salaam
BBC reporter Alan Johnston has said it is "just unimaginably good to be free" after 114 days in captivity in Gaza.
He said his ordeal felt like being "buried alive", and was "sometimes quite terrifying".
Mr Johnston, 45, was handed over to the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza City. Britain said the group had played a key role in his release.
The reporter said he had not been tortured by the Army of Islam group which seized him on 12 March.
Read full report here
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/6270020.stm
I'm sure everyone is pleased he is free- anyone not?
So how does help Hamas? Will this help change peoples perception of them?
Is this kidnapping another embarrasment to the Muslims? Has it not further damaged the image of Islam?
Has the Alan Johnston kidnapping been blown out of proportion? Has been international news cos he's British?
Or does this whole issue not bother you at all?
Have your say...
It will not change the perception as no one will give Hamas a chance.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
Guantanamo Bay. Thats all I have to say.
[b][i]Round and round the Ka'bah,
Like a good Sahabah,
One step, Two step,
All the way to jannah[/i][/b]
Hamas is the palestinian equivalent of the Nazi party, one kind act doesn't excuse their frequent (and recent) acts of sheer barbarism.
All this demonstrates is that Hamas is unpredictable, one day they aid in prisoners' releases (after being connected to their capture) and the next they are throwing folks off buildings. It's madness - and Fatah, despite their promises, are really no better.
The best route would be for more involvement from the Third War party, they are intelligent people, well respected in the world and as far as I know are the only palestinian political party that does not have a military wing.
The West can work with such people. Hamas and Fatah are too laden down in their own dirt.
so... who is the Third War Party? Never heard of them? Unless you are referring to Hamas.
PS you invoked Godwins law for web discussions. So you lost. :twisted:
Hamas is not that unpredictable. They have a set policy which they more or less follow.
If that policy is of benefit to you, then they are on your side. If it is not, then they are not. If you judge them by whose side they are on rather than what policy they are following they are unpredictable.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
Third way is the present Prime Minister's party, they have something like two seats in their Parliament.
You are correct, Hamas does have a policy... party based social structure and confrontation by illegal means. Kidnappings, war crimes, acts of terrorism et. c. are Hamas' bedrock, [i]returning[/i] kidnapped reporters as a publicity stunt is not their charted course, it's a deviation. It just makes them unpredictable, not trustworthy. They haven't turned a new leaf, they're the same old terrorist organization wearing nicer suits - And apparently into new sports!! Like people tossing.
As for the Nazi comparison, it's perfectly reasonable. Other than fascists are you aware of any other political systems that have "Military wings" that periodically attack other countries, take over "security functions" in your neighborhood and rebel against their own government? I don't think Labor has done that in a while. Or how about the internal social network Hamas has created apart from the government... schools, hospitals, orphanages, sports leagues, soup kitchens etc? Last I checked there was never a "Republican Youth Soccer League," "Grand Old Party Hospital," "Labor Day School" or "Green Party Children's Network." With associated propaganda of course, Yay Farfour!! "Drink Milk, Go to School and defeat the Zionists with Grenades and AK47s!!"
That's all single party fascism.
And as for brutality, well throwing folks off of buildings, deliberately firing rockets into residential areas, deliberately blowing up marketplaces et al really doesn't make that comparison unsettling in my mind.
They're Nazis without the dandy uniforms.
Third Way sounds pretty Blairite/Clintonite to me. Lets hope they are not as ineffective.
1st way: Do something.
2nd Way: Don't do something.
3rd Way: Do a great speech about empowering others to do something, but do nothing.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
The (main) difference between certain Palestinian parties and Nazism, is the fact that they are struggling against a brutal and illegal occupation, while the Nazis were brutally and illegally expanding their territory into neighboring countries.
The use of violence and/or cruelty is not new, or particular to any race, religion or political entity.
The problem for the common Palestinians is that they have been cut off from the outside world, have little or no infastructure or education, and the only authority figures who they see as on their side/helping them are Hamas or Fatah.
I'm not apologising or condoning any amount of violence on the Palestianians part, and I agree that the Palestinians themselves have a lot to be blamed for in terms of infighting and a lack of unity wich has undermined their cause in the International stage. But I think its worth (for both 'sides') to try to look at this as objectively as possible, and not to think of it in simplistic 'good/bad' or 'black/white' terms.
Don't just do something! Stand there.
I disagree, despite your good intentions.
[size=10]The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.[/size]
[size=9]Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970)[/size]
The zionists are extremist Jews who are ruthless, stubborn murderers who don't care about the other side nor what the UN say. I'm sorry to offend anyone but through what I can see, that is what seems true.
"Purity is half of faith.......Prayer is the light...patience is illumination; and the Quran is an argument for or against you. Everyone starts his day and is a vendor of his soul, either freeing it or bringing about its ruin." Muslim
No.
"Zionists" are (well, my definition of them is) people who support Israel [b]without[/b] criticism.
After that they could be caring people (as long as it is the right people to care for...)
They do not have to be ruthless or cold blooded. Just extremely partisan.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
They are to us.
"Purity is half of faith.......Prayer is the light...patience is illumination; and the Quran is an argument for or against you. Everyone starts his day and is a vendor of his soul, either freeing it or bringing about its ruin." Muslim
I don't feel comfortable calling you by your username because you distance yourself. If you're happy with it I'll call you Brother. Perhaps I can call you Cousin.
I am categorically a zionist, which means I believe in the right to existence of the state of Israel, and which doesn't mean anything else. With the only caveat that I can't respond to purely ideological opposition (ie ignoring what I say) or a barrage of upset (ie more than one point at a time), please ask me anything you like.
btw I don't think you could consider Al Jazeera remotely zionist. [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tezFsEvBUAo]This stuff[/url] is up there with some very odious notions.
[size=10]The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.[/size]
[size=9]Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970)[/size]
I also believe in the right of the state of Israel AND Palestine.
Maybe call it Israstine
But what the Zionists believe is that there should only be Israel and the poor Palestinians carry on living in tight, poor areas.
"Purity is half of faith.......Prayer is the light...patience is illumination; and the Quran is an argument for or against you. Everyone starts his day and is a vendor of his soul, either freeing it or bringing about its ruin." Muslim
Please forgive me if there's a break (I've been in and out all day and I have an early start), but please ask rather than tell me what zionists believe, and I'll try to give a comprehensive answer based on experience and varied opinions. If you take me up on that I will try to clarify whether I am being unsympathetic and offering a partisan but valid narrative, such as to expose you to my own understanding of events, or if I am speaking in a spirit of achieving a resolution. I think that what was just suggested is a crude amalgamation of preconceptions and selective evidence. I have more to say on this, particularly on some apparent prevailing assumptions within the Palestinian/Arab/Muslim side of the issue, whose lobby is stronger than you give it credit for though ineffective at achieving peace and proper justice. Presently I have to get going.
[size=10]The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.[/size]
[size=9]Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970)[/size]
I'm interested. Spill.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
Not all Jews are Zionists and not all Zionist are Jews (in a religious sense, they may me of Jewish race but also Atheist in belief).
'Zionism' is quite new (100 years if that) and it is a POLITICAL movement which has no precedent in Jewish history.
Many Jews oppose the State of Israel because they believe only the Messiah is permitted to reconquer the Holy Land.
Zionism in its pure sense IS without doubt a far-right, racist ideology (although I'm not saying all people who call themselves Zionist are far-right OR racist).
Don't just do something! Stand there.
The Palestinians have nothing but a few pistols and some sticks and stones to defend themselves while the American government are funding the Zionists with tanks and large amounts of military equipment.
The Zionists are able to build huge walls if they want and even if the UN or Palestinians disagree.
Before when there was Muslim rule, Jews and Christians were able to live there in peace. Great leaders such a Saladin Ayoubi showed how peaceful, diplomatic and caring Muslims are.
However the Zionists treat the land as if they own it and shun the original habitants to one side and justify it by giving some old verses in their holy book.
"Purity is half of faith.......Prayer is the light...patience is illumination; and the Quran is an argument for or against you. Everyone starts his day and is a vendor of his soul, either freeing it or bringing about its ruin." Muslim
thats not true. first of all, I've never known sticks or stones to blow up in marketplaces. ok, the wall is accepted by the international community as illegal, but its Muslims who are to blame for not uniting. If they fight each other (which they do constantly) they can't blame Israel or anybody else for their plight.
Plus Zionists are not all religious. the founding fathers of zionism were secular and many religious jews oppose zionism (and the state of israel aswell)
Don't just do something! Stand there.
First of all, I am not that foolish that I think that all Jews are zionists. There are many religious Jews which oppose Zionism. However, many Zionists tend to be more religious and justify their acts by reading a few old verses and I have seen it myself.
Second of all, the suicide bombers produce bombs using their OWN resources.
They are not nearly as slightly advanced as the Zionists on the other side.
The Palestinians are fighting among themselves such as political groups like Hamas and Fata and I strongly disagree with the lack of unity there. But what can you expect from a bunch of very angry, depressed people behind a closed wall in small amounts of land other than fighting among themselves.
"Purity is half of faith.......Prayer is the light...patience is illumination; and the Quran is an argument for or against you. Everyone starts his day and is a vendor of his soul, either freeing it or bringing about its ruin." Muslim
It is impossible and only a heart-hearted fool can justify all the horrific acts carried out by the ruthless zionists. Every day they come with their bull-dozers and flatten houses. Hundreds of Palestinian women and children are killed, distressed or humiliated every day.
You have no choice but to admit it! :x
"Purity is half of faith.......Prayer is the light...patience is illumination; and the Quran is an argument for or against you. Everyone starts his day and is a vendor of his soul, either freeing it or bringing about its ruin." Muslim
Hundred's do not die every day.
Recently, more have dies through infighting between Hamas and Fatah.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
Sorry I meant hundred die every year.
Yes recently more have died because of the recent fighting between Hamas and Fatah however, they are angry, radical people who each have their own extreme view on how to fight back and change the situation. What can you expect???
"Purity is half of faith.......Prayer is the light...patience is illumination; and the Quran is an argument for or against you. Everyone starts his day and is a vendor of his soul, either freeing it or bringing about its ruin." Muslim
Correction.