[Transcript]  War on Gaza: Day 13 - 1/8/09

[Summary]

An IDF officer is killed in Gaza, four injured in rocket fire in the Western Negev and concerns of a new front in the North. Katusha rockets exploded near Nahariya, scoring a direct hit on a nursing home.

Presenter, FEMALE, #1
We welcome you once again as we continue our coverage of the intensified Israeli raids on Gaza.
UNRWA has reported suspending its activities in the Gaza strip because of the danger posed by the Israeli troops Gaza. The international Red Cross has accused Israel of breaching international human rights Law due to preventing relief group from entering Zaytoon neighborhood in Gaza for four days. The death toll of the Israeli raid on Gaza has reached 763, and 3,120 have been injured, including 700 in critical condition.

Reporter, MALE, #1
Those might be more fortunate than others. At least, they have been transported to clinics, even thought they are clinics with modest abilities due to the shortage of medical supplies. Others have been unable to get pain relief, and some have died from as a result of their injuries. They passed away silently, perhaps under rubble, and perhaps under the sight of the Israeli army.
This is what the International Red Cross committee said. It affirmed that the Israelis prevented medical relief units from going into the Zaytoon neighborhood in Gaza for four days in a row.
Twelve people had been killed in that area, and nineteen had survived- including four hungry children left in a dismal condition after their homes were blasted. The committee said that the four children were found next to their dead mothers. The Red Cross said that the Israeli army was most likely aware of this condition, but it did nothing to help the wounded. According to the Red Cross, Israel had breached international human rights law in reference to this incident.
The committee also accused Israel of obstructing the passage of Ambulances into the area which had been blasted. The committee demanded a guarantee that the Palestinian Red Cross Ambulances will be allowed safe passage, so that they may return and transport others who were wounded. Khaled Ouweiss, al-Arabiya. The United National Refugee Workers Agency, (UNRWA) allocated 13 schools that can be used as shelter for the people of Gaza who fled from border areas, especially from Biet Hanun, Biet Lahya and Jabalya in the north, and Hay Al Zayton in the east. The UNRWA provided the people with aid blankets and food. The war on Gaza continues for the 13TH consecutive day and the humanitarian situation is deteriorating.

Presenter, Woman # 1
The events in Gaza have led many political observers to believe that there is a conspiracy against the Palestinian plight. Many Palestinians have already warned about this kind of conspiracy.
There is a concern that one part of the West Bank will be added to Jordan which then will become an alternative homeland for the Palestinians. Similarly the Israeli military operations against Hamas may create a similar situation in Gaza which then can be added to Egypt.
This scenario has been advocated by American and Israeli political groups who are opposed to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. For example, the former American ambassador to the UN told the Washington Post that the two state solutions is no longer feasible.

Reporter, Man # 1
The American Administration promised the Jordanian King and other leaders to work for the establishment of a Palestinian state which was supposed to exist side by side with the Israeli state, but it has never materialized. In addition, the internal Palestinian division which led to the separation between the West Bank and Gaza has impacted the Palestinian plight. The Jordanian King warned about conspiracies against the Palestinian plight because Jordan is the country that would be influenced most by them.

Guest, Man # 2
The King warns that Israel wants to impose a new reality. It does wants to see the establishment of a Palestinian state. If Israeli imposes its agenda, which his highness has warned against and said that it is a conspiracy, then the Palestinian state will not be established. The Palestinian people will be a nation without a state. Jordan fears that it will have to pay the price and that it is national security will be jeopardized if this solution is imposed on the region.

Reporter, Man # 1
Jordan, the home of more 750,000 Palestinian refugees who live in 13 refugee camps including the Gaza refugee camp in Jordan, the home of refugees from Gaza, which recently has been witnessing killing, and destruction. These refugees have Jordanian passports, but they do not have social security numbers. This means that they are living in Jordan on a temporary basis.
This is important considering that there are talks about confederation or alternative homeland for the Palestinians.

Guest, Man # 3
Any one who supports such ideas is committing treason because it means that he does not support the right of the Palestinian people to establish their state. We will only accept Palestine as a state for the Palestinians with Jerusalem as its capital. Any other alternative is rejected at the political and public levels. As a representative for the Jordanians, I completely reject this notion.
There is no other acceptable option but the establishment of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

Guest, Man # 4
Yes, there is a real danger threatening Jordan. Zivi livni announced its intention to expel the Palestinians who carry Israeli passport. They would be expelled to Jordan; they can’t be expelled to anywhere else. This means transferand forceful migration. It means that the Palestinian plight will be resolved at the expense of the Jordan, which can be called as the alternative homeland or any other phrase, such federation or confederation. We completely reject this at the political and public levels. We will fight to make sure that this kind of project fails.

Reporter, Man # 1
Jordan is the country that will be hurt most if a resolution to the Palestinian plight is delayed.
The Jordanian king talked about resolving the Palestinian plight and foiling any conspiracy against the right of the Palestinians to establish an independent Palestinian state. This reflects Jordan’s concern over the Palestinian plight. For Al Madar program, Hazim Al Khatineh, Abu Dhabi channel, Amman.

Presenter, Male #1
A Saudi medical evacuation plane has arrived at the Riyadh Airbase coming from al-Arish airport in the Arab Republic of Egypt. The Saudi plane transported the third wave of injured Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, transport the injured Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to Saudi Arabia, as directed by the Custodian of the Two Noble Sanctuaries King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz.


Reporter, Male #2
A third wave of 6 injured Palestinians in the Israeli aggression on the Gaza strip were transported by a Saudi medical evacuation plane to Riyadh, as directed by the King. Since their transportation from the Rafah border crossing, the victims have been tended to and cared for by the Saudi medical teams.

Guest, Male #3
Our brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have given us the medical care and treatment we needed. We thank them and ask God to protect them, as they continue to help the Palestinian people and the Arab nation.

Guest, Male #4
We are praising what the Saudis have done by allowing the injured to come and receive care here. The situation is very difficult in Gaza. There are no medical teams or medical care left in Gaza. The Saudis were sent to us by God.

Guest, Male #5
This is not the first time the King does a good deed like this. May God protect the King and save him from harm. The Palestinian people have always relied on the King and his generosity and high moral. King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz, may God honor him, has never hesitated to help the Palestinian people. Since the first Intifada until 2009, the King has been generous to the Palestinian people. “What a Man!”

Reporter, Male #2
Amidst the Israeli heinous aggressions on the Palestinian people, the Saudi leadership has launched efforts aimed at ending the war on Gaza and protecting the Palestinian people as well as creating the right environment to help unite the Palestinian Resolution.

Guest, Male #6
We would like to send our regards and appreciation to the Saudi Kingdom. We also like to praise the directives and decisions of the Custodian of the Two Noble Sanctuaries. We are in dire need for this Saudi aid, as we are living amidst a real humanitarian crisis. The position taken by the Custodian of the Two Noble Sanctuaries will help ease this crisis as well as help alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people.

Reporter, Male #2
The wild war launched by Israel on the Gaza Strip and its policy of collective punishments as well as the targeting of the civilians, homes, mosques, and farms, all these contradict humanitarian principles and international laws and accords. Israel is targeting an unarmed nation under siege, with victims falling hour after hour. Meanwhile, the Saudi King said that his Kingdom will not rest until the Israeli war machinery is completely stopped and his Palestinian brothers are receiving the help they need.

Guest, Male #7
All government hospitals in Saudi Arabia have been put on alert to receive all medical cases, as directed by the Custodian of the Two Noble Sanctuaries.

Reporter, Male #2
Eighteen planes, one takes off and another lands, have been deployed to carry tons of aid and medicine to Gaza. In addition, donations and pledges to Gaza are growing. Meanwhile, the Saudi Kingdom has launched political efforts at the regional, Islamic, and international levels, aimed at ending the crisis in Gaza. The diplomatic maneuvers led by the Custodian of the Two Noble sanctuaries are continuing at all levels. The King and his Crown Prince have called on world leaders to help end the crisis. In addition, Prince Nayef has organized a pledge drive to help the epopel of Gaza. All these efforts aim to lift the oppressive campaign imposed on our brothers in Gaza. For the Saudi News Channel, Mohammad al-Awafi, Riyadh.

Presenter, FEMALE, #1
Two days ago, Israel targeted schools sheltering women and children in Gaza. One hundred and fifty three people were martyred in those massacres. The world’s public opinion questioned Israel about its motives and condemned its brutality. Israel said that activist and armed individuals were in the circumference of the schools; but this excuse did not hold up, so Israel resorted to the weapon of the camera, which does not lie. The footage in the following report by Faiza Allaq

Reporter, FEMALE, #1
Through an Israeli lens, the world was able to see images of the occupation soldiers for the first time. They showed soldiers walking slowly and calmly into homes, excusing themselves as they came upon Palestinian families piled up under the stairs. They were inspecting somewhere in the Gaza strip, looking for rockets of Palestinian factions….perhaps! It is unknown when exactly those images were taken exactly: was it before the destruction of walls and shattering of windows, or was it after the massacre. The journalist of the world were not permitted to enter the battle field in Gaza, but they saw those details with their cameras.

Guest, MALE, #1
We are trying to do what we can to avoid killing civilians. We are here on a mission to stop the rockets; it is a very difficult situation for us because Hamass uses innocent people as human shields.

Reporter, FEMALE, #1
Israel’s politicians and war engineers use this tactic to prove that the war is legal. However, the missing link in those scenes is the message. Did Israel rip apart a populated area under the pretext of insuring safety to its inhabitants in the South; or is it enough to describe this as one of Israel’s many war mistakes. In his choices, the director failed to weave together a story, which has not yet been fully relayed.

Presenter, FEMALE, #1
Meanwhile, rockets continued to be fired from the Gaza strip towards Israeli settlements, worrying the settlers. Several rockets fell on Be’eri and Nir Oz, East of Gaza; there were no reports of injures. More than 12 rockets were fired since this morning. As the aggression on Gaza continued to escalate, foreign nationals were evacuated from the Gaza strip. Taking advantage of the 3 hour ceasefire, the international Red Cross evacuated a new group which included children and women and members of foreign delegations.

Presenter, Male #1
And now we return to Lebanon where the Secretary General of Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah has said that the area is going through a very sensitive historical stage. He added that we must act as if all options are open. With the memory of Ashoora today, Nasrallah has asked the Arab countries to expel Israeli ambassadors from their countries. And to withdraw their ambassadors from Israel. This came at a time while Lebanon is expressing solidarity with Gaza. Our reporter Salam Khuder with details from the Lebanese capital.

Guest, Male #2 (Nasrallah)
We must act on the basis that all options are available and open. And we all must always be aware, and careful. We must observe the situation closely, and be prepared for any emergency.

Reporter, Female # 1
This message delivered by Mr. Hassan Nasrallah is the most outstanding message; however, it is not the only message that was delivered. What Israel is doing in Gaza deserves that all Israeli ambassadors are expelled from Arab countries, just like Venezuela did. And to withdraw the Arab ambassadors from Israel. He said that who ever tramples on Gaza becomes Hezbollah’s enemy.

Guest, Male #2 (Nasrallah)
We did not fight or make enemy with those Arabs that trampled over us, accused us and took our blood away in the July Lebanese war. However, we will make enemy with those who trample on Gaza and the people of Gaza.

Reporter, Female # 1
These protests are in the southern province of Beirut. This scene is familiar because of the memory of Ashoora, however, it gave a lot of attention to what is happening in Gaza.

Guest, Male # 3
We must defend Gaza and the land of Palestine that is being exploited by the Zionist enemy.

Reporter, Female # 1
With the continuation of the war on Gaza, Lebanon still continues its solidarity. Even in the memory of Ashoora, the participants held the Palestinian flag and chanted for the victory of the people of Gaza. Most importantly, is that they said that they are prepared for any emergency.
The city of Saydah in southern Lebanon has expressed more solidarity with Gaza. In which some Lebanese groups and different Palestinian sects have organized a huge festival. The Israeli war on Gaza has pushed the Maronites and the Anglicans to warn that internal division in Lebanon in not a healthy sign. What they described as a fight in Gaza may happen in different countries according to their expression. Salam Abu Khudur, Al jazeera, Beirut.

Presenter, Male #1
The objective of the ongoing confrontation in Gaza is to defend the Palestinian plight and the Arab and Muslim national security. This is in the name of the Muslim and Arab nation.
Truthfully this is what’s happening on the ground; however, the Arab leaders do not acknowledge the truth. When we talk about oppression and injustice we must refer to a responsible entity. Though Arab rulers do not acknowledge the truth about what’s happening now, do you think what is happening in Gaza will affect the policies of Arab leaders?

Guest, Male #2
I agree with Taher about what’s happening in Gaza. When this subject was proposed in the last meeting for the counsel of ministers, what is happening in Gaza is an identical picture of what happened in Lebanon in July. It is not only the way that Israel tries to annihilate the Palestinians, but there is also a similarity in the political goals for the July war and the war on Gaza.
The goal of the July war in Lebanon was to destroy the resistance and to create new realities in Lebanon that will make it possible to sway Lebanese policies in a way that is satisfactory for Israel and America. What is happening in Gaza is an attempt by the Israelis and Americans to destroy the Palestinian resistance. And to create new realities as Levni said. Realities that will impose a settlement for the Palestinians based on the Israeli/American conditions.
Basically the Palestinian must accept a settlement without the right of return, without Jerusalem, without borders, without a leader, without water, and without removing the settlements.
These policies are covered by official Arab support. Because the Arab leadership wants to end the issue of Palestine by accepting the Israeli and American conditions. The Arab leadership is also disturbed by the resistance. It disturbs them because it reveals their weakness.

Presenter, Male #1
In a show of solidarity with our people in the Gaza Strip, hundreds of journalists, publishers, and writers held today a sit-in in Damascus. The protestors pleaded to freedom fighters around the world, and urged them to meet their obligation by taking an effective and practical resolution that will help end Israel’s heinous aggression on the Palestinian people.

Reporter, Female #1
Hundreds of journalists, publishers, and writers, held today a sit-in in front of the Ministry of Information in Damascus. The protestors expressed condemnation against the Israeli heinous aggression on the Gaza Strip. They also expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people and denounced the crimes committed by the Israeli occupation forces against them.


Guest, Male #2
We have chosen a clear slogan for this sit-in: Which is to strengthen the resistance and promote its culture. Strengthening the resistance and promoting its culture among the Palestinian public and the children of our nation should be a primary objective. In addition, we must convey what is going on in Palestinian streets and neighborhoods to the world. As journalists, we have an important role to play. We must also counter dangerous media reporting, which are trying to plant betrayal and promote desperation among our nation.

Reporter, Female #1
The protestors issued a statement, condemning the holocaust perpetrated by the Israeli forces against the children of Gaza. They also pleaded to the entire world: including states, nations, human rights organizations as well as civil, humanitarian and government institutions. The protestors also urged the international community to meet its international, diplomatic, and humanitarian obligations by enforcing international law and serving justice. Meanwhile, the slaughtering of the children of Palestine continues to go on in broad daylight and under the spotlight of television cameras.

Guest, Male #3
We are pleading to countries around the world and Arab governments and urge them to take effective and practical resolutions against this criminal entity. They must also mount pressure on the US and the international community and urge them to help end the massacres of this holocaust.

Reporter, Female #1
In a letter to the UN Office for Devolvement Activities, the Arab Publishing Union said that by remaining silent toward the Israeli crimes in Gaza, the UN General Assembly has committed gross negligence. With this, the UN has lost the reasons, which it was founded on. Thus, rendering it incompetence and politically dead.