A year ago

[naomiglover]

It was one year ago today that Israel launched its War on Gaza. The first day of the attack - Dec. 27, 2008 - resulted in the deadliest one-day death toll in 60 years of conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians. After 22 days, over 1400 Palestinians, and 13 Israelis had been killed.

On this anniversary, CJPME remembers the families of the victims, and the communities devastated by Israel's terrible assault on Gaza.

In the year that has passed since the attacks, every single human rights report on the Assault - foremost the Goldstone Report - conclude the same: Israel is suspected of widespread war crimes.

The facts are in the open; it's up to us to demand accountability.

- Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East

[naomiglover]

- From Jewish Voice for Peace

It was the last place in the world I expected to see Barbie's smiling face emblazoned on the front of a children's notebook.

It was a hot day in June, and as we traveled along a bumpy, dusty road in the south of Gaza, I thought how eerily quiet it was compared to the last time I had been here, when we were taunted by the whizzing sounds of small military drones following our every move.

Suddenly, our van arrived at a farmhouse where we were welcomed by a father and beekeeper wearing a flowing white robe. His name was Mohammed Shurrab. On his desk lay a stack of children's notebooks, each with an image of a Barbie doll on the cover.

Just months before, during Israel's attack on Gaza, Mohammed and his two sons waited for a lull in the fighting so they could flee to join the rest of their family. They weren't far from the farmhouse when they came under a hail of bullets from Israeli soldiers. All of them were shot.

Mohammed's 28-year-old son Kassab, an engineer, was killed immediately. Mohammed called various radio stations to ask for help from an ambulance while he held his other son, Ibrahim, while he shivered. It was nearly 24 hours before the Israeli military allowed an ambulance to come through. By then, Ibrahim, 18, had already bled to death in Mohammed's arms.

Cecilie Surasky

Deputy Director

Jewish Voice for Peace

[DogOnPorch]

Just about time for Hamas and/or Hezbollah to start another fight. They've had a year to rearm in Gaza...four in Lebanon...when they're not blowing themselves up with their own weapons caches, that is.

[wulf42]

Just about time for Hamas and/or Hezbollah to start another fight. They've had a year to rearm in Gaza...four in Lebanon...when they're not blowing themselves up with their own weapons caches, that is.

This time if Hezbollah starts something Israel is going to really give it to them!

[wulf42]

It was one year ago today that Israel launched its War on Gaza. The first day of the attack - Dec. 27, 2008 - resulted in the deadliest one-day death toll in 60 years of conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians. After 22 days, over 1400 Palestinians, and 13 Israelis had been killed.

On this anniversary, CJPME remembers the families of the victims, and the communities devastated by Israel's terrible assault on Gaza.

In the year that has passed since the attacks, every single human rights report on the Assault - foremost the Goldstone Report - conclude the same: Israel is suspected of widespread war crimes.

The facts are in the open; it's up to us to demand accountability.

- Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East

You forgot about the years of suicide bombers and rocket attacks by the Pals but according to you that is acceptable i guess, as far as Israel being held accountable for war crimes??....lol i would love to see any country try to enforce that on a Nuclear armed Nation! good luck with that.

[KeyStone]

You forgot about the years of suicide bombers and rocket attacks by the Pals but according to you that is acceptable i guess, as far as Israel being held accountable for war crimes??....lol i would love to see any country try to enforce that on a Nuclear armed Nation! good luck with that.

Is it acceptable to you that random and innocent Palestinians die, because of militant activities?

Do you find it OK that a militant launches a feeble rocket attack, and several innocent Palestinians die as a result of Israel retaliating?

For instance, if a First Nation group attacked the CN tower, would it be acceptable for us to shock and awe a couple reserves, just to teach all FN people a good lesson, about not messing with us?

[DogOnPorch]

Is it acceptable to you that random and innocent Palestinians die, because of militant activities?

Do you find it OK that a militant launches a feeble rocket attack, and several innocent Palestinians die as a result of Israel retaliating?

For instance, if a First Nation group attacked the CN tower, would it be acceptable for us to shock and awe a couple reserves, just to teach all FN people a good lesson, about not messing with us?

Katyushas are not feeble. Israeli civil defence is strong.

Soviet Katyusha attack during WW2.

Edited December 29, 2009 by DogOnPorch

[wulf42]

Is it acceptable to you that random and innocent Palestinians die, because of militant activities?

Do you find it OK that a militant launches a feeble rocket attack, and several innocent Palestinians die as a result of Israel retaliating?

The Pals should have thought of that before they voted for a Terrorist group to represent them! Israel was provoked into a war and like always the Pals had the asses handed to them.....maybe in time they will learn to stop provoking a power 10 times their strength!

Edited December 29, 2009 by wulf42