UPDATE 2-Qatar visit breaks Gaza ice, delights Hamas - Reuters [getdailynow.blogspot.com]
Is It A Good Idea To Microwave A Banana?Experiment #29: Banana Jory decides to go with another viewer request, in an attempt to find a new way to make tasty Banana bread. So, you're probably wondering, Is It A Good Idea To Microwave This? Tune in to find out. Each week, microwave specialist Jory Caron microwaves different objects... so you don't have to! The "Jory Caron Microwave Laboratory II" is a state-of-the-art facility equipped with tinfoil shielding, a proper ventilation system, emergency surge protector, and of course - another Sharp Carousel microwave. ** New Episodes Every Monday & Friday! ** +++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++ Support The Show +++++ FAQ Video - bit.ly T-Shirts ----- bit.ly ideo App ---- apps.facebook.com Live Show -- bit.ly Donate $ $ -- bit.ly +++++ Connect With Us +++++ ::: Jonathan Paula ::: YouTube ---- bit.ly Twitter ------- bit.ly Facebook --- bit.ly ::: Jory Caron ::: YouTube ---- bit.ly Twitter ------- bit.ly Facebook --- bit.ly ::: ideo Production s ::: YouTube ---- bit.ly Twitter ------- bit.ly Facebook --- bit.ly +++++ Video Credits +++++ Starring: Jory Caron & Jonathan Paula Filmed & Edited By: Jonathan Paula An ideo Production - © 2010. ~
* Qatar breaks Gaza ice with first visit
* Hamas hails emir's arrival as end of Gaza blockade
* Israel astounded Qatar takes sides in Palestinian rift
By Nidal al-Mughrabi
GAZA, Oct 23 (Reuters) - The Emir of Qatar embraced the Hamas leadership of Gaza on Tuesday with an official visit breaking the isolation of the militant Palestinian Islamist movement, to the dismay of Israel and rival, Western-backed Palestinian leaders in the West Bank.
Israel said it was "astounding" that Qatar, a U.S.-allied Gulf state whose oil and gas permit it to punch way above its diplomatic weight, would take sides in the Palestinian dispute and endorse Hamas, branded as terrorists in the West. The emir had "thrown peace under the bus", an Israeli spokesman said.
The Gaza Strip on the Mediterranean coast, is all but cut off from the world, under blockade by Israel and Egypt by land and sea to obstruct the import of arms and military equipment.
In the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Authority of President Mahmoud Abbas, Hamas's arch-rival, said it hoped the visit would not undermine efforts to rebuild Palestinian unity or signal approval for a separate Palestinian territory in Gaza.
Embarking on what was a state visit in all but name, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and his wife Sheikha Mozah crossed from Egypt at the head of a large delegation, to be greeted by Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and an honour guard.
Hundreds of Palestinians lined his route, waving Palestinian and Qatari flags as the convoy with the sheikh in a black Mercedes limousine bumped along the rutted main highway that Qatar has promised to rebuild.
"You are today, by this visit, declaring the breaking of the unjust blockade," Haniyeh told the Qatari leader in a speech at the site of a new town to be built with emirate money.
"Today we declare victory against the blockade through this historic visit," he said. "We say thank you, Emir, thank you Qatar for this noble Arab stance ... Hail to the blood of martyrs which brought us to this moment."
Hamas rejects a peace treaty with Israel and has poured scorn on Abbas for his futile efforts to negotiate his way to a Palestinian state.
This was the first visit to Gaza by any national leader since Hamas seized control of the enclave and its 1.7 million people from Abbas's forces in 2007. Israel had pulled out its troops and settlers from the territory two years earlier.
Qatar has called the visit a humanitarian gesture, to inaugurate reconstruction projects financed by the emirate. After initially earmarking $ 250 million for the schemes, a smiling Haniyeh announced the fund now stood at $ 400 million.
QATAR'S AMBITIONS
The tiny Gulf emirate, whose native population is only about the same size as that of the Gaza Strip, has ambitions to parlay its vast natural gas wealth into diplomatic and regional influence. It was a major supporter of Islamist groups who have been the biggest beneficiaries of the Arab Spring.
Though giving up none of his absolute power as monarch at home, the Qatari ruler has promoted popular uprisings elsewhere and Qatar's Al Jazeera television has provided a platform for critics of many Arab governments.
It was the leading Arab power to provide political cover for the NATO-led operation that help rebels oust Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and it has led Arab opposition to Bashar al-Assad in Syria, providing arms and funds to Sunni rebels.
But its dual policy has perplexed regional and international players, with its strong support for Islamist groups including Hamas running in parallel with close ties to the United States.
Qatar hosts one of the biggest U.S. bases in the region.
Analysts see the visit as an attempt by the emir to use his leverage with Western capitals to help rehabilitate Hamas in Western eyes, and move them into mainstream politics, using their falling out with Shi'ite Iran over the conflict in Syria as a stepping stone to break Tehran influence on them for good.
Little damage has been repaired in Gaza since a devastating three-week offensive by Israeli forces in the winter of 2008-2009 to stop Hamas and other Islamic militant groups firing rockets and mortars at southern Israel communities.
The visit coincided with another round in the low-level conflict between Israel and Hamas. An Israeli officer was badly injured by an explosion on the Gaza border and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised a "strong response", which often comes in the form of Israeli air strikes.
"NO SIGN" OF HAMAS CHANGE
Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said the emir, who has met Israeli leaders but not visited the Palestinian Authority of Abbas and his secular Fatah movement in the West Bank, had "never dignified the PA with a visit".
"No one understands why he would fund an organisation which has become notorious with committing suicide bombings and firing rockets on civilians. By hugging Hamas, the Emir of Qatar is really someone who has thrown peace under the bus," he said.
Hamas refuses to renounce violence or to recognise Israel's right to exist and is ostracised by the West, the United Nations and Russia of the Middle East "Quartet".
However, Hamas has softened its position to a degree, by saying it would accept a decades-long truce with Israel in return for a state along lines established before the 1967 war.
It also denies any desire to create a separate state in Gaza, a 40-km (25-mile) sliver of coastline with few resources.
Hamas has loosened its ties to Iran since the Syrian revolt, in which Assad's state forces backed by Tehran are fighting Sunni rebels. At the same time it has strengthened relations with its mentor, the Muslim Brotherhood now in control of Egypt.
Iran's nuclear programme has raised the prospect of a war with Israel, with potential Hamas involvement in the south and attacks by Iranian-backed Hezbollah on the northern border.
Sheikh Hamad has also previously sought to mediate between Hamas and Fatah to end the divisions that have weakened the Palestinian cause. But Palestinian analysts say there is for now no prospect of reconciliation between the two factions.
Palmor said Hamas had not accepted the Quartet provisions required to be regarded as a legitimate interlocutor. However, Israel acknowledges that Hamas is trying to clamp down on renegade Islamic militant groups that refuse to accept its unwritten moratorium on firing rockets at the Jewish state.
Yossi Kuperwasser, who directs Israel's Ministry of Strategic Affairs, says "most of the activity is coming now not from Hamas. It comes from other sources".
"As we have seen in other places when Islamic forces come to power, they have to take into consideration other things and not (just) terrorism. They find themselves in a bit of an awkward position," he told reporters last week.
- Link this
- Share this
- Digg this
- Reprints
Find More UPDATE 2-Qatar visit breaks Gaza ice, delights Hamas - Reuters Issues Question by momo Ụterus Police Officer: What is it about "separation of church and state" do Conservatives not understand? Why do Conservatives want to make our laws based on ONE religion that many people don't follow? I think Christianity (and all the other religions) are a bunch of crap, and were just invented to keep women in line. Why are Conservatives trying to force me to believe in something that is obviously imaginary? Barney is more real than any god. love, momo Best answer for What is it about "separation of church and state" do Conservatives not understand?:
Answer by 0-bow-ma's biggest fan!
Who, specifically, is trying to force a religion on you?
Answer by The Tall Man
Separation of church and state is good. Separation of blacks and whites is even better. Just say no to mudsharking.
Answer by Gazer
Please, tell me the name of the person who came to your house and told you that you must believe in christianity? I must know because as an atheist I'd like to have a word with them.
Answer by CROM-
I tend to think that the human capacity for understanding God 's word is inherently fallible, so basing societal laws and norms based on what has been interpreted as the word of god is a very dangerous thing to do. That's the way i look at it when i'm not just picking a fight, at least.
Answer by Satellite
It'd be wise not to brand all conservatives as social conservatives (religious).
Answer by Jesus Hates You
They understand it fine. They just don't like it. It gets in the way of their political objectives.
Answer by Divided We Fall
And it's not like kids can't pray in school, it's that the school cannot leads kids in prayer. How would Christians like it if a Muslim teacher led the kids in prayer?
Answer by Et Tu Brute
The hard line conservatives believe this. They have little understanding of or use for our constitution.
Answer by opso
They used to hide their religion behind crap arguments. (Such as homosexuality breaks apart families) But now it seems the case that they are creating laws with religion on the mind, and american news organizations are doing nothing about it...
Answer by grandma zaza
And what should laws be based on? I think "thou shalt not kill" and "thou shalt not steal" are pretty standard beliefs.
Answer by gatorw
What specific law are conservative trying to make to establish a religion? Nobody is forcing you to be part of any religion in this country. Trying going to any Islamic state and see if the same is true.
Answer by TheOrange Evil
Religion keeps people in line. Sometimes we're better off for it; sometimes we're worse. I'm not a religious person and I don't want Christianity or any other religion forced on me, but I feel like Christians are just upset that they're being marginalized and made to feel bad that they have a religion at all.
MC Gamer Let's Plays - Super Mario World - Episode 3Watch Zeldathon from July 7th to July 12th! - zeldathon.net â–² Follow MC Gamer Twitter - http Facebook - facebook.com Blog - supermcgamer.com Website - http â–² General Information Currently, I create videos on my custom-built computer that has an i7 2600k processor, 16GB of RAM and a GTX 580 graphics card. I record my console gameplay using the Blackmagic Intensity Pro capture card which I later edit using Adobe Premiere Pro CS5.5. I also use Audacity and Adobe After Effects for additional post-production work. I currently use a Rode Podcaster microphone. I am an entrepreneurial geek who is running a non-profit organization in my home state of Pennsylvania. I enjoy chicken. â–² Video Credits All content within is owned by their respected companies, developers and publishers.
0 comments:
Post a Comment