Right on Grassroots, you're saying it better than I can!

Loch,I remain a realist/optimist,but to be quite honest,I have had enough of the "noble" thing! Nobility is calculated through GOOD acts of conscience and humble selflessness. I haven't SEEN much of that,for quite a while,in world politics where the human ego,and desire for greed and power REIGN supreme!
And I don't know about "stepping out in faith" after seeing so many 'step out' in faith(belief) with BOMBS strapped to them,and indiscrimate missiles and rockets polluting the skies,in order to maim and kill others,who believe in the same ONE GOD who is actually the essence of generosity and forgiveness! GO FIGURE!
I wouldn't mind seeing people HUMBLY(which does not mean weakly!)step DOWN in faith and step out in reason,common sense and intellect,putting human truth,goodness,tolerance and forgiveness before the spillage of blood and hatred.That,to me,takes a lot more COURAGE,and no-one,but those with bad intentions,can fault it!
Jeez Loch! Do you really think that God wants the road to his beautiful sunny house and kingdom of peace SOAKED IN BLOOD AND HUMAN CARNAGE?
Now the smelly beelzeebub? Yes! I can see his drivway LITTERED with garbage and human remains, but that's HIS 'taste' in decor! LOL!
To me, ANYONE who spills the blood of civilian women,children,elderly etc is the lowest form of life,and will never KNOW nobility or deserve it because of actions and BAD conscience,AND if thy feel no bad conscience,then obviously their EGO's have surplanted any faith they profess to HAVE,and ANY clear focus on the essence of God.
I remain realistic but will always be optimistic that better can be achieved,because it's FAR EASIER than the few would(conveniently)have THE MANY believe.I truely believe that for a New Palestine,but both sides must step down from their selfish ego's and UNITE,as proud selfless Nationals.
I optimistically wait for the day when I can book a flight for a happy,sunny, VACATION IN THE NEW PALESTINE! In my humbleness,that would be a pleasure and an honour(save me some olives)!
Hey,there you go,Loch! If Hamas and Fatahs can unite as Palestinians,they can build a commercial airline business called 'AIR SHAMS'!
Peace,Salaam,Shalom.

Oh, I couldn't agree with you more, Grassroots! If ONLY! If only people could see the bigger picture, and get over their fear...

If only...we'd have a lot less war and killing in the world, not only in Palestine, but everywhere else as well. Do you suppose Abu Mazen and Ismail Haniyeh read this forum? One never knows...Someone needs to step out in faith, yeah? And trust that if he does the noble thing, and thus makes himself totally vulnerable, he won't be instantly killed by any number of enemies, outside and inside...

There certainly is something to be said for staying positive, and holding such a noble intention. There is power in that for sure. I will endeavor not to succumb to my cynicism concerning human nature so easily.

LOL! WW111 eh? That takes A LOT of money,more lies and more innocent lives than anyone can afford ALREADY.
The ordinary American,Iranian and ISRAELI people etc,don't want that. We just have to convince our pig-headed politicians/leaders of the same!
Hamas does remain AN OFFICIALLY elected party of the Palestinian people,whether the world likes it or not.And it would help if they looked and acted less militaristic and more diplomatic and ready to discuss the best for their Nation with everyone.Dialogue! Dialogue! Kinda just swap out the rifles and black fatigues for suits,ties and briefcases! First impressions DO GO A LONG WAY! LOL!
Put the tea/coffee/biscuits/sweets out and invite evryone over for a 'peaceful Palestine' party LOL! THAT COULD BE A REALITY, not just an ideal.
I don't think I'm being idealistic(too old for that) by hoping that both parties can put their shared Nationality and hope for a new Palestine TOGETHER,as the main priority ABOVE who is just trying to BUY their loyalty,for secondary purposes,(LEAST OF ALL is their stability UNCONDITIONALLY).
The Israeli government 'hawks' and deep pocket donators have been chewing at Americas 'ankles' for long enough to make a pre-emptive'hit'on Iran(why do you think we went into Iraq,purely for oil? No way!
Fortunately,the American people are not falling for all the blatant lies that Bush/Cheney spread to justify Iraq.NOT AGAIN!
Hamas and Fatah should do ALL THEY CAN,for their childrens future,to UNITE and combine to prove that they CAN make their own decisions together,without Iranian or American 'carrots' waggling in their faces. They can argue out their differences in their own Palestinian Parliament chamber,not on the bloody battle-field,)and still ALL STAY PALESTINIANS TOGETHER! As long as ONE Hamas rocket is fired at Israel,they(Israel) will MAINTAIN THEIR EXCUSE,that they are 'just defending themselves against the terrorists',even though the difference between Hamas rockets and Israeli missiles is like Chinese Fire-crackers against Abrams tanks.
Jeez! maybe Hamas and Fatah could just unite their names,into ONE PARTY even,and call themselves FAT-AS,or HAM-FAT,or SHAMS! ANYTHING that will just UNITE them,with the party motto of 'Live,Love and Laugh Long!
Holy Smokes Batman! I could knock their heads together! But I'd rather drink tea,dance with the children and eat sweets!
Peace,Salaam,Shalom!

I agree with Grassroots that Palestinian unity is the best thing. Unfortunately, my practicality trumps my idealism this go-'round. It seems that Hamas has assumed control of the Gaza-Egypt border, and that the Egyptians are consenting to work with Hamas at the crossing points, thus granting Hamas a defacto legitimacy. Mubarak couldn't be more pleased. To his Western allies, he can shrug, and say, in effect, "Hey, what can I do about it? The poor starving Palestinians in Gaza need food, and someone from the Palestinian side has to maintain control!" Meanwhile he can placate the Muslim Brotherhood by providing tacit support for Hamas, and silently freezing Fatah out of the picture. Hamas is quick to recognize a ploy by Israel to induce Egypt to annex Gaza, so they have a good motive to maintain a political boundary between Egypt and Gaza. Besides, possession, as they say, is 9/10ths of the law.

Abbas' only hope was to get outside muscle to gain the control of the border for him, but it didn't materialize, and now he's really in a bind, because Hamas, with what amounts to an open border, and a guarantee of food and materiel, has no need to negotiate with Fatah at all. From their vantage point in Gaza, Hamas will be able to foment a takeover of the West Bank. The people already overwhelmingly support Hamas, and to a people so accustomed to oppression, the opening of the border is a real victory, and bound to make Hamas look even better to those in the WB.

I wonder of there is any connection between the events in Gaza this past week, and the 3 or 4 severed fiber-optic cables, which didn't affect Israel, Iraq, or Kuwait, but affected every other Arab or Muslim nation? 4 ships, in the Mediterranean, the Persian gulf, the Indian ocean, drug their anchors against a fiber-optic cable at essentially the same time? I don't think so! Iran's internet was SHUT DOWN. If Israel has any chance of defeating Hamas, they must strike the patron of Hamas, Iran. Israel has no time left. The world economy has gone over the cliff, riding the backside of a Kondrieteff Wave from HELL. Wars are fought and won with money. If Israel doesn't act now, they won't have a sheckel to act with in the near future. I will stay tuned for what very well may be the beginning of World War III.

I still prefer to see Fatah and Hamas as equal PALESTINIAN NATIONALS.To sub-divide them is to weaken the Palestinians further into proxy 'American' Palestinians and 'Iranian' Palestinians which is RIDICULOUS and not to Palestines advantage.
I really believe that Fatah and Hamas should shelve their EXTERNAL and ethnic LOYALTIES(which are mainly based on fiscal debt)which remain divisive,and remember that they share ONE NATIONAL IDENTITY which IS their right,and,which is slowly,and illegally,being ethnically cleansed,whilst they squabble amongst EACH OTHER.
It's going to be difficult enough to restore Palestine as a sovereign Nation,especially as the Zion-ist dreamsters,still belief that BOTH SIDES of the Jordan river,never mind JUST THE WEST BANK,belong 'rightfully' to the 'chosen' folks.LOL!
Who will then,only go on to drive EVERYONE who is not Ashkenazi OUT!LOL.
Whilst Hamas and Fatah squabble amongst themselves,instead of uniting as nationals,the reality of the new 'Nation of Palestine'fades into the smokey distance and the Palestinian people will end up gradually being pushed into Egypt,Lebanon,Syria and Jordan OR the already polluted SEA,leaving the ALL JEWISH State of Israel,and Arab Muslims/Christians etc resenting each other.DIVISION AGAIN! A strong and human weapon!
You know this whole thing about a "zionist dream" is totally unfeasible."Zion" is already HERE,in the USA,lol.The one the Israelis want in Palestine is just going to be a weekend,and religous holiday,vacation home.
For the Palestinians it is their permanent HOME!
I just wish that Fatah and Hamas would remember first that they are all equal
PALESTINIANS!
Peace,Salaam,Shalom!

Egypt is in a difficult situation as they are an American Ally and dependent on us for significant sums of money. But for now, they are doing the right thing. Egypt is trying to get Hamas and Fatah to come to the negotiating table to find a way to share the guardianship of the border. Hamas is complaining, but sending in their A Team for the negotiation. Abbas says he, and Fatah, will not negotiate with Hamas, insisting that their governorship is illegal and all the same old tripe. For legitimacy, he is citing an American/Israeli/European agreement that predates even the election that brought Fatah and Hamas into a joint government.

The thing is, they have a real chance to talk now and something positive to gain for both sides. Meanwhile, it seems to me that if the US and Israel somehow get their way, to have Fatah alone responsible for the border, the result will most likely be more civil war. Here is a chance for reconciliation. The Western powers want to turn it into a renewal of civil war, and Abbas is willing to go along. I can understand the US and Israel trying to destabilize what is left of Palestinian civil society. But what does Abbas have to gain from them? Does he really think that the Palestinian people will ever derive any benefit from his tactics of going along with their game while ignoring the facts on the ground?

Abbas has been a collaborator since 2003, at least. He has always been a western ally, so to speak. However, Hamas did win the election that gave them power over the parliament. I was watching Abbas on Mosaic last night. He was complaining about the betrayals of his Western allies. They have to stop building settlements and growing the wall, appropriating Palestinian lands and targeting Palestinian activists with rockets, killing civilians and on and on..... Why should they listen to him when he flawlessly promotes their agenda even as he complains about their treatment of his people. Abbas in a really bad place. Perhaps he is afraid that if he steps back, either his old enemies or his new ones will get rid of him. It's too bad if he feels he has to protect himself at the expense of the people. He has created a situation for himself where he has no personal power and he has sold his loyalty to to the devil.

Israel covertly off-loading non-Jewish onto Egypt?
LOL! Well,first the Israelites were 'driven' into Egypt to serve as egyptians 'slaves'? Now the Israelis are pushing the Palestinians INTO Egypt,through starvation and neglect(ironical)and unmanned drones with missiles!
I guess this is the zionist revenge for the Old Testament past.
I was DISGUSTED to hear the Israeli defense minister etc,say,'Well this is EGYPTS responsibility NOW!'
They think that an easy way to separate non-Jewish people from their indigenous home of Palestine is to 'DUMP'them in the laps of the Egyptians,whilst THEY(Israelis)continue to quietly and illegally confiscate their land and insult them?
Israel,don't show us the film footage of ?Hamas rockets,show us footage of the Israeli drone-missiles bombarding the Palestinians,IF YOU DARE!Or the Israel snipers killing the kids returning from school! Then say that you are ONLY retaliating to Palestinian attacks.
AND,when the Israelis denounce Hamas,the LEGALLY ELECTED PARTY of the Palestinians,you would do well to remember some of the roots of your OWN GOVERNMENT i.e.The Stern Gang,Irgun and Haganah with their OWN version of terrorism,in their original fight for an Israeli State! REMEMBER? What's the rational difference between them and Hamas today?
If the Israelis were NOT so hypocritical,I would feel their plight more.But they,themselves,are wrecking that sympathy in their neglect of universal human rights and continuing ethnic cleansing and apartheid.DISGRACEFUL!
So, what's next from Israel? 'Oh,Jordan,the West Bank is YOUR resonsibility now'??

I wasn't surprised AT ALL! And I was pleased for the Palestinian people,what else could they HAVE DONE? It has been like watching a volcano prepare to blow under all the heat,pressure,and frustation,spilling its ash and lava over the nearest areas.
I don't think the Israelis were surprised either,their very long term actions of ethnic cleansing and humanitarian neglect was THE instrument that causd this.They are ultimately responsible for this action,which I do not see AS EXTREMIST action,I see this as proud people fighting for the lives,their land and the future of their children in Palestine.I was GLAD they did it,because NO-ONE,with a good conscience,can blame them for doing it,ESPECIALLY THE ISRAELIS!
The Israelis,as occupiers,have undermined and ignored ALL THE GENEVA conventions regarding taking responsibility for humanitarian care and rights of the Palestinian citizens on occupied land.
Egypt must have known that this would happen too,but probably chose to wait until the Palestinians were pushed to the brink to take the first move.Then no-one in the international political community could blame THEM(Egypt)for aiding and abetting the breaching of the illegal wall. Again,Israel is responsible for ALL this happening.They still want the Palestinian land all to themselves.
The only thing I fear,is that Israel will use this break out of the Gaza 'concentration camp'as AN EXCUSE to drive,gradually,the Palestinian people into Egypt PERMANENTLY,on the excuse that they are refugees to Egypt,who are choosing to 'give up'their homes in Palestine,for Egypt,and therefore their Right of Return to Gaza(Palestine)is forfeit.
I would not put it past the Israelis to DO THAT! Their excuse would be,'Hey,the Palestinians CHOSE to leave,voluntarily.What did WE do?
Regardless of the fact that most people being systematically starved of all resources and help in a stinking concentration camp would do the VERY SAME! The Holoaust survivors KNOW THAT ALREADY,don't they?
The extremist Israelis would be HAPPY to see the Palestinians go to Egypt and Jordan,they have wanted that for ages ANYWAY!
I hope they don't use this,and a possible West Bank copy-cat move,as reason to 'give' Gaza back to the Egyptians and the West Bank back to the Jordanians,under the guise of a 'goodwill move',ON CONDITION that they ALSO take ALL the Palestinians WITH the land as part of the package! Then,they could finally attempt to seal off the borders around the east/north side of Gaza and the West bank and complete their totally Zionist/"Promised Land",the totally 'Jewish' State of Israel.Bush and Olmert would expect their Nobel Peace Prizes too! LOL! As if!!!
They already have 2010 'pencilled in' as the year of a 'peace deal' ON STRICTLY Israeli terms! Bettya!
Israeli tanks are ALREADY quietly gathering at the north end of Gaza!
The Israelis could put the Egyptians and Jordanians in a moral dilemma,knowing it would be difficult for them to REFUSE their Arab/Muslim brothers!
Personally,I believe the senior Israeli defense planners DID SEE this coming. Everyone knows,you put TOO much food in a pot,it will always spill over.
I do hope though that Hamas will NOT use this border crossing as an excuse to stockpile weapons etc.This will play right into Israeli hands as an excuse to keep sending the rockets and unmanned drones to kill Palestinian civilians.If Hamas can just quieten down and start to sound and look more like the valid elected political party they are,Israel will publically have less reason to label them as terrorists,rebels etc.
It IS a great sight to see people/children smiling and happy! Let's hope it lasts!

I never saw this coming- truly amazing, and the best news out of Palestine and Gaza I have had in years. I actually cheered when I saw the footage on Mosaic this evening. I agree with the Arab media commentators- Egypt dare not re-install the wall, or the Egyptian people, the Muslim Brotherhood, and international pressure will bring a collapse of the Egyptian government.

It remains tom be seen what Israel will do. Did senior Israeli defense planners see this coming? If so, their countermeasures will manifest quickly. If this development was a surprise to the Israelis as well, then they may not do anything for a few days.

In truth, the Israeli options are limited. Can Israel invade Egypt? This isn't 1967! Can Israel invade Gaza en masse, and return Gaza to it's occupied status, pre 2005? I submit that such an action will engulf Israel in a war, not only in Gaza, but in the West Bank as well. No doubt Israeli financial experts warn against precipitous action, as the threat of general war could be the push over the edge for the US financial markets, upon which Israel lives and breathes.

What to do? I predicted a Nahr Al Bared in Gaza, but thank God, I think I was mistaken- there will be no such catastrophe in the near future. The sight of smiling Gazans buying food and other basic supplies was a real joy to behold!