IsraeliGirl

Rights Watchdog, Lost in the Mideast

The founder and 20 years chairman of Human Rights Watch publicly criticizes the group of forgetting its original mission. In an effort to create clarity in human rights, HRW has always sought to draw a sharp line between the democratic and nondemocratic worlds. HRW has lost critical perspective on a conflict in which Israel has been repeatedly attacked by Hamas and Hezbollah.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/opinion/20bernstein.html?_r=1&ref=opinion

Human Rights Watch investigator accused of collecting Nazi memorabilia

Marc Garlasco, a senior military expert for Human Rights Watch, is also an avid collector of Nazi memorabilia. unearthed one blogpost in which Flak 88 writes: "That is so cool! The leather SS jacket makes my blood go cold it is so COOL!"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/sep/10/human-rights-watch-israel-nazi

Palestinian family: We didn't say organs taken

The family and relatives of the Palestinian at the center of the organ-theft story in the Swedish paper Aftonbladet, denied saying the organs were taken and said they have no evidence to support this.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1251145107193&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull

Swedish daily: IDF killed Palestinians for organs

Leading Swedish daily Aftonbladet claimed in one of its articles that IDF soldiers killed Palestinians in order to trade in their organs. Israel has condemned this fabricated demonizing article.

 

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3763958,00.html

US delegates blame Palestinians for no peace talks

The head of a delegation of US Democratic members of Congress blamed the Palestinians on Thursday for failing to hold talks with Israel, calling it the "largest thing" impeding the peace process.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iuoSlOL-Rf9BORdpAyr4ssYEbXFw

Saudi King: Palestinian Split is more damaging than Israeli Enemy

Saudi King Abdullah has told Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas that the split within the Palestinians' ranks is more damaging to their cause of an independent state than the Israeli "enemy."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090805/wl_mideast_afp/mideastpalestinianpoliticssaudi_20090805160418

A Palestinian struggle between bad guys and bad guys

The Palestinians are now divided between two bloodthirsty sects — Fatah, which holds fragile power in the West Bank, and Hamas, which controls Gaza. Their conflict has cost nearly 2,000 Palestinian lives and shows no sign of abating.

http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2009/07/11/robert-fulford-a-palestinian-struggle-between-bad-guys-and-bad-guys.aspx

Abbas's Waiting Game

Israel has gone to great lengths for peace and has taken dramatic steps to prove its peaceful intentions. Abbas on the other hand is just waiting. Olmert offered him 97% of the West bank as a Palestinians state and Abbas said no. So who's delaying the peace process?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/28/AR2009052803614.html

Syria's Deadly Bargain

The recent US military operation within Syria was targeted at Al Qaeda's leaders operating within the country. Syria, not only tolerates the presence of terrorists, but encourages them to use the country as a safe-haven, headquarters, and transit point - why are they doing that and putting their country in danger and why will they continue to do so?

 

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/14/opinion/main4604905.shtml

Mark Regev Answer Readers' Questions

A few weeks ago, I was able to secure an interview with Mark Regev based on readers' questions. Many of you have responded by posting your questions, and selected topics were presented to Mr. Regev.

On a personal note, I wanted to apologize for the delay in posting these answers. I gave birth to a baby boy a few weeks ago, thus was less available than I hoped and was unable to upload these answers in a timely fashion.

Here are some of the answers I've received, dealing with the following issues:

• Terror attacks and the tools used against them - Israel has seen a dramatic reduction in terror attacks in the last few years and its not because terrorists have stopped trying.

• Israel's relations with the media - many of you raised the issue of Hasbara, or how Israel is explaining itself to international media. Mr. Regev explained Israel's efforts in this field as well as its approach to new media trends such as social media sites.

• The issue of torture - torture is illegal in Israel and the security services operate within the limits of the law.
• The Jewish identity of Israel and its impact on non Jewish citizens.

I'd be happy to hear your thoughts on these matters.