bireh Municipality has completed construction work at the Shahida
(Martyr) Dalal Mughrabi Square ... and has commenced preparations for its
inauguration this Thursday, the anniversary of Mughrabi's Martyrdom... City
Council member Aida Abu-Ubeid said that the square is considered a symbol of
the sacrifice of the Palestinian woman. She also noted that flowers and
trees will be planted there, and that a picture of the Shahida Dalal
Mughrabi will be placed at the center of the square."

[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, March 7, 2010]

Israel Radio’s Keren Neubach on impact of gentrification on Arabs vs. Jews “dep

Dr.Aaron.Lerner.IMRA — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 03:25:08 GMT

Dr. Aaron Lerner Date: 7 March 2010

In response to an item this morning on Keren Neubach’s Israel Radio morning Agenda (Seder Yom) program about Arabs in Jaffa who find themselves moving out of the neighborhood due to gentrification, a listener sent in an SMS saying that the plight of the Arabs in Jaffa is no different than the plight of Jews who find themselves priced out of their neighborhoods.

Neubach read the comment on the air and then said under her breath “it depends how you look at it.”

Har Homa and Hasmonean Tunnel Self Defeating Debating

Dr.Aaron.Lerner.IMRA — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 08:57:29 GMT

Dr. Aaron Lerner Date: 4 March 2010

Almost every critic of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's decision to
include Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem and the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron
in Israel's national heritage project points to Netanyahu's decision to open
the Hasmonean Tunnel and build Har Homa in his previous term as if the
consequences of those moves proves their point.

But the opposite is the case.

Yes, there was a lot of flack on the Har Homa project, with demonstrations
and condemnations galore.

And yes, there was even a short bloody clash over the opening of the
Hasmonean Tunnel that runs next to the Western Wall along with angry
statements from around the world and worse.

But let's have an attention span that goes beyond a few days.

I know this is asking a lot for most Israelis.

But it's worth the effort.

Let's put our thinking caps on for a moment.

OK.

Here we go.

Har Homa is today a Jewish neighborhood in Jerusalem that is no different
than any of the many other Jewish neighborhoods beyond the '67 line. You
would be hard pressed to find an Israeli Jew who seriously thinks that Har
Homa will ever be ceded to the Arabs in any future deal.

And what of the Hasmonean Tunnel that Netanyahu so recklessly opened?

Here is a hint: Who included a visit to it in his 15 November 2009 tour of
the Old City?

Former President Bill Clinton.

That's because the Hasmonean Tunnel has become a consensus Jerusalem tourist
attraction. And a major one at that.

Wait a second.

But we all know that Netanyahu was a hasty fool for building Har Homa and
opening the Hasmonean Tunnel. And the proof that he is recklessly
shortsighted over Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem and the Cave of the Patriarchs
in Hebron today is what happened with Har Homa and the Hasmonean Tunnel.

Oops.

That's right.

It turns out that, in the long run, the choice isn't, as those Lefties
proclaim as they roll their eyes, between "being right and being smart".

You can do both.

And that's what Netanyahu did.

Again.

Sticks and Stones and Words and Swords

Dabar — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 06:08:24 GMT

There is a saying that was old in 1894 and seems to have spread through the English speaking world which begins, "sticks and stones shall break my bones, but" chances are you can complete it. The version I am familiar with is "but words shall never hurt me". Another version ends with "but lies shall never hurt me".

But yet there is another saying: "the pen is mightier than the sword". Therefore, logically, one may conclude that "the word is mightier than the sword."

From this it may be gathered that sayings or aphorisms pertaining to the lore of common sense, at least at a superficial level, may contain contradiction. But then after a few hours perusing the section of the university library pertaining to common sense, one realises that 'sense' is possibly cultural and not at all common. Sense might be missing from the mouths of leaders, and indeed even reporters, when they speak on (and in) the Middle East.

For words can indeed be swords. The great king David wrote a song about it.

(59:1) For the Leader; Al-tashheth. A Psalm of David; Michtam; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. (59:2) Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God; set me on high from them that rise up against me. (59:3) Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from the men of blood. (59:4) For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul; the impudent gather themselves together against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD. (Psalm 59:1-3)

The enmity David experienced was due to visible evidence that he had been chosen by his God, whereas King Saul was visibly rejected for rejecting the word of God. David fled alone, but Saul gathered 'men of blood' who also became David's enemies. There is no evidence Saul was a Philistine, sorry, Palestinian, but his actions prefigure those who make their life's work to be "men of blood".

That David had a national experience in mind, more than his personal one is conveyed next,

(59:5) Without my fault, they run and prepare themselves; awake Thou to help me, and behold. (59:6) Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, arouse Thyself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to any iniquitous traitors. Selah (59:7) They return at evening, they howl like a dog, and go round about the city. (59:8) Behold, they belch out with their mouth; swords are in their lips: 'For who doth hear?' (Psalm 59:4-7)

The national enemy of David's day was the Philistines, sorry, Palestinians. The national enemy would 'howl' about the city. Being raised in a more proper 'English' reticent environment (and Australians can be even more adverse to emotional display than English), there is feeling from news footage that many Palestinians 'howl' well, when compared to other nationalities, and their issue at present is 'about a city'. The enmity was from the mouth and the swords were from the lips not the hands. These swords in words are powerful. That they throw sticks and stones as well as words, merely underline the words as swords.

David knew words were powerful in his world, they are still powerful today, perhaps more so as they can travel so much further. The swords of the lips require the action of a whole new word,

hasbara

But David gave Israel this curious song as an antidote to the sword words,

(59:9) But Thou, O LORD, shall laugh at them; Thou shalt have all the nations in derision. (59:10) Because of his strength, I will wait for Thee; for God is my high tower. (59:11) The God of my mercy will come to meet me; God will let me gaze upon mine adversaries. (59:12) Slay them not, lest my people forget, make them wander to and fro by Thy power, and bring them down, O Lord our shield. (59:13) For the sin of their mouth, and the words of their lips, let them even be taken in their pride, and for cursing and lying which they speak. (59:14) Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they be no more; and let them know that God rules in Jacob, unto the ends of the earth. Selah (Psalm 59:8-13)

There is no sense whatsoever that David is speaking of the death of the nation's enemies. Rather, Israel is to look at their enemies who are to wander 'to and fro', hostage to forces they can't control. They are not to suffer at Israel's hand, rather, they are to be taken in their own pride.

David's advice is not to engage in hasbara with all those nations. How in the end does one talk reasonably to those that howl, and curse and lie? Instead of directing hasbara to the powers that be of nations, he suggests to direct the discussion, or hasbara, to the Power that will be to the ends of the earth. Selah.

David penned a rather bold conclusion. All those whose swords that are evidenced in 'lips' and heard to the end of the earth, do they think that God can't hear? Where is the international acceptance of objective history, logic and reticence in relations to speaking about Israel and those who would call themselves Palestinians?

There is common sense in David's words, but sadly only when viewed from a cultural perspective influenced by the words of David and the Torah he loved. David asked Israel to sing about an enemy who would use words as swords, as if he had looked deep into the heart of human nature and seen into today's world, to today's global newspapers. David gave his nation a song which is a prayer,

let them know that God rules in Jacob, unto the ends of the earth. Selah (Psalm 59:13)

selah

Thanks to Saeed Jalili, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council,

Dr.Aaron.Lerner.IMRA — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 16:57:43 GMT

Dr. Aaron Lerner

Thanks to Saeed Jalili, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, for putting the cards on the table.

Support for the "Palestinian cause" isn't the narrow question of right and wrong between Israel and the Palestinians.

Its a symbol of the struggle against the "world powers".

That's to say, by extension, that what is perceived as a successful move against Israel is seen as a successful move against the "world powers".

Here's the policy ramification if you are a "world power" vis a vis pushing Israel to give a victory to the Palestinians:

The move won't placate your enemies - they will reward them with a victory that will encourage them to extend and expand their struggle against you.

=========

Iranian Security Official Stresses Demise of World Powers
News number: 881209146617:01 | 2010-02-28Politics
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8812091466

TEHRAN (FNA)- Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Saeed Jalili reiterated that the world powers should accept the demise of their supremacy over the other nations.

Jalili, who was addressing an international conference on 'National and Islamic Solidarity for the Future of Palestine' here in Tehran on Sunday, reiterated that "the era of supremacy of certain power clubs has ended" and the world countries' support for the Palestinian cause can help release the international relations from the yoke of the club of powers and the return of justice to these relations.

"I deeply believe that today Palestine and the resistance are symbols and keys to an understanding of the relations dominating the world."

He also viewed efforts to save Palestine from the hands of the occupier regime of Israel as a move to free the entire world from hegemonic relations.

Noting that the world power clubs are deeply worried that Palestine may turn into a role model in the international relations, Jalili reiterated that power clubs have mobilized all their political, economic and military possibilities to overcome the will of the Palestinian nation, but to no avail.

"Palestine is an issue for unity of the Muslim world and a world which wants to be independent and free," he added.

"Palestine is the key to resistance, standing and honor which will spread throughout the world day by day."

A Christian Zionist on Middle East Spies

Dabar — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 19:30:02 GMT

The Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, it seems, is offended over Israel's possible complicity in the allegations that Dubai have made that bogus Australian passports were used by people, it alleges, were associated with causing a death in Dubai.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported, www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/betrayed-pm-should-not-be-taken-for-granted-by-israel-20100225-p5wk.html

When officials told Kevin Rudd on Wednesday afternoon that three suspected Mossad assassins had travelled on forged Australian passports, he was shocked.
''He was stunned and outraged,'' said a colleague. He considered it a personal affront as well as a national insult.
Rudd has been such a strong supporter of Israel that a former chairman of the World Jewish Congress, Isi Leibler, last year described him as ''a Christian Zionist - he understands and has some sympathy for us''.
And this only intensified his sense of betrayal. The Prime Minister said on radio 3AW yesterday that ''any state that chooses to do this in relation to Australian passports, frankly, is treating the Australian people, the Australian government and the Australian nation with contempt.''

This implies PM Rudd is shocked Israel would betray him. BUT, hang on, can we assume Israel (or Mossad) was the betrayer when the only people caught so far are Arab?

Rudd being shocked and taking personal affront is not out of character. It is alleged he may be very put out by as little as not being given a chicken sandwich option for his lunch.

His words have some serious implications for spies from other Nation states. One point that must be cleared up is, are spies autonomous be-side state governance or are they controlled fully by state governance? The answer to that may depend on which states one is talking about. There is a great suspicion that in free nations the spy organisation is beside and not below state governance. There is a reason for this. If spies had to be under governance in a free nation, there could be no secrets at all (and therefore no spies), due to electoral transparency. In an undemocratic nation which does not account to its people, spies may be under the control of the leadership, as the leadership have no transparency to their people anyway.

If the passports were used by a non-democratic Middle East state then Rudd condemns that state. If they were used by operative of Palestinian Authority or Hamas, they escape criticism as Rudd used the word 'state' and technically the PA and Hamas are not a 'state'. If they were used by a spy organisation in a democracy, like Australia, then the nation state never 'chose'!

I will repeat this. Rudd must know that, for example, ASIO won't ask government (state) permission first before an operation. If ASIO operated like that then every Australian could know what was up. Ditto for any free nation's intelligence unit!

On the same day as, according to a colleague, PM Rudd goes off about what possibly another state may have allowed its intelligence agency to do the Sydney Morning Herald carried an Op Ed on how some Australians are really annoyed about the lack of transparency and accountability of ASIO!!! From the Op Ed, 'Secrecy is a denial of our rights' www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/secrecy-is-a-denial-of-our-rights-20100225-p5ur.html

The point is, it is virtually impossible to make any headway against the entrenched secrecy of ASIO. You cannot have suspicions confirmed or properly denied.
None of this is a surprise but it has returned to the frontal lobes as a result of the government's counter-terrorism white paper and the beefed-up role for the agency in the fight against people smugglers......
ASIO is pretty good at doing that anyway. The way it places the most anodyne information under the tightest security wrap feeds the intensity of its mission to protect us from evil. ...
There is any number of cases where ASIO manipulates state secrecy for entirely unclear reasons.

Rudd must know ASIO operates outside parliamentary (national 'state') brief. If it was accountable to the people of Australia it would be accountable to this reporter who hates it secrecy!

Then we come to the second point is PM Rudd really a Christian Zionist as Isi Leiber described? Does he really support Israel?

If PM Rudd did support Israel in his heart, he would not be unhappy if, as alleged, Mossad without harming any Australians more then some undesirable publicity, achieved a reduction in existential threat to Israel. As even if the PA or disaffected Hamas were behind the execution, it benefits Israel also. Until we know what the man who died in Dubai was up to we cannot be sure that the outcome has not benefited global peace. As Duabi has emerged as haunt of arms deals, the intensive scrutiny of fake passports surely must clean up Dubai! Think about it- know everyone knows how much Dubai may know about you, do you travel there on a fake I.D? Work it out! The world may have become safer, thanks to Dubai's actions.

But does a Christian Zionist worry or take personal affront regarding the actions of pro-Zion spies?

Firstly a Christian is used to a man named Paul. Paul was not his real name. His real name was Saul. Saul or Paul was also on occasion a 'Greek', speaking and writing Greek. He was, when he wished to be, a Roman speaking Latin using that he was 'freeborn' Roman to get himself out of a few sticky situations. And on top of that he was on occasion both a Jewish Christian and a practising Pharisee (the strictest type of Orthodox) Jew! He even confesses this,

For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. (1Corinthians 9:19-22)

Paul (or Saul) says he did this to win all types people to his God. Presumably the Christian God then supports shifting identity for his purposes. The changing of names is not uncommon. The great and famous Christian 'Peter' was not his real name. His real name was Simon (Anglicised).

Spying was not uncommon with Jews infiltrating the Christians (and vice versa), but was accepted,

But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in--who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery-- (Galations 2:3-4)

Paul (Saul) and his supporters apart from being politcally subversive (the ideas that he preached being treason) resorted, with his God's permission, to actions that would be described as unlawful.

In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands. (2Corinthians 11:32-33)

In addition the New Testament is an appendix to the Old Testament and there spies and their actions feature prominently! Every Christian knows of Rahab (more here).

By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. (Hebrews 11:31)

There is a reward for helping Israeli spies (assuming they are supported by the God of the bible).

Every Christian knows of the12 spiesand their huge bunch of grapes stolen from a place they would call Eshcol. The great Joseph uses as a devious device the accusation that his 10 brothers were spies. Moses not only sends out the 12 spies later on he send out more and based on that information the Israelites destroy the city of the Amorites.

The great David, on the run for his life hiding from the Israelite king, is accused of being a spy by the Ammonites, and then extricates himself from the situation by a bit of acting, which is not condemned by his God. Elisha based on information given by God is accused of being a spy for Israel by the Syrians, which makes, in effect, the God of the Bible a spy for Israel!

Christian Zionists know also,

My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not suffer your foot to be moved; He that keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He that keeps Israel does neither slumber nor sleep. (Psalm 121:2-4)
For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is whole toward Him. (2Chronicles 16:9)
The matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the sentence by the word of the holy ones; to the intent that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomsoever He will. (Daniel 4:17)

What a spy agency to have, on that doesn't sleep and who knows everything that is occurring! Iran or Syria (or the EU, Russia or Australia for that matter) can do nothing in secret. Perhaps no less than God has allowed some of the enemies of Israel to remove one of their own, who was an obstacle to what is meant to be in the Middle East.

The Australian PM's reactions to the allegations, for allegations they are, is interesting. If they are true reactions, what friend is quick to condemn without evidence? It is less than friendly action, unless it is a cover, in which case subsequent action will determine. Isi Leiber might yet be disappointed in the Australian PM. Rudd might wish to remember Rahab.

For more on spies Here